#413: Part 2, Book 4, Gerusalemme Liberata by Torquato Tasso

Gerusalemme Liberata continues, as Armida finishes Phase 1 of her plan and moves on to Phase 2.
Book 4, Part 2
16:26.

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#412: Part 1, Book 4, Gerusalemme Liberata by Torquato Tasso

The siege of Jerusalem continues, as the wizard king of Damascus sends the Saracens an unexpected form of aid: his lovely witch niece, Armida. Yup, it’s time to unleash a one woman courtly love black ops team on the defenceless Crusaders!
Book 4, Part 1
33:37.

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#411: Part 2, “Treatise III: On the Lapsed” by St. Cyprian of Carthage

“On the Lapsed” concludes with some scary stories about receiving the Eucharist unworthily, more praise of the martyrs, and a moving call to repentance for the whole community.
I should probably explain a couple things, though. The “peace” from the martyrs was a custom where people asked those about to get martyred to forgive them their [...]

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#410: Part 1, “Treatise III: On the Lapsed” by St. Cyprian of Carthage

“Treatise III: On the Lapsed” was written immediately after a nasty period of Roman persecution. But the most discouraging thing for poor Bishop Cyprian was how many of his flock hurried to sacrifice to idols so as to keep their homes and businesses.
This is highly topical, given what happened to poor Centanni and Wiig. Thanks [...]

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#409: Part 1, “Of the Catechizing of the Unlearned” by St. Augustine

This is an interesting little piece about teaching Christianity, with some very good encouragement for speakers. It also touches on linguistics and neuro-psych, just because.
St. Augustine. Blogger born before his time.
Part 1
25:33.

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#408: Chs. 29-30, Book II, Against Heresies by St. Irenaeus of Lyons

Against Heresies continues as Irenaeus keeps pointing out that, if the Gnostics are going to claim that the Demiurge is the Creator of everything on Earth, including the Gnostics, they can hardly go around saying that the Demiurge has only an animal nature while Gnostics like them are spiritual beings.
Irenaeus also begs God’s forgiveness for [...]

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#407: Chs. 26-28, Book II, Against Heresies by St. Irenaeus of Lyons

Against Heresies continues as Irenaeus finishes off his comments on the uselessness of numerology for theological inquiry, and then breaks it to us that nobody but God is ever going to know and understand everything about Scripture or things of the spirit. Especially since the most modern science doesn’t know everything about ordinary Earth stuff [...]

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#406: Part V, Little Fuzzy by H. Beam Piper

Little Fuzzy continues as Victor Grego, planetary manager for the Company, decides to be proactive about the Fuzzies and protective of the Company’s charter. If he can just control the words, he really can control the world….
Part V
38:04.

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#405, Book 7B, The Pharsalia by Lucan

The Battle of Pharsalia plays out, and utter carnage ensues.
No, your workmates probably don’t want to hear this episode, even if it’s not quite as gory as the hand-to-hand combat at sea bit was.
No, the bit about this battle determining history “for all times” isn’t an exaggeration. Pompey and Crassus got the furthest in control [...]

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#404: Book 7A, The Pharsalia by Lucan

Pharsalia continues — or rather, the Battle of Pharsalia begins. Pompeius fears the omens and Caesar loves them, but both know the stakes are high as they speak to their men.
Chock full of quoteable (and much quoted) lines!
Book 7, Part 1
30:27.

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#345: Chs. 9-10, Book II, The Ascent of Mount Carmel by St. John of the Cross

Updated and corrected. The Ascent of Mount Carmel continues, as St. John describes how faith will lead to understanding and the union with God. Then there’s an interesting discussion of spiritual vs. natural understanding, and what types of knowledge go where.
I know a lot of this must be traditional theology/philosophy, but you don’t run [...]

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#344: Ch. 8, Book II, The Ascent of Mount Carmel by St. John of the Cross

Updated and corrected. The Ascent of Mount Carmel continues. St. John breaks it to us that no created thing (creature) and no knowledge we can comprehend is able to bring us union with God. Only God can do that, so you may as well get out of the way and let Him go at [...]

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#331: Ch. 7, Book II, The Ascent of Mount Carmel by St. John of the Cross

Updated and corrected. The Ascent of Mount Carmel continues with a discussion of how the Gospel tells us that the way to heaven is narrow and harsh. So to make it up the path and fit through the gate, we have to drop all the useless things we cling to, but which encumber us.
Chapter 7: [...]

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In Which the Podcaster Realizes the Darkness of Her Understanding

One of my gentle readers and commenters was just asking about whether, after I finished The Ascent of Mount Carmel, I intended to go on and read The Dark Night of the Soul.
Heh. Funny you should ask that, Wald.
You see, it seems that after I read Book II, Chapter VI, I somehow managed to proceed [...]

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#403: Ch. 6, The Nebuly Coat by John Meade Falkner.

The Nebuly Coat continues as we learn more of the history of Cullerne Church, spend some time in the past, go to evensong, and meet a mysterious stranger.
(I think anyone who’s been in a choir will enjoy this chapter.)
Chapter 6
30:05.

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