The Established Order(s) in the the U.S., where ideology trumps truth. And trumpery is practiced in spades by the Right and Left political factions that are religious in character. About ultimacy. No deviance from all positions is the requirement. Or else.

"The Pharisees and the Scribes here represent the established order...which had become empty externalism." S.K.

Matthew 15: 1-12

Kierkegaard writes that humanity is offended by Christ's assertion that He is God. And if God, how could He be a lowly man? "The God-man is the paradox, the absolute paradox."

Soren tells us not to fear the enemy within or outside. "Blessed is he/she who is not offended in Him but believes." Fear taking offense at the Cross.

"Admit candidly before God how it stands with him, so that he might accept the Grace which is offered to everyone, who is imperfect, that is everyone." Soren Kierkegaard

"He will not suffer Himself to be transformed to a nice...human God: He will transform men and women and that He wills out of Love." Soren Kierkegaard.

Jesus liberates the Believer from sin. Sin is hard labor, subjecting the soul to a burden we cannot bear in time and particularly, in eternity. Soren was no Existential Mocker of God. He was on the sure side of orthodoxy.

My buddy Jeremiah (the actor) and I talked about a film this morning. The Shrinking Man. And the lesson thereof. I matter, you matter, more than matter. God raises the human spirit here and now also. Foretelling Resurrection at the End of the Age. Then, I read of a recent suicide in Lancaster City off of the highest place in town. As rooftop restaurant on top of the Marriott. These two things seem to be a Tapestry of Tragedy and Hope. I just decided to hit record and talk.

The crowd became bitter and disillusioned with Jesus because He failed to conform to their vision of the Messiah.

What are we to make of Jesus stating that He is God? Are not all such claims shrouded in darkness making all claims to Deity grey? Soren writes that it is Jesus's humility which makes Him unique in His Deity. It is not a posture that any individual could and would think up. Our claims to Deity would elevate us; not humble us. Even if we were bonkers and off our rocker.