Food and Air
Ackerman points to an intriguing phenomenological difference between our dependence on air and our dependence on food. We breathe involuntarily; if we try to suffocate ourselves, we will pass out before we die, and we’ll begin breathing again. But (under normal circumstances) we don’t get food unless we seek it out, prepare it, put it in our mouths, chew and swallow. Ackerman is discussing taste, and pointing out the necessity of taste and the necessity of tastiness in food: If food were as tasteless as air, would we make the effort to eat?
As I say, this is intriguing phenomenologically, and perhaps has some profound theological depth to it: Jesus, the Son is food, while the Spirit is breath. The Word is “bread” without which we cannot live; but the breath of God also gives life, though in a different way. Perhaps exploring the phenomenology of food and air would lead us to deeper Trinitarian insight.
Where we go from here is anybody’s guess.
Peter Leithart
Peter J. Leithart is President of Theopolis Institute. He is the author of numerous books on theology, literature, and culture, including Theopolitan, Defending Constantine, and Baptized Body.
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