[Greek] ἐκτρέπω (ektrepō), [Latin] convertere, [Latin] devitare, [Latin] errare, [French] tourner, [French] se changer: to turn away, to avoid, to put out of joint, to turn aside, to deflect, to sprain, to shun; 1Tim.1:6, 1Tim.5:15, 1Tim.6:20, 2Tim.4:4, Heb.12:13
Chesterton, the apostle of common sense, warns against being so open-minded that you may lose your moral compass (Christian principles).
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means to turn off, to turn aside, to shift, to diverge, to devote one’s attention to, to prevent, to flee, and to deflect.
Aeschylus’ Agamemnon 1464: “Do not burden yourself with such thoughts as these. Nor yet turn your wrath upon Helen.”
Aeschylus’ Seven Against Thebes 628: “Gods, hear our just prayers and fulfill them. Turn aside the evils suffered in war on to those who invade our land.”
Herodotus’ The Histories 2.80: “There is a custom: younger mean, encountering their elders, yield the way and stand aside, and rise from their seats.”
Aristophanes’ Plutus 837: “But they turned their backs upon me and pretended not to see me.”
Euripides’ Bacchae 799: “And it will be a source of shame that you turn away from the thyrsoi of the Bacchae.”
Sophocles’ Oedipus Tyrannus 851: “Even if he should diverge somewhat from his former story, he can show it is truly square with the prophecy.”
Plato’s Republic 8.453c: “They devote their entire attention to the care of themselves and the state.”
Sophocles’ Oedipus Tyrannus 806: “The leader and the old man himself tried to thrust me rudely from the path.”
Old Testament: This term means to turn about, to turn over, to change, to overturn, to pervert, to turn on someone, and to be converted.
New Testament: This term means to deviate, to turn away, to divert, and to avoid.
Scripture:
1Tim.1:6: “Some people have deviated from these [instruction] and turned to meaningless talk.” (This letter was written to Timothy (and other pastoral shepherds) in light of the gnostic false teachers. Paul instructs Timothy to instruct people from teaching false doctrine, myths, and meaningless talk. Paul calls other to have a pure heart, good conscience, and sincere faith.)
1Tim.5:15: “For some [younger widows]: have already turned away to follow Satan.” (This can certainly apply to anyone. Widows were expected to act accordingly. Some chose a path of sensuality, lack of self-denial, turning away from the Christian culture, idleness, mischief, walking according the course of the world, following false teachers, condemning marriage.)
2Tim.4:3-4: “For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine, but following their own desires and insatiable curiosity, will accumulate teachers and will stop listening to the truth and will be diverted to myths.” 2Tim.4:4 (Paul tells Timothy to persistently proclaim the Word, whether it is convenient or inconvenient. One must convince, reprimand, and encourage through all patience and teaching.)
Heb.12:13: “Make straight paths for your feet, that what is lame may not be dislocated but healed.” (The Christian path is often filled with obstacles. One must carefully tread when one is lame (weak, vulnerable, and lacking faith). These are times where one may stumble or fall.)
1Tim.6:20:“O, Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you. Avoid profane babbling and the absurdities of so-called knowledge.” (Paul was warning against heretical teachers. Gnosticism was great enemy of the Church. Paul was referring to speculations, myths, special knowledge, and heresies.)
Paul warns about heretical teachers (and teachings). This faith must be safeguarded.
Conclusion:
Convert, conversion, turn, change, deviate, deviation, error
In Greek Hellenism, it was interesting to discover the more nuanced meanings of this term: devoting oneself to, yielding, forcing, and fleeing.
In this post-modern Christian world, there continues to be tension between Christian values and the world’s values. There is also tension between traditional Christian beliefs and more liberal Christian beliefs.
Update: Pope Francis and many of his fellow Modernists are seeing to remake Jesus’ Church into a synodal Church made in the image of man (and his lived experiences.) This has caused even more confusion and chaos in the Church.
In their arrogance, the Modernists have claimed that the Church’s ecclesiology has changed. Are they saying that Jesus did not get his Church right?? Do these Modernists have a special knowledge?
It is unfortunate that the Modernists continue to engage in human innovations and traditions in their continual efforts to “renew” and “reform” the Church. Then they further “renew” and “reform” ==> rinse and repeat.
It is unfortunate that Pope Francis’ papacy has been associated with numerous heresies and problematic documents and statements.
In 1Tim, Paul provides us an early examples of the consequences of turning away from the faith (towards Satan). This can apply to anyone. Satan can always find ways to subtlely and sneakily turn us away from God.
Many Catholics and Christians, turning away from traditional Catholic (and Christian) teachings and focus on political and secular views, now support abortion.
Polish cardinal Grzegorz Rys wants more liturgical “reform”, He claims that the Eucharist must be synodal and less “priest-centered”??? (The cardinal evidently shows his ignorance in failing to state that the Eucharist is “Christ-centered” This is another Modernist who wants to create a new Mass.
The Modernists are introducing the novelty of lay governance in Church doctrine and Church authority. This authority only comes from ordained clergy.
Cardinal Cupic and Cardinal Tobin want the USCCCB to be more synodal in their governance structure. This is code word for allowing for laity increased decision making.
Many Catholics and Christians are alarmed about how Pope Francis and his fellow Modernists are changing and undermine traditional Church teachings and Tradition. We need more cardinals, bishops, and priests to stand up and speak out against heresy, scandal, and synodalism.
There are unfortunately too many clergy who remain silent and cowardly for fear of offending their superiors or missing out on advancement in the Church. Their silence (cowardice) is also a decision that they make. These clergy will also have to accounting for these actions at their judgment.
Standing up for the faith may require perseverance, persecution, being cancelled, and even martyrdom. Bishop Strickland has already become a “white martyrdom” in being removed from office for upholding and defending the faith.
The Catholic (and Christian) path may be difficult. The Christian must be prepared like a disciplined athlete or well-armed soldier in facing these difficulties.
Oftentimes the demand for tolerance (to turn for acceptance) of [fill in the blank] can become an underhanded form of intolerance against others. (In others words, you are a bigot for not doing this!)
Pius X warned us about these confusion, chaos, and heresy of the Modernists who are seeking to undermine Jesus’ Church
One has to ask: Is Modernism in any different than Gnosticism? Oftentimes, the Modernists act like they think they know better.
Quotes by G.K. Chesterton:
“We do not want a church that will move with the world. We want a church that will move the world.” (Pope Francis’ synodal Church seems like a Church that moves the world!)
“It is not that Christianity has been tried and found wanting, but that it has been difficult and left untried.”
“Even a dead thing can go with the stream, but only a living one can go against it.”