My NaNoWriMo novel is finished, and I am quite pleased with the result. The story Inhabitants of Eternity is a journey of philosophical and spiritual ideas set in the context of near-future scientific discoveries. In particular, the Terrestrial Planet Finder mission will be capable of observing terrestrial planets around other stars, which includes the ability to determine the gases present in the atmosphere. It is conceivable, then, that in the next century we will observe a planet that, at a distance, looks nearly identical to our own life-filled world. Though we have continually been pushed into mediocrity by the discoveries of astronomy and cosmology, Earth is still the only inhabited planet that we know of, and so the uniqueness of Earth’s phenomenon remains a steadfast truth for many people. Set in the near future when this mission first starts surveying the skies, Inhabitants of Eternity explores the implications of such a discovery on both religious and secular thought.
The story takes place through a series of dialogues that explore our conception of knowledge, the implications of biological evolution, the likelihood of extraterrestrials, and the relationship between religion and science. The main character is also a dreamer, which provides a unique setting for his own exploration of these personal and profound ideas. I have written several essays that touch on some of the themes in this story, but I until now I had not outlined the totality of these thoughts into a single work of discussion. I certainly learned a lot from this process, and I am looking forward to what the eventual finished work will look like. I like to give my writings time to ripen, so I will likely not start revisions until January or February; revision seems most beneficial with a fresh look at the manuscript.
For thus says the high and lofty one
who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy:
I dwell in the high and holy place,
and also with those who are contrite and humble in spirit,
to revive the spirit of the humble,
and to revive the heart of the contrite. (Isaiah 57:15)
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December 2, 2007 at 4:02 pm
wearealwaysalwaysmortal
you’re finished! good for you!
December 3, 2007 at 5:16 am
evangelistbillybolitho
“If ye love me, keep my commandments.”
{St John 14 v15}.
All who love Jesus and are truly saved will try to keep His commandments, for we show Him our love by keeping them. Jesus said, “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me; and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him and will manifest myself to him.” St John 14 v 21.
So you see, to claim that we are Christians, yes, followers of Christ, we must show that we are Christ like in our lives, there must be a distinction between the church and the world. If we live like the world then we will be condemned with the world, but if we try to live like Jesus wants us to live, by keeping His commandments, then His blood will cleanse us from all sin, and His promise is that He will prepare a place for us in heaven.
Jesus said, “In my Fathers house are many mansions; if it were not so I would have told you, I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.” St John 14 v 2:3. You see Jesus has shown us the way.
If we follow Jesus and keep His commandments then we keep in His love, just as Jesus kept in His Fathers love by keeping His Fathers commandments. Let us always be found abiding in His love, for He has chosen us for His kingdom. When the bridegroom cometh will your robes be white? Pure and white in the blood of the Lamb? Will your soul be ready for the mansions bright, And be washed in the blood of the Lamb?
“And this is His commandment, That we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as He gave us commandment.
And He that keepeth His commandments dwelleth in Him, and He in Him And hereby we know that He abideth in us, by the Spirit which He hath given us”, {1 John 3 v 23:24}.
It is a thing most wonderful, Almost too wonderful to be, That God’s own Son should come from heaven, And die to save a child like me. Oh, it was love, it’ was wonderous love;
The love of God to me; it’ brought my Saviour from above, To die on Calvary.
December 6, 2007 at 10:37 am
Ted Heistman
I wonder if Space Aliens need to be saved? I am trying to picture a little grey alien hanging from a cross. Poor little guy!
January 8, 2008 at 8:00 pm
And the Revisions Begin… « Reflections, Ideas, and Dreams
[...] in writing A little over a month after finishing the first draft, I’ve started revising Inhabitants of Eternity. Ideally I’ll have a finished copy of the manuscript by the end of January or perhaps [...]