I started reading James Farwell’s, This is the Night: Suffering, Salvation, and the Liturgies of the Holy Week, and I came across this quote: Some social theorists, historians of philosophy, and theologians argue that the narrative structure of the modern myth of “progress,”—the structure of the “idealist diamond” that reduces suffering to a concept—was bequeathed… Continue reading Progressive Suffering
Category: depression
Devalued
In Podcast 83, Carey Nieuwhoff interviewed Ravi Zacharias, who drew a parallel between pornography and suicide. Zacharias spoke of his recent experience counseling college students during the Passion Conference (starting at 22:55 and paraphrased), where the majority came two talk about two topics: pornography and suicide. He called pornography the “denuding of the other person”… Continue reading Devalued
Isolation Versus Introversion
When reading my “assigned” bible reading the other day, I came across this passage: Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment. Proverbs 18:1 (ESV) My first thought was, “wait a minute, I’m not seeking my own desire!” In truth, however, I am. My desire to maintain my sanity.… Continue reading Isolation Versus Introversion
Suicidal Christian—An Oxymoron?
If you read In The Darkness, A Light Shines, you might guess that the topic of suicide is a serious concern of mine. C. Michael Patton, on his blog Parchment & Pen, provides a response to a letter that discusses Those who commit suicide cannot be Christian . . . I think (but have no… Continue reading Suicidal Christian—An Oxymoron?
In The Darkness, A Light Shines
This post has been a long time in coming, both writing, thinking, and living. The darkness closes in. You can’t breathe. It is hard to fight for that breath. You can sense the deeper darkness of a chasm you cannot see, but know is there. You are coming close to the edge of the chasm.Almost… Continue reading In The Darkness, A Light Shines
Church-Going Facades
It’s easy for Christians in our day to fall into the “showy religiosity” pit. We put on our happiest face at church, even though our hearts are far from the Lord. Or we look as if we’re worshipping with zeal when our minds are wandering. Avoiding a Show of Religiosity Daily Reflection and Prayer by… Continue reading Church-Going Facades
Writing Love on Their Arms
Writing Love on Their Arms is a somewhat disturbing read. Yet, at the same, one of great hope and joy. We in the church are often, rightly (especially when history is taken into account, but a little less now), accused of staying away from sinners1, instead of joining with them and loving them. Here is… Continue reading Writing Love on Their Arms
Bearing the Silence of God
In Bearing the Silence of God, Ziya Meral talks about the spiritual state of believers in the midst of persecution. Specifically, he speaks in regards to persecution by Muslims, but this goes on around the world, even in “Christian” nations. What amazes me is how similar his feelings seem to be to Mother Teresa’s.
Further Down The Slippery Slope Of Assisted Suicide
I understand the rationale of Assisted Suicide, but I believe it violates what I believe the purpose of doctors to be…saving lives. As someone who has a very personal relationship with depression, I find this article in the Telegraph from March 2007 (yes, I know, rather old to be writing of it) to be of… Continue reading Further Down The Slippery Slope Of Assisted Suicide
Look At All the Depressed People
If you look around at the stories that are there, you will see an increase in depression, an increase in suicide. As technology integrates further into our lives, I wonder how much more will happen. As much as the mainstream media and those of the ideoloigical left and extreme right like to malign religion, I… Continue reading Look At All the Depressed People