Dear Shalom, and Barney
Shalom, you've given me a lot to work on. I thank you sincerely for writing, and will respond soon. The Catholic Encyclopedia once said persons in the trinity are Co-equal, Co-eternal, Consubstantial. [of the same substance]
Are they divisible? Does any have greater power and authority?
I say "the CE once said" as I read this in 1951 and their definition may have changed. Would you agree to this definition, and would any others on this thread further define the trinity for me as well as you can.
TO BARNEY: It's fine for you to pray for me, and my "pride." Because I have a sincere different understanding of scripture than yourself does that mean I'm proud? What works would you have Christ break for me? Tho we aren't saved by works, but by Grace, James told us "Faith without works is dead and Christ illustrated the wicked slave as one who buried talents. Said Jesus: You are the light of the world ... and Peter do you love me? ... feed my sheep! [3 times!]
The great commission applies to all Christians, including this poor sinner. Therefore I excepted a college scholarship to begin a lifetime of public witnessing, unpaid, untitled, asking for nothing but to bring God's refreshing Gospel of the Kingdom to anyone who would hear. Thousands of times I've been scolded from the door with sarcasm and insult, as Master said to expect. Matt 10:11-16.
I grew up in the West, poor. My mother was a missionary. I expected to go to prison for my conviction that to kill is to sin. Thousands of my brothers in Germany/Russia/England/USA have paid this price, sometimes with their lives. I've sold businesses to devote my life to full time following Christ's footsteps. Have given money, food, shelter and medical care to complete strangers [once rushing a hippie to the hospital to birth a son; called the police, the ambulance, the hospital, pursued the siren thru town, paid for everything ... without asking her religion] ... and you call me proud.
Jehovah has filled my hands, so I sponsor a non-religious charity to which my disabled wife devotes her life without begging, or selling anything, asking nothing back. [See dorway.com Her work is in several languages, she was on radio twice for an hour in NJ and TN in the last 2 days] I'm old. This consumes our retirement funds, [mother's nursing home bill is 40K] but I cannot bear knowing others would die if we didn't raise our voice. Which of these works do you pray Christ break, Barney? John 10:32
Works are rags, none buy salvation, the Gift of God by Christ's blood; however conscience demands I serve my neighbor as did the Samaritan. And you pray for my pride, Barney, please explain. I'll happily compare scriptures and understandings of God's Word, but not accept insults or insinuations; nor retort in kind; just exit. Without unjudgemental love the commands of my Master are ignored. You've not responded to any scriptural proof I've presented, I don't think you can Barney. If so, tell me who will die in New Earth as foretold in Isaiah 65:20?
Perhaps many on this thread would rather talk to one another and drive off ones with sincere disagreement. That would be sad!
Don Martini |
