J Spencer

Father | Collector of Old Books | Tutor

[J Spencer @thermopyly]

@roddreher Warren was an amazing man and was a light to those who love the true, the good, and the beautiful!

[J Spencer @thermopyly]

My heart is aching, I just learned that the Great Warren Farha, owner of Eighth Day Books, passed away on May 20th. He was an amazing human being and I will miss him greatly. Over the years his suggestions helped me build an amazing library. Eternal light shine upon him O Lord.

[J Spencer @thermopyly]

@malcolmguite @jembloomfield @canterburypress @TheRabbitRoom Congratulations Father! Well deserved!

[J Spencer @thermopyly]

@marlyyoumans I’m not on as much as I used to be but thanks for liking my posts! I read Seren of the Wildwood in an afternoon of pure enjoyment and loved it ! I can’t say that I know Fr. Krueger, I graduated in 2022 and was usually there in the summer and early January for class.

[J Spencer @thermopyly]

This is where I was blessed to be able to do my doctoral work surrounded by prayerful and wise professors, nature, and beauty. Floreat Nashotah!

[Fr Matthew C. Dallman, Obl.S.B. @FrMCDallman]

I have arrived at Nashotah House!

[J Spencer @thermopyly]

@jennfrey @FreyChristopher Prayers!

[J Spencer @thermopyly]

@jembloomfield Woohoo! Your books are real gems! Looking forward to it!

[J Spencer @thermopyly]

Every October I break out Professor M.R. James’ ghost stories. A great way to spend a cold, rainy Fall evening.

[Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church @SFX_Stillwater]

We had a full room tonight at Becoming Catholic!

A special thanks to our guest speaker, Dr. Joey Spencer, for an exciting talk about Angels. @thermopyly

[J Spencer @thermopyly]

The currently reading stack on my desk keeps growing. Hopefully it will lead to a bountiful harvest.

[J Spencer @thermopyly]

@DrFrancisYoung @reaktionbooks Congratulations! Looking forward to reading that one!

[J Spencer @thermopyly]

The weather was glorious this morning. Coffee, a cigar, a cool breeze and An Axe for the Frozen Sea after Mass.

[Dcn. Garlick, Chancellor 🇻🇦 @HarrisonGarlic1]

YES GOD IS GOOD - BUT WHY?

Friends,

In the Euthyphro, Socrates asks: “Is the pious being loved by the gods because it is pious? Or is it pious because it is being loved by the gods?” Known as the "Euthyphro dilemma," this perplexing question is asking whether the gods are adhering to an objective standard of goodness or is whatever is the gods will what is good?

It is transformative question--one that has been brewing since Homer--that shows the distinction between an objective reality where truth is intelligible and may be discovered and a subjective or voluntaristic reality where truth is what the gods declare it to be--a creation of the will.

🏛️Whether reality is objective or subject still rages at the heart of our debates today.

Over the next few weeks, we'll be studying the Euthyphro with some incredible people.

📚On Tuesday (8.26), we'll introduce the dialogue and take up the first definition of piety (5d) with Dr. Grabowski, Thomas Lackey, and me alongside a special guest: Dr. Joey Spencer, a Tutor in Theology, who specializes in angels and demons.

📚On the next Tuesday (9.2), the same group will discuss the second and third definitions of piety and conclude the dialogue. We go deep into Euthyphro, but it is certainly worth the time and effort.

📚On the next Tuesday (9.9), we welcome back Dr. Donald Prudlo, a wonderful theologian, to discuss St. Thomas Aquinas and the Euthyphro dilemma. In short, we'll look at the Euthyphro dilemma as Plato presents it but then ask it of a monotheistic God: Is God good because he adheres to an external standard of goodness? Or is whatever is good called good because God wills it? To wit, what is the Christian response to the Euthyphro dilemma, as both answers seem problematic - a fantastic conversation.

We'll have a substantial guide to the Euthyphro, which should be published by this coming Monday evening.

And then we'll be off to Plato's Apology, which gives Socrates' famous defense (or sorts) at his trial. We'll be joined by Fr. Justin Brophy, a Dominican friar, who has a heart for Plato and the wisdom of his dialogues.

Plato is philosophy.
And it is a joy to read him alongside all of you.

Dcn. Harrison Garlick

[J Spencer @thermopyly]

“Beauty is the full, clear, and inevitable expression of the inner truth in the external manifestation.” Fr. Romano Guardini, The Spirit of the Liturgy.

[J Spencer @thermopyly]

After Mass, a proper breakfast!

[Diocese of Tulsa @DioceseofTulsa]

Memorial Mass for Bishop Emeritus Edward J. Slattery

Bishop Emeritus Edward Slattery died on Sept. 13, of last year. The Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma will hold a Memorial Mass commemorating the first anniversary of his death.

The Mass will be celebrated by Bishop David Konderla and will take place at 6 p.m., Friday, Sept. 12, at Holy Family Cathedral. A reception will follow.

[J Spencer @thermopyly]

Great things happening at Holy Family Classical School !

[Father Brian O'Brien @frobrien]

Here’s some of what our high schoolers will be reading this year at Holy Family Classical School.

[J Spencer @thermopyly]

In Wichita for the weekend for a friend’s son’s wedding which means I had to make a stop at Eighth Day Books. These are the books who wanted a new home on my bookshelves! If you are ever in Wichita, Eighth Day Books is one of the best independent Booksellers in the U.S.A.

[J Spencer @thermopyly]

@HarrisonGarlic1 I’ll bring it Friday evening so you can check it out. Just finished Act 1, good stuff!

[J Spencer @thermopyly]

Getting ready to dig into this gem that I found last week in a small bookshop. A play based on the story of Paolo and Francesca from Canto V of Dante’s Inferno.

[J Spencer @thermopyly]

Bishop Elliott was not only a great theologian he was also a really nice guy and had a great sense of humor. He visited our diocese to give a few talks once and I had the pleasure of driving him to visit Clear Creek Monastery where he gave a talk to the monks.

[Morris Day and the (Ordinary) Time❤️‍🔥 @Uncouth_Bard]

Bishop Peter Elliott of Melbourne has passed away. Even if you don't know who he is, you have received the fruit of his work. He was a consultator for the DDW on the committee that provided the groundwork for the establishment of the Anglican Ordinariate.
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