do you have AIM? what do you believe concerning Zaroastrianism?

Steve =================== Steve I have disabled IMs like AIM and ICQ - too much clutter. I do a lot of recording and mixing on the computer, and they become distractions. I do use MSN Messenger and Yahoo Messenger - but disable them when working on music. what do you believe concerning Zaroastrianism? I have not studied it in any sort of depth - but from what I have gleaned - there are elements of Spiritual truth that Jesus taught that are compatible with Zoroastrianism. There are also elements (not the entirety) of Gnostic teaching that I find substantial Biblical reinforcement for. The church would suppress these. This is nothing new - it extends back 1800 years or more. The church has evolved, since the time of Constantine, into an organizational, political, pseudo-spiritual entity. The Bible and Scripture in general, is approached First on an intellectual, naturalistic-mechanistic - dissect and analyze modes operandi and Secondly, if it gets this far, on the basis of Spiritual dialogue recorded and preserved as such. Canon of Scripture (aka the Bible) has been afforded its own deification as the only source of communication of and by the Holy Spirit. If something cannot be logically, rationally, analytically deduced and Biblical principal applied - it is suspect. (1 Cor 2:14) This does not imply that the church is not a harbinger of Christs kingdom. It is a statement that the church as it has evolved is more Biblical Political than Biblical Spiritual. The first, Biblical Political approaches spiritual reality and relation on the basis of naturalistic resources and human abilities, and as such, recreates its religion in its own image, and imposition through various political-religious-economic avenues. The second, Biblical Spiritual, is spiritually born from within. Transference and assimilation is the product of metamorphosis, initiated and accomplished by God, and may be conveyed through relational contact - but is never imposed. (John 1:13) The church has lost confidence that the Spirit of God is in actuality - active - where and in whom - He chooses. We - the church - in our Biblical Political correctness - have taken it upon ourselves to be the Holy Spirit. And as we deem necessary - impose our will, cloaked as Gods. (Gal 4:29) I know this has been rather long winded - but someone gets me started, and as I respond -

it grows into my next blog. Hope you dont mind. And I appreciate the questions Bob ============================== Pomiferous
Well stated, Bob I wonder sometimes which sect was the first to replace a living God with the KJV.

================================ FingerStyle "what do you believe concerning Zaroastrianism?" You know what Bob, way to much semmitary school for me. When things get to thology focused I back up to one place. "Believe as a child", "We are imbodied with the amount of faith", "Just have faith". I had never heard of that term until I read this e-write of yours...... However interesting, I think it derails the beleiver and places him/her in the wronge place...... I see what you are saying, but for someone like me who has a very basic faith that works, everytime, on time. blessing my friend. FingerStyle. ================================ Bob Couchenour

Neil This was actually a question that was asked of me - to which I responded. Nothing seminary about it - never been to seminary - or Bible school for that matter. "Believe as a child", "Just have faith" - There's the rub. Believe What? Faith in what? and expressed how? Is faith and belief a matter of assimilation into a religious system? This is where I believe the "Biblical Political" has already derailed those who are called "believers". And ignorance would keep us slaves to the system, as defined by Religious (not Spiritual) leaders- in preference to the security of the religious system (which may well mean their own security). "Believe as a child", "Just have faith" becomes a catch phrase to maintain the religious status quo - don't ask too may questions - don't rock the boat - the pastors know best - and the believer is robbed of true intimate relation with God, as it cannot be experienced apart

from intermediatory Pastorial approval. I.e. if it would offend the Pastor - I better not go there. And that means Spiritually, Intellectually or Physically. Religious systems that do not lead us to a maturity of relationship with the indwelling Spirit, Christ in you, and drawing on that internal Spiritual life force as the primary resource for your LIFE, even as it may counter the religious nature of the system- These are Not the church. They may be organizations with Christian names, and propound Biblical principles - that may make them "Christian" in name - but Christ in You and drawing on Him as His Spirit is alive in you - even in opposition to regularly accepted "Christian" norms - these are those who constitute the Church. Not the building, not the religious system, not the principles - Christ in you. There is a vast difference between the two.