(10/17/2018) Watching The Science Channel?

Education, a stained glass window by Louis Comfort Tiffany, depicts Science (personified by Devotion, Labor, Truth, Research, and Intuition) and Religion (personified by Purity, Faith, Hope, Reverence, and Inspiration) in harmony, presided over by Love. (see reference below)

Today, reply is on science, sin, and spiritual confusion. Given that broadcast television uses many of the same materials, standards, and production values for educational programs that also are used for features emphasizing amusement, entertainment, hilarity, and levity, Christian believers are to be discerning, thoughtful, and vigilant as TV viewers, also. The fighter in the “Yahoo! Answers” Religion and Spirituality public forum who uses the ID “Anonymous” (no profile information shared) posted the following:

Is it a sin for a Christian to watch the science channel?

Science seems cool. Maybe I should major in a science major or Heath care

THE GOLDEN ARROW: 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. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 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. (Romans 8: 5-9, King James Version, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: The Gift Of GOD (10/15/2018); Comparing Sacred and Secular (03/15/2018); The Option of Atheism (02/11/2018); Mythology Opposes Christian Belief (01/08/2018); Wisdom In A Mystery (11/22/2017); Idolatry -- Exalting Human Devices? (09/21/2017); Growth Is Through Edification (06/20/2017); Double Standard? (10/12/2012); Family and Romance (10/13/2012)

“Anonymous”, here are some points that may be helpful:

1. Where education and inquiry are balanced, complete, and properly structured they do not transgress divine law, or become a source of spiritual confusion.

2. Mankind is not condemned by examining, measuring, or reordering aspects of their own sphere of life. Even so, errors that deny the divine foundation and sacred origins of mankind favor nonexistence and a return to the conditions of chaos and flux that were in place as preexistence.

3. Sin is not rational, is self-destructive, and opposes the continued existence of sacred law, the Lawgiver, and the Creation that has been put forth as an expression of divine order.

4. Developing Christian believers are to exist as the new creation from Jesus Christ, and are to continually display spirit substance from the makeup of divinity. Included should be faith, forbearance, forgiveness, holiness, integrity, longsuffering, lovingkindness, personhood, wisdom, and wrath against sin.

5. The mechanical, natural, and spiritual life processes for created beings and living creatures on the earth all include directing ones awareness and self-will (we say, willpower) for discovery, evaluating and using information, gradual growth, learning, focused practice, and achieving stability.

6. Many are quick to accept as truth in place of sacred knowledge untested assumptions, conclusions from carnal reasoning that are intended as assurances, secular knowledge, opinions, and speculation.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, consider the following that uses language from the Bible:

(1.) 1^st John 3: 4, King James Version (KJV): 4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

(2.) Proverbs 24: 9, KJV: 9 The thought of foolishness is sin: and the scorner is an abomination to men.

(3.) Romans 14: 23, KJV: 23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

(4.) Colossians 2: 6-9, KJV: 6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. 8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. 9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC

The image, Education, by Louis Comfort Tiffany, was downloaded from the article by Rachel E. Gross, Do Science and Religion Conflict? 11: 20 AM, 10/17/2018 from the Slate Internet Site http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/science/2015/10/highly_religious_people_see_little_conflict_with_science.html

(03/24/2015) What the Preacher Said…?

Today, reply is made to a question about gold existing in heaven, and whether heaven is real.  In addition to a fresh endowment of spirit substance from the makeup of divinity such as faith, holiness, wisdom, and wrath against sin, believers in Christ also must develop discernment (ability to use ones own spirit matter as a standard to recognize and respond to the sacred content in events, other persons, Scriptures, etc.), and increasingly practice meekness (humility and the ability to accept instruction, testimony, or witness from operations of the Holy Spirit, or from clergy and other believers).  Where questions arise regarding any of the information shared during a meeting (e.g., announcements, doctrines, proclamations, sermons, or even casual and offhand remarks) members are to apply the means and practices provided by GOD that include dialog with other believers (particularly, the one who was the original source of what is being shared), prayer, reflection, translation, and careful study of the holy writings.  Trust also is fostered by believers knowing that what is spoken before a congregation is often utterance guided by the Holy Spirit (we also say, the Comforter, the Spirit of Prophecy, the Spirit of Truth).  All who serve as prophets, spokespersons, and those sent in the name of divinity are in the ongoing process of divine judgment, and must speak truth only.  More than simply those who make a mistake, perjure themselves, or sin through ignorance, false prophets and liars are condemned as blasphemers against the Holy Spirit, who will never be granted divine forgiveness.  The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using “Anonymous” as an ID (no profile information available) posted the following thrust:


Is Heaven real? if so, is it really made of real Gold? That's what the preacher said Sunday morning.?


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.  Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?  Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.  Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.  But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.  This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.  For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.  But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.  And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.  (James 3:  10-18, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  How Do You Know? (02/25/2015); GOD Is A Spirit? (12/17/2014); The Storm-battered City? (03/29/2014); All Lying Forbidden? (03/04/2014); Wrong Not to Forgive? (03/05/2014); Face to Face Like Moses? (01/28/2014); Covenants and Relationships (01/29/2014);  Foolish For Not Believing? (03/22/2013); Science and the Laws of Nature? (03/23/2013); Spirit Matter (10/21/2012); Caesarea Philippi (10/22/2012); A Man in Heaven? (09/23/2012); Aliens? (09/24/2012)


“Anonymous”, Christian believers must hold to understandings that emerge as sacred knowledge and divine revelation.  Believers are to carefully examine what is said to them by clergy and others against the holy writings.  Thus, consider the following:

(1.)  John 3:  11-13 King James Version (KJV):  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.

(2.)  John 14:  1-3 (KJV):  Let not your heart be troubled:  ye believe in God, believe also in me.  In my Father’s house are many mansions:  if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

(3.)  Romans 1:  16-21 (KJV):  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ:  for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith:  as it is written, The just shall live by faith.  For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;  Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.  For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:  Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

(4.)  1st John 5:  9-11 (KJV):  If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater:  for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.  He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself:  he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.  And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

There is far more to be plainly said, correctly understood, and to get a proper grip upon.  (For example, (5.)  The idea of material things in the highest place of spirit beings (angels, sacred beasts, immortal Deity) is as difficult as the teachings about Jesus remaining incarnate (having a body of flesh and bone) and serving as High Priest within the Temple Sanctuary of Heaven.  Believers absolutely must trust that nothing is impossible for GOD.  Thus, as we continue to “grow again” (once born again), we accept that the streets of gold appear within the city, the New Jerusalem, that is to be placed upon the earth.  Nor do we doubt that the sea of glass, the tree of life, and the crowns cast away by the twenty four elders are physical and real.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC