Joshua Blanchard

PhD Philosophy - University of Aberdeen, Augustine of Hippo, ethics, selfhood. host of @theaugustinepod

[Joshua Blanchard @JA__Blanchard]

The Confessions is a much better wrestling match. For all Peterson’s love of animal psychology, he fails to notice that those who wrestle with God do so like a dog on their back - playful, submissive, and humble.

[Joshua Blanchard @JA__Blanchard]

‘This is an odd book’.

I just finished this today. I can’t help but feeling that Peterson has inadvertently become that which he most despises: an incarnation of individualistic postmodern secularism trading in power, narrative and status, not charity.

[Fellipe do Vale @FellipeDoVale1]

Rowan Williams’ review of Peterson’s new book is so good.
“the…contempt for nuance and disagreement…and the reduction of any alternative perspective to its most shallow or trivial form, does not encourage the serious engagement Peterson presumably wants”
https://t.co/9bbL7xxxsT

[Joshua Blanchard @JA__Blanchard]

I read a LOT of books on Augustine. This one really impressed me. I don't say this lightly, but it read's like @FrJohnBehr on Nicaea.

[The Augustine Podcast @theAugustinepod]

NEW BOOK ALERT! Andrew Chronister's fantastic survey of the social/historical story of the pelagian controversy is out in time for Christmas. Check out our interview here.

https://t.co/Ie6cW5pP0x

[Joshua Blanchard @JA__Blanchard]

I got to read the manuscript while working for Brian. This is not another little ethics book. This is the culmination of a career of study, the supervision of dozens of PhDs, and an unapologetic love for Jesus.

It’s the ‘I got tenure’ book.

[Joshua Blanchard @JA__Blanchard]

I do love doing this podcast.

[The Augustine Podcast @theAugustinepod]

Had a lovely conversation with Prof Michael Cameron on Augustine's exegesis and the development of the Totus Christus.

https://t.co/0tYl5unkSD

[Joshua Blanchard @JA__Blanchard]

There’s clear indirect correlation. If there’s an espresso machine, I assume there’s heresy.

[Sentient Felicity (Kate R.) @AlaskanKate]

I’m sorry but if the church coffee is good you gotta double check the doctrine

[Joshua Blanchard @JA__Blanchard]

@FredFredSanders NOOOO!
1. No more ‘self’ in translations. Ever. @JohnCavadini knocked this down in ‘The Darkest Enigma’, and we should listen. It’s just too loaded now. (Applies to Colossians 3 too!
2. Philologically, it seems to add so much to ‘alterum’. Leave it vague.

[Joshua Blanchard @JA__Blanchard]

Don’t know if I can trust this.

[The Augustine Podcast @theAugustinepod]

First ever podcast done in person! Lot's of fun to have tea with J Warren Smith and get to talk patristics and Augustine at the beautiful Duke Div School.

https://t.co/BrixSE7fcZ

[Andrew Snyder @Andrewnsnyder]

Early Christian heresies as Office gifs:

[Joshua Blanchard @JA__Blanchard]

@danremps Yes. All the points. Unfortunately for you, however, it is still grace, not points, that counts.

[The Augustine Podcast @theAugustinepod]

The Autumn term is upon us, and it's shaping up to be the best line-up of conversations yet! Stay tuned for conversations with J Warren Smith, Patout Burns (again), Michael Cameron, and more!
https://t.co/s7sw5cqOWm

[Joshua Blanchard @JA__Blanchard]

@MatthewBArbo @mereorthodoxy ‘A plausible distinction, perhaps; but that was also 60 years ago, when a theologian could grace the cover of Time Magazine!’

The irony is that Hauerwas, perhaps America’s greatest Protestant ethicist was in Time in Sep 2001, but Protestants had no time for him after that month.

[Joshua Blanchard @JA__Blanchard]

‘I’m essentially convinced at this point that the protestant moral imagination is more secular than Christian, which helps explain the lack of moral differentiation between Christians and society that Trueman highlights.’

[Joshua Blanchard @JA__Blanchard]

@AbdnDivinity once again proving itself to be the greatest producer of theological minds today.

[Daniel Rempel @danremps]

Why, in veggie tales, is it Bob *the* tomato and Larry *the* cucumber when everyone else just gets the vegetable as their last name (ex. Jimmy Gourd, Junior Asparagus, etc.)

[Joshua Blanchard @JA__Blanchard]

@danremps Of course, I meant 'Swinton', but I kinda like just calling him 'Saint'!

[Joshua Blanchard @JA__Blanchard]

@danremps Let’s write some stuff together? Saint is got me dipping into disability theology. With my background in personhood and memory, I’d love to do more - especially on dementia and Alzheimer’s.

[Joshua Blanchard @JA__Blanchard]

In honor of the feast of St Augustine, I’m cracking open a brand new paperback. The one I got in college is officially retired after 10 years of study.

Today though, will not study or write, but simply enjoy and pray alongside an old friend.

[Joshua Blanchard @JA__Blanchard]

Today is the feast of st Monica. Here are some ongoing questions I have about her role in Confessions:

Is she the church?
Is she MARY?!
What does the Eucharist mean in bk IX?
Was she dialoging at casiciacum?
What do we make of her and Patrick?
Is she anxious or at rest on conf?