Strange Religious Imagery In Contrast To The Gospel

Loannina Village Lake from trekearth

  

Prelude

These are the abstract webcam light sparring videos which were posted as a late edition to my Dr. Russell Norman Murray blog latest post and so I repost here. Chucky is hit it the back of the head lightly with a bat in video two. My ice tea glass appearing as a blue object, due to the intentional abstract nature of the videos, is almost shattered by the bat in video four. Weapons used are a Swiss Army Knife retracted, an aluminum baseball bat, and a stick for striking and as spear. I realize the area is limited as this does limit kicks but actually a fair amount of lower to mid-range kicks are used and 'Bruce Lee' type high kicks are difficult to land in real fighting situations because thug persons will tend to crowd a victim on the street, and a victim may be attacked by more than one person in a street event. Also very few persons can actually kick very high and very fast like Bruce Lee and for myself decent high kicks would be a secondary back-up potential finish move and not a primary move. With my build other options are better primary options but I have practiced high kicks, just in case.

Strange Religious Imagery In Contrast To The Gospel

Examining strange and bizarre religious imagery as in the images below I am reminded that Biblical Christianity has sacraments and rituals such as Baptism and Communion, Eucharist, The Lord's Supper. Browning states that 'sacramentum is from the Latin and means 'oath'. Browning (1997: 329).  I agree with a Reformed, Evangelical position that works including from any religious practices do not add to one's salvation in Christ. Erickson opines that justification by faith in the Book of James is discussing the concept that true and genuine Christian faith and belief will produce good works. Erickson (1994: 1014). It is not contradicting Pauline concepts in Romans 1-6, Galatians and Ephesians 1-2 that a Christian is justified and saved by grace through faith. This should lead to good works. I have however, discussed on my blogs the Biblical concept that not all Christians are in a full state of repentance in faith and if one dies will be judged accordingly, please see 1 Corinthians 3: 10-15, 2 Corinthians 5: 10,  James 2, 2 Peter 3.

BROWNING, W.R.F. (1997) Dictionary of the Bible, Oxford, Oxford University Press.

ERICKSON, MILLARD (1994) Christian Theology, Grand Rapids, Baker Book House.

In this world and on this Sunday and new week there are other religions that exist that do overemphasize works from a Biblical perspective. These are practices that are not in any way going to add to human salvation.

Here are some photos I found online from the 'Vegetarian Festival' in Thailand.

From:

Once again the inline link does not work with this new interface:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nine_Emperor_Gods_Festival#Celebration_in_Thailand

This festival in Thailand is called the Vegetarian Festival. It is celebrated throughout Thailand, but the festivities are at their height in Phuket where about 35% of the population is Chinese. It attracts large crowds because many religious devotees will slash themselves with swords, pierce their cheeks with sharp objects and commit other painful acts.

Demonized mechanic? Google Images



Do you think anyone 'needles' him about his appearance?  Google Images

Looks like a Marvel or DC supervillian, but nope. Google Images

Not sure if he takes requests. Google Images

Go ahead make my festival! Google Images

Ah, he may find a way to injure others during this fine event. Google Images

Philosophical & Theological Reflections On Satirical Images V: Religious Propaganda

From email

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

From Google Images and the Jehovah's Witnesses

From pleated-jeans.com

From pleated-jeans.com

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...

Ghost Seekers?

On television recently in both the non-fiction and fiction context I have noticed some television series and films which seemingly assume that the spirit world may often consist of departed human souls 'haunting' those human beings which still reside in the temporal state in this earthly realm.

A Biblical perspective:

New American Standard Version

In 1 Samuel 28, Saul visited a woman involved in spiritism, a medium (verse 7) at En-dor.

¹¹ Then the woman said, “Whom shall I bring up for you?” And he said, “Bring up Samuel for me.” ¹² When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out with a loud voice; and the woman spoke to Saul, saying, “Why have you deceived me? For you are Saul.” ¹³ The king said to her, “Do not be afraid; but what do you see?” And the woman said to Saul, “I see a divine being coming up out of the earth.” ¹⁴ He said to her, “What is his form?” And she said, “An old man is coming up, and he is wrapped with a robe.” And Saul knew that it was Samuel, and he bowed with his face to the ground and did homage.

¹⁵ Then Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?” And Saul answered, “I am greatly distressed; for the Philistines are waging war against me, and God has departed from me and no longer answers me, either through prophets or by dreams; therefore I have called you, that you may make known to me what I should do.” ¹⁶ Samuel said, “Why then do you ask me, since the Lord has departed from you and has become your adversary? ¹⁷ The Lord has done accordingly as He spoke through me; for the Lord has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor, to David. ¹⁸ As you did not obey the Lord and did not execute His fierce wrath on Amalek, so the Lord has done this thing to you this day. ¹⁹ Moreover the Lord will also give over Israel along with you into the hands of the Philistines, therefore tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. Indeed the Lord will give over the army of Israel into the hands of the Philistines!”

This would be a rare Biblical example of the spirit of a departed person 'making an appearance'. This was however done in a Biblical, Hebrew Bible context by an Old Testament Prophet for a special purpose on behalf of God. Laurence E. Porter writes that Samuel in spirit form explains that Saul's questions had already been answered previously and been ignored and that the very next day, Saul and his son's of Israel's army would be killed by the Philistines. Porter (1986: 372). From this story and event it should not be reasoned that this is a typical, normative type of occurrence as far a spiritual interaction from the spirit world with the earthly temporal realm.

Where does the departed spirit reside?

New Testament Greek Bauer on page 614 describes Paradise from Luke 23, 2 Corinthians 12 and Revelation 2 as a place above the earth. Now from my philosophical/theological perspective I do not take this plain literally, I reason this is figurative language being used. It is not some place in the clouds, or above the clouds, or even beyond the solar system or beyond the physical universe, as in a place that can be physically found via space/travel. It is a place of a different realm, likely non-physical and definitely spiritual.

The Bible teaches that Paradise is a place where spirits of those persons in Christ go after death, and Old Testament/Hebrew Bible saints went to spiritually after death.

Again, the Bible teaches this using figurative literal language.

I have speculated that because human beings are used to and made for physicality, Paradise may consist of, and I state may consist of, a simulated physicality that seems like earth to the persons that are there.

On the other hand there is the school of thought that when one dies in Christ he or she may almost immediately awaken in the resurrected body making the Paradise references strongly metaphorical as opposed to figurative literal. This will not be immediate, but will seem to be.

This is certainly orthodox and possible, but I question whether Jesus meant this by the use of 'today' to the criminal on the cross. Strong notes that it has to do with now and present. Strong (1890)(1986: 87).

There is also the issue of Paul's 2 Corinthians reference and his willingness to consider departing the body to be with the Lord in Philippians 1. This seems to me points to a somewhat literal understanding of Paradise.

There is not a Biblical concept of deceased New or Old Testament believers hovering around the earthly temporal realm. They would appear to reside in Paradise.

For all persons there is the Biblical concept of the existence of the spirit and judgment after death (Hebrews 9: 27). There is a concept of Hades for those outside of Christ, or a relationship with the God of Hebrew Bible prior to Christ’s atoning work and resurrection. For example in Luke 16 which is the story of the Rich man in Hades and Lazarus in Paradise. It may very well be a parable. Questions can be asked if the dead rich man had a body in Hades? Was he in flames? Would water from the tip of the finger of Lazarus cool off his tongue somewhat from the agony? From scholarship it probably is a parable and not plain literal. Does it mean, however, Hades is not a place at all? Not necessarily so. The parable could be describing a spiritual realm in figurative literal terms. Or describing a place of spiritual punishment similar to being in flames from a temporal earthly human perspective.

Again, from a Biblical perspective there is not licence for those deceased outside of Christ to be viewed as wandering within the earthly temporal realm in spiritual form. They would appear confined to Hades.

As well, in the future with Revelation Chapter 20, Hades is eventually thrown in the lake of fire. The lake of fire appears a figurative literal location for likely resurrected unbelievers outside of Christ. Verse 15 states that anyone’s name not found in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire. So, Biblically anyone not in Christ ends up in this realm.

Literal flames? Not likely, due to the figurative type of language used although possible I suppose if persons have resurrected bodies.

In the future believers participate in the New Heaven and New Earth of Revelation 21-22, 2 Peter 3. See also 1 Corinthians 15.

Therefore, departed spirits, although acknowledging the Biblical exception with Samuel, do not seem good candidates for interaction with persons in this present earthly realm. Frankly, an often overlooked point in the media is that in all likelihood a disembodied human being would be quite powerless to haunt human beings anyhow. It is quite the philosophical assumption to reason that deceased persons somehow magically gain several supernatural, nasty powers upon death, and often a nasty, negative attitude about humanity to go with it. Powers that their spirits did not have while they were alive.

Really it seems like philosophical nonsense.
 
These assumptions lead me to reason that too many persons watched too many episodes of Scooby-Doo when they were younger.
 
'Shaggy'.
 
If something of the spiritual nature actually is taking place and not something that is just fraudulent or something that can be explained scientifically, the spiritual beings involved would likely not be human at all, but more powerful supernatural beings. This is of course not to preclude the possibility that God himself could be at work, so I shall state that if it is finite supernatural beings involved, those likely would be from a Biblical perspective, angelic and/or demonic beings.
 
Browning states in regard to angels, that they bear messages from God, they are supernatural, are opposed by evil angels under Satan. Browning (1997: 16). Importantly for our context of potential 'hauntings', Erickson notes that angelic beings have great power and this includes Satanic beings. Erickson (1994: 441). Therefore, they would be potential culprits for actual legitimate 'hauntings' that do take place. One should remember that angelic beings are not a race and so may not all be near identical in nature, however. In other words, from Scripture we cannot be certain, although angelic beings have rankings, if God made them similar ontologically.

BAUER, WALTER (1979) A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, Translated by Eric H. Wahlstrom, Chicago, The University of Chicago Press.
 
BROWNING, W.R.F. (1997) Dictionary of the Bible, Oxford, Oxford University Press. 

ERICKSON, MILLARD (1994) Christian Theology, Grand Rapids, Baker Book House. 

PORTER, LAURENCE.E. (1986) ‘1 and 2 Samuel’, in F.F. Bruce (gen.ed.), The International Bible Commentary, Grand Rapids, Marshall Pickering/ Zondervan.  

STRONG, J. (1890)(1986) Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, Pickering, Ontario, Welch Publishing Company.

The Planet 2012

Via email

'The Planet 2012 is a follow-up article to 'The Continents (teaching myself geography)' which presently resides third in my 'Top Ten Pageviews' list for this blog.

My source for this post shall be

http://www.worldatlas.com/

The new Blogger interface has made posting text and images together very difficult and so therefore with the relative complexity of this post I will present the text section first. This post for example was quite the chore.  Blogger has not been consistently placing images at the same locations. Sometimes an image will be placed at the bottom of the post where I am writing where I want an image to be or sometimes it will be placed at some random location.  Blogger also adds too much unnecessary HTML code which makes writing an article like this far more time consuming and complicated than it should be.

From my own personal perspective, I do have some local work presently, but ultimately and eventually, Lord willing, I would like to relocate, perhaps to the United States or Europe, with my European Union passport or elsewhere if needed for employment...

Africa

Africa is the second largest continent in size and population after Asia and includes 54 nations.

'With just over a billion people (a 2010 estimate) it accounts for just over 14% of the world's human population.'  It also has the longest river in the Nile and the largest desert in the Sahara.

With growing population there is always economic potential and it is perhaps the classic place for Christian missionary work for those reading that are missions minded. Personally, I would not be closed to teaching theology and philosophy of religion there at some point.  Universities and colleges may be looking for more and more assistance over the years.

For Westerners security issues could still be important. When I was on Christian Cafe several years ago one of the women I was in contact with from South Africa informed me that she carried a gun for fear of gangs of teenaged boys and potential sexual assault and this was apparently common and there are also stories of  family members of people from the West being kidnapped for money.

Australia/Oceania

'Population 32 million'

It includes Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and thousands of Melanesia and Polynesia island groups. 

It certainly would be a beautiful part of the world to live in with the tropical greenery and beaches and I have not been to the Southern Hemisphere as of yet. I am not certain how many employment options there are in Theology and Philosophy of Religion there but I would be open-minded. 

Watching Showcase television and 'Sea Patrol' one gets the impression Australia must be a major world power...

Antarctica

'Population Officially none, but governmental research stations are populated with small groups of scientists at all times. In addition, during the 2009/2010 season, nearly 37,000 tourists visited the continent.'

If one could establish a University or college there, one would have a monopoly....

With the reasoning of the National Hockey League and 1/3 of the League that is on solid financial footing, this would be as 'good place' as any for expansion... I mean at least there are winter conditions there unlike the Southern United States where many of the franchises have been placed.

Forget Southern Ontario with its thirteen million people and one franchise since 1917. That would just make too much sense.

Asia

'As the largest and most populous continent in the world with just over 3.8 billion people, Asia is composed of a wide variety of ethnic groups, cultures, environments, economics, historical ties, and governmental systems.'

Of course China with a population of over 1 billion persons would offer many economic opportunities including teaching, but then philosophically one has to balance opportunity verses living in a totalitarian country, even though it may be one which is slowly reforming somewhat due to economic need perhaps.

India also with a population of over 1 billion persons would offer I suppose some economic opportunities and like Africa from a Western perspective with its poverty in many places offers the missionary the classic missions opportunity.

Both places, like Europe would also offer an abundance of ancient religious and historical architecture and culture which would be fascinating.

Europe

Europe is the six largest continent with 47 countries. It has over 730 million persons.

‘In exacting geographic definitions, Europe is really not a continent, but part of the peninsula Eurasia. of which includes all of Europe and Asia. However, it's still widely referred to as an individual continent.’

Having done my MPhil and PhD theses over in the United Kingdom and Wales, although primarily through distance learning, I am willing to move back to Europe, most likely in a European Union setting. There are cultural benefits and I enjoy the football. However, there is not as much work in Religious Studies as in the United States.

North America

'North America is the planet’s 3rd largest continent, includes (23) countries and dozens of possessions and territories. It contains all Caribbean and Central America countries, Canada, Mexico, the United States of America, as well as Greenland - the world’s largest island.'

It has approximately 530 million persons.

As there are many religious academic institutions in the United States of America, many of them Christian or Christian orientated somewhat, most of my approximately four hundred PhD degree related work applications have been to the United Stated but with few employment opportunities available in academia in Theology, Philosophy of Religion and Biblical Studies as well as in academic publishing  and media, I will have to be intelligent and patient. I also have to factor in the poor United States economy and of course look worldwide for employment.

At one American institution I applied to (not a mental institution) the President stated he was impressed with my blogging ministry and of course I should admit that my readers, commenters, followers and links would deserve some of that credit as well if I am going to be realistic.

But only some....;)

South America

'South America is the planet's 4th largest continent, includes (12) independent countries...'

'In addition, it includes the largest rainforest, the Amazon Rainforest'.

It has over 385 million persons.

Looking at the American Academy of Religion, Evangelical Theological Society and other job listings, I have seen few listings in my fields of work, but imagine that there is plenty of missionary work available. A lot of work for those that want to work in the jungle with snakes and spider etc...

It would be a fascinating place to at least visit.

Africa A Guide

Very Demotivational

EU Website

Effective Africa map from africaguide.com




Sounds fun from Google Maps

Obvious to some... Very demotivational.com

A matter of perspective from Google Maps

A shot at Americans? Very demotivational.com

The European Union as of 2009 from the European Union. 



There is a pattern here... Very Demotivational



Overstated but work thinking about. Very Demotivational.

Very Demotivational

Is she from Australia, California or Florida by any chance? Leatherlady. Very Demotivational



Strange and Bizarre Products

From the Huffingtonpost.com this product may remind one of the problem of evil even though the game is likely somewhat satirical.  The game appears to reflect much of the negative overall attitude some persons have in the Western World today in regard to others. But if one cannot love others one also fails to love God properly as with the great commandments of Mark 12 and Matthew 22.

Romans 3: 9: 25 New American Standard Bible

⁹ What then? Are we better than they? Not at all; for we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks are all under sin; ¹⁰ as it is written,

“There is none righteous, not even one;
¹¹ There is none who understands,
There is none who seeks for God;
¹² All have turned aside, together they have become useless;
There is none who does good,
There is not even one.”
¹³ “Their throat is an open grave,
With their tongues they keep deceiving,”
“The poison of asps is under their lips”;
¹⁴ “Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness”;
¹⁵ “Their feet are swift to shed blood,
¹⁶ Destruction and misery are in their paths,
¹⁷ And the path of peace they have not known.”
¹⁸ “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

¹⁹ Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God; ²⁰ because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin. ²¹ But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, ²² even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; ²³ for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, ²⁴ being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; ²⁵ whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith.

From thechive.com. I understand that PETA, the SPCA and other animal welfare groups are now looking into this issue with the American, Canadian, British, Australian and German governments among others spending millions on investigations. Who could eat such lovely little Unicorns? And they are an endangered species. Perhaps we should start a petition. There is a rumour that Unicorn could end up a secret ingredient in a future episode of 'Chopped'.

This is a long ways from when I was a teenager and I simply did nothing when my German-Shepherd Husky posted parcels for the public in the park. Yes, I am now Reformed. Plus I do not presently have a pet. Also from thechive.com.

Excuse me, I like fresh butter. Fresh food, what a concept. This strikes me as something McDonalds or like would invent for various cartoon network ads, except they would stick a character's face on it. 'Mr. McButterer', 'Sgt. McButterfat' or like. From the chive.com.

From listverse.com. It was marketed as sort of a 'gay Red Bull'. As of 2008 the official website was offline. Someone ran out of fuel?  Someone did not have a gay old time? Did the flame burn out? A drink for flamers?

Also from listverse.com, is this is The Incredible Hulk's remote control for the next Avenger (s) film? Or perhaps this is a remote built to withstand a body builder's 'roid' rage when he does not like what is on television and tosses the remote?

A dog prison from business insider.com. This canine was guilty of insider trading of dog biscuits and was caught too many times under the dinner table! Peta and the SPCA are apparently investigating. The trial may be viewed on some kind of court television. Lassie and the Littlest Hobo will be his Attorneys. He has some outdoor bathroom privileges given because of his work in the corporate world.

That is one tough baby and hopefully not on 'roids' at that age. From pinterest. Also she is no relation to me or Bobby Buff. Honest.

Potential face plant. Pinterest.

CD burner from Google Images 

Speaking of Strange Products...

In the clips am I raptured, and is my head pressurized?