In "The University Philosopher in Early Modern Germany," Ian Hunter draws his readers' attention to Paul Richard Blum's useful distinction for analyzing the various philosophical cultures of early modern Europe, viz. the distinction between Philosophenphilosophie and...
Upbuilding Discourses
“Purity of heart is to blog one thing.” -E.J. Hutchinson
The Difference Theology Makes (for Philosophy)
With apologies for the, er, radio? silence here recently, I'm just popping back in for a quick quotation from Günter Frank on the relation of philosophy and theology in Philip Melanchthon's ethics. Nevertheless, both these concepts [about practical philsosophy] [i.e.,...
“You Shall Not Murder”: Johannes Brenz on the Killing of Children
Abortion--which is a euphemism for "killing one's own offspring"--has been in the news again, and with it the usual moral confusions, including among Christians. Thus one learns that one must support a litany of government services if one is really to be "pro-life."...
“Unwound My Wounded Soul”: An Epigram on the Crucifixion
It's Monday, and I have a new epigram to share. Last time, we had a version of Greek Anthology 1.53 on the Passover. This time, I present to you Greek Anthology 1.54 on the Crucifixion. It would have been nice to have this up on Good Friday, of course; but, on the...
“Have Mercy on Us, You Who Alone Have Mercy”
For Good Friday, I'd like to share with you a meditation from Johann Gerhard on Christ's Passion and the use it can serve for provoking repentance in us. Below is the second of Gerhard's Meditationes sacrae (Sacred Meditations), originally written in Latin. A previous...
“Christ Nullified the Paschal Lamb”: An Epigram on the Last Supper and the Lord’s Supper
Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us.1 Corinthians 5:7 (KJV) For Maundy Thursday, we have a new poem on the Passover and Christ, our Passover. Greek Anthology 1.53 is an...
“The Cosmic Lord upon a Foal”: A Greek Epigram for Palm Sunday
This past Sunday was Palm Sunday. Don't worry; there's a poem for that. We once again return to Book 1 of The Greek Anthology. Poem 1.52 is a two-line epigram in dactylic hexameters on Palm Sunday, and I have turned it into six lines of rhymed iambic tetrameters. The...
“The Light That Gives Us Heaven”: A Greek Epigram on Paul
Here, have a new poem. (And the last one, if you like.) Today we have Greek Anthology 1.79, on the Apostle Paul. As usual, I include the Greek text according to the Loeb edition, the Loeb translation, and my poetic version, which is in alternating iambic pentameters...
“By God’s Gifts and the Widow’s Faith”: An Epigram on Elijah
Been a while; new poem today. In this post, I translate Greek Anthology 1.77, on 1 Kings 17, in which Elijah is fed by the widow. For anyone who heard John 6:1-15 for yesterday's Gospel reading, the theme will be familiar. The original is a single elegiac couplet. My...
“O Rachel, Why This Bitter Tear?”: Another Greek Epigram
Back with another new poem, this time Greek Anthology 1.43. The previous poem dealt with the magi coming from the East; this one is on the Massacre of the Holy Innocents, via Matthew's quotation of Jeremiah 31:15 in Matthew 2: A voice was heard in Ramah,weeping and...