| Subject: New Christian? |
Author:
Tucker
| [ Next Thread |
Previous Thread |
Next Message |
Previous Message
]
Date Posted: 20:17:07 11/12/02 Tue
Nice commentary, Yeager. I suppose there are principles to follow to be a Christian and I guess we would go to the bible to find them out. Some would say they would be synonymous with a checklist so to speak but I won’t argue the point. I get so tired of splitting hairs sometime, you know, calling it this, calling it that, whatever. I don’t know if I am a good Christian, a bad one, or even one at all. I see no need to classify/label myself but there is that Golden Rule which we learned in first grade so long ago. We have the Ten Commandments. I have the rudimentary teachings of my good parents which I don’t think were all that shabby. Be good, you wish to be nice, well, then be nice. If you slip up it would seem to be the right thing to avert a repeat episode. I could add other things to this list but others must know these things, right? (It’s important for me to know my weak areas and that I do.) I can’t get all involved in this near perfect little script which some have a desire to. Perhaps I am just plain sloppy. Some people can get phony, or they get all consumed with memorizing this or that, that before they know it they’ve forgotten how to be just a regular likeable sort. I just don’t see to operate that way.
The literal translation of the bible? Uh-oh. I am one of those who does not believe in the literal translation of every word in the good book, nope. It’s seems to be those parables which have done it for me and they leave much to be desired. I am not a Christian Scientist but Mary Baker Eddy wrote long ago on this subject: ‘She affirmed that the Scriptures cannot properly be interpreted in a literal way. The truths they teach must be spiritually discerned, before their message can be borne fully to our minds and hearts. That there is a dual meaning to every biblical passage, the most eminent minds have concluded; and to get at the highest, or metaphysical, it is necessary rightly to read what the inspired writers left for our spiritual instruction. The literal rendering of the Scriptures makes them nothing valuable, but often is the foundation of unbelief and hopelessness. The metaphysical rendering is health and peace and hope for all. The literal or material reading is the reading of the carnal mind, which is enmity toward God, Spirit.’ And so there’s another slant. I think what jumped out at me when I read that long ago were the words unbelief, hopelessness, and I should like to add personally, discouragement. The parables which I have read seem to have no application in the natural world, real life. However, if I were to listen to a minister affirm things like I am surrounded by the love and peace of God, or perhaps, no habit bursts on to the consciousness fully grown, or perhaps, you cannot control what comes to you but you can control what doesn’t stay, well then, I can get very excited, very enthused. Words such as these when incorporated in to prayer have a real place, they have a real application. They can improve one’s life, expand the consciousness, and with God’s spirit “in me through me and around me” one can find themselves equipped with all the components and parts to overcome obstacles, disappointments, and conversely, to be oh so grateful for our life.
Has it not been said that all journeys start with one step? Well, since people are not going to agree on the subject of the bible, religion, spirituality, then maybe they “should pick the one” they feel comfortable with and run with it to at least start somewhere. If there is one rule book for life could there not be one thousand and one? Well, sort of...
Tucker
[
Next Thread |
Previous Thread |
Next Message |
Previous Message
] |
|
Feedback: 