johansen said:

you can support the system all you want but there is systemic rejection of people's concerns due to the prevailing notion that vaccines were safe. as such perhaps 90% of various ills that came in many cases months later were swept under the rug. we now have entire countries disagreeing with each other over if the vaccine is safe for pregnant persons lol. sorry, women.

did you read this study?

Observed-to-Expected Fetal Losses Following mRNA COVID-19 Vaccination in Early Pregnancy

Background The clinical trials used to approve COVID-19 vaccines excluded pregnant women, and existing safety assessments of COVID-19 vaccination, particularly during early stages of pregnancy, are limited to observational studies prone to various types of potential bias, including healthy...

www.medrxiv.org

50% increase in actual miss carriage rate. from 9 to 13 out of 100.

now here is the thing...

those miscarriages and lack of those specific persons born on earth may appear to increase the overall state of health of the whole earth, on a short term timeline.

this is where the "good" that is done by vaccines becomes irrelevant as well on a long enough time line.
you need to think 40,000 years from now
what impact will there be of vaccinated the whole world against a small strain of a certain type of corona viruses?

you won't be there to witness it.

but you will be judged later.

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someone's gotta prove the old adage right, "There are lies, d**ed lies, and statistics." It really seems like you're reaching for any cherry picked data to claim some sort of harm, rather than looking at the available data and coming to an informed conclusion.

rambot said:

Who cares? They all should rot in jail. Send him too.


You think we have some kinda blinding loyalty to bubba? Not in the least.

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Well once again, the DOJ and AG of the Biden administration had access to the Epstein files. If there were people to put behind bars based on what's on those files, why didn't Merrick Garland act on that?

Desk trauma said:

Indefinitely.

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But they all know he's lying. They cannot not know. Doesn't it eat away at your soul to keep denying it?

Well... A proud Jeff Bezos for rivaling Elon Musk!

fli said:

Love one another in verse 23 is not love our neighbor

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That's pretty funny.
How many scriptural citings would you like for loving our neighbors as ourselves? I can count at least 10 citings in the N.T. alone, all stemming from the O.T. where there are several more

Even funnier it never made the cut of requirements of any creed

fli said:

Above is the OT law to love your neighbor as you love yourself. If we love Jesus, we will keep this one. If we don't keep it we will not be in the Spirit, and the Father will discipline us. We will not lose salvation.

Doesn't your church teach the bible? Do you read the bible?

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I asked if you believe our "unsaved neighbors" are going to burn alive forever or be permanently annhilated.

I don't believe either happens to our neighbors, so you have my answer. Where's yours?

bling said:

Is it what they had or did not have which caused them to sin?

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Adam and Eve ceased to be individuals the moment God spoke His Words to them, ala Mark 4:15

From that point on it was Adam and the tempter within him, as well as Eve, with the tempter within her.

They left the garden with the tempter intact, in their own sorry hides, predetermined to the death of their own flesh and so on to today

Landon Caeli said:

It's like filling a pool with a garden hose, but the rules to filling it are such that it has to be filled using only a specified amount of water per day, and has to be filled within 90 days, and the water cannot be shut off until completion, and the dimensions of the pool walls are mathematically unattainable (randomly lumpy).

So you turn the valve a little higher, then a little lower, and adjust it accordingly as you see fit, so as to not overflow it, or have it too shallow.

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Just...what?

This is international trade we are talking about, not filling an expletive deleted pool! People who make and grow things overseas have workers, have mortgages, have profit margins, have transport costs, have employer costs - they have to ship their goods over seas and continents and they base how much they are going to make on orders from their customers and a reasonable stable price. That allows them to take on more workers if needed be, or even lay some off, sometimes difficult to replace. They have to invest in material and equipment and machinery and offices and trucks and pay taxes. They don't want to over invest or they'll go broke. And they don't want to under invest or they won't make a profit.

Trump, on a whim, has added tariffs, dropped them, increased them, raised them again, reduced them again...and this has been going on for months. Nobody, including Trump himself, knows what in blue blazes is going to happen next month, let alone next week. Ye gods, he could change his mind again today and sent out a tweet at 3:00am changing things yet again With some Letters Capitalised and lots of exclamation Points Into the Bargain!!!

It's a ship of fools and ol' Cap'n Trump is flicking switches and pulling levers and making announcements at random. There is no plan. He's making the whole thing up as he goes, because his poll figures aren't in the toilet any more. They have been well and truly flushed. And I swear, if he does another 180 and reintroduces the tariffs then you'll do exactly the same and say 'it's a great idea!'

This is incompetence on a scale I've never seen before in a modern western government. To say his fiscal policies are idiotic is an insult to idiots.

Don't negate the promise to Abraham of the "seed" which will never die which means ethnic Jews (biological descendants of Abraham). We don't replace Israel, as Paul says, we gentiles are grafted in. The original branches are still there and will always be.

Dikaioumenoi said:

TDNT has several well-known issues among actual Greek lexicographers. Its method is concept-historical and frequently theological rather than strictly lexical. That means its entries often trace interpretive traditions around a word rather than isolate the word's semantic core in Koine usage. So yes, it is extensive, but page count doesn't equal precision. It can and does sometimes import Johannine theology (or an interpretation of it) into its lexical discussion, effectively commenting the text back into the word. It functions more like a commentary than careful lexicography.

Barr's Semantics of Biblical Language is the classic critique (a dismantling, really) of this style of semantic history. Moisés Silva, John Barton, and others have also shown the limits of TDNT's approach. BDAG, Louw-Nida, etc. are corpus-based, usage-driven works that aim for tighter semantic delineation. Hence, their conciseness is a strength. It reflects disciplined lexical method.

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This sounds like an unfounded presumptive attack, rather than a substantive critique. Louw-Nida is far more often theologically driven in its definitions, particulary because of their reliance on biased historical sources rather than dealing with the source material itself.

Dikaioumenoi said:

As to the quote itself, TDNT is correct to note that ἑλκύω has both literal and figurative uses (e.g. John 18:10, 21:6 literally; John 6:44, 12:32 figuratively). What it misdescribes is the figurative sense: figurative application to persons or will does not by itself strip the verb of its forceful, effectual core. The figurative use shifts the object of the pull (from net or rope to a person), not the verb's basic sense of bringing about movement. This doesn't entail success of the action, but it does mean that failure (in both the literal and figurative senses) requires contextual indication (e.g., John 21:6); that is, "an attempt that may fail" is not implicit in the verb's meaning, and that is not what is "figurative" about the figurative use. Just as "lift" in English still means "raise off the ground" even when someone fails to lift a boulder, ἑλκύω carries an effectual sense; apparent failure in a context is an extra-lexical matter to be proven from context, not assumed as part of the lemma.

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None of this is relevant, and instead appears to be a pretext to force fit your pre-arrived at understanding rather than dealing with the contextual usage.

Dikaioumenoi said:

So TDNT should be treated as theological commentary; it is the wrong authority if you expect a discipline-level lexical argument about what ἑλκύω means in Koine.

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and your whole argument is theologically driven, particularly in your failure to recognize the role of context in meaning and instead seeming to cling to a word-concept fallacy of meaning.

Dikaioumenoi said:

You're not representing the Calvinist argument accurately. The claim is not that ἑλκύω must mean "force" in order for the conclusion to follow. The reason Calvinists hold that all who are drawn are saved is grammatical, not because of the semantics of ἑλκύω. The argument is that the grammatical objects of ἑλκύσῃ and ἀναστήσω in John 6:44 are identical. The one who is drawn is the one who is raised. That observation does not depend on a particular interpretation of the verb's "forcefulness." The preoccupation with arguing for a "less forceful" understanding of ἑλκύω frequently leads to this misunderstanding of what the Calvinist argument even is.

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In order for the Calvinist conclusion to follow, sure. But not for it to make sense in the context of the passage. All you're doing is imposing your theological baggage onto the word rather than actually presenting a grammatical argument. It's abusive of how languages actually work, and fails to carry force with anyone who isn't set on arriving at your conclusion.

Servus said:

I would imagine what's happening all over the US in the video below is another factor in a decline in tourism. I used to love visiting Seattle, but not anymore because it's become like this.

Login to view embedded media

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Yeah I'm sure that's the reason why. That certainly looks like a tourist destination.

The Mighty Heros

Lukaris said:

Yet he was arrested during Trump’s administration and a few months before his arrest, was working with demo operatives to undermine Trump.

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He was actually first arrested for sex with young girls in 2006. He got a slap on the wrist. The prosecutor who gave him this sweetheart deal was Alexander Acosta, later Trump's Labor Secretary. The AG of Florida at the time, Pam Bondi had the power to intervene, but did not. She later became Trump's AG.
Pam Bondi, Alex Acosta, and the Shadow of Epstein
How Two Officials Rose in Power After Overlooking One of the Most Notorious Criminals in U.S. History

I've just discovered Wes Huff over the past year and since watched all of his longer, substantial apologetic videos on YouTube. So far, I find his insight, teaching and defense of the Bible to be as credible as his academic background. In this case, he countered the popular, false sceptic attack and deserves thankful compliments from Christians.

Apple Sky said:

Of Saul ..........

The army of the Philistines approached and had threatened the covenant people, which disturbed the king (1 Samuel 28:4-5).

He was not able to consult the Lord through any of the legitimate ways, so in desperation he sought for the very people he banished.

He requested a medium and was sent to the home of a woman at En Dor (v. 7). Saul met the woman in a disguise and asked her to “bring up” Samuel the prophet.

The woman was aware of the law of the land and that Saul had banished her kind of people from practicing their sorcery. (vv. 8-9). After a promise from Saul that the Lord would not punish her, she attempted to bring up Samuel and to her own surprise, he actually came back to life! (vv. 10-12).

The exchange between Samuel and Saul at this point is reminiscent of prior conversations. Saul asked Samuel what to do about the Philistines, and Samuel responded by reminding Saul that YHWH had departed from him and gave the kingdom to David because of Saul’s disobedience.

Samuel then told Saul that he and his children would die in battle and be “with” Samuel (vv. 16-19).
And he did.

..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

So do you believe that ghosts do come back to visit us ?

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Yes, because (apparently) Jesus did! After His resurrection, when He appeared to His disciples, He told tham that He was not a ghost because ghosts do not have flesh and blood. He did NOT tell them that He was not a ghost because ghosts do not exist, even though that would have been a good opportunity to say this, (see, eg., Luke 24:37-43)

Always in His Presence said:

Premiums have increased by 80%.

1. From 2010 to 2023, the average premium for family coverage increased 80%, from just over $13,000 to nearly $24,000.
2. Total healthcare costs for a family of four now exceed $30,000 per year—increasing from $18,000 per year when Obamacare was passed.

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So to be clear, you think that you can lay the entirety of those increases at the feet of Obama and the ACA? Health care cost inflation was a thing before the ACA existed, and it will continue to be a thing even if the ACA were completely removed.

On the graph below, I see a straight line right through 2010. No major change in the slope whatsoever.

The Liturgist said:

I would also point to this Traditional Theology forum as an example of traditional Christians uniting despite having substantial disagreements on some issues.

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I think there's a lot to be said for the de facto Anglican idea that as long as we're willing to worship together we should be able to coexist. But this goes against the grain of heresy hunting going back to the 2nd Century.

Until recently I didn't see much of an issue in PCUSA worship. However our current pastor has started changing standard liturgical texts. The Lord's prayer with "save us from temptation" instead of "lead us not into temptation," but most recently Father, Son and Holy Spirit seem to be disappearing in favor of Creator, Christ, and Holy Spirit. I've generally argued that this is modalist. The Western tradition ,at least, sees the distinction among the persons as being the relationship between them. Father and Son are both relational words. All 3 persons are involved in all activities, including creation.

Jesus said that if as few as "two or three" Christians are gathered together in His name, He is present.
In one sense, He is always present as He indwells, through the Holy Spirit, in every true Christian, but when as few as two Christians come together, He is present in an even greater sense in that a group of Christians gathered in His Name is a manifestation of His corporate body. He is, in a sense, physically present through His corporate body. Furthermore, because all Christians are united in the Holy Spirit, when even two Christians come together in prayer and worship, there is a sense in which the entire church of Christians (both alive and in the Father's nearer presence) are also present through the unity of the Holy Spirit. And Jesus is the Head!
As an aside, I suggest that "church" be taken as a collective noun - a swarm of bees, a murder of ravens and a church of Christians! A "church of Christians" is a gathering of born-again believers to worship God through Jesus. Thinking in this way helps us avoid the tendency to think of "The Church" as either an organisation or a building.

Valletta said:

The truth is that tariffs have had a tremendously positive effect on the U.S. economy. As Trump stated long ago he would adjust the tariffs.
Unfortunately there are people who actively want to see Trump fail and are willing to let people economically suffer in order to achieve that goal. I think those people will promote another shutdown early next year.

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1) Trump was elected largely on the Biden Administration's inability to address the growing pressure of affordability in the present - an issue that average Americans were forced to confront every day!

2) Ten months into the Trump Administration and once again the American electorate is being told to ignore the present and focus on all the supposed benefits Republican policies will deliver sometime in the future - apparently MAGA supporters expected Trump and his policies to be exempt from the same criticisms that they directed at the Biden Administration

3) While political parties out of power focus on the failure of their opponents, that represent the government, to deliver on their promises in the PRESENT!

4) Once these political parties are elected to form the next Administration, however, that messaging suddenly switches to a FUTURE ORIENTATION _ politicians can be held accountable for shortfalls in the PRESENT but 'are exempt for the failure of their policies in the FUTURE because they have yet to occur!

5) Virtually every prominent economists has concluded that Trump's TARIFFS represent a tax on the American consumer _ which are forced to pay more for imported products, particularly those foods that can't be grown in the US (ie coffee)!

6) If the Trump tariffs were such a great success, why the need for the rollback on 100's of food items - this represents an admission that the previous policy of implementing "blanket" tariffs on all the exports from foreign nations was doomed to failure, creating in havoc in domestic markets, triggering rapid increases!s!

7) This ON-OFF-ON disruption of supply chains for these items, particularly foodstuffs, was also entirely predictable - the full negative impact of Trump's tariff policies have yet to exert themselves!

8) This will be particularly acute in the American auto industry, where decades of integration with Canada and Mexico suppliers that reduced production costs can't be suddenly reversed with the stroke of a pen! -

BobRyan said:

Circumcision was never given to all mankind in Gen, or any part of the OT

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HIM said:

That is not true.

Exod 12:48 And when a stranger shall sojourn with thee, and will keep the passover to the LORD, let all his males be circumcised

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That is the very special case of a tiny group of gentiles wishing to participate in the Passover, and yes for them circumcision would be necessary.

That is a far cry from "all mankind" or "all gentiles in the OT"

HIM said:

Ezek 44:9 Thus saith the Lord GOD; No stranger, uncircumcised in heart, nor uncircumcised in flesh, shall enter into my sanctuary, of any stranger that is among the children of Israel.

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again, that is a tiny group . It is the group of gentiles that wanted to enter the sanctuary.

pc_home said:

P.S. - So, sisters and brothers, Christians, take courage! After about 6030 weeks (until this date - June 22, 2141) - We will be resurrected!

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I've set a reminder on my phone.

FredVB said:

Whatever Jipsah is saying won't matter,

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Of course not. You have beliefs that require Enoch to be holy writ, so it doesn't matter how much sheer thick sliced baloney it contains, you're gonna consider it holy writ no matter how much rat hair you have to strain out of it.

FredVB said:

he already told me previously I could choose to ignore him.

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And so you may.

FredVB said:

He actually made sense that one time.

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Maybe you misunderstood it.

Hello everyone, I would like to ask for prayer.

Lately, I’ve been feeling emotionally overwhelmed because of my father. In my daily life, I often have to be with him, and he frequently brings up heavy topics, complains, or speaks in ways that feel intense and pressing. This leaves me feeling anxious, drained, and afraid of losing my peace. I naturally long for calm, quiet, and a gentle environment, but daily life makes it very hard to find these moments.

I know that in January I will have to travel and spend whole days with him, which adds to my worry. I want to be emotionally strong, but I feel the weight of constant tension and pressure.

I am asking for God’s help to use the next two months to cultivate peace in my heart, so that I can:

Handle daily life with patience, calmness, and joy

Remain gentle, wise, and emotionally resilient when interacting with my father in January

Maintain healthy boundaries without dishonoring him

Keep my spirit connected to God’s presence and inner peace despite challenges

Please pray for God’s peace, strength, and guidance in my daily life, and that I may be prepared emotionally and spiritually for the month of January.

Thank you so much for your prayers. I deeply trust God to guard my heart, restore my calm, and fill my days with His peace.

RDKirk said:

The Party is run by committee and will pick an appropriate mouthpiece when the time comes.

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I think it's pretty clear they're most likely going to go with an empty suit with a flashy smile. Unless they're scared of his past coming up again, that is.