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"Obviously, this book and its adherents are not representative of biblical Christianity; not by any stretch of the imagination. The Urantia Book is very similar to Mormonism and Christian Science beliefs, and little, if anything found within its pages, is scriptural. Consider the following, in contrast to the examples listed above: The Bible is our one authoritative source for truth (Acts 17:11; 2 Timothy 3:16-17), not writings of spirits or aliens (Galatians 1:8); Jesus is not merely an example of God, but rather is the One in whom the Godhead fully dwells, and is a part of the Trinity Himself (Colossians 2:9); man only lives once, not many times, before He faces eternal judgment from God (Hebrews 9:27); salvation does not come through anything that humans can do but is a gift from God (Romans 3:28; Ephesians 2:8-9)..." Full text: What is the Urantia book?

Response to comment [from other]: "The critics could probably be helped by stretching their imagination beyond their pat lil dogmas and assumptions."

We do not open our minds so much that our brains fall out (Eph 4:14). People can propose that the moon is made of cheese. It does not make it so. We have rock solid truth found only in the pages of scripture.

"Again more ignorance of the writer on what the UB teaches in this regard about the nature of Jesus (his divine/human constitution)."

If one truly wants to know who Jesus was, why he came and how to join him in heaven someday (Jn 14:6), it is best to go directly to the source--the word of God.

Response to comment [from other]: "[The Bible uses] circular reasoning..."because it says so!" This suggests that, while it may be true that your brains haven't fallen out, it may well be because, based on the quality of reasoning used to determine that scripture is "rock solid truth", there were none to fall out to begin with."

God gave us common sense and he expects us to use it. Since God was the only one there at the beginning of time (Ge 1:1), we would do well to believe him. He knows more of the cosmos since he created it (Ge 1:16). He knows about heaven and earth since he lives there (Luke 23:43; 2 Cor. 12:4; Rev. 2:7) and is preparing a place for us (Jn 14:3).

There have been many books that claim to superseded the Bible. Not a one of them passes the smell test (1 Cor 2:4). Only the Bible has been proven time and time again to stand up against thousands of years of attacks.

If you would like to know about God, he makes himself known in the pages of scripture. God has not described himself as having existed in three separate trinities. God is one (Deut 6:4).

Does this "universal father" insist that one turn from sin and repent before a holy God?

Like every cult and 'ism, they get the nature of Jesus wrong (Jn 1:1). Jesus is not one of many Creator Sons; he is God's preeminent Son, the second member of the trinity. Jesus is the Creator of all things.

Perfection is attained by continually seeking goodness over the course of many lifetimes, on many different planets? The Bible says that no one is good--not not one (Ro 3:12). The newspaper today will confirm that truth. We do not live again and again (2 Cor 5:8).

New thought, same old sin. God is holy. Men must repent to be saved (Mt 6:33). The good news is, the true Creator God brings hope for the poor, the broken hearted, and the captives of false teaching (Isa 61:1).

Response to comment [from other]: "'[E]ternal progression' of souls...Souls do progress to different heaven worlds and spheres in their eternal journey towards. Paradise which is a Godward ascent or inward journey towards the First Source and Center (the Universal Father and the Paraside Trinity). Souls do experience a kind of rebirth thru 'resurrection' (spiritual transformation)."

Earlier cited: "[T]here is no official religion based upon the Urantia Book, there are groups, like the Jesusonian Foundation, who teach others what is contained in the Urantia Book.

It is difficult to summarize the Urantia Book, as it encompasses many subjects and ideas, from science to politics, from philosophy to history. It is divided into four parts: Part I: The Central and Superuniverses; Part II: The Local Universe; Part III: The History of Urantia; Part IV: The Life and Teachings of Jesus..."

The Bible says "absent from the body present with the Lord" (2 Cor 5:8). We choose Christ (or not) in this life, then immediately go to be with the Lord. People go to heaven or hell based on a right relationship with Jesus.

Response to comment [from other]: "This filler info. quoted from another source (more quoting from your various apologetic sites) is redundant, as we've already sufficiently provided info., links and commentary on the Papers in this thread...which you apparently have not taken time to study, let alone the papers themselves."

My source is more credible--it is the word of God. "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Tim. 3:16-17, NKJV)."

Gravity can be interpreted any number of ways as well. But if you jump off of a building, you will die. God rules and reigns this universe (Jn 14:6).

"This is your 'opinion' which is rather presumptuous given the many possibilities pertaining to the soul's progress and potential in the afterlife..."

My opinion is irrelevant. God's word is all important. God has told men what will happen (1 Cor 14:33) if they continue in their rebellion against the wooings of the Holy Spirit in their lives (Mt 12:32). They will suffer a second death which is eternal (Rev. 20:14).

"... and the greater divine plan of life itself, something the papers expound on quite brilliantly and extensively."

The "papers" are useful only to line a birdcage. If you would like to know God's divine plan for man's redemption, then humble yourself before him and repent of your sin. He will make himself known. "These are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, hand that believing you may have life in His name (Jn 20:31, NKJV)."

Response to comment [from other]: "[S]tay on topic or take your shear cutters elsewhere...I directly addressed the 'assumptions' and 'misrepresentations' of that sorry article-review...An open mind entails 'intelligent research' in all dimensions/aspects of a subject in its proper context."

Your research is false not enlightened. The Bible and the Bible alone is inspired.

"This thread is about the Urantia Papers and enlightening those who haven't got a clue or are assuming things and revealing their own ignorance..."

I think people are pretty smart and they can see through your false teaching. The problem with the world is not ignorance--it is sin. We don't need smarter people. We need better people--those submitted to the authority of Jesus Christ in their lives.

You have the nature of God wrong like every cult or 'ism (Jn 1:1). We do not worship light. God is the creator of light. We worship the creator not the created. No matter how false teachers attempt to confuse, God is able to speak to the hearts of men. He is not the author of confusion (1 Cor 14:33). He does not talk in goofy-talk like false teachers.

You offer spoiled milk. People need the pure milk of the word of God (1 Pet 2:2).

You appeal to the flesh of men. You never call for a man to repent of his sin. You never remind men of God's holiness. God is spirit. He must be worshipped in spirit and in truth (Jn 4:24).

"You can ask questions from those and your own research within the text itself."

John 1:1 will never go away. Every cult and 'ism gets Jn 1:1 wrong. God is one (Deut 6:4). He exists in three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit (Ex 20:2; Joh 20:28; Ac 5:3,4).

"If your not here to discuss the Papers, you're wasting our time and hindering fruitful dialogue."

"...apexing in the glorious presentation of the paradise trinity...awe-inspiring"

The trinity is: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit ( Mt 3:16,17; 28:19; Ro 8:9; 1Co 12:3-6; 2Co 13:14; Eph 4:4-6; 1Pe 1:2; Jude 1:20,21; Re 1:4,5.)

"Humans are not to accept a new gospel from spirit beings, but instead should rely on the Bible as the authoritative source of truth. Jesus is not merely an example of God, but rather is the one in whom the Godhead fully dwells.

Humans will not be reincarnated many times, but instead live only once before facing judgment from God. Furthermore, salvation does not come through anything that humans can do, but instead is given only through the unmerited grace of God..." Full text: The Urantia Book by Jason Barker

Response to comment [from other]: "One must begin reading the Papers in chronological order however to see the cosmological ordering, structure and organization of the theology as it unfolds, to see the intricate relationships involved..."

We do not mix truth with error (Ga 5:9). Doing so leads one to eternal separation from God (Re 20:14).

"...souls continue to progress in the spirit worlds and realms beyond this dimension in their journey towards paradise."

Souls go to hell if they believe a lie. When we die in a right relationship with Jesus, we are headed to heaven.

"Isle of Paradise is at the center of all creation where the paradise trinity dwells."

We have a Bible proven true time and time again. Another perversion of the Bible. God resides in paradise (Luke 23:43; 2 Cor. 12:4; Rev. 2:7). It isn't an island.

This world will be destroyed by fire. There will be a new heaven and a new earth. The term new heaven:

Youngblood, R. F., Bruce, F. F., Harrison, R. K., & Thomas Nelson Publishers. (1995). Nelson's new illustrated Bible dictionary. Rev. ed. of: Nelson's illustrated Bible dictionary.; Includes index. Nashville: T. Nelson.

"If you knew anything about what the Papers teach,...this goes without saying, plus the insight, revelation and very dynamic of 'personality' as it exists in 'pod', 'souls' and the 'universe' is wonderfully expounded on in many places."

Man has personality. God can be more than us but not less. God has personality. We are called personally by the Holy Spirit (Rev. 22:17). We are called by God when we hear the gospel: Christ died. He rose again. By trusting in him--that he paid the sin debt we owe, we can be saved (2 Thess. 2:14). We pass from darkness to light (1 Pet. 2:9). Most people reject the call of God (Prov. 1:24; Matt. 20:16). There are not too many wise (1 Cor. 1:26). Our call is of grace (Gal. 1:6; 2 Tim. 1:9) according to the purposes of God (Rom. 8:28; 9:11, 23, 24). Once you are saved, you are always saved (Rom. 11:29). When we are saved, we enter into a fellowship with the Lord (1 Cor. 1:9). We enter into his holiness (1 Thess. 4:7); we are liberated (Gal. 5:13); attain peace (1 Cor. 7:15; Col. 3:15); to glory and virtue, (2 Pet. 1:3); to the eternal glory of Christ, (2 Thess. 2:14; 1 Pet. 5:10); to eternal life (1 Tim. 6:12). Those who answer Christ's call are justified (Rom. 8:30); they walk worthy of him (Eph. 4:1; 2 Thess. 1:11).

"...a higher cosmic perspective."

Ro 13:1

Response to comment [from other]: "The appellation 'Isle' in 'Isle of Paradise' doesn't necessarily refer to an 'island' like we use it in this space/time dimensional reference. We may look at it as the center of all divine Reality within the sea of space. It the nucleus of all power, light, energy, material gravity, force."

Or you may look at it truthfully as given in scripture: God resides in paradise (Luke 23:43; 2 Cor. 12:4; Rev. 2:7). It is not an intellectual problem--it is a heart problem. Men willfully reject scripture, despising the word of God (1 Thes 4:8).

"Again, the UB reveals much on the very nature of personality."

The UB reveals nothing about the personality of God. It is merely men's wishful thinking so that they never have to address the sin issue (Jn 3:19). The creator God as revealed in scripture as: living, personal, relational, good and loving.

"Personality is a special unique gift of the Father to evolving mortals..."

You have no claim on God because you have not humbled yourself before him. When a man is born again, God hears his prayers (Pr 15:29). He is a new creation (2 Cor 5:17) made into Christ-likeness daily. That is what "Christian" means "Christ-like". Before accepting Christ as Savior, men stand condemned already because they have not believed in the name of the Lord (Jn 3:18). Men do not go to hell for their sins. They go to hell because they do not receive Christ who saves.

Response to comment [from other]: "The answer to everything for you seems to be to quote Paul for the most part, as if that proves anything..."

Watching the apostle Paul is a good idea. "Paul strongly emphasized that he had little contact with the Twelve Apostles...prior to the Jerusalem Council. This point is so crucial to Paul that he declares, 'I saw none of the other apostles...I do not lie' [Gal 1:19-20] (The Plot, pg. 12)." Paul received the gospel not from man but through Jesus Christ (Ga 1:1).

"I see you quoted Revelation, too. Here's a quote from Revelation for you [Re 2:17...[t]he “white stone” prophecy of Jesus in Revelation 2:17 is The Urantia Book and the 'hidden manna' ..."

That is false.

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it [Rev. 2:17].

“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” This is to you and me today.

“To him that overcometh” is the definition of a genuine Christian. We overcome by the blood of the Lamb. Never are we overcomers, but we overcome by His shed blood. We know that the victory was won by Christ and not by ourselves.

“Hidden manna” speaks of the person and the death of Christ as He is revealed in the Word of God. In fact, Jesus said that He Himself was the Bread: “Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread. And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst” (John 6:32–35). The believer needs to feed on Christ—this is a must for spiritual growth. And, actually, Christ is hidden from view; He is not known or understood in our day. My, how folk misrepresent Him and abuse Him!

“I … will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.” A white stone suggests that believers are not black-balled in heaven. Trench said, “White is everywhere the color and livery of heaven.” Frankly, this is rather a difficult figure to interpret. But it is helpful to learn that the people of Asia Minor to whom John was writing had a custom of giving to intimate friends a tessera, a cube or rectangular block of stone or ivory, with words or symbols engraved on it. It was a secret, private possession of the one who received it. Well, Christ says that He is going to give to each of His own a stone with a new name engraved upon it. I do not believe that it will be a new name for you and me but that it will be a new name for Him. I believe that each name will be different because He means something different to each one of us. It will be His personal and intimate name to each of us."

McGee, J. V. (1997, c1981). Thru the Bible commentary. Based on the Thru the Bible radio program. (electronic ed.) (5:909). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Response to comment [from other]: "It seems that all you have going for you is to quote "the Bible." That's not gonna work. Don't be afraid to read The Urantia Book for yourself. Remember what Philip said to Nathaniel: "Come and see."

Ps 50:16.

And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see [John 1:45–46].

"This Nathanael is a wiseacre, and he makes a wisecrack here. Can any good thing come out of Nazareth? And I think he laughed at his own joke, by the way. But Philip didn’t laugh. He just said, “Come and see.” That is the really important thing—come and see."

McGee, J. V. (1997, c1981). Thru the Bible commentary. Based on the Thru the Bible radio program. (electronic ed.) (4:376). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

"If you have any honest questions about The Urantia Book and if you are open to truth, please ask, but it's silly to put forth the idea that The Urantia Book is false simply because you believe the [B]ible."

You refuse the truth so you will believe a lie (2 Thes 2:9).

Response to comment [from other]: "[A]ll you do is keep repeating the same old stuff..."

Truth does not change with the passage of time. All of the truth we need is found in the Bible (Jn 14:6).

"You don't know what your talking about and are deluded into your own self-absorbed theology."

The Bible is all about Jesus. What matters is getting the word of God out. It is not required that we get results. It is required is that we warn individuals (Eze 33).

"You're obsessed with sin & hell...and certain religious programming."

Men need to know the bad news (Lk 13:3) before they know the good news (Jn 3:16). Israel never thought that they could be destroyed, but God assured them that he will judge sin(Eze 23).

"You're not here to learn what the UP teaches..."

I am here to refute false teaching.

"...like you have on other threads."

I work to cast down strongholds (2 Cor 10:4).

"It's getting old."

Mt 24:35

"...[Y]ou continue with these kind of lame, pre-programmed responses overlooking what is being given to you. It's rude actually."

I give out scripture. The truth is hate to those who hate the truth.

"...[O]ur sharing of the UB here is informational, educational, clarifying...sharing the interesting and wonderful contributions of the revelation."

Where is the proof? There is no repentance of sin, no turning from wickedness to righteousness (Mt 6:33). "If your religion doesn't change your life, you'd better change your religion (Rogers)."

"Other inspired writings exist, many in fact. 'God' is not limited to any one book as some seem to believe."

There is one inspired book--the Bible. No other book stands the test of time.

See:

Inspired Scripture

Response to comment [from other]: "Christ Michael— Son of Man and Son of God. (Here Jesus is acknowledge as having a unified personality, God/Man, via his incarnation)."

Here, Jesus is redefined from historical, biblical Christianity. Jesus is not the archangel Michael that Jehovah's Witnesses say he is. He is the uncreated creator of the world (Jn 1:1). Jesus is 100% man 100% God (indentifying with man and able to save). When we die in a right relationship (repenting of sin, turning toward him) with him we will one day be like him, yes.