We continue to explore the devolution of thought since being based on the reality the senses give us, relegating man to the place of a visible, measurable piece of matter in a universe that can only be known through the senses.

The loss of our goods can be a devastating event. There is a way to avoid it and that may be good, but there is something far worse that can befall us which is of far more importance to be sure to avoid.

A scientific examination of the data the five senses send to our brains for translation and interpretation. When we step back from our ordinary state of consciousness and look more objectively it becomes clear the five senses are not worthy of the trust we put in them. This is a transforming idea.

The New Man will have to have a new name. It's spoken of in the Revelation but not always well understood. MacDonald gives us the opportunity to dig a little deeper into its important meaning.

More exploration of the idea that the most real part of us, the most real part of our life, is invisible. Not only are we invisible, but everyone else is invisible to us. Our sense formed mind will not readily accept this idea. The idea has the power to help us transform.

Many people have tortured themselves thinking they had committed the unforgivable sin. MacDonald sheds what light he had on the subject and does a fine job of helping us to a fuller understanding of the text and our relationship with our Creator.

Some very powerful ideas are discussed from unusual perspectives that give us an opportunity to reap fresh meaning from ancient esoteric ideas with which most students are familiar. There's a difference between knowing about an idea and direct cognition.

As we progress spiritually we move from basic faith that believes what we hear about, read about and experience to a different kind of faith. The higher faith is the faith that doesn't have to be explained and cannot easily be explained.

Fire represents purification, perfecting, cleansing. Fire also burns that which is impure, not like itself. MacDonald treats the subject brilliantly. If you are able to understand there is much to be understood.

The Child in the Midst is the first unspoken sermon, now spoken, in George MacDonald's series of Unspoken Sermons. He's interested in showing us a portrait of God based on the teaching Jesus offers his disciples after discovering them bickering over who is the greatest.