Thomas Merton, The Seven Storey Mountain, and the Rest of the Story
Presented by acclaimed biographer Prof. Michael W. Higgins, Ph.D., this course explores the life and literary genius of Thomas Merton. When Thomas Merton published "The Seven Storey Mountain" in 1948, no one could have expected it to become an international sensation. An autobiography of his conversion to Catholicism, it became a wildly popular bestseller, propelling this humble Trappist monk to literary fame. Today, it is widely regarded as a spiritual classic. While it remains his most famous work, "The Seven Storey Mountain" is only the tip of the iceberg in Merton's rich, multi-layered oeuvre. In Thomas Merton, ""The Seven Storey Mountain, and the Rest of the Story,"" you will join award-winning professor and speaker Michael W. Higgins in exploring Merton's compelling autobiographical literature. As you examine his journals, letters, novels, and poetry, you will encounter a brilliant portrait of the premier Catholic spiritual figure of the twentieth century. Although "The Seven Storey Mountain" cemented Thomas Merton as a prominent writer, he also felt that it presented a limited portrait of him. Indeed, his later autobiographical works, such as "Conjectures of a Guilty Bystander" and "The Asian Journal," show a more mature and fully realized vision. "The Seven Storey Mountain" would establish many of Merton's most powerful themes—his later works brought these themes to their apex. In this course, you will examine the writings of this modern and post-modern chronicler of the soul's unfolding. Encounter Thomas Merton—the man, monk, and mystic—today.
Episodes
- 12 Episodes
Shows with Subscription Benefits
- Internationally best-selling author, renowned professor, and the "dean of American Catholic Historians," Fr. John O'Malley presents his monumental course on the papacy. This masterpiece series covers the most fascinating history in the Western world. Now you can trace the amazing history of the papacy, the oldest still-functioning institution of any kind in the Western world, in 36 erudite lectures. By focusing on popes that shaped vital moments in global history, you will gain a deep understanding of the people, issues, and ideas that gave us the Catholic church and our world. The story features both trouble and triumph—and Fr. O'Malley deftly tackles both aspects—but above all, it tells of resilience. You will be enthralled as you listen to Fr. O'Malley explains how pope after pope responded to challenges from barbarians, "Christian" monarchs, disgruntled bishops, and, above all, the faults and failures of human nature in order to guide Peter's bark through the rugged seas of time.
- From the best-selling author of "The Return of the Prodigal Son," essential listening for Christians, Catholics, and all spiritual seekers. We lead our spiritual lives in relationship with others. A faithful community gives us opportunities to worship, share burdens, offer forgiveness, and celebrate life. Wherever he went, Henri Nouwen created such communities, and within them, he offered spiritual direction. Available as an audiobook for the first time ever, "Spiritual Direction: Wisdom for the Long Walk of Faith" is part of The Nouwen Trilogy. These convenient audio sessions let you adopt Nouwen as your personal spiritual director. As you listen, you will come to see the spiritual life as he did: a transformative journey that takes on meaning through interpersonal connections. Each session was carefully prepared by Dr. Michael Christensen, an award-winning professor of Christian ministry and practice, and Dr. Rebecca Laird, who was Nouwen's student at Yale Divinity School. Each volume of The Nouwen Trilogy collects Nouwen's unpublished homilies, interviews, classes, and speeches, as well as excerpts from his published writings. Editing these works into a cohesive and definitive guide to the Christian life, Drs. Christensen and Laird memorialize his popular teachings. With Nouwen's guidance, you hold the key to true and lasting spiritual transformation.
- What does it mean to be an imitator of Christ? Find out by exploring the life and legacy of Saint Francis of Assisi and the movements he inspired with one of the world's leading Franciscan experts as your guide. From the humble backyard birdbath to the splendor of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, images of this Italian cloth merchant's son can be found almost anywhere. His followers now number nearly one million in more than 96 countries, lay and religious, men and women. But who was St. Francis? Why do so many of us find him such an attractive Christian and human figure? What is fact and what is fiction about his life, his teaching, and his impact on global society? Learn the remarkable story behind the Franciscan movement. Now you can trace the amazing story of the lives of Saint Francis and Saint Clare with this exciting new 24-lecture series by renowned Franciscan scholar Brother William Short, former president of the Franciscan School of Theology in Berkeley. Whether you have studied Francis for a lifetime or you are only casually acquainted with this amazing saint, we guarantee you will treasure this unique course.
- This course will have a profound impact on your faith and thinking. Thomas Aquinas, OP (1225-1274), is one of world history's most influential thinkers. His works indelibly shaped Western thought and Christian belief, and his brilliant ideas continue to resonate in universities and churches everywhere. But his complex thought can often seem inaccessible. In this superb course, taught by an internationally known Aquinas expert, you will tour his towering thought while gaining powerful insights into your faith and values. You will cover his ethics, metaphysics, epistemology, and philosophical theology. Under Prof. Stump's guidance, you will see the world through his eyes. You will begin with an introduction to Aquinas' ethics in order to explore his views on human flourishing and morality. Then you will gain tremendous insights into his metaphysics, which engage with the nature of ultimate reality, God's eternity, and much more. After looking at his philosophy of free will, you will explore his epistemology. Finally, you will encounter his complex and fascinating philosophical theology. Along the way Prof. Stump will guide you through complex philosophical concepts with deft and easy-to-understand teaching. Although he died young, it is impossible to overestimate Aquinas' influence on Western philosophy. His thought remains as relevant today as ever. You don't want to miss this enlightening journey through the thought of one of the great intellectual giants of the Christian tradition.
- Gain fresh insights into the New Testament in this life-changing course by a celebrated Bible translator and Oxford professor. Perhaps no other text has so greatly influenced Western civilization as the New Testament. And yet, it also remains widely misunderstood, even among lifelong Christians. Now, "The New Testament: A Bible Study Course" answers your most important questions about its 27 books. Brilliantly presented by Fr. Nicholas King, these 36 engaging lectures give you access to modern scholarship on the New Testament. Fr. King's original translations breathe new life into the words you have so often heard and studied, accurately conveying the mood of the original documents. After a fascinating general introduction to the New Testament, you will take a fresh look at the Pauline epistles. You will enjoy four lectures on each of the Gospels before looking at Acts of the Apostles, the general epistles, and Revelation. Finally, you will consider the important themes of Christ's Resurrection, divine inspiration, and the necessity of the Old Testament. Above all, you will gain a fuller sense of Jesus as a devout Jew who was telling the old story of God and the People of God in a new way. And as Jesus preached, the gospel message is open to all. This scriptural journey will fill you with the excitement that pervades the writings of the New Testament. Embark on it today.
- This set of talks recorded by Thomas Merton invites you to renew your prayer life under the guidance of a spiritual master. Thomas Merton was one of the great spiritual masters: a Trappist monk, profound mystic, and brilliant writer. He inspired men and women from all walks of life with his dedication to prayer and contemplation. In 1967, near the end of his life, Merton gave a powerful set of lectures on prayer to the Sisters of Loretto. He channeled a lifetime full of wisdom, piety, and prayerfulness into these erudite yet down-to-earth talks. Now, you have the rare opportunity to hear Merton's moving lectures, deepening your own life of prayer with one of the great modern spiritual masters. This series has been remastered and made available for you to enjoy. In these heartfelt talks, Merton reaches out across the decades to inspire your spirit. He will lead you on a powerful journey, giving you new insights into contemplative prayer. You will explore such topics as religious poverty, philosophy, and monasticism. As you do so, you will discover what it means to truly live as a Christian today. Recorded half a century ago, these talks remain as powerful today as ever. Merton will transform your life with his timeless insights into contemplation, the search for meaning, and more. Join him on this life-changing experience. This set includes an afterword by Fr. Anthony Ciorra.
About
Presented by acclaimed biographer Prof. Michael W. Higgins, Ph.D., this course explores the life and literary genius of Thomas Merton.
When Thomas Merton published "The Seven Storey Mountain" in 1948, no one could have expected it to become an international sensation. An autobiography of his conversion to Catholicism, it became a wildly popular bestseller, propelling this humble Trappist monk to literary fame. Today, it is widely regarded as a spiritual classic.
While it remains his most famous work, "The Seven Storey Mountain" is only the tip of the iceberg in Merton's rich, multi-layered oeuvre. In Thomas Merton, ""The Seven Storey Mountain, and the Rest of the Story,"" you will join award-winning professor and speaker Michael W. Higgins in exploring Merton's compelling autobiographical literature. As you examine his journals, letters, novels, and poetry, you will encounter a brilliant portrait of the premier Catholic spiritual figure of the twentieth century.
Although "The Seven Storey Mountain" cemented Thomas Merton as a prominent writer, he also felt that it presented a limited portrait of him. Indeed, his later autobiographical works, such as "Conjectures of a Guilty Bystander" and "The Asian Journal," show a more mature and fully realized vision. "The Seven Storey Mountain" would establish many of Merton's most powerful themes—his later works brought these themes to their apex.
In this course, you will examine the writings of this modern and post-modern chronicler of the soul's unfolding. Encounter Thomas Merton—the man, monk, and mystic—today.
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- Episodes12
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