A Journey with Two Mystics: Conversations between a Girardian and a Wattsian

by Matthew J. Distefano, Michael Machuga, Ric Machuga (Foreword by), Benjamin Fullerton (Afterword)

Overview

Having a careful ear and an open heart is vital to understanding the big ideas of the Universe. Two friends, Distefano and Machuga, put this on display here, vulnerably exploring some of humanity's most robust topics: what it means to be human, what it means to be saved, what it means to be lost, and what the meaning of life is. And while the authors agree on many things, including the ultimate fate of humanity, they do not necessarily agree on all the details of how we get there. But instead of "agreeing to disagree," they model for their readers what conversations of this variety should look like--agreement with a little pushback, and even some poking fun at one another from time to time. So, as Distefano advises, "take your time and enjoy these discussions." They are transparent and hopeful, refreshingly liberating, and are imbued with complete awe toward the goodness of the Creator and her creation.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781498241526
Publisher:	Resource Publications
Publication date:	03/28/2017
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	150
File size:	4 MB

About the Author

Matthew J. Distefano is the author of All Set Free and From the Blood of Abel, and is a regular contributor for Unfundamentalist Christians on Patheos.
Michael Machuga holds a degree in Social and Behavioral Science and has contributed for The New Reformers and All Set Free.
Matthew J. Distefano is a regular contributor for The Raven Foundation. He is an outspoken advocate for global peace and non-violence. Matthew is married with one daughter and enjoys the great outdoors.
Ric Machuga has taught philosophy and in the Honor Program at Butte College for thirty-five years. He is the author of In Defense of the Soul (2002), Life, the Universe, and Everything (2011), and numerous pieces for Books&Culture.

Table of Contents

Foreword Ric Machuga xiii

Matthew's Acknowledgments xvii

Michael's Acknowledgments xix

Matthew's Introduction: Friendship and Letters xxi

Michael's Introduction: Growing Tired of Religion xxv

Act I Exploring the Human

Letter 1 We Are Each Other 3

Letter 2 Human Consciousness 8

Letter 3 A Clarification of Mimetic Desire 11

Letter 4 The Pitfalls of Self-Consciousness 15

Letter 5 Positive Mimesis and a Relational God 18

First Refrain 22

Act II Exploring Salvation

Letter 6 Heaven is At-Hand 33

Letter 7 A Changing Understanding of What It Means to Be Saved 37

Letter 8 Sin, Salvation, and Belief in Jesus 41

Letter 9 Jesus is Lord, Period! 46

Letter 10 Why I am a Universalist 50

Second Refrain 54

Act III Exploring Hell

Letter 11 The Authority of Scripture and Some Really Bad News 63

Letter 12 Hell: Eternal Torture or Annoying Distraction? 69

Letter 13 What in the Hell Is Hell? 73

Letter 14 Musings about Justice 78

Letter 15 Justice, Freedom, and the Implications for Humankind 82

Third Refrain 86

Act IV Exploring Reality

Letter 16 The "Meaning" of Life 97

Letter 17 Our Theology is not God, but it can Certainly Point in Her Direction 100

Letter 18 Meditation and Mindfulness 104

Letter 19 God and the Universe are One: Forming a Holistic World view 108

Letter 20 The World is "Out There" 113

Afterword Moving Beyond Words by Ben Fullerton 117

Bibliography 121