Last week, I mentioned what will not be taken from us if we choose what is better: “Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:42). Here is how Thomas Aquinas puts it in his mediation on the relationship between the Contemplative and Active life: Sometimes a … Continue reading Thomas’s Take on Life Interrupted
One of the most charming moments of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Hobbit takes place at Beorn’s farm when Gandalf tells his host their tale. By twos and threes, the dwarves intrude, interrupting Gandalf’s narrative. In part, this is intended to soften the blow of fourteen unexpected visitors arriving all at once. Yet for a moment, one might wonder if … Continue reading Tolkien on How to Tell (Interrupt) a Story
Aristotle does not begin his treatise On the Soul by declaring that we are made in the image of God. Rather, he begins with the stunningly obvious observation that among all of the things which exist, we distinguish those which live from those which do not. Each of those things which live (plants, animals, and human beings) … Continue reading This is what we call a Soul
What did the florist say to the potter? Continue reading “Mr. Spun’s Truly Terrible Awful Jokes: #40”
Judges 16:23-31 “Our god has delivered Samson, our enemy, into our hands,” said the Philistines. But Samson prayed and received the Spirit of God. He stretched forth his arms and allowed the Temple of Dagon to crush him, that he might bring down that house, so that the house of Israel might rise. Continue reading Samson and the Cross
If we want to talk about the immortality of the soul, we are immediately confronted with all kinds of problems. For instance, we not only have to decide whether the soul dies, but what death is, that is if we want to rationally examine this question! But further, we already have put the question problematically. … Continue reading Speaking, Not Easy: On Immortality
Whether all knowledge requires faith? Objection 1: It seems that all knowledge requires faith because faith is to be the rule and measure of our entire life and conduct. Knowledge falls under human life; therefore, it must come under its proper rule, faith. Objection 2: We know that our perceptions can be faulty; therefore, … Continue reading Whether all Knowledge Requires Faith?
