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The Island Experience

Português: Ferry boat na baía de São Marcos, M...The Island Experience

by Angie Brown, Guest Author

Quite a few years ago now, my family planned a visit and a picnic to a small island off the coast of North Carolina, in the Atlantic Ocean.  Our relative, Barney, had purchased a boat and had been exploring the waterway there.  The boat was propelled by an engine with the steering wheel driver standing to control the course.  It held about eight people.

After putting our life jackets on, we started out slowly. The island seemed so far away.  I couldn’t believe we’d be out in the Atlantic so far.  Our relatives had been to the island before and thought it would be a nice place for a picnic when we visited them.  So skimming across the channel, we arrived, tied our boat to the dock and climbed a short ladder.

We seemed to be the only ones there. In my mind, it seemed that you might find Robinson Crusoe there, especially after encountering a large snake in the brush. The pavilion proved to be rather dilapidated and unsatisfactory, so we decided to have our picnic on the beach.

While we explored the beach, we noticed dark storm clouds forming. The wind began to strengthen, sending the loose sand airborne and stinging the bathers.  It was obvious that a picnic on the beach was no longer feasible, so we packed up hastily and returned to our boat.  We knew it would take some time to get back to the mainland.

All was going well while we journeyed back.  Nearing the end of our trip, however, we saw a ferry boat just leaving the pier.  As it passed our small craft, it left a large swell, sending our boat way down to the bottom of the wake. It seemed as though our boat had descended to the bottom of the ocean! But thanks to our skilled and experienced navigator, we negotiated the wake nicely and returned to calmer water. The children were elated by this brush with disaster.  “That was fun,” they squealed.  Not so with the adults, whose anxious faces told a different story. Once we had negotiated the swell, we noticed that the ferry boat crew was lined up at the rail watching us and ready in case they were needed. Finally, disembarking, we finished our visit with our relatives, safely on the shore.

This was one scary adventure I would not want to do again!

(For more articles by Angie Brown, click HERE)

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The Mass Deposit

English: The Louvre museum as seen from the ri...The Mass Deposit

 James R. Aist

 This cute little story took place in June of 1972. I had just completed a postdoctoral research study in Zurich and had the unique opportunity to travel around Europe for about three months before starting my new job as an Assistant Professor at Cornell University. My wife and I had an eleven-month-old daughter, Beverly, who was our first-born and our pride and joy. After a brief stay in the Swiss Alps, we headed for Paris to begin our tour of Europe. Being the faithful Roman Catholics that we were, we were determined to attend Mass on the coming Sunday morning. Since we also planned to take a guided tour of the prestigious Louvre Museum after lunch, we found a church just across the river Seine from the Louvre and attended Mass there. This was a very old, smallish, rather ornate Catholic church that, from the outside, gave the impression of a mini-cathedral. Everything about that Mass was done in the high-church tradition, if you know what I mean. The Sanctuary was only about one-third full, and most of the worshipers seemed to be very devout, and very serious, little old ladies. Both the Sanctuary and the proceedings were quite formal and dignified, and we stood out as obviously being American tourists. Or so it seemed to us, anyway. We were determined to be just as formal and dignified as the others, so as not to draw attention to ourselves and distract from the very somber and serious tone of the Mass. We knew that would be a tall order, what with our baby daughter and all, but we were hoping that her generous breakfast of mother’s milk would keep her satisfied, at least until the Mass had ended. But we were definitely not prepared for what happened next.

Everything was fine until about mid-way through the Mass. Beverly began to get fidgety, as one might expect of a young baby, and we had no other way of keeping her from “crying out loud” (literally) than to let her down to the floor so that she could crawl around a bit. We were reluctant to put her down, however, because that floor was visibly dusty and dirty as one might expect in such an ancient church with limited finances for upkeep. We were afraid that she would get dirty crawling around on the floor, and we didn’t want to have to take her through the Louvre looking like that. Besides, what would those dear little old ladies think of us if Beverly would happen to get away from us for even a moment and begin to crawl up the center aisle, creating a spectacle? But we had no choice really, so down she went. I was sitting next to the center aisle, so it fell to me to keep her corralled. Everything seemed to be going just fine at first, so I began to pay more attention to the Priest than to Beverly. Next time I checked on her, she wasn’t there! So I wheeled around in the pew, and there she was in the middle aisle on her hands and knees about half-way back to the front door of the church. When she saw me looking at her, she turned around and began crawling back to me. So, as inconspicuously as possible (relevant factoid: I’m six feet-five inches tall and weigh well over 200 pounds!) I crouched down,  got slowly out of the pew, quietly made my way back to her and picked her up. And that’s when I saw it. There was a trail on the floor behind her consisting of five or six little brown balls that had bailed out of her diaper while she was crawling back to me! Needless to say, I had a mixed reaction to this development. On the one hand, the scenario – all things considered – was hilarious beyond belief. But on the other hand, I didn’t dare even crack a smile, much less laugh out loud, for fear of creating a scene that would seriously compromise the solemnity and dignity of the Mass. So, as quickly and as quietly as possible, I returned the little darling to her mother, secured a couple of facial tissues from the “baby bag”, and retraced my steps to the scene of the “crime” and retrieved the “mass deposit” that Beverly had innocently left in the center aisle for all to see. Little did I know that it would be Beverly who would make the floor “dirty” and not the other way around!  And, I could see from the looks on the faces of all those devout  little old ladies that it was all they could do to keep from bursting into laughter themselves.

I have to admit that we were eager for the Mass to end, so that we could get out of there and give vent to our pent-up laughter; it really was a hoot! And God still laughs to this day every time I tell this story. If you listen carefully, you can hear Him now. He’s the one with the deep-pitched, booming laughter.

(For more articles on TRUE TALES, click HERE)

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A Homosexuality “Fact Checker” for Born-again Christians

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A Homosexuality “Fact Checker” for Born-again Christians

James R. Aist

“With their mouths the godless destroy their neighbors, but through knowledge the righteous escape.” (Proverbs 11:9)

Introduction

Without question, homosexuality has become one of the most important religious, social and political issues of the 21st century. The homosexual movement has forced itself to the forefront in virtually all aspects of our society and culture, including marriage, family, church, politics, government, education, media and human rights. Therefore, I believe that it is incumbent upon born-again Christians to become well-informed about homosexuality, even though this is not a topic that is either enjoyable or entertaining. To help you get an idea of how well-informed you are, or are not, about homosexuality, I have developed this quick and easy–to-use “Fact Checker”. It will not only show you your current level of knowledge of the facts and truth about homosexuality, but it will also point you to key resources that will correct any misperceptions that you may have picked up from the liberal media or well-meaning, albeit misinformed, friends, relatives or co-workers.

User’s Guide

Below are 24 True/False Statements. Read each statement carefully, and write down your answer – either True OR False – before going on to the next statement. Do not scroll all the way down to the Correct Answers section until you have finished responding to all of the statements; that would defeat the purpose, now, wouldn’t it? With each answer in the Correct Answers section, I provide a link to an article that will elaborate on the correct answer, just in case you would like to explore that particular point more fully. (NOTE: you will not receive a grade for your performance on this exercise, and it is impossible to fail. This is merely a teaching tool for your own personal benefit.)

True/False Statements

1.  The Bible does not condemn “same-sex attractions” as sin. Is this True or False?

2. Jesus would be friends with homosexual sinners. Is this True or False?

3. Science has proven that homosexual people are “born gay.” Is this True or False?

4. Because there are some loving, committed homosexual relationships, God approves of “gay marriage.” Is this True or False?

5. God gives “same-sex attractions” to some people, making them homosexual. Is this True or False?

6. Some born-again Christians are homosexual. Is this True or False?

7. Many homosexual people change to heterosexual spontaneously, without any intervention. Is this True or False?

8. There is no such thing as a “homosexual pedophile”. Is this True or False?

9. A homosexual lifestyle is, on average, equivalent to a heterosexual lifestyle in terms of longevity, monogamy, health and parenting outcomes. Is this True or False?

10. The so-called “gay agenda” is an invention of right-wing, Christian fundamentalists. Is this True or False?

11. In general, it is relatively easy for a homosexual person to change to a heterosexual orientation. Is this True or False?

12. Modern biblical scholarship has shown that the Bible does not really condemn homosexual behavior. Is this True or False?

13. Jesus wants to change the sexual orientation of homosexual people. Is this True or False?

14. God does not require practicing homosexuals to repent in order to inherit eternal life. Is this True or False?

15. The best source of up-to-date, unbiased and reliable information on homosexuality is our mental health organizations. Is this True or False?

16. Homosexual people were “born that way” and cannot change to heterosexual. Is this True or False?

17. The Bible records the first known transformation of homosexual people to a heterosexual orientation. Is this True or False?

18. The homosexual movement seeks only to gain tolerance of homosexuality, not acceptance and approval of it. Is this True or False?

19. Homosexuality was removed from the “official” list of mental disorders in the early 1970s because new, scientific evidence proved that homosexuality is not a disease. Is this True or False?

20. Religiously and secularly mediated change in sexual orientation occurs at rates comparable to those achieved by therapists and counselors for treatment of psychological disorders and behavioral problems, such as alcoholism. Is this True or False?

21. There are more ex-gays than there are gays. Is this True or False?

22. There are two “false Bibles” that deviate substantially from the actual text of the ancient manuscripts upon which modern English versions are based, in order to leave a false, favorable impression of God’s view of homosexuality. Is this True or False?

23. God loves heterosexual people more than homosexual people. Is this True or False?

24. Homosexuality occurs in all cultures and tribes. Is this true or false?

 

Correct Answers

Wait for it…

Wait for it…

1.  The Bible does not condemn “same-sex attractions” as sin. This is TRUE. Check it out HERE

2. Jesus would be friends with homosexual sinners. This is TRUE. Check it out HERE

3. Science has proven that homosexual people are “born gay.” This is FALSE. Check it out HERE

4. Because there are some loving, committed homosexual relationships, God approves of “gay marriage.” This is FALSE. Check it out HERE

5. God gives “same-sex attractions” to some people, making them homosexual. This is FALSE. Check it out HERE

6. Some born-again Christians are homosexual. This is TRUE. Check it out HERE

7. Many homosexual people change to heterosexual spontaneously, without any intervention. This is TRUE. Check it out HERE

8. There is no such thing as a “homosexual pedophile”. This is FALSE. Check it out HERE

9. A homosexual lifestyle is, on average, equivalent to a heterosexual lifestyle in terms of longevity, monogamy, health and parenting outcomes. This is FALSE. Check it out HERE

10. The so-called “gay agenda” is an invention of right-wing, Christian fundamentalists. This is FALSE. Check it out HERE

11. In general, it is very difficult for a homosexual person to change to a heterosexual orientation. This is TRUE. Check it out HERE

12. Modern biblical scholarship has shown that the Bible does not really condemn homosexual behavior. This is FALSE. Check it out HERE

13. Jesus wants to change the sexual orientation of homosexual people. This is TRUE. Check it out HERE

14. God does not require practicing homosexuals to repent in order to inherit eternal life. This is FALSE. Check it out HERE

15. The best source of up-to-date, unbiased and reliable information on homosexuality is our mental health organizations. This is FALSE. Check it out HERE

16. Homosexual people were “born that way” and cannot change to heterosexual. This is FALSE. Check it out HERE

17. The Bible records the first known transformation of homosexual people to a heterosexual orientation. This is TRUE. Check it out HERE

18. The homosexual movement seeks only to gain tolerance of homosexuality, not acceptance and approval of it. This is FALSE. Check it out HERE

19. Homosexuality was removed from the “official” list of mental disorders in the early 1970s because new, scientific evidence proved that homosexuality is not a disease. This is FALSE. Check it out HERE

20. Religiously and secularly mediated change in sexual orientation occurs at rates comparable to those achieved by therapists and counselors for treatment of psychological disorders and behavioral problems, such as alcoholism. This is TRUE. Check it out HERE

21. There are more ex-gays than there are gays. This is TRUE. Check it out HERE

22. Two “false Bibles” deviate substantially from the actual text of the ancient manuscripts upon which modern English versions are based, in order to leave a false, favorable impression of God’s view of homosexuality. This is TRUE. Check it out HERE

23. God loves heterosexual people more than homosexual people. This is FALSE. Check it out HERE

24. Homosexuality occurs in all cultures and tribes. This is FALSE. Check it out HERE.

Well, how’d you do? Did you learn anything? Do you now have a better understanding of the various issues concerning homosexuality?

(For more articles on HOMOSEXUALITY, click HERE)

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Are Christians Bound by Old Testament Laws?

Ten Commandments

Are Christians Bound by Old Testament Laws?

 James   R. Aist

 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” – Jesus (Matthew 5:17)

Introduction

I don’t know about you, but, until recently, I have not had a well-informed response to unbelievers who say that Christians are hypocrites, because they do not obey all of the biblical laws, but selectively disobey many of the Old Testament laws while insisting that everyone should obey the others. How would you respond to such a charge? Are unbelievers correct in making this accusation, or are there biblically sound reasons why Christians are not bound by some of the laws prescribed in the Old Testament?

Now, I’m not claiming to be an expert on this topic, but I have studied it enough to be able to provide what I believe to be a valid and reliable overview and to point you to some additional resources (links) that will enable you to study this question to your personal satisfaction and draw your own conclusions, if you are so inclined. So, let’s jump right into it.

Categories of Old Testament Laws

While the Bible does not formally and explicitly list categories of Old Testament laws, it is possible for us to recognize and define, in retrospect, three categories of them. This exercise reminds me of the way in which we recognize the biblical doctrine of the trinity, even though the Bible does not directly and specifically name and list it as a defined doctrine. Therefore, I am reasonably certain that this is a valid, biblical approach to this topic.

There appears to be widespread – albeit not at all unanimous – consensus on the following categories of Old Testament laws:

1) Civil Laws – Ancient Israel was a theocracy, in which God himself, through the Jewish religious establishment, provided the civil laws and their enforcement that were necessary for justice and order to prevail in that culture. This represents the legal system of the Jewish theocracy. Therefore, these were the laws comprising the criminal code, and they prescribed the punishment for various crimes, such as murder, adultery and theft. Because there is no longer a biblical theocracy in existence anywhere, these laws do not apply to anyone, including Christians. That is not to say, of course, that Christians are allowed to murder, commit adultery and steal. It just means that those particular laws were established as part of a theocracy that no longer exists, and that one has to look elsewhere in the Bible to find laws that are binding in today’s world;

2) Ceremonial Laws – Often referred to as the “Mosaic Law”, these laws provided the Jews of ancient Israel a temporary process by which their sins could be covered and they could be made, or kept, “clean”. They were a representation, or type, of something better and permanent that was to come at the appointed time. These laws included such things as animal sacrifices to cover sins, mandatory observance of religious festivals, various restrictions on food and washing of the hands before eating. When the promised Messiah, Jesus Christ, appeared, He become the perfect, sufficient, final and effective sacrifice for all of the sins of mankind. By dying on the cross to pay the price for our sins, Jesus replaced the ceremonial laws, rendering them obsolete, unnecessary and ineffectual. Therefore, Christians are not bound by these Old Testament laws, and, in fact, are instructed in the Bible to not practice them; and finally…

3) Moral Laws – These laws are distinct from the “Mosaic Law” and are the biblical laws that establish and define how we are to behave toward God and toward each other. They are most notably embodied in the Ten Commandments, but are to be found also in other biblical instructions and commandments, especially as laid out in the New Testament. Examples include laws against idolatry, murder, adultery, fornication, the practice of homosexuality, stealing, lying, gossip, slander, drunkenness etc. In considering the extent of the moral laws, it is important to keep in mind that the Bible does not mention, specifically, many of the sins that people are capable of, such as child sexual abuse and wife beating, but it is not difficult to recognize that such things violate Jesus’ new commandment to “love one another” and are, therefore, sinful. The Bible presents these laws as permanent and applicable to everyone, including Christians. They have not been replaced nor have they expired. Rather, they are universally valid and binding forever. One notable exception is that the Fourth of the Ten Commandments – to remember the Sabbath and keep it holy – expired at the first coming of Jesus (click HERE)

Concluding Remarks

I hope that this brief discussion of Old Testament laws and the Christian will be informative and useful to you. If you would like to read a more comprehensive treatment of this subject, please select an article listed below and click on the link provided. I particularly recommend the series by Morrison (1997) for detailed study.

(For more articles on BIBLICAL TEACHINGS, click HERE)

 

Recommended Resources for Bible References and Further Study:

A) More-or-less brief articles

Wright, C.J.H. 2013. Learning to love Leviticus. (click HERE)

Kretzmann, P.E. 1924. The Difference Between the Moral and the Ceremonial Law.  (click HERE)

Phillips, R.D. 2000. Which Old Testament Laws Must I Obey? (click HERE)

B) More in-depth, comprehensive resources

Anonymous. 2007. The Ten Commandments and the Ceremonial Law (Mosaic Law). (click HERE)

Morrison, M. 1997. Which Old Testament Laws Apply to Christians Today? (click HERE)