Sailing the Last Voyage with Newton and Pascal
From Bossuet’s History of the Variations of the Protestant Churches, III, 12, this gem: For although the Eucharist, as well as the other mysteries of our salvation, had a spiritual effect for its end, it had, like the other mysteries, that which was accomplished in the body for its foundation. Jesus Christ was to be …
This is one in a series from Jaques-Benigne Bossuet’s Elevations on the Mysteries, and specifically the Fifth Day. There is more here on the Bossuet Project. And God said to Eve, Why did you do that? She replied: The serpent deceived me. But why did you let yourself be fooled? Did you not have all …
Continue reading “Elevations On The Temptation And Fall Of Man: 10, More Excuses.”
This is one in a series from Bossuet’s Elevations on the Mysteries. The previous post is here. More information on the Bossuet Project is here. In producing the other animals, God created the two sexes together; And the formation of the second is a singularity of the creation of man. How useful it was for …
Continue reading “The Creation of Men and Angels: The creation of the second sex”
This is one in a series from Bossuet’s Elevations on the Mysteries. The previous post is here. More information on the Bossuet Project is here. Another admirable singularity of the creation of man: God forms him by His fingers “Let the earth produce grasses and plants. May the waters produce fish and birds. May the …
This is one in a series from Bossuet’s Elevations on the Mysteries. The previous post is here. More information on the Bossuet Project is here. Creation of man “You have lowered him slightly below the angel; you crowned him with glory and honor, and you have appointed to him all the works of your hands.” …
This is the first in a series from Bossuet’s Elevations on the Mysteries. More information on the Bossuet Project is here. God, who is a pure spirit, wanted to create pure spirits like him, who like him live in intelligence and love, who know and love him as he knows and loves himself, who like …
Continue reading “The Creation of Men and Angels: The creation of the angels”
Something to consider, from Philo Judaeus, On the Unchangeableness of God XI: And this is what follows: “I will destroy,” says God, ” the man whom I have made from off the face of the earth, from man to beast, from creeping things to the fowls of the air, because I have considered and repent …
It’s the New Year again, time to look at something substantive. This topic may seem a little arcane, but rest assured there’s a grenade with a pin waiting to be pulled. Evangelicals are generally suspicious of the whole concept of relating the Bible to the ancient world around it, except archaeologically. But there are two …
Continue reading “Why Evangelicals Don't Read Philo Judaeus”
Reasoning on in Bossuet’s Elevations on the Mysteries, 2, 4: All of this is dead: the sun, its rays, its heat: a seal, its expression, an image either sculpted or painted. A mirror and the resemblances which object produce are dead things: God made an image most alive from his eternal and pure generation; and, …
Continue reading “To the Holy Trinity: The Purest Image in the Rational Creature”
We’re starting yet again another Lenten season. The streets of New Orléans (and doubtless other cities which go out for Mardi Gras and Carnival in a big way) are full of trash but quiet. If you’re not Roman Catholic and on fast and abstinence, it’s a great time to eat in the French Quarter. But …
Continue reading “Broken Windows and Spiritual Warfare: An Ash Wednesday Reflection”