#23. Must All Christians Think Alike?
Many Christians are open-minded to other points of view. Some are not. They are overly insistent that Christians must all think alike -- that a true Christian must believe what they themselves have been taught to believe. I imagine that when Jesus returns, He will likely respond to them with "I said WHAT???" I consider myself to be a free-thinker -- one who thinks outside their box. Listed below are my responses to ten of the most-often-asked-questions directed to me over the years by devoted fundamental Christians. What would your response be to their queries?
1. Do you believe in Jesus Christ?
My Response:
- His existence - Yes;
- His teachings - Yes;
- His Presence - Yes;
- His name - No, for his name was Jesus -- Jesus of Nazereth -- and, to me, His name is still Jesus
2. Do you believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God?
My Response:
- Yes, if every poet, artist, and singer is inspired . . .
- Yes, if every farmer, electrician, and inventor is inspired . . .
- Yes, if every scientist, teacher, and laborer is inspired by the Spirit of God, then I believe the authors of the scriptures were also inspired by God . . . to express their creative juices
3. Do you believe the Bible is absolutely true and therefore flawless from cover to cover?
My Response:
- Yes, if every alteration made in the Bible is flawless . . .
- Yes, if every translation of the Bible is flawless . . .
- Yes, if every author of the Bible is flawless . . .
- Yes, if every person reading the Bible is flawless . . . from cover to cover
4. Do you read the King James Version of the Bible?
My Response:
I read many versions of the Bible -- usually the one that is available at the moment; often I even quote from the Virgilian Version of the Bible
5. Do you read all of the Bible or do you pick and choose only what you want to read and believe?
My Response:
The latter -- life is not all black and white, but mostly gray . . . or bald
6. Do you believe in the divinity of Jesus?
My Answer:
- Yes, if you are divine, as well . . .
- No, if any one soul be not God's beloved child
7. Do you believe Jesus died for you?
My Response:
No, I believe Jesus lived for me -- why must you need him to die for you? Must the shepherd die to rescue his lost sheep?
8. Have you been saved?
My Response:
- Saved from what -- from my errors? No, they're all mine ... all the time;
- Saved from Satan? No, the indwelling spirit of opposition yet has a foothold in the polarized mind of all humanity . . . including me;
- Saved from God's wrath? Oh no! Love simply has no room for wrath
9. Do you believe in the resurrection of Jesus?
My Response:
Every soul expresses as form: sometimes in a 'physical' form, yet at other times, an 'ethereal' form. The gospels show Jesus appearing in both forms . . . after his death . . . and before
10. Do you worship Jesus as Lord?
My Response:
Jesus worshipped God as Lord of the Universe, referring to Him as His beloved Papa. And He taught us to do the same -- to love God with all our heart and to pray to Him as our heavenly Papa. Why would Jesus desire that He Himself be worshipped? Would He not prefer that we follow Him? Jesus is my Master, so I respect Him and follow His teachings.
Labels: Christian Doctrines: literal, metaphysical
posted by Virgil at 8:12 PM
16 Comments:
I could not have said it better myself! You said it all! I commend you. This is an excellent "Think Piece" Virgil.
I liked your response to number 7 about Jesus dying for me. I believe Jesus 'lived' for me. What a great way to say it.
I know Jesus lives for me, at times I can be a challenge for Him. I have gotten lost in the shuffle a few times...but there He is leading me back in the right direction. I talk with Jesus daily, and I know He hears me. There are times I can feel His nudge on my shoulder and I know I'm not alone, I have this strong feeling of His presence that is in my heart and I can't begin to tell you how euphoric I become. Jesus is my buddy, my best friend...He loves and understands me unconditionally.
As far as the bible goes... I think the bible is hypocritical. I get very frustrated reading the Old Testement and the King James version. So as I ponder, I wonder if the Virgilio version is more forthright.
Oh, I would have to say that not all Christians think alike. Heavens to betsy if I thought for one moment that a few people I personally know as being Christain, don't even come close to my way of thinking about Jesus and how He "lived for me" they are worshipers of him dying on the cross for them, Yikkes!!!
I truely believe Jesus lives for me. I to don't believe in the Bible. I have trouble understanding it, and besides, it is boring. I think Jesus is God, and he is in me and I in Him. I don't go to church every Sunday, but I pray and talk to Jesus daily.
And He is my Papa.
I pesonally beieve that not all Christians think alike. I know most of my Cathlic friends like to think that we think as they do. If we did the world would be more screwed up then what it already is. I too believe Jesus lives for me. Alot of that talk is noncense to me. I like the way Unity thinks. I am looking forward when the day comes when I can become a true Unity member, I'm working on it. I go to the unity church in Port Huron, I'm new to the tachings. I like what I hear, and I like this web site, this is so cool. How come no other Unity church doesn't have suc a nice web site such as this? Greg and Pat
I'm enjoying reading everyone's comments on this. I went back and reread the original think piece that was written. Are you inviting everyone to post opinions on every point? My, that is quite an assignment! I'm breaking it into bite-sized pieces.
The first four questions. Yes, I believe in Jesus. I think the way you expressed your answer about the Bible as inspired by God was quite creative (inspired). The Bible is not 'flawless' because it was written and rewritten and revised by man. I can imagine it started out as 'perfect', but because man has tampered with it over time, it has things that don't make sense or add up. I love the King James version for it's poetic language and I read it when I seek comfort or just for the joy of reading scripture, but when I want to understand something, I usually find a newer translation. I don't have a favorite. I would like to know which version others enjoy reading.
I wondered about No. 9. I remember the description of Jesus was ethereal after his death, but I don't remember an ethereal Jesus prior to his death.
Meadowlark,
Thanks for your inquiry. Yes, this should have been 10 different think-pieces rather than one extra large. There's a lot to chew on here, I realize. So, it's ok to make one general comment about the entire subject -- and it's ok to do it your way, commenting on each one. Of course, it's ok to read the think-piece, but not comment at all . . . just let me know though.
Right on reverend, right on! My thinking is seperate from most other Christians, most Catholics don't know how to think outside their box. I was of the catholic faith once, I no longer feel like I'm caught in a web. I'm free and I also believe Jesus lived for me.And I like to Unity teachings.
Meadowlark,
Sorry I forgot to respond to your last point regarding Jesus' ethereal appearance prior to his death. Ethereal means "of the celestial spheres; heavenly; unearthly; spiritual". I don't have undeniable proof, but let me share two scriptural passages for you to consider:
"Six days later, Jesus took Peter, James, and John up on a high mountain by themselves. While they watched, Jesus’ appearance was changed (ie: transformed). His clothes became shining white, whiter than any person could make them. Then Elijah and Moses appeared to them, talking with Jesus . . . Peter did not know what to say, because he and the others were so frightened . . . Suddenly Peter, James, and John looked around, but they saw only Jesus there alone with them. As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone about what they had seen. " (Mark 9:2-9)
"At some time between three and six o’clock in the morning, Jesus came to them, walking on the water. He continued walking until he was almost past the boat. But when his followers saw him walking on the water, they thought he was a ghost (or apparition) and cried out." (Mark 6:48-49)
Hi,
I don't buy into the theory that Jesus died for us either, although I dont attend church regulary, I still pray a lot, and by the way, I do listen to your prayers on your web site and find them to be fullfilling.
Thanks for the insight on Jesus as an etheral being, before his death. I didn't remember that at all.
My comment on #5. I read the Bible all the way through, cover to cover--ONCE! I did it as a test of my ability to get through a task. A friend said to read just 5 chapters a night and it can be easily done. It was still tough for me to get through, some parts just seem hard to read. I haven't done it since. I still enjoy parts of the Bible. It is a beautiful piece of literature. I used to read the Bible more when I was active in a prayer group, but I haven't read it, just for itself, very much lately. So the answer is yes,I pick and choose what I like. I have my favorite parts I enjoy and believe, doesn't everyone?
Meadowlark
Thanks. The word Bible means "books". The Old Testament books are a compilation of Jewish literature about their beliefs and experiences. Some are enlightening and others are the most atrocious, X-rated stories you have ever heard. Why clutter our minds with the latter! The New Testament "Christian" books represent an abridged depiction of their beliefs and experiences, as well. Therein lies some insightful and beneficial teachings. Other passages contain what I might call "dyfunctional Theology". Today, it's important to be selective in what we read as there are zillions of books in existence -- besides the Biblical books. Blessings.
I'm a free thinker myself. Even though I'm not religeous, I'm spiritual, and I do at times find the bible a challenge. Now, I won't pretend I understand everything that is said, I find it rather here say and sounds as if a lot of it is made up. They describe Jesus wrath...andI find it discusting. I believe in my heart Jesus was soft, careing and very loving. And I don't think all Christians think a like, unless they are of a Chatholic faith.
I have been told that the entire Bible is valuable to read for the metaphysical meanings and reading it leads to great insights into spirituality and pyschology. Does Unity think this is true? What do you think? I must admit to not understanding a metaphysical meaning to many of the events detailed in the Bible.
You speak of 'zillions of books in existence'. Here's the old desert island question. If you could only take 3 of those zillions to a desert island with you, which three would you take?
Ronnie,
I never heard Jesus described as "soft". I like that. Thanks for sharing.
Meadowlark,
Charles Fillmore, who co-founded Unity in 1898 with his wife, believed in the metaphysical interpretation of the entire Bible. So Unity continues that legacy (officially). Yes, there is much to learn from the Bible stories and traditions. But I try not to "force" the issue. As a practical matter, I am rather selective. And I continue to gain new insights along the way, sharing them with my congregants.
But the Bible is 2000 to 3000 years old. Much has been discovered since those days. Science is probing every aspect of the Universe to unravel its secrets. But also, there are mystics that have made awesome contributions to the greater understanding of life. And then, there is me, who has had my own unique enlightening experiences.
If I were on an island, I would write my own book which I would study enthusiasticaly (LOL). And I would take with me Yogananda's classic "Autobiography of a Yogi"; Glenda Green's "Love Without End" (claiming that LOVE is who we are); and Gibran's "The Prophet".
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