Brother Dan
Dear Readers,
It is not only my privilege as the founder and inaugural editor of this blog to determine its vision and chart its directional course, it is also my responsibility to you, our readers, to communicate that vision and direction here at the outset. Leaving room for evolution and growth, I cannot say with certainty what this blog will always be. However, there are certain attributes that I can promise will define this blog as long as I am its curator.
First, this will be a place where ideas are freely exchanged and openly tested. Taking inspiration from the Roman Forum; the center of daily life for the citizens of Ancient Rome and a proving ground for the leading thoughts of that day; this blog, here named Forum Nova or ‘New Forum,’ will provide a similar space for the open trade and trial of ideas. To clarify, all thoughtfully articulated ideas will be given a platform in the Forum Nova, as will all thoughtfully articulated rebuttals of those ideas.
Second, this will be a place where diversity in both thought and perspective are championed and celebrated. While Forum Nova may exist as a subsidiary of Christian Podcast, all religious and irreligious worldviews are welcome, and adherents of those worldviews are at all times invited to contribute. Even those theological assertions which differ from the Christian theological tradition – what the Christian Church has historically referred to as heresies – are not only welcomed but encouraged. As the Apostle Paul writes in his first letter to the Thessalonians, “Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good (5:20-21).” Understanding prophecies as human truth claims, it is the Christian’s duty not to hold any truth claim with contempt, but to examine everything, and to uphold whatever in those prophecies might be true, good, and beautiful. I believe diversity of thought and the open evaluation of a range of perspectives are the means by which Truth, Goodness, and Beauty will win the day, and it is therefore the Christian’s responsibility to elevate those thoughts and perspectives. As part of its ongoing mission, Forum Nova will assume this responsibility as it seeks to promote diversity in all avenues of thought.
Third, this will be a place where readers can expect quality content. While all ideas and perspectives are welcome in the Forum Nova, contributions will be selected based on rigor and thoughtfulness. At a time when content quantity supersedes content quality, it is the mission of Forum Nova, and our commitment to our readers, to elevate those voices which demonstrate a degree of excellence in their thinking and in the articulation of their position, whatever their position may be.
Apart from the attributes listed above, the actual shape Forum Nova takes will mostly be dependent on our contributors and readers like you. My hope is that we will find ways to be thoughtful, funny, controversial, compelling, mystical, whimsical, irreverent, edifying, and, most of all, honest. Nevertheless, I am one person, and it will take a community to define Forum Nova and mold it into whatever it will become. The categories already in place as part of the Christian Podcast brand are Holy, Divine, Inspired, Skeptical, and Blasphemous, which sound good to me. With your help, Forum Nova will be all these things and more.
That is my editorial guarantee.
Your Editor-in-Christ,
Brother Dan
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