Leaderboard

Communism and religion have always clashed. From Soviet Russia to modern China, regimes suppressed faith to ensure state loyalty. Religion’s power to inspire resistance made it a threat, but faith is resilient.View the full article

My attempted contribution to understanding of Michael’s identity here is a small one. But given the long-standing dispute among biblical scholars, even a small contribution can be helpful. In the book of Revelation multiple symbols often refer to the same entity (note, for example, the five designations for Satan in Revelation 12:9). The literary strategy […] The post Conclusion to the Series on Michael the Archangel appeared first on Jon Paulien's Blog. View the full article

I find the below funny, but with a bit truth. https://atoday.org/satire-gc-recognized-as-greenest-organization-on-planet-for-recycling-of-old-ideas/ Remember, the above is satire.

Four Books: The following article reports on four recent books (2019 - 2023) that report on life in Adventism. I suggest that they may be of interest and worthy of reading. In In addition, the article reports on scheduled Zoom conferences that will discuss the books. https://spectrummagazine.org/culture/books-film/faith-and-reason-x-spectrum-series-writing-from-the-borders-of-adventism/

Satan is a Spirit not unlike any other Angelic being and wouldn't have horns, bat wings or any of the other anthropomorphic attributes artists have bestowed him with. As humans we sense by what we can see, feel, smell - depictions of Satan looking horrific and evil adds something to be seen to something that's invisible by nature.

To understand Deuteronomy 21:10-14, it is important to set those instructions into the context of how women were treated in war in the Ancient Near East. As noted by William Webb, God was introducing an incremental, redemptive ethic into a very messed-up social situation. Deuteronomy 21 shines much more brightly when seen in the context […] The post War Treatment of Women in the Ancient Near East appeared first on Jon Paulien's Blog. View the full article

I can't find fault with or disagree with a single word you said there.

A Job Fiar,was recently held by a Florida SDA Chruch. Two hundred and twenty-six people attended seeking jobs. One hundred fifty-seven of those were hired, which is 69%! Outstanding! https://adventistreview.org/news/more-than-150-people-gain-employment-after-local-church-job-fair/

From what I understand Tranvestite's are the ones that don't appreciate genderless cans - they appear to want the traditional men's / women's bathrooms. You are well within your rights to demand the safety of your granddaughters - I would support you in that 100%. In my view disordered lifestyles should not be advertised / celebrated in the way they are now - I don't believe these types of lifestyles are healthy for kids. I watch these catch a predator video's on instagram and it's not surprising all the rainbow flag symbols I see on hats, shirts and sunglasses being worn by the predators - they do indeed like suckling pig.

I want to leave no doubt on this when I say Transvestites should NOT have access to children. My personal take on this issue is that there is only two options - severe mental illness or unabashed perversion whereas Tranny'ism is concerned. That being said I also firmly believe that sin is sin therefore just because I'm not dressing up as a woman and stuffing things up my backside and trying to bugger kids I am in just as much danger of hell fire as is anyone else be they straight or in the LGBTQQAA++ community. If I was in charge of things I would insure there were men's and women's bathrooms and in proximity there would be a tranny-can (unisex). Your granddaughters should NOT have to share a bathroom with a man masquerading as a woman. I have to constantly remind myself that someone else's sin isn't worse than mine (just because it's not my sin). A straight person sins are no less offensive to God than a Tranny-man's sins - both need God to make it to the eternal kingdom.

Here is the question: would you accept the membership of a practicing prostitute, a dope dealer, a man who is married but all know his mistress who both are in the church? No one who practices and boasts of their sin should ever obtain membership. For the wrath of YAHWEH is revealed from Heaven against all wickedness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness. Because that which may be known of ELOHIYM is manifest in them; for ELOHIYM hath showed 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 MAJESTY, so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew ELOHIYM, they esteemed him not as YAHWEH, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools and changed the magnificence of the UNCORRUTIBLE ELOHIYM into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore ELOHIYM also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of ELOHIYM into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the CREATOR, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this cause, ELOHIYM gave them up unto vile affections, for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise, also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was fit. And even as they did not like to retain Elohim in their knowledge, ELOHIYM gave them over to a reprobate mind to do those things which are not fit. Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, backbiters, haters of YAHWEH, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents. Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of ELOHIYM, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same but have pleasure in them that do them. (Rom 1:18-32 WOY) These verses from Paul to all who want to follow YAHWEH ELOHIYM that none of these sins will be accepted in Heaven nor should it be accepted with those who claim to accept HIS Covenant! It is not only about gay it about all who boast to continue in sin and then want to become a member should never be accepted.

If we be kind and loving and stand for truth. All sinners who want to change will change. Our help is to lead by example and let THE HOLY SPIRIT do the rest! Blessing!

The work of William Webb and Gordon Oeste suggests a very important principle of interpretation, when it comes to the Bible. Since God meets people where they are, God’s revelations are couched not only in the language, time, and place of the biblical writer, they are accommodated to the understanding of those receiving the revelations. […] The post The Big Principle: The Ideal and the Real appeared first on Jon Paulien's Blog. View the full article

I have really appreciated the researched done by William Webb and Gordon Oeste in the book entitled Bloody, Brutal and Barbaric? Wrestling with Troubling War Texts. It was published in 2019 by InterVarsity Press, Downer’s Grove, Illinois. The book is heavy reading and quite detailed, but I highly recommend it for those who are willing […] The post The work of William Webb and Gordon Oeste appeared first on Jon Paulien's Blog. View the full article

Deut 21:10-14: “When you go out to war against your enemies, and the LORD your God gives them into your hand and you take them captive, 11 and you see among the captives a beautiful woman and you desire to take her to be your wife, 12 and you bring her home to your house, […] The post Deuteronomy 21:10-14: How Israelites Should Treat Female Captives After Battle appeared first on Jon Paulien's Blog. View the full article

Exploring the rise of antisemitism in the political spectrum, from the far right to the far left. How dangerous rhetoric fuels hatred and violence.View the full article

Since writing up the above blog sequence and presenting it at the annual meeting of the Adventist Society for Religious Studies in San Antonio (November 2023), I have observed further aspects of the context of Revelation 12:7 that lean me in favor of identifying Michael with Jesus Christ. For one thing, the male child appears […] The post Further arguments from Revelation 12 appeared first on Jon Paulien's Blog. View the full article

The previous blog was a short summary of the debate among biblical scholars regarding the identity of Michael. In this blog, I would like to explore some fresh evidence regarding the identity of Michael drawn from a literary pattern in Revelation. I’ve noticed that whenever the author of Revelation introduces a new character, it is […] The post A Literary Pattern appeared first on Jon Paulien's Blog. View the full article

* My wife and I regularly watch The Chosen. * I do not agree with everything that is presented in the film. * I consider it to be an expellant film series and I recommend it to others as long as people know that there aspects of it that came from the writers and not from the Bible. * Shane, your did well in commenting on it.

Willie Mays, Giants’ electrifying ‘Say Hey Kid,’ has died at 93 Willie Mays, the electrifying “Say Hey Kid” whose singular combination of talent, drive and exuberance made him one of baseball’s greatest and most beloved players, has died. He was 93. https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/06/18/willie-mays-giants-electrifying-say-hey-kid-has-died-at-93/?

Tropical Storm Alberto forms in Gulf while Florida’s east coast to feel Atlantic system effects Tropical Storm Alberto formed in the Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday becoming the first named storm of the year, but a system off the Bahamas with a small chance to develop into a tropical depression or storm is beginning to hit Florida’s coast with some dangerous effects. https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/06/19/florida-coast-to-feel-atlantic-system-effects-while-nhc-also-tracks-potential-tropical-storm/?