tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1237087217187172116.post295092132190473834..comments2024-03-27T18:18:11.525-06:00Comments on American Creation: A Confession of FaithBrad Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17669677047039491864noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1237087217187172116.post-36696747376886846882015-09-09T13:49:46.783-06:002015-09-09T13:49:46.783-06:00Tim,
I used to practice transcendental meditation...Tim,<br /><br />I used to practice transcendental meditation which involves the recitation of one word (as opposed to "meditating" on verses and chapters of scripture).<br /><br />I don't think TM is the only kind of meditation, but what I mean is the need for some kind of technique that places the mind in a state of stillness or wordlessness. Then, read your Bible. <br /><br />I will admit it's still something I struggle with -- quieting the mind. But no, I don't think a "monkey mind" can find higher religious truths. <br /><br />The neurotic mind is the monkey mind. Jonathan Rowehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04079637406589278386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1237087217187172116.post-2252076185189343312015-09-07T21:58:47.479-06:002015-09-07T21:58:47.479-06:00Well actually, meditating on Mysteries has actuall...Well actually, meditating on Mysteries has actually been one of the ways that deeper meaning has been discovered throughout the centuries. So if you mean by 'get to there' is to get to better clarity of the meaning of scripture (for example), that is exactly what can be gotten from meditating on mysteries contained in the Bible (and other mysteries). <br /><br />That's certainly not the only way of course, science can help, but it is a way that's borne much fruit. <br /><br />And I think St John would call that wordless place, the Word. :)Tim Polackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15292479938965452296noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1237087217187172116.post-89517771925716664802015-09-07T15:14:33.438-06:002015-09-07T15:14:33.438-06:00Thanks Tim. As I understand the story, Aquinas'...Thanks Tim. As I understand the story, Aquinas' experiences left him speechless. The mystical is something beyond words. In fact you don't get it from words, so "meditating" on the text of the Bible won't get you there.<br /><br />(The theory is the words of scripture come from this wordless place.)<br /><br />Rather some kind of head clearing meditative experience is necessary.Jonathan Rowehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04079637406589278386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1237087217187172116.post-11771084577021042522015-09-07T14:24:07.195-06:002015-09-07T14:24:07.195-06:00Thanks for sharing Jon.
One comment: "Somet...Thanks for sharing Jon. <br />One comment: "Something mystical. And the mystical is something the individual must experience for herself in order for this truth sense to be understood and validated."<br /><br />I don't think it's possible for each Christian to always experience the mystical themselves. Part of Christianity is coming to accept the mystical and mystery that exists. We can grow in our understanding, but certainly may not experience these mysteries. We can also lean on those who have spent their life trying to ascertain and clarify these mysteries. But even as Aquinas experienced at the end of his life, some mystical experiences may seem to show us just how little we know. <br /><br />Maybe a small point for you? But I think significant since we can learn all the nuance there is to learn, and still not truly know. It's no excuse not to look, but a consistent theme in Christianity - though granted, not as predominant on the Protestant side of things. Though I have seem some growth there with even Conservative Protestants. Tim Polackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15292479938965452296noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1237087217187172116.post-77343760172721263282015-09-05T17:35:04.517-06:002015-09-05T17:35:04.517-06:00Thomas More famously argued against the early Refo...Thomas More famously argued against the early Reformer William Tyndale that if God could reveal Himself in the Scriptures, He could certainly leave behind a [true catholic and apostolic] church that could authoritatively identify, interpret, and translate the scriptures.<br /><br />http://extra.shu.ac.uk/emls/moretyndale.pdf<br /><br />In fact, since very, very few of us can or will learn the original Greek and Hebrew to interpret the scriptures "for ourselves," in the end we're accepting somebody else's word for what they really say, be it the Vatican or Luther or various other translators.<br /><br />We all end up putting our faith in something or someone regardless.<br /><br />Tom Van Dykehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07121072404143877596noreply@blogger.com