Saturday, June 15, 2019

Plato on knowledge, justice and wisdom


What follows was inspired by reflection on some words found in a sermon, 'On idolls and Images', given by Roger Edgeworth, circa 1540.
Science remoued from iustice is rather to be called wylynes then science -(sic) -

A translation of - 'sciencia, que est remota a iustitia calliditas potius quam cientia est appellanda'. This phrase was written by Plato and is quoted in context by Cicero.
'Praeclarum igitur illud Platonis: "Non," inquit, "solum scientia, quae est remota ab iustitia calliditas potius quam sapientia est appellanda, verum etiam animus paratus ad periculum, si sua cupiditate, non utilitate communi impellitur, audaciae potius nomen habeat, quam fortitudinis." Itaque viros fortes et magnanimos eosdem bonos et simplices, veritatis amicos minimeque fallaces esse volumus; quae sunt ex media laude iustitiae.'

A good translation follows:
This, then, is a fine saying of Plato's: "Not only must all knowledge that is divorced from justice be called cunning rather than wisdom," he says, "but even the courage that is prompt to face danger, if it is inspired not by public spirit, but by its own selfish purposes, should have the name of effrontery rather than of courage." And so we demand that men who are courageous and high-souled shall at the same time be good and straightforward, lovers of truth, and foes to deception; for these qualities are the centre and soul of justice.

Remarquable est donc de Platon: "Non," dit-il, «seulement la science, qui est divorcé de la justice doit être appelé la ruse plutôt que la sagesse, mais aussi la volonté de danger, et si son désir, non pas pour le bien public est entraîné, le nom peut avoir une audace plutôt dans le visage, que de courage . "Les hommes magnanimes et vaillant, et ceux de la bonne, par conséquent, la simple vérité d'amour à la tromperie et ce sont des louanges milieu de la justice. - Google translation

Notable es, pues, de Platón: "No," dijo él, "sólo la ciencia, que está divorciada de la justicia se llama astucia en lugar de sabiduría, pero también la voluntad de peligro, y si es su deseo, no al bienestar público es conducido, el nombre puede tener un atrevido y no en la cara, que de la fortaleza . "Hombres magnánimo y valiente, y las de los buenos, por lo tanto, la simple, amante de la verdad al engaño y estos son de la alabanza medio de la justicia. - Google translation


Science without justice is but cunning or craftiness ...
Or to give a modern interpretation...
Science divorced from truth is rather to be called politics...

Wednesday, August 1, 2018

Mental Health and Apologetics

Hope in the Darkness of Mental Illness - from

It’s a statistic often quoted in the UK: In any given year, one in four of us will experience some kind of mental health struggle. We have an epidemic on our hands. Already mental illness is the most common cause of work absence in Britain and, globally, it constitutes the largest single source of world economic burden ($2.5 trillion per year). If you aren’t struggling with mental illness, someone close to you is. 

How should we respond in the church? Here’s one suggestion: apologetics. Not “destroy your opponent in debate” apologetics, but apologetics of the true 1 Peter 3:15 kind. In the midst of struggle and despair, we’re to share “reasons for the hope that is in us.”
This approach helps those who are suffering, and it also makes for effective evangelism.

If I speak at an event titled “Answering Thorny Questions,” people come looking for a fight.
If we do an evening titled “Hope in the Darkness,” people come for help, and in Jesus there’s abundant and unparalleled help. At these events I sometimes show a five-minute video featuring Stephen Fry, an actor and comedian with bipolar disorder. He’s an atheist, but I find his analysis of mental illness profoundly illuminating. His solutions, however, are lacking, so we turn to the Bible in search of better ones. Fry likens our psychological state to the weather. If it’s pouring rain, there’s no point in denying reality or shaking your fist at the heavens. The rain is falling. You’re getting wet. That’s a fact. When it comes to a depressive state, the feelings are real and need to be acknowledged. 

The Scriptures affirm the reality of terrible feelings. One-third of Psalms can be categorized as psalms of lament. Psalm 88—the one that ends “darkness is my closest friend”—includes lines like this: “I am overwhelmed with troubles and my life draws near to death” (v. 3).

- for more from this article see hope-in-the-darkness-of-mental-illness .


Saturday, July 28, 2018

Why is there no theology of mental health? Are our theologians asleep?

I cringe when I hear friends say that mental illness is not real and that it's just an excuse to avoid responsibility.
 
 
 
Yet there appears to be no Canadian College or University offering any easily accessible course opportunities for Christians to reflect upon their own experience with mental health issues.
 
There are scarcely any efforts being made, in this country, to articulate or develop a theology of mental health. Why is this?