Trick James Comments
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Alex, I question to myself why a person who I perceive has a unbelieving stance of biblical evidence would even be reading articles on this web site. I wonder if your curiosity about this subject means you are searching for something bigger then yourself? I am a nobody and I don't know anything, only that I believe the bible is more reliable than human reasoning based on a secular history that is a constantly moving target based on who is in control of writing the history at the time. One of many reasons that I have come to trust the bible is that it is my understanding that spiritual things are spiritually discerned by the power of the Holy Spirit. Unbelief would disqualify me the ability to discern biblical truth. For me it comes down to do I believe the bible or that secular history record or lack of a historical record. I wish you well on your quest for enlightenment.
brobinson
Yes, My name 'Patrick' is my name no matter what language it is spoken in. To change it would disrespect me. Boy have you opened a can of worms for me as I have been thinking about this subject for some time. In fact that is what led me here to this page tonight while doing an internet search on the correct name of my creator God. Yes, words do matter and the previous post have shown in the scripture how important it is to our creator. I guess I have been naive about the concept of organizational reasoning. That being said it does make me wonder to what end or purpose UCG would be deny the correct name or spelling of Yahweh and Yahushua (or as close as we can get to it) What is the end game? What would the reasoning be to not to study and pray about the issue and act accordingly. Or is that what UCG leadership has done and that has led them to their official stance? Now I understand that a person should not cause division or factions within a body of believers. I also understand that I like to fellowship with like-minded believers and don't want to jeopardize that opportunity at this point. Me thinks this side of the kingdom there will not be a perfect church.
This topic has been a very timely, interesting , and informative as I try to work out my own salvation with fear and trembling. Shannon G Mitchell commented about how James 4:17 and Heb 5:14 applies to this matter. I would add Luke 20:25. By time and chance I was born an American citizen with the God given responsibility to the type of government that it was established under, which includes citizen input through voting on how that civil government is governed. Because of that, my feeling is that voting falls under rendering to Caesar what is Caesars. Elections not only have national consequences but very important local issues that immediately effect our local village and community. Issues such as as should a School Board candidate that is pro abortion, and has a has a homosexual agenda be supported or the candidate that is pro life and wants the students to use the locker room and bathroom according to the gender they were born with. I do not feel voting is disrespectful or shows lack of faith in God. I am not talking about getting in peoples faces and trying to influence others but just quietly doing my civic responsibility. If I am wrong my God will correct me.
I was a little surprised when at the start of the article Luke 3:14 was quoted as advice given to a group of men and then the disclaimer that UCG interprets that admonition another way.
Statistically from several sources only around 19% of churchgoers read the bible daily, not counting as part of a church service. Statistically bible engagement is directly related to spiritual growth. This is a good article that highlights that spiritual benefit.
The article was a blessing to me. Gods timing is spectacular! I meet with a group of men weekly and at our last gathering this very issue of words came up. Politics was brought up in a derogatory manner and one of the men got very angry and left which left a pall over the group the rest of the meeting. Words matter, and that is matter of scripture and doing what is right in the sight of God.
Thank you Mr. Ben Light. That was a very inspiring read for me this morning. I can't say no to that. I live in rural Nebraska where the light pollution is not so much. It is a breathtaking experience when you see the night sky and contemplate the greatness of the mind that created it all. Thank God that He gives us all help on our journey into the kingdom!
As to TheDonold, I disagree that the jist of this posting is to minimize the sin of homosexuality, but instead it is to rightly promote the importance of the children and our duty to bring them up in the admonition of the Lord. That covers a lot of ground which includes proper instruction and avoidance concerning the sin of the homosexual lifestyle. I use to follow James Dobson and his ministry called "Focus on the Family" . I finally started to listen less and less as he continually battered the homosexual community. In Gods eyes I understand that sin is sin, and my lying is just as bad as any other sin. The sin of adultery is just as bad, Focus did not bash partakers of that sin every day. I think we need the balance to condemn all sin not just the ones we think are the worst. That being said we don't need to ignore that the gay movement is a threat to the social and moral well-being of a nation, and that in love we should confront it and be ready to give an answer.
The fourth moral dilemma described here haunts me. You see I once belonged to a church that taught biblical principles in which my wife I were trying to rear our three children accordingly. This church had major doctrinal changes when the human leadership changed hands. My children were in there teenage years when this happened. I was distraught with these drastic changes and did not accept them. I became unsure of my beliefs and backslid into apathy, and non church attendance. Looking back, during this period, I ignored my duty to bring my children up in the admonition of the Lord. My children are grown adults now with varying belief and unbelief. I am starting to get my spiritual bearings back but the damage is done from my confusion and lack of diligence in the things concerning the Lord and His coming kingdom. As stated in the last paragraph of statement #4 I believe my duty among other things is to read the bible and study and show myself approved of God and let my example speak to my children. God help me on this journey.
Sidebar: Some bible historians and scholars dispute or challenge that James is the original name given in scripture for this man which the book of James is named after. They say the correct name is Jacob. If this is so it creates some very relevant issues. The Biblical Archaeology Society say that first, it has created an awkwardness in academic writing. Second, James’s ancestral lineage is lost. Third, James’s Jewish cultural background is minimized. Martin Luther is said to have rejected the book of James (Jacob) because of its Torah observance component. Grace alone versus Grace with works.