Kingdom Ready

In our modern, American context we may assume that idols are not as prevalent as they were in the ancient world.  It is true that we don’t see temples on each street devoted to a mythological deity or communal idol, but idolatry is rampant in our world nonetheless.  Those things competing with our affections for the God and Father of Jesus Christ challenge the great command to “love the LORD with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength (Mark 12:30, et al).”

We have just started up our Final Words: A Study of Revelation class again. Revelation contains much insight into the spiritual realm, living obediently, and the end times. However, it also includes a large cache of praise ammunition. From the magisterial vision of God’s throne room in chapter four to the description of New Jerusalem in the last two chapters, a variety of beings offer praise to God repeatedly. What follows is a compendium of these texts, slightly revised to enrich your own prayer life. (All references are from Revelation.)

Below is a two-part YouTube presentation by Dr. Dale Tuggy, professor of philosophy at the State University of NY at Fredonia. This is a slightly modified version of the talk he gave at the recent Theological Conference near Atlanta, GA a few weeks ago. In it Tuggy’s razor sharp logic slices through many of the erroneous and unsound arguments commonly made by both trinitarians and unitarians. He argues that Jesus should be worshiped, and not just in a civic sense, but in a religious context. He employs careful reasoning to show that such an act is not idolatry. For Tuggy idolatry is not merely defined as worshiping a creature or worshiping anyone other than God, but worshiping someone or something in disobedience to God. Since God has exalted Jesus to his right hand and he has approved and wills that Jesus be honored, sung to, bowed to, etc., it is right to worship him. Worshiping Jesus is always done to the glory of God and so even if he is the direct object of worship, his Father is always the indirect object. This presentation deconstructed my previous position on this subject and erected in its place an understanding that is more robust, less pedantic, and quite freeing. Anyone interested in the question, “Should Christians Worship Jesus?” should watch these videos. If you prefer to get the audio instead, you can find the mp3s here.

The Use of פלח (to serve) in Daniel:

There has been some discussion regarding the use of the Aramaic word meaning “to serve” in Daniel. The discussion centers around how that word has been translated into Greek. The older LXX renders it with λατρευω . The more literal Theodotion translation uses the word δουλευω. Λατρευω is primarily used with reference to service rendered to a deity. Δουλευω can refer to service offered to humans as well as to a deity. So the question remains whether the Aramaic word פלח refers to service offered to exclusively to a deity or whether it can refer to service offered to humans as well.

In the last two article I wrote I talked about feeling the emotion, pain, and feelings of other. Also how the root of this stemmed from Jesus and his ministry. I would like to relate more as to what kind of affect Jesus should have on us especially with his departure from Earth. Yet Jesus still has an ever growing connection to mankind. It seems that the question is always, are God and Jesus present, or is it because we just allow them to exist simply in our minds? Are they physically present? How real is the presents of Yahweh (GOD) and the roll and presences of Yahushua (Messiah) Jesus our Lord and Savior? I ask is the weight that we put on knowledge sacrificing our actual spirituality? Is the weight that is put on analyzing the scripture, with our own minds drowning or at least quenching the spirit with in us? The verses below present an interesting view. Is the Love of God present in our lives, which includes our Love for God, and our belief in His son(Or Faith In), our belief in who he was and what was his mission was will directly affects our purpose and mission in life, and most important our status to the coming Kingdom.

On the Road of Life, before we find Christ, the thing we don’t realize is our utter state of depravity, we are lacking , empty, and wanting. Just like Paul he was on a mission to stop the Christians, being empty and void of Gods true wishes, but thinking he was at the top of his spiritual achievements. Then he met Jesus on the Road. (THE ROAD TO DAMASCUS)

“and he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, (Paul) why are you persecuting Me?” And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” And He said, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting,”
Acts 9:4 & 5 (NASB)

As an attendee and presenter at this year’s Theological Conference put on by Sir Anthony Buzzard and the Atlanta Bible College, I guess I’m qualified to write a brief review of what went on and how things went.  With so many of us that post here on Kingdom Ready there in attendence, I would have thought that somebody would have beat me to  it already.  But maybe everyone else thought someone else would write something too.  So here goes.

I have been on a 36 year quest to find the right the path which would give me a greater spiritual awareness and closeness to my Creator. I have found it to be a rocky road at times. On this journey I have finally come to know God in a greater way than I ever thought possible. I have also found that the hard things in life can be good for us, because they help us, by Faith, turn to our Creator and seek his help and guidance. GOD LIKES THAT, yes he likes when we depend on him. It was always that way we just didn’t know it. After all he did create us, wouldn’t you think he has all the answers. WHY NOT ASK? Please read the following Article, in it you may find something that can help you, as it did for me.

Recently I received an email (through the Christian Monotheism website) asking whether or not Biblical Unitarians should worship Jesus. The answer to this important question depends a lot on cultural assumptions and translation bias. The typical argument that people use to prove that Jesus is God goes like this:

(1) In the Bible Jesus is worshiped.
(2) The Bible says that only God should be worshiped.
(3) Therefore, Jesus must be God.

I’m sure many of you have likewise had an opportunity to wrestle with this seemingly airtight argument for Christ’s deity. Before offering a rebuttal, I would like to look first at the culture of Jesus’ time and the meaning of the word often translated worship.

Music has always been a big part of my life.  My parents often listened to classical records, big-band stuff, and had their own personal favorites (mother – The Sound of Music soundtrack, father – Johnny Cash records).  As a kid of the late 60’s & all through the 70’s and then coming to age in high-school & college during the 80’s, music for me meant rock & roll (now termed “classic rock”) and its emerging sub-genres of the day – “new wave” and “modern rock”. Of course a little cable channel start-up in 1981 that played “music videos” 24/7 also had a big impact back in the day in culturing my fondness for these new “alternative” rock bands.