In physics we have learned a little bit about "string theory." While I don't really know all the specifics, there is supposedly evidence for this. One major component of string theory is the idea of "multiple" or "parallel" universes - or dimensions of reality - that co-exist with us, beside us, within us, that are tied into the fabric of the universe we touch and taste and see, but yet we cannot see or experience. This is some pretty crazy stuff, and here are some things that have been running over and over in my mind:
1) Could heaven/hell exist in possible parallel dimensions?
2) In the Bible it says angels/demons belong to another realm/dimension. Could this 'spirit world' be yet another parallel universe that co-exists with the one in which we live our day-to-day lives?
3) Could ghosts be those who transcend parallel dimensions into different parallel dimensions? In the Old Testament, God allows the spirit of Samuel to 'come up' to those who have not yet died (1 Samuel 28). Is it possible that Samuel was allowed to travel from one very real dimension (Heaven) to our dimension (the one in which you read these words)?
4) Perhaps Satanists or spirit worshippers are those who, through some weird way, can open windows for the dimension of the spirits to enter into our dimension and interact with us in ways they are usually not capable of (possession, occultic problems, etc.)?
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12 comments:
cool thoughts, just be careful not to focus on things we can never know the answers to. i try to live by the motto: if it isn't essential to my salvation, then i won't waste time on it.
I personally think that while that motto has some pretty hardcore truth to it, it leaves some things out. Is my writing stories essential to my salvation? No way! So should I waste time on it? I guess not. But I also know that God has given us interests and passions that, while not essential to salvation, are hardwired in us by God and give a little spice to life.
After all, is postmodernism really that essential to salvation? It's just another view of Christianity (a more emergent and relevant one, yes, but a view nonetheless). If people can get to Jesus without going through postmodernism, then I would guess we shouldn't spend any time on postmodernism.
I hope not to sound argumentive. I just want to see some discussion. Maybe IM me or something?
Later man.
Anthony
I think its good that you have such a creative seeking mind I just think Mike was trying to say don't get so caught up in those kinds of things that you take your focus off what is important I disagree with what you said on postmodernism I think that that could honestly be an important way to reach those who otherwise would totally avoid Christianity and never have a relationship with Christ
In saying that postmodernism wasn't essential to salvation, I was just trying to make a point. I love the whole idea of postmodernism and believe that the modern culture is transitioning into a postmodern one (and one day, the postmodern culture will transition into something else). But is postmodernism essential to salvation? In the end, in my humble opinion... gulp... No.
My point was that if we just pinpointed all our activities and thoughts on those things and issues that were a paved road to salvation, we'd be missing out on a lot. I think if that had been the case through history - even Christian history - we wouldn't have gotten as far as we have.
And yet I know there IS a lot of substance to what Mike - and you - are saying. It is important not to idolize stuff; we can idolize people, things, places, even ideas and theories. Anything - including ourselves, even including prayer and worship and the Bible - can be idolized. Yet just spending lots of time on something does not make it an idol. If something becomes an idol, I say nick it in the butt.
I am liking this discussion. Keep it going!
I'm not sure what you're line of thinking is with "paved road to salvation" It's not that black and white Developing relationships,sharing your faith and loving others& showing Christ's love that is essential but it's a different experience for everyone who accepts Christ What may have drawn me into accepting Christ may not be what drew you to Him Maybe it's a sermon, maybe it's New Kind of Christian maybe it's a Passion concert maybe it's a Billy Graham Crusade maybe it's a loving friend who cares enough to spend time with me every week sharing his opinions,beliefs,and God's word
When I said, "Paved road to salvation," I simply meant the essentials: the cross/resurrection/prayer/baptism. All that good stuff. I guess a better phrase would've been the "benchmarks of salvation" - like you said, many roads lead to the essentials, and it is the essentials I mean by "paved road to salvation." This goes to show - at least to me - that if we just focused on the essentials, and did not find liberty in the nonessentials, we'd be in a big hole.
anthony, woah, slow down man, i think you are being a tad defensive here. first, this has nothing to do with ministry methods. you were originally talking about some seriously hypothetical stuff. hypotheticals never get the job done, so to speak.
second, wasting time pondering and discussing hypotheticals, things that will not ever be proven, is not helping anyone. there are always several means to an end. over-philosophizing is not usually the most productive or effective one.
third, as for questioning all the things that we do: whether they are essential to salvation or not...if they do not glorify God, lead to God, point someone else towards God, worship God, praise God, magnify God, then why do it. that is the point.
I am definitely not a saved by works kinda guy, so let's not go down that road either. loosen up a little, focus on the important, not the irrelevant, and glorify God no matter what. And anthony, dude, you know i love you and want more than anything to see you grow. all of this is out of that love and is not intended to be argumentative, pejorative, or arrogant. I do not have all the answers, but i will look for them with you.
much love,
You know there's one thing I don't like about blogs? You can't capture the tone of the writing.
Doesn't that sound sarcastic?
Actually, I'm smiling :-).
I don't see this as an argument, but a discussion. See, discussions usually are not we-believe-the-same-thing; most of the time no one really wins. That's an argument. With every post, I hope to get some feedback - positive or negative, doesn't matter; hopefully "negative" because you can't keep a discussion going if someone says, "Hey, you're right," and realistically, that probably won't happen. So my hope is that we can have a discussion that will evolve - see how we aren't discussing multiple universes, but that's okay with me. A discussion was started. Isn't that what a blog kinda is? Hopefully a discussion?
After that little speel, let us continue the discussion, and pursue truth together. I hope this does not come out argumentive, arrogant, or pejorative. I am simply hoping the discussion will flow/evolve... and ultimately engage.
As to your 2nd and 3rd comments, I must say I personally disagree with you. I look at the second topic:
"second, wasting time pondering and discussing hypotheticals, things that will not ever be proven, is not helping anyone. there are always several means to an end. over-philosophizing is not usually the most productive or effective one."
As for me, I enjoy these ponderings very much. I am a very contemplative person. The riches of a swirling mind are unfathomable. And sometimes, over-philosophizing can lead to truth: Galileo, Copernicus... Paul? I happen to see Paul as a very "over-philosophizing" guy :-). So I think that over-philosophizing can be almost like meditation - could it even be incorporated as a spiritual discipline???
The third comment:
third, as for questioning all the things that we do: whether they are essential to salvation or not...if they do not glorify God, lead to God, point someone else towards God, worship God, praise God, magnify God, then why do it. that is the point.
In 200 years, I'm going to be dead. You're going to be dead. Everyone you and I know will be dead. Why do I say this? Because you're exactly right: why do things that do not glorify God, lead to God, point someone else to God, worship God, praise God, magnify God... why do these things? And yet we're not called to a life of do-do-do; God calls us as well to a life of enjoyment. We are called to have fun (see http://pureandsimplefaith.tripod.com/id32.html). While over-philosophizing may not fall into the realm of fun for some, it's what gets me through Algebra II.
Let's continue this conversation guys! Pursue truth together!
you can continue this discussion if you want (discussion is an interesting word, isn't it. it comes from the same root word as percussion and concussion)
anyway, as for me, this seems like a lost cause. i am not interested in it. so i will attempt to gracefully bow out. continued success in the ponderings.
please keep in mind that all things should be substantiated by God's word. I agree that this is interesting to you - I know how your mind works!! I'm your mom, however, please do not waste alot of time that might take you away from God's word or working to the glory of God to ponder these things that do not have answers. God has given you a very inquisitive mind, just remember to focus it to God's glory. If in your musings people are offended or turned from seeing God, I guess I would ask myself if this is worth the time. Is it pleasing to God?! I love the way your mind works - just keep it focused on God's word. Love, Mom
I love you Mom :-) :-) :-)
So I'm reading this over a year later... boy i was one argumentative boy, hah, i'm ashamed
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