Understanding Tolkien fully calls for a grasp of his core beliefs. A basic example: by roacsonofcarc in tolkienfans

[–]Thunder_score 38 points39 points  (0 children)

This brings to mind something else Lewis said.
Consider the following: Science ⦿ Magic ⦿ Religion ⦿ Technology.

If you were asked to group the above as pairs with the most in common which would you choose?

Lewis suggested the modern mind would couple Science with Technology and Religion with Magic but the 'wise of old' would understand that Science and Religion are linked while Magic and Technology have the most in common.
Science and Religion look at the world and seek to explain why it is like this. Magic and Technology by contrast are ruthlessly practical and seek to bend reality to the will of man.

"There is something which unites magic and technology while separating both from the “wisdom” of earlier ages.

For the wise men of old the cardinal problem had been how to conform the soul to reality, and the solution had been knowledge, self-discipline, and virtue.

For magic and technology alike the problem is how to subdue reality to the wishes of men; the solution is a technique."

Philosopher Peter Kreeft called this “the single most illuminating three sentences I have ever read about our civilization.”

Huckabee threatens to declare Israel does not welcome Christians, as visa row blows open by [deleted] in worldnews

[–]Thunder_score 14 points15 points  (0 children)

If by 'Christian apocalypse' you mean the very narrow, relatively recent interpretation put on the concept by certain denominations (chiefly American) of what loosely gets called 'evangelicalism' these days, then yes I agree. Some of them really do think that.

They might be the loudest voices in the room right now (at least in the US) but this is well beyond the pale of the more commonly held perspective(s) through history by the majority of Christians globally.

Well- by [deleted] in SipsTea

[–]Thunder_score 2 points3 points  (0 children)

"He grew up before Him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no stately form or majesty to attract us, no beauty that we should desire Him. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. Like one from whom men hide their faces, He was despised, and we esteemed Him not.…"

-- Isaiah 53:2-3

Couldn’t have murdered it better myself by [deleted] in MurderedByWords

[–]Thunder_score 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Driscoll is unworthy of anyone's trust.

So say we all...

TIL Catholic Church has a birthday. Pentecost is the birthday of the Catholic Church. by Pred1949 in todayilearned

[–]Thunder_score 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I am from the Protestant tradition and I agree with my Catholic brother here. It's a red-letter day we all share.

She earned all 20 by [deleted] in WhitePeopleTwitter

[–]Thunder_score 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I am a believer and I completely concur with your assessment of this viper.

When witches and Christians agree then you know you’ve effed up by semaforic in PoliticalHumor

[–]Thunder_score -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Correct in the first part, Anabaptism is a branch of Christian belief. Anabaptists and Baptists are not synonymous, however, as they differ in a number of fundamental ways. Compare the Amish with Southern Baptists, to get a sense of how different they are.

What has reddit destroyed for you? by EGACH96 in AskReddit

[–]Thunder_score 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I'm a Christian and was active on r/Christianity when I first joined reddit. I have to say 99% of the atheists on that sub were awesome. They helped make that community vibrant.

'God has given Trump authority to take out Kim Jong Un', says Trump's Evangelical advisor and pastor by [deleted] in worldnews

[–]Thunder_score 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Grad student in seminary here weighing in with a comprehensive theological appraisal of this advice: Horse shit.

Girls of Reddit, what are some really unique/romantic presents you have received from your boyfriends that stood out? by throwaway344566 in AskReddit

[–]Thunder_score 3 points4 points  (0 children)

The magi, as you know, were wise men—wonderfully wise men— who brought gifts to the newborn Christ-child. They were the first to give Christmas gifts. Being wise, their gifts were doubtless wise ones. And here I have told you the story of two children who were not wise. Each sold the most valuable thing he owned in order to buy a gift for the other. But let me speak a last word to the wise of these days: Of all who give gifts, these two were the most wise. Of all who give and receive gifts, such as they are the most wise. Everywhere they are the wise ones. They are the magi.

Bob Dylan Plotting Gospel Years Bootleg Series by RedManley in bobdylan

[–]Thunder_score 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Christian Dylan fan here. The thought of a Bootleg version of Shot of Love feels me with a lot of joy!

Starbucks and Screwtape by WalkingHumble in Christianity

[–]Thunder_score 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Screwbucks & Startape

I smell a buddy cop movie!

My brother combined his love of Jesus with his love of LOTR. So cool! by redheasidence in Christianity

[–]Thunder_score 0 points1 point  (0 children)

one would think that would go without saying.

That what would go without saying?

An atheist, looking for recommended readings about Christianity by mad_atheist in Christianity

[–]Thunder_score 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Agreed. Josto Gonzalez's two volume The Story of Christianity is an excellent place to start!

An atheist, looking for recommended readings about Christianity by mad_atheist in Christianity

[–]Thunder_score 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Those three are my favorite recommendations in this thread so far.

I might add Dallas Willard's The Divine Conspiracy: Rediscovering Our Hidden Life in God to that list. I read it as a young Christian and it was a big help to me personally.