"The highest use of the great masters of literature is not literary; it is apart from their superb style and even from their emotional inspiration. The first use of good literature is that it prevents a man from being merely modern. To be merely modern is to condemn oneself to an ultimate narrowness; just as... Continue Reading →
Though the whole heaven be one eyed with the moon, Though the dead landscape seem a thing possessed, As one that singeth through the flowers of June. Yet I go singing through a land oppressed. * No more, with forrest-fingers crawling free O'er dark flint wall that seems a wall of eyes, Shall evil break... Continue Reading →
Having just read G. K. Chesterton's The Everlasting Man, so much stood out as, frankly, pure genius. However, these few lines were among many that were just stunning, and I hope they inspire you to read this incredible journalistic and dare I say, playful, account of history, religion and the fact of Jesus of Nazareth.... "'The first rational... Continue Reading →
A great little poem from the perspective of the donkey by the gentle giant that was G. K. Chesterton. Just right for Palm Sunday! The Donkey When fishes flew and forests walked And figs grew upon thorn, Some moment when the moon was blood Then surely I was born. * With monstrous head and sickening... Continue Reading →
When fishes flew and forests walked And figs grew upon thorn, Some moment when the moon was blood Then surely I was born. * With monstrous head and sickening cry And ears like errant wings, The devil’s walking parody On all four-footed things. * The tattered outlaw of the earth, Of ancient crooked will; Starve,... Continue Reading →
From the second chapter entitled 'On the Negative Spirit' of G. K. Chesterton's book Heretics, he majestically dismantles the secualrized notion of "progress", an idea that on the surface of things sounds mature but as Chesterton shows, is actually devoid of a telos, a true goal that most of human history (until the modern age) has been concerned with. In... Continue Reading →
Concluding his astonishing Introductory Remarks in his book Heretics, G. K. Chesterton spins a yarn: "I revert to the doctrinal methods of the thirteenth century, inspired by the general hope of getting things done. Suppose that a great commotion arises in the street about something, let us say a lamp-post, which many influential persons desire to pull down. A... Continue Reading →
"Theological distinctions are fine but not thin. In all the mess of modern thoughtlessness, that still calls itself modern thought, there is perhaps nothing so stupendously stupid as the common saying, “Religion can never depend on minute disputes about doctrine.” It is like saying that life can never depend on minute disputes about medicine. The... Continue Reading →
As I continue my reading journey into the rich and beguilingly complex tradition of Christian theology, I see more and more the inane 'meh-nes' of the challenge. It's not that I have a silly mentality that says "I have it right and you have it wrong", irrespective of the facts or the evidence; it's just... Continue Reading →
After listening to a great article of Radio 4's 'Beyond Belief' and the discussion about the relationship between 'religion and psychotherapy' (read: Christianity & psychotherapy), I have transcribed a four minute interview with a Christian Psychotherapist, Tony Yates of Cornerstone, that takes place about half way through the program. The questions are asked by the... Continue Reading →
Gralefrit Theology 