In alphabetical order.
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Theology and Mysticism in the Tradition of the Eastern Church, by Vladimir Lossky There is, therefore, no Christian mysticism without theology; but, above all, there is no theology without mysticism. It is not by chance that the tradition of the Eastern Church has reserved the name of ‘theologian’ peculiarly for three sacred writers of whom…
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“…the dialectic which governs the game of negations and affirmations. One can define it as an intellectual discipline of the non-opposition of opposites…” p. 26, In the Image and Likeness of God.Crestwood, NY: St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press, 1985. To which someone might well add this: “Alice laughed: “There’s no use trying,” she said; “one…
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“The notion of symbol…has always been abhorrent to me…The symbolism racket in schools…destroys plain intelligence as well as poetic sense. It bleaches the soul. It numbs all the capacity to enjoy the fun and enchantment of art…In the case of a certain type of writer it often happens that a whole paragraph or sinuous sentence…
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(In memory of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, martyred at Flossenbürg, April 9, 1945) He told us we were free to choose But, children as we were, we thought— “Paternal Love will only use Force in the last resort On those too bumptious to repent.” Accustomed to religious dread, It never crossed our minds He meant Exactly what…
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This life is much too much trouble, far too strange, to arrive at the end of it and then be asked what you make of it and have to answer, “Scientific humanism.” That won’t do. A poor show. Life is a mystery, love is a delight. Therefore I take it as axiomatic that one should…
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“God-making” amid anxiety is a standard human procedure!” – Walter Breuggemann, in Sabbath As Resistance
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Moses understands, as do the prophets after him, that being in the land poses for Israel a conflict between two economic systems, each of which views the land differently. On the one hand, the land is regarded as property and possession to be bought and sold and traded and used. On the other hand, in…
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“Prosperity breeds amnesia.” – Walter Brueggemann, in Sabbath As Resistance
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His curiosity was aided by the sharpness of his eye, which focused on things that the rest of us glance over. One night he saw lightning flash behind some buildings, and for that instant they looked smaller, so he launched a series of experiments and controlled observations to verify that objects look smaller when…
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Wendell Berry, the Kentucky poet / farmer / and my favorite luddite (I don’t think he’d dispute that last): “The obligation is very great and moves two ways. The old have an obligation to be exemplary, if they can–and since nobody can be completely exemplary, they also have an obligation to be intelligent about their…
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Touchstone Magazine – Mere Comments: The Rules So then, whom could you marry? A long time ago we came up with something we called “Esolen’s Rules.” They’re only half facetious. But they are an attempt to get at the normal: 1. Don’t marry a woman who likes cats but does not like dogs. You may…
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Science is Aristotle. The unique contribution of the Christian church is that the church was open enough to thought and debate to produce thinkers who liked Aristotle, assimilated him, and went on. This says more about the CONFIDENCE LEVEL of the church than anything else, as opposed to, say, Islam. And this confidence level rises…
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Thomas Merton claims that silence is our admission that we have broken communication with God and are now willing to listen. From today’s lectionary (BCP) Psalm 131 I Have Calmed and Quieted My Soul A Song of Ascents. Of David. 131:1 O Lord, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too…
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Wilson and Hitchens continue to debate God’s existence over at the Christianity Today blog, here. There are about 5 rounds now, all good. I agree with Wilson’s side but I enjoy Hitchens’ writing just as much, even when he is making arguments I consider silly.
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“Prayer of Incompetence The desert is a classic symbol of the monastic life and it is particularly apt in reference to monastic prayer. It is easy to be lyrical when speaking of prayer but the reality of praying is anything but lyrical. A realistic appraisal of the experience of prayer must lead one to…
TimothyOne 