The logic of The Reconstruction of Belief, and thoughts

(from pink notebook)

Notes on The Reconstruction of Belief, by Charles Gore

These notes are an attempt to present the logic utilized by the author.
Author:
--It is undeniable, when one observes the universe and mind of man, that there exists a universal mind or spirit.
--The universe is the manifestation/will of this mind.
--Therefore, there is a god...
--The unity of experience of the prophets and others in the Bible demonstrates that God is a god with a distinct personallity.
--This personality, or unity of message, translates to (partial quote): God is intensely personal and moral. He is the one and only god, the absolute creator, sustainer, and judge of all that is. He is almighty. He has a purpose. He wants to make his people understand that there is no manner of fellowship with Him except by conformity to goodness, by 'doing justly and loving mercy and walking humbly'. He wishes to overthrow, one by one, every device of human pride and willfulness, and finally to vindicate himself in his whole creation.

The author of The Reconstruction of Belief, predictably, encourages the reader to possess a willing, open mind, free of preconceived notions and biases when reading the book. This is good advice. But, I propose, if this "open mindedness" which the author so fervently asks for bares too much semblance to unthinking, uncritical acceptance, then he may have devised a way, through reason, to lull an average reader into bed, so to speak. An open mind and open heart, when faced with an emotional treatise and large amounts of information, will naturally be overcome or overwhelmed into accepting a large measure of the argument before him due to lack of sufficient counterpoint. You can approach a work-and should approach a work-with great contempt for anything uttered that seems at first unreasonable. The absorption of a great deal of information (as is present in scripture and is present in greater quantity through the words of preachers), sans critical thinking, will guarantee cognitive assimilation. Criticism is never bias/closed mindedness. It is a manifestation of open mindedness.

Notes continued...
pg 106. "We have to take note both of the individuality and distinctiveness of the message of each of the prophets and the continuity of the teaching through their whole succession" This, the author seems to argue, is indicative of God's particular personality, and why prophecy/scripture is true/valid.

Is human will more reaction or practivity (new activity from new thought), or is it more chaotic? Does freedom exist, or is it a facade?

Author says:
Biology has never proven adequate for expressing the movement of life. Mind and freedom seem to belong to the conscious mind from the beginning. Mind and freedom seem to belong to the conscious mind from the beginning.

The author's strongest conviction is that man has free will.
Note: Personality, which the author calls "the highest known thing" may be a result of a chaotic, lawful universe just like photosynthesis or avalanches.
Note: The idea that god created everything, is omniscient and omnipotent, translates into "authority and power is ultimately found in something other than your national/civil/clan leader. Do not relent to any other will but the God's, or the churches." If one thinks of the Catholic Church as just another entity seeking power through the aquisition of others' wills and wealth, then one can see how Chrisianity's view of god helps serve that purpose.