Author | Lightnews

Nathaniel Metz @nmetz.bsky.social · 9d

substack.com/home/post/p-...

#theosky #theology #art #aesthetics

Utopian Scholastic Aesthetic: Where Learning Meets Wonder

A reflection on how beauty, curiosity, and imagination make learning a sacred act.

substack.com

2

Nathaniel Metz @nmetz.bsky.social · Aug 13

I wrote a new blog post talking about #superman, #missionimpossible, and #jurassicworld as it pertains to developing a new moral perception of the world.

open.substack.com/pub/nathanie...

Nathaniel Metz @nmetz.bsky.social · Jul 8

It's an aesthetic trend that many have noticed, and I felt like I'd give my two cents about it as well.

open.substack.com/pub/nathanie...

Why I Hate Box Restaurants (and other spaces like it)

Against the nihilism of "corporate blandism" and the necessity of beautiful spaces

open.substack.com

Nathaniel Metz @nmetz.bsky.social · Jun 17

nathanielmetz.substack.com/publish/post...

#film #scripture #theology #theosky

Nathaniel Metz @nmetz.bsky.social · Jun 4

I just wrote an analysis of the 2014 film "Whiplash," using a Jungian framework. I hope you enjoy! The full post is free to read.
open.substack.com/pub/nathanie...

#filmanalysis #film #Jung #art #pyschology #esotericism

Reposted by Nathaniel Metz

Visio Smaragdina @visiosmaragdina.bsky.social · Jan 9

“If you behold the earth and the rocks you will acknowledge that there is a life in them; for if this were not so, there would be in them neither gold nor silver, and neither herbs nor grasses."
JAKOB BOEHME (1575-1624)
(Aurora, xix. 57.)

5 33

Reposted by Nathaniel Metz

Ennius @enniusredloeb.bsky.social · Apr 19

The three Marys at the empty tomb being greeted by an angel.
#EasterSunday
BL Add 49598; Benedictional of Æthelwold; 963 CE-984 CE; England, S; f.51v

1 6 37

Reposted by Nathaniel Metz

Chris Woodyard @chriswoodyard.bsky.social · Apr 17

For #BatAppreciationDay
Long-eared bat flying over churchyard, J.W. Whimper
Bat flying over ruined church
wellcomecollection.org/works/th8k67se
British Library
#TheVictorianBookoftheDead

1 6 27

Reposted by Nathaniel Metz

Mikhail Nesterov @mnesterov.bsky.social · Apr 15

The Philosophers: Portrait of Sergei Bulgakov and Pavel Florenskiy https://www.wikiart.org/en/mikhail-nesterov/the-philosophers-portrait-of-sergei-bulgakov-and-pavel-florenskiy-1917

1 1

Nathaniel Metz @nmetz.bsky.social · Apr 2

They are not. I am the creator behind Vacation Bible School, though I don’t have an account on Bluesky for my music (in most part because I am on an extended hiatus currently).

1

Nathaniel Metz @nmetz.bsky.social · Mar 28

I wrote a new short blog post about how G.I. Gurdjieff’s “fourth way” can relate to the atmospheres of built environment. The combination helps us foster a deeper sense of religious and sacred attention while we navigate the everyday world

#vibes #gurdjieff #art

open.substack.com/pub/nathanie...

Nathaniel Metz @nmetz.bsky.social · Mar 20

Interestingly enough, those who most liked the “trendy” or “worship concert” atmospheres were either a worship leader or one of the production designers. Though I did not meet or talk to anyone else who matched their enthusiasm.
Take that with a grain of salt, but this survey resonates what I saw

Nathaniel Metz @nmetz.bsky.social · Mar 20

Back when I did a master’s thesis on church atmospheres, I interviewed lots of people. Most said they liked traditional spaces. Even those who attended a “trendy” church would shrug their shoulders and say, “It’s fine I guess,” but the real reason they attended was the community (and preaching)

1

Nathaniel Metz @nmetz.bsky.social · Mar 20

Very true in my slightly-more-than-anecdotal experience. So glad that @christianitytoday.com is mentioning it
www.christianitytoday.com/2025/03/best...

Americans Think Church Should Look Churchy - Christianity Today

People want traditional worship spaces, not modern, trendy buildings.

www.christianitytoday.com

1 1

Nathaniel Metz @nmetz.bsky.social · Feb 16

I’m reading “The Whole Mystery of Christ” right now for class (and really liking). I saw this and thought to myself, “Oh that would probably be a good supplemental material because Wood mentions NCC a lot.”

Then I realized it’s all the same author haha. Fun stuff!

1 1

Reposted by Nathaniel Metz

Rachel Deering @racheldeering.bsky.social · Feb 15

‘Said Gawain, gay of cheer, ‘Whether fate be foul or fair, Why falter I or fear? What should man do but dare?’’ ~ Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. #BookWormSat

the Green Knight neither falls nor falters, but instead reaches out, picks up his severed head, and mounts his horse. The Green Knight shows his bleeding head to Queen Guinevere, while it reminds Gawain that the two must meet again at the Green Chapel in a year and a day,

1 15 100

Nathaniel Metz @nmetz.bsky.social · Jan 25

Some of my rumination on Plato’s Allegory of the Cave and the story of David choosing not to kill Saul

open.substack.com/pub/nathanie...

#theosky

Nathaniel Metz @nmetz.bsky.social · Jan 24

To be clear: I unironically agree with Hart here. I also look forward to the redeemed Spinosaurus because he was my favorite as a kid.

Reposted by Nathaniel Metz

The Assisi Project @assisiproject.com · Jan 19

"Praised be you, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars, in heaven you formed them clear and precious and beautiful!" #SaintFrancisOfAssisi #Maine

1 43

Nathaniel Metz @nmetz.bsky.social · Jan 18

Creation is not a static hierarchy in which the non-human has no value, but it is also not a chaotic flux of pure immanence. I parse a third theological path— “cybernetic animism”— between those positions in my latest blog post

open.substack.com/pub/nathanie...

#theosky

Reposted by Nathaniel Metz

W. David O. Taylor @wdavidotaylor.bsky.social · Jan 16

A new student @fullerseminary.bsky.social had the BEST responses to Week #1 readings:

"Don't go into theological texts looking for a fight!"

"How can these big ideas change how I live?"

"Western theology isn't the only voice."

"Reading about church history felt like theological time travel!"

1 2 3

Nathaniel Metz @nmetz.bsky.social · Jan 9

Noumenal-phenomenal. Apophatic-cataphatic. Personal selfhood and collective selfhood. Kant and Bulgakov. I muse on the connection of these topics in my latest blog post to talk about the noumenal self and its relationship to all Creation.

open.substack.com/pub/nathanie...

#theosky #theology

An icon of Holy Wisdom with text that says: the noumenal interconnection of self and creation, a blog post

Nathaniel Metz @nmetz.bsky.social · Dec 31

A fascinating Christmas tale with intriguing themes and archetypes. I wrote some theological reflections on the Arthurian story, “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight”

#theosky

open.substack.com/pub/nathanie...

2 5

Reposted by Nathaniel Metz

Regula M. Zwahlen @remaz.bsky.social · Dec 24

“The shepherds had to overcome their fear, for man was called to respond to this Theophany not with fear and trepidation due to the incommensurability between the Creator and creation, but with that which transcends such fear and is superior to it: with the joy of love.” Lk 2,10

1 1 4

Nathaniel Metz @nmetz.bsky.social · Dec 24

Merry Christmas Eve!!

This night always makes me think of my favorite Christmas story, The Nutcracker. And the ballet music ballet is gorgeous! I find the themes and characters quite inspiring—a beautiful Christmas fairy tale❤️

#christmas #magic #theology #Jung

open.substack.com/pub/nathanie...

The Nutcracker and Integration: A Jungian Interpretation

A brief analysis on one of my favorite Christmas stories

open.substack.com