So, Are You Gonna Celebrate?

So, are you gonna celebrate?

Yesterday, I turned thirty and the question on everybody's mind was, "So, are you gonna celebrate?" (When I say everybody, I really mean two people. Stay with me - I'm building toward something.)

Today members of the Christian Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses (The official Corporate name of the religion) obstain from birthday celebrations. Being raised as a "Witness" it has been common in the past for me not to celebrate my birthday. Now that I am no longer under the yoke of the Watchtower organization I guess these ones were wondering if I would start celebrating. It's a good question.

First I should explain why "Jehovah's Witnesses" do not observe birthday celebrations.

As explained by their topical Bible guidebook Reasoning from the Scriptures the Bible only references two birthday celebrations and in both cases they are held in somewhat of a negative light. The accounts are that of Pharaoh's birthday where his chief of Bakers is hung (Gen 40:20-22)and Herod's birthday where in the aftermath John the baptizer is executed. (Matt 14:6-10) They reason then that this constitutes God's statement on birthday celebrations and officially shun them as a result. Origen, writing in 245AD reached a similar conclusion. (Note: The Witness injuction on birthday celebrations is not binding on Baby showers which are celebrated festively, but I digress.)

Now certainly I can understand that a person may not wish to celebrate their birthday or that of others based on these two accounts; however, because birthdays are not directly condemned in God's word it would be hard for me to support some sort of blanket ban on them. (Additionally it may be that the Bible does reference another birthday celebration in the book of Job where it speaks of his children feasting on each one's "appointed day". [Job 1:4-5] However whether this "appointed day" should be read as "birthday" cannot be said with any certainty.)

A second reason that "Jehovah's Witnesses" reject birthday celebrations is that certain reference works point out that the early Christians did not observe birthdays. For example Augustus Neander writes "The notion of a birthday festival was far from the ideas of the Christians of this period in general." (The History of the Christian Religion and Church, During the Three First Centuries)

It should be noted though that while birthday celebrations are common place in the general populace today, in the early-Church era birthdays were not universally observed, by Christians or otherwise. In the past only kings, nobles, and other creatures with God-complexes feasted and celebrated on their birthdays. Though in time the birthday celebration was introduced to the common Roman-world through soldiers influenced by the Persian cult of Mithras who held personal birthday celebrations. Birthday celebrations lost popularity as Christianity gained ground in Rome; however they would later experience a resurgence with the Protestant Reformation as a way of supplanting the celebration of the various "Saint's days". And thus concludes a brief history of the birthday celebration courtesy of the contributors at Wikipedia.

Well now you are getting somewhere with me because on a personal level I make an effort to follow the customs of the early Church to the best of my imperfect knowledge, understanding, and ability. The difficulty is that because our culture is very different from theirs we have to make certain judgment calls as to how exact we follow their example. For instance it would have been uncommon for a Christian in the first or second century to wear a wedding ring (particularly a gold one) however Jehovah's Witnesses today routinely keep that practice. So once again I would find it very difficult to have a blanket ban on birthday celebrations based on the practises of the early Church.

So did I celebrate?

Yes.

It is my custom these days to celebrate each and everyday. My current practise is that the first words out of my mouth upon waking up - generally my first waking thoughts - is a word of praise and thanks to my God for giving me another day. As Stuart Murdoch sings in If You Find Yourself Caught In Love, "Say a prayer to the man above - Thank him for every day you pass - Thank him for saving your sorry ass!"

Yeah, personally I cannot see making much of a fuss over my birthday; because, ultimately what am I? Nothing really. Nothing special. As Paul writes to the Church in Rome, "For through the undeserved kindness given to me I tell everyone there among you not to think more of himself than it is necessary to think; but to think so as to have a sound mind, each one as God has distributed to him a measure of faith." - Romans 12:3

Too I feel that it would be particularly fleshly of me to celebrate the day of my physical birth and pay little mind to the day of my spiritual rebirth. I can almost hear Paul now, "So what say we? Should I honor myself on my born again day? Never may that be so!"

What of my born again day?

Well in Paul's inspired terminology it is an "undeserved kindness" (grace) on God's part that he "saved [my] sorry ass", as Murdoch says in the French. Really I didn't do much of anything but just sit there and someway, somehow God saw fit to give me a Spirit baptism. Glory, glory, glory to Him and none to me! Give him the cake and the gifts!

So how did I spend my birthday?

My sister came over and we had a lovely meal of white chili. We then went into the living room and played some songs including the new love song I wrote to the Lord. After that we watched some videos on Church (humorous and serious). Then we shared from God's Word about inviting people to the marraige feast. (The real celebration I'm dying to be a part of!) We next shared a nice plate of chocolate chip cookies and spoke of about practical ways we could bless others. Finally we joined together in thanking God for all he is doing in our lives.

I'll take that over a cake, balloons, and an off-key, throaty rendition of "Happy Birthday©" any day!

Should you celebrate your birthday?

My buzz-word this entry has been personally, and personally I don't care if you celebrate your birthday.

But as for me on my birthday, well I'm ... I'm just happy to be here. Glory and Praise to Almighty God on Highest!

Anthony in Disney Dilemma

"If a brother or a sister is in a naked state and lacking the food sufficient for the day, yet a certain one of you says to them: “Go in peace, keep warm and well fed,” but you do not give them the necessities for [their] body, of what benefit is it?" - James 2:15,16 NWT

If you know us then you know that we are Disney World nuts. A highlight of our last four years has been our annual one week trip to "the World". About a month ago we began planning a 2007 Disney vacation. Everything seemed favourable for us going. Usually we are struggling to pay our property taxes well down to the deadline which leaves little time for saving for a February trip. But this year we were a little more fiscally reponsible and payed our property taxes on time and had gotten an early start on tucking aside some dollars in savings for vacation.

Rebekah takes care of our finances and she mapped out our budget for the next few months. She wrote down how much we could spend each week on groceries, fuel, utilities, etc. and how much we would be setting aside each week for the trip. And like every year I'm amazed at just how much we are able to save when we buckle down and watch our spending.

The other night Rebekah asked me something about the trip. I can't really remember what - probably because I had my nose in a computer screen or a book. I said something like "I don't know if we'll be going - something just seems off about it." But I brushed it away and said that we should continue to save and see what happens.

Now when I say that something was "off" about it I was referring to my conscience that has been giving me some grief about going. However, for me when I really, really want something I will sometimes not listen to what the spirit is telling me. So I do what I can to ignore the voice; yet at times the sound grows too loud and you just want some relief. ("here, here! -- it is the beating of his hideous heart!")

Well here is the problem that we are facing. As Christians, our eyes are being opened to the obligation that we have within our community and neighborhoods to provide for the needs of others. Yes, this is primarily their spiritual needs but just as Jesus taught AND fed, healed and had a money box for the poor, we have a duty as well to take care of the physical needs of others -- "especially toward those related to us in the faith." (Galatians 6:10)

There have been time recently when I have felt compelled to provide some aid to others or perhaps just give them some small token as brother or neighbor. That is the good impulse of the Spirit. However then the Flesh comes in and says well we need to be saving that money for the vacation. After all, we have a budget!

And quite recently I ran across a situation where someone I know is falling upon a difficult financial situation and out of work. We have been making sure to include them in our prayers. In speaking with the individual I mentioned that we were praying for them and their difficult circumstances. A short time thereafter I was doing some thinking about this person's situation and what I had said to them. God then put in my head the scripture from James that I started this blog entry with.

In reflecting on that scipture I believe that it was exactly what I was doing. I was basically wishing somebody well and not offering some measure of practical help that I could easily provide. What good is it to offer prayer and ask for God's help when you are unwilling to give the assistance that is within your power?

Now don't get me wrong - I'm not saying that praying is powerless or useless. To the contrary James later writes, "A righteous man’s supplication, when it is at work, has much force." (James 5:16) I guess the question is how are prayers answered? Well God certainly uses us to answer some prayers. When the unexpected check comes in the mail it is sent by someone. And not just anyone - someone who was moved to do something good and did not allow fleshly desires (greed) to smother the pure spiritual impulse.

So this is where we sit right now. I've talked it over with Rebekah and she has been feeling the same way. I really think that we need to make the sacrifice this time round and give up the vacation. There are just so many places where we could be using our unrighteous riches per Luke 16:11.

"So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?"

(Even Mina last night mentioned that we should be sending money to China to the people that make her toys and don't get paid very much.)

We haven't come to a conclusion yet but are in the middle of the thought process. As I find that writing helps me to clarify things in my mind I'm sharing this with you.

An Update - Yes I'm Still Alive

I have nothing world changing or life altering or even interesting to say . . . but I would like to add this update to let my friends know that I'm still alive and running the race.

During the month of August leading into early September I fasted for various reasons - but a part was the desire to move on from the past and enter into a new phase of my personal ministry.

Now for two weeks we have been blessed to be able to open our home up for a tiny fellowship. It wasn't really something that was planned - it just kind of sprung up. (I really need to quit trying to plan anything and just let my Father do His work.)
I have been inviting people and think tonight we may have someone new with us. (YAY!) My prayer now is that we will be able to grow spiritually and that God will lead us to the purity of the agape feasts of the early Christian Church. I also hope that I can be good friend, brother, and shepherd to those who God is bringing into our lives.

I can say this road that I'm on has been really, really crazy - but never, ever dull.

I really hope to begin writing some more soon but really we have quite a bit going on with the planting - please bear with me.

Yours in the Christ,

Anthony

Fun with Animals

Outside the Camp - Part 1

In the law of Moses a protection was arranged for the purity of the people who lived within the camp of Israel. For example:

• The physically "unclean" such as lepers were excommunicated and had to dwell outside the boundaries of the camp. (Leviticus 13:46; Numbers 12:14,15; 14:3)


• Individuals who were defiled by running discharges or infection were quarantined outside the camp. (Numbers 5:1-4)


• The unused remains of sacrificial bulls and animal waste was disposed of outside the camp. (Exodus 29:13)


• Criminals and law breakers were executed outside the camp. (Leviticus 24:14; Numbers 15:35,36)


• Outside the camp was where human excrement was buried. (Deutoronomy 23:12,13)

And yet an anomoly exists in the book of Exodus - because outside the camp is also where Moses pitched the "tent of meeting", the sacred place where an individual had to go in order to commune with God. (Exodus 33:7) It is interesting to see just how this situation developed.

Jehovah had lovingly lead the children of Abraham out of Egyptian bondage, displaying His awesome power in a way never before seen by them, first through the ten plagues and later at the Red Sea where he delivered them from Pharoah and the army of Egypt. He lead them to the base of Mt. Sinai and revealed His pleasure to conclude a contract with them to make them His special people.

"And now if you will strictly obey my voice and will indeed keep my covenant, then you will certainly become my special property out of all peoples, because the whole earth belongs to me. And you yourselves will become to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation." - Exodus 19:5,6

The Israelites responded unaminously in agreement to enter into this sacred covenant with Jehovah saying, "All that Jehovah has spoken we are willing to do." (Exodus 19:8) Preparations were then made before Jehovah - with everyone sanctifying themselves and becoming clean. (Exodus 19:10,14,15)

On the third day of the preperation Moses ascended to the top of Mt. Sinai. It was there that he received the ten commandments and law of Jehovah which he relayed to the People and again the people again answered, "All the words that Jehovah has spoken we are willing to do" - Exodus 24:3

Since the people had accepted the Law that Jehovah had put before them it was His will to set up a very special arrangement by which He could spiritually dwell directly in their midst. Jehovah again called Moses to the mountain in order to transmit instructions for the building a special structure called the "tabernacle" or "tent of meeting" where he would reside in among them.

In Exodus 29:45,46 Jehovah says, "And I will tabernacle in the midst of the sons of Israel, and I will prove to be their God. And they will certainly know that I am Jehovah their God, who brought them out of the land of Egypt that I may tabernacle in the midst of them. I am Jehovah their God."

While Moses was yet a top the Mountain receiving instructions for this wonderful provision from God the people below grew restless feeling that perhaps Moses had perished. The account reads, "So the people congregated themselves about Aaraon and said to him: "Get up, make for us a god who will go ahead of us, because as regards this Moses, the man who led us out of the land of Egypt, we certain do not know what has happened to him" - Exodus 32:1

Aaron relented and constructed an idol in the form of a golden calf saying "This is your God, O Israel, who led you up out of the land of Egypt." He then built an altar before it and declared: "There is a festival to Jehovah tomorrow". (Exodus 32:4,5) Earlier the next day the people got up and began offering sacrafices before the calf statue and celebrating.

Jehovah was incensed at this rebellion. His anger was so great that He told Moses that He was desiring to destroy all of the sons of Israel and start a new promised line from the sons of Moses. (Exodus 32:10) Moses pleaded with God not to do such a thing and to keep his promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Israel. This served to momentarily abate Jehovah's great anger.

Moses descended down the mountain carrying the two "tablets of Testimony". These tablets were a gift given to Moses directly by God who made them as it reads, "and the tablets where the workmanship of God, and the writing was the writing of God engraved upon the tablets". - Exodus 32:16

As Moses got near the camp he heard the celebration of the people's idolatrous revelry. (Exodus 32:18) Upon coming near enough to see the calf image and the people dancing about it Moses' anger blazed like Jehovah's had before. Moses' anger was manifested in his throwing down the tablets. The second commandment written upon them expressely condemned the making of "a carved image or a form like anything that is in the heavens above or that is on the earth underneath or that is in the waters under the earth." (Exodus 19:4) In as much as the people had broken this command the stone tablets shattered in symbolism at the base of the mountain. (Exodus 32:19)

Moses then took his stand before the camp and "Who is on Jehovah's side? To me!" With this the Levites seperated themselves to Moses' side and after receiving divine instruction put to death 3,000 men who were engaged in the idol worship." (Exodus 32:26-29) By doing so they became dedicated as priests. "Moses said, 'Today you have ordained yourselves for the service of the LORD, each one at the cost of a son or a brother, and so have brought a blessing on yourselves this day'" - Exodus 32:29, NRSV

Moses then attempted to intercede on behalf of the people who had sinned because they were under a death sentence for their disobediance. Jehovah affirmed that they would die saying "I shall certainly bring punishment upon them for their sin". It was then that a plague manifested itself in the camp." (Exodus 32:30-35)

Sin carries consequence, in this case a plague. However, as bad as the plague was what was worse was that people had lost their special privilege of being able to dwell right in the midst of God. Their lawlessness caused Jehovah to withdraw from them. He no longer indentified them as "my people" and instead began referring to them as "your people" when talking to Moses (Exodus 7:1; 33:1) Ultimately, Jehovah declares that he will not continue with the people saying, "I shall not go up in the midst of you." - Exodus 33:3

The Israelites are cut to the heart over this; thus, the people began to mourn over their sin and would not put on their gold ornaments. Jehovah in his graciousness took note of this turning around and outlined that this action needed to be taken by the entire people to show their repentance. He said through Moses. "So now put down your ornaments off yourself." (Exodus 33:4-6) The people obeyed.

[We may wonder how is it that removing these ornaments show repentance for their earlier idolatry? For one thing it was similar pieces of jewerly that were used to mold into the calf image. In ancient times jewelry was often linked with false gods and worship. (Compare Genesis 35:1-4; Ezekiel 16:17; Hosea 2:13) These pieces of jewelry may have been taken from the Egyptians as the Israelites were leaving Egypt. (Exodus 12:35)]

Before God had purposed to pitch his tent directly in the middle of the camp but now the Scriptures have this tent being place far outside the camp.

We read: "As for Moses, he proceeded to take his tent away and he pitched it outside the camp, far away from the camp; and he called it a tent of meeting. And it occurred that everyone inquiring of Jehovah would go out to the tent of meeting, which was outside the camp." - Exodus 33:7

By putting the tent outside the camp it served as a visible symbol as to how Jehovah had distanced himself from the nation. Their uncleaness was severe and God could not dwell with them. Yet complete approach to God was not blocked off from the people. Due to their repentance and His great love, He didn't turn away from the totally. They were gifted a provision to speak with Him; but in order to do so they had to seperate themselves from the camp and seek him outside the camp.

It would take another intercession by Moses before God would agree to accept the Israelites back again as His people and continue with them. (Exodus 33:12-17) Later on in the recorded record the tabernacle of God was placed in the center of the camp and God's presence was manifest there as a cloud by day and fire by night. (Numbers 2:17; Exodus 40:33-38) Jehovah had returned to dwelling with them!

The Winged Lions of Babylon

“The first one was like a lion, and it had the wings of an eagle. I kept on beholding until its wings were plucked out, and it was lifted up from the earth and was made to stand up on two feet just like a man, and there was given to it the heart of a man." - Daniel 7:4

In the prophet Daniel's vision of four world powers represented by beasts, Babylon is described as a winged lion. In the Babylonian religion the winged-lion represented their chief diety Bel/Marduk. Sculptures of winged lions, such as the one pictured to the left, were present in ancient Babylon. It is said that the winged lion was the national symbol of the empire. Therefore, in the vision given to Daniel the winged-lion was an appropriate representation of ancient Babylon.

Jesus and the Divine Name

Righteous Father, the world has, indeed, not come to know you; but I have come to know you, and these have come to know that you sent me forth. And I have made your name known to them and will make it known, in order that the love with which you loved me may be in them and I in union with them.”- John 17:25,26

On the night prior to his execution Jesus prayed those words. Taken as a whole they are a beautiful reminder of the way that we can come to know the Father through the Son. This thought is detailed in John chapter 14. Verse 6 well sumarizes it, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

However the purpose of this discussion is to key in on Jesus expression, "I have made your name known to them and will make it known".

A Brief History of the Divine Name

God's Name appears thousands of times in the Hebrew Scriptures. In the original Hebrew text it appears as four consonants, commonly called the the Tetragrammaton -- YHWH when transliterated into English. In the original Hebrew writings vowels were not used and it was up to the reader to supply the vowel sounds.

Sometime after the Babylonian exile and before Jesus came to earth (during Alexander the Great's reign according to Rabbinic tradition) God's Name was held to be too sacred to pronounce and it dropped out of common usage. The Hebrew word Adonai, or Lord, was used as substitution for the name of God.

Thereafter the original Divine Name was only pronounced once a year by the High Priest on the Day of Atonement. Pronoucing God's Name outside these times carried severe penalties. It was considered blasphemy and any who pronounced it were subject to death by stoning.

With the destruction of the temple in 70AD the priestly services were forcibly discontinued and the Divine Name was no longer invoked. Thus overtime the original pronunciation of the Name was lost with only the four consonants of the Tetragrammaton remaining in the Scriptures as a clue to the original pronunciation.

Eventually the Tetragrammaton was removed from the common Greek translation of the Bible called the Septuagint where it was generally replaced with the Greek word Kyrious or Lord. This translation tradition has carried over to English Bibles where God's Name is rendered as The LORD.

There is evidence that in the early Christian communities the Name of God still remained in the Hebrew writings. The oldest fragments of the Greek Septuagint contain the Hebrew Tetragrammaton. The Hebrew Tetragrammaton appears in the Christian Scholar Origen's Hexapla - a parallel version of the Hebrew Scriptures in six versions. Additionally Jerome writing in the late fourth century commented that the name of God was still around in certain Greek volumes.

What about the New Testament? The Christian Greek Scriptures contain numerous references to the Hebrew Scriptures. For the most part these citations suggest the Septuagint as the source material. In the available texts of the Greek Scriptures we find the Greek word Kyrious, or Lord, used as a substitution.

However there is one interesting text available that suggests the early use of the Divine Name in Matthew's Gospel. Christian tradition has it that Matthew was originally written in the "Hebrew tongue (Hebrew or possibly Aramaic) as testified to by Papias, Irenaeus, Origen, Eusebius, and Jerome.

In Shem-Tob's Hebrew Matthew the Divine Name appears twenty times as "The Name". Use of "The Name" is not limited to just scriptural citations where the Tetragrammaton appeared. It also is used in phrases such as the "the House of The Name" and "an angel of The Name". Additionally it is used when scriptures are introduced, "All this was to complete what was written by the prophet according to The Name". There is debate as to whether or not Shem-Tob's Hebrew Matthew represents the original Hebrew version of Matthew. However the appearance of "The Name" in the text suggests that Shem-Tob's Matthew may have roots with an early pre-Greek version.

Did Jesus Use The Divine Name?

While there are no explicit references to Jesus uttering The Name in the Greek Scriptures there are hints and suggestions that he probably did so.

In the Greek Scriptures Jesus referred to God as Father and Abba. However he often made reference to God's "name". From these we can see that God's Name was very important to Jesus and essential to his ministry.

The Lord's prayer begins, "Our Father in the heavens, let your name be sanctified." Matthew 6:9

"Father, glorify your name." John 12:28

At John 17:6,26 Jesus prays, "I have made your name manifest to the men you gave me out of the world ... I have made your name known to them."

"I have come in the name of my Father" John 5:43

These scriptures do much to suggest that Jesus made use of God's Name. However further scriptural proof is found in the charge that was used to condemn Jesus to death, namely, blasphemy. From a legal standpoint, blapshemy was pronouncing the Tetragrammaton for some forbidden purpose. The fact that Jesus was declared guilty of blasphemy strongly appeals to the idea that he used it in some fashion.

In a Jewish retelling of the gospel account Toledot Yeshu it is stated that Jesus performed wonders by abusing the powers of God's name. Further in the Talmudic Sanhedrin is found an account of Balaam, which later Jewish interpreters feel is a codified name for Jesus. Regarding Balaam Rabbi Shimon ben Lakish says, "Woe to him who makes him to live with the name of God." Some understand this to mean that Balaam resurrected himself by pronouncing the ineffable name of God.

Granted these Jewish works were written with the intent of smearing Jesus however the Bible does seem to harmonize with the idea that Jesus did use the Name of God, that he peformed miracles in the Name of God, and that he was charged with blasphemy because of it.

First we consider Jesus words at John 10:25 that "The works that I am doing in the name of my Father testify to me."

So here Jesus says that he is performing miraculous works in the name of his Father. Now we may feel that when he says he is doing something in the name of his Father it is only in a representative sense that his works had the backing of his Father. However there seems to more to this account as we pick up at John 10:31-38.

"Once more the Jews lifted up stones to stone him. Jesus replied to them: “I displayed to YOU many fine works from the Father. For which of those works are YOU stoning me?” The Jews answered him: “We are stoning you, not for a fine work, but for blasphemy, even because you, although being a man, make yourself a god.” Jesus answered them: “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I said: “YOU are gods”’? If he called ‘gods’ those against whom the word of God came, and yet the Scripture cannot be nullified, do YOU say to me whom the Father sanctified and dispatched into the world, ‘You blaspheme,’ because I said, I am God’s Son? If I am not doing the works of my Father, do not believe me. But if I am doing them, even though YOU do not believe me, believe the works, in order that YOU may come to know and may continue knowing that the Father is in union with me and I am in union with the Father.”

Now we consider that when the Jews attempt to stone Jesus he asks them if they are stoning him in response to his works and they say they are stoning him for blasphemy. Once again we call to mind that strictly speaking blasphemy was uttering God's Name for a forbidden purpose.

If it does prove to be true that Jesus made use of the Divine Name when working miracles the egnimatic account of Jesus accusing the Scribes blapheming against the Holy Spirit takes a greater meaning. We read in Mark 3:22,28-30

Also, the scribes that came down from Jerusalem were saying: “He has Beelzebub, and he expels the demons by means of the ruler of the demons.” ... Truly I say to YOU that all things will be forgiven the sons of men, no matter what sins and blasphemies they blasphemously commit. However, whoever blasphemes against the holy spirit has no forgiveness forever, but is guilty of everlasting sin.” This, because they were saying: “He has an unclean spirit.”

If we imagine that Jesus was expelling demons by means of God's Name and the scribes took offense and said that Jesus was instead expelling demons by means of the ruler of the demons then they would be in effect calling God, Satan. Furthermore if he was being accused of blasphemy for using God's Name when expelling demons he is here turning it around and saying that Scribes are the ones who are really committing the blasphemy, first by denying the power of God and second by saying that it orginates with the Devil.

Another interesting account where Jesus is charged with blasphemy in connection with performing miracles is at Mark 2:5-7 which reads:

"And when Jesus saw their faith he said to the paralytic: “Child, your sins are forgiven.” Now there were some of the scribes there, sitting and reasoning in their hearts: “Why is this man talking in this manner? He is blaspheming. Who can forgive sins except one, God?"

Earlier on we spoke the only occasions in Jesus day where the Divine Name was allowed to be spoken and that was on the Day of Atonement - the ceremonial day linked with the annual atoning of sins for the people. On that day the High Priest presided over the offerings and spoke the ieneffible Divine Name after each offering. Hence in Jesus' day the Divine Name was specifically linked with the forgiveness of sins. Indeed only in this connection and on this one day of the year was it spoken.

The simplest straight forward meaning to this account is that by forgiving sins the scribes felt that Jesus was making himself God. However once again if it holds that blasphemy was making use of the Divine Name then we have to consider whether or not Jesus made use of The Name in connection with forgiving sins and healing the paralytic.

In Mark is found another intriguing incident. Mark 11 & 12 records Jesus' run-ins with the religious teachers of Judea who are trying to trap him wih their questionings. The focus of the narration is on Jesus successfully overturning these tricks with his wisdom, first to the priests & scribes (11:27-32), then the Pharisees and party of Herod (12:13-17), and then the Sadducees (12:18-27). Our specific focus is on the account of the priests & scribes found at Mark 11:27-32.

And they came again to Jerusalem. And as he was walking in the temple, the chief priests and the scribes and the older men came to him and began to say to him: “By what authority do you do these things? or who gave you this authority to do these things?” Jesus said to them: “I will ask you one question. you answer me, and I will also tell you by what authority I do these things. Was the baptism by John from heaven or from men? Answer me.” So they began to reason among themselves, saying: “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why is it, therefore, you did not believe him?’ But dare we say, ‘From men’?”—They were in fear of the crowd, for these all held that John had really been a prophet. Well, in reply to Jesus they said: “We do not know.” And Jesus said to them: “Neither am I telling you by what authority I do these things.”

Now what we have to consider is what kind of damning response did the priests and scribes wish to solicit from Jesus and why did Jesus not give them a straight answer. As we considered previously there is the idea that Jesus healed and forgave sins by use of the Divine Name. So when the priests and scribes asked Jesus by whose authority did he do those things where they trying to get him to commit "blasphemy" by uttering the Divine Name? It seems quite possible.

Now for the sake of completing this study I would like to look at John 8:58,59.

"Jesus said to them, "Very truly, I tell you, before Abraham was, I am" So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple."

When reading this account we have to ask what was it that caused the Jews to attempt to stone Jesus. John 8:58 finishes up a lengthy passage where Jesus judges the Jews in no uncertain terms calling them among other things liars. So perhaps they were so angry with Jesus words that they attempted to physically attack him. That is certainly feasible.

Alternatively we can consider whether or not it was Jesus using the phrase "I AM" as a reference to the Name of God as found in Exodus 3:14 and since this was perceived as blasphemy they attempted to stone him. What we have at John 8:58 is a Greek translation of what Jesus originally spoke in Aramaic. Thus we can't be sure of whether or not Jesus did refer to the Divine Name in his expression and John chose the equivalent Septuagint phrasing of the Name recorded in Exodus 3:14.

With this in mind we consider Jesus arrest as recorded in John 18:4-6

"Then Jesus, knowing all that was to happen to him, came forward and asked the, "Whom are you looking for?" They answered, "Jesus of Nazareth." Jesus replied, "I am he." When Jesus said to them, "I am" they stepped back and fell to the ground."

We have to consider what was it about Jesus expression, "I am" that literally caused these men to fall to the ground? It doesn't seem likely that they were so stunned by Jesus forthrightness that they fell to the ground. If we do interpret this as Jesus saying God's Name then the reaction of the men and their falling to the ground seems very likely.

Continuing to Jesus' trial as recorded at Mark 14:61-63:

"Again the high priest began to question him and said to him: “Are you the Christ the Son of the Blessed One?” Then Jesus said: “I am; and YOU persons will see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of power and coming with the clouds of heaven.” At this the high priest ripped his inner garments and said: “What further need do we have of witnesses? YOU heard the blasphemy. What is evident to YOU?” They all condemned him to be liable to death."

Once again we have Jesus being charged with blasphemy. Casually looking at it this scripture we may assume that his blasphemy was saying he was the Messiah (Christ) or that he was the Son of God or the Son of Man. However legally neither of these technically constituted blasphemy. So why is that what Jesus said that so enraged the High Priest that he said, "you heard the blasphemy". Well once again we may have Jesus making reference to the Divine Name when he said "I am."

In conclusion we can summarize the evidences that Jesus used the Divine Name that we have considered.

1.) Jesus' words that he had made God's Name known.
2.) Rabbinic and Jewish sources that said that Jesus worked magic by using God's Name.
3.) That Jesus was repeatedly charged with blasphemy which was literally using God's Name in any way.
4.) The possibility that Greek expression "I am" eigo eimi is a codified form of the Divine Name and a reference to the Septuagint rendering of Exodus 3:14.

Remember The Poor

When the apostle Paul and Barnabas were separating from the Church in Judea, in order to continue missionary work among the people of the nations, they were given an additional instruction by the Judean overseers to "remember the poor". Paul reports in his letter to the Galatians that, "this very thing I also was eager to do." (Galatians 2:9,10 NIV)

It is interesting, on reading this account, that this was the only specifically-mentioned instruction these "pillars" of the faith sought to give to Paul. It is even more remarkable when you think about all the missionary instructions that could have been provided and recorded in God’s Word. It really encapsulates just how highly giving to the poor is esteemed in the Holy Scriptures.

Regrettably, the poor can sometimes be lost in the mix whilst we are fulfilling our Christian activities and ministry assignments, or even worse, neglected all together. As Christians, though, we do well to consider deeply, just how well we are doing in our obligation to remember the poor.

For starters let us consider the nature of the God whom we worship, since we are called to be holy in imitation of him. (1 Peter 1:15,16) The Scriptures show that our Heavenly Father cares very much for needy ones. Psalms 68 beautifully declares of Jah,

“A father of fatherless boys and a judge of widows,
is God in his holy dwelling.”

The Law that God gave the nation of Israel illustrates his care and concern for the poor. Therein, God instructed, "you must not harden your heart or be closefisted toward your poor brother." (Deut 15:7) Furthermore The Mosaic Law regulated different ways that the poor should be provided for. For example:

• The poor were allowed to glean the leftovers in the fields after a harvest. (Deu 24:19, 21)
• If they had to sell their possessions because of poverty they received them back during the Jubilee year. (Lev 25:28)
• The poor had a share in the tithes given to the priests. (Deu 14:28)

To the Hebrews, such action was not seen as charity, it was considered an act of justice and righteousness. To them the poor were owed a portion of the provisions of those richer than them by right. Thus, we find that righteousness, justice and almsgiving share the same Hebrew word tzedakah. The Hebrew Scriptures, consequentially, characterize the righteous by their willingness to give to the poor and to lend without interest. (Ezekiel 18:5-9)

The importance of taking care of the poor was something that carried over from the Jews to the Christians through the teachings of Jesus. Jesus as a perfect reflection of his Father too had deep compassion for the poor. (Hebrews 1:3)

In his Sermon on the Mount Jesus said, "Give to the one asking you, and do not turn away from one that wants to borrow from you." (Matthew 5:42), he also tells us that, "there is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving,"(Acts 20:35) and when speaking on giving, Jesus said, "But when you spread a feast, invite the poor people, crippled, lame, blind; and you be happy because they have nothing with which to repay you." (Luke 14:13-14)

Jesus told his followers to be "perfect, as [our] heavenly Father is perfect." (Matthew 5:48) Now in order to be perfect, or complete, we need to care for the poor just as Jesus told a young rich man, "If you want to be perfect, go sell your belongings and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven, and come be my follower.” (Matthew 19:21) Sadly the rich man would not do this but other disciples of Jesus answered this call to give their possessions to the poor. One notable example is the tax-collector Zacchaeus who declared “Look! The half of my belongings, Lord, I am giving to the poor" (Luke 19:8)

Jesus stressed that our everlasting reward would have basis on our treatment of the poor. In the 16th chapter of Luke Jesus provided parables to his disciples to illustrate the eternal rewards of using our "unrighteous riches" to provide for others. Jesus instructed them, "Make friends for yourselves by means of the unrighteous riches, so that, when such fail, they may receive you into the everlasting dwelling places." (Luke 16:9)

The account continues that the Pharisees who were "money lovers" sneered at Jesus' teaching. So Jesus provides them another parable of comparing them to a "certain rich man" who did not help the plight of a poor beggar named Lazarus. At the time of their death the poor beggar received his reward of being considered righteous by being placed in the bosom position of Abraham; however, the rich man found himself in a position of anguish and judgment. (Luke 16:19-31)

Similarly, in his Olivet discourse Jesus equates righteousness with providing for the poor and shows that judgment is dependant on our taking care of their needs. Jesus says that when he arrives to judge mankind, the righteous "sheep" will be characterized by their providing for the needs of the poor, the least of his brothers. (Matthew 25:34-40) By giving to these ones they are in turn giving to Jesus. (Compare Proverbs 19:17)

Jesus not only taught giving but he put his words into action. While Jesus' primary purpose was to care for the everlasting spiritual needs of the people, he didn't hesitate to provide for their immediate physical needs. Recorded in the Gospels are two separate occasions where Jesus provided food for thousands. (Mark 6:40-44; Mark 8:6-9). The Scriptures bring out that he carried a moneybox to collect alms for the poor. (John 12:4-6; 13:29)

The Christian Scriptures continue to show that those taking the lead in the early Church, such as the apostle John, followed Jesus' example. They taught giving and made sure that the material needs of the poor among them were being met. Thus, in a letter, the apostle writes, "But whoever has this world's means for supporting life and beholds his brother having need and yet shuts the door of his tender compassions upon him, in what way does the love of God remain in him?" (1 John 3:17)

The Acts of the Apostles provides a remarkable example in the openhanded giving of the early Christian Church. It records how "all those who were possessors of fields or houses would sell them and bring the values of the things sold and they would deposit them at the feet of the apostles. In turn distribution would be made to each one just as he would have the need." This giving was so generous that it is boasted that, "there was not one in need among them." (Acts 4:34-35) The apostles also appointed the first servants (deacons) in the Church to oversee that all of their widows were receiving a share in the daily distribution of food. (Acts 6:1-3)

Supporting this, James, an overseer of the Church in Judea, characterizes true and pure religion as, "looking after orphans and widows in their tribulation" (James 1:27) He illustrates that true faith would be evidenced by charitable works when he says, "If a brother or a sister is in a naked state and lacking the food sufficient for the day, yet a certain one of you says to them: "Go in peace, keep warm and well fed," but you do not give them the necessities for their body, of what benefit is it? Thus, too faith, if it does not have works, is dead in itself." (James 2:15-17)

The apostle Paul likewise couples the Gospel message with charitable giving in his letter to the Corinthians saying, "the ministry of this public service is not only to supply abundantly the wants of the holy ones but also to be rich with many expressions of thanks to God.” He further complimented their obedience and bigheartedness saying, “you are submissive to the good news about the Christ, and you publicly declare you are, and because you are generous in your contribution to them and all." (2 Cor 9:12,13)

[It is interesting to note Paul’s use of the Greek word leitourgia (public service) in the aforementioned scripture. This word is used three other times in the Christian Scriptures in relation to the priestly service. (See Luke 1:23; Hebrews 8:6; 9:21) So by using it here Paul equates giving to the needy with the sacrifices that the Jewish priests offered to God. Since the entire Christian Church is called to be priests (1 Peter 2:9) our priestly service is to give thanks to God and provide for the needs of others. (Compare Hebrews 13:15,16).]

Paul gave pastoral instruction to Timothy in taking care of the needs of needy widows. (1 Timothy 5:9, 10) He also wrote to the Church in Ephesus regarding the need to work hard so as "have something to distribute to someone in need" (Ephesians 4:28) Furthermore he wrote to two congregations regarding his personal desire to hand carry their material gifts to poor Christians residing in Jerusalem. (Romans 15:25,26; 1 Cor 16:1-4)

With the passage of the first-century Church era giving to the poor did not end. The writings provided by 2nd century Christians show that they continued to "remember the poor" in apostolic tradition.

Regarding such, Christian apologist Justin Martyr wrote, "The wealthy among us help the needy. . . . Those who are prosperous, and willing, give what each thinks fit. And what is collected is deposited with the president, who gives aid to the orphans and widows." (Justin, Apology, chap. LXVII)

Likewise Tertullian in his apology wrote, "Though we have our treasure chest, it is not made up of purchase money, as of a religion that has its price. Rather, on the monthly day, if he likes, each puts in a small donation. . . . to support and bury poor people, to supply the needs of boys and girls destitute of means and parents, and of old persons now confined to the house. These gifts also help those who have suffered shipwreck. And if there happens to be any of us in the mines, or banished to the islands, or shut up in the prisons - for no reason other than their faithfulness to the cause of God's Church - they become the nurslings of their confession." (Tertullian, Apology, chap. XXXIX)

Sadly though, the extreme generosity in taking care of the needy that marked the early Church diminished over the next centuries turning for the worse when Roman Emperor Constantine granted State favor to Christianity. Because there were no “church” buildings or salaried clergy in the early Christian congregation all of the money donated by the congregants could be used in the caring of others, particularly the poor. Under Constantine things would change.

Originally the Christians met in private homes; however, in order to legitimize and popularize the Christian religion Constantine started constructing “church” buildings. These were built over the burial sites of Christian martyrs and were far from modest. Porphyry, a pagan critic of Christianity, noted that these buildings were "worthy of an Emperor".

Among the early Christians for an elder to receive a salary for his ministerial duties was seen as a heresy. [Eusebius Ecclesiastical History, vol. V, chap. XXVIII] However Constantine would institute a salaried clergy whose wages came in part out of the church funds. Originally the funds that were earmarked for the poor were not encroached upon, however later the clergy would dip in there as well.

Also at the time of Constantine many new converts that were not fully committed to the Christian way of life inundated the church. Some of these individuals only converted to Christianity in order to share the religion with the head of the State and have all the privileges thereof. As such they did not fully embrace the kind of radical giving that was the hallmark of the early Church and required by Christ. Over the centuries giving and taking care of the needy, while not being abandoned totally, diminished to something of lesser importance.

Today we are left with this legacy of misappropriation of donated funds and an overall lack of generosity in taking care of the needy. Even if Christians would return to selling all of their superfluous possessions and donating the receipts to their denomination only a portion of these moneys would be given to the poor. A large, or even the majority of congregation receipts would be used to sustain bigger and better “church” buildings and maintain salaried clergy. We have to look at this situation and see if such misappropriation could be considered outright theft from the moneybox for the poor, exactly in the same manner that Judas stole from the poor. (John 12:6)

As Christians we too need to examine our giving and see if our attitudes reflect that of our Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus as well as the early Church. Are we conscious of the needs of the poor? Are we generous with our unrighteous riches? And whether we are giving half of our possessions or only two small coins of little value we need to consider if our donations are being used to really help the poor. Upon close scrutiny we may find that our money is being used to maintain “church” buildings and salaried clergy, practices that have no basis in Christian Scripture or the early Church example.

--

This is an article that I wrote during July. It appears in the August 2006 Common Truth newsletter.

When You Fast

Two times in the Sermon on the Mount Jesus says, "When you fast . . ." and proceeds to give instruction regarding fasting. What is interesting is that Jesus does not say "If you fast" as if fasting was an option. (Matthew 6:16-18) The text assumes that the disciples would fast in the same manner that was expected that they would give to the needy (v. 2-4) and they would pray. (v. 5-8)

Yet today in the Church, unlike prayer and charitable giving, fasting is not a familiar element of the Christian lifestyle. This is strange because Jesus said that his disciples would fast, saying: "But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; in those days they will fast." - Luke 5:35

As Christians we are in a constant spiritual war "against the powers of the dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." (Ephesians 4:12) We recognize the absolute necessity the role that prayer plays in aiding us in this battle because we are told to, "pray in the Spirit on all occassions with all kinds of prayers and requests." (v. 18) Fasting can further equip us in times of great trial or particular challenge.

A interesting variant reading of Mark 9:29 says that "prayer and fasting" were required to expel the toughest of the demons. It is certainly true that supplementing our personal prayers with a period of fasting can be highly effective in our stand against the evil forces around us. By example, when Jesus was preparing himself for his ministry and readying himself to face the tempations of the Satan, the leader of the demons, "he fasted forty days and forty nights". (Matthew 4:1,2)

The Acts of the Apostles records that the apostolic Church fasted as a course of religious observance, in preparing for ministerial assignment, and seeking God's direction. Acts 13:2,3 reads, "While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Baranabs and Saul for the work to which I have called them." So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off."

(Likewise the writings of Clement from Alexanderia & Tertullian document that fasting, particularly on Wednesday and Friday, was routinely observed by the Christian Congregation in the 2nd century.)

Infestation

Yuck!

Our house is plagued with tiny flies.

They started appearing about a couple of weeks ago and we couldn't figure out where they were coming from. It was very sickening because we could only guess that Mina had left some piece of food somewhere in the house that was breeding flies.

Blech!

However we never could trace the origin of the little insects. We did notice that they were generally appearing in the bathroom which was strange because there was absolutely no source of food . . . or so we thought.

I kept figuring they would go away but since they looked like they had gone from being house guests to permanent residents I checked the Internet to try to figure out the problem.

I think they are drain flies that breed in plumbing; laying eggs in the film that collects inside of bathroom and kitchen pipes. We also been suffering from slow drains so that lead me to believe that we had some gunky organic something or other in our pipes that they were feeding off of.

Gross!

On Sunday I did what I could to clear the pipes with an auger which is always a digusting task. After that we boiled pots of of water and poured them down all the drains in an effort to kill the eggs and larva. I need to go to the store still and buy some foaming drain cleaner to try to clean out the food source. This may be a "rinse and repeat" type of affair so I may have to try again if the situation does not clear up.

I hope you weren't eating while reading this.

Storms

On Wednesday night I had just grilled a couple of burgers and we had sat down to eat when we heard a storm brewing outside. So we went outside and the sky was crazy and everything was blowing and some tree branches were flying. We had the TV on and it didn't say anything about a tornado so I felt comfortable standing on my porch and watching. Rebekah had went around lighting candles However the wind really started picking up and slammed against the tree across from us and I heard it crack so we went to our basement. We lost power.

After the storm was over we went outside and there were tree branches and limbs down everywhere Since we don't have any trees we just had some that blew into our yard but we had one big one hanging on the wire that goes to the street-light in front of my house. Our neighbor came over and climbed on our roof and cut down that the limb and then we cleaned up our yards. Rebekah and I then drove around the neighborhood picking up branches where we could. But it was incredible there were many, many trees knocked down.

After it got dark we went home and did our best to try to sleep in the sticky heat. It wasn't a very good time to lose power with it being the hottest weather of the year. At about 5:30am our power came back on. At the time little did we know how fortunate we were to have power. As I drove to work Thursday I was listening to the radio news and they were saying that 450,000 people were without power in the St. Louis area. Bad news especially on a day that would have a heat index rating of 115. We had no power at our office so after I did some running around and cleaned up around building I went home.

Friday was the same scenario with power out nearly everywhere. At around 4:00 another storm blew through and hit some of the areas that the last storm had missed this monster did produce a tornado in another part of our county. Rebekah and I had tickets to Les Miserables so we left and tried to find somewhere to eat dinner but couldn't due to everything being closed. So we just headed to the theatre getting there about an hour before hand. The Lounge was open so we went there and ordered some chicken tenders and fries.

After Les Miz we drove to Wal-Mart back home to get a few items to eat over the weekend. Wal-Mart's parking lot was dark. When we went inside many of the shelves were empty. There was no meat, no fruit, no dairy products, no frozen foods. Another couple had been searching for C and D batteries which there seem to be no more in the area. Strange.

I've Got An Idea

I've been in the spirit for two days now and it just feels good to be firing on all four? six? howabout seven cylinders. I'm just glad to be feeling positive.

Over the weekend I spent some time working on an article for a friend's newsletter. I chose the topic of giving to the poor and was just absolutely floored about how much I have missed the point of many, many scriptures. I wish I could share them right now but all things in time. But needless to say I was absolutely mortified by my personal failures.

And really what rotten people Rebekah and I are. We talk about simplifying our lives by going from 60 television channels to 40. Don't get me wrong . . . it's a start but how very sad.

So really I was looking at ways to help out and really I'm so detached with the world around me that I had no idea where to start.

But I needed to start somewhere - even if it isn't the best thing I chose to sponsor a kid from Compassion International. Now I'm not looking for praise like I did anything extraordinary. It is only $32.00 a month and compared to the amount we spend each month on eating out or television or Internet it really is pathetic and so much less then what Jesus is asking:

“If you want to be perfect, go sell your belongings and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven, and come be my follower.” - Matthew 19:21

So I sponsored a girl from Guatemala named Marisol. (Rebekah and I had written a song about a little mexican girl named Marisol so that is why I selected her.) It's nothing big - nothing that will save the world - but it is just a start because I couldn't live with myself one more day without doing something somewhat righteous with my money even if it is a drop in the bucket.

When I speak of "starts" there is something starting in my mind - a little germ of an idea that has just put a perpetual grin on my face. I'm going to be praying about it and see if it can get legs - that is if my Fathers blessing is behind it. It's simple and a little silly, maybe even foolish - crazy - insane - ridiculous - but since my God called the foolish things of the world he will just have to deal with nutters like me and our feeble attempts to promote His Kingdom.

"But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong." - 1 Cor 1:27

Oh boy . . . I'm excited.

Your pal,

Anthony

Praise

I'm feeling OK - mentally. (Physically my stomach is hurting.)

Today seems to be starting out as one of those days where I should just stay on my knees cause I keep wanting to pray.

Thank you Father for every good gift you have given me. Thank you for your mercy. Thank you for not giving up on me.

Yesterday Mina and I went to eat and then went to the store for some groceries. It was a nice time. She is getting a lot more pleasant these days. Is it growing up or training?

Rebekah and I have been giving lots of spiritual attention to Mina. I'll read a Bible story to her before I go to bed. Rebekah has been reading out of the Gospel of John with her. Admittedly their study is a little more in depth. Rebekah tells me they looked up some information together on the Pool of Siloam. We have enjoyed saying a nightly prayer together as a family and praying before meals.

Really though we are just trying to plant a seed and water it and so God can make it grow. (1 Cor 3:6)

I hate to keep harping on the past; however it just amazes me how different things have become. We used to hardly ever pray together. Now it is our habit and we even pray in public before meals whereas before we would've been too embarrassed. Also with personal Bible reading - it used to be like pulling teeth to stick to a Bible reading program but now it just such a welcomed part of our lives. Again with studying God's word with Mina we could never seem to get a routine of doing it once a week and now it is more or less nightly.

I know when the Elders disfellowshipped me they assumed that my spirituality would suffer. They actually told me as much. They were so wrong. I guess it is that they cannot imagine any relationship to God without the Watchtower Society. But as I told them in one of my judicial meetings I feel like I'm tapped directly into God through his son Jesus. So whether I'm worshiping here or there I'm still in contact with my heavenly Father. As it is written:

"Nevertheless, the hour is coming, and it is now, when the true worshipers will worship the Father with spirit and truth, for, indeed, the Father is looking for suchlike ones to worship him. " - John 4:23

And I don't say this as if I'm looking for justification. It is more of joy, peace, and happiness that I feel like sharing this morning.

Again,

Thank you Holy Father. Thank you for this powerful work you are doing in my life. Thank you for allowing me to come to know you through your son Jesus.

Back On The Horse

"It doesn't matter whether you're selling Jesus or Buddha or civil rights or 'How to Make Money in Real Estate With No Money Down.' That doesn't make you a human being; it makes you a marketing rep. If you want to talk to somebody honestly, as a human being, ask him about his kids. Find out what his dreams are - just to find out, for no other reason. Because as soon as you lay your hands on a conversation to steer it, it's not a conversation anymore; it's a pitch. And you're not a human being; you're a marketing rep." - The Big Kahua

I just read that quote from an article "The Gospel: For Here or to Go?". I haven't seen that movie but I would say that that quote really captures my old door-to-door ministry with Jehovah's Witnesses. It was all about the sales-pitch.

Really when you look at it the Service meeting that I attended was nothing more than a sales meeting. You learned similar tactics that were taught at any multi-level marketing seminar. You are told to smile, take a personal interest, look a person in the eyes, call them by name. But all this was geared toward distributing magazines or studying a book.

As I began becoming more and more disillusioned with the Watchtower Organization I slowly dropped the sales pitch. After finding out that the Awake! magazine had been used in the past to support a political obligation to the United Nations I stopped offering the magazines. When people began to notice I would simply say, "I'm trying to use the Bible more." Through my personal Bible study it began to be harder and harder for me to reconcile some of teachings of the Watchtower Society with what is said in the Scriptures. The result was that I was no longer comfortable offering "home Bible studies". It was also getting to the point that despite that positive aspects of the Organization I couldn't in good conscience bring somebody into it.

Those circumstances caused me to lose the sales-pitch aspect of the ministry. At that point I really had no agenda other than to get out and get to know people. What was interesting was how much my ministry opened up. I wasn't selling a product I was just there to share a thought, a scripture, a prayer. It was neat to begin offering prayers right on the door step of an intial call or maybe just give a hug to a stranger. (Most Witnesses that I knew where timid about praying with a person even after many weeks of Bible study sessions.)

I'll say this that I finally started to find joy in the ministry. I was becoming more productive - not in selling but in sharing and feeling. Not everyone was receptive but I did get to contact some really nice people in the work. And then I got disfellowshipped from the Organization and my field ministry activity came to a grinding halt.

On Sunday I went out in the field ministry work for the first time since being removed from the congregation in April. No time sheet, no tie, no magazines - just me and a Bible. I mainly wanted to touch base with some of my old return visits. The first house I went to was put up for sale and appeared to be vacant. At the second house the lady was asleep.

At the third house I knocked and there was no answer. Next door there was a boy watering plants on his porch. I felt the spirit nudging me to go next door. The boy tells me, "She's over here." So I go next door and the lady I wanted to call on was next door watching these neighbor kids.

It was kind of an awkward introduction because I had to explain why I was missing for the last few months. I tried to explain that I was no longer representing the denomination of Jehovah's Witnesses. She asked me, "Who are you with now?" I paused and said, "well I guess I'm a Christian."

We had a nice little chat by way of catching up. She related a little problem she had with having to deal with a squabble between her daughter and another relative. We went to the book of James and I shared some verses about how dangerous our tongues can be. We also looked at Galatians about manifesting the fruitage of the spirit such as mildness and self-control. I concluded with a prayer.

Since this woman isn't able to get to a church on Sunday she said she was happy that I return. It felt really positive to get out and get some face-to-face time with individuals to be able to try to offer some assistance and a prayer. I'm not really a good teacher but I love shepherding.

I don't really know where I go from here but I'm eager to find out.

--

I've started re-reading the Christian Scriptures again, this time in the King James Version. It is a really difficult version to read but the plus side is that it causes me to have to slow down and really concentrate on what is being said.

May 15, 2006 Watchtower

A couple of people have written to me questioning about the Society's new teaching regarding the "cities of refuge" alluded to in my last Blog entry. I wrote:

"I honestly wept over a recent Watchtower study article that presented a new teaching that the Cities of Refuge in the Hebrew Scriptures represent the organization and not Jesus' life-saving sacrifice. When they reject or downplay the basis for forgiveness by what basis can they be forgiven?"

This was reference to the May 15, 2006 Watchtower study article, "Are You Prepared For Survival?". It was studied by the congregations of Jehovah's Witnesses in mid-June. The whole article presents what I feel is an idolotrous image of the Organization. While faith in God and Jesus is given token mention in regards to salvation the primary thrust of the article is that in order to be saved you need to be active in the Organization as illustrated from the following quotes:

"Just as Noah and his God-fearing family were preserved in the ark, survival of individuals today depends on their faith and their loyal association with the earthly part of Jehovah's universal organization."

"Sticking close to and staying active with one of the over 98,000 congregations of Jehovah's Witnesses will help us prepare ourselves for survival."

Now when I spoke of an updated understanding of the "cities of refuge" that comes from paragraphs 11, 12 which I will quote in full:

"To survive the end of the present system of things, we must do more than believe that it will be destroyed. We must exercise faith, taking full advantage of God's provisions for survival. Of course, we need to exercise faith in the ransom sacrifice of God's Son, Jesus Christ. (John 3:16, 36) However, we do well to remember that only those actually inside Noah's ark survived the Flood. Similarly, the cities of refuge in ancient Israel provided protection for the unintentional manslayer only if he first fled to such to such a city and then remained inside it until the death of the high priest. (Numbers 35:11-32) In the tenth plague upon Egypt in Moses' day, the firstborn of the Egyptians were killed, but those of the Israelites were spared. Why? Jehovah had instructed Moses: "They [the Israelites] must take some of the blood [of the Passover lamb] and splash it upon the two doorposts and the upper part of the doorway belonging to the houses in which they will eat it. . . . and none of you should go out of the entrance of his house until morning." (Exodus 12:7, 22) Which firstborn among the Israelites whould have dared to ignore such God-given instructions by going outside a house marked with the blood splashed on the two doorposts and the upper part of the doorway."

"We therefore have reaason to think carefully about our personal situation. Are we actually inside Jehovah's arangement of spiritual protection? When the great tribulation strikes, tears of joy and thankfulness will stream down the faces of those who have sought such protection. For others, there will be only tears of sorrow and regret."

For starters it is upsetting to see the flippant way that Jesus sacrifice is treated. It is mentioned briefly and then kicked to the way-side to focus on the salvation through being inside the organization.

In the 11/15/95 Watchtower article "Stay In The "City of Refuge" An Live!" it identifies faith in Jesus sacrifice as the antitypical modern-day city of Refuge saying:

"What is the antitypical city of refuge? It is not some geographical location like Hebron, one of the six Levite refuge cities and home of Israel’s high priest. Today’s city of refuge is God’s provision for protecting us from death for violating his commandment about the sanctity of blood. (Genesis 9:6) Whether willful or unintentional, every violator of that command must seek God’s forgiveness and the cancellation of his sin through faith in the blood of the High Priest, Jesus Christ. Anointed Christians with heavenly hopes and the “great crowd” with earthly prospects have availed themselves of the benefits of Jesus’ sin-atoning sacrifice and are in the antitypical city of refuge.—Revelation 7:9, 14; 1 John 1:7; 2:1, 2."

So evidentally the May 15, 2006 Watchtower presents a change view. It is now implied that the modern-day city of refuge is the organizational arrangement of Jehovah's Witness that one needs to stay inside of and thus gain salvation. (It is interesting that the Watchtower does not come right out and present this as a new understanding. Lately they have subtly introduced new ideas without the fanfare that used to come with "new light".)

Sadly too the Society totally presents a warped view of the Passover. The focus of the Passover observance was on the lamb and the blood of the lamb which represented Jesus. However the Society spins the account so the focus is on the staying in the house, a small detail, which once again it implies to be illustrative of staying active within the organization. We must keep in mind that it was the house that was sanctified by the blood of the lamb and not the other way around.

I hope these comments helped to answer your questions. Thanks for reading.

Update - I scoured the 2006 CD-ROM to see if this was indeed a new teaching. References in the 60's, 70's and 90's (95 Quoted Above) have the antitypical City of Refuge being salvation through Jesus. However, the earliest reference in 12/1/1955 Watchtower seems to paint a different picture equating the City of refuge to some extent to the organization saying:

"What is the antitypical city of refuge today? As the typical refuge cities were cities of the temple servants, including the high priest of Jehovah, the antitypical city must be Jehovah’s provision for protecting us from death for violating the divine covenant concerning the sacredness of blood by our coming and remaining under the benefits of the active service of Jehovah’s High Priest Jesus Christ. That provision of protection is to be found with Jehovah’s theocratic organization of his people."

"Likewise those fleeing to the Christian’s city of refuge may not be idlers within the New World society. They must show an appreciation of the divine mercy to them and keep in touch with the remnant of the “royal priesthood” and especially with the High Priest under whose covering they find protection. They must not be burdens, drags, on the New World society, retarding its activity, draining away its spiritual prosperity. They must learn a trade in that organization, and in view of the divine obligations laid upon it the only “trade” suitable within that organization is to learn to preach the Kingdom message and declare the “day of vengeance of our God.” (Matt. 24:14; Isa. 61:1, 2) This makes the time within bounds fly by most happily before Armageddon in praise of Jehovah and it results in salvation both to the refugee and to others."

Thus this seems more of a case of reverting to a previously held viewpoint. This progression in the light of God's word is what the 12/1/81 Watchtower refers to as "tacking". "By maneuvering the sails the sailors can cause a ship to go from right to left, back and forth, but all the time making progress toward their destination in spite of contrary winds. "

4th of July

Here I am this morning on my day off from work. I'm drinking orange crush out of a glass bottle and nothing much beats soda out of a glass bottle.

I'm typing this and I don't know if when I'm done I'll just "save as draft" or "publish". These days I tend to just write things for myself and keep them private.

But I was looking at my Blog and it has been empty so I'm needing to write something to those that are reading. Maybe I'll let you know that I'm still alive and kicking and growing.

I have been writing about things that I'm studying or learning or experiencing in my walk with God. (I'm learning some awesome things. I can remember as a JW being so excited about "new light" that came every so often. Now every day that I open the Bible I am hit with revelations big and small. God feeds me in a way that no man ever could.)

This morning I'm looking at God and wondering, "What is this work that you are doing?" Because for those of us who are seeing what is happening in the church system it definately appears like something is up.

It feels strange to talk to individuals who feel that they were called out of apostate church systems. Was I called out or kicked out? Perhaps I was like Lot and dragging my feet in Sodom so God pulled me out.

But as one of Jehovah's Witnesses I look around and see how brothers and sisters are walking way or taking a stand against apostasy and being kicked out of the organization.

I have to ask my Father, "What is this work that you are doing?"

You then suddenly realise that this is just happening with Jehovah's Witnesses but this is happening all over Christendom. People are seperating from a church and choosing to be THE CHURCH by millions. (Talk about an increase!)

It does appear that the problems within the different church systems are becoming more and more manifest and their waters are drying up.

I honestly wept over a recent Watchtower study article that presented a new teaching that the Cities of Refuge in the Hebrew Scriptures represent the organization and not Jesus' life-saving sacrifice. When they reject or downplay the basis for forgiveness by what basis can they be forgiven?

Father, how long can such gross disrepect and idolotry stand?

I have prayed that judgment be held off to give my brothers and sisters time to wake up and repent. I just don't know if there is enough time. I guess I need to hope and pray. I only hope that the organization's apostasy will continue to worsen just so it will become intolerable for Christians to be a part of it.

I guess more than anything I get the feeling that we are being positioned for the final act in this age old drama.

Shortly the entire system of false Christianity will come crashing down. Thank God that he has shown us the way to the wilderness - the place of protection under the wings of God and here we are fed the bread that came down out of Heaven.

The wilderness the place of protection, the place of refinement, the place of preperation.

Holy Father Keep us safe, make us strong - keep us awake and ready.

My love to all the Saints scattered about in the dispersion.

Updated - Bethel Elder Arrested, Watchtower Farm Raided

"Therefore do not fear them; for there is nothing covered over that will not become uncovered, and secret that will not become known. " - Matthew 10:26

50-year-old Jesus Manuel Cano was arrested in Middletown, NY on Monday. As one of Jehovah's Witnesses, Cano would have regularly engaged in distributing Watchtower literature however on the day of his arrest Cano was passing out pamphlets that included graphic pictures of himself, such as the one pictured to the right.

According to Police, Cano had given the pictures along with his cell phone number to young boys in Middletown in order to lure them into sexual encounters. After receiving one such phamplet a boy gave it to his parents who immediately called the police. A police officer then contacted Cano posing as a 15-year-old boy and arranged a meeting where he was arrested.

Found in Cano's car at the time of the arrest was two cold cans of beer, condoms, and petroleum jelly. Also discovered were photographs of boys and a shocking videotape that Cano apparently took of men and boys using urinals in the Chicago O'Hare International Airport. On Cano's person was an ID card verifying that he was a member of Bethel, the World Headquarters of Jehovah's Witnesses in New York.

Afterwards police conducted an overnight raid of Cano's home at Bethel's, "Watchtower Farm" printery and farm facility in Walkhill, NY. They were directed by Cano's roommate to his living area where they retrieved four computers, hundreds of photographs, memory sticks, and DVD's including one labeled Chicago O'Hare Airport. Police reported that it will take days to look through the thousands of images that have been recovered.

J.R. Brown, Organizational Spokesman for Jehovah's Witnesses, comfirmed that Cano was a minister of Jehovah's Witnesses serving as an elder at Bethel and also in the Newburg, NY congregation. Cano had been a member of the Bethel family for 16-years until Monday when he was removed from the Bethel family and as an elder.

Police have commented that they now suspect that Cano allegedly took pornographic photos of children while traveling throughout the US and South America in his activities as one of Jehovah's Witnesses. Bethel elders, such as Cano, are often used as guest speakers at Watchtower conventions and Witness assembly days throughout the world. The investigation has extended to the Caribbean. Police theorize the pictures may be part of an international child pornography ring.

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The original news story and news video clip can be found at CBS Chicago's web-site: Man Allegedly Videotaped Boys In Airport Bathrooms - Jehovah's Witness Minister In Custody In New York

November 15, 1952 - Questions from Readers

Oh my! I had to do a double-take in reading this Questions from Readers from the November 15, 1952 Watchtower. As bad as it is being disfellowshipped for "apostasy" and shunned by my family members, at least they can't kill me. Hopefully there won't be any "new light" on this.

"We are not living today among theocratic nations where such members of our fleshly family relationship could be exterminated for apostasy from God and his theocratic organization, as was possible and was ordered in the nation of Israel in the wilderness of Sinai and in the land of Palestine."

"Being limited by the laws of the worldly nation in which we live and also by the laws of God through Jesus Christ, we can take action against apostates only to a certain extent, that is, consistent with both sets of laws. The law of the land and God’s law through Christ forbid us to kill apostates, even though they be members of our own flesh-and-blood family relationship."

-November 15, 1952 Watchtower "Questions From Readers". Emphasis is mine.

Oral Law

The Hebrew word "Torah", meaning law, is often used as a reference to the Hebrew Scriptures, in particular the first five books of Moses, also known as "the Law of Moses". However in Jesus' day, as today, Torah also included the so-called, Oral Torah or oral traditions. (After the destruction of Jerusalem in 70CE these oral traditions eventually were trasmitted to written form into what is today known and the Talmud.)

The Oral Torah or traditions were alleged to be handed down from God to Moses and in turn in Joshua and so on and so forth. For the Jews it is believed that the Scriptures are incomplete by themselves, a cryptic puzzle and thus the Oral Tradition is necessary to understand them. In time the Oral Torah came to be held as more important than the Written Torah. And thus the Scriptures were minimized and the traditions of men were amplified.

Jesus ministry in contrast rejected the oral traditions saying "you have made the word of God invalid because of your traditions." (Matthew 15:6) Therefore in violation of the Oral Torah Jesus:

• told a man to carry a cot on the Sabbath (Mark 2:11)
  
• healed on the Sabbath using a prepared salve (John 9:6)
  
• oversaw his disciples plucking grain on the Sabbath (Mark 2:23)
  
• taught his disiples to pray in private (Matthew 6:6)
  
• instructed those fasting to anoint their head and wash their face (Matthew 6:17)
  
• rejected hand washing rituals (Matthew 15:2)
  

As a teacher of the law Jesus was recognized as a Rabbi. (John 1:38) The way that Rabbis, or Scribes taught was by expounding on the Oral Traditions handed down. Jesus teaching was different as noted in Matthew 7:28,29

Now when Jesus finished these sayings, the effect was that the crowds were astounded at his way of teaching; for he was teaching them as a person having authority, and not as their scribes.

Instead of simpling citing the teachings of past Rabbis, Jesus authoritatively taught "a new teaching". (Mark 1:28) The famous Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5) well illustrates this method of teaching:

"You heard that it was said to those of ancient times, 'You must not murder' ... However, I say to you that everyone who continues wrathful with his brother will be accountable to the court of justice. (v. 21,22)

"You heard that it was said, ‘You must not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone that keeps on looking at a woman so as to have a passion for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. (v. 27,28)

"Moreover it was said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ However, I say to YOU that everyone divorcing his wife, except on account of fornication, makes her a subject for adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery. (v. 31,32)

"Again you heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You must not swear without performing, but you must pay your vows to Jehovah.’ However, I say to you: Do not swear at all, ..." (v. 33,34)

"You heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.’ However, I say to you: Do not resist him that is wicked; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other also to him." (v. 38,39)

"You heard that it was said, ‘You must love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ However, I say to you: Continue to love your enemies and to pray for those persecuting you;" (v. 43,44)

So while Jesus rejected the traditions of the Rabbis he held strictly to the law as recorded in the Scripture. Not only that, he outlined a more righteous way to follow these God given laws, highlighting the spirit behind the law. "For I say to you that if your righteousness does not abound more than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter into the kingdom of the heavens." - Matthew 2:20

So while the purpose of the Oral Law was to clarify the Written Law Jesus made clear that they were in fact "overstepping" the law with their traditions.

"In reply he said to them: “Why is it YOU also overstep the commandment of God because of your tradition? For example, God said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘Let him that reviles father or mother end up in death.’ But YOU say, ‘Whoever says to his father or mother: “Whatever I have by which you might get benefit from me is a gift dedicated to God,” he must not honor his father at all.’ And so YOU have made the word of God invalid because of your tradition." - Matthew 15:3-6

In our day the children of God are not under law. As it is written, "For such freedom Christ set us free. Therefore stand fast, and do not let yourselves be confined again in a yoke of slavery." As Paul makes clear to the Romans and Galatians - Christ put an end to law and law does not produce righteousness. (Galatians 2:15-21)

However be that as it may religious leaders today do not manifest Christ's spirit but instead the spirit of the scribes and Pharisees. For such ones scripture is not enough. Holy spirit is not enough. In order to protect their flock they feel the need to make numerous laws and regulations and guidelines in order to keep ones from works of flesh.

At Galatians 5:19-21 Paul writes a brief list of various works of the flesh saying:

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, and they are fornication, uncleanness, loose conduct, idolatry, practice of spiritism, enmities, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, contentions, divisions, sects, envies, drunken bouts, revelries, and things like these.

Now what is of interest is that Paul does not set out to detail in a legalistic manner any of the above nor to set out an exhaustive list of "works of the flesh". After listing a few he says, "and things like these". Christians didn't need to be versed in all the different ways the flesh manifests itself in order to avoid them. He instead opts for a more beneficial course of action, as he says in verse 16 "Keep walking by spirit and you will carry out no fleshly desires at all."

Yet today in a legalistic fashion numerous works have been written to enumerate all the different types of works of the flesh. One recent example is found in the July 1, 2006 issue of the Watchtower magazine's "Questions From Readers" as it sets out to define what is considered "fornication", verses "loose conduct", verses "uncleaness" as well as the punishments that each act warrants.

The legalistic nature of article is welled summed up by its treatment of pornography as follows:

"Some Christians have become involved in the viewing of pornography. This is offensive to God, and the elders may be shocked that a fellow believer has done this. But not all viewing of pornography calls for a hearing before a judicial committee. For example, suppose a brother view so-called soft-core pornography on several occasions. He is ashamed, confesses to an elder, and is determined not to repeat this sin. The elder might well conclude that the brother's conduct did not escalate to the point that he engaged in "uncleanness . . . with greediness"; nor did he display a brazen attitude, indicating loose conduct. Although no judicial action would be warranted, this type of uncleanness would call for strong Scriptural counsel and perhaps follow-up help from the elders.

However, supppose a Christian has secretly viewed abhorrent, sexually degrading pornography for years and has done everying possible to conceal this sin. Such pornography might feature gang rape, bondage, sadistic torture, the brutalizing of women, or even child pornography. When others become aware of his conduct, he is deeply ashamed. He has not been brazen, but the elders may determine that he has 'given himself over' to his filthy habit and has practiced 'uncleaness with greediness,' that is, gross uncleanness. A judicial committee would be formed because gross uncleanness is involved. The wrongdoer would be disfellowshipped if he did not display godly repentance and the determination never to view pornography again. If he invited others to his home to view pornography-in effect, promoting it-he would give evidence of a brazen attitude characterizing loose conduct."


We contrast the above legal construct with Jesus' simple words "But I say to you that everyone that keeps on looking at a woman so as to have a passion for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart" or Paul's instruction to "deaden therefore your body members that are on earth with respects to fornication" or James' words "But each one is tried by being drawn out and enticed by his own desire. Then the desire, when it has become fertile, gives birth to sin; in turn, sin, when it has been accomplished, brings forth death." (Matthew 5:28; Colossians 3:5, James 1:14,15)

The problem with laws and rules is that there can never be enough to cover every breed of wrongdoing. As for the above example it may be asked what is considered "soft-core pornography"? For that matter what constitutes pornography at all? Is a sex scene in a movie, pornography? If there is nudity? If there is not?

Wouldn't it be so much better to focus instead on helping Christians to keep walking by the spirit so as to carry out no fleshy desire at all? I cannot emphasize Paul's word enough, "Furthermore, if you are being led by spirit, you are not under law." - Galatians 5:16,18

Jesus rejected the oral law and traditions and gave us something better - something purer - something more righteous. Laws are cheap and easy and in the end do not produce moral people. As we discussed laws do not produce righteousness. Please consider the anarchy that quickly develops in times of disaster where law enforcement suddenly disappears. So to in a Christian congregation we would ask what would happen if suddenly there was no threat of disfellowshipping or so-called "judicial" action? What would happen if there was no elder body or governing body to enumerate what was right or wrong?

If the only thing keeping the congregation clean is such laws and expulsion threats that would be a pretty sad thing. On the other hand for those who are trained to be lead by the spirit the scripture is enough. They don't need self-styled scribes to tell them what is loose conduct, what is uncleaness. They are lead by a Bible trained conscience and the spirit of Christ in them.

"However, YOU are in harmony, not with the flesh, but with the spirit, if God’s spirit truly dwells in YOU. But if anyone does not have Christ’s spirit, this one does not belong to him. But if Christ is in union with YOU, the body indeed is dead on account of sin, but the spirit is life on account of righteousness. If, now, the spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in YOU, he that raised up Christ Jesus from the dead will also make YOUR mortal bodies alive through his spirit that resides in YOU." - Romans 8:9-11

On the other hand, the fruitage of the spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, mildness, self-control. Against such things there is no law. Moreover, those who belong to Christ Jesus impaled the flesh together with its passions and desires.

If we are living by spirit, let us go on walking orderly also by spirit. - Galatians 5:22-26

What are the Requirements of True Christianity

I enjoyed reading this essay recently written by a brother and thought I would share the link.

What are the Requirements Of True Christianity