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0:0.1 In the minds of the mortals of Urantia—that being the name of your world—there exists great confusion respecting the meaning of such terms as God, divinity, and deity. Human beings are still more confused and uncertain about the relationships of the divine personalities designated by these numerous appellations. Because of this conceptual poverty associated with so much ideational confusion, I have been directed to formulate this introductory statement in explanation of the meanings which should be attached to certain word symbols as they may be hereinafter used in those papers which the Orvonton corps of truth revealers have been authorized to translate into the English language of Urantia.

0:0.1 In the [[minds]] of the [[mortals]] of [[Urantia]]—that being the [[name]] of your world—there exists great [[confusion]] respecting the [[meaning]] of such terms as [[God]], [[divinity]], and [[deity]]. [[Human being]]s are still more confused and uncertain about the [[relationships]] of the [[divine]] [[personalities]] designated by these numerous appellations. Because of this [[concept]]ual poverty associated with so much ideational confusion, I have been directed to formulate this introductory statement in explanation of the meanings which should be attached to certain [[word]] [[symbols]] as they may be hereinafter used in those papers which the [[Orvonton]] corps of [[truth]] revealers have been authorized to [[translate]] into the [[English]] [[language]] of [[Urantia]].

0:0.2 It is exceedingly difficult to present enlarged concepts and advanced truth, in our endeavor to expand cosmic consciousness and enhance spiritual perception, when we are restricted to the use of a circumscribed language of the realm. But our mandate admonishes us to make every effort to convey our meanings by using the word symbols of the English tongue. We have been instructed to introduce new terms only when the concept to be portrayed finds no terminology in English which can be employed to convey such a new concept partially or even with more or less distortion of meaning.

0:0.2 It is exceedingly difficult to present enlarged [[concepts]] and advanced [[truth]], in our endeavor to expand [[cosmic consciousness]] and enhance [[spiritual]] [[perception]], when we are restricted to the use of a circumscribed [[language]] of the realm. But our [[mandate]] admonishes us to make every effort to convey our meanings by using the word symbols of the [[English]] tongue. We have been instructed to introduce new terms only when the concept to be portrayed finds no terminology in English which can be employed to convey such a new concept partially or even with more or less [[distortion]] of [[meaning]].

0:0.3 In the hope of facilitating comprehension and of preventing confusion on the part of every mortal who may peruse these papers, we deem it wise to present in this initial statement an outline of the meanings to be attached to numerous English words which are to be employed in designation of Deity and certain associated concepts of the things, meanings, and values of universal reality.

0:0.3 In the [[hope]] of facilitating comprehension and of preventing [[confusion]] on the part of every [[mortal]] who may peruse these papers, we deem it wise to present in this initial statement an [[outline]] of the meanings to be attached to numerous English [[words]] which are to be employed in designation of [[Deity]] and certain associated [[concepts]] of the [[things]], [[meanings]], and [[values]] of [[universal]] [[reality]].

0:0.4 But in order to formulate this Foreword of definitions and limitations of terminology, it is necessary to anticipate the usage of these terms in the subsequent presentations. This Foreword is not, therefore, a finished statement within itself; it is only a definitive guide designed to assist those who shall read the accompanying papers dealing with Deity and the universe of universes which have been formulated by an Orvonton commission sent to Urantia for this purpose.

0:0.4 But in order to formulate this Foreword of definitions and limitations of terminology, it is [[necessary]] to anticipate the usage of these terms in the subsequent presentations. This Foreword is not, therefore, a finished statement within itself; it is only a definitive guide designed to assist those who shall [[read]] the [[Urantia Papers|accompanying papers]] dealing with [[Deity]] and the [[universe of universes]] which have been formulated by an Orvonton commission sent to Urantia for this [[purpose]].

0:0.5 Your world, Urantia, is one of many similar inhabited planets which comprise the local universe of Nebadon. This universe, together with similar creations, makes up the superuniverse of Orvonton, from whose capital, Uversa, our commission hails. Orvonton is one of the seven evolutionary superuniverses of time and space which circle the never-beginning, never-ending creation of divine perfection—the central universe of Havona. At the heart of this eternal and central universe is the stationary Isle of Paradise, the geographic center of infinity and the dwelling place of the eternal God.

0:0.5 Your world, [[Urantia]], is one of many similar inhabited [[planets]] which comprise the local universe of [[Nebadon]]. This universe, together with similar [[creations]], makes up the [[superuniverse]] of [[Orvonton]], from whose capital, [[Uversa]], our commission hails. Orvonton is one of the seven evolutionary superuniverses of [[time and space]] which circle the never-beginning, never-ending [[creation]] of [[divine]] [[perfection]]—the central universe of [[Havona]]. At the [[heart]] of this eternal and central universe is the stationary Isle of [[Paradise]], the geographic [[center]] of [[infinity]] and the [[Home|dwelling place]] of the eternal [[God]].

0:0.6 The seven evolving superuniverses in association with the central and divine universe, we commonly refer to as the grand universe; these are the now organized and inhabited creations. They are all a part of the master universe, which also embraces the uninhabited but mobilizing universes of outer space.

0:0.6 The seven [[evolving]] [[superuniverses]] in association with the central and divine universe, we commonly refer to as the [[grand universe]]; these are the now organized and inhabited creations. They are all a part of the [[master universe]], which also embraces the uninhabited but mobilizing universes of [[outer space]].

==DEITY AND DIVINITY==   

==DEITY AND DIVINITY==   

0:1.1 The universe of universes presents phenomena of deity activities on diverse levels of cosmic realities, mind meanings, and spirit values, but all of these ministrations—personal or otherwise—are divinely co-ordinated.

0:1.1 The [[universe of universes]] presents [[phenomena]] of [[deity]] [[activities]] on [[diverse]] levels of cosmic realities, mind meanings, and spirit values, but all of these ministrations—[[personal]] or otherwise—are divinely co-ordinated.

0:1.2 DEITY is personalizable as God, is prepersonal and superpersonal in ways not altogether comprehensible by man. Deity is characterized by the quality of unity—actual or potential—on all supermaterial levels of reality; and this unifying quality is best comprehended by creatures as divinity.

0:1.2 DEITY is personalizable as [[God]], is prepersonal and superpersonal in ways not altogether comprehensible by man. Deity is characterized by the [[quality]] of [[unity]]—[[actual]] or [[potential]]—on all supermaterial levels of [[reality]]; and this unifying quality is best comprehended by [[creatures]] as [[divinity]].

0:1.3 Deity functions on personal, prepersonal, and superpersonal levels. Total Deity is functional on the following seven levels:

0:1.3 Deity functions on personal, prepersonal, and superpersonal levels. Total Deity is [[functional]] on the following seven levels:

*1. 0:1.4 Static—self-contained and self-existent Deity.

*1. 0:1.4 [[Static]]—self-contained and self-existent Deity.

*2. 0:1.5 Potential—self-willed and self-purposive Deity.

*2. 0:1.5 [[Potential]]—self-willed and self-purposive Deity.

*3. 0:1.6 Associative—self-personalized and divinely fraternal Deity.

*3. 0:1.6 [[Associative]]—self-personalized and divinely fraternal Deity.

*4. 0:1.7 Creative—self-distributive and divinely revealed Deity.

*4. 0:1.7 [[Creative]]—self-distributive and divinely revealed Deity.

*5. 0:1.8 Evolutional—self-expansive and creature-identified Deity.

*5. 0:1.8 [[Evolutional]]—self-expansive and creature-identified Deity.

*6. 0:1.9 Supreme—self-experiential and creature-Creator-unifying Deity. Deity functioning on the first creature-identificational level as time-space overcontrollers of the grand universe, sometimes designated the Supremacy of Deity.

*6. 0:1.9 [[Supreme]]—self-experiential and creature-Creator-unifying Deity. Deity functioning on the first creature-identificational level as time-space overcontrollers of the [[grand universe]], sometimes designated the Supremacy of Deity.

*7. 0:1.10 Ultimate—self-projected and time-space-transcending Deity. Deity omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent. Deity functioning on the second level of unifying divinity expression as effective overcontrollers and absonite upholders of the master universe. As compared with the ministry of the Deities to the grand universe, this absonite function in the master universe is tantamount to universal overcontrol and supersustenance, sometimes called the Ultimacy of Deity.

*7. 0:1.10 [[Ultimate]]—self-projected and [[time-space]]-transcending Deity. Deity omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent. Deity functioning on the second level of unifying divinity [[expression]] as effective overcontrollers and [[absonite]] upholders of the [[master universe]]. As compared with the ministry of the Deities to the [[grand universe]], this absonite [[function]] in the master universe is tantamount to [[universal]] overcontrol and supersustenance, sometimes called the Ultimacy of Deity.

0:1.11 The finite level of reality is characterized by creature life and time-space limitations. Finite realities may not have endings, but they always have beginnings—they are created. The Deity level of Supremacy may be conceived as a function in relation to finite existences.

0:1.11 The [[finite]] level of [[reality]] is characterized by [[creature]] life and time-space limitations. Finite realities may not have endings, but they always have beginnings—they are created. The Deity level of [[Supremacy]] may be conceived as a function in relation to finite [[existences]].

0:1.12 The absonite level of reality is characterized by things and beings without beginnings or endings and by the transcendence of time and space. Absoniters are not created; they are eventuated—they simply are. The Deity level of Ultimacy connotes a function in relation to absonite realities. No matter in what part of the master universe, whenever time and space are transcended, such an absonite phenomenon is an act of the Ultimacy of Deity.

0:1.12 The [[absonite]] level of reality is characterized by things and beings without beginnings or endings and by the [[transcendence]] of [[time and space]]. Absoniters are not created; they are eventuated—they simply are. The Deity level of Ultimacy connotes a function in relation to absonite realities. No matter in what part of the master universe, whenever time and space are transcended, such an absonite [[phenomenon]] is an act of the Ultimacy of Deity.

0:1.13 The absolute level is beginningless, endless, timeless, and spaceless. For example: On Paradise, time and space are nonexistent; the time-space status of Paradise is absolute. This level is Trinity attained, existentially, by the Paradise Deities, but this third level of unifying Deity expression is not fully unified experientially. Whenever, wherever, and however the absolute level of Deity functions, Paradise-absolute values and meanings are manifest.

0:1.13 The [[absolute]] level is beginningless, endless, timeless, and spaceless. For example: On [[Paradise]], time and space are nonexistent; the time-space [[status]] of Paradise is absolute. This level is [[Trinity]] attained, existentially, by the Paradise Deities, but this third level of unifying Deity [[expression]] is not fully unified experientially. Whenever, wherever, and however the absolute level of Deity functions, Paradise-absolute values and meanings are [[manifest]].

0:1.14 Deity may be existential, as in the Eternal Son; experiential, as in the Supreme Being; associative, as in God the Sevenfold; undivided, as in the Paradise Trinity.

0:1.14 Deity may be [[existential]], as in the [[Eternal Son]]; experiential, as in the [[Supreme Being]]; associative, as in [[God the Sevenfold]]; undivided, as in the [[Paradise Trinity]].

0:1.15 Deity is the source of all that which is divine. Deity is characteristically and invariably divine, but all that which is divine is not necessarily Deity, though it will be co-ordinated with Deity and will tend towards some phase of unity with Deity—spiritual, mindal, or personal.

0:1.15 [[Deity]] is the source of all that which is [[divine]]. Deity is characteristically and invariably divine, but all that which is divine is not [[necessarily]] Deity, though it will be co-ordinated with Deity and will tend towards some [[phase]] of [[unity]] with Deity—spiritual, mindal, or personal.

0:1.16 DIVINITY is the characteristic, unifying, and co-ordinating quality of Deity.

0:1.16 DIVINITY is the characteristic, unifying, and co-ordinating [[quality]] of Deity.

0:1.17 Divinity is creature comprehensible as truth, beauty, and goodness; correlated in personality as love, mercy, and ministry; disclosed on impersonal levels as justice, power, and sovereignty.

0:1.17 Divinity is [[creature]] comprehensible as [[truth]], [[beauty]], and [[goodness]]; correlated in [[personality]] as [[love]], [[mercy]], and [[Service|ministry]]; disclosed on impersonal levels as [[justice]], [[power]], and [[sovereignty]].

0:1.18 Divinity may be perfect—complete—as on existential and creator levels of Paradise perfection; it may be imperfect, as on experiential and creature levels of time-space evolution; or it may be relative, neither perfect nor imperfect, as on certain Havona levels of existential-experiential relationships.

0:1.18 Divinity may be perfect—complete—as on existential and [[creator]] levels of Paradise perfection; it may be imperfect, as on experiential and [[creature]] levels of [[time-space]] [[evolution]]; or it may be [[relative]], neither perfect nor imperfect, as on certain [[Havona]] levels of existential-experiential [[relationships]].

0:1.19 When we attempt to conceive of perfection in all phases and forms of relativity, we encounter seven conceivable types:

0:1.19 When we attempt to conceive of [[perfection]] in all phases and forms of [[relativity]], we encounter seven conceivable types:

*1. Absolute perfection in all aspects.

*1. Absolute perfection in all aspects.