Charles Williams is something of an enigma. He was probably the strangest members of the Inklings set. In this work, he sets out to explain what he believes in a meditation on the phrase: 'He came down from heaven' which appears in the Nicene Creed. There is no better introduction to his thought.

By combining narration with extracts from the text itself, this episode will be your guide to his ideas.

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Improve this version: In this episode, Rev. Douglas Dales - author and Anglican parish priest - is our guide to St. Bonaventure's Itinerarium in Mentis Deum. Written in the 13th century, this mystical text is a roadmap for spiritual transformation.

Books by Douglas Dales on Bonaventure and other subjects may be purchased directly from his publisher here or from any good online bookshop.

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St Bonaventure wrote The Soul's Journey into God while meditating on the vision of a crucified seraph that had appeared thirty-three years earlier to St Francis, his spiritual mentor. Bonaventure comes to see that the angel's six wings represent six steps on the road to mystical union with God.

By combining narration with extracts from the text itself, this episode will be your guide to this journey.

The quotations throughout are from the translation of George Boas.

This episode is greatly indebted to the work of Douglas Dales, who will be appearing on this podcast to discuss Bonaventure and his work.

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Richard Frost - author, Benedictine oblate and lay minister in the Church of England - is our guide to The Rule of St Benedict. This blueprint for monastic living, written by St Benedict in the 6th century, remains a foundational text for monks and nuns all over the world. As well as insights into centuries of thought and practice, Richard Frost explains that the text still has much to offer ordinary readers today.

You can follow Richard's blog and purchase his books here.

Sign up at hesperidesonline.com and receive a book, transcripts, notes and access to our online discussion forum.

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Welcome to the first in a new series of podcasts. These guides to classics of Christian literature are intended to provide an acquaintance with the texts and authors by combining narration with extracts from the texts themselves.

This episode is focused on the Rule of St Benedict, a book that continues to change lives 1500 years after it was written.

You will hear passages outlining his thoughts on humility, order, change, stability, obedience and more. All of which have application well beyond the walls of a monastery.

The quotations throughout are from Leonard J. Doyle's translation.

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Dr Louis Markos of Houston Christian University is our guide to Boethius' Consolation of Philosophy. At the height of his career, Boethius was one of the most important figures in Roman politics. He fell out of favour with King Theoderic and was condemned to a prison cell. The book, written during those dark days, is a record of the consolation he could find in philosophy. The 6th century work has had a profound effect on subsequent Christian thought; C.S. Lewis believed that to acquire a taste for it 'is almost to become naturalised in the Middle Ages'.

For Louis Markos's authors page on Amazon click here

Sign up at hesperidesonline.com and receive a book, transcripts, notes and access to our online discussion forum.

If you enjoyed the podcast, please leave a rating and review to help others find it.

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Joseph Pearce guides us through G.K. Chesterton's 1908 masterpiece, Orthodoxy. Written in response to a review challenging him to produce his positive philosophy, rather than criticising the views of contemporaries, Orthodoxy is Chesterton's first book length defence of the Christian faith. In it you discover why fairy tales are true, why poets don't go mad and why liberalism is actually illiberal.

You can find more about Joseph's work at jpearce.co

For transcripts, notes and links to further resources - and to receive a Christian classic delivered to your door each month - sign up at www.hesperidesonline.com

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Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anointed Solomon king and all the people rejoiced! In this special episode recorded to mark the coronation of King Charles, Catherine Pepinster talks about the British monarchy, religion, and the coronation ceremony.

Her book, Defenders of the Faith, is available from all good bookshops.

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The Reverend Dr. Emma Pennington introduces The Cloud of Unknowing. This fourteenth century guide to the contemplative life might be more relevant than ever. Does ignorance bring us closer to God? Can Christians meditate? The anonymous author thinks so.

Find out more about The English Mystics in this series of talks on the Canterbury Cathedral YouTube channel.

At the Foot of the Cross, Emma's book on Julian of Norwich, is available from all good bookshops.

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We are pleased to be introducing Hesperides, a new membership platform for Christians—and anyone interested in Christian thinking.

Each month, subscribers will receive:

• A beautifully printed book delivered through their letterbox each month.
• An audio guide to the book, along with transcripts.
• Detailed notes on the work and links to other resources.
• Access to an exclusive discussion forum full of like-minded individuals.

Grow in faith and understanding by exploring the greatest Christian thinkers of all time with the help of today's leading teachers.

Hesperides will be launching in May. Sign up to join a life-changing conversation.

www.hesperidesonline.com

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