Thursday, December 31, 2009
Separation
Any activity which detracts from one's allegiance to the Kingdom should be modified or dropped altogether. This could include political associations, social activities, sports, or hobbies; none of which are, by themselves, wrong or forbidden.
The Bible recognizes the validity of the State and acknowledges that it has important functions. The State has been placed in power by God. The caveat is that the State also has its limitations. The State establish censuses, registrations, laws, fees, taxes, and even call for legitimate civil and military service. The State can not, however, demand unquestioningn obedience or the right to dictate belief. For the Christian there can be no ,"My country, right or wrong."
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Another Light Bulb Joke
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
What Is That in Your Hand?
"And the Lord said unto him, What is that in thine hand? And he said, A rod. And he said, Cast it on the ground. And he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent: and Moses fled from before it." Exodus 4:2-3
Moses was carrying a rod used to lean on while walking, to steady oneself while climbing a hill, and to steer sheep in the way they should go. He used it in making his daily living but it was just a stick. God said to throw it down, basically meaning "give it to me." In God's hands it became a snake, made water come out of a rock, and cut a walking path for the Israelites through the Red Sea.
God wants us to give Him what we have and let Him use it. Moses' rod was basically his means of occupation. We can do the same with ours. The seventeenth century lay Carmelite brother, Brother Lawrence. was a cook and shoe repairer who attracted worldwide attention because of his insistence on living a Christ-filled life, cooking for Christ and repairing shoes for Christ. He turned his occupations into a witness.
We may be prevented by employer policy from "proselytizing" at work but we can provide a witness by our competence, honesty, diligence, and perseverance. Christians should stand out as different. We really are different.
Monday, December 28, 2009
The Tomb of Jesus in Japan
The legend has it that Jesus escaped crucifixion when his brother, Iskiri, was executed in his place. After a four year long journey, Jesus arrived in Japan where he settled in Aomori Prefecture at Herai (said to be a shortened form of "heburai," the Japanese word for "Hebrews."). There he married a Japanese woman and had three daughters whose descendants still live in the village which bills itself as "Kirisito no Sato" of "Home of Christ."
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Film Comment: Ink
Beings from "somewhere else" swirl and battle all around them constantly, and one of them, Ink, a would be Incubus (the "Boogeyman"), has stolen Kate from her body, which has begun to wither away. Ink plans to offer Emma as a human sacrifice to impress the other incubi so he can be promoted to full status. Chasing and battling Ink in city streets, in people's houses, and in other dimensions are the Storytellers and a Pathfinder. Of course, their destructive battles leave no trace which we can see. The Storytellers come during the night to give people pleasant dreams and memories while the Incubi come to torment us with nightmares.
This film, which has become a runaway internet favorite, was rejected by every major studio. They probably didn't know what to do with it because of the strong religious undertones running through the film. The Incubi can be seen as demons (their true nature is hidden behind glass squares floating in front of their faces which present them as smiling benevolent beings), and the Storytellers can be seen as angels. The blind Pathfinder is the one who tells even the Storytellers how everything really does make sense.
What the Pathfinder tells the Storytellers is that every choice leads to the next choice and that once the chain reaction of choices is set in motion the final result is inevitable, unless somehow the chain is broken. The mission of the Storytellers is to break the chain and save the girl.
I could find almost no information on Jamin Winans, the director/writer/co-producer of this film, so I can't say exactly what his intentions were but he is clearly familiar with Christian traditions and philosophy. A few lines are taken directly from the Bible. The heavy use of profanity is not.
The Bible tells us that spiritual beings are busy around us all the time, sometimes in plain sight, and that, in fact, we all have our own personal angels (and presumably our own personal demons). These beings strive constantly for our good, or for our damnation, and when just one of us is saved, there is wild rejoicing in Heaven. The choices made by mankind (individually and collectively) have set the world on a chain reaction which could only be broken by an intervention from outside the chain. We needed a Saviour to break the chain and He was provided in Jesus. He can save you no matter how far you have fallen.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Atheists Sue Catholic Bishop
I hate to agree with the atheists but they are probably correct. A major tenet of non-profit status is non-involvement in elections. Churches have skirted around this issue for years with many stepping across the line. The church may, and should speak about issues, but must not support a particular candidate. The only legitimate political involvement for the church is non-partisan voter registration and encouragement of civic participation by voting.
Evangelicals have come dangerously close to stepping across the line with their increasing identification with the Republican Party. Our allegiance must be to Christ, not to organizations. We should be holding ourselves separate from their worldly pursuit of power and influence so they will not feel that they have any right to dictate or attempt to influence our policies, actions, or beliefs.
One of my "Common Sense Predictions for the Next Ten Years" (4 October 2009) was "Numerous churches will renounce their tax-exempt status in order to prevent governmental interference in their affairs."
Friday, December 25, 2009
The Tree and the Hill
Adequate, but not great, artist that I am, I added behind the tree a hill topped with three wooden crosses. My addition lasted for several days before someone erased it, leaving the tree and presents. I'm sure they were offended; the gospel is offensive to the world.
Non-Christians (and many Christians) love Santa, the brightly decorated trees, the elves, the mistletoe, the sleigh, happy snowmen, and the spiked egg nog, especially the spiked egg nog. They have no idea what Christmas is about. Christmas was/is the preparation for Easter. From the Beginning of the World, Jesus was coming to die so that we might live. The Gospel, the "good message" or the "true message," is not that Jesus was born in Bethlehem but that He was murdered and rose from death, defeating death for us.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Christmas in Iraq
All of these things are happening right now in Iraq. Although they may be becoming less public about it, the majority of Iraq's approximately 750,000 Christians continue to meet and worship. One Iraqi woman, Ann Benjamin (??), is quoted in The New York Times of 23 December, 2009 as saying,"I am not afraid of going to church - even if I die there. I will be happy to die in God's home."
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
The Manhattan Declaration
What has so solidly united leaders and Christians of such divergent religious traditions? The perception that Christianity is increasingly under assault and put on the defensive. The repeated attempts to override conscience clauses allowing medical workers to refuse to participate in medical procedures they believe to be immoral. Christian clergy in Canada and Europe being prosecuted for hate crimes because they affirmed the Biblical denunciation of homosexuality. The fact that, in Scandinavia, one who adheres to the ideas stated in the Declaration is derisively called a "mprkemann" (man of darkness). Things like that.
On what could Orthodox, Catholic, and Evangelical leaders agree? Their three points, expanded in the Declaration, are: 1. "the sanctity of human life," 2. "the dignity of marriage as the conjugal union of husband and wife," and 3. "the rights of conscience and religious liberty."
Read the Declaration but don't just impulsively sign it. Think about it first because it is not just a statement. The document asks for a commitment also. When you sign, you agree to the following statements.
"We pledge to each other, and to our fellow believers, that no power on earth, be it cultural or political, will intimidate us into silence or acquiescence. It is our duty to proclaim the Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in its fullness, both in season and out of season."
"We recognize the duty to comply with laws whether we happen to like them or not, unless the laws are gravely unjust or require those subject to them to do something unjust or otherwise immoral. ... We will not comply ... nor will we bend. ... We will fully and ungrudgingly render to Caesar what is Caesar's, but under no circumstances will we render to Caesar what is God's."
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Unhindered
"Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him." Acts 28:31
ἀκωλύτως actually means “without hindrance” or “unhindered.” Hence the name of my blog, Saints on the Loose!
Monday, December 21, 2009
Jesus Wept
"Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see. Jesus wept. " John 11:32-35.
Jesus wept at the tomb of his personal friend, Lazarus, who had been dead and buried for four days. Talking to Sean Hannity, Christian evangelist Franklin Graham said, "I think He cried because He had to bring Lazarus back."
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Bob Dylan's Christmas Album
Now, Dylan has released Christmas in the Heart, a collection of Christmas themed songs. The first single from the album, Must Be Santa, features a video of Dylan in a Santa hat at a boisterous Christmas party singing in his unmistakable gravelly, almost on key, voice. Critics immediately declared he had released the video as a spoof.
Dylan thought otherwise and didn't mind saying so. He said he was pushing his musical boundaries and that true fans of his music would understand. "Critics like that are on the outside looking in. They are definitely not fans or the audience that I play to. ... Even at this point they don't know what to make of me. These songs are part of my life ..." Looks like Bob Dylan is still Bob Dylan, a little cranky, very serious and cerebral, genuine, and aware of his place in music history. God bless him!
Saturday, December 19, 2009
A Christian Sex Magazine from Africa
The magazine endorses strict monogamy and is opposed to same sex marriage or relationships.
"We believe that if a sex act stays within a marriage, is shared by only husband and wife, and both of them are comfortable with and enthusiastic about doing whatever they are doing, it can only be beneficial to the marriage. And this is what God wants for us."
Friday, December 18, 2009
News: Religious Intimidation in Pakistan
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Holy Cow! Jesus is in My Screen Door!
In the film, Screen Door Jesus (2003), it's not a cow's head but the front screen door of Old Mother Harper, an old black woman in a small Texas town. On the screen some, but not all, see the smiling face of Jesus. the entire population of the town and then the outside press show up in Mother Harper's front yard and start taking sides. So many people come, tramping her flowers and leaving trash, that Mother Harper gets righteously annoyed.
It seems that Jesus (or sometimes Mary) appears everywhere: on billboards, in pictures of spaghetti, in water stains, in the shape of a deformed Cheeto, etc. and that pathetic people desperate for a proof of what they want to believe rush to worship the holy item. Jesus told us that we don't need that.
"Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed:blessed are theythat have not seen, and yet have believed." John 20:29.
Rushing to fawn over a piece of cheese or a Jesus shaped mushroom brings ridicule to the Church. They already think we're crazy and then we prove it.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Another light bulb joke
Monday, December 14, 2009
Film Comment: Satan: Prince of Darkness
The Bible clearly declares the Devil and his demons to be real, dangerous beings who seek to hinder or invalidate believers. Ephesians 2:1,2; 1 Thessalonians 2: 8, 3:5; Acts 5:3; 1 Corinthians 7:5; Revelation 2:10, 12:10; Matthew 13:38-3.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Book Comment: Profiles of Protestant Saints
Profiles of protestant saints was written by a Roman Catholic for a Roman Catholic audience and details the stories of nineteen individuals who were raised up by God for service in times which called for that service. It was as if just the right person were placed in just the right situation at just the right time. Exactly.
Those profiled include Martin Luther (1483-1546), a disgruntled Roman Catholic priest; Adoniram Judson (1788-1850), who evangelized Burma; Alexander Campbell (1788-1866), the founder of the Disciples of Christ; Richard Allen (1760-1831), a highly educated Eighteenth Century African-American theologian and church founder; and Samuel Schereschewsky (1831-1906), a Lithuanian rabbinical student whose last words were, "I thank thee, Lord, for the scholarship, and for the time - and for the finger." You'll have to read the book.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Don't Be a Sausage
We are to devote all of our attention and resources to serving God (Deuteronomy 6:5; Romans 12:11-12; 1 Peter 2:12; Psalms 19:7, 10-11.), so what did Silvanus mean by "useless things"?
In the Christian context a useless thing could, of course, be mindless accumulation of things, but what Silvanus was probably talking about were personal distractions or hindrances to one's Christian witness and/or things about the believer which could cause distractions or hindrances to others.
Useless things to a Christian could be: pride, always having to prove that you are "right," gossip and judgementalism, hobbies which obsess you, failure to forgive (especially when they don't "deserve" it), and church "busyness." Useless things are things you would throw away to lighten yourself when the Devil was chasing you.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Film Comment: Vegas in Space
Three outer space soldiers take pills to transform themselves into women in order to go undercover (as showgirls!) to Vegas in Space, the capital city of an all-female planet. They're there trying to find out who stole Queen Veneer's jewels.
All but two of the parts are played by drag queens, two of whom died of AIDS the same year the film was released. There are unrelenting gowns, glitter, wigs, thick pancake makeup, 27 cent sets, and atrocious over-acting. This movie is up your nose with all it's garishness. I suspect that it is not really intended so much as a film but as an in your face "so what do I care what you think?" statement. It drips hostility to societal norms from every sequin.
What the film actually represents is the final level of moral relativism, where each person defines their own "truth." Each person lives as they choose unconstrained by any norms or common moral ground; "being themselves." Man has no higher judge and any moral rules are merely individual preferences. Many see this as ultimate freedom and personal valuation but, in truth, it declares that there is no real value to anything, including human life. Human life can be manipulated and even discarded, The door is open to the development of fascism.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
good Ideas for a Christian Life
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
News: Chinese Christian Pastors Given Prison Time
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Book Comment: My Little Bible
Hollingsworth, Mary, My Little Bible (Nashville: Tommy Nelson, 1991)
Monday, December 7, 2009
Something to Think About: Robotic Humans
This is a recurrent segment in this blog and is dedicated to questions not yet being asked by most people, but which, inevitably, will come up. If you think about them now, you won’t be caught unaware when they arrive.
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In Rome in 2008, Pierpaolo Petruzziello moved his arm and hand and felt sensations even though he no longer had an arm and even though the arm and hand which he was moving were attached to his body by electrodes inserted into the stump of what was left of his arm. Other than the wires placed into the stump, the mechanism was not attached to the patient. The hand was entirely mechanical and was controlled entirely by Petruziello's thoughts. Presumably, the mechanism could be controlled from a distance by remote control.
The science fiction dream of brains kept alive in robotic bodies will eventually be realized. Will paraplegics be able to live and experience normal lives within mechanical bodies? Will the resultant persons still be human? Will they be able to remain alive for centuries by switching to new robotic bodies as the old ones wear out? Will living tissue one day replace the robotic mechanisms? Will it be ethical to discard the living bodies for new ones?
Will someone realize another science fiction concept and produce long-distance soldiers such as the beings seen in the 2009 film, Avatar? Mechanisms (robotic or living tissue) controlled like today's military drone airplanes by someone safely miles or even continents away from the deadly action? What will this mean for the value of human life? Will remaining human in one's original body be seen as a liability? Will cybernetic implants enhance their recipients?
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Who Owns Church Property?
Property disputes of this type (in a hierarchical structure) will be handled differently by the courts than would be those arising in the congregational denominations because of the differences in traditional church governance.
The real issue here is whether or not the dispute should have gone before the civil authorities at all. Traditionalists would say that 1 Corinthians 6:1-7 says no. Some would go so far as to say that Christians are required to not defend themselves at all in civil or church courts.
A review of the relevant scriptures shows that Paul, in Acts, defended himself in court and insisted on his legal rights. Jesus defended Himself before the civil authorities, “according to the Law.” (Exodus 23:1, Deuteronomy 1:16, 17:6, 19:15, John 5:51, 18:33-37.}
A balanced interpretation of the issue recognizes that the civil authorities are ordained by God to handle legal matters and civic issues (Romans 13:1-4) and that we are to respect and honor them (1 Peter 2:14).
Doctrinal issues and personal matters between believers should not be judged by unbelievers but by faithful church leaders as defined in each church tradition.
Another consideration: if pursuing the issue will produce negative effects on the church, Christians can choose not to assert their legal rights. (1 Corinthians 6:7).
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Jesus Christ, Juror
Jesus was struck from the jury for being disruptive; asking incessant questions instead of listening to instructions. Several other members of the jury pool were seen to be continually laughing.
Obviously, Dorothy ... excuse me ... Jesus, may be a little on the eccentric side, but the real Jesus was certainly, and intentionally, disruptive. He provoked distrust and hostility everywhere he went. He presented a problem for the political and religious maintainers of the status quo. The world system did not like him at all.
Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man's foes [shall be] they of his own household. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. Matthew 10:34-38.
Friday, December 4, 2009
New Blogs to Watch
The Male Domain
http://themaledomain.blogspot.com/
Three Rivers Episcopal
http://3riversepiscopal.blogspot.com/
Zach Thinks Deep
http://zachthinksdeep.blogspot.com/
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Film Comment: It's the End of the World
Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.2But of that day and [that] hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. [For the Son of man is] as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. Mark 13: 31-36.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Christians
At some time during their lives, the following people have publicly identified themselves as Christian. Inclusion in this list does not indicate approval or disapproval of the person, their religious beliefs, or their actions. This is a recurring segment in this blog.
John Emerich Edward Dalberg Acton: (b. 1834, Italy – d. 1902) 1st Baron Acton. Acton was a historian educated at Paris and Munich. A politically liberal Roman Catholic, he opposed the doctrine of Papal Infallibility.
Ivan Mikheevich Pervushin (b. 1827, Russia – d. 1900) Russian priest, meteorologist, mathematician, and statistician. He contributed to the development of number theory and developed numerous mathematical proofs.
Harold Guy Hunt (b. 1933, Alabama – d. 2009) Farmer, preacher, Governor of Alabama 1987-1993. In 1993 he became the first Alabama governor removed from office for a felony ethics conviction.
Sandra Kay Yow: (b. 1942, North Carolina - d. 2008) Naismith Hall of Fame Inductee (2002) who led the Elon College and the North Carolina State University women’s basketball teams to over 700 wins. She led the United States Olympic team to a gold medal in 1988.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Another light bulb joke
Monday, November 30, 2009
Friends
A true friend is much more than an acquaintance and much more than a "friendly" person. The truth is that a true friend is not just a friend; actually they love you. They are willing to inconvenience themselves for you and they are still your friend if you sometimes treat them badly.
It is not a coincidence that a famous gospel song is entitled "What a Friend We Have in Jesus." He endured the ultimate inconvenience for us even while we were still not His friends.
"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8
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Matt Glover's cartooning website is at http://www.mattglover.com/ and his personal blog, which features his religious insights is at http://www.mattglover.com/wordpress/wordpress/
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Deleted websites
Prayer Pups
Christian Affiliate Marketers
The merchants Cross Blog
The Christian Sports Blog
Christian Gamers Blog
Saturday, November 28, 2009
On the Human Knowledge of Christ, Part 8
To ascribe absolute knowledge to Jesus is to make Him no longer Human. To deny that He ever showed supernatural knowledge is to deny scripture. Every time Jesus demonstrated supernatural knowledge , he did so with a purpose in mind.
A rational idea is that Jesus chose to accept the limitations of humanity and spoke only what the Father told him to speak. Although He could at any time have taken on all knowledge and power (Matthew 26:53), He knew only what He was able to learn for Himself or what God told Him. When He said he didn't know, He didn't know. He used "infused knowledge" only when it was necessary to further His mission.
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Friday, November 27, 2009
On the Human Knowledge of Christ, Part 7
Mark 11:7; Mark 14:131-16; Luke 19:30-34. Jesus told his followers a colt and a room would be available for them. All they had to do was ask. While this may imply supernatural foreknowledge, Jesus may simply have made arrangements ahead of time.
Luke 2:46-52. Jesus was clearly a precocious child but supernatural knowledge, while implied, is not necessary to the passage. What is important that Jesus claimed Sonship to God.
John 6:64-70; Mark 14:18; Matthew 26:21. These passages flatly imply a supernatural precognition unless one accepts the assertions of the gnostic Gospel of Judas which declares that Jesus arranged the whole thing.
Matthew 9:20-22; Mark 5: 24-34. In recording this event, Mark declares that Jesus knew that "power had gone forth from him." I think that the passages may mean that Jesus knew who touched him but the point is that He did not simply let the healing occur. In all of the healing miracles Jesus expected and sometimes demanded an act of faith.
Matthew 17:24ff. Supernatural foreknowledge is clearly implied here. "Natural" explanations all fall short.
Mark 2:1-12; Matthew 9:4; Luke 17:22. "He knew their hearts." Of course he did. It was obvious that they considered him to be a blasphemer and he intentionally provoked it by openly claiming to be not only one with God, but to be God.
Matthew 16:21; Matthew 17:22-23; Mark 9:31-32; Luke 9:22. Any rational person could have foreseen Jesus' arrest and probable execution. His resurrection is another matter.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
On the Human Knowledge of Christ, Part 6
The absolute assertion that Jesus was mistaken in his belief in the existence of evil spirits and demonic possession is based in truth on a philosophical prejudice. How do you know that demons don't exist?
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LIMITS TO JESUS" KNOWLEDGE?
Luke 2:52 says that Jesus increased in wisdom and stature. He could learn, meaning he did not possess all knowledge. Bonsall described this a s a pure white lily which unfolds, revealing what is already there.
In Mark 11:13 and Matthew 21:19, Jesus curses a fruitless fig tree. Since this event probably occurred in April, before the fig season began, some see this a a sign of Jesus' ignorance and unreasonable annoyance. Frank Stagg, says that Jesus knew full well that the tree would have no fruit and that he used it as a parable. Since the tree had the outward appearance of being fruitful but was in truth fruitless, it was cursed. The main sin of the Jewish leaders of Jesus' time was that they were more concerned with outward appearances than they were with their own hypocrisy.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
On the Human Knowledge of Christ, Part 5
This centers on Mark 13:32 and Matthew 24:34-36 in the phrase "ουδε ο υιοσ," "neither the son." Some feel that this phrase was added later (it does not appear in all manuscripts) to smooth over the apparently incorrect short-range prediction made by Jesus in Matthew 10:23; Luke 21:32; Matthew 16:28; Mark 9:1; Mark 13:30; and Luke 9:27.
Jesus said "this generation" (γενεα) would not pass away until "all this" came to pass.
Some say that Jesus was simply wrong. Others say that Jesus as God knew the time but as a man he did not. Others say Jesus was not authorized to tell us what he knew, others that it was an Arian interpolation. Some say that "γενεα" refers to the end-time generation. Possibly the best explanation is that the knowledge of the end time was available to Jesus but for two reasons he chose not to take it up. A human could not have such knowledge and the knowledge of the end time was not necessary for the fulfillment of Jesus' mission. (And perhaps the coming of the "kingdom of god" meant something else to Jesus than his hearers understood. In Jewish theology any "signal event" in history was regarded as God coming in history. All of the Twelve lived to see the Transfiguration, and only Judas died before seeing the Resurrection. Many, myself included, believe the Resurrection, to be THE SIGNAL EVENT in history.)
Another event, the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D., which the Baptist theologian, Frank Stagg, pointed out was entirely foreseeable, was witnessed by some, but not all.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
On the Human Knowledge of Christ, Part 4
Thomasius (1655-1728) declared "he emptied himself" (εκενωσεν) to mean that Jesus emptied himself of the "relative attributes" of divinity (omniscience, omnipotence, etc) and retained only his "essential attributes" (holiness, love, justice, etc). The assumption is that, upon his ascension, Jesus resumed his divine attributes. If pushed to far, this could imply that Jesus was God, became man, and then ceased to be man in order to once again become God.
In response to Thomasius, H. Brash Bonsall, who defines an attribute as an essential characteristic, says that if Jesus gave up any of the divine attributes, he ceased to be God. Bonsall feels that the incarnation involved the temporary laying aside of the divine attributes and prerogatives but not the abnegation of the possession of them (John 17:5; Philippians 2:6-8; Hebrews 2:5-10.) This idea is based on the orthodox christology od The Council of Chalcedon (Jesus has two has two distinct and unmingled impersonal natures in one person with a communion of the attributes of the two. The twoo natures could not be mixed without changing the nature of each. Therefore, if Jesus as a man did not have limited knowledge then he was not truly a man. If, as God, he did not have full divine knowledge, he was not God.
Before discussing two general categories of Bible verses implying either limited knowledge or superhuman knowledge on the part of Jesus, it would be good to zero in especially on two "problem areas."
Monday, November 23, 2009
On the Human Knowledge of Christ, Part 3
Sunday, November 22, 2009
On the Human Knowledge of Christ, Part 2
Saturday, November 21, 2009
On the Human Knowledge of Christ, Part 1
Friday, November 20, 2009
Bollywood, Nollywood, Hollywood
"About Nollywood," http://nollywood.com/"Cinema of Nigeria," http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NollywoodLapeyre, Jason, "Nollywood Nightmares. Inside Nigeria's Homegrown Horror Industry," Rue Morgue, Toronto, #92, 2009.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Ir Ovot, Israel
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Film Comment: Over and Over Again, With Variations
"And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:" Hebrews 9:27
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Book Comment: Butler's Lives of the Saints
Monday, November 16, 2009
Christians
At some time during their lives, the following people have publicly identified themselves as Christian. Inclusion in this list does not indicate approval or disapproval of the person, their religious beliefs, or their actions. This is a recurring segment in this blog.
Salma Valgarma Hayek Jimenez: (b. 19666, Mexico) Actress, film director, film producer. Roman Catholic Mexican of Lebanese descent.
John Henry Sununu: (b. 1939, Cuba) University professor, PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Politician, Governor of New Hampshire (1983-1989), White House Chief of Staff (1989-1991). Roman Catholic of Palestinian-Lebanese descent.
Henry Kenneth Alfred Russell: (b. 1927, England) Film director.
Anthony Marcus Shalhoub (b. 1953, Wisconsin) Lebanese Maronite Christian. Television and film actor. Winner of Emmy and Golden Globe Awards.
Guillaume Farel: (b. 1489, France – d. 1565) French evangelist, Reformed preacher. Farel was an ardent critic of the Roman Catholic Church.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
My Father Died Today
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Loving God Today
Friday, November 13, 2009
Superheroes Have Religious Beliefs
http://www.adherents.com/lit/comics/comic_book_religion.htmlhttp;//www.comicbookreligion.com
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Christians
At some time during their lives, the following people have publicly identified themselves as Christian. Inclusion in this list does not indicate approval or disapproval of the person, their religious beliefs, or their actions. This is a recurring segment in this blog.
Cao Quang Anh: (b. 1967, South Vietnam) Attorney, United States Representative from Louisiana. He is the first member of the United States Congress to be born in Vietnam and was the only Republican to vote for the Democratic Party’s Health Care Reform package in 2009.
Edith Claire Posener (b. 1897, Nevada – d. 1981) (aka: Edith Head) Ms. Head, an American film costume designer won eight Oscars, more than any other woman in history. She was born as a Jew but as an adult declared herself to be a Roman Catholic.
Neil Clark Warren: (b. 1937) Psychologist, educator, founder of the eHarmony online dating service.
Alfred the Great (b. 849, Wessex – d. 899) King of Wessex (871-899) Alfred was an ardent promoter of education and an ecclesiastical reformer. He founded numerous monasteries.
Aristobulus: Aristobulus was a personal friend of the Apostle Paul (Romans 16:10) and was possibly the following: a grandson of Herod the Great, a personal friend of the Roman Emperor Claudius, a disciple of Luke the Apostle and one of the Seventy (Luke 10:1), Barnabbas’ brother, and Peter’s father-in-law.Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Another light bulb joke
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Film Comment: Quid Pro Quo
“Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I [am] the LORD.” Leviticus 19:28
"Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and [that] the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which [temple] ye are.” 1 Corinthians 3:16-17
13"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God [is] faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear [it]." 1 Corinthians 10:13.
”I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is] your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:1-2.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Good Ideas for a Christian Life
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Christian Poetry
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Christianity is Not Anti-Intellectual
"7"Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes, [even] to Benhail, and to Obadiah, and to Zechariah, and to Nethaneel, and to Michaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah.
8And with them [he sent] Levites, [even] Shemaiah, and Nethaniah, and Zebadiah, and Asahel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehonathan, and Adonijah, and Tobijah, and Tobadonijah, Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, priests.
9And they taught in Judah, and [had] the book of the law of the LORD with them, and went about throughout all the cities of Judah, and taught the people. 2 Chronicles 17: 7-9.
Knowledge is of more value than money.
For wisdom [is] a defence, [and] money [is] a defence: but the excellency of knowledge [is, that] wisdom giveth life to them that have it. Ecclesiastes 7:12.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Book Comment: The Long, Bitter Trail
Wallace, Anthony F. C., The Long, Bitter Trail. Andrew Jackson and the Indians (New York: Hill and Wang, 10th printing, 1999), pp. 34-36,57,61,67-68,70,110-111.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Christian Denominations: Disciples of Christ
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Church Genealogy
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
"Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep." Romans 12:15.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Christians
At some time during their lives, the following people have publicly identified themselves as Christian. Inclusion in this list does not indicate approval or disapproval of the person, their religious beliefs, or their actions. This is a recurring segment in this blog.
Theodorus Jacobus Frelinghuysen (b. 1692 – d. ca. 1747) German-American Dutch Reformed minister, theologian, progenitor of the Frelinghuysen family in the United States. He was an ardent evangelical who emphasized pietism, conversion, and church discipline. All five of his sons became ministers and his two daughters married ministers.
Oskar Schindler: (b. 1908, Moravia – d. 1974) Roman Catholic/Nazi industrialist who is credited with saving 1200 Jews from the Holocaust and is the subject of the film, Schindler’s List. He shielded his jewish workers by employing them in “business essential to the war effort.” He is the only Nazi buried at the Mount Zion Catholic cemetery in Jerusalem.
Laura Sheldon Wright: (b. ca 1808, Massachusetts) Wife of Asher Wright, a missionary to the Senecas. She translated several hymns into Seneca.
David Brainerd: (b. 1718, Connecticut – d. 1747) Student of Jonathan Edwards. Made many converts among the Mahicans and Delawares in the 1740’s.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Another light bulb joke
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Pope Benedict XVI and the Anglicans, Comment Two
Friday, October 30, 2009
Another Light Bulb Joke
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Pope Benedict XVI and the Anglicans
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Christian Children's Book Review
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Full Use of This Blog
Monday, October 26, 2009
Christians
At some time during their lives, the following people have publicly identified themselves as Christian. Inclusion in this list does not indicate approval or disapproval of the person, their religious beliefs, or their actions. This is a recurring segment in this blog.
Michelle Malalang Malkin: (b. 1970, Pennsylvania) Roman Catholic. Author, syndicated columnist, television news commentator, blogger.
Mark Steven Fidrych: (b. 1974, Massachusetts – d. 2009) aka: “The Bird.” Professional baseball pitcher. 1976 American League Rookie of the Year.
Alaric II, King of the Visigoths: (d. 507) Alaric was an Arian. He ruled from 484 to 507.
Don Francisco: (b. 1946, Kentucky) Christian singer and songwriter. Son of Baptist theologian and seminary professor, Clyde T. Francisco.
Jose Alberto Pujols Alcantara: (b. 1980, Dominican Republic) Professional baseball player with numerous sports awards.