[Greek] φόβος (phobos), [Latin] timere, [Latin] timor, [Latin] metus, [German] shrecken: fear, reverence, panic; 47 scriptural references
Oftentimes, in our post Christian secular culture, telling the truth can be a very dangerous thing. This has come all more evident in the social cultural wars.
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means panic, flight, fear, terror, dread, doubt, and reverence.
Herodotus’ The Histories 7.10: “The rest of the Persians held their peace, not daring to utter any opinion to what had been put forward.”
Plato’s Sophist 268a: “These imitators are simple-minded and think they know the things they opine, but others strongly suspect and fear that they are ignorant of things they profess.”
Sophocles’ Philoctetes 1251: “With justice on my side, I do not tremble at the terrors you name.”
Sophocles Oedipus at Colonus 750: “Gentlemen, I see from your eyes that a sudden fear has troubled you at my coming.
Plato’s Symposium 193a: “Wherefore we ought all to exhort our neighbors to a pious observance of the god, in order that we may escape harm.
Old Testament: This term means fear, respect, terror, quaking, horror, reverence, awe, ruthlessness, and idolatry. Fear plays an important role in the consciousness of the Israelites. One finds freedom from fear as a result of confidently returning to God who protects one from fear. God-fearing denotes one whose conduct is oriented to God’s will. The expression “Fear not!” is a common Old Testament phrase of reassurance and assistance n everyday life.
New Testament: This term means fear, reverence (awe), and fright. Fear of God cannot be separated from faith. Fear of the unknown becomes a prevailing theme. There is a frequent summons not to fear. Fear oftentimes gives way to a proclamation of faith. Fear and trembling bring out a radical and total dependence on God.
I am afraid that I cannot illustrate all such examples. Fear not, I will only refer to fear of faith (and truth). ☺☺☺
Scripture:
Lk.8:37: The Gerasenes, seized with fear (awe) upon seeing Jesus exercising demons, asked Him to leave
Jn.7:13: No one spoke openly about Him because they were afraid of the Jews
Acts 2:43: Awe came upon everyone upon seeing many wonders and signs done through the apostles
Acts 9:31: The church, at peace, built up and walking in the fear of the Lord, grew in numbers.
Rom.3:18: There is no fear of God before their eyes
Rom.13:3: [Leaders]: do you wish to have no fear of authority?
2Cor.7:5: But we were afflicted in every way–external conflicts and internal fears
1Tim5:20: Reprimand publicly presbyters who do sin, so that the rest will also be afraid
1Pet.3:2: Wives: let your husbands be won over by your reverent and chaste behavior
1Pet.3:14: Do not be afraid of those who cause you to suffer because of righteousness.
Etymology: The Latin verb timere means to fear or be afraid. The Latin noun metus means fear, dread, and religious awe. Meticulous, originally meaning fearfulness and timidity, now means fussy, overcarefulness, and scrupulousness.
Other thoughts by George Orwell:
“Doublethink means the power of holding two contradictory beliefs in one’s mind simultaneously, and accepting both of them.”
“Power is in tearing human minds to pieces and putting them together again in new shapes of your own choosing.”
“The best books are those that tell you what you know already.”
“Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls the future.” (Sounds like cancel culture)
“Sooner or later a false belief bumps up against solid reality, usually on the battlefield.” (Sounds like moral relativism and gender ideology: having one’s own truth)
Conclusion:
Phobia, timid, timidity, mete, meticulous, shriek
In Greek Hellenism, poets and playwrights often spoke of the human condition which was illustrated in their plays and dramas.
The Gerasenes, who were swine-herders, were more concerned about their livelihood than for Jesus.
In Acts a great reverence came upon the believers. Even the opposition and mockers were deterred.
The fear of the Lord allowed for the Church to grow in numbers.
Fear and much trembling is based on God’s transcendence.
Paul’s criticism of the Corinthians would no doubt cause fear among those that needed to get their act together.
The people (laity) are called to point out the faults and fallings of the presbyters (bishops and priests).
Paul calls wives to provide an example for their wayward husbands.
Update: If you don’t agree or approve of the LGBTQ lifestyle, you may be called “hateful” or “extreme”.
Many often have had to hold their words for fear of being criticized for “misgendering” others.
Many awed and curious visitors have traveled to Queen of Apostles Monastery to see Sister Wilhelmina Lancaster’s incorrupt body after 4 years. (Because of God’s providence, we need to see these miracles in this post-Christian secular world.)
Our present secular post-Christian world is now filled with sinners who have no fear of God in their eyes.
The Vatican leadership and others seeking to “accompany others where they are”, “walk with others” or “accept others as they are” are often hesitant or fearful in stating Church teachings. This synodal process potentially opens itself to accommodating the world rather than in upholding church teachings.
Church leaders are now calling out fellow church leaders for advocating “wishy- washy (confusing) teachings or heretical teachings about the LGBTQ community. Why are Church leaders are OK with Pride Masses but not the Traditional Latin Mass (TLM)?
Notre Dame, a Catholic institution which should no better theologically, is all in celebrating June as Pride Month. Notre Dame leadership is probably more fearful of being seen as “non-inclusive”.
Some heretical German bishops and priests evidently have no fear of God in their eyes. It is curious that the Vatican is either silent or not actively opposing these German bishops and priests. (This silence speaks volumes about the Vatican’s priorities.)
Bud Light and Target will most likely continue their financial free fall in not acknowledging that they are offending many customers. It seems that these companies are more fearful of offending the LGBTQ community.
There are those in the woke cancel culture mob, fearful of having an honest political debate, will shut down opposing speakers.
Many will often resort to the fear tactics of calling Catholics (and Christians) fascist, hateful, and extreme if they criticize or don’t approve of their lifestyle.
Some abortion rights supporters living in red states, fearful in their ability to get an abortion, will go to travel to a nearby blue state.
The Pro-life movement, sometimes receiving physical abuse, continues to point out the serious moral, societal consequences of abortion.
The Los Angeles Archdiocese has cowardly decided not to participate in the protest against the Dodgers because “they want to seek dialogue”. Protesting and seeking dialogue are not mutually exclusive. You can do both!
Concluding thoughts: I think we have come to a tipping point in the cultural wars where the people are making their voices known against corporations and companies. Now the Catholic Church, other churches and institutions will soon face the same reckoning by the people.
The people are asking their churches: ‘Where do you stand in the culture wars?’ Perhaps GK Chesterton had said it best. “We do not want a church that will move with the world. We want a church that will move the world.”
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