In Lord of the Cosmos, Patella demonstrates the ways in which the Roman Imperial religion imbues Paul's letter and subsequently Mark's Gospel. Mark resonated in the imperial capital and beyond because of its inherent participationist theology, a theology probably augmented by Paul and possibly introduced by him. In his own writings, Paul draws from Mithraic vocabulary and symbolism. Mithraism itself functions within the cosmic framework outlined in Plato's Timaeus. Pauline theology, with its Mithraic overtones, coheres with the Markan theme of Christ's cosmic victory over Satan; Paul and Mark share a similar view of Christ's salvific act. With the Bartimaeus pericope (10:46-52), the Markan Gospel demonstrates that believers, by their call to discipleship, participate in that victory. This whole process is signaled by the baptism with its divine communication and actions of descent and ascent, a strong Pauline concept. Patella shows that the Markan presentation of Jesus' death, the climax of the narrative, brings the act of divine communication full circle. At the baptism, God communicates to creation, and with Jesus' cry from the cross, creation replies in despair. Jesus' death is not the end of the story, however. The women at the tomb realize this fact and are awestruck at its significance, which is the reason that they do not tell anyone what they have witnessed. The notice to meet Jesus in Galilee is an affirmation of the resurrection. By moving from the area of the dead, that is the tomb, to the land of the living, Galilee, Mark echoes the cosmic theology in Paul, which moves from life to death, and back to eternal life.

Theologian Harry Lee Poe and chemist Jimmy H. Davis argue that God's interaction with our world is a possibility affirmed equally by the Bible and the contemporary scientific record. Rather than confirming that the cosmos is closed to the actions of the divine, advancing scientific knowledge seems to indicate that the nature of the universe is actually open to the unique type of divine activity portrayed in the Bible.

Unraveling the Mysteries of the Universe What do you see when you gaze at the night sky? Do you contemplate the stars as the random result of an evolutionary process? Or do you marvel over them as a testament of the Creator’s glory? Modern science has popularized a view of the cosmos that suggests there is no need for God and denies any evidence of His existence. But The Story of the Cosmos provides a different—and fascinating—perspective. It points to a God who makes Himself known in the wonder and beauty of His creation. This compilation from respected scholars and experts spans topics from “The Mathematical Creation and the Image of God” to “The Glorious Dance of Binary Stars” and “God’s Invisible Attributes—Black Holes.” Contributors include Dr. William Lane Craig, Dr. Guillermo Gonzalez, Dr. Melissa Cain Travis, and Dr. Michael Ward. Come, take a deeper look at the universe…and explore the traces of God’s glory in the latest discoveries of astronomy, science, literature, and art.

Reinterpreting the Lord's Prayer and the Beatitudes from the vantage of Middle Eastern mysticism, Douglas–Klotz offers a radical new translation of the words of Jesus Christ that reveals a mystical, feminist, cosmic Christ.

In 'GOD: Beyond the Veil of the Cosmos,' embark on an extraordinary intellectual and spiritual journey that transcends the boundaries of conventional thought. With meticulous research and profound insight, author takes readers on a quest to unravel the enigmatic mysteries of the universe, exploring the existence of a higher power beyond the grasp of human comprehension. Delving into the realms of philosophy, science, and spirituality, this book challenges the limitations of human understanding, delving into the profound question that has captivated humanity for eons: What lies beyond the veil of the cosmos? Drawing upon ancient wisdom, modern scientific discoveries, and the timeless quest for meaning, this ground-breaking work invites readers to contemplate the divine intricacies of existence, urging them to contemplate their place within the grand tapestry of the universe. 'GOD: Beyond the Veil of the Cosmos' is a profound exploration that not only expands the boundaries of human knowledge but also ignites the spark of spiritual awakening in the hearts and minds of all who dare to seek the truth.

Why are we here?And where are we going?Does science have an answer to these two most fundamental questions of human existence? Can mankind determine and direct the future of life on earth purely by scientific means? Plagued by the failure of modern science to explain the most pressing questions of human existence, many of today's postmoderns are once again boldly going where man has gone before in a desperate final quest for the hidden "holy grail" of cosmology.Erwin Schrödinger, the famed Austrian theoretical physicist who received the Nobel Prize in 1933 for his contributions to quantum mechanics, confided: "[Science] knows nothing of . . . good or bad, God and eternity. . . . Whence came I and whither go I? That is the great unfathomable question. . . . Science has no answer to it."Echoing this dilemma, British astrophysicist Sir Arthur S. Eddington, famous for his work on the theory of relativity in the early 20th century, also reasoned: "Thus, in the physical world, what a body does and what a body ought to do are equivalent; but we are well aware of another domain where they are anything but equivalent.... There is a clear distinction between natural law, which must be obeyed, and moral law, which ought to be obeyed. Ought takes us outside of physics and chemistry."Postmodern thinkers take pride in the perpetual pursuit ot knowledge--but the questions for readers now holding this book are clear: How will you recognize the seemingly elusive chalice of "ultimate truth" when it actually appears? And finally, what will you do with it when this coveted cup is within your grasp?In a sweeping panorama of inquiry and exploration, the timeless quest within these pages leads grail-seekers and skeptics alike to a destiny-altering consideration of the cosmos--and the question of human existence.

The book is a study of the Mithraic cult within the Hellenistic worldview and its influence on both the Pauline writings and Mark's Gospel. >