To touch or not to touch…. That is the question

As we find ourselves wrapping up our exploration of Metaphysical Theology 1, I find myself struggling with more questions than I possibly have time to answer.

In our classroom conversation today we began to discuss the topic of touching verses not touching when someone is asking for healing prayers.  The topic seemed to be a bit controversial and in my opinion worthy of additional conversation and exploration…

To touch or not to touch, that is the question.  How does spirit move?  Does Spirit move from one person to another via touch? Is Spirit pulled out of one who is being healed via touch? Can one be healed via touch or is this hocus-pocus? Is it a figment of ones imagination? Is one really “healed” when they are touched by another?  These questions really make one ponder and consider varying points of view.  Sometimes another’s point of view was not even considered.   Dr. Tom posed a question in today’s class  “Does having one touch another for healing pull out what they already have within them?”…  I had not thought of it that way before.  I can only begin to understand this question by referring to my own experiences.  I can’t speak for anyone else on the subject.  When I attended a Catholic Healing service and the priest came by and made the sign of the cross on my forehead; I can say I received a healing.  In addition, I received a message that did not make sense to me at the time. Was the healing pulled out of me or did I receive the healing via the priest? 

If I go back into my childhood I never believed I needed to tell my sins to a priest to be forgiven because I could talk to God directly and God would forgive me for my sins; not the priest.  In comparing my childhood beliefs to what I experienced and combining it to what I know today… Well, that put’s a whole new perspective on things in regards to the healing I received “from” or via the priest.  It is my belief that if someone is asking for healing that in fact they are seeking an expression of God in someway.  They are looking for a manifestation of some sort.  They are open to receiving in whatever way it shows up.

Bonus Day… Culturally Christian & Spiritually Unlimited - Co Creation

http://www.greenbookblog.org/2013/10/01/co-creation-3-0/

I have been thinking about Dr. Tom's description of "Culturally Christian and Spiritually Unlimited" this week.  What does this really mean?  When one describes themselves as Christian is it because   identifying themselves as Christian is considered the norm?  Does being Christian help to define them?   Many people are referring to themselves nowadays as spiritual.  What exactly does spiritual mean? Wikipedia advises us that there is no absolute definition to describe spirituality.  It would seem that based on my research and conversations I have had with others that the word Spirituality just seems to replace the word one uses to describe their religious affiliation.  Maybe no one can specifically ascribe to just one belief and as a result they have chosen several different things that work for them.  Therefore, I ascertain that they are prescribing to free will, I can see why this verbiage would be appealing for those looking to interpret things on their on. Those that choose to describe themselves as “Culturally Christian and Spiritually Unlimited" may just be on to something.  

Another topic getting some serious consideration this week is co creation. What exactly is co-creation? If you ask someone who is not familiar with Unity teachings they will say that they have never heard of co creation. Once I begin describing what co-creation is they seem to understand it and it makes sense to them.  I typically describe co creation as being in touch with God and working together to do great things.  I many times use a description that references the bible.  Moses worked with God to create the Ten Commandments and as such the law of the land was set.  If Moses had not worked with God to create the Ten Commandments God's work could not have gotten done.  God needed Moses to help with creating the commandments here on earth.  

Unity Minister's and the many hat's they wear.

What part should a Unity Minister play in the larger Christian Community?  

It would seem that throughout history there has been an underlining theme of caring for one another.  Minister's preach on ethic's, values and humanitarianism.  There are fundraisers, events and volunteer opportunities that encourage congregants to go forth into the community to be of service.  You've heard the sayings.  What goes around comes around.  You must give in order to receive.  It's good Karma.  You get the picture. 
A Unity community does not just consist of a large building. (basilica) Unity is not just a community of gatherers.  Unity strives to be more like a Koinonia, a beloved community that consists of loving God and your neighbor.  How does a Unity minister engage the larger Christian Community? A Unity Minister should be part of a peer group in which they find support amongst one another.  This peer group may find way's to work together to sponsor Christian workshops and or other Community Events.  These events would be had to empower the attendee's and encourages them to grow both in their faith and in their community. 
One Unity Church collected stuffed animals for their local police department to give to children who were in crisis situations.  At times money is collected for a family in dire circumstances to help them get back on their feet.  Unity Minister's are expected to engage their congregants and encourage action within the community as well. 

Generally speaking I can accept varying points of view on the subject of Eschatology.  My opinion on this may vary from other perspectives.  I understand the four “possible” prescribed theories on afterlife and there is validity to them.  What does it look like if we merge these beliefs together?  Would that be considered
Universalism?  It seems I have quite a few questions as we discuss the chapter on eschatology.

Some religious viewpoints suggest we choose to come here and we even choose who our parents are etc., etc.  If we come here with groups of people, and we are family, does it make sense that we would leave this group and just disappear when it is time for transition?  I don’t believe that we are brought together to abandon everything and everyone we know when we transition.  

Perhaps there is some truth to reincarnation.  Being on this earthly plane I can’t concede to believe our loved ones transition, move on and forget about us.  Just because there is no earthly body, does that mean our existence is extinct at death? My psyche does not believe that, as it does not make sense.  If I think about the overall scheme of God’s loving plan for us it does not seem there would be separation in the end.  Just because we cannot see someone does not mean they are gone.  What if there is an invisible veil that separates the physical realm from the spiritual realm? Love is eternal.  If love does not die and we are love we cannot die. We can’t visibly see love and we can’t visibly see loved ones when they transition. Perhaps our loved ones walk beside us and although they are present we can’t see them.  Haven’t you ever had goose bumps and thought they are here, present with me right now?  What a concept, what if they are…

          

Not a stone left unturned..

Let’s uncover the nature of Jesus.  Jesus was a man plain and simple. Yet in the viewpoint of most Christian’s, they see Jesus as part of the three-fold God essence making up the trinity.  Was Jesus sent by God in order to relay messages to the people? Was Jesus sent to teach the people or was Jesus actually God’s only begotten son and if he was why was he sent to the Israelites?  More on this in a bit…

God is eternal and everlasting but can this be proven?  Jesus was human therefore he presented in human form, which is not eternal and everlasting.  Was Jesus a figment of the imaginations of the early Israelites? It would seem I have more questions than I have answers and perhaps that’s when one knows they are submerged in theology. We are called upon to create our own interpretation of history; which we have discovered in our first year seminary classes is many times contradictory.

According to biblical scholars throughout history, they are able to prove that a man named Jesus lived however they are unable to prove much more than that.  It is believed that stories were created by the Israelites to explain the marvels and the events that happened around the time of Jesus. It is my belief that Jesus existed as a person based on all historical accounts.  I would say Jesus was humanly divine. In the many parables it would seem Jesus was to be a teacher to the Israelites and it was their responsibility to ensure that the stories of Jesus would be told as to not be forgotten.  If Jesus was God’s only begotten son it is believed that he was sent as a sacrificial offering so that the Israelites would know that God too has made sacrifices for his people, the Israelites.