Posts on this blog

Life is like a puzzle. Although one may think that the available pieces make sense, there may be other pieces which change all of that! This is the purpose of this blog: to provide information and interpretations on a wide range of issues, enabling readers to make sense of our world (and even their own lives) in an honest, coherent and sophisticated manner. "S/he who seeks will find!" The essays (some in Afrikaans) are written by the scientist, philosopher and author Dr Willie Mc Loud [1] (and other authors) with the general reader in mind and engage with all sorts of interesting (and difficult) topics regarding science, philosophy, religion, the ancient Middle Eastern world, eschatology, current events and other topics, bringing it all together in one coherent worldview. The essays argue for a balanced Christian worldview - between the extremes of secular Christianity and simplistic interpretations - providing a fresh and original perspective that is not a mere repetition or rehearsal of the usual views.

The blog is dedicated to all those people who are willing to read with an open mind and to carefully consider all the various nuanced aspects of the issues at hand. All those who identify themselves with the doubting Thomas may find in the pages of this blog the answers to the questions with which they are struggling. Many of the essays are written especially with you in mind. When we really listen to each other, we may find true answers in real conversation. At the same time, the essays provide tools, knowledge, and information to engage with others in everyday conversations about their faith. Take time and work through the topics which interest you and you may find the journey truly rewarding.   

To facilitate the reader's access to these essays, the most important ones (all with links to the essays) are listed below according to the topic they belong to. Essays which are "highly recommended" are marked with an asterisk. Readers are welcome to use the information, share or forward the essays and make use of them as they see fit [2]. 

1. Science, Philosophy, and God

Part 1: The problem of spontaneity in quantum mechanics

Part 2: Science and our restricted human understanding

Part 3: Science and metaphysics: in search of Russell's teapot. (*)
            Presenting a new argument for the existence of God

Part 4. Science and the spiritual realm

Part 5. In defence of the soul

A critique of archaeology as a science
An archaeological perspective on the Bible
Presenting a new ancient Middle Eastern chronology
A critique of Biblical Criticism as a scholarly discipline (*)
A hermeneutical perspective on the Bible (*)
Is the spirit world more than an idea?

2. Origins in the Book of Genesis

Intro: The Book of Genesis - the Sumerian hypothesis

Part 1: Does the creation narrative of Genesis 1 support the idea of a young earth?

Part 2: Adam and Eve: Were they the first humans? (*)
Part 3: The Garden of Eden: Was it a real place?

Part 4: The Serpent of Paradise

Part 5: Reconsidering the Fall

Part 6: The ancient worldview: the origins of Satan
Part 7: Who is Elohim? (*)
Part 8: The "ancient history" of Genesis 4-11: Myth or history?

An introduction to ancient Sumerian religious literature (Johan Coetser)

3. Eschatology

Part 1: Bible prophecy: predicting the distant future?

Part 2: The rise of the final world empire: the different views

Part 3: The final seven years: the different views

Part 4: The final Antichrist: the different views

Part 5: When can the Second Coming of Jesus be expected?
A very remarkable prophecy (*)
The Jews: the people of God?

4. Afrikaanse essays

Die probleem met Goddelike wreedheid in die Ou Testament
Kan ons nog in die hemel glo?
Die limiete van argeologie en teksstudies: die uittog
Om te glo of nie te glo nie
Wetenskap en geloof

Paradigmas in konflik: Bybelwetenskap vs tradisionalisme
Die kerk is by 'n kruispad: 'n ope brief aan die kerk
Middelgrond in die geloof
Wat moet Christene in 'n tyd soos hierdie doen?
Hoe moet Christene die huidige paradigma-verskuiwing in die samelewing benader?
Die tien horings van Daniel 7 - waarna verwys dit?
Die Nuwe Toring van Babel

Die goderaad in Hebreeuse tradisie

5. Discovering the Keystone, Solving the Riddle of The Red Serpent after 40 years by Guillaume Brouillard (Griffel Media, Cape Town, 2009). 

Intro. The Red Serpent: Background

Ch. 1 The Manuscripts 

Ch. 2 Pierre Plantard

Ch. 7 The Fountain of the Magdalene

Debussy as Grand Master of the Priory of Sion (Pieter Smal)

The Priory of Sion is back (book review)

6. Spiritual/geestelik

Meeting God
The Power of God
Wrong choices
Something or Someone is missing? (Dr. Francois Carr)
A message for the church
God hoor
Die profeet

7. Dialogistics/Apologetics

Towards a new dialogistic approach
Engaging with atheists and agnostics

Science and metaphysics: in search of Russell's teapot

Postmodernism faces its first great challenge

Biblical inspiration: in a postmodern world
Faith and reason: finding the balance
The importance of the Septuagint in Biblical studies
Darwin's Doubt (book review)
The God Impulse (book review)

8. Current events

Brexit: What to expect
A New Iranian Empire is rising
The European Union: forever rising
Is a Third World War brewing?

[1] Books by Dr. Willie Mc Loud (PhD in Physics, MA in Philosophy, MBL):

Akteurs in die Laaste Drama, 'n studie van Openbaring 13 en 17 (1989)
Alles omtrent die "New Age" (1990)
Op pad na Armageddon, 31 bepeinsings oor Openbaring en ander Bybelprofesieë (1995)
Alles omtrent die opkomende Antichristelike orde (2000)
Discovering the Keystone, Solving the Riddle of The Red Serpent after 40 years (Griffel Media, 2009)
(with Guillaume Brouillard)
Die Arabiese Opstande (Griffel Media, 2011)
Op soek na Abraham en sy God (Griffel Media, 2012)

[2] Due recognition is required according to accepted copyright practice. Since all the essays include a reference to the author, they may be freely shared, distributed and circulated.