γνῶθι σεαυτόν

(Or 0dds & Ends for June 24, 2012)

1
Prof. Glenn Holland, in his lectures on ancient religions, says that "Know Thyself" (γνῶθι σεαυτόν), inscribed on the Temple of Apollo at Delphi, is better translated as "know your place" or "know where you fit." Seems far wiser than how I'd always thought of it (that you should strive for self illumination). Wikipedia suggests it "is a warning to pay no attention to the opinion of the multitude."

γνῶθι σεαυτόν should be inscribed over every doorway in every church, mosque, temple, and place of worship .

2
The biggest new idea to me recently was conceiving of the New Testament as liturgy and sacrament, not as "part 2" of the bible. I'd never heard this before. It was very intriguing.

(If this appeals to you, you can hear it here: Dr Scott Hahn - 4-06-11 - Bay Village, Ohio . It’s on Google Drive; the link is open to all, but Google may want you to be signed in to access. More Scott Hahn and other resources here .)

3
What's terribly embarrassing to me as a Christian is to hear otherwise intelligent Christians talk about Adam, Eve, the Ark and animals, global floods and Babel etc apart from their historical, allegorical, or pedagogical sense.

It is partially because of this adherence to an uncompromising literal interpretation (and ridiculous extrapolations) that I walked so far from the church.

Those same people are not making the way back very easy. Every time I find a cleft in the rock to grab, someone suggests that the one I'm clinging to is too weak to support me.

Grant a pilgrim some small successes.

Started: Sometime in April 2012