Post by hollandr on Jan 29, 2008 22:25:14 GMT
>"his conception of the Supreme Being is left to his own interpretation." This would imply that all concepts of God are one in the same.
Nomore
This rather reminds me of my instruction in the theology of the Roman church.
The common argument for the existence of God was in fact an argument that the world must have a cause. And the end point of the argument was that behind all the causes must be a Causeless Cause
The Causeless Cause was named as God.
With that definition then it hardly matters what names people have for God.
But in another tradition there is great concern about which of the many lords and gods one ought to serve e.g.
1 Corinthians 8:5 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)
And Ex 20:3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
If we consider that the Causeless Cause is not the same as the many gods then your question about TGAOTU is relevant
It is likely that the Masonic formulation of TGAOTU is immediately derived from The Ancient of Days as depicted by Blake www.artcyclopedia.com/masterscans/l24.html
Note the presentation of the compasses in the same way as appears in Masonry with the Square and Compasses
And no doubt you are familiar with the Ancient of Days in the OT but for others here is one of the references
Da 7:22 - Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.
As you will note the Ancient of Days judges the saints of The Most High
Now you could argue that Masons are not entitled to use Jewish gods in their ritual and there are some in Masonry who would agree. But that argument is more about whether Masonry needs to be reformed for a new era
But for most Masons TGAOTU is a name for the Causeless Cause. As such any name that is evocative of divine qualities should suffice
Cheers
Russell
Nomore
This rather reminds me of my instruction in the theology of the Roman church.
The common argument for the existence of God was in fact an argument that the world must have a cause. And the end point of the argument was that behind all the causes must be a Causeless Cause
The Causeless Cause was named as God.
With that definition then it hardly matters what names people have for God.
But in another tradition there is great concern about which of the many lords and gods one ought to serve e.g.
1 Corinthians 8:5 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)
And Ex 20:3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
If we consider that the Causeless Cause is not the same as the many gods then your question about TGAOTU is relevant
It is likely that the Masonic formulation of TGAOTU is immediately derived from The Ancient of Days as depicted by Blake www.artcyclopedia.com/masterscans/l24.html
Note the presentation of the compasses in the same way as appears in Masonry with the Square and Compasses
And no doubt you are familiar with the Ancient of Days in the OT but for others here is one of the references
Da 7:22 - Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.
As you will note the Ancient of Days judges the saints of The Most High
Now you could argue that Masons are not entitled to use Jewish gods in their ritual and there are some in Masonry who would agree. But that argument is more about whether Masonry needs to be reformed for a new era
But for most Masons TGAOTU is a name for the Causeless Cause. As such any name that is evocative of divine qualities should suffice
Cheers
Russell