I recently created a YouTube Channel. I thought I would give video a try. It’s a new adventure for me. It’s a lot more work that I realized, but I hope it will compliment my writing. We’ll see.
I have the transcript below the video, if you’re interested in reading the text.
Greetings, and I’m glad you found my channel. I’m embarking on a new adventure. This video signifies the launch of a new channel for anyone interested in embarking on a heartfelt journey together. We’ll explore the depths of spirituality, religion, maybe some new age ideas, and even delve a little into the mysteries of esoteric knowledge.
This Channel is more than just reactions—it's about reflection, growth, and connection. And it’s really born from a shared passion for understanding life's profound questions and how they intersect with our faith. So, the plan is to dive into books, videos, podcasts, articles, and blog posts not just to critique or react, but to find meaning that resonates with our souls.
If you were expecting a traditional message from this pastor, you will be disappointed. I am not a traditional pastor. I once was but am no longer. By traditional, I mean I am not someone who believes in doctrines or dogmas, such as, the inerrancy of scripture. I don’t shy away from subjects that may be considered taboo in some churches.
For instance, I don’t adhere to the penal or substitutionary doctrines of atonement. In later videos I will share my understanding of the Gospel message. The Greek word for "gospel" is euangelion (εὐαγγέλιον), which translates to "good news". The word is made up of two parts: eu, meaning "good", and angelion, meaning "news" or "message".
Unlike traditional or orthodox teachings, I appreciate and am interested in some taboo subjects that are often called esoteric. I don't shy away from discussions about consciousness, or enlightenment, which may sound woo-woo to some.
I even view the new age movement as having brought many positive and uplifting contributions to the world, but I also realize there are some ideas that may be a little out there that are taught by spiritual teachers who might be, for lack of a better word, "fleecing the flock", so to speak.
An old friend from my past called me today. Years ago, we were close friends. We were both into the evangelical movement and “winning people for Christ.” I haven’t been part of the evangelical church for over 30 years, but my friend is deeper into it than he was years ago.
After catching up on what we had each been doing the past few years, my friend began talking about the condition of the world and the need to prepare for the rapture of the church.
It had been so many years since I had heard anyone talk about such things. I was kind of lost for words. I didn’t want to get into a debate, so I listened to his archaic ideas.
He went on to try and explain some scriptural interpretations that I had long ago dismissed. He was trying to convince me of passages in the old testament that prove the earth is six thousand years old. He laid out this elaborate mathematical, almost numerological, theory of why 2031 would be the year that Christ returns.
After our talk, I was in a funk for the rest of the day. It’s taken me years to free myself from the rigidity of rote confessions, and the fear-based teaching, along with the group think that shuns those who challenge or disagree with the group.
As I mentioned, I am an ordained pastor, but I haven’t been part of a denomination for many years. After I graduated from college, I spent the next four years in Seminary and after graduation was ordained and went on to pastor several congregations around the United States. But that was many years ago and after I left organized religion, I went through a long period, that some call the “dark night of the soul.” It was a period of sadness, depression and questioning everything I used to believe in.
I don’t claim to be theological scholar, but I know some things and I would like to share those things. I have come to understand, to know and to believe are not the same thing.
One emanates from the depth of the soul and the other from the mind.
So, now that you know a little more about me, I want to share a dream I had a few years ago.
In the dream I was walking and trying to get back home. I was following the street signs in my old neighborhood. When I would go toward the direction, I thought would take me home, I would end up in the opposite direction. It was a vivid dream. I recognized the street signs in the old neighborhood, but I couldn’t get back home. I kept going in the wrong direction. Then I heard a loud voice that said, “Christ is the Key”. The voice proclaimed this several times.
It became clear to me that the message in my dream was, I had been going in the wrong direction for the answer to my long search for the esoteric or the deeper meaning of the Christ. Even though I had preached hundreds of sermons about Jesus Christ, I was still not fully grasping the fullness of the Christ. Before my seminary days, I was like most Christians, who thought that Christ was Jesus’s last name.
I learned through my studies The term "Christ" has its origins in both Greek and Hebrew scriptures. In Greek, the word is "Christos" (Χριστός), which means "anointed one" or "chosen one." It is a translation of the Hebrew term "Messiah" (מָשִׁיחַ), which also means "anointed one" or "chosen one." In both languages, the term refers to a person who is consecrated or set apart for a special purpose.
This led me to start digging for hidden truth in the ancient texts, which of course included the old and new testaments, but also the non-canonical scriptures i.e., the Gospel of Thomas and writings of the early Christian fathers, like Origen and Tertullian.
So, I believe my dream was pointing me to what I now more clearly understand, that Jesus embodied the Christ, but Christ transcends the man Jesus. Hearing that voice in the dream saying, “Christ is the Key.”
And what does a Key do? It unlocks something hidden (or esoteric).
As Richard Rohr states in his book; The Universal Christ:
He writes, “But you and I can reopen that ancient door of faith with a key, and that key is proper understanding of a word that many of us use often, but often too glibly.
That word is Christ.
Rohr teaches what is known as Unitive Christianity, which is similar to Unity Consciousness and non-duality.
In my next video, I will be reacting to and reflecting on his masterpiece, titled the Universal Christ.
Until next time, please consider subscribing and like the videos, because that is the only way the algorithm will get our videos out there for people to find our channel. Thanks, and be blessed today!