Category Archives: Theology

The Jesus Sutras (Part 9): Refuge and Return

Posted on September 30, 2011 by Victoria Emily Jones

(For an introduction to this series, read Part 1.) Shower us with Your Healing Rain! Help us to overcome, give life to what has withered, and water the roots of kindness in us. —The Supreme, vv. 23-24 Development of a … Continue reading →

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The Jesus Sutras (Part 8): The Virgin “Mo Yan”

Posted on September 26, 2011 by Victoria Emily Jones

(For an introduction to this series, read Part 1.) So God caused the Cool Breeze to come upon a chosen young woman called Mo Yan, who had no husband, and she became pregnant. The whole world saw this, and understood … Continue reading →

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The Jesus Sutras (Part 7): Mindfulness

Posted on September 24, 2011 by Victoria Emily Jones

(For an introduction to this series, read Part 1.) The Sutra of Cause, Effect, and Salvation, in addition to addressing the issue of karma, exhorts people to live in continuous mindfulness of Christ’s work on the cross. Mindfulness (sati) is … Continue reading →

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The Jesus Sutras (Part 6): Karma and Rebirth

Posted on September 19, 2011 by Victoria Emily Jones

(For an introduction to this series, read Part 1.) “I am the owner of my karma. I inherit my karma. I am born of my karma. I am related to my karma. I live supported by my karma. Whatever karma … Continue reading →

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The Jesus Sutras (Part 5): The Five Skandhas

Posted on September 11, 2011 by Victoria Emily Jones

(For an introduction to this series, read Part 1. For a full English translation of all eight Jesus Sutras, check out Martin Palmer’s book of that name.) In the Sutra of Cause, Effect, and Salvation, Jesus is presented as the … Continue reading →

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The Jesus Sutras (Part 4): Orthodoxy Established

Posted on September 5, 2011 by Victoria Emily Jones

(For an introduction to this series, read Part 1.) All parenthetical chapter/verse references in this post, unless otherwise specified, are from what is known as the “First Sutra,” or “The Sutra of the Teachings of the World-Honored One.” The translation … Continue reading →

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The Jesus Sutras (Part 3): The Stone Sutra

Posted on August 28, 2011 by Victoria Emily Jones

(For an introduction to this series, read Part 1.) The Religion of Light teachings are like the resplendent sun: they have the power to dissolve the dark realm and destroy evil forever. (Stone Sutra 2:22) I’ve been going back and … Continue reading →

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The Jesus Sutras (Part 2): The Religion of Light

Posted on August 26, 2011 by Victoria Emily Jones

(For an introduction to this series, read Part 1.) To penetrate the mysteries, to bless with a good conscience, to be great and yet empty, to return to stillness and be forgiving, to be compassionate and to deliver all people, … Continue reading →

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The Jesus Sutras (Part 1): Introduction

Posted on August 22, 2011 by Victoria Emily Jones

Several months ago I watched a BBC documentary series by Oxford professor Diarmaid MacCulloch, called A History of Christianity. In the first DVD, MacCulloch travels to China and discusses, on site in Xian, the existence of a Christian community that … Continue reading →

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Gospel Illumination for the 21st Century

Posted on June 5, 2011 by Victoria Emily Jones

You’re probably at least somewhat familiar with the medieval practice of manuscript illumination: the elaborate decoration of a handwritten text with illustrations, borders, and drop caps, all pressed or dusted with gold leaf. The term “illumination” refers to the literal … Continue reading →

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