My First Father's Day Without My Father

Memory Eternal

Bill H. Lewis 

April 1927- January 2010

Waiting for Armageddon- A Movie Review

The following is a movie review by Orthodox Inquirer, Phillip Quinn. In keeping with the spirit of JTO, Phillip readily admits he is ever learning and is always journeying toward truth. Even so,  I find the truths he is discovering on his way to Orthodoxy encouraging and provocative.

Waiting for Armageddon (2009)

Directors: Kate Davis, David Heilbroner, Franco Sacchi. 

A Movie Review

By Phillip Quinn

Plot: America's 50-million strong Evangelical community is convinced that the world's future is foretold in Biblical prophecy.

I keep reminding myself to Judge the Documentary, not the documented. (Yes, the pun is intended)

This is the kind of film that makes Christians look silly. Christian extremists claim all sorts of stuff. (See: Jesus Camp (2006)) If you take one of their leaders, like those in this film back in time to meet their Christian “Brothers and Sisters” of the first millennia, they would not recognize each-other. Much has been added to modern Christian beliefs starting in the eleventh Century and even more so in the Sixteenth Century. Many Christians I have talked to do not know the history of their faith and unfortunately the majority does not care to know their history either.

Neither the word, nor the concept of “Rapture” is found anywhere in the Bible. It is a concept that is man-made dating back to the late 1700s. The Biblical text is clear that Christ will return although; there is no reference to a “Great Tribulation” or to any other events preceding His Return.

In 1825, a Scottish minister named Edward Irving is first attributed to using the word “Rapture”. Many scholars recognize it was actually a fifteen year old female follower of Irving’s who is documented as having a “prophecy” revealing the concept of Rapture. Her name was Margaret McDonald and the collection of her dreams is called “The Restoration of Apostles and Prophets”.

People mistakenly believe Rapture is found in the Bible, but truly it is not. Early Christians taught by Jesus directly or by his Apostles would have no idea what the term or concept “Rapture” means. We know this because they wrote things down and never mention neither the concept nor word “Rapture” anywhere in their writings.

 Advocates of the Rapture invention often site:  I Thessalonians 4:17 as the sole verse to support their ideas. If you take the Epistle of Saint Paul to the Thessalonians Church in context, Saint Paul is ending a worry that started in their church because some people believed that Christians who died before Christ’s return would somehow miss out on that glorious event of his return. Start reading from 4:13 forward and you can understand why Saint Paul is correcting them.

Another problem with the modern invention of “Rapture” is that it imagines three times the Lord shall come: First, “His Birth”; Second, “The Rapture” and Third “Judgment”.  Furthermore, there are people who claim to know the end of the world. They place their words against Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Jesus said “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.” – Matt 24:36. Only God the Father knows the end of the world.

There is both a National Israel and a Spiritual Israel. A modern nation is named Israel, but is distinctly different from Spiritual Israel. Spiritual Israel is a part of the fulfillment of Christ’s incarnation on Earth. Christ fulfilled the old covenant between God and the Jewish people and began a new covenant with all peoples; Jew, Gentile and Pagan. This new covenant (agreement) is with those who carry God’s favor by Carrying God’s message to the World. This is Israel – Christ’s Church. Consider that when reading scripture mentioning Israel after the coming of Christ. What goes on in the middle-east is caused by the extension of the free will of men and nothing more.

Saint Paul wrote, “Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham . . . if you are Christ’s then you are of Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:7-9). Indeed, Saint Paul called the body of believers “the Israel of God” (Galatians 6:16). Saint Peter illustrated this point by applying terms used to describe Israel in the Old Testament when he wrote, “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people” (I Peter 2:9). I am still surprised to find modern Christians who did not know Christianity comes from Judaism or that the Old Testament is a collection of Jewish text. The most popular being the Masoretic text, revised in the ninth century by Jews hostile to Christ.

As the documentary continues - In Particular, American Evangelicals look to the Nation of Israel as Prophetic allies. Christians who live in and around the Nation of Israel are certainly not treated as friends by them. The makers of this film interview both Orthodox and reformist Jews, but not Orthodox Christians who lived in and around the Holy Land for the last two thousand years. Instead, they follow the imported American people around the city oblivious to anything but, what they are spoon fed – accepting all, without any investigation.

 The fundamentalist Christian bloodlust for violence and vengeance in End Times is disturbing to say the least. This is one area I think the movie covers well. Never mind that the idea of violence and demolition that is sold to them goes against the very core of what Christ teaches - they seem all too happy to welcome human suffering and destruction of anyone who does not believe as they do. The movie also covers how unscrupulous men like John Hagee and Tim LaHaye fleece Christians of their money. Any one of us would easily be able to refute what they say with simple Bible Studies.

All and all, the documentary presents a frightening look at how ignorant, depraved and ill-informed a group of people can be. It is a dangerous movement in that they have political power and are not shy to use it. 

JTO Editor's Note: for more on this false doctrine of the pre-tribulation doctrine see:
http://journeytoorthodoxy.blogspot.com/2006/10/correspondence-with-rapturist.html

The Invasion Of America-A Dereliction Of Duty

I have always tried to refrain from turning JTO into a political discussion forum. I do venture, upon occasion, into revealing the motives and actions of Islamic terrorists and their anti-Semitic enablers, as well as other various, relevant topics. There is one such relevant topic that has become so critical that it cannot be ignored on this Blog, that of border security. As our religious freedoms in America continue to erode, so do our safety and sovereignty.

The topic of securing the borders of the United States of America, has been much politicized. The Hispanic vote and the future potential pro-Democrat Party voting block of over 13-20 million Illegal Aliens (if they are granted amnesty) is the core reason the current Democrat administration has refused to fulfill its Constitutional obligation to protect its citizens at our nation's Southern border. The Democrat administration does not want to be perceived as anti-Hispanic. America is a nation of immigrants. We are a most welcoming people. But most Americans are anti-ILLEGAL Immigration. Over 500,000 illegal aliens enter our country every year from many nations, and most using the Southern border. For instance, did you know that there are over 600 Pakistanis in Federal custody awaiting deportation as we speak, not to mention scores from Colombia, Iran, Middle East, and Asia? All are crossing our porous Southern border.

The appeal to our Federal Government to fulfill their obligation of securing our borders, is not one of anti-immigrant prejudice, but, rather, one of protective patriotic resistance to illegal aliens of many nationalities, streaming across our borders by the thousands. In this day and age of anti-American terrorists, drug cartels, human trafficking and sex slave trade, America's Southern border, especially Arizona, has become so dangerous that the Federal Government has now closed a national park and posted signs warning United States Citizens to KEEP OUT. (See Video Below) They have posted signs telling us to keep out of our own sovereign land while refusing to send troops to the border to stop the invasion. To give some perspective, it is important to understand that the invasion at our breached borders stretches over 80 miles inland into the heart of our country. Arizonians have been forced to pass legislation that allows them to begin to do the job that the Federal Government has failed to do-protect its citizens. Don't be misled, the recently passed Arizona Illegal Immigration Law, mirrors our federal law and has more safeguards to protect the rights of those who are here legally than does the Federal law. Those who say otherwise either haven't read the law or are not being honest.

The refusal of our President to act in this matter and protect American citizens is a dereliction of duty. The argument can be made, and rightfully so, that previous administrations have also been derelict in their duties, but there is nothing to compare with the current state of the situation. America is being invaded by those who have and will do us harm. Pray that our government will SECURE THE BORDERS!

Once A Convict Always A Convict?

Just a word on some people's propensity to attribute the reason for another's views to the fact that they were once a Protestant. I liken this to someone once having spent time in jail. He was convicted, has paid his dues, and has been many years living as a law abiding citizen, but he is still referred to as a convict. Once a convict always a convict?

If  a person presents views or doctrines that are not in keeping with the mindset or doctrines of the Church, then speak to the issue at hand. To refer to their former Protestantism is to call them a convict. Once a Protestant, always a Protestant? This is almost always received as a slam or a denigration of the person and does nothing to promote right thinking. Such an approach is subjective. How long must one have been out of prison before he is deemed no longer tainted?

I have been out of Protestantism for over ten years. I am quick to embrace the doctrines and traditions of the church. If there are things I don't yet know, it is because I have not yet learned them, not because I once was a Protestant. There are some Orthodox clergy who have come from Catholicism and have been away from that world for less time than I have been away from Protestantism. Is it fair for me to hold them currently suspect because of their past? Once a Catholic always a Catholic?

Last time I looked, God is a God of redemption and restoration. "He casts our sins as far as the East is from the West and remembers them no more." It is totally appropriate and sometimes necessary to point out that a proposed belief is particularly a Protestant one or a Catholic one, but God forbid the kind accusatory language in our interpersonal communication which makes a person's past the issue.

UPDATE Addendum: Please see Tserkovnye Vekhi's thorough and blessed perspective on this matter in the COMMENT section.

A Little Story

Coming To America- Scripture- A Criminal Offense

Flotilla Choir Presents: "We Con The World"-UPDATE

For Deb, and all of the other anti-Semite supporters of Islamic-terrorists, who have been duped by Islamic propaganda...

Remember the Islamic mantra- "First comes Saturday then comes Sunday." For those who need interpretation: "First we kill the Jews then we kill the Christians"  Fools! Their goal is world domination and lies and violence are their tools.

UPDATE: JTO Editor's Note: I have left the below link to the You Tube Video embedded so that you can see that, after over 3 million hits, You Tube removed it due to "copyright  infringement." So you will have to use your imagination- We Con The World, sung to the tune of We Are The World, is a parody of the famous recording session. Several Israelis are in a studio singing lyrics showing how the Flotilla participants and their supporters, use the anti-Semite media to hide the truth of their violent intentions. Since you can't see the video on You Tube, I have posted a second video of the actual Flotilla participants on the ship. They have had prior warning through diplomatic channels that they would be stopped. See how they plan to resist.
UPDATE: 7/21/2014 JTO Editor's Note: It seems the video below is reactivated. Click to watch.

(The Censored (then uncensored) Video of We Con The World)


Watch and listen to the so-called  peaceful "humanitarian" Flotilla members as they plan, in the name of Allah, to resist the Israeli soldiers with force. Notice how they also say that Israel is not a state. Sounds rather like a militant Islamic rally doesn't it? It is evident that they try to "con the world". The truth is, that by allowing Israel to inspect their cargo for arms and prove their intent to delver humanitarian goods to Gaza, the aid would be allowed to be delivered. It is evident by their words that delivery of aid to Gaza was NOT their main objective. Their stated intent was to create an incident by becoming martyrs. Nine achieved their goal.

The Flotilla Islamic Rally

The Joy Of The Lord Is My Strength!

I was in Tupelo Mississippi last week on business. To get there from Nashville, I took the Natchez Trace, a 444 mile historic road stretching from Nashville, Tennessee to Natchez. Mississippi. My trip from Brentwood, Tennessee to Tupelo, Mississippi, was 182 miles of the most peaceful, scenic, perfectly paved and manicured roads I have ever experienced. My drive home was particularly meaningful. I think in all of the hustle and bustle, the interpersonal conflicts and questions, the arguments and endeavors involved in making my way to the Orthodox faith, I forgot, momentarily, that the world is a beautiful place full of God's grace and joy. I had a 3 1/2 hour euphorically peaceful time. I remembered that the peace of the Lord is as near as is our breath. I returned from my business trip refreshed, full of joy and strength unlike I  have experienced in a long, long, time. It is true that The joy of the Lord is my strength.

The Truth About Facebook Friends

I recently reevaluated my participation on the social networking internet forum called Facebook. For those who may not know, Facebook allows a participant to set up a home page, including photos, personal information and then allow "friends" to view your page and all of your information. Facebook is most often used to post opinions, family happenings and other trivial items of interest. Your "friends' can comment on your page and you can comment on theirs. Friends of friends may view all of your entries depending on the security selections you choose. Many also use Facebook to promote issues, organizations or to comment on current events. Some pride themselves in how many "friends" they have on Facebook. The current number of Facebook friends is displayed on each person's homepage. I just culled out my friends list so that only relatives and close friends are included. Some that I "de-friended" took it personally. I explained to those who inquired, that my friendship with them is not based on Facebook encounters, but real life.

I have always taught my daughters to know the difference between friends and acquaintances. This lesson was promoted by their propensity to refer to acquaintances as friends and afford them the same confidences. Often they knew very little about the acquaintances. Especially lacking was knowledge of a person's character and motives ."I am going to visit my friend," they would say. "Well what do you know about them?", I would ask. The reply was telling, "Uhhh..." When I allowed my daughter to have a Facebook page, my supervision in such matters became even more important. With whom were they allowing access to their photos, personal information and day-to-day activities?

Just yesterday I saw a post where a young, blond female publicly posted her private cell phone number and a place where she was going at a certain time. I had never heard of her, but she was a "friend" of one of my "friends". That information went out to 100's of people.Would she, under any other circumstances, share her private cell number, and where she was going to be at a certain time, with 100's of strangers? But on Facebook everyone is a friend, right? That conduct is a tragedy waiting to happen. I am amazed at how often I am asked a personal question on my open FB wall. I never answer and always delete the question immediately.

Parents, do you know what your children are sharing with the world? I once had to inform an Orthodox priest of the FB activities of his daughter, including the provocative photos and videos that were being posted of her and her boyfriend, many taken in her bedroom. Under what other circumstances could I have seen her lying on a bed with a  teenage boy or embraced in a passionate kiss in front of 100's of people in public? But on FB it is somehow acceptable? Those photos and videos now exist forever in cyberspace and out of the person's control.  Even those "innocent poses" such as two girls in an embrace, posing with pursed lips, doing the glamor thing, is viewed by 100's of people as erotic and provocative. They are easily captured and saved for anyone's personal or public use. Many of these posers list themselves as "Christians" or "Orthodox". One thing is for certain, they are acting foolishly and have not counted the cost of their actions.

Be as wise as serpents but as harmless as doves. Do not post or say anything on Facebook that you would not want your closest friends or family to see, or at least make your privacy settings more secure, because FB friends are not all...friends.

The Religious Views Of FaceBook

I did a quick survey of my family and close friends on FaceBook. I found their profiles particularity interesting, especially where each listed their religious views. My Orthodox relatives aside, here is a snapshot of those who listed their "Religious Views":

"Christian"

"Baptist"

"I'm not religious and neither is God."

"Jesus Saves"

"Jesus is legit"

"nontraditional Baptist"

"Christian-Protestant"

"Left handed path"

"I love Jesus"

"Christian- Church of Christ"

"Christ follower"

"I follow Jesus Christ"

"Follower of Jesus"

"Jesus loves me this I love"

"Evangelical Christian"

"Christ=life"

"Lover of Jesus" 

"I love Jesus"

"born again Christian"

"of course"

"Christian-Pentecostal"

"yes!"

"Christianity is not a religion it's a relationship"

"Knowing Jesus & going to heaven"

"Go Jesus!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

"It's about grace"

"Christian-Southern Baptist"

"Christian-Catholic"

"Believing in God"

"Jesus is the way"
"I follow Christ while remaining accepting of all. Unlike a lot of other people I know."

and my favorite...

"This does not seem like enough space to give a religious view"