Uploaded April 2023 | Updated September 2026, 6 hours ago
Peter Helland continues with part 2 on the subject of theatre and eutrapalia. In Paul's letter to the Ephesians in chapter 5 verse 4 Paul writes that there should be no eutrapalia but rather eucharistia. Most scholars consider this a purposeful play on words. Paul is saying that instead of talking in a jesting way Christians should be full of thanksgiving instead. St. John Chrysostom in his homily number 17 on the evil of eutrapalia declares that trying to be humorous and witty in conversation is unbecoming for a Christian. He says that this way of talking leads eventually to fornication. Chrysostom gives a very powerful sermon for us today and Bishop Bossuet completely agrees with him. Unfortunately Thomas Aquinas in trying to adapt to Aristotle went too far in accepting Aristotle's teaching that eutrapalia was a virtue. Now it seems that even the Christians act like they accept this way of talking as a virtue and no longer as a vice like all the church fathers did.
Peter Helland continues with part 2 on the subject of theatre and eutrapalia. In Paul's letter to the Ephesians in chapter 5 verse 4 Paul writes that there should be no eutrapalia but rather eucharistia. Most scholars consider this a purposeful play on words. Paul is saying that instead of talking in a jesting way Christians should be full of thanksgiving instead. St. John Chrysostom in his homily number 17 on the evil of eutrapalia declares that trying to be humorous and witty in conversation is unbecoming for a Christian. He says that this way of talking leads eventually to fornication. Chrysostom gives a very powerful sermon for us today and Bishop Bossuet completely agrees with him. Unfortunately Thomas Aquinas in trying to adapt to Aristotle went too far in accepting Aristotle's teaching that eutrapalia was a virtue. Now it seems that even the Christians act like they accept this way of talking as a virtue and no longer as a vice like all the church fathers did.
