My research and study reveals that theological 'imagination' is behind the doctrines of the Christian Church. The Christian Church has now existed for almost 2,000 years. This body of believers (called the Church) started to emerge after 33 A.D. (after the death of Yeshua). Yeshua was this Jew from Nazareth who captured the 'imagination' of his followers (as Messiah) AFTER his 'glorification' experience.
Yes, Yeshua, was glorified by his Father God (Yahweh) immediately at the point of his death on the tree (say 33 A.D.). Yeshua was a human being (with a spirit self) just like you and me. This 'spirit' self (within Yeshua) is what got 'glorified' immediately at the point of his passing (death). Our bodies go into the grave (after physical death) but our 'spirit' self gets 'glorified' IF our transcendent God chooses to continue the LIFE of a human being. God is our Potter/Creator and he can act to preserve our 'spirit' at point of death.
Yeshua lived on our planet from around 4 B.C. to 33 A.D. (give or take). He was a Jew from the Tribe of Judah who had a special gift (anointing) from his Father God. This history (of Yeshua) is well documented and most thinkers agree that Yeshua was a real person who lived on our planet. He was born to Mary and Joseph (probably in Nazareth) and he evolved in this Messiah person over his lifetime.
After Yeshua's death a series of mental/conscious experiences produced a group of believers who desired to Deify this Jew from Nazareth. The idea was that he MUST have been special (a son or the son) as he made select 'appearances' within the Consciousness of select believers AFTER his physical death. Was he God and Man (simultaneously)? Was he Deity (in the flesh)? Did he have TWO natures (Divine and Human)? Who was this person who captured the inner beliefs of select disciples?
What happened (in reality) to produce this Church called The Way (and later the orthodox Christian Church). It appears to me that the BIG revelation was the select VISIONS which believers experienced (within their Consciousness) AFTER the physical death of Yeshua. These visions are also called 'appearances'. Today, we can imagine these 'appearances' as VIRTUAL experiences within one's Consciousness. They are nearly as REAL as an 'observed' experience.
Virtual reality is so REAL to most people that they will assume that the 'images' within a Smart Phone are real objects within Spacetime. An example is our money unit (the dollar). Today, our 'dollar' is a VIRTUAL unit of my/your Consciousness (nothing physical) but few deny the reality of this unit (within our 'imagination'). It 'appears' within our Consciousness ($) just like the 'glorified' Yeshua appeared virtually (after his death) within the Consciousness of select believers. MY sense is that the REAL story of Yeshua's afterlife is based on VIRTUAL experiences (not this story of a DEAD body coming back to life).
The idea that the DEAD body of Yeshua had any significance does not RING true to me. This mangled dead body (after his crucifixion) was later resurrected (within the mind) by select believers and a STORY was concocted to give this body a newly resurrected LIFE (meaning). My sense is that this never happened in real-time. But what happened (in reality) is that Yeshua's SPIRIT self got 'glorified' immediately at his point of death (passing)...by the decision of his God/Father. This, to me, is reality and the STORY of a physical resurrection (a DEAD mangled body coming back to life) is pure MYTH (fakery).
Yes, Yeshua, is now 'glorified' and living as a spirit self within our greater spiritual universe. He ascended to his Father (our Creator God). He is next to God the Father (Yahweh) in the spiritual heavens which we can access within our 'spiritual' Consciousness (NOW). He is alive and active as he can send 'spiritual' messages to select believers with his speech or a virtual image. He also did receive spiritual POWER from his Father (our CREATOR God) who sits (as a Singularity) on the THRONE. You can visualize this reality when you read Revelation 4 - 5 and also Daniel 7. Read and discern.
The STORY of Yeshua (who many call Jesus Christ) is a story which got concocted AFTER his death by select theological writers (Greek thinkers mostly) who then labeled these stories with text (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) that was later canonized by an orthodox body of believers. This canonization produced the Church of Christianity (over time). Today, we call this Church the Catholic Church and the Pope has been made the Vicar of Christ (the person who represents the glorified Yeshua). After 2,000 years of a Church Age we are now in 2022 (the END of this Church Age).
The many stories and deceptions of Christendom (Roman and other) have changed and evolved over these 2,000 years. There are some 2.6 billion believers (today) who accept some of the stories as being real and authentic. As I read the history of this Church Age I discover many confusing and deceptive stories from the various religious bodies who have bought into these stories. Today, we have Roman Catholic believers, Eastern Orthodox believers, Oriental Christian believers, Protestant denominational believers, etc. etc. All differ with their many STORIES!
What likely happened after 33 A.D. (death of Yeshua) is that the many 'appearances' which were virtually REAL did produce a group of believers who desired to develop a THEOLOGY from these virtual experiences. This theology grew, changed, and varied from believer to believer and power center to power center. Stories developed and they became DOGMA and DOCTRINE (over time). Today, all this is being digested by Scholars and Thinkers and reconstructed to reflect current reality.
Bart Ehrman is one biblical scholar who is popular today (see above video) with his renditions of what might have happened. Bart has written many books on all these issues. Tovia Singer, a rabbi in Jerusalem, is another scholar who challenges the many confusing stories and the logic of New Testament writings. The number is growing daily and you can witness this reality on today's Youtube internet. Today's interconnected world of the internet is bringing us NEW realities on all these past stories and narratives.
Yes, the 'imagination' of theologians has produced these writings in this book called The Bible. The Catholic Church has been prominent in producing many stories and doctrines. The Protestant Churches have done similar. Everyone is becoming aware of the confusion within our various Church presentations. Who knows what really happened? Who understands spiritual TRUTH? What is fable and what is REAL? It's all up to each person to discern. Wisdom comes from thinking on one's own.
The Council of Nicaea in 325 A.D. started this God Man story. Then the Council of Chalcedon in 451 A.D. codified and expanded this God Man theory (that the 'glorified' Yeshua/Jesus Christ) is God Almighty and equal to the historical Yahweh of the Hebrew tradition. My sister thinks Jehovah is Jesus and Jesus is Jehovah. I think her perception is similar to millions within this religion called Evangelical Christianity. Beliefs get magnified by theologians and pastors who have a gift of rhetoric and a strong inner belief.
What is reality and what is FABLE is hard to discern. Each person must do their own research and study. My view is MINE. It is based upon my logic and my understanding of history. For me, Yahweh/Father, is my Creator God. Yeshua/Jesus is my spiritual friend (now glorified) who acquired his relevance from our transcendent Creator God. Yes, he is glorified and alive in the spiritual realm. My hope is similar. Have a great day! Do some thinking on these issues on your own! It's education for the MIND!
Most Christians believe that Jesus/Yeshua is God! I find this deceptive! Think for yourself!
I am: Donald B. Swenson, Economist/Philosopher, donaldswenson.blogspot.com. Also, http://kingdomecon.wordpress.com.
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