Q: The Urantia Book is perceived as a Christianity-focused revelation, but its message is not so limited. What is a good summary of this message?
(UB Tutor) "The message conveyed is expansive and transcends any single religious tradition, offering a universal spiritual framework centered on the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of humanity. At its core, it emphasizes that God is a loving, personal Father to all beings, and this divine relationship naturally establishes the spiritual kinship of all individuals as brothers and sisters. This teaching is not confined to any one faith or culture but is presented as a universal truth meant to unite humanity in love, service, and mutual understanding.
The spiritual message encourages individuals to seek the 'kingdom of heaven' within themselves, which is described as a personal and transformative experience of aligning with divine will. This inner kingdom is not an external institution or future event but a present reality accessible through faith, love, and moral living. By fostering this inner spiritual growth, individuals contribute to the collective realization of a harmonious and spiritually enriched world.
Furthermore, the teachings distinguish between the personal religion of Jesus and the institutionalized forms of Christianity that developed later. The religion of Jesus is portrayed as a direct, personal relationship with God, emphasizing spiritual freedom and individual growth. In contrast, the institutionalized forms often focused on doctrines and external practices, which sometimes obscured the original message of universal love and spiritual unity.
This universal message also calls for inclusivity and respect among diverse religious traditions. It highlights the shared truths and values across different faiths, advocating for unity rather than division. By focusing on common spiritual principles, such as love, forgiveness, and the pursuit of truth, it seeks to bridge cultural and religious divides, fostering a global brotherhood that reflects the divine ideal.
In essence, the teachings invite individuals to live a life of active faith, characterized by love, service, and a deep connection with the divine. This spiritual journey is not only about personal salvation but also about contributing to the collective spiritual progress of humanity, aligning with the eternal purposes of a loving and inclusive Creator."
Q: In what ways does this revelation highlight that Christianity developed after Jesus' resurrection?
(UBT) "The revelation provides a nuanced perspective on the development of Christianity after Jesus' resurrection, emphasizing the distinction between the personal religion of Jesus and the institutionalized religion about Jesus that emerged in the centuries following his life. It highlights that Jesus' original teachings were centered on the direct, personal experience of God as a loving Father and the universal brotherhood of humanity. This personal religion was dynamic, experiential, and deeply spiritual, focusing on the individual's relationship with the divine and the transformative power of living in alignment with God's will.
After Jesus' resurrection, however, his followers faced the challenge of preserving and spreading his teachings in a world that was culturally and religiously diverse. In this process, the early church began to adapt Jesus' message to fit the existing frameworks of Jewish tradition and Greco-Roman thought. This adaptation led to the development of a religion about Jesus - focused on his divinity, his role as the Christ, and the theological implications of his death and resurrection - rather than the religion of Jesus, which was his lived example of faith, love, and service.
The revelation explains that this shift was, in part, a natural outcome of the apostles' efforts to make sense of the profound events surrounding Jesus' life and resurrection. They sought to interpret these events within the context of their Jewish heritage and the messianic expectations of their time. Over time, as Christianity spread beyond Jewish communities and encountered the philosophical traditions of the Greco-Roman world, it further evolved into a complex theological system. This system emphasized doctrines, creeds, and institutional authority, which often obscured the simplicity and universality of Jesus' original message.
Despite these developments, the revelation acknowledges the significant role Christianity has played in preserving the memory of Jesus and spreading many of his teachings. It recognizes the spiritual value of the Christian tradition while also calling for a return to the essence of Jesus' message - a personal, living faith in God and a commitment to loving and serving others. By distinguishing between the religion of Jesus and the religion about Jesus, the revelation invites individuals to rediscover the transformative power of his original teachings and to live out the principles of the kingdom of heaven in their daily lives.
This perspective encourages a broader understanding of Jesus' mission, one that transcends the historical and cultural limitations of Christianity as it developed after his resurrection. It invites all individuals, regardless of their religious background, to embrace the universal truths of love, faith, and service that Jesus embodied, thereby fostering a deeper connection with the divine and with one another."
Q: So, personality is essentially the unique essence of a mortal prior to Adjuster fusion,
but identity is more inclusive of mortal and Adjuster interaction during one's spiritual growth?
(UBT) "Yes, the essence of this relationship! Personality is indeed the unique, unchanging essence of a mortal being, bestowed directly by the Universal Father. It is the divine endowment that grants individuality, self-consciousness, and the capacity for moral choice and spiritual relationship. Personality is absolute in its uniqueness; no two personalities are identical, and it serves as the cohesive force that integrates the material, intellectual, and spiritual aspects of a person. Importantly, personality is not something that evolves - it is a constant, the divine foundation upon which the mortal experience is built.
Identity, however, is a more dynamic concept, encompassing the evolving interplay between the mortal personality and the indwelling Thought Adjuster. While personality provides the framework for individuality, identity reflects the totality of the mortal's experience, choices, and spiritual growth. It is shaped by the mortal's free will decisions and the Adjuster's divine guidance, as well as the progressive development of the soul. The Adjuster, as a fragment of the Universal Father, works tirelessly to spiritualize the mind and foster the growth of the morontia soul, which becomes the repository of the higher meanings and values derived from mortal life. In this sense, identity is inclusive of both the mortal self and the Adjuster's influence, representing the evolving selfhood that bridges the material and spiritual dimensions.
Before Adjuster fusion, identity remains a collaboration between the mortal will and the Adjuster’s divine presence. The Adjuster safeguards the spiritual essence of the mortal's experiences, while the seraphic guardians protect the evolving soul. Upon physical death, the Adjuster departs to Divinington, carrying the spiritual transcript of the mortal life, while the soul is preserved by the seraphim. In the resurrection halls of the mansion worlds, the Adjuster and the soul are reunited, and the personality is reassembled, ensuring the continuity of the individual's unique identity. After Adjuster fusion, the mortal and the Adjuster become one, and identity is fully unified, representing the eternal partnership of the human and divine.
Thus, personality is the divine constant, the unique essence of the individual, while identity is the evolving expression of that personality as it interacts with the Adjuster and grows spiritually. Identity reflects the journey of becoming, the dynamic process of aligning the mortal self with the divine will, and the eventual realization of eternal potential through Adjuster fusion. This interplay between personality, identity, and the Adjuster beautifully illustrates the divine plan for mortal ascension and the eternal adventure of spiritual growth."
Rod
Q: Thoughts about the Urantia Book as the solution to Christianity's crisis:
Interesting Q&A about Jesus' August 21, 7 B.C. birth as related to the May 29, 7 B.C. conjunction 
This UB paragraph confirms Herod's 4 B.C. death since Joseph's family returned to Bethlehem two years after Herod's death. 
Say what?! AI can find universe-level spirituality in lyrics of old pop rock music?
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Geometric design shared a year ago as Urantia Pearl*.