I enjoy your writing because your existential honesty and vulnerability are so compelling. This is something sorely lacking in many people's Christian witness. Your journey equips you with an understanding and empathy for doubt that can be powerful, if you remain authentically humble.
I believe in you.
You're not alone. I share many of your thoughts. Allow me to share an idea that has helped me slow down and relax.
Nobody's ideas are Absolutely Good, True, and Beautiful—except for God's.
I like setting high goals, but looking at our capacity for transcendental understanding in a binary way (all good or all bad with an excluded middle) will frustrate you to no end. I have this perfectionist streak too, and I know it's a real burden.
Can you count to infinity?
I can't. But I can balance my checkbook, set a budget, and obey the speed-limit. You don't have to comprehend mathematics like God does for it to be useful. We have access to the infinite number set, but we can never exhaust it—not ever. At best we can apprehend math a little better all the time. But there's no arrival—only the journey.
It's the same with the Good, True, and Beautiful. These are infinite transcendentals that emanate from God's Perfection. We have incommensurable and inexhaustible access to them through our relationship with God. But as with math, there is no arrival—only the journey.
The thing to "comprehend" about the Love of God, is that it is in fact incomprehensible.
(Ephesians 3:16-19).
Our contingent capacity for goodness, truth, and beauty is an asymptote. As we grow, we draw into an ever closer orbit to the Perfect-Ultimate, but always have an infinite distance yet before us. We can love God, but we can never become Him. That's why He had to cross the abyss on our behalf—to bring Light and Meaning into our lives (John 1:1-5).
Your familiarity with Nietzsche equips you to understand just how amazing the Gospel is in a way few Christians can. Only Perfect Meaning can fill the abyss of nihility.
That's the answer. That's the "good news."
I encourage you to slow down and enjoy your journey. It's never going to end—not ever.
Jesus has already gone the distance on our behalf. All we need do now is abide in Him and grow. There will always be the next idea to master, the next sage to read, the next post to write, and the next, and the next...
My friend, that's the Good and Beautiful Truth of Life.
Savor it! Savor HIM!
Blessings,
Jonathan Michael Huls
P.S. Have you considered a graduate degree? I think you're an excellent candidate. Such a project would put some guard-rails on your philosophical project, and would help narrow your focus for the sake of producing a thesis that adds to the asymptote of human knowledge.
Thank you for your positive comments, encouragement, and advice. I have considered a graduate degree in philosophy. I decided it was not the best decision for me at the time. I’ll be remaining a hobbyist.
Hi Porter,
I'm glad we connected. Thank you!
I enjoy your writing because your existential honesty and vulnerability are so compelling. This is something sorely lacking in many people's Christian witness. Your journey equips you with an understanding and empathy for doubt that can be powerful, if you remain authentically humble.
I believe in you.
You're not alone. I share many of your thoughts. Allow me to share an idea that has helped me slow down and relax.
Nobody's ideas are Absolutely Good, True, and Beautiful—except for God's.
I like setting high goals, but looking at our capacity for transcendental understanding in a binary way (all good or all bad with an excluded middle) will frustrate you to no end. I have this perfectionist streak too, and I know it's a real burden.
Can you count to infinity?
I can't. But I can balance my checkbook, set a budget, and obey the speed-limit. You don't have to comprehend mathematics like God does for it to be useful. We have access to the infinite number set, but we can never exhaust it—not ever. At best we can apprehend math a little better all the time. But there's no arrival—only the journey.
It's the same with the Good, True, and Beautiful. These are infinite transcendentals that emanate from God's Perfection. We have incommensurable and inexhaustible access to them through our relationship with God. But as with math, there is no arrival—only the journey.
The thing to "comprehend" about the Love of God, is that it is in fact incomprehensible.
(Ephesians 3:16-19).
Our contingent capacity for goodness, truth, and beauty is an asymptote. As we grow, we draw into an ever closer orbit to the Perfect-Ultimate, but always have an infinite distance yet before us. We can love God, but we can never become Him. That's why He had to cross the abyss on our behalf—to bring Light and Meaning into our lives (John 1:1-5).
Your familiarity with Nietzsche equips you to understand just how amazing the Gospel is in a way few Christians can. Only Perfect Meaning can fill the abyss of nihility.
That's the answer. That's the "good news."
I encourage you to slow down and enjoy your journey. It's never going to end—not ever.
Jesus has already gone the distance on our behalf. All we need do now is abide in Him and grow. There will always be the next idea to master, the next sage to read, the next post to write, and the next, and the next...
My friend, that's the Good and Beautiful Truth of Life.
Savor it! Savor HIM!
Blessings,
Jonathan Michael Huls
P.S. Have you considered a graduate degree? I think you're an excellent candidate. Such a project would put some guard-rails on your philosophical project, and would help narrow your focus for the sake of producing a thesis that adds to the asymptote of human knowledge.
Something to think about...
Thank you for your positive comments, encouragement, and advice. I have considered a graduate degree in philosophy. I decided it was not the best decision for me at the time. I’ll be remaining a hobbyist.