About
So how does a West Point graduate who intended to become the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Desert Storm cavalry officer, Bronze Star recipient, intelligence officer at one of those three-letter agencies, and marketing professional come to realize that he is nothing without Christ?
I was born and raised in an Assembly of God church in North Little Rock, Arkansas. My parents ensured that I attended church regularly, and instilled Godly values and upbringing in my brother and me at an early age. I believe that this has shaped the way I think and act, especially towards my own children and family, even today. I am thankful that I had those Godly parents that were able to teach me the ways of the Lord. I am thankful that, for the most part, I did not depart from that teaching. I do not remember the first time I gave my life to Christ, but my wife (and girlfriend at the time) still has a diary that records me as going to the altar and giving my life to Christ in April 1982. While in junior high and high school I did not feel the call of Christian service, and I was not in church “every time the doors were open,” I still lived a good Christian example.
It was during my service as an officer in the U.S. Army, specifically during my combat service in Operation Desert Shield/Storm as a scout platoon leader, that I began to really understand who God was and what He had for my life. There is a saying that there are no atheists in the foxhole, and that is absolutely true. Soldiers who had not been in church except on Easter and Christmas, if then, were talking with me about God and what it meant to have a relationship with Him. Initially, I was not very comfortable about these discussions for various reasons, but God gave me the words for them during this time of life and death crisis. It is also true that it is especially hard to be a Christian in good times, because when the war ended, many of those soldiers, assuming that the threat to their life had ended, generally went back to their old ways. I thought this was sad. I prayed daily that He would protect my soldiers and give us strength and wisdom to destroy our enemy. Thankfully, no one in my unit was hurt.
Combat taught me that God was real, and that our life here on Earth is only temporary. Death can be hard to face for many people, but knowing you are a Christian and knowing that Jesus conquered death for you gives you a completely new and different perspective on this issue. However, I was still not growing as I thought I should. I was not paying tithes regularly, and was just “getting by.” Friends and neighbors knew I was a Christian, went to church, and generally lived a “good moral life,” but I was not where I needed to be spiritually. It would take me several more years to “grow up” and learn to accept what God had for my life.
Sometimes God has to hit us with a 2×4 board to wake us up, and that is what he did for me. In October 1997, my only daughter at the time, who was only 3, was diagnosed with Type I juvenile diabetes. I literally fought with God about why He could do this to me and to this little innocent child. However, God brought several scriptures to my mind, including John 9, and made me realize that God is sovereign, even when it doesn’t seem like anyone is in control. He also made me realize that he can cause all things to work for good for those who are called to His purposes, which He did with this event. I can honestly say that this event more than anything caused me to reevaluate my faith and “get off the fence” so to speak. I began to inquire about the things of God, and found out that God is almighty, and His Word is true.
Near the last half of 2000, I approached my pastor and discussed with him a call and desire to begin teaching a Sunday School class on apologetics. This was another great step forward in my Christian and spiritual growth. The pastor loved the idea and I taught this class, along with others, for several years, until October 2003. The research and extensive reading on the various topics such as the existence of God, the tenets of various religions and how they compare to Christianity, and the historical and archeological reliability of the Gospels have strengthened my devotion and knowledge – more than just mere belief – that God is real, and that Jesus is truly the way, the truth, and the life.
It was at this point that I began reading my Bible daily, tithing, and praying. I was elected to the Board of Deacons in January 2001 at First Assembly of God in St. Charles. My spiritual growth took the same pace that I am used to in the rest of my life – fast pace! I began a MA in Ministry/Leadership at Global University, and also took Berean Bible School classes to acquire credentials with the Assemblies of God. I was asked by the pastor at St. Charles First Assembly to head up the revitalization of the Sunday School program, and God blessed us with tremendous growth in numbers, teachers, and in changed lives.
After much prayer and consideration, I felt the Lord’s call into the ministry. I was the lead pastor at a small church restart in Chesterfield called New Life Community Church for about a year, where God blessed us with tremendous growth and in a number of areas. We grew from around 40 to 170, saw several people come to know Christ, and saw several lives changed in a substantive way. I am still working full time at MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc, as Director of Marketing and Global Communications, and on staff as the teaching/discipleship pastor at a local church. I have attended church planting bootcamp, and my wife and I are continually praying about our future. However, I believe that seminary training is essential in my development. I completed my MA in Ministry/Leadership, but feel led to complete my ThM and even continue on in my education, completing a ThD. My goals are to be a full-time pastor, or eventually to teach at a seminary or university.
My wife Karen is a very caring and tender person who prays for me and our kids, supports me, and helps in various ways. We are a great team, a loving family, and a fun family. She has worked with Missionettes, a preschool kids ministry, for 11 years, and loves the kids. She is strong, comforting, and encouraging to me and others. She has a servant’s heart, and works behind the scenes in many ways to help and serve people. I have two daughters, Renee (13) and Krista (7), who both love the Lord and love being kids.
Over the past several years, I have discovered Reformed doctrine and the life-changing doctrine of grace. The Assemblies of God is distinctly Arminian, more like Semi-Pelagian, and I have had several opportunities to discuss differences of theology with some of my pastoral and educational colleagues, and have thoroughly enjoyed the conversations. Everyone has a theology, and I firmly believe that one’s theology governs the way that a person lives their life. Reformed theology has opened my eyes to a grace that I had never before experienced, and an understanding of the Bible that has completely changed my life. While I respect my brothers and sisters who are still Arminian in belief, I have found that the totality of the Bible and the message of Christ make more sense through the framework of Reformed theology.
So what is Theology and Steak? It is a Jesus Christ-centered blog from a person whose heart is burdened more and more by a need to evangeize those actually in the church. This blog was born out of two things that have happened in my life, one positive and one negative, so to speak. One was the frustration at chuches, at least that I have attended and even ministered in, that are light on doctrine and theology and big on entertainment, felt needs, and fluff. Don’t get me wrong; we have to communicate the gospel in such a way as to actually be understood by our audience. But many times King James English just doesn’t do the trick. And Jesus and his apostles ministered to people’s needs out of love and compassion. However, the message is king, and theology is what differentiates Christians from other attempts to “seek God.” Yes, theology divides, because truth divides. Truth also unites. God’s Word should reign in churches, not some pop-psychology nonsense. God’s Word points to salvation in Christ; pop psychology felt-needs marketing points to man.
The second thing was a discovery of the doctrines of grace and the five solas of the Reformation. Scripture alone, grace alone, faith alone, Christ alone, and to the Glory of God alone. I have been a professing Christian for 25 years, but it was only recently that the Holy Spirit used these doctrines and a few close friends to literally revolutionize my life. Through Bible study that was illuminated by the Spirit, I have made the journey from Semi-Pelagian Pentecostal (ordained Assembly of God minister) to Reformed non-cessationist Calvinist. And very limited non-cessationist at that. I am pursuing a ThD at Whitefield Theological Seminary because I still feel the call of ministry and need a strong Biblical education. It’s as though my eyes have been opened to the truth for the first time.
beaconlight said
Hi, I found this site through Monergism.com. I feel a kinship with you after reading this post. I too am a Reformed (but on the fence cessationist) Calvinist who formerly attended a Semi-Pelagian AOG church steeped in church growth methodology.
I like what I’ve read so far. Keep up the good work. I will stop by now and again.
God Bless.
Brandon L.
Tim said
Greetings,
I got to your site through a link at Reformation Theology. I’ve enjoyed your writing.
I live in Hope, Arkansas and my brother lives in Springdale. My brother attended West Point but I’m not certain of the years. He is 44 years old so I thought you might know him.
God Speed with your studies.
theologyandsteak said
Hey Tim;
Send me an e-mail with his name. I am 41, so we should have overlapped. There are 4,000 cadets there, so I may not have known him. If I did, he may have hazed me!
Brett
Stan Ermshar said
Brett,
I also relate in a strong way to your story and journey from semi-pelagianism to Reformed theology. I really enjoy the articles. This is indeed a site with Filet Mignon theology.
I was raised Seventh-day Adventist with a very legalistic background, and then God truly found me, and opened my eyes to the true gospel. I post on a site geared to helping Adventists discover the gospel, as well as discussing the great truths of the Reformed faith with former Adventists. I have linked your site several times and we are at http://www.forthegospel.org
Congrats again on a great blog!
Stan
Hillbilly said
Why can’t there not be a God? Has humanity gone so far that they cannot learn from their past? Can we not see the fallacy’s of religious devision from the history of our world and stop the madness? The Christian God is not so different from any other accept maybe he is more vindictive and bloody than most! He has wiped out entire races because of a grudge (OT). Sincerity counted for nothing when two offered what he called strange fire (OT). I could go on and on but what would be the sense, fanatic so-called Christians don’t want the facts their mind is made up already!
Their answer comes from apologetics and hermeneutics who seem to be able to call black white and white black and expect you to believe it.
Grow up!!!
theologyandsteak said
Hi;
Please do not post on my site unless you are ready to look at your own views. From your last posts, it appears that you are being exactly what you accuse me of being. “No one who has prejudged an issue can be convinced of anything contrary to what he wants to believe. That includes you…,” Hillbilly! Or whatever your name is. I display my name clearly, but why do you hide yours? Perhaps it is Joe? You blast God with your comments without looking into who God really is. You only see Him as you want to see Him. Originally, you said your faith was challenged. You, my friend, have no faith in God. You suppress the truth about God that you know in your heart, and then lash out at people who have accepted the Truth of God and belittle them. You need to fall on your knees and repent before a Holy God.
You have a warped view of God that is in no sense the God of the Bible, yet you claim it is and then proceed to knock him down. Your post above exposes your ignorance of the Word of God and the God Himself. I would be more than happy to explain Him to you, if you would listen. However, you obviously don’t care about truth. You speak of sincerity above. Sincerity doesn’t matter when you do not respect or obey God. You can sincerely believe a lie and be condemned by God just the same. And it doesn’t matter whether you think this is right or not. God didn’t ask you for your opinion.
Brett
theologyandsteak said
Hi Hillbilly;
I also sent you an e-mail, which apparently you did not receive or you haven’t bothered to check. Please check your e-mail or when you post, please use one that you actually check. Thanks.
Brett
Hillbilly said
For your information, not that you would care,My email has had problems and for a long while I could not send or retrieve mail.
Also I might just add, I was a preacher for 30 years and totally believed and was convinced of my salvation and persuaded others to flee the wrath to come so don’t you through accusations at me that you know nothing about!!! I may not have some sheep skin with my name plastered on it from some Ivy league college but then neither did any of the Apostles! How dare you take liberties where none were offered.
This will be my last post. You can bank on that. Who wants to listen to a one sided view point blinded by a boastful Proud person?
theologyandsteak said
First of all, I do apologize if I seem proud. I do have a strong personality, and get very passionate at times. But I don’t consider myself proud. I read a lot, and strive to learn and know God as much as I can, so that I can share that knowledge with others. I realize everyday that I am nothing without God and Christ. I don’t have a sheep skin from an Ivy League college either. I am a West Pointer that served my country in combat, and yes, I am a little proud of that. I grew up in a lower middle class family, and worked my tail off and prayed every night for 3 years that I would be accepted to USMA. God granted that prayer. I gladly went to combat for this country, and was prepared to die if necessary. I also admit I am one-sided when it comes to the gospel and God, and I will gladly die for Christ as well. I don’t say that lightly. I make no apologies for being one-sided in support of the truth. Why would anyone expect any less?
I only try to comment based on what you write, and your post earlier was definitely not one that seemed to come from a believer. I respect the fact that you preached for 30 years. My admiration and heart goes out to you. But I take it now that you are not a Christian, since you seem to use that in the past tense. Comments such as
are not indicative of a Christian that is submitted to God. I am sorry, but that is what it seems. Your view of God as vindictive, bloody, begrudging, etc. are representative of someone that hates God. Correct me if I am wrong, please.
Additionally, the statement that Christianity is not much different than other religions is completely false. Christianity is completely different than other religions, and the God of the Bible is nothing like any other god of other worldly religions. I would be more than happy to show you a comparison if you like.
Please tell me, why are you so angry at Christians and God? Your anger comes out strong in your posts. Why? What has happened?
Brett
Hillbilly said
Was it God, or the devil, who said: “I will strew your flesh upon the mountains, and fill the valleys with your carcass. I will drench the land even to the mountains with your flowing blood…”
Was it God, or the devil, who said: “Therefore fathers shall eat their sons in the midst of you and sons shall eat their fathers…I will send famine and wild beasts against you and they shall rob you of your children; pestilence and blood shall pass through you; and I will bring a sword upon you.”
Was it God, or the devil, who said: “Behold, I will corrupt your seed and spread dung upon your faces…”
Was it God, or the devil, who said: “Pass through the city after him, and smite; your eye shall not spare and you shall show no pity; slay old men outright, young men and maidens, little children and women…”
Was it God, or the devil, who said: “…I will take your wives before your eyes and give them to your neighbor, and he shall lie with your wives in the light of this sun.”
Was it god, or the devil, who said: “Now therefore, kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman who has known man by lying with him. But all the young girls who have not known man by lying with him, keep alive for yourselves.”
Was it God, or the devil, who said: “Samar’ia shall bear her guilt, because she has rebelled against her God; they shall fall by the sword, their little ones shall be dashed in pieces, and their pregnant women ripped open.”
Was it God, or the devil, who killed every man, woman, child and animal on earth because he lost his temper with them? Was it God, or the devil, who killed 50,000 of his children for merely looking into the ark of the covenant? Was it God, or the devil, who killed every firstborn child in Egypt for the deed of the Pharoah?
Obviously, it is Jehovah who did all of these atrocities. But I ask you, under similar circumstances, what would the devil have done? Allow yourself to think about that. Could a devil have done worse?
theologyandsteak said
What is your point?
Are you judging God? By what standard? Why do these things actually bother you?
How do you define atrocity?
Hillbilly said
Brett, don’t get me wrong, I do admire you for your convictions.
I, on the other hand, have read of a God that a lot of Christians would rather not hear about or read about.
I’ve heard preachers say that He was justified in doing so because people disobeyed. Would you do such to your children simply because they disobeyed? Punish yes. Totally destroy?????? Read my post again, He is a bloody God, a vengeful God, He even says so in 2Th 1:8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: {taking: or, yielding}
theologyandsteak said
Hillbilly;
I see where you are coming from, but you are making assumptions about God, man, and values. Because God killed a bunch of people, you believe God to be vengeful and an ogre. Why? Correct me if I am wrong, but it is because you value human life over God’s purpose. You think it is an atrocity that God killed a bunch of people, but the Bible says those people deserve death anyway for their rebellion. Those people were not God’s children. The hard thing to realize is that God created people that He elected before the world was created to be His children and to show God’s mercy and grace, and He created people that He reprobated before time began to show His wrath (Romans 9, among other palces). All for His glory. God’s glory is more important than human life. That’s tough, but Biblical. God does not love everybody the same, and this is another hard truth. Salvation is not for everyone – another hard truth. My job is not to judge who is in and who is out, but to preach the good news. God decides who is in and who is out. Remember, no one deserves grace, but God gives it to some anyway. This humbles His children, and hardens others.
This is why salvation is so humbling. Why me, I ask all the time. I had nothing to do with it. It was all God’s grace.
Hillbilly said
I make no assumptions at all my friend. Just as you presume Rom. 9 to say predestination I offer to you the verses below. These are not my words but scripture Christians consider inspired.
A God who’s purpose it is to exalt his own agenda above human life, the life of sinless little children,
Mt 18:3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
yes, I consider that to be detestable!!!!!!!!
God does not love everybody the same?
Ro 2:11 For there is no respect of persons with God.
Ac 10:34 ¶ Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
Eph 6:9 And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.
Jas 2:1 ¶ My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.
Jas 2:9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.
1Pe 1:17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:
2Pe 3:9 ¶ The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Salvation is not for everyone?
Tit 2:11 ¶ For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
I believe you better think again about some of your ideas and presumably righteous thinking!
theologyandsteak said
OK, so first of all, everyone has assumptions. You, me, everyone. The way you listed verses shows some of your assumptions. Let me address them one by one. With all due respect, though, you should not list a single verse, ever. Verses are always in context to the words and sentences around them. I can take a verse from the Bible, set it aside, and make it say anything I want. It’s the verses in context that provide meaning. Never read a Bible verse; always read more than one!
Romans 2:11 in context is referring to Gentiles and Jews. God shows no partiality between Gentiles and Jews in terms of judgment. Read 6-11.
Acts 10:34: Same as above. Read 30-35. The context is the salvation of Cornelius, a Gentile, and Peter is proclaiming that God saves both Jews and Gentiles, not just Jews.
Ephesians 6:9: The context here is instructions about how slaves and freemen are to treat one another. No partiality is between slaves and free. Read Eph 6:5-9.
James 2:1: Partiality here refers her to favoritism to a rich person that comes into the congregation and neglect to a poor person. Read 1-7.
James 2:9: see above.
1 Peter 1:17: Your KJV is hard to read, so look at another translation. This verse in context refers to God judging inpartially according to everyone’s deeds.
2 Peter 3:9: So what does this verse have to do with respecter of persons? It means that God is patient with unrepentent sinners! That shows his mery in some respect, but He will not be patient forever.
Titus 2:11 – yes the grace of God in Jesus Christ has appeared to all people, but it is not for all people. There is a difference in appearing to all people and being for all people, in a universal sense.
Please see Romans 9, specifically 6-24, and more specifically 14-24. I don’t see how you can read this any other way except that God created some people to show his mercy, and some to show his wrath.
See Ephesians 1:3-14. This is pretty clear about predestination. See also John 17, John 10, and John 6 starting at verse 35. Romans 8:28-30. 1 Peter 1:1-2. Just to name a few.
Like I said, you may not like the fact that God is exalted above human life, but that is the truth. If God is not exalted above human life, then you have made human life your god above God Himself. The fact is that we are all sinners, and deserve nothing but eternal death. God chose to show his grace to some, because he wanted to, not because of something inherently valuable in me or you. Romans chapters 1-3 explain this in detail. How both Jews and Gentiles are all sinners, and deserve nothing but judgment. The Paul lays out the glorious gospel at then end of Romans 3. My friend, you don’t seem to understand the sinfulness of the human condition. No one really does, I don’t think. We all want to make ourselves more than we are. Yes God loves His creation, but He hates sin. We are sinful by nature and can never come into His presence. He must punish sin because He is Holy and Righteous and Perfect.
The good news is that Jesus lived a perfect life, and took on all of the sins of His chosen people so that some people would be sinless through faith in the person and work of Christ. Read 2 Corinthians 5:17-21. Christ knew no sin, yet became sin, so that we might have the righteousness of God. Charles Surgeon once wrote, Too many think lightly of sin, and therefore think lightly of the Saviour. He who has stood before his God, convicted and condemned, with the rope about his neck, is the man to weep for joy when he is pardoned, to hate the evil which has been forgiven him, and to live to the honour of the Redeemer by whose blood he has been cleansed.”
Brett
Hillbilly said
Well Brett I see right now we do not agree and probably never will.
Each man is right in his own eyes. That is the problem with religion in general – I’m right! NO I’m right NO I’m right NO I’m right and the debating goes on and on and on.
What need would an omniscient (All Knowing) God have to repent?
REPENTANCE
A change of mind, accompanied with regret and sorrow for something done, and an earnest wish that it was undone. God is sometimes said to “repent” of something he had done.
Ge 6:6 And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.
Jg 2:18 And when the LORD raised them up judges, then the LORD was with the judge, and delivered them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge: for it repented the LORD because of their groanings by reason of them that oppressed them and vexed them.
1Sa 15:35 And Samuel came no more to see Saul until the day of his death: nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul: and the LORD repented that he had made Saul king over Israel.
Ps 106:45 And he remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the multitude of his mercies.
Am 7:3 The LORD repented for this: It shall not be, saith the LORD.
Am 7:6 The LORD repented for this: This also shall not be, saith the Lord GOD.
Jon 3:10 And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.
I don’t expect a reply. This is meant to be a rhetorical question.
the Hillbilly signing off – - – see ya
theologyandsteak said
It has been truly a pleasure, really. You have challenged me and I have seen God’s Word proven time and time again. Just for the benefit of my readers, I would like to address Hillbilly’s question above. It is a really good one. Again, though, it is a matter of taking verses out of context using only the King James Version. The KJV is a decent Bible translation, but it is far from perfect, especially today. 17th century Queen’s English is not quite 21st century American English. It is not even 21st century Queen’s English!
The Hebrew word translated “repent” above in the KJV doesn’t really mean “repent” as we (or as Hillibilly) defined it above. Again, it is a matter of KJV english in the 21st century.
God can feel sorry and feel grief, even though His plan for creation is established before the creation of the world. In the Amos verses, one needs to read the whole thing (most of chapter 7) in order to understand that the Lord is warning His people through visions. Jonah 3 is a good example of God actually keeping his promise and being faithful, unlike the implication of the verse taken out of context. God told Jonah to preach repentence to Nineveh. If the city did not repent, it would be destroyed. The city repented, so God did not destroy the city. In the NASB it states, “When God saw their deeds, that they turned from their wicked way, then God relented concerning the calamity which He had declared He would bring upon them. And He did not do it.” The ESV is similar. This was a divine “if-then” statement.
Again, the KJV is a good Bible, but it is not the best. When you look at the underlying original languages, in many places it leaves something to be desired, not to mention the archaic English.
Unfortunately, Hillbilly is right – we will never agree unless God opens his eyes. Each man is NOT right in his own eyes. The Word of God stands. Hillbilly does not agree with it, and wants to make it say something it doesn’t. The Word of God is infallible, inerrant, and the authority for faith and life. It is meant for Christians, those that trust God and have the Holy Spirit. It is not meant for those who do not trust God. This is the problem of explaining theology and the Bible to those who do not really believe. They will never get it unless God opens their eyes. They can’t. Sin blinds us all; we are all dead in sin, unless the Spirit of God literally resurrects us spiritually. Only then can we truly comprehend the Scriptures.
Thanks, Hillbilly for your challenges.
Brett
Hillbilly said
You’re Welcome!
Hillbilly said
I’m sorry but I have to ask one more question.
all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David to the taking away to Babylon, fourteen generations; and from the taking away to Babylon to the coming of Christ, fourteen generations. (BBE)
When you count up the generations from verse 1 to verse 16 they equal 41 but verse 17 says they are 14+14+14=42
Every translation available is the same way, Why?
Luke’s account in chapter 3 doesn’t match name wise of the generations mentioned in Matthew, Why?
Hillbilly said
By the way Brett, my real name is Eddie. Hillbilly is just a stage name so to speak.
theologyandsteak said
Hey Eddie;
Welcome back! The generations of Abraham question is a good one. I need to research that one. I am not sure!
The Luke vs Matthew geneologies is one of author’s intent, so to speak. The whole gospel of Matthew was written to a Jewish audience, so it followed the “rules” of Jewish geneologies and traces Jesus’ lineage through his legal father. Luke, on the other hand, with his Greek audience, traces Jesus’ lineage through his mother, Mary. Matthew is interested in showing that Jesus was related to David, because the Messiah was to come from the line of David. Luke showed that as well, but went all the way back to Adam to show that he was also human. Two points of view from the same two parents.
I will have to get back with you on the generations question. Sorry – I have never been asked that before!
Thanks.
Brett
theologyandsteak said
Hey Eddie;
I think the issue with the 41 or 42 geneations in Matthew is the fact that Jechoniah is listed twice. Apparently his life spanned before and after the captivity, so technically he can be in both lists. Depending on how you count Jechoniah, I think you wind up with 41 or 42. When Matthew summarizes the lists, and states 14+14+14, he counts Jechoniah twice.
I think this makes sense.
Brett
Hillbilly said
Thanks, I see your position. I’m not really sure your assessment is correct about Luke’s account being through Mary because there are only a few that are different than Matthew’s account.
Another question if I may.
In John 19:22 Pilate said what I have written I have written.
I take it from that it was a definite message, definite wording, from what Pilate had to say.
None of the 4 Gospel accounts is the same wording about what was written above Christ on the cross, why is that?
Hillbilly said
You are correct about lineage through Mary. Researched and found the information about it.
Many Thanks!
theologyandsteak said
Hey Eddie;
Glad you found more info on the geneologies!
Regarding the inscription above the cross of Jesus, remember it was written in Aramaic (the local language), Latin (Roman), and Greek (basically the general language of the world). Some differences may come about through translation. All four gospels, though, have the identical “king of the Jews,” as this was the accusation against Jesus. It is possible that each gospel gives only part of the inscription, and not the whole thing, depending on what the gospel writer wanted to say. Reporters and others do this all of the time when they quote. Many times they don’t quote the whole sentence or speech, only the part they want. It’s not inaccurate, just different.
Additionally, When Pilate said, what I have written, I have written, he was answering the chief priests of the Jews who wanted him to write something else. John 19:21-22 states, “21 So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but rather, ‘This man said, I am King of the Jews.’ ” 22 Pilate answered, “What I have written I have written.” He was just responding to their demand. I am not sure he was claiming a definite message or wording. It sounds like he was just brushing off the chief priests!
Brett
theologyandsteak said
Hey Eddie;
Keep ‘em coming if you like. Not to sound geeky or anything, but this is a good challenge. I can’t promise I will always be able to answer, but I will give it my best shot, and find someone else in a book or other reference if I can’t!
Brett
Hillbilly said
Brett, I think you doing a fantastic job, of course that’s my opinion. I would welcome someone else jumping in on these discussions!!!
Hillbilly said
Was Enoch a member of the sixth generation after Adam (as indicated in Genesis 5 and Luke 3) or of “the seventh after Adam? as it states in the epistle of Jude?
Hillbilly said
8 Go you up to the feast: I am not going up now to the feast because my time has not fully come. (BBE)
8 Go ye up unto the feast: I go not up unto this feast; because my time is not yet fulfilled. (ASV)
9 Having said these things to them, he still kept in Galilee. (BBE)
9 And having said these things unto them, he abode [still] in Galilee. (ASV)
10 But after his brothers had gone up to the feast, then he went up, not publicly, but in secret. (BBE)
John 7:8-10 RSV Go to the festival yourselves. I am not going to this festival, for my time has not yet fully come.” After saying this, he remained in Galilee. But after his brothers had gone to the festival, then he also went, not publicly but as it were in private.
Didn’t Jesus break his promise [word] by going up secretly after saying he wouldn’t?
Hillbilly said
Have you ever read some of this fellow’s material?
http://bible-truths.com/
theologyandsteak said
Hey Eddie;
Regarding Jude, most scholars believe that Jude was quoting from the book of Enoch, and apocryphal book in the 1st century. It’s kind of like saying, Brett said, when really talking about my blog. Also I have read where he is referred to as the seventh from Adam to identify him as the godly Enoch, as opposed to the son of Cain also named Enoch. However, if you count back from Adam, including Adam, Enoch is 7. The Greek word is apo, meaning “from,” “out of,” but not “after.” So this was not really an answer, but I prefer the last explanation myself.
Brett
theologyandsteak said
The passage in John 7 again needs to be read in context of John 7:1-13 (and maybe more). His unbelieving brothers wanted him to go to the feast and show himself to be the Messiah publicly. They told him not to work in secret but to go to the feast and show himself by his miracles and works. Jesus, who would not be tempted in any way, refused to do so because His time was not yet come to show himself publicly as the Messiah. Jesus did not go to the feast at that moment with his unbelieving family, because it was not his time to do so, and he would not be revealed in any way except per God’s plan. Later on, after his brothers and family had left (time duration unknown), he did go up on his own time and with his own agenda, not his brothers, in secret (meaning he did not reveal his identity as Messiah). He didn’t lie. He just didn’t go with his family because they did not have God’s agenda in mind, as Jesus did.
Brett
Hillbilly said
Thanks Brett, you are very helpful!
In Exodus 20:14 God prohibits adultery yet in Hosea 1:2 God instructs Hosea to take a bride of harlotry, why is that?
Hillbilly said
In IKings chapter 16 Baasha is supposed to have died in the 26 year of Asa’s reign but in 2CH. chapter 16 it says Baasha built a city in the 36th year of Asa’s reign. How can that be?
theologyandsteak said
Just one, then I have to go to bed! I need my beauty sleep…
Yes, even Jesus in the NT and Paul in his letters speak of adultery as a sin. However, Hosea takes a wife that is a former/current prostitute. I don’t think the marriage of a prostitute is forbidden. Additionally, God instructs his prohpet Hosea to do this because God knows what will happen (Hosea 1-3). This is a real life object lesson for Hosea and the people of Israel. It is also a wonderful gospel message of how God and Hosea love someone despite their sin and shortcomings, and rescue them (redeem them) from their depravity. I have an article I just posted that explains further: http://theologyandsteak.wordpress.com/2007/11/19/gods-enduring-love-hosea/
Hope this helps!
Brett
Hillbilly said
There are numerous numerical conflicts in scriptures, I will only list 5. I don’t want to overload you with a long list of these type of questions. Addressing one at a time will be sufficient.
These are indisputable variances of figures that boggle my mind.
II Samuel 8:4 seven hundred horsemen
vs.
I Chron. 18:4 seven thousand horsemen
II Kings 25:8 seventh day of the month
vs.
Jeremiah 52:12 tenth day of the month
KI1 4:26 forty thousand stalls of horses
vs.
CH2 9:25 four thousand stalls for horses
II SAMUEL 24:13shall SEVEN YEARS OF FAMINE come unto thee
vs.
I CHRONICLES 21:11 Either THREE YEARS OF FAMINE
IIKI 24:8 Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he began to reign
vs.
IICH 36:9 Jehoiachin was eight years old when he began to reign
Thanks for your understanding and patience!
theologyandsteak said
Hey Eddie;
The last one first. Some people say that it is a copyist error, with 18 being the correct age in most of the manuscripts. However, it could also be one of persective. Jehoiachin may have been 8 when he became king actually, but because he was under age, so to speak, he didn’t officially become king until 18. This was a fairly common occurance in the Middle Ages, where a regent would rule until the heir became of age.
The first four, from what I have been able to discover, seem to be copyist errors in some of the older tanslations/manuscripts. The Hebrew for these particular numbers are very similar, and since there are no actual vowels in Hebrew, the similarity is extremely close. Most of the manuscripts that have been discovered since the 1600s when the King James was written seem to go with: 7,000 horsemen, 4,000 stalls, 3 years. I can’t find anything about the days of the month in 2 Kings/Jeremiah yet. Sorry about that.
Brett
Hillbilly said
Copyist errors are what others have said also. That was only 5 that I picked out of many but I appreciate your efforts!
I’m kinda bushed and have a cold coming on so I may not be in contact for several days, sorry.
Eddie
theologyandsteak said
Hey Eddie;
Sorry about that. I hope you feel better. Have a great Thanksgiving and try and get some rest! You are in my prayers.
Brett
Hillbilly said
Feeling better now and have a really interesting piece of information for you and your readers. This is from Etymology.
Search:
Kriss Kringle
1830, Christ-kinkle (in a Pennsylvania German context), from Ger. Christkindlein, Christkind’l “Christ child.” Properly Baby Jesus, not Santa Claus.
Ed
theologyandsteak said
Hey Ed;
Glad you are feeling better. I hope you had a restful Thanksgiving. I like the Kris Kringle thing. Christkind’l is literally Christ child in German!
Brett
Hillbilly said
We tend to think of eternity as time without ens but as we plainly see such is not the case. Maybe we should rethink our thinking concerning the word eternity within scriptures?
Search: eternity
eon
1647, from L. æon, from Gk. aion “age, vital force, lifetime,” from PIE base *aiw- “vital force, life, long life, eternity” (cf. Skt. ayu “life,” Avestan ayu “age,” L. aevum “space of time, eternity,” Goth. aiws “age, eternity,” O.N. ævi “lifetime,” Ger. ewig “everlasting,” O.E. a “ever, always”).
Hillbilly said
Act 12:4 And2532 when he(3739) had apprehended4084 him, he put5087 him in1519 prison,5438 and delivered3860 him to four5064 quaternions5069 of soldiers4757 to keep5442 him;846 intending1014 after3326 Easter3957 to bring him forth321, 846 to the3588 people.2992
The word Easter was improperly translated in the KJV because the word Easter is of pagan origination. The proper word would be passover NOT Easter.
Easter Look up Easter at Dictionary.com
O.E. Eastre (Northumbrian Eostre), from P.Gmc. *Austron, a goddess of fertility and sunrise whose feast was celebrated at the spring equinox, from *austra-, from PIE *aus- “to shine” (especially of the dawn). Bede says Anglo-Saxon Christians adopted her name and many of the celebratory practices for their Mass of Christ’s resurrection. Ultimately related to east. Almost all neighboring languages use a variant of L. Pasche to name this holiday. Easter Island so called because it was discovered by Europeans on Easter Sunday, 1722.
Hillbilly said
Hello – - – - is anyone out there? Did the last little comment startle you? Hope you are okay!
Ed
theologyandsteak said
Hey Ed;
Sorry. Haven’t had time to look much or post much. I have been in Japan on a business trip. Just got back this Saturday. I will look and comment tonight or tomorrow! Thanks!
Brett
Hillbilly said
Please visit the site below!
theologyandsteak said
Hey Ed;
Clever powerpoint/video, but a great example of a mind in rebellion against God. People who are determined to suppress the truth will go to great lengths to do so. How have you been?
Brett
Hillbilly said
Take a look around, but with an open mind!
http://www.truthbeknown.com/tbknewstoc.html
Hillbilly said
“The Bible is not the “word of God,” but stolen from pagan sources. Its Eden, Adam and Eve were taken from the Babylonian accounts; its Flood and Deluge is but an epitome of some four hundred flood accounts; its Ark and Ararat have their equivalents in a score of Deluge myths; even the names of Noah’s sons are copies, so also Isaac’s sacrifice, Solomon’s judgment, and Samson’s pillar acts; its Moses is fashioned after the Syrian Mises; its laws after Hammurabi’s code. Its Messiah is derived from the Egyptian Mahdi, Savior, certain verses are verbatim copies of Egyptian scriptures. Between Jesus and the Egyptian Horus, Gerald Massy found 137 similarities, and those between Christ and Krishna run into the hundreds. How then can the Bible be a revelation to the Jews?”
Lloyd Graham
theologyandsteak said
OK Ed;
What is the point to all of these quotes and propaganda? The more you look at and read this trash, the more you will unfortunately be convinced of their truth. Propaganda has a well-known and adverse affect on the mind, as shown by Hitler, Stalin, etc. I would concentrate you precious time to reading good stuff, the Bible, good books, etc and not this stuff that will pollute your mind. There will always be people who hate God, doubt God, and try and prove Him wrong or unreal. If you believe this, then don’t waste your time with me. Just believe what you want to and go on with your life. However, I would concentrate less on outlandish stuff like the above and more on wholesome truth.
Your quote above does not actually disprove the Bible, but reinforces its history. Sure there are flood stoies in other cultures. If the event happened, then wouldn’t there be similar stories? It can be shown, and has been over and over again, that most of the above has been copied from Judaism and not the other way around. God gave us his Word so that we would have the truth, and know for certain it was the truth.
Besides, Romans 2 specifically states that God put his laws (and the revelation of himself) in the hearts of his creation, so we all know God’s laws without being told or taught. A child of 2 knows right from wrong, what is fair, and what is mine. Who taught them this? No one; it was put in their mind by God as his creation.
That is why man has no excuse on the last day. No one will be able to stand before God and claim ignorance, because God put knowledge of himself and his laws in our hearts so that we DO know it. Yes, we know it. However, mankind as rebellious creatures suppresses that truth becasue the thought of a God that created us and holds us accountable is sickening to our pride and desire to do things our own way. Nonetheless we have no excuse. Don’t be surprised at what people say to get away from the idea of God. It’s all been done before, and is recorded in the earliest chapters of Genesis. It’s all the same old story from Satan, just packaged differently. Don’t be fooled. Pray for wisdom and discernment. And read something decent!
Read J.I. Packer’s Knowing God, What Jesus Demands from the World by John Piper, or the book of Romans and my series on it on this site. Dinesh D’Souza has a great book out now called What’s so Great About Christianity. Just some ideas.
Brett
Hillbilly said
It’s been nice, goodbye.
neogotchi said
hello! i luv your site! stop by mine @ http://scripture4u.wordpress.com
Keep in the Faith!!
-neogotchi
blovd4evr said
I’m very glad I stumbled upon this blog. Once again, my mind is stimulated, and my heart shouted “Yes!” when you wrote of the redeeming power of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ…but everything you wrote in your blog entry suddenly went cold the moment you re-titled yourself from “Semi-Pelagian Pentecostal” to “Reformed non-cessationist Calvinist.”
I have no idea where the title “Semi-Palagian Pentecostal” nor where the title “Reformed non-cessationist Calvinist” is found in the Holy Bible. Actually, I’ve never heard either term before. Why do you identify yourself like this? Thus separating yourself from those who are not of your theological ilk…who are learning to abandon the ‘natural man’ and come unto Christ? Why not just call yourself a member of the Church of Jesus Christ?
And as to accountability, you can try your best to ‘interpret’ Romans…but I think Jesus said it best and very clearly in Luke 12:48.
“But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.”
The two biggest surprises in the after life? Who will be in heaven, and who won’t be.
God bless through Christ.
theologyandsteak said
Hi Blovd4evr;
Thanks for visiting. Please look around!
You make some interesting points, and I hope first of all that you will realize that I do consider myself a member of the church of Jesus Christ, the ones that Christ did for and that He redeemed. That church includes many members from all over the world, some who think like me and some who do not. That is a wonderful thing. While we do not all think alike, we all of the Church have one thing in common – the blood of Jesus for the forgiveness of sins.
As far as labels go, labels are part of life. They help to communicate to others our beliefs, practies, thoughts, and alliances, if you will. Labels are words, and they communicate meaning. Labels not only differentiate, but they also bond together. They are not bad in themselves, but they do separate and differentiate. That is not necessarily a bad thing. Grouping and differentiation is not necessarily a bad thing either. No one said the groups or “labels” are pitted against one another. They just help to define who we are so people understand us.
There are a lot of theological terms that are not in the Bible, but are derived from the Bible or Biblical or systematic theology. Trinity is not in the Bible, but it is taught from Genesis to Revelation. We use and develop terms outside the Bible to help us explain and define those concepts that are obviously taught in the Bible. Just because a word is not in the Bible doesn’t mean it is not Biblical.
I am not sure I understand your comment about Romans, or about the surprises. So instead of running off at the mouth with what I think you are saying, I would love to ask you for an explanation of what you mean.
Thanks again for visiting!
Brett
Dave said
Hi Brett.
I ran across your site – by googling “the Jesus loves you gospel” – I don’t know if that is a term or not. Have been doing some reading here and admiring your work and your purpose, as I understand it.
I have done a lot of learning and expanding lately at a couple of other sites that yours reminds me of. They are – “living Waters.com” and “the way of the Master.com”. Maybe you know of them? These are excellent sites encouraging people with how to bring the Gospel to people and trying to correct the deceptions that have “crept in” (isn’t that the enemies way!) over the past century. They have a couple of publications that I think are related to the theme of your site. They are:
1) True & False Conversions and,
2) Hell’s Best Kept Secret.
Actually, I think that much of the themes of their ministry and yours are very similar and have the same heart felt concern for people that may be deceived. I would encourage you to check out their preaching and the resources that they have there – an absolute ton of them (free and for sale) and everything I have seen has been “dead on” (your concern as well).
In fact, your objectives seem so similar that you may even want to consider a link to help people that are attracted to your site. I would be interested if my understanding of you and your site does tie in with these other folks at LW and TWTM (Ray, Kirk and Todd) – they are based in CA. It may be helpful to your church ministry as well.
Like some of your other readers, I am not knowledgeable on some of the terminology that you use for your background. But I did recently learn what Arminiasm and Calvanism were (!) (I am learning all the time!) I don’t know what I am – probably an A. It seems to me that A’s can let C’s believe as they will, but that C’s would naturally have to be more concerned about the A’s beliefs?. Does that make sense? A lot of people don’t seem to know much about either , as I don’t know anything about some of your other terms.
I wonder how your daughter has made out with her diabetes over the years? Is this something young people can grow out of? I do hope that God has given you all, and especially her, all of the resources (from within and without) to deal with this.
I also admire your wife Karen for who you say she is. It is a blessed thing indeed to have a truly Godly wife.
In Christ Jesus,
Dave
(Northern Ontario, Canada)
Holly Fawder said
I found you site via wordpress cloud. You obvious put a lot of thought into your blog and your beliefs. Tell others about Jesus today. Our time is short. Visit notables.weebly.com for humor that religion brings us. Then, 37stories.wordpress.com for real life adventures with Jesus in the center.
bobhanks said
Great site ! I just came across it and I am very appreciative of the solid theological content. Thank you for standing strong for the Gospel! I will continue to check it for more edifying encouragement.
You Friend in Christ,
Bob Hanks
http://www.bobhanks.wordpress.com
delvy said
hi,
im blessed with your testimony..
keep on serving God.
God bless you more!
Delvy
Cortney said
Hello there! I just “happened” to stumble upon your blog. I search things randomly in Google, and your page is one of my recent discoveries.
Basically, the main thing that caught my attention to keep reading about you and your work is what you wrote on the left column under “Theology and Steak?”…
“It is a Jesus Christ-centered blog from a person whose heart is burdened more and more by a need to evangeize those actually in the church.”
How that is music to my ears! I have been a Christian since I was 11 years old (now, 28), but only within the last 4 years has God blessed me by opening my eyes to a Truth I pretended to understand previously. Growing up, I attended a non-denominational Bible church until I went to college. My home church is strong in Reformed Theology and I miss it dearly. I attend an Assembly’s of God church currently, in another state, where my husband grew up (it’s his home church). I go through ups and downs of being okay attending this church. Sometimes I jokingly think, “hey, it’s not like I’m going to a Mormon church or anything.” But recently theology and historical and grammatical relevance in scripture has become more and more important to me. All of a sudden I feel this drive to shout at people “hey! come on now, let’s get back to the Bible! No more gimmicks!” The post-modern Christian is all about selling Christ rather than preaching the whole Truth that could be offensive to some (actually most?)!
All that to say, I appreciate your blog.