遠藤周作 (Shusaku Endo, 1923–96) was a Japanese Catholic novelist. His occupation with Roman Catholic belief penetrates throughout this entire book. Endo published Silence in Japanese in 1966. Seventeenth century Japan was ruled by the Tokugawa shogunate (徳川幕府)—also known as the Edo shogunate (江戸幕府)—which was ended by the Meiji Restoration (明治維新) in 1868. While the Edo … Continue reading Endo, Silence (沈黙) (1966)
Reflecting on Death
Our neighbor has a dog. Her name is N—I will only use the initial for privacy—and she is a beautiful golden retriever. Yet she’s so old that her death is imminent. As her time rapidly draws near, I see our neighbor’s hearts sink. They are doing everything that they can do to extend N’s stay … Continue reading Reflecting on Death
We Fly Away (Psalm 90:10)
Two observations surprise me: that it has already been more than two years since COVID-19 began to devour the world (December 2019) and that almost half of 2022 is already gone. These, however, shouldn’t bowl me over because I know the Psalmist’s trenchant statement of the shortness of our lives, “for they [our days] quickly … Continue reading We Fly Away (Psalm 90:10)
The So-Called “Theistic” Evolution (TE)
Francis Collins's book The Language of God (2007) is an interesting book in a few ways. First, the author Collins is a scientist (geneticist) claiming to have evidence for God. Second, he puts forward an all-encompassing view that attempts to reconcile evolution and creation. Although Collins tries to promote his newly coined term "BioLogos" (Collins … Continue reading The So-Called “Theistic” Evolution (TE)
Where Is God?
I often think of humanity as an arrogant man living in a beautiful mansion. This man didn't build this house. The Builder let him rent the entire house for free. But this haughty man claims that he doesn't see any evidence of the existence of the Builder and goes even further to say that the … Continue reading Where Is God?