Templar Edification

The Bible is a vulgar thing—from the Latin vulgus, meaning “common people.” When St Jerome translated the Christian Scriptures into Latin at the end of the fourth century, he did so because few in the West still spoke Greek. Latin was the common tongue of the common people; thus, Jerome’s Bible came to be known as the Vulgate, regular language for regular folks. The dialect of Greek from which Jerome had worked was koine, which also means “common.” Koine was the language of the Hellenistic world, of all the varied cultures and kingdoms conquered by Alexander the Great. The Gospels were written down in koine, despite Jesus teaching in Aramaic, so that everyone could hear and understand. And what was Aramaic? Why, it was the common Semitic tongue spoken by the Judeans following their return from the Babylonian Exile. We read in the Book of Ezra that most exiled Israelites could no longer understand Hebrew, the language of the Law, and so when the Law was read aloud, learned Levites had t...

In the grand tapestry of history, the Knights Templar shine as a radiant emblem of honor, valor, and unwavering dedication. Their enduring tale continues to inspire and guide us, stoking the fire within our hearts. As custodians of their legacy in Minnesota, we draw profound motivation and inspiration from the transformative event of Pentecost. This sacred moment, beautifully recounted in Acts 2:1-21, becomes the catalyst that propels us towards our noble purpose. Envision a divine connection where individuals converge in purpose, discovering resolute strength within shared values. The disciples experienced this awe-inspiring communion when the Holy Spirit descended upon them. Their unity, a formidable force, propelled them to astonishing feats. As we tread the path of modern Templars, we embody this profound lesson. We unite as brothers, fostering unwavering support and dedicating ourselves to a shared cause. It is in our unity that our impact resonates and the essence of our strength...

We all know the classical elements of the ancient world: wind, water, earth and flame. And it’s easy enough to see how the first three represent gasses, liquids, and solids, the three common phases of matter. But what about the fourth? Fire represents not a phase or type of matter, but rather the process of transformation. Fire is a reaction, a catalyst, that changes whatsoever it may touch. Fire turns ores into metals, flesh into food. It sterilizes water and cauterizes wounds. In a wonderful paradox, burning a field makes it fertile for planting. We often overlook this transformative aspect of fire because we in the modern world have come to associate flames primarily with destruction, with bombs and burning buildings. We forget that every lightbulb, every engine, is bottled fire. Little wonder, then, that the Bible constantly compares the presence of God to burning flame: think of the pillar of fire in the Exodus, the altar of fire in the Temple, the seven lamps that are the seven s...