The Two-fold Sophia

The Two Types of Wisdom

The Two-fold Sophia

There is Echamoth and there is Echmoth. Echamoth is simply wisdom, but Echmoth is the wisdom of death—that is, the wisdom that knows death, that is called little wisdom. (The Gospel of Philip)

From the Gospel of Philip we can see there are two types of wisdom

Echamoth is Wisdom simply
Echmoth is the Wisdom of death or "the little Wisdom"


There are two types of wisdom the wisdom of this world and the wisdom of God.

The rulers of this age, Paul argues, knew Sophia but not Christ-Sophia [higher wisdom]


1Cor 1:21 For after that in the wisdom of God (Divine Wisdom) the world by wisdom (human wisdom called philosophy) knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.


1Co 3:19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.



The Sophia of this age is the lower form of wisdom in those who are material or carnally minded not spiritual


The other Sophia is of God a wisdom of God, formally hidden in mystery'. (1 Co 2:6-7) Now revealed in Jesus Christ (Col 1:26-28)—1Co 1:24, 30; compare 1Co 2:7, 8; Pr 8:1, 10, 18-21.

The Fall of Wisdom

Rom 1:21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify him as God nor did they thank him, but they became empty-headed in their reasonings and their unintelligent heart became darkened. 

Rom 1:22 Although asserting they were wise, they became foolish 

Rom 1:28 And just as they did not approve of holding God in accurate knowledge, God gave them up to a disapproved mental state.

What Paul is talking about in Romans 1:28 would of happened around the time of Genesis chapter 11 Those who abandoned accurate knowledge of God created a false wisdom which is a image of the true wisdom this is the fall of wisdom

James 3:15  This wisdom is not one, from above, coming down, but is earthly, born of the soul, demoniacal!

Human Wisdom

Ecclesiastes describes human wisdom

The “wisdom” of Proverbs is not the “wisdom” of Ecclesiastes. The former is godly wisdom; the latter is usually human wisdom.

Ecclesiastes 1:16 I entered into counsel with my own mind, saying, Behold, I have acquired great [human] wisdom, yes, more than all who have been over Jerusalem before me; and my mind has had great experience of [moral] wisdom and [scientific] knowledge.
17 And I gave my mind to know [practical] wisdom and to discern [the character of] madness and folly [in which men seem to find satisfaction]; I perceived that this also is a searching after wind and a feeding on it.
18 For in much [human] wisdom is much vexation, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.

Human Wisdom on a limited scale is attainable by man through his own efforts,
Human wisdom can bring much sorrow and it does not bring real satisfaction.



. 19 For it is written: “I will make the wisdom of the wise [men] perish, and the intelligence of the intellectual [men] I will shove aside.” 20 Where is the wise man? Where the scribe? Where the debater of this age? Did not God make the wisdom of the world foolish? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through its wisdom did not get to know God, God saw good through the foolishness of what is preached to save those believing

18 Let no one be seducing himself: If anyone among YOU thinks he is wise in this age, let him become a fool, that he may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God; for it is written: “He catches the wise in their own cunning.

Human wisdom is foolishness with God this is the real fall of wisdom those that did not hold God in accurate knowledge but chose the wisdom of the world instead that is, the world of mankind alienated from God. (1Co 1:20)

Wisdom is Personified

"Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her" (Proverbs 3:13-15).

"Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars" (Proverbs 9:1).

These verses, and indeed the rest of the chapters in which they appear, show that wisdom is personified as a woman, but because of this, no-one has the idea that wisdom is a literal beautiful woman who roams around the earth; all recognize that it is a very desirable characteristic which all people should try to acquire.

Wisdom is personalized in the book of Proverbs, depicted there as a woman inviting persons to receive what she has to offer. That is why in Proverbs human wisdom is an adulteress woman (2:16 Wisdom, on the other hand, is personified as a virgin

Divine Wisdom

Wisdom is more than just a personification; she is an expression of the feminine aspects of God.

Jesus says wisdom is know by her children (Matt 11:19 compare Luke 7:35)
and we are born of the spirit (John 3:6)

Wisdom or Sophia is a feminine aspects of God or one of God's attributes

Therefore God is androgynous being both Father and Mother the holy spirit is the feminine aspect of God. In Hebrew the word spirit is a feminine noun. That is why it can be spoken of as a Mother giving birth. John 3:8 However The holy spirit is a force, the invisible power and energy of the Father by which God is everywhere present. The Spirit is the power of God through which God's Family works. The chosen messengers have been given only the power and authority from Yahweh they need to accomplish their mission. Gen 1:2; Num 11:17; Mt 3:16; John 20:22; Ac 2:4, 17, 33. The Spirit is not a 'separate' or 'other' person. Ac 7:55, 56; Re 7:10 The spirit is God's own radiant power, ever out flowing from Him, by which His 'everywhereness' is achieved. Ps 104:30; 1 Cor 12:4-11.

The Spirit is personal in that it is of God Himself: it is not personal in the sense of being some other person within the Godhead"

Therefore the Sophia is a feminine aspect of God his holy spirit. Sophia can be described as the wisdom of God, and, the holy spirit or active force which emanates from God. The Sophia is seen as being expressed in all creation and the natural world as well as, the Holy Spirit is an equivalent expression with Sophia, being the feminine counterpart to the masculine Logos. Whereas the latter is manifested in Jesus of Nazareth, the former is effectively manifested in the Church which Begets, anoints, Empowers, leads God’s people today. Joh 3:5-8; 2Co 1:21, 22 Ga 5:16, 18.

This view of God being androgynous can be found in the Bible in the Book of Proverbs God has a feminine aspect wisdom (Sophia):

8:22 Yahweh possessed me," saith the Logos, "in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. I was set up from olahm (the hidden period) from the beginning, or ever the earth was. When there were no depths I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water. Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth: while as yet he had not made the earth, nor the open places, nor the highest part of the dust of the world. When he prepared the heavens I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the deep; when he established the clouds above; when he strengthened the fountains of the deep; when he gave to the sea his decree that the water should not pass his commandment; when he appointed the foundations of the earth: then I was by him as one brought up with him (the Logos was with the Theos): and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him; rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth, and my delights with the sons of men" (Prov. 8:22).

Here wisdom is personified. Wisdom here is not a separate deity. but it is the personification of the attribute of wisdom displayed by God: truth, justice, value, the beautiful, faithful, eternal companion and handmaid of God.

The personification begins with the love relationship she has with her followers is a guarantee of prosperity, provided they walk in her ways [vv 17-21]. Then, in the astounding passage in vv 22–31, she affirms her origins from God, and from of old before creation. The description of creation in vv 25–29 is not really important here; there is no concentration on creation itself, which merely serves to underscore Wisdom's preexistence.

The feminine aspects of God. Gnostics held that she was the syzygy (female twin divine Aeon) of the logos (i.e. the Bride of Christ), and Holy Spirit of God who is the Father-mother

Wisdom and Wisdom of Death

There is Echamoth and there is Echmoth. Echamoth is simply wisdom, but Echmoth is the wisdom of death—that is, the wisdom that knows death, that is called little wisdom. 
The Gospel of Philip

Echamoth is one thing and Echmoth, another. Echamoth is Wisdom [divine wisdom] simply [“single eyed” and in tune with the will of the Father], but Echmoth is the Wisdom of death [“double mindedness” still intellectualizing and analyzing things eventually leading you to go your own way according to your own hearts desires], which is the one who knows death [he knows he will die physically but not that he will rise. So his wisdom is all physical, it is worldly wisdom, based upon the false premise that his physical existence is all he will ever have], which is called "the little Wisdom" [these still cling to “the tree of the knowledge of good and evil” and cannot progress form the "letter" and will use it for unrighteous gain - these will hinder themselves and others from progressing to “the tree of life” still “deny its power” in them]. (Philip 28)

The upper and a lower Sophia

there is a distinction of an upper and a lower Sophia

sige is the higher sophia

Sige is an aspect of the Monad, Sige is the Silent Though the hidden higher part of Sophia or Wisdom Sige the great silence or void from which all creation sprang:

29 They say that Silence, who is the mother of all who were put forth by Depth, with regard to what she had nothing to say kept silence about the inexpressible and with regard to what she did not understand she called it incomprehensible. (Extracts from the Works of Theodotus )

Silence or Sige is the highest and most exalted manifestation of Sophia, whose lower manifestation as the last of twelve aeons is associated with the creation of the world. It has been suggested that the doubling or even pluralization of Wisdom in Gnostic sources could be read out of a Hebrew word used for Wisdom in Proverbs. As Deirdre Good puts it, “The strange (plural) form twmkj iin Proverbs 1:20; 9:1; 14:1; 24:7 might have suggested to Gnostic readers of Wisdom passages that there were many Sophias

the lower Sophia is the author of ignorance

But I shall call upon the imperishable knowledge, which is Sophia who is in the Father (and) who is the mother of Achamoth. Achamoth had no father nor male consort, but she is female from a female. She produced you without a male, since she was alone (and) in ignorance as to what lives through her mother because she thought that she alone existed. But I shall cry out to her mother. And then they will fall into confusion (and) will blame their root and the race of their mother. (The (First) Apocalypse of James)

Divine Wisdom and the Wisdom of Death

Wisdom and Wisdom of Death

or

Echamoth and Echmoth

There is Echamoth and there is Echmoth. Echamoth is simply wisdom, but Echmoth is the wisdom of death—that is, the wisdom that knows death, that is called little wisdom. (The Gospel of Philip)

From the Gospel of Philip we can see there are two types of wisdom 

Echamoth is Wisdom simply

Echmoth is the Wisdom of death or "the little Wisdom"

There are two types of wisdom the wisdom of this world and the wisdom of God.

The rulers of this age, Paul argues, knew Sophia but not Christ-Sophia [higher wisdom]

1Cor 1:21  For after that in the wisdom of God (Divine Wisdom) the world by wisdom (human wisdom called philosophy) knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

1Co 3:19  For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.

The Sophia of this age is the lower form of wisdom in those who are material or carnally minded not spiritual

The other Sophia is of God a wisdom of God, formally hidden in mystery'. (1 Co 2:6-7) Now revealed in Jesus Christ (Col 1:26-28)—1Co 1:24, 30; compare 1Co 2:7, 8; Pr 8:1, 10, 18-21.

In the account of Valentinianism supplied by Irenaeus the name Achamoth is given only to the lower Sophia; it is therefore not without interest that here it is applied to both, although with a difference of vocalization. Ultimately it derives from the Hebrew hochmah 'wisdom,' and there is no reason why it should not have been given to both.

we have a Semitic wordplay between “wisdom” and “death”: “There is ekhamoth and there is ekhmoth. Ekhamoth is wisdom as such, but ekhmoth is the wisdom of death, that is, the wisdom acquainted with death, who is called lesser wisdom.” The wordplay here involves ḥokhmot (ḥokhmah), “wisdom,” and ekh mot, “like death.” That this may refer to sacrificial concepts might be hinted at by the very next passage, which deals with the subject of animals.





There is Echamoth and there is Echmoth. Echamoth is simply wisdom, but Echmoth is the wisdom of death—that is, the wisdom that knows death, that is called little wisdom. (The Gospel of Philip)

Echamoth is one thing and Echmoth, another. Echamoth is Wisdom [divine wisdom] simply [“single eyed” and in tune with the will of the Father], but Echmoth is the Wisdom of death [“double mindedness” still intellectualizing and analyzing things eventually leading you to go your own way according to your own hearts desires], which is the one who knows death [he knows he will die physically but not that he will rise. So his wisdom is all physical, it is worldly wisdom, based upon the false premise that his physical existence is all he will ever have], which is called "the little Wisdom" [these still cling to “the tree of the knowledge of good and evil” and cannot progress form the "letter" and will use it for unrighteous gain - these will hinder themselves and others from progressing to “the tree of life” still “deny its power” in them]. (Philip 28)

There is a vast difference between Echamoth and Echmoth. Echamoth is Sophia or Divine Wisdom, but Echmoth is mortal wisdom. Both are wisdom or knowledge, but Divine Wisdom has a dimension added, as Echamoth has a syllable added. Echamoth is living Wisdom, but Echmoth is dead wisdom. Both are wisdom or knowledge, but one remains trapped in the illusions of mortal existence, while the other ascends to Eternal Light and Lives.

Christ is a symbol for Light

Christ is a symbol for Light

 I have selected quotes from NHL that say that the name Christ is a symbol for Light (the inner Light). In addition, I can mention that also Moses used the symbolic name Christ in the NHL scriptures when he talked about the bronze snake.

“Fire is chrism. Light is fire. I do not mean ordinary fire, which has no form, but other fire, which is pure white in appearance, beautifully bright and imparting beauty.” (Gospel of Philip)

“So it is necessary to baptize with two elements, light and water, and light is chrism.” (Gospel of Philip)

“The tree of life, however, is in the middle of the garden. It is an olive tree, and from it comes chrism, and from chrism comes resurrection.”(Gospel of Philip)

“Chrism is superior to baptism. We are called Christians from the word “chrism,” not from the word “baptism.” Christ also has his name from chrism, for the father anointed the son, the son anointed the apostles, and the apostles anointed us.” (Gospel of Philip)

“But when the seed is revealed, then perfect light will shine on everyone, and all who are in the light will [receive the] chrism.” (Gospel of Philip)

“Those who receive the name of the father, son, and holy spirit and have accepted them must do this. If someone does not accept them, the name will also be taken from that person. A person receives them in the chrism with the oil of the power of the cross. The apostles called this power the right and the left. This person is no longer a Christian but is Christ.” (Gospel of Philip)

By Christer Hamre

Political Universe

Political Universe

Jer 10:1 ¶ Hear ye the word which Yahweh hath spoken unto you, O house of Israel:––
2 Thus, saith Yahweh––Unto the way of the nations, become not ye accustomed, Nor, at the signs of the heavens, be ye dismayed,––Because the nations are dismayed at them.

The bible mostly uses very straightforward language. The majority is a simple communication. Error is often made when people 'interpret' according to their theories, out of context, the simple communication as symbolic. To further confuse, some others may interpret prophetic 'symbolic' language as literal.

The Deity’s signs are in the political universe. This, in a sense corresponds to the physical universe, which has its earth, sea, and firmament or aerial expanse; in which are set its greater and lesser lights, and constellations -- its Sun, Moon, and Stars. It has its hurricanes, eclipses, hailstorms, and so forth, which affect injuriously those who belong to the Body Politic, whether they be rulers or the common people.

Heavens Representing Rulership. the heavens can refer to the Deity in his sovereign position. Thus, when Daniel told Nebuchadnezzar that the experience the Babylonian emperor was due to have would make him “know that the heavens are ruling,” it meant the same as knowing “that the Most High is Ruler in the kingdom of mankind.”—Da 4:25, 26.

heaven and earth are Two states of mind, the ideal spiritual mind heaven and the lower carnal mind the earth. There are two states of mind, the heaven and the earth, or more properly, "the heavens and the earth." One is the realm of the Mind of Christ of pure thoughts in harmony with the Divine mind; the other, is the thinking of the flesh or carnal mind. By becoming sons of God we can reflect his "image" and "likeness" to be transformed into the spiritual man.

Jesus says Lk 21:25 "And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.

Heavens and Earth:

The heavens and earth encompass our whole experience of the natural world. In analogy, in prophecy, they relate to the whole political world. The aspects of the political world, the focus of the bible prophecy, are related to aspects we understand of the natural world. In the political world some are elevated above others into ruling positions. Those great ones that rule are 'high' above the ordinary person and are said to be in 'the heavens'. The Hebrew for 'heaven'(sha^mayim) is from a word for 'lofty', or 'high'. One can rise in power into the political heavens, and likewise descend.

Lam 2:1 ¶  How hath the Lord covered the daughter of Zion with a cloud in his anger, and cast down from heaven unto the earth the beauty of Israel, and remembered not his footstool in the day of his anger!

Mt 11:23  And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.

Lu 10:15  And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell.
Lu 10:18  And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.

 The ordinary person is said to be of the earth. 

In Hebrew a word for 'earth' (ăda^ma^h) is related to the name Adam.
Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice. (Psalm 96:11)
Hear, heavens, and listen, earth; for Yahweh has spoken: (Isaiah 1:2)
Sing, you heavens, for Yahweh has done it! Shout, you lower parts of the earth! (Isaiah 44:23)
In all of these instances the heavens and earth have human emotions, and skills, which inanimate nature cannot have. They are poetry and prophecy are analogy. Isaiah particularly uses this analogy
Sing, heavens; and be joyful, earth;
for Yahweh has comforted his people, and will have compassion on his afflicted. (Isaiah 49:13)
Isaiah is both poetry and prophecy. Note the poetic pairs: heavens - people, earth - afflicted.
In any instance when you read 'heavens' in a prophetic book, or a prophetic song, where it is speaking of the fate of nations, think first it means political heavens.

Heavens Shake & Earthquake

In the natural world the heavens do not shake. But in the political 'heavens' large events can 'shake' the political structure. Isaiah uses this image, note how the shaking is the result of God's anger. God is not angry at the natural world, rather at the people who live on earth.
Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of Yahweh of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger. (Isaiah 13:13)
If the earth are the common people a great earthquake, is an event that like a natural earthquake changes their political world. This symbol or analogy is also used throughout the western world.
An example from a source which is not religious at all is the 'Socialist Review, No.126, December 1989, pp.11-14', by Tony Cliff titled “Earthquake in the East”
We are witnessing the most massive earthquake of the social and political order in Eastern Europe. It is on a scale reminiscent of 1848 and 1917.....To understand an earthquake you have to look at the pressure inside the system. It is summed up with Marx’s statement that when the social system becomes a brake on the development of the productive forces, the epoch of the social revolution starts.

Note Tony Cliff does not explain he is using an analogy- he uses the word 'earthquake' as synonymous for revolution, assuming his audience understands. In revelation, this analogy of an earthquake is used a few times.
The smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand. And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake. (Rev 8:4-5)
There is no way in the natural world a fire will cause the earth to quake! This is symbolic of people.

Sun & Moon

Just as the sun dominates the heavens of the natural world, so the sun is representative of the supreme ruler in the political world. The moon is the lesser ruler. Jacob had not trouble understanding his son Joseph's dream.
“Behold, I have dreamed yet another dream: and behold, the sun and the moon and eleven stars bowed down to me. ”He told it to his father and to his brothers. His father rebuked him, and said to him, “What is this dream that you have dreamed? Will I and your mother and your brothers indeed come to bow ourselves down to you to the earth?”(Genesis 37:9-10)
In the tribe of Israel now numbering many people in the extended family, Jacob was the supreme ruler, and his wife was secondary by virtue of reflected glory. Isaiah is clearly not speaking of the natural moon and sun, when he writes,

Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed; for Yahweh of Armies will reign on Mount Zion, and in Jerusalem; and before his elders will be glory.(Isaiah 24:23)

 But we can easily understand how the religious authority, who are secondary to the national leaders and secondary in the political 'heavens', like the moon, will be put to silence by such an event.

Just as the natural sun and moon set and rise, so do kings and religious powers. They can be covered or decrease. They can also be 'turned to blood', which means they are attacked violently and wounded.

Stars

We understand this word, thanks to Hollywood's use of the term in the early 1900's, before electric light spillage prevented us from seeing stars and Satnav replaced all navigation by stars. If someone says “for the stars, silver is the new black”, we would not look with concern to the heavens, but rather conclude famous people were wearing silver in preference to black. Stars in prophetic analogy also are famous people. They may not be political rulers, though some have such a personality they become stars. Some stars become political rulers. Daniel explains the analogy
Those who are wise shall shine as the brightness of the expanse; and those who turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever. (Daniel 12:3)
The wise shall have influence or 'shine' so we know of them like we see natural stars. Deborah uses this rich language in her song of victory
“The kings came and fought, then the kings of Canaan fought at Taanach by the waters of Megiddo. They took no plunder of silver From the sky the stars fought. From their courses, they fought against Sisera.(Judges 5:19-20)
Sisera was not defeated by stars doing strange things. If we read the parallel account, he was defeated by the kings of Canaan. (See Judges chapter 4)  Notice the poetic links: kings came = from the sky, Kings of Canaan = stars, and, waters = courses.

Philosophical Oracle

Philosophical Oracle

Proverbs 1:2 for one to know wisdom and discipline, to discern the sayings of understanding, 3 to receive the discipline that gives insight, righteousness and judgment and uprightness, 4 to give to the inexperienced ones shrewdness, to a young man knowledge and thinking ability.

The consciousness of Understanding comes into manifestation in two ways or through two channels, viz.: body and language. Truth is ever seeking expression through these two channels. In this lesson we consider Wisdom's expression through spoken language. If you have attained to this consciousness, your “speech will always be seasoned with salt.” Col. 4:6 "out of the abundance (of wisdom) of the heart the mouth will speak" its wisdom; your utterances will be from the wisdom consciousness; and therefore will be wise.

Education in early times, before the era of books, consisted in oral teaching, or training under a tutor, who presented his ideas in the form of trite sayings, epigrams, proverbs, parables and allegories, which embodied truth in the form most readily understood and remembered.

1-4. To intellect the wisdom of the Solomon consciousness expresses itself in terms of spoken language, uttered for the purpose of conveying its "wisdom," "instruction," understanding and "discretion" to everyone who is meek enough to receive it.

What is the first step in developing wisdom? The exercising of our perceptive faculties. As we develop perception we learn "to discern the words of understanding."

How do we do this? The obvious way is to submit ourselves to training under persons who already have understanding and perception. We can also train ourselves through meditation, prayer, and study.

How do we acquire the mental acuteness called "prudence" in this lesson? Mental acuteness is a product of wisdom, justice, judgment, and equity. We acquire it as we progress in these four quickened faculties.

Why are knowledge and discretion rare gifts in young people? Because young people generally give little heed to them. Although the faculties are available to everyone, the person who develops them becomes outstanding in comparison with those who fail in this regard.

 

E=MC2 vs C=FP2

E=MC2- vs C=FP2

Well, I am no Einstein, not even a physicist, but I believe there is spiritual wisdom hidden in this natural law. Let’s consider the divine equation revealed to Einstein: E=MC². Why divine? As mentioned before, it is because all truths support The Truth. All the truths from math, science, chemistry, etc exist because they shadow a higher Truth.
So back to E=MC² where E is energy, M is mass, and C is the speed of light in a vacuum. One thing we know from this equation is that energy and mass are directly related. In fact, one could really think of all matter as condensed light! Hard to even imagine how much light is stored in our small, frail bodies. Converting this natural equation into a spiritual one is difficult, but here is my understanding.
It seems clear that C (speed of Light and a constant) is the shadow of God’s glory, power and will because they are both constants. Some “science sticklers” may bring up the point that the speed of light is not constant except in the vacuum of space and is slower in other mediums. Well, I think this fact also relates to a spiritual truth. If the speed of light {C} is the shadow of God’s will or power then let’s consider if it is the same at every level of existence. It seems clear that God’s will is not always done here on Earth. On the other hand, God’s will before time and space in the void was done at that moment called “here and now.” In that moment God’s will or power is constant and there is nothing greater. This is like the speed of light. In the void, the speed of light {C} is a constant. Like God’s will and power, “C” only becomes lessened, in a sense, in lower mediums like our world. So now, back to the equation at hand.
I believe that E (energy) is a shadow of our consciousness, or spiritual energy if you like. Our spiritual energy is our “light” that Jesus said we should not keep hidden. I think then M (mass) represents our faith in God. Faith is the substance of our spiritual life like mass is the substance of all things. Things exist in this world because they have mass. God exists in our consciousness because we have faith. Faith has spiritual weight like mass has weight. So, the equation for this is spiritual law then would be as follows:
Consciousness of God {C} = Faith in God {F} x Power of God² {P²} or C=FP².
Let’s consider this spiritual theory. The first question that might arise is why P²? Well, again in this world we have the Holy Spirit and the Son helping us to the Father, so this would be P x P or P². The power of God {P} “squared” sounds a bit absurd, but man cannot even fathom a single P. Can you imagine God’s power? Wouldn’t trying to grasp God’s power {P} be like counting to infinity? If we can agree that God has power that cannot be measured, why then would it be any different for P x P? See my point? So let’s test this theory as best we can.
When our Consciousness of God {C} increases then does our Faith {F}, or closeness to God also increases? Yes, I believe this true. Our awareness of God is directly proportional to our faith and closeness to God.
JAS 4:7 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you.
As our faith grows, we grow closer to God and our understanding and knowledge of him and life increases. Einstein was certainly no dummy! What he discovered in the natural has its meaning in the spiritual just as every shadow has its higher reality. Perhaps in “heaven” we will have P³- the power of Father, Son and Holy Spirit available to our consciousness! We can’t even imagine! Talk about being able to fly high! Until they then though, it seems we are to remain a bit “grounded” by the earthly forces that be.

GRAVITY-
1COR 13:13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
Gravity may be my favorite force of nature. Why? This is because without a doubt it represents God’s love. As Paul alludes to, love is the greatest “force” in the spiritual universe! Gravity, like God’s love, is a complete mystification. Man cannot explain the force of gravity, but simply labels it a “law” that just is the way it is. We have no earthly idea why objects attract one another, but without gravity (and certainly God's love), life as we know it could not exist.
If one examines the law of gravity closely and then looks up to find the higher law or force it represents, we must come to the conclusion that God’s love is the spiritual form of gravity. They seem to parallel each other in every way imaginable. Like God, gravity is ever present, ever active, ever lasting. It doesn’t run out, run down and it is everywhere there is mass. The greater that mass of an object is the greater is the force of gravity. Again, spiritual mass would represent our faith or nearness to God. The closer we get to God, the stronger our love (spiritual gravity) becomes. This is the higher law of Love.

GAL 5:14 The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."
It is written that God is love, and any that love are born of God. What a profound mystery that Love has created. It seems clear that the will of gravity and the will of God are the same- to be ONE. Both are constant, unyielding and dominating in their kingdoms. Gravity and God’s love affects all things at all times. It is unwavering no matter the circumstances. What is really interesting is what happens when gravity is taken to extreme limits.
The notion of “black holes” was at first mere speculation. Then later they became theoretical, but today they are all but accepted as fact. The black hole is all about extreme gravity. It is a sinkhole for all mass and energy- even light. The force of gravity becomes so strong that it overpowers all other forces of the universe! Now, that sounds like God’s love! It seems that within a black hole, the laws of physics are superseded by a higher order of “laws” just as Christ supersedes the Law of Moses.
As discussed in the article The Meaning of Life, matter and consciousness are inversely related in that as matter decreases in the universe, overall consciousness increases. So in the black hole, matter is taken from this world and consciousness is given into the spiritual realm. Again recall the spiritual equation of consciousness:
Consciousness {C} = Faith in God {F} x Power of God² {P²}
As our faith grows, our consciousness (or awareness) of God’s will also increases. This is the same relationship we see with gravity within the black hole. The black hole is drawing all things together just as God is drawing us all back so that God is all in all. The closer the mass becomes the greater the force of gravity. God’s love increases as we come together as well. We are called to love our neighbor as our self, but do we realize why? It is because we are all part of the Body of Christ. As we come together because of the overpowering force of God’s love, we become ONE body! And like the mass transformed in the black hole, we are also transformed into a higher state of being in Christ!
What I also find interesting is a black hole is likely formed when a large star goes super nova. In other words, once a star has surrendered a critical amount of mass through the process of fusion, it then explodes and collapses upon itself. It gives all that it can, and then it begins to take EVERYTHING back! This is the nature of God and the “Cycle of Life,”. If all has come from God and all is returning to God, then love is the gravity making this possible.

Gnostic Christianity's Response to Terrorism

 Gnostic Christianity's Response to Terrorism

Hate repaid with hate is twice the hate. Return hate with love is the true Christian response to terrorism. Non-violence illustrate this response. Wars have killed billions. If we practiced what Jesus and Paul taught terrorism would have been defeated by love.

Love "is the answer". Non-violence is its weapon. Peace and abundance is love's reward.

In their own words, Jesus and Paul's response to terrorism is:

Jesus in Matt 5:38-42 (JBV)43 “YOU heard that it was said, ‘You must love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 However, I say to YOU: Continue to love YOUR enemies and to pray for those persecuting YOU; 45 that YOU may prove yourselves sons of YOUR Father who is in the heavens, since he makes his sun rise upon wicked people and good and makes it rain upon righteous people and unrighteous. 46 For if YOU love those loving YOU, what reward do YOU have? Are not also the tax collectors doing the same thing? 47 And if YOU greet YOUR brothers only, what extraordinary thing are YOU doing? Are not also the people of the nations doing the same thing? 48 YOU must accordingly be perfect, as YOUR heavenly Father is perfect.

Paul in Rm 12:14-21(JBV)

Bless those who persecute you: never curse them, bless them. Rejoice with those who rejoice and be sad those in sorrow. Treat everyone with equal kindness; never be patronizing but make real friends with the poor. Do not allow yourself to become self-satisfied. Never repay evil with evil but let everyone see that you are interested only in the highest ideals. Do all you can to live at peace with everyone. Never try to get revenge; leave that, my friends, to God's anger. As scripture says: Vengeance is mine-I will pay them back, the Lord promises. But there is more: If your enemy is hungry, you should give him food, and if he is thirsty, let him drink. Thus you heap red-hot coals on his head. Resist evil and conquer it with good.

Paul in Phil 2:1-6 (JBV)

If our life in Christ means anything to you, if love can persuade at all, or the Spirit that we have in common, or any tenderness and sympathy, then be united in your convictions and united in your love, with a common purpose and a common mind. That is the one thing which would make me completely happy. There must be no competition among you, no conceit; but everybody is to be self-effacing. Always consider the other person to be better than yourself, so that nobody thinks of his own interests first, but everybody thinks of other people's interests instead. In your minds you must be the same as Christ Jesus: His state was divine, yet he did not cling to his equality with God.

 

Egyptian Symbolism: Three Stories Become One (Paperback)

By Christen Hamre

https://www.bookdepository.com/Egyptian-Symbolism-Christer-Hamre/9781788308830

https://www.waterstones.com/book/egyptian-symbolism/christer-hamre/9781788308830

"Christer Hamre shines new light on Middle Eastern history in setting out to show that the biblical scriptures and the Gnostic scriptures are from one and the same root story, a story about the belief systems in Egypt. The significance of Egyptian numerology, the number system in ancient texts, and its rich symbolism are the basis for some intriguing findings. Judaism is really an Egyptian story. The centre of Judeo-Christian culture was not Jerusalem but Luxor in Egypt. Jesus Christ and Tutankhamen were one and the same person. Most revolutionary is the re-dating of events to the tune of 1,300 years. The depth and breadth of research into documents and artifacts builds a powerful case that will be an invigorating challenge for the discerning reader."

My interpretation of the Nag Hammadi Library

 My interpretation of the Nag Hammadi Library

My interpretation of the Nag Hammadi Library when the different uses of words in different scripts, but with similar content, are decoded is:

Spirit is the same as Mind. Psyche is what is named the holy spirit, it is a woman, symbolised with Zoe in the Garden of Eden. Mind is not physical, but the woman is physical, she is the word. Adam was lured by her (mother nature), and he copulated with her (the forbidden fruit), and he materialized as the physical Man in nature. It is a story of the birth of consciousness.

I like the Song of Songs in the Bible, about Solomon, and it shows that also he was the same as Adam, and he fell in love with her. Some say it is the greatest love song ever, but it is not a song about historical people. It was a story about how physical consciousness came into being, by the fact that Man fell in love with The Garden (mother nature).

The story clearly states that man came from Mind and materialized in the Psyche (word). The word is what grounds us, and it can easyily be observed when one stops the inner talk (content of the psyche). If the inner talk is stopped, there will only be mind, and the psyche will be dormant. Every time the waking ego starts talking to itself again, it will be grounded in the physical image that is created by the word (self-hypnosis).

God is Mind, and physical expression is the Psyche. The Son is the one that express itself through its Psyche (holy spirit). Since the Psyche is the Mother, and she has no substance, she is off course a virgin. Jesus tried to tell people that all are projecting themselves into the physical image, but for the one caught in the psyche that is not so easy to understand. Seems like James understood it though, he who was named the brother of Jesus, by Jesus, even if they were not related.

Another way to say it is that being in flesh is like awakening in a dream, the dream becomes dense and is observed as matter. In dreams when the body sleeps there are no time and no space, and the substance is like a hologram, but it feels real even if no bodily senses are participating in the dream. The density of the physical realm is what creates the sensation of time moving in one direction. In dreams while sleeping the word direction has no meaning, the dream is not limited by either time or space. I have hence for myself concluded that Jesus talked about this projection of the inner being out into the flesh of the outer being. If you knew about the inner entity you would also know Jesus, and you would also know his Father. He always talked about this inner entity (Osiris), and not the outer being (Seth). The stories in ancient times were told with symbolism because it is difficult to talk about such things if they are not packed in metaphors.

The hardest thing to realize is that matter is an illusion, an illusion created by the mind. So, the NHL scripts are correct, the story say that the unimagniable Father is The Mind, the observer of all the other minds (spirits). God materialises himself through his creations, and hence he is hidden behind his light. The Psyche (named Sopdet in Egypt), the first Psyche, came from Mind (God). She got a son named Sopdu in Egypt, and he is the Mind-Psyche behind the entity Horus. But before Sopdet God created his Son, he is named Sah in Egypt. Sah is the spiritual mind from physical Osiris (the inner person).

it is difficult to formulate the words correctly in a short text

The psyche has no substance, but the woman has. That means that Earth, which is that woman, has substance.

But the Earth is projected from the unsubstantial psyche, the image that is experienced as the flesh comes from the psyche that has no substance. The image is an illusion, though it is real, one can navigate and act in this illusion.

It is difficult to talk about a subjective world that becomes objective, and that the subjective world is prior to the objective world.

I know Egyptian Symbolism and I can see things spoken about in the NHL that is hidden for those that do not recognize that NHL is Egyptian stories written in words. The NHL learned me much more about Egypt than what is available in Egypt itself about the connected stories. The stories in Egypt are short, and they are also not in one line of thought, hence compilation of symbols may change drasticly. The good thing about NHL is that the stories are complex, and it helped me a lot to put faces to the names in NHL.

Editor's Question: Mind is the 8th level in the discourse on the 8th and 9th what is the 9th and 10th levels

there are 14 levels, and Paul reached the tenth according to Apocalypse of Paul. Jesus/Osiris will be the 13th, and the 14th is the Father himself. Horemheb was he who built the tenth pylon/pillar at the Tempel of Karnak. It is still missing the 11th-13th pillar there.

I can before that time give you the information about the 1st to the 14th as a quote from NHL :)

The Apocalypse of Paul should be read as well to see what he thought abouth the 10th.

__________________________________________

Now, the first kingdom says of the illuminator that he came from . . . a spirit . . . to heaven. He was nourished in the heavens. He received the glory of that one and the power. He came to the bosom of his mother, and in this way he came to the water.

And the second kingdom says of him that he came from a great prophet. And a bird came, took the child who was born, and brought him onto a high mountain. And he was nourished by the bird of heaven. An angel came forth there. He said to him, “Rise! God has given you glory.” He received glory and strength, and in this way he came to the water.

The third kingdom says of him that he came from a virgin womb. He was cast out of his city, he and his mother; he was brought to a desert place. He was nourished there. He came and received glory and power, and in this way he came to the water.

The fourth kingdom says of him that he came from a virgin. . . . Solomon sought her, he and Phersalo and Sauel and his armies, which had been sent out. Solomon himself sent his army of demons to seek out the virgin. And they did not find the one whom they sought, but the virgin who was given to them. It was she whom they fetched. Solomon took her. The virgin became pregnant and gave birth to the child there. She nourished him on a border of the desert. When he was nourished, he received glory and power from the seed from which he was conceived, and in this way he came to the water.

And the fifth kingdom says of him that he came from a drop from heaven. He was thrown into the sea. The abyss received him, gave birth to him, and brought him to heaven. He received glory and power, and in this way he came to the water.

And the sixth kingdom says that one . . . came down to the realm that is below in order to gather flowers. She became pregnant from the desire of the flowers. She gave birth to him in that place. The angels of the flower garden nourished him. He received glory and power there, and in this way he came to the water.

And the seventh kingdom says of him that he is a drop and came from heaven to earth. Dragons brought him down to caves, and he became a child. A spirit came over him and raised him to the place from where the drop had come. He received glory and power there, and in this way he came to the water.

And the eighth kingdom says of him that a cloud came over the earth and enveloped a rock. He came from it. The angels above the cloud nourished him. He received glory and power there, and in this way he came to the water.

And the ninth kingdom says of him that from the nine muses one separated. She came to a high mountain and spent some time seated there, so that she desired her own body in order to become androgynous. She fulfilled her desire and became pregnant from her desire. He was born. The angels who were over the desire nourished him. And he received glory there and power, and in this way he came to the water.

The tenth kingdom says of him that his god loved a cloud of desire. He fathered him in his hand and cast upon the cloud above him some of the drop, and he was born. He received glory and power there, and in this way he came to the water.

And the eleventh kingdom says of him that the father desired his own daughter. She was pregnant from her father. She cast her child . . . tomb out in the desert. The angel nourished him there, and in this way he came to the water.

The twelfth kingdom says of him that he came from two luminaries. He was nourished there. He received glory and power, and in this way he came to the water.

And the thirteenth kingdom says of him that every birth of their ruler is a word. And this word received a mandate there. He received glory and power, and in this way he came to the water, that the desire of those powers might be satisfied.

But the generation without a king says that god chose him from all the eternal realms. He caused knowledge of the one of truth, who is undefiled, to reside in him. He said, “Out of a foreign air, from a huge eternal realm, the great illuminator appeared. And he made the generation of those people whom he had chosen for himself shine, so that they should shine on the whole eternal realm.”

By Christen Hamre

https://www.bookdepository.com/Egyptian-Symbolism-Christer-Hamre/9781788308830

I AM

I AM-

EX 3:14 God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: `I AM has sent me to you.' "

I am. Is there anything more true or pure than this statement? Many years ago when my mind was much darker and my pride much greater, I believed that those “New Agers” who went around saying “I AM” were a bunch of evil idiots. Well, I guess I owe them an apology. I am learning not to scoff so easily because truth is found everywhere if we have the eyes to see it. They like so many other “religions” have truth in them, but keeping this truth from the corruption of the natural mind is the hard part. Even so, there is great truth in the statement, “I AM.” The Eastern religions long ago discovered this truth, so Moses wasn’t the only one.

Moses came into the presence of God, and God’s name was I AM. What does “I AM” mean? Well, among other possibilities, it means I exist. It means there is no name that is sufficient for “I.” Who is this “I?” The “I” is the true self- your spirit from God. This “I” does not change, but simply reaches higher and higher realizations as consciousness increases. This is what Jesus did. Jesus came to realize that he wasn’t the man of flesh the world called Jesus.

JN 8:58 “I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am.”

Jesus became aware that he was truly spirit from God, so he existed before his body of flesh did. The prophet Jeremiah said that God knew him before he was in the womb. So the real Jesus didn’t come into being in Mary’s womb, but exists eternally in the mind of God as we all do. He existed before Mary gave him the name Jesus. He existed before the world taught him to be Jewish. He existed before and after his body was crucified. Jesus knew that he wasn’t flesh or soul, which can both be destroyed in this world. Jesus realized that “I” is his true, spiritual self from God. Remember that born of flesh is flesh and will die. That born of God is spirit and cannot die. So who am “I”?

Many times we will say things like, “I am hungry” or “I am short.” However, the truth is my body is hungry and my body is short. “I” am not a body of flesh. Jesus said the flesh counts for nothing because the spirit gives life. “I” use my body to move through this world, but it is no more who I AM than the car I drive. So, I am not my body.

It is the same with the mind “I” use. If I say, “I am angry!” It is really our mind that feels this feeling. “I am” above my mind. I can change my mind, so that I am not angry. The mind is something I have- a helper. Adam was given Eve as a helper, so the spirit is given the mind. Yet, my mind is not who I am. The mind can fall into state of depression for little or no reason, but “I” can override the mind and choose to be happy. This “I” is the true, higher self. This is who I am.

The world will also try to tell me who I am with labels. The world will say I am an American, but I know better. The world will try to tell me I am a white man, but I know better. The world will try to tell me that I am funny, or skinny, or short or intelligent, but I know better. The world labels the outer you while God calls the inner you his child. Again, peel off the layers the world wraps us in. I am not a Christian. If “I” were born in another place would “I” be a Hindu? No, “I” am the same person, but with different layers given by the world. The world of shadows cannot tell us who we are. God tells us who we are.

PS 82:6 “I said, ‘You are Gods. You are all sons of the Most High!’”

God calls us his OFFSPRING, and so we are this and nothing less. When Paul says there is not male or female in Christ, don’t we believe him? When he says there are no labels of any kind in Christ, don’t we believe him?

COL 3:11 Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

So if we are in Christ, then we are not any of these things, but simply part of the Body of Christ. If we are the Body of Christ, then we have the spirit of Christ- the spirit of sonship! We are the Sons of God coming to this world to do God’s will on earth as it is in heaven!

So the true self is the Son of God. The false self is called the son of the devil. I have the choice to serve either. While our ego and carnal mind may deceive us for a time, the power and light of Christ grows stronger each day. The day is coming when our will and Christ’s will be one. The time draws nearer when the voice we used to call God’s is accepted as our very own.

Ransom and Redemption

Ransom and Redemption

Christ came to ransom some, to save others, to redeem others. He ransomed those who were strangers and made them his own. And he set his own apart, those whom he gave as a pledge according to his plan. It was not only when he appeared that he voluntarily laid down his life, but he voluntarily laid down his life from the very day the world came into being. Then he came first in order to take it, since it had been given as a pledge. It fell into the hands of robbers and was taken captive, but he saved it. He redeemed the good people in the world as well as the evil. (Gospel of Philip)

 , 24 and it is as a free gift that they are being declared righteous by his undeserved kindness through the release by the ransom [paid] by Christ Jesus.

The word for "redemption" is the Greek apolutroseos, from the verb apolutroo, which signifies to redeem by paying the full (apo) ransom (lutron) price. It has the idea of a release from captivity through the purchase of freedom.

This has been obtained by the sacrifice of Christ in which he has dissolve or nullified the law of condemnation for himself and those who believe and obey him ( clause 8). 

Thus, the redemption from sin's flesh seen accomplished in the Lord, is also available to his people. Christ is the author of salvation (Jn. 3:16).

Three Greek words rendered "redeemed" are used in relation to the principle of redemption

(1) — To buy in the slave market. See ICor. 6:20; 7:23; 2Pet. 2:1. Christ has entered the market of humanity, coming under the dominion of death himself (Rom. 6:9) through the nature he bore identically with us, that he might purchase from the dominion of sin (Rom. 6:14) those upon whom he places his Name.

(2)— to buy out of (Gr, ek) the slave market. See Gal. 3:13; 4:5. This has the idea of the freedom extended after being released from the former master. In this sense, Christ has acted as a deliverer by "bringing many sons to glory" (Heb. 2:10), taking them out of the sphere of flesh to "deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage" (v. 15).

(3)  — to set free by paying a price. See Tit. 2:14; IPet. 1:18. This includes the principle of payment involved in the transaction. The means of redemption is emphasized, it being accomplished through the death of Christ "with the precious blood" (IPet. 1:19) that speaks of the sacrificial process undertaken by the Lord. Thus, the process of redemption is demonstrated: In order to perform the will
of Yahweh, that mankind be redeemed from the dominion of death into which they had fallen through transgression, it was necessary that Jesus enter into the "market place" (agorazo) which he did by being of the same nature as those he came to save (Heb. 2:14). Whilst in that arena, he paid the price necessary (lutroo) by freely giving of his "precious blood" (IPet 1:9) for himself (Heb. 13:20) and for those purchased (Lk. 22:20). By that means, as our great high priest (Heb. 4:14) he has led us out (ekkagorazo) of the market place of hopeless humanity, to bring us into full harmony with Yahweh (Heb. 6:20).

translated "ransom" are also different in the Greek. In Mark the word is lutron, and signifies "a means of loosing", from luo, to loose (see Gal. 1:4; John 10:17-18), but in Timothy it is antilutron, and signifies "the price paid" — lutron, "equivalent to" — anti, what is necessary. So the use of the word antilutron indicated that the price necessary to free all had been paid.

Under the law, ransom was the price paid for redemption, as, for example, the freeing of a slave (see Exod. 30:11-16, and compare with IPet. 1:7). The Scriptures set forward the hope of redemption (Job 19:25), the problem and price of redemption (Psa. 49:7-9), the result of redemption (Hos. 13:14; Isa. 35:10), the fact of redemption (ICor. 6:20; 7:23).

The Representative Nature of Christ's Offering

20 The soul that is sinning—it itself will die. A son himself will bear nothing because of the error of the father, and a father himself will bear nothing because of the error of the son. Upon his own self the very righteousness of the righteous one will come to be, and upon his own self the very wickedness of a wicked one will come to be.

Jesus did not die as a substitute offering. Yahweh denied the principle of substitution in Ezek. 18:20, and this is shown in the offering of Christ. If Jesus died as a substitute, there would be no room for forgiveness, for forgiveness is completely out of place in a debt that has been fully paid. But that forgiveness is required, is shown in Rom. 3:25.

25 God set him forth as an offering for propitiation through faith in his blood. This was in order to exhibit his own righteousness, because he was forgiving the sins that occurred in the past while God was exercising forbearance

Christ offered for us, not instead of us (ICor. 15:3; Jn. 10:15,18; Heb. 7:25). His resurrection was as necessary for justification as his death (Rom. 4:25; 8:34; ICor. 15:14-18) which demonstrates that the substitution doctrine is wrong, for did he rise instead of those who will be saved! The offering of Jesus reveals what is necessary for us to obtain life — to renounce the flesh and live unto God.

As he was crucified, so must we be (Gal. 5:24); as he rose to newness of life, so also must we (Rom. 6:4). By this means,

Christ, having obtained redemption for himself and for us (Heb. 9:12;  in which he has dissolve or nullified the law of condemnation for himself and those who believe and obey him (clause 8). Thus, the redemption from sin's flesh seen accomplished in the Lord, is also available to his people. Christ is the author of salvation (Jn. 3:16).

What does it mean to be "born again"?

What does it mean to be "born again"?

Truth did not come into the world naked but in symbols and images. The world cannot receive truth in any other way. There is rebirth and an image of rebirth, and it is by means of this image that one must be reborn. What image is this? It is resurrection. Image must arise through image. By means of this image the bridal chamber and the image must approach the truth. This is restoration.

Those who receive the name of the father, son, and holy spirit and have accepted them must do this. If someone does not accept them, the name will also be taken from that person. A person receives them in the chrism with the oil of the power of the cross. The apostles called this power the right and the left. This person is no longer a Christian but is Christ. (Gospel of Philip)

The "image of rebirth" which speaks of those who have obtained the perfect gnosis being born again into the power that is above all things. This rebirth has its heavenly counterpart (the 'image of rebirth' that is the resurrection) 

"There is rebirth and an image of rebirth" Christ's 3-fold "birth": (1) virgin birth (Luk 1:35), (2) baptism (Mat 3:17), and (3) resurrection (Rom 1:3,4).

Traditionally Baptism symbolizes acceptance of God. For Gnostic Christians, Baptism means to be born "as children of choice and knowledge". (Elaine Pagels, Adam, Eve, and the Serpent, p. 62.) 

In early Gnosticism, Baptism represents that instant when an initiate first understands Jesus' knowledge teachings. This understanding surfaces in Jn 3:7, "unless one is born anew…or from above [preferred to born again]…he cannot see [comprehend] the kingdom of God."

What does "born again" mean?

"Born Anew" (Jn 3:3 rsv) and "Born from above" (3:3 jbv) are closer to the first century Greek than "born again" (3:3 kjv). In Gnostic Christianity, Jesus' words "truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born anew, he cannot see the Kingdom of God" (3:3 rsv) meant that unless one's reasoning mind/flesh is born anew in Christ consciousness (Stage IV), he cannot comprehend the possibility of a kingdom of God here on earth. If the jbv of 3:3, "born from above" is preferred, it, too, infers that the reasoning mind must be elevated to the same level as that of God. The kjv of 3:3, however, encourages us to understand that we must be reborn, in a mystical sense, through belief in Jesus. In effect, the kjv supports Orthodox Christianity's belief that Jesus is Lord and Savior, whereas the rsv and jbv support the idea that Jesus' logos/logic teachings renew our minds.

Born from above

The awakening of man to a consciousness of his unity with the Eternal Spirit; the change from carnal to spiritual consciousness through the begetting and quickening power of the word of Truth. It is the change that comes here and now. Jesus made no mention of resurrection after death as having any part in the new birth. "Except one be born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3).

Begetting and quickening take place in man's inner consciousness, but the process of being "born anew" (John 3:3) includes the whole man, spirit, soul, and body. To be born again is to be made "a new creature" (2 Cor. 5:17) having "this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 2:5) and a body like unto His glorious body.

rebirth, change following--Moral regeneration: Tit 3:5; 1Pe 1:23-25; Gal 4:29; Rom 8:4-9. When man is begotten and born of the Word he is no longer "flesh . . . as grass" (I Pet. 1:24) but is eternal and abiding, not subject to death and corruption.

Nicodemus (John 3:1-15) was not acquainted with the power of Spirit, and had no understanding of regeneration although he was a "teacher of Israel " Israel meaning thoughts pertaining to the religious department of the mind:

The new birth is a vague uncertainty to the intellectual Christian, hence there has gradually been evolved a popular belief in a change to come to the soul after death in those who have accepted the church creed and been counted Christians. But in his instructions to Nicodemus, Jesus makes no mention of a postmortem resurrection. He cites the blowing of the wind as an example of those who are born of Spirit. The new birth is a change that comes here and now. It has to do with the present man, the "Son of man," the real I AM in each of us. "And no one hath ascended into heaven, but he that descended out of heaven, even the Son of man, who is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even BO must the Son of man be lifted up." This man in each of us is divine now, is in heaven now, but his manifestation is still in limbo. He must be lifted out of this condition into a spiritual one; this is being "born anew."

The two important factors in the new-birth process are to put away the old and to receive the new. Water is the natural and familiar symbol of cleansing from impurity, sin, and all its material filth. Spirit is the principle of the new life of harmony, the power from on high that puts in divine order both mind and body.

The Pharisees refused to be baptized by John. They did not consider that they needed the repentance that he demanded. They thought that they were good enough to take high places in the kingdom of God, because of their popularly accepted religious supremacy. Many people today refuse to deny their short-comings: they hold that they are now perfect in Divine Mind and that it is superfluous to deny that which has no existence. However, they are still subject to the appetites and passions of carnality, and will continue to be so until they are "born anew."

The new birth may be explained in a few words, as follows: It is the change from carnal to spiritual consciousness through the begetting and quickening power of the word of Truth. The begetting and quickening take place in man's inner consciousness, and the process of being born anew includes the whole of man--spirit, soul, and body. To be born again is to be made a "new creature," having "this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus," and a body like "the body of his glory."