After recognizing what Dr. Tong has said about Mel Gibson being one great artist, I would like to take another tour around the Metropolitan Museum of Arts. The theme being 'Crucifixion'.
This will go into Reviews.
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陈终道著 <<天国君王 - 马太福音讲义>> 1993.
Page 166: 论姦淫. On Adultery
Chan mentioned that they have been unjust by only presenting the woman to Jesus and not her counterpart as well. Thereby, sinned. This is a good point. Many of us have been shielded by even the smallest desire that we cannot see through certain simple matters.
However, Chan was wrong when he accused the jews of spying at the adulterous affair. It can only be probable. Not absolute. Although such act is sinful.
Further in the same passage showed the author's lack of coherent mentality. As he emphasised how lustful thoughts and lustful acts are not the same, in order to prevent the two possible outcomes:
1. Those committed lustful acts would not take things seriously as they are no more sinful than those having lustful thoughts which are many.
2. Those committed adulterous thoughts would think that adulterous acts are not so bad after all since they had done more of such thoughts as opposed to this one single act.
Wrong! Apparently, Chan failed to see that all sins fall short of the glory of God here, eventhough he may very well know Romans 3:23.
He failed at this interpretation because he had considered sinful thoughts as less serious case of sins. Which is very common among humans' fallible minds. Therefore, we must be careful when we use our minds, so that we do not submit to our own way. What he should realize is that unlike earthly courts, a sinful thought is as heavy and serious as the act in the sight of God.
This does not mean that we should not read books that are in errors. But it is our interpretation that matters.
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In this country, from my observation, those in the city or coasts serve the Lord in the commitment-wise heart. While those in the central land and towards the south, serve God with selfless devotion.
Why would I say this, by comparing some basic principles, such as:
In the city/coastal churches, phone numbers provided on the weekly brochure are office numbers only. While in the midland, you see the pastors' home phones printed in addition to office numbers.
Privacy? Commitment? What is really the case? Committive servitude is that of a priest (Noted by Walter Rauschenbusch 1861-1918). While that of the example of a prophet requires bravery, power from God.
If not careful, with just commitment-wise servitude, one could be caught in the trap of showing off. Not knowing where the honor of God is. Satisfied without needing any further seeking. Decading, becoming useless. Had it been willingly to end up as such, it would be considered a great honor; however, it is unfortunate to not realize the things to come and yet being gratified at a two dimensional level.
Fear not them that could only kill your bodies; but Him that could destroy both souls and bodies. Matthew 10:28.
There's a great difference between 'kill' and 'destroy'. physical death and complete annihilation.
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Could some nice person be so affected by someone else intentionally
or not and turn worse? If so, is that bad? is it good? high-risk wisdom? or
just a bad bad thing...
I wrote this down so I can take time to reflect on this when I have more free time.
I can't believe I am so busy now. I have to go through the night on Thursday night.
Just got a call from a client as I type, came back after about 2 hours. Continue typing this...
[@more@]For one: One could be humorous.
The kind of faith that comes from or for the sake of one's own comfort, one's own desire, whether aware or not aware, wether with excuse or no excuse, whether trying use partial quotes from the Bible to cover the self-desire or not, is not faith.
True faith comes from seeking after the word and the promise of God.
Seek Ye the countenance of God.
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Besides from eating smelly stuff;
I believe it's caused by not eating for a while.
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林榮洪博士所寫的《屬靈神學批判》
and
once sued by The Local
Church, The Encyclopedia of Cults and New Religions (from
here onward, referred to as the Encyclopedia), published by Harvest
House Publishers and authored by John Ankerberg and John Weldon.
and
| 1979 | Nelson Publishers. Nashville, TN; Dr. Jack Sparks, author. | The Mind Benders, a book examining cults which included a chapter on The Local Church. | Filed four separate lawsuits simultaneously in Anaheim, Dallas, Atlanta and Cleveland for $37 million. | Settled out of court with the publisher issuing a retraction and ceasing distribution of the book - the author making no apology or retraction. Media reports that The Local Church received $150,000 in settlement. Estimates are that over one million dollars was expended in litigation costs before settlement. |
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All of Jesus' deeds and preaching are deep, truly deep indeed. However, it seems so conveniently understood on a shallow level, that people don't tend to think further.
Yet, Jesus used the simplest simplicity to explain the wonders of His creation. This is true wisdom. Wisdom of God indeed.
Nevertheless, those who couldn't see through, should not use your pride, your jealousy. No one is equally gifted, no one is equally understanding. A lesson of humility before God.
Nonetheless, seek after God diligently.
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The more knowledge, the more one needs to fear God.
Such blessing is risky, dangerous, but good.
Wisdom from God calls for full submissive reverence to God.
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The way the churches of the proud american nation is going today, it's not surprising if the next president of this country is a muslim, or someone who has no reverence to the one true God. Ergo, ironically, "freedom, thank god for freedom in this country". I wonder who's saying that? The christians?[@more@]
