Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!samsung!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!mips!dimacs.rutgers.edu!aramis.rutgers.edu!athos.rutgers.edu!christian From: crf@tomato.princeton.edu (Charles Ferenbaugh) Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian Subject: "Grail Message" (was Re: Creation) Message-ID: Date: 13 Nov 90 08:56:26 GMT Sender: hedrick@athos.rutgers.edu Organization: Princeton University Mathematics Department Lines: 58 Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu In article sandrock@aries.scs.uiuc.edu (Mark T. Sandrock) writes: > [long article on creation deleted] > >These explanations are based upon my own understanding of the Grail Message, >"In the Light of Truth", by Abd-ru-shin, and it is the Grail Message itself >(and not me nor anyone else) which is the authoritative source of answers for >all questions of a spiritual nature. > >It has been kindly suggested to me that I should not make such statements, >but I have to say what I know to be true. What is good and true in the Bible >is only confirmed and explained by the Grail Message, whereas all that is >false in the hitherto existing human interpretations must be stripped away. Mark, Since you often end your articles with paragraphs like this, I find it necessary to ask you the following crucial question: who exactly is Abd-ru-shin, and why should you consider his teaching more important than that of Jesus himself, and that of his immediate followers such as Paul, Peter, and John? I realize you've said that his teaching only explains the Bible, yet if your postings are any measure, it seems to be much more akin to Eastern religions (admittedly I'm no expert on these) than to the teachings of the Bible. Phrases such as "Divine Source", "Creation of the Spiritual Sphere", "karmic laws", etc., just aren't in the Bible, yet they are all over the place in various Eastern religions. It sounds as though the "Grail" writer is really trying to find a diplomatic way of saying, "Yes, the Bible is true, but only where it agrees with me and my own religion." (Which, if you think about it, isn't much of a compliment to the Bible at all.) On a related note, I find it telling that you have cited the Grail Message itself as authoritative, and not the Bible, or even "the Bible as understood by the Grail Message writer". I know, there are problems with human interpretations, but most human interpretations I know of can at least be traced back to the Bible in an understandable way. This Grail Message, on the other hand, seems completely foreign to the words of the Bible itself and not just to "human interpretations" of it. >The human spirit can find true liberation and redemption in the truth itself, >and by no other means. What is more important than just this? I agree completely. So does Jesus: "You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." But then, Jesus also said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life." And Paul clarified, "See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority." (Colossians 2:8-10) >With kind regards, >Mark Sandrock Grace and peace, Charles Ferenbaugh