Chaldeans

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Wales Bangor MPhil 2003

Note, the work below was from my MPhil research. I became more knowledgeable in regard to compatibilism completing the PhD and better understood philosophically concepts in regard to God determining and causing.

One can notice on the blog version I have some post PhD revisions in red placed in my MPhil. 

A friend asked by email if in my problem of evil research I had done any work on the Chaldeans and Habakkuk 1.

Habakkuk 1:6

New American Standard Bible (NASB) 6 “For behold, I am raising up the Chaldeans, That [a]fierce and impetuous people Who march [b]throughout the earth To [c]seize dwelling places which are not theirs.

Footnotes: Habakkuk 1:6 Lit bitter Habakkuk 1:6 Lit the breadth of Habakkuk 1:6 Lit take possession of New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation

MPhil work in regard to Chaldeans and Job

‘Calvin also discussed in The Institutes the case of the Chaldeans attacking Job, that God, Satanic beings and human beings can all participate in the same evil acts: How can we attribute the same work to God, to Satan, and to man, without either excusing Satan by the interference of God, or making God the author of the crime? This is easily done, if we look first to the end, and then to the mode of acting. The Lord designs to exercise the patience of his servant by adversity; Satan’s plan is to drive him to despair; while the Chaldeans are bent on making unlawful gain by plunder. Such diversity of purpose makes a wide distinction in the act. . . . We thus see that there is no inconsistency in attributing the same act to God, to Satan, and to man, while, from the difference in the end and mode of action, the spotless righteousness of God shines forth at the same time that the iniquity of Satan and of man is manifested in all its deformity. Calvin, (1539)(1998) Book II, Chapter 4, Section 2.

My idea is that the term allowing evil is too weak with regard to God’s ultimate sovereignty in his creation. God wills evil for the greater good and, as Calvin noted, God’s motive is perfectly good, not sinful and contradictory to his nature, while his fallen creation can still choose to disobey him freely. Their nature is fallen and they cannot do good work without the help of God. Left to their own means, their evil nature leads to evil actions. Blocher stated: "One may as well take one’s position from the stern candour of Scripture: if evil occurs under the rule of God, then his will is involved." Blocher (1994: 95-96).

BLOCHER, HENRI. (1994) Evil and the Cross, Translated by David G. Preston, Leicester, InterVarsity Press.

CALVIN, JOHN (1539)(1998) The Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book II, Grand Rapids, Wheaton College. http://www.smartlink.net/~douglas/calvin/

CALVIN, JOHN (1543)(1996) The Bondage and Liberation of the Will, Translated by G.I. Davies, Grand Rapids, Baker Book House.

Another lovely photo of Bulgarian Princess Jr. after church, as per request of Bulgarian Princess Sr. Speaking of which, in the parking lot, Sr. once again being a lovely Eastern European diva shared yet another story in front of husband Deaaan of how some 'older guy' Dean's and my age wanted to dance with her the other night. He also complemented her on her lovely black boots (which can be used for booting as well as walking, I suppose). She of course stated she was married etc.. but her Slavic charms are of course far too great for many, many mortal Canadian men. Dean figures she gathered attention because she was younger and I very much agree but always think the 'Eastern European diva' factor has to be factored in, that being Canadian so called 'older guy' thinks he hears Eastern European accent and sees younger woman and reasons I have a valid philosophical, romantic opportunity here.;)

Ku Klux Klan Faction Opens Door To Blacks, Jews...

IBTimes.Co.Uk

This article basically states the organization has been rebranded as 'Rocky Mountain Knights'.

Why would these previously disliked groups now join? 

Bizarre...

Daily Mail November 10

Cited

The Ku Klux Klan opens its door to Jews, homosexuals and black people in bizarre recruitment drive

White supremacist group Ku Klux Klan is re-branding as 'the new Klan' Founder wants Jews, black people, gays and those of Hispanic origin to join

Rebranded 'Rocky Mountain Knights' claim to stand for 'a strong America'

New recruits will have to wear the white robes, masks and conical hats

Which self-respecting black or Jewish person would seriously wear these as part of an organization? 

No one should be...

These should be abandoned.

Cited

It's a white supremacist organisation notorious for homophobic and racist violence, including the lynchings of black people.

But the Ku Klux Klan is now looking to diversify and increase its membership to include Jews, black people, homosexuals and those of Hispanic origin with a re-branding as 'the new Klan'.

All those wanting to join the extreme right-wing group will still have to wear the white robes, masks and conical hats and take part in rituals, according to founder John Abarr.

The rebranded organisation, called the Rocky Mountain Knights, claims to now stand for 'a strong America' rather than irrational hatred. 'White supremacy is the old Klan.

This is the new Klan. The KKK is for a strong America,' said Mr Abarr.

The move comes after the Klan organiser met with the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People. He said: 'I thought it was a really good organisation.

I don't feel we need to be separate.'

Cited

Bradley Jenkins, Imperial Wizard of the KKK, said: 'That man's going against everything the bylaws of the constitution of the KKK say. He's trying to hide behind the KKK to further his political career.' 

The Klan is classified as a hate group by the anti-semitism organistion Anti-Defamation League and the civil rights law firm Southern Poverty Law Center. But some black people have apparently already expressed an interest in joining, after Mr Abarr organised a summit with civil rights groups.

This reads like part of the Ku Klux Klan, not all of the organization, has renamed itself Rocky Mountain Knights, for whatever reasons, known to that group.

I will leave analysis for below...

Southern Poverty Law Center

From Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), an American civil rights organization

Cited

'The Ku Klux Klan, with its long history of violence, is the most infamous - and oldest - of American hate groups.

Although black Americans have typically been the Klan's primary target, it also has attacked Jews, immigrants, gays and lesbians and, until recently, Catholics. Over the years since it was formed in December 1865, the Klan has typically seen itself as a Christian organization, although in modern times Klan groups are motivated by a variety of theological and political ideologies.'

Cited

'Started during Reconstruction at the end of the Civil War, the Klan quickly mobilized as a vigilante group to intimidate Southern blacks - and any whites who would help them - and to prevent them from enjoying basic civil rights.'

Cited

'Lynchings, tar-and-featherings, rapes and other violent attacks on those challenging white supremacy became a hallmark of the Klan.'

Cited

'After a short but violent period, the "first era" Klan disbanded after Jim Crow laws secured the domination of Southern whites. But the Klan enjoyed a huge revival in the 1920s when it opposed (mainly Catholic and Jewish) immigration. By 1925, when its followers staged a huge Washington, D.C., march, the Klan had as many as 4 million members and, in some states, considerable political power. But a series of sex scandals, internal battles over power and newspaper exposés quickly reduced its influence.'

Cited

'The Klan arose a third time during the 1960s to oppose the civil rights movement and to preserve segregation in the face of unfavorable court rulings. The Klan's bombings, murders and other attacks took a great many lives...'

Cited

'Since the 1970s the Klan has been greatly weakened by internal conflicts, court cases, a seemingly endless series of splits and government infiltration. While some factions have preserved an openly racist and militant approach, others have tried to enter the mainstream, cloaking their racism as mere "civil rights for whites."

Today, the Center estimates that there are between 5,000 and 8,000 Klan members, split among dozens of different - and often warring - organizations that use the Klan name.'

The SPLC website appears to reasonably explain that some Klan factions have attempted to enter the mainstream of American and Western society under a cloak of civil rights. 

A right-wing version of America.

However, being as racism is simply not Biblical as all persons are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27), and the election and salvation of persons in Christ in the New Testament is not made based on racial lines (Galatians 3, Colossians 3); the only wise, good and rational choice would be for a person, Christian or not, to avoid affiliation with any such group.

A group which claims to be culturally Christian, but is not Biblically Christian on central issues of race and also on issues of loving one's neighbour (Matthew 22, Mark 12) and loving other Christian believers (John 15).

There is also the failure to love one's enemy (Matthew 5). 

I am not stating that non-whites, or non-European whites would actually be enemies of these white supremacists, but if these white supremacists and Klan members were actually Biblical Christians, perceived enemies following Matthew 5, should be loved.

Autumn United States

Weekend At Surrey II

Surrey

Yup

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The weekend at Surrey began with another fine and wonderful birthday party, for two, at the Hintz.

The Hintz are of course among my best friends in the world. Satirical and otherwise.

I entered their 'lavish Bulgarian' inspired domain Saturday evening and I was as usual 'love assaulted' by their Bulgarian female pug. As soon as I saw the dog wearing a diaper I thought....not on my lap tonight.

I was not sure what the purpose of the diaper was for.

Red alert: I am sympathetic, but do not want her sitting on me. 

Brown alert: I am sympathetic, but definitely do not want her sitting on me.

And I really did not want to know.

The answer according to Anjela.

All of the above.

Wonderful.

But computer genius Pope Chucklins decided to be a nice guy and let diaper dog sit on him...

Scrumdiddlyumptious, diaper dog is thinking, I get to lick him again and again and again, once again, just like every party.

The party therefore begins with the pug upchucking on Chuck....

Chuck did not bank on

Green alert

The pug then after clean-up by birthday boy, Deaaannn (this is often how Princess Anjela calls Dean when a little annoyed), moved on to sitting on a young lady but was wisely sent away only to moments later leave a 'pug parcel' minus the correct Canada Post postage on the dining room floor.

The pug then finally sent to prison for the evening.

I was up until Sunday morning at this 'wild party', so I slept in, after all, I work 50 plus hours a week and headed back to Surrey to the second megachurch site for a 4 pm service.

There were some interesting sermon points

I have heard similar statistics, but the Lead Pastor stated a statistic that 80% of 19 to 29 year old single evangelicals are sexually active outside of marriage.

Preface

I approach with this in humility being in the struggle myself.

Theologically and Philosophically there is an issue with not following Scripture and not having a proper order of importance in my opinion.

This would be a reasonable Biblical order:

God, Family/Friends/People, Career

What has happened in the Western World in the 20th and 21st Centuries is the philosophical view has been accepted by many evangelical Christians that they are too young for marriage until their career is established, which biologically will be many years usually after puberty and the development of intense sexual interest.

There is also the accompanying Western view that one is simply too young and too immature for a serious relationship or marriage. One is not ready to raise a family and related.

However, these views are for the most part not Biblical.

Matthew 5: 27-30

English Standard Version

27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.

Realistically, virtually everyone of the age of puberty onward with normal sexual urges will struggle with lust of some sort. Basically philosophically in agreement with Scripture where in 1 Corinthians 7 it states that unless one is free from such lusts (7), persons were to marry because of lusts and sexual desire, which included immoralities (2), and lack of self-control, to burn (9).

Let us ponder on this...puberty is at perhaps 13 years of age and one marries at 30 of age, that is 17 years of struggling with lust.

No big deal by Western standards, but for God,  sin is why Christ died for us (Roman 3, 6).

It should therefore be no surprise that approximately 80% of evangelicals, if these statistics are accurate, 19 to 29 year olds, that are not married fall to immoralities and lack of self-control and burning with desire.

Seriously, if one is dating for years and years, how many persons have the self-control not to fornicate?

If one is not going to seriously consider marriage from a Biblical perspective, it is best not to date at all.

If career is that important, one should not fornicate in order to do so, if one is to live as a Biblical Christian.

My skeptical philosophical side tells me that there are some concepts of waiting for a better deal down the road. In other words in our Western consumer driven thinking, fornicate now, without marriage, and perhaps down the road he/she will find someone better and marry that person.

Decidedly unbiblical.

Myself, I definitely am guilty of struggling with burn and desire and I am a prayerful work in progress.

But I am not guilty of rejecting someone reasonable as far as mutual spiritual, intellectual, romantic attraction.

I have in the past placed much emphasis on my career to earn a PhD and admittedly I have not been near social enough in my life, but I have never in good conscience 'torpedoed' a potential opportunity.

I have never attempted to put someone on the back-burner either, as in maybe later, as in attempting to play God with timing.

I state this in love, but I very much reason many evangelicals and Christians have their life priorities wrong and this leads to fornication.

I raise the possibility that career is a social idol in the Western World, in many cases.

In other words, an idol (Exodus 20: 3-6).

Another interesting point the Lead Pastor raised, which he stated would be quite controversial, but should be understood by my readers, is that God loves himself the most.

This is theologically and philosophically true. God is infinite, and alone exists by necessity. Creatures are finite and exist contingently.

God's self love would and should be greater and more important than love for his creatures. At the same time in the Gospel acknowledging there is a divine love for those in Christ (John 3, John 14, Ephesians 1-2).

Hebrews 9-12 explains Jesus Christ is the mediator of a new covenant between God and humanity.

Indian Benny Hill?

Via Facebook and You Tube

Russ Murray shared El Circo's video.

6 hrs ·

Indian co-worker tells me not common in India..

• Visethdra Sum and Musuario Phz like this.
• 
  

  Russ Murray Thx...

  5 hrs · Like
• 
  

  Jeff Jenkins Is that guy a Barber or a Masseuse? Or both? Maybe the white guy paid extra for the 'special' treatment....

  38 mins · Unlike · 1
• 
  

  Russ Murray My Indian co-worker said it was unorthodox, as in he had not seen anything like it in his country. He figured it did not look medicinal.

  35 mins · Like · 1
• 
  

  Russ Murray With the laughing maybe it is a post haircut or whatever joke...

  32 mins · Edited · Like
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  Jeff Jenkins Maybe a joke, but the guy doing it looks pretty serious to me, and the woman filming it and laughing, plus the guy in the chair smiling and laughing, seem to me like they're laughing because it is totally unexpected (so, if it is a joke, those two were apparently not involved in setting it up). Personally, I just think they're smiling and laughing because they are not familiar with it, and therefore they think it looks and seems funny.
  
  Maybe it only happens in certain areas of India, or only in certain types of shops. 
  
  Or maybe the guy in the video is the only one in all of India who does that, and he is an entrepreneur, and he is going to start his own business, and go down in history of the founder of a brand new trend in India.  (j/k)

  30 mins · Unlike · 1
• 
  

  Russ Murray Not sure how serious the man on his feet was...
  This vid. could help his cause...

  27 mins · Like · 1
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  Jeff Jenkins Yep, it could go viral, and he could gain tons of business because of it. Yesterday I saw where a simple photo was taken of a teen working at a store, and it went viral, and now the teen is an instant Internet sensation. These days, you can become famous just by people watching you on YouTube or tweeting about you.

  25 mins · Like
• 
  

  Russ Murray Benny Hill meets the local barber...23 mins ·

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