Crusaders Youth Camp 2008 Wednesday, Sep 17 2008

I went to this camp in New Jersey, called Crusader Youth Camp, and it was quite interesting. We went to school. The school we went to was King’s Christian School. We played basketball at the hotel we were staying at. We had Bible studies. We played basketball and did other sports activities at the gym at King’s Christian School. We had very intriguing discussions. We had some activities that were not quite favorable, but still, we enjoyed the communion. It was much different for me and my brother, because we had not been around a considerable number of black people in five years, so it was revealing to be around black people. We were surrounded in the Nigerian culture, which is very good, because we are Nigerians. We played a lot of games, like this game where all of the boys were lined up shoulder to shoulder, and had to hold hands, and the girls had to do the same thing, but they faced us. A person on the end would start with a hula hoop, and had to put their whole body through it, without letting go of the person’s hand. The hula hoop had to go all the way down the line without one person letting go of anyone’s hand, and if someone did, the team had to start over. The strategy used in this game was flexibility, and quickness. Everyone expected the girls to win because girls are generally more flexible. But, surprisingly, we (the boys) won twice in a row. We also had a spelling bee. We had two lines. One line was boys and girls (the day was gender battle day). It was 13-16, I reckon. The word administrator stood in front of both lines, and would alternate between boys and girls. It went on, and on, and onward. Then one boy (his name will remain unclassified; those of you who were there know who it was), after not doing anything noticeable, was beating everyone, and then it came down to him against this fifteen year old girl, who was, I am guessing, because of her vocabulary, well read. It was close, because both of them kept missing the words, and then, finally, he got this word, I don’t remember the name, and won. He was immediately rushed by all the boys, and championed.

(To be continued)

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Potential Energy — Nonexistent Tuesday, Jul 8 2008

Potential energy does not exist, physically; only kinetic energy is existent between the two. Although potential energy is a fundamental concept in physics, I have terminated my belief that it exists on the basis of the determination of potential and kinetic energy. Potential energy is supposed to be when an object is at the top of a hill, and it is not “moving,” then its kinetic energy is supposed to be zero. Conversely, when an object is in motion, then its potential energy is supposed to be zero. Have many forgotten that all objects are moving perpetually? Even the foolishness to suggest that someone is at rest on the Earth is incredible. The Earth is perpetually in motion, because of the rotation on its axis and revolution around the Sun. I mean, come on, this is very basic. And besides, no one can remain completely still in any sense. The electrons of a person are moving, and that is part of a person, because it is part of matter, and matter makes up a person, and therefore, a person is perpetually in motion. This statement is very elementary. And to refute the other argument of, “What about the potential energy stored in cells?” Well, isn’t the energy of the state of motion one or the other? The energy involved is either potential or kinetic (along with all of the others, whether electromagnetic, chemical, mechanical, etc.). That, thereby, proves that kinetic energy is the only existent state of motion energy that we have found.

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An Increasing Epidemic — Parents Mismanaging their Children Monday, Jul 7 2008

Many, many children, whether Christian or not, have experienced what parents do. A lot of parents exasperate and irritate their children. The Bible says parents should do otherwise. I have experienced it, and the other author has experienced it. It is blatant mistreatment. But don’t get it twisted; parents are supposed to punish their children, for the Bible says so, and it is quite natural for children to become angry because of being punished, but it is not fine for children to be provoked to anger because of mistreatment, false judgment clouded by emotion, and false accusations, and because of the thought that a child has done something, punishment, albeit the child did not sin. (This quote is from:http://jollyblogger.typepad.com/jollyblogger/2006/07/fathers_do_not_.html)   Quote:

“Ephesians 6:4 says:

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Colossians 3:21 says:
^

Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so that they will not lose heart.

New American Standard Bible : 1995 update. 1995 . The Lockman Foundation: LaHabra, CA

My friend pointed out that the theme here is provocation/exasperation/anger and the probable reason this is given is that this is the sin most fathers are most likely to be guilty of.   With that in mind, I thought I would share a few thoughts from some commentaries on this.

John Calvin on Ephesians 6:4

4. And, ye fathers. Parents, on the other hand, are exhorted not to irritate their children by unreasonable severity. This would excite hatred, and would lead them to throw off the yoke altogether. Accordingly, in writing to the Colossians, he adds, “lest they be discouraged.” (Colossians 3:21.) Kind and liberal treatment has rather a tendency to cherish reverence for their parents, and to increase the cheerfulness and activity of their obedience, while a harsh and unkind manner rouses them to obstinacy, and destroys the natural affections. But Paul goes on to say, “let them be fondly cherished;” for the Greek word, (ἐκτρέφετε,) which is translated bring up, unquestionably conveys the idea of gentleness and forbearance.

Calvin, J. 1998. Calvin’s Commentaries: Ephesians (electronic ed.). Logos Library System; Calvin’s Commentaries . Ages Software: Albany, OR

Andrew Lincoln in the Word Biblical Commentary on Ephesians 6:4

Fathers are made responsible for ensuring that they do not provoke anger in their children. This involves avoiding attitudes, words, and actions which would drive a child to angry exasperation or resentment and thus rules out excessively severe discipline, unreasonably harsh demands, abuse of authority, arbitrariness, unfairness, constant nagging and condemnation, subjecting a child to humiliation, and all forms of gross insensitivity to a child’s needs and sensibilities. The sentiments of Ephesians are in line with such advocates of moderation as Menander—whose sayings (e.g., “a father who is always threatening does not receive much reverence” or “one should correct a child not by hurting him but by persuading him”) are preserved in the section “How Fathers Ought to Behave to Their Children” in Stobaeus, Anth. 4.26.7, 13—and Ps.-Phocylides 207, “Do not be harsh with your children but be gentle.” So this writer does not exhort fathers to exercise their authority. Instead, he presupposes that authority and then sets the bounds for its use. He also presupposes that children are not just property over whom the father has legal rights. They are owed dignity as human beings in their own right.

e.g. exempli gratia, for example

Lincoln, A. T. 1998. Vol. 42: Word Biblical Commentary : Ephesians (electronic ed.). Logos Library System; Word Biblical Commentary. Word, Incorporated: Dallas

Walter Hendriksen on Colossians 3:21

Fathers should create an atmosphere which will make obedience an easy and natural matter, namely, the atmosphere of love and confidence. They should bring up their children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord (Eph. 6:4).¹⁵² When fathers are unjust or overly severe, a spirit of sullen resignation is created in the hearts of their offspring. The children “lose heart,” thinking, “No matter what I do, it’s always wrong.” There should be no nagging, no constant “Don’t do this” and “Don’t do that.” Though the negative admonition (“Don’t”) cannot and must not be avoided and is at times definitely in place (note the repeated “Thou shalt not” of the Decalogue, in the teaching of Jesus, and in Paul’s epistles, including this very passage!), the emphasis must be on the positive (Rom. 12:21). A good father spends time with his children, teaches, entertains, and encourages them, and by his example as well as by outright, verbal instruction, points them to Christ. Though the rod of correction may at times be necessary, it must be used with discretion, since wise reproof is generally better than a hundred stripes (Prov. 13:24; 23:13, 14; then 17:10). Paul’s admonition not to embitter the children — hence, to be kind to them — is quite different from the advice given to fathers by Ben Sira: “He who loves his son will whip him often.… Bow down his neck in his youth, and beat his sides while he is young” (Ecclus. 30:1, 12). How friendly and fatherly!

152 For a 15-point discussion of Principles and Methods of Education in Israel see N.T.C. on I and II Timothy and Titus, pp. 296–301.

Hendriksen, W., & Kistemaker, S. J. 1953-2001. Vol. 6: New Testament commentary : Exposition of Colossians and Philemon. Accompanying biblical text is author’s translation. New Testament Commentary . Baker Book House: Grand Rapids

Richard Melik New American Commentary on Colossians 3:21

Parents (3:21). 3:21 In the Lord, parents have a mutual responsibility to children. There is a command and a practical reason. Parents are told not to embitter their children. Paul used the term “fathers” in addressing the parents. The term may easily encompass both father and mother, as it does here, but it also served to remind them that the fathers bore a primary responsibility for the children in the home. Paul meant that they should not embitter or irritate their children. The word “embitter” (erethizō) occurs only one other time in Scripture (in 2 Cor 9:2). This speaks of an irritation or even nagging. Parents embitter children by constantly picking at them, perhaps refusing to acknowledge their efforts. The fact that children might become discouraged suggests that the parents too easily reminded the children that they were not good enough. This activity had no place in the Christian home. If correction were needed, it should have been toward the behavior of the child, not the child’s personhood, and it should have been enforced quickly. Discipline was not to be prolonged so that nagging occurred.

The reason for the command was to avoid discouragement. Constant nagging produces a situation where children are discouraged either because they cannot please those they love or because they feel they are of no worth to anybody.

Melick, R. R. 2001, c1991. Vol. 32: Philippians, Colissians, Philemon (electronic ed.). Logos Library System; The New American Commentary . Broadman & Holman Publishers: Nashville”

So, sons and daughters under 18, let it be known that if you are being provoked to resent your parents because of several false judgments, false accusations, and arbitrariness, there is at least one point in the Bible where it says that parents are not to do those sort of things.

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Scientific American Thursday, Jul 3 2008

For people that like science, and are in the U.S., join Scientific American. For those that like neurology, neurosurgery, neuroscience, neurophysiology, neuorobiology, neurochemistry, and such, join Brain Blogger.

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Physics Forums Tuesday, Jul 1 2008

I have just found an excellent website called physicsforums.com, and it is partners with Scientific American. It has legitimate scientific discussions.

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Christian Music Monday, Jun 30 2008

For some good Christian rap and hip hop, check out Trip Lee, Lecrae, Tedashii, Everyday Process, Messenja, Young Jules, and The Ambassador. For some good R&B, peep out Canton Jones and J.R. For some good krump/bucc/buck music, check out Tha J-Squad, High and Mighty, and Blicctorious. I highly reccommend Tha J-Squad, since they are the co-founders of krump music, finally a new music genre. The other author of this blog will likewise be posting some good music of his own preference.

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The Real Philosophy Website Development Wednesday, Jun 25 2008

We are in the process of constructing our website, consisting of Christian-based activities, concerning science and politics and more. We are right about to register our domain: www.therealphilosophy.com. The two authors, and also administrators, 116cliquer (myself), and christianityisgood (my friend) are starting the website. After we start it, we may just start partnering up with other sites, so we can achieve higher accomplishments.

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The Rebuttal of the Absurd Belief that Christianity is a Religion Sunday, Jun 22 2008

First and foremost, Christianity is not a religion. The definition of a religion is man’s attempt to reach God. That is true for most of the religions in this world today. Christianity is factually not an attempt, but an earnest, full connection with God, so therefore it is not a religion. Conjointly, the attempt to classify Christianity as a religion is futile, for religion is incomplete. It is a lifetime struggle to connect with God. Chrisitanity oppositionally, is the reestablishment of the connection lost by Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.

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The Inconsistencies of the Belief that Roman Catholicism is Synonymous with Christianity Sunday, Jun 22 2008

First and foremost, I will debrief about the history of Roman Catholicism and the Protestant Reformation. Martin Luther was dissatisfied with the current structure of the Catholic Church, and he commenced reformation to attempt to transform the Catholic Church. Quote: “Many western Catholics were troubled by what they saw as false doctrines and malpractices within the Church, particularly involving the teaching and sale of indulgences.” These false doctrines and malpractices are still being performed in the Western Hemisphere. (See Section 4) A typical malpractice is the praying to Mary, the mother of Jesus, and praying to saints, like St. Matthew, one of Jesus’s disciples. The typical Catholic’s excuse is that he or she is asking her for something that will further assist them in his or her life, for he or she believes that since Mary and the saints were very important figures in the Bible, that they have a quick path to God. First of all, that is incorrect, for it is a sin to pray to dead spirits, for it is demonic. Secondly, if the Catholic claims that he or she is a Christian, then there is no such need for the begging of intercession from Mary or the saints, for the real born again Christian has an automatic connection to God, so he or she needs just to pray directly to God. Another malpractice is the use of “holy water.” Holy water is non-existent, unless it is ordained by God. The “holy water” Catholics use is fully futile and useless.

4.0

Quote: The prediction of Paul about false doctrine running rampant throughout the church is now upon us.  Paul spoke of this time in 2 Timothy 4:3,

“For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine.  Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.”

False doctrine was already in the church even as the apostle John wrote the last books of the New Testament.  From the death of John to the ascendancy of the Catholic Church, false doctrine increased.  In 1054 the Catholic Church and the Greek Orthodox Church split over doctrinal differences. About 1525 Martin Luther attempted to correct many of the false doctrines in the Catholic Church and touched off the Protestant Reformation.  Since the Protestant Reformation, the Catholic Church has continued corrupting the doctrines delivered by the apostles, and the Protestants have splintered into hundreds of factions, each purporting to have perfect doctrine.

Whenever the term “leaven” is used in the Bible, it is always a symbol of sin and frequently stands for the specific sin of false doctrine.  In Matthew chapter 13 Jesus starts teaching in parables.  These parables present truths about the kingdom in this present church age.  In Matthew 13:33, Jesus reveals a unusual aspect about the church age,

“Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.”

Jesus teaches in this parable that the church will be divided into three main divisions (History tells us those three divisions were the Greek Orthodox Church, the Roman Catholics and the Protestants).  Notice all three divisions eventually become totally leavened or full of false doctrine.  Thus Paul and Jesus both teach the same thing, that the time will come when the church will be full of false doctrine.

False doctrine is difficult to point out to many people because they are not seeking truth but are only interested in hearing the doctrines they want to hear.  They want to believe their false doctrine so badly, they refuse to listen to anything that contradicts that doctrine.  When this happens, blindness is not removed, but rather a hardening of the heart takes place because truth is rejected from the outset. This is the typical result when people set out to prove a conclusion already drawn, rather than drawing a conclusion from the proofs present in the text.  Finally the person’s heart gets so hard, no amount of reasoning, logic, or scriptural support will convince the person he is in error.

So how do we determine sound doctrine?  At least four basic elements determine sound doctrine: 1) Scripture must be interpreted in its normal, everyday, common sense meaning. If scripture is NOT interpreted in its normal meaning, nothing in scripture means what it says, only what other people say it means. If we can’t accept the common sense meaning of scripture, essentially we accuse God of not being competent enough to say exactly what he wanted to say the first time around.  Thus this awesome God is capable of creating the entire universe and calls every star by name (Isaiah 40:26), but this same God is just too stupid to explain himself adequately.  The truth of the matter is some people refuse to accept what God said and feel they have to change the common sense meaning of what He said and claim He said something else.  2) All scripture must be interpreted in its proper context.  Without an understanding of the context and to whom the scripture is addressed, we can make scripture say anything.  3) In the course of “rightly dividing” scripture we have to carefully consider the Jewish cultural background behind some scriptures. Most of the Bible is perfectly understandable without any Jewish cultural understanding.  But 2 Peter 3:16 also points out that some passages are hard to understand. Usually the more difficult passages require a greater knowledge of the Jewish culture behind the scripture.  4) Finally, to develop a doctrine that is sound, all scriptures must be consulted on a particular subject and fit together like a nice jigsaw puzzle.  If a person quotes A and B and deliberately leaves out C which contradicts his theological doctrine, that person is intellectually dishonest.

The scourge of denominationalism is that it rewards a person with a closed mind.  The denomination claims it has the truth, all the truth, and nothing but the truth.  But the reality of the situation is that the denomination will not allow any teachers to teach in their churches unless they teach what their itching ears want to hear—their denominational creed.  This is true even for churches that claim they don’t have a creed. Because the denomination’s members never hear anything that contradicts their creed and causes them to rethink their doctrine, the members are effectively blinded.  This denominational blindness is so serious many people twist and distort the scriptures to their own destruction (2 Peter 3:16).  The only defense to twisting the scriptures to your own destruction is to actively seek the truth, maintain an open mind, and ask God to remove the blindness from your eyes so you can see the truth.  Notice the Holy Spirit in Acts 17:11 commended the Bereans first for receiving Paul’s message with great eagerness.  In other words they were commended first because they had an open mind.  Then they were commended for searching the scriptures to see if what Paul said was true.

Our prayer for you is that you maintain an open mind about what you read at this web-site.  Read what we have to say, ask the Holy Spirit for light, and earnestly search the scriptures to see what they say on the subject.  The scriptures are the final word on every doctrine.  It’s not what church tradition says, it’s not what any church organization says, and it’s not what an angel of light tells you—it is scripture only!  We’re not here to promote ourselves or to promote a denominational creed.  All we want to promote is Jesus, the Word of God, and its accuracy.  Seek truth and the truth will set you free from denominational bondage.

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