Spark?

[StrawberryJam]

What is it exactly? I have heard christians and jews speak of a “spark” sometimes in ways that seem the same, other times in ways that seem very different.

What is this spark to you? Can you explain it to me so I can really understand what it means?

I’ve heard it said it is in everyone or can be. I have also heard it used in a way that seems to describe something like the bible mentions about pricking a conscience I think.

Is this spark also the Holy Spirit, or not? Or not always?

Does anyone have any references to the spark I keep seeing mentioned here from time to time, or should this be in the spirituality forum?

I am open to hearing from all believers of any faith community though.

Peace

 

[StrawberryJam]

I take this to mean that no one is willing to explain their faith?

 

[RebeccaJ]

I don’t know what it is you are referring to. Maybe an example of what you seeing/reading would help.

 

[Rawb]

Strawberry, I’ve never heard anyone speak of a ‘spark’ other than the All-Spark, which is in the Transformers movies…

Remember that there are hundreds, if not thousands, of different protestant denominations that teach different things. It is altogether possible that one person in the backwoods of who-knows-where has decided this ‘spark’ is the key to promoting Christianity, and came here to spread it. Where have you seen this? I mean, in what context? And is it always the same person?

 

[Publisher]

Perhaps it’s like the song…

“It only takes a spark to get a fire going
And soon all those around can warm up in it’s glowing
That’s how it is with God’s love, once you’ve experienced it
You share His love with everyone you want to pass it on.”

We need more “sparks” it seems and then share the love we’ve experienced.

 

[Eucharisted]

The “spark” you speak of is the Image and Likeness of God, though not really. What I mean is, think of God as a giant fire. Now think of man as a little spark. That is what it is usually being spoken of as the Divine Spark, that man is made in God’s Image and Likeness. Some Christians use this imagary, but I don’t, I consider it to be Gnostic.

The reason I consider it to be Gnostic is because the Gnostics believed man had a Divine Spark, that is, Secret Knowledge, which he had to tap into in order to break his spirit free from the evil material body it was trapped in, since Gnostics consider material stuff to be evil and spiritual stuff to be good. Gnosticism is, of course, a heresy - an ancient heresy.

Other understandings of the “spark” is that it is a share in God’s Love, or contemplation of the Lord’s attributes. Some non-Christians, like Buddhists, believe the spark is you yourself, that you reach this spark by going inward to God - and a few try to use this belief to trick Christians into leaving Christianity.

 

[Publisher]

Friends call the “Spark” the Light Within, the Seed, that of God in each of us, the Light of Christ, Inner Word.

What has been termed the “Quaker passage” is found in John 1.9.

 

[StrawberryJam]

Thanks for the replies. I took it to mean some kind of reflection of God in people, but was not sure if that was correct. You see, I see goodness in a lot of people and I wondered if that goodness is this spark. Since I am not able to see God as always good or good in an understandable way, or that he even need to be good at all times and places I wondered if we can see a spark in things that don’t give us the warm fuzzies? Like in a catastrophe?

 

[bpbasilphx]

I’ve never heard people use “spark” in a spiritual sense.

 

[Roman_Catholic_1]

Just for kicks I searched for Spark in the KJB at BibleGateway.com… Nothing

I too am not sure the context of what you are referring to strawberry.

God bless you

 

[geometer]

The Kabbalists teach about divine sparks in creation. It is quite elaborate. When God began to create he emmanated from himself ten spheres filled with his light. The spheres were shattered and sparks of the light went everywhere, and are hidden everywhere. Kabbalists believe that they must seek out those sparks and raise them up to God.

 

[StrawberryJam]

The Kabbalists teach about divine sparks in creation. It is quite elaborate. When God began to create he emmanated from himself ten spheres filled with his light. The spheres were shattered and sparks of the light went everywhere, and are hidden everywhere. Kabbalists believe that they must seek out those sparks and raise them up to God.

How do they do this?

I can’t find “spark” in the bible either, as another poster tried searching. That does not mean it is not a term used today as many used today are not in the bible of course.

I was wondering if spark is also what can make someone see God?

Maybe I am too concerned with words and my not understanding them.

I just thought, that if I could understand what this spark was I could try to see if I can find it.

 

[Convert66]

Strawberry Jam,

Eucharisted is on the right track if by “spark” you mean it’s most common usage in the context of spirituality and religion. What you see in people is the dignity of the “image of God” in each person. This is why we believe as Catholics in the inherent dignity of every person, born or unborn, old or young.

The common usage is almost exclusively meant to convey, with Oprah and Chopra, that we are all divine or that All is Divine. The concepts are similar, but there is no “otherness” to God in the Oprah-Chopra “spark” view. Oprah thinks we’re all “worth it” because we are all divine. Catholicism says that we aren’t worth it because we’re all sinners and that sin has separated us from God; but God seeks to reconcile us back to the image of Himself in Christ and has made us partakers of the Divine Nature by partaking of our human nature.

The differences may seem almost negligible in theory, but in practical terms they are worlds apart. Catholics hold fast to the dignity of the person, born or unborn because we are made in the image of God. Oprah believes we are all “sparks of the divine” and yet supports abortion-on-demand. On the one hand, God is “outside” and we see His image first in others and should therefore serve our brethren. On the other hand, in the spark view, we are all divine and one, but it is okay to kill the “spark” in the womb to therefore keep serving only one’s self.

Folks think the Trinity is absurd because it consists of three Divine Persons in One God. Oprah thinks that “god” is 6 billion persons who are one, and she is the wealthiest woman in America (and culturally, probably the most influential). Go figure . . .

 

[Harpazo]

Are you talking about this?


The “All Spark?” I’m sorry, I couldn’t resist!

In Christ,
Andrew

 

[Finrock]

Hello StrawberryJam! I hope you’ve been doing well.

What is it exactly? I have heard christians and jews speak of a “spark” sometimes in ways that seem the same, other times in ways that seem very different.

What is this spark to you? Can you explain it to me so I can really understand what it means?

To me what you are describing is the Light of Christ. If I may, I will quote from the LDS Guide to the Scriptures as it’s description is succinct yet meaningful:

“Divine energy, power, or influence that proceeds from God through Christ and gives life and light to all things. It is the law by which all things are governed in heaven and on earth (D&C 88: 6-13). It also helps people understand gospel truths and helps to put them on that gospel path which leads to salvation (John 3: 19-21; 12: 46; Alma 26: 15; 32: 35; D&C 93: 28-29, 31-32, 40, 42). The light of Christ should not be confused with the Holy Ghost. The light of Christ is not a person. It is an influence that comes from God and prepares a person to receive the Holy Ghost. It is an influence for good in the lives of all people (John 1: 9; D&C 84: 46-47). One manifestation of the light of Christ is conscience, which helps a person choose between right and wrong (Moro. 7: 16). As people learn more about the gospel, their consciences become more sensitive (Moro. 7: 12-19). People who hearken to the light of Christ are led to the gospel of Jesus Christ (D&C 84: 46-48).”

I hope this was helpful.

Kind Regards,
Finrock

 

[Christian55]

What is it exactly? I have heard christians and jews speak of a “spark” sometimes in ways that seem the same, other times in ways that seem very different.

What is this spark to you? Can you explain it to me so I can really understand what it means?

I’ve heard it said it is in everyone or can be. I have also heard it used in a way that seems to describe something like the bible mentions about pricking a conscience I think.

Is this spark also the Holy Spirit, or not? Or not always?

Does anyone have any references to the spark I keep seeing mentioned here from time to time, or should this be in the spirituality forum?

I am open to hearing from all believers of any faith community though.

Peace

StrawberryJam:

The idea of a “spark” or “divine spark” is found in Gnosticism. There is an extensive article on Gnosticism in the Catholic Encyclopedia-just click on the Encyclopedia tab at the top of this website. Here are a few quotes from the article.

II. DOCTRINES

(c) Soteriology

"Gnostic salvation is not merely individual redemption of each human soul; it is a cosmic process. It is the return of all things to what they were before the flaw in the sphere of the “Eons brought matter into existence and imprisoned some part of the Divine Light in the evil Hyle (Ule). This setting free of the light sparks is the process of salvation; when all light shall have left Hyle, it will be burnt up, destroyed, or be a sort of everlasting hell for the Hylicoi.”

IV. SCHOOLS OF GNOSTICISM

(a) The Syrian School

"This school represents oldest phase of Gnosticism, as Western Asia was the birthplace of the movement. Dositheus, Simon Magus, Menander, Cerinthus, Cerdo, Saturninus Justin, the Bardesanites, Severians, Ebionites, Encratites, Ophites, Naassenes, the Gnostics of the “Acts of Thomas”, the Sethians, the Peratae, the Cainites may be said to belong to this school.

The more fantastic elements and elaborate genealogies and syzygies of aeons of the later Gnosis are still absent in these systems. The terminology is some barbarous form of Semitic; Egypt is the symbolic name for the soul’s land of bondage.

The opposition between the good God and the World-Creator is not eternal or cosmogonic, though there is strong ethical opposition to Jehovah the God of the Jews. He is the last of the seven angels who fashioned this world out of eternally pre-existent matter. The demiurgic angels, attempting to create man, created but a miserable worm, to which the Good God, however, gave the spark of divine life."

Hope this helps.

Christian55

 

[StrawberryJam]

StrawberryJam:

The idea of a “spark” or “divine spark” is found in Gnosticism. There is an extensive article on Gnosticism in the Catholic Encyclopedia-just click on the Encyclopedia tab at the top of this website. Here are a few quotes from the article.

Hope this helps.

Christian55

Thank you for this, I am sorry I did not see your reply until now. I am not good at even following my own questions.

I am curious though, about how any of these thoughts contradict catholic teachings?

Origins of it, are interesting. But, how do these ideas conflict exactly?

 

[Christian55]

Thank you for this, I am sorry I did not see your reply until now. I am not good at even following my own questions.

I am curious though, about how any of these thoughts contradict catholic teachings?

Origins of it, are interesting. But, how do these ideas conflict exactly?

For the Catholic view of salvation, click on the Encyclopedia Tab at the top of this webpage. Use this quick link: oce.catholic.com/index.php?title=Salvation

I am a Protestant Christian. However, I rely upon the Catholic Encyclopedia very often. The Catholic beliefs about salvation are very similar to mine.

The Gnostics believe salvation is attained through knowledge, and is a cosmic process, involving the “setting free of the light sparks.” Gnostics believe that there is a “Good god” and the “World-Creator,” and both gods are in opposition to one another. They see the “God of the Jews” as being in opposition to the “Good god.”

For Christians, salvation comes through faith in Christ, who shed his blood to atone for our sins and to grant us eternal life. We are called to repentance and to walk in the footsteps of Christ, as faith without works is dead. We are Baptized in the name of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit—believing all are One God known as the Holy Trinity. So, the God of the Jews is the same God of the Gentiles. The Holy Trinity can be found throughout the Bible.

The Christian Scriptures do not speak of a “spark” or “divine spark” as the Gnostic writings do. As a Christian, I do not believe in the Gnostic “divine spark.”

However, The Holy Bible has much to say about “Light,” as Christ is the Light of the world.

I will list a few Scriptures. You can find more at BibleGateway.com at the following link: biblegateway.com/keyword/?search=light&version1=47&searchtype=all&wholewordsonly=yes&spanbegin=47&spanend=73

John 8:12 (ESV): I Am the **Light **of the World. 12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John 12:45-46 (ESV): 45And whoever sees me sees him who sent me. 46 I have come into the world as** light**, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.

Acts 13:47 (ESV): 47 For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, “‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’”

2 Corinthians 4:6 (ESV): 6For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 5:7-9 (ESV): 7Therefore do not become partners with them; 8for at one time you were darkness, but now you are** light** in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9(for the fruit of** light** is found in all that is good and right and true),

1 John 1:7 (ESV): 7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the** light**, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

The Bible also speaks of becoming “sons of light.” You will also find references to the “sons of light” in the writings of the Dead Sea Scrolls.

John 12:36 (ESV): 36While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light."

 

[StrawberryJam]

Thanks so much Christian 55.

You know your bible.

 

[jimmy]

The Kabbalists teach about divine sparks in creation. It is quite elaborate. When God began to create he emmanated from himself ten spheres filled with his light. The spheres were shattered and sparks of the light went everywhere, and are hidden everywhere. Kabbalists believe that they must seek out those sparks and raise them up to God.

That sounds like Manicheanism.