Leaderboard

Hi All (apologies for the indulgence of starting a thread about my own username! Wanted to explain myself because the process has been public throughout) I've decided to revert to the username that I had for about 8 of my 10 years on this board: Bravus. A while ago there was an issue in the discussions about people using their real names and, to 'show willing', I changed over to my real name, David Geelan. People will still have that information about me, and I'm happy to stand by everything I post, as myself. There are two three reasons for changing back: I feel more comfortable with my 'handle' - as I said above, it's who I have been for the great majority of my time here, and online generally. People around the world search for my name for professional reasons such as to find books and papers I've written, decide whether they want me as a doctoral supervisor, decide whether I am appropriate for a job, promotion or award and so on. This forum addresses a wide range of issues, but most of them are some distance from my professional issues, and posting here as 'David Geelan' tends to 'muddy the waters' when people search on my name. It's easier to type 'Bravus' than 'David Geelan' to log in, particularly on phones and devices. I hope people will understand and be OK with this reversion.

And here in lays the problem - people do not believe the revelation of the Character of God that Jesus revealed. They cannot reconcile the view of God in the Old Testament with the view that Jesus revealed. They can't believe that in 33 short years was enough of a revelation of God. But that was the purpose of Christ's mission - to make known the Character of God. And most people, including many Adventists, reject that view. Sad.

Having grown up in a period when one could walk down the street of any major city on a moonless midnight to do some shopping, alone and without finding it necessary to watch your back, I will admit I was surprised to see the recent decades downturn. Brings to mind t scripture text. …2For you are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3While people are saying, “Peace and security,” destruction will come upon them suddenly, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4But you, brothers, are not in the darkness so that this day should overtake you like a thief.… 1 Thessalonians 5 5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said: “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.” 6So we say with confidence: “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”… Hebrews 13 God is Love!~Jesus saves! REGIONAL MURDER RATES, 2001 - 2015 MURDER RATES PER 100,000 PEOPLE REGION 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 EXECUTIONS SINCE 1976 (As of 01/19/17) South 5.9 5.5 5.3 5.5 5.5 5.6 6.1 6.6 7.0 6.8 6.6 6.6 6.9 6.8 6.7 1177 Midwest 5.0 4.3 4.5 4.7 4.5 4.4 4.6 4.8 4.9 5.0 4.9 4.7 4.9 5.1 5.3 179 West 4.2 3.9 4.0 4.2 4.2 4.2 4.6 5.0 5.3 5.6 5.8 5.7 5.7 5.7 5.5 85 Northeast 3.5 3.3 3.5 3.8 3.9 4.2 3.8 4.2 4.1 4.5 4.4 4.2 4.2 4.1 4.2 4 NATIONAL RATE 4.9 4.5 4.5 4.7 4.7 4.8 5.0 5.4 5.6 5.7 5.6 5.5 5.7 5.6 5.6

Unless we are talking about "culture of sin" versus "culture of righteousness" there is no need to consider culture in this discussion. Are God's Ten Commandments only applicable to certain cultures? To imply that they have changed, or that the manner of their application has changed, or that God Himself has changed based on the transience of human cultures is to invite all of the faith-destroying questions hinted at in the link given in the OP. God says in Malachi 3:6 "I am the LORD, I change not."