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 …
—and Why That’s a Problem Most of us want someone to lead us. It seems to be part of how humans are wired. We look for a figure—someone strong, confident, and certain—who can tell us what to believe, how to act, and what it all means. That desire makes sense, especially in confusing or difficult …
Power, Charisma, and Collapse in the Modern Cult We’ve seen it again and again—groups that start with high ideals, breakaway visions, and passionate leaders. They offer a way out: from corruption, from loneliness, from spiritual emptiness. They promise a new world, built on love, community, or truth. But one by one, they fall. Waco. Jonestown. …
Does It Work? We’re used to thinking of beliefs as things we either accept or reject based on whether they’re true. But what if we asked a different question: not “Is it true?” but “Does it work?” This idea comes from Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), a pragmatic system of thought developed in the 1970s. NLP treats beliefs not as sacred truths …
What If They Had Been Left Alone? We flatter ourselves in the West with our galleries, our libraries, our operas, and our novels. We point to Shakespeare, Beethoven, Michelangelo, and Newton as if their greatness justifies everything done in their wake. But the truth is more sordid: behind these cultural treasures lies a history of …
In an earlier reflection, I wrote: “It may be easier to make better lives for our children than to rescue the Church. But the message of Jesus remains—for those willing to hear it.” I see no future in the institutionalised Church. Nor do I believe that alternatives would fare better unless they addressed the same structural flaws. …