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we will not change! The only lasting change we might then experience is that of
becoming more bitter. Developing a fear of God is not a spiritual path. In the
end, we will always rebel against fear. It is true that in the short term fear does
serve us; it causes us to create new questions and make careful considerations.
But in the end a sustained fear – especially a fear of damnation – can only
cripple us.” (p. 169)
Silverman: The fear of eternal damnation, as Mr. Kaage puts it, might get
us to change our behavior, but not necessarily our essential selves. In the end,
he says, “sustained fear – especially a fear of damnation – can only cripple
us.” His explanation reminds us that a loving relationship with the Lord – one
that is not based on fear or compulsion – is the foundation of all other healthy
relationships.
For example, when there is fear in a marriage relationship, or in a parentchild relationship (whether it be the fear of criticism, abuse or abandonment),
there is little hope for establishing healthy connections. This kind of fear, of
course, is different from what the Writings call “holy fear” – the fear that we
might inadvertently hurt what is good and true in others.
Holy fear does not arise from the threat of punishment, the possibility of
rejection, or any kind of compulsion. On the contrary, it may arise from the
healthy fear that we are possibly too controlling, too demanding, and too eager
to impose our will on others. In brief, as Mr. Kaage puts it, “heaven [and this
includes our idea of heaven] cannot be imposed on others.” (For a discussion of
“holy fear” see Arcana Coelestia 3718.)
Thesis 88: As we grow closer to the Divine, we begin to feel more free.
Kaage: “The new self is defined by the extent of removal of the old self.
This state is authentic freedom. We can never come into a state of real freedom
until we are regenerated and led by the Lord through love for what is good and
true. When in this state, then for the first time we can perceive what freedom
really is. . . . The goal of Divine Providence is not to make us self-sufficient (as
He is), but to bind us together through variety, compatibility, dependence and
reliance upon one another. To be in heaven is to pursue greater and greater
levels of freedom and contribution to eternity.” (p. 170)
Silverman: One of the central tenets of Hinduism, Buddhism and other
eastern religions is that we have “a divine identity” or a “Buddha nature”
which is indistinguishable from God. From this it follows that as people
attain enlightenment they become totally satisfied within themselves, needing
nothing and no one for h \ [