This modest book of brief essays, poetry, and homilies is not intended to be a "systematic" presentation of the Christian faith. It is, rather, some reflections I have made after many years of experience in both the academic and pastoral world. The intention of this work is to encourage, perhaps inspire, and challenge the reader to explore their understanding of religious faith and, in particular, the Christian faith, in order to journey through the marvelous experiences and challenges religious faith can bring to bear in ...
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This modest book of brief essays, poetry, and homilies is not intended to be a "systematic" presentation of the Christian faith. It is, rather, some reflections I have made after many years of experience in both the academic and pastoral world. The intention of this work is to encourage, perhaps inspire, and challenge the reader to explore their understanding of religious faith and, in particular, the Christian faith, in order to journey through the marvelous experiences and challenges religious faith can bring to bear in their personal lives and to the world in which we live. It is, truly, an on-going, fascinating experience, but when done with integrity, not an easy nor easily accepted one. So I invite you to the journey, a pathway many great thinkers have taken before you or me, and one that shall be, I believe, continually explored by rich, inquiring, imaginative minds. We are, in fact, in a modest way joining the ranks of such powerful thinkers as Albert Einstein, Rudolf Otto, Friedrich Schleiermacher, et. al., not to mention the most powerful force in life, Jesus of Nazareth, the very incarnation of the Love of God, the Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer of all life.In this book, you will find such topics as: the idea of God, the nature and significance of Jesus of Nazareth as the Christ, some thoughts on Mary and Joseph, the problem of evil, homilies on redemption via the "Seven Last Words" of Jesus from the Cross, how do we understand our humanity with all of its goodness as well as its short-comings, and some thoughts on the significance of the resurrection for Jesus, the Church, and ourselves. There are many ways to use this work, for example, as a basis for a group discussion, for personal growth and reflection, for purposes of being introduced to some great theological issues as they relate to our humanness and as they relate to other academic disciplines, such as the sciences. No definitive answer is given simply because we shall never be able to exhaust the meaning of the Infinite.It is my sincere hope you will find this work challenging and rewarding as you move along your personal pathway toward a better understanding of the Christian faith and what it means for us personally and as we relate to the world in which we live.Pax et Caritas tecum, William P. Anderson, Sr.Professor Emeritus, Department of Religious StudiesThe University of Dayton, Dayton, Ohio
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