Created to Thrive
Developing the ability to cope with emotional pain — love and loss — is a major theme in religious philosophy. Much of literature is devoted to exploring the human experience, and how one can reach a place of peace, amidst pain. In eastern religions, it involves releasing oneself from earthly desires and separating one’s needs […] more…
The “Light” of Hope
The Gospel suggests that Jesus is the light of the world, and that we are called to be the salt and light, spreading hope and compassion to all. Intellectually, we know that the sun radiates light throughout the world, and physically, keeps us alive. Metaphorically, we understand that Jesus brings light into our lives in […] more…
Faith and Belief
The act of faith requires us to be “in relationship” with our beliefs (Freeman, 2011). This sounds complicated, until we begin to see the kingdom of God as a myriad of relationships – with each other, with ourselves, and with God. To have faith in the unseen is a difficult concept for most. Clearly, we […] more…
The Freedom to Think
Poet Lord Byron said: “There is something Pagan in me that I cannot shake off. In short, I deny nothing, but doubt everything.” Great thinkers, across the centuries, have always used inquiry to understand the world. It doesn’t mean that nothing can be believed, but it does mean that skepticism and doubt are human inclinations […] more…
Faith and Reason
There are questions that have no answers – whether one is an atheist, an agnostic, or a believer. Our human experience and knowledge, thus far, prevent us from evidential knowledge that answers life’s ultimate questions, like the whys of existence and the afterlife. Despite our limited understanding, many thinkers, from antiquity to present day, have […] more…
Foundation of Growth
Maya Angelou said that: “Courage is the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can’t practice any other virtue consistently.” Courage, in its physical sense, has always been a necessary requirement for survival. However, modern times require humans to exhibit “intellectual” courage, regardless of the cost to reputation, status, or lack of […] more…
New Nature
Living with integrity requires consistency between who we are at work and who we are in every other area of our lives — at play, at home, on sports fields, in church, and in relationships. We must recognize ourselves in a variety of contexts, so that we truly “know ourselves.” We are healthiest (in mind […] more…
Awareness of the Other
Following Christ, or living in a state of spirituality, should not be a passive position in the world, nor has it always been in the past, but what does that look like in the modern world? If we are moving toward a post-Christian society, where much of the world no longer practices Christianity of old, […] more…
Justice and the Journey
The Greek word, Arate, represents a life well lived – one full of virtuous living, according to the ancient virtues of perseverance, justice, empathy, integrity, intellectual courage, confidence in reason, autonomy of thought, faith, hope, and charity/love. Early Christians, like St. Ambrose and Augustine, incorporated ancient philosophy into their understanding of the Christian journey because […] more…
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