Crazy Theological Thoughts

Christianity has deep traditions and histories. We have seen as nations have risen and fallen. Christians have taken part in some the most powerful empires in our known history. There are other religions that have helped to forge great empires as well, but Christianity has survived. We have seen has the Roman Empire expanded fell, with the rise of the Holy Roman Empire. The Continuation of the Puritans in the United States, Great Britain, and France. But in all these Christianity has had very sharp teeth. Christianity has had people who defend the truth over the centuries. This has been of great benefit. But now we find Christianity losing its teeth. They are losing the sharp definitions which they have held about what is right and what is wrong. The truth must be proclaimed. People today must know that the church can not change just because people desire it to. The Church is something that was here before we got here and will be here long after we are in heaven or hell. Th...

I got to celebrate a great event on Sunday the welcoming of another child of God into the body of Christ. Baptism has a deep history. Many people are reminded of Jesus Baptism in the Jordan. Many people are reminded of the great commission. More and more I hear about Noah and the flood. But the waters in Genesis 1 are created with the power of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit is active in our baptism. He is the one calling us to faith. The Holy Spirit hovers or floats or is moving over the waters of the earth. The Holy Spirit is there when all else is chaos. We come to the waters of baptism corrupt. We come to the Waters of Baptism dead and become alive. We are in a state of chaos and learn the joy of God's Love. God calls us to faith. God reveals that he has created all of creation for us. Water can be one the most destructive forces in the world. Just think about how many people died in sea travel. How many people drowned each year? I do not know. But I know that peop...

This was a long movie. While most movies seem to have a Christ like figure. I thought the idea of getting born again was very much a christian thought. But most of the movie seemed very nature orientated. The planet really does reveal how all of creation is connected. One should really look into those connection with native American Religions. The belief of god(s) in Native American cultures is very interesting. But the belief of the moving spirit. The one thing that joins all things together. The people of the earth are also bound together with the creation. This is not because of the spirits of our ancestors or because of the spirits of plants and animals. This is because we are set in place over our creation. God has given us a point of connection. The waters of baptism reminds us of the baptism of the earth. Noah was delivered from death. Noah and his family along with the animals. God brings them from death to life. Just as we bury the old Adam and rise in Christ. ...

I have been thinking about the idea of worship. People talk about Traditional verses Contemporary. But I think it would be better stated as a modern creation verses a previous creation. Some think they need to do traditional worship because it is what the Corinthians did. Others think Contemporary worship is more what the Corinthians did. I have not study ancient Roman Culture, or everything related to the city of Corinth in detail but here is my view of the Corinthian Church's worship. 1 Corinthians 11 reminds us they gather together and they eat a meal. When Paul then describes Worship he indicates that, "When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up. ... Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said. If a revelation is made to another sitting there, let the first be silent. ... For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the sa...

10 Questions every Intelligent Christian Must Answer. I found these questions very much thought provoking. I think every Intelligent Christian should ask these questions. But to say that there are answers to every question creates a very small and limited view of the world. One of the difficulties with belief or religion whether it be Christian or Atheism or Scientism is origin questions. Thus, my point is there are some things we eventually will have to say we don't know. Most of these questions are also started with the word "Why?" These are called "Why questions" which in fact are only answered by thinking about possible reasons. Why questions can not be precisely answered. When you answer a why question you can always play the 5 year olds game of why? Why do you believe in God? Because he exist. Why does he exist? Because blank. Why blank? Etc. The Why question is a struggle anyone has difficulty answering. Science delights in thinking there are...

Question #1: Why Won't God Heal Amputees? In addition, the question references a recent poll showing that 3 out of 4 doctors (some of the most educated people in our society) believe that God is performing miracles on earth today. Strangely, no doctor has ever witnessed God regenerating an amputated leg through prayer. Amputees get no miracles from God. Why is that? I find this question very interesting. They obviously mean by amputee someone who has lost a limb. The first thing that strikes me about this question is evolution. If healing amputees is such a great thing, and we know of animals or reptiles that have these regenerative processes, then would it make a better question to ask why have humans in their development lost the ability to regenerate limbs? According to Evolution humanity a long time ago would have had these characteristics, but development has said that we give up this task. But I would not defend God in any other way than looking to Isaiah 55. But I wou...

Question #2: Why are there so many starving children in our world? Deuteronomy 15:11 "For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, 'You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.'" The poor will always be with us. There will always be those who exploit others. These are the starving children in our world. These are people who can not afford to have food. Logic will generally tell us to pick ourselves up. Teach these people to fish and they will be able to eat. Survival of the fittest would solve this problem by eliminating the excess population. Communism successfully showed us that allowing Governmental services to give these people food did not work because people still exploit the poor. There are always people who are starving, because there are sinners in the world. Is not this also the rub of Capitalism? The rich get richer and the poor get poorer. One could also ask most scien...

Question #3: Why does God demand the death of so many innocent people in the Bible? God not only demands the death of so many people in the Old Testament. But he demands the death of the people in the New Testament. He is still demanding the death of many people. But these people are by no means innocent. I do not know how anyone can think they are innocent. In the Torah you learn the rules and you live by the rules. Look in History and whether it is Alexander the Great, Pharaoh, Assyria, the Roman Empire, or any other civilized society they have rules and they have consequences. The world today desires anarchy, just as much as they desire atheism. God has set up rules in the Bible. We develop rules in the United States or other countries and when people break these laws everyone screams for mercy. The truth is the same in the bible. God sends people into war. God send other nations after his people. There is a lot of death, but this is because God is just. When you break ...

Question #4: Why does the Bible contain so much anti-scientific nonsense? I have a difficult time understanding this question. Most of what I find talks about there being pointless stories or insignificant information. Extra data that does not help to prove the point, this would be like a research paper with anecdotes and stories. I would think of Newton and the Apple or Mendeleyev discovery. Science often likes to give us useless stories, while at the same time prove very little. Bible tells us many stories that separated from the whole seem insignificant. God gives us these same anecdotes in his review of facts. He also does show us very scientific points. The bible gives us the dimensions of the ark of Noah (Genesis 6:14-16). Also the instructions on how to build to tabernacle and it's vessels in Exodus. 1 Kings 6 even gives us descriptions of the building of the temple. 1 Kings 7:23-24 illustrates the use of pi in the scriptures, 10 cubit diameter to 30 cubits measure...

Question #5: Why is God such a huge proponent of slavery in the Bible? I will never deny that the Bible does portray a time of slavery. I have spent a great deal of my life studying American Slavery. I have also enjoyed studying some of the problems the world faces with human trafficking today. One of the most common uses of slavery in our culture today is prostitution, but you probably don't think of that as slavery. I could try to defend scriptures position, by talking about Paul in Galatians saying people should be free. But I feel that will fall very limited in comparison to Philemon. Philemon is considered the greatest case study on slavery in the New Testament. Paul sends the runaway slave back to his master. Paul requests the master to release the slave, just as he is released from slavery to sin. God is the God who does rescue his own people from slavery in Egypt. But God still allows the people to have servants or slaves. I would only urge you to look into the dif...

Question #6: Why do bad things happen to good people? Can one really say there is an answer to this question? What is defined as a bad thing? What is defined as a good person? Are these all not very subjective? If something does not go my way is it not a bad thing? Am I not a good person, I do everything I desire me to do? Maybe that last one is not entirely true. I do not do what I desire to do but often times end up doing the evil that I do not desire to do. The truth is there are no good people. All have fallen short of the glory of God. There are thus no truly bad things. A person suffers because of their sins. A person dies because they deserve to die. God's people suffer in the same way all people suffer. God's people suffer because it produces patients and endurance. God's people suffer to strengthen their faith. Other people suffer to point them to their sins. Is the explanation they will accept? No, because they believe in Good acts. They do not b...

Question #7: Why didn't any of Jesus' miracles leave behind any evidence? What kind of evidence do you want? I have a cup of the water which Jesus turned into wine! I am sure that would prove everything for us. Ask a better question, why are people named in the New Testament? Most people are named in the New Testament because people reading these works could look these people up. If you also notice at times the scriptures will even say, this is so to this day. At the time when these things where written you can still hear these messages, see these tombs or sights. Evidence is not what faith requires. Tell me the evidence you have that humans spontaneously came to life. Tell me the evidence you have of one kingdom or phylum turning into another kingdom or phylum. I do not care whether you believe the Theory of Evolution, but I tell you it makes a lot less sense to me than creation and a 6,000 + year earth. Jesus preformed these miracles not to prove himself, but reveal ...

Question #8: How do we explain the fact that Jesus has never appeared to you? I almost think this question is explained in John 20. Jesus says to Thomas, "Have you believed because you have seen? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." John then continues, "Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name." The desire to see God is one most people have. This is part of the point of Star Trek the Motion Picture. The desire is to meet the maker. But God does not need to show himself to us for us to know he exists. Jesus appeared to his disciples over the course of 40 days. He also lived a life of approximately 30 years. God appears to prophets in visions in the Old Testament. He also speaks to them in still small voices or load scary voices. But he ...

Question #9: Why would Jesus want you to eat his body and drink his blood? Why wouldn't he? Now this is a question that no one without faith could ever comprehend. If you do not understand the basic premise of the Bible, you can't grasp this. If you can not see a God who works with his creation, this is impossible. But for those who do believe in the Bible, those who see God working through the course of time, those who see a Being that relates to his people in a special way, this is very simple. Blood is the life of every living thing. The account of Noah and the ark reminds us of this simple fact. Genesis 9 states, "Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. And as I gave you the green plants, I give you everything. But you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood." The Blood carries with it the life. Thus, to drink the blood of Christ is to drink his life. During the Passover the people where instructed to eat the sacrifice. Exodus...

Question #10: Why do Christians get divorced at the same rate as non-Christians? Just because you’re a Christian or an Atheist does not mean you is a better person. Christians are sinners. All people are sinners. People do wrong things no matter who they are. Everyone falls into temptation. This is why all people are deserving of death and hell. Because people get divorced at the same rate indicates that corruption is found everywhere. One might try to defend Christianity by saying that more Christians get married and need a divorce while non-Christians do not get married and live together and then separate. But this does not matter. The truth is all people are sinful. Therefore, the sins of one are also connected with the sins of others. Christianity has a core of developing a better way of life. Christians are supposed to become holy as God is Holy. But this is not through our actions. God is the one who makes his people Holy. God is the one who washes people in baptism....

"Tell the Israelite: I am the LORD your God. You used to live in Egypt. Don't live the way the Egyptians do. I am bringing you to Canaan. Don't live the way the Canaanites do. Never live by their standards. Follow my rules, and live by my standards. I am the LORD your God. Live by my standards, and obey my rules. You will have life through them. I am the LORD." God reminds us not to act like these foreigners. Do not act like these other nations that relish in sexual immorality. Do not act like the US, where people lead all sorts of sexual immorality. Do not dive into these abominations. Pedophilia, Bestiality, Incest, Sexual Assault, Have sex during a woman's period, and Homosexuality are all sexual abominations. These are the deeds of darkness. St Paul warns us against Sexual immorality. We like to thing some sex acts are less immoral than others. But the truth is only natural sexual relationship are natural. Only when you have sex in the proper way as God design...

Sexual Assaults are generally referred to as rape. But truly you can see sexual assaults as not just rape. These are not just acts of sexual intercourse. These can also be oral sex or anal sex. These can even be in a broad analysis sexual comments. Sexual Assaults can vary in type and way they happen. Here again is something that is getting to be defined differently. People desire to change the definitions of Sexual Assault. They look at legal issues of consent. These have to deal with issues of consent. Many times when people come forward, they suffer another attack. How can society attack the victims of a crime? But this is the case for most victims of sexual assault. In this chapter it does not talk about sexual assault. This does not fall under this chapter of sexual immorality, but it does fall under the category of adultery. This would be having sexual relations with someone Else's wife, or daughter that is not your wife. These types of sexual relations are truly abominable. ...

Pedophilia sexual perversion in which children are the preferred sexual object. A Pedophile is one affected with pedophilia. There are many pedophiles in the united States and throughout the world. This is thought to be a phsycological disorder, but may no longer be classified in this way. Paedophiles are also generally defined as sexual offenders. This is truly one of the most abominable sexual immorality. These are people who prey on Innocent children. They use them as sexual objects of desire. They also use them to preform sex acts. This is very perverse but the truth must be stated that these are forms of sexual immorality. Pedophiles believe they should be accepted. Pedophiles desire to be a part of our society. They desire to live openly. They desire to allow these children to decide to join with them. Groups of Pedophiles today say that boys and men choose to act in this way together. This is not an act of sexual offense. I would argue they are wrong. But this is one of the stru...

Bestiality sexual relationship between a human being and a lower animal. This does not matter whether it is a clean or unclean animal. Any time a woman or man approaches a Beast or animal for sexual relations. This again appears in the same chapter of Scripture with Incest and having sex during a menstrual cycle. This again is something that falls in a close category with incest and pedophilia. These things are thought to be objectionable. God is the one who teaches us these things are abominations. These are many different versions of sexual immorality. While in the New Testament there are many lists of the deeds of darkness. God explains to us that these are all sexual immorality. Bestiality is just a simple example. Bestiality may not be thought to be wrong in some places of the world today. Some people find this to be a lifestyle they can adopt. Others just believe they are so much more connected with their pets then other people. The lady that has fifty cats. The peop...

Some people think that it is sexually intriguing to have sexual intercourse with women during their period and while they are pregnant. This again is part of sexual immorality. People do not think of these things as sexual immorality. Even if this is with your wife this is still classified as a sin. Any time you have bodily exertions these things make you unclean. But the simple truth is you may have sexual relations after using the restroom, but not during a woman's menstruation cycle. Sometimes the phrasing may be different. But the truth is very simply. The truth is that sexual immorality is very simple. These are acts of sex outside the normal or standard form of sexual intercourse. God has recorded for us a list of sexual immorality. God has listed these things in one place. God reminds us of incest. God reminds us of Sex during a woman's menstrual cycle. This also has a slight connection to masturbation. The simple answer is that you need to avoid all sexual immorality. T...

There are many forms of sexual immorality. St Paul warns the people against falling into sexual immorality. Romans 13, "Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy." Sexual immorality is often included in a long line of detestable acts. But what is sexual immorality. Is this sex in all classifications. In our culture people often ask about oral sex or masturbation. These all fall under sexual immorality. But today the thought needs to be focused on something most people recognize as sexual immorality. Incest defined as sexual intercourse between persons so closely related that they are forbidden by law to marry also the statutory crime of such a relationship. Sexual immorality would definitely cover incest. Situations were people have sexual relations with closely related persons. These would be sisters, brothers, mothers, fathers, step-family, cousins, and etc. Some people may...

Ezekiel talks about a watchman that warns the people of the city. The people hear the trumpets sound and react. The people hear the message of the Watchman and take cover. They defend themselves from the enemy ready to attack. But not everyone listens to the boy who cries wolf. Pastors have been telling people the world is going to end for almost 2000 years. I am assuming that Pastors before the death and Resurrection of Christ did not say the world was going to end. This just would not be right. But The problem is the people do not see the wolf. The watchman are to give warning. They are to sound the warning so that the blood will not be on their own head. If the boy stops crying wolf, but the wolf still comes then the blood of the sheep is on the boy's head. The watchmen need to keep sounding the trumpet of truth. Think about it: If Pastors stop telling people the truth, then no one will ever know the truth. God still needs to warn the people concerning the wicked world. But what...

This was a horribly great movie. I was impressed by its depiction of a modern day marriage. I also thought about turning it off because of the appalling truth it tells. So many people today enter marriage like this couple and this is why divorce rates are so high. Someone would think that people should have some kind of counseling before marriage. But it tells us a truthful message. If you have not watched the movie please stop reading and rent, then come back. Forty days to save a marriage. The father gave his son a task. People do not realize that they are broken. They need to be fixed (not neutered). Every gesture gets turned upside down by the bride. They are not seen as great but from the devil. The bride even gets friendly with the doctor. Love comes from the one who first loved us. And sometimes it does really take 40 plus 3 days for the bride to wake up and question things. Caleb becomes the Christ figure the true husband. He was the one given the task to fix or redeem the marr...

"Chandler, In all my life I never thought I would be so lucky as to fall in love with my best, ... my best... There's a reason why girls don't do this! I'll do it, I thought Wait, I can do this. I thought it mattered what I said or where I said it. Then I realized the only thing that matters is that you ... you make me happier than I ever thought I could be. If you let me I'll spend the rest of my life trying to make you feel the same way. Monica will you Marry me?" From Season 6 of Friends. I can't remember but from Run Away Bride the proposal. When she finally tells him on the balcony that there will be good times and bad times. There will be struggles and there will probably be more bad times than Good but I want to spend them with you. Then I also think about Highlander the Series where they are reminded that he will never grow old and yet I want to spend every moment possible with you. The song Who wants to live forever keeps playing in the back groun...

St John sees in the last chapters of Revelation no sun or moon. God is the light of the World. Jesus even says in John's Gospel that he is the Light of the World. One of the I Am statements in John's Gospel. But the interesting thought is that we are the Suns of God. Jesus says in Matthew 5 your are the light of the world. We show the light of Christ in our lives. They will know we are Christians by our love. We are reflecting the light of Christ. This is the great Christmas eve candle light service. You light your candle from the Christ Candle. (The Easter Vigil candle service has kinda the same thing.) While I really like the play on words, suns of God. But really we are more like moons. We are shining light into a dark world. We are also not shining our own light, but reflecting the light from its source. The moon reflects the light from the Sun and we reflect the light of Jesus Christ. But I really think we should start talking more about the Suns of God. (thank you)

Most people in the ancient world built their homes on hills so people would have to attack up hill. They also wanted to ward off enemies by making them more visible at distances. The enemy would be able to see your city, but you would also be able to see their approach. You would force them to run up hill while you could run down hill. It is always easier to fall down the stairs than up the stairs. (Hope you don't have to learn from experience.) The people of God are defended by Him. The Psalmist recounts that God is our Fortress. Luther wrote the Hymn A Mighty Fortress is our God, based on these Psalms. You can see that God is our defense. But when Jesus says, "A city set on a hill cannot be hidden." He is reminding us that as Christians we show Christ. Christians are the light of the World. They shine the light of Christ through their lives. This reflects that we all wear a badge of honor upon our forehead. God has marked us, with his mark. He has sealed us for redempti...

The unity of the People of God reflects the message of the people. When you have different denominations and Synods, these cause division in the Church. There have been many approaches over the years to join the people of God together. Here in John 17 we see Jesus praying for the people to be joined together for the sack of the message. "I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me." This last phrase is all I have left to talk about. The Church united together for the sack of proclaiming the Gospel. The Gospel message must be of chief importance over all things. God desires for all people to be saved, thus, he desires the word to be spread. This means people must know and believe that the Father has sent the Son into the World not to condemn the world but to save the World....

Continuing in John 17 we find the statement, "just as you, the Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me." Joined into the Divinity? There have been people who believe that part of the Christian message is joining with God. The people of God are the body of Christ. Therefore, they are becoming part of the Trinity. Jesus in his Sacrifice has succeeded to join with the Father and become one. Thus, all Christians desire to join this same God. This is a false belief. God is not talking about us becoming part of God, but being in a proper relationship with God. God has created his people. He has been Father Son and Holy Spirit from before all time. (Look to the Creeds for further explanation.) But here the people are to be placed in a close relationship. Just as in Marriage the two become one flesh. So also the people of God (the Bride of Christ) become the Body of Christ (Ephesians 5). But this is to make the...

Jesus prays in John 17 for the church. Jesus prays for those who will have to continue this ministry after his death. He prays, "I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you , Father are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me." This becomes an interesting passage. Jesus prays for the people to be one. Not only those who heard his message, but those who in turn hear them. Not only these who I speak to but those who will come to believe through their speaking. God is passing this message along through his people. But all of these should be one. We can thus conclude that that church is one throughout time. We are joined with those who come after us as well as those who come before us. Remember that the Church never stands alone separated from those who will hear your message and those who have passed the message to you. List...

Many people have things they obsess over. Some people have their favorite TV Show. Some people obsess over checking their blogs. Others take time obsessing over sports teams. There are many different things people obsess over. Some of these things can be harmful and some can be helpful. I wonder how many things are good to obsess over and how many things are bad. Obsessing over material things can be problematic. Obsessing in general can also cause problems. But what about Obsessing over God. Some people obsess over God and constantly are badgering people about their beliefs. Some people obsess over Theology trying to pick apart other people's statements. Some people obsess over being spiritually pure. These people all have problems, and not with their family. Obsessing over God is a good thing, when you give him praise and honor. Thank God for the many blessings his has given us. Obsessing over these things can cause us to lose sight of the world around us. God has placed us in th...