I created MetaNarratives to tell a personal story. It's a journey that began with a dramatic childhood involving a very dysfunctional family (many of whom are still alive), surviving a narcissist wife, alienation from my children, working through trauma memory, healing through journaling, and managing a nervous system that was out of control most of my life. This process has been supported by a few exceptional human beings and, ultimately, the Holy Spirit working through me to transform and rewire my brain.
The journey involved being introduced to many books by wise people like Thomas Merton, Jordan Peterson, and Michael Heiser, and, of course, reading the Bible.
The posts were written mainly for myself, but I chose to make them available to the public. If anything I share can is helpful, that's great. Otherwise, this site serves as a digital record of the issues I've been exploring and submitting to memory for various reasons. ~ Charles Hoffman

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Charles Hoffman 11/18/25 Charles Hoffman 11/18/25

The Imperatives

Lately, I've been thinking that many of us, for generations now, have been living in a state of “crisis of belief.” I challenged myself to genuinely believe in what I am about to share with you, and I feel my life would be in a much better place if I truly did. As I read these words to myself, I constantly ask whether I genuinely believe what I just read. This is my way of personally addressing my crisis of faith and encouraging you to do the same.

The Messiah or Your Pride!

In this common familial dynamic, the scapegoat takes on the responsibility for the character flaws of other members somewhat unconsciously. This enables the narcissistic family to project a façade of functionality and relational harmony to external observers. However, beneath this veneer lies emotional turmoil and the façade of pride that dictate their identities, resulting in persistent personal destruction. The scapegoated individual is a proxy for the family's transgressions, encapsulating their collective issues.