WHAT’S UP?

Part 2

AL answers 32 topical questions about

Christ in Creation

A. Marcus J. Robbins
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This is AL:

AL has been my penfriend

for many years now
and illustrates each answer.
2
 PREFACE
This document has its origins back in the 1990’s
when I was living and working Barbados with my family
as a forestry development adviser.

Besides trees, I was giving thought to life in general

and to observations I’d made about how we live:
We all differ in our approaches to life (who’s right?)
We separate spiritual and secular sides of life (why?).
There are many forms of religious belief (what’s true?).
My religion – Christianity – is disunited (what’s up?).
As a result of this, there is disharmony and strife,
each of us thinking we are right and fighting for it,
ending up with a general lack of wellbeing
in body, mind and spirit.

All this galvanised me into looking at the many ideas

about how we live and move and have our being
to see how I and others could:
embrace, integrate, celebrate, clarify, learn,
share, explain, grow and balance all these ideas
and learn from each other.

To help do this, I developed a coloured graphic

in the form of an octagon (I call it an Octaikon)
to help me summarise, compare and contrast them.
This document complements Part 1 of What’s Up?
(which looked at questions of wellbeing)
and focusses of my understanding
of what it means to be a Christian.
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 TOPICS
1. What’s God? aspects of divinity
2. What’s an Angel? multitude of mysteries
3. What’s Human? evolving being
4. What’s the Fall? slippery slopes
5. What’s “Un-love”? messy mayhem
6. What’s Christmas? exciting story lines
7. Who’s Jesus? title roles
8. Who’s Mary? multi tasker
9. What’s the Rosary? twenty episodes
10. What’s Easter? fourteen stations
11. What’s the Trinity? Three in one
12. What’s Love? a bevy of behaviours
13. What’s a Gift? a plethora of presents
14. What’s a Sacrament? seven milestones
15. What’s the Mass? two-part harmony
16. What’s the Bible? a veritable library
17. What’s “Biblical”? degrees of knowing
18. What’s Prayer? four acts
19. What’s Contemplation? guide lines
20. What’s the Catechism? four parts
21. What’s Balance (1)? two faces
22. What’s a Saint? centres and circles
23. What’s Gospel? many temperaments
24. What’s Christianity? many branches
25. What’s Catholic? four connections
26. What’s Church? many purposes
27. What’s a Christian? perfect qualities
28. What’s Downfall? stages in cycling
29. What’s Persecution? horrible happenings
30. What’s Armour? pieces to suit
31. What’s Balance (2)? ten things to do
32. What’s Good News? head-linings
REFERENCES AND RESOURCES
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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Many people over many years have been instrument

in laying the foundation for this book.

I am very grateful to my beloved wife, Gilli

and my family and friends who
have encouraged, read, or commented on my ideas.
You know who you are – many thanks!

Above all, I am indebted to all those who

have nurtured me and my Christian faith
over threescore years and ten, and before!

I have Huguenot ancestry, Baptist relations,

Anglican parents (low version) and
I married into a High Anglican and Catholic family.
I’ve now found my home
in the Roman Catholic Church.

I have tried to represent Christian ideas correctly

and wherever there are misunderstandings,
heresies, or too much speculation,
they are all mea culpa.

Deo Gratias

A. Marcus J. Robbins
Oxford, during lockdown, November 2020

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 INTRODUCTION
This book explores aspects of Christianity
by answering thirty two related questions.

Each answer has a quick and readable commentary,

an octagonal mind-map (okki-map) of highlighted points,
and smaller print discussing particular issues.
I've developed the octagon diagram over 20 years
using it to understand, compare and contrast many ideas
and to demonstrate the common thread in them.
Each okki-map represents ten elements
as was explained in Part 1 about Well-Being

The topics cover the main elements of Christianity

that I’ve tried to understand during the years.
Some are simple to grasp,
whereas others need quite a bit if thought.
Some are orthodox in interpretation
but others may not be so and are my best attempt
to make sense of ideas that can be controversial.

The topics can be read in sequence or dipped into.

The style of answer varies according to when
I originally studied and summarised the topic.
Please do talk to other Christians to find out
what they think should be the correct answer.
As you will read, theology is fascinating but frustrating
and we need to be both open-minded
and certain about where to draw limits.
May you be blessed by what I have written!

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 1. WHAT’S GOD?
God, divinity, creator, or “ground of all being”
are concepts that, I think, can be understood as
ten principles by which we are made in one image:

A creating principle or aspect of origination

via the Christ and the freedom to choose and become.
A realising principle or aspect of incarnation
via the revelation of Creation, Jesus, and his Church.
An imparting principle or aspect of knowing
via the channels of instinct, intuition and senses.
A thinking principle or aspect of consciousness
via our extended mind, intellect and reason.
An ordering principle or aspect of influencing
via our choice, divine rules and created laws.
An acting principle or aspect of movement
via the divine (Holy) spirit and created angels.
A guiding principle or aspect of purpose
via prayer, angels, apparitions and revelations.
A messaging principle or aspect of meaning
via the Logos/Word/Son, angels and scripture.
A loving principle or aspect of relationships
via creation, Jesus the Christ, and all humanity.
A unifying principle or aspect of divine agape
via the creator and all creation.

The last unifying principle of love requires creation

to be free to acknowledge and accept its creator.
If rejected, then created love focusses on self,
and the goodness of creation is spoilt (“fallen”).
Some angels (demons) and all of us have done this!
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1. Aspects of divinity
THINK

UNIFY
REALISE

ACT
LOVE LOVE
UNIFY

TOPIC
LIST
MESSAGE
Religions cover many of these principles or aspects, but I believe it
is only Christianity that expresses them all fully. It is the idea of a
creative principle – Christ – embodied and expressed in the form of
Jesus and his life of perfect love, that makes it unique. Christ is not
a surname for Jesus, but one of his titles, and a pre-existing aspect
of God, however we like to define that idea. Unfortunately, Christians
are not agreed on how we do understand Christianity, and we can be
muddled about who is Jesus and what is Christ. It is only Jesus (as
the Christ) who can address the problem of our selfish nature.

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 2. WHAT’S AN ANGEL?
Christians consider that angels are purely spiritual.
whereas humans are part material/spiritual.

In the Old (Jewish) Testament of the Bible,

angels sometimes seem to be emanations of God,
but they are also described as created beings,
who have our faculties, have free will, and are immortal.
It seems they are agents in creating our universe.

Although, as spirits, they are usually invisible,

they can take human form, but are much superior to us:
They are very powerful (but not omnipotent like God).
They are extremely knowledgeable (but not omniscient).
They travel instantaneously (but not omnipresent).
The name angel means messenger - their main function
(Ev-angel = good message, hence evangelist)

They can also act as guardians, rescuers, and guides.

Angels have a hierarchy and may be variously named as:
archangels, seraphim, cherubim, principalities, powers.
The Bible says there was a rebellion of angels in heaven
led by Lucifer/Devil/Satan, and the resulting demons
are the ultimate source of evil in the world.

Angels (good and bad) are represented in various ways.

Many are given wings, some are made to look like babies
and the devil is often given horns and a tail.
I should say that I think that
these representations don’t always help us
to take the world of spirit beings seriously!
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2. Multitude of mysteries
Pure
intelligence

Many Do will
types of God
(or don’t do!)

Everywhere
in creation

Created and
co-creators
(or spoil creation)
? Can protect
us
(or influence us
to be unloving)

Messengers
and guides
(or confuse us)

Manifest in
various TOPIC
LIST
ways

These are the characteristics of the good angels (in brackets are those
of the bad). Both types are surrounded in mystery, and we can only
get hints of their role and existence in creation. Some scientists and
theologians think they are associated in some way or other with all of
creation. The choice of some (a third?) not to love and obey God is the
ultimate reason why we have natural and human evil in the world. We
humans were all led astray by the bad angels. But we still have a two-
thirds majority ready to help us out of our predicament if we enlist
their help! See Billy Graham’s book for more information.
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 3. WHAT’S HUMAN?
We were created, then evolved, into the image of God.
Here’s my possible sequence of how that came to be.
It has played out over millions of years of evolution,
which is also seen in the development of civilisations
and even from our birth through to death.

Procreative: Life was characterised first by being able

to reproduce or recreate itself – by survival of the fittest.
Sentient: This must be the next basic faculty, as
organisms developed their senses – five or more!
Discerning: As senses evolved, so would our ability to
differentiate sense data in more and more detail.
Locomotive: The ability to move is one faculty that
puts animals apart from plants (eventually into space).
Cooperative: Along with our faculty of action came an
ability to cooperate as individuals for mutual benefit.
Cognitive: Being able to think takes us out of the realm
of being automatic organisms. At some point there was
a great leap forward when we became self-aware.
Volitional: Along with the faculty of thought would
have come the faculty of free choice. This has gradually
developed into ethics – choice between right and wrong.
Communicative: Our ability to communicate wants
and needs could have been the next step. The later
development of language is another great leap forward.
Affective: Our ability to relate to others depended on
being able to communicate & show higher forms of love.
Meditative: Perhaps the last stage is when we became
aware of spiritual things (as in the Garden of Eden).
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3. Evolving being

SELF-AWARE

END
and NEW
BEGINNING

FALL

LANGUAGE
TOPIC
LIST

As we evolved all these faculties, there came a time (described in the

next topic) when we were made spiritually aware and fell for the same
mistake that the angels made – which was to think we know best and
could go it alone without acknowledging God. In my understanding,
the egoistic angels messed up both the evolutionary process as well as
ourselves, and are the ultimate cause of both natural and human
problems. Thank goodness the good angels out-number the bad (2:1),
and will win the battle! That is what Jesus promised when he came. He
said “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have
overcome the world.”
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 4. WHAT’S THE FALL?
The Genesis story says that God created everything good,
But, after God created humanity in his image of love,
we chose to put ourselves first before God,
(tempted by the bad angels – see last topic) and so
we all lost our perfect personalities in a pristine world.

The story and symbolism of the biblical Garden of Eden

covers all the faculties: God spoke; Eve saw; Adam ate;
both knew more than was good for them - good and evil.
As a result the image of God in us has been tarnished,
and we all live in a world of strengths and weaknesses
that have coloured us often bright, but usually murky.
Here is my way of expressing the process.

Love shown: God creates us with our best interests at heart

Knowledge shared: but only of what is good, not evil.
Free choice given to return his love: “you are free to eat…”
Obedience required: “but you must not eat…because…”
Truth stated: “if you do know good and evil, you will die”
Trust needed: that God does know best
Doubt sown: by fallen angels, personified as the snake
Lies/deceit made: “You won’t die! God wants you ignorant!
Jealously encouraged: “why should God know more?”
Temptation laid: “if I do eat, I will know as much”
Pride engendered: “we know better than God”
Choice and disobedience exercised: “I will eat”
Blame introduced: “Eve persuaded me”
Knowledge of evil gained: “aargh!”
More selfishness shown: Adam didn’t stop Eve
Fear, anger, loneliness etc. enter into our way of life.
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4. Slippery slopes

TOPIC
LIST

What is the prime sin here? It’s interesting to note that in the
illustrations of the Genesis story, the visual focus is on the nakedness
of Adam and Eve, and their attempt to cover up. Unfortunately, the
sensuousness of the encounter leads viewers to imagine that it’s the
impending sex that’s a sin as well. But that’s not the case. How did
“eating from the tree of knowledge of good and evil” lead Adam and
Eve to be embarrassed by their nakedness, and feel the need for fig
leaves!? Does the snake represent fallen angels, who seem to be the
ultimate cause of humanities’ downfall?

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 5. WHAT’S UN-LOVE?
A sin can be explained as “un-love”, or
anything that we do (in thought, word or deed)
or don’t do (e.g. watch passively)
that is against God’s will for us – which is…
to love him with all our heart, soul, mind, and body
and to love others as we love ourselves.

This okki-map lists keywords based on

the biblical ten commandments (Exodus 22), and
the Christian church’s seven deadly sins (vicious vices!)
They all result from being self-centred or egocentric.

I’ve mapped them next to the faculty

which seems most associated with the vice.
You might map them differently
or have chosen a different list of words.
Take murder – it’s the ultimate opposite of creativity.
A life is destroyed.
We may say that we would never kill someone
but how often do we kill someone’s reputation
by the way we talk about them?

It’s a good idea to think of the way

in which we ‘commit’ these sins in a wider sense
by not allowing God’s love to shine through us.
Can you think of modern equivalents
to some of these sins?
To what extent do most of the bad things we do
start in the mind, by opening ourselves
to bad angelic influences?
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5. A messy mayhem

TOPIC
LIST

It’s worth thinking carefully about what these words mean, and if
there are better ways to express the ideas behind them. Words change
their meaning over time. For instance, what could be good about envy,
pride, lust, swearing or having an idol? We need to remember that
meanings change, and the context in which they are used changes,
too. We might be disheartened by considering these unlovely
behaviours, but it is precisely because we are confronted with them
that we need Christ and all he does for us. Without all this messy
mayhem, we wouldn’t need Christianity!

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 6. WHAT’S CHRISTMAS?
The word “Christmas” comes from the “Christ mass” or
“Mass of Christ”. The “mas” part of “Christmas” is the
same as the word Catholics still use for a church service
- a mass. It comes from the time when every saint had
their own saint's day on which a mass or communion
service was said in their memory.

As Christ, Jesus was born into our evolved world

of time and space in the year 1 AD (anno domini)
(at the time of writing this was 2020 years ago)
in a village called Bethlehem in Palestine.

How well do you know the Christmas history?

Here are 45 phrases to remind you of key events.
They cover before and after Jesus’ birth.
They are grouped according to a related faculty.

See if you can work out which event they refer to,
and figure the who, when, where, what, or how
of each event, putting them
in the right time order (more or less).

You’ll need to read the narratives

in Matthew and Luke’s Gospels.
They are not very long.

How would you have reacted to each event?

Why are they grouped as they are?
How else could they be grouped?
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6. Exciting story lines
Deeply disturbed
I’ve been fooled!
We were worried!
What intelligence!
We don’t understand
Star in the east Go for a census
His name’s Jesus Marry Mary!
Born in Bethlehem Tell me about it!
It’s stopped! Let it be!
His name’s John I’ll divorce her

Watching sheep I don’t believe it! Use the stable

Feel that kick! God-is-with-us Kill them all!
This is a sign I have a dream! Birth pangs
Light all around I wonder what? Now I can die!
Don’t be afraid Treasured in heart I’m too old

You’ll get pregnant Flee to Egypt

Let’s offer gifts Don’t see Herod
I’ve not made love! Go back home now
Wow – fantastic! Better in Galilee
The Spirit did it! Where were you?

I can talk!
D’you know what? TOPIC
Great is God!
You are blessed! LIST
Sorry – no room

Good angels come into the telling of this story, as well as the nasty
ones who work through fallen humanity by influencing us to do bad
things. It is precisely because of our egoistic nature that Jesus, as the
Christ, needed to be born into our world. It was not just to give us a
good example of how to live our lives, but also to play many
supporting roles in the economy of salvation, saving us from the mess
we’ve put ourselves in. The presence of Jesus in our lives beats all
other presents for Christmas, so we should know this story by heart.

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 7. WHO’S JESUS?
As Christ, Jesus shows us how to live life to the full,
but also does many different jobs on our behalf,
as a divine role model and a multi-faceted agent.

Emmanuel/Incarnation
As Christ, Jesus is “God with us” in flesh and blood,
giving us the ultimate example of divine love.
Shepherd/Pastor
As Christ, Jesus knows each one of us personally by name,
and helps us to be one loving community.
King/Head
As Christ, Jesus is the head of the whole Christian “body”
giving us “one mind” in our beliefs.
Advocate/Judge
As Christ, Jesus examines how we follow his example,
and pleads our case when things go wrong.
Messiah/Priest
As Christ, Jesus is especially set apart (Christ means anointed)
to act of our behalf and represent us before God.
Leader/Deliverer
As Christ, Jesus leads us to follow his divine way of loving
and can deliver us from our ego and selfishness.
Prophet/Counsellor
As Christ, Jesus warns us of the consequences of failing to love
and advises how to avoid falling into traps.
Saviour/Redeemer
As Christ, Jesus sets us free, healing and forgiving us
from the effects of our ego and selfishness.
Son of Man
As Christ, Jesus supports our external efforts to form
loving relationships with himself and others.
Son of God
As Christ, Jesus reveals the inner life of how to be
“sons of God” and at one with God in love.
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7. Title roles

TOPIC
LIST

Many people think that Jesus was just a good role model for showing
us how we should life a life of divine love. But Jesus as the Christ is far
more than that. In the divine economy of love, there are aspects of
our lives already lived that require him to play all the roles above.
Much as he and we would like, we alone cannot right the wrongs
wrought by the un-love that we and the angels have done. It would
not be fair nor feasible just to forgive and forget, essential though that
is. The story of God’s revelation and plan to save us through the Jews
and Gentiles has to be worked out fairly in all our social, legal,
cultural, economic, political as well as theological dimensions.

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 8. WHO’S MARY?
Mary, the mother of Jesus
was indeed a unique and special person,
made in the image of God, and also bearing God!
There are many unique events, doctrines and titles
associated with her…

Annunciation
The Angel Gabriel tells Mary of God’s plan,
and she agrees to it (i.e. her fiat)
Incarnation
The process of God taking on human form as Jesus
Magnificat
Mary’s song on visiting cousin Elizabeth (bearing John)
Virgin birth
Jesus is conceived by the Holy Spirit (not Joseph)
Perpetual Virginity
Mary remains a virgin – Jesus ‘brothers’ are cousins
Assumption
When Mary dies she is taken directly into heaven
Immaculate Conception
Mary was without original sin when she was conceived
Mother of God
A title that literally acknowledges that Jesus is God
Mediatrix
Mary ‘mediates’ in that she cooperated with God
(only Jesus mediates between God and us for our sins)
Queen Mother
If Jesus is King, then Mary is the Queen Mother.

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8. Multi tasker

TOPIC
LIST

Not all Christians accept these views of Mary but there is a lot to agree
upon. It’s worth spending time finding out more about them, and also
her many wonderful and mysterious apparitions that happened later.
Mary cooperated fully with God’s plan - how much do we show our
love for God by being obedient to what he/she asks us to do? It’s also
worth imagining what it must have been like to be a mother to Jesus,
and what was Jesus like as a son – perfectly obedient, or sometimes
naughty? She was his first disciple, of that there is no doubt.

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 9. WHAT’S THE ROSARY?
The Rosary is a necklace of beads,
used by some Christians as an aid to meditative prayer.
It can fulfil the various needs of the faculties
and can be a great aid to spiritual contemplation.

Prayer beads are used in other religions – e.g. Islam

While using the rosary, Christians recall the life of Jesus
in four seasons of five episodes,
making twenty “mysteries” or scenes in Jesus’ life
as seen through the eyes of Jesus’ mother, Mary.

The Joyful mysteries

concern Jesus’ youth,
as he was growing up and learning.

The Luminous mysteries

(instituted by Pope John Paul II) cover Jesus’ teaching.

The Sorrowful mysteries

recount the things done to Jesus at the end of his life.

The Glorious mysteries

recount the wonderful events
associated with Jesus life and afterwards
that blow the mind!

As these mysteries are contemplated,

beads are passed through the hand,
and three prayers are repeated to focus the mind:
the Our Father, Gloria, and Hail Mary.
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.
9. Twenty episodes

RESURRECTION
ASCENSION of JESUS
HOLY SPIRT COMES
ASSUMPTION of MARY
CROWNING of MARY

ANNUNCIATION AGONY in the GARDEN

VISITATION SCOURGING of JESUS
BIRTH of JESUS CROWNING of THORNS
PRESENTATION CARRYING of CROSS
FINDING IN TEMPLE CRUCIFIXION & DEATH

BAPTISM of JESUS
REVELATION at CANA
PROCLAMATION TOPIC
TRANSFIGURATION LIST
EUCHARIST instituted

The tradition of praying the Rosary is a beautiful one. Some Christians

may be dismissive of it, but both Catholic and Protestant
denominations can embrace it. If done with deep awareness, it is a
wonderful way of bringing to mind all the key events in Jesus’ life. We
can ask ourselves several questions. Can we work out the order in
which the twenty events come, when taken in chronological order? Do
we need something to help us pray? How could meditating on the life
of Jesus be useful? Why can it be helpful to meditate through Mary’s
point of view?
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 10. WHAT’S EASTER?
The name “Easter” seems to go back to the name of a
pre-Christian goddess in England, Eostre,
who was celebrated at beginning of spring.
It now refers to the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection
after he was condemned to death and executed.

One visual way of recounting and reflecting

on the passion of Jesus
(the events leading up to his crucifixion)
is via the fourteen so-called
Stations of the Cross,
which you can see on the walls of
all Catholic, Orthodox and many Anglican churches.

Two stations relate to the mind:

the Jews’ decision to kill Jesus,
and Jesus’ decision to give up his Spirit
(blue)
Four stations relate to
what was done to him
(green)
Four stations tell us of people he met
and who tried to help him
(yellow)
Four stations tell us what he did
while carrying his cross
(red)
The numbers next to each station
show the sequence of events.
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10. Fourteen stations
I
JESUS
IS CONDEMNED

XII
JESUS DIES
ON THE CROSS

X II
JESUS IS STRIPPED JESUS RECEIVES
OF HIS GARMENTS THE CROSS
XI III
JESUS IS NAILED JESUS FALLS FOR
TO THE CROSS THE FIRST TIME
XIII VII
JESUS IS TAKEN JESUS FALLS FOR
DOWN FROM THE THE SECOND TIME
CROSS
IV
JESUS IS MET IX
XIV JESUS FALLS FOR
JESUS IS PLACED BY HIS MOTHER
THE THIRD TIME
IN THE TOMB
V
SIMON OF CYRENE
HELPS JESUS
VI
VERONICA WIPES
THE FACE OF JESUS
TOPIC
VIII LIST
THE WOMEN OF
JERUSALEM

Following the fourteen stations of the cross, like saying the Rosary, is
something that can bring different Christian denominations together.
They are not all are strictly “biblical”, but included by tradition to build
on the storyline (III, IV, VI, VII and IX). Do you ever think about what
these events must have been like for Jesus? How would you have
reacted as a witness to all of this? What happened in the time after
Jesus died and was seen again? We need to remind ourselves that this
is the reason for the season of Easter!

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11. WHAT’S THE TRINITY?
How (on earth) do we understand and explain the
Christian mystery of God as a Trinity of three “persons”
who is/are divine “Love” – that exists/is
outside time, space and ourselves, as well as within?!

Maybe it depends on how we “tune in”

to the image of God in whom we are made,
and to what has been revealed in his/her creation,
using the three channels of knowledge available to us,
and our ten associated Octaikon faculties:

God as “Father” – divine mind – is known

through our instinct (built-in “inherited” knowledge)
and expressed as timeless familial affection love (storge),
using our discerning, reasoning and judging faculties.

God as incarnate “Son”, Jesus the Christ, is known

through our senses (passive and active)
and expressed as time-bound, physical eros love
using our faculties of sensing, relating and acting.

God as “Holy Spirit” is known

through our intuition (without use of reason)
and expressed as immediate philia friendship love,
using our creating, communicating and guiding faculties.

God as “Love” - divine love, is known

within ourselves – (maybe by “unknowing”?)
and expressed as agape or caritas supernatural love
using our faculty of inner reflecting which allows God
to unite and “divinise” the three “natural” loves.

27
11. Three in one

TOPIC
LIST

This map illustrates the broadband love of God. It raises many

questions. How well do we express the three human loves? How
effectively do we use all our faculties? Do we tune into all the
channels? What will happen if we only listen to one broadcast? Will we
get an incomplete view of the “Good News”? Can we understand,
appreciate and nurture all the manifestations of God as Love around
us?

28
 12. WHAT’S LOVE?
If God, who - as divine love - (as Christians believe)
is at the centre of our lives
then the ways we behave should be transformed
as shown in the okki-map.

There are many places in the Bible

that describe the characteristics of love.
This map lists three groups of key traits
as follows:

Seven virtues traditionally held by the Christian church

Thirteen facets of love, listed in 1 Corinthians, ch.13
Nine fruits of the spirit, listed in Galatians ch.5, v.22

We can read about these traits

in the scripture passages and the church catechism
Not all the traits listed here are complete
as there are some duplicates in the lists.

It’s worth looking in a dictionary

to get the full meaning of some of the words.

I’ve placed the traits next to the faculty

that I think would be most involved in expressing them.
You might map them differently – have a go!

Which of these traits do you find least easy to show?

Do you think the extent to which they are shown
has anything to do with your personality?
Who or what helps a Christian to become more loving?

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12. Bevy of behaviours

TOPIC
LIST

For me, this map is at the centre of what it is to be a Christian, and it’s
only possible with Christ in us. The challenge is to remember that we
should behave in these ways to everyone, even those we don’t like
and who may be our enemies. Like all such words, they must be put in
context – for instance, what does it means to be “trusting” when it
comes to people who want to harm us? Who are we trusting? And
what does “liking truth” mean – how do we speak the truth in love to
someone who is constantly lying? It doesn’t give us a licence to be
rude, does it?

30
 13. WHAT’S A GIFT?
Other okki-maps in this booklet have listed
what we should or should not be like
if we have God’s divine love at our centre.

But how does this work?

Human nature doesn’t allow us to be so nice!
How does God get there in the first place
And what do we have to do to express God’s love?

A very simple answer is as follows:

In the first place, we have to be believe in God
In the second place, we have to ask for and use God’s gifts.

There are four lists of gifts

in St Paul’s letters to early Christians:
Seven ‘golden oldie’ gifts (Isaiah ch. 11)
Seven ‘motivational’ gifts (Romans ch. 12)
Five ‘ministerial’ gifts (Ephesians ch.4 v.11)
Eight ‘charismatic’ gifts (I Corinthians ch.12 v.7-10)

Some of these supernatural gifts

complement our natural abilities and temperaments.
Other gifts (especially the charismatic)
are given at specific times when we need them.
Being a good teacher requires a balance of skills!

Take time to study what all these gifts mean

and how and when they are used.
Where do you think your natural abilities lie?
Would you like to have some supernatural help?
Are you prepared to ask and expect help?
31
13. Plethora of presents

TOPIC
LIST

When we acknowledge God in our lives, these God-given abilities can

be bestowed upon us, or can be unpacked, enabling us to show divine
love in all sorts of ways, both spiritually and physically. Without them,
trying to act in loving ways is impossible, as the fallen angels and all of
us humans have found out. Unfortunately, many people – such as
humanists - still think that loving behaviour is possible through our
own efforts. We do have an innate capacity to be alturistic and kind,
but it only goes so far. If our ego is at the centre of our lives instead of
God, when the crunch comes we will fail and fall again and again.

32
14. WHAT’S A SACRAMENT?
What is a Christian sacrament?
It is an outward, visible sign
of an inward, invisible grace
(grace is unconditional help/love from God)
that helps us live a life of Christian love
in addition to the gifts mentioned in the last topic.

The Catholic church has seven sacraments.

There appears to be some correspondence
with our ten faculties as shown in the okki-map:

Baptism
Starts us off in the Christian life (rebirth).
We can be baptised as children, or later in life.
Confirmation
We confirm our wish to be a Christian.
(especially significant if we were baptised as children)
Eucharist
Nourishes us spiritually for everyday life.
We could receive this sacrament everyday.
Reconciliation
Helps us to say sorry and to be forgiven for our sins
Marriage
Confirms a couple’s desire to form and create a family
Ordination
Gives authority to formally serve and guide the church
Anointing of the Sick
Helps to heal us when we are unwell
and eventually to prepare us to die (and live on!).
33
14. Seven milestones

TOPIC
LIST

The Catholic and Orthodox churches recognise all these sacraments,

but other denominations do not, for various theological reasons. The
seven cover many milestones or situations in Christian life. There are
also many “sacramentals” in the Catholic faith – objects or actions
associated with the sacraments that help bring them to mind.
Examples are the sign of the cross, genuflecting, incensing, sprinkling
with holy water, rosary beads, wearing of crosses, etc. (see book by
Ann Ball).

34
 15. WHAT’S THE MASS?
The Mass
is the central form of worship
of the Catholic and Orthodox churches.
It can be called Holy Communion or the Eucharist
The name derives from the Latin words at the end:
“Ite, missa est” - "You may go, this is the dismissal“

Many Catholic Christians wonder

how they can make their children and friends
more aware of how the Mass “works” for them.
Once we can do that we might have a lot more interest!
Non-Catholics might view it a more sympathetically.
Non-believers might consider it less like mumbo-jumbo.

So…we go to Mass to be strengthened by God.

We listen to the readings and homily,

and learn about our faith from them.

We think about, then confess our sins,

and confirm our beliefs.

We talk to God and people through

prayers, songs, and the peace.

We give to, and receive the body of Christ

and so we are all strengthened – body and soul.

We leave loved and ready to love,

serving God and others.
35
15. Two part harmony

TOPIC
LIST

The Mass is a liturgy, or form of worship. It is in two parts: (1) the

liturgy of the Word based around the reading of the Bible for that day,
and (2) the liturgy of the Eucharist (thanksgiving) where we receive
the body and blood of Christ. Hearing and doing the Word. It an
celebrated in many ways, depending on the temperament of the
worshipper. Some people like in formal and ritualised, with traditional
singing and Latin prayers. Others prefer informality, modern songs,
and an atmosphere that allows for noisy children.

36
 16. WHAT’S THE BIBLE?
The Christian Bible is a collection of books
written by various Jewish authors,
accepted as canon (i.e. inspired by God),
and finally agreed as the “Bible”
at the Church council of Carthage in 397 AD.
It’s an amazing gift we have been given.

THE OLD TESTAMENT (OT)

is about the history of the Jews,
and has 39 canonical books and 7 deuterocanonical
books grouped into three:
Historical books
look back at what God has done for the Jews;
Prophetical books
record the mind of God for the present and the future;
Wisdom books
show how people have expressed themselves to God.

THE NEW TESTAMENT (NT)

is about Jesus (who was a Jew)
and what happened afterwards,
and has 27 books, also grouped into three:
The four Gospels (good news)
inspired by the mind of God, are about Jesus did for us.
The book of Acts
describes what the early followers of Jesus did.
The Letters
encourage the early Christian communities
correcting errors and serving as a guide for the future.
37
16. A veritable library
ISAIAH, JEREMIAH, LAMENTATIONS,
BARUCH, EXEKIEL, DANIEL, HOSEA, JOEL,
AMOS, OBADIAH, JONAH, MICAH, NAHUM,
HABAKKUK, ZEPHANIAH, HAGGAI, The Old and
ZECHARIAH, MALACHI New Testaments
are very
different and it’s
Pentateuch: GENESIS, EXODUS,
LEVITICUS, NUMBERS, important to
DEUTERONOMY understand the
context in which
JOSHUA, JUDGES, RUTH,
SAMUEL(2), KINGS(2),
CHRONICLES(2), EZRA,
N.T. the books were
NEHEMIAH. TOBIT, JUDITH,
written, and the
ESTHER, MACCABEES(2) way in which
the divine truth
in them is
JOB, THE PSALMS coloured
THE PROVERBS according to the
ECCLESIASTES culture of the
SONG OF SONGS
BOOK OF WISDOM times and the
ECCLESIASTICUS authors’
interests and
The Bible
personalities.
presents
divine truth
by means of: TOPIC
historical
MATTHEW, LIST
facts, M ARK,
stories, LUKE,
allegories, JOHN
analogies,
parables,
metaphors,
myths,
eye-witness
O.T.
accounts,
letters, and
Letters of Paul
poems. ROMANS, CORINTHIANS(2), GALATIONS,
It’s important EPHESIANS, PHILIPPIANS, COLOSSIANS,
to be able to THESSALONIANS(2), TIMOTHY(2), TITUS,
distinguish PHILEMON, HEBREWS
Letters to all Christians:
them. JAMES, PETER(2), JOHN(3), JUDE,
REVELATION OF JOHN
38
 17. WHAT’S “BIBLICAL”?
Christians believe that the Bible is ‘true’.
But what sort of truth is in the books?
Not all Christians are agreed on this,
which is why there are so many interpretations,
differences of opinion, and hence many denominations.

To find out what is meant, first remember that

since the Holy Spirit inspired the writing then
we must ask the Holy Spirit to guide our reading now.
To help us do this, here are four questions,
suggested by a Scripture scholar (see Peter Kreefte)
that should be asked when you read any passage.

First - what does the passage say? That is the data.

Second - what does it mean? What did the authors
mean? That is the interpretation.
Third - Is it true? [or rather – how is it true?].
That is the question of belief.
Fourth - What difference does it make to me now?
That is the question of application.

Always understand the context –

when and why the authors wrote what they did,
otherwise you will get confused and get the wrong idea
about some of the passages.

The basic message of the Bible is: God loves us,

so we must love God, and others as ourselves.

39
17. Steps in decoding

What does it mean?

What does it say? What should I do now?

How is it true?
TOPIC
LIST

Don’t be put off by the Old Testament and the pictures painted of God
by the Jewish authors. They were interpreting God’s message in the
culture of their time, where there were plenty of battles for beliefs,
hearts and minds. There is both use and abuse of the Bible. Passages
can be quoted out of context to support an idea, but can still be a
prompting of Holy Spirit. It needs discernment to avoid anything that
might be construed as magical or turning it into an idol – i.e.
“bibliolatry” (like “mariolatry”). It’s simply a wonderful gift of the Holy
Spirit through which the church proclaims the Good News.

40
 18. WHAT’S PRAYER?
It’s conversation with God whenever or wherever
we talk, listen or act with God in mind.
One way of praying to God is summed up in the word
ACTS
We can structure our acts of prayer by:

Adoration
this sets the scene as we recognise who God is.
It includes praise – not that God needs it,
but that we realise God is praiseworthy.
That is followed by:
Confession
where we bring to mind all we have done wrong
and ask for forgiveness - then:
Thanksgiving
where we give thanks for what God has done for us
(this is not the same as praise,
which should acknowledge who God is,
irrespective of what God has done for us)
- and finally:
Supplication
where we ask God to help us and others for our needs.
Don’t forget we must also listen to God
by being silent, reading the Bible, listening to others etc.

The “Lord’s Prayer” or “Our Father”

is a model prayer given to us by Jesus himself.
and is a wonderful way into these four “acts”.

41
18. Four acts

TOPIC
LIST

The whole of life can be thought of as a prayer, if it is lived with the

divine in mind. Each one of our faculties is part of the image of God
and can be a prompting for prayer and a key to how we should live our
lives. Some Christians like the prayerful question WWJD? (What Would
Jesus Do?) applied to difficult situations. Many difficult questions arise
about prayer, such as: How exactly does God hear and answer our
prayers? Does God hear every prayer. Why does God seem not to
answer prayer? Can we make God change his mind, or does he change
the way we think? Do we take enough time to listen to God?

42
19. WHAT’S CONTEMPLATION?
The idea of “centering prayer” has developed
within the Christian contemplative tradition
and should play a key role in keeping us balanced.

The essential features are represented

by the two crosswise faculties of the Octaikon
reflecting (mirror) and relating (heart).
By minimising the activity of our outer “bodily” faculties
we can let these two inner “spiritual” faculties
“channel” us into the image of God centred within
so that we rest in His unconditional love.

When we allow this to happen

divine love can shine forth from our soul,
we become better engaged with our outer world,
and our relationships with others are deepened.
It seems to be like a spiritual refuelling
that is independent of time, effort or “octane-rating”!

Typically, two pit-stops of half an hour each day

can allow us to get properly connected
and keep us going for the rest!

A feature of centering prayer

is the use of a “sacred” word or mantra
such as “Maranatha” (come Lord Jesus)
This typically eastern idea symbolises our consent
to God’s inner presence and action in our lives.

43
19. Guide lines
disengage
thoughts

close sit still &

the eyes comfortably

avoid keep back

distractions straight

keep
quiet TOPIC
LIST

This type of prayer helps to disengage our thoughts and calm our
mind. It’s one of the most difficult things for “western” cultures. What
faculty do you find most difficult to rest? When you chill out, are you
really relaxing or just being bombarded by more input? Are you
prepared to just “be” in the presence of God? This idea of centering
prayer is based on Thomas Keating’s prayer of consent. Find out more
at the website www.contemplativeoutreach.org, and books by John
Cassian, Bede Griffiths, John Main, Lawrence Freeman and others.

44
20. WHAT’S THE CATECHISM?
The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC for short)
is a comprehensive compendium and overview
of all that the Catholic church believes.

It is a model of organized efficiency,

with every paragraph numbered and cross-referenced
to all the main documents of the church magisterium.

Part 1 is about what we believe in our mind

and the faith we profess
It is structured around the apostles creed.

Part 2 is about how we celebrate,

or act out our faith
It is structured around the seven sacraments

Part 3 is about how we should live our christian faith

in the world – firstly using our senses:
It is structured around the ten commandments - morals

Part 4 is about how we talk to God

and let him talk to us - expression:
It is structured around the Lord’s prayer

The Catholic Truth Society has produced

a set of comprehensive catechetical resources,
based on the Catechism, and called the ‘Evangelium’.
It uses the same colour coding.

45
20. Four parts

Part 1
Profession
of
Faith

The Body Part 2

Part 3
Life in of Christ Celebration
of the
Christ The Christian
CHURCH Mystery

Part 4
Christian TOPIC
Prayer LIST

Some Christians might say that the Catechism is too prescriptive, and
more should be left to the mystery of how the Holy Spirit works in
each one of us. Don’t read it as “gospel” and remember that the
church does change its interpretations over time, albeit slowly! Each of
these four aspects of our Christian life require us to use all our
faculties - not just the one it has been assigned to here. Which part
might you know most about? Which parts of the Catechism have you
looked at? Do you have a simple guide to the Catechism? Peter
Kreefte’s is one that is clear and useful, and the Evangelium is a good
summary.
46
 21. WHAT’S BALANCE (1)?
There are two sides to many Christian doctrines.
Both must be considered and kept in balance:

Perspiration and inspiration

The Bible was written by humans with divine guidance.
The books in it are not just the opinion of the authors,
nor were they written automatically under God’s hand.
They must be interpreted in context, with God’s spirit.

Scripture and tradition

There are the two channels for communicating faith.
There will always be a body of interpretation explaining
holy scripture, and this is the denomination’s tradition.

Faith and works

We cannot have one without the other.
Faith without works is dead. We must walk the talk.
Works without faith in God doesn’t save.

Individual and corporate

There are two responses to God’s grace.
We are saved by God, through our own decisions, but
we are also saved through the church as a community.

Belief and baptism

These are two essential aspects of becoming a Christian.
You must believe, and you must be baptised.
They don’t have to happen at the same time,
nor does one necessarily come first.
47
21. Two faces

TOPIC
LIST

So much has been discussed, argued and fought about the importance
of these two sides to Christian doctrines. It’s a case of both/and, not
either/or. We should accept that there has to be a balance, and that
we will always have different interpretations of where that lies. The
fact that we haven’t recognised that fact is at the root of all the
disunity of the Christian church and the reason for many of our
denominational splits.
48
 22. WHAT’S A SAINT?
The term saint originally meant
anyone who is a follower of Christ.
The word comes from the Latin sanctus,
applied to anything set apart for God,
not necessarily implying high moral quality
when describing a person.

It's now used to describe all believers who have died

and whom we hope are now with God in heaven.
Saints (with a capital S) are those whose lives on earth
the Church considers were exemplary,
including many who died for their faith (martyrs).
They need to have performed a confirmed miracle.

A lot can be learnt from the lives of the Saints

about how to live a Christian life,
and the Church has assigned a everyday to a Saint,
which is their feast day when their lives can celebrated.

Saints of all degrees who are with God in heaven

are part of the Church triumphant,
and can be asked to pray for us,
in the same way that we ask others on earth
(the Church Militant), to pray for us.
The Church Penitent are those undergoing purgatory
(in the Catholic tradition) before entering heaven.
We on earth need to pray for them
as those in heaven are doing.

49
22. Centres and circles

TOPIC
LIST

The relationship of creator with creation and us creatures can be

represented by a circle and circumference. A few examples are given
above. The top-most one represents how all saints form the Body of
Christ. The diagrams pose a few questions. If we explore the perimeter
of life, will this help us find who or what’s at the centre? Conversely, if
we understand the centre, will this help us to know where the
perimeter lies? The more we find God in all things, the more we can
travel towards the centre and discover the non-duality and one-ness of
the divine. Where do the fallen angels and unbelieving humanity exist?
50
 23. WHAT’S GOSPEL?
Gospel mean good story or news.
Why is it that there are four?
It is tempting to think that we have records
that reflect each of the four temperaments.

Matthew, a tax collector, wrote for the Jews,

focused on the kingdom of Jesus
showing how this was foretold in the Old Testament.
He is least known as a person,
and his job was not highly regarded.

Mark, an ordinary worker, wrote for the Romans,

emphasising Jesus as a servant.
The gospel jumps around, highlights deeds, not words,
and reflects Mark’s close friend Peter’s
energetic and impulsive character.

Luke was a doctor, wrote for the Greeks,

and emphasised the humanity of Jesus, and his actions.
He was interested in people and a doer, a researcher.

Finally, John, a fisherman, wrote a unique gospel to

combat errors, concentrating on the divinity of Jesus.
He was a contemplative, of uncertain temper it seems.
It is not certain that it was John the Apostle who was
the author, but if not, it was someone very like him.

When you write something

how much of your character shows through?
Do you have a favourite gospel? Why?
51
23. Many temperaments

Thomas
John Luke

Abraham Paul

Matthew Mark

Peter
TOPIC
LIST

The Gospel writers seem to have a combination of two of the four

main temperaments. In comparison four other Biblical characters
seem to show just one of them. Patriarch Abraham had a phlegmatic
temperament. He was easy going and good-natured but dominated by
fear. The Apostle Thomas had a melancholic temperament. He is
known as the doubting disciple because he would not believe Jesus
had risen. The Apostle Peter had a sanguine temperament. He
denied three times he was a follower of Jesus but after Pentecost he
became the leader of the whole church. The Apostle Paul was a
typical raw choleric. He started out life encouraging the persecution
and murder of Christians but was suddenly converted and
transformed. Why did God chose weak people to help him? Do you
think you are weak? How do you think God could strengthen you? Are
you prepared to expect him to help you? Have you asked him for help?

52
24. WHAT’S CHRISTIANITY?
Why are there so many Christian denominations
each thinking it has the truth about the Christ?
Is it because the way we interpret the truth
depends on which faculties we prefer to use
and the type of personality we have?

The early church, like Jesus the Christ,

would have had a balanced personality.
It is and was described in the Nicene creed (325 AD)
as the holy, catholic (universal) and apostolic Church.
But it gradually evolved into two main strands:
the eastern Orthodox plus Oriental churches
and the western Roman Catholic church,
different in cultural form and temperament,
which eventually split, mainly because of
the way people understood the Trinity.

When the Roman Catholic church needed reforming,

many protestant churches split away,
focusing on Biblical doctrine (interpretation).
The split to Anglican was mainly political,
which is now considered as protestant (“low church”)
through to Anglo-Catholic (“high church”).
The expressive pentecostal churches came into being
through Spirit-led revival in some protestant churches.
The charismatic movement is similarly Spirit-led
but is found across many other denominations.
There is also a mystical/meditative movement
All churches should be evangelical.
53
24. Many branches

Germanic
splits
DOCTRINE
Scriptural focus
Reading/studying

Schism 1054
Revival 1900’s

Greek / Russian Roman / Latin

TRADITION HIERARCHY
Mystical focus Practical focus
Absorbing Hearing/tasting
Unity again?

Western/african
SPIRIT-LED TOPIC
Emotional focus LIST
Feeling/embracing

It’s very sad that Jesus asked us to be one, and yet these
denominations serve as barriers to force us apart. Maybe it is
inevitable that we have different ways to interpret the truth, but
that should not make us think that there is only one way to
understand it (and that our way is the true way). Do you think the
denominations correspond with the Octaikon faculties like this?
Could they all have a part of the truth? To what extent can the
Roman Catholic church be thought of as truly catholic?

54
 25. WHAT’S CATHOLIC?
The catholic Christian church, in it’s fullest form,
(catholic mean “all-embracing”)
can be thought of as having four branches,
all equally important in connecting us
with God and the created world -
whether as individuals - body and soul,
as different groups, or as humanity in general.

These branches can be called:

Contemplative, Cognitive, Expressive, and Active.
They can all lead us to the divine centre of our faith.
Unfortunately, the divisions within the church
have led to an imbalance and conflict
as some branches have been either rejected, ignored,
misunderstood, or given too much emphasis.

Part of the problem lies with the Western viewpoint

that has largely determined
how Christianity has developed.
There has been a tendency
to reject all of what Eastern religions have to offer
instead of accepting what is true and beneficial.

If you look at the map about what these branches represent,

you can see in them elements of other religions
For the church to grow as a “tree of life”
it is important to cultivate all branches
so that they can develop and bear fruit.
At the same time, we need to prune them
when they get out of balance and unfruitful.
That applies to all our churches, without exception.

55
25. Four connections

CONNECTING BY
THINKING
Study of scriptures
Development of theology
Defining doctrines and
disciplines.

CONNECTING BY CONNECTING BY
WATCHING DOING
Meditation and Rituals, sacraments
contemplation. and the priesthood
Mysticism. Retreats. Practical help,
Monastic and support, care and
ascetic life mission.

CONNECTING BY
SHOWING
Prayer and praise.
Liturgical development
Charismatic experience TOPIC
“Happy” attitudes to life. LIST
Evangelisation

We need to ask ourselves a lot of questions about what it means to be

“catholic”. Which of these expressions do we prefer? Where does my
church need pruning? Does it need to be left to sprout and grow?
Which branches are more “eastern”? Are we prepared to be open and
to see and accept the truth in other religions? Does this mean thinking
that truth is relative? Is there any existing church that is more
“catholic” than others? If not, why not? Why do we insist on being
divided? Why can’t we agree to disagree, but still be one? Is the cause
our ego wanting to promote the way of “our” truth?

56
 26. WHAT’S A CHURCH?
Here’s an explanation using words beginning with P!
The Christian Church (not the building) is made up of
priests and people (i.e. the body of believers)
who exist to love God, and others as ourselves.
Therefore, our purpose in life is to
prioritise and propagate our belief in Christ
by going out into the world to
publicise/promote/popularise/practise**
the love of Jesus the Christ for us, as we
participate in other people's pilgrimages of life.

When appropriate, we
invite interested people to “come and see” our church,
after which, if interested, we will be able to
prepare and baptise new members in the faith
as they themselves participate in our community.

Meanwhile, we help ourselves to

ponder and perfect our beliefs,
pastor and protect our fellow believers,
pray and praise at all times,
practice church teaching, especially as we
participate in the priests’
administration of the sacraments, who also
preach and proclaim the good news to us.
Thus the circle is completed, making us all ready
to go out and spread the word of love of God.

Based on the following Scriptures:

Mt.22:36-40; Mt. 28:16-20; Acts 2: 42-47
57
26. Many purposes

disciples
seekers

apostles
followers

TOPIC
evangelists LIST

The “chi rho” symbol

is made up of
the first two letters
in Greek for Christ,
and looks like a P.
Some terms related to the purposes of the church:
Seeker = someone who wants to understand Christianity
Disciple = someone who is learning more about Jesus the Christ
Apostle = someone who is going out to practice their faith in Jesus
Evangelist = someone who is telling others about the love of Jesus
Follower = someone who is following Jesus (doing all of the above!)
** Note the one “P” we should not do – proselytise – in the sense of
making someone change religion. But we should evangelise – i.e. tell
others about the good news of Jesus.
58
 27. WHAT’S A CHRISTIAN?
It’s someone who is on the journey of following Christ
and willing to accept the help of the Holy Spirit.

What sort of characteristics would we expect

in a Christian person or community or nation
where our faculties are fully exercised and integrated?
Here is one way of describing such qualities:

Acute perception: Our senses and extra-senses

are fully aware of what’s going on.
Critical discernment: Our ability is fully honed
to identify and distinguish what is needed or not.
Clear cognition: Our mind is used to its maximum
to analyze things rationally.
Balanced expression: Our thoughts and feelings
are communicated in a controlled and positive way.
Wise counsel: We help others in a way
that is ideal for their situation.
Mastered actions: Our body is used
to its maximum potential to implement good things.
Fine judgment: All the evidence is fully evaluated
before we make fair choices or decisions.
Inspired creativity: We create art-forms
in ways that are wonderfully uplifting for others.
Profound spirituality: We fully realise
the deeper meaning of all that is going on in us.
Loving relationships: We show unconditional love to
others (as well as ourselves), especially by sharing the
good news of Jesus the Christ.
59
27. Perfect qualities

TOPIC
LIST

If we were to show all these qualities, motivated by our love of God

and others, the world would be a very different place. Imagine if we
had Christian leaders with these qualities, setting an example to the
nations, we wouldn’t have the problems we have now, would we? That
not being the case, all we can do is for each of us to set an example to
those around us, and hope that it will catch on. But it is not just
enough to lead a Christian life, we have to tell other people why we
are behaving as we do. But that brings trouble, as shown in the next
topics.
60
28. WHAT’S DOWNFALL?
Our civilisations seem
to go through cycles of:

Luxury – input taken for granted

Pride – we’re the greatest!
Disaster – conflict of interests
Suffering – oppression, poverty, war
Repentance – acceptance of wrong-doing
Blessedness – return to what is good

Sometimes they stick at the suffering!

It’s not difficult to see this happening all around us.
And there are cycles within cycles within cycles.
In fact the whole history of creation
will take this form.

The Jews’ history repeated this cycle

each time they forsook God
but then returned to him.
It is the same old story
for all of us today
- individuals and nations -

The phases seem to correspond to a certain extent

with the faculties most involved, as shown.
The circle can only be broken
if we keep God at the centre of our lives,
and don’t eclipse him with our ego,
as some of the angels originally did.
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28. Stages in cycling

TOPIC
LIST

Think through this sequence, starting at blessedness. Some of us will

be at this stage. Then we may become dissatisfied and want to
luxuriate in more than we need. It’s easy for us to think that our
wealth and maybe fame is all down to us. Then it’s a short step to
getting proud (with a capital P) of our achievements. That leaves us
open to becoming egocentric and literally care-less. Then we make
mistakes in our relationships and breakdowns happen – leading to
unhappiness and suffering, and quite likely we resort to violence to
maintain our status quo. Eventually we may see the error of our ways,
and try to make amends. If our repentance is sincere, then we can
start again. (see Peter Keefte) 62
29. WHAT’S PERSECUTION?
Unfortunately, our journey of following Christ
will be met with resistance if faithfully followed
and expressed to those around us.
That’s because of opposition from the fallen angels
and all our fellow human beings
who put ego before God.

The crunch that comes in the cycle of downfall

is when there is a conflict of interest.
A careful reading of the news
shows that many conflicts are a result
of political, economic, social and religious differences.

When it comes to religious conflict

some of the worst atrocities can be committed
and despite all that Jesus taught
Christians are just as much to blame
for the horrible happenings listed in the okki-map.

Think of the Inquisition and the Reformation

and the thousands of fellow Christians
who were put to death just because
of their differences in belief.

Why was this? Did we think that God needed defending?

or was it because we thought
our understanding of the faith needed defending?
Surely it was the latter, motivate by fear
that our ego, not God, was being attacked.
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29. Horrible happenings
IGNORANCE
DOUBT, FEAR
SUSPICION, HATE
BRAIN-WASHING
TERRORISM
ALIENATION
NO CONVERSION

DISCRIMINATION NO MEETINGS
FINE, SANCTIONS HOUSE ARREST
BANNING CURFEW
(e.g. scriptures)
CONFISCATION
DESECRATION
DESTRUCTION
(e.g. of churches,
EGO IMPRISONMENT
DEPORTATION
PHYSICAL ABUSE
KIDNAP / RANSOM
TORTURE, MURDER
mosques, temples)

NO PROSELYTISING
MISINFORMATION
RIDICULE, ABUSE
THREATS, PERJURY TOPIC
BLACKLISTING
LIST
HARASSMENT
BLASPHEMY

There is a paradox here. Often, much of what is listed above is done

in the name of democracy and freedom, and religions are often the
prime culprit. Christians, of all denominations, have a terrible track
record of persecuting non-believers and even those of their own faith
who don’t always tow the line in belief. Heresy is to be stamped out,
no matter how reasonable. All this despite the fact that Jesus taught
his followers that we should not use violence, we should turn the
other cheek, we should forgive enemies, and we should not be
hypocritical! How do we find a balance?
64
 30. WHAT’S ARMOUR?
Although as Christians we have many gifts
to enable us to live a life of love,
there is always a time when we have to fight against
the un-love inflicted by the fallen angels
as well as our fellow human beings.

How do we combat this “sin”?

St. Paul started out life persecuting Christians,
but ended up converted as one of their best champions.
While in prison, he made some guidelines,
coming up with an allegory of spiritual armour.
(see his letter to the Ephesians 6:10-18)
Some are defensive, and some offensive.
Christians should “wear” them all.

Sword of the Spirit

Put the Bible into practice to fight off evil and do good.
Helmet of Salvation
Know that, whatever, God has already defeated evil.
Breastplate of Righteousness
Act in the right way to dull the barbs of the critics.
Belt of Truth
Stick up for what is true in thought, word and deed.
Over-garment of Prayer (& praise)
In everything, talk to God, listen to him, and thank him.
The Shield of Faith
Ward off the arrows of doubt by trusting God.
Shoes of the Gospel of Peace
Be ready and take the good news to others
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30. Pieces to suit

SALVATION

RIGHTEOUSNESS
TRUTH

GOSPEL
FAITH
WORD OF GOD

PRAYER &
PRAISE TOPIC
LIST

This idea of putting on armour is not looked upon kindly by many

Christians when we see the physical violence we have committed in
the name of religion. But this armour is against spiritual forces which
are just as real. Christians should put on this whole armour, but are
some pieces more easily wearable or more needed by some faculties
or temperaments than others? The thinker - helmet of salvation? The
observer - shield of faith? The judger - belt of truth and breastplate of
righteousness? The talker - over-garment of prayer/praise? The doer -
gospel shoes and sword of the Spirit? What suits you?! (see Benedict
Heron)
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31. WHAT’S BALANCE (2)?
We need to balance
liberation with regulation
so as to make what we do manageable.
We are using our freedom to create new ways to live
that are not always beneficial to people and planet.

We need to balance
production with consumption
so as to make what we do sustainable.
We are using up our natural resources
at an unsustainable and unfair rate.

We need to balance
diversification with integration
so as to make what we do changeable.
We are destroying diversity and the options
that it brings to choose to change.

We need to balance
interpretation with communication
so as to make what we do understandable.
We are trying to use stuff, good and bad,
without fully knowing how it works.

We need to balance
transformation and conformation
so as to make all of what we do believable.
We have been trying to do the above things
without transforming our relationships with love
and conforming to the image of the divine in us.
67
31. Ten things to do

TOPIC
LIST

Let’s remember that our lives as Christians have a twofold purpose.

First, to share and grow God’s love within a world bounded by time
and space. Second, to continue doing this, with God, in the eternity of
heaven. Since the beginning of creation we have ignored the divine
and only promoted love of ourselves. To remedy this fault, the things
we do in the world (mapped above) must be in balance to ensure that
the ways we live are manageable, sustainable, changeable,
understandable and above all believable. The good news is that we
now know how to do all these things, but we must acknowledge God in
all our ways, who will then direct our paths (see Proverbs 3:6) through
the Holy Spirit of Jesus the Christ.

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 32. WHAT’S GOOD NEWS?
There's not much around at the moment, is there?
Judging from the radio, TV, social media,
and the current health of people and planet,
happy events are few and far between.

But if we look carefully at our lives and our world,

we can see a myriad of things that gladden the heart.
Despite the dispiriting forces at work around us
there are many more things happening that can
enliven us with joy, kindness, care and compassion.

The good news is that God is the author of what’s good

and that we can seek, find, rediscover and experience
that love wherever and whenever we want it.
We just need to acknowledge our creator and ask
Jesus the Christ as the creative divine principle for help.

It may not make life easier but it will be

far more rewarding and it will have a purpose
which will be to share that Divine love with others
explaining how it works to others when asked.
That is the purpose of the church of Christ.

But the most wonderful bit of news is that

death is not the end of our lives, but a new beginning
with the divinity that brought us into being
as was the intention when we humans first evolved.
It’s something we are promised and is more wonderful
than anything we can imagine.
69
32. Head-lining

TOPIC
LIST

We need news about events, friends, churches, politics or whatever

that builds us up as human be-ings. The good news of Jesus the
Christ, properly understood and practised (covertly or overtly), should
do all these things through his followers, whether unwittingly as
Christ-ins (Christ is within all of us, whatever our religion or none - see
Richard Rohr), or intentionally as Christians (Christ is fully
acknowledged and allowed to help us). The most important thing is to
practice and proclaim unconditional divine love.

70
 REFERENCES
These are only a selection which have helped me write the topics.

Anon. Catechism of the Catholic Church. Revised Edition, 1999.

778pp. Geoffrey Chapman. ISBN 0-225-66867-X
Ball, Ann. The How-To Book of Sacramentals. Everything you
need to know but no one ever taught you. 2005. 335pp. Our
Sunday Visitor. ISBN 978-1-59276-096-1
Charles, Rodger SJ. An Introduction to Catholic Social
Teaching. 1999. 111pp. Family Publications. ISBN 1-871217-30-X
Conrad, Richard OP. The Catholic Faith. A Dominican’s
Vision. 1994. 200pp. Geoffrey Chapman. ISBN.0225-66685-5
Crean, Thomas O.P. A Catholic Replies to Professor Dawkins.
2007. 159pp. Family Publications. ISBN 9781871217704
Graham, Billy. God’s secret Agents. 2004. 176pp. Hodder and
Stoughton. ISBN 9780340630310
Heron, Benedict OSB. I saw Satan Fall – the ways of spiritual
warfare. 1997. 160pp. New Life Publishing. ISBN 0-9529159-1-x
Holden, Marcus & Pinsent, Andrew. Frs. Evangelium – A
Multimedia course in the Catholic Faith based on the Catechism
of the Catholic Church. Participant’s book. 2006. 52pp. Catholic
Truth Society. ISBN 1-86082-393-9
Kreefte, Peter. You can Understand the Bible. A practical and
illuminating guide to each book of the Bible. 1992. 328pp.
Ignatius Press. ISBN 1-58617-045-7
Kreefte, Peter. Catholic Christianity. A complete Catechism of
Catholic Beliefs based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
2001. 423pp. Ignatius Press. ISBN 0-89870-798-6
Keating, Karl. What Catholics Really Believe. 52 Answers to
common misconceptions about the Catholic Faith. 1992. 155pp.
Ignatius Press. ISBN 0-89870-553-3
Radcliffe, Timothy OP. What is the Point of Being a Christian.
2005. 218pp. Burns and Oates. ISBN 0-8601-2369-3
Rohr, Richard. The Universal Christ. How a forgotten reality
can change everything we see, hope for and believe. 2019.
260pp. SPCK. ISBN 978-0-281-07862-2
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 RESOURCES
Commercial video resources:

Sycamore course: https://www.sycamore.fm/about-sycamore/

an informal course about the Christian faith and its relevance for
life today. It gives you space to meet other people, share ideas,
explore your beliefs, and think about questions that really matter.

Alpha course: https://www.alpha.org/catholic-context/

A parish tool for evangelisation where everyone is welcome. The
same Alpha content is run all over the world, by Christians of all
traditions, sharing the good news of Jesus.

CaFE resources https://faithcafe.org/pages/about-us

Catholic Faith Exploration are courses that inspire and empower
regular church-goers and also inform those exploring the faith in a
modern and non-threatening manner. They are an ideal follow-on
to an Alpha course.

Experimental video clips created by me (4-5 minutes each).

Okki-map animations (created with Powerpoint):

Mary Matters https://youtu.be/DON_e3MwZAA
Branches of Christianity https://youtu.be/5LI9SGJ9gMU
Holy Happenings https://youtu.be/ahCgIDLSL0c
Love Truly https://youtu.be/Mykqp_6gBlI
What’s the Bible https://youtu.be/6bM2QDNeA-o

AL’s Handy Facts (created with Doodly):

How Fast is Broadband love? https://youtu.be/1U4JVec6514
What is the Church’s Purpose? https://youtu.be/VB8W1bKbrQ0
How well do you know Mary? https://youtu.be/D80XG9i8z7o#
OK – so what is love, really? https://youtu.be/VkVo8OwS7Gw

A full explanation of the Octaikon and the other okki-maps I have

produced can be found on my website: www.octaikon.co.uk
72