Ignorance is bliss. God told Adam and Eve not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, perhaps because in their ignorance there was bliss. Maybe even now, He is telling us the same: be careful what you wish for. If you find the answers you seek, you may not be better for them. This may be because all things can be used for good or evil, a mixed blessing, as it were. Nuclear power, for example, is a blessing; nuclear warheads are a curse.
I know nothing—St. Thomas Aquinas had that same epiphany, near the end of his life. In his case, however, it did not bring him any joy, at least none that we know. He stopped writing his “Summa Theologica,” and never another word on his faith. He died the next year.
St. Thomas was so stunned by the realization that the mystery of God is beyond human comprehension, that he said to his protege, “Reginald, I can write no more. All that I have hitherto written seems to me nothing but straw.”
To each of us, that realization can strike us differently. To Scrooge, it was a joy, a release, or an opening (of his heart), but for St. Thomas, a Doctor of the Church, it may have felt as if his life’s work was all for nothing, that his life was wasted. As for me, if such an epiphany should ever strike me, I pray God it’s the former.
I believe he wrote poetry and music after that. Which I always found interesting because I always thought of that as as an ascending level of goodness. He started with philosophy, and wrote some of the world's most stunning thought on philosophy in the history of mankind, he receives a vision and sees all of that is as straw, and only after that does he start writing poetry and music.
I’m not so sure about that. St. Thomas definitely wrote hymns before 1273, such as the ones done in 1264, at the urging of Pope Urban. However, it was a mere four months after his epiphany that he died (at only age 49), while traveling to was Rome, having been summoned by the Pope. So, there wasn’t much time.
But that doesn’t mean he didn’t write a hymn or two in that time, but definitely not theology.
For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known
Eternity, go ahead and TRY to wrap your head around That. Good Luck.
I believe there is a Reason Why The Bible doesn't really say much about Heaven, or Hell. We have no frame of reference. There's a REAL GOOD CHANCE the Laws that govern The Universe, don't apply there.
And similar to another reason that God did not offer to Job’s questions answers which would have been beyond Job’s comprehension or even his imagination.
Also, a wise mentor of sorts once said to me that though the Bible may not tell all that we want to know, it tells what we need to know.
The knowing. The not knowing. The torment of it all! One of the greatest snares to those searching is the lack of peace there is in not knowing but the leap of faith we take when we KNOW we can trust the One who knows it all. There in is true peace. I see it over and over ~ I can’t know therefore I can’t believe. A true indication of pride, which is the main problem with all of us. Lord help us.
Thanks for the reminder of that wonderful movie, which I own and watch every year as you do. I’m reminded of the teaching of St Gregory Palamas: that we can never know God in his “essence” but the ought is “energies” (otherwise known as grace) we experience him and come to know joy.
I think my favorite line from the movie is Scrooge’s proclamation: “I don’t deserve to be so happy!” He is repentant and experiencing God’s Mercy and joy in the flow of grace.
Thanks for this. It’s really pertinent to an intense discussion I’ve been having with a friend.
“St. Thomas was so stunned by the realization that the mystery of God is beyond human comprehension, that he said to his protege, “Reginald, I can write no more. All that I have hitherto written seems to me nothing but straw.”
On knowledge, I memorized a facile paragraph that I’ve nonetheless found true. It goes like this: “you don’t know what you don’t know. Because if you did you’d do. And, if you did, you’d have. And, the very fact that you don’t have means you didn’t do, which means you don’t know. Because to know, and not to do is not to know.“ I always took that to mean that knowledge is not so much contemplation as action. The prodigal son “knew“ he was in a world of hurt. That knowledge would be nothing if he never returned to his father
Even the people who do get to heaven will be surprised to learn why
Reminds me of a Flannery O'Connor story, Revelation, where a woman receives a vision of people all in white going to heaven, while watching a parade of folks going by, a woman sees joyful black people dancing and singing their way in and then behind them come a group of white people, who, from the look of shock and awe on their faces, she could tell, even their virtue had been washed away.
Ignorance is bliss. God told Adam and Eve not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, perhaps because in their ignorance there was bliss. Maybe even now, He is telling us the same: be careful what you wish for. If you find the answers you seek, you may not be better for them. This may be because all things can be used for good or evil, a mixed blessing, as it were. Nuclear power, for example, is a blessing; nuclear warheads are a curse.
I know nothing—St. Thomas Aquinas had that same epiphany, near the end of his life. In his case, however, it did not bring him any joy, at least none that we know. He stopped writing his “Summa Theologica,” and never another word on his faith. He died the next year.
St. Thomas was so stunned by the realization that the mystery of God is beyond human comprehension, that he said to his protege, “Reginald, I can write no more. All that I have hitherto written seems to me nothing but straw.”
To each of us, that realization can strike us differently. To Scrooge, it was a joy, a release, or an opening (of his heart), but for St. Thomas, a Doctor of the Church, it may have felt as if his life’s work was all for nothing, that his life was wasted. As for me, if such an epiphany should ever strike me, I pray God it’s the former.
I believe he wrote poetry and music after that. Which I always found interesting because I always thought of that as as an ascending level of goodness. He started with philosophy, and wrote some of the world's most stunning thought on philosophy in the history of mankind, he receives a vision and sees all of that is as straw, and only after that does he start writing poetry and music.
I’m not so sure about that. St. Thomas definitely wrote hymns before 1273, such as the ones done in 1264, at the urging of Pope Urban. However, it was a mere four months after his epiphany that he died (at only age 49), while traveling to was Rome, having been summoned by the Pope. So, there wasn’t much time.
But that doesn’t mean he didn’t write a hymn or two in that time, but definitely not theology.
Maybe “not knowing” is a lesson in acceptance.
For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known
Eternity, go ahead and TRY to wrap your head around That. Good Luck.
I believe there is a Reason Why The Bible doesn't really say much about Heaven, or Hell. We have no frame of reference. There's a REAL GOOD CHANCE the Laws that govern The Universe, don't apply there.
And similar to another reason that God did not offer to Job’s questions answers which would have been beyond Job’s comprehension or even his imagination.
Also, a wise mentor of sorts once said to me that though the Bible may not tell all that we want to know, it tells what we need to know.
"Also, a wise mentor of sorts once said to me that though the Bible may not tell all that we want to know, it tells what we need to know."
BINGO, We Have A Winner!
For now we see as through a glass and darkly.
My wonder:
When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,
The moon and the stars, which You have ordained,
What is man that You are mindful of him,
And the son of man that You visit him?
Psalm 8:3–4
The knowing. The not knowing. The torment of it all! One of the greatest snares to those searching is the lack of peace there is in not knowing but the leap of faith we take when we KNOW we can trust the One who knows it all. There in is true peace. I see it over and over ~ I can’t know therefore I can’t believe. A true indication of pride, which is the main problem with all of us. Lord help us.
Sarah, spot on.
“A true indication of pride, which is the main problem with all of us. Lord help us.”
Thanks for the reminder of that wonderful movie, which I own and watch every year as you do. I’m reminded of the teaching of St Gregory Palamas: that we can never know God in his “essence” but the ought is “energies” (otherwise known as grace) we experience him and come to know joy.
I think my favorite line from the movie is Scrooge’s proclamation: “I don’t deserve to be so happy!” He is repentant and experiencing God’s Mercy and joy in the flow of grace.
1 Cor. 12! A shed full of legit tools to help in decision-making during those times of “not knowing.” And the tools are free! What a deal.
Well done! Loved it.
Thank the good Lord not only for our lack of X-Ray eyes but also thank him that we are not telepathic. Unknowing can be a mercy.
Thanks for this. It’s really pertinent to an intense discussion I’ve been having with a friend.
“St. Thomas was so stunned by the realization that the mystery of God is beyond human comprehension, that he said to his protege, “Reginald, I can write no more. All that I have hitherto written seems to me nothing but straw.”
On knowledge, I memorized a facile paragraph that I’ve nonetheless found true. It goes like this: “you don’t know what you don’t know. Because if you did you’d do. And, if you did, you’d have. And, the very fact that you don’t have means you didn’t do, which means you don’t know. Because to know, and not to do is not to know.“ I always took that to mean that knowledge is not so much contemplation as action. The prodigal son “knew“ he was in a world of hurt. That knowledge would be nothing if he never returned to his father
Even the people who do get to heaven will be surprised to learn why
Reminds me of a Flannery O'Connor story, Revelation, where a woman receives a vision of people all in white going to heaven, while watching a parade of folks going by, a woman sees joyful black people dancing and singing their way in and then behind them come a group of white people, who, from the look of shock and awe on their faces, she could tell, even their virtue had been washed away.