Christian Studies Course

The Four Gospels

There are "some" references made between the Four Gospels and Tarot. The Pope, (a religious figure, as well as a Tarot card character), is one example.

It can determined that entertainment from asking why that particular selection was made, and whether there is any symbolic meaning to the order in which they were placed; and we may or may not come up with a plausible or illuminating answer. (If we do not, that may not indicate that we have failed to solve the riddle; there may be no riddle to solve.)

This summa salvationis is presented via traditional medieval concepts such as the three estates, the Fall of Princes motif, and Revelation’s eschatological triumphs over the Devil and death. Deciphering that original moral subject matter, the meaning of the cards and their sequence, is the riddle of Tarot: interpreting the images and their order in such a manner as to make sense of the whole, honoring the “author’s message” rather than rewriting it. That is the purpose of this essay.

To Catholics, it is remembered that the first commandment states, "I am the Lord thy God. Thou shalt not have any gods before me." When asked what was the greatest commandment, our Lord Jesus Christ, repeating the precept found in Deuteronomy, said, "You shall love the Lord your God with your whole heart, with your whole soul, and with all of your strength" (Matt 22:37). While God can choose to reveal the future to His prophets or saints, we as individuals must always have trust in His divine providence. St. Paul reminds us, "We know that God makes all things work together for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His decree" (Rom 8:28). While we may have that passing curiosity of what will happen in the future, we anchor our lives in the Lord, trusting in His love and care.

The New Testament also addresses this issue: In Acts of the Apostles, St. Paul at Philippi encountered a slave girl with a "clairvoyant spirit" who made money by fortunetelling; St. Paul exorcized her of that spirit (Acts 16:16ff). In other passages, we find condemnations of sorcery and occult practices in general: St. Paul condemned sorcery (Gal 5:19). In Acts of the Apostles, St. Paul rebuked Elymas, the magician, calling him "son of Satan and enemy of all that is right" (Acts 13:8ff), and St. Peter rebuked Simon Magus, a magician, who wanted to buy the powers of the Holy Spirit to make himself more powerful (Acts 8:9ff). In the Book of Revelation, Jesus declared, "As for the cowards and traitors to the faith, the depraved and murderers, the fornicators and sorcerers, the idol-worshipers and deceivers of every sort-- their lot is the fiery pool of burning sulphur — the second death" (Rev 21:8).

However, adhering to the revelation of Sacred Scripture, the Church has over the centuries formally condemned witches and witchcraft, and has judged fortunetelling, tarot card reading and the like as sinful. The Didache (The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles, c. 80) warned, "You shall not practice magic." The Council of Ancyra (314) imposed a five-year penance on anyone who consulted a magician or fortuneteller. Early Irish canons penalized with excommunication anyone engaging in sorcery until forgiveness had been sought and penance performed.

So, I guess it's an issue which is the choice of the individual as to what relevance one wants to give to the practice of Tarot.

Further exploration may reveal facts and/or information that is other than what we already know, (or are told), though I am not as informed, (where someone else may be).

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The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have many classes in different aspects of  Christianity, two in  Wicca, several in Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more. I have been a proud member of the ULC for many years and the Seminary since its inception.

Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free,  and lasts for life, so become an ordained minister today!

As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and have enjoyed the new spiritual article directory.

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

The  ULC, run by Rev. Long, has created a chaplaincy program to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and have loved watching the continual growth of the seminary.

Mystical Christianity

Universal Life Church

Mystical Christianity / Lesson 21:

1. The prophet Joel offers more than the promise of peace to a contrite people. He begins with the vision of classical Biblical famine where the locust is king in all of its monstrous evolutionary forms. To me (Joel was not the 1^st to use that powerful insect symbol) the prophet's imagery illustrates the spiritual development of mankind towards his mystical beginnings. When all is stripped away and men stand afraid, tottering at the brink, looking down into the void, he is now free to dream, prophecy, and is indeed ready to be saved. He (or she) will in turn be ready and willing, armed with the capabilities to save their earthly home and its godly essence. Go back to God! Take everyone and everything relevant (to you) with you even if you must stare into the nothingness which mankind without our Creator has managed to sanctify. Joel's vision of Salvation is clear. God is in you. Use His power – His creative power to heal yourselves and this earthly plane. We are all subject to different slaveries. With God's help to develop our inner strength, we can cast away our chains. Sometimes, we have the feeling that it is the chains that keep us from falling when in actuality, they keep us from FLYING. (I sure went off on a tangent with that question! I couldn't help myself.)

2. When the mystic declares that he is in the world but not a part of the world- that is the Christian's journey – strangers in a foreign land. We all have our obligations to secularism but inside of ourselves, we will discover a path of re-creation: the journey back to Paradise( but then again- perhaps it's always been there.)

3. My challenge is self-discipline. Meditation (I'm a highly distractible person) step by step (through all of my impatience) I may be able to achieve that coveted meditative state. I now live in a large, extended family- a much beloved family but privacy went by the wayside the minute we all moved in together. My adult son, his wife and children have had to put up with my rudimentary Christian studies while they pursue their varied spiritual paths. We do not argue about religion even when Asatru (heathen Germanic faith) and Jesus clash. I have learned and they have learned. I also have to try to remember what it was like to be a struggling young parent with teenagers. These experiences are good for all of us but our adjustment to each other's "everything" is on-going. Meditation? There is no closet to hide in and we are down to one family car (can't hide in there either). I laugh at the thought of finding "alone-time" in the family vehicle when teenagers, dogs and cats are probably in there trying to get away from each other and ME! It just will never happen. If I had the discipline, I would be meditating right now. It is something I look forward to. I'll try again in a few weeks when things calm down.

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The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have many classes in different aspects of  Christianity, two in  Wicca, several in Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more. I have been a proud member of the ULC for many years and the Seminary since its inception.

Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free,  and lasts for life, so become an ordained minister today!

As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and have enjoyed the new spiritual article directory.

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Christian Studies

Understanding the Bible

By Michael Gehrmann-Gacasa, Ph. D. (Rel.)

The “four Gospel course” inspired me to compare two Bible Versions, please read by yourself what I found out, maybe you are also surprised like me!

The Gospels of Matthew and Mark in different Bible Versions Comparing the King James Version and the Peshitta (Lamsa Bible) The oldest Gospel we have, is Mark (but not the oldest book in the NT!), we know that Matthew was using Mark as one of his sources! There we find in the KJV Mark 15:34: And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” Could that be, that Yeshua ( Jesus ) said to God: ”....why hast thou forsaken me? ” I can not believe this, because he said always that the father and he are one and every thing he did, leads him in this situation, so why will he complain like this? There must be a explanation about this, but which? We will find the answer in the “Peshitta”! This Bible is a translation from the

language Jesus spoke, aramaic not from greek, like all the others we use!! There are no changes made, no editions, since the time of Rabbi Yeshua!!

The “Peshitta” written in aramaic The King James Version, from greek

Lets us see how this is translated by Dr. Lamsa, who was a native speaker of aramaic:

And at the ninth hour, Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and said, Eli, Eli, Lmana, shabachthani! which means, My God, my God, for this I was kept!

That makes really sense! Jesus knows that his mission is fulfilled on the cross!

Let us look at Matthew 6:9-13 KJV The Lords prayer, millions are this praying each Sunday in there church, around the world: After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

How can that be, that we are praying to god .....And lead us not in temptation, again this makes no sense for me!

We will look again in the “Peshitta”, translated by Dr. Lamsa:

Therefore pray in this manner: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven so on earth.

Give us bread for our needs from day to day.

And forgive us our offenses, as we have forgiven our offenders.

And do not let us enter into temptation, but deliver us from error. Because thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Amazing, isn't it? This makes also more sense: And do not let us enter into temptation......., because god leads not in temptation, this is another one, the Satan who leads in temptation!!!

An other example is Matthew 19:24 KJV:

“And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.”

Let us see what Dr. Lamsa's translation in the “ Peshitta ” is:

“Again I say to you, It is easier for a rope to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.”

So no camel, a rope, that makes much more sense!!!!

Another point is, that the Gospel of Mark ends in the oldest Versions with chapter 16:8:

“.....and they said nothing to any man, for they were frightened”, so that means nothing is written there about Yeshua that he ascended to heaven and sitting on the rigth hand of god etc.! This is later added and not in the original!

I learned, that we have to be careful, if we try to understand the Bible and I will tell that all the people in the future, who believe that they know the Bible.....

A very good source for comparing different Bible Versions is: http://www.studylight.org

A Online-Version of the Lamsa Peshitta can be found at: http://www.aramaicpeshitta.com

I highly recommend 3 books:

1. Misquoting Jesus, by Bart D. Ehrman

2. Yeshua A Guide to the Real Jesus and the Original Church, by Dr. Ron Moseley

3. When Jesus became God, by Richard E. Rubenstein

contact email: frater_m@37.com

Picture from the “Hagia Sophia” in Istanbul

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The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have many classes in different aspects of  Christianity, two in  Wicca, several in Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more. I have been a proud member of the ULC for many years and the Seminary since its inception.

Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free,  and lasts for life, so become an ordained minister today!

As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and have enjoyed the new spiritual article directory.

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

The  ULC, run by Rev. Long, has created a chaplaincy program to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and have loved watching the continual growth of the seminary.

Historical Jesus

One Hundred Questions that Jesus Asked and YOU must answer. One of the bigger mistakes people make in reading Scripture is that they read it as a spectator. For them Scripture is a collection of stories and events that took place thousands of years ago. True enough, we are reading historical accounts. But, truth be told these ancient stories are our stories. We are in the narrative. You are Abraham, Sarah, Moses, Deborah, Jeremiah, Ruth,  Peter, Paul, Magdalene, Mother Mary, and, if you are prepared to accept it, you are also Jesus. As the narrative we read unfolds, we are in the story. We cannot simply watch what others say or do or  answer. For what Peter and Magdalene and others did, we do. Peter denied and ran. So do we. Magdalene loved and never gave up, should should we. Magdalene had a sinful past and a promising future, so do we. Peter was passionate and had a temper so do we. But Peter also loved the Lord and ultimately gave his life for the Lord. So can we. Jesus suffered and died but rose again and ascended to glory. So have we and so will we. The scriptures are our own story. We are in it. To read scripture as a mere spectator looking on is to miss the keynote. Scripture is our story. In the light of this keynote there emerges another very important and powerful key to unlocking the text. The key is simply this: Answer the Question! Among the many things Jesus did, he asked a lot of questions! And whenever you read the Gospels and Jesus asks a question, answer it! Do not wait to see what Peter or Magdalene, or the Pharisees or the crowd say for an answer. You answer the question, in your own words. This brings Scripture powerfully alive. So twenty years ago Bishop John Marshall,  Bishop of Burlington VT. and later Springfield Mass compiled a book: But Who Do You Say That I Am? In the book he collected and listed all the questions Jesus asked in the Gospels. And he encourages us to answer the question. He also listed questions asked by others in another section of the book. Bishop Marshall in listing the question gives extra verses for context and adds brief commentaries. However, I would like to list just the raw questions. I will give the verse reference so you can look it up. But I encourage you to print this list and take it to prayer. Read it slowly, perhaps over days or weeks. I have attached a PDF version of the List here: 100 Questions that Jesus asked and YOU must answer. Ponder each question. Answer each question prayerfully and reflectively. This is not the complete list of questions but it is surely food for thought. Now, answer the questions: 100 Questions that Jesus asked and YOU must answer: And if you greet your brethren only, what is unusual about that? Do not the unbelievers do the same? (Matt 5:47) Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your lifespan? Matt 6:27 Why are you anxious about clothes? Matt 6:28 Why do you notice the splinter in your brother's eye yet fail to perceive the wooden beam in your own eye? (Matt 7:2) Do people pick grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? (Matt 7:16) Why are you terrified? (Matt 8:26) Why do you harbor evil thoughts? (Matt 9:4) Can the wedding guests mourn so long as the Bridegroom is with them? (Matt 9:15) Do you believe I can do this? (Matt 9:28) What did you go out to the desert to see? (Matt 11:8) To what shall I compare this generation? (Matt 11:6) Which of you who has a sheep that falls into a pit on the Sabbath will not take hold of it and lift it out? (Matt 12:11) How can anyone enter a strong man's house and take hold of his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? (Matt 12:29) You brood of vipers! How can you say god things when you are evil? (Matt 12:34) Who is my mother? Who are my brothers? (Matt 12:48) Why did you doubt? (Matt 14:31) And why do you break the commandments of God for the sake of your tradition? (Matt 15:3) How many loaves do you have? (Matt 15:34) Do you not yet understand? (Matt 16:8) Who do people say the Son of Man is? (Matt 16:13) But who do you say that I am? (Matt 16:15) What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life  and what can one give in exchange  for his life? (Matt 16:26) O faithless and perverse generation how long must I endure you? (Matt 17:17) Why do you ask me about what is good? (Matt 19:16) Can you drink the cup that I am going to drink? (Matt 20:22) What do you want me to do for you? (Matt 20:32) Did you never read the scriptures? (Matt 21:42) Why are you testing me? (Matt 22:18) Blind fools, which is greater, the gold or the temple that makes the gold sacred….the gift of the altar that makes the gift sacred? (Matt 23:17-19) How are you to avoid being sentenced to hell? (Matt 23:33) Why do you make trouble for the woman? (Matt 26:10) Could you not watch for me one brief hour? (Matt 26:40) Do you think I cannot call upon my Father and he will not provide me at this moment with more than 12 legions of angels? (Matt 26:53) Have you come out as against a robber with swords and clubs to seize me? (Matt 26:53) My God, My God, Why have you forsaken me? (Matt 27:46) Why are you thinking such things in your heart? (Mark 2:8) Is a lamp brought to be put under a basket or under a bed rather than on a lamp stand? (Mark 4:21) Who has touched my clothes? (Mark 5:30) Why this commotion and weeping? (Mark 5:39) Are even you likewise without understanding? (Mark 7:18) Why does this generation seek a sign? (Mark 8:12) Do you not yet understand or comprehend? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes and still not see? Ears and not hear? (Mark 8:17-18) How many wicker baskets full of leftover fragments did you pick up? (Mark 8:19) [To the Blind man] Do you see anything? (Mark 8:23) What were arguing about on the way? (Mark 9:33) Salt is good, but what if salt becomes flat? (Mark 9:50) What did Moses command you? (Mark 10:3) Do you see these great buildings? They will all be thrown down. (Mark 13:2) Simon, are you asleep? (Mark 14:37) Why were you looking for me? (Luke 2:49) What are you thinking in your hearts? (Luke 5:22) Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord' and not do what I command? (Luke 6:46) Where is your faith (Luke 8:25) What is your name? (Luke 8:30) Who touched me? (Luke 8:45) Will you be exalted to heaven? (Luke 10:15) What is written in the law? How do you read it? (Luke 10:26) Which of these three in your opinion was neighbor to the robber's victim? (Luke 10:36) Did not the maker of the outside also make the inside? (Luke 11:40) Friend, who appointed me as your judge and arbiter? (Luke 12:14) If even the smallest things are beyond your control, why are you anxious about the rest? (Luke 12:26) Why do you not judge for yourself what is right?  (Luke 12:57) What king, marching into battle would not first sit down and decide whether with ten thousand troops he can successfully oppose another king marching upon him with twenty thousand troops? (Luke 14:31) If therefore you are not trustworthy with worldly wealth, who will trust you with true wealth? (Luke 16:11) Has none but this  foreigner returned to give thanks to God? (Luke 17:18) Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones who call out to him day and night? (Luke 18:7) But when the Son of Man comes, will he find any faith on earth? (Luke 18:8) For who is greater, the one seated a table or the one who serves? (Luke 22:27) Why are you sleeping? (Luke 22:46) For if these things are done when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry? (Luke 23:31) What are you discussing as you walk along? (Luke 24:17) Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter his glory? (Luke 24:26) Have you anything here to eat? (Luke 24:41) What are you looking for? (John 1:38) How does this concern of your affect me? (John 2:4) You are a teacher in Israel and you do not understand this? (John 3: 10) If I tell you about earthly things and you will not believe, how will you believe when I tell you of heavenly things? (John 3: 12) Do you want to be well? (John 5:6) How is it that you seek praise from one another and not seek the praise that comes from God? (John 5:44) If you do not believe Moses' writings how will you believe me? (John 5:47) Where can we buy enough food for them to eat? (John 6:5) Does this (teaching of the Eucharist) shock you? (John 6:61) Do you also want to leave me? (John 6:67) Why are you trying to kill me? (John 7:19) Woman where are they, has no one condemned you? (John 8:10) Why do you not understand what I am saying? (John 8:43) Can any of you charge me with sin? (John 8:46) If I am telling you the truth, why do you not believe me? (John 8:46) Are there not twelve hours in a day? (John 11:9) Do you believe this? (John 11:26) Do you realize what I have done for you? (John 13:12) Have I been with you for so long and still you do not know me? (John 14:9) Whom are you looking for? (John 18:4) Shall I not drink the cup the Father gave me? (John 18:11) If I have spoken rightly, why did you strike me? (John 18:23) Do you say [what you say about me] on you own or have others been telling you about me? (John 18:34) Have you come to believe because you have seen me? (John 20:29) Do you love me? (John 21:16) What if I want John to remain until I come?  (John 21:22) What concern is it of yours? (John 21:22) ******************************* The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have many classes in different aspects of  Christianity, two in  Wicca, several in Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more. I have been a proud member of the ULC for many years and the Seminary since its inception. Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free,  and lasts for life, so become an ordained minister today! As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and have enjoyed the new spiritual article directory. Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar