Seminary Program

This is where we post the essays from many of our Universal Life Church Seminary students. When students finish a ULC course, they write a comprehensive essay about their experiences with the course, what they learned, didn't learn, were inspired by, etc. Here are their essays.

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Sunday, November 14, 2010

Four Gospels

by Rev. Barbara A Durbin

I enjoy reading different translations of the Bible.
The Unvarnished Gospel was yet another enlightening experience.
It helps explain verses and the Gospels in a different and new light.

Some of the speech; it seems is translated by an individual -by their own interpretation.
Yet, I suppose that goes the same with many translations.
I know that when I speak to someone of another heritage and they are trying to explain something to me, sometimes they have difficulty finding the right words in English to describe it. Course Example= was calling Heaven – The Sky.

The Course emails with the teachers’ views helped also in seeing the verse with a different understanding – different meaning. Perhaps it opens ones eyes to more meanings than they thought existed.

I’m glad to see the one of the Apocryphal Books - Thomas was also included.
I personally believe that these books are Blessed as are the books in the Biblical.


What is learned:

It teaches us the History of Jesus.
His Birth as told by Prophesies.
His Teachings of the Gods Law from the Old Testament.
His Miracles, Healings, Releasing of Demons, Walking on water.
His Death on the Cross. Fight with Satan in the Underworld.
His Resurrection Three Days Later. And ascension into Heaven.

Among His teachings of Gods Law.
Jesus came with a new Commandment – To LOVE One Another.
It is easy to love a friend. To love an enemy is of a much greater and higher love


Jesus came not to Judge us, but to Free us of our sins and release us from the evil one. He brought us Salvation.

(New Living Translation)
John 1:12 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. 13 They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.

(The Unvarnished Gospel)
But to those who did accept him he gave the right to become children of God if they had faith in his name, they who were born not of blood, nor the flesh’s will, nor a man’s will, but of God.

I see the Gospels as with all of the New Testament as a Manual of how to live life.
How to treat others. How to treat oneself. How to accept God and his Laws.
Whether Man or Woman, In Gods eyes we are the same.
The Spirit is really neither.

We often seem to be looking for answers. Thing is, if more people were to look to the Bible, they will find the answers they seek.

Have Faith to that which is unseen.


Rev. Barbara A. Durbin





The Four Gospels

I believe that reading the Four Gospels teaches us several things.

1. It teaches us the History of Jesus.
His Birth as told by Prophesies.
His Teachings of the Gods Law from the Old Testament.
His Miracles, Healings, Releasing of Demons, Walking on water.
His Death on the Cross. Fight with Satan in the Underworld.
His Resurrection Three Days Later. And ascension into Heaven.

2. It teaches us that God Is the same today as he was yesterday and will be the same forevermore. God is the beginning and the end.


3. Jesus came not to Judge us, but to Free us of our sins and release us from the evil one. He brought us Salvation.


John 1:12 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. 13 They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.

John 3:3 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God .” 4 “What do you mean?” exclaimed Nicodemus. “How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?” 5 Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. 6 Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. 7 So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit.”



4. Among His teachings of Gods Law.
Jesus came with a new Commandment – To LOVE One Another.
It is easy to love a friend. To love an enemy is of a much greater and higher love.
The Path to LOVE is Lead by:
My Father God - Jesus - the Holy Spirit
GOD is LOVE

5. God has given us Free Will.
It is up to us to decide to follow God or to follow other.
I believe that God loves us and as His child His desire is for us to chose Him.

I see the Gospels as with all of the New Testament as a Manual of how to live life.
How to treat others. How to treat oneself. How to accept God and his Laws.
Whether Man or Woman, In Gods eyes we are the same.
The Spirit is really neither.

We often seem to be looking for answers. Thing is, if more people were to look to the Bible, they will find the answers they seek.

Have Faith to that which is unseen.



My Message

In Prayer.... here are some of the things that enter my mind:
You have to let go of the past, of the pain and regret.
Open your heart to new beginnings.
Have Faith, Hope & Believe.
Be slow to anger and slow to speak.
Forgive as you would want to be forgiven.
Do unto others, as you'd have them do unto you.
Have Compassion.
SHOW Love.
At this moment; I need to add...
Make each day, each moment count.
Walk in LOVE... it is key.


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