Is this a Christian idea or even acceptable to Christian ideology?

Question

That we are manifestations of the living universe becoming aware of itself. I heard this said by a gentleman who had the title of Reverand on the video The Secret. I don't think this fits with Christianity.

The gentleman was a black american, about 30, dressed in a black suit, no dog collar, wearing platts or braids in his hair. Looked kind of funky but quite possibly a genuine preacher but not from the more stick in the mud mainstream.

Answer 1

There is NOT just ONE Christianity - the only people who say there is are Fundamentalists, and no it doesn't fit THEIR idea of Christianity.
But centuries before they were even twinkle dust in the gene pool there were many branches of Christianity which accepted this or similar ideas, take the Gnostics for one.
The Fundamentalist's ideas have nothing to do with Jesus or his teachings...
There are many scholars, philosophers, and Theologians today who have looked deeper into the teachings of Jesus.
I would say that this idea is very close to the ultimate truth of the universe and that ALL religious founders throughout time have taught the same message, but the cultural, temporal, and political differences made for the view that they are separate, or confused, etc...
Yes it's true that Christianity PARTIALLY originated from Judaism - Jesus (Yeshua) was Jewish (not Christian)... but Buddhist monks had made it as far west as Syria, Anatolia, and maybe even Greece. Not to mention the fact that the other influences behind Christianity were Zoroastrianism and the Mystery Religions of Egypt, Greece, and Rome.

Hasidic Judaism (and the Kabbalah) teaches this very idea actually!!! Their theology is considered to be Panentheistic.
You should read some of the Gnostic Gospels, and the works of Sallie McFague, Matthew Fox, Thomas Berry, not to mention Carl Jung, and especially Joseph Campbell... and there are countless others.

Answer 2

Just because he had the title of reverend, doesn't neccessarily mean he was a reverend of a Christian religion.

Christianity is not the only religion in this universe. There are lots of religions out there that have their own clergy.

Also, there are a bazillion different denominations that call themselves Christians, and are called "heretics" and "apostates" by other groups who call themselves Christians. People who call themselves Christian can't even agree on what Christianity is.

Look at all the bickering between Catholics & Protestants. Not to mention the bloodshed.

Answer 3

Whoever that "Reverand" was, he wasn't teaching what the Bible teaches. Instead he was showing that what the Bible said about teachers in the last days is true.

2 Timothy 4:2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.

Answer 4

Christian ideology does say that this is a living universe, although it took Galileo going to prison to make that happen.

Christianity would say that God is already fully aware of the universe and does not need human manifestations for any help with that awareness.

I would tend to consider this statement to be incorrect according to Christian beliefs.

Take care,
Troy

Answer 5

Sounds spiritual or philosophical. Sounds somewhat Zen.

The question is which has become aware of itself. The manefestations or the living universe. If you put the stress on the fomer it could indeed be a definition of human origins. That latter would make the manefestations seem superior to the universe.

Answer 6

Beware! This looks to me like Gnosticism; ie; the way to God is through secret knowledge. I feel that your misgivings are the prompting of the Holy Spirit.

Gnosticism, and its many various forms,have been a contaminating influence on our understanding of God for centuries. It tempts those who are fantastic with words, and have a brilliant way with constructing clever ideas, to start building a new god. They can be miles from the path and never even know it. They're just too clever to see it.

The trouble is they also tend to persuade others to follow their lead.
Paul warns us to beware those who claim or appear to have 'secret knowledge'
'Love the Lord with ALL your HEART'.
It is heart first, head second. This may seem to be back to front in the world but if you are trusting completely He will guide you and give you all the understanding you need.

'Trust in the Lord and lean not on your own understanding'

Follow the word. It means what it says at face value primarly. If someone starts to try and 'open up' its deeper unknown meaning and it conflicts dramatically with the simple understanding then generally it should be ignored. Regardless of the speakers credentials or seeming authority.

There is of course the other problem of using something out of context. This has and still does happen a lot but if the Lord inspires you to read the Bible and you let Him walk you through it you will know immediately anything that is out of character.
The pattern throughout the Bible, from Genesis to revelation, and made clear by Jesus, is that it is the Lord, through His Holy Spirit, Who reveals the truth of all things through His Word. Not just to the great and the lorded but, more often, to ordinary folks who live by faith in Him.

God Bless you. In Jesus name.

Answer 7

You are quite right that it does not agree with Christianity. Christianity is based on the Jewish religion and that claims that God created man during Creation Week.
I hear many religious types adopting the deist arguments but that is just trying to save face as they are forced to retreat in the face of reality.

Answer 8

I don't know if it's of the Christian belief or not. But being a christian myself, I believe that we are one with the One true God, through His Son Jesus The Christ and if The Universe is formed by the One True God and He is one with the universe, then I feel one with it as well. What effects our universe, effects us. Positive or negative we are effected.

Great Question!!!

Answer 9

I'm a manifestation of the universe becoming aware of its own short comings.

Answer 10

No, definitely not Christian if he accepts the bible as the Word of God and that we have all sinned and fallen short of the grace of God.
That doesn't fit with mainline Christianity unless he is some kind of ultra-liberal Christian and found some verse that could be wildly interpreted as something completely different.

my toocents.