Hm... at the time of this posting, nobody has responded. Can it be that reality is only what we see? If not, what are the implications of the scripture given as a hint?

To answer the question, yes indeed reality is made up of a least two parts, the part that one can see using physical eyes (the temporal) and the part one cannot see (the eternal) unless one has eyes of faith. To be more precise, reality is triadic or three part. There is the part that is seen, there is the part that is unseen, and then there is the part that links the two together. There is always more to reality "than meets the eye." Reality reflects the very nature of God. God too is triadic (or trinitary if that's more suitable). Since the temporal comes from the eternal or since what is seen comes from what is not seen, the seen is lesser than the unseen. The seen must by its nature submit to the unseen. So even though one suffers in the temporal the temporal is subject to the eternal. No wonder Paul says that troubles are outweighed by the eternal glory that is being achieved because of them. Now then, if one has eyes of faith, (the ability to see more than the immediate temporal trouble) one does not lose heart for that one knows there is much more to the events and circumstances than the momentary discomfort being experienced. One can actually face them with courage, strength and expectation of better more lasting things.

Exactly! Understanding reality in this way brings tremendous courage, strength and expectation. Thanks for such a well-worded answer. - KL

Very articulate answer, Ric!

Paul also speaks in Platonic terms at times -- speaking of that which is real and that which is shadow (my memory fails to his actual terms, and I'm not cheating by looking it up!). The heavens being the reality, and the earth being the shadow of the reality.

One might also consider the spirit and the flesh (or, mind/will and instinct) at least two parts of reality.

I think the Bible considers reality from multiple angles at various times, leading to a variety of answers (unless limiting to a specific section of Scripture).

The 'seen' is often rough and tough and because of our little faith most times, we don't think about the 'unseen' results. If we did, we would not make the stupid mistakes we make and we would not be engulfed in sin so much like we are sometimes.
Keith, there should be more bible questions and discussions like this. Good stuff.
..As iron sharpens iron, so does one man sharpen another...Proverbs 27:17

tim magill
kansas city, ks

Timothy,
So glad you are suggesting that we include more Bible discussions like this on the blog. That's exactly why I asked Latayne to lead the journey with weekly questions. There is so much to learn if we only open our hearts to the Spirit.
Thanks,
- KL

Absolutely - we get a glimpse of this idea from the very first verse of the bible. "God (who is immaterial Spirit) created the heavens and the earth (the material)." - Genesis 1:1

Yes Shawn you are right. Note that in Genesis 1 The triadic parts of reality. The Father (invisible) speaks and Reality(visible) takes shape.
It looks like this God----------Word--------Reality.
Another picture of it is like this:
God waiting to speak---------The Spirit hovering waiting to link--------Reality waiting to take shape.
Such a beautiful representation of how everything works and God reveals that to us from the very beginning.

Oh, man, you people are speaking my language! This is going to be such an exciting study each week. Beginning next week I'll be pointing you to some online materials that will give you so much more to think about.

Latayne C Scott
www.latayne.com
novelmatters.blogspot.com
www.representationalresources.com

Thinking like a Christian is to realize there is a reason for hope, not only coming from our present experience of the grace of God, but also as we look to the future we do not lose hope. It is true, that the outward man is perishing and we simply have to face the fact that the outward man is deteriorating, growing weak as our outer life passes before us. Yet we are told don't get discouraged, because the inner man is being renewed day by day." The "inner" man, of course, is the real me. This is the real experience that is daily being renewed.

The reality of life is understanding our inner stimulation of mind and spirit that keeps us rejoicing, optimistic, faithful, trusting, expectant, as we live day by day, even though the outward things, our body and his mind, are gradually falling apart.

That is the hope of the believer and the very fact of that is testimony to us that we are being inwardly prepared for something great to come.

We're all on the same page, then.... tomorrow we'll have a new question to further refine the examination of this fascinating subject.

Latayne C Scott
www.latayne.com
www.representationalresources.com
novelmatters.blogspot.com

"Reality" is a human, mental construct. It is our perception (however True) of what reflects the Truth (i.e., "Jesus") in the most accurate way.

Of course, all words in whatever language are mental constructs. Derrida and other philosophers (especially those of the French persuasion like Foucault, but including most good philosophers) contend that words are simply "signposts" or "linguistic markers" of concepts. In other words, a concept exists first, and then we figure out as humans how to describe it. And we describe it in all manner of ways, but chief among them - and usually our first inclination - is to describe it verbally or with language.

Therefore, Plato was simply trying to "describe" the difference between the unseen (or "real" to him) and the seen (or "shadow" to him). In Truth, there are both parts to the "Truthful Reflection" (a.k.a. "reality"), what one can see and what one can see only when given eyes by the LORD Most High to see (e.g., Gehazi with the chariots or Peter, James, & John at the Transfiguration among many other instances).

The thing i try to remember is that it isn't as important how many parts comprise the Truthful Reflection or what they are as it is Who made them and why. Why does the LORD Most High hide anything from people? Why did Jesus want His identity kept secret? Why did He speak in parables?

The answer to that question is stewardship of ruling sons, and the Father tells the sons all things (according to Jesus). So, i try to keep in mind that if i just walk humbly, mercifully, justly...if i keep His commandments and dine with Them...if i Love the LORD Most High and my neighbor...if i minister the reconciliation of the Messiah as one of His cabinet officials in His government...then i will know as much as i need to or as much as i can handle of the Truth and whatever reflects it in any realm. After all, the only things any of us can see are things refracted through Light and reflecting seen matter....

Mr. Anonymous