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on Dr Sadler. However the Sadlers had an adopted daughter, Emma Christenson, and a son, Bill Sadler Jr., both now members of the Contact Commission. These two stepped into the breach and carried on with the arrangements set up by Dr. Lena.
By 1941, the first galley proof became available for checking. After checking and further proof reading the plates were cast, perhaps during 1942, but almost certainly by 1943. Pearl Harbor happened at the end of 1941.
At some time after 1935, and possibly after the death of Dr. Lena Sadler, a new supposed contact with "celestials" occurred. One (perhaps more than one) of the Contact Commission flirted with what most of us call "channeling." Some channeling occurs by listening to "voices" in the head. Others sit in front of a typewriter or computer and type whatever comes into their heads. Whatever the mechanics, the fact is that from the time it commenced until long after the book was published, supposed "messages" from celestials were used by the Contact Commission to impose authority and maintain enthusiasm. However just why publication of the book was delayed for twenty years remains an unsolved mystery.
Finally, in 2001 CE and despite much legal litigation, Part 4, "The Life of Jesus," has been published and is in circulation as a single complete work, all accomplished completely independently of the organization that was initially set up for that purpose.4
"All things work together for good in those who love the Lord."
References.
1. L. Mullins and M.J. Sprunger, (2000) The History of the Urantia Papers. (Penumbra Press, Boulder)
2. William S. Sadler, The History of the Urantia Movement
3. William S. Sadler, (1909) Soul Winning Texts (2nd edition, Square Circles Publishing Inc., Glendale, CA.)
4. Jesus. A New Revelation. (1999) (Michael Foundation, Inc., Oklahoma City)
Parts 1, 2, and 3--Commentary
Besides Part 4, of particular interest and value to religionists and theologians are Papers 1-10 that refer to the nature of God and deity relationships including the Trinity, and Papers 100 to the end of Part 3 that expound upon religion in more general terms. Included are various "aspects" of the First Source and Center such as the transcendent Universal Father of infinity status and the Supreme Being, the God of Finite Reality. There is much in these Papers that would be of interest to process theologians and also to those who have an interest in the future of the Christian religion in the post-modern world.
Finale
The Urantia Papers present us with a much greater task than simply taking comfort from having them or being able to read them. In them we possess the most profound spiritual and religious truths ever to exist as a single unified collection on this planet--as well as being one that is unexcelled for its quality of writing and its consistency. Hence, all revelation therein is self-authenticating.
This is true, independently of who wrote them or how they were written, or what else accompanies them. But like all truth, revelatory or otherwise, the responsibility for decision making about what is true, and what our obligations might be, belongs solely to the individual.
The truths in these Papers demand much. Bearing the fruit of the spirit is their biggest ask. It is the big, big "why" for the Papers being here. And bearing that fruit is a must do.
"What a transcendent service if, through this revelation, the Son of Man should be recovered from the tomb of traditional theology and be presented as the living Jesus to the church that bears his name, and to all other religions." How??
"Christianity has indeed done a great service for this world, but what is now most needed is Jesus. The world needs to see Jesus living again in the experience of spirit-born mortals who effectively reveal the Master to all men."
We have the Papers--and the obligation.
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