By Abbot Tryphon
“I’ve never met an atheist!” Atheists And The Dark Forces | The Morning Offering.
The young man announced at the beginning of a college class that he was an atheist. I’d been invited as a guest lecturer, and had opened the talk with the observation that everyone has a nous that hungers for God. This young man took exception, declaring there was no God, and furthermore stating that he certainly did not have hunger for a relationship with anything that could be defined as a god.
The Dark Forces | The Misconception
I asked him to define the god he’d chosen to deny, and after hearing his definition, I declared that I agreed with him. I, too, did not believe in such a god. The average understanding of just who God is, has largely been based on a concept that is not in sync with the biblical description of God, nor the teachings of the historic Church. Furthermore, the false science that is the basis for the denial of God’s involvement in creation, and in the life of our world, has come about due, in large part, to this very misconception of just who God is, to begin with.
The God that has been revealed in the holy scriptures, and the God we worship within the life of the Church, is a God that so loved us, that He took on our human flesh, that He might experience our hunger, our thirst, our sorrow, our pain, and even our joy. He is not a remote God, incapable of understanding His creation, but, rather, a God who chose to join Himself to His creation, and invite us into communion with Him. We have been invited to share in His divinity, and, through the gift of eternal life, to dwell with Him forever.
The Dark Forces | The Disbelief
Our God is present everywhere, and is Light in a darkened universe. Everything that is good, is from God, for He is love, and has invited us into communion within His love. His light shines upon us, even when we chose to live in darkness, for He is everywhere present, and fills all things. Our disbelief in no way cancels out His presence, nor does our disbelief in any way negate the fact that He is God.
The Dark Forces | The Obvious
The person who declares himself an atheist, is in fact one who avoids the obvious. Refusing to believe in God’s existence in no way cancels out the reality that God indeed does exist. Just as refusing to believe the world is round because it appears flat from our perspective, or denying the existence of molecules because we can’t see them, the denial of God’s existence emanates from a narrow focus on self.
That one would deny the existence of God, yet accept the theories of quantum mechanics, which are based on an unprovable noetic science, is proof that we, as a species, have fallen far from that which our Creator God had intended, having become, in our pride, gods unto ourselves.
“The truth is increasingly being blocked by dark forces” Atheists And The Dark Forces | The Morning Offering.
The Dark Forces | The Vineyard
I labor in this vineyard for the Lord, Whom I believe has called me to this online mission. I post my blog articles, together with the daily scripture readings, because I care from the depth of my heart for the next generation. I upload podcasts five days a week to Ancient Faith Radio because, like the wonderful Christians who produce this online radio station that reaches 151 countries with Holy Orthodoxy, I care deeply about our world. I labor for the love of Christ, Whom I serve.
The Internet is a vast network that does a lot of harm, yet it is also a tremendous vehicle for spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Internet is a great way to teach others about the Orthodox Church, as we share the ancient Christian path that is unknown to most people in the Western World. It is also a wonderful vehicle for connecting Orthodox Christians from many lands, creating friendships and support for living a life that is in opposition to that of this world. It is easier to live the otherworldly life of an Orthodox Christian when you receive support and love from those who are doing so under the extreme conditions of the persecuted.
The Dark Forces | The Banishment From Facebook
It is with all this in mind that I confess my sadness that Facebook has chosen to ban me from their social medium, and separate me from my 39,553 “friends” and followers of my “Abbot Tryphon” Facebook page. All those who know me are aware of my passion for missionary work. My blog, The Morning Offering began as a pastoral and missionary tool, allowing me to reach out with the truth of the Orthodox Faith in this age of the internet.
“Since my banishment from Facebook, without first being informed they’d found me in violation of their “standards”, I am deeply saddened that I could not even inform my readers that they needed to subscribe to my Ancient Faith Ministries blog page, The Morning Offering.” Atheists And The Dark Forces | The Morning Offering.
Since my banishment from Facebook, without first being informed they’d found me in violation of their “standards”, I am deeply saddened that I could not even inform my readers that they needed to subscribe to my Ancient Faith Ministries blog page, The Morning Offering. Thus, there are perhaps thousands of people who believe I simply chose to walk away from this ministry of sharing encouraging words, and attempting to pass on to my Facebook readers the tools needed to survive this age of nihilism.
I ask that you please pass on to your friends and family the link to my Ancient Faith Ministries blog, The Morning Offering, and let them know that Abbot Tryphon did not walk away from this ministry of support, but that I was blocked by Facebook.
“We can help others know of Jesus Christ by sharing the Good News through the online medium that has become such a normal part of our everyday lives. We can share the truth of our ancient Orthodox Faith by linking our friends and family to videos, podcasts, and blog articles that promote the Faith to people who would otherwise be left in darkness.” Atheists And The Dark Forces | The Morning Offering.
The Dark Forces | The Good News
I’m convinced the Internet has become the major vehicle for the workings of the Evil One, and our children are not the only vulnerable ones. Indeed, our nation is at the crossroads, for we are witnessing the “reset” of our Western way of life.
We can help others know of Jesus Christ by sharing the Good News through the online medium that has become such a normal part of our everyday lives. We can share the truth of our ancient Orthodox Faith by linking our friends and family to videos, podcasts, and blog articles that promote the Faith to people who would otherwise be left in darkness.
Please, dear ones, pray for me, and for other purveyors of our Christian faith, and who are finding ourselves blocked by powerful dark forces that would shield the truth from being passed on to the next generation. And, pray with me that fellow citizens of this world see the importance of returning our gaze upon the God Who created us, and repent.
With love in Christ,
Abbot Tryphon
About The Brotherhood of the All-Merciful Saviour Monastery
All-Merciful Saviour Monastery is a monastery of the Western American Diocese, under the omophor of His Eminence Kyrill, Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America. The Monastery is a non-profit 501 C3 organization under IRS regulations. All donations are therefore tax deductible.
We depend on the generosity of our friends and benefactors. You can donate to the monastery through PayPal, or by sending donations directly to the monastery’s mailing address:
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By: Abbot Tryphon | The All-Merciful Saviour Orthodox Monastery on Vashon Island. Washington, United States
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