At the still point of the turning world

At the still point of the turning world

From Ash Wednesday by T. S. Eliot

If the lost word is lost, if the spent word is spent

If the unheard, unspoken
Word is unspoken, unheard;
Still is the unspoken word, the Word unheard,
The Word without a word, the Word within
The world and for the world;
And the light shone in darkness and
Against the Word the unstilled world still whirled
About the centre of the silent Word.

via Ash Wednesday by T. S. Eliot.

(“The still point of the turning world” is from Eliot’s “Burnt Norton,” the Four Quartets.)

What is Eliot saying about the Word?  about the Word in an age of unbelief?  What does this have to do with Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent?

"And don't forget John R. Betz's After Enlightenment: The Post-Secular Vision of J. G. Hamann."

The Problem of Skepticism
"From your lips to God's ears - boosted by the present trajectory of the Democratic ..."

Monday Miscellany, 5/4/26
"Of course it's mechanical! He's not approaching the issue theologically.Hey, I just put the video ..."

Monday Miscellany, 5/4/26
"Sheesh, what's wrong, Willis? What earthly reason would you have for highlighting that a post ..."

Monday Miscellany, 5/4/26

Browse Our Archives

Follow Us!


TAKE THE
Religious Wisdom Quiz

Which principle does the "Golden Rule" teach?

Select your answer to see how you score.