Re: Most Censured Christian Author?
Beirdd

Sat Nov  7 21:32:51 1998
At the "center" of spirit, there certainly is no left, right, or even "center."  The center of spirit is merely the fullness of truth.*p*The "spirit" of Jesus' teaching has almost always been misconstrued by people on either wingtip of this proverbial dove. Those on one side demand a complete handing over of the will to the "fulfillment of the law and prophets," as Jesus is viewed theologically. Some take this to such a degree that salvation is not even attainable by personal acts, but only by faith that if you are predestined for it you will have it and if not, you won't. On the other side are those who focus of Jesus' seeming rejection of the law and how this manifested itself in his tolerance of those "outside" the law: prostitutes, beggars, gentiles. These tend to make him the "granter of sublime permission." In extreme cases, this group has produced rapine and murder.*p*Both sides, in my opinion, are very far from the truth of the matter. The teachings of Jesus are harder than anyone can imagine. They demand an adherence to "the spirit of the law," not in the way we translate it in terms of centrism and moderation, but in a giving of self that is so complete that the individual and the spirit become one and the law, therefore, becomes inscribed on hearts rather than stone. There would be no need of "the Law" where everyone lives "the Law."*p*A child needs to be told not to cross the street. This is the law. As an adult, that same person is careful not to cross without looking, because to do so would jeopardize his life and, therefore, the lives of everyone for whom he is responsible. The child's "law," "Don't cross the street," remains the same, yet it has become actualized in the will of the adult.*p*There are many examples in the New Testament in which Jesus tries to get this point across. Some of the most direct are those statements which take the form, "You have heard it said...but I say to you..."*br*Misunderstandings of this idea has led to many ridiculous ideas on both sides of the "religio-political aisle," on subjects from murder to marriage. It has also led to much confusion about the role and results of a "correctly formed conscience."*p*I don't intend this post to be a expounding of Christian teaching. I just want it to be a reminder that when we are dealing with spiritual things that look to us to be "left" or "right", we are missing the fact that they are usually "above" and demand much more of us than we'd like to think.*p*--Beirdd*p*Searles wrote,*p*: I'm wondering if being on the far right or the far left *br*: means that one is also far from the center of their *br*: religion?  Many times in my own religious life, I've found *br*: that it helps to take a retreat from the influences of the *br*: world to regain the center of meaning and spirituality.  *br*: Maybe its time for all of us to find that center?  We might *br*: find that at the center of spirit, there is not right, nor *br*: even a left.*br*:*br*: Searles*br*
Most Censured Christian Author?
Searles
230
Sat Nov  7 14:02:53 1998