(This post has limiting viewing time attached, for me anyway)
Theologically, we are both finite and sinful.
Facebook source
Thursday, April 29, 2021
Much of life is about perspective...
Tuesday, April 27, 2021
Know your place
August 10 1995, the first European football match, I viewed live. Inter Milan 0 @ Arsenal 0, friendly, Arsenal Stadium.
Edited: April 28, 2021
Know your place
Statement 1: This is paraphrased from what I have heard recently in a sermon. I have added to it slightly.
If you want to lead within Christian ministry, you had first learn how to follow within Christian ministry.
Statement 2: This is originally mine, I suppose somewhat, anyway in this context.
Know your place...
(Dedicated to The Rage, that mentioned my statement the other day).
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In other words, 'wanna be' types that do not want to submit to biblical leadership (1 Timothy and Titus, as key New Testament examples), should not seek any type of Christian leadership. Even as he/she often mysteriously and supposedly 'knows better' via the Holy Spirit than the vast majority of local Church leadership, well-known established bible teachers and those that are documented scholars. Such persons are often unwilling to earn reasonable, proper, related educational levels and degrees, academically, while being led by the Holy Spirit, which is God (Matthew 28: 16-20, Acts 5 as examples).They are often not willing to submit to leadership to learn how to practically minister.
On the other hand, there are some, that if they have formal education, they have made philosophical assumptions that are in error and these people corrupt the scripture significantly.
I am not an intellectual snob, one can learn outside the context of formal education. I have learned much through my website work which is informal. But one must submit to the scripture in context and seek solid, biblical and related sources to be within significant, New Testament truth.
Those that wish to lead without first following, those that teach the scripture in context, and those that do not realize he/she should never lead, risk becoming false teachers and even cultists. Christian cultists or maybe, Lord forbid, non-Christian cultists.
My ministry consists of significant, technical, website work, Zoom meetings and personal theological advice for that contact me. That is my place, for now. I submit to my Church, as a member. I serve as theologian for a study group. I submitted to the learning institutions where I earned my degrees.
1 Timothy 6:3-4
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
3 If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not [a]agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, 4 he is conceited and understands nothing; but he [b]has a sick craving for controversial questions and disputes about words, from which come envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, Footnotes a) 1 Timothy 6:3 Lit come to; or come with b) 1 Timothy 6:4 Lit is sick about
Monday, April 26, 2021
Zoom meeting with English friend I have not seen since 2001
Zoom meeting with English friend I have not seen since 2001
Facebook image
He is one of my 'Manchester friends' from 1999-2001 when I began work on my MPhil/PhD program, which culminated @ Wales. My friend stated that I looked pretty much the same and that I was doing well, in that I had not fallen to (paraphrased) questionable Christian theology. By God's grace (Ephesians 1-2), and thankfully so, as I am researching and writing theology and philosophy of religion websites and respect the seriousness of the judgement seat of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5: 10).
2 Corinthians 5: 10 King James Version (KJV)
10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
God-willing, we shall be meeting on Zoom more often...
Interesting how friendships can still grow with years of gaps in 'face to face' contact. We prayed.
Friday, April 23, 2021
Friday Bullets: George Orwell
Cited
• Homage to George Orwell: BBC statue wins planning permission
Cited
• George Orwell has won planning permission to return – as a lifesize bronze statue – to the BBC, which he left on bad terms in 1943 snarling that his work there as a talks producer “was wasting my own time and the public money on doing work that produces no result”.
• This time he won’t cost the public a penny: all the money for the first public statue honouring the author of Nineteen Eighty-Four and Animal Farm has been raised from private donors, through a trust founded by the late Labour MP Ben Whitaker.
• Westminster city council has granted planning permission for the sculpture, which will be sited among the corporation’s smokers who tend to congregate at the entrance to New Broadcasting House. They will further be challenged by the quotation inscribed on the wall behind him: “If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear.”
Cited
• In 1945, George Orwell wrote an introduction to “Animal Farm.” It was not printed, and remained unknown till now. It appears here under Orwell's title:
Cited
• If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear.
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• I think this famous bloke has a point...
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• As a moderate, conservative Reformed theologian and philosopher of religion; my belief in fallen, corrupted, sinful, nature (Genesis, Romans, Galatians, Hebrews, as examples) means that I do not have an intellectual difficulty reasoning that throughout history and today, certain groups and individuals have been abused by other groups and individuals.
• Even so, the New Testament, in particular, mentions that there is judgement for each member of humanity post-mortem (Revelation 20-22, perhaps general for all of humanity, but at least the unregenerate, 2 Corinthians 5: 10, for those within the Christian Church).
• Philosophically, I reason that where human consciousness, thoughts, will and acts/actions are not forced or coerced, significant human, moral accountability exists.
• I have a private Facebook chat group called Against Forced Isms.
• One of the views, I, and my friends, promote within Against Forced Isms is that even though Isms within the western world are often used against a person, as a biblical Christian, theologically, one is still morally accountable for responses to such Isms, and within such Isms.
• Isms which might be at times, evils against he/she, does not exclude the fact that he/she too can commit evils.
• Based on the documented New Testament judgement (s) and theology, all of humanity, that has a brain and mind capable of being morally accountable will still face judgement for his/her life, regardless of how much he/she has been abused by others.
• Thankfully, human sin is covered when one is regenerated (John 3, Titus 3) through gospel work of Jesus Christ on the cross, applied to believers.
• Those within the atoning and resurrection work of Jesus Christ, post-mortem, eventually toward resurrection and everlasting life (Revelation 20-22, 2 Corinthians 5, 1-2 Thessalonians, as examples).
• Those outside of Jesus Christ, post-mortem in stages of everlasting damnation (Luke 16, Revelation 20-22, as examples).
• Hebrews 2: 17 King James Version (KJV)
17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
• In other words, even though many of us are victims in life; it is not theologically correct to view self as simply a victim that is not guilty of error, evil, and sin.
• The is true corporately and privately. For groups and individuals.
• A human being is judged for his/her life, his/her deeds (Revelation 20, 2 Corinthians 5: 10).
• Even though others most certainly affect a human being's consciousness, thoughts, will, acts/actions; a person is not primarily judged, post-mortem, based on the deeds of others.
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• The often held view of 'deserving' someone with similar attributes and social status is a significantly poisonous concept within romantic relationships.
• Theologically, we deserve hell, with those in the Church, in Jesus Christ, being saved by grace through faith alone (Ephesians 2, Romans, Galatians, Hebrews, as examples).
• Actual human needs, such as a mate, desired by most people, are not deserved if one should actually be separated from God, his goodness and the good he provides.
• A more accurate, biblical view is to seek mutual spiritual, intellectual and physical, attraction.
Wednesday, April 21, 2021
Friday, April 16, 2021
A bit of Canadiana
thecanadianencyclopedia
Cited
I read this story in regards to relief camps during the Great Depression in Canada
Cited
Richard Bedford Bennett, 1st Viscount Bennett of Mickleham, Calgary and Hopewell, businessman, lawyer, politician, philanthropist, prime minister of Canada 7 August 1930 to 23 October 1935 (born 3 July 1870 in Hopewell Hill, NB; died 26 June 1947 in Mickleham, England). R.B. Bennett is perhaps best remembered for his highly criticized response to the Great Depression, as well as the subsequent unemployment relief camps and the On to Ottawa Trek and Regina Riot.
Bennett promised to fight vigorously to create jobs, help the millions of unemployed and “blast” Canada back into world markets. In July 1930, the Conservatives won a commanding majority and Bennett became prime minister.
Cited
Unemployment Relief Camps and Regina Riot
In 1932, various Western mayors and premiers demanded that Bennett do something about the thousands of unemployed young men who were loitering in cities and towns. In October, Bennett created unemployment relief camps. They offered young men food and housing while working to cut trees, build roads and perform other manual labour. However, workers at the camps were given a stipend of $0.20 per day for a 44-hour workweek, which was largely seen as insufficient.
In spring 1935, strikes at many of the camps turned into a months-long protest in Vancouver. On 3 June, around 1,000 men left British Columbia aboard trains on their way to negotiate directly with Bennett. Bennett believed this On to Ottawa Trek was organized by communists (the Workers’ Unity League, which organized the protests, was affiliated with the international Communist movement) and therefore threatened law and order. He directed that it be stopped. On 1 July, the RCMP moved on the trekkers in Regina, even though the leaders had decided to end the trek. The ensuing riot injured many and killed a police officer and a protester. Bennett was harshly criticized for his reaction to the Trek.
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On 1 July, the RCMP moved on the trekkers in Regina, even though the leaders had decided to end the trek. The ensuing riot injured many and killed a police officer and a protester. Bennett was harshly criticized for his reaction to the Trek.
I am not an historian and expert on this event and so my comments are non-exhaustive, brief and philosophical.
As a moderate conservative with some libertarian leanings, this is an interesting true story that a Canadian Conservative Prime Minister ended through force, perceived, intellectual, physical, non-compliance in regards to law and order, perhaps justly or unjustly from a group of workers influenced by communistic ideals. A riot occurred when the RCMP moved in. This story played out in a similar way, where today, numerous conservatives and libertarians reason that many liberal, social-democratic and socialist governments could/would do to through force, to those that are perceived as non-compliant, both intellectually and physically, in regards to law and order, on certain key issues within western jurisdictions.
At times, forced compliance by the state, could be more about maintaining political power, and the perceived need for maintaining law and order, than political ideology.
Thursday, April 15, 2021
Thursday Bullets: '...that a tie and jacket are obligatory, but so are a shirt, boxer shorts or pants'
Photo: Thaddeus Howarddotcom Vancouver, January 4 2020
• Today I received an email from the Canadian Taxpayers Federation.
• I wrote the Conservative Party Leader, again...
• Greetings again, Mr. O'Toole
Blessings to you and family.
• 1. I realize the Party (That I support) and yourself (That I support) is under political pressure to be electable. It is easy to criticize people in influence and power from afar. The Liberals are more popular for reasons and it is not black and white where to adapt in order to be more likely elected. The Prime Minister can make multiple mistakes and remains a 'teflon man'.
• 2. But in regards to the email chain I am posting from Canadian Taxpayers Federation: I stated:
Yes, I saw this today. Carbon tax is an intellectual cop-out, IMHO. To be really serious about dealing with climate change means western governments, energy companies and automobile/motor vehicle manufactures working together to make electric (and non-fossil fuel) vehicles more affordable for the general public. It means the creation of more rail infrastructure from governments to limit the need for motor vehicle traffic. Carbon tax is a government tax grab within political correctness.
• 3. I will add that I live in Maple Ridge and walk whenever I can, which is much. I should not be taxed in any scheme whatsoever, rebate or not, for having to drive elsewhere with no reasonable rail or other alternative.
It is also too unsafe to bike, for most of us, in my humble opinion.
Cheers
Russ (PhD), (Theology & Philosophy of Religion)
• I am not opposed to fines and penalties for actual, legitimate polluters, that reject better legal alternatives and that break government regulations.
• Cited: OTTAWA - The government House leader has asked the Speaker of the House of Commons to investigate a photo leak of a Liberal MP caught naked on camera during a virtual sitting of Parliament.
Pablo Rodriguez said Thursday the incident involving Quebec MP William Amos was “mean-spirited” and has been “life-changing” for him.
• Cited: Bloc Quebecois MP Claude DeBellefeuille, the party whip, raised the incident in a point of order after question period Wednesday, as she called for parliamentary decorum.
“It may be necessary to remind the members, especially the male ones, that a tie and jacket are obligatory, but so are a shirt, boxer shorts or pants,” DeBellefeuille said in French.
“We have seen that the member is in great physical shape, but I think members should be reminded to be careful and control the camera well.”
• '...that a tie and jacket are obligatory, but so are a shirt, boxer shorts or pants.' He made a classic funny.
Friday, April 09, 2021
Friday Bullets: Censoring untruth
Friday Bullets: Censoring untruth
• In my humble opinion, the support of censoring 'lies' and 'untruth' can be dangerous. Even when it is medical, science and politics related.
• For example, if one states 'Jesus has risen', that can be demonstrated in some academic disciplines, such as biblical studies, theology and history, but not within empirical science, and not medically.
• The theology within a biblical Christian worldview of resurrection of Jesus Christ and future citizens within the culminated Kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 15, Revelation 20-22) could be called a lie', 'untruth' and banned (or strongly limited).
• In my humble opinion one should reconsider celebrating in support when a conservative is banned from Twitter, Facebook, You Tube, etcetera.
• For the sake of freedom of speech, freedom of expression and freedom of belief, the modern Western public should get beyond the emotions and discomfort of views they think are horribly wrong, and may very well be horribly wrong, or somewhat wrong, and think of the philosophical and practical ramifications of the State, corporations and institutions banning (or strongly limiting) views that are not politically correct.
• People should deal with falsehoods by presenting truth in contrast.
• Where needed slander and libel laws should be applied.
• Where needed corporations and institutions should protect persons from slander, libel and wrong treatment.
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• Strange how the Habs versus Leafs seems to never be blacked out on Canadian television.
• For consistency, I suggest that Canadian club versus Canadian club games not be blacked out.
Monday, April 05, 2021
Thought provoking statement 8: You are a very brave man
Thought provoking statement 8
Photo: British Columbia, 2018
John Stott 2001: Speaker 'You are a very brave man'. (In regards to writing my PhD on the problem of evil) I was advised not to cite him in my PhD as he was not considered academic enough at Wales.
Questionable, but I followed directions.
At the very end of the book 'Basic Christianity' Stott explains that a Christian should follow Christ wholly and unreservedly in service. Stott (1958)(2009: 156). I will not claim that for myself in a perfect sense, but I will state that I did serve the Lord in a sacrificial sense in England/Wales and in my academic career. I have attempted to continue to do this with my website work by grace through faith (Ephesians 2).
STOTT, JOHN, R.W. (1958)(2009) Basic Christianity, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids.
Friday, April 02, 2021
Zoom: Bald Eagles?
Zoom: Bald Eagles?
(Please I beg you, join if you have hair)
British Columbia, Alberta, Florida, Norway, Australia (so far)
Moderate, intellectual Christians with discussion on world affairs.
World of Domes
Most Saturday evenings
@ 2130 PDT
@ 9:30 PM Vancouver time
Russ Murray is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Russ Murray's Personal Meeting Room
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/6209164709?pwd=S1FsWWVMSHFTTVh3OWlRalgxT2g1Zz09
Meeting ID: 620 916 4709
Passcode: 0jTaJp
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