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Interesting discussion. Looks to me like it's circled back around to Wil's OP eventually. Progressive Revelation appears then to have a two-fold understanding in Ba'hai: firstly that Ba'hai itself is formed, at least, from what they claim is the highest revelation, being the more recent...

I wonder what is it that supposedly exempts sacra doctrina from standard critiques? What is this hierarchy or class distinction of literature really based on, and why does it render texts such as the bible supposedly untouchable? Am I to understand, Thomas, that you have personally read the...

It would be more a collection of novels, poetry anthologies and letters. Having read the article, I don't think the author meant the whole bible as a single novel, but each book. I agree this has merit. I'd also still keep the chapters, maybe, but definitely not verse numbers - it defeats the...

Wil and Thomas, I always seem to find your discussions so interesting - I'm inclined to agree with both of you at different times throughout. I've been quite fond of rose-coloured glasses, myself. I was buoyed by the belief that humanity was on its way to something amazing - that we had...

Wow. I missed a lot of discussion. While I understand your anger, Wil, I don't subscribe to it, personally. As far as I'm concerned I haven't left the Catholic church, because I am buoyed by what I see as a gradual progression towards a clearer and more universal understanding of God...

Thanks, Thomas, for what on first read is a very comprehensive summary of Spong's theology, and some thoughtful commentary from a theologian's perspective. I am interested in rereading this in terms of how I articulate my faith perspective. I will make two initial observations. Firstly, the...

Thank you to everyone who has offered their perspective on salvation. I am processing it all... That's a good question, ACOT - one I've been asking myself a lot lately. Maybe it is the familiar language that keeps me here, to some extent. Despite where I'm going with it, I still feel most...

Hi wil, and thanks for your perspective. I follow your concept that heaven and hell are more a matter of perspective in this life, and that our focus on fear in particular, as well as other physiological responses to our environment, keep us from developing an awareness of God in all life and...

I'm going to declare my profound ignorance here. I was raised Catholic, and never really thought much about this Christian idea of 'salvation', especially since my belief in 'heaven' and 'hell' as places went by way of Santa Claus. Lately I have been trying to get my head around it, but it...

First of all, I'm not going to make apologies for interview comments made by Spong nearly two decades ago. There is a distinct difference in my book between his 12 theses and his immediate reaction to comments or questions posed in an interview. I'm not going to defend Spong the man, his ability...

Personally, I've understood names, words and numbers to be human constructs, formulated to communicate or symbolise what couldn't be physically demonstrated. So I find it strange when people look for spiritual significance or power in words and especially numbers in their search for the truth...

'Logos', according to my understanding of it, refers to a form of outward or tangible expression for an internal or abstract understanding. The original Greek word 'logos' meant ground, expectation or proportion as well as plea, opinion, account, reason, speech, word or discourse. Logos later...

Thank you Thomas for your response. There is a lot to process, and I find my thoughts on God to be vastly different from yours, which should make for some interesting discussions. It may take time for me to adjust to a more respectful dialogue than I've been used to of late, so bear with me if...

So are you saying that we should continue to insist that Christianity (ie. whichever denomination you belong to) is the only true religion, because at the end of the day one of us will be proved right, and the rest will be destroyed? That any 'melting together' or unity of religious ideologies...

Hi Thomas Thanks for the commentary. I have been reading many of your posts around this site, and your discussions with wil in particular have intrigued me. I was raised Catholic and work within a church community, where I am tentatively encouraged to both deepen and discuss my faith, to read...

Religion hinders peace only in so much as it places more importance on what distinguishes it from others than on what it has in common. The focus tends to be on where one religion ends and the 'other' begins. What we think is 'central' to our religion is only what defines our boundaries. Does my...

I think you misunderstand me, Thomas, but that's no surprise when all we have are words. I'm not saying that we shouldn't talk or write about spiritual experience at all. We should be writing more, and creating more art that attempts to share these experiences, as well as recognising that every...

Getting back to topic... I wouldn't say I am an atheist, myself. I was raised Catholic, but my current understanding of 'God' is such that I feel I can no longer call myself Catholic or Christian, or deist for that matter - because I disagree with certain fundamental beliefs (the trinity, the...