Biography discussion: fanatical? crazy? in love with God?

[Linna Heartbooger]

Here are a few very capable famous men who, to me, seemed to really love God.

And who we have enough info on to learn a bit about their struggles, weaknesses and foibles.

I'm most interested in discussing:
* the stuff they wrote
* stuff about their everyday interactions with people
* how they managed the intensity of the very intense lives they lived
* how people were blessed through their very eccentricities.

What do other people here think of this idea for a discussion?

[peter]

Wow Linah! I may be being a bit presumptious here, but I suspect few of us have the requisite knowledge to discuss in depth any of the above charachters [I may be wrong and apologise in advance if I am so]. I have a little knowledge of the first four [particularly Augustine of Hippo's famous quote "Lord, give me chastity and continancy - but not yet"] but waaay not enough to micro-disect any of them. Be assured however, if you can gey a discussion up and running I will follow it and will contribute as and where I can - it's a seriously interesting idea.
_________________
If you've ever wondered how you would have behaved in one of the great developments of historical oppression of the twentieth century - now you know.

....and the glory of the world becomes less than it was....
'Have we not served you well'
'Of course - you know you have.'
'Then let it end.'

We are the Bloodguard

[Avatar]

Haha, the only ones I could even think of talking about are Luther and Wesley, and even that would probably be almost entirely about their schisms and the denominations that resulted.

--A
_________________
It's easy to judge. It's more difficult to understand.

[Avatar]

Hey, if you want crazy and in love with God, try Khalil Gibran. I liked him so much it was years before I realised he was a Christian.

--A
_________________
It's easy to judge. It's more difficult to understand.

[Linna Heartbooger]

[peter]

I think I'm right Av [but quite happy to be corrected here] that Wesley never actually entertained [or even approved] of the idea of fracturing the C of E in the way that ultimately happened with the formation of Methodism. [As you know, I'm from 'that part of the world'; they are a dour and serious lot by and large - there's not much scope for humour in Methodism. .]
_________________
If you've ever wondered how you would have behaved in one of the great developments of historical oppression of the twentieth century - now you know.

....and the glory of the world becomes less than it was....
'Have we not served you well'
'Of course - you know you have.'
'Then let it end.'

We are the Bloodguard

[peter]

We posted pretty much simultaneously Linah; You betcha! Always keen to learn something new and totally agree - a site like this is a much more fun way of getting ino than loads of dredging through the nets!
_________________
If you've ever wondered how you would have behaved in one of the great developments of historical oppression of the twentieth century - now you know.

....and the glory of the world becomes less than it was....
'Have we not served you well'
'Of course - you know you have.'
'Then let it end.'

We are the Bloodguard

[Linna Heartbooger]

Hah, you should see some of the Methodists on my side of the pond!
Little do you know about them....

But I gotta admit, old church history figures often seem dour and serious.
(Though Augustine had more quotes where that one came from!)

Actually, here's one piece of evidence I am providing:
"Sinning Like a Christian" by William H. Willimon.
Methodist preacher.
Trolls his readers / hearers and plays Devil's Advocate like nobody's business.
Also, may include at least one metaphor by Augustine that I won't post in mixed company.
_________________
"There is something in us, as storytellers and as listeners to stories, that demands the redemptive act, that demands that what falls at least be offered the chance to be restored.
The reader of today looks for this motion, and rightly so, but what he has forgotten is the cost of it.

His sense of evil is diluted or lacking altogether, and so he has forgotten the price of restoration.
When he reads a novel, he wants either his sense tormented or his spirits raised..."
-Flannery O'Connor

[Vraith]

[Avatar]

I love The Prophet. I have large chunks of it by heart, because, well, I just like poetry.

And he was a Christian. The Maronite Church is the largest Christian denomination in Lebanon, nearly 1/4 of the population, and despite being influenced by Islam, he self-identified as a Christian. Hell, his mother was the daughter of a priest.

Linah, so much easier just to give you a link. He was very prolific, both in art and his writing, and died in his late 40's.

My introduction to him was via my mother, one of whose students gave her a copy of The Prophet in the early 70's. (I still have that same copy. ) My father had an LP of The Prophet read by Richard Harris, so that's sorta always how I hear it in my head.

Written in the 20's, The Prophet was probably his best known book. Here's the Wiki entry on him: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kahlil_Gibran

And the full text of The PRophet is available here: leb.net/mira/works/prophet/prophet.html broken into chapters. Although you should pair that with his hand drawn illustrations for it. Here are some found via image search/

--A
_________________
It's easy to judge. It's more difficult to understand.

[Vraith]

[Avatar]

There are so many differences between all the various sects of Christianity, that from an atheist perspective it scarcely makes a difference. If somebody says "I'm a Christian" then I assume they are.

Really, to my mind the only technical criteria for being Christian is believing Jesus was the son of God and that he died for your sins. (Maybe that he was resurrected as well, but maybe not necessarily.)

Anyway, not to derail the thread too far too quickly, yes, short, free and lovely. I quite like his brand of Christianity, whatever it is. (As expressed therein anyway. )

--A
_________________
It's easy to judge. It's more difficult to understand.

[peter]

Sounds like a book I have to take on board at some point. Like V. I love old books and not for their value but for their 'feel'. I'll hunt a copy down and then report back.

John Wesley preached extensively in my part of the world and rumour had it he may actually have stayed in a cottage owned by my father on one occasion. A short annecdote pertaining to his brother Charles; I read an excerpt from his diary relating to his atempt to rid himself of the shocking vice into which he had fallen - namely the excesive consumption of tea. Two days after going 'cold-turkey' he was driven to his bed, in which he remained for several days, sweating and trembling, as the poison withdrew itself from his system. Some days later he emerged ashen and wan, a wiser and more wholesome individual.
_________________
If you've ever wondered how you would have behaved in one of the great developments of historical oppression of the twentieth century - now you know.

....and the glory of the world becomes less than it was....
'Have we not served you well'
'Of course - you know you have.'
'Then let it end.'

We are the Bloodguard

[Avatar]

Or just follow the link in my post and read it online while you look for a print copy.

--A
_________________
It's easy to judge. It's more difficult to understand.

[Damelon]

[Fist and Faith]

Another atheist's view... I'd define Christian as a follower of Christ. And I've never heard anything that makes me think anyone has the most objectively accurate or true interpretation of Christ, giving them the authority to say others claiming to be Christians really aren't.

[peter]

[Avatar]

It's short. You can read each chapter in under 10 mins. But hey, however you read it, just read it. Everybody should, at least once.

--A
_________________
It's easy to judge. It's more difficult to understand.

[Linna Heartbooger]

Just opened up the Wikipedia page Av referenced and I am totally intrigued by this character.

"Third most read poet behind Shakespeare and Laozi"?
And I couldn't remember hearing of him?
My ignorance...

Hmm... so, a thread on "The Prophet" in Gen Lit Disc?
Or a "Biography: Khalil Gibran" thread here in Dor. Cor.?
What do people think?

(we can start with a discussion of an amazing poet from an unfamiliar culture while this poll completes, right?)
_________________
"There is something in us, as storytellers and as listeners to stories, that demands the redemptive act, that demands that what falls at least be offered the chance to be restored.
The reader of today looks for this motion, and rightly so, but what he has forgotten is the cost of it.

His sense of evil is diluted or lacking altogether, and so he has forgotten the price of restoration.
When he reads a novel, he wants either his sense tormented or his spirits raised..."
-Flannery O'Connor

[Avatar]

I coulda sworn there was a thread somewhere, but can't find it. Go for it. I can quote The Prophet endlessly.

Oh, wait, found these:

Kahlil Gibran (1883-1931) by Lord Mhoram, last posted in in 2005 and Kahlil Gibran started by Biff and last posted in in 2003.

--A
_________________
It's easy to judge. It's more difficult to understand.