Reports, notes, and reflections on teaching and learning
We discuss what must happen when God creates; what must He do, and for how long? This will lead us to the famous medieval debate over the eternity of the world. So, we will: present an overview of ScG, II.28–38; consider the way in which justice and necessity are found in creation (II.28–30); sketch the … Continue reading The Possibility of An Eternal World
We are now ready to embark upon our study of ScG, Book II. We begin with ScG, II.6–27. Since this is “in the middle” of things in the Contra Gentiles itself, and at the beginning of our of course, our work is somewhat complicated. We will discuss what Book II assumes from Book I, and … Continue reading God’s Power and Creative Act
The following are notes from the first week of this semester’s seminar on the Summa contra Gentiles. The complexity of ScG (see here) suggests that we read the prooemium of the whole work in Book I alongside the prooemia specific to Books II–IV so as to get a sense of the whole. We will discuss … Continue reading The Polyvalent Hierarchy of Wisdoms
This semester, I am teaching an upper division seminar in medieval philosophy. I hope to post weekly updates and reflections based upon that course, which I have titled “Creator, Creation, and the Common Doctor: The Sapiential Cosmology of St. Thomas Aquinas.” This introduction, then, serves as “syllabus day” for the blog series. The course studies … Continue reading The Sapiential Cosmology of St. Thomas Aquinas
This January, I will be giving a series of talks here in Wichita. Register at this link! The writings of the Angelic Doctor, St. Thomas Aquinas, are replete with contemplation of God the Creator and His creation. Despite the distance of eight centuries, the study of St. Thomas’s work still gives us philosophical and theological … Continue reading Creator, Creation, & Cosmos
Update: Hittinger’s lecture is now on YouTube. In a recent lecture at the Catholic University of America, Russell Hittinger argues that “a separation” must exist between the kingdom of God and the world. The talk’s title, “How to Inherit a Kingdom,” was inspired by one of St. Augustine’s sermons directing disconsolate Christians towards their true … Continue reading Why “Integralism” and “Separation” Both Fail: A Reflection on Russell Hittinger’s “How to Inherit a Kingdom”
The queen stood on thy right hand, in gilded clothing; surrounded with variety. Psalm 44:10 St. Thomas interprets Psalm 44:10 to describe qualities of the bride of Christ, the Church. However, he also notes that the verse and the qualities of the Church “can be explained as referring to the Blessed Virgin, who is Queen … Continue reading Mary, Queen and Mother
For those interested in intellectual freedom, academic freedom, and the Catholic university, I joined Dr. Kevin Clarke on the Sed Contra podcast recently: “Truth, Freedom, and the Catholic University.” We discuss the Land O’Lakes document, definitions of intellectual freedom and academic freedom, as well as the relationship between the university and Catholic theology.
Updates: Footnote reference; medical pedagogy. Justice Clarence Thomas devotes most of his short concurrence in Dobbs v. Jackson to revisiting his longstanding opposition to substantive due process. Here is his third reason for “jettisoning the doctrine entirely”: Third, substantive due process is often wielded to “disastrous ends.” For instance, in Dred Scott v. Sandford, the … Continue reading The World after Roe-and-Casey Constitutional Geocentrism
The following is the prepared text for a lecture delivered at Anthem Preparatory Academy, a Great Hearts charter high school in Anthem, AZ. The lecture was a part of a two-day colloquium for the junior and senior class, “Making Worlds,” also with guest speaker Dr. Andrew Seeley. The texts of the colloquium were selections from … Continue reading Making Images of the Cosmos
John G. Brungardt 