Difference between revisions of "Christianity"
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The original spiritual preparation taught by Jesus has, over millennia, been clouded and obscured, co-opted and institutionalized, such that it can be difficult to find the true path to God originally contained in Jesus' revelation without a skilled spiritual guide. The New Message says that in all the world's major religions, true practitioners can be few and far between and that those seeking the steps to Knowledge in these traditions must seek to find them. | The original spiritual preparation taught by Jesus has, over millennia, been clouded and obscured, co-opted and institutionalized, such that it can be difficult to find the true path to God originally contained in Jesus' revelation without a skilled spiritual guide. The New Message says that in all the world's major religions, true practitioners can be few and far between and that those seeking the steps to Knowledge in these traditions must seek to find them. | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[File:Steeple.jpg|right]] | ||
== The life of Jesus == | == The life of Jesus == | ||
"Jesus’ life has been inflated and deified, but it is still not understood." | "Jesus’ life has been inflated and deified, but it is still not understood." | ||
| − | <ref name="meaning">The Meaning of Christmas (Dec. 23, 1994)</ref> | + | <ref name="meaning">[http://www.newmessage.org/the-meaning-of-christmas The Meaning of Christmas (Dec. 23, 1994)]</ref> |
== The establishment of Christianity == | == The establishment of Christianity == | ||
| Line 13: | Line 15: | ||
<ref name="meaning"/> | <ref name="meaning"/> | ||
| − | "At the time Christianity was introduced, it was revolutionary. Its emphasis was to spread its message amoungst nations and amongst different peoples. It was not only meant for one group or one locale. It was not only meant for one tribe or one nation. Its emphasis was to bridge the gaps between different cultures and different nations, to bond people together through a higher association in life and to create a greater foundation for recognition, communication and cooperation. Humanity has been struggling with this challenge ever since, but much progress has been made." | + | "At the time Christianity was introduced, it was revolutionary. Its emphasis was to spread its message amoungst nations and amongst different peoples. It was not only meant for one group or one locale. It was not only meant for one tribe or one nation. Its emphasis was to bridge the gaps between different cultures and different nations, to bond people together through a higher association in life and to create a greater foundation for recognition, [[communication]] and cooperation. Humanity has been struggling with this challenge ever since, but much progress has been made." |
| − | <ref name=" | + | <ref name="gcs26"/> |
| − | "Consider the story of Jesus. Yes | + | "Consider the story of Jesus. Yes he gained great attention, but who were his true allies? Who |
| − | <ref>Discerning False Messengers (March 21, 2000)</ref> | + | remained true to him throughout his career? Who put themselves at risk to be his representatives |
| + | and his witnesses? The ambitious?The self-seeking? Those who were immersed in their spiritual pride, who claimed unique and special powers and gifts for themselves? No, they were nowhere to be found. But they arose after Jesus’ death to claim that they were his representatives." | ||
| + | <ref>[http://www.newmessage.org/the-message/other-revelations/discerning-false-messengers Discerning False Messengers (March 21, 2000)]</ref> | ||
==Christianity's legacy== | ==Christianity's legacy== | ||
“Christianity and all the other major religions have fostered a bridge between cultures and between races. These are not simply religions of one tribe or one group. They are religions for all of humanity. This is not to say that everyone can adhere to them, follow them or receive them, but they bridge the normal boundaries that seem to separate people and cast them apart. The religion of forgiveness, the religion of reunion with the Divine, the religion of human development, the religion of compassion—all of these tremendous movements in the evolution of religion in the world were fostered by the establishment of the world’s religions, which have brought the world to its present state.” | “Christianity and all the other major religions have fostered a bridge between cultures and between races. These are not simply religions of one tribe or one group. They are religions for all of humanity. This is not to say that everyone can adhere to them, follow them or receive them, but they bridge the normal boundaries that seem to separate people and cast them apart. The religion of forgiveness, the religion of reunion with the Divine, the religion of human development, the religion of compassion—all of these tremendous movements in the evolution of religion in the world were fostered by the establishment of the world’s religions, which have brought the world to its present state.” | ||
| − | <ref name=" | + | <ref name="gcs26">[http://www.newmessage.org/the-message/volume-2/greater-community-spirituality/who-is-jesus ''Greater Community Spirituality'', Chapter 26: Who is Jesus?]</ref> |
| + | |||
| + | [[File:Hymnal.jpg|left]] | ||
“It is a remarkable achievement that Christianity is present in the world and that it is accepted by millions of people in different countries, from different cultures and backgrounds. This is a religion for international [[civilization]], as is true of many of the other religious movements that were initiated in the world and that have advanced into a more modern age.” | “It is a remarkable achievement that Christianity is present in the world and that it is accepted by millions of people in different countries, from different cultures and backgrounds. This is a religion for international [[civilization]], as is true of many of the other religious movements that were initiated in the world and that have advanced into a more modern age.” | ||
| − | <ref name=" | + | <ref name="gcs26"/> |
“In many instances, the spread of Christianity was destructive and immoral. However, it was following an evolutionary track. It had to happen. Just as the world is now preparing to emerge into the Greater Community, nations in centuries past were destined to interact with each other, to confront each other, to dominate each other and to spread their cultures around the world.” | “In many instances, the spread of Christianity was destructive and immoral. However, it was following an evolutionary track. It had to happen. Just as the world is now preparing to emerge into the Greater Community, nations in centuries past were destined to interact with each other, to confront each other, to dominate each other and to spread their cultures around the world.” | ||
| − | <ref name=" | + | <ref name="gcs26"/> |
| − | "[Christ's] demonstration, then, though greatly misunderstood and misappropriated, remains today as a symbol of the emergence of Knowledge within the individual. Though Jesus has been idealized, though his life has been made to be unique and un-matched by any other life, though he has been placed on a pedestal above and beyond every other person, in truth, his life represents the emergence of Knowledge within the individual. This emergence is possible for you." | + | "[Christ's] [[demonstration]], then, though greatly misunderstood and misappropriated, remains today as a symbol of the emergence of Knowledge within the individual. Though Jesus has been idealized, though his life has been made to be unique and un-matched by any other life, though he has been placed on a pedestal above and beyond every other person, in truth, his life represents the emergence of Knowledge within the individual. This emergence is possible for you." |
<ref name="meaning"/> | <ref name="meaning"/> | ||
| Line 41: | Line 47: | ||
"Many in your world follow the Christian faith. We think this is admirable though it is certainly not the only approach to the fundamental questions of spiritual identity and purpose in life. The visitors will utilize the fundamental idea of allegiance to a single leader in order to generate allegiance to their cause. Within the context of this religion, the identification with Jesus the Christ will be greatly utilized." | "Many in your world follow the Christian faith. We think this is admirable though it is certainly not the only approach to the fundamental questions of spiritual identity and purpose in life. The visitors will utilize the fundamental idea of allegiance to a single leader in order to generate allegiance to their cause. Within the context of this religion, the identification with Jesus the Christ will be greatly utilized." | ||
| − | <ref>''The Allies of Humanity'' | + | <ref>''The Allies of Humanity'' Book One, Fourth Briefing: [https://www.alliesofhumanity.org/the-briefings/book-one/false-second-coming/ Manipulation of Religious Traditions and Beliefs]</ref> |
"Certainly, there will be much resistance to these words, to this understanding. People will react. They will reject it. They will complain. They will accuse it of being false. They will say it comes from demons. They will say it is deceptive. They will project all of their fears upon it. They will project all of their confusion upon it. They will project their desire for separation upon it. They will defend their ideas. They will defend their beliefs. They will defend their traditions. They will be indignant. They will be outraged. They will call God’s Messenger a devil. They will say he is the Antichrist. They will say that he is the Dark Lord. They will say all kinds of ridiculous things, afraid, unable to respond. And it is their ambivalence regarding God that is the core problem." | "Certainly, there will be much resistance to these words, to this understanding. People will react. They will reject it. They will complain. They will accuse it of being false. They will say it comes from demons. They will say it is deceptive. They will project all of their fears upon it. They will project all of their confusion upon it. They will project their desire for separation upon it. They will defend their ideas. They will defend their beliefs. They will defend their traditions. They will be indignant. They will be outraged. They will call God’s Messenger a devil. They will say he is the Antichrist. They will say that he is the Dark Lord. They will say all kinds of ridiculous things, afraid, unable to respond. And it is their ambivalence regarding God that is the core problem." | ||
| Line 49: | Line 55: | ||
“Religion must serve the world in its current state of evolution. The world’s major religions have all evolved the race towards a greater interaction between different peoples. This is especially true of Christianity, which has spanned your globe and now connects people who may otherwise have no association with one another. Now they have a common faith. Now they have common rituals and common observances. This is a remarkable accomplishment in a world that is still deeply mired in tribal identities.” | “Religion must serve the world in its current state of evolution. The world’s major religions have all evolved the race towards a greater interaction between different peoples. This is especially true of Christianity, which has spanned your globe and now connects people who may otherwise have no association with one another. Now they have a common faith. Now they have common rituals and common observances. This is a remarkable accomplishment in a world that is still deeply mired in tribal identities.” | ||
| − | <ref name=" | + | <ref name="gcs26"/> |
"Christianity is a religion for humanity with a human god and a human emphasis. It cannot account for life in the Greater Community. In order for this to happen, its theology will have to change and expand. Its idea of the Divine will have to change and expand. Its notion of God's involvement in the world will have to grow enormously. Its teachings will have to be separated from the folklore of the past. Its theology and application will have to change and adapt. If it cannot do this, it will die. No matter how virulent its defenders will be and no matter how strong its seeming resurgence, it will be overtaken by the reality of a changing world." | "Christianity is a religion for humanity with a human god and a human emphasis. It cannot account for life in the Greater Community. In order for this to happen, its theology will have to change and expand. Its idea of the Divine will have to change and expand. Its notion of God's involvement in the world will have to grow enormously. Its teachings will have to be separated from the folklore of the past. Its theology and application will have to change and adapt. If it cannot do this, it will die. No matter how virulent its defenders will be and no matter how strong its seeming resurgence, it will be overtaken by the reality of a changing world." | ||
| − | <ref name=" | + | <ref name="gcs26"/> |
"Though Jesus has established a foundation here, even Christianity must now evolve to meet a whole new set of circumstances… An old Christianity cannot meet a new set of circumstances. It must be a new Christianity, a Christianity that is renewing itself continuously.” | "Though Jesus has established a foundation here, even Christianity must now evolve to meet a whole new set of circumstances… An old Christianity cannot meet a new set of circumstances. It must be a new Christianity, a Christianity that is renewing itself continuously.” | ||
| − | <ref name=" | + | <ref name="gcs26"/> |
"Even Christianity must now evolve to meet a whole new set of circumstances. Resistance to Greater Community awareness in the world today is primarily centered in the world’s religions. These are religions for man. They are human religions with a human god and a human emphasis. They do not account for life in the Greater Community. Yet the reality of life in the Greater Community will challenge their precepts and will challenge the institutions that have been built upon these precepts." | "Even Christianity must now evolve to meet a whole new set of circumstances. Resistance to Greater Community awareness in the world today is primarily centered in the world’s religions. These are religions for man. They are human religions with a human god and a human emphasis. They do not account for life in the Greater Community. Yet the reality of life in the Greater Community will challenge their precepts and will challenge the institutions that have been built upon these precepts." | ||
| − | <ref name=" | + | <ref name="gcs26"/> |
"An old Christianity cannot meet a new set of circumstances. It must be a new Christianity, a Christianity that is renewing itself continuously— just as within the life and scope of a person’s experience, an old orientation cannot meet a new problem, an old belief cannot meet a new set of circumstances and an old identity cannot interact with a new identity." | "An old Christianity cannot meet a new set of circumstances. It must be a new Christianity, a Christianity that is renewing itself continuously— just as within the life and scope of a person’s experience, an old orientation cannot meet a new problem, an old belief cannot meet a new set of circumstances and an old identity cannot interact with a new identity." | ||
| − | <ref name=" | + | <ref name="gcs26"/> |
==The Return== | ==The Return== | ||
| − | "If you are a Christian, you must realize that Jesus stands by the Messenger, for Jesus will not return to the Earth, but is now overseeing humanity’s emergence into this Greater Community of life."<ref>The Lineage of the | + | "If you are a Christian, you must realize that Jesus stands by the Messenger, for Jesus will not return to the Earth, but is now overseeing humanity’s emergence into this Greater Community of life."<ref>[http://www.newmessage.org/the-message/volume-1/new-messenger/lineage-messenger The Lineage of the Messenger (November 16, 2012)]</ref> |
==References== | ==References== | ||
<references/> | <references/> | ||
| + | |||
== See also == | == See also == | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[Jesus Christ]] | ||
| + | |||
[[The world's religions]] | [[The world's religions]] | ||
| − | |||
[[category:God]] | [[category:God]] | ||
Latest revision as of 23:27, 5 March 2021
The New Message honors Christianity as a true path to God based on the revelation of the Messenger Jesus Christ. In the New Message, God confirms Jesus as a key messenger sent into the world to bring an ethical and spiritual framework to humanity and to unite people across religious and tribal affiliations. It says he was the second to last Messenger to be sent from God (the last being Muhammad).
The New Message speaks on the purpose of Jesus' revelation, which was to teach humanity about the plan of God and the reality of Knowledge. The New Message reveals that his life was cut short and his mission in the world was not completed.
The original spiritual preparation taught by Jesus has, over millennia, been clouded and obscured, co-opted and institutionalized, such that it can be difficult to find the true path to God originally contained in Jesus' revelation without a skilled spiritual guide. The New Message says that in all the world's major religions, true practitioners can be few and far between and that those seeking the steps to Knowledge in these traditions must seek to find them.
The life of Jesus
"Jesus’ life has been inflated and deified, but it is still not understood." [1]
The establishment of Christianity
"The religions that have been established in [the name of Christ] must receive the Grace that illuminated his life and that transformed his activity." [1]
"At the time Christianity was introduced, it was revolutionary. Its emphasis was to spread its message amoungst nations and amongst different peoples. It was not only meant for one group or one locale. It was not only meant for one tribe or one nation. Its emphasis was to bridge the gaps between different cultures and different nations, to bond people together through a higher association in life and to create a greater foundation for recognition, communication and cooperation. Humanity has been struggling with this challenge ever since, but much progress has been made." [2]
"Consider the story of Jesus. Yes he gained great attention, but who were his true allies? Who remained true to him throughout his career? Who put themselves at risk to be his representatives and his witnesses? The ambitious?The self-seeking? Those who were immersed in their spiritual pride, who claimed unique and special powers and gifts for themselves? No, they were nowhere to be found. But they arose after Jesus’ death to claim that they were his representatives." [3]
Christianity's legacy
“Christianity and all the other major religions have fostered a bridge between cultures and between races. These are not simply religions of one tribe or one group. They are religions for all of humanity. This is not to say that everyone can adhere to them, follow them or receive them, but they bridge the normal boundaries that seem to separate people and cast them apart. The religion of forgiveness, the religion of reunion with the Divine, the religion of human development, the religion of compassion—all of these tremendous movements in the evolution of religion in the world were fostered by the establishment of the world’s religions, which have brought the world to its present state.” [2]
“It is a remarkable achievement that Christianity is present in the world and that it is accepted by millions of people in different countries, from different cultures and backgrounds. This is a religion for international civilization, as is true of many of the other religious movements that were initiated in the world and that have advanced into a more modern age.” [2]
“In many instances, the spread of Christianity was destructive and immoral. However, it was following an evolutionary track. It had to happen. Just as the world is now preparing to emerge into the Greater Community, nations in centuries past were destined to interact with each other, to confront each other, to dominate each other and to spread their cultures around the world.” [2]
"[Christ's] demonstration, then, though greatly misunderstood and misappropriated, remains today as a symbol of the emergence of Knowledge within the individual. Though Jesus has been idealized, though his life has been made to be unique and un-matched by any other life, though he has been placed on a pedestal above and beyond every other person, in truth, his life represents the emergence of Knowledge within the individual. This emergence is possible for you." [1]
"The Mass of Christ is a celebration of Divine relationship. Christ is the person united with the Divine. Christ is the individual united with the Unseen Ones, who are the Angelic Forces of the Divine. This is the meaning of the Mass of Christ—Christmas. It is not the glorification of an individual. It is the recognition of real relationship—the relationship of the person with Knowledge within themselves, their relationship and intrinsic bond to the Unseen Ones, their duty to humanity and their affinity with life. This is the celebration of relationship. This is the meaning of Christhood. This is the Mass of Christ." [1]
"When you are in doubt, when you are uncertain and when the way becomes inexplicable and indecipherable, you will remember him because he kept traveling, and he met and found his destination. And you will thank him because he left a legacy for you through his demonstration and through his sacrifice and difficulty. He has kept Knowledge alive in the world, as have many others, for he was not alone, and his contribution has been kept alive in the minds and hearts of many." [1]
The susceptibility of the faithful to manipulation
"Many in your world follow the Christian faith. We think this is admirable though it is certainly not the only approach to the fundamental questions of spiritual identity and purpose in life. The visitors will utilize the fundamental idea of allegiance to a single leader in order to generate allegiance to their cause. Within the context of this religion, the identification with Jesus the Christ will be greatly utilized." [4]
"Certainly, there will be much resistance to these words, to this understanding. People will react. They will reject it. They will complain. They will accuse it of being false. They will say it comes from demons. They will say it is deceptive. They will project all of their fears upon it. They will project all of their confusion upon it. They will project their desire for separation upon it. They will defend their ideas. They will defend their beliefs. They will defend their traditions. They will be indignant. They will be outraged. They will call God’s Messenger a devil. They will say he is the Antichrist. They will say that he is the Dark Lord. They will say all kinds of ridiculous things, afraid, unable to respond. And it is their ambivalence regarding God that is the core problem." [5]
Christianity and spiritual evolution
“Religion must serve the world in its current state of evolution. The world’s major religions have all evolved the race towards a greater interaction between different peoples. This is especially true of Christianity, which has spanned your globe and now connects people who may otherwise have no association with one another. Now they have a common faith. Now they have common rituals and common observances. This is a remarkable accomplishment in a world that is still deeply mired in tribal identities.” [2]
"Christianity is a religion for humanity with a human god and a human emphasis. It cannot account for life in the Greater Community. In order for this to happen, its theology will have to change and expand. Its idea of the Divine will have to change and expand. Its notion of God's involvement in the world will have to grow enormously. Its teachings will have to be separated from the folklore of the past. Its theology and application will have to change and adapt. If it cannot do this, it will die. No matter how virulent its defenders will be and no matter how strong its seeming resurgence, it will be overtaken by the reality of a changing world." [2]
"Though Jesus has established a foundation here, even Christianity must now evolve to meet a whole new set of circumstances… An old Christianity cannot meet a new set of circumstances. It must be a new Christianity, a Christianity that is renewing itself continuously.” [2]
"Even Christianity must now evolve to meet a whole new set of circumstances. Resistance to Greater Community awareness in the world today is primarily centered in the world’s religions. These are religions for man. They are human religions with a human god and a human emphasis. They do not account for life in the Greater Community. Yet the reality of life in the Greater Community will challenge their precepts and will challenge the institutions that have been built upon these precepts." [2]
"An old Christianity cannot meet a new set of circumstances. It must be a new Christianity, a Christianity that is renewing itself continuously— just as within the life and scope of a person’s experience, an old orientation cannot meet a new problem, an old belief cannot meet a new set of circumstances and an old identity cannot interact with a new identity." [2]
The Return
"If you are a Christian, you must realize that Jesus stands by the Messenger, for Jesus will not return to the Earth, but is now overseeing humanity’s emergence into this Greater Community of life."[6]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 The Meaning of Christmas (Dec. 23, 1994)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 Greater Community Spirituality, Chapter 26: Who is Jesus?
- ↑ Discerning False Messengers (March 21, 2000)
- ↑ The Allies of Humanity Book One, Fourth Briefing: Manipulation of Religious Traditions and Beliefs
- ↑ What Is Creation? (Feb. 4, 2007)
- ↑ The Lineage of the Messenger (November 16, 2012)