Paradiso Regained
Or, Whatever is Lovely
I have an awkward question to ask.
Awkward for me at least, though probably not for you.
Over the past few years, my subscriber count has grown steadily larger, and as I look through it now, I find that I know fairly few names on that list. Early on, I felt that it was unnecessary to share much about myself, because I took it for granted that almost everyone reading knew me already! That’s no longer the case.
So here’s my question.
Would you like to know more about me? Would a more personal introduction be a welcome addition to your inbox, and if so, what would you like to know?
Now, onto today’s article.
Paradiso Regained, or, Whatever is Lovely
We have been conditioned.
How often do you stumble upon the untrue, the dishonourable, the unjust, and the impure? Weekly? Daily? Hourly? What’s more, if there is any excellence, or anything worthy of praise in the news cycle, how long do you spend reading it?
I have spoken to so many people over the past few years who feel as though they have been trained to learn, see, receive, and listen to the infernal.
How can we hope to escape from practicing these things, and replace them instead with the peace that only God can bring?
Lost but not Forgotten
2025 feels like the year of the poet.
Dozens of read-alongs have sprung up around my corner of the internet—largely due to the rise of Substack—and I’m loving it! The one I’ve been following most closely has been
’s excellent guide through Milton’s classic, Paradise Lost.This epic retells the story of creation and the fall through the eyes of the enemy. We, the readers, occasionally take a break to settle among our forebears Adam and Eve, but all the while the Serpent lurks the background, poisonous promises at the ready.
Sitting on my shelf is another great poem you may have heard of, and that you might even have read. It looks forward, beyond this life into eternal death. This place, the inferno, is where the wages of sin are eventually doled out. It has mesmerised artists and philosophers alike, and still plays a big role in our culture today.
What these two poems both have in common, is that their lesser known sequels.
Paradise Regained and Paradiso.
You Are Greatly Loved, Therefore…
My hope in writing to you today is not to convince you to read these poems—though I hope you will! Put simply, I think if you were to poll a thousand people right now, and ask them to tell you one work written by either Dante or Milton, their answers would be unanimous.
Now, that’s not necessarily a bad thing, teaching on hell and the fall has fallen on hard times of late, and we ought to return to a robust understanding of those theological truths today.
However.
As the people of God, looking at our sin should have a distinct effect on us, and it isn’t so that we would focus more on our shame and the punishment we could have earned.
In the ninth chapter of Daniel, we read:
You are greatly loved, dear reader.
Gabriel, a messenger of God, came down to Daniel in the midst of his repentance, as he was focussing on the weight of sin that belonged to him and his people, and he brought hope. Daniel, a wise and faithful man, was granted yet more understanding. He looked heavenward.
In Milton’s poem, we get a peek behind the curtain, as God sends that messenger, albeit at a later time.
“The purposed counsel, pre-ordained and fixed,
Of the Most High, who, in full frequence bright
Of Angels, thus to Gabriel smiling spake”— Paradise Regained, John Milton
Imagine that for just a second.
If you, in the midst of your sin, grasping the word of God in your hands. Reading words delivered by saints and angels, by the inspiration of the Spirit of God, believed that fully. Tears glistening upon your face, you look down and you see it anew.
This word, God’s purposed counsel. Pre-ordained before you ever sinned, having taken it into account before the ages began. Fixed. Immovable. Permanent. Steadfast love. Immutable grace.
What effect would that have? What if next time you sinned, or looked upon the sin of the world, you looked heavenward from whence1 Gabriel came, and sang
Raise thou me Heav'nward, O Pow'r of my pow'r….
High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven's joys, O bright Heav'ns Sun!
Heart of my heart, whatever befall,
Still be my vision, O Ruler of all.— Be Thou My Vision
Would that quench your despair?
Again I Will Say, Rejoice!
I’ll leave you with this.
Look hellwards on occasion. Read Dante, and get a glimpse of Satan’s malice according to Milton. I have, I will again, and it will do us both good. But. Don’t forget to rejoice too.
In Philippians 4 we read…
Look, I know this is a long passage for a short article, but I promise it is worth it!
In Philippians 4 we read:
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.
Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
— Philippians 4:4–9, ESV
Let’s regain paradise together. Practice looking heavenwards, and letting your mind dwell on the loveliness that God has given us in this world.
Grace and Peace,
P.S. I had to include this note from
, even though I couldn’t make it fit!Recommended Media of the Week
We’re in the middle of a Christian music renaissance right now, with worship adjacent songs—like this new one from Brandon Lake and Jelly Roll—being released every week! I’ve pulled out my guitar and jammed out to this more than a few times since I first heard it just last week. I hope you enjoy it too!
was recently interviewed by about a book you might have never heard of. For many of us, the title evokes memories of a movie watched once as a teenager and soon forgotten, but Allee has convinced me that there’s more gold to find here. The movie is the movie, and the book the book. May copy is in the mail, what about yours?
Finally, this note from
feels very fitting today:Yes, I said it!
I’d like to know about your salvation experience, maybe a little about your family. But what I really want to know is are you related to Leonard Ravenhill?
Thanks for the shout!!