By the end of the article I found myself considering how a Protestant denomination might root itself in a renewal of Participatory Metaphysics. Most people I have heard talk about a return to the "early church" were some version of Anabaptist, so I had pretty much written off this line of thinking. C Jay seems to be offering a personal reflection, so I am probably reading too much into this, but I couldn't help consider the possibility of a revival based on the kind of theology he referenced. I, for one, wouldn't mind some Protestant Eucharist as I prepare for a Protestant Prince.
I've considered myself an Eastern Protestant, with WORD my heritage is Presbyterian, and I also love Luther; but in IMAGE I find more reality and meaning in the East, without going too far into mysticism, but in the panentheistic sense, seeing God in everything, not this world being some distant creation where God isn't really here.
I think without metaphysics, we end up rationalizing text to the point it's like studying a book in a university course rather than seeing the reality right in front of us as God's painting in real time we are participating in, He's right here right now ALIVE and we are taking part.
The magic has faded a bit with WORD only I think. I'd like to see Eastern style icons in Protestant churches, bringing back Eastern and medieval metaphysics with C.S. Lewis/Tolkien/Chesterton (Ryan Reeves lecture on the topic - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McnaNqj_vA4) understanding of symbolic worldview that someone like Jonathan Pageau talks about.
"… the world is a work of art, set before all for contemplation, so that through it the wisdom of Him who created it should be known …"
-- Basil, from Exegetical Works, On the Hexameron
“For in the true nature of things, if we rightly consider, every green tree is far more glorious than if it were made of gold and silver.”
-- Martin Luther
“Our Lord has written the promise of resurrection, not in books alone, but in every leaf in springtime.”
-- Martin Luther
Also connecting with the divine in music, someone like Schopenhauer understood music was a direct manifestation of higher truth, not just a copy of truth as a painting or sculpture was. I hope we go back to a metaphysical grasp of divine music and create to the glory of God and for the purpose of direct communion with Him. Not just singing and playing to God but God's LOGOS and presence being in the music.
“The aim and final end of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul.”
-- Johann Sebastian Bach
"For those who feel it, nothing makes the soul so religious and pure as the endeavor to create something perfect; for God is perfection, and whoever strives after it, is striving after something divine. True painting is only the image of the perfection of God, a shadow of the pencil with which he paints, a melody, a striving after harmony."
By the end of the article I found myself considering how a Protestant denomination might root itself in a renewal of Participatory Metaphysics. Most people I have heard talk about a return to the "early church" were some version of Anabaptist, so I had pretty much written off this line of thinking. C Jay seems to be offering a personal reflection, so I am probably reading too much into this, but I couldn't help consider the possibility of a revival based on the kind of theology he referenced. I, for one, wouldn't mind some Protestant Eucharist as I prepare for a Protestant Prince.
I've considered myself an Eastern Protestant, with WORD my heritage is Presbyterian, and I also love Luther; but in IMAGE I find more reality and meaning in the East, without going too far into mysticism, but in the panentheistic sense, seeing God in everything, not this world being some distant creation where God isn't really here.
I think without metaphysics, we end up rationalizing text to the point it's like studying a book in a university course rather than seeing the reality right in front of us as God's painting in real time we are participating in, He's right here right now ALIVE and we are taking part.
The magic has faded a bit with WORD only I think. I'd like to see Eastern style icons in Protestant churches, bringing back Eastern and medieval metaphysics with C.S. Lewis/Tolkien/Chesterton (Ryan Reeves lecture on the topic - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McnaNqj_vA4) understanding of symbolic worldview that someone like Jonathan Pageau talks about.
"… the world is a work of art, set before all for contemplation, so that through it the wisdom of Him who created it should be known …"
-- Basil, from Exegetical Works, On the Hexameron
“For in the true nature of things, if we rightly consider, every green tree is far more glorious than if it were made of gold and silver.”
-- Martin Luther
“Our Lord has written the promise of resurrection, not in books alone, but in every leaf in springtime.”
-- Martin Luther
Also connecting with the divine in music, someone like Schopenhauer understood music was a direct manifestation of higher truth, not just a copy of truth as a painting or sculpture was. I hope we go back to a metaphysical grasp of divine music and create to the glory of God and for the purpose of direct communion with Him. Not just singing and playing to God but God's LOGOS and presence being in the music.
“The aim and final end of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul.”
-- Johann Sebastian Bach
"For those who feel it, nothing makes the soul so religious and pure as the endeavor to create something perfect; for God is perfection, and whoever strives after it, is striving after something divine. True painting is only the image of the perfection of God, a shadow of the pencil with which he paints, a melody, a striving after harmony."
-- Michelangelo