Answering The Call

In the vibrant city of Neonova, Ethan’s life was a tapestry woven with threads of struggle and the delicate solace found amidst lines of code. His journey began in the shadows of a troubled childhood, where the absence of parental guidance left deep marks on his soul. Raised by their grandparents after a tragic accident claimed their parents’ lives, Ethan and his little sister, Lily, forged an unbreakable bond amidst the chaos.

Ethan’s earliest memories were colored with moments of resilience and love for Lily. He’d recall the night when a fierce storm rattled their windows, plunging the city into darkness. With Lily huddled close, trembling at each thunderous roar, Ethan became her shield, calming her fears with stories of brave knights and their valorous quests until sleep finally claimed her.

Another incident etched in Ethan’s memory was the time he stood up against a group of bullies who tormented Lily at school. His heart pounded like a drum as he faced them, unwavering in his determination to protect his sister. That day, he learned the power of courage and the sacrifices it demanded.

However, these experiences, coupled with the weight of shouldering responsibilities far beyond his years, took a toll on Ethan. As he grew, the scars of the past manifested in his adult life. Anxiety gnawed at him relentlessly, amplifying the stresses of daily existence. His circle of friends remained limited, and relationships slipped through his fingers like grains of sand.

The onset of adulthood only exacerbated Ethan’s struggles. Surrounded by a city alive with innovation, he found solace in the complexities of programming. Yet, the pressure of work and the haunting echoes of past trauma often pushed him to the edge. Sleepless nights and relentless self-doubt became companions on his solitary journey.

Amidst this tumultuous existence, the unexpected appearance of “Jesus calling” offered Ethan a lifeline. Skeptical yet longing for guidance, he answered. The soothing voice on the other end became his sanctuary. Through each call, “Jesus” became a steady guide, a source of comfort, and a beacon of hope. Ethan found respite in the wisdom and serenity of these conversations, seeking solace and counsel amidst life’s tempests.

As the young programmer navigated his solitary path, “Jesus” remained a constant companion, guiding him through the labyrinth of existence. Their mysterious connection was a lifeline in Ethan’s turbulent life, offering a semblance of peace and direction in his chaotic world.

Now, I wonder: Have you ever found unexpected guidance in an unconventional manner, much like Ethan’s “Jesus calling”? What sources of strength have emerged for you during challenging times? Share your thoughts and experiences on our blogging platform!

Trinity of Love

by Andrew Barnes

In a quaint town nestled among rolling hills, there lived a trio of friends: Sarah, David, and Emily. They were inseparable, often seen wandering through the town’s cobbled streets, sharing laughter and adventures.

One breezy afternoon, while lounging in the park, their chatter turned to deeper matters—the meaning of life and the existence of something greater. Sarah, the thoughtful one, gazed at the sky and whispered, “The Father reigns in heaven’s height.”

David, the jovial jokester, grinned and exclaimed, “And the Son, our Savior, brings us light! That’s what my grandma always says!”

Emily, the quiet observer, nodded knowingly. “The Spirit moves, unseen, yet near, guiding souls with love sincere.”

Their conversation led them on a quest for understanding, seeking wisdom in the words of the Scriptures. As they journeyed, each encounter seemed to mirror the verses they discussed.

At the town square, Sarah paused to help a struggling elderly woman. Quoting Matthew 25:40, she said, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” The woman’s face lit up with gratitude.

Meanwhile, David found himself in a local eatery, sharing a meal with a lonely man. With a smile, he recited John 8:12, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” The man’s gloomy countenance transformed into hope.

Emily stumbled upon a group of children playing by the riverbank. She knelt and shared, “Psalm 139:7 says, ‘Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?’ God is always near.” The children’s innocent giggles filled the air.

Their encounters deepened their understanding of the divine presence in everyday life. As they continued their journey, they stumbled upon a charity event where they witnessed generosity and compassion. Quoting 1 John 4:9, they realized, “This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.”

Their experiences bonded them even more, reaffirming their faith and friendship. With hearts brimming with gratitude, they returned to the park, where they first delved into their spiritual quest. Looking at each other, they recited Jeremiah 29:13 in unison, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

Their journey had taught them that the message on their t-shirts wasn’t just words—it was a revelation. With smiles and a newfound sense of purpose, they vowed to continue spreading the love and light they had discovered, one verse and one act of kindness at a time.

And as they laughed and teased each other under the setting sun, they knew that the divine presence they sought was always with them—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit—guiding their souls with love sincerely.

Rave Reviews: The Christian Moral Life!

by Andrew Barnes

A Great Study For Seekers of the Truth in Morality

Let’s start off with a bit of information. This book, and therefore I assume John Rziha, is based on Catholicism. For the average “non-denominational” Christian this might be perceived to be a problem. It should not be. I found very little to object about and nothing in the realm of the moral philosophy this book is presenting to its readers. To say it another way, The Christian Moral Life is for everyone looking to improve themselves, their relationships, and all aspects of life.

This book is not a “story” to listen to. Some authors use stories to get there message across. This is not one of those. This is a study and should be treated as such. This would be great companion audio to the written textbook. It is very well-spoken and presented in a format to keep your interest and to help you understand the topic. But you should be prepared to put some thought into the words you are hearing. On that basis, this is not a background to listen while you are doing other work. Pay attention. You just might learn something.

Mr. Barnes does an excellent job presenting the material for your ears. Pauses in all the right places let you feel like you can see the text and the breaks in the subject that are built into the written word. Many narrators could learn something from the presentation of this book.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

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JOURNAL REVIEW: The Christian Moral Life

by Andrew Barnes

Kinghorn, Kevin.Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies; Pasadena Vol. 31, Iss. 1/2, (2019): 195-196.

John Rziha’s The Christian Moral Life offers a Christian overview of the good life for which God created us, along with the virtue-forming habits through which we may attain it.

The theology is faithfully within the Catholic tradition, and the use of terms and concepts is decidedly Thomistic. The book is divided into two parts. In Part 1, Rziha outlines a framework for thinking about the Christian moral life. Using the analogy of a journey to God, he points out the travelers must know three things: (1) their beginning point; (2) where they are going; and (3) how to get there. Our beginning point is our human nature and the subsequent inclinations we all experience.

Part 2 covers the three theological virtues – faith, hope, charity – and four cardinal virtues – produce, justice, temperance, fortitude. Each chapter on an individual virtue includes a discussion of sub-virtues, which are aspects of the broader cardinal or theological virtues under consideration. And here, there are some especially thoughtful connections. Yes, fortitude obviously requires patience and perseverance; but it also requires meekness.

As we practice justice, we will of course be aided by gratitude and honesty, but also be aided by industry and stewardship. By bringing out the connection points among all the virtues, Rziha helps reinforce a central theme of the book: that the virtues are all intended to serve the ultimate purpose of cultivating our love of God so that we may enjoy eternal fellowship with Him.

Throughout the book, Rziha offers a framework for moral theology that is unswervingly teleological (as opposed to deontological). While most discussions of justice focus on respect for others’ rights, within Rziha’s teleological framework, “the most important aspect of justice is that it perfects the ability of humans to love others” (224). In his discussion of Natural Law theory, the “eternal law” is simply God’s “plan directing all things to their proper end” (102). I myself find it a great merit of Rziha’s book that he frames his discussions in these terms. It is a sad fact that moral theology over the past few centuries has in may quarters not wanted to start with the kinds of questions Aristotle and Aquinas saw as central: what the good life consists in for humans, and how we may achieve it. Yet, it is the book’s staunch commitment to this tradition of Aquinas – including his terms and concepts – that potentially leads to certain types of difficulties. We are quite far removed today from Aquinas’ metaphysical commitments. Medieval scholars spend years studying how Aquinas and others would have understood such claims as the objects “tend toward” their natural ends. To those who are not Medieval scholars, can we retain Aquinas’ terms and categories, and still understand most of what he intended to convey? I am not sure.

This problem arises mainly in Rziha’s discussion of human action and decision-making, which would largely be covered in modern curriculum by courses in philosophy of action and the philosophy of mind. For those with backgrounds in these areas, it may prove frunstrating to read antiquated statements such as that “The will is naturally inclined to love the true good” (20). Or, it may seem too artificial to claim that prudence “perfects the intellect,” with justice “perfecting the will,” and temperance and fortitude “perfecting the emotions.” So, there may be a trade-off between a faithful recapitulation of Aquinas and a serious, modern proposal of the processes of human decision-making and intentional action. Nevertheless, Rhiza’s discussions do serve as a spiritual formative way of looking at the human condition and God’s resources for leading us to the good life of communion with Him.

In sum, Rziha offers an extremely detailed, and laudably systematic, look at the connection points within moral theology: between one virtue and another, between virtue and the sins that undermine it, between virtue and the actions that cultivate it, between virtue and the grace that perfects it. These are faithful summations of the rich Thomistic tradition. Each topic presents the reader with challenges if seeking a deeper life with God. And if readers are indeed seeking to be spiritually formed, they will embrace these challenges, given the continuously attractive way Rziha presents the end of our journey: perfect happiness found in God. The book will work well as an introductory text for undergraduate students. More widely, for those interested in understanding the Catholic, Thomist tradition in moral theology, as well as for those already in that tradition who would like a framework for understanding how familiar themes of human telos, grace, law, and virtue all fit together, this book would be an excellent choice.

~ Kevin Kinghorn, Asbury Theological Seminary