The second step of the AA Twelve Steps states that we come to believe that a power greater than ourselves is able to restore us to sanity.  For many people coming to believe is an ongoing process rather than an event.

I very much like the words of theologian Daniel Migliore*:

According to one classical definition (St. Anselm), theology is “faith seeking understanding” (fides quaerens intellectum) . . . in the writings of Augustine it takes the form, “I believe in order that I may understand.”  According to Augustine, knowledge of God not only presupposes faith, but faith also restlessly seeks deeper understanding . . . for Anselm, faith seeks understanding, and understanding brings joy.

Karl Barth contends that theology has the task of reconsidering the faith and practice of the community, “testing and rethinking it in the light of its enduring foundation, object, and content . . . what distinguishes theology from blind assent is just its special character as ‘faith seeking understanding.'”

Christian faith prompts inquiry, searches for deeper understanding, dares to raise questions.  How could we ever be finished with the quest for a deeper understanding of God? (2)

*Migliore, Daniel L.  Faith Seeking Understanding: An Introduction to Christian Theology.  2nd ed.  Grand Rapids:  William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2004.

One of the most important elements of being human is our need to have a living and vital relationship with our Higher Power, and a key part of that relationship is prayer and meditation.

Father Thomas Keating, in his Divine Therapy and Addiction, offers some valuable insight in learning to pray.  He writes: “Silence is a great common denominator between people and also between us and God.  God’s first language is silence.  Everything else is a poor translation . . . the main discipline is to sit down and shut up . . . letting go of your usual stream of thoughts and the endless interior dialogue that does on most of the day and night about what happens to us, or about people entering and leaving our lives.” (151-153)

Amen!

My name is Tom – and I am a human being!

The next few posts on this blog will form an introduction to the idea of Human Beings Anonymous.  This idea comes with great gratitude to the family of Anonymous Twelve Steps organizations that have helped save lives around the world for many years.

My process started with the idea of writing a Twelve Steps program and book for people who believe that they do not suffer from any addictions.  The original working title was “Living as Mustard Seeds in Cracked Clay Pots” but over time it became very clear that we are ALL human beings anonymous.

Much of my early thinking in this area was profoundly influenced by the writing of Gerald G. May, M.D. in his book Addiction and Grace where he states: “I am not being flippant when I say that all of us suffer from addiction . . . the same processes that are responsible for addiction to alcohol and narcotics are also responsible for addiction to ideas, work, relationships, power, moods, fantasies, and an endless variety of other things.  We are all addicts in every sense of the word.  Moreover, our addictions are our own worst enemies . . . they can bring us to our knees.” (3-4)

As we continue this journey together I hope that many of you will join in the conversation.

Dear World

This post marks the beginning of a new portion of my journey.

The posts on this blog will cover a variety of topics most of which will focus on living lives as human beings at various points along the road of working to understand what it means to live life in a manner intended by our Creator.

It is my intention to post a new entry every other day.  I promise to do my best to stir our imagination and creativity, and I hope you will join in the conversation.