http://americandigest.org/
Have you ever betrayed your promise?
Did you ever break a vow?
Have you traded love for money,
And are you happy now?
Did you kiss him in the garden,
And then abandon him to fate?
Is your final sin forgiven,
Or is it far too late?
WHEN IT COMES TO DISCOVERING new ways to cheapen the human soul, the "professional intellectuals" of our society have cornered the market. So it was last week when, timed carefully to cash in on the Easter holiday, the "serious" editors of National Geographic chose to release their gleanings from a sheaf of rags and call them "The Gospel of Judas."
[...]
Now our traitors to God and Country have found a sheaf of rags that "prove" that the greatest treason was really "all good;" that Judas was really the greatest friend Jesus ever had and was, with a kiss, doing him the greatest favor ever done.
Treason, done with the kiss of "my personal freedom," proves that you do not really hate your country, you love it. You are, in the final analysis, your country's best friend. In these "new" old tales about Jesus we read that Judas betrayed the Son of God because Jesus told him to do it. Really? Or did his betrayal come, not from any request that may or may not have been made, but from humanity's persistant lust to sin freely and without even the thin penalty of remorse? Was this final treason done because this sin had been secretly blessed by God, or for the sheer dark thrill of asserting the self at the expense of life in the light?
[...]
100 comments:
good morning warren.
isn't this all part of the plan? people straying away from sound doctrine? the sheep know His voice.
some christians will buy into this. that is one of the ways we are refined.
p.s. warren - i do believe beamish has blogger block - please go see and give a vernalysis (verdict/analysis).
The modern Bible was not decided upon until around 1000 years ago. There is a whole body of study of these books called Apocrypha. I am not certain but I think the Eithiopian Church has accepted the book of Enoch and a couple of others.
beak - in order for a book to be a part of the finished holy bible, it must be propped up by other scripture. the new testament cannot stand on its own - it can only stand on the foundation of the old testament.
there were many historical books written that attest to other books in the bible, but did not pass muster to be included. hence the book of enoch and the book of jasher. without looking, i believe these were mentioned in scripture. i know the works of josephus is a historical account of biblical events.
warren could probably be much more eloquent than i in these matters and i'd be curious to see what he says about books that didn't make the grade.
commentary is good if biblically sound. i have a wealth of it - as we say here, we're either book rich or book poor!
There are no original manuscripts of any of the Bible books known to be in existence today. The apostles didn't see the need as they believed that the second coming would be within their time. The only writings that with some sense of surety can be attributed directly to one of the twelve, (or thirteen if you count Judas), are the Pauline Letters, epistles (Romans etc.)
The criteria, for selecting the books for canonization, were: They must be written by recognized anointed men of God such as prophets and apostles, (or their communities).
They must be recognized and accepted as authoritative by the community of God's people, (the church), and be in common usage.
What Christians call the "Old Testament" was readily canonized as the closely knit Jewish community always accepted these books as divine. Jesus did also.
The problem with the "New Testament was, the New Testament was literally spread out across the world through the Greek copies and different language translations. Different communities decided which books they would or would not use. Cults produced their own set of books (Gnostics, Docetists, etc.) The "Book of Judas" is one of these.
One heretic named Marcion in the second century AD said that only Luke and ten of Paul's epistles should be part of the New Testament. This forced the church to formerly recognize which books really were authentically scripture.
I have a pdf copy of "The book of Judas". If anyone is interested I will Email it to them. I found it through a somewhat obscure National Geographic link that I can't seem to find now. A lot of the original text was destroyed but its clear from what remains that it is a Gnostic text.
Beak, it might interest you to know that the Roman Catholic Church uses four books grouped into the "Old Testament" that are considered Apocrypha by the Protestant denominations. The Eastern "Greek" Church uses others and the Ethopian Church accepts an additional six beyond those.
Protestants didn't recognize these books as part of the canon because they were considered spurious or unnecessary but they are theologically sound.
thank you for that explanation, warren. you are so brilliant - i can see you waaaayyy down here! oh, wait - that's the sun going down - good evening to you.
And good evening to you, Nanc!
A little addition.
The Gnostics were not a single group and had different beliefs among them.
The two main criteria are:
Belief that the physical world is inherently evil.
Belief in salvation through gnosis, (hidden knowledge).
This led to a divergence where some believed that Jesus was not fully human but only had the appearance of being human, (Marcionism was one of these), or the belief that Jesus was not divine but had achieved salvation/revelation through gnosis.
I guess that it can be said that different sects and individuals are still seeking salvation through gnosis, (scientologists, gentile Kabbalah nuts etc.)
let's call them mixed nuts!
i sent you an e-mail last night.
O.T. warren, but i just read this at wnd and i find it to be interesting. my husbands' parents are jehovah's witnesses and do not believe the Almighty controls the weather:
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=49797
he's been trying to change their minds!
At my cousin's insistence, I watched the National Geographic special on her Tivo. The program was persuasively done, and those unfamiliar with the early history of the church will be easily misled.
Portraying Judas as a hero is an attempt to turn the world upside down and to promote another kind of moral relevancy.
Nanc is absolutely correct, and Warren gives the scholarly details.
I should get out my old textbook on church history. I think that it has a section on Gnosticism as well as other heresies.
So "they" say these day that Da Vinci code is a documentary.
Missinglink, "they" try to have it both ways. Its pathetic! It seems to be more of the false but true propaganda that has become prevalent in the mass media.
I shy away from conspiracy theory but its becoming increasingly hard not to believe there isn't some kind of connection between these unrelenting attacks on the moral underpinnings of our society.
It slipped my mind Nanc (re. the Email) but it fits right in with the general theme of the post.
Pelosi and the democrats are using biblical references to bolster their agenda.
Its a truism but none the less true for its often repeating; even Satan can quote scripture, when it suits his needs.
Always On Watch,
One of the things I like about the Roman Catholic Church is the accessibility of church history. Almost every Priest I've know has been an excellent history teacher. A lot of the larger Churches have modest libraries and I have found most priests more than willing to expound on subjects outside of salvation.
isn't it just the best when you have those moments? i think to myself when Jesus said, "many will say Lord, Lord..." and He stated emphatically that He would not know them? yeah - these are great days we live in.
i about puke when i hear somebody using the name of my Lord who wouldn't know Him if He washed their feet for them. angered i tell you. i can barely contain myself. it's probably a very good thing i have plenty of solitude during the week.
if you're into history, warren, some of the very best historians can be found in the seventh day adventist church. a wonderful people, but EXTREMELY legalistic to the point that even i want to eat bacon EVERYDAY. oh, and wear jewelry! funny how they wear make-up but no jewelry. me, i'm not ugly enough to wear make-up, but do love big ugly earrings!
Nace, I came from Nazerine stock. They emphisize holiness through sanctification. I became familar with dour faces and doudy clothes at a very eary age.
:^)
Nanc, regarding the ice falling from the sky.
I read a book written at the turn of the last century called "The Book of the Damned", (it isn't a religious book). It can be found in Project Gutenberg, online.
You would be surprised at some of the things that have fallen from the sky!
morning! i guess i should wear a hard hat while working in the yard. i used to have this giant digger pine in the back yard in california and it would drop two pound pine cones onto my deck and roof at certain times of the year - dimpled up my redwood deck - imagine what it would have done to my head!
Good moring to you, Nanc!
And to think I complain about gum balls. lol
Hi ho hi ho, its off...
beamish still in his slump - beak thinks he's about to explode on the scene with something. sure hope he snaps out of it soon.
i found this in my travels this evening:
http://www.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2006/4/19/
135840.shtml?s=ic
now, i'm going to bed - the jet lag is catching up with me and tomorrow is a work day.
I have a bug, I feel like crap and I have a job to do this weekend that's going to take 20 to 24 hours if nothing goes wrong.
I came home last night and crashed, no supper and I still don't feel like eating.
Beamish will be ok
have you tried the product "airborne"? excellent to take three times per day when you feel the craps coming on. now i'm concerned about you. i'll talk to the Head Doctor for you.
Thank you Nanc.
When my wife and son got sick, I thought it was their allergies. Its that time of year, there's a coat of yellow pollen on everything. She had an asthma attack, (normal for her this thime of year).
They had a bug and it snuck up on me. It caught me by suprise. If I can make it through this weekend I'll be ok. I usually shake these things off quick but I really do feel terrible right now.
i've found that usually the strongest get sick last - while i almost never get anything, if i do it's after i doctor the whole tribe before i do. G-d knows. the only good thing about getting sick is getting better and knowing you've stored up on some antibodies for the next time around, that is if you just tough it out on your own.
"I shy away from conspiracy theory ..."
Hmm let's see - a large grop of people starts talking from the heights of their learnt position about all the negatives brought upon this earth by our culture.
Oh, "they" say, but do not worry we have, new true values for you.
If this isn't a conspiracy it doesn't fall far away from it.
conspeorists are everywhere these days linkster. you cannot turn around without bumping into one. any beliefs i have come from the Father - the words came in a special book just for me - oh and for anybody who believes!
you feeling better yet, warren?
Nanc, 16 hour work day, I just got in and its after midnite. I'm tired, of course, but I do feel a lot better. My head is clear and I just have a little bit of a cough left. thank you for your prayers.
Iran Watch, IMO, The show, itself, probably wasn't intended in a conspiratial mannor but the hype clearly gave the wrong impression.
Okay Warren, I'm giving it a try!
We have comment!
The merry widow said, (at Beaks),
"Okay, I got in! Hurray! Will I have to do that every time? At least I will remember if I do!
Thanks bunches!
tmw"
No, just if you have a problem. Microsoft Internet Explorer, saves previously viewed pages for faster load times and if the information has changed, you will sometimes see the older page. Its a good idea to clean the cache and cookies out if you have a problem or just to do occasionally to free up space on your computer. Too many viewed pages and cookies can load your computer down with usless information and eventually slow your surfing down.
You're most welcome.
I'm actually doing this through yahoo, they do my mail for free. I will check out what is going on more often. I really am tech challenged, so all advice is greatfully accepted!
tmw
warren - you are becoming quite the "chick magnet"!!!
tmw - your computer should automatically have internet explorer - i clean out the old cookie jar every week - if you have a teen in the house, it should be required.
Nanc,
" warren - you are becoming quite the "chick magnet"!!!"
What's strange is that I find that's an oddly embarrassing thought!
I believe that you, my women friends, sense that I'm not a threat. Family, friends and values, we share a lot in common.
TMW, has IE, its just the Yahoo version.
I'm working on an avatar, we need to get her set up with a blogger profile so she can use it when its done.
i agree - we need to dynamize tmw! she's a force to be reckoned with...she just doesn't know it yet...i didn't know i was until somebody said, "hey, nanc - you're a force to be reckoned with." actually, it was fern who said, "you're a force to be BECKONED with." what did he mean by that?
I don't know and I'm not touching that line.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it!
.
.
.
OK, I lied.
Are you sure he didn't say a Contrary that can't be reasoned with?
;^)
Wellllll! Weird things have been happening the last year and a half! Last May the prayer ministry at church was literally dropped on me! Then in Nov. I was choosen for the church council! I was told by 2 different deacons that they needed me, on council! Also serving on the renovation commitee! The funniest thing is, I'm the token non-denominational, neo-charismatic in a So. Baptist church! ROFL! The former prayer ministry head and I are friends and she thinks it's a hoot. I will say though, it was Ben's confidence in me that helped me get over a load of fear. Fear is a horrible place to live, actually you just exist, barely. Now I understand why so many women say that after menopause they feel like they have a new life!
It's true!
Warren- Last week the sermon was on gnosticism, next week it's on the "DaVinci Code", I trashed the book after the first 2 chapters!
Good morning all!
tmw
Warren is a "chick magnet"? Maybe so, but what I see in Warren is a selfless friend. It's endearing that he said this: What's strange is that I find that's an oddly embarrassing thought!
More than endearing--it shows Warren's character.
TMW definitely needs an avatar. When I think of "Merry Widow," I think of "The Merry Widow Waltz." Probably not a good idea for an avatar, but that's what I think of.
Blogger is giving me fits this morning and won't let me publish a new article. What a pain! I'm supposed to be participating in a blogburst.
and what on earth would he mean by that, warren? i'm quite reasonable, well, when i'm not being unreasonable!
AoW- I do know how to waltz! Does that help?
tmw
tmw - we have waaaaaaaaayyy too much in common - i'm non-denom in a so-bap church too. and the responsibilities that are heaped on me - four people could carry comfortably. they've been trying to get us to join for a year now and we just say, "we're already a member of the church!" the by-laws state that if you're not a member, you cannot hold positions of authority so i have no idea how i got all these responsibilities.
you're right as usual, aow - warren is a fine person above all else. but he is also great for all of us damsels in p.c. distress - my own schweetie doesn't even know how to work a remote control for the t.v. but can rebuild any piece of machinery or engine in an older model vehicle. which of course is great for me not having to watch him hold down the couch!
I have some red satin Italian shoes, does that help, and yes I wear them to church. Part of my sassy image! The elderly couples love it!
Warren-I think of you more as a brother I can run to and pester! Who also knows stuff I don't understand, hence the pestering1
tmw
here's a great one for tmw:
http://www.oswego.edu/academics/opp
ortunities/artswego/images/MerryWid
ow.jpg
just go google images "merry widow" - there is a wealth of photos. quite impressive.
i love this one:
http://catspajamas1.chainreactionwe
b.com/catalog/images/ln47.jpg
i remember my mother wearing something like this as a small child - oy - the things women used to put themselves through!
Nanc- Here's something really scarey! We are rewritting the manuel and bylaws, who is doing this? The church council! Talk about 5th columnist. heehee! Of course we are trying to get back to a biblical model, simplify, leave programs behind, laity doing ministry, pastors spending time in prayer and Bible study. Gee, what are we coming too? Check out JustaPreacher Ministry, .com or .org will get you there, check out the 8 principles of a G*D centered church! That is where we are moving too! Jim Johnson was our senior pastor, until G*D called him to carry that message to other bodies. He is in Thailand for 10 days teaching pastors right now. Now we have to look for a new senior pastor! Fortunately I wasn't nominated for the commitee, I would have refused. I only will absent myself for 2 evenings a week, my family is first priority!
tmw
OMG, Nanc-I can get one in red satin and lace, I can imagine wearing that with my shoes(underneath, of course) what a naughty little smile I would wear! Drive everyone nuts! I love it! It would go with the black lace I wear under my purple dress, it's the only one that doesn't show! Dress very ladylike, with that underneath!
tmw
this is very funny - if our kids see other kids acting up in church, they'll whisper to us, "they need to take that kid into the back room and beat them with a bible!" i'm not lying when i say we have the perfect children suited to us. my husband butchers the songs, like the one "here i am to worship" - he'll sing "i hear your mom's a warship"! our daughter is ALWAYS scolding him. he loves the Lord.
Nanc- Ben sang like a bullfrog, so he usually didn't sing loudly. But he would get frisky sometimes(or I would) and I would slide his sock down with the toe of my shoe, or pull the hairs off his arm. Since we sit close to the front Jim would always catch us and quirk an eyebrow, or our children would decide to sit between us to make us behave! That's bad when the chilluns scold you!
tmw - tmi - "OMG, Nanc-I can get one in red satin and lace, I can imagine wearing that with my shoes(underneath, of course) what a naughty little smile I would wear! Drive everyone nuts! I love it! It would go with the black lace I wear under my purple dress, it's the only one that doesn't show! Dress very ladylike, with that underneath!"
Chick magnet? What's the world coming to?
anum - Yeshua would NEVER consider being a muslim - neither would any rational people. only those who feel the need to be led to the slaughter would be interested in islam.
Jesus was and is a servant - He would never tell us to kill in His name - He came that ALL might have life and have it forever. He asked that we lay down our lives for each other - not kill others in order to have life. He was much more than a rabbi, much more than a man. He IS THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE! if you want to live forever - Jesus is the One you must look to. i'll pray to the God of ISRAEL for your soul.
btw, anum - how come you haven't martyred yourself for the phony prophet muhammed? just curious.
Anum, I know that I know that I know! None by works (mohammadism) but by grace, so that I have NOTHING to boast about, it is all G*D! What do you have? Works and no surety! No thanks I'll take Jesus with no additions, thank you very much! And American's may be going the wrong way, but we still care about others and thier well being! What do mohammadins care about? War, killing, screaming, burning, beheadings, insurrection, stabbing benefactors in the back, etc. etc. etc. Oh, btw Anum, the lowest level of Hell is reserved for traitors and those who abuse thier benefactors. "hint"
tmw
Anum: Jesus, who was the first Muslim, has been lied of since his death. You should know this. The apostles were the first reverts to Islam. He was not God or his son
There's that word "reverts," which has other connotations. Hmmm...
So much for interfaith dialogue.
BTW, here is an excellent article on the futility of interfaith dialogue. Anum's words well illustrate the futility.
Beak,
Don't hold your breath for Anum to get his/her/its story straight. Too many bizarre convolutions in Islam.
That ought to get me a fatwa.
TMW, I used to be extremely active in the church but family takes precedence.
Too many people were willing to sit back and let everyone else do the work.
The Catholic charismatics used to give me fits! I would call them and ask for some help, an hour in the kitchen or maybe a pie, and I'd always get the same answer; (We don't do that but we will pray for you.)
I'd say, "Look, God helps those that help themselves, everyone in the church is praying for me right now, but I need a pie, so pray that I get a pie or better yet bake me one and cut out the middle-man!". (I was the president of the church council for 6 years by consensus. I refused another term.)
At the end of 6 years, they would call me before-hand and volunteer. ;^)
warren, does ANYBODY really need a pie?
p.s. i'm unvolunteering in the next few weeks and joining a pentecostal church where EVERYBODY is jealous of EVERYBODY having a position and fight to keep you out of the competition. now, that's my kind of church - maybe i'll get some God time in!
Nanc, pie is a blessing and some even say its a miracle.
Of course there is the Calvinist theory that pie is the eighth sign of the apocalypse.
no, it's the sign that the old six pack is going to turn into a keg!
ODL - is that me being contrary?
Last nights meeting lasted 2 1/2 hrs. plus time spent setting up our Nat. Day of Prayer plans! We are doing our best to simplify the church manual and by-laws, I never wanted to get into politics! Actually we have a good time at the meetings with, so far, no infighting! We tease each other a lot though, it's hard to fight when you're laughing! We have a cartoon up that shows 2 vultures sitting on a tree over a churc saying something about it being time for another buisness meeting. Reminder of what we don't want. Policy in our church, practice too, is that the person who makes the most noise about a ministry is obviously called by G*D to do it! Cuts down on dumping on the 20% who do the work! Haha, we actually have about 35-40% stepping up! Nanc-eeew! That's nasty! Doesn't sound like family at all!
tmw
troll alert - aow - first two articles.
yea, he's pretty bad.
He'll get what he deserves, one way or another!
warren - first article at fpm on animal torture and peta's peculiar lack of caring in china - did that come out right?
Nanc, I'll have to get to it this afternoon, I'm running behind.
Nanc, I really don't think you're contrary. You're a lot of fun!
You "are" a Contrary, that's a very different thing.
Holy Smokes
This Dog Eating bit has jumped to Front Page magazine as the lead story.
Just read it, I'm still crying.Nanc-do you sometimes feel like the evil in this world is about to smother you? I feel like I'm drowning in a lightless sea. I guess I'm just sick of it!
tmw
tmw - i never feel like it's smothering me, but my heart does get heavy with the simple fact that everybody could feel as great about life as i do, yet they CHOOSE not to. those stupid pro-choice people have it all wrong, just like their choices.
O.T. steve plaut has put up another peta article at autonomist - it's a good one. the dogeater thing IS getting around, beak. funny how things just take off!
Warren,
He'll get what he deserves, one way or another!
I'm looking for some options. Sent you an email, a bit whiny (Sorry about that). Ideas welcome.
personally, i don't think anybody would be put out if you banned him, aow. he says i follow him - pshaw - he showed up at autonomist a few months ago after me; he showed up then at beamish after me; then beaks - he may be what is referred to as a lost cause and i hate to think of people that way. he's definitely a lost soul.
Just Emailed you back but another to follow.
Nanc,
I know that you're not following him. Good grief! Who in her right mind would follow this psycho!
I have a harassment notice on my blog. JB has violated that notice beyond belief.
While Duck and I aren't friends, JB has taught me to appreciate Duck. Can I really be saying this?
AoW-Yes you can! And I agree, Ducky is a pain, but jb is a piece of work! So much rage, leads to insanity. You have been patient,very patient! But there is a thing called "tough love" and jb is desperately in need of some. A trip to Circles Of Care is in order also!
Nanc-He is a lost soul, it always grieves me to see that! I hate to see wasted lives and talents! But sometimes someone has made choices they cling to and won't let go even to save thier souls. I just skim by him, won't allow his garbage to pollute my mind anymore.
Good morning, looks like we may finally get some desperately need rain today!
tmw
Merry Widow,
I, too, ignore the comments of the insane.
TMW,
I made that little change that you mentioned in an email to me.
I am humbly appreciative of everyones patience with me! You're a good group of people to know!
Thank you!
tmw
Are you taking to me white boy?
Its because I wanted to so badley!
LMFAO
Are you going to cry now?
i was here first!
i hope his stay is short, warren.
Is that short enough for you Nanc?
LOL!
For anyone that wonders, brown stain was crying about having his comments deleted and called me a sambo, again.
like he couldn't see that you are warren? he does have a legitimate complaint against me - one night while he was going on and on and on and on and then he went on and on and on some more and after much more of his going on, i posted some links that alluded to the fact that what he was talking about you could find in a toilet, probably after a day of eating nothing but corn and greens. so, you see, i may have pushed him over the edge of the porcelain rim. God forgive me.
I find that quite funny! (And a fitting allegory).
If he keeps alluding to it, it obviously bothers him. Good for you!
i've responded to your e-mail.
Warren,
For anyone that wonders, brown stain was crying about having his comments deleted and called me a sambo, again.
I saw his whining comment at AOW in my inbox. Wasn't on the blog, though. Hehehe.
Nanc,
Fitting allegory! Well, he's flushed now.
You didn't have to push him. He is already over the edge.
the only thing i've known of sambo's is they used to make great pancakes until denny's ran them out of business.
Anum,
When Muhammad first started hallucinating that he was the voice of his clan's moon god idol, he asked of his wife Khadijah if he was misguided by Satan, and she encouraged him that the voices he was pretending to hear came from Allah.
Well, we all know what Muhammad thought of the testimony of women.
Look forward to LoBrow emailing you directly.
I'd advise not opening it. If I could prove he sent me the virus thats been dealing me fits I'd send him one right back.
Nanc- Entirely appropriate!
Warren- Since Sambo means lion I would take that as a compliment! How often the left throws out insults that they don't realize are compliments! i.e. Bible thumper. Besides, those on the left are mostly so twisted, to gain thier opprobium is a compliment! It's funny though how they get all huffy if not permitted to poop in your livingroom! Ever notice thier cars? usually nasty! The saying "garbage in, garbage out" certainly applies!
Thanks warren.
-FJ
Cuz, what comes around goes around! It takes me just enough time to shutdown and boot another hard drive to solve those kinds of problems. If it got past my suff I wouldn't even clean it out. I'd just wipe the hard drive and put another one in.
Actually, I don't even do that. I have a stack of hard drives with different operating systems beside my computer and a patch cord hanging out the side.
Power down, switch patch cable, power up.
TMW, I'm not worried about his poor attempt at racial insult. He's so stupid he uses the wrong ones.
We need to talk about your problem with word verification and get you a blogger account set up, but it looks like I'm going to be busy until Sunday.
St. Warren of the Computer! Don't get upset, Paul calls us that, so get used to it! Nanc- I was telling my massues about contraries and your avatar, she was definitely intrigued, loved the idea! r.m. was in rare form last night, laughed so hard my daughter made me read his post twice.
Warren You don't worry about it, I've done without and been happy as a clam, appreciate your help though!
tmw
beamish - remember a couple of months ago when that stalker i had tried to send me a virus? well, my computer and yahoo wouldn't let me receive or send the attachment. our telephone company recommended this and it saved alot of people when i posted it elsewhere:
http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1
and that was the kama sutra virus.
WARREN - check your e-mail! please!
URGENT - WARREN - PLEASE CHECK YOUR E-MAIL - SORRY ABOUT THE HOLLERING!
WHERE'S MY AVATAR?
Working on it.!
Ck your mail, two messages.
okay, i feel much better now.
test run and erase?
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