The Dynamic Universe In considering the true nature of God, one must first consider the nature of man and of the universe, for without understanding himself or the universe in which he lives how can man approach an understanding of God? Each man possesses a consciousness independent of any other creature. He is aware of a separation between himself and the world around him. He experiences images, sounds, scents, tastes, and physical forms through what he perceives as his physical body. He also experiences thoughts, emotions, and other phenomena which do not manifest either visibly or audibly but which influence him nonetheless and which he perceives as coming from "within" his consciousness. From the earliest times, man has attempted to reconcile this condition of "separation from the universe". Early man, in terror of the images and sounds which bombarded him from all directions and of the earth which seemed ready to swallow him once more as if the universe itself realized that it had made a terrible mistake, scared of this thing called "life" and yet equally scared of death, began to imagine hideous gods and demons all about him. These monsters which roared with anger and surely had the power to destroy him would have to be appeased or else death could be imminent. As man survived fire and flood, disease and famine, the anxiety he felt concerning his condition lessened. Man learned to live and even thrive in a hostile and evil world. Civilizations rose to power and raised up animistic deities as gods who now demanded worship and sacrifice in return for their beneficence and blessing. The threat was no longer against an individual man but against an entire society. To gain the favor of the gods, these deities had to be appeased or else famine, pestilence, or war might come upon a nation and destroy it.
Posted on: Mon, 09 Sep 2013 11:41:22 +0000
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