Saturday, December 10, 2011

On Apostates: Dogs Returning To Their Vomit

I'd never read 2 Peter before. It's only three chapters, but I found the second particularly powerful regarding the especially odious damnation of those contemptibles who, having been saved for a moment, return to their old ways. People who think of the New Testament as full of love rather than fire and brimstone should take heed:

[6] And reducing the cities of the Sodomites, and of the Gomorrhites, into ashes, condemned them to be overthrown, making them an example to those that should after act wickedly. [7] And delivered just Lot, oppressed by the injustice and lewd conversation of the wicked. [8] For in sight and hearing he was just: dwelling among them, who from day to day vexed the just soul with unjust works. [9] The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly from temptation, but to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be tormented. [10] And especially them who walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government, audacious, self willed, they fear not to bring in sects, blaspheming. [11] Whereas angels who are greater in strength and power, bring not against themselves a railing judgment. [12] But these men, as irrational beasts, naturally tending to the snare and to destruction, blaspheming those things which they know not, shall perish in their corruption, [13] Receiving the reward of their injustice, counting for a pleasure the delights of a day: stains and spots, sporting themselves to excess, rioting in their feasts with you: [14] Having eyes full of adultery and of sin that ceaseth not: alluring unstable souls, having their heart exercised with covetousness, children of malediction: [15] Leaving the right way they have gone astray, having followed the way of Balaam of Bosor, who loved the wages of iniquity, [16] but had a check of his madness, the dumb beast used to the yoke, which speaking with man's voice, forbade the folly of the prophet. [17] These are fountains without water, and clouds tossed with whirlwinds, to whom the mist of darkness is reserved. [18] For, speaking proud words of vanity, they allure by the desires of fleshly riotousness, those who for a little while escape, such as converse in error: [19] Promising them liberty, whereas they themselves are the slaves of corruption. For by whom a man is overcome, of the same also he is the slave. [20] For if, flying from the pollutions of the world, through the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they be again entangled in them and overcome: their latter state is become unto them worse than the former. [21] For it had been better for them not to have known the way of justice, than after they have known it, to turn back from that holy commandment which was delivered to them. [22] For, that of the true proverb has happened to them: The dog is returned to his vomit: and, The sow that was washed, to her wallowing in the mire.

3 comments:

Marco da Vinha said...

Reminds me of something I witnessed yesterday, unfortunately :-(

Somone who played a role in bringing me back to the Church (while they themselves were also in the process), has once again fallen away, seeing it only as something useful at the time.

Michael said...

Sinner, be careful not to take this passage out of context. It specifically refers to those people, the false prophets who go around denying Christ, serving Satan and living in the lust and evil of the world. While all of us who do committ sin after Baptism should take heed to repent as soon as possible, go to Confession and go back to Christ, we are not all such wicked evil beasts. Jesus above all else wishes to extend mercy to all people, especially while they still have the opportunity wherever they are here on earth! I don't think it is wise to speak about condemnation unless someone is truly an enemy of the church. Even then, there are so many mitigating factors and possibilities for hope. Let the condemnation be a pre-text to mercy rather than condemnation for a certain group or type of people, or even ourselves. Who are we to judge or condemn?

It is easy to misread things in scripture and fall into a cycle of condemnation, judgmentalism or mentally crippling self-hate. Let the sheer goodness of Jesus make people feel bad about their actions or their sins. Don't "hasten" his judgment upon yourself and others. We want to save as many as possible.

Michael said...

Some definitions from the commentary in the online Duay-Rheims that you linked to:

"Sects of perdition: That is, heresies destructive of salvation."

"The delights of a day: that is, the short delights of this world, in which they place all their happiness."

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"Do not be too quick to condemn the man who no longer believes in God: for it is perhaps your own coldness and avarice and mediocrity and materialism and selfishness that have chilled his faith." -- Thomas Merton