Minute of Transparency: Polarization during quarantine

• Consumer vs. Contributor (Sit around and do nothing vs. Learn something new)

• Negative vs. Positive (Complain and lash out vs. Enjoy your time together as a family)

• Fear vs. Calm (Fear and anxiety vs. The ability to be calm, and trust that this too shall pass)

My encouragement to you this week is to look at every scenario you face and determine who you really want to be. See each situation as an opportunity to give in to your Human Nature, or Transcend Human.  

Intro: So last week we introduced Controversy Theory. And this week we’re diving into the Basic Assumptions of the theory.

Today’s Basic Assumption: A Controversy Exists

1. Temporal vs. Eternal

2. The Controversy Begins 

3. Shift of Venue

4. The Earth Is a Stage

5. Participation is a Privilege

// 1. TEMPORAL VS. ETERNAL

What does “temporal vs. eternal” have to do with CT and what does it have to do with me?

As always, let’s start with definitions from Dictionary.com: 

Temporal: https://www.dictionary.com/browse/temporal

• “Pertaining to or concerned with the present life or this world; worldly"

• “Enduring for a time only; temporary; transitory"

Eternal: https://www.dictionary.com/browse/eternal

• “Without beginning or end; lasting forever; always existing"

• “Perpetual; ceaseless; endless"

When it comes to Controversy Theory, we see the concepts of temporal vs. eternal play out on two levels:

1.  They exist as part of the controversy - the battle between God and Satan:

   • God: Eternal. He has always been and always will be. 

   • Satan: Temporal. He was a created being that was meant to live forever. But in choosing against God, he is now destined to the same fate as us. Ultimately he will experience eternal separation from God through death 

2. They exist in our everyday lives. We have the ability to choose which of the two we focus on:

   • Temporal: The world we live in, worldly pursuits, the search for happiness, wealth accumulation, climbing the ladder of success, wanting to be famous, etc. All of these are “temporal” pursuits that end and offer no eternal benefit

   • Eternal: There is an “eternal” pursuit that is available to each of us. It isn’t flashy, politically correct, or in any way part of the culture we live in. The “eternal” pursuit is spiritual in nature. And when it is found, it must be chosen. But once chosen, it produces eternal results

The concept of temporal vs. eternal will continue to come up throughout CT. 

But for now - all you need to understand is this:

"Controversy Theory exists to help hurting people pick their heads up from the temporal, and focus on the eternal."

// 2. THE CONTROVERSY BEGINS

CT believes that the Bible is the only true source of truth regarding our origin, our purpose and our future.

So using this as our reference, the following is said to be true:

God Exists:

• God is an Eternal Being. No beginning and no end. He just exists

• Next, God is a Social Being. God is made up of three distinct elements - referred to as The Trinity (God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit). We can’t completely understand what this means, but somehow these three distinct parts make up the one Eternal Being

• Next, God is a Creative Being. He must thoroughly enjoy the creative process as the Bible explains the existence of created beings in Heaven, and explains how we and the Earth were created

Lucifer was Created:

• Lucifer was an angel - a race of beings created by God

• He stood out for some reason and was in an exalted position over the angels

• At some point, he had a thought pop into his brain

• And this thought went something like this:

  • “Why does God get to be God?"

  • “Why doesn’t God allow me to create things like He does?"

  • “Why can’t I be God?"

• This thought became the seed that eventually grew into the Sin Virus

• Lucifer allowed these thoughts to keep running through his head. He watered the seed, placed it in the sun and allowed it to grow into a plant. Eventually the thoughts turned into actions

• The pride and jealousy in his heart turned Lucifer into Patient Zero in the Sin Virus pandemic

• He spread the virus around - trying to infect as many of the angels as possible

• And once he had his following, he picked a fight with God

• The Bible describes it this way, “And war broke out in heaven…” Revelation 12:7

• God fought against Lucifer and his followers - nearly 1/3 of the angels

• I’m assuming it was a lopsided war

• I mean God - an Eternal Being - fighting against some of His created beings. How fair could that be?

• But let’s jump ahead to the conclusion:

  • Lucifer, and his followers were removed from Heaven

  • And banished to Earth

• Why Earth?

  • We’re not sure, but there’s a chance that Lucifer’s initial jealousy stemmed from the creation of Earth and humankind

  • Maybe because he wasn’t allowed to help?

  • Maybe because he saw how much fun the Trinity had creating together?

  • Again, we’re not sure, but it makes sense that if Earth was the friction point, maybe this was why it became their future home

// 3. SHIFT OF VENUE

Humans: Collateral Damage:

• Humans were created by God - “In His image"

  1. TH suggests this means we were created to be social and creative - just like God

     1. We’re creative in two ways:

        1. Quite literally by having children

        2. But we also use our creativity every day through art, music, sports, our careers, and simply thinking outside the box

     2. And we’re social beings in numerous ways:

        1. Being part of a family

        2. Having friends

        3. Joining social or affinity groups

        4. Religious connections

        5. etc.

  2. Now this wasn’t lost on Lucifer - or Satan as he is now called

  3. He saw the connection humans had with God and hated every minute of it

  4. So he determined in his heart to ruin this relationship

  5. However, he wasn’t allowed to kill the humans God created outright

  6. God created a voting booth in the Garden of Eden - a tree called the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil

  7. This was the one portal through which Satan was allowed to interact with humans

  8. So God told the first humans - don’t go near the tree - it was a gentle and loving warning that should have been easy for them to abide by

  9. But what do we love to do? Test boundaries. Push limits. Push back against the one thing we’re told we can’t or shouldn’t do

  10. So Satan hatched his plan… And one day when Eve was out walking by the tree he started up a conversation

      1. I’m sure it was harmless at first - just enough to draw her in

      2. But eventually he got the heart of the matter:

         1. “God knows that if you eat, your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good AND evil."

         2. “God doesn’t want you to have fun."

         3. “God doesn’t want you to be like Him - He wants to keep you locked up down here - like his little prisoners."

  11. And unfortunately, Adam and Eve listened to Satan. They ate the fruit, sinned against God and their eyes were “opened” just as Satan had suggested - only not to what they were expecting 

  12. Instead of becoming like God, their eyes were opened to an understanding of The Controversy… The truth that there is God, and there is Satan. There was good in the world, and there was an evil force

  13. Prior to this, we didn’t fully understand that there had been War in Heaven, and that the battle had been brought to Earth

  14. Maybe God had talked to them about this, but like us, proactive warnings often go unheeded

  15. We have to learn things the hard way...

  16. And once the Sin Virus made it through the tree portal - there was no turning back

  17. They immediately understood the gravity of their mistake, and the invasive nature of the Sin Virus

  18. The battle between God and Satan was now a very real thing - and would be a constant on Earth - impacting everything that happened until the end of time

  19. So when we talk about the human condition, human nature, human suffering and human disturbance - this is where it all began. Each of these takes root in the Sin Virus. And it will impact us in these ways until the world ends

So let’s wrap things up this way: CT discusses two very important concepts at the end of the First Basic Assumption - and they are:

• The Earth Is a Stage

• Participation Is a Privilege

So let’s run through each:

// 4. THE EARTH IS A STAGE

• I’ll warn you up front - this is NOT a commonly held belief in Christianity

• Because of this, CT is not dogmatic about it

• It is simply going to throw it out there as a possibility - and let you decide for yourself

• Controversy Theory suggests that our Earth is the stage in a universal theater - meaning:

  • That the battle between God and Satan is a play that the universe is watching

  • Obviously this suggests that there are other beings in the universe watching:

    • We know there are other “beings" in Heaven:

      1. There are angels

      2. The Book of Revelation describes there being “24 Elders,” “4 Living Creatures,” and “7 Spirits"

      3. And we are told in the Bible that God took some people straight to heaven. People like: Enoch, Moses and Elijah

    • But isn’t it possible that God created other worlds before He created us? Worlds, or planets that were not impacted by the Sin Virus?

      1. It makes sense - if God is a Creative Being and a Social Being - why wouldn’t He have created other beings prior to us?

      2. The Bible leaves the stage door open by including the following passages in Job 1&2:

         1. The day came when, “...the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord,” and Satan also came representing the Earth.

         2. When God asked where Satan came from (not that He didn’t already know,) Satan replied, “From going to and fro on the Earth, and from walking back and forth on it.” (Job 1:7, 2:2)

      3. Strange right? This little exchange in Job suggests that there might be universal board meetings in heaven.

      4. Since Satan came representing Earth - what were the other “Sons of God” representing?

         1. Could it be that these representatives were from other “sinless” worlds?

         2. And that Earth was the only planet where the Sin Virus was in play?

• Interesting, I know! The ramifications are mind-blowing. If this is true:

  • The entire universe is watching to see how the controversy will play out

  • They’re watching us. But not for entertainment. In reverence, wanting to understand the true nature of the Sin Virus

  • They want to see how God handles the rebellion of Satan

  • On some level they are “judging” the actions of their Creator - watching to see if He is all about love like He says, and if He will actually allow His created beings freedom of choice in the controversy

• Again, CT suggests this to be true - but not a hill to die on

// 5. PARTICIPATION IS A PRIVILEGE

• The second concept doesn’t require the first to be true, but it definitely enhances it

• It is the idea that humans get to participate at a very high level due to our freedom of choice 

• After all - we’re the “prize” (so to speak) in the battle:

  1. Our allegiance is what God and Satan are fighting for

  2. So this makes our participation very important

  3. The last thing we want to do is pretend like it doesn’t matter, or like our participation isn’t necessary

  4. And… If the Earth Is a Stage… How much more important would that make it?

  5. If it is true that other worlds are watching, wouldn’t that ramp up the importance level just a little?

  6. With our decision, we would be playing our role in a Universal Broadway Production

  7. We’re deep into Act 2, and the universe is getting nervous, waiting to see if people will continue to exercise their freedom to choose - and what choices they will make

  8. Next week we’re going to dive into our participation at a much deeper level - but for now, just understand that our participation is a privilege that shouldn’t be taken lightly

OK - let’s land the plane: This week ask yourself the following questions:

• Are you focused more on temporal things? Or eternal things?

• Do you understand the powerful tool you have in your freedom of choice?

• Do you understand the importance of your decision in the controversy?

• And if so, have you decided one way or the other?

Thank you for joining us today, and choosing to walk through this series together. I truly believe this is the right time for this information, and hope you’re finding it helpful in your life during this crazy time we find ourselves in.

Next week we dive into The Second Basic Assumption: Participation Is Both Voluntary and Involuntary

Until then, stay safe, and keep Transcending Human!