According to the latest news on Carelinks according to Duncan Heaster there is a Christadelphian ecclesia in Antwerp.
On the Carelinks website is written:
For January: "There are strong groups of Iranian brethren and contacts developing in Belgium and Scandinavia, as reported previously. This week it was our pleasure to visit again the group in Antwerp and to assist them with the baptisms of two brethren, D and D
These brethren both have wives and families, and they need our prayers in the difficult situation they are all in. Darius had been attended a church for a year but they refused to baptize him because he couldn't pay tithes. He then started searching wider for the real truth and was providentially led to us by a meeting with another Iranian brother."
For February: "The spread of the Truth amongst the network of Iranian brethren throughout Western Europe is an amazing if largely unrecognized phenomena, and an amazing evidence that God is indeed active today amongst those often rejected and marginalized by Western society. Another brief visit was paid to the ecclesia at Antwerp, and we're pleased to report the baptism of brother A. Iranian brethren from elsewhere in Belgium travelled to be with us for this happy event and to strengthen our new brother."
It is incredible that in case there would be many Iranian Christadelphians in Belgium, they do not take any contact with other brothers and sisters in this so small country.
It is unbelievable that those baptised by Duncan Heaster in Belgium do not take any contact with us. The once I new of and contacted gave reasons why they did not want to have any contact with Christadelphians having any connection with CBM. It is really a shame and very unchristian like.
I would like to invite all those who want to call themselves Christadelphian and are staying in Belgium to contact the Christadelphian brothers from Mons and Leuven and contacting the Christadelphian Ecclesia Brussel-Leuven.
We should unite as brothers and sisters and come together, meeting regularly and forming one ecclesia together or having connections between the different ecclesiae. Not ignoring each others existence.
Showing posts with label englishtext. Show all posts
Showing posts with label englishtext. Show all posts
Sunday, 19 February 2012
Wednesday, 11 January 2012
2011 in PowerPoints
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It has truly been an incredible year of prophetical events unfolding before our eyes.
Revolutions & riots, European crisis, natural disasters and the build up to conflict in the Middle East.
Surely our Lord's return is at hand!
As you know the Weekly World Watch looks at 6 key events each week in relation to Bible prophecy.
What I do at the end of the year is group all of the slides produced in the year into "themes".
In effect all the slides in 2011 relating to Israel are grouped together.
All the slides relating to natural disasters are grouped together and so on.
You can then see over a year how things have developed.
It is surprising to look back as we easily forget what has happened only a few months ago!
Click on one of the themes below to download a powerpoint with all the WWW slides for that theme in 2011.
Let us pray that 2012 sees the return of our Lord.
God Willing the WWW will continue next week.
With love in the Lord
Andy Walton
Israel - the Jews & Palestinians - 2011
There are 90 slides in this powerpoint. Click here to download this powerpoint
Syria & Lebanon - 2011
There are 51 slides in this powerpoint. Click here to download this powerpoint
Revolutions - 2011
There are 43 slides in this powerpoint. Click here to download this powerpoint
Gog - Russia - 2011
There are 39 slides in this powerpoint. Click here to download this powerpoint
Natural disasters / signs and wonders - 2011
There are 36 slides in this powerpoint. Click here to download this powerpoint
Persia - latter day Iran - 2011
There are 29 slides in this powerpoint. Click here to download this powerpoint
Tarshish - Britain - 2011
There are 23 slides in this powerpoint. Click here to download this powerpoint
America - Young lion - 2011
There are 21 slides in this powerpoint. Click here to download this powerpoint
The Beast - Europe - 2011
There are 18 slides in this powerpoint. Click here to download this powerpoint
Egypt - 2011
There are 14 slides in this powerpoint. Click here to download this powerpoint
Libya - 2011
There are 14 slides in this powerpoint. Click here to download this powerpoint
Togarmah - Turkey - 2011
There are 12 slides in this powerpoint. Click here to download this powerpoint
The Harlot - Roman Catholicism - 2011
There are 9 slides in this powerpoint. Click here to download this powerpoint
Financial Collapse - 2011
There are 8 slides in this powerpoint. Click here to download this powerpoint
Immorality & Godlessness - 2011
There are 7 slides in this powerpoint. Click here to download this powerpoint
Ancient Babylon - Iraq - 2011
There are 7 slides in this powerpoint. Click here to download this powerpoint
Sheba & Dedan - Saudi Arabia - 2011
There are 4 slides in this powerpoint. Click here to download this powerpoint
I hope you find this useful.
With love in the Lord
Andy Walton
Weekly World Watch
Thursday, 29 December 2011
Assyriologist brother Wilfred Lambert goes to sleep
For 30 years the eminent Birmingham-born historian and archaeologist Prof Lambert (1926-2011) taught and researched at the University of Birmingham. But every single Thursday he would journey to the Department of the Near East in the British Museum, where he read and deciphered cuneiform tablets, the raw material of Assyriology.
This Christadelphian became one of the world’s top specialists in ancient eastern history and would be missed.
The funeral of internationally-respected Professor Wilfred Lambert took place at West Birmingham Christadelphian Hall, in Quinton, this week.
His skills and thoughts were chronicled in various published works, including Babylonian Wisdom Literature (1960); Atrahasis: The Babylonian Story of the Flood (1969); Cuneiform Texts in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, II, (2005) Babylonian Oracle Questions (2007). His latest work, Babylonian Creation Myths, is waiting for a publication date.
+++
213 update:
This Christadelphian became one of the world’s top specialists in ancient eastern history and would be missed.
The funeral of internationally-respected Professor Wilfred Lambert took place at West Birmingham Christadelphian Hall, in Quinton, this week.
His skills and thoughts were chronicled in various published works, including Babylonian Wisdom Literature (1960); Atrahasis: The Babylonian Story of the Flood (1969); Cuneiform Texts in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, II, (2005) Babylonian Oracle Questions (2007). His latest work, Babylonian Creation Myths, is waiting for a publication date.
 |
| The British Museum, Room 55 - Cuneiform Collection, including the Epic of Gilgamesh. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
+++
213 update:
Tuesday, 13 December 2011
A promise given in the Garden of Eden
A covenant of grace or the covenant of redemption.
In the Old Testament you will find God described as ‘the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob’. God also speaks of Himself as ‘the God of Israel’, but in the New Testament we find ‘the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ’. This is in order to teach us that all the blessings that come to us come in and through the Lord Jesus Christ, and as a part of that covenant that was made in the Garden of Eden when God took care that the seed of the woman would be bruised.
God was able to tell Adam about that in the Garden of Eden when He told him that ‘the seed of the woman shall bruise the serpent’s head’.
So when people think to find that Jesus existed before Adam or already from the beginning they are confused with the Plan of God, which had existed. The Salvation had been planned before Jesus was born and before the majority of the population was born. Adam and Eve had not made any children yet, so therefore we can speak of the beginning of the world, because it still had to start.
God began to announce it there at the Garden of Eden.The Father gave a people to the Son, and the Son voluntarily made Himself responsible to God for them. He contracted to do certain things for them, and God the Father on His side contracted to do other things. God the Father said He would grant forgiveness and reconciliation and restoration and new life and a new nature to all who belonged to His Son.
In the Old Testament you will find God described as ‘the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob’. God also speaks of Himself as ‘the God of Israel’, but in the New Testament we find ‘the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ’. This is in order to teach us that all the blessings that come to us come in and through the Lord Jesus Christ, and as a part of that covenant that was made in the Garden of Eden when God took care that the seed of the woman would be bruised.
God was able to tell Adam about that in the Garden of Eden when He told him that ‘the seed of the woman shall bruise the serpent’s head’.
So when people think to find that Jesus existed before Adam or already from the beginning they are confused with the Plan of God, which had existed. The Salvation had been planned before Jesus was born and before the majority of the population was born. Adam and Eve had not made any children yet, so therefore we can speak of the beginning of the world, because it still had to start.
God began to announce it there at the Garden of Eden.The Father gave a people to the Son, and the Son voluntarily made Himself responsible to God for them. He contracted to do certain things for them, and God the Father on His side contracted to do other things. God the Father said He would grant forgiveness and reconciliation and restoration and new life and a new nature to all who belonged to His Son.
Monday, 28 November 2011
Manna from Sint Nicholas
The Roman Catholic Church has managed to mint money out of the legacy of a man who died in 343 A.D. Because when his skull and bony remains was removed from a tomb in 1950, the Catholics claimed liquid came from the dry bones. This liquid is only collected on the feast day of Nicholas, which is December 6th. The liquid is called “manna”, and is sold on bottles as miraculous water.
Read more:
Read more:
The skull of Catholic “Santa” has a boken nose
Virgin Mary’s girdle
A chunk of the Virgin Mary’s girdle, made of camel hair and preserved for centuries since its owner headed heavenwards according a lot of Christians. For several Christians it is a holy relic, which is now on tour in Russia and drawing crowds of Orthodox believers on a scale that makes U2 concerts look under-populated
The belt is usually kept in a monastery on Mount Athos, Greece, but has been toted round a series of Russian cities over the past few weeks, ending up in Moscow’s Cathedral of Christ the Saviour – the vast white and gold post-USSR replacement for an Orthodox cathedral razed under Stalin. Pilgrims are flooding in to kiss the relic, which is believed to have special powers to treat infertility and promote health.
For the Orthodox Church, already enjoying a resurgence and snowballing membership since the USSR fell apart, the public display of faith is an apparent triumph: devotion doesn’t come much plainer than this. Not everyone agrees, though: even among the faithful, the extremity of the response (at least half a million people have turned out in Moscow alone, and another two million elsewhere in Russia) smacks a touch too much of superstition, of a kind of mass hysteria.
Read the whole story:
The belt is usually kept in a monastery on Mount Athos, Greece, but has been toted round a series of Russian cities over the past few weeks, ending up in Moscow’s Cathedral of Christ the Saviour – the vast white and gold post-USSR replacement for an Orthodox cathedral razed under Stalin. Pilgrims are flooding in to kiss the relic, which is believed to have special powers to treat infertility and promote health.
For the Orthodox Church, already enjoying a resurgence and snowballing membership since the USSR fell apart, the public display of faith is an apparent triumph: devotion doesn’t come much plainer than this. Not everyone agrees, though: even among the faithful, the extremity of the response (at least half a million people have turned out in Moscow alone, and another two million elsewhere in Russia) smacks a touch too much of superstition, of a kind of mass hysteria.
Read the whole story:
Belt up! – the Virgin Mary comes to Moscow
Belt up part II – how the Virgin Mary won Russia’s elections
Wednesday, 2 November 2011
Accuracy, Word-for-Word Translation Preferred by most Bible Readers
Survey: Bible Readers want Accuracy, Word-for-Word Translation
A new study from LifeWay Research reveals some key findings on what distinctives Bible readers desire for their Bible. A total of 2,000 Bible readers participated through a demographically representative online panel, but to qualify, participants had to read the Bible in a typical month either by themselves or as part of a family activity and not merely in a church or corporate group setting.
Most American Bible readers prefer word-for-word translations of the original Greek and Hebrew over thought-for-thought translations and value accuracy over readability.
That is the finding of a new LifeWay Research study of a total of 2,000 Bible readers who participated through a demographically representative online panel. To qualify, participants had to read the Bible in a typical month either by themselves or as part of a family activity and not merely in a church or corporate group setting.
When asked whether they prefer “word-for-word translations, where the original words are translated as exactly as possible” or “thought-for-thought translations, where the translators attempt to reproduce the intent of the original thought rather than translating the exact words,” 61 percent chose word-for-word.
That includes 33 percent who strongly prefer word-for-word translation and 28 percent who somewhat prefer it. In contrast, 20 percent prefer thought-for-thought, including 6 percent with a strong preference and 14 percent who somewhat prefer it. Fourteen percent say both translation philosophies are equally fine, and 5 percent are not sure.
Regarding accuracy, respondents were asked, “In general, what is more important to you in a Bible: total accuracy to the original words, or easy readability?” Three out of four (75 percent) opt for total accuracy, with 43 percent saying accuracy is much more important and 32 percent saying it is somewhat more important.
Fourteen percent say easy readability is somewhat more important, and 8 percent say it is much more important. Three percent are not sure.
“It is interesting to note that Bible sales do not necessarily follow these preferences,” said Scott McConnell, director of LifeWay Research. “Those reading the Bible each month represent only a portion of all Bible purchasers.
“Bible readers can share their preferences for different translation principles but may not be aware of which characteristics are present in specific translations – even the ones that they own. Without specific instruction most readers will not notice when a translation moves away from a literal or word-for-word translation.”
Respondents hold a variety of opinions regarding the style of language they prefer in a Bible translation for personal reading. Among them:
– 68 percent want language to be simpler to understand while 7 percent want it to be more difficult to understand.
– 81 percent say it should be more enjoyable to read while 4 percent prefer it to be more of a chore to read.
– 27 percent favor contemporary language while 46 percent want traditional language.
– 36 percent want more modern language while 37 percent favor more old-fashioned language.
– 19 percent feel understanding the language should require a higher level of education while 49 percent say it should not require a higher level of education.
– 63 percent believe it should be simple for anyone to understand while 14 percent say the language should be meant more for people who have a lot of experience with the Bible.
– 40 percent prefer more formal language while 26 percent say should be more informal.
– 22 percent want language more for casual reading while 44 percent say it should be designed more for in-depth study.
“In the same way drivers want big, powerful, fuel-efficient vehicles, Bible readers want word-for-word translations that are easy to understand,” said McConnell. “As translators try to cross the globe and two millennia, fully accomplishing both is not always possible.”
The survey also asked about translation of God’s name. Though many Bible versions translate God’s name in the Old Testament as “the LORD,” others prefer using what is believed to be the original pronunciation, “Yahweh.”
Nearly eight in 10 Bible readers (79 percent) prefer the traditional translation “the LORD” over the original pronunciation “Yahweh.” That includes 51 percent who strongly prefer “the LORD” and 27 percent who somewhat prefer it. Seven percent somewhat prefer “Yahweh” while 6 percent strongly prefer it. Eight percent are not sure which they favor.
The vast majority of Bible readers do not prefer gender-inclusive translation approaches. A full 82 percent prefer a literal translation of masculine words that describe people in general rather than a more inclusive translation like “humankind” or “person.”
Study participants were told: “Bible translators have to make choices regarding gender issues. For example, the original Greek and Hebrew often uses masculine words such as those literally meaning ‘man’ to describe people in general. Some translators think these should be translated literally as ‘man’ while others think they should be translated into gender-inclusive terms such as ‘humankind,’ ‘human being,’ ‘person’ or ‘one.’ Which do you prefer?”
A majority (53 percent) strongly prefer literal translation while 29 percent somewhat prefer the literal rendering. Only 9 percent somewhat prefer gender-inclusive translation, and 3 percent strongly prefer it. Six percent are not sure.
Bible readers are even more adamant about not making references to God gender-inclusive.
They were told, “Another issue Bible translators face relates to references to God as ‘father’ in the Greek and Hebrew. Some translators think these should be translated literally as ‘father’ while others think they should be translated into gender-inclusive terms such as ‘parent.’ Do you prefer the literal or more gender-inclusive?”
In response, 89 percent want a literal translation of gender-specific references to God, including 68 percent who strongly prefer literal translation and 21 percent who somewhat prefer literal translation. Five percent somewhat prefer gender-inclusive translation, and 2 percent strongly prefer gender-inclusive translation. Four percent are not sure.
“The places in the Bible in which the inspired writers used masculine words for God, a large majority of Bible readers want translators to use masculine words as well,” noted McConnell. “This is true regardless of whether the reader describes their own spiritual beliefs as liberal or conservative.”
Methodology: The LifeWay Research survey was conducted in August 2011 via online panel. A representative sample of U.S. adult population was invited to participate. Two thousand people who read the Bible once a month or more qualified for the study. Only people who read the Bible personally (outside of group activities) or as part of a family activity were included. The sample of 2,000 provides 95 percent confidence that the sampling error does not exceed + 2.2 percent.
- Nashville, Tenn. - PRWEB - October 03, 2011
Tuesday, 1 November 2011
Sociological changes to be taken serious by the church
Shekinah Glory writes:
The senior Republican on the House Education and Labor Committee is ramping up pressure on the White House to explain how it intends to pay for its student loan program, saying it will “leave the taxpayer holding the bag.”+
If the church does not take seriously the sociological changes of the new generation they will simply be left as relics of a bygone day.
Read more in: Occupy Church Manifesto #2
Related article: Voice for the plebs
Saturday, 22 October 2011
Deaf helped in their ability to progress in this community
The Philippine Daily Inquirer on page A10 brought the story entitled: "Hearing impaired get heard in free sign language lessons." You can also see the photo of a deaf sister conducting a Bible study using our publication with a caption written by an Inquirer editor: "Rosemarie Peralta used to be unschooled as a result of being hearing impaired until she discovered a universe of knowledge though sign language taught to her for free by a group of volunteers."
Deaf people, whose families could not afford to send them to special education classes, have been learning sign language for free and beyond classroom walls.
Sign language volunteers of the Jehovah’s Witnesses have been bringing classes right at the doorsteps of the hearing impaired since 1994, preferring to educate them in the comforts of their homes.
Some sign language teachers are themselves deaf. All of them have been spending their own time and money to reach out to the deaf community.
More than 2,000 volunteers, from the mountain town of Buguias in Benguet to the coastal villages of Mindanao, go from house to house to seek out the hearing impaired.
Continue reading: Hearing impaired get heard in free sign language lessons By Gobleth Moulic of the Inquirer Northern Luzon
+++
2013 update:
 |
| English: A Deaf, Hard-Of-Hearing or Speech-Impaired person at his workplace, communicating with a hearing person via a Video Relay Service video interpreter (a V.I., a Sign Language interpreter, shown on-screen), using a videophone. The hearing person with whom the video interpreter is also communicating can not be seen. The videophone camera rests above his computer monitor. Note as well the additional videophones on his desk. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
Deaf people, whose families could not afford to send them to special education classes, have been learning sign language for free and beyond classroom walls.
Sign language volunteers of the Jehovah’s Witnesses have been bringing classes right at the doorsteps of the hearing impaired since 1994, preferring to educate them in the comforts of their homes.
Some sign language teachers are themselves deaf. All of them have been spending their own time and money to reach out to the deaf community.
More than 2,000 volunteers, from the mountain town of Buguias in Benguet to the coastal villages of Mindanao, go from house to house to seek out the hearing impaired.
Continue reading: Hearing impaired get heard in free sign language lessons By Gobleth Moulic of the Inquirer Northern Luzon
+++
2013 update:
Friday, 14 October 2011
Experiencing God
| Alan Hermann |
Experiencing God
What is the first emotion that you experience when you think of God?
There are many answers to this question. Some are helpful and some dangerous but none are neutral.
Probably the most dangerous place of all to be in, is to answer, ‘nothing’. If the thought of God brings nothing to our heart then we desperately need to spend time with Him strengthening our relationship.
There are two seemingly opposed answers that are in fact complementary. They bring together apparently differing emotions to build one glorious whole. Neither is greater than the other. Both are important on their own but together they make a far greater whole. In no particular order they are ‘awe’ and ‘love’.
Awe by itself can, if misunderstood, lead to servile fear or a sense of worthlessness. We can begin to see God as mighty but distant and lose the precious truth that we live from within His eternal hug.
Love by itself can become seen as sloppy sentimentality as we lose sight of the fact that God is our friend but not our mate. Together they show the awe filled grandeur and power of the One who loves, as well as the tender Father heart of the Creator and King.
To live the full life we need to experience the fullness of God. His hug is warm and His arms are strong.
+++
2013 update:
What is the first emotion that you experience when you think of God?
There are many answers to this question. Some are helpful and some dangerous but none are neutral.
Probably the most dangerous place of all to be in, is to answer, ‘nothing’. If the thought of God brings nothing to our heart then we desperately need to spend time with Him strengthening our relationship.
There are two seemingly opposed answers that are in fact complementary. They bring together apparently differing emotions to build one glorious whole. Neither is greater than the other. Both are important on their own but together they make a far greater whole. In no particular order they are ‘awe’ and ‘love’.
Awe by itself can, if misunderstood, lead to servile fear or a sense of worthlessness. We can begin to see God as mighty but distant and lose the precious truth that we live from within His eternal hug.
Love by itself can become seen as sloppy sentimentality as we lose sight of the fact that God is our friend but not our mate. Together they show the awe filled grandeur and power of the One who loves, as well as the tender Father heart of the Creator and King.
To live the full life we need to experience the fullness of God. His hug is warm and His arms are strong.
+++
2013 update:
A Jewish Woman and a Test of Faith
James Mason
Here is an interesting test, “Is your faith as strong as the faith of the Jewish mother in the following story?” A forty-year old Israelite woman had suffered heart wrenching agony, her Jewish mother asked, “Do you want to pray?” The daughter (who had prayed all her life) now with tears in her eyes said no! The mother asked, “Why?” Her daughter said, “Because I am not going to hand my future over to whatever it is who is supposed to be loving and who I didn’t think should let me suffer in this way, I thought God was good.” The mother with great insight replied, “Maybe God is worth it, maybe God is also difficult, awful, complicated” the daughter prayed. Here’s the test, “If God seems difficult awful and complicated in our lives is our faith like the mothers or like the daughters?
Thursday, 13 October 2011
I Will Cause Your Name To Be Remembered
I Will Cause Your Name To Be Remembered In All Generations; Therefore The Peoples Will Give You Thanks Forever !!
I Will Cause Your Name To Be Remembered In All Generations; Therefore The Peoples Will Give You Thanks Forever And Ever=Psalms 45:17
Malachi 1:11
My Name will be Great among the nations, from the rising to the setting of the sun. In every place incense and pure offerings will be brought to My Name, Because My Name will be Great Among The Nations," says YAHuah of hosts.
Malachi 2:5
My Covenant with him was one of life and peace (Shalom), and I gave them to him. It was a covenant of fear, and he feared(Respected) Me. He stood In Awe Of My Name.
Malachi 2:1-5
1 And now, O you priests, this commandment is for you.
2 If you will not hear, and if you will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto My Name, said YAHuah of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings:, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay it to heart.
3 Behold, I will corrupt your seed, and spread dung upon your faces, even the dung of your solemn feasts; and one shall take you away with it.
4 And you shall know that I have sent this commandment unto you, that my covenant might be with Levi, said YAHuah of hosts.
5 My covenant was with him of life and peace; and I gave them to him for the fear wherewith he feared me, and was afraid before My Name.
My Name For All Generation!!
+++
2013 update:
Malachi 1:11
My Name will be Great among the nations, from the rising to the setting of the sun. In every place incense and pure offerings will be brought to My Name, Because My Name will be Great Among The Nations," says YAHuah of hosts.
Malachi 2:5
My Covenant with him was one of life and peace (Shalom), and I gave them to him. It was a covenant of fear, and he feared(Respected) Me. He stood In Awe Of My Name.
Malachi 2:1-5
1 And now, O you priests, this commandment is for you.
2 If you will not hear, and if you will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto My Name, said YAHuah of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings:, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay it to heart.
3 Behold, I will corrupt your seed, and spread dung upon your faces, even the dung of your solemn feasts; and one shall take you away with it.
4 And you shall know that I have sent this commandment unto you, that my covenant might be with Levi, said YAHuah of hosts.
5 My covenant was with him of life and peace; and I gave them to him for the fear wherewith he feared me, and was afraid before My Name.
My Name For All Generation!!
+++
2013 update:
Tuesday, 11 October 2011
Getting to know the Truth
A question and answer television program broadcast over KAZT-TV Channel 7, in Prescott, Arizona, to over 3,000,000 homes on Sundays @ 7:30 AM. brought this question forwards:
Q. How can we know for certain what is absolutely true in Bible teaching? Should we not just accept everyone, and not bind our views on others?
These verses will make it clear:
John 8:32 (NAS95)
32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”
1 Thessalonians 5:20-21
20 do not despise prophetic utterances.
21 But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good;
1 John 4:1
4:1 ¶ Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
.Acts 17:11
11 Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.
1 Timothy 4:1-3
4:1 ¶ But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons,
2 by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron,
3 men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth.
1 Timothy 4:6-11
6 ¶ In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following.
7 But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness;
8 for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.
9 It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance.
10 For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers.
11 Prescribe and teach these things
2 Thessalonians 2:11-15
11 For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false,
12 in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness.
13 ¶ But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.
14 It was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
15 So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us.
We can know the truth when we love the Word of God enough to accept it, and it alone in matters of religion.
- Mike Scott
Saturday, 8 October 2011
Obstacles to effective evangelism
Dave Burke
+ David adds:Failure to understand why other Christians go to church
* Use of jargon in our literature
* Lack of literature for non-English speaking people
* Lack of literature for people with English as a second language
* Lack of attention to pressing social issues
* Insistence that visitors adhere to specific in-group rules
* Failure to demonstrate that we actually care about the community in which we live
These problems have been perpetuated for decades, largely because they are not recognised as problems.
+
Effective evangelism has wider implications than the conversion of non-Christadelphians. It also improves the health of our community by building up our young people (themselves a prime audience for Christadelphian evangelism) and our 'less comely members' (I Corinthians 12:14-25). For some Christadelphians the internet is seen as a viable alternative to real life community. This is inherently problematic and potentially damaging.
***
Luckily there are also ecclesiae which use contemporary versions of the Bible.
Friday, 9 September 2011
New American Bible Revised Edition
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has announced it has canonically approved the publication of New American Bible Revised Edition (NABRE).
The first edition of the New American Bible (NAB), published in 1970, immediately became familiar to Catholics in the United States because of its use in the lectionary at Mass.
A revised translation of the New Testament, which appeared in the NAB’s second edition (1986), included more traditional diction (“blessed” replaced “happy” in the Beatitudes) but made concessions to horizontal and vertical inclusive language (the Holy Spirit in places was referred to as “it,” rather than “he”).
In the third edition (1991), a revised translation of the Psalms appeared that systematically introduced inclusive language to the Psalter. Thus, “blessed the man” (Ps. 1:1)-- a literal translation of the Hebrew-- was replaced by “happy those.” In 1994, the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments rejected the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ request to include the new edition of the Psalter in a revised lectionary.
Under the Congregation’s direction, a committee of bishops and scholars made changes to the revised New Testament before its use was permitted in the revised lectionary. The Holy Spirit, for instance, is rendered as “he” in the revised lectionary; “rejoice, O highly favored daughter” (Lk. 1:28, 1970 edition), which had become “hail, favored one” (1986 edition), in turn became “hail, full of grace” (revised lectionary). The revised lectionary appeared in two stages (1998 and 2002).
The forthcoming fourth edition, according to the USCCB, aims
The first edition of the New American Bible (NAB), published in 1970, immediately became familiar to Catholics in the United States because of its use in the lectionary at Mass.
A revised translation of the New Testament, which appeared in the NAB’s second edition (1986), included more traditional diction (“blessed” replaced “happy” in the Beatitudes) but made concessions to horizontal and vertical inclusive language (the Holy Spirit in places was referred to as “it,” rather than “he”).
In the third edition (1991), a revised translation of the Psalms appeared that systematically introduced inclusive language to the Psalter. Thus, “blessed the man” (Ps. 1:1)-- a literal translation of the Hebrew-- was replaced by “happy those.” In 1994, the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments rejected the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ request to include the new edition of the Psalter in a revised lectionary.
Under the Congregation’s direction, a committee of bishops and scholars made changes to the revised New Testament before its use was permitted in the revised lectionary. The Holy Spirit, for instance, is rendered as “he” in the revised lectionary; “rejoice, O highly favored daughter” (Lk. 1:28, 1970 edition), which had become “hail, favored one” (1986 edition), in turn became “hail, full of grace” (revised lectionary). The revised lectionary appeared in two stages (1998 and 2002).
The forthcoming fourth edition, according to the USCCB, aims
at making use of the best manuscript traditions available, translating as accurately as possible, and rendering the result in good contemporary English. In many ways it is a more literal translation than the original New American Bible and has attempted to be more consistent in rendering Hebrew (or Greek) words and idioms, especially in technical contexts, such as regulations for sacrifices. In translating the Psalter special effort was made to provide a smooth, rhythmic translation for easy singing or recitation and to retain the concrete imagery of the Hebrew. The NABRE is approved for private use and study. It will not be used for the Mass.Source(s): these links will take you to other sites, in a new window.
- Revised Edition of New American Bible Approved for Publication, Will Be Available in Variety of Formats March 9 (USCCB)
- Bibles and Lectionaries (Adoremus Bulletin)
- Lectionary - New Edition for U.S. (EWTN)
Sunday, 4 September 2011
Pastorpreneur Warren
Rick Warren, 57, the US’s most famous pastor. He bounds across the stage wearing his trademark goatee, a black T-shirt, Converse trainers and jeans. He is preaching about self-examination: “If you’re doing something that’s messing up your marriage or destroying your finances, it’s because there is some kind of emotional pay-off. I don’t know what it is – maybe it’s to mask your pain, maybe it’s to cover up a fear, maybe it’s an excuse to fail, maybe it’s to compensate for guilt.”
Warren is America’s leading “Pastorpreneur” – a kind of avuncular chief executive of evangelism. His 2002 book The Purpose Driven Life is one of the bestselling hardbacks in US history, and he has fans and followers on Facebook and Twitter.
Saturday, 30 July 2011
Groot Drie-eenheidsdebat
Enkele maanden geleden gingen twee ernstige denkers over de Bijbel met elkaar in debat over een zeer moeilijk onderwerp in het Christendom, dat al honderden jaren de Kerk in beroering heeft gehouden en waar reeds veel bloed, letterlijk en figuurlijk, is over gevloeid.
The Great Trinity Debate
Rob Bowman vs Dave Burke
Now this is eternal life — that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you sent. (John 17:3)It is a matter of eternal life to know the true God and his son, the Lord Jesus Christ. It is our responsibility to understand the one true God. But do we really know him? Or do we just believe in a God that we've learned about from others?
The identity of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit is a fundamental belief in Christianity and increasingly Christians don't know why they believe in what they do, unable to defend the doctrine of the Trinity when challenged.
There seems to be a kind of complacency that comes from being a mainstream Christian, thinking that being in the majority is enough to make the doctrine true without needing proof.
The Bereans searched their scriptures daily to make sure what they heard was true and that's no different with the doctrine of the Trinity, we have to search our scriptures to decide if it's true or not, not take it for granted or rely on someone else to tell us that it is or isn't true.
The debate about the Trinity has been raging on since the early church and it still rages on today. Rob Bowman, a Trinitarian issued a challenge last year for a non-Trinitarian to debate him on the subject of the Trinity. This year, Dave Burke a non-Trinitarian, took up that challenge and presented his case for the unity of God. A fascinating debate resulted and was captured on the Parchment and Pen blog.
I recommend you read both sides of the argument thoroughly, it's not all as black and white as you might think as both sides have strong arguments.
The Great Trinity Debate
The Challenge | Introduction | Resources List
| Part 1: God & Scripture | Burke vs | Bowman |
| Part 2: Jesus Christ | Burke vs | Bowman |
| Part 3: Jesus Christ (continued) | Burke vs | Bowman |
| Part 4: Holy Spirit | Burke vs | Bowman |
| Part 5: Father, Son & Holy Spirit / The Trinity | Burke vs | Bowman |
| Part 6: Closing Statement | Burke vs | Bowman |
A Trinitarian blogger (Dale) provides useful commentary on the debate... Final Summary | Full Commentary List ... concluding that Burke won the debate.
P.S. If you are a Trinitarian and still think 1 John 5:7-8 is a valid proof for the doctrine of the Trinity, you most definitely need to read this debate to learn some better proofs! Also read "The Trinity is Like 3-in-1 Shampoo". . . And Other Stupid Statements
The Great Trinity debate
The Great Trinity Debate
Rob Bowman vs Dave Burke
Now this is eternal life — that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you sent. (John 17:3)It is a matter of eternal life to know the true God and his son, the Lord Jesus Christ. It is our responsibility to understand the one true God. But do we really know him? Or do we just believe in a God that we've learned about from others?
The identity of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit is a fundamental belief in Christianity and increasingly Christians don't know why they believe in what they do, unable to defend the doctrine of the Trinity when challenged.
There seems to be a kind of complacency that comes from being a mainstream Christian, thinking that being in the majority is enough to make the doctrine true without needing proof.
The Bereans searched their scriptures daily to make sure what they heard was true and that's no different with the doctrine of the Trinity, we have to search our scriptures to decide if it's true or not, not take it for granted or rely on someone else to tell us that it is or isn't true.
The debate about the Trinity has been raging on since the early church and it still rages on today. Rob Bowman, a Trinitarian issued a challenge last year for a non-Trinitarian to debate him on the subject of the Trinity. This year, Dave Burke a non-Trinitarian, took up that challenge and presented his case for the unity of God. A fascinating debate resulted and was captured on the Parchment and Pen blog.
I recommend you read both sides of the argument thoroughly, it's not all as black and white as you might think as both sides have strong arguments.
The Great Trinity Debate
The Challenge | Introduction | Resources List
| Part 1: God & Scripture | Burke vs | Bowman |
| Part 2: Jesus Christ | Burke vs | Bowman |
| Part 3: Jesus Christ (continued) | Burke vs | Bowman |
| Part 4: Holy Spirit | Burke vs | Bowman |
| Part 5: Father, Son & Holy Spirit / The Trinity | Burke vs | Bowman |
| Part 6: Closing Statement | Burke vs | Bowman |
A Trinitarian blogger (Dale) provides useful commentary on the debate... Final Summary | Full Commentary List ... concluding that Burke won the debate.
P.S. If you are a Trinitarian and still think 1 John 5:7-8 is a valid proof for the doctrine of the Trinity, you most definitely need to read this debate to learn some better proofs! Also read "The Trinity is Like 3-in-1 Shampoo". . . And Other Stupid Statements
Thursday, 28 July 2011
Jehovah Yahweh Gods Name
The Divine Name of God in pictures.
The Tetragrammaton, 6828 times mentioned in the Hebrew Writings of the Old Testament, can be found on bookrolls, pages, illustrations, paintings, statues and buildings around the world.
Gods Naam wordt wel 6828 keren aangehaald in de Hebreeuwse Geschriften van het Oude Testament. Het tetragram kan op verscheiden plaatsen in de wereld terug gevonden worden op schriftrollen, boekbladen, prenten, schilderijen, beeldhouwwerken en gebouwen.
Iehova, Iehovae, Jihovah, Jiova, Jheva, Jehoah, Jehova, Jehowah,Yehova, Yehowa, Yehwowah,
Jahwe, Jahweh, Yahweh
YHWH
JHWH
In the quotes Jesus used when he spoke he probably also used Gods Name because he knew that his Father wanted His Name to be know over the whole world
True Christians should sanctify God's Name by following Jesus and his disciples.
Wanneer Jezus de Schrift aanhaalde (teksten van het Oude Testament) gebruikte hij waarschijnlijk Gods Naam zoals deze reeds van de oudheid gekend was.
Ware Christenen zouden Gods Naam moeten heiligen door het voorbeeld van Jezus en zijn apostelen te volgen en deze Naam kenbaar te maken over de gehele wereld.
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“That they may know that thou alone, whose name is Jehovah,
Art the Most High over all the earth.” (Psalms 83:18 ASV)
"That people may know that you, whose name is Jehovah,
You alone are the Most High over all the earth." (Psalms 83:18 NWT)
“That men may know that you, whose name alone is YAHWEH,
are the most high over all the earth.” (Psalms 83:18 KJBPNV)
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"Dat men zal weten dat u alleen, wiens naam Jehovah is,
de Allergrootste bent over de gehele aarde. (Psalmen 83:18 ASVMAV)
Opdat men weet dat gij, wiens naam Jehovah is,
Gij alleen de Allerhoogste zijt over heel de aarde. (Psalmen 83:18 NWV)
“(83-19) dan zullen zij weten, dat "Jahweh" uw naam is;
dat gij de allerhoogste zijt op heel de aarde, gij alleen!” (Psalmen 83:18 Canis)
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The Tetragrammaton, 6828 times mentioned in the Hebrew Writings of the Old Testament, can be found on bookrolls, pages, illustrations, paintings, statues and buildings around the world.
Gods Naam wordt wel 6828 keren aangehaald in de Hebreeuwse Geschriften van het Oude Testament. Het tetragram kan op verscheiden plaatsen in de wereld terug gevonden worden op schriftrollen, boekbladen, prenten, schilderijen, beeldhouwwerken en gebouwen.
Iehova, Iehovae, Jihovah, Jiova, Jheva, Jehoah, Jehova, Jehowah,Yehova, Yehowa, Yehwowah,
Jahwe, Jahweh, Yahweh
YHWH
JHWH
In the quotes Jesus used when he spoke he probably also used Gods Name because he knew that his Father wanted His Name to be know over the whole world
True Christians should sanctify God's Name by following Jesus and his disciples.
Wanneer Jezus de Schrift aanhaalde (teksten van het Oude Testament) gebruikte hij waarschijnlijk Gods Naam zoals deze reeds van de oudheid gekend was.
Ware Christenen zouden Gods Naam moeten heiligen door het voorbeeld van Jezus en zijn apostelen te volgen en deze Naam kenbaar te maken over de gehele wereld.
+
“That they may know that thou alone, whose name is Jehovah,
Art the Most High over all the earth.” (Psalms 83:18 ASV)
"That people may know that you, whose name is Jehovah,
You alone are the Most High over all the earth." (Psalms 83:18 NWT)
“That men may know that you, whose name alone is YAHWEH,
are the most high over all the earth.” (Psalms 83:18 KJBPNV)
+
"Dat men zal weten dat u alleen, wiens naam Jehovah is,
de Allergrootste bent over de gehele aarde. (Psalmen 83:18 ASVMAV)
Opdat men weet dat gij, wiens naam Jehovah is,
Gij alleen de Allerhoogste zijt over heel de aarde. (Psalmen 83:18 NWV)
“(83-19) dan zullen zij weten, dat "Jahweh" uw naam is;
dat gij de allerhoogste zijt op heel de aarde, gij alleen!” (Psalmen 83:18 Canis)
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Tuesday, 24 May 2011
Were allowed to willfully break the Law of Moses
Tim Brumby 2Kgs5:18-19 Naaman (a Syrian - so not sure if this is consistent with other examples you might have) and the temple of Rimmon
Phil Poggo There were the 7 daughters who challenged Moses that they would not get an inheritence - God actually chaged the law to accomodate them!Madeleine Schwer Maybe 2 other examples are when Jesus touched lepers & dead bodies, and "cursed was he that hung on a tree" Gal.3 v 13 & Deut.21 v 22-23 . xo:)Mike Szabo I don't know if this qualifies, but Moabites were not allowed into the household of faith until the 10th generation and Ruth was taken in immediately based on her faith.Phil Poggo Jesus 'made out' that he was going to walk further on the road to Emmaus - did the means justify the end?
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2014 January update:
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