The Urantia Book

[McCulloch]

Yes, there is the eye witness account [to Jesus' resurrection] given in the Urantia Book.

Bro Dave has put forward the Book as eyewitness testimony to support the allegation that Jesus was raised from the dead. Is the Urantia Book a reliable source of information? Does it meet the criterion used by historians or scientists or theologians?

[harvey1]

Bro Dave has put forward the Book as eyewitness testimony to support the allegation that Jesus was raised from the dead. Is the Urantia Book a reliable source of information? Does it meet the criterion used by historians or scientists or theologians?

McCulloch, I don't know what that book is. Can you tell me something about it? When was it written? Who wrote it? Why is Bro Dave talking about it?

[McCulloch]

McCulloch, I don't know what that book is. Can you tell me something about it?

Yes. If you follow the link, the Urantia foundation will present more information. This link About Urantia should answer most of your basic questions.

When was it written?

The Urantia Book, first published by the Urantia Foundation in 1955, was authored by celestial beings as a special revelation to our planet, Urantia.

Who wrote it?

In the early 20th century, a physician practicing in Chicago became the head of a group known as the Contact Commission. This small group was the focal point for the production of, and the primary custodian for, the final text of The Urantia Book. They were sworn not to disclose details about the transactions in order to preclude future generations from venerating the participants. It was considered important that no individual might be exalted through their association with The Urantia Book. Because of its revelatory nature, the book stands on its own merit, nature and content.

As the contents of The Urantia Book were being transcribed, the Urantia Papers were read to, and questions were requested from "The Forum," a group that had been meeting regularly for discussions at the doctor's house. The answers to these questions were then incorporated into the papers. These early readers formed the first core group of believers in the revelation and became committed to the mission of bringing the teachings of The Urantia Book to all of mankind.

Why is Bro Dave talking about it?

That question is best left to Bro Dave to answer.

I was raised Lutheran, became a Unitarian, then a Theosophist. It was a difficult and wonder filled journey, during which at one point I was and agnostic, on the verge of being an atheist. After 65 years of study and searching, I discovered the Urantia Book, which brought everything I knew together, and showed a logical view of our planet, and how we fit into the Universe.

So, yes, religion is or can be a choice. But usually, it will not be sudden, but more of a process of unfoldment.

Bro Dave

[Bro Dave]

McCulloch, first of all, thank you for your much appreciated efforts. You unbiased jesture say much for your personal integrity.

I guess you got my "bio" from the TruthBook site. I am a moderator there, and along with this site, it is wonderfully open, and just fun to "poke-around".

What I find so attractive about the Urantia Book, is that it offers such a grand overview, explaining in beautiful concise prose, how the universe and everything in it relate, and how and why it was all created. But it goes further! It shows not only where we came from, but describes in great detail how we will proceed once this Universe has been "completed". I have been reading the Urantia Book for over 30 years now, and it still amazes me everytime I open it. It "demands" nothing, and rather than claiming to be a higher authority, it brings together all backgrounds and shows our commonality.
While the claim of authorship may see difficult to accept, after one has read the entire book it is abundantely clear that in breadth of understanding understanding, and continuity and quality of writing, is beyond the capability of any human, or even any group of humans. That, coupled with the fact that no one has anything to gain by creating such a tome, except if it is what it claims to be; The fifth in a series of revelations to mankind. There is no charismatic leader(s), and no one makes any money for its sales. It is, I believe intellectually worthy of consideration by any who honestly would like to understand more about religion, philosophy and cosmology.

Bro Dave

[Bro Dave]

McCulloch, first of all, thank you for your much appreciated efforts. You unbiased jesture say much for your personal integrity.

I guess you got my "bio" from the TruthBook site. I am a moderator there, and along with this site, it is wonderfully open, and just fun to "poke-around".

What I find so attractive about the Urantia Book, is that it offers such a grand overview, explaining in beautiful concise prose, how the universe and everything in it relate, and how and why it was all created. But it goes further! It shows not only where we came from, but describes in great detail how we will proceed once this Universe has been "completed". I have been reading the Urantia Book for over 30 years now, and it still amazes me everytime I open it. It "demands" nothing, and rather than claiming to be a higher authority, it brings together all backgrounds and shows our commonality.
While the claim of authorship may see difficult to accept, after one has read the entire book it is abundantely clear that in breadth of understanding understanding, and continuity and quality of writing, is beyond the capability of any human, or even any group of humans. That, coupled with the fact that no one has anything to gain by creating such a tome, except if it is what it claims to be; The fifth in a series of revelations to mankind. There is no charismatic leader(s), and no one makes any money for its sales. It is, I believe intellectually worthy of consideration by any who honestly would like to understand more about religion, philosophy and cosmology.

Bro Dave

[QED]

McCulloch, I don't know what that book is. Can you tell me something about it? When was it written? Who wrote it? Why is Bro Dave talking about it?

I'm glad you've showed an interest Harvey. I wouldn't mind betting it would be impossible for you to come up with an argument dismissing the UB. Such is the nature of divine revelation.

[Bro Dave]

QED, this isn't about being able for one "faction" to "dismiss" some other "faction" This is about finally understanding how we can and do have a commonality, too often ignored in favor of demanding everyone agree with our own points of view. This broader view threatens no one, except those who continue to demand exclusive ownership of what is true.

Bro Dave

[QED]

QED, this isn't about being able for one "faction" to "dismiss" some other "faction" This is about finally understanding how we can and do have a commonality, too often ignored in favor of demanding everyone agree with our own points of view. This broader view threatens no one, except those who continue to demand exclusive ownership of what is true.

'Bout time you showed up here Notice that I am talking about the nature of divine revelation. The preposterous amount of detail contained within the UB surpasses that of the bible. Now I doubt if you'll claim that is meant to be allegorical -- do you?

[harvey1]

I'm glad you've showed an interest Harvey. I wouldn't mind betting it would be impossible for you to come up with an argument dismissing the UB. Such is the nature of divine revelation.

UB is probably consistent with how religious truths evolve, so I couldn't dismiss the arguments for UB without dismissing all the arguments for religion. However, UB is a newby on the block, and in order to influence the masses it would need tremendous events to favor its acceptance. If it became majorly accepted, then it would have "won out" against other theologies. Since I hold to an evolutionary epistemology, I think ideas that are more fit (i.e., are more true), have a way of winning out over time. So, I think the landscape for UB is as open as any other religion. Good luck to them...

[McCulloch]

I'm glad you've showed an interest Harvey. I wouldn't mind betting it would be impossible for you to come up with an argument dismissing the UB. Such is the nature of divine revelation.

UB is probably consistent with how religious truths evolve, so I couldn't dismiss the arguments for UB without dismissing all the arguments for religion. However, UB is a newby on the block, and in order to influence the masses it would need tremendous events to favor its acceptance. If it became majorly accepted, then it would have "won out" against other theologies. Since I hold to an evolutionary epistemology, I think ideas that are more fit (i.e., are more true), have a way of winning out over time. So, I think the landscape for UB is as open as any other religion. Good luck to them...

But to the point of this thread. Bro Dave used a quote the Urantia Book as evidence that an event (Jesus' bodily resurrection) really did happen. Is that use of the UB warranted? Does it meet any evidentiary standards used by historians?