Renai Paragonic

Incurable optimist and PNGTuber for the Kingdom of God. Streams on YouTube and Twitch Thursdays at 18:00 CT, and Saturdays at 10:00 CT. Let's light it up!

[Renai Paragonic @ParagonicRay]

@JBLampwick I prefer using φιλαδελφία to express it myself, but I absolutely share the sentiment.

[Renai Paragonic @ParagonicRay]

@PhrogPollen If there's room, I know there's a good amount of Christian thought on how the Adversary attacks us in ways that are specifically tailored to:

Cloud our ability to perceive what our calling is.

Undermine our confidence in our ability to live out our calling once discerned.

[Renai Paragonic @ParagonicRay]

Quake in fear, mutuals. For the fell formidable enigma draws near. Art thou not terrified? Does not mine very presence evoke dread?

Consider thyselves fortunate that I have not seen fit to direct mine dire gaze upon thee. For if I did, naught but a smoldering ruin would remain.

[Neciro 🇺🇲 @N3cir0]

Intimidating and goofy, not sure how to respond to that..

[Renai Paragonic @ParagonicRay]

Life is a blur. Everything wants our attention. Slowing down feels like a waste. A loss of productivity.

Christ disagrees.

The gospels record Christ taking nearly every moment He can to seclude Himself to pray. Often, He invites His disciples along.

That invite's still open!

[Renai Paragonic @ParagonicRay]

My apologies if I gave the impression that I am above God. Heaven forbid.

The inspired and living Word of God is sufficient to interpret itself. Especially through the Spirit of God in those He has called.

Some are called to teach and interpret in a public capacity to the assembled congregation. These are those in the position of pastors and overseers.

Their qualifications are given in the Bible, as are warnings about the greater strictness by which they will be judged.

[Renai Paragonic @ParagonicRay]

If you'd like yet another take on the denomination discourse, this Celestial Shepherd feels like chiming in.

I'll be bursting past 280 to make sure that all of the nuance I want to convey gets through.

TL;DR: Denominations are ultimately unimportant but are incredibly helpful.

Before I continue, let me personally thank you for being invested enough to press the show more button.

Right now, denomination seems to mean many different things to many different people. I understand denominations as a shorthand way of explaining how one expresses Christianity.

(To my RCC, EO, OO, and CO brethren, yes, this means I mentally lump you in as well. If that chuffs, forgive me. Consider it more like an awkward nickname than an insult.)

When I ask a brother or sister for their denomination, what I'm really asking is for a rough estimation of where they land on various secondary and tertiary doctrines.

In online spaces where I may see a name fly by but never have a good chance to interact further with that person to get more clarity, this is incredibly valuable.

The main problem I have with contributions to the discussion such as "I don't follow a denomination, I follow Christ." is NOT that I disagree! In fact, I agree wholeheartedly! It's all about Him!

My issue is that it tells me next to nothing about HOW you follow Him. Every human being is going to have a different relationship with our Lord. Denominations (or creeds, or statements of faith) let us group ourselves by how we express our shared faith.

I truly understand the reluctance to identify with a denomination or label other than Christian. I did likewise for a large portion of my life. For my brethren who choose to do so, I want to be clear:

Those who identify with a denomination are seldom doing so to be a part of a denomination. They are rather doing so because that is how they best understand their relationship with Christ.

All said, our denominations have nothing to do with our justification and sanctification. Those come about solely through how we relate to Christ.

However, denominations DO help us describe that relationship. They can also provide us invaluable traditions and structures to strengthen it.

I have no intention to come down on anyone for their choice of denomination, including their choice to eschew the idea completely. I simply want to register my take on the discourse - including my reservations - and perhaps spur some deeper conversation.

God bless y'all. If you got this far, you have my deep gratitude.

[Renai Paragonic @ParagonicRay]

I kinda wish I'd understood the idea of spiritual warfare when I was in my chūnibyō phase (which was WAY later than 8th grade, I must admit).

Standing against the powers and principalities is such fertile ground for the sanctified imagination.

...I suppose it's not too late.

[Renai Paragonic @ParagonicRay]

@chionerin I'm always willing to engage with the perspective of fellow Christians, especially throughout history!

All of us in the faith are capable of sharing our personal insights to build each other up.

I'm just always careful to make sure that an insight does not contradict scripture.

[Renai Paragonic @ParagonicRay]

@AmericanR1ght @Urban__Tree I could have given any of these points impersonally, such as:

"Reformed, because it's true."

Doing so:

1) Ignores that the prompt addresses "me"

2) Strikes me as incredibly prideful

I ground my epistemology in God. Maybe saying so is pride. If so, I pray He convicts me.

[Momo🌻🕊️ @MomoMorning7]

I think it’s also important that to whatever doctrine you follow. To have an open mind that you could be wrong about certain things. Yes I believe that my doctrine is the correct one. But I also have an open mind that I could be wrong about let’s say, young earth vs old earth as an example. I think it’s a little unhealthy to be convinced you are 100% correct on every single thing your denomination follows. Obviously the one thing that you should be confident on is how you are saved. But other details, it’s ok to not know what to think about certain things.

[Renai Paragonic @ParagonicRay]

@MentzerOcean Personally, it's the days I'm remembering to stay in touch with God where I'm the most at peace, because I'm then constantly reminded that He's in control.

I drift off to sleep while praying a lot!

[Renai Paragonic @ParagonicRay]

Paul tells us it is the will of God in Christ for us to pray without ceasing.

Does anyone else find that really hard?

I know my best days are the ones where I'm constantly checking in with God. It's just so easy to get distracted.

I guess that's something to pray about, huh?

[Renai Paragonic @ParagonicRay]

@N3cir0 To me (on the days where I actually feel I am doing so), it's more or less a running dialogue with God.

Giving praise as I notice the little blessings. Asking that my friends are doing well as they come to mind. Bringing my troubles/negative emotions before Him as I notice them.

[Renai Paragonic @ParagonicRay]

@Skyemorre05 I'd be interested!

As a word of caution which I'm sure you don't need to hear, this platform seldom cares if there's an intention to argue before trying to start one anyway.

Thankfully, contention needs to be held onto by multiple parties before it becomes strife.

[Renai Paragonic @ParagonicRay]

A well-researched and scripturally sound analysis of a topic that very few Christians tend to talk about.

Also. It's visually silly in the best ways.

Start watching for the goofy animations. Stay watching for the conviction.

[Phrog ☆ Jesus Fangirl @PhrogPollen]

New video up!!

This One Thing is KILLING the Modern Church!

[Renai Paragonic @ParagonicRay]

@Skyemorre05 A bit of speculation, but I think it has to do with how authority-forward these expressions of the faith are.

Modern history is showing the cracks of individualistic ways of thinking.

People want something unapologetically and strongly unified, which both express in spades.

[Renai Paragonic @ParagonicRay]

The second greatest commandment is to love our neighbor as we love ourselves.

I think we often skim over the second half.

It assumes we love ourselves. Honestly, it sounds a bit selfish. What should that love look like?

It should look like the love Christ has for us.

[Renai Paragonic @ParagonicRay]

Hey Hey Hey, Imago Dei! I have a slightly late weekly schedule for you!

We'll be taking a look at the Feeding of the 5000 - across all four Gospels as well as through whatever lenses of cultural and historical context we can muster.

Catch me at https://t.co/0g4GSxMVJd!

[Renai Paragonic @ParagonicRay]

One of the most impactful teachings of Christ for me is the eye as the lamp of the body.

The perspective with which we engage with creation is upstream of everything.

When we are willing to see the good in a tragedy, failure, or person, we are willing to see the God in them.