Author notes

IMPLICATIONS AND SUGGESTIVE CLUES

alschroeder

on Dec. 7, 2014

Continuing a look at the origin of reality…largely inspired and derived from George F.R. Ellis' brilliant brief book, BEFORE THE BEGINNING. He is NOT responsible, though, for the liberties I've taken with his logic or how I've chosen to illustrate it.
Kenosis–a Greek term, used in theology, the doctrine that Christ relinquished His divine attributes so as to experience human suffering. It literally means an emptying, a draining out in Greek. Looked at in broader terms, it is a common theme in many religions and mythologies.
Prometheus suffered eternal torment to give his creation, mankind, a better shot at survival.
Odin gave an eye so to gain greater wisdom, then hung self-sacrificed on a tree to gain the power of Runes.
Buddha renounced the luxuries that his birth status conferred on him, renounced the petty concerns of the self, let go of the self, of the illusion that this world traps one in, to gain oneness with Infinity, attaining Nirvana.
And of course, it is a core Christian belief that not only did Jesus renounce divine attributes to be human, but suffered a shameful death to gain freedom from death–not just for Himself but for anyone who wants to share in it.
Oddly enough, similar themes run in the inanimate world–and in nonsentient life.
Next time, we'll examine religious arrogance, and if it disqualifies religion as a possible explanation.





Next time: ARROGANCE AND FAITH