Faith in God is made infinitely more valuable in that it is not fully revealed and therefore not easy to believe. “blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed”. If our pea-sized human brains could comprehend the full magnitude of creation there would be no such thing as infinity.
Good memes and piece! I would only add not to limit your Bible study to the KJ Nicaean approved text, but read the Nag Hammadi finds, the Book of Enoch, the Apocrypha, etc. and in original as much as is possible.
I can agree us humans can make hell for others. But this is far from hell. At least this life is a short whisper of time. Separation from God is forever. So I choose Him. I'd rather be a floor tile in Heaven than king in hell.
"We are within and can’t penetrate without. Never will." This is not actually true. Why are you invalidating the spiritual journey? Found that comment a bit jarring and strange. Did someone tell you that you could never realize mystical union?
Should have clarified. We cannot attain the knowledge of God while living or even after. The universe has been designed with hierarchy that we as humans remain at the bottom. We have to be OK knowing that not one of us will be God. Our place is to fear God and to revere him as he loves us and gives freely everything we will ever have. Run that thought experiment through. You can never materialize anything. On the other hand God spoke and breathed us into existence. That is the truth. Basically chill out about trying to know everything. We can't be sure until death. It doesn't mean don't be wise or try to attain wisdom. Just that we can't attain as much as God. Does that make sense?
My view is quite different... nearly the opposite. But, not in a mood to debate but rather to enjoy the excellent work you do with the memes. Blessings.
In simple terms there are two "realms." The transcendent realm of spirit, and the mundane realm of material manifestation. The spirit, you and I, have our origins and essence in the transcendent realm but our consciousness has been trapped in the physical. The spiritual journey is a combination of recognizing aspects of the trap (and thus attaining release) and bringing our transcendent nature to bear on our condition. In my view, the universe is an Idealistic creation, more or less the "Mind of God." Thus it is mental stuff and malleable and will respond to our consciousness, when that consciousness is unbound. Hope that clarifies a bit. (And to the point above, as conscious beings our spiritual consciousness merges with divine consciousness. So there is a unity, a co-being.)
I used to be so locked in to this way of thinking. I really was. Then lately I got to this realization that there is something missing in the definition of consciousness. It's that way with Science in modern times. They leave out God, or if you want a different word, Creator, and go right for consciousness which is like trying to stab a cloud with a knife. They don't connect. If there was a way to integrate God in the consciousness equation then I can start to get there. Does that make sense?
Yes. Perhaps the path to that integration is an understanding of Idealism, coupled with the Gospel of John. In the prologue we read "In the beginning was the Word..." And in Idealism (Plato but even more so Plotinus) posit that all manifestation, all material existence, emerges from Consciousness. Reading further in John and in almost all mystical literature we come upon mystical union with God. This can be conceptualized as individual spiritual consciousness coming into alignment or co-being with Divine Consciousness. The theologians who developed this correct theology, Origen, Augustine, and then Bonaventure were on the true path. Aquinas messed things up with his Scholasticism. When it comes to definitions of consciousness you will find the materialist scientists off the mark -- they see consciousness emerging from matter, which is ludicrous. So ignore them. The folks that have done the most hands on work with consciousness are the Buddhists. Some break down consciousness into six types, others up to thirty types. Will post some links in this area as time permits.
Faith in God is made infinitely more valuable in that it is not fully revealed and therefore not easy to believe. “blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed”. If our pea-sized human brains could comprehend the full magnitude of creation there would be no such thing as infinity.
100% Brother. It's the conclusion you come to over time.
Sometimes when I have a bit of doubt I think about the original disciples/apostles.
Why would they give up their lives for Jesus Christ?
Another good one Ratio! Good timing...I needed that! 😇
Always on time!
Ditto!! 👍 I SOOOOOO needed this today!!! 👏
Oh my I was listening to Johnny Thunder before seeing that punk list
What a joke 99.999% of music is today
Good memes and piece! I would only add not to limit your Bible study to the KJ Nicaean approved text, but read the Nag Hammadi finds, the Book of Enoch, the Apocrypha, etc. and in original as much as is possible.
I'm branching out. Just started the NKJV today. Wanted to have my firm foundation first before assimilating too much. Will check those out in time.
Today's Winner: 2 ANGY AND A SCALP 🫡
Jyes!
My dearest friend says:
This is as close to hell as we’ll get.
I can agree us humans can make hell for others. But this is far from hell. At least this life is a short whisper of time. Separation from God is forever. So I choose Him. I'd rather be a floor tile in Heaven than king in hell.
I can't imagine how miserable life would be separated from God
"We are within and can’t penetrate without. Never will." This is not actually true. Why are you invalidating the spiritual journey? Found that comment a bit jarring and strange. Did someone tell you that you could never realize mystical union?
Should have clarified. We cannot attain the knowledge of God while living or even after. The universe has been designed with hierarchy that we as humans remain at the bottom. We have to be OK knowing that not one of us will be God. Our place is to fear God and to revere him as he loves us and gives freely everything we will ever have. Run that thought experiment through. You can never materialize anything. On the other hand God spoke and breathed us into existence. That is the truth. Basically chill out about trying to know everything. We can't be sure until death. It doesn't mean don't be wise or try to attain wisdom. Just that we can't attain as much as God. Does that make sense?
My view is quite different... nearly the opposite. But, not in a mood to debate but rather to enjoy the excellent work you do with the memes. Blessings.
OK, you have my interest. Your view was my view at one time. Help me understand the mystical journey you are on. :)
In simple terms there are two "realms." The transcendent realm of spirit, and the mundane realm of material manifestation. The spirit, you and I, have our origins and essence in the transcendent realm but our consciousness has been trapped in the physical. The spiritual journey is a combination of recognizing aspects of the trap (and thus attaining release) and bringing our transcendent nature to bear on our condition. In my view, the universe is an Idealistic creation, more or less the "Mind of God." Thus it is mental stuff and malleable and will respond to our consciousness, when that consciousness is unbound. Hope that clarifies a bit. (And to the point above, as conscious beings our spiritual consciousness merges with divine consciousness. So there is a unity, a co-being.)
I used to be so locked in to this way of thinking. I really was. Then lately I got to this realization that there is something missing in the definition of consciousness. It's that way with Science in modern times. They leave out God, or if you want a different word, Creator, and go right for consciousness which is like trying to stab a cloud with a knife. They don't connect. If there was a way to integrate God in the consciousness equation then I can start to get there. Does that make sense?
Yes. Perhaps the path to that integration is an understanding of Idealism, coupled with the Gospel of John. In the prologue we read "In the beginning was the Word..." And in Idealism (Plato but even more so Plotinus) posit that all manifestation, all material existence, emerges from Consciousness. Reading further in John and in almost all mystical literature we come upon mystical union with God. This can be conceptualized as individual spiritual consciousness coming into alignment or co-being with Divine Consciousness. The theologians who developed this correct theology, Origen, Augustine, and then Bonaventure were on the true path. Aquinas messed things up with his Scholasticism. When it comes to definitions of consciousness you will find the materialist scientists off the mark -- they see consciousness emerging from matter, which is ludicrous. So ignore them. The folks that have done the most hands on work with consciousness are the Buddhists. Some break down consciousness into six types, others up to thirty types. Will post some links in this area as time permits.
Join us at the Blue Butterfly, folks! This is how cultural revolutions get going.