06-09-2007, 01:22 AM
This eBook is written from a Christian / Integral Philosophy perspective...I hope to adapt some of its key insights to our Unitarian faith. Where appropriate I am inserting Unitarian for Christian, God for Christ etc.
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"The "Unitarian" vision should see reality as holistic...all encompassing...the earth, and its life including humanity, the universe, and God. Unitarianism should embrace all fields of knowledge from sociology, psychology, politics, biology and philosophy...a cosmic vision of classical Unitarianism that leaves nothing untouched by God."
The author, Richard Vincent, argues that Christianity should be in the forefront of advancing a "unified theory of everything" due to the "integral" nature of the faith. "Redemption is cosmic, glorious and comprehensive." "All reality shares in the restoration." I would argue that Unitarianism is better suited to this task. First, he presents some passages that support his position:
(Unitarian modified version)
> We believe that in "God" all things hold together.
(modified Colossians 1:17)
> We believe in "the summing up of all things in "God", things in the heavens and things upon the earth. (modified Ephesians 1:10)
> We believe that God is "reconciling all things to himself, whether things on earth or in heaven." (modified Colossians 1:20)
> We await the "regeneration" and "the restoration" of all things (Matt 19:28 and Acts 3:21)
> We await the time when "God will be all in all" (1 Corinthians 15:28)
Vincent points to the earthly Jesus and the "cosmic" Christ as the basis for the vision. He argues that "the historic Jesus's claims
concerning himself, his mission, and his teaching are disposable when they are not inseparably connected to the cosmic Christ." He says that because of Jesus Christ, we are united with God through the Spirit..."In Christ, we join the eternal dance of Father, Son, and Spirit"
Of course, this reflects his trinitarian perspective....as a Unitarian...it is not necessary to place Jesus in this role. His life and teachings...considered as a radical encounter with the divine...are still valid without conflating him with God as part of a trinitarian model. Some Unitarian Christians may see him as raised into a position of glory without being identified as God. His life (and spirit) still serve as a model/path for us to encounter and serve God.
Next...Ken Wilber's Integral Vision
_______________________________________________________
"The "Unitarian" vision should see reality as holistic...all encompassing...the earth, and its life including humanity, the universe, and God. Unitarianism should embrace all fields of knowledge from sociology, psychology, politics, biology and philosophy...a cosmic vision of classical Unitarianism that leaves nothing untouched by God."
The author, Richard Vincent, argues that Christianity should be in the forefront of advancing a "unified theory of everything" due to the "integral" nature of the faith. "Redemption is cosmic, glorious and comprehensive." "All reality shares in the restoration." I would argue that Unitarianism is better suited to this task. First, he presents some passages that support his position:
(Unitarian modified version)
> We believe that in "God" all things hold together.
(modified Colossians 1:17)
> We believe in "the summing up of all things in "God", things in the heavens and things upon the earth. (modified Ephesians 1:10)
> We believe that God is "reconciling all things to himself, whether things on earth or in heaven." (modified Colossians 1:20)
> We await the "regeneration" and "the restoration" of all things (Matt 19:28 and Acts 3:21)
> We await the time when "God will be all in all" (1 Corinthians 15:28)
Vincent points to the earthly Jesus and the "cosmic" Christ as the basis for the vision. He argues that "the historic Jesus's claims
concerning himself, his mission, and his teaching are disposable when they are not inseparably connected to the cosmic Christ." He says that because of Jesus Christ, we are united with God through the Spirit..."In Christ, we join the eternal dance of Father, Son, and Spirit"
Of course, this reflects his trinitarian perspective....as a Unitarian...it is not necessary to place Jesus in this role. His life and teachings...considered as a radical encounter with the divine...are still valid without conflating him with God as part of a trinitarian model. Some Unitarian Christians may see him as raised into a position of glory without being identified as God. His life (and spirit) still serve as a model/path for us to encounter and serve God.
Next...Ken Wilber's Integral Vision