07/17/2023 – Chapter 35 of 35 – ” ‘Progressive’ or ‘Conservative'”// Group Discussion and Fellowship
This chapter is difficult for me, for I think of “progressive” or “conservative” only in the political realm. So, I am going to just ride what Peter is seems to be using as a definition, as I quote from the last paragraph on pg. #151:
“This refutes both traditionalism and progressivism. Tradititonalism holds that it is now out of date because the present is worse than the past, which we have left behind like a beautiful town through which our train has passed and to which it cannot turn back, alas! Progressivism holds that it is now out of date because the present is better than the past, which we have lost and left behind like an ugly slum through which our train has passed and to which it cannot turn back, hurrah! “The sacrament of the present moment” refutes both the traiditionalist’s obsession with the past and the progressivists obsession with the future.”
Ok, I see the explanation behind the paradox as I quote from the second to last paragraph on pg. #150:
“The apparent contradiction is easily explained. In relation to all other men, Christ was a supreme innovator. (My insert: Peter’s “progressive”). In relation to the Father, he ws the supreme conformist. An the second fact is the whole reason for the first one.
There will be no time in heaven, so would we not conceptualize it as all “present”, the “present moment”. So, to be with the Lord in the present moment is to reach for His kingdom!
I will follow in the next two weeks with postings on Peter’s two appendix sections. Next week: “Appendix One” – “A Meditation on the Relationship between Being and God’s Will”. As Peter humorously adds from the top:
“(Warning metaphysics ahead. Not for everybody’s taste. Go on the appendix 2 if you have allergies to abstractions.”). No, appendix #1 is a must, “abstractions” to me is like going home! haha. Stay tuned.
How about a definition for “metaphysics”. Consider this article, link below, that explores the argument “that metaphysics, however defined, is an impossible enterprise.
https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/metaphysics/
What does Brittanica say?
https://www.britannica.com/topic/metaphysics/Problems-in-metaphysics
As I noted, stay tuned. haha
Soli Deo Gloria!