text:
Suspicious Berean
...they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Acts 17:11 To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. Isaiah 8:20 "Whatever it is, I'm against it. No matter what it is or who commenced it, I'm against it." Groucho Marx, from Horse Feathers
Examples of "art" produced by students at a Canadi...
Antichrist Ambrose University presents Gilgamesh
Jack Morrow
My Blog Roll
Andreas Wiget
Alfred Garr's Failed Missionary Tongues - Rev. Alfred Goodrich Garr (1875 -1944) No, the man in the picture above isn't the Gestapo agent Arnold Ernst Toht who tried to locate the Ark of the Covena...
Evangelical Dark Web
Exposing The Gospel Coalition's Liberal Bible Commentary On Creation - https://youtu.be/s21EhAk8Sis Last month, The Gospel Coalition unveiled an incomplete commentary on the Bible, a work that they were fundraising to complete...
Purpose - Power, as all things that come from the hand of God, is given for a purpose. The purpose is never you. The purpose is not your ego, self-esteem, or self...
Ichabod, The Glory Has Departed (Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod)
Anyone Attend a Lutheran College or Seminary And Hear The King James Version Given Its Proper Place in the History of Bibles? Hear Lectures about William Tyndale? Bueller, Bueller, Anyone? Anyone? - I was going over the KJV quotations I gathered in one blog post which is also sticky posted on the left. This marks the sticky post on the left column. On...
Not By Works (J.B. Hixson)
Ambassadors - *Ambassadors**By: J.B. Hixson, Ph.D.* *Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behal...
Christianity is Proof Joseph Smith Lied - January 30 – Christianity is Proof Joseph Smith Lied. Leviticus 14:11 "And the priest that maketh him clean shall present the man that is to be made clea...
The Thought-Provoker
Liberate America's Children from Leftism - Totalitarians always use children to unleash evil because everyone else has been around long enough to know exactly how evil begins! Psychopathic murder...
The Anti-Mormon Blog
History Invented to Support Lies - Monogamy, or restrictions by law to one wife, is no part of the economy of Heaven among men. Such a system was commenced by the founders of the Roman Emp...
Lighting The Way Worldwide
LTW Update: Seal Beach, CA - *From Susan Young, leader:* Thank the Lord for all the rain, but it was nice to finally have a clear day Sunday with no showers in the forecast for our out...
The Watchman's Bagpipes
More Odds And Ends For the New Year - I've gathered quite a few items which I decided needed to be shared. Some good information, and some reports on bad things in the church. Too many Chris...
Thirty Pieces of Silver (Tom Littleton)
WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM BEYOND THE RAINBOW PUSH WILL CONTINUE TO SPILL OVER INTO CHURCH VIA COMPROMISED "CHRISTIAN"LEADERS. - Rev Thomas Littleton 1/24/2023 World Economic Forum Davos 2023 meeting featured advancing LGBTQ rights ftont and center . The World Economic Forum believes...
Lighthouse Trails Research Blog
"Colorado Appeals Court Rules Against Jack Phillips, Masterpiece Cakeshop in Trans Cake Case" - "Colorado Appeals Court Rules Against Jack Phillips, Masterpiece Cakeshop in Trans Cake Case" LTRP Note: The following news story is posted for informati...
Proclamation! Blog | Published by Life Assurance Ministries
Sabbath vs. Sunday: A Non-Issue in the Christian Church - RICHARD FOSTER Coming from an Adventist background it may sound bizarre and even shocking to consider, but the fact is [...]
Study - Grow - Know (Fred DeRuvo)
Directed Evolution? - Folks, if you cannot see how evil this is, then it may be due to the fact that your eyes are not at all open. If it is true that "217,000 Americans killed ...
CoLoNiSt
The Importance of Good Doctrine - Your eye is the lamp of your body; when your eye (your conscience) is sound and fulfilling its office, your whole body is full of light; but when it is not...
Midwest Christian Outreach
Human Rights? Only for Some Humans - Editor's note: This past Sunday (January 22, 2023) was Sanctity of Human Life Sunday. It is recognition that human life is precious and should be protected...
Take Heed Ministries
Supporting 'Take Heed' online via 'STEWARDSHIP - [PDF] (Gift Aid option/benefit available to UK taxpayers) For quite a number of years supporters of 'Take Heed' who pay TAX in the UK have been able to...
In Defense of the Gospel
Bob Jones University Foundations Conference: An Intrusion of Reformed/Covenant Theology, New Calvinism & Lordship Salvation - *Key Speakers at the Foundations Conference at BJU Dec. 8-9, 2022* *Conference organized by SermonAudio* *Dr. Steve Pettit: BJU President* *• *Only days aft...
Mann's Word
ACCORDING TO THE NEW APOSTOLIC REFORMATION (NAR), APOSTLES ARE AMONG US - Are there still Apostles? The New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) insists that there are, and they make fantastic claims about their mission. NAR sympat...
The Word Like Fire
How Heretics Shaped Alcoholics Anonymous - Originally posted on The Word Like Fire: When it comes to A.A'.s alleged "Christian" roots, God's people have been—to use a technical term—snookered. Scrip...
What's Happening...? (Tricia Tillin)
Five Errors of the NAR - It's perhaps the fastest growing movement in the church today, but it deviates greatly from what the Bible teaches about our mission, our future and the en...
An Exegetical Analysis Of Hebrews 7:26-27 And Roman Catholic Eucharist Theology - "For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heave...
Reformed Nazarene
Testimony Of A False Teacher In The Nazarene Denomination - Here is Thomas Oord's "Testimony" from when he was a PhD Candidate. Dr. Oord is a former professor of religion at NNU who is pushing for same-sex marriage ...
Redeeming Moments
Danger, Danger Will Robinson! - Yes, that line from Lost in Space made me think of that old T.V. show. I can't remember the name of the guy with the thin mustache (the semi-villain), bu...
Watcher's Lamp
Magic and Demons a Sermon by John MacArthur -
Is Jesus Christ Lord and Savior? - In answering this question a Christian can simply rearrange the words and turn it into a statement, a truth-claim: Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior. But let...
Holly Pivec
On Singing Old Songs - C.S. Lewis' observations are profound. And I think they can equally be applied to today's worship songs.
Unknown Berean...IHOP is New Age
Since IHOP… - My son has been away from IHOP for 10 years. He has been away, moved away and (with lack of continued daily communication) truly been away from IHOP influe...
APOSTASY, ERROR & DECEPTION IN WALES - the watchman4wales blog.
RING OUT, WILD BELLS! AS ONE YEAR GIVES WAY TO ANOTHER... - *"For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy* *to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."* *(Romans 8:18)* ...
Following Jesus Christ (Ed Lane)
Jacob, Esau, Vessels of Wrath and the Incomparable Love of the Living God - "As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated."Romans 9:13  "What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, en...
Notes From A Retired Preacher
Lifesavers and Lordship Salvation - By johninnc From Merriam Webster online: fan·tas·tic 1a: based on fantasy: not real b: conceived or seemingly conceived by unrestrained fancy c: so extre...
Ed Rodgers
1478: Saved By His Life (Revisited) - What does Christmas really mean to you? Is it just a fun (for the most part) break before we reenter the world as it is? I'm quite serious about this, beca...
Writing Project News and Prayer Requests - Wow, posting twice in the same month! About a week and a half ago, I posted "A Christmas List for the Christian Wife", and now this! This return to writi...
Ferrell's Travel Blog
Aerial view of Tel Ashkelon - [image: Aerial view of Tel Ashkelon along the Mediterranean coast in southern Israel. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.]*Aerial view of Tel Ashkelon along the Me...
Learn to Discern Granny
Jeremiah for Me: Lesson 9: "The True God Vs. The False Gods": A Jeremiah Journey, Journal, n' Puppets - Jeremiah for Me: Lesson 9: "The True God Vs. The False Gods": A Jeremiah Journey, Journal, n' Puppets In chapter ten we'll read "Hear ye the word which the...
New Discoveries & Comments About Creationism
Risk Analysis Changes as Covid 19 Continues To Change - Last August looked positive for Omicron BA.5 as there was no looming replacement in the works. However, this doesn't mean there never will be a replacement...
Julaine Appling: Disrespect of Marriage, Family, God, and Religious Freedom - We discuss the latest (non) developments with the (lack of) investigation of the arson attack on Julaine's Madison, WI offices back in May. She also shar...
Biblical Missiology
Sagamore Institute Study Attempts To Quantify The Cost of Bible Translation - This article originally appeared on the website Ministry Watch, and has been reprinted here with the author's permission. Bible translation organizations...
Famine In The Land
DO NOT BE DECEIVED - By Rick Becker 6 October 2022 The Bible is replete with warnings about deception, warnings that go largely unheeded. Believers are not immune to deceptio...
Joyful Exiles
In Memoriam - Lief Moi10/11/1962 – 09/22/2022
Smiffy37's Blog
Change of Blog Title - Many changes have happened to my life in the last several years which have prevented me from writing as I would have liked. Old age has made me try to adap...
Christians United Against Apostasy (Dave Mosher)
A quick update - Just checking in on my blog after a LONG hiatus. Hopefully I will be adding some more content soon…
Once For All Delivered (Eric Schneider)
Paul Carter on How to Spot a False Teacher - Paul Carter has come out swinging against my work on Bruxy Cavey implying I am in league with Satan himself. I'd like to set the record straight, and offer...
SGM Survivors
July 2022 - Well, folks – it's Kris here. Yes, Guy and I are still alive. We are still over here in our little corner of the world, living our lives, going to work, se...
Living 4 His Glory
SCRIPTURE SUNDAY - UPDATE: My apologies for not having written anything for so long, but since the death of my dear, sweet Mom in April of 2018, as well as the death of not...
TruthKeepers
What is True Revival? - I know a man who prays. He does not just pray for a few minutes, but long periods and often. One might think he prays too much—but is there such a thing? T...
MFairlady (Mary Fairchild)
Summer Notes: Dave Dummitt Picks Up Bill Hybel's Mantle at Willow Creek Community Church to Promote Peter Drucker's "Next Society" - Complete Unity As a freshman at Wheaton College, I'd heard about this church that was doing creative things to reach lost people. We attended…The service o...
Emergent Watch
Together 2022 – 'Jesus People Revival' or False Unity? - Tomorrow, June 24th, kicks off 2 days of the counterfeit "Jesus People Revival" of "Together 2022" – organized by Nick hall and his group "Pulse", which br...
Stand For the Faith
Do Grace Preachers Teach Legalism? - What is Galatianism? Recently I have encountered people on YouTube teaching that various grace pastors are promoting and teaching Galatianism. These YouTub...
The Christian Sentinel
The United States of Israel: America in End Times Prophecy - Controversial Book Impacts Traditional Eschatology The post The United States of Israel: America in End Times Prophecy appeared first on The Christian Se...
DiscernIt
A.A.'s rigid fundamentalist Big Book passages - Originally posted on The Word Like Fire: For years The Word Like Fire has unearthed the unholy origin and history of Alcoholics Anonymous, and warned that ...
Holding His Word Higher
Eternal Security Part 5 - Conclusion Part V Roy Hession, acclaimed author of From Shadow to Substance, addresses the topic of security clearly. The Bible is filled with verses to th...
The Earnest Layman
A Prayer and a Traitor (Mark 14:32-52) - We see a prayer and a traitor in Mark 14:32-52.
Report: Former Hillsong pastors say they were threatened by Brian Houston - Two former European pastors have accused Hillsong co-founder Brian Houston and the church's general manager of sending threatening emails during a disput...
Herescope
FAKE REVIVAL - *Part 7B of Fake Awaken* * Read Part 7A: Fake Awaken* *FAKE PROPHETS article series* *Read Part 1: The White Lab Coats* *Read Part 2: The Fishbowl * *...
The 70th Week
Happy New Year 2022 - Happy New Year everyone. Sorry for the lack of updates on this website, however we are still very active on our Twitter account, so please feel free to ...
The Armoury (Michael John Beasley)
Jesus' Justice - Jesus' Justice How the "Social Justice" Movement is a Blasphemous Affront to the Majesty, Dignity, and Power of the Lord Jesus Christ.So many of the discu...
Watch Your Life and Doctrine Closely... (Mennoknight)
Does Genesis 3:21 talk about modesty? - I recently have come back to the topic of Biblical modesty in some online discussions and I encountered a strange argument about how the Bible teaches some...
Our Hope (Mike Stallard)
Council on Dispensational Hermeneutics moved to online due to Tropical Storm Nicholas - The CDH will continue as planned for this coming Wednesday and Thursday according to the published schedule, just not in the Houston area. We had planned t...
Spiritual Research Network Blog
India Outreach - The Man Who Would Not Smile -
Protestant Revival
Pathetic Church of Ireland promote 'LGBTI+ Awareness Week' - It really is difficult to imagine how much more useless the Church of Ireland can be, but they appear to have reached new heights (or plumbed new depths) o...
m'kayla's korner
The Proverbs 31 Wife (Complementarian Edition) - The following article is used by permission. If you are on Facebook I recommend this writer and advocate, and you may visit his page by clicking on his nam...
More Books and Things...
Trust - The LORD is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him. Nahum 1:7 Follow the science, they say, trust in the science, li...
Mind Renewers
Transitions! - I just went through and changed some things on this blog. Where it used to say I am the pastor of Free Baptist Church, it now says "Former Pastor". What a ...
Steak and a Bible
Changes on the way - Dear SaaB readers, I wanted to let you know that the look of the site and likely the domain will be changing soon. Given my current workload and responsibi...
In the Desert, I heard a Voice
Symbols, Revolutions, and the fulfillment of the 3rd 7 of Leviticus - Perhaps the last one for tonight, because I know I am flooding the feeds. Back in 2014, I wrote an article that pieced all the symbols I had studied and wh...
Zola Levitt Ministries
November 2020 — Our Jewish Roots Production Update - In the face of difficult circumstances, it is easy to get discouraged or diverted from your goal. However, sometimes the only choice is to continue moving ...
Deception Bytes
JOE BIDEN FOR PRISON - The post JOE BIDEN FOR PRISON appeared first on Deception Bytes.
Is Not Satire
Avoid Greg Laurie and Harvest America - https://heterodoxresearchinitiative.wordpress.com/2020/10/14/avoid-greg-laurie-and-harvest-america/
Heterodox Research Initiative
Avoid Greg Laurie and Harvest America - Greg Laurie and Harvest America should be avoided. That assertion is based on a simple premise. The Bible's warnings about deception are to be taken seriou...
Spirit Of Error
Watch my new interview with 'Christ, Culture, and Coffee' - I had a blast being interviewed for Christ, Culture, and Coffee earlier this week.
For The Love Of Truth
Jim Staley - *** Update as of July, 2020: Jim Staley was released from prison. No other information is available other than a youtube of his wife picking him up sometim...
Articles - Real Money USA
Anne Discusses Economic Headlines - Is this the crash? Well, I'm going to be perfectly honest here.
The Messed Up Church
Check out The Messed Up Church YouTube Channel! - I've been making LOTS of videos on my YouTube channel, and also writing more articles for my full website: The Messed Up Church. Here's my YouTube channel:...
Messianic Insight
In A Time Of Financial Insecurity - *The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price: Matthew 13:44-45* *44 *"The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field. A man found it, hid it aga...
The Free Grace Alliance
Mormon Coffee
Saints: The Standard of Truth Part 7: Translating the Gold Plates - In the second week of this 6-week series, MRM's Bill McKeever and Eric Johnson take a closer look at the Gold Plates and its supposed translation by Joseph...
Message heard. - I've been deeply moved and humbled by the overwhelming response to my post announcing that I planned on shutting down the blog. I've reconsidered and deci...
The Things to Come (Mary Danielsen)
Home Before Dark - Back in the '60s and '70s, Charles Kuralt of CBS News took us all "On the Road" with his scenery-chewing segments on life in America off the interstates. S...
Calvin L. Smith
Updated Church and Israel Bibliography - Here's a list of titles I consider useful for anyone interested in exploring the relationship between the Church and Israel/the Jewish people. I add new it...
In The Days
COLUMBIA PROFESSOR WHO FLED COMMUNISM RESIGNS, SAYS UNIVERSITY IS BECOMING COMMUNIST - Pressured to admit transgender student
Faith Contender
Book Review 46: "Defining Deception" by Costi Hinn and Anthony Wood - This book review is on "Defining Deception" by Costi Hinn and Anthony Wood.
The Elephant's Debt
HBC Meeting Notes from April 2019 - These are the notes prepared by Manny Bucur – an HBC deacon from Rolling Meadows – based upon a meeting with HBC leaders on 19 April 2019. He assures me th...
The Pedestrian Christian
PUBLISING THE TRUTH ABOUT RACHEL HELD EVANS WITH CONDOLENCES AND SYMPATHY IS NOT SINFUL, IT IS COMMUNICATING WHAT RACHEL HELD EVANS WANTED EVERYONE TO KNOW - From Michelle Lesley: Rachel Held Evans– Not recommended. There are so many ways Rachel deviates from orthodox, biblical Christianity, It would be impo...
God's Word is True! by Margaret L. Been
Dear Readers . . . - I am switching input on this site to my Northern Reflections blog so that I can keep updating more frequently and have everything under one "roof". Just GO...
Do Not Be Surprised...
Changes Are Coming! - For a long time, I've wanted to move this blog away from Blogger and onto a WordPress platform. The reasons for this are many and varied, not the least of ...
Messed Up Church - Pirate Christian Media
Does This String of Incredible Coincidences Connect Dr. Michael Brown to the NAR? - [image: Screen Shot 2018-02-10 at 10.44.43 PM.png] [image: New Apostolic Reformation] *New Apostolic Reformation* Dr. Michael Brown is trying very hard t...
Balaam's Ass
Heaven and Earth Bear Witness - As usual, the political divisions over various issues do not match the division between a Scriptural understanding and an idolatrous one. In this case, it'...
Bethel Sozo - Research Group
NEW: A Video Documenting Beni Johnson's Grave Soaking and Necromancy and the Reasons Why this is Dangerous and Anti-Christian - The following video by Dynamite Publishing documents the errors of Beni Johnson's practice and the reasons behind why a Christian should avoid what Beni d...
Reading the Passion Bible
Mike Winger Reviews TPT - A very clear critique of The Passion Translation by Mike Winger: The post Mike Winger Reviews TPT appeared first on Reading the Passion Bible .
Berean Examiner - Pirate Christian Media
Lou Engel ends "The Call" to usher in Billy Graham's "mantle" - Millions of young people around the world are being told that they can soon supernaturally receive the hovering mantle of evangelism from the late Billy Gr...
The Chapel Store Inc. Still Selling Aberrant Materials - The EmergentWatch blog was started in response to aberrant material that were found in various church bookstores, particularly Calvary Chapel's Chapel Stor...
judya49's Blog
The Message "Bible" removes salvation from Romans 10:13 - via The Message "Bible" removes salvation from Romans 10:13 Advertisements
Chosen People Ministries (Canada)
The Day of Atonement - Jorge Sedaca - By Jorge Sedaca, Executive Director Tonight at sundown, Jewish people around the world will begin observing Yom Kippur, the holiest day in Judaism. Accordi...
Holding Forth His Word
Globalism is Satan's Plan - Throughout the Scriptures we see God created nations. They are actually a blessing because they are a gathering of likeminded people of the same nationalit...
Calvinism No More (Brenda Nickel)
Brenda Nickel Escapes Calvinism - My Introduction to Calvin My introduction to John Calvin came one spring night while driving down a desolate Wyoming highway. It was early evening. The roa...
Scattered Sheep
Purgatory — A Place of Torment for Dying Catholics to Anticipate - Purgatory: a cruel invention of the Roman Catholic Church – A false dogma that lays a heavy burden on every Catholic. They hold men captive to a system t...
The Submerging Church
Younger Christians Reading Marcus Borg – What Did He Believe? - From Lighthouse Trails Research By Roger Oakland Marcus Borg (d. 2015) is a former professor in Religion and Culture at Oregon State University and the aut...
The Last Hiker
"Jane" And The Master's University Rape Scandal - September 18, 2017 a blog published an anonymous testimony called "Do You See Me?" that details a horrendous rape that allegedly took place at The Master's...
I am a C...I am a CH...I am a CHRISTIAN
And Now the Kids are Growing Up - And now the kids are growing up. And I'm finding that, when I look at the ones who are adults or are near adults, I realize how much I didn't do. And thi...
Ever A Burr-ean
Not a Book Review: Invisible Chains - I read a lot of books, but I rarely have time or incentive to write much about them, so I don't know if this will be the only NaBR post or not... Recently,...
For the Author
THE ROOTS OF CONTEMPLATIVE PRAYER - PLEASE NOTE: I do not promote the practice of contemplative prayer, and my link the article mentioned is not an endorsement of the practice. I have drawn a...
Bible Prophecy Today
Video: Does God Promise You Health and Wealth? (Part 2) - Dennis Rokser Duluth Bible Church Pastor Rokser examines the prosperity Gospel under the searchlight of the Scriptures.1:03:21
Bible Prophecy Blog
Ex-Charisma
Cult Leader Tony Alamo Dies in Prison - Cult Leader, pedophile, false teacher, and perverted sicko Tony Alamo has passed on to the judgment of Almighty God. If you do any study on cults, this per...
The PreTrib Activist
Eagles Nest Broadcasting is on the Air - Some of you who have followed my on Rapture Ready Radio, know that I left that network about a month ago. For reasons I won't go into, I left the network...
Such Was I
Huffington Post loves abortion - It isn't easy to find pro-life pregnancy centers. After a few attempts at creative word choice in Google, it is possible. What is found with virtually no e...
A Reference Blog (Glenn Chatfield)
The Evil of Margaret Sanger's Planned Parenthood - Margaret Sanger: Darwinist, racist, eugenicist Margaret Sanger's eugenic plan for black Americans Things you should know about Margaret Sanger Planned Pa...
Psalm 12 Outreach
A Peek At Prosperity - The "prosperity gospel" is a term used to describe, at least in part, the Word of Faith Movement (WOF), and the teaching is exploding in popularity across ...
My Life In The Way
- (New non-martial Arts E-Book also available from *Herescope*): *The Rise of End-Time Occultism E-Book*
Ex-Nazarene
An Open Letter to Christian Pastors - NOTE: This document was published by American Evangelicals. I highly recommend that you share this AND be sure to research the links that are provided fo...
Falsified Ministries - Falsified Journal
A New Direction - [image: A New Direction] In case you haven't noticed, there has been nothing new that has appeared on the Falsified Journal for over a month now, and the ...
My Word Like Fire
Luther remembers - 13. And what did we under the papacy but walk blindly? We suffered ourselves to be led just as we were directed by the names of God and the saints. I was m...
A Sneak Peek into the Real Heaven! - *This is Part 4 in a series of posts based on my book,* *End Times and the Secret of the Mahdi: Unlocking the Mystery of Revelation and the Antichrist**. ...
Slaughter of the Sheep
New Facebook Page - Hello out there! Because of a busy schedule, I have not been able to return to blogging like I had planned, however, I have created a new Facebook page to ...
Rooftops & Rafters
Yes, Bethel Redding and Bill Johnson are part of the New Apostolic Reformation - Originally posted on My Word Like Fire: Holly Pivec of Spirit of Error nails this one down. She writes: Following Christianity Today's recent cover story o...
My Experience In Word of Faith
Suffer the Children – the movie - This is another great movie exposing the lies and dangers of the Word of Faith, Health and Wealth, Name It and Claim It, Speak It and Believe It, Confes...
- We have moved to Wordpress! Exciting, right? Here it is: https://suchwasi.wordpress.com/
Kenneth Copeland Blog (by Rich Vermillion)
OVER ONE MILLION PAGE VIEWS… and STILL COUNTING! - Our website has surpassed a major new milestone! We have now exceeded ONE MILLION (1,000,000+) page views! Le me tell you about that and provide...
Words of Faith and Good Doctrine
THE BRAIN'S MASTER CLOCK - Daniel 2:21 "And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that...
Living Journey
What are we to do??? - There is a 26 second clip based on reality that I came across recently. It is found on FB, and I won't post the video, (but HERE… Read more "What are we to...
discern.org
Urgent: please respond to the Isle of Man Government's consultation on introducing so-called same-sex marriage - The Isle of Man Government is conducting a consultation regarding its proposed legislation to permit same-sex 'marriage' on the Island. BetterThanSacrifice...
On My Walk
The Lordship Salvation Controversy in 2015 - This is the reality of the world we live in today. It is also the reality of the doctrines of Christendom.It is 2015 and that means it has been 27 years si...
24 Emmaus Road
Reading 1 Peter Together, Day 22 - 1 Peter 3:1-7 - *3 Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wive...
Truthinator's Blog
That's Weird, Al… (Satire) -
Be Alert!
Catholic Archdiocese in Minnesota Charged Over Sex Abuse by Priest - *NEW YORK TIMES [NYTimes Group/Sulzberger] - By Mitch Smith - June 5, 2015* CHICAGO — Prosecutors in Minnesota filed criminal charges on Friday against the...
Redeemed Hippies' Place
"Thank you, for saving my life." - The words I spoke to the doctor and nurses after they got done working on me. A nurse said in return, "Honey, it was the doctor who saved your life." "True...
Wolf Tracks
Wolves with Feathers - Fake (or demonic) Glory Feather Cloud from an "Apostolic and Prophetic" ministry "Look at the feathers, man! Look at the feathers!" (52 seconds in video) R...
Menno-lite
Blatant Bias: Anti-Israel Mennonite Monkey Business - Bias: Bias is an inclination of temperament or outlook to present or hold a partial perspective, often accompanied by a refusal to consider the possible me...
Muddy Streams
When the Crickets Stop Singing… - After being a cricket chirping in the reeds for years, this is the 1,000th chirp from the Muddy Streams swampland, and quite possibly the last. We could wr...
Is Barack Obama the Messiah?
"I have placed my rainbow in the clouds. It is the sign of my covenant with you." - President Obama waves from Air Force One in Jamaica on April 9, 2015. (Image: White House, Twitter)
8th Day 4 Life
Farewells and New Days - This week the world lost an incredible young woman. She is the oldest daughter of one of my closest friends, a family that shared some of our crazy histor...
Joyfully Growing in Grace
Easter and the Spring Feasts – Crumbs in Your Peanut Butter - It's that time of year, believers. Concerned family members are telling you to not celebrate the Resurrection of Christ on Easter and are preparing their ...
Time 2 Change Churches!
Mark Cahill Lukewarm NO MORE! FULL -
Wolves in Sheep's Clothing
No, really, we moved! Please update your links! - I'm only going to mention this 6 or 7 more times! Just kidding, this is the last time. In a few days this blog will be deleted. All the content has been ...
Pajama Pages
Martin Luther: If we neglect the biblical languages, the gospel will perish - The following is an excerpt from Martin Luther's treatise, To the councilmen of all the cities in Germany that they establish and maintain Christian school...
The Untangling
Objection Overruled! - I ran across this blog post at Spiritual Sounding Board regarding contempt in the pulpit. The post refers to work … Continue reading →
Guided By Truth
Baptismal Regeneration Explored - As we study the Bible concerning the subject of baptism, there are some points of consideration that we must make. To most of us, when we think of baptism ...
Sarah Young's Bestseller "Jesus Calling": An Overactive Imagination or a Demon? - Posted by Sola Sisters Ladies, have you received a copy of the bestselling book *Jesus Calling *as a gift from a friend? Perhaps you have even bought and g...
The No Goofy Zone Discernment Ministry (Tim Wirth)
Will The Real Blasphemers Please Stand Up? by Sandy Simpson, 6/6/01 - Will The Real Blasphemers Please Stand Up? by Sandy Simpson, 6/6/01 ------------------------------ This subject is one so serious that I do it with great f...
Freedom For Captives
50. Can Saul Become Paul? - Hmmm… Well, well, well…. Perhaps, just perhaps this is the beginning of what many of us have been praying for over the years re: Mr. Mark Driscoll… God did...
Mars Hill Refuge
Moving On... - What a journey this has been. Yesterday, Acts29 removed Mark Driscoll and Mars Hill from their network of churches (which he co-founded). The response f...
Life's Script
Dear Pastor - Why I Am A Mother Who Doesn't Want To Hear A 'Mother's Day' Sermon - ~ by Susan Stilley I still remember a particular Mother's Day Sunday when I was twenty-five and single. I attended a small church and after the sermon,...
Defending God's Word
James 4:13-14 NKJV - Do Not Boast About Tomorrow 13 Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a p...
Seeking to Shine
No Shampoo - A few months ago, I decided to try and go "no shampoo." This can also be known as the "no poo" method, but I'm not so much a fan of that label :). I have...
Better Than Sacrifice
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Examples of "art" produced by students at a Canadian "evangelical" university
Another example of wordliness from an "evangelical" university; as advertised by Trinity Western University in Langley, British Columbia, November 29, 2022 (bold, text links in original):
2022 In Review: Art + Design exhibition celebrates a year of creative production by TWU art, design, video game and animation students
Newest student exhibition celebrates a year of creative production by art, design, video game and animation students in TWU's School of the Arts, Media + Culture.
2022 In Review: Art + Design Student Exhibition
Dates: December 2, 2022 – February 2, 2023
Opening Night Artist Talks: Thursday, December 1, 6:15-7:30 p.m.
Location: SAMC Gallery, Norma Marion Alloway Library, Trinity Western University (22500 University Drive, Langley).
This exhibition celebrates a year of creative production by SAMC art, design, video game and animation students. Produced over the course of 2022, the works in this exhibition span the diverse media that students are exposed to in the program, including drawing, painting, animation and digital design. 2022 In Review provides a space to reflect on the growth and learning that has taken place this year as students have honed their technical skills, deepened conceptual capacities, and discovered their authentic visual voice.
A foundational question resonates throughout the work gathered here, a question that is taken up in each of the courses offered in the Art + Design program: what does it mean to be created in the image of a creator God? As these student artists participate in the act of creation, they each reveal the Creator in a unique way. The act of creation draws these emerging artists near to the heart of a God who delights in the beauty and diversity of His creation.
This exhibition is on view from December 2, 2022 to February 2, 2023. All are welcome to join us for opening night artist talks on Thursday, December 1 at 6:15 p.m.
About Art + Design at Trinity Western University
We are a community of professional artists, designers, scholars, and students who look at visual ways of creating. Within a variety of interdisciplinary historical, critical, and theoretical contexts, we explore how visual art and design practices can be used to create and critique culture. Our program empowers students to become creative leaders who are able to adapt and innovate in our rapidly changing world. Learn more at Art + Design.
Mojgan Mirzapouralamdari, Untitled, Mixed Media on Canvas.
Zaeya Winter, What We Preserve, Mixed Media on Canvas.
Sofia del Castillo Medina, My Essentials, Acrylic on Canvas.
Yihan (Martin) Wang, Subtractive study, graphite and charcoal on cold pressed watercolor paper.
Cecilia Nguyen, Personal Brand, Adobe Illustrator.
Candace Genesis, Book Cover.
I see nothing in any of these works of "art" that could be said to "reveal the Creator in a new way"--nothing distinctively Christian, depicting the good, beautiful, and true. Most of this "art" is ugly and incomprehensible; I'm reminded of Winston Churchill's description of Graham Sutherland's portrait of him as "a remarkable example of modern art." The work by Mr. Wang is at least recognizable as a can opener (assuming that's what it's supposed to be), and Book Cover is indeed a picture of a book cover. The amount of creativity on display is breathtaking; and these are just the works shown at TWU's website.
Posted by Jack Morrow at 23:31 No comments:
Labels: Academia, Apostasy, Art, Canada, Evangelicalism, Postmodernism, Worldliness
Ambrose University in Calgary, Alberta is the denominational school for both the Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada and Church of the Nazarene Canada. Anyone who thinks that institutions such as Ambrose University are Christian isn't paying attention; they may be "evangelical," but they aren't Christian. According to Ambrose's events calendar (bold, link, photo in original):
Gilgamesh (Classical Theatre Production)
Ambrose Theatre Students
December 1-3, 2022 at 7:30 p.m. & Saturday, December 3, 2022 at 2:30pm
Tickets: $20 Adult; $15 Students/Seniors/Ambrose ID. Please reserve tickets at tickets@ambrose.edu or at the door. Not suitable for children under 10.
Big Secret Theatre,
Arts Commons
#21 225 8 Ave SE
Ambrose Arts Performing Gilgamesh
From December 1-3, Ambrose Arts will be performing Gilgamesh at the Big Secret Theatre – Arts Commons.
We are pleased to introduce our designer, Lindsey Zess. Lindsey is a Metis director, designer, maker and art educator living and working on Treaty 7 territory, primarily Mohkinstsis/Otoskwunee/Calgary. She creates work for both film and theatre, specializing in scenography, directing, devised performance, physical theatre practices and puppetry. Her devising/design methodology places a strong emphasis on the material, mythological and metaphysical.
The production Gilgamesh is inspired by the discovery of the oldest library in the world. A 4000-year-old story, The Epic of Gilgamesh, begins with King Gilgamesh of Uruk leading a life of despicable actions. Finding an unlikely friendship with his rival Enkidu through combat, the two become inseparable, fighting all their battles together. Upon the death of his friend, Gilgamesh sets off on the quest for eternal life. Gilgamesh finds himself attempting to conquer death through treacherous missions assigned by gods and immortals. Laying eyes on his city once more, Gilgamesh comes to terms with his fate and chronicles it as a lesson to those after him.
For more information on the Epic of Gilgamesh, we recommend watching this video!
It's impossible not to notice that the announcement mentions the politically correct race of the designer,as if that's of importance to the production. What is important is the subject matter, which is not suitable for children under 10--ideal family fare for Christmas! It seems odd that a university that claims to be Christian would present a production celebrating Gilgamesh, who has been identified by sound biblical scholars with Nimrod (Genesis 10:8-10), a tyrant whose kingdom was opposed to the God of the Bible. For evidence of this, see Nimrod by biblical archaeologist David P. Livingston at Christian Answers. Let's hear it, ladies and gentlemen, for your "evangelical" universities!
Labels: Academia, Apostasy, Canada, End times, Evangelicalism, Paganism, Political Correctness, Theatre, Worldliness
Flashback--1975: Guru offers doubletalk on yoga
The definition of yoga from Webster's Seventh New Collegiate Dictionary (1965):
1 cap: a Hindu theistic philosophy teaching the suppression of all activity of body, mind, and will in order that the self may realize its distinction from them and attain liberation 2: a system of exercises for attaining bodily or mental control and well-being
From The Edmonton Journal, November 10, 1975 (bold in original):
He spreads word of yoga
Guru Hariananda wants to spread the true knowledge of yoga.
"Yoga can kill people right away if they don't know what they're doing," he says. "But yoga is a very, very old science, before we had hospitals and doctors, people were still suffering, and how did they get well?"
"They were cured by purifying their bodies with their own bodies. That is the yoga."
The guru (Hari for short) says there are 128 processes in yoga, based on the 8,000-year-old teachings of Yogi Patanjali.
"So many people know of yoga, as standing on their heads, or as a form of exercise, but yoga has a very deep meaning. It's a way of life."
"Yoga makes you fit mentally, physically, spiritually and morally."
The guru came to Edmonton two weeks ago to teach his knowledge of yoga to people in the city. He's been in the city a couple of times before during the past several years, and already has a small number of devotees.
He asks no fees from his devotees, but says he'll take donations to help cover his expenses.
Classes go in in different areas of the city each weekday evening...
...Born in the Himalayas, the 24-year-old Hari has lectured on and taught yoga since he was 13 years old.
In his teaching, he has travelled widely.
Hari stresses that his yoga has nothing to do with Hinduism or any other religion.
"You can stay with your religion. You will reach God. God is within you. You are the God as long as you maintain yourself physically and spiritually.
Those who wish to learn more about the classes or the guru's philosophy should call 484-8025.
Guru Hariananda's assertion that "his yoga has nothing to do with Hinduism or any other religion" is, of course, nonsense. Yoga comes from the Sanskrit word yunakti, meaning "he yokes." The yoking is with Brahma, the ground of all being in Hinduism. Patanjali was a Hindu author, philosopher, and mystic whose lifespan was apparently between the 2nd and 4th centuries A.D. Until it became "westernized," Yoga was mainly about teaching old Hindus how to die. It's no more about relaxation and relieving stress than Transcendental Meditation, which is also Hinduism. Neither one caught on in the west until they decided to change the marketing approach to appeal to westerners' priorities, such as financial prosperity, physical health and emotional well-being. It's interesting that Guru Hariananda claims that yoga "can kill people right away if they don't know what they're doing" which could apply to many Westerners who don't realize what yoga acutally is.
Guru Hariananda's statement that "God is within you...you are the God..." is certainly in conflict with the Bible's consistent teaching that we are not God, and that God lives only within those who have saving faith in Jesus Christ. For further reading, I recommend the books Death of a Guru by Rabi Maharaj with Dave Hunt (1977, 1984) and Yoga & the Body of Christ by Dave Hunt (2006), and the article The Basic Spirituality of Yoga by Marcia Montenegro of Midwest Christian Outreach (March 8, 2018). See also my post Christian woman in Manitoba who warns of the dangers of Yoga shows more discernment and courage than the local "Christian" clergy (April 26, 2018).
Elvis Presley offered a good practical view of yoga in the movie Easy Come, Easy Go (1967):
Labels: Canada, Hinduism, History, Lies, New Age
Antichrist Ambrose University hosts presentation by theistic evolutionist
Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said,... Genesis 3:1
For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Acts 20:29-30
O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: I Timothy 6:20
Ambrose University in Calgary, Alberta is the denominational school for both the Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada and Church of the Nazarene Canada. Anyone who thinks that institutions such as Ambrose University are Christian isn't paying attention; they may be "evangelical," but they aren't Christian. From the university's schedule of events (bold, links in original):
The Bible & Ancient Science: Principles Of Interpretation
7:00 P.M. (Mountain Time)
Virtual (Complete the registration form to receive the link)
Presented by Dr. Denis O. Lamoureux Event
Is the Bible a Book of Science? Christians have answered in a wide variety of ways. Theologian and scientist Denis O. Lamoureux proposes that during the inspiration of Scripture, the Holy Spirit came down to the level of the biblical writers and allowed them to use the science-of-the-day. In this way, the ancient science in the Word of God is a vessel that delivers life-changing, inerrant spiritual truths.
Handout for lecture
Response by Dr. Colin Toffelmire and Q&A to follow
Denis O. Lamoureux is Professor of Science and Religion at St. Joseph's College in the University of Alberta. He is also a research associate in paleontology. Lamoureux holds three earned doctoral degrees—dentistry, theology, and biology. His most recent book is entitled Beyond the Evolution vs. Creation Debate. It was written to assist high school students in understanding origins and the Genesis 1 account of creation. This lecture is part of current Seminary students' courses, but the public are welcome to join in for this special lecture.
Dr. Lamoureux has provided a link (here) for attendees to pre-read about the subject. This will help give context to some of the discussion.
Dr. Lamoureux's entry at the University of Alberta website (bold, links in original:
Denis O. Lamoureux DDS PhD PhD
Professor of Science & Religion
St. Joseph's College, University of Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2J5
dlamoure@ualberta.ca
Denis O. Lamoureux is Professor of Science and Religion at St. Joseph's College in the University of Alberta. His appointment is the first tenure-track position in Canada dedicated to teaching and research on the relationship between scientific discovery and Christian faith. Lamoureux's academic specialty focuses on the modern origins controversy.
Lamoureux embraces the time-honored belief that there are two major sources of Divine revelation—the Book of God's Words and the Book of God's Works. The Bible and the physical world complement each other. Science reveals How the Creator made this spectacular design-reflecting world, while Holy Scripture declares precisely Who created it. Together the Two Divine Books fulfill each other; alone they are incomplete.
In his online web lecture Beyond the "Creation" vs. "Evolution" Debate, Lamoureux argues that the simple either/or approach to origins inhibits everyone from making informed choices. He asserts that if the limits of both conservative Christianity and evolutionary biology are respected, then their relationship can be complementary. This view of origins is known as Evolutionary Creation. Concisely stated, it claims that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit created the universe and life through an ordained, sustained, and design--reflecting evolutionary process.
Indeed, evolutionary creation is a challenging view of origins for many Christians, and Lamoureux shares his struggle to accept this position in a web lecture entitled Coming to Terms with Evolution: A Personal Story. He also writes about his voyage in a book chapter that is online.
Evolutionary creation emphasizes that the Bible is NOT a book of science. Instead, it is a God-inspired revelation that offers inerrant, life-changing, Messages of Faith. Holy Scripture does indeed refer to the natural world, but it features an ancient understanding of nature. In other words, the Bible has an ancient science. In his latest book, The Bible & Ancient Science: Priniciples of Interpretation (2020), Lamoureux presents hundreds of verses revealing that Scripture features the science-of-the-day in the ancient world. Through his 22 interpretive principles he argues that the Holy Spirit descended to the intellectual level of the ancient biblical writers in order to communicate as effectively as possible inerrant spiritual truths. Three of these principles and an explanation of the cover of this book can be found here.
Of course, not everyone agrees with Lamoureux's position on origins, as seen in the comments made by famed atheist Richard Dawkins in this video clip.
Lamoureux holds three earned doctoral degrees—dentistry, theology, and biology. He is a Fellow of the American Scientific Affiliation and cited in the Who's Who of Theology and Science. He is also a member of the Evangelical Theology Society. Lamoureux lectures throughout Canada and the United States in both Christian and public academic institutions. In 2001 and 2006, he received teaching awards from the University of Alberta Students' Union. Lamoureux's award winning introductory course on the relationship between science and religion, CHRTC 350: Science and Religion with Class Notes, Class Handouts, and Class Audio-Slides is available online.
With Phillip E. Johnson, Lamoureux co-authored Darwinism Defeated? The Johnson-Lamoureux Debate on Biological Origins (1999). Lamoureux has also written Evolutionary Creation: A Christian Approach to Evolution (2008) and has condensed this book into into a more accessible version entitled I Love Jesus and I Accept Evolution (2009). Lamoureux has debated John Walton, C. John Collins, and William Barrick in Four Views on the Historical Adam (2013).
The Church's struggle with Galileo's astronomy offers valuable insights for Christians coming to terms with evolution. Galileo popularized the aphorism: "The intention of the Holy Spirit is to teach us how one goes to heaven and not how heaven goes." Rewritten for the Church today, evolutionary creationists encourage Christians to understand: The purpose of the Bible is to teach us THAT God is the Creator, and not HOW the Father, Son & Holy Spirit created.
Dr. Lamoureux's views appear to be reasonable, until you realize that he denies the historical existence of Adam, which is a denial of the teaching of both Old and New Testaments. According to Dr. David Craig, in his Amazon customer review of Four Views on the Historical Adam:
I Appreciated the personal testimony of Denis Lamoureux's pursuit of truth in the fields of science and theology. He has definitely wrestled with and struggled with all the issues at hand - as a non-believer, as well as a believer in Christ. Lemorourex concludes that his view of evolution disallows for belief in the historical Adam that is revealed in the Scriptures. He argues at length that the realities of history conflicts with modern science. He believes that ancient science (the view of the biblical writers) conflicts with modern science and therefore what we have in the Bible is God accommodating inerrant spiritual truths.
In summary "Lamoureux rejects scientific concordism, the idea that God chose to reveal through the Scriptures certain scientific facts and that modern science, properly understood, can be aligned with the Bible. To the contrary, he says the authors of Scripture had an ancient perception of the world, apparent in their belief in a three-tiered universe, their view of the 'firmament,' and elsewhere. When it comes to humanity's biological origins, the biblical authors likewise had a primordial understanding. They held to 'de novo creation,' the belief that God created man and everything else directly, immediately, and completely, that is fully mature."
Lamoureux argues that Adam did not exist, but that Jesus Christ is a historical person who died and rose again for our sins. He attempts to show how modern science has changed his views on interpreting the Bible through understanding distinctions between ancient and modern science, language accommodation, and his rejection of concordism.
I found his essay to be interesting, but unconvincing. I especially struggled with his weak theological explanation of the historical "Adam" from the lips of Jesus and the Apostle Paul in the New Testament. I also struggled with his interpretation of Genesis 1-11 as not being historical. Lastly, I found his interpretation and methodology in arriving at his conclusions insufficient - leaving me with more questions than answers. I agree with C. John Collins assessment of his essay when he writes, "Lamoureux has followed a style of reasoning that is oversimplified, specifically in that he generally poses either/or questions with only two options; he does not consider whether there are alternatives."
This blogger regards the Bible as the infallible, inspired word of God, and anything that contradicts the Bible is in error. Dr. Lamoureux, on the other hand, regards the Bible as being in error if it's in contradiction with what the latest "science" says. It should be noted that Dr. Lamoureux, in addressing the issue of the existence of Adam, is no longer operating in the realm of science, but has moved into the realm of history, where the scientific method doesn't apply. I also find it curious that an "evangelical" professor teaches at a Roman Catholic college.
As for the man Ambrose has chosen to respond to Dr. Lamoureux's presentation, Dr. Colin Toffelmire says, "...we want to try to think the best of these people we disagree with...," but check his Twitter feed, and you'll see that he doesn't seem to think well of Christians and conservatives, and seems to find more affinity with secular liberal intellectuals. In this Dr. Toffelmire reminds me of pseudo-intellectual Tim Keller, who has had a disproportionate influence among evangelicals, but who never seems to identify with real Christians, but always takes the view that's likely to gain the approval of secular New York liberals.
This isn't the first time that Ambrose has hosted a theistic evolutionist; see my previous post Antichrist Ambrose University has theistic evolutionist as guest speaker for its Faith, Life and Learning Days (February 6, 2020)
See also my other previous posts on Ambrose University:
Why is an Alliance-Nazarene college named after a Roman Catholic saint? (March 2, 2009)
The Ambrose-contemplative connection (March 4, 2009)
Ambrose University College trains Nazarene pastors using materials from a company with ties to Mormonism (March 6, 2009)
Ambrose University College and "Transformation" (March 6, 2009)
The Outhouse (aka The Shack) in God's house (May 5, 2009)
Ambrose Seminary teaches contemplative spirituality in 2009-2010 (February 24, 2010)
Ambrose University College hires Jesuit-educated contemplative spirituality proponent as its new president (May 30, 2012)
Ambrose University College's "Jazz Day" provides evidence of increasing worldliness in evangelical schools (March 5, 2014)
Antichrist Ambrose University College continues on its downward, leftward, and Romeward course (March 8, 2014)
Antichrist Ambrose University President Gordon T. Smith continues to promote ecumenism and Social Gospel (February 28, 2018)
Posted by Jack Morrow at 14:31 1 comment:
Labels: Academia, Apostasy, Canada, Education, Evolution, Liberalism, Science
Hindu nationalism raises concerns in New Jersey
While some people in the U.S.A.--especially those who want the country to continue on the secular road to destruction--are raising alarms about Christian nationalism, another form of religious nationalism is attracting concern--such are the "blessings" of multiculturalism. As reported by Hannan Adely of North Jersey Media Group, October 1, 2022 (links in original):
In his native India, Shaheen Khateeb said he was treated like an outsider, harassed at school and called "Turk" because of his Muslim faith. Hearing about cases of mob violence against Muslims, he decided to move to the U.S. in 1979.
Today, Khateeb, who lives in Washington Township, fears the tensions he left behind are bubbling up in Indian immigrant communities, including in New Jersey, where, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, about 420,000 people of Indian ancestry live.
In recent months, controversies have ensued over a divisive display at the India Day Parade in Edison, a scuttled speaking engagement in Ridgewood by a Hindu nationalist leader and a Teaneck committee resolution condemned by Hindu groups.
Khateeb said the tensions have strained friendships.
"We visited each other's homes. We shared dinners. But not anymore,"he said. "What's happening in India is happening here nowadays because social media news travels really very fast."
Muslim and human rights groups say tensions in the U.S. mirror what is happening abroad as a Hindu nationalist movement grows in India, spurring allegations of discrimination and hate crimes against minorities. But some Hindu leaders say that concerns about nationalist activity in the U.S. are exaggerated and that they are being unfairly vilified and maligned.
Raju Patel, president of the Jersey City Asian Merchants Association, said Indian immigrants are concerned about educating their children and being good citizens, and not the divisions that they left behind.
"People are making a fuss about all these things," he said. "They are trying to bring those problems here to the U.S."
Tensions are not new among religious communities in India, where Hindus make up about 80% of the population. But the movement known as Hindutva — a far-right ideology that promotes Hindu rule — has gained strength since Narendra Modi, India's prime minister, was elected in 2014. Indian right-wing websites and WhatsApp groups have fueled support for the movement in the U.S., said Audrey Truschke, an associate professor of South Asian history at Rutgers University.
What's new about it is the ferocity of Hindu nationalism, how aggressive they are being and the negative impacts that is having on the Indian Muslim community and cross-community relations," Truschke said.
Nationalist fervor couched in patriotism, ethnocentrism and anti-immigrant sentiment has risen around the globe. Often, there is a populist strongman at the helm and, in some cases, nationalist extremists have embraced violence to further their cause. These forces have shaped politics in countries like Brazil, Hungary and the U.S., where groups with an "America First" nationalist agenda stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6 to try to subvert the transfer of power.
In New Jersey, many Indian immigrants closely follow news from their native country, but in the past few months, they themselves have been a focus of news stories.
In August, the inclusion of a bulldozer at the India Day Parade in Edison sparked condemnations. In India, some view the bulldozer as a hate symbol for its use in razing homes and businesses to punish Muslim activists in India.
Earlier this month, activists protested a planned fundraiser with Hindu nationalist leader Sadhvi Rithambara at Old Paramus Reformed Church in Ridgewood, leading to its cancelation.
And last week, the Teaneck Democratic Municipal Committee passed a resolution calling for investigations of organizations in the U.S. with alleged ties to a Hindu nationalist paramilitary group. The resolution also called for politicians to reject campaign funds and support from these groups.
The Teaneck resolution sparked outcry from Hindu organizations, which issued a statement calling it a provocative and false act that demonizes the Hindu community and condemns groups that were not given a chance to respond. The backlash prompted Teaneck Mayor James Dunleavy to issue a statement saying the committee is not associated with the township, which has a nonpartisan form of government.
On Friday, the New Jersey Democratic State Committee took a stand against the resolution.
"A foundational goal of the Democratic Party is to bring people together, not to divide them, and the anti-Hindu Teaneck resolution does not accomplish this important goal," the committee wrote in a statement. "We stand with those who value inclusivity and diversity, and against hate and bigotry in any form."
In Edison and Teaneck, residents had heated exchanges over religion and nationalism at municipal meetings or expressed outrage in calls and emails, while urging local officials to take a stance.
Patel said the spate of incidents was due to misinformation and grudges. Nationalism to him meant pride in one's country, he said.
"Is it a crime to have Hindu nationalism? If I hurt somebody, then it's a crime. In this country, free speech is for everything but some people won't tolerate that free speech," he said.
In Jersey City, he said, South Asian immigrants of different faiths continue to work and socialize with one another without problems.
Still, activists, including Khateeb, say the rise of the nationalist movement should not be ignored. Recent violent confrontations in the city of Leicester in England between groups of Hindu and Muslim men were a warning of how problems can escalate, he said. In Leicester, men with metal poles marched through streets chanting "Jai Shri Ram," a religious chant used as a rallying cry against Muslims. At the same time, a Hindu temple was vandalized.
"What happened in the United Kingdom was an eye opener," he said. "What is happening is Hindutva forces are gathering. There is a massive amount of work being done behind the scenes."
Labels: American spirituality, Hinduism, India, Multiculturalism, Politics, Society
Tree is granted membership in Manitoba Buddhist Temple
Spiritual buffoonery isn't restricted to New Agers, charismaniacs, or liberal "Christians." As reported by John Longhurst of the Winnipeg Free Press, September 26, 2022 (photo in original):
There's a new member of the Manitoba Buddhist Temple: a tree.
The large tree, which stands in front of the Winnipeg temple, was made a member of the sangha, or congregation, at a ceremony Saturday.
"It's a way to make a point about what's happening to the environment today," said Tanis Moore, sensei of the temple.
"Trees are vital for our survival, and they provide beauty and shade."
Moore was inspired to hold the ceremony by what Buddhists in Thailand are doing to preserve their forests.
In the Southeast Asian country, monks have been ordaining trees in order to protect them from being cut down for environmentally destructive cash crops.
The Winnipeg ceremony, which was led by Moore and Fredrich Ulrich, former sensei at the temple, began with the ringing of a bell. It was followed by a chant beside the tree, which had an orange saffron coloured cloth wrapped around its trunk.
The tree was then given the name as Dharma Phala, or "Fruit of the Dharma," along with the title "honoured one" and thanked for joining the congregation.
The ceremony included the playing of a shakuhachi bamboo flute by Eric Napier Strong, who attends the temple.
It concluded with a prayer: "We gently caress you, our planet and home… make us aware of the harm we have done to the life network upon which we ourselves depend."
"It's like baptizing someone into a Christian community," said Ulrich, explaining the meaning behind the ceremony.
"It's representative of all trees," added Moore. "It's a symbol of our desire to care for the planet."
Fredrich Ulrich, former sensei at the temple, says the ceremony inviting the tree into the congregation is akin to baptizing someone into a Christian community.
Fred Ulrich has been around for a long time; he was a priest in Edmonton in the 1980s. On March 5, 1987, during Christian Awareness Week at the University of Alberta, he debated Jeff Amano (author of The Reincarnation Sensation) of Probe Ministries on the subject of reincarnation vs. resurrection.
Labels: Buddhism, Canada, Idolatry, Paganism
1,200-year-old rural estate discovered in Israel's Negev Desert
As reported by Israel365 News, August 23, 2022 (photos in original, link inserted by blogger):
A 1,200-year-old luxurious rural estate, the first of its kind in the Negev, was exposed in the archaeological excavations carried out by the Israel Antiquities Authority and funded by the government through the Authority for the Development and Settlement of the Bedouin, prior to the expansion of the town of Rahat. A surprise awaited the archaeologists in the building courtyard: a unique vaulted complex overlying a three-meter-deep rock-hewn water cistern.
Aerial view of the rural estate uncovered in Rahat, with the vaulted complex in the centre. The estate is the first of its kind discovered in the Negev. Aerial photographs: Emil Aladjem Israel Antiquities Authority
The building, dated to the Early Islamic period (8th-9th centuries CE), was constructed around a central courtyard, and it comprised four wings with rooms to serve the needs of the residents. In one wing, there was a hall paved with a marble and stone floor and walls decorated with frescoes (wall paintings on damp plaster). The extant small fresco fragments were finely colored in red, yellow, blue and black. Other rooms in the building had plaster floors, and in other rooms, very large ovens—probably for cooking—were uncovered. Amongst the small finds were fragments of delicate decorated glass serving dishes.
The hall paved with marble and stone floor. Photograph: Emil Aladjem, Israel Antiquities Authority
According to Oren Shmueli, Dr. Elena Kogan-Zehavi and Dr. Noé D. Michael, the directors of the Israel Antiquities Authority excavations: "This is a unique discovery unknown until today. We were surprised to discover a complex of stone-built vaults at a depth of 5.5 m below the courtyard, standing to a height of 2.5 m. The vaults were carefully constructed, and they probably led into additional underground complexes that have not yet been uncovered. Our biggest surprise was the discovery of an opening below the vaulted rooms, that led into a deep rock-hewn cistern. It seems that the stone-built underground vaults were built as storerooms to store foodstuffs at fairly cool temperatures, and the supporting vaulted structures enabled the residents to move around underground safely and comfortably, to protect themselves from the scorching summer heat, and to drink cool water from the adjacent cistern. The clay oil lamp sherds retrieved on the vault floors were used for lighting the dark rooms, providing evidence for the residents' activity here.
The underground vaults. Photograph: Oren Shmueli, Israel Antiquities Authority
The water cistern. Photograph: Emil Aladjem, Israel Antiquities Authority
Fragments of luxurious decorated delicate glass vessels are evidence for the wealth of the estate owners. Photograph: Yoli Schwartz, Israel Antiquities Authority
"The luxurious estate and the unique impressive underground vaults are evidence of the owners' means. Their high status and wealth allowed them to build a luxurious mansion that served as a residence and for entertaining; we can study the construction methods and architectural styles, as well as learn about daily life in the Negev at the beginning of Islamic rule", say the excavation directors.
According to Eli Eskosido, Director of the Israel Antiquities Authority, " The excavation in Rahat is the result of close cooperation between the Israel Antiquities Authority and the Authority for the Development and Settlement of the Bedouin. In the excavation, the luxurious estate was uncovered in an area located between two ancient mosques, perhaps among the earliest ever discovered. By good chance, and much to the local population's interest and excitement, the Islamic building remains have been discovered in the area planned for expanding the town of Rahat. The Israel Antiquities Authority and the Authority for the Development and Settlement of the Bedouin are planning together to conserve and exhibit the finds to the general public."
On Thursday, 25/8/2022 the Israel Antiquities Authority and the Authority for the Development and Settlement of the Bedouin are opening the site to the public for free tours of the site, and for family digging and sieving activities. For details and registration, see the Israel Antiquities Authority Facebook Page.
Labels: Archaeology, Asia, History, Israel, Middle East
Second Temple-era fortified village discovered in southern Samaria
As reported by All Israel News, August 20, 2022 (bold, photo, in original, link inserted by blogger):
Ruins of the Khirbet el-Qutt village (Photo: Screenshot)
The Land of Israel Studies and Archaeology department at Bar-Ilan University has turned its focus to uncovering a fortified village believed to have existed at the time of the Bar Kokhba Revolt in 132-135 A.D.
Ruins of the Khirbet el-Qutt village can be seen near the "Lebonah Ascent" in southern Samaria, overlooking the route to Jerusalem from Samaria and Shechem (where the modern Arab town of Nablus sits). The Lebonah Ascent is surrounded by steep slopes, except where it connected to hilltops toward the south.
The village has been called "Kfar Lakitia," named after one of the three Roman garrisons Emperor Hadrian stationed at the end of the revolt. Khirbet el-Qutt features a subterranean wine cellar that was converted into a hiding place, according to BibleWalks.com.
Dr. Dvir Raviv is leading the current excavation of Khirbet el-Qutt, whose area extends across about five acres. The late Professor Zecharia Kallai of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem's Institute of Archaeology first surveyed the site at the end of the 1960s. Kallai reported finding remains of walls, cisterns, caves and pottery from the Early Bronze Age, as well as Iron Age II, and the Roman and Byzantine periods.
A late-1990s survey by the archaeology department of the Civil Administration in Judea and Samaria unearthed a miqveh, or Jewish ritual bath, 500 meters south-southeast of the ruins.
Another survey in late 2014 recorded a second miqveh, along with the remains of buildings, cisterns, caves, quarries, agricultural installations and burial caves.
The Ritual Miqveh
Raviv's latest survey uncovered the remains of three ritual baths, though one miqveh was exposed recently during illegal looting of the area. The miqveh features an entrance-way with six steps leading to the small, oval-shaped immersion chamber. The walls are lined with gray plaster, typical for the Early Roman period.
The Hiding Complex
A small double-chamber subterranean complex, strewn with sherds of storage and cooking vessels – dating back to the period between the Great Revolt against the Romans and the Bar-Kokhba Revolt – indicate the former wine cellar had been used for hiding.
It is difficult to identify this complex as a hiding place due to the absence of tunnels, except for the presence of the ceramic remains. It is possible that the hardness of the surrounding stone prevented tunnels and additional rooms from being formed.
Dozens of hiding complexes found in recent years in the northern Judean Hills indicate the nature of the stone in the area often forced masons to maximally exploit pre-existing subterranean spaces, and to create short tunnels or a small, simple passage system.
Water Cisterns
Excavators uncovered six water cisterns whose walls were covered with numerous layers of plaster – a nod toward the Early Roman period, inlaid with sherds that might date to the Byzantine period. They are quite similar to the water cisterns of the Royal Hasmonean and Herodian fortresses, built throughout the Hasmonean kingdom.
Fortress or Monastery
The remains of a monumental 900-square-meter building, built of large dressed stones, was uncovered on the eastern slopes. The building style and limited pottery found at the site suggest the remains of a monastery or fort from the Late Roman or Byzantine periods.
The Necropolis
A cemetery extends to the south, consisting of at least 18 tombs. One contains ossuary fragments and a few Early Roman sherds. The number and types of tombs suggest that the site reached its maximum size during the Second Temple period.
Close to the main road and to the fertile Lebonah valley, Khirbet el-Qutt would have drawn inhabitants throughout history. Findings show evidence of occupation almost continuously from the Iron Age I until the early Muslim period, including during the Hellenistic and Roman periods.
The present survey showed that Khirbet el-Qutt's settlement peaked during the Early Roman period, at the end of the Second Temple period. During the Byzantine period, the village's occupants seem to have concentrated at the top of the hill and along its eastern slope, suggesting that a monastery might have stood there.
The development of settlement at the site, and its transition into a large fortified Jewish village, appear to have occurred during the late Hellenistic period, accompanied by the invasion and conquest of the area by the Hasmoneans – also known as the Maccabees. Other excavations in the area offer proof that the Hasmonean dynasty was marked by intensive settlement activity, from about 140 B.C. to 37 A.D.
Oldest extant printed pages are Hebrew liturgical poems from the mid-15th century
As reported by Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz of Israel365 News, August 17, 2022 (link, photos in original):
Hebrew piyutim printed in 1444 (Photo courtesy of Moshe Rosenfeld)
In March 2015, a Jerusalem book merchant took apart the cover of an old book and found inside it two old printed sheets in excellent condition. According to the merchant's testimony, while he was drying the pages, an expert in ancient books entered his house and offered a large sum of money for the pages. The merchant did not agree and decided to pass the pages to the experts of the National Library of Israel for examination. He gave the pages to Yitzhak Yudlov, Institute for Hebrew Bibliography, located at the Jewish and National University Library in Jerusalem and a recognized expert.
The Jewish and National University Library kept possession of the pages for about a month and a half for the purposes of carrying out a thorough inspection. At the end of that period of time, Yudlov called the owner, who was abroad at the time. Yudlov told him that the pages were authentic and an especially rare find. The merchant arrived at the Jewish and National University Library, and Yitzhak Yudlov informed him that he thought these were sheets printed in Avignon, France in 1444-6, when an attempt was made to print a Hebrew book there. According to Yudlov, there are two documents located in the district archives in Avignon that relate details of this attempt at printing a Hebrew book.
On one of the sheets, a watermark depicting three hills inside two circles can be found. It is a very rare watermark, identified by Yudlov and Ephraim West as a being created in the first half of the 15th century.
In April 2015, Yitzhak Yudlov wrote his scholarly attestation regarding the sheets on a letterhead of the Institute for Hebrew Bibliography. In the attestation, he referred to the endeavor of printing a Hebrew book in 1444 that predated the printing of the Gutenberg Bible in 1455.
"In our opinion, these pages are remnants of that printing," Yudlov wrote.
The merchant thought it would be good if Dr. Benjamin Richler, the Emeritus Director of the Institute of Microfilmed Hebrew Manuscripts (IMHM) in the Jewish and National University Library, would also write his opinion and translated the words of Yitzhak Yudlov. Yudlov had shown him the pages and even consulted with him on the matter. Dr. Benjamin Richler agreed to attach his description in English. Below is Dr. Richler's letter:
(Photo courtesy Moshe Rosenfeld)
It is worth noting that Prof. Malachi Beit Aryeh was also one of the people with whom Yudlov consulted. Prof. Malachi, who was a former director of the Jewish and National University Library, recommended performing a beta-radiography of the watermark which allows getting a picture of the watermark unobscured by the printed text. He put the merchant in touch with Mr. Hominer, the operator of the machine. The merchant paid for the service, and after the merchant took two copies of the beta-radiography of the watermarks, Prof. Malachi Beit Aryeh was given an additional copy.
Prof. Beit Aryeh also asked the merchant to leave the sheets for him for several days, and he agreed, though the professor did not return the sheets for several weeks.
Later research discovered other examples of the watermark described as "three hills in two circles" in two manuscripts in the National Library in Vienna. The Three Hills watermark was used by a family of paper makers in Fabriano Italy. The other examples of the watermark were dated to 1418 and 1439. It is important to note that no examples of this watermark have been found to have been used anywhere after 1439. Other examples were found in Perpignan in the south of France from 1418, recorded by Briquet, as well as in Palermo in Sicily. Another example of the watermark was found at the Ambrosiana Library in Milan on a manuscript dating from 1431.
On August 6, 2018, the antique book dealer, Moshe Rossenfeld published an article signed by the late Yeshayahu Vinograd, concluding that according to all of the experts, the pages were from the oldest known mechanical printing press, produced in 1444-6.
The pages were subsequently sold and the buyer, who is the current owner, tried to sell it in the United States. He encountered difficulties as some people made anonymous claims that the pages were not authentic.
The pages were taken to the Forensic Institute in Jerusalem, under the management of Avner Rosengarten, a world-renowned expert in the field of forgery, and a former senior official in the Police Forensic Identification Laboratory. Rosengarten inspected the pages and determined that they were not forged.
Further research from archives dating to 1444 revealed that one Procopius Waldvogel, a silversmith by trade, arrived in Avignon at that period and borrowed money based on his invention of a mechanical printing press. His claim predates that of Johannes Gutenberg from Mainz, Germany who began printing on a mechanical press using movable type in 1450. It is widely recognized by historians that Gutenberg was not the first to do so and did not invent the process but he was, until now, believed to be the first European to do so.
According to the notarial archives in Avignon, Waldvogel and his partners produced "27 Hebrew letters from iron and steel" and also letters in Latin for the purposes of printing a Hebrew book. It is believed that the effort was unsuccessful for reasons that remain unclear but that some samples were produced. The book was to have been a collection of "piyutim"; Jewish liturgical poems sung during selichot, penitential prayers.
A document from the central archive in Avignon recorded the agreement between the partners leading to the preparation of metal moving Hebrew letters.
"This is neither a small affair nor a personal one," Moshe Rosenfeld told Israel365. "Before us is a discovery that establishes a connection between Hebrew and the invention of the printing press."
Agreement to print Hebrew piyutim 1444 (Photo courtesy Moshe Rosenfeld)
Labels: Archaeology, Asia, Europe, History, Israel, Jerusalem, Judaism, Middle East, Technology
"Divination bones" discovered in southern Israel
As reported by Sarah Katz of Israel365 News, August 16, 2022 (link, photos in original):
Let no one be found among you who consigns his son or daughter to the fire, or who is an augur, a soothsayer, a diviner, a sorcerer,one who casts spells, or one who consults ghosts or familiar spirits, or one who inquires of the dead. Deuteronomy 18:9 (The Israel BibleTM)
The dice assemblage. Photo credit: Yoli Schwartz, Israel Antiquities Authority
A rare assemblage of "astragali"—animal knuckle bones used for gaming and divination—dating from the Hellenistic period (2300 years ago), was uncovered by Dr. Ian Stern in the Maresha-Bet Guvrin National Park in the Judean Shefelah in southern Israel. This exceptionally large assemblage, were published recently for the first time in the British archaeological journal LEVANT, was studied by Dr. Lee Perry-Gal of the Israel Antiquities Authority, Prof. Adi Erlich of the Zinman Institute of Archaeology, University of Haifa, Dr. Avner Ecker of the Department of Land of Israel Studies in University of Bar Ilan, and Dr. Ian Stern of the Nelson Glueck School of Archaeology, Hebrew Union College, Jerusalem. The assemblage was discovered several years ago, in the huge underground cave complex below the ancient city of Maresha.
The "astragali"—knuckle bones of goats, sheep and cattle—were used similarly to dice for gaming and for ritual divination, mainly by women and children. Some of the knuckle bones were shaved down, or perforated, or filled with lead, to be thrown more effectively, as dice.
The dice bear god names and game instructions. Photo credit: Roi Shafir, University of Haifa
Tens of the dice bore Greek inscriptions: some were engraved with the names of gods associated in ancient times with human wishes and desires. Aphrodite, the goddess of fertility, love and beauty, Eros, the god of love, the god Hermes, the goddess Hera, and Nike, the goddess of victory, appear amongst other gods. On other knuckle bones, game instructions and various game-roles are engraved, such as "Robber", "Stop!", "You are burnt", etc.
According to Dr. Lee Perry-Gal, Israel Antiquities Authority zooarchaeologist and research fellow in the University of Haifa, "The assemblage of astragali from Maresha is very unique, specifically the large quantity and good quality, and the many inscriptions. The assemblage shows that in ancient times of distress, as today, people sought help from external factors, in magic and spells and in the world of the unknown. In the past, men, and especially women, struggled with an environment of uncertainty, death, childbirth, and health issues, and tried to protect themselves with the help of magic. In addition, we know that astragali were used for games. It is noteworthy that we have examples of children buried with similar gaming dice. The cubes, which were a popular gaming activity, had a role in accompanying children to the next world, to be used there". Perry-Gal adds, " Since the astragali symbolize good luck, it was customary to inter them under the house threshold, in the hope that they will bring good luck and prosperity.
Dr. Lee Perry-Gal holding the gaming dice. Photo credit: Yoli Schwartz, Israel Antiquities Authority.
"It is of interest that these knuckle bones are often found next to ostraca (pottery sherds with writing inscribed or written in ink), which bore Aramaic texts, such as, 'Magical incantation', or 'If you do so, this will happen to you., which demonstrates their cultic role.
According to Dr. Perry-Gal, "The Hellenistic city of Maresha was one of the period's melting-pots in the southern Levant. "Different populations and cultures lived side-by side here as neighbors, all subordinate to the Hellenistic rule. There lived here Edomites, Phoenicians, Nabateans and Jews, and the different peoples and cultures influenced each other."
According to Eli Eskosido, Director of the Israel Antiquities Authority, "This fascinating research sheds light on the life and customs in the ancient world and reminds us that people are regular people all over the world. They dream and hope, and notwithstanding the harshness of daily life, they find time for playing and leisure."
See video.
Labels: Archaeology, Asia, History, Idolatry, Israel, Middle East, Superstition
Giant prehistoric elephant tusk discovered in southern Israel
As reported by Michael Horovitz of The Times of Israel, August 31, 2022 (photo in original):
Archaeologists, paleontologists and conservators surround the tusk of a straight-tusked elephant, discovered at Kibbutz Revadim, southern Israel, in August 2022. (Photo credit: Yoli Schwartz/Israel Antiquities Authority)
A complete tusk from a large prehistoric elephant was uncovered near Kibbutz Revadim in southern Israel, archaeologists revealed on Wednesday.
The find was made earlier in August during a two-week excavation by Tel Aviv University and the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev called Operation Elephant.
The 2.5-meter-long remnant of the huge straight-tusked elephant — which is now extinct — was discovered by Dr. Eitan Mor, a biologist from Jerusalem, who organized a trip to the area out of curiosity about the elephants, according to an Israel Antiquities Authority statement.
"To my surprise, I spotted something that looked like a large animal bone peeping out of the ground. When I looked closer, I realized that it was 'the real thing,' so I rushed to report it to the Israel Antiquities Authority," he said.
Scientists believe the elephant species, which would tower over their present-day descendants, arrived on Israel's coastal plain about 800,000 years ago and died out approximately half a million years ago. According to the IAA, findings from elephants are rare and the fossil is "of great scientific interest."
The IAA explained that past archaeological work at Revadim, where stone and flint tools and other fossilized remains have been discovered, revealed that humans had settled the area and hunted the elephants that roamed the region.
The IAA's director, Eli Eskozido, noted that the find was of "primary importance for the academic community, but also of great public interest."
He added that the authority plans to publicly display the tusk after conservation efforts at the IAA's permanent exhibition hall in Jerusalem.
Prof. Israel Hershkovitz from the Dan David Center for Human Evolution and Biohistory at Tel Aviv University said that the fossil, which was said to be in very good condition, is also "extremely fragile" and efforts were made to protect it after the initial find.
"Now we are excavating it within its archaeological context, before transferring it to the Israel Antiquities Authority Conservation Laboratory, where it will be studied and conserved," Hershkovitz said.
The discovery of the tusk leads to questions over its presence at Revadim, according to Prof. Ofer Marder of Ben-Gurion University and Dr. Ianir Milevski of the IAA's Prehistoric Branch.
"Is the tusk the remains of a hunted elephant, or was it collected by the local prehistoric inhabitants? Did the tusk have social or spiritual significance?" the academics asked.
The IAA said the joint study aims to resolve the debates surrounding the prehistoric elephant hunters and their culture.
Labels: Archaeology, Asia, History, Israel, Middle East, Science
Israeli researchers discover evidence of Roman Army's power at the time of the destruction of the Second Temple
As reported by Israel365 News, August 8, 2022 (photos in original):
On the Fast of 9th Av, the Israel Antiquities Authority presented the results of a new research project that sheds light on the power of the Roman army, and the spots of their attack on Jerusalem in the battle that led to the destruction of the Second Temple.
"The Fast of the 9th Av commemorates the day of the destruction of the Second Temple," says Israel Antiquities Authority researcher Kfir Arbiv. "The Temple was destroyed in 70 CE, after a four-month siege and an intensive battle led by the Roman general Titus in order to conquer the city and suppress the revolt initiated by the Jews four years earlier. The Romans had a well-trained massive army, equipped with the best military innovations of their day. It was a ruthless war machine."
Arbiv systematically recorded Roman military equipment retrieved in excavations in Jerusalem, many of which were found in the excavations that he directed, together with Dr. Rina Avner, in the Russian Compound, adjacent to the Jerusalem Municipality building. The Roman Arsenal exposed to date includes hundreds of different-sized ballista stones that were launched from sophisticated bolt-throwing machines to a distance of 100–400 m, small slingstones used by trained infantry, and catapult machines that launched spearheads for a distance of 150–200 m. Spears, swords and arrowheads, including heavy arrowheads that could penetrate armor.
Spearhead from the battle against the Roman army. Photograph: Clara Amit, Israel Antiquities Authority
"We know from the historical sources that the Roman army employed massive siege rams to batter the fortification walls, and siege towers that reached the height of the walls, but these have not yet been found in Jerusalem," says Amit Reem, director of Israel Antiquities Authority Jerusalem Region.
Arbiv's research focused on the hundreds of ballista stones, and his analysis defined different sizes and weights. Some, directed against people, were launched against the walls to prevent the Jewish rebels from emerging above the walls, and other heavier ones were launched fiercely against the walls to penetrate them.
The ballista stones, the physical evidence of the battle that took place 2000 years ago, are visible on the floor. Photograph: Yoli Schwartz, Israel Antiquities Authority
Ballista stone balls of different dimensions. Photograph: Kfir Arbiv, Israel Antiquities Authority
According to Arbiv, "With the help of the computer, I located all the ballista exactly where they were found. I took into account the local topography and the location of the Second Temple-period city fortification walls, and I made ballistic calculations, including the launching angle, and the throwing distance of the stones. All the data was compared to the renown Jewish historian Josephus' contemporary detailed descriptions of the battle, and the conquest and destruction of Jerusalem, in his book, 'The History of the Jewish War against the Romans'."
According to the research, some of the Roman army artillery machines were located in the center of the modern city of Jerusalem, in the Nahalat Hashiva area, nicknamed 'Cats' Square'.
The research also shows for the first time, the probable pots where the Roman army penetrated the city. The Russian Compound excavations exposed part of the Third Wall, the third line of defense that surrounded the city. An exceptionally large concentration of ballista stones was found at one point, some broken after use. It was evident that the Roman army concentrated their efforts here, and hundreds, if not thousands of ballista stones, were directed to this spot. "This is not surprising," says Arbiv, "as whoever controls this spot, dominates the whole area and the fate of the city. This aligns with Josephus' account that Titus commanded to penetrate the city from the northwestern side of the city wall."
According to Eli Eskosido, Director of the Israel Antiquities Authority: "The physical evidence of the huge resources employed by the Roman army in Jerusalem, reflect the extremely harsh battles that eventually led to the destruction of the Second Temple. Notwithstanding the internal factions and the impossible odds, a small group of Jewish defenders withheld the Romans for a few moths until the tragic destruction of the city. The use of up-to-date research methods reveal more and more on the fascinating history of Jerusalem."
Labels: Archaeology, Asia, History, Israel, Middle East, War
"Pope Michael" dead at 62
On August 2, 2022, David Bawden, who claimed to be the true Roman Catholic Pope, using the name Michael I, died in Kansas City, Missouri at the age of 62, several weeks after slipping into a coma following emergency brain surgery. For those who may not be aware of his papacy, Michael I was elected head of the Roman Catholic Church (at least the segment that recognized his authority) in a conclave in Belvue, Kansas in 1990. Pope Michael continued to live at home with his parents after his consecration, which isn't exactly what you expect from the head of what purports to be the one true church representing the Lord Jesus Christ.
As reported by Phil Johnson of the Topeka Capital-Journal, January 13, 2012 (link, photo in original):
David Bawden, who is also known as Pope Michael, claimed ascendancy to the papacy in 1990. He lives on a farm near Delia where he runs the Annunciation Seminary that has one full-time and one part-time student. Bawden is shown here holding a copy of his latest book, "54 Years that Changed the Catholic Church: 1958-2012." Topeka Capital-Journal
DELIA — Attired in a black cassock that covered all but the bottom of a pair of red pants and Nike flip-flops, David Bawden on a recent Sunday afternoon reclined on a couch in the living room of his Vatican in Exile, a wooden-frame farm home in southwestern Jackson County, and talked about events that led to what he said was his election as pope of the Roman Catholic Church.
Bawden matter-of-factly reflected on the 21 years that have passed since 1990, when he was voted in as pope by six people who gathered at his parents' second-hand store in nearby Belvue.
His biggest beef with the Roman Catholic Church, which he said led to his papacy, was its move toward modernism, starting with Vatican II, which included doing away with the traditional Latin Mass.
By now, Bawden has heard the whispers and out-loud criticisms that have come his way since he declared himself the head of the Roman Catholic Church and its 1 billion adherents worldwide.
Yet he remains committed to his papacy, saying it was ordained of God, and that nothing will stop him from being pope.
A book he wrote that was released this past May, "54 years that Changed the Catholic Church: 1958-2012," chronicles Bawden's claim to the papacy and also sheds light on where he said the Roman Catholic church went astray.
For his new book, he said, "I discovered some very important information that would help present the case more clearly."
The 196-page self-published book provided details of Catholic Church changes beginning with the election of Pope John XXIII in 1958.
That pope, and all who followed him, weren't truly Catholic, Bawden asserts, because of the "pseudo council called Vatican II" that resulted in their elections.
A few faithful Catholics realized they could lawfully take the matters into their own hands and began the restoration of the church, Bawden said.
Some were emboldened by Roman Catholic archbishops who were critical of Vatican II — including Marcel Lefebvre and Ngo-Dihn Thuc.
Bawden, a native of Oklahoma City, came to St. Marys in 1980 after he and his family became members of a breakaway Catholic group known as the Society of St. Pius X.
Bawden in the late 1970s had attended St. Pius X schools but was asked to leave. Despite his efforts to return, he was barred from being a student again.
"There was some infighting in the seminary, and I got in the middle of it," Bawden said. "I was dismissed because of that."
While continuing to pursue his vocation, Bawden held fast to his belief that Rome no longer had authority for the Catholic Church, that popes it elected were heretics and therefore the papal position was vacant.
It was Bawden's belief that if the College of Cardinals wasn't equipped to elect a pope, the duty fell to laypeople in the church.
Before he staked his claim to the papacy, he outlined his problems with the modern Catholic church in a 1990 book titled "Will the Catholic Church Survive the 20th Century?" He said he wrote the book to appeal to other traditionalists like himself.
After his book was published, he sent notices of an upcoming papal vote to traditionalists around the globe. But only six people showed up for the pivotal vote that took place July 16, 1990.
One was Bawden's late father, Kennett, who died in 1995. One was his mother, Clara "Tickie" Bawden, 83. One was Bawden himself.
Then there were three others, all of whom, Bawden lamented, since have "fallen away" from the Catholic Church that he leads.
Bawden said he had an inkling he might be voted in as the pontiff that day.
"I thought it was a possibility," he said. "But it was in God's hands, who showed up to vote. We had to get the job done."
More than two decades later, his actual followers are few, he acknowledges, with but one full-time and one part-time student in the Annunciation Seminary he runs out of the house that he shares with his mother.
Yet he says many people — perhaps millions — around the globe share his sentiments and mindset.
Bawden has a presence on the World Wide Web at www.vaticaninexile.com and even has a fan club on Facebook, something he said caused him to chuckle when he stumbled upon it.
"Someone in Germany started it," he said. "Yes, I was surprised."
His sermons are uploaded on YouTube by a follower in Rockford, Ill. People keeping tabs on him are notified each time a new sermon is posted.
A film class from the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind., made a visit to Delia a few years ago and produced a documentary on Pope Michael, parts of which can be found on the Internet.
"I was impressed by that," Bawden said of the documentary. "I was quite impressed with the quality of work they did and their questions."
Despite the few followers in his flock, Bawden said he doesn't see himself as an outcast in the Delia community, located about 10 miles north of Rossville.
Bawden said he visits with people when he sees them at the grocery store in Rossville or when he passes them on the country roads in his neck of the woods. The conversations are always cordial, he said.
Each day starts with Mass, followed by prayer, seminary classes and work around the farm.
Bawden announced recently that he was ordained a priest and consecrated a bishop in December by a bishop in the National Catholic Apostolic Church, qualifying him to celebrate Mass.
Bawden is cultivating a grape arbor for wine-making for the daily Masses.
He and his several followers also are in the process of taking classic Catholic books — some of which are borrowed from the Benedictine College library in Atchison — and scanning them into computers, so they can be republished in an "on-demand" printing arrangement with a publisher.
Bawden's mother supports her son and said his rise to the papacy started when he was a boy.
"I was trying to raise him right — to raise him in the Catholic Church," she said. "When you see it disintegrating in front of you, you feel like something has seriously gone wrong."
She said her closest family members were convinced that they needed to pursue what they believed to be the correct teachings of the Roman Catholic church, even if it meant taking a road less traveled.
It hasn't always been an easy road, but she said she has no regrets.
"Everyone in their time and place — grace is coming to them," she said. "And it works perfectly."
Labels: Roman Catholicism