Neville Goddard on Scripture: A Neville Goddard Study Guide

Executive Summary

This study path is designed for students of Neville Goddard's unique interpretation of the Bible. It follows an ordered selection of his work to reveal the central premise: scripture is not a record of historical events but a psychological guide to understanding consciousness. The path demonstrates that the Bible’s primary message is that consciousness is the one and only reality, and that the biblical name for God, “I AM,” refers to your own awareness of being.

Key Concepts

• The Bible is a psychological drama, not secular history.
• Consciousness is the one and only reality; it is the cause, and manifestation is the effect.
• The biblical name for God, “I AM,” is your own unconditioned consciousness or awareness of being.
• Scriptural figures like Moses, David, and Isaiah discovered and taught that this awareness is God.
• To “decree” something is not to speak words but to become conscious of being or having that which you desire.

Detailed Explanation

Neville Goddard presents the Bible as a collection of sacred writings whose truth is buried within its stories. He teaches that scripture is not secular history but a profound psychological drama. The one and only reality, according to this interpretation, is consciousness. The entire world of manifestation is simply the effect of what takes place within consciousness.

The central revelation within the Bible is the nature of God. Figures like Moses discovered that God is man’s own awareness of being, expressed in the phrase, “I AM hath sent me unto you.” The psalmist David sang, “Be still and know that I AM God,” and Isaiah declared, “I AM the Lord and there is none else.” This “I AM” is the unconditioned consciousness at the center of your being—the creator and cause of all the conditioned states you experience, whether you conceive of yourself as rich, poor, or anything in between. This core awareness, your I AM, cannot be divided.

This divine power, called God in scripture, is identified as your own wonderful human imagination. The biblical trinity is explained psychologically: consciousness is the Father, the creative expression of imagination is the Son, and the universal interpretation of this power is the Holy Spirit. Because “All things are possible to God,” all things are possible to your imagination.

The practical application of this understanding is a redefinition of prayer or decreeing. It is not a process of loud affirmations or vain repetition, which often only confirms the opposite state. To truly decree something is to do so in consciousness. A person is always, at every moment, commanding themselves to be that which they are conscious of being. Therefore, the Bible’s teachings call upon you to test this principle by daring to assume that you are already the person you wish to be, even if your senses and reason deny it.

Important Quotes

Briefly, the book states that consciousness is the one and only reality, that consciousness is the cause and manifestation is the effect.

— Freedom For All

Moses discovered God to be man’s awareness of being, when he declared these little understood words, “I AM hath sent me unto you.”

— At Your Command

Be still and know that I AM God.

— Your Faith Is Your Fortune

Decreeing is ever done in consciousness. That is; every man is conscious of being that which he has decreed himself to be.

— At Your Command

Related Concepts

This interpretation of scripture is foundational to Neville's teachings on I AM and Consciousness. The Bible is presented as the primary source revealing that your own consciousness is God, and that the name of this creative power is I AM. Every time you are aware of being anything, you are using the creative power described in scripture. This principle that your unconditioned consciousness is the one and only reality is the basis for all creation.

Common Misunderstandings

• The Bible is not a literal, secular history of people and events. The source material clarifies that it is a psychological drama revealing truths about consciousness.
• Decreeing or praying is not about using words or loud affirmations. It is an inner act performed in consciousness by assuming the state you desire to embody.

Practical Applications

To apply this teaching, you must test it. The Bible is not just to be read, but to be used as a practical guide for creating your reality. Instead of looking for an external God, you must recognize that your own consciousness, your I AM, is the creative power. The technique is to dare to assume you are the person you want to be. You must become conscious of being your desired state, for every person automatically expresses that which they are conscious of being.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Bible literal history according to Neville?

No. The source material explains that the Bible should be understood as a psychological drama revealing the truth about consciousness, not as secular history.

Who or what is God in Neville's interpretation of scripture?

God is defined as your own unconditioned consciousness, your awareness of being, which the Bible calls 'I AM'.

How does one 'decree' something as mentioned in the Bible?

Decreeing is not done with words or loud affirmations. It is an act of consciousness; you decree something by being conscious of being it.