Interesting extract. When do we make these 'instant' decisions? Whose authority, which voice? Which government in the mind? Hyper vigilance, control ... not even the soul is me if we take Aquinas seriously according to a reminder I had when recently re-reading MacIntyre after the philosopher became an Aristotelian-Thomist and was writing about hyper-social animals. There is stuff it helps not to care about, I find. Grace can get quite practical when it gets down to it, but forgiveness is a cultivated art we can need others for in advance. I have been undeserving lucky I am rather ashamed to say, but not always.
Pre-ordered from my local independent bookshop in Grantown-on-Spey. Will you be having any events in Scotland? Edinburgh University New College holds a festival of Books and Belief in late October which would be ideal. For sin, I often think the word 'damage' is helpful. It encompasses both the damage we cause to others and the Earth, as well as the ways in which we have been damaged - all of which threaten our relationship with God. The work of forgiveness, grace and 'sanctification' is therefore the ongoing work of healing and repair. But I agree that we need to reclaim the word 'sin' in all its meanings.
Book ordered. I struggle with the F*** word sadly.
Thank you! I do too, but I actually think that is part of Spufford’s point. It sounds brutal and unpleasant, which sin is
Interesting extract. When do we make these 'instant' decisions? Whose authority, which voice? Which government in the mind? Hyper vigilance, control ... not even the soul is me if we take Aquinas seriously according to a reminder I had when recently re-reading MacIntyre after the philosopher became an Aristotelian-Thomist and was writing about hyper-social animals. There is stuff it helps not to care about, I find. Grace can get quite practical when it gets down to it, but forgiveness is a cultivated art we can need others for in advance. I have been undeserving lucky I am rather ashamed to say, but not always.
Pre-ordered from my local independent bookshop in Grantown-on-Spey. Will you be having any events in Scotland? Edinburgh University New College holds a festival of Books and Belief in late October which would be ideal. For sin, I often think the word 'damage' is helpful. It encompasses both the damage we cause to others and the Earth, as well as the ways in which we have been damaged - all of which threaten our relationship with God. The work of forgiveness, grace and 'sanctification' is therefore the ongoing work of healing and repair. But I agree that we need to reclaim the word 'sin' in all its meanings.
Oooh