Ponderings

Tree of Life

2011-12-11T08:12:00.001-05:00

Tree of Life is one of those rare films that held my interest all the way through. I will probably watch it again. It was visually beautiful, nostalgic, poignant, thought-provoking. I wanted to jot down my initial impressions here on my long-neglected blog. This is still a rough draft, but I need to publish it for lack of time to finish.

"Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth....when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy." (Job 38:4,7)

God's ways are mysterious. Who are we to judge God? It is He who brings trials and tests into our lives and judges us.

God as fire.

Our God is (literally?) a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29; Deut. 4:24). We can only know Him as He reveals Himself in Scripture and in nature.

"The nuns taught us, there is the way of Nature and the way of Grace. Choose which one you'll follow.

Grace doesn't try to please itself......forgotten, disliked.....accepts insults and injuries. Nature only wants to please itself, lord it over....find reasons to be unhappy."

Some basic truths from Scripture are taught in Catholicism. Not everything we learned was false. Choosing right from wrong was a strong theme growing up Catholic. (Much Catholic imagery/sounds in this film as the family attended Catholic church.) However, I never learned in Catholicism how to overcome natural tendencies and the self life. I never heard about being "born again" and experiencing new life as a new creation with godly tendencies and the ability to choose good over evil.

The mom in this movie seemed to be born again, demonstrating the "grace" life. She was filled with the fruit of the Spirit......gentleness, goodness, wisdom, patience, etc. The dad, on the other hand, illustrated the "lord it over" natural man, ambitious, egocentric, cold, tough, determined, critical.

The son was influenced by both parents, caught in the middle, confused, indecisive about which way to go in life. Turns out his "good" brother and mother won out in the tug of war for his soul, eventually leading him to walk through "the Door" (YESHUA = The Door) later in life after his struggle and soul search. At least in a dream sequence. Not sure how to understand it.

Reviewing his life - in vignettes. I wonder if this theme was influenced by the movie writer's own born again experience, an experience similar to mine, seeing my whole life flash before me and dealing with it in tears of insight, outsight, regret, repentance.

Scene concerning death of 19 year old brother:

When tragedy strikes, news of the death of a loved one, human comfort means well but is inadequate. Platitudes that hurt rather than comfort. "You have two other children..."

Tragedy begets regrets. Dad: "I made him feel ashamed."

Firstborn son/Protagonist knew something of experiencing God. "How did You come to me? In what shape? What disguise? (Scenes of birds, sunsets) How did I lose you? Wandered. Forgot You....Find me."

Recognized his lost condition. Wondered how his mother bore the tragedy of losing her son(s) without getting bitter and losing her faith. Rather than blame God, Mom soul-searched: "Was I false to You?" and asked the classic question, "Why?????"

"Did You know? Who are we to You? Answer me."

Consideration given to "Natural" origin of Universe. My thoughts during the visual spectacle: Mystery. Particles coming together could have happened in split second in God's time/mind. Intelligent Design. In the beginning God created.... We can only conjecture how, when.

After "Big Bang", development of sea life, eohippus, dinosaurs.....seemed a rather ridiculous theory to me, depicting man's attempt to understand the unknowable past.

"We cry to you, my soul, my son. Hear us."

How can one pray to "nature" (Evolution makes no sense).

Her love for her son wrapped up in her very soul.

New day dawns......amoeba

"Life, my life. I search for you. My hope....my child."

???

Son reflects: "You spoke to me through her (mother)". "From the sky, the trees...before I knew I loved You, believed in You. When did you first touch my heart?" He realizes his heart had been touched by God in various ways in his life from his earliest remembrances. Scenes depicting his thoughts and remembrances (life flashing before him in non-linear vignettes)

Before I was born?
As a small child?
Through my little Bible?
Child's Bible?
Autumn leaves?
Christening?
Toddler?
With Dad?
Tree breezes?
Baby brother?
Fireflies?

Mom points to the sky: "That's where God lives." Hatikvah plays. (The Hope/Israel's National Anthem). Why that song? (Not listed in credits at end of film. Hatikvah must be based on a classical piece unknown to me?)

Does the son think of his mom as almost a goddess? "Mother, make me good, brave." Do sons think of their moms as godlike? Almost worship us? We are a type of God to our young sons?

Parents together demonstrate aspects of God.

Mom - nurturing, comforting, wise

Dad - Can be harsh, tough, wrathful, judgmental

(Was glad the film did not depict the Dad as one dimensional. There were moments when the son realized his dad truly loved him and the dad was able to express tenderness.)

Parents are an imperfect reflection of God, themselves influenced by their own upbringing and societal influences.

Son: "Where do You live? Are You watching me? I want to know what You are. I want to see what You see."

Imperfect Church, lame sermons. Lighting candles for the dead (brought back memories of me doing that for my grandfather in Catholic Church).

Little brother drowns in pool

"Was he bad? Where were You? You let a boy die. You let anything happen." (DDT spraying scene with kids playing in it).

"Why should I be good if You aren't?"

(Meanwhile, Mom walks in grace and peace. "Love everyone. Forgive.")

Son: "What I want to do I can't do. I do what I hate." (lots of Scriptural references throughout).

"Father. Mother. Always you wrestle inside me. Always. You always will. I'm as bad as you are. More like you than her."

"The only way to be happy is to love....Do good to them. Wonder. Hope."

Dream sequence?

Son walked through Door. "Keep us, Guide us. To the end of time."

Follow Me

"I give him to You"

My thoughts:

So much we don't understand. Can only speculate. Choose good, choose surrender. Walk through the Door (YESHUA) Choose to love, forgive.

Peter's struggles depicted in protagonists's thoughts.

I never had these particular struggles about theodicy. Always knew "God is good." I never blamed God. I blamed myself for my misery because I turned away from good/God.

Identified with depictions of 50's childhood.....the wood swing was just like one my dad made me.....the neighborhood, fences, yards, neighborhood playmates, curtains blowing in the breeze, fireflies at night.

Identified with the house fire scene. Had a classmate with dead little brother from fire. He went back for his slippers and was trapped. Affected me at the time. But I did not blame God or think Him evil to allow this to happen. Just felt bad for my classmate and did not know what to say to her, so said nothing.

Did not identify with harsh, disciplinarian dad. My dad was not like him. My dad was gentle, kind, and encouraging. I did not blame God for evil, for house fires, for deaths, for disappointments.

Ocean/sand scene: Not so great depiction of Eternity? of seeing our loved ones again? Why such desolate landscapes? Purgatory?

Least understood part of the film was ocean scene and following. Scene shifts back to the son and the city skyscrapers. I thought, "It's not going to end like this, is it?" It did.

Four Years Later.........Inspired, Hopeful, Wondering, Weeping.......

2010-12-31T10:59:00.000-05:00

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2006
My Near Conversion to Orthodox Judaism, Interlude
by Peter Sander

Find entrance to the narrow gate
Through which find the waters living
Forgo Him, Oh! A dreaded fate
Embrace Him now, the Oft Forgiving.

Others have a wall erected
Through ordinances that set a limit
Zealously a well protected
To keep away the thirsty admit.

This thirsty soul bore the weight
Sought from this well the guarded giving
And rather found a fleeting bait
All this to his own misgiving.

For this well, the Lord rejected
Idols in his heart did sit
The liberating Word deflected
Self-charmed by trust in wit.

Forsaken was the freeing yoke
For promise of a purer well
Forbidden fire did he stoke
A piety of rote to lull.

Burden heavy, nigh to croak
Beneath the weight, which on him fell
God the scaffold was wont to poke
To make the burden twice a hell.

‘Neath the weight, finally broken
Chastised son, His praises tell
Of the gate that was forsaken
Yea, the Lord, this trial to quell.

Burden lifted, Spirit freeing
On my knees, His presence new
Commandments with new eyes seeing
Life infused, so free to do.

Posted by PeterS (Tzuriel) at 1:35 PM

1 comments:
Maureen said...
Awesome composition!

May these words be an inspiration and comfort, especially to someone who may think it is too late to return to the "Oft Forgiving" God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

I have found in my life that recognizing and repenting of the idols in my heart has resulted in this new infusion of life that you speak of, along with a renewed, joyful ability to walk in God's ways. Salvation is not a one-time event at a church altar or bedside, but an ongoing, renewable relationship with the LORD. Our spiritual lives ebb and flow; the fire sometimes burns low. We must come to the "Oft Forgiving" again and again. Not that we walk in willful sin as true believers, but we get off the narrow path somehow and find ourselves in the thicket or ditch, from whence we call upon the LORD for rescue once again. Yeshua would much prefer to come to our rescue now than be our Judge later.

December 25, 2006 12:36:00 PM CST

Moments to Remember

2010-11-11T15:44:00.000-05:00

(This is a rough draft version from my notes. If I don’t publish it on my blog this way it probably won’t be posted, and I want to remember this day. Wish I had more time to write.)

My Culver Day.......

Written Tuesday, October 12, 2010

I worked 7-3:30 as usual, and now I am sitting on the staff pier looking at my dorm – another perspective. Usually I’m looking out the window of the dorm to the view of the Lake where I sit, hoping for some inspiration to write. This beloved lake is so relaxing, tranquilizing, inspirational. It is very warm – 80 degrees and bright sunshine – perhaps the last day of its kind this year, so I’m taking advantage of it; numbering my days, i.e, making each day count.

Foliage is spectacular this year, especially on this New England-esque campus with many kinds of deciduous trees in various shades of golds, greens, and crimsons. I hear the little waterfall, and the Lake is in such a quiet, gentle mood it is enticing me to take off my shoes and wade awhile in the water. Why not? If my dorm girls see me being silly, oh well. I am what I am -- a bit eccentric and childlike.

Well that was soothing and refreshing! Mid October and the water is still warm enough to wade in. Therapeutic for my tired feet too. I spend at least seven hours a day walking the halls and working hard; love it though. So satisfying to keep a nice place clean. Today I cleaned some screens and windows. I like to enhance the view with some clarity.

Four o’clock, chimes the Chapel bell tower. Maybe I’ll mosey on over to the stable and see what kind of riding activity is going on – jumping lessons hopefully.

I used to park here on the hill; now I fully belong here. Just found out that I can borrow books from the library as an employee as well. I am part of the Culver mystique now, learning by osmosis as I go.

I enjoy the many Sycamore trees on campus, especially the ones that jut out over the lake. A large branch fell into the water in a storm and the ducks enjoy perching on it. Noticed that on my 5 minute jaunt along the lakeshore on my way to the Dining Hall for lunch.

So it’s Polo practice at the Equestrian Center. Both boys and girls are participating. Found out jumping team practice is on M/W/F about this time. Polo on T/Th.

So many activities going on – football practice, soccer. Such a gorgeous day to be outdoors.

Time for a visit to Town on this pretty Autumn day. It feels so nostalgic to be here. Somehow it is reminiscent of my 1950’s New England childhood. Then I have flashbacks to times over the years since 1977 when I have visited this place with my own small children, 4th of July fireworks over the lake with family and friends (often), Woodcraft Camp 2007/2008 with Austin and Denise, when Culver fever really hit me.

Here I am at the Lighthouse, one of my favorite spots at the Town Park, along with the Gazebo and under the Sycamore tree on the beach. Looks like they are taking the boat slips away for the winter. There are still quite a few pontoon boats.

I love the sound of crickets. Gulls are squawking. One motorboat cruises the lake. Saw a couple of jet skiers earlier. This summer season has extended well into Fall this year.

Looks like I am the only one on the beach again this week. Will Tuesday be my writing day weekly? Shall I observe the changing seasons and scenarios from the Vandalia vantage point?

A couple of boys are skateboarding. Two guys are now taking apart a boat docking pier. Summer is ending, but going out in great glory.

There are some two-man kayaks. Would love to learn to do that next summer. They look pretty safe and fun. They are not the kind that trap you inside.

Maybe I’ll take a walk on the trail from the town park to campus. Should be delightful to walk this nature path with the foliage so brilliant right about now. Walking through the park, I notice they have installed some new swings. Cool! Vandalia Village tot park is a favorite with the little tykes. No one here today though.

This beauty surrounding me just fills up my senses (to quote a John Denver song). So amazing. No words to describe the gentle rustle of falling leaves. Where’s my camera? I could never capture what I am experiencing. So here I am back on campus .... at the motel....that was the girls’ dorm in 1977 when I walked here. Next to these old buildings is my beloved Linden/Ithaca dorm, built about 15 years ago I’m told. All is quiet on this end of campus. A couple of joggers head my way.

The boat slips are being pulled out of the water here too – but the workers have gone home for the day. I saw them earlier wearing wetsuits. 9 boats and 2 jet skis remain docked. Sailboats, pontoons, and fast motorboats. Not a peep from my dorm. Probably all gone to dinner at the Dining Hall. So peaceful. Lovely towering sycamore tree here.

I suppose I should head back along the wooded path to my car, and home. It’s 5 pm. Pat is probably wondering when I’ll be home. He knew I wanted to do this. He took this week off as vacation.

LORD bless Linden/Ithaca dorm and keep my girls safe.

Back at the town park..........

The huge trees in this park were here in 1977 when I lived here. Something comforting about leaning up against them. Now I’m sitting at the base of one mighty oak, looking towards Jerusalem across the lake.

I read up on some of the Lake’s history recently, especially the name. It has been called many variations of Maxinkuckee, with many supposed meanings of the name. Since it could be anything sounding something like the present name originally, maybe I’ll call it Lake Matzacookie in honor of “The Bread of Life” that fell from Heaven. Maybe the Indian tribes of long ago were descendents of ancient Hebrews as some conjecture (with some evidence) and the name became garbled from something related to Matza.

Wouldn’t it be nice to have a fellowship gathering here some time? Maybe during Shavuot 2011. I can dream.

Here comes a 3 year old and a mom pushing a stroller. The little girl is climbing the “tall ship” with delight. Now down the slide....climbing the rope. Mom takes a picture.

Feeling almost as young and alive as this child. Filled with wonder. A skip in her step. ....As for me, I’m not even tired. Feeling very blessed today.

The sun is setting. I see it thru the trees. Time to head home. It has been a delightful day. And I get to come back here tomorrow and get paid for it, plus a free outdoor BBQ lunch for “Culver Academies Spirit Day.”

Hopefully, I’ll get to see some horse jumping in the arena tomorrow at 4 pm. On a rainy day I’ll visit the Library and the Historical Museum.

Life is good.

Talking to trees now......

“Hello, old friend. I remember you. Do you remember me?”

My lovely home (1977-78) on Lakeshore Drive looks just the same. Best bedroom ever. Has a little alcove with a desk. Great place to write. My bedroom, Dave’s room, the living room, and the enclosed front porch all had a splendid view of the Lake just across the street. And the tacos at Swirly Top on the corner were delicious. I used to send the kids after them and eat them on the porch. Springtime brought this town to life.

Drinking was my downfall. How different things could have been without the booze. We could have moved for the summer and rented the house again in the fall. Maybe we would have ended up buying it. I could have fulfilled my equine lust working at Culver. I remember they had Smith Worthington forward seat saddles at the time; my favorite.

Missed opportunities.

A father and son are fishing from the pier in front of the Lighthouse now. How hard it is to leave this paradise.

One last farewell panoramic glance.......

Called to Culver

2010-10-17T10:00:00.000-04:00

[My apologies to blog readers who expect a different kind of post from me. Indulging in some reflective personal journaling this month.....]

Written Tuesday, October 5, 2010........

It is an absolute gorgeous Autumn day as I sit in the sunshine by the Vandalia Park Lighthouse, Town of Culver, Indiana. It is 4 pm. I’m all alone, listening to crickets and the lap of the lakeshore. I encountered a couple in love, hand in hand, an exercise walker, and three children talking quietly on a park bench. Otherwise, blessed solitude....as I like it.

The water is crystal clear as usual. Such paradise. I love it here. Why did I ever leave when the LORD led us to Culver from Massachusetts in October 1977. We rented the “mansion” on Lake Shore Drive, just behind me, across from the Beach Lodge, for only $200 a month from October to June. Fond memories. Like the memorable Blizzard of ’78. And some, not so fond....like the bad case of flu that lasted nearly a month after getting the “swine flu” vaccine. And the loneliness and strangeness I felt here at the time, having never lived in another part of the country before. It was so different from what I was used to. And I did not know the LORD then. I did not perceive His Hand in leading us here 33 years ago this month. Oddly, I was 33 years old when I came to know the LORD...actually 3 days and 3 months before my 33rd birthday. 33 seems like a significant number in my life. It’s even in my phone number.

A half mile from where I now sit is where I now work—Culver Academies. I can see the staff swimming pier from here, currently hosting gulls and a lone sandhill crane. The private beach/pier is just steps from the front door of the Linden/Ithaca dorm I am privileged to keep clean. Love it. A placement from Heaven. Compatibility all around. A miracle. “Dreams come true at Lindenland” the sign on the bedsheet said. (The girls decorated their dorms in a Disney/Peter Pan theme.) I’m told I’m “a breath of fresh air” and doing “an awesome job”. Wow! Me? who can’t seem to clean her own cluttered house and hates housework? This is SO like the LORD to take me out of my comfort zone and show me His grace and power to transform. I am really getting a workout on this job. I have lost almost 15 lbs. since I started working here on August 19. My skinny jeans fit me that I never thought I would be able to wear again. I work hard, got my first callous; did not even know what it was. I guess I have not worked hard enough all my life. I am gaining fitness, which is one of my motivations for taking this “menial” job. This is turning out to be the best job ever. I much prefer it to computer/office work. The time goes by quickly. Lunch in the Dining Hall is free and has very good food, with healthy selections. Looking forward to meeting the Director of Food Services, who happens to be someone my son played with every day at age 8 during our 8 months living in Culver. I also look forward to meeting Culver’s part-time historical archivist who is also the Editor of the Culver Citizen newspaper. He is a young man I met online ten years ago as President of the Dave Van Ronk fan club. Van Ronk was an obscure folk musician.....with a fan from Culver of all places. I used to play Van Ronk’s rendition of Urge for Going in 1978. Maybe Jeff heard the music wafting from my front porch as he passed my house at age 4. Such a small world.

I enjoy having lunch with my husband nearly every day, who also works here at the Academies. This is a great sunset career for me, and the physical fitness will prepare me to hike the hills of Israel someday.

The three boys are playing in the park now, tossing a plastic bottle in the air, pretending it is a football, playing tag. Seems like time stands still in this town. It is still 1960 here. The foliage is brilliant. The temperature, about 70 degrees. Idyllic. A towering sycamore tree graces the sand beach, along with a family of ducks.

I saw Weston on campus yesterday. He said, “So glad you’re here.” I said, “Finally!” It has taken three years to be hired at Culver. I first became enamored of the Academies in 2007 when my grandson attended Woodcraft Camp. Weston was his Counselor and a wonderful inspiration. Being hired here was all in the LORD’s timing I suppose. I thought I would start out working with the horses, but that did not happen. “To everything there is a season...” How often did I ponder and pray on that park bench at Lilac Point near the Huffington Library. “Turn, turn, turn.....” was the last part of the quotation on the nameplate. If I turned my head I could see Linden-Ithaca dorm. Who knew that it would one day be “my” building. God knew. He gave me the best building on campus – spectacular view of the lake from the second story “treehouse” lounge, newish construction, delightful, considerate, friendly girls who make my job easy and pleasant. I love watching the girls go off to class, riding lessons, other activities. I feel like a “mom” again. I don’t mind dusting around their golf clubs, riding boots, and other paraphernalia related to the amazing opportunities they have at this school. From sailing instruction to rowing, riding, fencing, flight simulation, theatre, band, basketball....the sky is the limit when it comes to academic and extracurricular activities.

I love this little town. So peaceful. A resort town in summer, it is quiet now. Artists and writers call Culver home. So do I. I call it my home away from home. I hope to continue to write my thoughts from this location. I look forward to experiencing the beauty of the four seasons from the many scenic Lake Maxinkuckee vantage points here in town and on Campus. Feeling very blessed.

Sabbath Fellowship: Will the Bubble Burst?

2010-08-01T13:37:00.000-04:00

Something amazing happened on Sabbath, July 17, 2010. After almost ten years of seeking fellowship, I finally gathered on Sabbath with like-minded believers! I am still basking in the glow of that Grace-filled encounter.

This searching for the “swan pond” started in March 2001 when I renewed my commitment to keeping the commandments of God. I had been out of fellowship with the LORD for a time, not backslidden, but lukewarm, having been out of the antinomian churches for almost a decade and trying to maintain my faith virtually on my own. Pat and I tried to stick to a home church format at first, but with just the two of us, we became lax. Occasionally we would have friends over, but there never seemed to be a cohesiveness or like-mindedness. I was the proverbial ugly duckling, never finding a fit in all the churches we tried. We published the Moss Patch Newsletter until about 1998 and that gave us a venue to share with the scattered brethren who somewhat held our views, but the fervent embers seemed to fade with time and lack of fellowship.

By this time, Pat and I were on the road as independent contractors delivering trucks and motorhomes nationwide. It was quite a fun adventure for awhile, and we traversed and crisscrossed just about every state including a trek to Alaska......but it became too rushed, stressful, and exhausting. The ribbon of highway became a blur of bleary-eyed fatigue. Sometimes Sabbath convictions had to be compromised. I needed to get off the road after seven years of it. Pat continued for several more years, while I worked at home doing order entry for our son’s transport business.

In the Fall of 2000 I conducted an Internet search using the keyword “Sabbath” and came up with the Bible Sabbath Association. I figured anyone likeminded would also be a Sabbatarian and that would be a start for seeking fellowship. I subscribed to the Sabbath Sentinel, and from perusal of that magazine discovered there was such a thing as the Messianic movement and mindset. I discovered Daniel Botkin and Gates of Eden and read his publications, dialoguing with him via email on occasion. This led to discovering other Messianic ministries, including FFOZ. I ordered a packet of materials from that organization, learned about Torah Club, and was very excited about joining. I showed my son, who lived next door at the time, and asked him to lead the study, but his impression was that it was “too foreign.” He was not interested. Thus, in September 2001, Pat and I started Volume 1 of Torah Club on our own and completed Children’s Torah Club with the grandchildren. We went through volumes 2, 3, 4, and 5 in subsequent years. I was excited about all this Jewish/Hebraic learning. Pat was somewhat lukewarm about it but participated ....until he heard something doctrinally disturbing on an audio lesson in Volume 4 and was not satisfied with the sluggish response in addressing and correcting it. This, along with an increasingly rabbinic focus in Volume 5, which we dubbed the “ding the bell series,” caused him to jump off the Messianic bandwagon. Dave had been right.....it was “too foreign.” We were not interested in going this far with what we considered a rigid rabbinic mindset. It was interesting and insightful to learn of it, but we did not wish to embrace so stringent a level of observance as we perceived to be practiced by the leadership of this organization. We did not wish to follow in these footsteps. We wanted role models we could follow in practical terms.

In 2006, I discovered Tim Hegg and Torah Resource and signed up for a very relevant class in light of then current controversies. This led to joining Torah Resource forum. This was a most satisfying time for me as TR forum members interacted with one another and discussed the swirling controversies and made lasting friendships. One friendship in particular became almost a lifeline and brightened my lonely days. While I did not have in-person fellowship with the likeminded, at least I had “virtual fellowship” via forums, blogs, and email. But the ongoing controversies became divisive......and some could not handle the lack of unity between the major Messianic players. These were our esteemed leaders and they did not agree among themselves. Newbies became confused and upset. Some fell away, their faith shattered and shipwrecked. Some converted to Orthodox Judaism, or became Noachides. Others weathered the storms, but not without damaged emotions and confused theologies.

I was among the surviving but not thriving. I was looking for sound doctrine, wisdom, and spiritual guidance yet only able to glean nuggets here and there and move in and out of online relationships with various people of varying perspectives. I needed real live fellowship but where was I to go? Should I drive two hours by myself to meet with strangers (small home groups who maybe had a few things in common with my views)? That seemed scary. Should I attend a Messianic synagogue in Indianapolis? The website did not make me feel especially welcome as a non-Jew. Some said driving a car on Sabbath was prohibited (do not kindle a fire on the Sabbath day – Ex. 35:3) and two hours was too far regardless. I searched online for closer fellowships over the years but they seemed to disband soon after being formed, or there were other reasons for my reluctance to attend new startups. I resigned myself to online fellowship.......but even that was unstable with forums closing down, experiencing the sting and rejection of being banned at other forums, etc. Messianic friends and acquaintances continued to commit apostacide, disappoint and disillusion, or go down paths I did not wish to follow.

Eventually I was persuaded to join Facebook. Who would guess that I would meet a zealous Messianic couple with Torah convictions who many years ago were in my son’s church youth group and were inspired by him! Larry went on to study theology and counseling at Grace Theological Seminary and became a pastor. We got acquainted on Facebook through my daughter-in-law and discovered we knew some of the same people and shared similar convictions and experiences. Best of all, Barb and Larry were moving within an hour’s drive of me!

By this time, though, something held me back from meeting people in person. I had become homebound, reclusive, and non-social because of the years of isolation. I hardly left home and experienced crowd anxiety when I did. I preferred to be alone because I had grown accustomed to it. Besides, I had a virtual social life online where my friends could not see my cluttered, neglected home and self. How had I degenerated so? I was chronically fatigued with mystery ailments. It was a vicious cycle of not being able to socialize because of fatigue, anxiety, mystery ailments, nutritional/hormonal imbalances, lack of confidence, fear, whatever. What was wrong with me? I prayed about it, tried various supplements, went for long walks, exercised, but only experienced slight improvement of symptoms. Nothing was really wrong with me......except that I was dysfunctional......for whatever reasons that I could not fully fathom. I had good days and bad days. I resigned myself to believing that God wanted me isolated so I could be a prayer warrior, dialogue online, and write....although even my blog was neglected.

As I became better acquainted with Larry and Barb on Facebook, I began to feel comfortable about meeting them, especially since they offered to come to Culver and walk with me. They would meet me at my current comfort level. On the 6th of April we met for a wonderful walk and talk. I liked them both very much. I met them for other walks at Winona Lake and was very impressed with their delightful, home-schooled children. Finally, I was ready to meet them for a gathering at their home. They had invited people to come and get acquainted, possibly forming a Sabbath fellowship together. A series of circumstances had led to the desire to form this alignment with Church of God (Seventh Day) members who were also looking for a local Sabbath congregation. On July 17, COG-7 elders came from Colorado and Michigan along with potential members of this new fellowship to the Rice home near Syracuse, and I was there!!! And I felt comfortable! I felt as if I belonged with this group of people. The children were all sweet and well-behaved. These were strong families and godly, zealous individuals who shared many of my convictions. Had this misfit “swan” finally found the right pond? I was especially impressed with Calvin Burrell. I had known of him through my Sabbath Sentinel and Bible Advocate magazine subscriptions. I have a feeling we have much in common (including walking/hiking) and I would like to dialogue with him further. Calvin’s daughter and family had moved to this area, along with another COG-7 family, and were looking for fellowship. Two lovely ladies from Fort Wayne also attended. Friends of Larry and Barb attended; some I knew from Facebook. Odd how familiar “strangers” can be, having gotten to know them somewhat on Facebook. They did not seem like strangers at all. Facebook has its drawbacks and hazards, but overall I think of it as a very useful communications tool and socialization facilitator.

Long story short.......this is getting far too long and detailed......I am very excited about the potential of this budding Sabbath fellowship. I see the hand of the LORD in it in bringing us together. We call it “The Gathering Place” for now, and we are working out the details of home meetings, Scripture/Torah readings, discussion forum, etc. Our first formal gathering is scheduled for August 7 from 4-8 pm. I plan to be there. And maybe Pat will eventually join us......and Dave and family. I can hope.

I continue to be amazed at the work the LORD has done in me of late in answer to fervent, desperate prayer. I DO need socialization and fellowship.......we all do........and I am very thankful to Rick Spurlock and his Bereans Online class (Tradition) where I learned the concept of “commandment precedence” and came to the conclusion that the command to assemble for a “holy convocation” takes precedence over stringencies such as not driving on Shabbat. All indicators seemed to be a “go” for attending this Sabbath fellowship on July 17 (including my husband’s blessing). My Durango became a rolling sanctuary as I listened to Marty Goetz’ “Hope of Glory” on the leisurely one hour drive (with a full tank of gas purchased on the Preparation day). Even a towering white “Glory cloud” appeared in the blue sky to lead me on my Sabbath day’s journey. I embarked just after 3 pm and arrived home about 11, not the least bit tired. That was another miracle.

More about the vitality regimen the LORD revealed to me in another post.

Life in YESHUA is good......and getting better!

Morning Musings

2010-06-21T07:48:00.002-04:00

I need to go back to blogging. I need to write......but it seems I have been doing much more reading than writing lately and cannot yet put into words the thoughts that are swirling......mostly concerning Israel and the present danger. I identify with Israel. Having been grafted in to the Commonwealth of Israel, these are my people. Yeshua's people. His people are my people. I find I have more allegiance to Israel than I do to America. If America turns her back on Israel, I'm with Israel. Hopefully the ties between the two countries will remain strong.

The voyage of the "Mariam" flotilla (named after the "Virgin Mary" and prayed for at her statue) has been given the green light by Lebanon to leave Tripoli to try to break the Israeli naval blockade on Gaza. This, even after Israel has bowed to pressures and liberalized the land blockade to allow more goods in. What will happen in coming days? Very worrisome.

Besides my fixation on Israel, I have become interested in reading Abraham Joshua Heschel. I wonder why I never heard of him until recently. I am reading God in Search of Man and so far I really enjoy his writing style and profound thoughts. Here is a sample:

When faith is completely replaced by creed, worship by discipline, love by habit; when the crisis of today is ignored because of the splendor of the past; when faith becomes an heirloom rather than a living fountain; when religion speaks only in the name of authority rather than with the voice of compassion--its message becomes meaningless.

Yesterday I enjoyed sitting out on the lounge chair by the garden getting some sun and reading Heschel and Karsh (Palestine Betrayed). I am also very interested in learning more about the history of the Arab/Israeli conflict. It was interesting to read that there was a time when Jews and Arabs coexisted peacefully. It all could have turned out so differently. This book seeks to document where the blame lies for the current hostilities. Very compelling read. How did I get interested in history I wonder. Never liked it in school. Now I am fascinated with it. I want to visit historical museums. I hope to visit the museum in Culver that holds the history of the Academies. Wish I had an escort who shared my interests. Oh well, I like being alone most of the time. I just need to get braver about venturing out and about by myself and not fret about having no likeminded friends able to join me.

I want to hike various trails in the area. May have to do that alone as well. Others do it, why not me.

I need to get going on my day. I work for Dave today, and I need to go to Hamlet this morning. Wonder what else I will accomplish. My window of opportunity is narrower than I would like; my strength dissipates after a couple of hours of exertion usually. Very frustrating. Somehow I need to find "the cure" for this debilitating fatigue that comes and goes so mysteriously.

At least I was able to write something this morning.

Weathering the Approaching Storm

2010-06-20T11:36:00.002-04:00

By Caroline Glick

Israel is endangered today as it has never been before. The Turkish-Hamas flotilla two weeks ago precipitated a number of dangerous developments. Rather than attend to all of them, Israel's leadership is devoting itself almost exclusively to contending with the least dangerous among them while ignoring the emerging threats with the potential to lead us to great calamities.

Since the Navy's lethal takeover of the Mavi Marmara, Israel has been stood before an international diplomatic firing squad led by the UN and Europe and supported by the Obama administration. Firmly backed by European and largely unopposed by Washington, the UN is moving swiftly towards setting up a new Goldstone-style anti-Israel kangaroo court. That canned tribunal will rule that Israel has no right to defend itself and attempt to force Israel to end its lawful naval blockade of Hamas-controlled Gaza.

Fearing this outcome, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu bowed to US President Barack Obama's demand that Israel set up an Israeli inquest of the Mavi Marmara takeover and permit foreigners to oversee its proceedings. Netanyahu also agreed to scale-back Israel's blockade significantly, and allow international bodies to have a role in its far more lax enforcement. Netanyahu has made these concessions with the full knowledge that they will strengthen Hamas in the hopes that they would weaken the international onslaught against Israel.

Unfortunately, it took no time at all to see that his hopes were misplaced. Even before Netanyahu announced these concessions, UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon already announced that they make no difference to him or to his friends in Washington and Brussels. They will move ahead with their plans to appoint a new kangaroo court charged with asserting that Israel has no right to defend itself.

AS BAD as all of this is, in truth, it is unimportant relative to the other consequences of the flotilla incident. The impact of the diplomatic campaign now being waged against Israel will be felt in the medium and long term. In the immediate term, Israel is facing two threats that dwarf what it faces from the UN.

Recent statements by the leaders of Iran, Turkey, Syria, Hamas and Hizbullah make clear that the members of the Iranian axis view the Mavi Marmara episode as a strategic victory in their ongoing campaign against Israel. The international stampede against Israel at the UN, the White House and throughout Europe exposed Israel's Achilles heel. The Mavi Marmara demonstrated that on the one hand the IDF cannot enforce its blockade of Gaza without the use of force. On the other hands it taught Israel's enemies that by forcing Israel to use force, Iran, Turkey and their allies incited a UN-EU-US lynch mob against Israel.

Iran, Turkey, Syria, Hamas and Hizbullah are moving rapidly to exploit their new discovery. In the very near future, Israel will face off against Iranian, Lebanese, and Turkish ships complemented by ships full of Israel-hating German Jews and other Jewish and non-Jewish Hamas supporters.

The Mavi Marmara showed Iran and its allies hat they can win strategic victories against Israel by giving the IDF no option other than using force against them. This means that Israel can bank on the prospect that all the ships they are dispatching will be populated by suicide protesters. Indeed the Iranians have openly admitted this. Mohammad Ali Nouraee is one of the regime officials involved in dispatching the Iranian ships to the Gaza coast. In an interview this week with Iran's official IRNA news agency Nouraee said that the passengers aboard the ships, "are willing to become martyred in this way."

The Lebanese ships are being organized by Hizbullah-affiliated individuals and the Turkish ships are being organized by the IHH terror group that organized the Mavi Marmara. Hizbullah's penchant for dispatching suicide squads is of course well known. And the IHH showed its devotion to suicide protests on the Mavi Marmara. So it is fairly clear that the passengers aboard the ships from both countries intend to force the IDF to kill them.

The intensification of the suicide protest campaign against Israel is dangerous for two reasons. First, it is a model that can be and in all likelihood will be replicated on air and land and it can be replicated anywhere. Israel can and should expect mobs of suicide protesters marching on Gaza to force Israel to surrender control over its borders. Israel can expect mobs of suicide protesters marching on Israeli embassies and other government installations around the world in an attempt to increase its diplomatic isolations.

In the air, Israel can expect charter flights to take off from airports around the world with a few dozen kamikaze protesters who will force the IAF to shoot them down as they approach Israeli airspace.

Iran and its allies have found a weak chink in Israel's armor. They will use it any way they can. Israel needs to quickly develop tactics and strategies for contending with this.

THE SECOND and far more dangerous implication of Israel's enemies' aggressive adoption of suicide protests is that by ensuring violence will be used, they increase the chances of war. Indeed, Iran and its allies clearly believe that suicide protests are a vehicle for initiating a full-scale war against Israel on what they view as favorable footing. According to Bahrain's al Wasat press service, Hussain Amir, Iran's ambassador to Bahrain threatened this week that, "If the [Zionist] entity dares to direct any aggressive attack [against the Iranian ships] then it is certain that [Israel] will be met by a much stronger and firm blow."

Syrian President Bashar Assad told the BBC Wednesday that the region is moving towards war. And the Turkish government is continuing to escalate its assaults on Israel. On Thursday Turkey threatened to cut off diplomatic relations with Israel if Israel does not issue a formal apology for its takeover of the Mavi Marmara and pay restitution to the families of the terrorists killed on board the ship.

Obviously the most disturbing aspect of the war threats is the specter of Turkish naval vessels attacking the Israeli navy. If Turkey - a NATO member -- participates in a war against Israel, the repercussions for Israel's relations with NATO member states, including the US, as well as the EU are liable to be unprecedented.

While going to war against Israel would be a major gamble for Turkey, in recent years it has not shied away from high stakes challenges to its NATO allies. Indeed, one of Turkey's ruling AKP party's first actions upon taking power in 2003 was to deny the US military the right to invade Iraq from its territory. The deleterious impact of Turkey's refusal to come to the aid of its NATO ally at the time has been felt by US forces in Iraq ever since.

IN THE days and weeks to come, Israel's political and military leaders must move resolutely to prepare to withstand these new threats that arisen in the aftermath of the Mavi Marmara episode. To meet the expected deluge of suicide protesters on sea, land and air, Israel must immediately acquire non-lethal means to disperse these protests. This involves purchasing and producing tear gas, water cannons, rubber bullets and other non-lethal weaponry. These non-lethal weapons must be rapidly distributed to IDF units deployed along the frontier with Gaza and to the Navy. They must also be supplied to Israeli security teams tasked with protecting government installations worldwide. Forces must undergo intense and immediate training in crowd control and mob dispersal to be ready to meet what is clearly on the way.

Diplomatically, Israel needs to hold its new line on the Gaza blockade. Netanyahu's buckling to US-EU-UN pressure has encouraged them to redouble their assault on Israel. The new line must be held at all costs. Otherwise, Israel will have no diplomatic line of defense as the approaching threats become reality.

Strategically, our leaders need to consider what our aims will be in the coming war. For instance, as far as Turkey is concerned, Israel's aim will be to end the war as quickly as possible. Here the tools of diplomacy with NATO members and public diplomacy with the American people will be crucial to convincing Turkey to stand down. They must be aggressively and energetically utilized without delay.

From a military perspective, evasion is preferable to confrontation. This understanding must guide naval operations towards Turkish forces.

As for Iran, Israel's aim must be to prolong the war as long as necessary to secure its strategic objective of denying Iran nuclear weapons. Moreover, it is important to use both kinetic and non-kinetic means to change the relative power balance between the Iranian people and the Iranian regime. While in all likelihood today the Iranian opposition green movement is unable to overthrow the regime, if Iran initiates a war against Israel, Israel must use the opportunity the war affords to change that balance of power.

Once Israel's political and military leaders determine the strategic goals of a regional war, they must move swiftly to outfit and train the IDF to fight it. This war will certainly be different from its predecessors and Israel's strategic goals - and the clear strategic and tactical preferences of its enemies - dictate the training that the IDF must initiate immediately.

The longer term lesson of the Mavi Marmara incident, and the threats that emerged in its wake is that war is too serious a subject to leave to generals. The IDF and the Defense Ministry clearly misunderstood the nature of the threat posed by the Turkish-Hamas flotilla. Indeed, recent reports that until the Mavi Marmara Israel wasn't even collecting intelligence on Turkey despite its obvious, multiyear transformation from ally to enemy underlines the fact that the IDF is woefully incapable of assessing, understanding and preparing for the threats Israel faces.

In light of the IDF's failure to understand Turkey's transformation from ally to enemy in a timely manner, its incompetent planning for the takeover and its problematic performance in both Operation Cast Lead and the Second Lebanon War, Netanyahu must create an external body empowered to assess and dictate the means for preparing for emerging threats. This body can either be a new department in the Prime Minister's Bureau or the National Security Council can be empowered to perform this function. While this is not the most urgent matter on the national agenda, the establishment of such a body should be a central mission of the government.

The Iranian ships are already en route, and the ships from Lebanon could appear at any moment. The mass demonstrations against Israel throughout the world and the threatened violence from the Hamas-supporting Israeli Arab leadership indicate that mobs of suicide protesters could appear anywhere with no prior warning.

Time is of the essence. No, Israel does not want another Goldstone kangaroo court. But right now, kangaroo courts are not our biggest problem.

Originally published in The Jerusalem Post.
Posted on June 18, 2010 at 6:41 AM

TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.carolineglick.com/cgi-sys/cgiwrap/ipractic/managed-mt-dev/mt-tb.cgi/14434

The Third Intifada-The War of the Words

2010-06-17T07:33:00.002-04:00

Reprinted from Maoz Israel blog......

Back in 1933, Orson Wells pulled off the greatest spoof in media history. His famous “War of the Worlds” broadcast was so realistic that people actually believed that the world as they knew it was coming to an end, and we were at war with Mars. Creating hysteria throughout the United States, Mr. Wells gloated at his success.

But what was also introduced on that day, was the world of propaganda, and how gullible the average person was…if it is reported over the airwaves, it has to be true. Now granted, up until that time, we were not exposed to the Nazi minister of propaganda, Dr. Paul Joseph Goebbels.

As one of German dictator Adolf Hitler's closest associates and most devout followers, he was known for his zealous oratory and anti-Semitism. He was the chief architect of the Kristallnacht attack on the German Jews, which historians consider to be the beginning of the Final Solution, leading towards the genocide of the Jews in the Holocaust.

Pretty amazing fete for one man…but he had help…the German nation hungrily looking for a scapegoat or someone to blame for their troubles. The time was ripe for Goebbels…and for the millions of innocent victims that didn’t meet the Aryan standards.

You can’t blame these victims. Deep within their souls, they thought that the very government they identified with, fought and died for, would protect them from such foolish notions that ALL of German’s problems were because of them.

But the pen is mightier than the sword and in the end, millions ended up dead in camps, shallow graves, and hidden places…some to be never found again. Families destroyed by a single bullet. And generations of families lost due to a sick regime.

But you knew all that…that is history. Well known thanks to our high school history teachers. But if history is doomed to repeat itself if we don’t pay attention, then why is it repeating itself now…today?

Israel is currently experiencing a third intifada…but it is not with guns or bombs; it is far more aggressive and deadly. It is a war of the words.

Throughout the internet…on YouTube, on blogs, and (horrors) in the news media; pro-Palestinian sympathizers are spouting its lies and hatred, disregarding facts of truth. And again, the gullible public is buying it hook, line and sinker. (And this time literally with the flotilla incident)

Now, what you don’t know is these guys are getting PAID to do this! They are being funded probably with the very same dollars that is “donated” to help the starving kids in Gaza. (we have already presented that there is NO humanitarian crises in Gaza).

Do you remember the guy to threw his shoe at President Bush during a speech? He received a 9 month jail sentence, but read his quote from 2 days ago:

“I blame the media because they said I would become rich for doing what I did, that I would become a multimillionaire,” Zaidi said. “All the promises about gifts I heard when I was in prison were just empty. The only gift I’ve got since my release is from Canadian television, who made me their man of the year and gave me a pair of golden shoes.”

http://www.jpost.com/MiddleEast/Article.aspx?id=178447

Appalling? Why, because you thought he did it for a cause he believed in? Each of the “peace activitists” had $10,000 in their possession when they were arrested from the flotilla. What, they needed money to buy eggs and bread for their fellow men????

It is time to take back our edge and be a spokesman of the truth.

It is time to stand against the growing sea of lies perpetrated against Israel and her beloved (that would be you).

It is time that each of us pray AND do what we can to not only be the truth but speak the truth to those who have already believed that we are at war with Mars.

Here is a poem that is taught to every child in elementary school here in Israel. It is in Yad Vashem, and it was written by a German Pastor in WWII:

First They Came For The Jews / Martin Niemöller

"First they came for the Jews and I did not speak out

because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for the Communists and I did not speak out

because I was not a Communist.

Then they came for the trade unionists and I did not speak out

because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for me

and there was no one left to speak out for me."

You have heard it was said that faith without action is dead…I know that we all have the faith, but God is calling us to action. Be a spokesman of truth…before it is too late.

The battlefield is not in the field anymore.

For more information on this and other topics concerning Israel and her people, visit us at maozisrael.org

Palestine Betrayed

2010-06-14T12:49:00.006-04:00

Palestine Betrayed, by Efraim Karsh

BOOK REVIEW
by M. D Roberts

Replete with references the Professor & Head of the Middle East and Mediterranean Studies Programme at Kings College, London has provided an excellent, detailed, objective analysis of both the origins as well as the history surrounding the Arab-Israeli conflict.

In my own opinion this authoritative, timely and well written study is destined to become a classic in relation to this contentious subject. Those who have already embraced the revisionist history of the 'new historians' will probably want to give it a miss as the detail and depth of this work tends to blow their case completely out of the water.

Citing many documents which have been declassified over the past decade, both the Arab and Jewish perspectives of this conflict are addressed from the very start. The political/diplomatic manoeuvering of many prominent individuals on both sides and in the international arena are all given due reference.

Recent declassification of millions of documents from the era surrounding the British Mandate are shown to have been ignored or distorted by the 'new historians' in order to paint a picture that the author claims 'is completely at odds with the anti Israel caricature that is so often the order of the day'.

This compelling investigation makes it clear to the reader that Israel is being robbed of its political, historic and geographic legitimacy, whilst being made to appear to rob the Palestinians of the nation it never had.

At the outset the author draws attention to the differing positions of the then Jewish and Arab leadership leading up to the 1947 UN resolution calling for the partition of 'Palestine' into two independent states - Arab and Jewish - plus the internationalisation of Jerusalem.

From the easily readable text the reader can assess how the Jewish leadership openly accepted the detailed UN plans for partition while the Arab side utterly rejected any such plan and showed that compliance with any UN resolution was of no consequence as they declared all out war with the declared intention of eradicating the reborn Jewish state. Full quotes and detailed references from both sides are provided for the reader's attention.

The book reveals in no uncertain terms that if the Palestinian Arabs and the neighbouring Arab states had accepted the UN resolution there would have been no war and no dislocation of a single Arab refugee. The simple reason being that the Zionist movement was amenable to the co-existence with the Palestinian Arabs and a 2 state solution even at that time. The Arab world choosing to instead wage a war of annihilation.

Citing how such reality was to become erased from public memory by decades of relentless pro-Arab propaganda, the writer clarifies that it is to reclaim this and other historical truths that this book has been written.

A whole plethora of issues are addressed including those of a Zionist and Pan Arab perspective covering many decades prior to, and culminating in, the above. The role of the British and the Mandate is studied in some detail revealing much of the alleged British appeasement of the Arab world and it's 'White Paper' restricting Jewish immigration to Palestine while Jews were fleeing the persecution and slaughter within Europe during the rule of Hitler. References revealing how, while Jews were severely restricted and hampering from entering their ancient homeland, no such restrictions were placed upon Arabs entering/settling in 'Palestine' from their neighbouring Arab states.

Having studied the Balfour Declaration one aspect of alleged British appeasement of the Arab world that also receives attention is the British severing of a vast percentage of 'Palestine' east of the Jordan River from the prospective Jewish homeland to create the new Arab nation of Transjordan under the newly appointed Arab leadership of Emir Abdullah ibn Hussein.

Even what remained of 'Palestine' being targeted for division with the 'Palestinian' Arabs. Quotes and references showing that pan-Arabism viewed the 'Palestinians' not as a distinct people deserving statehood but as 'an integral part of a single Arab nation' which was bound by the common ties of language and religion etc.. The Jewish homeland eventually constituting less than 11 per cent of what was originally hoped for. The study's contents reiterating that even this was too much for the Arab world which rejected 'partition' and declared war to obtain it all.

Indeed from the historic details provided the reader is left with the unassailable deduction that the Arab grievance is not with the borders of Israel but with its very existence. Referring to the 'peace process' of the present day the book claims that, despite their vastly different personalities and political modus operandi, Yasser Arafat and his successor Mahmoud Abbas are "warp and woof of the same fabric". Both being shown from the text to be PLO veterans who have never "eschewed their commitment to Israel's destruction".

While many believe that the reason for the continuous state of war between Israel and the Arabs is because Israel is allegedly 'occupying Arab land' the study shows how through endless repetition, the engraving upon people's minds of this line of political propaganda has deceived the populace from the fundamental truths behind this conflict. It clearly being shown that the Arabs were making war against Israel even when the Arabs held the land and that is how they came to lose it in the first place.

Individual readers must make up their own minds upon the many aspects of this investigation, some aspects of which may be seen as controversial by some. However, I have no hesitation to recommending this work to anyone remotely interested in the Middle East conflicts.

1948, Israel, and the Palestinians

2010-05-27T11:11:00.002-04:00

1948, Israel, and the Palestinians: Annotated Text

EFRAIM KARSH

Excerpt:

Sixty years after its establishment by an internationally recognized act of self-determination, Israel remains the only state in the world that is subjected to a constant outpouring of the most outlandish conspiracy theories and blood libels; whose policies and actions are obsessively condemned by the international community; and whose right to exist is constantly debated and challenged not only by its Arab enemies but by segments of advanced opinion in the West.

During the past decade or so, the actual elimination of the Jewish state has become a cause célèbre among many of these educated Westerners. The “one-state solution,” as it is called, is a euphemistic formula proposing the replacement of Israel by a state, theoretically comprising the whole of historic Palestine, in which Jews will be reduced to the status of a permanent minority. Only this, it is said, can expiate the “original sin” of Israel’s founding, an act built (in the words of one critic) “on the ruins of Arab Palestine” and achieved through the deliberate and aggressive dispossession of its native population.

This claim of premeditated dispossession and the consequent creation of the longstanding Palestinian “refugee problem” forms, indeed, the central plank in the bill of particulars pressed by Israel’s alleged victims and their Western supporters. It is a charge that has hardly gone undisputed. As early as the mid-1950’s, the eminent American historian J.C. Hurewitz undertook a systematic refutation,[1] and his findings were abundantly confirmed by later generations of scholars and writers. Even Benny Morris, the most influential of Israel’s revisionist “new historians,” and one who went out of his way to establish the case for Israel’s “original sin,” grudgingly stipulated that there was no “design” to displace the Palestinian Arabs.[2]

The recent declassification of millions of documents from the period of the British Mandate (1920-1948) and Israel’s early days, documents untapped by earlier generations of writers and ignored or distorted by the “new historians,” paint a much more definitive picture of the historical record. They reveal that the claim of dispossession is not only completely unfounded but the inverse of the truth. What follows is based on fresh research into these documents, which contain many facts and data hitherto unreported.

_____________

Far from being the hapless objects of a predatory Zionist assault, it was Palestinian Arab leaders who from the early 1920’s onward, and very much against the wishes of their own constituents, launched a relentless campaign to obliterate the Jewish national revival. This campaign culminated in the violent attempt to abort the UN resolution of November 29, 1947, which called for the establishment of two states in Palestine. Had these leaders, and their counterparts in the neighboring Arab states, accepted the UN resolution, there would have been no war and no dislocation in the first place.

The simple fact is that the Zionist movement had always been amenable to the existence in the future Jewish state of a substantial Arab minority that would participate on an equal footing “throughout all sectors of the country’s public life.”[3] The words are those of Ze’ev Jabotinsky, the founding father of the branch of Zionism that was the forebear of today’s Likud party. In a famous 1923 article, Jabotinsky voiced his readiness “to take an oath binding ourselves and our descendants that we shall never do anything contrary to the principle of equal rights, and that we shall never try to eject anyone.”[4]

Eleven years later, Jabotinsky presided over the drafting of a constitution for Jewish Palestine. According to its provisions, Arabs and Jews were to share both the prerogatives and the duties of statehood, including most notably military and civil service. Hebrew and Arabic were to enjoy the same legal standing, and “in every cabinet where the prime minister is a Jew, the vice-premiership shall be offered to an Arab and vice-versa.”[5]

If this was the position of the more “militant” faction of the Jewish national movement, mainstream Zionism not only took for granted the full equality of the Arab minority in the future Jewish state but went out of its way to foster Arab-Jewish coexistence. In January 1919, Chaim Weizmann, then the upcoming leader of the Zionist movement, reached a peace-and-cooperation agreement with the Hashemite emir Faisal ibn Hussein, the effective leader of the nascent pan-Arab movement. From then until the proclamation of the state of Israel on May 14, 1948, Zionist spokesmen held hundreds of meetings with Arab leaders at all levels. These included Abdullah ibn Hussein, Faisal’s elder brother and founder of the emirate of Transjordan (later the kingdom of Jordan), incumbent and former prime ministers in Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, and Iraq, senior advisers of King Abdul Aziz ibn Saud (founder of Saudi Arabia), and Palestinian Arab elites of all hues.

As late as September 15, 1947, two months before the passing of the UN partition resolution, two senior Zionist envoys were still seeking to convince Abdel Rahman Azzam, the Arab League’s secretary-general, that the Palestine conflict “was uselessly absorbing the best energies of the Arab League,” and that both Arabs and Jews would greatly benefit “from active policies of cooperation and development.”6 Behind this proposition lay an age-old Zionist hope: that the material progress resulting from Jewish settlement of Palestine would ease the path for the local Arab populace to become permanently reconciled, if not positively well disposed, to the project of Jewish national self-determination. As David Ben-Gurion, soon to become Israel’s first prime minister, argued in December 1947:

If the Arab citizen will feel at home in our state, . . . if the state will help him in a truthful and dedicated way to reach the economic, social, and cultural level of the Jewish community, then Arab distrust will accordingly subside and a bridge will be built to a Semitic, Jewish-Arab alliance.[7]
_____________

On the face of it, Ben-Gurion’s hope rested on reasonable grounds. An inflow of Jewish immigrants and capital after World War I had revived Palestine’s hitherto static condition and raised the standard of living of its Arab inhabitants well above that in the neighboring Arab states. The expansion of Arab industry and agriculture, especially in the field of citrus growing, was largely financed by the capital thus obtained, and Jewish know-how did much to improve Arab cultivation. In the two decades between the world wars, Arab-owned citrus plantations grew sixfold, as did vegetable-growing lands, while the number of olive groves quadrupled.[8]

No less remarkable were the advances in social welfare. Perhaps most significantly, mortality rates in the Muslim population dropped sharply and life expectancy rose from 37.5 years in 1926-27 to 50 in 1942-44 (compared with 33 in Egypt). The rate of natural increase leapt upward by a third.[9]

That nothing remotely akin to this was taking place in the neighboring British-ruled Arab countries, not to mention India, can be explained only by the decisive Jewish contribution to Mandate Palestine’s socioeconomic well-being. The British authorities acknowledged as much in a 1937 report by a commission of inquiry headed by Lord Peel:

The general beneficent effect of Jewish immigration on Arab welfare is illustrated by the fact that the increase in the Arab population is most marked in urban areas affected by Jewish development. A comparison of the census returns in 1922 and 1931 shows that, six years ago, the increase percent in Haifa was 86, in Jaffa 62, in Jerusalem 37, while in purely Arab towns such as Nablus and Hebron it was only 7, and at Gaza there was a decrease of 2 percent.[10]
Had the vast majority of Palestinian Arabs been left to their own devices, they would most probably have been content to take advantage of the opportunities afforded them. This is evidenced by the fact that, throughout the Mandate era, periods of peaceful coexistence far exceeded those of violent eruptions, and the latter were the work of only a small fraction of Palestinian Arabs.[11] Unfortunately for both Arabs and Jews, however, the hopes and wishes of ordinary people were not taken into account, as they rarely are in authoritarian communities hostile to the notions of civil society or liberal democracy.

------

More at:

http://www.commentarymagazine.com/viewarticle.cfm/1948--israel--and-the-palestinians--annotated-text-11373

or click on title of post

Community Markers II (Love)

2010-05-16T09:57:00.002-04:00

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2006
Community Markers II (Love)
by PeterS (Tzuriel)

Love

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another: as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all know that ye are My disciples, if ye have love one to another
(John 13:34-35)

…Let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
(I John 3:18)

Yeshua through His suffering of the greatest cosmic injustice conceivable—the Creator suffering and dying on our behalf—expressed unprecedented love to the fallen and feeble. Through His example the love of God was spoken not as a word, nor in tongue but as the living and dying Word of God. In light of the vicarious death of Yeshua, the mitswah to love our neighbor finds its most profound example. Yeshua states, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

How is this love to inform our living or our application of Torah (viz, halakhah)? It is immediately apparent that Yeshua intended to challenge the ethnocentric or even covenantalistic paradigms of love displayed among His people. In Luke 10:29, Yeshua is asked, “Who is my neighbor?” Yeshua clearly demonstrates through the example of the Good Samaritan that the love expressed in Torah was not bubbled. The bubbles of His people included those of Judaic and/or sectarian identity. Today these bubbles are our immediate cultures and congregations. Rather than bubbled love, Yeshua desires effervescent love. Effervescent love bubbles over—it overflows as the living waters (mayim chayim) of the Spirit.

Yeshua’s example of love provides a paradigm that must inform our Torah observance. In community, it is easy to love one another’s virtues, but we must also accept each others’ vices. The apostle Peter states, “And above all things have fervent love among yourselves; for love shall cover the multitude of sins” (I Peter 4:8). This is love expressed by tolerance and grace. Tolerance must be exhibited for the disappointments and variegations in observance and doctrine in our communities. Such love, though, does not sugar coat sins of willful rebellion, but it allows grace to garnish growth.

Paul states, Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others” (Phil 2:3-4). Another expression of love is to put aside our pursuit of significance and esteem in order to esteem others. How beautiful is this?

Yeshua’s love is illustrated also in His observance of Shabbat. Rather than allowing the priority of Shabbat to limit His ministry on Shabbat, Yeshua used the occasion of Shabbat to perform some of His most dramatic illustrations of love vis-à-vis Torah observance. On Shabbat Yeshua was willing to perform work (“melakhah”) in order to show love and redemption to His neighbor. Redemptive or restorative love must inspire our observance of Shabbat. To ignore Yeshua’s example risks denigrating Shabbat into a day of restrictive taboos where redemptive action is excused for the sake of inactive piety.

By this shall all know that ye are My disciples, if ye have love one to another...

Isolation Blues

2010-01-26T14:32:00.005-05:00

[I posted this at TR Forum this morning and got one response so far.......someone who said he has been pondering the same thoughts. I wonder how many like-minded isolated sheep are out here in cyberspace. May the LORD provide cyber-shepherds to gather and guide us in these apostate times we live in. The narrow path gets lonely sometimes.]

Path of Sanctification

Class Audio 12 talked about the path of sanctification and how we need community to grow spiritually. We need the "sandpaper" of interacting with others in real life fellowship. This is not optional, Tim says. We must make the effort to gather with others locally, or move elsewhere to find like-minded community if necessary.

I find myself in a quandary.....and I wonder if I speak for others who read these posts but do not post themselves for various reasons.

Does not the Bible talk about the Remnant being a small, persecuted minority? "I will take one of a city, two of a family, and bring them to Zion..." (Jer. 3:14)

Isolation seems to be a fixture in the End Times. Tim talks about having a generational perspective......that we need to form communities that will pass our faith along to the next generation. Other Messianic teachers I read online talk about what the Messianic Movement will look like in coming decades or in the next hundred years, and how we are a young movement, which explains our difficulties.

Huh?!

I seem to be on a somewhat different wavelength and wonder if others share my view.

My mindset seems to be to somehow manage to hold on to my faith while all around me Christians and Messianics are dropping like flies.......becoming Agnostics, Atheists, Anglicans, Catholics, Buddhists, Presbyterians, Deity-denying Jews, Noachides, apostates of every shade and nuance. We now have the phenomenon of Atheists becoming Episcopalians and "embracing the myth" for social and professional reasons. Others, while embracing Evolution, and taking a far left, liberal view politically and Scripturally, are going back to churches.......and finding quite a bit of likemindedness there in this post-modern world we live in.

Meanwhile, we can't find very many Messianics that agree with one another enough to fellowship together peaceably for any length of time without "breaking up" and moving on. Some have moved to another state for "community" only to find the turmoil intolerable and could not stay in the fellowship.

What a mess! I finally understand why they call it the MESSianic movement.

Something is wrong with this picture.

I just want to be able to meet the LORD when He comes and have Him say, "Well done thou good and faithful servant." I expect the Second Coming to happen in my lifetime if I live to be 85 or so. I do not expect another 100 years to go by without His Return. 2000 years from His death, resurrection, and ascension is about the year 2034. Is this not the "two days" mentioned in prophetic Scripture? It seems like many have given up expecting Him after the year 2000 came and went and date-setters were proven wrong. Yet they were counting from His birth, rather than His death! I always wondered why Yeshua taught that the End Times would be marked by people going about their day to day business and not understanding the times in which they lived and not being prepared. Now I do......as I see this happening. Most seem oblivious to His soon return. It is not talked about much in Messianic circles, and mocked when brought up. Meanwhile tribulation, wars, earthquakes, sorrows, plagues are happening before our eyes.........and we attribute them solely to natural causes.

There is growing anti-Semitism and hostility against Israel. Churches are taking a pro-Palestinian stance. Messianics and Jews are becoming Anti-Zionist, believing Israel has no right to exist as a nation! Israel is called "apartheid, racist, evil" etc. I am called an "ignorant racist" for supporting Israel.

My point........sorry to go on and on............is that many of us out here in cyberspace are in need of guidance, shepherding, oversight, support, teaching, fellowship in our unavoidable present circumstances of isolation. We are hanging by a thread over the precipice of apostasy. Satan, as a roaring lion, seeks to devour us.

What will become of us?

We want to be ready to face the challenging times in our immediate future. We don't want to fall away from our most precious faith. Our children, grandchildren, friends, spouses have already departed from the faith or become lukewarm, or have no interest in Torah. Our only option for local fellowship seems to be to go back to the antinomian churches and pass on the pork at the potluck, spit out the bones of the dispensational teaching, and try to find some semblance of human comfort and spiritual support.

I don't know what the answer is.....or what I expect Tim to do about it as one man who is doing all he can, and more than most, to nourish us.

When this class ends, will this forum continue? Will anyone chat with one another any place? Or will we all go our separate ways once again and try to hang on somehow.

Sorry for rambling on.......

Thanks for listening.

Shalom,

Maureen

Remembering Ariel

2009-12-15T11:58:00.003-05:00

Chore Time
Non-fiction writing assignment
Institute of Children’s Literature
Submitted 1/18/99

[The object of this writing assignment was to learn to be observant of details and to use dialogue. I am very glad I completed this assignment and noted all these details that bring the memory of this day back to me in vivid colors. Word pictures mean more to me than snapshots with a camera.]

With an inquisitive look, Ariel responds to my movements across the room. “Where are you going?” she seems to be saying. “If you’re going outside, I hope you’ll take me with you.” As I reach for my raggedy blue barn coat and cobweb-laced acrylic hat, Ari paces back and forth. She tries a pleading look, then a long stretch and bow. Gutteral sounds are emitted. “Let’s go, let’s go.” Tail wagging, she knows she’s making her point. She touches me with her wet nose. “Ouch! Static electricity,” I exclaim. I’ve still got to pull on the green barn boots, so Ari lays down with front legs extended. Her haunches are ready to spring when I give the word. “OK, Ari, let’s go.” In a split second she’s on her feet.

Out into the frozen tundra we venture with a bucket of warm water for the shivering goats in the barn. The blizzard has ended, depositing eighteen inches of dazzling white snow, but the temperature has plummeted to zero or below. “Good thing Daddy shoveled us a path, Ari. These drifts would be over your head.” The rosy-cheeked man leaning wearily on a shovel smiles broadly, then gruffly quips, “You may be a b _ _ _ _ but I’m not a dog’s daddy!”

“C’mon, Ari, let’s get to the barn fast. It’s cold out here and you’re shivering too.” Leaping and bounding through the snow, ears flopping, the playful poodle ignores the path. With a sneeze and a patch of soft white snow on her coal black nose, she finally makes it to the shelter of the milk room. “Stay, Ari. I’ll be right back. I don’t want you in the barn with the cats, chickens, and goats.” The barn cats are purring, snuggled together for warmth, one face burrowed into the fur of the other. The goats appreciate the warm water on this frigid winter morning. I toss more bright yellow straw all over the goat pen for added warmth.

Chores accomplished, Ari greets me for the return trek to the house. This time she trots along the narrow path. The snow squeaks under my rubber boots. “Brrr, it’s cold.” A toasty warm kitchen greets us. The aroma of fresh coffee delights my senses. Off comes the coat, hat, gloves, boots. I’m ready for a cup of java, but Ari appears to want something too. There’s that pleading look again. “What now?”

“Er ruh, errr ruh,” comes the insistent request.

“Do you want a biscuit?”

“ER RUH,” comes the louder reply, tail wagging furiously.

“What can you do for it,” I tease. A rather runty-sized but appealing standard poodle, Ariel sits up like a trained circus performer. “Oh, what a pretty girl!” I exclaim, lavishing praise as I release the crunchy biscuit. In a moment the treat is devoured. Ari sniffs the carpet for one last missed morsel. Satisfied, she laps up some water from her bowl and scoots upstairs for nappy time – on my bed of course. How can I kick her off; she looks so comfy curled up by my pillow. Well, maybe I’ll join her for a few minutes and snuggle. Ari gently licks my nose affectionately, then my hands get a tongue bath. Her dark eyes express loyalty and devotion. I notice her wiry black coat looks pretty scruffy. “C’mon, Ari, we’ve got work to do.”

Grooming is quite a chore with poodles. Clippers are a necessity, along with a slicker brush and metal comb. But the rewards are worth the hassle. The standard poodle is an elegant, intelligent, protective, affectionate, personable pet. And they don’t come any sweeter than my sweet, sweet Ariel – companion dog extraordinaire.

--------------

[This was written ten years ago when Ari was 6 years old. She died on December 13, 2009 at the age of 16]

Why We Don't Celebrate Christmas

2009-11-29T07:39:00.003-05:00

WHY WE DON’T CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS

Patrick and Maureen LaFaive

(MOSS PATCH NEWSLETTER, Vol. 2, No. 7, November 1991)

As Christians, we gave up Christmas seven years ago when we became aware of the pagan roots of this celebration and diligently searched the Scriptures to see what the Bible had to say about it.

We learned that Christmas is essentially a pagan holiday with a thin Christian veneer. Jesus was not born on December 25th, but the pagans celebrated the Birth of the Unconquered Sun (Saturnalia) at this precise time of year, worshipping their gods with trees, yule logs, wassail, holly, mistletoe, and all the trimmings, right down to the Christmas goose. To make a long story short, in order to bring unconverted pagans into the Roman Catholic church long, long ago, the Church met them half way—letting them keep the pagan feasts that they enjoyed so much, and just “Christianizing” them. It doesn’t sound like a bad idea to Christianize paganism until it is discovered that the Word of God specifically forbids it over and over again throughout the Bible.

For example:

“Learn not the way of the heathen...for the customs of the people are vain...” (Jeremiah 10:2,3).

“Take heed...that thou inquire not after their gods saying, How did these nations serve their gods? Even so will I do likewise.” (Deut. 12:30)

“...Abstain from pollutions of idols” (Acts 15:20).

As Alexander Hislop brings out in The Two Babylons, “The tendency on the part of Christians to meet paganism half way was very early developed. Tertullian, about the year 230, bitterly lamented the inconsistency of the disciples of Christ in this respect and contrasted it with the strict fidelity of the pagans to their own superstition:

‘By us, says he, ‘who are strangers to (Jewish) Sabbaths, and new moons, and festivals, once acceptable to God, the Saturnalia, the feasts of January, the Brumalia, and Matronalia are now frequented, gifts are carried to and fro, new year’s day presents are made with din, and sports and banquets are celebrated with uproar; oh how much more faithful are the heathen to their religion, who take special care to adopt no solemnity from the Christians.’”

Charles Halff, of the Christian Jew Foundation, in his booklet, “The Truth About Christmas” reports:

“The pagan history of Christmas has been well known throughout history. In fact, at one time the celebration of this pagan custom was forbidden by law in England. In 1644, Parliament declared Christmas to be unlawful; and, consequently, it was abolished. The English Puritans looked upon the celebration of Christmas as the work of Satan. At one time in early American history the observance of Christmas was illegal. A law was adopted in the general court of Massachusetts about 1650 which required that those who celebrated Christmas were to be punished. The statute read, ‘Whosoever shall be found observing any such day as Christmas...shall be subject to a fine of 5 shillings.’ The law’s preamble explained it’s purpose was ‘for preventing disorders...(by) observing such festivals as were superstitiously kept in other countries to the great dishonor of God and the offense of others.’ After the Mayflower pilgrims landed in 1620, the first December 25th was spent in labor and cutting down trees ‘in order to avoid any frivolity on the day sometimes called Christmas.’”

Nowhere in Scripture is there any indication that we are to celebrate the Lord’s birth. There are only two “birthday parties” mentioned in the Bible, Pharaoh’s (Genesis 40:20) and Herod’s (Matt. 14:6). Both were pagan celebrations and both had gruesome events associated with them—Pharaoh hung the chief baker, and Herod had John the Baptist beheaded!

Jesus said to remember His death (1 Corinthians 11:26) and look for His coming (Luke 12:37). Why do we add to His words in celebrating His birth? The Bible admonishes us not to add to the words of Scripture:

“Every word of God is pure...add thou not unto His Words, lest He reprove thee.” (Proverbs 30:5,6)

Some say, “Christmas is just a pleasant tradition. There’s no harm in it.” But Jesus says, “You make the Word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men. All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition,” (Mark, chapter 7).

The only way we can ever express gratefulness to the One who paid such a dear price to save our souls is to respect His Word and obey His commandments. We cannot do that if we participate in any way in a pagan tradition such as Christmas.

The Christmas tree is an abomination in the sight of God. There are many complex legends, but essentially the tree represents the slain god, Nimrod, reincarnated as Tammuz, the Babylonian messiah. Suffice to say that the Christmas tree is representative of a pagan idol, the very idol whose honoring is condemned as a great abomination in Ezekiel 8:14. We have heard well-meaning people remark, “So it has pagan roots; I do not worship the tree.” Yet what do they do with it. They drape it with garlands, just as the pagan priest honored his gods in Acts 14:13. They deck it with silver and gold, as the tree idol is decorated in Jeremiah 10:3,4. According to the dictionary, worship can simply mean “great honor and respect.” A plain little green tree seems to get the royal treatment during the Christmas season. It occupies the foremost place in the home where it will be noticed and admired even by passers-by from outside as it stands glistening in the window, bedecked with jewels and arrayed more gloriously than Solomon. If it’s not an idol, why are people so unwilling to give it up? It it’s not an idol, why do they sing “worshipful” songs to it? “O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, how lovely are your branches.” The “green tree” is mentioned ten times in the Bible and in every instance it is associated with idolatry.

The exchanging of gifts is also a pagan custom. Statues of gods and other trinkets were exchanged during religious festivals in heathen lands. Yet, to quote Albert James Dager, who has written on the subject of Christmas traditions in Media Spotlight, “There is certainly nothing wrong with giving gifts to family and friends out of love and genuine appreciation for what they have meant throughout the year. But it would be far better if those gifts were given spontaneously rather than under pressure to meet the social requirements of a pagan holiday. Here it is important to examine our motives. A gift in itself is certainly not evil. A gift given under pressure is a compromise to one’s conscience and is little more than a bribe.”

Mr. Dager also observes, “The atmosphere of the world during Christmas is evidence of its incompatibility with Christ. The media are filled with advertising and programming that turns Christmas into a hedonistic celebration. Jesus is so rarely mentioned that it’s obvious He has little to do with the day anyhow.”

Why is it that the world, that hates Christ, loves Christmas? Multitudes will accept Jesus as a helpless babe in a manger while rejecting Him as Lord of their lives. We cringe when we hear of ministers of the Gospel, after preaching the “Christmas” sermon, extending invitations to sinners to “ask the baby Jesus to come into your heart.” There is no salvation in such a warped concept of surrender to the Living God.

To those who would say, “Let’s put Christ back in Christmas,” we would respond, He was never the “reason for the season” to begin with! Let the world have its tinseled, liquored up Christmas. “As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”

References:

“The Origin of Christmas Traditions,” Al Dager, Media Spotlight

“The Truth About Christmas,” Charles Halff, Christian Jew Foundation

The Two Babylons, Alexander Hislop

Babylon Mystery Religion, Ralph Woodrow

World Book Encyclopedia

Addendum 4/17/07:

Rabbinical Judaism likes to put “fences” around commandments. Why are Messianics so de-fence-less against Christmas? We often hear, “As long as you don’t worship the tree, it’s OK to have it.” Yet the Second commandment tells us not only “Do not worship idols” but don’t even have them around. “Does it not concern you what God thinks about the “mystery forms” of imagery that you claim are harmless? They represent the enemy of our souls whether we see it that way or not. Did Yeshua redeem us so we could continue in the “chambers of imagery” that He abhors (Ezek. 8:12)? What is the difference between a marble statue of Zeus or a bedecked, gaudy tree prominently displayed in a room in your home? Can you exhibit a Buddha in your living room? As long as you don’t worship it, why not? How about a Mary statue? A Jesus picture on the wall? We knew a man who would gaze at his Jesus picture to keep him from sin. His wife was defending the practice, telling us that it was working. The man was an alcoholic. Yet he would not read the Bible or surrender his life to doing God’s will. Eventually he fell back to alcohol abuse and wife abuse. The picture did not deliver him. He forsook the Word of God for chambers of imagery. If you find holidays such as Christmas “neutral,” just what does comprise temptations to idolatrous practices in our generation? We are told to “flee from idolatry” (1 Cor. 10:14) but if there is no idolatry to flee from in our modern Christian/Jewish world, maybe these Scriptures are irrelevant?

The Water Ain't So Fine After All

2009-11-24T07:05:00.003-05:00

The Water Ain't So Fine After All
By Banner Kidd

In most things I am a skeptic. I’m accused of some of being negative, but I don’t consider myself a negative thinker. I consider myself a positive thinker who wants to know the facts. There are things I believe for a certainty and there are things that I’m not sure about. The things I believe for a certainty trump the uncertain issues. That’s where I am positive in my outlook on life.

Most people who say they are positive thinkers, I believe, are not as positive as they let on. When I talk to them, or read things they’ve written, their lives are full of fear and reaction. This fear comes from an uncertainty about the things in life that we face on a daily basis. This fear-gripped society is tapped into and propagated by people who have money and power in order to make more money and increase power over the masses.

I watch the news and hear the fear-mongering about the latest crisis; H1N1. The World Health Organization, an arm of the United Nations, has named this a pandemic and people who live in fear hear the declaration and will do whatever the government tells them to do. The sad fact is that many will not take the time to see what is really going on in the world.

I call it the “Just give me my MTV generation.” What I mean is that people just want to have fun. We, as a society, have become so distracted by amusement with fast moving technology and free flowing cash. The pursuit of happiness has become the driving force in much of America. The merchandisers have tapped into this, providing more things to distract and keep people so busy that they pay no attention to what is going on around them. Even the drug companies have created pills to keep people happy. Meanwhile those who are profiting from this endeavor are doing more and more to create a mind-numbed citizenry that falls into more bondage everyday, while being totally unaware of it.

It’s the frog in the pot story. Frogs like the water. Put him in a pan of water, on the stove and turn the flame on low. The frog is a happy camper in this water. It gets a bit warmer and he’s even happier. But as the water gets hotter, and the flame is turned up, the frog doesn’t realize that he is going to be cooked to death! By the time he realizes he’s in trouble it’s too late to get out. I believe the same thing is going to happen with the majority of America.

I was a frog in the pot once. I began to hear another Voice telling me to wake up and look around me. I needed to see where I was at, who was turning up the heat, and how they were doing it. Those who are turning up the heat, and know what they’re doing, are all being influenced by one particular force in the world. There is a supreme liar who is the father of all liars. We are being lied to and have been for a long time. Most of the world is in the pan. They’re beckoning others to “Come on in, the water is fine.” But it’s a lie they’ve believed and they’re unwittingly propagating the lie. The Bible says that these are deceived and they are being used to deceive.

Because mankind refuses to recognize his death sentence he is destined to die. Because mankind refuses to acknowledge why he is under a death sentence he is destined to die. The liar has said from the beginning, “You shall not surely die!” Since then men who have believed this lie parrot the lie. In essence they’re saying, “Come on in, the water is fine.” But those who stay in the pot will die!

The lie begins with questioning the Word of God. The question is “Did God really say…?” And its power lies in the lying proclamation, “You shall surely not die.” The lying concept is that you will not die for rebellion and disobedience to the Commandments of the Creator. But the Commandments of God are in direct opposition to the carnal nature of mankind who are enjoying their quest for 24/7 happiness.

This quest for24/7 happiness is fueled by a power hungry group of people who propagate the lie. They themselves are deceived into believing they are an elite group that won’t suffer the wrath of God that will come upon the sons of disobedience – the sons of the liar, the serpent of old. These men are liars, just as their father is the supreme liar. They will be judged for this if they don’t repent. And those who believe their lies will likewise be judged for their lives of rebellion as well.

So today most of America and in fact the world is in fear of losing the happiness that they are deceived into believing they have. They are so distracted by gadgets and entertainment that they don’t feel the water getting hotter. When they start feeling depressed or anything that they deem “negative” comes into their life they begin to look for more distraction. They want to shut up the negative voices and they do it by looking for more distraction which is readily supplied by men who are profiting from it. The result is a mind-numbed, dumbed downed citizenry that is unwittingly complicit in their own demise.

Our drugged society that receives its fix from pharmaceuticals, rock and roll, movies, Ipods, video games, sex, illegal drugs, and alcohol is a direct result of rejecting the Commandments of God – the Truth of God. The Bible says that the LORD sends strong delusion to those who have not received a love for the Truth that they might believe the lie. Because people don’t love the Truth, which is the Word of God, the lie is easily believed.

When the professing church abandons the Truth society falls in lock step. The church is not reflecting the Light in the darkness. She ends up being those who say, “Come on in, the water is fine.”

This lie is from the beginning, as the church is from the beginning. The liar has always asked, “Did God really say we are to obey HIS Commandments of Torah?” And he has always followed it up with, “You shall not surely die” for disregarding HIS Torah. Yet the professing church has done just that. They have replaced the Truth with the lie.

Rejecting Torah it has become the doctrines of men. The Feasts of the LORD are now replaced by pagan holidays and the church in their arrogance says they’ve “redeemed” them for God. God has never redeemed paganism. HE condemned it and said that those who practice it will not inherit HIS kingdom. HIS Sabbath is replaced by observance of the day of the sun god, Mithra, and yet the church says, “Did God really say we have to observe HIS Sabbath? HE did away with it and we can choose any day we want for Sabbath. You will not surely die for disregarding HIS commanded Sabbath observance!”

Meanwhile the world believes the lie and they don’t see any Truth coming from the professing church. All they see is another part of the lie. The church is practicing the same thing as the world. The world goes after Christmas because it is not of God. The church believes the lie that she can use Christmas to reach people for God. It hasn’t worked because it is not of God. And then the professing church gets mad because the world is taking Christ out of Christmas. The truth is that the world is waking up to the truth that Christ has nothing to do with Christmas while the professing church hangs on to the lie with all she’s worth! She keeps calling out to those who she sees as on the outside saying, “Come on in, the water is fine!” She doesn’t realize that they are all in the same pan together!

There are those in the pan who are born again, and there are those who aren’t. I confess I don’t know how to separate them one from another. I can look at what their practices are and identify them as of being in keeping with Torah or not, but I don’t know which ones are really seeking the Truth and which ones are comfortably and irrevocably in the lie. Those who are truly seeking the Truth will begin to realize they need to get out of the pan. Those who aren’t seeking the Truth will tell anyone who speaks the Truth, “I don’t want to hear your negativity. You’re keeping people from the kingdom because of your divisiveness.” Since when is proclaiming the Truth of the Word divisive? But, in fact it is divisive, just as Yeshua (Jesus) said. HE said, “I did not come to bring peace, but to bring a sword.” This sword is HIS Word that divides even parents from children. It divides those who want to hear the Truth from those who are comfortable in remaining in the lie.

What I - and many more even you if you love the Truth - am called to do is proclaim the Truth. I pray that there are those who will hear the Truth and begin to come out. When you hear the Truth it means you must take action. You remain in the lie when you see and hear the Truth yet stay in the pan. You must realize that you are still believing the lie that says, “Surely you will not die!”

In Revelation Yeshua said, “Come out of her (Babylon) MY people.” His wrath is coming upon Babylon and those who follow after her lies. The professing church has set up residence and staked her claim for existence in Babylon! What she practices is Babylonian and the LORD she claims to follow is saying, “Come out of her!”

Our Creator is speaking the same thing HE has said from the beginning. Please shut out the voices of men, remove the distractions so that you might hear HIS Voice, and heed HIS exhortation before you can’t get out of the pan.

http://torahperspective.com/2009/11/water-aint-so-fine-after-all.html

Beware of Ilan Pappe

2009-11-21T20:01:00.003-05:00

David Pryce-Jones
RAUS MIT UNS
The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine
By Ilan Pappe (Oneworld Publications 313pp £16.99)

Ilan Pappe is an Israeli academic who has made his name by hating Israel and everything it stands for. In his view, expressed with obsession and a degree of paranoia, Jewish nationalism, that is to say Zionism, has been from its outset a deliberate tool for dispossessing the Palestinians; and therefore it is to be condemned root and branch. He reserves the Palestinian term of Nakba, meaning catastrophe, for describing what to Israelis is their war of independence of 1948. To him, Israeli politicians and soldiers, one and all, are so many murderers. Forests have been planted only to cover up the past. Houses are ‘monstrous villas and palaces for rich American Jews’. Everything Israeli is ugly, everything Palestinian is beautiful. One day, he supposes, the Israelis may well consummate their original crime with something even worse. The only possible alternative lies in the immediate return of every Palestinian to his original home, and that will mean the end of the state whose existence so offends Pappe. This, of course, is exactly the inflexible position taken by Hamas and the PLO.

The reader’s initial reaction must be one of pity. Poor man! What a strain it must be to belong to a nation whose members are so overwhelmingly unbearable that he longs for them to be overpowered by others. Yet there is more to it than that. Sad and creepy though it is, Pappe’s anger is open to rational analysis.

The doctrinal element pushing Pappe into anti-Zionism is his prominent involvement in the Israeli Communist Party, known as Hadash. An outcrop of pure Stalinism and always a marginal movement, Communism in Israel rejected Zionism in favour of internationalism, according to which Jews and Arabs were to form a state together. Events, indeed the whole thrust of history, have proven this to be a complete illusion, but Pappe remains one of a minute handful still in its grip.

The further emotional element pushing Pappe towards his hatred of Zionism is best elucidated by J L Talmon in his profound book, The Myth of the Nation and the Vision of Revolution. Among the ‘horribly charged and tormenting questions’ Talmon asks is why so many Jews have adopted identities that seemingly allow them to deny their Jewishness. Uncountable numbers of Jews have followed the example of the Karl Marxes, Trotskys and Rosa Luxemburgs who sought identities as Communists and revolutionaries in the hope that this would allow them to merge with those who otherwise would be their persecutors. Some Communists – like Lazar Kaganovich, and many in the KGB as well as leaders in the Soviet satellites – set about the deliberate destruction of the Jewish religion and culture. Talmon speaks openly of the neurosis and ‘morbid masochism’ motivating such unhappy people.

In Nazi Germany a few Jews tried to camouflage themselves in a similar manner. Felix Jacoby opened his Kiel University lectures in 1933 by comparing Hitler to the Emperor Augustus. Dr Hans-Joachim Schoeps and Max Naumann even formed a movement of Jews for Hitler. With gallows humour, other Jews replied that this movement’s slogan was Raus mit Uns, or Out with Us. In Israel today, Neturei Karta, a sect of ultra-Orthodox Jews, believes that the Messiah alone should bring about a Jewish state, and that Israel is therefore an impiety fit for destruction. In New York they have a branch called Jews Against Zionism, and recently they welcomed President Ahmedinejad in person there, supporting his call for genocide in Israel. Pappe is the secular and political version of these sectarians. As often happens, extremists have come from opposing poles only to reach the same conclusion.

Zionism, in Pappe’s conventional Marxist view, had nothing to do with the need for Jews to survive persecution by Europeans or Arabs, but was only a settler and colonialist movement cynically directed by British imperialists and their greedy Jewish collaborators. He characterises David Ben-Gurion, the driving personality in the latter stages of the foundation of the state of Israel, as someone who always intended to expel Palestinians from the land. To bring this about, he assembled a body which Pappe refers to as the Consultancy, but the details of who these people were, and what they really did, he fails to give us, instead preferring to conjure an aura of sinister conspiracy. The Israelis were always the stronger party and knew that they would win out at the end of the British Mandate in 1948, Pappe says. In contrast, the Palestinians were defenceless and hardly violent at all, designated victims whose villages were mercilessly overrun and many of the inhabitants butchered.

A huge literature exists in British, Arab and Israeli archives to reveal the multiple reasons for the flight of the Palestinians at the time, ranging from a belief that invading Arab armies were about to rescue them, and they should move out of harm’s way, to a cultural reflex that they could not accept Jews in positions of authority, an escapism on the part of some leaders and delusions of power on the part of others, and of course fear. Savage things were certainly perpetrated by both sides – à la guerre comme à la guerre – but Pappe will have none of that, completely ignoring the context in all its complexity and local variation. His technique is to list towns and villages as though their capture involved always and only simple brutality and expulsion. No mention of the Jewish need to survive in an existential struggle in the aftermath of the Holocaust; no mention of the 6,000 Jews killed, which was 1 per cent of the population; no mention of Azzam Pasha of the Arab League promising a massacre of Jews on the scale of the Mongols; no mention of Arab radio propaganda and disinformation; no proper account of Arab military successes, brushing over Arab atrocities and the destruction of Jewish settlements; no mention of the countervailing expulsion and expropriation of a million Jews in Arab countries.

As history, the book is worthless. In interviews Pappe regularly explains: ‘We do [historiography] because of ideological reasons, not because we are truth seekers.’ For him, as a Marxist and anti-nationalist, ‘there is no such thing as truth, only a collection of narratives’. To substantiate his particular ideological narrative, Pappe puts the worst possible interpretation on any Jewish deed or word, while validating anything said or done by Palestinians. For evidence of Israeli monstrosity, he relies on quotations from his own previous works or from Palestinian polemicists, and above all on the oral testimonies of Palestinian refugees. Over half a century of military and ideological conflict has passed since their exodus, but Pappe declares his faith that whatever they now say is true. This might all seem too pathological to matter much, but Arab and Muslim extremists are making huge efforts to contest the legitimacy of Israel, and many of their allies on the international Left will lean on Pappe for purposes of ‘pilgering’ and ‘fisking’.

The final element contributing to Pappe’s mindset lies in the sphere of psychology and fashion. Contemporary intellectuals have long been accustomed to glorying in an adversarial stance towards their own society, preening themselves as men of nobler spirits than the dull indifferent masses around them, and isolated not because they are foolish but because they are brave. It is a form of snobbery – moral snobbery – which is why intellectuals of this kind are so widely resented.

There is a fatal contradiction at the heart of Pappe’s advocacy of the immediate return of all Palestinian refugees as the necessary condition of peace. If Israelis are really as vicious as Pappe presents them, then Palestinians could not possibly want to live among them. Are Palestinians to return only to wipe out Israelis or to be wiped out themselves? Poor Palestinians, poor Israelis, to be mobilised for such fates. And should Hamas, the PLO or President Ahmadinejad make good on threats to eliminate Israel, there will not be time to rescue Pappe from the consequences of his moral snobbery and his Marxism, or to discover whether he really applauds his own Raus mit Uns demise.

http://www.literaryreview.co.uk/pryce-jones_11_06.html

Divine Intervention

2009-11-10T07:13:00.001-05:00

Divine intervention
By Sitiveni Rabuka (Sunday, October 26, 2008)

Miracles on the battlefield ... Israeli soldiers talked of divine intervention in their six-day war

Ni sa bula. On 14 May (!) 1948, against all odds, having been dispersed all over the world for two millennium, Israel was re-birthed as a nation fulfilling prophecies in the Old Testament Books of Ezekiel, Jeremiah, and Isaiah.

This re-birth astounded the world. Never before had an entire race of people, widely scattered around the world, without a homeland, re-establish itself as a nation and in one single day, as well! Israel is the only nation with this unique, historical experience.

Historians and theologians before this event were generally of the view that God's Word in the Old Testament on gathering and restoring His people as a nation back on the land He promised them, were not to be literally taken, because it simply was just not possible. When a race of people is scattered among nations, they usually are assimilated into other cultures and communities, which renders their coming together as a nation virtually impossible.

This view was demolished when Israel was re-born as a nation in 1948 and generated great interest in Biblical prophecy as realisation grew that God means exactly what He says! Jeremiah 31:10, the prophet says" Hear the word of the Lord, O nations; proclaim it in distant coastlands: He who scattered Israel will gather them and will watch over His flock like a shepherd."

No sooner had Israel proclaimed its independence on Friday 14 May 1948, five Arab nations, Egypt, Syria, Trans-Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq launched an attack against the newly re-born and tiny nation, on the same day! They were out to destroy the new state, and reclaim the land for the setting up of another Arab state. The Arab states far outnumbered and out-gunned the Jews. They had troops, artillery and other military hardware that the Jews did not have. Azzam Pasha, Secretary General of the Arab League at the time, confidently declared; "This will be a war of extermination and a momentous massacre which will be spoken of like the Mongolian massacres and the Crusades."

Given the clear superiority of the Arab states in heavy arms, fire power and troops, an Arab victory was expected and boldly predicted. Very few felt that Israel would survive the onslaught.

But Israel bravely fought back, and won what they called their war of independance and liberation against Arab aggression. They gained more territory, and when the war was over the Arabs were left with less territory and more wounded. Had the Secretary General, Azzam Pasha known Jeremiah 31:10 in which God promises to watch over His people, having returned them to the promised land, like a shepherd over his flock, one wonders whether he would have still been so confident of Israel's destruction.

The Israeli-Arab conflict, however, did not end. Israel went on to survive, the 1956 Suez Canal crisis; the 1967 six day war; and the 1973 Yom Kippur war. In every war and conflict, reports of supernatural and angelic interventions on Israel's behalf came from both the Israelis and the Arabs. The prophet Zechariah had foretold that in the end times, God will defend Israel and send His angels to fight for and with His people. Zechariah 12:8 "In that day shall the Lord defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the House of David shall be as God, as the angel of the Lord before them."

A story is told of a small Jewish community, Pekiin under siege by Arabs who were determined to wipe them out. However, they encountered huge strange beings with flaming swords, and they ran away in great fear, as the astonished village rabbi watched them.

During the 1967 six day war, Gershon Saloman lay badly wounded and saw Syrian soldiers moving into their area shooting wounded Israeli soldiers. They were about to shoot him, when all of a sudden they fled the area leaving their weapons behind. The Syrian soldiers later reported to UN officers that they saw "thousands of angels" surrounding the wounded soldier and that was why they ran away.

An Israeli military historian recorded that during the 1973 Yom Kippur war, an Israeli soldier in the Sinai took captive an Egyptian column and led them to where the Israeli troops were. The Egyptian commander was asked why he and his men gave themselves up to the lone Israeli soldier. He responded with surprise; "One soldier? There were thousands of them." He said that as they neared the Israeli lines, the "soldiers" began disappearing. The Israeli soldier reported that he was by himself when the Egyptian commander and his men surrendered to him. He was totally unaware of the "thousands of soldiers" the Egyptian soldiers saw with him, since he himself did not see them. Psalm 91:10-11 promises that "No evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling, For He shall give his angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways."

Bill McKay, a film producer who investigated miracles surrounding Israel's existence and has produced a documentary called In search of a miracle- Against all Odds, said that military experts are puzzled as to how the Israelis won wars they should have lost. Israel's victories just do not make any sense to them.

The documentary shows an eye witness account; Commander David Yinni, during the 1973 Yom Kippur war, preparing to retreat from the Syrian army, when he realised that he and his men were trapped in the middle of a minefield. He ordered his men to clear the mines using their bayonets, crawl on the ground and dig 30 inches deep, carefully disengaging the mines. The slightest mistake and they were in peril of being blown up. One of his men prayed. Suddenly, a windstorm came upon them. It was so strong that it lifted up their tanks and rocked them. By the time the storm moved on, it had literally blown 30 inches of topsoil off. The Israeli soldiers could see every single mine and quickly made their escape.

God's protection over Israel is also for nations and people who believe in Him and worship Him as the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.

Fiji was brought out of a dark history of cannibalism, tribal wars and ancestor worship, thanks to the early pioneering missionaries who brought the Bible and the Light of the Lord Jesus Christ into the lives of our forefathers.

We thank God our Father, for the Light of Christ in this land, and if we remain faithful God will do the "impossible" in our personal lives and in this nation. The nation of Israel is living testimony of the God of the impossible. He did it for Israel, so will He also move on behalf of those who believe, obey and love Him, in this nation.

When I look back at the dates I write about in this article, I can admit that for me 14 May was the only convenient day for my plan in 1987. That the day coincided with Israel's Independence Day, and the first arrival of Indian workers into Fiji - I have often wondered - whether it really was a coincidence and not divine design.

I made the Declaration of our Republic at midnight on 6 October 1987 to coincide with the date of the Yom Kippur War and for Fiji to start its new journey on October 7, '7' being the number serious students of theology and God associate with our Creator.

But, we still celebrate the day the chiefs surrendered their sovereignty in 1874 and the date we partly got it back in 1970, as our national day. Most people do not know the date we became a Republic!

But, stay encouraged - the Lord thy God is near thee. Shalu Shlom Yerushalayim! Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! And pray for the peace of our beloved nation! Have a great and blessed week.

Copyright © 2009, Fiji Times Limited. All Rights Reserved.
http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=104343

My Poor Neglected Blog

2009-09-22T18:11:00.002-04:00

It has been a “facebook summer” filled with enjoyable, not always wasted hours (although plenty of time wasting as well). What is so fascinating about facebook that drives us to check “the Wall” ten times a day for updates about what somebody is having for lunch or other mundane news? Well, for one thing, one can learn new vocabulary, such as chrysocarpophagist, or find out that ferrets can swim like otters, or other fascinating factoids. Facebook has unlimited potential to connect family, friends, and like-minded people, and mingle those who would otherwise never meet. It becomes a community, fulfilling a social need to connect.

Meanwhile, though, the blogosphere is falling by the wayside. People are neglecting to update their blogs, myself included. Facebook has become my one-liner journal rather than taking the sweet time to write out my thoughts here or post an important article. I miss blogging, and I miss the blogs of others who no longer share their deeper or amusing thoughts.

There are things I don’t like about facebook.....it is glitchy, shallow, a time waster, full of dumb quizzes and goofy applications, contributes to mind clutter, annoys with cryptic drama, etc. It is addictive, though. Got to get another fix at least ten times a day. Something is wrong with this habit. I think I need to fast from facebook for a period of time...maybe at least on Sabbath to break the bondage.

Well, enough for now, dear Ponderings blog. I am accustomed to short sound bites now. Got to check the Wall for the latest updates, lest I miss something of earth-shattering importance, like how Suzie’s raspberry pie turned out.

Endorsing Palestinian Apartheid

2009-07-05T08:38:00.002-04:00

Endorsing Palestinian Apartheid
Why does world accept notion of Palestinian state free of Jews?

Jonathan Dahoah-Halevi
YNET News

Aharon Barak, Israeli Supreme Court president, in a speech on June 25 before a meeting of the New Israel Fund touched an exposed nerve regarding the identity and existence of Israel as a Jewish state and a democracy. He burned his candle at both ends when he unequivocally expressed his support for a democratic Jewish state on the one hand and complete fealty to the idea of a country for all its citizens on the other.

His notions were amazing. If Israel is supposed to be a country for all its citizens, why discriminate against non-Jews and give Jews priority in immigration? If he were really faithful to the principle of equality, why did he find it necessary to insist that Israel was a Jewish state and not one determined democratically by “all its citizens?” In a situation of equality, why should the Law of Return not apply to Israel’s Arab population, since “the rights (of the Jews) must be equal those of the Arabs?”

The State of Israel is undergoing a serious identity crisis. The schism between Jews and Arabs grows worse and the Arabs regard themselves as Palestinians rather than Israelis. It also grows worse between those who are faithful to the Zionist idea of a democratic Jewish state and the post-Zionists who want to eradicate the Jewish nature of the state and establish one for all the citizens living within the borders of the State of Israel as it is today, or within the land of Israel-Palestine.

Both solutions are problematic. A democratic Jewish state can provide equality for all its citizens as long as it does not endanger its Jewish nature, and in effect it negates the right of groups which are not Jewish (or Jews who do not agree with its mindset) to change the face of the state in a democratic majority process.

On the other hand, the implication of a state for all its citizens includes within it destroying the unique Jewishness of the state, which was founded as a sanctuary for the Jewish people returning to its historical homeland, as well as including the demand to deny the right of the Jewish people and the Jews living in Israel to their own land.

There is an inherent imbalance in the proposed political arrangement. The Palestinians have won international recognition for their demand to establish a Palestinian state from which all Jews will be expelled. The basic law of the Palestinian Authority, which is the state in the making, expressly states that “Islam is the official religion of Palestine” and that “the principles of Islamic law (Sharia) are the primary source of lawmaking.”

Palestinians demand ‘just agreement’

The international community has permitted the Palestinians what it tries to keep from Israel, that is, the Palestinians are within their rights to establish a country based on the religion of the majority of its citizens, and a Christian minority, even if it should become the majority, will not be entitled to change the nature of the state but at most to be allowed freedom of worship.

Human rights champions in shining armor endlessly preach morality to Israel and demand a country for all its citizens while accepting the morality of establishing an apartheid, racist, Palestinian state which openly and proudly states its intention of being Judenrein.

The foundations of the peace process of the Oslo Accords of 1993 (rapprochement between the sides through interim agreements) crumbled during the al-Aqsa intifada and the united Palestinian front, from Fatah to Hamas, which unequivocally rejects a compromise with Israel and demands a “just arrangement,” based on demands for the right to return of millions of Palestinian refugees and their descendents to what is currently the State of Israel. Those ideas were mentioned again and again in speeches given by Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal.

No one contests the right of the Palestinians to a national state even if it is based on racism and it is liable to be an extremist theocracy like Iran, a foretaste of which can be seen in the Gaza Strip since the Hamas takeover. Even the government of Israel headed by Benjamin Netanyahu recognizes that right and demands that the Palestinian state be demilitarized, among other things.

The Palestinian problem, it is assumed, will be solved when the Palestinian state comes into being. The arrangement, lacking in political symmetry based on a genuine compromise, will leave the gates of conflict wide open and the demand for the “return” of millions of Palestinians, which would mean the expulsion of Jews to make room for the refugees, would raise again the wish for self determination of the Jews of Israel.

International politics will no longer have to deal with the “Palestinian problem,” but rather, with the “Jewish problem” in Palestine.

FFOZ Controversy

2009-06-28T14:40:00.003-04:00

A LETTER FROM TIM HEGG...................

The time has come for me to make clear my relationship with First Fruits of Zion (FFOZ). In the past I have been closely associated with that ministry as an author, seminar speaker, and a regular contributor to and theological editor of "Messiah Magazine." I must now state openly that I am no longer associated with that ministry. Sadly, I must further state that I strongly disagree with recent changes they have made in important aspects of their teaching. These changes were confirmed to me this week in a face-to-face meeting I had with Boaz Michael, the Director and Founder of FFOZ.

These changes relate to 1) their teaching that Jews and Gentiles have a different relationship to the Torah, 2) their intention to lead messianic communities to define themselves within "normative Judaism," 3) their encouragement for messianics to appreciate and accept a Kabbalistic approach to spirituality, and thus 4) their willingness to employ a mystical hermeneutic as a valid means for interpreting the Scriptures.

While each of these shifts in the teaching of FFOZ touch vital aspects of our faith and community life, I believe that the most important issue is that of biblical authority, because the Bible forms the foundation upon which all other matters of faith and practice rest. I am therefore very concerned by the fact that in their recently published Commentary and Study Guide to Paul Levertoff's Love and the Messianic Age, they embrace a kabbalistic hermeneutic as a valid method for interpreting the Scriptures.

The purpose for publishing Levertoff's work and the accompanying Commentary is not merely to help us appreciate Chasidic thought, philosophy, and theology. It is much more than that. In the Foreword of the Commentary and Study Guide, the work is described not only as a commentary on Levertoff's writing but also that "it is a plunge into the deepest waters of New Testament mysticism and apostolic theosophy" (p. 9). This is a significant statement, because the only way a person could find such "mysticism and apostolic theosophy" in the Bible, akin to that which Levertoff extols, is to employ a kabbalistic hermeneutic. Such a hermeneutic very often undermines the clear meaning of the biblical text itself.

Being made aware of these doctrinal changes in the teaching of FFOZ may be discouraging for many. I know that it has been for me. It gives me no pleasure to disagree so openly with former colleagues I still hold in high regard. Yet we must strive for the truth and be encouraged in the eternal promises of God given to us in the unchanging, inspired words of Scripture. Even as the Apostles themselves battled against a growing Gnosticism that threatened to waylay the followers of Yeshua with "vain philosophy and empty deception" (Col 2:8), so we must be on our guard to bring all things under the scrutiny of the Scriptures.

I have written an 11 page paper focusing primarily upon the present crisis we are facing within the messianic movement regarding the issue of Biblical Authority. I hope you will take the time to read it and share it with others.

Are the Scriptures Alone our Sure Foundation
or Do We Need Something More?
A Growing Crisis in the Messianic Movement
--------------------------
Tim Hegg • June 2009

Perhaps, after reading the title of this essay, you’re asking yourself, “Is there really a crisis within the Messianic movement over the sufficiency of the Scriptures?” Yes, there is, and I hope to alert you to it in this essay. Remember that in the March Newsletter, I wrote about this issue because I was alarmed when I read how Mark Kinzer, a major voice in the UMJC, openly denies the sufficiency of Scripture as the means by which we may know God and obey His commandments.[1] He boldly affirms that in addition to the Scriptures, we must also rely upon the cumulative teachings of the Rabbis (the Oral Torah) as a necessary partner to the Scriptures. As the current President of the Messianic Jewish Theological Institute, Kinzer’s position on the insufficiency of the Bible will doubtlessly be urged upon the students who attend his Institute.

But there is something even more subtle that undermines the sufficiency of Scripture, and this relates to the method some are embracing for interpreting the Bible, or what we call hermeneutics. I have been concerned as I have watched recent doctrinal shifts within the teachings of FFOZ. Setting aside for now their new position on the relationship of Gentiles to the Torah, their recent republication of Paul Philip Levertoff’s Love and the Messianic Age and (even more) their Commentary and Study Guide on Levertoff's book, makes a clear statement about their willingness to embrace a kabbalistic hermeneutic as a valid method for interpreting Scripture. If you’re wondering why I think this signals a crisis, read on.

[1] This does not mean that Kinzer denies the trustworthiness of Scripture. It means that he aligns himself with a basic tenet of rabbinic Judaism, that the Written Torah by itself is incomplete because apart from the Oral Torah, it cannot be fully understood or implemented.

http://www.torahresource.com/Hermeneutic_Crisis.html

---------------

I urge my readers to carefully consider Tim's essay. I saw this coming almost three years ago.....and I am sorry that the pleas of many of us for FFOZ to reconsider its direction, its off-balance rabbinic enamorement, went unheeded. Many of us are looking for sound, Biblical teaching. We left the churches because of unbiblical, syncretistic doctrines and practices and had high hopes of discovering the restoration of the true, apostolic faith in the Messianic/Hebrew Roots movement. Overall, while I am glad for what I have gleaned, it has been a disappointment and has led to many defections from the faith. The rest of us are like scattered sheep in search of shepherds who will feed and care for us in our wilderness wanderings. Although I do not always agree with Tim (are there any two believers who agree these days?!?!), I very much appreciate his remarks in this essay, which closely reflect my own views in this matter. Comments welcome.

Life Lessons From Job's Trials

2009-06-25T16:22:00.002-04:00

Today's Bible Pathway devotional was especially insightful. Here is an excerpt:

Read Job 41 -- 42

Highlights In Today's Reading:

God elaborates on the power and strength of just one of His creations (chap. 41). In contrast, the powerlessness of man is evident to Job who repents (42:1-6). The Lord rebukes Job's friends for their errors. Read whose prayers God accepts (42:8-9). God rewards Job for his faithfulness through the entire ordeal! Check out his blessings (42:10-17).

Much has been revealed in Job concerning the suffering of the righteous, but there are still many unanswered questions. But, through Job, we learn it is not meant for us to know the answers to all of life's problems.

Through a series of two cycles of discussion with Job, over 80 questions, God gloriously revealed Himself and caused Job to realize his own unworthiness. Note Job's answer: Behold, I am vile (unworthy) . . . I will lay mine hand upon my mouth (40:4). I know that Thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from Thee. . . . I uttered (things) that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not. . . . Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes (42:2-6). He still did not understand, but now he did not question what God did or permitted.

Those who know God best are most conscious of their imperfections and unworthiness. When the godly Isaiah saw himself in contrast to the Holy God, he fell upon his face, crying: I am a man of unclean lips (Is. 6:5). This was also true of Daniel by the River Hiddekel (Dan. 10:9) and of John on the Isle of Patmos (Rev. 1:17). The Apostle Paul testified: For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing (Rom. 7:18).

Job recognized a far deeper revelation of God, understanding more of His ways than he had known before: I have heard of Thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth Thee (Job 42:5).

Job finally realized he did not need to know why. There is a revelation of God and His Word that goes beyond just believing the Truth and doctrines of the Bible. Those who have faith in God, as Job did, do not search for answers to all life's problems but simply trust our loving Creator. All fears and frustrations will vanish as we truly trust in His loving care. No one, through human reasoning, is able to understand why the godly suffer.

Let your conversation (conduct) be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee (Heb. 13:5).

Thought for Today:

I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us (Rom. 8:18).

http://biblepathway.org/

Netanyahu Speech

2009-06-15T14:15:00.003-04:00

"Honoured guests, citizens of Israel.

Peace has always been our people's most ardent desire. Our prophets gave the world the vision of peace, we greet one another with wishes of peace, and our prayers conclude with the word peace.

We are gathered this evening in an institution named for two pioneers of peace, Menachem Begin and Anwar Sadat, and we share in their vision.

Two and half months ago, I took the oath of office as the Prime Minister of Israel. I pledged to establish a national unity government – and I did. I believed and I still believe that unity was essential for us now more than ever as we face three immense challenges – the Iranian threat, the economic crisis, and the advancement of peace.

The Iranian threat looms large before us, as was further demonstrated yesterday. The greatest danger confronting Israel, the Middle East, the entire world and human race, is the nexus between radical Islam and nuclear weapons. I discussed this issue with President Obama during my recent visit to Washington, and I will raise it again in my meetings next week with European leaders. For years, I have been working tirelessly to forge an international alliance to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

Confronting a global economic crisis, the government acted swiftly to stabilise Israel's economy. We passed a two-year budget in the government – and the Knesset will soon approve it.

And the third challenge, so exceedingly important, is the advancement of peace. I also spoke about this with President Obama, and I fully support the idea of a regional peace that he is leading.

I share the President's desire to bring about a new era of reconciliation in our region. To this end, I met with President Mubarak in Egypt, and King Abdullah in Jordan, to elicit the support of these leaders in expanding the circle of peace in our region.

I turn to all Arab leaders tonight and I say: "Let us meet. Let us speak of peace and let us make peace. I am ready to meet with you at any time. I am willing to go to Damascus, to Riyadh, to Beirut, to any place- including Jerusalem. I call on the Arab countries to co-operate with the Palestinians and with us to advance an economic peace. An economic peace is not a substitute for a political peace, but an important element to achieving it. Together, we can undertake projects to overcome the scarcities of our region, like water desalination or to maximise its advantages, like developing solar energy, or laying gas and petroleum lines, and transportation links between Asia, Africa and Europe.

The economic success of the Gulf States has impressed us all and it has impressed me. I call on the talented entrepreneurs of the Arab world to come and invest here and to assist the Palestinians – and us – in spurring the economy.

Together, we can develop industrial areas that will generate thousands of jobs and create tourist sites that will attract millions of visitors eager to walk in the footsteps of history – in Nazareth and in Bethlehem, around the walls of Jericho and the walls of Jerusalem, on the banks of the Sea of Galilee and the baptismal site of the Jordan. There is an enormous potential for archeological tourism, if we can only learn to co-operate and to develop it.

I turn to you, our Palestinian neighbours, led by the Palestinian Authority, and I say: Let's begin negotiations immediately without preconditions. Israel is obligated by its international commitments and expects all parties to keep their commitments.

We want to live with you in peace, as good neighbours. We want our children and your children to never again experience war: that parents, brothers and sisters will never again know the agony of losing loved ones in battle; that our children will be able to dream of a better future and realise that dream; and that together we will invest our energies in ploughshares and pruning hooks, not swords and spears.

I know the face of war. I have experienced battle. I lost close friends, I lost a brother. I have seen the pain of bereaved families. I do not want war. No one in Israel wants war.

If we join hands and work together for peace, there is no limit to the development and prosperity we can achieve for our two peoples – in the economy, agriculture, trade, tourism and education – most importantly, in providing our youth a better world in which to live, a life full of tranquillity, creativity, opportunity and hope.

If the advantages of peace are so evident, we must ask ourselves why peace remains so remote, even as our hand remains outstretched to peace? Why has this conflict continued for more than sixty years?

In order to bring an end to the conflict, we must give an honest and forthright answer to the question: What is the root of the conflict?

In his speech to the first Zionist Conference in Basel, the founder of the Zionist movement, Theodore Herzl, said about the Jewish national home "This idea is so big that we must speak of it only in the simplest terms." Today, I will speak about the immense challenge of peace in the simplest words possible.

Even as we look toward the horizon, we must be firmly connected to reality, to the truth. And the simple truth is that the root of the conflict was, and remains, the refusal to recognise the right of the Jewish people to a state of their own, in their historic homeland.

In 1947, when the United Nations proposed the partition plan of a Jewish state and an Arab state, the entire Arab world rejected the resolution. The Jewish community, by contrast, welcomed it by dancing and rejoicing. The Arabs rejected any Jewish state, in any borders.

Those who think that the continued enmity toward Israel is a product of our presence in Judea, Samaria and Gaza, is confusing cause and consequence.

The attacks against us began in the 1920s, escalated into a comprehensive attack in 1948 with the declaration of Israel's independence, continued with the fedayeen attacks in the 1950s, and climaxed in 1967, on the eve of the six-day war, in an attempt to tighten a noose around the neck of the State of Israel.

All this occurred during the fifty years before a single Israeli soldier ever set foot in Judea and Samaria. Fortunately, Egypt and Jordan left this circle of enmity. The signing of peace treaties have brought about an end to their claims against Israel, an end to the conflict. But to our regret, this is not the case with the Palestinians. The closer we get to an agreement with them, the further they retreat and raise demands that are inconsistent with a true desire to end the conflict.

Many good people have told us that withdrawal from territories is the key to peace with the Palestinians. Well, we withdrew. But the fact is that every withdrawal was met with massive waves of terror, by suicide bombers and thousands of missiles.

We tried to withdraw with an agreement and without an agreement. We tried a partial withdrawal and a full withdrawal. In 2000 and again last year, Israel proposed an almost total withdrawal in exchange for an end to the conflict, and twice our offers were rejected.

We evacuated every last inch of the Gaza strip, we uprooted tens of settlements and evicted thousands of Israelis from their homes, and in response, we received a hail of missiles on our cities, towns and children.

The claim that territorial withdrawals will bring peace with the Palestinians, or at least advance peace, has up till now not stood the test of reality.

In addition to this, Hamas in the south, like Hizbollah in the north, repeatedly proclaims their commitment to "liberate" the Israeli cities of Ashkelon, Beersheba, Acre and Haifa. Territorial withdrawals have not lessened the hatred, and to our regret, Palestinian moderates are not yet ready to say the simple words: Israel is the nation-state of the Jewish people, and it will stay that way.

Achieving peace will require courage and candour from both sides, and not only from the Israeli side. The Palestinian leadership must arise and say: "Enough of this conflict. We recognise the right of the Jewish people to a state of their own in this land, and we are prepared to live beside you in true peace." I am yearning for that moment, for when Palestinian leaders say those words to our people and to their people, then a path will be opened to resolving all the problems between our peoples, no matter how complex they may be.

Therefore, a fundamental prerequisite for ending the conflict is a public, binding and unequivocal Palestinian recognition of Israel as the nation state of the Jewish people. To vest this declaration with practical meaning, there must also be a clear understanding that the Palestinian refugee problem will be resolved outside Israel's borders. For it is clear that any demand for resettling Palestinian refugees within Israel undermines Israel's continued existence as the state of the Jewish people.

The Palestinian refugee problem must be solved, and it can be solved, as we ourselves proved in a similar situation. Tiny Israel successfully absorbed tens of thousands of Jewish refugees who left their homes and belongings in Arab countries. Therefore, justice and logic demand that the Palestinian refugee problem be solved outside Israel's borders. On this point, there is a broad national consensus. I believe that with goodwill and international investment, this humanitarian problem can be permanently resolved.

So far I have spoken about the need for Palestinians to recognise our rights. In a moment, I will speak openly about our need to recognise their rights. But let me first say that the connection between the Jewish people and the Land of Israel has lasted for more than 3500 years. Judea and Samaria, the places where Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, David and Solomon, and Isaiah and Jeremiah lived, are not alien to us. This is the land of our forefathers.

The right of the Jewish people to a state in the land of Israel does not derive from the catastrophes that have plagued our people. True, for 2000 years the Jewish people suffered expulsions, pogroms, blood libels, and massacres which culminated in a Holocaust – a suffering which has no parallel in human history. There are those who say that if the Holocaust had not occurred, the state of Israel would never have been established. But I say that if the state of Israel would have been established earlier, the Holocaust would not have occurred. This tragic history of powerlessness explains why the Jewish people need a sovereign power of self-defence. But our right to build our sovereign state here, in the land of Israel, arises from one simple fact: this is the homeland of the Jewish people, this is where our identity was forged. As Israel's first Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion proclaimed in Israel's Declaration of Independence: "The Jewish people arose in the land of Israel and it was here that its spiritual, religious and political character was shaped. Here they attained their sovereignty, and here they bequeathed to the world their national and cultural treasures, and the most eternal of books."

But we must also tell the truth in its entirety: within this homeland lives a large Palestinian community. We do not want to rule over them, we do not want to govern their lives, we do not want to impose either our flag or our culture on them. In my vision of peace, in this small land of ours, two peoples live freely, side-by-side, in amity and mutual respect. Each will have its own flag, its own national anthem, its own government. Neither will threaten the security or survival of the other.

These two realities – our connection to the land of Israel, and the Palestinian population living within it – have created deep divisions in Israeli society. But the truth is that we have much more that unites us than divides us. I have come tonight to give expression to that unity, and to the principles of peace and security on which there is broad agreement within Israeli society. These are the principles that guide our policy.

This policy must take into account the international situation that has recently developed. We must recognise this reality and at the same time stand firmly on those principles essential for Israel. I have already stressed the first principle – recognition. Palestinians must clearly and unambiguously recognise Israel as the state of the Jewish people. The second principle is: demilitarisation. The territory under Palestinian control must be demilitarised with ironclad security provisions for Israel. Without these two conditions, there is a real danger that an armed Palestinian state would emerge that would become another terrorist base against the Jewish state, such as the one in Gaza. We don't want Kassam rockets on Petach Tikva, Grad rockets on Tel Aviv, or missiles on Ben-Gurion airport. We want peace.

In order to achieve peace, we must ensure that Palestinians will not be able to import missiles into their territory, to field an army, to close their airspace to us, or to make pacts with the likes of Hizbollah and Iran. On this point as well, there is wide consensus within Israel.

It is impossible to expect us to agree in advance to the principle of a Palestinian state without assurances that this state will be demilitarised.

On a matter so critical to the existence of Israel, we must first have our security needs addressed.

Therefore, today we ask our friends in the international community, led by the United States, for what is critical to the security of Israel: Clear commitments that in a future peace agreement, the territory controlled by the Palestinians will be demilitarised: namely, without an army, without control of its airspace, and with effective security measures to prevent weapons smuggling into the territory – real monitoring, and not what occurs in Gaza today. And obviously, the Palestinians will not be able to forge military pacts.

Without this, sooner or later, these territories will become another Hamastan. And that we cannot accept.

I told President Obama when I was in Washington that if we could agree on the substance, then the terminology would not pose a problem. And here is the substance that I now state clearly: If we receive this guarantee regarding demilitirization and Israel's security needs, and if the Palestinians recognise Israel as the State of the Jewish people, then we will be ready in a future peace agreement to reach a solution where a demilitarised Palestinian state exists alongside the Jewish state.

Regarding the remaining important issues that will be discussed as part of the final settlement, my positions are known: Israel needs defensible borders, and Jerusalem must remain the united capital of Israel with continued religious freedom for all faiths.

The territorial question will be discussed as part of the final peace agreement. In the meantime, we have no intention of building new settlements or of expropriating additional land for existing settlements.

But there is a need to enable the residents to live normal lives, to allow mothers and fathers to raise their children like families elsewhere. The settlers are neither the enemies of the people nor the enemies of peace. Rather, they are an integral part of our people, a principled, pioneering and Zionist public.

Unity among us is essential and will help us achieve reconciliation with our neighbours. That reconciliation must already begin by altering existing realities. I believe that a strong Palestinian economy will strengthen peace.

If the Palestinians turn toward peace – in fighting terror, in strengthening governance and the rule of law, in educating their children for peace and in stopping incitement against Israel – we will do our part in making every effort to facilitate freedom of movement and access, and to enable them to develop their economy. All of this will help us advance a peace treaty between us.

Above all else, the Palestinians must decide between the path of peace and the path of Hamas. The Palestinian Authority will have to establish the rule of law in Gaza and overcome Hamas. Israel will not sit at the negotiating table with terrorists who seek their destruction. Hamas will not even allow the Red Cross to visit our kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit, who has spent three years in captivity, cut off from his parents, his family and his people. We are committed to bringing him home, healthy and safe.

With a Palestinian leadership committed to peace, with the active participation of the Arab world, and the support of the United States and the international community, there is no reason why we cannot achieve a breakthrough to peace. Our people have already proven that we can do the impossible. Over the past 61 years, while constantly defending our existence, we have performed wonders. Our microchips are powering the world's computers. Our medicines are treating diseases once considered incurable. Our drip irrigation is bringing arid lands back to life across the globe. And Israeli scientists are expanding the boundaries of human knowledge. If only our neighbours would respond to our call – peace too will be in our reach.

I call on the leaders of the Arab world and on the Palestinian leadership, let us continue together on the path of Menahem Begin and Anwar Sadat, Yitzhak Rabin and King Hussein. Let us realise the vision of the prophet Isaiah, who in Jerusalem 2700 years ago said: "nations shall not lift up sword against nation, and they shall learn war no more."

With God's help, we will know no more war. We will know peace."

Israel's New Covenant

2009-05-31T17:49:00.006-04:00

ISRAEL'S NEW COVENANT
A Hebraic Perspective

by Renah

Shofar-Tekiah, Vol. 1, No 1, Aviv/Spring 2004
[Tekiah: one long blast with a clear tone]
Updated May 2009

Introduction

A CUP OF COLD WATER

Many messengers emphasize the love of God – His loving-kindness, mercy, and grace. Yet, at times, in an effort to be gentle and loving, messages fail to convincingly and convictingly tell the stark truth. This writer tends to stress clear and simple truth and hopes this treatise is conveyed to the reader in the spirit of love and concern in which it is written. If it is deemed too harsh, I would appreciate receiving a critique, teaching me how to re-phrase the message in a more loving way. I tend to write in a “shofar” manner, hence the name of the publication. The shofar does not make a soothing sound. Rather, it sounds an alarm. I am alarmed at what is happening within Christianity today and how far it has strayed from its Hebrew roots. Friends and family members are not walking with the LORD as they should and are oblivious to their true condition. Who can return to the LORD who does not know he needs to return? Who can come back to the LORD who trusts that his “sinner’s prayer” will take him all the way to the Kingdom, though he has lost all interest in God’s Word, walks in weakness and failure, and could care less about the ways of the Lord and learning more about them. As for those who walk in sincerity with pure hearts before the LORD, who can return to their rich, Hebraic heritage who do not realize how warped Christianity has become over the centuries?

There are other resources that share the truths that I touch on more thoroughly, yet in a gentler, more palatable manner. They are like a refreshing cup of cold water to truth-seekers and Christians of open minds. My treatise is more like a cup of cold water thrown in your face. It may be unpleasant, but if it succeeds in waking the Remnant like a shrill alarm clock, it will have served its purpose. In any event, I don’t seem to know how to write any other way. Maybe this is my gift. I am a shofar, not a flute. May the LORD by His Spirit continue to bring the promised Restoration of the true faith in these Last Days, and may His people rise up to their destiny in the difficult yet awesome days ahead.

ISRAEL’S NEW COVENANT

Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt:which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD; But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the LORD; I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people....” Jeremiah 31:31-33; Hebrews 8:7-10; 10:16

THE SHOCKING AND CONTROVERSIAL TRUTH

Christians claim to embrace the New Covenant. Yet many deny everything that defines the New Covenant! The New Covenant is made with Israel. Yet they deny they are Israelites subject to the promises and responsibilities of being Israelites. The New Covenant is made with the two houses of Israel. Yet they deny that there are two houses of Israel and claim that Israel is just Jews. They claim that “the Church” is a distinct entity from Israel with different rules and different promises altogether. Where is that in Scripture? The New Covenant is a covenant in which God’s laws are written in the hearts of those born again. Yet, Christians deny that God’s laws have any place in their lives and declare them obsolete! So, in effect, by “accepting Jesus,” yet rejecting the “New Covenant,” they have not entered into covenant status with the LORD at all! Please read this paragraph prayerfully again, comparing it with the verses above, and let it sink in.

WHO IS THE REAL JESUS?

What “Jesus” have Christians accepted when they do not accept His words, His ways, His covenant? The Bible speaks of “another Jesus,” one who Paul did not preach (2 Cor. 11:4). This is the “Jesus” that many have accepted as their “savior.” He is an imposter, a devil in disguise, an idol, a counterfeit, an antichrist. Those who truly accept the LORD Jesus Christ as their Saviour are accepting a Jewish Messiah, whose Hebrew name is YESHUA. They are grafted in to the Olive Tree, and become “chosen people,” adopted sons and citizens of the Israel of God (see Romans 11 and Galatians 6:16). They may, unbeknownst to them, be descended from the tribes of Israel scattered throughout the nations (see Hosea 1, Ezekiel 36, Romans 9, and James 1:1), or they may be Gentiles, or they may be Jews. All must enter through the same Door. All must be branches of the same Tree. There is One Shepherd, one flock, one faith (Jer. 23:3; Eph. 4:5; Jude 3-4).

The New Covenant is a renewed covenant. The Old Covenant, summarized in Ten Commandments on stone tablets, is now renewed, with these same commandments engraved in our hearts, giving us the inner motivation to obey them. Now we love His commandments. They are no longer grievous burdens. With “Jesus in our heart” we can do what once seemed too difficult (Phil. 4:13; Matt. 19:26). This is why the New Covenant is better than the Old (Hebrews 8:6-10).

Yeshua came to save His people from their sins (Matt. 1:21). If Christians continue to practice a lifestyle of sin, rejecting God’s ways, can this be called salvation from sin? Is it “faith” to believe in Jesus but not believe in His power to deliver from iniquity?

And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? Luke 6:46

HELLFIRE INSURANCE ONLY?

Many Christians only want a “Get out of hell free” card. They want to continue to live a self-directed life in conformity to the ways of the world, the culture around them. They do not want to be a peculiar people (Deut. 14:2; Deut. 26:18; Titus 2:14; 1 Peter 2:9). They do not want to be ostracized from others. They do not want persecution, even though that is exactly what is promised to true disciples (2 Tim. 3:12). They think obedience is optional. They think commandment keeping is a relic from the past that is no longer relevant. What a rude awakening awaits them at the Judgment, when they will be judged by their works, whether they did good or evil (2 Cor. 5:10; Romans 14:10-12). It is evil to reject the Covenant of the LORD God of Heaven, who sent His only begotten Son to make the ultimate sacrifice and atonement for sin, that we might be born again, grafted in to the Commonwealth of Israel (Eph. 2:12-13), partakers of the blessings of God, able to glorify God by living a lifestyle that honors Him with obedience to the wisdom of His ways (torah submission), not dishonoring Him with a lifestyle of debauchery and/or worldly-mindedness.

It is time for thee, LORD to work; For they have made void thy law Psalm 119:126

THE TEST OF PSALM 119

Let us examine ourselves, to see whether we are in the Faith (2 Cor. 13:5). Have we actually entered into the New Covenant? We must ask ourselves these pertinent questions:

• Do I love God’s law? (Hebrew: torah, i.e., instruction) “Oh how love I thy law; it is my meditation all the day.” (Psalm 119:97)

• Do I keep God’s law? “Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.” (Psalm 119:129)

• Do I rejoice in God’s law? “I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.” (Psalm 119:14)

• Have I chosen the way of truth? “I have chosen the way of truth...” (Psalm 119:30)

• Do I delight in God’s commandments? “Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.” (Psalm 119:36)

• Do I hate every false way? “Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.” (Psalm 119:104)

• Do I have peace? “Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.” (Psalm 119:165)

• Do I believe God’s Word is true and that His commandments are not obsolete? “Thy Word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth forever.” (Psalm 119:160)

FALSE START?

It is possible that some Christians have been led astray by the rampant deceptions that Yeshua warned about (Mark 13:5,6) and have never entered in to the New Covenant. No wonder they are weak, with no love of the Scriptures, no love of God’s law, no power to obey. It is possible that the “Jesus” they accepted was the counterfeit. This “spirit” would have us believe that:

• Torah keeping is bondage and legalism (Refutation: Psalm 19:7-11; Ps.1:1-3).

• We cannot help willfully sinning every day (Refutation: Romans 6:1-2; Hebrews 10:26).

• God accepts our weaknesses and failures and does not expect us to be overcomers by His strength and grace (Refutation: Romans 1:17; 1 John 5:4-5; Rev. 3:5; 21:7).

• The Ten Commandments are obsolete and no longer in force for Christians (Refutation: Matt. 5:17-20; Romans 3:31).

• The only two commandments for Christians are to love God and one another, with no specifics on how to do that; it is just a feeling or emotion (Refutation: 1 John 3:18; Titus 1:16).

• Christians should just blend in with the world and be no different (Refutation: 1 John 2:15; James 1:27; 4:4).

• Jews are no longer God’s chosen people; they are going to hell unless they accept the paganized, antinomian “Jesus” and stop with the kosher and Sabbath keeping, etc. (Refutation: Romans 1:16; Romans 9-11).

• Salvation means we can keep on sinning because Jesus paid for our sins (Refutation: Romans 6:1-2).

• We can keep pagan holidays and traditions if we choose. God is no longer a jealous God (Refutation: Exodus 34:14; Deut. 4:16-24; 7:25-26; 12:29-32; 1 John 5:21; Acts 15:19-21).

• We do not need to spend time with God each day in His Word to be overcomers and successful in life (Refutation: Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1; Rev. 2-3).

• Blessings and curses have nothing to do with obedience and disobedience (Refutation: Deut. 28; Col. 3:25).

• There is no literal Millennial Kingdom of God on Earth that is coming soon (Refutation: Ezekiel 37; Zechariah 14; Rev. 19:11-20:6)

BACKSLIDERS

It is also possible that some Christians have accepted the true Jesus and His covenant and were born again, but have subsequently become backslidden, deceived, and on the wrong path at the present time. This is the test question:

• Do I remember God’s commandments even while backslidden? “I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.” (Psalm 119:76)

Does the truth of God’s Word continue to haunt you? Are you running, but finding no place to hide? You are still His, and He never stops seeking His lost sheep (Luke 15:3-7). Your life is probably quite tempestuous, full of the loving chastisement of the LORD (Jonah; Rev. 3:19). The scary part is, He has given you free will. You could in your rebellion go too far, and not find a place of repentance. I do not know where that line is crossed; I would not want to be too close to it (Pro. 24:16; Romans 1:18-32; 2 Cor. 13:5; 2 Tim. 3:8; Heb. 6:4-6; Heb. 10:26-29, 38, 39).

This earthly life is the time of second chances. This life is a proving ground for eternity. Your life is a testimony to others, for better or worse. Even if it is a bungled mess now, if the change comes, and others see it, your life can be a testimony to the saving power and forgiveness that Yeshua brings and may be the catalyst that someone else needs to get right with God.

O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself; But in Me is thy help..... O Israel, return unto the LORD thy God; For thou hast fallen by thy iniquity....I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely; For mine anger is turned away from him. Hosea 13:9; 14:1,4

SPIRITUAL WARFARE

There is a battle for your soul between the real Jesus and the counterfeit, the devil himself, who has many disguises and many deceptions. Choose ye this day whom ye will serve (Joshua 24:15). If Baal is God (paganized, counterfeit, lawless “jesus”), serve him. If the LORD (YHVH/YESHUA) is God, serve Him (1 Kings 18:21). Your lifestyle and beliefs will tell you whom you have been serving. It is true that in our own strength we can do nothing, yet we can choose the fear of the LORD (Pro. 1:29). We can choose to be made righteous. We can allow the LORD to do the transforming work in our lives. This is not a passive activity but a conscious choice day by day. Choose the way of the LORD, forsaking your own way. Choose life! (Deut. 30:19).

DISPENSATIONALISM

Another group of Christian believers are those who go only so far in their appreciation of the Scriptures and the commandments of God. They have been indoctrinated in dispensationalism, and, as a result, have a blind spot. They love the LORD, but “see through a glass darkly” regarding Torah and the Commonwealth of Israel. They think the “law of liberty” is freedom from Torah rather than understanding that Torah is liberty (freedom) from the bondage of sin (James 1:25; 2:8-12). In other words, the commandments of God are liberating when properly understood and practiced by grace through faith, in newness of spirit, “for the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good” (Romans 7:12). These sincere believers just need to take a closer look at what the Scriptures clearly say, without looking through a dispensationalist prism that distorts the truth. They need to study the Scriptures from a Hebraic perspective, which will open up to them a wealth of new understanding and insight.

MISSING LINK

Life in the New Covenant is a wonderful life. There is joy unspeakable and peace that passes all understanding (1 Peter 1:18; Phil. 4:7). Torah is not bondage, but blessing, wisdom, and “all her paths are peace” (Pro. 3:13-18). It is the missing link in living the Christian life as it is meant to be lived. The enemy of our souls has stolen Torah from us and given us an emaciated Christianity. We fault Jews for rejecting Jesus....and they fault us for rejecting Torah. Both are essential (Rev. 12:17; 14:12). Yeshua taught that we must keep the commandments and follow Him (John 14:15; 15:10; Matt. 4:4; 19:16-26; Luke 6:46).

He that saith, I know Him, and keepeth not His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 1 John 2:4

The path that leads unto life is not one way for Jews (Torah) and another way for Christians (Jesus). It is one way for all. Yeshua is THE Way, the Word (Torah) made flesh (John 1). Someone may say, “The Hebraic way is too foreign.” Yet it is our ways that are foreign to the LORD. The word “Hebrew” means “one who crossed over” (the Euphrates River from Babylon). Our father Abraham was the first Hebrew. We become Hebrews by leaving Babylon behind (the world/paganism), crossing over completely from the Kingdom of Darkness to the Kingdom of Light. When we “straddle the river” with one foot in Babylon and one foot in the Kingdom of God, we go nowhere. A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways (James 1:8). No wonder the double-minded and wavering do not receive anything from the LORD and do not experience transcendence (see James 1:5-8).

RESTORATION

Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. With a whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Psalm 119:9-11

To those who seek restoration, read prayerfully all of Psalm 119. You just may find a place of repentance as you meditate in these inspired Scriptures. Many times understanding comes after obedience, so do not let lack of understanding keep you from stepping out in faith and embracing Torah. Please do not say you are not convicted if you are not spending at least one hour a day looking in the mirror of God’s Word (Joshua 1:8; Matt. 26:40-41; Hebrews 4:12; James 4:7-10). Have you read God’s Word from cover to cover more than once and from year to year? If not, Bible Pathway has an excellent Bible reading plan and daily devotional. This resource is a good starting place and is not antinomian (lawless) in its tone and commentary.

FINAL THOUGHTS

God allowed terror and tragedy to strike America on 9-11. Many said it was a wake-up call. Just what message were we supposed to get out of this horrific event? One thought that comes to mind is to turn those numbers around (Hebrew is read from right to left) and take certain Scriptures to heart that American Christians have ignored for far too long. 911 reversed is 119, as in Psalm 119. It is curious that Psalm 1 and Psalm 19 also exalt Torah.

Has the original, apostolic faith been “hijacked” since about the 2nd century? Have we been following the wrong religion? Have we been following the teachings and practices of the Church Fathers rather than our fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob? Are we going to “crash and burn” as a result? I have not seen much evidence of soul searching and repentance in this nation since 9/11/01. If, God forbid, further terrorist acts are carried out in America and our enemies triumph over us, will it be said as in Jeremiah’s day:

This is a nation that obeyeth not the voice of the LORD their God, nor receiveth correction.....the land shall be desolate.

See Jeremiah 7 for a comparison of Judah’s transgressions with those of America today and the chastisement that ensued. Does God change? (Mal. 3:6; Heb. 13:8). See also 2 Kings 18:11-12 regarding Israel’s Assyrian captivity for their transgressions.

If God-fearing Americans would truly repent, we can count on this promise:

If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14

We have become outraged with the wicked ways of those who make no profession of faith, yet have failed to acknowledge our own transgressions against the God we claim to love and serve. Let us start with our “I”dolatry -- the “I will believe and do whatever I please” syndrome.

In those days there was no king in Israel: Every man did that which was right in his own eyes. Judges 21:25

Torah is foundational. It is quoted throughout the New Testament. Deuteronomy alone is quoted 80 times. The phrase, “it is written” occurs 66 times in the Bible, 63 times in the New Testament. It could not be clearer that, far from being obsolete, Torah is vital. We ignore it at our own peril. “He that turneth away his ear from hearing the Law (Torah), even his prayer shall be abomination” (Pro. 28:9). Paul, “the apostle to the Gentiles,” declared the (Old Testament) Scriptures profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness (2 Tim. 3:16). He continued to keep Torah, including sabbaths and feasts, and urged Gentile believers to “be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ” (1 Cor. 11:1). When are we going to realize that God gave us One Bible, a continuing, non-contradictory story from Genesis to Revelation. Man divided it into “Old Testament” and “New Testament” as if they are two separate Bibles, one for Jews and one for Christians. Does it make sense that God would require faithfulness of some people (Jews, tribulation saints) and let other people (“the church in the age of grace”) get a free pass to Heaven no matter how wicked, unbelieving, or backslidden they are? I have heard some say that in this dispensation we do not have to endure to the end to be saved, and that we will be raptured out before any severe testing (tribulation). Does God change? How unfair of Him to require of others what He does not require of this last, Laodicean, lukewarm generation! We must repent of wrongly dividing the Word of Truth, especially the kind of “I am of Paul/Somebody else’s mail” hyper-dispensationalism that slices, dices, and chops up the Scriptures to oblivion, even the very words of our Lord Jesus Christ, destroying His authority in our life! What kind of a twisted Gospel message would negate the teachings of Jesus Himself!?

CLOSING PRAYER

May the LORD continue to have mercy and patience with His wayward children. May the prophesied “spirit of Elijah” turn our hearts back to our true fathers, the Biblical patriarchs (Malachi 4:5-6) and may we remember the words of the prophet Zechariah:

Thus saith the LORD of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, we will go with you, for we have heard that God is with you. Zechariah 8:23

Like a lilac breeze in the month of Ziv, may the Spirit of the LORD breathe on us, and renew us, and restore us in the path of righteousness for His Name’s sake ....In Yeshua our Messiah

Comments, questions, and critique of this treatise are welcome. Let us dialogue.

In response to inquiries:

Permission for reproducing this treatise for free distribution will be granted upon request, providing there are no alterations and a link to this blog is included. “Renah” is my pen-name. This is original writing, not copied and pasted from another website as my critics have falsely charged. The treatise was approved by my husband, editor-in-chief of our publications. All rights reserved for the protection of the overall message, which I believe the LORD has given and directed us to share.

http://tandi-1964.blogspot.com/

First of Sabbaths vs. First Day of the Week

2009-05-14T15:35:00.004-04:00

Daniel Gregg (www.torahtimes.org) vs. Eric Lyons, M. Min.

[This article is in response to an article at Apologetics Press which can be accessed here]

All the resurrection accounts show that Yeshua was raised from the dead on the first Sabbath after Passover (μια των σαββατων; Matthew 28:1; Mark 16:2; cf. vs. 9; Luke 24:1; John 20:1, 19; cf. Acts 20:7; cf. 1Cor. 16:2). In 1 Cor. 16:2 Paul tells the faithful to save up a contribution "down from the first of Sabbaths" (κατα μιαν σαββατων) to send to Jerusalem for Pentecost (1 Cor. 16:8). The anniversary of the resurrection always falls right after Passover. It is marked on the "first of the sabbaths" in Acts 20:7 (Εν δε τη μια των σαββατων), when the disciples met to "break bread", which is a near eastern expression for a common meal. The next day, a common Sunday morning, Paul departed on his journey. The expression showing the time of the resurrection appears eight times in the Apostolic Writings. It designates a special Sabbath (cf. Lev. 23:15) along with the regular Sabbaths. Even John received his vision on the Sabbath (cf. Rev. 1:10).

Before the Gentiles fell into the Baalistic apostasy that became the proto-Catholic Church and the various Gnostic movements, faithful Messianic Israelites met and worshiped on the Sabbath day, and observed the Jewish feast days (cf. Col. 2:16; 1Cor 5:8; 1Cor 16:8). The apostates developed a web of deceit to lay as a foundation for their new religion taken from old Babylonia, and then proceeded to persecute the original faith into near extinction with the zeal of Jezebel. In this article we will look at the lies, half truths, and admitted truths that can be confirmed in an article published by Eric Lyons for Apologetics Press. Quotations will be from that article which are sourced at the link under Mr. Lyons name. He writes:

Admittedly, a form of the Greek word for sabbath (sabbaton or sabbatou) does appear in each of the eight passages translated “first day of the week.” For example, in Acts 20:7 this phrase is translated from the Greek mia ton sabbaton. However, sabbaton (or sabbatou) is never translated as “the Sabbath day” in these passages. Why? Because the word is used in these contexts (as Greek scholars overwhelmingly agree) to denote a “week” (Perschbacher, 1990, p. 364), “a period of seven days” (Danker, et al., 2000, p. 910; cf. Thayer, 1962, p. 566). Jesus once used the term “Sabbath” in this sense while teaching about the sinfulness of self-righteousness (Luke 18:9).

Lyons can barely tell the truth before starting in on the religious propaganda and lies. We have to eliminate those Greek scholars from the field that learned to translate μια των σαββατων from others who told them that σαββατον meant "week" based on Church tradition. That's nearly all of them. Then we have to bring in those scholars of secular Greek and the few honest believing Greek scholars left that have set aside Church tradition to objectively study the matter from its linguistic basis that have correctly concluded that the phrase simply means "one day of the sabbaths". Notice that Lyons whole argument here is based on appeal to majority and appeal to tradition. That's not linguistic science in the least. It's the one argument repeated by the opposition a thousand ways. It's the one argument guaranteed to lead one into the apostasy of the majority if the slightest credence is placed in it.

Even so Lyons sources have holes in them. The first thing that Christians need to learn is that dictionaries and lexicons are propaganda pieces. The famed Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (TDNT) was edited by Gerhard Kittel (1888-1948), "a German liberal Christian theologian who revealed himself to be a virulent anti-Semite who wrote Nazi-influenced nonsense about Christianity" (conservapedia.com/Gerhard_Kittel). Kittel wrote the preface to TDNT in July 1933. In August 1933, Herbert Lowewe, a Cambridge professor wrote:

"It gives me great pain to find that so great an authority and leader of thought should give expression to such views. I have read your previous books with pleasure and profit, and I have learned much from them. ... your present pronouncement is quite incompatible with your previous teaching, and it is as unjust to Christianity as it is to Judaism. ... It is a grievous disillusionment to find that one's idol has feet of clay" (ibid, conservapedia)

One must always keep in mind that human sources may be tainted with primary error or circular reasoning fallacies. When men come before the throne of God to answer for their sins, the "I was just following orders" defense is not going to work any more than it worked at Nuremburg. No, God will hold them responsible to have done due diligence and have examined primary evidence with taking care to preserve their objectivity in prayerful entreaty to God to show them the truth.

Perschbacher above is merely a fallacy of the circular reasoning type, his views learned by rumor from the original liar. However, if we look at a source like Danker (now BDAG, 3rd edition, 2000) we will see that famed Jesuit Scholar Robert North disagrees that Sabbath meant "week", and this linguistic expert attributes it to a mistake by the Church Fathers (BDAG, pg. 910, σαββατον, "The Derivation of 'Sabbath', Biblica 36, '55, 182-201; cf. The New Catholic Encyclopedia, "Sabbath", © 2003, pg. 458; R. North). Anyone who goes over the same linguistic evidence as North, S.J., will find the smoking gun behind the lie..............

Continued at www.torahtimes.org

Emphasis mine (Tandi)

I hope my blog visitors will read the entire article by Daniel Gregg, as well as the one by Eric Lyons, and consider this crucial issue without prejudice. The Gospel of the Kingdom is at stake! It is time to purify the Gospel message that has been hidden in partial obscurity for millennia due to anti-Torah prejudices. Comments welcome.

From Sabbath to Sunday

2009-05-08T17:04:00.003-04:00

This is an excerpt from the highly recommended book, The Scroll of Biblical Chronology and Prophecy by Daniel Gregg. Click on title of post (or the link below the excerpt) for more.

....Could it be that the Bible really supports a Sabbath resurrection of Christ? If so, why would the Church seek to change the day to Sunday?.......

After the second Jewish revolt, the Romans virtually banned Judaism, i.e., Sabbath observance and circumcision, in A.D. 135. The Church then found Sadducean and Samaritan opinions useful in transforming Christian practice so that it mimicked Mithraism, making it less likely that the Romans would persecute them. In particular, the confusion over the annual Sabbath of Leviticus 23:11 & 15 with the weekly Sabbath proved useful in revising the Passion Chronology to accord with their new syncretistic form of Christianity. Teaching that Christ died before the weekly Sabbath [Good Friday], they were able to argue for a Sunday resurrection. They also taught that God’s blessing had passed from the Jews to themselves, and that therefore orthodoxy was theirs to possess. The truth is that neither Jews nor Christians were to enjoy the blessing of God or full orthodoxy until their exile among the nations was ended.......

There is a saying that if you repeat a lie often enough, then it becomes the truth. They claim that Christ’s resurrection was on Sunday morning. The false church (exempli gratia: Rome) has been repeating this lie so long that ignorant Christians everywhere are seduced into believing it. Because of this, God’s anger burns against the false church, and He shall cause the beast and the false prophet to overthrow it and burn her with fire (Revelation 17:16; see also 17:5). The judgment will be completely justified. For in deceiving Christians and the world, Rome has wrecked the faith of the saints. The consequences of the “first day of the week” lie have eaten away at biblical chronology like a virus killing its victim, and so in the process have turned Christians away from the seasons and times that God ordained for His worship in spirit and in truth. The big lie has spawned a host of little lies in every realm of biblical exegesis. The Church has created its own virtual reality, supported by the circular reasoning trap of the little lies that support the monstrous lie. Whenever Neophyte Newton notices the discrepancies in the Church’s explanation, the teachers trot out their backup system of little lies to support the big lie.

For this reason it is necessary to demolish the whole structure of false chronology by presenting the true chronology of the Bible, and then to demonstrate by mathematical and astronomical proof that there can be no other solution.

Intrigued? Read more at:

torahtimes.org/book/page54.pdf

Complete book here:

torahtimes.org/book

Comforting Quips

2009-05-06T12:14:00.006-04:00

I will take what comes my way
Be it joy or sorrow
It’s all in a day
Who knows about tomorrow.

--Renah's song lyrics

The grass withers
The flower fades
But the Word of our God
Endures forever.

--Isaiah 40; 1 Peter 1

No rain, no rainbows.

--Author unknown but I found this link

We proclaim that Messiah and Torah are perfect harmony, as it is written...

Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. (Rev. 14:12)

--Marc Possoff at CARM

Prayer changes us.....and that is more a miracle than anything.

--Derek Leman at JudahGabriel's blog

I am reminded of a situation that happens in my neighborhood occasionally. A neighbor has several dogs in his fenced yard that take umbrage when I walk my dog down the street past their yard. They are barking and howling and running back and forth behind the fence, letting my dog know just how much they would like to bite her. Every so often in their frenzy, they bump into each other and then start fighting and jumping on each other instead of barking at my dog! Hmmm.

--Brother Tim at AV1611 forum

This life is passing
It's just a proving ground
Make sure your calling
In Yeshua found
For there is a mansion
And there is a crown
Hallelujah, Hallelu-Yah.

--Renah's added verse to William How's "For all the Saints" hymn

Like a lilac breeze
In the month of Ziv
May the Spirit of the LORD breathe on us
And renew us
And restore us to the path of righteousness
For His Name's Sake

In Yeshua our Messiah

--Renah in Shofar-Tekiah

Why won't you get away from other voices clamoring to you?
I'll come again, to rescue you
So stand your ground, don't frown
I will comfort you.

--"Teslin" song lyrics

Mia Ton Sabbaton

2009-04-14T19:51:00.003-04:00

There has been quite a bit of discussion on Passion Chronology this past week, with various views shared on forums and in the blogosphere. Some believe Yeshua died on Wednesday, some Thursday, some Friday. Most believe He rose on Sunday morning. Some believe He rose on Saturday evening. A few of us believe He rose just before dawn on Sabbath. The correct translation and interpretation of “mia ton sabbaton” is key. (Click on title of post for language forum discussion on this topic.) Regardless of your view, I hope we can all agree that indeed He is risen, and because He is risen, we can know, experientially, pardon for our sins and relationship with God. The lyrics to this Marty Goetz song are very meaningful to me. I wanted to share them with others. I highly recommend this music. See link below for song samples.

Risen Again (I Call You Friend, Marty Goetz)

I come here to proclaim He’s risen again, risen again
And there’s no other Name that’s given to men, given to men
By which they might enter Heaven.

I ask you to believe we’re nearing the end, nearing the end
I ask you to receive Him and the help that He’ll lend
In these Last Days
The blessings He’ll send
Will surely amaze you

I know it’s hard to suspend all your reasons
But try to pretend He’s in all that you do
And you may find it’s true
Though you never knew

Anything I know that’s in any way good
Surely He put in my head
No matter where I go
If it’s the way that I should
It’s purely His foot that lead
I am nothing apart from Him
He’s my heart
He’s why I live
He’s all I’ll ever have to give

And I rejoice to tell you
He’s coming again, coming again
Oh hear His voice He’ll tell you
Be born again
I stand at the door
I want to enter
Know that I’m for you

He wants you just to surrender your will
And to trust He’s a friend
He’ll do all He can do
And He won’t be through
Till all is new

Anything I am that’s in any way right
Was wrought by His skillful hand
No matter who I am
When I stand in His light
I know I will understand
I am something when I’m with Him
In my heart, now I can see
He’s all I ever dreamed would be

And if I can’t admit
He’s risen again, risen again
Then I am to be pitied
More than all men, more than all men
For my hope has all been in vain.

But I know that He’s risen
Yes I know that He’s risen
I know that He’s risen again
I know that He’s risen again.

martygoetz.com

Forum Fellowship

2009-04-13T11:21:00.002-04:00

Notice: There is a very active forum at CARM with something for everyone, even my atheist friends. The Messianic Judaism section is ablaze with discussion, and there seems to be freedom to post within reasonable moderated guidelines. Some of the hot topics under discussion right now are these:

Daniel 9
"Holy Week"
Gentile Circumcision
Early Church Fathers
Celebrating Messiah's Resurrection

There are also discussions on Atheism and just about every other religious persuasion, as well as secular topics of discussion.

Dan and Marc are here, and at least one other that I recognize from TR Forum days.

I just joined. Hope others will join also. I greatly miss forum fellowship and in-depth discussions.

CARM Discussion Forum

Passover Flower

2009-04-08T20:05:00.004-04:00

On March 8, I had a strange dream, which I posted on one of the blogs I frequent, as we were talking about dreams at the time. I was able to retrieve the post:

"I saw a pretty, potted, cheerful looking flower on display....with wings! The flower was flapping its wings. I wondered if it could fly. I thought it was really neat so decided to come back later and buy it. When I returned, the flower was wilted and dying. I asked, "What happened? Where are the wings?" I was told that the wings had flown away."

I wondered what the interpretation of the dream could be. It seemed meaningful in some way.

Now what are the odds that a month later while shopping for my Passover supplies at a grocery store in Valparaiso the song, "I Believe I Can Fly" would waft in over the speaker system just as I was looking for a plant for my Passover table. Most of them had "Happy Easter" signs in them. No thanks. Then I noticed a wonder.......a cheerful yellow flower in a pot, slightly wilted. I looked closer. The tag said it was a Gerbera Daisy. I looked even closer. There were TWO flowers integrated together on one stem, like siamese twins! How odd and beautiful. Of course, I brought it home. I've got it next to me. It is not doing well. Very wilted now. It looks like it is bowing in humble prayer and supplication. It is reminding me of the gourd in the Book of Jonah. Is it only going to live for a day?

I thought it was just an ordinary type of daisy, but found out this is an exotic, sensitive plant from Africa and does poorly adapting to change. It probably did not like the breezy air and sunshine at 50 degrees today, or the overwatering, and it may have a powdery mildew problem. I know nothing about plants. I usually buy jonquils or other varieties I can plant outdoors.

I'm kind of attached to this unusual flower. Is it okay to talk to flowers? When I lift up its head, it looks like a face with two eyes. I will save the bloom as a dry flower if it does not make it. I don't know what to do to keep it alive and help it prosper. I don't think it liked the Matisyahu music I was playing today while I looked for leaven in the kitchen cabinets. Maybe it prefers Bruce Cohen and Kol Simcha.

My husband called and asked for his paperwork for his trip. I gave him the phone number and contact person. You won't believe the name of the contact person:

Dee Wieduwilt

Why'd you wilt, O African Daisy? And what is the meaning of all this?

Unbelievable coincidences. Truth is stranger than fiction.

Have a blessed Passover season everyone.

Shipwrecked Faith

2009-03-29T19:42:00.004-04:00

I have been dialoguing with the disillusioned on Atheist blogs lately and find their faith has been shipwrecked by learning of parallels between pagan mythology and similar Christian doctrines and practices. Yet the Word of God tells us that we are NOT following “cunningly devised fables” (2 Peter 1:16). There is a difference between what the Bible says and what the Churches do and teach as they present "another jesus." Unlike pagan counterfeits, the True Messiah, Yeshua/Jesus, fulfilled myriad Bible prophecies written centuries before His Incarnation. Here is one resource delineating some of them:

Prophecies Fulfilled

This should be convincing to those willing to be convinced. How could a mere man, a fraud, manage to pull this off? Fulfilled Bible prophecy, along with riddles-solved Bible Chronology, is very strong evidence that demands a verdict!

One book cited as troublesome concerning pagan parallels to Christianity is The Ancient Mysteries: A Sourcebook of Ancient Texts. In this book, Marvin W. Meyer explores the sacrifices and prayers, the public celebrations and secret ceremonies, the theatrical performances and literary works, the gods and goddesses that were a part of the mystery religions of Greece in the seventh century B.C. to the Judaism and Christianity of the Roman world of the seventh century A.D. (emphasis mine).

One blogger’s comments are probably representative of many others in the Atheist blogosphere:

Personally, the similarities between Christianity and the Mystery Religions were disturbing to my former faith. Learning about them has forced me to consider that Christianity is a product of the Hellenistic period rather than a divine revelation from God.

Should anyone find a solid way to reverse my outlook on this topic, they could potentially cause me to rethink my deconversion process.

That won't be easy, though. But if you've "got the goods", I'd like to see 'em.

The Ancient Mysteries pre-date Christianity by a few hundred years. That bothers me, too. Were these Mysteries counterfeit versions of Christianity? Was Christianity the true Mystery Religion and the others were only shadows of the truth?

Or was Christianity just one more variant of a string of pagan beliefs?

It is true that Christianity became corrupted over the centuries, amalgamated with paganism, heresies, Gnosticism, etc. The Apostle Paul and others were already refuting erroneous doctrines and syncretism in the first century. Judaism also became corrupted over the centuries. There is "nothing new under the sun,” as Solomon said. Since the first prophecy concerning a coming Redeemer (Genesis 3:15), spiritual counterfeits and false messiahs have abounded. Yet God has preserved His truth in His Word. He has also preserved a remnant of true believers all along. He called it a “little flock,” so it is not surprising that faithful disciples of Yeshua are hidden, persecuted, and isolated, not mainstream. The gates of hell have harassed but not prevailed. The battle for souls continues. Satan beguiles and tempts today just as he tempted in the Garden. “Yea, hath God said...?” the seducing serpent whispers, casting doubt on the Word of God. He masquerades as an angel of light under various “mystery” forms. Gnosticism/Paganism/Mystery Religion is alive and well in the 21st century. It will culminate in the short-lived reign of the ultimate Antichrist, who will deceive many. One-world Government and One-world Religion are on the horizon. In these perilous times, Yeshua exhorts His people to “come out” from Mystery Babylon and “be separate” because this religious system is destined for desolation (Rev. 17 & 18).

Here are a couple of reviews of a book that provides a good overview of how Mystery Babylon infiltrated the Church, with many references for further research. Click here for more information and to see the table of contents. Recommended reading for those who value balancing the writings of skeptics and infidels with the writings of those attempting to earnestly contend for the faith once delivered to the saints. Also recommended for Christians who need this information for themselves and to share with others.

See also my Sidebar (Interesting Webpages) for selected articles and audio sermons for cogent consideration. I also list links to various Apologetics resources that may be helpful. Please keep in mind that much of Christianity is still contaminated with the remnants of Rome’s paganism, that Protestant churches are no longer protesting and are “daughters of Babylon” for the most part, and that secular publishers have bought up Zondervan and other Christian publishers and thus control what is published. There is a dearth of strong apologetic resources available as a result. Perhaps the disillusioned, if they should return to faith, will write the scathing and/or erudite apologetics that are desperately needed to effectively answer the neo-atheists, skeptics, and Gnostics who are leading many to Apostasy.

Babylon Religion, David W. Daniels (Chick Publications)

Reviewer: Daryl Coats, Ph. D.

As I see it, the book's assets are as follows:

(1) For most 21st century readers, it IS easier to read, grasp, and understand than Hislop's The Two Babylons. Nothing against that wonderful book, but Hislop did not have to worry about nearly illiterate readers who spend most of their time watching TVs, computer monitors, movies, and videos and DVDs. We could lament the deplorable state of the American mind---or we could try to reach contemporary readers much as we would try to reach those who do not understand English. To that end, the text is easy to read and well constructed visually, and the cartoons not only serve to illustrate and supplement the text, but they even work if someone doesn't read the strictly textual portions. The art is another great feature. This is some of the best work that Bro. Jack has ever produced, and I hope that you will pass along my congratulations and appreciation for a job well done.

(2) It serves as a capable "defense" of Hislop's work, incorporating recent discoveries to further demonstrate the validity of Hislop's original thesis.

(3) It does a great job of addressing the world's myths and legends and showing their TRUE significance. For most of the past 150 years, mythology has been used to suggest that the Bible is unreliable and that Christianity is merely an amalgamation of elements taken and adapted from various myths. (The Golden Bough and The Hero of Many Faces are good examples of this approach.) More than once in my graduate studies I heard the Lord Jesus dismissed as nothing more than another "fertility myth." I have no idea how many believers have been shipwrecked as a result of such falsehoods, but your book works to show that many (most?) of the world's myths are merely distortions and perversions of truth preserved (and only found) in the Bible. (Hey, if modern Hollywood can't get a Bible story straight, why would we think that ancient pagans would do a better job?)

(4) The amount of research is incredible! Footnotes at the bottom of many pages provide a quick reference for anyone who might wish to (a) investigate further, or (b) make sure that you're telling the truth. And the more detailed endnotes are clearly pointed out in the main text and do not slow down a reader who does not wish to consult the notes as he reads. As I mentioned on the phone, with a Ph. D. in English, I've done a fair amount of research and study on my own, and I can appreciate the amount of work that you put into this book. (And since the Bible says, "Let no man deceive you by any means," I'm one of those people who DO check out footnotes and put them to the test when they concern matters with which I am not already acquainted. I am thankful to say that from the time I started doing this---roughly the time when the Angel of Light? comic first came out---I have never found a faulty or phony reference citation in a Chick publication. Whether it was a person about whom I was told that I could write for additional information, or a reference to a book that I could purchase for myself, or a book that I had to obtain through inter-library loan, I've put those comics and tracts and books to the test. Granted, some people may dismiss the original source material in some instances, but they CAN'T honestly dismiss the citation of it.

(5) The picture format allows the reader to SEE a lot of the things you talk about (especially when the pictures reproduce idols from other cultures, or pages from Codex Vaticanus). Somewhere in my files is a photo I found from an early 20th-century precursor to Frazier and Campbell, a photo of a clay figure found more than 20 feet underground in Idaho during the digging of a well. The figure in question was a woman holding a young infant. Jung would call it "a universal archetype," but Bible-believers know better. The pictures in this book often work to lend additional support to your thesis.

(6) There is a lot of humor in the book---humor used to mock false doctrine and false deceivers. This only serves to make the book more readable.....

..............

Reviewer: Kurt Kuersteiner

"Babylon Religion" blends the exhaustive research of David Daniels with the detailed cartoons of Jack Chick. The result is a book that is both fun and informative, serious but amusing, and complicated yet simple to understand. The content is controversial, something any sincere discussion of religion should be. The fact that most publishers will not confront such issues raises the obvious question if they are sincere about anything other than making money. But Chick Publications has strong religious beliefs and has never been afraid to promote them in full view of the public.

"Babylon Religion" is a rare reminder that diversity of thought is the most important diversity a free society has, and we should do everything we can to protect our free market place of ideas, rather than the feelings of various special interest groups. Whether you agree or disagree with the conclusions of "Babylon Religion", you will be impressed with the skill and artistic efforts Daniels and Chick made to present their case. I found myself marveling over the work and detail that went into crafting over 180 pages with information and stunning illustrations. This is one book that will not gather dust on my bookcase!

Chick.com

This Is What Vacations Are All About!

2009-03-23T12:51:00.003-04:00

A couple of summers ago, our grandchildren were visiting from Texas. We were returning from a shopping trip, and as we traveled a seldom used rural road we went over a slight rise on the mostly flat surface at a pretty good clip. It caused the car to create a flutter in the tummy, somewhat like a roller coaster ride. Austin and Lexi giggled and said it was fun. Aiming to please, Grampa turned the Durango around and repeated the entertainment, this time going a little faster so as to “jump” the hill (not really, but it felt that way). More laughter from the kids. Grampa was enjoying it too, so turned around for a third squeal of delight. I was thinking this was a dumb idea and possibly dangerous (spoil sport as I am) and requested the foolishness to stop. But six year old Lexi had the last word........”Do it again, Grampa......

THIS IS WHAT VACATIONS ARE ALL ABOUT!!”

Thus, the origins of the inside joke our daughter referred to in the previous post.

In the spirit of Lexi’s adverturous adage, I post this update to their recent family vacation. Pat responded to Denise’s email with the same quip. Knowing Denise’s fear of spiders, we could not help but laugh. Spiders seem to seek her out in a most uncanny way. I hope readers enjoy the story as much as I did. : )

My Horrifying Encounter

Hello everyone. We made it home safe and sound yesterday afternoon. Our flight was delayed an hour in Maui but we still made our connecting flight in L.A. so all was well.

I have some “details” I wanted to tell you about our horseback ride but I was too tired to tell you before.

We arrived at the stable and after awhile we were told to pick out a helmet to wear for our ride (for safety) There were several all laid out on a picnic table to choose from. I took my sunglasses off the top of my head and laid them on the bench of the picnic table. So, as I looked for one that was in good shape and seemed comfortable, I picked one up and saw a GIANT spider inside. It was brown with a HUGE fat body, probably about the size of a large red grape and then add legs. Since I am NOT a fan of spiders at all...as most of you know, I freaked out and dropped the helmet back down on the table. To make matters worse, the spider then fell out of the helmet onto the bench and then the helmet rolled off the top of the table onto the bench right where the spider was. SPLAT!! A LOT of SPLAT! And guess where all that splat landed? It shot out sideways from the spider and landed right on my sunglasses! There was a LARGE amount of spider guts oozing off the side of my glasses. As gross as I am trying to make this sound, it doesn’t compare to how completely grossed out I actually was. I had tears in my eyes and I didn’t know what to do. I was trying to maintain my composure since there were several other people around, but I’m not sure I did a real good job. Our guide took my sunglasses and washed them off with a hose and a wet wipe. I then had to continue picking out my helmet. I didn’t pick that one.

I was going to take a picture of the dead spider but a bird came by and scooped it up and flew away with it before I could get my picture.

Denise

Hawaiian Adventure

2009-03-18T12:10:00.004-04:00

My daughter and her family are enjoying a vacation in Hawaii this week. Coming from an impoverished childhood, she is feeling abundantly blessed and appreciative to be able to do this. Other than day trips or visiting relatives, we were never able to take a “real" vacation in her growing up years. Our struggles in life can all work out to the good, though, if they result in character-building, humbleness of mind, diligence, initiative, a work ethic, and a grateful heart. Denise wrote me this email describing recent adventures and gave me permission to post. I enjoy her narratives.

Hello Everyone!

Well, today we had A LOT of fun! We took a snorkeling tour today on a motorized raft boat. It was quite an adventure! Within 2 minutes of leaving the dock, we were jumping big waves and Austin was getting drenched. He was sitting on the side raft part and seemed to be in the hot seat for getting wet.....or should I say the cold seat. This was 7 am this morning and it was a bit chilly to be wet. Alexia started crying immediately...she was scared of the ride with all the bouncing and high speed. I changed seats so I could sit next to her and make her feel more secure and she calmed down and enjoyed it more. She and I were in a good seat where we didn’t get very wet at all....until our BIG MOMENT when we had a bit of a catastrophe!

Part of our tour included checking out some lava caves along the edge of the Maui Island. It was neat and the captain of the boat was telling us all kinds of history about the area and lava formations. Well, this one cave (appropriately named The Tunnel of Doom) was big enough to back the raft into so the captain did that and then he was talking about the various layers of the lava rock and things so we were sitting in the cave for awhile. It was a windy day so the sea was pretty choppy. We were getting splashed a little bit in the cave while we sat there as the water hit the walls of the cave. We pulled out of the cave at one point because it was too choppy. Then the waves settled a bit so he backed into the cave again to finish his talk about it. It was eerily calm compared to the first time he had backed in. He had his back to the rest of the sea as he talked to us and then all of a sudden (too late) he saw a big wave coming and there wasn’t time to get out of the cave before it hit us. So, he warned us really quick to take cover (we had rain jackets on the whole time....but we needed to brace ourselves and make sure we were covered with our jackets). My back was to the wave also, so I turned my head to see what he was talking about and it was HUGE! The cave got dark as the wave entered (it nearly filled the whole cave opening) and I leaned over Lexi to protect her and we had the experience of a lifetime! At just the right moment, the captain floored the gas on the boat to try and keep the boat from slamming into the walls of the cave as the wave came crashing in. He was successful at doing that, but when the wave hit the wall, the entire boat basically went under the wave.....which meant we all got SOAKED! We had about 6 inches of water in the bottom of the boat and every bag, towel and clothing that people brought were completely soaked. Even though we had rain jackets on, we were drenched all the way through because most of us didn’t have time to put our hoods on and the water went right down our backs as we ducked for cover. Alexia was crying again (gee, I don’t know why) and I told her it was ok and “this is what vacations are all about!” (that quote is a little inside joke between our family and my parents). Alexia didn’t think it was funny. LOL! It all ended well...no one got hurt and we all thought it was funny and exciting. The captain apologized for it but we thought he did a great job of handling it when it happened. He seemed to be a very skilled captain. The waves were really big all day and he knew just when to accelerate and when to lay off. We were amazed this little boat could handle the rough waters. The waves were much bigger than our boat yet our ride was pretty smooth considering...other than the first 5 minutes or so.

We also snorkeled in a couple different spots. The first spot was somewhat boring for me but Austin and Chris saw a HUGE sea turtle about a foot below them so that was cool for them. Austin really enjoyed snorkeling. Alexia attempted to snorkel but the water was too cold for her and so she never did it. She just got back in the boat and waited for us. We were disappointed that she didn’t get to see anything but we couldn’t do anything about it. She got in the water twice...trying to get used to the cold but just couldn’t do it. The second snorkel spot was much better and more colorful. That one was Molokini which is famous for it’s snorkeling. I got some pictures with my underwater camera until it ran out of battery. : (

I will try to upload them and attach a couple to this email.

Along the way, we also saw a large pod of spinner dolphins...one of them even showed off it’s spinning action by jumping clear out of the water vertically and spinning. There were probably more than 20 dolphins all following our boat and jumping out of the water. Pretty cool. We saw several humpback whales today, a couple of them breached out of the water, which was really neat. They were a little distance away from us though. We never saw any real close to the boat. There were a few turtles swimming around our boat at one point also. It was a very successful trip for seeing marine animals! Oh yeah...and we also saw a wild rooster and 2 chickens in the parking lot of the boat dock. Hawaii’s land wildlife seems to consist of farm animals. Last time we were here, we saw a cow wandering the streets. They have some strange wildlife, don’t they?

Well, that was pretty much our day today. It was a 5 hour boat ride so it really wiped us out. We went out to eat tonight and did a small amount of shopping and called it a night.

Tomorrow, Austin and I are going on a zipline and then we are going to watch the sunset from on top of Haleakala mountain. We get to sleep in tomorrow morning though. Our zipline is not until 2pm. Chris and Lexi will come but they will just wait for us at the zipline place.

The pictures were taken with my new Olympus underwater snap shot camera. I am still trying to learn how to use it so it may take even better pictures than what I have here, but I thought it did pretty good on these. I did not use the official fish names because I don’t know them...except for the trumpet fish. I also included a sunset photo from last night on our hotel beach.

Denise

CD Baby!

2009-03-16T20:05:00.002-04:00

Yesterday, I ordered my favorite music of all time from a website called CD Baby. What a pleasant shopping experience! Not only did they carry this obscure Messianic music by my favorite composer/artist, Bruce Cohen, but they offered a 50% discount on my order of 2 CD’s!

This music comes from an era in the early days of Messianic Judaism when there was an outpouring of the Spirit. I had not even heard of Messianic music in the 80’s, other than Marty Goetz and Paul Wilbur. In 2002, I found this music on cassette in the bargain bin at Messianic Jewish Resources. It had been released as Kol Simcha (Dawning of a New Day) and Cohen and Rose (Holy). Now, the 20 songs have been re-mastered in digital quality. I am ecstatic. This will be my Spring cleaning music as I prepare for Passover this year.

If you click on the title of this post you will get to the page describing the music and you can listen to samples.

What made me laugh and prompted this post was the confirmation email that just came from the independent music website that processed my order:

Thanks for your order with CD Baby!

Your CDs have been gently taken from our CD Baby shelves with sterilized contamination-free gloves and placed onto a satin pillow.

A team of 50 employees inspected your CDs and polished them to make sure they were in the best possible condition before mailing.

Our packing specialist from Japan lit a candle and a hush fell over the crowd as he put your CDs into the finest gold-lined box that money can buy.

We all had a wonderful celebration afterwards and the whole party marched down the street to the post office where the entire town of Portland waved "Bon Voyage!" to your package, on its way to you, in our private CD Baby jet on this day, Monday, March 16th.

I hope you had a wonderful time shopping at CD Baby. We sure did. Your picture is on our wall as "Customer of the Year." We're all exhausted but can't wait for you to come back to CDBABY.COM!!

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Sigh...
--
CD Baby
the little store with the best new independent music

I had to give them a plug here for being so clever and friendly and brightening my day.

Sabbath Ponderings

2009-03-14T19:31:00.003-04:00

Last night and this morning, one of my horses was colicky, so I needed to walk her for quite some time. I was thankful that the weather was mild. The starry sky was beautiful to behold and gave enough light to see where we were walking. Misty enjoyed my singing songs of Shabbos to her, especially this one:

The sun is going down
It’s shining through the trees
Another week’s gone by
Become a memory

So throw away your hammer
There’s nothing left to do
Go on home and find a gift
That’s waiting there for you

Oh....

It’s time to say Good Shabbos
Cuz all your work is done
Gonna spend a day together
With the Holy One

Say a special blessing
On a cup that’s filled with “wine”
Man and his Creator
It’s a very special sign....

...You can spend time with your family
You’ll study and you’ll pray
Why not wait till after Shabbos
Oh, those nails won’t run away...

(Abie Rotenberg, Journeys)

After an hour, I thought she was better. But this morning, after she ate some alfalfa, she was down again with the bad belly-ache. Maybe this green alfalfa was too rich for her. It is hard to believe Misty is 20 years old now. So I got her to her feet, walked her, massaged and curried her, offered her some apple slices, and turned her out in a clean pen with some new grass coming up. ...And I prayed for her. She got better! I was grateful that I found a bale or two of grass hay to give her while her achy intestines are healing of inflammation. I was grateful that the weather was nice and sunny this morning with temperatures in the 40’s. It would have been miserable if this had happened on the cold days.

This has been a very peaceful Sabbath. I am home alone today and it seems that the neighbors are either gone or unusually quiet. I took the two dogs for a walk in the woods, enjoyed my swing, sat out at the picnic table overlooking the scenic Exodus field, and saw a robin, sandhill cranes, five wild turkeys....and buds on the sassafras and lilacs. Spring is coming soon!

In my Bible reading, I am in the Book of Joshua. One of my favorite verses is Joshua 1:8:

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

So this “Book of the Law” was available to the Israelites at this time in their history. It was not compiled centuries later as liberal critics claim. I choose to trust God’s Word, my KJV Bible, over the satanically-inspired skepticism of scholars.

I notice that Rahab was a Canaanite, an ethnicity destined for destruction. Yet her conversion to Israel’s God spared her and her household. I will trust God’s wisdom and justice in deciding who lives and who dies and not charge Him foolishly with genocide. His longsuffering, mercy, and grace is evident throughout Scripture. God is Love....and God is a Consuming Fire! Paradox? So be it. “The power of paradox opens our eyes, and blinds those who say they can see.” (Michael Card, God’s Own Fool lyrics).

Rahab ends up in the genealogy of our Lord and Saviour, Yeshua (Jesus Christ) as well as in the Hall of Faith (Matt. 1:5; Heb. 11:31). By the way, she was not commended for lying, but for protecting God’s people and exhibiting saving faith. Her sin of lying was covered by the “Scarlet thread of Redemption” in the blood of Yeshua. She had not yet been instructed in the ways of the LORD, coming out of a heathen background. Some would say it is okay to prevaricate to protect life. But that would be situational ethics, would it not? Abraham should not have misrepresented Sarah to Abimelech to save his skin (Genesis 20). It may be an understandable weakness to lie in certain circumstances, but it is still sin, which needs to be confessed and forgiven. The Apostle Peter needed to be forgiven for lying about not knowing Jesus. Peter was sorry, and was forgiven and restored. It is noteworthy and encouraging that former sinners such as Rahab, Peter, Paul, etc. became famous for their good deeds, not their earlier mistakes and failings.

I remember hearing a story of a Christian family that protected Jews during Hitler’s pogroms....was it Corrie ten Boom? The Nazis came to their home and demanded to know where the Jews were hiding. Response: “Maybe they are under the table?” The Nazi’s lifted the tablecloth, looked underneath, and saw nothing. They left. Truth was, the Jews WERE under the table...under a trap door covered by a rug. The LORD was able to protect them even though the truth was told!

Time for some Hebrew language study. I am making slow progress. My mind is not as sharp as it used to be, and I tire easily...even reading is difficult sometimes. When that happens, I listen to mp3 teachings on my ipod. Dr. Scott Johnson has been a blessing. Very informative and encouraging. Yesterday I joined his email list for his health and Bible study newsletters. See my sidebar for link to his sermon audios and pdf files.

I am also studying Dan Gregg’s Sabbath Resurrection posts and articles. More on that soon....or go to torahtimes.org. Everyone is welcome at the torahtimes forum. It would be enjoyable to discuss issues there. We need more participation and fellowship. Disagreements are not discouraged. Iron sharpeneth iron. Dan welcomes challenges to his research, and we all can learn from one another.

Shabbat Shalom

Friendship

2009-03-13T14:55:00.001-04:00

Thank you, Friend
For crumbs of kindness
We live on crumbs....
A morsel of love
Is all we need
From day to day
From week to week
To make this Journey
Not so bleak.

What Does Dan Barker Really Know About the Bible?

2009-03-10T17:13:00.006-04:00

A Refutation of Barker’s Blasphemy.....Bite by Bite

Skeptics seem to delight in playing a game of “Hit and Run.” They attack God’s Word with vicious vengeance and then move on to other topics without addressing point by point the issues raised in their attack. They have time to “hit and run” but no time to answer the arguments that refute their fallacious folly. It is like drive-by shooting at God!

While Bible bashers and disinterested Christians have moved on, I am not finished with this topic. Without the distractions of PlayStation, Sci-Fi, and Facebook, the pursuit of Biblical wisdom, knowledge, and understanding remains foremost on my mind.

In coming installments, I hope to adequately answer the freethinking frivolousness fomented by former Christian evangelist Dan Barker and his “50 Questions.”

For reference, see the Answers page at Freedom From Religion Foundation Bible Quiz at http://ffrf.org/quiz/bquiz.php or click on title of post.

Question #1: What is the last of the Ten Commandments?

Lie #1 - Barker claims that “Don’t covet your neighbor’s wife and property” is the wrong answer.

Of course, it is the correct answer, as even a child would know. These days, however, few so-called Christians can even recite the Ten Commandments from memory. This is a Biblically illiterate generation in spite of the proliferation of Bibles.

Lie #2 - Barker claims Biblical sexism (by considering women the “property” of men).

Men, why do you call your wife, “my wife”? Does she or does she not belong to you, and you to her? Would you rather that other men be free to lust after her, seduce her, have intimate relations with her? Or do you cherish and protect her, along with the rest of your treasures? Women were the “property” of fathers and husbands in olden times because women were dependent on them. This was before our modern day women’s liberation movement, which has done more harm than good for society.

Lie #3- Barker claims that this is the final commandment in the Catholic version, as well as in the Protestant enumeration.

The fact is that the Catholic Catechism divides the prohibition against covetousness into two commandments in order to make ten, having conveniently excised the commandment against idolatry/graven images from their list.

Lie #4 - Barker claims that “Don’t boil a young goat in the milk of its mother” is the last commandment in the only set of stone tablets called “the ten commandments.” He cites Exodus 34:26.

The fact is that the traditional list of Ten Commandments is called such in Deut 10:4 and that both sets of tables were written by God Himself and both sets included the same commandments.

And he wrote on the tables, according to the first writing, the ten commandments, which the LORD spake unto you in the mount out of the midst of the fire in the day of the assembly: and the LORD gave them unto me.

Other precepts and expansions on the precepts were given to Moses to write, including the prohibition against following the idolatrous fertility rites of the heathen such as “seething a kid in its mother’s milk” (which the heathen then magically sprinkled on their fields). The Israelites were to trust in the LORD their God for their blessings, by obeying His righteous and wise commandments, that things would go well for them. They were not to copy the superstitious, demonic fertility rites of their pagan neighbors.

Lie #5 - Barker claims that Exodus 34:28 refers to the previous precepts mentioned in the chapter.

It does not.

Exodus 34:1 tells us that God Himself would write on the two tables Moses hewed and that they would be the same words as were on the tables that Moses broke (not in petulance, as Barker claims, but in righteous indignation that the Israelites had broken covenant with God already in the Golden Calf incident!)

The “he” that wrote on the tablets in verse 28 was The LORD, not Moses.

In verse 27, the LORD instructs Moses to write the precepts and words of chapter 34. Moses writes the more detailed instructions during the 40 days and 40 nights he was on the Mountain; God writes the Ten Commandments on two tables of stone.

In summary, the words “Ten Commandments” appears three times in the Bible, each time referring to the traditional ten, which are given in Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5.

And he (Moses) was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he did neither eat bread nor drink water. And He (the LORD) wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant, the ten commandments. (Exodus 34:28)

And He (the LORD) declared unto you His covenant, which He commanded you to perform, even ten commandments, and He wrote them upon two tables of stone. (Deut. 4:13)

And He wrote on the tables, according to the first writing, the ten commandments, which the LORD spake unto you in the mount out of the midst of the fire in the day of the assembly and the LORD gave them unto me (Moses). (Deut. 10:4).

Lie #6 - “Jesus was unclear about the exact set of commandments.”

Jesus accurately quoted some of the commandments of God in order to make His point. The four mentioned can be summed up as “love thy neighbour as thyself.” There are three duties to God (Commandments 1-3) and six duties to man (Commandments 5-10).* They are summarized in “loving God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength” and “loving your neighbor as yourself”... otherwise known as “the golden rule.” Jesus had not yet mentioned the tenth commandment against covetousness, because that was His whole point. The man he was talking to thought he was keeping all of the commandments of God, yet he coveted riches and was not willing to part with them to follow Jesus. Jesus put His finger on his weakness, which was covetousness.

*[The fourth commandment, keeping the Sabbath, is like a bridge of connection between God and man. Man was not made for the Sabbath but the Sabbath for man (Mark 2:27). This time of rest, refreshment, and reflection restores intimate communion between man and his Maker, strengthening him for the busy-ness of the work week ahead.]

Lie #7 - Barker infers that God taught intolerance and unloving policies toward others.

Jesus taught the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10). He spoke to a Samaritan woman at the well (John 4). The Old Testament is full of examples of kindness towards the stranger. God instructed His people to love the stranger (Lev. 19:34; Deut. 10:19) and not to abhor the Edomite or the Egyptian (Deut. 23:7). Deut. 23:15-16 instructs that escaped slaves are not to be returned to their masters and are not to be oppressed. Deut. 24 instructs the Israelites to leave food for the strangers, fatherless, and widows.

God used Israel as His instrument of Judgment on wicked nations only when their unrepentant, abominable wickedness had come to unbearable fullness. As Matthew Henry points out:

The reason why they must not have the land of promise in possession till the fourth generation was because the iniquity of the Amorites was not yet full. Israel cannot be possessed of Canaan till the Amorites be dispossessed; and they are not yet ripe for ruin. The righteous God has determined that they shall not be cut off till they have persisted in sin so long, and arrived at such a pitch of wickedness, that there may appear some equitable proportion between their sin and their ruin;

Granted, Jewish and Christian history does not always reflect the keeping of the precepts of God. The LORD should not be blamed for the disobedience and errors of those who “take His Name in vain.” Jesus said that many would call Him Lord, Lord, yet not do the things that He said (Luke 6:46).

In conclusion, the LORD Himself spake and wrote the Ten Commandments, which are these (summarized in the form of prohibitions):

1. No other gods

2. No graven images

3. No taking the Name of the LORD in vain

4. No working on seventh-day Sabbath

5. No dishonoring parents

6. No killing

7. No adultery

8. No stealing

9. No bearing false witness

10. No coveting what belongs to your neighbor.

See Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5 for complete text. We are told seven times in Scripture that God wrote these Himself (see Ex. 31:18; 32:15; 34:1; 34:28; Deut. 4:13, 9:10; 10:4).

Why a society would want to negate these precepts and live according to a different standard or no standard is beyond my comprehension. Why Christian theology would deem these precepts obsolete and nailed to the Cross is beyond my comprehension. Why Rabbinical Judaism would deny these precepts are applicable to Christians is beyond my comprehension. Why anyone would think God unfair to impose such perfect precepts upon His people is beyond my comprehension. Why anyone truly born again, with the Spirit of Grace dwelling in his heart, would think these precepts too stringent is beyond my comprehension.

O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear Me, and keep all My commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children forever! (Deut. 5:29)

A Different Era

2009-03-08T15:40:00.002-04:00

My attention has been drawn to my hometown this past week. I never really appreciated the history of Quincy, Massachusetts, City of Presidents. Slim’s photos have kindled an interest in researching some of the history. Imagine my delight in coming across this letter from a father to a son. I never knew that the Adams homestead just a few blocks from my childhood home was once occupied by a man and a family so appreciative of the Bible. Click on title of post for link to source.

St. Petersburg, Sept., 1811

MY DEAR SON: In your letter of the 18th January to your mother, you mentioned that you read to your aunt a chapter in the Bible or a section of Doddridge’s Annotations every evening. This information gave me real pleasure; for so great is my veneration for the Bible, and so strong my belief, that when duly read and meditated on, it is of all books in the world, that which contributes most to make men good, wise, and happy — that the earlier my children begin to read it, the more steadily they pursue the practice of reading it throughout their lives, the more lively and confident will be my hopes that they will prove useful citizens to their country, respectable members of society, and a real blessing to their parents. But I hope you have now arrived at an age to understand that reading, even in the Bible, is a thing in itself, neither good nor bad, but that all the good which can be drawn from it, is by the use and improvement of what you have read, with the help of your own reflection. Young people sometimes boast of how many books, and how much they have read; when, instead of boasting, they ought to be ashamed of having wasted so much time, to so little profit.

I advise you, my son, in whatever you read, and most of all in reading the Bible, to remember that it is for the purpose of making you wiser and more virtuous. I have myself, for many years, made it a practice to read through the Bible once every year. I have always endeavored to read it with the same spirit and temper of mind, which I now recommend to you: that is, with the intention and desire that it may contribute to my advancement in wisdom and virtue. My desire is indeed very imperfectly successful; for, like you, and like the Apostle Paul, “I find a law in my members, warring against the laws of my mind.” But as I know that it is my nature to be imperfect, so I know that it is my duty to aim at perfection; and feeling and deploring my own frailties, I can only pray Almighty God, for the aid of his Spirit to strengthen my good desires, and to subdue my propensities to evil; for it is from him, that every good and every perfect gift descends. My custom is, to read four or five chapters every morning, immediately after rising from my bed. It employs about an hour of my time, and seems to me the most suitable manner of beginning the day. But, as other cares, duties, and occupations, engage the remainder of it, I have perhaps never a sufficient portion of my time in meditation, upon what I have read. Even meditation itself is often fruitless, unless it has some special object in view; useful thoughts often arise in the mind, and pass away without being remembered or applied to any good purpose — like the seed scattered upon the surface of the ground, which the birds devour, or the wind blows away, or which rot without taking root, however good the soil may be upon which they are cast. We are all, my dear George, unwilling to confess our own faults, even to ourselves: and when our own consciences are too honest to conceal them from us, our self-love is always busy, either in attempting to disguise them to us under false and delusive colors, or in seeking out excuses and apologies to reconcile them to our minds. Thus, although I am sensible that I have not derived from my assiduous perusal of the Bible (and I might apply the same remark to almost everything else that I do) all the benefit that I might and ought, I am as constantly endeavoring to persuade myself that it is not my own fault. Sometimes I say to myself, I do not understand what I have read; I can not help it; I did not make my own understanding: there are many things in the Bible “hard to understand,” as St. Peter expressly says of Paul’s epistles: some are hard in the Hebrew, and some in the Greek — the original languages in which the Scriptures were written; some are harder still in the translations. I have been obliged to lead a wandering life about the world, and scarcely ever have at hand the book, which might help me to surmount these difficulties. Conscience sometimes puts the question — whether my not understanding many passages is not owing to my want of attention in reading them. I must admit, that it is; a full proof of which is, that every time I read the Book through, I understand some passages which I never understood before, and which I should have done, at a former reading, had it been effected with a sufficient degree of attention. Then, in answer to myself, I say: It is true; but I can not always command my own attention, and never can to the degree that I wish. My mind is ofttimes so full of other things, absorbed in bodily pain, or engrossed by passion, or distracted by pleasure, or exhausted by dissipation, that I can not give to proper daily employment the attention which I gladly would, and which is absolutely necessary to make it “fruitful of good works.” This acknowledgment of my weakness is just; but for how much of it I am still accountable to God, I hardly dare acknowledge to myself. Is it bodily pain? How often was that brought upon me by my own imprudence of folly? Was it passion? Heaven has given to every human being, the power of controlling his passions, and if he neglects or loses it, the fault is his own, and he must be answerable for it. Was it pleasure? Why did I indulge it? Was it dissipation? This is the most inexcusable of all; for it must have been occasioned by my own thoughtlessness or irresolution. It is no use to discover our own faults and infirmities, unless the discovery prompts us to amendment.

I have thought if in addition to the hour which I daily give to the reading of the Bible, I should also from time to time (and especially on the Sabbath) apply another hour occasionally to communicate to you the reflections that arise in my mind upon its perusal, it might not only tend to fix and promote my own attention to the excellent instructions of that sacred Book, but perhaps also assist your advancement in its knowledge and wisdom. At you age, it is probable that you have still greater difficulties to understand all that you have read in the Bible, than I have at mine; and if you have so much self-observation as your letters indicate, you will be sensible of as much want of attention, both voluntary and involuntary, as I here acknowledge in myself. I intend, therefore, for the purpose of contributing to your improvement and my own, to write you several letters, in due time to follow this, in which I shall endeavor to show you how you may derive the most advantage to yourself, from the perusal of the Scriptures. It is probable, when you receive these letters, you will not, at first reading entirely understand them; if that should be the case, ask your grand-parents, or your uncle or aunt, to explain them: if you still find them too hard, put them on file, and lay them by for two or three years, after which read them again, and you will find them easy enough. It is essential, my son, in order that you may go through life with comfort to yourself, and usefulness to your fellow-creatures, that you should form and adopt certain rules or principles, for the government of your own conduct and temper. Unless you have such rules and principles, there will be numberless occasions on which you will have no guide for your government but your passions. In your infancy and youth, you have been, and will be for some years, under the authority and control of your friends and instructors; but you must soon come to the age when you must govern yourself. You have already come to that age in many respects; you know the difference between right and wrong, and you know some of your duties, and the obligations you are under, to become acquainted with them all. It is in the Bible, you must learn them, and from the Bible how to practise them. Those duties are to God, to your fellow-creatures, and to yourself. “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God, with all thy heart, and with all thy strength, and thy neighbor as thyself.” On these two commandments, Jesus Christ expressly says, “hang all the law and the prophets;” that is to say, the whole purpose of Divine Revelation is to inculcate them efficaciously upon the minds of men. You will perceive that I have spoken of duties to yourself, distinct from those to God and to your fellow-creatures; while Jesus Christ speaks only of two commandments. The reason is, because Christ, and the commandments repeated by him, consider self-love as so implanted in the heart of every man by the law of his nature, that it requires no commandment to establish its influence over the heart; and so great do they know its power to be, that they demand no other measure for the love of our neighbor, than that which they know we shall have for ourselves. But from the love of God, and the love of our neighbor, result duties to ourselves as well as to them, and they are all to be learned in equal perfection by our searching the Scriptures.

Let us, then, search the Scriptures; and, in order to pursue our inquiries with methodical order, let us consider the various sources of information, that we may draw from in this study. The Bible contains the revelation of the will of God. It contains the history of the creation of the world, and of mankind; and afterward the history of one peculiar nation, certainly the most extraordinary nation that has ever appeared upon the earth. It contains a system of religion, and of morality, which we may examine upon its own merits, independent of the sanction it receives from being the Word of God; and it contains a numerous collection of books, written at different ages of the world, by different authors, which we may survey as curious monuments of antiquity, and as literary compositions. In what light soever we regard it, whether with reference to revelation, to literature, to history, or to morality — it is an invaluable and inexhaustible mine of knowledge and virtue.

I shall number separately those letters that I mean to write you upon the subject of the Bible, and as, after they are finished, I shall perhaps ask you to read them all together, or to look over them again myself, you must keep them on separate file. I wish that hereafter they may be useful to your brothers and sisters, as well as to you. As you will receive them as a token of affection for you, during my absence, I pray that they may be worthy to read by them all with benefit to themselves, if it please God, that they should live to be able to understand them.

From your affectionate Father,

John Quincy Adams.

Hometown Memories

2009-03-06T08:48:00.003-05:00

I happened across a photo blog of my home town recently and have been enjoying the diversion of nostalgia and going down memory lane. “Slim” is an outstanding photographer and was featured on Blogs of Note. Each day his pictures are triggering childhood memories as I reminisce. Maybe I will see my own neighborhood or homestead as one of his features. I have already seen my father’s beloved Yacht Club and other landmarks. Today he features the ice cream parlour my family and I used to frequent in the 1950's. I can hardly believe it is still there! Tomorrow he will show us the vintage interior. People from all over the world, especially photography buffs, are visiting this site and leaving comments. There is a link to other City Daily Photo blogs. Maybe your home town is featured. Click on title of post or at my sidebar for link to Quincy Daily Photo.

Defending the Bible's Position on Slavery, Part 6

2009-02-27T05:12:00.003-05:00

This is the last installment in a six-part series re-posted from an article entitled, Defending the Bible's Position on Slavery by Kyle Butt, M.A. (Apologetics Press). Comments and dialogue welcome. Click on title of post for complete article in printer-friendly format.

CONCLUSION

The fact is, certain types of “slavery” not only are permissible, but sometimes necessary to the well-being of a society at large. For the biblical stance on slavery to be condemned as unjust, it must be established that the specific regulations of slavery described in the text are immoral and unfair. However, when closely scrutinized, the biblical stance on slavery aligns itself with true justice. All regulations found therein were established for the just treatment of all parties involved. Many times, slavery as regulated in the Old Testament was a mutually beneficial relationship between servant and master, similar to an employee/employer relationship. Furthermore, slavery often was a substitute for the death penalty—which certain nations deserved. Debt accumulation caused many free persons to sell their labor and become slaves.

The skeptic’s criticism that the New Testament does not speak against the abolition of slavery is misguided for any number of reasons. First, an attempt to generalize and condemn all types of slavery fails to take into account prison, personal debt, indentured servanthood, and a host of other morally permissible situations. Bankruptcy laws, prison terms, community service hours, and garnished wages are morally acceptable modern equivalents to certain types of slavery that were prevalent during the time of the biblical writers. Second, Jesus and the New Testament writers always condemned the mistreatment of any human being, instructing their followers to be kind, loving, and compassionate, whether they were slaves or masters of slaves.

In The Social Record of Christianity, atheist Joseph McCabe wrote: “Slavery is the last word that any Christian apologist ought to mention” (1935, p. 27). But he missed one of the main points in the Bible—that point being that everyone is a slave to something. As the apostle Paul wrote through inspiration:

Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness (Romans 6:16-18).

Some people are slaves to drug addiction, sexual promiscuity, attitudes of pessimism and complaint, or any number of other vices. Others, however, are slaves to righteousness, teaching the Gospel, helping the sick, and taking care of the poor. We each must decide which master we will allow to control our lives. As the psalmist so beautifully stated it many years ago, “I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness” (Psalm 84:10).

God’s injunctions and instructions pertaining to slavery have a clear ring of justice, compassion, mercy, and kindness to them. When analyzed fairly and fully, the idea of slavery gives the honest person one more piece of evidence that points to the perfection of the God of the Bible.

REFERENCES

Arndt, William and F.W. Gingrich (1967), A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature (Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press).

Coffman, Burton (1985), Commentary on Exodus (Abilene, TX: ACU Press).

Copan, Paul (2001), That’s Your Interpretation: Responding to Skeptics Who Challenge Your Faith (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker).

Green, Ruth H. (1979), Born Again Skeptic’s Guide to the Bible (Madison, WI: Freedom from Religion Foundation).

Harrison, R.K. (1988), “Molech,” International Bible Encyclopedia, ed. Geoffrey W. Bromiley (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans).

Keil, C.F. and Franz Delitzsch (1981 reprint), Biblical Commentaries on the Old Testament: The Pentateuch (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans).

Lockyer, Herbert (1969), All the Trades and Occupations of the Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan).

McCabe, Joseph (1935), The Social Record of Christianity (London: Watts and Co.).

Smith, Morton and R. Joseph Hoffman, eds. (1989), What the Bible Really Says (Buffalo, NY: Prometheus).

Spence, H.D.M. and J.S. Exell, eds. (no date), “Genesis/Exodus,” The Pulpit Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans).

Vander Lugt, Dan (2001), Why Does the Bible Seem to Tolerate the Institution of Slavery?, [On-line], URL: http://www.gospelcom.net/rbc/questions/answer.php?catagory=bible&folde r=slavery&topic=Slavery&file=slavery.xml.

Vander Lugt, Herb (1999), What Does the Bible Really Say about Slavery? (Grand Rapids, MI: RBC Ministries).

Wenham, G.J. (1979), New International Commentary on the Old Testament: The Book of Leviticus (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans).

Wright, Christopher (1983), An Eye for An Eye: The Place of Old Testament Ethics Today (Downers Grove: IL: InterVarsity Press).

Copyright © 2005 Apologetics Press, Inc. All rights reserved.
This document may be copied, on the condition that it will not be republished in print unless otherwise stated below, and will not be used for any commercial purpose, as long as the following stipulations are observed: (1) Apologetics Press must be designated as the original publisher; (2) the specific Apologetics Press Web site URL must be noted; (3) any references, footnotes, or endnotes that accompany the article must be included with any written reproduction of the article; (4) textual alterations of any kind are strictly forbidden; (5) Some illustrations (e.g., photographs, charts, graphics, etc.) are not the intellectual property of Apologetics Press and as such cannot be reproduced from our site without consent from the person or organization that maintains those intellectual rights; (6) serialization of written material (e.g., running an article in several parts) is permitted, as long as the whole of the material is made available, without editing, in a reasonable length of time; (7) articles, in whole or in part, may not be offered for sale or included in items offered for sale; and (8) articles may be reproduced in electronic form for posting on Web sites pending they are not edited or altered from their original written content and that credit is given to Apologetics Press, including the web location from which the articles were taken. Further, documents may not be copied without source statements (title, author, journal title), and the address of the publisher and owner of rights, as listed below.

For catalog, samples, or further information, contact:

Apologetics Press
230 Landmark Drive
Montgomery, Alabama 36117
U.S.A.
Phone (334) 272-8558
http://www.apologeticspress.org

Defending the Bible's Position on Slavery, Part 5

2009-02-26T06:47:00.003-05:00

This is the fifth installment in a six-part series re-posted from an article entitled, Defending the Bible's Position on Slavery by Kyle Butt, M.A. (Apologetics Press). Comments and dialogue welcome. Click on title of post for complete article in printer-friendly format.

SLAVERY IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

As we look into the New Testament, we see a strikingly different picture with regard to the biblical injunctions pertaining to slavery. The New Testament does not contain the specific regulations dealing with slavery that can be found in the Old Testament. In fact, for the most part, the New Testament says very little in its regulation of slavery. And herein lies one of the skeptic’s primary challenges to the New Testament’s stance on slavery. If the New Testament is supposedly a book inspired by an all-loving God, why does it remain virtually silent on slavery? Smith and Hoffman, in their attack on the Bible, stated:

Slave-owning was the order of the day and, so far as we are told, Jesus never attacked the practice. He took the state of affairs for granted and shaped his parables accordingly.... If Jesus had denounced slavery, we should almost certainly have heard of his doing so (Smith and Hoffman, 1989, p. 143).

The other challenge to the New Testament’s stance on slavery centers on the passages that teach slaves to be humble and obedient servants to their masters. In Colossians 3:22, Paul commanded: “Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything, not only while being watched and in order to please them, but wholeheartedly, fearing the Lord” (NRSV). Although several modern translations insert the word “servants” at the first of this verse, “slaves” is probably a better translation of the Greek word douloi in this passage (Arndt and Gingrich, 1967, p. 205). Other similar passages include 1 Peter 2:18-20, 1 Corinthians 7:21-24, and Ephesians 6:5-9. Ruth Green, after presenting her case to suggest that the Bible condones slavery, wrote:

Those who deny my contentions about the Bible should turn to the Epistles to see what Paul and Peter have to say about “servants” and masters. Here are only two examples: “Servants, be subject to your masters in all fear” (1 Peter 2:18). “Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters . . . with fear and trembling” (Ephesians 6:5). There are many more instructions about slavery in the Christian Holy Book (1979, p. 352).

Does the New Testament remain silent in its condemnation of all slavery? And why does it specifically instruct slaves to be obedient to their masters?

First, it must be acknowledged that many of the types of servanthood or slavery in the New Testament are identical to the morally permissible types discussed earlier in this article. For instance, much first-century slavery discussed in the Bible centered on the fact that a person had accrued massive debt, and thus had become a slave or servant due to this debt. As an example, in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said: “Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. Assuredly, I say to you, you will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny” (Matthew 5:25-26). From Christ’s comments, it can be ascertained that the person in this text who does not make the effort to agree with his adversary could risk being thrown into prison until that person “paid the last penny.” This situation involved a revoking of individual freedoms due to the fact that the individual owed an unpaid debt—a debt that originally was owed to the adversary, or one that resulted from a fine imposed by a judge.

In Matthew 18:21-35, Jesus told a story about a servant who owed his master ten thousand talents. A talent was a huge sum of money that would be the modern equivalent of many thousands of dollars. It could easily have been the case that this servant had become a servant due to this enormous debt, or was being kept a servant because of the debt. Debt slavery was still a very real form of restitution in New Testament times. Such a condition absolutely cannot be used to argue that God is an unjust God for letting such take place.

Furthermore, it is a false notion that God condones something just because He mentions it without an immediate condemnation of it in the surrounding verses. Skeptics point to verses like 1 Peter 2:8 and Ephesians 6:5, and then insist that God condones abusive slavery because He instructs servants to be obedient to their masters. But, let us analyze that line of thinking. In Matthew 5:39, Christ instructed His listeners: “Do not resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.” Because Jesus told His listeners to be kind and turn the other cheek, does that mean that He condones the actions of the one who did the slapping? Absolutely not! Or what about the fact that Paul, through divine inspiration, instructed his readers to be subject to civil governments and to pay taxes to those governments. Was Paul condoning all practices of all governments to whom his readers would be subject and pay taxes? Certainly not. God never has condoned such unjustified behavior on the part of any individual or group.

Biblical Principles and Abolition

As a concluding argument, let it be clearly stated that the principles set forth by Jesus and His apostles, if followed, would result in the abolition of all types of abusive relationships. Slavery would have been nonexistent if everyone from the first century forward had adhered to Jesus’ admonition in Matthew 7:12: “Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them.” Any discussion of slavery would be moot if the world had heeded the words of Peter: “Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another, love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous” (1 Peter 3:8).

Truly, the teachings of the Lord and the apostles would have abolished slavery like no other social reform system ever known. As Herb Vander Lugt accurately observed:

Jesus and the apostles didn’t go on an anti-slavery crusade, because doing so would have been futile and a hindrance to their primary mission. The priority of Jesus was the provision of salvation. For the apostles it was the proclamation of the gospel. But both Jesus and the apostles undermined the basis for slavery by making it clear that God equally loves rich and poor, free and slave, male and female. The apostles also welcomed into the church and gave equal status to all who believed, regardless of race, gender, nationality, or social position (1999, p. 26).

Furthermore, an outright condemnation of kidnapping, or slave trading, is found in the New Testament. In 1 Timothy 1:9-10, Paul wrote:

We also know that law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious; for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for adulterers and perverts, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine... (NIV, emp. added).

Other versions render the Greek word andrapodistais as “kidnappers,” or “menstealers,” but it also is translated slave dealers or slave traders (Arndt and Gingrich, 1967, p. 63). Therefore, in keeping with the Old Testament injunction that anyone kidnapping and selling a person involves himself in immoral conduct, Paul certainly distinguished between certain types of slavery practices that were inherently wrong, and others that were not intrinsically sinful.

To be continued.....

Defending the Bible's Position on Slavery, Part 4

2009-02-25T08:48:00.002-05:00

This is the fourth installment in a six-part series re-posted from an article entitled, Defending the Bible's Position on Slavery by Kyle Butt, M.A. (Apologetics Press). Comments and dialogue welcome. Click on title of post for complete article in printer-friendly format.

DIFFICULT LAWS TO UNDERSTAND

Admittedly, even with all the humane slave laws contained in the Old Testament, there are certain laws that we, in modern times, have a difficult time understanding. For instance, Exodus 21:20 reads:

And if a man beats his male or female servant with a rod, so that he dies under his hand, he shall surely be punished. Notwithstanding, if he remains alive a day or two, he shall not be punished; for he is his property.

In the first place, how could God allow a slave owner to beat his slave at all? To answer this question, we must remember who many of the Old Testament slaves were. They were members of the wicked, sinful nations who had been delivered into the hands of the Israelites because of their immorality. Suppose that a slave from one of those nations had made up his mind to do as much damage to his owner as possible. The slave had the option of running away to a gentler owner whenever he wished (Deuteronomy 23:15-16). However, suppose that he chose to stay and steal from the owner, or break the owner’s equipment intentionally, or destroy the owner’s crops. What could the owner do to stop such sabotage? Herb Vander Lugt put it like this:

Then, too, no matter how well the slaves were treated, some might have been rebellious and defiant. Forgetting that they were alive because they were taken as war captives instead of being executed, they might have blamed their master for their slave status. They might have shown their resentment by destroying property, abusing fellow slaves, or refusing to work. The master may have had no other way to bring his slave in line than to use physical punishment (1999, p. 17).

As appalling as it is to the sensitivities of most United States citizens, many countries still employ some type of beating or bodily harm to deter crime (some readers may recall the controversy over “caning” in Singapore in the early 1990s). When a modern-day prisoner violates rules while incarcerated, more stringent punishment (such as solitary confinement) often is required. If a slave deserved the death sentence, yet was allowed to live under certain conditions—and then did not comply with those conditions—would it be feasible to suggest that his death sentence could be reinstated? Even though it seems harsh to us, Exodus 21:20 does not militate against the justice of God.

In fact, the more closely the passage is scrutinized, the more it manifests the idea that God was protecting the slave. Concerning the punishment that a master would receive if he did beat his slave to death, Christopher Wright noted that the word “punished” as used here actually means “avenged.” And,

in any other context [it] would mean that the guilty party would be liable to death himself at the hands of his victim’s family.... This law’s natural sense is that the murderous master was to be executed by the legal community on behalf of the slave, who had no family to avenge him (1983, p. 180).

While not all commentators are as confident as Wright is (that in this passage the death penalty is involved), there is no concrete case which argues that the death penalty is not at least a possibility in this situation. The authors of the Pulpit Commentary observed how this fear of punishment would protect the slave.

Involving, as the death of the slave did, criminal proceedings, and, on conviction, severe punishment, the mere danger of a fatal result ensuing would be a powerful deterrent from exceptional violence.... The mere risk of incurring such a penalty would inspire salutary caution (Spence and Exell, n.d., p. 179).

Adding additional weight to the argument that the restriction in Exodus 21:20 was for the benefit of the slave, Burton Coffman wrote:

This was a protective right granted to slaves that they should not be beaten to death! If that seems like a small blessing to us, let it be remembered that under the system in vogue all over the pagan world of that era, and extending down even till apostolical times, the Roman Law, in force all over the world, provided as a penalty against slaves, even for trivial and unintentional violations, that shame of the whole pagan world “flagellis ad mortem” (beaten to death), a penalty usually inflicted in the presence of all the other slaves of a master. God here provided that punishment should be meted out to a slave-owner for following that pagan custom (1985, pp. 309-310).

By way of summary, then, Exodus 21:20 documents that under certain circumstances, beating could be morally acceptable as punishment. This passage, however, provided rights that did not exist in other pagan cultures for the protection of the slave.

Exodus 21:26-27 provides another example of a law that seems difficult for us, in the present day, to understand as coming from a righteous God.

If a man strikes the eye of his male or female servant, and destroys it, he shall let him go free for the sake of his eye. And if he knocks out the tooth of his male or female servant, he shall let him go free for the sake of his tooth.

Again, let it be noted that physical punishment might be the only solution to an unruly, rebellious slave who should have received the death penalty. However, something else of interest emerges from this verse that, rather than expressing the cruelty of Old Testament laws regulating slavery, shows instead God’s care for those enslaved. The text states that the eyes and teeth of slaves should not be knocked out or destroyed. However, the nations around the Israelites did not adhere to any such standards. When the Philistines captured Samson, they “took him and put out his eyes; and brought him down to Gaza. They bound him with bronze fetters; and he became a grinder in the prison” (Judges 16:21). Also, when the Babylonian soldiers raided Israel, capturing King Zedekiah, “they killed the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, put out the eyes of Zedekiah, bound him with bronze fetters, and took him to Babylon” (2 Kings 25:7). God’s regulations for the treatment of slaves provided the slaves with many more rights than they had in the nations surrounding Israel.

Another of the most startling regulations concerning slavery is found in Leviticus 19:20-22:

And whosoever lieth carnally with a woman, that is a bondmaid, betrothed to an husband, and not at all redeemed, nor freedom given her; she shall be scourged; they shall not be put to death, because she was not free. And he shall bring his trespass offering unto the Lord, unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, even a ram for a trespass offering (KJV).

Of course, skeptics have a heyday with this reading from the King James Version, which seems to indicate that if a free man has sexual intercourse with a slave woman who is betrothed, then the slave woman is to be scourged and the man simply supplies a ram as a trespass offering. However, upon further investigation, it can be seen that this passage says something far different.

In the first place, the translators of the KJV most likely mistranslated the part of the text “she shall be scourged.” The ASV translators rendered the passage as follows:

And whosoever lieth carnally with a woman that is a bondmaid, betrothed to a husband, and not at all redeemed, nor freedom given her; they shall be punished; they shall not be put to death, because she was not free. And he shall bring his trespass-offering unto Jehovah, unto the door of the tent of meeting, even a ram for a trespass-offering.

The NKJV translators offered this reading:

Whoever lies carnally with a woman who is betrothed to a man as a concubine, and who has not at all been redeemed nor given her freedom, for this there shall be scourging; but they shall not be put to death, because she was not free. And he shall bring his trespass offering to the Lord, to the door of the tabernacle of meeting, a ram as a trespass offering.

A brief look at these three translations shows that the recipient(s) of the punishment is not as clearly delineated as the KJV indicates. Keil and Delitzsch, in their commentary on the Pentateuch, noted that the scourging “referred to both parties, as is evident from the expression, ‘they shall not be put to death’” (1981, p. 422). G.J. Wenham has introduced another interesting solution regarding this passage by translating the disputed passage about scourging as “damages must be paid” (1979, p. 270). Concerning this translation he wrote:

This is the most problematic phrase in this law: literally, “there will be a biqqôret.” The word biqqôret occurs only here in the OT, and its meaning is therefore quite uncertain.... Other renderings of biqqôret have less to commend them. “An inquiry shall be held” (RSV; cf. NEB) is vacuous: every legal dispute would have involved inquiry. “She shall be scourged” (AV) goes back to an old Jewish interpretation, probably based on the dubious derivation of biqqôret from bâqâr, “ox, i.e., an oxhide scourge” (pp. 270-271, emp. added).

Taking these things into account, it appears that the passage does not indicate that the female should be scourged apart from the guilty male. Rather, whatever punishment was inflicted should be applied equally, except for the fact that the guilty male alone shoulders the responsibility of supplying the ram for the trespass offering.

According to God, the Israelites did not have absolute control over their slaves, as is evinced by the instructions in Exodus 21:20,26-27 and Leviticus 19:20. This idea was a departure from the generally accepted notions of slavery in the Near East during the Israelites’ day. “Any demeaning or oppressive treatment of slaves was condemned as wrong by biblical writers” (Copan, 2001, pp. 173-174). God’s laws in the Old Testament not only regulated slavery (so that those enslaved would be given many rights that they otherwise would not have had), but they also supplied the means whereby fairness could be meted out with regard to criminal activity and debt. Every regulation of slavery in the Old Testament can be shown to be in harmony with the principles of justice and fairness.

To be continued.....

Defending the Bible's Position on Slavery, Part 3

2009-02-24T08:00:00.003-05:00

This is the third installment in a six-part series re-posted from an article entitled, Defending the Bible's Position on Slavery by Kyle Butt, M.A. (Apologetics Press). Comments and dialogue welcome. Click on title of post for complete article in printer-friendly format.

A Mutually Beneficial Relationship

Frequently, “slavery” in Bible times was much more of an employer/employee relationship than an owner/slave situation. Even the words used to delineate between a hired servant and a slave are difficult to separate. As Herbert Lockyer noted:

In the ancient world, service and slavery were closely related, so much so that one can scarcely distinguish the one from the other. The original words used for “servants” and “service” carry a variety of meanings between which it is not always easy to determine what is meant (1969, p. 197).

Arndt and Gingrich documented that the Greek word doulos meant “slave,” but that it also was used “in a wider sense” to denote “any kind of dependence.” In 2 Corinthians 4:5, the apostles are called the douloi (plural of doulos) of the Christians. Christ took on the form of a doulos, as stated in Philippians 2:7. Paul designates himself as a doulos of Christ in Romans 1:1, Philippians 1:1, Galatians 1:10, and numerous other passages (1967, pp. 205-206). The term can describe a person who is obligated in some way, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, to another person. Due to this broad use, various translations have employed a wide range of words to render the meaning of doulos in English. Using Romans 1:1 as a case in point, the NKJV has “bondservant,” the New Living Translation has “slave,” the KJV and ASV have “servant,” and the Darby Bible has “bondman.”

The Hebrew word ebed is similar to the Greek doulos, in that it can be translated as “slave” or “servant.” In Exodus 4:10, Moses referred to himself as the “servant” (ebed) of God. Abraham called himself the ebed of the angels who came to visit him in Genesis 18:3. In Genesis 39:17-19, Potiphar’s wife described Joseph as the Hebrew ebed, and Genesis 24:2 talks about the eldest ebed in Abraham’s house, who “ruled over all he had.”

The purpose of including this brief description of the two most common terms for a slave is to show that our modern use of the word slave generally evokes mental images of cruelty, injustice, and bondage against a person’s will. While such ideas could be included in the biblical usage, they do not necessarily fit every time the words are used. Instead, the picture that we often see when the biblical words for “slave” are employed is a mutually beneficial arrangement similar to an employer/employee relationship. Job describes this relationship quite well:

If I have despised the cause of my manservant (ebed) or of my maidservant, when they contended with me; what then shall I do when God riseth up? And when he visiteth, what shall I answer him? Did not he that made me in the womb make him? And did not one fashion us in the womb (Job 31:13-15)?

Obviously, Job’s dealings with his slaves provided a mutually acceptable situation for master as well as slave.

To illustrate further the true nature of much Old Testament slavery, Abraham’s relationship with his slave Eliezer should be examined. In Genesis 15:2-3, Abraham lamented the fact that he was childless. In his dialogue with God, he stated that the heir of his wealth was Eliezer of Damascus. In verse three of chapter 15, Abraham described Eliezer as “one born in my house.” Later, in Genesis 24:2, Abraham’s oldest servant (probably Eliezer) “ruled over all that he had.” Add to this the fact that Abraham armed 318 trained servants (Hebrew ebed) to bring back Lot after he had been captured (Genesis 14:14-15). If the slave/owner relationship was anything less than mutually trusting, Abraham most likely would not have intentionally armed his slaves.

Due to the mutually beneficial nature of much Old Testament slavery, some slaves did not even want to leave their masters. Deuteronomy 15:16-17 deals with that very situation:

And if it happens that he [a slave—KB] says to you, “I will not go away from you,” because he loves you and your house, since he prospers with you, then you shall take an awl and thrust it through his ear to the door, and he shall be your servant forever. Also to your maidservant you shall do likewise.

Do the actions and words of Abraham’s slaves, or those found in Deuteronomy 15, seem like the actions and words of tyrannized, oppressed people? Hardly. Rather, they seem more like the words and actions of people enjoying a mutually beneficial and consensual relationship.

Even during New Testament times, slavery often provided a mutually beneficial relationship to both owner and slave. As Paul Copan remarked:

During Paul’s time, the master-slave relationship provided sufficient benefits and opportunities, such that it dampened any thoughts of revolutionary behavior. One freed slave had inscribed on his tombstone: “Slavery was never unkind to me....” More often than not, it was the free workers rather than slaves who were abused by foremen and bosses. (After all, an owner stood to have an ongoing loss if he abused his slave.) [2001, p. 172, parenthetical item and emp. in orig.].

But suppose a master did abuse his slaves in Old Testament times, and those slaves decided to run away. In Deuteronomy 23:15-16, God made it unlawful for runaway slaves to be returned to their masters. The text states:

You shall not give back to his master the slave who has escaped from his master to you. He may dwell with you in your midst, in the place which he chooses within one of your gates, where it seems best to him; you shall not oppress him.

This passage is particularly revealing because it shows how costly cruelty to slaves was. It also shows that slaves had the freedom to choose where, and with whom, they wanted to live. Wright noted that this passage proves that

[s]lavery as such is not protected or rendered sacrosanct under Israelite law. At the very least it can be said that such a law probably presumes that runaway slaves will be the exception, not the rule. This lends further weight to the view that normally slavery in Israel was not oppressively harsh. It would certainly not have been, if the spirit of the slavery laws of Exodus and Deuteronomy were put into practice (1983, pp. 181-182).

Add to this the fact that kidnapping a man and selling him as a slave was a crime punishable by death, as noted in Exodus 21:16: “He who kidnaps a man and sells him, or if he is found in his hand, shall surely be put to death.” Certainly, any parallel to slavery in early America can be easily refuted.

Also note that the slavery regulated in the Bible had absolutely nothing to do with race, color, or ethnic background. While it is true that certain nations, as a whole, were captured and enslaved because of their wicked, idolatrous practices, it is not true that they were enslaved due to their allegedly inferior nationality. Leviticus 19:34 states: “But the stranger who dwells among you shall be to you as one born among you, and you shall love him as yourself; for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.” Deuteronomy 24:14 reads: “You shall not oppress a hired servant who is poor and needy, whether one of your brethren, or one of the aliens who is in your land within thy gates.” And, although certain regulations applied only to Hebrews who found themselves enslaved (Deuteronomy 15:12-14; Exodus 21:2), it was not because they were a “superior” race or nationality, but simply because they were citizens of the nation of Israel (a similar concept would be the fact that a person who is born in the USA is not inherently any less or any more valuable than any other person, but, under the law system of the United States, that person would possess certain rights and privileges that a non-citizen would not enjoy). Deuteronomy 10:17-19 illustrates God’s impartiality well:

For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality nor takes a bribe. He administers justice for the fatherless and widow, and loves the stranger, giving him food and clothing. Therefore, love the stranger; for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.

The New Testament further underscores the idea of human equality in passages such as Galatians 3:28: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one man in Christ Jesus.” Job’s statement regarding his slave’s equality—due to the fact that God formed him in the same way that God formed Job (31:15)—provides a perfect example of the biblical idea that all men possess the same inherent value. The idea that one nation or race is superior to another does not come from the Bible. Racism like that displayed by many during the slavery years of the United States has always been a sin (Acts 17:26-31).

A valid question naturally arises from the comment above, that, on occasion, nations as a whole were enslaved because of their wickedness. What about the children of those wicked men and women? Must they become slaves as well, suffering for their parents’ evil actions? First, let us acknowledge that, even today, children often suffer because of their parents’ poor decisions. Consider the sad and pitiful plight of a child whose father is an alcoholic or child abuser. That child will suffer physically, emotionally, and financially. Even in modern times, the children who are born in poverty or cruelty often remain slaves of those elements their entire lives. Second, let us ask a more pertinent question: Would it be better for that child to grow up in a country where the slave laws protected him or her, or would it be better for the child to have to “pass through the fire to Molech”? To ask is to answer, is it not? When nations were conquered by the Israelites, what was to happen to the nations’ children who remained alive? They could be left to die on their own, or they could be given homes, food, and jobs. Which of the two options is more humane? Again, to ask is to answer. Furthermore, if the child grew up and did not like his master, he or she could simply run away and live wherever he or she wanted (Deuteronomy 23:15-16).

As we consider further the situation of slaves in ancient Israel, it is interesting to note that every slave was entitled (by God) to have a part in the Sabbath rest once every week. Exodus 20:10 states:

[B]ut the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your manservant, nor your maidservant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates (emp. added).

Along these same lines, every slave also was entitled to partake in the eight-day festivities surrounding the Feast of Weeks and the Feast of Tabernacles (Deuteronomy 16:9-17). The welcome rest provided on these occasions shows that God’s regulations for slavery in Israel were humane and fair. Furthermore, the year of Jubilee (Leviticus 25:10) provided freedom to “all the inhabitants” in the land of the children of Israel. [This provision included the bulk of the slaves, with possible exceptions such as those slaves who had chosen to stay with their masters and have their ears pierced as a sign of their situation.]

And you shall consecrate the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a Jubilee for you; and each of you shall return to his possession, and each of you shall return to his family.

Certainly, God kindly provided rest and freedom for slaves under the Old Testament in order to quell abuses that might arise.

Slaves of Debt

Another aspect of Old Testament slavery had to do with severe debt accumulation. In Old Testament times, no bankruptcy legislation held sway over the Israelites. What was to be done for the person who was drowning in a sea of debt? Was his lender simply to wave his hand and forgive the debt? Would that be a fair situation for the lender? Hardly. Therefore, many of the slave situations arose because of such debt. Herb Vander Lugt commented:

Remember too, at that time no nation had the ability to deal with people who had gotten themselves hopelessly in debt. So they were allowed to sell themselves into slavery (often temporarily) in exchange for release from their financial obligations (Ex. 21:2-4; Lev. 25:39-43; Dt.15:12) [1999, p. 11, parenthetical item in orig.].

Leviticus 25:47-49 provides an example of slavery caused by debt:

Now if a sojourner or stranger close to you becomes rich, and one of your brethren who dwells by him becomes poor, and sells himself to the stranger or sojourner close to you, or to a member of the stranger’s family, after he is sold he may be redeemed again. One of his brothers may redeem him; or his uncle or his uncle’s son may redeem him; or anyone who is near of kin to him in his family may redeem him; or if he is able he may redeem himself.

Would it be fair for a society to allow a person who had accumulated a huge amount of debt to sell his labor to another person to pay that debt? Yes, it would. However, God—aware that abuse might arise in any situation—even regulated debt slavery, and provided for the rights and privileges of the slave to be guarded.

To be continued......

Defending the Bible's Position on Slavery, Part 2

2009-02-23T06:42:00.003-05:00

This is the second installment in a six-part series re-posted from an article entitled, Defending the Bible's Position on Slavery by Kyle Butt, M.A. (Apologetics Press). Comments and dialogue welcome. Click on title of post for complete article in printer-friendly format.

SLAVERY IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

In Matthew 19:3-10, the Pharisees came to Jesus, attempting to trap Him with questions about the Old Law. They asked: “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for just any reason?” Jesus informed them that divorce was not in God’s plan from the beginning. Thinking they had trapped Him, they inquired: “Why, then, did Moses command to give a certificate of divorce and to put her away?” If it was in the Old Law, they suggested, then it must be God’s ideal will. But Jesus’ answer quickly stopped that line of thinking. He responded:

Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, permitted you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery.

Jesus’ point was crystal clear—some things permitted in the Old Testament did not necessarily represent the ideal. Due to the hardness of ancient Israel’s heart, God tolerated (and regulated) some things under the Old Law that He did not endorse. As He did so, however, He progressively revealed His divine will to mankind, clarifying that will more fully through Christ.

Many of the injunctions found in the Old Testament pertaining to slavery fall into the category of regulating something that was “less than ideal.” Even in the Old Testament, God desired that all people love their neighbors as themselves (Leviticus 19:18). Yet, in a time when God used the children of Israel as His arm of justice to punish evildoers, certain questions arose. What was to be done, for example, with the survivors of those wicked nations? What was to be done with a man who was so far in debt that he could not repay his lender? These issues, and others like them, necessitated that God institute some form of humane regulations for “slavery.”

Often, those who attack the Bible skirt the real crux of the slavery issue. They point to verses in the Old Testament that offer a particular regulation for slavery. From there, they proceed to argue that the Bible is a vile book that does not condemn, but actually condones slavery. And, they argue, since all slavery is morally wrong, the Bible must not be the product of a loving God.

However, those who take such a position fail to consider that certain types of slavery are not morally wrong. For instance, when a man is convicted of murder, he often is sentenced to life in prison. During his life sentence, he is forced by the State to do (or not do) certain things. He is justly confined to a small living space, and his freedoms are revoked. Sometimes, he is compelled by the State to work long hours, for which he does not receive even minimum wage. Would it be justifiable to label such a loss of freedom as a type of slavery? Yes, it would. However, is his loss of freedom a morally permissible situation? Certainly. He has become a slave of the State because he violated certain laws that were designed to ensure the liberty of his fellow citizen, whom he murdered. Therefore, one fact that must be conceded by anyone dealing with the Bible and its position on slavery is the fact that, under some conditions, slavery is not necessarily a morally deplorable institution.

Taking that into account, we also must ask: Who has the right to determine when slavery can be imposed on a certain person or group of people? The answer, of course, is God. In the Old Testament, immoral nations who practiced unspeakable evils surrounded the Hebrews. In order to rid the world of their destructive influence, the children of Israel dealt with them in several ways. One of those ways included forcing the wicked nations into slavery. Many of the slave regulations in the Old Testament deal with the treatment of individuals and nations who had committed crimes against humanity that were worthy of death. The wicked people were graciously allowed to live, but they were subjected to slavery, much like a lifetime prison sentence in modern criminal cases. Let us look more closely at this situation. In Leviticus 18:21,24 we read that the Lord told Moses to instruct the Israelites as follows:

And you shall not let any of your descendants pass through the fire to Molech.... Do not defile yourselves with any of these things; for by all these the nations are defiled, which I am casting out before you.

In order to understand this scenario, it is important that we understand what the phrase, “pass through the fire to Molech,” means in verse 21. In brief, it means that the nations around the Israelites were burning their own children as human sacrifices to a pagan god named Molech (for further information on Molech and this practice, see Harrison, 1988, 3:401). Fitting this into our discussion, would it be morally permissible for God to allow a government (e.g., the Israelites) to punish those people who were viciously murdering their own children? We must answer in the affirmative. What punishment would be appropriate for a person who had committed such heinous crimes as to murder his or her own innocent children? The answer to that question rages even in our own society today when instances of child homicide arrive before the courts of our land. Legitimate answers often include the death penalty, or a life in prison in which many freedoms are revoked.

As additional evidence along these lines, in Exodus 22:1-3, the Bible discusses a situation in which a man was caught in the act of thievery. The thief was instructed to restore what he stole, returning four sheep, and five oxen, for every one stolen. The text further states: “He should make full restitution; if he has nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft” (vs. 3). Being sold into slavery was often a government-regulated punishment based on a criminal action. One can see, then, that it is morally permissible to revoke the freedoms of certain people or groups of people based on their inappropriate conduct.

Accordingly, many of the slavery regulations in the Old Testament pertained to people who deserved far worse. Dan Vander Lugt commented:

Old Testament laws regulating slavery are troublesome by modern standards, but in their historical context they provided a degree of social recognition and legal protection to slaves that was advanced for its time (Exodus 21:20-27; Leviticus 25:44-46). We must keep in mind that on occasion it was an alternative to the massacre of enemy populations in wartime and the starvation of the poor during famine (2001, p. 1).

To be continued.......

Copyright © 2005 Apologetics Press, Inc. All rights reserved.
This document may be copied, on the condition that it will not be republished in print unless otherwise stated below, and will not be used for any commercial purpose, as long as the following stipulations are observed: (1) Apologetics Press must be designated as the original publisher; (2) the specific Apologetics Press Web site URL must be noted; (3) any references, footnotes, or endnotes that accompany the article must be included with any written reproduction of the article; (4) textual alterations of any kind are strictly forbidden; (5) Some illustrations (e.g., photographs, charts, graphics, etc.) are not the intellectual property of Apologetics Press and as such cannot be reproduced from our site without consent from the person or organization that maintains those intellectual rights; (6) serialization of written material (e.g., running an article in several parts) is permitted, as long as the whole of the material is made available, without editing, in a reasonable length of time; (7) articles, in whole or in part, may not be offered for sale or included in items offered for sale; and (8) articles may be reproduced in electronic form for posting on Web sites pending they are not edited or altered from their original written content and that credit is given to Apologetics Press, including the web location from which the articles were taken. Further, documents may not be copied without source statements (title, author, journal title), and the address of the publisher and owner of rights, as listed below.

For catalog, samples, or further information, contact:

Apologetics Press
230 Landmark Drive
Montgomery, Alabama 36117
U.S.A.
Phone (334) 272-8558
http://www.apologeticspress.org

Defending the Bible's Position on Slavery

2009-02-22T06:31:00.003-05:00

The question of slavery has been brought up recently, and Biblical Ethics have been challenged in a number of areas. One by one, I hope to offer convincing apologetics for the so-called “absurdities, evil ethics, and contradictions” in the Bible that unbelievers bring to my attention. The mandate of the Moss Patch is to “earnestly contend for the faith once delivered....” (Jude).

The article below will be presented in daily installments this week. Click on title of post or sidebar link to access the full article and other helpful resources.

This item is available on the Apologetics Press Web site at: http://www.apologeticspress.org/articles/368 - it was originally published in Reason & Revelation, 25[6]:41-47

AP Content :: Reason & Revelation

Defending the Bible’s Position on Slavery
by Kyle Butt, M.A.

Through the millennia, some of the worst atrocities perpetrated on humans have been linked to the institution of slavery. Historically, slavery has not designated one particular ethnic group as its singular victim. The Hebrews were slaves to the Egyptians during the days of Moses. During the reign of King David, the Moabites were subjected to slavery (2 Samuel 8:2). Alexander the Great forced almost the entire inhabited world to cower and serve him. Truth be told, practically every nationality of people that exists today could point to a time in its past history when it fell victim to slavery. Hitting closer to home, the pages of history dealing with the formative years of the United States are despoiled with gruesome stories of ships carrying slaves sold to the Americas by their fellow Africans (and others, e.g., Arabians). These slaves frequently were packed so densely in lower ship decks that many of them died of disease or malnutrition. Those who lived to see the States soon learned that their fate hinged upon those who purchased them. Some slaves were ushered into homes with kind masters, decent living facilities, good food, and freedom to worship. Other slaves were purchased by cruel, greedy people who overworked them, abused them, underfed them, and allowed them no freedom.

Friction soon arose between those who wanted to maintain slavery, and those who wanted to outlaw the practice as inhumane and unjust. It can be argued convincingly that the American Civil War was fought primarily over this very issue. Politicians raged on both sides of the matter. Interestingly, so did religious people. Abolitionists, as well as pro-slavery advocates, went to the Bible to marshal arguments for their particular view. Abolitionists armed themselves with verses such as: “Therefore whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them: for this is the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:12); or “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you all are one man in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28). Religious pro-slavery activists fired impressive scriptural guns by quoting passages such as: “Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh” (1 Peter 2:18); and “Servants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of your heart, as to Christ” (Ephesians 6:5). Can we determine with accuracy what the Bible really says on the topic of slavery? Does the Bible condemn it as a social injustice? Does the Bible condone the practice? And how does the Bible’s position on slavery mesh with the idea of a loving God?

For years, skeptics have railed against the written Word, insisting that its pro-slavery tendencies should alert any reader who has a scrap of common sense to the idea that an all-loving God could not have inspired such atrocious material. Morton Smith and R. Joseph Hoffman, in a book titled What the Bible Really Says, commented:

[T]here is no reasonable doubt that the New Testament, like the Old, not only tolerated chattel slavery (the form prevalent in the Greco-Roman world of Paul’s time) but helped to perpetuate it by making the slaves’ obedience to their masters a religious duty. This biblical morality was one of the great handicaps that the emancipation movement in the United States had to overcome. The opponents of abolition had clear biblical evidence on their side when they argued (1989, pp. 145-146, parenthetical item in orig.).

Following a similar line of thinking, Ruth Green wrote that “it was the Old and New Testaments of the Bible that were the authority for keeping humanity in serfdom for centuries and for legitimizing slavery in America, making a bloody civil war necessary to give slaves human rights under our Constitution” (1979, p. 351).

Has the Bible been responsible for the oppression of slaves in the past? No, it has not. In fact, an in-depth look into the biblical account that reveals God’s attitude toward slavery shows just the opposite.

To be continued.....

Genesis Contradictions?

2009-02-18T18:20:00.002-05:00

I watched an interesting movie recently entitled Vantage Point. The entire film depicts one 15-minute scene from multiple perspectives. One perspective does not negate or contradict the other, but each perspective is intertwined in telling the complete story. An analogy could be made concerning the compilation of various clay tablets and papyrus or vellum scrolls edited by Moses and others under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit which tell the Story of Redemption. The complete collection of writings we know as The Holy Bible. While some see contradictions in various Biblical accounts, careful attention to detail often resolves the conflict. Here is one example of resolving a conflict concerning so-called contradictions between the creation accounts in Genesis 1 and Genesis 2. Click on title of post or sidebar link for original article and other articles of interest.

Genesis Contradictions?
By Don Batten
Creation Ministries International

In Genesis chapter 2 the order of creation seems to be different to that in chapter 1 with the animals being created (2:19) after Adam (2:7). Doesn’t the Bible contradict itself here?

Between the creation of Adam and the creation of Eve, the KJV/AV Bible says (Genesis 2:19) ‘out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air’. On the surface, this seems to say that the land beasts and birds were created between Adam and Eve. However, Jewish scholars apparently did not recognize any such conflict with the account in chapter 1, where Adam and Eve were both created after the beasts and birds (Genesis 1:23–25). Why is this? Because in Hebrew the precise tense of a verb is determined by the context. It is clear from chapter 1 that the beasts and birds were created before Adam, so Jewish scholars would have understood the verb ‘formed’ in Genesis 2:19 to mean ‘had formed’ or ‘having formed’. If we translate verse 19 as follows (as one widely used translation [1] does), ‘Now the LORD God had formed out of the ground all the beasts of the field …’, the apparent disagreement with Genesis 1 disappears completely.

The question also stems from the wrong assumption that the second chapter of Genesis is just a different account of creation to that in chapter 1. It should be evident that chapter 2 is not just ‘another’ account of creation because chapter 2 says nothing about the creation of the heavens and the earth, the atmosphere, the seas, the land, the sun, the stars, the moon, the sea creatures, etc. Chapter 2 mentions only things directly relevant to the creation of Adam and Eve and their life in the garden God prepared specially for them. Chapter 1 may be understood as creation from God’s perspective; it is ‘the big picture’, an overview of the whole. Chapter 2 views the more important aspects from man’s perspective.

Genesis 2:4 says, ‘These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens’. This marks a break with chapter 1. This phraseology next occurs in Genesis 5:1, where it reads ‘This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man’.

‘Generations’ is a translation of the Hebrew word toledoth, which means ‘origin’ or ‘record of the origin’. It identifies an account or record of events. The phrase was apparently used at the end of each section in Genesis [2] identifying the patriarch (Adam, Noah, the sons of Noah, Shem, etc.) to whom it primarily referred, and possibly who was responsible for the record. There are 10 such divisions in Genesis.

Each record was probably originally a stone or clay tablet. There is no person identified with the account of the origin of the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1–2:4), because it refers primarily to the origin of the whole universe, not any person in particular (Adam and Eve are not mentioned by name, for example). Also, only God knew the events of creation, so God had to reveal this, possibly to Adam who recorded it. Moses, as ‘author’ of Genesis, acted as a compiler and editor of the various sections, adding explanatory notes under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. The toledoths acknowledge the sources of the historical records Moses used. This understanding underlines the historical nature of Genesis and its status as eyewitness history, contrary to the defunct ‘documentary (JEDP) hypothesis’ still taught in many Bible colleges. [Ed. note: for a refutation of this fallacious and anti-Christian theory, see Did Moses really write Genesis?.]

The differences in the toledoth statements of Genesis 2:4 and 5:1 affirm that chapter 1 is the overview the record of the origin of the ‘heavens and earth’ (2:4)—whereas chapter 2 is concerned with Adam and Eve, the detailed account of Adam and Eve’s creation (5:1,2). The wording of 2:4 also suggests the shift in emphasis: in the first part of the verse it is ‘heavens and earth’ whereas in the end of the verse it is ‘earth and heaven’. Scholars think that the first part of the verse would have been on the end of a clay or stone tablet recording the origin of the universe and the latter part of the verse would have been on the beginning of a second tablet containing the account of events on earth pertaining particularly to Adam and Eve (Genesis 2:4b–5:la).

Let us apply this understanding to another objection: some also see a problem with the plants and herbs in Genesis 2:5 and the trees in Genesis 2:9. We have already realized that Genesis 2 focuses on issues of direct import to Adam and Eve, not creation in general. Notice that the plants and herbs are described as ‘of the field’ in Genesis chapter 2 (compare 1:12) and they needed a man to tend them (2:5). These are clearly cultivated plants, not just plants in general. Also, the trees (2:9) are only the trees planted in the garden, not trees in general.

Genesis was written like many historical accounts with an overview or summary of events leading up to the events of most interest first, followed by a detailed account which often recaps relevant events in the overview in greater detail. Genesis 1, the ‘big picture’ is clearly concerned with the sequence of events. The events are in chronological sequence, with day 1, day 2, evening and morning, etc. The order of events is not the major concern of Genesis 2. In recapping events they are not necessarily mentioned in chronological order, but in the order which makes most sense to the focus of the account. For example, the animals are mentioned in verse 19, after Adam was created, because it was after Adam was created that he was shown the animals, not that they were created after Adam.

Genesis chapters 1 and 2 are not therefore separate contradictory accounts of creation. Chapter 1 is the ‘big picture’ and Chapter 2 is a more detailed account of the creation of Adam and Eve and day six of creation.

The final word on this matter, however, should really be given to the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. In Matthew chapter 19, verses 4 and 5, the Lord is addressing the subject of marriage, and says: ‘Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?’

Notice how in the very same statement, Jesus refers to both Genesis 1 (verse 27b: ‘male and female created he them’) and Genesis 2 (verse 24: ‘Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh’). Obviously, by combining both in this way, He in no way regarded them as separate, contradictory accounts.

Reference and notes

[1] The NIV
[2] Charles Taylor, Who wrote Genesis? Are the toledoths colophons? Journal of Creation 8(2):204–211, 1994.

The Definition of Science

2009-02-12T13:10:00.002-05:00

By Daniel Gregg

Evolutionists often try to tell us that biblical creationism is not science based on the assumption that supernatural intervention cannot be scientific. This assumption is simply the convenient mis-definition of 'science' for the purpose of winning arguments. The root meaning of 'science' is knowledge or understanding. We might also call it wisdom or intelligence about how and why things are the way they are or work the way they do.

If one knows by cause and effect that rocks roll down a steep hill, then we make a prediction about a rock that is let loose. It will fall to the bottom. But if in the middle of the night we let rocks loose one by one, and in the morning we find them piled up in a neat little pile half way down the hill, then we naturally assume that someone or something intervened in their natural course down the hill. And we assume, more likely, that some intelligent being (probably a human) caught the rocks and piled them up when we were not looking. So, we correctly determine from the evidence that an intelligent being altered the course of the expected physics of the situation. We assume this knowledge, and consider it wise to assume so. Postulating a personal intervention in the course of the rocks down the hill is scientific, because we observe they did not make it to the bottom, and we observe the orderliness of the pile. Therefore, the conclusion of intervention in the middle of the night is scientific. And if we keep repeating the experiment at night, and keep finding the situation as before, we draw the same conclusion. Perhaps we find some unknown shoe prints next to the pile. That reinforces the conclusion. It becomes a theory. We then find a handwritten note on the pile telling us who made the pile. It now becomes a scientific fact. Someone IS intervening in the course of the rocks falling physics to the bottom of the hill!

Excluding intelligent intervention in the course of nature or physics is not scientific. Nor is assuming that everything has a mundane physical explanation scientific. Excluding the intervention of a higher intelligent being is logically fallacious, especially for an evolutionist who believes that intelligence evolved! If intelligence evolved, then the probability is that there are evolved intelligences beyond the evolutionists comprehension with great powers to intervene in situations. For this reason, evolutionary philosophers, like Richard Dawkins, can appeal to things like 'panspermia' when their ordinary science fails them. However, this is no different than admitting that intelligent intervention is needed to sustain the theory of evolution.

We call this a 'super-natural' explanation because it is above and beyond what is naturally expected. And all that supernatural means is that something is beyond ordinary explanation. And anything beyond the ordinary explanation that can be classed as an intelligent intervention is in the same class as 'super-natural'. The supernatural or "miracle" simply means an explanation beyond our power to comprehend it. So if we read the evidence leading one way, find a gap, and then see the evidence pick up in the same direction, then we have to assume an intervention in what we consider the normal physics. Whatever the intervention, the only difference between a low level intelligent intervention and the high level intelligent intervention that would be called 'supernatural' is the level of power the intelligent being has to change things around.

God, of course, has the ultimate power to order reality according to his thought, or as we call it his 'word'. Imagine computerized beings in a virtual reality program, say like the movie TRON. The programmer can alter this 'flatland' reality with a few lines of code. The programmer may even give his virtual reality beings the capacity to disbelieve in the programmer. And even though flatlanders cannot see the higher intelligence that created 'flatland', the third spiritual "dimension" still exists.

So when the evolutionist tries to exclude intelligent intervention in normal physics from the range of scientific conclusion given observations that suggest the probable interpolation of intelligence, he or she is simply defining the term arbitrarily to suit their own belief system. The Christian does not have to accept this bastardized definition of science. There are many great scientists who would not accept a 'science' that excludes the probability of the supernatural.

To speak in more theological terms, Christians believe in the 'economy of miracles'. What does this mean? Economy means minimal use of miracles or minimal appeals to divine intervention, yet in those cases where the evidence crosses a gap pointing to intervention in the gap, the economy will admit the probability of a miracle.

Somewhere in the philosophy of 'science' as evolutionists want to define it, is the assumption that a hypothesis must be falsifiable in order to be a scientific hypothesis. If a hypothesis is not falsifiable, it only means that you cannot make the observations necessary to confirm or deny it. It, however, does not mean the hypothesis is unscientific. To the contrary, if the gap between the observed dots requires the hypothesis, then it is called 'scientific' when it involves the dark matter needed to sustain the Big Bang theory. Indeed, it appears that this argument only surfaces in quarters where someone with disliked unverifiable hypothesis is susceptible to being duped into thinking their hypothesis is scientifically invalid on that ground alone. And then the elites get off scot-free from having it stick to their own unverifiable hypothesis which they promote as 'scientific'. And all too often evolutionists promote their theory in a non-falsifiable manner, using biological phylogeny to prove geological succession and then using geological succession to 'prove' biological evolution. One might also ask if the Big Bang is falsifiable on scientific grounds. It has already been falsified, but it is never admitted because the elites want to believe it for philosophical reasons! Therefore, it cannot be falsified because it depends on their philosophical promotion for its main support. I am not invalidating assuming beliefs here. Everyone has them, but it is about time that the Evolutionary elites be pinned on the wall for positing non-falsifiable hypothesis of their own while trying to defend themselves by name calling hypothesis they don't like "non-falsifiable."

The reality of the situation with science is that creationists are able to accept a much greater range of scientific fact based on observation, with only an "economy of miracles" than the evolutionists. A case and point is the astronomer Halton Arp who discovered quantized red shifts and the fact that quasars are often nearby and associated with galaxies in pairs. While the Big Bang evolutionists are busy banning Arp and denying the observations, the Creationists have embraced the observations, and have fit them into the Biblical Cosmology without any need for additional miracles. Or we may take all those experiments, like Shapiro-delay or the Sagnac effect that show a variable speed of light. Evolutionary Cosmologists deny this evidence via General Relativity precisely because it allows the Creationist to explain starlight with one less 'miracle'. See the starlight article at http://www.torahtimes.org for a lengthy dissertation on the speed of light and starlight.

Of course, it would take a miracle for Big Bang Evolutionists to be able to fit Arp's observations into their theory. Since it would take a miracle, they deny the observation. There needs to be a tit for tat here. If they point out a miracle in our economy, then we need to point out each observation they deny is real (since it would require a miracle for them to fit it in). Their denial of an observation is not even on the same qualitative level as our use of a miracle where needed. The miracle cannot be falsified, but the denied observation already has! And their goal is not discovery, but to keep people trapped in a narrow and restrictive science with no gates leading to the truth.

-------

Click on title of this post for link to Dan's dissertation entitled Starlight and the Heavens

An Open Letter to My Christian/Messianic Friends

2009-02-11T18:48:00.002-05:00

Where do godless philosophies lead? It has been said, “Ideas have consequences.” It has also been said, “There is a God-shaped void in the heart of man that only Christ can fill.”

I remember when I was born-again, it seemed as though a furnace deep within me had been ignited, like a part of me came alive that had been dormant. I was “Spirit-filled” and the whole world seemed brand new. This was not the result of some psychological, evangelical fervor. I was alone....at home in bed..... when God made Himself real to me to my great shock. (See my testimony in the July 2007 archives). Up to that point, I had been agnostic, not a believer in a personal God who speaks. I trembled in His Presence. The “fear of the LORD” has never left, because He has never left me....even during the dry times of testing. This “fear” is not a fear of punishment if I do wrong, but a healthy respect for my Father in Heaven. To know Him is to love Him. He is not a cruel ogre as depicted by Atheists and aberrant Christian theologies. Nor is he synonymous with santa or the tooth fairy. Those who scorn cannot possibly know the LORD God I have come to know, love, and profoundly respect.

I am so grieved to hear of the seduction to Atheism that is going on in our day. Atheism seems to be like a contagious plague going around. Sincere Christians, without the apologetics to refute, are being swept away by the likes of Dawkins, etc., making shipwreck of their faith. An example from one of the over 800 Atheist bloggers on the Internet these days:

A Broken Friendship

I do admit -- sometimes I miss god.

Sometimes.

He was my friend.

He gave me comfort and I felt secure when I trusted him and stopped worrying about imagined and actual problems I faced in life.

I could cry out to him and feel better. I could praise him and fall into a world of euphoria. I could fall out before him and have a cathartic outburst and feel relieved.

He was a true friend to me.

Among my favorite hymns was What A Friend We Have In Jesus. I would sing that song and wonder why anyone would ever feel troubled. Just pray. Like the song said:

Oh what peace we often forfeit! Oh what needless pains we bare.
All because we do not carry, everything to God in prayer.
My troubles would melt away.

When I first realized real evidence existed against the Bible, my heart sank.

Whoa! All that time and energy I spent!

But worst of all . . . I lost a really good friend

This is heartbreaking. I sensed the anointing of the Spirit of God all over this confession, especially the words of the hymn, words that are faithful and true.

This was written by a closet Atheist. Did he research counter-arguments for the information that put doubts in his mind? Once doubt entered his mind, did he allow it to fester? I have only begun to read his blog installments so I do not know the whole story. He keeps his atheism hidden as a “dirty little secret.” He cannot share with his own children what he really believes. And while sad, it is in a way a good thing. Because God DOES exist, and has stern words for those who harm a child’s faith (Matt. 18).

There are a few good apologists on the scene these days. Ravi Zacharias, William Lane Craig, some Creation Science and Intelligent Design proponents, etc. Yet their theologies are somewhat askew, and they do not always tackle the toughest questions. There is an urgent need for a new breed of apologist in our times, someone who knows the Bible and modern-day science well and can harmonize the seeming discrepancies in Scripture as well as refute Evolution theories and errant theologies. We need independent voices who are not shackled to a particular denomination or dogma. May the LORD raise them up....and soon!

Meanwhile, those who wish to avoid shipwreck of their faith should avoid these popular atheist books and videos like the proverbial plague. It is like entering shark-infested waters without a protective cage.

The “reluctant atheists” that I have encountered first lost faith in the integrity of God’s Word. It is vital to be assured that God has preserved His Word and we have it today in our hands. Since the myriad Bible translations are contradictory in many places, there must be a true line of manuscript evidence and a counterfeit. This is exactly the case. Rabbinical and Church councils did not give us the Bible. God superintended fallible men and made sure His Word survived to all generations as promised.

See Psalm 12:6-7 (KJV)

Any doubts about what this Psalm promises can be cleared up by reading Steven Avery’s posts at the AV1611 forum. (See my sidebar link.) His research evidence is overwhelming that God promised to preserve His words. We have them today in the King James Version. The attacks on this Bible are relentless by both Christians and non-Christians. All I can say is read it for yourself, daily, from cover to cover. God’s Spirit is all over these pages. There is not a doubt in my mind about it....and it just may clear up your doubts when you discover the truth for yourself.

With direction from the LORD, and encouragement from my son (who happens to turn 40 tomorrow on so-called “Darwin Day”), I am engaging these atheists on their own turf......atheist blogs. I covet prayer support from those who read this blog. I do not want to be a stumbling block to others in providing links to atheist resources from my site but have come to the conclusion that the curious will find their way there anyway in this Internet age of easy accessibility to all kinds of information. So from now on, I will allow my friends of diverse persuasions to post comments at my blog, and I will allow links to their blogs. Be forewarned and circumspect and prayed up if you visit such sites. I am on a “special mission” and have no proclivity towards atheism. Those who waver and are not extremely secure in their faith and reading their Bibles daily should not wade into waters they may not be able to withstand.

An Open Letter to My Atheist Friends

2009-02-06T12:57:00.003-05:00

I’m flattered (I think) that I am the impetus behind many of your commentaries. However, I am hardly in the mainstream of Christianity. I am a Bible believer....which means I am an outcast from most congregations....be they Dispensational Baptist, Messianic Jewish, or anything in between. I am an ugly duckling looking for the swan pond and not finding it. I splash around in pools of water here and there until rejected...and move on down the road.

I sat alone because of the mockers.....(Jeremiah 15)

I do not wish to be abused at the atheist blog or publicize the site with its evangelistically zealous atheist blogroll. Those who are interested in atheism can get there without my assistance. I consider atheism as repugnant as pornography and profanity. I feel defiled every time I go to your site, but am compelled to keep a watch on my special friend and continue to pray for his return to the faith once delivered to him. Faith is a gift. Once given, it can be stifled, smothered, but can it ever be lost? Can a believer become an unbeliever? We shall see. Is there any truth to unconditional eternal security? What role does free will play? Is Calvinism correct? Arminianism? Or are there nuances of truth in many doctrinal persuasions, yet we see through a glass darkly. The power of paradox....there is something to this concept that I continue to investigate.

I will answer some of the topics and questions raised at your blog here on my own blog. Some statements provoke me to respond, but the scorn and ridicule dissuade me from answering in “enemy territory.” I take comfort in realizing that my LORD and Saviour Jesus Christ was treated scornfully as well (Matt 26, 27). He did not like it any better than I do, despising the shame (Hebrews 12:2) yet He endured it. (Now I will probably be accused of comparing myself to Yeshua and the Biblical prophets of old. No...just inspired and encouraged by them.)

By the way, the Catholic use of a crucifix is just another way to continually shame Jesus. It is blasphemous. He is no longer on the cross. He is risen indeed. I thought Josh McDowell’s “Lord, Liar, or Lunatic” treatise would have settled the issue years ago. But each generation chooses to find some reason not to believe the evidence that demands a verdict. It is a heart condition more than honest skepticism in my view.

How I wish my dearest friend would utilize his gifted energies in positive pursuit of Biblical knowledge, rather than railing on perceived difficulties. Maybe somewhat along the lines of what Steven A. is doing with his specialized gifts. (See sidebar link for his running commentary on Psalm 12 for an example of delighting in the defense of God’s Word). Or as Dan G. has done in his many years of research on Biblical Chronology.... and who is now engaged in learning more math and physics in order to refute the popular but erroneous cosmology of our day that dissident secular scientists are finding fatally flawed. Interesting....the Big Bang might be bunk!

One of the mockers had this to say:

I guess I must have a secret wish that there is a god so that I could argue with him after I die: "how does someone in Your position make me a skeptic, leave no evidence of Your existence, and then make blind faith the highest virtue? The deck was stacked against me." I guess that's what I'd say, right before I got tossed into the inferno.

Are you serious? If so, you are quite uninformed about the salvation message and the true Gospel of the Kingdom in spite of your seminary training.....or possibly because of your seminary training. They do not call Seminaries cemeteries for nought. Whited sepulchres in the KJV vernacular. How interesting that the other of you would wish to become a professor of religion. Join the faculty....of unbelievers who teach theology and religion in colleges, universities, and seminaries! Is it any wonder impressionable young people lose their faith in college? And nowadays they lose their faith in elementary school as well...with atheists as their teachers. These things ought not so to be. But we are living in the prophesied Last Days...a day of darkness and not light. The Great Falling Away is upon us (2 Thess. 2:3).

“Why does God hate ham?” one of you asks. God gives us his dietary laws for our good, for our health, for instilling the concept of separation from that which defiles body and spirit. Watch a pig and let it teach its metaphoric lessons. All of nature has object lessons to teach us. Read a book called God’s Key to Health and Happiness by Elmer Josephson and you will never want to eat pork again. But man has a better idea than his Creator. He will eat whatever he wants and then blame God for sickness and disease. Why not enjoy a ferret sandwich? Or rat stew?

On another subject you brought up, maybe we are indeed supposed to use all of our faculties in deciding what to do about abortion, etc.....and if we are born again, we have the Spirit of God to guide us. We will give account at the Judgment Seat of Christ for our decisions and how we made them. Will your answer stand in the Judgment? Maybe the Bible is purposely a bit ambiguous sometimes just for the very reason that we are to carefully read and apply the principles to our lives, in each and every generation, no matter where we live (e.g. sabbath-keeping in Alaska). Consider the concubine story.... and give your opinion. (Judges 19:30). Why did this story even make it into the Bible? Perhaps to give an example of why ANY passage is in the Bible. To cause us to think, reflect, pray, and consider doing that which is right in God’s eyes to the best of our understanding and ability. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness (2 Tim. 3:16).

Like story problems in a math textbook, we are to take Biblical stories and apply them to various situations. Blended with Biblical wisdom, this leads to Biblical morality in varying circumstances of life. This is why the Bible reader generally comes away with a higher morality than those who have not imbibed such wisdom. It has nothing to do with macrocosmic materiality or memes. It has to do with memorizing God’s Word, hiding it in the heart where it permeates the mind and the life of the believer (and possibly continues to influence the reluctant atheist).

Many men are suffering the loss of children to abortion mills. They have no rights when their girlfriends or wives make such decisions. I read yesterday of a live birth at an abortion clinic before the doctor arrived for the procedure. The baby’s cord was cut but not clamped, and the viable, breathing infant was left to bleed to death in a garbage bag. This is the fruit of Darwinian ethics in my opinion.

I think the Bible is very clear in teaching that abortion is murder. It all depends on what you think is residing in the womb. Is it a fetus or a baby? Is it an animal, or human life, fearfully and wonderfully made, with purpose and destiny? The Bible gives us examples of horrible child sacrifice (Molech worship) and decrees of infant murder. What is the difference in or out of the sacred space called the womb? The passage in Exodus 21 is clear as a bell in the KJV. “If any harm follows” refers to the baby that is born prematurely because of the injury to the woman. If the baby is okay, a fine is imposed. If harm comes to the infant, or death, appropriate punishment is meted out equal to the crime. That is what “eye for an eye” metaphorically means. Our country’s laws were based on Biblical laws of appropriate punishment for the crime, although we have strayed from our original laws and coddle the criminal in our day. Application of Biblical law can take various forms and still be in harmony with the spirit of the law.

I am encouraged that you seem to be still reading through the Bible. I would recommend that you also read the Bible Pathway commentary each day for a springboard for your blog commentaries. I do not always agree with John Hash, but his views are as close to mine as I have found in all these years. So argue with him as your representative Christian. He makes some excellent points of application of God’s Word. He is a faithful man of God who studies the Bible in depth with great reverence and appreciation. Maybe it will influence you....and provide an antidote for the poisonous puddle you are currently wallowing in (consider 2 Peter 2:22). If any of you would like a printed copy of Bible Pathway mailed to you each month, send me an address by email. This offer extends to anyone else who may be reading this blog.

Postscript: If you want to retain readers/commentary at your blog, you may want to disallow referring to them as “typical ignorant Christians who do not think for themselves.” You may also want to suggest that contributors refrain from using the f word and other obscenities. And you wonder why participation has dropped off and you have failed to garner an audience? When those of opposing viewpoints are not accorded respectful consideration, they will go elsewhere for online fellowship.

I would welcome and honor any sincere attempts at reconciliation.

Shalom,

Tandi

Darwin Day in America

2009-02-03T21:30:00.002-05:00

Interview with John G. West
Author of Darwin Day In America
(click on title of post for link to book info)

What is Darwin Day, and why is your book titled “Darwin Day in America”?

“Darwin Day” is Charles Darwin’s birthday, February 12. As I explain in my book, there is a growing movement around the world to turn the day into a kind of secular holy day complete with its own rituals to honor Darwin. These Darwin Day celebrations expose just how much Darwinian evolution is like a secular religion for many of its proponents. At the same time, Darwin Day provides a metaphor for how our public policy and culture have been influenced over the past century by Darwinian biology and similar kinds of reductionist science. In many respects, “Darwin Day” is every day in America right now, because Darwinism and scientific materialism have reshaped virtually every area of our culture and politics.

Your book targets the impact of both “scientific materialism” and “Social Darwinism” on public policy and culture. Can you explain those terms?

Put baldly, scientific materialism is the attempt to prove that human beings are merely meat in motion—that we have no free will, that we have no souls, that morality and religion are simply evolutionary artifacts programmed by our genes for our survival, and that our very thoughts and ideas can be fully explained by our brain chemistry. Darwin’s theory of unguided evolution made scientific materialism credible by purporting to offer a scientific explanation of how human beings (and their minds and morals) could be generated through a blind material process of random variation and natural selection. Social Darwinism is the effort to remake public policy by applying Darwinian principles to welfare, economics, business, criminal justice, education, and medicine. My book documents how scientific materialism in general and Darwinism in particular have had momentous consequences for the rest of our culture. Those who think there is some sort of firewall between science and culture need to read my book.

What inspired you to write the book?

A lot of my interest dates back to my reading of C. S. Lewis and his perceptive little book The Abolition of Man as a college undergraduate. Back in the 1940s, Lewis prophetically warned about the dangers of misusing science to debunk traditional morality and treat human beings like automatons to be manipulated by scientific conditioners. I started to investigate whether the dangers Lewis warned about in Britain could be found in America, and I soon discovered that they could. I initially became fascinated by efforts to misuse science to debunk free will and personal responsibility in the legal arena—the abuse excuse, the insanity plea, the diminished capacity defense, and so forth. Then I started to look to other areas, and the more I looked, the more I found. What I didn’t realize at first was the culpability of many scientists in what was going on. I originally thought that scientific materialism was largely a case of non-scientists misusing science for their own political ends. But it soon became clear to me that scientists themselves—often the leading scientists of the time—were at the forefront of trying to use science to impose a reductionist vision of human beings in the public arena.

Your book criticizes the role of scientific experts in politics. But shouldn’t public policy be based on the consensus view of the scientific community?

The consensus view of science is important, and it merits respect. But the consensus view can be wildly wrong. That’s why policymakers also need to listen to thoughtful dissenters on major scientific questions—whether the issue is Darwinian evolution, the extent of global warming, or embryonic stem cell research. As my book recounts, throughout history the “consensus” of the scientific community has often embraced what today would be regarded as junk science—from eugenics to lobotomies to Kinsey’s junk research on sexual behavior. Dissenters in the scientific community have been invaluable to exposing the scientific majority’s blind spots and promoting genuine scientific progress.

Is your book anti-science?

Actually, I view my book as pro-science: It’s a plea to rescue contemporary science from the stranglehold of the ideological materialists. Most of the founders of modern science believed that nature was open to rational investigation because it was the product of an intelligent, rational creator. In other words, they accepted as their premise the idea that the universe was purposeful, and so was human life. But somewhere along the line—and Darwin is a key part of the story—science was hijacked by those who think that nature is fundamentally the product of the blind material interaction between chance and necessity. In this respect, outspoken Oxford biologist Richard Dawkins—author of The God Delusion—is more the rule than the exception in his views. Especially in the field of evolutionary biology, Dawkins’ belief that science somehow verifies the materialist worldview is pretty much the received wisdom by leading scientists. Some evolutionary scientists doubt Dawkins’ prudence in making his assertions, but fewer than one might think actually reject his underlying philosophy. Fortunately, outside of biology—in fields like physics and astronomy and engineering and math—scientists are far more open to the idea that nature displays the hallmarks of purpose, of design. Thankfully, even in biology there are now some scientists who are reopening the debate of purpose in nature. One of the most exciting developments in recent years is the discovery that at the bottom of matter is information—which some see as evidence that mind and purpose are an irreducible property of our universe just like matter and energy. I mention these new developments at the end of Darwin Day. But most of my book is focused on exploring the tragic consequences of ignoring human uniqueness in the name of science. I think C.S. Lewis was right: If we treat human beings like mere machines or animals, that’s what they will tend to become—and our culture will begin to resemble a factory or a zoo, not a civilization made up of rational and accountable beings.

Before I Go.....

2009-01-22T14:44:00.004-05:00

Music by Yanni (Before I Go/In My Time)
Lyrics by Renah (2001)

Lyrics inspired by Exodus 14, John 15 & 16, Psalm 46, Genesis 18, Jeremiah 32

For music, click on title of post or see sidebar list of Music to Song Lyrics

These song lyrics came to mind as I drove with my son a month after 9-11. We were delivering a couple of RV’s to Pontiac, Illinois on Columbus Day.....and when we arrived at the dealership we heard the news that a plane had crashed in a New York City neighborhood. It was a horrendous scene, and at first another terror attack was suspected. I had been experiencing anxiety due to the nature of my stressful job as well as what was happening in the world. I may be mixing together more than one trip because I recall being on Indiana 41 near Covington when I penned these lyrics, and that is not the route to Pontiac, IL. My life was a dizzying blur in those days, like a carousel, and I wanted to get off and rest a while and think my thoughts and try to make sense of what was going on...with me, and with this crazy, fear-inducing world. But it would be several more years before I had that luxury. God was faithful to speak to my mind and heart on occasion, to reassure me that He was still with me and to remind me how to stay grounded in Him. Those times are precious. As I read Exodus 14 today in my Bible readings, I remembered these lyrics He gave me so many years ago. May they bless someone who may need this simple but profound message. Yanni calls his composition, Before I Go. This reminds me that the LORD will not always strive with us. There comes a time when we cross a line. Today, if you will hear His Voice, harden not your heart....and take heed, lest there be in you an evil heart of unbelief......in departing from the Living God......(see Hebrews 3).

Stand Still, See Salvation
In your tribulation
Be still and know I’m God

Stand still, see salvation
In your tribulation
Be still and know I'm God

If you abide in My Word
Then you will see Me clearly
If you abide in My Word
You will know My ways

Stand still, see salvation
In your tribulation
Be still, know that I’m God
Nothing’s too hard

Stand still, see salvation
In your tribulation
Be still and know I’m God

Stand still, see salvation
In your tribulation
Be still and know I’m God

If you abide in My Word
Then you will see Me clearly
If you abide in My Word
You will know My ways

Stand still, see salvation
In your tribulation
Be still, know that I’m God
Nothing’s too hard

Stand Still, See Salvation
In your tribulation
Be still, know that I’m God
Nothing’s too hard
For the LORD

With Tears In My Heart

2009-01-14T08:45:00.002-05:00

My Times Are In Thy Hands
By Gertrude Grace Sanborn

Such hands as Thine
Can never fail nor falter;
My times, my goings, and my comings
Thou dost know.
So strong—such hands,
So wise in all their moving,
Directing worlds and all the teeming
Nations here below!

Thy hands, my God,
Are holding me!
My times so small they seem
As I compare
Thy hands which wrote the Law
And shook the Mountain
Those hands deal tenderly with me in care!

My times, Thy hands!
Sweet peace I find in this, O Lord,
And grace to meet the problems of each day.
So I put my hand in Thine,
O God my Father;
And holding thus will walk my brief
And earthly way!

From With Tears in My Heart
400 Poetic Meditations of a Christian Woman
Original Poems with Complementing Scripture
(Click on Title Link for story of the sorrows she suffered and the faith that sustained her)

What is the "Septuagint"?

2009-01-07T17:10:00.004-05:00

by David W. Daniels

If you look in the preface of a modern Bible, you will probably find a reference to the Septuagint, or LXX for short. The translators of all modern Bibles, including the New King James, use the Septuagint along with other texts in translating the Bible. They claim that the Septuagint contains true readings not found in the preserved Hebrew text. Thus they give it great importance. But what is the Septuagint? Here's how the legend goes:

The Septuagint is claimed to have been translated between 285-246 BC during the reign of Ptolemy II Philadelphus of Alexandria, Egypt. His librarian, supposedly Demetrius of Phalerum, persuaded Philadelphus to get a copy of the Hebrew Scriptures. Then the Scriptures (at least Genesis to Deuteronomy) were translated into the Greek language for the Alexandrian Jews. This part of the story comes from early church historian Eusebius (260-339 AD). Scholars then claim that Jesus and His apostles used this Greek Bible instead of the preserved Hebrew text.

The Letter of Aristeas

The whole argument that the Hebrew scriptures were translated into Greek before the time of Christ rests upon a single document. All other historical evidence supporting the argument either quotes or references this single letter.

In this so-called Letter of Aristeas, the writer presents himself as a close confidant of king Philadelphus. He claims that he persuaded Eleazar, the high priest, to send with him 72 scholars from Jerusalem to Alexandria, Egypt. There they would translate the Hebrew Scriptures into Greek, forming what we now call the Septuagint.

Jewish historian Josephus, Jewish mystic Philo (both first century AD) and others add to the story. Some say the 72 were shut in separate cells and "miraculously" wrote each of their versions word-for-word the same. They say that this proves "divine inspiration" of the entire Septuagint.

Thus, the Septuagint is claimed to exist at the time of Jesus and the apostles, and that they quoted from it instead of the preserved Hebrew text. This story has been passed around for centuries. But is it the truth? Was this Septuagint really written before the earthly ministry of the Lord Jesus and His apostles? Did they quote it? Was it really inspired by God? And if the story is a fake, why make up the story? Is there another reason to get people to use (or believe in) the Septuagint?

The Verifiable Facts:

The writer of this letter, Aristeas, claims to have been a Greek court official during the time of Philadelphus' reign. He claims to have been sent by Demetrius to request the best scholars of Israel to bring a copy of the Hebrew scriptures to Alexandria to start the Septuagint translation project. He even goes so far as to give names of Septuagint scholars, yet many of the names he gives are from the Maccabean era, some 75 years too late. Many of them are Greek names, definitely not the names of Hebrew scholars. There are many other evidences that this letter is from a different time period, and is thus a fake. The writer is lying about his identity.

The supposed "librarian," Demetrius of Phalerum (ca. 345-283) served in the court of Ptolemy Soter. Demetrius was never the librarian under Philadelphus.

The letter quotes the king telling Demetrius and the translators, when they arrived, how wonderful it was that they came on the anniversary of his "naval victory over Antigonus" (Aristeas 7:14). But the only such recorded Egyptian naval victory occurred many years after Demetrius death, so the letter is a fraud!

The Letter of Aristeas is a hoax that doesn't even fit the time period in which it claims to have been written. And since the other ancient writers merely add to this story, it is clear that the story itself of a pre-Christian Septuagint is a fraud. Even critical textual scholars admit that the letter is a hoax. Yet they persist in quoting the Letter of Aristeas as proof of the existence of the Septuagint before Christ.

New Testament Evidence

Many scholars claim that Christ and his apostles used the Septuagint, preferring it above the preserved Hebrew text found in the temple and synagogues. But if the Greek Septuagint was the Bible Jesus used, he would not have said,

"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)

Why would Jesus not have said this? Because the jot is a Hebrew letter, and the tittle is a small mark to distinguish between Hebrew letters. If Jesus used the Greek Septuagint, His scriptures would not have contained the jot and tittle. He obviously used the Hebrew scriptures!

In addition, Jesus only mentioned the scripture text in two ways, (1) "The Law and the Prophets" and (2) "The Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms":

"And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me." Luke 24:44

The Hebrews divide their Bible into three parts: the Law, the Prophets and the Writings. Jesus clearly referred to this. The Septuagint had no such division. In fact, it contains Apocryphal books interspersed throughout the Old Testament. The sequence is so hopelessly mixed up that Jesus could not possibly have been referring to it!

Who is Pushing the Septuagint?

So why do we still hear the story? Why do people give it a second thought? Are there other reasons why they still try to use the Septuagint to find "original readings" that were supposedly "lost from the Hebrew"?.

Roman Catholics Need It

According to the Roman Catholic Douay Bible:

"…the Septuagint, the Greek translation from the original Hebrew, and which contained all the writings now found in the Douay version, as it is called, was the version used by the Saviour and his Apostles and by the Church from her infancy, and translated into Latin, known under the title of Latin Vulgate, and ever recognized as the true version of the written word of God" —Preface,1914 edition.

So Roman Catholics desperately want the Septuagint to be genuine —even inspired! You see, the so-called Septuagint is where they got the Apocrypha (books that are not inspired and have no place in our Bibles). If the Septuagint goes, then the Apocrypha goes with it!

Ecumenical Textual Critics Need It

The supposed text of the Septuagint is found today only in certain manuscripts. The main ones are: Codex Sinaiticus (Aleph); Codex Vaticanus (B); and Codex Alexandrinus (A). That's right. The Alexandrian manuscripts are the very texts we call the Septuagint!

In his Introduction to The Septuagint with Apocrypha: Greek and English (1851) Sir Lancelot Brenton describes how some critical scholars have attempted to call the Septuagint by its real name, the Alexandrian Text, but the name never stuck. Thus he admits that they are one and the same.

So we have textual critics who believe desperately in the 45 Alexandrian manuscripts (against more than 5,000 copies favoring the Textus Receptus). They use these to translate all modern New Testaments. But these Alexandrian manuscripts also include the Septuagint Old Testament (with the Apocrypha). They have fallen for a trap.

Catholics now argue the following: If you accept the Alexandrian text (which modern scholars use as the basis for all new translations) for your New Testament, then you also have to accept the rest of the Alexandrian text (Septuagint) , which includes the Apocrypha. What we are seeing is the development of an ecumenical Bible, including the Apocrypha. Some versions have already gone this way. For many Protestants, all roads are truly leading to Rome.

We Don't Need It

But do we Christians need the Alexandrian manuscripts? Not at all! For the Old Testament we have the Preserved Words of God in the Hebrew Masoretic text. For the New Testament we have the 5,000-plus manuscripts in Greek, plus the many early translations spread abroad, to witness to the actual words of Christ and His apostles.

So the Septuagint story is a hoax. It was not written before Christ; so it was not used by Jesus or His apostles. It is the only set of manuscripts to include the Apocrypha mixed in with the books of the Bible, so as to justify the Roman Catholic inclusion of them in their Bibles. And it is just those same, perverted Alexandrian codices —the same ones that mess up the New Testament —dressed up in pretty packaging.

Let's stick to our preserved Bible, the King James Bible in English, and leave the Alexandrian perversions alone.

© 2001 by David W. Daniels

http://www.scionofzion.com/septuagint1.htm

What is the Truth About Gaza War?

2009-01-05T07:53:00.001-05:00

News Media Shows Slanted Facts
Rather Than Truth About Gaza War -
Bill Wilson

By Bill Wilson, KIN Senior Analyst

WASH—Jan 2—KIN-- The Palestinian terrorists in Gaza are expert at manipulating the news media to their point of view. Already, the top media outlets have filled television screens with human interest stories of Palestinian women and children being blown to bits by the overpowering and relentless Israeli Defense Forces. Story after story appears with frantic Palestinian women crying out that their lives are disrupted by these terrible bombing raids, that there is no food to feed their families, that their husbands are missing. And while they are talking, there is chaos in the background of bombed out buildings and B-roll of children being wheeled into hospitals that are supposed to be overcrowded due to Israeli attacks.

The story that is not told is far more compelling, but you won’t hear it on CNN or the other major news outlets because they are providing a biased point of view. First, I know of few nations at war who actually provide medical aid and supplies to the enemy they are trying to destroy. Nobody with a mustard seed of God’s goodness in them wants to create, maintain or revel in human suffering. The Israelis are not only opening the war zone to convoys of medical supplies, they are opening their own hospitals to Palestinians in need. Interesting, however, that a communication from the Israeli Embassy indicated that many of the Palestinian children treated in Israeli hospitals were victims of Palestinian fired missiles.

Another example of exactly what is going on is found in the Israeli assassination of senior Hamas terror operative Nizir Rian, who organized suicide bombings against Israelis. The Israeli Embassy issued this statement: “The multiple secondary explosions that resulted from the attack confirm that Rian's house functioned as a weapons storage facility. The house also served as a communications center, beneath which a clandestine escape tunnel for Hamas terrorists was located. Rian was in the house at the time of the attack, which was carried out successfully based upon IDF and ISA intelligence. As with all IAF activity, every possible effort was made to avoid collateral civilian harm.”

While the news media is clamoring about how Israel is targeting civilians, the story of why some homes are targeted is totally missed. Hamas and the Palestinians house their weapons, command centers and leaders in civilian communities for two reasons: one is to cause pause when attacking because women and children will be harmed; and the other is to use women and children as shields against such attacks. The mainstream news media only tells part of the story from a slanted perspective. Jesus said in Matthew 24:4, “Take heed that no man deceive you.” He also said in John 8:32, “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” Seek the truth, not just the facts—the truth is never biased.

Insights in Genesis

2009-01-01T16:09:00.002-05:00

The Genesis cycle begins again as I read thru the Bible with Bible Pathway. This year I am joined with others of varying perspectives as we compare insights. I would encourage anyone reading this to join in and share your own insights. The depths of the riches of Scripture cannot be fathomed. This is why the Bible is usually on the short list of books for desert island reading.

I continue to trust the KJV, as I believe it is the faithfully preserved Word of God in English. The manuscripts behind it are reliable, not like the hodgepodge that underlies modern versions. We can be Bible critics or we can receive with meekness the engrafted Word, which is able to save our souls (James 1:21).

So what am I seeing this time around? After more than 20 times thru the Bible, I am just beginning to get a grasp of the theme that permeates and weaves its way throughout Scripture. It all begins in Genesis.

In the beginning, God created the Heaven and the Earth.

Seven Hebrew words underlie the text, yet only six are translated. There is one little word in the very center that is puzzling to scholars. It is a two letter word composed of the first and last letters of the Hebrew aleph bet. It is the Aleph-Tav. And Who is the Aleph Tav in the Book of Revelation that we just completed? It is YESHUA!

I am the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End......

Of course, in Hebrew this would translate to Aleph-Tav.

The beginning of the Bible connects with and parallels the ending of the Bible. Reading these two books in tandem reveals the parallelism. It is just one example of the depths and the riches of the Scriptures. I am awed and fascinated by the mysteries. How did forty or more human writers, writing over a period of many centuries and millennia produce such a unified composition? Divine plenary inspiration is evident, yet not apparent to the casual reader.

Is there a gap between Genesis 1:1 and Genesis 1:2? I am investigating the “gap theory” and was leaning towards accepting it, when I noticed in today’s reading the statement in Gen. 2:3 that God created and made everything in six days. The KJV has its own built-in dictionary. Words are defined in the surrounding text, sometimes in the very verse. So created and made could be synonyms, spoiling the nuanced argument of Arthur Custance and others that bara and asah are distinct. Now I am leaning against the Gap theory of ruin/reconstruction. I continue to weigh the evidence pro and con.

The Hebrew word for Heaven is shamayim, a plural word, yet translated in the singular in the KJV in verse 1. There is a good reason for this, one that the modern versions have overlooked. Plurality in the Hebrew does not necessarily denote more than one. It can also refer to the superlative. The Heaven referred to in verse one is God’s abode. We learn in other parts of Scripture that there are three heavens: the atmosphere, outer space, and the abode of God.

According to one of the proponents of the Gap theory, the abode of God is separated from the other two heavens by a frozen, crystal Sea. The Firmament separates the Earthly realm from this Holy Abode. It is a fascinating possibility and may explain the ancient domed cosmology. [Details at Featured/Favorite Links: The Firmament, Third Heaven, and Structure of Things Biblical]

Genesis 2 should actually begin at verse 4. This is a separate account and introduces God as LORD God (Y-H-V-H) and introduces us to God’s relationship with Man, a test of obedience, temptation, sin, Satan, consequences, and the beginning of the theme of Redemption which continues throughout the 66 books of Scripture.

When did Lucifer fall from Heaven and become The Adversary (Satan)? Why is he hell-bent on tripping up Mankind? Was there a previous civilization that was destroyed, leaving a fossil record? Did God re-create and make everything “good” on top of a fossil graveyard? These are questions explored in the gap theory and refuted by Young Earth Creationists.

Did animals originally have vocalization? Eve does not seem surprised that the serpent is talking to her. Was it telepathic? What did this creature look like before consigned to lost limbs? Was it a dragon? Why is the word for serpent related to the word for soothsayer/enchanter/divination?

I notice that this Edenic world is vegetarian, both for man and beast. Meat-eating is not authorized until after Noah’s Flood. In the Millennial Kingdom to come, vegetarianism is again the diet of man and beast, and again there is peace among the species.

Who wrote these Creation accounts? Did Adam write on clay tablets? Was Moses the editor of various clay tablets? Was Proto-Hebrew the original language? The puns and word play seem to indicate this.

Does our English word “woman” indicate “womb-man”? Are we equally “men” yet assigned a certain role......women having a womb and the hormone balance necessary to fulfill the role of wife, help-meet, mother?

There are no contradictions in Scripture, only puzzles to be resolved through piecing together the various verses throughout the Bible until harmony is the result. Did you ever watch a movie that starts out with a few sketchy scenes? Not until later in the film does the viewer understand certain things that make no sense in the beginning. Many times, a clever, intelligent screenplay has to be viewed again and again to catch the cryptic details. Should the Bible be any less a literary masterpiece that requires some thought? Simplistic reading has turned doubters to atheists. It is important to gain more than a superficial understanding of Scripture. Yet seeing Scripture through the eyes of faith reveals more of its treasures than looking through the lens of logic. Some mysteries are only revealed. To the skeptic, they are concealed.

This Book called the Bible is accessible to a child, yet challenging to an intellectual. Genesis 1 would make a suitable bedtime story for a toddler, yet it challenges and perplexes scholars as they try to reconcile it with the study of Earth history. Rabbis have argued late into the night over a single verse. Commentaries are voluminous. Honest questions can be satisfactorily answered. And more questions can be asked that continue to perplex. This Book is fascinating and compelling. Never boring is the study of God’s Word!

O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out. Romans 11:33

Fast and Pray

2008-12-31T11:01:00.001-05:00

I wonder how many will celebrate this evening.........as Israel and Hamas continue a fight that could lead to conflagration. Some Arab countries are canceling celebrations due to the dire events and bloodshed. Will America cancel its reveling? No matter what side of the conflict you are on, consider a time of reflection tonight. Who can make sense of the situation.......even Palestinians are divided about who is to blame. Some reports indicate that the Palestinian Authority is complicit in the destruction of Hamas. Regardless, lives are being lost and this could escalate to unprecedented horrors.

It is easy for me to fast and pray. I have no social plans anyway. Will those who do have plans sacrifice anything to petition the LORD in prayer? Perilous times are upon us. The hatred spills over to our cities. A molotov cocktail was lobbed at a synagogue in Chicago on Monday.

We must seek God, pray for understanding, and take the side of righteousness and justice.

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.......Psalm 91

Psalm 1

2008-12-27T12:19:00.002-05:00

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly
Nor standeth in the way of sinners
Nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful
But his delight is in the law of the LORD
And in His law doth he meditate day and night
And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water
That bringeth forth his fruit in his season
His leaf also shall not wither
And whatsoever he doeth shall prosper
The ungodly are not so
But are like the chaff which the wind driveth away
Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment
Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous
For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous
But the way of the ungodly shall perish.

.....Notwithstanding....Christ is Preached......(Phil. 1:18)

2008-12-24T10:28:00.009-05:00

I was not aware that Handel's Messiah was a Biblical Gospel Presentation in song. I have never seen a performance. I came across the "lyrics" and was impressed because of the faithfulness to Scripture. Click on the title link for a news article about the wealth of word painting the artist incorporated into this masterpiece. Apparently I have been missing something I might enjoy. I hope those who have attended a performance, participated in one, or who listen to a recording fully appreciate the truths conveyed.

Handel's Messiah
George Frederic Handel (1695-1759)

[The libretto for Messiah was designed and selected from the New and Old Testaments with utmost care by Charles Jennens (1700-73), a literary scholar and editor of Shakespeare's plays who was educated at Balliol College, Oxford.]

Part I

(1) Overture

(2) Comfort Ye

Isaiah 40:1-3

1. Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. 2. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned. . . .

3. The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

(3) Every Valley

Isaiah 40:4

4. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain.

(4) And the Glory of the LORD

Isaiah 40:5

5. And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.

(5) Thus Saith the LORD

Haggai 2:6,7

6. For thus saith the LORD of Hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land; 7. And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come

Malachi 3:1

1. The LORD, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to His temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: Behold, He shall come, saith the LORD of Hosts.

(6) But Who May Abide the Day of His Coming?

Malachi 3:2

2. But who may abide the day of His coming? and who shall stand when He appeareth? For He is like a refiner's fire.

(7) And He shall Purify

Malachi 3:3

3. And He shall purify the sons of Levi. . . that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.

(8) Behold A Virgin Shall Conceive

Isaiah 7:14 (Matthew 1:23)

Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a Son, and shall call his name EMMANUEL, God with us.

(9) O Thou that Tellest Good Tidings to Zion

Isaiah 40:9

9. O Zion that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God!

Isaiah 60:1

1. Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.

(10) For Behold, Darkness shall Cover the Earth

Isaiah 60:2,3

2. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people; but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and His glory shall be seen upon thee. 3. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.

(11) The People that Walked in Darkness

Isaiah 9:2 (Matthew 3:16)

2. The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.

(12) For Unto Us a Child is Born

Isaiah 9:6

6. For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.

(13) Pastoral Symphony

(14) There were Shepherds Abiding in the Field

Luke 2:8

8. There were.....shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night.

Luke 2:9

9. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

(15) And the Angel Said unto Them

Luke 2:10,11

10. And the angel said unto them, Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

(16) And Suddenly there was with the Angel

Luke 2:13

13. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

(17) Glory to God

Luke 2:14

14. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

(18) Rejoice Greatly, O Daughter of Zion

Zechariah 9:9,10 (Matthew 21:5)

9. Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee. He is just, and having salvation... 10. . . And he shall speak peace unto the heathen.

(19) Then Shall the Eyes of the Blind

Isaiah 35:5,6

5. Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. 6. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing.

(20) He Shall Feed his Flock like a Shepherd

Isaiah 40:11

11. He shall feed his flock like a shepherd; He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.

Matthew 11:28, 29

28. Come unto [Him], all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and [He shall] give you rest. 29. Take [His] yoke upon you, and learn of [Him]; for [He is] meek and lowly of heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

(21) His Yoke is Easy

Matthew 11:30

30. [His] yoke is easy, and [His]burden is light.

Part II

(22) Behold the Lamb of God

John 1:29

29.Behold the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sins of the world.

(23) He was Despised

Isaiah 53:3

3. He is despised and rejected of men: a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief. . . Isaiah 50:6 [He]gave [His] back to the smiters, and [His] cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: [He] hid not [His] face from shame and spitting.

(24) Surely He Hath Borne our Griefs

Isaiah 53:4,5

4. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows. . . . 5. . . He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him,

(25) And With His Stripes we are Healed

Isaiah 53:5b

5. And with His stripes we are healed

(26) All we Like Sheep have Gone Astray
Isaiah 53:6

6. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

(27) All They that See Him Laugh him to Scorn

Psalm 22:7

7. All they that see [Him] laugh [Him] to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying:

(28) He Trusted in God

Psalm 22:8 (Matthew 27:43)

He trusted [in God] that he would deliver Him: let Him deliver Him, if He delight in Him.

(29) Thy Rebuke hath Broken His Heart

Psalm 69:20

20. Reproach hath broken [His] heart; [He is] full of heaviness. [He] looked for some to take pity [on Him], but there was none; and for comforters, but [He] found none.

(30) Behold, and See if There be any Sorrow

Lamentations 1:12

12. Behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto [His] sorrow. . .

(31) H He was Cut Off out of the Land of the Living

Isaiah 53:8b

8. He was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of [Thy] people was He stricken.

(32) But Thou Didst Not Leave His Soul in Hell

Psalm 16:10 (Acts 2:27)

10. [But] thou [didst] not leave [His] soul in hell; neither [didst] thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

(33) Lift Up Your Heads, O Ye Gates

Psalm 24:7-10

7. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of Glory shall come in. 8. Who is this King of Glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. 9. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of Glory shall come in. 10. Who is this King of Glory? The LORD of Hosts, He is the King of Glory.

(34) Unto Which of the Angels Said He at Any Time

Hebrews 1:5 (Psalm 2:7)

5. For unto which of the angels said He at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee?

(35) Let All the Angels of God Worship Him

Hebrews 1:6b

6. "Let all the angels of God worship Him."

(36) Thou art Gone Up on High

Psalm 68:18 (Ephesians 4:8)

18. Thou hast ascended on high, Thou hast led captivity captive, Thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them.

(37) The Lord Gave the Word

Psalm 68:11

11. The LORD gave the word: great was the company of those that published it.

(38) How Beautiful are the Feet

Romans 10:15 (Isaiah 52:7)

15. How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

(39) Their Sound is Gone Out

Romans 10:18 (Psalm 19:4)

18. Their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.

(40) Why Do the Nations so Furiously Rage Together?

Psalm 2:1,2 (Acts 4:25-26)

1. Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? 2. The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against His Anointed, saying

(41) Let us Break their Bonds Asunder

Psalm 2:3

3. Let us break their bonds asunder, and cast away their cords from us.

(42) He that Dwelleth in Heaven

Psalm 2:4

4. He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh; the Lord shall have them in derision.

(43) Thou Shalt Break Them

Psalm 2:9

9. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.

(44) Hallelujah

Revelation 19:6

6. Hallelujah! for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.

Revelation 11:15

15. . . . the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ: and He shall reign for ever and ever.

Revelation 19:16

16. . . . KING OF KINGS, LORD OF LORDS.

Part III

(45) I Know that my Redeemer Liveth

Job 19:25, 26

25. I know that my redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: 26. And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God.

1 Corinthians 15:20

20. [For] now is Christ risen from the dead. . . the firstfruits of them that [sleep].

(46) Since by Man came Death

1 Corinthians 15:21,22

21. Since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

(47) Behold I Tell you a Mystery

1 Corinthians 15:51,52

51. Behold, I shew you a mystery: We shall not all sleep; but we shall all be changed, 52. In a moment, in a twinkling of an eye, at the last trump;

(48) The Trumpet Shall Sound

1 Corinthians 15:52b-53

52. The trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

(49) Then Shall be Brought to Pass

1 Corinthians 15:54b (Isaiah 25:8)

54. Then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, 'Death is swallowed up in victory.'

(50) O Death Where is Thy Sting?

1 Corinthians 15:55-56 (Hosea 13:14)

55. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56. The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

(51) But Thanks be to God

1 Corinthians 15:57

57. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

(52) If God Be For Us

Romans 8:31, 33, 34

31. If God be for us, who can be against us?

33. Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.

34. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is at the right hand of God, who makes intercession for us.

(53) Worthy is the Lamb

Revelation 5:12, 13

12. Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. 13. . . . Blessing, and honour, and glory and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. Amen.

Credit to Bruce Johnson for the lyrics and basic format. I made some slight edits to conform to KJV text.
worshipmap.com

Melchizedek: King of Righteousness and Justice

2008-12-17T14:53:00.002-05:00

Music by Yanni (Snowfall/Turn of the Tide)
Lyrics by Renah

(click on title for Amazon link to music)

Here is another song written on the road as I pondered. This one was written in 2002/2003. Discussion welcome about the nature of Melchizedek. Has anyone else come to the same conclusion/revelation.....that Jesus/Yeshua and Melchizedek are synonymous?

Shadows and similitudes.......sublime teachings of Scripture (KJV)!

Melchizedek

Melchizedek, who is He
Melchizedek, could it be
The Holy One.....in disguise
I have come to realize....

Abraham gave tithe
To Melchizedek
Just who was this “Man”
He owed a debt......

(Repeat choruses)

An epiphany
A theophany
Like a symphony
God is One

Melchizedek....

(Genesis 14; Psalm 110:4; Isaiah 17:7; Luke 4:34; Hebrews 5, 6, 7)

Winter Wonder

2008-12-07T12:13:00.003-05:00

Music by Yanni [True Nature/Snowfall...for music see sidebar]
Lyrics by Renah

This is a song written several years ago during the winter months of our driveaway travels. I was appreciating the beauty of winter and the changing seasons. Hormonal hot flashes helped me appreciate the chill of winter for the first time in my life. I continue to have “thermostat problems.” As a result, I can be described as snippy, clammy, and other less than flattering appellatives. I wonder when this transition will resolve. Ten years seems long enough.

It was interesting that the trees lost their leaves in places like Tennessee/Georgia for only about a month or six weeks. The temperatures stayed mild, but the deciduous trees still needed to rest awhile from their fruitfulness.

I also needed to rest awhile, retiring from the stresses of the highway in 2005....but it is time to get back to fruitfulness. I kind of miss the adventures of traveling and the opportunities to write songs. Yet I do not miss little old ladies spinning out in front of me in a Wyoming blizzard. Thank the LORD for the miracle of missing her as she came to a stop sideways in the middle of the highway. And the additional miracle of the semi behind me missing her as well. Then there was the time my windshield wipers froze and I could not see.......good thing we were at a crawl in another snowstorm, snaking our way up and down mountain highways......maybe I’ll continue to stay home where life is a little less exciting.

Winter Wonder

Winter’s a wonder
Kentucky wonder
Softer than thunder
The snow upon the hillside
I’d like a sleigh ride
Across a frosty field

God made the seasons
And He knows the reasons
For trees to be barren
A chill in the air suits me

Winter’s a wonder
An Indiana wonder
So meek and mild
Where is the wild storm
Howling storm

Winter’s a wonder
It is a wonder
Softer than thunder
The snow upon the pine trees
I like a pine breeze
As I trot the trails

God made the seasons
And He knows the reasons
For trees to be barren
A chill in the air suits me
A chill in the air exhilarates me

Winter’s a wonder
A Wyoming wonder
The wind gets riled
Here is the wild storm
Raging storm

A grey snow sky
The gift of Adonai

Winter’s a wonder
It is a wonder
Softer than thunder
Snowflakes fall on me

God made the seasons
And He knows the reasons
For trees to be barren
A chill in the air suits me
A chill in the air invigorates me

A grey snow sky
The gift of Adonai........

A Maccabean History Lesson

2008-12-03T13:04:00.004-05:00

1 Not long after this the king sent an old man of Athens to compel the Jews to depart from the laws of their fathers, and not to live after the laws of God:

2 And to pollute also the temple in Jerusalem, and to call it the temple of Jupiter Olympius; and that in Garizim, of Jupiter the Defender of strangers, as they did desire that dwelt in the place.

3 The coming in of this mischief was sore and grievous to the people:

4 For the temple was filled with riot and revelling by the Gentiles, who dallied with harlots, and had to do with women within the circuit of the holy places, and besides that brought in things that were not lawful.

5 The altar also was filled with profane things, which the law forbiddeth.

6 Neither was it lawful for a man to keep sabbath days or ancient fasts, or to profess himself at all to be a Jew.

7 And in the day of the king's birth every month they were brought by bitter constraint to eat of the sacrifices; and when the fast of Bacchus was kept, the Jews were compelled to go in procession to Bacchus, carrying ivy.

8 Moreover there went out a decree to the neighbour cities of the heathen, by the suggestion of Ptolemee, against the Jews, that they should observe the same fashions, and be partakers of their sacrifices:

9 And whoso would not conform themselves to the manners of the Gentiles should be put to death. Then might a man have seen the present misery.

10 For there were two women brought, who had circumcised their children; whom when they had openly led round about the city, the babes hanging at their breasts, they cast them down headlong from the wall.

11 And others, that had run together into caves near by, to keep the sabbath day secretly, being discovered by Philip, were all burnt together, because they made a conscience to help themselves for the honour of the most sacred day.

12 Now I beseech those that read this book, that they be not discouraged for these calamities, but that they judge those punishments not to be for destruction, but for a chastening of our nation.

13 For it is a token of his great goodness, when wicked doers are not suffered any long time, but forthwith punished.

14 For not as with other nations, whom the Lord patiently forbeareth to punish, till they be come to the fulness of their sins, so dealeth he with us,

15 Lest that, being come to the height of sin, afterwards he should take vengeance of us.

16 And therefore he never withdraweth his mercy from us: and though he punish with adversity, yet doth he never forsake his people.

17 But let this that we at spoken be for a warning unto us. And now will we come to the declaring of the matter in a few words.

18 Eleazar, one of the principal scribes, an aged man, and of a well favoured countenance, was constrained to open his mouth, and to eat swine's flesh.

19 But he, choosing rather to die gloriously, than to live stained with such an abomination, spit it forth, and came of his own accord to the torment,

20 As it behoved them to come, that are resolute to stand out against such things, as are not lawful for love of life to be tasted.

21 But they that had the charge of that wicked feast, for the old acquaintance they had with the man, taking him aside, besought him to bring flesh of his own provision, such as was lawful for him to use, and make as if he did eat of the flesh taken from the sacrifice commanded by the king;

22 That in so doing he might be delivered from death, and for the old friendship with them find favour.

23 But he began to consider discreetly, and as became his age, and the excellency of his ancient years, and the honour of his gray head, whereon was come, and his most honest education from a child, or rather the holy law made and given by God: therefore he answered accordingly, and willed them straightways to send him to the grave.

24 For it becometh not our age, said he, in any wise to dissemble, whereby many young persons might think that Eleazar, being fourscore years old and ten, were now gone to a strange religion;

25 And so they through mine hypocrisy, and desire to live a little time and a moment longer, should be deceived by me, and I get a stain to mine old age, and make it abominable.

26 For though for the present time I should be delivered from the punishment of men: yet should I not escape the hand of the Almighty, neither alive, nor dead.

27 Wherefore now, manfully changing this life, I will shew myself such an one as mine age requireth,

28 And leave a notable example to such as be young to die willingly and courageously for the honourable and holy laws. And when he had said these words, immediately he went to the torment:

29 They that led him changing the good will they bare him a little before into hatred, because the foresaid speeches proceeded, as they thought, from a desperate mind.

30 But when he was ready to die with stripes, he groaned, and said, It is manifest unto the Lord, that hath the holy knowledge, that whereas I might have been delivered from death, I now endure sore pains in body by being beaten: but in soul am well content to suffer these things, because I fear him.

31 And thus this man died, leaving his death for an example of a noble courage, and a memorial of virtue, not only unto young men, but unto all his nation.

2 Maccabees 6