Betty Jo said................
Your concept of the ultimate reality is very different from the
personal nature of God as He is revealed in the Bible.

Mike replies.................
Thanks for your observations once more.  'Reality', for me,  is no
longer a concept, but I do have to present a concept if I am
communicating to others using words, otherwise I might as well remain
silent, because it cannot be described using words.  It is only
possible to give an idea of the flavour.  This is why religious
scriptures often use allegories, parables, metaphors etc, they allow
the mind to make a leap of understanding to something that is within
the experience of the other person(s).  Jesus put this well when asked
why he spoke to the people in parables - the close disciples receive
personal initiation but the masses because of their limited
understanding got the parables.  It rather like teaching young children
- you don't start them off with philosophy but perhaps with folk tales.
The apparent personal nature ascibed to God is another example - it is
the only way for the uninitiated.  In the Old testament there are at
least eleven different Hebrew words translated as 'God' most of them
are indicators of  Divine qualities e.g. Yehovah - self existent,
eternal, Elohym - ruling, judging, El - might, strength, willpower,
potency, Elyown - supreme being, most high, omnipotent, ab - originator
creator.  The last one, I understand translates as 'father' - a word
that the uneducated mind would readily understand, but this does not
mean that the creator of the universe is a person.

Betty Jo said................

The question here is, which definition makes sense when the subject of
meditation is God's law as it is in this case? His law has been given
to us verbally, and we can't really meditate on it without thinking. I
think Psalm 1 is telling us that we should fill our minds with God's
precepts and keep them in mind constantly.

Mike replies.................
That maybe, but it wasn't me that gave Psalms as an illustration of
meditation because it isn't.  The 'medi' in meditation gives the clue.
If you fill your mind with precepts they will soon be organised into
concepts and you will giving your attention to them and not the Divine.
You will be worshipping self created mental images.  If you direct
your attention beyond the physical realm - metaphysica you engage in
metaphysics in the realm of mind (noia).  Jesus preached metanoia - a
way of turning the attention beyond the mind.

Betty Jo said................

however, the Holy Spirit will lead you, and the Holy Spirit always
leads people to Jesus.

Mike replies.................
If you transpose the word 'Jesus' with 'the Truth' then I might agree
with you.

Betty Jo said................
You often speak of experience as being the equivalent of knowing. I can
partly agree, because there is a huge difference between having some
information about Jesus as opposed to knowing him personally through
the experience that Christians call the new birth. Merely being aware
of some information about Jesus does not save anyone. It is necessary
to know him by experience here and now.

Mike replies.................
If you transpose the word 'Jesus' with 'the Truth' then again I would
agree with you.

Betty Jo said................
We also need to know some things about the future, however, and the
only way we can do that is through faith in what God has foretold.
Shortly before his death, Jesus told his disciples that he was going to
go away to prepare a place for them in heaven, and that he would return
to take them to be with him. When he returns, he will be visible to
everyone, including non-Christians. At that point, the faith of those
who have accepted him will become sight. For the others, it will be too
late. Since you appear to doubt this, I hope you will reconsider.

Mike replies.................
I think you got it right when you said 'It is necessary to know him by
experience here and now' above.  I subscibe to the view that the
parousia sayings were added by the early church and not said by Jesus.
I believe Jesus said in Mt6 -33/34 words to the effect - first seek the
Divine state and follow -God's -Will then all your needs will be
satisfied.  Stop concerning yourself about the future, there is
sufficient evil to contend with in the present.  That's my motto
anyway, but thanks for your concern.
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