[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
GK 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’ 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.”
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.”
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 [instructions] and turned to meaningless talk.”
Warning against false teaching:
- Paul requests that Timothy stay in Ephesus to instruct certain people not to teach false doctrines.
- These people also concern themselves with myths, idle speculations, and human traditions.
- Some people have deviated from this and turned to meaningless talk.
- These people seek to be teachers of the law but without understanding what they are saying.
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.)
Pope Leo XIV opens Vatican doors to LGBTQ Catholics:
- Evidently, Pope Leo XIV will seek to continue Pope Francis’ synodal path of “inclusion”, “tolerance”, and “false compassion” to the LGBTQ community.
- Pope Leo XIV’s top advisors say that gay blessings will remain in place. This means continued support for Fiducia Supplicans (blessings for same-sex couples). Let that sink in! (This is a very disappointing and alarming warning sign for this papacy!)
- The LGBTQ community calls for the “end of the exclusion of LGBTQ persons”. (Does that mean that the Church is hateful? We are living in an upside down bizarro world!)
- Pope Leo XIV states the Church remains “open to all”. (Does that mean we just forget about the Church’s teaching against homosexuality?)
- Pope Leo XIV continues with the mindset of Pope Francis’ “Whom am I to judge?” (This statement will be perceived as giving a free pass to potentially allow for anything.)
- Pope Leo XIV continues with the Church’s ignoring, disregarding, and “paying lip service” to Church teachings against homosexuality. (This is a form of material atheism: paying lip service to God.)
Why will the Church continue to focus on MAKING A BETTER WORLD and SEEKING FAVOR WITH THE WORLD?
- So that the Church will NOT have to focus on bringing souls into heaven. This is an egregious example of warped priorities of the Church.
- This will give the clergy permission to live their homosexual inclinations and lifestyles (without being accountable to God.)
- But God will not be mocked. These clergy will ultimately be held accountable for their homosexual lifestyles and failing to state Church teachings against homosexuality.
- This will give the clergy permission to ignore, to tolerate, and to be inclusive, and to pay lip service to Church teachings against homosexuality.
- This will give the Church permission to change, dilute, and push the doctrinal envelope into error and heresy. Because synodality is pastoral. Ex. Amoris Laetitia
- Pope Francis’ statement “Whom am I to judge?” also gives doctrinal license to accommodate the LGBTQ community.
- This will give the Church license to potentially develop new “Catholic social teachings” on recognizing gay marriage as an alternative form of marriage relationship.
- This will give the Church permission to elevate synodality (lived experiences) over Church teachings. This is synodality becoming an IDOL.
- This will give the Church permission to bestow false compassion (blessing evil) on the LGBTQ community by not mentioning the sinful nature of homosexuality.
- Many souls will be placed in eternal peril (for these clergy and laity who has lived this homosexual lifestyle.)
- A recent survey has indicated that NINE OUT TEN CRADLE CATHOLICS ARE LEAVING THE CHURCH! What about properly catechizing the faithful???
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/world’s values and traditional Christian beliefs/liberal Christian beliefs.
Update: Jesus’ Church is now being remade in the image of man (and his lived experiences) through human traditions and innovations of synodality.
Pope Francis’ curious interest in homosexuality became a prominent theme during this papacy. The German bishops have even a greater obsession with homosexuality. Let’s hope Pope Leo’ papacy will not follow the same path as the German bishops. Because this is all about synodality (lived experiences)!
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 think they have a special knowledge? It unfortunately looks like that Pope Leo XIV is going to continue down the path of Synodality.
GREAT WARNING SIGNS OF SYNODALITY: The German Church is “renewing” and “reforming” itself into decline and heresy.
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, stealthily, and sneakily turn us away from God and the Church. Satan only needs for us to forget about God!
Polish cardinal Grzegorz Rys claims that the Eucharist must be synodal and less “priest-centered”??? (The cardinal evidently shows his synodal ignorance in understanding that the Eucharist is “Christ-centered” and “priest centered”. The priest represents Christ.
The Modernists and Synodalists are introducing the synodal human novelty of lay governance in Church doctrine and Church authority. They want to undermine the structure of the Church. This sounds like what a Protestant would do. Authority only comes from ordained clergy.
We need more cardinals, bishops, and priests who will stand up and speak out against heresy, scandal, and synodality. Unfortunately there are too many clergy who remain silent, cowardly, or indifferent in speaking out, for fear of offending their superiors or losing out on advancement in the Church.
Archbishop Weisenberger fired three theology professors from Sacred Heart Seminary for having the audacity to criticize the liturgical confusion of Pope Francis. These professors were considered “sowing the seeds of confusion” and “causing dissent”. We are now living in an upside down world were traditional Catholic teachings are divisive. Evidently, this is acceptable in the synodal Church
Archbishop John Wester felt it was OK to reinstate Fr. Steve Rosera, who lived in a homosexual relationship and who continues to play an active role in the LGBTQ “rights movement. Evidently, this is also acceptable in the synodal Church which is open to homosexuality.
Standing up for the faith may require perseverance, persecution, cancellation, and even martyrdom. Bishop Strickland has already become a “white martyr” in being removed from office for upholding and defending the faith. Others are Cardinal Mueller, Cardinal Burke, Bishop Schneider, and Bishop Vigano.
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.
The Remnant editor Michael Matt sent an open letter to Pope Leo to address scandals of Fudicia Supplicans, Synodality, liturgical confusion, and doctrinal confusion.
The German bishops have been open to removing celibacy, permitting priestly homosexuality, married priests, woman priests, woman deacons, and laity choosing bishops. It is no wonder that the German Church is “renewing” and “reforming” itself into decline and heresy.
Bishop Martin of North Carolina is more concerned with Charlotte Latin School’s right to present woke theology and LGBTQ books against Catholic parents whose children were expelled from that school. Evidently, Bishop Martin is more concerned about the school’s rights than opposing anti-Catholic values. The USCCB are SEEKING FAVOR WITH THE WORLD.
Another failure of Vatican II: 9 out of 10 cradle Catholics are leaving the Church. All these years Vatican II was more interested in MAKING A BETTER WORLD AND SEEKING FAVOR WITH THE WORLD.
Synodality: By continuing what Vatican II has started, Synodality is doubling down on failure ==> MORE MAKING A BETTER WORLD and MORE SEEKING FAVOR WITH THE WORLD.
How is Modernism (Synodalism) any different from Gnosticism? Quite often they act like they think they know better.
“The true friends of the people are neither revolutionaries, nor innovators, but traditionalist.” Pope Pius X (Pope Pius X prophetically warned us that the Modernists and Synodalists would infiltrate and lead the Church.)
“It is an error to believe that Christ did not teach a determined body of doctrine applicable to all times and to all men.” Pope Pius X (Pope Pius X warned us about the consequences of adapting Church teachings and doctrine to the culture.)
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.”
“It is not that Christianity has been tried and found wanting, but that it has been difficult and left untried.”