Let There Be Thought: Biblical Metaphysics and the Story of Creation

Let There Be Thought:  Biblical Metaphysics and the Story of Creation

Metaphysics is the branch of philosophy that deals with abstract concepts such as being, knowing, substance, cause, time, and space; it deals with the concept of the undefined.  Metaphysics attempts to clarify how we understand our existence in the world.  Branches of metaphysics include:

• Ontology: the study of the categories of being such as physical objects, minds, classes, properties, relations, space, time, proposition, and events
• Cosmology:  the study of origin, universal structure, and nature
• Natural Theology:  the study of God or gods, the nature of religion, and the existence of the divine, and other spiritual issues
• Universal Science:  the study of logic and reasoning

Epistemology, the study of the nature of knowledge as a justified belief, is a foundational principle of metaphysics.  Two common questions associated with epistemology are: 

• What is knowledge?
• And how can it be acquired?

For individuals who practice religions that include a sacred text, spiritual knowledge and revelation can be gained through the text’s revealing word.  Specifically for Christians who believe in the metaphysical interpretation of the Bible, the stories within the Bible are considered to have parable like meanings.  The goals of the stories within the Bible are designed to illustrate moral and spiritual lessons that can help us to live better lives.  Instead of focusing on the Bible as a series of literal events that took place in antiquity, Christian metaphysicians seek to find the hidden spiritual meaning of the stories.

The story of creation is discussed in Genesis 1:1-31; in this story, God uses the power of thought to create.  God spoke this world into existence, and he created man in his image.  If man is therefore created in the image of God, the heart of God dwells in mankind.  As a result, man also has the power to create through the thought process.  The power associated with thoughts and the words we speak are demonstrated in the creationist story

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Genesis 1:1-3

          “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.  The earth was formless and empty….. And then God said let there be light……”

These verses represent our minds before we opened ourselves to God consciousness.  Once we become aware of the presence of God in us, we therefore come into the light.

Genesis 1:6

Then God said, “Let there be a (firmament) space between the waters, to separate, the waters of heaven from the waters of the earth.”

God affirmed that there would be space between the waters and heavens. We must also affirm that God is in us and works through us.  We cannot control what happens to us or around us, but we can control what happens in us and through us.  There is also power in speaking affirmative thoughts which manifest into actions and results.

Genesis 1:9

“Then God said, let the waters beneath the sky flow together into one place, so dry ground may appear. And that is what happened.”

This verse represents the concept of focus, which is provided through concentration and attention.  In order see “dry ground” or clarity, we must allow our mind to flow into one place.  This is done through study, prayer, and meditation as a means of achieving revelation.

The remainder of the creationist story describes the manifesting creative power of thought and man's dominionative power on this earth.  God consistently creates by saying:  “Let there be….”  Thoughts tend to manifest before words are spoken; controlling our thoughts can help us to control the words that we speak.  We must be careful what we speak, because “death and life are in the power of the tongue…Proverbs 18:21.”

Genesis 1:31    

                                              

“Then God looked over he had made, and he saw that it was good…”

When we align our thoughts with the presence of God in us, it will be good.  We do this by understanding the principles of light, affirmation, concentration, and attention. The creationist story is one example of how Christian metaphysicians use biblical interpretation in order to gain insight into the mind of God.  The process combines natural theological principles with the study of ontology, cosmology, and universal science.  From the standpoint of the metaphysician, “the kingdom of God is (NOW) at hand…. (Mark 1:5).”  It exists in the minds of each us, and we must thrive to live a Christ like life.  

The Paradoxical “Country” of Africa, the Cradle of Civilization

The Paradoxical “Country” of Africa, the Cradle of Civilization

Around the first or second grade, we learn that there are seven continents:  North America, South America, Asia, Europe, Antarctica, and Australia.   Oh yes, and then there is Africa!  Yes, Africa is a continent, and it is not a country, contrary to popular belief.  This is particularly true in Western culture because individuals may possess little knowledge about the continent due to limited exposure in our education systems, a simple lack of interest, and based how Africa is portrayed in the media.  Since Africa is often referred to in the media and our education systems as a conglomerate of generalities, that is the perception that many us base our assumptions on.   The list below is in no particular order of importance, and much more information can be added, but it corrects some of these assumptions:

• Africa is not a country; it is a continent.  Africa has 54 sovereign countries, 9 territories, and 2 de-facto independent states; those who recognize the de-facto states consider Africa as having 56 countries.
• Africa is not one large jungle; only about 10% of African topography is tropical, while other major environmental landscapes include deserts and savannas.
• Africa is sparsely populated.  As of 2013, Africa had an estimated population of over 1 billion people; it is the second largest and second most populated continent.
• There are third world countries in Africa, but there is no such thing as a third world continent.  There are many thriving countries and successful people from Africa.
• Africa is not a barren land; there are number of countries with numerous amounts of natural resources that can be used to build their economies. 
• Everyone in Africa does not have HIV/AIDS; there are countries in Africa with a disproportionately high HIV/AIDS rates due to health disparities that are associated with high risk behaviors, socio-economic status, and limited access to care. While the numbers pertaining to the continent of Africa are very high, there are many people in the United States that suffer from a variety of illnesses due to these same factors.  
• In 2014, Africa experienced its largest Ebola outbreak in recent history, but it was not the entire continent of Africa.  The Ebola epidemic primarily took place in the West African region.
• The African slave trade was not focused on the entire continent of Africa, it primarily took place in the West African region.
• The Apartheid and Nelson Mandela’s campaign for freedom did not take place across the entire continent; it was based in South Africa, where racial segregation was embedded into governmental and societal policies.

Africa is often called the “Lost Continent,” but it is not lost, it is simply not acknowledged for its many contributions to history.  Africa is the cradle of human civilization; it is proven to be where life began based on DNA testing and mapping along with archaeological findings.  Some historical and religious texts consider human existence as beginning only about 6,000 years ago, but archaeological findings in Africa such as those of “Lucy” in the 1970s demonstrate that life, culture, and societies have existed for much longer than this.  The “Lucy” skeleton, for example, was estimated to be over 3.2 million years old.  Also, based on evolutionary theory, modern humans or homo-sapiens begin to appear around 40,000 years ago on the continent. 

Even before being recognized as a continent, Africa already had a rich history that was based on geographical and cultural affiliations. There were various kingdoms throughout Africa that have played significant roles in history such as Egypt, Kush, Ethiopia, Ghana, and Mali.  Many individuals are familiar with Egyptian hieroglyphs and papyrus, for example, but Egypt was also very technologically, scientifically, astronomically, and mathematically advanced.  There are many historians and researchers today that are still trying to figure out how the pyramids were built!  Whether one is referring to the various kingdoms in historical Africa or the smaller tribal units, African culture has played a major role on modern society to include customs, traditions, and religious beliefs and practices.  The historical significance of the continent cannot be summed up in one or two paragraphs.   As Dr. Henry Louis Gates stated:  Let’s face it- think of Africa, and the first images that come to mind are war, poverty, famines, and flies.  How many of us really know anything at all about the truly great ancient African civilizations, which in their day, were just as splendid as any on the face of the earth?”

Courses currently reviewing:  Cultural Literacy for Religion, The World's Great Religions:  Christianity, The African Diaspora, and Souls Beliefs.

Dr. Kristy Taylor, DHsc, PhD candidate, University of Sedona

A Hinduistic-Karmatic Approach to the Erikson’s Psychosocial Stages of Life Theory

 A Hinduistic-Karmatic Approach to the Erikson’s Psychosocial Stages of Life Theory

Hinduism is considered the world’s oldest major religion; the religion dates back several thousand years, but it does not have a definite starting point.  Hinduism recognizes four key stages to life based on the goals of humanity; caste systems also play an important role within the practice of the religion.  The goals of humanity include:

• Dharma:  implies duty or obligation to engage in right conduct, law, and morality

• Aretha: seeks to gain wealth and power

• Kama:  is experiencing the pleasures of life such as music, poetry, art, dance, food, and sex

• Moksha:  involves seeking liberation from life’s cycle of birth, death, and rebirth

The ultimate goal of Hinduism is to achieve the Moksha level of liberation by ending the soul’s cycle of reincarnation.  This is achieved by gaining virtue through the internal recognition of vanity, understanding of earthly suffering, and abandoning earthly desires for spiritual pursuits in order to achieve Nirvana.  The hierarchies within the caste system are connected to ideas of purity; therefore individuals at the lowest level of the system are often tasked to do the dirtiest jobs.  Justification for the caste system is based on the concept of karma.  Karma is the ideology that destiny is determined by a means of cause and effect.  A person’s actions in this current state or life determines their future existence; therefore whatever you do comes back to you.  While caste systems are important; the second most important aspect of the religion are the elements associated with the stage of life that one is in.  There are four stages of life according to Hinduism:

• Student:  an individual is to learn all that they can.

• Householder:  individuals are expected to get married, have children, have a career, and earn money

• Forest Dweller/Hermit (Retirement):  occurs when individuals are done raising children and are ready to retire; most individuals will remain in this stage

• Renunciate:   stage involves individuals who are committed to living the remainder of their life as celibate-beggars in spiritual pursuit; the ultimate is to prevent the process of reincarnation by reaching the highest level of actualization (Nirvana), thereby achieving liberation.

        Hinduism recognizes that an individual will have different goals based on their respective stage.  Similar to the concepts found in the Hinduistic practices of karmatic life experiences that involve reincarnative processes as a means of becoming self-actualized or liberated is the Stages of Psychosocial Development model developed by Dr. Erik Erikson in 1959.  According to theory, there are eight stages of development within the human life cycle.  Each stage is designed to help a person to gain new insight and mastery of life’s challenge by experiencing phases of psychosocial crisis; all stages are dependent upon the successful completion of the previous one.  Erikson’s model involves reaching liberation through virtuous, character building experiences.  As individuals progress through each stage, they must learn to deal with the bio-cultural elements of life in order to gain the associated virtue.  Although mastery of a stage is not required within one cycle, individuals who fail to demonstrate mastery may encounter similar karmatic challenges within the next stage.  Erikson’s model consists of the following stages based on approximate age:

Approximate Age:  Infant, 0-18 months

• Psychosocial Crisis Experienced: Basic Trust vs. Mistrust

• Virtue Learned Upon Successful Completion:  Hope

• Summary of Stage:  Bonds of love or mistrust are formed

Approximate Age:  Toddler, 18 months-3 years

• Psychosocial Crisis Experienced: Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt

• Virtue Learned Upon Successful Completion:  Will

• Summary of Stage:  Physical skills and control are developed; concept of success, failure, doubt, and shame develop

Approximate Age:  Preschool, 3-5 years

• Psychosocial Crisis Experienced: Initiative vs. Guilt

• Virtue Learned Upon Successful Completion: Purpose

• Summary of Stage:  Development of assertiveness and initiative may result in feelings of guilt if done in excess

Approximate Age:  School Age, 6-12 years

• Psychosocial Crisis Experienced: Industry vs. Inferiority 

• Virtue Learned Upon Successful Completion:  Competence

• Summary of Stage:  Feelings of inferiority and incompetence may arise as one learn to adapts to life’s demands

Approximate Age:   Adolescent, 12-18 years

• Psychosocial Crisis Experienced:  Identity vs. Role Confusion

• Virtue Learned Upon Successful Completion:  Fidelity

• Summary of Stage:  Development of personal identity to include gender, religious, and political

Approximate Age:  Young Adult, Age:  19-39 years

• Psychosocial Crisis Experienced:  Intimacy vs. Isolation

• Virtue Learned Upon Successful Completion:   Love

• Summary of Stage:  Intimate relationships are sought and developed; may experience rejection and isolation

Approximate Age:  Middle Adulthood, Age:  40-64 years

• Psychosocial Crisis Experienced: Generativity vs. Stagnation

• Virtue Learned Upon Successful Completion:  Care

• Summary of Stage:  Involves seeking ways to support the next generation

Approximate Age:  Maturity, Age:  65-Death

• Psychosocial Crisis Experienced: Ego Integrity vs. Despair

• Virtue Learned Upon Successful Completion:  Wisdom

• Summary of Stage:  Characterized by self-reflection and acceptance; may experience a sense of fulfillment

While the stages of development Hinduism apply to reaching liberation as a means of ending the cycle of life, i.e. the matured soul, Erikson’s approach deals with life’s physical experiences with the ultimate goal of feeling self-fulfilled as one reaches the age of maturity and the end of life.  Based on Erikson's theory and the ideologies of Hinduism, one could pose the following questions as a means of self-reflection:  

• Will you achieve liberation or maturity by the end of your life based on your current path?
• If not, what are some areas in your life that need improvement?
• What strategies will you use to reach liberational-maturity in order to end karmatic life cycles?
• What lessons have you learned from your previous life experiences that can be used in the future?

Courses currently reviewing:  Cultural Literacy for Religion, The World's Great Religions:  Christianity, The African Diaspora, and Souls Beliefs.

Dr. Kristy Taylor, DHsc, PhD candidate, University of Sedona