This is such a helpful perspective. I just finished the last session of “Foundations of the West” on DW and have been thinking about the discussion regarding how (Catholic) churches in the 50’s moved away from beauty and art; sermons centered on taking a sentence from the gospel, mixing it up with some experience the priest had, and drawing some sort of (simplistic) conclusion; and removing much of the mystery of the Mass (and the mystery of God’s presence in this world along with it). It seems that Christianity has had a difficult time translating God, Christ, beauty and mystery into the modern/post-modern era. I appreciate what you and your dad (no relation) are doing here (and what you are both doing at DW), as I think these conversations are critical to recapturing Christianity for the modern age. I can’t even express how this has re-sparked both my intellectual and faith life. You are making religion the adventure I believe it was meant to be! Thank you!
This was a perfect read before I go to my first year advising seminar, where I intend to talk to my students about the possibilities in their habits, either for good or ill. That can also be a no, no no thing, so my students thank you for your bright vision! And I do too!
When I use a famous quote as a warning or encouragement, it's a reach at explanation, in humble blue crayon. When you render a quote, it is a live blue hyper-link to your deep thought, mined from scholarship and woven through a theme. We sense that there is so much more to come, and thus your message, even as you stumble toward the virtuous target, is trustworthy. Thanks for sharing, Screwtape.
I grew up playing lots of video games, and I still would… if I didn’t put my ps4 on the top shelf of a dark closet in the guest room of my parents’ house an hour away from me.
I know I still enjoy Rocket League, but I keep it far away so I can immerse myself in the important things I’m called to do in life.
"If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
"These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full."
And as Emanuel Swedenborg wrote, the first of charity is to stop yourself from thinking and doing what is wrong because the Lord said so, and then the second of charity is to go ahead and do what is actually good. Without the first, the second remains tainted and corrupt in its motivations (De Charitate, 1-5).
It's pretty clear to me that our Lord Jesus, the Creator and Savior of the world, was just giving, as you say, "good counsel against sin" and all for the sake of the joy that he wishes for all of us.
No sauce without being in the effort of keeping his commandments. Every effort at repentant change, each small "not, not, not, no, no, no," can tilt us more toward the center of joy where we abide in his love.
Awesome sauce? Pleasure, pleasure, pleasure? Are these even remotely the target of joy in Christ? The Klavan Kult has lost me here. More mining necessary I suppose. Blindness comes by looking beyond the mark. Lord help us see the plain and precious truth.
This is such a helpful perspective. I just finished the last session of “Foundations of the West” on DW and have been thinking about the discussion regarding how (Catholic) churches in the 50’s moved away from beauty and art; sermons centered on taking a sentence from the gospel, mixing it up with some experience the priest had, and drawing some sort of (simplistic) conclusion; and removing much of the mystery of the Mass (and the mystery of God’s presence in this world along with it). It seems that Christianity has had a difficult time translating God, Christ, beauty and mystery into the modern/post-modern era. I appreciate what you and your dad (no relation) are doing here (and what you are both doing at DW), as I think these conversations are critical to recapturing Christianity for the modern age. I can’t even express how this has re-sparked both my intellectual and faith life. You are making religion the adventure I believe it was meant to be! Thank you!
This was a perfect read before I go to my first year advising seminar, where I intend to talk to my students about the possibilities in their habits, either for good or ill. That can also be a no, no no thing, so my students thank you for your bright vision! And I do too!
When I use a famous quote as a warning or encouragement, it's a reach at explanation, in humble blue crayon. When you render a quote, it is a live blue hyper-link to your deep thought, mined from scholarship and woven through a theme. We sense that there is so much more to come, and thus your message, even as you stumble toward the virtuous target, is trustworthy. Thanks for sharing, Screwtape.
“God’s prophet Thomas Sowell”. Love this. And the whole message.
This resonates so deeply! It’s far more useful to identify what you’re reaching for than what you are running away from!
I grew up playing lots of video games, and I still would… if I didn’t put my ps4 on the top shelf of a dark closet in the guest room of my parents’ house an hour away from me.
I know I still enjoy Rocket League, but I keep it far away so I can immerse myself in the important things I’m called to do in life.
In John 15: 10-11 there are these words:
"If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
"These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full."
And as Emanuel Swedenborg wrote, the first of charity is to stop yourself from thinking and doing what is wrong because the Lord said so, and then the second of charity is to go ahead and do what is actually good. Without the first, the second remains tainted and corrupt in its motivations (De Charitate, 1-5).
It's pretty clear to me that our Lord Jesus, the Creator and Savior of the world, was just giving, as you say, "good counsel against sin" and all for the sake of the joy that he wishes for all of us.
No sauce without being in the effort of keeping his commandments. Every effort at repentant change, each small "not, not, not, no, no, no," can tilt us more toward the center of joy where we abide in his love.
I’m one of those really annoying disciplined people. Sorry.
Awesome sauce? Pleasure, pleasure, pleasure? Are these even remotely the target of joy in Christ? The Klavan Kult has lost me here. More mining necessary I suppose. Blindness comes by looking beyond the mark. Lord help us see the plain and precious truth.
Lol
Check out Psalm 16:11. 😁
You show me the path of life.
In your presence there is fullness of joy;
in your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
~Psalm 16:11