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132:3.1 Nabon was a [[Greek]] [[Jew]] and foremost among the [[leaders]] of the chief [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mystery_cults mystery cult] in [[Rome]], the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mithraism Mithraic]. While this high priest of Mithraism held many [[conferences]] with the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damascus Damascus] [[scribe]], he was most permanently [[influenced]] by their [[discussion]] of [[truth]] and [[faith]] one evening. Nabon had thought to make a [[convert]] of [[Jesus]] and had even suggested that he return to [[Palestine]] as a Mithraic teacher. He little realized that Jesus was [[preparing]] him to become one of the early converts to the [[gospel]] of the kingdom. Restated in modern phraseology, the substance of Jesus' teaching was:

132:3.1 Nabon was a [[Greek]] [[Jew]] and foremost among the [[leaders]] of the chief [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mystery_cults mystery cult] in [[Rome]], the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mithraism Mithraic]. While this high priest of Mithraism held many [[conferences]] with the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damascus Damascus] [[scribe]], he was most permanently [[influenced]] by their [[discussion]] of [[truth]] and [[faith]] one evening. Nabon had thought to make a [[convert]] of [[Jesus]] and had even suggested that he return to [[Palestine]] as a Mithraic teacher. He little realized that Jesus was [[preparing]] him to become one of the early converts to the [[gospel]] of the kingdom. Restated in modern phraseology, the substance of Jesus' teaching was:

132:3.2 [[Truth]] cannot be [[defined]] with [[words]], only by living. [[Truth]] is always more than [[knowledge]]. Knowledge pertains to [[things]] [[observed]], but [[truth]] [[transcends]] such purely [[material]] levels in that it consorts with [[wisdom]] and [[embraces]] such imponderables as human [[experience]], even spiritual and living [[realities]]. [[Knowledge]] originates in [[science]]; [[wisdom]], in true philosophy; [[truth]], in the religious experience of spiritual living. [[Knowledge]] deals with [[facts]]; [[wisdom]], with [[relationships]]; [[truth]], with [[reality]] [[values]].

132:3.2 [[Truth]] cannot be [[defined]] with [[words]], only by living. [[Truth]] is always more than [[knowledge]]. Knowledge pertains to [[things]] [[observed]], but [[truth]] [[transcends]] such purely [[material]] levels in that it consorts with [[wisdom]] and [[embraces]] such imponderables as human [[experience]], even spiritual and living [[realities]]. [[Knowledge]] originates in [[science]]; [[wisdom]], in true philosophy; [[truth]], in the religious experience of spiritual living. [[Knowledge]] deals with [[facts]]; [[wisdom]], with [[relationships]]; [[truth]], with [[reality]] [[values]].

132:3.3 Man tends to [[crystallize]] [[science]], [[formulate]] [[philosophy]], and [[dogmatize]] [[truth]] because he is mentally [[lazy]] in [[adjusting]] to the [[progressive]] struggles of living, while he is also terribly [[afraid]] of the [[unknown]]. Natural man is slow to [[initiate]] [[changes]] in his [[habits]] of [[thinking]] and in his [[techniques]] of living.

132:3.3 Man tends to [[crystallize]] [[science]], [[formulate]] [[philosophy]], and [[dogmatize]] [[truth]] because he is mentally [[lazy]] in [[adjusting]] to the [[progressive]] struggles of living, while he is also terribly [[afraid]] of the [[unknown]]. Natural man is slow to [[initiate]] [[changes]] in his [[habits]] of [[thinking]] and in his [[techniques]] of living.

132:3.4 [[Revealed]] [[truth]], personally [[discovered]] [[truth]], is the [[supreme]] [[delight]] of the [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_111#111:2._NATURE_OF_THE_SOUL human soul]; it is the joint [[creation]] of the [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_42#10._UNIVERSAL_NONSPIRITUAL_ENERGY_SYSTEMS_.28MATERIAL_MIND_SYSTEMS.29 material mind] and the [[indwelling spirit]]. The [[eternal]] [[salvation]] of this [[truth]]-[[discerning]] and [[beauty]]-loving [[soul]] is [[assured]] by that [[hunger]] and [[thirst]] for [[goodness]] which leads this [[mortal]] to develop a singleness of [[purpose]] to [[do the Father's will]], to find God and to become like him. There is never [[conflict]] between true [[knowledge]] and [[truth]]. There may be conflict between [[knowledge]] and human [[beliefs]], beliefs colored with [[prejudice]], distorted by [[fear]], and [[dominated]] by the dread of facing new [[facts]] of material [[discovery]] or spiritual [[progress]].

132:3.4 [[Revealed]] [[truth]], personally [[discovered]] [[truth]], is the [[supreme]] [[delight]] of the [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_111#111:2._NATURE_OF_THE_SOUL human soul]; it is the joint [[creation]] of the [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_42#10._UNIVERSAL_NONSPIRITUAL_ENERGY_SYSTEMS_.28MATERIAL_MIND_SYSTEMS.29 material mind] and the [[indwelling spirit]]. The [[eternal]] [[salvation]] of this [[truth]]-[[discerning]] and [[beauty]]-loving [[soul]] is [[assured]] by that [[hunger]] and [[thirst]] for [[goodness]] which leads this [[mortal]] to develop a singleness of [[purpose]] to [[do the Father's will]], to find God and to become like him. There is never [[conflict]] between true [[knowledge]] and [[truth]]. There may be conflict between [[knowledge]] and human [[beliefs]], beliefs colored with [[prejudice]], distorted by [[fear]], and [[dominated]] by the dread of facing new [[facts]] of material [[discovery]] or spiritual [[progress]].

132:3.5 But [[truth]] can never become man's [[possession]] without the [[exercise]] of [[faith]]. This is true because man's [[thoughts]], [[wisdom]], [[ethics]], and [[ideals]] will never rise higher than his [[faith]], his [[sublime]] [[hope]]. And all such true [[faith]] is predicated on [[profound]] [[reflection]], [[sincere]] [[self]]-[[criticism]], and uncompromising [[moral]] [[consciousness]]. [[Faith]] is the [[inspiration]] of the spiritized [[creative]] [[imagination]].

132:3.5 But [[truth]] can never become man's [[possession]] without the [[exercise]] of [[faith]]. This is true because man's [[thoughts]], [[wisdom]], [[ethics]], and [[ideals]] will never rise higher than his [[faith]], his [[sublime]] [[hope]]. And all such true [[faith]] is predicated on [[profound]] [[reflection]], [[sincere]] [[self]]-[[criticism]], and uncompromising [[moral]] [[consciousness]]. [[Faith]] is the [[inspiration]] of the spiritized [[creative]] [[imagination]].

132:3.6 [[Faith]] [[acts]] to release the [[superhuman]] [[activities]] of the [[divine]] [[spark]], the [[immortal]] [[germ]], that lives within the [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_111#111:1._THE_MIND_ARENA_OF_CHOICE mind of man], and which is the [[potential]] of [[eternal]] [[survival]]. [[Plants]] and [[animals]] survive in [[time]] by the [[technique]] of passing on from one [[generation]] to another identical particles of themselves. The [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_111#111:2._NATURE_OF_THE_SOUL human soul] ([[personality]]) of man survives [[mortal]] [[death]] by [[identity]] association with this [[Thought Adjuster|indwelling spark]] of [[divinity]], which is [[immortal]], and which [[functions]] to perpetuate the human [[personality]] upon a continuing and higher level of [[progressive]] [[universe]] [[existence]]. The concealed [[seed]] of the [[human]] [[soul]] is an [[immortal]] [[spirit]]. The second [[generation]] of the [[soul]] is the first of a [[succession]] of [[personality]] [[manifestations]] of spiritual and progressing [[existences]], terminating only when this [[divine]] [[entity]] attains the [[source]] of its [[existence]], the [[First Source and Center|personal source]] of all [[existence]], God, the [[Universal Father]].

132:3.6 [[Faith]] [[acts]] to release the [[superhuman]] [[activities]] of the [[divine]] [[spark]], the [[immortal]] [[germ]], that lives within the [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_111#111:1._THE_MIND_ARENA_OF_CHOICE mind of man], and which is the [[potential]] of [[eternal]] [[survival]]. [[Plants]] and [[animals]] survive in [[time]] by the [[technique]] of passing on from one [[generation]] to another identical particles of themselves. The [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_111#111:2._NATURE_OF_THE_SOUL human soul] ([[personality]]) of man survives [[mortal]] [[death]] by [[identity]] association with this [[Thought Adjuster|indwelling spark]] of [[divinity]], which is [[immortal]], and which [[functions]] to perpetuate the human [[personality]] upon a continuing and higher level of [[progressive]] [[universe]] [[existence]]. The concealed [[seed]] of the [[human]] [[soul]] is an [[immortal]] [[spirit]]. The second [[generation]] of the [[soul]] is the first of a [[succession]] of [[personality]] [[manifestations]] of spiritual and progressing [[existences]], terminating only when this [[divine]] [[entity]] attains the [[source]] of its [[existence]], the [[First Source and Center|personal source]] of all [[existence]], God, the [[Universal Father]].

132:3.7 [[Human]] life continues—[[survives]]—because it has a [[universe]] [[function]], the task of finding [[God]]. The [[faith]]-activated [[soul]] of man cannot stop short of the [[attainment]] of this goal of [[destiny]]; and when it does once achieve this divine goal, it can never end because it has become like [[God]]—[[eternal]].

132:3.7 [[Human]] life continues—[[survives]]—because it has a [[universe]] [[function]], the task of finding [[God]]. The [[faith]]-activated [[soul]] of man cannot stop short of the [[attainment]] of this goal of [[destiny]]; and when it does once achieve this divine goal, it can never end because it has become like [[God]]—[[eternal]].

132:3.8 [[Spiritual evolution]] is an [[experience]] of the increasing and voluntary [[choice]] of [[goodness]] attended by an [[equal]] and [[progressive]] diminution of the possibility of [[evil]]. With the [[attainment]] of [[finality]] of [[choice]] for [[goodness]] and of completed [[capacity]] for [[truth]] [[appreciation]], there comes into [[existence]] a [[perfection]] of [[beauty]] and [[holiness]] whose [[righteousness]] eternally inhibits the [[possibility]] of the [[emergence]] of even the [[concept]] of [[potential]] [[evil]]. Such a God-knowing [[soul]] casts no [[shadow]] of doubting [[evil]] when functioning on such a high [[spirit]] level of [[divine]] [[goodness]].

132:3.8 [[Spiritual evolution]] is an [[experience]] of the increasing and voluntary [[choice]] of [[goodness]] attended by an [[equal]] and [[progressive]] diminution of the possibility of [[evil]]. With the [[attainment]] of [[finality]] of [[choice]] for [[goodness]] and of completed [[capacity]] for [[truth]] [[appreciation]], there comes into [[existence]] a [[perfection]] of [[beauty]] and [[holiness]] whose [[righteousness]] eternally inhibits the [[possibility]] of the [[emergence]] of even the [[concept]] of [[potential]] [[evil]]. Such a God-knowing [[soul]] casts no [[shadow]] of doubting [[evil]] when functioning on such a high [[spirit]] level of [[divine]] [[goodness]].

132:3.9 The [[presence]] of the [[Paradise]] spirit in the [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_111#111:1._THE_MIND_ARENA_OF_CHOICE mind of man] [[constitutes]] the [[revelation]] [[promise]] and the [[faith]] pledge of an [[eternal]] [[existence]] of divine [[progression]] for every [[soul]] seeking to achieve [[identity]] with this [[immortal]] and [[Thought Adjuster|indwelling spirit]] fragment of the [[Universal Father]].

132:3.9 The [[presence]] of the [[Paradise]] spirit in the [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_111#111:1._THE_MIND_ARENA_OF_CHOICE mind of man] [[constitutes]] the [[revelation]] [[promise]] and the [[faith]] pledge of an [[eternal]] [[existence]] of divine [[progression]] for every [[soul]] seeking to achieve [[identity]] with this [[immortal]] and [[Thought Adjuster|indwelling spirit]] fragment of the [[Universal Father]].

132:3.10 [[Universe]] [[progress]] is characterized by increasing [[personality]] [[freedom]] because it is associated with the progressive [[attainment]] of higher and higher levels of [[self]]-[[understanding]] and consequent [[voluntary]] self-restraint. The [[attainment]] of [[perfection]] of spiritual self-restraint [[equals]] completeness of [[universe]] [[freedom]] and [[personal]] [[liberty]]. [[Faith]] fosters and maintains man's [[soul]] in the midst of the [[confusion]] of his early [[orientation]] in such a vast [[universe]], whereas [[prayer]] becomes the great unifier of the various [[inspirations]] of the [[creative]] [[imagination]] and the [[faith]] urges of a [[soul]] trying to identify itself with the [[spirit]] [[ideals]] of the [[Thought Adjuster|indwelling]] and associated divine [[presence]].

132:3.10 [[Universe]] [[progress]] is characterized by increasing [[personality]] [[freedom]] because it is associated with the progressive [[attainment]] of higher and higher levels of [[self]]-[[understanding]] and consequent [[voluntary]] self-restraint. The [[attainment]] of [[perfection]] of spiritual self-restraint [[equals]] completeness of [[universe]] [[freedom]] and [[personal]] [[liberty]]. [[Faith]] fosters and maintains man's [[soul]] in the midst of the [[confusion]] of his early [[orientation]] in such a vast [[universe]], whereas [[prayer]] becomes the great unifier of the various [[inspirations]] of the [[creative]] [[imagination]] and the [[faith]] urges of a [[soul]] trying to identify itself with the [[spirit]] [[ideals]] of the [[Thought Adjuster|indwelling]] and associated divine [[presence]].

132:3.11 Nabon was greatly impressed by these [[words]], as he was by each of his talks with [[Jesus]]. These [[truths]] continued to burn within his [[heart]], and he was of great [[assistance]] to the later arriving preachers of [[Jesus]]' [[gospel]].

132:3.11 Nabon was greatly impressed by these [[words]], as he was by each of his talks with [[Jesus]]. These [[truths]] continued to burn within his [[heart]], and he was of great [[assistance]] to the later arriving preachers of [[Jesus]]' [[gospel]].

<center>[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_132 Go to Paper 132]</center>

<center>[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_132 Go to Paper 132]</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 132 - The Sojourn at Rome]]

[[Category:Paper 132 - The Sojourn at Rome]]

[[Category: Truth]]

[[Category: Truth]]

[[Category: Faith]]

[[Category: Faith]]