Saturday, December 13, 2014

Faith and culture videos

The Aquinas College Center for Faith and Culture, run by Joseph Pearce, has a neat multimedia page. Videos include:

  • Robert Royal on The Threats of Secularism
  • Joseph Pearce on The Evangelizing Power of Beauty: Converting the Culture
  • Fay Renardson: Ambrogio Lorenzetti’s Good Government Fresco
  • Dr. Benjamin L. Smith: How the Modern World Lies about Human Dignity
  • Dr. Richard Bulzacchelli: What Did Philosophy Get from the Bible and Why Does It Matter to Me?
  • Phil Keaggy: My Faith through Music
  • Father Brian Mullady, O.P.: Who Is Christ for Today?
  • Marian Devotion in the Age of the Crusades, by Dr. Vince Ryan
  • J.R.R. Tolkien: a Catholic in a Hobbit Hole, by Father Albert Trudel, O.P.
  • Etc.


Tuesday, December 09, 2014

A renewal of this blog?

The original purpose of this blog was to write about classic Catholic literature. Being a great bookie from way back, I am keenly sensitive to what I perceive to be a wall between contemporary Catholics and the classic sources of our faith. That is why I am so attracted to the ressourcement authors, especially Henri de Lubac. I have even written a blog post for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee about "The Wall."

My intention is to reinvigorate this blog with a renewal of its original focus. I won't limit myself to literature. I will refer to the diversity of cultural expressions, including art, music, architecture, theater, ethnic customs, even movies. I say "even movies' because I'm not an avid movie watcher.

I am going to avoid addressing contemporary "issues," such as how to interpret Pope Francis or how to respond pastorally to homosexuality or divorce, unless something from a classic text sheds some light on the issue.

I acknowledge that my focus is going to make my blog less popular than others.  However, I will occasionally address pop culture, as is my want.

Yeah, I know I've "revived" this blog before. Just pray that I can keep it up.  If you want me to, any way.