Daily writing prompt

If you could meet a historical figure, who would it be and why?

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Without a doubt Soren Kierkegaard. Perhaps in a coffee shop? I know he takes his espresso with seven sugars.

Besides the language barrier—I don’t speak Danish—I think we could have a nice conversation. Or, I could simply listen. From what I have read about him, I think we have a lot of things in common. We could talk about irony, faith, despair, or perhaps the state of the modern sermon. Of course, we could talk about Christology, one of my favourite topics, or the power of abstractions in the modern age. I would love to ask his take on social media, modern democracy, or the state of the church.

Why Kierkegaard? He has been the most interesting and insightful person since Augustine of Hippo in the last 1500 years. And he is not the “same-same” as the majority of thinkers.

Daily writing prompt

What book are you reading right now?

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I never read just one book. I have multiple books on the go at once in multiple locations. So …

In the chapel:
Common Worship: Daily Prayer and NRSV Bible. (This is not technologically true. I use a version of Common Worship that I have adjusted to my needs, but the outline is there.) I also use several different prayer books for other devotions.

In the dayroom (that is, the inner cell):
This Is Epistemology: An Introduction by J. Adam Carter and Clayton Littlejohn.
Also:
Rasputin: Faith, Power, and the Twilight of the Romanovs by Douglas Smith
Also:
The Word in the Desert: Scripture and the Quest for Holiness in Early Christian Monasticism by Douglas Burton-Christie

In the parlour (main room where people can visit):
The Nature of Biblical Criticism by John Barton
Also:
The Word in the Desert: Anglican and Roman catholic Reactions to Liturgical Reform by Barry Spurr
Also (and, to be honest, I like to have this book on hand to “soothe my soul”):
Anglican Papalism: A History: 1900-1960 by Michael Yelton

I am also reading a novel:
The Vinyl Detective: Written in Dead Wax by Andrew Cartmel

On my Kindle (that travels with me):
Introducing Medieval Biblical Interpretation: The Senses of Scripture in Premodern Exegesis by Ian Christopher Levy

Now that was real fun! I love talking about books.

Daily writing prompt

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?

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I love where I live now. It is more than a house; it is a “home for a solitary”. To be honest, I am thinking of moving. Maybe it is simply my state of mind at the moment? I am disappointed in people. I can only change “me” so. I need to lower my expectations. That does not change the darkness within at the moment. Being a nobody with no history and no story would be magic. So the option is moving to somewhere to be alone.

But it must be Merton’s hermitage if I could live somewhere else. In pictures, it looks so idyllic. It has a chapel, an altar, a stove, and an open fireplace. So that is where I would live if I could.

Daily writing prompt

What part of your routine do you always try to skip if you can?

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As an enclosed solitary, I live alone to not skip any part of my routine. The space it gives me, the solitude and silence, is the freedom to be present in the moment to Jesus. The routine is to return – to return to Jesus in the now.

The life I lived before was all about skipping that moment of return. It was about other people, and, as I have realised, it was spent chasing other people’s affection.

But, on a purely practical level, I try to skip housework!

Not a meeting people kind of person. I once knew a bishop who was in the news. He was mentioned in Parliament. He ordained me. Apart from him, no one famous.

But infamous! That would be me. Well, at least in some people’s minds.

Daily writing prompt

What podcasts are you listening to?

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So, I am not a huge consumer of podcasts. I was in the past.

I recently listened to The Secrets We Keep: Pray Harder. I like cults, and this one is local. The podcast was somewhat one-sided and a little simplistic, but I really enjoyed it. I cannot expect all podcasts to be a theological exploration within a wider historical context. One thing that always interests me is the assumption of intent on the part of the leader. Anyway, interesting.

Also, as I have your attention, I am doing a podcast. (And, to be honest, doesn’t everyone.) I have a trailer for Season 1 in the feed. I am hoping to record on a Friday. Just random stuff!

Daily writing prompt

What will your life be like in three years?

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I have no clue. I hope it will still be here, doing what I am doing now. But it can also change very quickly. In fact, I am thinking of changing things.

Daily writing prompt

What was your favorite subject in school?

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The great thing about subjects at school is that they can be held at arm’s length. I can study and collect all the knowledge but not emotionally engage with it—a little like Mary’s Room.

At the end of my schooling, it was mathematics. I was hoping to be a math teacher. I even started a university degree. But that did not happen.

When I was just starting, my reports say I was very good at religion. (My mother reminded me on Sunday.) I am not sure what that means. Later, I found other things to “excite” me. Somehow, my life has come full circle.

I should add that I am “good” (relatively) at religion, theology, and philosophy. That does not mean I have it all together or am perfect. I am working on the lived experience every day.

Daily writing prompt

What is your favorite form of physical exercise?

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Is reading a form of exercise?

Otherwise, it is a nice walk along the beach. I used to walk every day, but not so much anymore! As some would say (me!), “there are too many people out there”.

Daily writing prompt

What’s something you believe everyone should know.

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To sit in silence without needing outside stimulation or other people. It can be for 10 minutes or five during the day. Sit outside and enjoy the sun, or just listen to the rain. Without a goal, a product, or an end, simply sit in silence and be “me.”