Lions & Tigers & Non-Jews, Oh My!

To MOST Christian's surprise, Judaism (especially modern Judaism) maintains that the righteous of all nations have a place in the world to come. This has been the majority rule since the days of the Talmud. Judaism generally recognizes that Christians and Moslems worship the "same God" that we do and those who follow the tenets of their religions can be considered "righteous in the eyes of God."

Contrary to popular belief, Judaism does not maintain that Jews are better than other people.

Although we refer to ourselves as as "God's chosen people," we do not believe that God chose the Jews because of any inherent superiority.

According to the Talmud (Avodah Zarah 2b), God offered the Torah to all the nations of the earth, and to the Jews, last, and that they only accepted it because God held a mountain over their heads!

(In Ex. 19:17, the words generally translated as "at the foot of the mountain" literally mean "underneath the mountain"!)

A more popular idea in Protestant minds, is that "God chose the Jewish nation because they were the lowliest of nations, and their success would be attributed to God's might rather than their own ability. Clearly, these are not the ideas of a people who think they are better than other nations."

Because of the acceptance of Torah, Jews are supposed to have a special status in the eyes of God, but lose that special status when they abandon Torah. (Enter, me.)

Furthermore, the blessings that Jews received from God by accepting the Torah come with a high price: Jews inflict upon themselves a greater responsibility than non-Jews. While non-Jews are only obligated to obey the seven commandments given to Noah, Jews are responsible for fulfilling the 613 mitzvot in the Torah, thus God will supposedly punish Jews for doing things that would not be a sin for non-Jews.

Sounds a little heavy, huh? So, while the Jewish mindset does not presuppose racial or religious perfection, it does hold itself to a higher (or stricter standard). Just thought I'd clear that up.

Old Ideas Crumble


The Tenach and the feasts of Israel are so essential to our faith and plainly teach about Yeshua. Unfortunately, many Jewish friends have missed the fulfillment of our customs and traditions by our Messiah Yeshua.


Friends, let me tell you some things about the way of Yeshua that I have learned recently.

1. Christians do NOT believe that there are three Gods, "God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit." These are simply persons of ONE GOD, of our GOD.



2. Believing in Yeshua does not make one a Meshummed, rather, one is STILL a Jew; now one simply walks the Way of Life.



3. OUR God has promised us a NEW COVENANT: Jeremiah 31:31-34.



4. Just being born into our lineage has not made us pure.

"Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me." -- Psalm 51:5
"...For in Thy sight no man living is righteous." -- Psalm 143:2
"But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God..." -- Isaiah 59:2
"...The soul who sins will die" -- Ezekiel 18:4
"...for there is no man who does not sin... -- 1Kings 8:46



5. Zechariah 12:10, "And I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplication, so that they will look on Me whom they have pierced; and the will mourn for Him, as one mourns for an only son, and they will weep bitterly over Him, like the bitter weeping over a first-born."

Of whom does Zechariah speak?

How did He become pierced?

It speaks of the Messiah, Yeshua, Who was pierced nearly 2000 years ago.

"It Is Your Destiny"

From the Institute Of Reformed Theology

John Calvin, perhaps the greatest theologian of the Reformed tradition, did not see himself as creating a new "school" of theology. He saw himself, and other Reformed pastors, as carrying on the work of the apostles. Even his own work as a sixteenth-century reformer was, in his view, derived from that of Martin Luther, who he termed "most respected father." Calvin's magnum opus, the Institutes of the Christian Religion, was not a work in which he advanced all his own ideas about the Christian faith, but freely used the work of other theologians from all periods of church history in order to construct his own theological system. Reformed theology is, then, first and foremost a Christian Theology, not meant to cast away the ancient learning of the church, but to draw it close and renew appreciation and allegiance to it.

No one should assume that Calvin either began the Reformed Tradition or that Calvinist perspectives constitute the totality of Reformed thought. Remember that when Calvin stopped in Geneva in 1536 (having only recently come into the Reform himself), he was prevailed upon to stay by Guilliaume Farel. Farel was one of the founders of the Reform in Geneva, which happened the year before Calvin's arrival. In Zurich, Heinrich Bullinger, took over the position of lead pastor for that city in 1531, 12 years after Huldrych Zwingli initiated the Reform in that city. When Calvin was banished from Geneva in 1538, he went to Strasbourg where he learned immense amounts from the leading pastor there, Martin Bucer. Bucer had fostered the Reformation of the city in 1523.

This says nothing of the Reformed tradition as thought and lived in Bern, Constance and Mülhausen, or in France, Germany, Poland, Bohemia, the British Isles or Italy. And, lest we forget, Calvin is not the only Reformed theologian: Zwingli (who died four years before Calvin joined the Reform), Bullinger, Wolfgang Capito, Zacharias Ursinus, Johannes Oecolampadius, Caspar Hedio, Martin Bucer, and Peter Martyr Vermigli all left theological and occasional writings and liturgies, and the list could go on. Calvin is sometimes made to be the exemplar of Reformed theology, but Reformed theology is, by no means, limited to him. So, rather than tracing Reformed theology to Calvin as the sole source, Reformed theology is better imagined as a river into which many sources flow and from which many streams originate.

Longtime Phoenix resident May Mann has bequeathed $1.3 million to Jewish National Fund, the majority of which will go toward a visitors' center at a historic site in Be'er Sheva, Israel.

The donation from Mann, who died Oct. 26, 2006, more than doubles the annual revenue of the Arizona Region of JNF, moving Arizona to one of the top five JNF offices in the nation in terms of 2007 fundraising, according to Ted Kort, JNF regional director.

The 2006 revenue totaled nearly $1 million, he says.

David Frazer, an attorney and a former JNF board member, represented Mann and is responsible for directing the funds to two projects in Israel that will bear the names of Mann and her late husband, Howard.Frazer says that Mann had "been to Israel and admired what JNF did." The Manns had no children, and, after designating gifts to family members and another charitable organization, May Mann asked Frazer to select a JNF project for her remaining assets.

The bulk of the donation, $1 million, will go toward establishing a visitors' center at Abraham's Well, a historic site in southern Israel's largest city, Be'er Sheva. The center will include a museum and an audiovisual presentation of the story of Abraham meaningful to Judaism, Christianity and Islam. The stone-enclosed well is said to have been used by Abraham to water his flocks and to have been the subject of an oath between Abraham and Abimelech, the king of Gerar, regarding its ownership. The name Be'er Sheva means, "Well of the Oath."

"I thought (Abraham's Well) would be a wonderful tribute to May and Howard," Frazer says. The project "appealed to me immediately because I've been to Be'er Sheva, and ... it appeared to me to be an important project for developing one of the cities of Israel that hasn't been nearly as developed as Jerusalem, Tel Aviv or Haifa. It really has the potential."

The remaining $300,000 of Mann's donation is expected to go toward a dormitory, library or auditorium at the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies, a regional center for environmental leadership located on Kibbutz Ketura in Israel's Southern Arava Valley, a desert in the Syrio-African rift near the Jordanian and Egyptian borders and the Gulf of Aqaba/Eilat.

Remembering May Mann"May Mann was a very special lady," Frazer says. "She was a sweet person, she was a capable person. She liked people (and) was very outgoing."The Manns moved to Phoenix from Chicago in the early 1980s, and May Mann served for several years as the financial secretary and membership vice president for the Brandeis University National Women's Committee."

She was a wonderfully personable woman," says Sue Plosker, a Brandeis past president who shared many holidays with her. "

She would personally call new members to follow up with them. ... She worked tirelessly for the benefit of the university."Mann also loved to garden and always fed stray animals that found their way into her yard, Plosker says.

Lois von Halle also met Mann through Brandeis and remembers JNF plaques hanging on the hallway wall in Mann's home, commemorating trees planted in Israel for her parents and siblings."Israel was important to her whole family," she says. The display of plaques showed that "this was something that was important, and it was the next generation that was making donations in their name." She says that Mann grew up on a farm in Vermilion, Ohio, into "a very Jewish family, (although) she didn't have a lot of community around her growing up."Von Halle says that Mann "was a generous spirit and very welcoming to people."

"We had a 20-year friendship. I was very lucky."

Be'er Sheva River ParkThe Abraham's Well visitors' center is part of a larger project: the Be'er Sheva River Park. Park project manager Itai Freeman visited Phoenix on May 9 to meet with JNF board members.

Freeman described the River Park, which will cover 900 acres and include a promenade, groves, an artificial lake using treated water from the city's water supply, an amphitheater and sports facilities, as a "revolution."

"Millions of people will go each year," Russell Robinson, JNF chief executive officer, told Jewish News during an April visit to Phoenix.
Be'er Sheva, known as the capital of the Negev, was founded at the start of the 20th century by the Ottomans and was the only city that the Turks built in the land of Israel, according to goisrael.com. It houses Ben-Gurion University, the Turkish railway station and a Bedouin market. Abraham's Well is between the Old City and the future river park.A large percentage of the population is made up of Jewish immigrants from Ethiopia and the former Soviet Union, according to Freeman. The city is home to about 200,000 residents, including a large Bedouin population.Before 2002, the area in which the park will be developed was "one big dump, ... the forgotten part of the city for many years," Freeman says. The industrial landscape included solid waste piles, a sewage treatment plant and a quarry expansion. By 2004, the area was cleaned up and ready for development.

The project is designed to improve the quality of life in the Negev, develop employment opportunities and preserve the desert river environment, according to Freeman's presentation.

As a result, it will change Be'er Sheva's image and help the city's economy, by attracting businesses, building housing developments and increasing tourism.During his one-day visit to Phoenix, Freeman met with a landscape architect who may work on the Israel project, but nothing has been finalized, he says.

The Be'er Sheva River Park is the Arizona JNF office's current major project, Kort says. The region plans to raise a minimum of $1.5 million to develop at least two miles of the Central Promenade."There's going to be so much Phoenix in Be'er Sheva."
JNF regional mission

What: Phoenix/Las Vegas Mission to Israel
Who: Jewish National Fund, Arizona Region
When: Oct. 15-24This regional mission to Israel will be led by Ted Kort, regional director, and chaired by Steve Freidkin. Participants will see firsthand the work that JNF does to help Israel in its continued growth and survival. In addition to visiting Be'er Sheva River Park, the group will also visit Jerusalem, northern Israel, Tel Aviv and Yad Vashem.

Experiential Calvinism and the Charismatic Gifts
taken from Matthew J. Slick, B.A., M. Div., 1998-2006

The issue of the whether or not the extraordinary spiritual gifts are for today has caused much debate and opinion in the body of Christ. There are biblically based groups who say that if you do speak in tongues, then you are under demonic control and are not saved. On the other hand, there are groups who say that if you do not speak in tongues then you are not saved. Both sides use scripture to support their position. As far as the Reformed camp goes, the position is that the gifts died with the apostles as the Bible was completed. As a Calvinist, and after examining the biblical evidence for cessationism, I do not believe that the extraordinary spiritual gifts have ceased. Therefore, I call myself an "Experiential Calvinist." As an experiential Calvinist, I seek the Holy Spirit, His filling, and I am open to God using me and others in extraordinary ways. If you are Reformed, you might be slapping your forehead right now and saying something like, "How could he possibly believe that?". I do because I have examined the scriptures and am convinced by what I read. The following paper, in part, is what I have discovered. Please understand, that even though I am convinced that I am right, I am also convinced that I could be wrong. I can only speak for what I believe and why I believe it. If you disagree then that is quite alright. As Romans 14 says, we are not to pass judgment on our brother's (and sister's) debatable issues. And the spiritual gifts is definitely a debatable issue. For simplicity sake, I will state a standard objection to the perpetuity of the spiritual gifts and then I will give what I believe is a basic but sufficient refutation for that argument. All the verses quoted are listed in full at the end of this paper.
Argument 1: Since we have the Bible we do not need spiritual gifts. 1 Cor. 13:8-10 is usually quoted as scriptural support for the position. The only place in Scripture that explicitly states when gifts will cease is 1 Cor. 13:8-13. In part it reads, "When the perfect comes the imperfect shall be done away with." Some vigorously maintain that the "perfect" is the completed Bible and, therefore, the extraordinary gifts are no longer needed. If someone wants to believe that, fine. But I do not think these verses can be used to support cessationism. This is why. Verse 12 says, "...then we shall see face to face." The word "then" refers back to the phrase "when the perfect comes." Since the only infallible interpreter of Scripture is Scripture, a quick examination of the way God uses the term "face to face" should help us understand this passage better. The phrase is used throughout the Bible and always means an encounter with a person. When God uses it in reference to Himself, it means a visual, personal encounter with Him (Gen. 32:30; Ex. 33:11; Num. 12:8; Duet. 5:4; and Jer. 32:4). Likewise in the New Testament. There it is also used in speaking of personal encounter (2 Cor. 10:1; 2 John 12; 3 John 14, etc.). "When the perfect comes...then we shall see face to face" seems, most logically, to refer a personal encounter; at least, that seems to be how God uses the phrase. If the position is take that the "perfect" is the completed Bible, how then do we encounter God in the same manner as the phrase suggests: an encounter with a person. Seeing Christ face to face occurs when He returns. Another "then" is mentioned in verse 12: "then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known." The word "then" again refers back to the phrase "when the perfect comes." Again, we need to look at how the Bible uses words, this time, the word "know." Scripture says that eternal life is to know God (John 17:3). Only the believer is known by Jesus (John 10:27; Gal. 4:8-9; Rom. 8:29). The unbeliever is not known by Jesus (Matt. 7:21-23). No where in the Bible does it say that an unbeliever is known by God. This is a salvific knowing; that is, it is a kind of knowing that God does of His people. He knows them and they are saved. The unbelievers are not known and are, therefore, not saved. It would seem most consistent with scripture to say that "...as I am fully known" would refer to a salvation relationship between Jesus and the Christian. At the return of Christ we (the ones known) shall know fully; we shall see face to face the One who is our Savior. Also, we don't "know" Jesus through the Scripture; we know about Him from the Scripture (John 5:39). Instead, we know Him by personal encounter (John 1:12; 1 Cor. 1:9) through the Holy Spirit's indwelling. We don't know fully right now, even though we have the Bible, because we still are corrupted by our sin nature. In our fallen state we can only see Christ through sin-clouded eyes. We see a reflection of Christ in the Word. When Jesus returns the reflection of the truth will pass to clear understanding (the way childish thoughts give way to mature ones) when we receive our resurrected bodies, no longer have to battle sinful flesh, and can see Him face to face because "we shall be like Him" (1 John 3:2).. "Then we shall know fully." The context of 1 Cor. 13:8-13 seems, to me, to show that the spiritual gifts will cease when Jesus returns. Interestingly, 1 Cor. 1:7 may be consulted here. It says, "Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed." (NIV) The Greek word here for "revealed" is apokalupsis. It means the apocalypse, the return of Jesus. In both this verse and 1 Cor. 13:8-13 the gifts, which aren't differentiated as to which kind they are, are connected to the return of Christ, not the completion of the Bible.
Argument 2: Present day tongues are further revelation and must then be equal to Scripture and should be included in the Bible. But since the Bible is not to be added to, the gift of tongues (and therefore, the rest of the spiritual gifts) must no longer be valid. This is a faulty argument because the Scripture itself recognizes inspired revelation that is not to be added to the Bible: "What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church" (1 Cor. 14:26). Here, in the Corinthian church, revelations were given that were not made part of the Bible. This shows that there were, for a lack of a better word, "different" kinds of revelation: one from the prophets and apostles meant for canonization and another through the Spirit to be used in the church for edification--not canonization. So, in my opinion, for someone to maintain that revelation today is a threat to the Canon does not consider 1 Cor. 14:26, is not applying scripture properly here, and is being illogical.
Argument 3: There is such misuse of the gifts that they couldn't possibly be real. First of all, misuse of the gifts implies their existence. They couldn't be misused if they did not exist. The only real position to be taken here would be that the use of the gifts really is no use, but is only fakery and self-deception. First, it cannot be denied that the gifts are misused. I have heard manifestations of tongues, interpretations of tongues, and prophecy that, in my opinion, were not genuine. But I do not discredit the gifts based upon those experiences anymore than I would say the spiritual gifts are alive because I saw them used well and accurately. The final authority is the word of God. Experience does not make doctrine, the Bible does. Second, it is not a sick child that needs discipline and correction, it is the active, energetic, exploring child that needs to be guided. This was so with the Corinthian church. They were using the gifts greatly but improperly and needed to be corrected.
1 Corinthians 13:8-13
Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
Regarding "Face to Face":
Genesis 32:30 - "So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, "It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared."Exodus 33:11 - "The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent."Numbers 12:8 - "With him I speak face to face, clearly and not in riddles; he sees the form of the LORD. Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?"Deuteronomy 5:4 - "The LORD spoke to you face to face out of the fire on the mountain."Jeremiah 32:4 - "Zedekiah king of Judah will not escape out of the hands of the Babylonians but will certainly be handed over to the king of Babylon, and will speak with him face to face and see him with his own eyes."2 Corinthians 10:1 - "By the meekness and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you -- I, Paul, who am "timid" when face to face with you, but "bold" when away!"2 John 12 - "I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete."3 John 14 - "I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face. Peace to you. The friends here send their greetings. Greet the friends there by name."
Regarding "Know"
John 10:27 - "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me."Galatians 4:8-9 - "Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. But now that you know God -- or rather are known by God -- how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?"Romans 8:29 - "For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son..."Matthew 7:21-23 - "Not everyone who says to me, `Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, `Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, `I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'
Note: This paper was written in response to an examination at Westminster Theological Seminary where I obtained my M.Div. The occasion was generated by my receiving a call to a local pastorate. When it was discovered I believed in the spiritual gifts, I was examined and, eventually, refused the pastorate because I beleived in the perpetuity of the gifts. In response to the examiners requests I read the following cessationist material. Perhaps this bibliography will help you make a decision for yourself. The Final Word by O. Palmer Robertson Perspectives on Pentecost, by Richard B. Gaffin, Jr. Charismatic Chaos, by John MacArthur. The articles, Has the Charismatic Age Ceased, by Donald MacLeod; The Charismatic Movement: Spectrum of Theological Opinion and Attitude, by Pastor Dave Eby; Can we Do Miracles Today? by Erroll Hulse; A Summary of Robert L. Dabney on 'Spurious Religious Excitements, by Daniel E. Wray; The Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit--Have They Ceased?, by Roland S. Barnes; The Cessation of Extraordinary Gifts: Historical Evidence, by Geoffrey Thomas; and Scripture Verses the Spiritual Gifts?", by Elliot Miller at Christian Research Institute. The pamphlet, Crucial Issues Regarding Tongues, by Kenneth L. Gentry Jr. A Pastoral Letter Concerning the Experience of the Holy Spirit in the Church Today, adopted by the Second General Assembly of the PCA. To be fair, I also read the non-cessationist book Surprised by the Power of the Spirit, by Jack Deere which proved to be most enlightening.
Following is a point of illustration.
If the cessationist argument is true then it seems to negate parts of the Bible; namely, parts where spiritual gifts for the church are listed and exemplified. I have reproduced 1 Cor. 12,13, and 14 and "crossed out," by making the text bold , those portions that are no longer applicable from a cessationist point of view. The specific verses may be debatable, but I think the point is made.
1 Corinthians 12:1-31
1Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant. 2You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. 3Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus be cursed," and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit. 4There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. 7Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit 10to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines. 12The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. 13For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body -- whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free -- and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. 15If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 16And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 17If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20As it is, there are many parts, but one body. 21The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" 22On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. 27Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. 29Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? 31But eagerly desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way. (NIV)
1 Corinthians 13:1-13
1If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. 4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 13And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. (NIV)
1 Corinthians 14:1-40
1Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. 2For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit. 3But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort. 4He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. 5I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may be edified. 6Now, brothers, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction? 7Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the flute or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes? 8Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle? 9So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air. 10Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. 11If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and he is a foreigner to me. 12So it is with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church. 13For this reason anyone who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret what he says. 14For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. 15So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind. 16If you are praising God with your spirit, how can one who finds himself among those who do not understand say "Amen" to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying? 17You may be giving thanks well enough, but the other man is not edified. 18I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. 19But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue. 20Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults. 21In the Law it is written: "Through men of strange tongues and through the lips of foreigners I will speak to this people, but even then they will not listen to me," says the Lord. 22Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is for believers, not for unbelievers. 23So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and some who do not understand or some unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind? 24But if an unbeliever or someone who does not understand comes in while everybody is prophesying, he will be convinced by all that he is a sinner and will be judged by all, 25and the secrets of his heart will be laid bare. So he will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, "God is really among you!" 26What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church. 27If anyone speaks in a tongue, two, or at the most three, should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. 28If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and God. 29Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. 30And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. 31For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. 32The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. 33For God is not a God of disorder but of peace. As in all the congregations of the saints, 34women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the Law says. 35If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church. 36Did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached? 37If anybody thinks he is a prophet or spiritually gifted, let him acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord's command. 38If he ignores this, he himself will be ignored. 39Therefore, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. 40But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way. (NIV)

Reformed Theology

How Jehovah Works

As most of you know, I have come a long way.

For a while, I was a devout Jew, and then I moved into neo-orthodox doctrines that left me basically floundering - nowhere.

Recently, through the prayers of some friends, and some help and encouragment, I have been looking into deeper matters of historic Christianity.

Specifically, Reformed Theology.

Raven recently asked me, "what is it?"

So here's the answer:

Reformed theology came out of the Reformation and in particular the theology of Calvin (1509-1564), although its roots go back to Augustine (345-430), it was formulated by the puritans, especially in the Westminster confession of faith (1646). This Confession is the enduring fruit of the solemn Assembly of some 100 leading Puritan divines, convened at Westminster Abbey in London from July 1, 1643 through to Feb.,1649. Other reformed confessions: Belgic (1580), Baptist (1689), 39 Articles of the Church of England - Anglican and Episcopal (1571, 1662, 1801)
Examples of some reformed theologians are Thomas Manton (1620-1677), John Owen (1616-1683), Richard Baxter (1615-1691), Thomas Goodwin, Jonathan Edwards (1703-1759), George Whitefield (1714-1770) and later Charles Hodge (1797-1878), AA Hodge (1823-1886) Spurgeon (1834-1892), B. B. Warfield (1851-1921), John Gresham Machen (1881-1937). Louis Berkhof (1873-1957) , William Hendriksen (1900-1982), Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981), Cornelius Van Til (1895-1987), R C Sproul, John Piper.
John Wesley and Charles Finney would not be regarded as reformed as they are Semi-Arminian and Pelagian respectively. Others holding different viewpoints are: Pelagius, Arminius, Philip Melanchthon, Charles Ryrie, Billy Graham, C.S. Lewis.
Reformed theology holds to the five points of Calvanism, although not all Calvanists would be reformed. The five points of Calvinism (TULIP) are:- Total Depravity, Unconditional election, Limited atonement, Irrestistible Grace, Perseverance of the Saints. "While these doctrines, though certainly not originated by John Calvin, were re-emphasized and taught anew by him at the time of the Reformation, it remained for the Synod of Dordrecht, 1618-19, which was convened to settle the Arminian controversy in the Reformed Churches of the Netherlands, to formulate these truths with great clarity and in painstaking detail. This official formulation was accomplished in a creed which represented the consensus of all Reformed churches of that day, the Canons of Dordrecht." The Five Points of Calvinism by Herman Hanko
Reformed theology emphasizes God rather than being man centered (Arminian). God chose us rather than we chose God, only those chosen by God will come to him and those who come to him he will not cast out. According to R C Sproul reformed theology is sometimes called covenant theology being based on the covenants of redemption (within the trinity), works (made with Adam) and grace (made with sinners). The idea of unconditional election means that there is nothing within us, even in God's foreknowledge of us that moved Him to elect us. His choice of election was based on His good pleasure and wisdom and not on anything good or bad in us i.e. it is not conditional on us, hence our election is unconditional. Reformed theology places regeneration before faith. The perseverance of the saints or preservation of the saints effectively means once saved always saved.
"There are three basic eschatological views which are held by those calling themselves "Reformed." These are: postmillennialism, amillennialism, and historic premillennialism. Absent from the list is dispensational premillennialism because it is a view which (a) is incompatible with the doctrines of grace (b) compromises God's aseity (self-existence), and (c) compromises God's sovereignty." CRTA We should note that John MacArthur is dispensationalist.
Historically, the Five Points of Calvinism have been held by the Presbyterian and Reformed churches and by many Baptists, while the substance of the Five Points of Arminianism has been held by the Methodist and Lutheran churches and also by many Baptists. The Reformed Faith by Loraine Boettner
Spiritual gifts: As far as the Reformed camp goes, the (majority) position is that the spiritual gifts died with the apostles as the Bible was completed i.e. they are cessationists. For one Calvanist who does not agree see Calvanist Corner Neither John Piper nor Martyn Lloyd-Jones are/were cessationists. Martyn Lloyd-Jones on the Need for Revival and Baptism with the Holy Spirit by John Piper
Creation: Chapter IV of the Westminster Confession of Faith states: "Of Creation I. It pleased God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, for the manifestation of the glory of his eternal power, wisdom, and goodness, in the beginning, to create, or make of nothing, the world, and all things therein whether visible or invisible, in the space of six days; and all very good." In the light of the the Westminster Confession I would expect Reformed churches to adopt a young earth - six day literal creation approach.
Homosexuality: Marriage is to be between one man and one woman; the Bible calls homosexuality sin (Rom. 1:26-27). OPC
Paul seems to get the balance right when he says:
(1 Cor 15:10 NIV) But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them--yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.
(Phil 2:12-13 NIV) Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed--not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence--continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, {13} for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
I would like to add, that our Lord Jesus, lived his life on earth as a man, therefore we have a great high priest who has suffered just like we have. The docrine of the incarnation, gives comfort to the saints because Jesus also knows our sufferings himself. He suffered as a man.
(Heb 4:14-16 NIV) Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. {15} For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin. {16} Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Reformed theology is not technical dry stuff. It recognises that we owe our lives to the grace of God. It recognises that God became man to save us. It recognises that Jesus died to save sinners. Just like you and me.

Frozen Embers

Locked inside.

Everyone

Has something to hide.

Passing people

In the streets,

Flying secrets,

Shuffling feet.

Ancient Beauty

In modern art,

Like frozen embers

Of the heart.

Religion first for Jewish forward

Former Rempart won't practise, play on Sabbath

May 01, 2007 04:30 AM Kevin McGran SPORTS REPORTER

Benjamin Rubin, an 18-year-old winger with Patrick Roy's Quebec Remparts, won't be back next season with the Quebec Major Junior hockey club because his religion comes first.
Rubin, an observant Orthodox Jew, refuses to play hockey or practise with the team on the Sabbath, between sundown Friday and sundown Saturday.
Roy gave Rubin a chance this season to maintain his religious observances and Rubin missed 35 games.
After the Remparts season ended, Roy told the 6-foot-1, 186-pounder he would be invited back next season and have a spot on the second line, only if he could play every day.
"They just told me that's the deal," said Rubin. "That's why I'm not going to be playing, because I missed too many games.
"He (Roy) told me I had third- or second-line (talent), but I missed too many games to fill the spot. He can't have that next year."
Rubin wrestled with his decision, but ultimately chose religion. So Roy told the forward his roster spot would go to another player.
"It was really hard, because it's my future in hockey," said Rubin. "I still think I can make it far with keeping my religion. I think there's a chance for the NHL, but I'm not sure."
Rubin said he expects Roy to trade him to a team with few Friday night games. Roy did not return phone calls.
Rubin does not believe he's a victim of religious persecution. Instead, he fully accepted Roy's predicament and thanked the former NHL goalie for giving him a chance to play major junior this year, even while he observed the Sabbath.
"He accepted that before ... training camp," Rubin said of Roy. "He knew my story before I tried out. He told me I made the team on talent, not because of anything else."
While a few Jews have made the NHL, it's not believed an Orthodox Jew ever has. Some professional athletes who are Jewish – like former Blue Jay Shawn Green and Dodgers pitcher Sandy Koufax – have refused to play during the high holiday of Yom Kippur.
Rubin said he found it a challenge to remain as observant as his religion demands while being away from home and with his teammates. Rather than eat the team meal, he had to bring his own kosher food. During the Sabbath, he didn't drive or even use electricity.
And interviewed by his hometown Montreal Canadiens, he told them he would not give up his convictions even to play for the team he grew up admiring. He said even if it was the Stanley Cup final and the Canadiens were playing on a Saturday while the sun was up, he wouldn't dress.
"The Canadiens interviewed me," said Rubin. "They said if I was able to play on Friday nights, they would draft me for sure. Now it's going to be a little hard, but they're still going to try to draft me.
"They think I have the talent to take it to the next level. That's what Patrick Roy told me, too."
It's clear if Rubin is going to make it in the NHL, he's going to make it on his own terms and as a long shot.
Rubin had three goals, one assist and 19 penalty minutes in 29 games with the Remparts this season. He is not among the 210 players listed as top prospects by the NHL's Central Scouting Bureau.
He is, nonetheless, a prospect worth keeping an eye on, said E.J. McGuire, the director of the NHL's Central Scouting.
"He's an interesting player, good enough to play major junior, which sets him apart from a lot of other kids. He'll have some options," said McGuire. "The only way he's going to continue to improve is to get more ice time, get more games in."

The Sociopath Next Door: The Ruthless Versus the Rest of Us
A new book says that sociopaths aren’t just Scott Peterson and BTK. They are your neighbors, bosses — even therapists. Salon.comMarch 22, 2005

It sounds like a treatment for a creepy psychological thriller: a world in which one in every 25 people walks through life without a drop of human compassion. On the outside, these creatures appear perfectly normal. They get married, buy homes, hold down jobs. But on the inside, they’re morally bankrupt and completely unrestricted by conscience. They can do absolutely anything — lie, steal, sabotage — without feeling a shred of guilt or remorse. Harvard psychologist Martha Stout, Ph.D., says this is not science fiction. In her controversial new book, “The Sociopath Next Door: The Ruthless Versus the Rest of Us,” Stout claims that 4 percent of the population are sociopaths who have no capacity to love or empathize. Using composites pooled from her research to illustrate her points, Stout details the havoc sociopaths wreak on unsuspecting individuals — marrying for money, backstabbing co-workers, or simply messing with people for the fun of it. The fact that most of us never suspect our friends and neighbors of sociopathy only makes the transgressions easier to pull off.

Top 5 Fav Hikes:

1 Breakneck ridge trail

2 Glacier gorge

3 Mount whitney

4 Appalachian trail: the pinnacle

5 Appalachian trail: springer mountain to hightower gap.

3 South African women have set out on the mammoth task of being the first black women to summit the 7 highest comtinental summits. They started with Kilimanjaro and will eventually end up at the top of the world- Everest.
This is a goal that most imagine only in their wildest dreams. Or not at all.
But what makes their story so amazing is that they are following their mountineering passion despite many obstacles in the way. Many faced with similar backgrounds, filled with poverty and a lack of opportunities, would likely have accepted their ‘fate’ and discarded any notions of grandeur or success.
But not Evelina Tshabalala, Zukiswa Matamo and Nomawethu Nika. They are not only following their own dreams, but also providing inspiration to others. Proving once again, if you really want something, you can make it happen.
For more about these mountineering ladies, see their official site at:www.isicongo.co.za
This article taken from abiglife.biz