Precisely the Thing that Led to the Secularization of Culture

On his Leaves in the Wind newsletter, David Bentley Hart recently posted a video chat with the essayist Ed Simon, in part because Hart so admired Simon's book Binding the Ghost: Theology, Mystery, and the Transcendence of Literature the last chapter which ("Binding the Ghost: On the Physicality of Literature") almost cause Hart not to … Continue reading Precisely the Thing that Led to the Secularization of Culture →

The Hagia Sophia and Secularism’s Unquestioned Authority

I'm honored to have an essay shared in Issue 6 of Jacob’s Well, the magazine of the Diocese of New York and New Jersey (OCA) published with the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Michael. This issue is focused on the topic of secularism, and my piece is entitled "The Hagia Sophia and Secularism’s Unquestioned Authority: … Continue reading The Hagia Sophia and Secularism’s Unquestioned Authority →

Praying with Nature in “The Penance of Adam and Eve”

My post about “Why Everyone (and Especially Christians) Should Believe in Fairies” has been opened over 1600 times and climbing. That is a whole lot more than most posts on this little blog. I’ve gotten some critical feedback in a few places where it was shared. However, the pushback has—predictably, I suppose, given my informal … Continue reading Praying with Nature in “The Penance of Adam and Eve” →

Holy Fooldom Versus the Modern Nation State: All of Human History in the Eyes of David Bentley Hart

[Note: reposted from an original 2021/07/10 share on my personal blog. Also note that David Bentley Hart wrote this kind note to me in response to this essay (2021/07/19): “By the way, Jesse, I was given a link to your blog article about my Sloterdijk piece and the Monkey King (etc.). It was very well … Continue reading Holy Fooldom Versus the Modern Nation State: All of Human History in the Eyes of David Bentley Hart →