Author Archives: Matthew Phillips

The Martyr Remains

Posted on July 5, 2022 by Matthew Phillips

“[The psalmist] says next: the back of his back is like pale gold.  Better pale gold than glittering brass: ‘the foolishness of God is wiser than men.’ Gold is the Word, gold is wisdom.  This gold discolored itself, concealing the … Continue reading →

Posted in Bernard of Clairvaux, Cross, gospel, Love, martyrdom, medieval, theology | Leave a comment

A Pride So Great

Posted on June 20, 2022 by Matthew Phillips

“The third reason [for Christ’s advent] is for our advantage, so that [Christ] would make satisfaction for the first lie. Moreover, that lie was a pride so great that the man (homo) might lift up himself in the mind even … Continue reading →

Posted in Christ, Cross, medieval, Peter Lombard, pride, Ralph Ardent, theology | Leave a comment

The Blood of Abel

Posted on June 9, 2022 by Matthew Phillips

This painting comes from late medieval Strasbourg (c. 1410) It is currently in an art museum in Colmar, Alsace (France). Source of Image This image demonstrates the summation of medieval Christian piety with the bleeding, dying Jesus and the compassionate … Continue reading →

Posted in Christ, Cross, medieval, Peter of Blois, preaching, theology | Leave a comment

History As a Good or Bad Medicine

Posted on May 13, 2022 by Matthew Phillips

“In the same way political history is also made up of three parts.  The first consists of the industrious study and collation of documents; the second is topographical and includes the survey of cities, places, rivers, harbours, and in general … Continue reading →

Posted in history, Polybius, Rome | Leave a comment

Imagining the Enemy

Posted on May 1, 2022 by Matthew Phillips

“Disturbing news has emerged from Jerusalem and the city of Constantinople and is now constantly at the forefront of our mind: namely that the race of Persians, a foreign people and a people rejected by God, indeed a generation that … Continue reading →

Posted in Crusades, First Crusade, medieval, Urban II | Leave a comment

Winning Hearts and Minds

Posted on March 19, 2022 by Matthew Phillips

On March 6, 1522, Martin Luther returned permanently after an approximately ten-month stay in the Wartburg Castle.  The electoral duke of Saxony, Frederick the Wise, had sent Luther to the Wartburg after the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V, issued the … Continue reading →

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

Universal Nature and Injustice

Posted on February 20, 2022 by Matthew Phillips

“Injustice is sin. When universal Nature has constituted rational creatures for the sake of each other–to benefit one another as deserved, but never to harm–anyone contravening her will is clearly guilty of sin against the oldest of the gods: because … Continue reading →

Posted in justice, Marcus Aurelius, reason | Leave a comment

Trust the Science

Posted on January 17, 2022 by Matthew Phillips

“Then came the explosion of this myth.  It climaxed in the horrors of Nagasaki and Hiroshima and in the fierce fury of fifty-megaton bombers.  Now we have come to see that science can give us only physical power, which if … Continue reading →

Posted in Martin Luther King Jr, theology | Leave a comment

God Descends into Dust

Posted on December 14, 2021 by Matthew Phillips

“Majesty compressed himself to join to our dust the best thing he had, which is himself.  God and dust, majesty and weakness, utter lowliness and utter sublimity  were united in a single person.  Nothing is more sublime than God, nothing … Continue reading →

Posted in Bernard of Clairvaux, Christ, Christmas, Incarnation, theology | Leave a comment

God Crowns His Own Gifts

Posted on November 23, 2021 by Matthew Phillips

One day someone asked Martin Luther whether godly persons should expect merit for their good works that result from their justification.  Luther answered that even the justified were still sinners, who pray for forgiveness and live under grace.  While God … Continue reading →

Posted in Augustine of Hippo, justice, Martin Luther | Leave a comment