Ian Clary has travelled to Peru to learn about Peruvian grapes and their various uses. While he spends his time backpacking through vineyards and living off the land, Matthew Hoskin will join us as a guest host for Into Theology for a special six-episode series.
Join Matthew Hoskin and me as we podcast through The Consolation of Philosophy by Boethius, a classic of Christian spirituality and philosophical reflection. Boethius was a statesman, theologian, and philosopher whose pursuit of justice in politics led to his eventual execution. Because of his conviction that, as a politician, he had to confront injustice, he made political enemies.
As he awaited his untimely execution in prison—he was reportedly beaten and then strangled to death—he wrote The Consolation to remind himself and others that happiness does not rely on wealth, honour, prestige, or power but on something that cannot change or be lost. That unchanging thing is God.
So, purchase The Consolation of Philosophy wherever you buy books. We are using the Loeb edition, but you can read another edition, such as the Penguin one linked here.
Why Read The Consolation with Us?
Let me give you a few reasons.
1. Boethius shows us how changing fortunes cannot define our happiness.
If power gives us happiness, what happens when we lose it? If prestige does, it can be lost too. Money comes and goes. We cannot rely on fortune or our circumstances to make us truly content. The only thing that can make us lastingly content and happy, Boethius tells us, is something that is both Good and unchangeable. That thing is God.
2. Boethius challenges us to think about how God’s wisdom can be found in all of life.
We can look to the ant to learn wisdom (Prov 6:6). The animals of the world can be our teachers (Job 12:7–10). Even rock badgers can teach us wisdom (Prov 30:24–28)! Boethius teaches us how to learn from life in practical and concrete ways. Most of us live in the world of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. We need practical wisdom—Boethius helps us live well.
3. Boethius’s Consolation has helped Christians (and others) for centuries.
It has stood the test of time as a Great Book. As with any great book, it is simply worth reading to understand why it has influenced so many people over the centuries.
We have already released the first episode of this series. And the second one comes out on Thursday. To join in, see our introduction to Boethius’s Consolation here. Then subscribe to us on:
See the Into Theology page on our website here.
