Mark Shea has an interesting article at Catholic Exchange about the modern tendency to misunderstand "realism" and reality.
http://www.catholicexchange.com/node/64095
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Week 4: Homework
Reading Assignment:
Read Chapter 4 of Theology and Sanity, “The Mind Works on Infinity”—pp. 61-76.
Questions:
1. Where was God when the universe was created?
2. Why must an infinite being be a spirit? Hint: what are the two kinds of limitations an infinite being is free from?
3. On p. 65, Sheed says that “for all spaceless beings the word ‘where’ has one meaning.” What is it? (Where are spaceless beings?)
4. God’s Immensity is another way of describing what?
5. What is time?
6. What does the phrase “before the universe was created” mean?
7. Does eternity mean time open at both ends? What is the philosophic definition of eternity?
8. On pp. 72-73 Sheed list five limitations on our knowing—three are obvious, two are less so. List all five.
9. Explain (as best you can) how God is His attributes (Knowledge, Love, Justice, Mercy, etc.).
Reflection Questions:
1. Read Matthew 13: 44-46 and then re-read the last paragraph of the chapter. What connections can you make between what Sheed says and the two parables?
Read Chapter 4 of Theology and Sanity, “The Mind Works on Infinity”—pp. 61-76.
Questions:
1. Where was God when the universe was created?
2. Why must an infinite being be a spirit? Hint: what are the two kinds of limitations an infinite being is free from?
3. On p. 65, Sheed says that “for all spaceless beings the word ‘where’ has one meaning.” What is it? (Where are spaceless beings?)
4. God’s Immensity is another way of describing what?
5. What is time?
6. What does the phrase “before the universe was created” mean?
7. Does eternity mean time open at both ends? What is the philosophic definition of eternity?
8. On pp. 72-73 Sheed list five limitations on our knowing—three are obvious, two are less so. List all five.
9. Explain (as best you can) how God is His attributes (Knowledge, Love, Justice, Mercy, etc.).
Reflection Questions:
1. Read Matthew 13: 44-46 and then re-read the last paragraph of the chapter. What connections can you make between what Sheed says and the two parables?
Monday, October 15, 2007
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Week 3: Homework
Reading Assignment:
Read Chapter 3 of Theology and Sanity, “He Who Is”—pp. 47-60.
Questions:
1. What are the two modern tendencies about God?
2. Why is dismissing the belief in the true God as a private affair more grotesque than dismissing as private affairs the belief in Moloch (who demanded child sacrifice) or Kali (who demanded followers to strangle strangers)?
3. What are the two ways we can come to a knowledge of God and grow in that knowledge? What is a third, supplementary way?
4. Can the existence of God be known by human reason without the aid of revelation?
5. Why should someone who already accepts God’s existence still study the “proofs” for his existence?
6. What does Sheed say is the primary cause of most people’s unbelief? Do you agree?
7. Restate in your own words the proof of God’s existence using the argument from contingency.
8. Why is a universe with only receivers of existence a contradiction in terms?
9. Who made God?
10. Define nature. (p. 55)
11. What, according to Sheed, is “the primary Truth about God”? How is this truth revealed to the Jewish people?
12. On page 57, Sheed states that whatever perfections are found in created existence must be in God. He goes on to say that knowledge and love are found in created things. What does he conclude from this?
13. Define person. (p.57)
14. Your brain may be full and hurting—don’t give up! Reread the last two paragraphs of the chapter and be encouraged! This way of thinking is hard, but it’s good.
Reflection Questions:
1. Read Luke 11: 5-13. What does this passage say about how we are to seek the Lord? What does it say about those who seek Him?
Read Chapter 3 of Theology and Sanity, “He Who Is”—pp. 47-60.
Questions:
1. What are the two modern tendencies about God?
2. Why is dismissing the belief in the true God as a private affair more grotesque than dismissing as private affairs the belief in Moloch (who demanded child sacrifice) or Kali (who demanded followers to strangle strangers)?
3. What are the two ways we can come to a knowledge of God and grow in that knowledge? What is a third, supplementary way?
4. Can the existence of God be known by human reason without the aid of revelation?
5. Why should someone who already accepts God’s existence still study the “proofs” for his existence?
6. What does Sheed say is the primary cause of most people’s unbelief? Do you agree?
7. Restate in your own words the proof of God’s existence using the argument from contingency.
8. Why is a universe with only receivers of existence a contradiction in terms?
9. Who made God?
10. Define nature. (p. 55)
11. What, according to Sheed, is “the primary Truth about God”? How is this truth revealed to the Jewish people?
12. On page 57, Sheed states that whatever perfections are found in created existence must be in God. He goes on to say that knowledge and love are found in created things. What does he conclude from this?
13. Define person. (p.57)
14. Your brain may be full and hurting—don’t give up! Reread the last two paragraphs of the chapter and be encouraged! This way of thinking is hard, but it’s good.
Reflection Questions:
1. Read Luke 11: 5-13. What does this passage say about how we are to seek the Lord? What does it say about those who seek Him?
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Concerning Angels
Last night we asked one of our classmates to find out about angels and report back to us. Here is what she discovered. Good Work!!
rosary lady said...
The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us “Angels are spiritual creatures who glorify God without ceasing” (no.350). Although the Church does not have a formal teaching on guardian angels, it is a traditional belief that every person has their own particular angel. The Church has always held the belief, even designating October 2 as the Feast of the Guardian Angels. The Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 336, states:
From its beginning until death human life is surrounded by their watchful care and intercession. “Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life” [quoting St. Basil in Adv. Eunomium III, I]. Already here on earth the Christian life shares by faith in the blessed company of angels and men united in God.
God does not create a new angel for each new baby. Angels were created sometime before the creation of the world; they “have been present since creation and throughout the history of salvation” (Catechism no. 332). They are created immortal beings, meaning that they are created (not eternal, like God) and they cannot die. Angels are not separated from us after death, but remain with us in heaven, not to help us attain salvation, but ad aliquam illustrationem (to enlighten us with their angelic ministry) (St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica).
If, God forbid, we should not go to heaven, we can assume that our angel would continue, as it has always done, to glorify God unceasingly.
rosary lady said...
The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us “Angels are spiritual creatures who glorify God without ceasing” (no.350). Although the Church does not have a formal teaching on guardian angels, it is a traditional belief that every person has their own particular angel. The Church has always held the belief, even designating October 2 as the Feast of the Guardian Angels. The Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 336, states:
From its beginning until death human life is surrounded by their watchful care and intercession. “Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life” [quoting St. Basil in Adv. Eunomium III, I]. Already here on earth the Christian life shares by faith in the blessed company of angels and men united in God.
God does not create a new angel for each new baby. Angels were created sometime before the creation of the world; they “have been present since creation and throughout the history of salvation” (Catechism no. 332). They are created immortal beings, meaning that they are created (not eternal, like God) and they cannot die. Angels are not separated from us after death, but remain with us in heaven, not to help us attain salvation, but ad aliquam illustrationem (to enlighten us with their angelic ministry) (St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica).
If, God forbid, we should not go to heaven, we can assume that our angel would continue, as it has always done, to glorify God unceasingly.
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Please Indulge My Vanity...
Today I got an email from Dappled Things informing me that I'm officially published.
Dappled Things is an online (now print as well) literary magazine for young Catholic writers/artists. As of my next birthday, I am no longer a young Catholic (I turn 36 this year). So, this was my last chance to get in.
My poem is called "Bread from Heaven". I hope you enjoy it.
Dappled Things is an online (now print as well) literary magazine for young Catholic writers/artists. As of my next birthday, I am no longer a young Catholic (I turn 36 this year). So, this was my last chance to get in.
My poem is called "Bread from Heaven". I hope you enjoy it.
Monday, October 1, 2007
Week 2 Homework (For October 8)
Reading Assignment:
Read Chapter 2 of Theology and Sanity, “Examination of Intellect”—pp. 30-44.
Summary:
In this chapter, Sheed takes a closer look at the intellect. He describes for us the role of the intellect in religion and then tells us of some of the intellect’s limitations. Some of these limitations are due to our bad habits; others are simply the natural limitations of the human mind. He concludes by cautioning us to be vigilant about staying intellectually fit.
Questions:
Once again, these questions are meant to help you understand the reading, not to exasperate you. If you find that you are dissatisfied with one of your answers, chances are others had similar difficulties. Make sure you mention any thing you need clarified when we go over these in class. Don’t be afraid—we’re all friends here and there’s no final…
1. What is the special function of the intellect in religion?
2. What must be “firmly put in its place” before the intellect can be trained?
Why is this so hard?
3. Define imagination. What is it limited to? Why?
4. What is spirit? What does it lack? What does it do?
5. What are some qualities of material things?
6. What are the three ways imagination interferes with intellect?
7. Explain in your own words the difference between the terms “inconceivable” and “unimaginable”.
8. Can God make an object so heavy He can’t lift it? Explain.
9. What is the first test of any statement concerning spiritual reality?
10. What about the nature of our minds is a “vastly more important limitation” than our imagination?
11. How does Sheed define Mystery?
12. What are three different approaches to dealing with the apparent contradictions in mysterious truths revealed by God?
Reflection Questions
1. On page 31 Sheed says, “...the plain truth about most of us is that we have let our intellects sink into a condition in which they do not have the muscles or the energy or the right habits for the job [of exploring reality], or any effective inclination toward it.” Do you agree with him? Why or why not? If you think he’s right about you, what resolution(s) can you make to improve your intellectual fitness?
2. Reread the first paragraph of section iii. Have you ever had your faith shattered in the way he describes?
Read Chapter 2 of Theology and Sanity, “Examination of Intellect”—pp. 30-44.
Summary:
In this chapter, Sheed takes a closer look at the intellect. He describes for us the role of the intellect in religion and then tells us of some of the intellect’s limitations. Some of these limitations are due to our bad habits; others are simply the natural limitations of the human mind. He concludes by cautioning us to be vigilant about staying intellectually fit.
Questions:
Once again, these questions are meant to help you understand the reading, not to exasperate you. If you find that you are dissatisfied with one of your answers, chances are others had similar difficulties. Make sure you mention any thing you need clarified when we go over these in class. Don’t be afraid—we’re all friends here and there’s no final…
1. What is the special function of the intellect in religion?
2. What must be “firmly put in its place” before the intellect can be trained?
Why is this so hard?
3. Define imagination. What is it limited to? Why?
4. What is spirit? What does it lack? What does it do?
5. What are some qualities of material things?
6. What are the three ways imagination interferes with intellect?
7. Explain in your own words the difference between the terms “inconceivable” and “unimaginable”.
8. Can God make an object so heavy He can’t lift it? Explain.
9. What is the first test of any statement concerning spiritual reality?
10. What about the nature of our minds is a “vastly more important limitation” than our imagination?
11. How does Sheed define Mystery?
12. What are three different approaches to dealing with the apparent contradictions in mysterious truths revealed by God?
Reflection Questions
1. On page 31 Sheed says, “...the plain truth about most of us is that we have let our intellects sink into a condition in which they do not have the muscles or the energy or the right habits for the job [of exploring reality], or any effective inclination toward it.” Do you agree with him? Why or why not? If you think he’s right about you, what resolution(s) can you make to improve your intellectual fitness?
2. Reread the first paragraph of section iii. Have you ever had your faith shattered in the way he describes?
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