Saturday, April 10

Dangers, Toils, and Snares

The dragon without St. George ceases to be menacing and grotesque. But St. George without the dragon ceases to be heroic and iconic.

Nefariography

It is said that economics is the “dismal science.” And as long as it limits its vision to such artificial matters as share prices, stock futures, budget deficits, and consumer price indices rather than productivity, property, and preparation. It is indeed more than a little dismal.

But perhaps more dismal than the business of economics is the business of nefariography--the study of wicked men’s lives. Researching and reading the likes of Pilate, or Caiaphas, or Judas--or for that matter, Freidrich Neitzsche, or Karl Marx, or Richard Wagner, Horace Mann, or Margaret Sanger, or Pablo Picasso, or Pol Pot, or Yassar Arafat--is a bit like circling with Dante the sulfurous realms. It is rather like playing the role of CSI to history’s most malignant and vicious intellects.

Nevertheless such dismal undertakings are not without peculiar merit. That is because when any one of these madmen ascend the lofty soapboxes of art or science to announce their I-am-you-and-you-are-me-and-we-are-all-together-joo-joo-ga-joob profundities, they afford us great lessons we dare not ignore (as per 1 Corinthians 10:1-13).

Sunrise 5K and 1M

The Franklin Classical Track and the Servant Group Running teams participated in the Sonic Sunrise 5K and 1 Mile runs this morning. It was unseasonably cool. Nevertheless, everyone was able to do personal bests--even the aged among us--and one of the FCS speedsters actually grabbed an age-group second place! As always, we were able to raise yet more money for our schools overseas. A good time was had by all.

1 comment:

Amber Benton said...

Dr. Grant,

Nefariography - I am currently reading a bit about Wagner. First became aware of him when reading Lewis's references to Siegfried and the Nordic myths, and his romance with 'northerness' in Surprised by Joy. I have him on our schedule to listen to this upcoming year in our homeschool, and I came across a set of books detailing his opera The Ring Nebulae in a book sale. They are beautifully bound books with colored lithograph prints. In preparation to use these materials I read a few things in a couple of music reference books I have on my shelves. Needless to say these did not match up with the impression I got from Lewis. From my library I was able to get a copy of Darwin Marx Wagner Critique of a Heritage by Barzun along with a Ring listening companion by Holman and The Brown Book The Diary of Richard Wagner 1865-1882. Do you have any other suggestions that I can read to get a handle on the influence of his thought? I definately want my older son to be aware (beware) of the influence of this and other nefarious men.

Thanks,

Amber Benton
mom of 5 boys in Charlotte, NC