About — Into The Thick

Origen B. is a pen name. Just a sensible preference for a crazy world.

What this blog is

Into The Thick is where I go when something needs more space than a conversation allows. Not a devotional, or a theological journal. Just exploring through patterns of thought and belief.

For you if you see a wall of text and think maybe there's something in there — welcome!

Not for you if you see a wall of text and think, “I ain’t reading allat”. That's fair, but you might be surprised by what's in it.

What I write about

Theology: What God is, what He demands, what faithfulness actually costs. And also why that is easier said than done.

Philosophy: The patterns of reality, the logic of belief, the questions most people have left for the pursuits of academics.

Interpretation: How people read scripture to confirm what they already believe, and what it looks like to resist or recognize that.

Opinion: When I have one, which is often, and at length.

Who I am

I'm a Christian. Not as a cultural identity, but as a truth I cannot ignore. I take scripture and the nature of God seriously. I take tradition seriously, though also progress. I take reason seriously, though accept the higher order is beyond it’s reach. When their is tension between them (Which is usually the case) I try not to look away.

I have a diverse background of interest, hobbies, and trades. Majority of the professional forms are in software development, though over the years I’ve grown largely disinterested. As I see it, I am oddly emotionally-rational about “whys” and “how's.”

AI Disclosure

My works are of my own, earned with deep thought, experience, trials, suffering, and sleepless nights of contemplation. I write often the same way I think, and this can become redundant, esoteric, and generally verbose. I therefore, for the sake of time and efficiency, will use AI. Below I disclose exactly what I do and do not use AI for in my work.

What I do NOT use it for:

Writing the bulk of the content, or any meaningful sentences and paragraphs. Meaningful meaning any thought, idea, opinion, theory, or claim that constitutes the actual human value of what you're reading.

E.g., I never use it like:

“Write me an article about…”
“Write me a section on…”
Or paste something and say “Make this…”
Or any such variant.

What I DO use it for:

Editorial passes: No differently than one might use Grammarly.

E.g., “Tighten up my grammar, do not change any sentances or words.”

Feedback on clarity: No differently than handing material to a friend and asking:

"What do you think I am saying here? Did I lose you at all through it?"
“Do think this paragraph adds value, or should I take it out? Why?”

Summary sections: Mechanical writing that AI handles well, and which I usually partially rewrite anyway. But it’s a time saver for sure. I will try to remember to label these, but in fairness they will be obvious when you see them anyways.