Author's Note

for: "The Secret Chord"

[rough draft, for a possible forward/preface/introduction/author's note (whichever applies)]

If a doctrine may be found in this book, simple or sophisticated, evident or obscure, it makes no claim to perfect orthodoxy, but, at best, it is the honest product of one man's attempt, in searching for "The Holy", to align himself with streams of Christian tradition, in order to interpret the still-potent symbols of this tradition in ways reflective of ultimate truth, and of his own sincerest insights and aspirations.

It is the opinion of the author that great visions and utterances should lend themselves to new and manifold interpretations, so long as they have blood left in them. Regardless of their origins, or of the conscious intentions of their creators, the most vital religious images continue, as if impelled by a hidden will, to transcend our attempts to narrow their meaning, and to take on wider significance. The author commends this apparently inherent tendency of religious imagery towards transcendence and makes only the merest efforts to rein it in.

Nonetheless, there are many who would like to see this indomitable will stabled or put out to pasture. That time-honored symbols should reveal or even erupt into manifold vistas of interpretation is not a comfortable idea for them.

While most systems of theology, and most denominations, do permit of some degree of innovation, and confess that only a work in progress is truly alive, yet, it remains largely a question of personal temperament and proclivity, whether one is called into a path or denomination where innovations are allowed to tumble in at what speed they will; or whether one prefers and is perhaps suited to a more gradual and conservative organization of elements.

For the most progressive, rebellious, and occasionally reckless (not to say, heretical) religious thinkers, there is almost always an inexplicit tentativeness, a flexibility, or permeability to certain statements, which allows the mind to assume various perspectives, which may be illuminating for a moment, without having to become locked into seeing or worshiping from any single position.

Again, the individual, the reader, is at liberty to decide for him or herself to what degree each particular view or notion may be stretched, where it stands and where it falls.

Though more officious and dogmatic minds will almost certainly have difficulty with a number of perspectives described in this book, the author has hope that many Christians will not find it difficult to relate to the material from the very deepest levels of their experience.

Moreover, it is hoped that people of all faiths and philosophical backgrounds, undeterred by Christian terminology, may find in these pages well-expressed elements of basic truth with which good-hearted people everywhere have always experienced a special and delightful affinity.

Or, if the truth is poorly set down in some places, then let us share no less in a civil spirit, regarding the good intentions of all who seek the ultimate source of divine radiance, however decoyed we may be, at any given time, by inferior lights.

The author begs forgiveness for any real or perceived offenses he may have given through the utterances here set down. His intention was ever to illuminate.