Direction

It occurred to me--via my most prominent influence--that my blog should have direction. It should have a purpose, so as to attract not just mindless followers, but truth seekers of a specific kind. Guess what! We can seek truth here. Over the next several weeks, I will be posting several excerpts from readings from the following works: Ravi Zacharias' BEYOND OPINION, N.T. Wright's JESUS AND THE VICTORY OF GOD, John Patrick Shanley's contemporary play, DOUBT, and John Bunyan's PILGRIM'S PROGRESS. If you don't recognize it already, the motif of the next few weeks is unDOUBTedly Christianity--the nuances of the religion, the belief system, and the controversy. More than just a posting of excerpts, this blog will take an analytical approach to these texts, inviting comments from any and all readers.

Religion, while it is the root of fiery polemics and unruly activists--often times igniting sheer chaos between opposing theologies--it is most importantly the avenue by which human beings seek meaning in their lives. Without religion and spirituality, we often discover an existential kind of emptiness that is daunting and even volatile. Karen Armstrong's THE GREAT TRANSFORMATION examines the Axial Age--an epoch where nearly all the world's great religions grew into fruition--a time when meaning and truth were being sought with a vehemence. But, do all religions bring us down the same avenue? Do all theologies and belief systems ultimately lead to an identical divine event waiting within the ethereal realms? What exactly is it that sets Christianity apart from other religions, and how can believers make pronouncements of authenticity to Christ, yet evade being deemed ascetic, Christian fanatics? The next few weeks will look at Christianity closely, via the use of these substantial texts. Be on the look out for C.S. Lewis too--in case you didn't know, he has a great deal to argue regarding Christian apologetics.

I hope you'll join in the discussion, as I want this to be a discussion. Even if you disagree with my analysis or the arguments within these texts, I hope to generate a respectful and meaningful dialogue between myself, these authors, and you.

God bless.