The Paradoxical Beauty of the Cross: Theological Aesthetics and the Doctrine of the Atonement in Athanasius’ Contra Gentes-De Incarnatio

In his two-part treatise Contra Gentes-De Incarnatio, Athanasius offers an interesting apologetic for the Christian doctrine of the atonement by employing various aesthetic themes and forms of expression drawn from the classical notion of beauty found particularly in the Platonic and neo-Platonic traditions. Although Athanasius never mentions the term “beauty” in Contra Gentes-De Incarnatio, the concept certainly looms in the background. Writing against the Platonic, Epicurean, and Stoic systems of his day, Athanasius centers his apologetic on the philosophical tension evident in the doctrine of divine transcendence/immanence. This paper argues that Athanasius implicitly characterizes the tension of divine transcendence/ immanence as paradoxical in nature and, as such, is not solved but resolved in Christian doctrine of the incarnation and the culminating event of the crucifixion. For Athanasius, the aesthetic force of the crucifixion is its manifold paradox in which Christ, the God-man, conquers by being conquered, restores man\u27s spiritual form by becoming formless, and establishes universal peace by surrendering to violence. Thus, in the Christian tradition, the divine transcendence/immanence paradox is localized and expanded in the incarnation and crucifixion event invoking an overflow of aesthetic inspiration in the heart of the believer. Therefore, the purpose of this essay is twofold. First, it will identify certain themes in the classical definition of beauty and will examine how these themes are interwoven throughout Athanasius’ apologetic . Second, it will attempt to prove that the aesthetic superiority of the cross, as implicitly argued in Contra Gentes-De Incarnatio, is rooted in the paradoxical nature of the crucifixion event. Thus, for Athanasius, beauty shines forth through paradox

Meeting the information challenge: exploring partnerships with Africa

Africa suffers from the disadvantages of marginality within the global technical system and a legacy of externally driven infrastructure. Developments in information and communication technologies now offer the chance to redress these but the technologies require skills and capacities which are scarce. The technologies themselves can be used to leverage existing resources so that the necessary skills can be developed. However this process needs to take account of African priorities and requirements if the current inequitable situation is not to be reproduced in a new global infrastructure. The key to this is a balance between external partnership and internal collaboration. The African diaspora offers a means of moderating such relationships

Some reasons for non-conversion of horticultural producers in Wales

A questionnaire survey of about 2500 farmers who had contacted OCIS in Wales since 1996 was used to find out why more horticultural producers were not converting to organic production. Of 272 respondents, 43 had a horticultural enterprise on their farm and 26 identified horticulture as one of their main enterprises. Twelve of these converted, but the main reasons given by the remainder for not converting were the cost of certification and the low level of OFS payments. The OFS provides only limited support for horticulture enterprises as payments are based on area, and many holdings are small and may even be ineligible for payment. No concerns were expressed about the market

Organic Centre Wales Factsheet 1: Information on organic conversion for farmers in Wales

This factsheet is aimed at producers that are interested in finding out more about converting to organic farming. It sets out the steps that be taken, such as contacting the Organic Centre Wales helpline and registering for Organic Conversion Information Service that will help you to explore the technical implications of conversion. The factsheet contains further information on organic conversion for farmers in Wales

Philosophy at the Beginning of the 21st Century

À la dernière moitié du 20 e siècle, la postmodernité a rejeté entièrement la notion de réalité objective et celui de vérité. On doit s'en souvenir que la vérité en dépend de ce qu’il montre et s'il n'y avait aucune réalité objective il n'y avait aucune vérité non plus. Mais aujourd’hui, au commencem ent du 21 e siècle, est survenue une nouvelle vue appelée la post post -modernité qui est un retour subtil à la modernité et qui tende trouver des choses fermes dans la réalité et des certitudes dans la pensée. Ainsi, ce courent reconnaît que notre expérien ce nous enseigne qu'il y a un monde réel qui existe indépendamment de nous, indépendamment de nos expériences, de nos pensées et de notre langue. À ce moment il semble qu'il y a une opportunité de revenir à une position réaliste, qui a du sens tant dans la science que dans la théologie. Elle fournit une vision du monde qui se veut correspondante à la réalité, cohérente en lui -même et capable à répondre systématiquement aux questions de la vie

Solving the Selesnick-Burrus Filter Design Equations Using Computational Algebra and Algebraic Geometry

In a recent paper, I. Selesnick and C.S. Burrus developed a design method for maximally flat FIR low-pass digital filters with reduced group delay. Their approach leads to a system of polynomial equations depending on three integer design parameters $K,L,M$. In certain cases (their ``Region I''), Selesnick and Burrus were able to derive solutions using only linear algebra; for the remaining cases ("Region II''), they proposed using Gr\"obner bases. This paper introduces a different method, based on multipolynomial resultants, for analyzing and solving the Selesnick-Burrus design equations. The results of calculations are presented, and some patterns concerning the number of solutions as a function of the design parameters are proved.Comment: 34 pages, 2 .eps figure

Assessment and remediation of reading difficulties : an evaluation of the SPELD approach : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology at Massey University

This thesis examines assessment and remediation of reading difficulties. A review of recent research on the skilled reading process, reading acquisition, and sources of difficulty provided the basis for listing criteria for assessing reading progress. Using this basis, the approach to assessment taken by the Specific Learning Disabilities Association of New Zealand (SPELD) was then evaluated. Five cases from the Manawatu region were then followed, to illustrate how the approach functions in designing individual remedial programmes. After a discussion of the assessment battery and the cases in terms of reading research, suggestions were made to improve the battery, so that SPELD and schools might work together for the maximum benefit of the students concerned