Draconian Canada?
(HT: More Books and Things)
I have been pretty busy over these last few weeks, but I just have to quickly point to something that is happening in Canada. It looks like certain laws that were introduced in that country in the 60’s have started to affect Christian Ministries.
Canada’s government is fast becoming a draconian government!
LORRI MacGREGOR, co-founder along with her husband Keith of MacGregor Ministries a Christian counter-cult apologetics organization in British Columbia, Canada, will address the theme: “CANADA GAGS THE GOSPEL.” The Canadian Government will not allow any critiques of other religions. You can be any religion you want as long as you do nothing but promote your own religion. In Lorri & Keith’s case, in addition to presenting the Christian religion, they were responding to attacks on Christianity.
MacGregor Ministries carefully documented these attacks and responded to them from a biblical perspective, in a respectful and even kind manner. To their knowledge, none of the groups attacking Christianity through their websites or magazines got taken to task, only MacGregor Ministries! At the same time, they present sound, biblical, Christian doctrine, which promotes the gospel of Jesus Christ, which is, of course, their purpose. They were told they had to present all religions as equal, could not be “persuasive” regarding Christianity over others, and had to get rid of their website and magazine. Their presentation of the Christian gospel through their DVD’s and printed matter was ruled “uncharitable” and their careful critique of others in defense of Christian doctrine was called “hate”.
Here is a nine minute interview in regards to the latest on what is happening to this particular ministry. MacGregor Ministries has been told that its work is uncharitable and they have now lost their tax exempt status and to continue to operate they must register as a business. Obviously there is no such thing as freedom of speech for Christians because apparently no J.W. or Mormon outreach has had the same happen to them. When Lorri was spoken to she asked if she had a right to defend Christianity against other religions and cults who also claim to have the truth and attack her stand, she was told that the Watchtower society is in complete compliance with them, and they don’t have a problem with them at all. They do however; have a problem with Christians showing errors in the cults. They accuse MacGregor Minsitries of having hate literature.
Well, I have checked out their website, and I cannot find any hate literature. They address the Jehovah Witnesses, the Mormons and even The Seventh Day Adventists, which I know a lot about because I was brought up in that particular Church. They also speak about William Branham, Benny Hinn, Kathryn Kuhlman, Tommy Tenney, Rodney Howard Brown, John Wimber and Rick Joyner, just to name a few. Most of these names are “Word of Faith” teachers and I have personally known about their teaching through my family members. Even I started to get sucked into it myself until someone said that I should measure their teachings against the Word of God and see what comes of it.
Some of these family members have had the sense to leave such Churches that follow the teachings of such lunatics but others unfortunately are still attending. I have even gone so far as to bring such matters to the Baptist Union, and I am yet to hear anything from them. Did I do that because I hate them? NO!!!! I did it because I believe in accountability and I believe in measuring things up against the Word of God.
These cult busters are doing nothing more than showing the very clear differences between other religious teachings against what the bible says. And now that is regarded as HATE!!! Are they not allowed to disagree with other religions?
This is political correctness gone mad! And it has done its job very well.
It is becoming very clear to me that the Church and State are slowly becoming amalgamated in one way or another. One such way is because of the government wanting the churches to be more transparent with their finances. While other Churches are willingly becoming corporations (Inc.) so that they can better serve the community through certain purpose driven/seeker friendly methodologies.
And now this… because of a so called “hate crime” they are being charged as uncharitable so therefore cannot be a charity and must be registered as a business. Despite the fact that these people do not get paid for what they are doing and have given their lives free of charge to evangelizing the lost, to actually reach these people.
The hooks are in, and it seems to me that the commission that God has given to the Church has been truly gagged in some parts of the world. Don’t think that it can’t happen in your neck of the woods. It will!
Mat 28:19-20 Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.
Mary the Co-Redemptrix, the new Marian Dogma!
Apparently there is a call from some Cardinals, over 500 of them, to request a fifth Marian Dogma…
Five cardinals have sent a letter inviting prelates worldwide to join them in petitioning Benedict XVI to declare a fifth Marian dogma they said would “proclaim the full Christian truth about Mary.”
The text, released last week, includes the petition that asks the Pope to proclaim Mary as “the Spiritual Mother of All Humanity, the co-redemptrix with Jesus the redeemer, mediatrix of all graces with Jesus the one mediator, and advocate with Jesus Christ on behalf of the human race.” (read more here)
I wonder if Rick Warren who would be happy to form an alliance with Catholicism to establish his P.E.A.C.E plan and others who have signed the “Evangelicals and Catholics Together” who are intent on building ecumenical bridges would have a problem with Mary’s co-redemptrix status?
Roger Oakland says that…There are a number of evangelical Protestants who have signed an agreement with Roman Catholics with regard to unification with Rome (Evangelicals and Catholics Together). Further, Rick Warren has stated that he is willing to form an alliance with the Roman Catholic Church to establish his PEACE plan.
The new Marian Dogma is ecumenical in nature…
The petition states: “We believe the time opportune for a solemn definition of clarification regarding the constant teaching of the Church concerning the Mother of the Redeemer and her unique cooperation in the work of Redemption, as well as her subsequent roles in the distribution of grace and intercession for the human family.”
Ecumenism
Pointing to ecumenical concerns, the petition continues: “It is of great importance [...] that people of other religious traditions receive the clarification on the highest level of authentic doctrinal certainty that we can provide, that the Catholic Church essentially distinguishes between the sole role of Jesus Christ, divine and human Redeemer of the world, and the unique though secondary and dependent human participation of the Mother of Christ in the great work of Redemption.”
They want to voice a clearer expression of Catholic Church Marian doctrine when they say…
The text adds that the move would be “the ultimate expression of doctrinal clarity at the service of our Christian and non-Christian brothers and sisters who are not in communion with Rome.”
In a press statement released along with the letter, the cardinal co-sponsors reiterated the same ecumenical concern and said the proclamation of a fifth Marian dogma would be a “service of clarification to other religious traditions and to proclaim the full Christian truth about Mary.“
They also want dialogue concerning Mary…
“This initiative also intends to start an in-depth worldwide dialogue on Mary’s role in salvation for our time. [...] Should this effort prove successful, a proclamation would constitute a historical event for the Church as only the fifth Marian dogma defined in its 2,000-year history.”
And of course is it all about “The New Evangelization” in regards to Mary’s role for humanity…
Cardinal Aponte Martínez, one of the cardinal co-patrons said: “I believe the time is now for the papal definition of the relationship of the Mother of Jesus to the each one of us, her earthly children, in her roles as co-redemptrix, mediatrix of all graces and advocate.
“To solemnly proclaim Mary as the spiritual mother of all peoples is to fully and officially recognize her titles, and consequently to activate, to bring to new life the spiritual, intercessory functions they offer the Church for the new evangelization, and for humanity in our serious present world situation.”
Related
Atonement attacked - Brian McLaren
The best advice anyone gave me was if there be any teaching, Christian or otherwise, that diminishes the “work of the cross” and the need for blood atonement that teaching is straight from the pits of Hell. The work of the cross is our propitiation to appease of God because of our sin.
The bible is a Jewish book and we must understand the atonement within Jewish thought.
Jesus was pierced for our transgressions and anyone who does not understand this has not had their conscience convicted by the Holy Spirit.
Why does this matter??? Read “Does Brian McLaren Have a Generous View of Hell?”
Jesusanity - What is that?
Those who visit this blog are probably aware that I have previously posted much about the Atonement and the implications of how one understands it. This issue is very important to the Church, it always has been and it always will be. Well, at least it should be. Anyway, I came across a post written by Albert Mohler called ‘Christianity vs. Jesusanity — The Postmodern Temptation‘. In that post he speaks about the postmodern (ugghhh, soooo sick of that word!!!!) attempt to humanise Jesus.
Of this is writes…
While postmodern literary theorists debate the meaning of “totalizing metanarratives,” at the level of popular piety we see the widespread substitution of “spirituality” for biblical Christianity.
This is exactly what we are seeing! The following quote is from authors Darrell L. Bock and Daniel B. Wallace who argue that popular culture is on a quest “to unseat the biblical Christ”. In a book called ‘Dethroning Jesus‘ the authors recognise that there is an ongoing attempt to reduce Jesus into a dethroned humanitarian teacher…
“Jesusanity” is a coined term for the alternative story about Jesus. Here the center of the story is still Jesus, but Jesus as either a prophet or a teacher of religious wisdom. In Jesusanity, Jesus remains very much Jesus of Nazareth. He points the way to God and leads people into a journey with God. His role is primarily one of teacher, guide, and example. Jesus’ special status involves his insight into the human condition and the enlightenment he brings to it. There is no enthronement of Jesus at God’s side, only the power of his teaching and example. In this story, the key is that Jesus inspires others, but there is no throne for him. He is one among many – the best, perhaps, and one worthy to learn from and follow.
Check out the post by Albert Mohler and see what you think. I for one am glad that there are some authors willing to lay it all out and stick to good clear biblical exegesis!
Previous posts on Blood Atonement.
Atonement Praxis
Recently there has been a bit of a buzz around the blogosphere concerning the ‘Atonement’, I have even posted a few things on this very subject. And in doing some research on it I have come across certain theories called the “Eucharistic praxis” and the “Atonement Imagery”.
As I understand it, “Atonement Imagery” is not so much about the suffering of the Son but more about understanding the passion and injustice done to a man. It becomes less about the divinity of Christ, as they often refer to that as a mythical story – and more about the historical man Jesus. To understand the crucifixion primarily in this way you may fail to see the whole of Jesus, the God/man.
If the atonement is brought down to the level of praxis and community only, then the divinity of Christ could very well be lost. As a result, the injustice of the cross against a man is exalted above the Penal Substitution act and this is because the emphasis is the man being punished by God the so called ‘child abuser’. If the divinity of Him is neglected, this could ultimately result in an unbalance in the understanding of the triune nature of God because man is amplified.
Because of this — [h]e that being Jesus and the work of the cross (not the capitalised [H]e) — encourages us to be co-creative (popular in the feminized theory. An Examination of the Problems of Inclusive Language in the Trinitarian …By Thomas J. Scirghi) in the struggle against the social injustice of this sacrifice that was meted out on someone who did not actually deserve it. More importantly, once you start reducing the atonement to mean ‘atone-man-ment’, you may fail to understand the gravity of mankind’s sin and the part we all have played in the crucifixion. You cannot begin to address the first things; that being the problem of sin, by using a “Community Atonement Praxis” alone. Rather, you should start at the point of ‘in the beginning God’ and try to grasp — as much as the fallible mind can — the Holiness and Righteousness of God and that mankind clearly falls short of His image. That imagery is the starting point for vertical reconciliation between man and his maker. “Atonement Imagery/Praxis” seems to be the horizontal reconciliation of the community; reconciliation between mankind.
I have just finished reading something from Scott McKnight’s blog (Jesus Creed) he has written a book called “A community called Atonement” he says this…
Not to let the cat out of the bag, but one point (that explains the title) is that Atonement is God’s work for us but it is also “praxis.”
I am reminded of the following…
In recent times some have thought that reconciliation ought to be seen in what we may term a horizontal rather than a vertical direction. Sin is thought of as something that erects barriers between a man and his neighbour, rather than between a man and his God. Reconciliation then becomes a way of enabling men to live together in meaningful community. there is , of course, something in this, for the man who has felt the healing touch of Christ upon his life is concerned with breaking down barriers which divide men.
But there must be a right order here. First comes reconciliation of the sinner with God, then reconciliation with man follows. Ephesians 2 is instructive in this connection. There, in connection with the great division of men into Jews and Gentiles, it is pointed out that Gentiles were separated from Christ as well as from one another. But the blood of Christ that brought them near to God brought them also near to one another. Peace was made between man and man, but it was the consequence of peace between man and God. (J. Denney, The Christian Doctrine of Reconciliation 191
Of first things — the reconciliation should happen between the sinner and God! This is very important. The question is this…if your emphasis is on the ‘community atonement praxis’, then some may come away without being reconciled with God thinking all along that they are in good stead with the Almighty because they are co-creating a better community for everyone, not only believers. This quickly becomes a social, humanitarian understanding of the ‘atonement’.
We constantly read that the “Atonement” however you understand it, goes hand in hand with the gospel. This is very true. So, having the right view is very important. The gospel should be about man’s condition without God and how it is possible to get right with God through His Son that has provided the only way to be restored to any kind of relationship with the Father.
Dr. Gary Gilley puts it well when he says…
It does not seem to be an option to the emergent church that both social injustices and eternal redemption can be and have been attended to by God’s people. But, despite opinions to the contrary, the priority of Scripture is on man’s relationship to God. It is because men are alienated from God that they mistreat one another. The spiritually redeemed and transformed person should and will care about social sins.
But, again, the gospel is about man’s alienation from God and what He has done through Christ to reconcile us to Himself (Romans 5:6-11), not about the ozone layer and elimination of poverty. Neither Jesus nor the apostles made these latter things the focus of their ministries; it was the reconciliation of souls to God that was at the heart of their message. Once we begin to draw our gospel from the culture, no matter what culture that might be, we have altered the true gospel. Emergent leaders are not wrong to be concerned about the environment and social injustice; they are wrong to confuse it with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Dr Gary Gilley
One more thing as I hash this out. I thought I would research a Midrashic understanding of “Atonement” and I found this…
Moses and Atonement
Another example of the need for atonement is found in the story of Moses and the Golden Calf. After Israel sinned by making the golden calf, Moses ascended Mount Sinai to interceding for them. God was ready to destroy Israel; He was unwilling to even let His presence be among them. He said, “I will send an angel with Israel, but I cannot go with you or I might break out against you and destroy you.” (Exodus 33)
Because of the sin of the calf, Israel found herself unprotected. She has no covering. She is in danger from the presence of God.
But Moses says to Israel, “Perhaps I can make atonement for your sin.” (Exodus 32:30). He fasts for forty days and nights, and then goes back up the mountain with the two new tablets. The two tablets are meant to replace the ones he broke when he saw the calf. He goes back up the mountain, back up into the presence of God.
On the mountain Moses implores God for mercy and requests to be shown all of God’s glory. Face to face. God replies that no man can see his face and live. Moses would be consumed by God’s glory. Instead God offers to cover Moses with his hand, hiding him in the cleft of the rock, while God passes by and declares the full meaning of His Name. He offers to tell Moses exactly who he is. He offers to reveal to Moses his essential person.
“And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, ‘The L-RD, the L-RD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation.’” (Exodus 34:5-7)
This revelation is called the Thirteen Attributes of God. For the first time in history, the full extent of God’s mercy and grace were revealed. Moses already knew God was gracious, he already knew he was abounding in loving kindness, but to what extent he did not know, until that moment when God covered him with his hand and proclaimed his Name. Only then, with the revelation of these Thirteen Attributes, was it made clear that the essential essence of God and the meaning of his Name, the L-RD is Grace.
The Thirteen Attributes are an oft-repeated refrain in the prayers of the Day of Atonement. In those prayers, the congregation readily admits that we have no worthy deeds, we have nothing to show God, we have no merit to tip the scales of judgment in our favor. We have no basis to ask for mercy except for this, “You are the L-RD, the L-RD, gracious and compassionate:
The Second Coming of Moses
In the narrative, it is only after God has revealed to Moses his Thirteen Attributes,that he makes a new covenant with Israel.
He makes a new covenant with Israel and Moses returns down the mountain with the tablets. When the people see Moses, his face is radiating brilliance from being in the presence of God. Moses achieved covering for Israel’s sin. According to midrash, the day Moses came down Sinai with the 2nd set of tablets was indeed the Day of Atonement.
The picture of Moses in his second coming is startlingly messianic. On Moses’ first trip down the mountain out of the presence of God, the tablets were broken. Like Messiah himself, the Word was broken for the sin of the people. After this initial descent down the mountain, Moses returned to the God. He went back into the very presence of God to make atonement, to effect a new covenant, to reveal the true and essential person of God. He was able to reveal the full extent of God’s mercy and grace. These things accomplished, he then returned, bearing the New Covenant in his arms. He came down from the Father in splendor, in glory, in brilliance, terrible to behold. It was the Day of Atonement.
There is much more on this subject.
I personally find that the Hebraic, Midrashic understanding of the “Atonement” to be a much more biblically based understanding coupled with a considerable amount of deeper imagery than what is being discussed in current postmodern circles.
Here is another great link called “Yom Kippur – the Day of Atonement“
Related Post
It’s all about the Atonement, again!
Carla over at ‘More Books and Things‘ has been doing an excellent job at reviewing the book ‘Stricken by God’ by Brad Jersak. She is doing this chapter by chapter.
With Mr. Jersak calling us to unite and follow Christ, the first question we should ask ourselves is… who is Christ and what was His purpose…
“With significant breadth and depth of perspective, our authors unite now in inviting the reader to follow Christ into that same victory” (of the resurrection)
-Jersak, page 53, SBG
We should all be very wary that there will be those who will preach another Jesus in the last days and because of this you will have to judge which Jesus it is that you are going to follow. Is it the one that is found in the Word of God, the one who is the Word of God in the flesh? Or is it the one that has become nothing more than a political leader fighting against the religious and political domination of his time. [Please note the small 'h' is used deliberately by these new age teachers. Concerning the dual nature of Christ, the deity of Christ is reduced as the man Jesus is being exalted, more about these doctrinal complications in a future post]
2Co 11:2-4 I am jealous of you with God’s own jealousy, because I promised you in marriage to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ. However, I am afraid that just as the serpent deceived Eve by its tricks, so your minds may somehow be lured away from sincere and pure devotion to Christ. For if someone comes along and preaches another Jesus than the one we preached, or should you receive a different spirit from the one you received or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you are all too willing to listen.
This new Jesus, the man, has become nothing more than a political leader fighting against the religious and political domination of his time…
“following Jesus, is not about believing a correct atonement theology” …but a “commitment to the path of confrontation with dominations systems”
“The way of the cross is about discipleship, not believing in the blood of Jesus as a substitute for our own. I think it’s bad history because it presumes that Jesus’s death was part of the plan of God.” (p. 158, SBG)
Like the above scripture says, we are set aside for one husband… Jersak and his ilk are temple whores in the kingdom of God! I am beginning to understand the increasing relevance of the following scripture when Jesus spoke about the Kingdom of God being like a fish net which needs sorting out. The good fish are kept the other bad ones will be thrown into a blazing furnace, a place where there is gnashing of teeth… Hades, Hell, you know that other not so popular place that certain teachers say doesn’t even exist (Emergents like Doug Pagitt)
Mat 13:47-50 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a large net thrown into the sea that gathered all kinds of fish. When it was full, the fishermen hauled it ashore. Then they sat down, sorted the good fish into containers, and threw the bad ones away. That is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will go out and separate the evil from the righteous and will throw them into a blazing furnace. In that place there will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”
‘Stricken by God’ is all about the ‘Atonement’ and how to understand it properly according to this new way of teaching.
Any false teaching…teachings straight from the pits of hell, whoops can I say that???…will not preach the biblical understanding of the ‘Atonement’ and/or the resurrection. Of course it wouldn’t. Why? Because, if you had even a cursory understanding of this you may be convicted of sin and find out that you need to be born again of Spirit to enter heaven…Oh, silly me I can’t say that either. Satan would not be too pleased about someone becoming born again now would he? Wait a minute…I can’t say that there is a Satan either… can I?
No sin, no problemo. This is the kind of teaching that will lead people straight into that ‘place of which we do not speak’.
The Space “In-Between” Times
I was in conversation the other day with a man (an acquaintance of mine) who at one time was a stickler for defending sound doctrine. In fact, the conversation started because of my concerns over my dad’s spiritual journey.
He said to me, “You know…. once upon a time, not so long ago, I thought that doctrine was very important.” Then he paused to see my reaction, I had none as I wanted to hear what he had to say. Then he went on and said, “And now that I am older… I am not so sure it is at all important.”
I sat still and just listened to his reasoning; I kept silent that night and let him speak. He had made up his mind and that was that, that was made clear to me. He told me that the older he got, the more he questioned his very rigid views on doctrine. This was in response to the recent claims made by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams (see here to read a good article on this or if you don’t know much about the latest claims that the Archbishop made during the Christmas season).
What were some of the doctrines that he found unimportant?
Well, to my surprise they weren’t the secondary issues that he was questioning. But the very things that use to be held as fundamental to understanding God through biblical Christianity. Even in his earlier walk with God he said to me that these doctrines were once held by him to be very important, if not pivotal to his Christianity. Things like the virgin birth and the resurrection.
He said that now what was most important to him was his relationship with God, no matter how he understood Him. He likened it to a child who loves their father, but doesn’t know every little thing about their own father but loves him nonetheless. Likewise, the father loves the child regardless of their child’s lack of truly knowing him with 100 percent certainty. The father understands that there are some things that the child will never know or understand about the father but the relationship is built on love rather than knowledge.
Is this silence? Is this a space that is waiting to be filled?
However imperfect our understanding of God happens to be, can we still have a relationship with Him even if we find that the virgin birth and the resurrection is currently up for debate and is being dissected by post-modern de-constructionlism?
What do we have left if we have de-constructed biblical absolutes? If we have nothing but feelings and have found ourselves without any real answers, what then, and how should we actually feel about this ‘Great Unknowing‘? Should we celebrate, encourage and should we even want to stay in it? How do we begin to build a relationship within the ‘Great Unknowing‘? What foundation are we left with or do we have one at all? If we have no real foundation then what would that mean for society, as it would have no real direction and there would be a lull, a big space, a void if you like that has to be filled. What will fill this space? A world without a foundation is one that can be shaped in any way it chooses.
What comes next? The Ecclesiastical Question…
Ecc 4:6 Better is a handful of quietness than two hands full of toil and a striving after wind.
This is a world wide phenomena, post-modernism is a has-been, it is yesterdays news and very much past its used by date. And like a house built with a deck of cards it has fallen and it lays in wait, in expectation for something and it knows not what. It has left humanity with no answered questions and has left in its wake a big gaping chasm that is very much “In Between” times — the Post-modern and the next. That place is now empty and void and is waiting to be filled. In this big space of “In-Between” times, we have nothing, we have some sort of … “lull-and-void” that is waiting to be filled with something.
This is pivotal because people as a general rule want answers to the deeper questions of life. Otherwise why would they even bother asking the questions in the first place? If you don’t want the answers, don’t ask the questions. They cannot live their life without answers forever. They can try but they will never get past the questions and they become stuck within them, in a never ending circle, a chasing of the wind.
Ecc 1:14 I have seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind.
Ecc 1:17 And I applied my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also is but a striving after wind.
As bible believing Christians we should be acutely aware of this time, and we should be ready to give answers. I give this advice to myself first and to be honest with you, I am challenged by it.
I think Peter had it right when he said that we should always be ready with an answer. This is most needed during this time, more than ever before!
1Pe 3:15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
Regarding doctrine and whether or not it is important for us today with our de-constructed laying in wait world. Obviously St. Paul found the topic of doctrine important. He tells us that there is indeed a sound doctrine and there is also a doctrine of demons. Why would he say this if this was not so?
Tit 1:9 clinging to the faithful Word according to the teaching, that he may be able both to encourage by sound doctrine and to convict the ones contradicting.
1Ti 4:1 But the Spirit saith expressly, that in later times some shall fall away from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons,
What can fill this empty space of “In-Between” times?
Christ Jesus (The biblical One) can!
If not Him, then what is the alternative? I shudder to think! The alternative is what scares me. This empty space of “In-Between” times is ready to be injected with Truth, and if Truth is not heard or understood, then lies will be.
PS: I have just come across something interesting about the emerging Church in an article called…
The Great Divide, the Lull-and-Void, the Great Unknown… something is about to happen. Let’s be armed and ready with the full armor of God!
Eph 6:11-18 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,
My dad is going mythical!!
OK, this post is about my dad and his spiritual journey. Some of you know the story about my father and already have him in your prayers. I am most grateful for this.
I went over yesterday and saw a book that was by his reading chair called “The Pagan Christ”… this is the blurb…
Harpur, a former Anglican priest and professor of Greek and New Testament at the University of Toronto, delves into the foundations of the Christian faith, questioning the historicity of the Bible, reinterpreting the familiar stories and restoring what he considers the inner meaning of scriptural texts. “Taken literally, they present a world of abnormal events totally unrelated to people’s authentic living today.” He documents the many traditions that predate Christianity and parallel the familiar Bible story. He sees Christianity, and the Bible itself, as a rehash of these traditions, merely imitative rather than a record of actual, historical events. He goes so far as to question the existence of the historical Jesus. Harpur believes that the early church establishment, through deliberate acts of suppression and the destruction of books that might challenge the orthodox view (most famously in the Alexandrian Library), shaped a rigid institution unable to cope with an evolving world. He insists that a major change must take place in order for Christianity to survive. His solution is termed “Cosmic Christianity”—a radical reinterpretation not just of the Bible but of the nature of the Christian faith and its links to the world’s great spiritual traditions. Harpur’s arguments, themselves a rehash of earlier scholarship, are unlikely to convince readers who are not already inclined to his views. @Amazon.com
Obviously, I would still like you all to keep him in your prayers…
Shepherds in the night
Just finished reading a really good post over at Herescope.
Funny how it was only last night that I was thinking about the bad shepherds in Ezekiel…
Eze 34:5-10 And they were scattered for lack of a shepherd. And they became food to all the beasts of the field when they were scattered. My sheep strayed through all the mountains and on every high hill. And My sheep were scattered on all the face of the earth, and none searched, and none sought for them. For this reason, shepherds, hear the Word of Jehovah: As I live, declares the Lord Jehovah, surely because My sheep became a prey, and My sheep became food for all the beasts of the field, from not having a shepherd, and because My shepherds did not search for My sheep, but the shepherds fed themselves and did not feed the flock, so, O shepherds, hear the Word of Jehovah: So says the Lord Jehovah: Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require My sheep from their hand and cause them to cease from pasturing the sheep. And the shepherds shall no longer feed themselves, for I will deliver My sheep from their mouth, and they will not be food to devour.
Then I happened upon the post by Herescope which speaks about the shepherds during the night watch…
Today, we live in a time when there are many slumbering shepherds who are not abiding in the fields faithfully, nor are they keeping watch over their flock by night. Particularly in these dark days of great growing spiritual apostasy, so many shepherds have become complacent, reticent, apathetic and drowsy.
Night time in scripture always means tribulation. This post has a good midrashic understanding of symbolism and imagery. There is a heavy use of night time imagery, fire imagery, and leaven imagery in this excellent article. A must read!
After reading this post I read Hosea chapters 4 and 7. Those chapters are of uptmost importance for the Church today. These particular chapters speak about the sin in the land of Israel; this is being recapitulated in the church. Why? Because it is not so different today as she compromises the Word of Truth as she engages with our pluralistic culture/society and pretty much beds it. She has become the adulterer, and there are temple prostitutes within her walls. Chris Elrod has the right balance when it comes to addressing today’s culture.
The Church has been called out of any given culture throughout her history…
Church - ekklēsia
ek-klay-see’-ah
From a compound of G1537 and a derivative of G2564; a calling out, that is, (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Christian community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both): - assembly, church.
In Hosea 7 the leaven is left unchecked and then inside the oven over night the cake becomes a fire that destroys, the baker did not keep watch during the nigh. There is a sense of a bad mix in the bread, a little leaven [sin] leavens the whole lump…
Hos 7:4-8 They are all adulterers, like an oven heated by the baker; he ceases from stirring, from kneading the dough until it is leavened. In the day of our king, the rulers have sickened themselves with the heat of wine. He stretches out his hand with scorners. For they have brought their heart near like an oven, while they lie in wait. Their baker sleeps all night; in the morning it burns like a flaming fire. They are all hot as an oven, and devour their judges. All their kings have fallen; not one among them calls to Me. Ephraim mixed himself among the peoples. Ephraim is a cake not turned.
For the Author
Quick post. Just blogrolled another blog called “For the Author“.
BONNIE is the blog owner and says that she is a Child of God in Christ~ Student of the Word~ Wife and Mother~ Homemaker~ Librarian~ School Bus Driver. Her blog has some interesting links, and is well set out. She addresses many of the issues that concern the Church during these last days. One certainly worth having a look at.
