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Assurance for the modern age. (Part 8)

Assurance for the modern age Part 8: The powerful engine of the inner life This sounds good in terms of our relationship to the outer world. How can a secular ideology help us in our inner life? Ways of life, such as meditation, enjoyment of beauty and creativity, fostering community life and enriching friendships areContinue reading “Assurance for the modern age. (Part 8)”

Assurance for the modern age. (Part 7)

Assurance for the modern age Part 7: Foundation stones for a good secular life We looked earlier at how fortunate we are to live in the modern age, in the UK. So, let’s begin with a sense of gratitude and thankfulness. Let’s not, briefly, think, “Aren’t I lucky!”, and then forget how lucky we areContinue reading “Assurance for the modern age. (Part 7)”

Assurance for the modern age. (Part 6)

Assurance for the modern age Part 6: A possible positive world view for the secular age How then might an entirely secular worldview look that still succeeds in promoting a fulfilling inner life, and fuelling a life that we regard as good – and hopefully win general approval? I think that simply following good customsContinue reading “Assurance for the modern age. (Part 6)”

Assurance for the modern age. (Part 5)

Assurance for the modern age Part 5: We all need to adopt a world-view in which we can hold the myriad things that may happen to us In this respect, one answer to my question about assurance is for some people to argue that it just doesn’t bother them. If I want to navel-gaze andContinue reading “Assurance for the modern age. (Part 5)”

Assurance for the modern age. (Part 4)

Assurance for the modern age Part 4: Coping with the fragility of what we have Let’s suppose you are fortunate enough to be on track to enjoy all these things: what else might you still be lacking? What are the aspects of the human condition that might still unsettle you? Firstly, there is the fragilityContinue reading “Assurance for the modern age. (Part 4)”

Assurance for the modern age. (Part 3)

Assurance for the modern age Part 3: A life full of opportunities I can expect to live for 80 plus years in reasonable good health before a decline where I will be well looked after – though things may be difficult in my final few years. I will never go hungry; on the contrary, IContinue reading “Assurance for the modern age. (Part 3)”

Assurance for the modern age (Part 2)

Assurance for the modern age Part 2: What foundation is there, then, for atheists in our secular society? My deep concern is for secular minded people who, in their self-confident atheism, have gladly, sometimes triumphantly, abandoned faith in God. They have a certain sort of assurance, in that they are absolutely convinced that they areContinue reading “Assurance for the modern age (Part 2)”

Assurance for the modern age. (Part 1)

(A long reflection in 12 parts – some stamina will be required!) Assurance for the modern age Part 1: A firm foundation in faith How may people in the modern secular world find peace for their restless hearts? This appears to be a vital, urgent task. I write as a person of faith, who findsContinue reading “Assurance for the modern age. (Part 1)”

On forgiveness. (Part 9)

On forgiveness Part 9: The nature of God is forgiveness Why should God be so keen on forgiveness? He has no need of it for himself. Therefore, it is something that he does because he knows we need it. In this respect, it is exactly in tune with – an intrinsic part of – hisContinue reading “On forgiveness. (Part 9)”

On forgiveness. (Part 8)

On forgiveness Part 8: Forgiveness is a freely-given generous gift; it is not self-seeking I am still a little troubled by the motivation of us “forgiving in order to be forgiven”. It must be a good thing to do this, but it sounds substandard, in that our focus could be completely on ourselves, rather thanContinue reading “On forgiveness. (Part 8)”