Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all! Blessings!

Why is Christmas celebrated on December 25th?

Well, I hope everyone is doing well and getting ready for the holidays. So, why is Christmas celebrated on December 25th? What I have heard in the past was that this day was nine months after the Feast of the Annunciation, which commemorated Jesus’ conception. I don't know all the details now, but for some reason we could calculate this since Elizabeth had conceived five months before Mary. Anyhow, I will stop here because this post isn't about me speculating. I simply want to share an article on the subject by Andrew McGowan, who is Dean and President of the Berkeley Divinity School at Yale and McFaddin Professor of Anglican Studies at Yale Divinity School. The article is titled: How December 25 Became Christmas, and it was published on December 13, 2022, by Biblical Archeology Society. Read the full article at the link below.

How December 25 Became Christmas - Biblical Archaeology Society

Reference:

https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/people-cultures-in-the-bible/jesus-historical-jesus/how-december-25-became-christmas/?mqsc=E4148790&dk=ZE24D0ZF0&utm_source=WhatCountsEmail&utm_medium=BHDA%20Week%20in%20Review&utm_campaign=12_17_22_WIR_Sling_Bullet_with_Greek

Is Satan a son of God?

Based on the title, the question is Satan a son of God will be addressed. I will be using the NRSV Bible and attempt to be brief.  Job 1:6 reads as follows:

One day the heavenly beings[a] came to present themselves before the Lord, and the accuser[b] also came among them.(E)....

Footnotes

a. 1.6 Heb sons of God

b. 1.6 Heb the satan

Hence, see the foregoing footnotes. Regardless, let us proceed. First Chronicles 21:1 in the NRSV reads as follows:

Satan stood up against Israel and incited David to count the people of Israel.

Allow me to go further. Job 38:7 in the NRSV reads as follows:

when the morning stars sang together and all the heavenly beings[a] shouted for joy?(A)....

Footnotes

• 38.7 Heb sons of God

 

Conclusion 1: the Book of Job seems to consider Satan to be a son of God based on the original Hebrew. A personal relevant question of mine often, although I usually do not try to mix text from other books to make a case is: are the sons of God referenced in Job the same types mentioned in Genesis 6:1-2, which reads as follows in the NRSV:

When people began to multiply on the face of the ground, and daughters were born to them, the sons of God saw that they were fair, and they took wives for themselves of all that they chose.

Conclusion 2: the translation in English used is the word "sons." The English word "beings" is not used. I cannot provide anything conclusive based on this NRSV translation alone at this time; however, if indeed the sons of God in Job are the same as the sons of God in Genesis, the implications are huge. The original question, although unanswered, is one worthy of a pursuit for an answer.

I hope you enjoyed reading. Blessings!

 

 

Reference:

NRSV Bible

On mortals

As for mortals, their days are like grass; they flourish like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more.

- Psalm 103: 15 -16, NRSV 

The empathy alarms

Yes, there are many who did the soup kitchen thing 5 years ago and are still sounding the empathy alarm. Of course, that's fine if you don't use it to judge others. Jesus, however, supposedly said the following.

“So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, (Matthew 6:2-3) ….

I would assume we all catch Jesus’ drift on this. Obviously, keeping it quite on acts of charity is probably the best route. This isn’t saying not to be charitable, but it is saying don’t be like hypocrites when doing so. 

Hope you enjoyed reading. Blessings!

 

 

Reference:

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

On American resilience

We often hear that Americans are very resilient. The most catastrophic thing could perhaps happen to us, and we seem to shake it off, and move on soon after. That's seemingly true; however, I think there are other possible factors which create that appearance.

Americans, also, work very hard. We are always on the go. In a way, this fact justifies our economic prosperity. The thing is we seem to barely have time for much. Sometimes I think that podcasts and audio books are so popular these days because it's something we can do or cram while commuting to and from places of work or school. I am not saying we don't read, but we probably don't have much time. And reading is exceedingly important. I believe reading more really well written material helps us write better ourselves, plus it's a very much needed brain exercise, especially as one ages. A close friend says that a person who doesn't write well, probably can't think well either. Back to resilience, however.

I don't doubt we are really that much resilient. I believe we just don't leave much time in our day for much else. Sometimes we barely get enough sleep, and sleep deprivation isn't good for our health. Of course, pharmaceutical companies and those who work for them probably don't mind. I am just writing down my thoughts, but I think we may need to slow down a little bit. Perhaps we should, as they say, stop and smell the flowers, or at least look at them. Maybe we should try to attend church, mosque, or temple, at least once a week, if we don't have that practice. I am just tossing out ideas. You can go to the park or beach and meditate...whatever works for you. I am done here, but think about it. Blessings!

On prayer requests

Don't think you are sometimes asking for too much when you pray. Joshua once asked for the Sun to stand still at Gibeon, and for the Moon to stop in the valley of Aijalon, and it says it happened. Some say he got a solar eclipse, but I don't know, he probably got what he asked for.

Trying to find the Ark?

Watched the 2015 mystery film, Finding Noah. Still trying to figure out why one of the guys interviewed said 4,360 years under the ice on Mount Ararat. I am not sure why that number wouldn't probably be 11,600 years, regardless of any other timelines people believe about planet Earth, or any other span of time. Anyhow, civilization on Earth very likely did begin again on top of Ararat. The expeditions weren't successful in finding any evidence, but it looks like they had a good time searching. Watch the film! I enjoyed it. Who needs faith when one can have certainty? It seems like people searching for certainty should very often be prepared for failure. Eschatology is one of those areas in which many seem to be searching for certainty. Well, I believe it’s no longer faith once one knows for certain. Hope you enjoyed my little review. Blessings!

 

 

Reference:

https://m.imdb.com/title/tt3362064/

Holodomor?

 

Now a new king arose over Egypt who did not know Joseph

- Exodus 1: 8

 

I've always been fascinated by this foregoing verse. Why? It's amazing how quickly people forget, seemingly. Even forgetting that if it wasn't for that certain someone (Joseph), they would have all starved to death from a seven-year famine, but instead were able to prepare. Of course, we are not told in Scriptures exactly how much time passed since the last chapter in the Book of Genesis, and this first chapter in the Book of Exodus where this verse is found. However, and regardless, this small fact, a new king arose over Egypt who did not know Joseph, was the main reason for 500 years of slavery and oppression which followed. This becomes very clear when one reads further on in the chapter and book. My point is simply that as time goes by, people seem to forget, and thus eventually not know.

Interestingly enough, today we make sure no one forgets the holocaust, which is another horrific historical event involving the same demographic group (the Jewish people). I suppose "fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me." The aforementioned being said, I wonder how many today know about the Holodomor, and has it already been erased by the global left? Will it eventually not be known? It seems to be in obscurity, like the Armenian genocide. Who knows how many other historical events are no longer known because admission of them taking place would diminish another agenda from being promoted succesfully?

There was even another famine before the previously mentioned, as well. The question one should be asking is why not so long after the 1917 Revolution were they managing the economy, so badly. Millions died! Although, the elite and communist aristocracy was eating quite well, and had abundance. I recommend watching the 2019 film about Welsh journalist Gareth Jones titled: Mr. Jones. I am certain many who have been deceived by the left already probably think the phrase communist aristocracy sounds like an oxymoron. If that’s you or someone you know, I recommend reading Milovan Djilas’ book, The New Class, to get informed about the sad reality from someone who was in the higher ranks of the party at one time. His biography alone may surprise. Blessings!

 

 

References:

Holy Bible, NRSV

https://westendfilms.com/screeners/mr_jones.html

Milovan Đjilas. The New Class: An Analysis of the Communist System. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1957.

Dr. Ryan MacPherson Video

In this post I am sharing a video of Dr. MacPherson. The YouTube site describes it as follows:

Courageously Compassionate, Compassionately Courageous: Biblical Apologetics, the Christian Worldview, and Contemporary Social Issues - Dr. Ryan MacPherson, Director, Center for Apologetics and Worldviews

(Part 1 of 5) 2022 Student Apologetics Conference: Race, Justice, Mercy, and Jesus Christ: A Biblical Worldview Conference Addressing Tough Questions with True Answers

Sponsored by the Center for Apologetics and Worldviews https://www.blc.edu/apologetics/A free PDF handout, including presenter biographies, full session descriptions, and visual aids, is available at: https://blc.edu/2022/03/caw-student-c....

See the video below.

 

 

References:

https://www.ryancmacpherson.com/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGcfR3J33v4

In this post it may seem like I am writing about abortion, but it is really about the Constitution

 

“The Constitution makes no reference to abortion, and no such right is implicitly protected by any constitutional provision,”

- Justice Samuel Alito

 

The word abortion is truly not mentioned or referenced in the United States Constitution, but don’t take my word for it, read the document yourself. This is a good quick link here: https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/. The word abortion originates from the latin words aboriri and aborto. Aboriri means to miscarry in English. Aborto in English is to abort. Miscarry is to have a miscarriage, which is not a premeditated act. Abortion is a deliberate termination of a human pregnancy. I simply wanted to explain this, but this post is still about the Constitution.

The United States Constitution basically establishes the structure to the United States in writing (a legal formation). There are seven articles in the Constitution, and without them there is no such thing as the United States, as we know it or have known it. There are 27 amendments in the Constitution which establish the rights of the citizens of the United States. For example: the 14th Amendment reads as follows in section 1:

All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property. . . (constitution.congress.gov).

The foregoing is extremely important. Imagine if one did not have the foregoing Constitutional right? Things could be chaotic! Of course, these Amendments have been added to the Constitution over time. The Constitution itself provides for the process, thus making it possible. How is it done?

The Constitution of the United States provides two methods for making amendments. Only one has ever been used. The United States Congress can pass a bill setting out a proposed amendment by a vote of two thirds in each body. Or a constitutional convention can be convened by a vote of two thirds of the state legislatures, which will propose one or more amendments. This has never happened and its unclear exactly how such a constitutional convention would operate. In either case, the amendments to the U.S. Constitution only become effective after being ratified by 3/4 of the states (www.u-s-history.com).

The process for amending and ratifying is indeed Constitutional. Interestingly, however, the word abortion is not in any of the 27 Amendments. Could the word abortion ever appear in the Constitution? Well, it could appear in a possible 28^th Amendment, or any other henceforth, or if the method for creating them which I previously mentioned is followed. If one reads the Constitution, one should understand that the Judicial Branch (Supreme Court) interprets the meaning of the laws, but they do not make the laws.

I hope you enjoyed reading this. Blessings!

 

 

 

 

References:

https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/

https://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h926.html

 

 

 

This time it was in Uvalde

Uvalde, Texas is a small town. Perhaps many didn’t even know it existed until this week. I knew it did because when I lived in San Antonio, Texas for a portion of my life, I would sometimes visit Garner State Park in Uvalde around 90 miles away to enjoy nature and spend time with friends relaxing. After this week, the way I remember this town will change henceforth. We know about the mass shooting that took place there this week in a school and have also seen the pictures of the children who probably had no idea that day would be their last in our world. Adults were also killed by the shooter, but mostly children. I usually try to explain things in my own mind from a spiritual perspective. I thought about the following hymn written a long time ago.

Jesus loves the little children,

All the children of the world.

Red and yellow, black and white,

All are precious in His sight,

Jesus loves the little children of the world.

- Root and Woolston 

Many innocent children were killed. Why would someone do something so horrible? Jesus once said: “Let the children come to me, and do not stop them, for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.” I really can’t say that I fully understand the passage, especially from Jesus’ point of view, but I can easily assume the authors of the hymn were referencing it in their minds while writing. I can hear words spoken, but it doesn’t mean I always understand their meaning. Moreover, I don’t understand this evil act of murder. Recently, in Buffalo, NY many adults were killed by another young shooter. Both shootings, Uvalde, and Buffalo, were acts of evil and manifestations of evil. Tragic! Why? Why are so many of these types of incidents happening lately? What's wrong? These are just a few relevant questions we should be asking, and we are indeed asking them.

Both shooters were unhappy about something and decided to attack and kill others, perhaps blaming them for his condition or problems. If this was the case, one could argue that these young men were not very spiritual, but what does that really mean? If one Googles the definition of spirituality, the following definition might appear:  the quality of being concerned with the human spirit or soul as opposed to material or physical things…. This simple definition alone seems to justify that the problem we have in these types of cases may be mainly spiritual. A friend recently wrote something on social media in which he basically said something similar about this problem in our society. Bottom line, we have a spiritual problem. We can create all the policies we want with relevance to guns, but if we don’t take care of problems such as mental illness and having more spiritually based priorities in our lives, we will often allow and provide a venue for evil to perform. How do we become more spiritual? Prayer is often the best way to start. Jesus said: "...one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works...." If we can do greater things, we can start by loving more…loving all the little children and everyone (because little children become adults). It is as simple as that to start (just do it)! Going out to purchase an illegal weapon and scheming a mass shooting took a lot more effort for the shooter than making the decision to pray for all, including those who may have hurt him. However, was he ever taught this? Did he know about loving our neighbor as ourselves? Was he taught to pray for his enemies and those who perhaps persecuted him? Maybe these are some of the questions we should be asking as well if we want to fix the problems in our society. Blessings!

Christos Anesti (Χριστός Ανέστη)!

Christos Anesti (Χριστός Ανέστη)!

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter to all on the western side! He is risen!

Sharing the Most Popular

May 1, 2018, titled: A Short Defense of Joseph Smith is the most popular post to date on this blog. It surpassed posts which were more popular for a long time in prior years. I am sharing this statistical information with everyone; in case anyone is interested in finding out what the whole thing is all about. Blessings and enjoy reading! Follow the link below to access quick.

Arango's Apologetics Page: A Short Defense of Joseph Smith

Dr. Rebecca McLaughlin Spoke at an Apologetics Conference

Dr. Rebecca McLaughlin was recently a keynote speaker in the annual Next-Gen Apologetics Conference plenary lecture at Liberty University, according to an article from February 11, 2022 by Jacob Couch for Liberty University's Office of Communications & Public Engagement. In addition, according to the same article, it was the seventh Next-Gen conference which was sponsored by the Center for Apologetics & Cultural Engagement. One of the things Dr. McLaughlin said, according to Mr. Couch was the following:

“(Early American universities) were founded to bring glory to Christ,” she said. … “Christians invented what we call science not as an alternative belief that we were created by God but because they believed in a created order that was both rational and free.”

I recommend reading more at the following link.

Author Rebecca McLaughlin addresses 21st century Christianity at Next-Gen Apologetics Conference, speaks at Convocation » Liberty News

Reference:

https://www.liberty.edu/news/2022/02/11/author-rebecca-mclaughlin-addresses-21st-century-christianity-at-next-gen-apologetics-conference-speaks-at-convocation

Why is Ravi Zacharias' organization seemingly out of the apologetics business?

A recent article in Christianity Today by Daniel Silliman was titled: RZIM Will No Longer Do Apologetics. A portion of the article read as follows:

CEO Sarah Davis announced to staff Wednesday morning that over the next six months, the downsized ministry will remake itself as a grant-making charity. It plans to give money to organizations fulfilling its original purpose of defending the truth of the gospel as well as organizations that care for victims of sexual abuse.

Obviously, it is a huge announcement when an organization stops doing what it does.

RZIM has published the following: Open Letter from the International Board of Directors of RZIM on the Investigation of Ravi Zacharias at the following link:

https://www.rzim.org/read/rzim-updates/board-statement.html

The following is an excerpt from the aforementioned.

The findings of this investigation and their public release will be devastating to Ravi’s wife, son, and daughters, and to his entire family. Our hearts are broken for them, and we grieve with the weight of being part of this unimaginable pain. We pray for the Zacharias family and mourn with them in this time of severe loss. It is our hope that they will receive the healing and restoration that God alone can provide. 

To close, in case you didn't know, I am sorry to be the bearer of bad news to anyone who has supported RZIM in the past. I don't judge, but I do send prayers for the victims, as well as the perpetrator and his family. Blessings!

 

References:

https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2021/march/ravi-zacharias-rzim-name-change-abuse-victims-call.html

https://www.rzim.org/read/rzim-updates/board-statement.html

 

Happy 2022!

 Happy New Year and blessings to all!