Search found 26 matches

by DeGraff
Mon Jul 09, 2018 10:55 am
Forum: Miscellaneous
Topic: The Afterlife
Replies: 17
Views: 13595

Re: The Afterlife

We have very specific ideas about heaven and hell that have no scripture to back them up. As far as I can tell, "heaven" is a generic term for where God is, and to an ancient Hebrew that would have been above the firmament. I'm talking about a flat earth with waters below, land, waters above, and he...
by DeGraff
Mon Nov 06, 2017 9:07 pm
Forum: History
Topic: Job an Edomite?
Replies: 3
Views: 4383

Re: Job an Edomite?

From reading Peter Enn's (and others) I'm open to the idea that both Job and Jonah are more like parables than actual history. In the second temple period it was common to take characters mentioned elsewhere (I believe Jonah was mentioned briefly in Chronicles) and create a teaching play around them...
by DeGraff
Sat Nov 26, 2016 3:31 pm
Forum: The Gospels
Topic: Were James and John Jesus' first cousins?
Replies: 2
Views: 5454

Re: Were James and John Jesus' first cousins?

I find nothing troubling about it. Oh, except that after being a believer for 40 years, and intently studying the word and theology for 20 of that, that I'd never heard this before. My first reaction was that my pastor was just parroting something from a trendy new book. (We were all in with The Cir...
by DeGraff
Sun Nov 20, 2016 12:39 pm
Forum: The Gospels
Topic: Were James and John Jesus' first cousins?
Replies: 2
Views: 5454

Were James and John Jesus' first cousins?

My pastor taught this last night at a Saturday night service. I had never heard that James and John were closer related to Jesus than John the baptist. I did some digging on my own, and at first it seems to be possible but confusing. The women present at the cross are named differently in the four g...
by DeGraff
Sun Nov 20, 2016 1:42 am
Forum: General Questions
Topic: Holding Minority Opinions
Replies: 12
Views: 10416

Re: Holding Minority Opinions

I just discovered this thread... In the past 5+ years I have questioned and changed my viewpoint on almost everything. It's to the point where I have only a couple of people I can talk with about these things. It would be safe to say that 90% of my church friends believe the following: • It's imposs...
by DeGraff
Thu Jul 28, 2016 5:03 pm
Forum: The Gospels
Topic: The Zealots
Replies: 1
Views: 3292

Re: The Zealots

To moderate my own post: Zealot - Comparable to anyone willing to use violence to overthrow current system My point could have been clearer. What I am considering is how Jesus related to the Zealots. He doesn't come right out and condemn them as he does the Pharisees. But I have to think the Beatitu...
by DeGraff
Thu Jul 28, 2016 3:52 pm
Forum: The Gospels
Topic: The Zealots
Replies: 1
Views: 3292

The Zealots

Jesus was explicit about His kingdom being not of this world. When they tried to entangle him in politics by speaking against the Romans, he wouldn't take the bait. First Century Palestine was comprised of these religious sects: Sadducees - Comparable to liberals who don't believe in the supernatura...
by DeGraff
Tue Jul 05, 2016 5:31 pm
Forum: Angelology & Demonology
Topic: A Psychiatrist and Demons
Replies: 1
Views: 4367

Re: A Psychiatrist and Demons

M Scott Peck devoted a whole chapter to demonic possession in his book "People of the Lie". Also a highly acclaimed psychotherapist, he was allowed to be a part of an exorcism team. At the time he had not become a believer, but knew he was "looking in the face of a 1000 year old evil".
by DeGraff
Thu May 12, 2016 5:14 pm
Forum: Radio Program Topics
Topic: Bethel - Redding, CA
Replies: 46
Views: 34562

Re: Bethel - Redding, CA

The visions and experiences of people in the Old and New Testament tended to confirm and support each other. If your role in God's plan was of major significance (Abraham, Mary), an angelic messenger appeared and walked you through events that were to take place. If you were a prophet, you were invi...
by DeGraff
Tue Apr 26, 2016 7:59 pm
Forum: Radio Program Topics
Topic: Bethel - Redding, CA
Replies: 46
Views: 34562

Re: Bethel - Redding, CA

I have attended a church with Baptist bent since 2001. Around 2005 I got involved with a fledgling small group that was into moves of the spirit. I had not been near charismatic types for close to 30 years, and it was kind of freeing to let loose a bit, explore things I had stayed clear of for so lo...

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