Tuesday 5 June 2012

DO NOT FRUSTRATE THE GRACE OF G-D (CHRIST)


Do not frustrate the Grace of G-d (Christ)

While I whole heartedly agree with many, that scripturally speaking, the Sabbath is the seventh day, and that based upon my modest research into the Messianic’s worship practices there is very compelling evidence to suggest that Sunday is indeed a gross misrepresentation for the Christian’s “day of worship”.  I find myself contemplating the words of our Lord, Jesus Christ / Yeshua Ha Mashiach (Rabbi Yeshua Bar Yosef) regarding man and the Sabbath:






Specifically that the “…The Sabbath was made on account and for the sake of man, not man for the Sabbath.” Verse 27

And thus I find myself asking two questions:  (A) “Which is MORE important to G-d (Christ) then, that man observes the Sabbath on the seventh day, or that man observes a Sabbath days’ rest?”  And (B) “Is it really worth publically criticizing a member of Christ’s Church over a dogma?”

If one says that observance of the Sabbath on the Seventh Day is THE MOST important, then it would seem that one is not only contradicting the importance and placement of the Sabbath according to our Lord’s teachings, but that effectively one is saying that the “Son of G-d (Christ) sinned” as He was criticized by the Pharisees for not keeping the Law.

It must also be considered then, that IF one MUST keep the Sabbath on the seventh day (because that’s what it says in Genesis) then one must also keep the Sabbath correctly, and in accordance with the LAW.  What do I mean by this?  Well the Sabbath, according to Genesis begins at sunset on the 6th day, and continues through to sunset on the 7th day.  And if one seeks to be under the law, then one is UNDER the whole Law: “For whosoever keeps the Law [as a] whole but stumbles and offends in one [single instance] has become guilty of [breaking] all of it.” James 2:10  (AMP)} and similarly as in Galatians 5:3 – “that he is a debtor to do the whole law.”, and effectively nullifies the Crucifixion, “do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.” Galatians 2:21 KJV

Am I saying that the Catholic Church is in fact a Christian Church?  Yes, in fact quite emphatically I am.  Am I some huge fan of, or otherwise a “great defender” of all things Catholic (Roman Catholic Church (RCC) or other Catholic Churches)?  The answer to both of the latter questions is a resounding “NO, I am not”!  Disagree with me that the RCC is a bonā fidē Christian Church!  Then please feel free to reply directly and highlight specifically BOTH what (A) it is that makes one a bonā fidē Christian and / or a bonā fidē Christian Church, and (B) what expressly disqualifies the RCC from said inclusion. 

The Bible, Torah / Tanakh plus the New Testament (for our Jewish & Messianic friends) makes it clear that to deny for example the Deity of Christ, is Anti-Christ - 1 John 2:22.  Thus the Mormon church and the Jehovah’s Witness (JW) church are befitting the label “cult”, as for the RCC…  I think one will find, if one looks at their exegetical core tenets of Faith, they are part of Christ’s Body.

Well then, do I not (or can I NOT) see that the RCC is terribly FLAWED?  Of course I can and do, see that the RCC is indeed flawed.  Can other people NOT also see that ALL churches are likewise, to some degree, FLAWED? 


So again I pose the question:  “Is it really worth publically criticizing a member of Christ’s Church over a dogma?”  Considering that according to the Pharisees of Jesus’ day, He was breaking the Law with respect to the Sabbath, do those actions of Christ make Him a sinner?  I think NOT, in fact I “KNOW” not!  Jesus Christ / Yeshua Ha Mashiach was without sin! 


Do the WORDS of G-d (Christ) Himself mean anything to us as followers of Jesus / Yeshua?  If so, then please remember that we (Christians) will be known / recognized by:

… this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” John 13:35 KJV

As far as the flaws, errs and misguided teachings of Catholicism, or Orthodoxy, or Pentecostalism, or the Baptists, etc., etc., etc… is concerned, we should let G-d (Christ) deal with their “flaws”, and deal with our HEARTS.

May G-d (Christ) Bless you all! 

PLEASE let's ALL continue to work together to present a UNIFIED Christ to our UNbelieving friends!!!!  Remember, Jesus said – “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” John 14:15 KJV  See footnote [1] below.

No Jesus, NO peace and yet, Know Jesus, KNOW peace

How does one get to “know” Jesus?  Simple, invite Him into your heart, as Jesus says: “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” [Revelations 3:20 NIV]  How can we be assured that this Jesus stuff means anything, anything at all?  Well because the Bible tells us so, as the Apostle Paul wrote:

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” [Romans 10:9-10 NIV]

And for those of you who say to me, I can’t be bothered reading the Bible, “it’s confusing” or “it’s a waste of my time”, may I draw your attention to what the Bible says about wisdom: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” [Proverbs 9:10 NIV]

If nothing else, PLEASE read two chapters from the Bible – (don’t own one, sorry NO excuse, if you’re reading this, you can access this: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%203:16&version=NIV) John 3 and John 14!

John 3:16 says:  “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

And John 14:6 says: “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Well that’s it, that’s Da Bauz’s Take on, “frustrating the Grace of G-d (Christ)” – this 5th day of June 2012 © 2012, All Rights Reserved. wr (Da Bauz, Christian Zionist “creationist” too)


Footnote [1] – What is / are Christ’s “Commandments”?  According to Matthew,





Sunday 3 June 2012

BREIVIK, A MILITANT CHRISTIAN

Anders Behring Breivik, a militant Christian?

Firstly, - did (or has) Breivik actually call / called himself a Christian of any kind, radical, militant, fundamentalist or otherwise?  Answer, - Well it seems he has, at least in some degree, taken the label “Christian” for himself.  Once again, I learn something new every single day, according to a Wikipedia write-up, I see that “The manifesto states its author is "100 percent Christian",[3] but he is not "excessively religious"[3] and considers himself a "cultural Christian" and a "modern-day crusader".[2][3]” [http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Anders_Behring_Breivik&oldid=495027620

Secondly, a “militant Christian”?  Isn’t that a rather brazen oxymoron!

There are three (3) things I’d like to hone in on about the content of the above Wiki article.  The first one being “A” the words “cultural Christian”, the second one being “B” the phrase “Christian-agnostic” and finally the third one being “C” the phrase “Christian-atheist”, and I suppose I could even add a fourth one being “D”, what really is a “Biblical Christian”?

Let’s look very briefly at each of the three, well okay now four (4), A, B, C & D things noted above, and some short definition(s):

“A” – cultural Christian: “A cultural Christian is a secular or irreligious individual who still significantly identifies with Christian culture. Deists of the 18th and early 19th centuries, such as Napoleon and various Founding Fathers of the United States, similarly considered themselves part of Christian culture, despite their doubts about the divinity of Jesus.” [http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cultural_Christian&oldid=488656973]

“B” – Christian-agnostic: “Christian Agnostics (distinct from a Christian who is agnostic) practice a distinct form of agnosticism that applies only to the properties of God. They hold that it is difficult or impossible to be sure of anything beyond the basic tenets of the Christian faith. They believe that God exists, that Jesus has a special relationship with him and is in some way divine, that God should be worshipped and that humans should be compassionate toward one another. This belief system has deep roots in Judaism and the early days of the Church.[3]” [http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Agnostic_theism&oldid=486001370]

“C” – Christian-atheism: “Christian atheism is an ideology in which the belief in the God of Christianity is rejected or absent but the moral teachings of Jesus are followed.” [http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Christian_atheism&oldid=491952866]

Before I truly bore you out of your mind, with endless Wiki quotes, and also before I make note of the fourth item noted above, please let say this:  In my opinion, and yes I truly mean my opinion.  (I say this because, although I feel given sufficient space I could provide many compelling arguments in support of said opinion, yet I do not believe that I would be capable of irrefutably and empirically PROVING my position.)  In my opinion, there is an almost immeasurably vast difference between bonā fidē Biblical Christianity and, either all three collectively or individually of, the type(s) of Christian / Christianity noted above and defined by Anders B. Breivik.

Also before I move onto the fourth item “D”, I’d like to draw particular attention to a few of either direct or implied quotes of Breivik’s. 

The quote I’ll begin with here, I will call “i”, is from the original Wikipedia article I cited above: “considers himself a "cultural Christian"…

and then later in that same Wikipedia article Breivik’s next quote which also appears in the cite I note following quote, this one I will call “ii”, where he is quoted as saying is: “It is enough that you are a Christian-agnostic or a Christian atheist (an atheist who wants to preserve at least the basics of the European Christian cultural legacy (Christian holidays, Christmas and Easter)).” [http://www.religiondispatches.org/archive/politics/4910/is_norway%E2%80%99s_suspected_murderer_anders_breivik_a_christian_terrorist

The final quote, which I will call “iii” is, “If you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and God then you are a religious Christian. Myself and many more like me do not necessarily have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and God. We do however believe in Christianity as a cultural, social, identity and moral platform. This makes us Christian.” [http://au.christiantoday.com/article/norway-massacre-suspect-manifesto-rejects-personal-relationship-with-jesus/11623.htm]

You will notice that he (Breivik) in the above quotes “i”, “ii” and “iii” takes the liberty of defining what a Christian is, in his opinion.  The use of words and phrases like “considers himself” and “It is enough” and “believe in Christianity as a cultural, social, identity and moral platform. This makes us Christian”.  Additionally, you will notice that Breivik in this “third” quote makes the assertion that: “If you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and God then you are a religious Christian”  And to that expression, I do take personal exception, and say “what bunk”! 

The rudimentary definition of RELIGION (religious follower of something) is:

a) a series of man-made do’s, don’ts and veritable ‘wherefore art thou’s’, based upon some man’s interpretation of something else.  Said interpretation may well be based upon a first hand reading of source material (reading from the God’s (Christ’s) Holy Word, the Holy Bible) , or be effectively based upon years N’ years of handed down traditions (a virtual hearsay, if you will) of do’s, don’ts & ‘wherefore art thou’s’! and

b) an adherence to said series of man-made do’s, don’ts and veritable ‘wherefore art thou’s’. 

The very notion that a “personal relationship with Jesus Christ, makes one a religious Christian is almost beyond comprehension for me.  Please permit me to digress for a moment, whilst I address the concept and definition of religion(s).

Religion is defined by:

Dictionary dot com as:

noun
1. a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.
2. a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects: the Christian religion; the Buddhist religion.
3. the body of persons adhering to a particular set of beliefs and practices: a world council of religions.
4. the life or state of a monk, nun, etc.: to enter religion.
5. the practice of religious  beliefs; ritual observance of faith.” [Dictionary dot com]


Merriam-Webster online as:

RELIGION
1:
a : the state of a religious <a nun in her 20th year of religion>
b :
(1) : the service and worship of God or the supernatural
(2) : commitment or devotion to religious faith or observance
2: a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices
3: archaic : scrupulous conformity : conscientiousness
4: a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith” [Merriam-Webster online] and finally…

Wikipedia as: “Religion is a collection of cultural systems, belief systems, and worldviews that relate humanity to spirituality and, sometimes, to moral values.” [Wikipedia]

Now I find it personally interesting and also noteworthy too, that out of all the various points noted to define religion (religious following) by non-church related sources, very few even infer (let alone clearly define) having a PERSONAL REALTIONSHIP with the Living G-d, Jesus Christ as a “religion” or religious.  The dictionary dot com list includes such comments as: “…devotional and ritual observances…” and a “…set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons…”, ergo man-made…

The other two Merriam-Webster online and Wikipedia seem to offer little in terms of variants from the broad notion of ‘adherence to man-made rules N’ reg’s’ by way of defining what “Religion” is.  Alas enough about “religion”, I am in no way either impressed by that word, or even remotely motivated towards any sense of “religious” adherence.  I might be perhaps one of the LEAST religious people you know, or will ever meet.??

Back the opening points, three (3) to begin, then bumped to four (4) “A”, “B”, “C” and “D”, they have not been forgotten.  The first three “A”, “B” & “C” have been defined above, and I will address them vs. bonā fidē Biblical Christianity shortly.  The fourth “D” I will attempt after I address the first three in more detail.  But first please permit me to digress one more time from these four, while we explore the term “christian” in a very broad and perhaps overly simplified manner. 

In the broadest sense of the word “christian” it very simply means to be christ-like or a “follower”, “believer in” and “worshipper of christ”.  Great, now then, what does the word “christ” mean?  By the way, although I am sure that you already KNOW this, Christ is NOT Jesus’ surname.  Christ literally means Messiah, ergo Jesus Christ or Yeshua Ha Mashiach essentially means: “the Christ who is Rabbi Jesus, the son of Joseph / the Messiah who is Rabbi Yeshua Bar Yosef”.

So, who is Messiah then?  Or a better question might be who THE Messiah is then?  Once again, by way of reminders, a christian is NOTHING more than a follower of, believer in and worshipper of Christ (messiah).  Thus it would seem that defining clearly WHO this Messiah is would be an important step.  Are there more than one “messiahs,” or is there but ONE Messiah (THE Messiah, if you will)?  Several of the world’s religions purport having some sort of messiah.  The Zoroastrian’s do, for example, have a messiah, who is known as “Saoshyant” {Persian for messiah} by the name of “Zarathustra”.  How about some other religious order’s “messiahs” then, say for example “Muntazar” the Sunni Muslim’s “messiah”, or what about an Aztec or Mayan “messiah” known as “Quetzalcoatl”? 

Based upon the above very broad and simple, perhaps oversimplified, definition of a “christian”, any follower, believer in and worshipper of ANY of these few noted above (amongst many indeed, please see – “Name That Messiah!” for more info on numerous “messiahs” throughout the ages), by merely translating the word messiah (or the linguistic equivalent from whatever original language “messiah” came) to the English word “christ”,  and *bam* any and ALL followers of said “christ” become, by definition “christians”.  Hardly a “bonā fidē Biblical Christian” mind you, more on this when we define and address “D” Biblical Christianity from above.

And now back to those first four points “A”, “B”, “C” and “D”, the first three of which have been defined above.  Now let’s look at addressing them one-by-one and their respective connection with Christianity.  Let us begin with a look at phrases (labels) like a Militant Christian, and also from above, “A” “cultural Christian”, “B” “Christian-agnostic” and “C” “Christian-atheist”.  All three (3) of these labels are really oxy-moronic of what Biblical Christianity means, at least according to the source, the Holy Bible

First, let’s refer back to the opening comment a militant Christian.  “Militant” literally means confrontational, aggressive, radical, revolutionary, combative, rebellious, and belligerent and while I would whole heartedly agree that individual persons may demonstrate any number of “militant” traits, I would have to say that Biblical Christianity as a whole does NOT fit said description.

Next “A” The notion of a “cultural Christian” seems at best to fly in the face of the definition of a Biblical Christian (in its simplest and broadest of forms from above at east), being: “to be christ-like or a “follower”, “believer in” and “worshipper of christ””, as the cultural Christian it would seem follows no ONE single messiah.  Leaving us with  the “B” “Christian-agnostic” and “C” “Christian-atheist”, and if ever I saw something that epitomized an oxymoron it would be either of those two, especially the latter - “Christian-atheist”.  For, to be a Christian or “to be christ-like” or a “follower”, “believer in” and “worshipper of christ” means, (or at least implies at some level) acknowledging a deity, if not THE Deity.  Thus it would seem that both “A” the “cultural Christian” and “C” the “Christian-atheist” do not appear to fit the Biblical definition of Christianity.

Agnosticism on the other hand, combined with Christianity may seem like less of a stretch (at least at a glance), as the agnostic generally believes in some form of higher power, but lacks the conviction (or is lacking in being personally convinced) that there is but ONE SPECIFIC GOD.  A God who is both Truly God and who also absolutely out ranks all other gods.  To that end I suppose one could argue that my short list of three messiahs from above, leading to three possible definitions of a “christian”, might be defined as “B” “Christian-agnostic’s”.  I’d have to agree with said assertion, and that definition too flies in the very face of what Biblical Christianity is.

Thus it would seem that all four labels from above, Militant Christian, “A” “cultural Christian”, “B” “Christian-agnostic” and “C” “Christian-atheist” are somehow lacking in terms of meeting basic, rudimentary and foundational Biblical Christianity criteria.  But wait, you haven’t yet even defined or otherwise explained “Biblical Christianity”.  And how can one either agree or disagree without seeing / reading said definition?  Great question, let’s do just that… So now let’s continue with the fourth item “D” from above by asking the question, and then eventually (hopefully) defining precisely, what really is a real bonā fidē Christian (Biblical Christian)? 

“D” – A real Christian – being a real Christian is a sort of THREE-FOLD process, a process that involves three things, and defining which of (in any one) is more important that either of the other two, is indeed a challenge.  A real Christian is someone who:

Has surrendered one’s life to the Lordship / Saving Grace of G-d (Christ) – Revelations 3:20

Believes in the TRUE Christ, {Jesus Christ / Yeshua Ha Mashiach (Rabbi Yeshua Bar Yosef)} i.e. to deny for example the Deity of Christ, is Anti-Christ – 1 John 2:22 and.... Romans 10:9-10

Bears fruit (eventually) does Christ-like things, as faith without works is dead - "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone." – James 2:17 KJV

Now again, is “Surrendering” to Christ's Lordship the most important of the three?  Is “Surrendering” to Christ's Lordship more important than the other two?  What if the christ one has surrendered to is the half-brother of Lucifer, as some churches teach?  Or what if the christ one has surrendered to is also Michael the Arch-Angel, as some other churches teach?  Are these people Christians...?  I'd be sceptical, as they (these churches) deny the Deity of Christ, YET as one can see from passages in Jeremiah 17 “…I the Lord search the mind, I try the heart, even to give to every man according to his ways…” and 1 Samuel 16, “… the Lord looks on the heart.” T'is God (Christ) who both KNOWS and Judges a man's heart.  Thus it would seem that “surrendering” alone, one’s life to the Lordship of a christ, will not in fact make one a Biblical Christian.

So then how about “BELIEVINGin the ONE TRUE Holy God (Christ) who is in fact ONE God is this the most important of the three?  Is “BELIEVING in the ONE TRUE Holy God (Christ) who is in fact ONE God, part of the Holy Trinity more important at than the other two...?  Well James tells us that “You believe that God is one; you do well. So do the demons believe and shudder [in terror and horror such as [a] make a man’s hair stand on end and contract the surface of his skin]!” James 2:19 (AMP) “...demons believe and shudder...”, I'd say it's a very safe bet, demons aren't *SAVED*... ergo “believing”, in and of itself does NOT appear to be sufficient (as a stand alone) to make one a Biblical Christian...

And finally what about doing GOOD WORKS and “BEARING FRUIT” are these the most important of the three?  Is doing a GOOD WORK and “BEARING FRUIT” more important than the other two...?  I think if one would just read the Bible, one’s self, one would agree; we do NOT get saved (or even STAY SAVED) by doing Good Works.  That's a very legalistic works based view, and one that get's many churches and well intentioned Christians in trouble.  The WHOLE reformation of Martin Luther revolved around “…the just shall live by Faith…” Hebrews 10:38 KJV, see also Habakkuk 2:4, Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11 and of course Hebrews 10:39 “…but of them that believe to the saving of the soul!”  So once again, it would appear as though doing a good work / “bearing fruit” is not, intrinsically sufficient to make one a Biblical Christian.

Two more quick thoughts before I wrap up.

  • The word “opinion”, I clearly said that it’s my opinion that there is an almost immeasurably vast difference between bonā fidē Biblical Christianity and, any one of “cultural Christian”, “Christian-agnostic” and “Christian-atheist” concepts.  And yet I also made a point of minimizing Breivik’s opinion when I said that Breivik “…takes the liberty of defining what is, in his opinion, a Christian.”  The difference between the two is that Christianity is something that springs forth from the Holy Bible, and as such should best be defined by said Holy Bible, and NOT by someone’s varied or varying “opinions”.
  • Giving that the very concept of a “militant” and Biblical Christianity are virtually 180º opposed to each other, I’d have to ask if the words militant and Christian should even be used as a compound word, “militant Christian”.

Was, or rather is, Anders Behring Breivik a militant?  I’d say it’s a safe bet to say “yes”.  Is he a Christian?  Well I suppose if it would be okay for one to define what a Christian is, in his opinion, then one could, in his / her opinion, make the brazen statement that “I am a Christian”.  Similarly, one could define say a Medical Doctor, in his / her opinion, and then subsequently, proclaim himself / herself (based upon his / her opinion) to be a Physician.  Now there’s a scary thought!  Thus, Breivik a Christian.. sure I guess in his mind he is.  Does he represent,, even remotely (let alone fairly) mainstream Biblical Christianity?  Read the Holy Bible, G-d’s (Christ’s) Holy Word for yourself, and you decide.

As noted earlier, the dictionary dot com list includes such comments as: “…devotional and ritual observances…” and a “…set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons…”, when it comes to defining religion.  And for many folk, that is essentially what being a Christian is, adherence to a series of “do’s” and “don’ts” (especially man-made “do’s” and “don’ts”.  Folk often times think of following a but of edicts and commands (Commandments), but did you know that Jesus Christ / Yeshua Ha Mashiach (Rabbi Yeshua Bar Yosef) had (HAS) very very few express / specific commands / commandments?  In John 14, Jesus said – “
If ye love me, keep my commandments.” John 14:15 KJV  So what are the commandments of Jesus? See footnote [1] below for more information.  In the mean time, would you like to know the one true God, Jesus Christ / Yeshua Ha Mashiach (Rabbi Yeshua Bar Yosef)?  Please read on.

Know Jesus, know peace whereas no Jesus, no peace” 

How does one get to “know” Jesus?  Simple, invite Him into your heart, as Jesus says: “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” [Revelations 3:20 NIV]  How can we be assured that this Jesus stuff means anything, anything at all?  Well because the Bible tells us so, as the Apostle Paul wrote:

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” [Romans 10:9-10 NIV]

And for those of you who say to me, I can’t be bothered reading the Bible, “it’s confusing” or “it’s a waste of my time”, may I draw your attention to what the Bible says about wisdom: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” [Proverbs 9:10 NIV]

If nothing else, PLEASE read two chapters from the Bible – (don’t own one, sorry NO excuse, if you’re reading this, you can access this: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%203:16&version=NIV) John 3 and John 14!

John 3:16 says:  “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

And John 14:6 says: “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Well that’s it, that’s Da Bauz’s Take on, Breivik, a militant Christian – this 3rd day of June 2012 © 2012, All Rights Reserved. wr (Da Bauz, Christian Zionist N’ “creationist” too)

Footnote [1] – What is / are Christ’s “Commandments”?  According to Matthew,