Teacher’s Guide for The Third Coming ($20)
The Third Coming started with a premise. If something is truly spiritual, it must be a part of every spiritual way of life. It cannot be the sole claim of a single religion. In fact, spiritual truths transcend religions. This must be true for the second coming. And so the investigation began, and the author found that the second coming is part of many spiritual disciplines and religions. The author’s explorations led him to the common ground that Buddha, Moses, Mohammed, and Jesus trod. Standing on this sacred ground has changed his life. From this vista, he has seen the pathway leading to individual and global spiritual awakening. The Third Coming chronicles the journey to the common ground.
EXCERPT
Introduction
I wonder if there is common ground between the many God-ordained religions of the world: Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, Zoroastrianism, etc. The founders of these religions were spiritual giants who not only walked on earth and occasionally on water, they walked with God. They experienced the Creator and tirelessly gave themselves to a divine plan. I wonder if they had a common purpose? If the followers of every religion were transported back in time to the moment of their religion’s conception, would the people discover that they are joined with every other religion in a unity of purpose?
Each founder spoke and acted from his culture. Those who followed tried to capture the heart of the beginning and the soul of the founder, so they could carry the message into the future. Institutions and structures grew. What was once simple became complex. What was once one person caring for another or a man in search of his God became a creed to be spoken and rules to be followed. Sacred sites where God spoke or where a divine power was unleashed became tourist attractions.
I believe the same divine plan was given to each founder of the mighty religions of the world. I am no expert in comparative religions, but I do believe in common sense. If there is only one God, it is logical to assume that there is only one divine plan. What if we could discover it and dedicate ourselves to its expression? What would the world become? These questions are answered in the chapters that follow.
The Third Coming is a different kind of book. I trust that more books like this one will be written, for it explores the common ground that all religions trod. As you read the book, you will find ideas that are in opposition to what you have heard, been taught, or always believed. In some instances, beliefs that have stood unchallenged for centuries will be put to the test. Nothing is taken for granted. The religions that have evolved on our planet have spawned many believers, but also many atheists. These individuals once were open, eager explorers. Then they discerned “the way it is,” and they concluded if this is the way God is, what God does, and what I am to do, I want nothing to do with it. And so they turned from God. The tragedy is not that a person turns from a religion or even that he turns from God. The tragedy is that he is no longer an explorer of spiritual things.
This is true of the atheist, but is also true of the believer. Once a believer knows the truth, he is no longer an explorer. He becomes a defender of the faith. He finds safety in those who believe as he believes and in creeds and dogma that reinforce the truth that he now knows. Not all defenders of the faith are without merit. They ground those who venture into uncharted territory. They are stable and trustworthy. They provide a place to test new ideas. However, now it the time for exploration. With telescopes we have turned our attention to our origin as if it began with the birth of the primordial atom or a big bang. Let us mount our own expedition into the kingdom of God in search not for an atom or a sound but of light and the common purpose given to all those who have walked with God.
Teacher’s Guide for The Third Coming ($20)