ACTS 2
https://youtu.be/tEvhnzSd7OY
[posts and verses below]
. Voltaire and Marx
. Are the ‘last days’ here?
. U.S. changes course
. Christian music?
. Should they eat?
. U.S. planes divert course
.What attracts ISIS fighters?
NOTE [I wrote this a few days ago as I started working on
the post. The next day the U.S. changed strategy in Syria and will stop its
support of the Rebels.]
Russia is preparing
for war with the West-[ NATO and the U.S.]
Why?
The history of U.S./NATO involvement over many years has
destabilized that part of the world [Libya- Iraq- now Syria- on and on].
How?
We have used so called ‘international norms’ to justify our
actions.
Then we go in [with air power- or ground offensive] and we
back the assassination of various leaders [Saddam Hussein- Gadhafi- etc.].
Then- when we are done- these countries are a complete mess.
So- a few years back there were protests on the streets of
Russia- I remember a U.S. official saying things to the effect ‘maybe it’s time
for Putin to go’-
Now- how does he read a statement like this?
It means he might get shot- his family too [that’s the
history of us making these statements] and in the end- his country would be a complete
disaster [that’s the history of this- see?].
So- he does see NATO and the West as a real threat- to his
country- and his life!
Ok- then we made a statement a few years back ‘Assad must
go’.
Now- many leaders [including Democrats in the U.S. congress]
- do not think this is a smart move.
But- we simply violated Syria’s air space- and started a
bombing campaign.
‘John- if we didn’t get the permission of the country’s
leader- isn’t it wrong’.
Yes.
‘Then how could we do it’?
Along with the cover of NATO- and a so called 60 nation
alliance- we simply did it- because we can.
Both Ukraine and Syria are areas where we make decisions- we
base them on so called ‘international norms’ and the we ‘violate’ air space- human
rights [bombing of hospital in Afghanistan] and no one can stop us.
So- Russia is going to back up Assad- and when they get
strong enough 'THEY’ will declare a ‘no fly zone’ over Syria [saying that the
U.S. and NATO are the ones violating airspace] and they will give a demand for
us to stop flying in Syria.
At that point the U.S. will either say ‘well- Syria is a
mess- thanks to Putin’s support of Assad- and we are leaving’ [which would be
us blinking].
Or- Russia and Syria will begin using the Russian surface to
air missiles that they installed in the last few weeks- and shoot down our
planes.
Putin is not joking.
So- why is he flying over Turkey’s borders?
Turkey is a member of NATO- And he’s saying ‘you guys not
only violate ‘air space’ but you carry out actual wars- without the consent of
the leaders of these nations’.
He is letting the U.S. and NATO know ‘ENOUGH IS ENOUGH’.
As I’m reading our responses- they are laughable.
We are saying ‘if Putin keeps this up- he’s making a
mistake- because ISIS will now see him-Russia- as a target’.
This official was responding to Putin in Syria like saying
‘yeah- he will be supporting Assad [true] and that will get ISIS MAD’.
PUTIN is actually killing ISIS [as well as others]- Don’t
you think this will also get them mad?
PARTS OF OLD POSTS
THAT RELATE TO VIDEO-
So God’s dealings with Israel are not
finished. Paul also warns the Gentiles ‘don’t boast, if God cut out the true
branches [Israel] to graft you in. He can just as quickly cut you out too’! It
would be dishonest for me [a Calvinist] to simply not comment on this. You
certainly can take this verse in an Arminian way. Or you can see Paul speaking
in a ‘nationalistic sense’. Sort of like saying ‘if Germany walks away from the
faith, they will be ‘cut out’. [France would have been a better example!
Speaking of the so called ‘enlightenment’ and the French Revolution]. In
essence ‘you Gentiles, don’t think “wow, look at us. God left Israel and we are
now special!”’ Paul is saying ‘you Gentiles [as a whole group] stand by faith.
God could just as quickly ‘cut you out’ and replace you with another group’. I
also think the Arminians could use this type of argument for the previous
predestination chapter [9]. But to be honest I needed to give you my view. One
more thing, Paul quotes Elijah ‘lord, I am the only one left’. He uses this in
context of God having a remnant from Israel who remained faithful to the true
God. God told Elijah ‘there are 7 thousand that have not bowed the knee to
baal’. Paul uses this to show that even in his day there were a remnant Of Jews
[himself included] who received the Messiah. An interesting side note. The
prophetic ministry [Elijah] seems to function at a ‘popular level’. Now, I
don’t mean ‘fame’, but Elijah was giving voice to a large undercurrent that was
running thru the nation. If you read the story of Elijah you would have never
known that there were ‘7 thousand’ who never bowed the knee! Often times God
will use prophetic people to ‘give voice’ or popularize a general truth that is
presently existing in the ‘underground church’ at large. Sort of like if Elijah
had a web site, the 7 thousand would have been secretly reading it and saying
‘right on brother, that’s exactly what we believe too’!
ROMANS 12
.ARE SOME GIFTS BETTER THAN
OTHERS?
.HOW SHOULD THEY FUNCTION IN THE
‘BODY’?
. HOW SHOUD WE GIVE OFFERINGS-
DID PAUL TEAHC TITHING?
.HOT COALS ON THEIR HEADS- HUH?
(864)ROMANS 12:1-8
‘I beseech you by the mercies of God to present your bodies as living
sacrifices, holy and acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service
[spiritual worship]’. Most times we see ‘by the mercies of God’ as a recap of
all that Paul has taught from chapters 1 thru 12. This is true to a degree. I
think Paul is honing in on the previous chapters that dealt with the purpose of
God specifically seen in the resurrection of the body. As we read earlier ‘for
we are saved by hope’ [the hope of the resurrection]. Basically I see Paul
saying ‘because of what I showed you concerning Gods redemptive purpose for
your body, therefore present your body now, in anticipation of it’s future
glorious purpose, as a living sacrifice ‘holy and acceptable unto God’. Why?
Because you are going to have that thing [body] forever! [in a new glorified
state] Paul exhorts us to be changed by
the renewing of our mind, the way we think. I have mentioned in the past that
this renewing is not some type of legalistic function of ‘memorizing, muttering
the do’s and don’ts all day long’. But a reorganizing of our thoughts according
to this new covenant of grace. Seeing things thru this ‘new world’ perspective.
A kingdom view based upon grace and the resurrection of Jesus. This
resurrection that is assured to us b
TELOS [What’s your purpose?]
https://ccoutreach87.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/7-3-15-telos-or-jack-nichols-n-the-3-dollar-tip.zip
A telos (from the Greek τέλος for
"end", "purpose", or "goal") is an end or
purpose, in a fairly constrained sense used by philosophers such as Aristotle. It is
the root of the term "teleology,"
roughly the study of purposiveness, or the study of objects with a view to
their aims, purposes, or intentions. Teleology figures centrally in Aristotle's biology and in his theory of causes. It is
central to nearly all philosophical theories of history, such as those of Hegel and Marx. One
running debate in contemporary philosophy of biology is to what extent teleological language (as
in the "purposes" of various organs or life-processes) is
unavoidable, or is simply a shorthand for ideas that can ultimately be spelled
out nonteleologically. Philosophy of action also makes essential use of teleological
vocabulary: on Davidson's account, an action is
just something an agent does with an intention--that
is, looking forward to some end to be achieved by the action.
In contrast to telos, techne is the rational method involved in
producing an object or accomplishing a goal or objective; however, the two
methods are not mutually exclusive in principle.
Q. 1. What is the
chief end of man?
A. Man’s chief end is to glorify God,[1] and to enjoy him forever.[2]
1Peter
2:1 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and
envies, all evil speakings,A. Man’s chief end is to glorify God,[1] and to enjoy him forever.[2]
1Peter 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
1Peter 2:3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
1Peter 2:4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,
1Peter 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
1Peter 2:6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
1Peter 2:7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
1Peter 2:8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
1Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;
1Peter 2:10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
1Peter 2:11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
1Peter 2:12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
1Peter 2:13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
1Peter 2:14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.
1Peter 2:15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:
1Peter 2:16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.
1Peter 2:17 Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.
1Peter 2:18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.
1Peter 2:19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
1Peter 2:20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
1Peter 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
1Peter 2:22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
1Peter 2:23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
1Peter 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
1Peter 2:25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
I mention this on
todays video
|
[1586] FREUD-NIETZSCHE AND MARX- Today I need to do a little
more on our study of Modernity [the thinkers who have influenced Western
culture/thought from the 1700’s- 2000’s]. At this time I have 3 separate
studies I have started on-line; Classics of literature, Great Christian
thinkers of history, and Modernity. As time rolls on- I will gradually post all
new studies once a year in a monthly post [most of the time it will be
February] and as I update them you can read the most recent ones from the most
recent years.
Okay- I am skipping a bunch of stuff to jump into the
thinkers who represent the most popular forms of atheism- Marx, Nietzsche and
Freud. But first we need to take a look at Ludwig Feuerbach. L.F. [Ludwig
Feuerbach] laid the groundwork for these other more famous rejecters of God and
Christianity. During the enlightenment period it was rare for the critics of
religion to hold an outright atheistic view- men like Hume and Voltaire- though
true critics of the church- did not come out openly and deny the existence of
God. It was also difficult [impossible?] to hold professorships in the
universities if you were a doubter of God. Both Hume and Voltaire did not hold
positions. F.S. was Hegelian in a way [he followed Hegel’s idea that ‘God’
comes to self consciousness thru the development of humanity] but F.S. was a
Materialist- Hegel was an Idealist. Remember- idealism is the philosophical
system that sees reality existing in forms/ideas first- then later comes the
material thing. The great ancient philosophers- Socrates, Plato and Aristotle
were all Idealists. F.S. espoused the idea that reality starts with the
material existence of man first- and thru religion man ‘projects’ the idea of
God/spirit into society- and as man and Christianity develop [all good things
for F.S.] that the ultimate truth that we learn on this journey is that man is
really all there is- his ‘phase’ of God and religion were simply necessary
stages for man to arrive at this self conscious state in which he finally
realizes that man is all there is- God was a ‘crutch’- a needed one- but never
the less simply a projection of mans mind until he came to full maturity. For
F.S. ‘theology [the study of God] is anthropology’ [the study of man]. So in
this sense he follows Hegel- the development of man and society is the
development of God- but Hegel starts with spirit projecting ‘himself’ into
creation- and F.S. starts with man/matter first- and man projects this idea of
God/spirit as a secondary reality. The philosopher Paul Ricoeur describes F.S.
and his disciples as holding to a system of belief called ‘the hermeneutics of
suspicion’. This meaning that religion and God are not just things that seem to
be irrational [according to certain enlightenment critics] but that religion
itself is a mask that adds to the suffering of man- that man is under the
dominion of false ideas- ideas that have been developed by those who want power
over others- and these taskmasters use religion as a tool to oppress the
ignorant masses. This idea will come to full bloom in the mind of Marx. Marx
referred to religion as a ‘false consciousness’ that kept man in servitude to
others who ruled over them- and religion itself was the tool that kept these
ignorant masses in check. Nietzsche thought religion had its roots in weakness
and sickness- and that the most decadent used it to control those who were
actually more moral than the leaders. Freud saw religion as an effect of
repression and the actual cause of mental conflict and guilt- he blamed
religion for all the psychosis that man is afflicted with in life. The next few
posts in this study [whenever I get to them?] I will try and develop all 3 of
these famous thinkers ideas- show the errors in their own thinking- and the
aftermath of generations who have tried/fleshed out their philosophies- and
have found them dreadfully lacking in the end.
[1623] CHRIST CHURCH? A few weeks back I was going to write
a post from the words of St. Peter found in the New Testament ‘The time has
come that judgment must begin at the house of God [Christ’s church= house of
God] and if it starts there- what will the outcome be for the rest of the
world?’ [paraphrased it]. Right after the ‘thought’ the major events off the
coast of Japan hit and we have this trilogy of disasters to deal with
[Earthquake, Tsunami, Nuclear meltdown]. I did find it ‘strange’ that the
recent events started with Christ Church New Zealand- and seemed to spread from
there. I heard a Geologist the other night- he had previously predicted the
earthquake that hit Ca. during the World Series a few years ago. He said the
sign of the dead fish recently washing up in Ca. was not a coincidence- he said
the fish can sense a change in the earth’s magnetic field [prior to an
earthquake] and that in Japan these fish kills are actually called ‘earthquake
fish’. Wow. You do hear lots of talking heads during these types of events- yet
it would be nice to know the truth on these types of things. The last year or 2
we had earthquakes along the Pacific Rim; Chile, New Zealand and of course
Japan. If you look on a map you see the Pacific Ocean and you can draw a circle
around the perimeter- the part that affects us is the West coast- so they
already have a run on Iodide pills [fear of the radiation crossing the Pacific
from Japan] and some are predicting an earthquake. The other night I caught a
quick news flash of Saudi Arabia sending troops into Bahrain to fight back
against the protestors- as it flashed by quickly- I said ‘geez- this is a major
event- and it’s getting lost in the media frenzy’. Then O’Reilly spent 15
minutes on a real important life changing story- a stripper who works with a
snake- the snake bit the woman on her breast- the snake died from the silicone
from the breast implant. Another news show spent almost the whole hour on
sports- even the president did another March madness prediction- at a time when
the world has protestors in the streets- who thought we would help them [Libya]
and they are actually saying ‘Obama- where are you- where’s Bush?’ Now-
whatever your view is on intervening [no fly zone- etc.] the fact is if the
feeling around the globe is that we are not taking these things seriously
enough- then the image of the president doing March Madness picks does not look
good. So what do we make of it all? When Peter said ‘judgment must 1st
start at Gods house’ he of course was not directly talking about the city of
Christ Church, New Zealand. Yet in a prophetic sort of way- these types of
things can be signs of what’s to come. One of the important developments has
been the fact that the Arab/Persian nations have indeed chosen to ignore the
pleas from the U.S. to go easy on the protestors- and they simply have said
‘screw you- look at what you did to Egypt- we are gonna go the Gadhafi route’
[to a degree]. Saudi Arabia crossing into Bahrain- a small Persian Gulf nation
where we have lot of troops stationed [and the 5th fleet docked] is
a major development. The markets [both Asian and U.S.] have fallen over the
fears that the Nuke disaster is already as bad as Chernobyl- and the unrest in
the Middle East and Africa is not getting better. So we pray- we show the world
that we don’t just throw our hands up and say ‘the end of the world is here’
but we also recognize it is in mans nature to deny the reality of judgment- the
reality that mankind faces times where things build up and the planet suffers
for it. In the 19th century there was a movement in Christian
theology called ‘Liberal theology’- not liberal in politics- but a whole genre
of teaching/thought that challenged a lot of the ‘old time’ beliefs [like original
sin] and focused on the ability of modern man to rise above the ignorance of
the past [even in religious thought] and man was on the road to a true Utopian
society that would never fail. This belief was strong- both in the universities
of Germany as well as in the politics of the Western world. Then you had the
world wars- 8 million people killed in the first one- and 50 million in the 2nd
one. Men like Karl Barth [a Swiss theologian- teacher] would challenge the
liberal view of mans ‘inner divinity’ and he would blast the Christian world
with his famous ‘the epistle to the Romans’ his commentary on Paul’s famous
treatise- released in 1918. Though Barth is what some describe as 'Neo-
Orthodox’ [the strong Reformed teachers don’t appreciate Barth very much] yet
he did bring the church back to the biblical doctrines of original sin and mans
inability to ‘save himself’. Barth saw the reality of the WW1 and rejected the
Utopian belief that man was so advanced that he would reach for the sky- and
grab it! Today we see lots of shaking in the world- some are focused on March
madness- some find it profitable to do a story on a stripper- we need to keep
our eyes [and bibles] open- mankind is in need of God- man has gone thru stages
where he thought the ‘old belief’ in God would fall away- to the contrary- the
govt’s of man [apart from God] seem to be the thing that’s falling away.
They were a true warrior
nation- trained to fight from their youth- and this defeat sent the people of
Athens into a time of disillusionment.
They questioned the power
of their gods- and a sort of malaise fell over Athens after the defeat.
This was when Socrates
entered the fray- when the people had many questions about life.
He was called the Gadfly
of Athens- a title that would also be given to the 19th century
Danish father of existentialism- Soren Kierkegaard.
They were called Gadfly’s-
because they were like flies that would pester you- and elicit a response.
The leadership of Athens
saw Socrates as one that was stirring up the youth of his day- and creating
discontent among the populace.
He rejected the many god’s
of the day- but did have a belief in a single deity- he- like the Christians 4
centuries later- would be accused of atheism- because of his rejection of multiple
god’s.
He was sentenced to death
in 399 BCE- and his form of execution was drinking Hemlock.
His most famous student-
Plato- spoke with him before his death.
Many were surprised at how
willingly Socrates faced his demise- and this willingness had a great impact on
those who witnessed it.
Socrates never wrote
anything- but most of what we do know about him comes from the writing of
others- most notably from Plato’s Dialogues.
Plato wrote down what
Socrates taught- In his writings we see Socrates engaging in this method with
various people- thus the name of Plato’s works- Dialogues.
There is a debate about
how much of what was written about him was actually true- Plato did add his own
ideas into these debates- and the controversy about this is so strong that we
actually have a name for it- the ‘Socratic Problem’.
During the time of the
disillusionment of the Athenians- there were a group of philosophers known as
the Sophists.
The word comes from
Sophia- meaning wisdom.
Philosophy itself means The
Love of Wisdom.
In our day the words
Sophomore- Sophistry and Sophisticated are derived from this root word.
The Sophists were the
original Pragmatists.
Pragmatism is a form of
belief that says ‘do what works- regardless of the ethical implications’.
We will get to Pragmatism
at the end of this whole series on Philosophy.
But for now- we see the division between what
Socrates taught- and the
Now- I
do not ‘spiritualize’ everything in the book of Revelation- and over time I
might teach the various views on the book [historic- future- a mix of both-
etc.]But what I want you to see in this post is the primary ‘enemy’ that Christ
wars against- is Satan’s tactic to deceive man- thru sin- and the way sin
effects the mind.
I read
a book on addiction a few years ago [read a few] - and one of them was quite
interesting.
It was
a book on addiction recovery- from those who left AA.
The new
program they started [and have good results] was based solely on recognizing
the ‘addictive voice’.
Over
time- thru many personal stories- they learned that sin/addiction starts in the
mind- many testified to the fact that before they sinned- they actually found
themselves ‘mouthing’ words like ‘I can’t believe I’m going to do this’
They
taught- at that point- reject [rebuke] the voice.
[ that
the image of the beast should both speak ,]
Many
spoke about images of sin in their ‘mind’s eye’- Jesus warned against sin-
saying ‘if your eye is evil- your whole body will be full of darkness’.
As you
read these references I posted from revelation- you see an aspect of this
‘Those
who worship the beast- and his image’ ‘those MARKED in their minds/hands’.
At the
end of the book we read of those who overcame the beast- they ‘stood on a sea
of glass- mingled with fire’.
Those
who come up out of the waters of baptism [our identification with Christ]
‘stand on a sea’ in a sense-
Yet- it
was fire too- I taught this year on the Baptism of Fire
So- the
great victory over the beast and his image- is thru the work of the Cross-
Jesus- thru his Word- kills this beast.
We are then
raised to walk in newness of life- and have authority in the kingdom with him
[sit on the throne too- this is actually not the teaching for the week- but I
just wanted to give you a flavor of what’s to come].
To him
that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also
overcame , and am set down with my Father in his throne.
[1 And
you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time
past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince
of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of
disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in
the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind;and
were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 4 But God, who is rich in
mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in
sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved ;) 6 And
hath raised us up together , and made us sit together in heavenly places in
Christ Jesus: Ephesians- Note ‘the spirit that now works IN THE CHILDREN
of disobedience’- the primary spiritual warfare takes place inside people-
Jesus ‘wars’ against the sinful nature of man- the ‘spirit’ working IN sinful/lost
man].
And
I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them [Know
ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this
life? Corinthians]: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the
witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the
beast, neither his image , neither had received his mark upon their foreheads,
or in their hands;
To him
that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also
overcame , and am set down with my Father in his throne.
1 And I
saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were
passed away ; and there was no more sea. 2 And I John saw the holy city, new
Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned
for her husband [This is us- THE CHURCH- THE BRIDE]. 3 And I heard a great
voice out of heaven saying , Behold , the tabernacle of God is with men, and he
will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be
with them, and be their God. 4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their
eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow,nor crying, neither
shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away [Therefore
if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away ;
behold , all things are become new. Corinthians] . 5 And he that sat upon the
throne said , Behold , I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write : for
these words are true and faithful. 6 And he said unto me, It is done . I am
Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is
athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. 7He that overcometh shall
inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 8 But the
fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable , and murderers, and whoremongers,
and sorcerers,and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake
which burneth with fire and brimstone:which is the second death.For others- it
might be time to leave former sins in the past- Ephesians 2:2 Wherein in time
past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince
of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of
disobedience:
Ephesians
2:3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of
our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by
nature the children of wrath, even as others.
Romans
6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
Romans
6:2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
Romans
6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were
baptized into his death?
Romans
6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ
was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should
walk in newness of life.
Romans
6:5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall
be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
Romans 6:6 Knowing this,
that our old man is crucified with him, that the1802- THE HARVARD
PROFESSOR
Caught an interesting show the
other night- a Harvard economist [liberal] gave a lecture on economics.
Now- when I say ‘liberal’ I do
not use the term in a derogatory way- no- he was the type of economist that
would fit into the category of a Paul Krugman.
Krugman writes for the N.Y. Times
and often [always?] gives you the Keynesian view.
So anyway this Harvard prof. made
some good points.
But he blundered somewhat in his
defense of Socialism/communism.
He talked about Karl Marx [the
‘founder’ of the system] and said that what happened in the Silicon Valley boom
[the Dot.com businesses] was a type of Marxism.
The internet boom companies had a
different view of the business structure- instead of the ‘bosses’ being over
the working class stiff- you would have the actual employees run the show.
Yeah- when you watch the
documentaries on Facebook [and other Companies like it] you do see an
environment where all these young ‘hipsters’ are calling the shots- and they do
have a sense of freedom that you don’t see in the standard business model.
But the Harvard Prof. went a step
too far when he compared this to Marx.
Marx was raised in Germany- he
was a Jew.
His father had to re-locate his
business and join the Lutheran church in order to fit in with the people he
needed to do business with.
Marx would eventually go to ‘university’ in England- and he developed his ideas in an environment where the industrial revolution took off.
He witnessed the plight of the working
class man [proletariat] and how he became a victim of the factory system.
In England you did see many
hopeless workers fall prey to a lifestyle that had you going to work at the
factory all day- often in a dark and dingy environment.
You would come home to a gloomy
existence and often drink yourself to sleep.
Marx saw the working class as
victims of the Ownership class [the original 99 versus the 1%].
Marx saw that those who ran the
system- and ‘owned the tools’ had the true influence in society- and according
to Marx- they used two primary means of controlling the masses.
Law and Religion.
So Marx advocated for a violent
overthrow of the system- thru Revolutionary means- in order to free the working
class slave from the power of the few.
Now- where the Harvard Prof
missed it is he compared Marx’s idea to the Dotcom business model.
Facebook and other internet
businesses- they tried to empower the worker by making him part owner.
When Facebook went public this
last month [Initial public offering] it was said to have made many millionaires
overnight.
Why?
Because those who got in at the
start [even the kid who painted the Graffiti on the walls of the building] were
offered the option of cash or stock.
Those who took the stock became
rich when the company went public [it actually will go into effect if a couple
of more months].
So- this model empowers the
working class person by making him part owner.
Okay- Marx wanted to ‘level the
field’ by putting the State in charge.
He felt like if you took the
power away from the private owner [capitalism] then you could even out the
scales by making the state decide how much pay was fair- and the state would
literally own ‘the tools’ of the system.
Most of us know by now that his system failed
pretty badly [Soviet Union].
Though he meant well- trying to
defend the hopeless worker- yet he created a Monster State- and the state would
become the new oppressor of the people- and take away the incentive that the
private ownership model gave.
So all in all- the Harvard prof
had some truth to what he said- but he went a step too far.
In today’s political climate- we
all have a tendency to hear one side- and if we lineup with that side- we very
rarely question those who advocate the way we believe.
It’s important to hear both
sides- to give credit to the ideas that are good- and then reject the ideas
that are bad.
Marx had some very legitimate
concerns- the founder of the Salvation Army- William Booth- began his ministry
to the same class of people that Marx saw.
Marx rejected religion because he
believed the ownership class used it to keep the masses under.
Any truth to this?
Some.
Many of the Black slaves were
encouraged to attend church and keep singing their Black spiritual songs.
Why?
Many of the themes of these great
songs did indeed encourage the suffering servant to just hold on until he/she
gets to the Promised Land.
VERSES-
. Acts 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was
fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
Acts
2:2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind,
and it filled all the house where they were sitting.Acts 2:3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Acts 2:5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.
Acts 2:6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.
Acts 2:7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?
Acts 2:8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?
Acts 2:9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,
Acts 2:10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,
Acts 2:11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.
Acts 2:12 And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?
Acts 2:13 Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.
Acts 2:14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:
Acts 2:15 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.
Acts 2:16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;
Acts 2:17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
Acts 2:18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:
Acts 2:19 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:
Acts 2:20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and notable day of the Lord come:
Acts 2:21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Acts 2:22 Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:
Acts 2:23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:
Acts 2:24 Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.
Acts 2:25 For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:
Acts 2:26 Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope:
Acts 2:27 Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
Acts 2:28 Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.
Acts 2:29 Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.
Acts 2:30 Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;
Acts 2:31 He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.
Acts 2:32 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.
Acts 2:33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.
Acts 2:34 For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,
Acts 2:35 Until I make thy foes thy footstool.
Acts 2:36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
Acts 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Acts 2:39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the LORD our God shall call.
Acts 2:40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
Acts 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
Acts 2:43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
Acts 2:44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
Acts 2:45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
Acts 2:46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
Acts 2:47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
. Joel 2:28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
Joel 2:29 And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in
those days will I pour out my spirit.
Joel 2:30 And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth,
blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.
Joel 2:31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into
blood, before the great and terrible day of the LORD come.
Joel 2:32 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on
the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall
be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall
call.
facebook.com/john.chiarello.5
ccoutreach87.wordpress.com
Note- Do me a favor, those who read/like the posts- re-post
them on other sites as well as the site you read them on. Thanks- John.
No comments:
Post a Comment