Christian Heathen

Interest seems to be growing in the way I practice my Christianity and the term, Christian Heathen. I have been asked questions out of genuine curiosity, and I have been attacked, called a heretic, and assured of my place in hell. None of this bothers me as I know my place and my walk. As I type this out, the candles are lit on my altar, the incense is burning, and Byzantine chants play in the background. You see, I am a devoted Christian. Follower of the way.

Today I want to talk about why I believe that the moral and value system of Norse Heathenism is compatible with Christianity. The reason I chose to follow these nine noble virtues. Let us start there. What are the nine noble virtues? Courage, truth, honor, fidelity, discipline, hospitality, industriousness, self-reliance, and perseverance. Just looking at that list, I can’t think of anyone that would have a problem with any of that. But let’s explore this.

Courage

When people think of courage, we always think of soldiers on a battlefield or firefighters rushing into burning buildings, but that is not the extent of courage. But we are living in a society that is increasingly less tolerant of each other’s beliefs. Courage can be defined as standing for what you believe to be right and just—standing on your values and beliefs. 

 l Corinthians 16:13 tells us to “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.”

John 14:27 says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give you as the world gives. Do not let your heart be troubled, and do not be afraid.”

We are commanded as Christians to have courage in the face of the world. This commandment, this virtue, can not be more important than it is today in this climate of global fear. Yet everywhere I look, I see Christians in fear, fear to the point that they are turning on each other.

Christians live unbiblically because of a virus, a shooting, or a rioting mob, Christians fearing their government. Courage seems to have been lost. I refuse to let fear overcome me or rule me, and you should refuse as well.

Truth

Truth is power. Truth is absolute. Truth is what we use as a guiding point in our lives and a path you should follow. The truth, however, is scarce these days, replaced by emotion. Instead, it’s maskers and vaxers or cancel-culture and safe spaces. Our society, it seems, is run by emotion and not truth. It is as if most people can no longer handle the truth.

Anything that makes you uncomfortable is not allowed in today’s world.

It reminds me of Galatians 4:16, “So have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?” And also, John 8:45 “But because I speak the truth, you do not believe me.” We are there, a complete rejection of the truth by society, and for a significant portion, the church. 

But as Christians, we should remember this virtue. We should be following the words of the psalmist. Psalms 8:7 “For my mouth will utter the truth, And wickedness is an abomination to my lips.”

Honor

Honor is our guiding compass. Honor is the path we take in life. The deeds done, the adventures sought, the character of what makes the person. Honor is what we are remembered by after death. Lack of honor will offer us the same results. 

Throughout the Bible, there are several verses, and honor is a repeatedly visited topic in the book of proverbs and psalms. The wisdom and poetry books of the Bible. It must be important to God that we live our lives with honor to be a repeating theme. Proverbs 3:35 says, “The wise will inherit honor, but fools display dishonor.”

Fidelity

Fidelity is loyalty. Pure and simple. Norse heathenry places significance on loyalty to friends, to spouses, to the gods. I don’t feel like I need to explain the importance of this regardless of your chosen religion. Loyalty to your friends, loyalty to your spouse, and loyalty to your God. 

There is no need for bible verses or a long rant on this one yall. If you don’t have fidelity, if loyalty is non-existent, you are a trash person, and nothing else can be said to change it. Without this virtue, none of the other virtues are worth anything.

Discipline

I feel like this one goes along with Fidelity hand in hand. Honestly, without discipline, you will not be a loyal and trustworthy person. Now discipline can come in many forms, but it applies to everything. You can not be physically fit without discipline. You can not be honorable and virtuous without discipline.

Did you know that the Bible mentions discipline over 60 times? Here are two of my favorite verses on the subject. Caution they tend to offend people. Proverbs 12:1 “He who loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.” And Hebrews 12:11 “For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”

Hospitality

This is one that I’ve harped on from time to time against Christians. It’s a virtue long lost by the church but is mainstream in other religions such as Islam. Actually, I can’t think of a better example than in Muslim culture.

Hospitality goes further than just opening your door to people. It is about being helpful and respectful to others. In the old times, hospitality was even crucial for survival. Did you know when you brought someone into your home and fed them that you were also honor-bound for their protection while under your roof?

I have been taken in and housed for a night, fed, treated like a guest of honor by Buddhists, Muslims, and Taoists. I’ve been welcomed into families by pagans and heathens. In all my travels around the world and all the cultures, I’ve experienced. Never once has this happened when dealing with a Christian. I have found that a Christian will happily give you a ride to a homeless shelter or buy you a burger off of the dollar menu, but anything past that is an inconvenience. Here are a few verses for thought.

Hebrews 13:2 “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”

1 Peter 4:9 “Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.”

Romans 12:13 “Contribute to the need of the saints and seek to show hospitality.”

Titus 1:8 ties several of these virtues together. “But hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.”

Hospitality is missing from Christianity, and it’s a big part of it. In researching verses for this article, I came across over 100 of them that pertain to it, yet, our culture does not apply something so important in scripture—just another stain on the church.

Industriousness

This one is pretty self-explanatory. Do not be lazy. Your ancestors weren’t lazy, why are you? We should be working hard and giving our all in everything we do. From working that 9-5 to working hard to achieve your dreams and goals.

This should be a given but unfortunately seems not to be. Especially today. When I drive through my nearest town, every single business on the main road had now hiring signs. Restaurants are doing open interviews, walk-in, and they will interview you. We have shifted into a give me society that’s looking for handouts.

2 Thessalonians 3:10 says, “that if any would not work, neither should he eat.” Just saying.

Self-reliance and Perseverance

I placed these two together because I feel as if they go hand in hand. It is simple, take care of yourself, mind, and body. And do it while being devout to God. And no matter what happens, you keep pushing forward to achieve that goal. You must self-rely and persevere in your practice of these nine virtues in order to live by them. Only you can rely on yourself to persevere through all obstacles to live a virtuous life.

I hope I’ve given some clarification on my position and what it is to me to be a Christian Heathen. Being a Christian, Heathen is simply bucking against the world and the failures of the church in a way that ensures that I live a biblically mandated life. Something few Christians seem to do anymore.

***

CHRISTIAN HEATHENRY BE STRONG IN YOUR BELIEF
CHRISTIAN HEATHENRY QUALITY QUESTIONS ANSWERED

***

Questions or Thoughts? Leave them in the comments.

Padre

Twitter @HmestedPadre
Padre.carrd.co
 Linktree for everything else.

***
For those that would like to support Barbarian Rhetoric, click here SUPPORT

***