Is Pride a Deadly Sin, or a Necessary Virtue?

Pride in one’s past means taking credit for one’s specific achievements, pausing to recognize oneself with either “I did it,” or “This is good.” It means taking credit, as a self-made being, for simply being who one is. This includes taking credit for one’s accomplishments of character and personal development. […] The two perspectives of pride in the past and pride in the future are inseparable, because one cannot achieve […] Read more »

The Transcendence of Law & the Path to a Non-Transactional Agape-Based Existence

Law is the shadow of reason; whereas children require rules from their parents to navigate life, adults instead use reason to guide their morality and decision making. ~Nathan Martin Laws are only meant to be an age appropriate way to communicate reason, and what is reasonable, to small children. Spiritually and psychologically mature adults do not need laws then, as they have reason to guide their morality and ethical decision […] Read more »

From Transactional Fairness to Virtuous Pride: A Non-Transactional Motivation in One’s Life

Transactional Love is a conditional exchange where affection or care is offered with the expectation of receiving something in return, such as validation or reciprocation. It operates like a contract, driven by external motives and often tied to a sense of obligation or debt. Non-Transactional Love is given freely without expecting repayment, rooted in genuine care and intrinsic motivation. It prioritizes authentic connection and truth, unbound by calculations or external rewards. The […] Read more »

Reflecting on the Message of Easter via a Transactional vs Non-Transactional Lens

Transactional Love is a conditional exchange where affection or care is offered with the expectation of receiving something in return, such as validation or reciprocation. It operates like a contract, driven by external motives and often tied to a sense of obligation or debt. Non-Transactional Love is given freely without expecting repayment, rooted in genuine care and intrinsic motivation. It prioritizes authentic connection and truth, unbound by calculations or external rewards. […] Read more »