Brooklyn's Dad Talks About EVERYTHING

The modern church defines "joy" quite differently than does the Lord. We look to the Acts age book of Hebrews to see the greatest example of the values of the Christian life. The Lord endured injustice and death, not caring about the shame that came with it, because the greater joy was found in pleasing the Father and bringing redemption to mankind. #theology

We look at another very popular verse from from Psalm 37, verse 4, "Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart." Is God obligated to all men and women in all ages to fulfill this spiritual transaction? Well, we once again turn to the context of the promise and seek also to rightly divide (2 Tim 2:15) the promise. It surely is a "Bible promise," but what is its purpose and to whom was it given? We also note that the history of Christianity is a history of being persecuted and slaughtered for the faith. #theologytalk

We visit another oft-quoted verse (often when preachers are calling missionaries or guilting parishioners into evangelistic duty), Isaiah 6:8.Also I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then I said, “Here am I. Send me.”But what message was Isaiah sent with? And to whom was he sent and why?

Short commentary on the papal conclave, we then move back to Israel God's plans for the earth, the land, and the Kingdom. We step back into the Book of Matthew and note the Lord's message and mission in that book and we agree with the Lord's assessment: he was sent only to the lost sheep of the House of Israel and the Gospel of the Kingdom is for Israel alone. Yes, he is Lord of the Gentiles, but he is Son of David to Israel alone. #theologytalk

Part 2 of 2. A look at the return of the Lord through Paul's epistles. We again focus on the spheres of blessing and remind ourselves to rightly divide the differences. #theology

Well, he does look better. But nobody holds these people responsibility for their claims. Hos own congregation probably defended his dreads for years telling people God told him to grow them... only to forget that once he does cut them.

We never want to diminish the experience of the birthing of the new nature in the believer when he or she comes to acknowledge the finished work of the Lord Jesus as his or her only hope, but we also never want to lose sight of the primary hope of the new birth. Deaths reigns from Adam until this very hour. It is our "enemy." The Lord conquered it in his resurrection and one day, because of what he accomplished on our behalf, the believer will experience it as well. No matter the plan of God before any group of believers, no matter the sphere of blessing, the great gift of immortal life through resurrection must shine through. #theology #christian

We take a look at the Lord's response to a question he received from his disciples on the Mount of Olives concerning the end of the age ("world" in some translations). We're centered on Matthew 24 in part.We use this backdrop concerning the plan for the Kingdom (the gospel of the kingdom being for Israel and involving the earthly plan) to set us up for a look at the hope of the heavenly city, the New Jerusalem, and its place in the plan of God.

We never want to take away from what God is able to do. We never want to discourage believers from seeking God's intervention in our lives. But when we visit passages for other callings, we have to be careful. We must discern those things which speak of God's abilities and God's attributes. But that is quit a different matter than claiming things for ourselves that are neither directly given to us nor are they for our calling and age.We have previously looked at passages in the the Psalms and in the Prophets, today we turn to Isaiah 61. #theology #christan #biblestudyLiving in the ParenthesisThe Age of the Silence of GodWalking According to Our Calling in the Current Age

We revisit the Democratic presidential candidates' policy positions from the 1984 campaign, compare that to McGovern's 1972 platform and modify previous statements about the Democrats and tariffs. Suffice to say it's a mixed bag.Then we move to our seemingly never-ending parade of "real" Catholics telling me that popes can be wrong and we don't really need to listen to them on matters of faith or morals, we can made those distinctions ourselves. My response: Welcome to the Reformation!Pope Francis has been great. He has been able to get the most conservative, hardcore, militant Catholics to suddenly adopt the position that Catholics are free to contradict the Pope. One odd argument, we don't have to listen to Urban VIII on salvation because "that was, like 800 years ago!" but somehow the current pope (who would presumably be the most accurate teacher of the faith using that reasoning) is the worst of the all? Hmm... #catholic #catholicism

We look over Ephesians 5 and Paul's warning that we walk in the Light of the new nature lest we risk losing the inheritance. We distinguish between the sealed free gift by grace alone of resurrection life, secured by the perfect, finished, and pure sacrifice of Christ on our behalf versus the inheritance of rewards, crowns, and the prize based on our walk and service as believers.We start by stopping in on Paul's time before the Sanhedrin and the High Priest and note Paul's submission to the Law in that age. Never to either gain or maintain the free gift of salvation by grace, but in light of the promised Kingdom to be restored one day in Israel.

A study on the the necessity of walking in the light (in our new nature) for the believer of the current age. There are two inhertnaces for the Christian. One is secure and cannot be lost (the gift of resurrection life by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone) and the inheritance in the age to come which can be forfeited (loss off rewards, crowns, and the prize) if we choose to walk in the flesh.Acting in the flesh is to act selfishly and can take on many forms. But for the believer, any gratification of self is short-lived and will end in sorrow and loss (either now or in the age to come). Any interested in joining our studies are welcome to sign on through the paltalk app or site, Tuesdays, 8:30PM (EDT), "Musterion" room. 

We chat about denominational systems and the pastor/priest system seriously clouds our responsibility as individual believers to "study to show [ourselves] approved unto God, rightly dividing the Word of Truth" (2 Tim 2:15). The system also creates an enormous entryway for error and heresy and even a denial of the foundational truths of the faith (including a denial of the finished work of Christ). Surrendering our individual responsibility before God has destroyed many believers and has destroyed the truths of the revelation of our Apostle for this age, Paul.

"A booklet by Charles Hummel that explores the problem of living in a world of constant urgency and distraction. Learn how to prioritize the important tasks and avoid the tyranny of the urgent."-C.S. Lewis InstituteWe ponder the implications of the "urgent" things in our lives that rob us of peace. We examine, in brief, the booklet cited and I offer my opinion as to its conclusions and directions (the good and the questionable). We briefly comment on the activities of the new administration and remind all of us to question ANYBODY with power. No blank checks here and neither do we approve of blanket condemnations.Exposing waste and exposing corruption must be seen as a good thing if the information is proven to be accurate. We need to judge each action on its own. In the end, we're all on the same team despite the powers that be wanting us to choose sides.

I used to have a list of doctrinal beliefs that I thought were biblical... then I started to compare scripture with scripture and interpretation with what I saw around me. So, I set out to compare what I said I believed and applied to all the Bible and to my own life. For example, if you think the red letters are for you, have you sold all you have? If you think you attend an "Acts Church," do you live communally? Do you separate Jewish believers from Gentile believers? This is called "comparing the things that differ" and studying to see why they differ. Finally, if we do discover discrepancies between what you say you believe and what you experience, we must be willing to change our interpretations. #theology #christian #christianity

You've got a sick child in the hospital, you're about to have your house foreclosed, your son just got drafted for World War III... you are going to be anxious. So, when Paul teaches us to be anxious for nothing (Phil 4:6) does he mean we're never to be worried or concerned? Absolutely not! Even our Lord expressed hos concerns to the Father in the Garden. But our Lord showed us the way. He put us ahead of his own interests and put his faith in the Father's plan for him. We show concern for others, but we need to learn to show less and less concern for ourselves. Contentment is our calling. After all, our blessings are indescribable and await us in the far above the heavens.Along the way we comment briefly on Pope Francis' appointment of a new Cardinal in Washington DC. Catholics Against Catholicism are hopping mad!

We briefly review the bad Christmas takes from both the pro-Christmas and anti-Christmas Evangelical world, we wander momentarily back into Catholics attacking Catholicism, we breeze by the Church Fathers on social media, and finish with Jimmy Carter lovers embracing Reaganomics to stick it to conservatives somehow. But it all makes sense if you would just ignore the obvious and embrace the nuance! Israel, Palestine, Antisemitism, Jews, Catholicism, Jimmy Carter, economy, economics, free market

I revisit the Ukraine-Russia war with some thoughts. We also ponder the sudden shift of Leftists and other Democrats to the side of opposing tariffs. Welcome to free trade, supply-side economics! We also visit Leftist hero Cesar Chavez's favorite subject: beating up illegal immigrants. Unions have historically loved tariffs (protectionism) and hates mass immigration (increased competition in the labor markets). Next thing you know Democrats will be opposing the minimum wage! Nah... but we can hope!Christmas is for Israel:https://youtu.be/qvCj-Zw7KwU

I talk a little about my music projects and then move on the significance (or lack of significance) to the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. Once again we have to remind people of their stated beliefs (on all sides). #theology

Video Version contains all the references and notes if needed:https://youtu.be/If6MlszavvMWe look at Catholic Popes and Councils and their utterly clear statements on the necessity of Catholic baptism, weekly mass attendance, and good standing in the bosom of the Catholic Church at the time of death. No ifs, ands or buts. No nuancing. Utterly clear! We then look at other Popes and the current catechism which completely contradict them.And the super serious Catholics who reject all popes since Pius XII have the additional problem of arguing that the College of Cardinals infallibly appointed by Pius XI and Pius XII somehow were not infallible when they chose John XXIII. Quite the poser! But at least they see the contradictions mentioned above. So, in a weird way, the super duper Catholics agree with me!A recent survey revealed that 77% of professing Catholics do not attend weekly mass (almost certainly fewer attend all the Holy Days of Obligation). Well, since we're pretty sure they don't all have great excuses every single week, according to codified RC doctrine, they're on their way to eternal fiery torment upon death. We look at those related RCC doctrines. We ask again, if you don't fear their warnings of eternal fiery torment, why do you believe their promises of heaven?Hey, I don't hates 'em, I just quotes 'em!

What we chat about today are doctrines held bay various people and groups that take the name "Christian." Any individual is free to take any name he wants and claim any beliefs he wants. But when he does so, we ask that he remain consistent. We briefly discuss beliefs such as "Holy Days of Obligation," Purgatory," "Salvation" on the one had and the "claiming" of verses from anywhere in any context in another.Social media has again provided us with a couple or example of the latter.Along the way, we note the sad passing of HotAir.com contributor Jazz Shaw and ask Ed Morrissey if he did his duty.

We talk a little more about death and then look at David's Song of Deliverance in 2 Samuel 22. What can we learn about prayer from comparing our experiences to David's? Right away we should understand that we do not have David's calling nor his promises, yet we are justified by grace as he was. When we look at the life of David we can see areas that do directly teach us, but we most definitely see things that have nothing to do with the current calling and cannot be equated with our promises in the current dispensation. We most assuredly are called on to pray in our day, but what should be expect from the Lord and how do our expectations differ from other families of God? What is the nature of answered prayer in the dispensation of the grace of God with a heavenly hope before us?

I recently experienced a medical scare and the real possibility of death. Thankfully all worked out and through a series of events I was able to undergo the treatment I needed. Could I claim Romans 8:28 ("all things work together for good" etc.) as some would suggest? As I recovered I saw a social media post claiming Romans 8:31 ("if God be for us, who can be against us?") on behalf of Donald Trump and his followers. Well, that didn't seem to work in 2020 (or in almost any national election around the globe now and for centuries. So we look at these and surrounded verses in context again and remind ourselves of the ultimate hope and victory: resurrection.

We explore another verse regularly ripped from its context and continue to apply a right division of the Word (2 Tim 2:15). There are likely countless people who become discouraged and many more who may even mock the faith when believers rip promises for Israel from their contexts and try to wiggle themselves into them in the current age. #theology #gospel #christiandoctrine

As believers all over the West and on Social Media quote verse after verse claiming God's protection and even His vengeance against their enemies, we look around us (and at the history of believers for two centuries) and what we see is suffering, persecution, and death. What are we to do with these realities. As usual, a right division of scripture and an understanding of God in this age (separating the different hopes in the Bible) helps us see the truth. #theology #christianity #israel #heaven

You must be born again? Passed from death unto life? In Christ are all made alive? For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish? Wonderful truths, but have we must the true focus and hope because of tradition and mythology? We exalt the finished work of Christ and we exalt the victory that was the lack of decay in the tomb and the glorious resurrection. #theology #christianity #salvation

We look at a popular verse in Jeremiah chapter 17 and do what we always do: look at the context! All of scripture is profitable. We can learn about the nature of God without having to apply every verse to ourselves directly!Jeremiah 17:7 ("Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord") is quoted often, and for good reason. There is much to gleaned from this verse. But unless we rightly divide the chapter, we might actually miss the blessings God has in store for those of us called in this age to the current calling of God. #theology ology #prophecy #israel #christiandoctrine #christianity

A professed Christian school in Oregon thought that we're still in the Book of Acts and that every epistle is for us today. We cover one story from the school which tells the story of child (Ava Worthington) who died because of that bad interpretation (wrong division) of scripture. A simple administering of an antibiotic would have saved the child, but the school thought they would try to claim healing promises in Matthew 10 and James 5. Sadly, they did not realize those promises are not for us today. This school would continue in its belief and more children would die.

Matthew 7:1 ("judge not lest ye be judged") is probably the most quoted verse by believers and unbelievers alike in modern theological discourse. If we allow ourselves to think about it for over 4 milliseconds we'll realize there is no way the Lord is commanding his followers to never judge anything or anybody. To be sure, we must be very careful when we make judgments and we must always be aware of our own frailty and of our sin nature, but surely we must make judgments. We try to put a little meat on the bones by walking through the passage. And judgment is not limited to actions in scripture. We must judge doctrine, interpretations, and applications as well. And in judging these things, we must "rightly divide the Word of Truth." #theology #gospel

The overwhelming majority of what is Christendom believes it is functioning under the New Covenant and that it is somehow a New Israel or a replacement for Israel. This belief will destroy (and has destroyed) many a Bible commentary. Further, it has stifled the growth of millions upon millions of believers. Finally, it has deluded well over a billion into believing that can attain resurrection life by their own efforts.On the right side of the web we find almost all the robbing from Israel. Not only does this lead to gross antisemitism, but it sadly leaves so many ignorant of the blessings of the far above the heavens. Believers trade the unsearchable riches of Paul's revelation in Ephesians for some ethereal heavenly hope based on earthly promises. Sad. But we don't have to stay where we are. God is ready to enlighten unto Paul's revelation those who seek it. #theology #zionism #israel

We take a look at some quotes from philosopher Bertrand Russell. We note the wisdom that we can glean from the atheist thinker and then ponder why he was an atheist. Each of needs to be open to further enlightenment from God and we heed Russell's admonition against prideful certainty (ignoring the fact that he was pretty sure about evolution for some reason). #theology #creation

We look at God's prophetic plans for the earth, the promised land, and for his earthly kingdom. We discuss the Lord's death, lack of decay, and resurrection and the importance these have in cleansing the multiple spheres in God's kingdom. We note that the overcomers of the Revelation, a cleansed Israel, is the Lord's Bride and will inhabit the blessing of the heavenly New Jerusalem which comes down to earth. #theology #israel #dispensationalism #prophecy

We walk through Ezekiel 36 and look at God's plan for the earth and the land in that book. A very popular verse for evangelists to preach and for believers to claim is Ezekiel 36:26. We note how it badly manipulated by so many today and, further, how it distorts and clouds an understanding of God's plans for the future of Israel. God is a promise-keeping God. Israel is his Bride and he will cleanse Virgin Israel one day and fulfill his promises to a cleansed and believing Israel. #theology #gospel #salvationI also share a bit of my testimony and my journey in the faith. If we truly want to try to rightly divide the word of truth (interpret scripture correctly), we must keep testing our beliefs against the whole counsel of God and be willing to move as God reveals more and more.NOT for us today:"A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh." -Ezek 36:26

If one correctly sees Israel in the texts of the Psalms and the Prophets yet the same one goes on to teach that the "church" is somehow a "new" Israel or a different version of the same Israel, he has many problems on his hands. Conversely, the believer who believes either that he is Israel and is entitled to Israel's promises as laid out in the Law, the Psalms, and the Prophets... this one then has to deal with the curses and punishments connected with eventual blessings. We can only start to get a clear understanding of scripture when we seek to rightly divide the plan, the people, and the promises in view.

On the surface, we may be tempted to take some simple lessons from the Lord's parables. But in doing so, we will probably be doing great violence to the text and not only miss the message, we may completely destroy it. Scripture must be rightly divided and the especially goes for the parables. The Lord started to speak in parables as a judgment against the nation, but that doesn't mean he doesn't want his true disciples to understand them.

We walk through another of-quoted Psalm in light of its context. We look at popular verses and where biblical wisdom truly starts. When we fear and reverence God, we look to our command in God's final inspired revelation, 2 Timothy, and we seek to honor him by studying to show ourselves approved and by rightly dividing (drawing straight lines) the Word of Truth. Once again we encounter the idea of "forever."

Psalm 46 is a very popular chapter in scripture and understandably so. There is much about the character and attributes of our God in the Psalm, but we must be careful when applying it in this age to ourselves. What we are dealing with nations in this section and God's plan and promise concerning the land are the backdrop. #theologyGod is OUR refuge and strength,A very present help in trouble.Therefore WE will not fear-Psalm 46:1Be still, and know that I am God;I will be exalted among the nations,I will be exalted in the earth!The Lord of hosts is with US;The God of JACOB is OUR refuge. Selah-Psalm 46:10-11

We continue to show the importance of applying "rightly dividing the Word of Truth" (2 Tim 2:15) to scripture and to everything that comes our way. Just as we noted that an unbelievable number of Christians carelessly have adopted John Lennon's utopian and godless song "Imagine" for some reason, we take the principles of "filtering" and apply them to George Harrison's hit song "Give Me Love." A song I happen to love despite its original intent.We recognize that songs in themselves are not all inherently deceptive. But they can be deceptive if we don't apply sound, biblical, right division principles to them. #theology

We take a look at former Beatle John Lennon's Utopian fantasy song and ask why would any Christian would embrace this? We also examine Lennon's own life and views and how they evolved over the years. Imagine no possessions, but that doesn't mean you can't make a fortune on cattle futures or sue the government to get out of paying taxes on your investments! All the Beatles moved at least part of their personal fortunes to the USA to avoid the UK's Socialist taxes. That would the USA. You know, the most capitalistic, most militaristic, and richest nation in the history of the world. You can sing about India and Bangladesh and collectivist societies, just don't actually move there!

We begin with apologies to John Calvin... for our tone, not our point. When we fail to let scripture speak for itself or fail to recognize when our system doesn't fit, we wander into areas of great error. We drop in on Leviticus and the Feast of Weeks as well as Haggai chapter 1 and the rebuilding of the temple. Along the way, we prove that every Christian is a dispensationalist!

We finish our look at a few of the commentaries featuring big names like Calvin, Spurgeon, Henry, and Sproul as they pontificate on the Beatitudes in Matthew 5. We notice that, when we fail to rightly divide the word of truth, no amount of seminary training or voluminous writing will help. God has a plan for the earth and when we miss that and try to cram everything into a saved/lost split, we lose so much truth.In fact, whether they realized it or not, these big names crossed into denying Christ territory. Our interpretations must match the context of the passage in light of God's plan and purpose and it should match what we see around us. When those extolling the virtues of poverty are themselves comfortable and without a financial care in the world, we must step back and ask where they went wrong.

As promised (I need to stop promising things), I read a few excerpts from commentaries from the some of the big names in historic Evangelicalism / Protestantism regarding the Beatitudes in Matthew 5. We can quickly see that despite some degree of wordiness, they still base their interpretations on the heaven/hell and saved/lost paradigm and don't say much IMO. Having to cram every verse in your Bible into one of those two dichotomies will seriously damage our ability to see and discern God's different plans, different hopes, and different ages. #theologyWe will see that The Gospel of the kingdom is not what we either preach or believe today. Nor should we.I hesitated to disagree with Calvin after what he did to another Michael!

We head back to the Sermon on the Mount as recorded by Matthew. We walk through the Beatitudes and step away from tradition and the restrictions of the "heaven/hell" and "saved/lost" paradigm and try to understand what the Lord is really saying and to whom and for when. Most of scripture concerns God's plans for the earth and for his earthly people. Matthew is especially focused on the gospel of the kingdom and the plan for Israel. #theology

We come along side Peter as he addresses "Ye Men of Israel" in Acts 3 and offers them the promises made to them by the prophets. We challenge pastors to try and preach this chapter as it is written, in its context, to its audience, with the plan of God clearly displayed. Israel and Jews remain Israel and Jews all through the Acts age.For those keeping score at home, Acts 3 comes after Acts 2 (the Jewish feast of Pentecost)

One of the things that really grinds my gears is being told what I believe, being stuck in a category of someone else's choosing. We explore modern thinking in light of Satan's strategy and man's reasoning. A colossal error many believers make is thinking someone (pastor, etc.) or something (denomination, local church, etc.) will stand with them (or in their place) at their judgment of service. Nope. We need t seek enlightenment from God as individuals. #theology

We take a look at how Satan is able to infiltrate the marriage of believers. In the Acts Age, believers wrote to Paul asking for his guidance. Paul's advice for that age was to not get married (if you could handle that). The Lord added in Matthew 24 that in the coming Tribulation in Israel it was better if you did not have children. But if you must marry, don't give Satan a foothold in the name of piety. Paul's instructions after the end of the Acts Age differ quite a bit from what he wrote to Corinth.For all those preachers who claim First Corinthians for themselves in our day, how many are unmarried? How many of their wives hope to not have children? Precious few (if any), yet they boldly teach that both 1 Cor 7 and 1 Timothy are both for them. We must "rightly divide the Word of Truth."

We seek to rightly divide the of-quoted promise in Philippians 4:19 by putting it in context of the chapter, the book, and the age in which it was given to our Apostle Paul. #theology

"In baseball, my theory is to strive for consistency." -Tom Seaver... In theology, we must also strive for consistency. We never want to get far from our Apostle's final words to us, we must strive to "rightly divide the Word of Truth." And when rightly divide, it applies to ALL of scripture! Context, Comparison, and Consistency is what we strive for. Not to please men, not to fit a system, but to "show ourselves approved unto God [alone]." 2 Tim 2:15.Then we walk through the topics from Season 1 in case anyone has an interest in any of those topics. From music, to the Parables, to my personal testimony, to the politics of the day (2020-2021), it's all there (plus references to M*A*S*H!).

We seek to break down 2 Corinthians 11 and Satan's ministers who are "the ministers of righteousness." Scripture doesn't teach us that Satan is in the brothel business, it teaches he's in the righteousness business. But what kind of righteousness? What's wrong with those who preach righteousness? Plenty if the don't rightly divide the true source of righteousness.Note: We had a few audio glitches, but mostly the sound is fine.

We look at the beatitude in Matthew 5:6 in context. We then move on from the "all things" of Romans 8:28 and look at the supposed promise of protection for believers today in Jeremiah and then compare the threats of no protection and ask how Christians can just pick one and not the other. Finally we review yet another false (unbiblical) concept of Satan's methods.

Romans 8:28 is yet another verse too often ripped from its context and willy-nilly applied to every believer in every age for any purpose. The great doctrine of the undoing of the curse in resurrection is once again missed.A dangerous result of the false hope derived from this verse wrongly divided trumpeted from the pulpits of Christendom is the loss of faith of countless seekers. Just as believers are thrust into doubting either their own salvation or the faithfulness of God when they don't see God providing them the "future and hope" robbed from Israel in Jeremiah 29, so too is it with the misapplication of Romans 8:28.The good, my brothers and sisters, is the hope of the resurrection. And there is nothing that can stop the redemption of the body of the believer or the redemption of the very heavens and earth. All things are marching towards that end.“For Your sake we are killed all day long;    we are counted as sheep for the slaughter.”