15 Tuesday May 2012
“In love did God bring the world into existence; in love is God going to bring it to that wondrous transformed state, and in love will the world be swallowed up in the great mystery of the One who has performed all these things; in love will the whole course of the governance of creation be finally comprised.”
St. Isaac the Syrian is my favourite Christian writer, and I’d like to share some of his thoughts with you occasionally. This is my favourite:
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All Along the Watchtower 
Has you got a book wiv dis chap’s writings in it, Jessicca? Where did you find dat quote?
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It is in Isaac of Nineveh, part II by Sebastian Brock, chapter xxxviii, page 160
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Hi Jessica. Sebastian Brock is a superb scholar. Have you read his book on St Ephrem the Syrian. Its entitled. “the Luminous Eye.”
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Yes, I have. St. Ephrem’s poetry is so evocative. The Syriac tradition is one which appeals to me so much.
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It does to me as well. I discovered St Ephrem’s lovely poems about two years ago.
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I love his poetry, and also the writings of St. Isaac. The writings of St. Gregory Nazianzus also, I find, contain much that moves me.
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Jessica I can recommend “Ephrem the Syrian – Hymns.” Its published by The Classics of Western Christianity. Over 450 pages of wonderful spiritual poems translated by Kathleen McVey. She has written a first class introduction which in many ways complements Sebastian Brock’s Luminous Eye. The hymns are complete and include St Ephrem’s Hymns on the Nativity & The Hymns on Virginity and the Symbols of the Church. I ordered it from Amazon about six months ago at a very reasonable cost. I keep it by my bedside and often dip into it on waking and before sleeping. St Ephrem had a wonderful sense of humour. You won’t be disappointed. Being a lover of poetry St Ephrem has an enormous appeal to me.
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Thank you Malcolm – with a recommendation like that, I shall be buying it. xx Jess
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Hope everything’s OK with you malcolm !!
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jabbapapa
Thank you for asking. I appreciate it. For the time being I must resist the temptation to comment on Damian’s Blogs because whatever I say doesn’t really represent my real convictions and spiritual thoughts. It was good to see Jessica’s comments on The Cardinal is Right Blog. I have a lot of time for Tim Stanley. His views are sound and sensible.
Damians’ Blogs really mix me up and so do many of the commenters, conservative and liberal. I find myself saying things and expressing views that are not my true position re’ the faith. Believe it or not I’m actually traditional despite remaining in the Anglican fold.
Damian’s blogs seem to go around in circles without getting anywhere.
Anyway bless you for your inquiry. I’m fine.
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Malcolm, Damian’s blogs are a place of spiritual warfare, and not for those unsuited for warfare.
Being morally unable to post there is actually cause for joy, it’s that bad a place !!
Unless you’re especially protected from Satan, that blog can lead you into his arms.
Most sensible Christians do the right thing — and just run away !!
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jabba
You’ve confirmed what I’ve suspected all along. Thank you. Its no place for me and its actually caused me much unhappiness in the past.
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I loves Jessicca’s thuoghtful blogg, and I aint gonna spiol it by quarrelin wiv people.
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Darling eccles, that is sooo sweet of you. I did put, in the ‘about’ bit, that those that wanted a row could go to the DT! xx Jess
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£214 for a second-hand copy of Isaac of Nineveh, Part II, on Amazon.
But then only £3 for something called “The Wisdom of Saint Isaac the Syrian” also translated by Sebastian Brock. So I bought that.
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Yes, the price is ridiculous. The other book is a set of snippets, but better than nothing. I am fortunate in that my brother-in-law has an extensive library! xx Jess.
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