Must...read...bibliographies...
As I awoke this morning, "I sensed something, a presence I have not felt since"...well since I was a student. This presence was my inner history monster, emerging from his slumber. As he rose, he made something very clear. He hungers.
I said to my history monster "Old friend! It has been far too long. I see that you possess the deepest of desires, though I cannot discern your need. Tell me, o history monster, how is it that you might be satisfied?"
He lifted his eyes from the ground and in a hushed tone uttered "Research."
Friends, the history monster must be fed, and I am the one to feed him. The great thing is, you all get to help!
Last post I talked about the tragic reality of the ignorance which exists within much of the Christian Church. In particular, I pointed out how (as we have the opportunity, ability, and leading) we should do all that we can to help exorcise this ignorance from our community. Part of the way in which we can do this is by simply exploring topics with which we're unfamiliar. All of us, even those who claim to have the greatest sense of enlightenment, all lack knowledge of some kind. If we want to stop being ignorant, a basic step is to start learning.
So I'm taking my own advice, and I'm going to try to start helping. In truth, I long to do research again. I long to sit in a library for hours on end, paging through books only to be led to more books. I long to ask hard-hitting interview questions like:
"Could you spell that name one more time, please?"
I want to use this gift (or affliction, as some of you may see it) to help grow understanding, mine included. In light of this, I propose a project. See that nifty comment section at the bottom of the page? I want you to post something you have questions about that relates in some way to God, spirituality in general (which could include any number of different faiths), or Christianity more specifically. This can look like "How do God and ______ relate?" or "What does Christianity have to say about ______?" or any other quandaries you may have. As these questions get posted, I'll go do research (cue salivating) and write something up in response.
Some important clarifications:
1. I can only do so much in a certain period of time. My goal with this cannot be a comprehensive response to everyone's question, as they will hopefully be far too interesting for that. As a friend likes to say, "I don't like to give simplistic answers to complex questions." I will, however, do all that I can to help grow understanding.
2. I want to say up front that I will be speaking from a limited perspective, my own. I will most likely not be an expert in many of the fields discussed. I will find people who are, and try to seek as much knowledge from them as possible, but I do operate in a limited sphere of existence.
3. With those things said, I will commit to doing my due diligence. I really love this sort of thing, and I do hereby swear to invest all that I can.
You know something? I'm quite excited for this. Thank you for helping me with my adorable addiction.
With God's love and grace,
Taylor
