1.
Author: jeremy taylor
Date: Monday, March 2, 2009
Subject: type in google dr. jeremy taylor d.min stole the name, rev jeremy taylor stole a God spoken protected christians ministry name and wrote and called ministry above copyrights
ID: 100173

type in google dr. jeremy taylor d.min stole the name, rev jeremy taylor stole a God spoken protected christians ministry name and wrote and called ministry above copyrights

2.
Author: Peter Laurence Ed.D.
Date: Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Subject: getting some clarity; and about CREATOR
ID: 100108
In reply to: 100105

Hi Theodore,

Thanks for your comments. What you're looking for is exactly what this workshop is about. We're presenting one set of perspectives on these "big questions" and hope that the workshop participants will add their understandings to the mix. If we have a diverse group it should provide for a very stimulating conversation. We look forward to seeing you there!

3.
Author: Theodore Timpson
Date: Monday, May 12, 2008
Subject: getting some clarity; and about CREATOR
ID: 100105
In reply to: 100077

My understanding of the Creator gained a lot from this conversation:

"How can God be a personal being," a man asked, "when the universe is made of billions of galaxies? How can the individual have any importance?"

"Your concept of God is too limited," Yogananda replied. "He is both infinitely large and infinitely small. He is more aware of you than you are of yourself."

This kind of metaphysical inquiry is certainly appealing to me, but it is hard to fit within the context of traditional religion, which relies on particular texts and assumptions. I wonder if the workshop could focus on a few particular ideas, to engage multiple perspectives. What are the Christian, Jewish, Muslim, etc. perceptions of evolution, for example?

4.
Author: Peter Laurence Ed.D.
Date: Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Subject: Direct quotes?
ID: 100086
In reply to: 100084

Hi Bettina,

The texts I've provided for dialogue are not commentary or interpretation, they are taken directly from The Urantia Book. The only changes I've made are to eliminate wherever possible any technical terms that would be confusing to someone who has not read the original, and to replace that language with similar terms that are more universally understandable. I've tried to preserve the original meaning of the text by not paraphrasing but rather by substituting specific terms. The intent here is to convey the original message in as clear a manner as possible to people who have not read The Urantia Book, so that they can respond with similar concepts from their own traditions or personal understandings.

5.
Author: Bettina Gray
Date: Friday, March 14, 2008
Subject: Direct quotes?
ID: 100084

It would help clarify the discussion if you could include a clear designation using quotations or markings of paraphrase where pertinent. I find the introduction a bit confusing between what is personal interpretation and what is text.

There is always a difference between the personal life experience of theology and the basic texts. I hope this discussion will make that dividing line clearly.

6.
Author: Peter Laurence Ed.D.
Date: Thursday, March 13, 2008
Subject: Response to Paul
ID: 100083

THE CREATOR

The Urantia Book, like most other religious texts, is full of technical language. A full reading of the book is required in order to become familiar with the terms used. In this exercise we've modified the language somewhat to substitute common terms for the technical ones. "Creator" is one of those. Every attempt was made to maintain the full meaning of the original, but it's possible that the exerpts we chose for this online discussion may leave some gaps. In the workshop itself we'll provide additional material that should provide more consistency.

SPIRITUAL EVOLUTION

The Urantia Book describes spiritual evolution as our primary task of existence. While some belief systems place such evolution on a continuum here on Earth, The Urantia Book describes a never-ending progression through the inhabited universe, leading eventually to the center of all things and then on to an eternity of service. This progression scheme was originated and is sustained by the original Creator, with the intent of leading each of us toward perfection. What it means to me personally is the promise of an amazing future!

7.
Author: Rev. Paul Chaffee
Date: Thursday, March 6, 2008
Subject: Getting some clarity; and about CREATOR
ID: 100077

I love the sound of the things that you say, Peter and Susan, but the words at first feel a bit fudgy. With Creator, it all sounds very abstract, not personal, a framework - but later in your opening, we hear about a personified, active Creator.

Another first reaction - it sounds like spiritual evolution is an underlying substratum to everything else you have written. Is that right, and if so, could you say more about what it means to you. Where evolution comes from, how it got there, and why its leading us towards the light?

For me, CREATOR is one way, one image and set of assumptions, for understanding God and the Creation. My own 'theology' of creation was deeply influenced by mystery writer Dorothy Sayer's extraordinary book on creation, creativity, and God, The Mind of the Maker (1941). I read the book decades ago but it still helps me think about how the world works.

Interfaith work has made opened me up to all sorts of other thoughts and wisdom about creator/creation, many that don't fit into the Christian understanding Sayers presents. But enough for one post!