Ladies and gentlemen, hold onto your hats because my dad, George A. Arangio, M.D., is stepping into the blogging arena with a series of uplifting posts.

Picture this: a mix of insightful musings and a dash of humor as he dives into topics like the Renaissance and spirituality. And check out his first post on the controversial clash between human expression and God’s divine essence—it’s like a comedy show meets a history lesson meets a sermon. So, grab your coffee and join us on this journey as we explore the intersection of spirituality and everyday life through Dr. Arangio's thoughtful perspective.

Discovering the Renaissance: A Journey Through Humanism, Art, and Faith

It is a clear and evergreen morning in Fogelsville where all is calm. I hope your day is going well.

Covid put our lives on hold and changed our routines. We entertained less and were entertained less: artists lost their audiences; teachers lost their students; stores lost their customers, and life went along limping virtually.

In October 2023, my wife and I rewarded ourselves with a visit to “bella Italia”. We flew into Milan, Malpensa airport, and rented a car. We drove to Hotel Lenno on Lake Como. GPS works beautifully in Italy. October brings cool air and less crowds to this microclimate where Palm trees abound. We spent four nights at Hotel Lenno. This boutique hotel is conveniently located just steps from the ferry stop. It has a restaurant and includes a good open-air breakfast and lake views. A boat ride and the beautiful towns of Bellagio and Varenna were pleasant day trips.

Then we were off for four nights at Hotel I Castelli in Alba, a pleasant 15-minute walk to the center Piazza del Risorgimento (Independence). We enjoyed delicious and authentic meals at Ristorante Cincilla, via Giacosa 2, an affordable family run eatery. The perfectly cooked pizza made before our eyes was delicious. We experienced the unique 2023 International Truffle Festival: “clean, shred, smell and eat”. We met an elderly truffle hunter with stories of late nighttime truffle hunting with a flashlight and his dog, both a friend and co-worker. The valuable truffles are hunted at night to protect the secret areas from competitors. Finally, a tasting of Moscato, Barbaresco and Nebbiolo, the wines of alba, at Roberto Abellonio Winery; ask for Federica.

We drove to Lucca where we spent four nights at Al Porto di Lucca B & B, an historic, elegant, and rustic Tuscan Home (4 guest rooms). Giovanna and Francesco provide excellent and personalized service and a tasty breakfast is included (incluso). Our cousins Angelo and Gabriella from Livorno visited us, and Giovanna kindly volunteered a special impromptu late-afternoon café e dolci (dessert).

At Una Notte Alla’ Opera (A Night at the Opera), we were entertained by the wonderful Soprano Josephina Louise Hoogstad and Tenor Giovanni Cervelli who sang Giacomo Puccini’s music from Carmen, Rigoletto, Tosca, and others. Following this extravaganza, The Philharmonic Orchestra of Lucca, directed by Andrea Colombini, played Mozart. All occurred at the Church of San Giovanni. The acoustics were excellent.

Being there brings Italy to life. Lucca’s Cathedral of San Martino is renowned as home to great Renaissance (1350-1650) masterpieces, one of which is Ilaria del Carretto’s Tomb, by Sienese sculptor Jacopo della Quercia. It commemorates Paolo Guinigi’s wife, a Lucca politician who died young from childbirth, and whose family contributed to the construction of the famous Torre (Tower) Guinigi, with a lovely roof garden including trees. Other masterpieces include Madonna and Child Enthroned with Saints (1479) by Domenico Ghirlandaio. 

In addition, San Martino also features Federico Zuccari's Adoration of the Magi (1477), Jacopo Tintoretto's Last Supper (1592-1594), and Fra Bartolomeo's Madonna and Child (1509). Florence was the birthplace and the center of Renaissance activity (1350-1650). The Renaissance amplified the classical Greek philosophy, that "Man is the measure of all things." Self-awareness, beauty, education, and opulence became manifest in literature, art, architecture, music, and science. During this movement, God took a second place to humanity’s achievements.

In 1452, Leonardo DaVinci was born. Twenty-three years later, Michelangelo was born, and seven years later came Raphael. In the creation of their works, vanity reigned over humility. One famous artist, in advanced age, acknowledged this fact and came to regret it: “… Rend that veil, you O Lord, break down that wall  which with its hardness keeps delayed from us  the sun of your light, extinguished in this world. Send that promised light, which we will see someday,  to your beautiful bride, so that my heart  may burn free from any doubt, and feel only you.” (Michelangelo Buonarroti)

During the Renaissance, the Roman Catholic Church was both wealthy and powerful, and it supported these and other gifted humans. As such, Humanism, Arts, and Sciences flourished.

The Ecstasy of Saint Teresa, by Gian Lorenzo Bernini (1652), a work displayed in the Cornaro Chapel, di Santa Maria della Vittoria, Rome, is an extreme example of man’s secular interpretation overpowering spirituality.

If we flash back to the time of Jesus of Nazareth and the Early Christians, we see that Jesus denounced the Pharisees as hypocrites. Jesus’ teachings also threatened the privileged position of the Sadducees. In spite of their differences, both the Pharisees and the Sadducees saw Jesus from Galilee as a dangerous enemy. They accused Jesus of blasphemy, a capital crime in the Jewish Law.

The incongruity is that the Jewish leaders could not order crucifixion while Roman Law could not order crucifixion for the crime of Blasphemy by a Jew. Yet, Jesus died on the order of the Roman Governor Pontius Pilate by Roman crucifixion, a death by slow suffocation. This is a legal puzzle implicating both Jew and Gentile and fulfilling Old Testament prophesy.

“For dogs have compassed (encircled) me: they pierced my hands and my feet … They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.”

Psalm 22: 16-18

Apostles Paul and Barnabas were the first to establish “communities of believers” from mixed Jewish and Gentile Greek background who believed in the God of Israel. Christianity provided a social net and made life in Greco-Roman cities more tolerable for the oppressed. Early Christians (33- 300 AD) were non-violent, obeyed the laws of Moses, and revered the Hebrew Bible. They lived according to the teachings of Jesus Christ. Christianity offered charity and hope.

“He (Jesus) went up on a mountain … He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:   “Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth … Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God … Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Matt. 5: 1-10

The Sermon on the Mount by Jon Paul Breughel, the Elder (1598): John Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles

In the year 50 AD, Paul and the Apostles convened the Council of Jerusalem to reconcile differences of the diverse peoples in the Christian church. Christians Jews accepted gentile converts based on the Seven Laws of Noah: prohibitions against worshipping idols, cursing God, murder, adultery and sexual immorality, theft, and eating flesh torn from a living animal as well as the obligation to establish courts of justice.

As Christianity grew, Phoenicians, Samarians, Syrians, Asians, Romans, and Persians converted. In the early Christian community, the Apostles performed miracles and challenged the status quo. Some thought Christians were mystic people who believed in supernatural things beyond their intelligence.

Today, a secular influence is growing throughout the world and in the USA. This extremism is tearing the fragment of our Democratic Republic. It is the best humankind can do without the help of God of Abraham, the same Jesus, the Christ. The world needs God.

We are saved by faith in Jesus, the Christ, the same God of Abraham. He was born with the nature of man. He was born to die as payment for our sins and the sins of humankind. He had no choice. Jesus promised that by believing in Him, we shall never be cast into Hell. Jesus said, that if you would call on Him that He would save you. (Romans 10:9). It is that easy and that difficult. Amen.

Have a blessed day, and may it be full of successes guided by God.

Keep We Talk with God at your bedside and share it with your family.

God bless you and stay well,

George A. Arangio, M.D.

P.S. Please ask three (3) of your family and friends to read We Talk with God. It may be the answer to their prayers. And give a rating and a review. Thank you.

Summary:

In his essay, George A. Arangio, M.D. delves into the juxtaposition of humanistic pursuits and spiritual values during this transformative period in history. Through vivid anecdotes of his travels in Italy and insightful reflections on art, history, and faith, Dr. Arangio prompts readers to ponder the delicate balance between human achievement and divine guidance. As he navigates through the cultural richness of Renaissance Italy, Arangio invites us to explore deeper questions about the intersection of creativity, spirituality, and the enduring quest for meaning in our lives.

George A. Arangio, M.D., is the author of We Talk with God, a scripture-based guide to God’s advice that will boost your spiritual energy, bring you peace, and enrich your life. It is full of simple lessons. It shows how God’s Word guarantees answers to life’s important questions. It may also be the answer to your prayers. Please read it and write a review on Amazon.com. For further insights and discussion, visit WeTalkWithGod.com.