Resurrection Faith (Part 1)
July 4, 2008
At the heart of Christianity is a cross; and one of the most significant things about the cross is that it is bare. Christians down through the ages have been sure that Jesus’ disgracing death on the cross of Calvary was not the end of the story. Rather, it was the beginning.
Jesus rose from the tomb and triumphed over death. This was the belief that turned a group of devastated, heartbroken, disillusioned followers of a crucified Rabbi into the courageous witnesses and martyrs of the early church. This was the one belief that separated the followers of Christ from the Jews and turned them into the community of the resurrection. You could beat them, imprison them, stone them or kill them, but you could not make them deny their conviction that on the third day He rose from the dead. The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is the cornerstone of Christianity.
But the question is, can 21st century man actually believe in the resurrection of Jesus from the grave. This obviously simple question is one of the most perplexing problems confronting the modern Christian. Is the resurrection of Jesus a postulate of faith or is it a historical fact? This is a question that cannot be easily dismissed. An uncritical view accepts everything the Bible relates as history. However, a moment’s reflection shows that there is a valid and necessary distinction between faith and history.
Miracle Worker
July 3, 2008
The power of the Holy Spirit is so profound it is truly a wonder, beyond human intelligence. Let’s take a look at what the Bible says about miracles. Look at 1Corinthians 1:20 it says Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified; a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength. Now look at verse 31 it says Therefore, as it is written; Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.
Biblical Hermeneutics ? Part 1
July 1, 2008
Hermeneutics is the science and art of the interpretive process which begins by determining the original meaning of the Biblical text and leads to elucidation of its sense for the body of Christ today. It is concerned with the presuppositions that are brought to the interpretation of texts because it consciously or unconsciously influences conclusions drawn.
Presuppositions are the philosophical or theological starting points of reference which are usually shared by someone else. It differs from prejudice in that prejudice includes more personal factors that affect the judgment of the interpreter. The problem of Biblical authority would probably be less bothersome if we were able to approach the Bible unbiasly. Unfortunately, this is not possible.
Therefore, we come with our mental baggage that is packed with previous involvement with Scripture which prejudice our reaction to the periscope under consideration. The result is, oftentimes, only an interpretation that mirrors our biases.
Even though it is humanly impossible to interpret presupposition-lessly, there are safeguards we can use in the interpretive process that minimizes pure subjectivity and interjecting into text our own preconceived ideas. They are:
The Stilling Of the Storm: In My View
June 30, 2008
Matt. 8:23-27; Mark 4:35-41; Luke 8:22-25.
In my view, the significance of this miracle of nature as presented by Matthews lies in the theological teachings (which as acts of the "King of the Jews"), it contains. Like the healing miracles, they can probably be best understood against the background of the Old Testament.
In the Old Testament, the restless sea is treated as the symbol of the troubled and sinful world. The power of God is supremely demonstrated through Jesus by His authority and rule over the wind and the waves. The author is attempting to say to his Jewish readers that they should put their faith in the Son of God, as the One who fulfills God’s promises to them; that Jesus is the Messiah and hope of Israel. Israel therefore should become disciples and stay faithful in the knowledge that He will deliver, rule and guide His people.
The scene in the boat as it begins to sail is one of Mark’s portrayals of Jesus’ humanity and those qualities that caused men to recognize Him as Savior of the world. The storm on the lake gives the picture of the trials and dangers of Jesus’ own life during this era. Mark illustrates the Servant’s weariness and need for rest.
The Stilling of the Storm
June 28, 2008
Matt. 8:23-27; Mark 4:35-41; Luke 8:22-25.
General Pericope Distinctions
In the gospel of Mark, the "stilling of the storm" and the whole sea sequence follow the day of parables. In Matthew, this story and the split sequence come in chapters eight and nine; the day of parables comes later in chapter 13. Luke agrees with Matthew in noting the presence of the disciples, Mark has an independent "they" throughout the passage and no mention is made of the disciples. Mark’s command in 4:3 is omitted here by Matthew who uses it to introduce the preceding passage (8:18). In Luke and Mark, Jesus stills the storm first and then admonishes the disciples. In Matthews, the action is reversed; Jesus rebukes the disciples and then stills the storm. One of the oddest features in Matthew is that it begins the story with "the disciples" but ends with "the men."
Exegetical Interpretation
None of the synopsis’ give specifics regarding the day and time when the stilling of the storm occurred. Mark and Luke simple indicate, "That day." Mark 4:35 shows that the crossing of the lake happened on the "evening" of the day when the discourse in parables had been pronounced. Luke suppressed the mention of the late hour of the day but his verse (22) can be easily harmonized if we view the first gospel as being topological rather than chronological.
The Occult
June 26, 2008
“Christianity posits the realization of human freedom not here on earth but only in the Kingdom of Heaven.” (1) Fukayama tells us, and it seems to me he is interpreting what the dogma says; even though it fits his own slave and master concept taken by his evil predecessors. Right as he may be about Christianity, he is not right about the teaching of Jesus. Well, what good is there in such a belief system? It encourages no growth or potential for freedom while you are alive. It gives no insight to actual knowing of what exists hereafter, except through faith in someone telling you what is right. How can anyone accept such utter hogwash? Are we to be enslaved to such a cosmogony while alive? God grows too, and he would be dead if he didn’t. All things around us in nature say change is a good thing.
Why would a ’social engineer’ like Fukayama tell us that Christianity is the ‘absolute religion’? Is this more expert inducement to be a slave? Methinks there is something rotten afoot, and not just in Denmark. His knowledge of early religions is not displayed in his book. I hope to show all religions have used knowledge that when others employ it they call it occult or some other derogatory name. I will have to show certain people and families in corporate or business life are also involved in the religions to the point of controlling them.
Calling
June 24, 2008
Some may ask what is a calling and what shall I do when called. Well let’s look at the Bible and see what it says. First look at 1Samuel 3:8 it says The Lord called Samuel a third time, and Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, Here I am; you called me. Then Eli realized the Lord was calling the boy. So Eli told Samuel, Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening. So Samuel went and lay down in his place. The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, Samuel! Samuel! Then Samuel said, Speak, for your servant is listening. And the Lord said to Samuel: See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make the ears of everyone who hears of it tingle.
DNA RNA are you ready for what is next?
June 23, 2008
As the human race maps out the genome and unlocks all the secrets of DNA, RNA, proteins and enzymes you will find unlimited possibilities and immortality. Transhumanism will mix the best organic and silicon futures. Unlimited brain power, unlimited communication and with all the new technologies mankind will solve every challenge he faces, you doubt this. While I am on this subject let me recommend a very good book to you:
"The Miracle Strain" By Michael Cordy.
This was a great book in trying to tie the biblical theory with Modern Strict materialist views in the DNA/RNA scientific fields. The Creationists, theologians and agnostics alike would find common ground in this book. It would have made an excellent movie actually. The story line has to do with Jesus Christ having an extra three genes in his DNA these genes had a virus which repaired DNA, which is almost possible without going into more detail of how all this works, it explains how it is scientifically possible for a human Being with this special DNA difference to be able to have the power to heal. It was a great book. Even though I rarely read Fiction, this book was well done and in the caliber of Ben Bova, Michael Creighton or some of the books which were Co-written books by Arthur C Clarke. This book makes you think about some of the possible healing powers, which may be possible in the future for fixing or curing degenerative diseases. These are the future realms we may be able to get too scientifically. It was great for the author to tie it in for those Christians so they can enjoy a science fiction book without having their belief system violated.
Kingdom of Heaven
June 21, 2008
Kingdom of Heaven is Ridley Scott’s way of trying to recapture the success of Gladiator and to turn Orlando Bloom into the international sensation and instant leading man that Crowe became after is Oscar winning performance in that Gladiator. I don’t fault Bloom for trying. I know he had to be thinking how could he lose? Sure it’s an epic drama and none of the other recently released historical epics (including his Troy) have come anywhere near the success of Gladiator, but Dreams has Ridley Scott, Gladiator’s mastermind at the helm, he couldn’t go wrong?right? Well, that’s not exactly what happened. See someone forgot to tell Orlando that he’s not Russell Crowe. And while he looked damn good in those elf ears, it takes much more then a pretty face to pull off an epic drama the likes of Kingdom of Heaven and unfortunately for us all Bloom just doesn’t have it.
What Does The Religious Right Really Want?
June 19, 2008
What does the Religious Right really want? Well, besides power, money and control, what they really want is to see a radical Right judge appointed to the Supreme Court. Why? To overturn Roe v. Wade. It really is that simple. What the Religious Right (henceforth referred to as RR) wants is to tell me, and all women, what to do with our bodies.
This has been an interesting week in American politics. The Republican Party was thwarted in its attempt to eradicate the long-held tradition of the Senate filibuster. How did the GOP, which holds a 10-seat majority in the Senate, end up in such an embarrassing position? The explanation is simple; the moderates decided it was time to be heard.
Fourteen moderate Senators, seven Republicans and seven Democrats, broke rank with their parties in a bold move to preserve the honor and integrity of Congress as an Institution by safeguarding the tradition of the filibuster. These 14 men and women held the crucial votes that would determine the result of the so-called "nuclear option" to do away with the filibuster. However, instead of playing partisan ball, they took the ball away and threw it out of the playground completely.
