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195:10.1 [[Christianity]] has indeed done a great [[service]] for this world, but what is now most needed is [[Jesus]]. The world needs to see Jesus living again on [[earth]] in the [[experience]] of [[spirit]]-[[born]] [[mortals]] who effectively reveal [[the Master]] to all men. It is futile to talk about a [[revival]] of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apostolic_Age primitive Christianity]; you must go forward from where you find yourselves. [[Modern]] [[culture]] must become spiritually [[baptized]] with a new [[revelation]] of [[Jesus]]' life and [[illuminated]] with a new [[understanding]] of his [[gospel]] of [[eternal]] [[salvation]]. And when [[Jesus]] becomes thus lifted up, he will draw all men to himself. [[Jesus]]' [[disciples]] should be more than [[conquerors]], even overflowing [[sources]] of [[inspiration]] and enhanced [[living]] to all men. [[Religion]] is only an exalted [[humanism]] until it is made [[divine]] by the [[discovery]] of the [[reality]] of the [[presence]] of [[God]] in [[personal]] [[experience]].

195:10.1 [[Christianity]] has indeed done a great [[service]] for this world, but what is now most needed is [[Jesus]]. The world needs to see Jesus living again on [[earth]] in the [[experience]] of [[spirit]]-[[born]] [[mortals]] who effectively reveal [[the Master]] to all men. It is futile to talk about a [[revival]] of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apostolic_Age primitive Christianity]; you must go forward from where you find yourselves. [[Modern]] [[culture]] must become spiritually [[baptized]] with a new [[revelation]] of [[Jesus]]' life and [[illuminated]] with a new [[understanding]] of his [[gospel]] of [[eternal]] [[salvation]]. And when [[Jesus]] becomes thus lifted up, he will draw all men to himself. [[Jesus]]' [[disciples]] should be more than [[conquerors]], even overflowing [[sources]] of [[inspiration]] and enhanced [[living]] to all men. [[Religion]] is only an exalted [[humanism]] until it is made [[divine]] by the [[discovery]] of the [[reality]] of the [[presence]] of [[God]] in [[personal]] [[experience]].

195:10.2 The [[beauty]] and [[sublimity]], the [[humanity]] and [[divinity]], the [[simplicity]] and [[uniqueness]], of [[Jesus]]' life on [[earth]] present such a striking and [[appealing]] picture of man-saving and [[God]]-revealing that the [[theologians]] and [[philosophers]] of all time should be effectively restrained from [[daring]] to form [[creeds]] or create theological [[systems]] of spiritual [[bondage]] out of such a [[transcendental]] [[bestowal]] of God in the form of man. In [[Jesus]] the [[universe]] produced a [[mortal]] man in whom the spirit of [[love]] [[triumphed]] over the [[material]] [[handicaps]] of [[time]] and overcame the [[fact]] of [[physical]] [[origin]].

195:10.2 The [[beauty]] and [[sublimity]], the [[humanity]] and [[divinity]], the [[simplicity]] and [[uniqueness]], of [[Jesus]]' life on [[earth]] present such a striking and [[appealing]] picture of man-saving and [[God]]-revealing that the [[theologians]] and [[philosophers]] of all time should be effectively restrained from [[daring]] to form [[creeds]] or create theological [[systems]] of spiritual [[bondage]] out of such a [[transcendental]] [[bestowal]] of God in the form of man. In [[Jesus]] the [[universe]] produced a [[mortal]] man in whom the spirit of [[love]] [[triumphed]] over the [[material]] [[handicaps]] of [[time]] and overcame the [[fact]] of [[physical]] [[origin]].

195:10.7 No [[social]] [[system]] or [[political]] [[regime]] which denies the [[reality]] of [[God]] can contribute in any constructive and lasting [[manner]] to the advancement of human civilization. But [[Christianity]], as it is subdivided and [[secularized]] today, presents the greatest single [[obstacle]] to its further advancement; especially is this true concerning the [[Orient]].

195:10.7 No [[social]] [[system]] or [[political]] [[regime]] which denies the [[reality]] of [[God]] can contribute in any constructive and lasting [[manner]] to the advancement of human civilization. But [[Christianity]], as it is subdivided and [[secularized]] today, presents the greatest single [[obstacle]] to its further advancement; especially is this true concerning the [[Orient]].

195:10.8 [[Ecclesiasticism]] is at once and forever incompatible with that living [[faith]], growing [[spirit]], and firsthand [[experience]] of the [[faith]]-[[comrades]] of [[Jesus]] in the brotherhood of man in the [[spiritual]] [[association]] of [[the kingdom]] of heaven. The praiseworthy [[desire]] to preserve [[traditions]] of past [[achievement]] often leads to the [[defense]] of outgrown [[systems]] of [[worship]]. The well-meant [[desire]] to foster ancient [[thought]] systems effectually prevents the sponsoring of new and adequate means and [[methods]] designed to [[satisfy]] the spiritual longings of the expanding and advancing [[minds]] of [[modern]] men. Likewise, the [[Christian]] [[church]]es of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/20th_century twentieth century] stand as great, but wholly [[unconscious]], obstacles to the [[immediate]] advance of the real [[gospel]]—the teachings of [[Jesus]] of [[Nazareth]].

195:10.8 [[Ecclesiasticism]] is at once and forever incompatible with that living [[faith]], growing [[spirit]], and firsthand [[experience]] of the [[faith]]-[[comrades]] of [[Jesus]] in the brotherhood of man in the [[spiritual]] [[association]] of [[the kingdom]] of heaven. The praiseworthy [[desire]] to preserve [[traditions]] of past [[achievement]] often leads to the [[defense]] of outgrown [[systems]] of [[worship]]. The well-meant [[desire]] to foster ancient [[thought]] systems effectually prevents the sponsoring of new and adequate means and [[methods]] designed to [[satisfy]] the spiritual longings of the expanding and advancing [[minds]] of [[modern]] men. Likewise, the [[Christian]] [[church]]es of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/20th_century twentieth century] stand as great, but wholly [[unconscious]], obstacles to the [[immediate]] advance of the real [[gospel]]—the teachings of [[Jesus]] of [[Nazareth]].

195:10.9 Many [[earnest]] [[persons]] who would gladly yield [[loyalty]] to the Christ of the [[gospel]] find it very difficult enthusiastically to [[support]] a [[church]] which exhibits so little of the spirit of his life and teachings, and which they have been erroneously taught he founded. [[Jesus]] did not found the so-called Christian church, but he has, in every [[manner]] [[consistent]] with his [[nature]], fostered it as the best existent exponent of his lifework on [[earth]].

195:10.9 Many [[earnest]] [[persons]] who would gladly yield [[loyalty]] to the Christ of the [[gospel]] find it very difficult enthusiastically to [[support]] a [[church]] which exhibits so little of the spirit of his life and teachings, and which they have been erroneously taught he founded. [[Jesus]] did not found the so-called Christian church, but he has, in every [[manner]] [[consistent]] with his [[nature]], fostered it as the best existent exponent of his lifework on [[earth]].

195:10.10 If the [[Christian]] [[church]] would only dare to espouse [[the Master]]'s program, thousands of apparently indifferent [[youths]] would rush forward to enlist in such a [[spiritual]] undertaking, and they would not [[hesitate]] to go all the way through with this great [[adventure]].

195:10.10 If the [[Christian]] [[church]] would only dare to espouse [[the Master]]'s program, thousands of apparently indifferent [[youths]] would rush forward to enlist in such a [[spiritual]] undertaking, and they would not [[hesitate]] to go all the way through with this great [[adventure]].

195:10.11 [[Christianity]] is seriously [[confronted]] with the [[doom]] embodied in one of its own [[slogans]]: " A house divided against itself cannot stand. "[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Gospel_of_matthew#Chapter_12] The non-Christian world will hardly capitulate to a [[sect]]-divided [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christendom Christendom]. The living [[Jesus]] is the only [[hope]] of a possible unification of [[Christianity]]. The true church—the [[Jesus]] brotherhood—is invisible, [[spiritual]], and is characterized by [[unity]], not necessarily by [[uniformity]]. Uniformity is the earmark of the [[physical]] world of [[mechanistic]] nature. [[Spiritual]] [[unity]] is the fruit of [[faith]] union with the living [[Jesus]]. The visible [[church]] should refuse longer to [[handicap]] the [[progress]] of the invisible and [[spiritual]] brotherhood of [[the kingdom]] of God. And this brotherhood is [[destined]] to become a living [[organism]] in [[contrast]] to an institutionalized [[social]] [[organization]]. It may well utilize such social organizations, but it must not be supplanted by them.

195:10.11 [[Christianity]] is seriously [[confronted]] with the [[doom]] embodied in one of its own [[slogans]]: " A house divided against itself cannot stand. "[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Gospel_of_matthew#Chapter_12] The non-Christian world will hardly capitulate to a [[sect]]-divided [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christendom Christendom]. The living [[Jesus]] is the only [[hope]] of a possible unification of [[Christianity]]. The true church—the [[Jesus]] brotherhood—is invisible, [[spiritual]], and is characterized by [[unity]], not necessarily by [[uniformity]]. Uniformity is the earmark of the [[physical]] world of [[mechanistic]] nature. [[Spiritual]] [[unity]] is the fruit of [[faith]] union with the living [[Jesus]]. The visible [[church]] should refuse longer to [[handicap]] the [[progress]] of the invisible and [[spiritual]] brotherhood of [[the kingdom]] of God. And this brotherhood is [[destined]] to become a living [[organism]] in [[contrast]] to an institutionalized [[social]] [[organization]]. It may well utilize such social organizations, but it must not be supplanted by them.

195:10.12 But the [[Christianity]] of even the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/20th_century twentieth century] must not be despised. It is the product of the combined [[moral]] [[genius]] of the God-knowing men of many [[races]] during many ages, and it has truly been one of the greatest [[powers]] for [[good]] on [[earth]], and therefore no man should lightly regard it, notwithstanding its [[inherent]] and acquired [[defects]]. [[Christianity]] still contrives to move the minds of [[reflective]] men with mighty [[moral]] [[emotions]].

195:10.12 But the [[Christianity]] of even the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/20th_century twentieth century] must not be despised. It is the product of the combined [[moral]] [[genius]] of the God-knowing men of many [[races]] during many ages, and it has truly been one of the greatest [[powers]] for [[good]] on [[earth]], and therefore no man should lightly regard it, notwithstanding its [[inherent]] and acquired [[defects]]. [[Christianity]] still contrives to move the minds of [[reflective]] men with mighty [[moral]] [[emotions]].

195:10.13 But there is no excuse for the involvement of the [[church]] in [[commerce]] and [[politics]]; such unholy [[alliance]]s are a flagrant [[betrayal]] of [[the Master]]. And the genuine lovers of [[truth]] will be slow to forget that this powerful [[institutionalized]] [[church]] has often dared to smother newborn [[faith]] and [[persecute]] [[truth]] bearers who chanced to [[appear]] in unorthodox raiment.

195:10.13 But there is no excuse for the involvement of the [[church]] in [[commerce]] and [[politics]]; such unholy [[alliance]]s are a flagrant [[betrayal]] of [[the Master]]. And the genuine lovers of [[truth]] will be slow to forget that this powerful [[institutionalized]] [[church]] has often dared to smother newborn [[faith]] and [[persecute]] [[truth]] bearers who chanced to [[appear]] in unorthodox raiment.

195:10.14 It is all too true that such a [[church]] would not have [[survived]] unless there had been men in the world who preferred such a [[Form|style]] of [[worship]]. Many spiritually [[indolent]] [[souls]] crave an ancient and [[authoritative]] religion of [[ritual]] and [[sacred]] [[traditions]]. Human [[evolution]] and spiritual [[progress]] are hardly sufficient to enable all men to dispense with [[religious]] [[authority]]. And the invisible brotherhood of [[the kingdom]] may well include these family [[groups]] of various [[social]] and [[temperamental]] [[classes]] if they are only willing to become truly [[spirit]]-led [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_40#40:6._THE_FAITH_SONS_OF_GOD sons of God]. But in this brotherhood of [[Jesus]] there is no place for [[sectarian]] [[rivalry]], [[group]] bitterness, nor assertions of [[moral]] superiority and spiritual [[infallibility]].

195:10.14 It is all too true that such a [[church]] would not have [[survived]] unless there had been men in the world who preferred such a [[Form|style]] of [[worship]]. Many spiritually [[indolent]] [[souls]] crave an ancient and [[authoritative]] religion of [[ritual]] and [[sacred]] [[traditions]]. Human [[evolution]] and spiritual [[progress]] are hardly sufficient to enable all men to dispense with [[religious]] [[authority]]. And the invisible brotherhood of [[the kingdom]] may well include these family [[groups]] of various [[social]] and [[temperamental]] [[classes]] if they are only willing to become truly [[spirit]]-led [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_40#40:6._THE_FAITH_SONS_OF_GOD sons of God]. But in this brotherhood of [[Jesus]] there is no place for [[sectarian]] [[rivalry]], [[group]] bitterness, nor assertions of [[moral]] superiority and spiritual [[infallibility]].

195:10.15 These various groupings of [[Christians]] may serve to accommodate numerous [[different]] [[types]] of would-be [[believers]] among the various peoples of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_culture Western civilization], but such division of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christendom Christendom] presents a grave [[weakness]] when it attempts to carry the [[gospel]] of [[Jesus]] to [[Oriental]] peoples. These [[races]] do not yet understand that there is a religion of Jesus separate, and somewhat apart, from Christianity, which has more and more become a religion about Jesus.

195:10.15 These various groupings of [[Christians]] may serve to accommodate numerous [[different]] [[types]] of would-be [[believers]] among the various peoples of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_culture Western civilization], but such division of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christendom Christendom] presents a grave [[weakness]] when it attempts to carry the [[gospel]] of [[Jesus]] to [[Oriental]] peoples. These [[races]] do not yet understand that there is a religion of Jesus separate, and somewhat apart, from Christianity, which has more and more become a religion about Jesus.

195:10.16 The great [[hope]] of [[Urantia]] lies in the [[possibility]] of a new [[revelation]] of [[Jesus]] with a new and enlarged presentation of his saving [[message]] which would spiritually unite in loving [[service]] the numerous [[families]] of his present-day professed [[followers]].

195:10.16 The great [[hope]] of [[Urantia]] lies in the [[possibility]] of a new [[revelation]] of [[Jesus]] with a new and enlarged presentation of his saving [[message]] which would spiritually unite in loving [[service]] the numerous [[families]] of his present-day professed [[followers]].

195:10.17 Even [[secular]] [[education]] could help in this great [[spiritual]] [[renaissance]] if it would pay more [[attention]] to the [[work]] of teaching [[youth]] how to [[engage]] in life planning and [[character]] progression. The [[purpose]] of all [[education]] should be to foster and further the [[supreme]] [[purpose]] of life, the [[development]] of a [[majestic]] and well-[[balanced]] [[personality]]. There is great need for the teaching of [[moral]] [[discipline]] in the place of so much [[self-gratification]]. Upon such a [[foundation]] religion may contribute its [[spiritual]] [[incentive]] to the enlargement and enrichment of [[mortal]] life, even to the [[security]] and enhancement of life [[eternal]].

195:10.17 Even [[secular]] [[education]] could help in this great [[spiritual]] [[renaissance]] if it would pay more [[attention]] to the [[work]] of teaching [[youth]] how to [[engage]] in life planning and [[character]] progression. The [[purpose]] of all [[education]] should be to foster and further the [[supreme]] [[purpose]] of life, the [[development]] of a [[majestic]] and well-[[balanced]] [[personality]]. There is great need for the teaching of [[moral]] [[discipline]] in the place of so much [[self-gratification]]. Upon such a [[foundation]] religion may contribute its [[spiritual]] [[incentive]] to the enlargement and enrichment of [[mortal]] life, even to the [[security]] and enhancement of life [[eternal]].

195:10.18 [[Christianity]] is an extemporized [[religion]], and therefore must it operate in low gear. High-gear [[spiritual]] [[performances]] must await the new [[revelation]] and the more general [[acceptance]] of the [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_101#PAPER_101:_THE_REAL_NATURE_OF_RELIGION real religion] of Jesus. But [[Christianity]] is a mighty religion, seeing that the commonplace [[disciples]] of a [[crucified]] [[carpenter]] set in motion those teachings which conquered the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_empire Roman world] in three hundred years and then went on to [[triumph]] over the [[barbarians]] who overthrew [[Rome]]. This same [[Christianity]] [[conquered]]—absorbed and exalted—the whole [[stream]] of [[Hebrew]] [[theology]] and [[Greek]] [[philosophy]]. And then, when this Christian religion became [[Sleep|comatose]] for more than a thousand years as a result of an overdose of [[mysteries]] and [[paganism]], it resurrected itself and virtually reconquered the whole http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_culture Western world]. Christianity contains enough of [[Jesus]]' teachings to immortalize it.

195:10.18 [[Christianity]] is an extemporized [[religion]], and therefore must it operate in low gear. High-gear [[spiritual]] [[performances]] must await the new [[revelation]] and the more general [[acceptance]] of the [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_101#PAPER_101:_THE_REAL_NATURE_OF_RELIGION real religion] of Jesus. But [[Christianity]] is a mighty religion, seeing that the commonplace [[disciples]] of a [[crucified]] [[carpenter]] set in motion those teachings which conquered the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_empire Roman world] in three hundred years and then went on to [[triumph]] over the [[barbarians]] who overthrew [[Rome]]. This same [[Christianity]] [[conquered]]—absorbed and exalted—the whole [[stream]] of [[Hebrew]] [[theology]] and [[Greek]] [[philosophy]]. And then, when this Christian religion became [[Sleep|comatose]] for more than a thousand years as a result of an overdose of [[mysteries]] and [[paganism]], it resurrected itself and virtually reconquered the whole https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_culture Western world]. Christianity contains enough of [[Jesus]]' teachings to immortalize it.

195:10.19 If [[Christianity]] could only grasp more of Jesus' teachings, it could do so much more in helping [[modern]] man to solve his new and increasingly [[complex]] [[problems]].

195:10.19 If [[Christianity]] could only grasp more of Jesus' teachings, it could do so much more in helping [[modern]] man to solve his new and increasingly [[complex]] [[problems]].

195:10.20 Christianity suffers under a great [[handicap]] because it has become identified in the [[minds]] of all the world as a part of the [[social]] [[system]], the [[industrial]] life, and the [[moral]] [[standards]] of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_culture Western civilization]; and thus has Christianity unwittingly seemed to sponsor a [[society]] which staggers under the [[guilt]] of tolerating [[science]] without [[idealism]], [[politics]] without [[principles]], [[wealth]] without [[work]], [[pleasure]] without restraint, [[knowledge]] without [[character]], [[power]] without [[conscience]], and [[industry]] without [[morality]].

195:10.20 Christianity suffers under a great [[handicap]] because it has become identified in the [[minds]] of all the world as a part of the [[social]] [[system]], the [[industrial]] life, and the [[moral]] [[standards]] of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_culture Western civilization]; and thus has Christianity unwittingly seemed to sponsor a [[society]] which staggers under the [[guilt]] of tolerating [[science]] without [[idealism]], [[politics]] without [[principles]], [[wealth]] without [[work]], [[pleasure]] without restraint, [[knowledge]] without [[character]], [[power]] without [[conscience]], and [[industry]] without [[morality]].

195:10.21 The [[hope]] of [[modern]] Christianity is that it should cease to sponsor the [[social]] [[systems]] and [[industrial]] [[policies]] of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_culture Western civilization] while it [[humbly]] bows itself before the [[cross]] it so valiantly extols, there to learn anew from [[Jesus]] of [[Nazareth]] the greatest [[truths]] mortal man can ever hear—the living [[gospel]] of the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man.

195:10.21 The [[hope]] of [[modern]] Christianity is that it should cease to sponsor the [[social]] [[systems]] and [[industrial]] [[policies]] of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_culture Western civilization] while it [[humbly]] bows itself before the [[cross]] it so valiantly extols, there to learn anew from [[Jesus]] of [[Nazareth]] the greatest [[truths]] mortal man can ever hear—the living [[gospel]] of the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man.

<center>[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_195 Go to Paper 195]</center>

<center>[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_195 Go to Paper 195]</center>

<center>[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=The_Urantia_Text_-_Contents Go to Table of Contents]</center>

<center>[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=The_Urantia_Text_-_Contents Go to Table of Contents]</center>

[[Category:Paper 195 - After Pentecost]]

[[Category:Paper 195 - After Pentecost]]

[[Category: Christianity]]

[[Category: Christianity]]