Da Bauz's Take

Greetings I am but s simple Christian who has become completely disenchanted with “chasing the ‘almighty’ dollar” thus now pursue knowing The Almighty G-d; Jesus Christ / Yeshua Ha Mashiach; Rabbi Yeshua Bar Yosef. It is my hope that I may present some insightful yet provocative food for thought. I welcome all who read this to ask questions. In fact please do not take anything I write at face value, rather research and verify the facts and form your own opinions. Blessings in Christ, Da Bauz

Saturday 26 December 2015

Oh how unique our existence truly is

#RAD

Oh How Unique Our Existence Truly Is

It truly is amazing... The alleged vastness is clearly beyond comprehension.

209 Seconds That Will Make You Question Your Entire Existence,

That is not to suggest I think it is not vast, merely highlighting that man's calculated distances, and sizes for many of the items depicted in in this video, a video that highlights just how infinitesimally tiny our Earth is compared the vastness of the entire "known" (believed to be known) universe, is almost exclusively done from observations made from Earth, or relatively near to Earth.

The distance between the Earth and our moon, 226,000 miles, enough that we could fit the other seven planets of our solar system in the space in between - c. ~ 25 seconds in

That six Earth's would fit into the cross-section of Saturn's Rings - c. ~ 40 seconds in

Now, the shots of Earth from the moon, c. ~ 52 seconds in, and from Mars c. ~ 60 seconds in, may in fact be from space-craft launched from Earth, peering back at our wee blue planet... EVEN

At about the c. ~ 64 second mark read that - "That insignificant little do there, that's Earth. From around 4 billion (4,000,000,000) miles away" - image gathered on February 14, 1990, by the Voyager 1 space probe, launched on September 5, 1977 by NASA's Kennedy Space Center

And then we get into the truly remarkable... Arcturus, which is said to be - "16,000 times larger in volume than our own sun." - is also said to be 36.7 light-years (5,879,000,000,000 or 5.8 trillion miles) from us... c. ~ 82 seconds in

From here we move on to Alpha Scorpii, which is said to be - "690,000,000 times larger in volume than our own sun." - is also said to be about 145 parsecs or 470 light years (2,763,000,000,000,000 or c. ~ 2.8 quadrillion miles) from us...... c. ~ 86 seconds in

Next we have VY Canis Majoris, which is said to be - "2.9 billion (2,900,000,000) times larger in volume than our own sun." - is also said to be about 1.2 kiloparsecs or 4,000 light-years (22,927,000,000,000,000 or c. ~ 22.9 quadrillion miles) from us... c. ~ 90 seconds in

And so on... at only a minute and a half into a 3 1/2 minute video, we are into postulated #'s that are so far past staggeringly incomprehensible that it is also quite impossible to describe.

For example, for those who think they can relate to trillions and quadrillions in terms of numbers, consider this:

Each of us alive experiences One Million seconds, roughly every c. ~11.5 days, BUT most of us will only see a tad more than Two Billion seconds, as One Billion seconds takes c. ~ 32 years (31 years eight months) To this day, globally the average life expectancy is 66 years six months. So the average person will experience c. ~ 2.1 billion seconds (+/- 100 million seconds) in their entire life times. Another way to look at this is that over the span of that ~ 2.1 billion seconds, we humans will each experience two thousand one hundred ‘one-million second’ long cycles. Again 11.5 days vs 31.6 years, not really numbers that can be directly compared with one and other. How much more so, are trillions (one thousand times one billion) or quadrillions (one thousand times one trillion) or quintillions (one thousand times one quadrillion).

All of this should be enough to make one think- “wow, we truly are insignificant” - and we are, t’is true. Yet G-d (Christ), the Almighty Creator of all this amazing vastness says that He *KNOWS* you personally - Isaiah 43:1; John 10:14-15; Jeremiah 1:5; Psalm 139:1-24; John 8:32. Did you know that? He knows everything single thing about every single one of us!

“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.” [Revelation 3:20 NIV] How can we be assured that this Jesus stuff means anything? 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.”

What is #RAD? #RAD is:

R epent of rejecting Christ

A ccept Christ as your Lord

D evelop your relationship with the Living Almighty God Himself as your personal Lord and Saviour

John 3:16, Revelation 3:20, Romans 10:9 -10, Revelation 21:27, II Corinthians 5:21 and I John 5:13 / John 20:31!

Shalom!

Cited or consulted sources and resources

http://bzfd.it/1Pn3Iys - Video credit for “209 Seconds That Will Make You Question Your Entire Existence”

http://bit.ly/1m81urz - “Pale Blue Dot”

http://bit.ly/1Pn60xA - “Arcturus”

http://bit.ly/1Pn6948 - “Alpha Scorpii”

http://bit.ly/1Pn6dRn - “VY Canis Majoris”

http://bit.ly/1Pn6gwI - “IC 1011”

http://bit.ly/1Pn6p3h - “Tables of Denominations above one million”

http://bit.ly/1Pn6Bzy - “List of countries by life expectancy”, List by the CIA (2012) - World average

http://bit.ly/1kliLwA - “Bible Hub”

http://bit.ly/1kliTMD - “BibleGateway”

Thursday 24 December 2015

Is there any evidence that there were carnivores before the fall [of man]?

#RAD

Is There Any Evidence That There Were Carnivores Before The Fall [Of Man]?

The answer to that question would be a resounding "NO". - Genesis 1:29 & 30 and Genesis 2:16:

Quoting – “And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:” - End Quote KJV. And Adman and Eve both knew this, and knew this very well, see Genesis 3:2 and 3:3. How can we be sure that Adam bothered to tell Eve, what the Lord God commanded of the man? Or how can we be sure that Eve really understood what the Lord God commanded of the man? Well consider how Genesis 3:2 opens: Quoting – “The woman answered the serpent, ‘We may eat from…’ ” – CJB, and – “…but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’” End Quote – NIV.

Taking into account Romans 5:12 & I Corinthians 15:21 – wherein we read that death entered the world by way of sin, and as sin had not yet happened pre-fall – “...by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin...” KJV – PLUS the fact that in Genesis 3:21 we read the – “Unto Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make coats of skins, and clothed them.” KJV – then given the dietary directives of Genesis 1:29 – 30 and 2:16, and the complimenting passages of Romans 5 and I Corinthians 15, plus Genesis 3 it seems safe to conclude that there were NO carnivorous creatures (no death) pre-fall! None.

There are those who argue that, as G-d (Christ) obviously killed some animal(s) in order to give Adam and Eve coverings Genesis 3:21, those carnivorous practices began there and then**. While this is certainly possible, the directive given to Noah and his family post flood – Genesis 9:2-4, clearly shows that G-d (Christ) did not, before then, give full sanction for the consumption of meat – (possibly not by human nor animal). At least not prior to the great flood of Noah's day.

Now in Genesis 9:2 we read – “...the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth...” KJV, and in Genesis 9:3 – “Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you...” KJV and then verse four we read the prohibition against raw meats with blood still in it.

So... Carnivorous (Man or beast):

Pre-fall – NO.

Between the fall and the flood – Maybe **?

Post flood – YES!

Does any of this really matter? In a salvific sense… “NO”. In the sense of challenging folk to look at what G-d’s (Christ’s) Holy Word, The Bible, actually does or does not say… perhaps. You decide. After reading cited texts first-hand for yourselves, you decide! Say, does this “Jesus stuff” give you gas? Does it leave you feeling unsettled, uncomfortable, and uneasy? Want answers?

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

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, Evidence That There Were No Carnivores Before The Fall, this 24^th day of December, 2015 © 2015, All Rights Reserved. wr (Da Bauz, Christian Zionist “creationist” too!)

What is #RAD? #RAD is:

R epent of rejecting Christ

A ccept Christ as your Lord

D evelop your relationship with the Living Almighty God Himself as your personal Lord and Saviour

John 3:16, Revelation 3:20, Romans 10:9 -10, Revelation 21:27, II Corinthians 5:21 and I John 5:13 / John 20:31!

Shalom!

Cited or consulted sources and resources

http://bit.ly/1kliLwA - “Bible Hub”

http://bit.ly/1kliTMD - “BibleGateway”

** As man had already shown a tendency towards disobedience to G-d (Christ) with Adam's sin many argue, and I tend to agree that this is well within the realms of plausibility, that many did in fact consume flesh, and do so well before the flood. In other words predation was likely much more than just a random periodic occurrence, consider Cain and Abel - Genesis 4:1-16, but rather quite likely prevalent.

Wednesday 23 December 2015

Elitism, Revisionism and the arrogance of the Elitists...

#RAD

Elitism, Revisionism and the arrogance of the Elitists

The HRM claim that one can only come to know Messiah by way of His Hebrew name - Yehsua EXCLUSIVELY - and many argue (also very arrogantly) that if one dares to call Him JESUS, one is a full-on, unsaved heretic...

The KJVonly-ism CULTISTS claim that one can only come to know Jesus by way of reading His Word, the Bible, in the - KJV version EXCLUSIVELY - and many argue (also very arrogantly) that if one dares to read about Him in anything but a KJVonly Bible, one is a full-on, unsaved heretic...

The RCC claim that one can only come to know Jesus by way of attending a - Roman Catholic Church (which typically also incorporates a virtual deification of mary) EXCLUSIVELY - and many argue (also very arrogantly) that if one dares to attend any non-Romanist church, one is a full-on, unsaved heretic...

The Five Books of Torah, have remained unchanged for 3,500 years.

The 24 Books of TaNaKh (which comprise the same written content as the 39 Books of the Christian Old Testament) have remained unchanged for c. ~ 2,500 years.

The Canon for the Writings of TaNaKh were decided, settled and very well established before the Roman Catholic church was even a twinkling in some archbishop’s eye.

And as has been said before, - “the four gospels and the [New Testament] letters were compiled in the 4th century.” - In fact the NT writings were penned well before the close of the 1st century A.D. And they were written by those who knew Christ personally, encountered Him personally, and / or were under the direct supervision of those who knew Him personally!

SMDH revisionists...

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

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, Elitism, Revisionism and the arrogance of the Elitist, this 23^rd day of December, 2015 © 2015, All Rights Reserved. wr (Da Bauz, Christian Zionist “creationist” too!)

What is #RAD? #RAD is:

R epent of rejecting Christ

A ccept Christ as your Lord

D evelop your relationship with the Living Almighty God Himself as your personal Lord and Saviour

John 3:16, Revelation 3:20, Romans 10:9 -10, Revelation 21:27, II Corinthians 5:21 and I John 5:13 / John 20:31!

Shalom!

Tuesday 8 December 2015

WHAT DOES THE QUR’AN SAY ABOUT THE VIOLENT SUBJUGATION OF THE NON-MUSLIM

#RAD

What Does The Qur’an Say About the Violent Subjugation of the non-Muslim?

In a recent discussion I had with a Muslim fellow about Islam being “all about peace”. Sura (Chapter in the Qur’an) 5 MA'IDAH (The Table Spread), verse 32 came up. Typical of the deceptive ways of Islam, the Muslim fellow quoted Sura 5:32 as follows:

“ "Whoever kills a person [unjustly]…it is as though he has killed all mankind. And whoever saves a life, it is as though he had saved all mankind" ”

But this is what the entirety of Sura 5:32 reads as:

Quoting – “Because of that, We decreed upon the Children of Israel that whoever kills a soul unless for a soul or for corruption [done] in the land - it is as if he had slain mankind entirely. And whoever saves one - it is as if he had saved mankind entirely. And our messengers had certainly come to them with clear proofs. Then indeed many of them, [even] after that, throughout the land, were transgressors.” – End Quote, Sahih International

First, Notice that the Muslim’s quoted version only contains Twenty-Eight (28) words, and “an escape clause”*, while the entire verse contains Seventy-Three (73) words, plus “an escape clause”*.

Second, that verse is clearly a direct commandment to the Children of Israel... see opening line! (plagiarized from Talmud) – “…decreed upon the Children of Israel…”.

Third, consider the “escape clause”* itself, both as found in Sura 5:32 – “...unless for a soul or for corruption...” and as written by the Muslim fellow “…[unjustly]…”.

* Let's pause right here, before we look at 5:32 in broader context to include verse 33, and focus for a moment just on that ‘escape clause’, whether phrased as contained in the full verse – “...unless for a soul or for corruption...” – or as Mr. NAME REDACTED said in his significantly shortened version of the verse – “…[unjustly]…”

I asked the Muslim fellow about his very misleading edited version of Sura 5:32, and I also asked him what his thoughts were on the point about Sura 5:32 being plagiarised from Talmud, and being directed to the Jews.

His reply:

NAME REDACTED – “Warren—do you not know who the children of Israel are? They're not talking about the modern-day Zionist state. They're (Sura 5:32) Talking About Jacob, whose name became Israel. He (Jacob) had Two Sons: Isaac And Ishmael. The sons of Isaac became Jews, the sons of Ishmael Arabs. Both Jews and Arabs are the children of Israel in that verse. And that verse can be interpreted to mean all of humanity. Your interpretation is narrow-minded, self-serving, and hateful. [sic]”

Notice his attempt to make Islam, part of Israel, and completely evade and avoid the issue(s) of context and meaning? I told the fellow that we’d come back to the issue of Ishmael being and Israeli, but that for now I wanted to talk about the “escape clause”. So, continuing I asked the Muslim fellow – “Could you please, Mr. NAME REDACTED, explain what you personally believe and understand ‘unless for a soul’ or ‘for corruption’ even means?”

Not surprisingly his replies at first were attempts to say – “I’ve already answered that” – or some such answer very similar to that.

Eventually he did respond to the question -

Quoting – “ "for a soul" = if someone kills you or a friend or loved one, you are allowed to retlaiate

"for corruption" = if there is a situation you think is unjust, you are allowed to use violence to try to fix it” – End Quote 2:27 pm

I must confess here that I still find it humorous, in a twisted sort of (Princess Bride - http://bit.ly/1lsjs86 and / or Jim Stafford’s Cow Patti song - http://bit.ly/1lsjNrj) kind of way, that someone actually wrote – “if someone kills you, you are allowed to retaliate”. Talk about believing in an AFTERLIFE! Ah, but I digress...

And then the excuses began, as this Muslim fellow set out to blame others for the evils seen in Islam, and evils done by Islam (much like the way both C.A.I.R.in the US and A.N.I.C in Australia do regularly) on everybody else:

“…I fall victim to that too…” 3:31 pm

and

“…I let you make me…” 3:40 pm

Now, having said all the above about the violent nature of Islam, we cannot lose sight of the fact that we have hope, an awesome hope, (as it is by and through His death that we as Christians are truly set free, II Timothy 1:10; Yeshayah 25:8; and Hebrews 2:14) and Resurrection (and yes, it is by His Resurrection that we as Christians have hope, I Corinthians 15:20; Romans 8:11 and I Peter 1:3, for new life in Christ. An awesome hope that is available to ALL of humankind Romans 10:9 and John 3:16-17. Isn’t that truly #RAD?!)

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

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, What the Qur’an says about subjugation of non-Muslims, this 8^th day of December, 2015 © 2015, All Rights Reserved. wr (Da Bauz, Christian Zionist “creationist” too!)

What is #RAD? #RAD is:

R epent of rejecting Christ

A ccept Christ as your Lord

D evelop your relationship with the Living Almighty God Himself as your personal Lord and Saviour

John 3:16, Revelation 3:20, Romans 10:9 -10, Revelation 21:27, II Corinthians 5:21 and I John 5:13 / John 20:31!

Shalom!

Cited or consulted sources and resources

http://bit.ly/1lsfImT - “Quran.com”

http://bit.ly/1kliLwA - “Bible Hub”

http://bit.ly/1kliTMD - “BibleGateway”

***

Monday 16 November 2015

What The Christ was doing, c. ~ 2,000 years ago today

#RAD

What Was The Christ Doing, c. ~ 2,000 Years Ago Today?

Do you know what the Bible says that Jesus Christ / Yeshua Ha Mashiach (Rabbi Yeshua bar Yosef) was doing some c. ~ 2,000 years ago this month, mid November 2015? Well not much at all really. Classic church traditional teaching is that Jesus was birthed in c. ~ 1 BC, would have experienced His now infamous preaching in Jerusalem at the age of twelve years, in c. ~ A.D. 12, commenced with His earthly Ministry in c. ~ A.D. 30, and was crucified, died, buried and Resurrected in c. ~ A.D. 33. But is a birth year of 1 BC reasonable in view of A) Matthew’s story as depicted in Matthew 2:16 – “And Herodus, when he saw that he was mocked by The Magi, was greatly enraged, and he sent and killed all the boys of Bethlehem and of all of its borders, from two years old and under, according to the time he had searched out from the Magi.” – (Aramaic Bible in Plain English); and B ) in view of what history tells us about Herod the Great, in specificity about the time of Herod’s death?

History tells us that Herod’s “Slaughter of the Innocents” (¹) (or “Massacre of the Innocents”) had to have occurred before 4 BC (or at least before c. ~ March of 4 BC), as that is when Herod the Great is said to have died. (²). If Christ was born anywhere from as recently as, the winter (January / February) of 4 BC to as long ago as the late summer or even fall (August through December) of 7 BC, Christ’s age at the time of Herod’s death would be anywhere from a few weeks old to a couple of months old (January / February 4 BC), to as much as 30 months (2 ½ years) at the time that Herod gave his heinous order. Let’s just pick 16 November 7 BC as an arbitrary date for Christ’s birth. (I do not care if you celebrate, as do I and my own family, the birth of our Lord on the date of December 25^th or not, as this is not about whether or not that date is fact or fiction. It really matters not either way, as the important issue is NOT the express specific date of His birth, rather it’s about the simple fact of His birth).

Using mid November 7 BC, this would place Christ at the bold young age of 20 years. Eight years post the Boy Jesus preaching at the Temple in Jerusalem. Thus some 2,000 years ago today, the young man Jesus, was very likely working with His (earthly) step-dad, Joseph as a Carpenter (³), in dad’s workshop or with dad, in dad’s place of employ (⁴). This 7 BC date presents some challenges to the traditional A.D. 30 commencement and A.D. 33 crucifixion dates, requiring that they be pushed back in to antiquity to something more along the lines of A.D. 24 commencement and A.D. 27 crucifixion dates.

And hereto as with His birth ‘date’, the exegetical, the foundational to the Christian faith and the central core issue, is not about whether or not those dates are, in fact, “fact” or “fiction”. It really matters not either way, as the important issue(s) here is / (are) NOT the express specific date of either His ministerial commencement or death (or even of His Resurrection), rather it’s about the simple facts of the events of His Ministry, Death and Resurrection!

But if it’s not exegetical, or even remotely important, why even talk about it? It’s a fascinating subject matter, that’s all. It’s interesting, and it is intriguing to muse over the fact that some eight years ago, we were 2,000 years post the Boy Jesus preaching at the Temple in Jerusalem! It is somehow exciting that in eight to ten more years, we will be 2,000 years post the commencement of the earthly Ministry of Jesus. And that in about a dozen or so years, should the Lord’s return tarry that long, we will be 2,000 years post His very crucifixion, death (as it is by and through His death that we as Christians are truly set free, II Timothy 1:10; Yeshayah 25:8; and Hebrews 2:14) and Resurrection (and yes, it is by His Resurrection that we as Christians have hope, I Corinthians 15:20; Romans 8:11 and I Peter 1:3, for new life in Christ. A hope that is available to ALL of humankind Romans 10:9 and John 3:16-17. Isn’t that truly #RAD?!)

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

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, What The Christ Was Doing, c. ~ 2,000 Years Ago Today, this 16^th day of November, 2015 © 2015, All Rights Reserved. wr (Da Bauz, Christian Zionist “creationist” too!)

What is #RAD? #RAD is:

R epent of rejecting Christ

A ccept Christ as your Lord

D evelop your relationship with the Living Almighty God Himself as your personal Lord and Saviour

John 3:16, Revelation 3:20, Romans 10:9 -10, Revelation 21:27, II Corinthians 5:21 and I John 5:13 / John 20:31!

Shalom!

Cited or consulted sources and resources

(¹) - http://bit.ly/1ONnOCU - The Slaughter of the Innocents: Historical Fact or Legendary Fiction?

(²) - http://bit.ly/1ONm8t6 - Hope Of Israel dot org

(³) - Mark 6:3, Aramaic Bible in Plain English

(⁴) - Matthew 13:55, KJV

http://bit.ly/1kliLwA - “Bible Hub”

http://bit.ly/1kliTMD - “BibleGateway”

Monday 9 November 2015

RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD

Rightly Dividing The Word

Consider TWO (2) Greek Words… #RAD

Greek words

Orthotomeo – (ὀρθοτομέω), pronounced or-thot-om-eh'-o, Strong’s 3718

Meaning - to proceed by straight paths, hold a straight course, equivalent to “to do right”, also - to accurately, as a single unified whole and without being turned aside by false teaching or man-made agendas, approach and understand something. IE G-d’s (Christ’s) Holy Word. And to do so by way of individual passages in context, by Book / Theme and by the totality of the writings (the Bible) as a whole in its entirety.

http://bit.ly/1SDJgsz

Katatomeo – (κατατομή), pronounced kat-at-om-ay', Strong’s 2699

Meaning - to cut down, or cut up into sections. As in separate and distinct ideologies, themes even promises for the so-called Jewish portions and the so-called Church portions of the Word of G-d. Postulating distinct programs even for Israel and the Gentile church, which extends on into eternity.

http://bit.ly/1SDJKin

So then, what does the phrase, “rightly dividing the Word” as found in II Timothy 2:15, verses another phrase such as “beware of the concision” as depicted in Philippians 3:2, both written by Paul mean? Which Greek word was used by Paul, and where?

Let’s first take a look at II Timothy 2:15, the Greek word, “orthotomeo”, as used by Paul here, means to take as a single unified whole, and without being turned aside by false teaching or man-made agendas, the Biblical texts. The reason for the choice of words used by Paul should be reasonable clear, if not blatantly obvious. For Paul to use this specific word, “orthotomeo”, as opposed to “katatomeo” as found in Philippians 3:2 (which means to “cut up into sections, such as ‘Jewish portions’ and ‘Church portions’ ”) renders II Timothy 2:15 as – “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, (taking the Word of G-d as a single unified whole, and without being turned aside by false teaching or man-made agendas) rightly dividing the word of truth.” – but to use the Greek word “katatomeo”, to “cut up into sections” would have rendered II Timothy 2:15 as – “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, (taking the Word of G-d and cut It up into sections, such as ‘Jewish portions’ and ‘Church portions’) rightly dividing the word of truth.”

The dispensationalists who espouse such divisions, that is to say those who teach to cut the Word of G-d up into sections such as ‘Jewish portions’ and ‘Church portions’, are really no better and ultimately no different than those who espouse “Replacement Theology”. Their teachings are divisive, and are not in keeping with the broader, whole counsel of the Word. Both replacement theology and this cut into pieces dispensationalism run 100% crosswise to Romans chapters nine through eleven. Also, within the confines of this subject of “rightly dividing the Word”, many are adamant in opposing even the ‘religiosity of the “Sinner’s Prayer”. Claiming, among many things that it too is “doing” something (a.k.a. is works based, and as G-d’s (Christ’s) Holy Word in Ephesians 2:8 - 10 makes it clear, we are not “saved” by works, but rather saved by grace, ‘not of works, lest any man should boast’ KJV), that it is formulizing Salvation, and that it basically places G-d (Christ) into this “box” suggesting that if one does not say this lengthy, eloquent “sinner’s prayer”, that one is… well at the very least implying that one is NOT really saved.

The truly sad (more so tragic really) part is that those who oppose these formulae, advocate their own formula (or sorts), in that they emphasize their own ideals (a formula of sorts) that salvation comes from “trusting in G-d (Christ)”, and by trusting in G-d alone. Trusting in G-d (Christ) surely does not sound unbiblical, so why would I call it “another formula”? First let me attempt to explain what I mean by ‘they oppose these formulae’. What I mean is that if they (the dispensationalist) even hear someone suggest anything that in any way can be taken as a “sinner’s prayer”, even something as simple as one saying “Yes Lord” (two simple words!) they will jump all over the perceived “opportunity” to correct the errant “christian” for adhering to an unbiblical formula. And this will be done because said “christian”, or “christian’s” testimony of conversion, does not adhere to their formula (“idea of not using any sort of formulae). In other words, they preach against salvation by formula, by way of using their exclusive, elitist formula, as opposed to someone else’s formulae.

By the way, exclusivity, elitism, and anti-Semitism (Replacement Theologies) are all signs of cults. And I personally happen to agree that teaching that a person is “only saved, IF said person says a lengthy and eloquent structured ‘sinner’s prayer’ ” is very elitist. It smacks of works based salvation, and it potentially gives the reciter of the most flamboyant, lengthy and eloquent “sinner’s prayer” Bragging Rights, as it were, which is in complete violation of Ephesians 2:9! The problem comes in to play, when one opposes the very notion of a ‘sinner’s prayer’ with such ardent enthusiasm, that one creates or “formulates” one’s own, unformulated formula. It remains exclusivity, elitism and likewise potentially grants one Bragging Rights, for ‘not following an unbiblical formula’.

So, what am I suggesting then must happen for one to be saved? If “works” has nothing to do with the process, and “works” can broadly be defined as everything from saying a simple (or complex) ‘sinner’s prayer’, to getting baptised, what then does one have to do (or if not “do”, what then must happen in order for one) to ‘get saved’, ‘gain right standing with G-d (Christ)’, to simply ‘become a Christian’? Well G-d’s (Christ’s) Holy Word very simply says:

The just (saved) shall live by faith!

In very simple terms, a Christian is – One who is known by, and knows, G-d (Christ). And to become a Christian – One must become known by, and get to know G-d (Christ). How does one become known by G-d (Christ), and how does one differentiate between ‘known’ in the context of – “G-d knows every man’s heart, whether good or evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:14, II Corinthians 5:10 and Jeremiah 17:10), and ‘known’ in the context of having been bought with the redemptive power of Christ’s shed Blood (John 10:27)? It begins with trust. Trusting G-d (Christ), trusting in G-d, and ultimately it’s a matter of one’s heart. Whether one’s comes to the place where one ‘knows’, and ‘is known by’ G-d (Christ) by way of a recitation of a loud, flamboyant, eloquent and lengthy ‘sinner’s prayer’, or whether said place is arrived at by way of much, much more subdued means, G-d (Christ) and G-d alone, knowns each man’s (humankind’s) heart.

The just (saved) shall live by faith - Habakkuk 2:4; Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11; Hebrews 10:38

and

I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings - Hosea 6:6; Matthew 9:13; Micah 6:8

and

Rend your heart and not your garments - Joel 2:13; Psalm 51:17; Psalm 34:18; Luke 18:13-14

And I know that many of you will disagree with this… that is ok. Just please, do not take my word for this. Look the words up, pray and ask G-d (Christ) for revelation, and study His Word…

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

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.”

R epent of rejecting Christ

A ccept Christ as your Lord

D evelop your relationship with the Living Almighty God Himself as your personal Lord and Saviour

John 3:16, Revelation 3:20, Romans 10:9 -10, Revelation 21:27, II Corinthians 5:21 and I John 5:13 / John 20:31!

Shalom!

Cited or consulted sources and resources

http://bit.ly/1SDJgsz - “Strong’s 3718”

http://bit.ly/1SDJKin - “Strong’s 2699”

http://bit.ly/1kliLwA - “Bible Hub”

http://bit.ly/1kliTMD - “BibleGateway”

http://bit.ly/1klj4rd - “What Does Paul Mean by 'Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth'?”

By Dr. Paul M. Elliott

Tuesday 27 October 2015

PRE-DESTINATION / FREE WILL, #RAD even

Pre-Destination / Free Will, #RAD even

Pre-Destination / Free Will (The idea that G-d {Christ} “hates” some, “loves” others and predetermines or pre-destines all to the final destination of His choosing, devoid of “free will” and / or individual choices)

Simple blunt fact, heresy or part of a more multifaceted picture?

Yes, Romans 8:29 & 30 very clearly say - "...he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son...", KJV

But without considering the context of Romans 8:26 thru 8:33, PLUS all of Romans 8, PLUS the context of the entire Book of Romans as well as the broader context of the entire counsel of the Word of G-d (Christ), which includes all 66 Books of the Holy Bible, one could find oneself in the crosshairs of heresy (bastardizing the very Word of G-d he or she purports to be defending).

While Romans 8:29, as a stand-alone verse, does say: 'he also did predestine', the verse in II Peter, Chapter 3 verse 9 very clearly says that '…He is Not *willing* that any should perish...'

To take Romans 8 or II Peter 3, alone, and ignore the other, is akin to 'Adding to (modifying / deviating from) G-d’s (Christ’s) Holy Word'. And this is indeed wise counsel:

Add not to His words...

“⁶ Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.” - Proverbs 30:6, KJV Ponder that for a spell

In the mean time I have put together some thoughts on this interesting and rather controversial subject, well the above two points “Pre-Destination” & “Free Will”, plus the ideology that G-d (Christ) “hates”, at least some of, humankind.

First - a look at the use of the English word “hate”, as applied to humankind in the Biblical texts. Over the past couple of weeks I have had several people either inbox me via Facebook PM’s, or challenge my (and other’s) assertions that “G-d (Christ) loves all people” - (John 3:16 & 17) - in public Forums. Two of the most common points of reference are Romans 9:13 and Malachi 1:3, which before even moving on to points of “context”, I feel one must first consider the use of the English word “hate” in conjunction with both the Hebrew and Greek words.

The Hebrew word “sane” (שָׂנֵא), phonetically spelled (saw-nay') ( ¹), and the Greek word “miseó” μισέω, phonetically spelled (mis-eh'-o) ( ²), both traditionally mean to “hate”, “detest”, “love less” and “esteem less”. Thus if one only looks at verses such as Romans 9:13 and Malachi 1:3 as stand-alone verses, taking the word(s) “miseó” μισέω, & “sane” (שָׂנֵא) to mean exclusively to “hate” or “detest”, and not also take into consideration both the broader context of G-d’s (Christ’s) Holy Word and the broader meaning(s) of the word(s) “miseó” μισέω, & “sane” (שָׂנֵא), being to “love less” and even “esteem less”, it is easy to see how people can get things very askew.

Now moving on to context, when one also considers passages such as:

Luke 14:26 and I John 3:15,

Especially in view of the fact that both of these texts use the same Greek word – “miseó” μισέω – one is bound to conclude that the Bible is very contradictory. When the simple fact is that, while the English word “hate”, from the Greek word “miseó” μισέω, is indeed very blunt, harsh and absolute, there are broader (softer) meanings for the Greek word - “love less” even “esteem less”. And even in the Hebrew, the word “sane” (שָׂנֵא) which is used in Leviticus 19:17 in the sense of NOT despising one’s brother, even if they’ve committed a heinous crime – “¹⁷ Do not hate your brother in your heart, but rebuke your neighbor frankly, so that you won’t carry sin because of him.” – CJB.

Quoting – “²⁶ “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his own father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, and even his own life—he cannot be My disciple.” – End Quote, Luke 14:26 HCSB and

Quoting – “¹⁵ Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him.” – End Quote, I John 3:15 CJB.

One cannot, in clear conscience, take the English word rendered “hate”, as always to exclusively mean - ‘to despise’.

By the way this is not about making a plea for G-d’s (Christ’s) children to rely on their own human flawed understanding, and decide – ‘well this seems *reasonable* and that does not seem *reasonable*.’ – NOT at all! G-d is sovereign, and G-d’s (Christ’s) Holy Word clearly tells us that – “⁹ His ways are higher than our ways” – Isaiah 55:9, and that “there is a way which seems right to a man, but the end therein is death” – Proverbs 12:15, Proverbs 14:12, Proverbs 16:25 and Romans 6:21. Rather this is about something much more akin to the “Great Trilemma” as coined by C.S. Lewis:

G-d (Christ) is either LIAR, LUNATIC or LORD.

Either G-d (Christ) is a raving lunatic, or a pathological liar, to tell His disciples on the one hand (Luke 14:26) to hate your brothers, and then also tell folk that (I John 3:15) if you hate, there is no place for you in Heaven. OR, Christ is Lord, He cannot lie, and that there’s more to this use of the English word ‘hate’ that must be realized from the broader context of the whole of G-d’s (Christ’s) Holy Word, the Bible. And helping us see what is in keeping with the broader context of the FULL counsel of G-d’s (Christ’s) Holy Word is something that the Holy Ghost is here for.

Second - let’s consider Pre-Destination. What does G-d’s (Christ’s) Holy Word have to say about “Pre-Destination”? A great deal actually is said in G-d’s (Christ’s) Holy Word about Pre-Destination. Romans 8:29 & 30 is a pretty clear, and is an oft quoted set of ‘proof’ texts for Pre-Destination. Though there are many texts ( ³ ) that likewise present and even support Pre-Destination, context must always be considered. Context such as Romans 8:26 – 33, as well as the broader context of all 66 Books of the Holy Bible:

“^{26 In the same way the Spirit [comes to us and] helps us in our
weakness. We do not know what prayer to offer or how to offer it as we should,
but the Spirit Himself [knows our need and at the right time] intercedes on our
behalf with sighs and groanings too deep for words. 27 And He who searches the
hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because the Spirit intercedes
[before God] on behalf of [a]God’s people in accordance with God’s will.}

^{28 And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply
concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for
those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose. 29 For those whom He foreknew
[and loved and chose beforehand], He also predestined to be conformed to the
image of His Son [and ultimately share in His complete sanctification], so that
He would be the firstborn [the most beloved and honored] among many believers. 30 And those whom He
predestined, He also called; and those whom He called, He also justified
[declared free of the guilt of sin]; and those whom He justified, He also
glorified [raising them to a heavenly dignity].}

^{31 What then shall we say to all these things? If God is for us, who
can be [successful] against us? 32 He who did not spare [even] His own Son, but gave Him
up for us all, how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all
things? 33 Who
will bring any charge against God’s elect (His chosen ones)? It is God who
justifies us [declaring us blameless and putting us in a right relationship
with Himself].}” – Romans 8:26 - 8:33, AMP

Thus it can be clearly seen that, Pre-Destination is a biblical doctrine. But is Pre-Destination truly just an exclusive, stand-alone absolute biblical doctrine? Or… is it, at least possible, that there is more - a much more multifaceted - “more” to the obviously biblical doctrine of Pre-Destination? Ponder this now for a spell

Third - let’s take a look at “Free Will” next shall we! We do not see anywhere in the Bible where G-d (Christ) rejects those who turn to Him, seeking Him earnestly. Deuteronomy 4:29 - “…seek the Lord your God, and you will find Him…” - “…if you search for Him with all your heart and all your soul.” - AMP. We read in II Peter 3:9 that the Lord is - “…not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” Here too II Peter 3:9 is a pretty clear, and is an oft quoted set of ‘proof’ texts for Free Will. And once more though there are many texts ( ⁴ ) that likewise present and even support Free Will, context must always be considered.

“^{6 through which the world at that time was destroyed by being flooded
with water. 7 But
by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, being
kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly people.}

^{8 Nevertheless, do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved,
that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years is
like one day. 9
The Lord does not delay [as though He were unable to act] and is not slow about
His promise, as some count slowness, but is [extraordinarily] patient toward
you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.}

^{10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens
will vanish with a [mighty and thunderous] roar, and the [material] elements
will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and the works that are on it
will be burned up.}

^{11 Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what kind of
people ought you to be [in the meantime] in holy behavior [that is, in a
pattern of daily life that sets you apart as a believer] and in godliness
[displaying profound reverence toward our awesome God], 12 [while you earnestly] look
for and await the coming of the day of God. For on this day the heavens will be
destroyed by burning, and the [material] elements will melt with intense heat!}” - II Peter 3:6-12, AMP

Hereto it can be clearly seen that, Free Will is indeed a biblical doctrine. But is Free Will truly just an exclusive, stand-alone absolute biblical doctrine? Or… is it, at least possible, that there is more - a much more multifaceted - “more” to the obviously biblical doctrine of Free Will? Ponder this now for a spell

Again to take Romans 8 or II Peter 3, alone, and ignore the other, is akin to 'Adding to (modifying / deviating from) G-d’s (Christ’s) Holy Word'. Therefore then, if the Bible does say (use the words) - “G-d ‘hated’ Esau” ( ⁵ ) , - but also says (uses the words) - “…everyone who hates his brother… eternal life cannot abide in…” ( ⁶ ). And if the Bible also does say (use the words) - “…He {G-d (Christ)}… predestined …” ( ⁷ ) - but also says (uses the words) - “…not willing that any person would perish…” ( ⁸ ), then we are back to the aforementioned Trilemma, no?

G-d (Christ) must surely seem very fickle to say on the one hand that, He personally hates some and yet He also states that anyone who hates another cannot see heaven. ( ⁹ ) That, if you do not hate your own mother or brother, you’re not fit for heaven and yet He also tells us that anyone who says ‘he is in the light’ while hating his brother, remains in darkness. ( ¹⁰ ) Fickle at least, in the sense that on the surface these things do seem to be contradictory. Are they though?

What does Pre-Destination as an exclusive, stand-alone absolute biblical doctrine mean or imply then? Were Adam & Eve not created to live forever (without sin) in perfect harmony with G-d (Christ) in paradise? If either was created with the sole Pre-Destined purpose to rebel, where does this leave Free Will? If, as Pre-Destination is often preached, Adam and Eve were created with the Pre-Destined purpose to rebel, with the ‘in G-d’s WILL’ purpose to rebel, why would He punish them for fulfilling His perfect Will?

How does Free Will as an exclusive, stand-alone absolute biblical doctrine apply to the Christian walk? What does it mean or imply then? Did Adam & Eve not have the Free Will to choose to either rebel or obey, G-d’s (Christ’s) simple directive ( ¹¹ )?

Many (I think / believe) take the mistaken position that because G-d (Christ) in His infinite foreknowledge ( ¹² ), knew (knows) the end from the beginning ( ¹² ), actually planned, intentionally willed, desired and wholeheartedly WANTED things to be a given way. Consider what we read in Genesis 1:1 ( ¹³ ), as rendered in Ancient Hebrew Pictograph text ( ¹⁵ ), and that even the very FIRST word of TORAH, "Bereishit" as depicted in Ancient Hebrew Pictograph ( ¹⁵ ). This is supported by both I Peter 1:20 and Acts 2:23 ( ¹⁴ ).

Genesis 1:1 says, in almost any English rendering – “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” – and as rendered via the Ancient Hebrew Pictographs, it can be translated as saying – “The Son of God, destroyed by the hand of God at the Cross” – see ( ¹⁵ ). The point?

The point is simple – G-d knew even before He created anything, that – humankind would rebel, and rebel in the extreme, such that they (humankind) would be hopelessly lost. So *knowing* that man’s only HOPE would be in the form of Christ’s redemptive shed blood, G-d saw fit to have His message of hope buried in the very first word of the Bible. But does this mean that G-d intended for, actually planned, intentionally willed, desired and wholeheartedly WANTED to send His only Son?

Romans 8 makes it clear that G-d (Christ) has a Pre-Destined plan for us all... and in II Peter 3:9 we read that G-d (Christ) has a WILL for none to be lost. And passages such as Romans 9:13 & Luke 14:26 speak of ‘hating’ (albeit in differing contexts), while I John 3:15 provides an ominous warning against hating!

So, if II Peter 3, Ezekiel 33, I Timothy 2 and others are correct, that G-d's (Christ's) will is for all to come to repentance (which is what He predestined all for)... why are some perishing?

Willful choices to sin. Sin by acts of commission as well as sin by acts of omission. Including heretical (bastardizing the very Word of G-d) teachings like, but not limited only to - teachings that G-d (Christ):

Hates some people

Wills that some go to hell

Etc.

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

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.”

R epent of rejecting Christ

A ccept Christ as your Lord

D evelop your relationship with the Living Almighty God Himself as your personal Lord and Saviour

John 3:16, Revelation 3:20, Romans 10:9 -10, Revelation 21:27, II Corinthians 5:21 and I John 5:13 / John 20:31!

Shalom!

Cited or consulted sources and resources

( ¹) - http://bit.ly/1RxDqYp - Strong's Concordance - sane - Hebrew

( ²) - http://bit.ly/1We0a6v - Strong's Concordance - miseó – Greek

( ³ ) - Romans 9:23, Romans 11:2, Ephesians 1:5, Ephesians 1:11, Matthew 24:22, Matthew 24:31, Mark 13:20, Mark 13:27, Romans 8:33, Romans 9:11, Colossians 3:12, 1 Thessalonians 1:4, Timothy 2:10, Titus 1:1, I Peter 1:1 to I Peter 1:2 and II Peter 1:10 to name a few.

( ⁴ ) - Ezekiel 33:11, I Timothy 2:4, Revelation 2:21, Ezekiel 18:32, Acts 3:19, Isaiah 55:7, Ezekiel 18:23, John 3:17, Job 37:23, Romans 11:14, II Peter 3:9, Isaiah 49:18, Romans 5:6, Isaiah 55:6, Jeremiah 3:12, Jeremiah 3:22, Lamentations 3:33, Romans 5:8 & my personal favourite II Chronicles 7:14 to name a few.

( ⁵ ) - Romans 9:13 & Malachi 1:3

( ⁶ ) - 1 John 3:15 & Leviticus 19:17

( ⁷ ) - Romans 8:29 & Ephesians 1:5

( ⁸ ) - II Peter 3:9 & I Timothy 2:4

( ⁹ ) - Romans 9:13 & 1 John 3:15

( ¹⁰ ) - Luke 14:26 & I John 2:9

( ¹¹ ) - Genesis 2:17 & Genesis 3:1, 4-5

( ¹² ) - Isaiah 46:10

( ¹³ ) - Genesis 1:1

( ¹⁴ ) - I Peter 1:20 and Acts 2:23

( ¹⁵ ) - Ancient Hebrew Pictograph & Ancient Hebrew Pictograph

Additional Resources

The website(s) “Got Questions” (predestination) - http://bit.ly/1jGACxL & (Predestination and Election) http://bit.ly/1jGBend & “Hate Esau” (love Jacob and hate Esau) - http://bit.ly/1WdZQEQ & “Free Will” - http://bit.ly/1OVDS5d and “C.A.R.M.” (Predestination) - http://bit.ly/1jGAYV2 & (Predestination and Free will) - http://bit.ly/1jGBiTI & (love Jacob and hate Esau) - http://bit.ly/1WdZWfu & “Free Will” - http://bit.ly/1OVE842 contain some additional information on the biblical concept of “Pre-Destination”, “Free Will” and “G-d (Christ) “hates”.

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Tuesday 8 December 2015

Monday 16 November 2015

Monday 9 November 2015

Tuesday 27 October 2015