tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000246624917740455.comments2023-10-23T06:05:44.319-07:00BibleBase Second ThoughtsRon Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07507424807041686192noreply@blogger.comBlogger71125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000246624917740455.post-50734728218811015992010-06-07T19:35:49.697-07:002010-06-07T19:35:49.697-07:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000246624917740455.post-26322225615581138722010-05-29T13:39:20.426-07:002010-05-29T13:39:20.426-07:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000246624917740455.post-7661678947488653972010-05-21T11:18:25.578-07:002010-05-21T11:18:25.578-07:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000246624917740455.post-21655982210656178252010-05-05T19:46:34.815-07:002010-05-05T19:46:34.815-07:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.RooseveltHouchi嬌琪https://www.blogger.com/profile/09626399711296417829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000246624917740455.post-76505913151701207422010-05-05T08:06:22.368-07:002010-05-05T08:06:22.368-07:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.John Corcoranhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02039349515503404609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000246624917740455.post-77824617104052418052010-04-04T05:19:37.219-07:002010-04-04T05:19:37.219-07:00Amen to these 9 articles on " by grace throug...Amen to these 9 articles on " by grace through faith ". As music to my ears! A much needed insight to help unlock to peoples hearts the unsearchable riches of Christ. I had wanted to leave a comment ever since the first one, but didn't find time to do so other then read them. <br /><br />What comes to mind is Ehesians 3:7 " I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace given me through the working of his power. Although I am less than the least of all God's people, this grace was given me: to preach to the gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things."<br /><br />In light of your observations on synergism the word administration is of particular interest, the King James uses fellowship. The greek word is Strong's 3622 'Oikonomia' which can mean administration ( of a household or estate ); specially, a ( religious ) "economy" - dispensation, stewardship. From this it sounds more like Paul was given grace by God, enabling him to administer this 'fellowship'to the gentiles through the preaching of the gospel. The King James brings this out in Ephesians 3:2 where it uses the words dispensation of the grace given to Paul for us. <br /><br />I can't help thinking of your quotation of Isaiah chapter one, where the whole head is sick, and the heart faints. From the sole of the foot even to the head, there is no soundness in it, but wounds and bruises and petrefying sores; They have not been closed or bound up, or soothed with ointment.<br /><br />The language Paul uses in Ephesians fits in beatifully with that. God has the only solution to the human problem. It is like he alone has the medicine to make us better, which he dispenses through the church his chemist on earth. So thats why its not without grace, we couldn't make this soothing ointment ourselves which will save us. But as fellow workmen with God we are asked to take part in dispensing of it and learn how to administer it to those that need healing. As with all medicines it is important how you administer it. Your observation that 'faith is right response to the word of God', hits it on the head. For no medicine dispensed is of any use unless the patient receives it and administers it to himself as the doctor ordered. Therefore, what we do with God's gift to us plays no small part in God strenghtening us with power through his Spirit in our inner being, so that Christ may dwell in our hearts through faith, ( Ephesians 3:16 ).Fredhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12102734028155314914noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000246624917740455.post-43632940608586920742010-04-03T06:59:17.803-07:002010-04-03T06:59:17.803-07:00Just so!Just so!Ron Baileyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07507424807041686192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000246624917740455.post-50897633919002079312010-04-03T04:23:59.306-07:002010-04-03T04:23:59.306-07:00It is interesting to note, because of the original...It is interesting to note, because of the original design of the church, that heresies in the early church were mostly regional in nature, because of this relational based NET-work structure. A theological error could only travel as far as the people who held it could physically travel. But when you have a centralized structure, heresy is able to spread rapidly. All it has to do is infect the central hub, and convince those who are in charge.The Big Bad Bankerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12567472295446852506noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000246624917740455.post-8460880326483292842010-04-03T04:11:48.090-07:002010-04-03T04:11:48.090-07:00Great analogy! I was talking to somebody who was ...Great analogy! I was talking to somebody who was part of a Pentecostal denomination that had an episcopal structure. He was telling me it was "good to have people to hold him accountable." I challenged his notion of accountability by asking this elder brother, "How many pastors have your bishops removed from their church for being full of pride?" He couldn't answer me one word. <br /><br />I told him that true accountability isn't found in pyramid structures, but in relational ones. I told him that somebody who is close to me in the Lord, who "gets up in my face" when I stray, is able to hold me far more accountable than somebody who simply sits at an office in a distant land. Indeed, their bishop whom they were "accountable to" would likely never detect the pride of a pastors heart, because he has no relationship with that man. Truth be told, he can't hold him to be truly accountable for his character and conduct. At best, he can remove him from his "office" for whatever sin he commits. But as I've seen in that denomination, you will only be removed from your "office" if you sleep around or steal from the church. <br /><br />All this is fostered by a "leaders" mentality. "Brethren" are those who are truly able to hold our feet to the fire. One is institutional, the other is relational and organic. <br /><br />Jimmy<br /><a href="http://www.iamadisciple.com" rel="nofollow">I Am A Disciple</a>The Big Bad Bankerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12567472295446852506noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000246624917740455.post-7394046450677385032010-04-03T03:54:18.291-07:002010-04-03T03:54:18.291-07:00Good thoughts Ron. I like to think of these thing...Good thoughts Ron. I like to think of these things in light of the incarnation of our Lord. Jesus was 100% God, but also 100% man. So it is with our response in faith to God. 100% God. 100% man.The Big Bad Bankerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12567472295446852506noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000246624917740455.post-75387713065344919592010-03-30T06:19:58.820-07:002010-03-30T06:19:58.820-07:00I was thinking about how response to revelation is...I was thinking about how response to revelation is hindered by the wrong attitude of the one brother against the other. It is a theme we have seen before; Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? (Matthew 20:15) It is not that he wanted the blessing of his father as much as he begrudged (resented) his brother getting it. As our Lord told the religious leaders, they shut up the Kingdom against man and did not go in themselves. I think this pattern is found when folk undermine God speaking to hearts by revelation. They think they are standing for truth by questioning esoteric or subjective experiences; but they are really just hindering God's process of bringing revelation that He might bring about reconciliation.Robert Wurtz IIhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07649204621206200173noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000246624917740455.post-5812082565271174162010-03-29T08:22:27.095-07:002010-03-29T08:22:27.095-07:00I will address this in the next blog. It is salvat...I will address this in the next blog. It is salvation which is the gift of God in this verse. Does your testimony show that God wanted you to spend 30 years without the consciousness of his love or did you have some responsibility in the matter?Ron Baileyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07507424807041686192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000246624917740455.post-67565827478793357052010-03-28T17:53:09.024-07:002010-03-28T17:53:09.024-07:00What you write about faith and hearing the word of...What you write about faith and hearing the word of God is true.<br /><br /><br />But faith and grace are gifts from god. Paul writes to the Ephesians; 'For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of god.'<br /><br />I personally spent 30 years in fellowships hearing the gospel preached truly and the word of god ministered powerfully, but I couldn't find the faith to believe unto righteousness. <br /><br />But last year, away from all christian influence for the past ten years, I was cycling in the countryside, and the Lord Jesus himself met with me - poor guilty wretch - and revealed himself in me, washing away all my sin and giving me his holy spirit and the gift of faith to believe him. <br /><br />That's why I believe in predestination, because I know he had his heart set on me before the foundation of the world and has never given me up. He called me, justified me through his cross and glorified me by his spirit.<br /><br />As I said before, I am not a calvinist, but who can resist his will?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04928362740387222566noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000246624917740455.post-61721158378218597572010-03-27T01:31:32.381-07:002010-03-27T01:31:32.381-07:00God's word to sentient beings takes on another...God's word to sentient beings takes on another dimension, that of man's likeness to God in his responsibility to choose. God said 'Let there be light and there was light'. But appearance of the light was not 'obedience' but simple consequence of God's sovereignly declared will. The 'light' did not acquire virtue by nature of its appearance; it did not have accountability. <br /><br />Angels and men are different. Their obedience is commended and their disobedience is condemned. WIthout personal accountability there can be no meaning to the word 'virtue'.Ron Baileyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07507424807041686192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000246624917740455.post-3454954755799468632010-03-27T00:27:11.357-07:002010-03-27T00:27:11.357-07:00I think we often forget that right from the beginn...I think we often forget that right from the beginning Gods words were actively creative. When He said 'Let there be...' or 'Let us make...' it actually happened. So when He talks about the gifts of grace and (His) faith these have creative impetus towards us. No wonder a word to the dead, physically or spiritually has the potential to bring about life.<br /><br />PS. When I read about what Calvin got up to when he had a whole city to deal with, I went off him and his theology big-time!Ruth Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16404980336943111438noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000246624917740455.post-87744624977243757402010-03-26T05:19:30.682-07:002010-03-26T05:19:30.682-07:00you have no idea how restrained I am in my comment...you have no idea how restrained I am in my comments on Calvin<i>ism</i>. I never give Calvin<i>ists</i> a bashing, I have too many Calvin<i>ist</i> friends, but I am quite convinced that Calvin<i>ism</i> in founded on some basic errors of Bible interpretation. ;-)Ron Baileyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07507424807041686192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000246624917740455.post-6302802978438732932010-03-23T21:01:07.328-07:002010-03-23T21:01:07.328-07:00This was very instructive, but you do like to give...This was very instructive, but you do like to give the Calvinists a bashing. Your third paragraph reminds me much of Paul's Roman letter, which sets forth Gods righteousness. God is not concerned with rewarding mans virtue or punishing his vice or rebuking those who lacked faith - as you put it. But Paul write in chapter 3 'For what if some did not believe? Shall their unbelief make the FAITH OF GOD without effect? God forbid; yea let God be true and every man a liar' And further 'Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance?. God forbid. For how shall God judge the world'.<br /><br />Then in chapter 9, vs 18 to 20 Paul writes' Therefore hath He mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he pardoneth. Thou (Ron) wilt say unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted His will? Nay but , O man, who art thou that replies against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?' <br /><br />But most clearly of all in the wonderful chapter 8. vs 29 and 30 'For whom He did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that He might be the firstborn amongst many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them also he called, and whom he called, them also he justified, and whom he justified, them also he glorified'.<br /><br />What a wonderful, complete salvation, all from God.<br /><br />I am not a calvinist, I just believe what the word says.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04928362740387222566noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000246624917740455.post-23349220330457236562010-03-15T10:22:24.015-07:002010-03-15T10:22:24.015-07:00Thank you so much for the simple truths. God, in H...Thank you so much for the simple truths. God, in His love relationship, did not take away our will to either accept or reject Him even though we get convicted and converted by His grace. Man still have a choice to make. Even in powerful encounter like that of Paul or in a simple one that happend to me alone in my room.<br /><br />Thanks once again - Francis Kashimawo - Lagos, NigeriamyoAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03418316654573423253noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000246624917740455.post-54375708549550693462010-03-15T10:20:06.992-07:002010-03-15T10:20:06.992-07:00Thank you so much for the simple truths. God, in H...Thank you so much for the simple truths. God, in His love relationship, did not take away our will to either accept or reject Him even though we get convicted and converted by His grace. Man still have a choice to make. Even in powerful encounter like that of Paul or in a simple one that happend to me alone in my room.<br /><br />Thanks once again - Francis Kashimawo - Lagos, NigeriaAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03418316654573423253noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000246624917740455.post-35277740771996630062010-03-13T18:43:25.038-08:002010-03-13T18:43:25.038-08:0015 years ago, a Christian astronomer told me he di...15 years ago, a Christian astronomer told me he didn't think we were in an expanding universe at all, but a shrinking one, and that it's an optical illusion. We think it's <br />expanding because we are closest to<br />a giant black hole in the center of<br />the universe thus moving faster towards it than the outermost stars, which we are leaving behind. The increasing gap "appears" to indicate an expanding universe. He took his clue from the bible verse which says God opened the heavens like a tent i.e. it one time did expand, but then God rolls up the heavens like a scroll. In fact we see an elongated universe, no longer circular, a distortion caused by the giant black hole which scientists only recently detected. <br />I've been telling people the dark stuff theories were nothing more than math inventions to compensate for a true theory, just as astronomers before Copernicus had to invent formulas to account for the erratic movement of planets. If any physicist or astronomer reads this and wants similar biblical enlightenment about Quantum physics nonsense, I'll be happy to provide that too. The new Theory of Elementary Waves is on the right track but not completely, not until someone realizes that the "waves" behave like words, (with harmonics penetrating higher dimensions). God is still talking.bestofallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10114898860209957611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000246624917740455.post-38304811801766777042010-03-13T18:41:58.228-08:002010-03-13T18:41:58.228-08:0015 years ago, a Christian astronomer told me he di...15 years ago, a Christian astronomer told me he didn't think we were in an expanding universe at all, but a shrinking one, and that it's an optical illusion. We think it's <br />expanding because we are closest to<br />a giant black hole in the center of<br />the universe thus moving faster towards it than the outermost stars, which we are leaving behind. The increasing gap "appears" to indicate an expanding universe. He took his clue from the bible verse which says God opened the heavens like a tent i.e. it one time did expand, but then God rolls up the heavens like a scroll. In fact we see an elongated universe, no longer circular, a distortion caused by the giant black hole which scientists only recently detected. <br />I've been telling people the dark stuff theories were nothing more than math inventions to compensate for a true theory, just as astronomers before Copernicus had to invent formulas to account for the erratic movement of planets. If any physicist or astronomer reads this and wants similar biblical enlightenment about Quantum physics nonsense, I'll be happy to provide that too. The new Theory of Elementary Waves is on the right track but not completely, not until someone realizes that the "waves" behave like words, (with harmonics penetrating higher dimensions). God is still talking.bestofallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10114898860209957611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000246624917740455.post-18583378833976881952010-03-13T18:41:16.365-08:002010-03-13T18:41:16.365-08:0015 years ago, a Christian astronomer told me he di...15 years ago, a Christian astronomer told me he didn't think we were in an expanding universe at all, but a shrinking one, and that it's an optical illusion. We think it's <br />expanding because we are closest to<br />a giant black hole in the center of<br />the universe thus moving faster towards it than the outermost stars, which we are leaving behind. The increasing gap "appears" to indicate an expanding universe. He took his clue from the bible verse which says God opened the heavens like a tent i.e. it one time did expand, but then God rolls up the heavens like a scroll. In fact we see an elongated universe, no longer circular, a distortion caused by the giant black hole which scientists only recently detected. <br />I've been telling people the dark stuff theories were nothing more than math inventions to compensate for a true theory, just as astronomers before Copernicus had to invent formulas to account for the erratic movement of planets. If any physicist or astronomer reads this and wants similar biblical enlightenment about Quantum physics nonsense, I'll be happy to provide that too. The new Theory of Elementary Waves is on the right track but not completely, not until someone realizes that the "waves" behave like words, (with harmonics penetrating higher dimensions). God is still talking.bestofallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10114898860209957611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000246624917740455.post-92209625279951680792010-03-11T04:09:19.931-08:002010-03-11T04:09:19.931-08:00thanks Fred
you scientist in a hole was featured i...thanks Fred<br />you scientist in a hole was featured in the programme. He is still looking as far as I recall.Ron Baileyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07507424807041686192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000246624917740455.post-38144106436900334132010-03-10T15:05:13.403-08:002010-03-10T15:05:13.403-08:00Scientists like Richard Dawkins have championed an...Scientists like Richard Dawkins have championed and popularized among the general public the notion that it is just not rational to believe in a creative intelligence behind the universe. Therefore many have pushed God to the realms of mythology. Little do they realize that a believe in the 'big bang' as the origin of everything is far less realistic. It is hard for some to accept the biblical concept that God has been forever and has no beginning and no end. Yet it is apparantly sound scientific thinking to say that everything came out of nothing! If you really think it through, then a universe without God must logically also have existed forever and have no beginning or end! Now, that is really not rational!<br /><br />As you mentioned Ron, the university professors discussed dark matter, and dark flow with the recurring chorus 'we don't know'. And that's the crux of the 'matter' for they are really believing in things not seen, but sadly leaving God out of the equation. Hebrews 11:3 would serve as a reminder of the truth. But, what do you do when you observe that the universe simply doesn't behave in a way that can be explained by things that are seen. apparantly there just isn't enough matter around to provide the gravitational pull to keep it all together. So, if God is out of the question then you have to opt for something else. And amasingly that 'something' is given qualities that are almost godlike. The invisible forces that in the beginning caused the big bang to erupt and eventually forming the present universe. And the dark matter and energy to hold everything together and functioning. <br /><br />A far cry from in the beginning was the word,(logos). What a relief that all things are upheld by the word of HIS power, (Hebrews 1:3). I am trully comforted that everything started and was formed through the most rational reasoning that has ever been and will be. Our future is safe with HIM who has planned and will work out our salvation to the minutest detail.<br /><br />As you said, some of the academics at the top seem to be humble souls. I saw a program once about a scientist who for sixteen years had spend a lot of time hundreds of meters below ground in a mine. Apparantly the best place to register evidence of dark matter. he admittd though that he had never been able in all that time to detect any, despite the use of advanced technological equipment. It is the same story accross the board of similar investigations the world over. Nevertheless it was almost touching, but also inspiring, to see his determination, dedication and resilience in seeking a solution to the problem of the mising 90% of the universe. I think there must be scientists who might hopefully one day admit to themselves and the world " There must be a god."<br /><br />As you said, there are some who are now doubting.Fredhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12102734028155314914noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000246624917740455.post-1568043035366143202010-03-08T11:08:09.750-08:002010-03-08T11:08:09.750-08:00I was really looking forward to this weeks episode...I was really looking forward to this weeks episode. but sadly the masive influence of God in our society was not even mentioned.Its a real shame because its so obvious that people high and low where certainly God concience in centuries passeddelboyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05387840597638046426noreply@blogger.com