22 Comments

Been a reader and viewer for some time now - and this is my first time commenting. All I’ll say is that I’m very appreciative of the work you’ve done and the thinkers you’ve connected me with through your work.

I can also heavily empathize with how you feel right now, as it accurately describes where I was at two years ago (in regard to seeing God more as a fact). For that reason I took a break from the internet debates and philosophy as a whole. Have spent a lot of time just reading fiction/non-fiction for pleasure as opposed to study, and feel more connected to my Ground than ever before as a result.

Anyway, thanks again for everything, and I hope that you’ll find peace.

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founding

I’ve read since last year and I just wanted to say thank you so much for this and your other works especially the interviews and series works here.I think we all can understand having not much inspiration to say anything at least in the fore front of our mind nor having the energy to say anything I wish you the best in fatherhood and life in general.

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I completely understand and support you. It has been a pleasure to read and watch your content. Best of luck and God bless you and your family!

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I’m just a few years ahead of you in the parenting side of things and I’m so glad you are giving space for the terrifically mundane and inexpressibly transformative reality of parenting. During the first three years of being a dad I wanted no theological approaches or ruminations, for the first time ever. I needed to just be a human with that little human. That was enough, and all I could do. Last year when she went off to school theological exploration returned with a vengeance, and, I tentatively hope, at least, with more substantive movement than ever before.

All that to say, I’ve found your writing very helpful and fun, I’m so sorry that the political climate is doing what it’s doing and the fall out on your family, and I’m glad you are choosing to make space for what you are making space for. I will not be surprised to read even more potent and redemptive ruminations on the other side of your season of compression.

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It’s been a pleasure and a gift to read your work, brother. Genuinely — there are few living writers I find spiritually ‘nourishing’ these days, but you are among one of them. From what you’ve shared here, it sounds like a wise decision you’ve made. Looking forward at what’s to come!

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I will be very sorry to see you go, but wish you the best of luck in the future and in your career and family life.

Will the articles & videos here still remain visible even after you've shut them down, or will they disappear? I haven't watched all of the videos I would like to - perhaps you could shift the YouTube channel to unlisted, if you think it fitting.

This substack has been a great resource and joy for me in these last few months, and I look forward to whatever time in the future you may wish to return to the public forum - perhaps in a book, a few years down the line?

God bless!

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Dear David, the sentiments you expressed so eloquently in your post are completely recognizable to me, another parent of young childen. There is a time for everything, but it is not always the same from day to day, month to month, and year to year. I cannot remember the citation, but I believe George Macdonald said something along the lines of...do not worry about forgetting true thoughts for if they are true, they cannot be lost forever, but will be found again. May you have the time to focus on this season of life and not worry about the morrow. PS I found your series on Christ utterly illuminating.

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Cura ut valeas quam optime, David. Gratiam tibi habeo pro cogitationibus tuis profundis.

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I haven't had the time to comment as much lately, David, and, to be honest, I haven't quite finished reading your series on Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Word, which I'm still working on. I will miss Perennial Digressions and the further opportunities for creating an online community for free discussion of theology, history of religion, and philosophy and much else besides. Thank you so much for writing and insights! You and your thoughts have been a great blessing. Along with Eclectic Orthodoxy, Perennial Digressions and the YouTube interviews have become hotly anticipated welcome spiritual food for reflection.

As someone in a similar place in their life journey, best of luck to all your endeavors! I'm happy to hear that your reflections and interviews will remain for further reading, and I hope that someday to hear great things from you again in whatever form, God willing.

From a fellow teacher,

May God bless and keep you and yours...

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While I cannot affirm any of that self-deprecating nonsense, I can sympathize --- one tired and unstably employed dad to another --- with the other reasons you give for stepping back from this project. Rest well, brother. Love your family, take joy in the work you have completed, and carry no burden except the calling of each day.

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Sorry to see you go, but it sounds like you’ve thought this through and it’s very understandable. My daughter is 18 months now, and I have been consistently amazed that you’ve been able to write as much as you have. Many blessings and prayers to find your way through the dark woods and to more sleep!

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Nov 7, 2022·edited Nov 7, 2022

As a father of a one year old, myself, I have been saving your posts to share with him when he is ready. I do hope you compile them into a book someday. For now, I put your writings in with Bart Ehrman, David Bentley Hart and Richard Rohr. Until I found writers like you, I didn't really relate well with Christianity. To me, God is Universal and Perennial. Thanks for adding to the conversation and helping me find clarity and understanding. I am a little sad that I only just found you in August.

I do hope you will leave the substack up. Blessings to you and yours!

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For what it's worth, your refelctions have helped me grow in my faith. Thank you.

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Well this sucks.

I have to confess, APD was important part of my journey into becoming a dirty (theological) liberal over the past year or so, and in a good way. I'll miss checking every day to see if there's something new to read. I can't argue with your reasons (I'm currently attempting to write a novel while raising a one-year-old, and it's rough), but I'll still be a little glum tomorrow at work knowing there's no new David post in my future. The little community this newsletter called together was a treat. Thanks for that.

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Your articles have been deeply edifying, stimulating, clarifying for me. Very sorry to see you go, but as someone who also has small children completey understandable. God Bless you.

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Well, you must follow your heart as that is what the Lord obviously wants you to do!

I am a new subscriber & am trying to read your past articles to get caught up....only to now find you are leaving.

That's okay. Godspeed. Wishing you all the best!

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