The similar phrase 'Worldly Christianity' is one used by Bonhoeffer. It's J Gresham Machen that I want to line up most closely with. See his Christianity and culture here. Having done commentaries on Proverbs (Heavenly Wisdom) and Song of Songs (Heavenly Love), a matching title for Ecclesiastes would be Heavenly Worldliness. For my stance on worldliness, see 3 posts here.

More Definite Article Placenames

England - there are hundreds of these, surprisingly. See here.
 
1. The Arms (Norfolk)
2. The Barony (Cheshire and OY Gurnosrkney)
3. The Bog (Shropshire)
4. The Marsh (at least seven in various counties)
5. The Pitts (Wiltshire)
6. The Rocks (Kent and Gloucestershire)
7. The Stoops (Lancashire)
8. The Throat (Berkshire)
9. The Twittocks (Gloucestershire)
10. The Yeld (Shropshire)

Wales - there are over 90 of these. See here. (Also here). Besides Y Bala we have
 
1. Y Barri
2. Y Crwys
3. Y Dref
4. Y Fenni (Abergavenny)
5. Y Gurnos
6. Y Hendy
7. Y Mot
8. Y Rhws
9. Y Waun
10. Yr Wyddgrug (Mold)

2 comments:

Paul Burgess said...

Another one is on vs in. On Cyprus. On Malta. But back to definite articles as they are required in many languages can I assume that they are archaic and the few left were just lingering when language got more locked down thru standardisation of spelling etc?

Gary Brady said...

Not sure on history. Sometimes one comes in where the phrase is descriptive eg the Hague is The (Royal) Court. Standardisation certainly has its influence.