Roman, Aztec and other rites still influencing us today

Days shortening and darkness coming over us

When we look at the weather we would not have the impression we are coming to the coldest season of the year. We can not ignore the shorter days, which remind us that we are coming closer to the longest darkness of the year.

That darkness has always frightened people and therefore they looked for ways to get more light again.

Saturnalia, a Roman feast celebrated in mid-December, provided the model for many of the merry-making customs we know now as ‘The time of the Year‘ or ‘Christmas‘. From this celebration, for example, were derived the elaborate feasting, the giving of gifts, and the burning of candles.

Seasons, storms, thunder, darkness and light

In other cultures we also find that many centuries before Jesus was born they celebrated the ‘birth of light‘. The Roman Catholic Church was not shy to take over many traditions from heathen people who celebrated such elements as the ‘turn’ of the position of moon and sun and the change of season. Even the Israelites came to feast such natural elements as the four teḳufot (Teḳufat Nisan, Teḳufat Tammuz, Teḳufat Tishri and the Teḳufat Ṭebet) by which also superstition became connected with the teḳufot. Hai Gaon, in the tenth century, in reply to a question as to the prevalence of the custom in the “West” (i.e., west of Babylon) that all water that may be in the house or stored away in vessels in the first hour of the teḳufah had to be thrown away in the belief that the water is then poisoned, and if drunk would cause swelling of the body, sickness, and sometimes death, said it was followed only in order that the new season might be begun with a supply of fresh, sweet water.

Zeus, god of the sky, lightning, thunder, law, order, justice – The Jupiter de Smyrne, discovered in Smyrna in 1680

When the sun enters Capricornus; this is the beginning of winter, or “‘et ha-ḥoref”(stripping-time), when the night is the longest during the year.For several people it was the time something had to be stripped down or some things that happened in the past had to be done with. The bad things had to be forgotten or to ‘be over with’ and new paths could be taken again. It was the time of a ‘turn over’ or a rebirth. People looked forward to the rebirth of the sun and hoped that everything would go well. For that reason they offered the rest of their food to the gods of nature which had to bear them fruits and good weather, not making the god of thunder (sky and thunder god Zeus) angry by forgetting him or to have bad spirits around, lots of noise was made to get them away from the own house.

Also in Latin America we can find such very noisy parties. For many people the darker nights were there for getting the ‘good’ and ‘goods’ together. All badness had to be down away. On the 24th of December it was the big moment to look for the next day when the goddess of light would return in case they all showed the goodness and willingness to her.

From December 16 through December 23 in Latin America eight posada parties are held and on the 24th, Nochebuena (The Good Night)(Christmas Eve) is celebrated, and families make an effort to be together for a special dinner. Also in West Europe this custom of a Christmas meal has been long a favourite moment.

Roman influences

Capitoline Triad – the three godheads side by side transposed in the Roman catholic church and shims of that church to the Trinity, being a God the Father, god the son, and a god the holy spirit.

Constantine the Great had managed to got the church leaders to agree to many of his demands so that the Christians would not any more be persecuted. For that reason they had to agree to the three-headed Roman god and Jeshua could become the ‘counterpart’ or ‘alias’ for Zeus with his name calling ‘hail Zeus‘ or ‘Issou‘ ‘Jesus‘. And they had to keep to the Roman festivals and as such should place their Christian Zeus (Jesus) his birth on the same major feast for the ‘light’ in the Roman world. As such rabbi Jeshua became Jesus , and his birth day became the 25th of December instead of October 17. Constantine insisted that the mighty king of the gods (Jupiter) or the Roman god of the sky, thunderstorms, lightning, weather and air got honoured on his day (December 25).

But it were not only Roman customs which entered Christendom.

Aztec influences

Latin Americans should come to see that American Christmas customs are nothing but Aztec rites. El Universal, a newspaper in Mexico City, commented:

“Friars from different orders took advantage of the fact that festivities of the Indian ritual calendar coincided with the Catholic liturgical calendar, so they used this to support their evangelizing and missionary work. They replaced the commemorations to the pre-Hispanic divinities with festivities to Christian divinities, introduced European festivities and activities, and also took advantage of the Indian festivities, which resulted in a cultural syncretism from which authentically Mexican expressions have arisen.”

The Encyclopedia Americana explains:

“Nativity plays early became a part of the Christmas celebration . . . The representation in church of the crèche [the manger scene] is said to have been begun by Saint Francis.”

These plays featuring the birth of Christ were performed in the churches during the beginning of the colonization of Mexico. They were organized by Franciscan monks in order to teach the Indians about the Nativity. Later the posadas became more popular. Whatever the original intention behind them, the way the posadas are held today speaks for itself. If you are in Mexico during this season, you can see or sense something that a writer for El Universal highlighted in his comment:

“The posadas, which were a way to remind us of the pilgrimage of Jesus’ parents looking for a shelter where the Child God could be born, are today only days of drunkenness, excesses, gluttony, vanities, and more and more crime.”

Traditional Nativity scenes

The idea of the nacimiento emerged during Colonial times from the original live representations in churches. While some find it attractive, does it correctly represent what the Bible says?
That is a valid question.

When the so-called three wise men — who in fact were astrologers — visited, Jesus and his family were no longer living in a stable. Time had passed, and the family was living in a house. You will find it interesting to note this detail in the inspired record at Matthew 2:1, 11. You can also note that the Bible does not say how many astrologers there were.

After Jesus had been born in Bethʹle·hem+ of Ju·deʹa in the days of Herod*+ the king, look! astrologers* from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 saying: “Where is the one born king of the Jews?+ For we saw his star when we were in the East, and we have come to do obeisance* to him.” …  10 On seeing the star, they rejoiced with great joy. 11 And when they went into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and falling down, they did obeisance* to him. They also opened their treasures and presented him with gifts—gold and frankincense and myrrh. (Matthew 2:1-2,10-11)

Another detail should not be ignored: In the Mexican nacimiento, the baby is referred to as “the Child God” with the idea that it was God himself who came to earth as a baby. However, the Bible presents Jesus as being the Son of God who was born on earth; he was not the same as or equal to Jehovah, the Almighty God. Consider the truth about this, presented at Luke 1:35; John 3:16; 5:37; 14:1, 6, 9, 28; 17:1, 3; 20:17.

35 In answer the angel said to her: “Holy spirit will come upon you,+ and power of the Most High will overshadow you. And for that reason the one who is born will be called holy,+ God’s Son.+ (Luke 1:35)

16 “For God loved the world so much that he gave his only-begotten Son,+ so that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life.+ 17 For God did not send his Son into the world for him to judge the world, but for the world to be saved through him.+ 18 Whoever exercises faith in him is not to be judged.+ Whoever does not exercise faith has been judged already, because he has not exercised faith in the name of the only-begotten Son of God.+ (John 3:16-18)

Three wise men, Santa and birthday celebrations

In Latin America, the three wise men replace the idea of Santa Claus. Still, as is done in other lands, many parents hide toys in the home. Then on the morning of January 6, the children look for them, as if the three wise men brought them. This is a money-making time for toy sellers, and some have made a fortune on what many honesthearted people recognize is just a fantasy. The myth of the three wise men is losing credibility among a goodly number, even among little children. Though some are displeased that this myth is losing believers, what can anyone expect of a fantasy maintained only for the sake of tradition and for commercial convenience?

Christmas, or the Nativity, was not celebrated by early Christians. One encyclopedia says about this:

“The celebration was not observed in the first centuries of the Christian church, since the Christian usage in general was to celebrate the death of remarkable persons rather than their birth.”

The Bible links the celebration of birthdays with pagans, not with God’s true worshippers.

6 But when Herod’s birthday+ was being celebrated, the daughter of He·roʹdi·as danced for the occasion and pleased Herod so much+ 7 that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. 8 Then she, at her mother’s prompting, said: “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.”+ 9 Grieved though he was, the king, out of regard for his oaths and for those dining* with him, commanded it to be given. 10 So he sent and had John beheaded in the prison. (Matthew 14:6-10).

This does not, of course, mean that it is not beneficial to learn and remember the actual events involved in the birth of the Son of God. The factual Bible account provides important insights and lessons for all those who want to do God’s will.

Birth of Jesus According to the Bible

You will find reliable information about Jesus’ birth in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. They show that the angel Gabriel visited a young unmarried woman by the name of Mary in the Galilean town of Nazareth. What message did he deliver?

“Look! you will conceive in your womb and give birth to a son, and you are to call his name Jesus. This one will be great and will be called Son of the Most High; and Jehovah God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule as king over the house of Jacob forever, and there will be no end of his kingdom.” (Luke 1:31-33.)

Mary was very surprised by this message. Not being married, she said:

“How is this to be, since I am having no intercourse with a man?” The angel answered: “Holy spirit will come upon you, and power of the Most High will overshadow you. For that reason also what is born will be called holy, God’s Son.” Mary, recognizing that this was the will of God, said: “Look! Jehovah’s slave girl! May it take place with me according to your declaration.” (Luke 1:34-38).

An angel told Joseph about the miraculous birth so that he would not divorce Mary, which he was planning to do after he learned of her pregnancy. He was then willing to assume the responsibility of taking care of the Son of God. (Matthew 1:18-25).

Then a decree from Caesar Augustus forced Joseph and Mary to travel from Nazareth in Galilee to Bethlehem in Judea, the city of their forefathers, to be registered.

“While they were there, the days came to the full for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her son, the firstborn, and she bound him with cloth bands and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the lodging room.” (Luke 2:1-7).

Luke 2:8-14 describes what followed:

“There were also in that same country shepherds living out of doors and keeping watches in the night over their flocks. And suddenly Jehovah’s angel stood by them, and Jehovah’s glory gleamed around them, and they became very fearful. But the angel said to them: ‘Have no fear, for, look! I am declaring to you good news of a great joy that all the people will have, because there was born to you today a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord, in David’s city. And this is a sign for you: you will find an infant bound in cloth bands and lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there came to be with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army, praising God and saying: ‘Glory in the heights above to God, and upon earth peace among men of goodwill.’”

The Astrologers

Matthew’s account mentions that astrologers from the East came to Jerusalem looking for the place where the King of the Jews was born. King Herod was very interested in this — but not with good intentions.

“Sending them to Bethlehem,

he said:

‘Go make a careful search for the young child, and when you have found it report back to me, that I too may go and do it obeisance.’”

The astrologers found the young child and

“opened their treasures and presented it with gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.”

But they did not go back to Herod.

“They were given divine warning in a dream not to return to Herod.”

God used an angel to warn Joseph of Herod’s intentions. Joseph and Mary then fled to Egypt with their son. Next, in an effort to eliminate the new King, cruel King Herod ordered the killing of boys in the Bethlehem area. Which boys? Those two years of age and under. (Matthew 2:1-16).

What Can We Learn From the Account?

The visiting astrologers — however many of them there were — did not worship the true God. The Bible version La Nueva Biblia Latinoamérica (1989 Edition) states in a footnote:

“The Magi were not kings, but fortune-tellers and priests of a pagan religion.”

They came in line with their knowledge of the stars to which they were devoted. Had God wanted to guide them to the young child, they would have been led to the exact place without needing to go first to Jerusalem and to Herod’s palace. Later on, God did intervene to alter their course to protect the child.

At Christmastime this account is often surrounded by a mythical and romantic atmosphere that obscures the most important thing: that this baby was born to be a magnificent King, as was announced to Mary and to the shepherds. No, Jesus Christ is not a baby anymore, or even a child. He is the ruling King of God’s Kingdom, which very soon will eliminate all rulerships opposed to God’s will, and he will solve all problems of mankind. That is the Kingdom we ask for in the Lord’s Prayer.

44 “In the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom+ that will never be destroyed.+ And this kingdom will not be passed on to any other people.+ It will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms,+ and it alone will stand forever,+ (Daniel 2:44)

9 “You must pray, then, this way:+

“‘Our Father in the heavens, let your name+ be sanctified.*+ 10 Let your Kingdom+ come. Let your will+ take place, as in heaven, also on earth.+ (Matthew 6:9, 10).

Through the angels’ declaration to the shepherds, we learn that the opportunity for salvation is open to all who are willing to hear the message of the good news. Those who gain the favour of God become “men of goodwill.”
There are marvellous prospects for peace in all the world under the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, but people must be willing to do God’s will. Is the Christmas season conducive to this, and does it reflect that desire?
Many sincere people who want to follow the Bible feel that the answer is obvious.

10 But the angel said to them: “Do not be afraid, for look! I am declaring to you good news of a great joy that all the people will have. 11 For today there was born to you in David’s city+ a savior,+ who is Christ the Lord.+ 12 And this is a sign for you: You will find an infant wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army,+ praising God and saying: 14 “Glory in the heights above to God, and on earth peace among men of goodwill.”* (Luke 2:10, 11, 14).

+

Preceding articles:

Irminsul, dies natalis solis invicti, birthday of light, Christmas and Saturnalia

Winter Solstice 2015: Shortest Day Of The Year Celebrated As Pagan Yule

Holidays, holy days and traditions

Focus on outward appearances

Autumn traditions for 2014 – 1: Sinterklaas and Zwarte Piet

Traditionalists Vow to Fight Charges of Racism in Netherlands

The imaginational war against Christmas

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Additional reading

1. Altered to fit a Trinity
2. Americans really thinking the Messiah Christ had an English name
3. Spelling Yahshuah (יהשע) vs Hebrew using Yehoshuah (יהושע)
4. First month of the year and predictions
5. Hosea Say What?
6. Matthew 1:18-25 – Genesis of Jesus Christ
7. Matthew 2:1-6 – Astrologers and Priests in a Satanic Plot
8. Matthew 2:7-12 – Pawns of Herod, the Magi Find the ‘Child’
9. Matthew 2:13-15 – Escaping the Slaughter by a Flight to Egypt
10. Matthew 2:16-18 – Slaughter of the Innocents
11. Matthew 2:19-23 – Out of Egypt to Nazareth
12. Nazarene Commentary Luke 1:26-38 – Gabriel’s Appearance to Mary
13. Nazarene Commentary Luke 2:39-40 – The Young Child Grows
14. Nazarene Commentary Luke 2:41-50 – Twelve Year Old Jesus in the Temple
15. Truth, doubt or blindness
16. Getting out of the dark corners of this world
17. The place where Jesus was brought up
18. A Living Faith #7 Prayer

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Further reading

1. Is Santa Real, Or Is He Really You, Dad?
2. “Islam may have bad stuff. But …” – What of the other Bronze Age Invented Gods?
3. Did Electricity kill Religion?
4. Should we forgo happiness here for the sake of happiness hereafter?
5. Life Comes in Threes
6. The three gifts
7. Wassail Ancient holiday tradition that involves drinking, singing, and making introverts nervous.
8. A Christmas Wish
9. America’s First “War on Christmas”
10. A Breath of Fresh Air
11. Lapland baby #blogmas day 19
12. Snowflake Tea Light Cozy
13. Christmas: The Giver’s Feast
14. O Christmas Tree!
15. Christmas Music Matters: I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
16. Preparing for Christmas
17. Living in the Moment
18. Jesus is the True and Better David (6/12)
19. Last Minute Gift Idea
20. Christmas Tree Farm
21. A Christmas round up
22. Mr. Santa’s Boogie
23. 7 Events Which Turned Our Christmas Upside Down
24. Jane Austen and old friends to the rescue
25. 7th and 6th day of Christmas! !
26. Once Upon a Holiday

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Related articles

• Santa preparing sleigh for ride through Nipomo (santamariatimes.com)
• 25 Orthodox rabbis issued a statement on Christianity (christadelphianworld.blogspot.com)

People Seeking for God 2 Human interpretations

Books of many interpretations

christadelphian church kedron brook (1) (Photo credit: bertknot)

People often wonder when they look at persons who read the Bible or discuss the Bible how it comes there are so many interpretations. In Science, scepticism, doubts and beliefs a reader rightly remarks that in certain faith groups a child/young adult may believe that the God of the Bible is real & no further examination of this conclusion is necessary, which could bring in the danger that there will be no-critical thinking any more. The person reacting thinks this leads many Christadelphians to actively seek sources confirming their beliefs and actively avoiding sources that challenge these beliefs – pure confirmation bias. For that reason the Christadelphians ask their members always to search each saying and not to restrict themselves to our own literature, but to read the Bible everyday plus to read also other writings on the different Biblical subjects from all sorts of denominations. In our community we do not want denominational restrictions and prefer to have individual freedom. For others this may look strange and make it that they do not understand that there may be several different opinions over certain matters in the different Christadelphian groups. They also accuse us of not being in union, but than they do not see that we are in union with Christ and that there is also the union in the brotherhood because we accept each-other as brothers and sisters in Christ having the same faith in Christ and having the same hope for the Kingdom of God.

In case there are people in our community who dare not to take up writings from others, or are afraid to listen or look at the new visual and audible media (radio, television, computer) we think they could feel like that because they could be not strong enough in their faith. Somebody who is build firmly in his believes, does not have to fear, when he sincerely surges for the truth and always considers the Will of God in his or her actions.

Origin of different interpretations

Holy Trinity church (Photo credit: stevecadman)

The difficulty for humankind today is that we do have the consequences of the adversary by the first human beings. In the Garden of Eden God has given humankind the liberty to decide everything themselves and to find out everything themselves. So we also do have to find our own way. We shall not have to face a dictator of an “omniscient God” who did “ensure that the Scriptures were clear enough to leave no room for interpretation”. In case people would just take God his Words like they are written black on white in the Scriptures there would be no problem and everybody would think the same. But in the past there have been workers against God (the adversaries or satan) who started to twist the words of the Supreme Being and who tried to bring in false teachings and false gods. As such the Trinity also became part of Christendom and created much confusion. One false teaching brought in a passage where again a solution had to be found and some dogma had to be created.

As a Good Father the Elohim Jehovah, the God of gods gave the people living on this earth His advice. Like we as parents can give advice to our children they all may interpret our sayings differently or take liberties with our thoughts. In the same way the creatures of God take the same liberties and some may twist the words their heavenly Father said. This twisting makes them to react differently on one or the other saying. This makes that today we can find many denominations, many churches with even in those churches several interpretations of one passage in the Bible.

Freedom to find out yourself

As God has given freedom to man at the beginning of time, to allow them to rule the world and to find out things on their own, we now have to bear the consequences and live with the possibility of different interpretations. But when people would be prepared just to take the Words of God for what they say, black on white, and would listen to their inner voice, God will be prepared to guide them and to give them inner feelings and insight so that they really shall find the Truth. But it is that preparedness to listen to the heart, which shall make it in many cases difficult, because most people do want to keep onto traditions and want to belong with the majority. They shall have to understand that perhaps the lovers of God do not belong to the majority of the world and that it is that what Jesus is about talking of the small gate to enter the Kingdom of God.

Ability to find God and Truth

To be able to find the God of gods and to find the Truth, people shall have to be willing to open their mind and to give their full attention to the Word of God as it is notated in the Book of books, the Bible.

As the critic on our writings remarks we can see it happening all the time that even two Bible-believing people can have opposing views on a certain passage of Scripture. Both claim to have solid supporting evidence in terms of context, cross-references and consistency. Both make what they think are reasonable arguments for their interpretations. So how can we determine which view is right? And does it matter?

When we do hear or are confronted with different views we should now that it can be that both views are partly right and partly wrong. With the exception of clear-cut fundamental Bible teaching — sometimes called “first principles” — no one should expect to find the full, complete, all-aspects-covered answer. We are all human beings which do not have the possibility to be perfect in everything. We all have our own deficiencies and fallacies. We also do have to face the things which are know but also those which are unknown. Even Christ had to tell his disciples he could not give all answers, because it is only given to God to know everything. Christ even did not know when he would be returning to the earth. He will certainly be involved in that important event where he shall have to come to judge the living and the dead, but even there he could not say when the end-times would take place.

In case Jesus did not know such important things concerning himself, how would we know such things?

A Book of books for discovery

Scripture is so richly significant and interwoven that discovery of another aspect or realization of another line of inquiry is just a matter of time. Several times in the 20th century alone, discoveries of ancient texts — in fact, whole libraries of ancient texts — have thrown new light on Bible passages. Ongoing archaeological investigations continue to help us understand God’s inspired Record better.

Brother George Booker looks into the matter why we even can not be 100% certain of first principles. In Which View is Right? he looks at our first principles which are expressed in man’s imperfect wording and warns us that there is always the possibility of simple misunderstanding of what, precisely, those words mean.

As serious Bible students we should have always an open mind and look at all possibilities. We should be prepared to continually  grow spiritually as disciples of Christ. Everyday our thought should be by the Most High and always we should continually be seeking to increase in knowledge and understanding. God’s Truth and Biblical Truth invites… indeed, it welcomes… investigation. So when encountering a different view, we should seize the opportunity at least to understand the evidence provided. We can always learn something, and if we’re wise, we may need to adjust our own views accordingly.

So what has all this to do with Bible study? Simple. There are many differing interpretations of Scripture. Which view is right? The measuring stick for soundness and rightness must be God’s Word. It’s that simple.

Of course, many other views (with which we may disagree) cite Bible verses as evidence. Thus it becomes a matter of determining:

• The relevance of the cited passage: Does it contain the same or similar words and ideas?
• Its validity: Does it really support the point being argued?
• Its clarity: Is the reference self-explanatory, or does it, too, need interpretation?
• Its consistency: Is the interpretation in harmony with undisputed fundamentals of Bible teaching?

For example, if an opinion is inconsistent with or contradicts well-known Bible facts and doctrine, then it must be modified accordingly, or abandoned. So just because a view is argued by citing dozens of verses does not, in itself, make it Biblically sound. What counts is clear, relevant evidence, logically arrived at. {Which View is Right?}

Being right or wrong not so evident

It is not up to decide this guy or that one is right in everything. Probably not one of them is right in everything, and both can have many things right but also some thing(s) utterly wrong. Would that be a reason to exclude them? As long as it are not the most important basic elements of faith, we would say “No”. And we also would say those differences of opinion do not have to exclude union in speech. Both can still have the same basic faith for belonging in the “Church of God”.

It does matter if a person’s misunderstanding of a Bible passage, or several passages, will take him or her out of the way that leads to salvation. It doesn’t matter if the view is simply differing details such as timing and location and protagonists.

What is more important is how we deal with our inevitable differences.

Suppose a person with a particular view is 100% right on an issue that could easily affect the salvation of a person with a different view. The matter doesn’t stop here. If the first person (the one who is perfectly right) is not patient, gentle and meek in trying to persuade the second person (2 Tim 2:24,25), but rather impatient, harsh and accusatory (manifested by strong words, condescension, indignation, arrogance, or threats), then his correctness counts for little:

“The Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth” (2 Timothy 2:24,25).

Wrong behaviour more than cancels out right knowledge. If anyone has been blessed to have the right understanding of Scripture, then he or she has the responsibility to be forthright but caring toward those who do not yet share that understanding. Such patient, gentle teaching imitates the prophets, the apostles, and Jesus himself.

Getting knowledge at different moments in time

Not every one is at the same time gifted with the same knowledge. For some it make take ‘ages’ before they come to Biblical insight. Others may see things very easily. Some might remember appropriate Bible verses very easily,others easily forget them, though they know and remember what has been said and meant in the verses.

The one who may think he or she is right about the meaning of a certain part in the Bible, has to take on the Agape love of Christ and be patient, willing to give the other person the time to find out how it really is. In the meantime he can provide enough study material and show interest in the other person his or her way of thinking. Together they should unite to go into research of the different matters we should get knowledge of.

When we encounter differences in opinion, we also should ask ourselves if those differences are so important or can interfere with the real belief.

• Does the difference really matter?
• How should you deal with the difference?

Clear language

To find clarity we always should look in the Bible to find the Truth, by comparing verses in other books and by looking if one saying does not contradict an other saying of way of thinking. The Bible does not contradict itself. God is a God of order and clarity. He did not speak in “broebeltaal” (a strange language nobody can understand), He also does not speak in a “broddeltaal” (a ‘bungle language) scribbles or a clumsy language. He has given clear words, but people do have to be willing to take them as they are written down. As soon as they fabricate their own dogma’s they shall get in trouble. But that is not because of the Words written in the bible, but because of man’s own fault of thinking god’s Words can only be understood by learned people. God does not ask from man to have a special education to interpret His Words. In all people He has given the possibility to get to understand and to know what they should understand and know at the time.

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Preceding articles:

Finding God amid all the religious externals

Seeing or not seeing and willingness to find God

People Seeking for God 1 Looking for answers

To be continued:

People Seeking for God 3 Laws and directions

People Seeking for God 4 Biblical terms

People Seeking for God 5 Bread of life

People Seeking for God 6 Strategy

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Please find also to read:

1. Faith
2. Epitome of the one faith
3. My (Christadelphian) faith
4. Hope
5. True Hope
6. Did the Inspirator exist
7. God, Creation and the Bible Hope
8. God of gods
9. Sayings around God
10. Full authority belongs to God
11. Who Wrote the Bible?
12. Bible Word from God
13. Pure Words and Testimonies full of Breath of the Most High
14. Trusting, Faith, calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #3 Voice of God #4 Words in Scripture
15. Creator and Blogger God 10 A Blog of a Book 4 Listening to the Blogger
16. Creator and Blogger God 12 Old and New Blog 2 Blog for every day
17. Bible a guide – Bijbel als gids
18. Bible guide Taking the Bible as a lead
19. Statutes given unto us
20. Absolute Basics to Reading the Bible
21. Digging in words, theories and artefacts
22. Bible Translating and Concordance Making
23. The Metaphorical language of the Bible
24. Finding and Understanding Words and Meanings
25. Out of Context: How to Avoid Misinterpreting the Bible
26. Which View is Right?
27. Bible in the first place #1/3
28. Bible in the first place #2/3
29. Bible in the first place #3/3
30. Missional hermeneutics 1/5
31. Missional hermeneutics 2/5
32. Missional hermeneutics 3/5
33. Missional hermeneutics 4/5
34. Missional hermeneutics 5/5
35. Story and Typology
36. Accuracy, Word-for-Word Translation Preferred by most Bible Readers
37. Knowing old sayings to understand the Bible
38. Archaeology and the Bible
39. Fear knocked at the door
40. Getting to know the Truth
41. Why believing the Bible
42. The Bible: God’s Word or pious myth?
43. Bric-a-brac of the Bible
44. Unsure about relevance Bible
45. Appointed to be read
46. Youth has difficulty Bible Reading
47. Learn to read the Bible effectively
48. We should use the Bible every day
49. A Bible Falling Apart Belongs to Someone who isn’t
50. Of the many books Only the Bible can transform
51. The manager and Word of God
52. Scripture alone Sola Scriptora
53. What English Bible do you use?
54. NWT and what other scholars have to say to its critics
55. Christian clergyman defiling book which did not belong to him
56. Manifests for believers #5 Christian Union
57. Minimizing the power of God’s Force the Holy Spirit
58. Prophets making excuses
59. The Bible is a today book
60. Bible for you and for life
61. Bible like puddle of water
62. Cell phone vs. Bible
63. How to look for and how to handle the Truth
64. The truth is very plain to see and God can be clearly seen
65. Relapse plan
66. Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience
67. American atheists most religiously literate Americans
68. Power in the life of certain
69. Be an Encourager
70. Possibility to live
71. Determined To Stick With Truth.
72. Feed Your Faith Daily
73. Faith antithesis of rationality
74. Discipleship way of life on the narrow way to everlasting life
75. First Century of Christianity
76. Many churches
77. An ecclesia in your neighborhood

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If Jesus was God, why did he pray to himself? (Photo credit: Zombie Inc. Wholesale Zombies for Over 25 years)

When Jesus is God,
how does it come there are so many pictures and statues made of him by those who say he is God,
whilst God tells His followers not to make any picture of Him?
Why do they not keep to those commandments of the Most High God, who says they may have only One God
and not worship any other being?

Related articles

• There are many Trinities! (onthehillgilayjun.blogspot.com)
  While the majority of the Christian world considers the concept of the Trinity vital to Christianity, many historians and Bible scholars agree that the Trinity of Christianity owes more to Greek philosophy and pagan polytheism than to the monotheism of the Jew and the Jewish Jesus.
• Trinitarianism Is Not __________ (onetheology.com)
  Modalism  (also known as Sabellianism, named after it’s earliest proponent, Sabelius, in the 3rd century.) believes that Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are different names for the same God acting in different roles or manifestations at difference times in salvation history. God is not really three distinct persons. In some circles people often call Modalism “Oneness” or “Jesus Only”. This view has also been called “Monarchianism.” Today, the largest Modalist group is the United Pentecostal Church. Modalisms emphasis on there being one God makes it attractive too many.
• In Another Post On A Really Bad Idea (supertradmum-etheldredasplace.blogspot.com) can be seen how far one can go when start believing one person is the other. Like when is assumed that Jesus is God that would make the mother of Jesus also the mother of God and than it would be very strange if that mother could sin. Therefore ther are people who claim she could not have sinned. they than dare to say:
  “To deny her perfection and her relationship with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost would be heresy.”

“She only questioned the angel as she did not know how she would have Christ without a man. Gabriel explained. Mary, all her life was in harmony with God’s perfect Will. She trusted God. She was not anxious. These are all Protestant interpretations. She did not talk to Joseph as she trusted in God.”

• Theophany, Epiphany and the Holy Trinity (orthodoxmom3.wordpress.com) may look at “Theophany”, to be celebrated on January 6th being the Feast Day celebrating the manifestation of God. They do not seem to listen to the words of God Who clearly says who is being baptised. At the time of Jesus his baptism by John in the Jordan God revealed not Himself to people as the Holy Trinity (not at all found in Matt. 3:16) but he revealed that the Nazarene Jew was God His beloved son.
  Matthew 3:16-17 according the Bibles we do have clearely states:   Yeshua, when he was immersed, went up directly from the water: and behold, the heavens were opened to him. He saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming on him.  (17)  Behold, a voice out of the heavens said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” (HNV)

One can wounder if Scriptures can not be lear enough when one person speak about the other. Do the Trinitarians not want to believe Jesus or iIs jesus also not clear enough with saying: “This is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and him whom you sent, Yeshua the Messiah. ” (John 17:3 HNV)?

• Nineteenth Century Protestant Doctrines of the Trinity (redeemingthetext.wordpress.com)
  The Oxford Handbook of the Trinity is, in brief form, one of how Enlightenment philosopher-theologians developed innovative ways to discuss the Trinity and their effectiveness leading into the twentieth century. Samuel Powell, Professor of Philosophy and Religion at Point Loma Nazarene University, makes the point that there is a typical narrative associated with nineteenth-century theology: Schleiermacher delivered the final blow and Barth revived it (267).
  +
  Not being convinced scripturally of the nature or the necessity of the Trinity, nineteenth-century theologians turned to philosophy to answer their questions. Powell describes it as providing “philosophical answers with expressly Trinitarian features (269).” This move loosened the shackles of theological presuppositions and creedal traditions. Nineteenth-century theology was freed to philosophically construct a new horizon for the doctrine of God. Powell examines four prominent figures to structure his argument.
• How to Identify a Christian Cult (924jeremiah.wordpress.com) overlooks the fact what really makes a cult and talks about a figure, which is according the Bible the adversary of God. Though on the site is also written: “The followers of such cults will say that they believe in Jesus. They will use the terms “God” and “Holy Spirit.” They will talk about baptism, salvation, Heaven and Hell. Some will even acknowledge the cross as a means of atoning for sins.”
  +
  “Satan simply can’t afford to let his followers get too close to the truth about who Christ is, and what He accomplished on earth. So if you want to find out if you’re talking to a real Christian or not, start drilling them about Jesus.”
  But then overlooks that this Satan has his followers who do not want to accept taht Jesus really was tempted, could sin but did not sin. And gives the impression that those who do not want to take the words of God and Jesus for what they say are the good ones, or the churches to follow, whilst the ones who accept Jesus his offering for our sins (like we) and accept hat he is the “son of God” like God Himself said would be belonging to a sect, though they really believe in what Jesus himself said, accepting that he nor God would ever lie:
  ” (3)  “And this is everlasting life, that they should know You, the only true Elohim, and יהושע {Jehsua} Messiah whom You have sent.” (John 17:3 The Scriptures 1998+)
  What always surprises us is that such websites accusing certain denominations, like the Jehovah Witnesses and Mormons to be cult, never leave any place to react on what is said. (On January 23, 2014, there is no possibility to reply on the writings on that website, nor the above mentioned article.)
• How to Avoid Being Led Astray by False Shepherds (924jeremiah.wordpress.com)
  If you’re like most Christians, you don’t know your Bible very well. You never went to Bible college or seminary. You’ve had no theological training. Can you really engage with the professionals and not get hurt? Can you really become wiser than them even though you don’t have any diplomas in Hebrew or theology? Of course you can. Keep reading.
  +
  As a member of God’s flock, you need to be constantly listening for His Voice in the things you hear and read.
  +
  The Holy Spirit is your resident Counselor. He is with you at all times. He is your Guardian, Teacher, and Truth Tester. You must not let any earthly being become equal to Him in your mind. No matter how many brilliant posts, books, or sermons someone cranks out, their next one could be a pack of lies. Never put your trust in a label, a name, a face, or a reputation. Everything must be checked with the Holy Spirit.
• Like most websites on the Trinity Reflection: The Trinity (sydneystaggs.wordpress.com) does not leave any place to comment. though she writes luckily: “Take a look at scripture. What does it say about God the Father? What does it say about God the Son? What does it say about the Holy Spirit? How are they different?”
  We can only hope people would come to see what God says about Jesus and what Jesus says about his Father.
• A Call for Division in the Visible Church (5ptsalt.com)
  if Unitarianism by its denial of the Holy Trinity has patently forfeited every claim to the Christian name, it is difficult to see how a church which has wittingly and willfully accepted the control of modernism, with its denial of the essential deity of Christ and such supernatural events as His virgin birth and bodily resurrection, has any right to be called Christian. Such a church should be denominated a false church and declared to be outside the Christian fold. If that were done, one of the greatest obstacles to the unification of the visible church would be eliminated. For theological liberalism, in all its clamor for ecumenism and church union, is working more effectively toward the disruption of the church of Christ than is any other force. The first need of the church of this day is not union, but division; however, division unto union.
  +
  the failure to keep the various teachings of Scripture in balance with each other and the consequent stressing of one or some of them out of all proportion to others, have frequently destroyed the visible unity of Christ’s church. Riding a theological hobby is by no means an innocent pastime. Of such sins it behooves churches everywhere to repent, and from them they must desist.- R. B. Kuiper, The Glorious Body of Christ, pp. 51-54
• World Mission Society Church of God is saying the core of the Bible – God: Christ ahnsahnghong and God the mother (followersofahnsahnghong.wordpress.com)
  2000 years ago, the disciples who met Christ could find the way to the kingdom of heaven through his teachings. But as the time passed by, the way taught by Jesus disappeared by Satan who tried to disturb the Work of God’s Redemption (Daniel 7:25; Revelation 5:1.) How can we, human beings who lost the way of salvation, find it again? The Bible prophesies that Christ is to appear once again for our salvation.

Does He exists?

Did Stalin exist, or Lenin or Hitler? Some say Jesus did not exist, but than they forget that there are more writings on Jesus from Nazareth then about Nero, Euripides, Charlemagne, Napoleon or other historical figures.

The two major economic policy makers of the USSR, Lenin (left) created the NEP while Stalin (right) created the planned economy (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

God, the Creator of all things is a totally different matter. A lot is written about Him, but that would not be a proof He really exists.

With that special figure which got a lot of interest all over the world you can question if any supernatural does exist.

There was in old times as today in certain religions the practice to offer meat on pagan altars, burnt in honour of a god. No idol is anything in the world. The idol was a mere picture or symbol of a god. If the god has no existence, the idol is a non-entity.

“So then, concerning the eating of food offered to idols, we know that an idol is no matter at all in the world, and that there is no other Elohim but one. For even if there are so-called mighty ones, whether in heaven or on earth – as there are many mighty ones and many masters – for us there is one Elohim, the Father, from whom all came and for whom we live, and one Master  יהושע Messiah, through whom all came and through whom we live.”  (1 Corinthians 8:4-6 The Scriptures 1998+)

There is no other God, not two, not three or more. ‘No heathen god exists’ but does there exist an other god or God?

Can there be an image of that God who is said off that He cannot be seen other while the person who will see Him would die? The ghost being spoken of said:

“But He said, “You are unable to see My face, for no man does see Me and live.”  (Exodus 33:20 The Scriptures 1998+)

How did people manage to get pictures of Him? do those images means images of false gods, since there is no image of God?

“You do not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of that which is in the heavens above, or which is in the earth beneath, or which is in the waters under the earth, ” (Exodus 20:4 The Scriptures 1998+)

God would not have any symbols before his people, but have them worship him in spirit and in truth.

When we may not go after false gods, and do not make metal images of gods for ourselves, why is it that so many Christians do pray in front of crosses or pictures? In several churches we do find images of saints and gods, and put up an image cut in stone or a pillar or any pictured stone in their land, to give worship to it.

“Do not turn to idols, and do not make for yourselves moulded mighty ones.  I am יהוה {Jehovah} your Elohim.” (Leviticus 19:4 The Scriptures 1998+)

“‘Do not make idols for yourselves, and do not set up a carved image or a pillar for yourselves, and do not place a stone image in your land, to bow down to it. For I am יהוה your Elohim. ” (Leviticus 26:1 The Scriptures 1998+)

Are there forms of any living thing, male or female,that can be the god? A beast of the earth, or winged bird of the air, or of anything which goes flat on the earth, or any fish in the water under the earth? Or is the god that beautiful star some look at and praise it? And when your eyes are lifted up to heaven, and you see the sun and the moon and the stars, all the army of heaven, are you the one who let yourself be moved to give them worship, or become the servants of what the Almighty Creator has given equally to all peoples under heaven?

“Therefore, diligently guard yourselves, for you saw no form when  יהוה {Jehovah} spoke to you at Ḥorĕḇ out of the midst of the fire, lest you should do corruptly and shall make for yourselves a carved image in the form of any figure – the likeness of male or female, the likeness of any beast that is on the earth or the likeness of any winged bird that flies in the heavens, the likeness of any creature that creeps on the ground or the likeness of any fish that is in the water under the earth; and lest you lift up your eyes to the heavens, and shall see the sun, and the moon, and the stars – all the host of the heavens – and you be drawn away into bowing down to them and serving them, which  יהוה {Jehovah} your Elohim has allotted to all the peoples under all the heavens. ” (Deuteronomy 4:15-19 The Scriptures 1998+)

Is there not the one who says “I Am” who is “the one who is” who curses the man who makes any image of wood or stone or metal, disgusting to Him, the work of man’s hands, and puts it up in secret?

“‘Cursed is the man who makes a carved or moulded image, an abomination to יהוה, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and sets it up in secret.’ And all the people shall answer and say, ‘Amĕn!’ ” (Deuteronomy 27:15 The Scriptures 1998+)

This “god” can look a jealous god and a difficult one to comprehend.

When we look around us we can see many things. Lots of things we do understand but also lots of things, not to say more things, we do not understand.

What sort of thing could have caused the universe to come into being?

Was there something that started it all off? If it is something that also had a beginning then we would need to find yet another cause to explain how that came into being. However if it is something that is eternal (i.e. has no beginning) then it does not need a cause.

Whatever your explanation for the origins of the universe, at some point you need some eternal thing, some uncaused thing, to set everything going.

We cannot perceive God directly. It is true we cannot be sure that there exist that only One superior being. Though if we look carefully we shall be able to see enough proof of His existence. Though we may never have the same surety about the existence of God that we might have about the existence of trees or chairs we could feel to our inner-feeling or guts and listen to our instinct.

But that doesn’t mean we cannot reach a firm conclusion about whether God exists or not.

People can agree that there has to be a First Cause. To have that there should be a form or something of “no beginning” (i.e. something eternal) and being able to cause everything else.

This First Cause, is the “thing” we call God and could not be matter because matter is inanimate — you need something else to move it. The First Cause could be a Mind, because minds can organise and arrange matter. We call that Mind or spirit: “God”.

The things we see around us have a design and once should have started to be designed. Design requires a Designer. We call that Designer “God”.

That Designer was before everybody and before any construction or organization. So to get to know Him you better can forget all those worldly organizations. Lots of those religious organizations do have a lot of dogmatic ideas which their believers have just to accept them, because they are beyond human understanding.

But real faith along the line of the One and Only God does not need dogmas. Except the one dogma, namely that you have to accept that there is a God, who created the heavens and the earth.

“Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come, and the years draw near when you say, “I have no pleasure in them”: ” (Ecclesiastes 12:1 The Scriptures 1998+)

“In the beginning Elohim created the heavens and the earth. And the earth came to be formless and empty, and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of Elohim was moving on the face of the waters.” (Genesis 1:1-2 The Scriptures 1998+)

You do not to believe everything people say, but this Creator has said quite a lot over a period of many centuries. And the Words He had spoken are written down for the generations to come. For a long time many words were added and prophesies made. People were instructed, guided, but also reprimanded.

People can neglect those many words given in the previous millennia or they can take some time to listen to them and think about them.

Though it’s almost too much to comprehend to have such a force in the universe to which we have good reasons to listen to, we should take note and be alert …

After all, God — like the Loch Ness Monster or that Canadian girl the New Yorker Gladstone lost his virginity to junior year can neither be proven nor disproved. But when you would take up that Word of that God, which is written down in the Book of Books, called the Bible, you would come to the conclusion who is who and would come to a better understanding why everything turns out this or the other way.

“The Bible in English and Welsh” Case from “In the Beginning was the Word” Exhibit (Photo credit: W&M Swem Library)

Naturally you can wonder if it is possible to get so much knowledge by reading such an ancient book. Are you so impressed with yourself or so intellectually incurious that you think you perfectly understand the Will of God just by reading a book?

Given how much we suck, why shut the door completely on the possibility of something in this universe being better, stronger and wiser? Something we could strive to be more like?

Who is at the beginning of everything? Who is He or She?

What do you think?

What do you feel?

And to be honest, perhaps you have to feel more than to understand. Often we cannot really understand it very well, but we do accept that it is like that or that it works. Not everything is explainable for the human person. Our brains are limited. But should we not listen to someone whose brain is not limited and whosse time is also not restricted?

Yes, we talk about this Spirit whom we call the Only One God, the Elohim Hashem, Allah, whose Name is Jehovah.

***

Please do find to read and to get to know more:

1. How are we sure God exists?
2. God of gods
3. Only one God
4. God is One
5. Hashem השם, Hebrew for “the Name”
6. Use of /Gebruik van Jehovah or/of Yahweh in Bible Translations/Bijbel vertalingen
7. I Will Cause Your Name To Be Remembered
8. Yahushua, Yehoshua, Yeshua, Jehoshua of Jeshua
9. Lord or Yahuwah, Yeshua or Yahushua (Video)
10. Jehovah Yahweh Gods Name (Video)
11. Experiencing God
12. Jesus and his God
13. Waarom wij in de Bijbel moeten geloven or Why believe the Bible (Video)
14. Power in the life of certain
15. Bible word of God, inspired and infallible
16. Bible power to change
17. Bible basic intro
18. Trusting, Faith, calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #3 Voice of God #4 Words in Scripture
19. Without God no purpose, no goal, no hope
20. Believing in God the rewarder
21. God does not change
22. Call unto God so that He can answer you
23. Fearing the right person
24. With God All Things Are Possible
25. Praise the God with His Name

++

Additional reading:

1. 4 Things Both Atheists and Believers Need to Stop Saying
2. 4 Things Both Atheists and Believers Need to Stop Saying p2
3. Search For Bible Truths: The “Impossible” Universe
4. Search For Bible Truths: What Evidence is There That God
5. Search For Bible Truths: Does God Really Exist?
6. If God and Jesus really are equal, then why does the Bible phrase them as “Father” and “Son”?
7. Search For Bible Truths: Is God the Father?
8. Only-begotten god (OBGOD)
9. Search For Bible Truths: Does Isa. 9:6 prove that Jesus is God?

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Related articles

• What About Those Who Do Not Know The Name of God? (bereanreport.wordpress.com)
  it struck me as odd that Baal’s name is never changed or translated and therefore lives on while Yahweh’s name is falsified over 7000 times in scripture! But I think I might know why. See here, if they did try to translate the name Baal, then there is one thing they would have to deal with. Look at how the verse would read if they did not restore Yahweh’s name:
  +
  A simple study of the meaning of the word “Shem” that is translated “name” in our english bibles will reveal that this word, very much like our English word, not only means a “character” but also means a literal written and spoken name. If I say to you that I come in the name of peace, then I am telling you that I want to characterize myself as offering peace. These things are indeed true.
• Image and Relic Worship by Rejected by Ancient Church (ilyston.wordpress.com)
  Christians ought not to forsake the Church of God, and depart aside and invocate angels, and form assemblies (for this purpose), which are things forbidden. If any man, therefore, be found to give himself to this secret idolatry, Let him be Accursed. Because he hath forsaken our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and hath betaken himself to idolatry.”— ’35th Canon of the Council of Laodicea, a.d. 364.
  +
  ” We are plainly forbidden to exercise that deceitful art (the use of images). For the prophet says, Thou shalt not make the likeness of anything, either in heaven, or in the earth beneath.’ Moses commanded to make no image that should represent God by art.” — Clemens Alexandrinus.
• Does God exist? (altruistico.wordpress.com)
  Looking at the stars, understanding the vastness of the universe,  observing the wonders of nature, seeing the beauty of a sunset—all of these  things point to a Creator God. If these were not enough, there is also evidence  of God in our own hearts. Ecclesiastes 3:11 tells us, “…He has also set eternity in  the hearts of men.” Deep within us is the recognition that there is something  beyond this life and someone beyond this world. We can deny this knowledge  intellectually, but God’s presence in us and all around us is still obvious.  Despite this, the Bible warns that some will still deny God’s existence: “The  fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God’” (Psalm 14:1).  Since the vast majority of people throughout history, in all cultures, in all  civilizations, and on all continents believe in the existence of some kind of God, there must be something (or someone) causing this belief.
• Message – Image and Likeness of God (universaldc.wordpress.com)
  Being the image and likeness of God is to have a fulfilling life. It is having a family, where there is union; being a Christian and being born of God, having the Holy Spirit; having a body and also having health. That is, many have the image of God but end up having the likeness of the devil; for like in the family, rather than existing marriage, friendship, respect or affection, there is confusion, fighting, disrespect, hatred; in the body, rather of having health, strength or energy, there is illness, addictions, etc.…
• Daily Word (10/06/2013) (thehebrewmessiah.com)
  YH-shua’s name means, YH’s salvation, the manifested Word of our Elohim is our salvation, HalleluYH.
• Daily Word (10/10/2013) (thehebrewmessiah.com)
  The Word’s Salvation (YHshua) manifested the Word of Elohim and in that calls us to do as he did, to follow him that we may one day do as he and greater things, for those manifesting the Word are representing the Creator of the Universe; He who made us in His likeness and image to choose good over evil. Let’s be His obedient children as so YHshua proved to be.
• Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth by Reza Aslan (jhame085.wordpress.com)
  Reza Aslan’s “Zealot” recounts the life, exploits, and impact of the homeless, illiterate, reactionary, rabble-rouser, known to history as Jesus of Nazareth, and how he was gradually transformed over a period of several hundred years into the ethereal, divine, pacifistic religious figure known to billions of Christians today as Jesus Christ. While very little definite information exists about Jesus of Nazareth, “Zealot” summarizes an exhaustive quantity of historical analysis, documentation, and biblical research in an effort to clarify and describe the man Jesus actually was to the best of our modern ability (because, surprise, surprise, he is almost nothing like Jesus Christ).