matteoam

Steve, check out Br. Casey's book Fully Human, Fully Divine for a more pragmatic and accessible understanding in true Benedictine fashion. As soma points out too its Bhakti yoga. Fore God is the subject of my desire, not the object. The desert fathers and mothers also helped me "see" past the paradox.

Steve If you read the church fathers it can be seen they wrestled with understanding how Jesus was seen as God. I do think he was fully human and fully divine. Chech out the book by Michael Casey of the title Fully Human, Fully Divine. I do believe the Bible reveals truth and I don't think God wants us to kill one another or sanctions killing in a theistic or even dualistic way. I don't think God is as we say God is but all we have is language and relations to authority which we create, so we apply that through history. I don't agree with the more conservative, traditional, or orthodox traditions but they all have their place at the table, or should. My continual study of the desert fathers and mothers and the theology of the east and west church as well as my disciplines of meditation and other disciplines that bring me into spiritual community with God and temporal community with others I agree and disagree with all are enabling me to trascend the paradoxes in scripture about the mystery of Christ Jesus. I am committed to all that the PC paradigm offers in terms of social justice, etc. and living the gospel. And sharing in that Divine Light within us all - Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims and Atheists. I love Jesus. I don't need to compare him to Buddha or Krishna. They are all manifestations of the I AM. As all of us are. Why god as all that is manifests itself as it does in maya? I don't know. Rather I'm not conscious of yet. PC is just a garment I wear.

Is the truth relative? I don't think so. How we interpret it is though, based on our culture not to mention our karma of past lives. Albert Mohler is at one point in his journey. I don't think he's right he's just where he is.

What do mean by the church?

I have to say that I do believe that Jesus was resurrected. I can't prove it. I don't really care if it happened or not. My belief has been less about "proof" as our post-enlightened minds are shaped. That being said, I just as much believe that the Buddha attained nirvana and he was not reborn into the cycle of samsara. I also believe that what is documented, more or less, in the Mahabharata is true to some extent, as are most scriptures. I believe Krishna's claims about himself are as true as Jesus'. I mean, Jesus said him and God were one and we are too. Why should I doubt that? I also believe that the meaning of the resurrection, as Spong and Borg and others speak about are true. I don't get fixated on the empty tomb, which I how I can say I believe in the resurrection. What happened to Jesus' body after crucifixion doesn't matter. He is Risen. So, too, in a way, as Islam sees Jesus being substituted on the cross, well, yeah, that makes sense, as well. I say that because of the transformation that took place. Can it take place now? Well, sure, why not? I mean I accept what Ram Dass says about his experience of his yogi after his yogi Neem Karoli Baba left his body. That is resurrection to me.

I guess as a universalist there is really nothing to be done. No one is saved because there is no need for salvation. Everyone doesn't south pick and choose as realize the truth as they are capable of doing so at the point they are at in their karmic journey. God is in all and all is in God. No need to judge anyone, then because all that is, as the Hindus and Buddhists call it, maya or illusion - as fun as maya can be. I get the hermeneutics that various denominations employ and listen to then with love and humility and without derision. I understand what infallibility and inerrancy mean when it comes to scripture and cannot believe that anything written by humans is without error. Saying that the crack (humanity) through which the light (god) shines through is the only way the light can get in insufficient as it is to illuminate all the darkness. All that can done is giving love, joy, gratitude, forebearance, compassion, and patience to all.

As Paul said I don't know. I can say I am not conscious of it, or aware of it. I believe however that the Hindu belief that there is no end or beginning is more reasonable. All is nothing but God manifesting Itself. We then are eternal. But Buddha might be more reasonable to not address the questions - the Avyakrta - of time, space, personal existence, life after death. Christianity seems so fixed on all these issues because we believe or are supposed to believe in a personal intervening God. I believe in Jesus the Christ. I believe in God. But I also believe that I am an eternal being who has always been with God in whom I have my being. And I believe that the issues that Buddha refused to address aren't really helpful to being in the Now. Not when it blocks our realization of who we are and who God is (meaning really that we are all God.)

"'set his heart to investigate (li-drosh) it." In my own personal experience, and that is all I can say about anything, this is the same as humility. I am not making any statements that anyone else should follow. Just my opinion. I have found in my growing faith that without humility, I might as well not even bother. This is the only way I have found to leave myself vulnerable to others I would rather have nothing to do with. The same for the mystery of God and the Christ.

In my own personal experience paradox is something that cannot be understood or resolved, but transcended. All the contradictions in the gospels reveal, to me, the character of Jesus, which can only be understood - and not fully - only if faith and reason are balanced and practice is evident. Has anyone read Be Here Now by Ram Dass? If not I recommend it. I for one approach the many hard to understand passages in the gospels with some humility toward Spirit (God or whatever you want to call it) as manifested in Jesus. This requires from me some faith in the veracity of Spirit. Faith for me is the twin of doubt. I need both. The Progressive hermeneutics (and there are many) work best for me. I for one can appreciate the insights and shortcomings of orthodox theology to build of a progressive faith. I have to forgive their trespasses as I expect others to forgive mine. Hope they do anyway.