Canaletto, Capriccio River Landscape with a Column (1754)
My present Facebook status:
I received a diagnosis from my GP/MD which I wondered about. I looked up my fairly minor ailment on the web on several sources and did my own diagnosis which the specialist today confirmed as accurate. Hmm, it seems I have had to do quite a bit of self medical help online the last few years. Thank God, the GP/MD diagnosis was wrong because it was a more nasty one. Getting better with proper meds now.
This is an edit from my completed PhD thesis.
In the person and work of Christ, God discloses and reveals himself to his creation, and this includes reconciliation and redemption. Weber (1955)(1981: 381-382). The work of Christ in ministry and, in particular his death, are essential for Christianity. Christ’s human life and death must, for historical accuracy, be connected to his salvific act. Williams (2007: 129). He conquered through his suffering and death, and revealed ‘the bankruptcy of the world’s values.’ Bloesch (1987: 16). The world system was shown to have a futile set of values that could not save humanity. Jesus Christ the person is held in extremely high regard as is his ministry, atoning work and resurrection, and his person and work cannot be separated in importance. He is understood as one person with two natures, meaning that both his deity and humanity are aspects of his person. He was and is fully God and fully human. He is not simply a man blessed with a very special relationship with God, nor is he a divine being that appears to be human but really is not. Weber explains that only God could bring peace to God and humanity, and this takes place through Christ. Weber (1955)(1981: 383). Christ stood completely with human beings and yet was God. Weber (1955)(1981: 383). Thiessen suggests that ‘no exact psychological analysis of the unique personality of Christ is possible.’ Thiessen (1956: 305). J.S. Whale explains that Christ is unique and to explain him leaves one in paradoxes. Whale (1958: 106). Jürgen Moltmann (1993) admits there is a mystery in regard to Christ and his incarnation. Moltmann (1993: 88). Christ has two natures in one person and there is an attempt to correlate the human and divine in Christ, but it remains a mystery. Whale (1958: 105). There is a mysterious incarnation of God into a reality that is ‘temporal, decaying, transitory existence in which men live and die.’ Moltmann (1993: 88). The eternal presence of God somehow in the incarnation exists among persons as God takes on ‘transitory, mortal being’ in order to become and cause humanity to become ‘intransitory’ and immortal, never facing death once again. Moltmann (1993: 88).
The New Testament depicts Christ as full deity with full divine power, and at the same time presents him as having the results of human finitude and mortality. His deity should not be asserted in a way that negates his humanity and vice-versa. Christ is equal to the Father in essence and nature as God, and yet as human being he submitted to the Father in order to accomplish his earthly mission. Jesus Christ has a determination to be God, our God, and to be the reconciler of the world.
BLOESCH, DONALD G. (1987) Freedom for Obedience, San Francisco, Harper and Rowe Publishers.
THIESSEN, HENRY C. (1956) Introductory Lectures in Systematic Theology, Grand Rapids, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.
WHALE, J.S. (1958) Christian Doctrine, Glasgow, Fontana Books.
WEBER, OTTO (1955)(1981) Foundations of Dogmatics,Volumes 1 and 2, Translated and annotated by Darrell L. Guder, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.
WILLIAMS, ROWAN (2007) Wrestling with Angels, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids.
Another charcoal drawing, at the two minute mark. This time I present work from Neil Buchanan instead of Ralph Papa (see previous post) that receives rather mixed reviews online.
Some live secular science fiction sounding mostly instrumental music with a religious theme. I have been listening to this piece for over twenty years and the first part especially is fantastic.
Salisbury, England 1995 (photo by thekingpin68)
It appears you are coming to the end of one long road, which will necessitate a couple of changes on your profile. Eliminating the Doctoral Candidate and changing the Blog to drkingpin68 or perhaps drkingpin10. I wonder if it will feel strange or invigorating to finally move to something beyond your thesis?
ReplyDeleteVery intuitive, Larry.
ReplyDeleteI expect to receive word in Spring.
I think on my blogs I will state Doctor Russell Norman Murray, or Russell Norman Murray, PhD and leave the blog titles as is.
Larry, I am in a rut here.
I need to:
-Spend less time online.
-Receive payment for doing theology, philosophy of religion and Biblical Studies.
-Work many hours.
-Be much more social.
By necessity my many years of academic study have caused a certain lifestyle which I now very much want to change.
Thanks, Larry.
By the way, I think Buchanan is better at charcoal drawing than Papa. Do you agree?
Happy Weekend.
Y the Art Attack clip was way better
ReplyDeleteimo. Love the incredible painting
on your blog too.
zomba
Personally, I like the Art Attack video better than the Ralph Papa ones.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I think Buchanan is better at charcoal drawing than Papa. Do you agree?
Yes, by far; and not only that, but I think the kids in that video, who did charcoal drawings, are better than Ralph Papa!
Canaletto is very good.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you on the charcoal drawings.
Thanks, Anon.
'Yes, by far; and not only that, but I think the kids in that video, who did charcoal drawings, are better than Ralph Papa!'
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jeff, that is funny.
Jacob's Ladder... very cool, I hope I can hear Rush play it live sometime before I die.
ReplyDeleteCommie Muzak
ReplyDeleteAre you lovin' it?
ReplyDeleteMore offtopic...
ReplyDeleteoverzealous cops
Chucky,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the good material.
The police tasered the fairly passive guy while he was on the ground surrounded by several of them. They then pepper sprayed his Mom. Very questionable.
Okay critics, here is another charcoal artist from the UK.
ReplyDeletePapa don't teach?
Drawing Basics - Part 4 - Charcoal
Should I try my own charcoal drawing with barbecue coals?
ReplyDeleteReligion can have questionable concepts.
ReplyDeletePhilosophy can have questionable concepts.
Ignorance is not often bliss.
Understanding reality requires critical thinking.
I remember using charcoal in College Art classes. I never really liked it much. It's messy, not clean like pencil or pen, smears very easily (like if you accidentally lean your elbow, forearm, or hand onto it), and the dry particles of a charcoal drawing really need to be fixed - coated with a fine spray lacquer - to stop the drawing from gradually disappearing. The charcoal stick also breaks fairly easily if you apply too much pressure (a charcoal pencil is better for that, and your hands and clothes don't get as messy if you use a charcoal pencil).
ReplyDeleteJeff, I accept what you are stating.
ReplyDeleteCharcoal drawing is cool to watch and listen to though, if well done.
Someone should create an art form using barbecue coals.
chucky said...
ReplyDeleteCommie Muzak
I've never seen anybody so happy about singing nonsense words.
To please the 'Party.'
ReplyDeleteHere's a great idea:
ReplyDeletePaste Socks
Someone should create an art form using barbecue coals.
ReplyDeleteLOL!
BBQ briquette art!
Jeff, I just posted the Russian robot on Facebook.
ReplyDeleteSoviet robot performs for the 'Party'.
Papa don't teach?
ReplyDeleteCute.
Madonna
(Believe it or not, many years ago, I used to actually like this song. I actually still basically like the rhythm and beat of it.)
Yes, Madonna has been such a great role model, hasn't she? Prostitute, kissing women on stage...But wait! Believe it or not, it CAN get worse:
Kelly Osbourne
To me, this is not only bad, but it looks very amateurish.
Jeff, I just posted the Russian robot on Facebook.
ReplyDeleteSoviet robot performs for the 'Party'.
I saw that. He does seem like a robot. At some points, it doesn't even look like his mouth is moving.
Russ, if you don't mind, I may quote you in my ongoing discussion with that Muslim guy. I'm thinking about saying it this way:
ReplyDeleteA friend of mine put it like this: "He [Jesus] was and is fully God and fully human. He is not simply a man blessed with a very special relationship with God, nor is he a divine being that appears to be human but really is not. ...only God could bring peace to God and humanity, and this takes place through Christ."
I have been talking to him about the Trinity, the Bible, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, salvation, etc. Of course, he rejects much of what I am showing him, even though I point out the Bible verses (Muslims believe that the Bible as we have it today is corrupted). But I suppose I should not expect any Muslim, any cult member, any Atheist, or any other unbeliever, to immediately recognize and accept the truth...only God can cause a person to do that. Still, an ex-Muslim, who is now a missionary to Muslims, once advised me not to give up when witnessing to Muslims.
'Russ, if you don't mind, I may quote you in my ongoing discussion with that Muslim guy. I'm thinking about saying it this way:'
ReplyDeleteOf course, my PhD work goes to other practical use and that is very good.:)
The Madonna video must be blocked in Canada.
ReplyDeleteI received this message.
'This video contains content from WMG, who has blocked it in your country on copyright grounds.'
The other video was the same.
Eduard Khil is the name of the Soviet singer.
ReplyDeleteHe khils.
Yes, Jacob's Ladder...incredible! Mrs. Moogly is not a Rush fan, but she indulges me when I'm in a Rush mood...which is quite often, thank you! :-)
ReplyDeleteGGM
At least she does not 'make' you wear headphones.
ReplyDeleteCNN: Detective Comics #27 and Action Comics #1 Both auctioned for seven figures
ReplyDeleteOf course, my PhD work goes to other practical use and that is very good.:)
ReplyDeleteThanks. If that would be used to save a soul, then it would basically have eternal value.
The Madonna video must be blocked in Canada.
I received this message.
'This video contains content from WMG, who has blocked it in your country on copyright grounds.'
The other video was the same.
It's probably just as well.
CNN: Detective Comics #27 and Action Comics #1 Both auctioned for seven figures
"...it sold an original Superman comic for $1 million...A rare, high-quality copy of Detective Comics #27, which marked the first appearance of Batman in 1939, sold for $1,075,500 on Thursday...to sell a rare copy of Action Comics #1 to an anonymous collector for $1 million...A lesser-quality copy set the previous comic book record, racking up $317,000 at auction last year...he was very happy to see two comic books selling for more than $1 million...With several comic book films set to release in 2011, Zurzolo said he expects prices to escalate on rare copies featuring popular characters."
Maybe my new occupation should be driving around to yard sales, garage sales, flea markets, swap meets, etc., looking for old and rare comic books to buy. I once bought an old magazine-type comic of "The Spirit" (by Will Eisner) at a swap meet/flea market and, if I had kept it in good shape, it might have been worth something today.
Jeff, on Facebook I like your comparison of the Soviet singer with the singers at Bob Jones University.
ReplyDeleteI stated:
'Hmm, a comparison of cultural communism and cultural fundamentalism.
It's like his batteries were running out after about 2 minutes and 30 seconds and the Soviets had to bring the propaganda machine back in to be recharged and oiled.'
It would be so nice to get a bargain on comics from the silver and bronze ages.
I would not willingly rip someone off though.
Art Attack Artist is very good and quick at creating charcoal drawings, very impressive, perhaps a better artist than Ralph Papa when drawing with time restrictions, but I wonder if both of these artists were able to show their best work, who would be better??
ReplyDelete-Day Dreamer Doodler-
I like Buchanan better technically. Both are very good at composition in my view. But, I am not an art expert.
ReplyDeleteMark Dever on the Gift of Evangelism
ReplyDeleteThe message conveyed in the video is an extremely important one, and I think the Church today really needs to hear this message. This is an area that I believe the American Church, generally speaking, is sadly lacking in.
If Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons and Muslims would have the attitude toward evangelism that many Christians today do (especially American Christians...I don't know enough about Canadian or European Christians, so I can't speak for them), then I don't think that the JWs, Mormons or Muslims would be anywhere near as numerous as they are today.
'If Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons and Muslims would have the attitude toward evangelism that many Christians today do (especially American Christians...I don't know enough about Canadian or European Christians, so I can't speak for them), then I don't think that the JWs, Mormons or Muslims would be anywhere near as numerous as they are today.'
ReplyDeleteReasonable point and something to ponder on.
Thanks, Jeff.
Evangelism is an area that I believe the Western Church, generally speaking, is sadly lacking in...IMO. Thankfully, there are some Christians, largely teens and college-age Christians, I think, that are rising up and going out into the streets to win the lost. I am thankful for people such as Mark Cahill and for ministries such as The Way of the Master.
ReplyDeleteIsaiah 52:7 "How Beautiful are the Feet of those who bring good news, proclaim peace, bring glad tidings of good things, proclaim salvation, and proclaim to Zion, "Your God reigns!"
"Have you no wish for others to be saved? Then you are not saved yourself, be sure of that." (Charles Spurgeon)
"150,000 people die every 24 hours, most without the Savior. We are deeply concerned that so few Christians reach out to the lost. Statistics show that this is as low as 5%. One of the reasons for this is that many don't feel equipped. As a ministry, our sole purpose is to inspire and equip Christians, to teach them how to share the gospel simply, effectively, biblically . . . the way Jesus did." (The Way of the Master)
"Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:18-20)
This is the Great Commission, not the Great Suggestion.
Jesus, when he talked to the rich young ruler, pointed out how the young man was not following the Ten Commandments as he incorrectly assumed. He proved it by showing him that he could not even keep the first commandment, by showing him that his love of money was greater than his love for Jesus.
One big problem with unbelievers today is that they don't understand what sin is, and they don't understand God's holiness. They think they are a good person, and that, even if they don't believe in Jesus, and even if they have done bad things, God will still let them into Heaven (even if they are not a Christian), because God is a loving God, and a loving God does not send people to Hell. This is why they need to be shown what sin is, and they need to be shown that they are sinners who fall short of the qualifications for entering Heaven. Only when they understand this will they appreciate WHY they need a Savior. I have had Atheists ask me before, "Why would God need to kill his Son for me? I find such a bloodthirsty God repulsive!" They have no clue why Jesus needed to die, because they don't understand sin, and they don't understand God's holiness, and they don't understand that God is not only a God of love, but that He is also a God of justice, and that He must punish all sin.
Of course your lifestyle does have to do with being a good testimony, but that is not evangelism. That is merely making sure that your lifestyle verifies and confirms your evangelism, rather than negating it.
I reposted this article on my Facebook page and mentioned your comments.
ReplyDeleteCheers my friend.
Using the Ten Commandments is a good way to show a person how they have broken God's laws, fall short of the requirement to get into Heaven, and need a Savior.
ReplyDeleteOf course, using the Ten Commandments (i.e., as The Way of the Master teaches) is the only way to share the Gospel. I have heard that thousands, and by some accounts millions, of Muslims are coming to Christ through dreams and visions. Other Muslims who come to Christ do so because they find out God, as opposed to Allah, is a God Who actually loves them and personally cares about them.
There are also people who have told me that they are too wicked for God to save. Do those people need to be told that they have broken God's Commandments? No. They already know that, all too well. People like that need to be shown God's forgiveness.
I think what The Way of the Master has to offer is good because it addresses a shortcoming today. Not that it is the only way to do evangelism, but it addresses a widespread problem, which is this: the idea that "God is love" has been broadcast so much that many unbelievers now generally tend to see God as some huge teddy bear in the sky that will just automatically let anyone into Heaven, just because He's a nice, loving guy. This is not merely an assumption or a theory I have. I have personally talked to people face-to-face and have seen that they believe this (of course, not literally a "teddy bear;" I was just using that to make my point). So one of the things The Way of the Master has done for evangelism is bring some balance back to it. I have personally used the technique with people, and I have found it to be very helpful in getting people to understand what sin is, and that they are sinners in need of a Savior. Another issue that this technique addresses is the problem of just quickly leading someone to repeat a "salvation prayer," before they even understand what sin is, and before they comprehend that they are a sinner. They are then told that they are a Christian and are going to Heaven, when, in fact, this may not be the case at all. Repeating some words does not make a person a Christian. One person in my family is a catastrophe of this, because he prayed a "salvation prayer" and he is now a liberal who sees nothing wrong with homosexuality, and who often bashes Christians and conservatives. As far as I know, the only church that he ever became a member of, or ever attended more than a few times, in the 20+ years after he prayed that prayer, was an extremely liberal church that teaches that there is nothing wrong with homosexuality. But it has been many years since he even went to that church. Years ago, I used to be an advocate of first asking someone, "If you died tonight, do you think you would go to Heaven or Hell?" or, "Are you a Christian?" And then I would try to get them to repeat a "salvation prayer" after me (something which is not found in the Bible anywhere, BTW). In one case, a little boy, after praying that prayer, said, "I feel different!" In that case, I believe he was truly saved. But in another case, we were leading this Mormon girl through the prayer, and she kept giggling and saying that someone 'behind the curtain' was distracting her and making her laugh (there was no one behind the window drape/curtain). So, in that case, we were trying to get her to do something that she was not ready to do, because she had no understanding of her sin, her guilt before God, and her need for a Savior.
I believe that every believer is called to spread the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ (the Great Commission is a command to all Christians), but that some have been given the gift of evangelism, which is something extra to help them be more efficient in this area. Not all are called to be foreign missionaries, for example, but all are called to tell those around them about Jesus...in their family, among their neighbors, to their friends, to those at school, to those at work, etc. We should take every opportunity we can to talk to those whom we come in contact with about Jesus.
ReplyDeleteMany years ago, I would ride the bus to college, and there was this hippy-type guy who obviously was a brand new Christian. Every time he got on the bus, he would walk to the back, and stop at every single person, and say directly to them, "Praise the Lord!" My impression of him was that he was acting like a nutcase. He definitely had zeal for Jesus, and his heart was in the right place I think, but he needed to learn a better way to express that zeal.
BTW, Jesus did not present the Gospel to the rich young ruler. Why? Because the rich young ruler was not ready for the gospel. Pointing out the Ten Commandments to someone, and showing them how they have broken them, is not the Gospel. It is, rather, a way to prepare them for the Gospel, so that they will understand WHY they need the gospel in the first place. So many people today are so biblically illiterate that they don't even understand why they need a Savior.
Bobby stated the other night while he was here that you provde quality content with your comments, Jeff.
ReplyDeleteMany followed Jesus because of the miracles He did. However, when He started to get more serious with His message, large numbers of those who had been following Him now left Him. Why? Because they were following Him only because of the miracles. They wanted to get healed, or they wanted the free food that He miraculously provided, but they were not willing to seriously follow Him when it came to the harder and deeper things. How many today are going to church, or are fans of TBN, or are calling themselves "Christian," only because of the dramatic miracles? If Christianity were to be outlawed in the United States, let's say, and all who proclaimed to follow Christ were to be thrown into prison, how many of those same people would then deny Christ?
ReplyDeleteAt one church I used to attend, years ago, there was a family whose teenage son had cancer. Many prayers went up for the boy. Soon, the medical reports said that the cancer had gone into remission, or maybe that there were no more signs of it. Well, the father of the boy became very outspoken of how God was such a great God, and how God had miraculously healed his son. The wife and other kids reflected this, as well. In fact, the father became, basically, the Pastor's favorite person, because the Pastor said that this father was now such a great man of faith. The father would often speak or preach in front of the church, acknowledging how great and wonderful God was. Well, a year or maybe months later, the boy died. Do you know what the family did? They stopped going to church at all. Apparently, their faith was not truly in God, but was in the miracle of their son's healing. This was similar to the crowds who left Jesus when He started getting more serious about His message.
OK, enough of my off-topic rambling. I was actually having a discussion on Facebook with a couple guys, and I thought, "Hey! Why don't I copy and paste some of my comments into the comments on Russ' blog site? I know he always wants more comments, and, even though these comments have nothing to do with his article or any of the discussion, he won't mind! Besides, they already think I'm verbose and always off-topic anyway, so it's not like my reputation can get any worse!" LOL
So all these comments are a result of that.
Comments on thekingpin68 and satire and theology are always appreciated from THE JEFF.
ReplyDeleteCheers.
Bobby stated the other night while he was here that you provde quality content with your comments, Jeff.
ReplyDeleteComments on thekingpin68 and satire and theology are always appreciated from THE JEFF.
Thanks, Russ. Much appreciated. To Bobby, as well.
Well, in that case, I might as well paste one or two more of the comments I made on Facebook into here! :)
ReplyDeleteEvangelism necessarily entails godliness, but godliness, in itself (as far as moral actions), is not evangelism. Godliness confirms evangelism. You have to walk the walk, but you also have to talk the talk. Just like the verse, "Faith without works is dead." Does that mean that salvation comes by faith plus works? No. That verse is not talking about how to be saved at all. It's talking about the fruits of a true Christian. If the person shows no good works, then their faith is "dead." They may claim to have true faith, but their claim is falsified and not backed up by their actions. Similarly, in order for our evangelism to be effective, our actions must reflect godliness. But our actions alone will not save anyone. For example, Romans says that the existence of God is proven by creation. Does that mean that creation (the trees, stars, planets, etc.) are how a person gets saved? No. They only prove that God does indeed exist. Similarly, our 'good works' back up and reinforce our verbal testimony and witness, but they do not replace it. You can be the best person in the world by your actions, but if you never speak up or even tell anyone that you are a Christian, no one is going to get saved merely by your actions.
I just heard from satire and theology and he is getting jealous.;)
ReplyDeleteI just heard from satire and theology and he is getting jealous.;)
ReplyDeleteLOL! I'll have to remember to leave something there as well.
Hey, Russ, do you have any helpful info or insight you can offer concerning the Hebrew word "echad" in the Old Testament, regarding the Trinity? Someone in one of my old articles, HERE, is insisting it is used only as a numerical one, or singular unit, when talking about God; and I am saying that, although it can be used that way, and is used that way in some passages, whenever it is used in reference to God, it means a plural unity. I think the English word "one" is somewhat similar, in that it can be used to mean a singular, mathematical unit, but it can also be used as a plural unity ('one in Christ,' 'one group,' 'the two become one,' etc.).
ReplyDeleteFrom:
ReplyDeleteStrong
'Original Word: אֶחָד
Transliteration: echad
Phonetic Spelling: (ekh-awd')
Short Definition: a
Word Origin
a prim. card. number
Definition
one
NASB Word Usage
151,450* (1), 41,500* (2), 61* (1), 61,000* (1), 621* (2), 721* (1), alike (1), all at once (1), alone (2), altogether (1), another (23), another into one (1), any (15), any one (2), any* (1), anyone* (1), apiece (1), certain (11), certain man (1), each (48), each one (4), each other (1), each* (4), eleven* (9), eleventh* (4), every (1), everyone (1), few (3), first (38), forty-first* (1), forty-one* (4), numbered (1), once (14), once* (4), one (586), one and on another (1), one and the other (2), one at the other (1), one can him who (1), one the other (1), one to another (1), one will to another (1), one another (4), one thing (2), one thing to another (1), one-tenth (1), one-tenth for each (1), only (2), other (27), other was one (1), outermost* (1), same (25), same one (1), single (15), some (2), thirty-first* (1), thirty-one* (3), together (3), twenty-first* (4), twenty-one* (4), uniformly* (2), unique (4), unison (1), unit (4), united (1), whom (1).
NAS Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible with Hebrew-Aramaic and Greek Dictionaries
Copyright © 1981, 1998 by The Lockman Foundation
All rights reserved Lockman.org
a, alike, alone, altogether, and, anything, apiece, a certain
A numeral from 'achad; properly, united, i.e. One; or (as an ordinal) first -- a, alike, alone, altogether, and, any(-thing), apiece, a certain, (dai-)ly, each (one), + eleven, every, few, first, + highway, a man, once, one, only, other, some, together,
see HEBREW 'achad''
Victor P. Hamilton states that Elohim is a name for God in Genesis 1 and is in plural form, meaning a likely plurality within the Godhead. Hamilton (1988: 23).
HAMILTON, VICTOR P. (1988) Handbook on the Pentateuch, Grand Rapids, Baker Book House.
Just visiting to say hi and reading all those interesting comments
ReplyDeleteMuch appreciated, MD.
ReplyDeleteHappy Weekend for you in the UK.
I love your explanation of The Holy Ghost. I have had difficulty explaining it. Now that I know the definition I am able to explain it should a non-believer ask me.
ReplyDeleteThanks my friend.:)
ReplyDeleteNice Rush album plug, you must be a fan??
ReplyDelete-Fuss about Rush-
Yes, I am.:)
ReplyDeleteThe word Providence always sticks out when I see it. I work for a Health Plan called Providence. It's Catholic-based. I'm not Catholic, but I have never been happier.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Daij,
ReplyDeleteMany things are covered by the Province here in BC, but not everything that should be since we pay high taxes for socialized medicine.