One of my favorite Essays by Mark Twain is CONCERNING THE JEWS.... At the closing of the essay, Mark Twain raises a great question which I believe deserves careful analysis. The following is Mark Twain's essay:
CONCERNING THE JEWS ...
The Essay
"If the statistics are right, the Jews constitute but one percent of the human race. It suggests a nebulous dim puff of star dust lost in the blaze of the Milky Way. Properly the Jew ought hardly to be heard of, but he is heard of, has always been heard of. He is as prominent on the planet as any other people, and his commercial importance is extravagantly out of proportion to the smallness of his bulk. His contributions to the world's list of great names in literature, science, art, music, finance, medicine, and abstruse learning are also away out of proportion to the weakness of his numbers. He has made a marvellous fight in the world, in all the ages; and has done it with his hands tied behind him. He could be vain of himself, and be excused for it. The Egyptian, the Babylonian, and the Persian rose, filled the planet with sound and splendor, then faded to dream-stuff and passed away; the Greek and the Roman followed, and made a vast noise, and they are gone; other peoples have sprung up and held their torch high for a time, but it burned out, and they sit in twilight now, or have vanished. The Jew saw them all, beat them all, and is now what he always was, exhibiting no decadence, no infirmities of age, no weakening of his parts, no slowing of his energies, no dulling of his alert and aggressive mind. All things are mortal but the Jew; all other forces pass, but he remains. What is the secret of his immortality?"
Mark Twain
Reference:
http://ohr.edu/judaism/concern/concerna.htm
Friday, April 16, 2010
Thursday, April 15, 2010
What is it with all the Earthquakes?
The following report came out about 8 years ago today:
"On a global scale, the U.S. Geological Survey's National Earthquake Information Center (NEIC) located over 23,000 earthquakes last year, their highest annual total ever. Prior to 1993, the NEIC never catalogued more than 20,000 earthquakes in one year (Http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/)."
Someone spoke about an increase in earthquakes about 2000 years ago, and this is documented in Mathew 24:7, Mark 13:8, and in Luke 21:11. This evidence in three biblical sources is what is called the harmony of the Gospels.... The question being asked at the time was what will be the sign of your coming and of the close of the age? Jesus said: " For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.
References:
Http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/volcanowatch/2002/02_03_14.html
Holy Bible( ESV)
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/regional/neic/neic_bulletins.php
"On a global scale, the U.S. Geological Survey's National Earthquake Information Center (NEIC) located over 23,000 earthquakes last year, their highest annual total ever. Prior to 1993, the NEIC never catalogued more than 20,000 earthquakes in one year (Http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/)."
Someone spoke about an increase in earthquakes about 2000 years ago, and this is documented in Mathew 24:7, Mark 13:8, and in Luke 21:11. This evidence in three biblical sources is what is called the harmony of the Gospels.... The question being asked at the time was what will be the sign of your coming and of the close of the age? Jesus said: " For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.
References:
Http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/volcanowatch/2002/02_03_14.html
Holy Bible( ESV)
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/regional/neic/neic_bulletins.php
Monday, April 5, 2010
Easter
What is Easter? Easter is a Christian celebration of the Resurrection of Christ. How did Jesus Christ define resurrection?
Jesus was speaking to Martha in John 11:25-26 before bringing Lazarus back to life after being dead four days. Jesus says to her:
"I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?"
Luke tells us an account of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Luke 24:1-7 says:
"But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them,"Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise."
I hope you have enjoyed reading this brief writing on Easter.
References:
Holy Bible ( ESV Version)
Jesus was speaking to Martha in John 11:25-26 before bringing Lazarus back to life after being dead four days. Jesus says to her:
"I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?"
Luke tells us an account of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Luke 24:1-7 says:
"But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them,"Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise."
I hope you have enjoyed reading this brief writing on Easter.
References:
Holy Bible ( ESV Version)
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Letter to my Rabbi
I was doing some internet surfing sometime ago, and I found something by Naftali Zeligman titled, Letter to my Rabbi. I read it, and it appeared to be the documentation of letter exchanges between him and his Rabbi. The contents of the discussion make up some fascinating reading. I personally thought that it was a very interesting discussion. Let me know what you think after reading it entirely? The link is provided below:
http://www.talkreason.org/articles/letter1.cfm/#discussion
http://www.talkreason.org/articles/letter1.cfm/#discussion
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Christian Family's Mission Statement
Now days, almost every company has a mission statement which is basically a declaration of that companies goal and purpose for existing. In chapter two of the book "Family to Family," Dr. Piper suggest that Christian family ought to have a mission statement. Moreover, he says:
“Clearly, you must be intentional about submitting to Christ as the center of your family. A family’s mission statement will serve as a centerline and guardrails for your family on the road through life. You may not know exactly how the road is going to turn, but you will know when and if you have strayed from the centerline of your faith (Piper, p. 25).”
The previous statement is a suggestion that asks us to choose if we wish to have a mission statement. If the decision is made to do so then a guideline would facilitate the goal.
When creating a family's mission statement, the question we must ask is if Jesus’ Mission will be our purpose and if it is then the following verses reveal to us what was Jesus’ mission.
John 17:20-26 says: "I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.
Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.
O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me.
I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them."
Jesus said in Luke 19:10:
"For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost."
While speaking to Pilate in John 18:37, Jesus says: "For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world--to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice."
How would this impact each ministry of the local church, if every family would develop such a mission statement? Certainly if every family had a mission statement then it would create a unity of vision, and all members would be working towards achieving the same purpose. Could this be a strategic emphasis? Yes this could be strategic emphasis because if a body becomes one in their vision and goals then this could impact each ministry of the local church due to the concentrated effort and unity to achieve the purpose of Christ which is revealed in the foregoing verses.
References:
Holy Bible (ESV)
Piper, J. Lee, V. (1999). Family to Family, Leaving a Lasting Legacy
Self Published
“Clearly, you must be intentional about submitting to Christ as the center of your family. A family’s mission statement will serve as a centerline and guardrails for your family on the road through life. You may not know exactly how the road is going to turn, but you will know when and if you have strayed from the centerline of your faith (Piper, p. 25).”
The previous statement is a suggestion that asks us to choose if we wish to have a mission statement. If the decision is made to do so then a guideline would facilitate the goal.
When creating a family's mission statement, the question we must ask is if Jesus’ Mission will be our purpose and if it is then the following verses reveal to us what was Jesus’ mission.
John 17:20-26 says: "I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.
Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.
O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me.
I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them."
Jesus said in Luke 19:10:
"For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost."
While speaking to Pilate in John 18:37, Jesus says: "For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world--to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice."
How would this impact each ministry of the local church, if every family would develop such a mission statement? Certainly if every family had a mission statement then it would create a unity of vision, and all members would be working towards achieving the same purpose. Could this be a strategic emphasis? Yes this could be strategic emphasis because if a body becomes one in their vision and goals then this could impact each ministry of the local church due to the concentrated effort and unity to achieve the purpose of Christ which is revealed in the foregoing verses.
References:
Holy Bible (ESV)
Piper, J. Lee, V. (1999). Family to Family, Leaving a Lasting Legacy
Self Published
Friday, January 15, 2010
book reading suggestions
Firstly, I want to start by wishing everyone a wonderful year in 2010. Earlier this week I watched Carmen Mayell speak at the local congregation I attend, and I found him to be a great apologetist. One of the simple defenses he uses is that something happened in the first century that somehow transformed the entire Roman world of the time, and has endured until the present day.
In his message Carmen suggested reading two books, Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis, and The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel. I personally would also add a third book to the list, and that is Engage by Carmen Mayell himself.
Next Monday I begin my Masters in Thelogical Studies, and I am not sure if I will have time to do very many posting to this blog. I hope you enjoy reading these books, and that they inspire great thinking from you. God willing, one day soon perhaps, I will be suggesting that you read one of my recently published books. Once again, happy new year everyone....
In his message Carmen suggested reading two books, Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis, and The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel. I personally would also add a third book to the list, and that is Engage by Carmen Mayell himself.
Next Monday I begin my Masters in Thelogical Studies, and I am not sure if I will have time to do very many posting to this blog. I hope you enjoy reading these books, and that they inspire great thinking from you. God willing, one day soon perhaps, I will be suggesting that you read one of my recently published books. Once again, happy new year everyone....
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
What is Christmas?
What is Christmas? That is what I call a loaded question. Let me try to answer this loaded question in the most simple way I can. Phil keaggy has a song that says the following words:
" And on that day was put in motion
The means of our redemption.
And the way was opened up
As a highway to our God.
And a child was born to us,
And to us a Son was given,
For through the young and blessed Mary
Came the greatest gift of all ( Phil Keaggy)."
Christmas is the Nativity or the birth of Jesus Christ. Why is Christmas important? Well, Jesus himself answered this question while speaking to Nicodemus when He said in John chapter 3:
"John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. John 3:18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. John 3:19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. John 3:20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. John 3:21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God (ESV)."
In closing, I just have one thing to say, and that is: Have a merry Chrstmas.
References:
ESV Bible
Phil Keaggy Lyrics
" And on that day was put in motion
The means of our redemption.
And the way was opened up
As a highway to our God.
And a child was born to us,
And to us a Son was given,
For through the young and blessed Mary
Came the greatest gift of all ( Phil Keaggy)."
Christmas is the Nativity or the birth of Jesus Christ. Why is Christmas important? Well, Jesus himself answered this question while speaking to Nicodemus when He said in John chapter 3:
"John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. John 3:18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. John 3:19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. John 3:20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. John 3:21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God (ESV)."
In closing, I just have one thing to say, and that is: Have a merry Chrstmas.
References:
ESV Bible
Phil Keaggy Lyrics
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