The Skeletal System, Part Two

By Dr. Lee Warren, B.A., D.D.

Introduction

The first article on the skeletal system examined its functions and discussed its spiritual reality on psychological and spiritual levels. Part Two of the skeletal system will deal with the anatomy or the structure of bones. This article will include:

" a brief overview of the formation of the skeleton,

" factors affecting the bones development,

" the composition of bones,

" and finally the number of bones in the human body and their spiritual significance.

Dr. Karl L. Insogna, M.D., director of the Bone Center at Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut said: "We tend to think of the skeleton as an inert erector set that hold us up and doesnt do much else. Thats not true. Every bit as dynamic as other tissues, bone responds to the pull of muscles and gravity, repairs itself, and constantly renews itself." ("Boning Up on Osteoporosis," by Carolyn J. Strange, http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/796_bone.html)

How does the skeleton develop?

Now the skeletal system forms from one of three layers of the fertilized female egg (i.e., the ovum). The layers are called the ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm (see illustration below). All organs and tissues of the physical body develop from one of these layers of ovum. A brief definition of the layers, along with each part of the body formed from them, follows (Source: Tabers Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary (© 1989 by F. A. Davis).

· The ectoderm cells form the outer layer of cells of an embryo, from which develops the nervous system, skin, hair, teeth, mouth, organs of the special senses, pineal and part of the pituitary gland.

· The mesoderm forms the middle layer of cells of an embryo, from which the skeletal, muscular, circulatory, lymphatic, connective, urigential systems, and the linings of the body cavities develop.

· The endoderm forms the inner layer of cells of the embryo, from which is formed the lining of the digestive tract, the respiratory, bladder, vagina and certain other glands.

Do all things originate from a three-fold substance?

Simply put, these three layers, composed of basically the same type of cells, transform into distinct parts of the body. It is a mystery to science exactly how the bodys various cell layers change into organs. Yet this wonder furnishes concrete proof of how Yahweh Pure Spirit, the 3-fold (Father, Word and the Holy Spirit) substance, is able to transform into various parts of the physical universe.

In the physical realm, all things are made from the same atomic substance although they appear in different shapes and forms. All matter is composed of different combinations of three-fold atoms. The number of electrons, neutrons, and protons are different or changed in each distinct chemical element such as hydrogen gas, gold, and lead.

It should be noted that the souls formation is also three fold. It develops first on a physical level where it uses the senses of the physical body. Then the mental, emotional, and finally the spiritual levels emerge. Let us proceed with the examination of the structure and material of the skeletal system.

What are the classifications and structure of the skeleton?

Bones are classified according to their shapes. The long bones of the thighs are the most common depiction of bones (see illustration on p. 20), but they come in all shapes and sizes, such as those located in the ribs and skull. There are basically four types of bones: long bones, flat bones, short bones, and irregular bones.

All bones of the body fall into one of these classifications. Long bones are found in the limbs--arms, and legs. Short bones are in the wrists, hands, and ankles. Flat bones are found in the cranial cavity and ribs. Irregular bones makeup the vertebrae, pelvus, and skull. In comparison, bars, pillars, and boards composed the tabernacles structure (Ex. 26:26-29, 35:11, 36:31-34).

Now most long bones are structurally three-fold (see illustration on p. 20). They consist of a shaft and two ends, which have medical names that we will forgo to keep our explanations simple. These bones have a hollow section in the middle, called the medullary cavity or the yellow bone marrow cavity, which is used for the storage of fat. Flat bones do not have this cavity.

The two ends of the long bones are composed of spongy bones. They contain red bone marrow which produces vast amounts of red blood cells that carry oxygen throughout the body. The red blood cells supply blood to the bones and nerves run throughout the bones structure.

The outer surface of bones, called compact tissue, is less porous than the inner part of the bones, which is called cancellous tissue. These compact bones have many small canals surrounding the central canal that contains the marrow (See diagram below). In these small canals are blood vessels and lymphatic glands for the bones maintenance and repair. A tough, membranous tissue called periosteum covers bones.

For those who do not believe that the Messiah died on the cross, they only have to examine the bones to see this manifest. The very structure of the skeleton system of the physical body forms a cross, especially the skull, the ribs, and the vertebrate column (see illustration, p. 30). In the next section, we will see that several verses in the Old Testament explain the spiritual reality of the basic structure of the bones.

Did the Old Testament speak of the bones structure?

The Old Testament provides many analogies of bones that describe their hollow section and the fat therein to convey spiritual principles.

Bones symbolically represent human souls and the fat stored within the bones symbolically represent spiritual principles (positive or negative) obtained in this life, such as patience (impatient), love (hate), faith (doubt), etc. Simply put, the souls fat consists of the fruits of the Holy Spirit or the works of the flesh, just as the minds fat consists of experiences and ideas, for better or worse. Here are examples in the Bible using bones as analogies.

· Ezekiel saw in his vision a "valley of dry bones" (Ezk. 37:1-14) which represented Israel. Physically, "dry bones" symbolize bones that lack fat or red bone marrow resulting in the death of the physical body. Spiritually, "dry bones" represent a soul without the fruits of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22; 2 Pet. 1:8). Israel was in this dry state of spiritual death and only could be resurrected by the words of truth (Jn. 6:63).

· Job said his bones were full of sin (Job 20:11). Understanding that bones represent the souls of humans, one can correctly interpret that Job meant his soul was full of sin. Paul said to be carnal minded is death or sin (Rm. 8:6).

· King Solomon wrote: "a good report maketh the bones fat (Pro. 15:30). It is quite obvious that he is not referring to physical bones being made fat. He uses the bones fat to refer to souls who have performed good works by faith. Paul wrote his definition of faith. "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report (Heb. 11:1-2)."

· Yahweh revealed to Israel that the soul has life within it, as the bones are living organisms. He wrote: "And Yahweh (the LORD) shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not (Isa. 58:11)."

All of these analogies use the structure of the bones to convey spiritual principles about the soul even though the people of this era had no medical knowledge at this time.

What is the Composition of bones?

Bones are composed of 50% water and 50% solid matter, and every aspect of the bone is three-fold. Bones are composed of

(1) organic material (mainly protein),

(2) water, and

(3) minerals.

The solid matter of bone is composed of a framework of organic fabric and inorganic salts, hardened with calcium, magnesium, and phosphate and smaller quantities of potassium, sodium, chlorine, fluorine, and iron. The inorganic salts set on these fibers form the bones hardened appearance.

The U.S. Food and Drug Adminstration states that nearly 99 percent of the two to four pounds of calcium in the body is in the teeth and skeleton ("Boning Up on Osteoporosis," by Carolyn J. Strange, http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/796_bone.html). The remaining calcium is critical in blood clotting, nerve transmission, and muscle contractions (including heartbeat).

There are also three types of bone cells that play a part in the formation of bone. They will be discussed in more detail in the section on the hormones involved in bone development. Chemical messages released by various glands of the body regulate these cells. Now we will briefly name them and state their function. They are:

(1) osteoblasts, the bone forming cells (see above illustration),

(2) osteoclasts, cells that have an eroding action on the bone,

(3) osteocytes, a mature bone cell, which are osteoblasts which have lost their bone forming function for the time being in the fully developed bone. They can become bone forming cell again if the body needs them.

The spiritual realities of these bones cells will be explained latter in this article. Seeing that the composition of the physical skeleton system is protein, water, and minerals, one may ask what is the composition of the mental framework or skeleton since it cannot be composed of these physical things.

What composes the skeleton of the mind?

On a psychological level, the mind is potentially that which feels, emotionalizes, thinks, perceives, wills, and reasons. The cultural framework develops these attributes of the mind. They do not develop in a vacuum. The skeletal composition of the mind consists of cultural life experiences, both physically and mentally, programmed by the parents, education and society.

To understand how the various attributes of the mind develop in a cultural context, one can use the physical senses as a natural type. The sense of taste for all humans is biologically the same, but exercising taste preferences occur in some cultural context. For example, Italians usually have a taste for all types of pastas, Japanese customarily prefer sushi and rice, and Americans oftentimes crave steaks. What this shows is that not only taste, but all the rest of our physical senses are developed or programed in terms of some cultural context. Likewise, with the attributes of the mind, thinking and feeling operate within some framework as the physical body operates within the framework of the skeleton system.

How does our world view develop?

Swiss psychologist Jean Piaget (1896-1980), one of the founders of child development, who coined the word "structure of knowledge" confirmed that people form patterns of response from information observed since infancy. He defined the "structure of knowledge" as the way the brain organizes incoming sensory information and the childs learned response to it.

What this means is that a childs mental framework is formed to cope with its world. Dr. Pearce in his book Evolutions End (© 1992 Harper Collins) defined structures of knowledge as follows. "The first four years of life center around building "structures of knowledge" of the physical world, our relationship to that world, and names for that worlds contents and events. The child is driven to taste, smell, feel, listen to, and look at an event to "fillin" stimulus (p. 131)."

For example, the child begins to understand the principles that govern the physical world by experiencing that stove means hot, sky is up, ground is down, ball is round, and cat is fuzzy. All of these interactions serve as the minds framework or skeletal system for dealing with the world and they are the foundation for creativity and abstract ideas of the mind.

Is the mental skeleton sufficient to understand Spirit?

The mental cultural framework and imagination of humans is far too limited to understand the operation of Spirit within. Yahweh spoke through Isaiah and said: "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith Yahweh (Isa. 55:8)." Unless the Spirit reveals itself to mankind there is no way of understanding spirit. "But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But Elohim (God)hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God (1 Cor. 2:9)."

Now there is a framework for understanding Spirit. Yahweh gave Israel the Law of Moses, the tabernacle, the Levitical priesthood, and prophets for this purpose (Rom. 3:1-2). He gave Israel perfect types and symbols to instruct them in the principles of Spirit, which became their culture. It was their culture that enabled them to grow into a knowledge of Spirit. Basically, the Old Testament is a record of Israels culture and experiences with Yahweh Elohim. The Hebrew prophets were constantly interacting with Spirit and being empowered by it.

The Messiah emphasized and demonstrated the necessity of direct experiences with Spirit to His disciples and Israel by the miracles He performed. He stressed the principle of faith in Elohim as the framework necessary for understanding these miracles and the basis for the effectual operation of Spirit within humankind. This is what has been historical documented in the Bible. Thus, we have to have some framework in our scientific cultures today to understand Spirit because science does not recognize this unseen order. However, in many ways science verifies the existence and operation of Spirit (See "Has Science Discovered God in Non-locality," p. 16 in the September/October 1996 issue).

Does the mind become rigid with age?

The human mind in its infancy is pliable and impressionable. The experiences and impressions of infancy become the childs foundation framework throughout life. Dr. Pearce writes: "&the emerging mind will have mirrored whatever model it had during that formative period. The pattern formed in this plastic stage becomes firm. It hardens into the functional system of representation-response we called the world view (p. 56)." Clearly, it is the minds world view, due to its programming, that is the framework for thinking, feeling, perceiving, etc.

For example, something as common place as responding to weather conditions are programmed in us from infancy. People born and raised in cold regions are not daunted or dismayed by freezing temperatures. They have been programmed by many harsh winters and their parents to simply dress warmly and continue living. On the other hand, people born in warm climates have not been conditioned to respond to cold and will often want to stop their daily activities until the weather becomes warmer. Both responses form because of patterns developed from youth.

What is the spiritual reality of the strength in bones?

Authors Alexander P. Spence, Ph.D. and Elliott B. Mason, Ph.D. in their book Human Anatomy and Physiology (© 1987 The Benjamin/Cummings Pub. Co. Inc.) state the following about the strength of the bones and their construction. "This combination of fibers and salts makes bone exceptionally strong without being brittle. This same principle is used in reinforced concrete, where steel rods provide tensile strength, and cement sand and gravel give compressional strength (p. 134)."

The bones strength, which the physical (temple) rests upon, is the visible manifestation of might. Strength in the bones is symbolically represented by power within the soul who has embraced the principles of faith, hope, and obedience in the Holy Spirit. The souls strength is not a combination of salts and fibers, but develops through experiences that produce fruits of the Spirit, such as endurance, self-control, and patience. In times of adversity and distress, a soul can draw on these positive principles and overcome whatever trial arises.

Solomon wrote: "A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength (Pro. 24:5)." There is an invisible strength that is not physical and is eternal.

Isaiah said that mankinds strength is increased when he is focused on Yahweh. "Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting Elohim (God, the LORD), the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon Yahweh (the LORD) shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint (Isa 40:28-31)."

What factors affect bone development?

Now bones are living tissues, as stated in Part One, and there are a number of factors that influence the development of bones. They are:

a) nutrition or the food one eats,

b) hormones or chemical messages that tell the bone cells what to do, and

c) stress or the pressure put on the bones.

All of these factors influence the glands secretions for the growth of the bone cells.

Is nutrition necessary for the bones growth?

Nutrition furnishes the body with the raw materials that it needs to maintain itself. So, one must have a balanced diet for the body to sustain itself. Foods naturally rich in calcium and good for bone production are milk, dairy products, broccoli, and dark-green leafy vegetables like kale. Foods fortified with calcium are orange juice, bread, and cereal products.

Now besides a daily calcium intake, the body must have vitamin D, which is necessary for the proper absorption of calcium into the bloodstream from the intestinal tract. A lack of vitamin D can cause rickets. Most people who go outside get enough vitamin D because the skin produces it in sunlight. However, the elderly who are confined indoors may be deficient. There are more than 20 chemical elements that make up the physical body, such as oxygen, aluminum, carbon, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, sodium, chlorine, magnesium, iron, copper, and zinc to list a few.

The spiritual principle involved in nutrition for the bones growth has great spiritual significance since bones represents the soul. It reveals symbolically how the soul is being formed from the words it believes, as bones are formed by the foods we eat (Job 34:3). It was the Master that had foodthe words of truthfor the developing soul. He told Israel that He was the bread of life, and they had to eat his flesh and drink his blood in order to have eternal life (Jn. 6:35; 55-63).

Now many took the Messiahs words literally and believed they had to eat the actual blood and flesh of the Messiah. Even today Roman Catholics believe they are eating Christ in their Holy Eucharist. In reality, He said: "It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life Jn. 6:63." Clearly, all the necessary minerals such as calcium, vitamin D, etc., that go into making up bones are symbolically reflective of the words of the Holy Spirit.

What hormones are involved in bone development?

There are primarily two hormones involved in the development of the skeletal system: the parathormone secreted from the parathyroid gland and the calcitonin hormone secreted from the thyroid gland (See diagram on p. 21). These two hormones, along with the growth hormone from the pituitary glandthe so-called master glandand the sex hormone estrogen, cause bones to grow. The effects of the parathormone and calcitonin hormones are opposite each other, but both are needed for bone growth. They have great spiritual significance.

These two hormones whose effects are opposite reflect something about the purpose of Yahweh. They symbolize two mysteries in operation called Light and Darkness. Eastern religions refer to them as Ying and Yang. In the Hebrew and Christian theology, these opposites are referred to as the Mystery of RighteousnessYahshua the Messiah (Jesus Christ), and the Mystery of IniquitySatan and his Angels. Now as odd as it may sound, both of these mysteries are needed to understand the purpose of Yahweh and they are both needed for the soul to develop (See "Does the Devil Exist, Part One" in the November/December 1993 issue of the "PLIM REPORT".).

How do two opposite hormones remodel bone?

Bone is one of the few human tissues capable of self-regeneration. After an injury, bone cells can form original tissue, initiate repair, and "are able to remodel a precise replica of the pre-existing structure (Basic Science: How Bones Heal, http://www.ortho.net/fracture.htm."

The hormone called calcitonin represents symbolically the Holy Spirit or the Mystery of Righteousness for it stimulates new bone growth. It decreases the calcium level in the blood and decreases the level of resorptive activity of the large bone cells called the osteoclasts that break down bones. These osteoclasts cells are important in the remodeling of the bone structure when the body is growing.

The hormone secreted by the parathyroid, called parathoromone, symbolically represent the Mystery of Iniquity. This does not mean its activity is evil, but it has the opposite action of the hormone calcitonin. Parathyroid increases the calcium level in the blood and the number of osteoclasts. As stated earlier, osteoclast cells erode bone that have already hardened or calcified and reabsorb injuried bones so that remodeling can occur as the growing body changes dimensions. Without the parathromone, the skeleton would be unable to change as our bodies grow. If a bone has been broken, osteoclasts (bone eroding cells) clean up the area giving the osteoblasts (bone building cells) a path to fill in with new cells.

What is the psychological reality of the two hormones that form the skeletal system?

On a psychological level, everyone knows that various attributes cannot develop in a vacuum. They are developed with experiences.

For example, we may have an experience that generates bitterness or hatred toward an individual. These negative feelings could be based on an antiquated idea or they could be an accurate assessment of the situation.

Both the idea and the bitterness toward the individual go to make up the skeletal system or framework (i.e., our belief system about the individual) within our mind. For true psychological growth and maturity to take place, the current psychological skeletal system must remodel itself.

The hormone parathormone performs the remodling function in the physical skeletonit erodes and tears down bones for remodeling. Thus, our view about the individual and the ideas we harbor must change or be remodeled.

When this is done, new growth happens within the skeletal (or belief) system of the mind, as the calcitonin brings about new growth within the skeletal system. The bitterness must be transformed into forgiveness or love.

Now the principles that bring about these changes are honesty, truthfulness, hope, faith, and prayer. It is these principles that remodel the old minds (old mans) skeletal system whereby it can grow (Eph. 4:22-23). These principles are the Messiah or the Fruits of the Spirit. He told His disciples: "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me (Jn. 15:4)."

Are remodeling bones and revising ideas similar processes?

Dr. M. Scott Peck in his book The Road Less Traveled calls the skeletal system of our minds (or our belief system) our "map of reality." The revision of our intellectual map compares with the remodeling and growth of our skeletal structure due to the parathormone and calcitonin hormones above (see illustration on p. 21). Dr. Peck states: "The more effort we make to appreciate and perceive reality, the larger and more accurate our maps will be (A Touchstone book, published by Simon Schuster, 1978, p. 45)."

Dr. Peck notices that revising maps takes effort that many do not want to put forth. Revising our reality map compares to generating new bone in the skeleton system. Some stop revising their maps at adolescence. "Their maps are small and sketchy, their view of the world narrow and misleading (p. 45)." By middle age, many people have given up the effort entirely. "They feel certain that their maps are complete and their view of reality is correct...and they are no longer interested in new information (p. 45)." When a person ceases to recognize reality, it would be like his skeletal system stops growing.

The growth of the skeletal system compares with integrating new information and reconciling painful situations in our minds.

Dr. Peck states that clinging to outdated maps of reality cause the majority of mental illness in the world. "Rather than try to change the map, an individual may try to destroy the new reality. Sadly, such a person may expend much more energy ultimately in defending an outmoded view of the world than would have been required to revise and correct it in the first place (p. 46)."

In principle, new information and reconciliation would be likened unto the calcitonin hormone that stimulates new bone growth; clinging to outdated realities would be like parathormone that break down bone and increase calcium levels in the blood.

How does stress affect bones?

In the skeletal system, bones are strengthened in proportion to the stress put on the bones. If the body is placed under heavier loads, the bone cells increase their activity, so more mass can be formed. If bone is not subjected to stress, bone mass shrinks in size.

There are two stresses on the skeletal system: gravitational forces and functional forces. Gravity forces pull the body down. The skeletal system must be strong enough to resist the pressure and maintain the body upright. Functional forces are the normal bodily stresses we experience while walking up stairs, running, or lifting heavy objects. Again the skeletal system must provide a structure able to endure the daily burden of these activities. There is no clear consensus in which of these two forces are the more important.

There are some good examples that show bones must always be under stress and have great spiritual significance. In space travel where there is no gravity, weightlessness over extended periods of time causes bone mass loss or smaller bones. When the body is immobilized due to broken bones or paralysis, the bones will not grow. Without constant use, they will degenerate or atrophy. A person involved in weight lifting can increase bone mass due to the increase in hindrical stress.

Paul writes to the Roman assembly that tribulations and adversities or stress in life are important, for it builds character. "& we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope:(Rom. 5:3)" Job wrote: "But I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the moving of my lips should asswage your grief (Job 16:5)." No one can develop on a spiritual level without some form of adversities in life because the resurrection of the soul presupposes it needs deliverance from some trial.

How many bones are in the body?

Truthfully, no one knows exactly how many bones humans have at birth. An average human adult has approximately 206 bones in the body that are divided into two groups: axial skeleton (head, chest, and vertabrae) and the appendicular skeleton (arms, hips, and legs). The two parts of the skeletal systems are defined follow.

There are a total of 80 bones in the axial skeleton consisting of the following regions of the body: the skull, the vertebral (spinal) column, and the thorax (chest region). These are the three main regions of the body.

Skull 29 bones

Vertebral column 26 bones

Thorax (ribs

and sternum) 25 bones

There are a total of 126 bones in the appendicular system composed of the bones in the arms and legs.

Pectoral girdle 4 bones

Upper limbs 60 bones

Lower limbs 60 bones

Pelvic Girdle 2 bones

Let us briefly look at some of the innumerable correlations surrounding the number of bones and their metaphysical or spiritual explanations.

Does the number 33 appear in the bones?

A newborn baby has 33 vertebrae making up the backbone, but by the time the person is an adult, the backbone consists of 26 bones. The last nine bones at the bottom of the backbone have fused into two bones.

Now the 33 bones of the spinal column correlate with the 33 years of the Messiahs life in the earth plane He holds our soul upright in the Spirit as the spinal column does for the physical body. The fusing of the nine bones of the spinal column correlate with the nine divine attributes of the soul: Intelligence, Wisdom, Knowledge, Love, Beauty, Justice, Foundation, Power, and Strength.

There are some 60 bones that humans lose as they reach adulthood because many of these bones fuse and form new structure as seen in the vertebrate. This lose with age of about 60 bones symbolizes the casting off of the fleshly old man or the carnal mind as we mature spiritually or become spiritually minded (Eph. 4:22). Now the number "60" dropping the zero is "6" which denotes the flesh in Jewish theology and the mark of the beast (See "Mark of the Beast, Parts One and Two" in the January/February 1996 and March/April 1996 issues of the "PLIM REPORT" ). On a psychology level, it is known that our infantile ways and childhood thoughts must give away to more mature adult ideas.

Are the numbers of disciples manifest in the bones?

The total number of bones in the upper and lower limbs is 120. This is the same number of disciples that were gathered in the upper room on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 1:15). These disciples carried the true Gospel throughout the world.

Humans have 24 ribs that correspond to the 12 heads of Israel under the Law of Moses and 12 Apostles of the Messiah which give a total of 24. King David expanded the Levite priesthood to 24 courses (1 Chr. 23rd chp.). The Apostle John in Revelation wrote that there were 24 elders gathered around the throne of Elohim (Rev. 4:4; 10). For more details about the skeleton system see Elohim The Archetypal (Original) Pattern of the Universe (Vol. 3; p. 53-57).

Conclusion

We hope this series on the skeletal system has broadened your understanding of the principle of a framework. The physical skeleton system proves that humans need some type of skeletal framework to operate mentally or psychological, and to weigh and judge matters spiritually.

On a psychological level, it is clear that one must have a skeleton or framework to view the world and interact with other humans. Our culture, along with our life experiences, serves as this framework. Dr. Howard Gardner, Professor of Education at Harvard University, one of the foremost authorities in intelligence, stated that culture was essential in human development. "One must conceive of the individual and his culture as embodying a certain stage sequence, with much of the information essential for development inherent in the culture itself rather than simply inside the individuals skull (p. 27)." In short, no human can develop normally alone.

Professor Gardner quotes a study done by David Feldman who stated that the most important factor in the development of a genius or prodigy is a culture, which will enable this talent to flower. This explains the difficulty of a inner city genius developing to his full potential.

Harlod Skeels, of the University of Iowa was almost driven out of the American Psychological Association in 1938 because his studies suggestive that I.Q. (the intelligent quotient of a person) was cultural biases. He states IQ "& was directly related to environmental conditions, particularly the nurturing of home and family," according to the book Magical Child (p. 4). Simply put, as the physical skeleton system can be nurtured or injured, stimulated or starved, likewise the same things can occur on a psychological level to the mental skeleton system.

On a spiritual level, one has to have some kind of framework that enables one to understand what Spirit is and its operation just as this article has shown that one has to have a physical and mental skeleton system. This was the purpose for the Law of Moses to Israelto be their spiritual framework. Israels failure to understand Spirit was that they took the principles laid down in the law literally. The Master demonstrated that nothing is impossible for the Holy Spirit. This was the dominant principle laid down within the Law. He showed it was the principle of faith that makes this power effectual within us. Clearly, it is the principles of hope, faith, love, etc., along with our personal spiritual experiences that should serve as our framework.