>God helps those who help themselves< And God help those I catch helping themselves.
Alan B.

Thank you Peter for this very thoughtful article.

I do wonder how many of the readers could understand what you wanted to convey:

The thought of God as a supernatural being is far too prevalent these days, among believers and unbelievers alike. To try and cure that notion, you introduce the parable that "Rather God exists as does a work of art" which demonstrates passive causality. The risk is that the reader might be hooked to that example and think of God as a work of art...

Passive causality and desire/inspiration have their place in the foundations of the world, but God goes even beyond that: they depend on God but God does not depend on them!

Keep up the faith for God will surely help us, even if His help does not come through a church.

Meanwhile why not check out these two references on the nature of Faith (Trust), Freedom,Authority and Doubt
http://www.beezone.com/authoritycertaintyfreedom/authority_certainty_freedom_part1_edit.html

http://www.beezone.com/adi-da/faith-1.html

Plus this essay on Christ & Quantum Reality
http://www.beezone.com/beezones-main-stack/christ_equals_emsquared.html

The above essay is featured in this remarkable book
http://www.beezone.com/beezones-main-stack/tableofcontents-5.html
All of the essays in the above book can now be read

Meanwhile what does one make of the very deeply psychotic religionists who were/are very supportive of Donald Trump. As are most of those who scribble for the Quadrant/Spectator nexus here in Australia.

Thank you David F. and Alan B. for your thoughtful contributions.

While God is not an entity, most people are yet unable to relate to God other than as an entity (of their imagination). We ought to be kind to their childish way of thinking, because we too used to be children. Rather than insist on the deepest and mind-boggling Truth for which they are not ready, we as religious leaders ought, as much we can, to try and infuse their ideas with the best conceivable qualities, good values and the most exquisite and attracting beauty. Monotheism seems to be an adult theme.

Yes, even in case it once did, the book of Joshua no longer conveys goodness and beauty to the modern man.

Regarding "The right thing", it only has a relative existence: there always are righter and righter options to pursue, each resulting in longer and longer lasting long-term happiness, yet there is no "rightest" and no action produces eternal results - Grace is still required.

This reference and the book in which it written also provide a unique Illuminated Understanding of Reality (including the "trinity") and the Teaching of Saint Jesus of Galilee
http://www.beezone.com/beezones-main-stack/ewb_pp436-459.html
Note the last section titled The Essential Teaching of the New Testament

God helps those who help themselves< And God help those I catch helping themselves.
Alan B,
Good one !