List five characteristics of wisdom. Who is the wisest person you know? Why? 516 - 3 - 1

After struggling with answering the first part of this question. I realize that I lack wisdom when it comes to knowing what wisdom actually is. I think wisdom would have been to select a different discussion question, however, here goes my rather feeble attempt.

Proverbs 9:10, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” This is not fear in the usual sense rather it is having a right relationship with God, of being  absolutely in awe of God, holding him in complete respect and being obedient to His will.

According to CM, Wisdom has several definitions. The traditional definition entails the ability to use knowledge in the right way. My problem with this definition is who is the arbitrator of what is the right way?

I understand that there is World Wisdom and Biblical Wisdom. According to Paul in 1 Corinthians 2 he speaks to people not in human wisdom, but rather wisdom based on God’s power. Paul speaks of God’s wisdom as being a mystery that has been hidden from the foundation of time. I gather from James 3 that earthly wisdom is evidenced by lifestyle and deeds. In describing Heavenly wisdom, James writes in 3:17-18. "But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness."

As for five characteristics of wisdom, I’ve taken this from our class notes, practical sagacity, mental acumen, and functional skill, but it also includes moral, upright living which stems from a right relationship with the Lord.”

I have been blessed to have a very good and wise friend J. For years J has hosted a Bible study in a tent adjacent to her home here in the Arizona desert. These Bible studies are held on Thursday morning and this year J took advantage of the opportunity to have two highly revered evangelical pastors take over her class time. No pride of authorship here as she not only welcomed these guest speakers, she also provided an environment in which we could all learn. . Jay is a purveyor of great wisdom and is an outstanding servant of God. 

Often when I had a problem and/or felt the need for guidance I talk to J and she always listens quietly and gently guides me towards a decision/ conclusion. Jay has given me emotional support at times when I really needed it.

How do we know Christ rose from the dead? 532-2 - 19 - 1

The crucifixion of Jesus was well documented not only in the Bible, but also by historians such as Titus Flavius Josephus. Josephus was born in 37 A.D. shortly after the crucifixion, however, he was alive as the disciple started sharing the Way. Historical documents attributed to Josephus mention Jesus as an historical figure who was able to perform many surprising feats, was crucified, and that there were followers of Jesus who were still in existence at the time of its writing. And that they, the followers of Jesus, reported that he had appeared to them after his crucifixion and that he was alive.

Also, the Romans were experts in inflicting pain and certainly knew the difference between someone barely alive and a dead person. They knew how to torture Jesus to the point of near death with just enough life left in him to face crucifixion. Also there were guards posted at the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea that had been borrowed for the few days of Jesus' interment.

The risen Jesus was seen by hundreds of people and broke bread with his disciples. He walked for several miles with two followers on the Road to Emmaus sharing with them that the scriptures were written about the coming and suffering of the Messiah. A question asked through the ages is why so many people had difficulty recognizing the risen Jesus at first. Perhaps this was because the rational mind could not compute or perhaps it was akin to the blindness that Jesus has/had pronounced on Israel.

To me, one of the greatest indications that Jesus rose from the dead is the behavior of His disciples after the resurrection. 1 Peter 1:16, "For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty." With the possible exception of John, the disciples ran likes scared rabbits after Jesus was arrested. After the resurrection and the coming of the Comforter these same men went about fearless spreading the Gospel. All but John were martyred, however, he was tortured and imprisoned.

On the road to Damascus, Saul had a vision of Jesus and shortly thereafter became an apostle. Not only had he seen the risen Christ, but it has been suggested that he spent three years in the Arabian Desert being tutored by Jesus. A brief vision or a three-year discipleship, either way, Paul became a warrior for the risen Christ and, in large measure, we Gentiles owe our faith to this tenacious man. 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:"

Examples of “unsaving faith.” 532-2 - 19 - 6

Proverbs 1:22, “How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?”

In his comments concerning “The Pathology of Faith” CM states that Unsaving Faith can be either vain faith or dead faith. Vain faith involves belief in the wrong doctrine with the example given being 1 Corinthians 15:14-17. If Jesus had not risen from the dead ours would be a vain faith. However, we know that Jesus did, indeed rise from the dead, and we believe in a risen Savior.

Dead Faith is faith in an orthodox doctrine without personal belief in Jesus. Here CM mentions James 2:18, “Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.”

Religion is man’s attempt to reach up to God usually by works. Many expect to go to heaven because they go to church and are good rather than placing their faith in Jesus. Ephesians 2:8, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God." Salvation is a free gift, however, one that has to be accepted. Then, like James, we can say I will show you my faith by my good works emanating from my faith.

As for dead doctrine, some religions invent their own concept of Jesus. The Islamic Jesus would mimic the Christian False Prophet. Although Mormons often claim to be Christian their prophet has the last word concerning Mormon doctrine as does the Catholic Pope regarding Catholic doctrine.

Catholics have their purgatory, masses for the dead and the buying of indulgences. This certainly contradicts Ephesians 2:8, and basically calls Jesus a liar when He cried from the cross “It is finished.” Matthew 6:7, "But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking." Or, in the case of the Catholic service, vain repetitions, as the priest chants one thing and the congregation chants the prescribed reply.

In the case of Islam, one never really know if he or she has done enough to please Allah to be allowed entrée into paradise until his or her death. The one exception being if you should die in jihad.

To me the cornerstone of the evangelical believer is that our cornerstone, Jesus, was our sacrificial lamb who died to reconcile fallen man with a righteous God. 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:"

Job 19:25, "For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth"

Do you expect to see Pilate in heaven? 532-2 - 18 - 5

John 19:10-11, "Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? Knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee? Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin." Jesus held the Jewish leadership more accountable than he did Pilate.

The Archko Confessions is a short extra-biblical documentary filmed in 2008; the description follows.

“The Archko Confessions are reported to be the actual words of Pontius Pilate, Caiaphas, Herod Antipas, Jesus Christ, and Ben Isham, as translated in the Archko Volume, a collection of official documents written at the time of the trial, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.”

http://parables.tv/subscription-video-demand-movie?vid=126

A Critique of the Archko Library – short version, “As I began to investigate the Archko Volume, I found that critics consider it to be an apocryphal work at best and a probable fraud at worst!”

http://siriusknotts.wordpress.com/2008/01/05/a-critique-of-the-archko-library/

From Wikipedia, The Archko Volume. “The Archko Volumeor Archko Library ^[1] is a 19th-century volume containing what purports to be a series of reports from Jewish and pagan sources contemporary with Christ that relate to the life and death of Jesus. The work went through a number of versions and has remained in print ever since. The texts are otherwise unknown, and the author was convicted by an ecclesiastical court of falsehood and plagiarism.”

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Archko_Volume

As for me, I would like to believe that there is an element of truth in the Archko Confessions as I would like to believe that Rabbi Yitzhak Kaduri really had a vision of Jesus reviewing Himself as the Messiah. “I ask you again, could the Messiah of God reveal Himself to a Jewish rabbi?” quoted from the book by Carl Gallups, “The Rabbi Who Found Messiah: The Story of Yitzhak Kaduri and His Prophecies of the Endtime."

Pagan superstition or his proximity to Jesus throughout that fateful day, did Pilate come to the belief that Jesus was/is the Messiah? Pilate tried to avoid involvement in the trial of Jesus by turning him over to Herod. When this didn’t work, he had him beaten and then presented the bloody Jesus to the populace, saying, “Behold the man.” He famously asked Jesus, “What is truth.” So yes, I expect to see Pilate in heaven. Pilate had declared Jesus not guilty and confirmed him as the King of the Jews.

Added later:

I was trying to find this thought provoking essay by Nathele Graham to share with friends at yesterday's Bible study. Finally I found it so I thought why not share it on Facebook as I suspect that most of my Facebook friends and relatives do not have a relationship with Jesus. So I plant a seed hoping that it will germinate. 

WHY DIDN’T I TELL YOU? By Nathele Graham

I knew that, like me, you were a sinner in need of Grace. Why didn’t I tell you?
I knew that sin, no matter how small, cannot enter Heaven. Why didn’t I tell you?
I knew that you were searching, in need of peace. Why did...n’t I tell you?
I knew that eternity is forever. Why didn’t I tell you?
I knew that we can choose where we spend eternity. Why didn’t I tell you?
I knew that all roads do not lead to Heaven. Why didn’t I tell you?
I knew that if there was any other way of Salvation, Jesus wouldn’t have had to die on the cross. Why didn’t I tell you?
I knew that Jesus chose to die on the cross for me….and you. Why didn’t I tell you?
I knew that you had to accept that free gift which God gave us in order to be saved. Why didn’t I tell you?

But now here I am in the presence of God Almighty but I don’t know where you are. I was going to tell you tomorrow, but there are no more tomorrows for me or for you. You’re not here, didn’t anyone tell you? Oh, dear God, forgive me. Why didn’t I tell you?

Was the crucifixion a tragedy or an achievement? For whom? 532-2 - 18 - 3

The crucifixion was an achievement for many reasons. Jesus was our sacrificial lamb who paid for our (my) sins so that we (I) can be assured of eternal life as we are justified before God. I've heard it said that it wasn't the nails that held Jesus to the cross; it was His love for us. The Resurrection and Ascension confirm that life doesn't end at the grave and that a home is waiting for us beyond our imagining and most important, we’ll be in the presence of Jesus.

The Crucifixion was prophesied in the Old Testament and the fact that the crucifixion happened as prophesied substantiates the Bible as the inspirited Word of God. A few of the prophetic verses from the Old Testament that were fulfilled include:

• Psalm 22, could have been dictated from the cross.

• Isaiah 53 was so accurate that opponents tried to post-date it

• Daniel 9:26 “And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself…”

• Zechariah 11:12-13, “And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver. And the LORD said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prised at of them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the LORD.”

That Jesus would remain in the tomb for three days was prophesied by Jonah’s three days in the whale. Jesus was likely crucified on Wednesday and arose on the Sabbath and not on Friday, as claimed by the church. By deliberately incorrectly dating the crucifixion and resurrection the church was attempting to distance the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus from the Jewish Passover; Satan inspired anti-Semitic birthing of Replacement Theology.

While the crucifixion and resurrection was an achievement it was a tragedy for Satan. Genesis 3:1 5, “"And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel." Satan may have bruised the heel of Jesus, nevertheless. Jesus certainly crushed Satan’s head.

God stepped out of eternity to become a man and be sacrificed for the sins of the world. After two thousand years Jesus remains the most important man ever; He was, He is and He will forever be. We are so blessed!

What is the third commandment all about? How does it affect you? 516 - 2 - 7

Proverbs 6:16-20, “ These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren. My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother:”

Before CM and KI I thought the third commandment had to do with swearing. Now I realize that taking the Lord’s name in vain has to do with being a poor ambassador for God. To me being an ambassador for God means to home my skills as a Christian apologist. I hope in my small way to counter damage that has been done/is being done in many main stream churches. Too often lost is the message of justification by faith coupled with an inspiring message of what the blood of Christ has done for church members; rather, a great concern with filling the pews.

Paul tells us in ll Timothy 2:15 “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” I do my level best to be a positive and productive ambassador for God. A favorite is to talk to people about the simple message of the Good News: “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:” 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 KJV.

I attempt to be a better Christian apologist by being informed of other worldviews. The Issachar Track course I 605: Worldview, Research, and Analysis was very informative concerning the seven worldviews. These include Atheism, Deism, Pantheism, Panentheism, Finite, Godism, Polytheism and Theism. It was demonstrated that Theism is the only logical worldview and would include Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Since Judaism and Islam reject the divinity of Jesus Christ, these religions also fall by the wayside leaving Christianity is the logical worldview.

Ephesians 6:11, "Put on the whole armour of God that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." There have been so many books written that are great asset in countering false religions. “Fast Facts® on False Teachings” by Ed Decker, 2002 is a quick overview of many of the so-called world religions and/or cults written in a fairly simple style that puts the cookies on the bottom shelve.

I maintain an online blog that likely has had little impact on nonbelievers, however, I seem to be reaching a few readers in far-flung parts of the world such as China and Russia. To date no readers from Muslim countries, go figure.

God's Hate List 516 - 2 -

Proverbs 6:16-20, “ These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren. My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother:”

A proud look is first on God’s hate list; because of pride Satan sought to rise above God. Lucifer fell from heaven and took a third of the angels with him, angels who came into the daughters of Adam resulting hybrid offspring.

With lying tongue Satan lured Eve first through doubt and then by appealing to her pride by saying “you can become like God.”

Hands that shed innocent blood, you think? There are hundreds of thousands of abortions performed each year, a number far greater I would suspect then the children sacrificed by pagans. Today, babies are sacrificed not on an altar of stone, rather on the altar of a woman’s convenience.

Often through pride mankind rejects the Creator and worships the created. In Romans Chapter 1 we are told that through the creation we are without excuse. One of the judgments pronounced on man due to rejecting the creator is homosexuality. The gay agenda to promote homosexuality as normal could be attributed to a heart that devises wicked imaginations.

 Abortion and the demand for gay marriage have caused discord in this country. Those with a biblical worldview are often considered out of step and intolerant. Business owners are forced to provide services for gay weddings or face possible legal action.

What passes for entertainment today is all too often vulgar, violent and without merit. Vampires, wolves, witches and more are often portrayed as heroes and our young people run into mischief. God was thrown out of the schools in the 60s and now as a country we are reaping the ill effect of two generations raised mostly with a secular worldview.

Although the Third Commandment has to do with being an ambassador for God, God’s name is profaned by those who are too proud to acknowledge the need for Him in their life. Interestingly enough, the unpardonable sin is to profane the Holy Spirit. Matthew 12:31-32 “Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.”