Signals from Antiquity: Voice of the Mystic: Part 2
When an astronomer picks up a faint signal from a distant star, galaxy, or other celestial object, the signal may be very weak, obscured by all kinds of cosmic noise. To extract a meaningful signal, the astronomer must filter out the noise.
With our gospels, I propose that through many of the sayings attributed to Jesus, there is a faint signal belonging to a mystic. In our filtering process, we isolate this signal by asking: Does this sound like something a mystic would say? Following the specific criteria spelled out in Part 1, we can identify likely candidates, filter out the extraneous “noise”, and lift the passage from the distractions of its Gospel context.
Focusing on the nighttime conversation between the Pharisee Nicodemus and Jesus, I have extracted six passages that sound like something a mystic would say.
- Unless one is born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
- Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
- That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
- The wind blows where it wills, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know whence it comes or whither it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.
- If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things?
- No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven.
In today’s lesson we’ll look at these sayings and consider the spiritual value of each. In our mainstream, larger-than-life version of Jesus, there is much noise around these faint signals from antiquity. With an understanding of the kinds of signals for which we are looking, we discover a treasure-trove of wisdom and practical guidance.
J Douglas Bottorff 
Hi Doug,
I’m really enjoying this series on demystifying the Bible. The true meaning of the Bible has haunted me since childhood; I remember thinking to myself in Catholic school that it was a bunch of BS. I believe your perspective is right on and yes, I have passed through the narrow gate and finding fellow travelers is somewhat like finding a needle in a haystack. It’s either fundamentalists or atheists.
Finding the spiritual/metaphysical interpretation of the Bible is what my soul is yearning for, it always has been! After you wrap up this series, I have another topic for you to consider. Going back to the Old Testament, Genesis…How to sort out creation? Evolution? I believe it was some sort of combo plate but need help figuring it out.
For my own physical health, I’ve needed to learn all I can about gut health, gut biome, microbes, etc. In the process, I’ve learned fascinating stuff from the research that began about 15 years ago and is continuing to grow daily. The original single-cell micro-organisms that ruled the earth and sea billions of years ago, live in our guts TODAY! We could not live without them because they digest our food, categorize it into vitamins, minerals, etc and sends it where it needs to go. These little creatures communicate with our brain 24/7 and many other things. We are dependent upon them! So then…. what will fundamental Christians say to this? How can this be when the Bible says something like He breathed air into dust and created man??
No rush on any of this. It’s been simmering for how many centuries? Thanks and many blessings, Jane
Thank you Jane. The Bible can be difficult and it can be a real adventure. Most of us have to wade through things we’ve been taught by well-meaning people.
The creation story is also very interesting, especially since there are two in chapters 1 and 2. And the second one is believed to be 400 years older than the first!
I’ll get through this present series then take a look at the creation material.
Thanks again for taking time to comment. That’s always helpful.
So refreshing to be called the young man from Colorado! Thanks Colleen. You are precious.
Creative , thought provoking, intriguing, and refreshing!! You did it again!! I agree with the Jewish rabbi I happened to have as a seat mate years ago when he said to members “The only thinking, developing writer-mind I see in Unity these days is the young man from Colorado…”. meaning you!! I never forgot that. Thanks for this!! I never tire of reviewing what you have to say — Namaste, Colleen
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