As we are, God once was. As God is, we will become.
The Gnosis, or reasoning process, that Gnostic Christianity introduces, does not contradict Jesus' spiritually-centered public teachings. It documents what scholars refer to as Jesus' oral or logos/logic tradition, which he taught in private (Mk 4:33-34). These teachings elevate our reasoning mind to that of the will/reasoning of God. In this renewed mind, our reasoning supports spiritual values. This is the truth that can set us free. For when mind and spirit seek the same ends (syzygy) doing "on earth as it is in heaven" will no longer be an idealistic goal, it will be a practical reality. (Matt 6:10)
Would Jesus recognize his teachings in traditional accounts of his ministry and why should anyone but Christians even care? Jesus would recognize some of his teachings in traditional accounts of his life. He would, however, be heartsick because he stood for something that is utterly missing in those accounts.
What is missing in records of Jesus' teachings is fundamentally important to everyone-Christian or not. Jesus revealed a natural principle that justifies a nonjudgmental system of logic that goes hand in hand with our present judgmental system. Today contemporay physics documents the truth of that principle and the necessity of expanding our present system to include non-judgemental logic. Limited to our present system of logic, we will remain predisposed forever to reason judgmentally, when in spirit, we know this is wrong. When we learn Jesus' nonjudgmental logic, we elevate our reasoning mind to the same level as our spiritual thoughts. This harmonizes our reasoning with our spirit. This is the key to higher consciousness and "doing on earth as it is in heaven", just as Jesus said we could. (Matt 2:10)
We can think of Jesus' nonjudgmental system of logic as upgraded intellectual software. For just as upgraded software expands the potentials of a computer to process data in new ways, so does Jesus' system of logic add new powers to the mind, which expand our consciousness of reality in truly new ways.
Another way to think of Jesus' nonjudgmental system of logic is to think of it like a new system of mathematics. For just as Einsteinian mathematics provides the key to entering dimensions of our physical world that traditional laws of mathematics cannot penetrate, so does Jesus' system of logic facilitate a quantum leap into mental space that our present judgmental system of logic cannot access. In simple terms, Jesus revealed a way to elevate our everyday ego to the same level as our spiritual values.
You Cannot Solve a Problem in the Same Consciousness that Created it.
Just as prehistoric man evolved into rational beings, we are now ready to evolve again—this time, into a fourth stage of rational consciousness, or as I call it Gnostic Christianity. It is my intension to explain how Gnostic Christianity will be, in the Third Millennium, the fourth step in a five stage model in the evolution of human consciousness.
Comprehending Gnostic Christianity is a piece of cake if we understand what consciousness, separation, oneness, and a five stage developmental model of reasoning meant to First Century Gnostic Christians like Jesus, Paul, Valentinious, and John.
By consciousness Gnostics mean the context or mental space in which we think—not the content or ideas and concepts we are thinking about. A glass of water is a good example of this. We can think of an empty glass as mental space or consciousness, and what we put into the glass as ideas and beliefs we are conscious of.
By separation, Gnostics refer to civilized man’s habit of separating everything into categories. You, me, us, them, wave, and particle, for example, represent distinctly different categories of objects and ideas.
Civilized man’s consciousness is dominantly one of separation because it is based on Greek and Oriental theories that assume nothing can be one with anything except itself. It is these theories and laws of logic based on them that makes separation the bottom line of civilized thought.
By oneness, Gnostics, and today may Physicists, however, have discovered that some categories of objects and ideas can be one with other categories at the same time. Jesus, for example, prayed that we would see our oneness with him and God as he did (Jn 17:21). Albert Einstein proved that time is both relative and chronological at the same time. Others proved that light was both a wave and a particle, and Niels Bohr said that “the opposite of a profound truth may well be another most profound truth”.
Caution: Religion, spirituality, and many scientists teach us that many things are one, but not in the same sense as Jesus and Gnostic Christians. Others generally teach that most everything is inter-dependent, inter-related, or totally fail to define what they mean by oneness. Jesus and Gnostics, however, teach that just as light is both a wave and a particle at the same time, likewise both you and I can be one with each other, Jesus, God, and perhaps even the woods, stars and the sky at the same time. This is the meaning of oneness in the quantum sense of Jesus and Gnostic Christians.
Gnostics justify their definition of oneness on Jesus’ theory that humanity has more than one nature (Rm 5:12) and that we can, like him, be one with each other and God. Today, quantum physics exemplifies this same theory. I label Jesus’ theory the modern theory. It states that some categories of objects and ideas have more than one nature. We will soon see how this theory is a missing fourth link to our highest level of rational consciousness—enlightenment.
The distinction, then, between consciousness and what we are conscious of is very important. If we have a consciousness based on separation, regardless of what ideas we are conscious of, we will be conscious of those ideas in ways that separate us. Obviously, if we have a consciousness based on oneness, the opposite will be true. We will no longer think in terms of us and them, I/it, or making a profit off of others. We will, like Jesus, know that we are one with him, God, others, and the world. This makes everyone’s best interest everyone’s best interest. The important point is that our worldview is, in principle, more a product of how we are conscious, and not what ideas we are conscious of. Again, if we accept the ancient theory, our consciousness will be based on separation. If we accept the modern theory, our consciousness will be based on oneness.
A Consciousness Raising Idea is an Idea that Changes How We are Conscious
of an Experience Rather than Simply Expanding our Understanding of that Experience
More education, then, is not the answer. The ideas and beliefs that philosophers
and theologians teach are good, but not enough. They can make us feel good
and give us hope, but they have not changed the world.
We already have all the ideas we need to change the world. What we really need is a new way to become conscious of ideas. Gnostic Christianity is that way, and here’s how.
First, just as rules of grammar teach us how to organize words into coherent sentences, so does our system of logical laws teach us to organize ideas in logical ways that civilized man considers reasonable. Reasoning is the English translation of the Greek word logos/logic, and the Latin term ratio/reason.
Second, and the most important, we need to recognize that our present system of logical laws is unfinished. They are based solely on the ancient theory of reality which logically limits us to reason in terms of separation. We need an additional system of logical laws that justify reasoning in terms of oneness. The modern theory of reality, which is justified by today’s physics, is that additional theory.
Let me now explain how the modern theory elevates us to our forth stage (enlightenment) in the context of a five stage model in the development of rational consciousness.
Paul’s
Five Stage Model
In the Development of Rational Consciousness (Rm 8:28-30)
The idea of stages in consciousness is not new. Hindu models begin with the householder stage and end with Moksha. The Buddha teaches the five noble truths. Islam teaches the five Nafs. And today, Abraham Maslow, Teithard deChardin, Joseph Campbell, and many other psychologists teach what are, in principle, similar models.
Unlike others who base stages of consciousness on historical, spiritual, or moral development, Jesus and Paul base their model on rational development. Paul knew that everything is one. He, therefore, understood that what we call spiritual or heart-felt thoughts are what they called incomplete nonjudgmental rational thoughts.
Understanding the modern theory of reality is the key to Stage IV in Paul’s five stage model of rational consciousness. It justifies a nonjudgmental system of logical laws, and in turn, nonjudgmental reasoning and a consciousness of oneness.
STAGE I: In Paul’s Letters to the Romans 8:28-30, the “foreknown” are prehistoric, non-rational beings. Neanderthal man, for example, was a nonrational humanoid—human. The key to this stage is life itself.
STAGE II: The key to Stage II, those of us in the “image” of Jesus, is the idea of self, i.e. the “me me” we learn as toddlers. In practice, the sense of self we accept in Stage II mirrors the ancient theory of reality. Again, this theory justifies civilized man’s present system of judgmental logical laws, hence, judgmental reasoning. Those of us in the image are rationally similar to Jesus, but lack his ability to reason nonjudgmentally. At this stage, we also lack a conscience. Those of us in this stage think in terms of punishment and reward. Sadly, most governments to this day are governed by those of us in Stage II.
Stage III: The key to Stage III, the “called”, is the law. Laws establish a criteria of right and wrong, hence the ethical and moral standards of our conscience. In this stage, we are rational and have a conscience, but because judgmental laws of logic are the only standards available to us, we tend to accept immoral acts as right, even though we know in conscience they are wrong. Given nonjudgmental laws of logic, III’s would no longer participate in immoral acts.
STAGE IV: The key to Stage IV, the “righteous” (from the Greek word right minded), is understanding the modern theory of reality. This theory justifies a nonjudgmental system of logical laws, and in turn, nonjudgmental reasoning and oneness. This is the missing link to Stage IV, right mindedness—enlightenment. Gnostic Christianity’s goal is to reveal this missing theory and its consciousness-raising potentials.
STAGE V: The key to the fifth Stage, the “glory”, is that time when all reach right mindedness of Stage IV. I believe Stage V represents synergistic consciousness; a consciousness in which the sum of both judgmental and nonjudgmental reasoning equates to the mind of Christ.
The consciousness of oneness that Jesus and today’s science support, then, is not reached through divine intervention, grace, meditation, or any other mysterious means. This consciousness of oneness is reached through factual knowledge (gnosis) about our judgmental/separating system of logical laws based on an ancient theory of reality and the need for an additional oneness/nonjudgmental-based system of logical laws based on the modern theory of reality. In actuality, to achieve a consciousness of oneness, we need to accept the modern theory and develop a system of nonjudgmental logic based on that theory.
Historically, Jesus was more like Einstein, Newton, and some modern physicists than a divine being. From the perspective of Gnostic Christianity, Jesus taught a fact-based theory of reality, that is, like Newton’s theory of gravity and Einstein’s theory of relativity, true for everyone, everywhere, and for all time. One does not have to hold a particular doctrine; believe a particular religion or philosophy; or have a particular spiritual orientation to profit from Jesus’ modern theory of reality. We need only to understand his theory to benefit from both judgmental and nonjudgmental reasoning. Using both systems of reasoning can change the character of consciousness, and in turn, our experience of reality.
Apples cannot be explained in terms of oranges. No wonder, then, that religion and philosophy have given us good feelings and hope, but failed to change the world. Most believe that enlightenment is a benevolent gift of the Gods—Apples—when facts demonstrate it is up to us to transform ourselves—Oranges. To bridge the gap between separation (apples) and oneness (oranges), we need to add an additional nonjudgmental system of logical laws to our present judgmental system. Together, these two systems empower us to be conscious of our lives in world-changing ways. Our failure to recognize nonjudgmental logic is what locks us into the consciousness of the past and its seemingly irresolvable problems
When Jesus said he was the fulfillment of the law, he was telling us that religion and philosophy based on judgmental reasoning alone had accomplished their tasks. They had brought us to the realization that we could not reach enlightenment—Stage IV—without understanding his modern theory of reality and nonjudgmental rules of logic based on it. This knowledge is the key to understanding oneness in the quantum sense that Jesus used it in Jn 17:21 and Gnostic Christians teach today.
Did Jesus discover a way to awaken unused portions of our mind?
I offer compelling evidence that Jesus revealed a fact about the nature of reality that justifies new method of nonjudgmental reasoning, which will be in harmony with spiritual principles. This is the foundational teaching of Gnostic Christianity.
One way I substantiate my claim that Jesus taught a new method of reasoning is by linking it to biblical passages. In 1Thes 2:16 rsv, for example, Paul thanked God that, "The word [again, meaning the logos/logic or reasoning] of God you heard from us [Gnostics] you accepted it not as the word [logic] of men but as what it really is, the word [logic] of God, .." and Paul's reminder of God's statement to Jeremiah that he will put his (God's) "laws within their [meaning our] minds…" (Heb 8:10).
Note: God, in "true" Gnostic Christianity, is a metaphor for life-affirming principles. In 1Jn 4:6, for example, John said, "God is love."
Scientists demonstrate that meditation and prayer can activate areas of the brain in which feelings of bliss, well-being and oneness are processed. This suggests the brain is capable of processing both analytical and spiritual ideas. Could it be that nature intends our spiritual thinking to be as clear and concise as our analytical thinking? Perhaps we have not yet learned how to use those areas of the brain, dedicated to spiritual thinking, to their fullest potential.
Jesus was unique among social revolutionaries. He did not blame existing religious, economic or political institutions for human suffering. The revolution he saw was a far deeper one, without which other reforms could only be superficial and transitory. If he could convince the world that judgmental reasoning was not the only method of reasoning and that nonjudgmental reasoning is the common ground of higher consciousness, Utopia would come of itself. All the ill effects of judgmental reasoning-and the consequent need for law-would disappear. Compared to the revolution in consciousness that nonjudgmental reasoning makes possible, all others are little more than examples of one system replacing another and exploiting in turn. If we learn this lesson, our future will no longer repeat the past.
In summary, Jesus presented his Gnostic or logos/logic teachings two thousand years ago. Few accepted those teachings. Most preferred his public teachings to the theory of nature, and system of logic it justifies, that he taught in private. In the third millennium, a majority should accept Jesus' private teachings, because contemporary physics supports his theory, making it factually undeniable. In effect, the support that contemporary physics gives Jesus' theory of nature will make that theory as important globally as is the prevailing theory.
If we can learn how to relate ideas/reason judgmentally, we can learn to relate ideas/reason nonjudgmentally. We have learned to reason judgmentally because the prevailing theory was the only theory. Jesus' theory, however, gives us the opportunity to learn how to reason nonjudgmentally. My goal is to introduce both the prevailing and Jesus' theory of nature, and the rules of reasoning based on both, into our children's classrooms on a global scale. I consider reasoning nonjudgmentally the fourth "R" of education. Isn't learning how to reason nonjudgmentally/lovingly as important to our children's future as reading, writing, and arithmetic?
Discover why GnosticChristianity.com is the key to discovering Jesus' logos/logic teachings. And, in turn, how that discovery can set us free. Gnostic Christianity also offers fact-based solutions to countless Biblical and spiritual mysteries.
I do not ask you to believe my research. All I ask is that you judge it on the basis of its historical, scientific, linguistic, and logical merits. The issue here is, whether my research represents Jesus' logos teachings, or is demonstrably false. And second, if my research is true, is it the same truth that John says will "make you free?" (8:32) I believe it is and in the third millennium, life will be based on that truth, creating the heaven on earth that Jesus promised us in his Lord's Prayer.
We are but one thought away from learning a truly new path to heaven on earth in the third millennium. Jesus' system of nonjudgmental logic is that path. The future will be determined by our choice to act, or not, on that thought.
Copyright © February 2, 2001, William C. Kiefert