Fear is not meant to be a roadblock or a cliff. Fear is a path.
St. Bonaventure & St. Thomas Aquinas taught there are 4 types of fear:
1) worldly fear
2) servile fear
3) initial fear
4) filial fear
The Christian grows from one fear to the next, aiming for filial fear - awe.
St. Bonaventure & St. Thomas Aquinas taught there are 4 types of fear:
1) worldly fear
2) servile fear
3) initial fear
4) filial fear
The Christian grows from one fear to the next, aiming for filial fear - awe.
At first, believers find themselves surrounded by the ways of the world:
-fascination with power
-pursuit of pleasure
-fixation on getting one’s own way
-broken promises
-deceit in business
-short-term thrills
-useless worries.
These fears wound & quickly fill our thoughts.
-fascination with power
-pursuit of pleasure
-fixation on getting one’s own way
-broken promises
-deceit in business
-short-term thrills
-useless worries.
These fears wound & quickly fill our thoughts.
Worldly fear is the way of the marketplace.
Worldly fear ensnares us to live by the possessive way of the world. The tendency to control interrupts us.
It is the fear of being labeled in cloak & dagger politics, betrayal, or of being taken advantage of in the ploys of the world
Worldly fear ensnares us to live by the possessive way of the world. The tendency to control interrupts us.
It is the fear of being labeled in cloak & dagger politics, betrayal, or of being taken advantage of in the ploys of the world
When we turn from the law of the jungle to the law of God, the first step is to move from worldly fear to servile fear.
As we turn from the ways of the world, we can think that God will only deal with us as the world did.
Servile fear is a step along the way, not a destination.
As we turn from the ways of the world, we can think that God will only deal with us as the world did.
Servile fear is a step along the way, not a destination.
In initial fear, the 3rd type of fear, there is some residue of servile fear.
But, there is also the dawning realization that God loves us very deeply.
One is motivated to live a holy life not just by what one may lose by sin, but by Who one is growing to love: God in Himself.
But, there is also the dawning realization that God loves us very deeply.
One is motivated to live a holy life not just by what one may lose by sin, but by Who one is growing to love: God in Himself.
Over time, the Holy Spirit works patiently to lead us from initial fear to filial fear, the 4th type of fear.
Filial fear is the fear of a son who has a good and healed relationship with his father.
The father’s presence brings kind & humble confidence.
Filial fear is the fear of a son who has a good and healed relationship with his father.
The father’s presence brings kind & humble confidence.
Through the gift of Fear of the Lord, the Holy Spirit works in the soul to show us the care God has for us.
Filial fear inspires us to lower our defenses & raise our trust, even when we feel weak & lost.
According to Isaiah, the Fear of the Lord is a great treasure (Is 33).
Filial fear inspires us to lower our defenses & raise our trust, even when we feel weak & lost.
According to Isaiah, the Fear of the Lord is a great treasure (Is 33).
The Fear of the Lord, based in the filial relationship to which God invites His people, underlies the covenant framework of biblical morality:
the Christian lives a moral life not only out of fear of violating a norm, but also out of filial love for the Author of that norm.
the Christian lives a moral life not only out of fear of violating a norm, but also out of filial love for the Author of that norm.
