Rising with Christ - Dr. Melinda Nielsen

Dr. Melinda Nielsen, Associate Professor of Classical Literature at Baylor University (https://honors.baylor.edu/person/melinda-nielsen-phd), found Newman through her love of great literature. The Apologia captivated her through its masterful prose, noticing Newman’s firm grasp of reality. Dr. Nielsen sees Newman as drawing from ancient literature, in particular the Church Fathers, to offer us rich insights into our understanding of Scripture. Through his understanding of Scripture Newman helps us understand our relationship with God. This understanding is readily seen in The Parochial and Plain Sermon “Rising with Christ”. In this episode Dr. Nielsen highlights that Newman points us in striking directions that cut to the heart. For instance, Newman helps us realize we are welcomed to be lifted up with Christ on the Cross as he points to the penitent thief at the time of His crucifixion. At our most vulnerable moments we need our eyes fixed upward. Especially then we need a daystar, a focus. Here we find Newman creating for us what is most real from what is most invisible. In this sermon we discover Newman’s ability to communicate the invisible. Dr Nielsen points out how Newman uses grammatical style to anchor his thought. For instance, through hypothetical clauses Newman offers delays, deferring in his clauses to set us up to make his final punch all the more powerful. Newman will even use the number of one or two syllable words to help us see the simplicity in the truths that he is articulating. Newman ultimately calls us to redeem the time. We must consider what we are trading for our most valuable gift – the treasure of a friendship with Christ.

To approach Newman's majestic thought it is highly recommended to download the formatted sermon at www.newmanontap.com. Comments and suggestions are appreciated on the same site.