I loved your interlocutor Graham. He seemed to embody the "purity of heart" saintliness you mentioned as opposed to the more cantankerous kind. I would love to see you do more discussions with him. I thought I hadn't heard of him, but apparently I already had his translation of the Bhagavad Gita on my kindle. Just couldn't put the name on the face. I couldn't follow most of the more arcane (to me) points of Hindu (or should I say Sanatana Dharma) metaphysics and doctrine, but I enjoyed what I did understand. Thank you all for this, Arjuna and Samuel included. They have a great podcast.
I've watched (listened) this discussion a few times, and its become more lucid as I learn more about the various hindu terms and schools mentioned.
I like what you said about Jesus being an incarnation/revelation of God in flesh, not as a unique case which unites two opposing realities, but in a mode that is universal to all things, differentiated by the degree to which he embodied that reality.
I'm on my own path of moving from Christian exclusivism to a more inclusive/syncretistic understanding of God, ultimately spurred on by universalism. I like what was said about God being the infinite, so his revelation is not confined to a single historical form or circumstance. It brings me to that great scene in the Bhagavad Gita where Arjuna is overcome by the revelation of Vishnus infinite forms. Its one of the things I admire about many Hindus, that theres this understanding of the One God who is able to be worshipped in myriad forms by people who still nonetheless are able to commune (not to say that this is or has always been the case!)
On the issue of God breathing spirit into Adam to give him life, I'm interested in the way this parallels with Pauls thought about Jesus being made a life-giving spirit, the spirit of Christ dwelling within etc. In a sense the NT sees the spirit as something exterior that is given to those who don't possess it, but I imagine you could also read the texts as something like a revelation of the spirit which is already possessed by all, this seems to be the case in some of the old testament texts, the spirit is already inherent, but it is still said to be something which can be poured out to the masses.
I'm interested in how the idea of the Logos fits with this understanding of Jesus as a exemplar of a common destiny. Would you say that all things which exist are the Logos becoming incarnate? I'm trying to understand the more particular language of say 1 corinthians 15 or the prologue of John in relation to this understanding of Jesus. The thing I'm struggling to understand is what makes Jesus unique in your view?
Apologies for this long rambling comment and the many questions within, I loved the discussion and it has spurred many thoughts for me! :)
I love the idea that different aspects of the infinite plenitude of divine being are expressed by the many religious traditions or that the 'religious genius' of a faith gives it a better view of a particular aspect than that of its fellows.
You make (on some podcast or other) a similar point about the infinity of divine beauty being finitely and hence inexhaustively expressed by the many varieties of art.
A thoroughly enjoyable conversation, in spite of the audio difficulties at the beginning.
David, your reflections on Christology's universal implications at the end were extremely compelling. Have you expounded on this in your written works? I can't recall a passage that delves into this topic. If not, please consider doing so.
I’ve been a Buddhist most my adult life, but in recent years been very drawn to Christianity. I found your comments about religion and our participation in different traditions very freeing. It’s helped me reframe the apparent problem of am I of one tradition or the other. And yet... traditions themselves can still see it as a problem; or at least leaders of them.
I've wanted you ask you this. Somebody else asked a random question so I will take a similar liberty. I've seen you write about the unique situation modernity puts us in. You've recommended books on modernism and books by Charles Taylor. These mainly apply to the west though. Are there any similar books about the Japanese experience of modernity? Or the intellectual influences of modern Japan?
I loved your interlocutor Graham. He seemed to embody the "purity of heart" saintliness you mentioned as opposed to the more cantankerous kind. I would love to see you do more discussions with him. I thought I hadn't heard of him, but apparently I already had his translation of the Bhagavad Gita on my kindle. Just couldn't put the name on the face. I couldn't follow most of the more arcane (to me) points of Hindu (or should I say Sanatana Dharma) metaphysics and doctrine, but I enjoyed what I did understand. Thank you all for this, Arjuna and Samuel included. They have a great podcast.
*Gallagher. With yours truly as a guest 'questioner' too.
I've watched (listened) this discussion a few times, and its become more lucid as I learn more about the various hindu terms and schools mentioned.
I like what you said about Jesus being an incarnation/revelation of God in flesh, not as a unique case which unites two opposing realities, but in a mode that is universal to all things, differentiated by the degree to which he embodied that reality.
I'm on my own path of moving from Christian exclusivism to a more inclusive/syncretistic understanding of God, ultimately spurred on by universalism. I like what was said about God being the infinite, so his revelation is not confined to a single historical form or circumstance. It brings me to that great scene in the Bhagavad Gita where Arjuna is overcome by the revelation of Vishnus infinite forms. Its one of the things I admire about many Hindus, that theres this understanding of the One God who is able to be worshipped in myriad forms by people who still nonetheless are able to commune (not to say that this is or has always been the case!)
On the issue of God breathing spirit into Adam to give him life, I'm interested in the way this parallels with Pauls thought about Jesus being made a life-giving spirit, the spirit of Christ dwelling within etc. In a sense the NT sees the spirit as something exterior that is given to those who don't possess it, but I imagine you could also read the texts as something like a revelation of the spirit which is already possessed by all, this seems to be the case in some of the old testament texts, the spirit is already inherent, but it is still said to be something which can be poured out to the masses.
I'm interested in how the idea of the Logos fits with this understanding of Jesus as a exemplar of a common destiny. Would you say that all things which exist are the Logos becoming incarnate? I'm trying to understand the more particular language of say 1 corinthians 15 or the prologue of John in relation to this understanding of Jesus. The thing I'm struggling to understand is what makes Jesus unique in your view?
Apologies for this long rambling comment and the many questions within, I loved the discussion and it has spurred many thoughts for me! :)
Just posted a reply to this fascinating conversation, hope you can find the time and disposition to have a look!
https://hijosdelnectar.substack.com/p/in-reply-to-a-conversation
I love the idea that different aspects of the infinite plenitude of divine being are expressed by the many religious traditions or that the 'religious genius' of a faith gives it a better view of a particular aspect than that of its fellows.
You make (on some podcast or other) a similar point about the infinity of divine beauty being finitely and hence inexhaustively expressed by the many varieties of art.
Also, here's what someone sharing a stage with you reminds me of: https://youtu.be/zVeJ5F26uiM?t=85
A thoroughly enjoyable conversation, in spite of the audio difficulties at the beginning.
David, your reflections on Christology's universal implications at the end were extremely compelling. Have you expounded on this in your written works? I can't recall a passage that delves into this topic. If not, please consider doing so.
I’ve been a Buddhist most my adult life, but in recent years been very drawn to Christianity. I found your comments about religion and our participation in different traditions very freeing. It’s helped me reframe the apparent problem of am I of one tradition or the other. And yet... traditions themselves can still see it as a problem; or at least leaders of them.
I've wanted you ask you this. Somebody else asked a random question so I will take a similar liberty. I've seen you write about the unique situation modernity puts us in. You've recommended books on modernism and books by Charles Taylor. These mainly apply to the west though. Are there any similar books about the Japanese experience of modernity? Or the intellectual influences of modern Japan?