September 30, 2009
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The Universal Blog: Is Jesus the Son of God?
An instant is an eon.
A leaf is a tree.
A rock is a world.
A mind is all minds.
Forever.
Through history.
Through space.
Through time.
Forever.
Now.How can you declare that you believe in a "Universal Mind" which encompasses a variety of different belief systems and still believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God?
I was raised a Christian, in the Baptist Church, although never baptised. I was "reborn" as a Pentecostal. I've always believed in the power of Christ's ministry, and I believe He is the Son of God. I will go a little farther, and declare that all of humanity are children of the Godhead. If there is life on other planets, they, too, are the progeny of the universe, and children of God.
The Universal encompasses God, and God encompasses the Universal. All time is a moment in the cosmos, and in that moment, anything can, and has, happened. Creationists dispel the scientific evidence that the earth is millions of years old, preferring to have faith in the Word of the Holy Bible, which, in the first verses of the first chapter of Genesis, declares the creation of the universe in seven days by God. Those "seven days" might have lasted for millenia, and they might have lasted but a fraction of a moment. The "big bang" is God's gift, and the universe exists, and has existed, forever. Time is merely a construct designed by mankind. He cannot understand the concept of a universe where time is unimportant. If man were granted (by the Godhead) the "universal truths" which exist. If man were given the power to "see" the future, the past, and the present all at the same "time" as it is in the Universal, then he would understand that seven "days" is a moot concept. The world was "created" and through millions of years of geologic time, it cooled and provided sustenance to life forms, among them, mankind. God did create man, even if the facts of this creation might seem to differ from the actual recounting as told in Genesis. In Genesis, men are given lifetimes which last for 1000 years as well.
Was there a minister named Yeshua who walked the shores of the Sea of Galilee two thousand years ago? Yes. Was he the Son of God? Yes. Was he born of a virgin? Why not? A lot of agnostics seem to ask why when confronted with Biblical "history". I prefer to ask "why not?" When I was granted my epiphany in high school, and given the "keys to the kingdom", unlocking all manner of questions I had harbored concerning religious dogmas and spiritual wonders, the most important piece of information I was given is that there is more truth to the competing belief systems than is otherwise accepted by proponents of the opposing beliefs. Jesus Christ may very well have been "divine", a flesh and blood representative of the Universal Truth, who was given life, born of a virgin mother, and commanded by the Universal Presence (i.e. God) to spread the Word to the then civilized world, a Word of tolerance, love, and peace. Three concepts which seem to be common sensical, but which seem, even at this late date, to be ignored by the general populace.
Jesus was killed for his teachings. I won't blame anyone or group in particular. A perfect storm of opposition seemed to converge at his feet upon that cross, and he died. Was he resurrected three days later?
Why not?
The Universe is filled with many things we mortals cannot understand. Some of us are granted epiphanies which reveal for us the "realizations" inherent in existence. Some of us become prophets, spreading these "Words". I don't like to call myself a "prophet". I'll stick with "philosopher." It's less "religious" in tone. Religion is what tears mankind apart, and which sometimes sets him against his brethern. Religion is what has caused the city of Jerusalem to be under seige for most of it's existence, or else under an uneasy peace, which can be shattered at any time, by factions of differing "religions".
The Universal doesn't "believe" in religion. Jesus was Jewish, and during his lifetime, there were many competing factions within the Jewish faith. His ministry, after the crucifixion of his successor Peter, became "Christianity." The Catholic church later split in two, and the various Protestant faiths have multiplied precariously ever since. Another great religion, the Islamic Faith, is based on the teachings of Muhammad (peace be upon him) who was given the dictum to preach the word of God after receiving a series of epiphanies. His story is no less spiritual than that of Jesus. His teachings are no less "holy". Yet even today, the rift between the Christian and the Islamic faiths has caused many a human life to perish in war after war, all in the name of God.
God is the Universal power which binds us all. God is existence. Geology Space. And, that ever present little castaway Time. The Universal gives us our life and breath, and also gives birth to galaxies and stars. The Universal also gives birth to the smallest of particles making up what we perceive as "reality." That the Universal is all encompassing, and given that for the Universal time is nonexistant, there are aspects of "unreality" which exist just as solidly as that reality we can touch, taste, smell, and see. It is the "unreality" which can account for a seven day creation, for the virgin birth of Jesus Christ, and for the visions of Muhammad (PBUH). There is more to the Universe than any of us here on Earth can attest. The Universe encompasses the smallest and the largest, the oldest and the latest, and sees into the future, and knows the answers.
When we die physically, we do not know what will happen next. This vital piece of information has been hidden from us by the Universal. Is there a Heaven and Hell? Perhaps. But the "final realization" will grant us release from the burdens of questioning. The "final realization" will teach us the ultimate truth. We are all part of the Universal, and we will reunite with the Universal, and with each other, in space, time, and universal harmony. We might be given second chances on Earth. We might visit other worlds. The possiblities are endless because the Universe is endless. We shouldn't push our luck, or hasten the inevitable. We should be able to stop, look, and listen. See the beauty of nature. The wonder of the sunrise and sunset. And the grandeur of the moon, the closest heavenly body to our small planet. In time, we shall pass from this existence to the next. And all our worries and wonders will be abated. I'm sure I'm going to see Jesus Christ. And I'll still pray to Him while I'm here.
I always think it's nice when one of these Universal Blog entries get enough "recommends" to be "featured" because I certainly don't mind discussion on this topic amongst other Xangans who are not part of my personal "webuniverse". (Perhaps I should attempt to get the enties on Revelife?) I used to bore countless friends and acquaintences with my spiritual "rants". Now that I have a webpresence, I've been "preaching" about the Universal Mind for almost 10 years online. It's not a "church" or a "movement", and bits and pieces of my beliefs can be found in a lot of New Age writings. I was given my epiphanies back in the late 70s, and never tire of giving more explanation. A lot of what keeps me "young" and "active" is the belief that each and every moment of my corporeal life counts as much as the next, and of course I know that at any time I could perish, leave, and become a part of the Universal myself. I welcome the experience, but I also love my life here on Earth, and am in no hurry to "leave" yet! MFN/ppf
Comments (28)
Dear Mike, I am impressed with your short, yet profound poem. I think you blog is not far afield from my own beliefs although I was not a Baptist but a Lutheran. Also, Mike I want to thank you for your encouraging words about my poems as I have been working hard to improve my skills. Cheers, Bill
I was indoctrinated at a very early age so I believe that Jesus is the son of God but I can enjoy others beliefs or respect them I should say.
A "Universal Mind". Is that when everyone is thinking the same thoughts at the same moment? I can't answer your question because I don't understand the teminology. We are given the right to become chrildren of God but I don't think we start off that way. I do believe everything was created by God. I disagree with some of your reasoning. In mathmatical terms 1 is less than 3 but 3 is not less than 1. Time didn't exist untill man's fall. We don't know how long Adam and later Eve lived before they sinned. They were created to live forever. Earth's Sun recedes at the rate of six feet per minute or second, I'm sorry I don't remember my science lessons well. So millions of years ago the Sun would've been too close the Earth; and Earth would've been too hot to support life. So life had to have been created later, recently. The Universe maybe existed forever in God's mind but with the advent of time things changed. The Universe had a beginning. If you mean time was designed by man in the sense that time is a result of man's actions, you are right. Jesus was divine, the Word made flesh and God as a man. Yes, Jesus was resurrected. I agree with you that religion has done much harm. A definition of religion is practicing ritual to gain God's grace; His unmerited favor. I don't think it's necessary because God's gift is free. Christianity is merely believing what the Savior has to say. I disagree with your statement about the holyness of Jesus' teachings. They are The Truth. God is not time, matter or space. God created those things. Things can't be both real and unreal. Something can't exist and not exist. I'm not sure that in the next life our wonders will be abated. I like to wonder about things and I can't imagine a life without it.
Well written Mike. Is their a heaven and hell? ....I though you are going to answer: "Why not?"
Jesus is the Son of God. But whether people believe it or not is not my job...
@designandart - Sorry folks, I knew the answer to the question. Yes Jesus is the son of God.
I like your poetry -- short, thought provoking, ...
There is no way for anyone to know for sure.
I'm not sure and I probably will never be. I wish I was, though.
@vexations - Dear Bill, You're very welcome. I hope you had a chance to watch my "performance" video in the entry below. First time I've done a poetry reading online.
@designandart - Dear Kevin, I've been writing about the Universal Mind for many years, and this is just the latest in a long series of articles. Quick definition: A pantheistic viewpoint where everything is linked. As we go through corporeal life, we are given a set of "realizations" which form our opinions and inform our being. At the end of 'life', or death, we pass into the "final realization", and join every soul who has ever lived, is living now, or will ever live in the Universal Mind. We become part of the Godhead. I was given a vision long ago which told me to preach this wonderful news.This essay was constructed to dispel any notions that I might be somewhat hypocritical when writing about conventional Christianity. I always will worship Jesus Christ, but I do hold a wider viewpoint, described in this series of essays.
@Zeal4living - Dear Jurgens, I almost linked to the entry about if there is a heaven or hell, but then I "realized" that as a writer, I made a point to use the question "why not" and should have repeated it instead of using it's synonym "pehaps" (another favorite word I use a lot, as you probably know by now.)
@slmret - Dear Janet, Thank you. As I mentioned to Bill above, I give a "poetry reading" in my latest video in the entry below this one. I've written about 1000 poems, and some are short and sweet, and some are of epic length. I'm an equal opportunity poet. MFN/ppf
@baldmike2004 - I have to disagree with you that when we die we will become part of the godhead. God is the creater and we will never be God. We will always remain His creation.
My mind is open to all that the universe has to offer. I am Buddhist and am accepting of whatever works for others is cool, as long as it is not shoved down my throat. The universe is a vast realm of knowledge and all one has to do is stay open and accepting.
Well written and deserve a recommendation. I am born a Protestant, I don't consider myself as religious but I still believe in the existence of the Almighty God.
Thank you for this post. It was very well thought-out, and beautifully expressed. I like your viewpoint.
God is One He is neither a son nor a father He has no relatives He is above all these worldly things and needs Jesus Christ is His sacred Messanger He is the Creator without the support of any one:goodjob:
Jesus Christ is the messanger of God and the son of a Virgin too but is the miracle of God by no way it means that He is the son of God Almighty if God would be the father of Jesus He should never have allowed people to kill Jesus coz no father even can think to harm his son by hinself or by any one else
wow. that is deep thought stuff for me. I have never really thought about the whole "universal" persepective thing. My head hurts now.
We've talked about this before, Mike, and I think I've read permutations of this post before. Still, a great one. I believe, pseudo-pantheistically, that we're all part of God, too. Meister Eckhart is the mystic I have found so far who best marries Christianity with that kind of "all are one" mysticism that I intuitively understand and believe (although there is a delicious sense of mystery to it too). I've never had an issue with the miracles or the virgin birth, but in order for me to follow Christianity, I'd have to believe not "why not" but I'd have to trust that the "why" was absolutely necessary. I have this personal feeling that all things that can happen do happen. But that doesn't by itself make Jesus the Supreme Being. He was a good guy, and probably more divine than the rest of us, but I can't follow a religion that focuses on him and his supposed book and necessarily forsakes all others. The Unitarians are a bit too wishy-washy for me, strangely. Right now I'm having the best time getting to know some of the Catholic Marianists on campus. Some of them, though vowed religious, are practically atheists based on the interesting, intuitive stuff they choose to see as truth. And I love how the Church lets them do this and remains truly catholic and universal, on this small level if not the global Catechism-and-papally dictated level. ~ Emily - poet, pseudo-philosopher, super-fool
@reckless_eagle - Dear Victor, I can always rely on a rec from you. Three gets me in the middle of the "Most Rec'd" page on Xanga. Thank you more than you can know.
@BoureeMusique - Dear Emily, You even know that I cribbed the "Universal Mind" from Tull's "Skating Away on the Thin Ice of a New Day' back when I was in college. And yes, it's difficult when 'preaching' not to repeat oneself. I still have to look into Eckhart more closely. What I'm attempting in this post , as I mentioned in an earlier reply, is to make certain that the Christians who read this blog are not unduly alarmed when they read these Universal Blog posts, since I do believe in Jesus too, and don't want to sound like a hypocrite. I also believe in the teachings of the Buddha, and in Eastern Mysticism, and finding oneself through LSD, etc. etc. etc. Just an old hippie reliving his epiphanies in the age of information. LOL. Love seeing you on my blog. Take it easy. Oh, and a second recommend. One more and I usually get some new readers. Thanks so much.
I believe in the 'universal' as that which is common to all. This clearly discounts the larger aspect of the universe as that which is perceived by all, and includes many differences of belief, perspective and experience. The universal experience, which actually is common to all, should be enough to bind us all together but it's our differences which we choose to fixate on and define ourselves by.
I couldn't give a flying rat's ass about Xanga and its innumerable popularity factors. You have my sympathy if you do.
lol I doubt it! :goodjob:
I have been struggling with the validity of this topic for days. I had a very difficult and horrifying experience with Jehovah Witnesses. They were cruel and unwilling to discuss basic philosophies with me. The wanted nothing more than to convert me with their "universal" truth. My mind has really been hard on me for the past week because of it. Thank you so much for putting peace and contentment back in my heart.
dear mike, another wonderfully written post. i think the best thing about your beliefs is that they keep you, as you put it, young and active. i believe in the idea of god, but am not sure what that all encompasses. maybe everything. i don't seem to have a lot of faith, hope will have to suffice.
I learned long ago not to limit God. And, thanks for your prayers, Mike. Much appreciated!
I was raised catholic but I'm one of those annoying agnostics - I just dont know. When I really think about it I just cant see how it can be true (i think too scientifically) but I would never say that it isnt - what do I know? But I suppose that's the point - you need to have faith - I just dont think I have any! I wish I could pick one side or the other but I dont think I will ever be able to. I envy people with faith it must be such a comforting thing to have and it inspires people to do wonderful things.
Well, as a Muslim, we believe that Jesus was just an apostle and nothing more. His mother was was a miracle to show God's power. Still, we do respect other beliefs as they too are based on logic.
To my own intellect all things you exclaim is extraordinary
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