New Perspectives on A Course In Miracles

Glossary of Changed Terms, New Terms in Chapter 2

Father forgive them:“Creator”, help me forgive them for they don’t know what they are doing. (first found in C2, s5A, #6)

In the Gospel of Luke, versus 23:34 Jesus is quoted as saying, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” In The ACIM text c2, s5A, #6 it quotes this same scriptural text. In its commentary it makes clear the distinction between evaluating “what” someone does and correcting our perceptions of what they are doing.   

In ACIM we are told repeatedly that “Divinity” is perfect. The passage as it is translated, suggests that Jesus is begging the “Creator” (who wants to judge and punish us) not to do so. This is incompatible with the “Creator” that ACIM reveals to us. We believe it is much more likely that if anyone is asking for help to be forgiving, it would be Jesus asking the Holy Spirit for help, “Help me forgive them, for I realize that they are acting from their “imposter”, and therefore don’t know what they are doing.

Last judgment: “Final healing” or “right evaluation” or “one’s own perfect judgment”: (first mentioned in c 2, s 8, p 3)

As ACIM says in this section, common understanding is that this is a process undertaken by the ”Divine One” for the purpose of determining our punishment. In actuality, it is a process undertaken by us with the help of Jesus. It can be called the final healing or the restoration to right judgment. As ACIM says, the last judgment is really a doorway to life without fear.

Apocalypse: “Great revealing or sorting out the false from the true.”, c2, s8, p4

Time of looking at our own creations and preserving only the good, just as the “Creator” looked upon creation and knew that it was good.

Substitutions From Former Chapters, Chapter 1

Miracle: “Standing beside in love and equality” (first found in principle 1)

God: “Loving Source” or “Source”, “Divine” or ”Divine One”, “Creator”

Sonship: “Community of beloved ones” (first found in principle 19)

Sons of God: “Children of Source”

Son or sons: “Heir or heirs”

Atonement: “The great undoing” or the “Great undoing of separation”

Revelation: “Experiences of unspeakable love”

Christ: “Archetype of the Christ”

Kingdom of God/Kingdom of Heaven/kingdom: “Source’s” vision (for us) or “Divine nature”.

Father: “Creator”, Source, Divine One”

Temptation: “Forgetfulness or delusion”