Spotted:
Grackle, Mallard ducks, hooded merganser (Winter treat), red bellied woodpecker (I think this is my first spot of a woodpecker), great blue heron (spotted flying), Downy woodpecker (spotted by others, too late for me)
Mentioned:
Mute Swan: Wild, naughty, big footed.
I need to bring my long range camera next time.
I haven't been back for the whole first part of Mark study. However, I've been reading the materials.
Though unnecessary, I prefer to finish reading all provided materials before I attend the fellowship. Thus, when broken into small group discussions (not my cup of tea), I anticipate the discussion, however personal it could be, be grounded on the scriptural study of the day. This, is not achieved in certain groups sometimes, and everyone talking about ups and downs of their lives like I should have gone to a pub. I've noticed at least a guy would leave if this happens. I tried to endure, but I may eventually do likewise. This is also why I am discouraged from time to time to attend, other than the fact that I did not keep my promise of finishing the reading materials beforehand.
My notes are a combination of Dr. Keller's Mark Study book which we get in our email and my own research.
Mark
Current theory: Earliest of all 4 gospels, Marcan priority (supposedly source of Matthew + Luke). Other theory for the synoptic gospels (Matthew+Mark+Luke) is the Q source, which I don't believe to have firm grounding.
Author: John Mark, friend of Peter, thus the belief that Peter is the main source.
140AD, Papias wrote:
Mark, having become the interpreter of Peter, wrote down accurately all that he remembered of the things said and done by our Lord, but not, however, in order.
Hence, the phrase: "The Gospel according to Peter".
Note for details during presence of Peter in Mark.
China's is known for selling fake batteries (falsely labelled high capacity); now it is also where we are supposed to get true high capacity/fast charging battery (about 10 minute charge for 3000 mAh.
"We need more welders and less philosophers" - Marco Rubio.
Are you going to philosophize that statement, Marco?
Presidential candidates are always prone to making a fool of themselves.
The 11/13/2015 terrorism in France, as with other previous similar terrors, are the result more of the failed humanism of the French revolution, than the problem with Islamic terrorists. Such idealism causes this tragedy to a developed country.
This flyer has been going around in City College and perhaps many other campuses.
I looked it up, because I was curious especially at the offering of Japanese/Korean classes. It only costs $1.
This camp is a "Christian" mission trip to Mexico. About $300 + travel to Texas.
A deeper look online takes me to the founder of International Youth Fellowship: Ock Soo Park. I've commented on him before.
But the good news is, at least this time it's not just the Mormons who are offering free/cheap language classes.
Speaking of this offer, I was thinking, I would have gone to these classes back when I was not married. But now, alternative paths must suffice.
https://demographics.virginia.edu/DotMap/index.html
Best Demography I've seen.
Update 8/10/2023: Unfortunately, they have taken it down.
On Dispensationalism
Left Behind Series was done in 2014 and a lot more recordings than I would like to place here. I'll focus on the ones that interest me, I've downloaded the recordings in my Library drive:
Left Behind? Why the Church Is the True Israel, and Will You Be Left Behind? by Peter Lillback
My Summary:
The Pre-tribulation rapture idea comes from the idea that Israel and the church are two distinct groups of God's people. Two distinct purposes of God.
Rapture: Tribulation is for Israel, not the church, so church has to be out of the way.
Premillennial's book: The Late Great Planet Earth by Hal Lindsey.
Covenant of Grace (Begins with Adam) < Abrahamic Covenant < Mosaic Covenant < Davidic Covenant < New Covenant
Law will be written in our heart (Jer 31) <Heb 8, Heb 10, 2Co 3. New Covenant Matthew 26, etc.
Dispensationalists: But Leviticus shows a different covenant with sacrifices and rituals. However:
Diversity and Unity of the Covenant, like seeds growing into different trees/fruits, but organically one in DNA. Covenantal Grace DNA: I will be your God, you will be my people.
Dispensationalists: So they are all different pieces.
Gen 3:15 Proto-Evangelion.
My note: Jews today replaces sacrifice with prayer, thanks to Yohanan ben Zakkai who popularized that idea, but such prayers have no Christ in it, so their prayer is one that mocks God - for why sacrifice if we could have just prayed already.
Scofield Reference Bible: OT people not saved by Grace but by keeping the Law. This was later edited out.
Therefore, without the distinction of Church and Israel, there is no dispensationalism.
The famous Blockbuster hit book: Left Behind, dramatized that unbelievers and Jews discovered the Gospel after the Church is taken out.
Dispensationalists: Prophecies must be fulfilled literally. But the symbols in biblical prophecies will ruin this idea. Pick and choose which is literal which is symbolic.
Therefore, the accusation of "replacement theology" by others against the Reformed is invalid, because it's election theology.
So Abraham's promises were not just for his seed, but the nations. A joining of Israel and gentiles.
That's why some dispensationalists would say circumcision of flesh will continue and sacrifices will continue in the Millennium, etc.
But in truth, two separate things become one, that's what grafted means.
Even Peter, the apostle to the Jews, got it right with 4 traits of the church in 1Peter 2:4-12, instead of making a distinction of church age vs. Israel.
Used to be a sign in the temple, in the Court of the Gentiles saying "if you are not a Jew, do not cross or be killed". Now no such boundary in Ephesians 2:11-22
Acts 15: Great Jerusalem Council= "First Presbyterian General Assembly"
Parousia = Presence of Christ with us when He returns.
Reformed Christians though maybe tempted, but don't pray for a pre-tribulational rapture, which other Christians love to pray for and thus against John 17:14, 16:33.
Proof of Christ's second coming after tribulation: Matthew 24:29-31.
*Unfortunately the recording got muted from @44:00-@44:50
We are left behind in the sense that we persevered. Blood of the martyr is the seed of the Church.
Lillback wondered that the revival maybe coming in U.S. as we faces lots of resistance.
The Time of Jacob's Trouble (Jer 30:6-7) = tribulation.
Lillback warned against kicking out brothers and sisters of Dispensationalists.
Lillback: I am pro Israel, but I'm not pro Israel no matter what. I am pro Jesus Christ no matter what.
Don't get theology from newspapers. Let scripture interpret scripture.
Part II:
Left Behind? Covenant vs. Dispensations by Peter Lillback
About a year ago, Peter Lillback gave a 45-min talk on the subject. Here is my summary:
| Reformed View | Dispensationalists View |
| - Covenant (cutting - ברית) - Dispensation (stewardship: Adam->Moses->---)Covenant is always same in substance (Pactum Salutis - Covenant of Redemption); Distinct in Administration (Dispensation).A covenant always contains works (obvious with Adam), grace and redemption.
OT kingdom rejected but not lost. Jesus' last 40-day class on Earth was about the Kingdom. 2 kingdoms from the 3 Gospels are essentially 1 and the same: | - Covenant is distinguished by eras. Rejects Pactum Salutis.
Key eras: Before (= Israel) & After NT (= church age). Rejects covenants from Adam to before Jesus to contain grace. All previous eras have failed the dispensational tests. After David, Israel was rejected, replaced by the Church under grace, which is to be raptured out, then, Israel will be restored. Key support: 2 kingdoms interpretation from the 3 Gospels: |
The crowd comes to a service either for:
It is okay to have both. But they must not be the prime, which is the Gospel, which is lacking if one is not concerned with the two above, even if one lies about doing the Gospel.
v. 5-7 Thou has put gladness in my heart...
Trusting God is called into question. Pascal's Wager tested by Libertarians: But if God is not real, then we would have wasted our time devoting to a presumed God.
The answer is in v. 7. That in our trust and devotion, God put gladness in our hearts, that which is beyond worldly satisfaction. Devotion is not sacrifice for the worse, it is for the best. Thus, everything in our lives are enjoyed, how then, is it a waste?
