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In Christianity, Evangelism is the commitment to or act of publicly preaching of the Gospel with the intention of spreading the message and teachings of Jesus Christ. Christians who specialize in evangelism are often known as evangelists, whether they are in their home communities or living as missionaries in the field, although some Christian traditions refer to such people as missionaries in either case. (Wiki)

There is nothing quite so straightforward and yet so complicated as the task of evangelism. Evangelism is our call to share our faith with our neighbors, be it as small as a one-on-one talk with a co-worker or as large as a Billy Graham Crusade. Evangelicals tend to differentiate between “missions” and “evangelism” primarily by location (missions is abroad, whereas evangelism stays close to home), but the end goal is the same: to be Jesus Christ’s witnesses to all people. (Christianity Today)

While the terms "evangelist" or "evangelism" do not exist in the Papers, certainly the act of spreading the Gospel or Good News is very well represented and discussed. There are the Seraphic Evangels and the Evangels of Light and other text describing "evangels" to consider:

https://truthbook.com/search/UBParagrap ... &start=all


And much text on "missionaries":

https://truthbook.com/search/UBParagrap ... &start=all

And "preachers, preach, and preaching":

https://truthbook.com/search/UBParagrap ... &start=all


The act of evangelism does not describe or determine the truth content of the message of the evangelist or missionary. But according to Rodan if one is not an evangel of their religious experience, then one is not having much of an experience. For the inner life of religious experience should excite and enthuse and invigorate the religionist to enthusiastically share that experience.


According to Rodan: 160:5.3 If something has become a religion in your experience, it is self-evident that you already have become an active evangel of that religion since you deem the supreme concept of your religion as being worthy of the worship of all mankind, all universe intelligences. If you are not a positive and missionary evangel of your religion, you are self-deceived in that what you call a religion is only a traditional belief or a mere system of intellectual philosophy. If your religion is a spiritual experience, your object of worship must be the universal spirit reality and ideal of all your spiritualized concepts. All religions based on fear, emotion, tradition, and philosophy I term the intellectual religions, while those based on true spirit experience I would term the true religions. The object of religious devotion may be material or spiritual, true or false, real or unreal, human or divine. Religions can therefore be either good or evil.

We are also taught that belief is not faith unless and until it changes our mode of living. One may not be religious by mere belief.

100:6.1 Evolutionary religions and revelatory religions may differ markedly in method, but in motive there is great similarity. Religion is not a specific function of life; rather is it a mode of living. True religion is a wholehearted devotion to some reality which the religionist deems to be of supreme value to himself and for all mankind. And the outstanding characteristics of all religions are: unquestioning loyalty and wholehearted devotion to supreme values. This religious devotion to supreme values is shown in the relation of the supposedly irreligious mother to her child and in the fervent loyalty of nonreligionists to an espoused cause.

100:6.2 The accepted supreme value of the religionist may be base or even false, but it is nevertheless religious. A religion is genuine to just the extent that the value which is held to be supreme is truly a cosmic reality of genuine spiritual worth.

101:8.1 Belief has attained the level of faith when it motivates life and shapes the mode of living. The acceptance of a teaching as true is not faith; that is mere belief. Neither is certainty nor conviction faith. A state of mind attains to faith levels only when it actually dominates the mode of living. Faith is a living attribute of genuine personal religious experience. One believes truth, admires beauty, and reverences goodness, but does not worship them; such an attitude of saving faith is centered on God alone, who is all of these personified and infinitely more.

101:8.2 Belief is always limiting and binding; faith is expanding and releasing. Belief fixates, faith liberates. But living religious faith is more than the association of noble beliefs; it is more than an exalted system of philosophy; it is a living experience concerned with spiritual meanings, divine ideals, and supreme values; it is God-knowing and man-serving. Beliefs may become group possessions, but faith must be personal. Theologic beliefs can be suggested to a group, but faith can rise up only in the heart of the individual religionist.

It is interesting how universal is the evangelistic spirit among all believers, including UB students who become so enthused that they wish to share the book and its teachings with others. There are many stories of such sharing here at TruthBook and the success, failure, frustration, and commitment of readers to share that which is life altering and sublime in their own experience with others. Evangelism is as natural to the religionist as swimming is to the tadpole! At its most fundamental it is an act of loving service....combining caring and sharing to others in our generosity of love and service.

I look forward to a discussion of Evangelism & The Urantia Book and the thoughts of all here who feel and embrace such enthusiasm and the personal need and the impulse to share the Good News of God's friendly universe. Our Creator/Master Son - the Son of God and Son of Man - came here specifically to be an evangel to a world and to a universe spreading hope, good cheer, encouragement, truth, peace, and the fact of God's love for all the children of time in all the universe of universes!!


There are so many ways of such sharing and such caring to be expressed. Thanks for joining in and reading along!!


Bradly 8) :idea: :biggrin:

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Of course! However, zeal and unwise and unloving behavior often walk together. Jesus himself was never overbearing or insistent in his actions and attitude yet never failed to give an answer to the hungry seeker.

I believe that the sharing of the truth that has been given us is just as individual and personal as our relationship to Him, and He shines through each of us in a particular way. Someone once said "the less there is of you, the more the light shines through" and that has always been my goal, in spite of the many times I have gotten in the way of the light and tried to project my self instead of letting Him shine through me.
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It is very true that much of historical and modern evangelism is riddled with error and evil and sometimes even sin itself....were the crusades and colonialism forms of evangelism? I think so, yes. Genocide and conversion-or-death are part of human "evangelical-ism".

Conversion of others is a form of forced or persuasive experience of conformity related to evolutionary religious creeds, doctrines, ceremonies, and beliefs. This is the ugly side of evangelism and not at all Christ like...I agree.


The evangelism of Jesus did not include creeds, doctrines, and ceremonies - those things which separate and isolate and differentiate us...just the simple unifying and encompassing and inclusive truth that God is love and is our parent and we are God's beloved children in one family of creation/kingdom in a friendly universe.


Jesus did not insult the religious experience of others nor impose the unwelcome haughty superiority of ego in spreading the Good News.


The effective evangelist cannot begin any ministry with disappointment and insult and cannot use fear as a tool or weapon of "persuasion". To berate and castigate and accuse and threaten are all too often the tools of the self righteous zealot. To them Jesus offered the parables of the Good Samaritan and the beam in the eye and the casting of the first stone and the harvest of that which is sown and those lessons of humility and the forgiveness of others to receive such forgiveness and that of the mill stone about the neck. First do no harm!

99:5.11 (1091.10) What a mistake for Christians to make when, in presenting Christ as the supreme ideal of spiritual leadership, they dare to require God-conscious men and women to reject the historic leadership of the God-knowing men who have contributed to their particular national or racial illumination during past ages.


We are taught by the UB that we are not to look down upon the primitive religion in our fellows or the primitive fellows in religion and we are to honor the religious experiences of all and of prior generations. Can we be evangels that do not require conversion and acceptance of our own beliefs and creeds and doctrines and knowledge? We must if we are to be true to the reality of the universe. Seeking agreement with ourselves is not the sharing and the caring required of evangelism.

101:9.2 (1115.3) When you presume to sit in critical judgment on the primitive religion of man (or on the religion of primitive man), you should remember to judge such savages and to evaluate their religious experience in accordance with their enlightenment and status of conscience. Do not make the mistake of judging another’s religion by your own standards of knowledge and truth.


For myself, social evangelism has failed to show great results and has generated frustrations and failures due to my immature and unwise approaches to it. However, my personal evangelism has proven far more effective and rewarding where I simply share the light of my spirit and the fruits of the spirit with others day by day as I walk by.


I have worked for decades in support of the dissemination of the UB in community, country, and around the globe. I do not consider this evangelism however. I am passionate about spreading the source of good news and good cheer I consider a gift to our world and an epochal revelation of universe reality because of its impact and effect on my spiritual journey, discovery, and growth. But I do not think such work is the same as sharing the Good News personally.


We are told there will be priests, prophets, and preachers for many more years into future mortal epochs as the religions of evolution persist and the religion of revelation grows. But evangelism is a tool of evolutionary religions I think. For the personal religion of personal revelation and relationship is growing and will eventually become universal and when the light within shines brightly enough in us all, then what is the purpose of evangelism I wonder?


We are taught that the Holy Spirit and her Adjutant Spirits, the Father's Spirit, and the Spirit of Truth all already give testimony and bear witness of the Gospel and deliver the whisper, the yearn, the knock, the hunger, the thirst, the bread and living water, the satisfaction, and the assurance within.


Sharing our assurance and good cheer and creating hope and encouragement in others is all good.


But then there is this to consider:

99:5.7 (1091.6) Just as certainly as men share their religious beliefs, they create a religious group of some sort which eventually creates common goals. Someday religionists will get together and actually effect co-operation on the basis of unity of ideals and purposes rather than attempting to do so on the basis of psychological opinions and theological beliefs. Goals rather than creeds should unify religionists. Since true religion is a matter of personal spiritual experience, it is inevitable that each individual religionist must have his own and personal interpretation of the realization of that spiritual experience. Let the term “faith” stand for the individual’s relation to God rather than for the creedal formulation of what some group of mortals have been able to agree upon as a common religious attitude. “Have you faith? Then have it to yourself.”


8)

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Elsewhere on this forum, I asked the question: What's so bad about evangelism? It got me to thinking about the word, and the meaning of it in light of The Urantia Book. So, thanks for this opportunity to clarify...

While we are never specifically advised to "evangelize" in The Urantia Book, Jesus enjoins us several times - especially in his resurrection appearances - to "proclaim" the gospel of the Kingdom - the Fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of mankind. https://truthbook.com/jesus/jesus-resurrection-appearances

In common American usage, the word "evangelize" is synonymous with the word "proclaim," and to me, means the same thing. I like the word; it has an element of spiritual zeal associated with it - a zeal that I definitely feel when I consider the impact on my personal spiritual life as a result of adapting and adopting Urantia Book teachings. And in the end, that good news of the Kingdom is something that I want to witness to, and yes, evangelize to others when possible in my daily life. Nevertheless, it does have its frothy counterparts...

I suspect that the revelators' use of this word "proclaim" is used very wisely, as other common synonyms for "evangelize" include:

preachify (NOTE: this is the less-attractive cousin of "preach")
proselytize
sermonize

While "proclaim" has the following as synonyms:

affirm
announce
declare
demonstrate
indicate
profess
publish
...among numerous others.

Jesus did not ask us to preachify, proselytize, or sermonize. I think many would agree that there are those in the world - self-proclaimed and even many famous evangelists - who have given the word an unfortunate connotation in the eyes of truth-seekers by embodying these other three qualities in their efforts.

Jesus does enjoin us to "preach"- not "preachify" the gospel, which has a connotation of pontification associated with it. .

Definitions of preach include:

deliver a sermon or religious address to an assembled group of people, typically in church.
publicly proclaim or teach
earnestly advocate (a belief or course of action)

And preach has numerous synonyms, including:

exhort
teach
evangelize
inform
minister
...among others.

It seems to me that we want to keep these definitions and synonyms - and their nuances - in mind when discussing evangelism in The Urantia Book ... and be mindful of the highest usages of the word "evangelize" in our own efforts to do as Jesus has asked.

Here is one such statement by the Master, using both words in his Discourse on Sonship and Citizenship:

Quote:
178:1.11 Remember that you are commissioned to preach this gospel of the kingdom—the supreme desire to do the Father's will coupled with the supreme joy of the faith realization of sonship with God—and you must not allow anything to divert your devotion to this one duty. Let all mankind benefit from the overflow of your loving spiritual ministry, enlightening intellectual communion, and uplifting social service; but none of these humanitarian labors, nor all of them, should be permitted to take the place of proclaiming the gospel. These mighty ministrations are the social by-products of the still more mighty and sublime ministrations and transformations wrought in the heart of the kingdom believer by the living Spirit of Truth and by the personal realization that the faith of a spirit-born man confers the assurance of living fellowship with the eternal God.


https://truthbook.com/urantia-book/paper-178-last-day-at-the-camp#U178_1_11

And there are other passages here:

https://truthbook.com/search/UBParagraphs_VSearchResult.cfm?criteria=%20preach%20AND%20proclaim&start=all


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Nice.
Thanks MaryJo
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It is most unfortunate that the Master's message has been hijacked and used for rank commercial motives, "yet nevertheless the gospel is preached" as Paul said. I know many people who had genuine experiences at some of the most disgusting (in the terms of man-worship and sales campaigns) revivals and religious rallies, so somehow the TAs must be able to take advantage of the receptivity of the people and the evangelist is merely an attention getter or lure. They certainly do make show biz out of it! Here in Brazil it is irritating to see these guys selling "soil from the Holy Land" and "annointed brooms" for housewives and "holy water" from the Jordan River, literally exploiting the people's faith for personal financial gain. They have also mixed politics into it, manipulating congregations to favor a political agenda.

It is at the point where I feel that the worst enemy of Jesus' message is mainstream "ëvangelical" Christianity. But I don't want to keep harping on the same complaint all the time, so hopefully this will be the last time.

My desire to discuss evangelism, or witnessing, or proclaiming the gospel in this forum is focused on how best to go about doing it. My personal conviction is that there is no better method than personal one on one conversations with someone who has expressed interest or asked questions, we used to call them "sheepy" in reference to the Bible scripture "My sheep hear my voice and I know them and they follow me". Of course these days that adjective has come to mean "easily fooled" or "drunk the Kool-Aid" or some other derogative connotation describing people who trust the government or political or religious leaders.

But in my work I run across many people who are very insulated against any kind of spiritual input and as soon as you present a religious point or make a reference to Jesus or God the walls come up and the window shades come down and the subject gets changed to something banal and less challenging to their innermost selves. But that doesn't mean the efforts to share meaningful ideas are in vain, I really do believe that small seeds of truth can and will eventually bear fruit. The important thing is that these truths are presented as the Master did, lovingly and with empathy and not with condemnatory threats or warnings.

This poem by Edgar A. Guest has stuck with me ever since I first read it years ago:

I'd rather see a sermon than hear one any day;
I'd rather one should walk with me than merely tell the way.
The eye is a better pupil, more willing than the ear;
Fine counsel is confusing, but example is always clear,
And the best of all the preachers are the men who live their creeds,
For to see a good put in action is what everybody needs.

I can soon learn how to do it if you will let me see it done;
I can watch your hand in action, but your tongue too fast may run.
And the lectures you deliver may be very wise and true,
But I'd rather get my lesson by observing what you do.
For I may misunderstand you and the high advice you give,
But there is no misunderstanding how you act and how you live.

When I see a deed of kindness, I am eager to be kind.
When a weaker brother stumbles, and a strong man stands behind
Just to see if he can help him, then the wish grows strong in me
To become as big and thoughtful as I know that friend to be.
And all travelers can witness that the best of guides today
Is not the one who tells them, but the one who shows the way.

One good man teaches many; men believe what they behold;
One deed of kindness noted is worth forty that are told.
Who stands with men of honor learns to hold his honor dear,
For right living speaks a language which to everyone is clear.
Though an able speaker charms me with his eloquence, I say,
I'd rather see a sermon than hear one any day.

-- Edgar A. Guest
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Wow. Nice poem. Thank you
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Last edited by SEla_Kelly on Fri Oct 19, 2018 12:12 pm +0000, edited 1 time in total.

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Evangelism is a leadership term, and we know several societies from the Urantia Papers, which may be considered "evangelical". We might consider the adoption policy of the Dalamatians, who were return to their native tribes to uplift aboriginal society. We can consider the Onagar had been the first to instruct missionaries in the teachings of the "Breath-Giber". Machiventa is the most notorious of all instructors, who were worthy to have had evangelists devout enough to believe in their own callings. It is said that Siddhartha the Gautama had pupils who rivaled the Melcizedek-missionary zeal. The very notion of greatness within the evangelical calling is expressed in the tempestuous Serapatatia's propsal to Eve. "If my children could be like you, he could bridge your divine culture with my own tribes'."

Very little is known of the missionary, only of the leader. The core of teaching in religion is vested in the life of the home, and in the hearth which is protected, or sancrosanctifiable. We must consider that BOTH the Three Apostles closest to Jesus' instruction, along with Jesus were the respected providers of truth, let us say for the modern notion of Evangelist. These instructions go far & beyond the simple public prayers and promulgated principles, that are acceptible now in the modern society. I am speculating here but the main idea is the Evenagelists could sanctify homes, by being "taken in" by a family, and teaching the patterns of home life from within after all.


Much much much much much has been claimed to become evangelists. This term has been washed away in its tautological definitions. It is too finite in its identification and narrow consideration to be appropriate in our conversation. There was a real and final change to society, every time the eveangelists of a leader "went forth" to carry the message of its leader.

When we consider lore, and true religious leadership, we witness in the Gospels that Jesus told his Apostles that there would be no prophet after John. With John, the faithful congregated and with Jesus the Evangelists went forth. There has to be in the establishment of culture, a strongly pronounced desire for truth, and then this sincere request from the faithful, that God will send a teacher. With the Andons, this desire was practically innate, but today it is determined by the human individual's own will. After Jesus, there hasn't been any final evangelical movements. Religion seeks a more robust language, new terminology for the expressions of the adjutant mind spirit. Religion seeks the means to consecrate the human individual, and thus elevated his soul to the plane where he may "converse with the seraphim and cherubim". If the next evangelical movement arises from the coming of AVonal Material Son of Urantia, or Material Trinity Teacher Sons of Urantia, we must simply be greatful for the cultural contributions of all past evangelical movements, and to become wise, to prepare individuals in society for the language which embraces monota.

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SEla_Kelly wrote:

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Religion seeks a more robust language, new terminology for the expressions of the adjutant mind spirit. Religion seeks the means to consecrate the human individual, and thus elevated his soul to the plane where he may "converse with the seraphim and cherubim". If the next evangelical movement arises from the coming of AVonal Material Son of Urantia, or Material Trinity Teacher Sons of Urantia, we must simply be greatful for the cultural contributions of all past evangelical movements, and to become wise, to prepare individuals in society for the language which embraces monota.


Thanks, SEla...I find this a very good topic when thinking about Jesus' mandate to proclaim (evangelize) the gospel. We do have to develop a new way of talking about God, about Jesus, and about the gospel. And The Urantia Book supplies us with that language. No more hellfire, no more over-emphasis on repentance, no more Jesus-as-sacrifice, and no more thinking about ourselves as wretches with this inborn stain of sin upon our souls.

Instead we have a whole new way of talking about God - his personal nature, the Kingdom concept, we have the indwelling Spirit of the Father, the new understanding of Jesus' presence in the Spirit of Truth...and I am sure we can think of other positive ideas that will help us relay the information that the world needs to hear proclaimed by those who have been changed by it and who are willing to witness for it.

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Maryjo says above: "We do have to develop a new way of talking about God, about Jesus, and about the gospel. And The Urantia Book supplies us with that language. No more hellfire, no more over-emphasis on repentance, no more Jesus-as-sacrifice, and no more thinking about ourselves as wretches with this inborn stain of sin upon our souls.

Instead we have a whole new way of talking about God - his personal nature, the Kingdom concept, we have the indwelling Spirit of the Father, the new understanding of Jesus' presence in the Spirit of Truth...and I am sure we can think of other positive ideas that will help us relay the information that the world needs to hear proclaimed by those who have been changed by it and who are willing to witness for it."


I would suggest we emulate the Master's example and utilize the lessons provided in the UB which include:


Attempting to stir the embers of light and truth and amplify the whisper that resides within others already...to presume the influence of the Spirit and the fact of soul. We are to add to faith and the existing progress and religious experience of the soul. Jesus said add more TB&G to others, not attempt to remove or convert or condemn others and their experience in Spirit.


To seek out and confirm those beliefs, choices, words, and acts which demonstrate faith in Spirit and also demonstrate truth, beauty, and goodness. We should presume that others have hopes and ideals that can be shared and reinforced.


To demonstrate ourselves, first, the calmness and serenity and confidence and peace and joy and positive perspective that the fruits of the spirit deliver to our being and very nature and our own experience as faith children. If we do not have and cannot share such fruit, then what are we evangelizing?


Too many so called evangelists fail to presume the work and success of the Spirit in the lives of others and compare others to ourselves in ways which make us disappointed and them somehow inferior and often are also disappointed in the world and in God and the perceived failure of the righteous to prevail over evil and sin. The evangelist is too often driven by beliefs and acts defined by creed and doctrine and ceremony that requires conversion and uniformity rather than the simple delivery of Good News as they themselves do not truly have any good news to deliver! More like judgments and warnings and threats...the use of fear to motivate.

Jesus never acted in such a way. Jesus was not judgmental or disappointed in his fellows. Jesus was unafraid and preached a presumption of safety in a friendly universe and the reality of soul and the fruits of simple faith. Jesus never used negativity in any form to persuade others. He made confident happiness and faith an infectious force for good as he passed by.

One need not feel or act called to the mountaintops to proclaim the Good News. That is for the few. But the true faith child is compelled to give testimony of God's love and goodness and by example, give witness of the fruits of the spirit that others may see this love of God exemplified by the loving service to others. This is enough to change the world. But we cannot change the world if what we see is ugly and disappointing and dark. If that is our view then we will only add to the gloom and to the doom we perceive.

We cannot win souls for the Kingdom by accusation, insult, guilt, and disappointment, warning, and threats. So counterproductive and so indicative of the unworthiness of the evangelist for their chosen occupation. This only adds gloom to the doom of the blind perspective of fear and discouragement.

We are to find and see the light to ADD to the light we find and see. We are no effective evangelist who cannot find the good within others and see the hand of God in our world and to have confidence in God's plan, purpose, power, and WAY. We cannot force faith upon others....but we can recognize and encourage and stoke the embers of hope while sharing the fruits of the Spirit.

Indeed do we need this form of evangelism as it is but the expression of love of God to one another in loving service to one another. Is evangelism other than the example of faith in God and the sharing of the fruit of the Spirit? I don't think so. No. Caring....and sharing.

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Upon further study of assurance - both faith-assurance (delivered by evolutionary religious experience by the Holy Spirit and Adjutants) and truth-assurance (delivered by personal revelatory religious experience by the God Fragment)- it is increasingly apparent that we are being provided a pattern for personal ministry and loving service and interaction with all other religionists. We too are to become and learn to be agents of assurance! Universe reality is itself assuring and confirming of truth, beauty, and goodness.


In our interactions with others do we confirm universe reality and our own faithful assurance of this friendly universe and God's profound and paternal love and mercy and patience and the evolutionary progress of our world and the safety of all creation and creatures in the universe? Do we share faithful assurance that is proven and demonstrated only by the sharing of the Divine Fruits of the Spirit - the only true evidence of our own religious experience and faith?


To accuse others of error or ignorance and to share our disappointments in any, some, or all others and to demand others measure up to our own levels of expectation and 'superior' understanding while we blame others for our own suffering or the suffering of others and to point out the errors of others in knowledge and belief - none of these are the caring sharing of our own fruits or own assurance.


How assured do we feel? What certainties do we have and feel related to God's love? Or are our certainties related to beliefs and knowledge which we think we should impose upon others who are lesser in understanding than us? Even those of us with this Epochal Revelation of Universe Reality are often too quick to share knowledge with and demand conformity by others rather than seek out ways to give and share a caring assurance of God's love and presence and our/their safety in this friendly and loving universe. We fail to find the truth and the light within others first to add to the assurance of faith and personal revelation each of us is connected to.


Too often do we presume that others need some form of conversion and salvation - when what is so often needed most is simply affirmation, reassurance, empathy, support, comfort, and the sharing of Spirit fruit. I think it is this need and perspective that Jesus presented in the parable of the beam in the eye and the Good Samaritan and the talents and the mill stone and his example of finding that truth which is held in common and adding to the spiritual experience of others rather than to attempt to change or remove something and the imperative to never diminish the faith of another in our efforts to minister, preach, or evangelize to others.


Love is never a criticsm or a threat or an accusation or blame...and never will be.


So...are we confirmers and affirmers? For that is the pattern of reality. All else is but further error and the sowing of tares amongst the wheat I think.


Disclaimer: For those who may be wondering why the "whatever floats your boat" standard above is not my standard here at TruthBook, be advised that I believe this is a classroom and study group of a very specific book containing very specific facts and truths. The ministry mission here is to learn the contents of the UB and to share in that learning of knowledge and truth. This is not a place to minister or preach or evangelize or present theories or fables which contradict the text book we gather here to study....it is a place to learn a specific text. So those who disagree with the UB or who misstate or misrepresent the teachings or are here to save others or lead others to safety or convert minds and souls to your own beliefs, creeds, and doctrines should expect certain resistance and redirection....back to the text itself for confirmations, elaborations, or for corrections.


I certainly do believe and strive to assert confidence in our source and destiny and our rulers and this friendly universe ruled by love and mercy ministry and hope to demonstrate extreme tolerance of personal religious experience and personal faith in all others here...whether they believe the UB or not. My disagreements come with those who say the UB says what it does not or does not say what it does and those fellow students who misrepresent the contents either generally or in detail. After all, we are here to learn of that reality, that very specific reality, presented in a very specific book written with great specificity. Such study will challenge our preconceptions and reveal misconceptions - or conflicts and contradictions of personal perception and beliefs....can't be helped...it is what it is.


I don't believe TruthBook is Kumbayah Island where all crackpots are welcome, all opinions are created equal, and anything goes. The study and accurate portrayal of the contents of the Urantia Papers is at the core of this corps of learners according to the Guidelines posted here. So whatever floats anyone's boat is fine and dandy...anywhere else. Been lots of divisive diversions presented here over the years but the student body has always prevailed in returning all topics and posters back to the UB...sooner or later. What an interesting place it has been and continues to be! Agree or disagree with the UB, all we can prove here is what it says...not the truth of what it says. That requires personal revelation...or so the UB says! Hahahaha!


Bradly 8)


(This post double posted - here and "What Is Assurance? " topic.)

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Thanks! The Urantia Book gives such a clearer and more detailed history of Jesus' life, his approach to others and his example of encouraging others, helping others come to the right conclusions, understanding and compassion.

Personally I don't feel we need to be reminded of your positions regarding the forum and the study of the UB, but maybe we do. The first part of your last post was very feeding and uplifting however! Thanks again.
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Well...lately it seems that some posters have determined TB is their public platform for personal theories and/or congregation and pulpit for sermonizing and "preachifying" and/or their personal audience for long-winded fables...what might be considered "evangelism ". Not only have these theories, sermons, fables, and proclamations so often conflicted with the Guidelines here and the teachings of the UB but appear to, rather inexplicably, get the protection and support of the site mods who claim them to be interesting or inspiring.

Very odd that and a rather personal and subjective opinion to boot for those charged with rhe application of guidelines which clearly define the purposes here - study of the text and teachings. That which contradicts the UB or misstates or misrepresent the UB at a UB study group hardly deserves sponsorship or praise IMO. I wonder sometimes the definition of UB Study Group that I and others hold and that which is appropriate at such a gathering and classroom of students and the content which serves to improve the understanding and appreciation of that we gather together to study.

8)

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Well it was the conspicuous absence of polemic that prompted me to wonder why you made specific mention of non-kosher posts, I was under the impression that some folks had stopped posting provocative statements, therefore I saw no reason for you to bring it up. Forgive me if I was wrong. Nevertheless in spite of my short time here I feel public criticism of the moderators is unwarranted and divisive, in contrast to your well researched and edifying comments that have been a tremendous help to me personally.
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