Ramon Llull: A Pioneer of Catalan Prose and Medieval Thought
Ramon Llull: Life and Work
Ramon Llull was the first to write literary prose in Catalan. He was also the first writer to use a Romance language to discuss cultured issues, previously reserved for Latin, such as philosophy, theology, and education. He was born around 1232 in Mallorca, the son of a noble family from Barcelona who arrived on the island after the conquest of James I around 1229. He was educated as a knight. During his youth, he led a courtly life, married Blanca Picany, and had two children.
Read MoreHistorical Jesus: Evidence, Authenticity, and Miracles
Did Jesus Really Exist?
Some might say that Jesus was just an illusion, but this is not true. There are many historical realities associated with him that are impossible to deny. The historical existence of Christ is also testified by documents from three different cultures:
- Greek: Lucian of Samosata
- Roman: Suetonius and Tacitus
- Jewish: Flavius Josephus and the Talmud
Could the Man of the Shroud be Jesus? What Does Science Say?
Yes, depending on how you interpret the evidence. The figure of the Shroud
Read MoreEarly Church History: Councils, Fathers, and Structure
The New Situation of the Church
The calendar is Christian. Sunday became the official day off and celebrates important holidays of Christianity. Laws are amended contrary to Christian morality: gladiatorial fights are banned, infanticide is deleted, the death penalty by crucifixion is removed, and family life is promoted.
Council of Nicaea
Condemned the doctrine of Arius, who asserted that Jesus was not inferior to the Father, therefore, Christ was not God, but someone created by God.
Council of Ephesus
Nestorius
Read MoreNietzsche and Freud: Philosophy and Critique of Religion
Nietzsche’s Philosophy
His Philosophical Tenets
- Superman: The man in full, unfettered, master of himself and passing on his philosophy.
- Death of God: God is to be demolished and removed, allowing the Superman to be totally free to live and have their own morality.
- A New Morality: The morality of the gentlemen whose values are cunning, courage, strength, independence, power, against a morality of slaves and cowards (obedience, poverty, compassion, suffering, weakness).
His Critique of Religion and the
Read MoreMausoleum of Galla Placidia and Arian Baptistery in Ravenna
Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, Ravenna
It has now lost five feet of its original height. The central dome is inserted into a square, and the sides are covered with barrel vaults, while the exterior features tegula roofing (shingles) and curved tiles in gabled brick and tile. The entrance facade is decorated with semicircular arches and a series of small windows that would have been covered by slabs of alabaster.
Interior Description
- Longitudinal: Central area with a barrel vault on pendentives and sarcophagi
Church and State: History and Ecumenism in the Modern Era
History of the Church in the Contemporary Age
The Relations of Church and State in the Contemporary Age
The Church has had to carry out its mission in very different environments and situations:
- Living with countries anchored in absolutism
- With liberal or conservative political regimes
- Relations with countries seething with revolutionary or authoritarian governments
Major Events
The Enlightenment
- Criticized the Church’s power
- Relativized the Christian revelation
- Cried out against ignorance and religious superstition
- Proclaimed