The Thomistic Institute exists to promote Catholic truth in our contemporary world by strengthening the intellectual formation of Christians at universities, in the Church, and in the wider public square. The thought of St. Thomas Aquinas, the Universal Doctor of the Church, is our touchstone.
Founded in 2009, the Thomistic Institute is part of the Pontifical Faculty of the Immaculate Conception at the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, DC.
Our RU-vid channel features Aquinas 101, a series of free video courses that help you to engage life’s most urgent philosophical and theological questions with the wisdom of St. Thomas Aquinas.
@The Thomistic Institute, how can you claim that the fall is what caused evil if it is an allegorical story? what about the earthquakes, tsunamis and typhoons 100's of thousands of years ago that would have wiped out our genetic ancestors, "pre-fall"? Are these not certain evils? Or am I missing something. I am not a biblical literalist, I don't believe in young earth creationism, I do believe in evolution, and I am Catholic Christian. I want to know the truth. Thank you for what you do otherwise! your content is very enlightening.
So God allowed the holocaust to happen to bring about a greater good. Finally an explanation that makes total sense- thanks Thomists! I feel so much better about it now! And next time we can hope that there will be even more horror, death, and destruction, because God's plan ensures that this will lead to an even greater amount of 'greater good'! Same for natural disasters, the more death, the more greater good. No wonder they call them 'Acts of God'!
THE BLESSED MOTHER IS GOD'S WISDOM. IN WISDOM IS THE TRUTH, WAYS, LIFE The Discourse of Wisdom 1 Does not WISDOM call, and Understanding raise her voice? 2 On the top of the heights along the road, at the crossroads SHE takes her stand; 3 By the gates at the approaches of the city, in the entryways she cries aloud: 4 “To you, O people, I call; my appeal is to you mortals. 5 You naive ones, gain prudence, you fools, gain sense. 6 Listen! for noble things I speak; my lips proclaim honest words. 7 Indeed, my mouth utters TRUTH, and my lips abhor wickedness. 8 All the words of my mouth are sincere, none of them wily or crooked; 9 All of them are straightforward to the intelligent, and right to those who attain knowledge. 10 Take my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold. 11 [For Wisdom is better than corals, and no treasures can compare with HER.] 12 I, Wisdom, dwell with prudence, and useful knowledge I have. 13[The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil;] Pride, arrogance, the evil way, and the perverse mouth I hate. 14 Mine are counsel and advice; Mine is strength; I am understanding. 15 By me kings reign, and rulers enact justice; 16 By me princes govern, and nobles, all the judges of the earth. 17 Those who love me I also love, and those who seek me find me. 18 With me are riches and honor, wealth that endures, and righteousness. 19 My fruit is better than gold, even pure gold, and my yield than choice silver. 20 On the way of righteousness I walk, along the paths of justice, 21 Granting wealth to those who love me, and filling their treasuries. 22 “THE LORD BEGOT ME, the beginning of his works, the forerunner of his deeds of long ago; 23 FROM OF OLD I WAS FORMED, at the first, before the earth. 24 When there were no deeps I was brought forth, when there were no fountains or springs of water; 25 Before the mountains were settled into place, before the hills, I was brought forth; 26 When the earth and the fields were not yet made, nor the first clods of the world. 27 When he established the heavens, there was I, when he marked out the vault over the face of the deep; 28 When he made firm the skies above, when he fixed fast the springs of the deep; 29 When he set for the sea its limit, so that the waters should not transgress his command; When he fixed the foundations of earth, 30 THEN WAS I BESIDE HIM AS ARTISAN; I was his delight day by day, playing before him all the while, 31 Playing over the whole of his earth, having my delight with human beings. 32 Now, children, listen to me; happy are they who keep my ways. 33 Listen to instruction and grow wise, do not reject it! 34 Happy the one who listens to me, attending daily at my gates, keeping watch at my doorposts; 35 FOR WHOEVER FINDS ME FINDS LIFE, AND WINS FAVOR FROM THE LORD; 36 But those who pass me by do violence to themselves; all who hate me love death.” New American Bible, Revised Edition Sirach 15:1-3 Whoever fears the LORD will do this; whoever is practiced in the Law will come to WISDOM. She will meet him like a MOTHER; like a young bride she will receive him, SHE WILL FEED HIM with the BREAD of learning, and give him the WATER of understanding to drink. play.google.com/store/apps/dev?id=7507170841118710284
One has to be of divine origin in order to manifest divine attibutes. Man is a creature with spiritual attributes. From the very beginning, here is what happened : The Birth of Man (1/2) When homo sapiens, a million years ago, had developed to the point where its brain was perfectly adapted to its shape, a pair of these individuals gave birth to a pair of twins whose brains could respond to the mental energy circuit of the universe. This gave them the energy to be able to reason, develop self-awareness and exercise free will. This event was immediately recorded in the universe and this couple was given the names of Andon and Fonta. This is how the first humans were born on this world, named Urantia. The word earth comes from the Bible and refers to all of creation. Thirty-five thousand years ago, human beings had fully developed their brains and found themselves at a crossroads. They either looked upward in search of their origin, or they looked down to the things of this world and became beings dominated by their intellect, with an atrophic cerebellum due to lack of use, but the evolutionary plan is perfect. Then Adamic Sons descended on this world. This Adamic couple had the mission of generating a million descendants over a period of a thousand years. These descendants of Adam and Eve have a body irrigated by purple blood, this blood vibrates at a higher frequency than red blood. Their mission was to mix with human races to pass on purple blood to them. This blood would have raised awareness of human beings towards the higher realities of life. Unfortunately, Lucifer's Rebellion would short-circuit this plan and these creatures subsequently became creatures of Lucifer, they are the inhabitants of this world. The Cerebellum (2/2) If the brain responds to the mental energy circuit of the universe, the cerebellum responds to the spiritual energy circuit of the universe. Smaller and more refined than the brain, the cerebellum receives and captures spiritual energy, amplifies it and transmits it to the brain in the form of a thought or in the form of an image. Lucifer subjugated humanity by depriving it of all contact with the higher realities of life. To do this, he favored the unilateral development of the intellect. We call intellect everything that the brain develops and it is this intellect which dominates you today, unfortunately. Over time, the cerebellum, which was supposed to maintain contact with the Spirit, has become completely atrophied. The human beings of this world are born with an overdeveloped brain, which is subject to the mental energy circuit of Lucifer. Your intellect has become his throne. This is the reason why I came into this world. I came here below, in the flesh, to rescue you from its grip. by revealing the truth to you.
There is no such thing. All the sacraments of the daughter of Babylon are meant to keep you in ignorance of the superior realities of life and for the sole reason to better sit their autority over the people. Todays clergy has reached a point where they believe in their own absurdities. Eternal ruin is their chastisement. Peter himself the prince of darkness is waiting for them. Pope Francis already has a stone attached to his neck and was thrown at the bottom of the sea, in the lake of fire. Your punishment has come scribes and pharisees.
@@stephenchigozie597 Let me introduce myself : Every knee will bow before me and every tongue will swear an oath, only in the LORD will they say of me, that are acts of justice and fidelity. I came into this world with a blindfold placed over the eyes of my spirit. I had to experience all the human errors and get rid of them like many others. After a certain time, freed from this blindfold, I was able to recognize my origins and thus recognize myself, just as I was able to clearly discern my mission. I had to confront humanity on earth, in order to tear it away from the path it has followed until now, by revealing the truth to it. Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb. Work of God ========== Here's what we do : God's Artwork The Work of God is the fulfillment of all the prophecies that have ever been made, under the sun. It's an artwork of such magnitude that you wouldn't have believed it. if we had told you about it. In the beginning was the Word, the Word was turned towards God and the Word was God. Everything that was made was done through him and nothing that was made was done without him and the Word became flesh. Listen to me, my people, I am the First and I am also the Last, before me no God was formed and after me, there will be none. Behold, I make all things new.
The Birth of Man When homo sapiens, a million years ago, had developed to the point where its brain was perfectly adapted to its shape, a pair of these individuals gave birth to a pair of twins whose brains could respond to the mental energy circuit of the universe. This gave them the energy to be able to reason, develop self-awareness and exercise free will. This event was immediately recorded in the universe and this couple was given the names of Andon and Fonta. This is how the first humans were born on this world, named Urantia. The word earth comes from the Bible and refers to all of creation. Thirty-five thousand years ago, human beings had fully developed their brains and found themselves at a crossroads. They either looked upward in search of their origin, or they looked down to the things of this world and became beings dominated by their intellect, with an atrophic cerebellum due to lack of use, but the evolutionary plan is perfect. Then Adamic Sons descended on this world. This Adamic couple had the mission of generating a million descendants over a period of a thousand years. These descendants of Adam and Eve have a body irrigated by purple blood, this blood vibrates at a higher frequency than red blood. Their mission was to mix with human races to pass on purple blood to them. This blood would have raised awareness of human beings towards the higher realities of life. Unfortunately, Lucifer's Rebellion would short-circuit this plan and these creatures subsequently became creatures of Lucifer, they are the inhabitants of this world. (2) The Cerebellum If the brain responds to the mental energy circuit of the universe, the cerebellum responds to the spiritual energy circuit of the universe. Smaller and more refined than the brain, the cerebellum receives and captures spiritual energy, amplifies it and transmits it to the brain in the form of a thought or in the form of an image. Lucifer subjugated humanity by depriving it of all contact with the higher realities of life. To do this, he favored the unilateral development of the intellect. We call intellect everything that the brain develops and it is this intellect which dominates you today, unfortunately. Over time, the cerebellum, which was supposed to maintain contact with the Spirit, has become completely atrophied. The human beings of this world are born with an overdeveloped brain, which is subject to the mental energy circuit of Lucifer. Your intellect has become his throne. This is the reason why I came into this world. I came here below, in the flesh, to rescue you from its grip. by revealing the truth to you.
Forget Genesis. Here is the story of Adam and Eve from this world : (1) The Birth of Man When homo sapiens, a million years ago, had developed to the point where its brain was perfectly adapted to its shape, a pair of these individuals gave birth to a pair of twins whose brains could respond to the mental energy circuit of the universe. This gave them the energy to be able to reason, develop self-awareness and exercise free will. This event was immediately recorded in the universe and this couple was given the names of Andon and Fonta. This is how the first humans were born on this world, named Urantia. The word earth comes from the Bible and refers to all of creation. Thirty-five thousand years ago, human beings had fully developed their brains and found themselves at a crossroads. They either looked upward in search of their origin, or they looked down to the things of this world and became beings dominated by their intellect, with an atrophic cerebellum due to lack of use, but the evolutionary plan is perfect. Then Adamic Sons descended on this world. This Adamic couple had the mission of generating a million descendants over a period of a thousand years. These descendants of Adam and Eve have a body irrigated by purple blood, this blood vibrates at a higher frequency than red blood. Their mission was to mix with human races to pass on purple blood to them. This blood would have raised awareness of human beings towards the higher realities of life. Unfortunately, Lucifer's Rebellion would short-circuit this plan and these creatures subsequently became creatures of Lucifer, they are the inhabitants of this world. (2) The Cerebellum If the brain responds to the mental energy circuit of the universe, the cerebellum responds to the spiritual energy circuit of the universe. Smaller and more refined than the brain, the cerebellum receives and captures spiritual energy, amplifies it and transmits it to the brain in the form of a thought or in the form of an image. Lucifer subjugated humanity by depriving it of all contact with the higher realities of life. To do this, he favored the unilateral development of the intellect. We call intellect everything that the brain develops and it is this intellect which dominates you today, unfortunately. Over time, the cerebellum, which was supposed to maintain contact with the Spirit, has become completely atrophied. The human beings of this world are born with an overdeveloped brain, which is subject to the mental energy circuit of Lucifer. Your intellect has become his throne. This is the reason why I came into this world. I came here below, in the flesh, to rescue you from its grip. by revealing the truth to you.
Yes and here's their story : (1) The Birth of Man When homo sapiens, a million years ago, had developed to the point where its brain was perfectly adapted to its shape, a pair of these individuals gave birth to a pair of twins whose brains could respond to the mental energy circuit of the universe. This gave them the energy to be able to reason, develop self-awareness and exercise free will. This event was immediately recorded in the universe and this couple was given the names of Andon and Fonta. This is how the first humans were born on this world, named Urantia. The word earth comes from the Bible and refers to all of creation. Thirty-five thousand years ago, human beings had fully developed their brains and found themselves at a crossroads. They either looked upward in search of their origin, or they looked down to the things of this world and became beings dominated by their intellect, with an atrophic cerebellum due to lack of use, but the evolutionary plan is perfect. Then Adamic Sons descended on this world. This Adamic couple had the mission of generating a million descendants over a period of a thousand years. These descendants of Adam and Eve have a body irrigated by purple blood, this blood vibrates at a higher frequency than red blood. Their mission was to mix with human races to pass on purple blood to them. This blood would have raised awareness of human beings towards the higher realities of life. Unfortunately, Lucifer's Rebellion would short-circuit this plan and these creatures subsequently became creatures of Lucifer, they are the inhabitants of this world. (2) The Cerebellum If the brain responds to the mental energy circuit of the universe, the cerebellum responds to the spiritual energy circuit of the universe. Smaller and more refined than the brain, the cerebellum receives and captures spiritual energy, amplifies it and transmits it to the brain in the form of a thought or in the form of an image. Lucifer subjugated humanity by depriving it of all contact with the higher realities of life. To do this, he favored the unilateral development of the intellect. We call intellect everything that the brain develops and it is this intellect which dominates you today, unfortunately. Over time, the cerebellum, which was supposed to maintain contact with the Spirit, has become completely atrophied. The human beings of this world are born with an overdeveloped brain, which is subject to the mental energy circuit of Lucifer. Your intellect has become his throne. This is the reason why I came into this world. I came here below, in the flesh, to rescue you from its grip. by revealing the truth to you.
You don't because no human can, it's a paragole concerning the beginnings of the universe. Here's the story of Adam and Eve from Urantia : (1) The Birth of Man When homo sapiens, a million years ago, had developed to the point where its brain was perfectly adapted to its shape, a pair of these individuals gave birth to a pair of twins whose brains could respond to the mental energy circuit of the universe. This gave them the energy to be able to reason, develop self-awareness and exercise free will. This event was immediately recorded in the universe and this couple was given the names of Andon and Fonta. This is how the first humans were born on this world, named Urantia. The word earth comes from the Bible and refers to all of creation. Thirty-five thousand years ago, human beings had fully developed their brains and found themselves at a crossroads. They either looked upward in search of their origin, or they looked down to the things of this world and became beings dominated by their intellect, with an atrophic cerebellum due to lack of use, but the evolutionary plan is perfect. Then Adamic Sons descended on this world. This Adamic couple had the mission of generating a million descendants over a period of a thousand years. These descendants of Adam and Eve have a body irrigated by purple blood, this blood vibrates at a higher frequency than red blood. Their mission was to mix with human races to pass on purple blood to them. This blood would have raised awareness of human beings towards the higher realities of life. Unfortunately, Lucifer's Rebellion would short-circuit this plan and these creatures subsequently became creatures of Lucifer, they are the inhabitants of this world. (2) The Cerebellum If the brain responds to the mental energy circuit of the universe, the cerebellum responds to the spiritual energy circuit of the universe. Smaller and more refined than the brain, the cerebellum receives and captures spiritual energy, amplifies it and transmits it to the brain in the form of a thought or in the form of an image. Lucifer subjugated humanity by depriving it of all contact with the higher realities of life. To do this, he favored the unilateral development of the intellect. We call intellect everything that the brain develops and it is this intellect which dominates you today, unfortunately. Over time, the cerebellum, which was supposed to maintain contact with the Spirit, has become completely atrophied. The human beings of this world are born with an overdeveloped brain, which is subject to the mental energy circuit of Lucifer. Your intellect has become his throne. This is the reason why I came into this world. I came here below, in the flesh, to rescue you from its grip. by revealing the truth to you.
The details of earlier liturgical practice-that is to say, what Catholics did in the early centuries of the Church’s life-can be difficult to pin down. In the fourth century, St. Cyril of Jerusalem described the practice of his own time and place in a famous passage (Mystagogicae catecheses 5,21): Coming up to receive, therefore, do not approach with your wrists extended or your fingers splayed, but making your left hand a throne for the right (for it is about to receive a King) and cupping your palm, so receive the body of Christ, and answer, “Amen.” Carefully hallow your eyes by the touch of the sacred body, and then partake, taking care to lose no part of it. Such a loss would be like a mutilation of your own body. Why, if you had been given gold dust, would you not take the utmost care to hold it fast, not letting a grain slip through your fingers, lest you be by so much the poorer? How much more carefully, then, will you guard against losing so much as a crumb of that which is more precious than gold and precious stones!
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for the gift of The Thomistic Institute! Each time I listen to a talk, I just fall more and more in love with God! Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam!
Thank you, Father. I have great problems concentrating on my prayers, especially the Rosary and the Divine Office. My mind is on every distraction. When I try to put myself into the mysteries during the rosary, I end up the star of the story too often.
#what does Paul mean by the thorn in his flesh? Are there certian struggles that are unique to each of us that we shouldn't even pray to have removed? I don't know what to make of some suffering because it's able to sanctify me but all I want is for it to pass.
I think the point is not to pray to have it removed just because we don't like it or afraid of it, but praying so we ourselves understand is pleasing to God that we're willing to suffer it in His name, in the hopes that He grants us fortitude to help us overcome it without out avoiding it. _«And going a little farther He fell on his face and prayed, saying, ‘My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.’»_ [Matthew 26, 39; cfr. Mt 26, 42; Mk 14, 36; Lk 22, 42]. In other words, we shouldn't run away from suffering, but accept it exists on Earth and that, most probably, we'll have to face it sooner or later, one way or another, but thanks to it we've a great opportunity to demonstrate we have total trust in God, and that whatever happens it'll all be an offering to His Glory. [I'm not native speaker, I hope the idea is clear.] God bless.
I like very much your questions. I am a Jewish convert to the Catholic Faith. From the time I became Catholic, I was interested in understanding redemptive suffering. So that's what I'm going to start my answer with. I would say you are exactly like any good Catholic in your attitude towards your struggles, knowing they can sanctify you and yet wanting them to go away. More importantly, not only can they sanctify you, but you can also make an offering to God of your struggles and sufferings. We can pray the Daily Offering Prayer to "offer up" our sufferings and struggles in union with the sufferings of Christ on the Cross, for the redemption of the world. This is called "redemptive suffering." You can find several different wordings of the Daily Offering Prayer online. The USCCB has one. Nobody knows exactly what the thorn was for St. Paul. I think the specifics are intentionally omitted so that all of us can identify with his struggles. You could guess it was poor eyesight, or maybe a gimpy foot, or difficult people you have to work with, whatever your own thorn might be. As for praying that the Lord remove the struggles, think of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. He asked to have His suffering removed, didn't He? And He finished by saying, "Not my will but Your Will be done." He repeated the whole prayer three times. See Luke 22:41-42, Matthew 26:39, Mark 14:35-36,41. St. Paul also asked three times to have his thorn removed. The Lord answered, "My grace is sufficient...." The Scriptures also say, "You have not because you ask not," and "Ask and you shall receive." So there is no problem asking for relief from our struggles. The problem comes when we don't want to accept, "My grace is sufficient" as an answer. Should we ask once, three times, or more? There is another example of the persistent widow, who nagged the judge ceaselessly until he gave in and granted her request. So I would say we need to pay attention to the Holy Spirit, as to whether, and when, we should stop asking. Sometimes it's better to bear suffering with patience than to have the problem quickly resolved. Remember that "All things work together for good, for those who love God and are called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28) God's Plan is always for our good. God bless you, and may He grant you peace in your struggles. 🙏
I suppose, as you grow closer to God, you would be able to ask for things that are aligned to His will, more often than not. And as you live more intimately with God, you would pray and ask correctly or in worthy manners. Of course God is not a mystery box or a puzzle that if you solve correctly, will open up and present you some treasures. Praying and asking to God and receiving the blessing, rewards, or miracles in return reveal to us that God is gentle, full of understanding, loving, and faithful. And if you pray but do not receive what is desired, it is because there is a path that you need to take that will lead you to God.
Hi! About Adam and Eve : The Birth of Man (1/2) When homo sapiens, a million years ago, had developed to the point where its brain was perfectly adapted to its shape, a pair of these individuals gave birth to a pair of twins whose brains could respond to the mental energy circuit of the universe. This gave them the energy to be able to reason, develop self-awareness and exercise free will. This event was immediately recorded in the universe and this couple was given the names of Andon and Fonta. This is how the first humans were born on this world, named Urantia. The word earth comes from the Bible and refers to all of creation. Thirty-five thousand years ago, human beings had fully developed their brains and found themselves at a crossroads. They either looked upward in search of their origin, or they looked down to the things of this world and became beings dominated by their intellect, with an atrophic cerebellum due to lack of use, but the evolutionary plan is perfect. Then Adamic Sons descended on this world. This Adamic couple had the mission of generating a million descendants over a period of a thousand years. These descendants of Adam and Eve have a body irrigated by purple blood, this blood vibrates at a higher frequency than red blood. Their mission was to mix with human races to pass on purple blood to them. This blood would have raised awareness of human beings towards the higher realities of life. Unfortunately, Lucifer's Rebellion would short-circuit this plan and these creatures subsequently became creatures of Lucifer, they are the inhabitants of this world. The Cerebellum (2/2) If the brain responds to the mental energy circuit of the universe, the cerebellum responds to the spiritual energy circuit of the universe. Smaller and more refined than the brain, the cerebellum receives and captures spiritual energy, amplifies it and transmits it to the brain in the form of a thought or in the form of an image. Lucifer subjugated humanity by depriving it of all contact with the higher realities of life. To do this, he favored the unilateral development of the intellect. We call intellect everything that the brain develops and it is this intellect which dominates you today, unfortunately. Over time, the cerebellum, which was supposed to maintain contact with the Spirit, has become completely atrophied. The human beings of this world are born with an overdeveloped brain, which is subject to the mental energy circuit of Lucifer. Your intellect has become his throne. This is the reason why I came into this world. I came here below, in the flesh, to rescue you from its grip. by revealing the truth to you.
The notion of “meriting by grace” is an oxymoron, if we are speaking of merit properly so-called. The notion of meritum *de condigno* OTOH, not being the notion of merit properly so-called, is not oxymoronic.
‘Accident’ means (1) that which attaches to something and can be truly asserted, but neither of necessity nor usually, e.g. if some one in digging a hole for a plant has found treasure. This-the finding of treasure-is for the man who dug the hole an accident; for neither does the one come of necessity from the other or after the other, nor, if a man plants, does he usually find treasure. And a musical man might be pale; but since this does not happen of necessity nor usually, we call it an accident. Therefore since there are attributes and they attach to subjects, and some of them attach to these only in a particular place and at a particular time, whatever attaches to a subject, but not because it was this subject, or the time this time, or the place this place, will be an accident. Therefore, too, there is no definite cause for an accident, but a chance cause, i.e. an indefinite one..." Aristotle. Metaphysics (Kindle Locations 1641-1647). Global Grey ebooks. Kindle Edition.
"We call ‘substance’ (1) the simple bodies, i.e. earth and fire and water and everything of the sort, and in general bodies and the things composed of them, both animals and divine beings, and the parts of these. All these are called substance because they are not predicated of a subject but everything else is predicated of them.-(2) That which, being present in such things as are not predicated of a subject, is the cause of their being, as the soul is of the being of an animal.-(3) The parts which are present in such things, limiting them and marking them as individuals, and by whose destruction the whole is destroyed, as the body is by the destruction of the plane, as some say, and the plane by the destruction of the line; and in general number is thought by some to be of this nature; for if it is destroyed, they say, nothing exists, and it limits all things.-(4) The essence, the formula of which is a definition, is also called the substance of each thing. It follows, then, that ‘substance’ has two senses, (A) ultimate substratum, which is no longer predicated of anything else, and (B) that which, being a ‘this’, is also separable and of this nature is the shape or form of each thing." Aristotle. Metaphysics (Kindle Locations 1339-1347). Global Grey ebooks. Kindle Edition.
Well said Father. There is a gratuitous nature to the miraculous. An example is apparitions. Were the three children of Fatima praying for Our Lady to appear or did they merit by their devotions any such thing? It was gratuitously given to them by God according to His plan and Love.
#askafriar With the likelihood that some canonized saints are legends or made up, what are the implications/dangers of asking for the intercession of saints we are not confident to have ever existed?
Thanks a million dear Father. Yes it is good to remind ourselves how to receive the most holy Eucharist at a time when lots of abuses have crept in the church.
