Excerpt from the Epistle to the Galatians

There is no longer Jew or Greek; there is no longer slave or free; there is no longer male and female, for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.

~ St. Paul




Reference:

Galatians 3:28, NRSVUE 

On mortality

Thinking of mortality is often mistaken for fearing dying, and they aren't necessarily the same thing. I do believe; however, that some people live life as if they seem to believe they're immortal? Death is often called the afterlife. This is because it is believed life ends, and something different happens after it. Many civilizations for thousands of years have had beliefs with relevance to the afterlife. We have no proof of what really happens when one dies and remains permanently dead. We really do not know if life ends and then continues in a different state in another dimension. Jesus said: “In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?” Many Christians believe that when they die, they will go to a dwelling place promised by Jesus. This post is about thinking about death, and not about what happens when one dies.

AI Overview on Google said the following with relevance to thinking about death.

Thinking about death is a normal part of life, but it can become a mental health concern if it's extremely distressing or interferes with your daily life:

Death anxiety: Also known as thanatophobia, this is an intense fear of death that can cause panic, dread, depression, or obsession with health. People with death anxiety may avoid dangerous situations or spend a lot of time checking for signs of illness. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an effective treatment.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD): People with OCD may have obsessions about death and compulsions to seek reassurance. Exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy is a treatment that can help people learn to accept the uncertainty of their obsessions.

                Major depression: Death can be a preoccupation for people with major depression.

 Thinking about death can also be beneficial, helping you to recognize your values and live more consciously. Here are some ways that thinking about mortality can be helpful:

                Gaining meaning

Contemplating your mortality can help you find meaning and motivation in life.

                Making conscious choices

Accepting your mortality can help you make more conscious choices in the present.

                Avoiding destructive behavior

Controlling your anxiety about death can help you avoid negative or destructive behavior. 

In closing, I simply wanted to share a brief thought on mortality. I believe I have never shared anything about it. I think many people avoid the subject altogether, especially when they are young. Although, as one ages it perhaps becomes more and more part of one’s thoughts. I do agree with the AI Overview when it said: thinking about death can also be beneficial. I hope you enjoyed reading this. Blessings!

 

References:

 https://www.artofdyingwell.org/talking-about-death/coming-terms-death/accepting-your-mortality/#:~:text=Thinking%20about%20your%20life%20ending,with%20the%20reality%20of%20death

John 14:2, NRSVUE

Jude excerpt

It was also about these that Enoch, in the seventh generation from Adam, prophesied, saying, “See, the Lord is coming with ten thousands of his holy ones, to execute judgment on all and to convict all the ungodly of all the deeds of ungodliness that they have committed in such an ungodly way and of all the harsh things that ungodly sinners have spoken against him.” 

Source:

Jude 14 and 15, NRSVUE

Matthew 23 extract

They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on the shoulders of others, but they themselves are unwilling to lift a finger to move them.They do all their deeds to be seen by others....

Source:

Matthew 23: 4 and 5, NRSVUE 

Psalm 14 excerpt

The LORD looked forth from heaven upon the children of men,

To see if there were any man of understanding, that did seek after God.

They are all corrupt, they are together become impure;

There is none that doeth good, no, not one.






Reference:

Psalm 14: 2-3, JPS Tanakh 1917

Jesus clarity

I hope everyone is doing well. This post will be brief. It is based on some things I have been dwelling on recently. Mainly, some things Jesus is credited to saying in Scriptures that may seem contradictory. I don’t claim to understand what he meant fully, but I also do not think he did not make any sense. I am not going to provide entire verses; however, I will give the citation to allow all to verify. Anyhow, here we go.

Possibly Jesus said, “if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also” He also said, “walk a second mile if someone asks you to walk one.” Hence: he never said to walk three miles. See Matthew 5:39.

Supposedly, Jesus said “one who has no sword must sell his cloak and buy one.” Basically, one needs to have a sword and can’t afford to be without one. Obviously, he didn't seem to believe in not defending oneself. Consequently, this seems to contrast the cheek turning thing a bit, if things escalated perhaps. See Luke 22:36.

Lastly, Jesus said, “be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.” I think this one is self-explanatory…don’t be fools, but also don’t be an arrogant a**hole. See Matthew 10:16.

In closing, I think all-around, Jesus was more about having balance. If we focus on one area of his teachings but neglect another, we get out of balance. Therefore, we should focus on all instead of one thing. Blessings!

 

References:

Matthew 5:39

Luke 22: 36

Matthew 10:16

 

 

Article on who should be handling apologetics

Ancient apologists such as Justin Martyr, Aristides of Athens, and Athenagoras presented the life of the church as primary evidence for the truth of the faith. Irenaeus, Augustine of Hippo, John Calvin, and many others pursued apologetics not as scholarly specialists but as pastors who were responsible for the spiritual well-being of ordinary Christians in local churches. 

 

The foregoing excerpt is taken from an article on CT by Timothy Paul Jones titled: Churches Shouldn’t Outsource Apologetics to Slick Conferences. Basically, this article is a book review, although I am not providing the name of the book since I want the reader to find out for themselves by reading the article. Based on the title alone one should get the hint on who the author believes should be handling apologetics, which in part is also based on his own life experience. OK, I think I have already provided too much information, so I will stop here. Blessings, and read the full article at the link below.  

Churches Shouldn’t Outsource Apologetics to Slick Conferences | Christianity Today

Reference:

https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2024/april/pastor-apologist-book-dayton-hartman-michael-mcewen.html