1. The Principles of Creation Part 3 Growth and the spiritual world

2. Growth and development Nothing appears fully formedNothing appears fully formed Everything grows and develops through stagesEverything grows and develops through stages Growth takes timeGrowth takes time Development often has a directionDevelopment often has a direction

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. Earth Lower water (sea) Sky Upper Water (clouds)

9. 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

10. Land Lower water (sea) Atmosphere Upper Water (clouds) Let dry land appear

11. Gondwanaland

12. And plants

13. 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

14. Let the sun and moon appear Atmosphere

15. The fifth day Let the fish and birds appear

16. The sixth day Let the creatures appear

17. And finally

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

19. 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

20. The three stages of growth Formation Stage Growth Stage Completion Stage

21. Physical growth and development Completion Stage Growth Stage Formation Stage Indirect Dominion Growth due to Autonomy Governance “We call it nature because it has developed naturally and spontaneously.” CSG p.874

22. What is the indirect dominion? God is perfect and can only relate to perfect beingsGod is perfect and can only relate to perfect beings All beings have to grow to reach completionAll beings have to grow to reach completion They grow autonomously guided by the the Principle (laws of nature)They grow autonomously guided by the the Principle (laws of nature) During this time God governs things indirectlyDuring this time God governs things indirectly

23. Growth and developmentCompletion ThingsPeople Growth Force of the Principle AutomaticGrowthPrinciple+HumanResponsibility

24. What is completion? 1. Maturity, integrity, wholesomeness, oneness 2. Achievement of full potential 3. Fulfilment of purpose

25. Spiritual growth Children’s love Joy from receiving Mutual love Joy from sharing Parental love Joy from giving

26. Aspects of spiritual growth ► Development of awareness of others and the needs of others ► Development of conscience ► Maturity of ability to give and receive love ► Growth of sensitivity to God

27. Human growth in indirect dominion Indirect dominion through the Principle God Man 100% effort to fulfill the Three Blessings Follow the moral law Everything needed to fulfill the Three Blessings Reveal the moral law Human responsibility Divine responsibility

28. Fulfilment of God’s will Human responsibility God’s effort

29. 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

30. 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

31. ► So that we could inherit God’s creativity and participate in the work of creation ► By doing so, man can earn the position of owner and thus be worthy to be lord of creation Why did God give human beings responsibility?

32. Examples of freedom If Adam and Eve had not eaten the fruit there would be no sinIf Adam and Eve had not eaten the fruit there would be no sin If Abraham had not been willing to sacrifice Isaac....If Abraham had not been willing to sacrifice Isaac.... If the people of Ninevah had not repentedIf the people of Ninevah had not repented If Jesus had been accepted....If Jesus had been accepted....

33. 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

34. Robot Programmed No potential for love and creativity Person Free Will Potential for love and creativity

35. God’s direct and indirect dominion Indirect dominion through the Principle GodMan Love Direct dominion of oneness of heart through love Man God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. I Jn. 4:16

36. 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

37. 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

38. “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

39. 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

40. Spiritual selfPhysical self Spiritual mind Invisible dwelling place of God Physical mind Instinctive mind maintaining functions of existence Physical bodySpiritual body or soul Physical sensesSpiritual senses

41. 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

42. 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

43. 1. Life after Life Raymond H. Moody, MD. 2. Death and Dying Elizabeth Kubler Ross, MD. 3. Life in the World Unseen Anthony Borgia 4. Heaven and Its Wonders and Hell and others Emmanuel Swedenborg 5. Psychic Discoveries Behind the Iron Curtain Sheila Ostrander and Lynn Schroeder 6. The Unquiet Dead Edith Fiore, Ph.D. Writings on the spiritual realm

44. 1. Feeling of peace 2. Loud sounds 3. Movement through a tunnel 4. Sensation of being outside the physical self 5. Meeting other spirit beings 6. Encountering a loving being of light 7. Moral reflection on earthly life 8. Returning to the physical self Elements common to many near death experiences Raymond A. Moody, Jr. M.D. American Physician Life after Life, 1975

45. We relate to both worlds Physical World Spiritual World AnimalAngel

46. 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

47. 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 Minerals Plants Animals Human beings Internal nature Male Female

48. Like dying Spiritual world Final destination Earth Preparation of the spirit self WombPreparation of the physical self of the physical self Placenta Mind Spirit self Body Physical self Spiritual mind Spiritual body 40 weeks80 yearsEternity Unborn child It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. I Cor.15:44 What are the stages of life?

49. How does spiritual growth take place?

50. 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 Physical Self Spiritual Self 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 + Atmosphere of freedom God

51. 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

52. 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 conscience 2.Make sure your conscience is properly formed - make sure you have a straight conscience

53. 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

54. 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

55. Regions in the spiritual world “In my Father’s house are many rooms.” John 14:2

56. What is the conscience? Conscience Physical mind Spiritualmind Personal view of truth Compass Do good Avoid evil Guilt Uncontrollable Obey External, standard of right and wrong Voice of God Judges and accuses ParentsSocietyScriptureExperienceReasonPrayer

57. What is the original mind? Original mind Physical mind Spiritualmind God You have made us, O Lord, for yourself, and our heart is restless until it rests in you. St. Augustine My eyes shed streams of tears, because men do not keep thy law. Psalm 119:136 With my whole heart I seek thee; let me not wander from thy commandments. Psalm 119:10 I find delight in thy commandments, which I love, and I will meditate on thy statutes. Psalm 119:47 Internal, striving for higher standard, pursues absolute goodness

58. What is the evil mind? Evil mind Physical mind Spiritualmind Satan Enjoys doing evil Happy when people suffer

60. Physical world Five physical senses

61. Spiritual world Five spiritual senses

62. Physical body Spiritual body Spiritual mind Physical mind What is the position of human beings? Spiritual world Physical world Angels Spirits Ancestors Minerals Plants Animals Mediator between spiritual and physical worlds Jesus spoke to Elijah and Moses Human beings are a microcosm of the cosmos Lords of Creation Rulers of the Universe