The Law of Love

Tag: theology

  • Some reflections on the trinity – while also making sense of it as much as is possible with our human minds

    The Mystery of the Trinity

    The Trinity is one of the deepest mysteries in all of Christian faith—a truth revealed but never fully grasped. The Bible gives us glimpses, not neat formulas, because what is infinite cannot be captured in finite terms.

    John opens his Gospel with words that shake the mind: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:1,14). Here we see both distinction and unity: the Word was with God, yet the Word was God. The eternal Christ entered history, not as an idea, but as flesh.

    Jesus Himself spoke in riddles that reveal this mystery. He said, “Before Abraham was, I AM” (John 8:58)—taking upon Himself the divine name revealed to Moses at the burning bush. He warned, “Unless you believe that I AM, you will die in your sins” (John 8:24). Yet in another breath, when called “good,” He responded: “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone” (Mark 10:18). Was this denial? No—it was a subtle challenge. If Jesus is truly “good,” then He must also be God, for goodness in its perfection belongs to God alone.

    Interestingly, Jesus rarely went about directly proclaiming, “I am God.” Instead, He preferred the title “Son of Man.” This was not a denial of His divinity but a layering of meaning. The “Son of Man” is a figure from Daniel 7 who comes on the clouds with authority, receiving glory and worship. Still, when pressed, Jesus did not reject the title “Son of God,” but affirmed it (John 10:36). His humility was not in hiding His identity, but in revealing it in a way that required spiritual ears to hear.

    After His resurrection, the disciples spoke plainly: Thomas confessed to Jesus, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28). Paul called Him “our great God and Savior” (Titus 2:13). The early church was convinced not only that Jesus revealed God, but that in Him, God Himself had come near.

    Attempts to Understand the Trinity

    Christians across centuries have sought analogies to grasp what is beyond human reason.

    • Relational roles: A man can be at once a father, a son, and a brother—three roles, yet one person. Similarly, God reveals Himself in different aspects without ceasing to be one.
    • Dimensions: The Son steps into our dimension, while the Father transcends in another dimension. They are distinct in experience, but united in essence.
    • Human nature: We ourselves are a trinity—spirit, mind, and body. Different aspects, yet one person.
    • Nature itself: St. Patrick famously used the three-leaf clover. Three leaves, yet one plant.
    • Mutual indwelling: The Spirit enters the Son, and through the Spirit, the Father is present in the Son. The Persons are distinct, yet they fully interpenetrate one another in what theology calls perichoresis—a divine dance of love.

    Each of these analogies shines a fragment of light, though none can capture the fullness.

    The Paradox of the Unlimited

    At its heart, the Trinity is not a logical puzzle to be solved, but a paradox that reveals the limits of human thought. God is infinite, yet He enters the finite. He is unlimited, yet He chooses limitation. As Philippians 2 says, Christ “emptied himself, taking the form of a servant.”

    Creation itself is a form of divine self-limitation: the boundless God makes a bounded universe. In the Trinity we see the same mystery—oneness that contains difference, eternity that enters time, infinity that wears flesh.

    Near-death experiences often echo this: people describe encountering a Light that is utterly One yet somehow full of relational Love. They experience God not as cold abstraction, but as a living communion. In that sense, the Trinity is not mathematics (1+1+1=1), but relationship—perfect love flowing between Father, Son, and Spirit.

    Conclusion

    The Trinity is not meant to be dissected so much as entered into. It is a mystery that invites worship more than explanation. The early Christians did not invent it—they simply encountered Jesus and the Spirit in ways that forced them to rethink everything they knew about God.

    As finite beings, we stumble before the paradox. But that stumbling is holy. For the Trinity is God’s way of saying: “I am not solitary power, I am eternal love. And this love has come near to you in Christ, and dwells in you by the Spirit, to bring you back to the Father.”

  • Some themes taught to us by near-death experiences and how they reconcile with Christian teachings

    -Near Death Experiences (NDEs), individuals report a strong sense of having a mission or purpose—something they need to accomplish upon returning to life. This mission often becomes a pivotal reason why they are “sent back” or choose to return. Here are some recurring themes regarding this “mission” across NDE accounts:

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    1. Service to Others

    Many experiencers are told or intuitively sense that their purpose involves helping others—whether through love, healing, teaching, or simply being a presence of compassion in the world. • Example: “You must return and help others awaken.” • Common roles: caregiver, teacher, counselor, peacemaker.

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    2. Spiritual Growth or Learning

    Some are told their soul hasn’t completed its lessons. Their mission is to continue learning through human experiences like love, loss, patience, or forgiveness. • Example: “You haven’t yet learned what you came to learn.” • This ties to the idea of Earth as a school for the soul.

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    3. Sharing the Experience

    A significant number of NDErs feel compelled to share what they saw—often about the reality of the afterlife, the existence of unconditional love, and the illusion of separation. • They might write books, speak publicly, or simply become more open about spirituality in everyday life.

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    4. Being a Light in Darkness

    Even without a concrete task, some are told to “just be”—radiate love, live authentically, and influence others through presence rather than action. • Example: “Your light is needed.”

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    5. Specific Tasks or Visions

    Occasionally, experiencers receive detailed instructions or visions about future events, inventions, social movements, or even warnings of global challenges. • This happens more often in prophetic NDEs (e.g., Dannion Brinkley’s experience).

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    6. A Mission Without Words

    Some say they weren’t given a verbal message, but returned with a deep knowing—a soul-level compass pointing toward their life’s purpose

    Christian tie in

    This rich pattern of *mission-oriented near-death experiences (NDEs)* finds strong resonance with Christian theology and biblical teachings. While the Bible doesn’t directly describe NDEs in modern terms, many of the **themes NDErs report—mission, love, learning, light, and purpose—are deeply woven into Scripture** and Christian understanding of life, death, and the soul’s journey.

    Here’s how each of these NDE mission themes connects to the Bible and Christian theology:

    —

    NDE Connection to Christianity:

    ### **1. Service to Others**

    > *“You must return and help others awaken.”*

    **Biblical tie-in:**

    * Jesus models and commands service:

      > “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve…” — *Matthew 20:28*

      > “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” — *John 13:34*

    * Paul teaches the use of spiritual gifts for building up others:

      > “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others…” — *1 Peter 4:10*

    **Theological insight:**

    In Christianity, love is not just an emotion—it’s mission. NDE accounts of being sent back to serve align with the *agape* love central to Christian ethics. Returning NDErs often embody the *diakonia* (Greek for “service”) at the heart of Christian discipleship.

    —

    ### **2. Spiritual Growth or Learning**

    > *“You haven’t yet learned what you came to learn.”*

    **Biblical tie-in:**

    * Earthly life is a refining journey:

      > “Consider it pure joy… whenever you face trials… because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” — *James 1:2–4*

    * Growth in virtues like patience, forgiveness, humility is part of sanctification:

      > “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” — *2 Peter 3:18*

    **Theological insight:**

    Christian theology speaks of *theosis* (in the Eastern tradition)—the lifelong process of becoming like God. NDE accounts that frame life as a “school for the soul” echo this understanding of *spiritual maturation* through earthly experience. Earth becomes a sacred space for the soul’s transformation.

    —

    ### **3. Sharing the Experience**

    > *“They feel compelled to share what they saw.”*

    **Biblical tie-in:**

    * The apostles’ encounters with the risen Christ compelled testimony:

      > “We cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” — *Acts 4:20*

    * Paul’s own “caught up to the third heaven” experience (possibly an NDE-like vision):

      > “Whether in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows.” — *2 Corinthians 12:2–4*

    **Theological insight:**

    The pattern of divine encounter leading to testimony mirrors the prophetic tradition. Many NDErs echo biblical prophets and apostles who felt divinely called to share what was revealed to them—not to prove a doctrine, but to awaken others to God’s reality, love, and nearness.

    —

    ### **4. Being a Light in Darkness**

    > *“Just be—your light is needed.”*

    **Biblical tie-in:**

    * Jesus:

      > “You are the light of the world… let your light shine before others.” — *Matthew 5:14–16*

    * Paul:

      > “Live as children of light.” — *Ephesians 5:8*

    **Theological insight:**

    This reflects the contemplative stream of Christianity—*being* as mission. Saints and mystics (e.g., St. Seraphim of Sarov) taught that radiating God’s presence transforms the world quietly but powerfully. In this view, the soul itself becomes a *sacrament*—a visible sign of divine grace.

    —

    ### **5. Specific Tasks or Visions**

    > *“Some are shown future events or inventions.”*

    **Biblical tie-in:**

    * Prophets were given visions of future social, personal, or global events:

      > “In the last days… your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.” — *Acts 2:17*, quoting *Joel 2:28*

    * Joseph and Daniel received detailed visions from God about future events.

    **Theological insight:**

    Prophetic NDEs resemble *charismatic gifts* described in the New Testament. Though not normative for all Christians, these are biblically affirmed as authentic means through which God communicates purpose, warning, and direction.

    —

    ### **6. A Mission Without Words**

    > *“Returned with a deep knowing—a soul-level compass.”*

    **Biblical tie-in:**

    * The Holy Spirit guides from within:

      > “The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit…” — *Romans 8:16*

      > “You will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’” — *Isaiah 30:21*

    **Theological insight:**

    Christian mysticism emphasizes this *inner knowing*—not always through external messages but through what theologians like Augustine and Aquinas called the *interior teacher* (magister interior). Many NDErs describe returning with this Spirit-infused compass, resonating with this theology.

    —

    ### 🔄 Summary:

    The missions revealed in NDEs—service, spiritual growth, testimony, presence, prophecy, and intuitive guidance—*strongly echo the Christian calling*. Whether through word, action, or inner transformation, they reflect the heart of Scripture’s teaching: that life is sacred, purposeful, and aimed toward union with divine love.

  • beyond ‘donating to charity’:

    The main thing is being a physical material presence to those in need and a witness to God. Donating money is just a tool

    ### 🔑 1. **Presence Over Material Aid**

    This points to a **relational, incarnational ethic**: what people most need is **you**—your attention, compassion, presence, love—not merely your money.

    * Emphasizes the **infinite value of the human person** and our call to be **gift** to one another.

    * Giving money without giving yourself can become **detached charity**. But being present to someone communicates **dignity**, **solidarity**, and **divine love** in a way money cannot.

    This mirrors what Mother Teresa used to say:

    > “The greatest poverty is loneliness and the feeling of being unloved.”

    ### ✝️ 2. **Embodied Witness to God**

    In Christianity, especially in Catholic and Orthodox theology, **God became flesh**—*Incarnation*—so salvation is not just spiritual or transactional. It’s **relational**, **physical**, **sacrificial**, and **personal**.

    * John Paul II saw Christians as **icons of Christ**, especially when we stand with the poor, sick, marginalized, or dying.

    * Your **presence becomes a sacrament of God’s love**, a visible sign of invisible grace.

    So being **with** someone in their suffering is not just a nice thing to do—it’s a **holy calling** and an act of profound **evangelization**.

    ### 💰 3. **Money Is Just a Tool**

    In that context, money is not evil—but it is **secondary**. It’s just a **means**, not an end.

    * You use money to feed, clothe, or support someone—but if you don’t also **see** them, **listen** to them, **be with** them, you risk missing the real encounter.

    * For John Paul II, **human relationship and witness always come first**. Tools serve people—never the other way around.

    ### 🧠 Related Concepts from His Theology

    * **Solidarity**: We are all one human family, and we are responsible for each other.

    * **Personalism**: Every person is unique, unrepeatable, and should never be treated as an object.

    * **Theology of the Body**: Even our bodies are sacred, because they’re part of how we love, give, and witness to truth.

    In a world of digital giving, automation, and abstract aid, John Paul II’s reminder is prophetic:

    > *Never outsource love.*

    > *Don’t confuse charity with presence.*

    > *Be the hands and face of Christ to the person in front of you.*