tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3541424098637282033.comments2024-02-25T14:40:36.163-05:00INFINITY NOWbertgaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06609030623500152116noreply@blogger.comBlogger232125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3541424098637282033.post-74062195093860792512015-10-01T19:56:34.231-04:002015-10-01T19:56:34.231-04:00Cool, ClydeCool, Clydebertgaryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06609030623500152116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3541424098637282033.post-30425336931576729612015-09-19T21:19:11.964-04:002015-09-19T21:19:11.964-04:00I can only find 3 times when the word christian ap...I can only find 3 times when the word christian appears in the Bible and none of them ever refer to any apostles ever calling themselves or the disciples christians. Peter was the closest to it when he said; 1Pe 4:16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. It sounds more like Peter is telling the correspondent not to be upset if someone calls you names. The word christian originated with the pagan idol worshipers at Antioch as a derogatory insult to the disciples of Christ. When Paul was defending himself, Agrippa said Paul was trying to make him a christian, Paul said I only wish you were like me but Paul only called himself and the other apostles ambassadors of Christ; 2Co 5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. <br /> <br />Clydehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06174777724508681370noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3541424098637282033.post-23818965496765915432015-09-01T20:19:54.261-04:002015-09-01T20:19:54.261-04:00g, are you saying goodbye? I hope not.
I note tha...g, are you saying goodbye? I hope not.<br /><br />I note that you reference hell frequently above; did you notice in my last comment that I pasted you several links to my exegesis on the four words in the Bible translated or mistranslated as hell? I thought those would interest you. And the exegesis on the lake of fire and book of life were linked for you in my last comment, too.<br /><br />The "gospel way" you wrote of above--"rapture, resurrection, living free from sin, repentance, faith towards God, heaven, hell fire and eternal Judgement"--I've done serious exegesis on all of these here. You're welcome to explore.<br /><br />I feel hope for you because you're reading and looking and seeking, which most people won't do. When believers rely on a pastor for what they believe, too often they get 19th century dispensationalism, and it's unbiblical and they don't know it.<br /><br />I feel worried about you too, though. Your "good enough for Paul and Silas" statement above is ironic to me because I've spent thirty years studying scripture carefully, and I write about it honestly, then you find my blog, and you read a little of one or two posts, and then you start to sound like you are defending dispensationalist doctrine on your way out the door.<br /><br />No need to leave. You're welcome here anytime. My email is bertgary@netdoor.com<br /><br />bertgaryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06609030623500152116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3541424098637282033.post-34515025479274080542015-09-01T16:28:07.854-04:002015-09-01T16:28:07.854-04:00allow me to explain why I posted revelation 20
I...allow me to explain why I posted revelation 20 <br /><br />I wanted to draw your attention to the fact that there is a place call hell mentioned several time's through out the bible . This is the place where the wicked dead soul are reserved until final Judgement at the white throne of God. One day hell will give up the dead in it, Only to be cast into the lake of fire one woe leading to another.<br /><br />2)Has Jesus made hell he is qualified to teach on it! he also knows the state of a man spirit/soul while in hell tormented, where the worms dieth not and the fire is not quenched. <br /><br />I cannot explain all the finer detail's about tongue's water and fingers of Luke 19 . But there IS A PUNISHMENT FOR SINNER'S and the knowledge of that is good enough for me.<br /><br />And if you are wise? you like my self will teach people to repent, live free from sin so that they and we, can escape hell & the lake of fire's eternal destruction and torment. <br /><br /><br /><br />By the way I read your article about Lazarus and the certain rich man, What I saw was fiction, speculation, and a article out of context, most definitely not inspired, It wasn't rightly divided or based on the apostle teaching from scriptures. Sorry but not for me! <br /><br />But due respect to you for replying although you don't agree (god bless you and may he open the spirit of your understanding to stick with the old fashion gospel way rapture, resurrection, living free from sin, repentance, faith towards God, heaven, hell fire and eternal Judgement. It was good for Paul and Silas and it's good enough for me. vic https://www.blogger.com/profile/09747322783817888964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3541424098637282033.post-41483248299365060522015-08-31T06:36:57.410-04:002015-08-31T06:36:57.410-04:00g, I'm not thrilled about your pasting verses ...g, I'm not thrilled about your pasting verses here with no personal comment or explanation, and I don't know what these verses have to do with this blog entry. Let's stay on topic, and let's paste less and comment more, OK?<br /><br />However, should you be interested, I have written here about the lake of fire and about the subject of hell:<br /><br />Lake of Fire Defined: http://bertgary.blogspot.com/2009/01/lake-of-fire-defined.html<br /><br />Hell Defined 1: http://bertgary.blogspot.com/2009/01/hell-defined-1.html<br /><br />Hell Defined 2: http://bertgary.blogspot.com/2009/01/hell-defined-2.html<br /><br />Names in the Book of Life: http://bertgary.blogspot.com/2009/01/names-in-book-of-life.htmlbertgaryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06609030623500152116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3541424098637282033.post-52927699324569223942015-08-30T16:02:37.639-04:002015-08-30T16:02:37.639-04:009And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and...9And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.<br /><br />10And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.<br /><br />11And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.<br /><br />12And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.<br /><br />13And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.<br /><br />14And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.<br /><br />15And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire (note how death and hell delivered up the dead that were in them)<br /><br />See also second peter 2 which write's of angels caste down to hell and the the wicked reserved. verse 4 For God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into the chains of darkness to be reserved unto judgement. vic https://www.blogger.com/profile/09747322783817888964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3541424098637282033.post-28235329722229972542015-08-29T17:08:13.410-04:002015-08-29T17:08:13.410-04:00g, we don't agree about much, it seems, and I ...g, we don't agree about much, it seems, and I am uncertain that this will help, but should you want some of my thoughts on the Lazarus parable, here's a link to my article published in PTM: http://www.ptm.org/11PT/spring/lazarusParable.pdf <br />bertgaryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06609030623500152116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3541424098637282033.post-64230371776928684312015-08-29T13:13:57.770-04:002015-08-29T13:13:57.770-04:00The Rich man and Lazarus.
In some ways Luke 16:1...The Rich man and Lazarus.<br /><br /> In some ways Luke 16:19-31 does appear to be a parable, but for many reasons, it can be shown that it is not. <br /><br /> The definition of a parable: Greek: "παραβολή/parabole is based on the Greek word, παραβάλλω, paraballo, "to throw or lay beside, to compare. "παραβολή or parable means to place something beside something else for the purpose of comparison. A Biblical parable uses a story from ordinary, every day events and objects that the intended audience is familiar with, then Jesus, explains or clarifies an unknown or misunderstood spiritual or Biblical truth by comparing it to what is known. The question is then, what is the unknown or misunderstood spiritual or Biblical truth in the story of Lazarus and the rich man? The spiritual truth of Luke 16:19-31, has or needs nothing to be "thrown beside" or compared to. Unlike the parables of the sower, lost coins, lost sheep which Jesus had to explain to be understood. <br /><br />All parables, are ordinary, every day, realistic events and objects that could be readily understood. The only every day, ordinary event in Luke 16:19-31, is Lazarus and the rich man living their respective lives then dying. After that Jesus describes events after death, which nobody in Jesus immediate audience, or anyone who has lived since, could possibly have any knowledge of.<br /><br /> Everyone understands from human experience the parables of the sower, a widow losing coins, a man planting a field, etc! The view, that Luke 16:19-31 is a parable, miserably fails. The entire scene in the "grave" is totally outside the realm of human experience. And if this is a parable, then it is the ONLY one in the Bible where Jesus based his teaching on something totally unknown to his audience. <br /><br /> The fact that Lazarus is actually named gives strong evidence this is a true story. In none of the legitimate parables did Jesus ever give specific names. Although the story begins with "there was a certain..." this phrase alone does not indicate that it was a parable.<br /><br /> Further very strong evidence that Luke 16 is not a parable, is that an actual historical person is named, Abraham. The rich man addresses him as, father Abraham. Jesus could legitimately use the ordinary, everyday actions of anonymous men, widows, shepherds, absent landowners, etc., to clarify or illustrate Biblical truths. Throughout history people have lost and found sheep and coins, farmers have sown seed, sons have squandered their fathers money and returned home in shame, etc. But, since Jesus did not identify the story as a parable, make any other disclaimer, or ever explain the story to his disciples, if Abraham was not in that specific place, and did not speak the specific words Jesus quotes, then Jesus was lying. Jesus is not a liar.<br /><br /> Even conceding arguendo Luke 16:19- 31, might be a parable, it really makes no difference. Those who assert that it is a parable are still wrong! Without exception all legitimate parables are based upon REAL ordinary, every day events, NOT myths, legends, or the unknown. Some religious groups, JWs, etc. argue that the story of Lazarus and the rich man is an old Jewish myth or fable, or even a pagan Greek fable. Since Jesus condemned the extra-biblical teachings of the Pharisees, on many occasions, Matt 5:22, 28, 32, 34, 39, 44, 11:22,24; Luke 6:27, 10:12., etc., he certainly would not violate his own principles and scripture as expressed by the apostle Paul in Titus 1:14 <br /><br /><br /><br />Tit 1:14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth<br />vic https://www.blogger.com/profile/09747322783817888964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3541424098637282033.post-54551555040355486472015-08-29T09:57:41.552-04:002015-08-29T09:57:41.552-04:00g:
The 1 Kings verses feature the Hebrew word nep...g:<br /><br />The 1 Kings verses feature the Hebrew word nephesh. The KJV translation as "soul" is misleading and unfortunate. Most translate it simply as "life." Ancient Hebrews did not believe in an afterlife at all, much less souls leaving bodies, but their pagan neighbors did, as did the ancient Greeks, as do too many modern Christians. To the Hebrews, a living person is alive and has life (nephesh).<br /><br />"The Rich Man and Lazarus" is a playful parable lampooning greed, not an afterlife description.<br /><br />Jesus' warning to "fear him who can destroy both soul (psuche) and body in Gehenna" is a warning of the danger posed to your life by your family ("enemies in your own home"). The Greek word psuche is roughly equivalent to the Hebrew nephesh meaning life-breath-mind. Gehenna is a valley south of Jerusalem where garbage burned, sewage poured, and corpses were dumped, the perfect metaphor for the living death possible when families turn on their own.<br /><br />Hebrews 4:12 is about God knowing us through and through, penetrating our flesh and muscle and life and breath and bone, deep down inside, right down to the heart, not meaning the heart muscle literally, but the heart muscle representing the very core of our beings, who we are deep down inside, our essential natures. This verse is not an afterlife description, and it does not depict souls leaving bodies. On the contrary, the point is that we humans cannot see the human heart hidden behind flesh and bone, and neither can we see a person's soul/life/essence, but God can see both.<br />bertgaryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06609030623500152116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3541424098637282033.post-73194313723252751312015-08-28T20:17:37.579-04:002015-08-28T20:17:37.579-04:00Kings17:22-23
And he stretched himself upon the ch...<br />Kings17:22-23<br />And he stretched himself upon the child three times, and cried unto the LORD, and said, O LORD my God, I pray thee, let this child's soul come into him again.<br /><br />And the Lord heard the voice of Elijah and the soul of the child came into him again and he revived.<br /><br />And Elijah took the child and brought him down out of the chamber into the house and delivered him unto his mother.<br /><br />Also note Luke 19 both died the rich man and Lazarus.one was at peace one was in torment.<br /><br />we are not to fear not man who can just kill the body, but we are to fear God who can destroy both body and soul in hell. <br /><br />the word of God is quick and powerful dividing asunder of bone and morrow and soul and spiritvic https://www.blogger.com/profile/09747322783817888964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3541424098637282033.post-81936777439981581042015-08-23T10:56:20.638-04:002015-08-23T10:56:20.638-04:00I think leaving eyes open and admiring the beauty ...I think leaving eyes open and admiring the beauty created by the king of kings is amazing, I think holding arms wide open leaves room to have the heart filled with the spirit, I think looking upwards to the heavens shows respect and honors the one our higher power, the trinity! why would we honor and give the devil any attention what-so-ever???mwines64@yahoo.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3541424098637282033.post-57779608798494992522015-06-04T08:18:30.951-04:002015-06-04T08:18:30.951-04:00Yeah, thanks Bill Krulish, I get that, that if you...Yeah, thanks Bill Krulish, I get that, that if you move the comma over one word, the meaning changes, for sure. "Today" would not be referring to when they would be in Paradise, but to when Jesus is making this declaration: Today, I am telling you the truth: You will be with me in paradise (at some unspecified future date).<br /><br />This change, however, has no precedent in Jesus’ other “truly I tell you” sayings. I still think that Jesus was telling the man that “today”—-the day of their crucifixions-—they would be together in paradise, as it is universally translated into English.<br /><br />Man, we should be doing these comments at the end of one of the other blogs that more directly wrestles with this issue. I wish you would check out "Where Is My Grandmother?" and comment over there: <br /><br />http://bertgary.blogspot.com/2009/09/where-is-my-grandmother-1908-2007.htmlbertgaryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06609030623500152116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3541424098637282033.post-17098464226298667672015-06-02T19:51:21.703-04:002015-06-02T19:51:21.703-04:00A friend just sent me a link to this very old post...A friend just sent me a link to this very old post. Pardon my LATE comment. I want to chime in on the Luke 23:43 "Today" passage. One thing to remember is that the original language did not have punctuation marks. "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise" (ESV) could also EASILY be translated "Truly, I say to you today, you will be with me in Paradise." <br /><br />The comma is not in the origin language, so either way could be valid. I would say that the weight of scripture would point to the second version.Bill Krulishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05359772221667004593noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3541424098637282033.post-32323049316915433152015-05-24T07:26:49.839-04:002015-05-24T07:26:49.839-04:00Hi Bert,
Thank you for this. I've played this...Hi Bert,<br /><br />Thank you for this. I've played this in church and preached on it, usually during the first weeks of Advent when the emphasis is on longing for Christ to come and make things right. It's a very prophetic stance. That yearning is also seen in Romans 8:22-27, which happens to be this weeks lectionary. Not sure my folks have always appreciated my love for early U2. Thanks for the Acts 17 connection. <br /><br />LarryAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17330885297726509011noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3541424098637282033.post-20658016467416960202015-05-16T21:32:14.227-04:002015-05-16T21:32:14.227-04:00By the way, Bert, I have no issue with liberal Chr...By the way, Bert, I have no issue with liberal Christians who teach "live and let live". <br /><br />My only concern is that by maintaining a belief in the supernatural, liberal Christians provide a cover of respectability for the fundamentalists. If no one but fundamentalists believed in the supernatural, fundamentalists would be treated like delusional social outcasts instead of just extremists of an acceptable worldview.<br /><br />I wish you well, my friend.Garyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02519721717265344702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3541424098637282033.post-20199287314458813942015-05-16T21:03:38.054-04:002015-05-16T21:03:38.054-04:00I feel that I understand and appreciate you, and I...I feel that I understand and appreciate you, and I'm glad for our dialogue.bertgaryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06609030623500152116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3541424098637282033.post-7739471859905264292015-05-16T15:37:19.701-04:002015-05-16T15:37:19.701-04:00I appreciate your approach. You are trying to &qu...I appreciate your approach. You are trying to "shepherd" individuals to the truth, I, however, am trying to change a cultural attitude. I am not really trying to convert individuals unless someone grabs me and says, "Hey, hold on a minute. I really want to hear what you have to say", then I will.<br /><br />I see myself as a movement, not a therapist or counselor. It is my goal to cause conservative Christianity to lose its social respectability; for it to be seen for what it is, silly, superstitious nonsense. My goal is not to convert the individual conservative Christian, although that would be wonderful, my goal is to shame them all; to shut them up; to diminish their influence on public policy and politics; to end their discriminatory practices against those who do not hold their views.<br /><br />Sorry if I come across as rude. I'm not trying to insult, I am trying to expose. If my exposure of someone's superstition is taken as rude...so be it.Garyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02519721717265344702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3541424098637282033.post-57542864965883344192015-05-16T13:14:01.243-04:002015-05-16T13:14:01.243-04:00I get it, Gary, that you are on a mission or crusa...I get it, Gary, that you are on a mission or crusade, as am I. I've been angry with Christian evangelical fundamentalism and biblical literalism all my life. And while I am more at peace in terms of relating to these persons and loving them, I'm still writing, teaching, and preaching so as to expose biblical misrepresentation, theological absurdity, and evangelical abuse.<br /><br />Having at least some things in common, you'd think you and I would recognize and appreciate that to some degree we are on the same page---without of course denying or minimizing our differences, as it seems to me that you are more sweepingly opposed to the Christian religion and its practitioners than I, and seemingly angrier at "God" than I, which I do not judge or disparage.<br /><br />I get being a messenger of truth and liberation, and I leave your message and method in your hands as it is none of my business. I too see myself absolutely as a messenger of truth and liberation, and, for me, being an agent of change also involves being an advocate for people. I find I have to earn the role of liberator by standing with people where they are. Rapport and trust, the absence of judgment, acceptance and affirmation---these create an atmosphere of hospitality where people can choose to open their doors to real reconsideration freely. I don’t think most people care what you have to say until they know you care, as the trite but true saying goes.<br /><br />My experience has been that it sometimes takes years of pastoral relationship with persons before they start to “get it,” and start to feel safe about asking me their important questions. I think the average person is in a precarious position, not knowing scripture very well, hearing a “gospel” of fear and threat all of their lives, then hearing more accurate biblical/theological teaching from me that contradicts practically everything else they’ve heard from everybody else, and who are they supposed to believe? The entire evangelical world or little ole me? Several people in my congregation only started to wake up after two full years of hearing me, and some are just beginning to think it through now after five years.<br /><br />None of this truth/liberation would be happening if in addition to being an agent of change I weren’t also a personal advocate. That’s my own theological/pedagogical core.<br />bertgaryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06609030623500152116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3541424098637282033.post-7819944010481440352015-05-16T00:42:31.948-04:002015-05-16T00:42:31.948-04:00Don't take it personally, Bert. I post on mul...Don't take it personally, Bert. I post on multiple Christian websites for the purpose of debunking a deadly superstition that has caused millions of human beings to be persecuted and killed over the last 2,000 years, and is still causing persecution and discrimination today.<br /><br />Some would call me a spammer. (My wife thinks I'm nuts. I may be.)I call myself a messenger of truth and liberation; liberation from an invisible ghost in the sky, who even under the most liberal of Christian views, sits on his throne in heaven and watches thousands of human beings die (each day, year after year) excruciating deaths from war, hunger, and disease.<br /><br />It's not personal Bert. I am not focusing on you specifically.<br /><br />However, if you would like to have a conversation, let's talk. Garyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02519721717265344702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3541424098637282033.post-44262920520310831472015-05-15T22:06:04.414-04:002015-05-15T22:06:04.414-04:00I'm sorry Bert, you're right. I didn't...I'm sorry Bert, you're right. I didn't mean to ignore your post, I was actually coming from a position of familiary with your work and posted as if we were already well acquainted. But I'm in error, I got the medium confused with the message. I often find myself "shouting" on the internet, making talking points, etc. and I need to work on that.<br /><br />My goal was to be confrontational but not dismissive of your entire post. My comment was intended to be more of a study of Acts 17 from a different perspective. Just one of many, and not necessarily the "correct" one, because, as I am learning here, context is king.<br /><br />I did like your post very much, as I do most of your work. But obviously I was too hurried and confrontational to express any of that. Again, I'm sorry.Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08289555353271679910noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3541424098637282033.post-1433696813926927662015-05-15T16:17:54.303-04:002015-05-15T16:17:54.303-04:00So you don't seem able or willing to respond t...So you don't seem able or willing to respond to my questions, ignoring everything I write/ask. You must be in college, Gary! LOL<br /><br />You think other people are reading our little back and forth here, eh? Not likely. I have few readers and even fewer comment writers and readers. I will not think less of you for responding personally here, and you needn't feel like "the world" is looking on because it isn't.<br /><br />"Personally," I can't understand your impersonal, evasive, abusive approach. There's no hope of your responding to what I write and ask, is there?<br /><br />So you're willing to do anything to wake me up from my delusion? You care that much about me? You're desperately determined to help me? Really? What is my name? Why haven't you used it even once? Why haven't you asked about my health, my family, my jobs, my writing?<br /><br />How is choosing to ignore my name, ignore my life, and ignore my questions an expression of your deep concern for me and your passionate determination to help me? How is it that you see sarcasm as hope for my healing? Dismissing me, ignoring my replies, mocking me, lecturing me, and judging me are all being administered "lovingly" by you to help me because you care for me and are worried for me? Is that really what you wanna go with? You gonna double down on the compassion-for-me claim?<br /><br />I'm not a modern evangelical. Therefore I'm not your enemy. But that never occurred to you, did it.<br /><br />You know what the irony is to me? Modern evangelicals target strangers, push tracts on them at fairs and on Bourbon St. and all over the US, never caring about the persons they accost, never asking their names or attempting to build relationships. And YOU are acting just like them with me. If that's not ironic, I don't know what is.bertgaryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06609030623500152116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3541424098637282033.post-87816770965700848682015-05-15T10:56:11.768-04:002015-05-15T10:56:11.768-04:00I am willing to use whatever (non-violent) means n...I am willing to use whatever (non-violent) means necessary to wake you from your delusion that virgins give birth to babies, men walk on water, and dead people walk out of their graves to eat broiled fish sandwiches with their former fishing buddies.<br /><br />I too was once under this deadly delusion. I believe that the best means of opening your eyes is to show you how ridiculous it is, not conduct endless theological debates with you.<br /><br />You wouldn't believe this supernatural nonsense from any other religion, so why do you believe it for yours?<br /><br />Answer: you have been indoctrinated (brainwashed) to believe that two plus two really can equal five. Garyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02519721717265344702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3541424098637282033.post-25568747438184088732015-05-15T09:06:13.633-04:002015-05-15T09:06:13.633-04:00Gary: Which is worse---coming to believe that the ...Gary: Which is worse---coming to believe that the resurrection happened based on conflicting accounts, or, trolling for believers to ambush, judge, stereotype, and lampoon?<br /><br />That's my problem: You didn't comment here, it seems to me (I don't know about elsewhere), with the intent of making personal connection with people you disagree with or don't understand, or entering into dialogue (to explore scriptural perspectives with people who don’t share your views) intending to stretch yourself beyond your own prejudices. You seemed to target me, which is fine. I’m a big boy. And you’re in good company: Saul of Tarsus targeted Christians too.<br /><br />Do you believe your hit-and-run, sophomoric mockery is more enlightened and defensible than concluding Jesus rose? You don’t know me, you don’t know the intensely personal and scholarly processes that have defined my 50 decades of seeking intellectual integrity, yet to you it seems simple: ALL believers are the same---anti-intellectual morons worthy of your mocking disdain. Isn’t that what you believe? If not, can you understand my coming to that conclusion base on your comments?<br /><br />So what do you get out of this? Do you really hope to enlighten Christians with your current approach? Is being an anonymous, sneering sniper really "you"?<br />bertgaryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06609030623500152116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3541424098637282033.post-59081916783790024582015-05-15T01:43:41.673-04:002015-05-15T01:43:41.673-04:00I apologize if I have your position confused. Do ...I apologize if I have your position confused. Do you believe that Jesus was bodily raised from the dead?Garyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02519721717265344702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3541424098637282033.post-43150021165877524552015-05-15T01:38:08.330-04:002015-05-15T01:38:08.330-04:00Gary, thanks for dropping the sarcasm. And I appre...Gary, thanks for dropping the sarcasm. And I appreciate the seriousness with which you engaged the scriptures. Are you aware that the chart I posted agrees with you? I ask because you seem to be arguing with someone who DIDN'T post that chart!bertgaryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06609030623500152116noreply@blogger.com