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There have been dozens of conditions and "syndromes" created to explain an entire plethora of odd and strange linguistic phenomena, ranging from glossolalia (speaking in tongues) to spontaneous words and phrases uttered by children in different languages. People who believe in polybiography (more than one sequential life) have a ready explanation in terms of "karmic" or "Soul-" memory. Regular neuroscience traces these activities to certain brain-areas, but, beyond this, they cannot explain the origins of these atypical behaviors.
One reason is that modern medicine is still very primitive and backward; another is that it insists on the paradigm of the 1600's-- pure materialism, without any "energic" considerations.
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Showing posts with label glossolalia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label glossolalia. Show all posts
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
First and Second Corinthians
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First Corinthians is considered one of the great written classics of Christian spirituality. It begins, in chapter 2, with correcting the "errors" in the church.
There is a warning against factionalism, against "following men."
Spiritual people are encouraged to agree with each other, not because of centralized dogma or doctrine, but because they all receive from the same Source, and God wants peace, not disputations and disagreements. The church was factionalizing, fragmenting due to human selfstyled "leaders," each getting a following. This is analogous to the formation of cults, in which people receive "new understandings," and break away from, and disagree with, all others. But "Christ" (God, Love) should be the only "leader."! Even Paul did not want people to follow him. God's message
is not intellectual. From that view, it looks "foolish."
The Gospel was rejected by the Jews because it did not have the "proper authority." God does not use merely human wisdom. The "Holy Spirit" teaches spiritual people directly.
We are God's "living building." It is built upon Christ (God, Love). No human leader is to be followed, but you are to follow only the "Word" of God. This is not only the Bible, but the living Word, which is God Itself. (Jn. 1:1) Christians should avoid intimate association with people who are openly sinning. Our bodies are the temple of God. We should not abuse them through fornication.
Both marriage and the single state are acceptable to the Lord of Love. Paul implores Christians to support his ministry via charitable giving. Yet he refused to be "hired" for "payment." As the people of Love (God), we are unified through Communion.
Next, Paul supplies the famous and important principle, "All things are lawful." That is, everything which does not resist or destroy Love is not forbidden by God. Next, Paul betrays some chauvinism no doubt picked up during his days as a Pharisee, and commands that women symbolically cover their heads when praying. Paul then gives advice re the ceremony of Communion (Eucharist). Paul then examines the famous analogy of the Church as a "body," unified although it contains many "parts." God gives spiritual gifts and Love-gifts. This is where we find the famous "Canticle of Love," in First Corinthians chapter thirteen. Paul also has much to say about "glossolalia," or speaking in foreign languages. Again, Paul's old bigotry slips through into his words, and he prohibits women to teach in the public church. Paul closes with what has been called the "Gospel of the Resurrection," in chapter fifteen. He says that everyone who has a physical body also has a spiritual one designed for "heaven" (perfect Mindworld of Love). The "resurrection" is a fundamental tenet of true spirituality, and is associated with several other important ideas. As we reflect the nature of "dusty" man, Adam, so we must also reflect the nature of heavenly Spirit, Christ. We will not all die; some of us will be "translated" into our heavenly bodies.
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2 Corinthians summary
The truth is only hidden from those who do not hear the call to believe
(4:1-6)
The weakness of the suffering apostle demonstrates the glory of god which
we will share in the resurrection (4:7-5:10)
the apostle is even willing to suffer to bring people to Christ (6:1-13;
7:2-4)
Holiness is separation from the "world" (material order]. (6:14-7:1),
possibly non-Pauline]
Against the "super-apostles" (chapters 10-13)
Do not be led astray by their flattery (11:1-6)
True sign of an apostle is God’s power manifested in suffering and
weakness (11:16-12:13)
*******
First Corinthians is considered one of the great written classics of Christian spirituality. It begins, in chapter 2, with correcting the "errors" in the church.
There is a warning against factionalism, against "following men."
Spiritual people are encouraged to agree with each other, not because of centralized dogma or doctrine, but because they all receive from the same Source, and God wants peace, not disputations and disagreements. The church was factionalizing, fragmenting due to human selfstyled "leaders," each getting a following. This is analogous to the formation of cults, in which people receive "new understandings," and break away from, and disagree with, all others. But "Christ" (God, Love) should be the only "leader."! Even Paul did not want people to follow him. God's message
is not intellectual. From that view, it looks "foolish."
The Gospel was rejected by the Jews because it did not have the "proper authority." God does not use merely human wisdom. The "Holy Spirit" teaches spiritual people directly.
We are God's "living building." It is built upon Christ (God, Love). No human leader is to be followed, but you are to follow only the "Word" of God. This is not only the Bible, but the living Word, which is God Itself. (Jn. 1:1) Christians should avoid intimate association with people who are openly sinning. Our bodies are the temple of God. We should not abuse them through fornication.
Both marriage and the single state are acceptable to the Lord of Love. Paul implores Christians to support his ministry via charitable giving. Yet he refused to be "hired" for "payment." As the people of Love (God), we are unified through Communion.
Next, Paul supplies the famous and important principle, "All things are lawful." That is, everything which does not resist or destroy Love is not forbidden by God. Next, Paul betrays some chauvinism no doubt picked up during his days as a Pharisee, and commands that women symbolically cover their heads when praying. Paul then gives advice re the ceremony of Communion (Eucharist). Paul then examines the famous analogy of the Church as a "body," unified although it contains many "parts." God gives spiritual gifts and Love-gifts. This is where we find the famous "Canticle of Love," in First Corinthians chapter thirteen. Paul also has much to say about "glossolalia," or speaking in foreign languages. Again, Paul's old bigotry slips through into his words, and he prohibits women to teach in the public church. Paul closes with what has been called the "Gospel of the Resurrection," in chapter fifteen. He says that everyone who has a physical body also has a spiritual one designed for "heaven" (perfect Mindworld of Love). The "resurrection" is a fundamental tenet of true spirituality, and is associated with several other important ideas. As we reflect the nature of "dusty" man, Adam, so we must also reflect the nature of heavenly Spirit, Christ. We will not all die; some of us will be "translated" into our heavenly bodies.
***
2 Corinthians summary
The truth is only hidden from those who do not hear the call to believe
(4:1-6)
The weakness of the suffering apostle demonstrates the glory of god which
we will share in the resurrection (4:7-5:10)
the apostle is even willing to suffer to bring people to Christ (6:1-13;
7:2-4)
Holiness is separation from the "world" (material order]. (6:14-7:1),
possibly non-Pauline]
Against the "super-apostles" (chapters 10-13)
Do not be led astray by their flattery (11:1-6)
True sign of an apostle is God’s power manifested in suffering and
weakness (11:16-12:13)
*******
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
Gifts of the Spirit
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The Pentecostal Movement (including the "Assemblies of God") are very "charismatic." This means that they emphasize, much more than other denominations, the element called "charisma." In the Biblical sense, this word implies not a stimulating personality, but the supernormal, supernatural "gifts of the Spirit."
These include healing, speaking in tongues, prophecy, and other spiritual gifts.
In your note, you mention others:
1. saving, 2. sanctification, and 3. speaking in tongues.
Re the first, when it comes to salvation, no human being can ever "save" another. No church, cult, denomination, or teaching can ever "save" anyone. This is God's job, His responsibility, and His pleasure. All salvation -- bar none-- comes from grace only, and this is the Love that can come, and does come, from only God. No human being, no human church, can "give grace."
"Sanctification" means "making holy." This is a state that also comes from grace. A person is "sanctified" when she is forgiven from sins, and lives in a state of graceful purity. This does not occur because she works harder, or knows more, than others. It occurs in her heart because she has fully recognized herself as a sinner," and has cast herself upon the mercy of God. She surrenders entirely to His will. She is then forgiven by grace.
Speaking in tongues can occur because, in a past life, a person spoke another language. But, in a church-setting, it is seen as evidence of the blessing of the Holy Spirit. In some cases, it probably is; in others, it probably is not. This all depends upon the Presence of Love in all other areas of the person's life. This special gift is called "glossolalia," and can be either spiritual, a gift of grace, or paranormal (it has occurred in hypnosis and other non-religious contexts).
*******
The Pentecostal Movement (including the "Assemblies of God") are very "charismatic." This means that they emphasize, much more than other denominations, the element called "charisma." In the Biblical sense, this word implies not a stimulating personality, but the supernormal, supernatural "gifts of the Spirit."
These include healing, speaking in tongues, prophecy, and other spiritual gifts.
In your note, you mention others:
1. saving, 2. sanctification, and 3. speaking in tongues.
Re the first, when it comes to salvation, no human being can ever "save" another. No church, cult, denomination, or teaching can ever "save" anyone. This is God's job, His responsibility, and His pleasure. All salvation -- bar none-- comes from grace only, and this is the Love that can come, and does come, from only God. No human being, no human church, can "give grace."
"Sanctification" means "making holy." This is a state that also comes from grace. A person is "sanctified" when she is forgiven from sins, and lives in a state of graceful purity. This does not occur because she works harder, or knows more, than others. It occurs in her heart because she has fully recognized herself as a sinner," and has cast herself upon the mercy of God. She surrenders entirely to His will. She is then forgiven by grace.
Speaking in tongues can occur because, in a past life, a person spoke another language. But, in a church-setting, it is seen as evidence of the blessing of the Holy Spirit. In some cases, it probably is; in others, it probably is not. This all depends upon the Presence of Love in all other areas of the person's life. This special gift is called "glossolalia," and can be either spiritual, a gift of grace, or paranormal (it has occurred in hypnosis and other non-religious contexts).
*******
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