First keep in mind we only have the capability of understanding a small speck of all that God is. Second, modern man does not understand the way ancient man recorded Biblical history, events, and wisdom. Start with we understand close to nothing, and move on from there.
I believe mankind is made up of body, mind, and spirit/soul. God is spirit. The best way to communicate and connect with God is through spirit. One of the great mystics introduced a philosophy of going by opposites. At the moment I don’t recall the exact ones he used, but you bring up infallibility. He might say something such as, To find and understand infallibility, one must go by the way of fallibility. In other words, if it is God’s infallibility one wishes to reach, then go by the way of fallibility. Yes, I know–almost impossible to understand, but every so often I catch a glimpse of what he was trying to convey.
I found the way to get in touch with the vastness of God is to go by way of what is tiny and almost silent, barely a whisper. To understand ancient man, do not go by the way of our time, language, and culture, but the way of their time, language and culture–and that takes a lot of studying.
God didn’t write the bible. The bible has clearly changed throughout history. We’ve already covered there were several books removed from today’s versions. You’re suggesting I should study the altered bible to learn more about God? I’d suggest you have it backwards. Perhaps you should be looking outside of your altered bible to learn more about God. Get outside of your bubble and look at it from a few different perspectives. Seek the truth. You’re not going to find it if you never read anything other than your stories.
This is why I don’t buy into any of the Organized religions. They all claim they’re the only truth. I say they’re all false. Question everything. God gave us the ability to reason. Use it.
You aren’t paying attention, are you? I’ve already said several times, meet God first. Then the Bible makes better sense…if you go back to the original language, author, audience.
Actually, they don’t. Take the Catholic faith, for example. I was a Catholic School kid. We were taught that the only way the Church could guarantee salvation was the only way it knew–the way Christ taught and what Christ promised. Therefore, they couldn’t advise people they would be just fine being Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, Jews, non-Catholic because the Church could NOT make promises for those other beliefs. What it could do is say that when the Church fails to reach all or anyone, everyone is in the hands of a merciful God, and let it go at that.
The Catholic faith has worked for me as the foundation and jumping off place. But the Church can only do so much. As Theresa of Avila (another lifelong Catholic) put it in her book The Interior Castle the Church can meet people on the front step of the Castle, and welcome one into the foyer and perhaps even into the first room of many on that first level. The other six levels are up to the individual.
Think of it this way. If you lived in a castle and all your favorite rooms were on the upper levels, does that mean you should never step foot on the first floor or in the entry way again?
Yes. Or not. Some people prefer to learn from the past and the many minds, not obliterate the many and start over using only the one mind they possess.
Funny thing, that. I have yet to meet a Christian who has any hate towards homosexuals. Here online I’ve run into many who tell me what Christians “really” feel.
God isn’t here. You can’t meet God, no matter how much the voices in your head are telling you otherwise. God doesn’t even exist on the same physical plane we do. Unless you’ve somehow managed to figure out how to transport yourself to different planes of existence, there is no possible way you’ve met God either.
Hell is the absence of God. Hence, why I said I believe THIS is hell. We’re all being collectively punished for original sin. That’s why we’re here and not in paradise. Instead of being permanent though (because people have to be afraid of your God) I believe it is temporary, like a time out. If we are truly God’s children, that makes more sense and would be a better example of “pure love” than permanently casting those aside who dare to defy God.
And just to be clear, I don’t question God. I question your representation of God. As should you.
