Thought Dump Part 6 - What does repent really mean? / How Jews view Satan
In the Bible, it says "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is here."
That isn’t a new concept to the Jews...
The Jews have been repenting for thousands of years…. so what did he really mean by that?
Repent from what you know.
Repent from what you think you know.
Repent and turn from the newly miscreated "evils" within religion.
Repent and turn from harmful, fearful doctrines of the fundamental sects within Judaism at that time.
Repent from deifying and glorifying doctrines of fear, guilt and shame in order to steal, kill and destroy others through religion and through God.
--
I just had a revelation....
Just like we can interact with the world without (collective body) we can interact with "the world" within (our body).
Just like our consciousness acts as the captain of influence of our body within, there is an overall Source consciousness that acts as the captain of influence from without.
Even though the body is one with us and we are one with the body, we are experiencing a sort of ability to direct a machine (this body) how we want and everything within complies to our wishes.
--
See if the Protestant view was correct, then that would mean a majority of people are screwed and why would God put in tact a plan where a majority of people are screwed? lol
--
Christians acknowledge that Jesus challenged the current religion of that society.
*creates new religion out of Jesus and makes the parameters to be saved more narrow than the Jews and calls it the good news* lol.
--
You go to many Christian churches and the whole idea is bent on separation
“OUR God is greater”
"OUR God saves"
"Our" as in He is ours and not theirs...
You won't be able to realize how strange that sounds unless you realize how strange it is to assume separatism is an aspect of God.
--
People who rely on the Bible as their ultimate source of truth, I question relying on things outside of oneself and this is why:
Take a sentence like this: “Too bad you’re not a boy.”
This could be read with hundreds of different variations and even with sentences before and after, it still can alter its meaning artificially away from the way it was intended based on the person’s interpretation.
So therefore, based on the words someone uses, we tend to filter them, interpret them, and understand them through a personal lens that makes sense to us. For example, someone could be chilling in Starbucks when all of a sudden someone says to you, "What the heck are you wearing? You look like a gold fish roasted in the sun!" One person in Starbucks would hear this and feel offended. Another person could hear this and laugh at it and take it as a joke. Another person could hear this as an ill omen from the universe that they are going to die.
Naturally people will interpret things through the lens that makes sense to themselves. So if someone reads Jesus' words and they see the world through a separated, divided, us vs them mentality, then they will read Jesus' words as such to validate their perspective. On the other hand, if someone reads Jesus' words through the lens of oneness, a sense of divine unity between all, and peace and harmony, then they will interpret Jesus' words through that lens. This is why we have hundreds of thousands of interpretations of the Bible. People interpret it through the lens of themselves which either amplifies the division in their heart, or amplifies the oneness in their hear.
But then one might say, "Well, we do have cultural, societal context and the words before and after" and I would say, "You only have someone’s ideas about it, but you don’t have everything."
Culturally one can connect some dots, but just because they are from a certain culture doesn’t mean their words and the way they predict them through their interpretation is correct. There are many people who don’t act in accordance with their culture and traditions, hence Jesus… lol, as shown by the refusal to accept his message by those in his culture.
Then one might say, "Well, we have the words before and after to paint a picture" but they have to remember that we don’t even know for sure that these letters and books were written by the people who stated they were the ones who wrote it. We have literally zero known evidence because that’s how it works. We only have copies of copies and a copy of copy is a poor case over the original authentic version of the writing.
On top of that, we have to remember these people didn’t just write it down right away and preserved it. The stories in the Bible were oral history and tradition in the OT for hundreds of years before being written down, and twenty plus years in the NT. Also, many of Jesus’ followers were not born scribes. Many of Jesus' followers couldn't even read or write, so how are they going to write a whole gospel with no prior education? The reality is they most likely didn't. Someone else probably wrote it and then used their names to give it authority so they wouldn't be destroyed.
--
Even if satan was at one time and place in opposition to God, since it happened at a specific time and place, therefore it would show that experience is temporary.
--
If this was my world, then only I would have the ability to create and you all would be on autopilot against your wills.
If it was all of our worlds and we were all co-creating, then we all would have the free will to constantly co-create together.
If this world is only for God to create, then no matter what we do, it doesn’t matter because our creations would get overridden by God’s will.
If satan and God were co-creating and we were at the merciless whims of both, then we are subject to their creations and our free will is scoped and limited to what they want for us, while they battle for eternity, or else the battle never truly existed.
--
Jews view satan often as a metaphor for mankind’s own evil inclinations or a submissive Angel of God following his orders. Jews never believed that Satan was a fallen Angel, nor do they think that he can oppose God.
If there is any fear, guilt, or shame in any belief, it is as temporal as a penny. Just like the form of a penny will one day cease to exist, beliefs will soon be no more and so there’s really no need to fret. Temporary is temporary; eternal is eternal. A belief is temporary and you are eternal so why are you afraid?
--
This is the interpretation of Satan Jesus grew up hearing:
“In Judaism "satan" is not a sentient being but a metaphor for the evil inclination – the yetzer hara – that exists in every person and tempts us to do wrong.”
“Satan in Judaism is not a physical being ruling the underworld, rather, in the Torah, the word Satan indicates “accuser,” “hinderer” or “tempter.” Satan is therefore more an illusory obstacle in one’s way - such as temptation and evil doings - keeping one from completing the responsibilities of tikkun olam (fixing the world). Satan is the evil inclination to veer off the path of righteousness and faithfulness in God.
Throughout the Torah, Satan challenges God to test the true loyalty of his followers, including Adam and Eve, as well as Abraham. However, Satan remains inferior to God and is incapable of taking action on mortals without God’s permission.”
Isn’t it ironic how we have evidence that the meanings of words and their interpretations can morph throughout the years? It’s almost like there might be a correlation between new doctrines and thousands of years of oral history and traditions. 🤔
.
.
.
Sources:
Eisenberg, Ronald L. The JPS Guide to Jewish Traditions. PA: Jewish Publication Society, 2004; Wigoder, Geoffrey , Ed. The New Standard Jewish Encyclopedia. NY: Facts on File, 1992; Kolatch, Alfred J. The Jewish Book of Why/The Second Jewish Book of Why. NY: Jonathan David Publishers, 1989.
https://www.learnreligions.com/jewish-view-of-satan-2076775
--
I feel like oftentimes when I challenge people's viewpoints with an alternate view, they believe I’m trying to argue my opinion vs them when that’s not my intended purpose. My intention is to explore the issue and consider widening the lens we see by challenging the paradigm of their current perspective against other perspectives.
I’m not saying I believe this belief as true and their belief as false. I’m saying I neither agree nor disagree, I neither identify with one opinion or another because I haven’t picked one. I’m simply playing the devil's advocate by challenging the current paradigm of your argument with a different belief. If I identified with the belief I’m using against your own belief then yes, I would be saying I’m right and you’re wrong. However, since I don’t identify with either beliefs because I see them as both valid perspectives to see the world through, I am choosing to assume the role as devil's advocate in order to explore and expand both of our viewpoints.
So in regards to Satan. Do I believe the predominant Jewish view of Satan is right and the predominant Protestant Christians view of Satan is wrong? No. Both are valid beliefs and I’m not identified with either position. I recognize they both play a major role in each religions majority perspectives. In Christianity the devil is very much alive in many Christians lives. In others he doesn’t exist. For me I choose my reality so if I want to believe it I will and if I don’t then I won’t, but to me it doesn’t matter because beliefs are as temporary as these bodies.
---
That isn’t a new concept to the Jews...
The Jews have been repenting for thousands of years…. so what did he really mean by that?
Repent from what you know.
Repent from what you think you know.
Repent and turn from the newly miscreated "evils" within religion.
Repent and turn from harmful, fearful doctrines of the fundamental sects within Judaism at that time.
Repent from deifying and glorifying doctrines of fear, guilt and shame in order to steal, kill and destroy others through religion and through God.
--
I just had a revelation....
Just like we can interact with the world without (collective body) we can interact with "the world" within (our body).
Just like our consciousness acts as the captain of influence of our body within, there is an overall Source consciousness that acts as the captain of influence from without.
Even though the body is one with us and we are one with the body, we are experiencing a sort of ability to direct a machine (this body) how we want and everything within complies to our wishes.
--
See if the Protestant view was correct, then that would mean a majority of people are screwed and why would God put in tact a plan where a majority of people are screwed? lol
--
Christians acknowledge that Jesus challenged the current religion of that society.
*creates new religion out of Jesus and makes the parameters to be saved more narrow than the Jews and calls it the good news* lol.
--
You go to many Christian churches and the whole idea is bent on separation
“OUR God is greater”
"OUR God saves"
"Our" as in He is ours and not theirs...
You won't be able to realize how strange that sounds unless you realize how strange it is to assume separatism is an aspect of God.
--
People who rely on the Bible as their ultimate source of truth, I question relying on things outside of oneself and this is why:
Take a sentence like this: “Too bad you’re not a boy.”
This could be read with hundreds of different variations and even with sentences before and after, it still can alter its meaning artificially away from the way it was intended based on the person’s interpretation.
So therefore, based on the words someone uses, we tend to filter them, interpret them, and understand them through a personal lens that makes sense to us. For example, someone could be chilling in Starbucks when all of a sudden someone says to you, "What the heck are you wearing? You look like a gold fish roasted in the sun!" One person in Starbucks would hear this and feel offended. Another person could hear this and laugh at it and take it as a joke. Another person could hear this as an ill omen from the universe that they are going to die.
Naturally people will interpret things through the lens that makes sense to themselves. So if someone reads Jesus' words and they see the world through a separated, divided, us vs them mentality, then they will read Jesus' words as such to validate their perspective. On the other hand, if someone reads Jesus' words through the lens of oneness, a sense of divine unity between all, and peace and harmony, then they will interpret Jesus' words through that lens. This is why we have hundreds of thousands of interpretations of the Bible. People interpret it through the lens of themselves which either amplifies the division in their heart, or amplifies the oneness in their hear.
But then one might say, "Well, we do have cultural, societal context and the words before and after" and I would say, "You only have someone’s ideas about it, but you don’t have everything."
Culturally one can connect some dots, but just because they are from a certain culture doesn’t mean their words and the way they predict them through their interpretation is correct. There are many people who don’t act in accordance with their culture and traditions, hence Jesus… lol, as shown by the refusal to accept his message by those in his culture.
Then one might say, "Well, we have the words before and after to paint a picture" but they have to remember that we don’t even know for sure that these letters and books were written by the people who stated they were the ones who wrote it. We have literally zero known evidence because that’s how it works. We only have copies of copies and a copy of copy is a poor case over the original authentic version of the writing.
On top of that, we have to remember these people didn’t just write it down right away and preserved it. The stories in the Bible were oral history and tradition in the OT for hundreds of years before being written down, and twenty plus years in the NT. Also, many of Jesus’ followers were not born scribes. Many of Jesus' followers couldn't even read or write, so how are they going to write a whole gospel with no prior education? The reality is they most likely didn't. Someone else probably wrote it and then used their names to give it authority so they wouldn't be destroyed.
--
Even if satan was at one time and place in opposition to God, since it happened at a specific time and place, therefore it would show that experience is temporary.
--
If this was my world, then only I would have the ability to create and you all would be on autopilot against your wills.
If it was all of our worlds and we were all co-creating, then we all would have the free will to constantly co-create together.
If this world is only for God to create, then no matter what we do, it doesn’t matter because our creations would get overridden by God’s will.
If satan and God were co-creating and we were at the merciless whims of both, then we are subject to their creations and our free will is scoped and limited to what they want for us, while they battle for eternity, or else the battle never truly existed.
--
Jews view satan often as a metaphor for mankind’s own evil inclinations or a submissive Angel of God following his orders. Jews never believed that Satan was a fallen Angel, nor do they think that he can oppose God.
If there is any fear, guilt, or shame in any belief, it is as temporal as a penny. Just like the form of a penny will one day cease to exist, beliefs will soon be no more and so there’s really no need to fret. Temporary is temporary; eternal is eternal. A belief is temporary and you are eternal so why are you afraid?
--
This is the interpretation of Satan Jesus grew up hearing:
“In Judaism "satan" is not a sentient being but a metaphor for the evil inclination – the yetzer hara – that exists in every person and tempts us to do wrong.”
“Satan in Judaism is not a physical being ruling the underworld, rather, in the Torah, the word Satan indicates “accuser,” “hinderer” or “tempter.” Satan is therefore more an illusory obstacle in one’s way - such as temptation and evil doings - keeping one from completing the responsibilities of tikkun olam (fixing the world). Satan is the evil inclination to veer off the path of righteousness and faithfulness in God.
Throughout the Torah, Satan challenges God to test the true loyalty of his followers, including Adam and Eve, as well as Abraham. However, Satan remains inferior to God and is incapable of taking action on mortals without God’s permission.”
Isn’t it ironic how we have evidence that the meanings of words and their interpretations can morph throughout the years? It’s almost like there might be a correlation between new doctrines and thousands of years of oral history and traditions. 🤔
.
.
.
Sources:
Eisenberg, Ronald L. The JPS Guide to Jewish Traditions. PA: Jewish Publication Society, 2004; Wigoder, Geoffrey , Ed. The New Standard Jewish Encyclopedia. NY: Facts on File, 1992; Kolatch, Alfred J. The Jewish Book of Why/The Second Jewish Book of Why. NY: Jonathan David Publishers, 1989.
https://www.learnreligions.com/jewish-view-of-satan-2076775
--
I feel like oftentimes when I challenge people's viewpoints with an alternate view, they believe I’m trying to argue my opinion vs them when that’s not my intended purpose. My intention is to explore the issue and consider widening the lens we see by challenging the paradigm of their current perspective against other perspectives.
I’m not saying I believe this belief as true and their belief as false. I’m saying I neither agree nor disagree, I neither identify with one opinion or another because I haven’t picked one. I’m simply playing the devil's advocate by challenging the current paradigm of your argument with a different belief. If I identified with the belief I’m using against your own belief then yes, I would be saying I’m right and you’re wrong. However, since I don’t identify with either beliefs because I see them as both valid perspectives to see the world through, I am choosing to assume the role as devil's advocate in order to explore and expand both of our viewpoints.
So in regards to Satan. Do I believe the predominant Jewish view of Satan is right and the predominant Protestant Christians view of Satan is wrong? No. Both are valid beliefs and I’m not identified with either position. I recognize they both play a major role in each religions majority perspectives. In Christianity the devil is very much alive in many Christians lives. In others he doesn’t exist. For me I choose my reality so if I want to believe it I will and if I don’t then I won’t, but to me it doesn’t matter because beliefs are as temporary as these bodies.
---
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