#JSWonders

[adventism-atheism-orthodoxy-me]

Specificity and Universalism: The Give and Take

Growing up, my Christian experience would probably be considered more fundamentalist than anything else. Our theological discussions revolved around whether certain groups could be considered Christian or not depending upon a whole slew of things - whether or not they were vegetarian, whether or not they ate pork, whether or not they drank caffeine, used black pepper, or consumed alcohol. Did they wear jewelry, and if so, was it subdued and tasteful enough to pass, or useful in some sense like a watch? Do they allow people to go to theaters and bars? And, of course, in my background there was Sabbatarianism.

In terms of theology - ideas that must be held - there was "soul sleep", a post tribulation rapture, and the rationales associated with our practices outlined above. Don't even get me started on the Investigative Judgement doctrine. There were many discussions regarding Daniel and Revelation. Cleanliness vs uncleanliness were big, as were following the Ten Commandments to the letter. When young, I didn't hear many sermons on the atonement, but going into my teen and adult years, the flavor became decidedly Penal - we are saved, but just only just so. The faith vs works - sorry - cheap vs costly grace debates became huge.

"Universalism" as a theological movement was completely inconceivable. Accepting it, I think, would have meant that we would have to compromise on a whole host of ideas and practices that defined us.

This would be unacceptable.

And "Universalism", the formal theological concept per my limited understanding of it, couldn't be any more anti-Christian than Satanism (worse than Paganism). It may still be - I was never interested in it, it seemed too passion driven.

But I don't think I was unique. I just recently watched a video where a former Fundamentalist Christian talks about the conflict between Acts 2 and Acts 9 dispensationalists. This "culty" us vs. them permeates fundamentalist Protestantism. It even spills out into Politics, I think, in the Christian Nationalist movement.

I see Protestantism awash in specifics of this sort.

So when the Orthodox apologist starts arguing vehemently, in shrieking voices that Orthodoxy is about specifics, they and the fundamental Protestant are NOT talking the same language; and are using the same word to describe vastly different concepts, the same, I think, could be said about the term universal too.

A Fundamentalist Protestant needs to step back from the "specifics" of the faith that broke down, and start looking for basic concepts. Even atheists are willing to admit that a god might exist. That's a place to start. For myself, I'm willing to believe that Christ might even be a physical manifestation of that God. The Bible for it's part too, can be provisionally considered as "God's word", but certainly not unqualified.

Keep in mind that a fundamentalist Protestant has grown up with a specific way of looking at something that has been found deficient.

Their world has turned to ash and something must be rebuilt in it's place.

Some choose to discard everything.

Others of us wonder how the whole thing started. There was a point at which Christianity was attractive and growing - even under extreme persecution. You can talk about the, "specifics of the faith", but all the specifics in the world pale to the overarching theme that God loves me.

God loves me.

Not in the self serving co-dependent sense of needs and wants found in much of Protestantism.

No.

He Loves me. Period. Full stop. Without qualification.

Now I understand that there's a bit of a back and forth between the universal principals and the specifics of the faith. Universal, Godlike love may differ from what many of us in our passions might call "love", but that's where the specifics come in. Relics of the Saints reinforce the real presence of the divine in this world. Icons, give us the ability to see the physicality of the divine - Christ became man, and could be physically painted. The seasons of the fast give us an opportunity to practice what it means to deny ourselves for others, and to meet with others in celebration afterwards. The Services give us a taste of heaven. The Ten commandments are unnecessary if the Fruits of the Spirit, as Christ specifically demonstrated, guide your life. It encourages emotional maturity.

But notice that this specificity is not the same use of specificity as the Protestant mind holds in their head. It's of a completely different sort. This specificity is decidedly human, for our benefit, and it draws us to God, the ultimate truth as it were. It is not some artificial laundry list of things to believe, remember, or do or not do - a specificity that divides and separates.

Lord have mercy upon me, A Sinner.

[thediaryofdivanopka]

ig : jswonders

[joe-moi]

in case someone asks if you think JK was ice skating with CSW. her sister reposted this story and you can see CSW in the back with the friends she posted on her story. no sign of JK https://instagram.com/stories/jswonders/3254376688354969014?utm_source=ig_story_item_share&igshid=ZWI2YzEzYmMxYg==

someone already mentioned joe might be there. Here is another angle yall

[wildcmbcrsupdates]

anniening: Our short film for VOGUE CHINA, 《如梦初醒》is finally out! So grateful to have produced this beautiful film alongside a group of incredible filmmakers, including @rebeccawyzan and @_council 💖 a treasure to be led by @chasesuiwonders and her vision. Amazing photos by @jswonders 📸

Chase Sui Wonders, Emily May Jampel, Havana Rose Liu and Lukita Maxwell via anniening on Instagram, 01/25/2022.

[esoteric44ngel]

details from sandy liang ss23

(credit: jswonders)

[jordansparkes]

@annasui 💜 "Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the latest #AnnaSui doll?” Model @walldamort was captured in the whimsical, ever-inspiring apartment of #AnnaSui for the #SS20 campaign. @ttmakarova @jswonders @danprosky and 🖤⭐️#hairbyjordansparkes #thesalonatbergdorfgoodman @jordansparkx @randco 💕 (at Nova York NYC) https://www.instagram.com/p/B9QGT4EAp-u/?igshid=1c66qgvsbhqlx

[instapicsil3]

In honor of @marcjacobs's reissue, he asked his longtime friend @annasui to bring back some looks from her own iconic grunge collection. Sold in Jacobs’s Madison Avenue pop-up shop and Sui’s Broome Street boutique, the pieces from the Spring 1993 season range from apron dresses to striped maxis. Tap the link in our bio to see the pieces modeled by Sui’s niece @chasesuiwonders and her niece’s best friend, @lozelophone. Photographed by @jswonders http://bit.ly/2FinBZV

[denisemorais]

Festa em #pretoebranco na coleção #resort22 de @annasui #jacquard Posted @withregram • @annasui Introducing the #AnnaSuiResort2022 Collection "Enchantment" inspired by the the 1921 film of the same name. In the film "Enchantment" the spirited Marion Davies is set against Wiener Wekstaette sets by Josef Urban which inspired Anna to create a collection filled with checkerboard and windowpane patterns, multiple layers, textures, and colors. Photo by: @jswonders MakeUp By: @PatMcGrathLabs Hair By @LeviMonarch & @thebobbymichael for @randcobleu Production Design: @danprosky (em São Paulo, Brazil) https://www.instagram.com/p/CP--2oEsvXT/?utm_medium=tumblr

[adventism-atheism-orthodoxy-me]

Worth posting.

[adventism-atheism-orthodoxy-me]

I grew up with this guy.

Listening to this project it's easy to see why we seemed to hit it off when we were kids. We lost touch when he started going to a different grade-school - I can't remember if it was third or fourth grade.

And while I don't remember the details of our discussions when we were kids, I do remember that our discussions had a deferent flavor then the discussions I had with anyone else.

Now, my project here is small, mostly just a public diary, but if you follow me, you might enjoy Jon too.

[jordansparkes]

Should I eat this cake with my hands? 🍰 @annasui ⭐️💜💙❤️⭐️ @walldamort wears the embroidered tulle dress from #AnnaSuiSS20. @jswonders @chasesuiwonders @metpostny @coryfraimanlott @ttmakarova @amydougherty9 #hairbyjordansparkes @jordansparkx @contactnyc @randco @garrennewyork #liveyourdream 💙🦋 (at New York, New York) https://www.instagram.com/p/B9psiXhA7ir/?igshid=1k7zmi8yh2zmy

[jordansparkes]

💜 @annasui #annasuiss20 story with @walldamort @jswonders ⭐️ @ttmakarova @danprosky and hair by me @jordansparkx #hairbyjordansparkes #liveyourdream @randco 🦋#thesalonatbergdorfgoodman 💕 (at New York City) https://www.instagram.com/p/B9CrSnGKgjs/?igshid=1heanajko5hqc

[jordansparkes]

💜 @annasui #AnnaSuiSS20 @walldamort @ttmakarova @danprosky @jswonders and #hairbyjordansparkes @jordansparkx 💙@randco @contactnyc #thesalonatbergdorfgoodman 🧡 (at New York, New York) https://www.instagram.com/p/B8_yvo8gDL4/?igshid=s5e0ra9xb6t

[jordansparkes]

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jordan Sparkes (@jordansparkx)

🦋 #liveyourdream @annasui 💜 #annasuiss2020 Director @jswonders @chasesuiwonders Model @walldamort Hair @jordansparkx Makeup @ttmakarova Style @amydougherty9 #sofiacoppola @kaimiedendorp #hairbyjordansparkes 💙 #happysummer 🌈☀️ @contactnyc @thesalonus (at West Village, Manhattan) https://www.instagram.com/p/CCzWYT0gY9j/?igshid=1ufp6puc4pg0j

[jordansparkes]

🦋 #liveyourdream @annasui 💜 #annasuiss2020 Director @jswonders @chasesuiwonders Model @walldamort Hair @jordansparkx Makeup @ttmakarova Style @amydougherty9 #sofiacoppola @kaimiedendorp #hairbyjordansparkes 💙 #happysummer 🌈☀️ (at West Village, Manhattan) https://www.instagram.com/p/CCzVTkfg31_/?igshid=1967bvjhg1uv6