important to me are writings of William Bruce, particularly his exposition of
the Gospel of John. Ernest Kurtz’ The Spirituality of Imperfection, and I Heard
the Owl Call My Name by Margaret Craven should be required reading for all
theologs (in my opinion). I value the information and insights contained in
the work Alcoholics Anonymous by Bill Wilson.
“If stuck on a desert island with only one book available to me, I would take
the Bible. Given two books I am in a serious quandary as to what the second
would be – a coin toss between Divine Love and Wisdom, True Christianity or
the Second Volume of the Arcana Coelestia (Heavenly Secrets).”
What else might you be surprised to learn about Mark Perry?
“If you follow me on FaceBook, (I am the only C. Mark Perry on FB), I
would not be much of a surprise to you. I am a passionate deep sea fisherman
and spend a lot of time on the water. In a different life, I would have made a fine
longshoreman. We go ‘catching,’ not fishing. My favorite passage of Scripture is
John 21:3 where Peter says: ‘I am going fishing!’
“In 2004 I broke 80 at Torrey Pines North course – shot a 79, finishing
in the dark. Today I am happy breaking 100. Every round of golf I have one
prayerful golf shot; I still can carry 180 yards off my knees.
“I also love really old books. I have volumes from the late 1700s.
“On any given day I work with more people outside the New Church
and have a greater sphere of influence with these folk than I do with people
associated with the New Church.”
As for favorite passages from the Writings, he lists two:
“Very different is the case with those who trust in the Divine. These,
notwithstanding they have care for the morrow, still have it not, because they
do not think of the morrow with solicitude, still less with anxiety. Unruffled is
their spirit whether the 䁽