Friday, November 2, 2012

On the circle; and the Cross


Cross-in -circle grave marker, 875-925
Set in a niche in the west wall of Hexham Abbey



"….For the circle is perfect and infinite in its nature; but it is fixed for ever in its size; it can never be larger or smaller.  But the cross though it has it at its heart a collision and a contradiction, can extend its four arms for ever without changing.  The circle returns up its self and is bound.  The cross opens its arms its arms to the four winds; it is a sign post for free travelers."

(G.K. Chesterton, Orthodoxy page 50)

John Taylor, on ancient men and the light they offered


I have heard some people say—“If God revealed himself to men in other days, why not reveal himself to us?” I say, why not, indeed, to us? Why should not men in this day be put in possession of the same light, truth and intelligence, and the same means of acquiring a knowledge of God as men in other ages and eras have enjoyed? Why should they not? Who can answer the question? Who can solve the problem? Who can tell why these things should not exist today, as much as in any other day? If God is God and men are men, if God has a design in relation to the earth on which we live, and in relation to the eternities that are to come; if men have had a knowledge of God in days past, why not in this day? What good reason is there why it should not be so? Say some—“Oh, we are so enlightened and intelligent now. In former ages, when the people were degraded and in darkness, it was necessary that he should communicate intelligence to the human family; but we live in the blaze of Gospel day, in an age of light and intelligence.” Perhaps we do; I rather doubt it. I have a great many misgivings about the intelligence that men boast so much of in this enlightened day. There were men in those dark ages who could commune with God, and who, by the power of faith, could draw aside the curtain of eternity and gaze upon the invisible world. There were men who could tell the destiny of the human family, and the events which would transpire throughout every subsequent period of time until the final winding-up scene. There were men who could gaze upon the face of God, have the ministering of angels, and unfold the future destinies of the world. If those were dark ages I pray God to give me a little darkness, and deliver me from the light and intelligence that prevail in our day; for as a rational, intelligent, immortal being who has to do with time and eternity, I consider it one of the greatest acquirements for men to become acquainted with their God and with their future destiny. These are my thoughts and reflections in relation to these matters.
Discourse by Elder John Taylor, delivered in the New Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, Sunday

Discourse by Elder John Taylor, delivered in the New Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, Sunday Afternoon, Sept. 7, 1873.
Reported by David W. Evans.

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

On the Independence of truth

 Truth, independent in it own sphere.
I have faith  I can discern or recover truth. 

Both Isaac Newton and Charles Darwin had the faith that they could construct a repeatable standard model of the world.  They calibrated their model.as they gathered more data. This is the scientific method.

Truth is independent of organized religion.

The word religion come from the Latin root "religio" or the proper way to worship. Its polar opposite is "superstitio". These words under the Roman form of worship refer not to an individual act but to an attitude towards that act. "religio" is proper and "superstitio" is improper.

Adjust the model to meet the facts. 

Both science and religion require adjustment to the standard model as more truth is discerned.

Static or Orthodox models can lead to "superstitio".

Static models do not adjust to meet new revealed truth.  Truth revealed to another is not truth revealed to me. I maintain "religio" and avoid "superstitio" by opening communications with the source of revealed truth. (See Thomas Paine).