Tag: roman catholic

Bilateral Ecclesiology. Antisemitism…. In Reverse?

A book I read recently hit a nerve.  Frankly, I didn’t realize it was such a sore spot until that moment.

More than a few times in the last couple months, I have run into a theological debate/discussion about ecclesiology.  Specifically, Bilateral Ecclesiology.  Now, before you run for the exit, let me explain what the words mean and why it is important to understand.

In theological terms, the study of the ‘church,’ is called ‘ecclesiology, from the Greek word ‘ekklesia.’  ‘Bilateral,’ of course, means ‘two parts, two sides, two parties…’  So, Bilateral Ecclesiology is the coined term for those who believe the ‘ekklesia,’ in this use meaning the ‘Bride/Body of Messiah,’ has two parts.

The place this has really sprung to the forefront is in Messianic circles Continue reading “Bilateral Ecclesiology. Antisemitism…. In Reverse?”

Puttin’ lipstick on a pig! A lil’ dab’ll do ya!

Lipstickpig

My, the lengths we go to to justify behaving like the world.  Do we understand the damage it does to us and to our children?

Here is an invitation we received…  followed by some thoughts.

____________________________
October 31, 2013 from 5:30 – 8:00 pm please join us at (redacted:  A conservative church I once served in)  for Reformation Celebration.
  5:30-6:15 –  Medieval Feast ( food for the family)
   6:15-7:25 –   Games: hayride, burning the bull, musical chairs, throwing ink wells @ Satan,   fishers of men, thunderstorm
   7:30-8:00 – Sanctuary:  Nice (sic) Creed, Reformation Skit, singing, and Benediction

Excellent passage defending Messianic Torah observance!!

Here is an interesting passage that I already knew was a solid defense for Torah observance by the believer in Yeshua (Jesus), but, while referring to it in today’s Shabbat message, I noticed a couple words that have been there all along!  Funny how we can read verses and not SEE what is actually there.

Before we look at it, I want you to notice, this is a ‘last days’ passage.  Verse two gets quoted with the coming of Yeshua, but most never notice the context is decidedly eschatological…  End times!  Last days!  Has ‘not yet happened!!’

“[a]For behold, the day is coming, burning like a furnace; and all the arrogant and every evildoer will be chaff; and the day that is coming will set them ablaze,” says the Lord of hosts, Continue reading “Excellent passage defending Messianic Torah observance!!”

I Should Have Seen It Coming….

I have recently written several posts highlighting glaring translator error or bias.  Predictably, I have received multiple requests about Bible translation recommendations, or thoughts on a particular version…  I should have seen that coming!  So, here is a short post with a few thoughts..

While I am no expert on translations, I think there a few assertions I can safely make:

By what standard?? Pray tell!

… I can tell you what is NOT the standard!!

The Westminster Confession of Faith is NOT the standard!!
The 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith is NOT the standard!!
The Articles of Religion of the Methodist Church are NOT the standard!!
The Confessions of the Lutheran Church are NOT the standard!! ….

For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.         Hebrews 4:15

The author of the book of Hebrews tells us that Messiah Y’shua was without sin.  By what standard was this determination made?

the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.    I John 2:3-6

The Apostle John tells us that if we abide in the Messiah, then we will ‘walk as He walked.’  We will ‘do as He did.’  By what standard did He walk/do?

Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.  I Cor. 11:1

If we are to imitate Rav Shaul who is imitating Messiah Y’shua, by what standard do we imitate? Continue reading “By what standard?? Pray tell!”

Protestant Hypocrisy?

A friend sent me a copy of an article from the late 1890s.  While it is very interesting and telling, a citation from the Encyclopedia Britannica (doesn’t say which edition, but I guess circa early 1890s) really shakes up the ‘sola scriptura’ idea…  But, this blog has said this before.

Here is a portion of the article:

Inconsistency of Reformers.

    Thus the reformed churches, while professing to reject tradition for the pure Word of God, were led to deny their own position, by accepting Sunday on the authority of tradition only, and tradition directly opposed to the divine Word. It was the weakness caused by thus practically denying their own position that more than any other one thing arrested the progress of the Reformation. Draper says: “Toward the close of Luther’s life it seemed as if there was no other prospect for papal power than total ruin; yet at this day out of three hundred millions of Christians more than half owe allegiance to Rome. Almost as if by enchantment the Reformation suddenly ceased to advance. Rome was not only able to check its spread, but even to gain back a portion Continue reading “Protestant Hypocrisy?”

Every word!!

Most of us know that when Yeshua/Jesus was tempted of the adversary after fasting for 40 days, the Messiah’s response was Scripture.  But do we notice every quote is from Deuteronomy?  The Covenant?

Check it out: Deuteronomy 8:3; 6:16; 6:13 and 10:20.

So, while pondering that recently, another thought occurred to me.

3 He humbled you and let you be hungry, and fed you with manna which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that He might make you  understand that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord.  Deut. 8:3

‘Man lives by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of Yahweh!’

Churchianity constantly pits Paul against Moses, Jesus against God, Law against Gra Continue reading “Every word!!”