tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683019342240329622.post3815026364072558539..comments2016-08-27T23:11:55.156+10:00Comments on The Paradigm Experiment: Going deeper into the New Age - Part 1Jim Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13815483599664355248noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683019342240329622.post-8552673200138260242008-08-20T12:18:00.000+10:002008-08-20T12:18:00.000+10:00Hello Trent, nice to hear back from you again.I mu...Hello Trent, nice to hear back from you again.<BR/><BR/>I must concede, my mistake. Indeed you are correct, the account in Matthew does not specify "three" wise men, it actually say Magi. The only indication of there being three is in the giving of the gifts (ie the Frankincense, Gold & Myrth), the assumption being that there was one gift per person. Also the verse about following the star in the East is ambigous.<BR/><BR/>Obviously, as you state "I must say that it ties together traditional understanding from organized religion more so than scriptural revelation", the modern version of the story is Astrotheology, however as you have pointed out, the account in Matthew is different to the current understanding. I think you could argue either way, given that the information in Matthew is similar but different to the modern Astrotheological story, it is not explicit either way. I would like to see more information.<BR/><BR/>The verses in Luke clearly point to a birth in the middle of the year, during the warmer months in the Northen Hemisphere, as the Shepards are presented in the stable with the new-born. The story in Matthew presents the Magi as being present some time after the birth.<BR/><BR/>I would be interested to find out more about this. I wonder when the first Historical documenations record the current version of the birth of Jesus story with it's explicit Astrotheology. I have also seen the GnosticMedia film, and yes overall I have to agree that both films were dishonest and decieving in selective presentation of information.<BR/><BR/>In relation to Truth, there are clear teachings relating to morality and ethics, personal psychological development, worship of God and the entering of altered states of consciousness which are shared within different Religions, with most differences of being related to theological doctrines and mythology.<BR/><BR/>Thank you for continuing to take the time to stay in contact.<BR/>God Bless,<BR/>Peace<BR/><BR/>JimJim Clarkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13815483599664355248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683019342240329622.post-28544656578110265642008-08-20T07:06:00.000+10:002008-08-20T07:06:00.000+10:00Hello. To me, JW and SDA are denominations that mi...Hello. <BR/><BR/>To me, JW and SDA are denominations that mirror alot of cult behavior, and as organizations are corrupt and tend to corrupt pure doctrine. I have to be careful not to throw the baby out with the bath water and say that any criticism that I have for an organization is not directed toward the members as much as the leadership or the faceless institution.<BR/><BR/>"""Certainly the early / medieval Church did assimilate much from "Pagan" sources. Interestingly though, there are some elements within the Gospels themselves which point to "Pagan" origions."""<BR/><BR/>It is possible, or rather probable that revelation of pure truth has come to seekers beyond Judeo/Christian sources, and influenced pagan (which basically is a word for any religion that is not Jewish, Christian, or Muslim) theology and practice. <BR/><BR/>Even Paul repeatedly writes that Truth bombards the cosmos such that nobody is without excuse whether they interfaced with a missionary or not. Provided, that is true (and I believe that it is) than why wouldn't all truth seekers be able to latch onto something authentic even though they may keep the form of a pagan worship.<BR/><BR/>When Paul went into a Pagan temple in Acts and noticed that they did not know the name of the God they worshiped, Paul just said that he knew the name and then preached the Gospel.<BR/><BR/>"""I'm not sure if you've seen the "Conspiracy Doccumentary" Zeitgeist, certainly I'm not going to portray it as being absolutely straight up and true in every respect"""<BR/><BR/>Fascinating documentary / mockumentary. ... It is basically a rip-off of gnostic-media's video that came out several years prior ... though that video by gnosticmedia was more or less a recorded slide-show that some mushroom-junkies made in their garage. Nevertheless, the material is the same in Zeitgeist, albeit presented in a much more professional way in Zeitgeist. <BR/><BR/>However, I must say that it ties together traditional understanding from organized religion more so than scriptural revelation. For example, they draw comparisons with the three kings that followed a star to see the birth of the "Sun" of God ... etc. However, that is the traditional understanding not the scriptural revelation. The Bible has no record of "three wisemen/ astrologers" attending the birth, or even going to Bethleham. Rather we don't know how many there are. There might have been three, but the Bible doesn't say. Also, the time of birth was not anywhere near the winter soloist, as the weather would have been too cold for shepherds to watch their sheep at night in a desert environment. It would need to be sometime in a non-cold month. Also, they weren't even there at the birth ... they showed up when he was a lad, according to scripture. I could go on, but you probably get the point. The traditions of Christmas are basically a pagan witches-sabbath and astrotheology given a radical facelift to be consumed by church-goers ... and the mess/mass is basically more pagan than Christian. So the criticism should be a wake up call to church-goers that are trying to celebrate the birthday of Jesus on December 25 in a pagan festival. <BR/><BR/>The Bible clearly is against birthday celebrations in-general, much less morphing a pagan sun-worship into a tradition for believers ... and then justifying it with something already as pagan as a birthday celebration.<BR/><BR/>Only two people in the Bible celebrated their own birthday ... Harod and a wicked Amelkite King. There is nobody of any virtue that celebrates their birthday in scripture ... and thus, I wish more believers were like me and forego any such nonsense, and stick only to the Hebrew holy-days that God set forth ... not this horrible Christmas tradition which is only a witches-sabbath of Yule.<BR/><BR/>Ripening, <BR/>TrentGraceHeadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16511471036658708352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683019342240329622.post-35547437608802074882008-08-09T19:54:00.000+10:002008-08-09T19:54:00.000+10:00Hi Trent,Very interesting. So you definately foll...Hi Trent,<BR/><BR/>Very interesting. So you definately follow restorationist ideas, but you do not affiliate directly with either SDA's or JW's.<BR/><BR/>One of the most ubiquitous elements of "channelled" writings is that they often display information above and beyond the intellectual capacity of the "author". So the distinction between "channellings" and "prophecy" is one of which Spiritual Paradigm is supported by the information.<BR/><BR/>Certainly the early / medieval Church did assimilate much from "Pagan" sources. Interestingly though, there are some elements within the Gospels themselves which point to "Pagan" origions.<BR/><BR/>I'm not sure if you've seen the "Conspiracy Doccumentary" Zeitgeist, certainly I'm not going to portray it as being absolutely straight up and true in every respect. They did make huge jumps between facts and conclusions throughout, particularly in the first section on Religion. There was much information which was left out of this section, and some of there arguments were clearly deceitfull (arguing the common elements of Gods Sun / Son).<BR/><BR/>However, that said, they did point out some very clear astrological allegories within the Gospel narratives. Obviously, Orthodox Christianity is opposed to Astrology as it is "Occult", yet the story of the three wise kings following the star in the east to the place of the birth of Jesus clearly corresponds with Astrological / Astronomical (there was no seperation between these two "Sciences" until recently in history) facts. And there was more. This seem impossible to be purely coincidence, it must have been deliberate. Please, check it out.<BR/><BR/>Later on I will be posting on the historical facts regarding Christianity, and debate between Christian Apologist's and those writers that considers Jesus to be either a Myth or a Gnostic teacher, or a Kabbilist Initiate, or a 9th Dimensional Being, etc etc (I think I even read a book that claimed Jesus was a Freemason! (The Hiram Key) That's bound to get some blood boiling!)<BR/><BR/>Anyways take care, thank you for taking the time to post here. Please continue to do so, I enjoy open discussion.Jim Clarkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13815483599664355248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683019342240329622.post-45061843105879837832008-08-07T03:45:00.000+10:002008-08-07T03:45:00.000+10:00Hello.You asked: """Would I be right in assuming b...Hello.<BR/><BR/>You asked: """Would I be right in assuming because the person (Timothy) who was the vehicle for these teachings is a highly committed Christian and that the teachings seem to be in harmony with Christian Orthodoxy that this is the distinguishing factor from other Channeled writings?"""<BR/><BR/>Close.<BR/><BR/>What is astounding about these writings, (which for a myriad of reasons could not have come from Timothy, but through Timothy,) is that they reflect and expound upon scripture over and against orthodox theology. In some sense they are a fulfillment and validation of ancient text, though they are hated by nearly all church-goers that read them. <BR/><BR/>The reason they are despised is because the "prophesies" (a more descriptive word than "channeling") specifically correct unbiblical theologies that are entrenched in the modern churches, and thus restore and affirm pure revelation from the corruptive influence of pagan and Catholic notions.<BR/><BR/>They are written down by a fella that has very little education (initially no knowledge or study of scripture) and he has never been inside of a church building or any other worship center.<BR/><BR/>Oh, and did I mention that no money has ever changed hands or wound up in Timothy's pocket from the letters?<BR/><BR/>Ripening,<BR/>TrentGraceHeadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16511471036658708352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683019342240329622.post-48511362910077273662008-08-06T11:36:00.000+10:002008-08-06T11:36:00.000+10:00Hi Trent,It sounds as if you have a very unique br...Hi Trent,<BR/><BR/>It sounds as if you have a very unique brand of Christianity, defying definitions or denominations, perhaps the term Theologically Independent is a appropriate one. I have breifly looked at that website you mentioned with the "letters from God and His Christ". I am intrigued that as a Christian you except information that has been "channeled" through Automatic Writing. Would I be right in assuming because the person (Timothy) who was the vehicle for these teachings is a highly committed Christian and that the teachings seem to be in harmony with Christian Orthodoxy that this is the distinguishing factor from other Channelled writings?<BR/><BR/>Keep in touch.<BR/>Peace,<BR/>God Bless,<BR/><BR/>JimJim Clarkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13815483599664355248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683019342240329622.post-56084909265207842262008-08-03T16:21:00.000+10:002008-08-03T16:21:00.000+10:00oops ... HERE is a live link ...http://trumpetcall...oops ... HERE is a live link ...<BR/><A HREF="http://trumpetcallofgodonline.com" REL="nofollow">http://trumpetcallofgodonline.com</A>GraceHeadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16511471036658708352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683019342240329622.post-70356107720299813932008-08-03T16:20:00.000+10:002008-08-03T16:20:00.000+10:00Hi Jim,I am honored to he the first at something ....Hi Jim,<BR/><BR/>I am honored to he the first at something ... finally.<BR/><BR/>Sounds like you draw inspiration from alot of places. I tend to be like that as well. After all, Truth is not taught but demonstrated ... and the demonstration of Truth bombards the cosmos and manifests in manifold witness to the Word of God ... creating, revealing and redeeming. <BR/><BR/>I can gain insight apart from the Bible, but I cannot gain the insight apart from the Source of Truth ... that same loving Father, who preserved revelation in His excellent Bible.<BR/><BR/>So, I love the scriptures but love God infinitely more as the indespensible <BR/>Source of Light and Life.<BR/><BR/>I haven't been a "church-goer" in longer than I can remember. Yet I can say that I belong to God's church and together with all those that belong to Him is the church in which I dwell.<BR/><BR/>If you like red-letters ... you are going to FLIP to read this: <BR/>http://trumpetcallofgodonline.com<BR/><BR/>Thanks,<BR/>TrentGraceHeadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16511471036658708352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683019342240329622.post-36311056458089413132008-08-02T16:14:00.000+10:002008-08-02T16:14:00.000+10:00Hi Gracehead. Congratulations on being the first ...Hi Gracehead. Congratulations on being the first person ever to respond on my Blog. You win the Grand Prize of uh... um... well... you should just feel good about yourself. No need to apologise for being nit-picky. I did mention that Seventh Day Adventist and Jehova's Witnesses believe that the unsaved will cease to exist rather than suffer an eternity in Hell. I wonder, are you a member of one of these churches, or are you theologically independent, or a member of an independent church?<BR/><BR/>I gather you consider the "red letter" teachings in the Gospel's to be the most signifanct part of Christianity (hence the Gracehead title). I agree, as the "red letter" writings are the parts which are in my mind cohesive with "Perennial Philosophy" such as Hindu Yoga, Vedanta, Buddhism, Taosim, Spiritualism and here comes the dirty word, Gnosticism (Both Christian & Hermetic).<BR/><BR/>The idea of Hell as an eternal place of torture is a sadistic doctrine, completely incompatible with the concept of a benevolent God of Unconditional Love.<BR/><BR/>I am aware of the arguments for non-existence of unsaved souls as being "Biblical", and also that the words used in the New Testament to refer to Hell (Gehenna) refers to a place where the bodies of the dead were taken. However, I do believe there are verses to the contrary, (ie Luke 16:19, the parable of the rich man and the beggar Lazarus), and also some parts of Revelations (depending on interpretation).<BR/><BR/>Personally, I don't see the Bible as being the infallable Word of God, so for me it is not the last word on Doctrine, particularly in this case to the nature of the afterlife. There are many sources of information for this topic. I will go into the Bible, Jesus and Apologetics later on in this Blog.<BR/><BR/>Now, you obviously don't except the concept of the immortality of the Soul, and you present the Genesis verse as a reference to that doctrine. Personally, I am of the opinion that Genesis is highly allegorical, and has been mistranslated by most theologians (I will go into this at a later date as well).<BR/><BR/>In my opinion the idea of annihalation for the "unsaved" does not satisfy the concept of Unconditional Love, or Grace. Surely God desires all His children to come back to Him eventually, even if this does require more than one life (I believe in Reincarnation). I feel that properly understood, Reincarnation is the only theory to truly allow Justice & Mercy to be fully balanced (However I understand that this is a big statement, I will be posting on this at a later date).Jim Clarkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13815483599664355248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683019342240329622.post-15056084795903587462008-07-30T14:42:00.000+10:002008-07-30T14:42:00.000+10:00Hello.at the risk of sounding nit-picky...Hell (as...Hello.<BR/><BR/>at the risk of sounding nit-picky...<BR/><BR/>Hell (as an eternal dwelling of the damned) is a teaching, like purgatory, that has no basis in scripture. It is a tradition that has become orthodox, but scripture as in most cases runs contrary to traditional viewpoints.<BR/>Consider John 3:16 ... "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, so that as many as believe in Him may not PERISH but have Eternal Life."<BR/><BR/>Life is a gift ... we are not owed life, but we each have it for a time. But it is inherently TEMPORARY ... having a beginning and an end. The doctrine of hell depicts no end ... no "PERISHING" ... but continued and unending conscious torment. <BR/><BR/>In reality, to accept the very Life of God is to be made alive by His life ... a Life that is unending and unbeginning .. .ETERNAL. To reject that Life is to remain temporal ... having no Eternal destiny.<BR/><BR/>To perish is to be UNFORMED to nothing .. and those that receive the second death to be made no more will have no thoughts to realize they have received it or not. Thoughts perish with the perishing<BR/><BR/>The serpent said: "You shall surely not die." ... and the church has been repeating the refrain, even when such teaching goes against the most popular verse ... John 3:16. <BR/><BR/>Perish means perish.<BR/><BR/>Consider this:<BR/>1/14/06 - From God the Father<BR/>...Shall I, even I, torment My beloved, they who are tormented continually by he who is, and has, torment in his vesture? Satan is the tormentor. ... Become, again, a child of God, and learn to walk uprightly, leading others into love, by love, not fear.<A HREF="http://trumpetcallofgodonline.com/index.php5?title=Proclaim_NOT_the_Hell_of_the_Church_of_Men...In_Their_Word_is_No_Mercy_Found%2C_Only_the_Makings_of_Satan" REL="nofollow">MORE of this letter about unbiblical "hell" HERE</A><BR/><BR/><A HREF="http://gracehead.com/index.php/2007/10/28/p287" REL="nofollow">18 reasons why in a single verse</A><BR/><BR/><A HREF="http://gracehead.com/index.php/2007/10/27/theological_myth_unending_conscious_tort_1" REL="nofollow">Theological Myth - Unending conscious torture</A>GraceHeadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16511471036658708352noreply@blogger.com