25 minutes ago, FJK said:

I think this thinking is in error.

You are right. What do we really know about the subject? I simply teach the creation story as a message, that God created in an orderly series of graduated peaceful steps, expressed poetically in a way we can understand. We really know nothing more than that.

14 minutes ago, other one said:

The problem starts when people start considering the Bible as a science book.

God's Word is so much more. It is interesting debating Creationist when they substitute the Gospel for this. Being threatened by the worlds partial understanding shows insecurity, not faith.

1 minute ago, FJK said:

Just do the same and you'll show how it's really done.

BTW, don't use God's dirt, create your own.

To create, say a computer from scratch. You would not just squeeze sand together. You would go through a series of very complex steps. The same with creating a garden planet from only hydrogen as a starting material.

1 minute ago, FJK said:

Genesis 2:7 " The LORD God took a handful of soil and made a man. God breathed life into the man, and the man started breathing." (CEV) seems rather exact to me.

So, a handful of soil to God is exactly like us picking up dirt? Is the phrase "God breathed life into man," a literal, detailed description of what exactly transpired physiologically? Or is it something said simply so we can get our heads around it.

5 minutes ago, FJK said:

Is this implying that the Bible should be considered in secondary source of Truth

What do you mean by "truth"? The science of today will be as ridiculous tomorrow as Victorian science is to us today. The Bible glosses over the exact mechanics of creation. Much of it is speculation on our part, but the Ideal of God being the source of an orderly universe and Jesus' prophecies and fulfillment stand the test of time.

On 1/30/2024 at 6:34 PM, RV_Wizard said:

That is the great lie of evolution

The Bible is intended to be theological messaging. Using the Bible as a source for empirical scientific research is misappropriating the purpose of God's written Word. It is like using a car to perform surgery because it drove them to the hospital.

On 12/30/2023 at 2:36 AM, NConly said:

Ezk 36:16-24

In addition, this scripture was written during their captivity in Babylon in 585 B.C., about 46 years before Cyrus issued a proclamation granting their freedom in 539 B.C.. I have not seen any prophecy about 1948 Israel directly, apart from the assumption that they are a state in the end times. "The generation that will not pass away", in  Matthew 24:34 could easily be about the audience to which He was addressing. A generation that has been immortalized by the New Testament.

On 1/4/2024 at 11:39 AM, WilliamL said:

So to a select few, understanding of the prophecies will be revealed.

Seems like the only way to really understand prophecy is to have a broad historical overview of the world, both ancient and modern times. Coupled with information that is kept up to date from many different cultures. Otherwise it is hit and miss random speculation that is out of touch with the real world.

2 hours ago, farouk said:

Some ppl like to see the church in view in the Seven Feasts of Jehovah, but I'm not sure that this is the proper context.

 "One person values one day over another, another values every day the same. Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind." Romans 14:5. Seems like it is a personal preference we are free to explore if it suits us.

28 minutes ago, NConly said:

not been returned til 1948

The gathering spoken of denotes a pilgrimage more than a resettlement. My point is that (Ezek 36:16-24) does not mention permanent resettlement. Jesus's death punctuated a prominent pilgrimage where all able bodied Jews across the known world where commanded to gather at the Temple for Sukkot, "...when I show Myself holy among you in their sight" Ezek 36:23. The festival foretells  the messianic age when all nations offer homage to Jerusalem.

20 minutes ago, farouk said:

Some ppl feel they are un-tattooed on principle.

Others who are tattooed feel they are avoiding legalism

It is a concern that such displays will be seen as a substitute for real transformation of the inner-self. But, if someone is already renewed and simply wishes to display their faith for everyone to see, this hardly falls under the superficiality of legalism.

41 minutes ago, NConly said:

Do you have any verse that shows the were back during Jesus's days on earth?

The Feast of Booths(Tabernacle) was one of the great annual pilgrimages. It was during this time Jesus was tried and executed. For more information see: "Jesus Fulfills the Feast of Booths" and "Sukkot and the Significance of Pilgrimage".

2 hours ago, Retrobyter said:

All I know is that the early church identified by the rite of immersion (baptism). They didn't make such markings in the flesh. Instead, they bore the marks of lashes, beatings, and even crucifixions and beheadings. The marks of the martyrs.

This is not an issue of faith unto salvation. They are people with their own needs and concerns growing up in a different environment than you. It is not good to dismiss the concerns of others with legalism or invalidate their personal experiences.

1 minute ago, farouk said:

Another:

"Every mark of dark dishonor
  Heaped upon the thorn-crowned brow
All the depths of Thy heart’s sorrow
  Told in answ’ring glory now." (Miss C. Thompson)

You are going to make me shed a tear.

14 minutes ago, farouk said:

Sobering to thing that whereas many cried 'Hosanna', on the occasion you refer to, yet a crowd later cried, 'Away with Him......we will not have this man to reign over us'...........

It was a gut wrenching event. I can not imagine how Jesus must of felt in the face of such a humiliating rejection. The entire global Jewish community gathered together only to shout Him down flat from the high point of His ministry. God is humble.

2 minutes ago, farouk said:

A lot of Christians feel that tattooing can remain within the bounds of grace and modesty.

Tattoos are acceptable under Christianity. That restriction was under Torah Law. If someone tries to say otherwise, how about the other 612 laws? Are they going to enforce those to? If so, they are no longer being saved by grace. That is a personal preference. Validation of a stranger should have no meaning to your personal business.

On 12/30/2023 at 2:36 AM, NConly said:

For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land.

These scriptures do not say the Jews gathered to stay and live in Canaan. A great gathering took place in Jesus's time for the celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles, where the scattered Jews where brought together into the Lands of Israel to rejoice. We remember the event today as Palm Sunday. It is just as likely this is what those particular scriptures where referring to.

Just now, farouk said:

I guess you mean that your dw does not have a tattoo of any size or description.

Today it's become like getting an extra pair or two of ear piercings.

It is all subjective. Who can judge the standards of another. We can only speak of what is beholden to our own eyes. Modes of attractiveness always change with the times. To me a modest appearance with the inner-self spangled with jewelry makes my heart joyful to witness them.

9 minutes ago, farouk said:

Tattoos are unlady-like. That is why I would never have one.

I agree, I would be disheartened if my wife marred her beauty.

12 minutes ago, Neighbor said:

appointed by God

Because something is appointed or used by God, does not mean that thing is good. Everything has to lead to the accumulated fulfillment of His plan if they want to or not. Judas Iscariot is one example, Rome's persecution is another and the intense perversion and arrogance of the U.S. is as ungodly as you can get.

14 minutes ago, farouk said:

There's also a lot of evidence that many Christian men and women that get inked up with faith based designs don't afterwards regret being tattooed.

Random doodling is always a regrettable stain. If it represents an accomplishment or affiliation, that seems more inline with what tattoos were made for.

1 hour ago, Neighbor said:

Kinda sounds like  reference to Psalm 82 and to  the now deceased Michael Heiser's works on the subject.

Yes, Heiser is big on word study resources. Elohim and it's use in the Bible is well known and nothing new. A nation's archetype is not governed by mankind, but are the corporeal presence or bodies of other worldly forces. Nations rise above and are suspended separately over the sea of humanity. Personal transformation is one thing, global cleansing is another.

On 1/2/2024 at 4:45 AM, Neighbor said:

The Real Answer to Antisemitism

Life Lessons From the Parshah - Shemot

By Yehoshua B. Gordon  may be found online for those that may be interested in a point of view, perhaps one with some useful insight. When searching see Chabad(Dot)org

Seems that the only real cure for antisemitism is a global mass extinction event. The majority of Earth's population will always side with the nations of the elohim over God's inheritance.

18 hours ago, believeinHim said:

I have no problem with CBD oil, or CBD cream. Nor with CBD gummies, either. I also take several of my own medications. 

Yeah, I think psychiatrist are way too eager to give dangerous mind bending drugs to mild disorders that cause even more symptoms for them to label and treat. If I find something that is not industrial strength to self medicate a mild distress I will go for it.  

39 minutes ago, farouk said:

My wife and I talked to a young lady with the whole of John 3.16 tattooed on her wrist area; it was her favorite Bible verse and mine also.

John 3:16, the most beautiful thought ever written. How could she regret that kind of tattoo? A dim reflection of the real tattoo that adorns her inner self.