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, October 08, 2009

What does the Urantia Book say about the search for 'real' religion, and how can I know when I've found it?

Q: I am always searching for the right religion or spiritual practice to believe in. This feels like a never-ending quest, and it's very tiring! Spiritual writings seem to tell us that we will find peace when we find truth, but I am not at peace - even when I read the Urantia Book. What does the Urantia Book say about the search for 'real' religion, and how can I know when I've found it?

A: It sounds like you have not read quite enough of The Urantia Book yet, if you are still not finding that peace that you are looking for, and also, since you seem not to know what it says about "real religion." Little do you seem to understand that you HAVE found what you need, but there are steps you must make before you can "realize" what you have found.

I would strongly suggest that you read the religion papers, starting HERE. These papers are some of the most inspiring papers, and some of my all-time favorites regarding religion. Read them all carefully, and then, read them again. They go from Paper 99 to Paper 103.

In a nutshell, The Urantia Book's teachings on religion boil down to this: you are indwelt by a fragment of God, and this indwelling Spirit is there to help guide you into a knowledge of God's will, and to help you grow your immortal soul. Your religion is a personal relationship with God, and is manifested and made real by your own personal experience with God.

You will not find it from without, but you WILL find it by going within and establishing that personal relationship with God. You can read the words of spiritual writing all day long, but even the teachings of The Urantia Book will not help you unless, and until, you reach up to God, who is ALL Truth. When you do, he will reciprocate by reaching down to you; you will eventually achieve the peace that you seek when you make that effort. You'll start to find evidence of this "real religion" in your personal experience; it will be meaningful to you, personal and profound.

Some thoughts from the religion papers, referenced above:

"...true religion is the devotion of the self to the service of meaningful and supreme values."

"True religion is to know God as your Father and man as your brother."

"True religion is a wholehearted devotion to some reality which the religionist deems to be of supreme value to himself and for all mankind."

"Since true religion is a matter of personal spiritual experience, it is inevitable that each individual religionist must have his own and personal interpretation of the realization of that spiritual experience."

"...religion is genuine and worth while if it fosters in the individual an experience in which the sovereignty of truth, beauty, and goodness prevails, for such is the true spiritual concept of supreme reality. And through love and worship this becomes meaningful as fellowship with man and sonship with God."

Some other helpful quotes: Click on the links to open the text.

(2:6.1) "In the physical universe we may see the divine beauty, in the intellectual world we may discern eternal truth, but the goodness of God is found only in the spiritual world of personal religious experience. In its true essence, religion is a faith-trust in the goodness of God. God could be great and absolute, somehow even intelligent and personal, in philosophy, but in religion God must also be moral; he must be good. Man might fear a great God, but he trusts and loves only a good God. This goodness of God is a part of the personality of God, and its full revelation appears only in the personal religious experience of the believing sons of God."

(5:4.2) "The great and immediate service of true religion is the establishment of an enduring unity in human experience, a lasting peace and a profound assurance."

I could go on, but it is up to you to make the effort now. Persevere in your quest for God - it is the most satisfying journey you will ever make. Once you begin to have that personal spiritual experience for yourself, you will find a real religion you can believe in and the inner peace that you seek. The Urantia Book will give you the tools, but you have to do the work with those tools - so keep reading, and don't give up!

Labels: inner peace, religion, seeking, The Urantia Book, truth

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Monday, September 14, 2009

Why do we consider the Bible as the word of God?

Q: Is the Bible really the true word of God, although it is written by men? Why do we consider the Bible as the word of God? Why are some gospels not included in the new testament? What shows that the Bible is in its original pure form still today?

A: Thank you for your note to Truthbook.com, a website dedicated to the teachings of The Urantia Book.

The Bible is considered by many people to be the true "word of God," even though it is written by men. They believe that the words in the Bible are true because they were "inspired" by God.

I will quote a portion of another reply given to a person who wrote asking a similar question. I hope you will find it helpful:

"Much of the material in the Bible in the Old Testament is older than written language, so it came from oral tradition handed down from generation to generation until eventually written language was able to record it.

All the books of the Bible, Old and New Testament, were separate manuscripts along with the many other traditional "holy" teachings and manuscripts. It wasn't until about 300 A.D. that the decision was made by the church at Rome that only a specific set of these holy materials were to be used as the basis for the Christian religion and then the specific books of the Old and New Testament were decided upon and all the rest were discarded.

Before the printing press was invented documents were copied by hand by monks and rabbis and other holy men. The original manuscripts were written in a number of different languages and were since translated from the original into the various other languages of the world."

As you can see, there really is no "pure form" of the Bible in existence today, if there ever was such a thing at all. Today's Bible is a collection of some of the highest spiritual thought received by holy- and not-so-holy men over the centuries; and prior to the advent of The Urantia Book, it really was about the best that mankind had in the way of "Divine" thought. The Bible has always been, and still is, one of the best sources of inspiration and guidance on the planet. It forms the basis for Christianity as we know it.

The Urantia Book teaches us that revelation is a continuous process in the individual and periodic in the form of epochal revelation. Epochal revelations are rare events in which communication is established between man and Heaven in order to help mankind to progress spiritually. The Urantia Book is one such epochal revelation, and it is meant for the whole world - not just Jews and Christians. The Urantia Book does not intend to supplant or replace the Bible, but it does illuminate its beginnings, and it does clarify for us the meaning of so-called "sacred Scriptures." Jesus himself was a student of Scripture; he used the Scriptures very liberally in his early years, and even in his ministry. But he did not consider them "sacred." and he chose only those passages that supported his own (epochal) revelation of God to mankind.

The true "word of God" is to be found within the heart of any sincere truth-seeker. We know the truth through our own experience - through trial and error - through seeking and finding. We have an inner guide called the Spirit of Truth which ever leads us into all truth. And so, we are wise to read any religious text - even The Urantia Book - with intelligent discernment. Truth will always be apparent to one who is honestly seeking it. Truth is found in many places, and does not belong to any one person or any group of persons. It is available to all who seek.

Thank you again for your note. I hope you will visit our site often and learn about the teachings of The Urantia Book, while you pursue your interest in the Bible.

Labels: Bible, God, The Urantia Book, truth, Word of God

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Sunday, September 06, 2009

Stop using the Name of Jesus to deceive people...

Q: After browsing through your Urantia website for an hour or so, I feel compelled to write that your organization is merely using highly philosophical, theological, and religious language to cover up what is essentially a liberal approach to Christianity, albeit combined with speculative cosmology about the existence of so-called intelligent cosmic beings.

I believe that you should stop using the historical and revelatory Christian faith to be your launching pad for speculative and fanciful spiritual theologising....say what you really believe...your evolutionary perspective is truly at odds with historical and evangelical Christianity.

...stop using the Name of Jesus, who is the King of kings, and Lord of Lords, and not some Christ Michael incarnate on this earth, to deceive people into believing that you are leading people to the truth. The Bible is very clear in this respect in 1 John 5:12:

"He who has the Son of God (the Second Person of the Trinity, who became both God and Man at his incarnation on this earth as in John 1:14) has the life ('zoe' in Greek); he does not have the Son of God does not have the life."

A: Thank you for your post to Truthbook.com... we always appreciate hearing from those who have discovered our website. I'll reply to your comments as I read down through your note.

You've judged a book by its cover. I'll give you the benefit for having browsed our site for an hour or so; we get many appraisals of what we're all about from people who've spent far less time than that before thinking they've got the full picture and can offer meaningful criticism.

First, we are "merely" nothing, especially not a liberal approach to Christianity. What we are is a website that promotes the teachings found in one specific book and we promote those teachings because, unlike the majority of our critics, individually, without coercion, with an inquiring and open mind, we have actually read the book and made an informed decision regarding its purpose and content and meaningfulness to our lives. Once having started down that path, eventually we may choose to look for like-minded people who have also read this marvelous and tremendous book â€“ that's how this and other Urantia websites were established.

We are not merely using highly philosophical, theological, and religious language; The Urantia Book portrays what are perhaps the highest philosophical, theological, and religious ideals ever expressed in English. To convey those concepts requires exceptional usage and you were at least aware of that aspect in what you read.

You've given us too much credit. No human or organization is responsible for the words of The Urantia Book. A human organization was responsible for getting the Urantia material printed of course but no human is connected with the material itself other than in 1955 being responsible for spelling and punctuation. Because you've spent an hour or so perusing a website rather than the months or so required to actually read the million and a half words of text of the greatest revelation disclosed to the world in over 2,000 years, there's no way you would have recognized that The Urantia Book contains the best in human thought magnified by the wisdom of far greater intelligence than humans exhibit. There is no way we can be responsible for ceasing, as you requested, to use the historical and revelatory Christian faith as a launching pad for speculative and fanciful spiritual theologizing; that's how it's portrayed by the words of the book. If you delve deeper into this material you will understand that The Urantia Book is not promoting any organized religion, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, pagan, or New Age.

You've suggested that we're perpetrating a dishonesty, not being open or declaring in plain language what we really believe. Maybe you can explain yourself better or give an example but that's not so at all; there's no way we could be more up-front in our opinion or the material we promote.

You are absolutely correct in saying that the evolutionary perspective of The Urantia book is truly at odds with historical and evangelical Christianity. We are not proponents of historical or evangelical Christianity nor do we portray ourselves to be. The Urantia Book is not a Christian document in the sense you're thinking of. The Urantia Book clearly teaches us the true nature and purpose of Jesus. Jesus does not belong to Christianity; it is supposed to be the other way around.

Your suggested prohibition against using the name of Jesus because The Urantia Book is not the Bible we've received before. I'll be perfectly clear: The Urantia Book is not the Bible. In stating that Jesus is not some Christ Michael incarnated on this earth you've objected to something for which you have no understanding. Obviously the Bible doesn't contain that information and so you reason that your objection is valid... what if Jesus was known as Michael before incarnating here? What if that was true? What if it is time for new wine to displace that in the old wine skins? How would you know? How will you know Truth? Certainly not by dismissing a book by its cover, or through a cursory glance.

As an example, in our exchange here, if this were 2,000 years ago, what you've essentially done is walked by a gathering at the roadside on your way to some destination and as you passed you've caught the turn of a phrase and the whisper of an unfamiliar idea. Continuing on your way you've mulled over what you heard with a bit of humor and condescension because it didn't correlate with the orthodoxy that you had accepted as Truth. You didn't know and didn't care to know that the speaker you passed by was Jesus; on a spiritual level your brief encounter was meaningless. This is fundamentally what has happened with this one hour critique.

I could give you some masterful quotes from The Urantia Book to back up my reply to you just as you've given some great quotes from the Bible, but I won't. Students of The Urantia Book love and appreciate the Bible for what it is. Most students of The Urantia Book come to have a more profound appreciation of the Bible than they ever had before encountering what you've just stumbled upon and are trying to dismiss.

We're willing to address well thought out and measured criticism regarding the teachings of this little-known book which proclaims itself to be the fifth epochal revelation of truth to the world; it comes to us in book form. Jesus was the fourth epochal revelation of truth to the world; he was a Son of God and the son of man. However, the teachings of The Urantia Book aren't totally devoted to religion or spirituality; those are but two of its numerous revelations. There is no way you, or anyone else can criticize what has been superficially gleaned; howver, reasoned criticism from an in-depth reading will be considered. Are you willing to look deeper? Are you willing to risk discovering truth that may surpass what you already possess?

A study of The Urantia Book takes nothing away from one's knowledge of and love for the Bible, or any other true religious text. There are religious authorities among all the major religious organizations who know, study, and are enthralled by what The Urantia Book discloses. Are you willing to at least dip a few toes in to test the water? You've termed yourself another truth lover; is your love for truth strong enough that you will follow wherever it may lead, whatever may be its apparent source?

There are 197 chapters in The Urantia Book. The first 5 lay the groundwork for an enhanced spiritual connection with God. My suggestion, if you're sincere about a meaningful criticism of The Urantia Book is that you begin by reading Paper 1 and continue on to Paper 5 and then write back from a more informed point of view. I'm not suggesting that you believe anything you read but I do request that you read with an open, inquiring, and critical mind. Take notes as you read if you wish and listen to the text read aloud as you read the words... then come back here and tell me if you've learned anything and what your informed criticism is. I'll be happy to give more attention to your opinion.

Best wishes, and may God be with you.

Labels: Bible, Christianity, God, Jesus, The Urantia Book, truth

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Thursday, August 13, 2009

Reply to a desperate young Truth-Seeker

The following reply was given by one of our team to a young truth-seeker who wrote a lengthy letter expressing some amount of angst and confusion. This person is a new reader, but only after quite a lot of experiential seeking through magic, satanism, aliens, UFology, etc. S/he had now reached the point of finding The Urantia Book, but still had some searching questions regarding Truth. We add this excellent reply in hopes that it will minister to others in the same spot.

A: Thank you for visiting our site and for your note to us with your comments and questions. I'll take your points one by one.

We're glad youâ€™ve found The Urantia Book â€” one of its purposes is to address the kinds of confusion youâ€™ve expressed youâ€™ve been feeling and to shed light on how and why we are bewildered and to offer better initial assumptions upon which we can make the choices and decisions that are so necessary in order to have a meaningful and fulfilling life.

Youâ€™ve started your story by describing your rebellious attitude and your search for spiritual meaning; therefore youâ€™ve had a spiritual longing that was seeking to be addressed but wasnâ€™t met by the religious upbringing in your home life. Youâ€™re not alone; many people go through such a similar searching as well.

You wrote: I keep looking for something that i can call truth and belive in it without doubt. Sorry, but no one else can just give that to you â€” you'll have to seek it out, discover it, learn it for yourself. As part of your makeup as a human being though you have the capacity to discern truth; it's called a truth-response or a reality-response. You'll know in your gut whether or not something is true, beautiful, good from the way it resonates with you. Thatâ€™s what the search for truth entails; you'll read, discuss, and give thought to new concepts and ideas then the choice becomes yours as to whether to follow your intuition regarding its truth, beauty, or goodness and whether to accept or reject it â€” no one else can give this to you; it's personal and you own it.

As a human being you are endowed with a rational mind; it's a gift intended to help you make choices that are for your betterment. In order for something to be considered true and believable to you you'll have to reject emotional attachment to thoughts and actions that your rational mind prompts you are not true, beautiful, or good and that are working against your advancement as a kind, loving, empathetic, unselfish person. That's a first step toward finding the truth and happiness youâ€™re seeking.

You've reiterated how confused you are... that's because your actions are in conflict with your thoughts and your inner aspirations. It's also because you've based your actions on confusing and convoluted concepts that arenâ€™t truth based but are instead the kind of emotional wishful thinking and rebellious choices children make.

You said: i want the truth, the only truth about everything in this world, i am tired of living like this. Well, it looks like you have a lot of work ahead of you, but that's fine because youâ€™re young and as long as you donâ€™t squander your life further youâ€™ll have a good long time to achieve your goals. In your own convoluted way of searching you've managed to stumble upon the profound truth that it is you and the rest of the world are searching for although most people donâ€™t even know theyâ€™re searching or that theyâ€™re confused or that theyâ€™re building lives upon unsound and baseless principles.

You said: I don't care about life anymore... I can assure you that if you'll read and learn what The Urantia Book offers your life will become precious and a blessing. Youâ€™ve asked a number of specific questions too. Theyâ€™re good questions, the kind of questions seekers ask, but I'm not going to provide answers now since I have a better recommendation.

Even though The Urantia Book is a challenge to read it's written for you, not some group or some other person or for religious people or for non-believers; it's written for you at the point in your life where you've discovered it... so as difficult as some of it may be to comprehend you will begin to understand it better the more you stay with it.

The purpose of our website is to help people get a grip on what The Urantia Book is all about so that they don't have to dive right into the book by themselves and on their own. The Urantia Book is about personal discovery. You won't be able to join a cult or a church or an in-group. All we have to promote is the book itself â€” it's a book â€” we promote its teachings â€” if you read it your life will become new and valuable to you and to others. That's what we wish to share with any truth seeker. We have no interest or desire to deceive or to coerce; there's nothing to join or to contribute to; no one will contact you for anything; our site is simply a gift, just as The Urantia Book is a gift with no strings attached. Accept the gift willingly and gladly.

So, my recommendation to you, since you've now made this awesome and unfathomable discovery, is for you to ease into tackling something that's so radically different from everything youâ€™ve learned so far. Certainly feel free to read the book, because that's what this is all based upon. The Urantia Book is available at most bookstores, through Amazon.com, at most libraries, and on-line on our site where you can read it and listen to it at the same time. But more than tackling the book I think you would benefit most by just spending time on our site and learning about it through the insights and impressions of others. Become familiar with what's there.

Each of the left side links contains a wealth of information about The Urantia Book. Check them out just to see what they hold. Watch the videos and other presentations that have been made available. Read the answers to life's toughest questions section. Read how The Urantia Book has changed the lives of others. Read the frequently asked questions section. Consider checking out our discussion forum where you can just read the interactions between Urantia readers and non-readers or you can join in and participate if you like. Check out the links in the center of our home page â€” each of them leads to a new section. A good many of your questions will be answered without you having even opened the book.

The Urantia Book covers an enormous amount of material. Our site is primarily devoted to promoting that aspect of the book relating to life and teachings of Jesus. Many people have trouble with Jesus, much of which stems from having him forced upon them in unappealing ways. Another of the objectives of The Urantia Book is to return the true Jesus to the people of the world. Jesus wasn't a Christian and the Christian Church doesn't own the rights to him; he came for everyone and our goal is to help people of all faiths and of no faith whatsoever rediscover and be reintroduced to who he was, why he came and what he means to you personally.

Your study assignment can take a good amount of time but I think you'll find it both enjoyable and highly profitable. Please feel free to contact us again as you begin to get a more defined feeling about what this book has to offer to you.

Labels: conflict, mind, The Urantia Book, truth, truthseeking

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Tuesday, April 21, 2009

What is the Pursuit of Beauty?

Q: I read about the pursuit of Truth, Goodness and Beauty in the UB. I can conceptualize the pursuit of Truth and Goodness, but what is the Pursuit of Beauty?

A: This is some of what The Urantia Book relates about beauty:

its discernment is the discovery and integration of reality;
art consists of harmony in unity;
beauty implies the presence of an appreciative mind and the recognition of the synthesis of diversity stemming from oneness;
beauty is always triumphant over ugliness.

To apply the above definitions to one's life would constitute a pursuit of beauty; to disregard them would not. For example, some people think tattoos and piercings are beautiful, some splash paint on canvas and call it beautiful, some make noise and call it beautiful. It doesn't take much of a stretch of the imagination to realize that nearly anything disorienting or unreal can be considered beautiful by a mind out of touch with reality. The pursuit of harmony and unity will produce a reality response that resonates with the source of true beauty.

I hope this reply helps; in any case, feel free to post any time.

Labels: beauty, goodness, Harmony, reality, The Urantia Book, truth, unity

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Wednesday, January 07, 2009

Jesus in The Urantia Book, the whole story

Readers of The Urantia Book describe why these teachings stand unique, packed with new Jesus stories, his lost years, and fresh insights. This detailed portrayal of Jesus emphasizes the religion of Jesus rather than the religion about Jesus. If you love Jesus as portrayed in the Bible, you will gain an even greater admiration and understanding of his life and teachings from Part IV of The Urantia Book.

Labels: Bible, enlightenment, God, inspiration, Jesus, lost years, new insight, religion, religious experience, spiritual, spirituality, truth, urantia book

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Saturday, July 12, 2008

Is The Urantia Book Account of Jesus' Life True?

Q: My question is, although what I've read on the website so far about the Urantia Book seems to make a lot of sense, even the historical events attributed to the life of Jesus, how do we know for sure that these attributed historical events actually happened the way the UB says they did? It's easy to see the philosophical truths in the book, but how can we accept on blind faith that all of these events took place exactly this way? It's easy to understand how the gospels could accurately record historical events because they were supposedly written by human eye witnesses, but the humans that documented the UB, as far as my understanding thus far, were not eye witnesses and thus could only receive this information through very accurate divine revelation, which, unfortunately, is always highly suspect.

A: Thank you for your note to Truthbook.com. You ask the same question Pilate asked Jesus, "What is Truth?" Fortunately, we have a lot of help in discerning truth through spirit agencies, primarily the Spirit of Truth, an unerring guide to direct the hungry truth-seeker toward the truth most valuable, useful, meaningful specifically for them. The truth I am led to may differ from the truth youâ€™re led to. Although there is absolute Truth, truth for an ascending mortal is relative and we have to learn to listen and to be guided when we're unsure.

Back to your question. How do you know that anything is true? What measure would you use to know whether what the UB says is true or not? Many people get around such decisions by relying on the judgment of someone else, friends, relatives, priests, ministers, anyone who professes to know something. Yet, your spiritual development is yours alone. No one elseâ€™s judgment can be a substitute for your own judgment. Youâ€™re required to use your own mind, to taste the logic and spiritual fragrance of a new idea and to decide for yourself. My choices canâ€™t be of any spiritual benefit to you.

About Jesus, you can decide for yourself if the scant information contained in the Bible is adequate for your needs or if you prefer the rendition provided by The Urantia Book. Is it true? Does it make sense logically and spiritually as far as you can discern? If you believe it does, but you choose to reject it because no one in a position of authority whom you admire backs you up, then youâ€™ve turned your back on your own ability to discern truth. If you believe it doesnâ€™t make logical sense or isn't spiritually fragrant and you intend to continue your search for something more meaningful then youâ€™ve chosen wisely. Your faith hasnâ€™t been blind, itâ€™s been used to guide your search. You don't have to believe The Urantia Book to be on a track of spiritual discernment.

Youâ€™ve misunderstood who the true authors of the life and teachings of Jesus portion of The Urantia Book are. The page that immediately precedes Paper 120, the first Paper of Part IV, says:

"PART IV

THE LIFE AND TEACHINGS OF JESUS

This group of papers was sponsored by a commission of twelve Urantia Midwayers acting under the supervision of a Melchizedek Revelatory Director. The basis of this narrative was supplied by a secondary Midwayer who was onetime assigned to the superhuman watchcare of the Apostle Andrew."

The authors of Part IV are not human beings and they actually were eye witnesses â€” a much better source for truth than is the fallible human mind.

Labels: Jesus, Spirit of Truth, The Urantia Book, truth

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Thursday, February 14, 2008

An Interesting Hypothesis

Q: i never believed sadler had anything to do with the original transcripts of the
urantia papers. the papers came from europe, via an 1800's expedition that led the group through india, nepal, the himalayas and other places as well. that's where the papers began to be related by non-human beings. i can't believe people can cover up the truth and attribute the origin of the urantia papers to sadler or any other human. The papers are not from america, and the name urantia belongs to all humans. i can't believe all the court issues, and one day the truth will be revealed. sadler and others really did a good cover up job, but not good enough. I've been researching this since 1970 and i will never believe sadler's version and i certainly dont recognize any group who claims to themselves special titles and special authority over the urantia manuscripts. shame to all the liars for perpetuating the illusions of lies and falsehood. they will stand and face their own deceit one day.

Thank you for your interesting note. Your unique hypothesis is one I've never heard before. Why do you think it's a better one than the one that's commonly accepted? Why do you think the commonly accepted one is a fabrication? What to you is more meaningful about an origin in the east rather than originating in Chicago that would cause you to believe such an account?

To me it sounds as if you may be hanging onto the "new age" concepts that everything spiritually meaningful came from some ancient sources in China or Tibet or India in the 1800s. Since such new age concepts aren't supported by the teachings of The Urantia Book and since the Chicago origin of the Urantia papers is so well documented by many hundreds of personal letters, documents, and other records I don't find any reasonable support for such a contention.

If, as you believe, the papers originated in the east, what language would they have been given in? The papers themselves say they were indited in English. The reason English was chosen is first, it has the largest vocabulary of any written language which makes expression of the sublime concepts presented by the revelators somewhat easier, but even at that the language often proved to be a stumbling block. Still, the quality of English used in The Urantia Book is of the highest standard of any literary work -- that couldn't have been achieved by a translation from some less expressive language into English. Second, due to commerce, English is becoming the one-world-language that is so necessary in order for humanity to progress toward that one-world-government on its way toward light and life. More and more of the peoples of the world are becoming able to read the Urantia revelation in its original language, not inferior translations.

Another consideration would be that since much of the content of The Urantia Book comes directly from books previously published, although altered to express higher concepts than the original contained, and since some of those books weren't published until the 1930s, how would that material have been included if the original Urantia text came from somewhere in the east in the 1800s?

But, just as you said, I never believed Dr. Sadler had anything to do with the original transcripts of the Urantia papers either. He was a custodian and more the gatekeeper for their reception -- his job was to see that they were properly received, were reviewed, were put into untampered book form, and I believe he fulfilled his purpose better than nearly any other mortal presented with such a responsibility could or would have done.

You did say you can't believe people can cover up the truth and attribute the origin of the Urantia papers to Sadler or any other human. Neither can I -- all the more reason not to accept a far-east origin. Since the origin in Chicago is the most logical and most simple, that also would tend to make it the most believable.

I agree with you that the name Urantia belongs to all humans, not just to Americans, and I've not seen any evidence that anyone else believes otherwise. And as you said, the court issues are a sad chapter to our history, but certainly not unique.

Anyway, I'd be interested in hearing why your interpretation makes better sense to you than what most of us accept as truth. One of the purposes of studying The Urantia Book is to become more fully in tune with truth, to dispel flighty thinking, to rely upon what our minds sense as being logical and of value; that requires altering our thinking and being able to accept truth as we find it rather than truth as we'd like it to be.

Labels: authorship, The Urantia Book, transcripts, truth, Urantia

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Just What Is Your Belief? Is The Urantia Book A Reference Work?

Q: I look at parts of your site and couldnâ€™t find any reference to the Bible. The part that I read is speaking more or less toward Jesus being who we believe he is but not being into your book any deeper that I am I wonder just what your belief is based on?

I do believe that if a person is Born Again By Jesus Blood he can pretty much understand (being led by the Holy Spirit) the ole fashion word of God.

There is nothing wrong with reference books that provide help for believers and I trust that your book is nothing more that just that (a Help) for believers.

I do like the name of your book TRUTHBOOK because we know that the truth shall set you free but in this day and age there are wolves walking about in sheepâ€™s clothing seeking whom they may devour turning the Truth into a lie.

A: Our site is dedicated to the teachings of The Urantia Book, which does contain over a thousand references to and quotes from the Bible. The Urantia Book is not intended to substitute for the Bible, the foundation upon which Western culture rests, nor to substitute for any particular religion. What it does do is provide insight into the Bibleâ€™s unique position in history and most students of The Urantia Book come to a deeper appreciation of the Bible through their study of the UB. So if youâ€™re comfortable with and confident in your understanding and interpretation of the Bible then there may perhaps be nothing for The Urantia Book to offer you since it speaks to those who did not find the answers afforded by science, religion, or philosophy sufficient to satisfy their inquiring nature.

One significant difference between the Bible and The Urantia Book is that the Bible contains but a brief account of the life and teachings of Jesus â€” although brief it has been sufficient to float the Christian religion for two thousand years and to give an understanding of Jesus to countless seekers. But, all told, there are fewer than 100 pages in the Bible relating to Jesus. The fourth section of The Urantia Book is about 700 pages in length; it recounts his matchless life and teachings from before birth through his death and resurrection â€” no missing years. Students of this book rely upon Jesusâ€™ spirit, the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, to lead and guide them as they follow Jesusâ€™ admonition to "Fear not!"

Your impression that The Urantia Book is a reference book is quite accurate â€” itâ€™s an unsurpassed reference to Jesus, the meaning of his life and teachings to all of humanity. It is also considered to be a reference book for cosmic citizenship since it recounts in great detail the nature of God, the nature of creation, the history of the world, and our place in it and how we fit into the grand scheme of it all. But rather than being more than "a help for believers" The Urantia Book is a help for non-believers, those who lacked belief, those who were searching for God but didnâ€™t seem to find Him. Believers have already found God â€” The Urantia Book is a living handbook for those who are seeking.

Labels: Bible, God, Jesus, Spirit of Truth, The Urantia Book, truth

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Saturday, September 08, 2007

How May I Come To Trust The Urantia Book As Truth?

Q: How may I come to trust the Urantia way as truth? In what ways can I know this truth?

A: That's a good question and one we each have to face, whether it's in regard to The Urantia Book or any other scientific finding, philosophical ideal, or religious belief. How do you know what's real or true versus what's a figment or false? Happily God has provided all we need in this regard.

First, we're endowed with a mind and with free will. These allow us to consider the things that come into our consciousness, to think them over, try them out, see how they feel. We have an in-born conscience that helps us decipher right from wrong. We're also endowed with an ability to think logically and to make deductions from what we already know or understand. If something doesn't make logical sense then either you need more knowledge before making your decision or the thought is erroneous.

The next test is, do you believe that Jesus lived here and taught what is important for us to know? If so then you'll recall that Jesus has said for us to "fear not" -- that can also be applied to concerns about what's true and what's not. You can ask Jesus for guidance in helping you make right decisions and choices. Also recall that Jesus left us his spirit, the Comforter or the Spirit of Truth. This is an actual spirit presence for your benefit to help you know right from wrong, good from evil, truth from error. Ask for guidance -- while humans may lead you astray, Jesus won't. Trust Jesus. If you don't believe in Jesus then making right decisions and knowing the truth can be more difficult -- reading The Life and Teachings of Jesus as found in the fourth part of The Urantia Book will be a blessing to you.

Our main problem is that too many of us are timid about relying upon our own decisions. We look for authority to come from outside. We seek religions of authority, clergy of authority, traditions of authority, teachers of authority -- none of these can substitute for the authority of your own mind and your own thoughts and decisions. You ultimately answer for all of your choices and decisions and beliefs -- the responsibility for them rests with you and no one else can substitute.

It's not necessary to trust and believe The Urantia Book -- some people read it and decide it's not for them. But if you're a truth seeking person, looking for deeper answers then you owe it to yourself to read and to study this amazing book. It's a gift to humanity from deity -- if you're sensitive to truth then its teachings will ring true to you.

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.

Best wishes,
Larry Watkins

Labels: God, Jesus, Larry Watkins, Spirit of Truth, The Urantia Book, truth

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Monday, January 30, 2006

Do Science And Philosophy Conflict With Religion?

Q: Do Science And Philosophy Conflict With Religion?

A: Science is systematized knowledge derived from observation, study and experimentation. It is concerned with facts provable by systematic observation under established principles. By its nature it is limited to the material realm, and has no disciplines for the spiritual or supernatural realms.

Deity can be postulated by science both as an a Priori force and a first cause, but cannot be confirmed by science because the phenomenon cannot be quantified, qualified, reproduced, duplicated, measured or otherwise proved by scientific methodology. Deity is not a mathematical equation, a chemical formula or a physical law. Science is concerned only with matter, energy and life, and is limited by time and space. Science may trace the universe back to the "big bang" (the beginning of time), but it has no method of determining its cause, where the "banged" matter came from, how the laws governing the behavior of matter in time and space were devised, or why the whole thing happened in the first place. Even scientists recognize that there are realities beyond the province of science. For example, science understands much about the brain, an electro-chemical organism, but it cannot explain mind. It understands paint and color, but not art.

Many scientists accept a theory that Deity exists as a master planner, a first cause, and an over controller;; but they cannot prove it. It remains for philosophy and religion to prove the actuality of any truth or reality beyond the physical universe as revealed, or to be revealed, by the observations and laws of science; to confirm or deny the existence of Deity.

Labels: Deity, philosophy, religion, science, truth

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Monday, December 19, 2005

What is the truth about Reincarnation?

Q: What is the truth about Reincarnation?

A: The acceptance of "truth" is a relative thing in human experience. To a Moslem, truth is contained in the teachings of the Quran, to most Christians the Bible is the truth. Even within the various Christian and Moslem sects the truth is seen from different angles. So how do you know the truth and how might God regard your affinity for it?

Your endowments as a human being include a mind for interacting with your environment and logic for sifting through information to determine facts, meaningful truths and to formulate beliefs. That's how a Moslem and a Christian can arrive at their truths which essentially conflict with one another but which quite possibly are pleasing to God because they were each arrived at through the best application of each believer's endowments. What we may assume to be most pleasing to God would be how we arrive at and act upon our decisions and beliefs, not specifically what we believe.

For students of The Urantia Book the message it contains has become their standard for perceiving truth and The Urantia Book does have several things to say regarding the theory of reincarnation. If you'll return to the Truthbook.com FAQ (upper right hand corner of our home page), under ("What does The Urantia Book Say About...), and the heading "What does the book teach regarding reincarnation?" you'll find some of the reason students of the book replace whatever beliefs about reincarnation they may have one time entertained with the Urantia book teachings.

This is an often asked question so we have added it to our discussion board so that you might have the benefit of the thoughtful responses of our online Urantia Book reader community. You can visit this board and see these responses by clicking here: http://forums.truthbook.com/viewforum.php?f=11. And 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 that offers a daily quote from the incomparable teachings of this marvelous book along with a beautiful and inspiring image, a great way to start one's day as well as to begin to understand the Urantia teachings. To subscribe go to the upper right corner of our home page, click on Quote of the Day and follow the instructions.

Thank you for your question.

Larry Watkins,
Truthbook.com

Labels: Bible, Christian, Larry Watkins, Moslem, Quran, reincarnation, The Urantia Book, truth

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Friday, November 18, 2005

When I die and go to Heaven, how can I be happy when I realize that someone I love is not in Heaven with me?

Q: When I die and go to Heaven, how can I be happy when I realize that someone I love is not in Heaven with me, but suffering in hell?

A: Your question reminds me of a similar question I asked myself some 34 years ago when I was just 16 and studying the Bible with a group of religionists. While these folks did not believe in Hell, they did believe in Armageddon. Their doctrine was that at Armageddon, God would destroy everyone on earth who was not a part of their church.

At the time, I met a woman (whom I'd never seen before nor since) and I was talking to her about the teachings of this group. She told me something I never forgot. She said, "Paula, you have the ability to know the truth in your own heart. If something grinds against your own natural and logical beliefs don't except it as being true." I felt then that this made a great deal of sense, in fact it actually rang as truth to me, so I took it to heart.

Shortly after that, I went to study with the woman who was helping me learn the church's doctrines, which adherents of this church simply called "The Truth." I had been studying with her for about 6 months at the time. She told me, "Paula, if you don't convert your parents to 'The Truth' God will have to kill them at Armageddon and it will be your fault."

Well, here was a perfect example of something posed as "truth" that most certainly did "grind against my own natural and logical beliefs." I unequivocally balked at her audacious statement, and replied, "Are you saying that God is going to kill my parents?!"

To which she replied, "Well, yes, he will have to dispose of anyone who is not in The Truth."

I thought for a moment and then said, "My parents are the most loving people I know. They are kind and loyal and trusting and sincere. They are truly good, even wonderful people and you say that God is going to kill people like them just because they don't belong to your religious group?"

Again, she vainly tried to explain to me how God would have no choice but to do such a thing.

I then told her, "You may think it would be Heaven to live forever on earth in peace, where the lion lays down with the lamb, etc., knowing that God had killed your loving parents. But that wouldn't be Heaven for me, that would be Hell."

At this point she was aghast, and she exclaimed, "Oh you can't feel that way!"

I simply said, "I'm sorry but I do feel that way and I can't study with you anymore."

I left her standing there with her mouth open. As I walked alone the twelve blocks to my house, I talked to God. I said, "God, you may just as harsh and unforgiving as they say you are. Perhaps you are willing to kill good people because they don't follow one religion or another and if you are that way, I'm sorry but I can't worship you." Then, after a moment's reflection I thought, "Somehow God, I just can't believe that you are that way.

But if you want me to know who you really are, you are going to have to reveal yourself to me because I'm not getting involved with anymore religions." I felt good in my heart about that declaration and I left it at that.

Four years later, during the worst crisis of my life, The Urantia Book came into my life. It claims to be a revelation of God to humankind. Well, I asked God to reveal himself so my mind was open to such a thing. Imagine my joy when I found the God that was so loving, so merciful, so just, so perfect that I joyfully worship him with every fiber of my being.

Here are three great quotes from that wonderful book that I hope will reassure you that God, our truly loving Heavenly Father, takes no delight in causing any harm to any of his children.

P.39 - Â§1 It is wrong to think of God as being coaxed into loving his children because of the sacrifices of his Sons or the intercession of his subordinate creatures, "for the Father himself loves you." It is in response to this paternal affection that God sends the marvelous Adjusters to indwell the minds of men. God's love is universal; "whosoever will may come." He would "have all men be saved by coming into the knowledge of the truth." He is "not willing that any should perish."

P.2017 - Â§3 When once you grasp the idea of God as a true and loving Father, the only concept which Jesus ever taught, you must forthwith, in all consistency, utterly abandon all those primitive notions about God as an offended monarch, a stern and all-powerful ruler whose chief delight is to detect his subjects in wrongdoing and to see that they are adequately punished, unless some being almost equal to himself should volunteer to suffer for them, to die as a substitute and in their stead. The whole idea of ransom and atonement is incompatible with the concept of God as it was taught and exemplified by Jesus of Nazareth. The infinite love of God is not secondary to anything in the divine nature.

P.60 - Â§3 The barbarous idea of appeasing an angry God, of propitiating an offended Lord, of winning the favor of Deity through sacrifices and penance and even by the shedding of blood, represents a religion wholly puerile and primitive, a philosophy unworthy of an enlightened age of science and truth. Such beliefs are utterly repulsive to the celestial beings and the divine rulers who serve and reign in the universes. It is an affront to God to believe, hold, or teach that innocent blood must be shed in order to win his favor or to divert the fictitious divine wrath.

I hope this helps.

Blessings.....Paula

Another view from Larry:

A: There would probably be no way in heaven that you could be happy if that were the case. I suspect that you are a Christian -- you may be interested to know that not all Christian sects promote a belief in hell. And, as you put it, if there were a hell wouldn't it seem contradictory for you to be happy in heaven?

The Urantia Book provides an exalted vision of God, that God is as Jesus saw him and described him, a loving heavenly Father even so much better than an earthly parent. And Jesus asked, if a loving earthly father would not exhibit wrath and retribution toward his own children why do we choose to believe that the heavenly Father of us all would treat us even worse than a human parent? That seems contradictory too doesn't it.

If you've not already done so, may I recommend subscribing to our Quote of the Day. It offers daily inspirational and meaningful quotes from The Urantia Book along with a great picture. It's an easy way to become familiar with the teachings of this marvelous book and is available from the upper right corner of our home page.

Thank you for your question.

Larry Watkins
Truthbook.com

Labels: Armageddon, atonement, Christian, God, heaven, hell, Jesus, Larry Watkins, love, Paula, religion, revelation, The Urantia Book, truth

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Monday, October 31, 2005

Which religion is perfect?

Q: which religion is perfect? Hinduism, Christianity or Islam?

A: There's a distinction between religion and spirituality that should first be made, spirituality being the personal relationship you have with your creator, and religion being the social form you choose for expressing your spirituality. Hinduism, Christianity, and Islam are different forms of expression of the spiritual and religious drive within us -- they're sustained by social participation, spiritual experiences, by history and tradition, and by religious authority. When any particular religion meets the needs of one's inner life it's spiritually beneficial and when it doesn't it's time to find something that may more closely match one's spiritual development, because we can evolve spiritually during this lifetime.

There are thousands of religions practiced in the world today -- you've named 3 but along with Judaism and Buddhism you could have also included: ancestor worship, Brahmanism, Confucianism, Jainism, mysticism, paganism, Pantheism, polytheism, Shinto, Sikhism, Yoga, and Zoroastrianism to name a few of the others.

Which religion is perfect? None. They each have spiritually beneficent teachings and practices mixed with time-worn traditions. Although spiritually inspired, religions are man-made institutions and are therefore imperfect. That doesn't deny their spiritual value or what can be accomplished through them for personal and social good.

In the Bible we learn that "God is no respecter of persons" meaning that God doesn't show favoritism and that in God's eye we are all equal. The same would be true of religions -- none is more blessed in God's eye than any other. What's most different among religions is the truth they contain and the truths they teach.

Following is a sample of The Urantia Book's teachings on religions and the truth they contain:

P.1012 - Â§4 The many religions of Urantia (earth) are all good to the extent that they bring man to God and bring the realization of the Father to man. It is a fallacy for any group of religionists to conceive of their creed as The Truth; such attitudes bespeak more of theological arrogance than of certainty of faith. There is not a Urantia religion that could not profitably study and assimilate the best of the truths contained in every other faith, for all contain truth. Religionists would do better to borrow the best in their neighbors' living spiritual faith rather than to denounce the worst in their lingering superstitions and outworn rituals.

The Urantia Book contains the most objective and inspiring analysis of religion versus spirituality that you're ever likely to come into contact with. May I suggest you consider studying this marvelous book; it answers most of life's most perplexing questions like no other. You may also wish to consider subscribing to our Quote of the Day which will give you daily thoughts from the pages of The Urantia Book along with an inspiring image. It's a free service available from the upper right corner of our home page.

Click here for today's inspiring quote: http://www.truthbook.com/quotes/index.cfm
Click here for a fee subscription to Quote of the Day: http://www.truthbook.com/quotes/subscribe.cfm

Thank you for your question,

Larry Watkins

Labels: God, Larry Watkins, relationship with God, religion, spiritual growth, spirtuality, truth