It serves a purpose, but the real fruit of such exchange remains to be seen. Service is rendered for those interested in the Urantia Book, to really discover its contribution and value. Any are free to accept or dismiss such upon a thorough investigation of the content and context of the papers, however some here come only with assumptions, preconceived biases, presumptions, knee-jerk reactions, apologetic posturing, etc. Much could be said for the general benefit of learning, but not all are interested in expanding consciousness or seeing things beyond their own narrow concepts of theology.
These transmissions at least serve as a springboard for many subjects which correlate with all world religions, science and philosophy, and most importantly the epic journey of the mortal soul in its evolutionary journey Godward, ultimately to the First Source and Center, the Universal Father himself who is the original, absolute and ultimate reality, The Source.
The Papers present the Father as being the head of the 'Paradise Trinity', so that the theology is certainly 'trinitarian' in essence, but its concept of the Trinity and where Jesus fits into the scheme of the 'Godhead' differs somewhat from traditional orthodox Christology, but this is explored and described elsewhere.
Nevertheless, its contributions on the subject of 'Religion', the evolutionary ascent and divine destiny of man stands unparalleled. However this groups of celestials reveal that much info. not concerning the ascension-program of progressing mortals is revealed in the papers, which shows there is much beyond the knowledge of man in the cosmos that does not necessarily concern him, but what is shared is sufficient for man, as he is given only what the natural course of evolution grants him, what is earned, and what comes by way of divine dispensation as 'revelation' when man is ready to receive such information. In this way the UB is the 'Fifth Epochal Revelation' given to the planet, Jesus ministry was the 4th.
A synopsis of all 5 epochal revelations are reviewed Here (covering outreach principles exemplified in each epoch)
pj
Thanks Freelight.
As you know, revelation sorts and sensors the evolutionary religions; religions which originated in real revelation but became contaminated by the speculations of the finite mind of man.
Bible worshipers live in a mystical, unreal world as the result of the false teaching of the OT stories; exaggerations of the elite Hebrew priest class (never intended to be the word of God). The problem is further complicated by the Christian belief in multiple Gods; the Satan God of this world and the Father God of Jesus, far off and less active then the Satan God. Then there is the Bible fetish and then Jesus fits in theologically, in some unclear manner. The result is an almost paranoid state of mistrust and anxiety; any criticism of the priestly stories is a trick from the Satan God. The result is that they stay hopelessly marooned in the unreal past.
"The custom of looking upon the record of the experiences of the Hebrews as sacred history and upon the transactions of the rest of the world as profane history is responsible for much of the confusion existing in the human mind as to the interpretation of history. And this difficulty arises because there is no secular history of the Jews. After the priests of the Babylonian exile had prepared their new record of God’s supposedly miraculous dealings with the Hebrews, the sacred history of Israel as portrayed in the Old Testament, they carefully and completely destroyed the existing records of Hebrew affairs — such books as “The Doings of the Kings of Israel” and “The Doings of the Kings of Judah,” together with several other more or less accurate records of Hebrew history."
Jesus speaks to this issue of the hateful Christian:
"Discern the truth clearly; live the righteous life fearlessly; and so shall you be my apostles and my Father’s ambassadors. You have heard it said: ‘If the blind lead the blind, they both shall fall into the pit.’ If you would guide others into the kingdom, you must yourselves walk in the clear light of living truth. In all the business of the kingdom I exhort you to show just judgment and keen wisdom. Present not that which is holy to dogs, neither cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample your gems under foot and turn to rend you."
Caino