Final Essay for "Master of Christian Mysticism"
By Brother Joseph Kovacic, Fr., Ph.D.
"Christian Mysticism or Mystery?"
The History Channel (television) has been airing a series titled "Ancient Aliens". This presents some unique positions concerning the history of the human world. Virtually all cultures have "gods". The mystery of just where these "gods" originated is something mankind has pondered a long time. There exists a mystery that promotes a response with mysticism. In order to handle the unknown, "man" has co-opted the position with mysticism.
Here are short definitions of the terms mysticism and mystery.
"Mysticism: mys·it·cism (mis'ti-siz'?m) n. Immediate consciousness of the transcendent or ultimate reality or God. The experience of such communion as described by mystics. A belief in the existence of realities beyond perceptual or intellectual apprehension that are central to being and directly accessible by subjective experience. Vague, groundless speculation.
© Houghton Mifflin Company
Copyright © 2011 Answers Corporation. All rights reserved."
". . . Mys·ter·y1 (mis't?-re) n., pl., -ies. One that is not fully understood or that baffles or eludes the understanding; an enigma: . . . One whose identity is unknown . . . A work of fiction, a drama, or a film dealing with a puzzling crime. . . . The skills, lore, or practices that are peculiar to a particular activity or group . . . . The mysteries of Freemasonry . . . . A religious truth that is incomprehensible . . . Knowable only through divine revelation. . . .from the life of Jesus, especially the Incarnation, Passion, Crucifixion, or Resurrection, of particular importance for redemption. . . .Annunciation or the Ascension . . . . Eucharist. . . .
© Houghton Mifflin Company
Copyright © 2011 Answers Corporation. All rights reserved.
Terms of Use . . . "
Here we have a Delima between mystery and mystical, although mystical appears to cement the chasm with the unknown.
Yahweh, the God of the Hebrews, that edged "his" way into the lives of the Jews during the time of Moses and the Exodus. According to the presentation, "Ancient Aliens", the appearance of these "gods" were none other than the guest stars of the TV series "Ancient Aliens". Yes, man's "gods" where extraterrestrials. Stop for a moment and consider all the stories from the Bible and other ancient scriptures were about extraterrestrial humans, beings from the planet Nibiru interceding in the lives of the Sumerians, and all other great cultures, throughout history, et. Al.
As "man" becomes more experienced and thus sophisticated such considerations that were dealt with through mysticism to help understand and deflect these mysteries may be more pronounced.
Although the series may have been convincing there should be no dismissal of tried and true reasoning for which "man" holds "himself" in such high esteem. Skepticism may be of necessity to maintain the fragile thread that keeps us all together and sane.
Can one be certain where "truth" and/or "fiction" ends and begins? As Christians may be well aware of mysticism as a part in Christian theology and practice, what is the value of mysticism when considering alternative views. Many Christians and Jews when confronted with the History Channel's latest expose titled "Ancient Aliens" find the information influential much as "The DaVinci Code", which swept the masses across the plains, hills and mountains in the United States and Europe.
The primus that the gods of ancient societies and cultures where in fact visitors from other realms of existence, other planets in our solar system and even other galaxies. They made appearance in bodily form were skin, bone, and blood creatures as we and were centuries past, and millennially more advanced than resident peoples of planet earth in the past and present both socially and technologically and beyond.
In the desert more than three thousand ago just with whom did Moses speak? Perhaps Yahweh was one of those visitors from another planet or domain. What about Jesus? He is alleged to be the product of a virgin birth. Was he of the "Holy Spirit" or was the BVM made pregnant by a DNA transplant. Was Jesus from parents of the earth and the Sky?
Noah, the son of Lemach, was not he also of a virgin birth? At least his earthly father had questions. What was Noah's ark? It is an incredible concept that the "boat" would accommodate two of all earth's creatures. More in line is the thinking of Giorgio A. Tsoulakos, one of the narrators of "Ancient Aliens". He, logically contends that Noah's Ark was a DNA lab.
Amenhotep the fourth, the Egyptian pharoe that changed the god concept for his people from polytheism to monotheism, was according to statue evidence, a most unusual representative physically of the Egyptian male. "Big at the little and bottom at the top". :) Possibly Amenhotep IV was another example of miscegenation involving "DNA experimentation".
Returning to Mysticism, we will see that, assuming Mysticism helps humans focus attention to oneness with the Universe, thus eliminating the need to block the mysteries of the unknown. However, should the god phenomena as it currently exists be exchanged for religious systems with new understanding that all of the supernatural "pie" is expunged and recognition that gods, past and present are simply human type creatures whose egos lead them to take advantage of superstitious conditions on earth by "playing a trick."
*******************************
By Brother Joseph Kovacic, Fr., Ph.D.
"Christian Mysticism or Mystery?"
The History Channel (television) has been airing a series titled "Ancient Aliens". This presents some unique positions concerning the history of the human world. Virtually all cultures have "gods". The mystery of just where these "gods" originated is something mankind has pondered a long time. There exists a mystery that promotes a response with mysticism. In order to handle the unknown, "man" has co-opted the position with mysticism.
Here are short definitions of the terms mysticism and mystery.
"Mysticism: mys·it·cism (mis'ti-siz'?m) n. Immediate consciousness of the transcendent or ultimate reality or God. The experience of such communion as described by mystics. A belief in the existence of realities beyond perceptual or intellectual apprehension that are central to being and directly accessible by subjective experience. Vague, groundless speculation.
© Houghton Mifflin Company
Copyright © 2011 Answers Corporation. All rights reserved."
". . . Mys·ter·y1 (mis't?-re) n., pl., -ies. One that is not fully understood or that baffles or eludes the understanding; an enigma: . . . One whose identity is unknown . . . A work of fiction, a drama, or a film dealing with a puzzling crime. . . . The skills, lore, or practices that are peculiar to a particular activity or group . . . . The mysteries of Freemasonry . . . . A religious truth that is incomprehensible . . . Knowable only through divine revelation. . . .from the life of Jesus, especially the Incarnation, Passion, Crucifixion, or Resurrection, of particular importance for redemption. . . .Annunciation or the Ascension . . . . Eucharist. . . .
© Houghton Mifflin Company
Copyright © 2011 Answers Corporation. All rights reserved.
Terms of Use . . . "
Here we have a Delima between mystery and mystical, although mystical appears to cement the chasm with the unknown.
Yahweh, the God of the Hebrews, that edged "his" way into the lives of the Jews during the time of Moses and the Exodus. According to the presentation, "Ancient Aliens", the appearance of these "gods" were none other than the guest stars of the TV series "Ancient Aliens". Yes, man's "gods" where extraterrestrials. Stop for a moment and consider all the stories from the Bible and other ancient scriptures were about extraterrestrial humans, beings from the planet Nibiru interceding in the lives of the Sumerians, and all other great cultures, throughout history, et. Al.
As "man" becomes more experienced and thus sophisticated such considerations that were dealt with through mysticism to help understand and deflect these mysteries may be more pronounced.
Although the series may have been convincing there should be no dismissal of tried and true reasoning for which "man" holds "himself" in such high esteem. Skepticism may be of necessity to maintain the fragile thread that keeps us all together and sane.
Can one be certain where "truth" and/or "fiction" ends and begins? As Christians may be well aware of mysticism as a part in Christian theology and practice, what is the value of mysticism when considering alternative views. Many Christians and Jews when confronted with the History Channel's latest expose titled "Ancient Aliens" find the information influential much as "The DaVinci Code", which swept the masses across the plains, hills and mountains in the United States and Europe.
The primus that the gods of ancient societies and cultures where in fact visitors from other realms of existence, other planets in our solar system and even other galaxies. They made appearance in bodily form were skin, bone, and blood creatures as we and were centuries past, and millennially more advanced than resident peoples of planet earth in the past and present both socially and technologically and beyond.
In the desert more than three thousand ago just with whom did Moses speak? Perhaps Yahweh was one of those visitors from another planet or domain. What about Jesus? He is alleged to be the product of a virgin birth. Was he of the "Holy Spirit" or was the BVM made pregnant by a DNA transplant. Was Jesus from parents of the earth and the Sky?
Noah, the son of Lemach, was not he also of a virgin birth? At least his earthly father had questions. What was Noah's ark? It is an incredible concept that the "boat" would accommodate two of all earth's creatures. More in line is the thinking of Giorgio A. Tsoulakos, one of the narrators of "Ancient Aliens". He, logically contends that Noah's Ark was a DNA lab.
Amenhotep the fourth, the Egyptian pharoe that changed the god concept for his people from polytheism to monotheism, was according to statue evidence, a most unusual representative physically of the Egyptian male. "Big at the little and bottom at the top". :) Possibly Amenhotep IV was another example of miscegenation involving "DNA experimentation".
Returning to Mysticism, we will see that, assuming Mysticism helps humans focus attention to oneness with the Universe, thus eliminating the need to block the mysteries of the unknown. However, should the god phenomena as it currently exists be exchanged for religious systems with new understanding that all of the supernatural "pie" is expunged and recognition that gods, past and present are simply human type creatures whose egos lead them to take advantage of superstitious conditions on earth by "playing a trick."
*******************************
The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have various classes in Christianity, one on Wicca, along with several Pagan courses, more than a few courses about Metaphysics with more being added regularly.
Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free, legal and lasts for life, so please take advantage of our Free Online Ordination.
The ULC, run by Rev. Long, has created a chaplaincy program to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of minister supplies. I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and am proud to have started the Seminary.
Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar
No comments:
Post a Comment