Spiritual Advice and Guidance Blog: Urantia Book

Q: How can we know that the Urantia Book is a book from God and not from man?

A: Thanks for this important question. We always love to hear from our visitors.

The Urantia Book presents itself as a revelation of God to mankind - a revelation of epochal significance. It claims that numerous authors of celestial origin were employed to make it manifest to our planet, and that it was authorized by God to be delivered to the human races of Urantia.

The Urantia Book contains material that is mind-expanding and revelatory, and facts that have been heretofore unknown to mortals, providing answers to questions that we didn't even know we had. This material is designed to raise the spiritual consciousness of all of mankind. As well, The Urantia Book contains over one thousand concepts of human knowledge and wisdom that were already known at the time of its delivery to the planet. That is why it may seem that some of the information is "man-made;" it actually is. The authors clearly state this. However, the sheer weight and magnitude of the revelatory aspects of the material presented seems to me to be far beyond the abilities of human beings.

But how can we know? I am not sure that we can ever really KNOW. Maybe a better question is, how can we believe?

Pragmatically speaking, if some human, or group of humans, created this remarkable revelation from whole cloth, I feel sure that they would not have left the attribution of authorship to heretofore unnamed beings of celestial origin. To do that would run counter to everything I have ever experienced of human nature. In the 50+ years since its delivery, no human being has ever claimed authorship. It seems to me that only spiritual beings could have the selflessness required, and the years of dedication needed, to produce such a life-altering document for the sole benefit of humanity-at-large, without seeking personal recognition or thanks. That fact alone makes me sure that it is not "from man."

The recognition of Truth is like a bell resonating in the heart - once it is experienced, it cannot be denied. One does KNOW it in every fiber of one's being.

In my experience, this revelation which is The Urantia Book presents a collection of truths and a philosophy of living that, adopted as a whole, can be "acted out." It certainly can be "lived" in one's experience, and the result is a life that is lifted and ennobled far beyond one's fondest expectation. It produces inner happiness and spiritual assurance of a very high level. Even if it were the creation of man, it would still have that flavor. I, however, choose to believe that it is exactly what it says it is, simply because of its effects on my life.

It is the revelation of God, and the restatement of the life and teachings of Jesus in The Urantia Book that, to me, are overwhelming evidences of its authenticity. To me, no person, or group of persons, could have pulled this kind of knowledge - this kind of spiritual "flavor" - out of thin air. But even if they did, it would still resonate as true, nonetheless. Truth is truth...and it echoes in the soul. I believe it is from God because it has brought me closer to God, and stretched my soul and mind to their capacity. No mere mortal would have that as their final agenda - to what end? In my opinion, only a spiritual and divine agenda can be the purpose of such a revelation.

I cannot declare this for you, however. Each of us who are truthseekers must make the same journey when attempting discernment of any spiritual revelation - whether it is The Urantia Book, or another kind of revelation found in another place.

Experiment - put into practice the materials contained The Urantia Book and their effect on your life - and then you may come to the answer to this important question in your inmost self.

Thanks again for this great question, and best wishes in your search for Truth...

Labels: belief, God, revelation, The Urantia Book, truth

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Thursday, March 05, 2009

I don't have anything against the Urantia Book but how do the authors know certain things that are not even mentioned in the Bible ...?

Q: I don't have anything against the Urantia Book but how do the authors know certain things that are not even mentioned in the Bible - such as Adam and Eve were not the first ones who lived in Earth, the presence of Prince Caligastia,etc..?

A: How the authors know these things is no mystery -- the authors live in a reality different from ours and information such as you've mentioned is readily available to them, much like someone living near the Library of Congress and having ready access to its more than 18 million books compared with someone having no internet or library connection living in a rural area. They know more because they have access to more. A large part of The Urantia Book is its revelatory nature - the authors reveal things that have been heretofore either unknown, or forgotten, or misunderstood. The subjects that you mentioned are part of that revealed knowledge. The stories of Adam and Eve, and the Planetary Prince put our history into a new, understandable, and Divine perspective - they help us to gain a new worldview of ourselves - our origins and our destiny.

Maybe the question you really wanted to ask is, why should I believe this information since it's not found elsewhere?

First, you shouldn't believe anything just because someone says you should believe it. You're in possession of a rational mind that can provide you with reality and truth responses and you're the only one responsible for your own beliefs. If something doesn't seem rational, doesn't seem real, doesn't seem true to you then either you should do more investigation or you should reject it. Second, perhaps 90% of what's contained within the pages of The Urantia Book is found at least in part in other published works; they may not be well known but then that's part of the purpose of The Urantia Book, to make them known, for them to be identified and to be studied. Furthemore, you are in possession of the Spirit of Truth - the literal representation of Jesus, who he promised he would leave with us when he left our earth. This is our sure and ever-present guide into all truth.

There's only one way to know if The Urantia Book is real and if it is true and that is to read it for yourself and to decide for yourself. Is it logical? Does it make sense? Does it exhibit truth, goodness, beauty? Does it give you hope and enhance your thinking and your living? Most importantly, does its teachings help you to become closer to God, and improve your relationship with him? If you find the answers to these questions being yes, then why be confused by anything less?

May I also recommend that if you're not already signed up that you consider subscribing to the Quote of the Day. It's a free service from our site that offers a daily quote from the incomparable teachings of this marvelous book with an audio clip and a beautiful and inspiring image, a great way to start one's day as well as to begin to understand the teachings of the book.

Labels: Adam and Eve, belief, Caligastia, quote of the day, revelation, Spirit of Truth, The Urantia Book