Understanding God

In the midst of my bible reading venture I also read several complimentary books throughout the year.  These included “The Purpose Driven Life” by Rick Warren, “The Screwtape Letters” by C.S. Lewis, “Basic Teachings of the Great Philosophers” by S.E. Frost, Jr., “The Heart of Christianity” by Marcus J. Borg, “How to Know God” by Deepak Chopra and “What God Said” by Neal Donald Walsh.  I was mostly profoundly affected by Deepak Chopra’s thoughtful book on understanding God by understanding one’s brain seconded by Borg’s “The Heart of Christianity”.  Both books endorsed humanity seeking spiritual enlightenment without the need to become Fundemental.  Their findings aligned in many ways, most particularly with people’s need to understand that there is something “more”.  We have a desire to believe that there is meaning to our lives and this has developed into religious or spiritual seeking.

Deepak’s book is subtitled “The Soul’s Journey into the Mystery of Mysteries” and yet the book itself is based on science as well as the spiritual.  He writes about the seven stages of God which in essence is the evolution of humans as well as personal development.  It was a fascinating read that gives a person not only hope for themselves but also for mankind.  If Einstein could believe in the universe as a thinking entity, a god, then who are we to doubt?  I highly recommend this book to get a deeper understanding of the workings of your mind, heart and soul.  Lovely, lovely book.

As a Christian, nominal or fundamental, I also recommend “The Heart of Christianity”.  Borg writes about how many people have difficult with religion as it has developed today, feeling that it has no meaning for them anymore.  If you feel almost embarrassed to want to be religious or Christian and yet still feel a desire to seek out spiritual comfort this is a book for you.  He talks about the emerging paradigm, what is most central to an authentic Christianity and Christian life today.  I thought it was very well written and I wished I could find a church with that open type of religious thought.

Christianity is not the only path to either God or spirituality but it is the one most familiar to my readers and our Western society.  I am still reading more on Buddhism, Islam and other religions so there will be another summation at the end of this year.  Now gentle readers you have something to look forward to (no cliff hanger this).