Archive for July, 2006
The Gospel Of Thomas
The apocryphon Gospel of Thomas is believed to have been written around 350 AD. Some date it earlier but content and style suggest this later date. Irenaeus, Origin, and Hippolytus writing around that time make reference to such non-canonical writing. Since the work does not contain historical data, that is, narrative [...]
The Resurrection — Easter
As Christianity moved out of its base region it entered a pagan culture which included worship of the sun goddess Estera. The sun rose on the same horizon each day so the direction from which it emerged was called East in her honor. Each spring a grand festival involving celebrating the [...]
Bible Ignorance
For some time an effort has been under way to marginalize Christianity and minimize Bible knowledge. An unexpected accomplice in this have been churches.
Consider some realities in evaluating how successful this effort has been.
The Baran Research Group along with researchers George Gallup and Jim Castilleia have engaged in surveys that give concern.
One survey [...]
The Gospel Of Judas: Part II
“The Gospel of Judas” was given major national exposure by the “National Geographical Society” the week before Easter. It was given major national exposure in a TV special, two books, features in major magazines, an exhibit, and a special web site. The Society paid $1,000,000 for the right to publish it [...]
New Orleans Katrina Response Part II
We just returned from our first post-Katrina visit to New Orleans and the Mississippi Gulf Coast. What we saw proves there is no such thing as real estate. In that area it is in an unreal state.
We visited the three breaches in levies. When they burst a mountain of water rushed across [...]
New Orleans Katrina Response Part I
Two people can say the same thing one as a friend of the object and the other a critic. Bill Cosby speaking on the need of better parenting in the black community and a skinhead speaking in essence saying the same thing comes across differently. Likewise, Dennis Prager, a Jew who is [...]
Church: The Change Within Part II
Imitation often makes things dull.
Modern churches have a challenge previous generations did not have. It regards how to deal with diversity. Racial diversity has come a long way. Many churches have several races represented and involved. Educational, economic, social, and cultural diversity have been dealt with constructively. A primary distinction that [...]
Church: The Change Within Part I
As a minister for 55 years and a pastor for 53 years I love churches and those who comprise memberships. To be a critic of something I love so much is an impossibility. To pretend today’s churches don’t have a major challenge would be to evidence a lack of observation, however. The [...]
Creation: Intelligent Design Part II
Dr. Anthony Flew has taught at Oxford and other leading universities. For half a century he has been considered the world’s foremost atheist. The man revered as the world’s smartest atheist has written numerous articles and books arguing against the existence of God. He has long been the darling of atheistic [...]
Creation: Intelligent Design Part I
There is a concept from which youth must be protected. Persons who try to share it are trashed in an effort to expunge this dangerous concept from young minds. Courts, certain editorial boards, and various special interest groups are aligned in shielding young minds from this ideology.
A growing number of scientists [...]
Israel/Egypt Travel 2006
Time machines do exist. Sunday morning I had breakfast in Cairo and dinner that night in Marietta.
Saturday night we dined and watched a stunning sound and light show recount the history of ancient Egypt at the Great Pyramids in Giza. Thus concluded a fifteen day visit to Israel and Egypt. We traveled [...]
Intermittent Explosive Disorder
In recent correspondence a friend told of how two usually civil friends erupted in a “cat fight” at their bridge club.
Later came the story of two persons who verbally engaged in egregious behavior at a meeting of their civic club.
Then came the question, “What is going on? Is there an epidemic of some [...]
