Watchman Neo

After having been around this particular block several times elsewhere, I’ve been lead to the conclusion that it really, really mattereth not what translation one uses unless one also heeds the still, small, inner voice of the Teacher. 1 John 2:20,27 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things…But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him. Scholarship has its roots in man’s wisdom. It must always take second place to the leading of the Spirit…who will not lead one contrary to what He inspired to be written. All doctrinal disagreements have, at their core, at least one party that is not listening, or is not hearing the Spirit clearly. Blessings, Watchman Neo

The illumination of the Spirit does not negate the need for textual criticism and hermeneutics (believers who are equally capable, godly differ on a myriad of biblical issues/exegesis, not to mention the cultic problems with twisting Scripture). Actually, the disagreement between scholars highlights the imperative need for Spiritual illumination. The best translation in the world is useless without the guidance of the Spirit. WN

Saber rattling. I hope they don't let their alligator mouths overload their hummingbird butts. They have an agenda and are willing to follow through. Yes, they are crazy enough to try. Well, ya just can't fix stupid!.

Thank God we have His Spirit to guide us, else we'd be at the mercy of the fallible, human translation committees!

Saber rattling. I hope they don't let their alligator mouths overload their hummingbird butts.

Science is limited by man's limitatiions...can it go forward to explain the infinite in terms of the limited?

I am not familiar with Tom Horn; however, Chuck Missler and David Wilkerson have been used by the Lord to teach me a great deal. Do I believe everything either of them teach? No. Does that invalidate the entirety of their teachings? No. So if they believe something different about Christmas than do I, it is not a big deal. There will ever be doctrinal differences between brothers and sisters in Christ...and these are burdens we are to bear while fulfilling His law. blessings, Watchman Neo

My understanding parallels this. Further, the spirit works from within the heart (which is mostly analagous to the soul) and brings us understanding from the Lord. The spirit of a man is the lamp of the LORD, Searching all the inner depths of his heart. Proverbs 20:27 But there is a spirit in man, And the breath of the Almighty gives him understanding. Job 32:8 When we are indwelled by the Spirit of God, then we are one spirit with Him per 1 Corinthians 6:17. He guides us, moves us, teaches us, communes with us, gives us knowledge and understanding, instructs our consciences from within....Spirit-to-spirit. The spirit is the master of the soul, which in turn, is the master of the body. blessings, Watchman Neo

Respectfully, this will not happen. The power is the gospel...the good news of Christ and of the kingdom of God. No one comes to Christ unless our Father draws them. If folks want to point at a Christian's behavior and say, "that is why I will not believe", then they can point at every one of us and say it...regardless of whether it is over Christmas celebration, football victory celebration, or having a glass of wine with a meal. Those who are looking for a reason not to believe will conjure one. Those who have seeking hearts open to God will accept His drawing faithfully. The power of salvation is God's and is found in His good news..in and of ourselves, we cannot convert a single person. We do not possess that power...only God does. blessings, Watchman Neo

Yes, from His eternal, spiritual perspective, we are perfect. In time and space, however, we are being made perfect. The Greek word Paul used in the Philippians passage quoted in the OP carries the idea of mature, complete, lacking nothing necessary for completeness. It does NOT mean sinlessness. I was bullied for a short time in the 9th grade. It took one fight to stop it...that, and hitting 6'4" & 200 pounds. I cannot abide a bully of any sort and my heart goes out to those who are being bullied. blessings, Watchman Neo

Psalm 37:23 The steps of a righteous man are ordered by the LORD: and he delights in his way. Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. He has prepared our works and has placed them in order for us. He did this before time began (see Isaiah 46:10.) We have a pre-ordained path to walk…but how? Ezekiel gives us part of the answer, as does John: Ezekiel 36:26-27 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. John 16:13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come John 2:20,27 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things…But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him. We learn from Ezekiel and John that the preordained path is brought to us by the Holy Spirit. He takes from what belongs to Christ (which is everything…including plenary knowledge), and makes it known to us…He teaches us and guides us. This guidance is momentary and is required for us to walk in the pre-ordered pre-prepared works our Papa has planned for each of us…and the list of works and their order is not contained in scripture. What does that look like in real life? I was in the exam room of my clinic with a man once. He seemed really down and I was about to ask him if he’d like to pray together. The Spirit said, ‘just listen.’ So, even though I was behind, I listened to his sad tale for the next fifteen minutes or so. When he was finished speaking, he suddenly smiled and said, ‘Thanks, doc! It’s been a long time since anyone took the time to just listen to me…that was just what I needed!’ Had I insisted on praying with him, he wouldn’t have been edified. Does He put each person into our way? I'd have to say yes, with a qualification: He may also allow something from the enemy that He will work to our good...but that doesn't mean He put it there. blessings, Watchman Neo

After having been through this very discussion on other boards over the last decade, one thing comes to mind: it is not pagan to celebrate the birth of our Lord, nor is it pagan to designate a season for such celebration. I've known all about the so-called pagan roots of Christmas for many moons...but do not recognize them as being the reason for my celebration...any more than I recognize Sunday as being a day to worship the sun. The season is, for me, about our Lord Jesus Christ...and not about a bunch of heathen nonsense that I don't celebrate. blessings, Watchman Neo

And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “ Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” I haven't read this entire thread; however, I am extremely thankful that our Father's plan is in place. As to the exact date, or when we celebrate the birth of Christ...that is an all-year deal for me! blessings, Watchman Neo

Underlying the book is the premise that the creature can explain the actions of the Creator...that the limited can explain the limitless...that the natural can explain the supernatural. Perhaps that is why Solomon arrived at the conclusion that all is vanity? blessings, Watchman Neo