Tarot, Philosophy, and Christian Mysticism
Faith without works Paul said in Romans 3:28 that “For we hold that a person is justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law.” Verses like this have given rise to the central Protestant doctrine of sola fide, or faith alone, which is the idea that we are “saved by grace alone” rather than … Read more
The Gift of God’s Presence God’s presence in our lives is like a gift I can unwrap by merely shifting my awareness and intention in a small, quiet way. God’s presence is a gift that keeps giving itself as something to be continuously experienced. It is a gift that prolongs forever that feeling of joy … Read more
Many people suspect that the religion we call “Christianity” has diverged significantly from the actual, spiritual message of Jesus Christ. But what is the message of Jesus Christ? Although mainstream Christianity has not yet appreciated the depth of wisdom within the ancient Christian texts found at Nag Hammadi, I happen to love this message from … Read more
The term “omnipresence” has become cold and abstract, rattled off in a chain of impressive-sounding predicates, like a used car salesman hyping up a luxury model. It is usually defined as the property of being present everywhere at once. But what does “present” really mean? Present in what way? How does omnipresence work? As it … Read more
What is the Answer to the Problem of Evil? Is there one? Could any answer ever satisfy the soul of a sane and ethical person? For Christians, God is pure Grace. God is in all things. Therefore, there is Grace to be found in all things. The same logic applies to Love and Beauty and … Read more
What is the nature of God? Many ancient and wise people have attempted to elucidate the meaning of the term “God” by saying things like “God is one.” But what does it mean God is one? I humbly submit the following words as a meager gesture towards elucidation, a small and insignificant finger pointing towards … Read more
“THE ALL is MIND…The Universe is Mental — held in the Mind of THE ALL…THE ALL is Infinite Living Mind — the Illumined call it SPIRIT!” ~ William Walker Atkinson Imagine God is a blacksmith and Christ is the bellows and the Holy Spirit is the Air and the Fire is our Soul. Christ is … Read more
Paul said in Colossians 3:11, “Christ is all and in all.” On its face, this is a rather esoteric concept. But what does it mean Christ is All and in All? Consider this passage from Richard Rohr’s book Universal Christ: “Paul merely took incarnationalism to its universal and logical conclusions. We see that in his bold … Read more
Wisdom 7:25 describes Wisdom as “a pure emanation of the glory of the Almighty.” What is an emanation in this context? What does it mean that Wisdom emanates from God? We see the concept of emanation constantly in Neoplatonism, but how does emanation work in Christian theology? Here’s a metaphor I find helpful to my … Read more
Why Am I a Christian? Here’s the story of how I went from atheist to Christian heretic. First I must state how strange it is to describe myself as “a Christian.” It feels much more comfortable to call myself “someone interested in Christianity” or “someone fascinated by Christianity.” My fascination is like a religious anthropologist. … Read more