Oahspe Study
OAHSPE AND COMMUNITY
When we read the Oahspe, we learn that it is meant to be a Bible. The word Bible may be described differently by any number of people but the common sense of the word as used by mainstream's social order is that of being a Definitive Book. --- It represents an authority which has ultimate or official expertise in the given subject compared to other books.
Here we pause to note that for Seventh Era Faithists, it is Jehovih and His kingdom through His God who are the authorities through whose wisdom Oahspe came forth --- as evidenced by the quality of its light, among other things.
Jehovih's Kingdom on Earth
So if Oahspe is a Bible, then exactly what is Oahspe an authority on? What is this Bible the definitive word on? Again, the answer will vary depending upon one's understanding. Because the Book of Jehovih's Kingdom on Earth is the final book in Oahspe, we might be tempted to think that Oahspe is all about raising up unwanted children in order to provide for both their corporeal and spiritual development. And we agree that this is an ultimate outcome. But if that is so, then what is the purpose of those 30-plus books that precede JKOE?
Toward Fulfillment
Who can doubt that the contents of Oahspe impart how best to develop so that we are constitutionally grown to be capable of that last book? Oahspe says its own purpose is to show man how to live so that he may be a glory to himself and to his Creator. Is attempting to live in community a glory to man and his Creator? Perhaps. Even uzians have attempted community of a higher culture compared to mainstream. But is it Jehovih's kingdom on earth?
What does Oahspe say about Jehovih's kingdom? Oahspe says that man cannot enter Jehovih's kingdom unprepared. In fact, a sample checklist is given in a set of Oahspe verses speaking directly on the subject (see chapter 9 of the Book of Discipline, as cited below).
We call the checklist a sample list because the list is not comprehensive --- for it assumes that one has done the rudimentary labor. We know this is so because after the first list of positive attributes is finished, Oahspe posts a second sample list of misguided attitudes and behaviors that show who is not ready. Missing from that second list are crude, rude, druk behaviors. Why are they missing? Well, can an alcoholic apply to Jehovih's kingdom (after all, it is not mentioned in the checklist as being bad)? The answer is no, not till that person is constitutionally grown. The reason druk behavior is not listed is because it is assumed by the Oahspe authors that if you got this far into the book, you would understand that rudiments must be mastered (or at least constitutional growth in the rudiments) before one presumes oneself ready for something higher.
With regard to the first list, that of the positive attributes, the Oahspe authors also hold the same presumption that one has fulfilled the fundamental positive requirements before consider oneself ready for something higher. This is evidenced in the last verse of that chapter where God summarizes: "To put away flesh-food is easy, but to put away dark thoughts and words --- who can do this in a day?"
Notice that putting away flesh-food is not in that list of positive attributes required for Jehovih's kingdom. Yet, God mentions it at the end, saying, in essence, that becoming corporeally clean in diet and habits (vegan, daily bathing, hygienic habits, etc.) is easy compared to attaining those attributes in the list. Because of God's statement in that place, this means that God presumes that the aspiring Faithist has already been practicing the fundamentals, before he or she would presume himself/herself ready to enter Jehovih's kingdom as an effective worker (builder of light).
After all, the fundamentals begin with cleanliness (corporeal and spiritual) as an essential element of making oneself acceptable to one's fellows. Yet that is not all, for what manner of person would thrust a bad-mannered, smelly, intoxicated, bad habit-ridden demeanor onto a community that they actually want to be a useful affiliative member of?
Note that all the following are tolerable and even acceptable attributes in the uzian social order: non-vegan diet, unhygienic lifestyle, not worshipping Jehovih, not praying to Jehovih, etc. Yet we learn from most of Oahspe that the opposite of those characteristics are important foundational attributes of Jehovih's kingdom whether in heaven or on the earth; and that they must be adhered to in order to get off the ground (spiritual-wise).
Fundamentals
As we learn from Oahspe, Faithists are non-resistors, so we aim to respond as they did in days of Ode (Pun intended), i.e., we will make lemonade from lemons. For, some critics of Faithists and Oahspe call those who practice the Faithist discipline fundamentalist. But having a good solid foundation upon which to build is just what is needed --- after all, no stable house gets built without a foundation! And so, here is some Fun with Fundamentals:
First, to clarify, the definition of fundamental is: a central or primary rule or principle on which something is based. What then are some of these fundamentals? Oahspe is filled with them. And the fundamental commandments of Jehovih for Faithists of this Seventh Era are listed at the beginning of Oahspe (02/1.16-21). We have previously presented these, so no need to repeat them again other than that the very FIRST Commandment is to be VEGAN in diet. Hence, God's reference to the foundation discipline of putting away flesh food, which is representative of the foundation work that God presumes aspirants have done before they are eligible for Jehovih's kingdom. Otherwise, without fulfilling the fundamentals, no one can make much progress, and especially little headway in the positive attributes enumerated in God's list of higher requirements.
Community First, Last, or When it's Time?
What of those who attempt to create Jehovih's kingdom on earth without starting from mastery over the rudiments of the foundation? Newbrough's noble attempt, as well as following attempts, have not once resulted in establishing Jehovih's kingdom on earth. Even though they did not achieve Jehovih's kingdom, they did some good to some degree. And some people will say, it is better than living in uz. In some ways perhaps that is true, although uz is not just a place but is carried within people and manifests in what they create or destroy, or fail to create. It is evidenced in the communities, documented or otherwise, that bringing the values of uz into a fraternity will not result in Jehovih's kingdom. And ultimately such values pull the grade of the fraternity down and the higher grades will depart (if they can).
Some people point to existing communities of today and even those born of yesteryears such as the Amish, as examples of successful communities that they believe to be an improvement over mainstream social order. And they ask, if non-Faithists can achieve that, why can't Faithists get together in community?
Our response is in the form of questions. How can you do it without the fundamentals? What improvement will you bring over that which has been done and can be done by uzians? Otherwise, why not just join one of the established communities? Have not Faithists been searching all these years, especially since the 1960s, for one? Are there any Faithists in the established communities? Or do they all leave because they receive insufficient spiritual nourishment? If you do manage to set one up, will it be set up for the second resurrection?
This brings us back to the beginning, where we stated that Oahspe presents the condition of Jehovih's kingdom on earth as that toward which we, as humanity, are heading. Can you recognize that to jump right to the end in a sort of "end justifies the means" push, is to misunderstand Oahspe? From our standpoint, Jehovih's kingdom on earth is a result or fruit that comes of virtuous behavior which itself comes from following Jehovih's commands and commandments. Our elder brothers and sisters of thousands and hundreds of thousands of years' experience have clued us in through Oahspe as to the highest best way to proceed. In other words, from the means of virtuous behavior stemming from following Jehovih's commandments comes the end result of our membership in Jehovih's kingdom even while living on earth as mortals. Then indeed, brothers and sisters, we shall be truly effective in raising the young in Jehovih's kingdom.
Peace, Love, Light of the Soul, and the EverPresence of Jehovih, forever!
Oahspe, Book of Discipline; 33/9.1-25:
God shows who is and who is not prepared to enter Jehovih’s kingdom on earth
● Whoever has said: I have searched my heart and mind, and now before Jehovih, I desire to live a higher life.
● I desire to put away my selfishness, passions, sentiments of unrighteousness, and unclean thoughts and words.
● I desire more to serve others than myself.
● I desire no possessions, nor preference over another, nor to be a leader or a chief.
● I wish to discipline myself not to speak of myself.
● I would learn to speak truth only.
● I wish to be affiliative.
● I desire to do good to others continually.
● I long for association.
● I will not criticize any person, or censure them or find fault with them.
● I will conform to the rites and discipline of the fraternity.
● I will fulfill my covenants with Jehovih, with all my wisdom and strength.
● I renounce isolated labor.
● I renounce the unorganized world.
● I renounce the Uzians.
● I consecrate myself to Jehovih.
● I give up all to Him.
● What I do from this time forward shall be by and through the fraternity in His name. ||
Then that man is prepared to enter the Father’s kingdom.
But those who say the following, are not prepared to enter the kingdom:
● I want a home for comfort’s sake, and where I may lead an easy life.
● I desire this because I shall have the opportunity to improve myself.
● I desire this because I cannot care for myself, and, I wish to be cared for.
● Where I may shirk responsibilities. ||
Weigh this matter, O man, and be your own judge as to whether you are prepared in heart and soul. Neither flatter yourself that you can come in unprepared and not be discovered. For sooner or later, your innermost thoughts will become known, and the fraternity will not be your place.
To put away flesh-food is easy, but to put away dark thoughts and words—who can do this in a day?
All Oahspe references are from the modern language edition: Oahspe Standard Edition 2007
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