Hi all.
I am interested in sharing some rather unique research I have been doing.
I hope you will all approach it with skepticism, and check the Bible to see if it is true. I would just hope to avoid knee jerk reactions to it.
I studied briefly with a rabbi. The experience was unsatisfactory since his methods were strange and his conclusions always wrong. When I returned to my own studies, pictures of Christ started popping out of the scriptures everywhere.
One who read some of my stuff said that it sounds like CE Mackintosh and Arthur Pink on steroids. As I began to share it, I received the sharpest condemnation as a heretic from seminary professors and people who subscribe to the Chicago Statement on Biblical Hermeneutics. I was puzzled by it, and still am.
I did receive one kind note saying that I was probably doing what the author of Hebrews did when he saw Melchizadek as a shadow of Christ, but that he was merely inventing it.
But so far, no one has taken the time to understand what I am doing before jumping to a conclusion. I hope some of you are willing to take a close look. As you look, please don't presume that I am preaching anything, simply correlating scriptures and making observations.
These are my questions:
1. Are the correlations accurate?
2. Am I interpreting them correctly?
3. What do they mean?
Having said all that... I'm 6'2", brown eyes, married with 4 kids, love long walks on the beach.... ;-)
I'll start posting over in another forum with the shadow stuff.
Hello there bob jones! :hibye::D
Welcome to our online spiritual family of brothers and sisters! :grouphug:
I too share your love for scripture :heartbeat::read: as do we all here, seeking to build one another up in our faith, hope and love. :friends:
As you too are 'cautious' about accepting every wind of teaching or doctrine, seeking to examine carefully the things presented ... so too do we!!
1Thess. 5:21 ...
(ASV) prove all things; hold fast that which is good;
(BBE) Let all things be tested; keep to what is good;
(Bishops) Examine all thynges, holde fast that which is good.
So, in our examining, testing, and proving in seeking to 'discern correctly' (as much as possible at this time) I cannot guarantee that you won't have any 'knee jerk reactions' ... but for the most part I think you will find that the incredible loving and insightful minds and hearts that are here among our family will prove to allow some lively discussions, but always done in a respectful and Christ-like way for the most part! :heartbeat:
We are like the Bereans for 'making sure' and 'carefully testing' things that people say ... and since you are like-minded :giverose: ... well ... I don't think there will hopefully be any problems ... :thumbup:
My 'litmus paper' testing of things presented is, as you, God's Word ...
2Tim. 3:16 ...
(ASV) Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness.
(ESV) All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
(CEV) Everything in the Scriptures is God's Word. All of it is useful for teaching and helping people and for correcting them and showing them how to live.
That being said, I do think we can learn from history and other things as to the customs and ways of living that was around that time so as to more fully understand the teachings found therein ...
For instance, knowing a bit about fishermen, farmers, shepherds and so on gives us a richer flavor and deeper insight as to the thinking and life-style of the characters in the Bible, and they would would have felt and reasoned on things wouldn't you ...
For example, a person living their whole life in the city couldn't fully appreciate what it would be like to live on a farm and vice versa ... so illustrations would have to be applicable to each one so as to understand whatever we were trying to say ... and so reading about these kinds of things would IMHO be a 'good' thing ... :)
Anyway, I sincerely hope you will find much refreshment :eat: and encouragement here:friends: , which is another BIG thing we seek to do here besides research ... for in these last days there is much to encourage each other about I am sure you will agree!
Warm Christian love, and may our God and his Son bless and watch over you and yours! BR :sheepy: :bouncyhearts:
Welcome Bob Jones! :hibye:
Hope you enjoy the fellowship & study here. :friends: :read:
Agape Johnny :heartbeat:
Welcome Bob :hibye:Hope you enjoy it here and that you will find spiritual refreshment and nourishment from all of us here. !:read::heartbeat:
Agape,
Grateful :giverose:
Thank you all.
I have been reading through many of the threads and there are a bunch I would love to just jump in on, but I would become too strung out.
I am biting my tongue on the subjects because you folks are rare in your love of the Bible, and I am anxious for your feedback on many of the issues.
I found parallel passages in Matthew that suggest an eschatology that no one else holds to, and also suggests a different perspective on the discussion of time and eternity.
I have a rather large study on how John is Elijah. I appreciate the way that you aren't hung up on the 'constructs' that people make to try and make sense of the scriptures. The scriptures are the word, not all the fluff we add so that what appears to be contradictory makes sense to us.
I personally believe that there is one God and that somehow the Father Son and Holy Ghost are that God. I believe they each have an individual will. The term trinity is a convenience to me but these days is almost a polytheism to some with an under the breath apology for one God.
But understanding the nature of God is not a requirement for salvation. God saves whom He wills. Grace is a gift and we were all enemies. An enemy is much worse than simply being poorly informed about God's nature.
So thanks again for the warm welcome.
I will apologize in advance for my writing style should it ever seem that I am poking or prodding. If you can picture me with a smile and a wink most of the time, then the ASCII text will be read with an intent a little closer to mine.
Welcom BJ,
I like what you say here -
"But understanding the nature of God is not a requirement for salvation. God saves whom He wills. Grace is a gift and we were all enemies. An enemy is much worse than simply being poorly informed about God's nature."
Yes, indeed.
Tessa
Welcome Bob Jones. Looking forward to your posts.
Warm Christian Love
Bangalore
I appreciate the welcome you all have given me. I am going to ask for perfect frankness from you.
I know that the shadows I am presenting are different than what many are accustomed to.
I also know I have a quirky personality which may or may not get read correctly in ASCII text.
I believe that the shadows I am presenting represent sensus plenior in double entendre, Thanks OK, I had to look it up too. Basically that the shadow was placed in the scripture miraculously by God and unbeknownst to the human author himself, but is attached to the literal words by the multiple meanings that they carry. Nothing short of miraculous could produce them.
I don't expect that you will believe this until you see it demonstrated, and have a chance to see if what they teach is valid scripture. Tha's all OK.
But I don't want my quirky style to get in the way. If they are really there, then they are more important than I am.
You can notice that my posts tend to kill a thread. If I am killing them by my quirky personality, I will try different styles, and I will appreciate your love for me to help guide me in that.
If they are being killed because they are simply ridiculous in your view, please let me know you think that, since I am under the delusion they are very important.
If they are being killed because they leave you speechless, then a simple "wow" will encourage me to post more.
I know this request is probably not kosher for forums, but I am what I am. Today in our fellowship we did a quick overview of the judges. And we wept at seeing the magnificence of God's grace in the imagery presented by the shadows of Christ in each judge. Did you ever wonder why it always says they judged Israel, but then they killed Philistines and others?
I am anxious for others to be able to see Christ in these otherwise strange stories, and for them to be able to discern them for themselves.
Thanks in advance.