Master of Religion

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Mystical Christianity

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.)

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.)

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.

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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.

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Thursday, July 14, 2011

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 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.

Thursday, July 7, 2011

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)

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Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Apostles

First I am defining the words Apostles and Disciples from Merium Webster's Dictionary.apostle (noun)

1 : one sent on a mission: as; a : one of an authoritative New Testament group sent out to preach the gospel and made up especially of Christ's 12 original disciples and Paul; b : the first prominent Christian missionary to a region or group;

2 a : a person who initiates a great moral reform or who first advocates an important belief or system; b : an ardent supporter : ADHERENT ;

3 : the highest ecclesiastical official in some church organizations;

4 : one of a Mormon administrative council of 12 men disciple (noun)

1 : one who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrines of another: as; a : one of the twelve in the inner circle of Christ's followers according to the Gospel accounts; b : a convinced adherent of a school or individual;

2 : a member of the Disciples of Christ founded in the U.S. in 1809 that holds the Bible alone to be the rule of faith and practice, usually baptizes by immersion, and has a congregational polity According to the lesson: The New Testament, as usually received in the Christian Churches, is made up of twenty-seven different books attributed to eight different authors. Six of them are numbered among the Apostles (Matthew, John, Paul, James, Peter, Jude) and two are among their immediate disciples (Mark, Luke).

If we consider only the contents of these writings, they may be divided into historical books, or Gospels and Acts, and didactic books (Epistles), a prophetical book (Apocalypse). I will attempt to answer the question. I will start with the first book in my translation of the New Testiment and work to the end, Revelation. If there are only eight writers, the Author will be named first, If more than one book is credited to the writer, I will list it in his paragraph. As I am explaining my method, I see the second question in my text window and wonder how I am going to do that! No wonder I am not seeing posts on this lesson!

Matthew shows up first in my Bible but according to my notes, it was not written first. My sourse does not tell me who Matthew was, but it was probably the third book written. I am supposing he is an apostle, he wrote about 85 AD and would have to be really old to have experienced the events.Mark was not a desciple, but he knew them. His mother hosted meetings of the original 12. His work seems to be copied by Luke.Luke hung out with Paul and that would make him an apostle. He wrote the Acts of the Apostles. He wrote Luke. John ovbiously wrote John, age doesn't seem to me to make anyone an actual desciple. John was a busy man and also wrote The First Letter of John, found after Peter II. The Second Letter of John, the Third Letter of John and at last the Revelation to John may be his as well. This is uncertain.Romans, First and Second Corenthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Thessalonians, Thesssalonians, Timothy One and Two, Titus and Philemon are all credited to Paul.

Hebrews is unknown. James may have been the brother of Jesus.Then come the writer Peter who wrote two Books. The writer of Jude may have been the brother of James.Before I actually began looking for the answer to the first question I did not realize John was so busy. Now the second question. Create a plan of the time fframe the New Testament reflects by establishing mile stones of im- portant occasions. I am not sure what an important coccasion might be. According to the lesson: The New Testament was not written all at once. These books appeared one after another in a time frame of fifty years, in the second half of the first century. Written in different and distant countries, and addressed to particular Churches, they took some time to spread throughout the whole ChristianityIn 383, St. Jerome revised the Latin version with the aid of what he considered to be the best copies of the Greek text.

Between 400 and 450, Rabbula of Edessa did the same thing for the Syriac version. In the thirteenth century the universities, the Dominicans, and the Franciscans undertook to correct the Latin text and in the fifteenth century printing lessened. Then, Byzantine scholars came in numbers to Italy, Germany, and France, after the capture of Constantinople. This text, after having been revised by Erasmus, Robert Estienne, and Théodore de Bèze, finally became in 1633 the Elzeverian edition, which was to bear the name of the "received text". It remained as the basic version of the New Testament for Protestants up to the nineteenth century. The British and Foreign Bible Society continued to publish it until 1904.

All the official Protestant versions depended on this test of Byzantine origin up to the revision of the Authorized Version of the Anglican Church, which took place in 1881. The Catholics followed the official edition of the Latin Vulgate (which is in substance the revised version of St. Jerome), published in 1592 by order of Clement VIII, and called on that account the Clementine Bible. New Testament Timeline40 BCEHerod the Great appointed King of Judea by Marc Anthony in Rome.20 BCEHerod begins to rebuild the Great Temple in Jerusalem in an attempt to restore it to its former splendor as under Solomon.c. 8 BCEJesus of Nazareth born in Roman Palestine (by some estimates).6Herod the Great deposed by Augustus.14 - 37Tiberius I emperor of Rome, b. 42 BCE.18Caiaphas become high priest in Jerusalem (until 36).c. 24 - 26Jesus begins his ministry.26 - 36Pontius Pilate is governor of Judea.27 - 28John the Baptist wanders and preaches. Jesus baptized. [Luke 3,1-2] (15th year of Tiberius).28John the Baptist is executed on orders from Herod Antipas.c. 30Jesus of Nazareth crucified in Jerusalem.c. 31Saint Stephen becomes the first Christian martyr when he is stoned to death for blasphemy.c. 34-5Saul of Tarsus, formerly a rabbi and enemy of Christianity, converts to the new Christian faith and becomes known as Paul. [Acts 9].c. 37-40Paul first visits Jerusalem as a Christian.37 - 41 Gaius Caligula emperor of Rome, declares himself god.

40 Paul goes to Jerusalem to consult with Peter [Gal 1, 18-20].c. 40 - 51Paul travels to Asia Minor and Cyprus, establishing churches and writing the earliest epistles which will become part of the New Testament canon.43 Romans under Aulus Plautius invade Britain. London is founded.44James, brother of John, executed by Herod Agrippa I [Acts 12, 1-3].47First recorded use of the term "Christian" in Antioch, Syria, home of one of the earliest Christian churches .47 - 48Paul and Barnabas on Cyprus [Acts 13, 4-12].48 - 49Council of Jerusalem, 1st Christian Council, doctrine regarding circumcision and dietary law is agreed to by apostles and presbyters, written in a letter addressed to "the brothers of Gentile origin in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia" [Acts 15]c. 49Paul composes his epistle to the Thessalonians - the earliest known New Testament writingc. 49Early church council in Jerusalem decides to expand missionary work to the Gentiles.

Christianized Jews are excused from full obedience to Jewish law.c. 51Paul writes epistle to the Galatians.c. 55Paul writes epistles to the Corinthians.c. 55Peter travels to Rome. His leadership over the church of Rome establishes the tradition of the papacy and he is regarded as the first bishop of Rome (pope).57Paul's last visit to Jerusalem [Acts 21].58Paul is arrested and imprisoned in Caesarea [Acts 25:4].61Human sacrifices as part of religious celebrations are prohibited by Roman law.62Paul is held under house arrest in Rome, but then is allowed to resume his travels.c. 60Paul writes epistle to the Romans.64Roman emperor Nero (37 - 68) accuses the Christians of having started the fire which destroyed large sections of Rome, thus initiating widespread persecution.65Famous and influential Roman philosopher Seneca commits suicide on orders from Emperor Nero.c. 65Q possibly written, (German: Quelle, meaning "source") a hypothetical Greek text used in writing of Matthew and Luke.66Jews revolt against Roman government (through 70).c. 67Nero orders the execution of both Peter and Paul.68Qumran (Essenes?) community destroyed by Rome, site of Dead Sea Scrolls found in 1949.70Titus, son of Roman emperor Vespasian, captures and destroys Jerusalem and suppresses Jewish revolt, destroying the Temple in the process.c. 70Mark, earliest known gospel, is composed.73Massada, last remaining stronghold of Jewish Zealots, falls to Roman assault.c. 85 - 95Gospel of Luke and Book of Acts are composed.c. 90Old Testament books, called "The Writings," are established as part of Christian canon: Psalms, Proverbs, Job, Song of Songs, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, Esther, Daniel, Ezra, and Chronicles.c. 95Book of Revelation is composed.c. 95Clement of Rome (c. 30 - 100), one of the earliest popes, writes a letter arguing that church leaders possess a divine authority inherited from Christ and his apostles.c. 95- 105Composition of the "Pastoral Epistles," falsely attributed to Paul: Hebrews, I and II Timothy, Titus, and I Peter.c. 80 - 100Gospel of Matthew is composed.c. 100Christian churches are established in Greece, North Africa, Italy, and Asia Minor.c. 100 - 125Gospel of John is composed.c) Explain how our sins can be forgiven.When I was a kid in Baptist Bible camp I memorized Ephision 2: 8-9. For by grace you have been save through grace; and it is not your own doing, it is the gift of God- not because of works, lest any man should boast.The lesson makes it a lot less simple than this verse. Actually this isn't really in the lesson. Maybe I am missing the point. This isn't so much the forgiveness of sins but the entry into Heaven.

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Thursday, June 23, 2011

Confusion in Religion

I can certainly echo those sentiments as they relate to confusion in religion.

I believe that like every other religion on Earth, Christianity is flavored and influenced by a multitude of factors:

Region, Culture, Tradition, social standards, interpretation of religious scripture, and individual spiritual focus.

"A pound is a pound the world around", does not necessarily apply to religious consistency. Much like the different types of Buddhism that have been influenced by important people or cultures through the years, so has Christianity. And Christianity also has an amazing range of beliefs for being based on similar scriptures and literature. The beliefs range from peaceful and accepting, to hateful and bigoted. Much like everything else in the world, our success depends upon our own best interpretation of what is right...not what is right in Reality.

Imagine Truth to be a candle in the middle of a room...It is solitary, independent, needing nothing. It stands under it's own weight and on it's own merits. Now, imagine that our interpretation is the precise distance and angle that we see the candle from. How bright or dim, how real or imagined it is will be based on your own cognizance of it. The candle does not change, it is up to us to move around the candle and examine it from all sides, from near and far, to have not a vision of truth...but a scope of it.

Now blow the candle out, and flip on a light switch, you're scaring me.

Good discussion.

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Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Four Gospels

The Four Gospels

by Rev. Barbara A Durbin

I always enjoy reading different translations of the Bible.

The Unvarnished Gospel was yet another enlightening experience.

It helps explain verses and the Gospels in a different and new light.

Some of the speech; it seems is translated by an individual -by their own interpretation.

Yet, I suppose that goes the same with many translations.

I know that when I speak to someone of another heritage and they are trying to explain something to me, sometimes they have difficulty finding the right words in English to describe it. Course Example= was calling Heaven – The Sky.

The Course emails with the teachers’ views helped also in seeing the verse with a different understanding – different meaning. Perhaps it opens ones eyes to more meanings than they thought existed.

I’m glad to see the one of the Apocryphal Books - Thomas was also included.

I personally believe that these books are Blessed as are the books in the Biblical.

What is learned:

It teaches us the History of Jesus.

His Birth as told by Prophesies.

His Teachings of the Gods Law from the Old Testament.

His Miracles, Healings, Releasing of Demons, Walking on water.

His Death on the Cross. Fight with Satan in the Underworld.

His Resurrection Three Days Later. And ascension into Heaven.

Among His teachings of Gods Law.

Jesus came with a new Commandment – To LOVE One Another.

It is easy to love a friend. To love an enemy is of a much greater and higher love

Jesus came not to Judge us, but to Free us of our sins and release us from the evil one. He brought us Salvation.

(New Living Translation)

John 1:12 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. 13 They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.

(The Unvarnished Gospel)

But to those who did accept him he gave the right to become children of God if they had faith in his name, they who were born not of blood, nor the flesh’s will, nor a man’s will, but of God.

I see the Gospels as with all of the New Testament as a Manual of how to live life.

How to treat others. How to treat oneself. How to accept God and his Laws.

Whether Man or Woman, In Gods eyes we are the same.

The Spirit is really neither.

We often seem to be looking for answers. Thing is, if more people were to look to the Bible, they will find the answers they seek.

Have Faith to that which is unseen.

Rev. Barbara A. Durbin

The Four Gospels

I believe that reading the Four Gospels teaches us several things.

1. It teaches us the History of Jesus.

His Birth as told by Prophesies.

His Teachings of the Gods Law from the Old Testament.

His Miracles, Healings, Releasing of Demons, Walking on water.

His Death on the Cross. Fight with Satan in the Underworld.

His Resurrection Three Days Later. And ascension into Heaven.

2. It teaches us that God Is the same today as he was yesterday and will be the same forevermore. God is the beginning and the end.

3. Jesus came not to Judge us, but to Free us of our sins and release us from the evil one. He brought us Salvation.

John 3:3 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God .” 4 “What do you mean?” exclaimed Nicodemus. “How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?” 5 Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. 6 Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. 7 So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit.”

4. Among His teachings of Gods Law.

Jesus came with a new Commandment – To LOVE One Another.

It is easy to love a friend. To love an enemy is of a much greater and higher love.

The Path to LOVE is Lead by:

My Father God - Jesus - the Holy Spirit

GOD is LOVE

5. God has given us Free Will.

It is up to us to decide to follow God or to follow other.

I believe that God loves us and as His child His desire is for us to chose Him.

I see the Gospels as with all of the New Testament as a Manual of how to live life.

How to treat others. How to treat oneself. How to accept God and his Laws.

Whether Man or Woman, In Gods eyes we are the same.

The Spirit is really neither.

We often seem to be looking for answers. Thing is, if more people were to look to the Bible, they will find the answers they seek.

Have Faith to that which is unseen.

My Message

In Prayer.... here are some of the things that enter my mind:

You have to let go of the past, of the pain and regret.

Open your heart to new beginnings.

Have Faith, Hope & Believe.

Be slow to anger and slow to speak.

Forgive as you would want to be forgiven.

Do unto others, as you'd have them do unto you.

Have Compassion.

SHOW Love.

At this moment; I need to add...

Make each day, each moment count.

Walk in LOVE... it is key.

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Thursday, June 9, 2011

Master of Religion

Master of Religion Lesson 16: History of Church II

This lesson on the History of Christianity, The beginning of time tells us how searches the heavens within ourselves for answers to that which surrounds us, as mankind living. This great gift from God comes from the inner knowledge of people who we know as Priest, Ministers, Shamans,and Holy Man and Holy Woman who have been instrumental in adding us in finding our way as we journey on our path of trying to understand this thing we call faith. In the beginning Saul name in the KJV so to become Paul, in the History of Church II, that most likely Saul was his Jewish name, and Paul was the name if his Roman Citizenship. The History of the Church is important that you can't some it up just in one lesson. Knowledge is power from God and how you use it to bless his people. Amen
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