Paul’s concept of “sufficiency” (Philippians 4:10-13) plays on the Stoic term autarkes. For Paul this means learning to be content in all circumstances, a concept of sufficiency at sharp odds with seeking satisfaction in the worldly success that supposedly results from self-reliance. Even when Paul urges Christians to work and not be dependent on any [...]
Read more...Idolatry
Buddhist Worship of the Buddha
Wednesday, October 22nd, 2008In the chanting book I received from a Thai Buddhist temple the first section, “Pay Homage to the Triple Gem”, is followed by “Salutation to the Buddha”. The translation from the Thai reads as follows: Such indeed is the Blessed One, exalted, omniscient, endowed with knowledge and virtues. Gone beyond, knower of the worlds, a guide [...]
Read more...Buddhism and The Triple Gem
Tuesday, October 21st, 2008I took a group to a Buddhist temple on Saturday. I was kindly given a copy of the chanting sheets used by the monks and lay devotees, translated from the Thai. The first section is entitled “Pay Homage to the Triple Gem”. This is followed by salutations to each of these “gems”, also called the [...]
Read more...Monotony and Meaning: Heidegger, Plato & Sartre
Thursday, May 8th, 2008Heidegger is waiting for a train in a provincial station. He feels bored, uneasy and finds himself desperately seeking for any distraction. He thinks of things he would otherwise be doing. He feels he is wasting time, doing nothing. Can you identify with that? This is the scenario presented by Cathal Horan in an article entitled [...]
Read more...Biblical Bookends 3. 1 John
Sunday, April 27th, 2008The penultimate verse of 1 John states that Jesus Christ “is the true God and eternal life.” This corresponds to the way in which the book begins. In a manner reminiscent of the opening of John’s Gospel, the Incarnate Word, “the Word of life“, is described. John is an eyewitness, testifying to “the eternal life, [...]
Read more...Hosea 4:10-14. Culpable Ignorance
Monday, October 29th, 2007Contrary to popular Christian thought, in the Bible idolatry is not primarily concerned with misplaced devotion but with a false experience of and approach to “revelation”. Hosea 4v10 to v14 sermon
Read more...A Glossary of Greek and Roman Deities
Sunday, September 9th, 2007This is a summary of the depictions of Greek and Roman gods and goddesses provided by Aeschylus, Augustine and Homer.
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