The God problem (part 2)

[SarahM32]

32. Charles, you were right. I did "predict" you would say some of those things.

In the thread for The God Problem Part 1, in response to my comment (click here), you said I had predicted some of the things you would say in Part 2. And you were right.

We are pretty much on the same page regarding concepts of God, because I like the concepts discussed in the article on The Nature of God, which points out how Hindu, Taoist, Judaic, Christian and other concepts of God can be seen as very similar. God is what makes the Universe alive, and is the heart an essential substance of all things -- the primordial vibration of Divine Light Energy, Source and Essence of all life and form, and "Word" made flesh in all of us.

However, we do still differ in our beliefs about certain things.

For example, while Paul, the author of Colossians and many of the other epistles and books of the Christian church canon, did express much of the truth that the apostles had learned from Jesus, he was also wrong about much. He wrongly assumed he understood the Torah and Tanakh, and assumed that "Christianity" should supersede Judaism. He even feuded with James and others about that. (See About Christianity.)

That has proven problematic, especially since Paul was the first to produce and distribute his written work he had a lot of influence over Mark, Luke, Matthew, and, to a certain but lesser extent, John. And I think that's why Thomas Jefferson and other Enlightenment thinkers considered Paul the guy who "corrupted" Christianity and was responsible for what it became during the Dark Ages, the Inquisitions, Crusades, and, in certain cases, ever since (e.g., because of the "religious right&quot .

I promote a unique message, as you know, because it deals with all these important and crucial issues. But the message is rejected by most people, mainly because of the declaration the author has made -- that he is the "modern son of man."

As he say, it is no wonder he's rejected. It was predicable, and was predicted, because he doesn't meet anyone's expectations. He serves only God, and rather than exalt himself he merely wants to liberate and empower humanity.

I think there is a quote from Isaiah that is very telling. It's quoted in the beginning of the article on Prophecies Regarding He Who Fulfills Them:

There are many prophecies about him in the legends and scriptures of all religions. However, the prophecies in the Hebrew book of Isaiah are perhaps the most specific, and Jesus of Nazareth agreed with them, which is why he said that the next "son of man" would "first" be rejected by his generation and suffer many things before the judgment he delivers is recognized and acknowledged.

“Listen to me, and hearken all peoples, from far: the Lord has called me, and from the womb of my mother has God made mention of my name. And the Lord God has made my mouth and pen like a sharp sword, in the shadow of God’s hand have I been hidden; and the Lord has made me as a polished arrow, in God’s quiver I have been concealed. And God said to me: 'You are My servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified.' But I said: 'I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for naught and vanity; yet surely my righteousness is with the Lord, and my satisfaction with my God.' And now says my God that formed me from the womb to be a loyal servant, to bring Jacob back to God, and that Israel be gathered unto God — for I am honorable in the sight of the Lord, and my God is become my strength. Indeed, God said: 'It is not enough that you should be My servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the offspring of Israel. I will also give you for a light of all the nations, that My salvation may be unto the ends of the earth.' Thus said the Lord, the Redeemer of Israel, his Holy One, to him who is despised of men, to him who is abhorred of nations, to a servant of rulers: ‘They shall see, and they shall lower themselves and acknowledge God; because of the Lord that is faithful, even the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.’” – Isaiah 49:1-7

The author (or authors) of the book of Isaiah revealed much about the modern son of man, even though most Jews, Christians and Muslims do not understand Isaiah. For the man who fulfills prophecies is sent not to favor one nation or religion over others, or to establish a new religion, but to fulfill the religions of the world and embrace all nations. His mission is about reminding humanity of essential universal truths and the will of God, and about our spiritual relationship with God and with each other.

But, he is rejected and despised because he dares to judge the political and religious leaders of the world, and he is only human and flawed. In fact, as the Prophet Isaiah prophesied, he is like Jacob who was called Israel because he struggled with God, and he has been covetous and willful. But, after having been severely stricken and afflicted, and suffered many things, he has become increasingly contrite of spirit, realizes his vain folly, and he recognizes God as his only refuge.