A Belief System from Beyond the Box

A Belief System from Beyond the Box PDF Author: Edgar K. Dejean
Publisher: AuthorHouse
ISBN: 143896787X
Category : Theology, Doctrinal
Languages : en
Pages : 210

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Book Description
As I go back to the first blog that I released into cyberspace, I discover that the date was May 27, 2005 and the title was, It's Beyond Me. As I scan forward through all the postings I find that two major themes have developed synergistically: 1. That segment of the formal religious establishment described loosely by the term church, is under stress. The extreme nature of this stress is demonstrated by the current, often-quoted, fearsome phrase - "The Church must change or it will die." 2. The most frequently offered response to this dilemma is the admonition, "We must think beyond the box." Pragmatism indicates that: "The Church must change or it will die," phrase is hopelessly destructive. Might this prediction be more approachable if rephrased as? "The Church must morph, then survive." Survival indicates that it is essential that we determine what it is in the box that we must think beyond. What should be changed so that our belief systems can morph, thus equipping the church to morph to survival? It is my conclusion that my past conceptualizations of God, my core beliefs, have been formed by inhibiting Climates of Cultures, deposited in the box over the ages in an attempt to make God comprehensible. It is my emerging discovery that when we think beyond the box we recognize the Atmosphere of Possibilities, the Incomprehensible God of the Universe. Though our core beliefs may differ we all should be encouraged to hold beliefs that give us the joy of being response-able to Incomprehensible God, the Atmosphere of Possibilities, and responsible to/with comprehensible humanity, including ourselves.

A Belief System from Beyond the Box

A Belief System from Beyond the Box PDF Author: Edgar K. Dejean
Publisher: AuthorHouse
ISBN: 143896787X
Category : Theology, Doctrinal
Languages : en
Pages : 210

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Book Description
As I go back to the first blog that I released into cyberspace, I discover that the date was May 27, 2005 and the title was, It's Beyond Me. As I scan forward through all the postings I find that two major themes have developed synergistically: 1. That segment of the formal religious establishment described loosely by the term church, is under stress. The extreme nature of this stress is demonstrated by the current, often-quoted, fearsome phrase - "The Church must change or it will die." 2. The most frequently offered response to this dilemma is the admonition, "We must think beyond the box." Pragmatism indicates that: "The Church must change or it will die," phrase is hopelessly destructive. Might this prediction be more approachable if rephrased as? "The Church must morph, then survive." Survival indicates that it is essential that we determine what it is in the box that we must think beyond. What should be changed so that our belief systems can morph, thus equipping the church to morph to survival? It is my conclusion that my past conceptualizations of God, my core beliefs, have been formed by inhibiting Climates of Cultures, deposited in the box over the ages in an attempt to make God comprehensible. It is my emerging discovery that when we think beyond the box we recognize the Atmosphere of Possibilities, the Incomprehensible God of the Universe. Though our core beliefs may differ we all should be encouraged to hold beliefs that give us the joy of being response-able to Incomprehensible God, the Atmosphere of Possibilities, and responsible to/with comprehensible humanity, including ourselves.

A Leap to Everyday Spirituality

A Leap to Everyday Spirituality PDF Author: Edgar K. DeJean
Publisher: AuthorHouse
ISBN: 1467870595
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 187

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Book Description
This book is directed toward fulfilling the wisdom of Yogi Berra as stated in the Preface of the book: "You got to be very careful if you don't know Where you're going, because you might not get there." There are some readers whose traditional bents may lead them to question the direction(s) the book is taking. The author concedes this but hopes that his integrity of purpose ("where he's going") will lead to consideration as opposed to consternation. Here, in no rigid linear sequence, are some (not all) of the areas the book explores. The primate as animal evolved to become the primate as human, first through an awareness of compassion (responsible to species) and later through an awareness of religion (response-able to God). Why, then, has the human forsaken the value and purposefulness of compassion that permitted humanity to evolve and survive, and has become obsessed with taking religious beliefs too seriously (e.g. religious chaos, religious wars)? In keeping with Yogi Berra's advice the book was given a sense of direction. First it would explore examples of taking life too seriously. Then expand to observations of taking one's beliefs too seriously followed by taking religion too seriously (religiosity) and finally arrive at taking theology inappropriately - where the author suggests that traditionalism and theism have brought Christianity today. The book offers the thought that two essential human capabilities within the purpose for existence are underutilized by humanity: compassion and spirituality. It concludes with the question: Could the intentional utilization of these two possibilities as capabilities support the morphing of Christianity? This book ("A Leap to Everyday Spirituality, In the Eternal Atmosphere of Possibilities") is a candid invitation to readers to explore their beliefs, not a request to agree with the author.

Response-Able to the Incomprehensible

Response-Able to the Incomprehensible PDF Author: Edgar K. DeJean
Publisher: Archway Publishing
ISBN: 1480803707
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 202

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Book Description
For more than seventy years, author Edgar K. DeJean practiced a conditioned belief system in the form of Orthodox Presbyterianism. Now, in the twenty-first century, he explains how his searching and exploring of spirituality and religion has led him to a more candid belief system that is casual, flexible, and logicalas opposed to one that is conditioned, cultural, rigid, and traditional. In Response-Able to the Incomprehensible, he delves into his mission, which centers on the possibilities within being response-able to the incomprehensible metaphysical energy through spirituality and compassion. Through a series of short essays originally created as blog posts, he describes this belief system he deems more appropriate and responsive to todays times. While studying the core beliefs and traditions of Christianity, DeJean focuses on explaining and defining the statement of purpose: be spiritualdo compassion. Response-Able to the Incomprehensible discusses the search for spirituality in everyday life and appraises and tests existing traditions and compassion in that same sphere.

The Truth Beyond What Is

The Truth Beyond What Is PDF Author: Marie Poirier
Publisher: Balboa Press
ISBN: 150433891X
Category : Body, Mind & Spirit
Languages : en
Pages : 105

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Book Description
It is no accident that The Truth beyond What Is has made its way into your hands. It contains a flow of powerful and inspiring messages that reveal the shocking truth within the illusions of lifes confusions, as one gains awareness of the desire to master the key within the powers beyond what is. Through your powers and your guidance within, you are the magician who holds the power to create the magic.

Beyond Belief

Beyond Belief PDF Author: Timothy Gooding
Publisher: iUniverse
ISBN: 0595302025
Category : Body, Mind & Spirit
Languages : en
Pages : 84

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Book Description
In our world, colliding beliefs create devastating struggles. The battle to be right fills the world with a raucous noise, not only obscuring what we seek, but sometimes threatening our very existence. Would you be willing to sheath the sword of Being Right and travel where few have dared? Even if you have never carried this sword, you may be surprised by what you find. First we explore how we are wired in feelings and thoughts to filter out much of reality. Then we loosen the filters. We escape the belief box. Then we begin to tackle the greatest filter of all-the human group subconscious. Our journey will take us to a place with enormous possibilities. If we are lucky, we may even start an evolution. The magical part of this journey is you can keep your beliefs, whatever they may be. Let's go on a quest together, through the mountains of "facts", beyond the valley of "have-to-be", through the deep waters of our group subconscious to see if we can find something precious, delicate, and powerful, in reality, right now. Are you ready?

The God Box

The God Box PDF Author: Alex Sanchez
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 1442428872
Category : Young Adult Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 272

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Book Description
Paul, a religious teen living in a small conservative town, finds his world turned upside down when he meets Manuel—a young man who says he’s both Christian and gay, two things that Paul didn’t think could coexist in one person. Doesn’t the Bible forbid homosexuality? As Paul struggles with Manuel’s interpretation of the Bible, thoughts that Paul has long tried to bury begin to surface, and he finds himself re-examining his whole life. This is an unforgettable book on an extremely timely topic that strives to open minds on both ends of the spectrum.

Beyond Religion

Beyond Religion PDF Author: David N Elkins
Publisher: Quest Books
ISBN: 0835630587
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 325

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Book Description
Let David Elkins, psychologist and former minister, show you how to find authentic, soul-nurturing spirituality outside church or temple walls. Discover your personal path to the sacred and explore new ways to bring nonreligious spirituality into your life.

Beyond Religion

Beyond Religion PDF Author: Byron Dawson
Publisher: Archway Publishing
ISBN: 1665756667
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 266

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Book Description
Beyond Religion is a thought provoking and critical look at religion and spirituality as concepts inherently embedded in the fabric of our society. Among others, one of the key impetuses of Beyond Religion is the author's view that faith, spirituality and even perspectives of God is due for a bit of reform. Religion and certain traditions must be updated to align contemporary social systems. The author leverages his deep fascination with the concepts of religion and spirituality, and more importantly how these concepts play out in our everyday life and our interaction with others to discuss relevant issues. Additionally, Beyond Religion explores influences of religion and spirituality within our culture, relationships, mental health, economy, and other social dynamics. The author masterfully and artfully uses the concept of Beyond Religion as the basis to engage key historical and cultural dynamics to discuss how the relationship, or lack thereof, between religion and spirituality influence our perspectives.

Reality Beyond Belief

Reality Beyond Belief PDF Author: Kun-Gay Yap
Publisher: BalboaPress
ISBN: 1452505756
Category : Body, Mind & Spirit
Languages : en
Pages : 492

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Book Description
Belief creates our reality which creates more belief Our strongest beliefs can be wrong Our inability to question beliefs is hard-wired in the brain Reality is also made from what we do not believe Should the author be believed? The advice is not to believe Read, apply, and experience Discover why you believe what you believe Realise the illusory nature of reality Understand the strange truths of perception Find the moving arbitrary line between knowledge and belief Question the dependence on beliefs Decide if the beliefs are necessary Are there better mental positions to adopt? Change Your Beliefs Live a Life of Uncommon Reality Kun-Gay Yap www.realitybeyondbelief.com

Beyond Belief

Beyond Belief PDF Author: Elaine Pagels
Publisher: Vintage
ISBN: 140007908X
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 274

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Book Description
In Beyond Belief, renowned religion scholar Elaine Pagels continues her groundbreaking examination of the earliest Christian texts, arguing for an ongoing assessment of faith and a questioning of religious orthodoxy. Spurred on by personal tragedy and new scholarship from an international group of researchers, Pagels returns to her investigation of the “secret” Gospel of Thomas, and breathes new life into writings once thought heretical. As she arrives at an ever-deeper conviction in her own faith, Pagels reveals how faith allows for a diversity of interpretations, and that the “rogue” voices of Christianity encourage and sustain “the recognition of the light within us all.”