Results 21 - 40 of 125
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Results from: Answers On or After: Thu 12/31/70 Author: Brian.g Ordered by Verse |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
21 | How do we know the Bible is the truth? | Bible general Archive 1 | Brian.g | 18178 | ||
1. God is truth 2. Jesus is the Christ - the ideal truth that came as a divine manifestation of God 3. We have the testimony of Jesus. 4. History alone allows us to establish the fact that Jews and Christians have always believed in the inspiration of the Bible 5. Those who first recognized in the Bible a superhuman work, had as foundation of their opinion, the testimony of the Prophets, of Christ, and of the Apostles, whose Divine mission was sufficiently established by immediate experience or by history. 6. To this purely rational argument can be added the authentic teaching of the Church 7. Every Christian sect, still deserving that name, believes in the inspiration of the Scriptures, although some have more or less altered the idea of inspiration. 8. Thus, the Bible is truth Brian |
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22 | HOW COULD JESUS BE A DESCENDANT OF DAVID | Bible general Archive 1 | Brian.g | 20958 | ||
The genealogy of Christ according to the First Evangelist descends from Abraham through three series of fourteen members each; the first fourteen belong to the patriarchal order, the second to the royal and the third to that of private citizens. Matthew 1:17, shows that this arrangement was intended; for the writer expressly states: "So all the generations, from Abraham to David, are fourteen generations. And from David to the transmigration of Babylon, are fourteen generations: and from the transmigration of Babylon to Christ are fourteen generations." First Series 1. Abraham 2. Isaac 3. Jacob 4. Judas 5. Phares 6. Esron 7. Aram 8. Aminadab 9. Naasson 10. Salmon 11. Booz 12. Obed 13. Jesse 14. David Second Series 1. Solomon 2. Roboam 3. Abia 4. Asa 5. Josaphat 6. Joram 7. Ozias 8. Joatham 9. Achaz 10. Ezechias 11. Manasses 12. Amon 13. Josias 14. Jechonias Third Series 1. Jechonias 2. Salathiel 3. Zorobabel 4. Abiud 5. Eliacim 6. Azor 7. Sadoe 8. Achim 9. Eliud 10. Eleazar 11. Mathan 12. Jacob 13. Joseph 14. Jesus By virtue of Joseph's marriage with Mary, Jesus could be called the son of Joseph, he can for the same reason be called "son of David" (St. Augustine, On the Harmony of the Gospels, II, i, 2). Brian |
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23 | About the Forum | Bible general Archive 1 | Brian.g | 24677 | ||
To all on the Forum: Please accept my apology for straying from the intent of this forum. You are correct. Brian |
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24 | What about those who never heard of JC ? | Bible general Archive 1 | Brian.g | 30930 | ||
Bob, My answer to your question is drawn from the parable of The Good Samaritan. Main characters: · A Levite and a Priest – both high ranking representatives of Judaism · Samaritan – from a community, which was considered, at the time, to be the equivalent of satanic religion (John 8:48). Basic Theme of the Parable The one closest to what God desires from man, the one who most exemplified Gods desire for mercy and compassion, was the person who was perceived as being the most distanced from God. This is the person who had no introduction to Scripture (Gospel). Summary 1. God is good 2. All that God creates is good, including man. 3. God did not create man with the intent of inflicting evil upon him. 4. God offers salvation to all men, none are excluded. 5. With God being good and all-knowing, God would not create a single man with the full knowledge that salvation for that man was never possible. That would be an act of evil. 6. God created man knowing that some men will not be exposed to the Gospel. Being a God of good, God must have a plan of salvation for those souls. 7. God has not revealed to man, His plan of salvation for the man who has not heard the Gospel. 8. The man who hears and rejects, the Gospel of Christ: through his own free will, is rejecting God and salvation. This lose of salvation is an act of man, not of God. 9. It is our sincere actions (as opposed to ‘good works’), which pleases and honors God, more than our knowledge of Gods Law 10. Rom 9:15 For He says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion." 11. The truth of Romans 9:15, being from the Old Testament, was not changed in the New Testament. Conclusion: By the actions of the Samaritan, and Jesus’ subsequent approval of the Samaritan, we can conclude that even the Samaritan, can also be pleasing to God. Those who, through no fault of their own, have not been exposed to the Gospel of Christ or his Church, but who nevertheless seek God with a sincere heart, and, moved by grace, try in their actions to do his will as they know it through the dictates of their conscience - those too may achieve eternal salvation Brian |
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25 | Papal Authority Optional for RCC? | Bible general Archive 1 | Brian.g | 48347 | ||
Hank As my answer to Joe explains: I have the free will to accept or reject the pastoral leadership of the Pope and the teachings of the Catholic Church. If I reject, then I would be making the conscious decision that I did not want to be a member of the Catholic faith community. But, I have, through my own free will, freely accepted the Catholic Church, it's teachings and its leadership. I believe that, with all of it's imperfections (as every church does have) that this is the church which will enable me to obtain the closest, most intimate relationship possible with God (which is what God and Jesus desires: John 17:20-26). Through its teachings, the Gospel, its traditions and the seven sacraments - which are pleasing to God. Brian |
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26 | To learn the truth | OT general | Brian.g | 72499 | ||
FytRobert Jewish people trace the origin of their race as Abraham/Isaac. In Gen 17, God vowed to make great nations from Abraham and to be their God, but the covenant (to be their God) was through Isaac (Gen 17:19 and 21). Muslims trace the origin of their race (the Arabic people) back to Abraham/Ishmeal. Also, in Gen 17, God vowed to make a great nation from Abraham, but through Ishmeal (Gen 17:19) and the story is further told in Gen 21:12-21. Ishmeal's mother was an Egyptian slave and as told in Gen 21:20-21 - God was with the boy as he grew up. He lived in the wilderness and became an expert bowman, with his home in the wilderness of Paran. His mother got a wife for him from the land of Egypt. Muslims consider this the beginning of the Arabic race. Paran was a desert tract forming the northeastern division of the peninsula of Sinai, lying between the 'Arabah' (Arabia) on the east and the wilderness of Shur on the west In Gen 17:24-25, Abraham and Ishmeal were both circumcised, together when Ishmeal was 13 years old. I think it is safe to assume that because of Abrahams loyalty to God, Abraham raised Ishmeal to share in the same beliefs and praise of God as he, Abraham. Brian |
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27 | if someone take there own life where wil | NT general Archive 1 | Brian.g | 15980 | ||
Golden Child If a man is humiliated and is facing financial losses, business closure, etc. and kills himself, then this would be a sin. If a man is severely troubled and mentally disturbed and not thinking as a rational human being, then they are not committing a sin, because it is not a conscious voluntary decision on their part. It is the result of sickness or injury. Brian |
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28 | how far ever direction did jesus travel | NT general Archive 1 | Brian.g | 17179 | ||
In all, Jesus traveled on nine journeys. First Journey. December, A.U.C. 778 - Spring, 779. (Cf. John, i, ii; Matthew, iii, iv; Mark, i; Luke, iii, iv.) Jesus abandons His hidden life in Nazareth, and goes to Bethania across the Jordan, where He is baptized by John and receives the Baptist's first testimony to His Divine mission. He then withdraws into the desert of Judea, where He fasts for forty days and is tempted by the devil. After this He dwells in the neighbourhood of the Baptist's ministry, and receives the latter's second and third testimony; here too He wins His first disciples, with whom He journeys to the wedding feast at Cana in Galilee, where He performs His first miracle. Finally He transfers His residence, so far as there can be question of a residence in His public life, to Capharnaum, one of the principal thoroughfares of commerce and travel in Galilee |
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29 | how far ever direction did jesus travel | NT general Archive 1 | Brian.g | 17180 | ||
2. Second Journey. Passover, A.U.C. 779 - about Pentecost, 780. (Cf. John, ii-v; Mark, i-iii; Luke, iv-vii; Matt., iv-ix.) Jesus goes from Capharnaum to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover; here he expels the buyers and sellers from the Temple, and is questioned by the Jewish authorities. Many believed in Jesus, and Nicodemus came to converse with Him during the night. After the festival days He remained in Judea till about the following December, during which period He received the fourth testimony from John who was baptizing at Ennon (A.V. Aenon). When the Baptist had been imprisoned in Machaerus, Jesus returned to Galilee by way of Samaria where He met the Samaritan woman at Jacob's well near Sichar; He delayed two days in this place, and many believed in Him. Soon after His return into Galilee we find Jesus again in Cana, where He heard the prayer who pleaded for the recovery of his dying son in Capharnaum. The rejection of Jesus by the people of Nazareth, whether at this time as, St. Luke intimates, or at a later period, as St. Mark seems to demand, or again both now and about eight months later, is an exegetical problem we cannot solve here. At any rate, shortly afterwards Jesus is mostly actively engaged in Capharnaum in teaching and healing the sick, restoring among others Peter's mother-in-law and a demoniac. On this occasion He called Peter and Andrew, James and John. Then followed a missionary tour through Galilee during which Jesus cured a leper; soon he again taught in Capharnaum, and was surrounded by such a multitude that a man sick of the palsy had to be let down through the roof in order to reach the Sacred Presence. After calling Matthew to the Apostleship, He went to Jerusalem for the second pasch occurring during His public life, it was on this occasion that He healed the man who been sick for thirty-eight years near the pool at Jerusalem. The charge of violating the Sabbath and Christ's answer were the natural effects of the miracle. The same charge is repeated shortly after the pasch; Jesus had returned to Galilee, and the disciples plucked some ripe ears in the corn fields. The question became more acute in the immediate future; Jesus had returned to Capharnaum, and there healed on the Sabbath day a man who had a withered hand. The Pharisees now make common cause with the Herodians in order to "destroy him". Jesus withdraws first to the Sea of Galilee, where He teaches and performs numerous miracles; then retires to the Mountain of Beatitudes, where He prays during the night, chooses His Twelve Apostles in the morning, and preaches the Sermon on the Mount. He is brought back to Capharnaum by the prayers of the centurion who asks and obtains the of his servant. |
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30 | how far ever direction did jesus travel | NT general Archive 1 | Brian.g | 17181 | ||
3. Third Journey. About Pentecost, A.U.C. 780- Autumn, 780. (Cf. Luke, vii, viii; Mark, iii, iv; Matt., iv, viii, ix, xii, xiii.) Jesus makes another missionary tour through Galilee; He resuscitates the son of the widow at Naim, and shortly afterwards receives the messengers sent by John from his prison in Machaerus. Then follows the scene of the merciful reception of the sinful woman who anoints the feet of the Lord while He rests at table in Magdala or perhaps in Capharnaum; for the rest of His missionary tour Jesus is followed by a band of pious women who minister to the wants of the Apostles. After returning to Capharnaum, Jesus expels the mute devil, is charged by the Pharisees with casting out devils by the prince of devils, and encounters the remonstrances of His kinsmen. Withdrawing to the sea, He preaches what may be called the "Lake Sermon", consisting of seven parables |
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31 | how far ever direction did jesus travel | NT general Archive 1 | Brian.g | 17182 | ||
4. Fourth Journey. Autumn, A.U.C. 780- about Passover, 781. (Cf. Luke, viii, ix; Mark, iv-vi; Matt., viii, ix, x, xiii, xiv.) After a laborious day of ministry in the city of Capharnaum and on the lake, Jesus with His Apostles crosses the waters. As a great storm overtakes them, the frightened Apostles awaken their sleeping Master, Who commands the winds and the waves. Towards morning they meet in the country of the Gerasens, on the east of the lake, two demoniacs. Jesus expels the evil spirits, but allows them to enter into a herd of swine. The beasts destroy themselves in the waters of the lake, and frightened inhabitants beg Jesus not to remain among them. After returning to Capharnaum he heals the woman who had touched the hem of His garment, resuscitates the daughter of Jairus, and gives sight to two blind men. The second Gospel places here Christ's last visit to and rejection by the people of Nazareth. Then follows the ministry of the Apostles who are sent two by two, while Jesus Himself makes another missionary tour through Galilee. It seems to have been the martyrdom of John the Baptist that occasioned the return of the Apostles and their gathering around the Master in Capharnaum. But, however depressing this event may have been, it did not damp the enthusiasm of the Apostles over their success. |
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32 | how far ever direction did jesus travel | NT general Archive 1 | Brian.g | 17183 | ||
5. Fifth Journey. Spring, A.U.C. 781. (Cf. John, vi; Luke, ix; Mark, vi; and Matt., xiv.) Jesus invites the Apostles, tired out from their missionary labours, to rest awhile. They cross the northern part of the Sea of Galilee, but, instead of finding the desired solitude, they are met by multitudes of people who had preceded them by land or by boat, and who were eager for instruction. Jesus taught them throughout the day, and towards evening did not wish to dismiss them hungry. On the other hand, there were only five loaves and two fishes at the disposal of Jesus; after His blessing, these scanty supplies satisfied the hunger of five thousand men, besides women and children, and remnants filled twelve baskets of fragments. Jesus sent the Apostles back to their boats, and escaped from the enthusiastic multitudes, who wished to make Him king, into the mountain where He prayed till far into the night. Meanwhile the Apostles were facing a contrary wind till the fourth watch in the morning, when they saw Jesus walking upon the waters. The Apostles first fear, and then recognize Jesus; Peter walks upon the water as long as his confidence lasts; the storm ceases when Jesus has entered the boat. The next day brings Jesus and His Apostles to Capharnaum, where He speaks to the assembly about the Bread of Life and promises the Holy Eucharist, with the result that some of His followers leave Him, while the faith of His true disciples is strenghened. |
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33 | how far ever direction did jesus travel | NT general Archive 1 | Brian.g | 17185 | ||
6. Sixth Journey. About May, A.U.C. 781- Sept., 781. (Cf. Lk., ix; Mk., vii-ix; Matt., xiv- xviii; John, vii.) It may be owing to the enmity stirred up against Jesus by His Eucharistic discourse in Capharnaum that He began now a more extensive missionary tour than He had made in the preceding years of His life. Passing through the country of Genesar, He expressed His disapproval of the Pharisaic practices of legal purity. Within the boarders of Tyre and Sidon He exorcized the daughter of the Syrophenician woman. From here Jesus travelled first towards the north, then towards the east, then south-eastward through the northern part of Decapolis, probably along the foot of the Labanon, till He came to the eastern part of Galilee. While in Decapolis Jesus healed a deaf-mute, employing a ceremonial more elaborate than He had used at any of His previous miracles; in the eastern part of Galilee, probably not far from Dalmanutha and Magedan, He fed four thousand men, besides children and women, with seven loaves and a few little fishes, the remaining fragments filling seven baskets. The multitudes had listened for three days to the teaching of Jesus, previously to the miracle. In spite of the many cures performed by Jesus, during this journey, on the blind, the dumb, the lame, the maimed, and on many others, the Pharisees and Sadduces asked Him for a sign from heaven, tempting Him. He promised them the sign of Jonas the Prophet. After Jesus and the Apostles had crossed the lake, He warned them to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees; then they passed through Bethsaida Julias where Jesus gave sight to a blind man. Next we find Jesus in the confines of Caesarea Philippi, where Peter professes his faith in Christ, the Son of the living God, and in his turn receives from Jesus the promise of the power of the keys. Jesus here predicts His passion, and about a week later is transfigured before Peter, James, and John, probably on the top of Mt. Thabor. On descending from the mountain, Jesus exorcizes the mute devil whom His disciples had not been able to expel. Bending his way towards Capharnaum, Jesus predicts His Passion for the second time, and in the city pays the tribute-money for Himself and Peter. This occasions the discussion as to the greater in the kingdom of heaven, and the allied discourses. Finally, Jesus refuses His brethren's invitation to go publicly to the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem. |
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34 | how far ever direction did jesus travel | NT general Archive 1 | Brian.g | 17186 | ||
7. Seventh Journey. Sept., A.U.C. 781- December, 781. (Cf. Luke, ix-xiii; Mark, x; Matt., vi, vii, viii, x, xi, xii, xxiv; John, vii-x.) Jesus now "steadfastly set His face to go Jerusalem", and as the Samaritans refused Him hospitality, He had to take the east of the Jordan. While still in Galilee, He refused the discipleship of several half-hearted candidates, and about the same time He sent other seventy-two, two by two, before His face into every city and place whither He Himself was to come. Probably in the lower part of Peraea, the seventy-two returned with joy, rejoicing in the miraculous power that had been exercised by them. It must have been in the vicinity of Jericho that Jesus answered the lawer's question, "Who is my neighbour?" by the parable of the Good Samaritan. Next Jesus was received in the hospitable home of Mary and Martha, where He declares Mary to have chosen the better part. From Bethania went to Jerusalem for the Feast of Tabernacles, where he became involved in discussions with the Jews. The Scribes and Pharisees endeavoured to catch Him in the sentence which they asked Him to pronounce in the case of the woman taken in adultary. When Jesus had avoided this snare, He continued His discussions with the hostile Jews. Their enmity was intensified because Jesus restored sight to a blind man on the Sabbath day. Jesus appears to have His stay in Jerusalem with the beautiful discourse on the Good Shepherd. A little later He teaches His Apostles the Our Father, probably somewhere on Mt. Olivet. On a subsequent missionary tour through Judea and Peraea He defends Himself against the charges of Pharisees, and reproves their hypocrisy. On the same journey Jesus warned against hypocrisy, covetousness, worldly care; He exhorted to watchfulness, patience under contradictions, and to penance. About this time, too, He healed the woman who had the spirit of infirmity |
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35 | how far ever direction did jesus travel | NT general Archive 1 | Brian.g | 17187 | ||
8. Eighth Journey. December, A.U.C. 781-February, 782. (Cf. Luke, xiii-xvii; John, x, xi.) The Feast of Dedication brought Jesus again to Jerusalem, and occasioned another discussion with the Jews. This is followed by another missionary tour through Peraea, during which Jesus explained a number of important points of doctrine: the number of the elect, the choice of one's place at table, the guests to be invited, the parable of the great supper, resoluteness in the service of God, the parables of the hundred sheep, the lost groat, and the prodigal son, of the unjust steward, of Dives and Lazarus, of the unmerciful servant, besides the duty of fraternal correction, and the efficacy of faith. During this period, too, the Pharisees attempted to frighten Jesus with the menance of Herod's persecution; on his part, Jesus healed a man who had drospy, on a Sabbath day, while at table in the house of a certain prince of the Pharisees. Finally Mary and Martha send messengers to Jesus, asking Him to come and cure their brother Lazarus; Jesus went after two days, and resuscitated His friend who had been several days in the grave. The Jews are exasperated over this miracle, and they decree Jesus must die for the people. Hence He withdrew "into a country near the desert, unto a city that is called Ephrem". |
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36 | how far ever direction did jesus travel | NT general Archive 1 | Brian.g | 17188 | ||
9. Ninth Journey. February, A.U.C. 782- Passover, 782. (Cf. Luke, xvii-xxii; Mark., x, xiv; Matt., xix-xxvi; John, xi, xii.) This last journey took Jesus from Ephrem northward through Samaria, then eastward along the border of Galilee into Peraea, then southward through Peraea, westward across the Jordan, through Jericho, Bethania on Mt. Olivet, Bethphage, and finally to Jerusalem. While in the most northern part of the journey, He cured ten lepers; a little later, He answered the questions raised by the Pharisees concerning the kingdom of God. Then He urged the need of incessant prayer by proposing the parable of the unjust judge; here too belong the parable of the Pharisee and Publican, the discourse on marriage, on the attitude of the Church towards the children, on the right use of riches as illustrated by the story of the rich young ruler, and the parable of the labourers in the vineyard. After beginning His route towards Jerusalem, He predicted His Passion for the third time; James and John betray their ambition, but they are taught the true standard of greatness in the Church. At Jericho Jesus heals two blind men, and receives the repentance of Zacheus the publican; here He proposed also the parable of the pounds entrusted to the servants by the master. Six days before the pasch we find Jesus at Bethania on Mt. Olivet, as the guest of Simon the leper; Mary anoints His feet, and the disciples at the instigation of Judas are indignant at this seeming waste of ointment. A great multitude assembles at Bethania, not to see Jesus only but also Lazarus; hence the chief priests think of killing Lazarus too. On the following day Jesus solemnly entered Jerusalem and was received by the Hosanna cries of all classes of people. In the afternoon He met a delegation of Gentiles in the court of the Temple. On Monday Jesus curses the barren fig tree, and during the morning He drives the buyers and sellers from the Temple. On Tuesday the wonder of the disciples at the sudden withering of the fig tree provokes their Master's instruction on the efficacy of faith. Jesus answers the enemies' questions as to His authority; then He proposes the parable of the two sons, of the wicked husbandmen, and of the marriage feast. Next follows a triple snare: the politicians ask whether it is lawful to pay tribute to Caesar; the scoffers inquire whose wife a woman, who has had several husbands, will be after ressurection; the Jewish theologians propose the question: Which is the first commandment, the great commandment of the law? Then Jesus proposes His last question to the Jews: "What think you of Christ? whose son is he?" This is followed by the eightfold woe against the Scribes and Pharisees, and by the denunciation of Jerusalem. The last words of Christ in the Temple were expressions of praise for the poor widow who had made an offering of two mites in spite of her poverty. Jesus ended this day by uttering the prophecies concerning the destruction of Jerusalem, His second coming, and the future judgement; these predictions are interrupted by the parable of the ten virgins and the talents. On Wednesday Jesus again predicted His Passion; probably it was on the same day that Judas made his agreement with the Jews to betray Jesus. |
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37 | Catholic church and church of England | NT general Archive 1 | Brian.g | 44359 | ||
Fudges I am only prepared to speak on behalf of the Catholic Church. Catholics believe: The Christian home is the place where children receive the first proclamation of the faith. For this reason the family home is rightly called "the domestic church," a community of grace and prayer, a school of human virtues and of Christian charity. Next, the following are Jesus' words on the union of marriage Mark 10:11-12 Matthew 19:9 Luke 16:18 And Paul: 1 Corinthians 7:10-11 However, there are circumstances in which the Church will grant an annulment of (or nullify) the marriage. Brian |
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38 | what are the 12 stages of crucificion | NT general Archive 1 | Brian.g | 114152 | ||
From: www.NewAdvent.com Formerly their number varied considerably in different places but fourteen are now prescribed by authority. They are as follows: 1. Christ condemned to death; 2. the cross is laid upon him; 3. His first fall; 4. He meets His Blessed Mother; 5. Simon of Cyrene is made to bear the cross; 6. Christ's face is wiped by Veronica; 7. His second fall; 8. He meets the women of Jerusalem; 9. His third fall; 10. He is stripped of His garments; 11. His crucifixion; 12. His death on the cross; 13. His body is taken down from the cross; and 14. laid in the tomb. The object of the Stations is to help the faithful to make in spirit, as it were, a pilgrimage to the chief scenes of Christ's sufferings and death, and this has become one of the most popular of Catholic devotions. It is carried out by passing from Station to Station, with certain prayers at each and devout meditation on the various incidents in turn. It is very usual, when the devotion is performed publicly, to sing a stanza of the "Stabat Mater" while passing from one Station to the next. Brian |
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39 | where did cain and able find wives 4 fam | Genesis | Brian.g | 14230 | ||
There is currently an ongoing discussion. Please go to the left hand column and under 'Show Me", click on Notes and look for the topic to participate. |
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40 | Having problems with my faith. | Genesis | Brian.g | 34622 | ||
Chynna I have read all of your postings to this forum, and you ask some excellent questions. I don’t know if I can answer your question, but I would like to share an assortment of the thoughts that came to mind, as I read your collective posts. Maybe we can build on these thoughts. By the way, these are just random thoughts and not everything will flow together smoothly. Man's relationship with God can be difficult to comprehend, because God is so magnificent that we just can't always grasp everything about Him. Two things demonstrate God’s compassion: Genesis 3:21 and 4:6-7. Adam and Eve had just sinned, but here God is making clothes for them. In Gen 4:6-7, God had just told Cain He didn’t approve of Cain’s sacrifice. Then God spoke to Cain with love and encouragement that he, Cain, can do better. Here are two cases in which God was angry/disappointed, but still very concerned and loving towards His children. In Job 38-39, God describes himself. Take your time and read this. It puts into perspective the greatness of God. God created everything and then, out of His love for man, simply gave it to us (Re: Genesis 1:28) As God has dominion (supreme authority) over man, God gave man dominion over all other creatures. Ours is a jealous God. Now, in addition to being a magnificent, loving and compassionate God, ours is a jealous God. That means simply, is that God is intolerant of unfaithfulness. (Re: Deut 4:23-24, 5:8-9, and 6:14-15) Let’s talk about sacrifice, sacrifice means: to devote irrevocably to the worship of God by a solemn ceremony. Holocaust means: a sacrifice consumed by fire. The first time we see a sacrifice in the Bible is in Genesis with Cain and Abel. It does not say that God required a sacrifice. Why was Abel’s sacrifice pleasing to God, two reasons: First, it truly was to devote, irrevocably, to the worship of God. As a symbol his devotion to God, Abel selected the best firstling (look it up) of his flock. Why an animal? Abel’s job was to raise animals for food. And Abel offered God the best food he had. Abel had complete devotion to God and he did not keep the best for his own consumption. There is no purer sign of love, honor and devotion among mankind, as when a child picks the prettiest flower and gives it to his or her mother. Although, the mother did not require this act of devotion, she accepts it because it is pleasing to her. At this time, the relationship between the mother and child is one of complete devotion and is perfect in goodness and righteousness. It is holy. (Re: 1 Peter 1:14-16) Why burn the offering, how else will it be received by God? Offerings were burned, evaporated or decayed. The sweet aroma of the sacrifice – it is meat and in my house, a roast does smell nice when its cooking. However, this term is used symbolically in the Bible. Why did God look down upon Cain’s offering? Cain was a farmer and he offered to God the results of his efforts as a farmer. However, note in Genesis that Cain did not offer God the best firstling of the crops. It appears that Cain kept the best for himself and made to God, an inferior offering. Now, the second child, not understanding the full significance of giving flowers to the mother, grabs a handful of plants from the garden, which includes broken flowers and weeds, and gives them to the mother. The mother, who still loves the child, will explain why this is not a good gift (because it is not from the heart) and with the hope/expectation that the child will properly honor her love and their relationship, the next time. (Re: Genesis 4:6-7) God, in all of His magnificence, creates all things and with all love and compassion for us, He simply gave it to us. Then, man goes and creates false gods and idols to worship. As said earlier, ours is a jealous God. And when man created idols and worshiped them with sacrifices, our God said, no. Man has only one God and if we want to make a sacrifice, it will be to Him. (Re: Deut 32:16-19) Notice that God hasn’t demanded that man makes sacrifices, but if man is going to worship a god, it is going to be our God. First and foremost, it is pleasing to God when man does demonstrate his love and devotion to God. Second, God will not tolerate man making this devotion to a false god or idol. Third, God does expect the honor to be proper, which is Leviticus. In Leviticus, God also thought it good that man joins together in the celebration of the sacrifice. Together worshipping God, lead by a priest who insures that all join together to worship God, properly. This, in turn, helps build the unity of the family of God (Re: Job 36:22). Does God require sacrifices, let alone blood sacrifices of animals? Read Psalms 50:5-23, and pay particular attention to lines 5, 8-13 and 23. (Psalms 50:23 Those who offer praise as a sacrifice honor me; to the obedient I will show the salvation of God."). Sacrifices/Sacraments are pleasing to God. Brian |
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