THE MAGIC OF FAITH
(c) 1992 PLIM REPORT
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This column will appear regularly in each edition of the bi-monthly, "PLIM REPORT." It will examine some aspect of the invisible, abstract, spiritual principle of Faith and its effect on the mind or soul and the physical body or temple (I Cor. 6:19-20). This article will examine faith scientifically and biblically as a law or principle in the mind and its manifestations that prove its existence in accordance to the three-fold tabernacle pattern. We will stress the manifestations of faith within the mind that have been documented by the medical and scientific community as proof of its existence in this months article. In future articles we will examine the structure and operation of faith in more detail.
Is Faith a Universal Principle or Law?
Referring to faith as a universal principle, means that it is a basic truth or law, like the law of Gravity or also the so-called laws of nature. Before beginning the examination of faith, there are some words that must be defined such as truth, law, and principle, so that one can obtain a perfect understanding of the principle of faith free from superstitions, myths, customs, and traditions.
"Law" is: "A formulation or generalization based on observed phenomena." "Truth" is: "1. Conformity to knowledge, fact, or actuality; veracity...3. Reality; actuality. 4. A statement proven to be or accepted as true." "Principle" is defined as: "1. A basic truth, law, or assumption ....4. A rule or law concerning the functioning of natural phenomena or mechanical processes. 5. A basic source (Webster's New World Dictionary)." From these definitions one can see that faith is a law or principle and truth. Its effects and results are based upon observed manifestations and phenomena that conform to actuality both spiritual and physical.
By examining the laws of nature, observed phenomena, in this physical realm, we can understand the general properties or characteristics of any law. For example, the law of Gravity, or any law of nature in the earth plane, is invisible, unchangeable, routine, perpetual, unerring in its operations and functions as scientists have verified repeatedly through experiments. Now these same properties or characteristics must hold for any universal law whether physical, mental or spiritual. And in comparative analysis, it must follow that the law of faith which is spiritual also must be invisible, unchangeable, routine, perpetual, unerring in its operations within the mind.
Is A Law Invisible? Are Manifestations Observed?
Even though the law of faith is invisible in operation, the results or manifestations of faith are visible. Likewise the law of gravity cannot be physically observed, but its effects or manifestations can be observed and measured. There may be some that doubt the existence of the law or principle of faith because its operation cannot be physically observed and it takes place within mans mind.
In the physical realm there are very few laws of nature that can be observed in their actual operation. For example, no one has actually seen the law that causes the red blood cells to carry atoms of oxygen or that causes the cells to divide and grow in our physical body. Neither has anyone seen the law that governs the energies and forces in an atom? Does this mean that this law doesnt exist? The answer for any scientist or metaphysician is No!
So because the operation of a LAW cannot be observed with our physical eyes, doesnt mean the law is not in existence. It is ludicrous or ridiculous to use physical observations as the sole criteria to judge whether a principle exists. Likewise ignorance of a law or principle doesnt deny its operation and penalty for violating it. In reality, the Law or Principle is never actually observed even in the physical realm, but the manifestations are.
Is There a Method of Investigation for Faith?
It is by the manifestations or the results of the Law or Principle that we come to know of its existence and operation. In this analysis of the principle of faith, we use the so-called laws of nature of this physical realm as analogies to understand the law or principle of faith within mans mind. Now one may ask whether this method of examining physical things and comparing them in analogy to spiritual things is valid?
The Apostle Paul said that the physical things are types and shadows of the spirit. Rom. 1:19-20 states "Because that which may be known of Elohim (God) is manifest in them; for Elohim hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Supernal nature (Godhead); so that they are without excuse:" The Master (the Messiah) further explained to Nicodemus, a teacher of the Jews, that if he didn't accept physical things that can be seen, felt, etc. then how can he understand spiritual things that are invisible. He stated in Jn. 3:12: "If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?"
For example there is a natural death of the physical body that points to the spiritual death of a soul; there is a natural birth of the body that points to a spiritual birth of a soul; there is a natural blindness and deafness that points to spiritual blindness and deafness of the Soul. Finally, there are natural Laws of Nature in the physical realm that point to or reflect Spiritual Laws. Thus to understand the law or principle of faith, we must first examine the natural manifestations or results.
Is Faith a Process of the Mind?
Faith is a mental process of the mind. It is not some physical ritual or biological operation. In reality, faith is the mental acceptance of the truth or actuality of something. Its synonyms are belief, trust, loyalty, etc. Since faith is a mental process, it is not predicated or dependent upon whether the thing or principle believed is true or false. Discernment of the facts is not a prerequisite for having faith or belief in something. What faith implies is absolute certainty, full-trust, and complete confidence in the source whether there be any objective evidence or not to support it.
Was Primitive Man's Faith in Superstitions, Myths, Etc.?
Mankinds history furnishes us with proof that man in his most primitive stages of development had faith in all types of myths, fables, superstitions, and erroneous theories prior to the scientific revolution. Let us look at a few examples of facts man had faith in that were later proven wrong.
1. Man believed the earth was flat until the Italian explorers, merchants of the fifteenth century, Christopher Columbus, and others proved differently.
2. The great Roman Catholic doctrines stated and required all to believe without question that the earth was the center of the solar system and the penalty for believing and teaching anything different was excommunication from the Church. The Italian astronomer and physicist Galilei Galileo (1564-1642) proved that the sun was the center of the solar system according to scientific experiment. The Pope excommunicated him from the Church for this.
3. In the past when a person was ill, bloodletting was a common custom in medicine. Doctors didn't understand there were bacteria, microorganisms, viruses, etc. in the blood, not the blood itself, that should be expelled from the body. Bloodletting killed more patients than the actual diseases. When a person was sick, the doctors of the eighteenth century would open a vein to remove blood.
4. Many believed that if man were meant to fly, he would have been born with wings. The Wright brothers proved this belief wrong.
Thus no book can contain all the erroneous beliefs of mankind. It is appalling and startling to examine the beliefs in which man had faith without a shred of proof, evidence, or investigation. These beliefs brought about retardation in man's intellectual evolution and bonded him to a state of ignorance of the world he resides therein. This is the story of man until he became enlightened with scientific knowledge of the physical realm. So, the cure for the false beliefs that man had faith in are proven scientific knowledge and facts. However, mans knowledge of His Heavenly Father and the spiritual realm is still in the primitive, dark ages. Now we will define "faith" in accordance to the bible.
What is the Biblical Definition of Faith?
The Holy Spirit through the apostle Paul defined "faith" from a biblical stand point. He shows the importance of "faith" in serving our Heavenly Father as not only a mental process that accepts the truth or the actuality of something. But in addition he declares "faith" must be based on proven evidence and attested truth.
He defines "faith" as follows in the eleventh chapter of Hebrews first verse: "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (King James Version)." The Revised Version of the bible restates Heb. 11:1 as follows: "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the proving of things not seen." The Apostle Paul further said that the principle or law of Faith is absolutely necessary to serve Our Heavenly Father: "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to Yahweh (God) must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."
The word "faith" is often associated with a dogma or a religion such as: Christianity, Islam, Buddhist, Hindu, etc., but we see from truly a divine sense that it is a process of the mind or the souls acceptance of the truth based on objective evidence. Faith is not tradition, folklore, superstition, or customs. Thus it is quite clear that every man or woman alive has exercised the invisible principle of faith in something whether it were true and based on evidence or false and based on a notion.
What Are Modern Usages of the Principle of Faith?
Most people have absolutely no knowledge or understanding of the structure and operation of faith although its results are magic. Only a small remnant truly understand the esoteric mystery of faith. To see the importance of the invisible principle of faith in a physical or carnal sense and the effects in our lives, a few examples will illustrate this point.
Sports clearly show the principle of faith and its importance in establishing a winning attitude. Two equally talented professional teams both have faith they will win. The team with the most faith, especially when faced with adversity, always wins. Those that have overcome some deprivation and poverty in life and obtained a successful career testify they have exercised the invisible principle of faith.
In fact a whole group of popular philosophies; often referred to as Positive Mental Attitude (PMA); Think and Grow Rich; and New Age Philosophy, etc., have arisen in the last fifty years to address the issue of overcoming various physical adversities. In future issues of the "PLIM REPORT" we will address the limitations and advantages of these philosophies. These natural examples or manifestations serve to prove the existence of faith and its operation.
What Is The Placebo Effect and the Effects of the Mind on the Body?
Another manifestation of faith is the placebo or sugar pill, the most baffling mystery of faith healing or cures. The Healer Within, by Steve Locke, M.D. and Douglas Colligan, states "...placebo, a Latin word that means literally "I will please." A placebo is a medically inert substance or medical procedure with no known intrinsic therapeutic value that, nevertheless, is effective.
Placebos take many forms: colored pills, sham operations, or injections of harmless salt-water. For all their inert qualities, they have been used successfully to treat diseases from cancer to asthma to warts ..." The field of medicine and pharmacology have documented cures for a small group of patients.
In fact before drug companies can make new drugs, they have to test for the placebo effect. The new drug must cure a higher rate of people than the control group given the placebo to be considered medically sound. The effectiveness of the placebo expels any doubt that the process of faith within the mind is in operation since it has no medicinal value for the physical body. We will digress slightly for a moment, from the explanation of the placebo effect on new drugs, to examine the body's reaction to thoughts in the mind.
What Is Hypochondria?
Modern doctors know an individual's belief, or what he has faith in within his heart and mind, can be reflected and have devastating effects on the body. For example, a person who is very depressed psychologically and thinks he is sick with a particular disease, sooner or later will physically manifest the signs and symptoms of this disease. A doctor may examine the individual, perform medical tests, and find nothing wrong with him from a physical standpoint. Soon, the doctor will realize the problem lies within the mind of the individual and that the patient has a psychological problem. Medical science designates these set of symptoms as Hypochondria.
Hypochondria is defined as "exaggerated chronic concern with illness, infection, or pain, without appropriate justification. Hypochondriacs constantly complain of aches and pains, weakness, and fatigue and seek out doctor after doctor in hope of cure. They respond well to placebo treatment. (The Random House Encyclopedia Electronic Edition)"
In medicine and psychiatry, hypochondria is sometimes referred to as Asthenic Reaction, or neurasthenia, an outdated term meaning "a state of nervous weakness." The syndrome was characterized by complaints of weakness and fatigue, diffuse pain, irritability, and insomnia. The term is at times used interchangeably with hypochondria. (The Random House Encyclopedia Electronic Edition)" Thus we see what is imbued in the mind, by faith, has a very powerful effect on the physical body. In fact, we see whatever one has faith or believes in becomes a LAW within the mind which causes concrete manifestations.
Is The Power Within Man the Holy Spirit?
Dr. Henry C. Kinley, in a lecture "The Power Within You," p. 1 explains how the power in the mind alters bodily functions. He says the power within an individual is the Holy Spirit and if the individual has no faith nor knowledge of its ever presence operating within ones mind, then the individual is a helpless neurotic.
"The power in you that is effective in your life, to me it means that you have the holy spirit in you. Now if you dont have the holy spirit in you as Dr. Merton and Dr. Harris showed you as a physical point of view, by the blood, by your psychic forces, then you dont have any courage or strength to lean upon; you are just going along with the stream, dont know how to conduct yourself under strenuous things that would affect you. You come to the place where you are discouraged, upset and neurotic, etc., you cant maintain your balance, because the thing that is within you, instead of it being the power, the constructive power that would elevate you or cause you to ascend to higher heights to accomplishment and achievement and better understanding, more knowledge, more wisdom, rather than just jumping off some place up in the sky. If its not that way within you, then its got to be the negative force that is operating within you to cause you to be discouraged, despondent, etc. It wont be long until it will react in your physical body, and then you go to the doctor and ask the doctor, whats wrong with me? He says, let me examine you. He feels your pulse, puts a thermometer in your mouth and takes your temperature, and something is acting subnormal in that body. Whats happening? Its because the state in which your mind is, as Dr. Merton brought out. Its causing a reverse reaction in your physical body and bringing about a subnormal physical condition, and we dont recognize that is what it really is.
So then years ago, before Christ, they thought it was a satanic force in a persons body. Today we just call it nerves, neurosis, etc. We live a lifetime without the consciousness of how well we really could be if we knew how to use that which would be beneficial to us; in other words, the more positive force, if we understood how to use it constructively. It is there for each and everyone of us to use if we just but recognize and become conscious of its ever-presence. People just take life so loosely and dont think constructively, never try to find out how to overcome these things. As we go on to perfection, we have got to realize and must learn some way that constructive spirit, which is possible to receive, its got to work within for our immortalization. That would be an easier way of just condensing, by saying this: that if we will accept Christ as a quickening spirit, instead of a physical man, then we can begin to understand that quickening spirit within us is the thing that will transform or change this physical body from a physical body to an immortal body. That is to say, to make us to overcome all ails in every respect which is in harmony with the purpose of God."
Why Do Placebos Work?
Now let us return to the placebo effect that must be considered when testing new drugs. In other words, the minds influence must be factored out, so the chemical effectiveness of the drug can be analyzed objectively. Quoting from the book The Healer Within by Steve Locke, M.D. and Douglas Colligan states the effects of placebo: "... For decades the placebo effect has been in some ways a nuisance in medicine. To prove that their products are not medically inert, pharmaceutical companies routinely test their latest products against placebos: pills or liquids that have the outward appearance of the real thing. In part through the necessity of dealing with the sometimes frustrating interference of the placebo effect, researchers inadvertently learned that the power of a new medicine,... is not always a simple matter of good chemistry,..."
When various drug or pharmacology companies test new drugs for their effectiveness as a cure for a particular disease they have to set up two control groups of people. The first group is told unknowingly the placebo or sugar pill is the cure for the disease. The second group is told the actual drug is the cure. Now the actual drugs cure rate or its effectiveness has to be higher than those cured by the sugar pills or the placebo for it to be considered a legitimate cure by medicine. This scientifically documented experiment proves what the mind believes or has faith in is brought into manifestation.
By what process the mind performs faith defies any scientific explanation. Medical science and all related fields of scientific investigations cannot explain the phenomena of the placebo effect. This leads the investigation to the spiritual realm for an explanation of the placebo using the evidence assembled by science as a basis. There is no better place to begin this investigation than the Bible.
Are There Biblical Examples of the Principle of Faith?
It was stated earlier in this article that faith is a process of the mind. King Solomon substantiates or confirms this in his writings under the auspices of the Holy Spirit; "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:...(Pro. 23:7)." So we see the importance of the individual thinking or believing, (not doubting) in his heart and mind, that the pill (placebo) is a cure for his malady. As he thinketh it is a cure, so he is cured.
Now the great master Yahshua the Messiah further emphasizes the point of whatever the mind has faith or believes in will be brought into manifestation. He said to a man who wanted his son healed, "... If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. (Mk. 9:24)." The man had brought his son to the disciples, but they couldnt heal him for a lack of faith.
He demonstrated the principle of faith and its power to his disciples by cursing a fig tree and causing it to wither. The Apostle Peter "... calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away." He replied to Peter and his disciples and said "... Have faith in Yahweh (God). For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them (Mk. 11:21-24)."
The Master explained and demonstrated to his disciples, as an example to all mankind, that we all must have faith in YAHWEH, WHO IS SPIRIT (Jn. 4:24; 2 Cor 3:16-17). It is Spirit that brings into manifestation what is in the consciousness or mind for better or worse. Thus the placebo effect is in reality an individual exercising faith unwittingly and unconsciously. By the individual exercising faith in the pill as a cure, or forming an image of a cure in his mind, it is spirit that brings this into manifestation. Elohim set up the placebo effect as a type and shadow to show and prove what is conceived and formed in the mind is brought into concrete manifestation (Rom. 1:19-20).
In other words, the mind is analogous to the womb of a woman where conception and the gestation period of a baby occurs. So the mind is the place where ideas are conceived, formed and brought into concrete manifestations, by the spirit, which is the quickener. Likewise, the sperm of the man quickens the woman's egg or ovum and begins the development process of the baby.
What Are Paracelsus' Conclusions on the Principle of Faith?
Now other men through their investigation have reached the same conclusion about faith within the mind as the Great Master. Paracelsus, a Swiss doctor and alchemist (1493-1541), in his investigation of the principle of faith, wrote the following words: "Whether the object of your faith be real or false, you will nevertheless obtain the same effects. Thus, if I believe in Saint Peters statue as I have believed in Saint Peter himself, I shall obtain the same effects that I should have obtained from Saint Peter. But this is superstition. Faith, however, produces miracles; and whether it is true or a false faith, it will always produce the same wonders." (Law of Psychic Phenomena, Thomas Jay Hudson)
From this quote we see that the placebo effect is a miracle from a physical standpoint. It appears that the pill cured the individual, but in reality it was the individuals BELIEF that the pill would heal him that did so. The reader must understand this quote from Paracelsus for it will explain many so-called occult and religious faith healings. It also shows the danger to the individual if he has faith in a false premise or belief, as in the case of an individual with an imaginary disease (Hypochondria), for it will be brought into manifestation.
Can We Examine So-called Faith Healings?
Now the above quotes on the principle of faith by King Solomon, the Messiah, and Paracelsus, and the scientific facts and knowledge obtained from the placebo effect, enables one to understand the so-called religious and occult healings. Now healings obtained from various, religious, shrines, saints, incantations, Holy Eucharists, prayer cloths, holy water, amulets, talismans, rings, relics, or any other hocus-pocus, etc. are just another manifestation of the placebo effect. The underlying principle that brings about healing is not the physical object or geographical location itself, just as the sugar pill has no healing power in the placebo effect.
None of these objects of faith have any physical, medicinal value, yet they bring the same result, in a small number of cases, as the actual medicine for the illness. The cured individual unwittingly and unconsciously exercises the invisible principle of faith. The physical objects of cure form the image or visualization of a cure in the mind of the individual which establishes his faith. Now Claude M. Bristol in his book "The Magic of Believing" confirms this for he states: "Let's us consider charms, talismans, amulets, good-luck pieces, four-leaf clovers, old horseshoes, a rabbit's foot, and countless other trinkets which thousands of people believe in. By themselves, they are inanimate harmless objects without power, but when people breathe life into them by thinking they do have power, even though the power isn't in them per se. The power comes only with the believing--which alone makes them effective." Thus the person believing or having faith in the object as the cure, although becoming cured, is deluding himself because of the belief in the object as the cure, although becoming cured, is deluding himself because of the belief in the object and not the underlying principle of faith. Neither does the delusion help the individual understand the principle of faith. It only reinforces the idea that the object is the force or power of the healing. So, the person worships the object as the cause of the cure.
Likewise, many people believe in their hearts and minds that giving physical tithes to God and the church will increase their physical blessings from God. People who perform the physical act of tithing believe or have faith they will be blessed by the higher power for this. If they are blessed it is not because they gave tithes, but because of the faith they exercised ignorantly. This results in the individual receiving, as a witness of faith, the desires of his heart.
What Is The True Power, Source, and Mystery of Healings?
The power of the Holy Spirit to heal or cause to prosper lies within a person's heart and mind. The Messiah said it was the Father in Him that did the work of healing, etc. (Jn. 14:9-10). From a physical standpoint the body heals itself of any wounds from the inside out and this is not under the individuals control. Not to acknowledge one's Heavenly Father in oneself is a serious and grievous error. The Messiah said "Have Faith in Yahweh" and not in some physical object of faith.
As long as the individual believes that it is the physical object of faith that has the power to cure, the Holy Spirit will severely stunt the spiritual growth of the soul. This is an example of faith being used in ignorance without knowledge of its operation. Nevertheless, as Paracelsus stated, it works. It is quite clear to those that have eyes to see that an individual believing in an object of cure cannot be worshipping our Heavenly Father in Spirit and Truth. In fact this is a form of idolatry. The Messiah told the gentile woman at Jacob's well: " But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. Elohim (God) is Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth." (John 4:23-24)
What Is The Principle of Faith by the Divine 3-fold Tabernacle Pattern?
It has been shown and proven in this article that faith is an invisible, spiritual principle, but it also operates in accordance to the three-fold tabernacle pattern. (See illustration on the next page and "The Philosophical Measuring Rod", p. 16 article for a more detailed explanation of the tabernacle pattern.) Faith in the abstract state and condition or the Most Holy Place, by the three-fold tabernacle pattern, is compared to Yahweh in his Pure Spirit State, who is inscrutable and incomprehensible to man in this state. In other words, man is totally ignorant of the existence and operation of the principle of faith. This is proven by man looking to physical objects and geographical places to heal him and not understanding that faith is an operation of his mind.
Faith in the second state and condition is the intermediate state or the Holy Place by the tabernacle pattern. This is compared with Yahweh Pure Spirit, in part, moving into shape and form, as the Word or Son (Jn. 1:1-4) that can be seen in visions and revelations by his creatures. Likewise faith in this intermediate state and condition has to take on shape and form, meaning the visualized mental image forms in the confines of a mans mind. This process can operate according to a true knowledge and understanding of the principle of faith or a total ignorance of it; thinking and believing that physical objects or geographical locations heal. Nevertheless, in ignorance the mental image is still being formed in the mind by faith. Now since faith has taken on shape and form in the mind, it must be concretely manifested.
Faith in the concrete state and condition is compared to the Word or Son made flesh (Jn. 1:1, 14, referred to by the world as Jesus Christ, whose true name is Yahshua the Messiah) or the Court Round About by the tabernacle pattern. This is where the mental image, formed by faith within the mind, is physically manifest by the spirit and observed. For example, if a basketball player is trying to make a free throw, he must see the ball go through the hoop in his mind BEFORE the action is manifest. Thus we see the three-fold process of the principle.
Thus in concluding, we see the mercy of the Father Yahweh through His Son Yahshua the Messiah to show us the immutability of the law or principle of Faith. The principle of faith works whether one is ignorant or knowledgeable of it or whether the object of faith merits belief. Faith brings about the manifestations by the Holy Spirit, in either case, to be a witness for or against the individual.
The individual should be forewarned that one should inspect, investigate, and pay very close attention to the things one believes and puts in his mind. For what is sown into the mind by faith is reaped in a physical manifestation later. Remember, we are all more consciously aware of the food we put in our mouths than what we put in our mind. We are what we eat both physically and spiritually. Our closing words to the reader come from a quote from Dr. Henry C. Kinley "That Power Within You, whether you are conscious of it or not, it is God that works within you, both to will and to do. That power within you will elevate you on up to the third heaven, or if you allow it to, it will take you down to degradation. ("The Power Within You")"
Shalom (Peace) in Yahshua
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