CS Lewis and George Grant - Ron Dart

Brad Jersak's book, George P. Grant: Minverva's Snowy Owl -- Essays in Political Theology, is now available for download at:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/103610108/George-P-Grant-Minerva-s-Snowy-Owl-by-Brad-Jersak.

Table of Contents

Preface / 1

Part 1 – CONVERSION

1. George Grant’s Conversion Accounts / 5
2. Simone Weil’s Encounter with Christ in Marseilles / 13
3. Grant’s McMaster Sermon / 17

Part 2 – THE RISE OF MODERNITY

4. Sprouts of Modernity in Medieval Theology / 23
5. Blooms of Modernity in the Reformation and Calvinist Puritanism / 37
6. The Autonomous Subject: Knowing as Willing in Descartes, Bacon and Kant / 49

Part 3 – MYSTICAL EPISTEMOLOGY

7. Etymology of Nous / 65
8. Heidegger’s Eckart / 81
9. Weil’s Mystical Ascent / 85

Part 4 – GRANTEAN THEOLOGY

10. God the All-Powerful, All-Powerless / 111
11. Consent as Coercion / 123

Part 5 – GRANTEAN JUSTICE

12. Grant’s Rhetorical Method / 131
13. Christ at the Checkpoint / 141

Part 6 – PRIMARY SOURCES

14. Previously Unpublished Letters and Journal Entries / 151

15. Reading Simone Weil: Unpublished Excerpt / 199
16. Dalhousie Classnotes on Plato / 201
17. Robin Mathews: The Wave of the Future / 211
18. Grant’s References to Martin Luther’s Thesis 21 / 213

APPENDICES

19. Grant’s Readings in Weil: French and English / 219
20. Beyond Dualism: Correspondence with Radical Orthodoxy / 221

Abbreviations / 227
Bibliography of Sources Consulted / 231 

Stephen Leacock and George Grant: Anglican Red Tories with Ron Dart

This Essay is ‘Not My Own’ by Jordan Todd

This Essay is ‘Not My Own’

A Summary Essay Regarding

George Grant: Metaphysics and Modernity

Jordan A. Todd

Introduction:

He has been called one of the most important Canadian public philosophers[1], a Christian renaissance humanist who drew from many Western and Eastern theological, philosophical and political traditions.[2] George Grant was a holistic and contemplative thinker who would critically consider certain traditions and their proponents. Though much has been written about his life and work, Grant’s Christian faith and how it influenced his thought has been given the least attention. Perhaps this fact is a testament to Grant’s critique of the modern university – that, “if a Christian spoke frankly in a modern multiversity, he would have to leave”.[3] His biographer, William Christian even went as far as to call Grant’s ‘born again’ (conversion) experience the most fundamental experience of Grant’s life[4], making it even more unbelievable that Grant’s faith has been so overlooked.

In this brief essay, the connection between Grant’s work and his faith – his understanding of God and the universe – (what is referred to here as his ‘metaphysics’) will be commented on. It is important to note, however, that in no way will the true depth of his mind, heart, and soul be adequately explored in this short attempt. There is a vast amount of Grant’s thought not even referenced here, and what is discussed is but a shadow. This being said, the goal here is to make some connections, to highlight some themes that are carried through Grants most famous work, themes which take root in his faith. 

Review of Brad Jersak's George P. Grant: Minerva's Snowy Owl -- by Ron Dart

Review of Brad Jersak, George P. Grant: Minerva’s Snowy Owl: Essays in Political Theology (FWP, 2012).

Only when the dusk starts to fall

does the owl of Minerva

spread its wings and fly

Hegel  

George Grant is, without much doubt, one of Canada’s most significant public intellectuals, philosophers and theologians. He has dared to ask questions that few have, and he has ventured into territory that even fewer dare go. Grant was a creative thinker who sought to interpret and apply the fullness of the Western and Eastern Traditions to the plight and problems of the 20^th century. He was, in short, like the philosophic owl of bygone days---wise, and as Jersak rightly notes in the title of collected essays, a snowy white owl-----pure in his longing and quest for wisdom.

The subtitle also speaks much about the recently published book by Jersak------it is a series of ‘essays in political theology’. There has been a silly tendency to separate theology and political philosophy by some----such were and are the prejudices of much of modernity---Grant never did this, and Brad, faithful to Grant does not do this.

Some personal Meditations on Aboriginal Day (June), and July first, 2012. Henk Smidstra

Two hundred years ago, on June 1, 1812, United States President, James Madison, declared war on England and its North American Colonies. Now from a 200 year old perspective, 2012 is going to be a reflective and patriotic year in Canada as it goes down memory lane to revisit the events, meaning, and impact, of this war on Canadian identity as a nation. In 1812, the conquest of New France in1760 by England was still a recent painful memory for those living in Lower Canada; for those in Upper Canada, the majority, as Tories, had chosen to remain loyal to Britain during the American revolution of 1776, and had, as Empire Loyalists, emigrated largely to the area we call Ontario today, and to the Maritimes. The war of 1812 involved what existed then, Lower and Upper Canada, (Quebec and Ontario) and the Maritimes. Now scant decades after these social political dislocations and migrations, the death and destruction by American militia type incursions into Canadian Communities around the great lakes affected both English loyalists and French Canadians, and a deepened sense of Canadian identity was forged.  Some Canadian historians have identified the war of 1812, more than the loyalist migration from revolutionary United States, as being the significant beginning of Canadian nationalism (Mac Kirdy, Moir and Zoltvany, 1971, p. 117). But read any Canadian History book and you will likely not hear much of the war’s effect on, or participation of, First Nations peoples.

Julia Haslett's 'An Encounter with Simone Weil' - Review by Bethany Swallow

Simone Weil, a French-woman born in the twentieth century remains a hidden treasure among many philosophers of her time. Her works, published after her death, contain jewels of contemplative, spiritual, pedagogical and political insights. More recently, Weil has emerged as an icon of peace, with many recognizing her immense wisdom and strength. Director Julia Haslett is one such admirer who was featured in Vancouver's Doxa Film Festival held this past May. Her documentary, “An Encounter with Simone Weil” (2010) tells Haslett’s own journey of suffering, while attempting to interact with the inspirational, yet tragic life of Simone Weil. Haslett draws her viewers to the life of Simone Weil through personal and historical narrative, and helps each to wrestle with the truths of suffering on an individual and global scope.

            Julia Haslett’s artistic and personal efforts are undeniably honorable in this film; despite this, “An Encounter with Simone Weil” leaves somewhat of a bitter taste in the viewer’s mouth. The film is more about Haslett’s experiences of suffering, longing and questioning, rather than the tremendously enigmatic life of twentieth century philosopher, educator and peace-activist Simone Weil. Haslett explores larger questions such as, “How do we respond to human suffering?” or “How do we remain engaged without ultimately destroying ourselves?” Yet, I felt somewhat dissatisfied with her limited interaction around questions such as “How do we become more whole beings?” and “How does faith inform action?” Of course, my own journey leads me to these mysteries of life, and I honor Haslett’s pursuit of her own personal understanding, despite feeling disappointed at the narrow scope of her exploration into Simone Weil. With very little recognition in the discipline of philosophy since her death, Simone Weil is boldly celebrated in this film, becoming a beacon of mystery and inspiration for not only Haslett, but also viewers alike. I respect Haslett’s attempt to treasure Simone Weil in this documentary. I join with her in her efforts to make Simone Weil known to others, hoping that Weil’s life may offer wisdom, truth and hope for our fragile world.