Category: Doctrines CE

JESUS 2024 C.E.

Are christian pulpits erasing Christ’s Biblical line of DOCTRINE?
How has DOCTRINE of Truth from Scripture
evolved into a blurred line in the sand
erasing two millennia of Church teaching?

In a NEW TalkofJESUS.com SERIES, as a Christian follower of the Lord JESUS Roger invites you to examine our changing COMMON ERA culture.

Comment on these Scriptures.

Or question the context of Biblical doctrines and teaching in our common contemporary culture.

What teaching in this year of the Common Era does the church preach?

Which doctrines fit into a Common Era that no longer lives in Truth or desire a relational church church culture or corporate worship of JESUS Christ as God our Savior, the One Redeemer from sin?

Compare and apply The Life of the Common Era church to Scripture and find the Way, the Truth and the Life in the Everlasting Savior Jesus Christ.

IS YOUR GOSPEL SIMPLY GOOD NEWS FOR A COMMON ERA AUDIENCE TO APPLAUD?

For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. – Hebrews 5:12

Does worship by your church resist the temptation to ERASE Christ’s DOCTRINES commanded from Scripture?

Comment on Scripture (you who believe).

Proclaim the scriptural doctrines of the Gospel.

a Brief Apologetic for Doctrine
Doctrine (of the Common Era) Defined

A doctrine is a set of principles or beliefs, especially religious ones.
Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary

Synonyms: teaching, principle, belief, opinion

Quite simply EVERYONE has doctrines WE believe, beliefs and opinions WE teach unyieldingly or perhaps underpinning our speech subtly.

Due to its everyday influence on our lives I have reviewed and retaught DOCTRINE here with some regularity.

doctrine in American English
1. something taught; teachings
2. something taught as the principles or creed of a religion, political party, etc.; tenet or tenets; belief; dogma
3. a rule, theory, or principle of law
4. US
  an official statement of a nation’s policy, esp. toward other nations
  the Monroe Doctrine
doctrine in British English
1. a creed or body of teachings of a religious, political, or philosophical group presented for acceptance or belief; dogma
2. a principle or body of principles that is taught or advocated
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Read the fine print below for a more succinct examination of doctrine. - RH
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doctrine refers to a theory based on carefully worked out principles and taught or advocated by its adherents [scientific or social doctrines]; dogma refers to a belief or doctrine that is handed down by authority as true and indisputable, and often connotes arbitrariness, arrogance, etc. [religious dogma]; tenet emphasizes the maintenance or defense, rather than the teaching, of a theory or principle [the tenets of a political party]; precept refers to an injunction or dogma intended as a rule of action or conduct [to teach by example rather than by precept]
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.

DOCTRINE – What do you believe? Can you affirm it to others?

Doctrine + TalkofJESUS.com
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HERE are several links where you should find teachings to Comment on Scripture OR respond to a doctrine with YOUR opinion.
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First, a summary PAGE which includes links to several earlier pages & posts on Doctrine.

What is Doctrine? – Let’s Talk about DOCTRINE

I asked, “Is the Church still ‘christian’‘ & other thought-provoking categorical questions about ‘the church‘ in a 2022 SERIES [linked here].

Evangelical Reconstruction

SEARCH TalkofJESUS.com by topic for ‘Doctrine‘

topical ‘christianity’

We have explored contemporary issues of doctrine as well.
Summer 2023 SERIES on doctrine

https://talkofjesus.com/hot-topics-summer-a-d-2023/
apologia – not actually an ‘apology’

It seems in the Common Era of NO ABSOLUTES and arguments of ANTI-this’ and ANTI-that’s I had best DEFINE what I mean to apologize to BOTH

+ disagreeing ‘christians‘
- and semi-committed A-theists – [mortals AGAINST god AND unequivocally opposed to JESUS Christ].
WHY this SERIES?

I could share many reasons in this Common Era of 2024 WHY I am revisiting ‘doctrine’ but #1:

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.
2 Timothy 4:3-4 Legacy Standard Bible

Apologetic for a Common Era approach to Biblical Doctrine
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From Before Christ to Before the Common Era
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In common Greek, apologia refers to the speech that an accused person delivered in court, rejecting the charges filed against him or her. The apologists of the second century chose this term because they wanted to show that the charges filed against Christians were unjustified and that the truths of their faith could be described and defended. An apologia was dedicated to the Roman emperor, who certainly never read it. [Max L. Stackhouse, “Apologia,” 1988]
https://www.etymonline.com/word/apologia

Anti-Christ THINKING From A.D. to C.E.

The A.D. Second Century CHRISTIAN apologist to whom the article refers is Justin Martyr.

In addition to arguing against the persecution of individuals solely for being Christian, Justin also provides the Emperor with a defense of the philosophy of Christianity and a detailed explanation of contemporary Christian practices and rituals.

The First Apology is dated to between AD 155–157

The theologian Robert Grant has claimed that this Apology was made in response to the Martyrdom of Polycarp ~ in the year of our Lord 155.
source & Christian History Polycarp

2024 of the COMMON ERA DOCTRINE

YOUR ‘What?‘ Questions of the Common Era
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From an earlier post.
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WHEN did the Common Era Begin?

Was there an unexpected BIG BANG that exploded TRUTH into truths?

Have centuries of history defined by the word of Almighty GOD fallen into a bottomless black hole of godless futility?

Does a blurred timeline of History not continue to point toward Christ Jesus born into this common world of sin?
Roger@TalkofJesus.com
updated 2024 of the Common Era

Comment on Scripture + Share the Gospel

Talk of JESUS .com
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NEXT: DOCTRINES of the Common Era: 

God
Scripture
JESUS CHRIST 
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FOLLOWED BY more 2024 C.E. examinations of KEY Doctrines
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April 3, 2024
Grace for the Everyday Sinner in 2024 C.E.
- Should grace be desired for more than simply acknowledgement of our blessings on occasion?
- Is the Biblical concept of ‘grace’ the same today as God’s GRACE in the New and Old Testaments?
What is grace?

We associate it with good things as in praying before eating and receiving mercy for those things we ought not to have done.

Paul frequently opens his letters to various churches with grace, peace and other gentle words of greeting. The Apostle then encourages believers in a spirit of grace given to all by God.

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
First Letter of Paul *[and Sosthenes]
to the church at Corinth 1:3 – LSB
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*Sosthenes = "saviour of his nation" - a Jew at Corinth who was seized and beaten in the presence of Gallio
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If God wills – a Mission ends, a Journey Home

Acts 18:17
And they all took hold of Sosthenes the leader of the synagogue, and began beating him in front of the judgment seat. But Gallio was not concerned about any of these things.

Gospel Grace
- Grace appears over 100 times in the Bible
- most frequently used in the New Testament.
The Greek word used by the Gospel writers and Apostles is χάρις pronounced: khar’-ece.

grace
- that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness: grace of speech
A brief look at varied New Testament use of grace, favor and graciousness reveals a much deeper and satisfying application of grace through Christ.

For of His fullness we have all received, and grace G5485 upon grace G5485.
Gospel of John 1:16 Legacy Standard Bible

Old Testament Grace

God’s grace before its fullness in Christ was proclaimed to the world

The Hebrew Bible or Old Testament also demonstrates God’s grace in action and in word. In Hebrew:

ḥēn חֵן

Translated in English as ‘grace‘ 38x and also as: favour (26x), gracious (2x), pleasant (1x), precious

But Noah found favor H2580 in the eyes of Yahweh.
Genesis 6:8

The favor and blessings of grace extend not only between the Lord God and man but also between the mortal flesh and blood of individual souls blessing one another.

Perhaps no blessing of grace is any better known than a benediction of parting the LORD spoke to Moses.

“Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the people of Israel: you shall say to them,

יְבָרֶכְךָ יְהוָה וְיִשְׁמְרֶךָ׃ ס

יָאֵר יְהוָה פָּנָיו אֵלֶיךָ וִיחֻנֶּךָּ׃ ס

יִשָּׂא יְהוָה פָּנָיו אֵלֶיךָ וְיָשֵׂם לְךָ שָׁלֹום׃ ס

בְּמִדְבַּר (Numbers) 6 :: Westminster Leningrad Codex (WLC)
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The LORD bless you and keep you;
the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the LORD lift up his countenance [or face] upon you and give you peace.
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“So shall they put my name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them.”

Blessing between the LORD and Israel from Numbers 6:24-26,27

Gracious people chosen for God’s grace

And of course most everyone desires at times to receive at least a portion of joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness, favour, grace, charm, elegance and acceptance.

Who receives grace?

Is God’s grace all-inclusive or exclusive?

Let’s take a brief look.

The Example of Noah

Then Yahweh saw that the evil of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And Yahweh regretted that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart.

But Noah found favor in the eyes of Yahweh.

Then God said to Noah, “The end of all flesh has come before Me; for the earth is filled with violence because of them; and behold, I am about to destroy them with the earth.
Genesis 6:5-6,8,13

Abraham’s Grace though Faith

And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; now he was a priest of God Most High. Then he blessed him and said,

“Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.”
Genesis 14:18-20a

Now it happened that when Abram was ninety-nine years old, Yahweh appeared to Abram and said to him,

“I am God Almighty;
Walk before Me and be blameless, so that I may confirm My covenant between Me and you,
And that I may multiply you exceedingly.”
Genesis 17:1-2

Then Abram fell on his face, and God spoke with him…

Grace and Mercy

25:17 וְעָשִׂיתָ כַפֹּרֶת זָהָב

“You shall make a mercy seat of pure gold…

Grace is related to but NOT equal to mercy.

Mercy is a transaction granted by a greater one to a lesser recipient.

Grace is a part in a transaction by which supplication (or plea) may have been made from one to another. At times they are even equals — but often not.

In fact God or a king or any human authority may grant grace without you even asking.

תְּחִנָּה

supplication,

supplication for favour
- to man or
- to God
“And I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and of supplication,

so that they will look on Me whom they have pierced;

and they will mourn for Him, as one mourns for an only son, and they will weep bitterly over Him like the bitter weeping over a firstborn.
Zechariah 12:10 LSB

“In that day a fountain will be opened for the house of David and for the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for impurity.
from Zechariah 13:1 – approximately 480 B.C.
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MORE about GRACE in every age NEXT TIME when we will ask:
"WHO NEEDS GRACE?" 

(You've probably guessed the answer already.)
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For from His fullness, we have all received and grace upon grace.
Gospel of John 1:16 – Berean Literal Bible

Comment on Scripture + Share the Gospel
January 4, 2024
‘You’re NOT MY Father!’ – the prodigal C.E. Evangelical
‘You’re not my father,’ the young woman yelled at the top of her voice as her mother tried to take control of the situation. (The prodigal teen might just as well been a son rejecting the authority of his father.)

Our Family Prodigal

Most Christians are no doubt familiar with the scenario of Jesus’ parable about the prodigal son with its two brothers questioning their relationships with their father.

We have perhaps neglected a theological relationship of the Trinity of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit of God.

Today in PART 2 of our examination of the role of the FATHER we continue in our study of doctrines of the Common Era by looking at contemporary family relationships AND parallels to the Son Jesus‘ parable of the prodigal son (which of course HE is not).

God our Father estranged from Trinity

Part 1 of God our Father and His role in the Trinity

Parable of the prodigal son
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You'll find an archaic former view of 'the prodigal' in the New King James version of the Bible from Before the Common Era referring to the son's prodigal living common to this era.
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Root word from the Greek translated as prodigal or riotous.

This parable of Jesus is part of three illustrations of those whose faith is LOST as answer to why the Lord receives and dines with SINNERS.

Gospel of Luke 15:

The Parable of the Lost Son

Luke 15:11 NKJV
Then He said:

“A certain man had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So he divided to them his livelihood. And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living.

But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want. ..when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him,

“Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.” ’

HERE is the riotous Common Era christian as well! You, me and others BEFORE some realize that WE may return to GOD the FATHER in humility — BEFORE some become acceptable in the Father’s house through the saving grace of the SINLESS Son JESUS our only hope and Savior.
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(You likely know more of the parable and its additional lessons from this father.)
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“And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.

Why do Common Era prodigals deny the Father’s love?

Our cover PHOTO, christian family photo album or church member directory could include THOUSANDS of FACES we know who were once near and dear to our hearts.
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As noted previously the truth of SCRIPTURE has not changed. 

WE cannot quite grasp the mystery of the Holy Spirit. 

AND in Common Era preaching Jesus can be promoted more like WE like on the stage of 'worship.'

YET the fruit of FALSE teaching may easily rot souls JESUS would save had WE prodigal evangelicals returned to the Father.
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Jesus welcomes ALL sinners with the love of a friend. This Common Era king embraces sinners of ALL cultures and beliefs without requiring any turn toward His righteousness and away from The Life of this world.

FALSE! According to Scripture.

Witness of a dad

I know a man in Christ.. —such a man was caught up to the third heaven.
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The Apostle Paul in witnessing a true event without disclosure of his source of witness writes to Christians in Corinth.

The 'man' in Christ may have been Paul, John during his Revelation from Jesus Christ, perhaps even Peter or another. The witness is authentic. Therefore the truth and impact of these scenes require no identification of its narrator.
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‘I knew a dad..’ I could say, ‘I know a man’ or ‘I know a woman’ or even ‘I knew a 21st century common era mom.’

Here is true witness of several sad stories of sin:

common fathers in the Common Era:
- Their father insisted, “not in my house you don’t,” but they did.
- Her older sister ran away with her boyfriend, then her father came into her at night!
- Their ‘christian‘ mother was caught in the arms of another man, then threw her father out of their house.
- The church had no idea who the father of a single mom leading worship might be.
- Their father cheated with a woman at work, then they all moved to another town where this prodigal pastor did it again.
- The PK (Pastor’s Kid) was known to be sleeping with a significant other.
- When their son got his girlfriend pregnant mom helped pay for her to get an abortion.
- She changed schools so no one would know what her mother dared not tell her father.
- A father suspected his son partied all night with guys and girls alike.
- “HE’S NOT MY FATHER! You have to choose between him and ME,” insisted the step-daughter to her mom.
These are all lost sheep, prodigal sons and daughters of FATHERS who are also sinners.

JESUS would invite ANY to the great feast of Heaven..

YET MANY will die in their sin

still refusing to turn back to our Father God

from so many pigsties of the Common Era.

Further resistance against fathers

SOMETHING CHANGED, but I’m not certain when.
Roger@TalkofJesus.com

What is certain in 2023 of the Common Era is that:
- Christians have again become a minority.
- Marriages between one man and one woman for life are rare (even among ‘christians.’)
- Children need not be born into a Common Era home with values of God our FATHER.
- Parents of the Common Era reject accountability to a father, a family and to God.
Fathers (present or absent) may NOT raise, teach or discipline ANY human progeny.

a few more facts:
- The 1960 Census showed a record proportion married, 67.4 percent, among persons 14 years old and over.
- The number of families in the United States in 1960 was 45.1 million. (A family is a group of two or more persons who are related to each other and living in the same household.)
- In 2011, the Pew Research Center found that 51 percent of Americans were married, compared to 72 percent in 1960. However, rates of cohabiting couples are rising
- according to private research company Demographic Intelligence, less than half a million couples were cohabiting in 1960, compared to 7.5 million in 2010 [C.E.]
  - Source: HuffPost 7/22/2023 C.E. TEN years ago
America’s Families and Living Arrangements: 2022 – U.S. Census
- TOTAL children of any age living in household:
  - US Census Source of statistics below
    
    71.9% with living spouse present (at time of survey only)
- 4.2% Cohabiting with joint biological child (actual # may be higher than survey sample)
- 2.6% Cohabiting with NO joint biological child
- 21.3% or ONE IN FIVE – NO partner present (at time of survey)
  - A few are single fathers — MOST are culturally priased as SINGLE MOMS in the Common Era
WHY does Common Era culture reject JESUS?

GOD, the authority of any church and especially FATHERS are anathema to the majority of this COMMON ERA.
Roger@TalkofJESUS.com on Rejection of the Father of Trinity

It’s quite easy for some to worship MARY, the ‘single mom’ of the child Jesus we celebrate each ‘Christmas.’

Yet in the Common Era Mary could easily have made a CHOICE to ABORT this BABY before the Census in Bethlehem!

BUT since SHE chose to live with Joseph (who is NOT the FATHER of Jesus),

Mary was a ‘single MOM’ we can look up to — even worship as the mother of god.
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Of course A.D. first century culture was intolerant of such things.
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What does JESUS say about ‘the Father’ that is so offensive to so many in Common Era churches in these last days?

“For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.”

So Jesus said, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that am He, and I do nothing from Myself, but I speak these things as the Father taught Me. “For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it again.

“I and the Father are [in essence] one.”
Gospel of John: 6:40, 8:28, 10:30 Legacy Standard Bible

apokalypsis iēsous christos which God gave Him to show to His slaves the things which must soon happen; and He indicated this by sending it through His angel to His slave John,
The Revelation of Jesus Christ 1:1 LSB from Morphological Greek New Testament
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Revelation 3:19-22
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‘Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline. Therefore be zealous and repent.

Reproof, discipline and certainly that ‘slave‘ thing WE dare not proclaim to Common Era christians.

‘Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me. He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.

‘He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”

Revelation of Jesus Christ to John

Talk of JESUS .com

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to keep all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:19-20 LSB – Command of the Risen Christ Jesus

Comment on Scripture + Share the Gospel
November 30, 2023