Building Prestigious Sand Castles

A Person's prestige is built on good and bad events in their lives. A person will defend their position as a hero or a victim with a profound sacredness.

50 AD: The Whisperers Whisper in West-Corinth

Whisperers dried voices; like wind in dry grass, were ready to burst into flame. They whispered meaningless words amongst themselves.

They prayed in their Corinthian Synagogues for an answer to the Christian Pests.

They sent Petitions to Rome

Rome sent the letters back, return to sender.

Christianity burst forth onto the world, burning-up with fever.

Prayer: (Prayer Starter: Exodus 3:4-5)
When the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the Bush, "Moses, Moses! And he said, "Here I am." Then God said, "Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet for the place on which you are standing is holy ground."

11BC - 48 AD: Herod Agrippa, King of the Jews Replies to Gaius

September 10, AD 38

Herod Agrippa
1211 Camel Jockey Way
Jerusalem City, Jerusalem, 72080

Gaius
101 Empire Drive
Rome, Roman Empire, 00120

Dear Emperor Gaius,

Gaius it has been so long since we seen each other in person. I am found of our relationship. The Hasmonaen household sends our prayers to the prosperity of the Roman Empire.

Sovereignty is important to our religious scruples. The people of Judea have a desire, a longing, a hope for independence. They desire a Jerusalem that is pure of outside influence. They see a free Jerusalem, as a freer way to God. They desire a holy city of Jerusalem.

The men of Judea are tired of living under Roman Control. They speak out against the border checkpoints. They hate the frequent screenings that demoralize their spirits. We see grown men looking like little Children caught for sending a love not in class at the Synagogue. They live in fear of everyone, for their neighbor may be a spy. We have seen the secret police raid households due to something said at the local market.

We understand your need to erect statues. Statues show our visible power. We have thoughts of erecting statues of the Herod family up in Caeserea. But we ask that you hold up from putting a statue of yourself in the Jerusalem temple. The thought would enrage the men of Judea. Their anger may rise up like a mighty wave, a mighty wind, that Rome would have a hard time controlling. Long live the Roman Empire!!!

Your boot shiner,

King Herod of Agrippa

Resources:

Bruce F.F. New Testament History. Garden City, York: Anchor Books, 1972. (258-264)
Illustration: Marvel Comics

Herod died in 48 AD
Note the first Gospel, Matthew , was written in - 50 AD.
The Letters to the Thessalonians were written in 51-52 AD

YHVH Your power is an awesome power, your love is an awesome, terrifying love, you surpass the strength of any boundary, your surpass any imagined monster guarding any imagined entryway, You unite and dive according to your sovereign will. I at times think I am strong enough to push through one of your boundaries by myself. I become stiff necked, like an Ox in a field, only making the chord on my neck tighter. Thank you for protecting me from my own destruction. I ask that you continue to show me how to be obedient in an independent world.

Pre 1 AD - 37 AD: The Hellenist

One problem in religion is a belief that you have an exclusive claim on God. Religious faithful often believe that outsiders do not share the access they share with God. People in religion tend to think that their is a zero sum game with God. These people fear that if God inherits others than there will be no room for us at the table. Often outsiders are pushed out beyond the entrance to the temple. This was a question that boiled between the Hellenist Jews and the Israelite in the growing pains of Early Christian Church.

Christianity would have taken a different shape had their not been the divine providence to disperse Jews through out the Mediterranean World. These Jews were different than the ones who stayed in Jerusalem. Hellenistic Jews were more likely to think Globally due to their dealings in North Africa, Greece, Rome, and parts of Asia. Hellenistic Jews were more inclusive then their brethren in Jerusalem.

Another issue that separated the Hellenistic Jews from the Israelite Jews was language. Hellenist were more likely to speak Greek. Israelites held firm to the sacredness of their language.

Saul of Taurus/Paul was influenced by this Hellenistic global reality. In Acts 21:27-22:2 Saul almost sat off a riot. The Israelites were angered due to their thinking that Saul was a turncoat who was walking with a known Greek thinker. The people feared that Saul would pollute the temple by bringing a non believer, a non Hebrew speaker, into the shrine. The Israelite were stonewalled in their views. They desired a holy pureness from any influence of OTHERS.

Acts 21:27-22:2 from the Message

Some Jews:
Help! You Israelite! This is the man who is going all over the world telling lies against us and our religion and this place. He's even brought Greeks in her and defiled the Holy Place."

Standing on the barracks steps, Paul turned and held his arms up. A hush fell over the crowd as Paul began to speak. He spoke in Hebrew.

"My dear brothers and fathers, listen carefully to what I have to say before you jump to conclusions about me. " When they heard him speaking Hebrew, they grew even quieter. No one wanted to miss a word of this.

Written while listening to the Podcast:
APM Sound Opinions
Books Referenced:
Bruce F.F. New Testament History. Garden City, York: Anchor Books, 1972.
Shelley, Bruce L. Church History in Plain Language Waco, Texas: Word Books, 1982.
Latourette, Kenneth Scott Christianity Through the Ages: New York: Harper and Row Publishers, 1965.
Peterson, Eugene H. The Message Colorado Springs Colorado: Navpress, 1993.

Prayer: YHVH you are most knowledgeable. Your knowledge goes beyond language, color, place and human culture. Your truth stands forever-lasting. Your Truth will be there even when we are not. I have plenty of prejudices which hinder me from being a light in the wilderness. Thank you LORD for loving me despite my ugly prejudices. Thank you for sending your spirit to guide me through the wilderness of mass information. I ask that you keep my arrogance from feeling superior to the Israelite, for we all have prejudices. I ask that you help me listen to others without the need to jump to conclusions. I ask that you help me slow down and truly listen to my brothers and sisters of all whom I am or am not found of. In your name we pray. Amen.

373 AD: Compromise: We don't Need No Stinkin Compromise Purity of the Cross

God is in the purity of the cross, the purity of the word.

1 Timothy 4:1 The spirit clearly says that in later times some would abondon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.

373 Roman Empire: God never compromises to the will of man. He is the type of Coach that never punts for a better position on the field. He is a coach of miracles so he will always go for it on 4th down.

Athanasius knew that toleration of doctrine that looks similar but is not taints the purity of the Cross. Athanasius knew that the Arieans based their hope on Toleration. The state of Rome hoped to maintain peace through a compromise. They did not see what the big deal was; "Why can't y'all just get along." Constantius hoped to build a compromise between the Arians and the Athanasiusians.

Constantius compromise was to build a new vocabulary of toleration. He coined the term homoiousion(of similar substance) to replace homoousion (Same substance).

Athanasius stood against this idea of "similar substance". He did not see that this replacement helped the Christian Cause. He also did not like being told by the state government what Church should or should not accept. And if the Son is the "Word" and "Wisdom" of God, how was there a time when He was not? It is the same as if they should say that God was once without Word and Without Wisdom?"

If we tolerate what is not written in the bible, what is not the WORD of GOD, than we transgress the kingdom. Witness's do not add anything to the event but truthfully tell what they saw.

Latourette, Kenneth Scott Christianity Through the Ages Harper Chapel Books, New York: 1965.

325 Answers to Heresy from the Early Catholic Church

The Early Catholic Church worked to safeguard the pure story of the cross.

First: The apostles kept the story alive, by being careful about succession of the gospel truth.

Second: Iraneous, Linus and other men codified the New Testament.They finally agreed on the twenty-seven books in the New Testament by 367.

Third: . The Apostles Creed was a big shield in preserving the Gospel Truth:

1. Answer to the Marcionites belief that a wicked God called Demiurge created the heaven and earth:
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth;

2. Answer to the Marcionites belief that Jesus was a seperate God, who remained hidden until out of pure Love He revealed himself in Christ:

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.

He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit,
and born of the Virgin Mary

3. Answersto the Mysteries and their belief that there is no historical signifigance to Christ.
He suffered under Pontious Pilate;
was crucified, and was buried.

He descended into hell.

The third day he rose again from the dead.

4. Answers to Montanism who believed there were future prophets who would be able to judge our world. The Montanisms stand in the way of the Biblical Fact that Jesus alone judges the quick:
He ascended into heaven,

and is seated on the the right hand of God the Father almighty.

From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

5. Answers to Novation belief that sins/relapses could not be repented of once baptized:
I believe in the Holy Spirit,

the holy Catholic Church,

the communion of saints,

the forgiveness of sins,

6. Answers to the Gnostic and Marcionites separation of soul and body. They believed that the body was evil and bound the soul in a prison. The biblical truth is that our bodies are not evil in of themselves... they mean enough to be resurrected...
the resurrection of the body,


and the life everlasting. Amen.

The heresies were a threat because they could drive away the believer from the core truth of the gospel. They were much like Oprah in there attempt to take "God out of the Box".
Marc Driscol beautifully critiques this gospel.

These are my observations on how the Apostles creed answers the Heretic Threats. If anyone wants to shine some more light on this issue please reply to my post. I am just trying to learn here!!!! And know I do not have the education needed to be an expert on this in the least....

100 AD Philly Fanatic Scares St. Andrew

Today we are a nation of cry babies fearing a threat to our bratty ways, our favorite sons status, our slavish hearts. We call ourselves Christians but do not actively campaign against the powers that may be a threat to our religion and our liberty. We spend spend spend even if it jeopardizes our current status. We have become a soft nation.

Lets look at Church History, around 100 AD -500 AD: A disorganized horde came together in unity and order through their love of Jesus Christ. Roman power stood against these Christians. Romans in power feared that the Caesar would no longer be considered God. They feared that their place of empire would not continue. (Republican/Democratic Parties?) They feared that the senate would be no longer be needed. (Capitol Hill may not have the answers?) Strong believers of the faith including St. Andrew the apostle fought the battle against this real threat to their faith. (We are to take the example). Andrew did not waiver and did not fear death onto the cross.

Foxe's Book of Martyrs records Andrew as saying:

"O cross, most welcome and long looked for! with a willing mind joyfully and desirously I come to thee: because I have always been thy lover and have coveted to embrace."

The first believers were enraptured with the beauty of our LORD Jesus Christ. They were willing to witness to the Gospel, even if this meant certain death. Today we look for an excuse to be quite, to not offend, to run away. Today we are a nation of hypocrites who fear everything. We even fear the adorable Philly Fanatic. I ask us to roll our sleeves up and walk the line and work with dignity towards being responsible adults.

587 AD: Augstine Converts to Christianity

587 Augustine Converts to Christianity:

Augustine had a nagging mother (are you sure she was not Jewish?) who wanted her son to be Christian. Finally in 587, Augustine consented to her nagging and converted to Christianity. He then realized he was an intoxicated pig: "Intoxication of the invisible wind of a perverse and downward-tending will that stoops to the most degrading of things." So he stopped walking the streets of Babylon, sat under a peach tree, and wrote his confessions. (the first autobiography known of in the Western World.)

Tradition, Tradition: From the Sermons of Meister Eckhart

"The past can be a resource for the present."

Alister Mc Grath

Meister Eckhart in 1300 fell into disfavor with Rome because of his preaching. The following is a part of a sermon. The sermon shows the Protestant thinking about the holy scripture, the believer and the church. Enjoy-

I have a capacity in my soul for taking in God entirely. I am as sure as I live that nothing is so near to me as God. God is nearer to me than I am to myself; my existence depends on the nearness and presence of God.

In whichever soul God's Kingdom appeareth, and which knoweth God's Kingdom, that soul needeth no human preaching or instruction; it is taught from within and assured of eternal life.

As for outward works they are ordained for this purpose that the outward man may be directed to God. But the inner work, the work of God in the soul is the chief matter; when a man finds this within himself, he can let go externals. No law is give to the righteous, becuase he fulfills the law inwardly.

Stepping Lightly on the Path

James 1
(My interpretation) We walked away from our protection. We decided to rebel. We caused a great strain. God was sad. He desired to have us walk gently on the tundra. He did not want us to waver on the walk. He wanted what was best for us. 'For the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind." James 1:6 He did not deceive us. But we were deceived by the cunning alluring ways of the beautiful witch holding the apple. A good witch is never ugly. In fact witches are beautiful, because our perception of beauty creates an easy trap. We (us guys) loved the boobies and the booty. But did not see the strain pictures have on our relationships. As the prophet Nahum wrote, "And all for the countless whorings of the prostitute, graceful and of deadly charms who betrays nations with her whorings, and people with her charms." Nahum 3:4 So are we bound by the moral decay? No! We do not need to add more to the lines on our face. We do not need to walk hard. Because, Jesus walked into it for us. He helped us uproot our weeds. He burned the clippings in a great pile, a smell pleasing to the LORD. "Draw water for the siege; strengthen your forts; go into the clay tread the mortar; take hold of the brick mold." Nahum 3:15 As Matthew Henry said, "He is a strong hold for every believer in times of trouble, that cannot be stormed or taken; and he knoweth those that trust in Him."
Or as the Dashboard Confessional wrote:

"You throw yourself
Into their arms
Mistresses have all the fun
But no one's ever there to take you home

Box up your gloves and your
Down coats
Bound for the sun and the
West coast
Where upper crust tragedies abound

A tip for the girl at the
Coat check
The guy at the door and the
Bar back
They know your face
Oh so well

But movies never made you famous
All your dreams got lost or traded
And all you ever cared about got lost

But you were surely still an actress
Older men would find attractive
And all you ever dreamed of was the cost

Where there's gold, there's a gold digger

We are KOBE BEEF Awaiting the Slaughter House

Amos 4:1

We are the Kobe Cows of Bashen. We sit grazing on fine grains. We eat our ice cream. We are delighted. We build fine houses thinking they will always be there. We build up debts on our credit cards. Our houses become foreclosed. We become oppressed and poor because we do not turn the true source of our wealth. So run to him! Run to our LORD! Run to our LORD now.

Who is Polycorps 863

Pagan. Jew. Wanderer of information overload.

I am proud of my Jewish upbringing. I hope those that read this blog understand that I am not against Judaism in any way. I attempt to look at the Cross from a variety of angles. I plan to use my blog as a space to write: poetry, drama, prose, and all sorts of 'any-space-what-ever."

All I know is that the LORD has providence in my life: I would never be the Christian Deli Clerk Living in Florida, loving greatly my Community. My wife. And my home. I would never be writing everyday on my blog.

I got my teaching degree for Elementary Education from Metro State College of Denver. I was so determined to be a teacher that I failed to look. I failed to pay attention to warning signs. I pushed really hard with my own energy. I taught for three years in Denver and one year in Florida. I ended up at my own end.

My own end shattered my reality. I started to see how broken I was. I realized I was a Monkey that Threw Pooh, a Muddy Monkey. I realized that I was wearing a sh#*t T-SHIRT. I was at a place where I could be at the feet of my LORD.

(Marriage)

I met Jessica, my wife, in my teaching position here in Florida. She stood with me when I was at my worst. Her Art classroom was an oasis of creativity. She has loved me greatly.
We got married in Maui Hawaii, March 22, 2007. It was the most wonderful moment. The dolphins, fishermen, and blue waters radiated the blinding light of God.
The Holy Spirit is working great things in my life: I am enjoying my writing on the blog and find that it has emerged. I look forward to writing on it for years to come. I am glad for any feedback. I also know that I do not have all my theology down, so any input is greatly welcomed. I look forward to hearing from you. For now I say Shalom Alechiem from the Swampy Confines of Lakeland Florida.