posted April 18, 2005 10:32 AM         

That we might seek not so much to be comforted

As to comfort

posted April 18, 2005 11:36 PM         

Don't sweat it.
I'm way too cool to be offended by an opinion. You are welcome to think and feel however you think and feel... about anything.

My own view on the thing is this:

Christ is remembered as a victim (among other things) because his suffering inspires compassion, and that is, after all, the essence of his teaching; that we should be compassionate to those who suffer, and that our own salvation actually comes to us through the compassion we exercise toward those who suffer. As we comfort, we are comforted. If Christ merely loved us, that would, in my opinion, only account for half of the teaching. He loved us to the point of suffering that horrific destiny, and it is his suffering, not his love, which arouses our compassion.

His teaching is more than the words of the scribes and pharasees (of whom he said, "do as they say, but not as they do, for they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be born, but will not lift so much as a finger themselves"), because he lived it.
He taught the final lesson by example.

"No man does this to me. I have the power to lay down my life and take it up again."

"Not my will, but Thy Will Be Done."

And, it was not the will of his executioners that he shoud die. They would've been happy only if he had recounted his testimony. It was for the truth that he died. For love.

Jesus was a pacifist. He could have resisted. He could have raised an army. But his kingdom is "not of this world". That is why he hangs on a cross. Because love IS crucified in this world. And, if we wish to live in the truth of love, we must be willing to suffer at the hands of those who would resist us. We mustnt resist them ("An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind." - Gandhi), but, like lambs brought to slaughter, we must love our enemies, even if it kills us.

That is the Christian teaching as I have understood it. I have yet to accept it as my own. I still cling to the promise of "self-defense". I still refuse to believe Christ, when he tells me that "whosoever would save his life must lose it". But, thats me. I am a sinner. I am not a Son of God, for I do not do the will of the Father. I still love my friends and resist my enemies. I am not a Christian.

posted April 19, 2005 06:57 PM         

I think you must be right about history and mythology/religion not coinciding perfectly. Anyone who has compared the gospels can see that the authors cant even agree on the facts amongst themselves.

For my part, I am fond of saying that what is important to me is Truth and not Fact. (Granted, this statement is just begging for misinterpretation.) History is fine and good, and a proper understanding of it is very much needed in the world today, but, it is Eternity that really floats my boat.

"Read not the times, read the eternities."
- Henry David Thoreau

I agree with your interpretation of Christ's words. In fact, I can often find multiple interpretations for a single verse, and, to me, they not only make sense by themselves, but, they seem to imply the truth of one another. If a man is willing to sacrifice (or, not to defend) the life of his personal ego, he would certainly be willing to sacrifice the life of his physical body, right? But, definitely, your own interpretation hits closer to the Truth, or, rather, it reaches to a higher level of Truth.

What I cant seem to accept is that, even if I feel I have a right not to defend myself, how can I take responsibility for refusing to defend another? The advocates of radical pacifism suggest that one must take the "long view". They would argue that violence, even in self-defense, or defense of another, only begets violence, but love begets love. But, what kind of love will not stand in the way of a wolf as it tries devour a lamb? I guess, the kind of love that sees no difference between wolf and lamb. Granted, this makes perfect sense in the realm of the spirit, but, here on earth...

I'm still trying to figure it out.

In the meantime, I do what I can to convert wolves to lambs, in my own nature, as well as in the world.

'K, enough out of me.

posted April 20, 2005 03:52 PM         

it is ...

posted April 20, 2005 04:01 PM         

The cross was a piece of wood, purpendicular to another piece of wood, in order to accomodate a body lain out and strapped upon it for the purposes of discipline, torture and punishment.

posted April 20, 2005 04:16 PM         

Thats a good interpretation.

Here's another one:

Water is often used to symbolize the emotions, so, it could also mean that the baptism or rebirth of the spirit comes when a change takes place within the heart. A man would not have to re-enter his mother's womb (as nicodemus pondered), nor even enter the womb of another mother (in the next life), but, rather, he is already within the eternal womb of the Virgin Mother, awaiting rebirth in spirit, in love.

The Lord is called "a living God", because he is alive, as we are, and, like a child growing into a man, the Lord grows in spirit (even as the physical universe, the body of Christ, of which we are members, expands), and, yet, remains the same. So, we are told that the Law changes. It is not carved in stone, but written on our hearts, and, as each individual heart grows, the law, for him, and for all of us, must grow, as his love increases, until it is liberal enough to include, contain, and support all beings, all things, and even the infinite, the uncreated, the potential, the "unseen creator" of us all.

--------------------------------

Well said, Dean.

Paul, in particular, contrasts, time and again, the earlier law of Moses with the more mature law of Christ.

Whoever the words are attributed to in the bible (I cant recall), it has always been the law of Moses which said "an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth," while the law of Christ says, basically, "a hug for an eye, a hug for a tooth".

posted April 20, 2005 04:30 PM         

Though, I should really confess, you are constantly teaching me to laugh at myself, and, that, in a very real sense, there is nothing, nothing at all, deeper than laughter.

The devil hates to be mocked.

Just ask this guy,
He's always laughing at me.

posted April 20, 2005 04:35 PM         

Gotta have an intelligent-sounding name.

"A rose by any other name" might not be smelled at all, right?

posted April 20, 2005 09:37 PM         

I could sure benefit from a more balanced diet.

"If you sigh all the time,
your sigh doesn't mean anything."

- James Dean to Dennis Hopper
On the set of Rebel Without A Cause

posted April 20, 2005 09:44 PM         

Possibly, but you really open the airways.

Oh, go turn on the comedy channel already.

posted April 20, 2005 09:46 PM         

My personal taste is truly satisfied only when I see your sparkles and depths co-existing in a single sentiment, or a single post.

you are the coolest,
swc

posted April 20, 2005 09:48 PM         

LOL, I get it, .... or do I? ~le sigh~

"Oh, and when the buddha laughs with you, you can laugh right back, cuz his belly does that jiggly thing, and it just looks funny."

posted April 21, 2005 12:44 AM         

Also, during day we read the story of Pharoah and Moses and how Moses leads people out of Egypt. The parting of the sea. The cloud going behind the israelites.

It was so symbolic. My old self would die. I would be reborn. Pharoah = Lucifer / Seth and Moses = Jesus/Osiris etc...
Egyptians = Netherworld
Israels = Heaven

Just for anology sake. No pun.

When the israelis entered the sea after it split. Represents my mind splitting in two and I in knowledge, decide to run away from old sins(eg. From my addictions, and other vices.

I also remember reading how the cloud above once it was behind the israelites would never come forward again. It was so comforting to hear that. I prayed to God, at that time, to always have his protection so that I do not go back to my old ways.

I am battling tempations these days after my baptism. The temptations do come once a while. At that time, I remember how Pharoah would not give up and would enter the sea himself with his men. Its reassuring to know how God defeats him. And I ask for the same reassurance to save my self from the temptation.