CONTRA FATUM

"We have argued before in a certain way, and now we shall do so again, that the goal of the virtuous life is likeness to the Divinity. And yet that which is passionless and undefiled totally eludes imitation by human beings. It is quite impossible for the existence which is subject to passion to be assimilated to the nature which admits no passions. But if the Divinity 'alone' is 'blessed', as the Apostle puts it (1Tim 6,15), and sharing in beatitude belongs to human beings through their likeness to the Divinity, and imitation is not possible, then blessedness is for human life unattainable. Nevertheless there are some features of godhead which those who wish to may take as models to imitate. What are they? The Word seems to me to be using the words 'poor in spirit' to mean 'voluntary humility'. The model for this is indicated by the Apostle when he speaks of the humility of God, 'who, though he was rich, yet for our sakes became poor, so that w

“libertinism (plural libertinisms) A lifestyle or pattern of behavior characterized by self-indulgence and lack of restraint, especially one involving sexual promiscuity and rejection of religious or other moral authority.” (Wiktionary) For many, Christianity and Libertinism are indissoluble contradictions. At least for the American mind, so shaped by pietism as it is. That was my experience staying in parts of Chicago lately, where I also visited some students at Wheaton College. At Wheaton you agree not to drink or smoke while signed in. Not being a student there I enjoyed my liberty to do just that. From Denmark I’m used to what you might call Christian libertinism. Being ‘pious’ or ‘holy’ is equated with being pharasaical and self-righteous (public policies focus extensively on individual health here). Having a beer and a cig shows that at least you’re not that (which is of course also silly, if taken to the extreme, a kind of vulgar Lutheranism).