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True freedom. Part 3

True freedom Part 3: For the believer, it is crazy to ever desire freedom from God Let’s see what the believer’s response is to these three elements of freedom that the atheist desires. The first freedom from God’s scrutiny and judgement assumes a negative view of God, who makes you feel bad. Ditching such aContinue reading “True freedom. Part 3”

True freedom. Part 2

True freedom Part 2: There’s a lot more freedom the atheist wants – but is it really all about sex? Then – and in tune with the first point –there is the freedom to make your own moral code. As an atheist, you reject the very concept of having to submit to a moral codeContinue reading “True freedom. Part 2”

True freedom. Part 1

(An analysis comparing the atheist’s freedom and the believer’s freedom, in 7 parts) True freedom Part 1: The atheist wants to be free of God I understand some of the appeal of atheism. There is the invigorating sense of being a truly free, independent agent. You are standing on your own two feet; you haveContinue reading “True freedom. Part 1”

Addressing the issue of self-hatred in Christianity. Part 3

Addressing the issue of self-hatred in Christianity Part 3: God’s love always offers us more Now, I believe, we find the basis for those words that might be taken as signs of self-hatred, but which are, in fact, the opposite – and, in fact, a sign of the believer being taken beyond themselves in loveContinue reading “Addressing the issue of self-hatred in Christianity. Part 3”

Addressing the issue of self-hatred in Christianity. Part 2

Addressing the issue of self-hatred in Christianity Part 2: Turning to God always produces goodness I do not deny for a moment that this completely positive message can be distorted, either by official bodies in the Church or through the personal woundedness of individuals who twist the doctrines about sin into a form of self-harm.Continue reading “Addressing the issue of self-hatred in Christianity. Part 2”

Addressing the issue of self-hatred in Christianity. Part 1

(In 3 parts) Addressing the issue of self-hatred in Christianity Part 1: A firm foundation I notice in my devotional language that I use words that suggest a degree of self-hatred: eg “I detest my failures and am not worthy to even look at you”. Yet my self-understanding is that I go through life withContinue reading “Addressing the issue of self-hatred in Christianity. Part 1”

God is the guarantor of human fulfilment. Part 4

God is the guarantor of human fulfilment Part 4: Life may cut us to the quick, but in God we find healing and wholeness Does this help in any way? Perhaps not in the first vice-like grip of loss, but, I repeat, apart from the comfort of God, there is no other comfort and weContinue reading “God is the guarantor of human fulfilment. Part 4”

God is the guarantor of human fulfilment. Part 3

God is the guarantor of human fulfilment Part 3: But life is not perfect. How do we – and our God – cope with evil and suffering? But what about the child who dies in infancy, or those whose life is one of unremitting poverty, or their life’s pleasures are snatched away from them byContinue reading “God is the guarantor of human fulfilment. Part 3”

God is the guarantor of human fulfilment. Part 2

God is the guarantor of human fulfilment Part 2: God shares our moments of perfection Now if God is contained entirely within the realm of human ideas, then clearly this is not going to happen, and so we need to consider how God can still be the guarantor of human fulfilment. Firstly, I must confessContinue reading “God is the guarantor of human fulfilment. Part 2”

God is the guarantor of human fulfilment. Part 1

(In 4 parts) God is the guarantor of human fulfilment Part 1: Sharing in the perfection of God God is the appreciation of the absolute ultimate. Human beings have managed to develop the concept of the supreme being. This may well be because the supreme being exists and has communicated his presence to us, andContinue reading “God is the guarantor of human fulfilment. Part 1”