inkanblot.com

All knowing is adversely affected by the fall, yet people can—under the right conditions—attain reasonable beliefs on the things that matter most.

(Doug Groothuis, “The Christian Worldview in Classical Philosophical Categories“)

True enough. But “the right conditions” remain critical, and open to interpretation in lieu of an eschatological realization: crucial, a crux not merely of interpretation.

A portion of a prayer from one who influenced me deeply:

Give us that which, our heavenly Father, Wesley really understood, and Finney, the evangelist that most people know in this country and Whitefield and many of the others. A call for the individual to accept Christ as Savior and come under the shed blood of Christ and pass from death to life. A call for those of us who are Christians, oh God, to bow our hearts more completely and not let other things get in the way — to let the Holy Spirit have His place under the teaching of Scripture and within the circle of the teaching of Scripture, and then, Heavenly Father, to realize that everything belongs to the Lord Jesus. That He died not only to take our souls to heaven — but that our bodies will be raised one day from the dead.

(Francis Schaeffer, A Christian Manifesto)

In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.
Jesus, John 16:33

If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face–for ever.
(spoken by O’Brien; Orwell, 1984)

from an extended discussion in quotations at my Baylor blog, a tiny snippet:

from our present via media—facilitation of divorce—can only result the era when the young lady in reduced circumstances will no longer turn governess but will be open to engagement as wife at a reasonable stipend. (Francis Thompson on Shelley)

(post title refers to a Tears For Fears song. you know if you know)

 …you’d have to think, wouldn’t you?

What’s in your mind, my dove, my coney;
Do thoughts grow like feathers, the dead end of life;
Is it making of love or counting of money,
Or raid on the jewels, the plans of a thief?
(W. H. Auden, November 1930)

(reading the rest of the poem would render the question academic.)
(of course, if you read the rest of the poem, you probably are. academic.)

the usage below intrigued me. So I looked it up.

†1. Physical or structural strength. Obs.
1553 EDEN Treat. Newe Ind. (Arb.) 15 A beast..excellinge all other beastes in fortitude and strength. 1591 SHAKES. 1 Hen. VI, II. i. 17 Dispairing of his owne armes fortitude. 1604 —— Oth. I. iii. 222 The Fortitude of the place is best knowne to you. 1703 T. N. City & C. Purchaser 50 Bonding of Brick-work..conduces very much to its Fortitude.
(OED online)

Apparently, once upon a time, “fortitude” was more concrete. More virtu than virtue, so to speak.

We have all been betrayed by the psychologizing of life.