Spirit Communication and The Church

Spirit Communication and The Church

     Throughout the ages, religious officials have banned all forms of spirit communication and divination, touting that it opens one to demonic influences.

Church councils and institutions have reinforced this attitude. In the fifth century, a synod held by st. Patrick, declared that any Christian who believes that a spirit can be seen in a mirror shall be anathematized , and must be excluded from the church until he or she renounces this believe and performs penance.

If you think the narrow view held by some of our fundamentalist Christian brethren is only in the past, think again.  According to a 1979 press account, two women were banished from a Baptist church in Independence , Missouri because they "told fortunes" by means of a crystal ball.

My own experience is proof that the Bible belt is still fascined tightly around Melbourne, Florida. After being a member of a United Methodist church for 6 years, I was told by the Pastor that I was not welcome to "teach or hold a position of responsibility" because I posted on Facebook that I read Tarot Cards. Bear in mind, that said Pastor had been told what I do for a living, six years prior to this incident.

     There are several passages in the Bible that prohibit the summoning of spirits and various other forms of divination among them:

 "Do not resort to ghosts and spirits, nor make yourselves unclean by seeking them out. I am the Lord your God." -Leviticus 19:31.

“I will also turn against those who commit spiritual prostitution by putting their trust in mediums or in those who consult the spirits of the dead. I will cut them off from the community." Leviticus 20:6 NLT.

“Men and women among you who act as mediums or who consult the spirits of the dead must be put to death by stoning. They are guilty of a capital offense.” Leviticus 20:27 NLT

     There are several powerful points to be made in rebuttal to these condemnations. The first being that if one was to never participate in any form of divination, what of Joseph and his silver cup (Gen. 44)? Jonah and the casting of lots (Jonah 7:1)? Daniel and the interpretation of dreams (Daniel 2:24-49) ?

     It is important to recognize that many of these gifts of divination and mediumship are described most accurately in the New Testament as gifts of the Holy Spirit (i.e..Words of Wisdom, Prophecy, Speaking in Tongues see the book of 1rst Corinthians 12:7-11)  A valid argument can be made that Jesus' coming in the flesh changed the relationship between the Holy Spirit and mankind, and in so doing, nullifying certain aspects of the Old Testament Law, that are no longer appropriate for humanity to observe now: "When I was a child, I used to speak as a child, think as a child, reason as a child; when I became an adult I did away with childish things." -1 Corinthians 13:11

In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit og God moves among or rested upon chosen individuals for periods of time (reference 1 Samuel 10:10 and 1 Samuel 16:14)

In the New Testament , Jesus taught His disciples and all believers of the "new relationship" they (we) would have with the Holy Spirit: "(The Holy Spirit) Abides with you, and will be in (John 14:17) . The change in that relationship would seem to indicate that the indwelling of the Holy Spirit permits believers to explore experience areas of spirituality previously forbidden in the Old Testament.

     Among those lines of thought, most of the a-fore mentioned prohibitions of the Old testament when quoted (if accurately) are quoted out of context.

For example: Leviticus 19:31 "Do not turn to mediums or spiritists; do not seek them out to be defiled by them. "I am the Lord your God." Is receded by the verses:

19:19 "You asre to keep my statues. You shall not breed together two kinds of your cattle; You shall not sow your field with two kinds of seed, nor wear a garment upon you of material mixed together."

And Leviticus 19:28 "You shall not make any cuts in your body for the dead, nor many any tattoo marked on yourselves. I am the Lord"

Points one might wish to bring up to the next well-meaning fundamentalist standing before one, who is :

1) Wearling a poly-cotton shirt or blouse.

2) with their nicely trimmed hair and

3) wearing pierce earrings.

Also, the Book of Leviticus (and parts of the book of Numbers) was written specifically for a Jewish tribe of priests called the Levites. So one wonders whether these admonitions are specifically for believers after Christ walked the earth.

This is not license to "play" with the spirit realm. 1 John 4:1 states "Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God."

The Bible distinctly says "test" the spirit, not to avoid them.

Crucifixion: The Holy Scandal

https://www.amazon.com/Crucifixion-Holy-Scandal-Cecile-Delacharie/dp/B078K6J4DM/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?keywords=Crucifiction+the+holy+scandal&qid=1553011996&s=gateway&sr=8-1-fkmr0

I just watched a documentary film titled: Crucifixion: The Holy Scandal

It's free with my Prime membership on Amazon.

Before I go any further, if you are scandalized or otherwise offended by images of the Crucified Christ that are (in any way) non-traditional...this is not the film for you.

Personally, I found it fascinating how many artists have produced artworks of the Crucifixion.

Basquiate, Dali, Francis Bacon, to name a (very) few.

The documentarian takes one on a tour through many artworks , in churches , in museums, in art studios of the Crucifixion, with commentaries, by the artists and art historians.

It was mesmerizing to me.

 The central figure of this film was an artist named Andres Serrano. Over 20 years ago, he was the central figure of a controversy over the endowment for the arts. He produced a photograph of a crucifix in his own urine, which he titled "Piss Christ".

I remember this controversy, as presented on the show "Phil Donahue". I remembered thinking the photograph was truly captivating, until I learned what the fluid was.

As commentary runs through this film, I learned, I was not the only person with that view.

I was appreciative of the different depictions of the Crucifixion.

Andres Serrano was not the first to bring the crucifixion of Christ into controversy. Michalangelo produced a sculpture of a (completely) naked Christ on a cross in the 14th century.

More contemporary works include psychodrama, by an artist named Nitche (Austrian) who produces live characterizations of the Crucifixion, with animal entrails as part of the disply.

An artist named Fyre has produced a (life-size) wax model of Jesus, with all the beating wounds and crown of thorns, sitting on an electric chair.

Francis Bacons representation is a kind of primordial image, no real human figure, on a cross.

I watched all of these pieces of art with interest, intrigue, even some appreciation.

It wasn't until an interview with Andres Sarrano that I found myself so riled up, I had to produce this blog.

By his own words, he says he creates Christian art and is a Christian. He's talking about the work "Piss Christ" and begins his explanation of his perspective. He says that Christ was on the cross for days, and certainly in that time he would have urinated and deficated.

OK-so the idea of Christ losing his bodily control during his own execution, something upon which I have heard a scientist expound. I am not offended, not even surprised.

 But if one says one is a Christian, I would think, that one had actually read (at least) one of the gospel books.  According to Mark's Gospel, he endured the torment of crucifixion for some six hours from the third hour, at approximately 9 am, until his death at the ninth hour, corresponding to about 3 pm.

Am I THAT much of a stickler? I have to admit...sometimes I am.

According to the text that are originally authoritative for the event to which the artist was alluding, Jesus was on the cross for 6 hours.  Some remarks are actually made about him passing so soon (as other criminals did linger for days). Some liturgists, I've heard, believe that this "quick passing" was a "mercy to Jesus".

I don't embrace that concept, as , the account(s) describe him being scourged before he was forced to carry his own cross, down the via dolarosa, to Calvary. I've seen many treatise on whether the cross was the cross entire or just the petibulium (cross piece). I've seen many discussions and theories as to whether He was pierced through the palms of His hands, or His wrists.  I've seen exortation as to why crucifixion is actually excruciating. I have never heard anyone suggest he was executed over a number of days.

  For the sake of some sort of authenticity, at least read the text to which you are making allusion.

Does anyone really accomplish that?

Does anyone really accomplish that?

This year has been, kind of, a wash for Walt and me (Holiday-wise).

Halloween (a time for our black tree and various Haunting props) came and went, in the wake of our trying to buy our home.

Walt said to me "We'll create our own haunting time."

I looked at him, bewildered, he offered "We owe it to ourselves, don't we?"

I think I was more hopeful than believing it would occur. To this date (Dec. 12) it still has not, even though, I've seen my Halloween things coming out of the pod.

Thanksgiving-We closed on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, and we did go shopping and cooked the turkey and had friends over (the friends whose house we purchased-and who left the following week) . It was quiet, and simple, and the truth be known, I hardly had the heart for it.

December, or as we call it "Christmas Season" Nov. 30 first pod delivered and emptied on the weekend.  Dec. 7th Second pod delivered and emptied over the weekend . Also Dec. 8, Spectrum tech arrived and connected internet.

Now we're trying to move what's left from the condo over to the new home.

We have good intentions. But "life is what happens while you're making other plans" (as John Lennon said). Walt is working at his job. I'm trying to get in a few  readings, and I have an event upcoming. In the midst of this, I've managed to be attacked by a spider (or a fire-ant-can't tell the difference by the bites) and the venom is creating a variety of issues for me. As the result-what I thought I would accomplish, is happening very s-l-o-w-l-y.

Walt and I have always taken a more "relaxed" attitude about the holidays. We decorate to the hilt, but not all at once.

Like most people, things have come up during holidays, and we vow to each other to "make up for it" some how (in the future). But I confess, I'm at a loss as to how that will occur.

 After Christmas (I mean on the 26th)  we're to leave to go visit a friend in Ft. Walton beach. So it makes me wonder how people with lots of family, 3 Christmas programs for their kids, shopping for grandchildren, creating a Christmas meal, actually DO all of it.

After Christmas, for me, the season will be gone. I won't be in humor to work on Christmas Decorating, or Halloween props, or create Thanksgiving meals.

I saw on Criminal Minds (yes, was binge-watching yesterday with my fever seeping through every pore) that the character Garcia hosts events she calls "M-H-M's" (Missed Holiday Meals) and it seems to work well for them (Yes, I know they're fictional).

Also, I like the idea of "Friendsgiving" (the friday after Thanksgiving, when friends, who don't have family near-by, or who have to work on the day, get together for the holiday).

But what do you do when you sort-of miss the whole season?

Hope for better next year?

So you want to live a life in a Hallmark Holiday movie? Maybe not.

Allow me to say that I am hopelessly addicted to Hallmark Holiday movies.

From October (The Good Witch series and movies--all of them) to New Years, you will find me baking my heart out and (like the woman in the song "Honey"--Bobby Goldsboro) crying my eyes out over some silly sentimental representation of someone's idea of a holiday...

Well, Hallmark's idea of a Holiday.

There are some things I really love about these productions.

I don't have to think too hard about them. They're kind to my nervous system.

I don't feel traumatized after watching them. I find them nostalgic.

Romantic kisses are sweet--not the tonsillectomies that punctuate some of the films, I've seen

 (I know I sound old, I don't care) .

Somehow, like Ike and Tina Turners' 1961 recording, in the end, I know it's going to work out fine. The Christmas Tree farm will be saved, The Christmas village will be saved. The historical home will not be sold to a multinational corporation for condos, and, the best part, the star-crossed lovers will end up together.

However, I've noticed some things that are "formulaic" (or as I've heard in other expressions "Derivative") in these films, that , actually, are bothering me. I'm sure it comes from watching the same film several times in a row (come-on, you do it too).

But here's my list of some reasons why, living in a Hallmark Holiday movie,

 may not be the best thing:

#1) There will be a death integral to the plotline.  OK, this is not a Disney "We have to kill Bambi's mom-murder-driven-sadism" type element. But, at some point, you will learn, that the "Historical Home-Christmas Tree Farm-Christmas Village" has been left to a family member who doesn't really understand what Christmas is all about. Maybe they're still grieving (example: The Christmas Ornament) or maybe the departed person is the only person who truly celebrated Christmas with the main character (example: The Christmas Calendar 2017).

#2) People in Hallmark Holiday (and possibly other films throughout the year) movies, drink incomprehensible amounts of coffee.  Apparently, only one person in the town makes a decent cup of coffee and they happen to run a cafe', bestrew, diner.  At first, I thought "Oh that's so neat, stopping in the middle of the day to get a cup of coffee" But after watching many of these films (and a series), I'm certain that the only doctor in town (also a consumer of the coffee) is kept busy with ulcer treatments for the coffee-swilling-inhabitants. Sometimes, getting the coffee is a plot element, navigating the main characters to meet (Christmas in Pemberley).

I found myself thinking "why don't I have coffee in the middle of the day?" and then an intercepting thought "wait. Is coffee the new kool-aid?" (shrugs)

#3) You will (sort of) recognize some of the names, some of the faces and some of the music.

Unlike the old TV series "FBI" (where some names have been changed to protect the innocent) some of the names might be "slightly changed". (example: "William Darcy"  In Christmas at Pemberly). Also, some of the actors (not all) in a series of films/or series have been changed out to another actor, which is very similar. The character of Brandon in the Good Witch series of movies is played by a different actor than plays him in the TV series. For a while I thought it might be the same actor all grown up. But the new actor sort of looks like a young Kennedy (yes, those Kennedy's)

But some of the music themes sound partially like themes from other films you know. Several times Walt has come in and said "Oh. I thought you were watching Sense and Sensibility (although, he might have meant Pride and Prejudice, as he doesn't really know the difference).

#4) Even in the smallest towns, there is a preponderance (legal term) of lawyers, former lawyers, former law students. In The Thanksgiving House one of the main characters (a History researcher and teacher) is a former law student, but his parents are both lawyers. He falls in love with a lawyer, who's ex-boyfriend (a chef) submits a legal tort on the land she owns. Another Christmas film has a new mayor (an ex-lawyer) and the main love interest (attended law school). But many of these small towns (like the old series Gunsmoke) have only one doctor. Go figure.

#5) OK...is that REALLY the End? I've noticed they've done this on several films. A Thanksgiving film leaves several plotlines twisting in the wind and ends with the main characters playing on a front yard swing. The only way I knew it was the end, was, over the credits rolling, there was some sort of Hallmark talk show with a woman saying "Isn't that how every Hallmark movie should end?"...well NO.  What about the sketchy boyfriend who's launched legal torts against the ex-girlfriend to make money off of her families' historical home? What about the internet blogger who's been lying about the couple and the news all this time? I find myself fantasizing that they fall off the cruise ship they're both on (over Thanksgiving)---oh wait...that would be a Lifetime movie.

END