Synthemon: the Bible supports the idea of synthemon

 Let’s examine whether the Bible directly supports the idea of Synchronic Theistic Monism (Synthemon) by analyzing a specific biblical event: the unusual birth of Jesus, announced by a star, followed by wise men (astrologers) from the East who recognized the newborn’s significance.

 Synthemon integrates substance monism, attribute dualism, synchronicity, divine epistemology, God’s plan, a holistic cosmos, free will, and a Judeo-Christian theistic framework, with a purpose to explain divination tools like Tarot and I Ching through synchronicity. We’ll evaluate this biblical account through Synthemon’s framework to determine if it aligns with and supports its core principles, particularly focusing on synchronicity, divine guidance, and theistic monism.

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The Biblical Account: The Birth of Jesus and the Star

The event mentioned is the Nativity story, specifically the account of the Magi (wise men) following a star to find Jesus, as recorded in Matthew 2:1-12 (NIV):

• Matthew 2:1-2: “After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, ‘Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.’”
• Matthew 2:9-10: “After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.”
• Context: The Magi, often interpreted as astrologers or wise men from the East (possibly Persia or Babylon), recognized the star as a sign of a significant birth—a king of the Jews. They followed it for weeks, eventually finding Jesus in Bethlehem, where they worshipped Him and presented gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

This account involves an unusual birth (Jesus born in a manger, Luke 2:7), a celestial sign (the star), and the Magi’s recognition of the child’s importance, which aligns with the details provided. Let’s analyze how this event relates to Synthemon’s principles.

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Analysis Through Synthemon’s Framework

We’ll break down the event and evaluate its compatibility with Synthemon’s core components, focusing on whether the Bible directly supports Synthemon’s ideas, particularly its emphasis on synchronicity, divine guidance, and theistic monism.

1. Synchronicity and the Star as a Divine Sign

• Synthemon’s Principle: Synchronicity is a core axiom in Synthemon, defined as meaningful, non-causal connections orchestrated by God to reveal His plan (Metaphysical Principle 5: Synchronicity; Ethical Principle 6: Embrace Synchronicity as a Path to Divine Guidance). Synthemon uses synchronicity to explain the efficacy of divination tools like Tarot and I Ching, seeing them as ways to discern divine will.
• Biblical Event: The star in Matthew 2 is a celestial sign that guides the Magi to Jesus. Its appearance and movement are non-causal in a human sense—there’s no natural explanation for a star leading people to a specific location—but it holds profound meaning, signaling the birth of the Messiah. The Magi, as astrologers, interpret this sign through their knowledge of the stars, a practice akin to divination, and follow it to find Jesus.
• Alignment with Synthemon: This event directly supports Synthemon’s concept of synchronicity. The star’s appearance and the Magi’s journey represent a meaningful coincidence orchestrated by God to announce the birth of Jesus, aligning with Synthemon’s view of synchronic events as divine guidance (Historical Principle 2: Synchronicity Shapes Historical Events Through Meaningful Connections). The Magi’s use of astrology to interpret the star parallels Synthemon’s acceptance of divination tools (e.g., Ethical Principle 19: Recognize the Role of Symbolism), as they discern God’s will through a symbolic system.
• Support for Synthemon: The Bible’s depiction of the star as a divine sign supports Synthemon’s emphasis on synchronicity as a mechanism for God’s interaction with the world, reinforcing its purpose of explaining divination tools like Tarot and I Ching as valid ways to access divine guidance.

2. Divine Guidance and God’s Plan in History

• Synthemon’s Principle: Synthemon asserts that history unfolds according to God’s plan, guided by divine will (Historical Principle 1: History Unfolds According to God’s Plan and Divine Will). God reveals His plan through divine revelation (e.g., scripture, the Holy Spirit) and synchronicity (Epistemological Principle 2: Seek Truth Through Divine Revelation and the Holy Spirit).
• Biblical Event: The birth of Jesus is a pivotal moment in God’s plan for humanity’s salvation, as foretold in scripture (e.g., Isaiah 7:14, “A virgin will conceive and give birth to a son”). The star serves as a divine announcement, guiding the Magi to worship the newborn King, fulfilling prophecies and demonstrating God’s orchestration of historical events. The Magi’s recognition of Jesus as “king of the Jews” (Matthew 2:2) shows their awareness of His divine significance, likely informed by divine revelation or their astrological knowledge.
• Alignment with Synthemon: This event aligns with Synthemon’s view of history as a divine process. The star and the Magi’s journey illustrate God’s guidance in history, ensuring that the birth of the Messiah is recognized across cultures (the Magi are from the East, not Israel). This supports Synthemon’s emphasis on divine revelation and synchronicity as ways God communicates His plan (Historical Principle 12: Divine Revelation Guides Historical Turning Points).
• Support for Synthemon: The Bible’s account of Jesus’ birth as part of God’s plan, announced through a synchronic sign, directly supports Synthemon’s historical principles, reinforcing the idea that God directs history toward His purpose, using meaningful events to guide humanity.

3. Theistic Foundation and God as Creator

• Synthemon’s Principle: Synthemon’s Judeo-Christian theistic foundation posits God as the omnipotent, omniscient creator of the cosmos, who establishes His plan and governs all events (Metaphysical Principle 1: Foundational Theistic Core; Ethical Principle 1: Honor the One True God). God’s creation includes the unified cosmic substance with dual attributes (physical and spiritual).
• Biblical Event: The birth of Jesus, as God incarnate (John 1:14, “The Word became flesh”), is a direct act of divine intervention in the cosmos. The star, a celestial phenomenon, is under God’s control, as He created the heavens (Genesis 1:14-16, “Let there be lights in the vault of the sky”). The Magi’s journey to worship Jesus acknowledges Him as a divine figure, fulfilling God’s plan for salvation.
• Alignment with Synthemon: This event supports Synthemon’s theistic core, as it demonstrates God’s sovereignty over creation (the star) and history (the birth of Jesus). The unity of the cosmos is reflected in the star’s role as a universal sign, recognized across cultures, aligning with Synthemon’s holistic cosmos (Metaphysical Principle 6: Holistic Cosmos). The incarnation of Jesus also supports attribute dualism, as He embodies both physical (human) and spiritual (divine) attributes (Ethical Principle 5: Integrate the Physical and Spiritual Attributes in Daily Life).
• Support for Synthemon: The Bible’s depiction of God’s control over creation and history in the Nativity story directly supports Synthemon’s theistic monism, where all events and phenomena are unified under God’s creative act and purpose.

4. Cosmic Unity and Interconnectedness in Historical Events

• Synthemon’s Principle: Synthemon’s holistic cosmos drives historical progress toward interconnectedness, reflecting the unity of all creation (Historical Principle 5: Cosmic Unity Drives Historical Progress Toward Interconnectedness). Events in history are interconnected, revealing God’s plan across time and space.
• Biblical Event: The star’s appearance connects the heavens (cosmos) with human history (the birth of Jesus), uniting diverse peoples—the Jewish shepherds (Luke 2:8-20) and the Gentile Magi—in worship of the Messiah. This event transcends cultural and geographic boundaries, symbolizing the universal significance of Jesus’ birth.
• Alignment with Synthemon: The Nativity story reflects Synthemon’s view of cosmic unity, as the star (a cosmic phenomenon) and the Magi’s journey (a human response) demonstrate interconnectedness across creation. The inclusion of the Magi from the East highlights the universal scope of God’s plan, aligning with Synthemon’s emphasis on unity (Ethical Principle 22: Cherish the Interconnectedness of All Beings).
• Support for Synthemon: The Bible’s portrayal of a unified event involving the cosmos, Jewish shepherds, and Gentile Magi supports Synthemon’s principle of historical interconnectedness, reinforcing the idea that history progresses toward divine unity.

5. Free Will and Human Response to Divine Signs

• Synthemon’s Principle: Synthemon affirms free will as a God-given capacity that allows humans to participate in history within God’s system (Historical Principle 4: Human Free Will Interacts with Divine Guidance in Historical Development). Humans can choose to align with or reject divine guidance.
• Biblical Event: The Magi exercise free will by choosing to follow the star and worship Jesus, recognizing His significance (Matthew 2:11). In contrast, King Herod responds to the same news with hostility, seeking to kill the child (Matthew 2:16), illustrating a rejection of divine guidance.
• Alignment with Synthemon: This event aligns with Synthemon’s view of free will interacting with divine guidance. The Magi’s decision to follow the star reflects a choice to align with God’s plan, while Herod’s rejection leads to negative consequences, supporting Synthemon’s axiom of causality (Historical Principle 3: The Axiom of Causality Governs Historical Consequences).
• Support for Synthemon: The Bible’s depiction of human choices in response to divine signs (the star) supports Synthemon’s emphasis on free will, showing how human actions shape history within the framework of God’s plan.

6. Divine Epistemology and Knowledge of God’s Plan

• Synthemon’s Principle: Synthemon’s divine epistemology holds that truth comes from God, discerned through divine revelation, synchronicity, and scripture (Epistemological Principle 1: Acknowledge God as the Ultimate Source of All Truth). Knowledge of God’s plan guides human understanding and action.
• Biblical Event: The Magi gain knowledge of Jesus’ birth through the star (a synchronic sign) and possibly through their astrological traditions, which Synthemon would interpret as a form of divination aligned with divine will. Their understanding is confirmed by scripture (Matthew 2:5-6, citing Micah 5:2 about Bethlehem), showing the integration of divine revelation and symbolic interpretation.
• Alignment with Synthemon: This event supports Synthemon’s epistemological principles, as the Magi discern God’s plan through a combination of synchronicity (the star), symbolic interpretation (astrology), and scripture (Micah’s prophecy). This mirrors Synthemon’s methods of knowledge acquisition (Epistemological Principle 3: Use Synchronicity as a Divine Tool for Knowledge Acquisition).
• Support for Synthemon: The Bible’s integration of synchronic signs, symbolic knowledge, and scripture to reveal God’s plan directly supports Synthemon’s divine epistemology, reinforcing its use of divination tools to discern divine truth.

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Does the Bible Directly Support Synthemon?

Yes, the Bible directly supports the idea of Synchronic Theistic Monism (Synthemon) through the account of Jesus’ birth and the Magi’s journey, as it aligns with several of Synthemon’s core principles:

1. Synchronicity as Divine Guidance: The star’s role as a meaningful, non-causal sign guiding the Magi to Jesus directly supports Synthemon’s concept of synchronicity (Metaphysical Principle 5). The Magi’s use of astrology to interpret the star parallels Synthemon’s acceptance of divination tools like Tarot and I Ching, reinforcing its purpose of explaining such tools as valid ways to discern God’s will (Ethical Principle 6: Embrace Synchronicity as a Path to Divine Guidance).
2. God’s Plan in History: The birth of Jesus, announced by the star, is a pivotal moment in God’s plan for salvation, aligning with Synthemon’s view that history unfolds according to divine will (Historical Principle 1: History Unfolds According to God’s Plan and Divine Will). The event’s significance across cultures (Jews and Gentiles) supports Synthemon’s emphasis on cosmic unity in history (Historical Principle 5: Cosmic Unity Drives Historical Progress Toward Interconnectedness).
3. Theistic Monism and Divine Creation: The event reflects Synthemon’s theistic foundation, with God as the creator who controls the cosmos (the star) and history (the birth of Jesus) (Metaphysical Principle 1: Foundational Theistic Core). The unity of the cosmos and human response in the Nativity story supports Synthemon’s monistic view of a holistic cosmos (Metaphysical Principle 6: Holistic Cosmos).
4. Free Will and Human Action: The Magi’s choice to follow the star and Herod’s rejection of the Messiah demonstrate free will interacting with divine guidance, aligning with Synthemon’s principle of human agency in history (Historical Principle 4: Human Free Will Interacts with Divine Guidance in Historical Development).
5. Divine Epistemology: The Magi’s knowledge of Jesus’ significance through the star, astrology, and scripture supports Synthemon’s methods of discerning truth through synchronicity, symbolic interpretation, and divine revelation (Epistemological Principle 2: Seek Truth Through Divine Revelation and the Holy Spirit).

Limitations and Nuances

• Astrology in the Bible: While the Magi’s use of astrology aligns with Synthemon’s acceptance of divination tools, the Bible elsewhere cautions against certain forms of divination (e.g., Deuteronomy 18:10-12). However, the Magi’s actions are portrayed positively in Matthew 2, suggesting that their astrology was guided by divine will, which fits Synthemon’s view of divination as a tool for discerning God’s plan when aligned with His purpose (Epistemological Principle 3: Use Synchronicity as a Divine Tool for Knowledge Acquisition).
• Direct Support for Monism and Dual Attributes: The Bible does not explicitly articulate substance monism or attribute dualism in the Nativity story, but the event implicitly supports these concepts. The star (physical) and its divine significance (spiritual) reflect the integration of physical and spiritual attributes in a unified cosmos, consistent with Synthemon’s framework (Metaphysical Principle 3: Attribute Dualism). Jesus’ incarnation as both human and divine further supports this dual-aspect view (Ethical Principle 5: Integrate the Physical and Spiritual Attributes in Daily Life).

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Conclusion: Direct Support for Synthemon

The Bible directly supports the idea of Synchronic Theistic Monism through the account of Jesus’ birth, the star, and the Magi’s journey in Matthew 2:1-12. The event aligns with Synthemon’s core principles in the following ways:

• Synchronicity: The star is a synchronic sign, a meaningful coincidence orchestrated by God, supporting Synthemon’s emphasis on synchronicity as a divine mechanism and its purpose of explaining divination tools (Metaphysical Principle 5: Synchronicity).
• Divine Guidance and History: The event reflects God’s plan unfolding in history, with the star guiding the Magi to the Messiah, aligning with Synthemon’s view of history as divinely orchestrated (Historical Principle 1: History Unfolds According to God’s Plan and Divine Will).
• Theistic Monism: God’s sovereignty over the cosmos (the star) and history (Jesus’ birth) supports Synthemon’s theistic foundation, with the event’s unity across cultures reflecting the holistic cosmos (Metaphysical Principle 6: Holistic Cosmos).
• Free Will and Epistemology: The Magi’s free will in following the star and their use of astrology and scripture to discern truth support Synthemon’s principles of human agency and divine epistemology (Epistemological Principle 2: Seek Truth Through Divine Revelation and the Holy Spirit).

While the Bible does not explicitly articulate all aspects of Synthemon (e.g., substance monism, attribute dualism), the Nativity story provides implicit support through its depiction of a unified, divinely guided event that integrates physical and spiritual elements. The use of astrology by the Magi, portrayed positively, directly supports Synthemon’s acceptance of divination tools as means to discern God’s will, making this a strong biblical endorsement of Synthemon’s framework.

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Biblical Support for Synchronic Theistic Monism: The Star of Bethlehem

The Bible directly supports Synchronic Theistic Monism (Synthemon) through the account of Jesus’ birth in Matthew 2:1-12. The star of Bethlehem, guiding the Magi to the newborn Messiah, is a synchronic sign—a meaningful, non-causal connection orchestrated by God—aligning with Synthemon’s core axiom of synchronicity (Metaphysical Principle 5: Synchronicity). The Magi, as astrologers, interpret the star to discern the child’s divine significance, supporting Synthemon’s use of divination tools like Tarot and I Ching to access God’s will (Ethical Principle 6: Embrace Synchronicity as a Path to Divine Guidance). The event reflects God’s plan unfolding in history, uniting the cosmos (the star) and humanity (Jews and Gentiles) in worship of Jesus, aligning with Synthemon’s view of history (Historical Principle 1: History Unfolds According to God’s Plan and Divine Will) and cosmic unity (Metaphysical Principle 6: Holistic Cosmos). The Magi’s free will in following the star and their use of astrology and scripture to discern truth further support Synthemon’s principles of human agency (Historical Principle 4: Human Free Will Interacts with Divine Guidance in Historical Development) and divine epistemology (Epistemological Principle 2: Seek Truth Through Divine Revelation and the Holy Spirit). This biblical event affirms Synthemon’s theistic framework, demonstrating how God guides history through synchronicity and unity, in alignment with His plan for humanity’s salvation.

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Final Thoughts

The Bible’s account of Jesus’ birth, the star, and the Magi’s journey directly supports Synchronic Theistic Monism by aligning with its principles of synchronicity, divine guidance, theistic monism, free will, and divine epistemology. The star serves as a synchronic sign, the event reflects God’s plan in history, and the Magi’s use of astrology parallels Synthemon’s acceptance of divination tools, making this a strong biblical endorsement of Synthemon’s framework. The story also implicitly supports Synthemon’s metaphysical concepts of a unified cosmos and dual attributes, reinforcing its overall worldview.

There's more:

People who complain about oligarchy should support limited government

 People who criticize the oligarchy—where a small elite holds disproportionate wealth and influence—often see government as either complicit in or captured by this power. Supporting limited government size and power can align with their concerns for several reasons:

1. Reduces Cronyism Opportunities: A smaller government with less regulatory power has fewer levers for oligarchs to manipulate through lobbying or bribes, curbing their ability to secure favorable policies, subsidies, or bailouts.
2. Limits State-Enforced Monopolies: Large governments can grant special privileges (e.g., patents, licenses, or contracts) that entrench corporate giants. A leaner government reduces these barriers, fostering competition and weakening entrenched elites.
3. Decreases Bureaucratic Capture: Powerful bureaucracies are often infiltrated by elite interests who shape policy behind closed doors. A limited government with fewer agencies is harder for oligarchs to control or co-opt.
4. Empowers Individuals Over Elites: Concentrated government power can be weaponized to protect oligarchic interests (e.g., through surveillance or tax loopholes). Reducing state authority shifts power toward individuals and communities, making it harder for elites to dominate.
5. Prevents Wealth Redistribution Upward: Big government programs, like corporate welfare or complex tax codes, often funnel public resources to the wealthy. A simpler, smaller government minimizes these mechanisms, keeping resources with the broader population.
6. Encourages Decentralized Power: A government with limited scope allows local communities and markets to make decisions, diluting the centralized influence of oligarchs who thrive in top-down systems.

By shrinking the size and reach of government, the mechanisms that oligarchs exploit—lobbying, regulatory capture, and insider deals—lose their potency, creating a system where power is harder to hoard.

In addition:

Expanding on why those who criticize oligarchy—where a small elite wields outsized economic and political control—should support limited government size and power, here are deeper reasons, grounded in how concentrated state power often fuels elite dominance. These points build on the earlier ideas, diving into mechanisms, historical patterns, and practical implications.

1. Disrupts the Revolving Door Between Government and Corporations
   Large governments with extensive regulatory frameworks create a revolving door where corporate executives become regulators and vice versa. This incestuous relationship ensures policies favor oligarchs over the public. For example, in the U.S., leaders from major banks often cycle into roles at the Treasury or Federal Reserve, shaping rules to benefit their former (or future) employers. A smaller government with fewer regulatory bodies reduces these opportunities for elites to embed themselves in the system, breaking the cycle of mutual enrichment.
2. Undermines Legalized Corruption Through Complexity
   Oligarchs thrive in environments with bloated, opaque legal and regulatory systems. Complex tax codes, for instance, allow the ultra-wealthy to exploit loopholes (e.g., carried interest deductions or offshore havens) that ordinary people can’t access. Similarly, sprawling regulations often burden small businesses while granting exemptions to large corporations with legal teams. A streamlined government with simpler laws and minimal regulations levels the playing field, making it harder for elites to game the system while empowering smaller players to compete.
3. Prevents Government as a Tool for Elite Insulation
   A powerful state can shield oligarchs from accountability. Consider bailouts during financial crises (e.g., 2008), where government funds saved failing banks while homeowners faced foreclosure. Or look at how eminent domain has been used to seize private property for corporate projects. A government with limited fiscal and legal authority lacks the resources or jurisdiction to act as a safety net for the elite, forcing them to face market consequences and public scrutiny.
4. Weakens the Surveillance State That Protects Elite Interests
   Oligarchs often rely on government surveillance to maintain control, whether by monitoring dissent or protecting their assets. Large governments with unchecked powers (e.g., NSA’s PRISM program) can collect data that elites use to suppress competition or manipulate markets. A limited government, stripped of expansive surveillance capabilities, reduces this threat, giving individuals and smaller entities more freedom to challenge elite dominance without fear of retaliation.
5. Reduces the Scope for Public-Private Partnerships That Enrich Elites
   So-called public-private partnerships often funnel taxpayer money to oligarchic interests under the guise of public benefit. Infrastructure deals, for instance, may award lucrative contracts to connected firms while socializing losses. A smaller government with less budget and authority for such projects starves these schemes, forcing elites to compete in open markets rather than relying on state-backed handouts.
6. Encourages Economic Mobility Over Stagnation
   Oligarchies entrench wealth by stifling social and economic mobility. Big governments contribute by creating barriers—licensing requirements, subsidies for established industries, or education systems that favor the connected—that lock out newcomers. A limited government prioritizes free markets and minimal intervention, which reward innovation and effort over inherited privilege. Historical data backs this: countries with lower government spending as a percentage of GDP (e.g., Switzerland, Singapore) often have higher social mobility than those with larger bureaucracies.
7. Diminishes the Power of Centralized Monetary Policy
   Central banks, often extensions of government power, can disproportionately benefit oligarchs through policies like quantitative easing, which inflates asset prices (stocks, real estate) owned by the wealthy. A constrained government with less influence over monetary policy—or one that decentralizes currency through market-driven alternatives—reduces this wealth-concentrating mechanism, aligning with anti-oligarchy goals.
8. Fosters Grassroots Accountability
   When government is smaller and less intrusive, power shifts to local communities, voluntary associations, and individual initiative. This decentralization makes it harder for distant elites to impose their will. For example, local governments are more responsive to citizens than federal bureaucracies, which are often insulated and beholden to corporate interests. By limiting top-down control, anti-oligarchy advocates gain more direct influence over decisions that affect them.
9. Historical Precedent: Big Government Enables Oligarchy
   History shows that expansive states often partner with elites to consolidate power. In mercantilist Europe, monarchs granted monopolies to favored merchants. In modern times, fascist and socialist regimes alike have co-opted industry leaders to entrench control. Limiting government power disrupts this pattern, as it reduces the state’s ability to pick winners and losers, a practice that invariably favors the already powerful.
10. Aligns With Anti-Oligarchy Ideals of Fairness
    Those who rail against oligarchy often champion fairness and equal opportunity. A limited government, by minimizing interference in markets and personal lives, creates a system where success depends more on merit than connections. For instance, reducing subsidies for industries like fossil fuels or big tech would force companies to innovate rather than rely on government favors, aligning with the anti-elite ethos of breaking up unearned privilege.

Practical Considerations

Supporting limited government doesn’t mean advocating for anarchy or abandoning protections for the vulnerable. It means designing a state that’s efficient, transparent, and focused on essential functions (e.g., enforcing contracts, preventing fraud) without becoming a tool for elite enrichment. Critics of oligarchy might worry that reducing government leaves the poor defenseless, but evidence suggests otherwise: countries with smaller governments (e.g., Denmark, with low regulatory burdens but strong property rights) often have robust safety nets and less wealth inequality than heavily interventionist states.

Counterpoint to Address

Some anti-oligarchy advocates argue that only a strong government can check corporate power through antitrust laws or wealth taxes. However, history shows that such powers are often captured by the very elites they’re meant to regulate—antitrust suits target competitors, not cronies, and tax policies end up riddled with exemptions. A limited government avoids this trap by reducing the state’s role as a referee that can be bribed, focusing instead on clear, universal rules that apply equally to all.

By shrinking the size and scope of government, the infrastructure that oligarchs rely on—complex regulations, corporate welfare, and bureaucratic collusion—crumbles. This creates a system where power is diffuse, competition is fairer, and elites can’t hide behind state machinery, directly addressing the grievances of those who decry oligarchic dominance.