Tag Archives: god

On Becoming Who One Is

Posted on July 3, 2019 by Ryan Buesnel

In 1971 the Who’s Pete Townshend wrote the following lyrics: ‘Please don’t say that you know me Cause I don’t even know myself.’ Known for his turbulent and often troubled life, Townshend’s angst and confusion reflect the difficult journey many … Continue reading →

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Modern Circles of Hell: Some New Proposals

Posted on January 18, 2019 by Ryan Buesnel

As Dante’s tour guide through hell, the Roman poet Virgil introduces the former to the nine circles of torment that will face the condemned upon death. These concentric circles roughly correspond to the seven deadly sins, but are extended to … Continue reading →

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The Journey of Prayer: Part I

Posted on December 18, 2018 by Ryan Buesnel

I would like to welcome you to my new short story series on prayer. I have gathered together some of my writings on the nature of prayer, in which I reflect on those who have influenced my understanding of what … Continue reading →

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Teilhard de Chardin and the Unity of Experience and Intellect

Posted on December 17, 2018 by Ryan Buesnel

In his introductory essay to a collection of works by renowned German theologian Wolfhart Pannenberg, Richard John Neuhaus draws attention to the unity of thought and experience in Pannengerg’s theological corpus. He writes of Pannengerg’s commitment to a ‘comprehensive idea … Continue reading →

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Nihilisms New God

Posted on June 15, 2018 by Ryan Buesnel

  I. The meta-narrative of contemporary Western culture is nihilism, and its maxim is this: we come from nothing and are heading towards oblivion. This truism is evident when one reflects on what we pursue as objects of ultimate value. … Continue reading →

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Worship Music and the Jesus Fetish

Posted on January 23, 2018 by Ryan Buesnel

‘I wanna sit at your feet. Drink from the cup in your hand. Lay back against you and breathe, here your heart beat This love is so deep, it’s more than I can stand. I melt in your peace, it’s … Continue reading →

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Why You Won’t Catch Me at a Hillsong Event

Posted on January 9, 2018 by Ryan Buesnel

For my birthday weekend last year I was lucky enough to be in Melbourne visiting my family. They had arranged to fly me down and take me out to dinner at some fancy place in the CBD on the Sunday … Continue reading →

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The Dangers of Contextualising Theology

Posted on January 9, 2018 by Ryan Buesnel

In his book Faith Seeking Understanding: An Introduction to Christian Theology, Daniel L. Migliore writes that ‘all theology is contextual.’ (1) By this Migliore refers to the now well-established notion of theological work being the result of an interaction between … Continue reading →

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The Church: Relinquishing Control

Posted on April 3, 2017 by Ryan Buesnel

I was recently chatting with a friend of mine who also works as a youth worker in his local Uniting Church. He was regaling me with a story- familiar to many of us- of the opposition he was experiencing whilst … Continue reading →

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And the Sax Played On… (Or, why it’s not always a good idea to invite friends to Church)

Posted on September 19, 2016 by Ryan Buesnel

The pressure to invite my high school friends to Church events wasn’t oppressive, but it was subtly consistent. This pressure- perhaps expectation is a better word- manifested itself through casual remarks made by my Parents or youth leaders, to the … Continue reading →

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