Theos-Talk Archives (July 2002 Message tt00145)

July 14 2002

Re Dallas' views about the OLD TESTAMENT

Dear Daniel:

It's a matter of importance, and in this I have (although
quite familiar with al those various references) chosen to
devote my time to seeing if Theosophy helps in making a
change in living objectives. The past cannot be altered.
Presumably, the application of Christianity, or any
religious base that may be selected, is for the present and
the future. There is some freedom in that.

So (in regard to the value of the OLD TESTAMENT) it happens
to be my way of looking at the matter. Of course others
have their own views. But the consideration of both raises
the point: which is reasonable ? In this, I say, that
everyone is more than welcome to devote time in satisfying
themselves, and then declare their preferences, as I have.
I really don't expect this explanation to satisfy everyone,
or even, anyone. But, it is about as accurate as I can
state.

I strongly advocate a study of, and an attempt to practice,
the ethical and moral code that Jesus spoke of, and gave
examples of. It is universal, It is in ancient Judaism,
Egyptian-ism, Chinese philosophy, Shinto-ism, Hinduism,
Zoroastrianism, The Greeks and Druids knew it well as also
did the Scandinavians, the religious beliefs of the
scattered tribes of North and Central and South America and
Africa ( to the extent that they are still available to us)
seem to point to the same.

The "golden Rule" is perhaps the most succinct expression of
the phrase and injunction used by Buddha: "Cease from evil,
do good." "Help others in the same way as you expect them
to help you." In a word: Brotherhood.

Apart from the sayings attributed to the grand old Prophets
of Judaism, (which say the same ethical and moral things)
what of value is obtained from the record of discord,
duplicity, harshness, deliberate evil and other inhumane
qualities so prevalent in the details given in the OLD
TESTAMENT ? (Let me add that there are some great
and wonderful examples of selflessness and self-sacrifice
also, but they do not receive the emphasis that the evil
side seems to. Why put bad ideas and confusing stories into
people's heads? That is if any censorship could ever be
applied.)

Are they examples of: "what not to do?" If all
statements leave an impress in our Karmic environment, and
the plastic substance of our minds, then what value is the
repetition of inaccurate and distorted accounts? Why is
this aught to children as a religious necessity? There is
to me, a great hiatus here.

Does Jesus do anything like that in his work and sayings? I
find he tries to make things reasonable and direct and pure.
He discourages dogmatism, fanaticism, and the rule of
authority -- and was heartily hated by those who take refuge
in such things -- which, really is taking advantage (by the
sly, immoral and clever) of the laziness, inertia and
consequent ignorance of the average person.

Dealing with the OLD TESTAMENT is like trying to readjust
both mythology and history -- very much as one would try to
reinterpret the Puranas, or the mythology of ancient Greece,
for instance. It is past and gone though of course of
interest to many.

To my mind, Christianity is derived from those sayings and
teachings of Jesus, made, in his attempt to reform
philosophically the Jews who would listen to him. All
religious reforms are philosophical as they depend on the
capacity of the human mind to be reasonable and also,
impersonal and universal.

The attaching of the OLD TESTAMENT to Jesus' teachings
merely shows the problems he had to deal with; and the
distortions, if the translations are accurate, represent the
errors and a burden which present day Christians carry
needlessly.

But, as you observe (and so do others) H P B had to deal
with those and show her readers the difference between those
abbreviated, concealed and even distorted records and the
accurate records directly derived from the HISTORY
maintained by the Eternal Lodge of Adepts. (Actually it is
said to be impacted in the ineradicable folios of the Akasa.
Non-physical.) Why would the Masters of Wisdom devote much
time to doing this? A bridge has to be thrown from error to
light and wisdom.

I am left as usual with a series of questions and
observations, which, at best, allow plenty of latitude for
everyone to make up their own minds on.

Best wishes,

Dallas

============================

-----Original Message-----
From: info@blavatskyarchives.com
Sent: Sunday, July 14, 2002 8:06 AM
To:
Subject: Studying the Old Testament

I continue to be puzzled by Dallas T.'s various remarks
about the
Old Testament.

In THE SECRET DOCTRINE (not to mention HPB's other
writings) there are hundreds of references to the characters
and stories in the Old Testament. How can one understand
the
import of HPB's references, statements, etc on this Biblical
literature

unless one takes the time and effort to read and study at
least those
portions of the Old Testament that HPB cites and comments
on?

Daniel H. Caldwell
BLAVATSKY ARCHIVES
http://hpb.cc