“The druids joined to the study of nature that of moral philosophy, asserting that the human soul is indestructible” — Strabo (63 BCE – 24 CE; Greek historian)
Fear is often the greatest magic we practice against ourselves. But the soul is not made of perishable stuff; death, age and suffering are unknown to it. Even our language reflects our fear, for we speak of your soul and my soul, as though our true spiritual identity were a possession of the ego, one more thing the ego will lose at death. No wonder we fear death. But I am soul, and you are soul, and each of us has an ego, and a body, and mind, emotions, senses, imagination and memory, which soul uses to gain experiences in many worlds. The dream worlds we enter each night, and in reverie while awake, are echoes and dim memories of a less physical world. Sometimes called the astral, in this realm imagination works more freely and rapidly. The physical world takes longer to respond to the imagination; the work of manifestation faces more numerous constraints. But the astral, and each successive world beyond it, affords greater scope and ease for this creative faculty of the soul.
We experience immortality each time we forget fear and take on wonder, marveling at beauty, our hearts opening as we give and receive love. Only when we shut down and close up do we yield our spiritual birthright to fear, and temporarily give away our heritage of wisdom-strength. Sometimes it takes very little to open up again: music overheard, the smile of a child, a friendly greeting from a passerby, sudden beauty in a world that before looked gray. Soul recognizes its own.
6 February 2007 at 11:50 pm
We are “soul” “body” and “spirit”.
And there is “no fear of death” to all those who have been born of His Spirit”
By His Spirit,
Richard
7 February 2007 at 9:17 pm
Anyone who doesn’t fear death is a fool. We value life all too cheaply if we don’t have a healthy respect for and apprehension of death. All living things strive to stay alive, Christians included, from what I’ve seen. All religions teach how to overcome a fear of annihilation, and offer beliefs and doctrines. Christianity doesn’t have any edge at all on such teaching, as you would know if you looked beyond your own theological backyard. Besides, the most truly fearless are often atheists, convinced that nothing will trouble them after the body ceases to operate. Fear of death is little indicator of the truth of a belief. It’s merely a sign that someone has done the inner work necessary to lift a built-in biological drive to live. If you actually read any of druidyear’s other postings, you’d know he believes in reincarnation. Who would fear death who has lived before?
7 February 2007 at 10:56 pm
Yes, I know we are on two different pages, brother.
Sin brought forth death to all mankind. Before sin entered the world there was no death. No sickness, no sorrow, no illness etc.
But The Good News is, Christ conquered death for you and I. Through Him we can live throughout all eternity and never die spiritually. Now that’s good news !
My prayer for you is, that you may be spiritually born anew, and have God’s spirit living inside of you. Your heart is no doubting searching for Him. It’s very obvious.
May you come to know Him, through His Son, Jesus Christ who died that you might live.
God bless,
Richard
8 February 2007 at 12:07 pm
Richard, you’re misreading Genesis. Death already existed from the start. God sent Adam and Eve from the Garden to prevent them from eating from the tree of life and living forever. They were CREATED mortal; that’s what the second creation story in Genesis 2 tells us. The body will die. Whatever is spiritual in us can’t die, because it’s the breath of God. Jesus came to reveal that truth (among others), and to announce the kingdom which was already present. It’s not something we need to wait for, and certainly not something that magically arrives with physical death. The kingdom is NOW, not after anyone is saved, not tomorrow, not after death. We all have God’s spirit inside us already — that’s what gives us life and existence and animates these physical bodies. Withdraw that spirit, and we go back to the dirt God made us from. Jesus didn’t die so that I might live, he died to show through his resurrection that we are made of the breath of God and we are already alive spiritually, if we repent — if we leave the limitations of the sinful self and live in the spiritual reality God provided for all His children.
9 February 2007 at 9:36 am
We experience immortality each time we forget fear and take on wonder, marveling at beauty, our hearts opening as we give and receive love.
Beautifully written. I’m very glad I followed a link to here.
10 February 2007 at 12:44 am
No brother, in all kindness you are misreading “Genesis”.
“And out of the ground the Lord God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. (Gen.2:9)
“But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, you shall not eat, for in the day that you of it you shall surely die.” (Gen.2:17)
Before they ate of the tree of knowledge, who’s to say that they didn’t eat of the other tree, the tree of life?
What happened? They ate of the tree of knowledge and it brought forth death (in the day you eat of it you shall die). We know that they did not die a physical death, but spiritual death.
Originally they were created immortal. But because of disobedience (sin) it brought forth death.
Yes this physical body will die. Our spirits will either live for ever with God, or spend eternity dieing in a place called Hell.
Yes Jesus came to reveal the truth, because He is Truth.
The Kingdom of God is within us, if we have been born of His Spirit.
Jesus did die that we might live. He died for our sins which bring forth death, if not they are not atoned for. “without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin”
And yes, through His Resurrection He conquered death and the grave, to give us eternal life.
And yes, if we repent of our sins, he is just and faithful to forgive us all our sins! And live in the spiritual reality God has provided for His children, through His Son, Jesus which is the door to God.
Grace to you,
Richard
10 February 2007 at 4:47 pm
Richard, if they were created immortal, then why does God send Adam and Eve from the Garden so that they won’t eat from the Tree of Life and live forever? That doesn’t suggest to me that they were immortal from the beginning! And God’s motive (given limited human understanding of God at the time Genesis was composed) as Genesis explicitly states is that if humans eat the fruit of the Tree of Life AFTER they have already sinned, then they will become like God, knowing good and evil, AND living forever. So God removes the chance for immortality, while leaving the knowledge. That’s already hell, without spiritual widsom and love.
And as far as blood and blood sacrifice as a remission for sin, God long ago demanded mercy, not sacrifice. He’s not impressed by blood. Yes, sacrifice starts in Genesis, but as a human idea, NOT a divine one. God seems to tolerate it, but Jeremiah 7 tells us, “Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Put your burnt offerings unto your sacrifices, and eat flesh. For I spake not unto your fathers, nor commanded them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt offerings or sacrifices: But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you.”
Long ago, before the idea of blood sacrifice was associated with Jesus, God made it clear to his people that sacrifice was not a divine command but a human choice.
Finally, Christianity has practiced bibliolatry, worshipping a book and not the God who gave it, while ignoring Jesus’s words about how the letter kills but the spirit gives life. And he also said, “Ye search the scriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal life.” Can’t get much plainer than that.
10 February 2007 at 9:28 pm
Oh Brother,
God sent them out of the garden after they had sinned. There was no reason before that time why God would send them out. Sin brought forth separation back then, and it still brings separation today.
I don’t believe that the only reason that God sent them out of the garden was so they would not eat of the tree of life.
I believe after they sinned, it brought forth mortality to mankind. Then God did not want them to eat of the tree.
Once man is redeemed through Christ, back to the Father, then he can live forever.
(PS. I only had a chance to comment on your first paragraph. Lord willing I will continue later on this one. Good comments. Have to go for now)
Have a blessed weekend,
Richard
11 February 2007 at 11:43 pm
(picking up were I left off)
“that would be hell” Oh no, that doesn’t come close to what His word describes as Hell. How about eternal separation from God?
God has always demanded “blood sacrifices” for sin, both Old test. and new. (His Son’s blood, the ultimate sacrifice).
Yes, “obedience is better than sacrifice”. Christ was obedient to the sacrifice of the cross.
No, true Christianity is worshiping the one true God, the creator of all mankind.
His written word was preserved down through the ages for our benefit. It’s our guide, along with The Holy Spirit. They work together.
Yes, I also do believe that the scriptures do not give us eternal life. Christ did.
I hope you also are enjoying our discussions.
By the way, you didn’t answer my question. Are you a Christian?
Until next time,
Richard
12 February 2007 at 10:31 am
Hi, Richard. Looks like we’re becoming regulars here. I’m a Christian, though some conservative Evangelicals don’t like my Christianity very much, because it isn’t theirs.
Eternal separation from God isn’t well-supported by the Bible. There are some verses that suggest sinners are annihilated, along with Satan and hell, in the second death, rather than lingering in torture forever. There are also Universalist verses, which suggest that God will redeem everyone — “every knee shall bow” — so it seems to me that the jury is still out on this one, unless we approach Scripture with preconceptions and force verses to mean what we want them to mean.
Likewise with doctrines about blood sacrifice. What do you make of the verses of Jeremiah I cited? It seems that much of Paul’s theology is an attempt to make Jesus fit Jewish prophecy. I don’t need the Bible to be perfect for it to testify to God and His works, and I don’t need to deny its flaws for it to be a powerful witness. When Timothy said that “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,” the church councils hadn’t decided which writings were scripture. Is Timothy talking about only the Hebrew Bible? Can we even answer that question definitively? And do we need to?
Jesus told Nicodemus he was “not far from the kingdom,” but he said nothing about belief, or sacrifice, or anything else. The kingdom is a spiritual state after true repentance, and was possible before Jesus died on the cross. If we are supposed to “worship in spirit and truth,” where is the place for blood sacrifice?
To follow up on my identity as a Christian, I guess I’d call myself a radical Christian. The first followers of Jesus relied on Jesus, not on doctrine about Jesus, in order to enter the kingdom. I’m trying to do the same, with God’s grace.
And yes, I’m enjoying our discussions. At times I can be combative and confrontational and sharp, and I appreciate your restraint in not calling me out on that weakness.
12 February 2007 at 8:41 pm
Hi Jack,
I’m back (I like that, it rhymes).
I hope you don’t mind the regularity. I can’t guarantee for how long, but I have enjoyed it.
I rejoice, in you letting me know that you are a Christian. Out of love, my heart is at peace knowing that. Thank you.
Many times I prefer to use, “believer” instead. The word or label christian unfortunately swings from one end of the pendulum to the other. With all the media hype it doesn’t help either.
Many times I have had people come up to me and start saying all kinds of bad stuff about our government and our president. They figure that because I’m one of those, it’s all my fault. Don’t get me wrong, we should not be bad mouthing our government and our president. We may not agree with the government and or the president, but we should respect them. And those of us that are in relationship with God, should be praying for them.
If we believe in God (but not just that, the devil also believes and trembles, also many people just believe in God) and believe that Christ died for our sins (because we all have sinned) and arose from the dead, to conquer death. We then are believers in God through the only begotten Son of God, Jesus Christ.
And yes, that does set us apart from the world.
Sorry, I wanted to make these comments while they were fresh on my mind.
I will continue to read your comment and write back later.
Hay, I like that, “a radical follower of Jesus”, me too, and yes only by His Grace.
Bless you,
Richard
19 February 2007 at 1:04 am
Hi Jack,
Sorry for the delay in getting back.
I believe Eternal Separation is well supported in the bible. Jesus taught it, and that should be good enough. I recently posted a study about it on my blog. Check it out, if you so desire.
Regarding, “the Universalist” verses. God will redeem everyone? “every knee will bow” In Romans the 14th chap. it speaking about the final judgment.
(14:10) In the end, yes every knee will bow to God, and every tongue shall confess to God” (14:11)
In Phil.2:10, this is speaking about Jesus, how God has given Him a name that is above every name (2:9) It is interesting here that it says, “every knee should bow, every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,” (2:10-11)
The old testament verse is in Isaiah 45:23. He is speaking about there being only one God, there is none other. He is speaking of the Sovereignty of God. (45:21-22)
Also speaking of that “Great Day”, Peter said, referring to the prophet Joel, “And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Acts 2:21)
I don’t believe God ever takes away our free will, in regards to salvation. It’s a choice to receive Christ as your Lord and Saviour
It’s certainly a nice thought to think, that everyone will be redeemed. It sets us at ease, doesn’t it? But it is totally contrary to His word. Would He be a Just and Righteous God if He did? I think not.
What do I think of Jeremiah Chapter 7?
Jeremiah was sent forth to call for repentance. The Jews had sinned over and over again. They had polluted The House of God. They provoked God to anger with all their sacrifices and offerings to other gods. He said, “put them away, and eat flesh”
In verse 22 and 23, we can clearly see how God said, “Obey my voice” instead of sacrificing. And yes, obedience is clearly better than sacrifice, particularly sacrifices to other gods.
However, this does in no way do away with Christ who was sent from God as the ultimate/final sacrifice. Then He sat down on the right hand side of God.
I would like to exhort you to refresh yourself in the book of Hebrews, particularly chapters 7 through 10. It wonderfully explains Christ’s Priesthood and The Sacrifice for sin through His blood.
We have to take God’s word by faith. Both the old and the new scriptures. It all comes from God. It takes The Spirit of God to be able understand His Word.
Regarding Nicodemus, Jesus had truly explained The Gospel to him in John the 3rd. chapter of the book of John.
When we are born of the Spirit, then and only then, can we be in a true spiritual state.
Again, regarding blood sacrifice, see Hebrews. It makes sense to me, I hope the same for you.
Continue in His Grace,
Richard
25 February 2007 at 7:52 pm
Human beings are gregarious creatures. They like to hang together in groups to find safty in numbers. Males of every species tend to do the same. This is what is going on between rjperalta and Jack yes I am right and yes I am right also. Well, there is something happenning that will put this to rest for ever . More than 40% of people over the age of 55 have had a near death experience and can tel us what God is because they met God face to face. God is pur unconditional love and the only thing that matters to God is for us to experience unconditional love. Nothing else will bring us all together. Christianity has the bad habbit of telling us that God is vengeful and that God does not like it when we make mistakes or sin. Well if God did not like it, God would just not let it happen. God lets us make mistakes so we can learn from them and that is why it is so important to love unconditionaly. When we judge someone, that person puts up his or her defences and it’s no longer possible to communicate our message of love.
Gaston Lavoie
11 March 2007 at 1:28 am
Well Gaston,
Thanks for joining us.
I see God’s love working in both of us, toward each other as we try and communicate together.
My question to you would be, “how do we get God’s love?”. Are we just born with it? Doe’s it just happen?
I do believe love is the key. Without it, it’s all for naught. God is love.
The only way we can begin to understand God, is by His Spirit and His Word. This is only how we can began to see His nature and what he is truly like.
People have always said, “this is how I see God”, “this is what God is like”.
If we are not careful, we make a God out to suit ourselves and that is not good.
Grace to you,
Richard
16 March 2007 at 7:21 pm
But making a god to suit ourselves is exactly what we all do. We can identify what matters to any believer in a god by what kind of god it is. Christians differ from Buddhists because they want a different kind of god. And to make the whole thing more convincing, some religions decide that one particular book is inspired by the god they create, and then the circle is perfectly closed, and no one has to think outside the box any more. If the book doesn’t allow it, it’s a sin. Simple. No fuss, no brain needed.
Others decide there is no god, and the same thing happens. The only way out is through pain and suffering, which forces us to confront the inadequacy of our beliefs, and actually grow.
30 October 2007 at 9:37 am
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