Up From the Ashes
A pesonal search for truth in a fallen world
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What most people are looking for from religion is something that will make them feel good about where they are now and what they are doing at the present time. The brutal truth is that most of us are fairly satisfied with where we are and we don’t want to change. Even if our lives are pretty lousy and dysfunctional, it’s still a question of “Better the devil you know than the devil you don’t know.” Change is a frightening thing because it carries an element of the unknown. Most of us do not want unrestricted change (or any change at all) in our lives. This is one of the functions of organizational religion—to manage or eliminate change. It is called “the traditions of the elders” or “church doctrine” but what it is, functionally, is the control of change. Religion makes our spiritual life safe and predictable. This is one of the harsh realities of life in this world: “A horrible and shocking thing has happened in the land: The prophets prophesy lies, the priests rule by their own authority, and my people love it this way. But what will you do in the end?” (Jeremiah 5:30–31) This verse from Jeremiah is one of my favorites in all Scripture. This is the challenge and the question that comes booming across the almost two and a half millennia since it was first articulated by the Lord. What will you do in the end? This is the question that weighs on me more and more with each passing year. Not for me personally but for poor, doubting, suffering and distracted humanity. I know who I am and I know what I will do in the end. Yet, the question remains unanswered for most of humanity. What will you do in the end? The forces arrayed against human-kind in opposition of their ever successfully answering this question are formidable. The world with its lies, pulls and temptations is here. Religion is here with its half-truths and mixed motives. Our very selves are here. Yet I dare to take up this writing with high hopes and great expectations. Above it all I know that my Father is greater and more capable than all these forces: “What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31) In the end, there is only one point and one requirement—that we accept the truth of God as He has presented it in the Bible and is even now revealing it to every seeking heart.
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About the Book
Each of us goes through life on a search for the truth. We may do this ether consciously or subconsciously but the journey is a part of our living. Please understand that this is not some theoretical exercise. The search for truth is vital for us to make correct decisions in all aspects of our life. As such, this is one of the most important understandings we can come to as human beings. The search for truth is actually the search for reality and the nature of reality. Thus, this is an important part of meaningful living. How successful we are going to be in living is heavily reliant on how clearly and correctly we understand the true nature of reality. It is for this reason that this is no mere philosophical exercise. This book is an exploration of the Bible’s view of reality. Contrary to popular opinion there is only one ultimate truth. We need to reject the misconception that reality is subjective. This is the error Pontus Pilate expressed to Christ (John 18:38) and that the Athenian Greeks proposed to the apostle Paul (Acts 17:19–21). Yet, the true nature of life is that there is only one real truth. Given the impact our understanding of truth has on our life here and now as well as in eternity, there is no more important pursuit a person can undertake. This book puts forth the view of truth that is based on the teachings of the Bible.
About the Author
Bill Landon has spent 40 years seeking a relationship with God, inside and outside organized religion. After more than a decade of studying the Bible and the writings of numerous philosophers and Christian authors Bill has found a path of living in a personal relationship with God. This is the fourth book Bill has written exploring our spiritual nature and relation with the Father. Bill lives with his family in Connecticut.