Quote: There is a God, and it is not you

Photos from Zoom: June 26, 2020

The lead quote is from a former pastor of mine.

You and I are not God or god, as we are, with two key points
 not infinite and eternal. As far as the existence of God, on
this website in archives I have approached that subject from:

a) Bible and theology
b) Philosophy and philosophy of religion

These Zoom effects are due to inconsistencies with
the Zoom application and my continued responses.
My attempt at using the background
application is for it to look similar to my friend's excellent
version that is to the left. But I am left with comedy, as can be
viewed with previous photo captures shared on
     Dr. Russell Norman Murray

 My friend joked that I looked like some type of god in 
the heavens. I replied, perhaps from a British
comedy.

The Red Hand appears once again...

Makes me think British science fiction and/or comedy.

Here my red hair matches my Red Hand and
Chuck's (MIA) Red Dome. 

I am stylish and the eyebrows match the hair.

Epigraph: An alternative

The Babylon Bee: August 18 2017

The cited article is satire. 

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Rather than replacing a statue, in general, I would prefer that a statue would have a written explanation, an epigraph, which would provide an attempt at an objective, historical account in regards to the subject (s) of the statue.  

But this approach requires cooler heads, more interested in truth than the reactionary, political agenda of the day. By the way, eras from now, some of our present western views may be exposed as less than good, by many. Certainly, in the culminated Kingdom of God (Revelation 20-22) this realm and world system will be condemned as being infected with problems of evil.

Theologically, keeping past statutes and allowing the public presentation of past worldviews, formerly embraced by a society, or at least, aspects of a society, demonstrates that humanity is less than perfect. I acknowledge there have been improvements in our world from previous eras in many ways. But, apart from the religious history, such as within Genesis in the Hebrew Bible, prior to the fall, humanity has been imperfect by nature in every era. History documents this as fact, despite human evolution and progress (non-Darwinian, in my view).

Humanity is universally corrupted through sin, and there has been a fall of humanity (Genesis 1-3, Romans 1-3) which greatly damages, God to human relationship and fellowship and human to human relationship and fellowship. There obviously exists racism and other human to human evils. Presently we have imperfect, tainted people and imperfect, tainted, human philosophy, theology, politics and worldview. According to scriptural revelation, this can only be ultimately fixed through the atoning and resurrection work of God incarnate, Jesus Christ, applied to persons (1 Corinthians 15).

Plant Person? Brief Bullets

Ernest Hepnar photo: Italia

• My good friend, J. C.Zombie was visiting. He was showing me You Tube videos. He came across a famous, late guru that taught that his followers were vegetarians, because (paraphrased) if one eats animals, one takes the animal nature upon self. 

• J.C. Zombie stated: (paraphrased) 'If a person eats plants, do they have a plant nature?' Good point, I said.

• One of the interviewers of the guru suggested that his view would be challenged as unscientific, by scientists.

• The guru replied (paraphrased) that this belief was fine for his followers as long as they have peace with the view. 

• The guru noted (paraphrased) that such conflicts and intellectual challenges, add confusion.

• For me this belief and explanation from the guru highlights a classic difference between his religious view and biblical Christianity, especially within a Reformed tradition.

• Reason is important in order to analyze and know truth. Christianity is a revelatory faith and philosophy, but this divine revelation from scripture is to be rationally understood and theologically developed, while simultaneously the Holy Spirit of God is required as aid in understanding the truth. Illumination with reason should be requested of God.

• 2 Timothy 2:15 King James Version (KJV) 15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 

• 2 Timothy 3:16-17 King James Version (KJV) 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

• 2 Peter 3:14-16 King James Version (KJV) 14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. 15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; 16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

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• A good friend from Europe, a little older than me, sent me a photo of a much younger woman that was also much thinner than him. He stated that she contacted him and that she might be interested in him.

• I opined that as long she was legally an adult and biblically available as single, and they related as Christians, it was fine. He opined that she was probably after his money. 

• I replied that he not bother with someone that wants to exchange 'beauty for money'. I received such offers often. The conversations are always pathetic.

• Real potential romantic, friendship and love, while seeking the perfect will of God, is friendship and love of mutual, spiritual, intellectual and physical compatibility. It should not be of social games based on market value and market value dating.

• These market value approaches to dating, at least risk, sin; I cannot judge the motives and mind of any person.To be clear, that is up to God (2 Corinthians 5: 10). But, there is significant sin, in general, I reason.

• I opine that many people in the Christian Church are single, divorced, etcetera for embracing views related to market value dating and market value marriage and as well many promote these views as being socially enforceable for others in the Church.

• This can be a Christian and evangelical form of political correctness. 

• On this issue, I often state that there is enough sin going around from everyone concerned, including from myself. The Church requires biblical guidance through the Holy Spirit. The Church needs reason from God.

BOICE, JAMES, MONTGOMERY (1981) Foundations of the Christian Faith, Downers Grove, IVP Press.

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

ERICKSON, MILLARD (2003) What Does God Know and When Does He Know It?, Grand Rapids, Zondervan.

THIESSEN, HENRY C. (1956) Introductory Lectures in Systematic Theology, Grand Rapids, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.

Iceman? Brief Bullets

Greek Islands, Facebook: That 
water would have been nice today.

• My temperature was taken at the dental office today...

• The dental assistant stated my temperature was 34.8 Celsius which is 94.64 Fahrenheit. I had taken a short drive to the dental office.

• In agreement with the dental assistant, that stated the normal temperature was 37 or so, Mayo Clinic.org writes: The average body temperature is 98.6 F (37 C). But normal body temperature can range between 97 F (36.1 C) and 99 F (37.2 C) or more.

• The dental assistant said my temperature was just fine. I am not concerned about a mildly low temperature.

• I suppose 'once and for all' we can agree that I am 'kool'.

• So, if I reach 98.6 C in temperature, could I have a fever? Just asking.;)

• What is a peaceful protest? It is just a protest without rioting? Does a peaceful protest include protesters intimidating the police and vice versa?

• Would acting like Mr. T in Rocky III within a protest situation be considered just fine as long as no rioting results?

• As a biblical Christian, viewing the calls to be subject to governing authorities (Romans 13)(1 Peter 2), it seems to me that obeying governing authorities does not include intimation or 'getting in the face' of police or government officials. It also does not include intimation from the governing authorities and employees of the people, onto the people and/or protesters. 

• To me, maintaining, law and order is key. Justice for all, is key. Yet this present realm is fallen and in sin (Genesis 1-3, Romans 1-6).

• Romans 12:18 English Standard Version (ESV): 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

What do I look twelve years old or something? (Obviously not)

Sesame Street

A second person is accused of being my Dad

June 13, 2020

Paraphrased

On the phone:

Bobby Buff: Hey, I saw you and your Dad today walking into your building (my condominium complex, my add).

Me: No, that was Zombie.

Bobby Buff: The other man was slightly taller.

(Charles Nelson Chuckles and Zombie were visiting; Charles Nelson Chuckles mocks Bobby Buff with a muscle pose as his head goes red)

Me: (Thinking: I am obviously taller than my Dad)

(Thinking: Zombie is two years younger than me. At least Charles Nelson Chuckles is two years older than me)

Me: No, that was Zombie, what do I look twelve years old or something?

Saturday, February 09, 2019: Is that your Dad!? (Uncle Chuck) 

Recently, I had mentioned to the Strata President and his wife that my Dad might be moving into the condominium in a few months, for awhile...

The renovations (flooring, furniture, appliance) are completed, but my academic books and the annoying photocopy binders are a major task in themselves.

Uncle Chuck and I were in the garage taking out recycling and trash...

Paraphrased:

Strata President: (To me, looking at Chuckles) Is that your Dad!?

Me: No that is Chuckles, my friend Howard, you have met him before, he is helping me move.
Uncle Chuckles!

Strata President: Uncle Chucko?

Strata President Wife: You are Russ's Dad!?
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The Rage: Chuck needs a dome!

Me: Well,'The Rage' told you, Mr. Hooper...

Chucky, well-done with the Manson reference

The Fraser River: Recently

Facebook: June 11, 2020

Facebook: The postmillenial.com

Facebook: June 11, 2020. I apologize for the cited swearing, but it is relevant for context.
Please click for a larger view.

Sad but true. The linked article below has the most pageviews of any of my posts, from either Blogger website, since I began my online research and writing, website work in 2004.

Tuesday, November 18, 2014: Manson Marriage?

My statement

Yosemite Sam and Elmer Fudd: Gunless, but a scythe is just fine

Yosemite Sam and Elmer Fudd: Gunless

Elmer Fudd Doesn't Use Guns in the 'Looney Tunes' Reboot and Twitter Isn't Impressed: He carries a scythe instead>>>By Allie Gregory Jun 07, 2020 

Cited 

Classic Warner Bros. cartoon Looney Tunes recently got rebooted at HBO Max, which means the return of Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Elmer Fudd and Yosemite Sam. The nostalgia-heavy series is operating much like it used to, but with one small difference: the latter antagonists have to operate their devious plans without the use of firearms.

Cited 

The rebooted series, titled Looney Tunes Cartoons, has all its usual violence and weapons including dynamite, booby traps and anvils — but apparently, executive producer Peter Browngardt has drawn the line at cartoon gun violence, according to a new interview with the New York Times. "We're not doing guns," Browngardt told the publication. "But we can do cartoony violence — TNT, the Acme stuff. All that was kind of grandfathered in."

Cited

While a small group of people are happy to see the guns removed from the cartoon, others are outraged at the violation of Fudd and Sam's second amendment rights. The middle-ground protestors, meanwhile, are accusing HBO and Warner of hypocrisy at the removal of firearms when so many other weapons remain. Nearly everyone is confused with the decision, to say the least.

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Here kiddies, no more firearms but here is a scythe and plenty of dynamite.

Looney Tunes

I reason parents and legal guardians, if it is not inherently, innately obvious, to these minors, should teach these children that there is a difference between fictionalized violence and violence in the real world of non-fiction.

Personally, I find Fudd with the scythe more off-putting than any firearm or explosive from my childhood viewing of Looney Tunes, but that is just me. It seems more fictionally, potentially, bloody. If one of the characters is blown up with a firearm or dynamite they quickly recover. But what is the recovery from a scythe beheading? Just place that head back on, like a hat, perhaps?

I suppose just another quick recovery would occur from an injury from a bladed weapon.

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Justice, Peace, Law and Order

While embracing the New Testament and biblical teachings, and through philosophical considerations, I support the maintenance of law and order from governments (Romans 13, 1 Peter 2) as being sanctioned by God, even in this fallen realm (Genesis 1-3, Romans 1-3). 

This present realm and the world system are corrupted in human sin and are as well fueled by demonic powers of darkness (Ephesians 6). Law and order, at best, somewhat tainted in administration.

I support reasonable, relevant changes, for greater fairness, within Western systems of justice. I absolutely, do not support the overall weakening of law and order. Almost universally, while allowing for God's sovereignty to provide justice and peace in rare exceptions without law and order, justice and peace will not exist without the maintenance of law and order.

I doubt I will ever need this product

Two wrongs do not make a right: Bullets

Facebook

• Watching and listening to the news from the United States, an idea that stays in my head is what I was taught as a child: 'Two wrongs do not make a right'. Of course, that can develop into: 'Three wrongs do not make a right', etcetera.

• In general, I suppose it can be assumed and deduced that the United States is more associated with racism than Canada, historically. But there have been at least several documented incidents within the Metropolitan Vancouver region of racism against Asians and/or perceived Asians this pandemic. 

• Not to read like an academic snob or intellectual elitist, but in my humble opinion, this is a reason why (not the only reason) a national government withholds certain intelligence information from the public.

 • There are certain persons in western society that do not intellectually separate the supposed acts of a government (s) from the ethnic group (s) associated with that national government. Many Asian persons in this region are not from the People's Republic of China and are not communists, or are even sympathizers, yet some ignorant, closed-minded people, in this region, and in each western society will not make the distinction, and therefore, racist, ethnic persecution can occur.

• Galatians 3: 28: English Standard Version 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

• 1 Corinthians 12: 12-13 English Standard Version 12 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves[d] or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit. d 1 Corinthians 12:13 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface

Friday