The Beginning

In the familiar lull that comes between the writing of books, the inevitable and welcomed morning came. "Focus on the Book of John." I said okay. I began re-re-reading John, always my favorite book in the Bible. I read the Prologue, which starts with the familiar "In the beginning was the Word" and ends with verse 14, which starts out with "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us." John then continues with the story of Jesus.

Some days went by, weeks. John sat quietly at the back of my mind, present but unfocused. Then, within a three day period, John began flooding in upon me from various sources. From Eriugena, that great scholar / mystic / teacher / theologian of the 9th century, a man who continues to be ahead of his time and even this time. From Jack Miles, a former Jesuit, and brilliant and articulate writer on God and on Christ. From the Book of John itself.

These early morning readings and understandings (I arise about 2 a.m. and read and listen and comprehend while the rest of the world around me is asleep; a magic time) led me to announce a public lecture on "The Story of God." Eight people came. We sat in a circle at the Human Nature Dance Theatre, a delightful environs where, among other things, tango is taught and practiced. I told the story of God. Or at least one version. I found I had too much material (laughing…. in retrospect, no surprise).

The audience was attentive and the phenomenon that shows that something real happened occurred: everyone stayed around and kept talking to each other and with me after the event was officially over. The remarks were positive. We will meet again for further story (and with anyone else who wishes to come.)

I will keep you posted on the Story of God with the aid of this blog. In fact, I will follow the format I followed on my previous books (Jesus and Lao Tzu: Adventures with the Tao Te Ching; The Hidden Words of the Living Jesus: A Commentary on the Gospel of Thomas) and my forthcoming book, Zen Baptist, and write the book "live" here on this blog.