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Re: The Jesuses I have Known

cedorsett — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 13:17:10 -0000

Yes, I believe that Jesus had to be crucified to show humanity the reality of God. As St Valentine said:

Christ is the manifest book of Life in which the Mind of God is made know. "This is the book which no one found possible to take, since it was reserved for him who will take it and be slain. No one was able to be manifest from those who believed in salvation as long as that book had not appeared. For this reason, the compassionate, faithful Jesus was patient in his sufferings until he took that book, since he knew that his death meant life for many. Just as in the case of a will which has not yet been opened, for the fortune of the deceased master of the house is hidden, so also in the case of the All which had been hidden as long as the Father of the All was invisible and unique in himself, in whom every space has its source. For this reason Jesus appeared. He took that book as his own. He was nailed to a cross. He affixed the edict of the Father to the cross (The Gospel of Truth)."

In Christ's sacrifice, we are all shown the glory of God and are invited into the grace of the Eternal Father. I do not believe that our Father is a God of Rewards and Punishments, but I do believe that all of our actions have consequences. We will all receive in full what we sow into the world. I am actual writing a post on Heaven and Hell in Creation Spirituality, it should be up later today.

Re: The Jesuses I have Known

cedorsett — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 15:37:02 -0000

I do not see Christ's death as a sacrifice at all. Let me try to explain:

The question of the the God of Wrath being sated by blood boils down to the answer to one question: If there was no sin, would Jesus have been crucified?

The Orthodox answer is yes. The work of Christ on the Cross was that he had to stand on the threshold to mediate between us and God. On the cross, he stands between live and death, faith and doubt, hope and fear, pain and release, God and humanity. In this singular act, he mediates between all these opposites and shows the way to Life. The cross is the gate to the sheepfold.

The idea of Christ sacrificed for moral outrages that offend God is not an idea found in the gospels. Christ is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, not the sins of the world (John 1:29). The sin of the world is that we forget God.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believes; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God has shewed it unto them.

For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened (Rom 1: 16-21).

These verse are often taken out of their context to make a moralistic argument that Paul was not. The point of the text is that through Christ crucified, the knowledge of God is given through faith to those who believe. Those who do not have darkened their hearts to the light of God. (I will discuss the relationship between this idea and universalism in a forthcoming post, not here.)

Christ is the Word of God, nailed up as an edict from the Eternal Father for us to read and therein find the Son of Man and the Son of God pointing us to our true Humanity and the true Divinity.

Re: The Jesuses I have Known

cedorsett — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 19:45:26 -0000

I am trying to approach this from a different position. While I agree with you that no one is separate from God, there are times when we feel distant from God, just like Jesus who even though he was God cried out on the cross, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" How can God forsake God? The truth is the Lord is ever present, but there are moments that we feel an absence, that Matthew Fox calls our Original Wound.

We do not have to believe in a literal Adam and Eve to see believe in the exile from Eden. We have all lived through this exile at the end of childhood and the begining of adulthood. It occurs the moment we loose our innocence and stop living in the present moment. This is a universal experience which all religions discuss. At some point each and every one of us eats from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and is forced out of Eden.

The Good news is ths the same as the 3rd and 4th Noble Truth of the Buddha, there is an end to Dukka (suffering/insatiability) and the end of suffering is found on the Noble Eightfold path.

Whether you find salvation with Christ on his tree, or the Buddha under his tree, or in the whirling dance of Rumi, or where ever else the Divine Light is revealed through the Grace of God it is all the same.

In Creation Spirituality or the Wisdom traditions, the idea of reward and punishment are linked to social justice.

The God you describe, is the what Brian McLaren called God A, I am talking about what he calls God be. I have been using A Generous Orthodoxy as a source of topics and I think you will find that we both tend to agree with you, but we find the god you are describing to be a creation of the church, a Demiurge as St Valentine would say, a figure that the righteous worship thinking that they are worshiping God. You are describing the Law-giver and not the Eternal Father.

Predestination is a notion closely connected with karma, that in some pre-life state (either a former life or a spiritual existence) the individual did something that has caused them to enter this life in the state that they are in. In the non-Calvinistic schools of predestination it is part of a refinement process for the perfection of the soul. I am not a Calvinist so I will not speak for them.

All the worlds work on action and reaction, we all reap what we sow, and this is all without a vindictive monster in the sky.

It is Good News that all have been saved.

For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell; And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven (Col 1:16-20).

All have been saved, this is very Good News.

Re: The Jesuses I have Known

cedorsett — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 21:54:30 -0000

I wrote a response here.

Re: The Jesuses I have Known

cedorsett — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 20:45:25 -0000

Intimacy is a hard thing for any of us to find, because I requires from us trust and faith. Trust comes from experience, the kind of experience we learn from the Buddha, where we adopt a practice and see if there is any benefit. For me, I have found intimacy with God from Gerushen or Chanting. Whether it is in the Jesus Pray or the Holy Rosary, but this is only the start.

Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche taught us that we have to get past the cocoon of suffering that we are mired in and witness what he called the Great Eastern Sunrise. This is the same light of God the mystics talked about. We have to learn to let go of everything that fetters us to our suffering and to rest in the ground luminance that surrounds us all the time.

The trick is to realize that the peace we find in profound moments of meditation or in a moment of sublime awe is with us all the time. I cannot tell you what to do to achieve this, or how to make it happen in your life. All I can do is share my experiences with you, and suggest things for you to try. That is all any of us can do.

My first recommendation would be Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism by Chogyam Trungpa. This book helped me out a lot, especially when I realized I was just seeking self improvement.

Most seekers fail in their search because their motives are not pure. It is like hunting the Holy Grail, only the pure of heart will find it. This is not so cast doubt on your motives. I have no knowledge of them, so I have to speak in generalities. But it is often hard to find God when we are looking for ourselves. This is the hardest road to wall. It is only when seek illumination for the benefit of all beings, that our quest achieved the perspective necessary to see what is set out before us.

I know in my own life, I was seeking God as a way to make me feel better about my own mortality. It was only after I took the Bodhisattva Vows that I realized that my personal search was meaningless, but once my goal became to achieve enlightenment for the benefit of all beings, or as the vows I recite daily says:

<ol><li>I vow to rescue the boundless living beings from suffering.</li>
<li>I vow to put an end to the infinite afflictions of living beings.</li>
<li>I vow to learn the measureless Dharma-doors.</li>
<li>I vow to realise the unsurpassed path of the Buddha.</li></ol>

This change of perspective helped me to find the Kingdom of God which as Creation Spirituality teaches is the same as the Pure Land of the Buddha.

Re: The Jesuses I have Known

cedorsett — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 19:14:32 -0000

This is a misconception about the Buddha's teaching. While this view of Karma is popular in some schools of Hinduism and other later schools of Buddhism, the Buddha himself taught that suffering is caused by craving, or the inability of anything satisfy because of the imperminance of all things. This is the second Noble Truth.

Karma is our past action, but it affects us through the chain of dependent coorigination. This is the simple law of cause and effect. To see a person suffering it is not a result of their individual karma, it is because of the sea of causes and effects in which they live. In fact, at the end of any practice that cultivates merit it is expected that merit will be dedicated to the benefit of all not just the person who obtained it.

I would say that it is impossible for anyone to find a way out of self in a way that does not benefit others. The concept of selflessness is a reminder of dependent coorigination. We remember that everything we do affects everyone and what everyone does affects us. This is the selflessness that brings an end to suffering, and it is something that can be done by anyone, especially if they are struggling to find enough food to eat.

Pure motives are a matter of practice. Benefiting others is the only way that self-preservation is sustainable. If we do not work for the benefit of all others, we are hurting ourselves. This is basic cause and effect.

Re: The Jesuses I have Known

cedorsett — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 14:34:03 -0000

When a society acknowledges the four noble truths and lives in a way that is in accordance with mutual arising, then that society would have helped those people and at the very least mitigated their suffering.

The teachings of the Buddha are not about individuals, they are about all life. If an individual practices alone, they may achieve a certain detachment from their suffering, but that brings little merit to themselves or to the world. To truly follow the way is to feed the hungry, treat the sick, and comfort those who mourn.

Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world (James 1:27).

I do not want to discuss Mother Teresa, she is of a fall/redemption school of thought that is so foreign to my way of thinking that her words fall flat upon me.

The teachings of the Buddha are meant to instill within those who receive them, a desire to end suffering. As this awakened mind, or boddhicitta, develops, it encourages us to reach out to those who are suffering, and to spread the causes for the end of suffering.

If more had felt or understood the interbeing of all things, then more would have been done to help the people of Haiti. This is why I try to spread the Dharma as I understand it, because the more people long to see clearly, than the more the world will come into focus.

It is not until the age of the last Buddha that suffering will end. That would require the enlightened action of all sentient beings. I doubt we will ever reach this ultimate goal, but it is a goal worth striving towards.

Re: The Jesuses I have Known

cedorsett — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 02:28:01 -0000

I wrote a response here. Please resume the comments on the new post if you would be so kind.

Re: The Crucifixion of Christ

cedorsett — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 17:31:03 -0000

Paul, when read through Augustine does read the way you say, but I would suggest that Paul can also be read through St Valentine. We do not know what school of theology actually descended from Paul, and unfortunately all we can do is go back to the text and read it through later writers.

A strong argument can be made that Paul never believed or taught Original Sin since he was a Pharisee and then a Christian and it is not until Augustine that we see the Doctrine of Original Sin.

Elaine Pagels explores the Valentinian Paul in her wonderful book, The Gnostic Paul. If you respond to this sort of mysticism, it is a very good book.

What we are brought to, is whether or not Christ was the final sacrifice.

I do not believe in a God of punishment and reward. I believe that this god is not the God of Christ.

There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.

And Jesus answering said unto them, Do you suppose that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, Nay: but, except you repent, you shall all likewise perish. Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, do you think that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, Nay: but, except you repent, you shall all likewise perish (Luke 13:1-5).

The moral of the story is:

Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that fears him, and works righteousness, is accepted with him (Acts 10:34-35).

The faith the Jesus asks for is not the same at most churches:

If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. But if I do, though you believe not me, believe the works: that you may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him (John 10:37-38).

While none knows the will of God but God, and I would never claim to speak for God, but from what you have told me you have encountered the Living God in your concerns for the people of Haiti. I would say that is God in you. Your desire to know God is an encounter with the God of the Via Negativa that instills a Holy Craving within us.

I don't believe that even Christ would go to heaven if the claims of many of the Fall/Redemption churches were true, because he doubted on the Cross, violated the law by healing on the sabbath, and his close association with sinners.

If you want to have a mystical experience of God, I can make no promises, but I would recommend you take up the practice of sayng the Jesus Prayer or the Rosary daily and with all your heart.

It is difficult to get past the mind and into the vital heart of our life. All I can say is learn to practice the presence of God, and experiment. I can only recommend the practices that have worked for me.

...but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling (Phil 2:12b).

It matters less what we hear others say about God than what we discover ourselves. You just need to connect with a community that speaks to you.

Re: The Crucifixion of Christ

cedorsett — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 00:41:15 -0000

I know the feeling. Between my location and my hectic work schedule, it is hard to find anyone to walk the path with me. It is not easy, but it is worth the effort.

Re: Boom in Teen Readers?

cedorsett — Sat, 31 May 2008 17:53:01 -0000

I am glad to hear that you are finding so much crossover. I do wonder sometimes if "young adult" has become a short hand more for "books featuring kids" or for a certain "overly imaginative" fantasy.

For me, this is a promising trend that will hopefully keep the written word alive.

The internet also has a big effect on the youth culture too. While the popularity of video sites and podcasts is undeniable, there is an abundance of text that people are consuming. The kids are IMing and TXTing each other all the time, all of which takes the stigma from reading that existed when I was in school.

I am amazed to hear all of the kids I talk to here talking to each other in terms of their MySpace blogs. They are writing to each other, and reading what they are writing. That makes it easier for writers to convince them to read their work.

But I am curious what percent of the increase in "young adult" book sales can be attributed to adults buying and reading these books.

I have to smile though at the thought that there is a peer pressure to read a book, any book, Harry Potter or not. That is a form of peer pressure I can endorse.

Re: Music Taste Psychological Profile?

cedorsett — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 21:27:41 -0000

That is an interesting mix.

I hope they do another Roadrunner United or at the very least have some of the groups that formed for the album record new music as a side project.. It is a dream even if an unrealistic one.

Re: M. Night Shyamalan Unveils "The Last Airbender"

cedorsett — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 21:29:31 -0000

Today is the first day I have heard about it being a trilogy too. Every story I read used the T word. The studio really needs to put out more details.

Re: Shine Like Thunder Cover

cedorsett — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 21:32:02 -0000

Thank you for your feedback. The image is from a scene near the end of the book. He is holding a Shakujo (religious staff) in his hand, and it is producing the light.

I used MakeHuman to set up the pose as it is described in the book... I want ot say more but I don't want to give any spoilers.

Re: Parshall Bigotry

cedorsett — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 01:43:19 -0000

Luckily they are not all like her, but at the time I wrote that post she was been treated like a mainstream spokesperson for the Christian faith so I felt I had to point out the kind of things she says. Luckily, people caught on, and they stopped treating her like a decent person and stopped booking her on the corporate media. It freaks me out how some people get away with this stuff for so long.

Re: What Is Wrong With ABC?

cedorsett — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 02:59:08 -0000

Good news, ABC announced that they have renewed Eli Stone for another season according to Scifi Channel.

Re: P:SI #139 "Del Toro: You Have To Do What You Have To Do"

cedorsett — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 03:29:15 -0000

I am glad you enjoy what we are doing. It means a lot to me to hear it.

Re: Theater or Renter: July 2008

cedorsett — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 12:19:06 -0000

I just hope that we will be able to see the movies we want either during the upcoming trip or that they will still be in the local theater after we get back. It is not uncommon for films (even successful ones) to only be at the theater for 1 week.

Re: P:SI #189 "No Stairway… Denied!"

cedorsett — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 08:51:21 -0000

lol. There is something powerful about a community working together in a setting. When the community takes ownership of the characters and wants to continue telling their stories, then they have truly come alive. I can only hope that my characters can engender such interest.

Re: Here we go again!

cedorsett — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 08:58:34 -0000

I have a photo op scheduled for Saturday, but I doubt I will have much time to talk at all, plus I will be on a panel while he is on stage.

Re: Here we go again!

cedorsett — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 22:05:18 -0000

We did 2 panels this year. I am always on the GLBT in Fandom panel, and we also did a podcasting panel. We recorded both of them and will be putting them out on the podcast soon.

Re: Theater or Renter: The Dark Knight

cedorsett — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 20:42:43 -0000

We have plans to see it with friends on Sunday. I hope it is better than Batman Begins. I love Batman and really want to enjoy this flick.

Re: Exploring: The Dark Knight

cedorsett — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 13:13:02 -0000

Ledger was amazing, but Bale's acting fell flat more often then not. I agree that they are trying to do something in the spirit of Batman: Year One, but so far, they are not capturing the power of the original story.

This is a great film, if only they would have ended it when Batman Defeated the Joker, it would have been perfect. Kevin had a great idea, that after the Joker's last line they should have shown Two Face filpping a coin, the sound of a gun shot, then fade to black.

For the first time in years, I can say that I am excited about the next Batman movie.

Re: Exploring The Mummy: Tomb Of The Dragon Emperor

cedorsett — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 20:24:34 -0000

I have to agree. There is just something about him that makes me laugh. I have always enjoyed his work... even Monkeybone

Re: Shore Leave 30

cedorsett — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 17:04:40 -0000

eHarmony Gate was a skit at the masquerade about Doctor Who trying to find that perfect companion. 3 Doctors and Captain Jack from Torchwood came out to survey the perspective companions, who included Rose, Martha, and Mary Jane. In the end, the David Tennant Doctor and Captain Jack chose each other. They embraced and engaged in the most passionate Torchwood-style kiss I have ever seen. The crowd laughed and cheered. When they won most humurous, the audience demanded that they kiss again.

I wish my video of the skit turned out so I could share it. I have contacted Shore Leave, and I am trying to get a copy of the skit.