Paul on Malta
1 After we were brought safely through, we then learned that the island was called Malta. 2 The native people [Greek barbaroi (that is, non–Greek speakers); also verse 4 ] showed us unusual kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, because it had begun to rain and was cold. 3 When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand. 4 When the native people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer. Though he has escaped from the sea, Justice [Or justice] has not allowed him to live.” 5 He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. 6 They were waiting for him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw no misfortune come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.
From: Acts 28 English Standard Version
Though I have never had a conversation with someone (in person) who was able to explain what this course is all about, I met someone on Theology Web Campus who claimed that they did. Based on the ideas they expressed I challenged them to answer several questions, but first here’s a little background before we dive in.
This same person opened a post on Theology Web Campus ( April 14th 2009 ) and asked the following question:
So I’ve stumbled across this book at Barnes and Nobles called “A Course In Miracles”. Has anybody here read it? Who do you think the author is? I mean, do you think this woman, Dr. Helen Schucman could have come up with this herself? Do you think she really heard a “voice” speaking to her over seven years? If, so, whose voice do you think it was?
Should I take this book seriously?
Thanks for your advice.
I’m going to present some of the thoughts expressed in the discussion (in a summary form) in a day or so.
At the time I encountered this person on the forum, I had not read the above and so our conversations took the form of a series of discussion on a number of different subject (as my opening post reflected) What follows is the opening post, with the relative links and then the questions that I asked them in relation to this book.
And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
The Opening Post:
A Course or a Curse in Miracles?
This is not a joke, so please do not treat is like a joke!!!!
I was thinking of doing what I call ‘A C(o)urse in M(aya)iracles’ or ‘Acute Christ In Me Disorder’ which is the name I gave to ACIM (A Course In Miracles) because of my interest in NonDualism, and because of the confusing way that Urban Monk has been presenting it on TWC. I have looked at some of the videos on youtube, but think I need to get a better understanding of how it actually works. Those who have already been through it, might be the best one’s to respond. Please no internet links, just tell me what you know, and blowhards please keep to your side of the fence.
Now if you look under NonDualism on Wikipedia you will find the following paragraph under Christianity:
A Course in Miracles or ACIM is a modern day Christian non-dualistic teaching that is not inclusive of physical reality. Physical reality is denied valid existence all together accept as a wrong (or evil) mis-thought. This tradition states, “Nothing real can be threatened. Nothing unreal exists. Herein lies the peace of God.”
Christian Science is very similar to “ACIM” above. In a glossary of terms written by the founder, Mary Baker Eddy, matter is defined as illusion and when defining individual identity she writes “There is but one I, or Us, but one divine Principle, or Mind, governing all existence”.My question is simple enough.
Do you think that ACIM ( A Course In Miracles) is something harmful, and if so why?
The questions:
A COURSE OR A CURSE IN MIRACLES?
Question 1:
Do you think that ACIM ( A Course In Miracles) is something harmful, and if so why?Question 2:
Are we pre-existent?Question 3:
Is the Kingdom of God within you?Question 4:
The Authority of the Bible?Question 5
The Old Rugged Cross?Question 6:
The Suffering of Jesus?Question 7:
Pre-existence/Predestination?
I am currently reading a book on the subject, which was written at the time when ‘A Course in Miracles’ first surfaced. After I am done, I will carefully read through the above and either write a book, or present my conclusions. Though I have decided not to post anymore posts to forums, I realized that I had never challenged the gang at Apologetics Discuss and so I posted the following question up (and guess what, I snagged a viper whose posting style is reminiscent of the person who answered the questions ~ above ~ ) Well, here it is: A Course in Miracles – A Biblical Perspective?
Some Interesting Resources (for those who are interested)
a. A Crash Course in Miracles (podcast)
b. A Crash Course in Miracles – An Overview of it’s philosophy. (video) ~ Taken from a book by Robert Perry ~ ‘Return to the heart of God’
c. Intro to A Course In Miracles by Philip Urso and his podcast “A Crash Course In Miracles” (video)
Last night as I went exploring the flora and fauna of the dear Dora, I came upon what looked like a hole. “A hole” I said, to which my friend the rabbit replied, “Tis a whole Alice, only a whole” “A whole” I said, “Surely you men a hole?” “That’s what I said” said the rabbit.
"Oh what is this big hole in Candy Mountain?"
Was it curiosity that killed the cat, or simply the need to know everything about anything that was the demise of Miss Alice. Curiouser and curiouser I have become, and next thing I joined Alice as I plummeted down into the depths of the thought world of Robert Perry ( Is he the rabbit, or is he the Mad Hatter? ) Well, let’s follow Alice down the hole in Candy Mountain 
)
Whoops I did it again!
Time to get out those microscopes, as we watch Alice shrink. “Did anyone say Shrink?” “Shrink?” ( short for psychiatrist ) “Dr Scratch ‘n Sniff at your service!” “Oh no, oh no, here come the wacky warner brothers two and their wacky sister Dot” “Let the cuteness begin!”
This is what I posted up to Apologetics Board:
Question 1:
What’s the idea of the illusion of death about?
Question 2:
Does ‘A Course in Miracles’ teach another Christ?
Please consider the following:
1. Paul’s insistence ( curse ) that we receive not the teaching of another Christ / Gospel of Christ.
No Other Gospel
6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. (Galatians 1:6-9)
2. I linked to a video explanation of a book I referred to above by Robert Perry ~ ‘Return to the heart of God’ and came upon a very revealing interview between a blogger called “Subversive Thinking” and Perry. ( here ) Perry’s replies (I believe) provide us with some of the basic information about ‘A Course in Miracles’ to enable us to answer that age-old question: ‘ …. but who do you say that I am?’ (Jesus’ question to Peter in Mark 8:29 )
Actually in S.T’s third question: Can you explain to us which are the essential teachings of ACIM?, Perry address my 1st question, as well as providing a neat summary of what it is that ‘A Course in Miracles’ actually teaches. (This should provide readers and board members ~ including myself ) with enough information to begin making a comparison between the Christian sacred text teaches and what ACIM teaches about both my questions 1 and 2 )
‘The Course’s teachings are rooted in a certain view of reality. When it uses the word “reality,” it means a spiritual realm that is fundamentally different from this world. This spiritual realm is a kind of fusion of the pure oneness we associate with Eastern mysticism and the more personal elements found in Christian theology. In this timeless realm, we exist in perfect oneness with an unconditionally loving God.
However, in the distant past, we chose to separate from God, and this choice was projected outward and became the physical universe, which the Course sees as the outer picture of the wish to be separate. Thus, although this sounds very odd to our modern scientific sensibilities, the Course sees the universe as a psychological illusion, and also as ultimately life-denying. It is not an individual illusion; it is dreamt up by the countless minds of all living things. So it is a collective dream, and a rather vast and long-lasting one, but it is still just a dream, and ultimately just a tiny blip in the infinite minds of God’s children.
This all sounds very abstract and far from our daily concerns, …. ‘
(He’s kidding of course ) ~ He goes on in the next question to address that, but my scanner went onto red alert when S.T asked Perry the following question:
7-In your opinion, who was really Jesus of Nazareth?
I’d have summarized it, but his reply is so short that it’s totally worthy of posting here for us to examine directly.
If you look at our oldest and most historically reliable sayings from Jesus, he is virtually anonymous. He is simply the speaker of these teachings. And along with that, there is the implication that he has himself realized these teachings. Thus, just as he asks us to “enter” God’s kingdom, a state in which we live under God’s unconditional love and care and are immune to the brutalities of this world, so he himself seems to have entered this state. And just as he asks us to be an agent of the kingdom in this world, in which we bring to others its miraculous love, care and freedom, so that is what he did.
However, in the early decades after his death, you can see the focus slowly switch to Jesus himself and his exalted status and importance. I think this is a natural human tendency, but it was the beginning, I believe, of Christianity veering dramatically away from Jesus’ own focus.
Personally, I believe that Jesus had a unique grasp on the process of salvation, the process of transforming our minds and our world. I think countless teachers have penetrated this great question to one degree or another, and we should be grateful to all of them. However, I think that Jesus’ lofty vision of an unconditionally loving God and the radical implications of that for a transformed inner state, transformed relationships, and a transformed society, has immense significance for our world.
Alrighty?
+)(+
Of course the question that was asked by the bloke that got me thinking about this a few years ago, is the first question that most Christian ask, and it seems to be the question that is foremost on the minds of the critics/condemners of ‘A Course in Miracles’
On another website ( Circle of Atonement ) Perry answers the question: (which is now my third and final question.)
Question 3: What if Jesus really did write this?
( I’m enjoying ‘Elevensies’ and reading/listening to everything that is referred to in this thread and will hopefully get back with my conclusions, that’s if you don’t beat me to the plate , though I suspect I shall probably fall down a rabbit hole. 
)
If you’ve got the cash to splash, I’d highly recommend you read this book by Professor Vishal Mangalwadi. He has a chapter titled ‘My Course in Miracles’ in which he writes about his perspective on what this 70s mind-cult was trying to accomplish with Helen Schucman’s book ‘A Course in …. ‘
Jesus said, ‘Come unto me all ye who labour and are heavy laden and I shall give you rest’
Rests,
Eric J. Sawyer
