As soon as David becomes king (1 Chronicles 13), he wants to bring the ark of God into Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 14). His plan comes to an abrupt halt when Yahweh kills Uzza fir stretching out a hand to touch the ark. The ark disappears from view for a chapter, and then David successfully brings the ark into the city in 1 Chronicles 16. One suspects a chiasm. One is not disappointed. A. First attempt to transport the ark, 1... Read more
Maitre Frenhofer stands with Pygmalion and Orpheus in the pantheon of influential fictional artists. The painter of the Unknown Masterpiece (or Unrecognized Masterpiece) in Balzac’s Le Chef-d’œuvre inconnu, Frenhofer’s utter devotion to his art inspired Cezanne, Picasso, and Rilke. The best-known testimony comes from Emile Bernard’s recollection of Cezanne: “One evening when I was speaking to him about The Unknown Masterpiece and of Frenhofer, the hero of Balzac’s drama, he got up from the table, planted himself before me, and,... Read more
In Psalm 139, David says that darkness and light are alike to God, night bright as the day (v. 12). Such a God can form a man in a secret place (v. 15). A God for whom night shines is a God who sees what cannot be seen, David’s golem (“unformed substance,” v. 16); He is a God for whom the dark future is already fixed in His book (v. 16). David’s way of describing his own formation is notable.... Read more
In Psalm 139, David says that darkness and light are alike to God, night bright as the day (v. 12). Such a God can form a man in a secret place (v. 15). A God for whom night shines is a God who sees what cannot be seen, David’s golem (“unformed substance,” v. 16); He is a God for whom the dark future is already fixed in His book (v. 16). David’s way of describing his own formation is notable.... Read more
It may look quaint to contemporary Christians, but once upon a time there were vigorous debates about the proper posture for receiving communion. Puritans and Presbyterians objected to the custom of kneeling to receive the elements, arguing that it perpetuated the Catholic practice of venerating the consecrated Host. In a homily delivered to Edward VI, John Hooper declared, “The outward behavior and gesture of the receiver should want all kind of suspicion, shew, or inclination of idolatry. Wherefore seeing kneeling... Read more
It may look quaint to contemporary Christians, but once upon a time there were vigorous debates about the proper posture for receiving communion. Puritans and Presbyterians objected to the custom of kneeling to receive the elements, arguing that it perpetuated the Catholic practice of venerating the consecrated Host. In a homily delivered to Edward VI, John Hooper declared, “The outward behavior and gesture of the receiver should want all kind of suspicion, shew, or inclination of idolatry. Wherefore seeing kneeling... Read more
In his study of the Symbolism of the Christian Temple, Jean Hani offers a brief analysis of the “numerical harmonies” of the Troyes Cathedral. The main building is constructed according to ancient “golden” proportions, but this is overlaid by “a yet more mysterious [harmony] of a mystical order” (29). It’s constructed according to a numerology largely based on the book of Revelation: The height of the choir keystone, when reduced to feet and inches, as it should be, is 88... Read more
In his study of the Symbolism of the Christian Temple, Jean Hani offers a brief analysis of the “numerical harmonies” of the Troyes Cathedral. The main building is constructed according to ancient “golden” proportions, but this is overlaid by “a yet more mysterious [harmony] of a mystical order” (29). It’s constructed according to a numerology largely based on the book of Revelation: The height of the choir keystone, when reduced to feet and inches, as it should be, is 88... Read more
On his web site, CJ Labuschagne analyzes the five books of the Psalter and each of the first 41 Psalms (Book 1). His analyses require a knowledge of Hebrew and get complicated and technical. The payoff is worth the effort. Where else can you find anything like the following analysis of Psalm 1? “Since the 15-word inner core falls within the middle strophe (v. 3), it cannot be excluded that the author intended the entire v. 3 to be the... Read more
On his web site, CJ Labuschagne analyzes the five books of the Psalter and each of the first 41 Psalms (Book 1). His analyses require a knowledge of Hebrew and get complicated and technical. The payoff is worth the effort. Where else can you find anything like the following analysis of Psalm 1? “Since the 15-word inner core falls within the middle strophe (v. 3), it cannot be excluded that the author intended the entire v. 3 to be the... Read more
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