Master of Mystical Christianity Lesson 16

Mystical Christianity Course from the ULC Seminary

Questions For the Heart and Mind

1. Have you ever had memories or experiences that your rational logic could not explain? Where do you believe the experience or information originated?  Yes, I have had memories and experiences that my rational logic could not explain. I believe that the collective experience of my forebears and their prayers from the next life help to assist me in my path through life. I believe the experiences I have gone through have come from Almighty God working within my life.

2. How would you define the concept of resurrection? Resurrection is the new life we are destined to share with God in the next life.

3. What do you believe regarding the preexistence of the soul? I believe that we are in God in some mysterious way, and that He incarnates us into existence in human form according to His time and Plan.

4. Are you a physical body having a spiritual experience, or a spiritual body having a physical experience? What for you is the difference? I believe that I am neither. I believe I am a united entity of the wonder of body and soul/spirit fused together according to God's Plan to live out my allotted time on this earth. I believe I leave behind my earthly covering like a coat left behind once my journey is over. Yet in some mysterious way I will still be resurrected body and soul immediately after my last days on earth, however no longer subject to the illness, aging and sufferings my body is subject to in this world. The difference for me is in the detail. I believe much of what God does is by itself a mystery. of which the detail is not always known. However, the work He does is no less real or accurate despite my lack of full knowledge of the action of the Divine.

Master of Mystical Christianity Lesson 17

Questions For the Heart and Mind from the Mystical Christianity Course

In your opinion, why do bad things happen to good people? I believe that that there is an evil force named satan/lucifer which has the goal to bring about evil in the world and to frustrate God's plan for good for our universe. I believe that the force named satan/lucifer and his followers have influence to bring about bad situations in order to trouble good people. The story of Genesis highlighted in symbol the evil force entering the dynamic between humanity and God. Satan succeeded in turning the heart and mind of humanity away from total acceptance and worship of God (Genesis 3;1-24).  How do you resolve the ancient dilemma of how a loving and just God can allow tragic things to happen? I accept Jesus Christ's explanation that there is a negative/evil influence in the world which He named lucifer ((Luke  10:18); and that lucifer/satan has influence to cause tragic things to happen. I believe that God has worked to frustrate this influence by His plan to incarnate as Jesus Christ in the human world, and to bring about a reentry visa so to speak for humanity to enter heaven after our time here on earth. I believe that God allows tragic things to happen in the short term, but will bring about His Plan for our happiness and good in the long term, i.e. in eternity and the state called heaven. I cannot give a full answer to the ancient dilemma, as to me there is much that is mystery about God. However, my life of prayer and faith helps me to see that there is much I do not know, but I can rest assured in the faith that God does know, and so all is well. In my own personal life experience, I was injured in a car accident years ago, and since that time have lived with the resultant fibromyalgia and pain/difficulties this causes. At the time this was a tragic event to me, and I suffered much physically and emotionally. Now, years later, I realize that dealing with the difficulties and pain of fibromyalgia gave me much time to reflect and commune with God, to depend totally on Him, and ultimately led me to ordination and ministry as priest. What was at the time a tragic thing for me is an event that brought about the most wonderful thing that could have happened to me. Describe the way you see karma working in your life. I believe karma to be the law of cause and effect leading to balance. So I believe karma is God at work in my life. If I do good, ultimately all situations will turn out for the good through the grace of God actively at work in my life. Do you believe that karma is one hundred percent responsible for your current circumstances or are there other important factors involved? If so, what are they? I believe God's Plan at work in my life is the important factor at all times. My current circumstances I believe to be the end result of God walking with me on my life's path as I seek to find the answers to life's challenges. Karma - the law of cause and effect leading to balance - has certainly been at work in my life. I believe karma is influenced by other people and their decisions. If someone makes the decision to do something hurtful, the end result will cause difficulty and negativity for others. If someone makes the decision to do something helpful towards others, the end result others' lives will be helpful and positive. I do not have control over the cause of situations caused by others. Nor do I have control on the effect of situations. However, I do have control over how I respond to the situations. I believe that reaching out to God to ask for answers as to the best way of dealing with these issues will lead towards balance and harmony with the universe as God inspires through His Word in the Gospels and His example during His incarnation as Jesus Christ here on earth. Catherine Whittle

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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Mystical Christianity

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."
 

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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.

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.

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Mystical Christianity Course

Master of Mystical Christianity Final Essay
Michael Barth

    This course in Mystical Christianity really got me thinking about Christianity in a new way.  One thing that I learned was how I really view the Bible and Scriptures in my daily living.  I never could make my mind up if the Bible was supposed to be taken literally or symbolically.  After taking this course, I decided that some parts of the Bible are supposed to be taken literally while other parts are supposed to be taken symbolically.  I use a lot more from the Bible than I had previously thought.  Some of the things that I use from the Bible are the Ten Commandments, the Golden Rule, and living as closely to how Jesus Christ lived.

    Another thing I learned was how masculine and the feminine are related to Christianity.  I have to admit that I did not think that the feminine was as strong in Christianity as I had previously thought.  One example is from Genesis in when God created man.  I had previously associated God creating man with creating Adam and then creating Eve from Adam’s rib, thus making Eve subservient to the male, Adam.  This thinking was changed during this course and I now think that the masculine and the feminine are equal.
    Another thing that I loved was learning about how the Mayan Calendar Year of 2012 relates to us.  When ever I heard of this topic, I was always hearing that the Earth was going to cease to exist.  I interpreted this as the planet Earth not existing or at least not having any life on it.  This was changed in the final lessons.  I now know that the Mayan Year of 2012 is when there will be a change from the Age of Pisces to the Age of Aquarius.  During this time, there will be an awakening among people where the right side of the brain will be developed and joined together with the left side of the brain.  After reading this, I started thinking that maybe I am starting to awaken by taking this course along with others through the ULC Seminary.  This change to the Age of Aquarius seems exciting and something to look forward to since peace and harmony among people will be possible if we as humans awaken.

    Another thing that I learned was how sexuality (sex), if used correctly, is the sexual union between the masculine and the feminine and is nothing to be ashamed of.  I had been taught from the time I was a child that sex was only for procreation and was not to be done otherwise since it is wrong and evil then.  This course helped me change my thinking about sexuality.  Now I am thinking that sex can be used to show love between the masculine and the feminine.
    Reading about the Essenes was real interesting.  I had heard of the Dead Sea Scrolls but never knew that the scrolls were about the Essenes.  I had never heard of the Essenes before.  Reading about how they lived and how they opposed many practices of Jerusalem and how they thought how Rome compromised and corrupted Judaism.   I thought how the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered was really interesting.  The fact that the scrolls were hidden in a cave around 70 C.E. and weren’t discovered until about the 1950’s was amazing.

    This course was really helpful.  It got me thinking and question things that I had been taught.  I know that the people who taught me did their best and were teaching what they had been taught, but I was never exposed to the material in this manner.  While everyone is going to have their own interpretation of things, this course got me to think and question some of the beliefs that I have had for so long especially about the masculine and feminine.  I would recommend this course to people who are interested in seeing a different view point about topics that they probably have been exposed to.  This course was laid out excellently and was easy to follow.  It was a great pleasure that I was able to take this course.

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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.

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.

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Mystical Chrsitianity Course

Mystical Christianity/Homework/Lesson 8                                                                            

1. I view Mary of Nazareth as a historical person. I enjoyed the picture given in this lesson of the world in which she lived and the choices which she had as a pregnant teenaged bride. It could all have ended tragically except for the caring person of Joseph whose important decisions saved Mary’s life and the life of her unborn son. She is the mother of our Lord, Jesus Christ which was both an honor and a draw-back. Luckily, Joseph and Mary formed a partnership which would evolve into a solid marriage. At this point, I can’t imagine one without the other. Both took risks to follow their faith. If every marriage was founded on faith and respect, a partnership society might become the inevitable outcome.                                                                                                                      

2. In traditional Christianity or at least Roman Catholicism, Mary is called the Queen of Heaven. She is Jesus’ loving mother and is said to act as our own mother in heaven. She remains virginally pure (even though she has had other children besides Jesus) and has the role of intercessor between human beings and her Son, the Christ. I do not believe in go-betweens but some people may believe that through her infinite compassion, she is available for that purpose.                                                                                                            

As the White Virgin, she is married to the Church (Joseph being no longer mentioned after the Nativity and flight in and out of Egypt.) After Calvary, Mary mourns as any mother would. She goes out of the N.T. scene not long after the Resurrection. During Jesus’ Ministry, she was pretty helpless as many woman disciples assisted Him in much more direct ways. Her role played, Mary stayed in a nebulous background, certainly unlike her goddess counterpart.                                                                                                         

3. The veneration of Mary may have been instrumental in keeping women out of important roles in organized religion. The cult could have been instituted to placate those verbal few who demanded respect for their most famous “Christian” heroine.                                   

4. If it were possible, I would like to see more women in leadership roles in the Christian Church. Some denominations allow women to be ordained as pastors while others point to the Bible and say that women as clergy goes against the law of God. I would love to see a female priest in the Roman Catholic Church and it would be a great thing for R.C. priests of both sexes marry and raise families. These changes will probably not occur in my lifetime if at all because a dominator society exists.

 

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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.

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