Nick writes:
"If the potential of the DIVINE is without end, shouldn´t we accept then at least the theoretical possibility of Jesus having risen physically from the dead? Even in a manner comparable to scenes in horror movies? Why not, I say. But that kind of `belief in the Resurrection´ is rather different from the intellectually dishonest neglect to all the evidence against it. (Above all, we don´t have any original Gospel text; in the case of `Mark´ and `Matthew´ we don´t even know the author; we don´t know the many possible alterations of the basic text during centuries when the Gospels were copied by hand; last but not least there is the inherent improbability of such a paranormal event.) Notwithstanding, today there is much more to speculate about the posssibility of physical resurrection than ever before. Who could tell if we won´t be `resurrected´ in a parallel universe immediately after we close our eyes here? And what about the limited time span of a human´s life on earth in a uni- (or multiverse) where time can go both forwards and backwards? Finiteness is the illusion, not INFINITY."
Rob writes:
"According to the Mormon Paradigm, Nature or Existence is primary, is on-going and eternal, and all things--living and non-living, divine or human--exist within the confines of nature. According to the speculation of early Mormon theologians/philosophers Orson Pratt's and Parley P. Pratt, to exist is to have a nature, and thus limits. The endless potential of the Divine is no from that of humans, and it has to do with the limitless ability to comprehend existence itself.
Of course, the validity one gives any sort of sepculation will be determined by the vailidity one gives to human consciousness. Can humans grasp through their natural senses information about the nature of the universe, and can they by virtue of their rational minds understand the nature of the universe. If one discounts the abiility of humanity to comprehend existence by virtue of their senses, then one's speculations needn't be rooted in the natural world or existence; one accepts the primacy of consciousness, where flights of fancy can be regarded as being just as reliable as any theory science might produce. But if one accepts the primacy of existnce or nature over consciousness, then one will demand actual proof from nature for theories and speculations. In the end, everything comes down to epistemology."
About Me
- ROB. LAUER
- Rob. Lauer is an award-winning playwright, theatrical and television director, actor and TV talk show host. Rob’s first play, “Digger,” won BYU's 1982 Mayhew Award; was produced to critical acclaim that same year, was published in 1988, and republished in 2013. In 1990, he became the first playwright to win both awards for drama at the Deep South Writers Conference. His satire “Tom & Penny’s Yard Party” (available from Steel Spring Stage Rights) won the Best Play of the Year Award, while his urban drama, “The Church Street Fantasy,” won the Paul T. Nolan Award. Rob's New York City theatrical credits include three years as an actor with the acclaimed Prince Street Players and four years as Artistic Director of Sail Productions, Inc. From 2002 through 2005, he served as Artistic Director of “Swamp Gravy”—the State of Georgia's Official Folk-Life Play. He has taught playwriting at University of the Pacific and Western Wyoming Community College. Rob currently lives in Virginia where he produces and hosts a local TV talk show. He was Associate Director of the LDS Church's Hill Cumorah Pageant from 1997 through 2003. He has been a Reform Mormon since 2004.