Author Archives: denisvernon24

True freedom Part 5: If you love someone, pleasing them is not surrendering your freedom but fulfilling it So far, we have considered the atheistic appeal of freedom from God, and some answers that a believer would give. However, it is still necessary for the believer to go further and outline what true freedom mightContinue reading “True freedom. Part 5”

True freedom Part 4: We have paid a high price: we wanted joyful liberation and created a horrible mess The second freedom the atheist valued was to choose their own moral code. In response, the first thing I note is that claiming the freedom to choose your own moral code very easily becomes a slipperyContinue reading “True freedom. Part 4”

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: 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”

(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: 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: 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”

(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”