My Neville GoddardNeville Goddard on Ecclesiastes 3:15
Executive Summary
Neville Goddard uses Ecclesiastes 3:15 as a key example to illustrate his teaching that the Bible is addressed to the Imagination. He explains that the verse, which states that what is and what is to be have already been, is incomprehensible to the “natural man.” This is because the rational, sense-bound individual defines reality only by what the physical senses can perceive, making the verse's premise an illogical contradiction.
Key Concepts
- The Bible is written for and addressed to the human Imagination.
- The “natural man” is the part of us that relies on reason and the evidence of the senses.
- The natural man is described as being “lost,” “dead,” or “sound asleep.”
- Ecclesiastes 3:15 cannot be grasped by the natural man because it contradicts sensory evidence.
- The verse posits a reality where past, present, and future events already exist.
Detailed Explanation
Neville Goddard teaches that to understand scripture, one must recognize that it is addressed to the Imagination. It is not intended for the “man of sense or the man of reason,” whom he describes as being “lost,” “dead,” or “sound asleep.” This rational part of man bases its entire concept of reality on the evidence provided by the physical senses.
He presents Ecclesiastes 3:15—"That which is, already has been; that which is to be, already has been; and God seeks what has been driven away"—as a perfect illustration of this principle. To the natural man, this statement is nonsensical. The idea that the future (“that which is to be”) has “already been” directly conflicts with the sensory experience of a linear progression of time and events. The rational mind cannot accept a premise that it cannot verify with physical evidence, and therefore it cannot grasp the verse's meaning.
Important Quotes
That which is, already has been; that which is to be, already has been; and God seeks what has been driven away.
— That Which Already Has Been
The Bible is addressed to the Imagination, not to the man of sense or the man of reason – the one that is “lost” or “dead” or “sound asleep.”
— That Which Already Has Been
Common Misunderstandings
A common misunderstanding is to approach this verse, and the Bible in general, with the rational, analytical mind. Neville clarifies that this is a mistake, as the “natural man” who relies on sensory evidence is incapable of grasping its meaning. The verse is not a statement of historical or physical fact to be debated by reason, but a truth to be understood by the Imagination.
Practical Applications
The practical application of this teaching is to change one's entire approach to scripture. Instead of trying to understand it through a literal or logical lens, a student must engage their Imagination. This means accepting premises that defy the senses, such as the idea that the future already exists, in order to grasp the deeper psychological truths being conveyed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the 'natural man' that Neville refers to?
The 'natural man' is the person who relies on reason and the evidence of the senses to define what is real. Neville also describes this state of consciousness as being 'lost,' 'dead,' or 'sound asleep.'
Why can't the rational mind understand Ecclesiastes 3:15?
The rational mind cannot grasp this verse because its premise—that what is yet to be 'already has been'—directly contradicts the evidence of the senses, which is the sole basis for the rational mind's concept of reality.
According to Neville's interpretation, who is the Bible addressed to?
Neville states clearly that the Bible is addressed to the Imagination, not to the man of sense or reason.
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