Aldous Huxley begins Island with a curious little scene. Will Farnaby, a cynical journalist, is shipwrecked off the coast of Pala. Half-conscious and aching, he is discovered by two island children. They tend his wounds, but they also insist on something odd: he must tell them what has happened, again and again. At first Farnaby …
Jesus the Teacher and Paul’s Vision of the Transformed Self Jesus and Paul are often set against one another — the teacher of the Kingdom on one side, the apostle of the risen Christ on the other. Yet at heart they were saying the same thing. Jesus spoke of the Kingdom of God within; Paul …
Why Responsibility Still Matters — From Garden Jobs to Life Expectancy I needed some garden work done, but couldn’t manage it myself. The job would have taken me hours, and with arthritis I would have been in constant pain attempting it. So when three Traveller lads came to the door offering their services, I took …
The Message We Lost “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”— Matthew 11:28 “Take up your cross and follow me.”— Mark 8:34 There is a tension at the heart of Christianity: Jesus called people into an inner life of peace, simplicity, and love but the faith that emerged …
The Yoke and the Cross These two sayings of Jesus are often quoted, but rarely together. At first glance, they seem to offer contrasting visions—one light and gentle, the other demanding and harsh. But when read in the spirit of Jesus’ broader message, they speak with a shared voice. When Jesus says, “My yoke is easy,” he …
And the Invention of the Church It seems to be a fact of human nature: as soon as someone has a good idea, others want to turn it into a movement. Something simple and personal becomes complex and collective. This tendency runs contrary to the teachings of Jesus. His message was not designed for an …
Jesus Without the Church Looking at the mess the world is in, Jesus’ message is vitally important today. In fact, can’t we say that we are living in truly apocalyptic times? We do not have the threat of Roman armies, but we do have environmental threats and the threat of nuclear war. The question is: …
The Crucifixion, Slea Head, Dingle Peninsula, Co. Kerry, Republic of Ireland 📜 Then Came Paul Everything changed when Paul began to write. Paul never met Jesus in person—only in a visionary encounter on the road to Damascus. And in his letters, we see Christ undergo a dramatic evolution. Paul rarely speaks of Jesus’ earthly life. …
There’s something deep in all of us that craves belonging. You see it not just in humans, but in animals too. Most mammals are born entirely dependent—needing their parent for food, warmth, and safety. But they also need emotional connection. That early bond, especially in humans, shapes more than how we behave—it shapes how we …
📜 Then Came Paul Everything changed when Paul began to write. Paul never met Jesus in person—only in a visionary encounter on the road to Damascus. And in his letters, we see Christ undergo a dramatic evolution. Paul rarely speaks of Jesus’ earthly life. Instead, he writes of: Christ the Redeemer – “Christ died for …