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papernapkin 's review for:
The Noonday Devil: Acedia, the Unnamed Evil of Our Times
by Jean-Charles Nault
Whenever I read religious books I wonder whether to share my thoughts. In this age of atheistic materialism, few will be interested. But I'll jot a few things down for those who are. After all, people obsessed with Ghanaian gastronomy, or 18th century millinery, or competitive fly tying might be more deserving of information and opinions of their niche interests than those whose interests are popular.
This is a treatise on the sin of sloth, or, as it was first termed, acedia. The original meaning of sloth wasn't laziness, but a much more nuanced form of despair, almost nihilism. One aspect of sloth is a kind of apathy that would later be described as laziness. “The sluggard buries his hand in the bowl; It grieves him to bring it back to his mouth.” (Prov, 26:15) It's the “Meh, I can't be bothered,” that so many of us experience. It follows from losing perspective, and being weighed down by our troubles. We are overcome by darkness and can see neither our destination nor a path to get there. The author doesn't discuss depression and how it's distinguished from acedia, or whether sloth is a result or a cause of depression, and certainly depression is an illness, not a sin.
If you're looking for a book on the history and exploration of acedia (again, doubtful) this is a good survey. If you're looking for help in overcoming it, not so much. I don't know why someone would write a book on sloth without some practical tips on how to prevail. I guess because it's an academic book? I mean, the author does skim over the principal remedies, but doesn't really go over the finer points of how to apply them. Saying that in becoming man, Christ became our friend and loves us as a dear friend is wonderful, but how do we really get our minds around that, and carry it to the parts of us that most need to hear that good news? I guess the author thought that practicalities were beyond the scope of his book, but it was disappointing.
This is a treatise on the sin of sloth, or, as it was first termed, acedia. The original meaning of sloth wasn't laziness, but a much more nuanced form of despair, almost nihilism. One aspect of sloth is a kind of apathy that would later be described as laziness. “The sluggard buries his hand in the bowl; It grieves him to bring it back to his mouth.” (Prov, 26:15) It's the “Meh, I can't be bothered,” that so many of us experience. It follows from losing perspective, and being weighed down by our troubles. We are overcome by darkness and can see neither our destination nor a path to get there. The author doesn't discuss depression and how it's distinguished from acedia, or whether sloth is a result or a cause of depression, and certainly depression is an illness, not a sin.
If you're looking for a book on the history and exploration of acedia (again, doubtful) this is a good survey. If you're looking for help in overcoming it, not so much. I don't know why someone would write a book on sloth without some practical tips on how to prevail. I guess because it's an academic book? I mean, the author does skim over the principal remedies, but doesn't really go over the finer points of how to apply them. Saying that in becoming man, Christ became our friend and loves us as a dear friend is wonderful, but how do we really get our minds around that, and carry it to the parts of us that most need to hear that good news? I guess the author thought that practicalities were beyond the scope of his book, but it was disappointing.