The following are my comments triggered by reading the book, 10
Things Your Minister Wants to Tell You (But Can’t Because He Needs the Job)
written by Rev Oliver “Buzz” Thomas.
Reverend Thomas gives his own answers to his posed questions, appearing
to believe that he “Knows”* the
“true” answer to each question – At the
same time criticizing (and often criticizing to the extent of distain) the
answers that others who purport that they “Know”*
the “true” answers to the questions (often seeming to act as if their answers
are rather ignorant compared to his).
One of my associates asked me to look over this book and
give him my impressions about the answers.
This grew rather larger than I anticipated, but then, when I sit down to
write, that is most often the case.
SECTION I: MY initial
response to the questions in the book, based on my, admittedly limited
understanding of science, historical theology and current “spiritual” and
religious groups’ ideas - follows. After
that I have placed a Section II It includes
the same questions but gives my own personal, individual view of these
questions based on my own logic, theological studies, emotional needs and
pathway in this difficult life – particularly the need for HOPE beyond this
“veil of tears” and this “valley of the shadow of death”:
1.
How did it all begin? (ie the beginning of the
universe/creation)
No
one “Knows”*. There are many “theories”, both
scientific and theological, none of which are sufficiently “provable” to say
that any of us “Knows”*
2.
Why are we here?
If
you are answering from a material/scientific view, there is no way of answering
or even addressing this question. It is
completely unanswerable with the scientific process which is the basis of all
scientific effort to answer any question.
If
one is attempting to answer from a theological view, there are many
speculations in religious writing through recorded history and currently by a
multitude of individuals. But none of
these theological speculations is “provable”.
So it is erroneous for anyone to say that they “Know”* that their theological view is the one that is
“truth”.
3.
What is the Bible?
It
is a compilation of writings by individuals to attempt to record both
historical events AND record their “best guess” about the motives and methods
of the “Creator”, that they purport to be the only God that exists, and many
(although less in our modern time period) purport that He is “Sovereign” i.e.
Ordains ALL that occurs for His Pleasure and Purposes, is Good, is ALL
Powerful, ALL Wise, ALL Knowing, Eternally Existent and IS LOVE.
Many also believe (confidently say that they (“Know”*) the Bible to have been
dictated, word for word by God to the writer without any error. There is a
great deal of difference (which I can discuss) between the Bible being “without
error” for God’s Ultimate Purposes and “without error” for purposes of historical recording or “without error”
in any one person’s translation and interpretation of its meaning. Remember that if God is there, He ordained
(my position) that the Jews would erroneously interpret their scriptures to the
extent that they would expect the
“Messiah” to be completely different in presentation and purpose that He turned
out to be according to the New Testament (again, as interpreted by current
fundamentalist Christians). He presented
so differently than the establishment Jewish authorities expected that they
killed Him (again, as ordained by God – my position) for God’s purposes.
In
our modern era, there are many who use verses in the Bible to support various
(and often VERY different interpretations).
But these individuals/groups are also no more able to “prove” ie “Know”* that their interpretations
are THE truth.
4.
Is there really such a thing as a miracle?
The
Oxford Dictionary defines the word “miracle” as: “A surprising and welcome
event that is not explicable by any natural or scientific laws and is therefore
considered to be the work of a divine agency.”
Theologians typically say that, with divine providence, God regularly works through
nature yet, as a Creator, is free to work without, above, or against it as
well. The possibility and probability of miracles are then equal to the
possibility and probability of the existence of God.
A true miracle would, by definition, be a
non-natural phenomenon, leading many rational and scientific thinkers to
dismiss them as physically impossible (that is, requiring violation of
established laws of physics within their domain of validity, or impossible to
confirm by their nature - because all
possible physical mechanisms can never be ruled out).
By some, the word "miracle" is
often used more loosely, to characterize any beneficial event that is
statistically unlikely but not contrary to the laws of nature, such as
surviving a natural disaster, or simply a "wonderful" occurrence,
regardless of likelihood, such as a birth. Other examples of this might be:
survival of an illness diagnosed as terminal, escaping a life-threatening
situation or 'beating the odds'.
As with questions 1-3, the answers are
consistently from the view/interpretation of the individual. So, we cannot “Know”* if there are “miracles”. We can hope, we can be theologically
persuaded (the Greek word from which the Biblical English word “faith” has been
translated) ie accept it on “faith”. But
we cannot “Know” * since it is
not provable (repeatedly & reliably duplicated/demonstrated scientifically). And those who accept it on “persuasion/faith”
via their theological construct cannot “Know”
*either.
5.
How do I please God?
Another
issue that it is impossible to “Know”*.
The
question is another not answerable by science since it too is not subject to exploration
via the “scientific process”.
But anyone
who would even ask the question from a “spiritual” viewpoint, based on
theology, philosophy, or experientially must first “assume” the existence of a
“god”, and then must make a multitude of assumptions about his nature/identity/operation/goals/methods,
etc. People who claim there is a “god”
base it on many foundations: religious writings, intuitive leanings, teachings
of others who claim to “Know”* the nature of the “god” or “gods” that
exist.
One
example of the way in which those within the Judeo-Christian theological
tradition (and there are a multitude of interpretations even within this
tradition) might answer it with various Biblical quotations: “God does
everything He pleases.” (Ps 115:3, Ps 135;6) “And God saw everything that he
had made and it was very good.” (Gen 1:31) “I will accomplish all my good
pleasure.” (Is 46:10-11) “No one can thwart Your will/desire.” (Job 42:2) “And
for His pleasure we are created.” (Col
1:6, Rev 4:11)
Still
others may use Biblical quotations but do not view God as “Sovereign”, (tossing
in “free will”, Satan, nature, etc. as competing forces) or build a concept of
God using Biblical language, but do not view God as a “person” but more like a
“hive mind”, individual spiritual leading, etc.
But
the most important answer is: none of us “Know”*. If any of us attempt to answer this question
we do so with our individual speculation based on our theological,
philosophical or experiential reading and or exploration.
If
you generally accept the Biblical accounts of God’s nature/character, He doesn’t
need us to please Him - He pleases Himself with everything He has
made or that emanates from Him, including creating us and ALL of us being His
Handiwork (Is 64:8)
6.
What about homosexuality?
·
Science –
at this time scientific (behavioral/medical/biochemical) studies appear to indicate that homosexuality
has its foundation in biochemical/organic brain structure that is present at
birth
·
Theologically-
Judeo-Christian-Islamic interpretations of their individual “holy” writings
historically and currently, have often singled out homosexuality as a “sin” (Greek
– missing the mark of God’s perfection – which, incidentally, we are told in
the Christian accepted scriptures that we ALL “sin” –and that if we are
“guilty” of even one “sin”, we are guilty of ALL – very few teachers or
followers of the traditional Christian interpretations talk about this aspect)
that is “worse” than a number of other “sins” that are judged to be not as
“heinous”. There are other groups within
those religious genres that interpret those writings quite differently. So it goes again to the core principle: none
of “Knows”* with certainty the “right” or “wrong” of this issue and it
is simply and only a matter of individual interpretation (unless a voice comes
from the sky that we can all hear or unless a person can prove that they have
information from “heaven” to give the final, authoritative declaration about it…and
everything else we don’t Know*).
·
Other
“spiritual” groups and individuals– seem to base their opinion about this on a
mix of science, philosophy, psychology, and emotion.
·
As with
all other previous questions, none of us “Know”*
7.
What about other faiths?
Of
course, science has no way of addressing this question. AND as with previous questions, no “faith” or
“philosophy” can “Know”*
whether they have THE truth although proponents of each may claim that
they do. To repeat, if someone comes
that can repeatedly demonstrate powers beyond the normal, material world, OR if
the sky rolls back and whoever/whatever is there speaks/communicates to mankind
(anyone is disqualified if they are on psychiatric meds, need to be, or are making
money or special prestige off their claims) what IS the Absolute Truth, NO ONE
CAN “KNOW”*
8.
What about women?
Scientific
information appears to support that there are significant biological
differences in the sexes which influence brain chemistry and other physical characteristics,
including in utero hormonal effects. There may also be differences that are
genetically carried and passed down chromosomally. Societies make determinations about roles of
the sexes based on culture, history, changing laws, etc. Beyond that, science and law can make no
claim as to whether cultural generalizations and value judgements on gender are
“right” from an “absolute truth” standpoint.
Various
religious, philosophical and cultural groups have given opinions through their
histories, based on their interpretations of their religious writings and/or
philosophical/cultural opinions. These
have appeared to change over time depending on the interpretation of the era. But none of their opinions are “provable”.
9.
What happens after we die?
Science
has significant limitations in addressing this question; however, there have
been interesting studies that appear to be well conducted, related to the “near
death experience”. My personal favorite reference
is one with research gathered from the experience of many individuals and over
many years. It is a book titled, Lessons
from the Light, by Kenneth Ring Ph.D. and Evelyn Elsaesser Valarmino. I have used it for my own comfort, it having
a logical and fact based approach related to what comes after this life, and I
have lent and gifted the book to others (particularly who have faced imminent
challenges to their own physical life or the physical life of others for whom
they cared).
Each
theological and philosophical group has its’ own take on this question based on
its’ writings and interpretations of those writings. And generally, each individual within any
group has their own viewpoint/opinion that they may either voice, or not voice,
depending on whether they feel safe to differ from the “party line” of their
specific group.
10.
How will it all end?
Scientists
may develop theories and speculate, and there may be attempts by individuals
from the standpoint of their theology/religious writings/interpretation, and individuals
positing from a philosophical or “spiritual” perspective. But none of us can “Know”*. As
mentioned before, because all human beings live in a fearful world that
ultimately appears to end in physical death for all of us, we put forth ideas,
theories or “hopes” and in the religious/philosophical realm attempt to “Act as
if” the “hopes” that we put forth are (or might be) true. We ALL “whistle in the dark”. Because it IS dark, and the only
comfort is to whistle something
especially because we can “prove” nothing and we are afraid.
*Be cautious of anyone who claims they “Know”…anything.
Science is always only based on repeatedly being able to “prove” a theory
over & over again. The best they can
come up with is a repeatable experiment that they then label as a “theory”, and
as with question #1, where they cannot repeatedly replicate “how it began”,
theirs is speculation based on currently available scientific data
and theories from mathematics, physics, biology etc.
Theologies are based on writings
(historical and poetic) that are also not subject to “proof” including “how it
began” and the other questions in the series.
As individuals, we can only take speculation from both science and
theology, and come up with our own best guess about these issues. This
is what every person actually does, but most will not admit that it is a
“guess” and not provable as “fact”.
So, none of us can “Know”.
But we do tend to use our best guesses to judge, feel superior
to often even killing others who do not share them, comfort ourselves in the
face of the unknowable questions - and raise money to support and propagate our
view.
Unless
someone comes along that can repeatedly & reliably work “miracles” without
omission, (raising the dead, stopping the wind/storm, healing everyone who requests it, - there is no one who can sufficiently
prove their credibility/authority to be able to say that they “Know”
what is truth in these areas – beyond what is “provable” via the
scientific process (and again, even that is only their current “best guess”
using the scientific process, in any of these (and likely all) areas.
Section II: How I
personally view these questions and why:
As I
reviewed above, although none of us can “Know” the answer to any of
these 10 questions (or related issues), as humans in a dangerous, painful world
(that eventually appears to end in physical death for all of us), we all
either strive to have a concept that gives us hope/comfort related to
what lies beyond this life with which we can dull the pain of this dark
& dreary reality OR we find ways of distracting ourselves (with a busy-ness
of life, or dulling the pain with various pleasurable pursuits such as success,
material possessions, excitement, usefulness in this life, other ego-support
pursuits, sex, drugs/alcohol, etc).
The answer
that I personally have found that works best for me is to “Act as If” the most
wonderful deity and the most wonderful destiny exists for all of mankind.
Admittedly
it is another version of “whistling in the dark”, but I find it gives me more
peace, usefulness, diminishment of judgement of others, and a Great Hope – than
any of the other options that I have considered.
In searching
for what, to me, is the most logically and emotionally satisfying, what I have
determined as having substantial historical substantiation, and which also
satisfies my logic, I have found (my version/interpretation of ) Christian
Universalism.
For a
broader explanation, I have published information on my path and rationale on
my blog over the last two years: https://searching4eternnity.blogspot.com. You may particularly be interested in the
article of 5/31/16 “If God Doesn’t Exist and You want to be Happy, Better
Invent Him/Her – And Make Him/Her a Good One.”
But for the
purpose of this article, I will try to briefly answer each of the prior 10
questions from the perspective of the conclusions and framework that I use.
The core of my framework is based on
the concept that I mentioned earlier that I “Act as if” a single absolutely
loving, absolutely wise, absolutely powerful, absolutely omniscient, eternally
existent, Personal God created everything that exists and ordains all that
occurs for His own joy and the ultimate joy and eternal existence of all that
He has created. Actually, although they would not see it as
such, others who have a theological or “spiritual” concept on which they base
their life-view, are also doing the same as I: “Acting as If” theirs is the concept that is “true” – in the
absence of their ability to “Know”*. But few, if any, would admit that is what they
are doing.
Relevance to my interpretations of
the Bible: As I
stated above, I have adopted my “belief”/practice, based on seeking that which
satisfies both my logic, my study, and my emotions. I have specifically studied the New Testament
in the original Greek, and to a lesser extent, the Old Testament for key words
and passages, in Hebrew. I am NOT a
“scholar” in either of the languages but have much more experience in the New
Testament Greek than the Old Testament Hebrew. For a good argument for the historicity and validity
of the Bible, the book, Evidence that Demands a Verdict by Josh McDowell,
is one that I have found excellent. As well as his earlier book, More Than a
Carpenter, that gives an excellent, succinct and logical argument for the
divinity of Jesus of Nazareth (similar to the excellent argument by C.S. Lewis
in his book Mere Christianity).
Here are
my responses to the 10 questions based on my studies, experiences and “Act as
If” framework:
1.
How did it all begin? (ie the beginning of the
universe/creation)
Because
I have chosen to “Act as If” the God that I described above, the One that I posit
has eternally existed, I have also chosen to “believe”/“Act as IF” He is the
entity that created all that exists. I project that it was His Action Force, that which proceeds from Him to Accomplish
His Desire/Will, i.e. His “Word” (which is identified more specifically in the
New Testament as “I AM Saves (Jesus/Ja-Sua)” through whom God the Father
brought what we call our “universe” into existence.
I do
not see that the method or timing of His accomplishing His creative endeavors
as either scientifically or theologically “provable”. Conveniently, is not necessary for the
effectiveness of my “belief” /”Act as IF” system to have to “prove” this, still
providing me with great hope, lack of judgement of myself or others,
diminishment of fear of the present life or of any possible future life. I am open to the possibility of any number of
ways and timings of creation being the truth of what occurred. And I am open to
the specific language of the Bible in this area being either symbolic of
what occurred OR holding historically or scientifically accurate relevance
related to what occurred.
2.
Why are we here?
I
have come to my individual conclusion (and my life practice based on that conclusion)
that I find reflected in many Bible passages including those below.
·
“God is agape (in Greek, the kind of love specifically takes care of and cares about –
in God’s case perfectly takes care of.
Agape is specifically different from the Greek philia or eros words that
we also translate into English as “love”)” (I John 4:8; 1 John 4:16) God
being Agape identifies that, at
the core of His nature, God desires/wills/ordains to include in His existence
the experience of giving, enjoying, and perfectly providing for His all of the
creation that He has brought/brings into existence.
·
“Love (agape) never fails” I Corinthians 13:8
·
“I will
accomplish all my good pleasure.” Isaiah 46:10
·
“For from
out of Him and through Him and into Him is ALL.” (Romans 11:36)
·
“God made us so we could glorify Him and
have fellowship with Him.” (1 John 1:1-3)
·
“[Even] every one that is called by my name
(nature/identity), for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea,
I have made him. (Isaiah 43:7)
·
“And God said, Let us make man in our
image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish
of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the
earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.” (Genesis 1:26) My
understanding is that this statement of man being made into His likeness by God
refers to man’s ultimate formation into the “likeness” of God rather than the
“seed” of that ultimate product in Adam. Putting man “in dominion” over the
earth was a part of the process, but NOT the ultimate goal of the process. Since,
once God “thinks”/desires something, it is assured of ultimately occurring, but
may have various stages of development before the end product that He foresaw
shows forth in its’ final reality.
·
“Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory
and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure
they are and were created.” (Revelation
4:11)
·
“We ALL are the work of HIS Hands.”
(Isaiah 64:8)
·
“For we are His [ALL – see Is 64:8) workmanship, created in Christ
Jesus unto good works (often things that we may see as opposite or much
less than “good”, but God has designed for His ultimate purpose and therefore
are perfectly “good” in His economy), which God hath before ordained that we
should walk in them.” (Ephesians
2:10)
·
“For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are
in earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, or dominions, or
principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him.” (Colossians
1:16)
·
“This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth my praise.” (Isaiah 43:21)
·
“I am the
I AM ALWAYS AM and there is no other, the One forming light and creating
darkness, the One bringing well-being and creating calamity. I, the I AM ALWAYS AM do all these.”
(Isaiah 45: 6-7)
·
For God so loved [agape’d – cared for and about] the world [kosmos – world/universe], that he gave his only begotten Son, that
whosoever believeth in [Greek root -is
persuaded into – it’s HIS responsibility to do this] Him should not
perish, but have everlasting life. (John
3:16-17)
Again, I will continue to emphasize that I do not
“Know”* that my perceptions are “truth”, but they contain sufficient logic,
historical support, and emotional, relational and life benefit that I have
found it immeasurably beneficial for myself to “Act as If” these things are
what exist. And as my grandmother used
to say, “The proof of the pudding is in the eating.” – therefore, I can
recommend this viewpoint to others in case they have not found something as satisfying
and would like to try it.
3.
What is the Bible?
As I
mentioned in the introduction to my personal answer to these questions (related
to my interpretations of the Bible), I have found that there is sufficient
historical evidence for me to give general credibility to what I see as the
primary focus of the Bible: That a Personal Creator exists, perfectly “cares
for and about” (agape’s) His creation
and has created it all (through a very difficult and messy process from
our earthly viewpoint), including all of mankind, to exist and fellowship in
joy with Him eternally. And I have found
sufficient experiential evidence in myself for usefulness in me in practicing
this view.
And
if this is the case, He has ALSO chosen/ordained (for His purpose, which He has
inadequately revealed at this historical point) to NOT be clear in our era as
to all of the specifics of how He is accomplishing this…or even if He is
there and the source of accomplishing it.
But again, I use my “Act as If” to support my practice, which, if He
is There and is Who I vision, He has ordained for me/my path.
4.
Is there really such a thing as a miracle?
The Bible reports numerous “miracles” (see definitions of “miracle” in
questions #4, Section I) in both the Old and the New Testament. The most theologically important to me personally
being Jesus raising from the dead. But
the others that are reported, for me, fit in logically & historically with the
Biblical account. Most (as in my
response to: “How it all began”), I do not consider a necessity to my system of
“Acting as If” the most wonderful deity and the most wonderful destiny (for ALL
mankind) is what is “truth”. But it is a
useful component in the historical Biblical record that I have found to provide
additional supportive and logical information for my accepting the accounts and
supporting my “belief”/”Act as IF” view and practice.
Interestingly, Jesus said about His own “miracles” (raising the dead,
healing the sick, feeding of the 5,000, giving sight to the blind, etc., etc.),
“Do not believe me unless I do what My Father does. But if I do it, even though you do not
believe me, believe the miracles, that you may know and understand that the
Father is in Me, and I in the Father.” John 10: 37-38.
And it appeared that it was substantially the “miracles” that convinced
the people in large numbers that Jesus was either the “Messiah”, or some kind
of special agent of God with miraculous powers.
However, I find no credible accounts since the very early church (after
the Book of Acts) of a person or a number of people being able to work “miracles”,
at will and repeatedly, that would validate their version of the “truth” as The Truth.
It would definitely be VERY helpful in our era if God chose to reveal
which truth was The Truth by accompanying
and validating the message with repeatable “miracles”, if in fact it is His
best plan for us to know what The Truth
is at this time. An interesting
scripture to me that could give insight into this huge apparent omission on His
part is: “For God has bound ALL men over to non-persuasion/non-faith
(generally & poorly translated as “disobedience”) so that He may have mercy
on them ALL.” Romans 11:
32. And, for me, the scriptures
substantiate that it is GOD”S RESPONSIBILITY to “persuade” us of His presence
& nature. For a further discussion
of this area, see my blog articles: “Initiator versus Responder” (3/17/16) and
“Are We the Fallen Angels?” (1/13/17).
5.
How do I please God?
My
primary view is that it is not our “responsibility” to “please” God. God is sufficient to always please Himself, has always done that, and will always do that. “Declaring the end from the beginning, and
from ancient times things that have not been done, saying, ‘My purpose will
stand and I will accomplish ALL
My good pleasure.’”
We are
a part of the many ways in which He pleases Himself, since “…we are the clay
and You the Former/Potter and the work of Your Hands are we ALL.”
God
cannot fail (“Love/agape never fails”
and “God is love/agape), so He cannot
fail with each of us being the exact “work of His Hands” that He intended from
the beginning of His thought of us – before He created the universe.
God’s
two primary goals for each of us is 1) to have each of us a part of His eternal
family 2) to make each of us into His “image” – each of us a unique expression
of Himself because of the path that He specifically designed/ordained
for each of us individually for this life.
6.
What about homosexuality?
·
Romans
3:10 “There is none righteous, no not one.”
·
1 John
2:1 “My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not “sin” [Greek –
miss the mark – of God’s perfection].
But if ANYBODY does “sin”
[miss the mark – of God’s perfection], we have one who speaks to the Father in
our defense – Jesus Christ [Hebrew – I AM Saves Anointed], the Righteous ONE.”
·
Galatians
2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live but Christ
lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by the faith (persuasion) of
the Son of God…
·
Is 64:6 “ALL
of us have become as one who is unclean [lepers]. All our righteous acts are like dirty
rags.”
·
Romans 5:18 “Consequently, just as the result of the one trespass
was condemnation for ALL men, so also the result of one act of
righteousness was justification that brings life for ALL men.”
·
Ephesians
2:8-9 “For it is by grace [Greek – gift] you have been saved through faith
[Greek – persuasion] – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God –
not by works, so that no one can boast.
For we are God’s workmanship… “
·
1
Corinthians 6:9-10 “Do you not know that wrong doers will not inherit the
kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither the sexually immoral nor
idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders, nor
thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers [liars] nor swindlers will
inherit the kingdom of God. And that is
what some of you were. But you were
washed, you were sanctified [Greek: set apart for special use], you were
justified in the name [Hebrew – nature] of the Owner I AM Saves Anointed
[poorer and incomplete translation: Lord Jesus Christ] and by the Spirit of our
God.”
MY COMMENT ON THIS MISUSED,
MISINTERPRETED PASSAGE: So, who are the “wrong-doers”? Who are the
sexually immoral? [Matthew 5:28 “But I tell you that anyone who looks at a
woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”] Who are the liars? Who are the covetous?
Traditional Christianity has lifted
homosexuality out of this passage without noticing that the other categories
include ALL of us as not capable of “inheriting the kingdom” – without
receiving it as a gift [“that no one should boast”].
Both the Old Testament laws and the even
higher standard of behavior given by Jesus in the New Testament were to show us
that, in our own efforts, it was impossible for any of us to “enter the
Kingdom”. Of ourselves, it would be
impossible to “become as little children” – perfect trust of the Father (Matthew
18:3); we would have the impossible task of destroying any and all parts of our
body that might transgress God’s perfection – and since that is any part of us,
we would be left with nothing (Matthew 5:30); we would have the humanly
impossible task, because of our fallen natures of caring for and about (agape
love) for our neighbor in the same way in which we cared for and about
ourselves (Matthew 22:39).
Remember, ALL of OUR righteousness is
like filthy rags – we only get to be sufficiently “righteous” to enter the
“kingdom” as a gift (Greek – Xaris – free gift – inadequately translated
as “grace” into English) by being a part of HIS own “body”/Spirit, the only
bearer of absolute “righteousness”. But since
ALL of us are HIS handiwork, destined by Him to be one with Him as His ultimate
plan and purpose, it’s a “done deal”!
Ephesians 2:8 “For it is by the free gift
you have been rescued, through persuasion-and this is not from yourselves, it is
the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast.… “
Concept
of Names (natures/identities) written in the “book of life”.
·
Revelation
20:15 “And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was
thrown into the lake of fire.”
·
Revelation 3:5 “He who overcomes will thus
be clothed in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life,
and I will confess (speak) his name (nature/identity) before My Father and
before His angels.”
·
Revelation 21:27 “…and nothing unclean, and
no one who practices abomination and lying, shall ever come into it, but only
those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life.”
·
Exodus 32: 33 "Whoever has sinned
against Me, I will blot him out of My book.”
·
Psalm 139:16 “Your eyes have seen my
unformed substance; and in Your book were all written the days that were
ordained for me, When as yet there was not one of them.”
·
Revelation 13:8 “All who dwell on the earth
will worship him, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation
of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slain.”
I lean toward the likelihood that the only
“name” (nature/identity) that is written in the “book of life” [remember that I
AM Saves (Jah-sua) is the “life”] will be the I AM Saves. BUT since we will ALL be in Him, we will have His life.
These
and a multitude of other scriptures hold that it is God who has made each
and every one of us for HIS purposes that we will only one day
understand. And that He has, for now,
kept us from understanding His process or even “knowing” that His presence is
there.
1
Corinthians 13:12 “For now
we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but
then shall I know even as also I am [fully] known.”
We
no more understand why God has made homosexuality a part of our existence than
we understand why He ordained cancer, warts, the holocaust, early death,
painful diseases etc. etc. We show our
lack of humility under His Great Hand when we act like we understand what He
has chosen, for now, to keep from us.
And
we are emphatically told not to judge the other from the limited “light” that
God has ordained for each of us individually.
Romans 12:3 “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not
think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with
sober judgment, in accordance with the faith (persuasion) God has distributed to each of you.” And when we judge, we are not as truly
judging each other as we are judging GOD, whose Handiwork we, everyone, and
everything are.
7.
What about other faiths?
·
Romans
11:36 “For from out of Him and through Him and into Him is ALL.”
·
Isaiah
64:8 “…we are ALL the work of His Hands.”
·
Psalm
145: 14-17 & 21 “The I AM ALWAYS AM is faithful to all his promises and
loving toward all he has made.
The I AM ALWAYS AM upholds all those who fall and lifts up all
who are bowed down. The eyes of all look to you, and you give them
their food at the proper time.
You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living
thing. The I AM Always AM is righteous
in all his ways and loving toward all he has made.” “My mouth will speak
in praise of the I AM ALWAYS AM. Let
every creature praise his holy name (unique identity/nature) forever and ever.
·
Romans 5:18 “Consequently, just as the result of the one trespass
was condemnation for ALL men, so also the result of one act of
righteousness was justification that brings life for ALL men.”
·
1
Corinthians 5:28 But when ALL things are subjected to Him (Jesus), then the Son
Himself also will be subjected to the One who has subjected all things to Him
(Jesus) that God may be ALL in ALL.
·
Rom
14:11, Numbers 14:21, Phil 2:10 Every knee shall bow and every tongue confess
that I AM Saves is Owner, to the glory of God the Father.
Poor
Biblical translations from the original Greek and Hebrew into Latin and then
English, and even poorer and more inaccurate interpretations resulted in the horrendous
and false current concept of “Hell”. The
Hebrew, Sheol (the only word in the Old Testament translated as “hell”) means
“the grave”. In the New Testament the 3
words translated “hell” are Gehenna, Tartarus, and Hades. Hades is the equivalent of the Old Testament
“Sheol” meaning only the grave. Gehenna
is the Valley of Hinon that was outside of Jerusalem and was a trash dump
(Jesus did warm that if we even called a brother – “Worthless” “Raca”, we would
be in danger of needing some more trash burned off of us by God’s process of
“refining” us into His image.
Many
traditional Christians interpret the following scripture as meaning that an
individual must recognize Jesus as God and Savior, in order for him to arrive
in heaven via “the Way”: “I am the Way (Greek, hodos - road) the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father but by Me.” If
Jesus, the Father and the Holy Spirit are “One”, the sentence could also be
written “No one comes to the Father but by the Father.” Or “no one comes to the
Father but by the Holy Spirit.” Jesus is
not separate from the Father and Holy Spirit.
Humans may define their hope beyond this life in terms of Islam, Judaism,
Shintoism, etc., etc. or atheism. A
person does not need to know that the “way”/road by which he comes to the
Father is Jesus/The Father/The Holy Spirit in order to get there. If a child falls asleep on the couch and his
parent carries him to bed, in the morning when he awakes, he may say, “Daddy,
how did I get here?” It was the Father
who carried him, but it did not require that he know/recognize that in order
for him to be carried to bed. If in fact
we arrive in “heaven” after this life, none of us will really recognize “The
Way” via which we arrived, “The Truth” of All that God is, or “The Life” that
we have now been given until God reveals it accurately to us on that side. “Now I know in part; then I shall know fully
as I am fully known.”
Review
The lamb’s "book of life" – whose name [Hebrew-nature/identity] will be written
there – in the #6 r/t wrongdoing, homosexuality, lying, etc., etc.?
8.
What about women?
In our human species, males and females appear to have some specific
differences based on genetics and biology (both physically and
emotionally). But similarly, every human
being differs specifically from every other human being physically
psychologically, emotionally. We are
EACH UNIQUE. Interestingly, the Greek
word that is translated into the Latin and then into English as “holy” means
literally “set apart for special use”.
Including this applying to a “Holy” God.
Perhaps if we used the word “unique” for this characteristic, we would
be closer to the “truth”.
So if we were to regard every human (and every part of creation) as a
“unique” (set apart for a specific purpose in God’s plan) tool of God ie.
Isaiah 64:8“…we ALL are the work of Your Hand.”
Various religious writings and traditions have strong (or weaker) views
of the “roles” of men and women in the “church” and in life.
What if we were simply to view each person as an individual and see
each and every one as God’s Handiwork for His purposes (from our limited view -
the “good”, the “bad” and the ugly”)? Rather than categorizing them based on
their gender, IQ, education, material possessions what if we were to seek to
help them find their strongest “use” in this life via the intellectual
capacity, the life experiences, the physical capacities, etc. that GOD has
given them? But the MOST important thing
would be that we VIEWED them as ordained by God with their weaknesses
and strengths for HIS purposes, knowing they did not choose any of their
capacities themselves?
I am DEFINITELY not advocating that government take over this role by
taking the money/goods from one person to give another.
So few people who advocate this as “government’s” place forget the quotation
in Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address that referred to slavery: “It may seem
strange that men should dare to ask a just God’s assistance in wringing their
bread from the sweat of other men’s faces…” They do not consider that this is
what our “welfare” state has mandated and mandates more and more.
I am talking about each and every one of us (and if we have arranged
ourselves in encouragement groups) to voluntarily do this as we are able and as
our trust of God for our ultimate spiritual best both in this life and our
ultimate destiny after this life matures. Luke 3:11 “And he would answer and
say to them, "The man who has two tunics is to share with him who has
none; and he who has food is to do likewise."
Yes, our own human self-protectiveness will mean that we will always
fall short of this due to our ordained (by God for His time-period and purpose
of refining us in His ways) fleshly nature.
But that should be the standard that we challenge ourselves and our
fellows with, without soft-peddling it.
Even Jesus said, “The poor you will always have with you.” It is part of our nature and part of the
nature of the existence that HE has ordained for us on this earth.
But what about some of the statements in the Bible about the role of
women in the church? I view these
generally as similar to the guideline that women in the church must wear head
coverings. Along with many other
practices mentioned in the early church, it seems we have departed from many,
and added many that did not exist at the time (paid preachers, large buildings,
etc. etc.) but some churches continue to hold to the prohibitions about
women. I do not.
Marriage: there do seem to me to be some wise and specific ways
that a marriage relationship works best that are discussed in the Bible. But it really only can function well for men
and women who hope in a God who is Sovereign, trust that this life is only the
“refiner’s fire” for the next “real life”, and wish to practice a relationship
that honors God’s agenda the best, nurtures each other in practicing what they
have been given as His agenda, and may allow them to be more useful to other
suffering humanity. The idea that women
are supposed to be “submissive” to their husbands is emphasized by many
Christian groups, ignoring entirely that the husband, as “initiator”, is to: “Husbands,
love (agape – care for/care about)
your wives, just as Christ loved (agape’d
– cared for/cared about) the church and gave himself up for her.”
(Ephesians 5:25) If you are interested
in more specifics on how I view the basic guidelines for this unique relationship,
see my blog article, of 3/17/16, “Initiator versus Responder”.
So coming back to the question posed: What about women? I believe my short answer is treat everyone as
a unique creation of God (and not of themselves), without regard to any
category into which they might fall.
Knowing that they are (each and every one) God’s Handiwork, that they
have not chosen their capabilities, strengths, weaknesses, genetics or
experiences; That they are ALL His unique tools for His agenda; That are as
ordained by God for His purposes. So,
do your best to encourage them (male, female, good, bad, ugly, wise, foolish,
etc.) in the best use of what God has given to them as their role in His will,
taking good care of yourself (“agape
your brother as yourself”) as His ordained tool also, trusting/living in hope
that we will all ultimately be perfect in the unique image of Him that He has
dreamed for us.
9.
What happens after we die?
Although
books like Lessons from the Light mentioned above, encourage me. For
myself, I can only speak in HOPE. I do
not believe that either I, or anyone has verifiable “proof” of what comes after
this life. But some of the following
support my hope:
·
Romans 5:18 “Consequently, just as the result of the one
trespass was condemnation for ALL men, so also the result of one act of
righteousness was justification that brings life for ALL men.”
·
1
Corinthians 13:8 “Agape (God’s caring for/about) never fails”; 1 John 4:8 “God
is Agape (caring for/ about).”
·
Romans
11:32 “For from out of Him and through Him and into Him is ALL.”
·
John 14:2
"In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would
have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.”
·
2
Corinthians 5:1 “We know that if the earthly tent we live in is torn down, we
have a building in heaven that comes from God, an eternal house not built by
human hands.”
·
1
Corinthians 2:9 “Rather, as it is written: ‘No eye has seen, no ear has heard,
no heart has imagined, what God has prepared for those who love (agape) Him.’” [Remember, only I AM Saves (Jah Sua)
really knows and has seen the Father, so He is the only one that is capable of
true agape (care for/about) for the
Father. But the good news is that He is
in us and we are in Him. Acts 17:28 “In Him we live and are moved about and
have our existence.” Galatians 2:20 “…it is no longer I who live but Christ
(Greek -anointed) lives in me and the life that I now live in the flesh I live
by the faith/persuasion of the Son of God…”
·
1
Corinthians 15:28 “When He (the Son) has done this, then the Son Himself will
be made subject to Him (the Father) who put everything under Him (the Son), so
that God may be all in all.
·
2
Corinthians 5:8 “We are confident, then, and would prefer to be away from the
body and at home with the Owner (Lord, Master).”
·
Philippians
2: 10-11 “So that at the nature/identity of I AM Saves (Ja Sua) every
knee shall bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue
confess that I AM Saves, Anointed, is Owner, to the glory of God the Father.”
·
Psalm 150:6
“Let every thing that has breath (God’s Spirit) praise I AM Always AM. You
praise I AM Always AM!”
·
Joel 2:28
"It will come about after this that I will pour out My Spirit on all
mankind; And your sons and daughters will prophesy, Your old men will dream
dreams, Your young men will see visions.” Also Acts 2:17
·
Revelation
5:13 “Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth
and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: "To him who sits on the
throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and
ever!"
·
Isaiah
11:9 “And they will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the
earth will be filled with the knowledge of the I AM Always AM as the waters
cover the sea.”
·
John
11:25 “Jesus said unto her, I AM the resurrection (rising into existence) and
the life; he that is persuaded into me (HIS job to accomplish, not ours – and
His timing), though he is dead, yet shall he live…”
·
Isaiah
55:11 “…so is my Word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me
empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I
sent it.”
·
John
1:1-4 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was
God. The same was in the beginning with God. All
things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
In him was life; and the life was the light of men.”
·
John
19/30 “It is finished/completed/repaid/perfected”
·
John 1:29
“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb
of God, who takes away the missing the mark (of God’s perfection) of the world
(Greek kosmos – world/universe)!”
·
Revelation
21:4 “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or
mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."
·
Psalm 23:
1 “The I AM Always AM is my (our) Shepherd I (we) have NO LACK.”
·
Psalm 23
“Even though I walk through the Valley of the Shadow of Death (this life), I
will fear NO evil.”
·
Deuteronomy 31:6 “The I AM
Always AM himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you
nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
·
Psalm 121: 3-7 “He will not suffer thy
foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that
keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The I AM Always AM is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee
by day, nor the moon by night. The I AM
Always AM shall preserve thee from all evil/harm; he shall preserve thy soul
(personality/personhood). The I AM Always AM shall preserve thy going out and
thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.
10.
How will it all end?
If
this refers to the world/universe, I can only speculate/imagine. But I am not particularly concerned about
the physical world/universe. I am
concerned about all of humanity, creatures, and anything that has awareness
(but who knows, stars and sand may have conversations and relationships with us
then.
But I find it most useful to dream/vision the very best ending for
us ALL based on my hopes, my studies, my experiences, and Acting as if” the
very best Creator is there. And since He would have had to dream the
very best destiny in His Goodness, Love (agape-care) and Power, if He is
there, it is a certainty. And to
quote a message from the 12 –Step programs: “Would you rather be right, or
would you rather be happy?” So I get to
practice that He is there and even more wonderful (with our destiny even
more wonderful) than I can possibly imagine.
I
encourage you, if God leads, to explore and experiment with my vision and
practice. Rejoicing for ALL (especially
when it sucks!)
June
