bible

In all societies across the world and in various religions offerings are made to the God. Is it for appeasing him or as a sense of gratitude? Some do it as ritual while do it expecting some benefit. Does the God accept these offerings? Can he be influenced by such offerings? Will he make judgment by taking these into account? Such questions need answering.

continue reading "IS IT A MUST TO APPEASE GOD WITH OFFERINGS"

continue reading "God, Jesus and Christianity"

Upon deeper searching, I'm finding some evidence that this may not be what it appears at first blush. I haven't printed all 370 pages, nor have I scanned them. Maybe I should read the end of the book first. But the main point I want to prefix to the this thread is that this book may not be what I thought it was. Please feel free to check it out. But I'm beginning to question its purpose, and the submitter has yet to reply. Perhaps I should have waited another few days before I posted it.

bill

A few days ago, the following essay (below) was sent to this site via the Contact link. Besides the outrageous yet potentially valid claims it makes regarding a teaching to change the very nature of humankind, it lists four websites from which a 370 page book (in Adobe PDF) can be downloaded. There are also two links below pointing to a local copy: one in US Letter format; another in SI A4 format.

I have made my way through only the first several pages, so I cannot make any judgments nor a review about its overall message. What I can say is that it (the book) has brought together many of the most interesting ancient books in the Judea-Christian tradition—canonical and non-canonical—with an ostensibly keen understanding of their deeper meanings. By deeper meaning, I refer to non-literal, intuitive, and symbolic interpretation, typically accessible only after much study and contemplation. Whatever its overall intent, accuracy and usefulness, I cannot say.

continue reading "The Final Freedoms"

My argument is that many evangelicals creatively weave the contemporary word “homosexuality” and its attendant meanings back into the Biblical text and context through the process of story telling. Specifically, they take a topic that emerged enforce during the 1980s and project it back into history as if “homosexuality” had always been a hot button issue for Christians and evangelicals. The effect of this creative storytelling is to tie the Holy Bible to the present political issue of “homosexuality” in a way that justifies the speaker’s condemnation on Biblical grounds. The result is that even though “homosexuality” is not literally or empirically in the Bible, many conservative evangelicals imagine it there anyway.

continue reading "Homosexuality: The Creative Work of Conservative Evangelicals"

My argument is that many evangelicals creatively weave the contemporary word “homosexuality” and its attendant meanings back into the Biblical text and context through the process of story telling. Specifically, they take a topic that emerged enforce during the 1980s and project it back into history as if “homosexuality” had always been a hot button issue for Christians and evangelicals. The effect of this creative storytelling is to tie the Holy Bible to the present political issue of “homosexuality” in a way that justifies the speaker’s condemnation on Biblical grounds. The result is that even though “homosexuality” is not literally or empirically in the Bible, many conservative evangelicals imagine it there anyway.

continue reading "Homosexuality: The Creative Work of Conservative Evangelicals"

I came across this site while looking for etymological information on faith, and thought that some FaithCommons readers might be interested. While the author claims to have no bias or affiliation, there is actually a noticeable anti-bias and anti-affiliation bias in his writings, nonetheless. But I can identify with that, kinda sorta. Also, these are "Bible Studies" with capital letters, in that there are loads of word studies and scripture comparisons that might overload some casual readers and those not really interested in this level of detail.

Still, if you want to study issues like giving money to churches, or even going to a church at all, or about leadership in churches, or about several Christian theologies like Predestination, or Antichrist, then you can get some detailed scripture by scripture, word by word consideration here. But you need to keep your mind open, get other opinions, and make your own conclusions, because these sorts of studies can be too convincing if you're unprepared for the barrage of evidence. The author has done quite a lot of work, and I found it very helpful—whether I agree with every point or not.

continue reading "The Bible Pages"

Tonight I shared Shabbos dinner with friends. As is always the case when I spend time with them, conversation makes its way to Christianity and to perceptions of Christianity. Throughout the evening we talked about the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit that is currently in Seattle and Christian misappropriation of the scrolls. The resignation of the Rev. Ted Haggard from his church and from his leadershop role within the National Association of Evangelicals also came up. When things like this happen, I find myself having to explain that Christianity is not a monolithic institution and that the Evangelical Right and progressive Christianity share very little in common except a profession of faith in a God as revealed in and through Jesus of Nazareth. Here is where most of our commonality ends. And it is here that progressive Christians need to learn to proclaim who we are and not only what we we aren't.

continue reading "taking the bible seriously means i can't read it literally"

Hello all, I just wanted to say that I am home from Iraq and thank you all for your support and prayers. I am enjoying time with my family and friends and am back home at church. Attending chapel services is great, but not the same as a church home.

I boarded the plane and never looked back and I have not looked at any news about the war since I left. It may take me some time to come to terms with my experience, right now I am just glad to be home.

continue reading "Home from Iraq"