(Cont. of Chpt. One, The Holy Scriptures) (or not?). We left off with an in depth description of how the Hebrew Scriptures were preserved and protected, via the “Massorah,” and also we touched upon how a horrible practice of CHANGING the words of Scripture began. Sadly, modern day […]
Chapter One (Pt. 1 of 2) Approx. 2,500 years ago the Hebrew Scriptures were still intact, w/o any deliberate alterations, interpolations, or otherwise marring of the text. And the NAME of YAHWEH was still written in by the Sopherim (from “Saphar,” to “count,” or “number”), and pronounced by […]
Well, readers of the “inmateblogger.com,” I find myself in a rather predicament and needing your assistance, if at all possible. I’ve been incarcerated for nearly 40-years now. I have been eligible for parole, under Virginia’s “Old Law” statutes (pre-1995), for 20-years of that 40. During that period I […]
Hello from the “Twilight Zone.” I use this to describe prison because, if you’ve ever watched the show, you know that their explorations of the STRANGE and the ODD are basically reality inside these places. Although I say this in a form of lighthearted expressionism, the truth is […]
The TITLE of this topic is an adage known for many ages, and has stood the test of “time,” as well. And, yet, we, as prisoners, still fail to apply it to our plight inside these confines. Hmmmm? So, then, when the “MAN” continues to treat you oppressively, […]
Chp. One, Part 3 (cont. of Part 2) * Ps. 113:6 – “He lowers himself to see in the heavens and IN the earth. He raises up the poor from the dust; and he lifts the needy out of the dunghill, in order to make him sit with […]
Chapter One, Part 2 (cont. of Part 1) So, then, what are we to make of the foregoing (in Part 1)? What does “…enter into the land in order to possess it,” mean? What if we translated the terminology by figurative means? Like, as in the idea that […]
Chapter One At Ps. 139:24 it reads: “Search me, O Yahweh, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts; and see if any sorrow (a need for healing) is in me and lead (5148) me in The Way (1870) everlasting.” And then we read at Isa. […]
DEREK(Heb., Strong’s, #1870,”THE WAY”) (Pronounced “day-reck”) In the Hebrew, “thinking” is quite profound! Admittedly, my knowledge of the Hebrew language and the relative thought forms of their way of thinking, expressing such thought, and philosophy, etc., is limited, to say the least. But in this composition I hope […]
C. Translation – The third pillar (island) in our communication bridge is “Translation.” Now, are you aware of the fact that for years the Bible was only in the chosen language of the then Universal (Catholic) Church: Latin? They didn’t want ANYONE reading it in their common tongue […]
Introduction In the “Preface” we briefly discussed the generalization of our main topic, “The Way” (Heb. “derek”). Here in our “Introduction” we will clarify something concerning HOW we perceive Scripture. It’s not a simple thing to claim we UNDERSTAND when it comes to “The Scriptures” and the “Writings […]
2. “Inspiration” – Alright, now, the second part of this first Island, in out Communications Process is: Inspiration. This is the “recording of that which has been revealed without any error.” We are not going to go over a whole discourse here on the doctrine of inspiration, but […]
Theologically speaking, I generally accept and follow Calvinism, when it comes to the acronym “T.U.L.I.P.” However, my theological ventures, and interpretation of Scripture, are much more to the bent of what some might label “Jewish Mysticism.” In point of fact, there are very few theologians whom would subscribe […]
With an eager heart, and a will on fire, I sought to win my great desire. “Peace shall be mine,” I cried! But life grew bitter in the endless strive. My heart grew weary and my pride wounded deep. To heaven I wailed, “God give me peace!” The […]
(cont. of S.1.6, “a”) As Paul is trying to relay the topic of 1Cor., chpt. 2, he begins by pointing out that HIS talents are not particularly in the area of reliance upon the kind of “excellency of speech or of wisdom”(v.1), that is HUMANLY understood. He writes: […]
Our Spiritual Guide, Who is leading us forth on this journey called “THE WAY,” Whom art in “THE ETERNAL”; holy, sacred, and venerated be thy name “YAHWEH!” Thy rule and royal power and authority, over your servant, come. Thy will and purpose in this earthen vessel be done, […]
I wrote this in 1996 during a very dark period of my life. Despondency: the loss of all hope; the state of mind caused by circumstances which, seemingly, have no exit out of the darkness. This gloom surrounds every facet of my mind’s infrastructure; an inner room of […]
You may go your entire life without seeing an endangered species. Yet, the earth’s biodiversity crisis threatens ALL of humanity in a myriad of unrecognizeable ways. A massive UN report warns that ALL of Nature is in decline. Presently, 1-million species are threatened with extinction in the next […]
(cont. of main material) I. “GOD’S COMMUNICATION PROCESS” You’ve heard the old quote: “what we have here is a failure to communicate.” And it is true in many respects. If we are unawares of the process whereby God uses to communicate Himself and His Will, and using particular […]
“Principles of Biblical Interpretation” Introduction: In the “Course Syllabus” (1.1), I, Pt. A., I made mention of “Philippine’s Minister Lack of Books” narrative. We will not be examining this. Instead, we will skip it and begin with Pt. B, which is included within the main course material coming […]
Greetings Fellow Humans and All Other Entities of Intelligence, I am not certain how many people this salutation and expression of appreciation may reach, but it is my highest hopes that it — if possible — it reaches every single sentient life force in existence. First, I’d like […]
This is, to me, the REAL “Lord’s Prayer” as taught by Matthew 6:9-13, and reiterated by Dr. Luke at 11:2-4: “Our Father (“Spiritual Guide”), who is leading us on this Spiritual journey called “deh-rek” (pronounced “day-reck”-Heb.#1870; meaning “The Way”). Who art in heaven (“the Eternal”-Gk. #3772); hallowed (“holy, […]
(cont. of article, “Absolutizing the Relatives,” By: Earl D. Radmacher) But Paul stressed that if such customs caused “contentions”, then, “we have no such customs (adherences), neither the Churches of God”(1Cor.11:16), because there should not be anything that would cause “division” (11:18) in the Body of Christ. Let […]
(Reading Assignments for S.1 cont.) “Ann’s View on Divorce Saddens Pastor” (12/27/72)(Another example on Relativizing the Absolutes) Dear Ann Landers, I was sorry to hear you say on your NBC radio show that you’ve changed your mind/views on divorce. Granted, divorce no longer bears the stigma it once […]
(email attachment to S.1.5., “b”, “Reader’s Response”, “Using Woman” By Nancy Hardesty, to Edwin Yamauchi’s article, Aug., 1972) “Using Woman” – By: Nancy Hardesty Edwin Yamauchi’s use of the woman issue to illustrate the problems of “Christianity and Cultural Differences” was quite apt. Unfortunately, however, he seems to […]
(cont. of E. Yamauchi’s article, “Christianity and Cultural Differences”) (Last one was S.1.5) Margaret Mead defines culture as: An abstraction from the body of learned behaviour, which a group of people who share the same tradition, transmit entirely to their children, and, in part, to adult immigrants who […]
When we come to the (so-called) “fork in the road,” where everyone asks the ultimate question: what is the meaning of life? why am I here? What is the answer? I cannot answer the question for you. All I can do is suggest a beginning… When a new […]
(cont. of S.1.5., “aaa”, article: “Christianity and Cultural Differences”, By Edwin Yamauchi) What was the position of women in Jewish society? Among the Rabbis it was considered unwise, to talk too much with women, including even one’s own wife. And it was scandalous to talk with a woman […]
(cont. of S.1.5., “aa”, email attachments; article: “Christianity & Cultural Differences,” By Edwin Yamauchi) Yahweh’s revelation in the NT shows continuity and also development. More than half the citations from the OT are made from the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Hebrew OT). The spread of Greek […]
2. STEP TWO — Word Relations: Word studies are enlightening and fun, but words do not stand alone. Rather, they are related to the words around them. We call these relationships grammar or syntax (“to place together”), and studying them is crucial to learning the meaning of Mat. […]
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