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The book of course does contain science material that is revelatory and remarkable. Some of this has been covered in previous issues of Innerface. It is again interesting that many people who have the background knowledge to evaluate this prophetic material nevertheless prefer to give greater weight to the 'funny stuff' and thus reject the revelation.
Of course, we well-balanced Urantia Book readers would not be likely to fall into error as did the early Christians. But if that is true why is it that for so long, in print, the book had to be referred to as "The Urantia Book,"--if we are not inclined to treat it as sacred object?
And why do the vast majority of us believe that there was something very special, miraculous even, about the way we ourselves received the book? Likewise, how many of us have indulged in the game of guessing who might or might not be members of the Reserve Corps of Destiny--and even fantasized about our membership?
Is it possible that an updated version of the story of the Pharisee in the temple praying, "I thank you God that I am not like that publican over there..." could become a Urantia Book reader praying, "I thank you God that I am not like that Christian over there." But, of course, we are forgetting that Urantia Book readers don't pray--they communicate!
We owe thanks to Ann for reminding us about the "chosen people" syndrome. Jesus extolled the virtue of true humility. He even said, "the first shall be last and the last shall be first." (1804; Mark 10:31)
The book informs us that, "the ideas and ideals of Jesus, embodied in the teaching of the gospel of the kingdom nearly failed....Then it says, "But doubt not, this same kingdom of heaven which the Master taught exists within the heart of the believer, will yet be proclaimed to the Christian church (who has that task?), even as to all other religions, races and nations on earth--even to every individual."
So what is it that is to be proclaimed? Here are a few of its components:
The sense of guilt (not the consciousness of sin) comes either from interrupted spiritual communion or from the lowering of one's moral ideals...Jesus swept away all of the ceremonials of sacrifice and atonement. He destroyed the basis of all this fictitious guilt and sense of isolation in the universe by declaring that man is a child of God.
The creature-Creator relationship is placed on a child-parent basis. God becomes a loving Father to his mortal sons and daughters. All ceremonials not a legitimate part of such an intimate family relationship are forever abrogated.
God the Father deals with man, his child, on the basis, not of actual virtue or worthiness, but in recognition of the child's motivation--the creature purpose and intent. The relationship is one of parent-child relationship and is actuated by divine love.
True worship springs from the practice of the presence of God which eventuates in the emergence of the brotherhood of man.
All non-self desires do actually have their origin in the leadings of the indwelling spirit of God. The impulse stemming from the indwelling spirit forces are realized in human consciousness as the urge to be altruistic, fellow-creature minded.
Always must the desire to do the Father's will be supreme in the soul and dominant over the mind of an ascending child of God.
The will of God is to know him and to want to be like him.
The only rewards held out to God's children are, in this world, spiritual joy and divine communion, and in the next--eternal life and progress in the divine spirit realities of the Father.
The will of God is the way of God.
The choosing of the Father's will is the spiritual finding of the spirit Father. Its choosing is not so much a negation of creature will as the affirmation that, "It is my will that your will be done."
If your own mind does not serve you well, you can exchange it for the mind of Jesus who always serves you well.
Christianity has dared to lower its ideals before the challenge of human greed and lust for power; but the religion of Jesus stands as the unsullied and transcendent spiritual summons, calling to the best that is in man to rise above the legacies of animal evolution and, by grace, attain the moral heights of true human destiny.
Jesus saw God as being holy, just, and great, as well as being true, beautiful, and good.
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