Recently, I read the latest posting on the Journey To Orthodoxy website. The article was titled: The Tower of Christendom written by Robert Easter, and posted by Fr. John on May 11, 2011. I found the article to be very interesting. The article provides some thoughts on denominations, as well as some thoughts relevant to Church history; it is also followed with really good comments, even a little critique on N.T. Wright who I believe is a brilliant theologian. If you wish to read this article please go to the following link:
http://journeytoorthodoxy.com/2011/05/11/the-tower-of-christendom/#axzz1MTR6EE6u.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Friday, April 15, 2011
Mohammed the prophet’s letter to Christians
Did you know that in the year 628, the Prophet Mohammed or Muhammad granted a letter to the monks of St. Catherine Monastery in Mt. Sinai?
The following is the English translation of that document:
“This is a message from Muhammad ibn Abdullah, as a covenant to those who adopt Christianity, near and far, we are with them.
Verily I, the servants, the helpers, and my followers defend them, because
Christians are my citizens; and by Allah! I hold out against anything that displeases them.
No compulsion is to be on them.
Neither are their judges to be removed from their jobs nor their monks from their monasteries.
No one is to destroy a house of their religion, to damage it, or to carry anything from it to the Muslims' houses.
Should anyone take any of these, he would spoil God's covenant and disobey His Prophet. Verily, they are my allies and have my secure charter against all that they hate.
No one is to force them to travel or to oblige them to fight.
The Muslims are to fight for them.
If a female Christian is married to a Muslim, it is not to take place without her approval. She is not to be prevented from visiting her church to pray.
Their churches are to be respected. They are neither to be prevented from repairing them nor the sacredness of their covenants.
No one of the nation (Muslims) is to disobey the covenant till the Last Day (end of the world).”
Reference:
The following is the English translation of that document:
“This is a message from Muhammad ibn Abdullah, as a covenant to those who adopt Christianity, near and far, we are with them.
Verily I, the servants, the helpers, and my followers defend them, because
Christians are my citizens; and by Allah! I hold out against anything that displeases them.
No compulsion is to be on them.
Neither are their judges to be removed from their jobs nor their monks from their monasteries.
No one is to destroy a house of their religion, to damage it, or to carry anything from it to the Muslims' houses.
Should anyone take any of these, he would spoil God's covenant and disobey His Prophet. Verily, they are my allies and have my secure charter against all that they hate.
No one is to force them to travel or to oblige them to fight.
The Muslims are to fight for them.
If a female Christian is married to a Muslim, it is not to take place without her approval. She is not to be prevented from visiting her church to pray.
Their churches are to be respected. They are neither to be prevented from repairing them nor the sacredness of their covenants.
No one of the nation (Muslims) is to disobey the covenant till the Last Day (end of the world).”
Reference:
Boy Like Me/Man Like You
I think that the lyrics to the song, Boy Like Me/Man Like You, are very interesting because of the way the writer was trying to associate and compare his life and the way he grew up with the life of Jesus here on Earth according to the Scriptures. I hope you enjoy reading his thoughts which read as follows:
"You was a baby like I was once
You was cryin' in the early mornin'
You was born in a stable Lord
Reid Memorial is where I was born
They wrapped You in swaddling clothes
Me they dressed in baby blue
But I was twelve years old in the meeting house
Listening to the old men pray
And I was tryin' hard to figure out
What it was that they was tryin' to say
There You were in the temple
They said You weren't old enough
To know the things You knew
Well did You grow up hungry
Did You grow up fast
Did the little girls giggle when You walked past
Did You wonder what it was that made them laugh
And did they tell You stories 'bout the saints of old
Stories about their faith
They say stories like that make a boy grow bold
Stories like that make a man walk straight
And You was a boy like I was once
But was You a boy like me
Well I grew up around Indiana
You grew up around Galilee
And if I ever really do grow up
Lord I want to grow up and be just like You
Well did You wrestle with a dog and lick his nose
Did You play beneath the spray of a water hose
Did You ever make angels in the winter snow
And did they tell You stories 'bout the saints of old
Stories about their faith
They say stories like that make a boy grow bold
Stories like that make a man walk straight
Did You ever get scared playing hide and seek
Did You try not to cry when You scraped Your knee
Did You ever skip a rock across a quiet creek
And did they tell You stories 'bout the saints of old
Stories about their faith
They say stories like that make a boy grow bold
Stories like that make a man walk straight
And I really may just grow up and be like You someday"
Rich Mullins -Lyrics
"You was a baby like I was once
You was cryin' in the early mornin'
You was born in a stable Lord
Reid Memorial is where I was born
They wrapped You in swaddling clothes
Me they dressed in baby blue
But I was twelve years old in the meeting house
Listening to the old men pray
And I was tryin' hard to figure out
What it was that they was tryin' to say
There You were in the temple
They said You weren't old enough
To know the things You knew
Well did You grow up hungry
Did You grow up fast
Did the little girls giggle when You walked past
Did You wonder what it was that made them laugh
And did they tell You stories 'bout the saints of old
Stories about their faith
They say stories like that make a boy grow bold
Stories like that make a man walk straight
And You was a boy like I was once
But was You a boy like me
Well I grew up around Indiana
You grew up around Galilee
And if I ever really do grow up
Lord I want to grow up and be just like You
Well did You wrestle with a dog and lick his nose
Did You play beneath the spray of a water hose
Did You ever make angels in the winter snow
And did they tell You stories 'bout the saints of old
Stories about their faith
They say stories like that make a boy grow bold
Stories like that make a man walk straight
Did You ever get scared playing hide and seek
Did You try not to cry when You scraped Your knee
Did You ever skip a rock across a quiet creek
And did they tell You stories 'bout the saints of old
Stories about their faith
They say stories like that make a boy grow bold
Stories like that make a man walk straight
And I really may just grow up and be like You someday"
Rich Mullins -Lyrics
Monday, April 11, 2011
Something about Mary
Mary the mother of Jesus is mentioned most often in the New Testament in the Gospel of Luke. She is mentioned five times in Mathew. Mark mentions her by name once. In John she is mentioned twice. Mary is also mentioned in Acts 1:14.
Luke 1:26-38 reads as follows:
“In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary. And he came to her and said, "Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!" But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end." And Mary said to the angel, "How will this be, since I am a virgin?" And the angel answered her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy--the Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God." And Mary said, "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.”
What did Mary say to the angel? "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word."
The story of the wedding at Cana of Galilee takes place in John 2:1–12. In this story, most of us know that Jesus converts water into wine. If you are not aware that was His first miracle, and it is a miracle because He transforms the molecules of the liquid.
John 2:5 reads: "His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you."
What did Mary tell the servants? "Do whatever he tells you."
During the Crucifixion of her son Jesus, what was Mary doing?
John 19:25 reads: "but standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother's sister..."
Acts 1:14 reads: “All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.”
What was Mary doing in Acts 1:14? She was devoting to prayer.
For some reason, I decided to ask four questions regarding Mary with relevance to what we find her doing within the context of Scriptures. My questions along with the answers were the following:
1. What did Mary say to the angel? "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word."
2. What did Mary tell the servants? "Do whatever he tells you."
3. During the Crucifixion of her son Jesus, what was Mary doing?
John 19:25 reads: "but standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother's sister..."
4. What was Mary doing in Acts 1:14? She was devoting to prayer.
I don’t know what goes through your mind when you read these passages with respect to Mary, but it seems to me that she was given a mission from God, and she went along with it all the way through no matter what the circumstance. I am sure we could draw many conclusions about her, but one thing is for sure, and it is that she was amazing….
References:
Holy Bible, ESV
Luke 1:26-38 reads as follows:
“In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary. And he came to her and said, "Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!" But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end." And Mary said to the angel, "How will this be, since I am a virgin?" And the angel answered her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy--the Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God." And Mary said, "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.”
What did Mary say to the angel? "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word."
The story of the wedding at Cana of Galilee takes place in John 2:1–12. In this story, most of us know that Jesus converts water into wine. If you are not aware that was His first miracle, and it is a miracle because He transforms the molecules of the liquid.
John 2:5 reads: "His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you."
What did Mary tell the servants? "Do whatever he tells you."
During the Crucifixion of her son Jesus, what was Mary doing?
John 19:25 reads: "but standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother's sister..."
Acts 1:14 reads: “All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.”
What was Mary doing in Acts 1:14? She was devoting to prayer.
For some reason, I decided to ask four questions regarding Mary with relevance to what we find her doing within the context of Scriptures. My questions along with the answers were the following:
1. What did Mary say to the angel? "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word."
2. What did Mary tell the servants? "Do whatever he tells you."
3. During the Crucifixion of her son Jesus, what was Mary doing?
John 19:25 reads: "but standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother's sister..."
4. What was Mary doing in Acts 1:14? She was devoting to prayer.
I don’t know what goes through your mind when you read these passages with respect to Mary, but it seems to me that she was given a mission from God, and she went along with it all the way through no matter what the circumstance. I am sure we could draw many conclusions about her, but one thing is for sure, and it is that she was amazing….
References:
Holy Bible, ESV
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Nepotism in the Church
Nepotism widely exists within the Church and churches, a good example of it could perhaps be Joel Olsteen, if you know anything about his biography; however, is this good thing or bad? I plan on perhaps doing a more in depth research on the matter because it is an extremely serious issue that faces us all. I wonder if all the graduates that obtain theology degrees every year are getting the interviews they should, and I wonder if the church members are really getting the best teaching they should because of this problem. The following is an excerpt from Don G. Brock's blog, and I personally think it great to see people speak up on this matter. The posting is titled: Nepotism in the Church and it reads as follows:
"In an organization which promotes very high standards of ethics and morality, the church is practicing nepotism as being acceptable. For years, church leaders have hired, promoted, paid, and protected their wives and family members - effectively doubling their household income. Leaders that pay their wife as secretary, administrative assistant, or office manager with church funds, claim the benefits of loyalty and confidentiality. God only knows how often it also protects secrecy.
Nepotism is the practice of allowing employment and economic policies that permit favoritism toward one's family. It includes giving favored employment positions to family members as well as encouraging business transactions with other family members.
I don’t think it’s possible for a leader to fairly evaluate the work of his or her spouse. Even if it were possible (and I don’t think it is), the simple perception of wrongdoing that arises in the minds of the others is reason enough to consider such relationships to be inadvisable and unethical.
Church leaders are more involved in the business of the church today than ever. Some even appoint their own Finance Committee (which opens the door to conflicts of interest, and closes the door to independent thinking and review). Some pastors even appoint their wife as local church Treasurer, a clear conflict of interest which should never happen.
Clergy leaders are expected to establish a reputation (and live up to it). Their conduct determines their reputation. And the people they serve expect their conduct to be scrupulous.
Conflict of interest refers to a situation where a person’s financial or professional loyalty or objectivity in doing his job may be compromised by an outside interest of the person. We are used to hearing the term used with respect to outside business ownership interests of executives or public officials. For non-executives, the concept comes up more vaguely in conjunction with issues like trade secrets, confidentiality, and non-compete clauses. The term also refers to nepotism (Don G. Brock)."
Well, I hope you have enjoyed reading this article, and I also hope that it raised questions in your mind about the matter; I also hope you start doing something about it…if anything start asking questions. God bless!
Reference:
http://don-brock.blogspot.com/2009/02/nepotism-in-church.html
"In an organization which promotes very high standards of ethics and morality, the church is practicing nepotism as being acceptable. For years, church leaders have hired, promoted, paid, and protected their wives and family members - effectively doubling their household income. Leaders that pay their wife as secretary, administrative assistant, or office manager with church funds, claim the benefits of loyalty and confidentiality. God only knows how often it also protects secrecy.
Nepotism is the practice of allowing employment and economic policies that permit favoritism toward one's family. It includes giving favored employment positions to family members as well as encouraging business transactions with other family members.
I don’t think it’s possible for a leader to fairly evaluate the work of his or her spouse. Even if it were possible (and I don’t think it is), the simple perception of wrongdoing that arises in the minds of the others is reason enough to consider such relationships to be inadvisable and unethical.
Church leaders are more involved in the business of the church today than ever. Some even appoint their own Finance Committee (which opens the door to conflicts of interest, and closes the door to independent thinking and review). Some pastors even appoint their wife as local church Treasurer, a clear conflict of interest which should never happen.
Clergy leaders are expected to establish a reputation (and live up to it). Their conduct determines their reputation. And the people they serve expect their conduct to be scrupulous.
Conflict of interest refers to a situation where a person’s financial or professional loyalty or objectivity in doing his job may be compromised by an outside interest of the person. We are used to hearing the term used with respect to outside business ownership interests of executives or public officials. For non-executives, the concept comes up more vaguely in conjunction with issues like trade secrets, confidentiality, and non-compete clauses. The term also refers to nepotism (Don G. Brock)."
Well, I hope you have enjoyed reading this article, and I also hope that it raised questions in your mind about the matter; I also hope you start doing something about it…if anything start asking questions. God bless!
Reference:
http://don-brock.blogspot.com/2009/02/nepotism-in-church.html
The Earliest Christian Apologetist
Christianity was born in the first century, but as it was new on the block, and many sacrifices would follow to give Christians the freedom to practice they enjoy today in some countries. Today, however, in some parts of the world Christians are still persecuted, tortured, and killed for their faith, and this may well be a topic that needs to be addressed in future postings, but for now lets travel back to the time when Christianity was just a child. Christian apologetics in the second century can indeed be described today. Apologetics comes from the Greek word “apologia” which means to give a defense. Christian apologist or defenders of the Christian faith arose due to the many charges or accusations that arose from the Roman Empire against the early church. The defense was an actual defense before the Courts for the practices of which they were being accused. Fergusson says that “the authentic accounts of martyrdom from the second century come in three literary forms: “letters”…”passions”…, and “acts (Fergusson, p. 79).”
Christians experienced many accusations against them mostly because of misunderstandings since the type of worship they practiced was relatively new. The Christian church was really unlawful in the Roman Empire from its very birth. The Romans were Pagan and worshiped idols; therefore, Christians were atheist. They were accused of being cannibals because they were eating flesh and drinking blood, although to us in the present day is just taking the Lord’s Supper. They had fellowships and love feast, so they accused them of sexual immorality. The foregoing were religious accusations. They were considered criminal because being roman and Pagan was synonymous; therefore, a good citizen would honor Roman gods.Since Christianity was relatively new it was consider a new divisive sect.
Apologists like Justin responded by presenting their arguments in defense of Christianity by possible means such as writings. Justin Martyr was an apologist. Martyr was not his last name it was name given because he was arrested and executed in the year 167. Justin had four audiences in mind which were Pagan intellectuals, the Roman state, Jews and Heretics. Justin engaged in actual public debate. In the year 135 he had a debate with a Jewish leader named Trypho this is known as the Dialogue with Trypho (Fergusson, p.74). Justin told his story and that the Jews and Christians have the same God. Justin told Trypho that the Jewish people were no longer God’s chosen people because they rejected Jesus the Messiah; therefore, he suggested that the become Christians and to be circumcised of heart. Justin also used writing and in 155, he wrote an The First Apology and addressed it to Emperor Titus Ælius Adrianus Antoninus Pius Augustus Cæsar, his son and many others. In his apology, he said that Christians were not cannibals or any of the accusations mentioned against them, but instead the best citizens and moral people. Moreover, he mentions that they were exemplary citizens.
Justin Martyrs First Apology contains several chapters and is very extensive and thorough; in it he concludes with a plea which states: "do not decree death against those who have done no wrong, as you would against enemies ( Justin Martyr, First Apology)." He also subjoins other writings as part of his defense that are very much as using one of our present day precedents in a case. His attachments are Adrian’s epistle, Epistle of Antonius to the common assembly of Asia, and the Epistle of Marcus Aurelius to the senate, in which he testifies that the Christians were the cause of his victory.
A good question to ask is what apologetic principles could be used today in a modern context? In today’s world it is also important for Christians to articulate an apologetics defense that is appropriate or in proportion to accusations that arise from today’s secular world, and others in general. In actuality, a very similar approach can be used because we can write books or do public debate or defense when our faith is question as 1 Peter 3:15 says: “but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect (Holy Bible, ESV).” Today we also have other forms of media such as internet or TV, and they are good tools to present a defense for the Gospel in a broad and collective form of address.
References:
Fergusson, Everett. Church History volume one from Christ to Pre-reformation. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2005.
Holy Bible, ESV
Justin Martyr "First Apology"
Video: Presentation: Apologetics - Being a Christian in a Pagan World by Dr. Smither's Liberty University, 2010
Christians experienced many accusations against them mostly because of misunderstandings since the type of worship they practiced was relatively new. The Christian church was really unlawful in the Roman Empire from its very birth. The Romans were Pagan and worshiped idols; therefore, Christians were atheist. They were accused of being cannibals because they were eating flesh and drinking blood, although to us in the present day is just taking the Lord’s Supper. They had fellowships and love feast, so they accused them of sexual immorality. The foregoing were religious accusations. They were considered criminal because being roman and Pagan was synonymous; therefore, a good citizen would honor Roman gods.Since Christianity was relatively new it was consider a new divisive sect.
Apologists like Justin responded by presenting their arguments in defense of Christianity by possible means such as writings. Justin Martyr was an apologist. Martyr was not his last name it was name given because he was arrested and executed in the year 167. Justin had four audiences in mind which were Pagan intellectuals, the Roman state, Jews and Heretics. Justin engaged in actual public debate. In the year 135 he had a debate with a Jewish leader named Trypho this is known as the Dialogue with Trypho (Fergusson, p.74). Justin told his story and that the Jews and Christians have the same God. Justin told Trypho that the Jewish people were no longer God’s chosen people because they rejected Jesus the Messiah; therefore, he suggested that the become Christians and to be circumcised of heart. Justin also used writing and in 155, he wrote an The First Apology and addressed it to Emperor Titus Ælius Adrianus Antoninus Pius Augustus Cæsar, his son and many others. In his apology, he said that Christians were not cannibals or any of the accusations mentioned against them, but instead the best citizens and moral people. Moreover, he mentions that they were exemplary citizens.
Justin Martyrs First Apology contains several chapters and is very extensive and thorough; in it he concludes with a plea which states: "do not decree death against those who have done no wrong, as you would against enemies ( Justin Martyr, First Apology)." He also subjoins other writings as part of his defense that are very much as using one of our present day precedents in a case. His attachments are Adrian’s epistle, Epistle of Antonius to the common assembly of Asia, and the Epistle of Marcus Aurelius to the senate, in which he testifies that the Christians were the cause of his victory.
A good question to ask is what apologetic principles could be used today in a modern context? In today’s world it is also important for Christians to articulate an apologetics defense that is appropriate or in proportion to accusations that arise from today’s secular world, and others in general. In actuality, a very similar approach can be used because we can write books or do public debate or defense when our faith is question as 1 Peter 3:15 says: “but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect (Holy Bible, ESV).” Today we also have other forms of media such as internet or TV, and they are good tools to present a defense for the Gospel in a broad and collective form of address.
References:
Fergusson, Everett. Church History volume one from Christ to Pre-reformation. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2005.
Holy Bible, ESV
Justin Martyr "First Apology"
Video: Presentation: Apologetics - Being a Christian in a Pagan World by Dr. Smither's Liberty University, 2010
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Nothing this Month
I don't have bloggers block. I really haven't had too much time to write this month. Please be patient with me, and I will have some new stuff coming out soon. God bless and thanks.
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