Neville Goddard on Hebrews 11:3

Executive Summary

Neville Goddard teaches that Hebrews 11:3, "Things which are seen were not made of things that do appear," points to a fundamental truth: the visible world is the effect of an invisible, spiritual cause. People often get engrossed in the physical details of life—the 'what' and 'how'—while ignoring the 'why,' which can only be found on a higher, unseen level. This creative power, identified as the 'Word of God,' is not external but is the same 'Word' that was made flesh and dwells within us.

Key Concepts

• The visible world is created from things that are invisible.
• Every natural effect has a spiritual cause, not a natural one.
• Physical explanations for why events happen are insufficient; the true cause is on a higher, invisible level.
• The creative 'Word of God' from Hebrews 11:3 is the same Word described in the Gospel of John, which became flesh and now dwells within humanity.

Detailed Explanation

Neville Goddard's interpretation of Hebrews 11:3 centers on the principle that the physical world is a world of effects, whose causes are invisible and spiritual. He explains that people are often so focused on the visible drama of life—analyzing 'what' happened and 'how' it happened—that they fail to seek the true cause, the 'why,' which exists on an unseen plane.

According to this teaching, every natural effect has a spiritual cause. When one tries to explain the 'why' of an event using only physical reasoning, the explanations ultimately break down. The true origin of circumstances is not found in the world of appearances. This is the meaning behind the statement that things seen are made from things that do not appear.

The source of creation is identified as the 'Word of God.' This is not an external entity, but an internal power. The teaching connects the 'Word of God' in Hebrews to the 'Word' in the first chapter of John, which 'was with God, and the Word was God' and was ultimately 'made flesh and dwelt within us.' Therefore, the power that creates the visible world from the invisible is located within human consciousness itself.

Important Quotes

Things seen are made out of things that do not appear.” (Hebrews 11:3)

— Imagination Plus Faith

Things which are seen were not made of things that do appear." - Hebrews 11:3

— Seedtime And Harvest

every natural effect has a spiritual cause, and not a natural.

— Imagination Plus Faith

Related Concepts

This interpretation connects directly to the concept of Consciousness. The invisible realm where spiritual causes are formed is one's own consciousness. The teaching that the creative 'Word of God' dwells within us points to consciousness as the source of all visible reality. This indwelling creative power is the I AM, the awareness of being that shapes the outer world through its inner activity.

Common Misunderstandings

A common misunderstanding is to search for the causes of life's events in the physical world. The source material corrects this by stating that all physical explanations for 'why' things happen will ultimately fail. The true cause is never natural; it is always spiritual and invisible, originating from a higher level than the world of effects.

Practical Applications

To apply this teaching, an individual must shift their focus from the external world of effects to the internal world of cause. Instead of analyzing the 'what' and 'how' of a situation, one must look within to discover the 'why.' This involves recognizing that current circumstances are the harvest of previous inner 'planting.' By understanding that the visible is shaped by the invisible, one can begin to consciously direct the spiritual causes within to change the natural effects without.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the true cause of the visible world, according to this interpretation of Hebrews 11:3?

The true cause is spiritual and invisible. The verse is used to explain that every natural effect originates from a spiritual cause, not a natural one.

Where is the creative 'Word of God' located?

It is located within us. The source material equates it with the Word from the Gospel of John which 'was made flesh and dwelt within us.'

Why do physical explanations for life's events fail?

They fail because they only address the 'what' and 'how' of a situation, which are the effects. The true 'why,' or cause, exists on an invisible, spiritual level that physical analysis cannot reach.