Based Christianity for Beginners

[Emperor Constantine]

I agree with the sentiment that the search for too much knowledge can be a pointless burden, but I don’t think that applies to knowing which Churches have Apostolic succession and proper dogmas and which don’t.

Yeah, thanks for pointing that out. I don't mean to suggest that truth is unnecessary; what I mean is:
- someone who is not a practicing Christian is hardly in a good place to figure out the details of the truth,
- Once you've found the truth endless learning is not necessarily helpful.

My perspective might be skewed: I spent about three years obsessively reading about theology before I joined the Church, the latter two of which I had already started to believe. I definitely think this was not the correct approach; it is extraordinary that by God's grace I ended up choosing the Orthodox Church, because I lacked the wisdom and moral foundation for good decision-making.

 

[MichaelWitcoff]

Likewise on that last part. For me it was more disillusionment with certain things at my Wesleyan church and the subsequent search for something more traditional, so I took a historical rather than theological approach. I wasn’t even a Trinitarian when I started exploring Orthodoxy, but eventually had to ask myself whether it was more likely that I was smarter than all the Church Fathers or that they all knew something I didn’t understand yet. Had to swallow my pride on that and many more topics before I felt comfortable submitting to the wisdom of the Church.

 

[redbeard]

Wow, this thread got thrown off topic. Anyway, back to the OP...

Basically I’d like to ask for recommendations on books, documentaries, interviews, podcasts etc. where I could read about the history of Christianity, it’s traditions and why they are important, how to follow Christian doctrine within this day and age from a Red Pill perspective… everything is welcome. God bless!

For absolute beginners there's two books I recommend.

St. Joseph Baltimore Catechism

The King of the Golden City

Yes, both of these are children's books. But, they're great introductions that'll start you on the road to building your faith.

If you're new, you don't need to be reading historical tomes about the intricacies of the Church. You need a strong backbone of faith that will lead you to learn everything else. These two books will accomplish that goal.

 

[Roosh]

I see there is a mild debate going on in this thread. Ensure it stays rational, with nothing that can be perceived as attacking fellow Christians. Ultimately, this forum is not suitable for theological debate. State your position and don't get upset or emotionally invested if others disagree.

 

[bobmjilica]

Yeah, all denominations have their issues. As Roosh alluded to, as an American Protestant I will work to strengthen and fix my own community before I go and criticize others.
In other news, a very good, quick book that’s easy to read and understand is ‘the Screwtape Letters’ by C.S. Lewis. The premise is that it’s written from a fictional perspective of an uncle to his nephew who is trying to get a friend of the nephew to stop worshipping God, and start following the Devil. It goes through how ones bond with God can be broken; and seeing how this happens helps one avoid the Devil’s tricks.

 

[Athanasius]

If you are interested in protestantism/evangelicalism, there are many decent articles on what to look for. Example 1. Example 2.

Avoid all mainline denoms like the UCC, American Baptists (ABC), ELCA, PCUSA, UMC, CRC, etc. There are still occasional ones where the pastor is a believer, particularly in the UMC, but the denoms themselves are fatally compromised and you may find a visiting pastor or presiding bishop or presbyter is more interested in globohomo than the cross of Christ.

There aren't a lot of evangelical churches like this, but avoid any Willow-Creek style church where there are women in pastoral, associate pastor, elder, or deacon roles. That's a sure sign of a compromised view of Biblical authority and they'll be flying the rainbow flag out there as well within a generation.

Be also discerning about megachurches. As noted before, these are places where people can go to hide. There are very good larger churches but you to be in a church where an elder knows you and can help shepherd your soul along with the pastor. Verify the purpose of church. If it is to worship God and in return He ministers to us, that's good. If it's to draw in as many seekers as possible, that is not good. If the focus is on loud contemporary music and performance up front, if there's a "hip" feel to it all, etc., that's bad. (Personally I despise contemporary worship, but there is a difference between ones where they are leading the congregation simply and the smoke, lights, and emotions extravaganzas).

Ask them for a few examples of when they exercised church discipline and why. You want to be in one that faithfully exercises it. You could also ask a few misleading questions where you are trying to see what spine and adherence to truth they have. "I have a xxxxxx who is gay, and it seems unfair that he shouldn't be able to be a member here." "It seems unfair that women can't be pastors in this enlightened age." Don't be afraid to "interview" them.

When you are at church, do fellow attendees give evidence of faith? Do they talk about their faith? Do they read the Bible? Do they read books about the faith? Do they evidence love and mercy and an attitude of forgiveness for others? You can tell the difference between nominal and real believers.

I prefer a church that has a historic creed of significance (Westminster Confession, Belgic Confession, 1689 London Confession, Book of Concord, etc). rather than a one-page "What we believe" on the web site. My single favorite short summary of the faith is the Westminster Shorter Confession. James White's "Forgotten Trinity" is a great book on Trinitarianism. Protestant churches should all accept the Nicene Creed and other results from the first four ecumenical councils. Avoid non-Trinitarian churches like the United Pentecostal church and anything attached to the word-faith movement (e.g. Osteen).

 

[infowarrior1]

Finally found one solid preacher I was not able to recall the name of:
https://www.youtube.com/user/MLJTrust/videos

Martin Lloyd Jones is very solid on par with RC Sproul.

 

[Wutang]

There's this Catholic philosopher named Edward Feser that I'm a big fan of. I've bought a few of his books and think they are of great value. If you don't want to spend money on books, his blog is a treasure trove. He writes a lot about metaphysics but he also touches on cultural issues which seems to be what you are interested in.

Here's him writing about an issue that comes up on this forum a lot - about how conservatives constantly give up territory in the hopes of halting the advances of the libertines which only leads to the libertines demanding bigger concessions:

https://edwardfeser.blogspot.com/2015/04/the-two-faces-of-tolerance.html

Stage 1: “Mark my words: if the extreme left had its way, they’d foist X upon us! These nutjobs must be opposed at all costs.”

Stage 2: “Omigosh, now even thoughtful, mainstream liberals favor X! Fortunately, it’s political suicide.”

Stage 3: “X now exists in 45 out of 50 states. Fellow conservatives, we need to learn how to adjust to this grim new reality.”

Stage 4: “X isn’t so bad, really, when you think about it. And you know, sometimes change is good. Consider slavery…”

Stage 5: “Hey, I was always in favor of X! You must have me confused with a [paleocon, theocon, Bible thumper, etc.]. But everyone knows that mainstream conservatism has nothing to do with those nutjobs…”

 

[Panegyric]

I wouldn’t call myself a born again Christian as I’ve been baptized Catholic as a child, have always believed in the existence of God and Jesus Christ but I’ll have to confess that only since recently, as in the last few years, have I thoroughly read the Bible for the first time and started following Christian doctrines with a more serious and earnest attitude, as they deserve.

Only to have a constant feeling that my knowledge of Christianity itself seems to be lacking… Questions are popping up for which I have no answer so I seek them out only to have others show themselves. It’s maddening. I feel like my knowledge of Christian culture, history, tradition itself is subpar at best and don’t really know where to start to slowly piece everything together into a cohesive whole. Maybe (probably) attaining ‘perfect’ knowledge isn’t really possible and lifelong learning should (will) be the key but I’m also at a loss on where to start.

And specifically where to start learning about ‘Based’ Christianity as in ‘Red Pill’ Christianity as my local pastors are all far too Blue Pilled and Cucked in order to be taken seriously. They all preach the sanctity of women and migrants foremost without giving proper thought to Family with God in its center guided by a good hearted man filled with the Spirit of Jesus.

Maybe others are also seeking similar things such as I am which is why I’ve decided to make this thread. Recently Roosh talked about a Christian news-site called Tru News in his podcast which I’ve started to follow, besides that I’m reading E. Michael Jones and am listening to some priests on Youtube some of the guys mentioned on the forum.

Basically I’d like to ask for recommendations on books, documentaries, interviews, podcasts etc. where I could read about the history of Christianity, it’s traditions and why they are important, how to follow Christian doctrine within this day and age from a Red Pill perspective… everything is welcome. God bless!

I highly recommend "The Pilgrim Church" by E. H. Broadbent, 1931. Broadbent was a missionary who travelled the world. He was part of the Brethren movement. This book is fascinating from both a historical and Christian perspective. The content in this book is relevant for today even though it was published in 1931. Broadbent addresses the issues facing the church that are still relevant for today:

"The following period of nearly two hundred years shows that the union of the Church and the State, even when the powers of the mightiest Empire are put into the Church’s hands, do not enable her to save the State from destruction, for, in abandoning the position which her very name implies, of being “called out" of the world, and of separation to Christ, she loses the power that comes from subjection to her Lord, exchanging it for an earthly authority that is fatal to herself."

Broadbent traces the history of the church to the apostles. I used to think that Christianity was Catholic until the reformation, then was split into two streams, Catholic and Protestant. This couldn't be further from the truth. The book is rich with examples if believers from time immemorial tracing the history not only of the Christian people, but heresies that cropped up in the church over the ages. He gives a concise overview of each heresy. For example:

"Sacerdotalism would make salvation to be found only in the Church and by means of its sacraments administered by its priests."

He talks about Christians who could trace their lineage to the earliest times in Church history:

"When they came into contact with the Reformers in the sixteenth century they said: 'Our ancestors have often recounted to us that we have existed from the time of the Apostles. In all matters nevertheless we agree with you, and thinking as you think, from the very days of the Apostles themselves, we have ever been consistent respecting the faith.'"

He talks about how these people were not caught up in the Catholic/Protestant/Reformation schisms:

"The doctrines and practices of these brethren, known as Waldenses, and also by other names, were of such a character that it is evident they were not the fruits of an effort to reform the Roman and Greek churches and bring them back to more Scriptural ways. Bearing no traces of the influence of those churches, they indicate, on the contrary, the continuance of an old tradition, handed down from quite another source-the teaching of Scripture and the practice of the primitive Church. Their existence proves that there had always been men of faith, men of spiritual power and understanding, who had maintained in the churches a tradition close to that of apostolic days, and far removed from that which the dominant Churches had developed."

And:

"They spoke of themselves as the assembly of the true children of God, and kept themselves separate from the world, in which they included both the Reformed and the Roman Catholic Churches."

Broadbent also addresses the issues of separation of church and state, and the links between infant baptism and the state:

"The Baptists were looked upon as even worse, for they not only shared to the full time view of the Independents as to the church, but they denied that the state had any authority at all to interfere in matters of religion, and they also repudiated infant baptism altogether and went back to the primitive practice of baptizing believers only, thus cutting at the root of clerical power. Their spiritual relationships were with the Anabaptists, Waldenses, and others like them, and they naturally shared with them and with the independents the utmost wrath of those who were determined at all costs to force on the whole nation that form of religion which for the time being was ordained by the State. There were individual true members of the Church of Christ in all these circles, whether Roman, Anglican or Free Church, and there were also companies of believers corresponding to the churches of God of the New Testament among the despised and persecuted congregations, but their witness was maintained, as often before and since, in the midst of circumstances so confusing as to test faith and love to the utmost."

He talks about the controversies between Calvin and Arminius, Wesley and Whitfield and other giants of the faith. This book solidified for me the reason why I no longer buy into the false doctrines of Calvinism. Since I became a born-again believes in Christ our Lord and Saviour at the age of 27, I was blessed that the Holy Spirit kept we away from things like the new reformation (NAR) and neo-Calvinism. Those doctrines have done plenty of damage to the church and have opened the doors to ecumenicalism and have helped to usher things like social justice into the churches. I have always preferred Mennonite Brethren, and Baptist churches that are no blinded by the false ideologies of Reformed Churches.

Lastly, Broadbent comments on missions and missionary organizations:

"In the New Testament there is no distinction between clergy and laity, all the saints are priests; so also there is no distinction between missionaries and non-missionaries, every believer is “sent", or has a “mission", to be a witness for Christ in the world. The formation of a separate missionary class, grouped in missionary societies, supported by special mission funds, working through mission stations, though it has accomplished so much, is dearly bought while it contents the vast bulk of Christians to be nonmissionaries and dims the vision of every saint as, in every circumstance, wholly the Lord’s, and devoted first and last to His service."

If you want to be red-pilled or black-pilled or whatever-pilled in the church, this book, written long before popular and church culture got so politicized, gives a good overview of where we came from and hints at where we are headed. One last word from Broadbent:

"The history of the Church shows that revival comes through return to obedience to the Word of God."

 

[Enigma]

Personally, I'm a big fan of the Russians of the 19th and 20th centuries.

Their writings are very accessible but also don't pull any punches, with a great focus placed on ascetism. This would include figures like St. Theophan the Recluse, St. Ignatius Brianchaninov, St. John of Kronstadt, St. Siluoan, and St. Sophrony.

There's a good book by Bishop Averky of Jordanville available on Kindle which deals specifically with practicing virtue in the modern world. He spent the last 25 years of his life at Holy Trinity Monastery and Seminary in New York.

It's called The Struggle for Virtue: Ascetism in a Modern Secular Society.

 

[Aboulia]

Our works are like filthy rags to the Lord. We are saved by grace through faith.

That part about the filthy rags originally comes from Isaiah, and the proper understanding of "filthy rags" is "menstrual rags" which means in the same manner as woman bleeds which she has very little control over, God's grace operating through people works in the same manner, To those that God made pious, good works come forth naturally, which isn't to the person's credit, all the credit is God's. You didn't create your own personality, God did. Anything good someone does is good only because they are acting in the way God would, even if they're an Atheist. This is stressed because people in general, are very inclined to see any good acts they may do as their own. Pride is easy, humility is difficult.

Anyways, back to the OP, if you want "Based Christianity", check out Dr Matthew Raphael Johnson, he's a former professor kicked out for telling historical truths, and for having views that counter the mainstream narrative. The best podcast of his for a beginner in Christianity would be "Neplyuev and the Labor Brotherhood of the Holy Cross" He touches many topics, what sin is, what love is, misconceptions about God, how a Christian should order himself, the antichrist, capitalism/communism. it's not just about his main topic.

Audio link

https://archive.radioalbion.com/TON/TON%20080916.mp3

Podcast Description
""
This week Dr Matthew Raphael Johnson brings us a presentation on the social theology of NN Neplyuev, who was a Christian and both nationalist and socialist. "Socialism" has been hijacked by Jewish materialists and revolutionaries who care little for society or labor. Socialism had always, prior to Marx, been an idealist and religious entity based on the idea of love. Love is the opposite of self-seeking. Cicero defined natural law as the restraining of someone from prospering at someone else's expense. Love would be the opposite: suffering so that someone else can prosper. If society is not based on this, it descends into oligarchy, war, evil and irrationality. The ego is a contradiction and cannot sustain rational analysis.

Neplyuev created the Labor Brotherhood of the Holy Cross, or a set of communes and schools throughout Russia to redefine the true nature of socialism. God gave all things in common, including the abilities that the ego had no part in creating. Socialism is the synthesis and integration of reason, will and love into a social whole that treats social functions as equal. The doctor is not more important than the policeman.

Societies based on reason are soulless machines; those based on will are capitalist oligarchies while those based on "sensation" are criminal syndicates. Only though integration, and that through solidarity, can these facilities be balanced into a harmony. That is the real conception of "love" that is traditional to that word, not the stupid, saccharine, Hallmark nonsense that is normally promoted on Valentines day.

Needless to say, the revolutionary government immediately shut down his system when it took over in 1918. Socialists, allegedly caring about labor, shut down an actually functioning socialist commune. This is not atypical. Dying in 1908, Nepluyev became one of the most influential socialist thinkers in the east that today is almost totally unknown
""

 

[mojo]

Since many have recommended Father Josiah Trenham, here is a powerful sermon he gave on Living by The 10 Commandments.

There is more to it than I expected…because purity of intention is the ultimate goal:

 

[Zeknichov]

I would recommend reading the following in this order:

Holy Bible (old and new)
Aristotle Ethics, Politics and Metaphysics
Summa Theologica
Sex and Culture by Joseph Unwin.
Germany and the Jewish Question by Friederich Wiehe
Capital Volume 1-3 by Karl Marx
Basic Economics by Thomas Sowell
After Virtue by Alasdair MacIntyr
Holy Bible (old and new)

You read this, your understanding of religion will be based. I realize only two book recommendations are religious; however, I will be adamant that if you want to avoid having your understanding of Christianity be subverted then you need to understand what purpose Christianity seeks to fulfill and you do this by first understanding what the outside world is missing. Once you understand what void Christianity must fulfill to strengthen society, you will immediately be able to spot poor interpretations of the bible because you'll understand that such an interpretations would actually weaken Christianity's purpose.

 

[tractor]

I wouldn’t call myself a born again Christian as I’ve been baptized Catholic as a child, have always believed in the existence of God and Jesus Christ but I’ll have to confess that only since recently, as in the last few years, have I thoroughly read the Bible for the first time and started following Christian doctrines with a more serious and earnest attitude, as they deserve.

Only to have a constant feeling that my knowledge of Christianity itself seems to be lacking… Questions are popping up for which I have no answer so I seek them out only to have others show themselves. It’s maddening. I feel like my knowledge of Christian culture, history, tradition itself is subpar at best and don’t really know where to start to slowly piece everything together into a cohesive whole. Maybe (probably) attaining ‘perfect’ knowledge isn’t really possible and lifelong learning should (will) be the key but I’m also at a loss on where to start.

And specifically where to start learning about ‘Based’ Christianity as in ‘Red Pill’ Christianity as my local pastors are all far too Blue Pilled and Cucked in order to be taken seriously. They all preach the sanctity of women and migrants foremost without giving proper thought to Family with God in its center guided by a good hearted man filled with the Spirit of Jesus.

Maybe others are also seeking similar things such as I am which is why I’ve decided to make this thread. Recently Roosh talked about a Christian news-site called Tru News in his podcast which I’ve started to follow, besides that I’m reading E. Michael Jones and am listening to some priests on Youtube some of the guys mentioned on the forum.

Basically I’d like to ask for recommendations on books, documentaries, interviews, podcasts etc. where I could read about the history of Christianity, it’s traditions and why they are important, how to follow Christian doctrine within this day and age from a Red Pill perspective… everything is welcome. God bless!j

Based Christianity is in the Holy Book. When I started contemplating "walking with Jesus", I almost fell for Dennis Prager's "Rational Bible" series where he basically breaks down the first five books of the Old Testament for dummies, apparently using rational arguments, logic or some shit for atheists.

Then I noticed that these books are over 500 pages each. Like why on Earth do I need 500 pages of commentary on, say, Genesis if I can read the original in a day? As if Prager doesn't want to you to have time for the actual Bible

1. So, read and re- read the Bible. I'm sure you've already noticed how many parallels you can draw to our times. You have two eyes and a curious mind, you don't need a zionist to explain you Jesus.

2. Then you can go to classics like St Augustine's Confessions or The City of God. I would also consider looking at Ivan Ilyin's "On resistance to Evil by force". I'm pretty sure this book convinced Putin to purge sodomites from the streets of Moscow

3. Literature can offer great stuff as well. Dante's Divine Comedy or Dostoevsky's Demons to name just a few.

*I haven't read them all myself but they're on my reading short list

 

[Jünger]

New IFB church attacked in California:

Anti-Sodomite Church Bombed In LA

Title says “possible explosion” but cop makes it clear the windows were blown-out by a bomb from within the church building.

www.rooshvforum.com

 

[Durden347]

The answer lies in The Bible (KJV is the best version). Keep on reading it more than once. You will find a lot of wisdom and insight there.