The Principles of Creation

Part 3Growth and the spiritual world

Growth and development

• Nothing appears fully formedNothing appears fully formed

• Everything grows and develops Everything grows and develops through stagesthrough stages

• Growth takes timeGrowth takes time

• Development often has a directionDevelopment often has a direction

How was the universe created?

• There are two creation accounts in Genesis

– Six days of creation in Genesis 1

– God created man first and then the universe in Genesis 2

How should we understand the Bible?

• Literalism– The Bible is the inerrant word of God– The Bible is literally true

• Contextually– The meaning of the text depends on its

context– Text should be examined rationally– The Bible contains metaphors and symbols

Traditional perspective

“The Bible itself speaks to us of the origin of the universe and its makeup, not in order to provide us with a scientific treatise, but in order to state the correct relationships of man with God and with the universe.”

Pope John Paul II

The first day

• The word “day” in Hebrew means “age”

• So one “age” or day could be millions or billions of years

• “There was evening and there was morning, one day.” Genesis 1:5

• Bible - “Let there be light”

• Science - Big Bang - an explosion of light

The second day

• Bible - Let the upper and lower waters be separated

• Science - The earth was very hot and so water evaporating forming dense clouds filling the sky

EarthLower water(sea)

Sky UpperWater(clouds)

The third day

• Bible - Let land appear and the land be separated from the sea and let plants appear

• Science - The earth was shrinking as it cooled and bubble of land appeared

• Plants were first living organisms

LandLower water(sea)

Atmosphere UpperWater(clouds)

Let dry land appear

Gondwanaland

And plants

The fourth day

• Bible - Let the sun and the moon and the stars appear

• Science - What seems to be wrong here?• As the earth cooled and plants generated

oxygen the atmosphere changed. The sky became visible

Let the sun and moon appear

Atmosphere

The fifth day

• Let the fish and birds appear

The sixth day

• Let the creatures appear

And finally

What is remarkable is that the order of creation in Genesis 1 is very similar to that suggested by modern science

Chronological order

The creation story in Genesis 2

• God formed man from the dust of the earth• God breathed into him the breath of life• God planted a Garden• Man put there till and keep it• God formed the animals as ‘helpers’• God made a woman from the man’s rib• Man leaves his father and his mother and

cleaves to his wife, and they become one flesh

Teleological order

The three stages of growth

FormationStage

GrowthStage

CompletionStage

Physical growth and development

CompletionStage

GrowthStage

FormationStage

IndirectDominion

Growth due toAutonomy

Governance

“We call it nature because it has developed naturally and spontaneously.”CSG p.874

What is the indirect dominion?

• God is perfect and can only relate to God is perfect and can only relate to perfect beingsperfect beings

• All beings have to grow to reach All beings have to grow to reach completioncompletion

• They grow autonomously guided by the They grow autonomously guided by the the Principle (laws of nature)the Principle (laws of nature)

• During this time God governs things During this time God governs things indirectlyindirectly

Growth and developmentCompletionCompletion

ThingsThings PeoplePeople

GrowthGrowth

Force of the Force of the PrinciplePrinciple

AutomaticAutomatic

GrowthGrowth

PrinciplePrinciple

++Human Human

ResponsibilityResponsibility

What is completion?

1.1. Maturity, integrity, Maturity, integrity, wholesomeness, onenesswholesomeness, oneness

2.2. Achievement of fullAchievement of full potential potential

3.3. Fulfilment of purposeFulfilment of purpose

Spiritual growth

Children’s love Joy from receiving

Mutual love Joy from sharing

Parental love Joy from giving

Aspects of spiritual growth

► Development of awareness of Development of awareness of others and the needs of othersothers and the needs of others

► Development of conscienceDevelopment of conscience

► Maturity of ability to give and Maturity of ability to give and receive lovereceive love

► Growth of sensitivity to GodGrowth of sensitivity to God

Human growth in indirect dominion

Indirect dominionthrough the Principle

GoGodd

MaMann

100% effortto fulfill the

Three Blessings

Follow themoral law

Everything neededto fulfill the

Three Blessings

Reveal the moral law

Humanresponsibility

Divineresponsibility

Fulfilment of God’s will

Human responsibility

God’s effortGod’s effort

Human responsibility in the Bible

• “Your faith has made you well.” Mark 5:34

• “The prayer of faith will save the sick man.” James

5:15

• “Behold I stand at the door and knock.” Revelation 3:20

• “Ask and you will receive.” Matthew 7:8

Divine grace + Human will → God’s will

Freedom and responsibility

“Behold I set before you this day, a blessing and a curse: the blessing if you hearken to the commandments of the Lord your God . . . And the curse, if you do not give heed to the commandments of the Lord your God . . .”

Deuteronomy 11:26-28

God never interferes in human responsibility

► So that we could inherit God’s So that we could inherit God’s creativity and participate in the creativity and participate in the work of creationwork of creation

► By doing so, man can earn the By doing so, man can earn the position of owner and thus be position of owner and thus be worthy to be lord of creationworthy to be lord of creation

Why did God give human beings responsibility?

Examples of freedom

• If Adam and Eve had not eaten the fruit If Adam and Eve had not eaten the fruit there would be no sinthere would be no sin

• If Abraham had not been willing to If Abraham had not been willing to sacrifice Isaac . . . .sacrifice Isaac . . . .

• If the people of Ninevah had not If the people of Ninevah had not repentedrepented

• If Jesus had been accepted . . . . If Jesus had been accepted . . . .

Why did God give people free will?

►God is the source of love

►He made love the centre of human life

► Love has to be freely given and received

RobotRobot

Programmed

No potential for love and creativity

PersonPerson

Free Will

Potential for love and creativity

God’s direct and indirect dominion

Indirect dominion Indirect dominion through the Principlethrough the Principle

GoGodd

MaMann

Love

Direct dominion of oneness

of heart through love

MaMann

God is love, and he who abides in loveabides in God, and Godabides in him. I Jn. 4:16

What is the direct dominion?• A perfected couple are the substantial

object to God and one with God– Feels how God feels, thinks how God thinks

• Living in oneness with God’s heart lead a life of goodness carrying out God’s will

Just as every part of the body spontaneously moves in response to the subtle directions of the mind, people will spontaneously carry out the will of God in accord with the deeply felt intentions of his heart.

EUT, 45

Direct dominion and creation• A perfect person is Lord of Creation,

resonating with the heart of God

• Lead the natural world in free flowing sharing of love and beauty

“According to the Principle of Creation, we are created to attain perfection by fulfilling our responsibility of our own free will, without God's direct assistance. We are then to attain oneness with God and acquire true autonomy. Therefore, it is the calling of our original nature to pursue freedom and autonomy. A person of perfect character understands the will of God and puts it into practice through his own insight and reason, without the need to rely on revelations from God. Hence, it is only natural that we pursue reason and understanding.” EUT

Is there life after death?

• God is an eternal being who loves us as his children

• If there is no life after death everyday would be the worst day of God’s life

• God wants to have an eternal relationship with us and so God created us with a soul that lives forever in the spiritual world

Spiritual selfPhysical self

Spiritual mind Invisible dwelling place of God

Physical mind Instinctive mind maintaining functions of existence

Physical body Spiritual body or soul

Physical senses Spiritual senses

• Beyond time & space

• No reproduction

• Cause

What is the difference between the spiritual and physical worlds?

Spiritual World

Physical World

• Within time & space

• Reproduction

• Effect

1.1. ESP – Extra-sensory perception

2. Telepathy

3. Clairvoyance

4. Psychic healing

5. Mind over matter

6. Mediums/Channeling

7. “Remote viewing”

Examples of spiritual phenomena

1. Life after Life Raymond H. Moody, MD.2. Death and Dying Elizabeth Kubler Ross, MD.3. Life in the World Unseen Anthony Borgia4. Heaven and Its Wonders and Hell and

others Emmanuel Swedenborg5. Psychic Discoveries Behind the Iron

Curtain Sheila Ostrander and Lynn Schroeder6. The Unquiet Dead Edith Fiore, Ph.D.

Writings on the spiritual realm

1. Feeling of peace2. Loud sounds3. Movement through a tunnel4. Sensation of being outside the physical

self5. Meeting other spirit beings6. Encountering a loving being of light7. Moral reflection on earthly life8. Returning to the physical self

Elements common to manynear death experiences

Raymond A. Moody, Jr. M.D.American PhysicianLife after Life, 1975

We relate to both worlds

Physical Physical WorldWorld

Spiritual Spiritual WorldWorld

AnimalAnimal AngelAngel

What is our position in the cosmos?• Ruler of the universe

– The universe is not internally sensitive to God– God does not govern the universe directly– We have potential to govern both

• Mediator and centre of harmony of the cosmos– Like a radio able to ‘pick up’ spiritual ‘waves’

• Microcosm of the universe

Humans are a microcosm of the cosmos

Inherent directive nature

Molecules, atoms, particles

Cellular body

Instinct

Body

Spiritual aspect

Physical aspect

Men, Masculinity

Woman, Femininity

God’s Nature

MineralsPlants

Animals

Human beings

Internal nature

Male

Female

Like dying Like dying

Spiritual worldSpiritual worldFinal destinationFinal destination

EarthEarthPreparation of Preparation of

the spirit selfthe spirit self

WombWombPreparationPreparation

of the physical selfof the physical self

Placenta

MindSpirit self

BodyPhysical self

Spiritual mind

Spiritual body

40 weeks 80 years Eternity

Unborn child

It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.I Cor.15:44

What are the stages of life?

How does spiritual growth take place?

What is the relationship between spiritual and physical

body?

+

Air

Food, water

-

Vitality elements

Life elements

‘My food is to do the will of him who sent me.’ John 4:34

Light

Warmth

PhysicalSelf

SpiritualSelf

Spirit elements

+

-

Good or evil in the conduct of the physical self is the main determinant of whether the spirit self becomes good or evil. EDP, 48

Love

Truth

+

Atmosphereof freedom

GodGod

What are the principles of spiritual growth?

• Spirit growth through give and receive between between life and vitality elements– Grace from good spirit joy, strength, healing

• Spirit can only grow while in the flesh– Body follows mind which follows good purpose

physical self becomes wholesome

• Put truth into action• Growth takes place in stages

• Conscience is higher than your teacher

• Conscience is higher than your parents

• Conscience is higher than God

By rejecting conscience certain persons have made ship wrecks of their faith. I Timothy 1:19

How important is the conscience?

1. Never go against your conscience - keep a clear conscience2. Make sure your conscience is properly formed - make sure

you have a straight conscience

Good actions

What determines where we go?

Free will

Good vitality

elements

Good person

Evil actions

Evil vitality elements Evil

person

Heaven

Hell

It is not God who decides whether a person enters heaven or hell upon his death; it is the spirit himself

The sheep and the goats

• "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’ "Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ "They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ "He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ "Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

Matthew 25:31-46

Regions in the spiritual world

“In my Father’s house are many rooms.”John 14:2

What is the conscience?

ConsciencConsciencee

Physical Physical mindmind

Spiritual Spiritual mindmind

Personal Personal view of view of truthtruth

CompassCompass

Do goodDo good

Avoid evilAvoid evil

GuiltGuilt UncontrollableUncontrollable

ObeyObey

External, standard of right and wrongExternal, standard of right and wrong

Voice of GodVoice of God

Judges and Judges and accusesaccuses

ParentsParentsSocietySocietyScriptureScriptureExperienceExperienceReasonReasonPrayerPrayer

What is the original mind?

Original Original mindmind

PhysicaPhysical mindl mind

Spiritual Spiritual mindmind

GoGodd

You have made us, O Lord, for yourself, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.

St. Augustine

My eyes shed streamsof tears, because mendo not keep thy law.

Psalm 119:136

With my whole heartI seek thee; let me not wander from thycommandments.

Psalm 119:10

I find delight in thycommandments, whichI love, and I will meditateon thy statutes.

Psalm 119:47

Internal, striving for higher standard, pursues absolute goodnessInternal, striving for higher standard, pursues absolute goodness

What is the evil mind?

Evil mindEvil mind

PhysicaPhysical mindl mind

Spiritual Spiritual mindmind

Satan

Enjoys doing evilHappy when people suffer

Physical worldPhysical worldFive physical Five physical sensessenses

Spiritual worldSpiritual worldFive spiritual Five spiritual sensessenses

Physical body

Spiritual body

Spiritual mind

Physicalmind

What is the position of human beings?

Spiritualworld

Physicalworld

AngelsSpiritsAncestors

MineralsPlantsAnimals

Mediator between spiritualand physical worlds

Jesus spoke toElijah and Moses

Human beings Human beings are a microcosm are a microcosm of the cosmosof the cosmos

Lords of Creation

Rulers of the Universe