WWUTT Wednesday - WWUTT is the Meaning Of Life?

This is the question that has been perplexing man since man began. Other iterations of this question are not limited to but include "Why are we here?", "What is life all about?", or "What is the purpose of existence?"

People can spend their entire life trying to determine the meaning of life and in the end they may only come up with a silly answer, if they come up with one at all. In that case their meaning of life boils down to inventing a logical sounding rationale for the silly answer they originally came up with.

Shintoism has a pretty unique take on the meaning of life - the meaning of life is not to die. 

Most normal people rarely worry about the meaning of life, they worry about their loved ones and how they are going to feed, clothe and raise their little loved ones. Those little loved ones generally are the meaning of life to their parents.

Author Douglas Adams came up with the most interesting answer to the meaning of Life! the Universe! and Everything! The answer is 42. You just have to rephrase the question properly.

WWUTT Wednesday: Beth Moore - Moore is Less

I'm really not crazy about Beth Moore, and it's not all that hair and all those teeth. She is a pretty woman, but her preaching is pretty too.  For example when preaching on Matthew 8:28–34 she spoke of the demon possessed men who were coming out of the tombs:

"before we proceed to the next point, consider a fact revealed in verse 27. The demonic didn't live in a house. He resided in the tombs. I wonder how many people today are living "in the tombs"? I know a woman who is still so oppressed by despair that decades after the loss of a loved one, she still lives "in the tombs."  (Jesus, the One and Only, by Beth Moore, B & H Publishing Group, Nashville, Tenn., 2002, p. 143-144)

These men were not depressed they were actually living in the graveyard, they were probably driven out of their town because of their demonic possession. Is Beth saying that if you're depressed then you are demonically possessed? The point of the text is not about emotional trauma, this is abuse of the text. Maybe Beth doesn't need to properly exegete the text because she believes that whispers in the heart are superior to the text?

"As we study we may see several examples of Him [Christ] posing a question that only He could answer. Christ certainly uses that teaching method with me. Sometimes He’ll cause me to dig through Scripture for a question He seemed to initiate. Other times the question may come as a personalized whisper in my heart: 'Beth, why are you acting that way?' Often my answer is 'I don’t know, Lord! Can you tell me why?' If I really search His heart, sooner or later He’ll give me insight into my reactions," (Jesus, the One and Only, by Beth Moore, B & H Publishing Group, Nashville, Tenn., 2002, p. 47)

For a true believer the law of the Lord is perfect:

7 The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul;
The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
8 The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the Lord are true; they are righteous altogether. (Psalm 19:7-9)

So if the Word of God is perfect what does it say for "personalized whispers in the heart"?

 The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it? (Jeremiah 17:9)

Now her teaching is (surprise surprise) moving in anti-biblical territory; gifts and other charismatic voodoo, ecumenism, and turning her back on scripture, especially 1 Timothy chapters 2 and 3 and any other related text that falls under the SJW commandments against perceived misogamy. If you want less Moore, read The SBC should say "No more" to Beth Moore

WWUTT Wednesday - Is Lady Gaga A Christian

Lady Gaga's Suggested Super Bowl LIII Costume

Lady Gaga, a Madonna wannabe that can actually sing, outted herself as a Christian recently, and she did it in a way that soothed the jangled nerves of the hate filled left - she wrapped her outting with a vile insult aimed at the Trump administration. Namely to a private citizen, Karen Pence, who's sin in the eyes of Gaga, was teaching children at a Christian school.

Now, as anyone knows, you can proudly stand and admit you are a child rapist and a Nazi war criminal with a taste for human flesh washed down with puppy blood to the applause and adoration of the left if you use that admission to insult Donald Trump. The Washington Post (a former news paper) has written an article that calls Gaga music, which inspires her listeners to sin without repentance, "a call to prayer and seek the Lord on Top 40 radio". The author of this theological masterpiece ignores the fact that she NEVER calls her followers to accept Jesus as their savior. The "WaPo" calls the bi-sexual with a dress fetish "both a practicing Christian and a passionate advocate for progressive values" without looking to see if  those "progressive values" are the "Christian Values" taught by Christ.

WWUTT Wednesday - Modern Day Prophets?

A prophet is an inspired teacher or proclaimer of the will of God. Simply put if you say "Jesus died and rose from the dead" you are a prophet because you proclaimed God's words. If you say "Jesus died and went to Cleveland" or if you say that God told you "the Carolina Panthers are going to win Super Bowl 50" you are a False Prophet.

That's the thing - today God's will is there for everyone to view, read, discern, and share, we don't need special prophets. Ages ago God's will was hard to reach, one had to journey to the temple in Jerusalem or have a chance to listen to a local prophet (before he was killed). Later God's will was hidden by the Roman church, shared only in a language that the congregation didn't speak: Latin. Now God's will is everywhere and free - not only book form, but audio, video, and web page.

WWUTT Wednesday - Conspiracy Theories

When I retired from the Air Force I ran into something that I had never had to deal with before: Conspiracy Theories. Yeah, in the military we had stories floating about, but they were called "scuttlebutt", "rumors", "propaganda" and "#@%&!", most dealt with relatively simple things; upcoming deployments, new equipment, and why did the Deputy Commander of Operations go on leave so suddenly? 

Now that I've worked in the "real world" for a couple of decades it seems that the world is fueled by conspiracy theories, and some of this stuff is just nuts. Did FDR allow Japan to bomb Pearl Harbor? Did the CIA assassinate JFK? Did LBJ intentionally escalate the Vietnam War just to get re-elected? (actually that last one is a historical fact) 

The ones I hear from Christians are probably the worst because we know that this world is going to get worse, why make yourself sick about it? Obama did not round up Christians and ship us off to FEMA camps, and maybe the Pope really is the antichrist, so what? 1 John 2:18-22 tells us the world is crawling with antichrists. As a Christian stop and think: does it really matter that Google knows you watch cat videos?

WWUTT Wednesday - Does the Bible Say the Earth Is Flat?

Look - silently he comes, Great A'Tuin, the giant star turtle (species Chelys galactica) swimming slowly through space. He is  fully aware of the weight of the four giant elephants on his back: Berilia, Tubul, Great T'Phon, and Jerakeen. They in turn carry the flat disk of the world on their backs while around them circle the small sun and tiny moon. Occasionally Jerakeen must lift a foreleg to let the moon go past.

No where in the bible will you find this, or anything like this. This particular scenario comes from the hilarious fertile imagination of Terry Pratchett. I don't think the bible even mentions turtles or elephants, and I know it doesn't mention what is the shape of the world . There's more important things to consider when the Word of God is pondered.

WWUTT Wednesday - What Does the Bible Say About The Pope?

The hierarchy of the Roman Catholic church (AKA the Magisterium) believes that it is infallible. Seriously, it's in the Catechism that they wrote, they believe that they received this charism (spiritual gift) of infallibility directly from Jesus. Paragraph 889 of the  CCC (Catechism of the Catholic Church) states in part:

... the pastoral duty of the Magisterium is aimed at seeing to it that the People of God abides in the truth that liberates. To fulfill this service, Christ endowed the Church's shepherds with the charism of infallibility in matters of faith and morals. (emphasis mine)

I'm not going to pretend that Protestants are better at morals than the Roman Catholic Magisterium, nor will I say that Jews, Muslims, and Atheists have a closer shot at being infallible than Mr. Pope - we are all sinners (emphasis God's, see Ecclesiastes 7:20 for details) not one of us is capable of not sinning, even when ex cathedra. 

I've been told by several people knowledgeable in the dogma of the catholic church that we Protestants do not understand papal infallibility, this gift only happens when the pope is speaking ex cathedra which they tell me means when he's acting as the head of their church. However ex cathedra really means when he's being infallible. So in other words if someone tells you "he's only infallible when he's ex cathedra" really means "he's only infallible when he's being infallible" 

So confusing, let's turn to the bible... what does the bible say about Mr. Pope?

WWUTT Wednesday - Are You A Pharisee?

Have you ever been called a Pharisee? I have. Not too long ago in a Twitter "discussion" I was being called a Pharisee by someone who claimed to be a Christian but his talking points were straight out of the Mark Sandlin False Teacher Of The Year 2015 playbook, all that was missing was a promise to go get drunk with prostitutes because "that's what Jesus did".

My "sin" was to quote the bible and use the selected scriptures in context with the "conversation". My antagonist didn't appreciate that his argument did not jive with what Jesus actually said so to cement his argument he branded me a Pharisee, a title I promptly ignored but didn't forget. Did he even know what a Pharisee was, did, or believe? Apparently not

WWUTT Wednesday - Did Jesus (REALLY) Declare All Foods Clean?

Bacon wrapped shrimp - the thought of which sets my mouth to watering but that thought has been known to render rabbis, imams, and hindus apoplectic. Delicious it is, kosher it is not. 

Kosher (which means "proper") foods omit most notably pork and shellfish, also state that meat and dairy may not be combined, and meat must be ritually slaughtered and salted to remove all traces of blood. So an innocent pork free cheeseburger is Not Kosher.

Halal (which means "lawful") foods omit pork but some shellfish such as shrimp are debated, clams are definitely haram (unlawful). Since Islamic food law falls under Islamic jurisprudence you can literally lose your head over that bacon wrapped shrimp. 

The diet of Hindus usually does not include eggs, fish or meat. Ancient Hindu texts describe the whole of creation as a vast food chain, and the cosmos as a giant food cycle.

WWUTT Wednesday - Is Social Justice Just?

I was a child in the 60's and in middle school the student teachers would entertain us with the stories of their protests. They protested just about everything, so to us it appeared that Buffalo NY was a seething hotbed of social injustice. Some things they protested made some sense to me, but how they protested was, in my mind, stupid. 

Stupid, dangerous and insulting. 

The actions and attitudes of these mid 20th century Social Justice Warriors gave birth to one of the greatest conservative minds of the 21st Century; me. Well myself and tens of thousands of other people who might have agreed with them, but their antics drove us to a different way of thinking; one that was based on logic and reason rather than emotion and anger. Those same protesters spawned a new generation of protesters who now call themselves "Social Justice Warriors". They don't appear to understand the term 'Social' because if you disagree with them they become extremely unsocial. They clearly don't understand what the term 'Warrior' means, a warrior has honor, and these people's actions are far from honorable. And as for Justice... 

WWUTT Wednesday - Microaggression - America's Newest Craze

I spent a third of my life in the military, most of that in the Strategic Air Command, I was trained and proficient in mega aggression measured in megatons. To me a micro aggression is something smaller than .50 caliber so I really don't understand what all the hubbub is about.

Then I was told that asking someone where they are from is a microaggression, I just do it because I don't want to invite someone from Boston over to my house to watch the Buffalo Bills game. Most Microaggressions are basically dumb questions and should be handled as such. (I once stupidly asked someone "How do you say that in Mexican?) like I said dumb question, but children these days aren't raised to deal with dumb questions.

Wretched WWUTT Wednesday - On Fire For The Lord

July 4th! Independence Day! That warm, almost mystical, holiday when we remember those brave men who declared their freedom from an oppressive tyrannical government and won independence from the largest empire on earth. A year later on July 4, 1777, Philadelphia marked Independence Day by adjourning Congress and celebrating with bonfires, bells and fireworks, thus starting an annual celebration I highly approve of and recommend heartily.

I hope you all are having good weather, and while you're "chillin' and grillin'" take a little time to smell a rose, remember those who fought to maintain your freedom, and thank God who gave you Jesus, your savior. Declare your freedom from sin, hard won by the blood of Jesus. Celebrate your independence from the Wicked One and his worldly plots to ensnare you. If you are a Christian then every day is your Independence Day... and be careful with those fireworks.

WWUTT Wednesday - WWUTT is a Faith Healer?

This is Todd Bentley. Todd claims to be a faith healer. He claims that he heals them so good that he can heal them post-mortem and raise them from the dead. 

Todd Bentley performs his miraculous healing extravaganzas in front of less less biblicaly astute crowds where folks tend to be a bit more gullible having little knowledge of scripture such as Africa, Pakistan, and the New Apostolic Reformation. 

Here's a short list of places where you won't find Todd Bentley:

• Oncology Wards
• VA Hospitals
• Any area that has a plague
• Tattoo removal clinics
• Bible study

WWUTT Wretched Wednesday - Just The Basics

It's an evil world out there, and I truly believe that this hectic world is designed to insure one thing: that we forget the basics and wander off on a new path following Satan to your doom. Look at Tony Campollo, I've heard rumor that once upon a time he was a solid bible believing Christian, but Tony's son decided that sin is more fun that being a Christian. So Tony decided to listen to his own son rather than God's son and came to the conclusion that God Is Not In Control. 

There's no one verse in the bible that jumps out and says "God is in control" but there are 31,102 verses that show this to be the case. And if we are to pay attention to just the Red Letters as Tony Campollo insists, how did he miss Mark 10:6-8?

We have preachers that can't spread the Word of God from anything but the newest and best corporate jets, preachers that can slay you in the spirit and the wallet, preachers whose houses exceed $13 million dollars while preaching of the man who had no place to lay his head. Pile upon this snowflakes, teens on murderous rampages, and my favorite - a president who should be impeached because he talked about doing things that another president did with pride and was defended viciously by those who now snarl about impeachment. My head is swirling - I need to get back to the basics

WWUTT Wednesday - Coexist?

Is it just me, or do other people feel the same way as I do in feeling that people who demand that the world "coexists" coexist on their terms, and their terms only? Name one theology that tells its adherents to "coexist" and then tells how to do it? There's only one that does:

WWUTT Wednesday: Jesus Christ Superstar

I remember when Jesus Christ Superstar first came out, I remember it like it was merely 48 years ago. I personally believe that this musical was the beginning of what is best described as the Contemporary Christian Music Industrial Complex. The ONLY good thing about that entire musical was that the song "I Don't Know How To Love Him" can be used as a litmus test to separate those that can sing from those that can howl.

To me the whole thing just seemed wrong but at the time in my very early teens, I just couldn't enunciate my reasons why I knew it was wrong. Was my revulsion over this production the Holy Spirit guiding me away from a blasphemous heap of noise? In retrospect I'm going to have to say yes. I didn't watch the live airing of it on Easter Sunday, but if you did, did you play Spot The Heresy?

Wretched WWUTT Wednesday

Todd Freil discusses what I've discussed quite often in the past in my own posts and in WWUTT Wednesday post - Should a Christian commit herbicide? There is one point in both videos (You'll get the "both" reference when you watch it) where Galatians 5:19-21 is mentioned. WWUTT and Todd discuss that big "Laundry List 'O Sins" and Todd talks about a sin that is different than the sin that WWUTT points out.

I myself pick out a sin from that list that can be applicable too: Idolatry. Living in Colorado you soon learn that Marijuana is not just a danger to the environment or your health, it's practically worshiped here. It was always the unofficial Colorado state tree, but when this foul thing became legal it became the official Colorado demigod. Just to question its miraculous "healing" powers is akin to heresy and folks get very very upset if you question their idol. Foaming at the mouth upset. To be honest I can see inquisitions being formed to purge those who question the glorious weed. And the social destruction it has caused this state is incredible. If you want to explore the joys of hepatitis A, B, or C just come on up and hang out with the poor souls addicted (yes addicted) to the unholy weed.

WWUTT Wednesday - What Is A Christian

I had an entirely different introduction written for today's WWUTT Wednesday video, but a news article came up on RedEye Radio this morning that got me to thinking (always a dangerous proposition) and I scrapped the whole intro.

The news story is that Delaware is going to let school children choose their own race and gender without their parents permission or knowledge. Sooooo... the thought occurred to me that if  I were given the chance to self identify race and gender I was going to choose "Christian" That way if a liberal disparaged Christianity I could accuse them of racism.

Then 2 Corinthians 5:17 came crashing down on my head: Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. I AM a new creature, in Christ I put off the old man with his deeds (Colossians 3:9), I put on the new self in the likeness of God (Ephesians 4:24), so yeah, given the opportunity to choose my gender and race on a form I am going to mark Christian, because that's what I am.

WWUTT Wednesday - Upon Further Review

Your Team just scored the go-ahead touchdown! Then the official steps into camera range, clicks on his mic and utters those fateful words

"Upon further review..."

Your Star Receiver who hauls down a hefty seven digit annual salary stepped out of bounds when catching the winning pass. Oh well, it happens. False teachers step out of bounds too, but I'll bet you don't get as upset with those who are trying to ruin your salvation as you did with that guy who just ruined your Sunday afternoon. Heck, there's false teachers who do nothing but teach people how to be false teachers. You think you're immune to the whiles of a false teacher? Jesus Christ himself said 'not so fast mister...'

"For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect. (Matthew 24:24)

I answered a question on this in another forum using Matthew 24:24 there too, but I had admitted I didn't look at the original Greek. Today I looked at the Greek. I pray that what we use is a very good translation because "if possible, even the elect" εἰ δυνατόν καὶ τοὺς ἐκλεκτούς can also be translated "if mighty, also the elect". Try reading this verse and end it with "if mighty, also the elect" It's terrifying! I have a friend or two who may be able to help with the translation here, but right now, let's use this as a warning not to step out of bounds;

WWUTT Wednesday - God Is Not "Dude"

I'm currently on a business trip which explains the limited number of posts I've made so far this year (a total of none) but this popped up in my inbox and I had to post. I've written about Christianity and marijuana before and haven't really touched the subject since. When I hurt my back I actually tried medicinal marijuana three times, a topical ointment, and it did nothing for me or to me. 

I personally believe that it was God who did that for me, for if it had relieved some of the pain that I have been in I may still be using it. I know people who use it "for pain" and are stumbling through life now in a permanent stupor; smoking, consuming edibles, and wearing patches like those Nicorette patches. Had God allowed the Marijuana to ease my discomfort I may have ended up like one of those unfortunate souls (I come from a family of alcoholics so substance addiction is a family trait) instead of trusting God to find a medical specialist who actually could fix me (which He did marvelously).

I'm told over and over about the medical wonders of Marijuana, however I don't have epilepsy or terminal cancer so those wonders are lost on me, I'm just fine with my Tylenol PM thank you. And the argument that "It's natural" is a no brainer too - anthrax is natural, would you like me to find you a patch for that, or would you prefer a brownie?