A Theologian is defined as person who engages or is an expert in theology. I'll call myself a theologian. Merriam-Webster defines a Prophet as a member of some religions (such as Christianity, Judaism, and Islam) who delivers messages that are believed to have come from God. The Bible also calls them Oracles. I'm no expert at anything, but as a theologian, I do see things others don't see with regard to Scripture's relevance to modern events. John the Baptist was a prophet who foretold the coming of Christ, just as Isaiah had done in Chapter 53, some time during the 7th or 8th century BCE. John quoted Isaiah 40:3; A voice proclaims: In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD! Make straight in the WASTELAND a highway for our God! Relevance at the time of writing was the return of the Hebrews back to Jerusalem from their exile in Babylon. Relevance of the day is a President Donald J. Trump first turning our country, and subsequently our planet into a WASTELAND.
From The Hill article link below: Donald Trump can't negotiate climate change away http://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/energy-environment/299396-donald-trump-cant-negotiate-climate-change-away "Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has vowed to “cancel” [the Paris Climate Accord] it if he’s elected president. That fits his pattern of reckless threats to walk away from U.S. commitments worldwide but it’s not in our national interest any more than his loose talk about breaking U.S. promises to defend our NATO allies or make good on the national debt. Turning our back on the United Nations agreement inked last December in Paris would put official U.S. policy at odds with basic science, world opinion and the more than 6 in 10 Americans who expect real climate action from our government. It would hurt our coastal communities, heartland ranches, wildlife, waters and farms. And it would set us back a generation in a fight for our future we can’t afford to lose." In the Catholic Epistles, St. John refers to "deadly sin", which some confuse as violating the 5th commandment, You Shall Not Kill. The Catholic Church believes you can be absolved of mortal sin through through the Sacrament of Penance. With regard to mortal sin, Mr. Trump seems to have no regard for human life be it with with his immigration and deportation policies and his views on climate change. From the New American Bible footnotes in 1Jn, Ch.5; "Deadly sin (literally, “sin unto death”), probably refers to apostasy or activities brought on under the antichrist; cf. Mk 3:29; Heb 6:4–6; 10:26–31. Even in the latter case, however, prayer, while not enjoined, is not forbidden. The letter concludes with a summary of the themes of the letter (1 Jn 5:18–20). There is a sharp antithesis between the children of God and those belonging to the world and to the evil one. The Son reveals the God of truth; Christians dwell in the true God, in his Son, and have eternal life. The final verse (1 Jn 5:21) voices a perennial warning about idols, any type of rival to God." 21Children, be on your guard against idols. With regard to legitimate defense, the Catholic Catechism addresses legitimate defense in Par. 2265; Legitimate defense can be not only a right but a grave duty for someone responsible for another's life. Preserving the common good requires rendering the unjust aggressor unable to inflict harm. To this end, those holding legitimate authority have the right to repel by armed force aggressors against the civil community entrusted to their charge. In this case, Legitimate Defense does not apply to a President Trump's policies of immigration and deportation and his views on protecting oil and coal jobs by denying climate change. The Snake written by Oscar Brown and read by Donald J. Trump. The Good Samaritan illustrated by Domenico Fetti and spoken by Jesus Christ, regarding loving your neighbor as yourself.
Lk. 10:25-28 The Greatest Commandment. 25 There was a scholar of the law who stood up to test him and said, “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 26Jesus said to him, “What is written in the law? How do you read it?” 27He said in reply, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” 28He replied to him, “You have answered correctly; do this and you will live.”
Lk. 10:29-37 Parable of the Good Samaritan. 29But because he wished to justify himself, he said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30Jesus replied, “A man fell victim to robbers as he went down from Jerusalem to Jericho. They stripped and beat him and went off leaving him half-dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down that road, but when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side. 32Likewise a Levite came to the place, and when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side. 33But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him was moved with compassion at the sight. 34He approached the victim, poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them. Then he lifted him up on his own animal, took him to an inn and cared for him. 35The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper with the instruction, ‘Take care of him. If you spend more than what I have given you, I shall repay you on my way back.’ 36Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robbers’ victim?” 37He answered, “The one who treated him with mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.” Donald Trump's favorite scripture is an eye for an eye, yet Christ said in Mt. 5:38-48 Teaching about Retaliation. 38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone strikes you on (your) right cheek, turn the other one to him as well. 40If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic, hand him your cloak as well. 41Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go with him for two miles. 42Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow. Love of Enemies. 43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust. 46For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same? 47And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same? 48So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect. Look at the people that Donald J. Trump fears the most ... people of faith and through their faith can see through the lie. From HillaryClinton.com, a litany of hatred, stupidity and deception from Donald Trump's mouth:
So what would be President Trump's solution to a nationwide press who so disdains him? In the case of New York City (less the the New York Post or Fox News), I assume Russian "hoods" would be sent to "kneecap" or "whack" whichever brave soul decided to wake up that day and write negative remarks about out country's "executive". But how far does censorship go? Mike Pence is the governor of the state which is home to the largest self-publishing company in the world, Author Solutions. It just so happens that the PR you pay for as a client of Author Solutions comes from the Bohlsen Group who also represent Mike Pence. This whole "Trump Movement" looks more and more like a swastika every time I see it:
On October 14, 2016, Donald and Melania Trump visited St. Patrick's Cathedral in Midtown Manhattan. St. Patrick's Cathedral is God's House of Prayer that I choose to attend every Sunday either in person, via streaming video or through Sirius Satellite Radio. We call it "America's Parish Church". Notice the pure hate in this man's eyes in the above picture and then read the following Scripture:
Dan. 7:25 He shall speak against the Most High and wear down the holy ones of the Most High, intending to change the feast days and the law.* They shall be handed over to him for a time, two times, and half a time. * [7:25] The reference is to the persecution of Antiochus IV and specifically to the disruption of the Temple cult (1 Mc 1:41–64). A time, two times, and half a time: an indefinite, evil period of time. Probably here, three and a half years, which becomes the standard period of tribulation in apocalyptic literature (Rev 11:2; 13:5 [in months]; 11:3 [in days]; and cf. 12:14). As seven is the Jewish “perfect” number, half of it signifies great imperfection. Actually, the Temple was desecrated for three years (1 Mc 4:52–54). The duration of the persecution was a little longer, since it was already under way before the Temple was desecrated. Dan. 8:13-27 13I heard a holy one speaking, and another said to whichever one it was that spoke, “How long shall the events of this vision last concerning the daily sacrifice, the desolating sin,* the giving over of the sanctuary and the host for trampling?” 14He answered him, “For two thousand three hundred evenings and mornings; then the sanctuary shall be set right.” 15While I, Daniel, sought the meaning of the vision I had seen, one who looked like a man stood before me, 16and on the Ulai I heard a human voice that cried out, “Gabriel,* explain the vision to this man.” 17When he came near where I was standing, I fell prostrate in terror. But he said to me, “Understand, O son of man, that the vision refers to the end time.”* 18As he spoke to me, I fell forward unconscious; he touched me and made me stand up. 19“I will show you,” he said, “what is to happen in the last days of wrath; for it is for the appointed time of the end. 20“The two-horned ram you saw represents the kings of the Medes and Persians.* 21The he-goat is the king of the Greeks, and the great horn on its forehead is the first king. 22The four that rose in its place when it was shattered are four kingdoms that will issue from his nation, but without his strength. 23“At the end of their reign, when sinners have reached their measure, There shall arise a king, impudent, and skilled in intrigue. 24He shall be strong and powerful, bring about fearful ruin, and succeed in his undertaking. He shall destroy powerful peoples; 25his cunning shall be against the holy ones, his treacherous conduct shall succeed. He shall be proud of heart and destroy many by stealth. But when he rises against the Prince of princes, he shall be broken without a hand being raised. 26As for the vision of the evenings and the mornings, what was spoken is true. But you, keep this vision secret: it is for the distant future.” 27I, Daniel, was weak and ill for some days; then I arose and took care of the king’s affairs. But the vision left me desolate, without understanding. USCCB Footnotes: * [8:1–27] This vision continues images of the preceding one, and develops it in more detail. As explained in vv. 20–22 the two-horned ram represents the combined kingdom of the Medes and Persians, destroyed by Alexander’s Hellenistic empire originating in the west. Once again the author is interested only in the Seleucid dynasty, which emerged from the dissolution of Alexander’s empire after his death in 323 B.C. * [8:13] The desolating sin: the Hebrew contains a wordplay (shomem) on the name Baal Shamem (“lord of the heavens,” identified by some as the Greek Zeus Olympios). The reference is to some object with which Antiochus profaned the Temple of Jerusalem (2 Mc 6:2), most probably a pagan altar. * [8:16] The angel Gabriel is mentioned here for the first time in the Bible. There is wordplay in the preceding verse on geber, “manlike figure.” * [8:17] The end time: the time when God sits in judgment on the wicked (v. 19). * [8:20] The Medes and Persians: the Medes had been allies of the Babylonians in destroying the Assyrian empire (late seventh century B.C.), and Cyrus the Persian defeated the Medes en route to conquering the Babylonians. The Book of Daniel, however, treats the Medes and Persians as a dual kingdom; cf. also 5:28; 6:9; and note on 6:1. Dan. 12:1-12 The Resurrection 1“At that time there shall arise Michael,a the great prince, guardian of your people; It shall be a time unsurpassed in distress since the nation began until that time. At that time your people shall escape, everyone who is found written in the book.* 2Many of those who sleep* in the dust of the earth shall awake; Some to everlasting life, others to reproach and everlasting disgrace. 3But those with insight shall shine brightly like the splendor of the firmament, And those who lead the many to justice shall be like the stars* forever. 4“As for you, Daniel, keep secret the message and seal the book until the end time; many shall wander aimlessly and evil shall increase.” 5I, Daniel, looked and saw two others, one standing on either bank of the river. 6One of them said to the man clothed in linen, who was upstream, “How long shall it be to the end of these appalling things?” 7The man clothed in linen, who was upstream, lifted his hands to heaven; and I heard him swear by him who lives forever that it should be for a time, two times, and half a time;* and that, when the power of the destroyer of the holy people was brought to an end, all these things should end. 8I heard, but I did not understand; so I asked, “My lord, what follows this?” 9“Go, Daniel,” he said, “because the words are to be kept secret and sealed until the end time. 10Many shall be refined, purified, and tested, but the wicked shall prove wicked; the wicked shall have no understanding, but those with insight shall. 11* From the time that the daily sacrifice is abolished and the desolating abomination is set up, there shall be one thousand two hundred and ninety days. 12Blessed are they who have patience and persevere for the one thousand three hundred and thirty-five days. 13Go, take your rest, you shall rise for your reward at the end of days.” USCCB Footnotes: * [12:1] Written in the book: cf. 10:21. * [12:2] Many of those who sleep: Daniel does not envisage the universal resurrection as later developed. Two groups are distinguished, one that rises to eternal life, the other to reproach and disgrace. Then “those with insight” (11:33–35) are singled out for special honor. * [12:3] Like the stars: like the heavenly host, or angels. Cf. Mt 22:30. * [12:7] A time, two times, and half a time: see note on 7:25. * [12:11] The specific numbers of days given in vv. 11–12 represent attempts to calculate the precise duration of the three and a half years. Most probably, when the first date (1,290 days) passed, the author attempted another calculation. Another, earlier calculation is preserved in 8:14. It is noteworthy, however, that the contradictory numbers were allowed to stand in the text; this is a reminder that it is not possible to calculate a precise date for God’s judgment; cf. Mk 13:32. Mt. 24:15-28, 36 The Great Tribulation.* 15 “When you see the desolating abomination* spoken of through Daniel the prophet standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), 16then those in Judea must flee* to the mountains, 17* a person on the housetop must not go down to get things out of his house, 18a person in the field must not return to get his cloak. 19Woe to pregnant women and nursing mothers in those days. 20* Pray that your flight not be in winter or on the sabbath, 21* for at that time there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will be. 22And if those days had not been shortened, no one would be saved; but for the sake of the elect they will be shortened. 23j If anyone says to you then, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. 24False messiahs and false prophets will arise, and they will perform signs and wonders so great as to deceive, if that were possible, even the elect. 25Behold, I have told it to you beforehand. 26So if they say to you, ‘He is in the desert,’ do not go out there; if they say, ‘He is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it.* 27 For just as lightning comes from the east and is seen as far as the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be. 28Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather. The Unknown Day and Hour.* 36p “But of that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son,* but the Father alone. USCCB Footnotes: * [24:15] The desolating abomination: in 167 B.C. the Syrian king Antiochus IV Epiphanes desecrated the temple by setting up in it a statue of Zeus Olympios (see 1 Mc 1:54). That event is referred to in Dn 12:11 LXX as the “desolating abomination” (NAB “horrible abomination”) and the same Greek term is used here; cf. also Dn 9:27; 11:31. Although the desecration had taken place before Daniel was written, it is presented there as a future event, and Matthew sees that “prophecy” fulfilled in the desecration of the temple by the Romans. In the holy place: the temple; more precise than Mark’s where he should not (Mk 13:14). Let the reader understand: this parenthetical remark, taken from Mk 13:14 invites the reader to realize the meaning of Daniel’s “prophecy.” * [24:16] The tradition that the Christians of Jerusalem fled from that city to Pella, a city of Transjordan, at the time of the First Jewish Revolt is found in Eusebius (Ecclesiastical History, 3, 5, 3), who attributes the flight to “a certain oracle given by revelation before the war.” The tradition is not improbable but the Matthean command, derived from its Marcan source, is vague in respect to the place of flight (to the mountains), although some scholars see it as applicable to the flight to Pella. * [24:17–19] Haste is essential, and the journey will be particularly difficult for women who are burdened with unborn or infant children. * [24:20] On the sabbath: this addition to in winter (cf. Mk 13:18) has been understood as an indication that Matthew was addressed to a church still observing the Mosaic law of sabbath rest and the scribal limitations upon the length of journeys that might lawfully be made on that day. That interpretation conflicts with Matthew’s view on sabbath observance (cf. Mt 12:1–14). The meaning of the addition may be that those undertaking on the sabbath a journey such as the one here ordered would be offending the sensibilities of law-observant Jews and would incur their hostility. * [24:21] For the unparalleled distress of that time, see Dn 12:1. * [24:36–44] The statement of Mt 24:34 is now counterbalanced by one that declares that the exact time of the parousia is known only to the Father (Mt 24:36), and the disciples are warned to be always ready for it. This section is drawn from Mark and Q (cf. Lk 17:26–27, 34–35; 12:39–40). * [24:36] Many textual witnesses omit nor the Son, which follows Mk 13:32. Since its omission can be explained by reluctance to attribute this ignorance to the Son, the reading that includes it is probably original. 2Ptr.3:8-10 8* But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years* and a thousand years like one day. 9The Lord does not delay his promise, as some regard “delay,” but he is patient with you, not wishing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. 10But the day of the Lord will come like a thief,* and then the heavens will pass away with a mighty roar and the elements will be dissolved by fire, and the earth and everything done on it will be found out. USCCB Footnotes: * [3:8–10] The scoffers’ objection (2 Pt 3:4) is refuted also by showing that delay of the Lord’s second coming is not a failure to fulfill his word but rather a sign of his patience: God is giving time for repentance before the final judgment (cf. Wis 11:23–26; Ez 18:23; 33:11). * [3:8] Cf. Ps 90:4. * [3:10] Like a thief: Mt 24:43; 1 Thes 5:2; Rev 3:3. Will be found out: cf. 1 Cor 3:13–15. Some few versions read, as the sense may demand, “will not be found out”; many manuscripts read “will be burned up”; there are further variants in other manuscripts, versions, and Fathers. Total destruction is assumed (2 Pt 3:11). From the below WSJ Article: Conservative Christian Support for Donald Trump Tested by Candidate’s Lewd Comments http://www.wsj.com/articles/conservative-christian-support-for-donald-trump-tested-by-candidates-lewd-comments-1475975425 "Mr. Trump has thus far enjoyed strong support from evangelical Christians. He won the evangelical vote during the Republican primaries, according to exit polls, and a July survey from the Pew Research Center for Religion and Public Life found 78% of white evangelical Protestants backed Mr. Trump, a higher percentage than supported Mitt Romney four years ago." Today (11-6-16), FBI Director James Comey wrote a letter to 16 members of Congress saying; "Based on our review, we have not changed our conclusions that we expressed in July with respect to Secretary Clinton," So I need the white evangelical Protestants out there to reread 2Thes.2:1-12 Christ and the Lawless One, and decide if they believe the "truths" of the FBI or the lies of Donald J. Trump. One of my favorite movies is from the John le Carré's spy novel Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, particularly the scene where the hero, George Smiley castigates a British minister for BELIEVING A LIE (in this case Operation Witchcraft) hatched by the Russians to gain access to both British and U.S. Intelligence. The minister says "Witchcraft's intelligence is genuine...It's been gold." Smiley's reply is "it's just enough glitter amongst the chicken feed". If Trump's supporters thinks he brings them gold dust, they're merely seeing glitter in his chicken-feed. Ciao and my God save our great Republic from Donald J. Trump
1 Comment
2/15/2019 09:56:02 pm
I got the chance to study the basic of theology when I was at college. People might think that it is boring to engage yourself with a subject that is connected with your religion, but it's actually fun and educational. Too bad since I wasn't able to reach this topic. With everything that is happening in our environment right now, we might think that it's no longer connoted with what's happening to us and to our current environment. The truth is, it is!
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AuthorAuthor G.R. Miller, utilizing his engineering and project management experiences in the fossil fuels energy sectors and guidance from God, takes a pragmatic approach of part preterism, part symbolism and part literalism in decoding the Revelation of Jesus Christ. He exhibits a Climate Change connection through scripture, commentary and illustrations. Archives
February 2018
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