Thumbs up.I've been reading some chapters of the Way Home in order to stop being taken aback by some of your (plural) insights.
Thumbs up.I've been reading some chapters of the Way Home in order to stop being taken aback by some of your (plural) insights.
Understood.I've been reading some chapters of the Way Home in order to stop being taken aback by some of your (plural) insights. So I offer as a suggestion that you would do the same to see where I'm coming from. Have the feeling you (plural) are sometimes equally taken aback by my responses as I am with yours.
You can find the literature here. (don't worry, it's not a book)
Matthew 12:8-12Thanks for being straightforward. That's all I ask.
Feel like you're interpolating something into the Logos which doesn't belong. But let's save that for some other time.
I'd like to know what you make of the following scripture:
John 5
16 So, because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, the Jewish leaders began to persecute him. 17 In his defense Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.” 18 For this reason they tried all the more to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.
King of king's version: John 5:18 Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the Sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.
Considering that according to Mosaic Law, deliberately breaking the sabbath is a capital offense (Ex 3:15), which is what Jesus did in spite of the warnings of the Pharisees, how would you reconcile the incarnation of the Law with not being able to break the Law?
Exodus 3
15 Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the Lord: whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death.
There are two fatal flaws in your argument @Artful Revealer .@A Freeman
I'm going to assume you agree that Jesus broke the sabbath, but that He has the authority to do so?
In that case, if it is lawful for the incarnation of the Law to break the Law, more problems arise:
Firstly, Jesus' disciples had also broken sabbath by plucking the ears of corn on sabbath day. The explanation that Jesus Christ is Lord over the Sabbath doesn't explain why His disciples were allowed to break the Law. Where does their authority come from? From Jesus? If they were allowed by Jesus to break the sabbath, why is there no mention of this in scripture?
Secondly, if Jesus wanted the Jews to follow the Law, shouldn't He have agreed with the Pharisees and rebuked His disciples? If Jesus is the Law incarnate and we have to follow the Law in order to be saved, Jesus should set the example and not the opposite by breaking it or having His disciples break it, let alone rebuke the Pharisees for taking sides with the Law.
Thirdly, the explanation Jesus gives, well-interpreted, basically implies that those who are in Christ have no use for the sabbath and that one can't be in Christ if one keeps to the sabbath (GoT 27). All the legalistic interpretations and arguments we find in Judeo-Christian apologetics are completely asinine. "The Torah says it's allowed to pluck the grain heads of a neighbour if they are for instant eating ...", "The oral tradition says that you are not allowed to put those grain heads in your pockets for harvesting ...". This is all childish nonsense of course, in light of what Jesus said, that it is lawful to do good on sabbath (or any day for that matter) regardless of the sabbath's prescriptions, for doing Good to another is the law of Christ. Anything that prevents this, even "the Law", is to be discarded.
If you don't believe Jesus broke the sabbath, then John's scripture is erroneous, for it unambiguously affirms it.
Some of this has been encountered before.I've been reading some chapters of the Way Home in order to stop being taken aback by some of your (plural) insights. So I offer as a suggestion that you would do the same to see where I'm coming from. Have the feeling you (plural) are sometimes equally taken aback by my responses as I am with yours.
You can find the literature here. (don't worry, it's not a book)
When Jesus condemned the scribes, the written Talmud did not yet exist. Why would He condemn scribes who had not yet scribed? Which scribes was He then condemning if not for those who had scribed the Hebrew scriptures, ie. the Torah??There are two fatal flaws in your argument @Artful Revealer .
First, The Master (Christ) IS The Master/Teacher. So thinking He should be doing as the scribes and pharisees instructed, who The Master rightly described as "the blind leading the blind", is exactly backwards. Christ is THE Master/Teacher NOT the blind guides of organized religion.
Secondly, there are no "oral traditions" that anyone needs to follow. Father's Law is everything we need, and it has been given to us IN WRITING to leave no doubt or excuses for not following it.
It was the scribes and pharisees, who added their "oral traditions" (Talmud) in direct violation of The Law (Deut. 4:2, 12:32), that were in the wrong, making the Commandments of God of no effect.
The Sabbath was made for man - to provide him with a day of rest from the ways of the world to learn and apply The Law (Justice, Mercy and Righteousness) - not the other way around.
The "oral traditions", i.e. the Talmud, first took on written form in BABYLON, where the "House of Judah" was taken into captivity c. 588 BC, as attested to by both the Prophets Jeremiah and Ezekiel (Jer. 11:9-10, Ezek. 22:25-26). They were added to later in Jerusalem, but it is unquestionably these traditions (the Babylonian Talmud - the traditions of the fathers/elders) that Jesus was referring to in Matthew 15:3-6 and 23:4.When Jesus condemned the scribes, the written Talmud did not yet exist. Why would He condemn scribes who had not yet scribed? Which scribes was He then condemning if not for those who had scribed the Hebrew scriptures, ie. the Torah??
There is no "old law" or "new law"; there is only ONE Law: The Law that was given directly to Moses on Mt. Horeb in Sinai, exactly as God Himself has said in The Law.The Law, whether old or new, was given to us by scribes who had heard it.
The two stone tablets, upon which the 10 Commandments were inscribed, are the basic principles of The Law, but the first five books of the Bible, namely Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy, referred to as "the books of Moses", the Pentateuch" and "the Torah" in Hebrew, which means "The Law" in English, were also given to Moses in scroll form on Mt. Horeb in Sinai.The old law was written down 800 years after the tablets of stone, of which there is no archeological evidence, or the Ark of the Covenant in which they were stored. What then was the Law before it was written down in the Torah other than, at best, an oral tradition, or more probable, an unborn invention?
There is no such thing as a "new law" in Scripture. There is only ONE Law: The Law that God gave us, exactly as it says in The Law.The new law was written down by those who had heard it from those who had heard it.
Why would He/they? They already had The Law in writing. That's why Christ said He didn't come to destroy The Law (Matt. 5:17-20) and why Paul said that he too was living by The Law (Rom. 7:25) and establishing it everywhere he went (Rom. 3:31)Jesus did not write down the law, nor did He command His disciples to write it down, nor was it ever intended to be written down for Paul said the law is not written in tablets of stone, but on our hearts.
Except there is no such thing as a "new law". The Truth/Word/Message and the Commandments have been the same since the beginning (1 John 2:1-7), and will NEVER change.It was the Paraclete, the Holy Spirit, who helped spread His new law throughout the world. But God bless for those writings, since they render clear the Word of God regarding His mission, which is, not to destroy, but to render all things Good. That's the proper way to interpret the Sermon on the Mount, and the relation of the new law with the old.
There is no such thing as a "new law"; there is, and ever shall be, only ONE Law: God's Law. And Father's Christ (Anointed One), His Firstborn Son, Who is known in heaven as Prince Michael and is The Law made flesh, is referenced throughout both the Old Covenant, New Covenant and the Koran.We will never agree on this as long as our identification of the Christ is different. If you believe that the Christ of the New Testament who gave us the new law is the same as the Angel of the Lord of the Old Testament who gave the law on mount Sinai, then you have to believe Christ is master of both.
How then did David know of Christ and refer to Christ as his Lord?Naturally, He is not master of both in the sense that He gave both. Christ had not been revealed before the events documented in the Gospels, only prophecied, therefore the law given in the Torah was given by another.
What makes you think you understand anything given you've been taught all of the nonsense you post from the very same people that Christ warned us are "the blind leading the blind"?Only then can one begin to understand the dynamic between Jesus and the Pharisees on Sabbath day, which I have already given twice, so there's no need to repeat it a third time.
You interpolate things into those verses that aren't there, so there's no need to address them. But, yes, there were "oral traditions" written during the Babylon exile and after. It's called ... wait for it ... the TORAH.The "oral traditions", i.e. the Talmud, first took on written form in BABYLON, where the "House of Judah" was taken into captivity c. 588 BC, as attested to by both the Prophets Jeremiah and Ezekiel (Jer. 11:9-10, Ezek. 22:25-26). They were added to later in Jerusalem, but it is unquestionably these traditions (the Babylonian Talmud - the traditions of the fathers/elders) that Jesus was referring to in Matthew 15:3-6 and 23:4.
Throughout the Gospels Christ, through the mouth of Jesus, admonished the scribes (lawyers) and pharisees (politicians) for NOT KEEPING GOD'S LAW. How is it possible for you to have overlooked that?
Again, you interpolate something into Matt 22:45, if that's what you're referring to, that isn't there. What it says is that Jesus is not the Son of David (not of Davidic descent). It does NOT say that the Lord David referred to was Christ.How then did David know of Christ and refer to Christ as his Lord?
The Gospel of Thomas:What makes you think you understand anything given you've been taught all of the nonsense you post from the very same people that Christ warned us are "the blind leading the blind"?
You interpolate things into those verses that aren't there, so there's no need to address them. But, yes, there were "oral traditions" written during the Babylon exile and after. It's called ... wait for it ... the TORAH.
The Jerusalem Talmud was written around 300 AD, the Babylonian Talmud around 500 AD. The Torah was most likely written and completed, as the Documentary Hypothesis and its polemical reactions have shown, during the Persian period (539 AD to 333 AD), with the Jawhist sources dated, at best, to the Babylonian exile itself (597 AD to 539 AD).
The Torah is the written form of an oral tradition. The Torah was in existence during Jesus' ministry, the Talmud was not. Jesus condemned the scribes of the Torah, not the Talmud, for the Talmud did not yet exist.
If you seek to shed doubt on this universally accepted fact, you'll have to show evidence of a written form dating from this period that runs parallel with the Torah, and I will gladly reassess my opinion. But as long as you are unable to produce that, you are spreading falsehood and lies and leading people astray.
Again, you interpolate something into Matt 22:45, if that's what you're referring to, that isn't there. What it says is that Jesus is not the Son of David (not of Davidic descent). It does NOT say that the Lord David referred to was Christ.
Matthew 22
41 While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them,
42 Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The son of David.
43 He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying,
44 The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool?
45 If David then call him Lord, how is he his son?
46 And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions.
The Gospel of Thomas:
34. Jesus said, “If a blind person (of the old law) leads a blind person (a Christian void of gnosis), both of them will fall into a hole.”
It's obvious who fits the profile according to my interpretation of scripture, but let's let it slide.
I should've figured it out that you didn't believe there was a new and old law. I apologize for my shortcomings. We would be going in circles if we didn't tackle this essential issue, since all the rest is arguing its logical consequences. Of course there's an old law and a new law. Supersessionism is an elementary doctrine in Christ's teachings. The Old Covenant has no meaning for those who follow Christ. The Sermon on the Mount (called the ANTITHESIS), where Jesus is directly addressing the old covenant and its prophets, is the most well-known illustration of this: "You have heard it said ...", "But I say unto you ..."
All of the above verses are about Father (our Creator, the "I AM") and the Last Day (Judgment Day).This is a question for the Unitarians on here:
The OT is replete with prophetic descriptions of the end of this age or what we often call the Second coming such as:
The Lord will roar from on high, He will thunder from His holy dwelling and roar mightily against the land. He will shout like those who tread the grapes, shout against all who live on the earth. (Jer 25:30-33)
The Lord thunders at the head of His army; His forces are beyond number and mighty are those who obey His command (Joel 2:11)
(Other verses: Isaiah 66:15-16, Joel 2:2, Isaiah 13:3-5, Micah 1:3-4 , Isaiah 34 & 63 etc)
Father exists everywhere, at all times (OMNIPRESENT). He doesn't need to come or go anywhere; He just is, hence His Name "I AM".So, who are you expecting to come (I won’t use the word “return), that is, the “One who will thunder from His dwelling place” and “thunder at the head of His army”. Is it Christ or the Father because some of the texts do say “Lord Almighty”?
As above please. During Christ's Second Coming, His Sheep will hear His Voice (the voice of many "waters"), recognize Him for Who He is (John 10), and be gathered to Him with Father's Guidance. Hopefully that also explains why Father has committed all Judgment to Christ (John 5:22).Then again, if it’s the Father that’s coming, where does that leave Christ’s statement that its at His voice that the Righteous dead will rise to life (John 5:25-29)?
Worshiping Jesus is shirk, not according to Islam but according to the Old Testament.For where the New Testament and Mohammads revelations differ, Mohammad, in the final stage of his ministries, said that the Christians worshiping Jesus was shirk
And now this is a case of you arguing once again, not against Islam, but against your "New Testament" texts:and that Jesus was merely a prophet of God
In fact, Jesus says in Revelation "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last"
Revelation 1:8
“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” (NIV)
1. Yeah, Advaita Vedanta, Shaivism as well, Shaivism is quite strongly opposed to idols.@Infinityloop try talking to most hindus on polythiesm. Even when the highest branch of hinduism, Vedanta says it is outright wrong, they cling to it no matter what. it's the way they've been brought up, their identity etc.
in my experience, the ones who leave christianity are the ones who do not feel they belong to it. they neither think like christians or wish to be part of them. When that happens, they're free from the 'thoughtform' of christianity and therefore can look at other things.
it's no different to if you debated with an ismaeli or an ahmadi or a bahai, they will cling onto what they believe no matter what..
unless they have cause to no longer belong to it.
"see no evil for i am blind, hear no evil for i am deaf"1. Yeah, Advaita Vedanta, Shaivism as well, Shaivism is quite strongly opposed to idols.
2. Reminds me of various Ayat, it's true, some people are so brainwashed by an egregore that they will never leave it. For Christians, if Jesus came to them there and then and told them they were wrong, Christians would still reject Jesus. It's just the way things are. Clouded by a bias against truth.
3. The irony for Christians is that they believe that God changes, they justify this by creating a new narrative that has nothing to do with God, but to do with a very antihuman inferiority complex (original sin, Jesus dying for salvation etc). They limit God in practically every way, and then justify it by the 'appeal to mystery' fallacy - all while claiming to believe in the God of the Torah, it's hilarious but also makes me strongly concerned about their mental health.
It's a shame that many think by collectively pondering the facts and history- of not just Christianity but all our traditional cultures, that you're somehow attacking faith itself. That's ridiculous. Only truth can set set us free. Possibly the greatest human gift is honesty; without honesty there is no authentic truth or love.1. Yeah, Advaita Vedanta, Shaivism as well, Shaivism is quite strongly opposed to idols.
2. Reminds me of various Ayat, it's true, some people are so brainwashed by an egregore that they will never leave it. For Christians, if Jesus came to them there and then and told them they were wrong, Christians would still reject Jesus. It's just the way things are. Clouded by a bias against truth.
3. The irony for Christians is that they believe that God changes, they justify this by creating a new narrative that has nothing to do with God, but to do with a very antihuman inferiority complex (original sin, Jesus dying for salvation etc). They limit God in practically every way, and then justify it by the 'appeal to mystery' fallacy - all while claiming to believe in the God of the Torah, it's hilarious but also makes me strongly concerned about their mental health.
Want to diminish Jesus and redefine the Gospel? There is a broad, inclusive organisation waiting for you!!! Muslims, Jews and Christians all getting along around the idea of one God, and nobody there making uncomfortable and un-called for references to divisive doctrines like the Trinity!It's a shame that many think by collectively pondering the facts and history- of not just Christianity but all our traditional cultures, that you're somehow attacking faith itself. That's ridiculous. Only truth can set set us free. Possibly the greatest human gift is honesty; without honesty there is no authentic truth or love.
Including the dogma of Trinity, I see very few Christians willing to accept historical reality. The fact is Hellenic groups in the 1st century took a form of Judaism and made it into what we know as "Christ-ianity." The 4 Gospels themselves were probably written by Greeks/Romans after the 2nd temple destruction. What harm is there in admitting we don't know who penned almost all of the New Testament? On just a logical level there's no denying that popular Christianity is unrecognizable from what Jesus would have taught. I mean In the stories he didn't just say call no man Father, he said call no man good lol!
When you start researching it's obvious there's a Satanic minority who'd rather see 2 billion Muslims and 2 billion Christians divided. Look at all the things we're NOT taught in the West. Islam and Christianity are from the same tree. They both revere Jesus as being from the Almighty and both believe in his return! Prophet Muhammad's familiarity with Syriac and Jewish Christians is documented. In a historical sense Islam was the real Christian reform, not the strangers Martin Luther and John Calvin.
Christians need to be honest: if you deny traditional, Abrahamic monotheism and the OT then just say so. If your favorite scripture is the letters of Saul of Tarsus and anonymous authors, just say so. "Christianity" is built up around a single man (which is strange because it's followers weren't alive to witness him like other guru/student relationships) that is illogical and foreign to normal reality. You might say, "Jesus is Lord," but stop pretending your deification of "the Christ" is reasonable or has anything to do with the Old Testament.