"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites; because you are like to
whited sepulchres, which outwardly appear to men beautiful but within are
full of dead men’s bones and of all filthiness" (Mt 23:27). Jesus identifies
himself as one who will not be misled by appearances, tacitly urging the
faithful to do likewise.
There are lots of Medieval paintings of 'The Temptation of St. Anthony' in
which the saint is resolutely ignoring the apparitions that surround him.
Nor, I think, was St. Anthony the only saint whose temptations were depicted
in Medieval art. I imagine that these paintings were based on corresponding
literature and oral legends.
Respectfully,
Hart
>From: "James W. Broaddus" <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: Sidney-Spenser Discussion List <[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: 3rd try, faith and the senses,
>Date: Wed, 10 Aug 2005 13:05:35 -0700
>
>As usual, I didn't explain things clearly.
>
>I don't think Thomas provides the equivalent I was looking for.
>
>Thomas does not have faith sufficient to believe that the one standing
>before him was, in fact, the physical Jesus until he proved what he saw by
>his sense of touch.
>
>Redcrosse, on the other hand, does not have faith sufficient to doubt, much
>less to refuse to believe, that he sees Una in bed with a lusty squire.
>
>My revised questions are: does anyone in the scriptures demonstrate the
>kind of faith Redcrosse lacks? Or is anyone in the scriptures found wanting
>because he or she lacks such faith?
>
>I hope this is clearer.
>
>Jim Broaddus
>
>
>
>
>
>
>Redcrosse, on the other hand, believes what his senses told him about the
>bed scene. what he saw when
>----- Original Message -----
>From: James W. Broaddus
>To: Sidney-Spenser Discussion List
>Sent: Wednesday, August 10, 2005 11:08 AM
>Subject: f2nd try, aith and the senses,
>
>
>I think I have sent an incomplete query to the list. Let me try again.
>
>Redcrosse's abandonment of Una is typically understood as a failure of
>faith caused by a dependence on his senses.
>
>My question: is there a scriptural equivalent?
>
>Christians are asked in different ways have faith and not believe what
>ordinary experience tells them. But is there an occasion in the Bible in
>which one's faith is supposed to override what is presented to one's
>senses.
>
>I hope I haven't revealed complete, overwhelming ignorance.
>
>Jim Broaddus
>
>James W. Broaddus
>Emeritus, Ind. State.
>Route 3 Box 1037
>Brodhead, KY 40409
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