PantaRhea

The right to an opinion is definitely one right which inalienable, but too often all we have are opinions without reasons. Before we dismiss the jury for deliberations, we must first make sure that they have sufficient evidence upon which to make a judgement. While I understand and share your sentiment and revulsion against the most common view of the atonement, and I find much with which to agree in the (as I understand it) pantheistic view of The Course in Miracles, I think that the theology presented is a non-relational view of reality and that it fails to meet rational standards of coherency. Further, I think the positive teachings of this view are included in a Process/Relational theology. My intent is not to find reasons for division by pointing to the antithesis of the thesis of the Course, but hopefully to show that a synthesis is already available.

I think it is important, if we are going to speak about salvation, we must first define what it means to be "lost" or not "saved". I do believe the fundamentalist's approach has some merit in calling attention to humanity's "lost" condition and then offering salvation through a relationship to God through Christ. However, I think they are off base in their understanding of the Atonement of Christ and their concept of heaven and hell as some place or form of existence after death. So, I would disagree with someone who believes in a universal salvation because (1) I doubt there is any kind of "heaven" which exists to which all will arrive, and (2), I've seen too much evidence that many people do not have, but are desperate for, salvation. I am also saddened, BeachOffEden, that your past in a fundamentalist sect has robbed you of an appreciation for the bread and wine that was cause for celebration and a source of power for the early church. If you have opportunity to read Oscar Cullmann's Early Christian Worship, I think you would find it profitable. But in the meantime, take a look again at the passage in 1 Cor. 11:17ff. In the context, what does Paul consider to be an "unworthy" eating and drinking? What was his concern? Wasn't it that there were divisions in their attempt to be community - the body of Christ? Some were hungry while others overindulged at the party to the extent that they became drunk. Taking the bread and wine unworthily doesn't seem to have any connection with some kind of personal piety, but a failure of some to have an inclusive love. Some failed to "recognize the body of Christ", which was the central purpose of coming together in the first place. The meal was the sign and sacrament at which the presence of the Risen Christ could be experienced in their relationship with one another. So, rather than not taking the bread and wine because you feel unworthy, I think you should throw a party and celebrate with others the fact that we have access to a shared experience of God's life and power, and then, in an act of worship, while sharing food and drink with others, expect God to show up!

I just recently found this site through its affiliation with the Center For Process Studies and now that I found it, I check it several times a day. I was raised a Fundamentalist, spent some time in the 5-point calvinist camp (convinced I had the Truth), had some soul shaking experiences as a full-time police chaplain, discovered that Nietsche was right - that particular God IS dead, realized again for the first time that to know Jesus is to know God, and found Process/Relational Theology as a rational way to explain my relationship with God. As for "A Course in Miracles" - while I believe that none of us can ever fully understand God or be able to devise a theology which will explain God (there will always be the limits of language and weakness of insight), I do think that it is important that those concepts that we do hold are coherent explanations of our experiences. Therefore, I don't believe that all views are equal (a "mushy" kind of deconstructive postmodernism), but neither do I believe that anyone has a monopoly on Truth. All views should be open to critical examination. I believe "A Course in Miracles" falls short in such an examination.

My understanding of "A Course in Miracles" is that it is a form of Pantheism. It's psychotherapy seems to consist of a form of denial based on the pantheistic concept that this world is an illusion. It redefines love as being "unconditional acceptance" but there really is no "acceptance" of a one of another, because there really are no "others" and therefore no conditions to accept. In other words, if I can just convince myself intellectually, that nothing matters because everything is an illusion, I can separate myself from reality. I won't have any psychic stress because a lot of stress is caused by trying to prioritize and harmonize values, and according to this form of thinking, there simply are no values. Associated ideas are: God is impersonal, there is no freedom (there are no alternative possible forms of existence), there is a single center of creativity - God (or the ONE) and therefore we, as separate selves, do not really exist. I think we are headed in the wrong direction if we must deny the reality of experience. PanEntheism seems to be a much more intellectually satisfying worldview than either Pantheism or Supernaturalism. Of course, if someone simply can't handle reality, "A Course in Miracles" may be a good prescription.

Nope. Ain't gonna do it. If I tell ya I'll lose that little something my pride is being supported by right now. I know something you don't know. Welllll... ok. I clicked on that little "quote" button in the upper right corner of your message.

Depends on my mood and what I had for breakfast. Generally, my personal theology draws on lots of stuff, so sometimes yes, sometimes no. Never assume that I will be consistent. So, sometimes you look at the world and see interrelated occasions of experience, and at other times you see bits of matter? Yeah, me too.

Yeah? Well I used to be under age 45, and at one time I trusted no one older than 30! But... now I am 53, live in Florida, and I enjoy off-road biking (haven't found any mountains around here ), kayaking, fishing, volleyball, and theological/philosophical discussions. I'm a Process Theist - and I just joined this forum. Anymore of us PTs here?