Podcasts about roman emperors

Discover the ancient wisdom of Stoicism through the extraordinary life of Marcus Aurelius. Based on Donald Robertson's book, How to Think Like a Roman Emperor, this video explores how you can combine ancient Roman philosophy with modern cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to build incredible emotional resilience. Learn the practical psychological exercises that Marcus Aurelius used to master his anger, conquer unfulfilling desires, tolerate chronic pain, and overcome fear during some of the most challenging periods of the Roman Empire. Find out how to train your mind using the exact daily meditations and "cognitive distancing" techniques that guided a philosopher-king.#Tags: #Stoicism #MarcusAurelius #HowToThinkLikeARomanEmperor #Philosophy #Resilience #CBT #SelfImprovement #Mindfulness #AncientWisdom #DonaldRobertson

I greet you in Jesus' precious name! It is Thursday morning, the 4th of June, 2026, and this is your friend, Angus Buchan, with a thought for today. We go straight to the Book of Acts 20:37-38:”Then they all wept freely, and fell on Paul's neck and kissed him, sorrowing most of all for the words which he spoke, that they would see his face no more. And they accompanied him to the ship.” Now we know that was the last time they saw Paul and they knew it because from there he eventually ended up in Rome and he was beheaded by the Roman Emperor. Always a sad thing to say goodbye, isn't it? An airport for me is always a bitter sweet place. I sit often and I watch when I'm waiting for my plane. People that are arriving, and there is absolute joy and tears and hugs having not seen their loved ones for maybe a number of years, but it is also a place of great sadness when some loved ones are saying goodbye knowing that that they will probably not see them again in this life.I want to tell you about the Drakensberg Boys Choir. Just a short while ago, I had the privilege of speaking to these young men. As we were finishing up, we'd made the alter call, we'd prayed the Sinners Prayer, we'd repented, we'd rejoiced, and a group of these young men gathered around me and they said they'd like to sing me a song, and they sang that beautiful song, “Until we meet again” and I must say it did bring me to tears but you know the Good News is, as believers, as followers of Jesus Christ, it's never goodbye forever. No, it's only for a season.If we look at John 14:3, the Lord says, ”I will come again”. It's a promise! He's coming back to fetch us, you and me, who believe in the Lord and who love Him, and He's going to take us home to Heaven to be with our loved ones. So that is wonderful news and Jesus has promised that to all who believe in Him. I want to encourage you to pray for your loved ones and pray that you will see them again in Heaven.Jesus bless you and have a wonderful day. Goodbye.

It's a fifth Friday, so Jimmy Akin is answering weird questions from Catholic Answers listeners, about topics like alien demons, vampire ethics, Jesus's DNA, ancient tech, how much water a priest can bless, and more. The post Zombie Marriage, Holy Roman Emperors, Jesus's DNA, and More Weird Questions appeared first on StarQuest Media.

It's a fifth Friday, so Jimmy Akin is answering weird questions from Catholic Answers listeners, about topics like alien demons, vampire ethics, Jesus's DNA, ancient tech, how much water a priest can bless, and more.

(2/3) The Self-Dealing Emperor. Gaius and Germanicus debate in their favorite wine bar by the Thames, in Londinium, Spring 92 AD. The Roman emperor system, initiated by Augustus, was fundamentally built on "self-dealing," where the ruler acted as the "single decider" of wealth, contracts, and appointments to maintain control. By the time of Domitian, this corruption was an automated "machine." Germanicus contends that modern American venality has reached an "order of magnitude" that dwarfs historical examples like the Gilded Age or the corruption of the 1920s. He describes a "self-licking ice cream cone" of corruption where the powerful are no longer ashamed but use their influence to suppress critics. Because the current system is "rotten throughout," there is no internal pathway for reform. Instead, Germanicus predicts that only a "giant reckoning"—similar to the collapse of the Roman Empire—could force change, necessitating a new source of universal moral authority. (2/3)NERO

Title: “Let No One Deceive You” Part 1 Text: 2 Thessalonians 2:3-5 FCF: We often struggle falling prey to speculation and uncertainty regarding the end times. Prop: Because the Day of the Lord must be preceded by the apostasy and the man of lawlessness, we must not let anyone deceive us. Scripture Intro: CSB [Slide 1] Turn in your bible to 2 Thessalonians chapter 2. In a moment we will read from the Christian Standard Bible starting in verse 3 and going through verse 12. You can follow along in the pew bible or in whatever version you prefer. Last week, Paul definitively addressed the concern the Thessalonians had about the Day of the Lord. That it had come and that somehow they had missed it. Paul answers them directly… it has not come. Today, he will outline a particular event that must precede the Day of the Lord and the return of Christ and the gathering together of His people. And that event seems to be something significant enough and obvious enough that he is somewhat shocked that they have believed this lie, since he has already taught them all of this. He warns them… don't let yourself be deceived. Because of the nature of this information and the fact that there is such wide uncertainty concerning it, I will be forced to break down this context into probably three or perhaps even four sermons from here until verse 12. But let's start with reading the entire context before we get into it. Please stand with me to give honor to and to focus on the Word of God as it is read. Invocation: God of our salvation, we confess that since our salvation is all of You, that there is neither nothing we can do to get it from You, nor is there anything we can do to void it if You have given it to us. Nevertheless, we confess that this does not make us passive agents in our preservation. You have told us repeatedly to hold fast to what we have received from Christ and His apostles. You have warned us repeatedly in Your Word to trust what You have said over and above what our own senses declare to us. You will preserve us, but the way You do that is by the faith You have put in us. A saving kind. A kind that endures. And so, Lord, we enter this passage to respond in faith and trust Your promise over and above what we observe. Keep us in Your loving care and preserve us to the end. We pray this in Jesus' name – Amen. Transition: [Slide 2] “Satan doesn't care what we worship, as long as we don't worship God.” D.L. Moody “Satan is not fighting churches; he is joining them. He does more harm by sowing tares than by pulling up wheat. He accomplishes more by imitation than by outright opposition.” Vance Havner “There is something very comforting in the thought that the devil is an adversary. I would sooner have him for an adversary than a friend.” C.H. Spurgeon These words prepare us for the exposition of the Word of God today. Let us begin. I.) A great rebellion led by a lawless man doomed to be destroyed by Jesus will occur before the Day of the Lord, so we must not let anyone deceive us. (3) a. [Slide 3] 3 - Don't let anyone deceive you in any way. i. Paul puts his finger directly on the root of the problem facing the Thessalonians. ii. They are letting people lead them away from what they have learned about the Day of the Lord. iii. Their discernment is vacillating, they have been overcome by sudden fear, and they are believing lies. iv. From verse 3 until verse 12, Paul's basic application is simply this: Do not let anyone deceive you. v. No matter what others say or how they say it, the Thessalonian church must be firmly rooted in truth and convinced of what they have been taught. vi. But Paul is not going to leave it there. He is going to instruct, or re-instruct them on the sequence of events concerning the Day of the Lord. b. [Slide 4] For that day will not come unless the apostasy comes first i. Paul gatekeeps the coming of the Day of the Lord behind one event. ii. The event is what he describes as “the apostasy”. 1. The Greek word here means “rebellion” which is most often what we might use to translate this if it were in a political sense. A rebel or a traitor. 2. But given the context of this passage, it seems better to see this in a religious sense. 3. There may be overlap as political and religious upheaval will most likely go hand in hand. But when we use the word rebellion here, I think we do generally lose the religious sense. 4. An apostate is someone who publicly denies a previously held religious belief and distances themselves from the community that holds to it. This could, although not necessarily, include persecution against their previously held beliefs. iii. So, to what is Paul referring? 1. Interestingly enough many of the references to this teaching are written after Paul writes this. a. [Slide 5] 2 Tim 3:1 – 5 - “But know this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, without gentleness, without love for good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, but having denied its power. Keep away from such men as these.” b. [Slide 6] 2 Peter 3:3-4 – “knowing this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming?” c. [Slide 7] Jude 18-19 - “In the last time there will be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts. These are the ones who cause divisions, worldly-minded, not having the Spirit. “ d. [Slide 8] 1 Tim 4:1 – “But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, by the hypocrisy of liars, who have been seared in their own conscience” 2. This suggests that this is something Paul was shown directly by God's Spirit. 3. [Slide 9] And so, Paul is relaying that in the end there will be a time when people will say they are following the real Jesus, turning from what they see as a corruption of Jesus' teachings, emphasizing the freedom of their flesh to pursue anything they wish, and mocking any who would suggest that Jesus is concerned about living a holy life. They will claim to be godly but have no power to overcome their own sinfulness. They will divide, they will be worldly, and they won't have the Spirit of God. 4. Friends… if what I just described to you doesn't sound familiar… then you are living under a rock. 5. I have just described a cancer that is currently growing in western Christianity. iv. Does that mean that the great apostasy has happened? v. I would… cautiously say… no. 1. Down through the history of the church age there have been several events that seemed to be a great apostasy. a. When the Jews rejected their own Messiah and killed Him. b. When Gnosticism overtook the church and led many astray in the 2nd century. c. When Rome adopted Christianity as the official religion and paganism creeped into it and joined to make the Roman Catholic church. 2. And it is possible that what we see happening today would be fitting this prophesy but as Paul will say in a few verses, this spirit of lawlessness is already at work in the world. It makes sense that we would see aspects of this pop up – like birth pangs. 3. But the way this is spoken about, it seems like we might see a much more staggering and global case of people abandoning biblical Christianity and flocking to other forms of Christianity or paganism. 4. Although we see apostasy on the rise in our culture, and have seen periods of it through the ages, still we see great movements of the Spirit and people are coming to faith in Christ. 5. What Paul speaks of seems to be a great winnowing of Christians that will necessarily result in biblical Christianity being heavily persecuted, on a global scale, and seemingly the church will be overcome by it. vi. Although I don't think this has happened yet – where the United States goes, the world is sure to follow. Should the disdain of biblical Christianity continue to grow in the west, I can see it quickly developing into a worldwide event… especially when the other component of this event happens… c. [Slide 10] and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. i. The identity of the man of lawlessness is, as you might imagine, a hotly debated topic in Christendom. ii. Although there is actually more agreement than you might think, especially between two of the three major eschatological frameworks. iii. Although I am loathe to do it, it is necessary for me to briefly introduce these three major frameworks, so that you are not completely in the dark as to what I am talking about as we go forward. And in order to understand the makeup of these frameworks, you must understand some different approaches to prophesy about the end times. iv. [Slide 11] Last week I already introduced you to one of these… preterits. 1. Preterists believe that some or all of the events mentioned in the scriptures regarding the last days have been fulfilled, especially at AD 70 when Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed. 2. Historicists believe that some of the events mentioned in the scriptures regarding the last days have been fulfilled after AD 70. 3. Futurists believe that all or most of the events mentioned in the scriptures regarding the last days have not yet been fulfilled. v. Depending on how much of each of these you mix together in your recipe, determines what dish of eschatological framework you make. vi. [Slide 12] The names of the three major frameworks are premillennialism, amillennialism, and postmillennialism. 1. [Slide 13] Premillennialism, at least one branch of it, is the oldest eschatological position. a. Well known church fathers such as Justin Martyr, Papius, Tertullian, Irenaeus, and many lesser-known individuals clearly wrote about and believed in a premillennial return of Christ. b. Premillennialism adds a heavy dose of a futurist understanding of end-times prophesy. Premillennialism would recognize and appreciate smaller fulfillments, but advocate that these always leave some portion unfulfilled in literal ways. Meaning that they cannot be the complete or final fulfillment. c. At its core premillennialism teaches that the gathering of the saints and a return of Christ will precede a literal 1000-year earthly reign of Christ with His people from Jerusalem. d. After which would be the final judgment and eternal state. e. Even Augustine of Hippo believed this for a time, but eventually became an influential opponent of it. f. Premillennialism today is divided into three broad categories based on when the church would meet Christ in the air prior to the 1000-year reign. i. The historic position is that after the tribulation, Christ would descend, collect His people, and come with them to the earth. This is what all the church fathers I have already mentioned taught. ii. There is also a newer position, represented by one later church father's sermon composed between the 4th and 6th centuries. 1. His name was Ephraem and his sermon said, “all the saints would be gathered together before the tribulation, and taken to the Lord, so they do not see any of the confusion which overwhelms the world.” 2. This would be the bedrock upon which the pretribulational view would be built. 3. A view that says that before the tribulation period, the Lord would come and gather His people and take them to be with Him in heaven during the remainder of the tribulation. iii. Finally, there is a much newer position that attests that at some point in the middle of the tribulation the church would be caught up to be with Christ and wait with Him until the end of the tribulation. 2. [Slide 14] Amillennialism is also incredibly old. Many church fathers held this view. a. Because this view takes many forms, we do see it mix together all three views of end-times prophesy. There is a dash of futurist, a hint of historicist, and a splash of preterist in this view. b. The view says that the tribulation and the millennium are figurative expressions to summarize the events of the last days. c. The tribulation is not seen then as a literal 7-year period, nor is the tribulation an event that is in the future. d. Amillennialism would see the events of the tribulation as describing events that led up to and including the destruction of the temple in AD 70. e. The 1000-year reign of Christ is a metaphorical age of the church, which begins after the destruction of the temple. f. Within this reign of Christ, Satan is bound so the church can share the gospel, but that doesn't mean that there is no opposition. g. At the end of the church age, Christ will return, gather His people, judge the earth, and usher in the eternal state. h. There is a lot of variety within Amillennialism, but this is the general framework behind it. 3. [Slide 15] Finally, there is Postmillennialism. Postmillennialism is, by far, the most modern of the three major frameworks of the end times. It's earliest known writings occurring in the late 1600s. a. Postmillennialism is very similar to Amillennialism, but with a heavier dose of a preterist view of end times prophesy. b. Like Amillennialism, Postmillennialism teaches that the events of the tribulation occurred prior to the destruction of the temple in AD 70. c. After this, a period of time, mentioned as 1000 years but really an undefined amount of time, will occur in which the church will progressively influence the world into a time of peace and prosperity. d. After this the Lord Jesus will return physically and judge the world and the eternal state will begin. e. Although often caricatured as merely supporting liberal social programs to institute progress, or to militantly take the world over, evangelical postmillennialism understands the transformation of the world happening by the preaching of the gospel alone. vii. Having now a basic understanding of each view, we can rightly give the options for how each view sees this “man of lawlessness.” viii. [Slide 16] Postmillennialism understands this entire passage quite differently than the other two eschatological frameworks. 1. Postmillennialism suggests that Paul is not talking about the second coming of Christ at all, nor is it talking about a Christian apostasy but rather a Jewish rebellion. 2. The rebellion then would occur with the events that lead up to the destruction of the temple in AD 70 and the man of lawlessness is none other than Emperor Nero his death occurring just prior to the destruction of the temple. ix. [Slide 17] Amillennialism understands this passage very broadly. 1. Although they do not believe in a literal tribulation or millennium, they do see this man of lawlessness as a movement, an institution, or an individual that telescopically occurs several times throughout the church age. 2. Although Paul's description here would be thought to refer to the events in AD 70, Amillennialism is broad enough to suggest that there could be several small fulfillments of this prophesy before a definitive manifestation of it occurs before Christ returns. 3. This isn't a baseless claim because most of the Jews of the 1st century would have concluded that the prophesies about the man of lawlessness were fulfilled when Antiochus IV Epiphanes defiled the temple and set up images of Zeus within it in 167 BC. Yes, over 150 years before Christ this happened. The last name “Epiphanes” means God-manifest. 4. Caligula, who claimed to be a god, tried to have an image of himself put up in the temple in AD 40, which was just 12 years prior to Paul writing this letter. He was stalled and then assassinated before he could see it done. 5. And Roman General Pompey entered the holy of holies in AD 63, just 11 years after Paul wrote this. 6. All that to say – what we have already observed – prophesies like these seem to have multiple fulfillments leading to an ultimate fulfillment. x. [Slide 18] Premillennialism would view the man of lawlessness as the little horn, the beast from the sea, the fourth king that rises up over the other three. The Antichrist. In premillennialism this is a future king or ruler who will establish a global regime, empowered by and submitted to Satan, seeking to destroy the saints of Christ. 1. Although we will not turn to them, there is remarkable harmony between 2 Thessalonians 2:3-12 and several other passages which refer to a similar person doing similar things. If you would like to look these up later and read for yourself, the references are on the screen. a. Dan 7:24-27 b. Dan 8:21-26 c. Dan 11:36-45 d. Dan 12 e. Revelation 13:1-10 2. [Slide 19] Furthermore, that a great apostasy would be tied to this person's rise to power and that he is given the same title as Judas, this seems to indicate a future, celibate, Christian insider, who betrays biblical Christendom and begins to seek to destroy it. a. The CSB translates this “the man doomed to destruction”, which is the same name that Christ gave to Judas Iscariot. This suggests not only that his regime will ultimately fall to Christ's Kingdom, but also that as a consequence of the apostacy, an apostate will emerge with great power. The man of lawlessness will be a former Christ professor. b. Daniel 11 indicates that this future king will not only not regard the gods of his ancestors but that he will also not regard the desire of women, more than likely this means he will be celibate. c. This could mean that he is celibate because he is focused on power alone and hasn't given his strength to women (Prov 31:3). Or perhaps he is celibate because he is asexual or even a homosexual. xi. I am of the opinion that, although the other frameworks include godly brothers, the premillennial position fits what Paul says… like a glove. d. [Slide 20] Summary of the Point: Verses 3-12 are heavy on teaching and light on application. That is a blessing to us because as much uncertainty as there is regarding the specifics of the teaching, there are some things that are quite certain. Paul assures the Thessalonian church that the Day of the Lord will not come until the time of great apostasy comes led by a lawless man who is doomed to be destroyed by Christ at His coming. Therefore, they must not let themselves be deceived to think that the Day of the Lord will come before these things. They must compare what they hear to what they have been taught. [Slide 21(blank)] Transition: Paul has identified the event that will occur before the Day of the Lord. He states that the apostasy and the man of lawlessness will come first. We have done our best to identify this person with consideration to broader Christendom. But what will this man of lawlessness do? II.) The lawless man will commit blasphemies that no created being ever has, so we must not let anyone deceive us. (4-5) a. [Slide 22] 4 - He opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, i. One of the primary atrocities that the man of lawlessness will commit will be his blasphemies against Yahweh and His Son. ii. In many of the contexts I put on the screen with the Premillennial position, this blasphemy is spoken of quite plainly. iii. And here Paul gives us a surprisingly rich description. iv. Paul isn't trying to be vague. He is trying to be crystal clear. v. First, we should recognize that this man of lawlessness does something that LITERALLY no Roman Emperor ever did. 1. We know that the Emperor cult was alive and well during the first century. We know that Caesar worship was going on in many cities that Paul visited. 2. We know that several titles in the New Testament, given to Christ, were actually mottos of Caesar worship which the apostolic authors used to correct pagan emperor worship. 3. Things like, Lord, Savior, Son of God, Image of God, God manifest, Lord and Savior. No King but Christ. 4. It was a deliberate rhetorical strategy of first century Christian preachers to simultaneously denounce Caesar worship and exalt the true King of Kings and Lord of Lords Jesus Christ. vi. But as often as we have noticed that Roman Emperors elevated themselves to deity… vii. NOT ONE Roman Emperor EVER put himself above every god or temple or object of worship. Not one. viii. Emperor worship was always viewed alongside the worship of many pagan gods. And temples to other gods were not torn down or replaced by temples to the Emperor. ix. Not only that, but down through the ages, although common to elevate a king to some level of deity, no king ever had the gall to suggest that he was over all gods. x. This gives postmillennialism a very difficult problem to deal with. Nero never claimed to be over every other god or object of worship. xi. Amillennialism too has a similar problem although it is not as problematic since some brands of amillennialism would say there is still a future man of lawlessness. xii. What is certain though, is that Paul's prediction here is, in no way, fulfilled prior to AD 70. Not if his words mean anything. xiii. Of course, a premillennial framework, which is primarily futurist allows for Paul's words to be true in their fullest sense. xiv. But this is not the extent of the man of lawlessness' blasphemy. Afterall, being over all so-called gods, demons or otherwise, and being over objects of worship – is no great blasphemy. xv. The real blasphemy comes next… b. [Slide 23so that he sits in God's temple, i. Every single eschatological framework has been written about after the fall of Jerusalem in AD 70 and the destruction of the temple. ii. Paul writes before the destruction of the temple by 18 years. iii. On the surface, it seems like Paul would most assuredly be referring to the literal temple and that the man of lawlessness would go into the temple and sit upon the mercy seat in the holy of holies. iv. What's the problem then? v. The temple doesn't exist and hasn't for the last 1,956 years. vi. Postmillennialism and Amillennialism suggest that The Roman General Titus did this when Jerusalem and the temple was destroyed. 1. Jewish historian Josephus gave account that the Romans entered the temple and set up images of the Roman Eagles on its ruins and worshipped there. 2. However, other accounts indicate that the temple was destroyed before the Romans entered in and that there is no actual evidence, aside from Josephus' words, to suggest that they set up images to worship on the temple ruins. 3. And no historian suggests that anyone went in and sat down in the temple. vii. [Slide 24] Amillennialism also suggests that this may be interpreted figuratively, although there are three ways it could be seen – hence the difficulty of a figurative fulfillment. 1. The Authority of God a. Taking his seat in God's temple could be metonymy which substitutes something for something that is associated with it. b. “Taking his seat in the temple of God” may simply be an expression to say that he took the place of God – perhaps even that he takes a religious position of authority that God alone would have. c. Some historicists point to the highly problematic position the Pope of the Roman Catholic church created in the 1200s called the Vicar or deputy of Christ, who can forgive sins. Such a place seems to take the authority that belongs to God alone. 2. God's Throne in Heaven a. Taking his seat in God's temple could also be seen as God's heavenly throne. b. Many scholars say that this cannot be for a man could not ascend to God's throne. c. However, if we understand a heavenly throne to imply space – we could actually see someone coming from space (or at least saying they did) and claiming to be the Lord of the Stars. d. I don't want to go down too big a rabbit trail here – but this is a possibility that seems to be even more possible given recent declassifications. 3. The Universal Church a. Many times, throughout the New Testament, the church is called the dwelling place or the temple of God. b. Perhaps the man of lawlessness would be a Christian apostate who rises from within Christendom. c. Furthermore, Paul never uses the expression “Temple of God” to refer to the temple building in Jerusalem. What he does call the temple of God are believers who have the Holy Spirit dwelling in their hearts. d. We'll talk more on this in just a second but let's get to the Premillennial position on this… viii. [Slide 25] Premillennialism traditionally has seen this as fulfilled literally with the building of a third temple. 1. This is plausible, although this puts the immanency of Christ's return, to which the New Testament resolutely espouses, at odds with premillennialism. 2. How can Christ's return occur at any time, when an entire temple needs to be built before someone can go and sit down in it? 3. As someone who leans heavily toward premillennialism, this is a huge problem and the answers that are traditionally given are fairly unsatisfactory. a. Some have suggested that the Day of the Lord and when Christ gathers His people should be seen as two separate events. b. Thus, the temple being rebuilt and the man of lawlessness taking his seat, is a prerequisite for The Day of the Lord and not the gathering of His people. c. However, the weakness of this view is that Paul seems to see both of these events as the same. In verses 1-2 of this chapter, it seems like they are the same event. 4. This is why the Amillennial view of a figurative interpretation is actually quite intriguing. Especially the third one. 5. Maybe we aren't looking for the man of lawlessness to actually sit in the temple of God. Maybe the man of lawlessness will take his seat among Christians. 6. [Slide 26] At first this sounds bonkers, but Revelation 13:6-7 says that the beast “opened his mouth in blasphemies against God, to blaspheme His name and His tabernacle, that is, those who dwell in heaven. And it was also given to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them” 7. Here John refers to the name of God and His tabernacle as those who dwell in heaven. And he is going to make war with the saints and overcome them, meaning he will kill them. And send them where? Heaven. 8. So perhaps we can be premillennial and not have a 3rd temple after all. ix. But even taking his seat among God's people or even in the temple itself is not the most egregious act of blasphemy. x. What is the worst thing he does? c. [Slide 27] proclaiming that he himself is God. i. Again, postmillennialism has no answer for such a prophetic word. ii. No Roman Emperor has ever claimed to be Yahweh. iii. [Slide 28] Pope Innocent III declared that “No king can reign rightly unless he devoutly serve Christ's vicar,” to which he was referring to himself. Although this comes very close to claiming to be God, it is not the same. iv. [Slide 29] No person in the history of the world has ever claimed to be God Himself… save one. The God-Man, Jesus Christ. v. This is why many rightly point out the mockery of Satan. vi. [Slide 30] Satan takes what God does and mimics and defiles it. 1. Just as God is three persons in one God, Satan is the Father power behind the man of lawlessness, his son, and the second beast from the land also called the false prophet, aids the man of lawlessness by giving false signs and wonders. The unholy trinity. 2. Just as Jesus was a Jew and rose up within Judaism, claimed to fulfill the law, and claimed to be God Himself, so the man of lawlessness will rise up within an apostate Christendom, exalt himself above every other so-called god and claim to be God. vii. Both the Amillennial and premillennial framework make way for this… but I think the premillennial position gives a clearer understanding here. viii. As close as some emperors and popes have come, none have ever truly fulfilled Paul's words to the letter. ix. This is all certainly a lot to take in. x. Nevertheless, Paul speaks of this quite succinctly. In only a couple verses he has talked about several extended passages in Daniel and throughout the yet-to-be-written New Testament. xi. How can he write so briefly on such a huge topic? d. [Slide 31] 5 - Don't you remember that when I was still with you I used to tell you about this? i. Paul can speak briefly about all of this – because he remembers teaching them all of this in much greater detail. ii. Paul now, as an aside, interrupts his teaching of the man of lawlessness to express, what I see as a bit of frustration or confusion regarding all that he has just said. iii. He says – “don't you remember?” iv. It has only been a few months, at most a year since Paul and his companions were with them in Thessalonica. v. They should remember…. vi. Paul is shocked that they are vacillating on this issue when it was so recent that he taught them these things. vii. But this drives us back to the original exhortation which Paul began in verse 3. viii. They have “let themselves” be deceived. ix. In this he also teaches them the cure to not allowing themselves to be deceived. x. It is, quite simply, to remember what they have been taught. xi. Compare what they are hearing, what is causing them fear, and what they are being tempted to believe to what they have already been taught. xii. Anything that contradicts – must be cast aside. e. [Slide 32] Summary of the Point: Again, shoving aside all the uncertain things, we can arrive at certain truths. The lawless man will commit acts of blasphemy so egregious that they have never been or been allowed to be before. He will elevate himself above all other gods and objects of worship. He will take his seat in God's temple and claim to be God. Because these things are so terrible, we should be looking for nothing less before the coming of the Day of the Lord. Let no one deceive us on this. Hold fast to what we've been taught. Conclusion: So CBC, what have we learned today that refines our beliefs and guides our lifestyles. [Slide 33] Basics of Faith and Practice: Even though there is a great deal of uncertainty here, some things Paul says are certain. The Day of the Lord must be preceded by the apostasy and the man of lawlessness. Until these things occur, the Lord will not return. And in order to be an orthodox Christian, you must see some or all of what has been predicted in this text, as still yet to come. So, we must not let anyone deceive us. So, what things do we need to take away from this text this morning? 1.) [Slide 34] Mind Transformation: “What truth must we believe from this text?” or “What might we not naturally believe that we must believe because of what this text has said?” We must affirm that before the Day of the Lord, first there must be the apostasy and the man of lawlessness. a. Aside from Postmillennialism, all Christians in the church age have believed that there will be some ultimate and definitive manifestation of the apostasy and the man of lawlessness before Christ returns. b. The two oldest positions concluded that things will get worse for the church before Christ returns. c. If you are Postmillennial, although I still see you as a brother –I find a lot of difficulty arriving at such a position. d. Providentially, we have seen a huge rise in Reformed or Reforming churches adopting Postmillennialism as their eschatological framework. But with an honest look at this passage – my friends – I just don't see it. e. We must conclude from this text, even after the events of AD 70, that there is still yet to come a great apostasy and a lawless and blasphemous man who will lead it. 2.) [Slide 35] Mind Transformation: “What truth must we believe from this text?” or “What might we not naturally believe that we must believe because of what this text has said?” We must affirm that the man of lawlessness will commit acts of blasphemy that go beyond what any created being has committed in the history of the world. a. Even if Isaiah 14 and Ezekiel 28 describe Satan, even he never committed such blasphemies against Yahweh. b. At most Satan said he would be “like” the most High. c. But to elevate himself above every other created being, to sit down in the temple of Yahweh and claim to be Yahweh Himself… such acts have never been committed, by any of God's creatures. None have dared to do such things. d. The only man to have done something like this – is Jesus. Of course, then it isn't blasphemy, because it is true. e. Next week we will observe that something or someone is holding this man of lawlessness back. It is keeping him from leading this rebellion and committing these blasphemous acts. f. This all fits together to indicate to me – that as believers we will know when such a man is upon us. It won't be hidden and it won't be a surprise. There may be elements of it that will be tempting to believe… but we won't be fooled. And Paul gives us some fairly big clues. g. Look for a blasphemous man to claim to be God or even Jesus. h. Look for him to be claiming to be a Christian. Look for him to not regard the desire of women. Look for him to try to snuff out biblical Christianity. Look for him to desire power above all else. 3.) [Slide 36] Refutation: “What lies must we cast down” or “What do we naturally believe, or have been taught to believe, that this passage shows is false?” We should deny that the man of lawlessness has already come. a. I use the word should and not must – because of the uncertainty in this. I don't want to be too strong. b. But from my view, Paul doesn't give this sign to the Thessalonians supposing that it will be hard to see. c. In fact, he kinda words it like it will be easy to see. He is shocked they are thinking the Day of the Lord had come, when so clearly this apostasy and man of lawlessness had NOT come. d. This isn't negating what Jesus said about the false prophets giving prophesies and exhibiting signs that are so strong that if it were possible, it would deceive the elect. e. Jesus' point there is that it will be such a tumultuous time spiritually, that all Christians in name only will not stand a chance. They will be deceived. Only the elect will be preserved, not because they are special, but because they will hold fast to their divinely given faith – even though their eyes and ears tell them something completely different. f. Paul is saying to look for these signs. They must precede the Lord's return. g. Therefore… 4.) [Slide 37] Exhortation: “What actions should we take?” or “What is this passage specifically commanding us to do that we don't naturally do or aren't currently doing?” We must not let ourselves be deceived. a. Christian, hold fast to your faith no matter what. b. And don't go running to see someone who has claimed to be Christ. No matter how convincing He is… We won't need to be called to go meet Him… He will bring us to Himself. c. Keep trusting in Christ alone. d. Keep growing in faith and love for one another. e. Keep gathering together with other believers who will help you see through the lies. f. And don't be looking for new or creative approaches to Christianity. Seek beliefs and practices that are firmly rooted in what the church has been doing since the beginning. g. Novelty and innovation in the church's doctrine and practice is the spirit of lawlessness. It is the beginning of this man's work. h. Do not let yourself be deceived Hold fast to what you were taught. 5.) [Slide 38] Comfort: “What comfort can we find here?” or “What peace does the Lord promise us in light of this passage of scripture?” The man of lawlessness is also the man doomed to destruction. a. Though we may despise him, though we may hate him, though we may be tempted to love him, though we may be tempted to follow him… he is doomed for destruction. b. No doubt he will be convincing and powerful. He will persuade many. Another will come and give many signs and wonders proving him to be what he claims to be. c. Many people, friends and family members who we know and who have claimed to be Christians, will be deceived and will fall away. d. Many of us… will be hunted and killed by this man because we hold fast to biblical Christianity and refuse to worship Him as God. e. But remember… He will be slain by the breath of the Lord. His kingdom will topple. And he will be cast alive into the lake of fire along with the False Prophet. f. As much destruction as he may cause – also remember that God has sealed His true people by His Spirit. g. If possible, you would be deceived. But it is not possible. Not for those who continue to believe. Not for those that God has promised to glorify since He has counted them worthy of His call. h. God will preserve you… so keep believing. Keep hoping. Keep trusting. Even if all your senses tell you to stop. Keep hoping in Christ alone. 6.) [Slide 39] Evangelism: “What about this text points us to Jesus Christ, the gospel, and how we are restored?” As long as you remain a quasi-Christian or an unbeliever, you will be deceived. a. Jesus' comments in Matthew 24 and Paul's words here make it abundantly clear. b. In the last days, the line between the visible and the invisible church will grow crisp and black. c. Now such a divide between the organization and the people who truly are Christians is very blurry. But in that day, the line between them will be quite plain. d. The visible church will be apostate. You will still be able to call yourself a Christian. You will still be able to worship Jesus. But you will have to confess that this one… this man… is Him. It will appear that He has come and set up His Kingdom. e. And the invisible church, the real church, will be the ones considered rebels. Deniers. f. They will say, “How can you deny that the Jesus you believed in all your life is not the one who is walking among us today? He has brought peace and love to the world! How can this not be the Jesus of the bible? He has healed our wounds!” g. Everything will be flipped on its head. h. My friends, if you are not a genuine Christian, you will be deceived by this man's coming. And what's worse, you will turn against true believers. You will seek our death. i. But its not too late. Not yet. j. You can repent of your sin and put your trust in the REAL Jesus today. You can leave all your sin and pride behind, all your idols, and serve Christ forever. It won't be easy… and you may die for Him… But you will be gathered together with Him on that day when He defeats this man of lawlessness. k. Won't you repent and believe on Jesus? Won't you bow the knee to Him today? [Slide 40 (end)] Let me close with a prayer by the Danish Reformer Niels Hemmingsen O Heavenly Father, I pray to you for your dear Son's sake, Jesus Christ, our only Savior's sake, that you would reign over us all with your word and your Holy Spirit. Do not let your enemy's hand have power over us, to steer us away from you. Give the rest of us the will and ability to refute the devil's deeds, adultery, and sexual sin. Make holy all those servants of God's word with your Spirit, so they might learn and seek your holy will. Help us all that we may live here in the world according to your will—in the fear of God, in honesty, and in pure living-that we may find on the final day of judgment that we are your chosen, in everlasting joy and salvation through your son, our Lord Jesus Christ. To you, the only good and merciful God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be all worship, honor, and praise forever, amen. Benediction: Go, dwell on his love by sweetest song, And crown His head with multitudes of praises. Till all kings bow down to him and all nations serve Him. Until we meet again, Grace and peace to you.

In this final sermon in a series on the first letter of Peter, we took a close look at the first six emperors of Rome. Why? To provide some vivid and even shocking context for what otherwise might seem like easy words and phrases in the Scripture passages. The details, frankly, are gruesome; and they are important for us to know. They're also why Peter's words hit all the harder: "Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you." Are those words for us today, too? Yes, indeed, and Peter's admonitions help focus our responses to the sometimes gruesome nature of the world around us. Join us as we dive into one of the most chaotic, brutal, but formational times in Christian history. The image associated with this post is "The Christian Martyrs' Last Prayer" (detail) by Jean-Léon Gérôme (1883).

Dylan Gott, John Hastings and Christopher Hobson talk about the Montreal Screwjob, an event that has a deeper Wikipedia than many Roman Emperors @wrestlerreview patreon.com/wrestlerreview

We all have questions about faith. The kind that keep you up at night. The kind you hope nobody asks you. And maybe the kind that brought you here in the first place.In Part 1 of Questions for Jesus, Chris Podlich digs into one of the most common questions we received: Are the Gospels actually reliable accounts of real historical events?From ancient manuscripts to non-Christian sources, from P46 to why a first-century Galilean peasant is more historically documented than the Roman Emperor of his day, Chris makes the case that the foundation of Christian faith is a lot more solid than most people realize.Whether you've followed Jesus for years, you're just starting to explore faith, or you've got questions nobody ever gave you a real answer to, this episode is for you.Got a question for Jesus? Submit it at: https://beyondchurch.com.au/questions-for-jesus

Did you hear that Constantine XI didn't die? That he was taken below ground by an angel and will one day return. We explore all the myths which attached themselves to the final Roman Emperor. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Chief of Sinners | Week 11 | Ken Miller--Paul finds himself under house arrest in Rome, awaiting a trial before Nero, the Roman Emperor. But he is far from perturbed or anxious about his state of affairs. During his lengthy two-year imprisonment, Paul writes a series of letters to the churches he had helped to launch. In this lesson, we will examine the key themes and doctrines found in these prison epistles.--Notes

‘Then they monetize it…’ What happens when quality brands lovingly crafted are then acquired by private equity and venture capital? How has golf changed in recent decades – and beyond – and how might that related to our broader society? And, might Mitzi have an opportunity to meet John Daly? All this and more on today’s Mondays with Mitzi! edition of Road Warrior Radio. Links Discussed Why Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Founder Sold Business, Retired Early – Business Insider John Daly (golfer) – Wikipedia Caddyshack – Wikipedia Let’s talk about Erik van Rooyen’s jogger pants at the 2019 British Open Championship Mac Sinise – Shenandoah – YouTube Oh Shenandoah – Wikipedia What Scottie Scheffler told Lee Trevino as a child which has now come true Grammarly: Free AI Writing Assistance Saint Patrick’s Day – Wikipedia On This Day March 2026 Calendar of Public Holidays | Office Holidays Holidays Today and Upcoming Holidays in the United States What day is it today? Important events every day ad-free | United States On This Day – What Happened on March 16 Today in History: March 16, the My Lai massacre in Vietnam | AP News What Happened on March 16 – On This Day What Happened on March 16 | HISTORY March 16 – Wikipedia What Happened On March 16 In History? 16 | March | 2020 | Executed Today Holidays St. Patrick’s Day (tomorrow, Tue, Mar 17) Historical Events 2016 – President Barack Obama nominated Merrick Garland to take the seat of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, who had died the previous month. Republicans who controlled the Senate would stick to their pledge to leave the seat empty until after the presidential election; they confirmed Trump nominee Neil Gorsuch in April 2017. 2005 – Actor Robert Blake acquitted: After a three-month-long criminal trial in Los Angeles Superior Court, a jury acquits Robert Blake, star of the 1970s television detective show “Baretta,” of the murder of his 44-year-old wife, Bonny Lee Bakley. 2003 – 23-year-old peace activist Rachel Corrie is crushed to death in Rafah, run over by an Israel Defense Forces bulldozer while trying to obstruct the demolition of a home. 1995 – Mississippi formally ratifies the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, becoming the last state to do so. The Thirteenth Amendment was officially ratified in 1865. 1994 – Figure skater Tonya Harding pleaded guilty in Portland, Oregon, to conspiracy to hinder prosecution for covering up an attack on rival Nancy Kerrigan, avoiding jail but drawing a $100,000 fine and three years of probation. 1988 – Iran–Contra affair: Lieutenant Colonel Oliver North and Vice Admiral John Poindexter are indicted on charges of conspiracy to defraud the United States. 1968 – Sen. Robert F. Kennedy of New York announced his candidacy for the Democratic presidential nomination. 1968 – General Motors produces its 100 millionth automobile, an Oldsmobile Toronado 1958 – The Ford Motor Company produced its 50 millionth automobile, the Thunderbird, averaging almost a million cars a year since the company's founding. 1903 – Judge Roy Bean dies: Self-proclaimed “law west of the Pecos,” Roy Bean dies in Langtry, Texas. A saloonkeeper and adventurer, Bean's claim to fame rested on the often humorous and sometimes-bizarre rulings he meted out as a justice of the peace in western Texas during the late 19th century. By then, Bean was in his 50s and had already lived a life full of rough adventures. 1867 – Joseph Lister first outlines the discovery of antiseptic surgery in an article in “The Lancet” 1850 – “The Scarlet Letter” is published: Nathaniel Hawthorne's story of adultery and betrayal in colonial America, The Scarlet Letter, is published. 1802 – President Thomas Jefferson signed a measure authorizing the establishment of the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. 37 – Caligula became Roman Emperor after the death of his great uncle, Tiberius. Births 1965 – Mark Carney, Canadian economist and politician, Prime Minister of Canada 1959 – Flavor Flav (William Jonathan Drayton Jr.), Hip-hop artist and reality TV star who co-founded the rap group Public Enemy. Made oversize clock necklaces a fashion statement. 1953 – Richard Stallman, American computer scientist and programmer, launched the GNU Project (Sep 1983), founded the Free Software Foundation (FSF) in October 1985, developed the GNU C Compiler and GNU Emacs, and wrote all versions of the GNU General Public License. 1941 – Bernardo Bertolucci, Italian director and screenwriter (died 2018) 1926 – Jerry Lewis, American actor and comedian (died 2017) 1912 – Pat Nixon, First lady who joined her husband on historic trips to China and the Soviet Union and advocated for volunteerism. (died 1993) 1911 – Josef Mengele, German physician, captain and mass-murderer (died 1979) 1751 – James Madison, drafter of the Constitution, recorder of the Constitutional Convention, author of the Federalist Papers and fourth president of the United States, is born on a plantation in Virginia. At just 5‘4”, James Madison was hardly a commanding presence, but that didn’t stop him from shaping American history. Madison first distinguished himself as a student at the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University), where he successfully completed a four-year course of study in two years and, in 1769, helped found the American Whig Society, the second literary and debate society at Princeton (and the world), to rival the previously established Cliosophic Society. (died 1836) Learn more Deaths 1985 – Roger Sessions, American composer, critic, and educator (born 1896) 1975 – T-Bone Walker (Aaron Thibeaux “T-Bone” Walker), American singer-songwriter and guitarist (born 1910) 1971 – Thomas E. Dewey, American lawyer and politician, 47th Governor of New York (born 1902) 1963 – William Beveridge, British economist and Liberal politician who was a progressive, social reformer, and eugenicist who played a central role in designing the British welfare state. (born 1879) 1903 – Roy Bean, self-proclaimed “law west of the Pecos” (born 1825)

Start here: If you want to build a consistent Stoic practice — not just listen to one — I made a free 7-day challenge. One short audio lesson per day, one practice to try. No fluff. stoicchallenge.co────You know the feeling — the alarm goes off and the day is already rushing at you. The emails, the conversations you're not ready for, the low-grade dread of what might go wrong.Marcus Aurelius knew it too. Every morning, before the weight of an empire landed on him, he sat quietly and rehearsed what was coming — the difficult people, the setbacks, the tests of character. Not with anxiety. With calm preparation. And something shifted.This guided morning meditation follows his method. You'll walk through the day ahead with honest curiosity, rehearse your response to the hard moments before they arrive, and choose a single word — one quality — to carry as your anchor when things go sideways.No forced positivity. No wishful thinking. Just the same preparation a Roman Emperor used to face each day with steady clarity.

Join hosts John Drew and Jim Beard, along with special guest Alan J. Porter, as they tackle one of Classic Who's most controversial stories - and discover they might be more divided on it than expected! Production Overview: This 1985 two-part adventure was written by Glen McCoy (his only Doctor Who story) and directed by Pennant Roberts in his final work on the series. The production faced several challenges, including John Nathan-Turner pulling Colin Baker and Nicola Bryant out of rehearsals twice - once for a US convention and once for pantomime rehearsals. Robert Ashby's Borad makeup took three hours to apply daily and prevented him from eating, though he was given creative freedom to rewrite his own dialogue. The story originally featured the First Doctor, Susan, Ian, and Barbara, but was changed to reference the Third Doctor and Jo Grant at JNT's insistence. The Paul Darrow Factor: Guest star Paul Darrow (Blake's 7's Avon) deliberately over-acted as revenge for Colin Baker's bombastic portrayal of Bayban the Butcher on Blake's 7. When JNT asked him to play Tekker like Avon, Darrow refused and instead played him like Richard III - even asking if he could wear a hump! Eric Saward described the character as "a Roman Emperor who's been sniffing glue all day." Fan Reception vs. Host Opinions: Despite ranking 199th out of 200 in Doctor Who Magazine's 2009 poll (just above "The Twin Dilemma"), the hosts find themselves surprisingly divided. Alan defends the story as one of his favorites, particularly praising the H.G. Wells subplot and the Doctor's use of temporal mechanics. Jim finds it uneven but leans more positive than negative, enjoying Part 2 more than Part 1. John remains the dissenting voice, giving it his lowest rating and arguing it should have been condensed to a single episode. What Works: The Borad's makeup design and Robert Ashby's restrained performance The Doctor actively using time manipulation as a tool (the "time slip" device) The Third Doctor/Jo Grant backstory and photo reveal H.G. Wells as Herbert, with the reveal of his identity The Bandril aliens as an attempt at something visually different Colin Baker's performance showing the Doctor's arrogance and self-assurance Peri's relatively conservative and flattering outfit The concept of time technology used as a weapon (aging doors, etc.) References to the Doctor being President of Gallifrey What Doesn't Work: Twenty-one minutes before the TARDIS actually arrives on Karfel Excessive padding, particularly the extended TARDIS arguing scenes The "Morlocks" name being too on-the-nose from H.G. Wells' "The Time Machine" Plot holes regarding mirrors, reflective surfaces, and androids The unnecessary subplot about the impending Bandril war The clone reveal feeling like a tired trope Peri's character arc diminishing from agency to damsel in distress Questions about how the Doctor knew there was a mirror behind the mural The Borad's similarity to Davros (wheelchair, arm weapon, disfigurement) Behind the Sofa Reception: Interestingly, all three Behind the Sofa pairings enjoyed the story, with Janet Fielding calling it the best of Season 22 and Peter Davison saying it was "bad enough to be good." Special Effects: The Blu-ray release is the only Colin Baker Season 22 story to receive updated special effects, particularly within the Timelash corridor itself. However, the hosts debate whether the original effects were actually any worse than typical for the era, with some defending them as perfectly acceptable for 1985. The Third Doctor Connection: The story's references to an unseen Third Doctor adventure generate discussion about whether this needs to be explored further. Some Big Finish audios and novels have addressed different aspects of this backstory, though no single story covers the complete adventure. The reveal of Jo Grant's photo in the locket creates a memorable moment, though questions remain about the logistics of the wall/mural/mirror setup. Colin Baker as the Sixth Doctor: All three hosts praise Colin Baker's performance, with discussion about how he represents a return to the "classic" Doctor archetype - combining arrogance, self-assurance, and alien behavior in ways that callback to earlier incarnations. Alan notes that the Sixth Doctor has become his favorite classic Doctor, particularly in Big Finish audios where the character develops further. Jim agrees that Baker brings back an edge and arrogance that had been missing from the Fifth Doctor's portrayal. H.G. Wells Subplot: The reveal of Herbert as H.G. Wells divides the hosts. Alan loves this aspect and wishes Wells could have become a companion, noting that expanded media has hinted at further travels with the Doctor. The hosts discuss the 1979 film "Time After Time" covering similar territory. The Loch Ness Monster connection provides a subtle Easter egg at the story's conclusion. Nicola Bryant's American Accent: The discussion reveals interesting perspectives - Alan, who lived in Britain during the original broadcast, thought she was genuinely American for years. Now living in the US for 30 years, he can hear her straining with the accent. The hosts share the behind-the-scenes story of how Bryant and her agent maintained the deception for nearly a year before revealing the truth to Colin Baker. The Violence Debate: The hosts attribute Season 22's increased violence to Eric Saward's script editing philosophy and his particular vision of science fiction, suggesting he didn't fully understand the Doctor's character. They note that the 18-month hiatus may have saved the show by allowing time to reassess and tone down the violence. Production Value Discussion: The hosts debate whether Timelash deserves its reputation for poor effects and production values, with most agreeing the special effects are no worse than surrounding stories. The Timelash corridor interior set receives mixed reviews - an "A for effort" but questioned execution that might have benefited from filters or different lighting approaches. Viewership: Part 1: 6.7 million viewers Part 2: 7.4 million viewers Coming Up Next: Patreon Exclusive (Monday): John and Jim cover all three parts of Steve Parkhouse's "Polly the Glot" comic strip, spin the Memory TARDIS, and discuss more theme music variations. The hosts express relief that only two more Parkhouse stories remain in their comic journey. Next Main Episode: The hosts continue through Colin Baker's Season 22 with "Revelation of the Daleks," featuring the return of Davros. John handles narration duties, and they're joined by special guest Felicity Kusinitz, who has recovered from her previous illness and will bring her "much better voice" to the discussion. Hashtags: #DoctorWho #Timelash #ClassicWho #SixthDoctor #ColinBaker #NicolaBryant #Peri #PaulDarrow #BlakesSeven #HGWells #ThirdDoctor #JoGrant #TheBorad #Season22 #1985 #DoctorWhoReview #DoctorWhoPodcast #Whovian #ClassicDoctorWho #TimeLords #TARDIS #TemporalMechanics #GlenMcCoy #PennantRoberts #Karfel #Bandrils #Morlocks

Gavin Ortlund explains the role of the Roman Emperor in the early ecumenical councils of church history.Truth Unites (https://truthunites.org) exists to promote gospel assurance through theological depth. Gavin Ortlund (PhD, Fuller Theological Seminary) is President of Truth Unites, Visiting Professor of Historical Theology at Phoenix Seminary, and Theologian-in-Residence at Immanuel Nashville.SUPPORT:Tax Deductible Support: https://truthunites.org/donate/Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/truthunitesFOLLOW:Website: https://truthunites.org/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/truth.unites/X: https://x.com/gavinortlundFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/TruthUnitesPage/

Gavin Ortlund explains the role of the Roman Emperor in the early ecumenical councils of church history.Videos Mentioned: The Papacy in the 3rd to 7th Centuries: Protestant Critique: https://youtu.be/iUROLXJbkR8?si=guWqSbRDMcZAUlM1Truth Unites (https://truthunites.org) exists to promote gospel assurance through theological depth. Gavin Ortlund (PhD, Fuller Theological Seminary) is President of Truth Unites, Visiting Professor of Historical Theology at Phoenix Seminary, and Theologian-in-Residence at Immanuel Nashville.SUPPORT:Tax Deductible Support: https://truthunites.org/donate/Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/truthunitesFOLLOW:Website: https://truthunites.org/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/truth.unites/X: https://x.com/gavinortlundFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/TruthUnitesPage/

“Could the Pope Crown a New Holy Roman Emperor Today?” While the papal authority in this regard has evolved, the discussion touches on the historical significance of such ceremonies. Other intriguing questions include whether zombies could get married and what argument one might use to convince a medieval king of time travel. Additionally, the conversation explores the limits of a priest’s ability to bless water. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 01:20 – Could zombies get married? 12:04 – What person does Jimmy consider a healer 21:45 – Does the Pope still hypothetically have the power to crown a Holy Roman Emperor? 28:47 – If you were cast back in time, let’s say to medieval Europe. You are captured upon the moment that you materialized in the past and were brought before the King immediately. You have one argument that you can present to the King to prove that you are a time traveler (and not say a witch). What argument could you use to convince the king that you time travelled? If you fail at the argument you’re burned at the stake. Those are high stakes!! 37:12 – Is there any evidence that ancient humans may have reached a level of technological advancement similar to, or even higher than, ours, and that this knowledge was somehow lost after the fall or after the great flood? 51:20 – How much water can a Priest bless in one time? Presumably they cannot bless the whole ocean so how far is their reach in this regard?

In Behind Caesar's Back: Rumor, Gossip, and the Making of the Roman Emperors (Yale UP, 2026), Professor Caillan Davenport presents a thrilling exploration of what Romans thought about their emperors, and how rumors and gossip—ranging from new taxes to rulers' sex lives—shaped leadership. Traversing more than seven hundred years of Roman history, this book explores how everyday Romans swapped gossip, spread rumors, told jokes, and chanted protests about their emperors—activity that amounted to much more than idle chatter. Professor Davenport uses ancient evidence, including letters, graffiti, and songs, to reveal how Romans engaged in politics outside the senate house or imperial council. He argues that the idea of the Roman emperor was shaped not only by the political powers granted to him but also by the debate taking place in the streets, churches, taverns, and markets. Professor Davenport reveals how Romans spoke about “the emperor” as a figure of stability, as an agent of justice and retribution, or as a fallible human. Although few would ever see an emperor, his face (and therefore his power) was everywhere: on coins, banners, standards, and even dessert molds, as well as in statuary and paintings. While most Romans did not question the transformation of their republic into a monarchical system of government, they were indeed invested in the empire and were in constant discussion about the type of ruler they had, wanted, and deserved. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. You can find Miranda's interviews on New Books with Miranda Melcher, wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

In Behind Caesar's Back: Rumor, Gossip, and the Making of the Roman Emperors (Yale UP, 2026), Professor Caillan Davenport presents a thrilling exploration of what Romans thought about their emperors, and how rumors and gossip—ranging from new taxes to rulers' sex lives—shaped leadership. Traversing more than seven hundred years of Roman history, this book explores how everyday Romans swapped gossip, spread rumors, told jokes, and chanted protests about their emperors—activity that amounted to much more than idle chatter. Professor Davenport uses ancient evidence, including letters, graffiti, and songs, to reveal how Romans engaged in politics outside the senate house or imperial council. He argues that the idea of the Roman emperor was shaped not only by the political powers granted to him but also by the debate taking place in the streets, churches, taverns, and markets. Professor Davenport reveals how Romans spoke about “the emperor” as a figure of stability, as an agent of justice and retribution, or as a fallible human. Although few would ever see an emperor, his face (and therefore his power) was everywhere: on coins, banners, standards, and even dessert molds, as well as in statuary and paintings. While most Romans did not question the transformation of their republic into a monarchical system of government, they were indeed invested in the empire and were in constant discussion about the type of ruler they had, wanted, and deserved. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. You can find Miranda's interviews on New Books with Miranda Melcher, wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/political-science

In Behind Caesar's Back: Rumor, Gossip, and the Making of the Roman Emperors (Yale UP, 2026), Professor Caillan Davenport presents a thrilling exploration of what Romans thought about their emperors, and how rumors and gossip—ranging from new taxes to rulers' sex lives—shaped leadership. Traversing more than seven hundred years of Roman history, this book explores how everyday Romans swapped gossip, spread rumors, told jokes, and chanted protests about their emperors—activity that amounted to much more than idle chatter. Professor Davenport uses ancient evidence, including letters, graffiti, and songs, to reveal how Romans engaged in politics outside the senate house or imperial council. He argues that the idea of the Roman emperor was shaped not only by the political powers granted to him but also by the debate taking place in the streets, churches, taverns, and markets. Professor Davenport reveals how Romans spoke about “the emperor” as a figure of stability, as an agent of justice and retribution, or as a fallible human. Although few would ever see an emperor, his face (and therefore his power) was everywhere: on coins, banners, standards, and even dessert molds, as well as in statuary and paintings. While most Romans did not question the transformation of their republic into a monarchical system of government, they were indeed invested in the empire and were in constant discussion about the type of ruler they had, wanted, and deserved. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. You can find Miranda's interviews on New Books with Miranda Melcher, wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Behind Caesar's Back: Rumor, Gossip, and the Making of the Roman Emperors (Yale UP, 2026), Professor Caillan Davenport presents a thrilling exploration of what Romans thought about their emperors, and how rumors and gossip—ranging from new taxes to rulers' sex lives—shaped leadership. Traversing more than seven hundred years of Roman history, this book explores how everyday Romans swapped gossip, spread rumors, told jokes, and chanted protests about their emperors—activity that amounted to much more than idle chatter. Professor Davenport uses ancient evidence, including letters, graffiti, and songs, to reveal how Romans engaged in politics outside the senate house or imperial council. He argues that the idea of the Roman emperor was shaped not only by the political powers granted to him but also by the debate taking place in the streets, churches, taverns, and markets. Professor Davenport reveals how Romans spoke about “the emperor” as a figure of stability, as an agent of justice and retribution, or as a fallible human. Although few would ever see an emperor, his face (and therefore his power) was everywhere: on coins, banners, standards, and even dessert molds, as well as in statuary and paintings. While most Romans did not question the transformation of their republic into a monarchical system of government, they were indeed invested in the empire and were in constant discussion about the type of ruler they had, wanted, and deserved. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. You can find Miranda's interviews on New Books with Miranda Melcher, wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/communications

Friday, 30 January 2026   When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” Matthew 16:13   “And Jesus, having come to the allotments – Caesarea, the Phillipi, He entreated His disciples, saying, ‘Whom they say, the men, Me to be, the Son of Man?'” (CG).   In the previous verse, the disciples finally clued in to what Jesus was trying to teach them. His words about the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees were speaking of their evil doctrine. Matthew now continues the narrative of their time after arriving on the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee, saying, “And Jesus, having come to the allotments – Caesarea, the Phillipi.”   A new word, Kaisareia, Caesarea, is introduced. It is derived from Kaisar, Caesar, a Latin word referring to the title of the Roman Emperor. Caesarea refers to two places in the area of Israel. The first is this location, Caesarea Philippi. Of this location, Albert Barnes says –   “There were two cities in Judea called Caesarea. One was situated on the borders of the Mediterranean (See the notes at Acts 8:40), and the other was the one mentioned here. This city was greatly enlarged and ornamented by Philip the tetrarch, son of Herod, and called Caesarea in honor of the Roman emperor, Tiberius Caesar. To distinguish it from the other Caesarea the name of Philip was added to it, and it was called Caesarea Philippi, or Caesarea of Philippi. It was situated in the boundaries of the tribe of Naphtali, at the foot of Mount Hermon.”   Having come to this general area, “He entreated His disciples, saying, ‘Whom they say, the men, Me to be, the Son of Man?'” Translations consider His words in one of two ways. One is “Whom do men say that I am? The Son of Man?”, or “Whom do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?”   The latter is correct. Jesus has referred to Himself as the Son of Man nine times already, making this the tenth. Peter's answer will also show that He is not asking if people say He is the Son of Man. Rather, He is asking what He, the Son of Man, is called by others. He is preparing them for a great pronouncement by asking this probing question first.   Life application: Jesus came to His own country in Matthew 13:53-58. He was rejected by them. In Matthew 14:1-12, the account of the beheading of John the Baptist was given. That was followed by the feeding of the five thousand in Matthew 14:13-21.   Jesus then walked on the sea, as is recorded in Matthew 14:22-33. From there, they came to the area of Gennesaret, at which time He fully saved all who simply touched Him. In Matthew 15:1-20, it then noted the traditions of the Jews which Jesus condemned, explaining that what comes out of a man is what defiles, not what enters into him.   That was then followed by His journey to the allotments of Tyre and Sidon, where the faith of the Canaanite woman was noted, and her daughter was saved. After that, Jesus went around the Sea of Galilee to the eastern side of it. There, He healed many and eventually fed four thousand. After feeding them, they crossed the Galilee, coming to the region of Magdala.   While there, He was accosted by the Pharisees and Sadducees who looked for a sign from heaven. He told them no sign would be given but the sign of Jonah. Once that was complete, they once again crossed the Sea of Galilee to the eastern side, being instructed on the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Now in the account, they have remained on this eastern side and gone north to the area of Caesarea Philippi.   This crisscrossing of the land and the Sea of Galilee all has a purpose. Jesus' movements are being used as a walking instructional tool in what God is doing in redemptive history. It is good to stop and reconsider where He has gone and where He is at any given time. By considering these things, we can follow what God is doing in reconciling the world to Himself through Jesus.   Each area visited, each topographical marker that is mentioned, and each thing Jesus does is being woven into a marvelous tapestry for us to ponder and learn from. Keep paying attention to the details, both from a micro and macro viewpoint. God is telling us a story of humanity's long trek back to Him, and it is all centered on Jesus.   Lord God, it would make no sense for You to send Your Son into the world unless there was something to be gained from it. His life of trials and burdens, culminating in His cross and resurrection, tells us that there is a great plan that has been put in place to bring Your people to a place we cannot even imagine at this time. We are grateful to be on this journey because of Jesus! Thank You for the sure hope we possess. Amen.

This Week in History: Roman Emperor Claudius comes to power.To talk more about his extraordinary life and reign Paul Roche, Professor of Latin at the University of Sydney joined Bern Young on Nightlife.

Two frustrating and perhaps somewhat concerning defeats on the bounce means the Blue Moon Podcast has hit the panic button! Time to have some fun (or as much is possible this week) by inviting Joey McCune and Mark Mulvanny from the Noisy Neighbours podcast to join David Mooney and City fan Matt Holland to pick through the losses to Manchester United and Bodø/Glimt.It's Wolves and Galatasaray up next for City... There should, hopefully, be some fresher legs on display on Saturday with the return of Antoine Semenyo and the arrival of Marc Guehi, but then a possible problem in the final Champions League group game as Rodri's suspension might leave a gaping hole in the centre.Dave Azzopardi from Talking Wolves gives his thoughts about the Premier League's bottom club (who are somehow more in-form than City in the league in 2026), while we also discuss the 17 players who have scored for and against City at the Etihad Stadium.Plus, what did you think of Sky sealing some fans in a box, who was the last Roman Emperor of the West, and when did you last have a snowball fight?==========To get more podcasts or to listen without the ads, join our Patreon. It's just £2 per month for all the extra content and you can get a 7-day free trial first: https://www.patreon.com/BlueMoonPodcastAnd why not gift a Patreon subscription to a friend or family member? More details: https://www.patreon.com/BlueMoonPodcast/gift

主播：Flora（中国）+ Erin（美国） 音乐：《成神仙》��最近国产动画《中国奇谭2（Yao-Chinese Folktales Season 2）》上线了，大家都看了吗？这部动画的第一集名字是“如何成为三条龙（How To Become Loongs）”，其中有一句台词翻译的很有趣，将“得罪龙王爷”翻译成了“Angered the Loong, the Rain Lord”。01. “龙王爷”翻译成了“the Rain Lord”，lord是什么意思？其实，“龙王爷”在汉语中是一个非常具有中国特色的一个概念，所以翻译的时候需要结合语境（context）。��那么，lord在西方文化中到底有什么含义呢？Lord refers to someone who has authority(权威), status(地位), and responsibility(责任感). 总而言之，就是有权力的人。同时，lord与社会秩序（social orders）和等级制度（hierarchy）也有关系。Examples:（1）电影《指环王》的英文名The Lord of the Rings就是指主宰整个戒指体系的索伦，他就是主宰其他戒指的一个统治者（controller）。He has the most power or authority.（2）英国的上议院叫作The House of Lords，因为最早的英国议会就是“贵族们（lords）的议会”。直到今天The House of Lords还在英国沿用。“Lord” doesn't necessarily mean someone who runs everything (掌控一切), but someone with status and influence (影响力). 02. 英文中还有哪些单词可以表示“掌控者”呢？① Ruler 统治者、管理者Ruler是实际管理（govern）和做决策（make decisions）的人，也就是那个有最高权力的掌控者。Basically, a ruler is someone who runs things.② Sovereign 君主、元首Sovereign拥有法律层面上的最高权力（ultimate legal authority）。例如：在电影《权力的游戏（Game of Thrones）》中，坐在铁王座上的人就是七大王国的最高统治者。The person on the Iron Throne isn't just a ruler, they're the sovereign of the Seven Kingdoms.③ King 国王King更强调世袭统治（hereditary rule）、传统（tradition）以及合法性（legitimacy）。例如：查尔斯三世（King Charles III）——伊丽莎白二世和菲利普亲王的长子，就是名正言顺的king。④ Emperor 帝王Emperor掌管一整个帝国（empire）, not just a single kingdom (王国). Emperor的头衔和权力都更高更大。例如：秦始皇就是“First Emperor of Qin”。还有罗马皇帝（the Roman Emperor），他们的统治是覆盖多个地区的（multiple regions）。⑤ Master 主人、师傅Master侧重于重掌控别人命运、行为的人。It emphasizes control (控制), not necessarily political power (政治权力). 例如：在电影《星球大战（Star Wars）》中，Darth Vader (达斯·维达) calls Palpatine (帕尔帕廷) “my master”.Master除了有“主人”的意思之外，也可以是“师傅”。It means someone who you learned a unique (特殊的) skill from.⑥ Overlord 霸王Overlords就是对其他的lords有统治权的人（hold power over other lords），但是近几年通常用来形容专横跋扈（tyrannical）的人，特别带有负面意味（negative or villainous tone）。在一些科幻作品或者电子游戏中可能会见到overlords这样的主宰者。Overlord is used for an unwanted or feared ruler (不受欢迎或令人畏惧的统治者), or in video games for the final boss.Final boss（最终BOSS）：指电子游戏中最终关卡的最终敌人，通常是游戏中最难打败的敌人。⑦ god 神A god or deity (神) refers to a being beyond humans, someone controlling nature or the universe (宇宙). 它比较抽象（abstract）、和人类很有距离感（distant）。03. 为什么“龙王爷”用“lord”，而不是“king”或“god”？��为什么“龙王爷”翻译成了“the Rain Lord”而不是“the Rain King”或者是“the Rain god”呢？（1）King是人类的国王，拥有政权。“龙王爷”不属于这个范畴，所以不能用king。（2）“god” feels a little abstract (抽象的) and distant (遥远的). 它更像是宇宙生物，不像是现实生活中与人有联系的人。但是在中国的民间信仰里，“龙王爷”和人类是有某种人格化关联的。例如：在《中国奇谭2》里面，真正的“龙王爷”知道人们在供奉3条蛇之后，勃然大怒，天空马上就电闪雷鸣了。Villagers fear him, respect (尊敬) him, and depend on (依赖) him. So he's involved in their lives.��用“lord”代指“龙王爷”，好在哪里？Lord是权力和责任的象征，不像king的“传承”和“延续”、也不似god的“抽象”和“距离”，所以Lord是比较贴近龙王爷的一个概念。而the Rain Lord里面的“rain”恰好说明了龙王爷掌管降雨的职能。It's not just about status, it's about function (职能) and relationship (关系).04. 中国的“龙”和西方的“dragon”有什么不同呢？龙王爷在《中国奇谭2》里面叫“Loong, the Rain Lord”，“龙”用的是音译词——LOONG。西方的dragon通常有喷火的能力，而且是非常有破坏性的反面角色。中国龙 are powerful but also protective (保护的) and wise (智慧的). 人们通常把中国龙和帝王（emperors）联系到一起。例如：中国古代皇帝的龙袍。“Loong, the Rain Lord”这个翻译抓住了龙王爷的自然属性和神话职能，便于西方观众理解这个角色的作用。欢迎大家在评论区留言：大家有没有看《中国奇谭2》呢？你们觉得怎么样呢？Have you ever watched Yao-Chinese Folktales Season 2? What do you think?

What can a Roman Emperor teach us about modern leadership? More than you might think.In this kickoff episode of our 2026 "Legendary Leaders" series, Marty "Master Happiness" Jalove and his son, Nate, dive deep into the mind of the Philosopher King himself: Marcus Aurelius. Whether you're a seasoned executive or a young leader just starting your climb, the ancient wisdom of Stoicism holds the key to mastering your mindset in the boardroom.Join this dynamic father-son duo as they bring home the BACON, applying our signature framework of Balance, Accountability, Compassion, Optimism, and Nurturing to the challenges of today's workplace.Are you reacting to the storm, or finding stillness within it? Are you building a legacy, or just chasing a title?In this episode, we discuss:Why "The Inner Citadel" is crucial for managing stress.How to "get curious before you get furious" with your team.The art of Amor Fati (loving your fate) and turning obstacles into opportunities.Why true leaders plant trees under whose shade they never expect to sit.Tune in for the laughs, stay for the lessons, and discover how to lead with logic and love.Listen now to transform your leadership journey! Don't forget to follow the show so you never miss a bite of wisdom.#MasterHappiness #WhatsYourBacon #MarcusAurelius #Stoicism #PhilosopherKing

How did a persecuted minority religion rise to be embraced and enforced by mighty Roman Emperors?Tristan Hughes is joined by Professor Peter Heather to chart the dramatic rise of Christianity, exploring how Emperors such as Constantine the Great were forced to hide their true religions and the suppression of paganism across the world.MORECouncil of NiceaListen on AppleListen on SpotifyWatch this episode on our NEW YouTube channel: @TheAncientsPodcastPresented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan. The producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.All music courtesy of Epidemic SoundsThe Ancients is a History Hit podcast.Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Historian and co-host of The Rest Is History podcast Tom Holland joins Amol to explore the history of radical ideas and what it means to be radical today. Tom explains why Christianity represented such a radical break from what came before, how it shaped secular thought in the West and how that compares to other religions. He also talks about his interest in Ancient Greece and the Roman Empire. And Tom discusses the phenomenal success of The Rest Is History, which he presents with fellow historian Dominic Sandbrook. GET IN TOUCH * WhatsApp: 0330 123 9480 * Email: radical@bbc.co.uk Episodes of Radical with Amol Rajan are released every Thursday and you can also watch them on BBC iPlayer: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m002f1d0/radical-with-amol-rajan Amol Rajan is a presenter of the Today programme on BBC Radio 4. He is also the host of University Challenge on BBC One. Before that, Amol was media editor at the BBC and editor at The Independent. Radical with Amol Rajan is a Today Podcast. It was made by Lewis Vickers with Anna Budd. Digital production was by Gabriel Purcell-Davis, Sophie Millward and Joe Wilkinson. Technical production was by Mike Regaard. The editor is Sam Bonham. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths.

Friends of the Rosary,Today, December 29, the fifth day of Christmas, the Church commemorates the Massacre of the Innocents by King Herod, the male children under two years old who were executed in Bethlehem as told in Matthew 2:16.Upon hearing of the birth of the King of the Jews, a threat to his murderous rule and the fulfillment of an Old Testament prophecy, Herod, King of Judea, ordered the execution of all the male children in Bethlehem.These children are considered martyrs, Saints of God, by the Church.The feast has been celebrated since before the end of the fifth century.And as we continue Christmas, we celebrate the birth of Christ and yet acknowledge the great suffering that surrounded His earthly life. The devil, his fallen angels, and minions (King Herod, Roman Emperor... and many of today's leaders) did (and continue doing) everything they could to try to destroy God's perfect plan of salvation.They stirred up hatred, jealousy, paranoia, and every other vile sin imaginable in an attempt to destroy our Lord's mission. Their attack began at the time of Jesus' birth and continued during his public ministry.In the end, Jesus' apparent defeat turned into His glorious triumph. So also with these innocent children. God has transformed their cruel and tragic deaths, and they will forever be honored in Heaven.Today, it's also the Optional Memorial of St. Thomas Becket (1118-1170), the Archbishop of Canterbury, who was murdered in his Cathedral by agents of King Henry II of England.Ave MariaCome, Holy Spirit, come!To Jesus through Mary!Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.Please give us the grace to respond with joy!+ Mikel Amigot w/ María Blanca | RosaryNetwork.com, New YorkEnhance your faith with the new Holy Rosary University app:Apple iOS | New! Android Google Play• ⁠December 29, 2025, Today's Rosary on YouTube | Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ET

I had another episode planned for today, but at the last minute I decided to rerun this Christmas episode for you. I think this will become our traditional Christmas episode here at Gnostic Insights. And, if you are new to this podcast, welcome! Next week’s episode will be controversial, so I thought it best to wait until after Christmas for its release. Today, we're going to look at the nature of the Christ—the who, what, why of Christ. Most people are familiar with seeing the baby Jesus in the manger and that's what we celebrate at Christmas time, the birth of the Christ on Earth in the form of a human. But the Christ is an ethereal creature that predates the birth of Jesus. Jesus and the Christ aren't exactly the same, although Jesus was fully Christ. The Christ predates the birth of the human known as Jesus. So, let's learn more about the Christ and why the Christ figure is so essential to us Second Order Powers.  Gnosticism is the forerunner of the modern Christian faith. As such, a better understanding of the figure of the Christ is essential to understanding both Gnosticism and Christianity. The cosmology that I talk about here on the podcast was well known to Jesus and his original followers, but it was cut out of Christianity about 1700 years ago by the Nicene Council, at the urging of the Pope and the Roman Emperor. Because this theology was subtracted from orthodox Christianity, many of the ideas of gnostic cosmology sound odd and unfamiliar to modern churchgoers. Some of the ideas may even sound heretical at first glance due to their unfamiliarity. Yet the theology contained in these early scriptures makes sense of so many puzzling aspects of Christian faith that they must be reexamined. That's why I call the Substack The Gnostic Reformation. I'm confident that once you understand gnostic Christianity, you will better understand your relationship with God. According to gnostic cosmology as laid out in the Nag Hammadi, we humans and all other forms of life on Earth, from bacteria and eukaryotes on up, are the fruit of the Pleroma and Logos. We Second Order Powers find ourselves locked in a never-ending battle for dominion over the Earth with forces that were generated as a result of the Fall. Due to the law of mutual combat, we have forgotten our origin in the Fullness and our mission to bring love and harmony to creation and have instead taken on many of the characteristics of the shadows of the Deficiency. The Second Order Powers are locked in a never-ending war with the Deficiency. Here below, we constantly battle the physical forces of death and entropy, as well as the spiritual forces of vice, sin, delusion and despair. In order to restore memory and reason to the Second Order Powers, the Aeons of the Fullness, every one of them individually and all of them collectively, gave glory in unison to their Father while praying for a helper to bring peace to the Deficiency and forgiveness to Logos. Out of this focused prayer, a unique fruit emerged, one that contained all of the capabilities and powers of the Fullness, along with all of the love and eternal qualities of the Father. The singular fruit of the Fullness and the Father is known by various names: the Christ, the Savior and the Redeemer, the Advocate, the Light, and the Beloved. In Simple Explanation terms, the Christ is a perfect and full fractal of the Father and the Son, all rolled-up into one perfect form. Christians believe that Jesus of Nazareth was both perfect man and perfect God incarnate. Christian Gnostics believed the same. Here is a more complete explanation of who Jesus was. It's said that Jesus was conceived without sin because he carried within his body the perfection of man and God. This would mean that Jesus was perfect and true to the original DNA formula for humanity. Hence the importance of the virgin birth that then imparted that perfect DNA to the baby. Jesus was also without negative karma attached to his soul, as his soul was the soul of God. The components of Jesus's body were also without sin, as the cells and flesh that became Jesus were in fact the Aeons of the Fullness incarnate. As Colossians 1:19 says, “For God was pleased to have all his Fullness dwell in him and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on Earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood shed on the cross.” This one sentence from Colossians contains the entire Christian Gnostic Gospel. Because Jesus brought along the entire Fullness of the Pleroma when he incarnated, every aspect of the Father and Son came to material instantiation on Earth. In this manner, the eternal God experienced the finite life of us Second Order Powers and all of the struggle between birth and death that plague us all. Here is how the Tripartite Tractate of the Nag Hammadi scriptures describes this process: “As for those of the shadow, Logos separated himself from them in every way, since they fight against him and are not at all humble before him. The stumbling which happened to the Aeons of the Father was brought to them as if it were their own, in a careful and non-malicious and immensely sweet way. It was brought to the Fullnesses so that they might be instructed about the Deficiency by the single One, from whom alone they all received strength to eliminate the defects. They gathered together, asking the Father, with beneficent intent, that there be aid from above from the Father for his glory, since the defective one could not become perfect in any other way unless it was the will of the Pleroma of the Father, which he had drawn to himself, revealed, and given to the defective one. Then, from the harmony, in a joyous willingness which had come into being, they brought forth the fruit which was a begetting from the harmony, a unity, a possession of the Fullnesses, revealing the countenance of the Father of whom the Aeons thought as they gave glory and prayed for help for their brother with a wish in which the Father counted himself with them. Thus it was willingly and gladly that they brought forth the fruit. And he made manifest the agreement of the revelation of his union with them, which was his beloved Son, but the Son in whom the Fullnesses are pleased to put himself on them as a garment through which he gave perfection to the defective one and gave confirmation to those who are perfect, the One who is properly called Savior and the Redeemer and the Well-pleasing One, and the Beloved, the One to whom prayers have been offered, and the Christ and the light of those appointed in accordance with the ones from whom he was brought forth, since he has become the names of the positions which were given to him. Yet what other name may be applied to him except the Son, as we have previously said, since he is the knowledge of the Father whom he wanted them to know? Not only did the Aeons generate the countenance of the Father to whom they gave praise, but also they generated their own, for the Aeons who give glory, generated their countenance and their face. They came forth in a multifaceted form in order that the one to whom help was to be given might see those to whom he had prayed for help. He also sees the One who gave it to him.” (That is from the Tripartite Tractate sections 85 through 87.) So you see, the mission of the Christ, as stated in Colossians, was to redeem all of creation, including the fallen Aeon who had founded our material universe. Because the Christ came to redeem everyone, the body of Jesus came to Earth with every one of the Fullnesses on board. For every fallen spirit, the Christ brought forth their own personal and recognizable Savior. Redemption has already taken place. It is up to the Second Order Powers and the one who fell to recognize and accept that redemption in order to complete the mission of the Christ. In Simple Explanation terms, the Christ brought the correcting formula for all of our spirits and souls, each unique and personally formulated to meet our individual needs. The baptism of the Christ washes away the mental and spiritual confusion brought on by the endless war with shadows of the Fall. Gnostics are apocalyptic, as are Christians. Gnostics believe that some day every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus, the Christ, is Lord. Repentance and redemption comes harder for some than for others. Some souls take more time to recognize and remember. Ultimately, though, there comes a day of reckoning, for the Father will not be denied forever. There will soon come a day when the Deficiency ends. On that day, a new economy will unite Heaven and Earth, and all souls will find their joyful place in Paradise. The only forms banished to the outer darkness will be the shadows and phantoms of the Fall, which did not exist within the Father's consciousness from the beginning. These shadows are not real and they will have no home with us in Paradise. The hierarchy of the Fullness of God dreams of Paradise. Logos crowns the hierarchy and contains fractals of all the other Aeons. Now here's a gnostic perspective of Jesus on the cross. One of the central themes of the Christian faith is the death of Jesus on the cross. Christians the world over focus on the body of Jesus hanging on the cross, and I've often wondered, why this fixation of Jesus on the cross? Why is the crucifix the focal point of every church and altar? Why do people wear the cross as jewelry or hang a crucifix in their bedroom? The obvious answer Christians give is that without the cross, Jesus could not have saved humanity from sin, for he bore our sins into the grave with his death and they were washed away with his resurrection from the dead. Praise be to God, but why the cross? If Jesus had been stoned to death or drowned or beaten or thrown from a high tower, would we still feel such affinity for the stone, a lake, a club or a roof? I don't think so. I think there is something very special about the shape of the cross itself. I ask this question because Jesus never said, I'm soon to pass on from this world, and I want you to focus on my body hanging on the cross as I take on the sins of the world. And yet, that's what people do, as if that were the entire point of the Gospel. As far as I can tell, Jesus did not ask for his death and resurrection to be the focal point of worship. What Jesus actually said was: “I and my Father are one” (John 10:30), and, “Whoever welcomes me welcomes the Father that sent me” (Luke 9:48). In other words, Jesus acknowledged himself in reference to his Father and he deflected glory to his Father. Yet Jesus is worshipped by modern Christians to the extent that the Father almost goes unmentioned. Thank goodness for the Lord's prayer, which is directed to the Father and not to the Son. Jesus taught it to be said to the Father; he did not teach it to be recited to himself. No slight to the Son, of course, we're merely emphasizing the importance of the God Above All Gods. During the last supper, Jesus instructed his followers to think of his broken body as they break and eat bread and to consider his blood as the fulfillment of a contract with humanity as they drink wine. This is what Jesus left the church as instruction regarding his death. He did not instruct them to erect images of crosses and to worship him hanging on a cross, as if he were stuck up there forever. Yes, Protestants have allowed Jesus to come down off the cross and therefore their crosses are unoccupied to remind us that Jesus resurrected, but still the focus is on the cross. Again—why the cross in particular? Here is the symbolism of the cross as I understand it. We who dwell on Earth are engaged in endless warfare with the Imitation that always seeks to lure us away from our Father in Heaven. Oftentimes we don't even realize we're engaged in warfare with the Imitation, because it can appear disguised as goodness. This is what is meant by the Devil being a liar. Things are proposed “for our own good,” but they're not; they're proposed for power and control. We Second Order of Powers are engaged in this endless warfare and, although we come from a good disposition of the Father and the Fullness, we have forgotten our heavenly nature and become deluded because of rage and other passions and addictions. The Christ came to Earth in the form of a Son of Man to bring the Third Order of Powers to Earth as the solution to overcoming the phantoms of the Imitation that have mired the Second Order Powers in error and ignorance. Those who have eyes to see the Christ are able to remember their Father in Heaven. Those who remember their Father in Heaven and repent from the Imitation are redeemed. Jesus Christ was the fulfillment of the promise to redeem the fallen. Jesus as the Son of God and the Son of Man brought salvation to the Deficiency and restored it to the Kingdom of Heaven. The reason the cross looks as it does and occupies such a central role in worship is that the cross represents human beings. The Cross is shaped like a human, a Son of Man. It is no accident that Jesus was crucified on a cross because Jesus is a Son of Man, the Son of Man. The Cross should remind us that humankind has been redeemed by the body and blood of Christ in an even more profound way than acknowledging the indignity and suffering of Christ on the cross. It should remind us that the Son of God—the Christ—bridged with the form of his human body spirit-to-matter, which is top-to-bottom, and neighbor-to-neighbor, which is side-to-side, just as the shape of the cross. In the Gnostic Gospel, redemption comes to all of creation through the incarnation of the Son of God into the body of the Son of Man. The manner of the Savior's birth, death, and resurrection will come to every soul as they realize their Father is in Heaven and to Heaven they will return. For, as it says, “every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.” That affirmation comes from the New Testament (Philippians 2:10). It just takes time. We aren't there yet because of the common delusion of presumptuous thought, which causes people to behave selfishly. Ego must first make way for the love of Christ to take over the throne of the Self. Only then may you rise above the egoic imitation, for then you will have a champion and a king. The very public way that Jesus was crucified and the very public way that he resurrected gives us all hope of the same: Jesus demonstrates proof of resurrection and his life, death, and resurrection is about all of us, not only about the Christ. Jesus is the exemplar of our resurrection. And, by the way, in a Gnostic sense, which could be considered heretical by many Christians, the story of Jesus and the Christ and the Father don't even have to be believed as historical fact, which many nay-sayers make the cornerstone of their argument against Christ and God. The very concepts themselves—the very thoughts, the mind—is what carries this. We are consciousness and this Christ story is in our consciousness for our salvation. Think on that… I acknowledge that this is a very different version of Christianity than has been traditionally presented to us. This is gnosis that was originally contained in the sacred scriptures that formed the New Testament prior to the Pope and Emperor of Rome getting their hands on it and stripping it out. It's nice to know. I hope you get it. It doesn't really matter, because all you need to know is that we come from the Father and to the Father we will return. That is the bottom line. We are emanations directly of the Father and the Father has promised to save us all and bring us all home. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father except through me.” This has been taken to mean that one must acknowledge the power of the Christ before the Christ can redeem you. But, you see, this would put all of the power of redemption in your hands rather than Christ's. The Christ will redeem all Second Order Powers by the end of time, with or without your prior acknowledgment. All redemption comes to the Father through the Christ, and that is in Christ's hands. What accepting the Christ now does for you is open the door for the Third Order Powers to enter your egoic soul. This power makes it possible to live a joyous and virtuous life. It allows the love of the Father to flow through you and out into the world. And it eases your transition after the physical death of your body, so you may enter the afterlife without fear, knowing that you rest in the Pleroma of the Christ. The Final Economy is our foretaste of Paradise. No more shadows, no more sorrow. I hope that this information is helpful to you and will help you remember your gnosis. Merry Christmas. God bless us all. And onward and upward. If you are getting any gnosis from this information, please consider supporting Gnostic Insights with a generous donation. It helps keep me motivated. I’m a one-person enterprise with full responsibility for every aspect of this podcast, from writing to recording to editing to artwork to paying for the hosting services that bring this gnosis to you. I could really use some more support! Please do what you can. Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.Name *FirstLastEmail *Stripe Credit Card *Choose your item *Item A - $10.00Item B - $25.00Item C - $50.00Total$0.00Submit

Ruled by an autocratic Emperor, Jesus lived in an area occupied by the mighty Roman Empire. How was this system of one-man rule established, and how did it flourished and operate at the time of Jesus’ birth, during his adult life, and the subsequent early Christian movement? Ee40. Emperor of Rome by Mary Beard book available at https://amzn.to/3RU7oyp Other books by Professor Mary Beard available at https://amzn.to/3LUQThQ Dan Snow's History Hit podcast available at https://amzn.to/48HlmtH ENJOY Ad-Free content, Bonus episodes, and Extra materials when joining our growing community on https://patreon.com/markvinet SUPPORT this channel by purchasing any product on Amazon using this FREE entry LINK https://amzn.to/3POlrUD (Amazon gives us credit at NO extra charge to you). Mark Vinet's HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA podcast: www.parthenonpodcast.com/history-of-north-america Mark's TIMELINE video channel: https://youtube.com/c/TIMELINE_MarkVinet Website: https://markvinet.com/podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mark.vinet.9 Twitter: https://twitter.com/HistoricalJesu Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/denarynovels Mark's books: https://amzn.to/3k8qrGM Audio credits: Dan Snow's History Hit podcast (Episode 1290 - Roman Emperors with Mary Beard). Audio excerpts reproduced under the Fair Use (Fair Dealings) Legal Doctrine for purposes such as criticism, comment, teaching, education, scholarship, research and news reporting.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feeling overwhelmed by the chaos of modern life? Discover how a Roman Emperor's private journal, written almost 2,000 years ago, can help you build unshakable inner peace. In this episode, we distill the timeless wisdom of Marcus Aurelius's Meditations, a 2000-year-old operating manual for the human mind that was never meant to be published. Show notes / PDF, Infographic and Animated Summary This is your practical guide to Stoic philosophy in action. Learn how to conquer laziness, transform obstacles into opportunities, and find your true purpose by focusing only on what you can control. In this summary of Meditations, you will learn: How to react to other people's malice without losing your peace of mind. Why remembering your own mortality is the ultimate tool for motivation and focus. How to build your “Inner Citadel”—a mental fortress that protects you from external chaos. Why your true purpose is to serve the common good, not to chase empty pleasures. How to turn every obstacle you face into a new path forward. Ready to explore these Stoic and meaning-packed titles in more depth? Get full access to the StoryShots library—ad-free text, audio, animated summaries, and infographics for Meditations and 1 million more books. Join 1 million+ learners who are outgrowing their past selves, one summary at a time. Download the StoryShots app for free to access the full summary, infographic, and audiobook of Meditations. What's one Stoic practice from this summary that you'll actually try tonight or tomorrow? Let us know by sending us a tweet @storyshots. For more, subscribe to our podcast on Spotify and YouTube. Don't forget to sign up for our free newsletter for more great content! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are back with vengeance!Want to see Sam Tripoli live? Grab tickets at http://SamTripoli.com:Minneapolis: Dec 11th-13thMorris Plain, NJ: New Year's EveAtlantic City, Nj: Word War Debate Live At Caesars Palace Jan 10thCheck out Sam Tripoli's new comic book "Chaos Twins!" 2nd issue is about to drop!Visit www.chaostwins.com to support Sam's family-friendly project!Check out Sam Tripoli's 3rd Crowd Work Special "Barbecued: Live From Kansas City" Sept 20th on Youtube.com/SamTripoliComedyWatch Sam's comedy special here: www.youtube.com/samtripoliPlease check out Sam Tripoli's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/samtripoliPlease check out Midnight Mike's Internet:The OBDM Podcast Website: https://ourbigdumbmouth.com/Twitter: https://x.com/obdmpodCheck out the Naked Gardener's Band:The 3rd Pyramid Band - Topichttps://bit.ly/4fpNMMr1. Nagoro Scarecrow Village - @ jumperspodcast2. Squirrel child - @ the_last_messiah_3. CIA rascal - @ robdwillis4. Garth Brooks is a serial killer- @ futurenowshow5. Missing 411 & underground tunnels - @ holikela6. “The mamas and the papas”- @ chaney_in_wonderland7. Ghost Church - @ jumperspodcast8. Black mirror tech confirmed - @ seanmikekelly9. Edward Berney being the father of propaganda & manipulation - @ shawnryanshow10. Root canal scam - @ newstart_202411. Trapped shards of divine light - @ blayden.k12. CIA is working globally - @ laralogan13. 92 video tapes - @ necessaryinformation14. Alien hybrids working in our society - @ acidforsquares15. Roman Emperor's deaths - @ magnifyvideos16. golden doodle doom- @ the_life_professor17. Amish kids clean their schools - @classicallearner18. Humpty Dumpty- @ curiousitygeek19. Talking to the dead through ai- @ ninjasarebutterflies20. Paranormal intrudes on code word- @ jumperspodcast21. Mind reading in eastern culture - @ shaynevibes_truth22. Wizard of oz 1985 sequel paralleling russian revolution - @ kpburkesucks23. morgue monster or master - @ investogatorslater24. Walking through wall patent - @ scottythekid25. Mastered men - @ jcw177626. Heroin from afghanistan - @ the.chris.hedges.reports27. Racoon want to be domesticated - @ ninjasarebutterflies28. Wigger alert- @ wiggerheaven29. Japanese game show doom- @ mappy698430. ‘I dont like poor people” - white privileged woman - @ clownworld31. Captain Hook.. respectful? - @ akwakenedoutlaw32. Woman had twins but involved two different dads- @conspriacysocialclubakadeepwaters33. “It would take a quarter horse to satisfy me”- @bananahousetv34. Horsepower - @ n/ a Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 20:45:00 GMT http://relay.fm/focused/244 http://relay.fm/focused/244 David Sparks and Mike Schmitz David & Mike catch up on listener feedback and discuss productivity myths, focus struggles, and their favorite episodes from the last year. David & Mike catch up on listener feedback and discuss productivity myths, focus struggles, and their favorite episodes from the last year. clean 4353 David & Mike catch up on listener feedback and discuss productivity myths, focus struggles, and their favorite episodes from the last year. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code FOCUSED. Incogni: Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code FOCUSED with this link and get 60% off an annual plan. Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content. Video for this episode Focused YouTube channel Give the Gift of Relay The Focused Calendar Tiny Experiments by Anne-Laure Le Cunff Time Timer The Personal Retreat Planner The Blanc Media 8-Week Work Cycle with Sabbaticals Focused #239: How to Focus Like a Roman Emperor, with Donald J. Robertson Focused #225: Tiny Experiments, with Anne-Laure Le Cunff Focused #232: Useful Not True, with Derek Sivers Focused #242: The Case for Analog 1911 KOP Ebonite Naginata-Togi Fountain Pen Pen Review: Pilot Custom Heritage 912 with PO Nib | The Gentleman Stationer Diamine Writer's Blood Ink Review | The Pen Addict Why My Platinum Century 3776 Fountain Pens Have Architect Grinds | Chicana Writes Ink Review #189: Robert Oster Bondi Blue | Mountain of Ink Rolls MS111 Mic Switch Latching or Momentary Microphone Mute Switch | Amazon Toxic Grit by Amanda Goetz

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 20:45:00 GMT http://relay.fm/focused/244 http://relay.fm/focused/244 You're Holding It Wrong 244 David Sparks and Mike Schmitz David & Mike catch up on listener feedback and discuss productivity myths, focus struggles, and their favorite episodes from the last year. David & Mike catch up on listener feedback and discuss productivity myths, focus struggles, and their favorite episodes from the last year. clean 4353 David & Mike catch up on listener feedback and discuss productivity myths, focus struggles, and their favorite episodes from the last year. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code FOCUSED. Incogni: Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code FOCUSED with this link and get 60% off an annual plan. Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content. Video for this episode Focused YouTube channel Give the Gift of Relay The Focused Calendar Tiny Experiments by Anne-Laure Le Cunff Time Timer The Personal Retreat Planner The Blanc Media 8-Week Work Cycle with Sabbaticals Focused #239: How to Focus Like a Roman Emperor, with Donald J. Robertson Focused #225: Tiny Experiments, with Anne-Laure Le Cunff Focused #232: Useful Not True, with Derek Sivers Focused #242: The Case for Analog 1911 KOP Ebonite Naginata-Togi Fountain Pen Pen Review: Pilot Custom Heritage 912 with PO Nib | The Gentleman Stationer Diamine Writer's Blood Ink Review | The Pen Addict Why My Platinum Century 3776 Fountain Pens Have Architect Grinds | Chicana Writes Ink Review #189: Robert Oster Bondi Blue | Mountain of Ink Rolls MS111 Mic Switch Latching or Momentary Microphone Mute Switch | Amazon Toxic Grit by Amanda Goetz

In the third episode of our Norman Conquest series, we look at the life and times of the second of our claimants to the English throne in 1066: Harald Sigurdson, King of Norway. When a teenaged Harald's life is upended by Cnut's invasion of Norway in 1028, he builds a new life for himself as a mercenary in Kyiv, and eventually as an honour guard for the Roman Emperors themselves. Along the way, he'll have to contend with Arab armies, a sexually voracious Empress, and even a giant serpent. It's a pulpy, action-packed adventure story for the whole family! Assuming any of that is true, anyway. Which... eh. We'll get into it. Join the Weird Medieval Guys discord today: https://discord.gg/S36vz4jD98Music used: "Olav Trygvason", recorded by GULDBERGS AKADEMISKE KOR (https://archive.org/details/78_olav-trygvason_guldbergs-akademiske-kor-f-a-reissiger-arild-sandvold_gbia7026768b)

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 00:30:00 GMT http://relay.fm/focused/243 http://relay.fm/focused/243 David Sparks and Mike Schmitz Social Media Content Specialist Thom Gibson joins us to talk about Sunday meetings, journaling in broad strokes, and the struggles that come with working from home. Social Media Content Specialist Thom Gibson joins us to talk about Sunday meetings, journaling in broad strokes, and the struggles that come with working from home. clean 4885 Social Media Content Specialist Thom Gibson joins us to talk about Sunday meetings, journaling in broad strokes, and the struggles that come with working from home. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Indeed: Join more than 3.5 million businesses worldwide using Indeed to hire great talent fast. Guest Starring: Thom Gibson Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content. Work-From-Home Dads Kolbe A™ Index Takes Two Hunt, Gather, Parent by Michaeleen Doucleff Hyperfocus by Chris Bailey Tiny Experiments by Anne-Laure Le Cunff Plus Minus Next Journaling | Ness Labs Moleskine Notebooks Pilot G2 0.7mm Black Fine Retractable Gel Ink Pen Rollerball | Amazon Day Pass by Sling TV Explore Stream Deck | Elgato Sparky's BIonics | YouTube The 5 Types of Wealth by Sahil Bloom Make Time by Jake Knapp & John Zeratsky Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman Wisdom Takes Work by Ryan Holiday Focused #239: How to Focus Like a Roman Emperor, with Donald J. Robertson Notes on Being a Man by Scott Galloway

History remembers the fall of Rome as inevitable... but buried in the chaos is one man who almost flipped the script. In today's episode, Ben is joined by Matthew and Matteo of the Lost Roman Heroes Podcast to talk about Majorian. He wasn't a pampered emperor; he was a frontline warrior who carved his way through enemies and politics alike, determined to rebuild an empire everyone else had already written off. He reformed corrupt systems, rallied shattered armies, and launched one of the boldest comeback attempts in Roman history. And just when it looked like he might actually pull it off… well, that's where things get wild. This is the story of the last emperor who truly tried to save Rome - and the brutal twist that changed everything.

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 00:30:00 GMT http://relay.fm/focused/243 http://relay.fm/focused/243 The Single Source of Truth is On the Fridge, with Thom Gibson 243 David Sparks and Mike Schmitz Social Media Content Specialist Thom Gibson joins us to talk about Sunday meetings, journaling in broad strokes, and the struggles that come with working from home. Social Media Content Specialist Thom Gibson joins us to talk about Sunday meetings, journaling in broad strokes, and the struggles that come with working from home. clean 4885 Social Media Content Specialist Thom Gibson joins us to talk about Sunday meetings, journaling in broad strokes, and the struggles that come with working from home. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Indeed: Join more than 3.5 million businesses worldwide using Indeed to hire great talent fast. Guest Starring: Thom Gibson Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content. Work-From-Home Dads Kolbe A™ Index Takes Two Hunt, Gather, Parent by Michaeleen Doucleff Hyperfocus by Chris Bailey Tiny Experiments by Anne-Laure Le Cunff Plus Minus Next Journaling | Ness Labs Moleskine Notebooks Pilot G2 0.7mm Black Fine Retractable Gel Ink Pen Rollerball | Amazon Day Pass by Sling TV Explore Stream Deck | Elgato Sparky's BIonics | YouTube The 5 Types of Wealth by Sahil Bloom Make Time by Jake Knapp & John Zeratsky Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman Wisdom Takes Work by Ryan Holiday Focused #239: How to Focus Like a Roman Emperor, with Donald J. Robertson Notes on Being a Man by Scott Galloway

Roman Emperors were famous for many things, including their often referenced apparent insanity. Part of this was a result of their upbringing and megalomania, and another part was probably metal poisoning. Either way, Caligula's appointing of a horse as consul, Domitian's ascent to godhood and his staged naval battles, Commondus' rigged games, Elagabalus' and Carinus' appointment of prostitutes and dregs to office, and Diocletian's persecution of those the mob detested, are all examples of this insanity. However, how is any of this different than what we see happening today? Biden's appointment of a mentally ill crossdresser to the DOE, the half-nude rainbow parties on the White House lawn, and his crackhead son nearby, are a Democrat example of the insane emperor motif, not to mention the dementia, drugs, cue cards, and military erraticism. Republicans may like to think this doesn't apply to them, but they would be mistaken. Trump's admin is not only plagued with mental decline, drugs, cue cards, and erratic military aggression, but parties with half-naked women, arrogant allegiance to a foreign power, and persecution of citizens in favor of foreign nations and random Christians in Nigeria. Carinus even appointed a forger to sign his papers, not unlike Biden's autopen or Trump's signing of whatever Stephen Miller hands him. This is all on par with countries appointing morbidly obese health ministers. It's all about intimidation, psych-warfare, and hubris, the latter of which the Romans said was the machine of tyranny. If hubris was the machine, then willing citizens to this tyranny are the fuel. But most are willing to wear their underwear on the outisde and change them every thirty minutes for the glorious new leader. *The is the FREE archive, which includes advertisements. If you want an ad-free experience, you can subscribe below underneath the show description.FREE ARCHIVE (w. ads)SUBSCRIPTION ARCHIVEX / TWITTER FACEBOOKWEBSITEBuyMe-CoffeePaypal: rdgable1991@gmail.comCashApp: $rdgable EMAIL: rdgable@yahoo.com / TSTRadio@protonmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-secret-teachings--5328407/support.

With so much money and power, royals were able to invent some pretty unique and creative ways to slay their enemies, or accidentally seal their own doom. From a Chinese Emperor's deadly elixir of life to a steamy Roman romance that got a little too scalding hot. From a court jester so hilarious he made a Spanish king litrally die laughing, to a Swedish King's massive last meal of caviar, champagne and cream puffs. Let's dig up 10 truly bizarre royal deaths. 1. Hatshepsut, Pharaoh of Egypt 1507–1458 BC, Toxic Lotion 2. Qin Shi Huangdi, Emperor of China 259 - 210 BC, Deadly Elixir of Life 3. Valerian, Roman Emperor 199 – 264, Forced to Drink Molten Gold 4. Fausta, Roman Empress 326, Boiled in the Bath 5. Henry I, King of England, 1068 – 1135, Over indulged in lampreys 6. Phillippe, Prince of France, 1116-1131, Horse tripped by a pig 7. Martin, King of Aragon & Sicily 1356 – 1410, Laughed to death 8. Charles II, King of Navarre 1332 – 1387, Soaked in brandy, caught fire 9. Adolf Frederick King of Sweden 1710 – 1771, Ate himself to death 10. Alexander King of Greece 1893 – 1920, bite by monkey Join me every Tuesday when I'm Spilling the Tea on History! Check out my Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/lindsayholiday Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091781568503 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/historyteatimelindsayholiday/ Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@historyteatime Please consider supporting me at https://www.patreon.com/LindsayHoliday and help me make more fascinating episodes! Intro Music: Baroque Coffee House by Doug Maxwell Music: Danse Macabre by Camille Saint-Saëns, Public Domain, Performed by Kevin MacLeod #HistoryTeaTime #LindsayHoliday Please contact ⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com⁠ if you would like to advertise on this podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In much of the world, fall has arrived: a time for pumpkin spiced fajitas, cozy, warm L'eggs (TM), and candy corn suppositories. But in the magical world of Beatlefestlandia, it's always 85 degrees, Simon Kirke is hanging out with Eddie Deezen, and everyone gets a picture sleeve of Ringo's “You're 16”! Let's Huey Lewis and the Fake News (#Fox) our way back in time, to August, as we proudly present - in colour! - the global podcast premiere of “The Beatlefest for Beatles Fans”! BYO colostomy bag o'wine, as Tony, T.J., Producer Casey, P3Z-Nutz, and a Sgt. Pepper movie finale-worthy cast of thousands (tens?) head to Rosemont to kick summer's lazy ass one last time. Incredibly (bit much?), this year marks the UB3 (#Cantaloop) sharing the Fest for Beatles Fans together, as a trio, for what feels like the first time! Feels like the very first time! Speaking of Foreigner, If the Roman Emperor from 54 to 68 AD, a.k.a. “The Antichrist”, was a fan, would he have been a Juke Box Nero? (Angry Chicago guy: AND HOW COME THEY ASK JAGBAG QUESTIONS NOW BEFORE THEY EVEN GET TO THE PART OF THE BLURB WHERE THEY SAY THEY'RE GONNA ASK DUMBASS QUESTIONS? AND HOW COME CHICAGO MEDIA DON'T COVER THE WHITE SOX NO MORE JUST CAUSE THEY AIN'T IN THE PLAYOFFS? AND HOW COME THE WOKE BLACKHAWKS GOT A THEME NIGHT DEDICATED TO…”) Sssssh. He's asleep. His snoring is disturbing, a tell-tale sign that he'll die soon. His son is a dancer, doing “Carousel” in Peoria, and has a roommate named Raoul. Life is tragic for this broken soul, but the sun will rise tomorrow, and when it does, he'll…… Ssssssh, this author is now asleep. Emotionally. Fin.   EPISODE LINKS Like and subscribe! Please support our scrappy show. Score some BRAND NEW MERCH or find us on Patreon. Come hang with us on Facebook/Instagram/and now TikTok! Drop us a review on Apple Podcasts! 13 Green Potatoes by MENDOZA on Bandcamp/Apple Music/Spotify! (and other streamers)

LONDINIUM CHRONICLES: GAIUS & GERMANICUS PHILOSOPHIZE Summary of Audio Part 1 Gaius and Germanicus, reflecting on 21st-century events from Londinium, compare the American "princeps" (emperor) issuing ultimatums against "gangsters" in places like Gaza and Caracas to the Roman precedent of figures like Pompey suppressing the Cilician pirates, noting that emperors do not negotiate. Germanicus suggests the current US administration's approach of reducing direct administrative control over allies while maintaining titular supremacy is reminiscent of how the Roman Emperor in Constantinople dealt with emerging barbarian kingdoms by bestowing Roman titles like Consul and Patrician. They debate whether Europe's recent emergency meeting in Copenhagen regarding a "drone wall" signifies European independence or a success of the US princeps' policy of creative retrenchment, criticizing the arbitrary basis of 20th-century alliances like NATO and the discredited domino theory.

Today we – and the Habsburgs – stride back on to the grand stage of European politics. Not with a titan of history or monarch whose long and fruitful reign resonates across the centuries, but with Friedrich III, better known as the Reichserzschlafmütze - the imperial arch sleepy head, Or perhaps more fittingly the imperial arch dawdler.He ruled from 1440 to 1493, a total of 53 years - the longest reign of any Holy (or unholy) Roman Emperors (bar Constantine VIII). And yet, is also the most derided of reigns. In 1878 the Historian Georg Voigt sneered: “He was not remotely capable of handling such far-reaching politics, leaving Bohemia to its own devices, the Hungarian throne dispute to the helpless queen dowager, Austria to the arrogant dynasts, and the mercenary and robber bands.” “His light, simple hair, his long face with little movement, and his sedate gait betrayed a sluggish, deliberate nature, to which any enthusiasm, indeed any excitement, was alien. His love of peace has been endlessly mocked, but it was based on a completely dull sense of manhood and honour. No prince was so easily consoled by such insolent and repeated insults.” End quote.Modern historians are kinder, praising his thorough education and dogged determination to preserve what was left of the majesty of the Holy Roman Emperors. But even they can't avoid calling him flabby, underhand and happy to sell out his friends and allies. Not exactly the kind of guy one wants to spend three or four episodes with. But this is history, not Hollywood. The nice guys do not usually win by yanking hard on the levers of destiny. More often than not tenacious men of low cunning, who weasel their way through, are the ones who are bringing the results.And results he did get. At the end of his reign, the empire had changed profoundly. The open constitution of the Middle Ages had given way to a denser and more structured organization.Why and how Friedrich III – despite all his many shortcomings - got to move the needle of German history is what we will look at over the next few weeks.The music for the show is Flute Sonata in E-flat major, H.545 by Carl Phillip Emmanuel Bach (or some claim it as BWV 1031 Johann Sebastian Bach) performed and arranged by Michel Rondeau under Common Creative Licence 3.0.As always:Homepage with maps, photos, transcripts and blog: www.historyofthegermans.comIf you wish to support the show go to: Support • History of the Germans PodcastFacebook: @HOTGPod Threads: @history_of_the_germans_podcastBluesky: @hotgpod.bsky.socialInstagram: history_of_the_germansTwitter: @germanshistoryTo make it easier for you to share the podcast, I have created separate playlists for some of the seasons that are set up as individual podcasts. they have the exact same episodes as in the History of the Germans, but they may be a helpful device for those who want to concentrate on only one season.

Read OnlineHerod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was greatly perplexed because some were saying, “John has been raised from the dead”; others were saying, “Elijah has appeared”; still others, “One of the ancient prophets has arisen.” Luke 9:7–8Herod the tetrarch, also known as Herod Antipas, ruled the Jews of Galilee for some forty-two years. He began his reign in 2 BC and continued to reign until he was exiled by the Roman Emperor in 37 AD. During his reign, he spent much time in Tiberias, one of the main cities on the western edge of the Sea of Galilee. Most of Jesus' ministry took place within the region of Herod's domain, all of Galilee, so Herod was very aware of the many stories about Jesus.Today's Gospel concludes by saying that Herod kept trying to see Jesus. Of course, Herod, just like anyone living in that region, could have traveled to where Jesus was preaching so as to listen to Him at any time. But he didn't do that. Instead, he continued to receive reports about Jesus and remained curious about Him, trying to find a way to figure out Who Jesus was.Try to imagine what would have happened if Herod would have traveled to where Jesus was preaching so as to listen to Him with an open heart. If he would have done that, and truly listened, Herod would have received one of the greatest gifts imaginable. He would have received the gift of faith and conversion and would have begun down the road toward eternal salvation. But Herod was living an immoral life. He was known to be a cruel leader and also an unrepentant adulterer. He loved his power and was quite jealous of it. Herod most likely knew, at least in the back of his mind, that if he were to listen to Jesus, he would have to change. And he most likely didn't want to change.This presents us all with a powerful lesson. Each one of us can easily dismiss various communications and invitations from our Lord, because, deep down, we do not want to change. God is speaking to us all day long, every day of our lives. He is constantly offering us His message of the full Gospel. And though you may be open to much of what God says, there are most likely parts of His divine message that you either knowingly or unknowingly do not listen to. The key to being able to hear everything that God wants to speak to you is to be disposed to completely change in any and every way that God wants you to change.Reflect, today, upon Herod. First, reflect upon his curiosity about Jesus. This is a good quality, in that it's much better than being indifferent. From there, think also about the fact that Herod never went to Jesus to listen to Him. His first meeting with Jesus was on the night of His arrest, when he interrogated our Lord and made fun of Him. As you consider Herod's obstinacy, use it as an examination of your own life. Where you see any small reflection of obstinacy, fear of change or a closed heart, seek to remedy that by turning to our Lord telling Him you are open to all He wishes to say and that you are ready and willing to change in any way He calls you to do so. Do not fear the change our Lord wants of you. Embracing that change will land you on the quick and narrow road toward true holiness of life.My ever-present Lord, You call to me day and night, inviting me to change as I listen to Your holy Word. I thank You for these constant promptings of grace and commit myself to remain open to all that You ask of me. I choose You, my Lord. And as I turn to You, I pray that I will have the courage I need to respond wholeheartedly to Your call. Jesus, I trust in You.  Image: John Rogers Herbert, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

In the second episode of our special Habsburg dynasty series, Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is joined by renowned historian Professor Geoffrey Parker to uncover the extraordinary life of Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor—once hailed as the “Monarch of the World.”By the time he abdicated in 1556, Charles presided over the first truly global empire, stretching from the Netherlands and Spain to Austria, Naples, and the Americas, including Peru and the New World. As King of Spain, Archduke of Austria, Duke of Burgundy, and Lord of the Netherlands, Charles' titles only hinted at the scale of his power.Yet behind the grandeur lay contradictions: a ruler torn between faith and politics, unity and fragmentation, ambition and exhaustion. Drawing on decades of research and thousands of surviving documents, Professor Parker paints a vivid portrait of Charles V's reign—one that defined 16th-century Europe and shaped the course of world history.MORE:When Women Ruled the Low CountriesIsabel & Ferdinand: Renaissance Power CouplePresented by Professor Suzannah Lipscomb. The researcher is Max Wintle, audio editor is Amy Haddow and the producer is Rob Weinberg. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds.Not Just the Tudors is a History Hit podcastSign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. You can take part in our listener survey here: https://insights.historyhit.com/history-hit-podcast-always-on Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Professor Mary Beard and Charlotte Higgins join Tristan in this episode all about Greece and Rome - the two greatest civilisations of classical antiquity.How did the Romans borrow, adapt, and sometimes rival Greek culture? What did they admire and what did they reject? From temples and theatre to politics and philosophy, join us as two of the UK's most celebrated classicists explore the cultural dialogue at the heart of the ancient Mediterranean.MORERoman Emperors with Mary BeardHow to Survive in Ancient RomePresented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan and the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.All music courtesy of Epidemic SoundsThe Ancients is a History Hit podcast.LIVE SHOW: Buy tickets for The Ancients at the London Podcast Festival here: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/the-ancients-2/Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. You can take part in our listener survey here: https://insights.historyhit.com/history-hit-podcast-always-on Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Alexander the Great Dilemma: To Conquer the World or to Conquer the Self What is true power? Is it found in conquering the world like Alexander the Great, or is it discovered in the quiet, resolute mastery of one's own mind? This podcast explores the two greatest conquests available to humanity: the world around us, and the universe within. New Happiness Podcast episode with Dr. Robert Puff, Newport Beach Psychologist

A Note from James:Man, what a fascinating career Robert Rosenkranz has had—multi-billionaire, involved in virtually every part of finance and American industry. He wrote a book called The Stoic Capitalist, and what really stands out is how he's actively applied stoic principles to achieve immense success throughout his career. Even from a young age, stoicism played a crucial role, guiding him through critical business decisions. It's a real pleasure speaking with Robert—an American icon.Episode Description:James welcomes Robert Rosenkranz, author of The Stoic Capitalist: Advice for the Exceptionally Ambitious, to discuss how applying stoicism's timeless principles helped him navigate pivotal career decisions and financial challenges. Robert candidly shares his experiences—from early high-stress deals to launching a private equity firm where he risked his entire net worth—and explains why stoic philosophy remains essential for rational decision-making in business and life. The conversation highlights how embracing uncertainty and questioning assumptions can lead to clarity and resilience in a constantly changing world.What You'll Learn:How to differentiate between rational risks and emotional fears in critical decisions.Strategies for recognizing and overcoming cognitive distortions like catastrophizing.Practical applications of stoicism in modern investing and entrepreneurship.Insights into adapting to rapid technological changes, particularly AI.The importance of spousal support and personal relationships in career success.Timestamped Chapters:[00:00] Introduction to Robert Rosenkranz[02:00] The First Major Deal and Stoic Principles[05:00] Risk and Rational Decision Making[09:00] The Role of Biographies and Early Influences[12:00] The Importance of Spousal Support[28:00] Stoicism and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy[34:00] Exploring Financial Trends and Technology[35:00] The Impact of Artificial Intelligence[36:00] Addressing Fears and Job Displacement[37:00] Adapting to Technological Change[44:00] The State of the US Economy[48:00] Investment Strategies and Market Behavior[54:00] Stoicism and Its Influence on Investing[57:00] The Role of Social Media in Society[63:00] Reflections on Public Service and Education[67:00] Conclusion and Final ThoughtsAdditional Resources:The Stoic Capitalist by Robert RosenkranzHow to Think Like a Roman Emperor by Donald RobertsonThe Obstacle Is the Way by Ryan Holiday"The Smoot-Hawley Tariff and the Great Depression" - The EconomistOpen to DebateOur Sponsors:Pack up and go even further with the Defender 110. Learn more at LandRoverUSA.com/DefenderHead to rugiet.com/JAMES and use code JAMES to get 15% off today!Secure your online data TODAY by visiting ExpressVPN.com/ALTUCHERSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.