Learn to discern. We all know what sin is, right? Right?! Once upon a time in the desert , the hermit Evagrius Ponticus (d. 399) set out to make a list of the most deadly ones, albeit he called them “deadly thoughts,” not “sins.” You probably know the list, even if you don’t think you do: gluttony, impurity (a.k.a. lust), avarice (a.k.a. greed), sadness (a.k.a. feeling sorry for oneself), anger or wrath, acedia or sloth, vainglory, and pride (two different things). Not quite the list you were expecting? That is because some centuries later—we’re talking ancient times here, when centuries passed like decades do now (or vice versa)—Pope Gregory the Great (d. 604) revised the list, somewhat accidentally, in his commentary on Job. Gregory had been expounding Job according to its multiple layers—yes, that’s right! Job, like Shrek, has layers! —and he happened somewhere in book XXXI to mention the “seven principle vices” to which Pride, the “Queen of Sins” gives rise: Vainglory, Envy,
Brilliant work! Thank you Prof. Rachel/Prof. Fencing Bear.
ReplyDeleteVery excited about the course.
Dion
For a decade or more now I have wondered what was the name of a children's novel set in medieval times and had such fascinating details on the wool and cloth trade. Now I know. The Wool Pack! Thank you for including it in your reading list. My frustrated wonderings are satisfied.
ReplyDeleteI also enjoyed the Cadfael books (and the TV series). Another enjoyable medieval whodunnit series has a nun as detective. The Dame Frevisse series by Margaret Frazer