At the risk of seeming to be overly clinical and trite, I would like to paint a potted history of man's relationship with God. I know this is ambitious and risky, but here goes........
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
God created the heavens and the earth. He also created man (Adam) in his own likeness and placed him on the earth. Tempted by Satan, Adam decided to make his own judgements about right and wrong and went his own way rather than follow God's leading. In this way he "died", he moved out of fellowship with God and became independent of Him.
Adam's descendants followed the same lifestyle, and sin and rebellion against God's leadership ravaged the planet, so God decided to start again.
Saving the only righteous family on earth at the time (Noah's), God removed the remainder of the earth's population in a world-wide flood.
Noah's family had the opportunity to make a fresh start in God-man relationships, but it wasn't long before Satan's influence persuaded men to follow the old ways of Adam.
God selected one nation (Israel) to be the example to others and to spread the news about how to live in harmony and intimacy with God and gave her a written code of conduct to follow.
But again, it all went wrong as Israel followed Satan's promptings to create their own codes of conduct and to rebel against God's authority and leadership.
Instead of starting yet again, God sent Jesus to pay the penalty for man's sin and rebellion, and to provide the way to re-establish fellowship with God for all of earth's inhabitants. Those who became followers of The Way became a new nation (the Church), comprised of all followers regardless of which physical nation they belonged to.
Those in Israel who refused to become followers of The Way were removed from the earth, God now using his new spiritual nation to be the example to others and to spread the news about how to live in harmony and fellowship with Himself.
The Church was given God's Holy Spirit to follow rather than a written code of conduct like Israel's, but the church is failing as Israel did. Her example is lacking in quality and integrity, and her influence is compromised in most parts of the globe. Hence Satan's influence continues to dominate the conduct of world affairs and the behaviour of men.
God will eventually judge the world again, saving those who know Him and live in harmony with Him to be co-rulers with Him in the next age, often called the Millenium.
The Millenium will be a guaranteed success as the influence of Satan is to be removed for its duration.
At the end of the Millenium, all those not alive during that age - those who had been removed from the earth in previous ages through physical death of one sort or another without knowing God - will be raised, judged and sentenced to the appropriate "punishment" that will bring them to repentance and reconciliation.
In this way, all things will be restored, all of God's creation will be in harmony with him and the ages will have been completed, having served their purpose.
All of God's creation will then join Him and enjoy Him in eternity.
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Rog, that now gives us 4 new posts since we last talked. See you tonight. Barry
Monday, July 19, 2010
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Questions and/or Objections to the GRACE view
Hi Everyone
I thought I would set up an area where questions can be asked about the view that God will Reconcile All through Christ Eventually.
Questions relating to a topic already posted can be asked and discussed in the Comments section attached to that posting, but we need a space for general questions or for questions relating to topics for which there is not yet a posting. So here it is.
Just add questions in the Comments section of this post, and discussion can continue there also.
For if God did not spare the angels who sinned...and did not spare the ancient world... making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly...then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment. From 2 Peter 2:4-9 (NKJ)
Have just been reading all your blogs about God being a loving God who will save all , then the daily email I get had this as an opener ... wondering if it is a literal translation..just a coincidence it turned up ...how does this fit in ???
love Lizzie
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
The Death of Death
One of the most exciting parts of God's plan for us is revealed by Paul in 1 Cor 15 : 20 - 28. First Corinthians 15 is known as the resurrection chapter - a sneak peek into some aspects of the future.
These few verses from the resurrection chapter give us an overview of the purpose, the process and the final result of God's program during the ages on earth, the highlight of which is God's promise to resurrect all of his creation to life and to destroy death.
Death is probably our worst enemy, the thing we fear most, especially as we head towards the twilight years of our lives or find ourselves in a life-threatening situation. So it is very exciting to hear from Paul that death will eventually be destroyed, no longer to exist.
Can you even imagine a world without sin or death? Well, it's coming ...... but not for a while. Let's examine these verses and see how we get to it.
"But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ's at His coming. Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power." [1 Cor 15 : 20 - 24 NKJV]
Just as exciting as waiting for death to be destroyed, Paul tells us that death is not even to be feared now. Jesus showed by his resurrection that death could be overcome and Paul tells us that Jesus, in doing that, became the firstfruits of all who die.
The firstfruits was a concept that every one of Paul's contemporaries would have understood. We can read about it in Leviticus 23. Just before the main barley harvest, a few sheaves were harvested and offered to God. These were called the firstfruits of the crop. No barley could be bought or sold, no bread could be made from new flour, until the firstfruits had been presented and accepted. The firstfruits were a sign or guarantee of the harvest to come. Paul, in using this familiar picture, was proclaiming that the resurrection of Jesus was a sign or guarantee of the resurrection of all who had died or would die.
In God's plan, a man, Adam, was used to introduce death into the human race; and equally a man would be needed to take it out again. That Man was Jesus who, through his resurrection, brought life back to humankind, indeed became the guarantee that all afflicted by the death of Adam would receive life through Jesus.
Paul emphasises how comprehensive both of these actions were. Death came to all of us because of one man's actions; life will come to all of us because of another Man's actions.
An interesting aside here is to consider that neither the action of Adam, nor the response of Christ, required our permission or "freewill" acceptance. We were not even consulted on the matter. Adam threw us into the realm of death and Jesus thrust us back into life again. All of us. And we had no say in any of it.
Indeed, if life is not the result of Jesus' actions, we would have to conclude that Adam was more effective than Jesus. And if that were the case, we would be saying that the created being (Adam) was more powerful than the Creator (Jesus), or, that death in Adam was more powerful than life in Christ.
Paul then describes the order in which this resurrection to life will occur. Christ first, of course, then those who belong to him at his coming, his saints, then the end group, those who are last to gain life. It is after the resurrection of this end group that Jesus hands his kingdom over to his Father since the work he has been given to do has now been completed - all have now been resurrected to life and there is no rule or authority or power remaining other than his.
Isn't this so exciting? Even as I am writing this, I am having to stop to celebrate. Wow! Praise God!
"For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. For he “has put everything under his feet.” Now when it says that “everything” has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ. When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all." [1 Cor 15 : 25 - 28 TNIV]
Paul explains further that Jesus could not hand his kingdom over to God until all opposition to it had been subdued. As with all of us, all opposition to God's plan in our lives is dissolved when God gives us the faith to repent of our sin, acknowledge Jesus as Saviour and Lord, and willingly submit to his kingly rule in our lives.
We are then told what is the last opposition and hindrance to his kingdom to be subdued, to be destroyed. Many think that Satan will be the last. But no, it is death, spiritual death. Death is the consequence of sin which separates us from God and his Lordship in our lives.
Adam and Eve sinned, and experienced death and separation from God when they decided to go their own way and make their own choices about what was right and wrong rather than obey God and follow his directions.
If death is destroyed at the end, then only life can be remaining. No-one any longer will suffer death and therefore separation from God; everyone will be alive, reconciled to God and in fellowship with him.
Why should we ever think that this would not be the case? Who would think that even an earthly parent would not want to use all the resources available to them to ensure their family lived in harmony with them forever? And why should not God, the most loving and resource-rich parent of all, not arrange such a happy and victorious ending for himself and his family?
It's not a matter of who gets there and who doesn't. Nor is a matter of who gets there first. We all get there in the end - all of God's creation alive and in fellowship with God and with each other.
That's the result of death being destroyed - the death of death - all will be alive. Wow!
These few verses from the resurrection chapter give us an overview of the purpose, the process and the final result of God's program during the ages on earth, the highlight of which is God's promise to resurrect all of his creation to life and to destroy death.
Death is probably our worst enemy, the thing we fear most, especially as we head towards the twilight years of our lives or find ourselves in a life-threatening situation. So it is very exciting to hear from Paul that death will eventually be destroyed, no longer to exist.
Can you even imagine a world without sin or death? Well, it's coming ...... but not for a while. Let's examine these verses and see how we get to it.
"But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ's at His coming. Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power." [1 Cor 15 : 20 - 24 NKJV]
Just as exciting as waiting for death to be destroyed, Paul tells us that death is not even to be feared now. Jesus showed by his resurrection that death could be overcome and Paul tells us that Jesus, in doing that, became the firstfruits of all who die.
The firstfruits was a concept that every one of Paul's contemporaries would have understood. We can read about it in Leviticus 23. Just before the main barley harvest, a few sheaves were harvested and offered to God. These were called the firstfruits of the crop. No barley could be bought or sold, no bread could be made from new flour, until the firstfruits had been presented and accepted. The firstfruits were a sign or guarantee of the harvest to come. Paul, in using this familiar picture, was proclaiming that the resurrection of Jesus was a sign or guarantee of the resurrection of all who had died or would die.
In God's plan, a man, Adam, was used to introduce death into the human race; and equally a man would be needed to take it out again. That Man was Jesus who, through his resurrection, brought life back to humankind, indeed became the guarantee that all afflicted by the death of Adam would receive life through Jesus.
Paul emphasises how comprehensive both of these actions were. Death came to all of us because of one man's actions; life will come to all of us because of another Man's actions.
An interesting aside here is to consider that neither the action of Adam, nor the response of Christ, required our permission or "freewill" acceptance. We were not even consulted on the matter. Adam threw us into the realm of death and Jesus thrust us back into life again. All of us. And we had no say in any of it.
Indeed, if life is not the result of Jesus' actions, we would have to conclude that Adam was more effective than Jesus. And if that were the case, we would be saying that the created being (Adam) was more powerful than the Creator (Jesus), or, that death in Adam was more powerful than life in Christ.
Paul then describes the order in which this resurrection to life will occur. Christ first, of course, then those who belong to him at his coming, his saints, then the end group, those who are last to gain life. It is after the resurrection of this end group that Jesus hands his kingdom over to his Father since the work he has been given to do has now been completed - all have now been resurrected to life and there is no rule or authority or power remaining other than his.
Isn't this so exciting? Even as I am writing this, I am having to stop to celebrate. Wow! Praise God!
"For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. For he “has put everything under his feet.” Now when it says that “everything” has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ. When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all." [1 Cor 15 : 25 - 28 TNIV]
Paul explains further that Jesus could not hand his kingdom over to God until all opposition to it had been subdued. As with all of us, all opposition to God's plan in our lives is dissolved when God gives us the faith to repent of our sin, acknowledge Jesus as Saviour and Lord, and willingly submit to his kingly rule in our lives.
We are then told what is the last opposition and hindrance to his kingdom to be subdued, to be destroyed. Many think that Satan will be the last. But no, it is death, spiritual death. Death is the consequence of sin which separates us from God and his Lordship in our lives.
Adam and Eve sinned, and experienced death and separation from God when they decided to go their own way and make their own choices about what was right and wrong rather than obey God and follow his directions.
If death is destroyed at the end, then only life can be remaining. No-one any longer will suffer death and therefore separation from God; everyone will be alive, reconciled to God and in fellowship with him.
Why should we ever think that this would not be the case? Who would think that even an earthly parent would not want to use all the resources available to them to ensure their family lived in harmony with them forever? And why should not God, the most loving and resource-rich parent of all, not arrange such a happy and victorious ending for himself and his family?
It's not a matter of who gets there and who doesn't. Nor is a matter of who gets there first. We all get there in the end - all of God's creation alive and in fellowship with God and with each other.
That's the result of death being destroyed - the death of death - all will be alive. Wow!
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Jottings from John
Since John the Apostle was referred to as "the disciple whom Jesus loved", and the one who even leaned back against Jesus while they were reclining at the table during an evening meal, it seems reasonable that John knew Jesus very well, and probably better than most others. What John had to say about Jesus is therefore worth noting.
Let's look at some of John's jottings that might confirm our view that the scope of Jesus' ministry was all encompassing, universal in every way.
John's opening description of Jesus states that the purpose of his coming to earth was so that all might believe, and to achieve this, Jesus, the true light, would give light to everyone who comes into the world. "There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world." [John 1 : 6 - 9 TNIV]
John (the Apostle) quotes John (the Baptiser) as recognising Jesus and the extent of his ministry the moment Jesus approaches him to be baptised in the Jordan river. "The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" [John 1 : 29 TNIV]
He repeats this description of Jesus himself in at least two places in the first letter he wrote to the churches he over-sighted. "He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours, but also for the sins of the whole world," [1 John 2 : 2 TNIV] and "we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Saviour of the world." [1 John 4 : 14 TNIV]
In a previous paragraph of the same letter, John declares that the reason Jesus came to earth was "to destroy the devil's work." [1 John 3 : 8 TNIV]
The Samaritans, who were introduced to Jesus by the woman at the well, also recognised that Jesus "is the Saviour of the world." [John 4 : 42 TNIV]
It seems there was no doubt in John's mind about the nature or extent of the mission of his friend, Jesus. He was to reverse everything the devil had done by dying for the sin of the world and saving everyone who was to be or would become a part of it.
It is also worth mentioning that In his Gospel, John records Jesus' celebrated arrival in Jerusalem just before the last Passover Festival he celebrated on earth. While predicting his death and explaining the way he would die, Jesus said, "And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself." [John 12 : 32 TNIV]
That sounds pretty inclusive and universal too, doesn't it?
Barry
Let's look at some of John's jottings that might confirm our view that the scope of Jesus' ministry was all encompassing, universal in every way.
John's opening description of Jesus states that the purpose of his coming to earth was so that all might believe, and to achieve this, Jesus, the true light, would give light to everyone who comes into the world. "There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world." [John 1 : 6 - 9 TNIV]
John (the Apostle) quotes John (the Baptiser) as recognising Jesus and the extent of his ministry the moment Jesus approaches him to be baptised in the Jordan river. "The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" [John 1 : 29 TNIV]
He repeats this description of Jesus himself in at least two places in the first letter he wrote to the churches he over-sighted. "He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours, but also for the sins of the whole world," [1 John 2 : 2 TNIV] and "we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Saviour of the world." [1 John 4 : 14 TNIV]
In a previous paragraph of the same letter, John declares that the reason Jesus came to earth was "to destroy the devil's work." [1 John 3 : 8 TNIV]
The Samaritans, who were introduced to Jesus by the woman at the well, also recognised that Jesus "is the Saviour of the world." [John 4 : 42 TNIV]
It seems there was no doubt in John's mind about the nature or extent of the mission of his friend, Jesus. He was to reverse everything the devil had done by dying for the sin of the world and saving everyone who was to be or would become a part of it.
It is also worth mentioning that In his Gospel, John records Jesus' celebrated arrival in Jerusalem just before the last Passover Festival he celebrated on earth. While predicting his death and explaining the way he would die, Jesus said, "And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself." [John 12 : 32 TNIV]
That sounds pretty inclusive and universal too, doesn't it?
Monday, June 21, 2010
Website Home Page
Hi Everyone,
Have been working on the website design for the last couple of weeks and have changed my thinking quite a bit since I last thought seriously about it.
I have reduced the range of studies to be published on this site (and in the proposed book), and will include the omitted studies on separate websites (and in separate books) subsequently. It became clear that the scope of the original website was too large and possibly overpowering, and it would have taken too long to get enough written on such a range of topics to enable the website to be launched in a reasonable timeframe.
So the website is to be called "Grace Space" and will have studies under these main headings:
God's Plan of Salvation
Judgement and Mercy
Hell and the Lake of Fire
Free Will
Lessons from Luke
Promises from Paul
Hints from Hebrews
Pointers from the Prophets
Bible Translation Tips
Frequently Asked Questions
The home page will show a heading, that you can already see by pointing your browser to http://users.ncable.net.au/~barrytatt/images/header_features.jpg, a welcome message and a list of the study areas (as above).
A draft of the welcome message is here, and as always, your comment and critical review are invited.
Welcome to our space on the web for exploring the truth about God and his plans for us, both on this planet and beyond.
Mainstream christianity has differing beliefs about such things, some of which can not be supported by a correctly translated Bible, which has led to confusion and even cynicism about what the Bible teaches.
Over the coming year, we will add articles to the site to help readers discover a more realistic and rational basis of belief, and particularly to discover how extravagant and extensive is God's amazing grace.
Even if we don't fully achieve this aim, we trust we will at least challenge readers to think about what they believe in light of what the Bible REALLY says when stripped of man's tradition, prejudice and irrational thinking.
At the very minimum, we hope to promote a greater respect for God, his character and his intentions, and a greater respect for the integrity of God's Word, the Bible.
So welcome ..... enjoy the journey with us.
Have been working on the website design for the last couple of weeks and have changed my thinking quite a bit since I last thought seriously about it.
I have reduced the range of studies to be published on this site (and in the proposed book), and will include the omitted studies on separate websites (and in separate books) subsequently. It became clear that the scope of the original website was too large and possibly overpowering, and it would have taken too long to get enough written on such a range of topics to enable the website to be launched in a reasonable timeframe.
So the website is to be called "Grace Space" and will have studies under these main headings:
God's Plan of Salvation
Judgement and Mercy
Hell and the Lake of Fire
Free Will
Lessons from Luke
Promises from Paul
Hints from Hebrews
Pointers from the Prophets
Bible Translation Tips
Frequently Asked Questions
The home page will show a heading, that you can already see by pointing your browser to http://users.ncable.net.au/~barrytatt/images/header_features.jpg, a welcome message and a list of the study areas (as above).
A draft of the welcome message is here, and as always, your comment and critical review are invited.
Welcome to our space on the web for exploring the truth about God and his plans for us, both on this planet and beyond.
Mainstream christianity has differing beliefs about such things, some of which can not be supported by a correctly translated Bible, which has led to confusion and even cynicism about what the Bible teaches.
Over the coming year, we will add articles to the site to help readers discover a more realistic and rational basis of belief, and particularly to discover how extravagant and extensive is God's amazing grace.
Even if we don't fully achieve this aim, we trust we will at least challenge readers to think about what they believe in light of what the Bible REALLY says when stripped of man's tradition, prejudice and irrational thinking.
At the very minimum, we hope to promote a greater respect for God, his character and his intentions, and a greater respect for the integrity of God's Word, the Bible.
So welcome ..... enjoy the journey with us.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Another Bunch of Hypocrites
We have all heard many times the excuse for not coming to church as, "The church is full of hypocrites." On hearing this, I would usually talk about our sinful weakness, even though we are saved, and the need for those in the church to be refined and matured towards God-likeness over time.
I still think this is true. Yet, I think mainstream christianity has a lot to answer for nevertheless.
I have seen books written recently with titles like "How to Quit Church Without Quitting God", "So You Don't Want to go to Church Anymore", "7 Biblical Truths You Won't Hear in Church", "I'm Fine with God ... It's Christians I Can't Stand", among others. I have read several of these and have agreed with much that is in them.
It's interesting that the mainstream religion of the Old Covenant era was described in a similar fashion. Isaiah reports that God accused Israel of being responsible for having his name constantly blasphemed.
Ezekiel was just as damning. "Therefore say to the house of Israel, 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: It is not for your sake, O House of Israel, that I am going to do these things, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you have gone.'"
Those familiar with the Bible are well aware of the ways in which Israel profaned God's name, but we are often blind to the ways we have done so. We too, are guilty of the same hypocrisy they were. We say one thing, and preach or act in a quite opposite way.
Mainstream christianity says that God loves us unconditionally, but then preaches that this is true only on the condition that we love him in return.
Mainstream christianity says that we are saved by grace alone, but then preaches that this is not true, we are required to take some action ourselves, and right now by the way.
Mainstream christianity says that God is the Saviour of all, but then preaches that most people will not be saved but will be tormented in hell forever.
What do not-yet-believers make of all of this? How do they respond?
Confused. Frustrated. Cynical. Antagonistic. Disinterested.
I wonder why the mainstream churches are becoming empty and only the entertainment style churches are growing in the western world? Any thinking outsider is more likely to respond with, "I'm fine with God... it's christians I can't stand," than join God's latest bunch of hypocrites.
Boy doesn't God take a risk in allowing humans to represent him? Even when they are "his chosen" under the Old Covenant or "the saints" under the New. It's pretty sobering to realise that the heathen are not accused of profaning God's name, only God's people.
I have been reluctant to expose this hypocrisy and share these Bible truths strongly in the past. Why?
What would happen to the positions I hold, the respect of other christian leaders I enjoy or the close friendships I value?
I have my similarities with the first century followers of Jesus.
No-one would say anything publicly about Jesus at the Feast of Tabernacles celebrations for fear of the Jewish leaders, the leaders of the mainstream religion of the time.
Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus buried Jesus' body secretly (probably at night) for fear of those same leaders.
On the evening of Jesus' resurrection, his disciples were meeting behind locked doors because of their fear of the Jewish leaders rather than proudly and publicly announcing the good news of Jesus being alive, having conquered death as he predicted he would.
So here I am with the good good news of God's unconditional love and extravagant grace that needs to be proudly and publicly announced and preached. How am I to do this is my big question?
I have now retired and no longer hold any of those precious mainstream church positions. Indeed, the more public I become about this, the more likely I am to remain retired. :-) The need to have the respect of other christian leaders is not as important as it was, and friendships will surely sort themselves out as being close or not.
The proposed book will be the end result of the website that will be generated mainly from this blogsite. The website and book will be widely advertised, even though the blog is only for friends. That's as far as I have travelled with this question.
Any suggestions? Using the comments section under this post for brainstorming this over the next few months would be appreciated. Barry.
I still think this is true. Yet, I think mainstream christianity has a lot to answer for nevertheless.
I have seen books written recently with titles like "How to Quit Church Without Quitting God", "So You Don't Want to go to Church Anymore", "7 Biblical Truths You Won't Hear in Church", "I'm Fine with God ... It's Christians I Can't Stand", among others. I have read several of these and have agreed with much that is in them.
It's interesting that the mainstream religion of the Old Covenant era was described in a similar fashion. Isaiah reports that God accused Israel of being responsible for having his name constantly blasphemed.
Ezekiel was just as damning. "Therefore say to the house of Israel, 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: It is not for your sake, O House of Israel, that I am going to do these things, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you have gone.'"
Those familiar with the Bible are well aware of the ways in which Israel profaned God's name, but we are often blind to the ways we have done so. We too, are guilty of the same hypocrisy they were. We say one thing, and preach or act in a quite opposite way.
Mainstream christianity says that God loves us unconditionally, but then preaches that this is true only on the condition that we love him in return.
Mainstream christianity says that we are saved by grace alone, but then preaches that this is not true, we are required to take some action ourselves, and right now by the way.
Mainstream christianity says that God is the Saviour of all, but then preaches that most people will not be saved but will be tormented in hell forever.
What do not-yet-believers make of all of this? How do they respond?
Confused. Frustrated. Cynical. Antagonistic. Disinterested.
I wonder why the mainstream churches are becoming empty and only the entertainment style churches are growing in the western world? Any thinking outsider is more likely to respond with, "I'm fine with God... it's christians I can't stand," than join God's latest bunch of hypocrites.
Boy doesn't God take a risk in allowing humans to represent him? Even when they are "his chosen" under the Old Covenant or "the saints" under the New. It's pretty sobering to realise that the heathen are not accused of profaning God's name, only God's people.
I have been reluctant to expose this hypocrisy and share these Bible truths strongly in the past. Why?
What would happen to the positions I hold, the respect of other christian leaders I enjoy or the close friendships I value?
I have my similarities with the first century followers of Jesus.
No-one would say anything publicly about Jesus at the Feast of Tabernacles celebrations for fear of the Jewish leaders, the leaders of the mainstream religion of the time.
Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus buried Jesus' body secretly (probably at night) for fear of those same leaders.
On the evening of Jesus' resurrection, his disciples were meeting behind locked doors because of their fear of the Jewish leaders rather than proudly and publicly announcing the good news of Jesus being alive, having conquered death as he predicted he would.
So here I am with the good good news of God's unconditional love and extravagant grace that needs to be proudly and publicly announced and preached. How am I to do this is my big question?
I have now retired and no longer hold any of those precious mainstream church positions. Indeed, the more public I become about this, the more likely I am to remain retired. :-) The need to have the respect of other christian leaders is not as important as it was, and friendships will surely sort themselves out as being close or not.
The proposed book will be the end result of the website that will be generated mainly from this blogsite. The website and book will be widely advertised, even though the blog is only for friends. That's as far as I have travelled with this question.
Any suggestions? Using the comments section under this post for brainstorming this over the next few months would be appreciated. Barry.
Wisdom Needed Here
Hi Fellow Bloggers
Sorry I haven't written much lately, but have been designing the website in readiness for articles that survive the QA process of the blog.
However I would like to ask specifically for your help.
As you have probably heard me say before, there is nowhere in the Bible (that I know of) that speaks about "eternal life". However, many of our English Bibles use the word "eternal" as the translation of the Greek word "aionios", and so end up with "eternal life" or "eternal punishment" etc. quite incorrectly.
"aionios" is the adjective derived from "aion" the noun, which literally means "eon" (a period of time, usually a long period of time, or an age), which has a beginning and an end. So the adjective "aionios" should draw its meaning from the noun "aion", as all other adjective do - as sunny does from sun, golden from gold, australian from australia, etc.
The meaning of "aionios" therefore is eonian literally, or of an age, or age-lasting, or age-abiding, or age-during, or some other age-related English word. "aionios" therefore cannot mean eternal, whose meaning is drawn from eternal, a concept without beginning or end.
I would like some help choosing which English word to use when translating "aionios" and discussing topics on the blog, and subsequently on the website and in the book. "eonion" is clearly the best, but very quaint, and unlikely to be acceptable to most of our readers.
What would you suggest? Add a reason for your choice if you would like to.
When you send your suggestion(s), please do so via the Blog at http://barrysgracespace.blogspot.com/.
Whenever a new post or comment is placed on the blogspot, everyone of us gets an email showing what's been added. If you do a 'reply' to that email, only I will get it. On the other hand, if you place a 'comment' on the blogsite, everyone gets an email containing your comment.
In this way, everyone is alerted by email when something is added to the blogsite and the blogsite keeps an orderly and complete record of the conversations (posts and comments) that any of us have.
Also, please remember to sign your comment after you finish writing it, so we all know where the wisdom came from. Otherwise the comment will only identify the commenter as anonymous.
Thanks Barry
Sorry I haven't written much lately, but have been designing the website in readiness for articles that survive the QA process of the blog.
However I would like to ask specifically for your help.
As you have probably heard me say before, there is nowhere in the Bible (that I know of) that speaks about "eternal life". However, many of our English Bibles use the word "eternal" as the translation of the Greek word "aionios", and so end up with "eternal life" or "eternal punishment" etc. quite incorrectly.
"aionios" is the adjective derived from "aion" the noun, which literally means "eon" (a period of time, usually a long period of time, or an age), which has a beginning and an end. So the adjective "aionios" should draw its meaning from the noun "aion", as all other adjective do - as sunny does from sun, golden from gold, australian from australia, etc.
The meaning of "aionios" therefore is eonian literally, or of an age, or age-lasting, or age-abiding, or age-during, or some other age-related English word. "aionios" therefore cannot mean eternal, whose meaning is drawn from eternal, a concept without beginning or end.
I would like some help choosing which English word to use when translating "aionios" and discussing topics on the blog, and subsequently on the website and in the book. "eonion" is clearly the best, but very quaint, and unlikely to be acceptable to most of our readers.
What would you suggest? Add a reason for your choice if you would like to.
When you send your suggestion(s), please do so via the Blog at http://barrysgracespace.blogspot.com/.
Whenever a new post or comment is placed on the blogspot, everyone of us gets an email showing what's been added. If you do a 'reply' to that email, only I will get it. On the other hand, if you place a 'comment' on the blogsite, everyone gets an email containing your comment.
In this way, everyone is alerted by email when something is added to the blogsite and the blogsite keeps an orderly and complete record of the conversations (posts and comments) that any of us have.
Also, please remember to sign your comment after you finish writing it, so we all know where the wisdom came from. Otherwise the comment will only identify the commenter as anonymous.
Thanks Barry
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