Mystical Christianity lesson 15 answers Bob Koenig

Questions For the Heart and Mind
Universal Life Church

1. Do you believe it's possible to "throw out the dirty bathwater in Christianity and still keep the baby"? How would you define the "baby" and what needs to change?

The "Baby" is the Christian Church as it stands today. Be it Catholic or Protestant, a lot of what the Churches 'preach' was initially developed from the idea that the Priests had the knowledge and the  congregation needed to seek/hear the knowledge. Back then, most could not read, only the Priests could. As it still stands today, most revere what the ministry says, and do little research of their own.  This is slowly changing. The Dirty bathwater could be the Gnostic books kept away from the Church.  The Catholic Bible does contain the Wisdom books, and I do not know completely how they view them.  Mystic Christianity is not viewed much at all by 'traditional' Churches.  I think the new reality of combining the two (Use King James Bible and, say the book, "The Gnostic Bible." Why not?)

2. Who is Jesus for you today in your life?

Jesus was a great man who wished for peace and unity amongst people. He gave us a new hope, and he had many good followers.  was he an avatar for God, or his Son, or a combination of both? I'd truly like to think his 'energy' still permeates the earth, and we can always feel it's warmth if we seek it. 

Mystical Christianity lesson 11 Bob Koenig

Questions For the Heart and Mind

1. What positives do you see in the Magdalene myth?

Mary would make an equal partner to Jesus...we'd have both a Male and Female working together.  Before, because of Eve, we see something 'bad' about women.  Then Mary, the Mother, is eternal Virgin..hard for any woman to live up to.  The Magdalene has been seen as sinner, whore...so many awful things, but used to show salvation, repentance. But, in her role as partner, male and female  could work together, better than we do today.

2.  How would the Christian Church be different if Magdalene Christianity had won the day?

The Church would have both male and female priests...no inequality would exist.  I think we would have more meditation in Christianity, and showing a closer bond in marriage ceremonies.

Perhaps other books would have been in the Bible, not omitted. and we'd respect the disciples, but Mary would be exalted over them.

3. Who is Mary Magdalene for you in the 21st century?

Mary is the symbol is equality. As stated before, we'd have better marriages, and the world in Christianity would feel more equal.  the 21st century Mary is any woman that presents herself as an equal to any man. 

By Rev. Bob

Lesson Mystical Christianity Lesson 10

Questions For the Heart and Mind

1. Discuss the symbolic significance of the name "Magdalene."

If we take the old Testament translation of the Magdal-eder, to heart, as "tower of the flock" Her name would coincide with Jesus' ideal as the Good Shepherd.  As a Tower, and being the "Apostles Apostle," she would obviously tower over all others in her connection to Jesus, and be the woman who helped start Christianity.

2. Assuming that Mary was the anointer of Jesus, what do you believe was the meaning of her action?

Mary annointing Jesus was a two fold action. symbolically, she 'Christed" him, made him whole for his appointed duty. Jesus, in turn, removed Mary's 'demons' and aligned her Chakras, making her his perfect mate and partner in their mission.

3. Have you ever been anointed? What was the context and what meaning did it have for you?

Annointed as far as baptism goes. It has meaning in where my life was headed. I wasn't aware at the time of it happening.

4. Do you believe that Mary Magdalene has as good a claim, and perhaps a better  claim, as Peter or Paul to be considered the founder of Christianity?

I cannot see why Christianity cant use all three for the claim. Her claim, as partner of Jesus might make her more instructed than the disciples, but that can be discussed more controversially by others.

Bob Koenig

Mystical Christianity Lesson 6

Questions For the Heart and Mind

1. How would you define the polarities of feminine and masculine?

your paper sounds correct when you think of of women feeling from the heart, where men may be more analytical .  However, I feel that both sexes were meant to be different to work together, not separate the differences, or one having power/authority over the other. We've seen the polarities all our lives, be it the Gods and Goddesses of Mythology, or Emperor and princess of a Tarot deck,  or even just walking into a toy store...the first hints of children having separate areas of toys for girls and toys for boys. The polarities are often needed when sharing and working together. However, everyone has a feminine and masculine side.  Your life can be very confusing if you hide a feminine aspect, and suddenly find yourself married and wondering why your wife behaves this way or that. As A human we have the choice to mix both male and female together....and as people we have the opportunity to work together.

2. Do you agree with Riane Eisler's theory of "Cultural Transformation" that posits an ancient partnership society that is usurped by a dominator mentality? In your opinion is matriarchy part of the dominator mentality?

Sure. It is a shame, since the culture that worked together as man and woman seemed to operate so beautifully. Then, Once the blade began to be used for defense, killing, they became a violent society, suppressing one side of the whole picture.  Matriarchy can be part of a dominator mentality, if the feminine side takes over just as much as the masculine would.  There is a reason why there are two sexes, or we would just be able to procreate by ourselves. We must work together and have neither a dominant side, but equal.

3. How does the history of the Goddess and its symbology impact the story of the Garden of Eden? Do you see the tree and the serpent any differently?

I found this very interesting as most Catholic faith would show how the serpent (and also, the woman) were responsible for the beginning of sin in the world.) Yet, they also depict Virgin Mary stepping on the serpent,  a woman  repairing what Eve caused. Some ages show the tree as a Goddess faith..something to be worshipped. Also, from this reading we see how the snake can be a feminine symbol. Some faiths also discuss the Garden of Eden story differently, saying that the snake was actually telling Eve to obtain the wisdom, one must eat from this tree. Yet God didnt want Adam or Eve to eat from this tree. We then took this story to have the snake being evil, the devil. He tempted Eve to go against God and eat an apple from this forbidden tree, and not only did she eat it, she persuaded Adam to eat it as well.

Hm. If a Tree of wisdom is seen as a Goddess image, as well as a snake, can this story be interpreted as Man (today) should snuff the divine feminine down, because it can obtain the wisdom and usurp our role in dominance? Eve looked to the Goddess (Tree, snake) and ignored the pleas of God, ate from the tree, obtained wisdom, and then offered it to a man? Therefore the Feminine was wise before the Masculine.   Yes, there are many ways to observe this story for thought.

Questions for 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'd like to see she was a disciple, perhaps a teacher alongside Jesus.  If she knew more than what was believed (as shown in other texts) she must have gone on to teach , not just the male disciples.

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

Oral and cultural traditions can change from person to person, and history can have a skewed view.  We know women were not seen in a good view back then, and..the Romans who put Bible together could have changed the story.  However, they didn't have tape recorders, but i would think popular stories for history could have been kept as something needed to be known and understood to be correct. 

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

It seems the more new text is found, the more it can influence our views.  as a child I always felt the teachings the lutheran church were teaching me were true, but i felt there was  something more to it. I looked into other religions, even Pagan ideas...and found I liked the Divine Feminine to be placed in same spot as masculine.  I loved seeing the Catholics liking Mother Mary....something we were never shown.  But somehow I see The Magdalene having a place in this as well.

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

Somehow the history on those stories conflict who she is...and yes, i do think it is her.  Time didn't keep up with a story on a woman....even very little is in Bible on Mother Mary.  But the outside books show more.

Mystical Christianity lesson 7 (Bob Koenig)

Questions For the Heart and Mind

1. Which manifestation of Sophia do you most identify with and why?

I would figure the one most visible to us,  Her appearance as the Virgin Mary.  She is present in peoples prayers, in visions, even when something appears to be her, be it in a tree, or a sidewalk, crowds gather...looking for some answer or reflection of God's light. I wish we could see more of her in Her Black Goddess stage, We desperately need this spiritual power and truth and justice, in our unjust world. But the Bible has been suppressed, and any mention of Her has been changed or the Divine Feminine is not understood by Churchgoers.  Moon power and feminine Divine are seen as something pagans would adhere to. 

2. What significance does the Sacred Marriage have for our 21st century Western society?

If we could further examine the "Song of Songs" and perhaps Jesus and mary Magdalene's roles (were they married?) we would see the good, holy side of sexual being. To me, sex is the ONE way we can be Godlike,  being able to connect with another soul, and in union, create a new life!!!  Yet, sex has been seen as wrong, unclean, used as dirty pornography. We have bastardized something wonderful. If we showed the Divine as a couple, and showing that sex would bring us closer to God/Goddess, wouldn't that be a good thing? Just read Thunder Scripture to see what the Divine feminine has to say..

3. Have you ever experienced the "descent of Inanna" in your own life? What were the "veils" that were stripped from you? What was the result?

I suppose a 'veil' could also be your title, or job. When my job was, at one time, removed, i was told I was no longer needed in the company, you felt, shock, shame, fear. The 'veil' lifted from your life made you wonder what you would do next.  In the case of a Job, it made me brush myself off to look for a new employer, and possibly a better one.

Answers for Mystical Christianity lesson #8 from Bob Koenig

Questions For the Heart and Mind

1. How do you view Mary of Nazareth?

I have heard everything from her just being a girl picked at random to take on the duty, to her being cosmically 'chosen' and picked 1,000 years before her birth, and after all the generations, she was the perfect one God had in mind. Like God's Trinity, I'd like to see an earthen trinity with John (The Baptist), Mary, and Jesus.  Reading Maria Valtorta's volumes of "Poem of the Man-God" , She obviously had a lot of effect on Jesus' teachings and ways.  She is seen as a Goddess to many, and with all the visions people have had of Her, We HAVE to take notice! If she started as a 'mere' human, she was transformed the instant she said "yes".

2. What does it mean to call Mary "the maternal face of God"?  In what ways is she the White Virgin?

She had purity in ways even more than virginity. Her purity, along with being Jesus' mother, made her the Mother of God icon she is today. As a mom, we think of her as being more approachable than God or Jesus. Seems that she is, as a Rosary can be prayed to her, and her visions and miracles have effected many. Catholics say they don't worship her, but they will pray to her first. Her kindness, grace and sincerity seem to be easily revealed. Praying to Mary works!! I know.

3. Is it fair to maintain that the Mary of the Church is a projection of a celibate, male priesthood created for political purposes?

The Church is often labelled as the bride. is Mary seen as the bride of God? Not outright, no.  Her image for women as a perpetual virgin is a tough woman to emulate. I suppose Nuns try to be like this, or even priests to be celibate.  I suppose it also keeps women out of becoming priests.  Though Mary Magdalene could be seen as the first woman priest.

4. Riane Eisler states that "Religion supports and perpetuates the social organization it reflects." What ways can you work to shift our culture away   from a dominator mentality and more to partnership with each other?

Mary in Her visions and messages does not work alone....why can't it be seen that if she and Jesus are still with us to be miraculous...why not show a Male and female structure?  Mary's messages are peaceful, and her visions keep those lucky to be able to see and hear spellbound. They say there is nothing more beautiful or peaceful than Her. Jesus was a man of Peace.  make a Church that follows them both. Actually, there is one!! Look up "Center of Light"