Supernatural, Syncretism, Tantra, Tautology, Teleology, Temperance

Spiritual Word Definitions

ver. : 22 February 2008

The meaning of : supernatural, syncretism, tantra, tautology, teleology, temperance ?

What Is Supernatural ?

supernatural : beyond or above nature; that which is not from the observable, tangible or measurable universe, especially regarding divine things /beings /actions /realms. Related words are mystical and metaphysical.

You can also check the dictionary.

What Is A Tautology?

Tautological and circular thinking [ < Greek tautologos (redundant, repeated without need) < to- + auto- + logos ('the same word').]

When philosophers and theologians get to do enough thinking or talking, they eventually run themselves in a circle. It doesn't usually mean that's the way it really is, it just means that either (a) they've tripped over a paradox; or (b) words and thoughts have just simply run their course on the matter. They've bumped their brains on the ceiling of a mystery, but don't want to admit it, so they keep talking. It's when two different things are described as being the same, or when reasoning runs in a circle. Either they've 'proven' the equality of unequal things, or they're doing the philosophical equivalent of dividing by zero. One can only climb out of this rut by getting practical.

For instance, some liturgical specialists have talked so thickly about how the Spirit makes us do what we do in worship that they forget there's actual people in worship. They are a very, very small step from the circular idea of Christ the puppeteer making worshippers tell Him how great He is : God praising Godself. Or, take Meister Eckhart, the spiritual philosopher, who stated that God is enjoying the Godself in all things. That sort of god is a self-obsessed, vain and egotistical character, one who probably thinks this song is about him. The Bible bears witness to a very different God : a suffering servant, a bestower of blessings, the Other-For-Others who sent the stern 'tough love' words of the Prophets, a God who in all things is enjoying those who are other. God does not love just whatever of God is in you. God loves whatever of you that's in you. God is loving, and often but not always 'enjoying', all things and all creatures both for what they are and for what they can become.

You can also check the dictionary.

What Is Syncretism ?

syncretism : The blending of one religion/philosophy/worldview with others. It's as if someone takes a pile of unrelated religious and philosophical ideas, stories, and symbols, then dumps all of them together into a sink, adds water, and stirs. The result is about as spiritually enlightening as drinking dish water.

tantra :

1. what you have to cope with when you're taking care of two or more young children;
2. Hindi sayings about practices which lead one to enlightenment. But if you can figure out what the tantra have to do with daily living, you must already be very enlightened.

What Is teleology ?

teleology [ < Greek teleios (complete, finished)]. When looking at something's 'teleology', we're trying to find out what leads it to where it goes to when it's finished. This can be thought of as its purpose, or as its destination, or as result. When Jesus said on the cross, "it is finished", it was 'teleological' -- this moment was the purpose of his life, his culmination, what a life such as his led to, and also (what would ordinarily be called) its end or completion, in death. Christians believe the surprise, that there was and is more to come after that. Christians believe that time itself has an end or purpose, namely to bring us back into the arms of the One beyond time, the One who is never finished yet always complete, the One who will complete us. Everything that Christians do in faith is done to further that purpose.

You can also check the dictionary.

What Is Temperance ?

temperance [ < Latin temperare (to stabilize by adding something to modify it) < tempus (season)] doing things in moderation; not being at a fevered emotional pitch; responding in a measured and reasonable manner; done with self-restraint and modesty.

Where is temperance found? :

• in diplomacy
• where people listen
• where people turn the other cheek
• in the way a team works together
• lovers when they deal with each other's differences.

Where is temperance absent?

• at many soccer games;
• in the Israel-Palestinian conflict;
• among drivers in traffic jams;
• in troubled, argumentative courtships or marriages;
• in most personal discussions about religion or politics.

Temperance is one of the seven classic virtues, and also a spiritual practice that reflects the spiritual fruit of self-control. It is being in enough control of our lives that we can dedicate it to God, rather than the pursuit of addictions or excess or what someone else is coaxing us into craving. Its absence leads to death, injustice, fear, and loss of control. A system of law is, among other things, a way for people in a society to be temperate with each other when dealing with injustices and with people that can't be trusted. They trust the temperate responses of law in part because they know that doing otherwise would create far more injustice by creating a spiral of rising vengeance. Without temperance, we do harsh actions to each other that are extreme and unloving, which cause other extreme and unloving actions to happen, and so on, until it reaches someone who is determined to be temperate. In some traditions, 'temperance' has meant refusing to drink alcohol. The Christian works to encourage (in a temperate way) moral awareness so that people of the faith, and hopefully others, will choose not to do wrong.

In the Revelation passages against the Laodicean church, it is said that God will spit them out because they are lukewarm. This is not about temperance, but about a lack of caring, commitment, or focus.

You can also check the dictionary.