Koko’s Message for Us

 

People have questioned the exact nature of animal intelligence. Some wonder if their beloved pets have souls and will be in Heaven with them. While many have very firm opinions on the matter, the hard answer is that no one knows for sure. The Bible does not speak on the issue in any clear way.

Modern science asserts that animals have some sort of intelligence and personal identities. The level of intelligence varies depending on the type of animal, but some animals clearly exhibit emotions, social structures, teamwork, wars, use of simple tools, recognize themselves in mirrors or photographs, long-term memory, play video games, food preferences, manipulative behaviors, favorite toys, and the choosing of a favorite person.

Koko was a lowland gorilla who lived at The Gorilla Foundation in California (USA). Obviously, it is anatomically impossible for gorillas to speak in a human manner, but an attempt was made to teach Koko some simple manual sign language. She learned over 2000 signs and was able to carry on what appear to have been intelligent conversations with people.

https://www.google.com/search?q=koko+the+gorilla&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS864US864&oq=koko+&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqCggCEAAYsQMYgAQyBggAEEUYOTIGCAEQRRg7MgoIAhAAGLEDGIAEMgoIAxAuGLEDGIAEMgoIBBAuGLEDGIAEMg0IBRAuGIMBGLEDGIAEMgcIBhAAGIAEMhMIBxAuGIMBGK8BGMcBGLEDGIAEMhAICBAAGIMBGLEDGIAEGIoFMgoICRAuGLEDGIAE0gEJMTAxOTlqMGo3qAIAsAIA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

Koko had a pet cat which she named All-Ball and she babied and pampered it as if it were her child. When the cat died, Koko went through a grieving period.

Koko’s daily routines included watching television. Her favorite program was Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood. When Fred Rogers came to visit her, she was delighted and, after she hugged him, she took off his sweater and shoes, just as he did in every episode of his program.

https://www.koko.org/research-care/796/kokos-farewell-to-mister-rogers/

Another of her television favorites was the comedian, Robin Williams. When Williams came to visit, the pair hugged and laughed repeatedly. They played Tickles.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9I_QvEXDv0

Listen to what Koko said to us at the age of 44. She died at the age of 46.:

“I am nature. I am flower, animals. I am nature. Man Koko love. Earth Koko love. But Man stupid. Koko sorry. Koko cry. Time hurry. Fix Earth. Help Earth. Hurry. Nature see you. Thank you.”

https://au.news.yahoo.com/gorilla-uses-sign-language-voice-035805465.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAIvldsBZX40yfisATqjYKZzeG7_iCd1n-_DDWeMVkzuXHtHAxFZ6C-EgXiKbtMnI9KcnSHRYfCGkND3T_IBQrNKhaXzgGCGnDPEwXhW6FBdj4tLsNDC0RVcyUlNZw3dE1saGbR1Xg_WIerPKhvgFI7q6retmf_7UHbs2a-GG54Xg

and

https://www.the-independent.com/climate-change/news/koko-gorilla-cop21-environment-message-noe-video-a6800761.html#:~:text=The%20Gorilla%20Foundation%2C%20which%20looks,'%20and%20fix%20the%20problem.%22

Book Comment: You Mean That Isn’t in the Bible?

 

In his book, You Mean That Isn’t in the Bible?, David A. Rich points out ten things you probably think are in the Bible but are not. Rich says, ”… my intention is not necessarily to cause you to agree with everything I write about, but rather to cause you to study for yourself.”

As with most books such as this, the author is not trying to tell you what to think. He specifically says in the quotation above that he does not expect you to agree with everything he says, He is trying to challenge you to read your Bible and to listen to what it says. Do not believe anything just because someone else told to believe it; let the Holy Spirit guide you to the truth.

The ten beliefs Rich mentions include:

There are many roads to Heaven.

When we die, we become angels.

God helps those who help themselves.

God wants you to be rich.

Christians aren’t perfect, just forgiven.

We are God’s co-pilots.

Pray hard and God will answer.

God and Satan are battling it out.

God is not a micromanager.

Everyone has their own free will.

 

Information you will need to search for this book: Rich, David A., You Mean That Isn’t in the Bible? 10 Popular Beliefs That Simply Aren’t True (Eugene, Oregon: Harvest House Publishers, 2008)

___________________________________________________________________

A general caution: books may give you wonderful new insights and explanations of subjects, but you should never base your Christian beliefs on any one book or the teachings of one person, no matter who they are. All teachings must be consistent with scripture. Read as the Bereans did, with discernment. “… for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.” Acts 17:11 NASB

Any doctrines must be consistent with the historical full body of Christian thought. Doctrines or teachings inconsistent with scripture in any way must be rejected. You would not eat cheese which had a fuzzy fungus growing on it.

Book Comment: 50 Things You Need to Know About Heaven

 

                In his book, 50 Things You Need to Know About Heaven. John Hart has one especially relevant comment: “Earth is the closest that a non-Christian will ever get to heaven. Earth is the closest a believing Christian will ever get to hell.”

                The book discusses 50 questions about heaven, such as:

                “Who goes to heaven?”

                “Do people in heaven know what is happening on Earth?”

                “Will animals go to heaven?”

                “How can I be sure I’m going to heaven?”

                “Will others in heaven know my secret sins on Earth?”

 

                As with all books such as this, the author is not trying to tell you what to think. He is trying to challenge you to read your Bible and to listen to what it says. Do not believe just anything because someone else told to believe it; let the Holy Spirit guide you to the truth.

                Information you will need to search for this book: Hart, John, 50 Things You Need to Know About Heaven (Minneapolis, MN: Bethany House Publishers, 2014)

             

___________________________________________________________________

A general caution: books may give you wonderful new insights and explanations of subjects, but you should never base your Christian beliefs on any one book or the teachings of one person, no matter who they are. All teachings must be consistent with scripture. Read as the Bereans did, with discernment. “… for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.” Acts 17:11 NASB

Any doctrines must be consistent with the historical full body of Christian thought. Doctrines or teachings inconsistent with scripture in any way must be rejected. You would not eat cheese which had a fuzzy fungus growing on it.

The Voice of God

Today, I went to The Waffle House, a local restaurant, to get takeout breakfast for myself and my wife. When I got home, my wife was still in bed so I called her name and said "Get up!"

Out of a deep sleep, she suddenly shot straight up and looked around the room, breathing heavily. Then she laughed.

"I was dead asleep, " she explained. "I thought it was the Lord calling me home!"

One day we will all hear the Lord's voice, some to their great delight, others not so much.

Film Comment: This Is the End

Collect up at least one hundred film actors, singers, and entertainers at a wild drug and alcohol fueled party, then start the end of the world, complete with giant monsters and demons. The Earth cracks open and people fall into a burning Hell. Have the actors portray themselves, thrown into this situation.

This Is the End (2013) has a cast filled with big name celebrities: Jamez franco, Seth Rogan, Jay Baruchel, Channing Tatum, Jonah Hill, Dany McBride, Michael Cera, Emma Watson, Mindy Kaling, David Krumholtz, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Rihanna, Paul Rudd, The Backstreet Boys, and many others.

When the trouble starts everyone runs outside as the world begins to burn and explode around them.  Too dumb, selfish, cowardly, drug-addled, gluttonous, etc. to “escape” some do not even notice the disturbance.  But they soon will. The six main protagonists run back into the “safety” of the house.

The guys tell themselves they will survive because they are “good people,” but they realize that they are not.  The film does not show any of these people in a good light.  They all realize that they are damned.

The film, a comedy with some undeniably hilarious moments, features violence, gore, impalement, decapitation, penis jokes, nudity, profanity, cannibalism,  homosexuality, demons, intentional blasphemy, obscenities, betrayal, alcohol and drug abuse, self-righteousness, taking God’s name in vain, urination, vomit, obscene gestures, discussion of intent to rape in the presence of the intended victim, masturbation, demonic possession, prayer for the death of another person, sexual slavery, cowardice, self preservation at the expense of other’s lives.  Did I forget anything?

The supposedly ”happy” messages of the film are:

1.     Self-sacrifice confers instant entry into Heaven.

2.     In Heaven, we become angels.

3.     In Heaven, you can have anything you want, even a dooble.

4.     There is no need to be a “Christian” to enter into Heaven.

5.     Heaven is just another wild party.

6.     The Rapture looks like an alien abduction with a beam of light pulling the person up into the sky.

This highly offensive film intends to offend in every way imaginable, showing a contempt or disregard for any conventional understanding of propriety or morality.  It made me wonder.  The actors, portraying themselves, know that they are damned.

In the film, they are facing evidence which, at the very least, proves that God and the supernatural are real.

These are extremely talented, supposedly very intelligent comedians who have gone out of their way to intentionally offend nearly everything related to Christianity and the End Times.  Should not this film prod these actors into actually thinking about their real-life situations?

To some, or most of the actors, I am sure that this was all just a big joke.  Perhaps they are like many people and do not believe anything at all.  Post-modern moral and intellectual relativism at its logical conclusion.

…………………………………………

This is an end of the world film where the Earth is not merely damaged, but is actually destroyed.  Two other prominent films of this type are When Worlds Collide (1951), which depicts the chaos which erupts when a planet the size of Earth is on a collision course with our planet.  The other is Seeking a Friend for the End of the World (2012), a surprisingly tender and bittersweet love story.  Either of these two films would be an infinitely better use of your two hours than This Is the End.

“…. I’d like to think there is a heaven.”

Billy Crystal (b. 1948) is an American comedian, actor, writer, producer, and film director.  He has hosted the Academy Awards nine times and has appeared in numerous classic comedic films.  He recently released a memoir, "Still Foolin’ ‘Em: Where I’ve Been, Where I’m Going, and Where the Hell Are My keys?"

In a recent USA Today interview he mentions his love for his wife of forty-three years.  “… we laugh a lot. Janice has always made me laugh.  … I can’t bear to think of life without her.  I want to go first because I don’t want to miss her.  I’d like to think there is a heaven, and it will start from the happiest day in your life.  I’ll be 18, and Janice Goldfinger will walk by me in a bikini, and I will follow her, and it will start all over again.”

“….  I’d like to think there is a heaven.”  How sad it is that he does not know.

Film Comment: Heavenly Daze

This 1948 Three Stooges film, Heavenly Daze, exhibits many of the confused popular ideas about Heaven, angels, and God.  Heaven is in the clouds.  Angels are humans who have died.  People can be sent back to Earth to set things right.  God frowns on any interest in the opposite sex.

Shemp the Stooge  has died and is having trouble convincing his Uncle Mortimer to let him into Heaven.  Mortimer decides to give him one more chance.  He can get into Heaven if he can reform the incorrigible Moe and Larry.

Watch the film and see how many confused stereotypes you can spot.

Angels are not humans who have died.  They are supernatural created beings, who, while powerful, are not omnipotent and who clearly are of lesser rank than members of the ἐκκλησία (ekklesia). The word angel (ἄγγελος) translates in English as “messenger.”

“Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?” 1 Corinthians 6:3

Book Comment: The 10 Most Common Objections to Christianity

The 10 Most Common Objections to Christianity (2007), by Alex McFarland, is a book of Christian apologetics which addresses what McFarland says are the ten criticisms he most often hears as he speaks in all fifty states of the United States and internationally. He points out that these objections are repeated almost verbatim wherever he goes. In the book, McFarland addresses each criticism individually and gives a reasoned, rational biblically-based response to each, pointing out the weaknesses and intellectual inconsistencies of each attack.

The ten objections are:
1. God is not real.
2. Creation is a myth.
3. The Bible is not completely authentic.
4. The Bible is not completely accurate.
5. Jesus was just a man.
6. Jesus is not the only way to Heaven.
7. A loving God would not send people to Hell.
8. People are basically good.
9. Christians are all hypocrites.
10. A merciful God would not allow suffering.

I heartily recommend this book to you. You have probably heard or will hear most or all of these charges at one time or another. Don't allow yourself to be left standing flat-footed.


"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:" 1 Peter 3:15

Book Comment: Will I See My Dog in Heaven?

Father Jack Wintz is a Franciscan and, so, he is in the tradition of the respect for animals expressed by St. Francis of Assisi.  Wintz's book, Will I See My Dog in Heaven? God's Saving Love for the Whole family of Creation examines the question.

I am not convinced of the effectiveness or necessity of rituals such as the "Blessing of the Animals" as is practiced in some religious traditions, but these rituals are certainly not harmful or unbiblical.  It seems to me to be more for the humans than for the animals, since the animals are incapable of understanding what is being done for them.  They do understand the kindness and love with which they are treated.

One question which Father Wintz asks is "...does God's plan of salvation include only humans, or does it include animals too?  In even broader terms, does God intend the whole created world to be saved?"

Yes.

"And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven." Colossians 1:20

 

Akiane Kramarik

You can decide about this for yourself.  I am astounded at the accomplished professional level artwork and intrigued by the story.  It may be true, I hope it is, but our faith must be based on the Bible and Jesus.

Born and raised in an atheist family, little Akiane Kramarik at age four began to have visions of Heaven.  Then she began to draw and paint what she had seen.  She's seventeen now and is still painting.  Her parents have become Christians because of what they have seen.

Here is an interview with Akiane at the age of thirteen.

http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=MBCC1NNU

And here is a gallery of her art.

http://www.artakiane.com/

What Does It Mean? Jot and Tittle

"For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled." Matthew 5:18

A "jot" is an "iote" (found in early King James Version editions), "iota," "ἰ," the ninth letter of the Greek alphabet and similar to the י
"yodh," the smallest Hebrew letter.  Think of the English apostrophe ('); something considered to be almost insignificant.

A "tittle"is a horn shaped mark used in Hebrew as an accent mark.  The Greek word used is κεραία, a "horn."


Jesus here declared that the Mosaic Law is still in effect and will not pass away, even in its smallest parts, until the fulfillment of time.     If a person kept the entire law, with never a single lapse, they would be saved, but, all have sinned and fallen short.  (Romans 3:23)  "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all." James 2:10

The Law is in fact a gift from God which points us toward God's grace. "Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin." Romans 3:20.  "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." Ephesians 2:8-9

Himmel oda Hall

I added the link to Himmel oda Hall to the post for German Christian Rap music.  It is also here: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQfiLYtNGKQ

The You Tube embed codes do not always work so I will now provide the links instead.

Evangelicals

In the Book Comment I posted on December 11 for the book, Christians Are Hate-Filled Hypocrites ..., I spoke of the religious designation, Evangelicals, and noted that there may be some confusion as to exactly what an Evangelical is.  The definition is not hard and fast and depends partly on who is doing the defining.  The list below is one to which most Evangelicals would agree, though some would add more items to the list:
1. A personal commitment to, and a personal relationship with, Jesus Christ.
2. Usually they are aware of a definite date on which this relationship began.
3. They believe that they are destined for Heaven after their physical deaths because they have accepted Jesus Christ as their personal savior.
4. Their personal sense of identity is strongly tied up in their faith.
5. They feel that they have a divinely mandated responsibility to share their faith with non-believers.
6. They are convinced that Satan is a real personal entity.
7. They believe that salvation is a gift from God gained through faith alone, not by works.  Works are merely an evidence of faith.
8. Jesus is the only person to have ever lived a sinless life.
9. The Bible is accurate in everything which it teaches.
10. God is the Creator, all-powerful, perfect, and utterly holy.

Stuck in the Dark

Yesterday, 12 October 2010, a rescue crew began pulling up 33 copper/gold miners who have spent 69 days trapped in a chamber three miles in from the mine entrance and 2300 feet under the Earth's surface.  The rescuers are using a cylinder-shaped metallic cage equipped with guide wheels and raised and lowered down a shoulder-wide shaft using a metal cable.  Sort of like a very cramped personal elevator.

The entire procedure is very dangerous.  Any errors could cause the death of the miner being pulled up and trap the remaining men, perhaps permanently.  The entire world is watching, the President of Chile is in the crowd at the mine, and each successful extraction elicits yells, cheers, celebrations, arms raised in the victory salute, and, in a few cases, prayers.  The most obvious of the prayers came from Mario Gomez, the spiritual leader of the miners.

As I write this, 19 of the 33 miners have been successfully extracted from the hole.

This incident reminds me of the Christian concept of salvation in which sinners mired in the darkness and confusion of this world are lifted into the Church, the Kingdom of God on Earth, and the angels rejoice as each one is saved.

"Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth." Luke 15:10

"Your labor is not in vain"

In his 6 July 2010 post on The Schooley Files, Keith Schooley quotes 1Corinthians 15:55-58, "... your labor is not in vain" and makes an insightful observation: "... if we know that this present creation is going to be redeemed, then we need to live in it as though we were an agent of that transformation."

Schooley's comment came in a discussion of Bishop N. T. Wright's book, Surprised by Hope.  Bishop Wright strongly believes that many Christians think that once they are saved they can just be good and follow all the Rules, hoping not to "mess up."  They are waiting to die and go to Heaven, taking others with them if possible.  To them, it's all "in the Sweet By and By." One of Wright's recurring themes is that we are to realize that the Kingdom of God is here now.  We are to assume now the ways of thought and habits we will need to fulfill our duties in the next life.  The positive things we can do in this life can truly be seen as part of God's working out of his purposes in the world.

In his book, After You Believe, Bishop Wright writes specifically about this concept.  Tomorrow's post will be specifically about After You Believe.

Religion and Matrimony

"In matters of religion and matrimony, I never give any advice, because I will not have anyone's torments in this world or the next laid to my charge."  Lord Chesterfield (Philip Dormer Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield, 1694-1773)

Rising Waters

“There is a story of a man trapped in his home by floods. As the waters reached his front door he prayed, ‘Lord God, please rescue me.’ Ten minutes later a boat came by offering to take the man to safety. ‘No,’ said the man, ‘God will save me.’ The floods rose and the man, now trapped upstairs again prayed, ‘Lord God, please help me.’ Five minutes later another boat came, but again the man declined its help. 'God will save me,’ he said, and the boat went away. At last the flood was so high that the man had retreated to the roof where he prayed, ‘God, please help me.’ Almost at once there was a roaring sound and a helicopter arrived. ‘I don’t need your help,’ said the man, ‘God will rescue me.’ The man drowned. In heaven he complained that even though he had prayed he had not been saved. ‘Yes,’ said God, ‘that puzzled me too - I sent two boats and a helicopter yet still you drowned.’”

From the Church of St. John the Evangelist, Edinburgh. Quoted with permission. 2010

W. A. Criswell About His Church ... And Yours

"I would be shocked to find half of my church in Heaven." Wally Amos Criswell

He meant exactly what it sounds like he meant. He knew that people "join the church" for numerous reasons; some for social connections, some because someone they love wants them to, some to demonstrate what a good person they are, some because it will good for the kids, some for the opportunity to be part of something, some to meet girls, some because it's the right thing to do, and on and on and on. Oh, and a few really do love the Lord.

Lailat al Miraj

19 July 2009:  Lailat al Miraj is a Muslim holiday also known as Lailat al Isra and Miraj (Arabic: Night of the Journey and Ascension).  On the Muslim calendar the date is the 27th day of Rajab.  The holiday celebrates the following event: Muhammad was carried to heaven where he discussed with God the number of daily prayers required of observant Muslims.  God wanted fifty but Muhammad was able to convince him to accept five properly performed prayers which, in the eyes of God, would count as fifty.