What directed me toward my Courses

In the time-period when I started my higher studies (late 40's/early 50's) there was a strong movement expressing the need to go back to the sources. [For the Catholic Church, Vatican II was a converging event.]
Some great teachers from that time were my mentors:
Fr. Andreas van der Kun whose course I attended in the monastery on Bernardin spirituality, giving us in the silence of the monastery many opportunities for discussions about the need for returning to the sources of Cistercian life.
Prof. Schillebeeckx under whose guidance I studied his doctoral thesis: "The Sacramental Economy of Salvation" which has given me a better grasp on the relationship between theology and scripture. Afterward I studied with great interest his subsequent works "Jesus", 1991 and "Christ", 1993, as well as several of his other writings.
Hans Küng whose book "On Being a Christian" captivated me because of his masterful demonstration of the connection between theology and history; it was of lasting influence.
My Jesus' vision developed over the years under influence of life experiences. Where did it start and why?
I found during my preaching ministry a lack of "Jesus" in my sermons, dictated as they were by the diocesan rule. That started me focusing more on the historical Jesus. The little booklet Jesus  by the Dominican and respected Bible scholar Luc Grollenberg, became for me a turning point. I was told by the diocese that the booklet could not be used for parish teaching; for me this was a sign that the people in the pew were prevented from looking further, searching deeper. It stimulated me to prepare the "Jesus Seminar" which I eventually gave at a parish in Maryland. Scholars added details and gave me further direction. From a better understanding and appreciation of the Historical Jesus, my search moved to detailed study of his Kingdom of God message, its context, interpretation and deeper meaning, its value for life and finally its relation to the Universe.
I lived by and experienced the wisdom of O'Murchu who says:
"To ask the right questions and ask them in the right way - that is explore them in their deeper context - is one of the survival skills in today' world." His works influenced the start of my course on Spirituality.

Stimulated by many scholars I started to formulate for myself the question - Where can the origin of Christianity be found? Is it... - in the Gospels? - in Paul's writings? - in the early church communities? - or in Jesus himself?

I invite you to join us in this Exploration of the Roots of Christianity, the "Q" course connected with it, and 'Spirituality' based on that 'exploration', as well as the ancient foundations for it in the First Axial Age. 

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Smit (Smith) - a metal worker "that forgeth at the fire" - who not only handles hot metal., but also has the opportunity to create while handling the material, because of dexterity (see below "kluger Hand").

Gerard - derived from the Germanic element ger "spear" combined with hard , "brave, hardy" - therefore: Brave Spearman. The Normans introduced this name to Britain.

Meaning for the German name 'Gerhard' was also given as : "Kluger Hand" - ' klug' meaning: clever, bright, wise, - having 'dexterity', mental skill or adroitness.