This was my absolute favorite canto. Thank you for the summary and reminders. Our suffering and pain is more about union with God in the pain. I so quickly forget that. I ask God to heal the pain so quickly and miss that it's also about fellowship with God in the suffering. I believe Satan's lies here and miss the connection with God.
Beautiful and so clear! Somehow the idea of punishment is so fierce...I love the idea of thecsick, twisted, deformed seed, whose only way out is to let death run its course. To offer itself to die in order to bring forth that new goid beautiful seed, Christ in us! I really appreciate all your work here in helping me understand. Thank you so much!
Thank you Dr. Johnson for your clear insights about a complicated and controversial subject. As I understand it God could have forgiven man outright as an act of mercy or He could have created a perfect man who would need no redemption, but in Jesus Christ He chose a double way that was both divine mercy and human justice. The Incarnation is the Word of God re-uniting human nature to Himself after the connection was broken by the foolish pride of Adam and Eve who fell into temptation in thinking that by eating the forbidden fruit they could become God's equal. The sin of Adam was a sin of self abuse in that it resulted in his (and also his progeny) being expelled from Paradise until the gates were opened again by the death and resurrection of our Lord and Redeemer.
I need to listen to this again. I get it, but it was complex enough that I need to think about it some more to put all the pieces together. Isn't that an indication of a fine teacher? Thank you.
Thank you for this great explanation. This Canto was going was over my head (granted, I was tired). I'll need to give it a re-read with your wonderful talk in my head.
Canto 7: Justinian, accompanied by other spirits, dances off in joy. Dante is puzzled by the concept of a “just revenge” or “vengeance” (vendetta) as well as the concept of “justice and mercy.” Beatrice responds to his unasked questions by providing a summary about Adam and salvation history. The “original sin” of Adam and Eve was their desire to become god-like in their knowledge of good and evil. This grievous error was so great only God, himself, could render penance (payback to end the vendetta), and mankind be reunited with God (saved). Although God could have allowed mankind to return to union with Him as a result of his own "clemency" (cortesis) or he could have pardoned mankind entirely through his own mercy, without any consideration of justice owed, he chose to become human, without losing his divinity. God, thereby, showed forth both mercy and justice through love and forgiveness. God's love of his creatures is so great that he chose to make this recompense to himself with his own Self! This form of “self-payment” is a "just vengeance" (giusta vendetta). Adam's sin is repaid by the New Adam (using Pauline terms.) Beatrice goes on to say that God created matter that is non-corruptible, coming directly from the hand of God, and breathed into Adam his immortal soul. However, the elements (water, fire, air and earth) from which man is formed result from an indirect creation (forms of matter that are corruptible.) Thus, corporeal man is corruptible, imperfect. The incorruptible soul, however, continues to desire to return to its direct origin: God. The final reunion with God will occur with the Resurrection of each soul returning with the elemental forms with which it has been associated. Having gained this doctrinal insight, Dante is ready to be transported to the next sphere: Venus.
What about justice? God could have given 'clemency' but then he would have broken his own laws and structures of justice. In this way he satisfied both?
@@sarahflynn924 Dante used the term cortesis (clemency). And yes, by God becoming human, He exhibited both Justice and Mercy. That appears to be Dante's conclusion and I agree with it (for what it's worth.)
Thank you, Dr. Johnson! You are one of my favorite Torrey profs, and this Canto was perfect for your focus on the Atonement in your theological work. The connection with Anselm widens this speech by Beatrice even more. Dante is perhaps not innovating, but he is presenting his own perspective that flows sweetly out of the scope of his Comedia. God's way is greater! Pardon and Satisfaction weaved together is a beautiful thing. God's way is both, and the raising of Man back up to glory once lost and beyond is a work that should leave us speechless. What does this mean for sanctification and the life of a Christian? This seems to be focused on the Atonement, but I do see necessary connections (or at least questions) relating to the" metamorphoumetha" (2 Corinthians 3:18) of the Christian as we behold God through Christ. Does this lead to a version of theosis? I am very curious. What does this raising up do to our being? Thank you, Dr. Johnson. I give you a big two knocks on the table!
This was such a complex canto and Dr. Johnson made it so clear and easier for me to grasp. Thank you!
This was my absolute favorite canto. Thank you for the summary and reminders. Our suffering and pain is more about union with God in the pain. I so quickly forget that. I ask God to heal the pain so quickly and miss that it's also about fellowship with God in the suffering. I believe Satan's lies here and miss the connection with God.
The imagery of the seed and the architect are so helpful. Thank you for your excellent presentation.
Powerful canto. Thanks for the explanation.
Thank you. Dr. Johnson. Absolutely incredible explanation of Canto 7.
Beautiful and so clear! Somehow the idea of punishment is so fierce...I love the idea of thecsick, twisted, deformed seed, whose only way out is to let death run its course. To offer itself to die in order to bring forth that new goid beautiful seed, Christ in us! I really appreciate all your work here in helping me understand. Thank you so much!
Thank you Dr. Johnson for your clear insights about a complicated and controversial subject. As I understand it God could have forgiven man outright as an act of mercy or He could have created a perfect man who would need no redemption, but in Jesus Christ He chose a double way that was both divine mercy and human justice. The Incarnation is the Word of God re-uniting human nature to Himself after the connection was broken by the foolish pride of Adam and Eve who fell into temptation in thinking that by eating the forbidden fruit they could become God's equal. The sin of Adam was a sin of self abuse in that it resulted in his (and also his progeny) being expelled from Paradise until the gates were opened again by the death and resurrection of our Lord and Redeemer.
Beautiful description of God's beautiful grace and love towards us.
Thank you so much Dr Johnson. Great to clear up what this very complex Canto was all about. I was really struggling.
I need to listen to this again. I get it, but it was complex enough that I need to think about it some more to put all the pieces together. Isn't that an indication of a fine teacher? Thank you.
Thank you, Dr. Johnson for these wonderful, rich insights.
Thank you. I appreciate you referring to notes rather than reading a scripted presentation on a monitor, as many have done.
Thank you for this great explanation. This Canto was going was over my head (granted, I was tired). I'll need to give it a re-read with your wonderful talk in my head.
Great video, super informative!
Excellent and beautiful! It helped my understanding greatly! Thank you so much Dr. Johnson.
I loved this very beautiful presentation. Thank you Dr Johnson
Wow. I'll have to listen again- there is so much to think about here.
Canto 7: Justinian, accompanied by other spirits, dances off in joy. Dante is puzzled by the concept of a “just revenge” or “vengeance” (vendetta) as well as the concept of “justice and mercy.” Beatrice responds to his unasked questions by providing a summary about Adam and salvation history. The “original sin” of Adam and Eve was their desire to become god-like in their knowledge of good and evil. This grievous error was so great only God, himself, could render penance (payback to end the vendetta), and mankind be reunited with God (saved). Although God could have allowed mankind to return to union with Him as a result of his own "clemency" (cortesis) or he could have pardoned mankind entirely through his own mercy, without any consideration of justice owed, he chose to become human, without losing his divinity. God, thereby, showed forth both mercy and justice through love and forgiveness. God's love of his creatures is so great that he chose to make this recompense to himself with his own Self! This form of “self-payment” is a "just vengeance" (giusta vendetta). Adam's sin is repaid by the New Adam (using Pauline terms.) Beatrice goes on to say that God created matter that is non-corruptible, coming directly from the hand of God, and breathed into Adam his immortal soul. However, the elements (water, fire, air and earth) from which man is formed result from an indirect creation (forms of matter that are corruptible.) Thus, corporeal man is corruptible, imperfect. The incorruptible soul, however, continues to desire to return to its direct origin: God. The final reunion with God will occur with the Resurrection of each soul returning with the elemental forms with which it has been associated. Having gained this doctrinal insight, Dante is ready to be transported to the next sphere: Venus.
What about justice? God could have given 'clemency' but then he would have broken his own laws and structures of justice. In this way he satisfied both?
@@sarahflynn924 Dante used the term cortesis (clemency). And yes, by God becoming human, He exhibited both Justice and Mercy. That appears to be Dante's conclusion and I agree with it (for what it's worth.)
Excellent! Thank you
Thank you, Dr. Johnson! You are one of my favorite Torrey profs, and this Canto was perfect for your focus on the Atonement in your theological work. The connection with Anselm widens this speech by Beatrice even more. Dante is perhaps not innovating, but he is presenting his own perspective that flows sweetly out of the scope of his Comedia.
God's way is greater! Pardon and Satisfaction weaved together is a beautiful thing. God's way is both, and the raising of Man back up to glory once lost and beyond is a work that should leave us speechless. What does this mean for sanctification and the life of a Christian? This seems to be focused on the Atonement, but I do see necessary connections (or at least questions) relating to the" metamorphoumetha" (2 Corinthians 3:18) of the Christian as we behold God through Christ. Does this lead to a version of theosis? I am very curious.
What does this raising up do to our being?
Thank you, Dr. Johnson. I give you a big two knocks on the table!
Would simple pardon not be God saying that the twisted seed is ok?
Please someone reply, could it be that the word of God reuniting human nature to himself 2:30 could even mean the bible was designed to reunite us