Content and purpose of this blog

It seemed to me that I should write an introductory entry about the content and purpose of this blog. I wanted to do this not only to inform any potential readers about what I am doing, but also to help me get a firmer grasp on what I am trying to accomplish through the blog. I think this introduction might be longer than any subsequent entry, but we will see.

I think the best way for me to explain what my hopes are for the content of this blog would be to give an exposition of the the subtitle of the blog:

"God-ward reflections as seen in a dim mirror."

There are several of reasons why I want to give an introduction in this way. I thought of more reasons, but I am trying to control myself:

1. Expository writing will be my form of choice for most of the blog, so it seemed to me that the introduction should be expository as well. It will help you, the reader, to get a feel for my writing style (or lack thereof). This will demonstrate the format of the blog.
   
2. I tried to choose a subtitle that would give the reader an accurate summary of the direction that I am wanting to take the blog, so as I write about the subtitle, I will also be explaining the desired content of the blog.
   
3. Because I wrote the subtitle, analyzing it goes beyond exposition into introspection. Introspection is something that I hope will be a result of my writings.
   
4. I get to over-analyze something, which, if you manage to read through to the end of this entry, you will notice that I enjoy doing.
5. In future entries, I hope to tackle much heftier theological phrases than this, so this will be a fitting way to ease into deeper topics.

In summary, I will be demonstrating the format and the content of the blog simultaneously, extracting a desired result from the entry, doing something I enjoy, and easing both you and me into deeper theological topics. (I would dare say "Efficient, yes?" if I had not written over 200 words just to explain why I am doing it this way!)

So here we go... (I am going to start with the word "reflections" since it is a noun; starting with adjectives is kind of hard...)

"...reflections..."

My entries will consist of reflections, or meditations, or observations; any of these could be an accurate description. These thoughts will primarily come from reading the Bible and also from reading books by Christian theologians. I may also write about thoughts pertaining to conversations that I have, or things I have noticed outside of literature. However, I do not think that either of the latter two sources will demand much focus in my writing.

I chose the word "reflections" because what I want to write about is not "Today my phone died," or anything like that; I want to look at truth, reflect upon it, write about it, and while doing so become a reflection of it. The thoughts that I will be writing will be meditations on truths and concepts revealed in Scripture that theologians have gazed upon for centuries, and in their gazing, have both had and become reflections.

"God-ward..."

The term "God-ward" means two things in this context. The first meaning is that the object of my reflections will be God as he is revealed in Scripture and, as subsidiary sources, in other books by Christian authors. The second meaning is that my hope and prayer for this blog is that it will draw both you and me "God-ward" i.e. to draw us closer to God, again, as revealed in Scripture. I would write more about all that means, but maybe I should save that for another entry...

"...as seen in a dim mirror."

This phrase alludes to 1 Corinthians 13:12. I see God, even in his inspired Word, through the dim mirror of my soul. I neither see him perfectly, nor reflect him perfectly. So, if you are reading this, please check what I say against Scripture. I make no claims to be an expert in theology, and even if I did, I would not be above error. So please remember this is being written by (and read by!) a dim mirror.


Now, as you may or may not recall, that was the first of two topics that I mentioned I wanted to discuss, namely the content of the blog. (Look back at the first sentence. Did you remember?) However, do not lose heart, because the purpose will be much shorter. As I see it, there are three purposes, with each subsequent purpose being the "why" behind the previous purpose:

1. (Why do a blog?) This is for school. I freely admit this. I am doing an Honors senior project and this is a part of it. However, the project was very open-ended, and I elected to do a blog, and do it on this topic.
   
2. (Why do this for school?) I have wanted to write a blog about theology for about four years now, but have neither been able to justify the time commitment, nor scrounge up the courage to do it.
3. (Why write about theology?) Oh, my, this could be another entry as well. To put it as succinctly as I can: I want you and me to treasure Jesus Christ more than anything else, and I want us to treasure him as he is revealed in Scripture, so that we will not hear "I never knew you" when we stand before him. What we know or think about God, our theology, is vitally important if the words of Jesus are true: "And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent." (John 17:3) My hope and prayer is that, through this blog, we may be able to say with a little more confidence:

   ⁷But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. ⁸Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ ⁹and be found in him..." -Phil 3:7-9