BOOK REVIEW: E.T.? An intriguing possibility in "Beyond UFOs"
By Fred Bortz
(Although not strictly a "Urantian" article, I hope you'll agree that it is an interesting one...ed.)
"Beyond UFOs: The Search for Extraterrestrial Life and Its Astonishing Implications for Our Future"
by Jeffrey Bennett
Princeton University Press, 211 pp., $26.95
Is there life beyond Earth? Until about 40 years ago, that question was beyond scientific investigation with one dubious exception: the persistent but unsupported hypothesis that some unidentified flying objects — UFOs — are alien spacecraft.
Today, however, respectable scientists armed with real data are able to speculate about the existence of life on other worlds. Spacecraft have probed every planet from Mercury to Neptune. Advanced telescopic instruments and techniques have detected hundreds of planets orbiting other stars, and it is probably only a matter of a decade or two before the first extrasolar Earthlike world is discovered.
As astrophysicist Jeffrey Bennett declares in the title of his new book, it is time to look toward the emerging science of astrobiology. "Beyond UFOs" is, as the opening paragraph of its first chapter promises, "a book about possibilities."
"It is about the possibility that, within a decade or two, robotic or human explorers will drill into the Martian surface and discover microscopic life. It is about the possibility of landing spaceborne submarines on Jupiter's moon Europa, where they might melt their way through miles of ice and observe life swimming in a volcanically heated ocean. It is about the possibility of strange, cold-adapted life forms on Saturn's moon Titan."
And another possibility looms: the arrival of "an unmistakable signal coming to us from a civilization that has grown up around a faraway star."
In a series of well-crafted chapters, the book delivers on all of those promises. It takes a grand trajectory from Earth — which has "The Makings of a Truly Great Planet" (as one chapter title puts it) — to the stars. Planet by planet, moon by moon, the book explores the possibility of life elsewhere in this solar system. It then speculates about other solar systems in our galaxy where, according to the prevailing scientific view, simple life almost surely exists and intelligent life is plausible.
For the most part, Bennett's search for extraterrestrial life adds up to a very satisfying package. More problematic are his diversions into his personal philosophy and politics as he weighs extraterrestrial life's "astonishing implications for our future."
Numerous times, Bennett climbs on his soapbox and preaches. In many cases, such as when he is trying to address people who reject science in favor of religion, most readers will find themselves wondering why the author is sermonizing on the obvious. In other places the preaching turns blatantly political. Readers on one side of his argument will agree, while those in opposition to him will grumble about "green" or "peacenik" philosophies. The first group doesn't need the sermon; the second will reject it.
Fortunately, even readers who are annoyed by Bennett's preaching will be willing to forgive his flights of passion. At its core, this book delivers a combination that is hard to beat: solid yet highly speculative science plus accessible prose that add up to an out-of-this-world reading experience.
Physicist Fred Bortz is the author of many science books for young readers, including Astrobiology in Lerner Publishing's "Cool Science" series.
Compiled & Presented by Dave Holt Jan - Mar 1997 Unity Center of Walnut Creek (8 week course)
Part 1: Jesus Within the Jewish Tradition
Part 2: Jesus Visiting Other Cultures
Part 3: Further Travels with Ganid and Gonod
Note: In the materials below, "OE" denotes the "Original Edition" of The Urantia Book and "NE" denotes the "New Edition." The texts are identical with the exception of the page formatting and minor changes in spelling and punctuation.
"You learn about God from Jesus by observing the divinity of his life, not by depending on his teachings. From the life of the Master you may each assimilate that concept of God which represents the measure of your capacity to perceive realities spiritual and divine, truths real and eternal." (The Urantia Book, Pg. 1856 OE)
This is how we plan to proceed--merely to observe his life, the unfolding of its story much as we might listen to the parables he himself loved to tell. At the same time I will highlight the issues that I have perceived emerging out of the text for group discussions. I will also try to relate what we "see" to some well-known idea (or controversy) of his later life, or one that Jesus himself worked with in his public ministry. These concepts will also be cited from the Bible.
"You can adequately comprehend the destiny of the mortals of…a local creation only by a perusal of the narratives of the life and teachings of your Creator Son as he once lived the life of man, in the likeness of mortal flesh, on your own evolutionary world." (P. 360)
Part 1: Jesus Within the Jewish Tradition
The world in Jesus's time:
p. 1332, "Nothing like the civilization of the times of Jesus has been seen-since," also p. 1333, "Greece provided a language culture (I par.)
p. 1338, "three languages prevailed (1. par)
p. 1358, "There were few homes that could give better religious training (up to three languages.)
"The Galileans were not regarded with full favor by the Jerusalem religious leaders and rabbinical teachers. Galilee was more gentile than Jewish when Jesus was born." (p. 1334)
The Alexandrian connection:
p. 1355, "their sojourn at Alexandria…the Greek translation of the Hebrew scriptures…"
Jesus growing up:
p. 1360, "his prayers-departure from more solemn & reverent modes" (sec 3, 5th last par.) and a par. about, "family co-operation" (2nd last par.)
p. 1362, formal schooling and "contact with the gentiles" because of which, p. 1363, "Nazareth was... more liberal," (up to "view of all Galilee")
p. 1396, "As time went on..." Jesus denied his destiny as "the deliverer of the Jewish people." (I par.)
The angel Gabriel described Jesus as, "the soul-healer of your people and the spirit liberator of all mankind (p. 1345)," in his visitation to Elizabeth (John the Baptist's mother).
The insularity of Jewish culture/ the distrust of "foreigners":
p. 1412, racial mingling... "Mary was much upset..." (1 par.)
More on the Messiah (the deliverer), p. 1334, "The Jewish people ... (1 par.) and p. 1339, 2 pars. under Jews and Gentiles.
Possible Question for discussion: Why, in spite of all the aforementioned biases and prejudices of the Jewish people, were they chosen above other groups to receive the bestowal son in their midst? Consider the idea quoted from A.N. Wilson for example: "They [the Pharisees] taught that the Teaching (Torah) which came from Almighty God--while itself being holy and unchangeable --was of universal application. It was addressed to all mankind, to Gentiles as well as Jews..." (fr. Paul, The Mind of the Apostle, by A.N. Wilson)
Our first theme is emerging: How does Jesus coordinate obedience to his native tradition with the desire for freedom of expression?:
p. 1366-1367, the drawing episode, p. 1372, "Jesus remonstrated with his father about the Jewish custom" (to end of paper.)
p. 1370, "About the middle of May trip to Scythopolis" (to end of paper.)
Theme of Parenting/ Family Life:
The Death of Joseph Paper 126 #2 (p. 1388 OE/1215 NE.) How this "apparently cruel" event changed the course of Jesus's life. read all Sec 2.
A philosophy of non-violence:
p. 1401 OE (p. 1227 NE/Paper 127 #4), The Nineteenth Year (A.D. 13), the children learn Jesus's technique of non-violence.
Was Jesus a revolutionary? Let us consider that important question here. Some people try to fit Jesus into the role of a radical revolutionary. Was he a Zealot? Or a philosopher of "evolutionary" vs. "revolutionary" change?:
The Jewish Revolt of 70 B.C. was fomented by the Zealots and other Jewish revolutionaries many years after Jesus's death. It led to the nearly complete destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple (as he foretold.) The Jews were banned from living in or even visiting Jerusalem. "The city "was rebuilt as a Roman city named Aelia Capitolina." (Biblical Archaeology Review, Jan/Feb 1997)
Jesus refuses to be the leader of the Zealots at age 17 (Ref. p. 1396 OE/1223 NE, Paper 127 #2) and later on, just before his baptism (Ref. p. 1522 OE/1336 NE, Paper 136, #9).
p. 1404, (Paper 127, sec 6, par. 3-7) The first passover without the Paschal lamb up to "the law of Moses."
The episode with his brother Jude, p. 1415 OE/1239 NE (Paper 128, #6 3rd Par.) Read fr., "The family finances..." to end of section 6.
Jesus's philosophy of non-violence continues to be heard, for example, in the teachings of Gandhi, and Martin Luther King. Here is part of a speech Martin Luther King gave to a crowd who assembled outside his home after a stick of dynamite had been thrown onto his porch (Jan. 31, 1956):
"We are not advocating violence. We want to love our enemies. I want you to love our enemies. Be good to them. Love them and let them know you love them."
Part 11: Jesus Visiting Other Cultures
P. 1422 OE (Paper 129, Sec 2, par. 9-10) "...by apparent chance, Jesus met a wealthy traveller and his son .... Jesus agreed to make the trip."
Teaching the character of God:
At Joppa--Discourse on Jonah, (p. 1428 OE, p. 1251 NE/ Paper 130, #1) a spirit liberator: "will deliver them from captivity," generous and forgiving: "fresh opportunities for wiser living," God is love, "his goodness is so great and real that it cannot contain... evil."
Teaching partnership with God:
At Caesarea, (same paper, #2) Anaxand and the cruel foreman, Jesus's first comments on "the indwelling and divine spirit."
What is the "will of God?" (other refs: p. 1221 OE, Paper 111 #5, p. 1068 NE)
Jesus discusses the indwelling spirit quite naturally with Gonod and Ganid as if they are already well familiar with the concept- -perhaps because of such teachings in the Indian tradition as:
"He who, dwelling in all things,/ Yet is other than all things,/ Whom all things do not know,/ Whose body all things are/ Who controls all things from within--/He is your Soul, the Inner Controller,/ the Immortal." (from Brihad-aranyaka Upanishad.)
"The Lord Supreme ... is the inmost soul of all, which like a little flame the size of a thumb is hidden in the hearts of men." (from Svetasvalara Upanishad.)
The Urantia Book expands on this idea of Jesus preserved in Luke 17:21, "The kingdom of God is within you," and his remembered saying on partnership: "with God, all things are possible." (Matthew 19:26; Mark 10:27)
p. 1438 OE (p. 1258 NE/same Paper 130 #6), The Young Man who was Afraid. Jesus's most successful case history in his role as a psychological healer. Relate this episode to Paul's description of the effect of Jesus's gospel:
"He is a new creature; his old life is over, a new life has already begun." (2 Cor 5:17, The New English Bible)
Jesus as a philosopher and a man of knowledge: Not only did "the common people hear him gladly," but also the philosophers and theologians of the ancient world.
Throughout the Urantia Book's descriptions, Jesus is less of the rabbi familiar to us from the Bible. We see him become reintegrated back into the whole matrix of the ancient world's philosophic, scientific and religious thought in the unique way that his ideas blend science, philosophy and religion to further serve human progress. Jesus was a practical idealist.
"At their inn there also lodged a merchant from Mongolia ... Jesus had several long visits with him. ...This merchant was a Taoist, and he had thereby become a strong believer in the doctrine of a universal Deity ... One God--the Supreme Ruler of Heaven." (p. 1429 OE, p. 1251 NE/ Paper 130, #2)
Every being in the universe is an expression of the Tao. It springs into existence, unconscious, perfect, free, takes on a physical body, lets circumstances complete it. That is why every being spontaneously honors the Tao.
The Tao gives birth to all beings, nourishes them, maintains them, cares for them, comforts them, protects them, takes them back to itself... (From The Tao Te Ching, #51, translated by Stephen Mitchell)
"Tao covers and supports all things. How overflowingly great!... To love people and benefit all things means humanity (jen). To identify with all without losing his own identity means greatness. To behave without purposely showing any superiority means broadness. To possess an infinite variety means richness. Therefore to adhere to virtue is called discipline. To realize virtue means strength. To be in accord with Tao means completeness." (attributed to Confucius by the Taoist philosopher, Chuang Tzu, or one of his pupils. 399-295 B.C.)
P. 1432 OE, At Alexandria, (Paper 130, #3 and #4, p. 1254 NE) Jesus's discussion of the relation between the visible and the invisible with a Platonist. -Jesus teaches on subjects such as: what is truth? What is evil (error)?
**Optional** On The Island of Crete, short section (#5) (At this point, the class needs to make a decision whether to cover the world religions teachings that Ganid and Jesus assembled while in Alexandria or move on to other events in their journey.)
The Sojourn at Rome (Paper 132, p. 1455 OE, p. 1275 NE)
Read all of Introductory section, and Section 1, science, philosophy & religion. A discussion of a balanced approach to progress on all three levels and liberating oneself from dogma/static truth in all three areas. The progressive human development emphasized in Jesus's talks conflicts dramatically with the ideas of last days, judging the people of the earth, the rapture, the end of an age, and Armageddon current in many contemporary Christian circles. These eschatological concepts originate partly from Jewish concerns with re-establishing their rule and smiting their Roman enemies. When Jesus predicted the demise of the Temple, the Jews could not imagine life continuing afterwards. Jesus could foresee the continuing evolution of human societies.
Other references to follow up for further study, par. 4 of The Cosmic Mind, "responds on three levels of universe reality" (paper 16, #6, p. 191 OE, p. 166 NE); The Seven Psychic Circles, par. 4 on, "When the development of the intellectual nature proceeds faster Likewise, overspiritual development" (paper 110, #6, p.1209 OE, p. 1059 NE); Control and Overcontrol, par. 6, "when culture advances overfast, when material achievement outruns the evolution of worship-wisdom" (Paper 118, p. 1301, OE p. 1139 NE)
Section 3, Truth and Faith, talking with the priest of Mithraism. (paper 98, p. 1082 OE, p. 948 NE, for more on Mithraism if you need to know more.)
Section 5, Counseling the Rich Man, Section 6, and Section 7 beginning at par 3, "It was on the visit to Switzerland..." for a discussion of unbalanced approaches to God, philosophy without religion and visa-versa.
Part III: Further Travels with Ganid and Gonod
The Return From Rome (Paper 133, p. 1468 OE, p. 1287 NE) Read all of Introductory section and section 1, Mercy and Justice.
Key ideas: justice, even in the universe, is vested in groups having "absolute confidence in [the] heavenly Father's overcare." Recall from pg. 1326 (OE, p. 1159 just before par. 4), "the full meaning and the rich significance of that faith-trust which you so unvaryingly require all your creatures to master in the bestowal commission given to Michael (Jesus) before his incarnation.
Section 2, Embarking at Tarentum, up to end of par. 3, "...returned to India."
Section 3, At Corinth, up to end of par. 10, "...first Christian church in Corinth."
Section 4, Personal Work in Corinth, Read only par. 10, and 12.
Section 5, At Athens--Discourse on Science. Notice again the triads at the root of Urantia Book cosmology- -science, philosophy, religion; fact, meaning, value; matter (energy-mass), mind, spirit; a liberation from the trap of dualities such as we found in Plato with shadows of reality, original reality but no intervening middle ground of reality coming into being.
Section 6, At Ephesus--Discourse on the Soul, Notice this graph of stages in its evolution:
1. Self-consciousness ... is not the soul.
2. Moral self-consciousness= true human self-realization.
3. Spiritualization of the self-realization of the moral selfconsciousness ... leads to eternal survival of the soul.
Section 7. The Sojourn at Cyprus--Discourse on Mind, Read par. 5 to the end.
Section 9. In Mesopotomia. the Farewell between Joshua, Gonod and his pupil.
"Of all human knowledge, that which is of greatest value is to know the religious life of Jesus and how he lived it." (p. 2090, Paper 196, sec 1, par 3.)
If you asked several people, you would probably get several different answers. Some would say the word gospel means "good news", and it does, but that's just a definition. You want to know, "What is the good news, and where does it come from?"
Some will say that the gospel is the story about Jesus, as written by the New Testament writers, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. After all, these stories are often called the "Four Gospels". Others will tell you the good news is that God sent His son to earth as a sacrifice, to die, and to rise again, in order to atone for the sins of mankind. Still others say that Jesus' death on the cross was a ransom paid by God to redeem mankind from the Devil, and so on.
The New Testament says that Jesus and the apostles went from city to city, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God to the multitude.
"And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people." (Matthew 9:35)
"And it came to pass...that Jesus went throughout every city and village, preaching and showing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him..." (Luke 8:1) (Also see Matthew 4:23, Mark 1:14, and Luke 4:43.)
>From these verses we can tell that the gospel was something that Jesus actually preached and taught. Thus, the question of where the gospel comes from is answered. It comes from Jesus.
The word gospel means "good news" and "glad tidings", but what exactly was Jesus telling the people? What was his message? And has the essence of it, the actual gospel, the teachings of Jesus, been partly lost to us today and replaced by another message, the teachings about Jesus?
On these preaching tours, Jesus gave the people very important information (the good news!), and it was a positive, powerful message, focused on a few specific ideas. The gospel that Jesus taught was that information which would satisfy our deepest spiritual hopes, needs and desires: to better know our Father in heaven and our relationship with mankind, to be of the Spirit and to show the fruits of the Spirit, and to have eternal life with God.
We can tell from his teachings that the gospel of Jesus, even what we may call the "religion of Jesus", was and still is, this: God is our loving spiritual Father and we are all His children, sons and daughters in His family. If we love God and love one another, we will have eternal life in heaven.
Have you heard the expression, "I got it straight from the horse's mouth"? When people say this, they mean they got some information right from the source, and therefore it is true. It is like a gold miner who finds the mother lode. The actual teachings of Jesus are from the true source, the mother lode, from God Himself, as personified by His son.
Here then are the high spiritual teachings of Jesus, the information that he was giving to the crowds, - the real gospel. It's all you need to know.
* * * * * * *
Jesus teaches us about doing the Father's will and entering the kingdom of heaven.
"Not every one who says to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 7:21)
Doing the Father's will is the key to entering the kingdom of heaven. And what is the Father's will? It is simply loving God, and loving and serving our brothers and sisters on earth, our brothers and sisters in God's family.
* * * * * * *
Jesus tells us how we can have eternal life.
"And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tested him, saying, 'Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?' Jesus said to him, 'What is written in the law? how do you read it?' And he answered saying, 'Thou shall love God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.' And Jesus said to him, 'Thou has answered right: this do, and thou shall live.'" (Luke 10:25-28)
Do this and you will have eternal life! Love God, and love your neighbor. Could it be any clearer or simpler? Jesus knows that loving all of our fellow humans may not be easy for us, but he expects trend and effort.
* * * * * * *
Jesus tells us why he came to earth.
"And he said unto them, 'I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore was I sent.'" (Luke 4:43)
Many have differing views as to the purpose of Jesus' incarnation on earth. Here, Jesus himself tells us that he came to earth to preach the gospel, the good news of the kingdom of God.
* * * * * * *
Jesus teaches a new and very personal idea about the kingdom of God.
"And when he was asked by the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them and said, 'The kingdom of God will come not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.'" (Luke 17:21)
Imagine! The kingdom of God is within you. This is a stunning but misunderstood teaching of Jesus. There are several aspects of the kingdom of God. One is spiritual, - the kingdom is not a material realm. Another is the outward kingdom, - the Father and His angels off in heaven somewhere. And then there is the kingdom within. Jesus is talking about this inner kingdom when he says that the kingdom of God is within you, actually a part of the Father himself, sharing your life, going through your ups and downs with you, and if you desire it, guiding you like a compass back to Him. This is not a nebulous spirituality wafting through you, as might be imagined for a spirit being, and as might be the case in some situations, but rather a definite focalization of the Father, in you.
* * * * * * *
If we have become separated from God, Jesus tells us what the Father requires in order for us to come home to Him, to rejoin His family, our spiritual family.
"The Parable of the Prodigal Son." (Luke 15:11-32)
Many people do not give much thought to the parables that Jesus taught. They are often quoted but seldom explained. Parables are simple stories with a single, clear message. You don't have to be a theologian or a rocket scientist to understand them. In this parable, Jesus says that our spiritual Father will welcome us home just as soon as we sincerely want to return to Him. Even though the repentant son was still a long way off, the moment his father saw him coming down the road he ran to him to greet him in love and welcome him back into the family. This is how our Father in heaven responds to us, His children, always with an attitude of love and forgiveness. No matter how far down the road away from the Father you think you are, if you want to return home, the door is open.
* * * * * * *
Jesus tells us how we can have our sins forgiven.
"For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you." (Matthew 6:14)
Forgiving others is a difficult thing for us to do. In reality, the Father's forgiveness is always available to us. By forgiving others, we tap into that forgiveness, we open the door to it.
* * * * * * *
In a conversation with a man named Nicodemus, Jesus teaches us about being "born again".
"Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water [physical birth], and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." (John 3:5)
God is spirit. When we love God and desire to do His will, we are born again, born of the Spirit. It's that simple.
* * * * * * *
Jesus tells us to be perfect.
"Be you therefore perfect, even as your Father who is in heaven is perfect." (Matthew 5:48)
Nobody's perfect, as the saying goes. Perfection is not our condition, but it is our goal. The Father knows that we have been created with a "human nature", after all, He created us. It will take effort on our part to become more perfect, more spiritual, more like God. There's no time like the present to start. In the words of Lao-tzu, "A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step."
* * * * * * *
Jesus tells us about God's family.
Jesus says, "Our Father..." (Matthew 6:9, Luke 11:2)
When Jesus uses the term Father, he is talking about his Father and our Father. Above all else God is a loving Father and we are his children. If we know that we are sons and daughters of God, we will naturally want to act like one.
* * * * * * *
Jesus tells us that God knows what we need.
"...for your Father knows what things you have need of, before you ask him." (Matthew 6:8)
God knows our real needs. His kingdom is a spiritual one and our real needs are mostly spiritual in nature. When we pray, we should not pray overmuch for material things, but should pray for spiritual insight, pray for others, and pray for help to know and do the Father's will. When Jesus says, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you..." (Matthew 7:7, Luke 11:9), he is talking about spiritual gifts, spiritual truths, and spiritual doors.
* * * * * * *
Jesus teaches us about tolerance, one of the fruits of the Spirit, and beyond mere tolerance, even love for other people and groups which may be different from our own.
"For if you only love those who love you, what reward have you? do not even the publicans do the same? And if you salute your brethren only, what do you do more than others? do not even the publicans do so?" (Matthew 5:46-47, Luke 6:32-33)
* * * * * * *
Jesus talks about sharing the good news, - his teachings.
"...freely you have received, freely give." (Matthew 10:8)
The good news is not something to be hidden under a rock. It should be shared with everyone in God's family.
* * * * * * *
Many religions are complex, but the real gospel of Jesus is simple: Love God your Father, and love your fellow man. If you do this you will be doing the Father's will, and you will have an eternal life of love and service with God. This real gospel of Jesus will also be acceptable to all of God's children on earth who love Him, whether they be Christian, Moslem, Jew, Buddhist, or Hindu.
* * * * * * *
And finally, as would be expected from the Son of a loving God, comforting words from Jesus to all of us.
"Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." (Luke 12:32)
* * * * * * *
All Bible quotations excerpted or adapted from the King James Version.
Prepared by: Norm Du Val PO Box 335 Wadena, MN 56482
Copyright c 1994 Please copy as needed. Rev. 11-96
Xerpi
