It seems to me that there is a model of reality prevalent in the way we think  The model involves minds controlling mechanisms that happen to be bodies.  One’s mind is the person sitting at the computer controlling the shooter in the video game with a mouse aiming a gun and fingers on w, a, s, d to control movement.  One’s mind is the person holding the controller flying the radio controlled plane.

I remember movies in biology class in which the brain was illustrated as a cartoon man in a lab coat watching on a screen what the eyes of the body can see and receiving messages from the other receptors (senses).  We’re all little people driving robots according to this model.

And language is explained in a similar model.  There is a chart of equations somewhere which has certain sounds lined up with certain meaning so that the brain is constantly looking at the chart to match the perceptions with meanings.

In how many ways has this baseless model for human nature contaminated Christian teaching?

Sacraments come to mind.  The role of ceremonies for good or ill more generally would also be affected.  The importance of community, the Church, and the role of human relationships.  For on this model the primary reality is complete isolation.

One of the people, perhaps the most important person, who has begun to make me begin to see this is Dr. Peter Leithart.  Perhaps the best place to see him tackle the problem most directly is in his little book, Against Christianity, but I started back with his The Kingdom and the Power: Rediscovering the Centrality of the Church, which is very good despite being dated.  The Baptized Body is also quite relevant.  There are many other books he has written that are also very valuable.  I’m sorry to say I haven’t been able to keep up with all of them.

Of course, quite appropriately, Peter (sorry, I can’t continue to refer to him by his last name) is not just about ideas.  His writings encompass literature, exegesis, Bible commentaries, and also fiction.  Anyone who knows him and his family knows they have a great teacher, even if he was to never speak, as to what it means to be a godly husband or father.

Dr. Leithart is a great gift to the Church.  I’m thankful I have had the privilege of encountering him.  Just felt I should mention that right now.  May God never forget him.

Back to work.

(And, yeah, this post did kind of change directions.  Sorry.)

POSTSCRIPT: Many of Peter’s books are free online