Flawed Innocence

H.M. Hyra

• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Year: 2021
• Print ISBN: 9781098069551
• eBook ISBN: 9781098069568
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Christian Theology

Flawed Innocence presents the nine components needed for a person of the Christian faith to begin to understand what religious people call divine providence. In particular, being a Roman Catholic, the perspective uses as a base the tenets of the Catholic faith. The nine components are set in the framework of an arc. I call this the "Arc of Existence." Divine Providence is what the faithful refer to as the will of God.Each component is presented as a chapter of the book. Each chapter presents information dealing with the premise. Each chapter has an editorial section where common concerns are discussed. Also, there will be a section entitled "Crisis Corner" where important information is discussed pertinent to contemporary times.The book begins with the fundamentals of the Catholic Church needed to comprehend the nine components that will follow. After the introduction the text begins with the beginning of the universe and God's transcendent presence. Of course, the use of scripture, sacred tradition, the Magisterium and the real world experiences of prominent people are instrumental in the accomplishment of our task.The "Human Condition" is discussed in terms of man's fallen nature. It is stressed that because of original sin, humans are suspect in their efforts to lead people to their proper end. "Reasons/Faith/Revelation" is the chapter concerning the ability of man (women) to digest to some degree the immensity of God. The chapter of "Culture and Society" discusses the fundamental elements common to all societies past and present.Chapter 5 begins the exploration of God in relationship to the importance of the universe and the earth in the plan of God. There is a profile of Jesus being both human and divine. His mother Mary plays a prominent role in all of Catholic teachings. In chapter 7 the Catholic Church is discussed as the instrument God has used to further His will in a real world where Satan exists. It is Satan and his followers that must be overcome before human existence becomes the holy perspective that God demands. Finally, in the last chapter there is a view of eternity, from the "Particular Judgment" to the end times. This is when human existence reaches the pinnacle of possibility which the faithful refer to as heaven.

Chapter 6

The Bible

A gracious God, with man’s help, wrote a classic text with an overwhelming story line. The Bible is often taught as a narrative, that is, an epic story with subplots where evidence plays its role on a much wider scale than the nonbeliever accepts.

Yes, in the Bible there are persons, places and events forming a solid core of physicality. There are concepts and thoughts dealing with reality as well as an overriding sense that there’s more to life than what our worldly experiences teach us.

People have tried to deny its content, dilute its power and falsify the truths contained therein. The Bible lives on for it was written by God, evidence to the existence of a real world with eternal significance. One cannot define its essence for there are an infinite number of permutations and combinations that form the basis for “IPMS->W.” It truly represents “wholeness,” the expanses of which only God knows totally. Yet God has willed to share the essence of His being with mankind, through the power of the written word.

The Bible is the inspired written word of God representing immutable truth and contemporary idealism where the old and the new blend literally and symbolically to deal with paradoxical reality. Scripture reveals that God the Father is deeply concerned about the well-being of His children. With Jesus as our inspirational objective model, the Holy Spirit enlightens and empowers us to act according to God’s will. Human existence unfolds in God’s glory with freedom of choice and His love that leads us to life everlasting where humans’ ultimate potential is fulfilled.

Some thoughts concerning the Bible to be expanded upon: (…>)

• The Bible is a covenant between God and man based on revelation.
• It is a book of community.
• It is relevant to contemporary times.
• It has an “Arc of Existence.”
• It is error free with immutable truths.
• It is a creative masterpiece that fosters imagination.
• The Bible is the basis for the “fullness” of evidence that increases certainty and decreases doubt pertaining to eternal life.
• The Church provides Interpretation/Translation for all essential meanings involving the Bible.

The Bible is a living, breathing, dynamic form of written communication where the number of permutations and combinations are indefinite in number. The scope and dimension of scripture is enormous, yet the words of the Bible, although inspired by God, do not reveal the fullness of the divine message.

Biblical Perspective

Arc of the Bible

Old Testament		New Testament
Father	Son	Holy Spirit
Creator	Objective	Filial
Power/Might	Model	Bond

Jesus

Mary

Using a time line, there is a sense of the distinction between the persons of the blessed Trinity, although separation is not possible, for God is a unified whole. The Old Testament features the Father as Creator, the one of power and might, who disciplines the Chosen people prior to the coming of the redeemer of all mankind, Jesus Christ.

Jesus, the new Adam, both human and divine, is born unto a virgin, Mary Eve. Together they share co redemptive status as directed by the Father. Together they give our faith an objectivity; a real life presence that no other faith on earth can boast of.

The real life existence of Jesus and Mary provide objective models for reality-based living. Of course, Mary is never to be worshipped, but venerated as the sinless Mother of God. Mary, and only Mary, could ever be included as co-redeemer for she was conceived without sin. Others may participate in the redemptive powers of Christ, but all have sinned and, therefore are, unworthy of such an honor.

The Bible attests to the Father giving authority to the Son who announces the coming of the Holy Spirit after His departure. The Holy Spirit guides the Church who has revealed Mary as the co-redeemer of all mankind.

What should be apparent when dealing with scripture is that there is so much common knowledge and conceptual literacy that thoughts flow in all directions. But through God’s eternal wisdom He has granted the Church the power to be the official interpreter and translator of scriptural passages, so as to eliminate essential error. This allows man to have confidence in God’s providential plan.

The Bible is the permutation and combination of many possibilities where the total understanding of its essential power is not within the capability of any one person. This is hard for some people to fathom. People need help in interpreting scripture! The Catholic Church provides this guidance for its membership.

GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS AND THE BIBLE

What should one look for when reading the Bible? The information that follows will focus on some of the considerations that w...

Table of contents

• The Garden
• Human Condition
• Reason/Faith/Revelation
• Culture And Society
• God
• The Bible
• Jesus Profile
• Roman Catholic Church
• Eternity