–Pastor Ward Clinton
I’m a theologian.
Now I don’t know what thoughts just came into your head when you read that. What I know is that I tend to have a slightly erroneous picture formulate in my own head. (But i’m getting better)
Many of us Christians tend to think of theology as an abstract academic discipline with little bearing on day-to-day Christian life and activity. Therefore one of the first things we ought to do is to understand what theology is. Theos (God) logos (word); it means a word about God.
There is Christian theology, Muslim theology and atheist theology as well as a few others. …Atheist theology? …Oh yes, some atheists absolutely obsess on the God whom they vehemently deny exists and then they go to great effort, expending lots of energy and time, to try to get rid of the God they claim to not believe in…is that weird or what?
It is no wonder, then, that God calls them what He does.
Muslim theology is based on the Koran while Christian theology is talking and thinking about God in a distinct way based upon the Holy Bible which, even the Koran acknowledges, is the uncorrupted holy book of God. Sadly, for the followers of Mohammad, most of them don’t seem to be aware of that fact. That is understandable because of all the confusing contradictions contained in each of the various versions of the Koran.
Every Christian, by definition, knows God, thinks about God, and makes statements about God. Therefore every Christian is a theologian; some are better at it than others but every child of God is supposed to be a good theologian and that is accomplished by studying and knowing what is actually in the Holy Bible and what is not. Some, if they are asked to open their Bible to something like 2nd Hezekiah 3:16 will search and search while others will quietly smile. It is an indicator of the level of theological understanding, not the best indicator, but it is one.
I am an above average theologian but every Christian should be at least at my current level. I did not get to my current level of theological comprehension without lots of study and help from fellow Christians; however I am far from where I really should be.
If every Christian were a better theologian the world would be a far better place than it currently is.
…to be continued…
–Pastor Ward Clinton
–Pastor Ward Clinton
“I will keep my religion to myself,” says one; if you will not confess The Christ to men then He will renounce you before, in the presence of, God.
Let it always be remembered, that to be renounced by The Christ is to have Him neither for a savior nor for a mediator. Thus there is a fate worse than human persecution; to be repudiated, or renounced, by Jesus Himself before the Father. The “first hearers” of this statement heard, in this statement, a clear declaration from Jesus that He, not God the Father, it the final determiner as to whom will be allowed to enter into and abide in Heaven and who will not. Rejection by humans is temporary; rejection by Jesus is forever.
Fear of men is a self-interested, self-deluding cowardice; fear of God is a healthy response of awe and obedience. The latter is positively commended upon throughout the Bible while the former is condemned by God as well as by men everywhere.
–Pastor Ward Clinton
In other walks of life a person may attain high distinction without this condition. He may be a successful lawyer and, as many examples have routinely shown, obtain the chief prizes and positions of his profession without possessing much, if any, positive moral character.
A man may obtain fortune and fame as an artist or writer and be addicted to the lowest of pleasures.
A man may be quite successful at the stock market and have not one ounce of spiritual principle. All of that is possible but, no matter the age in which he lives or lived he cannot take the title and function of a prophet of God, be a pro claimer of His truth and His message, and at the same time not keep his steps in this life in line with the supreme morality of heaven’s highest law without being a self-confessed monstrosity fit only for the abode of the wicked.
Messiah Jesus is the holy one of God…listen to Him…obey Him.
Know Jesus, Know Heaven
No Jesus, No Heaven
–Pastor Ward Clinton
During a recent trip B Hussein Obama made to a mosque that is known to espouse “radical” teachings and from which more than one person has engaged in terrorist activities BHO droned on and on about how Americans need to embrace Islam.
Why would anyone want to embrace a rattlesnake? Islam cannot save anyone from hell or open the gates of heaven; only Jesus, the holy one of God, can do that.
What a bizarre world we live in, BHO will console Moslems whom he says have been scapegoated and stereotyped due to the actions of terrorists in their ranks, but he’ll never console the Christians those fundamentalist Muslims are killing.
BHO’s former pastor, Jeremiah Wright, whom he threw under the bus for personal political expediency told us that he helped Obama embrace Christianity while holding on to his Moslem faith. Sorry but real Christians know that cannot be done.
BHO claimed “Islam has always been a part of America” which demonstrated that he was either lying or he is ignorant. Although it could be both.
Islam was harassing our seafaring merchantmen and capturing, enslaving them, and demanding ransom from the young nation. The American Marines showed the world how to deal with Mohammedan terrorists by defeating them soundly in battle. They also showed that allah would not help them. The result was that for many years the followers of Mohammad tried to act like civilized human beings but today they are falling back into their old barbaric habits. Unfortunately the PC cowards are preventing a proper education in civility being meted out upon the offenders and lives are being lost needlessly.
In this very day many Imams slander the holy one of God with their ignorant opposition to the teachings of Messiah Jesus which is not a very wise move especially since the word of God clearly teaches that Messiah Jesus is coming back to this earth, not Muhammad, who is clearly inferior to Messiah as can be seen in every version of the Koran. Why do the Imams in the Mosques dishonor Messiah Jesus? Do they disbelieve in Messiah? Even Muhammad did not disbelieve in Messiah Jesus.
Therefore the man who is wise follows and obeys the teaching of the holy one of God which can be found in the Injil Markus. The Koran claims the Al Kitab Ul Muqaddas (the Holy Bible) is not corrupt and for that reason you should learn the words Messiah spoke as an adult. Failure to know them is a heavy stone of evil against you in his scale that outweigh all your prayers to Mecca.
–Pastor Ward Clinton
8:1 In those days the multitude being very great, and having nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples unto him, and saith unto them,
This takes place in the region of the Decapolis and therefore probably had a few gentiles as well as Jewish folk in attendance. It would be interesting to know how many were there as a direct result of the testimony of those who had been formerly demon possessed.
8:2 I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat:
8:3 And if I send them away fasting to their own houses, they will faint by the way: for divers of them came from far.
8:4 And his disciples answered him, From whence can a man satisfy these men with bread here in the wilderness?
This may indicate they were still slow learners or it may have been their way of saying, “It’s beyond our ability, you’ll have to do it, Lord.” If the latter, then it means they are learning.
8:5 And he asked them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven.
8:6 And he commanded the people to sit down on the ground: and he took the seven loaves, and gave thanks, and brake, and gave to his disciples to set before them; and they did set them before the people.
8:7 And they had a few small fishes: and he blessed, and commanded to set them also before them.
8:8 So they did eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets.
8:9 And they that had eaten were about four thousand: and he sent them away.
8:10 And straightway he entered into a ship with his disciples, and came into the parts of Dalmanutha.
8:11 And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with him, seeking of him a sign from heaven, tempting him.
He’s been openly doing miracles; it is hard to believe that they have not heard about the feeding of folk in the wilderness areas; Daniel’s Seventy weeks were expiring. They didn’t believe because they didn’t want to believe. It is not likely there can be a sign which unwilling hearts would not dismiss as insufficient.
8:12 And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, Why doth this generation seek after a sign? verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation.
8:13 And he left them, and entering into the ship again departed to the other side.
8:14 Now the disciples had forgotten to take bread, neither had they in the ship with them more than one loaf.
8:15 And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod.
The leaven, their teaching, was full of malice and wickedness towards God’s anointed. Whenever a miracle produced a special impression on the people, the Pharisees strove to spoil its effect. Today, there are a whole host of factions still attempting to corrupt God’s truth and His people.
8:16 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have no bread.
8:17 And when Jesus knew it, he saith unto them, Why reason ye, because ye have no bread? perceive ye not yet, neither understand? have ye your heart yet hardened?
In other words, “Wait a second; guys, are you awake? Are you paying any attention at all?”
8:18 Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember?
8:19 When I brake the five loaves among five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? They say unto him, Twelve.
8:20 And when the seven among four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? And they said, Seven.
8:21 And he said unto them, How is it that ye do not understand?
He’s asking them how they could fail to understand that the warning that He gave them could not have been prompted by anything as petty as to whether or not they had brought provisions.
8:22 And he cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him.
8:23 And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought.
8:24 And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking.
8:25 After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly.
8:26 And he sent him away to his house, saying, Neither go into the town, nor tell it to any in the town.
8:27 And Jesus went out, and his disciples, into the towns of Caesarea Philippi: and by the way he asked his disciples, saying unto them, Whom do men say that I am?
8:28 And they answered, John the Baptist: but some say, Elias; and others, One of the prophets.
8:29 And he saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Peter answereth and saith unto him, Thou art the Christ.
The Holy One Called Isa – Pastor Ward Clinton
Injil Markus 7:15 There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man.
7:16 If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.
7:17 And when he was entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable.
7:18 And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him;
7:19 Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats?
7:20 And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man.
It is that which comes out of a corrupt heart that defiles. What comes out of the mind of man is the thing that defiles him before God and calls for a religious washing, not what he eats. Just as a corrupt fountain sends forth corrupt streams, so does a corrupt heart send out corrupt reasonings, corrupt appetites, and corrupt passions. All sorts of wicked (in the eyes of God) words and actions are thereby produced. Those who seek to kill “infidels” are filled with corrupt reasoning and passions like the jinn.
7:21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,
7:22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:
7:23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.
They render a person unfit for communion with God, they bring a stain upon the conscience; and if not mortified and rooted out, will shut a person out of the New Jerusalem, into which no unclean thing shall enter.
The Holy One Called Isa – Pastor Ward Clinton
7:1 Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem.
Another “fact finding” delegation from Jerusalem had been sent to investigate the activities of Jesus. Like big centralized government people they had an agenda and facts only mattered if they supported that agenda. They accused Jesus of failing to follow their tradition. To be fair, they could have been doing their proper job for which they should be commended but Jesus’ response indicates otherwise.
Jesus informs them that it is far more important to obey the laws of God rather than the traditions, sayings, and rules of men especially when those things violate the spirit and intent of God’s commands.
7:2 And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault.
This does not necessarily mean that they did not wash their hands before eating; it means they did not perform the elaborate ritual the Scribes and Pharisees had created.
7:3 For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders.
7:4 And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables.
7:5 Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?
In verses 6-13 below Jesus gets right in their faces and reprimands them severely for rewriting the commands of the God of Father Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob who is the one and only true God. Based on verse 14 it does not appear that He publicly reprimanded them at this moment. They were expecting Jesus to tell His followers that they needed to change their ways in order to be acceptable before God, instead, Jesus tells this delegation from Jerusalem that they are the ones who need to change their ways, repent. Likewise, some hadiths, if not most, are not acceptable in the eyes of the one true God because they are from corrupted men and not from Him.
7:6 He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.
7:7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
7:8 For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.
7:9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.
7:10 For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death:
7:11 But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free.
7:12 And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother;
7:13 Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.
7:14 And when he had called all the people unto him, he said unto them, Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand:
All right now folks, gather around, and pay close attention to what I am telling you. Clean out the corruption that is found in your hearts and minds.
7:15 There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man. The Holy One Called Isa – Pastor Ward Clinton
6:45 And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people.
6:46 And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray.
6:47 And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land.
6:48 And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them.
Fourth watch – 3:00-6:00 am. Jesus could have calmed the wind from a distance but He chose to help them in the most caring manner possible and came to them. But He would have walked right on by if they had not “invited” Him onboard. The Scripture points out that He steered His course as though He would have simply walked right on by and left them to work things out on their own and we can be fairly sure that He would have because He does not remain where He is not wanted.
Some wonder where God is when they suddenly recognize they need Him without recognizing the fact that they had been for a long time telling Him that they did not need Him. We reap as we have sown.
6:49 But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out:
Ghost – A popular superstition held that the appearance of apparitions of this sort spelled disaster. They were totally terrified!
6:50 For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.
6:51 And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered.
6:52 For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened.
Not that they were opposed to Him but they were slow learners. After all, this was a lesser “miracle” than the feeding of the 5,000. The feeding of the 5,000 had already demonstrated Jesus has power over the material world. The Holy One Called Isa – Pastor Ward Clinton
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