For all of you NASCAR fans, Football fanatics, Sports crazies…
Omne enim spectaculum sine concussione spiritus non est.
There is no public entertainment which does not inflict spiritual damage.
Text is Weeber, 1988. This English version is of unknown source (but found online). From the other translations:
For the show always leads to spiritual agitation, … (Thelwall’s version, 1869)
There is no public spectacle without violence to the spirit. (Glover’s version, 1931)
There is no spectacle without violent agitation of the soul. (Arbesmann’s version, 1959).
From Tertullian.
(Thanks Rodney – posted on Facebook)
Posted on September 5, 2009 at 2:14 pm by Joel · Permalink
In: Tertullian · Tagged with: espn, fans, football, gameday, NASCAR, sports
In: Tertullian · Tagged with: espn, fans, football, gameday, NASCAR, sports
on September 5, 2009 at 4:59 pm
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tertullian hated, purely hated the fact that some christians cared more about the games than worship. it set him on fire and that lad could burn with just a few words. he’s the one church father worth reading.
on September 5, 2009 at 11:17 pm
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The Puritans also warned of this.
There is a post here I commented on:
http://www.irishcalvinist.com/?p=3281
What about TV, movies, theater etc.?
What about Paul using sports as metaphors? Would he use them if he thought they were agitatious of the soul? (my interpretation)
Now you have me interested in Tertullian.
on September 7, 2009 at 10:37 am
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Tertullian was just as un-American of a Christian as they came!
How dare he not enjoy the National Football League!
on September 9, 2009 at 5:59 pm
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[...] and On Sports? [...]
on September 5, 2009 at 5:09 pm
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I wonder how he would have blogged?
You are right – he is, if no one else cares to read the others, the one everyone should read. And mimic.
on September 5, 2009 at 11:34 pm
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Tertullain – we have to remember, was a Montanist because of the lack of rigor in the Church at the time. He is an outstanding mind and debater.
on September 7, 2009 at 10:43 am
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Oh, Rod, haven’t you been reading my Facebook page? If you are not American, you are not Christian.