Changes

196:0.6 In a [[religious]] [[genius]], strong [[spiritual]] [[faith]] so many times leads directly to disastrous [[fanaticism]], to exaggeration of the [[religious]] [[ego]], but it was not so with [[Jesus]]. He was not unfavorably affected in his [[practical]] life by his extraordinary [[faith]] and [[spirit]] [[attainment]] because this spiritual exaltation was a wholly [[unconscious]] and [[spontaneous]] [[soul]] [[expression]] of his [[personal]] [[experience]] with [[God]].

196:0.6 In a [[religious]] [[genius]], strong [[spiritual]] [[faith]] so many times leads directly to disastrous [[fanaticism]], to exaggeration of the [[religious]] [[ego]], but it was not so with [[Jesus]]. He was not unfavorably affected in his [[practical]] life by his extraordinary [[faith]] and [[spirit]] [[attainment]] because this spiritual exaltation was a wholly [[unconscious]] and [[spontaneous]] [[soul]] [[expression]] of his [[personal]] [[experience]] with [[God]].

196:0.7 The all-consuming and indomitable [[spiritual]] [[faith]] of [[Jesus]] never became [[fanatical]], for it never attempted to run away with his well-[[balanced]] [[intellectual]] [[judgments]] concerning the [[proportional]] [[values]] of [[practical]] and commonplace [[social]], [[economic]], and [[moral]] life situations. The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Son_of_Man Son of Man] was a splendidly unified [[human]] [[personality]]; he was a perfectly [[endowed]] [[divine]] [[being]]; he was also [[magnificently]] [[co-ordinated]] as a combined [[human]] and [[divine]] [[being]] functioning on [[earth]] as a single [[personality]]. Always did [[the Master]] [[co-ordinate]] the [[faith]] of the [[soul]] with the [[wisdom]]-appraisals of seasoned [[experience]]. [[Personal]] [[faith]], spiritual [[hope]], and moral [[devotion]] were always correlated in a matchless [[religious]] [[unity]] of [[harmonious]] [[association]] with the keen [[realization]] of the [[reality]] and sacredness of all [[human]] loyalties—[[personal]] [[honor]], [[family]] [[love]], [[religious]] [[obligation]], [[social]] [[duty]], and [[economic]] [[necessity]].

196:0.7 The all-consuming and indomitable [[spiritual]] [[faith]] of [[Jesus]] never became [[fanatical]], for it never attempted to run away with his well-[[balanced]] [[intellectual]] [[judgments]] concerning the [[proportional]] [[values]] of [[practical]] and commonplace [[social]], [[economic]], and [[moral]] life situations. The [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Son_of_Man Son of Man] was a splendidly unified [[human]] [[personality]]; he was a perfectly [[endowed]] [[divine]] [[being]]; he was also [[magnificently]] [[co-ordinated]] as a combined [[human]] and [[divine]] [[being]] functioning on [[earth]] as a single [[personality]]. Always did [[the Master]] [[co-ordinate]] the [[faith]] of the [[soul]] with the [[wisdom]]-appraisals of seasoned [[experience]]. [[Personal]] [[faith]], spiritual [[hope]], and moral [[devotion]] were always correlated in a matchless [[religious]] [[unity]] of [[harmonious]] [[association]] with the keen [[realization]] of the [[reality]] and sacredness of all [[human]] loyalties—[[personal]] [[honor]], [[family]] [[love]], [[religious]] [[obligation]], [[social]] [[duty]], and [[economic]] [[necessity]].

196:0.8 The [[faith]] of [[Jesus]] visualized all [[spirit]] [[values]] as being found in [[the kingdom]] of [[God]]; therefore he said, " Seek first [[the kingdom]] of heaven. "[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Gospel_of_Luke#Chapter_12] [[Jesus]] saw in the advanced and [[ideal]] fellowship of [[the kingdom]] the achievement and fulfillment of the " will of God. " The very [[heart]] of the [[prayer]] which he taught his disciples was, " Your kingdom come; your will be done. " Having thus conceived of [[the kingdom]] as comprising the will of God, he [[devoted]] himself to the cause of its [[realization]] with amazing self-forgetfulness and unbounded [[enthusiasm]]. But in all his [[intense]] [[mission]] and throughout his extraordinary life there never appeared the [[fury]] of the [[fanatic]] nor the [[superficial]] frothiness of the [[religious]] [[egotist]].

196:0.8 The [[faith]] of [[Jesus]] visualized all [[spirit]] [[values]] as being found in [[the kingdom]] of [[God]]; therefore he said, " Seek first [[the kingdom]] of heaven. "[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Gospel_of_Luke#Chapter_12] [[Jesus]] saw in the advanced and [[ideal]] fellowship of [[the kingdom]] the achievement and fulfillment of the " will of God. " The very [[heart]] of the [[prayer]] which he taught his disciples was, " Your kingdom come; your will be done. " Having thus conceived of [[the kingdom]] as comprising the will of God, he [[devoted]] himself to the cause of its [[realization]] with amazing self-forgetfulness and unbounded [[enthusiasm]]. But in all his [[intense]] [[mission]] and throughout his extraordinary life there never appeared the [[fury]] of the [[fanatic]] nor the [[superficial]] frothiness of the [[religious]] [[egotist]].

196:1.1 [[Jesus]]' [[devotion]] to [[the Father]]'s will and the [[service]] of man was even more than [[mortal]] [[decision]] and human [[determination]]; it was a wholehearted [[consecration]] of himself to such an unreserved [[bestowal]] of [[love]]. No matter how great the [[fact]] of the [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_21#21:3._LOCAL_UNIVERSE_SOVEREIGNTY sovereignty of Michael], you must not take the [[human]] [[Jesus]] away from men. [[The Master]] has [[ascended]] on high as a man, as well as [[God]]; he belongs to men; men belong to him. How unfortunate that [[religion]] itself should be so misinterpreted as to take the [[human]] [[Jesus]] away from [[struggling]] [[mortals]]! Let not the [[discussions]] of the [[humanity]] or the [[divinity]] of the [[Christ]] obscure the saving [[truth]] that [[Jesus]] of [[Nazareth]] was a [[religious]] man who, by [[faith]], [[achieved]] the knowing and the [[doing of the will of God]]; he was the most truly [[religious]] man who has ever lived on [[Urantia]].

196:1.1 [[Jesus]]' [[devotion]] to [[the Father]]'s will and the [[service]] of man was even more than [[mortal]] [[decision]] and human [[determination]]; it was a wholehearted [[consecration]] of himself to such an unreserved [[bestowal]] of [[love]]. No matter how great the [[fact]] of the [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_21#21:3._LOCAL_UNIVERSE_SOVEREIGNTY sovereignty of Michael], you must not take the [[human]] [[Jesus]] away from men. [[The Master]] has [[ascended]] on high as a man, as well as [[God]]; he belongs to men; men belong to him. How unfortunate that [[religion]] itself should be so misinterpreted as to take the [[human]] [[Jesus]] away from [[struggling]] [[mortals]]! Let not the [[discussions]] of the [[humanity]] or the [[divinity]] of the [[Christ]] obscure the saving [[truth]] that [[Jesus]] of [[Nazareth]] was a [[religious]] man who, by [[faith]], [[achieved]] the knowing and the [[doing of the will of God]]; he was the most truly [[religious]] man who has ever lived on [[Urantia]].

196:1.2 The time is ripe to [[witness]] the [[figurative]] [[resurrection]] of the [[human]] [[Jesus]] from his [[burial]] [[tomb]] amidst the [[theological]] [[traditions]] and the religious [[dogmas]] of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Christianity nineteen centuries]. [[Jesus]] of [[Nazareth]] must not be longer [[sacrificed]] to even the splendid [[concept]] of the [[glorified]] [[Christ]]. What a [[transcendent]] [[service]] if, through this [[revelation]], the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Son_of_Man Son of Man] should be recovered from the [[tomb]] of [[traditional]] [[theology]] and be presented as the living [[Jesus]] to the [[church]] that bears his name, and to all other [[religions]]! Surely the [[Christian]] fellowship of [[believers]] will not [[hesitate]] to make such [[adjustments]] of [[faith]] and of [[practices]] of [[living]] as will enable it to " follow after " [[the Master]] in the [[demonstration]] of his real life of religious [[devotion]] to [[the doing of his Father's will]] and of [[consecration]] to the [[unselfish]] [[service]] of man. Do professed [[Christians]] [[fear]] the [[exposure]] of a self-sufficient and unconsecrated fellowship of [[social]] respectability and [[selfish]] [[economic]] maladjustment? Does [[institutional]] [[Christianity]] [[fear]] the possible jeopardy, or even the overthrow, of [[traditional]] [[ecclesiastical]] [[authority]] if the [[Jesus]] of [[Galilee]] is reinstated in the [[minds]] and [[souls]] of [[mortal]] men as the [[ideal]] of [[personal]] religious living? Indeed, the [[social]] readjustments, the [[economic]] [[transformations]], the [[moral]] rejuvenations, and the religious revisions of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christendom Christian civilization] would be drastic and revolutionary if the living religion of [[Jesus]] should suddenly supplant the [[theologic]] religion about [[Jesus]].

196:1.2 The time is ripe to [[witness]] the [[figurative]] [[resurrection]] of the [[human]] [[Jesus]] from his [[burial]] [[tomb]] amidst the [[theological]] [[traditions]] and the religious [[dogmas]] of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Christianity nineteen centuries]. [[Jesus]] of [[Nazareth]] must not be longer [[sacrificed]] to even the splendid [[concept]] of the [[glorified]] [[Christ]]. What a [[transcendent]] [[service]] if, through this [[revelation]], the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Son_of_Man Son of Man] should be recovered from the [[tomb]] of [[traditional]] [[theology]] and be presented as the living [[Jesus]] to the [[church]] that bears his name, and to all other [[religions]]! Surely the [[Christian]] fellowship of [[believers]] will not [[hesitate]] to make such [[adjustments]] of [[faith]] and of [[practices]] of [[living]] as will enable it to " follow after " [[the Master]] in the [[demonstration]] of his real life of religious [[devotion]] to [[the doing of his Father's will]] and of [[consecration]] to the [[unselfish]] [[service]] of man. Do professed [[Christians]] [[fear]] the [[exposure]] of a self-sufficient and unconsecrated fellowship of [[social]] respectability and [[selfish]] [[economic]] maladjustment? Does [[institutional]] [[Christianity]] [[fear]] the possible jeopardy, or even the overthrow, of [[traditional]] [[ecclesiastical]] [[authority]] if the [[Jesus]] of [[Galilee]] is reinstated in the [[minds]] and [[souls]] of [[mortal]] men as the [[ideal]] of [[personal]] religious living? Indeed, the [[social]] readjustments, the [[economic]] [[transformations]], the [[moral]] rejuvenations, and the religious revisions of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christendom Christian civilization] would be drastic and revolutionary if the living religion of [[Jesus]] should suddenly supplant the [[theologic]] religion about [[Jesus]].

196:1.3 To " follow Jesus " means to [[personally]] [[share]] his religious [[faith]] and to enter into the [[spirit]] of [[the Master]]'s life of [[unselfish]] [[service]] for man. One of the most important things in [[human]] [[living]] is to find out what [[Jesus]] believed, to [[discover]] his [[ideals]], and to strive for the [[achievement]] of his exalted life [[purpose]]. Of all human [[knowledge]], that which is of greatest [[value]] is to know the [[religious]] life of [[Jesus]] and how he lived it.

196:1.3 To " follow Jesus " means to [[personally]] [[share]] his religious [[faith]] and to enter into the [[spirit]] of [[the Master]]'s life of [[unselfish]] [[service]] for man. One of the most important things in [[human]] [[living]] is to find out what [[Jesus]] believed, to [[discover]] his [[ideals]], and to strive for the [[achievement]] of his exalted life [[purpose]]. Of all human [[knowledge]], that which is of greatest [[value]] is to know the [[religious]] life of [[Jesus]] and how he lived it.

==196:2. THE RELIGION OF JESUS==

==196:2. THE RELIGION OF JESUS==

196:2.1 Some day a [[reformation]] in the [[Christian]] [[church]] may strike deep enough to get back to the unadulterated religious teachings of [[Jesus]], the [[author]] and finisher of our [[faith]].[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=The_Letter_to_the_Hebrews#The_Letter_to_the_Hebrews.2C_XII] You may [[preach]] a [[religion]] about Jesus, but, perforce, you must live the religion of Jesus. In the [[enthusiasm]] of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentecost Pentecost], [[Peter, the Apostle|Peter]] unintentionally [[inaugurated]] a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_religious_movement new religion], the religion of the risen and [[glorified]] [[Christ]]. The [[Apostle Paul]] later on [[transformed]] this new [[gospel]] into [[Christianity]], a [[religion]] embodying his own [[theologic]] views and portraying his own [[personal]] [[experience]] with the [[Jesus]] of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damascus_road Damascus road]. The [[gospel]] of [[the kingdom]] is founded on the [[personal]] [[religious]] [[experience]] of the [[Jesus]] of [[Galilee]]; [[Christianity]] is founded almost exclusively on the [[personal]] religious [[experience]] of the [[Apostle Paul]]. Almost the whole of the [[New Testament]] is [[devoted]], not to the portrayal of the significant and [[inspiring]] religious life of [[Jesus]], but to a [[discussion]] of [[Paul, the Apostle|Paul]]'s [[religious]] [[experience]] and to a portrayal of his [[personal]] [[religious]] [[convictions]]. The only notable exceptions to this [[statement]], aside from certain parts of [[Gospel of Matthew|Matthew]], [[Gospel of Mark|Mark]], and [[Gospel of Luke|Luke]], are the [[The Letter to the Hebrews|Book of Hebrews]] and the [[The Letter of James|Epistle of James]]. Even [[Peter, the Apostle|Peter]], in his [[writing]], only once reverted to the [[personal]] [[religious]] life of his [[the Master|Master]]. The [[New Testament]] is a superb [[Christian]] [[document]], but it is only meagerly Jesusonian.

196:2.1 Some day a [[reformation]] in the [[Christian]] [[church]] may strike deep enough to get back to the unadulterated religious teachings of [[Jesus]], the [[author]] and finisher of our [[faith]].[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=The_Letter_to_the_Hebrews#The_Letter_to_the_Hebrews.2C_XII] You may [[preach]] a [[religion]] about Jesus, but, perforce, you must live the religion of Jesus. In the [[enthusiasm]] of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentecost Pentecost], [[Peter, the Apostle|Peter]] unintentionally [[inaugurated]] a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_religious_movement new religion], the religion of the risen and [[glorified]] [[Christ]]. The [[Apostle Paul]] later on [[transformed]] this new [[gospel]] into [[Christianity]], a [[religion]] embodying his own [[theologic]] views and portraying his own [[personal]] [[experience]] with the [[Jesus]] of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damascus_road Damascus road]. The [[gospel]] of [[the kingdom]] is founded on the [[personal]] [[religious]] [[experience]] of the [[Jesus]] of [[Galilee]]; [[Christianity]] is founded almost exclusively on the [[personal]] religious [[experience]] of the [[Apostle Paul]]. Almost the whole of the [[New Testament]] is [[devoted]], not to the portrayal of the significant and [[inspiring]] religious life of [[Jesus]], but to a [[discussion]] of [[Paul, the Apostle|Paul]]'s [[religious]] [[experience]] and to a portrayal of his [[personal]] [[religious]] [[convictions]]. The only notable exceptions to this [[statement]], aside from certain parts of [[Gospel of Matthew|Matthew]], [[Gospel of Mark|Mark]], and [[Gospel of Luke|Luke]], are the [[The Letter to the Hebrews|Book of Hebrews]] and the [[The Letter of James|Epistle of James]]. Even [[Peter, the Apostle|Peter]], in his [[writing]], only once reverted to the [[personal]] [[religious]] life of his [[the Master|Master]]. The [[New Testament]] is a superb [[Christian]] [[document]], but it is only meagerly Jesusonian.

196:2.2 [[Jesus]]' life in the [[flesh]] portrays a [[transcendent]] [[religious]] [[growth]] from the early [[ideas]] of [[primitive]] [[awe]] and human [[reverence]] up through years of [[personal]] [[spiritual]] [[communion]] until he finally arrived at that advanced and exalted [[status]] of the [[consciousness]] of his [[oneness]] with [[the Father]]. And thus, in one short life, did [[Jesus]] traverse that [[experience]] of religious [[spiritual]] [[progression]] which man begins on [[earth]] and ordinarily achieves only at the conclusion of his long [[sojourn]] in the [[Paper 14 - The Central and Divine Universe|spirit training schools of the successive levels of the pre-Paradise career]]. [[Jesus]] progressed from a purely [[human]] [[consciousness]] of the [[faith]] certainties of [[personal]] religious [[experience]] to the [[sublime]] [[spiritual]] heights of the [[positive]] [[realization]] of his [[divine]] [[nature]] and to the [[consciousness]] of his close [[association]] with the [[Universal Father]] in the [[management]] of a [[universe]]. He progressed from the [[humble]] [[status]] of [[mortal]] dependence which prompted him [[spontaneously]] to say to the one who called him Good Teacher, " Why do you call me good? None is good but God, "[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Gospel_of_Luke#Chapter_18] to that [[sublime]] [[consciousness]] of achieved [[divinity]] which led him to [[exclaim]], " Which one of you convicts me of sin? "[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Gospel_of_John#Chapter_8] And this [[progressing]] [[ascent]] from the [[human]] to the [[divine]] was an exclusively [[mortal]] [[achievement]]. And when he had thus [[attained]] [[divinity]], he was still the same [[human]] [[Jesus]], the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Son_of_Man Son of Man] as well as the [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_21 Son of God].

196:2.2 [[Jesus]]' life in the [[flesh]] portrays a [[transcendent]] [[religious]] [[growth]] from the early [[ideas]] of [[primitive]] [[awe]] and human [[reverence]] up through years of [[personal]] [[spiritual]] [[communion]] until he finally arrived at that advanced and exalted [[status]] of the [[consciousness]] of his [[oneness]] with [[the Father]]. And thus, in one short life, did [[Jesus]] traverse that [[experience]] of religious [[spiritual]] [[progression]] which man begins on [[earth]] and ordinarily achieves only at the conclusion of his long [[sojourn]] in the [[Paper 14 - The Central and Divine Universe|spirit training schools of the successive levels of the pre-Paradise career]]. [[Jesus]] progressed from a purely [[human]] [[consciousness]] of the [[faith]] certainties of [[personal]] religious [[experience]] to the [[sublime]] [[spiritual]] heights of the [[positive]] [[realization]] of his [[divine]] [[nature]] and to the [[consciousness]] of his close [[association]] with the [[Universal Father]] in the [[management]] of a [[universe]]. He progressed from the [[humble]] [[status]] of [[mortal]] dependence which prompted him [[spontaneously]] to say to the one who called him Good Teacher, " Why do you call me good? None is good but God, "[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Gospel_of_Luke#Chapter_18] to that [[sublime]] [[consciousness]] of achieved [[divinity]] which led him to [[exclaim]], " Which one of you convicts me of sin? "[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Gospel_of_John#Chapter_8] And this [[progressing]] [[ascent]] from the [[human]] to the [[divine]] was an exclusively [[mortal]] [[achievement]]. And when he had thus [[attained]] [[divinity]], he was still the same [[human]] [[Jesus]], the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Son_of_Man Son of Man] as well as the [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_21 Son of God].

196:2.3 [[Gospel of Mark|Mark]], [[Gospel of Matthew|Matthew]], and [[Gospel of Luke|Luke]] retain something of the picture of the [[human]] [[Jesus]] as he [[engaged]] in the superb [[struggle]] to ascertain the [[divine]] will and to do that will. [[Gospel of John|John]] presents a picture of the [[triumphant]] [[Jesus]] as he walked on [[earth]] in the full [[consciousness]] of [[divinity]]. The great [[mistake]] that has been made by those who have [[studied]] [[the Master]]'s life is that some have [[conceived]] of him as entirely [[human]], while others have thought of him as only [[divine]]. Throughout his entire [[experience]] he was truly both [[human]] and [[divine]], even as he yet is.

196:2.3 [[Gospel of Mark|Mark]], [[Gospel of Matthew|Matthew]], and [[Gospel of Luke|Luke]] retain something of the picture of the [[human]] [[Jesus]] as he [[engaged]] in the superb [[struggle]] to ascertain the [[divine]] will and to do that will. [[Gospel of John|John]] presents a picture of the [[triumphant]] [[Jesus]] as he walked on [[earth]] in the full [[consciousness]] of [[divinity]]. The great [[mistake]] that has been made by those who have [[studied]] [[the Master]]'s life is that some have [[conceived]] of him as entirely [[human]], while others have thought of him as only [[divine]]. Throughout his entire [[experience]] he was truly both [[human]] and [[divine]], even as he yet is.

196:2.4 But the greatest [[mistake]] was made in that, while the [[human]] [[Jesus]] was recognized as having a [[religion]], the [[divine]] [[Jesus]] ([[Christ]]) almost overnight became a [[religion]]. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pauline_Christianity Paul's Christianity] made sure of the [[adoration]] of the [[divine]] [[Christ]], but it almost wholly lost [[sight]] of the [[struggling]] and [[valiant]] [[human]] [[Jesus]] of [[Galilee]], who, by the [[valor]] of his [[personal]] religious [[faith]] and the [[heroism]] of his [[indwelling Adjuster]], [[ascended]] from the lowly levels of [[humanity]] to become one with [[divinity]], thus becoming the new and living way whereby all [[mortals]] may so [[ascend]] from [[humanity]] to [[divinity]]. [[Mortals]] in all [[stages]] of [[spirituality]] and on all worlds may find in the [[personal]] life of [[Jesus]] that which will [[strengthen]] and [[inspire]] them as they [[progress]] from the lowest spirit levels up to the highest [[divine]] [[values]], from the beginning to the end of all [[personal]] [[religious]] [[experience]].

196:2.4 But the greatest [[mistake]] was made in that, while the [[human]] [[Jesus]] was recognized as having a [[religion]], the [[divine]] [[Jesus]] ([[Christ]]) almost overnight became a [[religion]]. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pauline_Christianity Paul's Christianity] made sure of the [[adoration]] of the [[divine]] [[Christ]], but it almost wholly lost [[sight]] of the [[struggling]] and [[valiant]] [[human]] [[Jesus]] of [[Galilee]], who, by the [[valor]] of his [[personal]] religious [[faith]] and the [[heroism]] of his [[indwelling Adjuster]], [[ascended]] from the lowly levels of [[humanity]] to become one with [[divinity]], thus becoming the new and living way whereby all [[mortals]] may so [[ascend]] from [[humanity]] to [[divinity]]. [[Mortals]] in all [[stages]] of [[spirituality]] and on all worlds may find in the [[personal]] life of [[Jesus]] that which will [[strengthen]] and [[inspire]] them as they [[progress]] from the lowest spirit levels up to the highest [[divine]] [[values]], from the beginning to the end of all [[personal]] [[religious]] [[experience]].

196:2.5 At the time of the [[writing]] of the [[New Testament]], the [[authors]] not only most [[profoundly]] [[believed]] in the [[divinity]] of the risen [[Christ]], but they also [[devotedly]] and [[sincerely]] believed in his [[immediate]] [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_coming return to earth] to [[consummate]] [[the heavenly kingdom]]. This strong [[faith]] in the Lord's [[immediate]] return had much to do with the tendency to omit from the [[record]] those [[references]] which portrayed the purely [[human]] [[experiences]] and [[attributes]] of [[the Master]]. The whole [[Christian]] [[movement]] tended away from the human picture of [[Jesus]] of [[Nazareth]] toward the exaltation of the risen [[Christ]], the glorified and soon-returning Lord Jesus Christ.

196:2.5 At the time of the [[writing]] of the [[New Testament]], the [[authors]] not only most [[profoundly]] [[believed]] in the [[divinity]] of the risen [[Christ]], but they also [[devotedly]] and [[sincerely]] believed in his [[immediate]] [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_coming return to earth] to [[consummate]] [[the heavenly kingdom]]. This strong [[faith]] in the Lord's [[immediate]] return had much to do with the tendency to omit from the [[record]] those [[references]] which portrayed the purely [[human]] [[experiences]] and [[attributes]] of [[the Master]]. The whole [[Christian]] [[movement]] tended away from the human picture of [[Jesus]] of [[Nazareth]] toward the exaltation of the risen [[Christ]], the glorified and soon-returning Lord Jesus Christ.

196:2.6 [[Jesus]] founded the [[religion]] of [[personal]] [[experience]] in [[doing the will of God]] and serving the [[human]] brotherhood; [[Paul, the Apostle|Paul]] founded a [[religion]] in which the [[glorified]] [[Jesus]] became the object of [[worship]] and the brotherhood consisted of fellow [[believers]] in the divine [[Christ]]. In the [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_120 bestowal of Jesus] these two [[concepts]] were [[potential]] in his [[divine]]-[[human]] life, and it is indeed a [[pity]] that his [[followers]] failed to create a unified religion which might have given proper [[recognition]] to both the [[human]] and the [[divine]] natures of [[the Master]] as they were inseparably bound up in his [[earth]] life and so [[gloriously]] set forth in the [[original]] [[gospel]] of [[the kingdom]].

196:2.6 [[Jesus]] founded the [[religion]] of [[personal]] [[experience]] in [[doing the will of God]] and serving the [[human]] brotherhood; [[Paul, the Apostle|Paul]] founded a [[religion]] in which the [[glorified]] [[Jesus]] became the object of [[worship]] and the brotherhood consisted of fellow [[believers]] in the divine [[Christ]]. In the [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_120 bestowal of Jesus] these two [[concepts]] were [[potential]] in his [[divine]]-[[human]] life, and it is indeed a [[pity]] that his [[followers]] failed to create a unified religion which might have given proper [[recognition]] to both the [[human]] and the [[divine]] natures of [[the Master]] as they were inseparably bound up in his [[earth]] life and so [[gloriously]] set forth in the [[original]] [[gospel]] of [[the kingdom]].

196:2.7 You would be neither [[shocked]] nor disturbed by some of [[Jesus]]' strong pronouncements if you would only [[remember]] that he was the world's most wholehearted and [[devoted]] [[religionist]]. He was a wholly [[consecrated]] [[mortal]], unreservedly [[dedicated]] [[to doing his Father's will]]. Many of his apparently hard sayings were more of a [[personal]] [[confession]] of [[faith]] and a pledge of [[devotion]] than commands to his [[followers]]. And it was this very singleness of [[purpose]] and [[unselfish]] [[devotion]] that enabled him to effect such extraordinary [[progress]] in the [[conquest]] of the [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_110#110:1._INDWELLING_THE_MORTAL_MIND human mind] in one short life. Many of his [[declaration]]s should be considered as a [[confession]] of what he demanded of himself rather than what he required of all his [[followers]]. In his [[devotion]] to the cause of [[the kingdom]], [[Jesus]] [http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/burn+bridges burned all bridges behind him]; he [[sacrificed]] all hindrances to the [[doing of his Father's will]].

196:2.7 You would be neither [[shocked]] nor disturbed by some of [[Jesus]]' strong pronouncements if you would only [[remember]] that he was the world's most wholehearted and [[devoted]] [[religionist]]. He was a wholly [[consecrated]] [[mortal]], unreservedly [[dedicated]] [[to doing his Father's will]]. Many of his apparently hard sayings were more of a [[personal]] [[confession]] of [[faith]] and a pledge of [[devotion]] than commands to his [[followers]]. And it was this very singleness of [[purpose]] and [[unselfish]] [[devotion]] that enabled him to effect such extraordinary [[progress]] in the [[conquest]] of the [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_110#110:1._INDWELLING_THE_MORTAL_MIND human mind] in one short life. Many of his [[declaration]]s should be considered as a [[confession]] of what he demanded of himself rather than what he required of all his [[followers]]. In his [[devotion]] to the cause of [[the kingdom]], [[Jesus]] [https://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/burn+bridges burned all bridges behind him]; he [[sacrificed]] all hindrances to the [[doing of his Father's will]].

196:2.8 [[Jesus]] [[blessed]] the [[poor]] because they were usually [[sincere]] and [[pious]]; he [[condemned]] the rich because they were usually wanton and irreligious. He would equally [[condemn]] the irreligious pauper and commend the [[consecrated]] and [[worshipful]] man of [[wealth]].

196:2.8 [[Jesus]] [[blessed]] the [[poor]] because they were usually [[sincere]] and [[pious]]; he [[condemned]] the rich because they were usually wanton and irreligious. He would equally [[condemn]] the irreligious pauper and commend the [[consecrated]] and [[worshipful]] man of [[wealth]].

196:3.14 [[Moral]] [[evaluation]] with a [[religious]] [[meaning]]—[[spiritual]] [[insight]]—connotes the [[individual]]'s [[choice]] between [[good]] and [[evil]], [[truth]] and [[error]], [[material]] and [[spiritual]], [[human]] and [[divine]], [[time]] and [[eternity]]. Human [[survival]] is in great [[measure]] dependent on [[consecrating]] the human [[Free will|will]] to the [[choosing]] of those [[values]] selected by this spirit-value sorter—the indwelling [[interpreter]] and unifier. [[Personal]] religious [[experience]] consists in [[two]] [[phases]]: [[discovery]] in the [[human]] [[mind]] and [[revelation]] by the [[indwelling divine spirit]]. Through oversophistication or as a result of the irreligious [[conduct]] of professed religionists, a man, or even a [[generation]] of men, may elect to [[suspend]] their [[efforts]] to [[discover]] the [[God]] who [[Thought Adjuster|indwells them]]; they may fail to [[progress]] in and [[attain]] the [[divine]] [[revelation]]. But such [[attitudes]] of spiritual nonprogression cannot long [[persist]] because of the [[presence]] and [[influence]] of the indwelling [[Thought Adjusters]].

196:3.14 [[Moral]] [[evaluation]] with a [[religious]] [[meaning]]—[[spiritual]] [[insight]]—connotes the [[individual]]'s [[choice]] between [[good]] and [[evil]], [[truth]] and [[error]], [[material]] and [[spiritual]], [[human]] and [[divine]], [[time]] and [[eternity]]. Human [[survival]] is in great [[measure]] dependent on [[consecrating]] the human [[Free will|will]] to the [[choosing]] of those [[values]] selected by this spirit-value sorter—the indwelling [[interpreter]] and unifier. [[Personal]] religious [[experience]] consists in [[two]] [[phases]]: [[discovery]] in the [[human]] [[mind]] and [[revelation]] by the [[indwelling divine spirit]]. Through oversophistication or as a result of the irreligious [[conduct]] of professed religionists, a man, or even a [[generation]] of men, may elect to [[suspend]] their [[efforts]] to [[discover]] the [[God]] who [[Thought Adjuster|indwells them]]; they may fail to [[progress]] in and [[attain]] the [[divine]] [[revelation]]. But such [[attitudes]] of spiritual nonprogression cannot long [[persist]] because of the [[presence]] and [[influence]] of the indwelling [[Thought Adjusters]].

196:3.15 This [[profound]] [[experience]] of the [[reality]] of the [[Thought Adjuster|divine indwelling]] forever [[transcends]] the crude [[materialistic]] [[technique]] of the [[physical sciences]]. You cannot put [[spiritual]] [[joy]] under a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microscope microscope]; you cannot weigh [[love]] in a [[balance]]; you cannot [[measure]] moral [[values]]; neither can you estimate the [[quality]] of [[spiritual]] [[worship]].

196:3.15 This [[profound]] [[experience]] of the [[reality]] of the [[Thought Adjuster|divine indwelling]] forever [[transcends]] the crude [[materialistic]] [[technique]] of the [[physical sciences]]. You cannot put [[spiritual]] [[joy]] under a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microscope microscope]; you cannot weigh [[love]] in a [[balance]]; you cannot [[measure]] moral [[values]]; neither can you estimate the [[quality]] of [[spiritual]] [[worship]].

196:3.16 The [[Hebrews]] had a [[religion]] of [[moral]] [[sublimity]]; the [[Greeks]] evolved a religion of [[beauty]]; [[Paul, the Apostle|Paul]] and his conferees founded a [[religion]] of [[faith]], [[hope]], and [[charity]]. [[Jesus]] [[revealed]] and exemplified a religion of [[love]]: [[security]] in [[the Father]]'s [[love]], with [[joy]] and [[satisfaction]] consequent upon [[sharing]] this [[love]] in the [[service]] of the human brotherhood.

196:3.16 The [[Hebrews]] had a [[religion]] of [[moral]] [[sublimity]]; the [[Greeks]] evolved a religion of [[beauty]]; [[Paul, the Apostle|Paul]] and his conferees founded a [[religion]] of [[faith]], [[hope]], and [[charity]]. [[Jesus]] [[revealed]] and exemplified a religion of [[love]]: [[security]] in [[the Father]]'s [[love]], with [[joy]] and [[satisfaction]] consequent upon [[sharing]] this [[love]] in the [[service]] of the human brotherhood.