Defining God… at some point, most of us are guilty. What begins as a seemingly noble attempt to answer one of life’s greatest mysteries, usually leads to prejudice, judgement, separation, condemnation, war, and even death. At least, history bears that record. Perhaps this is why so many sages–spanning all the great spiritual traditions of the world–tell us that defining God is an attempt at futility. Their wisdom proclaims that attempting to do so, even by name, places boundaries and limitations to an ineffable source. Thus, any attempt to define God is an act of self-deception. Why? Because defining God with our thoughts and feelings creates God in OUR image. The Old Testament calls this idolatry, which is transgression of the first commandment. [Read more…] about Who, or what, is your God? And how do you Worship?
Christian Living
The Real Reason Women are to be Silent in Church
Throughout the scriptures we get the fascinating job of uncovering the clues to a spiritual meaning. Sometimes they are more direct, and sometimes they are more subtle. In the case where they are more subtle, the meaning is still very clear, but we may have to dig through more scriptures to unveil it.
The scripture in question today is 1 Corinthians 14:33-34. They read: [Read more…] about The Real Reason Women are to be Silent in Church
Why the Miracle of Feeding the 5,000 with Five Loaves and Two Fish?
I attended a local church two Sunday’s ago at the invite of some neighbors. The people were very warm and friendly, and we even got a free t-shirt. The service was held in a movie theater and we were able to eat snacks and drink coffee during the sermon. As far as the atmosphere went, it was quite a different church experience. From what I hear, churches are changing like this all across the country. It’s becoming less formal and a lot more social.
The pastor’s sermon was upbeat and full of energy. He did a good job engaging the audience with personal stories that were both humorous and true to all of our everyday lives. That takes a little bit of wit and skill. Then he took those personal stories and tied them into the message about Jesus feeding the 5,000 in Matthew chapter 14. [Read more…] about Why the Miracle of Feeding the 5,000 with Five Loaves and Two Fish?
Martha and Mary: A spiritual Lesson about Love and Duty
I remember the first time I read the brief allegory of Jesus in the house of Martha and Mary. I was a little confused. Why would Jesus indirectly rebuke Martha when she asked for help? As the story goes, Martha invites Jesus inside her home. During the course of the evening, Martha is running around trying to get prepared for the evening meal. She gets frustrated because Mary isn’t helping. Instead, Mary is sitting at the feet of Jesus and listening to his words. So Martha, at her wits end, runs to Jesus and complains.
Luke 10:40-42 states: [Read more…] about Martha and Mary: A spiritual Lesson about Love and Duty
Why God Allowed the Israelites to Gorge on Quail
Today’s post is dedicated to those who may be going through a trial. I am writing it because I myself am currently going through a trail that has taken quite an emotional toll. I know I will overcome it, especially when I put it into the perspective of why we are all here to experience life. Adversity is our friend when we allow it to be, for at some point it, when we yield, and only when we yield, it can reveal our spiritual nature. [Read more…] about Why God Allowed the Israelites to Gorge on Quail
The Didache, Clement, Hermes and Marcion: Development of the Modern Church Part 4
This post will continue our series on the development of Christian Orthodoxy and the Orthodox Church. In part three I said I would get to Valentinus and Irenaeus, but that will have to wait for part five. There is too much important information I couldn’t leave out, which we will discuss here first. We’ll be covering the late first century to the mid second century with just a few—albeit very important—events in our attempt to understand the broader movement and developments of Christianity.
It is important that you realize history is always written by the victor. [Read more…] about The Didache, Clement, Hermes and Marcion: Development of the Modern Church Part 4
Constantine, Eusebius, and the Formulation of the New Testament Canon
Recently I had a conversation with a friend about the history of New Testament. Everyone here on SOS knows and understands the symbolic importance of it, but there are many differences of opinion on whether it is literal history or not. It’s always been important to me to allow readers to have open discussions and even disagreements on the blog to expand our understanding. [Read more…] about Constantine, Eusebius, and the Formulation of the New Testament Canon
Do Unto Others
While mailing holiday packages at the US post office this season, I noticed a display of greeting cards for sale. One card in particular caught my eye. On the cover it read:
“Sometimes I wonder why I put up with you.”
On the inside of the card it read:
“Oh yeah, now I remember, you put up with me!” [Read more…] about Do Unto Others
For Whom the Bell Tolls: In Appreciation of the Martyrs of Progressive Christianity
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No man is an Island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friend’s or of thine own were: any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bells tolls; it tolls for thee.” John Donne, 17th century English poet. [Read more…] about For Whom the Bell Tolls: In Appreciation of the Martyrs of Progressive Christianity
The Fear of the Lord
What does it mean when the Bible admonishes us to fear the Lord? The Bible is filled with scriptures telling us to do this, so it behooves us to get to the bottom of its true meaning.
The Christian Church, even in all its diversifying beliefs and denominations, has progressed past the mentality of the Dark Ages, where fear was a powerful tool into subjugating the masses into following its rules so that one could attain salvation upon death. Now, it is commonly accepted that the Hebrew word for fear in so many scriptures carries the connotation of “reverence” and “respect” rather than the negative emotion that paralyzes the intellect and reforms the people into sheeple. While this progression is positive, it isn’t good enough. There is much more to understand as we move towards the grand finale of salvation, which sadly, is also grossly misunderstood by the majority of Christian thought. [Read more…] about The Fear of the Lord
The Truth Will Set You Free
Why are Christians getting so sick?
During my life I have been around many people whom I would classify hardcore Christians. I began to notice something in common with all of them – namely, that the more intense their Christian convictions, the more they suffered from disease, illness and psychological problems. I didn’t really put the connection together – until now. I don’t profess to know everything or be completely right about everything. This is simply what I’ve found through my research.
The Bible will impart truth but only if interpreted correctly – esoterically, celestially and personally. It is almost all symbolism, metaphor, myth and allegory. I say celestially due to the Hermetic axiom of “As Above, So Below” That’s why the Bible states there will be lights in the heavens and THOSE LIGHTS WILL BE FOR SIGNS, but that is a discussion for another time. [Read more…] about The Truth Will Set You Free
Why Jesus Tells the Disciples to Cast Their Net on the Right Side
Most of us are familiar with the scene in John chapter 21 where Jesus tells the disciples to cast their net on the right side of the boat to catch a bounty of fish. There’s a great deal of symbolic meaning here that I believe is missed. In today’s post we’ll look at this scene in detail and dissect its deeper, esoteric meanings, and how it relates to the journey of the soul.
Chapter 21 is the last chapter of the Gospel of John. Jesus has already been crucified and resurrected, and he decides [Read more…] about Why Jesus Tells the Disciples to Cast Their Net on the Right Side
He Restores My Soul
“He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the path of righteousness for his name’s sake. (Psalm 23:3)
One of my favorite lines, this scripture is saying: take to the practice of meditation for purification of the subconscious, thereby come unto Christ (“name’s sake”) consciousness (Love) : (“He”) inner Christ (“restoreth”) heals separation, thereby is “righteousness” [Read more…] about He Restores My Soul