Rethinking the Last Judgment: Cosmic Symbolism & the Metaphor for Self-Discovery | @JonathanPageau
In this lecture, Jonathan Pageau presents a thoughtful examination of the Last Judgment through the lens of a late-11th-century mosaic, challenging the traditional view of it as solely an end-time event. He suggests that this imagery symbolizes an ongoing process of identity formation, where every entity acts as a judge, continually evaluating its alignment with its essence. This interpretation casts the Last Judgment in a new light, with the ideal human being as the ultimate measure of this alignment.
Pageau further delves into how this imagery interacts with its placement within the Church, enhancing the narrative of creation and ultimate fulfillment. He draws attention to the layered symbols within the scene, such as the crucifixion and harrowing of Hades. By exploring the cosmic symbolism-Christ as the source, the sheep and goats as symbols of inclusion or exclusion, and the strategic placement of figures-Pageau encourages a view of the Last Judgment not as a daunting reckoning but as a powerful allegory for the continuous formation and evaluation of identity against a higher ideal. This perspective not only demystifies the traditional fears associated with the Last Judgment but also prompts a personal reflection on how we align with broader, universal truths.
Jonathan Pageau is a renowned artist and the host of The Symbolic World podcast. He specializes in the interpretation of symbolic patterns across various cultural and historical contexts. Learn more about Jonathan Pageau and embark on a journey into the symbolic universe by visiting his podcast at thesymbolicworld.com and his website at www.pageaucarvings.com.
Glossary of Terms
Iconography: The visual images and symbols used in a work of art or the study or interpretation of these.
Byzantine Art: A style of art developed in the eastern Mediterranean in the late first millennium AD, characterized by its religious themes and extensive use of icons.
Resources
Ralston College
Website: www.ralston.ac/
KZread: / @ralstoncollegesavannah
X: / ralstoncollege
Images
The Church of Santa Maria Assunta, Torcello, Italy: The Last Judgement, Apse Mosaics
Church of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, Ravenna, Italy: 6th century Mosaic
The Basilica of Saint Sabina, Rome, Italy: Wooden door panels depicting The Ascension
Ascension of Christ, Rabbula Gospel Book (fol. 13v)
The Monastery of Apollo at Bawit, Egypt
Chapel of the Domus Galilaeae, Israel
Russian the Last Judgment Icon (Novgorod version, 15th century)
Quotes
"I believe that the image of the Last Judgment is actually a way to understand how identity formation functions." - Jonathan Pageau [00:09:00]
"We have to transform people; that's real. And that is undeniable when you meet someone that is transformed." - Jonathan Pageau [00:57:00]
Chapters
00:00:00 - Introduction to the Medieval Cosmos and Jonathan Pageau
00:06:30 - The Image of the Last Judgment and Its Significance
00:13:40 - Exploring the Fractal Nature of Medieval Symbols
00:17:40 - Understanding the Last Judgment and Its Structure
00:24:40 - Iconographic Representation of Christ, the Virgin, and Saints
00:29:00 - The Right Hand and Left Hand of Christ in the Last Judgment
00:37:00 - The Hetoimasia and the Prepared Throne
00:39:20 - Depictions of Paradise and Hell in the Last Judgment
00:50:20 - The Problem of Fragmentation and the Nature of Sin
00:55:00 - From Division to Unity: The Path Forward
00:57:50 - Q&A Session: Symbolism, Imagery, Rationality, and Integration
Пікірлер: 142
I'd say this is Jonathan's clearest outlining of these concepts yet. He just keeps getting better at this.
Jonathan blew my mind. Because of him, I can see a world of limitless treasure that was invisible to me previously. This lecture moved the bar considerably for my understanding of the symbolic world embedded in Christianity. PS After decades of wandering in the wilderness, I’ve become a Christian, in significant part due to prophet Jonathan’s insights.
@alvareo92
23 күн бұрын
There are no prophets after John the Baptist
Johnathan you're a wise man. I beg of you, take no bribe over any soul
@XC0r3
28 күн бұрын
Believe it, its part of the plan. All 🤫 your deeds will be nothing but of truth, of good. Believe it
@maryduffy2086
21 күн бұрын
@@XC0r3In relation to your first comment, can you elaborate, are you a Christian?
33:20 “what is pride? It’s an excess of identity.”
@mostlynotworking4112
27 күн бұрын
🦁
We have the privilege of having free access to such profound insight and illumination. Thank you Ralston College, Stephen Blackwood, and Jonathan Pageau for opening the doors for so many and letting the light in.
I am from Czech republic. I have gotten nearly all of my knowledge of philosophy from internet. Thank you for posting this.
@Augass
19 күн бұрын
based
Jonathan dropping truth bomb after truth bomb. Spectacular.
Great talk Jonathan "Christianity is somewhere between Aristotle and Plato".
@MeanBeanComedy
22 күн бұрын
It was perfect timing for the birth of Christianity.
I definitely have to rewatch this. God bless you Jonathan
That was WONDERFUL Jonathan!!❤
Great to hear you introduced!
A great lecture!
29:34 The Left and the Right: both have their role. „The sin of Peter (the right hand man) is Pride - an excess of identity.“ - „The sin of Paul (the left hand man) is the „thorn in the flesh“.“ (Could have needed a few more words on that. Edit: he explains it at the end, when he talks about Hell and addiction… 53:15 ) 55:00 from division to unity: „Start with Yourself.“ - Ouch. - „Creating Paradise“: gather the well oriented; „and things will clump again“; „changing the law does not change people’s hearts“
Jonathan Pageau just makes Symbolism very simple and easy
Wonderful
Pray and act to end abortion in the U.S.A. Protect young college students by educating and supporting them about chastity, aspirations to traditional marriage, welcoming the birth of children in marriage. Restore the culture that honors the sanctity of life. It is the responsibility of Christian elders to support the younger generation. Thank you for participating in bringing the kingdom of God by protecting the young. We do this for them and their future. Elders had their opportunity to grow up in traditional sacred Church. They have not opportunity but the Holy Spirit will guide us to restore the sanctity of life so they can receive and achieve their identity in Christ.
I can feel alot of videos of Jonathan going to this one. Are we finally ready Jonathan?
Amazing.
This was a great talk, thank you Jonathan. I agree with Jonathan that we need more people to be like lights (like Saints), yet I do also think that law does have an influence on the culture. Roe v. Wade has had a massively negative impact on our culture, and abortion and sexual libertinism (porn, hook-up culture, sex trafficking, etc.) are much more prevalent because of it. In the U.S., we have been polarized about abortion since it became legal and we will probably continue to be polarized over it until people fully understand the scourge that it is.
Great audience, can tell from the quality of questions, both in eloquence and content.
Magnifique
Ephesians 1:10. I don't know how to define evangelicalism, but I feel like I am being delivered out of it.
Please explain more on why Jesus said to the good thief ‘you will be with me in paradise’ but this doesn’t mean heaven. Where can I learn more about this?
@countdooku75
26 күн бұрын
Something to do with the second resurrection, new bodies, new heaven and earth, the holy city of Jerusalem with paradise at the center. Look up some of those terms and you’ll find what you’re looking for.
@1214gooner
21 күн бұрын
Paradise is the temporary domain of the dead yet redeemed.
❤
Would it be possible to get a video of the guitar cover?? I’m very curious to hear it adapted for guitar, especially if it’s coming from a Ralston alum 🤘🏽🤘🏽
@crystallogic2543
13 күн бұрын
I recommend Cirith Ungol's version "Toccata in D" from the King of the Dead album.
You can all achieve the mind of Christ you all have the power to do the unbelievable, just like I did.✝️
Time stamp 56:36 Does anyone know the institution that he is talking about? It seems like a very important gathering. It would be nice to be redirect where can it be.
@MotherwriternurseChristian
25 күн бұрын
Ralston College is in Savannah GA, if that's what you were asking.
@DavidBalila
25 күн бұрын
@@MotherwriternurseChristian thanks, but im talking about this movement he was talking about on that time stamp. 56:36
@crystallogic2543
13 күн бұрын
@@DavidBalila He mentioned Ralston College just before and is explaining how he sees what they're doing. Then on a general level he encourages people to make lights out of their own lives on a individual level.
@DavidBalila
6 күн бұрын
@@crystallogic2543 ye i just got that.. i wish this can be happening alot in europe and in asia. They really need to hear this
whats the intro song?
@bryanarnold6420
Ай бұрын
Bach - “Toccata and Fugue in D minor” (about 2-3 minutes into the piece depending on the recording, the fugue part)
@cheri238
28 күн бұрын
😊
This is stupid but the red and blue angels in the last judgement reminded me of a meme in the anime community where they noticed a pattern that if a male protagonist has 2 female love interests, one of which is associated with the color red and the other is associated with the color blue, then the one associated with blue always loses the competition for the protagonist's heart. So its just funny that those colors lined up with the sheep and goats as well.
@navienslavement
12 күн бұрын
>anime Repent
Didn't catch quite well the concepts of Peter and Paul being sinful for Pride and "a thorn of flesh" accordingly. Does anyone know why the Peter's sin is pride and Paul's is a thorn of flesh (if not taking into account the literal meaning of his eyes' disease)? Though it would be something like renouncement or betrayal for Peter. Any ideas on that?
@Charity-vm4bt
27 күн бұрын
I have heard thorn in flesh was either people who rejected P's message and persecuted him.
@user-jl3ex7he8h
27 күн бұрын
@@Charity-vm4bt sounds reasonable, thanks for the insight
@Logan-un6qw
27 күн бұрын
@@Charity-vm4btThe thorn in the flesh was described by Paul as a “messenger of Satan”. Personally, I believe this to be extreme self doubt and self condemnation which was crippling to him. A constant pain he couldn’t rid of. Which acted as a constant tension to his mission of serving God. Anyway.. During a time of severe depression and self doubt I came across that passage, and felt like I understood exactly what it was, and related. But maybe it was only meant for me?
@MZRTMusic254
21 күн бұрын
Peter is well known to overestimate or underestimate what he can do. He told Christ he could never deny him, but look what happened when his spirit was tested. For Paul, I don't know much because I rarely read his books. I'm still going through the Old Testament, and damn there's a lot to unpack about society. Especially the Torah
@crystallogic2543
13 күн бұрын
Peter was prideful by overestimating his ability, swearing to stand by Christ. Paul's thorn in the flesh could refer to a fleshly temptation that violently nags you. "Flesh" in the sense of the passionate, animal, bodily part of man. In contrast to the spiritual. These are the same as right and left, above and below, heaven and earth, masculine and feminine. Pride being the sin of the right hand is the same as being the sin of heaven. Focusing too much on identity, looking at how "high" you are.
If I have to understand this stuff to get into the heavenly realm I’m doomed! 😱
@rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr1
Күн бұрын
You don't, friend. Just live such that you'll be recognized as a sheep and not a goat.
@MsDamosmum
Күн бұрын
@@rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr1 That’s confusing as we use the term sheep these days to refer to people who follow the crowd!!
@rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr1
23 сағат бұрын
:)
🚀🎉
Jonathan Pageau > Jordan Peterson
@MZRTMusic254
21 күн бұрын
Obviously. Psychology is his speciality. Jonathan's speciality is religious symbolism. They both contribute to one another, and together, they unfold something bigger than what they do individually
"The world as we know it came about due to a mistake." --Gospel of Philip
@navienslavement
12 күн бұрын
>free thinking npc name >Mentions a gnostic text Checks out
i feel like...reading the bible from cover to cover
my daughter is a conscientious and excellent academic. currently doing History, English and French A levels in the UK. I really want her to go to a university where she will learn classically. I despair as Im not sure where she will be able to get this.
@rrr777www
29 күн бұрын
Don't know of any schools in the UK, but there's a few places in the US: -University of Dallas -Thomas Aquinas College -Hillsdale College
Steven, the "g" is French, not English. 😉
@ivanengel8887
Ай бұрын
pajoe
@dritteweltvideo
28 күн бұрын
Pažo.
🌚☄️❤️💫
I'm the one who founded it. I opened a gate between the dead and the living.
Is there any practice of get things investigated , i mean in hell. 1992 26 02 and 7.10.2023?
Need to work on that video opening. Something vaguely cultic-feeling about it. Maybe try to get some people that look happy to be there.
@emanuelephrem4307
Ай бұрын
It's all about feelings with you western people.. Try concentrating on the massage
@LKRaider
27 күн бұрын
@@emanuelephrem4307 I really like these intellectual massages
@matthewkilbride1669
20 күн бұрын
@LynneSimpson-sb9fh They're there to hear about the Gospel (aka the Good News). It's not a sombre affair.
I just read the Bible
In the desert lives a prophet subsisting on honey and locusts while in the digital aridity we have a prophet subsisting on the dance of sweet words ..
? Cosmic Symbolism & the Metaphor for Self-Discovery ?
@hodgepodge5901
Ай бұрын
Yeah I don't get it either
@gldistrict, Indeed, he misguidingly evaded from mentioning Auriel and demiurge, even though the picture was about them.
@LKRaider
27 күн бұрын
Who and what are you talking about?
@mariakatariina8751
24 күн бұрын
@@LKRaiderthe speaker. He was misguiding - either knowingly, or by ignorance.
What? 🤔🤷
I heard all this stuff as a very young child - nothing new! like talking to children, really!
@emanuelephrem4307
Ай бұрын
Of course it's for children🤦
@zoya_kosmodemyanskaya
29 күн бұрын
Hearing is not believing or knowing deep in your heart that it's true.
@ai5837
28 күн бұрын
Yes, genious. That's the point. Reality is what it is. There never will be anything "new" in that respect. If you want that, go listen to ray kurzweil. Or just randomly anybody else. You have a 99% chance of hitting exactly that. Eeeverybody is attepmting "something new" now... which is why this is so wonderfull. God bless(ed) Jonathan Pegeau 😊
@Charity-vm4bt
27 күн бұрын
@ai5837 He brings truth to a new generation and restores the sacred traditions and culture. We rejoice that there are professors teaching this and young college students receiving this knowledge and education.
@Charity-vm4bt
27 күн бұрын
@emanuelephrem4307 and for adults. Sacred traditions being passed along.😊
Redundancy
Beautiful ask him about homosexuality and how it’s wrong because his little picture book said so
@gentlemanbronco3246
Ай бұрын
You know, homosexuality was not only looked down upon from a religious point of view but also a philosophical point of view. The ancient Greeks, despite how much people nowadays slander them, absolutely despised homosexuality because it led to the development of effeminate men who were seen as unproductive members of a society and would thus hinder in the prosperity of the city-state. They are also regarded as people of no virtue since they are overcome by carnal desire that is no different from an animal and is thus viewed as less rational. To think that homosexuality being abhorred is something that religion brought up is a display of ignorance of history.
@shogun9450
Ай бұрын
@@gentlemanbronco3246 so sexual self control and the regulation of appetitive centers is limited only to homosexuals? Seems it’s a virtue for all sexuality no? Hope one day you see past bigotry and release any care about what makes others happy and focus only on enshrining man’s right to choose.b
@gentlemanbronco3246
Ай бұрын
@@shogun9450nope. Thats why it’s treated as an effeminate trait or perhaps if we were to put it in modern terms rather than ancient ones, it’s why it is a weak trait (since effeminate alluded to weak which typically meant having no discipline). It’s not something merely limited to homosexuality. Homosexuality however is seen as a case that is just as extreme as being a nymphomaniac where you just crave for sex as much as you can. You can view it as bigotry all you want but your rejection of observed pattern will do you no good. You can put words in ancient people’s mouths and conclude all you want that it was sexism that lead to this philosophical development, despite the fact that we are seeing the terrible consequence of what happens when sexual appetite is put front and center in. Political discourse. Too much of the prattling of enshrining man’s right to choose to be (whatever that is) ultimately means nothing if all you have that guides you are your appetites. We’ll just have to agree to disagree cause if there is anyone who is displaying bigotry here, it is you. And you display that by immediately being dismissive of what the ancients, not just religion, had observed when it came to homosexual tendency. With that, I wish you peace.
@shogun9450
Ай бұрын
@@gentlemanbronco3246 arguments from authority are not very well intentioned my friend, they also said magic is real and that we should stone disobedient children. I understand you wouldn’t understand “enshrine man’s right to choose” since your views include archaic laws pick and chosen to fit your upbringing, I meant that regardless of your views they should not be imposed on anyone else so long as their choice is 1. Age appropriate 2. Consensual. I could say Christians are barbarians for believing in a cult of a deadman and that their deadman’s laws should govern all people’s. Where the separation of church and state? This picking and choosing over other’slifestyles is what gave people the god given right to kill gays, witches and any others who were minding their business. Don’t forget religious people killed Socrates for just questioning truth, here you are keeping the spirit of dissent
@gentlemanbronco3246
Ай бұрын
@@shogun9450 First, you are correct that controlling your sexual appetite is not limited to homosexuals, but neither have I insinuated that it was. Disciplining yourself over your passions (eros), is seen as virtue and the attainment of virtue was the highest calling for any person, especially men who had a function as nation builders. Men who succumbed to carnal desire, be it a homosexual man or a man who just has as much sex as he wanted, was viewed as weak and thus lacked virtue which in turn made a person unqualified in the act of nation building, and was thus looked down upon. Second, you are more than free to view it as bigoted all you want, but the irony here is, the fact that you cannot get past the speech and would rather regard it as bigotry, rather than something that was observed and then developed into philosophical thought, displays your bigotry through your refusal to look into why exactly was it the case that throughout ancient civilizations, that homosexuality and having little to no control of your sexual appetite was viewed as severely negative. We can agree to disagree but I hope that you develop a proper inquisitive mind that can get past the language and actually pursue truth at its fullest. Peace be with you.