Black Ink, Farther Stars

by Austin Shifrin

In Black Ink, Farther Stars, Shifrin examines topics whose potential to enhance our insight and understanding about the Masonic fraternity is undeniable...

* How different cultures throughout history have used theater and performance as part of their moral instruction

* How contemplation of death (“the chamber of reflection”) can enrich and inspire our lives, drawing on both ancient and modern sources

* How the Tarot can be used as a visual aid to study the 18 virtues in the system of philosopher Andre Comte-Sponville

* How two lesser-known Masonic institutions, the Allied Masonic Degrees and Grand College of Rites, work together to preserve our history

* How we can better understand the stories of the Old Testament when we have a better grasp of the physical settings and artifacts being referenced

159 pages, Paperback

Published July 25, 2024

About the author

Austin R. Shifrin has had a multifaceted past: a Master’s Degree in Public Policy and Management, a singer in a ska band, a founding member of a vintage scooter club. Since 2006, he has become heavily involved in the Free and Accepted Masons of Pennsylvania, as a member in 2 regular (or “blue”) lodges, and 7 other Masonic bodies. One notable accomplishment has been receiving the 33rd degree in Scottish Rite masonry.

His writing for RiteNow, the magazine of the Scottish Rite Valley of Pittsburgh, has touched people and inspired spirited conversations across the state. "More Light: Collected Masonic Writings 2017 - 2021" is his first book. He lives in the North Hills of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with his girlfriend Kristine and their cats, Apollo & Pablo.

Reviews

[Steven T · Rating 3 out of 5]

There was some very interesting topics in this book of which I thoroughly enjoyed. There was, however, as is commonplace in Masonic authored books, a poor or nonexistent hermeneutical method as it relates to the author’s use of Scripture. Texts such as this cannot be used in a “what it means to me” fashion. It distorts the actual meaning of a text. The elementary basics of a proper hermeneutic should the question “What was the author’s communicative intent, who was the original audience, where was the original audience, and when was the original audience?” Those are just the first step of many for intellectual honesty of interpretation. Formally, this is called the Eisegesis Fallacy, and should be avoided if Masonic works are to be considered academically honest and to be a credit to the Craft. As brother myself I enjoyed the book, but could not recommend it based the poor hermeneutical method and fallacy used in several parts of the book.