This is a book of testimony. In its early chapters, I make use of a great many scriptural references, both to explain my approach to scripture and to give vent to my frustrations with various orthodoxies. I had wanted to give my understandings some scriptural teeth, but those who understand John 5:39 have little need to quote scripture at all. I therefore considered taking that lawyerly element out of this digital edition, but decided against it.

There are two sorts of readers I had hoped the many references would discourage: the first are the hard-shell literalists, who pick and choose which writings are to be enforced exactly as written down, and which are to be taken with a grain of salt. Lacking in faith, I was foolishly defending myself against criticism from that quarter. The second group of readers I hoped to avoid is comprised of those who will read these pages primarily for their entertainment value, as if they are part of a novel, of sorts. They are, sort of; but these matters are not trivial; and the casual reader would do well to spend time elsewhere.

My decision to retain the arrogant practice of quasi-academic references stems from the fact that they were first incorporated in early editions of this work. Yes, their inclusion was, in part, preemptory defense; but it was also in answer to spiritual guidance I was receiving at the time. In their best light, the sections with copious citations reflect my understanding of the whirling swords that guard the way to Eden. Such posturing is bad enough, but there's worse. As proof of the validity of my witness, the references mask an attempt to construct a hedge against the blood guilt that would arise should I become the idol shepherd of some cult; for if readers should fall into a ditch because they ignored the guardrails of my footnotes, it would not be my fault!

We're not called to be doctors of divinity or masters of kabbalah, either one. We're called to know, even as we are known. Book knowledge has its place, but true knowledge is a measurement of spiritual reality; and such knowledge can be earned only upon the path of the cross, whatever a pilgrim's belief system might be (Matt. 8). Thank you for visiting with me through these many pages. I promise the reading gets easier as it gets harder.