True Philosophy and Communion
It is related of Justin Martyr that, hearing of a Pythagorean professor of ethics, he expressed the wish to become one of his disciples. “Very well,” the teacher replied; “but have you studied music, astronomy, and geometry, and do you think it possible for you to understand aught of that which leads to bliss, without having mastered the sciences that disengage the soul from objects of sense, so rendering it a fit habitation for the intelligences?” On Justin's confessing that he had not studied those branches, he was dismissed by the professor.
Alas for such a material science of life! Of what avail would geometry be to a poor sinner struggling with temptation, or to a man with the smallpox?
Ancient and modern philosophies are spoiled by lack of Science. They would place Soul wholly inside of body, intelligence in matter; and from error of premise would seek a correct conclusion. Such philosophy can never demonstrate the Science of Life, — the Science which Paul understood when he spoke of willingness “to be absent from the body, and present with the Lord.” Such philosophy is far from the rules of the mighty Nazarene Prophet. His words, living in our hearts, were these: “Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, shall in no wise enter therein.” Not through astronomy did he point out the way to heaven and the reign of harmony.
We need the spirit of St. Paul, when he stood on Mars' hill at Athens, bringing Christianity for the first time
