From Bossuet's Elevations on the Mysteries: O God! unbelief reigns on the earth. We are no longer wicked out of weakness; it is by design; we are by principle, by our sayings. Send us some John the Baptist who confounds error, who shows that unbelievers are senseless. Bring them back to real prudence, these unbelievers …
The Preaching of St. John the Baptist — The Bossuet Project
These elevations are about St. John the Baptist’s preaching, discussing the time before Our Lord came to him for his own baptism. Bossuet also discusses John’s place in Old Testament prophecy. The elevations are as follows: The Preaching of Saint John the Baptist. 1, The word of God is addressed to him. The Preaching of Saint […]The …
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The Hidden Life of Jesus Until His Baptism
This section of the Elevations concentrates on Jesus’ growing up years, and specifically the one incident that is recorded in the Gospel: his visit to Jerusalem, his separation from his parents, his time in the Temple with the Jewish sages, and his reunion with his parents. The weeks are as follows: The hidden life of …
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Beginning of the Persecutions of the Child Jesus
These elevations concern Jesus’ escape into Egypt from Herod’s clutches, the massacre of the Innocents, and his return to Galilee. In the process …Beginning of the Persecutions of the Child Jesus
The Why and How of Translating Elevations on the Mysteries
Translating Elevations on the Mysteries has been a major project for me, now it is done. Some explanation as to why I did it and how I did it is in …The Why and How of Translating Elevations on the Mysteries
Continuation on the Mysteries of the Childhood of Jesus Christ
As the title implies, these elevations expound on events after the birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ, mostly concerning the visit of the Magi. …Continuation on the Mysteries of the Childhood of Jesus Christ
Our Goal in Life is Really, Truly to be Happy
Barna's people find such a statement depressing: While focusing on career data and a shifting workforce, Barna's vocation project found something troubling in the church, Christians are pursuing happiness instead of Christ."It's not a sustaining framework to just chase after happiness, that's so circumstantial," said Dr. Stephanie Shackelford, author of You on Purpose."I think what …
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Winning the Lost is Better Than Counting Them
Recently I commented on a post by Dr. Larry Chapp on his back and forth with Ralph Martin on the number of people who will end up in Hell. My response to this was as follows, from Bossuet's Elevations: As far as the number of people who are going to Hell, probably the best response …
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“I did not take pen in hand to teach you the thoughts of men…”
It's one of Bossuet's most famous quotations, and in my opinion his best. It comes from his discussion of the nature of the Magi, some of which is here: The Magi, are they absolute kings or dependent on a greater empire? or are they only great lords, which gave them the name of kings, according …
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Elevations on the Birth of Jesus Christ
This is a “well worn” path for the Christmas season. In addition to that, there are two distinctly Catholic (well, at least one) themes that Bossuet explores: the perpetual virginity of Mary and the poverty of Jesus as an example to his followers. The elevations here are as follows: Elevations on the Birth of Jesus …
Positive Infinity 