8 Things You Need to Know

Well, sort of. Upcoming entries, stylistic updates, plus discussion threads.

Raphael (Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino), “The School of Athens (Scuola di Atene)” (c.1509-11). Fresco.

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Artwork

As you may have already noticed, I am showcasing artwork now. You know, to help set the mood. Art’s central purpose is to foster enchantment, wonder, self-realization, and edification (hence its religious heritage), something providentially lost on our naturalistic, anti-symbolic culture. I’ve already gone back and updated existing articles with relevant artwork applicable to the topic, if you’re interested. Besides that, I may also post some old short films, too, but we’ll see. Perhaps some illustrations from my brother Blake’s novel, Frog of Arcadia. You can find his written work here.

What do you think? Discussion Threads.

With that all said and done, I also want to host open discussion threads starting on Friday morning @ 9AM. I imagine it would largely pertain to the topic I posted that Tuesday, but I am flexible about discussion topics. I also haven’t decided yet if threads will post weekly, monthly, or periodically. If this is something you’re interested in, please comment below! I would love to hear what you think!

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That said, here are six upcoming entries that have laid heavy on my mind for quite some time, the titles of which are to be determined. Each entry will be part of a larger series and, therefore, post in no particular order. If you have any questions or topical suggestions, please leave a comment. In fact, I encourage you to comment, like, and share whenever you can. It really helps foster and grow community.

1. “(Mis)Understanding Religion” and its Origins

What is religion? What is religious belief and experience, and what does it mean to be religious? Where did it come from? Why did it emerge? Is there an actual line between the sacred and the secular? Is everyone religious? This and more.

2. Baptism: “Of Water, Wind & Fire”

The never-ending dividing issue within the Church at large. Is baptism necessary for salvation? How should we baptize? Is infant baptism against faith? What is the point of baptism? Is it just a rule to follow, a sacred duty, or is there a means of grace, a spiritual mystery to baptism that is being overlooked? Much to discuss.

3. Evolution v. Creation: “Origin Wars”

Another very heated, divisive issue. Is Young Earth Creationism the true Christian position? Is the Old Earth view compromised? Is Evolution evil? What’s in h-e-double-hockey-sticks is really going on here? I’ve written some articles on this already for Bible Discovery called Origin Wars and will post (and revise) those here. I will also post much shorter articles on peculiar hills people die on that need not be (i.e., a talking snake, serpent had legs, etc.) and further a middle course explanation for how to understand Genesis 1-11, particularly Genesis 1-3. I think both extremes of the debate are missing the bigger picture, if I’m being honest, but we’ll get there.

4. Dangers of ‘Christian’ Belief

There seems to be a strong push that you can believe in nearly anything you want about Scripture so long as it is understood to be non-essential doctrine (or dogma, as it were). In other words, so long as secondary doctrine does not conflict with primary doctrine, all is well. This approach, however, has severe complications and practical difficulties if fully lived out, especially with the primacy of Scripture. I’ll explore my concerns and attempt to reconcile them as well.

5. Secular v. Sacred Wisdom

There seem to be strong similarities but striking differences between secular and sacred traditions of wisdom. But what is wisdom, really? And what is its relationship with philosophy and theology, with Athens and Jerusalem? Is there any wiggle room for a union between these traditions? (Rome, anyone?) In this, I want to explore, if not, decipher in some respect these age-old questions by juxtaposing high contrast characters: Solomon v. Socrates, Nietzsche v. Job, et cetera.

6. Morality and the Value of Meaning (MvM)

The dynamic oughtful relationship meaning and morality share is indispensable in being. For one; we are not the truth. We carry truth along with us, but we ourselves are not truth. We hold truths, we emphasize truths. We are beings of emphasis, in a very real way. What does this mean for the relationship of meaning and truth, let alone, moral truth? Furthermore, meaning clearly does not emerge by staring at scratches on rock or paper, nor does sound arise from noises. The same could be said for moral truth; the death of strangers does not create moral impetus ex nihilo. There is something, outside of self-interest, drawing us to do right, to have meaning. That said, desire does seem to invigorate or manifest meaningfulness, with a particular moral edge. And yet, like truth, meaning precedes action and desire; it seems to run between and along and through expression, that which binds us to ultimate reality and truth, from which moral truth finds its objectivity (correspondence to physical reality). Lastly, if God is love, goodness, and truth (and cannot lie), then God is the meaning of meaning. Meaning exists in all possible worlds. This dynamic, and more, will be explored.

Again, if you have any difficult questions that you may be struggling with or topical suggestions for articles or discussion threads, please leave a comment.

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Matlock Bobechko | August 23, 2022

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