The Westminster Confession of Funk

* Ancient/medieval worldview used a "chain of being" metaphor, linking heavenly and earthly realms* Metaphors and models (ancient or modern) are useful tools for understanding complex concepts, not always literal* Popular imagination often simplifies or combines scientific/theological concepts, influencing cultural understanding* Comparing ancient metaphors with modern ones can reveal our own assumptions and thought patterns Get full access to Jason Farley's Substack at jasonfarley.substack.com/subscribe

How leisure of mind resists the mechanistic universe. Get full access to Jason Farley's Substack at jasonfarley.substack.com/subscribe

* Medieval cathedrals reflect a worldview of a spiritually-filled universe, contrasting modern emptiness-focused perspectives* Maximus the Confessor's creator-creature divide doctrine revolutionized medieval theology and scientific thought* The medieval cosmos was understood as a unified, liturgical system functioning on principles of worship and love of God Get full access to Jason Farley's Substack at jasonfarley.substack.com/subscribe

* Eusebius' "Preparatio Evangelica" argued that God prepared all cultures for Christianity, finding truths to build upon and falsehoods to correct* Medieval thinkers used ancient texts as intellectual exercises, sifting truth from falsehood to strengthen reasoning skills* This approach influenced theological writing, poetry, and critical thinking, shaping medieval and Reformation-era scholarship Get full access to Jason Farley's Substack at jasonfarley.substack.com/subscribe

* Modern imagination typically views Earth from space, a perspective most have never experienced, signaling a profound shift in our cosmic perception* Our understanding of reality has moved from experiential to mechanistic, and now increasingly digital, affecting how we conceptualize everything from the universe to human cognition* The prevalence of materialistic and physics-based explanations for universal phenomena contradicts our innate experience of will and intelligence in observed movements Get full access to Jason Farley's Substack at jasonfarley.substack.com/subscribe

* Biblical references to celestial bodies often symbolize rulers and authority structures* Jesus' death and resurrection initiated a "new heavens and new earth," representing a cosmic shift in authority* This concept challenges modern materialistic worldviews and impacts Christian understanding of reality and conversion Get full access to Jason Farley's Substack at jasonfarley.substack.com/subscribe

* Celestial bodies (sun, moon, stars) serve multiple purposes in Genesis: timekeeping, symbolism, authority, and illumination* Biblical texts often personify stars as angelic beings, aligning with ancient world perspectives* Astronomical numbers and zodiacal symbolism are deeply embedded in biblical narratives, especially in relation to God's people* The church is portrayed as having a "heavenly" nature, likened to stars Get full access to Jason Farley's Substack at jasonfarley.substack.com/subscribe

* Sun, moon, and stars function as God-designed clocks and calendars, marking days, weeks, years, and festivals* Jesus is portrayed as the "rising sun of history," bringing cosmic change and transitioning the world from darkness to light* Christ's authority extends to cosmic levels, superseding the old covenant calendar and establishing a new order centered on the Church Get full access to Jason Farley's Substack at jasonfarley.substack.com/subscribe

* Ancient/medieval views saw celestial bodies as purposefully created lights, clocks, and authorities for Earth* Beauty and usefulness of celestial bodies were intertwined, serving both practical and metaphysical functions* Biblical creation narrative challenges modern scientific perspectives, highlighting different worldviews* Concept of jurisdiction in ancient/medieval thought extends beyond human authority, rooted in cosmic order Get full access to Jason Farley's Substack at jasonfarley.substack.com/subscribe

* The medieval mindset integrated all knowledge, contrasting modern specialization* Cicero's "Dream of Scipio" illustrates the interconnectedness of cosmology and human purpose* Ancient/medieval views emphasized virtue, public service, and the common good over individual advancement* Shift in cosmological understanding (post-Enlightenment) has profoundly impacted how we view humanity and society Get full access to Jason Farley's Substack at jasonfarley.substack.com/subscribe