Comments for LaleoCafe http://www.laleocafe.com/wordpress God wants humanity encountered by Him, through us. We are all a part of God's story.....let's not lose that. Wed, 28 Jul 2010 12:45:42 +0000 hourly 1 Comment on BIBLE DIFFICULTIES:Reconciling The Law- Matthew 5:17-19 by admin http://www.laleocafe.com/wordpress/2010/05/08/bible-difficultiesreconciling-the-law-matthew-517-19-2/comment-page-1/#comment-974 admin Wed, 28 Jul 2010 12:45:42 +0000 http://www.laleocafe.com/wordpress/?p=2388#comment-974 Thank you for visiting LaleoCafe Miriam :-) God bless! Thank you for visiting LaleoCafe Miriam :-) God bless!

]]> Comment on BIBLE DIFFICULTIES:Reconciling The Law- Matthew 5:17-19 by MIRIAM PLAYER http://www.laleocafe.com/wordpress/2010/05/08/bible-difficultiesreconciling-the-law-matthew-517-19-2/comment-page-1/#comment-971 MIRIAM PLAYER Wed, 28 Jul 2010 07:36:42 +0000 http://www.laleocafe.com/wordpress/?p=2388#comment-971 I would like to say, thank you for giving me the understanding about Jesus fulfilling the Law. Very interesting to read, so now that I can share this topic to my small group next Tuesday. Thank you so much for the understanding, you are truly blessed and truly anointed. I would like to say, thank you for giving me the understanding about Jesus fulfilling the Law. Very interesting to read, so now that I can share this topic to my small group next Tuesday. Thank you so much for the understanding, you are truly blessed and truly anointed.

]]> Comment on Forgiveness: Cleaning Our Wounds by greg http://www.laleocafe.com/wordpress/2010/04/10/forgiveness-cleaning-our-wounds/comment-page-1/#comment-803 greg Thu, 10 Jun 2010 00:51:50 +0000 http://www.laleocafe.com/wordpress/?p=2234#comment-803 “to pardon, to let go as if it had never been committed” ...this is something the elders of lifepoint seem to be able to do (never look back, to forget they used ill judgement and came between a husband a wife and their children by encouraging the mother of two children to abandon the home and family. "Hey, let's give her a car and a home so she can drug out and cheat on her husband with numerous men. Then we will ignore the husband and kids." Thanks Jan. Thanks Sam. “to pardon, to let go as if it had never been committed”

…this is something the elders of lifepoint seem to be able to do (never look back, to forget they used ill judgement and came between a husband a wife and their children by encouraging the mother of two children to abandon the home and family. “Hey, let’s give her a car and a home so she can drug out and cheat on her husband with numerous men. Then we will ignore the husband and kids.” Thanks Jan. Thanks Sam.

]]> Comment on Difficulties: What about all those lost Gospels? by admin http://www.laleocafe.com/wordpress/2010/05/02/difficulties-what-about-all-those-lost-gospels/comment-page-1/#comment-750 admin Mon, 31 May 2010 17:42:47 +0000 http://www.laleocafe.com/wordpress/?p=2346#comment-750 This is my reply to "Pilgrim of Truth": . Your Question is: "..........how do we know that Paul along with the other New Testament writers did not lie in their writings and that the Gnostic are in fact (or some of them) the ones telling the truth." ? . First, I would point out that Paul was chosen and commissioned by Jesus in Acts (Acts 9:15). The complete story of Paul's conversion is contained in Acts 9: 1-22. I would also note that Paul's writings have been dated much earlier than any of the Gnostic writings. Indeed, the majority of Paul's Canonical writings have been dated 50-60 AD, that's just 13-23 years after the death of Christ. I could find only one Gnostic text that could have been remotely dated that early. This is the Gospel of Thomas, which was probably written in the 2nd century 100-150 AD. Some scholars believe that it may have been written as early as 50 AD. . As far as truth? Essentially, you must decide this yourself. We choose to believe what we believe. I always start with Jesus, then move to the Apostles because Jesus commissioned the Apostles directly and chose them to tell the world the Good News. Most off all, as I have accepted Christ and turned to Him in trust and in a relationship, I have seen a change in my life. I have experienced many of the very same experiences mentioned in the New Testament. My life has changed. . Additionally, I would note that I believe that God revealed Himself through the Holy Scriptures. This story starts with Ancient Israel. I am a monotheist, believing in one God, the God of our fathers. Marcion and the Gnostic's reconfigured God's Words to us and essentially semi-paganized Christianity. The early church fathers recognized this and wrote extensively against it. Indeed, the Apostles John as well as Paul saw and preached against the very same Heresy. The truth, I believe is deeply rooted in the Old Testament. As you read the Bible as one book, inspired by a God who is passionately in love with His people, you see the story of God revealing Himself to us. The Old testament is the preparation of the coming of the Messiah, Jesus. Gnosticism is essentially a platonic dualism. The ancient Greco-Roman world was essentially pagan. God has warned us deeply about both from the beginning of time. . So, are the Gnostics telling the truth? Is there a god that created this world that is essentially an inferior god and was Jesus the superior god? Is all matter evil? As I look into the eyes of a child...I say no....as I read your blogs....I say no.....you are not evil. Is secret knowledge the path to salvation that is only for a few? I believe no. God's grace is extended to all that accept it through Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, come to save mankind as well as show mankind through His actions how to love, how to live a fulfilling life and how to be all that God wants us to be. After all...God created us...He should be the writer of the instructions (at least in my mind...He knows us best). . You mentioned: "If mainstream Christianity were to change today and pervert the teachings and history of the Bible, and only you were left to tell the truth then you would be considered neo-gnostic." "If's" are great for contemplating. However, I do not believe that Christianity today perverts the teachings of the Bible. If anything, the Bible has become more accessible to all people and therefore is less likely to be misunderstood. I will admit that one cannot understand the teaching of Christ or God's Words to us without reading them. I believe that God's Word stands on it's own. It can be attacked, it can be slandered, it can be used out of context....but essentially.....it stands on its own and has continued to stand like a rock over many thousands of years. The key is to read and study it for yourself if you do not believe what you are told about it. I would certainly agree that there are and there probably always will be people and groups of people who will only accept God's Words from the perspective they build. People like Fred Phelps (GodHatesFags.com). . You also mentioned: "I have great respect for the Apostle Paul as a writer but I have heard accounts that he would preach about the second coming of Christ which was to occur in the next week to gain converts only to turn around and say "No its the week after next" when it did not come to pass." Interesting story, I would ask where you heard this for it to be true. I have not read this in his writings nor have I seen it in the historical record. Please share with me the source for this information. . Lastly, you ask: "..... why did Gnostics split Christianity into two groups?" I cannot give a definitive answer to this as I did not live at that time. However, I believe that many people just choose to believe something else. Many people just choose not to believe what God has revealed to us in the Bible. That is a choice that only a truly loving God would allow. I would note that your question assumes that Gnostics were Christian. While they believed in Christ, they chose to ignore the teachings of his closest disciples and students, and indeed his very own teachings and make Him something He wasn't. I do not consider Gnostics Christian. They only get this label because they include Jesus in their writings. I would note that I could write adoringly about Adolf Hitler and say that he was actually a benevolent man that saved Germany through his secret teachings. The world would call me a Nazi, even though I misrepresented what and who Adolf Hitler was. That may not be the best analogy, however, I believe you can get the point of what I mean . Thank you for your questions. It is essential to know that we each have been given the will to believe what we want. I believe the historical record in itself as everything else in creation attest to the presence of one God, revealed through His inspired words, indeed, stories, contained in the Holy Scriptures. God bless you and again, thank you for your questions. This is my reply to “Pilgrim of Truth”:
.
Your Question is: “……….how do we know that Paul along with the other New Testament writers did not lie in their writings and that the Gnostic are in fact (or some of them) the ones telling the truth.” ?
.
First, I would point out that Paul was chosen and commissioned by Jesus in Acts (Acts 9:15). The complete story of Paul’s conversion is contained in Acts 9: 1-22. I would also note that Paul’s writings have been dated much earlier than any of the Gnostic writings. Indeed, the majority of Paul’s Canonical writings have been dated 50-60 AD, that’s just 13-23 years after the death of Christ. I could find only one Gnostic text that could have been remotely dated that early. This is the Gospel of Thomas, which was probably written in the 2nd century 100-150 AD. Some scholars believe that it may have been written as early as 50 AD.
.
As far as truth? Essentially, you must decide this yourself. We choose to believe what we believe. I always start with Jesus, then move to the Apostles because Jesus commissioned the Apostles directly and chose them to tell the world the Good News. Most off all, as I have accepted Christ and turned to Him in trust and in a relationship, I have seen a change in my life. I have experienced many of the very same experiences mentioned in the New Testament. My life has changed.
.
Additionally, I would note that I believe that God revealed Himself through the Holy Scriptures. This story starts with Ancient Israel. I am a monotheist, believing in one God, the God of our fathers. Marcion and the Gnostic’s reconfigured God’s Words to us and essentially semi-paganized Christianity. The early church fathers recognized this and wrote extensively against it. Indeed, the Apostles John as well as Paul saw and preached against the very same Heresy. The truth, I believe is deeply rooted in the Old Testament. As you read the Bible as one book, inspired by a God who is passionately in love with His people, you see the story of God revealing Himself to us. The Old testament is the preparation of the coming of the Messiah, Jesus. Gnosticism is essentially a platonic dualism. The ancient Greco-Roman world was essentially pagan. God has warned us deeply about both from the beginning of time.
.
So, are the Gnostics telling the truth? Is there a god that created this world that is essentially an inferior god and was Jesus the superior god? Is all matter evil? As I look into the eyes of a child…I say no….as I read your blogs….I say no…..you are not evil. Is secret knowledge the path to salvation that is only for a few? I believe no. God’s grace is extended to all that accept it through Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, come to save mankind as well as show mankind through His actions how to love, how to live a fulfilling life and how to be all that God wants us to be. After all…God created us…He should be the writer of the instructions (at least in my mind…He knows us best).
.
You mentioned: “If mainstream Christianity were to change today and pervert the teachings and history of the Bible, and only you were left to tell the truth then you would be considered neo-gnostic.” “If’s” are great for contemplating. However, I do not believe that Christianity today perverts the teachings of the Bible. If anything, the Bible has become more accessible to all people and therefore is less likely to be misunderstood. I will admit that one cannot understand the teaching of Christ or God’s Words to us without reading them. I believe that God’s Word stands on it’s own. It can be attacked, it can be slandered, it can be used out of context….but essentially…..it stands on its own and has continued to stand like a rock over many thousands of years. The key is to read and study it for yourself if you do not believe what you are told about it. I would certainly agree that there are and there probably always will be people and groups of people who will only accept God’s Words from the perspective they build. People like Fred Phelps (GodHatesFags.com).
.
You also mentioned: “I have great respect for the Apostle Paul as a writer but I have heard accounts that he would preach about the second coming of Christ which was to occur in the next week to gain converts only to turn around and say “No its the week after next” when it did not come to pass.” Interesting story, I would ask where you heard this for it to be true. I have not read this in his writings nor have I seen it in the historical record. Please share with me the source for this information.
.
Lastly, you ask: “….. why did Gnostics split Christianity into two groups?” I cannot give a definitive answer to this as I did not live at that time. However, I believe that many people just choose to believe something else. Many people just choose not to believe what God has revealed to us in the Bible. That is a choice that only a truly loving God would allow. I would note that your question assumes that Gnostics were Christian. While they believed in Christ, they chose to ignore the teachings of his closest disciples and students, and indeed his very own teachings and make Him something He wasn’t. I do not consider Gnostics Christian. They only get this label because they include Jesus in their writings. I would note that I could write adoringly about Adolf Hitler and say that he was actually a benevolent man that saved Germany through his secret teachings. The world would call me a Nazi, even though I misrepresented what and who Adolf Hitler was. That may not be the best analogy, however, I believe you can get the point of what I mean
.
Thank you for your questions. It is essential to know that we each have been given the will to believe what we want. I believe the historical record in itself as everything else in creation attest to the presence of one God, revealed through His inspired words, indeed, stories, contained in the Holy Scriptures. God bless you and again, thank you for your questions.

]]> Comment on Difficulties: What about all those lost Gospels? by admin http://www.laleocafe.com/wordpress/2010/05/02/difficulties-what-about-all-those-lost-gospels/comment-page-1/#comment-749 admin Mon, 31 May 2010 17:41:18 +0000 http://www.laleocafe.com/wordpress/?p=2346#comment-749 <strong>My friend "Pilgrim of Truth" (Wes Bishop) replied to this question:</strong> . My question then to this is how do we know that Paul along with the other New Testament writers did not lie in their writings and that the gnostic are in fact (or some of them) the ones telling the truth. If mainstream Christianity were to change today and pervert the teachings and history of the Bible, and only you were left to tell the truth then you would be considered neo-gnostic. I have great respect for the Apostle Paul as a writer but I have heard accounts that he would preach about the second coming of Christ which was to occur in the next week to gain converts only to turn around and say "No its the week after next" when it did not come to pass. . Also why did Gnostics split Christianity into two groups? Peace. My friend “Pilgrim of Truth” (Wes Bishop) replied to this question:
.
My question then to this is how do we know that Paul along with the other New Testament writers did not lie in their writings and that the gnostic are in fact (or some of them) the ones telling the truth. If mainstream Christianity were to change today and pervert the teachings and history of the Bible, and only you were left to tell the truth then you would be considered neo-gnostic. I have great respect for the Apostle Paul as a writer but I have heard accounts that he would preach about the second coming of Christ which was to occur in the next week to gain converts only to turn around and say “No its the week after next” when it did not come to pass.
.
Also why did Gnostics split Christianity into two groups? Peace.

]]> Comment on The Kingdom of Heaven: Matthew 11:11-12 / Luke 7:28, “John the Baptist Sends Messengers to Jesus” by admin http://www.laleocafe.com/wordpress/2010/05/31/the-kingdom-of-heaven-matthew-1111-12-luke-728-john-the-baptist-sends-messengers-to-jesus/comment-page-1/#comment-748 admin Mon, 31 May 2010 17:34:53 +0000 http://www.laleocafe.com/wordpress/?p=2317#comment-748 <strong>My Reply: </strong> . I appreciate your comments very much. Regarding John the Baptist, you say in reference to my statements above: "John did not know who Christ was or about his finishing work?". All due respect Ron, this is not what I said at all. My statement was, "I realized that while John the Baptist KNEW who Christ was, he never saw or understood Christ' FINISHED work on the cross. John would die before Jesus would die and rise again to bring about the beginning of the kingdom." (emphasis added). There is a big difference here in what you may have thought I said and what I said. . It is very true that in the Gospel of John, chapter 1, verse 29, John the Baptist says "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!". I can clearly see what you are suggesting and in many ways it does make sense. However, in my study of the Kingdom language, first, I would note that Jesus did not say that John the Baptist would not be in the kingdom, however He pointed out that of the least in the kingdom, even they would be greater than John. I would throw in that we often want to equate "least" and "greater" with some sort of power or status. I believe that Jesus was speaking of neither (based on my careful study of the character of Jesus, which, by the way, I am not claiming to know all, I am simply speaking what I see and understand). Jesus was simply telling us that in God's COMING kingdom, all members will have a greater spiritual heritage than John because they will have seen (not literally) and known Christ and his finished work on the cross. John the Baptist did not, as he was martyred well before Jesus death and resurrection. I believe that what Jesus was saying was that while the Prophet Isaiah (Jesus was quoting Scripture from Isaiah) or John the Baptist had clear views of God, that those that have heard the teaching of the Messiah and have benefited from the hearing of His instructions and teachings, and also have benefited from looking at His example here on earth.......well, it might be said that they will have more correct apprehensions than any of the ancient prophets, or even those of John the Baptist. . I agree strongly that there is no ONE answer to what or where the kingdom of God is. You are very correct here. However, I do not believe that "References to the "Kingdom" in the Bible are contradictory". What I am seeing is that these references serve to build a big picture like pieces of a puzzle. Jesus clearly spoke in parables and often in a veiled way. I believe, so that people would think. I would also agree that many of Jesus teachings seemed paradoxical, on the surface they SEEMED contradictory, yet, I believe that they were true and upon close examination, not contradictory at all. The disciples asked Jesus in Matthew 13 why he spoke in parables. This is something I will be looking closely at soon as a part of this series of post. In short, He told them that they could see clearly because these secrets had been given to them, however, those who do not believe or do not want to believe, even telling them straight or even if they see it with their eyes, they still will not believe. Additionally, many prophets and men of God longed to see the kingdom but were unable because it had not arrived in their time. There is more, but this is the jist of this teaching by Jesus. . As far as "elaborate constructs" in order to preserve my orthodox lens.....I believe that many would say that I am not orthodox at all. I do not believe I am elaborately constructing anything....I am simply researching, learning, and seeking to understand what was meant by applying historical, cultural and contextual methods. I am certainly not saying that I have all the answers, I am simply sharing what I find from my "lens". I do not adhere to any particular orthodoxy. I do start simply with the premise (based on what I have seen and understand) that the Bible is the inspired Word of God and that Jesus is who He said He was. My Reply:
.
I appreciate your comments very much. Regarding John the Baptist, you say in reference to my statements above: “John did not know who Christ was or about his finishing work?”. All due respect Ron, this is not what I said at all. My statement was, “I realized that while John the Baptist KNEW who Christ was, he never saw or understood Christ’ FINISHED work on the cross. John would die before Jesus would die and rise again to bring about the beginning of the kingdom.” (emphasis added). There is a big difference here in what you may have thought I said and what I said.
.
It is very true that in the Gospel of John, chapter 1, verse 29, John the Baptist says “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”. I can clearly see what you are suggesting and in many ways it does make sense. However, in my study of the Kingdom language, first, I would note that Jesus did not say that John the Baptist would not be in the kingdom, however He pointed out that of the least in the kingdom, even they would be greater than John. I would throw in that we often want to equate “least” and “greater” with some sort of power or status. I believe that Jesus was speaking of neither (based on my careful study of the character of Jesus, which, by the way, I am not claiming to know all, I am simply speaking what I see and understand). Jesus was simply telling us that in God’s COMING kingdom, all members will have a greater spiritual heritage than John because they will have seen (not literally) and known Christ and his finished work on the cross. John the Baptist did not, as he was martyred well before Jesus death and resurrection. I believe that what Jesus was saying was that while the Prophet Isaiah (Jesus was quoting Scripture from Isaiah) or John the Baptist had clear views of God, that those that have heard the teaching of the Messiah and have benefited from the hearing of His instructions and teachings, and also have benefited from looking at His example here on earth…….well, it might be said that they will have more correct apprehensions than any of the ancient prophets, or even those of John the Baptist.
.
I agree strongly that there is no ONE answer to what or where the kingdom of God is. You are very correct here. However, I do not believe that “References to the “Kingdom” in the Bible are contradictory”. What I am seeing is that these references serve to build a big picture like pieces of a puzzle. Jesus clearly spoke in parables and often in a veiled way. I believe, so that people would think. I would also agree that many of Jesus teachings seemed paradoxical, on the surface they SEEMED contradictory, yet, I believe that they were true and upon close examination, not contradictory at all. The disciples asked Jesus in Matthew 13 why he spoke in parables. This is something I will be looking closely at soon as a part of this series of post. In short, He told them that they could see clearly because these secrets had been given to them, however, those who do not believe or do not want to believe, even telling them straight or even if they see it with their eyes, they still will not believe. Additionally, many prophets and men of God longed to see the kingdom but were unable because it had not arrived in their time. There is more, but this is the jist of this teaching by Jesus.
.
As far as “elaborate constructs” in order to preserve my orthodox lens…..I believe that many would say that I am not orthodox at all. I do not believe I am elaborately constructing anything….I am simply researching, learning, and seeking to understand what was meant by applying historical, cultural and contextual methods. I am certainly not saying that I have all the answers, I am simply sharing what I find from my “lens”. I do not adhere to any particular orthodoxy. I do start simply with the premise (based on what I have seen and understand) that the Bible is the inspired Word of God and that Jesus is who He said He was.

]]> Comment on The Kingdom of Heaven: Matthew 11:11-12 / Luke 7:28, “John the Baptist Sends Messengers to Jesus” by admin http://www.laleocafe.com/wordpress/2010/05/31/the-kingdom-of-heaven-matthew-1111-12-luke-728-john-the-baptist-sends-messengers-to-jesus/comment-page-1/#comment-747 admin Mon, 31 May 2010 17:33:46 +0000 http://www.laleocafe.com/wordpress/?p=2317#comment-747 <strong>My friend from Houston (Ron) made the following comment concerning this post:</strong> "Man - I tell you Jan, you sure build some eloborate constructs in order to preserve your orthodox lens. John did not know who Christ was or about his finishing work? John 29 "The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" There is no one answer to what or where the kingdom of God is. References to the "Kingdom" in the Bible are contradictory and quite paradoxical. The question is can you be comfortable with not "knowing" or "understanding" the paradox?" My friend from Houston (Ron) made the following comment concerning this post:
“Man – I tell you Jan, you sure build some eloborate constructs in order to preserve your orthodox lens. John did not know who Christ was or about his finishing work? John 29 “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”

There is no one answer to what or where the kingdom of God is. References to the “Kingdom” in the Bible are contradictory and quite paradoxical. The question is can you be comfortable with not “knowing” or “understanding” the paradox?”

]]> Comment on The kingdom of heaven/kingdom of God: CLUES by The Kingdom of Heaven-The Kingdom of God: The Ancient Jewish Hope - LaleoCafe http://www.laleocafe.com/wordpress/2006/03/23/the-kingdom-of-heavenkingdom-of-god-clues/comment-page-1/#comment-523 The Kingdom of Heaven-The Kingdom of God: The Ancient Jewish Hope - LaleoCafe Wed, 21 Apr 2010 02:06:21 +0000 http://www.laleocafe.com/wordpress/?p=1404#comment-523 [...] the time to review the CLUE’S we have found so far, there are many more to come. Share/Save var a2a_config = a2a_config || {}; a2a_config.linkname="The Kingdom of Heaven-The [...] [...] the time to review the CLUE’S we have found so far, there are many more to come. Share/Save var a2a_config = a2a_config || {}; a2a_config.linkname="The Kingdom of Heaven-The [...]

]]> Comment on The Kingdom of Heaven: Matthew 13:11/Mark 4:11/Luke 8:10, “The Purpose of Parables” by Sean Cunningham http://www.laleocafe.com/wordpress/2010/03/29/the-kingdom-of-heaven-matthew-1311mark-411luke-810-the-purpose-of-parables/comment-page-1/#comment-464 Sean Cunningham Thu, 08 Apr 2010 03:35:40 +0000 http://www.laleocafe.com/wordpress/?p=2212#comment-464 Wow, this site is awesome! Did you do all this yourself? Go to bed... Wow, this site is awesome! Did you do all this yourself? Go to bed…

]]> Comment on BIBLE DIFFICULTIES: You stupid fool! by admin http://www.laleocafe.com/wordpress/2010/01/30/bible-difficulties-you-stupid-fool/comment-page-1/#comment-204 admin Sat, 30 Jan 2010 18:12:18 +0000 http://www.laleocafe.com/wordpress/?p=2054#comment-204 Thank you Lorna for your thoughts :-) I appreciate you girl! "Placing a label on the person rather than the action does indeed lead to an attitude of superiority, a very slippery slope indeed." very insightful! Thank you Lorna for your thoughts :-) I appreciate you girl! “Placing a label on the person rather than the action does indeed lead to an attitude of superiority, a very slippery slope indeed.” very insightful!

]]>