Hamburger

Justice for the Shake and Bake

The Principles of Holy War Introduction The Evil of War War is a sorrowful stain and demonstration of man's fallen state. The Lord GOD yearns for peace and tranquility, for "He names the pure and the impure, the good and the evil" (Gospel: 6:20). But the wickedness of men and forces of iniquity often make war unavoidable. While war is inherently evil, it can be a necessary evil for moral reasons at times. A war is not a good thing by definition but rather may be the lesser evil out of many other horrible decisions. The Conditions for a Righteous War Though war is evil, God permits it whenever there is a need to re-establish law and defend the innocent. The Sons of Horen were forced to reclaim their scattered people and establish new monarchies (Book of Scattering, 22-27), illustrating how, however tragic, war can serve a righteous purpose. However, for war to be just, it must satisfy strict requisites: Necessity – War must be the last option when all avenues of peace have failed. Righteous Intent – It must not be waged to conquer but to protect the innocent. Proportionality – Its devastation must never be more than the evil to be averted Necessity: War as the Last Resort War must only be waged when all avenues of peace have been exhausted. The Lord, in His infinite mercy, desires harmony among His creation. “My order is the holy order, and My law is the virtuous law, and all the blessings of the Virtue shall serve the righteous king and servant alike” (Scroll of Virtue 6:9) setting a divine order to be upheld. The violent scattering of Horen’s people was not their choice but a tragic necessity following the destruction of the holiest city (Book of Scattering, 20-22). Likewise, Godwin, Joren, and Harren sought to rebuild order and secure their people against further suffering, not for conquest but to restore what was lost. This reflects the divine law that justice must be pursued, but not through reckless aggression. Righteous Intent: War Must Serve Justice, Not Ambition A righteous war must be waged not for personal gain, ambition, or the expansion of power, but to protect the innocent and restore divine order. The Scroll of Spirit states, "He who denies the Lord’s order denies the Lord Himself." (Scroll of Spirit, 3:14).This means that even when engaging in war, one must do so with a heart set upon righteousness, not self-glorification. The downfall of Harren illustrates this lesson: though he sought to reclaim the holiest city, his intent was tainted by pride. Twice he rejected the divine command of the Aengul Artifai, choosing revelry and ambition over humble obedience (Book of Scattering, 32-59). His war, which began with just cause, became an act of arrogance, showing that even necessary wars must be fought with humility. Proportionality: War’s Devastation Must Not Exceed Its Purpose The destruction brought by war must never be greater than the evil it seeks to prevent. The Scroll of Virtue teaches, “For I have ordered your station and birth, and I have established the order of things. And you shall not envy the lives of others, for all virtuous paths are equal in My eyes, and all shall be rewarded not according to their station, but their virtue.” (Scroll of Virtue 6:6-7) Justice must be measured, ensuring that war does not spiral into excessive bloodshed. The Lord punished Krug and his people for their excessive violence in the holiest city, marking them with the tusks of beasts (Book of Scattering, 19-20), demonstrating that those who wage war without restraint bring divine wrath upon themselves. A just war, therefore, must be tempered by discipline, ensuring that its force is directed only against the wicked and does not bring undue suffering to the innocent. If war becomes cruel for cruelty’s sake, it ceases to be just and instead becomes another instrument of sin. Conclusion: The Peril and Purpose of War War is always tragic, but when waged in accordance with divine principles, it may serve justice. The sons of Horen fought not for personal ambition, but to protect and reunite their people, a necessity in the face of chaos (Book of Scattering, 22-27). Yet the fate of Harren warns us of the dangers of pride in war, for even a just cause can be corrupted by sinful intent (Book of Scattering, 32-59). Thus, war must be the final recourse, waged only in righteousness and with proportionate force, lest it become an evil greater than that which it seeks to prevent.

Thesis on Purity and the Lord’s Command The Lord GOD is sacred, and all things that bear His mark are thus hallowed, set apart from the profane by His will. The world was void, and the Lord spoke, and it was made full. He fashioned the heavens, the earth, and the seas, and He breathed life into the beasts of the earth. He looked upon the world and set apart that which is sacred, for He declared: "He names the pure and the impure, the good and the evil." (Gospel: 6:20). The Word is sacred, for it is the Lord’s breath made manifest, and it is the temple that is sacred, for it is the house of God. The sacred is that which the Lord has set apart, and purity is its guardian. Be meek and humble, and purity will be quick to follow. The life of purity is arduous and must be kept through perseverance, but most especially humility. "The righteous man toils, and by his toil he is virtuous, and My works are the holy works, and My labor is the virtuous labor, (Scroll of Virtue, 4:9) and all the strength of the Virtue shall serve the righteous laborer." (Scroll of Virtue, 6:7). Let the quality of your labor have among it the fruit of virtue, which stands as the highest adornment of the faithful; purity. It is by it that we are free of wickedness and strive toward His divine perfection. Purity is not merely abstinence from sin, but the rejection of corruption and the pursuit of godliness. The Exalted Godfrey was humbled and corrected by the Lord; "Lo, you have been proud and called My work your own. Who clove the waters from the earth, and who created the Skies and the Void?" (Gospel, 7:20). Without humility, the purity that is God refuses to reside with us. The Lord refuses the proud. Keep the Holy Scrolls close to your heart, and never forget that the source of virtue is the Lord. "So I am the Most High, and in pursuit of My Virtue, I bid my faithful this: You shall not judge your own virtue, be it great or small, for all fall short of Me." (Virtue, 5:8)."He who denies the Lord’s order denies the Lord Himself." (Scroll of Spirit, 3:14). It is the Lord who will take us into a pure life, directed and enabled by His grace. It is not something that one becomes, but rather a lifelong journey that calls for humble submission to the Divine Will. Live a life of purity and have the Word of God in the heart, let all be done for the greater glory of God. Thus, keep your hearts ever vigilant and pure against sin, striving for purity before the Lord.