The Spirit’s Book

Allan Kardec 

(Part 4) 

We continue the methodical study of the Pentateuch Kardec, which focuses on the five major works of the spiritual doctrine, in the order they were first published by Allan Kardec, the Encoder of Spiritualism.

The answers to the questions presented, founded in the 2th edition published by FEB, based on translation of Anna Blackwell, are at the end of the text below.

Questions for discussion

A. What are the attributes of the Divinity?

B. Spirits may prove superior to man only through what Science cannot learn it?

C. Defines Spiritualism as matter and spirit?

D. We can say, based on the Spiritist Doctrine, which matter and spirit are the only common elements of the universe?

Text for reading

36. The matter is formed from a single primitive element. The bodies you see as simple bodies are not real evidence, but transformation of primitive matter. The different properties of matter are elementary changes that the molecules suffer as a result of their union, under certain circumstances. (L.E., 30 and 31)

37. The molecules have shape, but the man is not able to enjoy it. (L.E., 34)

38. The universal space is infinite. Supposed limits to him, beyond what would be? (L.E., 35)

39. The absolute vacuum there, nothing is empty. What is void for you is occupied by a matter that escapes your senses and your instruments. (L.E., 36)

40. Reason tells us that the universe could not make up for itself and that can not be by chance, it must be God's work. (L.E., 37)

41. God created the universe by his will. Nothing better characterizes this omnipotent will of these beautiful words of Genesis: "God said, Let there be light and there was light." (L.E., 38)

42. The worlds are formed by condensation of matter scattered in space. (L.E., 39)

43. A world may disappear completely formed and spread of new space in the matter that composes it, because God renews the worlds, such as renewing the living. (L.E., 41)

44. The time it takes the formation of the worlds only God knows who would be pretty crazy and wished to know. (L.E., 42)

Answers to Questions

A. What are the attributes of the Divinity?

God is eternal, immutable, immaterial, unique, omnipotent, supremely just and good.

God is eternal. If I had had would normally have gone out of nothing, or else it would have been created by a former being. And so, from step to step, we go back to infinity and eternity.

It is immutable. If it were subject to changes, the laws governing the universe would have no stability.

It is immaterial. This means that their nature differs from everything we call matter. Otherwise, he would not be immutable, because it would be subject to transformations of matter.

It is unique. If there were many Gods, there would be no unity of views, or power unit in the ordering of the universe.

It is omnipotent. He is, because it is unique. If we had not had the sovereign power, there would be something more powerful than or as powerful as him, then that would not have made ​​all things. Those who had not done were the work of another God.

It is supremely just and good. The providential wisdom of divine law is revealed, so in the smallest things and the larger, and this wisdom does not allow one doubts neither justice nor the goodness of God. (The Spirit’s Book, questions 12 and 15.)

B. Spirits may prove superior to man only through what Science cannot learn it?

Yes, if it deems it appropriate, they can allow God to reveal to man what the science is not given grasp. And so, through such communication, man acquires, within certain limits, the knowledge of its past and its future. (Work cited, issues 17 to 20.)

C. Defines Spiritualism as matter and spirit?

According to Spiritism, matter exists in states that we ignore. It may be, for example, so ethereal and subtle, that no impression on the senses cause, however, is always matter. Superior spirits thus define: "The matter is the tie that binds the Spirit, is the instrument of which it is used and on which, at the same time, exerts its action. " From this point of view, one can say that matter is the agent, the agent with the help of which and upon which the spirit acts. The spirit is the intelligent principle of the universe. Spirit and matter are distinct from one another, but the union of spirit and matter is necessary to intellectualize the matter. (Work cited, questions 22 to 25.)

D. We can say, based on the Spiritist Doctrine, which matter and spirit are the only common elements of the universe?

Yes. There are two general elements of the universe: matter and spirit, and above them there is God, the creator, the father of all things. God, spirit and matter are the beginning of everything that exists, but the material element has to join the universal fluid, which acts as an intermediary between spirit and matter itself, too coarse for the spirit to act upon about it. (Work cited, issues 27 and 28.)