A Journey

Through which gates shall I enter?

As a youth, I'm continuously tested as to what to do about countless things. Just like every human being who has ever lived, I'm tempted to do things I know I shouldn't. Like most Christians, I depend on discernment through my mind, spirit, through prayer and scripture but like all humans I fail (Romans 3:23).

Life is a journey....I'm on the verge of either "turning away from God" as some would put it or being brought back from lies to God's truth....

Continue to watch this space.

LGBT Christians

An out reach for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transsexual Christians


LGBT Christians

I would like to introduce a new and growing group for LGBT Christians in Ireland. The resource is supported by Irish LGBT groups and Pastors, Ministers and Priests from the United States and the United Kingdom. It was founded in the latter part of 2008 and will become more active in 2009.


"Our mission is to bring Christ to those who have been alienated by those organisations that claim to be his Church and claim to preach his love and yet through ignorance and misconception preach not love to Gods lesbian, gay and bisexual children.


Secondly, we seek to create an atmosphere of understanding between those who think that homosexuality has no place in Christ’s Church and those who think they do.

We seek to remove ignorance and misconceptions and to stop hate and homophobia

John 13:35

"By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."

They can be contacted at:

lgb.christians@gmail.com

More about me...

HEY!

If you would like to learn more about me as a person, they way I think and the like, then visit my more personal blog.

LEELUM'S BLOG

Uh-oh!

The recent blog I posted about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints* has generated a lot of interest. Many were unfortunately offended by my post and many more found it informative.

If you have any further questions about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, you can found out information from the following three sources recommended by me:

1) Click here to talk to Latter-day Saint missionaries online!

2) Click the badge below to talk to Latter-day saint believers rather than missionaries.



3)Or, if you'd appreciate something a little more home grown, e-mail Robert, the Irish Ex-Roman Catholic youth who I questioned for the controversial blog. His e-mail address is:

IrishLDS87@gmail.com

I hope this has helped!

*I feel it's important to note that I am NOT a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and nor is this blog affiliated with them.

An Independent Evangelical Church

The following questions were asked by me to a member of an Independent, Evangelical, Christian Church. The person to whom I sent the questions is named Luke, a 16 year old member of Ashwood Church, Kirby In Ashfield in England.

Ashwood Church is "a lively, informal and growing Church with people from a wide variety of backgrounds who love, serve and proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord. We aim to be a Church that is friendly and for the whole family.

As a Church we seek to Love God, Love One Another and Love the World. We are a Church in the Community and are passionate in demonstrating Gods love, compassion and care for people who don’t yet know Him."

Here are the questions I asked Luke:

Who is God to you?
God is the almighty powerful being, omniscient, omnipotent and so on. He is a God of authority and we respect him. But at the same time he is kind, caring and loving. He wants the best for us. But the only way to him is through Jesus.

Who is Jesus to you?
Jesus is our saviour. He died on the cross to forgive our sins; he is also our best friend. Technically he is the earthly form of God. But also he is the word. He is the truth and the light, the way to God. Every day we aspire to be more and more like Jesus.

Who is the Holy Spirit to you?
The Holy Spirit is all around, and within us. He is a force of power, a spiritual form of God. He guides us and helps us along the way, a raging fire that grows inside us.

What's your position on what baptism is/means?
Baptism is a promise that you give your life to God. It is not necessary if you have accepted Jesus as your saviour but it is proving to yourself and others you’re living every day for him. Mostly we get baptised within a year or so after dedicating our lives to Jesus.

What's your view on salvation outside of the evangelical Christian movement?
Personally, I believe that as long as you have accepted Jesus into your heart you are saved! I don’t fully agree with some practises or views of other movement but, that is their own interpretation of the bible. Cast your burdens onto Jesus and believe he died on the cross to forgive our sins.

Do you hold a fundamentalist view on creation?
What are the chances of you throwing 10 ball-bearings on the floor and them all spinning around each other. Okay this may be elaborate but every day I look around and think how could all this ‘just happen?’ ‘Okay so maybe not in 7 days but 7 periods of time?’ – hold on! This is the almighty God we are talking about; he could probably do it in 7 minutes!

Please explain the happenings you think will occur in the second coming
Judgement day, we will all bow down to Jesus when he returns. Our eyes will be opened to the truth.

What is the name and website of your Church?
Ashwood church – http://www.ashwoodchurch.org.uk/

A Defence of Biblical Polygamy?

While trailing through the usual sources where I learn about different religions, sects and opinions I came across this website which promotes polygamy. Now, this website isn't associated with any "Mormon" sect of Christianity like the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints but is an independent promoter of polygamy.

From now on, everything quoted on this post will be directly from the website (with permission granted by the web master of the site).

Many Christians are unsettled about polygamy because of the widespread error constantly promoted by the denominational systems that polygamy is adultery. Polygamy is not adultery, is never called adultery by God and it is God who defines sin, not our favourite "church".

Traditionalists vainly attempt to argue polygamy as sin (from such passages as 1 Timothy 3:2, Genesis 2:24, Ephesians 5, Matthew 19 and 1 Corinthians 7) despite the fact that neither these nor any other Bible passage clearly show God supporting such a stand.

Our God promoted polygamy and our God does not promote sin. Our God is a polygamist and does not engage in any form of wickedness.Our God made laws for polygamy. Our God destroyed a man who would not practice polygamy. Our God calls polygamy holy. I think it is time “Churchianity” ceased contradicting God.

Polygamy was not blessed by God in the O.T. then suddenly declared adultery in the N.T., then to be re-sanctioned and used in the future Kingdom. Our God is not as inconsistent as contemporary exegesis. Adultery remains adultery and polygamy was not so in the past, not now or in the future.

Is the Bible against polygamy? Absolutely not!

Is polygamy Biblical? Yes and we intend to compare Scripture with Scripture and pray our fellow believers will carefully examine this subject in the same fashion without the colouring of the imbalanced majority position.

Genesis 2:24
the two one flesh

Exodus 21
laws about
concubines

Deuteronomy 21
wives taken in war

2 Samuel 12
King David
& what is adultery

Ezekiel 23
God's two wives

1 Timothy 3
marriage for deacons
does not
condemn polygamy

Matthew 19
Gen.2:24
used against divorce,
not polygamy

1 Corinthians 7
Abused and chopped
by tradition

In the past the "church" has tried, condemned and murdered polygamists and one wonders what they would do with Abraham, David and many other friends of God if they were in the assemblies today. Missionaries are even now breaking up polygamous families, forcing mothers and children into desperate situations by religions cultural and non-Biblical views on marriage. Polygamists, both ancient and modern, are part of God's family as the day of glory will show.

If God calls polygamists holy it is time His children stopped contradicting Him.


You can view more on this biblical defence of polygamy at the Bible Polygamy home page

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Commonly and incorrectly known as the "Mormon Church" was established, latter day saints believe, by God through the Prophet Joseph Smith in 1830. Smith claimed he was visited by God the Father and Jesus Christ while praying in the forest near his home in Palmyra, New York. Jesus Christ, according to Smith, told him that no Church on the Earth was correct and not to join any of them. Since that day, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has become one of the fastest growing religions and has just over 13 million followers.

Latter-day Saints are few and far between in many US states but in Utah they account for almost 70% of the population. Latter-day Saints are unique to Christianity in that they use temples for "ordinances". The Church started by Smith in 1830 split into many sects but the main three are the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons), The Community of Christ formerly the Reorganised Church of Jesus Christ and the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Later of those is most famous for being a polygamous sect and is commonly and incorrectly confused with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the media.

The following is a list of nine questions commonly asked by people out side of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints answered by a Irish Latter-day Saint scholar, currently working towards a masters degree in theology from Maynooth:

Q: Who was Joseph Smith?

Joseph Smith (1805-1844) was the founding prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Latter-day Saints believe that, through the Prophet Joseph Smith, the Lord restored Christ's Church, translated the Book of Mormon and the Book of Abraham, and was the recipient of many revelations.

The best biography of Joseph Smith, warts-and-all, is that of Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling from 2005 by Richard Lyman Bushman.


Q: Why do we need the Book of Mormon?

The Book of Mormon is another witness of the divinity and sonship of Jesus Christ, as well as His atonement that propitiates the Father's wrath and opens the way of salvation to us (cf. 1 Jn 2:1-2). There is nothing in the Bible, contra Protestants, that states that the Bible is the only revealed text from the Lord or that there would be no more revelation after the New Testament.

The Book of Mormon is the keystone of the Latter-day Saint faith--if false, Joseph Smith was a false prophet, and the Church has no claim to authority. Notwithstanding, if true, Joseph Smith was a divinely called prophet of God and the Church of Jesus Christ is, as the Lord revealed to the Prophet, the Only True and Living Church upon the face of the earth (D&C 1:30).

Q: Didn't Joseph copy the Book of Mormon from View of the Hebrews or the tribes of Israel in America by Ethan Smith and/or A history of the American Indians by James Adair?

Typically, critics who charge Joseph Smith of plagiarising these sources engage in what is called, "parallelomania," a term coined by Sandel in the Spring 1962 issue of the Social of Biblical Literature. Typically, parallels are drawn between these the Book of Mormon and these, and other texts, without any discussion on literary-critical methodology and discussing the significance of these parallels. For instance, some claim that, because the Book of Mormon and The Spalding Manuscipt discuss elephants and food, Joseph was dependent on Solomon Spalding's text! As for Adair, the Tanners and others claim that, because the Book of Mormon and Adair's book discuss fortifications, Joseph was dependent on Adair's text from the 1770s, notwithstanding that fortifications are common in the Ancient Near East and also Mesoamerica, where the Book of Mormon took place, according to the vast majority of Latter-day Saint scholars (e.g., John L. Sorenson, An Ancient American Setting for the Book of Mormon from 1985).


Q: How do you know that the authority to run the Church went to Brigham Young and not one of the many other claimants?

The position of the Twelve Apostles, then headed by Brigham Young, at the time of the martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph Smith and Hyrum Smith, as the senior Quorum of the Church was established in Nauvoo, Illinois. In effect, the Twelve were the Presidents of the Church until a new First Presidency was organised, and Brigham Young, as President of the Twelve, was the President of the Church from the death of Joseph and Hyrum.

Others, such as David Whitmer, Sidney Rigdon, and others, had no real authoritative claim to the Presidency of the Church after the death of Joseph Smith.

Q: What about accusations of Smith being a Gold digger?

Joseph Smith was hired by Josiah Stowell to dig in silver mines. Stowell's sons believed that Joseph was defrauding him, and Joseph was taken to a hearing in March of 1826. The historical records, however, reveal that it was a hearing, not a trial, and that Joseph, from the evidence, was acquitted. Some have claimed that Joseph took "leg-bail" (e.g., Dan Vogel). However, this is refuted by the fact that Joseph Smith, a little over a year later, was married by judge in 1827 to Emma Hale, Joseph's first wife. Further, Josiah Stowell spoke in defence of Joseph Smith.

Gordon Madsen's article, ""Joseph Smith's 1826 Trial: The Legal Setting," BYU Studies 30, no. 2 (1990): 91–108, is the best article on the issue, refuting the claim that Joseph was "convicted" in the 1826 hearing (article in the author's possession).

Q: Why would we need a prophet on the Earth today if we have scriptures?

One of the problems of Sola Scriptura is that, using the Scriptures alone, with our (fallible) reasoning skills, people will come up with equally "plausible" doctrines. For instance, Lutherans teach baptismal regeneration, while Reformed Baptists condemn such as a heresy. Calvinists teach unconditional election, while Arminians teach the opposite. Presbyterians teach infant baptism, while Baptists believe in baptism of believers only. Many other examples could be discussed. While the Scriptures are indeed "inspired," or theopneoustos (Greek of 2 Timothy 3:16), we need established, doctrinal boundaries, and that is appropriated through God's mouthpiece on the earth, the chief Apostle of the Church, being Thomas S. Monson as of writing.

Q: Does the Church believe in the divinity of Jesus?

Yes. The Title Page of the Book of Mormon refers to Christ as "The Eternal God." Uniquely Latter-day Saint scripture continually refers to Jesus as divine and God, and the only way to salvation.

Q: Does the Church believe that God is a physical being?

D&C 130, revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith, explicitly refers to the Father as an embodied being. While "mainstream" Christianity, per the Hypostatic Union and Chalcedon, state that Jesus is eternally embodied, they usually clam that, based on John 4:24, that the Father is only a spirit.

John 4:24 (pneuma ho theos) is, in Greek, a preverbal predication. In Greek grammar, preverbal predications do not discuss composition or attributes. In LDS theology (e.g., D&C 93), the Father is embodied, composing of a Spirit and a body, so John 4:24 does not preclude LDS teaching on this issue.

Hebrews 1:3 refers to Jesus as the apaugasma (reflection) of the essential nature of the Father, suggesting that, as with Jesus, the Father is embodied. Other texts could be elicited. Indeed, scholars, such as Mark S. Smith, admit that the earliest Israelite conception of God was that of an embodied being.

Q: Is it true that Joseph taught plurality of "the Gods?"

In D&C 132, and Joseph Smith's King Follet Discourse and the Sermon in the Grove, the prophet taught the plurality of the Gods. Such is entirely logical. Consider the following:

There are three divine persons.

Each divine person is God.

If every A is a B, logically, there can not be fewer B's than As

Therefore, there are at least three Gods.

Of course, per the LDS exegesis of John 17, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are "one God" in that they are united in an intimate way, in covenantal, in will and purpose, and so forth.

That there are multiple gods are part of the original language texts of the Bible. For instance, the Hebrew of Genesis 20:13 uses plural verb structures and plural persons when discussing the (true) Gods who caused Abraham to wander. It is rendered –
Wyhy k'sr ht'w 'ty 'lhym mbbyt 'by ... (English: "And it came to pass when (the) Gods caused me to wander from my father's house..."). Another way to put it: "And it came to pass when they, (the) Gods, caused me to wander from the house of my father..." Not only is this consistent with LDS theology, but also supports the creation story in the Book of Abraham and Joseph Smith's "controversial" teachings. If it had been the singular 'God', it would have been ht'h 'lhym rather than the plural ht'w 'lhym. Yet, in spite of the Hebrew, no one seems willing to translate this passage literally. Nevertheless, plural gods are mentioned in the Hebrew of the text.

I would like to thank Robert Boylan who answered these questions specifically for this blog. If you have any further questions about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints please feel free to contact him at IrishLDS87@gmail.com.

Why do Jews reject Jesus as their Messiah?

Jesus the messiah?

The Jews believe that the Hebrew Bible or Old Testament describes the Messiah as a national saviour and warrior who would arrive at the time of the Babylonian exile (hundreds of years before Christianity) and restore the nation of Israel with its capital as Jerusalem.

The original "messianic" aspirations of the Jewish People was to return from Exile and to restore the Davidic dynasty and the Jewish nation. While there was partial fulfilment of those hopes, given the return from Babylonia and the rebuilding of the Second Temple, new ideas were arising in that part of the world.

The Jews point to many things that Christ did not fulfil, here is a list of such:

Did he bring physical restoration to all who are sick or disabled in any way? (Isaiah 35:5-6)

Did the nations help the Jews materially? (Isaiah 60:5, 60:10-12, 61:6)

Does eternal joy and gladness characterize the Jewish nation? (Isaiah 51:11)

Are Jews sought for spiritual guidance? (Zechariah 8:23)

Is the Egyptian river dry yet? (Isaiah 11:15)

Do trees in Israel yield new fruit every month? (Ezekiel 47:12)

Did each tribe receive it’s inheritance? (Ezekiel 47:13-14)

Is the enemy buried? (Ezekiel 39:12)

Did he accomplish these tasks without tiring or failing? (Isaiah 42:4)

Did death cease? (Isaiah 25: 8)

Are the dead resurrected? (Isaiah 26:19, Daniel 12:2, Ezekiel 37:12-13)

Was he preceded by Elijah? (Malachi 3:23-24– 4:4-5 in KJV)

Many of these, Christians believe, are easily answered by the so called "Second Coming". The Jewish understanding of the messiah however does not involve any suggestion of a "second coming" but the message of Jesus of Nazareth was one of return. Jesus of Nazareth preached that he would fulfil the things he did not do in his life time such as world peace, eternal joy and the "burying" of the enemy in his second coming. This does not satisfy the Jewish understanding of the Messiah.

The Jewish idea of messiah does not in anyway invoke the idea of a divine saviour. The messiah hoped for by many generations of Jews is one that fights and destroys Israel's enemy's in the here and now and creates a Godly kingdom with Israel at its head. Jews also note a verse in the old testament that is a rebuttal of Jesus' claim as a sacrifice. The verse states:

"The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the father. Every man shall be put to death for his own sin." Deuteronomy 24:16

Another example of this is where Moses offers to atone for the sins of his people. The story goes as follows:

"And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses said unto the people, Ye have sinned a great sin: and now I will go up unto the Eternal; perhaps I shall make an atonement for your sin. And Moses returned unto the Eternal, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold. Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin--; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written. And the Eternal said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book. Therefore now go, lead the people unto the place of which I have spoken unto thee: behold, mine Angel shall go before thee: nevertheless in the day when I visit I will visit their sin upon them. And the Eternal plagued the people, because they made the calf, which Aaron made." Exodus 32:30-35

Jews also reject the idea of blood atonement and the idea of the human sacrifice of Jesus. Jews point out that other sacrifices were accepted by God and so a blood atonement is not necessary:

Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, "See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for. Isaiah 6:6-7

Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before thee; and that thou inquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise. Thou shalt not do so unto the Eternal thy God: for every abomination to the Eternal, which he hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods. Deuteronomy 12:30-31

Of course, a lot of this does not cover the Christian belief that Jesus Christ was not only the promised messiah but also God incarnate. Why? Simply because the idea is ludicrous to Jewish thinking and a blasphemy to their God.

This blog could not possibly cover all the reasons Jesus or Yeshua is rejected as the promised messiah. To gain a better understanding, study the Bible verses listed and click here for a more in detailed look at the Jewish rejection of Jesus as messiah:

Why you?

Many of you may think "Who the heck are you to do this blog?" Well, firstly many teenagers and young adults see religion as fantasy, nothing different from Lord of the Rings or World of War Craft. In fact, religion is a great source of love, understanding and direction.

I have studied many different branches of Christianity from Roman Catholicism and Anglicanism to "Mormonism" and Pentecostalism and though I hold no certification in the studies of religion I feel that I can discuss the topic adequately . I've studied many non Christian faiths too such as Islam, Zoroastrianism, Hinduism, Neo-Paganism and countless small religions that if I posted the name of you would just get confused! I love knowing the doctrine of even the smallest, seemingly weird religions

I have had first hand experiences with the Roman Catholic Church, the Anglican Communion, Jehovah's Witnesses, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Pentecostals, Baptists, Elim Pentacostalism, Islam and Judaism.

Other than Christianity, Zoroastrianism is my favourite faith to study. It doesn't suggest an almighty God but one who we work with to suppress evil. Islam is also interesting and I have read the Qur'an and many parts of several hadiths. I've also read "Mormon" scripture, the catechism of the Roman Catholic Church and many other religious articles.

I hope to discuss without biased towards one group or another, why faiths believe what they do and how they support it scripturally. I will also post on my own personal opinions regarding many topics. I hope that no group, religion, faith, church or individual is ever offended by what I say on this blog and that I always show the love of Christ in what I say.

Reliteen: Religion to a teenager

Well, this is my first real personal blog and I'm kind of proud of my little idea. My hope is to explain and educate people regarding religion and how it can be to a teenager.

I would say that I'm a healthy (both mentally and physically!) normal teenager who has a deep interest in Religion, History and Politics. They can be a lethal mix! But separately they are perfect!

Over time I will discuss the differences between religions and why certain faiths believe what they do and divulge more of my own personal beliefs. I hope to discuss theology, Christology, creationism, evolution, scriptures, revelation and how he precepts of any religion can be lived while having a 21st century mindset.