The Intellectual Life

The life of the mind to the glory of God

I recently read a book that has awakened something inside of me that I didn't even know was there. It is called The Intellectual Life by A. G. Sertillanges. It was as if this part of me was lying dormant in hibernation, and now that it has been awakened, I'm starting this new project. 

I want to pursue this life with the help and advice of Sertillanges, but most importantly, with the help of Christ. I don't believe the Intellectual life is worth pursuing apart from Him. In fact, I believe it is foolish (Psalm 14:1) and downright dangerous. 

The intellectual is not self-begotten; he is the son of the Idea, of the Truth, of the creative Word, the Life-giver immanent in His creation. When the thinker thinks rightly, he follows God step by step; he does not follow his own vain fancy. - The Intellectual Life p. xviii

We should never forget that an intellectual life can be a dangerous life. The greatest of vices stem not from the flesh but from the spirit, as Augustine said. The brightest of the angels was the fallen angel. The intellectual life can be and often is a perilous life. But this is no reason to deny its glory. - The Intellectual Life p. xii

So, what exactly is this project? What is The Intellectual Life? It is a project to help all of us learn how to learn, read more, read better, think more deeply, and write better so that we can share our ideas, our intellectual curiosities, and our research with the world. 

We are commanded, in the greatest commandment, to love the Lord our God with all our mind (Matthew 22:37). What does this mean? What does this look like? How do we love the lord with all our mind? 

This project is my attempt to answer these questions and more.

An analog revolution 

We spend too much time staring at screens and mindlessly scrolling on social media. Ironically, we are more depressed and lonelier than ever. Many of us are working jobs we hate. We feel trapped in the thick of the “rat race.” I want to get back to the basics and do things the “old way.” I want to pursue things that will enrich our lives and the lives of those we love. God has so much more for us (John 10:10)!

… to praise you is the desire of man, a little piece of your creation. You stir man to take pleasure in praising you, because you have made us for yourself, and our heart is restless until it rests in you. - Saint Augustine Confessions Book 1, 1

I want us to write by hand more often if not all the time. I want us to journal and reflect upon our lives to make them better. I want to teach people how to create and use an analog Zettelkasten so that they have a tool to think and share their ideas with the world. I can’t wait to teach this to you, by the way! I will be creating a complete tutorial very soon, so please subscribe and stay tuned!

I am not suggesting that our digital age is evil or that we should throw the baby out with the bath water. I am a software engineer, after all, and I wouldn’t have a job without computers or the internet. 

I don't claim to have all the answers, but this project is where I will share all that I am learning. I invite you to come along and learn with me!

Come join me, fellow traveler

Photo by Dariusz Sankowski on Unsplash

So, are you up for a new adventure? Then come along, and let's pursue The Intellectual Life together. While it may sound new, we are, in fact, standing upon the shoulders of giants. We will be learning from theologians, philosophers, authors, poets, and composers. Most are long dead, but our contemporaries have much to offer, too. We will read great books and explore what makes them so great and why they are still relevant and necessary for us today. I studied music composition at Berklee College of Music, and so there will be plenty of music to discuss and listen to as well! 

Finally and most importantly, I want this project to be collaborative. I am a pilgrim, a traveler, just like you. I don’t have all the answers. Let's learn, grow, help one another, and flourish together. 

I am beyond excited to see where this goes and am looking forward to embarking upon this journey with you. Come and take the first step with me.

Cheers,

Robert

My first draft

My first draft of this post