When The Perfect Comes ...

LISTING #9.  RELEVANT TO YOU - UNHEEDED?
      continuation from 8


"Higher than prophesying is its abolition in glorification, which is the coming of the perfect, when one is known as Paul was known by God[2]."
      One who prizes the gift (tongue of the heart) is to pray that he may prophecy. When one has arrived there and is proficient in the practice, presume not to think you are a prophet.

"What Paul is saying is that one is not a prophet ( I Cor. 12:29) simply because by tongues he prophesies[4]."
      The place one has as participating in the part, is suspended when the Perfect comes, returning to the part in anticipation to be known again.

"When the perfect comes, that which is in part will be abolished. …. Then ... I will be known as also I was known (I Cor. 13:10,12)[2]."
      Do you have the gift of tongues? Do you hear such in yourself? Where does your prophecy - your expounding on behalf of the Triune God in the Old Testament come from? This is all wonderful! However, without the experience of transformed godliness do not presume to be a prophet of the New Testament type.

"Paul is speaking about those who prophesy as a result of the gift of tongues[3]."
      In earnest prayer move from childhood to manhood in Christ. Do you still transgress the law as defined in the complete view of the Bible? Then you are still a child following hard after Christ in the Church. The Spirit via your conscience will keep you informed on this issue.

"During this time (going from childhood to manhood) one sees by means of a mirror dimly and knows yet in part and prophesies in part (I Cor. 13:9,12)[2]."
      Now there is the created law and the uncreated law. Both of these are presented in the Bible without confusion. The letter kills but the Spirit give life? -sounds like the cross, does it not? Did you think that the Christian Faith is just one selection among many religions? It is the free gift, that costs you everything, that returns all things new!
   
"One goes from childhood under the law (Gal 3:24) to manhood by faith, having the gift of tongues wherein the created Law is replaced by the uncreated law in His human nature in the heart[5]."
      Their is a higher level in true Christianity where one indeed knows for sure in part, and yet abides in order to be known again as once already happened.
  
"I know yet in part, but I will then be known as I was known (I Cor. 13:11-12)[2]."
      And I have heard this one and that one say, 'my life has been changed forever!'.

"For we now see by means of a mirror dimly, then face to face[3]."
      The Living Law is literally written in my heart!

"When I became a man, I abolished the things of the child[2]."
      I abolished the law's relationship to me as tutor, but appreciate even more the law's purpose which abides as the eternal law that it is.

"When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I thought as a child, I reasoned as a child[4]."
      As i speak, think, and reason - so am I. But growing up is not a matter of trying to change my speech, thoughts, and reason. The right of passage to manhood is not, having met the glorified Lord - that was the beginning; the right of passage is having been glorified in His Body and Presence and persevering until it transpires again.



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The Prophet Is Necessary ...

LISTING #8.  RELEVANT TO YOU - UNNOTICED?
      continuation from 7

It is true that without the prophets their is no Church "so long as it is realized that the name prophet means he who like the apostles experienced glorification; thus whether they are called prophets or fathers of the Church is secondary[3]."
      Has there been a time when we have seen the last remaining prophet of the Church since the time of Christ until now? No. Will there come a time when there is no New Testament Prophet on earth? Will the Lord find Faith on the earth when He returns?

"Since it would be safe to assume that the prophet was in Paul's mind a necessary part of the structure of the Body Of Christ (Eph. 2:19-22; 3:5-6; 4:11- 13; I Cor. 12.28), being an essential part of its foundation, along with the apostles, it would also seem to follow that without them there is no Church[2]."
      There is a time in the training for the Faith, perhaps around baptism, or under the hand of a Church teacher, when a Christian moves from the tutelage of the 'law' to the 'Spirit'. It is also possible to fake this reality among any that have not the gift of discernment.

"That 'children under the law' should prophesy or theologize would indeed be a ridiculous idea to Paul as it was to the Fathers in their confrontation with laymen or heretics who pretended to be theologians[4]."
      Now with regard to this distinction (under law) within Christianity, the individual inwardly experiences the dispensation of the law and its relations to the cross of Christ. Once one is guided to participation in purification with the expected evidence, a new level in the Faith is experienced.

If "it is they with unceasing prayer, who see by means of a mirror dimly and 'know yet in part and prophesy in part' (I Cor. 13:12); then, the rest of those who believe in Christ are children under the law[2]."
      Theology, which is the true word on God, can be a verb and is prophecy itself. When we practice, receive, and know unceasing prayer; we know in part. This is an important opening of the eyes of the heart, as in a dim room.

"The other members of the Body of Christ, who are so because they have the gift of the Holy Spirit's prayer unceasingly in their hearts, know and prophesy or theologize in part[3]."
      Jesus said of himself and so himself exists as Truth. The Spirit of Truth rests in Him and is another comforter sent by Him. No Truth exists outside of Christ (Person of Triune Essence). Jesus' Spirit reveals Him. Are you glorified in Jesus' Body? Then your quest for the truth is over and you know it, for it is a wonderful feeling when you know you've found what you have been looking for. You have all Truth.

"All the Truth, which is Christ, is revealed by His Spirit, or the Spirit of Truth, to those glorified in His Body[2]."
      Is it possible for you to be part of the Church without having been glorified in His Body? Yes, you may be a trainee in the Faith.

"It seems quite clear that nowhere in the New Testament do we find the idea that all the Truth is revealed to the Church, or that the Church is being led into an understanding of all the Truth[1]."
      Oh, that all in the Church were glorified! 'For those whom he justified, he also sanctified, and those whom he sanctified, he also glorified'. Participating in the Truth is not the same as having 'all Truth'; when the Spirit comes He will guide you into all Truth.
   
"For Paul, God reveals to each of the glorified 'as many' of the 'things' 'as God prepared for those who love Him'; in other words, 'all the Truth' (John 16:13) which those who love God will participate in[2]."
      That which the Spirit reveals in glorification has not entered the most sanctified imagination before the experience. Why has God bothered to prepare the glorified? -for those who love Him.
   
"That St. Paul would be completely shocked at the idea that the Church is either led into all the Truth or to a better understanding of all the Truth is clear from the following: And as it is written, the things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard and did not arise within the heart of man - as many as God prepared for those who love Him - God therefore revealed to us by the Spirit" (I Cor. 2:9-10)[3]."
      And so we see the appearance of a new prophet, one whose prophesying has been suspended and then he is returned to us.

It is this experience (prophesying abolished in glorification) which makes apostles and prophets.
      When one experiences the Ultimate, he simply waits and cooperates with all that will bring about the Ultimate encounter again - faithfulness, perseverance, keeping in step with the Spirit. (Note: i know of these things neither by speculation or experience, but by the testimony of the mighty few).






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Purification Of The Heart ...

LISTING #7.  RELEVANT TO YOU - OBSCURE?
      continuation from 6

Prayer, study, and dogma "are abolished in vision of Christ in His Father's glory by the Spirit, an experience which transcends concepts and expressions about Him, and at the same time inspires concepts and expressions which will lead others to Him[1]."
      There are some things that aid in purification of the heart, they are cures for specific injuries that a person may have that need attention before the main cure can be addressed. There are misconceptions from childhood that result in continuous psychological pain, there are unconscious presuppositions from faulty religious training or ideas. There is a great effective support system in true Christianity throughout the world, but definitely mix your adventure with growth in hidden-man-of-the-heart unceasing prayer. It will preserve you if all else fails.

"Theology is to know about God in unceasing prayer and the study of scripture and dogma which is a guide to God in an ocean of superstitions and misunderstandings about Him[2]."
      Do you have a concept of God? - do not mistake it for the true word on God, or worse yet for our Triune Deity Himself. Do you have a clear and strong statement of Faith? - realize that no matter how committed you are to it that it is no more than a naming, a partial descriptive, a mere appellative. Our Godhead cannot be named or described. Yes, i am aware of the 250 names and titles of our Deity in scripture distributed throughout three quarters of a million words throughout nearly twenty thousand references! And yet this is a naming, a descriptive, an appellative process effective for guiding us to His Revelation of Himself to the individual.

"Theology is not conceiving God and dogma does not express God[3]."
      Consistent collaboration among Church Fathers on a topic needs be seen as persuasive.

"All the Fathers agree with St. Gregory the Theologian, so called because he had reached glorification, that 'it is impossible to express God and even more impossible to conceive Him'[2]."
      To attempt to understand the 'mysteries of God' is futile, for understanding is evidenced by those who actually depart from evil. Trying to advance dogma is not theology, dogma is a record of those defending the truth of the Gospel.

"The formulation of dogma had nothing whatsoever to do with any attempt to understand the mysteries (of God)[4]."
      If you study the advancement of technology, philosophy, or medicine through time, one would outline the development of the progress of man in such areas. For one to write about theology in such a manner is to reveal that the individual himself is outside the Body of Christ and relying only on human reasoning.

"It should be clear, except for Augustine (of Hippo), no Father of the Church ever imagined himself as being engaged in an alleged attempt by the Church to understand the mystery of God and the incarnation better and better with the passage of time[2]."
      Mankind's understanding of the only Triune Godhead is not a matter of the evolution of a certain number of centuries and improvement on that which has gone before. Consider for example the Franks that took over the Roman See by the tenth century; when they saw crowds of people participating in Christian tradition and worship, they assumed it was some kind of magic that they had to have to control their new subjects.

"St. Paul does not say that the Body of Christ is being built up by baptism, chrismation, eucharist, etc., but by apostles and prophets, meaning apostles and fathers who give birth to others in Christ by preparing them for the reception of the Holy Spirit's prayer in their hearts; it is only within such a context that the sacraments of baptism, chrismation, eucharist, ordination, confession, penance, etc. are not hocus pocus[3]."
      It is possible and is often the case that many people participate in all the religious rituals of various forms of Christianity and never touch the underground stream that the form represents. Also there are times when the lifeless institution above ground wanders far from the underground river of life below that defines it.

"Without those, who with unceasing prayer and reach glorification, the mysteries (sacraments) of the Church become a system of hocus pocus[2]."
      What happens in a location when the disciplined learning (discipleship) is amiss because no illuminated ones are present? Those who become the Body of Christ in such areas are few and far between.

"Whether one has such fathers (those with unceasing prayer who reach glorification) in concrete local congregations, or in monasteries does not change the fact they are the specialists for producing members of the Body of Christ[5]."
      The Body of Christ is built upon the genuine Apostles and Prophets of the Church only, and has been that way from the beginning.

"The important thing is that those with unceasing prayer who reach glorification are the central core of Holy Tradition since without them there is no Body of Christ[2]."
      A prophet can be a prophet in name only as we have seen in so many modern heresies. A genuine prophet can be called something else and it does not change the fact of his state and existence.



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Speaking In Tongues ...

LISTING #6.  RELEVANT TO YOU - CLOSE?
      continuation from 5

"St. Cyril of Alexandria (375-444) seems to follow a middle road on Paul's speaking in tongues since he notes, that, no one hears (I Cor. 14:2); he does not seem as sure as Chrysostom that this means no one understands[3]."
      No one hears the tongue of the heart of another (when it in reality is present) unless he interpret or report it to an interpreter for the edification of others. The gift of languages and the announcing that takes place from them is different than automatic inner prayer or unknown tongues.

"The gift of languages was supposed to have accompanied the gift of unceasing prayer which, according to Chrysostom, St. Paul refers to in I Cor. 14:14-16[2]."
      It is a common mistake that has persisted since the fourth century that the gift of language speaking and unceasing prayer to God were and are the same thing.

"By the time of St. John Chrysostom (344-407), the tradition had prevailed in Antioch that speaking in tongues is the gift the apostles had of speaking the languages of the people they were evangelizing[5]."
      Two hundred years earlier speaking in tongues was accurately identified in the church of Alexandria. The Philokalia records eleven hundred years on the subject of hidden prayer of the heart which is the speaking in tongues of 1 Corinthians.

"Origen (circa 185-255) identifies speaking in tongues of I Corinthians with unceasing prayer of the Holy Spirit in the heart and sees this tradition operative in the Old Testament since this is what makes prophets, and the Cappadocian Fathers show no signs of disagreement with him on this[2]."
      When a Christian returns from that first Face-to-face encounter with Triunity and picks up where he left off in scripture and unceasing prayer things are remarkably different with regard to both (so i have read in testimony). Warning: just because you may feel the Holy Spirit moving in your heart, do not presume yourself to be a prophet or apostle (neither invent a new ministry novelty); take time to consider the serious warnings to self-sent prophets in scripture.

"The Fathers theologize by means of the conformity of their reasoning to 3) their own glorification if such be their case or to that of others, but not by speculation, 2) scripture within the tradition of their own Fathers, 1) their unceasing prayer[3]."
      Ninety percent of the true, positive, and glorious Faith remains hidden in those who have it. What we encounter in research is a record of the reaction of resistance of the true against false faith; which is trying to corrupt the pure Faith by masquerading as the original faith - wolves in sheep's clothing. Usually from a very subtle interpretation, which does not fool those who have the gift of discernment. The spirit of antichrist uses a system of human reasoning and speculation - a philosophy of theology if you please - to displace or replace the true Faith in the minds and hearts of the foolish. 'Be wise as serpents and harmless as doves, ever praying and watchful over your own heart'.
    
"The formulation of dogma in the Creed and in definitions of Local and Ecumenical Councils of the indevided Church has in every single case been a reaction to heresy and never a part of an alleged process of transforming speculation or that famous, but non-existent theologoumenon (of individual opinion and not doctrine) into dogma[2]."
      Christian creeds, doctrines, and even scriptures are not to be worshiped themselves. Jesus said things like 'what saith the scriptures' - 'ye are in error by your traditions' or 'ye neither know them nor the power of God'. And again, 'search the scriptures, they testify of me'. And a later warning is given, 'the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life'.

"One does understand doctrine, but only when one knows its purpose and does not confuse it with God Himself[4]."
      Doctrine, which itself is a perfectly fine word, is a pointer to the Goal. During time spent between the Face-to-face encounters (i will be known again as i have already been known) that one has with our indescribable Deity, doctrine is delegated to its proper use and place in the vast scheme of things.

"The purpose of doctrine is not to be understood, but to be abolished in glorification, which is above understanding, since God is a mystery and remains a mystery even to those who see Him in Christ[2]."
      Faith was never a 'leap into an unreasoned trust that proves itself true later' but rather is arrived at by an examination of the facts with the aid and observation of one who can demonstrates it on a high level. The body of documentation among Christians in exposing false faith was soon mistaken in its nature and compared and mixed with the long standing human philosophy of the Greeks.

"Augustine (of Hippo) confused the two (doctrine and the mystery of God) and thought that by accepting the one he could by faith understand the other[3]."
      In true Christianity the 'mystery' is not some hocus pocus or something that cannot be experienced as far as the nature of things as possible permits, but rather the experiencing of that which is indescribable and discovered as impenetrable.

"One must make a clear distinction between doctrine and the mystery of God[2]."
      Knowing doctrine and God in mystery are two very different things yet a thread of relationship or comparison can be made.



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The Bearers of Effective Chirstianity ...

LISTING #5.  RELEVANT TO YOU - ESOTERIC?
      continuation from 4

[Top conclusion, #2] "Tradition for the prophets, Apostles, and Fathers is not much different from tradition within today's scientific societies.[4]"
      The society of true Faith are preserving a cure for that which ails mankind. Based on results, their presuppositions concerning the nature and purpose of man along with the identity and reality of God are confirmed.

"They (who have experienced glorification) are the chief bearers of the tradition of the therapy of the noetic faculty.[5]"
      Those who carry and pass on the cure for humanity have reached the highest of five levels of true Christianity. The qualifying level is an expected, well documented, and verifiable state.

"Normative therapists are those who not only have the unceasing prayer of the Holy Spirit in their hearts, but who have also experienced glorification in this life.[1]"
      The chief bearers of effective Christianity are not dealing with a pie-in-the-sky after-life religion but with an eternal state of an experiential faith that starts now.

"Neither the Bible nor the Fathers consider glorification as an experience only for life after death[2]."
      That form of humanism that denies the overwhelming evidence and reporting by godly men throughout history must be considered to be a religion rather than a science.

"The cause of the reunion of Christendom may be served by getting scientists involved in the study of" curing the noetic faculty[1].".
      Comparing the statistics of those psychologically treated by both psychiatry and true Christianity, a non-prejudiced honest person would have to admit the presence of a positive science within Christianity. Even the effective modern-day twelve step program for alcoholics was originally adapted from a Christian program.

"The very existence of the noetic faculty and its functioning or non-functioning cannot be the concern of theologians alone, indeed, its cure makes the tradition which knows how to bring this about more of a positive science than psychiatry in its present form[3]."
      The concern and often times hidden fear that people have concerning death is the reason Christianity's time-proved addiction-breaking solutions are dismissed and sidelined as a religion.

"Perhaps one can methodologically separate the experience of the Holy Spirit's prayer in the heart from concern for life after death for the purpose of treating this phenomenon in conjunction with those sciences related to the medical profession[2]."
      The therapeutic aspects of Christianity are so effective because they are based on a physical and psychological verifiable reality that something has been fixed inside the individual. Adjustments have taken place that effect the heart, brain, and central nerves system.

[Top conclusion, #1] "Consistency with the Pauline, early Christian, and patristic understanding of Jesus Christ as the Life of the World, should require that one approach the subject from the side of empirical or experiential theology which overlaps with the therapeutic sciences[4]."
      We are at least talking about voluntary behavior modification which reaches toward a specific goal that is confirmable when reached, with plenty of mile markers and instruction from those who have already arrived and returned from that Goal.           

"The gift itself of unceasing prayer in the heart and glorification (theosis) has never ceased being understood as the core of the tradition (of the Saints) from the time of the Old Testament prophets" until this very day[5].
     Because we have the New Testament and record of the Apostles without the institutional form, discipline, and slant of the early Church; we imagine that the miraculous feats they performed were the main point and miss that the Faith and its methodology was carefully preserved and passed on effectively. Church history records other flourishes of the miraculous signs when there was a providential need.

"It is clear that the attitude had fully developed (by the fifth century) that the apostles were in a class all by themselves so that in comparison with theirs, the surviving gifts of the Holy Spirit in the Church are of a lower order[2]."
      The basic charismata of Christianity has never been absent from the Faith down to our very day. Improper definitions and identifications of spiritual gifts and their relationship to true Christians have paralleled the difference between those with the real cure and those turning speculation about the real cure into a religion.



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Men Baptized In The Holy Spirit

LISTING #4.  RELEVANT TO YOU - UNSEEN?
      continuation from 3

"The identity of the experience of illumination and glorification among those gifted does not necessarily entail identity of doctrinal expression, especially when those gifted are geographically separated for extended periods of time.[3]"
      The Bible has nearly 250 appellations, names, and descriptors to help reveal to us our Uncreated Deity. If every one of these names are transcended by our Triune Deity, how is it possible for one who has had a face to face encounter with Him to adequately describe it?

"Neither illumination nor glorification can be institutionalized.[4]"
      Multiple men baptized in the Holy Spirit have had revealed to them the Son of God in the glory of the Father from the inside out. Because our Triune Deity takes up residence in man in this manner and man resides in Him by the same device (heart), it is well said that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

"Pentecost is never surpassed and is continuously operative in illumination and glorification.[5]"
      There is a theoretical presupposition in human understanding that nearly everything develops and evolves as time goes forward. This seriously undermines an understanding of true theology when the wisest of this world begin to handle the writings of the Patriarchs, Apostles, and Prophets of the Church. Philosophical speculation and reasonings about theology identify such scholars as outside the experience of that which they study and comment upon.

"Conceptual and linguistic development (in Church history) is not a sign of deeper understanding; because the highest understanding is participation in glorification - which transcends understanding.[1]"
      The appearance of various Church Fathers through time addressing different issues is not a development or progressive evolving of theological thought. They are rather windows in each generation into the highlights of those who took advantage of a continuing Pentecost. When Christ spoke of sending another comforter, then He also said, 'and we will come to him and take up residence with him'.

[Top conclusion, #4] "One can readily discern from the relationship between illumination and glorification or dogma and mystery that much latitude exists for the development of the conceptual and linguistic means used to assist in preparing one to receive the gift of unceasing prayer and inner faith in order to become a temple of the Holy Spirit and a member of the Body of Christ.[2]"
      The Goal of becoming a temple and being united with Christ's temple (body) is subjectively the same as receiving and practicing unceasing prayer and inner faith. The conceptual presentation and linguistic variation of those already successfully helping others reach the Goal is of little consequence and yet understandable.  The problems begin when the tried and true methods that bring verifiable results are forsaken.

Separation from diagnosis and therapy "has happened to large segments of synodical churches and for extended periods of time when traditional or patristic monasticism has or had for a time been suppressed or shunted off to a siding.[3]"
      When the sickness of heart stands, without the practice of diagnosis-therapy even being applied anymore, new theories rise up to account for the institution which now has become a shell of what it once was. Any tradition and that which points to it, if missing the cure, is not the tradition of true glory.   
   
[Top conclusion, #3] "Both faith, prayer, theology, and dogma on the one hand and sacraments and liturgy on the other have been separated from the diagnosis and therapy of the maladies of the noetic faculty" outside the Orthodox (true glory) tradition[4].
      Most people on the planet do not have a clue as to the foundation of Christian worship services and rituals. And again those who have seen faith, prayer, theology, and dogma will never discover what they are in terms of being the result of something else, and what that something is.
   
"Sacraments and liturgy cannot be separated from the purification and illumination of the noetic faculty (and also be effective), nor can faith, prayer, theology, and dogma be separated from the empirical verification of the unceasing prayer of the Holy Spirit in the heart and from glorification.[5]"
      Certain rituals and religious activities are hollow when the core purpose has been long gone and forgotten.

"Diagnosis and therapy cannot be reduced to ceremonial acts which produce no attestable restoration of health.[1]"
      Just copying the ceremonial acts of others would be like taking medicine without knowing what the ailment was.  Sometimes the side-effects of a prescription are more dangerous than the cure.   

"Medicine cannot be separated from diagnosis and therapy" without dire consequences[2].
      Precisely because it takes time to verify theories through the experimentation of those who have gone before.
    
"Hypotheses and theories cannot be separated from the tradition of empirical verification" and still be called science[3].
      The science of sciences, the art of science, and the art of arts is theology. The true word on God has been not only identified and verified through time, but rather preserved. The true word on God is the law of faith, the truth of the Gospel. It is the single most cause that humans have (out of principle) given their lives for - when one considers that when soldiers give their lives it includes hire.



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Searching The Book for ...

LISTING #3.  RELEVANT TO YOU - APPLICABLE?
      continuation from 2

[Top conclusion, #6] "The patristic approach should be a clear indication that attention should be diverted to a careful study of the identity of the Old and New Testaments, in both their therapeutic asceticism and Christo-centricism.[3]"
      The Testaments are bound in a single book. Christ is there and now He is not - 'here a little, there a little' (the mystery of it all)? He is not the words. Searching the Book for spiritual help, growth, and therapy; not realizing, this obsession is part of a healthy denying-of-self discipline with directives in the Book to do that which i am doing in the Book. So ignorant when we first start! What is a nous?, where is mine? Well, i've been to the river and i've been baptized - maybe that will help. Jesus said, 'search the scriptures; they are they that testify of me'.

"One cannot fulfill the commandments (of Christ) unless he undergoes the cleansing and illumination of his noetic faculty and reaches the threshold of glorification.[4]"
      There are thousands of commandments and directives in the Bible. A physical therapist for my broken leg and a heart therapist for my broken heart. All the kings horses and all the kings men could not put humpty-dumpty together again, but the God of the Bible is the exception.

"A person with broken legs cannot run in the race no matter how much he wants to;" until his "legs have healed and have been restored to a competitive degree of power.[5]"
      In getting up to run after Christ which can become like running into a wall over and over (an experience for some) - He is perfect and i am not. Did He not send me an invitation and meet with me?

"The commandments of Christ cannot be fulfilled by any simple decision to do so or by any confidence in having been elected.[1]"
      It is time to pick and try one command of Christ, with the idea of getting that one down and then adding others. 'Except a man deny himself' (asceticism) will be my first choice. Now in prayer and quiet-time my inner voice has one precious word that i can't quite make out ... ?

"To take the shape of asceticism without its heart and core and to apply it to a system of moral precepts for personal and social ethics is to produce a society of puritanical hypocrites who believe they have a special claim on God's love because of their morality, predestination, or both.[2]"
      The heart and core of true denying-of-self take-up-your-cross discipline is not the Bible, but rather the faith-tradition the Bible was built around and points out to its readers. The cure for man's condition as seen in the Bible has never failed when applied, except in those few maintaining a fatal rare condition - hardening of the heart.    

Biblical tradition "is a therapeutical asceticism (denying-of-self discipline) which is not daunted by any degree of malady of the heart or noetic faculty, short of its complete hardening.[3]"
      There are many moral systems and systems of ethics that declare the Bible as their foundation, however their authors often misunderstood the nature of the Bible completely.

[Top conclusion, #5) The biblical tradition as preserved by the Fathers (of the Church) cannot be identified with or reduced to a system of moral precepts or Christian ethics.[4]"
      The spirituality of true glory is not identified or verified by some self-promoting psychic, but rather carefully preserved and passed on with the help of one saint to another.

True "Orthodox spirituality was believed to be and indeed is an identifiable and verifiable phenomenon.[5]"
      When the ruler(s) of a nation choose true Christianity to minister to her citizens, to heal the ills of her societies, certain laws and legislative principles are solidified to exercise the Church, yet remain separate from the Church.

"Great impetus to identical doctrinal expression was given during the time Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire and accommodated the government's need to distinguish genuine therapists from quack therapists in the same manner that government agencies have the responsibility to distinguish genuine members of the medical profession from quack doctors ... for the protection of its citizens.[1]"
      True prophets that are raised up from various geographical areas in a nation easily present a united front when deciding how to best express their experiences in genuine spiritual elevation.

"When they (those gifted through illumination and glorification) do meet they readily agree on uniformity of doctrinal expression of their identical experience.[2]"
     It stands to reason that that which true prophets use to point others in the right direction (doctrinal expressions); if from different times, places, or environments, need not be expected to have the same manner of expressing themselves or to have the same descriptors of the Indescribable.



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[1-5]. John S. Romanides, Romanity.org

The Uncreated Glory In All ...

LISTING #2.  RELEVANT TO YOU - PERTINENT?
      continuation from 1

[Top conclusion, #8] "The concern of the Orthodox (true-glory) tradition for all aspects of society, civilization, and culture also stems from the realization that all human beings not only have noetic faculties, but also the uncreated glory or grace or rule of God within them, although in a low operational or an almost in-operational form because of its maladies and its enslavement to the intellect, the passions, and the environment with its resultant dominance by fear, anxiety, and beliefs cut off from reality.[1]"
      Christianity has an overwhelming abundance of history. For example, she had an eleven hundred year run in old Rome from Constantine to The Ottoman conquest called by some Byzantium. That Nation used her values and practice of denying-of-self disciplines throughout society to harbor a successful citizenship. She still thrives in the modern countries that succeeded the old Empire.

"Christianity penetrated every aspect of society, especially by means of its therapeutic asceticism (denying-of-self discipline) which was engaged in by emperors, civil servants, the military, intellectuals, merchants, farmers, laborers, young and old alike, who looked upon monasticism as the training center par excellence of their therapists.[2]"
      It is very easy to underestimate the number of people that had a sustained involvement in monks and monasteries during the Empire. Large numbers of the choice specimens of the human race became spiritual therapists and athletes through monasticism by choice. Many reached the heights of spiritual reality and pointed out the way, contending for the original faith and passing it on.    

[Top conclusion, #7] "At no time in its history did the Orthodox (true-glory) tradition understand that believers are a society of esoterics (exclusives) who do not extend their concern to society at large.[3]"
      Countless great lives were lived and much passed down by those who gained friendship and fellowship with the One and Only Most High Deity. Many of them became Prophets following the Apostles and interpreted the Old Testament and defined and preserved the New. Their influence continues to be felt from their heavenly home.

The Angel of the Lord "was the Lord of Glory who became man by His birth from the Virgin Mary and thus became Messiah.[4]"
      Many wonderful teachers of antiquity in helping us with our 'Face to face' encounter with God indicate that no group just picked one of the Jewish messiahs and then promoted him to universal deity status? They say that no one could have if they had tried. Besides, a better choice would have been to promote one of the renown Jewish teachers of that area back in that day.

"It is not a Messiah who was elevated to divine status by early Christianity.[5]"
      Christianity is not something i could ever forget about because of the fact that i met Jesus, and then i started reading through the Bible and saw Him in the Old Testament everywhere! He not only shows up in type and fulfilled prophecy but He even flickers in ones heart while reading some most obscure passages.

"Christ in the Old Testament is not the Messiah but the Angel of the Lord and Great Council, the Lord of Glory.[1]"
      And so Christ is front and center in the oldest verses, but also the first Christian Fathers (Moses, Abraham, Joseph, David, etc.) waste no time in instructing in the Way. And then i wondered, what happened to the Jews? And so, was greatly disappointed studying Judaism and its literature. Thankfully, i met a Christian Jew and quickly saw what an advantage he had in many ways, once the veil was lifted from his eyes according to his report.
    
"Old Testament therapeutic asceticism and Christo-centricism may prove to be the key (common ground)for dialogue with Judaism.[2]"
      What are the Testaments? The only thing more dangerous than being a novice put in charge is sermonizing not understanding Patristics. Who can reach that to which the Testaments point? To apprehend and be apprehended by Life, Light, Spirit, Love?   



.... CONTINUED FROM THE PREVIOUS LISTING ...
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[1-5]. John S. Romanides, Romanity.org

Blessed Are The Pure ...

LISTING #1.  RELEVANT TO YOU - HIDDEN?

"Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.[1]"
      This small phrase points to both the Goal and the method. When those who see God (with all qualifiers understood) fill our church institutions and are appreciated by the nations in which they exist; then do nations, churches, and populations see successful results.
    
"The question of reunion (of divided Christians) resolves itself into the success of churches in producing the results for which they are supposed to exist.[2]"
      When the Church understands and uses her available therapy, her nation will choose her as the vehicle of general ministry to the citizens.

Jesus, Apostles,and Church Fathers "would be shocked at the idea of a union between their tradition and churches which have little or no understanding about the therapy of purification, illumination, and glorification, and have, placed institutional authority in the hands of quack therapists.[3]"
      Quack Clergy therapists are a real problem but true Christianity has built-in purging and purification systems when given a chance to operate. In many nations of the world true Christianity is in her persecution part of the cycle. Her condition is similar to the days before Constantine when he was used to elevate her to a high place of service.

Even "members of a modern medical association would be equally shocked at the suggestion that they should become one with quack doctors and tribal medicine men.[4]"
      When small clubs of men rule a nation out of special interest, they use secularism to reduce the Truth to a group among many religions that they must referee. Their governments themselves would work somewhat if their greed and lust were restrained, but they rise and fall and the cycle continues.

Astrologers "would have to become astronomers in order to be accepted" in the latter's associations[5].
      Just because two groups prize the stars above most else, does not necessarily mean they are compatible.

"Astronomers would be shocked at the idea that they should unite with astrologers.[1]"
      True Christianity continues on true and tried methods of effectively fixing that which is defective in human beings. To try to lump them together or bring them into unity with the magical trickery that passes for good spirituality and good religion is silly.

[Top conclusion, #10] "The criteria for the reunion of divided Christians cannot be different from those for the union of associations of 'other' scientists.[2]"
      Union is always close at hand. The visible markers of the True Church contains the most loving and giving people the world has ever seen! Real Christians exist in all walks of life, and even great Saints (to be revealed) are sprinkled all over the globe.

"The visible structure of the Church is both an expression of this unity (that which is effected by purification, illumination, and glorification in this life) and the guarantor that all who wish may have access to this therapy offered by Christ through His saints.[3]"
      The only unity of real value is that which is found in Christ. Unity in its purist form cannot be stopped or defeated. It is a result of the heart purifying process, the gift of a newly fixed interior generator, and a face to face with the Lord of glory. The testimony is overwhelming of those who are there and are pointing out the Way.

[Top conclusion, #9] "There is no other unity in Christ other than that which is effected by purification, illumination, and glorification in this life.[4]"
      Unity cannot exist long when those united are found to be users and are characterized by emotion, ill-passion, and selfish love. Many believe that God is love, He loves all, and that heaven and hell are here and now. O.K. given that, let our Therapy begin.    

"The Orthodox (true-glory holders) also act under the assumption that (3) all will see the uncreated glory of Christ, some as light, others as fire and outer darkness, depending on whether their hearts are illumined or hardened, (2) God loves all creatures with the same love, and (1) God Himself operates directly in every human being regardless of his mistaken beliefs and therapeutic status.[5]"
      We are all unique but as human beings have the same nature. My view is not that our soul's are in our bodies but the opposite. That we are not mainly apprehended by our soul at the head but at the heart. That the eyes of our heart need to be healed and opened. That Jesus as therapist specializes in that exact science.    



[1]. Search for any partial string between any set of quotation marks to follow my sources.
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[1-5]. John S. Romanides, Romanity.org