Mystical Christianity

Lesson 9;

 

Questions for the Heart and Mind;

 

1. Given what we know of the historical Mary Magdalene, what role do you think she played in the ministry of Jesus?

I think Mary played an important supportive role in the ministry of Jesus, emotionally, financially and in service. Mary was chosen by Jesus to be the first bearer of the Good News of His Resurrection. This was no mistake – Jesus chose the one He deemed reliable and faithful to carry out this important task.

 

It is possible that Mary came from Magdala, a center of commercial fishing on the Sea of Galilee. Mary left her home to follow Jesus, and fossibly financially supported Jesus’ ministry.

 

Mary led the other women together with Jesus’ mother at the crucifixion. She strengthened their resolve with her love and fearless loyalty as Jesus was executed.

 

Mary was a faithful and loving follower of Jesus Christ, remaining loyal and at His side until His ascension. 

 

2. What validity do you give historical material that is based on oral and/or cultural tradition?

It certainly has its place. Many cultures have handed down stories from century to century, faithfully passing them on from storyteller to storyteller. 

 

3. Do you believe in continuing revelation, and if you do, what standards do you use for discerning what is true?

Yes, I believe in continuing revelation. God through Jesus Christ continues to take an active role in the fortunes of the world and its people. This necessitates ongoing revelation of God through Jesus Christ to us. The standard I use for discerning what is true, is the test of time and test of God. The test of time is to wait; the truth always comes out with time. Also, if a revelation is of God, time and God will show if the revelation is indeed from Him or a clever lie.

 

4. What is your opinion regarding the conflation controversy? Do you believe that Mary of Bethany and Mary Magdalene are the same woman?

My personal opinion is that historical evidence should be taken into consideration when preaching. Gregory assumed that Mary of Bethany and Mary of Magdala were the same person without having any historical evidence for the same. Mary of Bethany was from Bethany in Judea, within walking distance of Jerusalem. Mary of Magdale was from Magdala, three miles north of Tiberius in Galilee. Two women with the same name from opposite ends of Israel benefited from the charismatic presence of Jesus Christ. I believe that Mary of Bethany and Mary of Magdala were two different people entirely.

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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.

Mystical Christianity

LESSON 4 - ESSENES AND GNOSTICS;

 

QUESTIONS FOR THE HEART AND MIND;

 

 

1. What does it mean to 'know yourself'? How well do you know your True Self? Who are you?

 

'To know myself' means to know the deepest thoughts, aspirations and fears that lie within me. I know myself better than I used to in earlier years. My knowledge came after a car accident left me time to reflect on my life, who I truly was and what God was saying to me in my life. Until the accident I did not know my true self. After the accident I found out by degrees who I really was, and Who God really was, as He supported me through the suffering and losses to a new life where I was confident in choosing what I believe He wants me to truly do with my life in His service. I have learned that I am essentially a lover of God. God's love, my loving Him and my call to serve Him, together form the reason for which I was created.

 

2. Have you ever had a visionary or mystical experience? If so, describe how it affected you.

 

Yes, I had an experience of God. It affected me by changing every life decision I made. It eventually led me to seeking ordination as priest.

 

3. How do you define imagination and how do you experience it in your life?

 

I define imagination as the power of thought and the imagining of things unknown. I experience the power of imagination in my life, as I imagine how the new church minsitry and education ministry I am in the process of establishing will turn out, and this gives me the strength to go through all that needs to be done to achieve what I believe God is calling me to do. Imagination is a powerful force for good in my life, and a great gift I have always treasured since childhood.

 

4. What role does breath play in your life? Describe a moment when you were intensely aware of your breathing.

 

Breath plays a central role in my life. Without breath, I would be dead and unable to do all the creative activities I am still called by God to carry out before my journey to the next world is due. I was intensely aware of my breathing when I nearly drowned at the age of eleven years. I had dived and hit the water dead on. I don't quite know what happened, but I found myself at the bottom of the pool a short while later, unable to move. My lungs were bursting, and I needed to take in breath. I knew that if I breathed, I would drown. All I could think of were my parents, and how they would feel if they heard I had drowned while they were nearby.

 

I called on God for strength, and somehow some strength came back into my limbs. I managed to swim back to surface. I lay next to the pool for a long time, before I could get motion back into my body. I have often remembered that moment, and how grateful I was to get that first breath back into my lungs. Breath has always been to me God's gift. The one thing that always puzzled me was that I seemed to have blacked out for a few seconds, during which I had sunk to the bottom of the Olympic depth swimming pool. How come I had not taken in any water? That was always to me a mystery. Somehow God had protected me through His angels, as He still had a plan and purpose for me in my life that had to be carried out.

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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.

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