I'm a New Christian, Now What?
When i first became a new Christian, i had a lot of assumptions, most of them immature. I still thought that war and violence was OK, and that all the church i needed was Chuck Swindoll's daily show. I often felt, "i'm saved, let's end the world, send the wicked to hell" rather than showing Christ's love and forgiveness to the lost-so they can accept it.I also thought the best way to learn about spiritual warfare and demons was by reading New Age fare rather than God's Word which explains it far more truthfully.
Over the years, i've struggled finding a church, finding my role in the Body of Christ and in finding God's will for me (generally and specifically in life). Perhaps my wanderings would have been shorter, and my struggles more bearable had i 1) been discipled and 2) knew what to do upon becoming a Christian. Getting saved is just the beginning.
So here's a few things that would have helped me, hopefully they will help you, recently saved individual.
This isn't all necessarily straight from the Bible, just a few things from my own experience. I don't want to make a habit of blogs from my own experience, but in this case it is helpful to learn from my mistakes.
1) are you really saved?
If you have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, accept that He became a man in a real body died for our sins and rose again the third day, according to the scriptures. Then YES! You are saved! Nothing can take that from you!
This is a pretty decent breakdown of the specifics, but in addition to this link, John 3:16, 1 John 1:9 and many other scriptures give us what we need to know and do to be saved. In short, it's faith in Jesus Christ as the solution for our sins.
http://www.gotquestions.org/how-can-I-be-saved.html
2) Get and read a Bible (at least daily)
2 Timothy 3:16
One of the key things in your new relationship with God through His Son Jesus is listening to what He says. We can listen to what God has to tell us through His Word, the Bible. No other source will give us the heart and mind of God. Also, when you read, ask God to speak to you. He often will.
Furthermore, I believe that the answer to every question can be found in the Bible if you look hard enough. It may not be a specific answer, but God will eventually lead you to the truth of a given matter if you pray and seek Him.
Which Bible should I read?
The answer is whatever one you will read regularly (as long as this edition hasn't changed God's word to fit their own agenda).
Many recommend the King James Bible. Personally, i had a hard time getting anything out of it for daily reading. Still, it is good for study (concordances) and the problems with it are widely known. So get one as a resource, or use the online versions of it for study. I have a phone app (mysword) that has the KJV (and 2 other versions) and also hotlinks to the strong's greek and hebrew from the KJV.
Blue Letter Bible Website is great, as it's searchable AND they have an extensive amount of commentaries. If you encounter a chapter or verse that's confusing, go to BLB and you'll have great resources to see what God's trying to get across to you. I can't recommend BLB enough if you want to do serious study of the Bible. One particular highlight is that they have Isaac Newton's commentaries.
As far as daily devotionals, i personally use the NLT (new living translation). It's a study Bible with a green cover and i have gotten a TON out of it. It is a little spendy though, though i think i got mine at walmart a long time ago at a good price. To this day, i can't remember why i bought it.
What i personally like is it's in today's language, and often strives for the most precise meaning of a word or phrase. They also have a decent commentary for many verses, though i don't always agree with it based on other commentaries. They also have other great study resources.
The downside, price and also some phrases aren't as accurately translated as they could be. All in all, i like it for daily reading.
So, in summary, the NLT study Bible, the good ol' KJV and Blue Letter, not in that order.
3) Find a good church to go to
(You may also like to find a good mentor, use the same criteria as a guide.)
One of the most common questions ever (not to me, but some Christians) is probably "what church should i go to?" Or which one is right?
As pointed out in my previous post, I have struggled with this. What i can tell you is that no specific denomination is right, as within each denomination are individuals who may not be on the level. Hence the need for Acts 17:11 and similar passages.
Here are some questions to consider in choosing a church.
Do they follow the Bible and consider it the authoritative Word of God? Do they take it seriously? Does the pastor?
Does the church focus on a specific social (or other) issue as opposed to Jesus Christ and Him crucified?
Is there false teaching? (Prosperity gospel, salvation by works)
What is that church's statement of faith? You can tell alot from that. I do have one, but it's not super-obviously located and one of these days i plan to fix that. A pretty good one can be found here:
http://www.gotquestions.org/faith.html
Some things to avoid:
- Obvious apostasy. This would be specifically ELCA and Anglican churches that have adopted a supportive stance on gay clergy. Many of these buildings are decorated like a bag of Skittles with rainbow banners in front of the church, and I've even seen a Presbyterian church with a rainbow out front. The rainbow isn't always a clue, but if you dig deep enough, you'll find out the truth on this. A church's stance on the homosexuality (or even other sin issues) should be clear. And if they endorse it/accept it, avoid that churxh.
- Mormonism, Jehovah's Witnesses (and i hear 7th day adventist) are not denominations, but basically cults. In at least one of these, salvation by works is prevalent. Further, there is kind of wacky teaching on Jesus Christ (1 John 4:1)
- Avoid any church that has you praying to anyone but God, in the name of His Son Jesus. Any church having you pray ANYTHING to Mary, a statue or a saint is teaching falsely. Sorry, but most if not all Catholic churches would fall into this category.
- Avoid any church that holds mans's teachings and traditions above the Bible. I don't mean to hate on Catholics, but this is a huge thing with Catholic church.
But it's not just the big C. ANY denomination can be and is guilty of this, and no denomination has the market cornered on truth. You can however, find good churches in most denominations. Just take that denominations traditions with a grain of salt
- in Star Trek, the Ferengi have a saying. "Never trust a man wearing a better suit than your own."
Now, a pastor's suit (or lack thereof) isn't necessarily an indication of his trustworthiness. Many pastors wear a suit because it's respectable, and a sign of professionalism in our culture. But there is a line that shouldn't be crossed. Does the pastor look like a "pulpit pimp"? Does he drive a porsche? do they have excessive bells and whistles in the building? Is there an emphasis on giving money to the church so God can bless you?
Probably a good idea to skip that place.
On the flipside, a poor church isn't necessarily right either. The roof of my church leaks sometimes, but if the pastor's teachings were off, i'd take a hike.
- Contemplative prayer
Really an issue to itself, but avoid it and any church that offers it. It's essentially mysticism and meditation masquerading as prayer. I probably used to do it when i went astray.
http://www.gotquestions.org/contemplative-prayer.html
- dominionism
Anything with a "seven mountains" thing going on. Derek Gilbert did many great shows on this for his view from the bunker (vftb.net) and the blog Herescope also has great articles. Both name names.
Here's a basic look
http://www.gotquestions.org/Christian-dominionism.html
Finally, with any church or ministry, follow Acts 17:11. Test anything that is preached by God's Word.
4) Cutting ties
One mistake i made in my early walk with Christ is that i didn't completely turn my back on sin. In fact, some of it i wasn't sure was sin (or i suspected, but justified it).
Here's some ways to cut ties.
Did you come out of the occult or New Age? Wicca?
Get rid of your books that teach how to do those things! Anything that can lead you back into that path, get rid of it. Even more, don't give them away, or sell them, but totally get rid of them. Many people advocate burning the books and paraphenelia (oujia boards, tarot decks, perhaps even stuff as "innocent" as Fate magazines). Burning them is scriptural (Acts 19:19) and if you choose to rid yourself of these items in this way, do so safely and taking proper safety measures. If you need a permit to burn, acquire one.
Can you just throw them away? Thats difficult to say. By doing that, there is a possibility someone else may acquire them and be drawn in themselves. In the case of tapes or CD's, perhaps breaking them would be sufficient. Burning may release harmful chemicals.
Personally, i have some UFO books i bought in recent years for "research" but honestly, i may end up getting rid of them.
All of this holds true for pornography as well. Don't make excuses, get it out of your house! Keeping it around potentially leaves an open door to Satan, or at least makes it easier to fall into temptation. Make a clean break. Safely burn books and magazines, safely break any DVDs or tapes.
It has been my experience that NOT getting rid of these things early on, and even justifying them WILL trip you up. Furthermore, getting rid of and destroying them is Biblical and is a demonstration of your changed life.
5) Spiritual Warfare
Ephesians 6:12.
It is real, and you probably will experience it. Especially if you have occult or porn in your past.
My pre (and post) salvation New Age dabblings gave me the opportunity to experience spiritual warfare first hand.
I had sleep paralysis a number of times, and once i even saw what's known as a "shadow person" and i've had a few encounters with demons in dreams. The more recent experiences are not ones I've sought out. In all of the cases i can remember details from, calling on Jesus Christ, asking Him for help put a stop to the event immediately. If you're unable to speak, then just think "Jesus" calling to Him, and that's worked for me too. Trust me God can read our minds, and knows what we need before we do.
In short, Jesus Christ stops satan and his demons from attacking us. Because, Jesus is the name above all names.
Phillipians 2:9 - 10
And all of the spiritual powers are subject to Him.
1 Peter 3:22
6) Get Baptized!
I was Baptized as an infant via the Catholic church. And there's no problem with infant baptism, I'm not for or against it necessarily. But even if you were batized as a baby, do so upon your conversion at the first opportunity. Getting baptized is an external sign of your new internal commitment. I was baptized as an adult and I'm glad that I did it, because it was something that I chose to do. Baptism doesn't save you, but it is good to be baptized as an adult. Dr. Michael Heiser's Naked Bible did an excellant job covering what exactly Baptism is and does or doesn't do. Dig that up if you want more info. I believe it can be obtained via revelations radio
While not authoritative, these guidelines should help you as a new Christian. More importantly, as you consider these things, do so prayerfully asking the Lord to lead you. God will lead you where you need to go. I hope, new Christian that these suggestions lead you closer to the Lord and His plan for your life. It's not an easy road, but it's the only one worth traveling.
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Monday, July 9, 2012
Denomination Domination: What Does the Bible say About Denominations
Denominations
John 17:21
"That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me."
All true believers in Jesus Christ are one, as in the Body of Christ. Why then, are there so many denominations, versions and flavors of Christianity?
Maybe a better question is, what does the Bible say about denominations? Before you ask, yes it certainly does have something to say.
For starters, a good possible overview of general denominations is in Revelation 2 - 3 Jesus Christ Himself gives letters to the churches. This is a whole 'nother study, but one interpretation of these letters is that each church represents an aspect of a period in Church history. Ephesus, the Apostolic Church until the Laodicean Church which is basically us now.
A good look at the theory (with a highly pro-Catholic slant can be found here.
http://home.earthlink.net/~mysticalrose/rev216.html) Chuck Missler's recent series suggests that from Thyatira onward, these churches will continue until the Great Tribulation or Jesus returns.
Some "experts" and this theory have described that Thyatira (Revelation 2:18 - 29) is actually the Catholic Church. This would make Sardis (Revelation 3:1-6) the Reformation of course.
Thyatira gets good marks for charity, faith and such, but really misses it on the idolotry point. Well, specifically meat sacrificed to idols anyways. And Catholicism does have alot of charity, traditionally. Look at Mother Theresa.
I really can't judge the actual faithfulness of Catholics, but i would suppose that devout Catholics probably do have alot of faith. "Faith in what or who?" exactly, would be a great question to consider at a later time.
But then Jesus mentions the whole thing about idols. Say what you want, but just about every Catholic church i've set foot in is full of idols.
Yes, they are.
These are statues made in the image of a saint (we are all saints in Christ) or Mary or even Jesus. But people pray to the statues.
"An idol is an image or other material object representing a deity to which religious worship is addressed or any person or thing regarded with blind admiration, adoration, or devotion."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idol
As Missler sort of said, those in the Protestant camp, especially those who DO think Thyatira is Catholicism should really take a long hard look at Sardis. There doesn't seem to be much good said about it.
Many then believe that puts us in Laodicea now.
So take a good look at those and you'll basically see that both denominations (Catholic and Protestant) have alot of repenting to do.
A thought not original to me, but one I should mention. In Luke 13, Jesus could be describing denominations as well.
Luke 13:18 - 21
18 Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it? 19 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden; and it grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it. 20 And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God? 21 It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.
In verses 18 and 19, the Kingdom of God is described as a mustard seed but it grows into a tree so large that birds take roost in it. The mustard seed could possibly represent that all it takes to enter God's Kingdom and be right with Him is a little faith. But in this story, it grows into a large tree, whereas mustard plants should be small. Perhaps it grew into a tree because each denomination "branched off" and continued to grow.
Catholicism grew and grew, then came Lutheran-ism, then that continued until you had Calvin and Methodists, Baptists and so on til today where we have stuff that looks like a denomination, but has rejected sound doctrine. There's a long list of who these might be.
The Church (aka the Kingdom of God?) Has grown to a "tree" and birds (demonic powers, false teachings) have taken roost in the tree.
Verses 20 and 21 continue the metaphor using leaven, another symbol typically reserved for sin and unrighteousness. Sin tried to hide and conceal itself in God's Church, something paralleled with Jesus' parallel of the wheats and the tares.
Nearly every denomination has had some scandal or has slid to compromise morally to fit with the times. The Anglicans (i think) ordained homosexual bishops. Catholics have pedophile (and some say possible satanism) in their ranks. Lutherans (of the ELCA anyways) and at least some Presbyterians have also ordained gay clergy. Indeed, the birds have been roosting and the leaven has been rising for a while.
Yet we know that the gates of Hell will not prevail against Christ and His true remnant Church as promised in Matthew 16:18.
It's clear to me the Bible (not surprisingly) anticipated the nonsense of denominationalism. At best, denominations represent God's way of reaching people using different methods. Slightly less than best, they're man's best and feeble attempt to understand God's Word and what He would have of us. At worst, they represent Satan and man's attempt to control and divide the Body of Christ.
The only thing i can really say about denominations is that we need to get away from the teachings of mere men (myself included) and focus on what the Bible says. Jesus Christ and Him crucified and risen according to the scriptures.
1 Corinthians 2:2 - 4
2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. 4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
I'm guilty of straying from that as well, explaining this, or debunking that. At the end of the day, any given issue is either glorifying God, glorifying Jesus Christ or it isn't. And if it isn't, we should really question if it belongs in our lives or not. Yoga, qigong, Edgar Cayce, Nostradmus, conspiracies and UFOs. Do they glorify Jesus? Do they brind us closer to seeking His face. No way! Perhaps a 2 hour yoga/conspiracy, etc. session could become a Bible reading/prayer session instead. i don't know. Is anything in our lives of satan? Get rid of it!
Addendum
My experience with denominations.
Don't take this as a judgment, it's just what happened with me. It also possibly demonstrates the effects of what happens when birds are roosting where they ought not to be and what happens when a baby believer listens to them sing.
Also, I'm a hard person to deal with (probably) and my many failed friendships prove this. So, i wholly admit there are factors that are my fault. Also, look at their doctrine, and compare it to God's Word, the Bible. If it doesn't line up, then don't go with it.
In the end, i believe that God can use different denominational styles to reach certain kinds of people. It's when we get too wrapped up in deciding which one is right, or placing too much faith in one line of man's thoughts that we get into trouble. Don't exchange God's glory for man's pharisaicalism. Nor should we be too ecumenical, saying anything goes.
When i was saved at 19, i still lived at home with my parents. We didn't really go to church. Ok, we never did. But on the few times i did go as a child it was to Catholic mass with my grandma. So, after a year or two of listening to Insight for Living, i decided i needed to find a church. I wanted to expand my relationship with God, connect with other believers my own age, and of course eventually meet the right girl.
Catholic Church
Catholic churches are indeed beautiful and grand. The artwork is some of the finest, the organ music, i loved it. I suppose the art could be a way to show people the Bible stories, and one could use it to witness. At least the Catholics still sing good hymns as opposed to love songs with just the word "Jesus" added in. I also liked the Saturday and wednesday services.
What i didn't like is kneeling, (sort of, sort of not) to a statue (Mary? Not Mary?) before i sat down. So i didn't. I also found it hard to connect with anyone, so i didn't. Outside of the usual peace be with you spiel, there wasn't really anyone i could talk to. Luckily, a Catholic lady i know recently told me that was normal, and something they were bad at. It also seemed pretty dead, with folks repeating phrases in the Mass with no emotion. Many of which, were phrases i didnt know.
Later on in more recent years i felt there was a (superficial?) connection to Buddhism. You have the whole monastary thing, prayer beads, repetition of specific prayers by rote. All in all, Catholicism just didn't work for me. I'll reserve my personal opinion on Catholicism as Jesus Christ will be the one to judge them as with every church.
Lutheranism
Basically the same stuff as Catholicism, minus all of the images.
Presbyterianism
I sort of fit in here... for a while. What i liked is that the people were very friendly and for the most part accepted me. The sermon and services were all good. The fellowship aferwards was fun and even the Bible study was fun.
But, there were bad things here too. The worst were my own fault i suppose. First, i basically let the pastor be God's message to me, rather than spending time in the Word. Sure, i had time in the word, but i used it as an excuse for laziness.
Second, the pastor admitted this himself, that Presbyterians had "ordered" the Holy Spirit right out, with all of the manmade rules and books of order and whatnot. There was also a lack of Biblical application in doing things. And the pastor himself questioned (not totally directly) the literalness of scripture and he sort of focused and directed all of his sermons on how to apply the Bible to his pet social issue, which was admittedly an important one. But also one easily dealt with in the moment of true conversion.
We also selected two pastors who didn't measure up to the standard in Timothy (the one about being husband of one wife, etc. And of course, they did not work out.
There was also alot of politics. Literally, we voted on stuff alot.
I was also put in a leadership position for the singles ministry, which ultimately failed. I had alot of faith issues there, but no one really checked me out. I was later put in charge of teaching highschool kids sunday school mainly because no one else wanted to do it. Again i failed there too. I was at my most backslidden, and yet i was given this great responsiblity. Whatever all that is worth. So i guess that shows the grace extended to others, but also a lack of discernment and reliance upon God's word.
I then settled on a non-denominational church, which has fit me the best so far.
So take all that don't build doctrine on it, don't change your denomination because of it, thats just where I've been. Rather than a bird roosting, I've been a monkey hopping from branch to branch.
John 17:21
"That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me."
All true believers in Jesus Christ are one, as in the Body of Christ. Why then, are there so many denominations, versions and flavors of Christianity?
Maybe a better question is, what does the Bible say about denominations? Before you ask, yes it certainly does have something to say.
For starters, a good possible overview of general denominations is in Revelation 2 - 3 Jesus Christ Himself gives letters to the churches. This is a whole 'nother study, but one interpretation of these letters is that each church represents an aspect of a period in Church history. Ephesus, the Apostolic Church until the Laodicean Church which is basically us now.
A good look at the theory (with a highly pro-Catholic slant can be found here.
http://home.earthlink.net/~mysticalrose/rev216.html) Chuck Missler's recent series suggests that from Thyatira onward, these churches will continue until the Great Tribulation or Jesus returns.
Some "experts" and this theory have described that Thyatira (Revelation 2:18 - 29) is actually the Catholic Church. This would make Sardis (Revelation 3:1-6) the Reformation of course.
Thyatira gets good marks for charity, faith and such, but really misses it on the idolotry point. Well, specifically meat sacrificed to idols anyways. And Catholicism does have alot of charity, traditionally. Look at Mother Theresa.
I really can't judge the actual faithfulness of Catholics, but i would suppose that devout Catholics probably do have alot of faith. "Faith in what or who?" exactly, would be a great question to consider at a later time.
But then Jesus mentions the whole thing about idols. Say what you want, but just about every Catholic church i've set foot in is full of idols.
Yes, they are.
These are statues made in the image of a saint (we are all saints in Christ) or Mary or even Jesus. But people pray to the statues.
"An idol is an image or other material object representing a deity to which religious worship is addressed or any person or thing regarded with blind admiration, adoration, or devotion."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idol
As Missler sort of said, those in the Protestant camp, especially those who DO think Thyatira is Catholicism should really take a long hard look at Sardis. There doesn't seem to be much good said about it.
Many then believe that puts us in Laodicea now.
So take a good look at those and you'll basically see that both denominations (Catholic and Protestant) have alot of repenting to do.
A thought not original to me, but one I should mention. In Luke 13, Jesus could be describing denominations as well.
Luke 13:18 - 21
18 Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it? 19 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden; and it grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it. 20 And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God? 21 It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.
In verses 18 and 19, the Kingdom of God is described as a mustard seed but it grows into a tree so large that birds take roost in it. The mustard seed could possibly represent that all it takes to enter God's Kingdom and be right with Him is a little faith. But in this story, it grows into a large tree, whereas mustard plants should be small. Perhaps it grew into a tree because each denomination "branched off" and continued to grow.
Catholicism grew and grew, then came Lutheran-ism, then that continued until you had Calvin and Methodists, Baptists and so on til today where we have stuff that looks like a denomination, but has rejected sound doctrine. There's a long list of who these might be.
The Church (aka the Kingdom of God?) Has grown to a "tree" and birds (demonic powers, false teachings) have taken roost in the tree.
Verses 20 and 21 continue the metaphor using leaven, another symbol typically reserved for sin and unrighteousness. Sin tried to hide and conceal itself in God's Church, something paralleled with Jesus' parallel of the wheats and the tares.
Nearly every denomination has had some scandal or has slid to compromise morally to fit with the times. The Anglicans (i think) ordained homosexual bishops. Catholics have pedophile (and some say possible satanism) in their ranks. Lutherans (of the ELCA anyways) and at least some Presbyterians have also ordained gay clergy. Indeed, the birds have been roosting and the leaven has been rising for a while.
Yet we know that the gates of Hell will not prevail against Christ and His true remnant Church as promised in Matthew 16:18.
It's clear to me the Bible (not surprisingly) anticipated the nonsense of denominationalism. At best, denominations represent God's way of reaching people using different methods. Slightly less than best, they're man's best and feeble attempt to understand God's Word and what He would have of us. At worst, they represent Satan and man's attempt to control and divide the Body of Christ.
The only thing i can really say about denominations is that we need to get away from the teachings of mere men (myself included) and focus on what the Bible says. Jesus Christ and Him crucified and risen according to the scriptures.
1 Corinthians 2:2 - 4
2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. 4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
I'm guilty of straying from that as well, explaining this, or debunking that. At the end of the day, any given issue is either glorifying God, glorifying Jesus Christ or it isn't. And if it isn't, we should really question if it belongs in our lives or not. Yoga, qigong, Edgar Cayce, Nostradmus, conspiracies and UFOs. Do they glorify Jesus? Do they brind us closer to seeking His face. No way! Perhaps a 2 hour yoga/conspiracy, etc. session could become a Bible reading/prayer session instead. i don't know. Is anything in our lives of satan? Get rid of it!
Addendum
My experience with denominations.
Don't take this as a judgment, it's just what happened with me. It also possibly demonstrates the effects of what happens when birds are roosting where they ought not to be and what happens when a baby believer listens to them sing.
Also, I'm a hard person to deal with (probably) and my many failed friendships prove this. So, i wholly admit there are factors that are my fault. Also, look at their doctrine, and compare it to God's Word, the Bible. If it doesn't line up, then don't go with it.
In the end, i believe that God can use different denominational styles to reach certain kinds of people. It's when we get too wrapped up in deciding which one is right, or placing too much faith in one line of man's thoughts that we get into trouble. Don't exchange God's glory for man's pharisaicalism. Nor should we be too ecumenical, saying anything goes.
When i was saved at 19, i still lived at home with my parents. We didn't really go to church. Ok, we never did. But on the few times i did go as a child it was to Catholic mass with my grandma. So, after a year or two of listening to Insight for Living, i decided i needed to find a church. I wanted to expand my relationship with God, connect with other believers my own age, and of course eventually meet the right girl.
Catholic Church
Catholic churches are indeed beautiful and grand. The artwork is some of the finest, the organ music, i loved it. I suppose the art could be a way to show people the Bible stories, and one could use it to witness. At least the Catholics still sing good hymns as opposed to love songs with just the word "Jesus" added in. I also liked the Saturday and wednesday services.
What i didn't like is kneeling, (sort of, sort of not) to a statue (Mary? Not Mary?) before i sat down. So i didn't. I also found it hard to connect with anyone, so i didn't. Outside of the usual peace be with you spiel, there wasn't really anyone i could talk to. Luckily, a Catholic lady i know recently told me that was normal, and something they were bad at. It also seemed pretty dead, with folks repeating phrases in the Mass with no emotion. Many of which, were phrases i didnt know.
Later on in more recent years i felt there was a (superficial?) connection to Buddhism. You have the whole monastary thing, prayer beads, repetition of specific prayers by rote. All in all, Catholicism just didn't work for me. I'll reserve my personal opinion on Catholicism as Jesus Christ will be the one to judge them as with every church.
Lutheranism
Basically the same stuff as Catholicism, minus all of the images.
Presbyterianism
I sort of fit in here... for a while. What i liked is that the people were very friendly and for the most part accepted me. The sermon and services were all good. The fellowship aferwards was fun and even the Bible study was fun.
But, there were bad things here too. The worst were my own fault i suppose. First, i basically let the pastor be God's message to me, rather than spending time in the Word. Sure, i had time in the word, but i used it as an excuse for laziness.
Second, the pastor admitted this himself, that Presbyterians had "ordered" the Holy Spirit right out, with all of the manmade rules and books of order and whatnot. There was also a lack of Biblical application in doing things. And the pastor himself questioned (not totally directly) the literalness of scripture and he sort of focused and directed all of his sermons on how to apply the Bible to his pet social issue, which was admittedly an important one. But also one easily dealt with in the moment of true conversion.
We also selected two pastors who didn't measure up to the standard in Timothy (the one about being husband of one wife, etc. And of course, they did not work out.
There was also alot of politics. Literally, we voted on stuff alot.
I was also put in a leadership position for the singles ministry, which ultimately failed. I had alot of faith issues there, but no one really checked me out. I was later put in charge of teaching highschool kids sunday school mainly because no one else wanted to do it. Again i failed there too. I was at my most backslidden, and yet i was given this great responsiblity. Whatever all that is worth. So i guess that shows the grace extended to others, but also a lack of discernment and reliance upon God's word.
I then settled on a non-denominational church, which has fit me the best so far.
So take all that don't build doctrine on it, don't change your denomination because of it, thats just where I've been. Rather than a bird roosting, I've been a monkey hopping from branch to branch.
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
A Mirror Darkly: My Reflections on Researching Ancient Aliens
Reflection on Ancient Aliens
This blog has had its share of UFO and alien related blog posts. Though in all of them i have tried to demonstrate a Christian perspective, i have frankly had my fill of aliens and so-themed blogs for a while. So, this post is announcing my moratorium on blogs about UFOs, aliens and the like UNLESS i get a specific leading from the Lord. So who knows, there may be one next week. But i'm not planning any more for now.
That said, i wanted to maybe reflect on my experiences debunking Ancient Aliens. Though much of the work i've done on that doesn't really point back to Jesus directly, hopefully it shows that a follower of Jesus is dedicated to truth. The truth is that the ancient astronaut theory (and by proxy ancient high-technology theory) has been proven to be a lie.
My experience with ancient aliens goes back to my teenage years, and maybe further. Perhaps my whole life has been covered by its shadow. As a child i watched Star Wars ("long time ago, galaxy far far away) and Transformers (they are robotic aliens who crashed in prehistoric times) so the seed was always there. In my later years, it got me wondering if fact shared anything with fiction.
As a teen, i was introduced to the works of Erich von Daniken. I'm not sure how, i probably saw his books at the library. I've never been one to read a whole book from their, so i probably looked at the pictures and captions and bought into the ancient astronaut lie there. This was further reinforced through Fate magazine, the videogame Illusion of Gaia and numerous science fiction novels.
Into adulthood, even after becoming a Christian i recall reading a book on time travel which cemented the idea that there were OOPARTs (out of place artifacts) so the idea of time travel and/or ancient aliens was stuck even deeper.
However, once my faith had withered from 2004 - 2008 or somewhere in there, i repented and turned back to Jesus Christ and I re-learned that aliens were a demonic deception through Joe Jordan's, Rev. Radio and LA Marzulli's work among others but then what about these OOPARTs? Though there weren't aliens, i wondered if the ancients were merely super smart. Especially since some Christian theories allow ancient high-technology on account of fallen angels giving it to us or through nephilim-einsteins.
How else can we explain the pyramids, ancient structures (Baalbek) and clear proof of ancient flight? Nephilim and angels of course. Just swap out aliens for fallen angels/nephilim, and i can keep my comfortable world view of an ancient sci-fi world
Same lie, different cause.
After researching even just a few ancient alien claims in-depth, i've had to completely reject the entire concept of ancient high-technology. The evidence for AA is the same for high technology (from angels) and unfortunately the evidence is completely ridiculous.
I've found that all of the evidence for both theories to be at best, a misrepresentation or of a given event/evidence and at worst (and more often than not) a complete fabrication. Facts are taken out of context or embellished. Often they are just made up.
The saqqara bird and Tolima figures are completely taken out of context. The skyanchor stories are too, as they are contained right next to stories about sailors dropping knives in the sea only to land on their kitchen table back home.
Space suit figures shown on TV, when viewed from a different angle have skin showing and toes.
Meanwhile sitchin makes up his own translations and uses 25 year old plaster statues and von daniken use sci-fi magazine pictures as cave paintings.
Even worse, the theories and evidence contradict each other. Sure, aliens may need space suits to get through space (unless they've heard of pressurized ships like our space shuttle), but how is it they need one in our atmosphere? They don't breathe oxygen? OK, then how do they get their pants of do mate with human women? The whole point of a space suit is to protect the body.
And how many kinds of aliens supposedly have their fingers in our pie? Each theory proposes a new species, surely one ET experiment is already a stretch, the dozens or hundreds already out there make it even more so, especially when each one (or at least several) claim to have made us? Each individual Kachina of the Pueblo looks completely different, and those differ from the aliens in Egypt and so on and so on
They can't all have created us, and by the way. Who created the aliens?
So, with all of that said, the ancient alien theory offers no concrete answers merely half-truths and contradictions. It also offers no hope. After all, the aliens merely made us from apes to be a slave race. Great. If we're lucky enough to even have souls, then when we die all we have to look forward to is endless reincarnations. If we're lucky, we'll evolve to another rung on the ladder. Except the ladder is endless, and we are finite.
But the Bible on the other hand, tells us exactly where we come from and why we're screwed up. It also tells us how to fix the screw up - Jesus Christ. It also tells us exactly where we are going. And by the way, God's plan of redemption through Jesus Christ was foretold innumerable ways in the old testament, both through symbolism (covering nakedness with animal coverings, serpent in the wilderness) and encoded (the names of all of the patriarchs. Check out Chuck Missler's take on that) all CENTURIES before they happened.
Like atheism, the big bang theory, and evolution it takes more faith to believe in the ancient alien theory than it does to believe what it says in the Bible. The AA theory has proven itself wrong time and time again, or at best proven that there is a shadow of a doubt.
The Bible on the other hand has a proven track record across MILLENIA. To paraphrase Chuck Missler "66 books by 40 author written across centuries and yet there are consistant idioms and symbolism tying each book together.
Jesus Christ is the only hope for man kind, His Word, the Bible is the only possible explanation for what happened in the past and what will happen in the future.
This blog has had its share of UFO and alien related blog posts. Though in all of them i have tried to demonstrate a Christian perspective, i have frankly had my fill of aliens and so-themed blogs for a while. So, this post is announcing my moratorium on blogs about UFOs, aliens and the like UNLESS i get a specific leading from the Lord. So who knows, there may be one next week. But i'm not planning any more for now.
That said, i wanted to maybe reflect on my experiences debunking Ancient Aliens. Though much of the work i've done on that doesn't really point back to Jesus directly, hopefully it shows that a follower of Jesus is dedicated to truth. The truth is that the ancient astronaut theory (and by proxy ancient high-technology theory) has been proven to be a lie.
My experience with ancient aliens goes back to my teenage years, and maybe further. Perhaps my whole life has been covered by its shadow. As a child i watched Star Wars ("long time ago, galaxy far far away) and Transformers (they are robotic aliens who crashed in prehistoric times) so the seed was always there. In my later years, it got me wondering if fact shared anything with fiction.
As a teen, i was introduced to the works of Erich von Daniken. I'm not sure how, i probably saw his books at the library. I've never been one to read a whole book from their, so i probably looked at the pictures and captions and bought into the ancient astronaut lie there. This was further reinforced through Fate magazine, the videogame Illusion of Gaia and numerous science fiction novels.
Into adulthood, even after becoming a Christian i recall reading a book on time travel which cemented the idea that there were OOPARTs (out of place artifacts) so the idea of time travel and/or ancient aliens was stuck even deeper.
However, once my faith had withered from 2004 - 2008 or somewhere in there, i repented and turned back to Jesus Christ and I re-learned that aliens were a demonic deception through Joe Jordan's, Rev. Radio and LA Marzulli's work among others but then what about these OOPARTs? Though there weren't aliens, i wondered if the ancients were merely super smart. Especially since some Christian theories allow ancient high-technology on account of fallen angels giving it to us or through nephilim-einsteins.
How else can we explain the pyramids, ancient structures (Baalbek) and clear proof of ancient flight? Nephilim and angels of course. Just swap out aliens for fallen angels/nephilim, and i can keep my comfortable world view of an ancient sci-fi world
Same lie, different cause.
After researching even just a few ancient alien claims in-depth, i've had to completely reject the entire concept of ancient high-technology. The evidence for AA is the same for high technology (from angels) and unfortunately the evidence is completely ridiculous.
I've found that all of the evidence for both theories to be at best, a misrepresentation or of a given event/evidence and at worst (and more often than not) a complete fabrication. Facts are taken out of context or embellished. Often they are just made up.
The saqqara bird and Tolima figures are completely taken out of context. The skyanchor stories are too, as they are contained right next to stories about sailors dropping knives in the sea only to land on their kitchen table back home.
Space suit figures shown on TV, when viewed from a different angle have skin showing and toes.
Meanwhile sitchin makes up his own translations and uses 25 year old plaster statues and von daniken use sci-fi magazine pictures as cave paintings.
Even worse, the theories and evidence contradict each other. Sure, aliens may need space suits to get through space (unless they've heard of pressurized ships like our space shuttle), but how is it they need one in our atmosphere? They don't breathe oxygen? OK, then how do they get their pants of do mate with human women? The whole point of a space suit is to protect the body.
And how many kinds of aliens supposedly have their fingers in our pie? Each theory proposes a new species, surely one ET experiment is already a stretch, the dozens or hundreds already out there make it even more so, especially when each one (or at least several) claim to have made us? Each individual Kachina of the Pueblo looks completely different, and those differ from the aliens in Egypt and so on and so on
They can't all have created us, and by the way. Who created the aliens?
So, with all of that said, the ancient alien theory offers no concrete answers merely half-truths and contradictions. It also offers no hope. After all, the aliens merely made us from apes to be a slave race. Great. If we're lucky enough to even have souls, then when we die all we have to look forward to is endless reincarnations. If we're lucky, we'll evolve to another rung on the ladder. Except the ladder is endless, and we are finite.
But the Bible on the other hand, tells us exactly where we come from and why we're screwed up. It also tells us how to fix the screw up - Jesus Christ. It also tells us exactly where we are going. And by the way, God's plan of redemption through Jesus Christ was foretold innumerable ways in the old testament, both through symbolism (covering nakedness with animal coverings, serpent in the wilderness) and encoded (the names of all of the patriarchs. Check out Chuck Missler's take on that) all CENTURIES before they happened.
Like atheism, the big bang theory, and evolution it takes more faith to believe in the ancient alien theory than it does to believe what it says in the Bible. The AA theory has proven itself wrong time and time again, or at best proven that there is a shadow of a doubt.
The Bible on the other hand has a proven track record across MILLENIA. To paraphrase Chuck Missler "66 books by 40 author written across centuries and yet there are consistant idioms and symbolism tying each book together.
Jesus Christ is the only hope for man kind, His Word, the Bible is the only possible explanation for what happened in the past and what will happen in the future.
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Hope for the Hopi: Following the Hopi Life Plan to Eternal Life
This message is to the Hopi Natives, other Pueblos and anyone else interested in Hopi teachings.
First, as a white person, i sincerely apologize to you and all Natives for how the white people have dealt with you. There are no excuses for what happened, and i recognize that it was wrong, and on behalf of white people, i ask your forgiveness.
So, here we go. In my studies of cave paintings, i've come across the "Hopi Life Plan" which was painted on a rock somewhere in Hopi territory. It depicts the Creator leading the Hopi out of the ground and the possibility that the Hopi will be offered a chance to get onto the straight path for eternal life. Here is one interpretation, which i will build upon. The graphic and description are from the same place.
“Symbol a represents the Creator pointing down close to the ground from where the Hopi claim to have come. The short vertical lines near the Creator's hand b represent the Hopi people. The Creator is holding in his left hand "the life plan" or "trail" c upon which the Hopi are to embark. Near this hand is a circle d which represents "holding" of the entire continent in trust for the Creator, as he had instructed. (Since this photograph was taken, viewers of this panel have added a bow to the right hand of the Creator which was not apparent when Martineau surveyed the carving.)
Point e on the trail or life plan represents a time when it was predicted by the Creator that the Hopi would digress from the true path given to them and pursue another way. The square f is said to represent Oraibi, and the line or path g coming down from the square represents the false path of the wicked Oraibi . . .
The figures h standing upon the false path represent the wicked themselves. Older Hopi claim that heads have recently been added to these symbols, for they remember a time when no heads existed on these figures. The absence of heads would represent the punishment or death that the wicked must undergo as a result of following the false path.
The two zigzag lines I stemming from the false path represent the careless and different paths to permanent destruction pursued by the wicked. . . .
Symbol k is the true path of everlasting life, symbol l, which is shown at four points along this true path. The incorporation of the symbol old age (a cane) with life (a branching corn leaf) represents everlasting life. . . . The Hopi say that they are gourds which are shaken, thus representing three great wars or shakings that will transpire before the everlasting life is reached. The last circle represents the "final war" of purification in which all evil will be destroyed.
At point n on this panel the false path connects with an everlasting life symbol, showing that some may return to the true path and to everlasting life. The two zigzag lines which extend beyond this point of possible return to the path of everlasting life thus truly indicate permanent destruction, since the wicked have gone beyond this point of no return. Symbol o, at the end of the path is the great spirit holding an everlasting life symbol in his hand. He is shown waiting here at the end of the trail just as he was shown at the beginning of it. For this reason he is called the first and the last.[35”
http://www.johnpratt.com/items/docs/lds/meridian/2006/petroglyphs.html
Now, here is my interpretation.
You Hopi and Pueblo believe that you were led out of an underground cave by the creator. That's represented by the picture of the Creator pointing to the ground in picture "a".
But consider this instead. The picture of the Creator (God) pointing to the ground may be indicating that human beings were created from the dust of the Earth.
Genesis 2:7
And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
"B" represents not just the Hopi, but all people and "C" is the path that God laid out before us. We were to obey God by not eating the fruit of the tree that was forbidden.
Genesis 2:15 - 17
15 And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. 16 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: 17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
I will confess that i do not know what "D", the circle represents, other than perhaps human beings were meant to rule and be caretakers of God's creation, the Earth. Had we remained on the right path, obeying God we would have.
Then "E" happened, human beings (adam, the first man) sinned (disobeyed God) because of "F" Oraibi (Satan?). (http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Gen&c=3&v=1&t=KJV#1) As a result, ALL human beings walk the path of the evil one, and walk in disobedience. Because of this, ALL humans die, because through one person (Adam) sin entered the world. Because we are all his decendent, we are all guilty of sin.
Romans 5:12
Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
Because of this, we are all on the path of the wicked one, "G" and "H" all on this path are subject to death and are dead spiritually represented by headless people. (Note, the heads are said to have been recently added.) I agree that "I" and "J" represent that the wicked will pursue many paths, possibly to try to restore themselves to the true path, but they will actually lead to nowhere but destruction and death.
But there is good news. The path marked by "K" tells us there is a way to eternal life and abundance, symbolized by the corn and old man. "L". "M" is said to represent three great wars before the end. Notice after the second war, there is an "L" that connects to the wicked path. This possibly represents that there is a last chance to turn from the path of the wicked before the final war. The final war may be what we Christians refer to as "The Great Tribulation." Anyone who has not turned from evil to the true path "K" before this, will not be given another chance to do so.
But how does one turn to "K", the true path?
The true path "K" is Jesus Christ, the Son of God. God became a human being and lived a perfect life, and gave His life willingly to pay the death cost of our wicked ways. This was prophesied throughout the Bible. Not only did Jesus die according to the Bible, but He also rose from the dead, because there was no sin in Him. With no sin in Him, death had no rights to Him, and so He rose from the dead. This too was foretold in the Bible.
John 3:16 - 18
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
1 Corinthians 15:3 - 8
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: 6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. 7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. 8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.
Now is the time to leave the wicked path, and move to the path of Everlasting Life. Believe in Jesus, put your faith in Him and ask Him to forgive you for your sin (wickedness) and put you on the path to righteousness. By doing this, by believing and putting your faith in Jesus Christ and turning from your wickedness you can be saved.
To read more about Jesus you can do so in the Bible. You can get a hard copy from any church or book store (King James version is good, i personally use the New Living Translation and King James). You can also read the Bible here:
http://www.blueletterbible.org/
You can also use Google to learn what books are in the Bible and use Blue letter to search and read those books.
First, as a white person, i sincerely apologize to you and all Natives for how the white people have dealt with you. There are no excuses for what happened, and i recognize that it was wrong, and on behalf of white people, i ask your forgiveness.
So, here we go. In my studies of cave paintings, i've come across the "Hopi Life Plan" which was painted on a rock somewhere in Hopi territory. It depicts the Creator leading the Hopi out of the ground and the possibility that the Hopi will be offered a chance to get onto the straight path for eternal life. Here is one interpretation, which i will build upon. The graphic and description are from the same place.
“Symbol a represents the Creator pointing down close to the ground from where the Hopi claim to have come. The short vertical lines near the Creator's hand b represent the Hopi people. The Creator is holding in his left hand "the life plan" or "trail" c upon which the Hopi are to embark. Near this hand is a circle d which represents "holding" of the entire continent in trust for the Creator, as he had instructed. (Since this photograph was taken, viewers of this panel have added a bow to the right hand of the Creator which was not apparent when Martineau surveyed the carving.)
Point e on the trail or life plan represents a time when it was predicted by the Creator that the Hopi would digress from the true path given to them and pursue another way. The square f is said to represent Oraibi, and the line or path g coming down from the square represents the false path of the wicked Oraibi . . .
The figures h standing upon the false path represent the wicked themselves. Older Hopi claim that heads have recently been added to these symbols, for they remember a time when no heads existed on these figures. The absence of heads would represent the punishment or death that the wicked must undergo as a result of following the false path.
The two zigzag lines I stemming from the false path represent the careless and different paths to permanent destruction pursued by the wicked. . . .
Symbol k is the true path of everlasting life, symbol l, which is shown at four points along this true path. The incorporation of the symbol old age (a cane) with life (a branching corn leaf) represents everlasting life. . . . The Hopi say that they are gourds which are shaken, thus representing three great wars or shakings that will transpire before the everlasting life is reached. The last circle represents the "final war" of purification in which all evil will be destroyed.
At point n on this panel the false path connects with an everlasting life symbol, showing that some may return to the true path and to everlasting life. The two zigzag lines which extend beyond this point of possible return to the path of everlasting life thus truly indicate permanent destruction, since the wicked have gone beyond this point of no return. Symbol o, at the end of the path is the great spirit holding an everlasting life symbol in his hand. He is shown waiting here at the end of the trail just as he was shown at the beginning of it. For this reason he is called the first and the last.[35”
http://www.johnpratt.com/items/docs/lds/meridian/2006/petroglyphs.html
Now, here is my interpretation.
You Hopi and Pueblo believe that you were led out of an underground cave by the creator. That's represented by the picture of the Creator pointing to the ground in picture "a".
But consider this instead. The picture of the Creator (God) pointing to the ground may be indicating that human beings were created from the dust of the Earth.
Genesis 2:7
And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
"B" represents not just the Hopi, but all people and "C" is the path that God laid out before us. We were to obey God by not eating the fruit of the tree that was forbidden.
Genesis 2:15 - 17
15 And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. 16 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: 17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
I will confess that i do not know what "D", the circle represents, other than perhaps human beings were meant to rule and be caretakers of God's creation, the Earth. Had we remained on the right path, obeying God we would have.
Then "E" happened, human beings (adam, the first man) sinned (disobeyed God) because of "F" Oraibi (Satan?). (http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Gen&c=3&v=1&t=KJV#1) As a result, ALL human beings walk the path of the evil one, and walk in disobedience. Because of this, ALL humans die, because through one person (Adam) sin entered the world. Because we are all his decendent, we are all guilty of sin.
Romans 5:12
Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
Because of this, we are all on the path of the wicked one, "G" and "H" all on this path are subject to death and are dead spiritually represented by headless people. (Note, the heads are said to have been recently added.) I agree that "I" and "J" represent that the wicked will pursue many paths, possibly to try to restore themselves to the true path, but they will actually lead to nowhere but destruction and death.
But there is good news. The path marked by "K" tells us there is a way to eternal life and abundance, symbolized by the corn and old man. "L". "M" is said to represent three great wars before the end. Notice after the second war, there is an "L" that connects to the wicked path. This possibly represents that there is a last chance to turn from the path of the wicked before the final war. The final war may be what we Christians refer to as "The Great Tribulation." Anyone who has not turned from evil to the true path "K" before this, will not be given another chance to do so.
But how does one turn to "K", the true path?
The true path "K" is Jesus Christ, the Son of God. God became a human being and lived a perfect life, and gave His life willingly to pay the death cost of our wicked ways. This was prophesied throughout the Bible. Not only did Jesus die according to the Bible, but He also rose from the dead, because there was no sin in Him. With no sin in Him, death had no rights to Him, and so He rose from the dead. This too was foretold in the Bible.
John 3:16 - 18
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
1 Corinthians 15:3 - 8
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: 6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. 7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. 8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.
Now is the time to leave the wicked path, and move to the path of Everlasting Life. Believe in Jesus, put your faith in Him and ask Him to forgive you for your sin (wickedness) and put you on the path to righteousness. By doing this, by believing and putting your faith in Jesus Christ and turning from your wickedness you can be saved.
To read more about Jesus you can do so in the Bible. You can get a hard copy from any church or book store (King James version is good, i personally use the New Living Translation and King James). You can also read the Bible here:
http://www.blueletterbible.org/
You can also use Google to learn what books are in the Bible and use Blue letter to search and read those books.
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Apologies to Feed Subscribers
Sorry to anyone who got my gay blog with kind of bad stuff in the beginning. I had been trying to type in search terms like "God hates gays, God loves gays, etc." To grab audience readers. Unfortunately, the search terms typed in the wrong spot, making it look like I was typing something hateful, when such was not my intent. It should be fixed now, please re-read my gay post.
Keep it Gay: Christianity and Homosexuality
(There is good news at the end)
There are some (seemingly) in the body of Christ that are a little more left leaning when it comes to societal issues. This is certainly a good thing when it comes to war and justice issues. But the problem comes from when we take this sort of stance on what are clearly moral issues, like homosexuality. While i have addressed this issue before as it relates to gay clergy, an online chat i had with someone has led me to revisit the general issue from a Biblical viewpoint.
Those who claim to be Christians, yet support homosexuality and gay rights often cite that Jesus never said anything about homosexuality, so therefore it must be OK. What they neglect to notice is that the Old Testament and even parts of the New Testament are quite clear on the matter. That is, homosexuality is a sin.
BUT, this does not give us the right to protest pride parades and tell them that God hates them and they are going to Hell. Without Jesus Christ, we'd be headed there too.
The problem with Christians saying homosexuality is OK is that God's Word is clear that it's not. That's what I'll focus on here. As i have heard Derek Gilbert say: "You can't pick and choose what parts of the Bible you want to follow. It's either God's inerrant Word, or it isn't. If you pick and choose, you can't in any meaningful sense call yourself a Christian."
Those that argue that Jesus did not explicitly say anything about homosexuality in His time incarnated are absolutely correct. He didn't address it. But he also did not address witchcraft, child sacrifice or selling your daughter into prostitution - all forbidden by the Law. In short, He did not mention alot of stuff, because He came to save, not condemn and judge at that time.
Just because Jesus was silent on an issue does not mean it's OK for us to do it when the Law clearly forbids it. That's how i ended up backsliding into some New Age stuff years ago.
Though Jesus was silent on gay-ness in His ministry, He did address it as the Word of God in the Old Testament and He did not invalidate the OT, but in Matthew 5:18 emphasized that the Law was valid.
About Homosexuality, the Law says:
Leviticus 18:22
Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.
The argument i saw the other day mentioned that near this was the commandment not to eat shellfish, so people that do are sinners in need of repentance. However, Acts 10, Jesus told Peter that all animals were basically OK to eat. (At least that's my understanding.
So if we want to cast aside the rest of the Law because Christ didn't mention a specific piece of it, or that we now disregard some of it due to dietary considerations we had better be careful. After all, immediately preceding Leviticus 18:22 is verse 21 (obviously). But verse 21 forbids child sacrifice to Molech (or via Molech if you see my star of David article). If you want to throw out one, then what about the other?
No, we can't throw out the Law, even though none of us can keep the Law, and even missing but one part of the Law, makes us a sinner. You can exchange homosexuality for any other sin listed in the Law from petty theft to child sacrifice, sin is sin. You do one sin in the Law, you are guilty of them all.
I've stolen before, i've looked at women with lust in my heart, i have broken God's Law. All of it, and thus need a savior.
James 2:10
For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
Notice, it doesn't tell us to take out the parts of the Law that we don't like or can't attain. Though we can't keep the Law tells us where we have sinned, and what we need to repent of. The entire book of Galatians is about not being able to meet the Law, yet that it is still valid. If the Law doesn't convict us of sin, what will?
Romans 3:20
Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
1 John 1:8
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
Jesus condemned sin, but He met the sinner where they were and helped them. That's what He's done in my life. That's what He did in the Bible. The Samaritan woman at the well, He pointed out her sin, yet at the end of that encounter my suspicion is that she repented and became a believer. In the event where another woman was caught in adultery, Jesus saved her from being stoned. Jesus said to the adulteress:
John 8:10 - 11
10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? 11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
We also can't throw out the Law, because Paul (who was commissioned by Jesus Christ Himself!) said we can't. If you throw out Paul, you throw out the one who chose Him to spread the Gospel - Jesus Christ
2 Timothy 3:16
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
And Paul also said:
1 Corinthians 6:9 - 11
Don't you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don't fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality,
or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God.
Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
(Blueletter Bible, NLT)
Homosexuality is no worse than any other sin. To God (a Holy God), ALL sin is disgusting. From the time i look at a woman with lust in my heart, to theft to homosexuality. All sin must be dealt with by Jesus Christ. His Word, the OT tells us what sin is so we know what to repent of.
If you are a homosexual, and want out of that lifestyle, if you feel shame or feel it's wrong. There is hope. Jesus Christ loves you, He died for you. Ask Him into your life, turn from your sin and follow Him. He can and will set you free!
Here is the testimony of an ex-homosexual who came to Jesus. Please share more if you know of good ones.
The same one
http://vimeo.com/10554921
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEzSoGroPxA&feature=youtube_gdata_player
There are some (seemingly) in the body of Christ that are a little more left leaning when it comes to societal issues. This is certainly a good thing when it comes to war and justice issues. But the problem comes from when we take this sort of stance on what are clearly moral issues, like homosexuality. While i have addressed this issue before as it relates to gay clergy, an online chat i had with someone has led me to revisit the general issue from a Biblical viewpoint.
Those who claim to be Christians, yet support homosexuality and gay rights often cite that Jesus never said anything about homosexuality, so therefore it must be OK. What they neglect to notice is that the Old Testament and even parts of the New Testament are quite clear on the matter. That is, homosexuality is a sin.
BUT, this does not give us the right to protest pride parades and tell them that God hates them and they are going to Hell. Without Jesus Christ, we'd be headed there too.
The problem with Christians saying homosexuality is OK is that God's Word is clear that it's not. That's what I'll focus on here. As i have heard Derek Gilbert say: "You can't pick and choose what parts of the Bible you want to follow. It's either God's inerrant Word, or it isn't. If you pick and choose, you can't in any meaningful sense call yourself a Christian."
Those that argue that Jesus did not explicitly say anything about homosexuality in His time incarnated are absolutely correct. He didn't address it. But he also did not address witchcraft, child sacrifice or selling your daughter into prostitution - all forbidden by the Law. In short, He did not mention alot of stuff, because He came to save, not condemn and judge at that time.
Just because Jesus was silent on an issue does not mean it's OK for us to do it when the Law clearly forbids it. That's how i ended up backsliding into some New Age stuff years ago.
Though Jesus was silent on gay-ness in His ministry, He did address it as the Word of God in the Old Testament and He did not invalidate the OT, but in Matthew 5:18 emphasized that the Law was valid.
About Homosexuality, the Law says:
Leviticus 18:22
Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.
The argument i saw the other day mentioned that near this was the commandment not to eat shellfish, so people that do are sinners in need of repentance. However, Acts 10, Jesus told Peter that all animals were basically OK to eat. (At least that's my understanding.
So if we want to cast aside the rest of the Law because Christ didn't mention a specific piece of it, or that we now disregard some of it due to dietary considerations we had better be careful. After all, immediately preceding Leviticus 18:22 is verse 21 (obviously). But verse 21 forbids child sacrifice to Molech (or via Molech if you see my star of David article). If you want to throw out one, then what about the other?
No, we can't throw out the Law, even though none of us can keep the Law, and even missing but one part of the Law, makes us a sinner. You can exchange homosexuality for any other sin listed in the Law from petty theft to child sacrifice, sin is sin. You do one sin in the Law, you are guilty of them all.
I've stolen before, i've looked at women with lust in my heart, i have broken God's Law. All of it, and thus need a savior.
James 2:10
For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
Notice, it doesn't tell us to take out the parts of the Law that we don't like or can't attain. Though we can't keep the Law tells us where we have sinned, and what we need to repent of. The entire book of Galatians is about not being able to meet the Law, yet that it is still valid. If the Law doesn't convict us of sin, what will?
Romans 3:20
Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
1 John 1:8
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
Jesus condemned sin, but He met the sinner where they were and helped them. That's what He's done in my life. That's what He did in the Bible. The Samaritan woman at the well, He pointed out her sin, yet at the end of that encounter my suspicion is that she repented and became a believer. In the event where another woman was caught in adultery, Jesus saved her from being stoned. Jesus said to the adulteress:
John 8:10 - 11
10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? 11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
We also can't throw out the Law, because Paul (who was commissioned by Jesus Christ Himself!) said we can't. If you throw out Paul, you throw out the one who chose Him to spread the Gospel - Jesus Christ
2 Timothy 3:16
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
And Paul also said:
1 Corinthians 6:9 - 11
Don't you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don't fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality,
or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God.
Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
(Blueletter Bible, NLT)
Homosexuality is no worse than any other sin. To God (a Holy God), ALL sin is disgusting. From the time i look at a woman with lust in my heart, to theft to homosexuality. All sin must be dealt with by Jesus Christ. His Word, the OT tells us what sin is so we know what to repent of.
If you are a homosexual, and want out of that lifestyle, if you feel shame or feel it's wrong. There is hope. Jesus Christ loves you, He died for you. Ask Him into your life, turn from your sin and follow Him. He can and will set you free!
Here is the testimony of an ex-homosexual who came to Jesus. Please share more if you know of good ones.
The same one
http://vimeo.com/10554921
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEzSoGroPxA&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Does Not Compute: Common Memes in Sci-Fi Programming us for the Future
Science Fiction Memes, and the Bible
There are probably hundreds of movies about aliens, and even more that feature at least even one alien (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_films_featuring_extraterrestrials) so it's safe to assume that this is something potentially significant and relevant to end times events or a Biblical worldview in general. But it doesn't stop with just aliens.
Having spent much of my time watchin, reading (low bar) science fiction (mostly Star Wars, Aliens/Predator, and Edgar Rice Burroughs books), comics and the like, I've sort of noticed a few things. In many of these stories, there are similar themes at work in each one of these widly different tales. For example, "Frankenstein" and "Terminator" have a similar thing going on. Man creates "life," and it bites him in the butt. The tie into the Bible would be that man's pride in playing God leads to trouble, or something like that.
With that in mind, here's a few memes in sci-fi and comics, along with some analysis and hopefully a Biblical answer or thought to go along with it.
#1
Global war interrupted by aliens (Also just a general War of the Worlds situation where aliens invade)
The world is at war, things aren't looking good. Suddenly, out of the sky alien ships appear, humans realize we're not alone, and join together to defend against an alien threat. Aliens are sent packing and dragging their tentacles behind them.
In Robotech, the Superdimensional Fortess crashes on an island and humans of earth band together to fix the ship and defend against any would-be earth conquering aliens.
This is dealt with in a more mature manner by Arthur C. Clarke in "Childhood's End". If memory serves, the world is nearly on the brink of WWIII or in the middle of it, when alien ships appear over each city. Long story short, the aliens are revealed and are here to help humans evolve. Highlights are an alien witnessing a ouija board session, an alien reading an occult library and thinking that both are indications of higher conciousness, humanity evolving psychic powers and merging into a global collective conciousness and did i mention the aliens look like demons?
The original "V" series featured a similar opening with spaceships, and reptilian looking aliens bent on eating us all. That was also similar to the Twilight Zone's "To Serve Man". Aliens showed up, gave us world peace, then started to cart us off to Interstellar Buffet. Noth situations resulted in world peace.
Alternately, aliens show up to invade earth and are stopped by people as we overcome our differences, ala "Idependence Day" and to some lesser extent "War of the Worlds". Probably "Skyline" and "Battle LA" which i skipped because they the invasions have been done to death.
What is that all about? Why would sci-fi want to drive this point home?
To program us to accept some variation of this.
LA Marzulli has probably done the most in uncovering this sort of thing. He calls it the "great deception" wherein "aliens" (really fallen angels or demons, appear and say they created us let us evolve and created earth's religions, now they're here to do X, Y or Z.
His basis for this is
2 Thessalonians 2:11 - 12
11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
And what better way to unite people? Ronald Reagan is famous for a quote that a threat by aliens would help us unite. (That happened in the Watchmen comic).
http://www.gotquestions.org/one-world-government.html
The sad thing is people want to believe it and proof of alien life, or aliens showing up on our doorstep would probably rattle a few cages, and cast a Biblical worldview into doubt. In reality, the aliens would likely be demonic and result in people worshipping them or embracing whatever spiritual ideas ET brings along. Usually, in abductions, it's a New Age pantheistic, Christ denying sort of thing.
#2
"Magic" is really advanced science, aka gods are merely advanced beings. (Thor, Star Gate)
I don't recall seeing this one alot, and it sort of ties in well with the ancient aliens/astronaut thing which we'll get to later. But i figured it sort of deserves some face time as the idea is out there alot. How this typically works is something looks like its magic, but in reality it's some sort of advanced science.
I suppose it's the basis of the Prime Directive in Star Trek.
Anyways.
In Philip Jose Farmer's "World of Tiers" series, which is quite good, an old dude ends up in some sort of parallel universe on a world that's really too hard to explain briefly. He learns the "the Lord" lives somewhere in this world, and so the protagonist seeks him out.
He finds that there are mythical creatures like harpies, centaurs and a ton of preserved primitive earth cultures. The lord of that world also is able to bestow longevity and reverse aging (basically immortality) through drugs. But the people of that world all fear the lord as a divine being, but the lord is revealed to be a normal man using advanced technology, and the creatures were made with genetics. You get the idea.
This also happened with C3P0 in "Return of the Jedi" where the ewoks thought he was a god when he was really a robot.
Why is this anything to take notice of?
Probably to get people doubting the miracles in the Bible. After all, if one believes that science is magic and vice versa, then God and His power are reduced to parlor tricks generated by alien technology. This is something like the manna machine in Ancient Aliens. Obviously an all powerful God who spoke creation into existence wouldn't need a machine to make manna.
Psalm 14:1
The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.
#3
Mono cultured planets/societies (star trek/wars)
Ah, the old staple of "Star Trek". This one isn't as obvious in some ways. The Enterprise ends up in the orbit of a planet, they make contact and the whole planet is basically united and of one culture. It's not explicitly stated, but implied. All Bajorans, are religious nuts who worship wormhole aliens. All Ferengi a greedy, large lobed parodies of Jews. All Klingons are war like. All (alien of the week) are representatives of a whole planet or species. Generally.
In relation to the human/earth capacity this is actually a huge deal. The whole point of Star Trek is that humanity nearly destroyed itself, and under its own power decided to stop being evil and killing ourselves. In short, Star Trek says we don't need God or Jesus to straighten our act up, because deep down we all will pull it together eventually if we almost get wiped out.
Then of course section 31 comes along and proves that a tiger can't change its stripes, but you get the point.
This is sort of also done in Star Wars to an extent, but George Lucas takes it a step further. Not only are the aliens on a given planet one culture (Though a planet might be mostly united, not all members are always following along.), the whole planet is also essentially a single ecosystem. But thats not terribly relevant.
That's sort of an absurd notion, given that on earth, humans (one species) has such a diversity in language, culture, dress, religion, etc. How can a species of aliens have so little variation?
Of course this ties into a one world government mentioned earlier. If all aliens are one-world governments, that must be the evolved thing to do. It implies humans ought to follow along. but also:
Genesis 11 (note that the people are one, but rebelling against God)
4 And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth. 5 And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded. 6 And the Lord said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.
We also see in Revelation 13 the entire world is amazed at the beast and worships the evil power behind him. Yet another uniting of humanity without turning to God and in rebellion to God.
#4
Space Eugenics
For every Harry Kim, or Mace Windu, there are 15 types of aliens. It seems that most of outerspace seems to be populated solely by white people. Star Trek is better about this, featuring racial diversity in humans, but genearlly, where are the non-whites?
Besides the occasional Lando Calrissian, Mace "BMF" Windu or Benjamin "losin' his temper" Sisko or a token minority character, there are few other "minorities" in sci-fi. Why?
It's probably a eugenics thing. It's no secret that a majority of abortion clinics are in poor areas with high non-white populations. (Blackgenocide.org) It's also no secret that most rich "elites" are white. Satan and his followers use racial diversity as a wedge to enhance the differences and foment conflict.
God on the other hand unites us through the blood of His Son, Jesus Christ. ALL nations and tribes, etc. have a place in God's Kingdom, whereas the evil one plays favorites.
#5
Galactic federations (star trek, star wars, teacher is an alien series)
Of course, with one-world governments and a group of such (one-world governed) worlds in space, a governing body is needed to make sure that all the planets play nice with each other. Because, although one species has overcome their differences and united, now there are aliens that are different. And those difference cause friction in the happy intergalactic/interstellar family. The next logical step after becoming united on a given planet (fulfilling Nimrod/Satan's goal) is for a galactic government to extend its hand. It's the icing on the poison one world government cake.
Star Trek has the Federation. Star Wars, the Republic, the Senate and the empire. The "My Teacher is an Alien Series" has a galactic federation of some sort. Isaac Asimov has the Foundation. I'm sure there are others.
In the real world, New Agers (Channelers, Mediums, etc.) receive messages from beings claiming to be aliens. Often times they claim to be from the federation of light, the galactic federation or Ashtar command. These beings often make outlandish claims, sometimes promising to appear and then of course, they never do. They explain their lack of follow through usually as a test, or that their purpose was achieved in a higher plane, anything but actually delivering on what they promised. Blossom Goodchild's been on this yo-yo ride for several years now, and her FoL has yet to follow through on any promise in a material way.
The Bible addresses these messages from "aliens" except in the Bible these "higher" beings are called demons, and communication with them is called divination. God forbids it in His word because He knows these beings lie habitually and hate us, and therefore forbade contacting them as a way to protect us from being hurt by their lies. Ephesians 6 tells us all we need to know about these characters.
This meme is basically a carrot on a stick, selling the idea that the people of earth ought to unite, and evolve to the next level. After all if we don't, how can we expand to the stars? But we cannot evolve on our own, or even with their help. As Russ Dizdar says, "how can the finite become infite?" Only by repenting of our sin, and believing in God's Son Jesus Christ can we become more than the imperfect creatures we are. He alone can restore us (and indeed more than restore!) to what we ought to be - a creation in perfect fellowship with God. Uniting with "aliens" will never bring us what we truly need.
#6
Intergalactic Police force -
Of course an interstellar government needs a police force. There are the Jedi, Green Lantern Corps, the Lensmen. These fine folks are at the beck and call of the galactic governing authority, and always do what it takes to restore order and get rid of the bad guys.
Not alot to say here except that it's just a little more incentive for the world to unite, so it can join the galactic federation. The cherry on top of the icing of the one world government cake. The whole one world/galactic senate thing sort of go together alot, and my opinion is that this just sells it a bit more. Though Jedi at least are basically interstellar pantheists. And i say this as a HUGE fan of Star Wars.
#7
Human-like aliens and near humans
This is in just about every sci-fi to an extent, but Burroughs' Mars series, Star Wars and Star Trek did it the best. Essentially, all aliens are just like us human beings.
Translation, humanity is not unique. We're not a unique creation made in God's image as other beings are able to think rationally and have true sentience.
In all liklihood, this is satan's stab at de-valuing the unique creation of man, who is made in God's own image. After all, if man is not unique, then we're not anything special.
If we're not special to God, why did He become flesh and die as Jesus Christ?
Genesis 1:26 - 27
26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
Still, even CS Lewis, in his space trilogy had sentient
aliens, but from a Christian perspective. They were indeed sentient, but not fallen like us. "Out of the Silent Planet" really gives the most feasible Christian perspective on genuine, flesh and blood aliens. If aliens exist, my money is on something close to his thoughts.
#8
Ancient aliens - star wars, 2001, transformers, Prometheus, Alien, Predator, star trek, H.P. Lovecraft, Indiana Jones 4, Marvel Comics (Celestials, etc.), Erich von Daniken, Scientology (oh, wait, those last two think they're not science fiction)
This one's just about everywhere, isn't it? Frankly, i've had my fill of it.
Alex Jones (for whatever his opinion is worth) even called this out.
http://www.infowars.com/secrets-of-prometheus-film-leaked/
This is essentially one big push to discredit the Bible and God's divine nature. It also helps sell: the galactic federation, science is magic and human-like aliens. Probably among other things, but the main point seems to be in de-deifying God and His power by making Him a space alien.
The funny thing is, most, if not ALL claims by the ancient alien theorists can be disproven. Many of their claims are fraudulent, or solely conjecture. September 2012 should see the release of Chris White's "Ancient Aliens" debunked. I've posted a number of my contributions here, to help promote that and provide details the show won't be able to delve into.
Furthermore, Ancient Aliens "experts" like Sitchin and von Daniken lie habitually or make stuff up. (Www.sitchiniswrong.com) and i highlighted known von Daniken frauds a couple posts ago.
#9
Humanity is like a virus or there are too many people - the Matrix, Absolute Justice comic, Terminator, Firefly (overpopulation drove us to space)
This one goes hand in hand with stuff like the Georgia Guidestones and Illuminati conspiracies to depopulate the world. It also goes with Bill Gates' goal to reduce the world's population thru vaccines. It's essentially more propaganda for eugenics.
This is cemented further by Discovery TV's "After People" (title?) Series and this recent photo collection.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2122554/At-worlds-end-Artists-reveal-stunning-post-apocalyptic-images-worlds-major-cities.html
It also walks hand in hand with Satan's goal. When he manifests as the Antichrist, he will destroy as much of humanity as he can.
Matthew 24:22 (paralleled in Mark 13)
22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.
#10
Intelligent machines that eventually overtake us or are better than us. - terminator, matrix,
Not alot here. It's sort of a twist of the "man is not unique" alien bit, with a pinch of eugenic population reduction.
# 11
Death's Revolving door - (Every comic EVER, Lord of the Rings, Star Trek 3, Buffy the vampire slayer)
To heighten drama, andcement the seriousness of a given situation, a hero often times gives their life in the line of duty. Of course, in comics especially (I'm talking to you foremost Jean Grey) this never is permanent. Even Jason Todd and Bucky came back.
I really think that in addition to this being an obvious marketing/business decision, this is basically a cheap shot at the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the promised resurrection of us believers one day.
Not much else to say there.
# 12
Zombie Apocalypse
This really needs no introduction. It's been seen in countless movies, from Night of the Living Dead, to 28 Days Later. It's the dead risen from the grave returning to eat us.
I believe this to be one of several things:
1) A mockery of the curse outlined in Zechariah 14:12
12 And this shall be the plague wherewith the Lord will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem; Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth.
2) a general mockery of resurrection.
3) Some sort of pre-conditioning for the Black Awakening as described by Russ Dizdar.
http://www.futurequake.com/Audio/FQShow145.mp3
And here's Russ on Zombies
http://www.shatterthedarkness.net/zombification/
I honestly don't know what to make of Russ' claims for the BA. He's pretty sound on some teaching, i just haven't done enough study to to form an opinion on this one. Listen to his stuff, or that FQ episode.
So there you have it, if i find more, I'll add more.
There are probably hundreds of movies about aliens, and even more that feature at least even one alien (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_films_featuring_extraterrestrials) so it's safe to assume that this is something potentially significant and relevant to end times events or a Biblical worldview in general. But it doesn't stop with just aliens.
Having spent much of my time watchin, reading (low bar) science fiction (mostly Star Wars, Aliens/Predator, and Edgar Rice Burroughs books), comics and the like, I've sort of noticed a few things. In many of these stories, there are similar themes at work in each one of these widly different tales. For example, "Frankenstein" and "Terminator" have a similar thing going on. Man creates "life," and it bites him in the butt. The tie into the Bible would be that man's pride in playing God leads to trouble, or something like that.
With that in mind, here's a few memes in sci-fi and comics, along with some analysis and hopefully a Biblical answer or thought to go along with it.
#1
Global war interrupted by aliens (Also just a general War of the Worlds situation where aliens invade)
The world is at war, things aren't looking good. Suddenly, out of the sky alien ships appear, humans realize we're not alone, and join together to defend against an alien threat. Aliens are sent packing and dragging their tentacles behind them.
In Robotech, the Superdimensional Fortess crashes on an island and humans of earth band together to fix the ship and defend against any would-be earth conquering aliens.
This is dealt with in a more mature manner by Arthur C. Clarke in "Childhood's End". If memory serves, the world is nearly on the brink of WWIII or in the middle of it, when alien ships appear over each city. Long story short, the aliens are revealed and are here to help humans evolve. Highlights are an alien witnessing a ouija board session, an alien reading an occult library and thinking that both are indications of higher conciousness, humanity evolving psychic powers and merging into a global collective conciousness and did i mention the aliens look like demons?
The original "V" series featured a similar opening with spaceships, and reptilian looking aliens bent on eating us all. That was also similar to the Twilight Zone's "To Serve Man". Aliens showed up, gave us world peace, then started to cart us off to Interstellar Buffet. Noth situations resulted in world peace.
Alternately, aliens show up to invade earth and are stopped by people as we overcome our differences, ala "Idependence Day" and to some lesser extent "War of the Worlds". Probably "Skyline" and "Battle LA" which i skipped because they the invasions have been done to death.
What is that all about? Why would sci-fi want to drive this point home?
To program us to accept some variation of this.
LA Marzulli has probably done the most in uncovering this sort of thing. He calls it the "great deception" wherein "aliens" (really fallen angels or demons, appear and say they created us let us evolve and created earth's religions, now they're here to do X, Y or Z.
His basis for this is
2 Thessalonians 2:11 - 12
11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
And what better way to unite people? Ronald Reagan is famous for a quote that a threat by aliens would help us unite. (That happened in the Watchmen comic).
http://www.gotquestions.org/one-world-government.html
The sad thing is people want to believe it and proof of alien life, or aliens showing up on our doorstep would probably rattle a few cages, and cast a Biblical worldview into doubt. In reality, the aliens would likely be demonic and result in people worshipping them or embracing whatever spiritual ideas ET brings along. Usually, in abductions, it's a New Age pantheistic, Christ denying sort of thing.
#2
"Magic" is really advanced science, aka gods are merely advanced beings. (Thor, Star Gate)
I don't recall seeing this one alot, and it sort of ties in well with the ancient aliens/astronaut thing which we'll get to later. But i figured it sort of deserves some face time as the idea is out there alot. How this typically works is something looks like its magic, but in reality it's some sort of advanced science.
I suppose it's the basis of the Prime Directive in Star Trek.
Anyways.
In Philip Jose Farmer's "World of Tiers" series, which is quite good, an old dude ends up in some sort of parallel universe on a world that's really too hard to explain briefly. He learns the "the Lord" lives somewhere in this world, and so the protagonist seeks him out.
He finds that there are mythical creatures like harpies, centaurs and a ton of preserved primitive earth cultures. The lord of that world also is able to bestow longevity and reverse aging (basically immortality) through drugs. But the people of that world all fear the lord as a divine being, but the lord is revealed to be a normal man using advanced technology, and the creatures were made with genetics. You get the idea.
This also happened with C3P0 in "Return of the Jedi" where the ewoks thought he was a god when he was really a robot.
Why is this anything to take notice of?
Probably to get people doubting the miracles in the Bible. After all, if one believes that science is magic and vice versa, then God and His power are reduced to parlor tricks generated by alien technology. This is something like the manna machine in Ancient Aliens. Obviously an all powerful God who spoke creation into existence wouldn't need a machine to make manna.
Psalm 14:1
The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.
#3
Mono cultured planets/societies (star trek/wars)
Ah, the old staple of "Star Trek". This one isn't as obvious in some ways. The Enterprise ends up in the orbit of a planet, they make contact and the whole planet is basically united and of one culture. It's not explicitly stated, but implied. All Bajorans, are religious nuts who worship wormhole aliens. All Ferengi a greedy, large lobed parodies of Jews. All Klingons are war like. All (alien of the week) are representatives of a whole planet or species. Generally.
In relation to the human/earth capacity this is actually a huge deal. The whole point of Star Trek is that humanity nearly destroyed itself, and under its own power decided to stop being evil and killing ourselves. In short, Star Trek says we don't need God or Jesus to straighten our act up, because deep down we all will pull it together eventually if we almost get wiped out.
Then of course section 31 comes along and proves that a tiger can't change its stripes, but you get the point.
This is sort of also done in Star Wars to an extent, but George Lucas takes it a step further. Not only are the aliens on a given planet one culture (Though a planet might be mostly united, not all members are always following along.), the whole planet is also essentially a single ecosystem. But thats not terribly relevant.
That's sort of an absurd notion, given that on earth, humans (one species) has such a diversity in language, culture, dress, religion, etc. How can a species of aliens have so little variation?
Of course this ties into a one world government mentioned earlier. If all aliens are one-world governments, that must be the evolved thing to do. It implies humans ought to follow along. but also:
Genesis 11 (note that the people are one, but rebelling against God)
4 And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth. 5 And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded. 6 And the Lord said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.
We also see in Revelation 13 the entire world is amazed at the beast and worships the evil power behind him. Yet another uniting of humanity without turning to God and in rebellion to God.
#4
Space Eugenics
For every Harry Kim, or Mace Windu, there are 15 types of aliens. It seems that most of outerspace seems to be populated solely by white people. Star Trek is better about this, featuring racial diversity in humans, but genearlly, where are the non-whites?
Besides the occasional Lando Calrissian, Mace "BMF" Windu or Benjamin "losin' his temper" Sisko or a token minority character, there are few other "minorities" in sci-fi. Why?
It's probably a eugenics thing. It's no secret that a majority of abortion clinics are in poor areas with high non-white populations. (Blackgenocide.org) It's also no secret that most rich "elites" are white. Satan and his followers use racial diversity as a wedge to enhance the differences and foment conflict.
God on the other hand unites us through the blood of His Son, Jesus Christ. ALL nations and tribes, etc. have a place in God's Kingdom, whereas the evil one plays favorites.
#5
Galactic federations (star trek, star wars, teacher is an alien series)
Of course, with one-world governments and a group of such (one-world governed) worlds in space, a governing body is needed to make sure that all the planets play nice with each other. Because, although one species has overcome their differences and united, now there are aliens that are different. And those difference cause friction in the happy intergalactic/interstellar family. The next logical step after becoming united on a given planet (fulfilling Nimrod/Satan's goal) is for a galactic government to extend its hand. It's the icing on the poison one world government cake.
Star Trek has the Federation. Star Wars, the Republic, the Senate and the empire. The "My Teacher is an Alien Series" has a galactic federation of some sort. Isaac Asimov has the Foundation. I'm sure there are others.
In the real world, New Agers (Channelers, Mediums, etc.) receive messages from beings claiming to be aliens. Often times they claim to be from the federation of light, the galactic federation or Ashtar command. These beings often make outlandish claims, sometimes promising to appear and then of course, they never do. They explain their lack of follow through usually as a test, or that their purpose was achieved in a higher plane, anything but actually delivering on what they promised. Blossom Goodchild's been on this yo-yo ride for several years now, and her FoL has yet to follow through on any promise in a material way.
The Bible addresses these messages from "aliens" except in the Bible these "higher" beings are called demons, and communication with them is called divination. God forbids it in His word because He knows these beings lie habitually and hate us, and therefore forbade contacting them as a way to protect us from being hurt by their lies. Ephesians 6 tells us all we need to know about these characters.
This meme is basically a carrot on a stick, selling the idea that the people of earth ought to unite, and evolve to the next level. After all if we don't, how can we expand to the stars? But we cannot evolve on our own, or even with their help. As Russ Dizdar says, "how can the finite become infite?" Only by repenting of our sin, and believing in God's Son Jesus Christ can we become more than the imperfect creatures we are. He alone can restore us (and indeed more than restore!) to what we ought to be - a creation in perfect fellowship with God. Uniting with "aliens" will never bring us what we truly need.
#6
Intergalactic Police force -
Of course an interstellar government needs a police force. There are the Jedi, Green Lantern Corps, the Lensmen. These fine folks are at the beck and call of the galactic governing authority, and always do what it takes to restore order and get rid of the bad guys.
Not alot to say here except that it's just a little more incentive for the world to unite, so it can join the galactic federation. The cherry on top of the icing of the one world government cake. The whole one world/galactic senate thing sort of go together alot, and my opinion is that this just sells it a bit more. Though Jedi at least are basically interstellar pantheists. And i say this as a HUGE fan of Star Wars.
#7
Human-like aliens and near humans
This is in just about every sci-fi to an extent, but Burroughs' Mars series, Star Wars and Star Trek did it the best. Essentially, all aliens are just like us human beings.
Translation, humanity is not unique. We're not a unique creation made in God's image as other beings are able to think rationally and have true sentience.
In all liklihood, this is satan's stab at de-valuing the unique creation of man, who is made in God's own image. After all, if man is not unique, then we're not anything special.
If we're not special to God, why did He become flesh and die as Jesus Christ?
Genesis 1:26 - 27
26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
Still, even CS Lewis, in his space trilogy had sentient
aliens, but from a Christian perspective. They were indeed sentient, but not fallen like us. "Out of the Silent Planet" really gives the most feasible Christian perspective on genuine, flesh and blood aliens. If aliens exist, my money is on something close to his thoughts.
#8
Ancient aliens - star wars, 2001, transformers, Prometheus, Alien, Predator, star trek, H.P. Lovecraft, Indiana Jones 4, Marvel Comics (Celestials, etc.), Erich von Daniken, Scientology (oh, wait, those last two think they're not science fiction)
This one's just about everywhere, isn't it? Frankly, i've had my fill of it.
Alex Jones (for whatever his opinion is worth) even called this out.
http://www.infowars.com/secrets-of-prometheus-film-leaked/
This is essentially one big push to discredit the Bible and God's divine nature. It also helps sell: the galactic federation, science is magic and human-like aliens. Probably among other things, but the main point seems to be in de-deifying God and His power by making Him a space alien.
The funny thing is, most, if not ALL claims by the ancient alien theorists can be disproven. Many of their claims are fraudulent, or solely conjecture. September 2012 should see the release of Chris White's "Ancient Aliens" debunked. I've posted a number of my contributions here, to help promote that and provide details the show won't be able to delve into.
Furthermore, Ancient Aliens "experts" like Sitchin and von Daniken lie habitually or make stuff up. (Www.sitchiniswrong.com) and i highlighted known von Daniken frauds a couple posts ago.
#9
Humanity is like a virus or there are too many people - the Matrix, Absolute Justice comic, Terminator, Firefly (overpopulation drove us to space)
This one goes hand in hand with stuff like the Georgia Guidestones and Illuminati conspiracies to depopulate the world. It also goes with Bill Gates' goal to reduce the world's population thru vaccines. It's essentially more propaganda for eugenics.
This is cemented further by Discovery TV's "After People" (title?) Series and this recent photo collection.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2122554/At-worlds-end-Artists-reveal-stunning-post-apocalyptic-images-worlds-major-cities.html
It also walks hand in hand with Satan's goal. When he manifests as the Antichrist, he will destroy as much of humanity as he can.
Matthew 24:22 (paralleled in Mark 13)
22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.
#10
Intelligent machines that eventually overtake us or are better than us. - terminator, matrix,
Not alot here. It's sort of a twist of the "man is not unique" alien bit, with a pinch of eugenic population reduction.
# 11
Death's Revolving door - (Every comic EVER, Lord of the Rings, Star Trek 3, Buffy the vampire slayer)
To heighten drama, andcement the seriousness of a given situation, a hero often times gives their life in the line of duty. Of course, in comics especially (I'm talking to you foremost Jean Grey) this never is permanent. Even Jason Todd and Bucky came back.
I really think that in addition to this being an obvious marketing/business decision, this is basically a cheap shot at the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the promised resurrection of us believers one day.
Not much else to say there.
# 12
Zombie Apocalypse
This really needs no introduction. It's been seen in countless movies, from Night of the Living Dead, to 28 Days Later. It's the dead risen from the grave returning to eat us.
I believe this to be one of several things:
1) A mockery of the curse outlined in Zechariah 14:12
12 And this shall be the plague wherewith the Lord will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem; Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth.
2) a general mockery of resurrection.
3) Some sort of pre-conditioning for the Black Awakening as described by Russ Dizdar.
http://www.futurequake.com/Audio/FQShow145.mp3
And here's Russ on Zombies
http://www.shatterthedarkness.net/zombification/
I honestly don't know what to make of Russ' claims for the BA. He's pretty sound on some teaching, i just haven't done enough study to to form an opinion on this one. Listen to his stuff, or that FQ episode.
So there you have it, if i find more, I'll add more.
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