Author Archives: Matthew Phillips

Humanity as God’s Creation

Posted on April 20, 2014 by Matthew Phillips

“Nature, that is, God, made man a composite of two parts, one celestial and divine, the other most beautiful and noble among mortal things.  He provided him with a form and a body suited to every sort of movement, so … Continue reading →

Posted in Leon Battista Alberti, memory, reason, Renaissance | Leave a comment

History and the Orator

Posted on March 26, 2014 by Matthew Phillips

“He [the orator] should also be acquainted with the history of the events of past ages, particularly, of course, of our state, but also of imperial nations and famous kings….To be ignorant of what occurred before you were born is … Continue reading →

Posted in Cicero, history | Leave a comment

Erasmus on Reason, Speech, and Friendship

Posted on March 9, 2014 by Matthew Phillips

“Man possesses a unifying principle in the fact that he is molded to the same figure and form and endowed with the same power of speech.  Whereas beasts differ in the variety of their shapes, man is identical with fellow … Continue reading →

Posted in Cicero, Erasmus, reason | Leave a comment

The Miseries of the Republic

Posted on February 19, 2014 by Matthew Phillips

“Sallust has given a brief sketch of the miseries of the republic in that long period, in all the years down to the Second Punic War, troubled by incessant wars abroad, and at home by continued civil strife and disharmony. … Continue reading →

Posted in Augustine of Hippo, Rome, Sallust | Leave a comment

Melanchthon on the Sacraments

Posted on February 11, 2014 by Matthew Phillips

“Sacraments are signs of God’s will toward us, not simply signs of the people’s will among themselves, and so it is right to define the New Testament sacraments as signs of grace.  A sacrament consists of two parts, the sign … Continue reading →

Posted in Apology of Augsburg Confession, Augsburg Confession, Augustine of Hippo, Book of Concord, Martin Luther, Philip Melanchthon, sacraments | Tagged | Leave a comment

The Difference between Human Nature and Beasts

Posted on January 25, 2014 by Matthew Phillips

“From the beginning nature has assigned to every type of creature the tendency to preserve itself, its life and body, and to reject anything that seems likely to harm them, seeking and procuring everything necessary for life, such as nourishment, … Continue reading →

Posted in Cicero, nature, reason | Leave a comment

Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Divine Law

Posted on January 20, 2014 by Matthew Phillips

“One may well ask, ‘How can you advocate breaking some laws and obeying others?’ The answer is found in the fact that there are two types of laws: there are just laws, and there are unjust laws. I would agree … Continue reading →

Posted in Augustine of Hippo, Martin Luther King Jr, Politics, Thomas Aquinas | Leave a comment

A Good Prince Must know Geography & History

Posted on December 18, 2013 by Matthew Phillips

“Although the writers of antiquity divided the whole theory of state government into two sections, war and peace, the first and most objective is the instruction of the prince in the matter of ruling wisely during times of peace, in … Continue reading →

Posted in Erasmus, government, history | Leave a comment

Loyalty and Friendship

Posted on December 6, 2013 by Matthew Phillips

“Now the support and stay of that unswerving constancy, which we look for in friendship, is loyalty; for nothing is constant that is disloyal.  Moreover, the right course is to choose for a friend one who is frank, sociable, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Cicero, friendship | Leave a comment

Cicero on Friendship

Posted on December 1, 2013 by Matthew Phillips

“For friendship is nothing else than an accord in all things, human and divine, conjoined with mutual goodwill and affection, and I am inclined to think that, with the exception of wisdom, no better thing has been given to man … Continue reading →

Posted in Cicero, friendship, virtue | Leave a comment