tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683970826895755480.post2140140075090102026..comments2024-03-28T14:16:42.371+00:00Comments on Bruce Charlton's Notions: How to corrupt a whole civilization - the ratchet of corruptionBruce Charltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09615189090601688535noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683970826895755480.post-62471125344003245272012-01-04T03:54:44.454+00:002012-01-04T03:54:44.454+00:00Great blog Charlton. Splendid.Great blog Charlton. Splendid.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683970826895755480.post-72641860283506550822012-01-02T21:37:25.374+00:002012-01-02T21:37:25.374+00:00My thought (or as we moderns say, "personal e...My thought (or as we moderns say, "personal experience") on this - another way that the devil dissuades from repentance is by making it looks laughable; exploiting the human fear of being made to look like a fool. This works for the one who seeks but is not sure. <br /><br />Do you repent because you believe there is a church that asks you to in the name of truth? But only look at how all these churches are themselves divided, conquered, and filled with those who would find your repentance laughable.<br /><br />Newman asked Catholics to examine themselves in the light of what they would have lost if Christianity was not true. That question is even stronger now, but to the opposite end that Newman meant it. <br /><br />I find it is even a potent way for doubt to creep in the mind of reader of old holy works, one who is free of all the 'modern immunizations against Christianity' you noted. Because if the various Christians of older ages were so sure that there would always be a Church for men to turn to as a solution for the pitfalls of liberalism and nihilism as a way of life, and were wrong about that and thus do not speak to us directly any more, what else might they be wrong about? And wouldn't you look such a fool?Pendanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683970826895755480.post-45896941975361200032012-01-02T19:10:38.835+00:002012-01-02T19:10:38.835+00:00Thanks Bruce. This is a good one for me today.
&q...Thanks Bruce. This is a good one for me today.<br /><br />"It's so easy for Screwtape now!"<br /><br />Of all the memorable images, thoughts, and bon mots from that book, I think the one that sticks with me most is the bit from the bit "Screwtape Proposes a Toast" that was added on later in some editions.<br /><br />Screwtape talks about the blandness of the souls upon which the demons are dining. So much grey, blobby pabulum it seems. And this was, of course, 50 years ago and more. Now, I think of the tens and tens of millions of tv addicts, petty diddlers, and muttering resenters. Hundreds of millions, perhaps, barely distinguishable from one another on the big banquet table below.<br /><br />For me, the best way to incite some repentance in my own heart is the simple thought that, indeed, Someone cares about this sin. Someone knows about it and actually cares.Danielhttp://outofsleep.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.com