Church Authority Judged By Its Fruits: Emphasizing the will of Jesus, God or Man?

Prophets:

Always it is easier to pay homage to prophets than to heed the direction of their vision.

It is easier blindly to venerate the saints than to learn the human quality of their sainthood.

It is easier to glorify the heroes of the race than to give weight to their examples.

To worship the wise is much easier than to profit by their wisdom.

Great leaders are honored, not by adulation, but by sharing their insights insights and values.

Grandchildren of those eho stoned the prophet sometimes gather up the stones to build the prophet's monument.

Always it is easier to pay homage to prophets than to heed the direction of their message.

Clinton Lee Scott

Church Issues of Emphasis, Doctrine, Habitual Ritual and Self Ordained Authority.

In the Bible Jesus talks of his true reality, that we are not to worship him but rather God who sent him. “Then Jesus cried out, “When a man believes in me, he does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. When he looks at me, he sees the one who sent me. I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness. ”As for the person who hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save it. There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; that very word which I spoke will condemn him at the last day. For I did not speak of my own accord, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and how to say it. I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.” (NIV Bible) John 12: 44-49

And Again...

Jesus cried and said, He that believeth onme, believeth not on me, but on him [God] that sent me.And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me... For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a ommandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.(King James Bible, John) 12:49-50

And yet so many follow the footsteps down the path hewn by clergy. They continiously praise and pray in the name of Jesus; exalting and worshipping him as lord and godhead. Many church followers get carried away by it all, believing Jesus of Nazareth is none other than the Almighty Himself. How many times has the matra,"only in the name of Jesus can you be saved," been chanted from the pulpit, the choir and various street ministries? And yet, how seldom has the scripture been scrutinized independent of "guidance" from doctrinal direction or church fostered bias? When do we escape the confines of carefully selected passages edited to seemingly support a favored topic of study (in which the foregone conclusion must be in comfortable agreement with clergy and congregational status-quo)? When do we, as an educated literate public, quit relying on the church for answers to questions of theological consequence? Allegory and symbolism of Trinity, Salvation, Reborn in the Spirit, Dualism of Heaven and Hell, Creation, Love, Sacrifice, Life Eternal, and many others are seen as expressions of deep universal awarenesses. These "guideposts to "opening one's inner eye" are found within the meanings of scriptures the world over. Much as a pearl of great price must be ceaselessly searched for; so must the pearls of wisdom be searched, meditated upon and discovered within the heart and soul.

"Seek and yea shall find". Knock, and the door shall be opened". Can and should this well known passage of Matthew be applied to questioning the church itself? Is it time to take a critical look at just how church doctrine and historical activities upon the world-wide arena compare with the Biblical based teachings and guidance of Jesus? Let us peer through the dense veil sheltering fear, age-old habitual traditions, conditioned comforts, parochial based thinking; and seek, within our own inner hearts, the liberating light of truth revealed by the enlightened teachings of the Nazarene. Perhaps it is time to discover world perspectives bringing new objectives. Perhaps humanity can yet heed the call of his calling; Establishing,"Peace on Earth, good will towards men."

Below can be found treatises on varying topics concerning "Issues of Emphasis" on church imposed authoritarian practices and its impact on world outlook upon the individual, society and humanity at large.

Shortcut Tip: Links to PDF files containing topics concerning "Issues of Emphasis" can be found in all green background tables below.

"By their fruits ye shall know them." This well known passage from Matthew is applied as a criteria for looking at church authority judged by its fruits as seen in the historical world wide arena. Read a pdf file by linking here.

The Christmas stories of the birth of Jesus as told by Matthew and Luke have been told again and again. One never seems to tire of their sweet mystery. They also hold a certain nostalgia for those brought up observing the Christmas tradition. Yet, many do not take the time to lay them side by side nad critically compare the two. See results of a study asking; As both Gospels give accounts of the actions of Mary and Joseph from just before the pregnancy to a short time after Jesus' birth, it stands to reason both their actions and political climate of the time should be similar. Are they? Check out what I discovered. See http://church.onenessbecomesus.com/jesusbirth.pdf

After all this is said and done concerning the Christmas story one must ask: Just how important is this when compared to the supreme message of the Christ? The Nativity story, so immensely popularized by Christmas celebrations, is not even mentioned in Mark or John. Mark begins his Gospel with the beginning of Jesus, ministry as an adult when he is baptized by John the Baptist. John begins his Gospel by proclaiming the spiritual station of Jesus.

Perhaps we should drop the “inerrant Bible” factor from the equation of faith. Perchance, by doing so, wider doors to greater understanding will be open. Maybe we should be focusing on the inner truths as taught by the Great Teacher Himself rather than rely on church ordained authority dictating the answers to us. The inner embracing light of love and peace through love of God lifts one up into the realms of unity and oneness with all beings. Surely, if we were to truly follow the path Christ broke for us as He sacrificed his life to the Will of the Father, The world would surely be transformed into “God’s Kingdom on Earth as it is in Heaven. World peace and goodness would follow all the days of our lives!

Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the laws and the prophets. ((Matthew: 22:36-40 KJB.) Christian

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. (King James Bible, John 1:1) Christian

The Eucharist or Rite Of Holy Communion is examined. How accuratly do "mainstream" church liturgies reflect what Jesus , according to John and Corinthians, explains about the true meaning of the "Last Supper"? Click here to read more about this issue.

Bodily Resurrection, Reincarnate Restoration or a Spiritual Revelation: Real hard core evidence for a literal bodily resurrection of Jesus is lacking. Independent reliable historical sources outside the Bible, including other church related writings, give little hint of such a remarkable happening. Also, it seems, belief in a bodily physical ressurection of Jesus was not central to very early Christianity. Truly, if Jesus symbolized his body as representing his Word or "Bread of Life" the message he gave is not concerned with earthly flesh but, rather, of spiritual light. His real gift was of the Spirit of God. That being the case, it is difficult to understand why a bodily ressurection is so crucial to the faith of many. Many present day Christians themselves do not share this belief. The website "Why I Do Not Buy the Ressurection Story" is a case in point. see: http://www.infidels.org/library/modern/richard_carrier/resurrection/lecture.html

Today there is no greater glory for man than that of service in the cause of the "Most Great Peace." Peace is light whereas war is darkness. Peace is life; war is death. Peace is guidance; war is error. Peace is the foundation of God; war is satanic institution. Peace is the illumination of the world of humanity; war is the destroyer of human foundations. (Abdu'l-Baha, Baha'i World Faith - Abdu'l-Baha Section, p. 231)

O my God! O my God! verily these servants are turning to Thee, supplicating Thy kingdom of mercy. Verily they are attracted by Thy holiness and set aglow with the fire of Thy love, seeking confirmation from Thy wondrous kingdom and hoping for attainment in Thy heavenly realm. Verily they long for the descent of Thy bestowal, desiring illumination from the Sun of Reality. O Lord! make them radiant lamps, merciful signs, fruitful trees and shining stars. May they come forth in Thy service and be connected with Thee by the bonds and ties of thy love, longing for the lights of Thy favor. O Lord! make them signs of guidance, standards of Thy immortal kingdom, waves of the sea of Thy mercy, mirrors of the light of Thy majesty. Verily Thou art the generous! Verily Thou art the merciful! Verily Thou art the precious, the beloved! (Abdu'l-Baha, Baha'i World Faith - Abdu'l-Baha Section, p. 230)

"A Mission To Die For." Messengers of God have been willing; Nay, eager to die in pure submission to the Will of God. Verses of Jesus, Muhammad, Krishna and Baha'u'llah are quoted revealing truth and mystic Love to the seeker of mysteries. Click here for the PDF.

O SON OF SPIRIT! There is no peace for thee save by renouncing thyself and turning unto Me; for it behooveth thee to glory in My name, not in thine own; to put thy trust in Me and not in thyself, since I desire to be loved alone and above all that is. (Baha'u'llah, The Arabic Hidden Words)

Although I am unborn and My transcendental body never deteriorates, and although I am the Lord of all sentient beings, I still appear in every millennium in My original transcendental form. Whenever and wherever there is a decline in religious practice, O descendant of Bharata, and a predominant rise of irreligion--at that time I descend Myself. In order to deliver the pious and to annihilate the miscreants, as well as to reestablish the principles of religion, I advent Myself millennium after millennium. Bhagavad-Gita Chap 4:6-8 Hindu:

Yet, the authorities lay down the seeds of corruption. In succeeding generations followers are taught not to question but simply obey what is given out by the Synagogues, Churches and Mosques as absolute literal truth. In this way have the true Messages borne by the Messengers of the past become tainted and lost; polluted beyond recognition through the waywardness of the leaders- the people bereft of discernment, driven away from the essential guidance, lost in divisive fear and superstition. Thus many people of faith have come to worship the commandments of men. They blindly worship as they have been taught. My own comment

Question: Are not churches doing a real disservice to their congregations by fostering beliefs based, often not on what Jesus meant and usually made clear in his complete dissertations, but rather, on what the churches themselves have edited and placed in a different context within their own contrived methodologies and traditions? Perhaps we should leave the rites and rituals of a traditionalized worship service and focus on study, praise and worship of God. Let us honor the Word of God by perusing and comparing the complete texts, and with open mind and heart, be accepting of the possibility of greater perspective, wider insight and deeper appreciation, wisdom and love. Let us stop picking “favorite fragments” as a basis of faith.

THIS RADIANT CENTURY

A time of change and reform, a transformation of metamorphosis into a new age of enlightenment, the dawning of a new age of maturity for all mankind.

The following was written around 1912. Reflect, as you read this, how much more discoveries, new social issues, tools of living and communication have continued to exponentially impact and fundamentally change our ever-evolving world.

In the estimation of historians this radiant century is equivalent to one hundred centuries of the past. If comparison be made with the sum total of all former human achievements it will be found that the discoveries, scientific advancement and material civilization of this present century have equaled, yea far exceeded the progress and outcome of one hundred former centuries.

The production of books and compilations of literature alone bear witness that the output of the human mind in this century has been greater and more enlightening than all the past centuries together. It is evident therefore that this century is of paramount importance.

Reflect upon the miracles of accomplishment which have already characterized it, the discoveries in every realm of human research, inventions, scientific knowledge, ethical reforms and regulations established for the welfare of humanity, mysteries of nature explored, invisible forces brought into visibility and subjection, a veritable wonder-world of new phenomena and conditions heretofore unknown to man now open to his uses and further investigation. The east and west can communicate instantly. A human being can soar in the skies or speed in submarine depths. The power of steam has linked the continents. Trains cross the deserts and pierce the barriers of mountains; ships find unerring pathways upon the trackless oceans.

Day by day discoveries are increasing. What a wonderful century this is! It is an age of universal reformation. Laws and statutes of governments civil and federal are in process of change and transformation. Sciences and arts are being molded anew. Thoughts are metamorphosed. The foundations of human society are changing and strengthening.

It is evident therefore that counterfeit and spurious religious teaching, antiquated forms of belief and ancestral imitations which are at variance with the foundation of divine reality must also pass away and be reformed. They must be abandoned and new conditions be recognized.

The morals of humanity must undergo change. New remedy and solution for human problems must be adopted. Human intellects themselves must change and be subject to the universal reformation.

Just as the thoughts and hypotheses of past ages are fruitless today, likewise dogmas and codes of human invention are obsolete and barren of product in religion. Nay, it is true that they are the cause of enmity and conducive to strife in the world of humanity; war and bloodshed proceed from them and the oneness of mankind finds no recognition in their observance.

Therefore it is our duty in this radiant century to investigate the essentials of divine religion, seek the realities underlying the oneness of the world of humanity and discover the source of fellowship and agreement which will unite mankind in the heavenly bond of love. This unity is the radiance of eternity, the divine spirituality, the effulgence of God and the bounty of the Kingdom.

We must investigate the divine source of these heavenly bestowals and adhere unto them steadfastly. For if we remain fettered and restricted by human inventions and dogmas, day by day the world of mankind will be degraded, day by day warfare and strife will increase and satanic forces converge toward the destruction of the human race.

(Abdu'l-Baha, Baha'i World Faith - Abdu'l-Baha Section, p. 228)

If you wish to learn more about world religions and also peruse more of their sacred texts see: http://onenessbecomesus.com/Faithslisting.html There you will find links to referenced sites as well.

For more on serving the case for world unity check out onenessbeconesus.com

If unusual Christian cartoon ministries is for you look no farther. Find a very unique site at toonspirit.net

To email me, Click here