Hasta La Vista!

[Brent]

Dear friends,

 

Upon my arrival to this site’s forum and my registration with the online community I made the error of presuming that Progressive “Christians” held to some variation of a view in which life and teachings of Jesus, as best as can be determined, were considered both fully human and fully divine. Admittedly, such a view is absent from the 8 points.

 

I’d thought to serve my brothers and sisters in the family of God by introducing what I believe are revelatory materials that corroborate such views and provide a vast panoramic cosmology, historical perspective, and progressive theological/philosophical framework commensurate with modern times. There is much, very much, more that I’d like to have brought up for reflective consideration.

 

After an abbreviated and somewhat inadequate attempt, a sense of wasted effort led me to begin mere observation in order to gain a more clear understanding of the community gestalt and seek to tune my service message. Sadly, following 4 or 5 months of near daily lurking, I’ve simply concluded that the term “Progressive Christianity” is a misnomer but realize that some will claim it anyway. My assessment, though not identical, has lately coalesced due some of the recent dialogue with Bill, the passionate Wayseeker, as well as the various atheistic sympathies and humanistic philosophies which seem to be considered so worthy of recurrent debate and attention. I just don't have the time or inclination to wade through it any longer.

 

So, if you’ll allow me to wish you all, especially those who have responded to my presence with kindness and sincerity, a bon voyage and one more quote from the Urantia Papers, I will say, "See you later!":

 

Jesus never gave his apostles a systematic lesson concerning the personality and attributes of the Father in heaven. He never asked men to believe in his Father; he took it for granted they did. Jesus never belittled himself by offering arguments in proof of the reality of the Father. His teaching regarding the Father all centered in the declaration that he and the Father are one; that he who has seen the Son has seen the Father; that the Father, like the Son, knows all things; that only the Son really knows the Father, and he to whom the Son will reveal him; that he who knows the Son knows also the Father; and that the Father sent him into the world to reveal their combined natures and to show forth their conjoint work. He never made other pronouncements about his Father except to the woman of Samaria at Jacob's well, when he declared, "God is spirit."

 

You learn about God from Jesus by observing the divinity of his life, not by depending on his teachings. From the life of the Master you may each assimilate that concept of God which represents the measure of your capacity to perceive realities spiritual and divine, truths real and eternal. The finite can never hope to comprehend the Infinite except as the Infinite was focalized in the time-space personality of the finite experience of the human life of Jesus of Nazareth.

 

Jesus well knew that God can be known only by the realities of experience; never can he be understood by the mere teaching of the mind. Jesus taught his apostles that, while they never could fully understand God, they could most certainly know him, even as they had known the Son of Man. You can know God, not by understanding what Jesus said, but by knowing what Jesus was. Jesus was a revelation of God. ( UP 169:4 – The Father and His Kingdom)

 

Thanks for your sincerity, and,

May you always experience Ches living Truth, Beauty, and Goodness,

Brent

[JosephM]

Brent,

 

Thanks for your honesty and the patience you have shown in all of your posts. You are, in my view, a most likable soul and while i had dismissed the U-papers as something i wasn't interested personally in pursuing, i have nevertheless enjoyed your presence here. I think the manner in which you have shown respect for others and your interactions here demonstrate a kindred spirit regardless of any differing personal views. This PC community welcomes everyone but it is certainly not for everyone. Each must follow their own heart and leadings. i'm so glad you have shared a bit of yourself with us and i wish you the very best. Your profile will remain active and you are welcome to stop in and post anytime should the mood strike you in the future.

 

Your friend in Christ,

Sincerely, Joseph.

[soma]

Brent, Thank you for taking time and sharing with us. May you continue to share your light with others. Soma

[PaulS]

For what it's worth Brent, your post made me reflect on my involvement here. I am not a PC, however I understood that non-PCs were welcome to participate. That said, I feel somewhat self-conscious that those who are PCs don't get to necessarily enjoy their PC-ness when non-PCs like me question many of the issues raised.

 

It was with this in mind that I paid attention to the fine print under the main forum threads. I didn't pay any attention before but I see that the category "Progressive Christianity" under “General Discussion” has the descriptor “General, supportive discussion about progressive Christianity or related ideas reserved for those who consider themselves Progressive Christians in agreement with 8 points of TCPC”.

 

Whereas the category “Debate & Dialogue” is apparently “open for all”.

 

Subsequently I hope (but can’t guarantee) that I will restrict my questioning and/or discussion to the appropriate threads.

 

I think it's a shame you feel you need to go. Like Joseph, whilst I didn't really feel much like pursuing the Urantia Papers personally (that's just the skeptic in me), I did still read your posts and value your contribution. I enjoy reading all people's views as it helps me question and even reformulate (in some instances) my own.

 

I wish you well.

 

Cheers

Paul

[Yvonne]

I don't know if Brent will ever see this, but I'm very sorry to see him go.

 

I, too, have often felt a little alienated by some of the discussions that seemed to go away from my own Christian beliefs. I have, however, learned to be a little more selective in my reading. And, quite frankly, learning more about others' paths has helped me to grow more personally. Although at times I felt a definite coolness toward some of my (and others') posts, I still think this forum has a lot to offer. I keep coming back because it is, all in all, a reasonably safe place to explore my own beliefs, and has only made me stronger. I have definitely changed my mind about some idea I had. I revisited some of the beliefs I had tossed out, brushed them off, tried them on again, and found out they fit after all.

 

Are some of the threads challenging? Yup. Do I agree with all of them? No way. But that's okay.

I learn, therefore I am.

[GeorgeW]

I’d thought to serve my brothers and sisters in the family of God by introducing what I believe are revelatory materials that corroborate such views and provide a vast panoramic cosmology, historical perspective, and progressive theological/philosophical framework commensurate with modern times. There is much, very much, more that I’d like to have brought up for reflective consideration.

 

Brent,

 

The participants here are, I think, interested in new and different ideas. However I don't think that most are looking for a new divine revelation with all that this entails.

 

George