This is an open-comment theology blog where I will post various theological musings, mostly in sermon or essay form, for others to read and comment on. If what I say here interests you, you may want to check out some of my books. Feel free to criticize, to critique, to comment, but keep comments to the point and respectful. Many of these posts have been published elsewhere, but I wanted them collected and made available to a wider audience.
May I suggest that MavPhil simply stop talking about Islam? I do not get that he has a very nuanced understanding of the faith. His attempts to characterize the afterlife imagined by followers of Islam come off as condescending and smacks of the learned White Man chuckling at the Dark Heathen's primitive ways. It does not further his argument in any way.
What is more I wonder if he has ever experienced one of those, "long, deep wet kisses, that last for three days." He dismisses too easily the mystical value of physical pleasures. They are a good hint of what is promised. He suggests being in love is more what this is like, and yet being in love a physical and mental experience all at once. Indeed without some sexual chemistry, I don't know how one could be in love in any real sense. His characterization is dry and smacks of a thing observed rather than lived. Again I wonder if he has ever experienced any of this.
His whole piece seems to discount much of the value of experience in this life. He only holds that some things, primarily hyper-intelectualized experiences are of any use in anticipating Heaven. I disagree. It seems to me that Heaven must be like fine chocolate, making love, mountain vistas, the birth of a child and all the rest rolled together and yet transcendent.
I'm not sure what his point is in writing this piece at all.
If no human truly knows what Heaven will hold, perhaps we should spend our time not correcting the vision each other has of that Elysium field and instead focus on loving them and showing the way to get there.
That is a good criticism Kevin, and I largely agree with it. Vallicella would likely hate my own hedonism. But that doesn't mean his position is without merit.
May I suggest that MavPhil simply stop talking about Islam? I do not get that he has a very nuanced understanding of the faith. His attempts to characterize the afterlife imagined by followers of Islam come off as condescending and smacks of the learned White Man chuckling at the Dark Heathen's primitive ways. It does not further his argument in any way.
ReplyDeleteWhat is more I wonder if he has ever experienced one of those, "long, deep wet kisses, that last for three days." He dismisses too easily the mystical value of physical pleasures. They are a good hint of what is promised. He suggests being in love is more what this is like, and yet being in love a physical and mental experience all at once. Indeed without some sexual chemistry, I don't know how one could be in love in any real sense. His characterization is dry and smacks of a thing observed rather than lived. Again I wonder if he has ever experienced any of this.
His whole piece seems to discount much of the value of experience in this life. He only holds that some things, primarily hyper-intelectualized experiences are of any use in anticipating Heaven. I disagree. It seems to me that Heaven must be like fine chocolate, making love, mountain vistas, the birth of a child and all the rest rolled together and yet transcendent.
I'm not sure what his point is in writing this piece at all.
If no human truly knows what Heaven will hold, perhaps we should spend our time not correcting the vision each other has of that Elysium field and instead focus on loving them and showing the way to get there.
That is a good criticism Kevin, and I largely agree with it. Vallicella would likely hate my own hedonism. But that doesn't mean his position is without merit.
ReplyDelete