Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all!

Arango's Apologetics Page: On the deep meaning of Christmas Carols

I hope all are doing well in these final days of 2024. Just sharing something from 2020 that was originally published on a sibling blog. Merry Christmas to all, and click or follow the link below. 

Arango's Apologetics Page: On the deep meaning of Christmas Carols

Reference:

http://arangoapologeticspage.blogspot.com/2020/12/on-deep-meaning-of-christmas-carols.html

Who is Christ?

I hope everyone is doing well. Since we are in Advent, I decided to share a post from December 2016, which was written for one of the sibling blogs. I hope all enjoy reading it...blessings, and simply follow the link below.

Arango's Apologetics Page: Who is Christ?

Reference:

https://arangoapologeticspage.blogspot.com/2016/12/who-is-christ.html?m=0&fbclid=IwY2xjawHBL6dleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHU3K6IFi4UVZu2mpySjGCeLsWp-DzOrAoQ6ZGIp6GwRMX8ODxTMV0W0-vA_aem_0_a_OxqZXntl1m5TCX_M0g

On Manna

Now the manna was like coriander seed, and its color was like the color of gum resin. The people went around and gathered it, ground it in mills or beat it in mortars, then boiled it in pots and made cakes of it, and the taste of it was like the taste of cakes baked with oil. When the dew fell on the camp in the night, the manna would fall with it.

Source:

Numbers 11:7-9, NRSVUE 

Excerpt from Daniel 7

As I watched in the night visions,

I saw one like a human being[a]
    coming with the clouds of heaven.
And he came to the Ancient One[b]
    and was presented before him.
To him was given dominion
    and glory and kingship,
that all peoples, nations, and languages
    should serve him.
His dominion is an everlasting dominion
    that shall not pass away,
and his kingship is one
    that shall never be destroyed.

- Daniel 7: 13-14, NRSVUE


Footnotes
• 7.13 Aram one like a son of man
• 7.13 Aram the Ancient of Days

Excerpt from Daniel 10

He said to me, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia opposed me twenty-one days. So Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, and I left him there with the prince of the kingdom of Persia and have come to help you understand what is to happen to your people at the end of days. For there is a further vision for those days.”

- Daniel 10: 12-14, NRSVUE 

Excerpt from the Epistle to the Galatians

There is no longer Jew or Greek; there is no longer slave or free; there is no longer male and female, for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.

~ St. Paul




Reference:

Galatians 3:28, NRSVUE 

On mortality

Thinking of mortality is often mistaken for fearing dying, and they aren't necessarily the same thing. I do believe; however, that some people live life as if they seem to believe they're immortal? Death is often called the afterlife. This is because it is believed life ends, and something different happens after it. Many civilizations for thousands of years have had beliefs with relevance to the afterlife. We have no proof of what really happens when one dies and remains permanently dead. We really do not know if life ends and then continues in a different state in another dimension. Jesus said: “In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?” Many Christians believe that when they die, they will go to a dwelling place promised by Jesus. This post is about thinking about death, and not about what happens when one dies.

AI Overview on Google said the following with relevance to thinking about death.

Thinking about death is a normal part of life, but it can become a mental health concern if it's extremely distressing or interferes with your daily life:

Death anxiety: Also known as thanatophobia, this is an intense fear of death that can cause panic, dread, depression, or obsession with health. People with death anxiety may avoid dangerous situations or spend a lot of time checking for signs of illness. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an effective treatment.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD): People with OCD may have obsessions about death and compulsions to seek reassurance. Exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy is a treatment that can help people learn to accept the uncertainty of their obsessions.

                Major depression: Death can be a preoccupation for people with major depression.

 Thinking about death can also be beneficial, helping you to recognize your values and live more consciously. Here are some ways that thinking about mortality can be helpful:

                Gaining meaning

Contemplating your mortality can help you find meaning and motivation in life.

                Making conscious choices

Accepting your mortality can help you make more conscious choices in the present.

                Avoiding destructive behavior

Controlling your anxiety about death can help you avoid negative or destructive behavior. 

In closing, I simply wanted to share a brief thought on mortality. I believe I have never shared anything about it. I think many people avoid the subject altogether, especially when they are young. Although, as one ages it perhaps becomes more and more part of one’s thoughts. I do agree with the AI Overview when it said: thinking about death can also be beneficial. I hope you enjoyed reading this. Blessings!

 

References:

 https://www.artofdyingwell.org/talking-about-death/coming-terms-death/accepting-your-mortality/#:~:text=Thinking%20about%20your%20life%20ending,with%20the%20reality%20of%20death

John 14:2, NRSVUE

Jude excerpt

It was also about these that Enoch, in the seventh generation from Adam, prophesied, saying, “See, the Lord is coming with ten thousands of his holy ones, to execute judgment on all and to convict all the ungodly of all the deeds of ungodliness that they have committed in such an ungodly way and of all the harsh things that ungodly sinners have spoken against him.” 

Source:

Jude 14 and 15, NRSVUE

Matthew 23 extract

They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on the shoulders of others, but they themselves are unwilling to lift a finger to move them.They do all their deeds to be seen by others....

Source:

Matthew 23: 4 and 5, NRSVUE 

Psalm 14 excerpt

The LORD looked forth from heaven upon the children of men,

To see if there were any man of understanding, that did seek after God.

They are all corrupt, they are together become impure;

There is none that doeth good, no, not one.






Reference:

Psalm 14: 2-3, JPS Tanakh 1917

Jesus clarity

I hope everyone is doing well. This post will be brief. It is based on some things I have been dwelling on recently. Mainly, some things Jesus is credited to saying in Scriptures that may seem contradictory. I don’t claim to understand what he meant fully, but I also do not think he did not make any sense. I am not going to provide entire verses; however, I will give the citation to allow all to verify. Anyhow, here we go.

Possibly Jesus said, “if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also” He also said, “walk a second mile if someone asks you to walk one.” Hence: he never said to walk three miles. See Matthew 5:39.

Supposedly, Jesus said “one who has no sword must sell his cloak and buy one.” Basically, one needs to have a sword and can’t afford to be without one. Obviously, he didn't seem to believe in not defending oneself. Consequently, this seems to contrast the cheek turning thing a bit, if things escalated perhaps. See Luke 22:36.

Lastly, Jesus said, “be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.” I think this one is self-explanatory…don’t be fools, but also don’t be an arrogant a**hole. See Matthew 10:16.

In closing, I think all-around, Jesus was more about having balance. If we focus on one area of his teachings but neglect another, we get out of balance. Therefore, we should focus on all instead of one thing. Blessings!

 

References:

Matthew 5:39

Luke 22: 36

Matthew 10:16

 

 

Land exchange for ecumenism

In a unique sign of ecumenicism, a Catholic abbey and a Baptist university are exchanging property so the abbey can receive historically significant land that once was home to the abbey’s university.

 

I try to share some of the latest ecumenism news on this blog as often as possible, especially when it is something that catches my attention. The introductory excerpt is from an article for CNA by Kate Quiñones titled: Catholic abbey and Baptist university exchange land ‘to build up the kingdom.’  I enjoyed reading the article and hearing about the property exchange. Read the full article at the link below. I hope you enjoy it as much as I.

Catholic abbey and Baptist university exchange land ‘to build up the kingdom’ | Catholic News Agency

Reference:

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/258059/catholic-abbey-and-baptist-university-exchange-land-to-build-up-the-kingdom

A Video of Daniel G. Hummel discussing one his books

The video being shared is described on YouTube as follows:

IRD President Mark Tooley chats with author Daniel G. Hummel on his book The Rise and Fall of Dispensationalism: How the Evangelical Battle Over the End Times Shaped a Nation. Hummel offers a fascinating history of dispensationalism and its influence on popular culture, politics, and religion.

Watch below:

Daniel G. Hummel and The Rise and Fall of Dispensationalism - YouTube

Reference:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WkQ628NoH0

Christos Anesti

Christos Anesti (Χριστὸς ἀνέστη) 

Christ is Risen!

Can ecumenism be a heretical thing?

Normally when I share an article on here, I usually include an excerpt from it to give a basic idea of what the author said. I personally enjoy getting a glimpse of the subject when other writers do similarly. Unfortunately, that is not going to happen in this post. However, I really believe the author answers the question I ask in the title which is can ecumenism be a heretical thing?

In this post I am sharing an article by Paul Ladouceur from 2016 titled: On Ecumenoclasm: Who Is a Heretic? I hope you enjoy reading it. The article is found at the link below.

On Ecumenoclasm: Who Is a Heretic? - Public Orthodoxy

Reference:

https://publicorthodoxy.org/2016/07/13/on-ecumenoclasm-who-is-a-heretic/

Happy Western Church Easter!

Happy Western Church Easter!

On government definitions

In this post I am sharing an article by Peter Kenney from a couple of weeks ago published in ECUMENICAL NEWS, ecunews.com which is titled: New UK extremism definition could drive communities apart, Anglican archbishops warn.

 The article in reference ends by stating the following:

According to the CIA Factbook Christians make up 59.5 percent of Britain's 68 million population, while Muslim account for 4.4 percent, and Hindus 1.3 percent.

I find the usage of facts with relevance to demographics at the end rather interesting. I have yet to read the new definition of extremism by the UK government as I share this, but plan on doing so. I recommend reading this article and the definition, as well. Read the full article at the link below.

New UK extremism definition could drive communities apart, Anglican archbishops warn

Reference:

https://www.ecumenicalnews.com/article/new-uk-extremism-definition-could-drive-communities-apart-anglican-archbishops-warn/61082.htm

Which Country Has More Justice?

Alexei Navalny's cause of death has not yet been determined. As of today, that is…. Perhaps, we will know soon.

Epstein's death was supposedly a suicide. Although, guards were asleep. And cameras malfunctioned….

Ashli Babbitt was shot by the United States inside the capitol building on January 6^th. Supposedly she was a threat. However, she had a long honorable military career. I have read different versions of the incident, but they seem to be contrary to actual video footage that has been released.

Five members of Congress were injured, one seriously in 1954 during the shooting at the United States Capitol. Please read the following excerpt.

Those on the House floor quickly moved into action. Congressional pages carried the wounded to safety. As the shooters attempted to escape, three of them were overpowered by visitors, police, House staff, and Congressman James Van Zandt of Pennsylvania, who personally apprehended Rafael Miranda. The fourth shooter, Irvin Flores, escaped, but was captured later that day. The four gunmen were tried and sentenced to more than 49 years in federal prison (https://blogs.loc.gov/).

 

Back to Alexei Navalny, his cause of death hasn't yet been determined, as I said originally. However, Russia is a sovereign nation just like the United States. I do know that Alexei was serving a 19-year prison sentence. I hear a lot of criticism and speculation that Putin had him killed. Regardless of this being true or not, who are we to point fingers? The United States seemingly killed an innocent Ashli Babbitt and locked up many who were innocent of crimes on January 6th, 2020. Was an insurrection really taking place on January 6^th? Was one taking place in the 1954 capitol shooting?

Jesus supposedly said the following:

3 Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye but do not notice the log in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your neighbor, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ while the log is in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor’s eye (Matthew 7:3-5, NRSVUE).

 

Reference:

https://blogs.loc.gov/headlinesandheroes/2020/05/1954-shooting-at-the-u-s-capitol/

Matthew 7:3-5, NRSVUE, Bible

Why ecumenism might not be so popular.

I have two other blogs, in addition to this one. What I have noticed over the years from reading the statistics on my blogs is that ecumenism doesn’t seem to be popular. If true, one should ask why? I recently wrote a piece elsewhere about community, and I wonder if many people feel like I do. The following paragraph is extracted from it.

Any argument stating that we have a collective need for community doesn't convince me at all. Perhaps, having a desire for it, but that's a whole different thing. Personally, I don't have a need, nor a desire. The masses and communities very often seem to get things wrong and go in a bad direction. The problem with that is that a substantial amount of time often goes by before awareness of the mistake begins to take place. And when I say time, I mean many years can go by. My advice to most is learn to think and decide independently. Learning to think and analyze is vital.

Jesus said, "Love your neighbor, as yourself." The collective is important, but in equivalence to the individual. Meaning, perhaps we should know the independent self well before attempting the collective community thing. Blessings and I hope you enjoyed reading this brief thought.

Happy 2024!

Happy 2024 to all!