And they saw the God of Israel: and there was under his feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in his clearness.Moses and the elders of Israel go up upon a mountain to see God.
~ King James version ~
Want to see Tao? Look anywhere without or within.
~ possible Taoist alternative ~
The essence of Tao is not something that can be seen, heard, smelled, tasted or touched. However, the manifestations of Tao -- everything that ever was, is or will be -- is all around AND inside of each of us.
You want to "see" Tao? Look around. It's right in front of your nose!
If you're interested in reading more from this experimental series, go to the Tao Bible Index page.
Hi, Rambling,
ReplyDeleteI"m responding here to more than one comment in the various posts..
Sharing my thoughts with you.
I think that Scripture, especially in the OT, often presents God in these anthropomorphic terms.
It was in a way, a kind of literary device to help the ancients, and also us, to connect with the reality of God that is beyond human words, and beyond our full understanding.
You see, in a larger, and deeper sense, God cannot repent, or change His mind, although it may seem to appear this way on the surface from the perspective of the Biblical writer.
And, in truth, God is spirit, and those that worship Him, worship Him in spirit, and truth..
As it states in Acts: "It is in Him that we live, and move, and have our being."
Is this at all similar to the essence, or manifestations of the Tao?
When Chrisitians think of repentance, they do not see this as groveling in the dirt, trying to please an implacable diety with impossible or petty demands.
It is more akin to coming to a realization of our unity with God, releasing our whole lives to Him, wanting to share in the divine life. Repentance is for our good, and from love.
Grace.
It was in a way, a kind of literary device to help the ancients, and also us, to connect with the reality of God that is beyond human words, and beyond our full understanding.
ReplyDeleteI understand this perspective, however, MOST Christians throughout the world believe that the Bible is the literal word of God. When they read that Noah built an ark and loaded it with animals, this means ALL the available animals.
When they read that God parted the Red Sea (or Sea of Reeds) for Moses and the chosen people, they believe that they walked on dry land between two portions of the sea which were suspended in space.
And when they read that Jesus died on the cross and then ascended into heaven, they believe he literally flew up in the sky.
It is more akin to coming to a realization of our unity with God, releasing our whole lives to Him, wanting to share in the divine life. Repentance is for our good, and from love.
But if God too has sinned -- based on a literal reading -- what is "divine" about HIS existence?