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This is part five in a series of according to pageview statistics via Blogger, Statscounter and Site Meter, a reasonably successful one by internet standards. If one likes this post the other four can be viewed in the archives on the right side of the blog.
Thank you to my loyal supporters. Feel free to drop me a line to discuss whatever needs to be...
The 'super secret fan club' will live on even if someone emails me once in awhile...
If some of my most loyal readers emailed me especially with content suggestions for this blog it may be good. These persons are the most reasonable persons to comment. Jeff Jenkins has been helpful.
Not saying I would follow the suggestions, however...;)
Although the other more academic blog is technically more difficult, I actually have more difficulty with ideas for this blog. For the Dr. Russell Norman blog I either go to my PhD or use a Bible commentary, theology text book or philosophy text book for articles. This blog requires a lot more blogging creativity. I should down the road probably pragmatically marry a young lady that could write this blog half the time.
'The End of False Religion is Near!'
In regard to 'The End of False Religion is Near!', this piece of religious propaganda based on my online research is from the Jehovah's Witnesses, the Watchtower Society. But ironically, this religious organization is considered a false religion by the majority of orthodox Christian scholarship (I often receive some kind of contact within a day or so from a unofficial representative of the Jehovah's Witnesses or Latter-Day Saints when I comment on them).
According to John Ankerberg and John Weldon this religious group states Jesus Christ is not the orthodox Almighty God and perfect man contrary to orthodox Biblical theology, but is a created angel that existed in three stages or phases, as archangel Michael, Jesus Christ and exalted Michael. Ankerberg and Weldon (1999: 129). Jesus became the anointed Christ at baptism at which point he also became spiritually reborn by this theology. Ankerberg and Weldon (1999: 129).
The Holy Spirit of God as God, is instead viewed as the impersonal force of Jehovah God. Ankerberg and Weldon (1999: 129).
There are other notable difficulties such as false prophecies concerning the Second Coming of Christ, as in Christ's supposed invisible return in 1874, later changed to 1914. Ankerberg and Weldon (1999: 129).
Scripture, the Bible, is only considered to be authoritative when interpreted by the Watchtower Society. It is philosophically dangerous to leave Biblical interpretation in the hands of one group of persons with a particular theological agenda. This also gives them cult-like control over their membership. They can insist that there will be terrible spiritual consequences for membership if leadership is not obeyed because it is the Watcher Society that alone really understands God's word properly.
There is also too much reliance placed on faith by works. Ankerberg and Weldon (1999: 129). This would be common to many cultist structures that place too much emphasis on following a particular church as opposed to relying on the completeness of the atoning and resurrection work of Christ that has chosen his followers as in Ephesians 2, by grace through faith unto good works.
There are many difficulties, but these are some central ones.
'Reason Is The Greatest Enemy Faith Has' (No Image)
As a Reformed, philosophical theologian and philosopher of religion that also looks at religion and the Bible from secular perspectives I think is incorrect and can be philosophically potentially poisonous.
Faith will arise because a finite human being has to for example trust in the infinite God. God has for example an infinite amount of information to supply on a certain issue and related events and the finite human being is only provided a certain amount of that information at a given time. Since some of the information has been properly given and is sound, it is a sign that God is worthy of faith. Therefore the entire process is of reason and is reasonable.
It is potentially poisonous to place faith outside of reason in the realm of senseless wishing that is not grounded in reality in what God has done and will likely do.
'You Make Me Sick' (No Image)
When I see that kind of in your face evangelism I think that kind of person is probably not very educated, or if he is, he is not using it well. When I look at Romans 1-3 for example, and then Romans 1-6, I realize how sinful all of humanity is and that persons are saved by grace through faith, unto good works if persons are in Christ. I reason a more humble approach is warranted as in when some persons read that presentation and see that the person with the message is sickened by them they may assume he does not consider himself ill, but in my mind his approach itself is an illness. It is religious ugliness and a lack of love, a lack of following the Great Commandments of Matthew 22, and Mark 12 to not only love God but to love thy neighbour. A Christian is not told to go out and expose the supposed sin of thy neighbour in such a manner, that is not evangelism.
'Why Do You Love The Devil'
'Excellent' work from the Chairman of the Public Relations and Evangelism Department. 'Sports Nuts' are even of the Devil. I suppose only 'Crazy Fundamentalist Christians' belong off that list.
'The Bible Handbook...'
A Pastor writing a handbook for racists is disgraceful, there is no excuse for it.
'Spiritual Safety Tip'
We have here posters that mock sinners and will assuredly keep masses of them out of radical fundamentalist Christian Churches, so for the sake of that type of evangelism I suppose it would be intellectually consistent to train one's youngsters to avoid atheists altogether. I mean, forbid, one may chat with an atheist be challenged a bit and have to search through the Bible, perhaps even Greek and Hebrew, theology texts and philosophy books to strengthen one's Christian faith and reason.
Or even read related blogs...
ANKERBERG, JOHN AND JOHN WELDON (1999) Encyclopedia of Cults and New Religions, Eugene, Oregon, Harvest House Publishers.
JW.org
Pleated Jeans
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| From Google Images and the Jehovah's Witnesses |
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| From pleated-jeans.com |
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| From pleated-jeans.com |
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| From pleated-jeans.com |
Wondershare movie demo I worked on for a few minutes with customized Mahavishu Orchestra intro clip from You Tube and it sort of looks like my photo is blown-up at the end...
