Years ago, I wrote a play called "The Buddha's Wife" which told the story of Yasodhara, the actual wife of the Buddha. I wanted to bring to light the omission of what was, in fact, a dual story of enlightenment -- his through a quest outside of his responsibilities as a father, and hers, within the confines of domestic duty. They both attained enlightenment, but how many people even know that the Buddha had a wife and child, let alone that she pursued her own path successfully?
Buddhism, Judaism, and Christianity set out to replace eons-long female goddess worship with male deity worship, and did so by pushing women into the background, reducing them to roles of subservience. The fascinating book, "When God Was Female," details this transition by examining the prevailing academic biases of historians and archeologists who have told us "the truth" about the past.
If there's anything I've learned from the past three years, it's to question EVERYTHING we've been told.
“For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.” (1 Cor 2:2),
he had already discarded the wisdom of man in chapter 1. Paul spoke the wisdom of God in a mystery. That mystery was hidden throughout the Old Testament AND throughout the gospels up until it was revealed to Paul, and then from Paul to us. That revelation of God’s wisdom to us begins with knowing nothing except Jesus Christ (who is the beginning) and him crucified.
In Romans 15:4, Paul wrote that whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning. For years I wondered what I was supposed to learn for the Old Testament. Then I realized that what was written in the Old Testament was not an open display of the wisdom of God for if the princes of this world knew the wisdom of God, then they would not have crucified the Lord of glory (1 Cor 2:8).
The path to understanding all things of the Bible is not found in the Old Testament, but rather to:
Consider what I say, and the Lord give thee understanding in all things. - 2 Timothy 2:7
Study Paul’s epistles. The lens to use to understand the OT is Paul’s epistles.
I protect my children from harms that I know, but they, in their foolish minds do not. I guard them JEALOUSLY — because of the bottomless love I have for them.
God knows that all other gods are destructive and harmful to His beloved children. They lie and want to enslave them and to replace Him in their hearts, mind and soul. Sometimes we even foolishly delude ourselves that we are gods, that we have the wisdom to judge Him. As the toddler desires — demands — his way, so we demand ours. It is simple, profound Pride.
P.S. I have only seen one substantial video teaching on iniquity in the Christian church in 40 years. That is why God views it as the apostate church. One has to experience God directly, void of any medium in order to have their hearts cleansed of iniquity. I can find and post that video if your tribe is interested.
Good morning Naomi.... thank you for giving voice to, and providing a platform for open discussion regarding this most important topic. As soon as I read "distortions of the text" I knew full well where you were going with this. The word 'distortions' means twisted, warped, bent, unrighteous, wicked or one word that covers all - the biblical word 'Iniquity'. Please do a word study on this one word as it is no doubt the core, root issue in today's society. Your tribe deserves to have understanding and wisdom regarding this - 'Iniquity' of heart means corruption of heart - we all have it - however, there is only One remedy for it - I have dedicated my newest Substack to the last part of your talk at Hillsdale College. You have made a bold move here - well done Naomi! Don't forget to read this yourself- the analogy might just blow you away! https://graemehopkins.substack.com/p/meet-the-god-you-may-not-know-experientially
I am just venturing a thought on this based on my own life experience/journey of spiritual investigation. So within the context, I think this is how Dr. Naomi spoke about this. King James commissioned an english version of the Holy scriptures be written to counter the growing popularity of the Protestant movement at the time. The state religion was in effect Anglican but that was essentially Catholic, but because Rome wanted extreme financial “pay to play” investment from the English church but gave the Bishops no influence, no voice at the table in The Holy City in Rome the English crown resented this. All monarchs and religious heads of individual countries or kingdoms were joined at the hip all over Europe. It really was the cause of much stress, and bloodshed within the church of England just as much as it was in Europe which also was warring away over the burgeoning growth of this “protesting” faction that was splintering off into many sects. I believe Dr. Naomi is spot on when she stated that the King James Bible’s beginnings were politically motivated. It is of course still sacrosanct to many. I , in no way fault anyone for their allegiance to it. I myself memorized many many scriptures in the KJV as a new Believer and I still recall them as life’s challenges provoke. From birth I was raised under Christian Science doctrine AND the KJB. As a young adult I converted to Baptist, then later non-denominational for 30 years. I am now in my twilight years and have settled into membership with The Anglican Province of America. I have a spiritual journey led by The Holy Spirit seeking to worship in spirit and in truth. Each seeking human being will have a unique path, no better than another's. The uniqueness is God’s seal upon us. It represents our creation in His image.
Thank you for your thoughtful response. I know there is a conservative element within the Anglican Church. The conservative parish near me has abandoned the 1928 Book of Common Prayer and was milquetoast during the Lockdown. I was called out during mass for not masking, even though I was more than 6 feet away from the nearest paritioner.
I left and now attend the Traditional Latin Mass which is similar to the 1928 BCP. Whereas the Anglicans I know seem to not even really know God, the Roman Catholics seem to know Him but at the same time, view Him as lugubrious and hard-to-please.
This was the basis of my question, and I appreciate your time and knowledgeable response.
Hearthflower, Wow!! So THANK YOU for sharing!!! I think this is a God moment! 🙏👏
Our experiences with God’s involvement in our lives concerning our church affiliation are all unique. Churches are like people in a sense , each different. Our Bishop would not shut down during Covid and spoke out against anyone who attempted to belittle anyone else for deciding not to get vaxxed. We observed proper protocol but still had communion by intinction. Our Sherriff’s department left us alone. It was a blessing to continue to worship.
Well said, Naomi. I consider the most important part of being "in His likeness" the ability of humans to create, as He is the supreme Creator. Creating implies so much more than "developing physical objects", as you would yourself know. It means the ability to play, it means the ability to invent ideas, to interact with others, and so much more. All of these are creative, and sometimes I think if we were not still bound by sin (in ourselves and the whole of humanity), what would we be capable of creating? And yet, as Y'Shua said, knowing the truth "will set you free".
Thank you Naomi for your great interpretation of the partial Bible translation elide on the Memorial Day of 2023. Have a great evening and let truthfulness prevail. God bless you all.
May I interject that I am discerning that you may be ruminating on a single plane of mere human interpretation? The Holy scriptures is God breathed. Yes it is written by simple man, but when a one dimensional human being has the breath of eternal majesty blown into it’s being and allows the Holy Spirit to open that being’s eyes of understanding ... well an ongoing three dimensional awareness and solidified understanding delivers the intended truth that will remain in the transformed human heart enabling righteous action. Read Jeremiah. The subtitle could read “Against All Odds”!
I , like many others on this site am wondering if you have a response as to when your reading of the Geneva Bible will continue? Thanking you in advance for your reply. 🙂
I found your pattern of logic intriguing.... just one thought poked it ‘s way into my musings about it. Where is the motivation to do this? To make “good stuff and not be slaves?” I submit that the only true force that will propel one forward to do good works is the singular desire to honor the Lord God Almighty and to give Him all the glory...”Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty!”
I argue that the most important part of the bible has come down to us without distortion or deletion. I'm speaking about the parables of Christ, which are too plain and direct symbolically to be confusing to those with ears to hear. This is the part of the bible that tells us how to practice, and what to believe. I want to emphasize that Christianity is not a text-based religion like Judaism. Rabbinical tradition says that the Torah has been copied without error down to the jots and tiddles for four thousand years. We Christians wouldn't know a jot from a tiddle. Our faith is not based in text like the Jews, and we should make no claim to the purity of any text. Many Christians (bible purists) superimpose the Rabbinical belief in the purity of the Torah to include the whole Christian bible. This belief is an example of religious superstition. Christian faith is apostolic and this tradition predates the bible by three centuries. It seems to me that the bible itself is organized to obscure or hide the Gospel within it. The Gospel of forgiveness is shrouded by the thick bark of Hebrew puritanism within the bible. It's possible to read the bible for 1000 hours and never glean the Gospel of forgiveness, as the Presbyterians continually prove (touche!). Also, some people over emphasize the bible and forget to read the works of Christians for the last 18 centuries since the bible was completed. These people without extra-biblical literacy are cut off from the tradition of Christians, the followers of Jesus, whose lives are the true miracles and the true examples of the work of God on Earth. My Christianity would be very different today if I had not read Bunyan, Wesley, Milton, and Blake, among many others in the last few centuries who get ignored by bible purists. (I don't hate Presbys--I could've just as easily said Catholics or Methodists and it would've been just as funny)
Naomi, the part one twitter video shuts down right when you mention Yuval Harari and will not play. Very weird. Coincidence? Anyway, I was bummed I could not watch the rest. It was very good up till it shut down.
Ezekiel recorded seeing God in the likeness of a man in Chapter 1 of his book, and Moses says God made man in his image in Genesis. If God would appear to Moses in a burning bush on Sinai, and since we look like him, it’s not a stretch at all that God would appear as a man in the form of a Son, the Messiah.
Yes. and AI resembles.....??
Hmmm? GOD ASKED Joshua to destroy 2 cities?
Hazor=meaning CORRUPT COURTS,& Ai=????
One of the few city names with no etymological meaning?
The deep states. Walls were brought down first by God himself (Jericho) with help of a whistleblower named Rahab wearing red!
https://godtype.substack.com/p/miami-downriver-of-the-jordan
Years ago, I wrote a play called "The Buddha's Wife" which told the story of Yasodhara, the actual wife of the Buddha. I wanted to bring to light the omission of what was, in fact, a dual story of enlightenment -- his through a quest outside of his responsibilities as a father, and hers, within the confines of domestic duty. They both attained enlightenment, but how many people even know that the Buddha had a wife and child, let alone that she pursued her own path successfully?
Buddhism, Judaism, and Christianity set out to replace eons-long female goddess worship with male deity worship, and did so by pushing women into the background, reducing them to roles of subservience. The fascinating book, "When God Was Female," details this transition by examining the prevailing academic biases of historians and archeologists who have told us "the truth" about the past.
If there's anything I've learned from the past three years, it's to question EVERYTHING we've been told.
Naomi,
When Paul wrote to the Corinthians:
“For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.” (1 Cor 2:2),
he had already discarded the wisdom of man in chapter 1. Paul spoke the wisdom of God in a mystery. That mystery was hidden throughout the Old Testament AND throughout the gospels up until it was revealed to Paul, and then from Paul to us. That revelation of God’s wisdom to us begins with knowing nothing except Jesus Christ (who is the beginning) and him crucified.
In Romans 15:4, Paul wrote that whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning. For years I wondered what I was supposed to learn for the Old Testament. Then I realized that what was written in the Old Testament was not an open display of the wisdom of God for if the princes of this world knew the wisdom of God, then they would not have crucified the Lord of glory (1 Cor 2:8).
The path to understanding all things of the Bible is not found in the Old Testament, but rather to:
Consider what I say, and the Lord give thee understanding in all things. - 2 Timothy 2:7
Study Paul’s epistles. The lens to use to understand the OT is Paul’s epistles.
YHWH (Jehovah) has more not so good characteristics than jealousy. Will you fix those, too?
PS: What does "Thou shalt have no other gods before me." mean other than a propensity to jealousy?
I protect my children from harms that I know, but they, in their foolish minds do not. I guard them JEALOUSLY — because of the bottomless love I have for them.
God knows that all other gods are destructive and harmful to His beloved children. They lie and want to enslave them and to replace Him in their hearts, mind and soul. Sometimes we even foolishly delude ourselves that we are gods, that we have the wisdom to judge Him. As the toddler desires — demands — his way, so we demand ours. It is simple, profound Pride.
Truth matters.
LOYALTY
P.S. I have only seen one substantial video teaching on iniquity in the Christian church in 40 years. That is why God views it as the apostate church. One has to experience God directly, void of any medium in order to have their hearts cleansed of iniquity. I can find and post that video if your tribe is interested.
Good morning Naomi.... thank you for giving voice to, and providing a platform for open discussion regarding this most important topic. As soon as I read "distortions of the text" I knew full well where you were going with this. The word 'distortions' means twisted, warped, bent, unrighteous, wicked or one word that covers all - the biblical word 'Iniquity'. Please do a word study on this one word as it is no doubt the core, root issue in today's society. Your tribe deserves to have understanding and wisdom regarding this - 'Iniquity' of heart means corruption of heart - we all have it - however, there is only One remedy for it - I have dedicated my newest Substack to the last part of your talk at Hillsdale College. You have made a bold move here - well done Naomi! Don't forget to read this yourself- the analogy might just blow you away! https://graemehopkins.substack.com/p/meet-the-god-you-may-not-know-experientially
Is this move away from the Geneva Bible something that the Roman Catholic Church has done over time, or are you referring just to the Anglican Church?
I feel as though the Roman Catholics view God as lugubrious.
Hearthflower,
I am just venturing a thought on this based on my own life experience/journey of spiritual investigation. So within the context, I think this is how Dr. Naomi spoke about this. King James commissioned an english version of the Holy scriptures be written to counter the growing popularity of the Protestant movement at the time. The state religion was in effect Anglican but that was essentially Catholic, but because Rome wanted extreme financial “pay to play” investment from the English church but gave the Bishops no influence, no voice at the table in The Holy City in Rome the English crown resented this. All monarchs and religious heads of individual countries or kingdoms were joined at the hip all over Europe. It really was the cause of much stress, and bloodshed within the church of England just as much as it was in Europe which also was warring away over the burgeoning growth of this “protesting” faction that was splintering off into many sects. I believe Dr. Naomi is spot on when she stated that the King James Bible’s beginnings were politically motivated. It is of course still sacrosanct to many. I , in no way fault anyone for their allegiance to it. I myself memorized many many scriptures in the KJV as a new Believer and I still recall them as life’s challenges provoke. From birth I was raised under Christian Science doctrine AND the KJB. As a young adult I converted to Baptist, then later non-denominational for 30 years. I am now in my twilight years and have settled into membership with The Anglican Province of America. I have a spiritual journey led by The Holy Spirit seeking to worship in spirit and in truth. Each seeking human being will have a unique path, no better than another's. The uniqueness is God’s seal upon us. It represents our creation in His image.
Thank you for your thoughtful response. I know there is a conservative element within the Anglican Church. The conservative parish near me has abandoned the 1928 Book of Common Prayer and was milquetoast during the Lockdown. I was called out during mass for not masking, even though I was more than 6 feet away from the nearest paritioner.
I left and now attend the Traditional Latin Mass which is similar to the 1928 BCP. Whereas the Anglicans I know seem to not even really know God, the Roman Catholics seem to know Him but at the same time, view Him as lugubrious and hard-to-please.
This was the basis of my question, and I appreciate your time and knowledgeable response.
Hearthflower, Wow!! So THANK YOU for sharing!!! I think this is a God moment! 🙏👏
Our experiences with God’s involvement in our lives concerning our church affiliation are all unique. Churches are like people in a sense , each different. Our Bishop would not shut down during Covid and spoke out against anyone who attempted to belittle anyone else for deciding not to get vaxxed. We observed proper protocol but still had communion by intinction. Our Sherriff’s department left us alone. It was a blessing to continue to worship.
Well said, Naomi. I consider the most important part of being "in His likeness" the ability of humans to create, as He is the supreme Creator. Creating implies so much more than "developing physical objects", as you would yourself know. It means the ability to play, it means the ability to invent ideas, to interact with others, and so much more. All of these are creative, and sometimes I think if we were not still bound by sin (in ourselves and the whole of humanity), what would we be capable of creating? And yet, as Y'Shua said, knowing the truth "will set you free".
Thank you Naomi for your great interpretation of the partial Bible translation elide on the Memorial Day of 2023. Have a great evening and let truthfulness prevail. God bless you all.
Tsipora,
May I interject that I am discerning that you may be ruminating on a single plane of mere human interpretation? The Holy scriptures is God breathed. Yes it is written by simple man, but when a one dimensional human being has the breath of eternal majesty blown into it’s being and allows the Holy Spirit to open that being’s eyes of understanding ... well an ongoing three dimensional awareness and solidified understanding delivers the intended truth that will remain in the transformed human heart enabling righteous action. Read Jeremiah. The subtitle could read “Against All Odds”!
Dr. Naomi,
I , like many others on this site am wondering if you have a response as to when your reading of the Geneva Bible will continue? Thanking you in advance for your reply. 🙂
Thank you for asking! By Wednesday night June 1 2023. Apologies, I have been travelling -- without my Geneva Bible. Perhaps mistake number one!
No apology necessary!🙂 So glad to know we will be continuing and so looking forward to it!
Mr. Miller,
I found your pattern of logic intriguing.... just one thought poked it ‘s way into my musings about it. Where is the motivation to do this? To make “good stuff and not be slaves?” I submit that the only true force that will propel one forward to do good works is the singular desire to honor the Lord God Almighty and to give Him all the glory...”Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty!”
Are you still reading through the Bible with us? I can’t find it.
Yes but I took a pause, resuming tomorrow night
Yay! Take all the pauses you need, but I hope you keep going. Blessings
I argue that the most important part of the bible has come down to us without distortion or deletion. I'm speaking about the parables of Christ, which are too plain and direct symbolically to be confusing to those with ears to hear. This is the part of the bible that tells us how to practice, and what to believe. I want to emphasize that Christianity is not a text-based religion like Judaism. Rabbinical tradition says that the Torah has been copied without error down to the jots and tiddles for four thousand years. We Christians wouldn't know a jot from a tiddle. Our faith is not based in text like the Jews, and we should make no claim to the purity of any text. Many Christians (bible purists) superimpose the Rabbinical belief in the purity of the Torah to include the whole Christian bible. This belief is an example of religious superstition. Christian faith is apostolic and this tradition predates the bible by three centuries. It seems to me that the bible itself is organized to obscure or hide the Gospel within it. The Gospel of forgiveness is shrouded by the thick bark of Hebrew puritanism within the bible. It's possible to read the bible for 1000 hours and never glean the Gospel of forgiveness, as the Presbyterians continually prove (touche!). Also, some people over emphasize the bible and forget to read the works of Christians for the last 18 centuries since the bible was completed. These people without extra-biblical literacy are cut off from the tradition of Christians, the followers of Jesus, whose lives are the true miracles and the true examples of the work of God on Earth. My Christianity would be very different today if I had not read Bunyan, Wesley, Milton, and Blake, among many others in the last few centuries who get ignored by bible purists. (I don't hate Presbys--I could've just as easily said Catholics or Methodists and it would've been just as funny)
Naomi, the part one twitter video shuts down right when you mention Yuval Harari and will not play. Very weird. Coincidence? Anyway, I was bummed I could not watch the rest. It was very good up till it shut down.
The second link picks up the video where it left off -- my tech all went out at that point!
Ezekiel recorded seeing God in the likeness of a man in Chapter 1 of his book, and Moses says God made man in his image in Genesis. If God would appear to Moses in a burning bush on Sinai, and since we look like him, it’s not a stretch at all that God would appear as a man in the form of a Son, the Messiah.