Proserpina has ascended

Proserpina has ascended from Hades, set free from her cruel husband, the lord of the underworld.  Ceres, her mother, is rejoicing and her singing makes the flowers bloom, the grass green, and the sun shine forth with all his mighty heat.  Mourning is over for her, the goddess of crops and fertility, and so the [...]

Hazlitt on controversial subjects

“When a thing ceases to be a subject of controversy, it ceases to be a subject of interest.”
- William Hazlitt, English writer and literary critic (1778-1830)

“The end of all learning” – Erasmus

“All studies, philosophy, rhetoric are followed for this one object, that we may know Christ and honor him.  This is the end of all learning and eloquence.”
- Desiderius Erasmus

Education & Moral Development

Oscar Wilde once said, “I can resist anything but temptation.” Many, if not all, temptations could be described as the desire for an appropriate thing in an inappropriate way.
Think of it, even the “worst sins” – murder, sexual deviation, etc. – are perversions of things that are good and right in and of themselves. Murder [...]

Resurrection & Hope

Myriad arguments against the Resurrection have been offered, most of which have been sufficiently addressed elsewhere.  I would like to, if possible, get to the heart of the matter.  The reason unbelievers must reject the Resurrection of Christ is that it puts them in a genuine dilemma – an answer they can’t accept for a [...]

The Cold War Is Over – Did We Win?

The Cold War was “fought” to stave off the influence of economic and political systems perceived as threats to the American way of life – primarily communism and socialism.  This is a simple summary, but I think it works for the purpose here. 
Victory was declared when the Berlin Wall (November 9, 1989) fell and [...]

Christmas & Commercialism

Over the last several years, I have encountered an increasing number of articles and discussions about the “secularization” or “commercialization” of Christmas.  Recently, a local newscast conducted a street poll in which nearly every interviewee agreed that Christmas was “coming earlier and earlier every year.” 
Christmas music starts too soon.  Stores bring out decorations too [...]

Politics as usual?

Good citizens are knowledgeable and involved.  Ignorance has never made a great statesman, yet in this particular election season I find myself wishing to hear less and less from the candidates.  Don’t misunderstand me; I am under no illusion that they have said much at all.  I simply wish to hear less of the trite mumblings [...]

The Value of Failure

Some research has revealed that man’s two greatest fears are public speaking and death, in that order.  This means, of course, that most people at a funeral would rather be in the casket than giving the eulogy. 
Man does his best to overcome these fears.  Schools have rhetoric and public speaking courses and teachers require [...]

Selecting Books

As many of you know, the annual CiRCE conference was last week and was quite a success.  All in attendance enjoyed informative and challenging speakers, delicious food, and gracious hosting by all of the sponsors.  All in attendance also experienced a taste of what I would call “book glut.”
You know exactly what I mean.  At [...]