As the document began its journey through various translations, it became more and more corrupt from the original. As this continued through the centuries it became more apparent that the Septuagint was a good thing to have available to check translations against. Generally, the differences between translations, when using the Septuagint, found missing words and phrases more than anything else. Yet they were still missing or lacking the original intent. The Septuagint became the standard authority in many respects and was quoted by Christ on a regular basis. Regardless of the translations of the Hebrew and its eventual acceptance by Christianity, the Septuagint found favor at the time simply because it was in Greek, the language of the Christian church and the Roman Empire.

Pick a book

As the translations of the Old Testament continued and Christianity continued its particular metamorphosis, the Old Testament changed along with the thoughts of the time. The original intent and thought of the book remained but different cannon books began to be added and subtracted from the completed work used at that time. The general order of the books is where the differences are usually found. The Hebrew is generally found in all variations of Christianity but not necessarily in the same place. It may be

supposed that what was happening could be likened to a book editor putting his own stamp on a piece of literature. Although there is sure to be a certain discussion as to the orientation of the books, as they apply to carious Christian denominations and number involved, 40 total books could be considered.

Lost in translation

The shuttling around of books and constant translations using this particular reference with that particular reference often make a true reading of the Old Testament a bit difficult. It also opens up a section of study where archeologists have started to look at the archeological record as it relates to statements made in the Old Testament. Generally, it appears that people are always looking a bit deeper then they really need to when searching for the true meaning they seek.

Interpretation and understanding

Past the shuttling around of the Old Testament books, the real understanding and interpretation of the books can tend to be lost. As the testament editor of his day goes about arraigning the books, what is he trying to say about the individual books? Does he have an interpretation that he is trying to get across or is he offering an understanding of what the books were originally trying to say? Translations to reordering, they have all become part of the history of the Old testament and likely one of the reasons that the Eastern Orthodoxy chose to keep the original work as close to what it was intended to be.

Taking your own advice

Spiritual advice can be one particular part of a solution for many different issues. Affairs of the heart or questions about your particular place in this world are two possible issues that you may need help in understanding. No one person or thing will have all the answers. Each source you draw from will have but one part of the puzzle. It is up to you to figure out how each applies to your particular quandary or question.

Considering religion

Religious advice brings a certain dogma to spiritual advice. It, in of itself, is relatively narrow in how the advice may apply to your particular spiritual needs. This does not make it any less valuable then any other spiritual advice but it should not limit you in accepting other sources of advice that may build upon the religious advice you receive from a religious advocate. In many instances you may actually find that the religious advice and the other sources of spiritual advice you find revolve around the same basic premises.

Life’s energy

As you go about searching for your personal answers you may seek advice from people that you feel may have answers or directions toward an inner answer. What each is likely to be telling you is that there is a particular direction for you to follow as you seek your answers. This direction has quite a bit to do with the energies that flow through all life. Even the contradictions that science and religion have agree, for the most part, that there is an energy that flows through all things. It is how you direct that energy within that is the primary question. With this in mind, all things can help you find what you are looking for, not just people in supposedly knowing places.

A connection between religion and spirituality

Some would say that this heading is just a common sense statement, and possibly it is. However, finding religious and spiritual guidance from a religious person and a part of that religion may be considered two different things. A waterfall, majestic tree or quiet pond is just as capable of rechanneling the life’s energy that has you seeking advice. Whether it is nature or a “man of God” giving you the advice is of no matter. It is what you do with the advice that is being given. You may hear the advice from a person and translate it into an action or feeling while with nature you are translating from feeling to action. It is all the same as long as you become closer to the best answer is for you.

The same but different

The split between religion and spirituality can be thought of in many ways, and would be correct in each of the many ways. If a hard and fast rule were to be applied it would be incorrect. If a lose idea is given it might be that spirituality opens a wider door in the pursuit of ones own god or perception of higher force then a more dogmatic approach formed by organized religion. Both are the same, but work from differing perspectives.

In the end the search is the same

Being at peace with how one feels about their particular relationship with god; the lack of a god or a higher force is the ultimate expression of a person’s inner desire to find answers for things they take on faith. If knowing that a place exists for those that have accepted God, organized religion is perfect for that person. If a person feels that they must find a personal path toward understanding their inner self in the unknown, good for them.

Finding peace within

In the end, all that is available to the physical human body and mind, as we know it, is that a certain peace has been made with what is right for that person when they consider ill-defined constructs. In the end, who’s to dispute the answer amongst the physically alive? Those that find peace in dogmatic religion will say Jesus tells us so, which is fine for those that find peace in that belief. Those that find their particular inner peace in other forms/practices are perfectly fine with their personal perspective as well and are likely not to ask others to follow their path but find their own.

A further spiritually religious path

In much the same way that Christianity has its exceedingly ardent followers toward the word of god and all that is associated with it, spirituality has groups of people that are no less committed to their particular practices. Experiencing Jesus’ pain and following the teachings of the few lead these people to the heaven they find in their inner search. Spiritual seekers find their inner-self, at this extreme, by searching for a physical change inwardly and outwardly.

Although each may be at the outer ends of the overall spectrum, it does show that each person is looking to find their inner relationship with constructs that humans take on faith. Concepts that follow one thought almost universally agreed upon, no two humans are alike in any way shape of form; which is a true definition of unique and the basis of how religion and spirituality work in tandem for people to find their own inner self.