A Momentary Taste of Being

Religious Literacy on audio reviewed My primary problem with Religious Literacy is that much of it struck me as a definitive outsider's point of view.  That is the point of view of one who studies religion as though it were some sort of insect.  I don't think he made clear some of the faiths he was seeking to describe (I had this feeling particularly in the sections regarding Buddhism).  But,  I have to back off and say that the work is intended as an introduction to a wider audience, and that isn't necessarily the place to load in all of the nuance that makes a faith a faith.  So, to be fair, as a broad introduction, I thought the book served well.

I have often contended that a person who truly followed the teachings of the Church (not necessarily the actions of its leaders) could find no true home among the so-called liberals (who rarely are anything of the sort) or the equally so-called conservatives--who seem conservative only in that they deny anything spoke by a person perceived to be liberal. Peter Kreeft gives us an article of Dominus Jesus . My chief problem with it is that he does not go on to give us the list of 30 Liberal points and 38 Conservative points. But Kreeft's separation of L and C is so clear that one could pick up the task oneself and probably come to a similar determination.

via Books Inq. A review of Robert Alter's book on the influence of the KJV in American letters. It is nice to know that I concur with one of the great biblical scholars on the supremacy of this translation.  It is nice to know that the language is not just beautiful but reasonably accurate and straightforward (if Jacobean English can be said to be straight forward.)

Fascinating article about the resurrection of Jesus. A Jewish scholar admits the possibility, but questions the meaning.  This is profoundly interesting and the reasoning behind the scholar's conclusions also fascinating.  If you've an interest in the subject, you owe it to yourself to take a look.

The Book of Revelation is one of my favorite in the Bible--I think it may be because the imagery speaks more fully than any interpretation of it ever can.  And what the imagery actually says, I cannot say, because sometimes one must just appreciate the beauty.  This was the advice I gave a gentleman who confessed the other night that he never could make it through Ulysses because he could not understand it.  Sometimes it isn't necessary to understand in order to appreciate.  I know that flies in the face of our logical positivist, scientific empiricist world--but it is simply the truth.  Truth, goodness, and beauty, the platonic triad need not be fully comprehended to be appreciated--nevertheless, they will out if one gives them the opportunity.  (Full disclosure forces me to note that I have a high tolerance for reading things I do not fully understand as witnessed by the fact that I have been through The Wake three times now--on the other hand, I'm not c...

A few days ago, I may some suggestions that might constitute a list of possibilities for Lenten reading.  Most of those sources had Protestant roots (very good, very firm, very reliable Protestant roots) and today,  I thought perhaps it was time for a few possibilities rooted in the Catholic Tradition. I must, of course, make at least a head nod to what is perhaps the most-read Christian spiritual work outside of the Bible-- The Imitation of Christ. It has earned its place in the library of spiritual reading through its no-nonsense, solid, practical advise for those who are seeking a better way.  One can find it in everything from Latin to on-line editions ,  ( two ) (three) (four) (five) this is one work that every Catholic should take the time to acquaint themselves with.  It rewards slow lectio-like reading and could make a perfect devotional (depending on one's temperament) for the season. For a little break in the prose, one might wish to interspe...

Why Progressivism is Passé