Perspectives.............
Perspectives.............
You have exposed a matter that is utterly true, but is rooted in words that get thrown like stones at the ideas of men that Love, Honor and cherish God that is Utterly Absolute, Infinite, Limitless, Sovereign, Humble, Genuine and without "Equal".
Because I am wading out into the waters of exposing that I understand the "Spiritual" words that you use... I have one sincere request...
Thank you, I'd prefer to explore/expound upon the metaphysical/philosophical issues that the OV may infer or assume and the implications of that
- there are still some aspects of it we've yet to explore. I think also if we take the total realm of 'science'(knowledge) as a whole there is more to consider AND that passages can be used to support any number of viewpoints, which is why the OV and other perspectives are challenging classical theist propositions or at least putting 'mofifiers' or 'qualifications' upon them, such as the extent of 'omniscience' in relation to free will choices.
Would you please answer these two questions with One word?
(1) ... Of all the words and god's that you have studied, which one came down from His eternal domain, walked among us and displayed that He would rather Die then spend Eternity without a single one of all of His created Sons and Daughters? (1 Tim. 2:4)
(2) ... Of all the names of god's that you have studied... what is the name of the TRUE GOD (Infinite Spirit and Origin of All) of gods that is our Creator, Salvation and limitless display of Love?
Is this relevant to the topic?
We know what you're trying to get me to say. Of course from a Christian viewpoint, the answer is JESUS. - You also know I've well versed and knowledgable about most of the aspects, schools and traditions within Christianity, and have always been 'Christian' in my orientation as far as religious philosophy goes, but not limited to the Christian tradition, since I also enjoy being a student of comparative religions (other world faith-traditions), and other schools of metaphysics, esoteric teaching, universal spirituality, etc. 'God' is truly 'One',...yet Truth has many different perspectives, as filtered thru so many different schools, minds, conceptual formats, terms and analogies.
One Ocean, many rivers. One Sun, many rays. The INFINITE is truly INFINITE...and it includes all. - all dimensions, forms, interpretations, translations spring from within this Infinite ONE....and still the Infinite can never be fully contained, or defined.
In our recent and ongoing threads on the Unitarian/Trinitarian debate, I've held a more Unitarian 'perspective' for the sake of practical dialogue, my commentaries are many and can be accessed by any reader. Nothing to hide. I have explained myself so many times, it gets redundant. I do not idenfity as a 'Christian' in my religious affiliation here because I do not subscribe to what is passed off as 'Christianity' by many of the posters here, so do not feel to identify with such a 'label' or 'denomination', so 'Other' is just fine as Knight only supplied this alter-category for us more eclectic ones, and did not respond to a request for even putting 'Unitarian-Universalist' among the optioins to choose, so what can one do? Also, being a liberal, progressive ECLECTIC,... a 'label' isn't so important as it may be confusing or confining, but at least 'Unitarian-Universalist' is a broad label that can include a more eclectic person. So whatever.
I enjoy and have loved studying JESUS in many different schools on his person and teaching, within many different views of 'Christology',...and do not limit Jesus to any given one, as you cannot so limit the CHRIST of 'God'.
If Jesus is so much as infinite as 'God' is infinite', this is even more true, so I refuse any dogmatic, pious, limited, so called and imposed 'orthodox' formulation or creed
imposed on 'God' and 'Christ'. Within this context a more 'new-age', 'gnostic', or 'cosmic Christ' figure has angles and features more appealing or efficacious than a more rigid traditional-orthodox caricature of Jesus, but only
in some aspects. The Essene Jesus also has some wonderful nuances, so you cannot peg or pigeonhole Jesus into anyone one hole, let alone the INFINITE.
You cant put 'God' in a box. In a more loose sense, a theosophist is wholly non-dogmatic but studies universal wisdom and truth principles, laws of nature, psychology, spirituality, ethics, and esoteric science (the secret teachings and wisdom behind all religious traditions, myths and metaphor).
I just don't feel the need to PROFESS my faith in Jesus like a billboard for the approval of anyone, or to pass some religious test or sanction among peers,
because my faith is very personal, and between me and God. - this goes for all sentient beings. I let my commentary speak for itself, and the wise and discerning ought be open to consider such and then remain open to continually understand, interpret and correlate those words, intuiting their essential meaning, correlating their principles, interpreting their values. Let the logos of soul and spirit speak for itself. 'God' does not need any apologists, we have enough self-proclaimed apologists within Christianity,...what 'God' does is speak thru his 'creative word'. I see him letting those who represent his Spirit, do the same thing. Interpret a persons logos with the spirit of truth, to discern what is being communicated (before prejudging, presuming or presupposing anything, lest you bear false witness against them and misrepresent them, something a few on this board have done to me, and a few persist in their ignorance).
JESUS is what He truly is, means, represents, embodies and
communicates,...and that is all one needs to consider and know, and that knowledge will have its own value, import and effect. The pure in heart shall see 'God'. Only the Spirit is LIFE. - all else are but words, ideals, concepts, symbols, vanity. What is important is what is being communicated, and ultimately realized in consciousness. I've always been about 'creative dialogue' and 'expansion of consciousness',....holding positive religious values, based on goodness, truth and beauty, the classical higher ideals of religious philosophy, scientific study, the arts and humanities, the universal truths of the wisdom schools. Love has always been the way, since God is love. Henceforth 'Christ' is LOVE.
My views on JESUS are freely communicated, and can be thus judged as they are, since I do not reject anything written of him in the Bible or any other book, unless I espouse, explore and am studying a particular perspective or view at any given time, since all points of view are subject to CHANGE. I see a Unitarian or Trinitarian view of Jesus within Christianity as possible and acceptable, although I may not subscribe to any particular dogmatic creedal definition of the Trinity. Belief in a 'concept' cannot save you. Only faith in a living God.
Any half-baked bible student knows what the NT teaches about Jesus, but even these writings are subject to interpretation/translation, such is the case with any religious writings or theological discourse. I do not hold to a concept of 'biblical inerrancy or infallibility' and do not find such a 'belief' necessary to find meaning or value in biblical texts. I also do NOT limit 'God' to any one book or collection of books, because God cannot be so limited. So books or authors may also be better representations or communicators of truth than others. There are multiple viewpoints and perspective possible about any subject and this is always the case, unless we are postulating or meditating upon that reality which is forever unchanging it its essence and absoluteness of being (Diety itself).
Anyways,...I'd much prefer more personal matters and free form philososphical musings be shared on a thread dedicated to such, maybe my 'cosmic cafe' thread which serves more as a catalog-blog-thread, but for 'creative dialogue' as well. On this note, I'd like get back on topic here, - discussion on other subjects can be be taken to appropriate threads or in PM. Thank you.
