Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah to all!

Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah to all!

Alister McGrath Interview for Christianity Today

In this post I am sharing an article published by Christianity Today in which Christopher Reese interviewed Alister McGrath about his new book titled: A Theory of Everything (That Matters): A Brief Guide to Einstein, Relativity, and His Surprising Thoughts on God. In the interview they addressed the topics of apologetics, faith, and science. The following is one of several questions asked.

You stress in A Theory of Everything (That Matters) that Einstein sought to integrate his scientific knowledge with religion, philosophy, and other disciplines. What can we learn from Einstein’s approach to seeing the bigger picture of reality (Christianity Today)?

If you would like to know how Alister McGrath responded to this one and other questions, I welcome you to read the full article at the link below.

Alister McGrath: Both Science and Stories Declare God’s Glory | Christianity Today: The Oxford scholar reflects on the interface between faith and science and how narratives draw us toward belief.

Reference:

https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2019/december-web-only/alister-mcgrath-science-and-stories-declare-gods-glory.html

Article on the Age of the Universe

Recently, a friend shared a funny joke about someone having a conversation with God. The person asked God how much a million dollars was to him, and the response was like the value of a penny. The follow up question was how long a million years was to him, and the response was like a second. The next question from the person to God was can I have a million dollars, to which God responded give me a second.

Anyhow, I hope I made you laugh. I don’t want to write much on this post because you might have a whole lot of material to read and process, and digest in this article which I am sharing for everyone to read. Personally, I think it is one of the best articles I have read which explains how the Bible and science probably do not seem to disagree on the age of the universe. Moreover, the concepts are explained with mathematical equations an all. The following is an excerpt from article.

For centuries, science and theology have been locked in an ideological battle as to the ultimate source of truth. And basic to this standoff is the question of the age of our universe. Is it an old universe with a history containing fossils of dinosaurs and cavemen, or young with just a few days passing between the creation of the universe and the creation of Adam, the first human being? And if our universe is young, then the so-called ancient fossils were placed in the ground by God to test our faith in the truth of the Bible (aish.com).

I am sure you will find this article very interesting, if this type of thing raises your curiosity. Read the full article at the link below.

The Age of the Universe: One Reality Viewed from Two Different Perspectives: Can the universe be young and old simultaneously?

Reference:

https://www.aish.com/ci/sam/The-Age-of-the-Universe-One-Reality-Viewed-from-Two-Different-Perspectives.html

880 Years Later

Hello, I hope everyone is doing well. Happy Fall to all of you who get to experience the season in the northern hemisphere currently. About three years ago, I wrote an article titled: 877 Years. I have an article on the sibling blog, Unifying the Faith titled: Reexamining the Papacy. Why did I begin this post by stating the foregoing? Well, if you read either of those two posts, I mention the age-old requirement to be celibate for Roman Catholic priests in both. In 877 Years, I explain how this was not an original practice of the Western Church or the Church, and some of the reasons why it was perhaps introduced. In Reexamining the Papacy, I cover many areas relevant to the papacy, and in it I mention that perhaps it is time to end the practice. Well, guess what happened earlier this week?

“Pope Francis urged South American bishops gathered at the Vatican on Monday to "speak with courage" as they address a severe priest shortage in remote areas of the region that could result in the church dropping celibacy requirements for some priests (usatoday.com).”

Pope Francis is considering dropping the celibacy requirements for some priests. I suppose it is a start, even if it is because of regional shortages. Do you think Pope Francis reads my two blogs? I don’t know, but the fact that the topic is being raised seems to be a step forward. Read the full article from which I used the relevant excerpt below at the USA Today link below.

Pope Francis celibacy: Requirement for some priests may be waived

Reference:

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2019/10/07/pope-francis-celibacy-requirement-some-priests-may-waived/3896740002/.

Fr. George W Rutler on The World Over

I wanted to share this video of Raymond Arroyo interviewing Fr. George Rutler on the EWTN program, The World Over. The text on the YouTube reads, “FR. GEORGE RUTLER, priest of the Archdiocese of New York, long time EWTN host and author of the new book, Grace and Truth: 20 Steps to Embracing Virtue and Saving Civilization.” The title on the video is World Over – 2019-03-28 – Fr. George Rutler with Raymond Arroyo, Published on Mar 29, 2019.

Anyhow, I have always enjoyed watching or listening to Fr. Rutler. I am aware that he has written several books, although I have never read any of them. I will probably pick one up sooner or later. I have sometimes gone to mass to listen to him deliver a homily in person when visiting NYC. I probably don’t agree with his theological views all the time, not that he is wrong. It could well be that I am wrong, but I suppose it would be difficult to prove this anyway. I have always thought that Fr. Rutler is an intelligent and eloquent speaker. Well, I don’t want to go into too many details. Hope you enjoy watching the video. Leave any comments below. Blessings!

Reference:

EWTN (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sO4P2dhwmu8)

The Nephilim were Probably Smarter than Us

Since we believe we are the most advanced civilization that has lived on the planet, it makes it difficult to perhaps understand many mysteries that were most likely built by others who were also advanced, but evolved very different than ourselves technologically. For instance, it is possible that the Pyramids along with many obelisks all over the planet were part of a wirelss (Tesla style) power grid used on the entire planet...remember that all had conductive metal caps on top. Antediluvian Nephilim were probably much smarter than us, I wouldn't doubt.



Photo Source:

https://ancientexplorers.com/blogs/news/could-ancient-global-patterns-be-the-answer-to-history

Masada Article from Biblical Archaeology

"In the late morning hours of December 29, 1924, a British pilot took off from Amman, Jordan. Turning the nose of his Bristol fighter southwest toward the Dead Sea, he soon reached the mountain-plateau site of Masada, where King Herod had built an elaborate palace-fortress. At precisely 11:15 A.M., the pilot began conducting a series of aerial photography sorties. Taken at the altitude of 4,500 feet, the images were immortalized on glass negatives, which were deposited several years later in the library of the Institute of Archaeology of University College London (https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org)."

If the foregoing excerpt captured your attention, it is from an article titled: Masada Shall Never Fail (to Surprise) Again by Guy Stiebel and Boaz Gross published in Biblical Archaeology Magazine on September 01, 2018. Read the full article at the link below.

Masada Shall Never Fail (to Surprise) Again - Biblical Archaeology Society

Reference:

https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/magazine/masada-shall-never-fail-to-surprise-again/

Ancient Road Re-opened

“After six years of excavations, Israel has officially opened the ancient Pilgrim’s road, a 2,000-year-old stepped stone path that connected the Pool of Siloam, where Jesus is said to have cured the blind man, to the ancient Jewish Temple, where Jesus would have prayed (www.biblicalarchaeology.org).”

The foregoing excerpt is from a recent Biblical Archaeology article. Read more at the link below.

Road “Where Jesus Walked” is Re-opened to Public - Biblical Archaeology Society

Reference:

https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/biblical-sites-places/temple-at-jerusalem/road-where-jesus-walked-is-re-opened-to-public/.

“THERE we shall rest and we shall see; we shall see and we shall love; we shall love and we shall praise. Behold what shall be in the end and shall not end.”

- Saint Augustine of Hippo







Source:

The City of God 

A Brief Meditation

Sometimes a front can be mistaken for resilience. Sometimes silence is better than words, and vice versa. Sometimes the eyes we need to open are not physical, and vice versa. Appearances can deceive. Sometimes what we hear isn't necessarily a truth, although it is a sound, and our minds don't know the difference. Do we have eyes to see and ears to hear? Most importantly, do we have hearts to feel? Ultimately, the invisible is often spiritual.

Ravi Zacharias on the Question is Christianity the Exclusive Way to Truth?

Today on Facebook I found a post made by an old friend. Basically, in the post he shared a video that involved Ravi Zacharias during a Q & A. A person in the audience asked Zacharias the question: what brings us to believe or entitles us to believe that Christianity is the exclusive way to truth? Zacharias initially establishes the use of a foundation grid which includes origin, meaning, morality, and destiny to determine or reach his answer. In other words, all four of the foregoing should be met in establishing truth according to Zacharias. I am not going to say anything with relevance to my opinion. I am simply sharing the video to let you decide on whether you think his response is correct.

Reference:

https://youtu.be/3N77D4dUgP4

Dogs in the Bible

What does the Bible say about dogs? What roles did they play in the New Testament?

The foregoing questions are answered by Megan Sauter in an article published on Biblical Archaeology Society. It has been a while since I have posted anything about pets; consequently, I am sharing this, so I hope you enjoy reading. The following is an excerpt from it.

"Throughout the ancient Near East and Mediterranean, domesticated dogs served as companions, hunting dogs, sheep dogs, and guard dogs. Dogs filled similar roles in the Bible (e.g., Job 30:1; Isaiah 56:10–11). Although dogs sometimes appear in negative contexts in the Bible, such as in insults, they are not listed as ritually “unclean” animals. Strong clarifies that at least by the second century B.C.E., Jews viewed dogs positively (biblicalarchaeology.org)."

Read the full article at the link below.

What Does the Bible Say About Dogs? - Biblical Archaeology Society

Reference:

https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/blog/.

Christos anesti!

https://www.goarch.org/

Happy Easter!

Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again. 

My Take on the Fire at Notre Dame

Saint Stephen and Saint Paul in the Book of Acts both said God doesn't dwell in houses/shrines (temples) made of/by human hands. Both were seemingly quoting the prophet Isaiah from chapter 66 and verse 1. Stephen said it in his speech in front of the Council before being stoned to death. Paul said it to the Athenians at the Areopagus. Ironically, Paul was a witness to Stephen’s speech and martyrdom when he was still named Saul and was a persecutor of Christianity. In his First Epistle to the Corinthians 6:19, Paul elaborates that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. It sounds like we know where Paul stood with relevance to where God dwells. This is what most Christians believe that God dwells in us. Jesus also said: “where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.” Basically, God is omnipresent. If we gather in a huge cathedral like Notre Dame to worship, God is also there because we are there present. This idea is like that philosophical question, if a tree falls in the forest does it make a sound if no one is there to hear it? But, knowing all this about where God dwells, why do we build such magnificent lofty structures for places of worship?

I believe we build such magnificent structures for places of worship as an offering and adoration to God who has given us life and all. God truly deserves all from us, even our lives. But, even if we have nothing to give, it is enough since all comes from God. As the hymn says:

What can I give Him

Poor as I am

If I were a shepherd,

I would bring Him a Lamb

If I were a wise man,

I'd sure do my part

So what can I give Him

I'll give Him my heart

Why build beautiful structures for God? It is our gift of architecture, art, beauty, and the best we have to offer. We are filled with the presence of God during liturgy and it surrounds us in those places we have built for public worship. We walk into these houses from the world outside that can sometimes be filled with ugliness, and into a place of beauty and peace. Moreover, when we walk into a Cathedral such as Notre Dame in Paris which took hundreds of years to build, and is almost 900 years old, we walk into history, the past, and where we've been from the present place where we are. Beauty is one way we can glorify God. If you are opposed to art and iconography, I suggest reading the apologies made by John of Damascus centuries ago. I doubt you will have a solid counterargument. If you would have asked Frank LLoyd Wright or Gaudi about architecture, you would have probably not had time to listen to all they would have told you. A great structure like Notre Dame was/is a collaborative work of many who simply give an offering to the Savior who gave us all. Out of gratitude, we physically manifest the giving of our hearts. Sadly, the fire at the cathedral on April 15th was tragic and devastating.

Yes, the fire seemingly was very sad, evil, and destructive; however, in less than 24 hours many were donating millions of dollars to repair, restore, and rebuild. Sadly, sometimes a baptism by fire is what we need to reawaken our faith and get our focus on higher things, Godly things. Peace and blessings to all!

David and Goliath: Did we Understand it?

Greetings to all! I suppose we all think we understand or understood the story of David and Goliath in the Bible. A friend recently shared this video of Malcolm Gladwell's ideas on Revisionist History. Anyhow, I don't want to write much and allow you all to be the judges. Enjoy the video!

Sources:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=share&v=ziGD7vQOwl8

TED

Published on Sep 30, 2013

Article on Atheism and Science

I am sharing an article from Patheos about Marcelo Gleiser, a physics and astronomy professor, who became the winner of the Templeton Prize this year. The following quote is credited to him:

Atheism is inconsistent with the scientific method. Atheism is a belief in non-belief. So you categorically deny something you have no evidence against.

Read the full article at the link below.

Scientist blasts ‘new atheists’ saying ‘atheism is a belief in non-belief’ 

Reference:

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/thefreethinker/2019/03/scientist-blasts-new-atheists-saying-atheism-is-a-belief-in-non-belief/.

Arango's Apologetics Page: Seminar at Sea in August of 2019

Arango's Apologetics Page: Seminar at Sea in August of 2019: This looks like a fun trip for August 2019. Read more about the details at the link below.

The Shroud of Turin, Coins in the Eyes

For a few years, now, I have known about the images of coins found in the eyes of the image of the man in the famous Shroud of Turin. I have wanted to research a bit more on the subject before writing anything on it, but I haven’t really found the time. This is not the first time I write about the Shroud on this blog, and it may not be the last because I am always following new developments with relevance to the Shroud. So, I will normally try posting any updates on the subject, sooner or later. I am one of those that believes in the authenticity of The Shroud of Turin.

I came across a related article from 2017 on Aleteia and decided to share with the readers. The following is an excerpt from the article.

"In an interview with RCF Liège, the numismatist Agostino Sferrazza addressed the old question on the coins that cover the eyes of the Man of the Shroud. According to his conclusions, these pieces must have been coined in the days of Pontius Pilate, circa the year 29. This could constitute an additional proof of the authenticity of the Shroud of Turin (aleteia.org)."

I suppose the foregoing gives the basic idea of what the article is about. I will not go into many details since I prefer that one gets the information from the referenced article. I will say, however, that it is believed the coins were “leptons: small coins of low value that were common in Palestine in Roman times. “It is also believed the pieces were coined in 29 AD. I don’t think I need to explain that this year coincides with the time Jesus began his ministry, and with the time of his crucifixion. Anyhow, thank you for reading, and enjoy the article. The link is below. 

Coins of the Shroud of Turin Identified--Aleteia

Reference:

https://aleteia.org/2017/04/26/shroud-of-turin-coins-may-finally-have-been-identified/.

Seminar at Sea in August of 2019

Enjoy an unforgettable 7-day Alaska cruise next August on Holland America’s luxurious ship the Oosterdam — known for amazing food and superb service. As you cruise the pristine waters of the Inside Passage at an ideal time of year, savor stunning coastlines — with soaring mountain peaks, massive glaciers, and rarely-seen wildlife. Join us on this memorable voyage of exploration and enrichment (travelstudy.bib-arch.org)!

This looks like a fun trip for August 2019. Read more about the details at the link below.

Seminar at Sea 2019 · BAS Travel/Study Events: Visit Biblical archaeology sites, discover ancient Bible history, and hear top Biblical archaeologists and Bible scholars share their latest research and findings at the Biblical Archaeology Society's international programs, cruises and U.S. seminars.

Reference:

https://travelstudy.bib-arch.org/cruises/seminar-at-sea-2019.

Happy New Year!

Wishing all a wonderful, healthy, and prosperous 2019! Blessings!