rightly ordered affections march 5th 2025 dear gabin in my last letter i pointed to the fact that our variegated

loyalties can be hard to define and difficult to keep straight as christians we have a standing obligation to keep them

straight and this leads us into a discussion of the ordo amorous passed down to us by the difficult to keep straight. As Christians, we have a standing obligation to keep them straight,

and this leads us into a discussion of the Ordo-a-Morres, passed down to us by the great Augustine.

To live in this world is to become attached to different things. These things can be places,

periods, or people. We come to love what we are accustomed to, and it can be high or low,

which is why country singers like to sing about red Georgia clay. If the

world were not fallen, then we would not have to figure out what to do when our duties under

these variegated loyalties collide. But the world is fallen, and so we must constantly remind

ourselves of our duty to God. When two objects of your love claim your response and their claims

run in opposite directions,

then you must decide which way to go. And the scriptures are very clear about which way to go.

If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy son, or thy daughter, or the wife of thy bosom,

or thy friend, which is thy known soul, entice thee secretly saying, let us go and serve other gods,

which thou's not known.

Thou shalt not consent unto him, nor hearken unto him, neither shall thine eye pity him. Neither shalt thou spare, neither shalt thou conceal him, but thou shalt surely kill him. Thine hand shall be first

upon him to put him to death, and afterwards the hand of all the people.

Deuteronomy 13, 6 through 9. In short, if someone beloved by you attempts to dissuade you from a faithful worship of God, you must absolutely refuse. They force the choice, but you must still

choose rightly. Or how about this? The Bible teaches husbands to love their wives, says Christ

love the church. Ephesians 525. Scripture also teaches us teaches husbands to love their wives, says Christ love the church,

Ephesians 525. Scripture also teaches us that if you love your wife more than you do Christ,

then you cannot be his disciple, Matthew 1037. Indeed, this demand is phrased so strongly that it relativizes and categorizes your lesser love for your wife as being hatred in comparison,

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