Free Online Ordination: May 2007

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

Druidism

First of all I would like to start off by saying this is only my second course I have taken with ULC but by all means this course was most powerful, as I started reading each lesson I found myself more and more intrigued on their way of life and the beliefs which are so similar to my own.

I feel that too many people conform to other peoples religions or their way of life because it is expected of them and people have a tendency to think within the box to which they where raised, instead of taking that much needed step outside the box and look around, no reason to give up your own beliefs on the other hand there's no reason not to expand your mind keep an open view, instead of shutting the door. I think this course really emphasizes and promotes on being able to "think out side the box" which is what I like and fully appreciate. No offense by any means to people who have Christian faiths, but I feel they are very closed-minded people, although I believe in many things they believe in, I feel that there is a larger world out there much has yet to be discovered and a lot has been forgotten about that we need to remember.

One thing (and there where several things) that I am such a strong believer in that Druids promote is "Honor Life"

Meaning our life, our gods life, natures life and family life, to treat everyone as equal. I love how Druids love nature and respect it for what it is, what it has and what it has done for man kind, and it saddens me to know how man kind has damaged and is destroying Earth, Druids have a place in my heart that keeps me knowing that there are still a few people out there that do respect and honor the lands and the animals, knowing if we destroy the lands and what they offer us we are simply destroying ourselves.

The Celtic Tree Calendar was very fascinating, I think its wonderful how each month is associated with a tree, although still being a bit confusing too me, I do understand that the tree calendar and the moons and their tree alphabet would assist them in celebrations and harvesting periods and certain rituals, it was a very efficient and unique tool for them.

Which brings me to the Ogham (Tree) Alphabet, I liked this lesson so much I took it upon myself to learn the alphabet, I understand that each letter represents a sacred tree with a meaning to the Druids and that each letter has branches or lines similar to a tree. Trees where and still are very respected by Druids; to harm a tree would have meant death.

What I understand is this alphabet was not only used for communication purposes but for divination as well.

Druids believed that certain trees had healing abilities that where inhabited by spirits, what I didn't know is the expression "knock on wood" actually came from this.

I honestly could write a lot more about the Druids there was so much covered but my space is limited.

Before taking this course I was always fascinated with Druids, and study a bit on my own, this course has open my eyes and has made me thirst for more info, if you ever offer another course on Druids or Druidism I would definitely take it.

Christine M. Lahnala-Brandau

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The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more. I have been a proud member of the ULC for many years and the Seminary since its inception.

The Universal Life Church offers handfasting ceremonies, funeral ceremonies and free minister training.

As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge selection of Universal Life Church minister supplies. Since being ordained with the Universal Life Church for so many years and it's Seminary since the beginning, I've watch the huge change and growth that has continued to happen.

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Defining Spiritualism

Defining Spiritualism Final Essay

Rev Sharon J. Mayer

This is an extraordinary course in ministry. It has laid the groundwork for assisting others in the understanding of the complexities of belief. I enjoyed the whole course and the way it was relate to the ministry of the Universal Life Church. The author kept simple many ideas and teachings while not being overwhelming in fact or intellect. I am sorry the course has come to an end I did look forward to each lesson to gain either a way to move forward or an understanding of where I was and what needed to be learned or changed to move forward. This has been one of the more insightful classes I have taken from the seminary.

This will be a course that I will be able to use as a background to assist those I minister. Many of the people I come in contact with have a background in extreme religious Christian churches and have left this and grown away from any form of religion or spirituality. They are tired of being told they are not good enough to have love in their lives and to live life to the fullest. Because of this they are lonely and feel unworthy. This was a point brought out in Lesson 8 of the course. Unfortunately the younger people of today seem to be those that are the most affected by the thought they are not good enough. My little group has people in menial jobs, overcoming addiction, bad relationships, and despair. None of us have much formal education but we all have a desire for a better existence for ourselves and the world.

I believe one of the most destructive concepts of church writing was the concept of predestination. This is the major thought I have to overcome with my group. Many seem to feel this is Truth so why care? I was once asked to leave a church because I taught that God loves us all just as we are. I was using the church learning tools but when someone overheard me saying “No matter what you do you can overcome it because God still loves you.” They spoke to the church council who before speaking to me asked me to leave. Some did apologize when the realized it was from the church curriculum but I never when back to the church. If they could not understand of all groups why should I want to be with them?

In view of the events at VT I am again drawn to Lesson 10 and the paragraph that reads “So try to remember and be understanding of the fact that someone completely contained in his or her conscious mind is suffering greatly. These people believe themselves to have an absolute understanding of that which cannot be absolutely understood. When life acts in ways other than their absolute understanding, it affects them greatly. They suffer depression, anger, hostility, all host of negative energy emotions because they think they know absolutely and they are proven wrong every day.” I have compassion for the families of those who lost their lives but I also have compassion for the young man who felt he had The Answer. He never saw the beauty in life.

As to what I received from the lessons I can only repeat what the instructor stated. The more I study the more I realize I know nothing. I will take the ideas and suggestions given in the closing of the course to heart and realize that I can not change what I do not own and I own nothing. Each person in the world sees with only their eyes and each life is that persons alone.

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The Four Gospels Course.

Essay for the Dr. of Christian Studies – The Four Gospels Course.

Sharon J. Mayer

This is a wonderful course that has taken me on an exploration of early Christian writings, practices, and thought.

Over my sixty nine years of life I have had the gospels read to me or read them myself numerous times and each time something new has come from the reading as I have grown in understanding. This course was the best of all I have taken on the subject. I was not told this is the Truth and you must believe it. I was allowed, during the course, to explore on my own the writings and teachings that would enhance the subject and my understanding. .

We were asked to write on one point of the books, which either stumped or moved the reader, to pick a section and write an opinion. That is extremely difficult because all the books as presented sent me looking for more information, another interpretation, history of the times and place the book was written, the thoughts and powers of the day. I was so interested in continuing my studies that I did not eve realize the course had come to an end – but my studies have not ended as yet.

The parts that interested me the most were those that mentioned the Gospel of Q as a starting point of the narrative of some of the books. The ideas that the oral tradition that was passed from regional areas and understandings of what had been said and done by Jesus was well brought out during the discourse. I was familiar with Q and Thomas, as well as other books that were not included in the New Testament by formal religion. I am also familiar with other texts of some religions that are added to the Bible for use by their church members.

I have often been confused by the fact that not all books were available to read by the common person and that since the Bible was hand-copied there was no way to be sure that the text was kept complete and accurate. This is a main point that has perplexed me most of my years. I understand there are those who believe and base their faith on the fact that God gave all the words in the books to the person writing and they are absolute truth and are to be followed.

But if the Bibles were commissioned by humans and humans have free will how were the books of the bible to be kept pure as complied and handed down for centuries? If a ruler wanted to add something to enhance his kingdom and he needed to have “history” rewritten that could be done. We all know that local practices were incorporated into the church to draw more members. So what was to stop the things the ruler did not like from being excluded and things he wanted to be part of religion from being added? If a church body felt that a book for other form of writing was detrimental to their ways they would just not add that thought or practice to the Formal Church. People have died for what was written and believed from the early church on. These are the things about the Gospels that really push me to continue my learning of early Christian writing and keep me studying more about the subject.

The Gospel according to Like is an example of the history of Jesus’ birth and family.

This is brought out in the course to be written to appease the Romans that this was a spiritual person and no threat to the political situation of Rome. It also made a strong tie of Christianity being part of the Jewish religion that would be tolerated by Rome. This to me is a case in point where the writing was honed to appeal to the powers that be.

Later the books were arranged by what was to be taught because of highly placed church leaders and the thought they had about what was to be given to the common folk to continue their religious training. There seems to have been much control of what was added to the books, wheat was written, how it was presented and what text was left out. As brought out in the lesson on “The Word According to Luke, Pt 2 “There are no secrets. When you open yourself up to the light, everything is seen.”

That is what this class has done for me and I hope for others. Look into the light of knowledge and travel to wherever it takes you to find the truth.

Rev Sharon J. Mayer

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A Course In Miracles

Universal Life Church Seminary

Dr. of Metaphysics Program

Rev. Chaneta V. Lewis

One of the many things that I have learned from my lessons for the Dr. of Metaphysics Program is that the first and most important thing is to let go of illusions – let go of the past and focus our attention on the present and the things that we want to create. In order to create a new reality, one must release people, things and conditions that no longer serve us.

We all live in an illusion and create our lives from that illusion. The illusion is that you need to strive to get more and more and more. If only you had one more degree, you could make more money. If you had that bigger house, a nicer car, better friends, the perfect relationship, then you could be happy.

Many people have managed to get the degrees, the bigger house, the better car, more friends, and even a great relationship only to find that something is still missing. Why? Because happiness comes from within, not from without. External things may bring fleeting moments of happiness, but they don’t bring prolonged experiences of peace unless you create that peace from within.

The fact is that we already have within us all that we need to be and do whatever it is we desire. But before we can create a new life for ourselves, we must “clean house,” letting go of thoughts, things, people, and relationships that no longer serve you.

First, we need to let go of illusory ideas that prevent us from connecting with the part of us that already have access to everything we need and desire. To do this, we must peel away the layers of illusions that we have surrounded ourselves with since childhood. We all do this. We create layers of protection that kept us safe as children. Adulthood is largely a process of peeling these layers away like an onion.

Our ability to let go of whatever holds us back from moving forward in our life will accelerate our growth. We must learn to bless the things and people that we feel we must let go, and focus our attention on what we want for your future.

As we let go, we will begin to feel the happiness we may have sought in external things. Our friends and family will be affected by our letting go because they will unconsciously notice our increased energy.

So, what are some of the things we need to let go of? Things like:

* Opinions, beliefs, and judgments.

* Anger and resentments.

* Relationships which are no longer offering you anything positive.

* Roles and traditions that keep you stuck.

* Damaging habits or behaviors.

* Items that you no longer use or need such as clothes, jewelry, shoes, or furniture.

* Jobs which no longer fulfill you.

* Traditions or roles that no longer serve you.

* The victim and blame game.

* The idea that pain, suffering, and sacrifice are beneficial in any way.

* Worries and fears.

* The need for competition.

* The past.

* Stories and excuses.

* The need to be right.

* The need to be perfect.

* The false belief that you’re small and unimportant.

We must learn to celebrate the infinite possibilities and Let go, and let good flow abundantly

I also learned about the power of prayer. Prayer is talking to God. We need to realize our unity with God. We should pray knowing that God is within us and not just “up there somewhere.” We should pray believing that what we have asked for is already ours. Pray should be constructive and keeps us focused. It should connect us to the Intelligence in the Universe that guides, inspires, and loves us. Prayer makes us aware of an inner strength that we have access to. The key to prayer is in our recognition of our union with the whole, with all that is good. We speak to the Presence within us that knows all the possible outcomes. When we pray, we raise our thoughts and intentions to a Higher Source that opens us to receive an in-flow of divine ideas, thoughts, and love from the Higher Source. Prayer is a method of thought that uses the divine law deliberately and places us in a receptive state which connects us with the Power that has dominion over everything.

When we pray, know that “It’s not I but the Power within that does the work.” However, most of us pray a prayer of disbelief because we immediately start making plans (plan B) to help God in case he/she doesn’t give us what we asked for. If we just hope that God will answer our prayer versus believe that our prayer is answered, our prayer cannot be answered according to our wish. Our prayers are always answered, but our answer will reflect our belief or disbelief. As Jesus said, “Be it done unto you as you believe.”

Most of the time, our prayers come from our fears or from statements of lack. It appears that our prayers have gone unanswered, but it’s only because we focused on the things we didn’t want.

The lessons have been interesting and thought provoking. The power of meditating regularly was reinforced, being/living on purpose, and putting my attention on the thing I want to create in my world and the power in visualizing the end result.

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Religious Philosophy

Religious Philosophy Final Essay

By Rev. Cynthia Ewing

When I first started taking this class I did not know very much about religions other than my own. I had no clue why and how religions came about. So I thought it would be a good idea for me to learn about religious philosophy since I deal with so many different people of different religions and backgrounds. It would help me to understand people even more than I do now. I feel like I have learned a lot from this class that will be very helpful to me in my future understanding of people and their beliefs.

It never dawned on me that the definition of religion was so important. If it were not defined as it is we would each have our own individual religions, one per person. Instead we have around 5000 different religions. Some religions are open to other religious beliefs while other religions classify any other beliefs as a cult. I have always been open to others having their own beliefs. I was raised Protestant, but have grown so much from those roots. I believe that whatever path you take to reach God/Goddess is the right path for you.

It was mentioned in the lessons that when a Great Ape passes away the other Apes view the dead body and pay their respects. Some people believe that the apes are showing signs of having religious inclinations others believe we are just assigning human attributes on them. I may believe that they are showing actual feelings, but it has helped me to understand others may not agree and that it is fine. Even in the beginning of time the Neanderthals and Cro-Magnon Men showed signs of religious tendencies. They created rituals and altars. If the Neanderthals and Cro-Magnon Men showed religious tendencies why couldn’t the apes show it as well.

I liked learning about the different forms of religions. There are Individualistic Faiths, Communal Faiths, Shamanistic Faiths and Ecclesiastical Faiths. Today the New Age is referred to as the individualistic Faith since most of the people do not want to identify which religion they belong to and talk of their spirituality. I seem to fall into this group. The second group, Communal Faiths, uses ritual to bind the group. Hawaiian dances were said to tell a story. The third group is more tribal, but includes many other groups that may use the terms witch doctor, medicine man, wizard and warlock. I myself have taken Shamanism classes and use some of the techniques in my healing sessions. The Ecclesiastical Faiths are more bureaucratic and highly organized. The church building or temple is what separates this faith from the last two faiths.

While taking this class I have learned many things. I learned that man is not the only animal on this planet with religious tendencies. Also I have gained knowledge about the four different types of faiths, their differences and similarities and how they all use common types of stories to teach each generation in their history or their future. I have thoroughly enjoyed this class. Thank you for the growth opportunity.

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The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more.

Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free, and lasts for life, so use the Free Online Ordination, button.

The ULC, run by Rev. Long, has created a chaplaincy program to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials. I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and have loved watching the continual growth of the seminary.

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Druidism Course

Druidism – An Ancient Religion?

In the strict sense, Druidism is not so much a religion as a philosophy. Where most modern religions might say that God, or Allah or Buddha made a rock or a tree, A Druid would say that the energy of a creative force is in that same rock or tree. Druids were people of nature. Their society was founded by their observations of the natural world. These observations eventually led to the spiritual and ritual base of the Druids. But whether Druidism is considered a religion or a philosophy of life, the Druids themselves were as devoted to their beliefs as any peoples from other faiths or religions.

Today, what we know of the Druids we have learned from other cultures and societies. The Druids themselves had no written history, or at least none that has so far been discovered. Some of our better insights into Druidic culture come from the accounts of Julius Caesar. Druidic caste systems, their rites and ceremonies, their daily activities, all are shrouded in mystic legends. Their society flourished for hundreds of years under wise leadership. We do know that Druids were musicians and songwriters’ craftsmen, and builders.

Many people believe that the Druids constructed ritual sites like Stonehenge and Woodhenge to perform their ceremonies and sacrifices. Astronomer Carl Sagan believes that “Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known” Carl Sagan Historians and scholars now agree that although Druids may have contributed to the final formation of these sites, they did not actually construct them. It is believed that Stonehenge was first built around 3100 B, C, which predates Druidic society as we have come to understand it. Stonehenge and other ritualistic pagan sites were used by many cultures. “The term pagan has become almost synonymous with devil worship, a gross misconception. The word roots actually reach back to the Latin paganus meaning country dwellers. Pagans were literally unindoctrinated country folk who clung to the old rural religions of nature worship”. Dan Brown, The DaVinci Code. Unfortunately, there is no historical proof that Druids were or were not associated with these sites.

The ancient Druid religion or philosophy was created within Celtic society around 900 B.C. To 700 A.D. The Druidic society reached its peak around 300 B.C. During this time, there were hundreds of Celtic tribes throughout ancient Gaul and Briton. The Druids were deeply traditional and conservative with regard to their culture and lore. The term Druid itself is believed to have indo-European roots and may be derived from the Celtic word for oak tree, ‘Doire’, in Irish Gaelic, meaning ‘wisdom’. A truly fitting name for a society based on the natural world.

Rev Dale Johnson

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The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more.

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Metaphysics and Miracles

Greetings, these lessons have proven once again that if we continue to search for truth and light we can grow, learn, and seek the next level. There is no mystery to the next level, it exists for us to explore, if we can stay the course.

I have always looked at the three major religions and I see consistent truths in those ancient writings and every since those sacred words were given they point to an obvious truth, and that is, "Honesty, Truth, and Love are always there if we want to reach our true potential." Every day miracles attest to the reality of this basic concept of growth. We can enjoy lift at a different level when we practice the truths that have always been with us.

I have a friend who wrote 500 common sayings and challenged me to look at the way all of us try to recreate the obvious. There is nothing new under the sun and we spend unnecessary energy trying to say, do, and be what we want to be, rather than accepting our true calling, which is servant-leadership, humble submission, and daily self-reflection. These guidelines set the atmosphere for everyday miracles. We are constantly looking to find the obvious.

The necessary ingredients must be added to achieve a miracle, but if we cannot accept the daily manifestations of miracles that present themselves freely, we can never identify our setbacks, and achieve the freedom of that comes with true sacrifice. "Our Father, Who art in heaven, ............. Who gives us this day our daily bread and forgives us our trespasses as we forgive those who have trespassed against us....." These ancient words are reflective of what has been recorded from the time of written communication, when we struggled to make sense of all the wonder around us. The fact that when properly understood and realized as a truth, we can see and experience the rewards of an application of truth. Miracles occur and are manifested as a reality which is proven by application of ancient principles which have been applied, modified, and proven as truth.

I have been the recipient of such displays. This course and others that I will take are a means to continue the process and work of those who have come before me. My duty is to understand how I can apply these Godly principles in my daily walk, so that I can reach my earthly potential. I need to walk in the light of rediscovery of what is and has always been. How these manifestations are applied will never change, but to hear, see, and know for yourself that there exists powers and wonders ready to take shape in the physical realm is more than a thought, by applying accepted physical tools, we can achieve heavenly results.

Physician, heal thyself! Mountain, be moved! Be all that you can be! Just do it! Whatever has been said and whatever will be said, has already be said, done, and can be redone, if we take what we have and use for the "Uplifting of the Kingdom,' because what we truly seek is the verification that what and who we are is more than by chance or a mistake. There is order and reason for who and what we can become.

I thank ULC for this opportunity and I hope that something that I have said will help, because I know that the 20 lessons that I have read will continue to help me on this pilgrim journey.

Thanks again, William!

Rev. William Hasberry

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Metaphysics and Miracles

Dr. of Metaphysics Essay

By Rev. Chad Daniel Ferguson

Thank you so much for delivering such an impressionable course of instruction. Each and every discourse had something in it that related directly to my life. As I studied, I could “see” myself realizing problems and solving them in my mind. Even though I have prior experience with mediation, visualization and self-hypnosis, the course gave me fresh tools and new direction to be more productive when trying to understand my own spiritual journey according to God’s plan.

As I think of this course, I’m reminded of a simple garden. If you really examined one, you have witnessed a miracle because God has created this garden. Upon closer inspection, the petals of the flowers display their own individual design upon each stalk. Some are strong and others weak, some sprouts are young and others are about to fall to the ground. Yet, all of the petals co-exist on the same stalk in unity as part of God’s design.

As a species, human beings are like the petals. We are all different yet alike, occupying the same stalk or world. If people were to think from a higher mind at a young age, would the ego of the world then fall off the stalk and be replaced later by responsible adults that chose not to go through their natural cycle of life without the limitations of the conscious mind? Not thinking from the ego but by choosing to live a more rewarding and happy life by making miracles manifest everyday.

“We are responsible for what we think!”, if only that was a natural instinct and wasn’t something that has to be taught. For me this was the most impressionable statement throughout this course. No flower needs to learn to be responsible. But, for us human beings, understanding and cultivating our higher mind is our responsibility and is essential to our spiritual development. The Holy Spirit shines on all of us and we should receive God’s love in a natural way, much like flowers receive sunlight. Accepting and non-judgmental, the flowers do not project an ego so they do not grow outside of God’s plan or disrupt their neighbors with illusions that have manifested inside themselves.

Of course flowers don’t have an ego. We do. It’s that ability to make intelligent choices that makes us who we are. We have the ability to study and understand our conscious, subconscious and higher minds. I would hope that each person could learn to practice recognizing the truth behind the illusions we create, and then let them go. It’s this power that lets us experience the miracles given to us through God’s love and then sharing that love with our neighbors to unify our world. Maybe we can free ourselves and appear to God like the beautiful garden. Only then can we rejoice in the now, harmoniously living in the serenity of the higher mind and in acceptance of our own connectedness to the universe.

I believe that daily meditation and inspiration are our duty to the divine. We should practice overcoming our limitations and assisting others in doing the same. We all have purpose and the sooner we begin to live our purpose, the sooner we can live happier, more fulfilling lives. If you wonder what one thing you can do to benefit yourself, your family, community and even the world? Challenge yourself to discover or create miracles in your life and let it be your purpose.

Brightest Blessings

Rev. Chad Ferguson

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Thursday, May 17, 2007

Spirit Quest

Spirit-Quest is a very private journey deep inside which leads to phenomenal healing and growth. Old prejudices, beliefs about self and negativity are challenged and exercised in a non-threatening way. Little by little over the course of thirty weeks the real self blooms. Confidence grows and the world is seen through calmer, more focused eyes.

I have been on many journeys. This one has had and is having the most profound results, perhaps because of the concentrated time spent over a long period. Seeds are sown and given room to sprout and grow.

I am calmer, more focused and no longer fearful of using my healing talents.

Roses: One of the tools I like best and which I have had the opportunity to use many, many times is “blowing up roses.” So many experiences, both good and bad, can be handled with this tool. When some person or some situation is difficult, it is so easy to put them or it into a rose and blow it up. It makes me smile every time.

One thing I have discovered in attempting to use this tool with truly negative or harmful things. Not wishing to blow up evil and disperse it throughout the world, I tried putting it down a grounding cord. I created a grounding cord right in front of me, dropped the situation down the grounding cord and blew it up deep inside the earth. I created a neutral grounding cord in front of me so I would not have to use my own grounding cord. I did not want the evil anywhere near me.

Spirit Guides: I have been talking with my Spirit Guide for many years. It is not necessary for me to use a rose. I simply ask a question and receive an answer. I also ask for things that I want and feel that the Spirit Guide will either help make it happen or help me to see why I really don’t want it. I also find that I am able to talk with or see people who have died. This is a fairly new phenomenon and one with which I am not altogether comfortable. Because this is helpful to people who are grieving it is an important “talent” for me to cultivate. This course has helped with my comfort level.

Finally, I wish to thank you for a wonderful course.

Yours in light

Rev. Judy Wolf

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The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more.

Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free, and lasts for life, so use the Free Online Ordination, button.

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Four Gospels Course

Final Essay Four Gospels Rev. Lucinda Parker

This class was extremely interesting and well constructed. As a non-Christian, I learned a great deal about the variations within the gospels, which undoubtedly lead to the variations in Christian beliefs.

It is very interesting to compare the four gospels to each other and realize the message is not the same nor written for the same audience. Mark was writing presumably to Jews. Matthew was sending the message of Jesus only to Jews. Luke, written later, was writing to both Gentiles and Jews of Israel. John, the newest of the gospels was written to a universal audience.

Many of the same stories appear in at least two of the gospels yet are changed to fit the audience, which in some cases changes the meaning of the story. In Mark, Matthew and Luke, Jesus teaches in parables and he performs exorcisms (healings) In John, Jesus does not teach in parables nor does Jesus perform exorcisms. Comparing the common parables or stories, it is almost like playing the children’s game of “Gossip.” The story changes a little bit with each retelling.

I found John’s message to be the most different from the other three and the most radical. It was also the hardest to read as my own beliefs started to contradict what I was reading. John says Jesus was God. John mentions a virgin birth. John also implies that Jesus raised himself from the grave. John’s gospel presents a Jesus that was not a human teacher, but God himself. Jesus is the “I AM.”

Mark says Jesus was a man. He was the Son of God, the messiah of the Jews. Mark portrays Jesus with limited abilities or authority. Matthew said Jesus was Godlike. Matthew did believe in the Immaculate Conception and that God raised Jesus from the dead.

Luke, the most literary of the writers said Jesus was godlike and the Savior of the World. He repeated Matthew’s stance of the Immaculate Conception and God’s resurrection of Jesus.

John’s message differs greatly in the way he presents Jesus, not only from the other three gospels, but also within his gospel, which leads credence to scholarly writings that John was actually more than one writer. John says Jesus did not associate with outcasts and does not include the stories of the other three where Jesus did associate with the outcasts. Perhaps this reflects the fact John was written much later than the first three and was written only to believers rather than to non- believers of the day.

In John, Jesus talks about himself a lot and his relation with the father and why he is on earth, why he must die, etc. None of the other three gospels portray Jesus in the same light. Jesus says little about himself in the other three gospels nor of his mission here on earth other than to teach, heal and share.

The last big difference I see is that Matthew, Luke and Mark teach that God is love for everyone. Love thy neighbor as thy self. John has a totally different message. John’s message of love seems to stretch only to other believers, and that salvation is not through love and God, but only through Jesus and believing him to be God. That is quite a different message than the other three gospels.

This class was very well written. I would not have taken a course about Christianity if it were not required for the degree. I enjoyed the gospel of Thomas the most. I didn’t even know there was a gospel of Thomas. Luke was the best writer of all and obviously educated for the times.

The book that accompanied the class was an interesting translation. I compared some chapters to the NIV versions. The Greek translation was easy to read.

I would suggest this class to anyone interested in studying the gospels for the differences and similarities, which have given rise to the many denominations within Christianity.

Rev. Lucinda Parker

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