Author Archives: Matthew Phillips

Unknowingly Righteous

Posted on October 31, 2014 by Matthew Phillips

“For inasmuch as the saints are always aware of their sin and seek righteousness from God in accord with His mercy, for this very reason they are always also regarded as righteous by God.  Thus in their own sight and … Continue reading →

Posted in gospel, Martin Luther, Reformation, theology | Leave a comment

The Drunken Effects of Reading

Posted on October 4, 2014 by Matthew Phillips

“Reading sharpens perception, adds new dimensions of understanding, kindles an ardent desire to learn, affords fluency, warms the lukewarm enthusiasm of the mind, casts out sluggishness, tears away the web of lust, excites groans of the heart, coaxes forth tears, … Continue reading →

Posted in Alan of Lille, Learning, reading, reason, wisdom | Leave a comment

An Exhortation to Learning

Posted on September 22, 2014 by Matthew Phillips

“So learn as though you were to live forever. So live as though you were about to die tomorrow…..Seneca says, ‘Life without letters is death and the tomb of the living man’…and elsewhere: ‘I would rather learn from others with … Continue reading →

Posted in Alan of Lille, Learning, liberal arts, teaching | Leave a comment

Luther on Spiritual Healing

Posted on September 17, 2014 by Matthew Phillips

“People who have gone through spiritual trials know how necessary it is to support their heart with a sure and strong comfort that will finally bring them back to the hope of grace and help them to forget wrath.  Often … Continue reading →

Posted in depression, Martin Luther | Leave a comment

Bernard’s Memoria

Posted on August 20, 2014 by Matthew Phillips

“Preserve without fail the memory of all those bitter things he endured for you, persevere in meditating on him and you in turn will be able to say: ‘My beloved is to me a little bunch of myrrh that lies … Continue reading →

Posted in Bernard of Clairvaux, memory, philosophy | 2 Comments

Augustine’s Conversion: A Severe Mercy

Posted on August 18, 2014 by Matthew Phillips

“Such was my sickness and my torture, as I accused myself even more bitterly than usual.  I was twisting and turning in my chain until it would break completely.  I was now only a little bit held by it, but … Continue reading →

Posted in Augustine of Hippo, conversion, will | Leave a comment

Augustine’s Sin and the Struggle of Wills

Posted on August 1, 2014 by Matthew Phillips

“The enemy had a grip on my will and so made a chain for me to hold me a prisoner.  The consequence of a distorted will is passion.  By servitude to passion, habit is formed, and habit to which there … Continue reading →

Posted in Augustine of Hippo, conversion, virtue, will | Leave a comment

Boethius on Good Fortune

Posted on July 15, 2014 by Matthew Phillips

“What I want to tell you is something wonderful, which makes it very difficult for me to put it into words.  For I think that ill fortune is better for men than good.  Fortune always cheats when she seems to … Continue reading →

Posted in Boethius, government, philosophy, teaching | Leave a comment

Augustine on Learning and the Human Teacher

Posted on July 12, 2014 by Matthew Phillips

“My argument is with Christians who congratulate themselves on a knowledge of the holy scriptures gained without any human guidance and who–if their claim is valid–thus enjoy a real and substantial blessing.  But they must admit that each one of … Continue reading →

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Locke on Parents, Children, Liberty, and Natural Law

Posted on July 5, 2014 by Matthew Phillips

“55. Children, I confess, are not born in this full state of equality, though they are born to it.  Their parents have a sort of rule and jurisdiction over them when they come into the world, and for some time … Continue reading →

Posted in education, John Locke, justice, nature, reason | Leave a comment