G. A. (Jerry) Rodgers, born 1925 in Roanoke IL, born again 1953 in San Francisco, is a veteran of World War II and the Korean War, happily married husband in an interracial marriage, father or stepfather of five, grandfather of seven, and great-grandfather of three.
Raised the son of a Methodist preacher; after leaving home and studying philosophy at Northwestern University and the University of Chicago he professed agnosticism until his conversion at the age of 27. His conversion experience made his family think he had lost his mind, and they had him committed to mental hospitals for several years after his discharge from the Navy in 1953.
His story is an archetypical example of Anton Boisen’s thesis in his "Exploration of the Inner World" (1936) in which he examined the mirror-image relationship of mental illness and religious experience; and it throws a glaring new light on Albert Schweitzer’s "Quest of the Historical Jesus", initiated at the beginning of the last century. |
Influences/Inspirations:
The strongest influence in my adult life prior to my conversion was Spengler's "The Decline of the West". It still influences my natural perspective of history as a corollary of Einstein's theory of relativity in the physical sciences.
My strongest inspiration can be traced back to my early childhood as a preacher's kid in the Methodist church. It did not fully flower however until after my rebellious youth as an agnostic and my recognition that the human condition without God is hopeless.
Favorite Writers and Artists:
My favorite writers are the authors of the Christian Bible. Since then, the tsunami of Christian authors and artists in every medium and genre from theology and architecture to sculpture, painting, music, drama and fiction, has been an unending river of joy, wisdom and inspiration for me and for the world.
Current Projects:
Still working on "The Gospel According to Jerry". I have put together three appendixes to add to the original, which was first published in 1984 with a revised edition in 2004.
Interests:
God, church, family, friends, theology, philosophy, psychology, history, literature, music, art, science, culture, nature, politics, current events, etc.
Family:
My parents according to the flesh, Austin and Marie Blandin Rodgers, are deceased. Their marriage was a tragically unhappy one, which left an indelible mark of sadness on all their children. I have since found my true family in the church of God the Father and his son Jesus Christ, who loved us and gave himself for us that we might all be one happy family. (John 17:20-23)
University Affiliations:
Northwestern University, Liberal Arts
University of Chicago, AB '47, Law School, History, Divinity
Contact Information:
Facebook, foolforChrist
rodgersgar@aol.com
Charities/Causes:
Open Doors, http://www.opendoorsusa.org/
Voice of the Martyrs, http://www.persecution.com/
Life Outreach International, http://www.lifetoday.org/
Mission Aviation Fellowship, http://www.maf.org/about
Church of God, http://jolietchurchofgod.org/, http://churchofgodofchicago.com/