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	<title><![CDATA[SpiritualFamily.Net: Paul Kemp Administrator's blogs]]></title>
	<link>https://spiritualfamily.net/blog/owner/admin</link>
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	<guid isPermaLink="true">https://spiritualfamily.net/blog/view/96561/the-longing-for-a-governing-structure-that-transcends-human-fallibility-by-siearra-mason</guid>
	<pubDate>Sun, 13 Sep 2026 18:48:16 -0400</pubDate>
	<link>https://spiritualfamily.net/blog/view/96561/the-longing-for-a-governing-structure-that-transcends-human-fallibility-by-siearra-mason</link>
	<title><![CDATA[The longing for a governing structure that transcends human fallibility by Siearra Mason]]></title>
	<description><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 22px;"><span style="color: rgb(8, 8, 9); font-style: normal; font-weight: 400;">The longing for a governing structure that transcends human fallibility</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" height="36" src="https://spiritualfamily.net/images/Bars/Bar-arch-01.png" width="560"></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><img alt="" height="337" src="https://spiritualfamily.net/photos/thumbnail/96559/master/" style="margin: 6px 12px; float: left;" width="300"></p><div style="color: rgb(8, 8, 9); font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-size: 18px;">The longing for a governing structure that transcends human fallibility often stems from a profound disillusionment with the cyclical nature of democratic politics. When systems are perceived as fragmented or devoid of a moral compass, the search for a foundation rooted in absolute values becomes a pursuit of stability and higher purpose. <a href="https://spiritualfamily.net/Music/Words-of-Christ-3/CD2%20T03%20Law,%20Liberty%20&amp;%20Sovereignty.mp3" target="_blank">A theocratic vision</a>, in this context, is proposed not merely as a change in administration, but as a fundamental shift toward an order where governance is inextricably linked to faith, grace, and the pursuit of<strong> a collective, divinely inspired prosperity.</strong></span></div></div><div style="margin-top: 0.5em; color: rgb(8, 8, 9); font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-size: 18px;">Transitioning toward such a system implies a departure from the competitive, often adversarial nature of secular democracy in favor of a unified moral objective. Proponents of this shift argue that true peace, joy, and lasting societal health cannot be engineered through policy alone; they must be cultivated through a shared spiritual framework that prioritizes communal well-being over individualistic power. By grounding law and leadership in principles derived from faith, the vision suggests a transformation of the &quot;world&quot; into a more harmonious state, where the pursuit of paradise is the primary function of the state itself.</span></div></div><div style="margin-top: 0.5em; color: rgb(8, 8, 9); font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-size: 18px;">However, the challenge of such a transformation lies in the intersection of human interpretation and divine mandate. History demonstrates that when governance is fused with religious authority, the stability of the system often depends on the alignment of its leadership with the very virtues it seeks to manifest. For a theocracy to succeed in delivering peace and love, it requires a foundation so robust that it remains untainted by the imperfections of those who carry it out. Whether such a system can be realized on a global scale remains the central question for those who believe that the current worldly structures have reached the limits of their potential to inspire hope.</span></div><div dir="auto">&nbsp;</div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Fa9YBZWsJ/"><img alt="" height="100" src="https://spiritualfamily.net/photos/thumbnail/90057/master/" width="305"></a></span></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><img alt="" height="111" src="https://spiritualfamily.net/images/Bars/Bar-00-break-c.png" width="1000"></span></div></div>]]></description>
	<dc:creator>Paul Kemp Administrator</dc:creator>
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	<guid isPermaLink="true">https://spiritualfamily.net/blog/view/96442/house-of-light-the-spiritual-poverty-scroll-of-the-urantia-book-community-by-richard-van-stinson</guid>
	<pubDate>Tue, 08 Sep 2026 21:20:20 -0400</pubDate>
	<link>https://spiritualfamily.net/blog/view/96442/house-of-light-the-spiritual-poverty-scroll-of-the-urantia-book-community-by-richard-van-stinson</link>
	<title><![CDATA[HOUSE OF LIGHT THE SPIRITUAL POVERTY SCROLL OF THE URANTIA BOOK COMMUNITY by Richard Van Stinson]]></title>
	<description><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 24px;">HOUSE OF LIGHT THE SPIRITUAL POVERTY SCROLL OF THE URANTIA BOOK COMMUNITY by Richard Van Stinson</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 24px;"><img alt="" height="36" src="https://spiritualfamily.net/images/Bars/Bar-arch-01.png" width="560"></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" height="789" src="https://spiritualfamily.net/photos/thumbnail/96443/master/" width="526"></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong><span style="font-size: 18px;">HOUSE OF LIGHT</span></strong></p><p><strong><span style="font-size: 18px;">THE SPIRITUAL POVERTY SCROLL OF THE URANTIA BOOK COMMUNITY</span></strong></p><p><span style="font-size: 18px;"><img alt="" height="200" src="https://spiritualfamily.net/photos/thumbnail/96446/master/" style="margin: 6px 12px; float: left;" width="200">For more than twenty-four years I have spoken among you in different ways, with different words, at different seasons, yet the burden of my message has remained remarkably unchanged. I have watched the old heads continue in familiar circles while generations arriving afterward learn many of the same habits. You possess a revelation containing an extraordinary presentation of the Fatherhood of God, the brotherhood of humanity, the religion of Jesus, and the Kingdom of Heaven, yet too often the great labor becomes advertising the book, promoting the book, studying the book, defending the book, organizing around the book, and gathering together to examine the book. Thus may abundance of knowledge conceal a genuine poverty of spirit.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 18px;">I have called this tendency Fifth-Epochalism without Fourth-Epochal living. There are many &ldquo;5thers,&rdquo; but where are the &ldquo;4thers&rdquo;? Where are those who have so thoroughly encountered the life and teachings of Jesus that the revelation disappears behind the life it was intended to illuminate?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 18px;">&nbsp;Where are those who would rather become the message than advertise the messenger carrying it? The world does not primarily suffer because it has failed to hear the name of another book. The world suffers from loneliness, hatred, fear, division, spiritual confusion, selfishness, despair, and the ancient hunger of the human heart to know that it belongs to a loving Father.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 18px;">A revelation about such realities becomes spiritually poor whenever its students become rich in concepts while remaining hesitant to carry its Kingdom into human relationships.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 18px;">The heart of the Urantia revelation, as I have encountered it, burns brightest in the Jesus Papers and their Kingdom gospel. There the intellectual architecture becomes a walking person. Truth puts on sandals. Theology sits at tables. Religion touches children, forgives enemies, restores dignity, confronts hypocrisy, comforts the broken hearted, and reveals Father God through a human life. Jesus did not merely explain the Kingdom. He lived it. His life transformed revelation into relationship, doctrine into service, knowledge into wisdom, and truth into love.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 18px;">And this is where I have warned my brothers and sisters for years: do not mistake the scaffolding for the Temple.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 18px;">A community can grow numerically while becoming spiritually poorer. Conferences may multiply. Websites may improve. Books may circulate. Study groups may expand. Intellectual understanding may deepen. None of these things is evil; each may serve a worthy purpose. But none proves that the Kingdom has advanced one inch within the human heart. Growth measured by distribution is not necessarily growth measured by transformation. A thousand people discussing divine sonship cannot substitute for one person actually treating the stranger before him as a child of God.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 18px;">This is the poverty I speak of. It is poverty that can look like abundance.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 18px;">John the Baptist stood before a religious people who possessed sacred history, sacred writings, sacred institutions, and confidence in their inheritance, yet he called them toward repentance and preparation for something living that was approaching them. His warning was not against truth already received; it was against allowing possession of yesterday&rsquo;s revelation to become resistance to today&rsquo;s demand for transformation.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 18px;">So again I speak to the community I have known for more than two decades: the revelation was never given merely to produce experts in revelation.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 18px;">Read it. Study it. Preserve it. Question it. Gather around it. Appreciate the minds that have spent lifetimes exploring it. But then get up from the table and walk.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 18px;">Feed more than the mind.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 18px;">Feed the heart.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 18px;">Carry the Fatherhood of God into the street. Carry human brotherhood across the divisions of religion, race, nationality, class, politics, and culture. Carry the Master&rsquo;s mercy toward people who have never heard of Urantia and may never need to hear the word. Let somebody encounter the Kingdom through your character before they ever encounter the revelation through your bookshelf.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 18px;">I warned you yesterday.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 18px;">I warn you today.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 18px;">If Father gives me tomorrow, I may warn you again.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 18px;">But no messenger owns tomorrow, and no generation possesses unlimited time. Eventually every community must decide whether it will merely preserve the lamp or walk by its Light.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 18px;">The tragedy would not be that the world rejected the Fifth Epochal Revelation.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 18px;">The tragedy would be that those entrusted with its teachings became so occupied explaining the revelation that they failed to demonstrate its greatest revelation:</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 18px;">A human being actually living the religion of Jesus.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 18px;">And when history finally weighs this generation, may it never have to write across our abundance of knowledge the terrible words:</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 18px;">THEY WERE RICH IN REVELATION</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 18px;">AND POOR IN KINGDOM.</span></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><span style="font-size: 18px;">&mdash; Richard Van Stinson</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 18px;">Gravity Walker &middot; Forgiver of Dragons</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 18px;">Tablets of Hearts:</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 18px;">The measure of revelation is not how much Light we can explain, but how much Light becomes life through us</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DbsYnve7s/"><img alt="" height="100" src="https://spiritualfamily.net/photos/thumbnail/90057/master/" width="305"></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" height="111" src="https://spiritualfamily.net/images/Bars/Bar-00-break-c.png" width="1000"></p>]]></description>
	<dc:creator>Paul Kemp Administrator</dc:creator>
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	<guid isPermaLink="true">https://spiritualfamily.net/blog/view/96369/confucianism</guid>
	<pubDate>Sat, 29 Aug 2026 08:31:42 -0400</pubDate>
	<link>https://spiritualfamily.net/blog/view/96369/confucianism</link>
	<title><![CDATA[CONFUCIANISM]]></title>
	<description><![CDATA[<p style="margin: 0px 0px 15px 36pt; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-size: 14.4px; background-color: rgb(237, 240, 245); text-align: center;"><a href="https://mm.spiritualfamily.net/Urantia_Book-Online_Reader-2019/Paper_131.html" rel="nofollow" style="font-size: 14.4px;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 28px;"><strong style="font-size: 28px;">9. CONFUCIANISM</strong></span></a></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 15px 36pt; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-size: 14.4px; background-color: rgb(237, 240, 245); text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 28px;"><strong style="font-size: 28px;"><img alt="" height="36" src="https://spiritualfamily.net/images/Bars/Bar-arch-01.png" style="font-size: 28px;" width="560"></strong></span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 15px 36pt; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-size: 14.4px; background-color: rgb(237, 240, 245); text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 28px;"><strong style="font-size: 28px;"><img alt="" height="487" src="https://spiritualfamily.net/photos/thumbnail/78577/master/" style="font-size: 28px;" width="709"></strong></span></p><p style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: center;"><strong>9. CONFUCIANISM</strong></p><p style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">&nbsp; <sup>131:9.1</sup> Even the least God-recognizing of the world&#39;s great religions acknowledged the monotheism of the Melchizedek missionaries and their persistent successors. Ganid&#39;s summary of Confucianism was:</p><p style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">&nbsp; <sup>131:9.2</sup> &quot;What Heaven appoints is without error. Truth is real and divine. Everything originates in Heaven, and the Great Heaven makes no mistakes. Heaven has appointed many subordinates to assist in the instruction and uplifting of the inferior creatures. Great, very great, is the One God who rules man from on high. God is majestic in power and awful in judgment. But this Great God has conferred a moral sense even on many inferior people. Heaven&#39;s bounty never stops. Benevolence is Heaven&#39;s choicest gift to men. Heaven has bestowed its nobility upon the soul of man; the virtues of man are the fruit of this endowment of Heaven&#39;s nobility. The Great Heaven is all-discerning and goes with man in all his doings. And we do well when we call the Great Heaven our Father and our Mother. If we are thus servants of our divine ancestors, then may we in confidence pray to Heaven. At all times and in everything let us stand in awe of the majesty of Heaven. We acknowledge, O God, the Most High and sovereign Potentate, that judgment rests with you, and that all mercy proceeds from the divine heart.</p><p style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">&nbsp; <sup>131:9.3</sup> &quot;God is with us; therefore we have no fear in our hearts. If there be found any virtue in me, it is the manifestation of Heaven who abides with me. But this Heaven within me often makes hard demands on my faith. If God is with me, I have determined to have no doubt in my heart. Faith must be very near the truth of things, and I do not see how a man can live without this good faith. Good and evil do not befall men without cause. Heaven deals with man&#39;s soul in accordance with its purpose. When you find yourself in the wrong, do not hesitate to confess your error and be quick to make amends.</p><p style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">&nbsp; <sup>131:9.4</sup> &quot;A wise man is occupied with the search for truth, not in seeking for a mere living. To attain the perfection of Heaven is the goal of man. The superior man is given to self-adjustment, and he is free from anxiety and fear. God is with you; have no doubt in your heart. Every good deed has its recompense. The superior man murmurs not against Heaven nor holds a grudge against men. What you do not like when done to yourself, do not to others. Let compassion be a part of all punishment; in every way endeavor to make punishment a blessing. Such is the way of Great Heaven. While all creatures must die and return to the earth, the spirit of the noble man goes forth to be displayed on high and to ascend to the glorious light of final brightness.&quot;</p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 15px 36pt; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-size: 14.4px; background-color: rgb(237, 240, 245); text-align: center;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 15px 36pt; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-size: 14.4px; background-color: rgb(237, 240, 245); text-align: center;"><a href="https://mm.spiritualfamily.net/Urantia_Book-Online_Reader-2019/Paper_131.html" rel="nofollow" style="font-size: 14.4px;"><img alt="" height="100" src="https://spiritualfamily.net/photos/thumbnail/90057/master/" style="font-size: 14.4px;" width="305"></a></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 36pt; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-size: 14.4px; background-color: rgb(237, 240, 245); text-align: center;"><img alt="" height="111" src="https://spiritualfamily.net/images/Bars/Bar-00-break-c.png" style="font-size: 14.4px;" width="1000"></p>]]></description>
	<dc:creator>Paul Kemp Administrator</dc:creator>
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	<guid isPermaLink="true">https://spiritualfamily.net/blog/view/96367/taoism</guid>
	<pubDate>Sat, 29 Aug 2026 08:26:58 -0400</pubDate>
	<link>https://spiritualfamily.net/blog/view/96367/taoism</link>
	<title><![CDATA[TAOISM]]></title>
	<description><![CDATA[<p style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://mm.spiritualfamily.net/Urantia_Book-Online_Reader-2019/Paper_131.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 28px;"><strong>8. TAOISM</strong></span></a></p><p style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 28px;"><strong><img alt="" height="36" src="https://spiritualfamily.net/images/Bars/Bar-arch-01.png" width="560"></strong></span></p><p style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 28px;"><strong><img alt="" height="487" src="https://spiritualfamily.net/photos/thumbnail/78577/master/" width="709"></strong></span></p><p style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">&nbsp; <sup>131:8.1</sup> The messengers of Melchizedek penetrated far into China, and the doctrine of one God became a part of the earlier teachings of several Chinese religions; the one persisting the longest and containing most of the monotheistic truth was Taoism, and Ganid collected the following from the teachings of its founder:</p><p style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">&nbsp; <sup>131:8.2</sup> &quot;How pure and tranquil is the Supreme One and yet how powerful and mighty, how deep and unfathomable! This God of heaven is the honored ancestor of all things. If you know the Eternal, you are enlightened and wise. If you know not the Eternal, then does ignorance manifest itself as evil, and thus do the passions of sin arise. This wondrous Being existed before the heavens and the earth were. He is truly spiritual; he stands alone and changes not. He is indeed the world&#39;s mother, and all creation moves around him. This Great One imparts himself to men and thereby enables them to excel and to survive. Even if one has but a little knowledge, he can still walk in the ways of the Supreme; he can conform to the will of heaven.</p><p style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">&nbsp; <sup>131:8.3</sup> &quot;All good works of true service come from the Supreme. All things depend on the Great Source for life. The Great Supreme seeks no credit for his bestowals. He is supreme in power, yet he remains hidden from our gaze. He unceasingly transmutes his attributes while perfecting his creatures. The heavenly Reason is slow and patient in his designs but sure of his accomplishments. The Supreme overspreads the universe and sustains it all. How great and mighty are his overflowing influence and drawing power! True goodness is like water in that it blesses everything and harms nothing. And like water, true goodness seeks the lowest places, even those levels which others avoid, and that is because it is akin to the Supreme. The Supreme creates all things, in nature nourishing them and in spirit perfecting them. And it is a mystery how the Supreme fosters, protects, and perfects the creature without compelling him. He guides and directs, but without self-assertion. He ministers progression, but without domination.</p><p style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">&nbsp; <sup>131:8.4</sup> &quot;The wise man universalizes his heart. A little knowledge is a dangerous thing. Those who aspire to greatness must learn to humble themselves. In creation the Supreme became the world&#39;s mother. To know one&#39;s mother is to recognize one&#39;s sonship. He is a wise man who regards all parts from the point of view of the whole. Relate yourself to every man as if you were in his place. Recompense injury with kindness. If you love people, they will draw near you -- you will have no difficulty in winning them.</p><p style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">&nbsp; <sup>131:8.5</sup> &quot;The Great Supreme is all-pervading; he is on the left hand and on the right; he supports all creation and indwells all true beings. You cannot find the Supreme, neither can you go to a place where he is not. If a man recognizes the evil of his ways and repents of sin from the heart, then may he seek forgiveness; he may escape the penalty; he may change calamity into blessing. The Supreme is the secure refuge for all creation; he is the guardian and savior of mankind. If you seek for him daily, you shall find him. Since he can forgive sins, he is indeed most precious to all men. Always remember that God does not reward man for what he does but for what he is; therefore should you extend help to your fellows without the thought of rewards. Do good without thought of benefit to the self.</p><p style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">&nbsp; <sup>131:8.6</sup> &quot;They who know the laws of the Eternal are wise. Ignorance of the divine law is misery and disaster. They who know the laws of God are liberal minded. If you know the Eternal, even though your body perish, your soul shall survive in spirit service. You are truly wise when you recognize your insignificance. If you abide in the light of the Eternal, you shall enjoy the enlightenment of the Supreme. Those who dedicate their persons to the service of the Supreme are joyous in this pursuit of the Eternal. When man dies, the spirit begins to wing its long flight on the great home journey.&quot;</p><p style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://mm.spiritualfamily.net/Urantia_Book-Online_Reader-2019/Paper_131.html"><img alt="" height="100" src="https://spiritualfamily.net/photos/thumbnail/90057/master/" width="305"></a></p><p style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: center;"><img alt="" height="111" src="https://spiritualfamily.net/images/Bars/Bar-00-break-c.png" width="1000"></p>]]></description>
	<dc:creator>Paul Kemp Administrator</dc:creator>
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	<guid isPermaLink="true">https://spiritualfamily.net/blog/view/96109/not-every-prophet-in-scripture-was-a-seer</guid>
	<pubDate>Wed, 22 Jul 2026 20:20:01 -0400</pubDate>
	<link>https://spiritualfamily.net/blog/view/96109/not-every-prophet-in-scripture-was-a-seer</link>
	<title><![CDATA[Not Every Prophet in Scripture Was a Seer]]></title>
	<description><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 28px;">Not Every Prophet in Scripture Was a Seer by&nbsp;</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(101, 104, 108); font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400;"><span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/164863027595073/user/100023051061263/?__cft__%5B0%5D=AZbs5cbAb_V1WZmZmKKlc382G2aJkAifZ5Lx4sBY90zBFsql3iabrVEnrVpe52mwGwqy4m5ieNS_ZLe_aMUldnBJpXP2XTXHklPzjHnCa9P6k_5AMKRsk96rY4-1bMIDl2mA4w6xSwyA_lKPfAl8dJY2-em0psQLpZeyTw72D_d-6OST4USELj8F1S2Tx5sJOWJldRWhwDNtXj9xBf8Fostz&amp;__tn__=-UC%2CP-R" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 600; text-decoration: none; text-align: inherit;">Bongani T Blacksmith</span></a></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: 20px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8);">Pretoria, South Africa</span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" height="36" src="https://spiritualfamily.net/images/Bars/Bar-arch-01.png" width="560"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DFNBSKSns/" target="_blank"><img alt="" src="https://spiritualfamily.net/photos/thumbnail/90057/master/"></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" height="575" src="https://spiritualfamily.net/photos/thumbnail/96106/master/" width="720"></p><p>[embed title=&quot;Voices of the Prophets - Seers&quot; url=&quot;https://spiritualfamily.net/file/view/96108/voices-of-the-prophets-seers&quot; guid=&quot;96108&quot;]</p><div style="color: rgb(8, 8, 9); font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 26px;">Not Every Prophet in Scripture Was a Seer</span></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 26px;"><img alt="" height="6" src="https://spiritualfamily.net/photos/thumbnail/86234/master/" width="560"></span></div></div><div style="margin-top: 0.5em; color: rgb(8, 8, 9); font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-size: 14px;">One of the greatest assumptions in prophetic circles is that every prophet in Scripture functioned in the same way. We often speak of &quot;the prophets&quot; as though they all received revelation through an identical process, operated in the same dimension and expressed their ministry through the same grace. Scripture presents a very different picture. While all seers are prophets, not every prophet functioned as a seer. The prophetic office is one, but the expressions of that office are wonderfully diverse because the Holy Spirit is not limited to a single method of communication.</span></div></div><div style="margin-top: 0.5em; color: rgb(8, 8, 9); font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-size: 14px;">The Bible itself preserves this distinction. In 1 Samuel 9:9, we read, &quot;Beforetime in Israel, when a man went to enquire of God, thus he spake, Come, and let us go to the seer: for he that is now called a Prophet was beforetime called a Seer.&quot; This verse is often quoted without appreciating its significance. It tells us that Israel recognized a prophetic expression distinguished by sight. The Hebrew word Roeh speaks of one who sees. Another Hebrew word, Chozeh, is also translated as &quot;seer&quot; and emphasizes one who beholds prophetic visions. These distinctions reveal that Scripture itself acknowledges different prophetic expressions rather than flattening every prophet into the same mould.</span></div></div><div style="margin-top: 0.5em; color: rgb(8, 8, 9); font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Samuel is introduced as a Roeh, a seer. People sought him because he possessed unusual spiritual perception. Saul approached Samuel hoping to recover his father&#39;s lost donkeys, yet before Saul uttered a single word, God had already revealed the entire matter to Samuel (1 Samuel 9:15&ndash;20). Samuel&#39;s ministry demonstrates that a seer often perceives realities before questions are even asked. Heaven grants sight before conversation begins.</span></div></div><div style="margin-top: 0.5em; color: rgb(8, 8, 9); font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-size: 14px;">David&#39;s court also included another seer. Gad is repeatedly called &quot;David&#39;s seer&quot; (2 Samuel 24:11; 1 Chronicles 21:9; 2 Chronicles 29:25). Gad&#39;s ministry illustrates that seers often provide divine perspective during moments requiring governmental decisions. When David sinned by numbering Israel, the word of the Lord came through Gad, directing both the king&#39;s repentance and the nation&#39;s restoration. The seer was not merely predicting events; he was helping govern a kingdom through revelation.</span></div></div><div style="margin-top: 0.5em; color: rgb(8, 8, 9); font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Another remarkable example is Iddo the seer, whose visions are specifically mentioned in 2 Chronicles 9:29 and 2 Chronicles 12:15. Likewise, Asaph, Heman and Jeduthun are connected with prophetic ministry through music, and Heman is called &quot;the king&#39;s seer in the words of God&quot; (1 Chronicles 25:5). This reminds us that prophetic sight is not confined to one environment. God raised seers in royal courts, among worshippers and within the wider life of Israel.</span></div></div><div style="margin-top: 0.5em; color: rgb(8, 8, 9); font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Yet Scripture also presents prophets whose ministry is described differently. Nathan stands as one of the clearest examples. While the Bible never emphasizes Nathan as a seer, it repeatedly presents him as a prophet who carried the authoritative word of the Lord to David. Nathan confronted the king over his sin with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 12), established God&#39;s covenant concerning David&#39;s house (2 Samuel 7), and guided the succession of Solomon (1 Kings 1). His ministry was profoundly governmental, yet the biblical record does not focus on dreams or visions as the defining characteristic of his calling.</span></div></div><div style="margin-top: 0.5em; color: rgb(8, 8, 9); font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-size: 14px;">The same diversity appears among the writing prophets. Jeremiah repeatedly introduces his message with the words, &quot;The word of the LORD came unto me.&quot; His ministry is dominated by hearing the voice of God. Ezekiel, by contrast, repeatedly declares, &quot;I saw visions of God&quot; (Ezekiel 1:1). His prophecy is filled with living creatures, wheels within wheels, heavenly temples and symbolic acts. Jeremiah&#39;s ministry often emphasizes hearing. Ezekiel&#39;s ministry frequently emphasizes seeing. Both are authentic prophets, yet they receive and communicate revelation differently.</span></div></div><div style="margin-top: 0.5em; color: rgb(8, 8, 9); font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Consider Daniel. Much of his ministry unfolds through dreams, night visions and encounters with angels. Entire chapters begin with statements such as, &quot;I saw in my vision by night&quot; (Daniel 7:2) or &quot;I Daniel alone saw the vision&quot; (Daniel 10:7). Daniel&#39;s prophetic life is deeply visual. Yet even Daniel sometimes required angelic interpretation because receiving a vision and understanding a vision are not the same gift.</span></div></div><div style="margin-top: 0.5em; color: rgb(8, 8, 9); font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-size: 14px;">The New Testament continues this diversity. John, while exiled on Patmos, repeatedly writes, &quot;I saw.&quot; The book of Revelation is structured around prophetic sight. He sees lampstands, scrolls, beasts, thrones, angels and the New Jerusalem. His ministry unfolds through visionary encounters. Agabus, however, is remembered primarily for declaring prophetic words concerning a coming famine and Paul&#39;s imprisonment (Acts 11:28; Acts 21:10&ndash;11). Both men are genuine prophets, yet their ministries are expressed differently.</span></div></div><div style="margin-top: 0.5em; color: rgb(8, 8, 9); font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-size: 14px;">These distinctions matter because many emerging seer prophets spend years comparing themselves with people whose prophetic expression was never intended to resemble their own. Some become discouraged because they do not receive lengthy visions like Ezekiel. Others question their calling because they hear more than they see. Some experience symbolic dreams while others receive strong prophetic impressions, inspired speech or supernatural knowing. The mistake is assuming that every authentic prophet must function according to one pattern.</span></div></div><div style="margin-top: 0.5em; color: rgb(8, 8, 9); font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 12 that &quot;there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.&quot; The principle extends beyond spiritual gifts to prophetic expression itself. The Holy Spirit is wonderfully consistent in His nature but wonderfully diverse in His operations. Uniformity has never been the evidence of His work. Diversity under divine order has.</span></div></div><div style="margin-top: 0.5em; color: rgb(8, 8, 9); font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-size: 14px;">This is why emerging seer prophets must resist the temptation to imitate another person&#39;s prophetic expression. Elisha did not minister like Jeremiah. Ezekiel did not minister like Nathan. Daniel did not minister like Agabus. John did not minister like Samuel. Their authority was never found in resemblance to one another but in faithfulness to the grace entrusted to each of them.</span></div></div><div style="margin-top: 0.5em; color: rgb(8, 8, 9); font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-size: 14px;">The goal of prophetic maturity is therefore not to become another Ezekiel, another John or another Samuel. It is to become a faithful steward of the way the Holy Spirit has chosen to reveal Christ through your life. Comparison has silenced many genuine prophets because they spent more time pursuing someone else&#39;s expression than cultivating their own.</span></div></div><div style="margin-top: 0.5em; color: rgb(8, 8, 9); font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-size: 14px;">The prophetic office is one.</span></div></div><div style="margin-top: 0.5em; color: rgb(8, 8, 9); font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-size: 14px;">The Holy Spirit is one.</span></div></div><div style="margin-top: 0.5em; color: rgb(8, 8, 9); font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-size: 14px;">The Lord Jesus Christ is one.</span></div></div><div style="margin-top: 0.5em; color: rgb(8, 8, 9); font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Yet the expressions through which heaven speaks are many.</span></div></div><div style="margin-top: 0.5em; color: rgb(8, 8, 9); font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Perhaps one of the first signs of prophetic maturity is no longer asking, &quot;Why don&#39;t I function like that prophet?&quot; but instead asking, &quot;What kind of prophet is the Holy Spirit forming me to become?&quot; That question does not produce imitation. It produces stewardship, and stewardship has always been the pathway to maturity in the prophetic.</span></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><img alt="" height="111" src="https://spiritualfamily.net/images/Bars/Bar-00-break-c.png" width="1000"></span></div><div dir="auto">&nbsp;</div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div></div>]]></description>
	<dc:creator>Paul Kemp Administrator</dc:creator>
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	<guid isPermaLink="true">https://spiritualfamily.net/blog/view/95300/did-pope-francis-know-the-urantia-book</guid>
	<pubDate>Mon, 08 Jun 2026 22:47:26 -0400</pubDate>
	<link>https://spiritualfamily.net/blog/view/95300/did-pope-francis-know-the-urantia-book</link>
	<title><![CDATA[Did Pope Francis Know The Urantia Book]]></title>
	<description><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 28px;"><span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: 400;">Did Pope Francis Know The Urantia Book?</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" height="36" src="https://spiritualfamily.net/images/Bars/Bar-arch-01.png" width="560"></p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" height="590" src="https://spiritualfamily.net/photos/thumbnail/95302/master/" width="456"></p><p style="text-align: center;">By&nbsp;<a href="https://spiritualfamily.net/profile/jeannieV" rel="friend" style="font-size: 17.28px; text-decoration: underline; color: rgb(85, 85, 85);">Jeannie Vazquez</a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Jdo9AaW6m/" target="_blank"><img alt="" src="https://spiritualfamily.net/photos/thumbnail/90057/master/"></a></span><br />
&nbsp;</p><p><span style="font-size: 18px;">From Journal - June 2026, By Jorge Wilczyk (Jorge Urantiano) Argentina on June 1, 2026<br />
Let&rsquo;s start with a spoiler.<br />
The answer is yes. He knew about it and studied it.<br />
Confirmed.<br />
But to explain how I learned this, I need to tell you a story.</span><br />
&nbsp;</p><p><span style="font-size: 18px;">For several years, I was on hemodialysis due to chronic kidney failure. Dialysis sessions can be tedious: four to five hours at a time, three times a week. Like everything in life, it had a positive side. Sitting comfortably in a recliner for that long gave me an excellent opportunity to read and study my favorite book (you know which one I mean).<br />
The dialysis unit was a long corridor, about fifteen meters (roughly fifty feet) in length, with six recliners facing each other on each side. It looked something like a hospital ward, except that instead of beds there were recliners, with dialysis machines positioned between them. At times, this arrangement encouraged conversation and interaction among patients, much like the different friendships and affinities that naturally develop in a school classroom.</span><br />
&nbsp;</p><p><span style="font-size: 18px;">In 2012, a new patient arrived: Jorge Castelli, Archpriest of the Antiochian Orthodox Church, which according to tradition was founded in the first century by Peter and Paul in what is now Antakya, Turkey, and later separated from Roman Catholicism during the Great Schism of 1054.</span><br />
&nbsp;</p><p><span style="font-size: 18px;">Like every new patient who arrived at the clinic, he was introduced by name, and from his clothing we could tell that he was a member of the clergy.</span><br />
&nbsp;</p><p><span style="font-size: 18px;">From where I was sitting, Jorge was positioned diagonally across from me. From his recliner, he could clearly see a thick blue hardcover book resting on the armrest of my dialysis recliner. As he later told me, he initially assumed it was a Bible.<br />
I knew it wouldn&rsquo;t take long before his curiosity and my blue book eventually led to a conversation. Like a patient fisherman, I waited for the question to come.</span><br />
&nbsp;</p><p><span style="font-size: 18px;">It arrived at the end of his first week there (he would remain on dialysis for only three years).<br />
From where he sat, he could see both the front and back covers of my book, which I admit I had intentionally positioned so they would be easy to notice. He could clearly read the gold lettering at the top and see the three concentric circles below.<br />
&ldquo;That&rsquo;s not a Bible,&rdquo; he said, looking at me as though he were answering his own question out loud.<br />
&ldquo;Not exactly,&rdquo; I replied immediately. &ldquo;Although you could say it&rsquo;s an update.&rdquo;</span><br />
&nbsp;</p><p><span style="font-size: 18px;">Jorge tilted his head to one side, pursed his lower lip, and quietly said:<br />
&ldquo;Well, look at that&hellip;&rdquo;<br />
He said nothing more.<br />
Neither did I.<br />
I went back to reading.</span><br />
&nbsp;</p><p><span style="font-size: 18px;">(I have no doubt that our Thought Adjusters had already started a WhatsApp chat.)<br />
Jorge Castelli in his office in Buenos Aires<br />
In his seventies, Jorge Castelli was a serious man with an almost military voice, yet he knew how to let his sense of humor show without ever breaking character.</span><br />
&nbsp;</p><p><span style="font-size: 18px;">He was a trained theologian with scientific knowledge. A true all-rounder, something of a blend between a Jesuit and a Salesian.<br />
He came from a traditional and affluent Argentine family whose history reached back to Argentina&rsquo;s first national government in 1810. Yet from a very young age he devoted himself completely to living for, among, and on behalf of those most in need.<br />
In his community of San Fernando, Buenos Aires, he opened streets in poor neighborhoods, built and taught others how to build; he baked bread and taught others how to bake it. Classroom by classroom, he helped create a school that grew into what it is today: an educational institution serving about 850 students of different ages and levels.<br />
He was a man of faith who truly lived his faith.</span><br />
&nbsp;</p><p><span style="font-size: 18px;">He sought to do God&rsquo;s will in every sense of the expression.<br />
Although I do not remember exactly how it came about, at some point a comment led us into a conversation about the origin of life.<br />
He told me that what the Bible describes should not always be understood literally.<br />
That gave me the opening I needed.<br />
&ldquo;Right, like Adam and Eve, the serpent, and the apple&hellip; As a matter of fact, The Urantia Book contains entire papers devoted to Adam and Eve.&rdquo;</span><br />
&nbsp;</p><p><span style="font-size: 18px;">At that moment Jorge revealed something important about himself: he was a man of strong convictions but also an open mind. He did not react defensively.<br />
Instead, he said:<br />
&ldquo;That&rsquo;s very interesting. I&rsquo;d like to read it.&rdquo;<br />
And almost immediately followed with:<br />
&ldquo;What is Urantia?&rdquo;</span><br />
&nbsp;</p><p><span style="font-size: 18px;">I gave him what I jokingly referred to as the standard &ldquo;Wikipedia summary&rdquo; that tends to come naturally to many of us, always trying not to make anyone uncomfortable or create unnecessary confrontation. Then I concluded with something that I knew would appeal to him:<br />
&ldquo;I think it would be better if I lend you the book for a couple of days. You&rsquo;ll probably find the first pages especially interesting because you have a theological background. Take a look, and then we&rsquo;ll talk.&rdquo;<br />
He spent the entire weekend with the copy I gave him.</span><br />
&nbsp;</p><p><span style="font-size: 18px;">When I arrived at the dialysis unit on Monday, he was already sitting in his recliner.<br />
Before he even greeted me, eager to share his reaction, he said:<br />
&ldquo;That book is the most wonderful thing I have ever read in my life!&rdquo;<br />
He accompanied his words with such an dramatic gesture of his hands that the patients at the far end of the room thought he was scolding me.</span><br />
&nbsp;</p><p><span style="font-size: 18px;">From that moment on, every dialysis session became an ongoing exchange between the two of us. Since we both had strong voices, we often ended up, unintentionally, turning the people closest to us into listeners to our conversations. The patients&rsquo; running joke was: &ldquo;So, what&rsquo;s today&rsquo;s conference about?&rdquo;</span><br />
&nbsp;</p><p><span style="font-size: 18px;">I eventually gave Jorge a copy of The Urantia Book&mdash;if I remember correctly, one of the last hardcover copies that Carlos Rubinsky still had available. Another patient, whose health was quite fragile, became interested after overhearing our conversations, especially the teachings about the morontia worlds and what comes afterward. The certainty and precision of those ideas brought him comfort. He remained a reader during the final days of his life. My conversations with Jorge continued naturally.</span><br />
&nbsp;</p><p><span style="font-size: 18px;">We learned a great deal from one another (I learned more from him). We became friends.<br />
I came to know details of his life that truly deserve to be told. The inspiration he found in The Urantia Book reinforced ideas that had long been present in his mind, ideas that conventional theology had never fully satisfied. He eventually began a secondary activity alongside his traditional religious work: he used concepts from the Fifth Revelation in training seminars for seminarians, without revealing the source.<br />
And this brings us to the part about Pope Francis.</span><br />
&nbsp;</p><p><span style="font-size: 18px;">Jorge had formed a group with other religious figures with whom he regularly exchanged letters, documents, reflections, and ideas. Some were from Argentina, while others participated by correspondence from various Latin American countries, including Colombia, Peru, and Venezuela.</span><br />
&nbsp;</p><p><span style="font-size: 18px;">I don&rsquo;t remember their names, but I do remember that at least one of them held a prominent position within the Catholic Church in his country.<br />
One of the prominent figures in Argentina who belonged to what I might describe as Jorge&rsquo;s &ldquo;study group&rdquo; was a high-ranking clergyman within the Argentine Catholic Church. I won&rsquo;t mention his name because he is still active today.<br />
When I heard his name, I immediately associated him with his well-known closeness to Jorge Bergoglio. The question was inevitable:<br />
&ldquo;Does Francis know about The Urantia Book?&rdquo;</span><br />
&nbsp;</p><p><span style="font-size: 18px;">&ldquo;He knows it and studies it. I know this from &lsquo;&hellip;&hellip;&#39;&rdquo; (and he mentioned the other person&rsquo;s name).<br />
&ldquo;And there are others, too, but very few have the guts to say so openly, because it would be impossible for the Curia to handle.&rdquo;<br />
(Actually, he didn&rsquo;t say &ldquo;guts.&rdquo; He used a more vulgar expression, one that suited him much better.)<br />
Jorge Castelli died in 2015 following a domestic accident.</span><br />
&nbsp;</p><p><span style="font-size: 18px;">That same year, Pope Francis told educators around the world:<br />
&ldquo;Educating in truth, goodness and beauty leads to a full life.&rdquo;1<br />
Now you need no longer doubt the origin of that phrase.</span><br />
&nbsp;</p><p><span style="font-size: 18px;">From that entire experience, I learned that revelation does not seek to impose itself, but to be shared.<br />
The book is only a means. What matters is what it awakens in those who encounter it, and knowing how to offer each person something from our beloved text that may be useful to them.</span><br />
&nbsp;</p><p><span style="font-size: 18px;">Jorge Castelli did not need to change religions in order to see more clearly. He was a man of genuine faith.<br />
His Inner Spark confirmed truths that he had already sensed. He recognized truth when he encountered it, and he was moved by it.<br />
That is life.</span><br />
&nbsp;</p><p><span style="font-size: 18px;">Sometimes you think you are simply going to a dialysis session&hellip; and you end up keeping an appointment with the Father&rsquo;s will.<br />
What for some might have seemed routine or suffering became a setting for service, friendship, and sharing light.<br />
I learned a great deal from those experiences and from many other situations I lived through there over the course of nine years.<br />
For that, I thank our Great Father.</span><br />
&nbsp;</p><p><span style="font-size: 18px;">I learned that there is no moment, no place, and no circumstance in which the spirit cannot work through us.<br />
I learned that we should not speak about the book, but from its teachings.<br />
That truth, when it is genuine, does not need labels.</span><br />
&nbsp;</p><p><span style="font-size: 18px;">And that we are not here to convince anyone, but to live in such a way that others may wish to find the source, drink from it, and then begin carrying living water to those who do not yet know they are thirsty.</span><br />
&nbsp;</p><p><span style="font-size: 18px;">Speech to the World Congress of Catholic Education, November 21, 2015 ↩︎<br />
Jorge Wilczyk lives in Argentina and has been active in the Urantia Book community since 1998. A professional journalist since 1994, he is currently president of the Urantia Association of Argentina.</span><br />
&nbsp;</p><p><span style="font-size: 18px;">Read the interview with Jorge Wilczyk.<br />
Images: Jorge Castelli in his office in Buenos Aires.<br />
Jorge Wilczyk with his caregivers during dialysis treatment, 2012.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" height="259" src="https://spiritualfamily.net/photos/thumbnail/95303/master/" width="400"><img alt="" height="259" src="https://spiritualfamily.net/photos/thumbnail/95301/master/" style="font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-size: 14.4px; text-align: center;" width="345"></p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" height="111" src="https://spiritualfamily.net/images/Bars/Bar-00-break-c.png" width="1000"></p>]]></description>
	<dc:creator>Paul Kemp Administrator</dc:creator>
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	<guid isPermaLink="true">https://spiritualfamily.net/blog/view/95299/the-training-of-teachers-and-leaders-according-to-the-teachings-of-the-urantia-book</guid>
	<pubDate>Mon, 08 Jun 2026 22:16:09 -0400</pubDate>
	<link>https://spiritualfamily.net/blog/view/95299/the-training-of-teachers-and-leaders-according-to-the-teachings-of-the-urantia-book</link>
	<title><![CDATA[The Training of Teachers And Leaders, According to the Teachings of The Urantia Book.]]></title>
	<description><![CDATA[<p style="font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-size: 14.4px; background-color: rgb(237, 240, 245); text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 28px;">The Training of Teachers And Leaders, According to the Teachings of The Urantia Book.</span></p><p style="font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-size: 14.4px; background-color: rgb(237, 240, 245); text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 28px;"><img alt="" height="36" src="https://spiritualfamily.net/images/Bars/Bar-arch-01.png" width="560"></span></p><p style="font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-size: 14.4px; background-color: rgb(237, 240, 245); text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 18px;">By Jaime D&iacute;az Page</span></p><p style="font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-size: 14.4px; background-color: rgb(237, 240, 245); text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 18px;">(Mexico)</span></p><p style="font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-size: 14.4px; background-color: rgb(237, 240, 245);"><span style="font-size: 18px;">A Melchizedek of Nebadon teaches us </span></p><blockquote><p>&ldquo;There must be perfection hunger in man&rsquo;s heart to insure capacity for comprehending the faith paths to supreme attainment.&rdquo; (Paper 102, page 1118:4)</p></blockquote><p style="font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-size: 14.4px; background-color: rgb(237, 240, 245);"><span style="font-size: 18px;">This is an <strong style="font-size: 14.4px;"><em style="font-size: 14.4px;">essential</em></strong> precondition to become an Urantia Book leader-teacher or study group host. These teachers and hosts should know as much as possible the Urantia Book teachings and train spiritually themselves as taught by Jesus and the revelators, as a condition to disseminate successfully the teachings and attain the acceptance of the revelation in our world.</span></p><p style="font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-size: 14.4px; background-color: rgb(237, 240, 245);"><span style="font-size: 18px;">The Master outlined the principles that should guide and impel those who teach the divine truth. An instructor of the revelation must be trained through the spiritualization of the soul, the enlightenment of the mind, the acquirement of wisdom and spiritual discernment. <strong style="font-size: 14.4px;">It is not enough to study the revelation to attain these goals</strong><strong>; <em style="font-size: 14.4px;">it is necessary the <strong style="font-size: 14.4px;">spiritual preparation</strong> as the ideal support for the revelation knowledge</em>.</strong> The regular preparation in the intimate and spiritual worshipful communion with God, with all our heart, gradually brings us spiritual insight and everything we need to serve God and his revelation. The service to the humanity will be <em style="font-size: 14.4px;">enhanced by the ennobling association of the human mind and the indwelling spirit, the Thought Adjuster</em>. (<a href="https://mm.spiritualfamily.net/Urantia_Book-Online_Reader-2019/Paper_178.html" target="_blank">Paper 178</a>, page 1931:4) This is the religion of the spirit, in which the man communes with God, receiving both the water and bread of the divine life.</span></p><p style="font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-size: 14.4px; background-color: rgb(237, 240, 245);"><span style="font-size: 18px;">The Book must be brought to the truth-seekers through the example of appropriately qualified persons who show in their lives the spiritual fruits described in the revelation, so when the truth-seekers hear them, they trust and believe them, consequently dedicating themselves to the study and practice of the spiritual teachings designed to attain the soul development and survival.</span></p><blockquote><p>Jesus endeavored to make clear that he desired his disciples, having tasted of the good spirit realities of the kingdom, so to live in the world that men, by seeing their lives, would become kingdom conscious and hence be led to inquire of believers concerning the ways of the kingdom. All such sincere seekers for the truth are always glad to hear the glad tidings of the faith gift which insures admission to the kingdom with its eternal and divine spirit realities. (Paper 141, page 1593:4)</p></blockquote><p style="font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-size: 14.4px; background-color: rgb(237, 240, 245);"><span style="font-size: 18px;">Jesus teaches us that the hunger and thirst for rectitude of the souls who discern the truth drives them to do the Father&rsquo;s will, to find God and to become like him. Regular and sincere communion with God will produce human beings adequately qualified, trained and coordinated with God the Father. Those who aspire to take their fellows by the hand, to teach them the truths of the spirit, must be guide by their own indwelling Spirit. They must seek to experience the divinity within themselves and be inspired by their Thought Adjusters, gradually incorporating the teachings of Jesus and the revelators, so this Spirit can manifest himself through their human personality, yielding the fruits of the spirit in their lives.</span></p><p style="font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-size: 14.4px; background-color: rgb(237, 240, 245);"><span style="font-size: 18px;">The service to the people who search God must be the result of the sublime and superior transformation that occurs in the hearts of the spirit-born men, with the help of the Spirit of Truth and the living faith, through the communion with God. To the successful of this truth-seeking ministry to humankind, this service must be anchored on God and must be carried out in his name and for the welfare and happiness of His creatures. The potential instructors who want engage themselves in the spread of the divine truth should be filled with &ldquo;<em style="font-size: 14.4px;">loving service, unselfish devotion, courageous loyalty, sincere fairness, enlightened honesty, undying hope, confiding trust, merciful ministry, unfailing goodness, forgiving tolerance, and enduring peace</em>.&rdquo; (2054.3) <a href="https://mm.spiritualfamily.net/Urantia_Book-Online_Reader-2019/Paper_193.html">193:2.2 </a>They must be sincere, always humble; their spirit fruits and their example must inspire and motivate those who seek the divine truth.</span></p><p style="font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-size: 14.4px; background-color: rgb(237, 240, 245);"><span style="font-size: 18px;">Let us consider this teaching: &nbsp;<em style="font-size: 14.4px;">The pursuit of mere knowledge, without the attendant interpretation of wisdom and the spiritual insight of religious experience, eventually leads to pessimism and human despair</em>. <a href="https://mm.spiritualfamily.net/Urantia_Book-Online_Reader-2019/Paper_195.html" target="_blank">(Paper 195</a>, page 2076:8) The potential instructor of the truth should live the religion of Jesus in his daily life, because it <em style="font-size: 14.4px;">demands living and spiritual experience</em>, not mere traditional beliefs, emotional feelings or philosophic concepts, the true religion of the spirit requires that men attain <em style="font-size: 14.4px;">actual levels of real spirit progression</em>. (<a href="https://mm.spiritualfamily.net/Urantia_Book-Online_Reader-2019/Paper_160.html" target="_blank">Paper 160</a>, page 1782:3)</span></p><p style="font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-size: 14.4px; background-color: rgb(237, 240, 245);"><span style="font-size: 18px;">It is valid to say that &ldquo;the religion of Jesus&rdquo; and &ldquo;doing the will of God&rdquo; is the same thing. The worship of God and the service of man is the sum and substance of the religion of Jesus. We are taught that the highest levels of self-realization are attained by worship and service, that true religion is the act of an individual soul in its self-conscious relations with the Creator. Jesus exhorted his followers to exercise experiential faith and admonished them not to depend on mere intellectual assent and credulity.</span></p><p style="font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-size: 14.4px; background-color: rgb(237, 240, 245);"><span style="font-size: 18px;">Our world discovers in the Master&rsquo; life <em style="font-size: 14.4px;">a new and higher type of religion, a religion based on personal spiritual relations with the Universal Father and wholly validated by the supreme authority of genuine personal experience</em>. (<a href="https://mm.spiritualfamily.net/Urantia_Book-Online_Reader-2019/Paper_196.html" target="_blank">Paper 196</a>, page 2087:4)</span></p><p style="font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-size: 14.4px; background-color: rgb(237, 240, 245);"><span style="font-size: 18px;">Jesus said that <em style="font-size: 14.4px;">The will of God is the way of &nbsp;God, partnership with the choice of God in the face of any potential alternative. To do the will of God, therefore, is the progressive experience of becoming more and more like God</em>. (<a href="https://mm.spiritualfamily.net/Urantia_Book-Online_Reader-2019/Paper_130.html" target="_blank">Paper 130</a>, page 1431:2) And the revelators tell us that to do the will of God is man&rsquo;s willingness to share his inner life with God, the indwelling Adjuster. <em style="font-size: 14.4px;">Meditation makes the contact of mind with spirit; relaxation determines the capacity for spiritual receptivity</em>. (<a href="https://mm.spiritualfamily.net/Urantia_Book-Online_Reader-2019/Paper_160.html" target="_blank">Paper 160</a>, page 1772:2) <em style="font-size: 14.4px;">He who is full of faith worships truly when his inner self is intent upon God. </em>(<a href="https://mm.spiritualfamily.net/Urantia_Book-Online_Reader-2019/Paper_131.html">Paper 131</a>, page 1448:4)</span></p><p style="font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-size: 14.4px; background-color: rgb(237, 240, 245);"><span style="font-size: 18px;">Jesus founded the religion of personal experience in doing the will of God and serving the human brotherhood. <em style="font-size: 14.4px;">Worship, taught Jesus, makes one increasingly like the being who is worshiped. Worship is a transforming experience whereby the finite gradually approaches and ultimately attains the presence of God, the Infinite. Paper 146, page 1641:1)</em> Conclusion: if we worship God, we will become like him through the divine qualities that arise in our soul.</span></p><p style="font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-size: 14.4px; background-color: rgb(237, 240, 245);"><span style="font-size: 18px;">Jesus said: &ldquo;<em style="font-size: 14.4px;">By daily living the will of the Father in heaven, we can reveal him to our fellow men</em>&rdquo; <strong style="font-size: 14.4px;">We cannot <em style="font-size: 14.4px;">do spiritual work in the absence of spiritual power</em></strong><em style="font-size: 14.4px;">. And you can do neither of these, even when their potential is present, without the existence of that third and essential human factor, the <strong style="font-size: 14.4px;">personal experience</strong> of the possession of <strong style="font-size: 14.4px;">living faith.</strong></em> (<a href="https://mm.spiritualfamily.net/Urantia_Book-Online_Reader-2019/Paper_158.html" target="_blank">Paper 158</a>, page 1758:5)</span></p><p style="font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-size: 14.4px; background-color: rgb(237, 240, 245);"><span style="font-size: 18px;">Jesus teaches us that <em style="font-size: 14.4px;">if the blind lead the blind, they both shall fall into the pit; that if you would guide others into kingdom of the Father, the guide himself must walk in the clear light of living truth.</em> This implies knowing and living the divine truth, associating ourselves with the indwelling Adjuster. Jesus taught us that we should let our light so shine that our fellows will be guided into new and godly paths of enhanced life. Our light should not shine to draw attention to self. Jesus tells us that we can use our vocation as an effective &ldquo;reflector&rdquo; for the dissemination of this light of life.</span></p><p style="font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-size: 14.4px; background-color: rgb(237, 240, 245);"><span style="font-size: 18px;">We are told that religion does need new leaders, spiritual men and women who will dare to depend solely on Jesus and his incomparable teachings, that these new instructors will be exclusively devoted to the spiritual regeneration of man. We can do this applying wholeheartedly the teachings of Jesus in ourselves, finding God, being born from the spirit and being led by the inner Spirit, through our own effort, in union with God. These instructors are forged walking the spiritual path shown by Jesus of Nazareth.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 15px; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-size: 14.4px; background-color: rgb(237, 240, 245);"><span style="font-size: 18px;">Those who feel the call in their heart trust in the Lord, and he will do the work with them.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 15px; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-size: 14.4px; background-color: rgb(237, 240, 245); text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><img alt="" height="111" src="https://spiritualfamily.net/images/Bars/Bar-00-break-c.png" width="1000"></span></p>]]></description>
	<dc:creator>Paul Kemp Administrator</dc:creator>
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	<guid isPermaLink="true">https://spiritualfamily.net/blog/view/95138/good-news-report-by-rev-arinaitwe-everest-to-sister-monica-on-ps-wilberforce-visit-29-30-31-may-2026</guid>
	<pubDate>Tue, 02 Jun 2026 15:18:39 -0400</pubDate>
	<link>https://spiritualfamily.net/blog/view/95138/good-news-report-by-rev-arinaitwe-everest-to-sister-monica-on-ps-wilberforce-visit-29-30-31-may-2026</link>
	<title><![CDATA[Good News Report by Rev Arinaitwe Everest to sister Monica on Ps. Wilberforce visit 29-30-31 May 2026]]></title>
	<description><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 28px;">Good News Report by Rev Arinaitwe Everest </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 24px;">Ps. Wilberforce visit 29-30-31 May 2026</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" height="36" src="https://spiritualfamily.net/images/Bars/Bar-arch-01.png" width="560"></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 22px;"><span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: 400;">Arinaitwe E, Prayer Valley Ministries -Endinzi Community Church.</span></span></p><p><br />
<span style="font-size: 18px;">Dear Sister MONICA.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 18px;">I greet you with joy. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: 18px;">We hosted your son, Brother Wilberforce Mugasira an evangelist from Kamwenge spiritual family here at our home Prayer Valley Ministries.</span><br />
&nbsp;</p><p><span style="font-size: 18px;">Our beloved brother and pastor came and shared what does Jesus require of us and how we can try to live His life. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: 18px;">He further taught us how we can know God personally and how to live by the message of truth, beauty and goodness in our day to day life.</span><br />
&nbsp;</p><p><span style="font-size: 18px;">In his two days presence with us . Brother Wilberforce taught us humility, power and love. His message was simple but life changing;<br />
God is your Father, he lives inside you. Do not fear. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: 18px;">He taught us and learned deep of personal relationship with God. Through moving from Church tradition to sonship experience. He showed us that prayer is talking to the Father not performing rituals. For many testified; for the first time I myself feel God is my Father, not a judge faraway.<br />
&nbsp; </span></p><p><span style="font-size: 18px;">Living message of Jesus not just to hear but do. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: 18px;">He challenged Pastors and born again Bishops to show love in their homes and in conflict. Truth without love is noise, that word he said cut our hearts.</span><br />
&nbsp;</p><p><span style="font-size: 18px;">No fear, many people in our place lived in fear of the spirit , fear of poverty. He taught us like from Jesus life, perfect love cast fear.</span><br />
&nbsp;</p><p><span style="font-size: 18px;">He meet Pastors around table and encouraged us&nbsp;unity and said Church is not competition but a family .</span><br />
&nbsp;</p><p><span style="font-size: 18px;">Please brother Wilberforce didn&#39;t not come with pride, he came as a son serving sons. He was simple and lived for what he taught. This made His message powerful.</span><br />
&nbsp;</p><p><span style="font-size: 18px;">Please thank you for sending him to share with us. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: 18px;">Thank you for investing in a son who carries light not ego. Our communities are different now because Wilberforce came . We are more united ,less fearful and more hungry for the Father .<br />
We pray God continue to strengthen our beloved brother Wilberforce and His Kamwenge spiritual family. if you send him again, our doors and hearts are wide open .</span><br />
&nbsp;</p><p><span style="font-size: 18px;">With love&nbsp;<br />
Rev Arinaitwe Everist<br />
Prayer Valley Ministries Southern Uganda.</span><br />
&nbsp;</p><p><span style="font-size: 18px;">Attached brother Wilberforce and pastors of Uganda and Tazania, family photo and Church gatherings .</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><img alt="" height="270" src="https://spiritualfamily.net/photos/thumbnail/95140/master/" width="480">&nbsp;<img alt="" height="270" src="https://spiritualfamily.net/photos/thumbnail/95139/master/" width="480"></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><img alt="" height="360" src="https://spiritualfamily.net/photos/thumbnail/95142/master/" width="480">&nbsp;<img alt="" height="360" src="https://spiritualfamily.net/photos/thumbnail/95141/master/" width="270"></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><img alt="" height="394" src="https://spiritualfamily.net/photos/thumbnail/94859/master/" width="700"></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><img alt="" height="111" src="https://spiritualfamily.net/images/Bars/Bar-00-break-c.png" width="1000"></span></p>]]></description>
	<dc:creator>Paul Kemp Administrator</dc:creator>
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	<guid isPermaLink="true">https://spiritualfamily.net/blog/view/95041/2025-05-25-geoffrey-byamukama-sworn-in-as-deputy-mayor-ishongororo</guid>
	<pubDate>Mon, 25 May 2026 15:30:20 -0400</pubDate>
	<link>https://spiritualfamily.net/blog/view/95041/2025-05-25-geoffrey-byamukama-sworn-in-as-deputy-mayor-ishongororo</link>
	<title><![CDATA[2025-05-25 Geoffrey Byamukama  sworn in as Deputy Mayor Ishongororo]]></title>
	<description><![CDATA[<p style="font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-size: 14.4px; background-color: rgb(237, 240, 245); text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 24px;">2025-05-25 Geoffrey Byamukama&nbsp; sworn in as Deputy Mayor Ishongororo</span></p><p style="font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-size: 14.4px; background-color: rgb(237, 240, 245); text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 24px;"><img alt="" height="36" src="https://spiritualfamily.net/images/Bars/Bar-arch-01.png" style="font-size: 24px;" width="560"></span></p><p style="font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-size: 14.4px; background-color: rgb(237, 240, 245); text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 24px;"><img alt="" height="606" src="https://spiritualfamily.net/photos/thumbnail/95035/master/" width="1080"></span></p><p style="font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-size: 14.4px; background-color: rgb(237, 240, 245); text-align: center;">&nbsp;</p><p style="font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-size: 14.4px; background-color: rgb(237, 240, 245);"><span style="font-size: 18px;">Today&nbsp;May 25th 2026 Geoffrey Byamukama&nbsp;The Chairman of Spiritual Family Network Center CBO was sworn in as Deputy Mayor of Ishongororo, Ibanda District Uganda.&nbsp;</span></p><p style="font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-size: 14.4px; background-color: rgb(237, 240, 245);"><span style="font-size: 18px;">Beside him in the Blue dress is his lovely wife and life partner Naomi and on his left is the Mayor Atukwase Love. Great things are happening in Ishongororo.&nbsp;</span></p><p style="font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-size: 14.4px; background-color: rgb(237, 240, 245);">&nbsp;</p><p style="font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-size: 14.4px; background-color: rgb(237, 240, 245); text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">&nbsp;<img alt="" height="503" src="https://spiritualfamily.net/photos/thumbnail/95039/master/" width="400">&nbsp;<img alt="" height="503" src="https://spiritualfamily.net/photos/thumbnail/95038/master/" width="400"></span></span></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p style="font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-size: 14.4px; background-color: rgb(237, 240, 245); text-align: center;">[embed title=&quot;2025-05-25 Geoffrey Byamukama sworn in as Deputy Mayor Ishongororo&quot; url=&quot;https://spiritualfamily.net/file/view/95043/2025-05-25-geoffrey-byamukama-sworn-in-as-deputy-mayor-ishongororo&quot; summary=&quot;2025-05-25 Geoffrey Byamukama&nbsp; sworn in as Deputy Mayor Ishongororo&quot; guid=&quot;95043&quot;]</p><p><span style="font-size: 18px;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><img alt="" height="111" src="https://spiritualfamily.net/images/Bars/Bar-00-break-c.png" width="1000"></span></span></p><p style="font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-size: 14.4px; background-color: rgb(237, 240, 245);">&nbsp;</p>]]></description>
	<dc:creator>Paul Kemp Administrator</dc:creator>
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	<guid isPermaLink="true">https://spiritualfamily.net/blog/view/95030/the-new-teacher-leaders-a-training-manual</guid>
	<pubDate>Mon, 25 May 2026 12:29:57 -0400</pubDate>
	<link>https://spiritualfamily.net/blog/view/95030/the-new-teacher-leaders-a-training-manual</link>
	<title><![CDATA[The New Teacher-Leaders - A Training Manual]]></title>
	<description><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 28px;">The New Teacher-Leaders</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 26px;">A Training Manual</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" height="36" src="https://spiritualfamily.net/images/Bars/Bar-arch-01.png" width="560"></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.machiventa.org/KingdomWithin/uragate/home/"><img alt="" height="100" src="https://spiritualfamily.net/photos/thumbnail/90057/master/" width="305"></a></p><p>I Our Call<br />
II The Spirituality Requirement<br />
1 The Birth of the Spirit<br />
2 Showing Forth the Fruits of the Spirit<br />
3 What Are the Fruit of the Spirit?<br />
4 Growing Up to Spiritual Adulthood<br />
5 Jesus Lives Again in Us<br />
III The Spiritual Regeneration Requirement<br />
1 First, Be Spiritually Regenerated Ourselves<br />
2 Spiritual Regeneration of Others through Personal Contact<br />
3 Why Exclusively devoted to Spiritual Regeneration?<br />
4 Working for Spiritual Regeneration<br />
IV The Requirement to Depend Solely on Jesus<br />
1 Why the Exclusivity Requirement?<br />
2 Distinguish the Religion of Jesus from the Religion about Jesus<br />
3 Jesus&rsquo; Incomparable Teachings<br />
4 The Value of Jesus&rsquo; Life Demonstrating His Teachings<br />
5 Only Jesus and his Teachings Possess the Power to Triumph over the Modern Threats to<br />
Civilization and Bring the Spiritual Renaissance<br />
V How Do We Work for the Spiritual Renaissance while Depending Solely on Jesus?<br />
1 Pray and Commune<br />
2 The Spirit of Truth Is our Partner and Guide<br />
3 Focus on the Best of the Bible, Jesus Actual Life and Teachings<br />
4 A New Resource: The Life and Teachings of Jesus<br />
VI The Future<br />
1 Our Target Audience is the Christian World<br />
2 Jesus&rsquo; Kingdom Presently Exists within the Christian Church<br />
3 Focus on Awakening Slumbering Christian Believers<br />
4 Unified Christians Will Help Bring the New Revelation to the World<br />
5 The Gospel of the Kingdom<br />
6 The Success of our Mission<br />
7 Let Us Go Forward</p><p><span style="font-size: 20px;"><strong>The New Teacher-Leaders</strong></span></p><p><strong>A Training Manual</strong><br />
<strong>I Our Call</strong></p><p>There are many hopeful and inspiring statements about our future in the Urantia<br />
Book, but few can match the promise and opportunity that is foretold in the following<br />
lines:<br />
Religion does need new leaders, spiritual men and women who will dare to<br />
depend solely on Jesus and his incomparable teachings. (19:9.3/2082)<br />
...the spiritual renaissance must await the coming of these new teachers of Jesus&rsquo;<br />
religion who will be exclusively devoted to the spiritual regeneration of men.<br />
(19:9.3/2082)<br />
Let us reflect upon the amazing implications of these statements. The revelators<br />
are telling us that our world is in need of new teachers of Jesus&rsquo; religion. And they are<br />
prophesying the coming of these new teachers, predicting that these new religious leaders<br />
will help bring a spiritual renaissance to our &ldquo;dark and confused world.&rdquo;<br />
(See Appendix 1.1 To Whom Is This Great Call Directed?)<br />
In many places the revelators point out that today&rsquo;s world is beset by serious<br />
problems. The greatest of these are materialistic secularism, unceasing social<br />
transformation, and spiritual stagnation. New religious leaders are desperately needed to<br />
answer these problems by turning our world back to the true religion of Jesus.<br />
(See Appendix 1.2 Our Present Situation: World Crisis and the Need for Spiritual<br />
Religion)<br />
Yes, we do face serious problems, but great things lie ahead, and we are called to<br />
participate! We are called to join in a great adventure! Here is how the revelators describe<br />
what is to happen on our world and the thrilling possibilities that lie in our future:<br />
The call to the adventure of building a new and transformed human society by<br />
means of the spiritual rebirth of Jesus&rsquo; brotherhood of the kingdom should thrill all<br />
who believe in him as men have not been stirred since the days when they walked about<br />
on earth as his companions in the flesh. (195:10.6/2084; my bold)<br />
The time for a new revelation of Jesus has come! The leaders of this new<br />
revelation will bring about the spiritual rebirth of Jesus&rsquo; brotherhood of the kingdom.</p><p>They will spark a great new spiritual renaissance. For those who feel inclined to help<br />
bring about this new revelation, three fundamental requirements are set forth.</p><p>The Three Fundamental Requirements<br />
The new teacher-leaders must:<br />
(1) Be &ldquo;spiritual men and women&rdquo;</p><p>(2) &ldquo;Be exclusively devoted to the spiritual regeneration of men&rdquo;<br />
(3) &ldquo;Dare to depend solely on Jesus and his incomparable teachings&rdquo;<br />
If we seek membership in this now forming corps of new teacher-leaders it is<br />
good to reflect upon each of these requirements. We will find that, just as the task is<br />
great, so also are the requirements. What follows may be thought of as a guide and basic<br />
training manual for those who aspire to become new teacher-leaders. As we ponder what<br />
role we might play in this great adventure let us be mindful what Jesus requires of his<br />
followers:<br />
In accordance with the truth committed to your hands will the Master of truth<br />
demand a reckoning. (176:3.8/1918)</p><p>II The Spirituality Requirement</p><p>The first and most basic requirement for the new teacher-leaders is that they be<br />
&ldquo;spiritual men and women.&rdquo; What does it mean to be &ldquo;spiritual&rdquo;?<br />
Spirituality is a reflection of our closeness to God; it is the measure of our<br />
attunement to his indwelling spirit. It is directly proportional to the elimination of the<br />
selfish qualities of love. And crucially, it is also a measure of the effectiveness of our<br />
spiritual ministry. Here is how the revelators put it:</p><p>Spirituality becomes at once the indicator of one&rsquo;s nearness to God and the<br />
measure of one&rsquo;s usefulness to fellow beings. (100:2.4/1096; my bold)</p><p>1 The Birth of the Spirit</p><p>The essential first step to becoming a spiritual person is to be &ldquo;born of the spirit.&rdquo;<br />
What is the &ldquo;birth of the spirit&rdquo;?</p><p>The &ldquo;birth of the spirit&rdquo; is the change of mind that occurs when we<br />
wholeheartedly choose to do the Father&rsquo;s will. When we make this choice his indwelling<br />
spirit is born into the light of our faith. Jesus explained it to Nicodemus this way:</p><p>Already does this spirit of the Father in heaven indwell you. If you would be led<br />
by this spirit from above, very soon would you begin to see with the eyes of the spirit, and<br />
then by the wholehearted choice of spirit guidance would you be born of the spirit since<br />
your only purpose in living would be to do the will or your Father who is in heaven.<br />
(142:6.7/1602)</p><p>It is important to realize that the birth of the spirit is a gradual process and is<br />
mostly unconscious. When the process is complete it culminates in a &ldquo;birthday.&rdquo; Here is<br />
how the revelators describe it:</p><p>Religion is functional in the human mind and has been realized in experience<br />
prior to its appearance in human consciousness. A child has been in existence about nine<br />
months before it experiences birth. But the &amp;quot;birth&amp;quot; of religion is not sudden; it is rather a<br />
gradual emergence. Nevertheless, sooner or later there is a &amp;quot;birth day. (103:2.1/1130)</p><p>2 Showing Forth the Fruits of the Spirit</p><p>Since the birth of the spirit is a gradual process that is mostly unconscious, how<br />
may we know if we have been born of the spirit? Put simply, if we are born of the spirit<br />
we will begin to show forth the fruits of the spirit in our daily lives. Here is what Jesus<br />
said:</p><p>&hellip;those who are born of the spirit will immediately begin to show forth the fruits<br />
of the spirit in loving service to their fellow creatures. (193:2.2/2054)</p><p>But be not deceived; while salvation is the free gift of God and is bestowed upon<br />
all who accept it by faith, there follows the experience of bearing the fruits of this spirit<br />
life as it is lived in the flesh. (193:1.2/2053)</p><p>If professed believers bear not these fruits of the divine spirit in their lives, they<br />
are dead. (193:2.2/2054)</p><p>We must also realize that the Father requires of his faithful followers not only that<br />
they bear the fruits of the spirit, but also that they grow and progress in spiritual fruit<br />
bearing. As we continue in the Father&rsquo;s will we must increasingly show forth spiritual<br />
fruit in our personal lives. Hear is how Jesus put it:</p><p>Increasingly must you yield the fruit of the spirit as you progress heavenward in<br />
the kingdom of God. (193:2.2/2054)</p><p>My Father requires of the children of faith that they bear much spiritual fruit.<br />
(193:2.2/2054)</p><p>3 What Are the Fruit of the Spirit?</p><p>&ldquo;What are the fruits of the spirit? Basically they are the character traits that result<br />
from our connection with God&rsquo;s indwelling spirit. They are the characteristics of the<br />
Spirit that flow through us and we exhibit in our life reactions. The domination of a<br />
human life by the Father&rsquo;s spirit is always accompanied by a growth in these perfections<br />
of character. Following is a listing of some of the fruits of the spirit. The first list we are<br />
familiar with from the Bible:</p><p>&hellip;the fruits of the spirit are love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness,<br />
faith, meekness, and temperance. (34:6.13/381)</p><p>Jesus presented a second list at one of his last appearances:</p><p>And the fruits of the divine spirit which are yielded in the lives of spirit-born and<br />
God-knowing mortals are: loving service, unselfish devotion, courageous loyalty, sincere<br />
fairness, enlightened honesty, undying hope, confiding trust, merciful ministry, unfailing<br />
goodness, forgiving tolerance, and enduring peace. (193:2.2/2054)</p><p>In fact, the fruit of the spirit are basically the character traits that Jesus<br />
demonstrated in his perfected life on earth.</p><p>When man yields the &amp;quot;fruits of the spirit&amp;quot; in his life, he is simply showing forth the<br />
traits which the Master manifested in his own earthly life. (194:3.1/2062)</p><p>So our first job is to be born of the spirit, but this spirit birth must be immediately<br />
followed by spiritual fruit bearing. We must increasingly and spontaneously bear this<br />
spiritual fruit throughout our lives. This is our ever-present goal and the measure of our<br />
spiritual progress. As we go through life we may inquire of ourselves, &ldquo;Am I increasingly<br />
showing forth the fruits of the spirit in my daily life?&rdquo; If we are, we may be confident that<br />
we are advancing in the required spiritual training to become an effective teacher-leader.<br />
And in this long spiritual journey it is good to remind ourselves that:</p><p>The quickest way for a tadpole to become a frog is to live loyally each day a<br />
tadpole. (100:1.4/1094)</p><p>4 Growing Up to Spiritual Adulthood</p><p>We cannot stand still in the kingdom. We must go forward, and the culminating<br />
result of such growth and advancement is spiritual adulthood and maturity. As new<br />
teacher-leaders we must understand that to effectively reveal Jesus we will have to reach<br />
spiritual adulthood. We are called to be living examples of the mature spirituality that<br />
may be attained by a true follower of Jesus. Here is what he taught about growing up to<br />
spiritual adulthood and maturity:</p><p>You may enter the kingdom as a child, but the Father requires that you grow up,<br />
by grace, to the full stature of spiritual adulthood. (193:2.2/2054; my bold)</p><p>Childlike trust secures man&amp;#39;s entrance into the kingdom of heavenly ascent, but<br />
progress is wholly dependent on the vigorous exercise of the robust and confident faith<br />
of the full-grown man. (102:1.1/1118; my bold)</p><p>Though Jesus taught that faith, simple childlike belief, is the key to the door of the<br />
kingdom, he also taught that, having entered the door, there are progressive steps of<br />
righteousness which every believing child must ascend in order to grow up to the full<br />
stature of the robust sons of God.<br />
(170:3.2/1861; my bold)<br />
(See Appendix 1.3 Four Step Progression to Spiritual Adulthood)</p><p>5 Jesus Lives Again in Us</p><p>Spiritual adulthood and maturity qualifies us to progress to an even higher state of<br />
spirituality. This is the level wherein Jesus, through his indwelling spirit of Truth, is<br />
enabled to live again in us. The most successful teacher-leaders will reach this exalted<br />
state. This will make them truly effective representatives and ministers of Jesus. It is this<br />
level of spirituality that the revelators call for:</p><p>The world needs to see Jesus living again on earth in the experience of spirit-<br />
born mortals who effectively reveal the Master to all men. (195:10.1/2084; my bold)</p><p>The new teacher-leaders are called to attain that level of spirituality such that their<br />
lives naturally reflect Jesus and his inner spirit. Just as Jesus provided a living<br />
demonstration of his religion to his day and age, so are we called to be the living<br />
demonstrations of Jesus and his teachings to our modern world. We must be spirit-filled<br />
such that when others see us they may see Jesus!</p><p>(See Appendix 1.4 Jesus Lives Again in Us)<br />
(See Appendix 1.5 Summary of the Spirituality Requirement)</p><p>For further study and contemplation to guide us in attaining the requisite<br />
spirituality the following are highly recommended:</p><p>(See Appendix 2 &ldquo;Meditation in The Urantia Book&rdquo; by Peter Holly)<br />
Paper 100 Religion in Human Experience. The Urantia Book</p><p>Sample Prayers:</p><p>&ldquo;May I increasingly show forth the fruit of the spirit in my daily life.&rdquo;<br />
&ldquo;Jesus, live again in me.&rdquo;<br />
&ldquo;Jesus, fill me with your spirit.&rdquo;<br />
&ldquo;Jesus, shine through me.&rdquo;</p><p>III The Spiritual Regeneration Requirement</p><p>The second major requirement we will consider is the directive that we be<br />
&ldquo;exclusively devoted to the spiritual regeneration of men.&rdquo; Notice that this directive gives</p><p>us a clear and well-defined goal, the &ldquo;spiritual regeneration&rdquo; of others. This is the specific<br />
and exclusive work we are called to, and it gives focus and power to our efforts.</p><p>1 First, Be Spiritually Regenerated Ourselves</p><p>If we truly seek to be a force for spiritual regeneration in others we should<br />
recognize that to be most effective we must be spiritually regenerated ourselves. Only<br />
after having been born of the spirit and having achieved a sufficient measure of spiritual<br />
advancement, are we are rightly prepared to effect spiritual regeneration in others.</p><p>2 Spiritual Regeneration of Others through Personal Contact</p><p>We must realize that our greatest power to spark spiritual regeneration will come<br />
not through our teachings, but rather through the contact of others with our spirit-filled<br />
presence. It is the example of our spirit-dominated life, especially in the midst of our<br />
secular and materialistic world, that will be most effective in inspiring spiritual<br />
regeneration in others.</p><p>3 Why Exclusively devoted to Spiritual Regeneration?</p><p>We should also note that we are called to be exclusively devoted to spiritual<br />
regeneration. Why exclusively? Here is the context in which we find the exclusivity<br />
requirement:</p><p>If Christianity persists in neglecting its spiritual mission while it continues to busy<br />
itself with social and material problems, the spiritual renaissance must await the coming<br />
of these new teachers of Jesus&amp;#39; religion who will be exclusively devoted to the spiritual<br />
regeneration of men. (195:9.4/2082)</p><p>Thus we see that the reason for exclusively devoting ourselves to spiritual<br />
regeneration derives from the fact that Christianity has increasingly neglected its spiritual</p><p>mission and substituted a focus on social and material problems. Professed followers of<br />
Jesus have become diverted from his commission to &ldquo;effect the spiritual transformation<br />
of successive generations of mankind.&rdquo; (195:9.10/2083)<br />
We are to avoid the mistake of Christianity. We must not be distracted and<br />
diverted from our work; we are called to an exclusively spiritual mission. As new teacher-<br />
leaders we must focus our efforts on this one clear goal&mdash;the spiritual regeneration of<br />
our fellow man.</p><p>4 Working for Spiritual Regeneration</p><p>So how do we go about working for spiritual regeneration?<br />
We may take our first step by simply choosing to work for this goal. We can<br />
make it a conscious practice in our everyday life. It involves a new way of looking at<br />
others and a new way of interacting with them. It is to see them, not through the lens of<br />
our differences, but rather as fellow children of God whom we seek to advance<br />
spiritually.<br />
We add power to our efforts by praying that we may be a force for spiritual<br />
regeneration in others. We may pray that Jesus live again in us and that he work through<br />
us to spiritually inspire and uplift those we contact. Here is the ideal the revelators call us<br />
to live up to:</p><p>Jesus&amp;#39; disciples should be more than conquerors, even overflowing sources of<br />
inspiration and enhanced living to all men. (195:10.1/2084)</p><p>IV The Requirement to Depend Solely on Jesus</p><p>The last major requirement we will consider is the directive that we &ldquo;dare to<br />
depend solely on Jesus and his incomparable teachings.&rdquo;</p><p>(See Appendix 1.6 The Need for Courage)</p><p>1 Why the Exclusivity Requirement?</p><p>Let us consider the exclusivity requirement. Why are we called to depend solely<br />
on Jesus and his teachings? Why not, for example, depend on the best of Christianity,<br />
which the Urantia Book calls &ldquo;the best of the religions of the twentieth century?&rdquo; Or why<br />
not depend on a synthesis of the greatest teachings of all the world&rsquo;s religions?</p><p>2 Distinguish the Religion of Jesus from the Religion about Jesus</p><p>There are three especially important reasons for this directive.<br />
The first reason derives form the fact that the world knows Jesus only through the<br />
lens of Christianity. Most people do not have any idea that there is a religion of Jesus that<br />
is separate and apart from Christianity, which has evolved as a religion about Jesus. His<br />
original gospel has been submerged within the overall Christian message. And the true<br />
teachings of Jesus are identified with many non-Jesusonian teachings.<br />
Further, Christianity early on began the process of applying all of Jesus&rsquo; teachings<br />
regarding his spiritual kingdom to the temporal Christian church. To enter the kingdom,<br />
to be born of the spirit and dedicate oneself to doing the Father&rsquo;s will, was equated to<br />
being baptized into the church. Thus an outward social organization was substituted for<br />
Jesus concept of an inner spiritual kingdom. For these and other reasons Jesus&rsquo; teachings<br />
must be clearly distinguished from the Christian message. Our work is to focus on and<br />
exalt the teachings of Jesus.<br />
(See Appendix 1.7 The Substitution Error)</p><p>3 Jesus&rsquo; Incomparable Teachings</p><p>A clue to the second reason for depending solely on Jesus and his incomparable<br />
teachings is contained within the directive itself. His teachings are indeed incomparable.</p><p>They are the highest and greatest and most truly valuable teachings ever to appear on<br />
planet earth. They are divine and perfect. All other teachings may be judged by their<br />
compatibility with the teachings of Jesus. He is our touchstone to truth.</p><p>4 The Value of Jesus&rsquo; Life Demonstrating His Teachings</p><p>His teachings are best understood by observing the perfected life he lived on<br />
earth. The perfection of personality and character he developed in living a trying and<br />
testing earth life provides an ideal example for us to emulate in our own lives. Jesus life<br />
is so valuable because it is not just a theoretical construct of an ideal moral philosophy,<br />
but rather a living demonstration of the spiritual character he taught. This combination of<br />
teaching the ideal character and then providing a real life example of that character is our<br />
most valuable knowledge.</p><p>Of all human knowledge that which is of greatest value is to know the religious<br />
life of Jesus and how he lived it. (196:1.3/2090)</p><p>(See Appendix 1.8 The Living Jesus)</p><p>5 Only Jesus and his Teachings Possess the Power to Triumph over the Modern</p><p>Threats to Civilization and Bring the Spiritual Renaissance</p><p>The third reason for the exclusivity requirement is the fact that only Jesus and his<br />
incomparable teachings possess the power to bring about the spiritual renaissance. The<br />
Urantia Book tells us that Christianity &ldquo;has truly been one of the greatest powers for good<br />
on the earth&rdquo; (195:10.12/2085). It has done its job carrying the kingdom of Jesus&rsquo; concept<br />
forward for 2000 years, up to and through our present material and secular age. But now<br />
more is needed. Only Jesus and his personal religion possess the power to see us through<br />
the three great problems that our world now faces: spiritual non-progression, materialistic<br />
secularism, and unceasing social change. Only Jesus and his teachings possess the power<br />
to stabilize us in this time of crisis and triumph over these modern threats to civilization.</p><p>Only through Jesus and his teachings will we attain the new spiritual renaissance. Here is<br />
how the revelators put it:</p><p>Christianity has indeed done a great service to this world but what is now most<br />
needed is Jesus. (195:10.1/2084; my bold)</p><p>(See Appendix 1.9 Summary of Reasons for the Exclusivity Requirement)</p><p>V How Do We Work for the Spiritual Renaissance while Depending Solely on Jesus?</p><p>We have discussed several reasons for depending solely on Jesus. Now let us turn<br />
to another related question. How? How do we go about the prosecution of our task to</p><p>bring about a spiritual renaissance, all the while depending solely on Jesus and his<br />
teachings?<br />
(See Appendix 1.10 Learn, Live, and Teach the Way of Jesus)</p><p>1 Pray and Commune</p><p>Depending on Jesus begins with our inner life. We must consistently look to Jesus<br />
within for help and guidance both in our personal lives and in our ministry.<br />
Jesus said, &ldquo;I am the vine, you are the branches.&rdquo; This is a wonderful idea to<br />
meditate on. Remember also his teaching to &ldquo;abide in me&rdquo; and &ldquo;live in my love.&rdquo; He<br />
urges us to &ldquo;commune freely with me&rdquo; and to &ldquo;maintain this living spiritual connection<br />
with me.&rdquo; (180:2.1/1945) These teachings, when followed, strengthen our inner life and<br />
our ministry. In my experience the idea that we can maintain a spiritual connection with<br />
Jesus is quite powerful.</p><p>2 The Spirit of Truth Is Our Partner and Guide</p><p>It should be clear that a revival of the actual teachings of Jesus that displaces the<br />
Christian teachings about Jesus is a gigantic task, and will not be easy. However, we<br />
may take solace and encouragement from the fact that our efforts to reveal Jesus will not<br />
be solitary. We are not undertaking this great work alone. The Spirit of Truth will be our<br />
full partner, in fact our guiding partner, in this great enterprise. The fact that Jesus&rsquo; Spirit<br />
of Truth was poured out upon us at Pentecost means that we are specially equipped to<br />
achieve our mission. In fact, our new revelation of Jesus&rsquo; life and teachings is really a<br />
part of the on going mission of the Spirit of Truth to reveal Jesus to each new generation<br />
of mortals on earth. Here is what the revelators tell us:</p><p>&hellip;the Spirit of Truth came to help the believer to witness to the realities of Jesus&rsquo;<br />
teachings and his life as he lived it in the flesh&hellip;. (194:2.6/2061; my bold)</p><p>This spirit was bestowed for the purpose of qualifying believers more effectively<br />
to preach the gospel of the kingdom&hellip; (194:3.5/2063; my bold)</p><p>We should always remember and be strengthened by the fact that our revelation<br />
of Jesus will be accomplished in partnership with his Spirit of Truth working in and<br />
through us. We are not fighting alone, but rather in partnership with the God of the<br />
universe. Jesus&rsquo; spirit will help and guide us. Our part is to maintain our spiritual<br />
connection with him and grow ever more receptive to his spiritual guidance.<br />
(See Appendix 1.11 Spiritual Weapons)</p><p>3 Focus on the Best of the Bible, Jesus Actual Life and Teachings</p><p>In seeking a revival of the actual teachings of Jesus we must keep in mind that the<br />
world knows Jesus only through the Bible and Christianity. As much as we might wish<br />
otherwise, the spiritual revival of Jesus and his actual teachings is not going to happen<br />
through a widespread acknowledgement of the truth of the Urantia Book. The worldwide<br />
acceptance of a 2000 page book that presents itself as a new revelation of truth will take<br />
tine, and will really come to pass only after the present world crisis is behind us and we<br />
have entered the new spiritual renaissance. I believe that The Urantia Book will be the<br />
Bible of this oncoming new age; it will be like a third testament that will guide us in the<br />
more spiritual age that is to follow our present material age.<br />
This means that we cannot justify our teaching of Jesus by reference to the<br />
Urantia Book. We must use the resources that are at hand, and our first and most basic<br />
resource is the record of the life and teachings of Jesus as found in the New Testament<br />
gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. These records, sparse as they are in<br />
comparison to the Urantia Papers, are our most basic resource. Besides the New<br />
Testament gospels we have two other very important resources that will compliment our<br />
usage of the Biblical record. First, we have the Urantia Book to deepen and broaden our<br />
understanding of Scripture, correct errors, and clear up misinterpretations. Second, we<br />
have Jesus&rsquo; indwelling spirit to both guide us and aid our ministry, and to work in others,<br />
to aid their understanding and acceptance of our teaching.</p><p>4 A New Resource: The Life and Teachings of Jesus</p><p>Today I am happy to announce that there is another significant resource available<br />
to us. I am referring to this book, The Life and Teachings of Jesus, which I first published<br />
in 1991. It was created as a resource for those who seek to teach Jesus in the exclusive<br />
manner mandated by the revelators. I began work on this book in the early 80&rsquo;s. My goal<br />
was to produce an acceptable and trustworthy source of truth that I could give to others<br />
for guidance, comfort, and inspiration.<br />
The basic idea for the book was to take all the true verses regarding Jesus from<br />
the Bible and put them together in their proper sequence based on the chronology of The<br />
Urantia Book. Erroneous passages, such as the virgin birth or walking on water, were<br />
simply left out. The goal was to produce a book of Jesus&rsquo; life and teachings that would be<br />
fully acceptable to most Christians and at the same time be fully harmonious with the<br />
teachings of the Urantia Book.<br />
My first use of the book was at graduation ceremonies at a small school I founded<br />
many years ago. At these ceremonies I presented each departing student with a copy of<br />
the book, and I am happy to report that it was always well received. More recently the<br />
book has been given at graduation ceremonies at a small seminary in Texas. Also a<br />
number of readers have reported that they have successfully used the book to teach<br />
Sunday school. In India a group of some 30 pastors has used it for years to guide their<br />
ministry. It has even been translated into Telegu, their native language, for wider<br />
distribution. This group of Christian pastors uses both the Bible and The Life and<br />
Teachings in their services.<br />
I do believe this book can be a valuable tool in our efforts to expand the revelation<br />
of Jesus. It provides us with a restatement of Jesus&rsquo; life and teachings that is wholly<br />
constructed from Biblical passages, while at the same time it is free from the<br />
misinterpretations, errors, and false doctrines, generally associated with the Bible and<br />
Christianity. These words from the gospels are recognized and honored by Christians all<br />
over the world and by many others as well. In fact, the pure life and teachings of Jesus,<br />
freed from the surrounding Christian teachings and dogma, should also prove acceptable</p><p>both to non-believers and to those of other faiths. The book itself is always well received<br />
as a gift, thereby providing an acceptable and trustworthy revelation of Jesus that we can<br />
leave with others for guidance, comfort, and inspiration. It is an easy way to transmit the<br />
true teachings of Jesus, here and now.</p><p>VI The Future</p><p>What does our future hold? What will be the results of our efforts? Following is an<br />
outline of how I believe our mission will unfold.</p><p>1 Our Target Audience is the Christian World</p><p>As we dedicate ourselves to this undertaking it is instructive to first consider our<br />
target audience, those who will be most receptive to our new message of Jesus. Here we<br />
should clearly realize that our work must be directed primarily to the Christian world.<br />
After all it is with Christians that we have the greatest affinity and shared beliefs, both<br />
moral and spiritual. It is Christianity that recognizes and teaches Jesus as both the Son of<br />
God and the Son of man. It is also Christianity that stands in desperate need of new<br />
contact with Jesus and of deliverance from its error of emphasizing teachings about Jesus<br />
to the detriment of the actual teachings of Jesus. And crucially, it is the Christian church<br />
that contains within itself the actual kingdom of Jesus&rsquo; teaching&mdash;the divine brotherhood<br />
of believers who have chosen to do the Father&rsquo;s will. Here is how the revelators describe<br />
the situation:</p><p>2 Jesus&rsquo; Kingdom Presently Exists within the Christian Church</p><p>Thus does the so-called Christian church become the cocoon in which the<br />
kingdom of Jesus&rsquo; concept now slumbers. The kingdom of the divine brotherhood is<br />
still alive and will eventually and certainly come forth from this long submergence, just<br />
as surely as the butterfly eventually emerges as the beautiful unfolding of its less<br />
attractive creature of metamorphic development. (170:5.21/1866; my bold)</p><p>We may learn much from these words; they contain three important insights:<br />
First, the revelators make clear that Jesus&rsquo; brotherhood of the kingdom presently exists<br />
within the Christian church. Second, they reveal that this divine brotherhood is in a<br />
passive state, slumbering and submerged within Christianity. And third, they prophesy<br />
that this brotherhood will eventually awaken and come forth in a higher and more<br />
advanced form.</p><p>3 Focus on Awakening Slumbering Christian Believers</p><p>This prophecy points to a special focus for our efforts. This slumbering<br />
brotherhood presently stands in need of awakening and spiritual rebirth. It is we who are<br />
called to provide a new revelation of Jesus that will awaken these sleeping Christians to<br />
higher levels of spiritual living. Bringing about the spiritual rebirth of Jesus&rsquo; brotherhood<br />
of the kingdom will be our first major step in the initiation of the spiritual renaissance.<br />
Here again is the revelators&rsquo; call:</p><p>The call to the adventure of building a new and transformed human society by<br />
means of the spiritual rebirth of Jesus&rsquo; brotherhood of the kingdom should thrill all<br />
who believe in him&hellip;. (195:10.6/2084; my bold)</p><p>4 Unified Christians Will Help Bring the New Revelation to the World</p><p>The Christian world is presently divided into many denominations, sects, and<br />
cults. The only hope of a unification of Christianity lies in a return to Jesus&rsquo; original<br />
gospel of the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of man. This is also part of our<br />
work. By our exclusive focus on Jesus&rsquo; actual teachings we will supply the foundation for<br />
the unification of the various Christian churches. And as this revival of Jesus and his<br />
original gospel comes to Christianity, many believers will then join our efforts to bring<br />
this gospel to the world at large. According to the Urantia Book this is the great hope of<br />
our world:</p><p>The great hope of Urantia lies in the possibility of a new revelation of Jesus with<br />
a new and enlarged presentation of his saving message which would spiritually unite in<br />
loving service the numerous families of his present day professed followers.<br />
(195:10.15/2086; my bold)</p><p>5 The Gospel of the Kingdom</p><p>What is this &ldquo;saving message&rdquo; that would spiritually unite the various Christian<br />
cults? It is Jesus&rsquo; original gospel of the kingdom, the good news that we are all sons and<br />
daughters of God, our loving heavenly Father, and brothers and sisters to one another. It<br />
is this simple gospel of the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of man that has the<br />
power to unite Christianity.<br />
The kingdom Jesus taught is the Father&rsquo;s will dominant and transcendent in the<br />
heart of the believer. We enter the kingdom by faith in Jesus&rsquo; teaching that God is our<br />
Father, and then by choosing to do our Father&rsquo;s will. Jesus showed us the way to life in<br />
the kingdom with his two great prayers, &ldquo;your will be done,&rdquo; and &ldquo;Not my will but yours<br />
be done.&rdquo;<br />
In his first appearance after the crucifixion Jesus made clear to his assembled<br />
followers that, &ldquo;Sonship with God by faith is still the saving truth of the gospel of the<br />
kingdom.&rdquo; (193:0.4/2052; my italics) He emphasized that what the world needs most to<br />
know is that we are all sons and daughters of God and through faith we may actually<br />
realize and daily experience this great truth. In our work we must always teach others to<br />
see themselves as sons and daughters of God, our loving heavenly Father.</p><p>6 The Success of Our Mission</p><p>Will our efforts succeed? Consider these prophetic statements from the revelators<br />
that outline both the history and future evolution of the religion of Jesus on our planet:</p><p>The teachings of Jesus, even though greatly modified, survived the mystery cults<br />
of their birthtime, the ignorance and superstition of the dark ages, and are even now<br />
slowly triumphing over the materialism, mechanism, and secularism of the twentieth<br />
century. (195:9.3/2082; my bold)</p><p>[The Christian] church is only the larval stage of the thwarted spiritual kingdom,<br />
which will carry it through this material age and over into a more spiritual dispensation<br />
where the Master&rsquo;s teachings may enjoy a fuller opportunity for development.<br />
(170:5.21/1866; my bold)</p><p>The following quotes are two of my favorites. They foretell victory over the<br />
powerful forces of materialism and secularism, and a wonderful new spiritual age to<br />
follow:</p><p>A new and fuller revelation of the religion of Jesus is destined to conquer an<br />
empire of materialistic secularism and to overthrow a world sway of mechanistic<br />
naturalism. (195:9.2/2082; my bold)</p><p>Urantia is now quivering on the very brink of one of its most amazing and<br />
enthralling epochs of social readjustment, moral quickening, and spiritual<br />
enlightenment. (195:9.2/2082; my bold)</p><p>7 Let Us Go Forward</p><p>So, let us go forward! We have our marching orders and the encouraging vision of<br />
our final triumph. We are to bring a new revelation of Jesus to our world, one that will<br />
undo the teachings about Jesus and replace them with the actual teachings of Jesus. Our<br />
work will spark a glorious new spiritual renaissance. We will awaken slumbering<br />
Christian believers to a more inspiring vision of Jesus and a deeper, clearer understanding<br />
of his original gospel. These newly awakened Christians will join our efforts to expand<br />
the true religion of Jesus to both the Christian and the non-Christian worlds.<br />
This revival of Jesus&rsquo; original gospel of the Fatherhood of God and the<br />
brotherhood of man will also help to unite the various Christian churches. And a more<br />
unified Christianity will contribute to the worldwide acceptance of Jesus and his actual<br />
teachings. The religion of Jesus will eventually triumph and become the dominant world<br />
religion in the new and more spiritual age we are now approaching.<br />
The requirements to be an effective teacher-leader are great and not all will attain<br />
the high level of spirituality required. However each person may participate in their own<br />
way up to the level they choose. Just as there were various levels of devotion in Jesus&rsquo;<br />
followers, so there will be various levels of participation by those who work for the new</p><p>revelation. In large or small ways all may contribute to the coming triumph of the true<br />
religion of Jesus. For example, one easy and effective way to advance Jesus and his<br />
original teachings is to present The Life and Teachings of Jesus as a gift to family,<br />
friends, and to those in distress. I have done this for years with great success and genuine<br />
appreciation from those who received the book.<br />
For those of you who truly feel this call to become a new teacher-leader, the first<br />
step is simple. You may enlist now by whole-heartedly affirming this choice to your<br />
Father within. Choose it, affirm it to God, and pray for his guidance and blessing.<br />
Your initial training will focus on the first great requirement of becoming<br />
&ldquo;spiritual men and women.&rdquo; You must be born of the spirit and undergo the long spiritual<br />
assent through childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and maturity, to that high estate<br />
wherein Jesus, through his spirit of truth, is enabled to live again in you. Essentially, this<br />
means you must consistently choose to do the Father&rsquo;s will and increasingly show forth<br />
the fruits of his spirit in your daily life.<br />
Remember, as new teacher-leaders we are called to both teach and lead. We teach<br />
by restating Jesus&rsquo; actual teachings and we lead by living those teachings. Just as &ldquo;a<br />
picture is worth a thousand words,&rdquo; it is our spirit-filled presence and our life example<br />
that will make our ministry truly effective.<br />
So let us be the ones who fulfill the Urantia Book&rsquo;s prophecy of the coming of<br />
new teacher-leaders. Let us be the ones who answer the call to bring to our &ldquo;dark and<br />
confused world&rdquo; a new revelation of Jesus and a bright new spiritual renaissance.</p><p>Preston Thomas<br />
2017 Fellowship International conference<br />
University of Denver<br />
July 21, 2017</p><p>Appendix #1</p><p>1.1 To Whom Is This Great Call Directed?<br />
1.2 Our Present Situation: World Crisis and the Need for Spiritual Religion<br />
Problem # 1 Lack of Spiritual Progress<br />
The Problems of Modern Christianity<br />
Problem #2 Social Transition to a New Age<br />
The Need for the Stability of Religion in Times of Change<br />
Personal Spiritual Religion as the Answer to the Crisis of Civilization<br />
Problem #3 Modern Secularism<br />
Summary of World Problems<br />
1.3 Four Step Progression to Spiritual Adulthood<br />
1.4 Jesus Lives Again in Us<br />
1.5 Summary of the Spirituality Requirement<br />
1.6 The Need for Courage<br />
1.7 The Substitution Error<br />
1.8 The Living Jesus<br />
1.9 Summary of Reasons for the Exclusivity Requirement<br />
1.10 Learn, Live, and Teach the Way of Jesus<br />
1.11 Spiritual Weapons</p><p>Appendix 1</p><p>1.1 To Whom Is This Great Call Directed?</p><p>Let us consider this important and basic question: To whom is this great call<br />
directed? And what part should we, the reader-believers in the Urantia revelation, play in<br />
this great new revelation of Jesus?<br />
In answering this question we must take into account the inescapable fact that this<br />
call appears in the Urantia Book. Does it not mean that this call is directed to us, the<br />
believers in the Urantia Revelation? After all, we are the ones who have been blessed to<br />
receive the new and greater revelation of Jesus&rsquo; life and teachings. Are we meant to keep<br />
this new revelation of Jesus to ourselves or share it with the world?<br />
As the new revelation of Jesus expands and transforms our world many<br />
others will join in this great effort, but it will begin with us. We must embrace the<br />
fact that we are the select few who have received the Fifth Epochal Revelation of<br />
Truth and we are called to bring this new revelation of Jesus to our world.</p><p>1.2 Our Present Situation: World Crisis and the Need for Spiritual Religion</p><p>This call for a new revelation of Jesus comes some 2000 years after the Master&rsquo;s<br />
bestowal on earth. It is instructive to ask, &ldquo;Why now?&rdquo; Why is this call directed to us<br />
now at this particular point in world history?<br />
The short answer to this question is that our world is in crisis and the only<br />
effective answer to this crisis is a revival of Jesus&rsquo; religion of personal spiritual<br />
experience. Spiritual progress, which will come through the world&rsquo;s more general<br />
acceptance the real religion of Jesus, is desperately needed to stabilize and guide us<br />
through the existential challenges we now face.</p><p>Only the real religion of personal spiritual experience can function helpfully and<br />
creatively in the present crisis of civilization. (99:2.1/1087; my bold)</p><p>This characterization of our world in crisis was originally written in the 1930&rsquo;s;<br />
the difficulties they describe have been verified by history and have only grown in<br />
magnitude since that time. Our modern world faces ever more serious problems with each<br />
passing year; they loom over us like the sword of Damocles, and threaten our very<br />
existence. And they require true spiritual religion for their solution.<br />
The revelators identify many serious problems that modern man must address, but<br />
three stand out as the source of our greatest threats. Each of these challenges is fraught<br />
with danger and each reinforces the others, thus adding to the severity of all. The first<br />
step in effectively combating these problems is to clearly identify them and their<br />
consequences.</p><p>Problem # 1 Lack of Spiritual Progress</p><p>The greatest problem our modern world faces is our lack of spiritual progress. We<br />
live in a time that demands personal spiritual religion and trustworthy moral guidance,<br />
but spiritual living is not progressing well on Urantia; in fact, it is not progressing at all.<br />
Genuine spiritual religion, the answer to our modern problems, has not only ceased to<br />
progress--it has become stagnate.</p><p>In the face of unprecedented scientific achievement and mechanical development<br />
there is spiritual stagnation and philosophic chaos. (99:4.6/1090; my bold)</p><p>&hellip;modern civilization is at a standstill in spiritual development. (81:6.25/909; my<br />
bold)</p><p>The Problems of Modern Christianity</p><p>Modern civilization is in crisis and desperately needs the genuine religion of<br />
personal spiritual experience. But Christianity, our best hope among the modern<br />
religions, is only a religion about Jesus; and in losing sight of his original teachings it<br />
also lost the awesome potential and spiritual power of Jesus&rsquo; actual religion. Moreover,<br />
Christianity itself has become secularized and lost much of its spiritual focus; it has been<br />
diverted from its purely spiritual mission into secular and social work. It suffers from<br />
many non-spiritual trends and is identified with the deficient moral standards of the social<br />
systems and industrial policies of Western civilization.</p><p>The majority of professed Christians of Western civilization are unwittingly actual<br />
secularists. (195:8.1/2081)</p><p>Paganized and socialized Christianity stands in need of new contact with the<br />
uncompromised teachings of Jesus; it languishes for lack of a new vision of the master&rsquo;s<br />
life on earth. (195:9.2/2082)</p><p>In the end Christianity has failed to bring forth an acceptable level of spiritual<br />
progress; it lacks the power to reverse the spiritual stagnation that besets our<br />
world.</p><p>Problem #2 Social Transition to a New Age</p><p>Unfortunately, our lack of spiritual progress is not the only serious problem we<br />
face. The advances brought about by the inventions of the Industrial Age and the spread<br />
of knowledge that characterizes our present Information Age have transformed<br />
civilization. We are in the midst of a historic transition from the old and passing order of<br />
society to a new social order. We face a millennium of unceasing social change. This<br />
unending change in the social, economic, and political arenas brings with it significant<br />
challenges and dangers.<br />
Here is how a Melchizedek describes our situation:</p><p>Mechanical inventions and the dissemination of knowledge are modifying<br />
civilization&hellip;(99:1.1/1086)</p><p>Urantia society can never hope to settle down as in past ages. The social ship has<br />
steamed out of the sheltered bays of established tradition and has begun its cruise upon<br />
the high seas of evolutionary destiny. (99:1.3/1086)</p><p>This new and oncoming social order will not settle down complacently for a<br />
millennium. The human race must become reconciled to a procession of changes,<br />
adjustments, and readjustments. Mankind is on the march toward a new and unrevealed<br />
planetary destiny. (99:1.1/1086)</p><p>Such times of significant social change as we are now experiencing are times of<br />
great uncertainty and unsettledness. Constant change in the social, economic, and<br />
political orders brings with it great potential for danger and disaster.</p><p>these dangerous times of transition from one phase of civilization to another, from<br />
one level of culture to another. (99:1.3/1086)</p><p>During the psychologically unsettled times of the twentieth century, amid the<br />
economic upheavals, the moral crosscurrents, and the sociologic rip tides of the cyclonic<br />
transitions of a scientific era, thousands upon thousands of men and women have become<br />
humanly dislocated; they are anxious, restless, fearful, uncertain, and unsettled&hellip;<br />
(99:4.6/1090)<br />
certain economic adjustments and social changes are imperative if cultural<br />
disaster is to be avoided (99:1.1/1086)</p><p>The Need for the Stability of Religion in Times of Change</p><p>What is most needed in times of great change and upheaval is the stability<br />
provided by sound morality and genuine spiritual religion. Our present transition<br />
problems are made far more dangerous by the fact that traditional morality and religion<br />
have been weakened by the advances of a scientific and materialistic age. Our lack of<br />
spiritual progress has left our world without moral and spiritual anchorage in a time of<br />
constant and accelerating change. This is a very dangerous situation. The revelators put<br />
great emphasis on this need for true religion and moral guidance to see us through these<br />
uncertain times of transition and unending change:</p><p>&hellip;as never before in the world&amp;#39;s history [men and women] need the consolation<br />
and stabilization of sound religion. (99:4.6/1090; my bold)</p><p>Religion must function to prevent these new and intimate interassociations from<br />
becoming mutually retrogressive or even destructive. Religion must act as the cosmic salt<br />
which prevents the ferments of progression from destroying the cultural savor of<br />
civilization. (99:1.4/1087)</p><p>Personal Spiritual Religion as the Answer to the Crisis of Civilization</p><p>The modern problems resulting from spiritual stagnation combined with unending<br />
social transformation are more dangerous and complex than anything we have faced in<br />
the past. And the revelators make clear that nothing less than genuine spiritual religion<br />
and true morality will suffice for their final solution.</p><p>Only the real religion of personal spiritual experience can function helpfully<br />
and creatively in the present crisis of civilization. (99:2/1087)</p><p>Problem #3 Modern Secularism</p><p>The problems of spiritual non-progression and the dangers of unending social<br />
change are made more acute by our third great problem&mdash;the devastating effects of<br />
modern secularism. Since the Middle Ages society has become progressively<br />
secularized. This growing power of secularism was effective in overcoming the<br />
totalitarian control of life by the Catholic Church. It has also promoted material progress,<br />
American industry, tolerance, civil rights, and democratic ideals. However, as the<br />
revelators point out, the secular revolt against the totalitarian medieval church went too<br />
far, and led to a revolt against God himself. Below is a sampling of the revelators&rsquo;<br />
depiction of the social and political problems we face as a result of modern secularism<br />
and its disregard for, or denial of, God. With the benefit of some 80 years of history we<br />
may clearly witness the truth of the revelators 1930&rsquo;s characterization of our world as<br />
well as their astoundingly accurate prophetic insight into our future.</p><p>But even after materialism and mechanism have been more or less vanquished,<br />
the devastating influence of twentieth-century secularism will still blight the spiritual<br />
experience of millions of unsuspecting souls. (195:8.1/2081; my bold)</p><p>For three hundred years Western thinking has been progressively secularized.<br />
Religion has become more and more a nominal influence, largely a ritualistic exercise.<br />
The majority of professed Christians of Western civilization are unwittingly actual<br />
secularists. (195:8.3/2081; my bold)</p><p>Twentieth-century secularism tends to affirm that man does not need God. But<br />
beware! this godless philosophy of human society will lead only to unrest, animosity,<br />
unhappiness, war, and world-wide disaster. (195:8.5/2081; my bold)</p><p>This secularistic human society, notwithstanding its unparalleled materialistic<br />
achievement, is slowly disintegrating. (195:8.10/2082; my bold)</p><p>Thus, the revelators warn us that modern secularism is a powerful force for evil in<br />
our world. It blights the spiritual experience of millions and leaves the majority of</p><p>professed Christian believers without a genuine spiritual religion. In its rejection of the<br />
totalitarian medieval church Western society went too far and this has brought about the<br />
rise of the totalitarian political state. Denying God, replacing him with secular beliefs,<br />
has fostered the slow disintegration of society; in losing belief in God we also lose the<br />
glue holding us together. The revelators clearly warn us that turning away from God will<br />
result in distress, unhappiness, animosity, destruction, and war on a world-wide scale.</p><p>Summary of World Problems</p><p>In summary, the question has been posed, &ldquo;Why is the call for new teachers of<br />
Jesus&rsquo; religion addressed to us now?&rdquo; The answer to this question lies in present world<br />
conditions. The revelators make clear that the world is now in crisis and the religion of<br />
Jesus is needed to see us through. Three major elements of this crisis may be clearly<br />
identified: lack of spiritual progress, the dangers inherent in the unending social<br />
transformation, and the dire consequences of modern secularism. These elements<br />
mutually reinforce each other and add to the severity of the challenges we must<br />
overcome.<br />
The religion of Jesus is required to combat and triumph over these modern threats<br />
to our civilization. And this is why the Urantia revelation is calling for new teachers of<br />
Jesus&rsquo; religion; they are needed now and in the coming years to secure the final victory<br />
over secularism, to stabilize and guide us through 1000 years of social transformation,<br />
and to set the world back on the path of genuine spiritual progress.</p><p>1.3 Four Step Progression to Spiritual Adulthood</p><p>The Urantia Book reveals a clear path to spiritual progression in Paper 170,<br />
Section 3:</p><p>Though Jesus taught that faith, simple childlike belief, is the key to the door of the<br />
kingdom, he also taught that, having entered the door, there are progressive steps of</p><p>righteousness which every believing child must ascend in order to grow up to the full<br />
stature of the robust sons of God. (170:3.2/1861)</p><p>Faith is the price you pay for entrance into the family of God; but forgiveness is<br />
the act of God which accepts your faith as the price of admission. And the reception of<br />
the forgiveness of God by a kingdom believer involves a definite and actual experience<br />
and consists in the following four steps, the kingdom steps of inner righteousness:</p><p>1. God&amp;#39;s forgiveness is made actually available and is personally experienced by man just<br />
in so far as he forgives his fellows.</p><p>2. Man will not truly forgive his fellows unless he loves them as himself.</p><p>3. To thus love your neighbor as yourself is the highest ethics.</p><p>4. Moral conduct, true righteousness, becomes, then, the natural result of such love.<br />
(170:3.3-4/1861-62)</p><p>1.4 Jesus Lives Again in Us</p><p>This concept of Jesus living again in us is revealed in several places in the Urantia<br />
Book:</p><p>As the indwelling spirit of the &amp;quot;new teacher,&amp;quot; the Master has, since Pentecost,<br />
been able to live his life anew in the experience of every truth-taught believer.<br />
(194:3.1/2062; my bold)</p><p>&hellip;the Spirit of Truth came to help the believer to witness to the realities of Jesus&rsquo;<br />
teachings and his life as he lived it in the flesh and as he now again lives it anew and<br />
afresh in the individual believer of each passing generation of the spirit-filled sons of<br />
God. (194:2.6/2061; my bold)</p><p>1.5 Summary of the Spirituality Requirement</p><p>In summary the successful achievement of the spirituality requirement will<br />
involve our traversal of the following levels of spiritual progression:</p><p>(1) First, we must choose to do the Father&rsquo;s will and thus be born of the spirit.<br />
(2) We must go forward throughout our lives increasingly giving forth the fruit of the<br />
spirit.<br />
(3) The fruit of the spirit include: love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness,<br />
faith, temperance, meekness, patience, self-control, and self-mastery.<br />
(4) If we observe in our daily lives that we are increasingly showing forth the fruit of the<br />
spirit we may know that we are advancing spiritually.<br />
(5) Having been born of the spirit we must advance through infancy, childhood, teen<br />
years, to spiritual adulthood and maturity. This will take time.<br />
(6) Advancing to spiritual adulthood and maturity qualifies us to reach that exalted stage<br />
where Jesus in enabled to live again in us.<br />
(7) The most effective teacher-leaders will reach this stage and become living<br />
demonstrations of Jesus and his teachings to our world. They will be spirit-filled<br />
examples of Jesus&rsquo; religion such that when others see them they can see Jesus.</p><p>1.6 The Need for Courage</p><p>The first thing we may note here is that we will be called upon to manifest<br />
courage. We are to &ldquo;dare to depend solely on Jesus and his incomparable teachings.&rdquo;<br />
This differs from the norm; most depend upon established religion for their religious<br />
teachings. We need courage because we are teaching a new religion, the personal religion<br />
of Jesus, in place of Christianity, the established religion about Jesus. In this sense we are<br />
going against the grain of history and tradition. This will require great courage as well as<br />
discretion and wisdom. Also, we live in a secular and materialistic age that tends to deny<br />
true religion, and courage is required to espouse a religious point of view in the face of</p><p>widespread disbelief. So, as we go about our work bringing the world to a new<br />
understanding of Jesus, let us remember the Master&rsquo;s exhortation to:</p><p>&ldquo;Be of good courage.&rdquo; (176:2.3/1914)</p><p>1.7 The Substitution Error</p><p>This undertaking is complicated by the fact that the actual religion of Jesus and<br />
his inspiring life example have become submerged and distorted within Christianity. The<br />
teachings of Jesus have been effectively displaced by Christian teachings about Jesus;<br />
and the social brotherhood of the Christian church has been substituted for Jesus&rsquo;<br />
spiritual brotherhood of the kingdom. Thus the teachings of Jesus are now combined and<br />
confused in the minds both Christians and non-Christians with many other teachings,<br />
such as those of Paul and the apostles, as well as traditions, dogmas, and creeds of the<br />
early church leaders.<br />
The following quotes from the Urantia Book help make clear the substitution<br />
error and the problems it causes for understanding and realizing Jesus actual kingdom<br />
teachings:</p><p>&hellip; his early followers who went about to create a sociophilosophical system of<br />
belief regarding the fact of Michael&amp;#39;s sojourn on earth. In a short time the teaching of<br />
this story about Jesus nearly supplanted the preaching of Jesus&amp;#39; gospel of the kingdom.<br />
In this way a historical religion displaced that teaching in which Jesus had blended<br />
man&amp;#39;s highest moral ideas and spiritual ideals with man&amp;#39;s most sublime hope for the<br />
future&mdash;eternal life. And that was the gospel of the kingdom. (170:5.19/1866; my bold)</p><p>The church, as a social outgrowth of the kingdom, would have been wholly<br />
natural and even desirable. The evil of the church was not its existence, but rather that it<br />
almost completely supplanted the Jesus concept of the kingdom. Paul&amp;#39;s institutionalized<br />
church became a virtual substitute for the kingdom of heaven which Jesus had<br />
proclaimed. (170:5.7/1864; my bold)</p><p>The kingdom of Jesus&amp;#39; teaching, the spiritual ideal of individual righteousness and<br />
the concept of man&amp;#39;s divine fellowship with God, became gradually submerged into the<br />
mystic conception of the person of Jesus as the Redeemer-Creator and spiritual head of a<br />
socialized religious community. In this way a formal and institutional church became the<br />
substitute for the individually spirit-led brotherhood of the kingdom. (170:5.9/1864; my<br />
bold)</p><p>The church was an inevitable and useful social result of Jesus&amp;#39; life and teachings;<br />
the tragedy consisted in the fact that this social reaction to the teachings of the kingdom<br />
so fully displaced the spiritual concept of the real kingdom as Jesus taught and lived it.<br />
(170:5.10/1864; my bold)</p><p>In this manner the kingdom became the concept of an age, the idea of a future<br />
visitation, and the ideal of the final redemption of the saints of the Most High. The early<br />
Christians (and all too many of the later ones) generally lost sight of the Father-and-son<br />
idea embodied in Jesus&amp;#39; teaching of the kingdom, while they substituted therefor the well-<br />
organized social fellowship of the church. The church thus became in the main a social<br />
brotherhood which effectively displaced Jesus&amp;#39; concept and ideal of a spiritual<br />
brotherhood. (170:5.15/1865; my bold)</p><p>Paul and his contemporaries applied all of Jesus&amp;#39; spiritual implications regarding<br />
himself and the individual believer to the church as a group of believers; and in doing<br />
this, they struck a deathblow to Jesus&amp;#39; concept of the divine kingdom in the heart of the<br />
individual believer. (170:5.17/1865)</p><p>Thus it is clear that the historical Jesus of Galilee and his basic religious teaching,<br />
the gospel of the kingdom, has become submerged within Christianity. His kingdom<br />
teaching, that we are all children of the loving heavenly Father, is often neglected in<br />
favor of teachings of Paul and other Christian leaders.</p><p>In modern times there is great confusion because of the association of the<br />
teachings of Jesus with other Christian writers. Instead of clearly exalting Jesus&rsquo; actual<br />
teachings above all others, New Testament and even Old Testament teachings tend to be<br />
treated with equal validity; thus the incomparable teachings of Jesus suffer from dilution<br />
with other teachings of lesser value. Christianity, through the substitution of its own<br />
teachings for those of Jesus, has become only a religion about Jesus, not the actual<br />
religion of Jesus. And in so doing it has lost much of its power for spiritual progress and<br />
moral guidance in a world of growing moral confusion and spiritual stagnation.</p><p>1.8 The Living Jesus</p><p>It is important for our understanding that we clearly recognize the two distinct<br />
concepts of &ldquo;the living Jesus&rdquo; presented by the revelators. Both are central to our new<br />
revelation of Jesus. We have already discussed one meaning, Jesus living again in our<br />
hearts and minds. This is &ldquo;the living Jesus&rdquo; that shines through us and enables us to<br />
provide a real life demonstration of living the way of Jesus. This reflecting of &ldquo;the living<br />
Jesus&rdquo; by the life we lead is an essential part of the revelators plan for the spiritual<br />
baptism and renewal of our planet.<br />
However, there is another crucially important sense in which &ldquo;the living Jesus&rdquo; is<br />
central to our revelation. This is &ldquo;the living Jesus&rdquo; as contrasted with &ldquo;the crucified<br />
Christ,&rdquo; whose perfected life on earth provides our most valuable knowledge. In our<br />
study of Jesus we naturally tend to emphasize his teachings and give much less attention<br />
to his life. However his inspirational life story of demonstrating those teachings is of the<br />
highest value to our spiritual progression. Just as it is much easier to learn a new physical<br />
skill when we have a visual demonstration, so we may best learn the way of Jesus by<br />
studying his real life actions and reactions.</p><p>Of all human knowledge, that which is of greatest value is to know the religious<br />
life of Jesus and how he lived it. (196:1.3/2091)</p><p>One of the most important things in human living is to find out what Jesus<br />
believed, to discover his ideals, and to strive for the achievement of his exalted life<br />
purpose</p>]]></description>
	<dc:creator>Paul Kemp Administrator</dc:creator>
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