Christian?

Have you considered that we make more of the term Christian than the "Christians" in the first-century did? Have you ever wondered why they were not called Jesusians?.

 

Paul taught what the Christ would do and how he would be treated and THEN he connected Jesus with being that Christ. Christ is a title such as Pharaoh or Caesar and not Jesus' surname. 

 

How would anyone not having been taught by the Disciples think of Jesus as the Christ or that these Disciples were following the Christ's teachings perfectly or even imperfectly?.

 

Some liken Christians to being Christ-like and we use terms such as "Jesus took my place" or "in my stead." We had no place, we had no stead.  Jesus did it all. All we can do is follow him. The best we can hope for is to be a "Follower of the Christ."

 

Christian is a word without a clear definition therefore a useless word. It means whatever the individual thinks it means but no one can misunderstand "Follower of Christ."

 

 

Thanks, John Jenkins
865-803-8179  cell
Gatlinburg, TN

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Website: http://www.greenbriersolutions.com 
Blog: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/

 

The very first bomb dropped by the Allies on Berlin in World War II killed the only elephant in the Berlin Zoo.

Holy Spirit

Allowing that everything that is was created by God. That as it pertains to human beings' instincts and "feelings', responses it is called human nature I suggest that human nature is what governs what is called God's providence. Human nature is such that if one sees certain characteristics such as honesty, reliability, truthfulness, morality etc in another individual one will treat that second individual in a certain way such as trusting, loving, etc that individual. We see the principle in prisons where there are those called trustees. These are criminals who have exhibited some trustworthy characteristics and are therefore trusted with responsibilities not otherwise permitted.

In the negative sense if we see characteristics we do not like such as selfishness, boasting, bragging, immorality, dishonesty, etc we likewise will treat that person in a negative way.

Without interfering in "free will," without resorting to miracles human nature put Joseph in Egypt and in that way God put Joseph in Egypt. Joseph was annoying to his older brothers. When they had had enough they wanted to kill him. But one brother who was less hostile argued against killing him they decided on the only other way to get the brat out of their lives and that was to sell him into slavery, a common punishment of the day. For the next few years Joseph exhibited certain characteristics that found favor in the eyes of his captors and they treated him in positive ways although that did not include freedom from slavery. Until he became second in the Egyptian government he was a slave. In that way human nature allowed Joseph to help his family. In that way he could say though his brothers intended it for evil God, through human nature, worked it for good.

DTDT or What?

As I cogitate on the history of our country it appears to be a pattern that whenever the public did not and does not like someone they declare it a non-entity. Examples are the Indians, Negroes, unborn babies and most recently homosexuals.

 

The public, as in the majority, has never been a reliable group to determine what is right i,e, tghe examples above. And Christians have forfeited our right to be indignant about homosexuals due to our acceptance of adultery, also a violation of God's laws. Adultery is wrong only because God says it is, now. In the OT times God accepted adultery as a way of life. Go figure. In fact due to the stubbornness of HIS people HE changed the rules. Jesus said he did. But I digress.

 

Why would we let the government prohibit people who are attracted the to the same gender as themselves from protecting our country?And asking the military to vote on their preference is ludicrous. When did the military become a democracy?

 

What both the military and our courageous Representatives and Senators were looking and hoping for was a court decision that they could blame for having to repeal DADT. Cowards to say the least and hypocrites at best.

 

It is more than past time to get governments out of the sex lives of the citizens. If we continue to permit government interference, even though we agree with them, THIS time, wait and you will find you and your preferences on the next federal or state hit list. It is not governments business to determine who may and may not commit to each other.

 

 

 

Thanks, John Jenkins
865-803-8179  cell
Gatlinburg, TN

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Website: http://www.greenbriersolutions.com 
Blog: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/

 

"Silver Bells" was called "Tinkle Bells" until co-composer Jay Livingston's wife told him "tinkle" had another meaning.

November, 2010, Gospel Advocate

J. J. Turner:

 

I read your article in the November, 2010, Gospel Advocate. Nice article.  You wrote: "Sadly. In many congregations evangelism is the last thing done and the first thing given up."

 

Question: in your view are the people in those congregations saved or lost?  If they are saved then there is no problem. If they are lost don't you think someone should be warning them, us?

 

What does evangelism involve? What does preaching the gospel include? Most congregations who have put evangelism on the back burner "offer THE invitation" and therefore believe they are "taking the gospel to all the world." They do so even though the target of such information is not in attendance.

 

As a whole the Churches of Christ have changed Jesus' instructions (command?) "Go into all the world" to "If they come to our building." How non-evangelistic can we be and still be saved?   

 

Nice article. And I've read several of your books, so nice books also.

 

 

 

 

Thanks, John Jenkins
865-803-8179  cell
Gatlinburg, TN

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Website: http://www.greenbriersolutions.com 
Blog: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/

 

"Silver Bells" was called "Tinkle Bells" until co-composer Jay Livingston's wife told him "tinkle" had another meaning.

Nice Art

A friend sent this to me. Thought you might like it. . .

 

http://downloads.cbn.com/cbnplayer/cbnPlayer.swf?s=/vod/MW131v2_WS

 

Thanks, John Jenkins
865-803-8179  cell
Gatlinburg, TN

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Website: http://www.greenbriersolutions.com 
Blog: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/

Nike's "Just Do It" was inspired by murderer Gary Gilmore's last words before his 1977 execution: "Let's Do It."

Re: November 2010, Gospel Advocate

The Bible clearly supports a common treasury and the members of any organization should be willing to support the activities of that organization cheerfully or not. That is reason enough to keep the membership informed and involved.

 

We have changed the purpose of the funds to be mostly for the benefit of the local congregation and over the years increased the worshipfulness of contributing. The collection on the first day of the week was at one time to pay the traveling preacher. (In the mountain churches they would pay in barter. Some congregations gave moonshine to the preacher. They believed it was a sin to drink but the preacher could sell it or at least part of it and get money). Interesting way of thinking. We hear we are returning a portion of what God has given to us. I do not believe the Bible supports that thought. David said he would not give to the Lord what costs him nothing. Jesus compared favorably the woman who gave out of her need to those who gave of their abundance.  The Temple was not expected to take care of Lazarus the rich man was even though he had contributed to the Temple. No where are we commanded to give to pay a preacher, the utility bills, or any other admin expenses. When funds intended for different purposes are mingled the result is the misuse of funds. Remember the government and Social Security funds.

Thanks, John Jenkins
865-803-8179  cell
Gatlinburg, TN

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Website: http://www.greenbriersolutions.com 
Blog: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/

Nike's "Just Do It" was inspired by murderer Gary Gilmore's last words before his 1977 execution: "Let's Do It."

On Wed, Dec 15, 2010 at 10:39 PM, Ray & Martha <arandm@charter.net> wrote:

Thanks for sharing both these exchanges. I have not studied the Murdock article yet. I have to get with the program and catch up to comment. Does seem that Owen has looked closely at the topic. Some of the later secular or historical wrightings are new to me and seem to shed some worthwhile light on the topic.

Ray

 

 

 

----- Original Message -----

From: John Jenkins

To: Ray Slate

Sent: Wednesday, December 15, 2010 3:42 PM

Subject: Fwd: November 2010, Gospel Advocate

 

And here's a response from Dan Owens. He just may have  a point

Thanks, John Jenkins
865-803-8179  cell
Gatlinburg, TN

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Website: http://www.greenbriersolutions.com 
Blog: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/

Nike's "Just Do It" was inspired by murderer Gary Gilmore's last words before his 1977 execution: "Let's Do It."

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Dan Owen <dan@broadwaycoc.com>
Date: Wed, Dec 15, 2010 at 3:30 PM
Subject: RE: November 2010, Gospel Advocate
To: John Jenkins <jrjenki@gmail.com>

John,

Thanks for the encouraging word about the article.  Actually, I understand why it seems strange to some  to use the 1 Corinthians 16 passage, but it may not be as strange as you think.  When we go back to Acts 2:44, the first Christians, under the direction of the apostles, began a common treasury out of which they cared for those in need.  This is probably what is referred to as the "koinonia" in Acts 2:42.  The same is stated in Acts 4:32.  When the Christians sold houses or lands to meet the needs of the church they brought the money and "laid it at the apostles' feet," (Acts 4:35, 37; 5:2).  This already sets the precedent for a common church treasury administered by the church leaders.  Later contributions to the Jerusalem church were sent "to the elders" (Acts 11:32). The money was still being deposited with the church leaders for distribution.  In 1 Corinthians 16, 2 Corinthians 8-9, and Romans 15:30ff, more is said about contribution.  To be sure, this was a special contribution from several churches to help Christians in a particular area.  But it was basically collected in the same manner as the original Jerusalem contribution.  The word in 1 Corinthians 16:2, "thesaurizo" means to place in a common treasury.  In the second century, Justin Martyr was explaining to the emperor what Christians everywhere did, and part of the common practice explained by him was the collection on the first day of the week (Apology I. 67).  So, in my view, though 1 Cor. 16 is dealing with a special effort, it also reflects the common practice of the apostolic church relative to the collection of funds for the church.

God's blessings to you, brother!

Dan Owen

 

From: John Jenkins [mailto:jrjenki@gmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, December 15, 2010 11:10 AM
To: dan@broadwaycoc.com
Subject: November 2010, Gospel Advocate

 

Dan Owen:

 

You have a very nice article in the November 2010, Gospel Advocate.

 

Does it appear odd to you that the example we use for the weekly contribution, which is primarily for the use of the local congregation, was intended for the poor in another congregation in another city?

 

Again, nice article.

 

Thanks, John Jenkins
865-803-8179  cell
Gatlinburg, TN

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Website: http://www.greenbriersolutions.com 
Blog: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/

Nike's "Just Do It" was inspired by murderer Gary Gilmore's last words before his 1977 execution: "Let's Do It."

Hell and Forever

When Jesus mentioned hell he described it as a place "where the worm never dies" and "where the fire never goes out." First, what worm lives forever especially in the midst of a fire? Second, the model for hell, Jerusalem's burning garbage dump was a place where the fire never went out whatever was thrown into it was destroyed, consumed by the fire.

There are times when Jesus talked about a fiery furnace as the place where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth making us think he was talking about hell. Other places Jesus changes the image from fiery furnace to complete darkness. In a couple of parables Jesus said the wicked and unfaithful would be thrown outside in the darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. If the weeping and gnashing of teeth is caused by the agony of continuous fire how do we explain weeping and gnashing of teeth caused by being thrown into complete darkness?

Whether it is fiery furnace or complete darkness could the image be that of the reaction when individuals find they will not be spending eternity with God? In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus said "On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.'" Think of the reaction of an individual on trial and while expecting the judge to say "not guilty" he says "guilty." Instead of freedom they receive imprisonment. Instead of eternity with God they had expected they face a death sentence. The reaction would be weeping and gnashing of teeth not unending torment.

Of course the two demon-possessed men in the country of the Gadarenes expected Jesus to torment them. "and behold, they cried out, "What have you to do with us, O Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?" It appears the demons expected to be tortured sometime in the future. In the story of the servant whose master had forgiven a huge debt but the servant refused to forgive a small debt the master turned him over to the jailer to be tortured until he paid the debt. Jesus said "This how the my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother. So the torture was not to be unending but until the debt was paid. Is that suggesting we may be tortured until our debt is paid? What would that require?

You Will Just Love This One

I forget if I ever mentioned to you that I find church words such as church, grace, faith, baptism, gospel, holy and others useless. After the class last Wednesday night I have added the word Christian to the list of meaningless words. Most church words have a variety of meanings and without clear a definition the person hearing the word could understand a different meaning than intended by the person speaking. Another word that just might cause misunderstandings is "eternal." The question is, "Does eternal mean forever?

 

Some words which are the equivalent of "eternal" such as forever or everlasting are not necessarily without end. In the OT when giving instructions concerning the final plague on the Egyptians Moses wrote; "You shall observe this rite as a statute for you and for your sons forever." Is that OT covenant requirement in force today?  Then there is the "eternal" Aaronic priesthood.  "…and you shall gird Aaron and his sons with sashes and bind caps on them. And the priesthood shall be theirs by a statute forever." Is the Aaronic priesthood still in force? We have Caleb's inheritance that was to last forever and Samuel's apprenticeship which was to last always and Solomon's temple which was a place for God to dwell forever and Gehazi's leprosy which was to cling to you and your descendants forever? In all these cases the equivalent words to "eternal"  were not intended to mean there would never be an end only that there certainty was guaranteed for so long as God intended it within his purposes.

 

When Jesus talks about the dividing of the sheep from the goats and says of those on his left, "Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels" he was speaking of punishment---namely destruction---which has everlasting consequences.

 

Now that would be a series of classes instead of the milque-toast time fillers we now enjoy.

Thanks, John Jenkins
865-803-8179  cell
Gatlinburg, TN

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Website: http://www.greenbriersolutions.com 
Blog: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/

Nike's "Just Do It" was inspired by murderer Gary Gilmore's last words before his 1977 execution: "Let's Do It."

The Disciples Were First Called Christians at Antioch

The term Christian has been corrupted. Today it is meaningless. Everyone is a Christian. A believer is not a Christian. Christian means a follower of Christ, a disciple of Christ.

In Galatians where Paul tells the story of Peter eating with the Gentiles when the Jews were not present and then refusing to eat with the Gentiles when the Jews were present was Peter no longer a disciple of Christ, a follower, a Christian? Or was he a disciple who was wrong in what he was doing? Was he an erring disciple of Christ?

When Paul told the believers in Rome: "I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate." was Paul admitting he was not a Christian? Or, was he just a Christian who was erring.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance says the three places where the word is translated Christian or Christians means "Follower of Christ." A Christian is a follower of Christ. Anyone not following the Christ is not Christian.

Is there such a person as an "Erring Christian"

In the class tonight when a visitor asked "Is there such a person as an erring Christian?" he was told "No." I disagree.

On that subject we have corrupted the term Christian. Today it is meaningless. The United States is not nor has it ever been a Christian nation. A Christian nation would be a nation that followed Christ which this nation has never practiced. Christians are not sinless. Christian means a follower of Christ, a disciple of Christ. When someone is following Christ one may be referred to as Christian.  

In Galatians where Paul tells the story of Peter eating with the Gentiles when the Jews were not present and then refusing to eat with the Gentiles when the Jews were present was Peter no longer a disciple of Christ, a follower, a Christian? Or was he a disciple who was wrong in what he was doing? Was he an erring disciple of Christ?

When Paul told the believers in Rome: "I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate." was Paul admitting he was not a Christian?  

The term Christian is much over used and has lost its meaning as used in the New Testament. Being immersed for the remission of sins does not make one a Christian. When one is a follower of Christ they are Christian. Followers of Christ are not sinless, they are erring.

Without learning there is no teaching. This would suggest we do not have any teachers for the adults at GSMCOC. Our classes are primarily intended to fill time and entertain the visitors. Our classes contribute to Bible illiteracy in the churches of Christ. And some who stand before us do not know how to stop.

Thanks, John Jenkins
865-803-8179  cell
Gatlinburg, TN

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Website: http://www.greenbriersolutions.com 
Blog: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/

"If everyone is thinking alike,then somebody isn't thinking."

Voting / Abortion

A while back you mentioned voting for or against the candidate based on his/her position on abortion. Recently I read a book and the fellow mentioned that subject. Here are a few of the questions he suggests:

 

On the subject of abortion whether one should vote pro-life or pro-choice is an important question to consider. To help determine how one votes on the issue there are several questions to be answered:

1.       When does the fetus become a full person?

2.       When does the fetus acquire a soul and take on the image of God

Additional ethical questions to be answered:

1.       Do you believe the morning-after pill is as bad partial-birth abortions?

2.       Would your ideal society punish women who use the morning-after pill as severely as people who murder infants or adults?

3.       How should be weigh the rights of the unborn at various stages of development against the rights of the woman whose body it now inhabits?

4.       What extent should government legislate the answer to these questions as opposed to leaving the answer up to the women and others involved in the pregnancy?

Related to these questions are a host of other complex considerations that will affect the way you vote:

1.       How does the party or candidate that most closely reflects your view on abortion fare on other issues you deem important: concern for the poor, economics, foreign affairs, war, the environment, and so on?

2.       How much weight do you put on each of these convictions?

3.       What do you deem attainable at the present time in our culture?

4.       Is it more efficient to work to outlaw abortion outright, or is it better to minimize abortion by voting for the candidate and party you think will best help the poor, since there is a demonstrable link between the rate of poverty and the rate of abortion in the U.S.?

5.       Do you believe it more efficient to hold an uncompromising stance on this issue, or is it better for the unborn, and for society as a whole, for you to work with people who have different beliefs than yours to overcome our present polarization and find a middle ground?

6.       What do you believe is the best way to create a culture in which abortions are as unnecessary and rare as possible?

 

Thanks, John Jenkins
865-803-8179  cell
Gatlinburg, TN

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Website: http://www.greenbriersolutions.com 
Blog: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/

"If everyone is thinking alike,then somebody isn't thinking."

Something we misunderstand.

We tend to make God in our image.  If something is important to us, it must be important to God. Since political freedom is important to us it must be important to God. Political freedom was not emphasized by Jesus, he never addressed the topic. During the period known as the Enlightenment period the church resisted the idea that people could govern themselves. Now it is something we include in our public prayers. Jesus desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. He does not care nor will he get involved with the politics of the country in which we live. Once we understand that we just might get busy.  

Thanks, John Jenkins
865-803-8179  cell
Gatlinburg, TN

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Website: http://www.greenbriersolutions.com 
Blog: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/

"If everyone is thinking alike,then somebody isn't thinking."

Two Truths

When it comes to faith and belief two truths are:

• When verifiability decreases confidence increases and
• When verifiability increases confidence decreases.

As an example. we pray for safety and security but we install an alarm system in a building WE want to protect. If God can do the former can't he do the latter? See how our confidence decreases when verifiability increases? The same for sick people. God cannot heal unless we go to a doctor? While we deny it our primary belief is God only helps those who help themselves.

 

We claim to use the New Testament as examples but we believe we are different than the original disciples? As with John McCain on the discussion of DADT, we keep changing the rules. Jesus washed the disciples feet but since we do not see any Christians doing it in the NT we say we do not have to do that. Jesus doing it is not good enough. The same on the subject of fasting. Jesus doing it is not good enough. Jesus said "Go make disciples . . ." We sit in our buildings and say "If they come and they ask we will teach. . ." We cherry pick what we  believe is necessary and what is not necessary. In the story of the sheep and goats Jesus told us there are people who believe they are saved but they are not. That can be us. The goats thought they were saved as we believe we are saved.  

 

Luke 12:32-34   
    "Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

What about that pertains to the disciples but not to us today? If, in fact we have a God in heaven who is set on caring for us as a shepherd does his sheep, as a father does his children, and as a king does who is passing on an entire kingdom, don't be anxious. Sell your possessions, give to the poor, don't worry. Our God, our shepherd, our King has everything under control. Paul and the writer of Hebrews says "the righteous shall live by faith" but based on the following truths faith has nothing to do with what we believe.

• When verifiability decreases confidence increases and
• When verifiability increases confidence decreases.

How much has our culture warped our view of the Bible?

 

 

Thanks, John Jenkins
865-803-8179  cell
Gatlinburg, TN

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Website: http://www.greenbriersolutions.com 
Blog: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/

"If everyone is thinking alike,then somebody isn't thinking."

What Should Christians Be Doing?

To answer the question about what can or should we do about what is going on in our country. The answer depends on why God blesses you. Does he bless you so you can go on vacations and have expensive cars, large houses etc or so you can give more, so you can help others more.
 
Our culture, the culture of capitalism, more for me, less for you, has diverted Christians from working on their purpose. We shrug off the question what would Jesus do saying he does not want us to be poor etc. If we were to identify a place in the world that would be difficult for us to survive we most probably would avoid it. Considering Jesus said, "Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven" why would any Christian want to be rich?
 
Paul told Timothy: "I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people,  for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.  This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior,  who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time." 
 
To me that says it is good and pleasing in the sight of God that we lead peaceful, quiet lives because he desires all people to be saved, not so we can have comfortable lives and go on great vacations, live in large homes, buy nice cars etc. Our culture tells us differently and in that way our culture has diverted us from our purpose.
 
What should we do? What should Christians do?  Help the people to come to the knowledge of the truth would be a good start and stop looking to our own pleasures, security, comforts. Paul told Timothy "whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin" what part don't Christians undrstand?