20 Apr Death to the Destroyer

We enter into a renewed season under the watchful gaze of the God we crucified, who has forgiven us and called us to the better promise. Do not waste His gracious gift. You have no other time to repent than right now. Pray, be vigilant, be sober. You have enemies unseen and unheard yoked by their lust for your destruction.

I have a few announcements. Upcoming personal circumstances shall result in a slower output of poetry; take it not as permanent but as a prelude of good things to come. I expect to release a new program and a swath of materials for study this fall.

Regarding Ghosts in Our Doctrine: after more thoroughly collating my editor’s notes to some feedback from first readers, I recognized two major changes that need to happen for the book to succeed in its stated goals.

1. The content must better target educated, but non-academic/scholarly readers. My writing style can currently oscillate between poor characterization of complex ideas, and excessive fidelity to the academic precision of my sources. But this book is not meant for rarefied reading; theologians are for the most part already acquainted with the issues discussed in this book (and if they are not, it’s to their shame). Rather, I have the distinct responsibility of bringing the Promethean fire to the studious and serious, but otherwise average, member of the faithful. I cannot be charged with anything more than that, but anything less than this will make Ghosts in Our Doctrine a trite repetition of better authors.
2. The book lacks sensible organization which undermines its purpose. The strongest and most precise arguments I present in the book require more focused presentation of historical Christian theology. Its relevance and importance are tied into the tradition, for truth, authority, tradition and continuity all speak to the same essential idea, preservation. My point in writing is to show how Protestant metaphysics cannot preserve Christian doctrine at all, as in cannot be reconciled. Therefore I have taken to study my source materials, their chronology and method of organizing distinct events and arguments, to better grasp how I might do just as well in this book. I anticipate releasing a new chapter organization shortly.

The work can be renewed and revitalized only if it can be transformed, and fitting a season for such transformation. As we celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord, we only understand the empty tomb because of the closed tomb, rejoicing only because of penance, and metanoia, a new mind and a new man from the context of the old man. Pray for my journey, as I pray for yours; for we trample death trembling, fearing instead the immortal God after the death of death.

Wherefore death approaches, and swallowing up the body as a bait is transfixed on the hook of divinity, and after tasting of a sinless and life-giving body, perishes, and brings up again all whom of old he swallowed up. For just as darkness disappears on the introduction of light, so is death repulsed before the assault of life, and brings life to all, but death to the destroyer.

Saint John of Damascus, Exposition of the Orthodox faith