[Greek] ἀνθίστημι (anthistēmi), [Latin] resistere, [Latin] avertere, [French] detourner

[Greek] ἀνθίστημι (anthistēmi), [Latin] resistere, [Latin] avertere, [French] detourner: to resist, to stand against, to withstand, to cope, to set against; Mt.5:39, Lk.21:15, Acts 6:10, Acts 13:8, Rom.9:19, Rom.13:2, Gal.2:11, Eph.6:13, 2Tim.3:8, 2Tim.4:15, Jas.4:7, 1Pet.5:9

G.K. Chesterton has been rightly called the “apostle of common sense” in resisting and pointing out the problems in the Church.

Greek Hellenism: This term means to set against, to match with, to withstand, to hold out, and to hinder.

Plutarch’s Theseus 1: “With such a warrior who will dare to fight? When I shall I set against him?”

Homer’s Iliad 16.305: “They still sought to withstand him.”

Sophocles Ajax 1231: “So it is you, they tell me, who dared open your mouth wide to make fierce threats against us–and are you still unpunished?”

Sophocles’ Tracking Satyrs 256: “I won’t put up with your loud quarrelsome words.”

Old Testament: This term means to be alert, to be courageous, to cause strife, to take a stand, to resist, to rebel, to contend, to be strong, to be insolent, to deceive, and to be hardened.

New Testament: This term means to resist (oppose), to offer no resistance, and to be unable to resist. For purposes of brevity, Jesus’ teachings on turning the other check (Mt.5:39) is mentioned in another post.  https://resoundingthefaith.com/2020/11/16/greek-%e1%bc%80%ce%bd%ce%b8%ce%af%cf%83%cf%84%ce%b7%ce%bc%ce%b9-anthistemi-latin-contendere-latin-resistere/   (How can I resist not being able to promote another post! ☺☺☺

Lk.21:15:  “I shall give you a wisdom in speaking [from the Holy Spirit] that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute.” (Some will be persecuted, imprisoned, and brought before authorities. You will be handed over by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends. You will be hated because of Me but by your perseverance, you will secure your lives.) 

Acts 6:10: “But they could not withstand the wisdom and Spirit with which Stephen spoke.” (Stephen’s defense provides an indictment of the Jews opposing the prophets and the Holy Spirit. Stephen diminishes the temple of Mosaic law and elevates Jesus’ stature. The differences between Judaism and Christianity become more apparent. The major impetus of the Christian movement shifts from Jerusalem to Antioch.)

Rom.9:19: “You will say to me then, ‘Why then does He still find fault? For who can oppose His will?'”

1. This question addresses the issue of divine justice and human responsibility.
2. There is often a tension between God’s sovereignty and human accountability.
3. God grants us free will to do as we choose.
4. God will allow those to become hard-hearted [like Pharaoh] if it serves God’s divine Providence.
5. Those who are hard-hearted will still be held accountable for their actions. 

Rom.13:2: “Therefore, whoever resists authority opposes what God has appointed, and those who oppose it will bring judgment upon themselves.”

1. Paul instructs those who to defer to the authority of earthly and secular governing authorities.
2. God is still sovereign over all nations and rulers.
3. It is important to recognize that these rulers are sometimes imperfect.
4. God still uses imperfect leaders to accomplish His purposes.
5. These principles align with Jesus’ teaching to “render to Caesar what is Caesar’s.

Eph.6:13: “Put on the armor of God, that you may be able to resist on the evil day and to hold your ground.” (Paul alludes to the Christian who must be a battle-prepared soldier in fighting against evil. The evil day is the period of time of Satan’s evil works.)

1Pet.5:9: “Resist him [devil], steadfast in faith, knowing that your fellow believers throughout the world undergo the same sufferings.”

Resist him: Paul instructs believers to put on the full armor of God to stand against the devil’s schemes. This requires vigilance and strength. The devil is a real adversary.

Standing firm in your faith: Steadfastness in faith is required in resisting the devil. Faith is not merely intellectual assent but also trust and reliance on God.

Acknowledging fellow believers: This underscores the familial bonds among Christians. This shared struggle fosters solidarity and encouragement. This shared experience of suffering serves to unite believers during these trials.

Gal.2:11: “And when Cephas came to Antioch, I [Paul] opposed him to this face because he clearly was wrong.” (Paul’s confrontation with Peter illustrates the tension with Jewish and Gentile believers. Peter withdrew from eating with Gentile believers, due to peer pressure from certain Jewish Christians. Paul criticized Peter for not following the Gospel and for not showing that salvation is by faith alone, not by adherence to the Law.)

Antihistamine: This is a substance (drug) that counteracts or blocks the effects of a histamine which causes the symptoms of hay fever and allergies.

The Church: another sign of contradiction:

1. When the Church opposes and contradicts the culture ===> the Church grows
2. When the Church faces persecution and opposition from the culture ===> the Church grows
3. When the Church moves with the world (Vatican II and Synodality) ==> the Church falters and stagnates
4. Not surprisingly, the parts of the Church OPPOSING AND RESPONDING AGAINST Synodality ===> resurgence of Traditional Catholicism and the TLM (not Synodality!) ===> the Church grows
5. A CHURCH THAT OPPOSES AND CONTRADICTS THE CULTURE ===> MOVES THE WORLD

Modernists’ (and Synodalists’) pride and hard-heartedness:

1. It has to be said that they are “true-believers” in their ideological cause to transform Jesus’ Church in a Synodal Church made in the image of man and his lived experiences.
2. They will often use lived experiences, inclusion, toleration, human traditions, and human traditions to ignore, redefine, or undermine Church teachings, doctrine and sin. This is how Synodality becomes an IDOL!
3. They often will often utilize the “Holy Spirit of Surprises” to ratify and justify their novel Synodal ides. This is deceitful and evil in that the Holy Spirit can only stand for TRUTH.
4. They will often blur vocations/rights and “push the doctrinal envelope” in implementing Church teachings/practices. (redefining sin, blurring male/female vocations/right, “informal blessings” for same-sex unions, keeping open the idea a woman priests/deacons, females giving the homily at Mass)
5. They will continually implement “renewal” and “reform”: They will always say, “Vatican II has not been fully implemented.” ===> more “reform” and “renewal” ===> more problems ==> “we need more “reform” and “renewal” ===> more problems ===> rinse and repeat, etc.
6. They continue to oppose and marginalize the laity’s desire for liturgical expression. Traditiones Custodes is continually being used to restrict the TLM. Let that sink in!
7. Creating a new religion: Cardinal Aveline states that the Church’s catholicity means recognizing the desire for God in the hearts of men and women in every religion. This is the heresy of indifferentism (all religions are equal). This contradicts Catholicism.

God’s Providence and resistance against Synodality:

1. In allowing the Modernists (Synodadists) to remain hard-hearted, God’s providence has permitted a renewal of the Church with an organic Holy Spirit led movement toward Tradition and the TLM to occur.
2. Younger generations of priests and seminarians are more traditional and conservative in response to liberal and progressive theology of Vatican II and Synodality.
3. Aside from Traditiones Custodes the Synodal Church is unable to stop this desire for Tradition and the TLM.
4. Protestants are becoming Catholic because they are discovering the Catholic practices of the Early Church. It is NOT because of Synodality.
5. We only need to look at Acts 5:38-39 to understand who will prevail in this tension between Synodality and Tradition.

A German elderly priest Fr. Abel criticized for resisting a German LGBTQ Pride event.

1. This priest criticized this event and the resulting Islamist terrorist act as a wake-up call for repentance.
2. He stated that society has abandoned Christian morality. These parades are displays of indecency and moral disorder.
3. The German Catholic hierarchy criticized this priest because this Pride event promotes the “dignity” of every person.
4. He criticized the diocesan involvement in Pride celebrations. This reflects a departure from traditional Catholic moral teaching.
5. He also criticized the diocese’s embrace of Fiducia Supplicans.
6. The German bishops conference has stated that these events are “events of diversity” and “joyful celebrations”.
7. This is just another indication that the German Synodal Church has gone off the doctrinal rails into heresy and decline.

Conclusion:

Antihistamine, histamine, resist, resistance, contend, contention, detour

Update: The Modernists and Synodalists are causing much damage to the Church: synodal innovations, confusion, chaos, worldliness, heresy, and evil.

Resisting (remaking) the truth in the image of man: refusing to follow Jesus’ commands (to sin no more), making Synodality (lived experiences) an idol, paying lip service to Church teachings.

The differences between the Synodalism (worldly Church) and Tradition (divine Church and traditional teachings) are also becoming much more apparent.

The Church in Germany and Spain has been declining. This has become an indictment against the conciliar and synodal Church. Synodality, making the Church more worldly, will only exacerbate these problems. Traditional practices are the only solutions to these problems.

Contrary to the recent practice of bishops implementing Traditiones Custodes, Bishop Hansen of Oslo has extended permission for the TLM.

The Synodal Church losing its traditions: it has been claimed that perhaps as much as 65% of clergy do not have an understanding of Latin

Satan can “inspire” rebellion, heresy, apostasy, division, liturgical chaos and confusion, busyness, distraction, pride, worldliness, spiritual dryness, secularlism, and increased vulnerability to sin. Satan only needs to make one forget about God.

Good news: there has been less focus and interest in June Pride Month. This has been a very encouraging sign for the culture. Yet, this remains a concerning issue with the Synodal Church.

“One must resist the pope who openly destroys the Church.” St. Cajetan

“If you believe what you like in the gospels, and reject what you don’t like, it is not the gospel you believe, but yourself.” St. Augustine.

“The truth suffers, but never dies.” St. Teresa of Avila.

“A dead thing can go with the stream.” GK Chesterton  (This sounds like a Church moves with the moral current and culture. Sound likes the Synodal Church.)

“But only a living thing can go against it.” GK Chesterton  (This sounds like an active and lively Church that opposes the moral current and culture.)