"We need intimate knowledge of the past. Not that the past has any magic about it, but because we cannot study the future, and yet need something to set against the present, to remind us that the basic assumptions have been quite different in different periods and that much which seems certain to the uneducated is merely temporary fashion. A man who has lived in many places is not likely to be deceived by the local errors of his native village: the scholar has lived in many times and is therefore in some degree immune from the great cataract of nonsense that pours from the press and the microphone of his own age.” — C.S. Lewis
What makes a good teacher? I’m sure we’ve all asked ourselves that question at least a few times. In fact, we probably all have had a few teachers that stand out in our minds as exemplary at their craft. But what was it that set them apart? Were they just particularly gifted at explaining all … More Love, and Teach as Thou Wilt
There are many different kinds of saints in Christian history. Both the Western (Latin) and Eastern (Byzantine) traditions have numerous categories to refer to various types of saints in the Church. Most importantly you have Martyrs (who were killed for their faith) and Confessors (who lived holy lives but died a natural death). Beyond these … More The Saints We Need
Henry Adams was an American historian and member of the Adams political family, descended from two U.S. Presidents. In his famous work, Mont-Saint-Michel and Chartres (published I believe in 1904), Adams had some fine things to say about medieval Europe and Christendom. His words definitely challenge us today. In this video I’ve adjusted different phrases … More Mont Saint Michel with Henry Adams
With the Advent season underway I thought it would be nice to begin a few reflections in preparation for the Nativity of Christ. I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the metaphysical questions surrounding Christianity, especially in relation to the other “major world religions.” I’ve also just been listening to Handel’s Messiah and so my … More A Body Thou Hast Prepared
We have discussed various aspects of chivalry, working on a general definition via our reading of Kenelm Digby’s Broadstone of Honour. In part one we learned that chivalry is a “spirit or state of mind which disposes men to heroic and generous actions and keeps them conversant with all that is beautiful and sublime in the … More What is Chivalry? (Part 4)
Religion is a word and category that has come under considerable criticism over the last few centuries. And this, not merely by atheists or secularists, but by modern Christians, scholars, pastors and theologians. By and large the effort has been to “freshen-up” the feeling and “face” of Christianity in particular, and make it more amenable to … More What is Chivalry? (Part 3)
Many of us have probably experienced something of the “worship wars” which exist as an unfortunate accident in the history of the Church. Whether in Protestant or Catholic settings; whether it’s over an organ, piano, guitar or (God forbid) a drum-set; it seems the subject of church music always brings with it strong opinions and … More Church Music
I’ve been thinking a good deal lately about how medieval Christians understood the natural world they lived in. With much of the contemporary discourse on ecological concerns (and even “eco-theology”), I think it is helpful to gather insights from the wisdom of our Christian ancestors. Kenelm Digby, that excellent scholar of medieval Christianity, has unearthed … More Nature a Temple
“Authorial intent” is something many philosophers of language have balked-at over the last century, especially post-modernists within the so-called New Criticism school of thought. The idea is that “all we have is the text” so we shouldn’t get distracted in trying to know the “mind of the author” since such a thing (if it existed) is technically … More On Authorial Intent
THE MEDIEVAL PROFESSOR 