Paradoxes of Faith

“[T]he most frequent danger we have to avoid might be the development of a bad metaphysical habit, an egotistical pride counteracting the natural sanity of mind Chesterton experienced in childhood.”

“The child represents, in person, the paradox of love because he, as a son, is the different unity that originates from the unified difference of his parents. And since he exists by receiving himself and is free by his obedience, he is indeed the personal paradox of love as rich poverty and poor wealth.”

“[T]he resolution of one paradox does not lead to an ultimate synthesis, but to a new paradox.”

“Impassible suffering already characterizes the God of Israel prior to the Annunciation. Do we not see an impassible sufferer when he creates a free humanity whom he approaches as a lover? In approaching her, does he not make himself vulnerable to being rejected by her?”

“It is the risen Christ who is responsible for the formation of this community and for its final nuptial form: the bride comes from the love of Christ.”

“Greek culture claims for itself the clearest vision that a human being can attain; Mark responds that such vision is partial at best, and that the best it can manage is to respond to an inspiration of the Jewish God, so as to beg his Jewish son for the gift of sight.”