(10/08/2019) The "History" Of Christ

A reed shaken in the wind?

Today, reply is on the acknowledgment of John the Baptist and the lack of investigation and reporting on Jesus Christ in the work of Josephus and other recorders of History. History is a man-made practice, and a device within the World system for meaning and survival. The church founded by Jesus Christ continues to rely on the recorded eyewitness accounts provided as immutable and unchanging testimony offered and acknowledged by divinity as truth in the ongoing tribunals of sacred judgment. It is written: John 5: 33-39, King James Version (KJV): 33 Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth. 34 But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved. 35 He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light. 36 But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me. 37 And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape. 38 And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not. 39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. A fighter in the “Yahoo! Answers” public forum who uses the ID “Trilobiteme” (Level 4 with 3,081 points, a member since September 29, 2011) posted the following:

Why do historians except the mention of John the Baptist but not Jesus Christ in Josephus Annqituties of the Jews?

THE GOLDEN ARROW: Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. (John 3: 11-13, King James Version, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: The Increase of Christ? (12/07/2018); Secular History, Sacred Revelation? (01/11/2018); The Best Starting Point? (09/13/2016); On Transmitting Sacred Truth (05/06/2016); Sacred Events Were Dismissed? (11/05/2015); He Must Increase? (04/01/2015); The Baptist and The Tishbite? (02/18/2015); “Authorized Personnel Only”? (03/13/2013)

“Trilobiteme”, among Christian believers, the appearance of both John the Baptist and Jesus Christ, who were filled with the Holy Spirit long before their birth, make visible (manifest) operations and spirit substance from the makeup of divine fullness (we also say, divinity; the Godhead; the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit). The coming of John and Jesus are spoken of within the holy writings using the prophetic figures of Elijah the Tishbite, the lamb of GOD, and the Messiah. That divinity would show themselves on the earth using the form of human flesh (we say, the Christ; the Incarnation) is a sacred event (we also say, miracle), known and correctly valued primarily as sacred knowledge, revelation, and consciousness provided through fresh endowments of spirit matter imparted from GOD (e.g., faith, holiness, joy, longsuffering, lovingkindness, wisdom, and wrath against sin). As a discipline among the fields of Social Science, the focus and process of History remains human affairs, events in the material and social world, secular knowledge, and carnal reason. The focus and tools for history include dates, influences, locations, prominent actors, and thought leaders. Events may be described as recurring, and therefore, predictable cycles, patterns, and sequences that may be manipulated, and described in detail using a form that compares to narrative that has an opening (we also say, a beginning or start), multiple episodes, and a finish (a close; an end). Properly carried out, when historians provide their treatment of a subject, they suppress bias, conjecture, folklore, imagination, prejudice, and speculation. There may be the use of mathematical and statistical calculations for the accuracy, likelihood, and probability of their conclusion, or of occurrences; there may be the use of artifacts, government chronicles, and other documentation to authenticate and serve as evidence (testimony; witness) to the actuality of events as described; and there may be reviews and critical statements to clarify the method and process for the data gathering and presentation. Concerning John the Baptist and Jesus Christ, consider the following from the Bible that includes writings by Luke, a historian and gospel writer (yet, not one of the 12 apostles):

1. Genesis 22: 6-8, King James Version (KJV): 6 And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together. 7 And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering? 8 And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.

2. John 1: 6-8, KJV: 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. 8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.

3. John 1: 29-37, KJV: 29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. 30 This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. 31 And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. 32 And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. 33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. 34 And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God. 35 Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; 36 And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! 37 And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.

4. Luke 3: 1-6, KJV: 1 Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene, 2 Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness. 3 And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins; 4 As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. 5 Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth; 6 And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, 5. Luke 7: 19-29, KJV: 19 And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another? 20 When the men were come unto him, they said, John Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another? 21 And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight. 22 Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached. 23 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me. 24 And when the messengers of John were departed, he began to speak unto the people concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness for to see? A reed shaken with the wind? 25 But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they which are gorgeously apparelled, and live delicately, are in kings’ courts. 26 But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet. 27 This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. 28 For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he. 29 And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John.)

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THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC

(02/24/2019) Black History Month, 2019

Dr. Carter G. Woodson, Historian

Today, some thoughts are shared for Black History Month, 2019. As evidenced by the removal of Civil War statues, and the changing of names for public office buildings, schools and major thoroughfares, many forward-looking American communities and institutions are now in a full transition to acknowledge the War Between the States and its influence on the expression of public issues to have its greatest value as heritage and history, rather than, as before, being necessary as a vital element for mutual acceptance, solidarity, and survival while rising from the ruin of war. All Americans are being challenged to correctly grasp the true benefit, nature, and substance both of heritage, and that of genuine history. Because the minds and hearts of Christians dwell on lofty sacred themes of eternal spirit and immortality, many seem to dismiss the importance of simple earthly elements that describe the human predicament such as kinship, duty, time, and place. Even so, a physician acting as a chronicler and historian contributed two books of the Bible (the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts). The holy writings plainly establish that there are intangibles and unseen things that also must come into view because they further determine the human condition and ongoing events. Included are such features as desire, faith, hope, motivation, and willpower. Even as scholars, where we will repeatedly focus on such elements as discrimination, injustice, oppression, prejudice and racism, or upon the multiple difficulties, failures, and hardships that describe human experience, there is great danger that we may become caught up within the cycles of cynicism, despair, disappointment, and skepticism. There must be tried focus and tested order that will shield the emotional, mental, and psychological aspects of those who seek to document and preserve a lasting record to benefit future generations. Just as genuine faith will be discerned through works of righteousness, quality research will be distinguished and recognized as excellent on the basis of its robustness and rigor. There are many presentations and television documentary films, now, that are being regarded as “historical” because their intent is to expose the background of great events, of social movements, and of the sacrifices made by the great men remembered as leaders and participants. Unfortunately, the true character and substance for such productions often is that of celebrating secular knowledge, commercial advertising and selling, fostering nostalgia and sentiment, the promotion of popular culture, and the re-affirmation of questionable customs, themes, and traditions. The true goals, method, and substance of Black History are those of an academic field, a Liberal Arts curriculum, and an authentic Social Science. Thus, there are demands for clarity, exactness, objectivity, precision, and validity that may not be ignored, and are not to be forgotten. The same way educators and parents are now encouraging STEM, we also must be careful to encourage the scientific practice of History.

THE GOLDEN ARROW: Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding. He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot. Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. (Proverbs 9: 6-11, King James Version, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: A Battleaxe on War (11/13/2018); Arrayed In Sacred Favor (02/25/2018); Bloody Sunday -- Black History (02/14/2018); George Washington Owned Slaves (08/17/2017); Tools For Knowing Divinity (05/12/2017); Fulfillment of His Dream? (04/05/2017); The Best Starting Point? (09/13/2016); The Accounts of Giants (05/24/2016); Academic Language? (12/10/2015)

RIGOR

[Black History Month, 2019]

Because History is a science

and its method is not shaped to say

I love you

or to lionize a fashion

culture pop, legend, myth, and lore

precise expressions

focused tools

are taken up

the measurable dimensions of

mankind

through artifacts

and documents

rather than emotions

issues, feelings

there is

the disciplined search

for cause

effect

and regularity

hypothesis and theory

probe for law

case study is not satisfied

with anecdote

broadcast news report

and even oral tradition

must meet standards

that will sate the tests of time

a harvest from this field

requires seed

finite with limits

not always for forecasting and prediction

the study has its worth because

the trust is that the truth

will set you free

the study has its worth

because of rigor.

©Michael Andrew Williams, 2019. All rights reserved.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC

(05/12/2017) Tools For Knowing Divinity

Today, the value of logic and other finite tools for knowing are considered.  The appropriate human tools required to process assumptions, recorded data, observations, propositions, and secular knowledge include intelligence, carnal reason, critical thinking, and recall.  When asked to share sacred knowledge and to impart spirit content to others the appropriate tools to be used by Christian believers include divine law, doctrine, parables, enduring principles, promises, prophecy, proverbs, personal testimony, warnings, and texts from the holy writings.  One of the fighters at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Anonymous” (no profile information appears) posted the following:


Why don't christians use their own logic instead of parroting what their pastors tell them?

I've never met a Christian that can use their own logic to prove that God exists.


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,  According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:  Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.  And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;  And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;  And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.  For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.  Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure:  for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:  For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.  (2nd Peter 1:  2-11, King James Version, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  On Being Too Smart (04/30/2017); How To Know GOD? (12/12/2016); The Best Starting Point? (09/13/2016); Possible For Intelligent People? (02/07/2016); The Correct Prescription? (11/19/2015); Knowing? (05/24/2015); Believers and Evolution? (02/02/2015); GOD in Schools? (12/20/2012); Naaman the Leper (12/21/2012)


“Anonymous”, your statement is illogical; do not be surprised that non-Christians and sinners can not think and perform like Christians.  In effect you have shared a flawed syllogism like saying, “All cats are felines.  Lions and tigers are felines.  I’ve never seen a kitten that roars like a tiger.”  In the same way we are to accept ABCDEFG “by definition” and as a fixed pattern in existence that also includes XYZ, sinners and those outside the system of Christian belief first must accept that GOD is an “active presence” who displays person and eternal purpose, and has put forth everything described as being in existence.  Saying this another way, GOD is a breath (life essence, spirit, word), who is immortal, incorruptible, and invisible and must be known on the basis of ones own spirit substance.  The process from mathematics that uses theorems, corollaries, and precise calculations for demonstrating what we call “proofs” can not be transferred to the Social Science of Theology.  Similarly, Aristotelian logic and discursive thought are not the primary tools in the operations for knowing GOD, or for acquiring sacred knowledge. 

To eventually function as mature Christians, the living must experience growth and permanent changes in their awareness and self-will by receiving inseparable spirit content from the makeup of divinity.  Included are faith, holiness, hope, longsuffering, lovingkindness, wisdom, and wrath against sin.  Faith is made up only of faith, holiness only of holiness, wisdom only of wisdom, etc.  Where one appears all are present, however, not always in the same distribution, measure and proportion (so to speak, “you can’t separate the wet from the water”).  Thus, there is a dynamic of balance, exchange, interaction, movement, and reconfiguration among these aspects of divinity.

Correctly understood, self-promotion is never the objective of a Christian whether sharing in the public forum or in private.  The believer is to display the heart, mind, and spirit of Jesus Christ.  The most correct responses for those sharing Christian belief will center in admonition, doctrine, instruction, ministry, and personal testimony (i.e., eye-witness accounts and verbal statements shared under oath that have weight as evidence in judgment as a full manifesting of the speakers integrity).  Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible:

(1.)  2nd Timothy 3:  16-17, King James Version (KJV):  16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:  17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

(2.)  2nd Timothy 2:  14-16, KJV:  14 Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.  15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.  16 But shun profane and vain babblings:  for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

(3.)  Psalms 119:  98-101, KJV:  98 Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies:  for they are ever with me.  99 I have more understanding than all my teachers:  for thy testimonies are my meditation.  100 I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.  101 I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word.

(4.)  1st Corinthians 1:  9-10, KJV:  9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.  10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (5.)  Romans 8:  5-9, KJV:  5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.  6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.  7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God:  for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.  8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.  9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(09/13/2016) The Best Starting Point?

Today, reply is made to a parent who promotes the “common  understanding of history” and the “Great Books” as basic to helping children realize the common moral imperatives.  Given that acquiring godliness and resisting sin are more than an intellectual process that depends upon exchanging secular data and information, the finite human tools for academics, history, philosophy, science, and technology are inappropriate and insufficient.  Believers can not go beyond what GOD is providing and supplying; nor may they go at a pace faster than that set by the active presence of divinity.  For Christian believers, the process of conveying and transmitting spiritual standards and values to ones own children actually is no less than that of divine revelation.  Divinity must appear emanating and imparting through daily living routines the divine spirit matter the parents themselves have received through new birth, fellowship with other believers, study of the holy writings, and ongoing experiences of growth in Christ.  Included should be such inseparable aspects of the divine makeup as awe (fear of the Lord), faith, forbearance, forgiveness, holiness, humility, longsuffering, meekness, wisdom, and wrath against sin.  The fighter at “Yahoo! 7 Answers (Australia)” using the ID “Taylor” (Level 5 with 6,254 points, a member since August 03, 2016) posted the following:

Theist and Atheist parents should start out from the common understanding of history?

This is so untrue from my experience. Any honest parent, believer or not, would emphasize the one common moral imperative ::

“More consequences for thought and action follow the affirmation or denial of God than from answering any other basic question.”

- Mortimer Adler

(Great Books of the Western World (Chicago: Encyclopedia Britannica, 1

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;  One Lord, one faith, one baptism,  One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.  But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.  Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.  (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?  He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)  And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;  For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:  Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:  That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;  But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:  From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.  (Ephesians 4:  4-16, King James Version, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Possible For Intelligent People? (02/07/2016); Correct Awe and Respect (02/04/2016); To Study the Book of Judges (09/09/2015); Awe? (08/09/2015); The First Book of the Bible? (11/20/2014); The Beginning of Wisdom? (11/21/2014); GOD in Schools? (12/20/2012); Naaman the Leper (12/21/2012)  

“Taylor”, divine law, sacred principles, the knowledge of the Holy, and living relationship with our Creator must be the starting point for acquiring sacred knowledge and practice (we say, sacraments).  On the surface, History as a field of academic discipline and Social Science offers reliable and tested methods for growth and learning that can produce lasting structures for a person’s mind and lifestyle.  However, closer examination shows that focus upon natural and secular history center upon animal and carnal behavior, human events, and life process described as cyclic, mechanical, and repetitive.  To be grounded primarily in the study of history is to be grounded in a focus upon human errors that include teachings supporting an unprofitable theory of evolution. 

Theories are intended to generate questions, and in turn, the questions are to suggest and lend direction for discovering the answers.  (So, ask the right questions, to get the right answers.)  The communication, dialog and discourse that theories may foster also includes much that is errant and “vain”—that is, lacking sacred substance; without life essence (we say, breath, spirit, word); having no power or value as revelation from GOD.

Sinners are to take up the holy writings, begin fellowship with mature believers, and start their own careful study to internalize the doctrines and principles within the Scriptures that speak to maintaining intimate relationship with divinity as children, heirs, and the offspring of GOD.  The focus then is the revelation of GOD, how invisible divinity has made Deity knowable and known using thousands of events, appearing in thousands of lives, over the course of thousands of years throughout all the diverse spheres of life (e.g., earth, heaven, the universe). 

Every believer begins with errors, gaps in knowledge, ignorance, and a multitude of things they ought to know, yet are lacking.  Having correct information from GOD is like having cool water on a blazing hot day.  Therefore, the best starting point is a commitment to GOD wherein a person displays humility, respect, willingness to listen, and a sincere desire to receive maturity and permanent change.  Consider how some of this is stated using language from the Bible:

(1.)  Genesis 1:  1-3, King James Version (KJV):  1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.  2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.  3 And God said, Let there be light:  and there was light. 

(2.)  Proverbs 1:  7-10, KJV:  7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge:  but fools despise wisdom and instruction.  8 My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:  9 For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.  10 My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.

(3.) Proverbs 9:  6-10, KJV:  6 Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.  7 He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame:  and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot.  8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee:  rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.  9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser:  teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.  10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom:  and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

There is far more to be said, carefully examined, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (4.)  Revelation 22:  12-17, KJV:  12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.  13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.  14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.  15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.  16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.  17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(03/09/2016) Passover After The Cross?

Today, points are shared on academic and secular reporting, and the Passover in Christian belief and practice.  Readers are to reflect on the following from the holy writings and the presentation below:

Isaiah 53:  1-5, King James Version (KJV):  1 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?  2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground:  he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.  3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief:  and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.  4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows:  yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.  5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities:  the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

John 5:  43-47, KJV:  43 I am come in my Father’s name, and ye receive me not:  if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.  44 How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?  45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father:  there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust.  46 For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me:  for he wrote of me.  47 But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?

John 3:  11-15, KJV:  11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.  12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?  13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.  14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:  15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

The writer at “Yahoo! Answers” using as her ID “anna” (Level 1 with 99 points, a member since February 06, 2016) posted the following:


My re teacher wants me to write a through the keyhole account about the Christian celebration the Passover. Can someone give me an example?


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:  That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?  Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again,  He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.  These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him.  Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:  For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.  Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me.  And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me.  I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.  (John 12:  37-46, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Focus Upon The Cross? (03/01/2016); The Cross Must Occur? (02/23/2016); The Only One Sent? (02/19/2016); To Express the Fullness of GOD? (07/09/2015); Divine Purpose? (01/08/2015); About the Second Coming? (01/18/2014); Unprofitable Servants? (01/19/2014); Why Blood? (04/13/2013); Time Before the Sun? (04/14/2013)


“anna”, your teacher’s idea seems to be that you should write your paper as though you were present as a social scientist (e.g., anthropologist, ethnologist, historian, sociologist) using the technique of “participant observation.”  Your “eyewitness” report should be formal, scientific and structured, written by an “informed spectator,” one silent and unobtrusive.  However, through operations of the Holy Spirit, blood and truth from the cross are flowing despite time and space to here and now.  The Passover is to be recognized as more than a memorial of the Exodus from Egypt.  Mature Christian believers accept the death of Jesus Christ upon the cross as a crucial response by divinity to maintain the continuing existence of all Creation.  Multiple sacred initiatives are being completed and fulfilled that are to actualize eternal purposes.  Included are revelation (divinity becoming knowable and known to created beings and living creatures); covenant relationship (legal agreements that include proclamations, promises and prophecies that establish both intimate and perpetual association such as adoption and inheritance); Incarnation (the appearance of GOD, who is a spirit, using flesh, form and mortality); atonement, redemption, sacrifice, and salvation (responses to demands by sacred law) as well sanctification and the transformation of mankind to become immortal and incorruptible (i.e., death of ones inborn spirit, rebirth having spirit content from the makeup of Deity).  Just before his arrest, crucifixion, burial, and resurrection, Christ celebrated a new Passover with his disciples (we say, The Last Supper), that served as a covenant meal to ratify and seal the new covenant (testament) in his blood.  Consider how this is stated using the language of the Bible:

(1.)  Hebrews 9:  19-21, King James Version (KJV):  19 For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,  20 Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.  21 Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry.

(2.)  Hebrews 9:  13-15, KJV:  13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:  14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?  15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

(3.)  1st Corinthians 5:  6-8, KJV:  6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?  7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:  8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

There is far more to be said, understood, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (4.)  1st Corinthians 11:  23-26, KJV:  23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:  24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat:  this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.  25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, this cup is the new testament in my blood:  this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.  26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX Washington, DC

(12/10/2015) Academic Language?

The term “Judeo-Christian” is the topic, today, along with the sharing of faith despite differences and diversity.  The Social Sciences as an area of academic discipline have fostered use of the term “Judeo-Christian” when describing cultural phenomena or populations as well as when examining activity between and among national groups.  Neither Christian nor Jewish believers are correctly acknowledged as spiritual bodies (i.e., living units that contain faith, holiness, and other spirit matter from the makeup of Deity).  Where academics insist upon “critical thinking” and study that fails to embrace sacred knowledge the actual focus continues to be conflict, differences, and patterns of human error, rather than divinity, godliness, oneness and unity.  Consider the following Scriptures, and the comments below:  Acts 5:  34-40, King James Version (KJV):  34 Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space;  35 And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men.  36 For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves:  who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought.  37 After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him:  he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.  38 And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone:  for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:  39 But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.  40 And to him they agreed:  and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.  Also, Romans 8:  3-5, KJV:  3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:  4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.  5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.  Romans 3:  28-30, KJV:  28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.  29 Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also:  30 Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.  The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Noah” (Level 3 with 1,115 points, a member since November 16, 2015) posted the following:


Why do People say "Judeo - Christian"?

In view of what we know today, how can there be "Judeo-Christian" anything?

"Judeo-Christian" is as unrealistic as it would be to say anything is "hot-cold," or "old-young," or "heavy-light," or that a person was "healthy-sick," or "poor-rich," or "dumb-smart," or "ignorant-educated," or "happy-sad." These words are antonyms, not synonyms.

A CHRISTian is a believer in and a followr of, the teachings of Jesus CHRIST.

Judeo-Christian....HUH!

Seems to me there's a lot of CONDITIONING going on.


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law:  that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.  Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight:  for by the law is the knowledge of sin.  But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;  Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe:  for there is no difference:  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;  Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:  Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;  To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness:  that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.  (Romans 3:  19-26, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  A GOD of Judgment (12/01/2015); Tools for Revelation? (10/26/2015); To Study the Book of Judges (09/09/2015); Instruments, Tools and Workers? (07/23/2015); Christ Brought A New Nature? (07/15/2015); More About the Trinity? (03/30/2015)


“Noah”, the expression “Judeo-Christian” is recognized by many as “academic” or “scholarly” language used among those who examine the things of divinity as being abstractions, mental constructs, and secular traditions.  On the one hand, very real differences that exist between Christian and Jewish belief are to be correctly “acknowledged”.  On the other hand, none may dismiss the shared expectations, origins, processes, and values for the two distinct expressions of faith.  Historically, the early Christians were condemned and persecuted by the High Priest and others of the Jewish hierarchy as being another in a series of misguided, unorthodox, extremist groups within their community that followed a charismatic leader (we say, a cult).  It remains as firm belief for many that Deity is active through created beings and living creatures, and is fulfilling eternal purposes through the things that exist.  For those today who pursue faith as a matter of lifestyle, self-awareness, and communal definition, Jewish belief appears as conservative and unchanging, having its primary purpose as continuing covenant relationship with divinity, manifesting divine law, and preserving oracles from GOD.  By contrast, Christian belief is active, forward-looking, and volatile because grounded in prophecy and revelation.   Christian belief declares a new covenant with new understandings for sacred law and judgment.  Consider again the language provided throughout the holy writings:

(1.)  Deuteronomy 7:  6-10, King James Version (KJV):  6 For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God:  the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.  7 The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people:  8 But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.  9 Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;  10 And repayeth them that hate him to their face, to destroy them:  he will not be slack to him that hateth him, he will repay him to his face.

(2.)  Romans 2:  28-29, KJV:  28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:  29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

(3.)  Romans 3:  1-3, KJV:  1 What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?  2 Much every way:  chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.  3 For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?

(4.)  Romans 2:  12-15, KJV:  12 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;  13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.  14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:  15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)

(5.)  Romans 9:  30-32, KJV:  30 What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.  31 But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.  32 Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;

(6.)  Hebrews 9:  19-23, KJV:  19 For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,  20 Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.  21 Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry.  22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.  23 It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.

There are many other verses that should be carefully considered, correctly understood, and made a part of ones own expression of faith.  (For example, (7.)  Hebrews 9:  11-15, KJV:  11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;  12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.  13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:  14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?  15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Many are called, but few will show themselves to be the elect.  Be it unto you according to your faith.


THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC