Changes

155:6.2 You have come out from among those of your fellows who [[choose]] to remain [[satisfied]] with a religion of [[mind]], who crave [[security]] and prefer [[conformity]]. You have elected to [[exchange]] your [[feelings]] of [[authoritative]] [[certainty]] for the [[assurances]] of the spirit of [[adventurous]] and [[progressive]] [[faith]]. You have [[dared]] to [[protest]] against the grueling [[bondage]] of [[institutional]] [[religion]] and to reject the [[authority]] of the [[traditions]] of [[record]] which are now regarded as the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biblical_literalism word of God]. [[Our Father]] did indeed [[speak]] through [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moses Moses], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elijah Elijah], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaiah Isaiah], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amos_(prophet) Amos], and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hosea Hosea], but he did not cease to minister [[words]] of [[truth]] to the world when these [[prophets]] of old made an end of their utterances. [[Universal Father|My Father]] is no respecter of [[races]] or [[generations]] in that the [[word]] of [[truth]] is vouchsafed one age and withheld from another. Commit not the [[folly]] of calling that [[divine]] which is wholly [[human]], and fail not to [[discern]] the [[words]] of [[truth]] which come not through the [[traditional]] [[oracles]] of supposed [[inspiration]].

155:6.2 You have come out from among those of your fellows who [[choose]] to remain [[satisfied]] with a religion of [[mind]], who crave [[security]] and prefer [[conformity]]. You have elected to [[exchange]] your [[feelings]] of [[authoritative]] [[certainty]] for the [[assurances]] of the spirit of [[adventurous]] and [[progressive]] [[faith]]. You have [[dared]] to [[protest]] against the grueling [[bondage]] of [[institutional]] [[religion]] and to reject the [[authority]] of the [[traditions]] of [[record]] which are now regarded as the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biblical_literalism word of God]. [[Our Father]] did indeed [[speak]] through [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moses Moses], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elijah Elijah], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaiah Isaiah], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amos_(prophet) Amos], and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hosea Hosea], but he did not cease to minister [[words]] of [[truth]] to the world when these [[prophets]] of old made an end of their utterances. [[Universal Father|My Father]] is no respecter of [[races]] or [[generations]] in that the [[word]] of [[truth]] is vouchsafed one age and withheld from another. Commit not the [[folly]] of calling that [[divine]] which is wholly [[human]], and fail not to [[discern]] the [[words]] of [[truth]] which come not through the [[traditional]] [[oracles]] of supposed [[inspiration]].

155:6.3 I have called upon you to be born again, to be [[born]] of the [[spirit]]. I have called you out of the [[darkness]] of [[authority]] and the [[lethargy]] of [[tradition]] into the [[transcendent]] [[light]] of the [[realization]] of the possibility of making for yourselves the greatest [[discovery]] possible for the [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_111#111:2._NATURE_OF_THE_SOUL human soul] to make—the [[supernal]] [[experience]] of finding [[God]] for yourself, in yourself, and of yourself, and of doing all this as a [[fact]] in your own [[personal]] [[experience]]. And so may you pass from [[death]] to life, from the [[authority]] of [[tradition]] to the [[experience]] of knowing [[God]]; thus will you pass from [[darkness]] to [[light]], from a [[racial]] [[faith]] [[inherited]] to a [[personal]] [[faith]] achieved by [[actual]] [[experience]]; and thereby will you [[progress]] from a [[theology]] of [[mind]] handed down by your [[ancestors]] to a true [[religion]] of [[spirit]] which shall be built up in your [[souls]] as an [[eternal]] [[endowment]].

155:6.3 I have called upon you to be born again, to be [[born]] of the [[spirit]]. I have called you out of the [[darkness]] of [[authority]] and the [[lethargy]] of [[tradition]] into the [[transcendent]] [[light]] of the [[realization]] of the possibility of making for yourselves the greatest [[discovery]] possible for the [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_111#111:2._NATURE_OF_THE_SOUL human soul] to make—the [[supernal]] [[experience]] of finding [[God]] for yourself, in yourself, and of yourself, and of doing all this as a [[fact]] in your own [[personal]] [[experience]]. And so may you pass from [[death]] to life, from the [[authority]] of [[tradition]] to the [[experience]] of knowing [[God]]; thus will you pass from [[darkness]] to [[light]], from a [[racial]] [[faith]] [[inherited]] to a [[personal]] [[faith]] achieved by [[actual]] [[experience]]; and thereby will you [[progress]] from a [[theology]] of [[mind]] handed down by your [[ancestors]] to a true [[religion]] of [[spirit]] which shall be built up in your [[souls]] as an [[eternal]] [[endowment]].

155:6.4 Your [[religion]] shall [[change]] from the mere [[intellectual]] [[belief]] in [[traditional]] [[authority]] to the [[actual]] [[experience]] of that living [[faith]] which is able to grasp the [[reality]] of [[God]] and all that relates to the [[Thought Adjuster|divine spirit]] of [[the Father]]. The [[religion]] of the [[mind]] ties you hopelessly to the [[past]]; the religion of the [[spirit]] consists in [[progressive]] [[revelation]] and ever beckons you on toward higher and [[Holy|holier]] achievements in [[spiritual]] [[ideals]] and eternal [[realities]].

155:6.4 Your [[religion]] shall [[change]] from the mere [[intellectual]] [[belief]] in [[traditional]] [[authority]] to the [[actual]] [[experience]] of that living [[faith]] which is able to grasp the [[reality]] of [[God]] and all that relates to the [[Thought Adjuster|divine spirit]] of [[the Father]]. The [[religion]] of the [[mind]] ties you hopelessly to the [[past]]; the religion of the [[spirit]] consists in [[progressive]] [[revelation]] and ever beckons you on toward higher and [[Holy|holier]] achievements in [[spiritual]] [[ideals]] and eternal [[realities]].

155:6.5 While the [[religion]] of [[authority]] may impart a present [[feeling]] of settled [[security]], you pay for such a transient [[satisfaction]] the price of the loss of your [[spiritual]] [[freedom]] and religious liberty. [[Universal Father|My Father]] does not require of you as the price of entering [[the kingdom]] of heaven that you should [[force]] yourself to subscribe to a [[belief]] in [[things]] which are [[spiritually]] repugnant, unholy, and untruthful. It is not required of you that your own sense of [[mercy]], [[justice]], and [[truth]] should be outraged by submission to an outworn [[system]] of religious [[forms]] and [[ceremonies]]. The religion of the [[spirit]] leaves you forever [[free]] to follow the [[truth]] wherever the [[leadings]] of the [[spirit]] may take you. And who can [[judge]]—perhaps this spirit may have something to impart to this [[generation]] which other generations have refused to hear?

155:6.5 While the [[religion]] of [[authority]] may impart a present [[feeling]] of settled [[security]], you pay for such a transient [[satisfaction]] the price of the loss of your [[spiritual]] [[freedom]] and religious liberty. [[Universal Father|My Father]] does not require of you as the price of entering [[the kingdom]] of heaven that you should [[force]] yourself to subscribe to a [[belief]] in [[things]] which are [[spiritually]] repugnant, unholy, and untruthful. It is not required of you that your own sense of [[mercy]], [[justice]], and [[truth]] should be outraged by submission to an outworn [[system]] of religious [[forms]] and [[ceremonies]]. The religion of the [[spirit]] leaves you forever [[free]] to follow the [[truth]] wherever the [[leadings]] of the [[spirit]] may take you. And who can [[judge]]—perhaps this spirit may have something to impart to this [[generation]] which other generations have refused to hear?

155:6.6 [[Shame]] on those [[false]] religious [[teachers]] who would drag [[hungry]] [[souls]] back into the dim and distant [[past]] and there leave them! And so are these unfortunate [[persons]] [[doomed]] to become frightened by every new [[discovery]], while they are discomfited by every new [[revelation]] of [[truth]]. The [[prophet]] who said, " He will be kept in [[perfect]] [[peace]] whose [[mind]] is stayed on [[God]], "[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Book_of_Isaiah#Chapter_.26] was not a mere [[intellectual]] believer in [[authoritative]] [[theology]]. This [[truth]]-knowing [[human]] had [[discovered]] [[God]]; he was not merely talking about God.

155:6.6 [[Shame]] on those [[false]] religious [[teachers]] who would drag [[hungry]] [[souls]] back into the dim and distant [[past]] and there leave them! And so are these unfortunate [[persons]] [[doomed]] to become frightened by every new [[discovery]], while they are discomfited by every new [[revelation]] of [[truth]]. The [[prophet]] who said, " He will be kept in [[perfect]] [[peace]] whose [[mind]] is stayed on [[God]], "[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Book_of_Isaiah#Chapter_.26] was not a mere [[intellectual]] believer in [[authoritative]] [[theology]]. This [[truth]]-knowing [[human]] had [[discovered]] [[God]]; he was not merely talking about God.

155:6.7 I admonish you to give up the [[practice]] of always quoting the [[prophets]] of old and [[praising]] the [[heroes]] of [[Israel]], and instead [[aspire]] to become living [[prophets]] of the [[Most High]] and spiritual [[heroes]] of the coming [[The kingdom|kingdom]]. To [[honor]] the [[God]]-knowing [[leaders]] of the [[past]] may indeed be [[worth]] while, but why, in so doing, should you [[sacrifice]] the [[supreme]] [[experience]] of human [[existence]]: finding [[God]] for yourselves and knowing him in your own [[souls]]?

155:6.7 I admonish you to give up the [[practice]] of always quoting the [[prophets]] of old and [[praising]] the [[heroes]] of [[Israel]], and instead [[aspire]] to become living [[prophets]] of the [[Most High]] and spiritual [[heroes]] of the coming [[The kingdom|kingdom]]. To [[honor]] the [[God]]-knowing [[leaders]] of the [[past]] may indeed be [[worth]] while, but why, in so doing, should you [[sacrifice]] the [[supreme]] [[experience]] of human [[existence]]: finding [[God]] for yourselves and knowing him in your own [[souls]]?

155:6.9 The [[religions]] of [[authority]] can only divide men and set them in [[conscientious]] array against each other; the religion of the [[spirit]] will [[progressively]] draw men together and cause them to become [[understanding]]ly [[sympathetic]] with one another. The religions of [[authority]] require of men [[uniformity]] in [[belief]], but this is impossible of [[realization]] in the present [[state]] of the world. The religion of the [[spirit]] requires only [[unity]] of [[experience]]—[[uniformity]] of [[destiny]]—making full allowance for [[diversity]] of [[belief]]. The religion of the spirit requires only [[uniformity]] of [[insight]], not uniformity of [[viewpoint]] and outlook. The religion of the [[spirit]] does not demand [[uniformity]] of [[intellectual]] views, only [[unity]] of [[spirit]] [[feeling]]. The religions of [[authority]] crystallize into lifeless [[creeds]]; the religion of the [[spirit]] grows into the increasing [[joy]] and [[liberty]] of ennobling [[deeds]] of loving [[service]] and [[merciful]] ministration.

155:6.9 The [[religions]] of [[authority]] can only divide men and set them in [[conscientious]] array against each other; the religion of the [[spirit]] will [[progressively]] draw men together and cause them to become [[understanding]]ly [[sympathetic]] with one another. The religions of [[authority]] require of men [[uniformity]] in [[belief]], but this is impossible of [[realization]] in the present [[state]] of the world. The religion of the [[spirit]] requires only [[unity]] of [[experience]]—[[uniformity]] of [[destiny]]—making full allowance for [[diversity]] of [[belief]]. The religion of the spirit requires only [[uniformity]] of [[insight]], not uniformity of [[viewpoint]] and outlook. The religion of the [[spirit]] does not demand [[uniformity]] of [[intellectual]] views, only [[unity]] of [[spirit]] [[feeling]]. The religions of [[authority]] crystallize into lifeless [[creeds]]; the religion of the [[spirit]] grows into the increasing [[joy]] and [[liberty]] of ennobling [[deeds]] of loving [[service]] and [[merciful]] ministration.

155:6.10 But watch, lest any of you look with [[disdain]] upon the [[children]] of [[Abraham]] because they have fallen on these [[evil]] days of [[traditional]] barrenness. Our [[forefathers]] gave themselves up to the [[persistent]] and [[passionate]] search for [[God]], and they found him as no other whole [[race]] of men have ever known him since the times of [[Adam]], who knew much of this as he was himself a [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_51 Son of God]. [[Universal Father|My Father]] has not failed to mark the long and untiring [[struggle]] of [[Israel]], ever since the days of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moses Moses], to find God and to know [[God]]. For weary [[generations]] the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jews Jews] have not ceased to toil, sweat, groan, travail, and [[endure]] the [[sufferings]] and [[experience]] the [[sorrows]] of a misunderstood and despised people, all in order that they might come a little nearer the [[discovery]] of the [[truth]] about [[God]]. And, notwithstanding all the failures and falterings of [[Israel]], our [[fathers]] progressively, from [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moses Moses] to the times of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amos_%28prophet%29 Amos] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hosea Hosea], did [[reveal]] increasingly to the [[whole]] world an ever clearer and more [[truthful]] picture of the [[eternal]] [[God]]. And so was the way [[prepared]] for the still greater [[revelation]] of [[the Father]] which you have been called to [[share]].

155:6.10 But watch, lest any of you look with [[disdain]] upon the [[children]] of [[Abraham]] because they have fallen on these [[evil]] days of [[traditional]] barrenness. Our [[forefathers]] gave themselves up to the [[persistent]] and [[passionate]] search for [[God]], and they found him as no other whole [[race]] of men have ever known him since the times of [[Adam]], who knew much of this as he was himself a [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_51 Son of God]. [[Universal Father|My Father]] has not failed to mark the long and untiring [[struggle]] of [[Israel]], ever since the days of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moses Moses], to find God and to know [[God]]. For weary [[generations]] the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jews Jews] have not ceased to toil, sweat, groan, travail, and [[endure]] the [[sufferings]] and [[experience]] the [[sorrows]] of a misunderstood and despised people, all in order that they might come a little nearer the [[discovery]] of the [[truth]] about [[God]]. And, notwithstanding all the failures and falterings of [[Israel]], our [[fathers]] progressively, from [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moses Moses] to the times of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amos_%28prophet%29 Amos] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hosea Hosea], did [[reveal]] increasingly to the [[whole]] world an ever clearer and more [[truthful]] picture of the [[eternal]] [[God]]. And so was the way [[prepared]] for the still greater [[revelation]] of [[the Father]] which you have been called to [[share]].

155:6.11 Never [[forget]] there is only one [[adventure]] which is more satisfying and thrilling than the attempt to [[discover]] the will of the living [[God]], and that is the [[supreme]] [[experience]] of [[honestly]] trying to [[Doing the will of God|do that divine will]]. And fail not to [[remember]] that the will of God can be done in any earthly occupation. Some callings are not [[holy]] and others [[secular]]. All things are [[sacred]] in the lives of those who are [[spirit]] [[led]]; that is, subordinated to [[truth]], ennobled by [[love]], dominated by [[mercy]], and restrained by [[fairness]]—[[justice]]. The [[spirit]] which [[Universal Father|my Father]] and I shall send into the world is not only the [[Spirit of Truth]] but also the spirit of [[idealistic]] [[beauty]].

155:6.11 Never [[forget]] there is only one [[adventure]] which is more satisfying and thrilling than the attempt to [[discover]] the will of the living [[God]], and that is the [[supreme]] [[experience]] of [[honestly]] trying to [[Doing the will of God|do that divine will]]. And fail not to [[remember]] that the will of God can be done in any earthly occupation. Some callings are not [[holy]] and others [[secular]]. All things are [[sacred]] in the lives of those who are [[spirit]] [[led]]; that is, subordinated to [[truth]], ennobled by [[love]], dominated by [[mercy]], and restrained by [[fairness]]—[[justice]]. The [[spirit]] which [[Universal Father|my Father]] and I shall send into the world is not only the [[Spirit of Truth]] but also the spirit of [[idealistic]] [[beauty]].

*2. 155:6.16 The [[fact]] that your entire life [[plan]] furnishes positive [[proof]] that you have unreservedly [[risk]]ed everything you are and have on the [[adventure]] of [[survival]] after [[death]] in the pursuit of the [[hope]] of finding the God of [[eternity]], whose [[presence]] you have foretasted in time.

*2. 155:6.16 The [[fact]] that your entire life [[plan]] furnishes positive [[proof]] that you have unreservedly [[risk]]ed everything you are and have on the [[adventure]] of [[survival]] after [[death]] in the pursuit of the [[hope]] of finding the God of [[eternity]], whose [[presence]] you have foretasted in time.

155:6.17 Now, mistake not, [[Universal Father|my Father]] will ever [[respond]] to the faintest flicker of [[faith]]. He takes note of the [[physical]] and [[superstitious]] [[emotions]] of the [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_69 primitive man]. And with those [[honest]] but fearful [[souls]] whose [[faith]] is so weak that it amounts to little more than an [[intellectual]] [[conformity]] to a passive [[attitude]] of assent to religions of [[authority]], [[the Father]] is ever alert to [[honor]] and foster even all such feeble attempts to reach out for him. But you who have been called out of [[darkness]] into the [[light]] are expected to believe with a whole [[heart]]; your [[faith]] shall [[dominate]] the combined [[attitudes]] of [[body]], [[mind]], and [[spirit]].

155:6.17 Now, mistake not, [[Universal Father|my Father]] will ever [[respond]] to the faintest flicker of [[faith]]. He takes note of the [[physical]] and [[superstitious]] [[emotions]] of the [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_69 primitive man]. And with those [[honest]] but fearful [[souls]] whose [[faith]] is so weak that it amounts to little more than an [[intellectual]] [[conformity]] to a passive [[attitude]] of assent to religions of [[authority]], [[the Father]] is ever alert to [[honor]] and foster even all such feeble attempts to reach out for him. But you who have been called out of [[darkness]] into the [[light]] are expected to believe with a whole [[heart]]; your [[faith]] shall [[dominate]] the combined [[attitudes]] of [[body]], [[mind]], and [[spirit]].

155:6.18 You are my [[apostles]], and to you [[religion]] shall not become a theologic [[shelter]] to which you may flee in [[fear]] of facing the rugged [[realities]] of [[spiritual]] [[progress]] and [[idealistic]] [[adventure]]; but rather shall your [[religion]] become the [[fact]] of real [[experience]] which [[testifies]] that [[God]] has found you, idealized, ennobled, and spiritualized you, and that you have enlisted in the [[eternal]] [[adventure]] of finding the God who has thus found and sonshipped you.

155:6.18 You are my [[apostles]], and to you [[religion]] shall not become a theologic [[shelter]] to which you may flee in [[fear]] of facing the rugged [[realities]] of [[spiritual]] [[progress]] and [[idealistic]] [[adventure]]; but rather shall your [[religion]] become the [[fact]] of real [[experience]] which [[testifies]] that [[God]] has found you, idealized, ennobled, and spiritualized you, and that you have enlisted in the [[eternal]] [[adventure]] of finding the God who has thus found and sonshipped you.

155:6.19 And when [[Jesus]] had finished speaking, he beckoned to [[Andrew, the Apostle|Andrew]] and, pointing to the west toward [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phoenicia Phoenicia], said: " Let us be on our way. "

155:6.19 And when [[Jesus]] had finished speaking, he beckoned to [[Andrew, the Apostle|Andrew]] and, pointing to the west toward [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phoenicia Phoenicia], said: " Let us be on our way. "

<center>[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_155 Go to Paper 155]</center>

<center>[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_155 Go to Paper 155]</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 155 - Fleeing Through Northern Galilee]]

[[Category:Paper 155 - Fleeing Through Northern Galilee]]

[[Category: Spirituality]]

[[Category: Spirituality]]

[[Category: Tradition]]

[[Category: Tradition]]