I’m really pleased to report that the excellent New York Times blog Happy Days—a series of reflections on “the pursuit of what matters in troubled times”—has just posted an essay of mine: “The Self-Thinking Thought.” It’s a reflection on my experience spending part of a summer with St. Anselm, the 11th-century monk-turned-archbishop who introduced the ontological proof for the existence of God to Latin Europe.
So the ontological proof is what matters in troubled times? Yeah, I guess that’s what I’m saying.
It was the year 1077, at the monastery of Bec in what is now northern France. Anselm was happy. “The grace of God shone on his heart, the whole matter became clear to his mind, and a great joy and jubilation filled his inmost being,” his friend and biographer Eadmer would later write.
Head over to the Times to read more. And here’s another reason. Not only will you see my first essay to appear in that hallowed publication; you’ll see my first illustration as well!
Comments
4 responses to “The Pleasure of Proof”
What, then, is the difference between the *Proslogion* and, say, *In Search of Lost Time*? Out of memories, hopes, and loved ones, Proust stitched together a consummate work of art, whose existence no Atheist can doubt.
I was just reading the Happy Days blog. Midway through – at the illustration, actually – I realized it’s your post. Nice!
Nathan!
Come back to the Faith!! He gave you the grace to convert to Catholicism and now you’ve fallen into confusion?! Don’t let the devil win! I suggest opening up your heart and mind to God again. Start praying if you don’t already! Go to Confession then start going to Mass again. Come back to the abundant Grace of the Sacraments. You have already found the Fullness of Truth. Stop searching. Eventually, perhaps when you’re an old man, you will realize that the Catholic Church had it all along! Don’t wait until then! Come home now! He can do great things with you if you just let Him. In turn, He gives you the entirety of Himself and eternal life! Please email me with any questions. You are in my prayers.
In the Eucharistic Heart of Christ,
Maria Gagliano
maria.s.gagliano@vanderbilt.edu
[…] again in the New York Times Happy Days blog, I’m testing myself. Last time, I was testing my faith. This time, it’s my trigger finger: I’ve always really liked guns. […]