10. Christianity

Concerning Christianity: The actual origins and history of Christianity are obscure. A vast
literature has grown out of centuries of effort to explain what the teachings are, or what they originally were intended to be.

From the earliest times there has been much teaching of doctrine;

but no writings have come down that show a knowledge of what was actually intended and taught in the beginning.

The parables and sayings in The Gospels bear evidence of grandeur, simplicity, and truth.

Yet even those to whom the new message first was given appear not to have understood it.

The books are direct, not intended to mislead; but at the same time they state that there is an inner meaning which is for the elect; a secret teaching intended not for everyone but for "whosoever will believe."

The Mysteries of Christianity

Certainly, the books are full of mysteries; and it must be supposed that they cloak a teaching that was known to an initiated few. The Father, the Son, the Holy Ghost: these are mysteries. Mysteries, too, are the Immaculate Conception and the birth and life of Jesus; likewise his crucifixion, death, and resurrection.

Mysteries, undoubtedly, are heaven and hell, and the devil, and the Kingdom of God; for it is scarcely likely that these subjects were meant to be understood in terms of the senses, rather than as symbols.

Moreover, throughout the books there are phrases and terms that plainly are not to be taken too literally, but rather in a mystical sense; and others clearly could have significance only to selected groups.

Further, it is not reasonable to suppose that the parables and miracles could have been related as literal truths. Mysteries throughout—but nowhere are the mysteries revealed.

What is all this mystery?

The Gospels

The very evident purpose of The Gospels is to teach the understanding and living of an inner life; an interior life which would regenerate the human body and thereby conquer death, restoringthe physical body to eternal life, the state from which it is said to have fallen, its "fall" being "the original sin."

At one time there certainly must have been a definite system of instruction which would make clear exactly how one might live such an interior life: how one might, through so doing, come into the knowledge of one's real Self.

The existence of such a secret teaching is suggested in the early Christian writings by references to secrets and mysteries.

Moreover it seems obvious that the parables are allegories, similes: homely stories and figures of speech, serving as vehicles for conveying not merely moral examples and ethical teachings, but also certain inner, eternal truths as parts of a definite system of instruction.

However, The Gospels, as they exist today, lack the connections which would be needed to formulate a system; what has come down to us is not enough.

And, concerning the mysteries in which such teachings supposedly were concealed, no known key or code has been given to us with which we might unlock or explain them.

The Gospel according to Paul

The ablest and most definite expositor of the early doctrines that we know of is Paul. The words he used were intended to make his meaning clear to those to whom they were addressed; but now his writings need to be interpreted in terms of the present day.

"The First Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians," the fifteenth chapter, alludes to and reminds of certain teachings; certain definite instructions concerning the living of an interior life.

But it is to be assumed that those teachings either were not committed to writing (which would appear understandable) or else that they were lost or have been left out of the writings that have come down.

At all events, "The Way" is not shown.

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