The following reflection was submitted to Tyndale University for Elementary New Testament Greek, Winter 2024. ~*~ Saint Jerome, by Caravaggio, c. 1605 As I have studied and translated New Testament Greek over the last eight months, I have realised that translation is hardly a straightforward process. There are moments of marvelous recognition and understanding, and … Continue reading Reflections on Translating the New Testament
The Story of Creation in Ovid’s Metamorphoses & Genesis
The following essay was submitted to Tyndale University for Introduction to Literature I, Fall 2023. ~*~ The Creation of the World, Wittenberg Luther Bible, 1534 Ovid’s Metamorphoses and the Bible present two accounts of the creation of the world. At first sight, these two accounts appear very similar. In both narratives a god brings the … Continue reading The Story of Creation in Ovid’s Metamorphoses & Genesis
Are Unrelatable Characters Boring?
Setanta (Cuchulain) slays the hound of Culain the smith, by Stephen Reid, 1904 The Wordstapas are reading Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. The discussion on Friday evening began with the comment that Sir Gawain’s perfectly virtuous character was annoying and unrelatable. This raised the question, “Do characters have to be relatable in order to … Continue reading Are Unrelatable Characters Boring?
Wordstapas Winter Registration is OPEN
We are reading... Sir Gawain & the Green KnightPearlSir Orfeo Christmas Day brings the mysterious and terrifying Green Knight to King Arthur’s court at Camelot. His challenge is shocking: one of Arthur’s knights may cut off his head, but must be willing to have his own cut off a year later. Only young Sir Gawain … Continue reading Wordstapas Winter Registration is OPEN
House of Christmas, by G.K. Chesterton (Christmas 2023)
Flight into Egypt, by Henry Ossawa Tanner, 1923 House of Christmasby G.K. Chesterton There fared a mother driven forthOut of an inn to roam;In the place where she was homelessAll men are at home.The crazy stable close at hand,With shaking timber and shifting sand,Grew a stronger thing to abide and standThan the square stones of … Continue reading House of Christmas, by G.K. Chesterton (Christmas 2023)
“My So Called Language,” by Anonymous
The following was found slipped into a tattered pamphlet titled “A Glossary of Literary Terms,” printed in 1958. To its ingenious anonymous author, I owe the utmost admiration. ~*~ My So Called Language Let’s face it---English is a crazy language. There is no egg in eggplant nor ham in hamburger; neither apple nor pine in … Continue reading “My So Called Language,” by Anonymous
The Pilgrims, by John McCrae (Remembrance Day 2023)
Gassed, by John Singer Sargent, 1919 The Pilgrimsby John McCrae An uphill path, sun-gleams between the showers, Where every beam that broke the leaden skyLit other hills with fairer ways than ours; Some clustered graves where half our memories lie;And one grim Shadow creeping ever nigh: And this was Life. Wherein we did another's burden … Continue reading The Pilgrims, by John McCrae (Remembrance Day 2023)
Beauty for Truth’s Sake, by Stratford Caldecott
Beauty for Truth’s Sake: On the Re-enchantment of Education, by Stratford Caldecott is a little gem of a book. It is a mere two hundred pages and introduces the reader to the cosmic worldview of the liberal arts, as understood by Pythagoras in Ancient Greece and the theologians of the medieval era. He maintains that … Continue reading Beauty for Truth’s Sake, by Stratford Caldecott
Hello!
Dear readers, I am back! As I write, the gloaming is creeping through the window and an autumn chill is with it. I feel a cup of cinnamon tea coming on. As I announced in May, I am now pursing a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature at Tyndale University in Toronto, Canada. Going from … Continue reading Hello!
Wordstapas Fall 2023 Registration is Open
I break my silence here to announce that registration for The Wordstapas is now open for the Fall 2023 term. You can register by clicking here. What we are reading What are fairy-stories? What is their origin? What is the use of them? J.R.R. Tolkien wrestles with these questions in his essay "On Fairy Stories." … Continue reading Wordstapas Fall 2023 Registration is Open
Remembered Lore 