Power, Love, Sublimity, Infinity: The Bible

By Richard Hazzlewood

Written with both Christians and non-Christians in mind, this work aims to explore some of the sublime aspects of the Bible. Includes an extended discussion of the Gospels.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Richard Hazzlewood
• Release date: Aug 10, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370459384

Richard Hazzlewood

Quiet academic type from North West England. BA English, MA Renaissance Literature.I studied in exile by the rivers of Babylon for 3 years, aka Cambridge. And I descended into Egypt, aka PricewaterhouseCoopers. Now I live in a spiritual hermitage where I study literature, philosophy and religion.I am a Roman Catholic convert, and particularly find spiritual fulfilment in the Divine Mercy Chaplet and the Liturgy of the Hours.Beer, wine, and spirits are my three branches of government. I am currently especially interested in French and Italian red.Philosophy is really the driving force of my life, and I always seek to question and open up new vistas on being. From Classical ethics to Medieval metaphysics to existentialism, I like to run the gamut of philosophical thought.Poetry is an abiding passion of mine.Finally, a list of books I hold very close to my heart: Augustine, 'Confessions'; Bonaventure, 'Journey of the Mind to God'; Dante, 'The Divine Comedy'; Plato, 'Phaedrus'; Cervantes, 'Don Quixote'; 'The Bhagavad Gita', & of course, 'The Bible'.

Book preview

Power, Love, Sublimity, Infinity: The Bible

Richard Hazzlewood

Distributed by Smashwords

Copyright 2017 Richard Hazzlewood

‘The eye is not filled with seeing, neither is the ear filled with hearing.’

- Ecclesiastes 1:8

Table of Contents

Prefatory Note

Introduction

An Overview

The Psalms

The Prophets

The Gospels

The Epistles of St Paul

Conclusion

Prefatory Note

It is the aim of this work to focus on a few select parts of the Bible, balancing Old and New Testaments: namely the Psalms, the Prophets (with a focus on Isaiah and Daniel), the Gospels and the Pauline epistles. Initially, an overview also considers the Bible briefly as a totality. Future works may include more areas of the Bible for focus, especially the wisdom books.

This work is intended both for Christians and non-Christians, as I firmly believe the sublimities of this great work can be enjoyed by all, whether on a purely literary level or a further spiritual level. A hint for non-Christians approaching the Bible: Ecclesiastes and Job should be top of your reading list. For Christians: I hope I can offer some new insights.

Introduction

The Bible is almost visceral in its effect; it can startle and astonish; it can instruct us in the most sublime manner of living. Of all the books in the world, the Bible is the most dear to my heart. And this is almost certainly true of the majority of Christians. Yet this cannot rest on its status alone, and indeed it does not - the soaring sublimity of its words in many passages testifies to its great spiritual, intellectual and emotive power. All sacred scriptures of the world have a special appeal; of course, the difference with the Bible is it connects with my own chosen faith. I am so grateful that a work of such precious value exists - it is truly a desert island work. The David Suchet or Stephen Johnston narrations in audiobook form are excellent, as are the Navarre Bible commentaries. I believe God truly speaks to us through His sacred word - and what better way to prepare the ground for meditation? I