PREFACE
I
hope that most of you will agree that we need desperately to find a
new way of living and thinking. In our case, WE
are the people of North America. To realistically step into a better
tomorrow we need to first have a good look at our yesterdays and
begin to understand just how we got into this mess.
I'm
speaking from a Christian perspective here, having been raised in
that tradition, as have most of us in this culture, regardless of
what we believe. What we DO, how we are living, is greatly informed
by what we believe spiritually, so Christianity itself MUST
be reviewed in order to bring about any real change.
The
purpose of this short collection of writings is to present in a brief
and concise way an over all picture of the Jewish/Christian tradition
as it started and how it has mutated to become a main source of
malignancy that contributes to the unhealthiness of our world. This
is not a pleasant task and most church going people may not want to
accompany me on the journey. It is a task that I feel I must do my
best to accomplish. For me it is nothing less then God's Call. In
fear and trembling, in hope and fear, I submit this writing to you as
a start.
Everything
I include in this writing can be verified but I am spending no time
now on footnotes and references. In this age, information can be
swiftly verified if the desire is there. What I look forward to
mostly is fostering dialogue and questioning regarding things deemed
"Christian", a term that has for me far more minuses than
pluses. If people can once more begin to use their heads in order to
connect their word to their experiences, their spirituality, to their
communications, we will have a chance yet for joy and life for all
the world.
The
odds are certainly against an awakening that will bring us to new
life, yet I have to live in HOPE. In this hope I share this with
you.
I
am encouraged and honoured that you would spend this time with me.
Thank
you.
Anthony
Gifford
A
Personal Note: A dear friend and editor tells me that much anger
comes through in this work and has questioned this, advising me to
delete it as it is off-putting and confusing to the reader. I'm not
going to do this. The anger is real. I am angry with so much that I
see in the world. I am angry with how churches water down and
distort the simple and challenging word that was taught and lived by
Jesus of Nazareth. I am angry at myself for not entering into the
fray sooner, for being hesitant to do what I knew to be my calling.
To hide this anger would be unfair and a lie. I only hope that along
side of it and even covering it is a deeper awareness of hope and
joy. If you feel my anger come through the words, please realize it
for what it is. I hope it won't stop you from letting me share this
and other works with you.
A.G.
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