Their sins
Saul did not kill all that God asked him to:
Then Saul slaughtered the Amalekites from Havilah all the way to Shur, east of Egypt. He captured Agag, the Amalekite king, but completely destroyed everyone else. Saul and his men spared Agag’s life and kept the best of the sheep and goats, the cattle, the fat calves, and the lambs — everything, in fact, that appealed to them. They destroyed only what was worthless or of poor quality. (1 Samuel 15:7-9 NLT)
David commited adultery and murder:
Late one afternoon, after his midday rest, David got out of bed and was walking on the roof of the palace. As he looked out over the city, he noticed a woman of unusual beauty taking a bath. He sent someone to find out who she was, and he was told, "She is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite." Then David sent messengers to get her; and when she came to the palace, he slept with her. She had just completed the purification rites after having her menstrual period. Then she returned home. Later, when Bathsheba discovered that she was pregnant, she sent David a message, saying, "I'm pregnant." (2 Samuel 11:2-5 NLT)
Some of the king's men were killed, including Uriah the Hittite. (2 Samuel 11:24 NLT)
Their reaction when confronted by the prophets:
Saul was interested in looking good before the people.
Then Saul pleaded again, "I know I have sinned. But please, at least honor me before the elders of my people and before Israel by coming back with me so that I may worship the LORD your God." (1 Samuel 15:30 NLT)
David publicly confessed his sins:
Then David confessed to Nathan, "I have sinned against the LORD." (2 Samuel 12:13 NLT)
God's response:
God rejected Saul but built a house for David.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Buddhist Endpoint - Nirvana / Nibbana
I found this website that write about nirvana:
QUOTE
The death of a Buddha, the great Parinirvana, is neither destruction nor death, else would it be birth and continuation. If it were destruction, it would be an effect-producing deed, which it is not. Neither is it a vanishing nor an abandonment, neither is it attainment, nor is it of no attainment; neither is it of one significance nor of no significance, for there is no Nirvana for the Buddhas.
The Tathagata's Nirvana is where it is recognised that there is nothing but what is seen of the mind itself; is where, recognising the nature of the self-mind, one no longer cherishes the dualisms of discrimination; is where there is no more thirst nor grasping; is where there is no more attachment to external things. Nirvana is where the thinking-mind with all its discriminations, attachments, aversions and egoism is forever put away; is where logical measures, as they are seen to be inert, are no longer seized upon; is where even the notion of truth is treated with indifference because of its causing bewilderment; is where, getting rid of the four propositions, there is insight into the abode of Reality. Nirvana is where the twofold passions have subsided and the twofold hindrances are cleared away and the twofold egolessness is patiently accepted; is where, by the attainment of the "turning-about" in the deepest seat of consciousness, self-realisation of Noble Wisdom is fully entered into,--that is the Nirvana of the Tathagatas.
Nirvana is where the Bodhisattva stages are passed one after another; is where the sustaining power of the Buddhas upholds the Bodhisattvas in the bliss of the Samadhis; is where compassion for others transcends all thoughts of self; is where the Tathagata stage is finally realised.
Nirvana is the realm of Dharmata-Buddha; it is where the manifestation of Noble Wisdom that is Buddhahood expresses itself in Perfect Love for all; it is where the manifestation of Perfect Love that is Tathagatahood expresses itself in Noble Wisdom for the enlightenment of all;--there, indeed, is Nirvana!
There are two classes of those who may not enter the Nirvana of the Tathagatas: there are those who have abandoned the Bodhisattva ideals, saying, they are not in conformity with the sutras, the codes of morality, nor with emancipation. Then there are the true Bodhisattvas who, on account of their original vows made for the sake of all beings, saying, "So long as they do not attain Nirvana, I will not attain it myself," voluntarily keep themselves out of Nirvana. But no beings are left outside by the will of the Tathagatas; some day each and every one will be influenced by the wisdom and love of the Tathagatas of Transformation to lay up a stock of merit and ascend the stages. But, if they only realised it, they are already in the Tathagata's Nirvana for, in Noble Wisdom, all things are in Nirvana from the beginning.
UNQUOTE
QUOTE
The death of a Buddha, the great Parinirvana, is neither destruction nor death, else would it be birth and continuation. If it were destruction, it would be an effect-producing deed, which it is not. Neither is it a vanishing nor an abandonment, neither is it attainment, nor is it of no attainment; neither is it of one significance nor of no significance, for there is no Nirvana for the Buddhas.
The Tathagata's Nirvana is where it is recognised that there is nothing but what is seen of the mind itself; is where, recognising the nature of the self-mind, one no longer cherishes the dualisms of discrimination; is where there is no more thirst nor grasping; is where there is no more attachment to external things. Nirvana is where the thinking-mind with all its discriminations, attachments, aversions and egoism is forever put away; is where logical measures, as they are seen to be inert, are no longer seized upon; is where even the notion of truth is treated with indifference because of its causing bewilderment; is where, getting rid of the four propositions, there is insight into the abode of Reality. Nirvana is where the twofold passions have subsided and the twofold hindrances are cleared away and the twofold egolessness is patiently accepted; is where, by the attainment of the "turning-about" in the deepest seat of consciousness, self-realisation of Noble Wisdom is fully entered into,--that is the Nirvana of the Tathagatas.
Nirvana is where the Bodhisattva stages are passed one after another; is where the sustaining power of the Buddhas upholds the Bodhisattvas in the bliss of the Samadhis; is where compassion for others transcends all thoughts of self; is where the Tathagata stage is finally realised.
Nirvana is the realm of Dharmata-Buddha; it is where the manifestation of Noble Wisdom that is Buddhahood expresses itself in Perfect Love for all; it is where the manifestation of Perfect Love that is Tathagatahood expresses itself in Noble Wisdom for the enlightenment of all;--there, indeed, is Nirvana!
There are two classes of those who may not enter the Nirvana of the Tathagatas: there are those who have abandoned the Bodhisattva ideals, saying, they are not in conformity with the sutras, the codes of morality, nor with emancipation. Then there are the true Bodhisattvas who, on account of their original vows made for the sake of all beings, saying, "So long as they do not attain Nirvana, I will not attain it myself," voluntarily keep themselves out of Nirvana. But no beings are left outside by the will of the Tathagatas; some day each and every one will be influenced by the wisdom and love of the Tathagatas of Transformation to lay up a stock of merit and ascend the stages. But, if they only realised it, they are already in the Tathagata's Nirvana for, in Noble Wisdom, all things are in Nirvana from the beginning.
UNQUOTE
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
The Agnostic's Guide to True Religion
There may seem to be many religions and gods, but your fellow agnostic, Confucius, said that we should always begin at the classification of things (格物).
If you look carefully at all the religious systems of the world, you can actually divide them into two classes:
1. Creator religion: eternal creator (god or gods) who created the universe but not part of it;
2. System religion: an eternal system of rules exists from which the current universe is built upon.
So it is a chicken and egg problem - is there is some intelligent personality (a god or some gods) who create the system, or the system is always there, and the god or gods and the universe arise out of the system.
Common sense tells me that things are always made by some intelligent personality. I am sure many heard of the watch implies a watchmaker analogy. Critics of this analogy like to point that the watchmaker would likewise need another maker, and so on ad infinitum. Well, mathematics tell me that the largest number n, will always have a larger number, n + 1. But we define "infinity" to resolve the issue. Likewise, if a maker always have another maker, then it will stop at the infinite maker, which is God.
If we agree that there is some intelligent personality creating the universe, then our next job is to identify this intelligent personality. Among all the religions that claim to have some intelligent personality that create the universe, which is the most probable?
First, let us eliminate false creators. An example is Pan Ku (盤古, 盘古), the creator in Chinese mythology. He was formed from an egg which was formed from a formless chaos. In another word, he was created within a pre-existing system. Thus it is not a true creator religion, but a system religion. Likewise are the creation accounts of many polytheist religions, which seem to accept a system from which our world, gods and people, exists.
Common sense tells me that things are always made by some intelligent personality. I am sure many heard of the watch implies a watchmaker analogy. Critics of this analogy like to point that the watchmaker would likewise need another maker, and so on ad infinitum. Well, mathematics tell me that the largest number n, will always have a larger number, n + 1. But we define "infinity" to resolve the issue. Likewise, if a maker always have another maker, then it will stop at the infinite maker, which is God.
If we agree that there is some intelligent personality creating the universe, then our next job is to identify this intelligent personality. Among all the religions that claim to have some intelligent personality that create the universe, which is the most probable?
First, let us eliminate false creators. An example is Pan Ku (盤古, 盘古), the creator in Chinese mythology. He was formed from an egg which was formed from a formless chaos. In another word, he was created within a pre-existing system. Thus it is not a true creator religion, but a system religion. Likewise are the creation accounts of many polytheist religions, which seem to accept a system from which our world, gods and people, exists.
The only true creator religions that I know of are the monotheistic religions. The most likely candidates for creator God are the God of Abraham and the God of Sikhism. Thus the Agnostic can start by studying all the monotheistic religions. This should narrow down the scope.
Rules for my Children who play Computer Games
You are not allowed to use real money to buy virtual goods in computer games.
Let us look at the Biblical basis for this rule:
Once when Jacob was cooking stew, Esau came in from the field, and he was exhausted. And Esau said to Jacob, “Let me eat some of that red stew, for I am exhausted!” (Therefore his name was called Edom) Jacob said, “Sell me your birthright now.” Esau said, “I am about to die; of what use is a birthright to me?” Jacob said, “Swear to me now.” So he swore to him and sold his birthright to Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew, and he ate and drank and rose and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright. (Genesis 25:29-34 ESV)
Esau is the stupid fool who use his eternal heavenly wealth to buy perishable earthly food. It is the most expensive dish in the world. Neither should we use our real earthly money to buy virtual computer goods.
However, you can use virtual money to buy real goods.
It is none other than the Lord Jesus Himself who gave the Biblical basis for such instruction:
I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. (Luke 16:9 NIV)
We can use worldly wealth to change for eternal wealth. We can help the poor with our wealth, winning them to Christ. Earthly money has no eternal value. It is better to use it to "lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal (Matthew 6:20 KJV)." Likewise if your skill in the computer game is so good that you gain a lot of virtual wealth, and the game allow you to use it to buy real earthly objects, please do so. In fact, it would be very wise to do it.
Let us look at the Biblical basis for this rule:
Once when Jacob was cooking stew, Esau came in from the field, and he was exhausted. And Esau said to Jacob, “Let me eat some of that red stew, for I am exhausted!” (Therefore his name was called Edom) Jacob said, “Sell me your birthright now.” Esau said, “I am about to die; of what use is a birthright to me?” Jacob said, “Swear to me now.” So he swore to him and sold his birthright to Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew, and he ate and drank and rose and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright. (Genesis 25:29-34 ESV)
Esau is the stupid fool who use his eternal heavenly wealth to buy perishable earthly food. It is the most expensive dish in the world. Neither should we use our real earthly money to buy virtual computer goods.
However, you can use virtual money to buy real goods.
It is none other than the Lord Jesus Himself who gave the Biblical basis for such instruction:
I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. (Luke 16:9 NIV)
We can use worldly wealth to change for eternal wealth. We can help the poor with our wealth, winning them to Christ. Earthly money has no eternal value. It is better to use it to "lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal (Matthew 6:20 KJV)." Likewise if your skill in the computer game is so good that you gain a lot of virtual wealth, and the game allow you to use it to buy real earthly objects, please do so. In fact, it would be very wise to do it.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Agnosticism
Agnostics believe that God has given insufficient evidence for His existence. But God disagree. "For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse (Romans 1:20, NASB)."
In the olden days, men thought that the world was just a small place and the sky was a high ceiling. They thought that if they build a tower tall enough, they could reach God's heaven (Genesis 11:1-4). It would be understandable if their opinion of God was low. But Noah and his sons were still alive. They could ask them.
Today, we know how big and complex our universe is. It is still beyond our comprehension. We even learn engineering (biomimetics) from "mother nature". However, we attribute the existence of this great universe to chance based on the laws of physics. We assigned the eternal attributes of the Creator to His creation.
"The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. (Psalm 19:1-3 KJV)"
In the olden days, men thought that the world was just a small place and the sky was a high ceiling. They thought that if they build a tower tall enough, they could reach God's heaven (Genesis 11:1-4). It would be understandable if their opinion of God was low. But Noah and his sons were still alive. They could ask them.
Today, we know how big and complex our universe is. It is still beyond our comprehension. We even learn engineering (biomimetics) from "mother nature". However, we attribute the existence of this great universe to chance based on the laws of physics. We assigned the eternal attributes of the Creator to His creation.
"The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. (Psalm 19:1-3 KJV)"
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, Roman Emperor, Agnostic
"Live a good life. If there are gods and they are just, then they will not care how devout you have been, but will welcome you based on the virtues you have lived by. If there are gods, but unjust, then you should not want to worship them. If there are no gods, then you will be gone, but will have lived a noble life that will live on in the memories of your loved ones. I am not afraid." Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, Roman Emperor (161 to 180), last of the Five Good Emperors, Stoic Philosopher, Persecutor of Christians.
This is a good bet, live a good life and hope for the best. The problem is what is "good"?
Every employee knows of this thing call "KPI (Key Performance Indicator)". The Employer defines the KPI (i.e. what is good for the company) and the employee works towards it. Now, if Marcus Aurelius is an employee, he would probably say something like this, "I do not know what my company's objective is. I do not even know which company I am working for. I just do my best in my job. If the company is just, I would be rewarded. If the company is unjust, maybe I should quit. If I am actually not an employee, too bad, I worked for free, but at least, I found something to occupy my time."
A lot of religion does not give clear KPI. It is always a vague "live a good life" thingy, but never clearly stating how good is good enough. The Christian God gives a very clear KPI.
Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. (Mark 16:16 ESV)
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. (John 3:18 ESV)
So it is very clear, and these verses are just two of the many verses stating the same fact. Salvation is not what you do, but what you believe.
By putting the KPI as what he did, "live a good life", Marcus Aurelius, the last of the Five Good Roman Emperors, the great Stoic philosopher and author of the book "Meditations", made a great mistake. This mistake led him to persecute Christians and he is now condemned in Hades, waiting for the Final Judgement at the Great White Throne (Revelations 20:11-15). His ultimate sin is to refuse to believe his Creator.
Friday, September 24, 2010
Lee Kuan Yew's comments on various religions
In the transcript of the interview Seth Mydans had with Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, for the New York Times and the International Herald Tribune held on 1 September 2010, Mr Lee gave his comments on various religions.
Agnosticism
"I am an agnostic."
The meaning of the word, from various dictionaries:
One who believes that it is impossible to know whether there is a God, who is skeptical about the existence of God but does not profess true atheism.
One who is doubtful, noncommittal or unwilling to commit to an opinion about something.
This website gave the origin of the word "Agnostic":
QUOTE
The word agnostic was coined in 1869 by Thomas Henry Huxley, the noted English biologist. Though the date of coinage is known, the specific etymology that Huxley had in mind has been a matter of debate for some years. The following portion of a letter dated March 13, 1881 (which has since disappeared) from R.H. Hutton was printed by the editors of the Oxford English Dictionary at the entry for agnostic:
Suggested by Prof. Huxley at a party held previous to the formation of the now defunct Metaphysical Society, at Mr. James Knowles’s house on Clapham Common, one evening in 1869, in my hearing. He took it from St. Paul’s mention of the altar to "the Unknown God."
The Greek form of the altar inscription given in Acts 17:23 is agnosto theo.
UNQUOTE
Chinese Traditional Religion
"I was brought up in a traditional Chinese family with ancestor worship. I would go to my grandfather’s grave on All Soul’s Day which is called “Qingming”. My father would bring me along, lay out food and candles and burn some paper money and kowtow three times over his tombstone. At home on specific days outside the kitchen he would put up two candles with my grandfather’s picture. But as I grew up, I questioned this because I think this is superstition. ... After my father died, I dropped the practice."
Being the former Prime Minister of Singapore, Mr Lee is aware of the importance of monetary policy. It is simply impossible that 阎罗王 (if he exists) would allow monetary exchange via burning of cheap paper. It is tantamount to allowing strangers to print legal currency.
Christianity
"My youngest brother baptised my father as a Christian. He did not have the right to. ... I do not know if my father was fully aware when he was converted into Christianity."
Islam
"The Muslims say that there are seventy houris, beautiful women up there. But nobody has come back to confirm this."
The 72 houris are found in what Muslims refer to as Gharib Hadiths (weak or strange Hadiths), so it is better not to believe them. However, the Quran does promise men young maidens for companions (Surah an-Naba' 78:31-34) in paradise but does not specify their exact number. I wonder what would the women get.
Buddhism
"The Buddhist believes in transmigration of the soul. If you live a good life, the reward is in your next migration, you will be a good being, not an ugly animal. It is a comforting thought, but my wife and I do not believe in it."
Buddhists do not believe in transmigration of the soul. Hindus do.
Agnosticism
"I am an agnostic."
The meaning of the word, from various dictionaries:
One who believes that it is impossible to know whether there is a God, who is skeptical about the existence of God but does not profess true atheism.
One who is doubtful, noncommittal or unwilling to commit to an opinion about something.
This website gave the origin of the word "Agnostic":
QUOTE
The word agnostic was coined in 1869 by Thomas Henry Huxley, the noted English biologist. Though the date of coinage is known, the specific etymology that Huxley had in mind has been a matter of debate for some years. The following portion of a letter dated March 13, 1881 (which has since disappeared) from R.H. Hutton was printed by the editors of the Oxford English Dictionary at the entry for agnostic:
Suggested by Prof. Huxley at a party held previous to the formation of the now defunct Metaphysical Society, at Mr. James Knowles’s house on Clapham Common, one evening in 1869, in my hearing. He took it from St. Paul’s mention of the altar to "the Unknown God."
The Greek form of the altar inscription given in Acts 17:23 is agnosto theo.
UNQUOTE
Chinese Traditional Religion
"I was brought up in a traditional Chinese family with ancestor worship. I would go to my grandfather’s grave on All Soul’s Day which is called “Qingming”. My father would bring me along, lay out food and candles and burn some paper money and kowtow three times over his tombstone. At home on specific days outside the kitchen he would put up two candles with my grandfather’s picture. But as I grew up, I questioned this because I think this is superstition. ... After my father died, I dropped the practice."
Being the former Prime Minister of Singapore, Mr Lee is aware of the importance of monetary policy. It is simply impossible that 阎罗王 (if he exists) would allow monetary exchange via burning of cheap paper. It is tantamount to allowing strangers to print legal currency.
Christianity
"My youngest brother baptised my father as a Christian. He did not have the right to. ... I do not know if my father was fully aware when he was converted into Christianity."
Islam
"The Muslims say that there are seventy houris, beautiful women up there. But nobody has come back to confirm this."
The 72 houris are found in what Muslims refer to as Gharib Hadiths (weak or strange Hadiths), so it is better not to believe them. However, the Quran does promise men young maidens for companions (Surah an-Naba' 78:31-34) in paradise but does not specify their exact number. I wonder what would the women get.
Buddhism
"The Buddhist believes in transmigration of the soul. If you live a good life, the reward is in your next migration, you will be a good being, not an ugly animal. It is a comforting thought, but my wife and I do not believe in it."
Buddhists do not believe in transmigration of the soul. Hindus do.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Meditation
Lee Kuan Yew’s devout Christian friend, Ng Kok Song, taught him to meditate. This meditation involves the use of a chanting mantra, to keep the monkey mind from running off into all kinds of thoughts. Is there any basis in the Bible for such type of meditation?
But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking (Matthew 6:7 KJV).
This may not apply directly to meditation, but to prayer, but I believe the principle is the same. No vain repetitions.
For Lee Kuan Yew, the purpose of meditation is to achieve peace and serenity. For Christians, peace comes from God. "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid (John 14:27 ESV)." We have our assurance of salvation, "for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day (2 Timothy 1:12 KJV)." The world has no peace, and they tried many ways to achieve it. They have no assurance. They are seeking for peace. They will not find it. "'There is no peace for the wicked, ' says the LORD (Isaiah 48:22 NASB)."
For Christians, the purpose of meditation is to know God, to know the Bible so that the Word of God will influence the way we act and we can be transformed by the renewal of our mind. We do not need to meditate to achieve peace and serenity. But our meditation of the Word transforms us, and in turn, transforms the world.
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect (Romans 12:2 ESV).
But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking (Matthew 6:7 KJV).
This may not apply directly to meditation, but to prayer, but I believe the principle is the same. No vain repetitions.
For Lee Kuan Yew, the purpose of meditation is to achieve peace and serenity. For Christians, peace comes from God. "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid (John 14:27 ESV)." We have our assurance of salvation, "for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day (2 Timothy 1:12 KJV)." The world has no peace, and they tried many ways to achieve it. They have no assurance. They are seeking for peace. They will not find it. "'There is no peace for the wicked, ' says the LORD (Isaiah 48:22 NASB)."
For Christians, the purpose of meditation is to know God, to know the Bible so that the Word of God will influence the way we act and we can be transformed by the renewal of our mind. We do not need to meditate to achieve peace and serenity. But our meditation of the Word transforms us, and in turn, transforms the world.
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect (Romans 12:2 ESV).
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Singapore Pools, Ministry of Education and Food offered to idols
My friend told me that every year, Singapore Pools will donate some money to the Ministry of Education, who will then distribute the money to the schools. The Methodist schools accept the money and give thanks to God for it. The Presbyterian schools refuse to accept the money since it is profit from gambling. So should the Presbyterians accept the money?
We can start by asking three questions:
Does it glorify God? (1 Corinthians 10:31)
Will it stumble a weaker brother? (1 Corinthians 8:13)
Can you do without it? (1 Corinthians 10:23)
We can look at the example in the Bible about food offered to idols.
All food is acceptable if received with thanksgiving (1 Corinthians 8:4-13, Romans 14:13-23).
On the other hand, we are to abstain from meats offered to idols (Acts 15:20, Acts 15:29, Revelation 2:14, Revelation 2:20). We cannot participate in idol worship (1 Corinthians 10:14-22).
Some Bible verses for your consideration:
1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1 NLT
You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is beneficial. Don’t be concerned for your own good but for the good of others.
So you may eat any meat that is sold in the marketplace without raising questions of conscience. For “the earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.”
If someone who isn’t a believer asks you home for dinner, accept the invitation if you want to. Eat whatever is offered to you without raising questions of conscience. (But suppose someone tells you, “This meat was offered to an idol.” Don’t eat it, out of consideration for the conscience of the one who told you. It might not be a matter of conscience for you, but it is for the other person.) For why should my freedom be limited by what someone else thinks? If I can thank God for the food and enjoy it, why should I be condemned for eating it?
So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Don’t give offense to Jews or Gentiles or the church of God. I, too, try to please everyone in everything I do. I don’t just do what is best for me; I do what is best for others so that many may be saved. And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.
1 Corinthians 10:14-22 NLT
So, my dear friends, flee from the worship of idols. You are reasonable people. Decide for yourselves if what I am saying is true. When we bless the cup at the Lord’s Table, aren’t we sharing in the blood of Christ? And when we break the bread, aren’t we sharing in the body of Christ? And though we are many, we all eat from one loaf of bread, showing that we are one body. Think about the people of Israel. Weren’t they united by eating the sacrifices at the altar?
What am I trying to say? Am I saying that food offered to idols has some significance, or that idols are real gods? No, not at all. I am saying that these sacrifices are offered to demons, not to God. And I don’t want you to participate with demons. You cannot drink from the cup of the Lord and from the cup of demons, too. You cannot eat at the Lord’s Table and at the table of demons, too. What? Do we dare to rouse the Lord’s jealousy? Do you think we are stronger than he is?
We can start by asking three questions:
Does it glorify God? (1 Corinthians 10:31)
Will it stumble a weaker brother? (1 Corinthians 8:13)
Can you do without it? (1 Corinthians 10:23)
We can look at the example in the Bible about food offered to idols.
All food is acceptable if received with thanksgiving (1 Corinthians 8:4-13, Romans 14:13-23).
On the other hand, we are to abstain from meats offered to idols (Acts 15:20, Acts 15:29, Revelation 2:14, Revelation 2:20). We cannot participate in idol worship (1 Corinthians 10:14-22).
Some Bible verses for your consideration:
1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1 NLT
You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is beneficial. Don’t be concerned for your own good but for the good of others.
So you may eat any meat that is sold in the marketplace without raising questions of conscience. For “the earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.”
If someone who isn’t a believer asks you home for dinner, accept the invitation if you want to. Eat whatever is offered to you without raising questions of conscience. (But suppose someone tells you, “This meat was offered to an idol.” Don’t eat it, out of consideration for the conscience of the one who told you. It might not be a matter of conscience for you, but it is for the other person.) For why should my freedom be limited by what someone else thinks? If I can thank God for the food and enjoy it, why should I be condemned for eating it?
So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Don’t give offense to Jews or Gentiles or the church of God. I, too, try to please everyone in everything I do. I don’t just do what is best for me; I do what is best for others so that many may be saved. And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.
1 Corinthians 10:14-22 NLT
So, my dear friends, flee from the worship of idols. You are reasonable people. Decide for yourselves if what I am saying is true. When we bless the cup at the Lord’s Table, aren’t we sharing in the blood of Christ? And when we break the bread, aren’t we sharing in the body of Christ? And though we are many, we all eat from one loaf of bread, showing that we are one body. Think about the people of Israel. Weren’t they united by eating the sacrifices at the altar?
What am I trying to say? Am I saying that food offered to idols has some significance, or that idols are real gods? No, not at all. I am saying that these sacrifices are offered to demons, not to God. And I don’t want you to participate with demons. You cannot drink from the cup of the Lord and from the cup of demons, too. You cannot eat at the Lord’s Table and at the table of demons, too. What? Do we dare to rouse the Lord’s jealousy? Do you think we are stronger than he is?
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Raised from the Dead
The following are Biblical records of people raised from the dead.
Elijah raised the widow of Zarephath's son (1 Kings 17:21-23)
And he stretched himself out over the child three times and cried out to the Lord, “O Lord my God, please let this child’s life return to him.” The Lord heard Elijah’s prayer, and the life of the child returned, and he revived! Then Elijah brought him down from the upper room and gave him to his mother. “Look!” he said. “Your son is alive!” (1 Kings 17:21-23 NLT)
Elisha raised the Shunammite's son (2 Kings 4:32-37)
When Elisha arrived, the child was indeed dead, lying there on the prophet’s bed. He went in alone and shut the door behind him and prayed to the Lord. Then he lay down on the child’s body, placing his mouth on the child’s mouth, his eyes on the child’s eyes, and his hands on the child’s hands. And as he stretched out on him, the child’s body began to grow warm again! Elisha got up, walked back and forth across the room once, and then stretched himself out again on the child. This time the boy sneezed seven times and opened his eyes! Then Elisha summoned Gehazi. “Call the child’s mother!” he said. And when she came in, Elisha said, “Here, take your son!” She fell at his feet and bowed before him, overwhelmed with gratitude. Then she took her son in her arms and carried him downstairs. (2 Kings 4:32-37 NLT)
Dead man revived after touching Elisha's bones (2 Kings 13:21)
Once when some Israelites were burying a man, they spied a band of these raiders. So they hastily threw the corpse into the tomb of Elisha and fled. But as soon as the body touched Elisha's bones, the dead man revived and jumped to his feet! (2 Kings 13:21 NLT)
Jesus raised Jairus' daughter (Matthew 9:18–26, Mark 5:21–43, Luke 8:40–56)
Jesus raised the son of the widow of Nain (Luke 7:11-15)
Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead (John 11:43-44)
Peter raised Tabitha (Dorcas) from the dead (Acts 9:36-41)
Paul raised Eutychus who fell to his death (Acts 20:9-10)
As Paul spoke on and on, a young man named Eutychus, sitting on the windowsill, became very drowsy. Finally, he fell sound asleep and dropped three stories to his death below. Paul went down, bent over him, and took him into his arms. "Don't worry," he said, "he's alive!" Then they all went back upstairs, shared in the Lord's Supper, and ate together. Paul continued talking to them until dawn, and then he left. Meanwhile, the young man was taken home unhurt, and everyone was greatly relieved. (Acts 20:9-12 NLT)
Elijah raised the widow of Zarephath's son (1 Kings 17:21-23)
And he stretched himself out over the child three times and cried out to the Lord, “O Lord my God, please let this child’s life return to him.” The Lord heard Elijah’s prayer, and the life of the child returned, and he revived! Then Elijah brought him down from the upper room and gave him to his mother. “Look!” he said. “Your son is alive!” (1 Kings 17:21-23 NLT)
Elisha raised the Shunammite's son (2 Kings 4:32-37)
When Elisha arrived, the child was indeed dead, lying there on the prophet’s bed. He went in alone and shut the door behind him and prayed to the Lord. Then he lay down on the child’s body, placing his mouth on the child’s mouth, his eyes on the child’s eyes, and his hands on the child’s hands. And as he stretched out on him, the child’s body began to grow warm again! Elisha got up, walked back and forth across the room once, and then stretched himself out again on the child. This time the boy sneezed seven times and opened his eyes! Then Elisha summoned Gehazi. “Call the child’s mother!” he said. And when she came in, Elisha said, “Here, take your son!” She fell at his feet and bowed before him, overwhelmed with gratitude. Then she took her son in her arms and carried him downstairs. (2 Kings 4:32-37 NLT)
Dead man revived after touching Elisha's bones (2 Kings 13:21)
Once when some Israelites were burying a man, they spied a band of these raiders. So they hastily threw the corpse into the tomb of Elisha and fled. But as soon as the body touched Elisha's bones, the dead man revived and jumped to his feet! (2 Kings 13:21 NLT)
Jesus raised Jairus' daughter (Matthew 9:18–26, Mark 5:21–43, Luke 8:40–56)
Jesus raised the son of the widow of Nain (Luke 7:11-15)
Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead (John 11:43-44)
Peter raised Tabitha (Dorcas) from the dead (Acts 9:36-41)
Paul raised Eutychus who fell to his death (Acts 20:9-10)
As Paul spoke on and on, a young man named Eutychus, sitting on the windowsill, became very drowsy. Finally, he fell sound asleep and dropped three stories to his death below. Paul went down, bent over him, and took him into his arms. "Don't worry," he said, "he's alive!" Then they all went back upstairs, shared in the Lord's Supper, and ate together. Paul continued talking to them until dawn, and then he left. Meanwhile, the young man was taken home unhurt, and everyone was greatly relieved. (Acts 20:9-12 NLT)
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Sex is for Married Couple
In a letter to Straits Times Forum published on Saturday 18th September 2010, Adam Leo Isidore Tan wrote, "sex is an act of intimacy between two lovers; a profound expression of love."
This is the typical thinking of the world - sex is for two lovers. No, this is wrong. According to the Bible, sex is for married couple. Because of the perverse definition of marriage today, I must now qualify, sex is for married couple of different sex.
All sex outside marriage is sin. However, due to the hardness of men's heart, God has to regulate irregular sexual acts, such as concubines and sex between unmarried couples in Moses's Law. God also regulates divorces. However there is still a limit. Adultery and sodomy are punishable by death.
Sex always has a moral dimension. To ignore that in any sex education will bring about immorality and corruption of the society.
This is the typical thinking of the world - sex is for two lovers. No, this is wrong. According to the Bible, sex is for married couple. Because of the perverse definition of marriage today, I must now qualify, sex is for married couple of different sex.
All sex outside marriage is sin. However, due to the hardness of men's heart, God has to regulate irregular sexual acts, such as concubines and sex between unmarried couples in Moses's Law. God also regulates divorces. However there is still a limit. Adultery and sodomy are punishable by death.
Sex always has a moral dimension. To ignore that in any sex education will bring about immorality and corruption of the society.
Friday, September 17, 2010
八步平天下
Since we talk about Lee Kuan Yew, we must also quote Confucius:
QUOTE
禮記 大學第四十二
The Great Learning by Confucius---translated by A. Charles Muller
古之欲明明德於天下者、先治其國。
The ancients who wanted to manifest their bright virtue to all in the world first governed well their own states.
欲治其國者先齊其家。
Wanting to govern well their states, they first harmonized their own clans.
欲齊其家者先脩其身。
Wanting to harmonize their own clan, they first cultivated themselves.
欲脩其身者先正其心。
Wanting to cultivate themselves, they first corrected their minds.
欲正奇心者先誠其意。
Wanting to correct their minds, they first made their wills sincere.
欲誠其意者先致其知。
Wanting to make their wills sincere, they first extended their knowledge.
致知在格物。
Extension of knowledge consists of the investigation of things.
物格而后知至。
When things are investigated, knowledge is extended.
知至而后意誠。
When knowledge is extended, the will becomes sincere.
意誠而后心正。
When the will is sincere, the mind is correct.
心正而后身脩。
When the mind is correct, the self is cultivated.
身脩而后家齊。
When the self is cultivated, the clan is harmonized.
家齊而后國治。
When the clan is harmonized, the country is well governed.
國治而后天下平。
When the country is well governed, there will be peace throughout the land.
UNQUOTE
Confucius thinks that in eights steps, we can bring peace to the world:
格物、致知、诚意、正心、修身、齐家、治国、平天下
Confucius is quite smart to realise that knowledge (致知) must begin with investigation of things which are objects and observable (格物). With knowledge come truth and sincerity (诚意). There can be no peace without truth. So Confucius rightly put truth before peace.
While there is no doubt about the correctness and the logic of the steps, the question remain, is it doable? If it was so easy, why is there no peace on earth?
"For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do ... O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. (Romans 7:19, 24-25 KJV)"
The problem is that men know what is right but they cannot do it, "but the righteous shall live by his faith (Habakkuk 2:4 ESV)."
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, "The righteous shall live by faith" (Romans 1:16-17 ESV)."
QUOTE
禮記 大學第四十二
The Great Learning by Confucius---translated by A. Charles Muller
古之欲明明德於天下者、先治其國。
The ancients who wanted to manifest their bright virtue to all in the world first governed well their own states.
欲治其國者先齊其家。
Wanting to govern well their states, they first harmonized their own clans.
欲齊其家者先脩其身。
Wanting to harmonize their own clan, they first cultivated themselves.
欲脩其身者先正其心。
Wanting to cultivate themselves, they first corrected their minds.
欲正奇心者先誠其意。
Wanting to correct their minds, they first made their wills sincere.
欲誠其意者先致其知。
Wanting to make their wills sincere, they first extended their knowledge.
致知在格物。
Extension of knowledge consists of the investigation of things.
物格而后知至。
When things are investigated, knowledge is extended.
知至而后意誠。
When knowledge is extended, the will becomes sincere.
意誠而后心正。
When the will is sincere, the mind is correct.
心正而后身脩。
When the mind is correct, the self is cultivated.
身脩而后家齊。
When the self is cultivated, the clan is harmonized.
家齊而后國治。
When the clan is harmonized, the country is well governed.
國治而后天下平。
When the country is well governed, there will be peace throughout the land.
UNQUOTE
Confucius thinks that in eights steps, we can bring peace to the world:
格物、致知、诚意、正心、修身、齐家、治国、平天下
Confucius is quite smart to realise that knowledge (致知) must begin with investigation of things which are objects and observable (格物). With knowledge come truth and sincerity (诚意). There can be no peace without truth. So Confucius rightly put truth before peace.
While there is no doubt about the correctness and the logic of the steps, the question remain, is it doable? If it was so easy, why is there no peace on earth?
"For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do ... O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. (Romans 7:19, 24-25 KJV)"
The problem is that men know what is right but they cannot do it, "but the righteous shall live by his faith (Habakkuk 2:4 ESV)."
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, "The righteous shall live by faith" (Romans 1:16-17 ESV)."
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Lee Kuan Yew's birthday
Today is Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew's 87th birthday. In an interview done earlier this month (1 September 2010) with Seth Mydans for the New York Times and the International Herald Tribune, he spoke on what happened after death. "Well, what is next, I do not know. Nobody has ever come back."
This is not true. One person did come back. He is Jesus. The Bible testifies that "And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: (1 Corinthians 15:4 KJV)" The resurrection of Christ was recorded by all the four Gospels in the Bible and also by Apostle Paul in his epistles.
Jesus is the most unique among the founders of religions. The other founders were born without warning, without giving us advance notice, born of a father and a mother like me, then they preached their religion out of the blue, and then they died, like any ordinary men.
The coming of Jesus was predicted in the Old Testament before He was born. The Bible declared that "Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God (Hebrews 10:7, quoting Psalm 40:7 KJV)."
He had a forerunner, John the Baptist, to herald His coming. Even the birth of the forerunner was predicted. "Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God (Isaiah 45:3 KJV)."
He was born of a virgin, and after preaching His religion, He died. "And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: (1 Corinthians 15:4 KJV)".
He was the only Man who died and rose again. He walked about for forty days "and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles; (1 Corinthians 15:5-7 NASB)." Last of all, He appeared to Paul the Apostle.
He will be coming again. "And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them. They also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven. Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away." (Acts 1:9-12 NASB)." Jesus will come back again and "On that day his feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives that lies before Jerusalem on the east, and the Mount of Olives shall be split in two from east to west by a very wide valley, so that one half of the Mount shall move northward, and the other half southward (Zechariah 14:4 ESV)."
So the Aramaic phrase, "Maranatha", means "the Lord is coming", refers to this coming event. It is not some sound for meditation, like what some "devoted" Christian claimed. "If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha. (1 Corinthians 16:22 KJV)" or in a modern translation, "If anyone does not love the Lord, that person is cursed. Our Lord, come! (1 Corinthians 16:22 NLT)" Anyone who does not love Jesus is "Anathema", or cursed. Maranatha is a blessing to those who love Jesus, but a curse (Anathema) to those who don't.
"If anyone does not love the Lord, that person is cursed. Our Lord, come! May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. My love to all of you in Christ Jesus. (1 Corinthians 16:22-24 NLT)"
This is not true. One person did come back. He is Jesus. The Bible testifies that "And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: (1 Corinthians 15:4 KJV)" The resurrection of Christ was recorded by all the four Gospels in the Bible and also by Apostle Paul in his epistles.
Jesus is the most unique among the founders of religions. The other founders were born without warning, without giving us advance notice, born of a father and a mother like me, then they preached their religion out of the blue, and then they died, like any ordinary men.
The coming of Jesus was predicted in the Old Testament before He was born. The Bible declared that "Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God (Hebrews 10:7, quoting Psalm 40:7 KJV)."
He had a forerunner, John the Baptist, to herald His coming. Even the birth of the forerunner was predicted. "Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God (Isaiah 45:3 KJV)."
He was born of a virgin, and after preaching His religion, He died. "And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: (1 Corinthians 15:4 KJV)".
He was the only Man who died and rose again. He walked about for forty days "and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles; (1 Corinthians 15:5-7 NASB)." Last of all, He appeared to Paul the Apostle.
He will be coming again. "And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them. They also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven. Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away." (Acts 1:9-12 NASB)." Jesus will come back again and "On that day his feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives that lies before Jerusalem on the east, and the Mount of Olives shall be split in two from east to west by a very wide valley, so that one half of the Mount shall move northward, and the other half southward (Zechariah 14:4 ESV)."
So the Aramaic phrase, "Maranatha", means "the Lord is coming", refers to this coming event. It is not some sound for meditation, like what some "devoted" Christian claimed. "If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha. (1 Corinthians 16:22 KJV)" or in a modern translation, "If anyone does not love the Lord, that person is cursed. Our Lord, come! (1 Corinthians 16:22 NLT)" Anyone who does not love Jesus is "Anathema", or cursed. Maranatha is a blessing to those who love Jesus, but a curse (Anathema) to those who don't.
"If anyone does not love the Lord, that person is cursed. Our Lord, come! May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. My love to all of you in Christ Jesus. (1 Corinthians 16:22-24 NLT)"
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