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===The Origin and Proliferation of Reality: Paper 105===

===The Origin and Proliferation of Reality: Paper 105===

*By [http://www.urantia.org/news/1991-11/dr-james-c-mills-joins-urantia-foundation-trustee-emeritus James C. Mills]

*By [https://www.urantia.org/news/1991-11/dr-james-c-mills-joins-urantia-foundation-trustee-emeritus James C. Mills]

The source material for this presentation is found in [[Paper 105]] in the [[Urantia Book]]. This paper sustains the same relation to the Urantia Book as Chapter One of the [[Book of Genesis]] does to the [[Bible]] and certain [[Upanishads]] to the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vedas Vedas].

The source material for this presentation is found in [[Paper 105]] in the [[Urantia Book]]. This paper sustains the same relation to the Urantia Book as Chapter One of the [[Book of Genesis]] does to the [[Bible]] and certain [[Upanishads]] to the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vedas Vedas].

This paper deals with events in [[eternity]]. However, for the [[purpose]] of easier comprehension, it recognizes the [[necessity]] for a linear or sequentential presentation of the events involved. Hence the paper structures its explication of the genesis of all [[reality]] as a [[process]] beginning at an admittedly hypothetical moment in [[past]] [[eternity]]. The primal [[causation]] which takes place is attributed to God, the [[Universal Father]], functioning as the infinite, eternal and absolute [[I AM]] within whose infinity the primal action takes place.

This paper deals with events in [[eternity]]. However, for the [[purpose]] of easier comprehension, it recognizes the [[necessity]] for a linear or sequentential presentation of the events involved. Hence the paper structures its explication of the genesis of all [[reality]] as a [[process]] beginning at an admittedly hypothetical moment in [[past]] [[eternity]]. The primal [[causation]] which takes place is attributed to God, the [[Universal Father]], functioning as the infinite, eternal and absolute [[I AM]] within whose infinity the primal action takes place.

Two terms have been used in speaking of [[deity]]: The [[Universal Father]] and, the [[I AM]]. The [[difference]] in use is one based on [[function]]. The paper points out that man s [[worshipful]] concept of God as the Father of all things is a personal [[experience]]. Then in the longest statement in the book (?) in italics it says: ''. .. your experiential worshipful concept of the Universal Father must always be less than your philosophic [[postulate]] of the infinity of the [[First Source and Center]], the I AM.'' ([[105:1]]) Actually, both refer to the same [[entity]], only the [[context]] differs. It is helpful to keep this in mind. The I AM can be taken as both God and Uncaused Cause.

Two terms have been used in speaking of [[deity]]: The [[Universal Father]] and, the [[I AM]]. The [[difference]] in use is one based on [[function]]. The paper points out that man s [[worshipful]] concept of God as the Father of all things is a personal [[experience]]. Then in the longest statement in the book (?) in italics it says: ''. .. your experiential worshipful concept of the Universal Father must always be less than your philosophic [[postulate]] of the infinity of the [[First Source and Center]], the I AM.'' ([[105:1]]) Actually, both refer to the same [[entity]], only the [[context]] differs. It is helpful to keep this in mind. The I AM can be taken as both God and Uncaused Cause.

[[Human]] [[concepts]] showing a conceptual [[affinity]] to the idea of the I AM presented here are: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Tillich Paul Tillich]'s "Ground of Being," [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hegel Hegel]'s Absolute, [[Aristotle]]'s Uncaused Cause, The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahman Brahman] in its absolute form, or any monistic concept. The empirical philosopher might see it as pure [[energy]] and some theologians might see it as pure spirit energy. Others might see it as the [[essence]] of existence pure undifferentiated existence, undefinable, ineffable.

[[Human]] [[concepts]] showing a conceptual [[affinity]] to the idea of the I AM presented here are: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Tillich Paul Tillich]'s "Ground of Being," [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hegel Hegel]'s Absolute, [[Aristotle]]'s Uncaused Cause, The [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahman Brahman] in its absolute form, or any monistic concept. The empirical philosopher might see it as pure [[energy]] and some theologians might see it as pure spirit energy. Others might see it as the [[essence]] of existence pure undifferentiated existence, undefinable, ineffable.

The general concept the paper attempts to portray is one of [[existence]] without [[definition]]. However one important [[difference]] exists at the hypothetical moment considered. The [[I AM]] apparently has no intention of remaining [[static]]. The paper states, "But even in this conjectured situation we must assume the existence of the possibility of self will." Let us call it [[volition]]. The process which ensues when volition acts is one of self-segmentation and the first two segments, or phases, appearing, achieve the first recognizable individual differences within the I AM. This is the first (imagined) step by which the I AM escapes the shackles of [[infinity]].

The general concept the paper attempts to portray is one of [[existence]] without [[definition]]. However one important [[difference]] exists at the hypothetical moment considered. The [[I AM]] apparently has no intention of remaining [[static]]. The paper states, "But even in this conjectured situation we must assume the existence of the possibility of self will." Let us call it [[volition]]. The process which ensues when volition acts is one of self-segmentation and the first two segments, or phases, appearing, achieve the first recognizable individual differences within the I AM. This is the first (imagined) step by which the I AM escapes the shackles of [[infinity]].

It is impossible to present even a brief summary of the carefully stated and fully coherent system of [[reality]] presented in the [[Urantia Book]]. After over thirty years of [[study]] I am not sure that I have a full grasp of it. Each new reading [[reveals]] a new [[interpretation]] to me, partly due to my correlative studies but mostly due to the fact that each reading in itself appears to raise one to a new [[plateau]] of [[understanding]] from which the same words, seen so many times before, suddenly catch one with a new and more [[enlightening]] [[meaning]].

It is impossible to present even a brief summary of the carefully stated and fully coherent system of [[reality]] presented in the [[Urantia Book]]. After over thirty years of [[study]] I am not sure that I have a full grasp of it. Each new reading [[reveals]] a new [[interpretation]] to me, partly due to my correlative studies but mostly due to the fact that each reading in itself appears to raise one to a new [[plateau]] of [[understanding]] from which the same words, seen so many times before, suddenly catch one with a new and more [[enlightening]] [[meaning]].

I believe that [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Process_theology process theologians] will find much to intrigue them in this work when it is compared with that of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_North_Whitehead A. N, Whitehead]'s [[insight]], revealed in his primordial concept of God, is seen in the [[Deity Absolute]] and the [[Unqualified Absolute]]. His view of the consequent [[nature of God]] is brought to a full expression in the [[Urantia Book]]'s [[Supreme Being]] which we have not mentioned here for reasons of time. Both works add much to a growing understanding of the importance of the finite both to transcendent deity, the [[Universal Father]], and to an emerging finite deity, the Supreme Being. Both help comprehension of the other, in either case, a not always easy task.

I believe that [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Process_theology process theologians] will find much to intrigue them in this work when it is compared with that of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_North_Whitehead A. N, Whitehead]'s [[insight]], revealed in his primordial concept of God, is seen in the [[Deity Absolute]] and the [[Unqualified Absolute]]. His view of the consequent [[nature of God]] is brought to a full expression in the [[Urantia Book]]'s [[Supreme Being]] which we have not mentioned here for reasons of time. Both works add much to a growing understanding of the importance of the finite both to transcendent deity, the [[Universal Father]], and to an emerging finite deity, the Supreme Being. Both help comprehension of the other, in either case, a not always easy task.

[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_North_Whitehead Whitehead] begins with a system and unfolds its realities in the problems of [[time and space]]. The [[Urantia Book]] begins with goals in [[eternity]] and works backward to our place in time and space. Both are non-linear in exposition, although the Urantia Book attempts linear explanation when it desires to portray a process as we have done today. Its wealth of material is amazing on all levels; yet when one studies it carefully one sees a very faint glimmer of the vastness of what is untold. Man must still work out his own [[destiny]]. Philosophy and Theology will always find the [[unfolding]] future filled with opportunities for fruitful [[speculation]]. The [[Urantia Book]] opens but one more.

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_North_Whitehead Whitehead] begins with a system and unfolds its realities in the problems of [[time and space]]. The [[Urantia Book]] begins with goals in [[eternity]] and works backward to our place in time and space. Both are non-linear in exposition, although the Urantia Book attempts linear explanation when it desires to portray a process as we have done today. Its wealth of material is amazing on all levels; yet when one studies it carefully one sees a very faint glimmer of the vastness of what is untold. Man must still work out his own [[destiny]]. Philosophy and Theology will always find the [[unfolding]] future filled with opportunities for fruitful [[speculation]]. The [[Urantia Book]] opens but one more.

Process philosophers and theologians may see the Urantia Book as an important extension to Whitehead's system. Some time in the [[future]], students of the philosophy and theology of the Urantia Book may come to see Whitehead as their "[[John the Baptist]]."

Process philosophers and theologians may see the Urantia Book as an important extension to Whitehead's system. Some time in the [[future]], students of the philosophy and theology of the Urantia Book may come to see Whitehead as their "[[John the Baptist]]."