03/02/22
Travels around the Universe with Ezekiel
Reports here are not directly from the writings of Ezekiel but rather from a book by Blumrich published in 1973. With this caveat, it is obviously not possible to directly confirm Ezekiel’s observations. Writing over 2500 years later, Ezekiel reports events dealing with the multiple universes as well as travels around our universe and technology of his time. Confirmation of the events would need to be from recovered artifacts traceable to the time. However, the absence of those items does not negate Ezekiel’s observations, time may have obscured any remaining items from the actual occurrence, they merely await confirmation at a later date.
His reports cover a 20 year period which includes the year 587 B.C.E. when the Jewish temple in Jerusalem was taken by Nebuchadnezzar. In this time multiple trips to and from Earth are completed and travelers from other parts of the Cosmos are given tours around Earth by spacecraft. He tells of his flight to a very high mountain as well as around many buildings in the temple area. Swift back and forth movement of the spacecraft is reported. Distances are checked by time keepers in the spacecraft, also a second spacecraft is reported to be maneuvering in the area.
Modern instruments and power systems are reported; for example spacecraft propulsion is provided by atomic power plant while helicopters provide maneuvering power for activity in close proximity to the ground. Instrumentation for communication and navigation includes hand held radio as well as laptop computers.
The route to our soul
Is music the language of the soul, as observes Rev. Will Johnson in the link below in 2015?
http://www.debclltx.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/The-Language-of-the-Soul-sailwaywil.pdf
Wesley cites the Language of Scripture in referencing different heavens, and not the singular heaven in discussing the role of multiple universes in man’s relation to the Creator. He discusses to three levels of the universe in relation to the lower sublunary heaven with the elements and the third level, the residence of the Creator. (The New Creation, Sermon 64, 1785).
Noting that human senses derive only from the physical world and give us no information on the invisible world, John Wesley cites faith as a “evidence of that unseen thing, my own soul.” (1788)
Wesley in 1783 observes “things which are not seen (such as the soul of man in particular) are eternal.” Wesley, Sermon 103, 1783. Further, “besides the souls of men there are other orders of spirits, …… millions of creatures walk the earth, unseen whether we wake or if we sleep.” Also, “The spiritual world, understanding thereby the kingdom of God in the soul of man.” (Wesley, Sermon 110, 1788).0
Mt 12:32-36
32 Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven, either in this world or in the world to come.
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Barr (2003) presents the argument of multiverses and the existence of man where, in quantum mechanics, multiple options and the case for a cosmic designer will always exist. This view also was expressed by Gingerich (2014). No proof, but strong support for the probabilistic nature and spiritual connection of the soul and multiverses.
In the final analysis, of course, we as individuals can only be concerned about what might happen in our lifetimes. If our behavior there is consistent with, for example, the teachings of Jesus, then that is all that we can do while we look to see the final outcome.
First link below is one take on multiuniverses
http://www.debclltx.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Our-Vast-Multiverse.ppt
And then another
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGDoIFvVAwM
Discussions below in Reflector on Meaning to be gleaned from Astronomical observations
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Link below goes to Astronomy References
http://www.debclltx.com/?page_id=446
Faith based action on climate change
Faith Leaders demand climate action now
Is Music the Language of the Soul? Will Johnson
The chorus of learned theological folks spouting the truth about the state of the climate is growing. The site below is from the United Methodist Publication Insight prepared by the church in Mesquite, not the Nashville based headquarters, which is still in denial.
http://um-insight.net/perspectives/views-from-a-ridge/the-fire-next-time/.
Science – supporting faith
Religion vs science Book by Elaine Ecklund and Christopher Scheitle
What religious people really think.
Probability and Statistics in Faith Decisions
What is so special about science – Boston Globe 050619
Many events in life, and in faith, are statistically driven, i.e.specific outcomes may be desired but in fact many outcomes are unpredictable. The following is a Power Point presentation given to the Christ United Methodist Church youth in 2010 on this subject and the next is an example drawn from the New Testament where the outcome is not determined (uncertain).
Decision making in a probabilistic world
The probability of events occurring naturally must be considered in gaining confidence in biblical teachings. In Jesus response to his disciples question in John 9:1-3, he dismissed parents sinning and the man sinning as causes of the man’s blindness. This leaves open a number of naturally occurring events including staring at the sun too long (e.g. Galileo) and industrial accidents such as a vat of boiling oil exploding or being hit in the head with a swinging timber member.
Uncertainty -Stuff happens
Stuff Happens – Tower Falls
Rain Falls on just and unjust (Mat 5:45), as well as the myriad of indecisives in the population. Given the variability of rainfall, this passage is another example of probabilistic occurrences and the concept of uncertainty in Jesus’ teachings.
Jesus’ Parables
Jesus’ parables are the closest thing that we have of his actual thoughts. The following is the result of an analysis of the parables, identifying topics which are mentioned indicating that his exposure to life experiences extended to a wide variety of topics, most likely during his working years, before he began his ministry. The Parables are not dogmatic, but rather are a view on how life can be lived with your fellow human.
The rank order indicates the frequency of a particular topic being addressed in these parables. The parables are linked to Jefferson’s Bible as well as Barclay’s book on the subject. Note that the top occurrence (Group A) is for Christian Life, Faith and Discipleship. Group B (2-5) contains topics for daily living including intellectual decisions, nature and business and salvation and the kingdom of heaven. Finally, Group C deals with science and math, forgiveness, humility and pride, charity, justice and finally, construction practices, material properties and family.
Rank Order of Parable Topics as attributed to Jesus
The presentation below traces the initiation and evolution of the cosmos from the initial Big Bang to present day. The Power Point file is downloaded to your computer.
In the beginning – Presentation at Kiwanis 09/13/16
News on Faith and the Universe
An editorial in the astronomy journal Reflector and a Letter to the Editor in astronomy publication Reflector cited below gives some insight into the factors involved in observing faith matters in science. Following this is a citation to the book Modern Physics and Ancient Faith by Stephen M. Barr, which goes more deeply into the subject.
Where God and Science Meet.pdf
Laws of science, life and the wedding 04/22/15
At the wedding, Jesus’ admonition about not putting new wine in old wineskins and patching burst skins shows an appreciation of the laws of science in container storage, as well as in material properties. Although the discussion is strictly about delivering good wine to the wedding feast, there certainly can be other implications.
New, freshly squeezed wine will contain pulp and grape skins which will tend to plug the pores of the skins and the walls will become brittle, non flexible. In that event, gas from the further fermentation process cannot escape and the pressure will build. More brittle materials are more prone to burst when handled and when overpressurized. A burst skin can be repaired much like a bicycle innertube but the flexibility (elasticity) of the parent material and the patch material must be close to the same lest the joint initiates a crack and further failure occurs. Interestingly, this principle was being applied at the time by Roman engineers in designing earthquake resistant structures.
Why was Jesus group enjoying the party and not fasting; could be that he was simply acknowledging one of the laws of life? The festive atmosphere prevails at the reception (feast) while the bride and groom are there, but it changes significantly when they (the bridegroom) depart. The party is over.
One interpretation of this parable is that in any action, one should collect all of the facts and be governed accordingly, i.e. make your actions consistent with the laws of science and laws of life. This liberal interpretation of scripture is merely to demonstrate where the laws of science have played a role in societal events. In this case, Jesus in his early life must have observed happenings demonstrating these laws.
New Testament, Matthew 9:14-17, Mark 2:21-22, and Luke 5:37-39.
The wineskin warning appears earlier on in Job 32:19 in the Old Testament (around 1000 BCE). The solution to the wine processing problem would be to filter the skin and pulp from the juice before placing it in the wineskins so that only the purest liquid is used. The pores of the wineskins then would remain free to vent the gas produced in the fermentation.
Faith in the Face of Science – Christ UMC, College Station 2008
Rev. Jerry House CUMC on the Creation Story 2007
Walker-Prolonging Live not Death
In addition to the above, other presentations and events included:
Rev. Matt Idom, Senior Minister at Bryan FUMC describing his experiences as an amateur archeologist
Dr. Don McLeroy, Chairman of the Texas Board of Education describing his position as a creationist.
Presentation of video on the Star of Bethlehem with discussion led by amateur astronomer Dr. Mark Spearman.
Tour of the TAMU Nuclear Science Center to learn about nuclear power.
Tour of the Gibbons Creek Coal Fired Power Plant to learn about electric power generation.
Tour of the Brazos Valley Museum of Natural Science.
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Other comments and sources
… and you will know the truth and the truth will make you free. John 8:32
“I am personally persuaded that a superintelligent Creator exists beyond and within the cosmos, and that the rich context of congeniality shown by our universe, permitting and encouraging the existence of self-conscious life, is part of the Creator’s design and purpose.”
– Owen Gingerich, God’s Universe, The Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 2006, p. 39.
“For what sense can science or religion make if we don’t find means for reconciling offenses? Very little, I suspect; very little indeed.”
– John Lienhard, “Science, Religion and Forgiveness,” No. 1445, Engines of our Ingenuity
“Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.”
New Testament, Matthew 12-32. The Harper Collins Study Bible, New Revised Standard Version, National Council of Churches, 1989.
“What Is Man? “When I consider thy heaven, the work of thy fingers, the moon and stars, which thou hast ordained; what is man” Psalm 8:3, John Wesley, Sermon 103, http://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-sermons-of-john-wesley-1872-edition/sermon-103-what-is-man/
“It is not an improbable conjecture, that David wrote this psalm (8:3) in a bright starlight night, while he observed the moon also “walking in her brightness;” John Wesley, Sermon 103, http://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-sermons-of-john-wesley-1872-edition/sermon-103-what-is-man/
Barr, Stephen, Modern Physics and Ancient Faith, Notre Dame Press, Notre Dame, Indiana, 2003, 312 pp.
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