The following little article brings up some interesting points about the Hebrew word that has been translated as hell in many of our English Versions of the Bible. Whether you agree with the writers conclusions or not, it does provide some food for thought.
---------
If you've ever read the King James Version of the Bible, you've undoubtedly noticed the frequent use of the word hell. In fact, the KJV uses the word hell more than any of the other English translations. At the same time there are in fact some literal translations of the Bible where the word hell doesn't occur at all. Why the difference? It has to do with the original Greek and Hebrew words.
In the Old Testament Scriptures the Hebrew word Sheol is found a total of sixty-six times. The translators of the King James Version chose to render it as hell thirty-one times. In other words about half the time this Greek word was translated a something which in our modern minds means a fiery torture chamber where unbelievers will be agonizingly tortured forever and ever without end.
Another thirty-one times the KJV translators rendered Sheol as grave. Let that sink in for a moment. About half the time they chose to translate this important word simply as a grave and the other half of the time they translated it as hell. How could the same word mean such very different things? But it doesn't end there.
Another three times this same word is translated as a pit. So we have one word that has been translated as three very different things. A pit is different than a grave. A grave is very different from a fiery eternal place of misery where people are eternally consciously tormented.
A pit is deep hole in the ground. A grave is a hole in the ground where a dead body is placed and then covered up with dirt. Hell in the eyes of orthodoxy is a place where people are kept alive to experience unending agony. Again I have to ask, how can one five letter word be taken to mean three very different things?
If you were to take time to look up every usage of the word Sheol you would immediately you would run into problems if you try to make it fit in with the traditional view of hell.
Let's take a look at one example from the book of Psalms. David is writing and he says: "For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell;" (Psalm 16:10a)
Read the above verse carefully. Think about it as you consider the traditional view of hell. Does this fit in at all? If hell is a place of eternal conscious torment for the ungodly, why would David who Scripture describes as "a man after God's own heart" be sent to hell? On top of that, why would he be sent there temporarily if it really is a place of eternal, unending, forever and ever torment?
Think about it. Why would God inspire David to speak of hell as temporary if this word Sheol has anything at all to do with the orthodox hell? It just doesn't add up.
On the other hand, as you consider that the normal usage of this Hebrew word outside of Scripture simply meant the unseen, you realize that rendering it as the grave or even literally as the unseen would make a lot more sense. After all, when a person is placed in a grave no one can see that person anymore. They are covered up.
By the way, the root of the word hell is the same as helmet. What does a helmet do? It covers up the head. It causes the top of the head to be unseen.
David like every other human being on this planet knew that he would eventually die. He knew that his body would be placed in a grave. But he also knew that death would not be the end for him. He knew that God would not leave him in the grave. He knew that one day there would be a resurrection. That is what he was looking forward to.
As we look at this verse, it should be obvious to us that this is yet another instance where the word Sheol should have simply been translated as the grave.
Audio Blogger and musician James Flanders is a life long student of Scripture who most of his life had never thought to examine the topic of hell. But when he did, he found himself stunned at how the word Sheol was handled by the translators of the King James Version. Hear dozens of his audios on Youtube and his website.
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Sunday, October 27, 2013
Is This Is? There's Got To Be Something Better To Come?
Just this weekend I was talking to someone who sincerely believed that all Bible prophecy has been fulfilled, God's kingdom has arrived, and this is as good as it's going to get. Can that possibly be the case? Is this all God has planned? Is the endless cycle of birth, life, sickness, disease, and death all that God has planned? What purpose would that serve? If this is it, what do we have to look forward to? Was my friend who sincerely believes this is all God has planned missing out on something important? What about those passages about the resurrection? What about the radical idea of the rapture? The short little article below might help shed some light on things.
Is This All There Is Or Is There Something Else To Come?
Take a look at the world around you. Do you believe that God's plan is to simply let things continue on and on as they are?
Watch the news and look at history. We see the same cycle continuing on and on. Each and every day for thousands of years people are being born into a world filled with evil, sin, corruption, and death.
There are some who believe that God's kingdom has already come and been established. If that is the case, can we really say that the world is much different after it's arrival? What has changed? The cycle continues. Children are born to face a world of hardship, grief, sorrow, hunger, heartache, sickness, disease, and ultimately death. Since the time of Adam and Eve death has continued to march on.
Some say that the reason the world has not changed is because people are not doing their part. Some say that if we all simply followed the teachings of Christ everything would be different.
Although I believe that the world would be a better place if each man, woman, and child sought to follow Christ and to love one another to the best of our ability... And I believe that we would see beautiful fruit as a result, such as hunger being diminished, and an end to war, we would still have a major problem. That problem is death. As obvious as it seems, I believe many people are missing that fact.
Think about it. Even if we all decided to be as Jesusy as possible in our interaction with one another... Even if we all decided to eat right, exercise, and take our vitamins... Even if we all believed that Christ died for our sins... Guess what? Time would continue to move forward, we would each grow old, our bodies would begin to wear out, we would grow sick, and eventually die.
Something has to change! Something else has to happen.
Just as death entered into creation, it needs to be removed! These mortal bodies that we wear must go through a transformation and that is exactly what the Apostle Paul tells us will one day happen.
"Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed- in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality." (1 Corinthians 15:51-53)
Praise God that we can live with the hope that one day there will be no more death, no more sorrow, no more sickness, and no more pain! Praise God that at some point we will all be changed.
Watch the news and look at history. We see the same cycle continuing on and on. Each and every day for thousands of years people are being born into a world filled with evil, sin, corruption, and death.
There are some who believe that God's kingdom has already come and been established. If that is the case, can we really say that the world is much different after it's arrival? What has changed? The cycle continues. Children are born to face a world of hardship, grief, sorrow, hunger, heartache, sickness, disease, and ultimately death. Since the time of Adam and Eve death has continued to march on.
Some say that the reason the world has not changed is because people are not doing their part. Some say that if we all simply followed the teachings of Christ everything would be different.
Although I believe that the world would be a better place if each man, woman, and child sought to follow Christ and to love one another to the best of our ability... And I believe that we would see beautiful fruit as a result, such as hunger being diminished, and an end to war, we would still have a major problem. That problem is death. As obvious as it seems, I believe many people are missing that fact.
Think about it. Even if we all decided to be as Jesusy as possible in our interaction with one another... Even if we all decided to eat right, exercise, and take our vitamins... Even if we all believed that Christ died for our sins... Guess what? Time would continue to move forward, we would each grow old, our bodies would begin to wear out, we would grow sick, and eventually die.
Something has to change! Something else has to happen.
Just as death entered into creation, it needs to be removed! These mortal bodies that we wear must go through a transformation and that is exactly what the Apostle Paul tells us will one day happen.
"Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed- in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality." (1 Corinthians 15:51-53)
Praise God that we can live with the hope that one day there will be no more death, no more sorrow, no more sickness, and no more pain! Praise God that at some point we will all be changed.
James Flanders is a blogger (not a pastor) and musician with a
passion for the grace of God and sharing the greatness of what God has
accomplished on our behalf through Christ and that Father has great
plans for us in the future regardless of the frailty of our current
human condition.
http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH8TgnMyX2WnC_lSEMYG7Sg
http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/JamesFlanders
James and his wife Tanya reside in Arizona.
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_T_Flanders
http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH8TgnMyX2WnC_lSEMYG7Sg
http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/JamesFlanders
James and his wife Tanya reside in Arizona.
Friday, October 25, 2013
Is the Book Of Jonah A Work Of Fiction? If So, Why Would Jesus Refer To Him As A Real Guy?
I remember as a child sitting in Sunday school looking at pictures on the wall of Daniel in the lions den, Noah's ark, and Jonah and the big fish. Those pictures and the stories that went along with them seemed absolutely real to me. I had no doubt and no questions at all about the reality of them.
Later in life, I encountered the voices of the critics who very loudly and boldly claimed that all such stories in the Bible are purely fiction. But are they?
It seems that for many, anything and everything miraculous is written off as fiction when it comes to the Bible, especially topics like Jonah and the whale. But what does the Bible itself say about Jonah? Does it treat him as a true historical figure? Or is the story simply an allegory to teach a lesson? Could it be that it is a true account that teaches many lessons? Did Jesus have anything to say about this rebellious prophet?
Today I has happy to find that on his web site James Flanders has begun placing some short audio lessons on the book of Jonah and in the very first one he takes a look at what Christ had to say about the man.
Below is a transcript of the short audio.
Jonah was a guy who had some issues. He had some problems. He was a bit
rebellious. He had a bad attitude. So much so, that when God would tell
him to go one direction Jonah would go the opposite direction.
Jonah's
attitude problems created some more problems along the way, but yet the
beautiful thing about it... the amazing thing about it... is that none
of it took God by surprise. In fact, God had prepared in advance for Jonah's rebelliousness because
God loved Jonah and wanted to do something in Jonah and through Jonah
for Jonah's benefit and also for the benefit of some other people.
Now
when it comes to the book of Jonah, the first thing people think about
is Jonah and the fish. Many even say it is a work of fiction. But let me
tell ya, I believe it's more than just a fish story. I believe it is
the truth. I believe that Jonah was a real person and the things we are
going to read about really happened. Why? Well, first of all, in other
places in the Bible, like Second Kings chapter fourteen verse
twenty-five, Jonah is referred to as a real life guy... an actual person
who lived. It calls him a prophet and even tells us where his hometown
was.
Even more important than what it says in Second Kings, Christ Jesus, Himself referred back to Jonah as a real person. In the Gospel of
Matthew, Jesus was being harassed by the religious leaders (which was a
very common thing) and in the midst of their harassing they said, "Come
on man show us some proof that you are who you claim to be. Give us some
proof that you have the right to be doing and saying the things you are
doing and saying. Give us a sign."
And Jesus in response
basically said this. "An evil and faithless generation seeks after a
sign, but you guys aren't going to get any sign at all except the sign
of the prophet Jonah."
Jonah by the way, had lived quiet a long time before Jesus.
Then
Jesus says this, "For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the
belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three
nights in the heart of the earth."
As Jesus was prophesying about His death and resurrection,
He says, "Just like Jonah was three days and three nights in a fish...
listen buddy... I'm going to be three days and three nights in a grave.
But just as Jonah came up out of that fish, I am going to come up out of
the grave."
We will talk more about Jonah in the coming days.
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
James Flanders Two Minute Audio Devotionals
Recently I found that "The Path Of Grace" site has now started creating short one and two minute audio devotionals from the longer audio programs James Flanders has been producing.
To me this is a welcome addition because it allows me the opportunity to share audios with friends and family who don't have the attention span for the longer audios.
Once great thing about the new devotional recordings is that each one focuses in on only one topic without all the rabbit trails that typically take place in the longer studies.
Along with the shorter audio recordings you can also read written transcripts for each of the audios which is great for the hearing impaired and for those who might want to copy and paste a passage of Scripture into our own notes or to send it to someone else.
I've also found that after listening to the longer audios it's helpful to stumble upon the shorter excepts in the devotionals at a later date because it helps re-enforce what I had heard before.
Here is a sample of one of the written transcripts:
"Now That We're On The Right Track... Stop Looking Back" (Philippians 3)
In Philippians chapter 3, Paul says something that is important for you and me to grasp as we consider our pasts and our future... and what we are planting right now.
He talks about not looking back... and that's a hard thing to do sometimes... it's hard to turn our eyes forward and stop looking back. But we need to stop looking back and instead look forward and press on... and keep moving toward the goal.
Here's what he said in Philippians chapter 3. This is paraphrased.
He said, "I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself as an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back. I'm not looking back! So let’s keep focused on that goal… Now that we’re on the right track, let’s stay on it."
In other words he's saying, "We were off track but now were on track, so let's stay on it!"
"There are many out there taking other paths, choosing other goals, and trying to get you to go along with them. All they want is easy street. But easy street is a dead-end street. Those who live there make their bellies their gods; belches are their praise; all they can think of is their appetites. But there’s far more to life for us. We’re citizens of high heaven! We’re waiting the arrival of the Savior, the Master, Jesus Christ, who will transform our earthy bodies into glorious bodies like his own. He will make us beautiful and whole with the same powerful skill by which he is putting everything as it should be, under and around him."
To me this is a welcome addition because it allows me the opportunity to share audios with friends and family who don't have the attention span for the longer audios.
Once great thing about the new devotional recordings is that each one focuses in on only one topic without all the rabbit trails that typically take place in the longer studies.
Along with the shorter audio recordings you can also read written transcripts for each of the audios which is great for the hearing impaired and for those who might want to copy and paste a passage of Scripture into our own notes or to send it to someone else.
I've also found that after listening to the longer audios it's helpful to stumble upon the shorter excepts in the devotionals at a later date because it helps re-enforce what I had heard before.
Here is a sample of one of the written transcripts:
"Now That We're On The Right Track... Stop Looking Back" (Philippians 3)
In Philippians chapter 3, Paul says something that is important for you and me to grasp as we consider our pasts and our future... and what we are planting right now.
He talks about not looking back... and that's a hard thing to do sometimes... it's hard to turn our eyes forward and stop looking back. But we need to stop looking back and instead look forward and press on... and keep moving toward the goal.
Here's what he said in Philippians chapter 3. This is paraphrased.
He said, "I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself as an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back. I'm not looking back! So let’s keep focused on that goal… Now that we’re on the right track, let’s stay on it."
In other words he's saying, "We were off track but now were on track, so let's stay on it!"
"There are many out there taking other paths, choosing other goals, and trying to get you to go along with them. All they want is easy street. But easy street is a dead-end street. Those who live there make their bellies their gods; belches are their praise; all they can think of is their appetites. But there’s far more to life for us. We’re citizens of high heaven! We’re waiting the arrival of the Savior, the Master, Jesus Christ, who will transform our earthy bodies into glorious bodies like his own. He will make us beautiful and whole with the same powerful skill by which he is putting everything as it should be, under and around him."
Monday, October 14, 2013
Grace, Faith, Works, And Our Weaknesses (are we saved by works or something else?)
Below is a recent article I stumbled upon.
"Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law... " (Galatians 3:3)
Have you ever felt like God would not or could not love you because of your weakness, flaws, or failures? Have you been trying to measure your worth in the eyes of God based upon how well you happen to perform each day? Is the roller coaster ride beginning to make you dizzy?
Good news my friend, we have been redeemed from measuring our value in God's eyes and His acceptance of us based upon personal performance, religious works and rules (the law). Paul now tells us we can come to Christ and rest, knowing that we have been justified and reconciled to God not based upon what we have done, but based upon what Christ has done.
The Apostle Paul tells us in his letter to the Colossians that we have been presented to the Father as holy, blameless, and above reproach and it is not based upon anything we have done, but based upon what Christ, the only begotton Son of God has done for us.
Our ultimate salvation is not based upon us. It is based upon Jesus. That is why we call Christ the Savior. That is why we worship Him. That is why we honor Him, revere Him, and serve Him.
Is this good news or what? Aren't you glad we can rest in His finished work?
"For by grace ye are having been saved, through faith, and this not of you -- of God the gift, not of works, that no one may boast; for of Him we are workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to good works, which God did before prepare, that in them we may walk." (Ephesians 2:8-10)
We have been rescued by God. It's of grace. We have been saved through faith and even that does not rest upon us. Faith is a gift from God. Other passages tell us that it is "the faith of Christ" that saves us.
When it comes to salvation it is all of God and we can rest in it. That's a wonderful thing. Yet, Paul goes on in verse ten letting us know that Father has special work for us to do. In fact, we are called His workmanship. You are his masterpiece. You are an instrument of grace. All of your personal weaknesses and even your failures are what qualify you as a messenger of grace. After all, if we had no weaknesses there would be no need of grace.
In 1st Corinthians chapter one Paul tells us that God calls those who are weak, foolish, and base. He works in and through those who are nothings and nobodies in the eyes of the world.
Guess what? You and I qualify!
Father has works for us to do which He prepared in advance for us to walk in.
Please remember to keep things in order. We are saved by grace, through faith (which is a gift from God), for works. The works do not save us. We are saved for the works which have been prepared beforehand,
If we reverse the order we are putting the cart before the horse and missing the point.
Praise God that we have been rescued from the curse of trying to attain salvation by our own effort. Praise God that we have been saved by His grace. Praise God that we are able to be instruments in His hands to bless others now.
Have you ever felt like God would not or could not love you because of your weakness, flaws, or failures? Have you been trying to measure your worth in the eyes of God based upon how well you happen to perform each day? Is the roller coaster ride beginning to make you dizzy?
Good news my friend, we have been redeemed from measuring our value in God's eyes and His acceptance of us based upon personal performance, religious works and rules (the law). Paul now tells us we can come to Christ and rest, knowing that we have been justified and reconciled to God not based upon what we have done, but based upon what Christ has done.
The Apostle Paul tells us in his letter to the Colossians that we have been presented to the Father as holy, blameless, and above reproach and it is not based upon anything we have done, but based upon what Christ, the only begotton Son of God has done for us.
Our ultimate salvation is not based upon us. It is based upon Jesus. That is why we call Christ the Savior. That is why we worship Him. That is why we honor Him, revere Him, and serve Him.
Is this good news or what? Aren't you glad we can rest in His finished work?
"For by grace ye are having been saved, through faith, and this not of you -- of God the gift, not of works, that no one may boast; for of Him we are workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to good works, which God did before prepare, that in them we may walk." (Ephesians 2:8-10)
We have been rescued by God. It's of grace. We have been saved through faith and even that does not rest upon us. Faith is a gift from God. Other passages tell us that it is "the faith of Christ" that saves us.
When it comes to salvation it is all of God and we can rest in it. That's a wonderful thing. Yet, Paul goes on in verse ten letting us know that Father has special work for us to do. In fact, we are called His workmanship. You are his masterpiece. You are an instrument of grace. All of your personal weaknesses and even your failures are what qualify you as a messenger of grace. After all, if we had no weaknesses there would be no need of grace.
In 1st Corinthians chapter one Paul tells us that God calls those who are weak, foolish, and base. He works in and through those who are nothings and nobodies in the eyes of the world.
Guess what? You and I qualify!
Father has works for us to do which He prepared in advance for us to walk in.
Please remember to keep things in order. We are saved by grace, through faith (which is a gift from God), for works. The works do not save us. We are saved for the works which have been prepared beforehand,
If we reverse the order we are putting the cart before the horse and missing the point.
Praise God that we have been rescued from the curse of trying to attain salvation by our own effort. Praise God that we have been saved by His grace. Praise God that we are able to be instruments in His hands to bless others now.
Arizona native James Flanders is a blogger (Not a pastor) whose
primary focus is encouraging the weak and downtrodden with the good news
of grace. The Gospel of grace has become a passion after years of being
steeped in religion yet missing the point. You can hear hundreds of his audio blogs at: http://www.jamesflanders.com/short-stuff.html
He and his wife Tanya have been playing music together for over twenty years. Here is a link to an early recording (James and Tanya Washed Clean) available on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/washed-clean/id16690587
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_T_Flanders
He and his wife Tanya have been playing music together for over twenty years. Here is a link to an early recording (James and Tanya Washed Clean) available on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/washed-clean/id16690587
Friday, June 7, 2013
An Article Directory
Along with the written transcripts of the audio teachings on the Path of Grace site, it looks like many of the studies are being re-worked into article format to make them easier to read.
If you've been reading the transcripts, you've probably noticed that they don't make for very easy reading. After all, what sounds great in conversation (the flow of words, sentence structure) doesn't always translate well into print. Have you also noticed that often times what looks great on paper doesn't work well for reading aloud?
Here is link to one of the article directories that you might enjoy.
http://www.abcarticledirectory.com/myarticles/James-Flanders-I/291858
If you've been reading the transcripts, you've probably noticed that they don't make for very easy reading. After all, what sounds great in conversation (the flow of words, sentence structure) doesn't always translate well into print. Have you also noticed that often times what looks great on paper doesn't work well for reading aloud?
Here is link to one of the article directories that you might enjoy.
http://www.abcarticledirectory.com/myarticles/James-Flanders-I/291858
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Website Update
It looks like the reconstruction of the main page on James Flanders website is now through. Although it was a bit of a shock to see, since things have looked exactly the same for a year.
I must conclude that I like the changes!
It seems to be much more used friendly and will help first time visitors to find the topics they are looking for quickly and easily.
In the upper left is a link to the most current teaching. Below that are direct links to "Hot Topics" such as universal reconciliation, hell/eternal torment/the lake of fire, suffering, the problem of evil (a great and challenging series of teachings), and a study through the Paul's letter to the Romans.
The right hand column is filled with "Listener Favorites."
It looks like the favorites list was compiled based upon the number of clicks the "like" button received for the teachings.
The new main page has also reminded me that there are certain teachings that are worth listening to more than once because some of them cram way too much content into too short a time and I end up missing a lot the first go round.
Take some time to explore the new website. I believe you will enjoy it.
I must conclude that I like the changes!
It seems to be much more used friendly and will help first time visitors to find the topics they are looking for quickly and easily.
In the upper left is a link to the most current teaching. Below that are direct links to "Hot Topics" such as universal reconciliation, hell/eternal torment/the lake of fire, suffering, the problem of evil (a great and challenging series of teachings), and a study through the Paul's letter to the Romans.
The right hand column is filled with "Listener Favorites."
It looks like the favorites list was compiled based upon the number of clicks the "like" button received for the teachings.
The new main page has also reminded me that there are certain teachings that are worth listening to more than once because some of them cram way too much content into too short a time and I end up missing a lot the first go round.
Take some time to explore the new website. I believe you will enjoy it.
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Was John The Baptist A False Prophet?
It's a simple question that the vast majority of Christians would answer with a resounding NO!
John the Baptist is not only a prophet, but according to Christ he is the greatest of all the prophets!
Ok, if he was the greatest of all the prophets, that would mean that the messages he proclaimed regarding Christ Jesus would have to be one hundred percent true and accurate. Right? Yes!
What was the big prophecy of John? What message was so great? Here it is: "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world."
There you have it. Simple. Powerful. Profound!
Do you really believe it?
If Christ has taken away the sin of the world, then what sin is left to be judged?
If Christ has taken away the sin of the world, then why would you at the same time believe that God will torture people in hell eternally for their sin which you also believe Christ has taken away?
Oh the joys of wading through the muck created by orthodox, religious, tradition, and the teachings of man.
If you have a few minutes, you might enjoy listening to this recent audio from a teacher (James Flanders) who will really make you think.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yn3YSOG6qJY
Could it be that the love, mercy, and grace of God is greater than you ever imagined?
Could it be that the blood of Christ shed upon the hill called Calvary is more powerful and effective than your pastor has ever taught? Could it be that your pastor has never considered the questions above?
John the Baptist is not only a prophet, but according to Christ he is the greatest of all the prophets!
Ok, if he was the greatest of all the prophets, that would mean that the messages he proclaimed regarding Christ Jesus would have to be one hundred percent true and accurate. Right? Yes!
What was the big prophecy of John? What message was so great? Here it is: "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world."
There you have it. Simple. Powerful. Profound!
Do you really believe it?
If Christ has taken away the sin of the world, then what sin is left to be judged?
If Christ has taken away the sin of the world, then why would you at the same time believe that God will torture people in hell eternally for their sin which you also believe Christ has taken away?
Oh the joys of wading through the muck created by orthodox, religious, tradition, and the teachings of man.
If you have a few minutes, you might enjoy listening to this recent audio from a teacher (James Flanders) who will really make you think.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yn3YSOG6qJY
Could it be that the love, mercy, and grace of God is greater than you ever imagined?
Could it be that the blood of Christ shed upon the hill called Calvary is more powerful and effective than your pastor has ever taught? Could it be that your pastor has never considered the questions above?
Monday, May 27, 2013
The Problem Of Evil by A.E. Knoch
In a world filled with very light, touchy feely, self oriented books on the topics of things such as seven steps to your happiest life ever, etc., it has been extremely refreshing, eye opening, and challenging to read a book by the late A.E. Knock entitled "The Problem Of Evil."
I had never heard of Knoch until James Flanders referred to him in passing during an audio teaching last month on his website.
In this book the author tackle topics I have never heard dealt with by any pastor or author. Topics which others seem to run from Knoch tackles head on. Although these topics on the origin of evil and it's purpose will make the average orthodox person (or recovering orthodox person) very uncomfortable, they are very well worth exploring. In the end, the studious person who is not afraid to go for the jugular of truth will grow exponentially through a study such as this and their view of Christ and His work will be greatly expanded. They will experience greater peace as they come to know the greatness of the power, wisdom, and work of God.
At this point, I am not sure how to put into words the impact this book has had on me. All I can say is, at the first opportunity you should read it.
Due to the subject matter, mainstream "Christian" publishers wouldn't touch this book or any like it with a ten foot pole, so you won't find it in your local Lifeway or other Christian trinket shop.
Here is a link to a rare book seller who carries this great work along with many others that will challenge and enrich you as you draw closer to God.
http://www.studyshelf.com/knoch.htm
I had never heard of Knoch until James Flanders referred to him in passing during an audio teaching last month on his website.
In this book the author tackle topics I have never heard dealt with by any pastor or author. Topics which others seem to run from Knoch tackles head on. Although these topics on the origin of evil and it's purpose will make the average orthodox person (or recovering orthodox person) very uncomfortable, they are very well worth exploring. In the end, the studious person who is not afraid to go for the jugular of truth will grow exponentially through a study such as this and their view of Christ and His work will be greatly expanded. They will experience greater peace as they come to know the greatness of the power, wisdom, and work of God.
At this point, I am not sure how to put into words the impact this book has had on me. All I can say is, at the first opportunity you should read it.
Due to the subject matter, mainstream "Christian" publishers wouldn't touch this book or any like it with a ten foot pole, so you won't find it in your local Lifeway or other Christian trinket shop.
Here is a link to a rare book seller who carries this great work along with many others that will challenge and enrich you as you draw closer to God.
http://www.studyshelf.com/knoch.htm
Saturday, May 25, 2013
The Lamb Of God Who Takes Away The Sin Of Who?
Once more as I listened to another audio teaching on James Flanders website I realized that as I've read the Bible for most of my life I haven't been paying attention. How is it that things that are right in front of my eyes can be missed? Is it because my religious tradition was blinding me? Was it because God was keeping my eyes closed for some reason? How is it that even when I would quote the passage in the following teaching transcript that I would do all I could in my mind to explain why it couldn't possibly mean what it says. Yet, in doing that I was completely discrediting Christ and absolutely missing the point John the Baptist was making. Actually, more than simply missing the point John was making, I was actually (without realizing it) calling John a False prophet. How was I doing that? Read the transcript of Flanders teaching below to find out.
In Matthew chapter 11 Jesus was talking to a crowd of people about John the Baptist.
Let me read the passage to you. It’s Matthew chapter 11 verses 7 through 11.
7 As they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. 9 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet. 10 For this is he of whom it is written:
‘Behold, I send My messenger before Your face,
Who will prepare Your way before You.’
11 “Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist;
So… as Jesus talks about John the Baptist, He tells us that John was a prophet, but not just any old prophet. He was a prophet other prophets had prophesied about and Jesus says that out of all the prophets John was the greatest.
Think about that. Jesus calls John the greatest. THE GREATEST PROPHET.
Now, it seems to make sense that if a person is going to be called a prophet then the messages that they proclaim would have to be absolutely true. And so if Christ calls John the GREATEST of all the prophets, oh my goodness without a doubt we would have to say that the messages that John proclaimed, the words of prophecy he spoke would have to be spot on… or else he would not have been the greatest, and I’m not sure we could call him a prophet at all.
If what John proclaimed was not true… and Jesus not only called him a prophet… but the greatest… What would that say about Jesus.
Please think it through… If John wasn’t spot on in His proclamations to the people, you would have to say he wasn’t a prophet, much less the greatest of them.
And if Jesus had called him the greatest among the prophets, but yet John was wrong in his prophesying, then well… that would mean that Jesus was wrong.
If Jesus was wrong in his proclamations about John… Oh my goodness…
Listen. I am convinced that Jesus was absolutely correct in calling John a prophet… and the greatest.
And I am convinced that since John was the greatest of the prophets, then the messages that he spoke, the proclamations he made had to be spot on.
So, what was his big message?
Let me read it to you. This is from John chapter 1 verse 29.
29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
You’ve probably heard those words many times. Maybe you’ve read them many times.
This is the message from the one Christ calls the greatest… a prophet among prophets…
“Behold! The Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”
Do you believe that proclamation is true?
That Christ is THE LAMB OF GOD, WHO TAKES AWAY THE SIN OF…. Who was that?
The what? The world!
The word which has been translated as world in our English translations is the word Kosmos.
Have you ever heard that word before? Kosmos?
Here’s the way it is used in the King James Bible according to Strong’s… here’s how it is defined.
The world, the universe, the circle of the earth, the earth, the inhabitants of the earth, men, the human family, the ungodly multitude; the whole mass of men alienated from God, and therefore hostile to the cause of Christ, world affairs, the aggregate of things earthly, the whole circle of earthly goods, any aggregate or general collection of particulars of any sort, the Gentiles as contrasted to the Jews.
Wow. That is a pretty all encompassing word.
The universe, the world, the human family, the whole mass of humanity, including those that are presently hostile to the cause of Christ.
What was John’s message? “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, the Kosmos.”
He takes away the sin of all the inhabitants of the earth.
Can that mean what it sounds like it means? Is this true? Or was John a false prophet and Jesus just a guy who had no clue what he was talking about when He called John a prophet and said he was the greatest?
Wait a minute. This goes so against the grain of institutionalized religion and tradition, orthodox theology, that there’s gotta be something wrong with the translation. John couldn’t have really meant that Christ would take away the sin of all humanity including those who are hostile to him.
Maybe the original word translated as “takes away” actually mean something other than “takes away.”
After all, there are a few words that have been poorly translated, like the words that were translated as hell in the King James… and the word Aion which is wrongly translated as forever.
Hold on my friend. There is nothing wrong with the translation here.
The term “takes away” is translated from the word Airo. (I ROE)
Let me read you the rather lengthy list of definitions from Strong’s.
1) to raise up, elevate, lift up a) to raise from the ground, take up: stones b) to raise upwards, elevate, c) to draw up: a fish 2) to take upon one's self and carry what has been raised up, to bear 3) to bear away what has been raised, carry off a) to move from its place b) to take off or away what is attached to anything c) to remove d) to carry off, carry away with one e) to appropriate what is taken f) to take away from another what is his or what is committed to him, to take by force g) to take and apply to any use h) to take from among the living, either by a natural death, or by violence i) cause to cease
Oh my goodness… That’s a pretty powerful word!
So, what do you think about the message of John? Is it true? Or was he a false prophet? If he was a false prophet what would that make Jesus?
Here’s the message of John… The Prophecy about Christ!
Behold the LAMB of GOD, who completely lifts up, removes, carries away, takes upon himself, removes from the living, by death, and causes to cease… the SIN of the Kosmos… the universe, the world, the inhabitants of earth, including those who are hostile to him.
Wow… Was that a true prophecy? Or was it false?
I have heard way too many people explain it away and make it much less than what John says. Are they correct in making John a false prophet? Or was Jesus correct in saying John is the greatest among prophets?
There’s a bunch of Scripture I could share at this point, but I just want to leave you with this particular one in mind… along with what we looked at yesterday.
Remember what that passage was?
The angel on the night of Christ’s birth proclaiming to the shepherds, the announcement of all announcements: “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
Good news! Christ the LORD is born. He is a Savior!! I bring you good tidings of great joy for ALL PEOPLE!
And now we see John saying, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”
My friend. This is truly good news. Way better than most people have ever imagined. And sadly, it’s a message that is explained away and watered down… and flat out denied.
My name is James Flanders, and each day, the greatness of the work of Christ, the Lamb of God, blows my mind more and more. How about you?
Thank you for spending time with me today.
Be blessed my friend. Be blessed.
------------
So what do you think after reading that? If John spoke the truth, what are the implications? If Jesus didn't take away the sin of the world, then whose sins did He take away? If having sins taken away rest on the effort of any man or woman, then who is actually doing the saving? Is it Christ or is it the man of the woman?
On another note, what kind of teacher is James Flanders? Is he a heretic because he doesn't parrot what the religious majority teaches? Is he a false teacher? I've had friends tell me so as I've talked to them about these teachings. However, most of them have never actually taken the time to listen or read the things he has to say.
At this point, even if he is way wrong, one thing is for sure. The things he has to say have really pushed me to study the Scripture with more zeal and fervency and that's a good thing. I pray that God will continue to lead me toward the truth.
Lot's of his teachings are being uploaded to YouTube. You can find them at the link below.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH8TgnMyX2WnC_lSEMYG7Sg?feature=watch
Some other websites are starting to post his articles as well.
http://www.content4reprint.com/religion-and-spirituality/a-life-altering-dinner-conversation.htm
John The Baptist: Greatest Prophet Or False Prophet?
Transcript of Audio Recording Click Here To ListenIn Matthew chapter 11 Jesus was talking to a crowd of people about John the Baptist.
Let me read the passage to you. It’s Matthew chapter 11 verses 7 through 11.
7 As they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. 9 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet. 10 For this is he of whom it is written:
‘Behold, I send My messenger before Your face,
Who will prepare Your way before You.’
11 “Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist;
So… as Jesus talks about John the Baptist, He tells us that John was a prophet, but not just any old prophet. He was a prophet other prophets had prophesied about and Jesus says that out of all the prophets John was the greatest.
Think about that. Jesus calls John the greatest. THE GREATEST PROPHET.
Now, it seems to make sense that if a person is going to be called a prophet then the messages that they proclaim would have to be absolutely true. And so if Christ calls John the GREATEST of all the prophets, oh my goodness without a doubt we would have to say that the messages that John proclaimed, the words of prophecy he spoke would have to be spot on… or else he would not have been the greatest, and I’m not sure we could call him a prophet at all.
If what John proclaimed was not true… and Jesus not only called him a prophet… but the greatest… What would that say about Jesus.
Please think it through… If John wasn’t spot on in His proclamations to the people, you would have to say he wasn’t a prophet, much less the greatest of them.
And if Jesus had called him the greatest among the prophets, but yet John was wrong in his prophesying, then well… that would mean that Jesus was wrong.
If Jesus was wrong in his proclamations about John… Oh my goodness…
Listen. I am convinced that Jesus was absolutely correct in calling John a prophet… and the greatest.
And I am convinced that since John was the greatest of the prophets, then the messages that he spoke, the proclamations he made had to be spot on.
So, what was his big message?
Let me read it to you. This is from John chapter 1 verse 29.
29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
You’ve probably heard those words many times. Maybe you’ve read them many times.
This is the message from the one Christ calls the greatest… a prophet among prophets…
“Behold! The Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”
Do you believe that proclamation is true?
That Christ is THE LAMB OF GOD, WHO TAKES AWAY THE SIN OF…. Who was that?
The what? The world!
The word which has been translated as world in our English translations is the word Kosmos.
Have you ever heard that word before? Kosmos?
Here’s the way it is used in the King James Bible according to Strong’s… here’s how it is defined.
The world, the universe, the circle of the earth, the earth, the inhabitants of the earth, men, the human family, the ungodly multitude; the whole mass of men alienated from God, and therefore hostile to the cause of Christ, world affairs, the aggregate of things earthly, the whole circle of earthly goods, any aggregate or general collection of particulars of any sort, the Gentiles as contrasted to the Jews.
Wow. That is a pretty all encompassing word.
The universe, the world, the human family, the whole mass of humanity, including those that are presently hostile to the cause of Christ.
What was John’s message? “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, the Kosmos.”
He takes away the sin of all the inhabitants of the earth.
Can that mean what it sounds like it means? Is this true? Or was John a false prophet and Jesus just a guy who had no clue what he was talking about when He called John a prophet and said he was the greatest?
Wait a minute. This goes so against the grain of institutionalized religion and tradition, orthodox theology, that there’s gotta be something wrong with the translation. John couldn’t have really meant that Christ would take away the sin of all humanity including those who are hostile to him.
Maybe the original word translated as “takes away” actually mean something other than “takes away.”
After all, there are a few words that have been poorly translated, like the words that were translated as hell in the King James… and the word Aion which is wrongly translated as forever.
Hold on my friend. There is nothing wrong with the translation here.
The term “takes away” is translated from the word Airo. (I ROE)
Let me read you the rather lengthy list of definitions from Strong’s.
1) to raise up, elevate, lift up a) to raise from the ground, take up: stones b) to raise upwards, elevate, c) to draw up: a fish 2) to take upon one's self and carry what has been raised up, to bear 3) to bear away what has been raised, carry off a) to move from its place b) to take off or away what is attached to anything c) to remove d) to carry off, carry away with one e) to appropriate what is taken f) to take away from another what is his or what is committed to him, to take by force g) to take and apply to any use h) to take from among the living, either by a natural death, or by violence i) cause to cease
Oh my goodness… That’s a pretty powerful word!
So, what do you think about the message of John? Is it true? Or was he a false prophet? If he was a false prophet what would that make Jesus?
Here’s the message of John… The Prophecy about Christ!
Behold the LAMB of GOD, who completely lifts up, removes, carries away, takes upon himself, removes from the living, by death, and causes to cease… the SIN of the Kosmos… the universe, the world, the inhabitants of earth, including those who are hostile to him.
Wow… Was that a true prophecy? Or was it false?
I have heard way too many people explain it away and make it much less than what John says. Are they correct in making John a false prophet? Or was Jesus correct in saying John is the greatest among prophets?
There’s a bunch of Scripture I could share at this point, but I just want to leave you with this particular one in mind… along with what we looked at yesterday.
Remember what that passage was?
The angel on the night of Christ’s birth proclaiming to the shepherds, the announcement of all announcements: “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
Good news! Christ the LORD is born. He is a Savior!! I bring you good tidings of great joy for ALL PEOPLE!
And now we see John saying, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”
My friend. This is truly good news. Way better than most people have ever imagined. And sadly, it’s a message that is explained away and watered down… and flat out denied.
My name is James Flanders, and each day, the greatness of the work of Christ, the Lamb of God, blows my mind more and more. How about you?
Thank you for spending time with me today.
Be blessed my friend. Be blessed.
------------
So what do you think after reading that? If John spoke the truth, what are the implications? If Jesus didn't take away the sin of the world, then whose sins did He take away? If having sins taken away rest on the effort of any man or woman, then who is actually doing the saving? Is it Christ or is it the man of the woman?
On another note, what kind of teacher is James Flanders? Is he a heretic because he doesn't parrot what the religious majority teaches? Is he a false teacher? I've had friends tell me so as I've talked to them about these teachings. However, most of them have never actually taken the time to listen or read the things he has to say.
At this point, even if he is way wrong, one thing is for sure. The things he has to say have really pushed me to study the Scripture with more zeal and fervency and that's a good thing. I pray that God will continue to lead me toward the truth.
Lot's of his teachings are being uploaded to YouTube. You can find them at the link below.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH8TgnMyX2WnC_lSEMYG7Sg?feature=watch
Some other websites are starting to post his articles as well.
http://www.content4reprint.com/religion-and-spirituality/a-life-altering-dinner-conversation.htm
Friday, May 24, 2013
Good Tidings Of Great Joy! But For Who?
After a very heavy and mind numbing series on the problem of evil and asking tough questions about whether or not God works in and through evil... or even sends it (for instance God sending a tormenting evil spirit upon Saul), it was great to visit the Path of Grace website to find that series is over. It was good stuff, but after five of those teachings my head was spinning.
The new series seems to be something more people will be able to follow and understand.
The transcript of the first teaching (which is below) explains what it's about.
Enjoy!
--------
Hey there my friend,
This is James Flanders and I am so glad that you are here
with me today. Last night I didn’t get the opportunity to really sleep much, but
today I have had the opportunity to have a whole lot of coffee, so I’m a little
bit spazzy. So please bear with me.
Over the next several days here’s what I want to do. I want
to share with you passage after passage of Scripture which paint a beautiful
picture of God’s ultimate plans for humanity being much more than what the
religious institutions give God credit for. These are passages that not only
reveal the heart of Father being one of love, but which also help us to see the
glorious and amazing, far reaching effects of what Christ accomplished on the
cross of Calvary and what He is ultimately going to do.
Now, today as we begin to look at these passages, I want to
ask you to do two things for me as a favor. OK? Good. Thank you.
Here’s what I want you to do. First of all, please jot down
these references so that you can look them up later and stare at them with your
Bible in hand asking Father to give you ears to hear what He is speaking
through them.
Secondly, as I share these with you, try to listen with
fresh ears. Do what you can to set aside any preconceived religious ideas that
might cause you to try and explain the truth away. Keeping in mind just one
thing, the word Gospel means good news! The Evangel we have been given is to be
a message of good news. We have good news to share! Good news to celebrate!
Good news we can hope in. Good news we can rest in!
Alright, you ready? Here we go.
Do you remember what the angel announced to the shepherds on
the night of Jesus birth? You’ve probably heard the passage a million times. In
a Charlie Brown Christmas Linus read it.
In Luke chapter 2 verses 8 through 11, listen to what the
angel said. This is the announcement accompanying the birth of the only begotten
Son of God.
Luke 2 verses 8 through 11.
When I read these words, I want to cry because it’s so good.
8 Now
there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping
watch over their flock by night. 9 And
behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone
around them, and they were greatly afraid.
Hhhmmm… Fear. Does that sound like something a lot of folks
are experiencing today in the world we live in? Fear. Is it something people
have always dealt with?
10 Then
the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings
of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For
there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the
Lord.
It was a proclamation. It was an announcement of very good
news. “I bring you good tidings of great joy for who?
Good tidings of great joy for ALL PEOPLE!” Not just a few.
Not just a tiny minority who happened to live in the right geographical
location to hear the message at the right point in time. Nope, this is good
news for ALL people. I take that to mean all who have ever lived and all who
will ever live at any place and at any time.
The angel said I bring glad tidings… good news for all
people… Good tidings that will lead to great joy for all people!
And here’s the news: “For there is born to you this day in the
city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord!”
Have you ever heard of anyone needing a Savior? Let me ask
you, have you checked the statistics on death for all of humanity? Those statistics
are staggering! There is a one hundred percent death rate.
From the moment Adam ate the fruit until now, we’ve have
been born with death dwelling in us. That realization gnaws at us. We do all we
can to avoid it because we’re scared of it. We’re afraid. We see it all around us. Some die young, some
die old. But regardless all people are in the process of dying and there is
nothing we can do to stop it.
If you’ve lived any length of time, you have closed the lid
on at least one casket containing someone you love. You have dropped a handful
of dirt into their grave and choked back the tears. You have experienced the
agony and the pain of sorrow and grief.
But this angelic proclamation is truly good news! That
greatest enemy… The enemy of enemies… Death… It does not have the final say.
Death does not win. Love wins!
The Apostle Paul tells us in 1st Corinthians
chapter 15 verse 26 that ultimately on the agenda of the babe born in Bethlehem
is that He will destroy death itself.
Again, that’s 1st Corinthians chapter 15 verse
26.
Not only will we be raised from the dead thanks to the
sinless One who died and was also raised, but we will be raised up and death
itself will be destroyed to no longer gnaw at or instill fear in anyone! Eventually
everything is going to change, but right now, we need a Savior and according to
that angelic messenger sent from the throne of God’s grace, this is good news,
good tidings for all people because a Savior was born. He is Christ the Lord.
I want you to notice that the angel did not say a potential
Savior has been born, which is what religion teaches. Religion teaches that
Jesus kind of only sort of got part of the saving done. He is the potential
Savior of everyone, but and it’s up to you and me to somehow complete what He
didn’t finish. We have to do something to merit it.
If that were true, then Christ could not be called the
Savior because we in effect would be saving ourselves through our own effort or
merit. That cannot be!
The good news is that our Savior was born and Scripture
teaches us that He succeeded at what He came to do! The message Paul the
Apostle makes clear to you and me is that it is all of grace. It is purely a
gift, given gratuitously to humanity by God.
Some believe sooner. Some believe later. But Scripture tells
me one day all will be believe. All will bow. All will confess that Jesus
Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. I’m getting ahead of myself, stepping into some passages
that I wanted to reserve for a few days from now.
I pray though that you would believe it.. that you would rejoice
in it.. and that you would rest in it right here right now, and that you would
share it with somebody else because this is good news the world needs to hear.
My name is James Flanders. Thank you for spending this time
with me. Be blessed my friend. Be blessed.
-----
Here is a link to the original audio: http://www.jamesflanders.com/3/post/2013/05/good-tidings-of-great-joy.html
Thursday, May 23, 2013
"Life Altering Dinner Conversation" or "The Contradications Of The Orthodox Good News"
I found an article that was based upon an audio James Flanders did several months back that I wanted to share here.
It's hard to read due to the content. It seems a bit sarcastic in places, but I think the sarcasm was necessary to make the point.
Keep in mind as you read it that the term orthodoxy basically refers to accepted or popular thought within religious institutions.
Enjoy!
---------------
Have you
ever been confused by the message of orthodoxy? I have.
Let me share with you in condensed form, the confusing and somewhat
contradictory message which is often presented. Then I will share the response
I heard from a non-orthodox person during a dinner conversation a few years
ago.
The following is the good news as presented by some.
“The majority of mankind is going to burn in hell forever
and ever and ever and only a few will be saved. Every day hundreds of thousands
of people are dying and instantaneously being catapulted into the fiery flames
of hell where they will be eternally tormented with no possibility of even
slight relief much less deliverance. This tormenting and agony will last
forever and ever and ever. God unconditionally loves all mankind. There is nothing
anyone can do to cause God to love them more and nothing they can do to cause
Him to love then less. However, if those poor souls born on the other side of
the world or in some remote jungle somewhere are not reached with this good
news of the love of GOD, and unless they believe God loves them before they
breath their last breath, God has no choice but to cast them into hell to be
tortured relentlessly without end, because He is a just GOD. Torturing them
forever in fire breaks God’s heard because He loves them so much. You must
understand that because of the sin of Adam all of mankind was plunged into the
condition of being born into sin and death, but yet that condition brought upon
them by Adam is the responsibility of each individual. Therefore, the only
righteous thing for God to do (GOD by the way, whose mercy is new every morning
and who is defined by the Apostle John as love) has no choice but to show no
mercy and endlessly torture those who don’t have a chance to hear this good
news, along with those who do hear but failed to make the right decision before
they breathed their last breath. Sadly, their will to not believe God loved
them so much trumps God’s will to redeem them. It breaks God’s heart that he
must torture them forever. Jesus did try really hard with His sacrifice on the
cross. He tried His best with redemption, but in reality it all rests on the
shoulders of humanity to save themselves through an act of their own will. You
see, the hard heartedness of man is the problem. True, the Bible teaches that
it is God who blinds eyes and hardens hearts but the responsibility for it lies
squarely upon the shoulders of each individual. Again, we must repeat that it
was Adam’s fall that placed all of us under death and sin and true the Bible
does say that where sin abounded grace abounded much more, but it apparently only
abounds much more for those who hear the message, respond, and then do all the
right things for the rest of their life. Although grace is defined as unmerited
favor, grace doesn’t cover the sins of the poor slob that we Americans didn’t
reach with this simple and straight forward message of the good news of the
loving GOD whose son bled and died for all the sin of the world. Therefore, their
damnations is also the fault of those who failed to reach them. On a positive
note, there is a loophole for babies who die in the womb as a result of
abortion. They are instantly transported into heaven. There is also a loophole
for children who make it through to delivery, but only up to a certain age (although
no one knows exactly what age). If they reach that age, hear the good news of
the loving GOD, but they are too stupid to respond, or fail to get baptized,
attend regular services, etc. they are doomed. The blood of Christ the Lamb of
God who takes away the sin of the world doesn’t take away their sin. Realize that
regardless of whether the unbeliever lived fifteen years or 100 years, the
justice of God requires that they burn alive in fire without end for all
eternity because that is true justice and the penalty which they deserve for
the sin of Adam and their own unbelief (regardless of whether they have heard
of Christ or not). Yes, God calls us to love our enemies, bless those who
persecute us and to do good to those who spitefully use us. He also tells us
not to be overcome with evil but to overcome evil with good. However, that is
not the way of God. You see, God’s ways are not our ways. In the economy of
GOD, eternal torture is good and just.”
Some within orthodoxy will add another loophole or two for
escaping eternal torment In other words, they add another way of salvation.
Such as…
“There is also a loophole for those who are developmentally
challenged mentally. If they die, they escape hell because of their poor mental
state. However those with physical disabilities do not get the same gracious free
ride. Those who are physically disabled must also do a few things to merit the
unmerited unconditional love of GOD. They need to repent, be baptized, attend
weekly services, etc. in order to receive this absolutely free gift or they
will be cast forever alive into fire, where their nerves will be laid raw and
the indescribable pain will be relentless forever and ever as we rest in joy on
the bosom of Abraham watching them squirm. This is glorious good news! Praise
GOD for HIS mercy and grace. What an indescribable gift! True, the Bible tells
us that the wages of sin is death and the gift of God is eternal life, but when
the Bible speaks of death, it doesn’t mean death. It means to be tortured
forever and ever in fire. True, the Bible speaks of salvation being a free
gift, but there are things you have to do…”
Now let me share with you a paraphrase of the response of a
non-orthodox friend who had just been exposed to the confusion above. The
following statements were made at dinner with a half dozen or so people around
the table.
“What are you saying? You are making no sense! Your message
contradicts itself over and over! You’re placing a lot of conditions on what
you say is unconditional and making up loopholes that I bet you can’t find in
the Bible. On top of that I don’t think you believe what you are saying anyway.
If you really believe all of that, why do you protest abortion? Shouldn’t you
be pro-abortion? After all if a baby is aborted that’s a sure way to guarantee
that the kid will escape the forever and ever fiery flames of hell and be
guaranteed a place on Abrahams chest where he can then watch with glee as his
siblings that were born but were too dumb to take the deal burn forever and
ever on the other side of the chasm.”
He went on…
“Wasn’t there a woman in the news who killed her children so
that they would not reach the so called age of accountability? She really
believed your doctrine and thought it best to place herself in danger of non-stop
eternal hellfire for the sake of being assured her children would never face
it. So she drowned them, believing she would instantaneously send them into the
so called unconditionally loving arms of GOD who WILLS all to be saved and who
sent HIS son to take away the sin of the world but who according to your
doctrine failed miserably and whose act of obedience and its effects pale in
comparison to the far reaching effects of Adam when he ate the fruit in the
garden. What if you are missing something? What if Jesus was actually a
success? What if He really is THE SAVIOR rather than a potential Savior? What
if you really have good news to share with the world? What if God loves people
more than you ever imagined and you are called to love them in the same way
whether they believe yet or not. Doesn’t your Bible say that one day every knee
will bow and every tongue confess to the glory of God the Father? Doesn’t it
say something about God becoming all in all? Doesn’t it say something about God
reconciling all things to Himself?
When he finished, everyone sat quietly at the table, not
sure what to say.
-------
Be sure to visit James on Facebook and YouTube.
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Why Did God Plant That Tree?
Imagine what it would be like for you right now to be
whisked away to The Garden of Eden.
For you and me living where we live, in this age, having
experienced all that we have experienced, seeing all that we have seen, the
thought of Eden is mind blowing.
If we found ourselves there, we would so very much
appreciate it. We’d be giddy with delight and singing songs of praise! Since we
would be able to contrast it with where we are, right now, we would understand
and appreciate Eden as a paradise.
On the other hand, if you’ve ever read the first few
chapters of Genesis you have probably noticed that not even once do we see Adam
expressing any appreciation, thankfulness, or praise to God.
Adam was surrounded by absolute goodness, but had no
knowledge of that good. He didn’t know that perfect health was good, He didn’t
know that having wonderful tasty fruit readily available was good. He didn’t
know that having Eve by his side in all of her beauty was good. Because he had nothing to compare it to he
could not comprehend the goodness of Eden. So in that Garden, God planted a
tree.
It was called the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Although
that’s what it’s called, typically we don’t see it or understand it as being
what GOD calls it. We tend to see it as being the tree of the knowledge of
evil, But that’s not what it was called. It was the tree of the knowledge of
GOOD and evil.
The name of that tree helps us to see that Adam although he
was surrounded by goodness, had no clue, no understanding, no appreciation, and
no knowledge of it. Because Adam had nothing to contrast good with, he could
not comprehend it and therefore had zero thankfulness.
We tend to imagine Adam and Eve being in perfect bliss, totally
giddy with joy over their living conditions, but that’s because in our
imaginations we have a point of reference. We
have experienced hardship, pain, sorrow, and grief. But Adam and Eve had
no clue. So God planted the Tree to serve a purpose.
When you begin to understand the purpose, you will begin to see
the greatness of God’s ultimate plan, and where all things ultimately lead at
the end of the ages… the end of the eons. You begin to see that in every
respect God’s plan was good, and works for the good of all His creation.
The Apostle Paul tells us that God works all things
according to the council of His will, which means that what happened in Eden,
including what the Adversary would do was part of God’s plan from before the
beginning. Satan, in his attempts at making a mess of things, which he did from
the temporal human perspective, would actually be accomplishing the ultimate
will of God. In the same way that later when the Adversary would work so hard
behind the scenes to take Christ to the cross, which from the human perspective
seemed to be a victory, was actually God accomplishing His redemptive will.
Was God’s will thwarted when Christ was crucified? Nope.
God’s will was accomplished.
Christ Himself prayed in the Garden, “Father if there is any
other way, let this cup pass from me, nevertheless, not my will but yours be
done.”
God’s will was done. Christ was crucified. The adversary and
his scheming actually fulfilled God’s purpose and I’m convinced it was the same
in the Garden.
Adam having his eyes opened, knowing good and evil, and
death entering in was not God’s plan gone awry. It was not God’s will being
thwarted. It was not creation slipping through Father’s fingers. It was all
part of His grand design which would will eventually take all of His creation
in the heavenlies and on earth to a place of appreciation, joy, happiness, and
praise that could not otherwise have been experienced.
How could Adam appreciate perfect health when he had no
understanding of disease? He couldn’t!He had an abundance of food but it meant
nothing to him because he had never felt deep hunger, much less a famine.
What we looking back at and imagine as pure pleasure between
Adam and Eve who were the perfect physical specimens of manhood and womanhood,
apparently it didn’t mean much to them. They could not truly appreciate
pleasure because they had never known the pain which you and I have known.
In Scripture we don’t read anything about them expressing
thankfulness or having an appreciation for the amazing blessings that they were
surrounded with. The goodness of GOD was not even acknowledged by them. Even
though they were immersed in it, it was meaningless.
Adam was incapable of love, adoration, and worship because
of what he did not know. So, in the wisdom of God, He planted the tree. The
tree didn’t just spring up and take God by surprise. The adversary didn’t plant
it. God planted the tree.
True, the serpent came and tempted them and they ate of the
tree, but who created the serpent? If his very existence was not part of God’s
plan, then who or what thwarted the will of God All-mighty? Would not God’s
will being thwarted make God less than All-mighty?
My friend, what is commonly referred to as the “fall of man”
actually set in motion the very forces that would remedy the defect which
caused them to eat from the tree in the first place.
The goodness, love, mercy, and grace of GOD could be known through
the events that took place.
God is light. However, light can never be known or
appreciated without the existence of darkness.
Think about the stars. They are constantly shining. Yet, we
can only see them when darkness comes. If it weren’t for the darkness we would
never see their beauty.
How does this work? It’s simple. All things are known
through contrast. Contrast is a necessary part of knowing. Without contrast
there is no knowing.
Something else, it’s obvious, but I have to say it. God did
not plant two trees. There was not a tree of the knowledge of good and separate
which was for the knowledge of evil. It was one tree because the one cannot be
known without the other. We only know good when it is contrasted with evil and
vice versa.
How can a God who is good, who is called love, reveal
Himself without contrast? Apparently He can’t, so He did things as He did,
created what he created for the good of all His creation with the ultimate goal
of fully engaging the affection of all His creation.
That’s what Paul tells us in 1st Corinthians
chapter 15, although He words it a bit differently than that. See if you can
find it.
Imagine how much of a drudgery might it have been to forever
experience perfect goodness but to never know it. God wants us to know it.
That’s why He planted that tree knowing exactly what the result would be.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)