Wednesday, September 19, 2007

An unexpected lesson from my Alma Mater

"Veritas, Christo et Ecclesiae," I am told by people who know more about Latin than I, means "Truth, for Christ and the Church." It may surprise you to find out that such a quaint and outdated phrase is the official motto of Harvard University to this day (no matter how much most people there would like to pretend it isn't). The motto was adopted in 1692, and although you usually only see the truncated form "Veritas" these days, I guess Harvard still hasn't quite shed all its religious history, because "Christo et Ecclesiae" is still there on all the university's official documents, even its diplomas.

It's a common misconception that Harvard was founded solely as a school for preachers. It wasn't -- it was simply founded as a school that understood the immense importance of the Christian faith and believed -- rightly, in my opinion -- that truth without a foundation in the One Who is Truth is incomplete truth, at best.

Here's a passage from Harvard's College Laws of 1642:

"Let every Student be plainly instructed, and earnestly pressed to consider well, the maine end of his life and studies is, to know God and Jesus Christ which is eternal life (John 17:3) and therefore to lay Christ in the bottome, as the only foundation of all sound knowledge and Learning. And seeing the Lord only giveth wisedome, Let every one seriously set himself by prayer in secret to seeke it of him (Prov. 2:3)."

Interesting, no? A Harvard professor would probably get fired for suggesting something like that these days, but that's the school's history and, judging from the unlikely endurance of its motto, I guess it's not so easy to shake.

Anyway, I like "Veritas, Christo et Ecclesiae," almost as much as I like another of Harvard's early mottos, "In Christi Gloriam" (To the Glory of Christ), and I'll try to write this blog (and live my life) with both those mottos in mind.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

viagra cheap buy online viagra over the counter buy cheap viagra soft free sample viagra cost of viagra over the counter viagra viagra blood pressure buy online viagra viagra uk cheap purchase buy new viagra cheap viagra canada viagra canada viagra equivalent viagra uk cost pill

Anonymous said...

[url=http://akreoplastoes.net/][img]http://akreoplastoes.net/img-add/euro2.jpg[/img][/url]
[b]discount language software, [url=http://akreoplastoes.net/]microsoft graphics software[/url]
[url=http://akreoplastoes.net/][/url] school store software adobe photoshop cs3 for mac full version
buy a photoshop [url=http://rastimores.net/]discounted softwares[/url] oem software package
[url=http://rastimores.net/]soft sales oem software[/url] windows vista skins
[url=http://akreoplastoes.net/]software market discount[/url] canada software market
software sales com [url=http://rastimores.net/]windows vista activation[/url][/b]

Anonymous said...

[url=http://sapresodas.net/][img]http://sapresodas.net/img-add/euro2.jpg[/img][/url]
[b]Freeway 5 Pro Finale, [url=http://sapresodas.net/]microsoft windows vista[/url]
[url=http://sapresodas.net/]nero 9 reviews[/url] software similar to adobe photoshop oem software for sale
11 Mac [url=http://vioperdosas.net/]microsoft software com[/url] electronic purchase order software
[url=http://sapresodas.net/]educational software site[/url] nero showtime
[url=http://sapresodas.net/]software cd shop[/url] buy cheap microsoft software
discount software australia [url=http://vioperdosas.net/]softwares to buy[/url][/b]

Anonymous said...

I'm the kind of hombre who enjoys to taste brand-new things. Presently I am fabricating my personal photovoltaic panels. I am making it all by myself without the assistance of my men. I'm using the internet as the only path to acheive that. I saw a really amazing website which explains how to create photovoltaic panels and so on. The internet site explains all the steps required to constructing photovoltaic panels.

I am not sure about how precise the information given there is. If some experts over here who have xp with these works can have a look and give your feedback in the thread it would be great and I'd extremely value it, cause I truly would love to try solar panel construction.

Tnx for reading this. U people rock.

Anonymous said...

good morning dudes. I'm honestly into shoes and I have been digging for the sake of that exact model. The prices for the velcros are approximately 180 bucks on every site. But for all I set this site selling them for the benefit of half price. I absolutely love these [url=http://www.shoesempire.com]prada sneakers[/url]. I will definetly buy these. what is your opinion?

Anonymous said...

hi everyone. I'm actually into shoes and I have been searching as far as something that meticulous brand. The prices for the shoes are approximately 220 bucks on every site. But definitively I base this area selling them for half price. I in reality like those [url=http://www.shoesempire.com]gucci sneakers[/url]. I will probably order them. what is your opinion?

Anonymous said...

hi there ppl. I'm honestly into shoes and I have been digging for the sake of that singular model. The prices as regards the velcros were around 220 pounds everwhere. But completely I bring about this locate selling them for the benefit of half price. I exceptionally love these [url=http://www.shoesempire.com]gucci sneakers[/url]. I will probably order those. what is your opinion?

Anonymous said...

sex [url=http://pornushi.ru/english-version/free-gay-porn/cinema-12.htm]cinema 12[/url]

Anonymous said...

Great writing! I want you to follow up on this topic!

Wendell

Anonymous said...

Hi thегe, alwaуs i used to
cheсk blog posts hеre in the early hours іn the
dawn, for the rеaѕon that i love to gaіn
knowledge of more and more.

my ωeblog - small loans

Anonymous said...

When sоme onе ѕearches for his required thing, so he/she wіѕhes tο be avаilаble thаt in detail,
ѕo that thing іs maintаinеd over hеrе.


Feel free to visit my ωeb blog :: payday loans

Anonymous said...

Hello theгe, I fоund уour web sіte by way of Goоgle at the
same time аs searching for а comparable toρiс, yоuг site got hеге up, it
loοks grеat. I hаve bookmаrked it іn my google bookmarκs.

Ι'm no longer certain where you are getting your information, but great topic. I must spend a while learning much more or figuring out more. Thanks for magnificent info I was searching for this information for my mission.

Take a look at my site :: Instant Payday Loans

Anonymous said...

аll the tіmе і usеd tο read smaller posts thаt as wеll clear
their motіνe, аnd thаt іs also happеning with this articlе
which I am гeadіng аt this plаce.


My page - payday loans

Anonymous said...

how to get pregnant
The perfect position to use during intercourse to help you to conceive has not been scientifically proven, but many believe that the missionary position is the best. They are erroneously told by their doctors that this is impossible without the help of in vitro fertilization.