Sharing a recent apologetics article I enjoyed reading

We need to practise what we preach. 1 Peter 3:15 states: “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” The Greek word translated as ‘reason’ here is ‘apologia’. The exhortation to speak with “gentleness and respect” is vital and communicates the truth that we are not just to preach good news but to be good news.

 

I hope everyone is enjoying the Advent season. Christmas is only about a week away, as I write this post. The foregoing italicized words are extracted from an article by Greg Downes that is published on the Premier Christianity website and is titled: Why apologetics needs to change. I recently read it, and thought it was one of the more engaging articles about Christian apologetics I have read lately. Judging by the title, it would appear Downes will be explaining the reason for his statement. Obviously, I already know, but I will allow you to decide for yourself. Read the full article at the link below.

Why apologetics needs to change | Magazine Features | Premier Christianity

Reference:

https://www.premierchristianity.com/apologetics/why-apologetics-needs-to-change/16418.article

Happy Hanukkah!

Happy Hanukkah to all!

Sometimes it doesn't come easy

For many Christians apologetics is probably unessential and insignificant, they simply have faith. The following stanza from a well-known hymn is a perfect example of what many Christians believe and accept as truth.

        Immortal, invisible, God only wise,

        in light inaccessible hid from our eyes,

        most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,

        almighty, victorious, thy great name we praise.

The foregoing words describe a supernatural being, and theologically speaking, the very same God we believe in as Christians. However, on the other side of the coin of those who simply believe, there are many who sometimes struggle and experience doubt. For those who experience doubt, apologetics comes in very handy. Moreover, if you are one of us who experience doubt, below I am sharing a few quotes just to let you know, you are not alone.

 

Faith and doubt go hand in hand, they are complementaries. One who never doubts will never truly believe. 

- Hermann Karl Hesse

Doubt is not the opposite of faith; it is one element of faith. 

- Paul Tillich 

Doubting does not prove that a man has no faith, but only that his faith is small. And even when our faith is small, the Lord is ready to help us.

 - J. C. Ryle

Some of us who have preached the Word for years, and have been the means of working faith in others and of establishing them in the knowledge of the fundamental doctrines of the Bible, have nevertheless been the subjects of the most fearful and violent doubts as to the truth of the very gospel we have preached.

- Charles Spurgeon

 

I hope you enjoyed reading. Blessings!

 

 

 

 

Reference:

https://hymnary.org/text/immortal_invisible_god_only_wise

Standard Time begins and that's normal and more natural

Over the years I have read many articles in which I did not understand whether the author was deliberately trying to confuse the reader about the difference between DST and natural Standard Time, or perhaps he or she was confused, although that's hard to believe. We spend almost eight months on DST, and just a little over four months on normal Standard Time. It seems like most people don't even question why we would be less time on normal and more on abnornal. This crazy behavior should have been questioned for many years, especially when it is so unhealthy. We are forced to wake up an hour earlier on DST. Sleep deprivation is bad for our health. We have more automobile accidents on DST, and if proper research is done, many other bad things also happen. But, since today we are back on normal and natural Standard Time, let's not dwell on negative things and enjoy the benefits of it.

Some today will complain about it getting dark too early without realizing it is really because the first day of winter is only six weeks away, and that's the real reason for it. On the other hand, if they woke up thinking they were still on DST, they should have noticed it was light out already. Why? The day on planet Earth lasts 24 hours, and moving the time on the clocks to deceive ourselves will never change this astronomical fact. Now, let's get back to enjoying the benefits of being back to normal Standard Time today.

I hope you enjoyed the extra hour of sleep. I am sure you feel better and more rested. Moreover, we should be grateful we survived another eight months of craziness, and survived is the correct and accurate word to use. One day all will hopefully wake up and tell our governments to stop the madness and deception. In the meantime, enjoy the next four months of normalcy before getting back on the crazy cycle three weeks before Spring even begins. 

Fifteen

This blog turns fifteen years old, today! A very Happy Birthday, or Anniversary perhaps. It seems like only yesterday since the very first post appeared on here.

An example of a different meaning in Scriptures due to translation

First, he was saying that it's God who works "all things together for good," not that “all things” were doing it under their own steam. Second, he was explaining how God does this. Specifically, he does it in collaboration with certain people. He recruits human beings to share in his purposes in the world.

 

The foregoing excerpt is extracted from an article by N.T. Wright published in Time, which is titled: The Bible’s Most Misunderstood Verse. I have published things by N.T. Wright on here in the past; consequently, if you have read this blog for a few years, his name might, at least, sound familiar. He has been a favorite theologian of mine for quite a while. If one is familiar with the verse referenced in the extract, it could be assumed that more clarity on it would be of interest. I will not give much detail on what the author said because I always encourage reading for oneself; hence, read the full article at the link below. Blessings!

The Bible's Most Misunderstood Verse | TIME

Reference:

https://time.com/6322429/bibles-most-misunderstood-verse/

Looking for Sodom

The Book of Genesis in the Bible references the city of Sodom. Was Sodom a real historical city? The following excerpt from an article on the Biblical Archeology website seems to show evidence, or clues, towards answering this question.

... archaeologists found widespread evidence of an intense conflagration that left the Middle Bronze Age city in ruins. They found scorched foundations and floors buried under nearly 3 feet of dark grey ash, as well as dozens of pottery sherds covered with a frothy, “melted” surface; the glassy appearance indicates that they were briefly exposed to temperatures well in excess of 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, the approximate heat of volcanic magma. Such evidence suggests the city and its environs were catastrophically destroyed in a sudden and extreme conflagration.

I don't know but to me it sounds like this specific area, which I did not mention by name, might be where Sodom was once located. Read the full article at the link below. Blessings!

Where Is Sodom? - Biblical Archaeology Society

Reference:

https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/biblical-sites-places/biblical-archaeology-sites/where-is-sodom/?mqsc=E4155002&dk=ZE3390ZF0

Some clarity on Satan

In the Hebrew Bible, YHWH’s greatest enemies are not fallen angels commanding armies of demons, nor even the gods of other nations, but, rather, human beings. It isn’t the devil that spreads evil across the face of creation—it is mankind (biblicalarchaeology.org).

 

I hope the previous excerpt got your attention. It is taken from an article by John Gregory Drummond which is published on the Biblical Archeology Society website. The written piece is titled: Who Is Satan? The many forms of the devil in the Bible. Based on popular renderings, literary works, and television and film, it is easy to understand why many have a concept of Satan that is different from the Bible’s version. Read the full context of the text at the following link.

Who Is Satan? - Biblical Archaeology Society

Blessings!

 

 

 

 

Reference:

https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/biblical-topics/bible-interpretation/who-is-satan/?mqsc=E4154185&dk=ZE3380ZF0&utm_source=WhatCountsEmail&utm_medium=BHDA%20Week%20in%20Review&utm_campaign=8_12_23_WIR_Lukes_Journey_to_Jerusalem_Motif

 

Assurance?

Based on my life's experience and observations, I decided to write down these thoughts, and publish them. These days people seem to want certainty on all levels. In fact, they're almost infatuated with certainty, although a specific request for it is hardly ever mentioned. Apparently, it is supposed to be the elephant in the room that isn't talked about, but is evident with many actions and behaviors. Basically, they want to know what's going to happen, and they want to know now. They want to know what happens after you die. There are movies and books written by people who claim to have passed away, went to heaven, and then came back. Of course, it is extremely difficult to prove that. I think the only people who really know what happens are the ones who never come back. This is why interpretation of Scriptures that are supposedly about eschatology or end of time stuff are a very popular thing. Popular may be an understatement!

It is all nothing new here in the United States. There have been telavangelists for a long time. Radio evangelists have existed for over a hundred years, and many of them had thousands of followers, or millions, perhaps. A good example would probably be Aimee Semple McPherson back in the 1920s. I am sure many who listened would have felt certainty about many of the questions they had. Personally, I believe doubt is a huge part of faith, but that's often not taught or known. Not that I am attempting to quote Paul Johannes Tillich. It all seems like people attempting to take a shortcut at knowing the answers to some of our most important and complex philosophy questions. I will stop here with a final curb pitch, perhaps, if that's a good analogy...lol?

All I know is that the possibility of us getting hit by an asteroid is huge. And that may also be an understatement. Meaning that we would have to start all over again as a civilization. Whoever survives, that is! So, basically, all you may know about eschatology would probably be useless. But, for now, if anybody wants to get rich temporarily, I highly recommend creating a new church that knows exactly what the future holds. My thoughts on it are as they say, good luck with that. Hope you enjoyed reading. Blessings!

A video about Islam

I hope everyone is doing well. I have been wanting to share this video by the historian, Tom Holland for a while now. I finally got around to doing so, now. I don’t want you all to have to read much in this post, but please watch, it is highly informative and well researched. Enjoy!

Islam : The Untold Story (Tom HOLLAND) - YouTube 

Reference:

https://youtu.be/j9S_xbjIRgE

Coronation sermon by Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury

Colossians 1:9-17, Luke 4:16-21

 

We are here to crown a King, and we crown a King to serve.

What is given today is for the gain of all. For Jesus Christ announced a Kingdom in which the poor and oppressed are freed from the chains of injustice. The blind see. The bruised and broken-hearted are healed.

That Kingdom sets the aims of all righteous government, all authority. And the Kingdom also sets the means of all government and authority. For Jesus doesn’t grasp power or hold onto status.

The King of Kings, Jesus Christ, was anointed not to be served, but to serve. He creates the unchangeable law of good authority that with the privilege of power comes the duty to serve. 

Service is love in action. We see active love in our care for the most vulnerable, the way we nurture and encourage the young, in the conservation of the natural world. We have seen those priorities in the life of duty lived by our King.

Today we have the honour of being in this Abbey with so many who show such love; you work with charities and organisations, you build community, you serve the nation in Armed Forces, in emergency services, and so many other ways. Next door are 400 or more extraordinary young people in St Margaret’s Church, whose lives speak of service. Around the world in the Realms and Commonwealth are so many more. You live your lives for the sake of others.

The unity you show, the example you give, is what binds us together and offers societies that are strong, joyful, happy and glorious. They bear heavy weights for us.

And the weight of the task given today, Your Majesties, is only bearable by the Spirit of God, who gives us the strength to give our lives to others. With the anointing of the Holy Spirit, the King is given freely what no ruler can ever attain through will, or politics, or war, or tyranny: the Holy Spirit draws us to love in action.

This is promised by Jesus who put aside all privilege, because, as the first reading tells us, God will give all things for our sake, even His own life. 

His throne was a Cross. His crown was made of thorns. His regalia were the wounds that pierced his body.

Each of us is called by God to serve. Whatever that looks like in our own lives, each of us can choose God’s way today.

We can say to the King of Kings, God Himself, as does the King here today, ‘give grace that in thy service I may find perfect freedom’.

In that prayer there is promise beyond measure, joy beyond dreams, hope that endures. By that prayer, for every King, every ruler, and, yes, for every person for all of us, we are opened to the transforming love of God.

Source:

https://www.archbishopofcanterbury.org/speaking-writing/speeches/archbishop-canterburys-sermon-coronation-their-majesties-king-charles-iii 

The cloth that had been on his head

...and the cloth that had been on Jesus’s head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself.

Source:

John 20:7, NRSVUE 

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter!

Cyrus' Text

The Book of Isaiah (45:1) even refers to Cyrus as the Lord’s anointed one, making him the only figure in the Hebrew Bible who is declared “YHWH’s messiah” without being an anointed king of Judah (biblicalarchaeology.org).

Many Bible scholars know the story the Persian king Cyrus the Great, who conquered the Babylonian Empire, and was responsible for the edict which ended the Babylonian Captivity. The article I am sharing is about an artifact linked to King Cyrus, and his period in history. Specifically, it is the Cyrus Cylinder, and one must visit the British Museum in London in order to view the artifact in person. Read the full article at the following link.

The Cyrus Cylinder - Biblical Archaeology Society

Reference:

https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/ancient-cultures/ancient-near-eastern-world/the-cyrus-cylinder/

Current Evangelical Churches

Many evangelical churches, or at least most of the ones I've been in and attended, or visited over decades, are basically local family businesses in which the family inherits the business. Many congregants do not seem to view that this is nepotism, and a big deal. If one visits any of these local churches for the first time, what happens is that perhaps one notices that a lot of them are either labeled non-denominational or interdenominational, but that's not always the case. Non-denominational is almost the opposite of interdenominational since one implies having more than one denomination, and the other means not having an affiliation with any denomination, or simply none. However, and strangely, when one enters either of them these days on an initial visit, it may feel or seem as if there is no difference in liturgy or worship style. It's as if the labels don't represent anything. One thing is for certain, and it is that there are many of them all around this land.

All-around there are evangelical churches. Some are small and some are large. In fact, some are such huge congregations that they are called “megachurches.” One of the biggest would probably be that church in Houston, Texas. The nepotism statement I made seems to apply without out any doubt in its case. The church was started by his father, and when he passed away, the son became senior pastor. They do employ many people seemingly, but the ones who make big decisions, I am convinced, are the family members, regardless of advice from others. I am simply saying this is how it is.

The thing is that if congregants know this fact and don't have any objection because they feel the church enhances the spiritual life of people, including their own personally, one may as well let it be. I am sure that sooner or later, if they disagree with this system, they will move on. This is simply how many of these types of churches run the business. Congregants may as well deal with it, unless they perhaps decide to switch to a specific denominational church, which may end up being a huge change to what they are normally accustomed, if they have never attended such a church. Blessings!

1: 8

Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who knew not Joseph. 

- Exodus 1: 8

Source:

JPS Tanakh 1917

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Wishing all a healthy and prosperous 2023! Blessings!