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There is something of a bait-and-switch when you segue from neoplatonic "oneness" to Christianity. The concept of "oneness" is vague enough that it cannot be in
by goto11 7y ago
There is something of a bait-and-switch when you segue from neoplatonic "oneness" to Christianity. The concept of "oneness" is vague enough that it cannot be in opposition to science, since it doesn't describe anything consequential or observable. It is basically a feel-good phrase, which is of course perfectly fine.
But Christianity implies certain ideas which are absolutely consequential, primarily that a certain historical person was the "Son of God" and that he literally rose from the dead. The idea that a single specific person could be God or the Son of God (as opposed to everybody else) is in direct opposition to any reasonable idea of God as "oneness".
- dr_dshiv 7y agoRight. "Oneness" does feel good, doesn't it? It's not unmeaningful, either. It is the "perennial philosophy". But you are right, there is a bait-and-switch. I don't claim to describe the beliefs of current Christians, but ancient Christians, often of the near-heretical type (Origen was never sainted for a reason). Just keep in mind that there is no source of truth in Christianity. That's what all the wars were about! And no one was "right." Early church fathers described Jesus as the Incarnation of the Logos ("the word made flesh", in highly misleading English translations). And, the logos worldview meant that everything was an emanation of the oneness. So the logos/jesus lives in all of us. "Son of God"=emanation of the One. See that? That is what son of God originally meant! See Philo of Alexandria for his judaeo-greco depiction of the logos as son of God in 10BC. Rising from the dead... born of a virgin... Well, those are classic tropes in mystery religions. Fine for allegorical purposes.
- Shorel 7y agoWhat are your favourite sources for this information? It sounds quite compelling.
- dr_dshiv 7y agoThanks! I wish someone could put it all together in a book. It is very much a mystery. The best scholars can provide the info, but not the interpretation. Wouter Hanugraff (read "western esoterism, a guide for the perplexed") Shwep.net Pythagorean Sourcebook Oration on the dignity of man Iamblicus Origen Plotinus Philo of Alexandria Many more. It is so fulfilling to read these old texts! Check Perseus project for searching old texts.