Understanding God: BFG Handbook Chapter 70 (Simple Words of God are often Misunderstood)

Built For Greatness

Discover the highlights of this chapter shaping the New Evangelization today: https://www.builtforgreatness.com/tao-the-ching-chapter-70-understanding-god/

The ancient wisdom of the Tao Te Ching collides with Christian teaching in a fascinating exploration of Chapter 70 from the "Built for God Handbook." This unique text presents gospel truths through an Eastern philosophical framework, revealing universal principles that transcend traditional religious boundaries.
"My words are easy to understand and easy to follow, yet the world does not understand and does not follow." This central paradox captures the essence of divine communication across spiritual traditions – profound truth is often deceptively simple, yet frequently misunderstood. The chapter anchors this wisdom in eternity, reminiscent of John's gospel where "in the beginning was the Word," establishing divine authority while acknowledging that true recognition transcends intellectual knowledge alone.
What makes this interpretation particularly compelling is its embrace of paradox rather than attempting to resolve it. "Though the Son of God wears the rough clothes of a servant, he carries a priceless treasure in his heart." Here, external humility contains infinite internal value – a complete inversion of worldly valuation systems that prioritize appearance over substance.
For practical application, we examine the Trinitarian MAP (Mindset, Aim, Practice) – a structured framework for personal transformation. Beginning with mindsets shaped by God's love, moving through aims directed by trust in Christ, and culminating in practices guided by the Holy Spirit, this holistic approach offers concrete steps for spiritual growth and renewal.
Perhaps most intriguing is how these principles resonate across major world religions – not claiming theological equivalence, but identifying shared human recognitions of divine truth. From the simplicity of core teachings to alignment with divine will, resilience in the face of rejection, and the paradox of humble service containing spiritual treasure, these themes appear across traditions in different yet recognizable forms.
By focusing on shared foundational values while respecting differences, Chapter 70 presents a vision where deep faith leads not to isolation but to connection. As Thomas Aquinas reportedly said, "Truth cannot contradict truth" – and discovering these simple, profound truths about humility, divine purpose, and inner value might be our most powerful step toward greater understanding in a fractured world.
Join us in exploring this unique intersection of Eastern and Western wisdom, and discover how ancient paradoxes might hold the key to both personal transformation and building bridges across diverse spiritual traditions.

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Chapters

1. Introduction to Chapter 70 (00:00:00)

2. Divine Paradox: Simple Yet Misunderstood (00:07:22)

3. Aims Directed by Trust in Christ (00:11:30)

4. Practices Guided by Holy Spirit (00:15:04)

5. The Trinitarian MAP Framework (00:15:21)

6. Mindsets Shaped by God's Love (00:15:59)

7. Finding Shared Truths Across Traditions (00:19:33)