One of the most painful, saddest and necessary actions to be performed in the Christian Church is when an unrepentant believer refuses the admonitions and pleadings from the local assembly or congregation, and as a result, the member is shunned or avoided as a means of discipline with the hope and expectation that such isolation will bring about repentance and restoration back in God’s grace and fellowship of the saints. Although this event happens rarely, yet, it must be handled prudently, prayerfully, and done in a ‘spirit’ of love and one must be diligent to carry out this directive according to the guidelines found in the Scriptures. This is a matter that is too important to be legislated solely by the Church hierarchy or clergy, but rather by, “THUS SAYS THE LORD.” The following references are given for consideration in this study, as in the following:
Matthew 18: 15-17
Moreover if your brother sins against you, (1) go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. But if he will not hear you, (2) take with you one or two more, that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established (Cp. Deuteronomy 19: 15). And if he refuses to hear them, (3) tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen [infidel] and a tax collector.
NOTE: This one passage encapsulates in its entirety the procedure with simplicity, but there is more information to consider.
Galatians 6: 1-2
Brethren, if a man is overtaken [caught] in any trespass [sin or offense], you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
1 Corinthians 10: 12
Therefore let him who thinks he stands, take heed lest he fall also.
1 Corinthians 5: 1-2, 6; 2 Corinthians 2: 6-9
It is actually reported that there is sexual morality among you . . . that a man has had [sexual relations] with his father’s wife. And you are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he who has done this deed might be taken away from you. You glorying is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? This punishment [discipline] which was inflicted by the majority [of the congregation] is sufficient for such a man, so that, on the contrary, you ought rather to forgive and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one be swallowed up with too much sorrow. Therefore I urge you to reaffirm your love to him.
NOTE: The Corinthian Church was admonished by the Apostle Paul for not taking corrective action against a member who was sinning with his father’s wife and this scandalous behavior was known to the entire congregation and they essentially put up with and ignored it; and this matter came to the apostle’s attention. His follow up letter indicates that discipline was meted out to the brother who was at fault but also the congregation had to experience a sort of restoration themselves for failing to act previously in a spiritually responsible way in this matter, according to the obligation and authority they have in Christ.
2 Thessalonians 3: 14-15
And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note [mark] that person and do not keep company [fellowship] with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish [warn] him as a brother.
Matthew 18: 7b
For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes.
Matthew 5: 23-24
Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
NOTE: This statement by the LORD means that the gift is not accepted without reconciliation, or at least the effort on your part to restore the relationship.
Ephesians 4: 29, 31-32, 30
Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it might impart grace to the hearers. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor [loud quarrels], and evil speaking be put away from you with all malice [to inflict a wound or injury]. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
COMMENTARY: There are two components to the injunction to withdraw fellowship [ex-communicate] a fellow believer, namely, if one commits an offense against a particular member of if an unrepented sin has become known to the entire Church assembly. Doubtless, there could be more disciplinary measures taken by the church in modern times, but like spiritual ostriches, we would much rather bury our heads in the sand and avoid any moments of being uncomfortable or be criticized for doing what is our responsibility and duty. Sometimes it might involve taking this action against a popular or charismatic church member who could be very involved in uplifting activities within the local congregation and if these misdeeds came to the attention of the collective body of believers, it could cause dissention and a schism [rift] in the body.
The thing is, though, the church is a community or family and invariably anything that is covered up will affect the spiritual vitality and effectiveness of the members, no matter how much it might appear to grow numerically. The leadership of the church has the responsibility to watch out for the well being of the flock but they are not to lord over it as though it belongs to them. If the correct steps are taken, the erring member will or should not feel as though the other believers are judging or condemning him, but rather are praying and hoping for his eventual spiritual recovery and renewal; and that, unconditionally.
Robert Randle
776 Commerce St. #B-11
Tacoma, WA 98402
April 25, 2011
robertrandle51@yahoo.com
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Jewish monotheism developed over many centuries
Judaism has been praised as one of the world’s most endearing major religions, principally for belief in the One true God and its teaching of monotheism. The thing is, however, that this concept did not happen overnight but rather evolved over nearly a millennia, and this was despite divine revelations, visions, dreams and the performance of miracles in their midst.
Exodus 15: 11a
Who is like You, O LORD, among the gods?
Exodus 18: 11a
Now I know that the LORD is greater than all the gods.
Exodus 20: 3
You shall have no other gods before Me.
Deuteronomy 3: 24b
For what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do anything like Your great works and Your mighty deeds?
Deuteronomy 10: 17a
For the LORD your God is God of gods and LORD of lords, the great God.
Joshua 22: 22a
The LORD God of gods, the LORD God of gods.
1 Chronicles 16: 26a
For all the gods of the peoples are idols.
2 Chronicles 2: 5b
For our God is greater than all the gods.
Job 33: 4
The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.
Job 38: 1, 4a
Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said: “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?”
Psalms 96: 5
For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the LORD made the heavens.
Psalms 136: 2
Oh, give thanks to the God of gods! For His mercy endures forever.
Isaiah 43: 10b
Before Me there was no God formed, nor shall there be after me.
Isaiah 45: 5a, 6b, 14b
I am the LORD, and there is no other; there is no God beside Me; that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is no other [also vs. 18b, 21b].
Jeremiah 32: 27a
Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh.
Hosea 3: 1
Then the LORD said to me, “Go again, love a woman who is loved by a lover and is committing adultery, just like the love of the LORD for the children of Israel, who look to other gods and love the raisin cakes of the pagans.
Jeremiah 7: 14
The children gather wood, the fathers kindle the wood, and the women knead dough to make cakes [raisin cakes??] for the queen of heaven; and they pour out drink offerings to other gods, that they may provoke Me to anger.
Ezekiel 8: 14, 16
So He brought me to the north gate of the LORD’S house [Temple]; and to my dismay, women were there weeping for Tammuz. So He brought me to the inner court of the LORD’S house [Temple]; and there was a door of the temple of the LORD, between the porch and the altar, were twenty-five men with their backs toward the temple of the LORD and their faces toward the east, and they were worshipping the sun toward the east.
Ezekiel 13: 18a
Thus says the LORD God: “Woe to the women who sew magic charms on their sleeves and make veils for the heads of people of every height to hunt souls!”
Hosea 13: 4
Yet I am the LORD your God ever since the land of Egypt, and you shall know no God but Me; for there is no Savior besides Me.
COMMENTARY: Although the Bedouin Semitic patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob received supernatural revelations from God, He was known to them mostly by the name El-Shaddai, or a derivative of the main root word El. When God sought to gather to Himself a particular people that would become a holy nation unto Him, the descendants of Joseph in Egyptian slavery were chosen. God led them out from the midst of Egypt with a mighty display of divine power through the leadership of Moses [Moshe] and while in the Wilderness of Sin, instructed the Israelites in His Law. There are two prominent themes that were stressed from that point in time and throughout their unique history, namely: (1) I am the LORD your God; (2) you shall not have any other gods before [alongside] Me. This injunction is repeated throughout the entire Jewish Bible [Tanakh], starting in Exodus, which was written around 1440 BC through the book of Zechariah, written around 475 BC.
In reading through the many passages of the Old Testament, one thing is increasingly apparent, and that is, the Israelites or Hebrews did believe in the LORD God [YHVH-El] as the Highest God, Father of the gods, the Mighty God, ruler of Heaven and Earth, but not necessarily as the “only” God. Through the mouth of such prophets as Job, David or Isaiah, and perhaps a few others, God’s “oneness” and uniqueness was proclaimed. The Major Prophets like Daniel and Ezekiel both deal with the time of the Babylonian captivity and Jeremiah mentions events before this time and afterwards, when the captives return back to Judea. The Minor Prophets Haggai and Zechariah write about the rebuilding of the Second Temple back in Jerusalem during the reign of Darius the Mede. In reading Ezekiel’s account which is dated between 593and 573 BC, the Israelites are still worshipping idols at this late date, and certainly would not be considered to be totally committed to the One True God of their forefathers.
Interestingly, the term “Jew” first appears in the Scriptures after the Israelites are led captive to Babylon [2 Kings 25: 1-25, 27] and there is no indication if it was used in a religious connotation or not. It was probably during their seventy years being led away in chains from the Promised Land that their social experiences including exposure to Babylonian culture, literature and writing that influenced these immigrants significantly and helped them form the basis of a monotheistic faith, the forerunner of modern “Judaism;” which had its early formation under the leadership of Zerubbabel, Joshua and Ezra. At no time prior to the return from Babylonian exile and leading back nearly 965 years or so to the Egyptian enslavement can it be proven with any degree of certainty that there was ever a concept or understanding of ‘monotheism;’ at least in the modern sense of the word.
Robert Randle
776 Commerce St. #B-11
Tacoma, WA 98402
April 22, 2011
robertrandle51@yahoo.com
Exodus 15: 11a
Who is like You, O LORD, among the gods?
Exodus 18: 11a
Now I know that the LORD is greater than all the gods.
Exodus 20: 3
You shall have no other gods before Me.
Deuteronomy 3: 24b
For what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do anything like Your great works and Your mighty deeds?
Deuteronomy 10: 17a
For the LORD your God is God of gods and LORD of lords, the great God.
Joshua 22: 22a
The LORD God of gods, the LORD God of gods.
1 Chronicles 16: 26a
For all the gods of the peoples are idols.
2 Chronicles 2: 5b
For our God is greater than all the gods.
Job 33: 4
The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.
Job 38: 1, 4a
Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said: “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?”
Psalms 96: 5
For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the LORD made the heavens.
Psalms 136: 2
Oh, give thanks to the God of gods! For His mercy endures forever.
Isaiah 43: 10b
Before Me there was no God formed, nor shall there be after me.
Isaiah 45: 5a, 6b, 14b
I am the LORD, and there is no other; there is no God beside Me; that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is no other [also vs. 18b, 21b].
Jeremiah 32: 27a
Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh.
Hosea 3: 1
Then the LORD said to me, “Go again, love a woman who is loved by a lover and is committing adultery, just like the love of the LORD for the children of Israel, who look to other gods and love the raisin cakes of the pagans.
Jeremiah 7: 14
The children gather wood, the fathers kindle the wood, and the women knead dough to make cakes [raisin cakes??] for the queen of heaven; and they pour out drink offerings to other gods, that they may provoke Me to anger.
Ezekiel 8: 14, 16
So He brought me to the north gate of the LORD’S house [Temple]; and to my dismay, women were there weeping for Tammuz. So He brought me to the inner court of the LORD’S house [Temple]; and there was a door of the temple of the LORD, between the porch and the altar, were twenty-five men with their backs toward the temple of the LORD and their faces toward the east, and they were worshipping the sun toward the east.
Ezekiel 13: 18a
Thus says the LORD God: “Woe to the women who sew magic charms on their sleeves and make veils for the heads of people of every height to hunt souls!”
Hosea 13: 4
Yet I am the LORD your God ever since the land of Egypt, and you shall know no God but Me; for there is no Savior besides Me.
COMMENTARY: Although the Bedouin Semitic patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob received supernatural revelations from God, He was known to them mostly by the name El-Shaddai, or a derivative of the main root word El. When God sought to gather to Himself a particular people that would become a holy nation unto Him, the descendants of Joseph in Egyptian slavery were chosen. God led them out from the midst of Egypt with a mighty display of divine power through the leadership of Moses [Moshe] and while in the Wilderness of Sin, instructed the Israelites in His Law. There are two prominent themes that were stressed from that point in time and throughout their unique history, namely: (1) I am the LORD your God; (2) you shall not have any other gods before [alongside] Me. This injunction is repeated throughout the entire Jewish Bible [Tanakh], starting in Exodus, which was written around 1440 BC through the book of Zechariah, written around 475 BC.
In reading through the many passages of the Old Testament, one thing is increasingly apparent, and that is, the Israelites or Hebrews did believe in the LORD God [YHVH-El] as the Highest God, Father of the gods, the Mighty God, ruler of Heaven and Earth, but not necessarily as the “only” God. Through the mouth of such prophets as Job, David or Isaiah, and perhaps a few others, God’s “oneness” and uniqueness was proclaimed. The Major Prophets like Daniel and Ezekiel both deal with the time of the Babylonian captivity and Jeremiah mentions events before this time and afterwards, when the captives return back to Judea. The Minor Prophets Haggai and Zechariah write about the rebuilding of the Second Temple back in Jerusalem during the reign of Darius the Mede. In reading Ezekiel’s account which is dated between 593and 573 BC, the Israelites are still worshipping idols at this late date, and certainly would not be considered to be totally committed to the One True God of their forefathers.
Interestingly, the term “Jew” first appears in the Scriptures after the Israelites are led captive to Babylon [2 Kings 25: 1-25, 27] and there is no indication if it was used in a religious connotation or not. It was probably during their seventy years being led away in chains from the Promised Land that their social experiences including exposure to Babylonian culture, literature and writing that influenced these immigrants significantly and helped them form the basis of a monotheistic faith, the forerunner of modern “Judaism;” which had its early formation under the leadership of Zerubbabel, Joshua and Ezra. At no time prior to the return from Babylonian exile and leading back nearly 965 years or so to the Egyptian enslavement can it be proven with any degree of certainty that there was ever a concept or understanding of ‘monotheism;’ at least in the modern sense of the word.
Robert Randle
776 Commerce St. #B-11
Tacoma, WA 98402
April 22, 2011
robertrandle51@yahoo.com
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
What holy articles were actually left inside the Ark of the Covenant?
Hebrews 9: 2-5a
For a tabernacle was prepared; the first part, in which was the lampstand, the table, and the showbread, which is called the sanctuary [Holy Place]; and behind the second veil, the part of the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of All, which had the golden censer and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which were (1) the golden pot that had the manna, (2) Aaron’s rod that budded, and the (3) tablets of the covenant; and above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat.
Exodus 16: 33
And Moses said to Aaron, “Take a pot and put an omer of manna in it, and lay it up before the LORD, to be kept for your generations.”
NOTE: There is no mention about a golden pot containing manna being put into the ark.
Exodus 25: 10a, 11, 16
And they shall make an ark of acacia wood. And you shall overlay it with pure gold, inside and out you shall overlay it, and shall make on it a molding of gold all around. And you shall put into the ark the Testimony which I will give you.
Exodus 31: 18
And when He had made an end of speaking with him on Mount Sinai, He gave Moses two tablets of the Testimony, tablets of stone, written with the finger of God (Cp. Exodus 32: 15).
Exodus 40: 20a
He took the Testimony and put it [them] into the ark.
Numbers 17: 8, 10a
Now it came to pass on the next day that Moses went into the tabernacle of witness, and behold, the rod of Aaron, of the house of Levi, had sprouted and put forth buds, had produced blossoms and yielded ripe almonds. And the LORD said to Moses, “Bring Aaron’s rod back before the Testimony, to be kept as a sign against the rebels. . .”
NOTE: There is no mention about Aaron’s rod that budded being placed into the ark, also.
Deuteronomy 10: 5a
Then I turned and came down from the mountain, and put the tablets in the ark which I had made.
1 Kings 8: 4, 9a
Then they brought up the ark of the LORD, the tabernacle of meeting, and all the holy furnishings that were in the tabernacle. The priests and Levites brought them up. Nothing was in the ark except the two tablets of stone which Moses put there at Horeb (Cp. 2 Chronicles 5: 10).
COMMENTARY: Outside of the Ark of the Covenant [Testimony] containing the tablets of stone, there is no writing in the Tanach [including the Torah] which mentions Aaron’s rod and the golden pot containing manna being located inside this chest [ark], which the author of Hebrews says it did. In fact, the Book of Kings, which was written perhaps hundreds of years after the time of Moses, reveals that only the tablets of stone [the Testimony] was in the ark and nothing else, so if these other items were there formerly, then what happened to them, and if taken, then by whom?
Robert Randle
776 Commerce St. #B-11
Tacoma, WA 98402
April 8, 2011
robertrandle51@yahoo.com
For a tabernacle was prepared; the first part, in which was the lampstand, the table, and the showbread, which is called the sanctuary [Holy Place]; and behind the second veil, the part of the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of All, which had the golden censer and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which were (1) the golden pot that had the manna, (2) Aaron’s rod that budded, and the (3) tablets of the covenant; and above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat.
Exodus 16: 33
And Moses said to Aaron, “Take a pot and put an omer of manna in it, and lay it up before the LORD, to be kept for your generations.”
NOTE: There is no mention about a golden pot containing manna being put into the ark.
Exodus 25: 10a, 11, 16
And they shall make an ark of acacia wood. And you shall overlay it with pure gold, inside and out you shall overlay it, and shall make on it a molding of gold all around. And you shall put into the ark the Testimony which I will give you.
Exodus 31: 18
And when He had made an end of speaking with him on Mount Sinai, He gave Moses two tablets of the Testimony, tablets of stone, written with the finger of God (Cp. Exodus 32: 15).
Exodus 40: 20a
He took the Testimony and put it [them] into the ark.
Numbers 17: 8, 10a
Now it came to pass on the next day that Moses went into the tabernacle of witness, and behold, the rod of Aaron, of the house of Levi, had sprouted and put forth buds, had produced blossoms and yielded ripe almonds. And the LORD said to Moses, “Bring Aaron’s rod back before the Testimony, to be kept as a sign against the rebels. . .”
NOTE: There is no mention about Aaron’s rod that budded being placed into the ark, also.
Deuteronomy 10: 5a
Then I turned and came down from the mountain, and put the tablets in the ark which I had made.
1 Kings 8: 4, 9a
Then they brought up the ark of the LORD, the tabernacle of meeting, and all the holy furnishings that were in the tabernacle. The priests and Levites brought them up. Nothing was in the ark except the two tablets of stone which Moses put there at Horeb (Cp. 2 Chronicles 5: 10).
COMMENTARY: Outside of the Ark of the Covenant [Testimony] containing the tablets of stone, there is no writing in the Tanach [including the Torah] which mentions Aaron’s rod and the golden pot containing manna being located inside this chest [ark], which the author of Hebrews says it did. In fact, the Book of Kings, which was written perhaps hundreds of years after the time of Moses, reveals that only the tablets of stone [the Testimony] was in the ark and nothing else, so if these other items were there formerly, then what happened to them, and if taken, then by whom?
Robert Randle
776 Commerce St. #B-11
Tacoma, WA 98402
April 8, 2011
robertrandle51@yahoo.com
The Passover crucifixion of Jesus: A critical look
John 13: 1a-2
Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father. And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son to betray Him.
NOTE: This was not the Passover Seder but a meal preceding it.
13: 21, 25-30
When Jesus had said these things, He was troubled in spirit, and testified and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.” Then leaning back on Jesus’ breast, he said to Him, “LORD, who is it?” Jesus answered, “It is he to who I shall give a piece of bread, when I have dipped it.” And having dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.” But no one at the table knew for what reason He said this to him. For some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus had said to him, “Buy those things we need for the feast [Passover],” or that he should give something for the poor. Having received the piece of bread, he then went out immediately. And it was night.
NOTE: This was a particular night preceding Passover or before March/April 14.
John 18: 28
Then they led Jesus from Caiphas to the Praetorium [Pilate’s headquarters], and it was early morning [Friday]. But they themselves did not go into the Praetorium, lest they should not be defiled, but that they might eat the Passover [March/April 14].
NOTE: It seems that the Passover hadn’t been observed yet, before Jesus was already betrayed to be crucified.
John 19: 14a, 31a, 42
Now it was the Preparation Day of the Passover, and about the sixth hour [12 noon]. Therefore, because it was the Preparation Day, that the bodies should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for the Sabbath was a high day). . . So they laid Jesus, because of the Preparation day, for the tomb was nearby.
NOTE: The Preparation Day was during sundown Thursday until dusk on Friday, so Jesus was crucified between the times of 12 noon until 3 PM on Friday. The first and seventh days of Unleavened Bread are also observed as a Sabbath Day because God commanded that no customary work was to be performed in them (Cp. Leviticus 23: 7-8).
Matthew 26: 17, 19
Now on the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying to Him, “Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?” So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover.
NOTE: The Passover was celebrated first and then the feast of Unleavened Bread was celebrated afterwards (Cp. Leviticus 23: 5-6).
Exodus 12: 17a, 18
So you shall observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread. . . In the first month [Abib-“March/April”], on the fourteenth day of the month at evening, you shall eat unleavened bread, until the twenty-first day of the month at evening.
NOTE: Leviticus 23: 5-6 says that the Feast of Passover was on the 14th day and the Feast of Unleavened Bread was on the 15th day, which probably had to do with the lunar/solar cycle and therefore the days were not fixed. The feast of Unleavened Bread does NOT precede the Passover, so this statement is a little curious or puzzling.
Matthew 26: 36; 27: 1
Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, “Sit here while I go and pray over there.” When morning came, all the chief priests and elders of the people plotted against Jesus to put Him to death.
Matthew 27: 57-60, 62
Now when evening had come, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also became a disciple of Jesus. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body be given to him. When Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his new tomb which he had hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb and departed. On the next day which followed the Day of Preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees gathered together to Pilate,
NOTE: Was the day after the Day of Preparation not the Passover, which was either observed as a Sabbath rest [“no work to be done”-Leviticus 23: 5-8] if not, then was it actually on the Sabbath Day? There is no mention about a concern over the bodies remaining on the cross during Sabbath, here.
Mark 14: 1, 12
After two days it was [would be] the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread when they killed the Passover lamb, His disciples said to Him, “Where do You want us to go and prepare, that You may eat the Passover?”
NOTE: The author has the celebration all mixed up, too. The Passover lamb was obtained on the tenth day of the first month and then slain 4 days later on the fourteenth (Cp. Exodus 12: 2-3, 6, 8, 21). The Feast of Passover precedes the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and the first day would be March 15th (Cp. Leviticus 23: 5-6).
Mark 14: 16-17
So His disciples went out, and came into the city, and found it just as He had said to them; and they prepared the Passover. In the evening He came with the twelve.
Mark 15: 42-45
Now when evening had come, because it was the Preparation Day, that is, the day before the Sabbath. Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent council member, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, coming and taking courage, went in to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Pilate marveled that He was already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him if He had been dead for some time. So when he found out from the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph.
NOTE: This would be Thursday evening, and according to the author, Jesus had already been crucified (Cp. Mark 15: 39). This is the only narrative that specifically mentions the Preparation Day as the day before the Sabbath [see note on Matthew 27: 57-60, 62]. Also, there is no mention about a concern over the bodies remaining on the cross during Sabbath, also.
Luke 22: 1, 7
Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread drew near, which is called Passover. Then came the Day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover [lamb] must be killed. And He sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we might eat”
NOTE: The author of Luke’s gospel must have used Mark’s sources because in both accounts the Passover and Feast of Unleavened bread are presented as essentially the same, along with the Passover lamb being slain whereas in the Torah these celebrations are distinct, although occurring one after the other with Passover as the first.
Luke 23: 44-46, 54
Now it was about the sixth hour [12 noon], and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour [3 PM]. Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two. And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, he said, “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit. “ Having said this, He breathed His last. That was the Preparation Day, and the Sabbath drew near.
NOTE: The Sabbath started on sundown Friday. There is no mention about a concern over the bodies remaining on the cross during Sabbath.
Robert Randle
776 Commerce ST. #B-11
Tacoma, WA 98402
April 18, 2011
robertrandle51@yahoo.com
Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father. And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son to betray Him.
NOTE: This was not the Passover Seder but a meal preceding it.
13: 21, 25-30
When Jesus had said these things, He was troubled in spirit, and testified and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.” Then leaning back on Jesus’ breast, he said to Him, “LORD, who is it?” Jesus answered, “It is he to who I shall give a piece of bread, when I have dipped it.” And having dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.” But no one at the table knew for what reason He said this to him. For some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus had said to him, “Buy those things we need for the feast [Passover],” or that he should give something for the poor. Having received the piece of bread, he then went out immediately. And it was night.
NOTE: This was a particular night preceding Passover or before March/April 14.
John 18: 28
Then they led Jesus from Caiphas to the Praetorium [Pilate’s headquarters], and it was early morning [Friday]. But they themselves did not go into the Praetorium, lest they should not be defiled, but that they might eat the Passover [March/April 14].
NOTE: It seems that the Passover hadn’t been observed yet, before Jesus was already betrayed to be crucified.
John 19: 14a, 31a, 42
Now it was the Preparation Day of the Passover, and about the sixth hour [12 noon]. Therefore, because it was the Preparation Day, that the bodies should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for the Sabbath was a high day). . . So they laid Jesus, because of the Preparation day, for the tomb was nearby.
NOTE: The Preparation Day was during sundown Thursday until dusk on Friday, so Jesus was crucified between the times of 12 noon until 3 PM on Friday. The first and seventh days of Unleavened Bread are also observed as a Sabbath Day because God commanded that no customary work was to be performed in them (Cp. Leviticus 23: 7-8).
Matthew 26: 17, 19
Now on the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying to Him, “Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?” So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover.
NOTE: The Passover was celebrated first and then the feast of Unleavened Bread was celebrated afterwards (Cp. Leviticus 23: 5-6).
Exodus 12: 17a, 18
So you shall observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread. . . In the first month [Abib-“March/April”], on the fourteenth day of the month at evening, you shall eat unleavened bread, until the twenty-first day of the month at evening.
NOTE: Leviticus 23: 5-6 says that the Feast of Passover was on the 14th day and the Feast of Unleavened Bread was on the 15th day, which probably had to do with the lunar/solar cycle and therefore the days were not fixed. The feast of Unleavened Bread does NOT precede the Passover, so this statement is a little curious or puzzling.
Matthew 26: 36; 27: 1
Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, “Sit here while I go and pray over there.” When morning came, all the chief priests and elders of the people plotted against Jesus to put Him to death.
Matthew 27: 57-60, 62
Now when evening had come, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also became a disciple of Jesus. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body be given to him. When Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his new tomb which he had hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb and departed. On the next day which followed the Day of Preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees gathered together to Pilate,
NOTE: Was the day after the Day of Preparation not the Passover, which was either observed as a Sabbath rest [“no work to be done”-Leviticus 23: 5-8] if not, then was it actually on the Sabbath Day? There is no mention about a concern over the bodies remaining on the cross during Sabbath, here.
Mark 14: 1, 12
After two days it was [would be] the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread when they killed the Passover lamb, His disciples said to Him, “Where do You want us to go and prepare, that You may eat the Passover?”
NOTE: The author has the celebration all mixed up, too. The Passover lamb was obtained on the tenth day of the first month and then slain 4 days later on the fourteenth (Cp. Exodus 12: 2-3, 6, 8, 21). The Feast of Passover precedes the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and the first day would be March 15th (Cp. Leviticus 23: 5-6).
Mark 14: 16-17
So His disciples went out, and came into the city, and found it just as He had said to them; and they prepared the Passover. In the evening He came with the twelve.
Mark 15: 42-45
Now when evening had come, because it was the Preparation Day, that is, the day before the Sabbath. Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent council member, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, coming and taking courage, went in to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Pilate marveled that He was already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him if He had been dead for some time. So when he found out from the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph.
NOTE: This would be Thursday evening, and according to the author, Jesus had already been crucified (Cp. Mark 15: 39). This is the only narrative that specifically mentions the Preparation Day as the day before the Sabbath [see note on Matthew 27: 57-60, 62]. Also, there is no mention about a concern over the bodies remaining on the cross during Sabbath, also.
Luke 22: 1, 7
Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread drew near, which is called Passover. Then came the Day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover [lamb] must be killed. And He sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we might eat”
NOTE: The author of Luke’s gospel must have used Mark’s sources because in both accounts the Passover and Feast of Unleavened bread are presented as essentially the same, along with the Passover lamb being slain whereas in the Torah these celebrations are distinct, although occurring one after the other with Passover as the first.
Luke 23: 44-46, 54
Now it was about the sixth hour [12 noon], and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour [3 PM]. Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two. And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, he said, “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit. “ Having said this, He breathed His last. That was the Preparation Day, and the Sabbath drew near.
NOTE: The Sabbath started on sundown Friday. There is no mention about a concern over the bodies remaining on the cross during Sabbath.
Robert Randle
776 Commerce ST. #B-11
Tacoma, WA 98402
April 18, 2011
robertrandle51@yahoo.com
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
What should be the attitude of Christians toward Easter?
According to The Encyclopedia Britannica, 15th edition, Micropaedia, p. 333, “Easter” is associated with pagan spring fertility rites and it was later incorporated into Western Christianity as a celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Francis Weiser, professor of Philosophy at Boston College states that the Easter egg had its origins among the Indo-European races and the Easter bunny or rabbit was used because of its ability to be quite fertile (Handbook of Christian Feasts and Customs, 1958, pp. 233, 236). In Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, the term “Easter” is a another form of one of the titles for “Astarte, the Chaldean goddess and Queen of Heaven (Handbook of Christian Feasts and Customs, 1958, pp. 233, 236). The Babylonian and Assyrian fertility goddess Ishtar, from which derives the name Astarte or Ashtoreth, who is likely the Anglo-Saxon or Germanic Ostara, and using the word ‘east’ gives the origin of the word “Easter.” Ishtar was associated with Tammuz, mentioned in Ezekiel 8: 14 is a vegetation god of both divine and mortal origin who died and rose from the dead every year; representing the annual decay and revival of life.
Pagans have always got excited about spring, because they saw the sun increasing in power, animals mating, and plant life reviving. They exalted animal and human fertility, reproduction, and sexual love. Goddesses of love and fertility were worshipped with spring festivals and gross immorality. Eusebius, one of the renowned Church Fathers, writes that earliest Christians celebrated the Lord’s Passover [Supper] at the same time as the Jews, during the night of the first full moon of the first month of spring [Nisan/April 14-15]. By the middle of the 2nd Century, most Churches had transferred this celebration to the Sunday after the Jewish feast.
Certain churches of Asia Minor clung to the older custom but after the first Ecumenical Council of Nicea in 325 decreed that all churches should observe the feast together on a Sunday (The Encyclopedia Britannica, 15th edition, Micropaedia, Vol. 4, pp. 604-605, “Church Year”). In an attempt to draw more pagan worshippers into the Christian faith, The Roman Catholic Church, seeking to "Christianize" the pagans, gave new names and meanings to the old pagan festivals to keep their unregenerate members happy. Church leaders gradually replaced Passover with the religion of the pagan mystery religion with an emphasis on the death and resurrection of Tammuz [Adonis/Attis throughout the Roman Empire] to that of Jesus Christ.
The date for Easter is always hard to figure out, so you have to turn to a calendar to see which Sunday it falls on for a given year. There is a simple reason for this confusion. The pagans observed festivals at the vernal equinox, which was and is considered the first day of spring, when the length of the day and the length of the night are equal, as the sun climbs in the sky of the northern hemisphere. In 325 A.D., Emperor Constantine of the Roman Empire, presiding over the large church council at Nicea, set the date as the first Sunday after the first full moon after the spring equinox.
One could go into more detail about the historical origin of this holiday but it is important to search the Scriptures and learn what God thinks about this and other pagan customs.
2 Kings 23: 5
Then he [King Josiah] removed the idolatrous priests whom the kings of Judah had ordained to burn incense on the high places in the cities of Judah and in the places all around Jerusalem, and those who burned incense to Baal, to the sun, to the moon, to the constellations, and to all the host of heaven.
Jeremiah 10:2-3a Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen... For the customs of the people are vain.
Deuteronomy 14: 2
For you are a holy people to the LORD your God, and the LORD has chosen you to be a [peculiar] people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.
Titus 2: 13-14
Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our Great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special [peculiar] people, zealous for good works.
1 Peter 2: 9
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special [peculiar] people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
Romans 12: 2
And do not be conformed to the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
2 Thessalonians 2: 15
Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.
2 Timothy 3: 14, 16-17
But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable foe doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Jude 3
Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.
Proverbs 16: 25
There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.
COMMENT: Encyclopedia International (1978) declares, "Many of the customs associated with Easter are derived from various spring fertility rites of the pagan religions which Christianity supplanted." The Catholic Encyclopedia declares, "A great many pagan customs celebrating the return of spring gravitated to Easter." Encyclopedia Britannica states, "Christianity ... incorporated in its celebrations of the great Christian feast day many of the heathen rites and customs of the spring festival." Compton’s Encyclopedia (1978) declares, "Some Easter customs have come from this and other pre-Christian spring festivals." Why are children taught that Peter Cottontail has a basket of eggs? Do rabbits lay eggs? Of course not! Rabbits are an obvious symbol of fertility and reproduction, for they are known for their short gestation and large litters. The Catholic Encyclopedia reads, "The rabbit is a pagan symbol and has always been an emblem of fertility."
Encyclopedia International (1978) reads, "The Easter rabbit, legendary producer of Easter eggs, was also a symbol of fertility and new life." Encyclopedia Britannica reads, "The Easter hare came to Christianity from antiquity. The hare is associated with the moon in the legends of ancient Egypt and other peoples. Through the fact that the Egyptian word for hare, um, means also ‘open’ and ‘period’, the hare came to be associated with the idea of periodicity, both lunar and human, and with the beginning of new life in both the young man and young woman, and so a symbol of fertility and of the renewal of life."
Regarding Easter eggs, Encyclopedia Britannica states, "The egg as a symbol of fertility and of renewal of life goes back to the ancient Egyptians and Persians, who had also the custom of coloring and eating eggs during their spring festival." The New Book of Knowledge (1978) declares, "One of the best-known Easter symbols is the egg, which has symbolized renewed life since ancient days. The egg is said to be a symbol of life because in all living creatures life begins in the egg." Encyclopedia International (1978) states, "Eggs were a primitive symbol of fertility; but Christians saw in them a symbol of the tomb from which Christ rose, and continued the practice of coloring, giving, and eating them on Easter."
Although there are a few Christian denominations that do not celebrate Easter or any other Church holidays, such as Jehovah Witnesses, Quakers [Friends Church] and Worldwide Church of God [Armstrong-“Easter”] are criticized by other believers for their resistance to such customs but is their stance on this issue of faith not all that unreasonable? The one thing about this tradition is that it involves children for the most part, with Easter egg hunts, candy and all the other festive activities. Although it is quite pleasing to hear the sounds of laughter and see the smiles and frivolity shared by the youth but what message is being sent? Is this truly a non-issue that does not even require a second thought or is the matter important enough to merit prayer and serious study because it could involve one’s eternal destiny?
Robert Randle
776 Commerce St. #B-11
Tacoma, WA 98402
April 10, 2011
robertrandle51@yahoo.com
Pagans have always got excited about spring, because they saw the sun increasing in power, animals mating, and plant life reviving. They exalted animal and human fertility, reproduction, and sexual love. Goddesses of love and fertility were worshipped with spring festivals and gross immorality. Eusebius, one of the renowned Church Fathers, writes that earliest Christians celebrated the Lord’s Passover [Supper] at the same time as the Jews, during the night of the first full moon of the first month of spring [Nisan/April 14-15]. By the middle of the 2nd Century, most Churches had transferred this celebration to the Sunday after the Jewish feast.
Certain churches of Asia Minor clung to the older custom but after the first Ecumenical Council of Nicea in 325 decreed that all churches should observe the feast together on a Sunday (The Encyclopedia Britannica, 15th edition, Micropaedia, Vol. 4, pp. 604-605, “Church Year”). In an attempt to draw more pagan worshippers into the Christian faith, The Roman Catholic Church, seeking to "Christianize" the pagans, gave new names and meanings to the old pagan festivals to keep their unregenerate members happy. Church leaders gradually replaced Passover with the religion of the pagan mystery religion with an emphasis on the death and resurrection of Tammuz [Adonis/Attis throughout the Roman Empire] to that of Jesus Christ.
The date for Easter is always hard to figure out, so you have to turn to a calendar to see which Sunday it falls on for a given year. There is a simple reason for this confusion. The pagans observed festivals at the vernal equinox, which was and is considered the first day of spring, when the length of the day and the length of the night are equal, as the sun climbs in the sky of the northern hemisphere. In 325 A.D., Emperor Constantine of the Roman Empire, presiding over the large church council at Nicea, set the date as the first Sunday after the first full moon after the spring equinox.
One could go into more detail about the historical origin of this holiday but it is important to search the Scriptures and learn what God thinks about this and other pagan customs.
2 Kings 23: 5
Then he [King Josiah] removed the idolatrous priests whom the kings of Judah had ordained to burn incense on the high places in the cities of Judah and in the places all around Jerusalem, and those who burned incense to Baal, to the sun, to the moon, to the constellations, and to all the host of heaven.
Jeremiah 10:2-3a Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen... For the customs of the people are vain.
Deuteronomy 14: 2
For you are a holy people to the LORD your God, and the LORD has chosen you to be a [peculiar] people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.
Titus 2: 13-14
Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our Great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special [peculiar] people, zealous for good works.
1 Peter 2: 9
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special [peculiar] people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
Romans 12: 2
And do not be conformed to the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
2 Thessalonians 2: 15
Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.
2 Timothy 3: 14, 16-17
But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable foe doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Jude 3
Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.
Proverbs 16: 25
There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.
COMMENT: Encyclopedia International (1978) declares, "Many of the customs associated with Easter are derived from various spring fertility rites of the pagan religions which Christianity supplanted." The Catholic Encyclopedia declares, "A great many pagan customs celebrating the return of spring gravitated to Easter." Encyclopedia Britannica states, "Christianity ... incorporated in its celebrations of the great Christian feast day many of the heathen rites and customs of the spring festival." Compton’s Encyclopedia (1978) declares, "Some Easter customs have come from this and other pre-Christian spring festivals." Why are children taught that Peter Cottontail has a basket of eggs? Do rabbits lay eggs? Of course not! Rabbits are an obvious symbol of fertility and reproduction, for they are known for their short gestation and large litters. The Catholic Encyclopedia reads, "The rabbit is a pagan symbol and has always been an emblem of fertility."
Encyclopedia International (1978) reads, "The Easter rabbit, legendary producer of Easter eggs, was also a symbol of fertility and new life." Encyclopedia Britannica reads, "The Easter hare came to Christianity from antiquity. The hare is associated with the moon in the legends of ancient Egypt and other peoples. Through the fact that the Egyptian word for hare, um, means also ‘open’ and ‘period’, the hare came to be associated with the idea of periodicity, both lunar and human, and with the beginning of new life in both the young man and young woman, and so a symbol of fertility and of the renewal of life."
Regarding Easter eggs, Encyclopedia Britannica states, "The egg as a symbol of fertility and of renewal of life goes back to the ancient Egyptians and Persians, who had also the custom of coloring and eating eggs during their spring festival." The New Book of Knowledge (1978) declares, "One of the best-known Easter symbols is the egg, which has symbolized renewed life since ancient days. The egg is said to be a symbol of life because in all living creatures life begins in the egg." Encyclopedia International (1978) states, "Eggs were a primitive symbol of fertility; but Christians saw in them a symbol of the tomb from which Christ rose, and continued the practice of coloring, giving, and eating them on Easter."
Although there are a few Christian denominations that do not celebrate Easter or any other Church holidays, such as Jehovah Witnesses, Quakers [Friends Church] and Worldwide Church of God [Armstrong-“Easter”] are criticized by other believers for their resistance to such customs but is their stance on this issue of faith not all that unreasonable? The one thing about this tradition is that it involves children for the most part, with Easter egg hunts, candy and all the other festive activities. Although it is quite pleasing to hear the sounds of laughter and see the smiles and frivolity shared by the youth but what message is being sent? Is this truly a non-issue that does not even require a second thought or is the matter important enough to merit prayer and serious study because it could involve one’s eternal destiny?
Robert Randle
776 Commerce St. #B-11
Tacoma, WA 98402
April 10, 2011
robertrandle51@yahoo.com
Sunday, April 3, 2011
NATO workers slain in protests over Quran burning
In what is considered an intentional provocation and cultural insensitivity toward the religious faith of over a billion and a half devotees, a copy of the holy book of Islam, was burned at the Gainesville, FL Church of Pastor Terry Jones. Outrage over this premeditated act spilled into the streets of the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif in Afghanistan where demonstrators rioted and set cars and shops afire and in the wake of their riot four Afghan protestors and seven U. N. employees lay dead, according to Associated Press reporter Amir Shah and writers Deb Riechman and Mirwais Khan in the Kandahar province. Although Pastor Jones was not personally involved in the bonfire which took place March 20th, yet, he videotaped the desecration gained international attention last year for threatening to do the same himself. Pastor Jones later backed down due to pressure, protests and threats from the international community as well as pleas from Defense Secretary Robert Gates, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, General David Petraeus, and President Barack Obama, among others. Pastor Jones intention previously was to expose Islam not as a religion of peace but rather as one which perpetuates violence and also because Jesus is portrayed in Quranic texts as a mere man and not the Son of God. In lieu of this controversy the following Scriptures are given for consideration.
Matthew 18: 7-8
Woe to the world because of offenses. For offenses must come, but woe to the man by whom the offense comes. If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the everlasting fire.
1 Corinthians 10: 32
Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the Church of God.
Philippians 1: 9-10
And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernments, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ [Messiah].
COMMENT: More could be mentioned on this matter but as a last example is the Apostle Paul giving assent to the martyr Stephen’s stoning, although he did not pick up one single stone but was complicit nonetheless in the murder just the same (Cp. Acts 7: 57-60; 8: 1a; 22: 20). The Don Imus of the Christian Church assumes no responsibility for the unfortunate deaths caused in this expression of vehement righteous indignation by Arabs and devout Muslims in Afghanistan and worldwide, but is this position defensible? If violence is to Islam what love is to Christianity, then does Koran-burning exhibit that nobler ideal and virtue (Cp. Romans 13: 10)?
Robert Randle
776 Commerce St. #B-11
Tacoma, WA 98402
April 2, 2011
robertrandle51@yahoo.com
Matthew 18: 7-8
Woe to the world because of offenses. For offenses must come, but woe to the man by whom the offense comes. If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the everlasting fire.
1 Corinthians 10: 32
Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the Church of God.
Philippians 1: 9-10
And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernments, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ [Messiah].
COMMENT: More could be mentioned on this matter but as a last example is the Apostle Paul giving assent to the martyr Stephen’s stoning, although he did not pick up one single stone but was complicit nonetheless in the murder just the same (Cp. Acts 7: 57-60; 8: 1a; 22: 20). The Don Imus of the Christian Church assumes no responsibility for the unfortunate deaths caused in this expression of vehement righteous indignation by Arabs and devout Muslims in Afghanistan and worldwide, but is this position defensible? If violence is to Islam what love is to Christianity, then does Koran-burning exhibit that nobler ideal and virtue (Cp. Romans 13: 10)?
Robert Randle
776 Commerce St. #B-11
Tacoma, WA 98402
April 2, 2011
robertrandle51@yahoo.com
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