An Afternoon’s Dictation
Steven Greenebaum
MSI Press LLC (2023)
ISBN: 978-1957354248
Reviewed by Kenneth Onyenwe for Reader Views (01/2024)
1999 was a rough year for Steven Greenebaum following his mother’s diagnosis with cancer and the death of his fiance and father. After these happenings, he decided to ask God for an answer to the happenings in his life and received some revelations. The content of this book outlines his revelations answering questions like “Is there a God?” and “If God does indeed exist, what is the nature of God?”
The author states religion is a language and asks a very crucial question about religion by saying “If there is only one right spiritual pathway, why after all these centuries haven’t we found it?” and “If the word of God is unaltered from generations, why have we interpreted it to create the many variants of religion?” As the author explains his revelations, a great emphasis is placed on inclusivity, equality, and diversity. The concepts above, I feel, are the central theme of this book. If you want to know about love, humility, justice, community, and interfaith, then read this book.
One of the revelations that pointed him to interfaith was
Many have spoken for Me. They were righteous and they did carry My words. But I am not human, and you are not God. Language can be a barrier between us as well as yourselves that can be all but impossible to breach. Seek truth in the commonality of religions—which are but the languages of speaking to Me. Worship not the grammar.
The author said that our knowledge about God is tied to the religion we grew up with. In trying to harmonize the different ways we see God, the author said that since we cannot prove the existence or non-existence of God, why not use Cosmic Conscience to denote the call to conscience we receive from the creator instead of tying it to the construct we call God.
Furthermore, in trying to encourage the inclusivity of all religions, the author used quotes from Budha, Islam, the Bible, etc. to drive home his intended points. Some of these quotes interest me and linger in my heart. For example, in discussing community, the author made the statement:
All ye under heaven! Regard heaven as your father, earth as your mother, and all things as your brothers and sisters.”
Oracle of Atsuta (Shinto)
I enjoyed the simplicity of the wording Steven Greenebaum used, which made comprehension easy. The book has no characters or settings, it is the author’s inquiry into religion and the divine. However, some may find the title of this book misleading when compared to the content. I recommend this book to world and religious leaders as well as those who have an interest in world religions. Perhaps the central message of the book that borders on inclusivity will help bring peace to the world.
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