John Borden

Connecting the Dots: The Belief Journey - An Autobiographical Essay John Borden

We are all theologians. We are all on a journey of beliefs. Connecting the Dots is an autobiographical essay and guide through the journey of identifying beliefs, connecting beliefs to the character of God and producing a theology, the reader's theology. Readers do not need to attend seminary or work on an advanced degree to take this journey. They can stand on the shoulders of those who have gone before, in this case, the author. This journey is common to us all and made accessible by using the connect the dots simplicity and aided by the author's insight through sharing his own journey which covers the time from preschool through a Doctor of Ministry degree, at age 70. The author's dissertation focused on defining what the author believed and why. The style is rational and helpful, not preachy. Hospitality of other's beliefs is encouraged. Readers are encouraged to test all of the possible twists and turns of scripture and theology against the foundation of their own beliefs and not be drawn into accepting what they are taught or told to believe without examination and testing. The author strongly advises that the reader not copy the author's beliefs but instead look at the author's process. Each journey is personal. At the same time the reader is cautioned not to copy the author's beliefs, the readers are also cautioned not to be drawn into an "anything goes" snare. This book is a companion text to God in a Hurting World, 2012, Outskirts Press, by the same author. Each book stands as a full text by its self.