DaisyDay said:

And:

The average SAT score is down 24 points since then; the average ACT score of 25 is the highest at New College since 2020. The state study also found New College has the lowest percentage of job placement among those with bachelor’s degrees and the lowest starting salary for graduates.​

​

Berkeley is looking good.....

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Belk said:

Huh. Who could of guessed putting anti-intellectual ideologists in charge of a system of education would lead to a poor outcome?

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Is there a control group to compare it to?



ACT scores are down across the board since the HS graduates of 2020-2022 had their learning disrupted due to the pandemic.


Also, it doesn't sound like comparing this place (which has a grand total of about 700 students from what I'm reading) to Berkeley is a apples to apples comparison.


That'd be kind of like saying "See this is why the thing I said about tech degrees being worthless is accurate, look at this results comparison between this normal college and ITT Tech"

The fact that someone can find a terrible school in Florida doesn't validate or invalidate the criticisms about Berkeley.

another_lost_guy said:

That's all you have to say after everything I've debunked? Haha, fine, I'll bite.

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You've debunked -- nothing.

another_lost_guy said:

Thy typos trail behind thy condescension as a small stray creature shadowing its master.

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Very mature.

RandyPNW said:

Rev 4.4 After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” 2 At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. 3 And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and ruby. A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne. 4 Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. 5 From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. In front of the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits of God. 6 Also in front of the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal.

In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. 7 The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. 8 Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying:

“‘Holy, holy, holy
is the Lord God Almighty,’
who was, and is, and is to come.”

9 Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:

11 “You are worthy, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they were created
and have their being.”

In 1 Chron 24, David set up 24 head priests, descended from Aaron. This was just the random number that developed from the number of families descended from Aaron at that time. It may have been God's way of expressing a double witness to the significance of Israel's 12 tribes. Everything was confirmed, as legitimate testimony under the Law, when there was a minimum of 2 witnesses. Aaron had two surviving sons, from whom these 24 leading priests were taken.

So the 24 elders appear to serve as representatives of the priestly order of Christ, whose atonement opened the gate for our entry into Heaven. They were dressed in white to show that Christians, who have access to Heaven, are made pure in the blood of Christ. And they had gold crowns, indicating that Christians have the authority of Christ, their head, to judge the world.

The lightning and thunder indicate that the purification of the Church leads to judgment of this world. The 7 blazing lamps are representative of the 7 churches in John's time, among which the faithful live by the Spirit of God. This brings conviction and judgment to the world around them.

I would suggest that these agents, ie the 24 elders and the 7 spirits, are angels, who represent what Christ has done for and in the Church. And the same follows for the 4 living creatures. They are angels representing something with respect to Christians, whom Christ has redeemed by his sacrifice.

These 4 creatures have the face of a man, which hearkens back to the Creation, when God gave Man rulership over the earth and over its creatures. These particular creatures serve the purpose of Man, after his redemption, to bring judgment upon the earth.

This judgment has been ongoing, from the time of the Fall, and even after the redeeming work of Christ. And it will be consummated at the Return of Christ, when the world will be judged in the Battle of Armageddon, and in Eternity through Christ's final sentencing.

The 4 creatures include both a lion and a flying eagle, both signifying God's predatory judgments against sinners, whether nations or their rulers. The "flying" eagle signifies that the judgment is already in process.

The 4 creatures also include an ox, representative of the plowing up of hardened land. The hardened land indicates nations, including Israel, who have resisted the Gospel of Christ, and must be plowed up in order to fulfill God's purposes on earth.

All of these things, before God's throne, indicates what transpires from the time of Christ's death to the consummation of His purposes at the Return of Christ. Judgment is ongoing, but delayed, until final judgment falls at the Return of Christ.

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Something to consider is the tabernacle layout during the Exodus and Wandering. There were four camps of Israelites around the tabernacle, a camp for each direction. Judah, whose symbol was a Lion, was the east camp. Dan, the eagle, to the north. Ephraim the calf to the west. Reuben the man to the south. The sealed scroll of Revelation 5 is essentially the tabernacle of God being spread out across the whole earth. Notice in Revelation 6 that the four horsemen proceed when the four creatures say, "Come!" These were all ways the gospel was spread across the earth. The fifth seal sees blood of saints under the altar of burnt sacrifice, which was in the outer court. This indicates that martyrdom would be another way to bear witness. Finally, the sixth seal shows signs that strike fear into the hearts of God's adversaries. This is akin to the Spirt of God entering the Temple, as in the days of Solomon's Temple. The 144,000 are represented in the tabernacle as 12 loaves of bread. The multitude of martyrs are represented by the Levites. Finally, the incense offering of the seventh seal occurs in the Holy Place. All of these serve the purpose spreading the gospel to the whole world, building up Christ's Church.

I agree, Jesus was not glorified until he ascended, not at his resurrection as many believe.

GoldenKingGaze said:

I think of a documentary I watched about a sportsman who married a model and started a family. But he was tempted by a prostitute, who did for him things his wife would not. She fell pregnant but had an abortion. The affair went on and she had another conception but it died before birth, she wanted to have it. The sportsman left his wife for her. Can love come from porneia?

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Definitely - we have a very clear Biblical example: David with Bathsheba. Their relation started as clear-cut adultery with premeditated murder to get her husband out of the way. Yet afterwards God forgave David's sin (although the child conceived in sin died) and allowed their 2nd son to become King of Israel who wrote multiple TNK/OT books. Bathsheba remained a favoured/esteemed wife at the court.

Another example might be Hosea was was instructed to marry (and thus love her as a action) a prostitute - to illustrate God's love for His people while they engaged in idolatry.

If you aren't a virgin or a widow/widower you should not get married.

Apple Sky said:

She

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The geocentric model was debunked a long time ago.

DaisyDay said:

My comment isn't about criminals but the mentally ill. Try to focus.

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The same applies there. The mentally ill in particular are unlikely to know the laws at all or if they do, believe they apply to them

Yeah I heard about that im sorry for your loss too. I remember seeing about his loss in October. Not sure if I replied to the thread or not i cant remember but Jeanette and I have been praying for your sister in law too. How's your sister in law been coping with the loss?

stevevw said:

I am not sure where the kangaroo for example came from before it landed in Australia. But it would have still needed the same sort of environment as it does in Australia. It would not have survived the cold winters of Britain and Europe. Maybe around north Africa somewhere.

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????

Kangaroos (and Wallabies) survive fine in Australia's snowfields, both in southern NSW/northern Victoria and in the highlands/tundra areas of Tasmania. There's an identifiable Eastern Grey sub-species in Tasmania that has adaptations for the cold.

Kangaroos have also survived in Australia for the last 10-15 million years. That period has included glacial climactic eras where the average temperature was up to 8 degrees Celsius cooler than the modern average.

romansroad said:

I have been on there. I am going to check the group coaching out today.

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That's great! I also really like Mark DeJesus' Youtube channel. He has a playlist of many videos about OCD.
Mark DeJesus

Sounds like Trump is having a hard time.

Dreyma said:

Uggghll, I'm irritated. So, I quickly pop into the school to grab some books I need for lesson planning. On my way out, I close my classroom door. It automatically locks. The moment I hear the lock click, I remember that my classroom and car keys are still sitting on my desk!

On Monday morning, I can ask a janitor to let me in—but until then, I can't re-enter my classroom or use my car. Now I can't go to church tomorrow I would walk, but the temperatures are below freezing and we've gotten a few inches of snow this weekend. I also considered asking for a ride, but I don't have a phone number for anyone who attends my church. I don't have any friends or family in town to give me a lift either. Isolation makes things so difficult...

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My church was cancelled today due to the weather, so don't feel guilty about missing church, it was possibly cancelled anyway

Sorry I’m not bothered by B-movies at all.

Always in His Presence said:

You would not know of either of them, nor are they of the Roman Catholic Faith -

You asked me and I responded.

Both called by Jesus of Nazareth (according to their own testimony) to a specific people group - both resulting in thousands upon thousands becoming believers (just like the Book of Acts), both with wonderful healings (like the Book of Acts), both with the result of churches being formed, (like the Book of Acts).

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Ok... well... I am not Catholic and it seems if these people were called to be apostles and have accomplished what you said they accomplished ( like plant 32,000 churches) they would be very well known. So be it.
Thanks for sharing.

lismore said:

Kemi Badenoch, leader of the opposition in the UK Parliament, a 'cultural Christian' says spending money on benefits is unchristian.

Kemi Badenoch says spending on welfare is 'unchristian'

Kemi Badenoch has said welfare spending could be considered "unchristian," following Rachel Reeves' Autumn Budget.

www.thelondoneconomic.com

Earlier this month, Badenoch quoted St Paul’s advice to Timothy in the Bible as she argued that the “responsibility and dignity of work” was a Christian imperative, the Times reports.
She said: “St Paul, we read, in the first Epistle to Timothy proclaims that ‘Anyone who does not provide for his own household … is worse than an unbeliever’.

“This is the Christian recognition that we all have duties … To ourselves, to our families and to the community we are part of. Conservatives believe in making work pay, in rewarding risk, in ensuring effort matches reward.”

She continued: “My message is let’s get people off welfare into work. Let us not leave debt for our children and grandchildren. That is the worst unfairness.”

When she was asked to elaborate on what she meant, Badenoch continued: “In early Christian times there was no state or welfare so I think that you can argue that, actually. The Christian tradition is about communities and families and charity, not about compulsory taxation in order to pay welfare.

Any thoughts?

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In early christian times there was the patronage system of the roman empire, which very much was like welfare. Not to mention that of course there were states and taxes.

Servus said:

I thought the book was pretty boring.

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I have read some boring books. I try to take my time and really engage.

Dan Perez said:

And need you if you can explain ACTS 15:1 ??

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As a help to one's memory, and to make sure we are on the same page, I shall include the verse as a quote.

Dan Perez said:

And certain ones having come down. from Judea were teaching the brethren , that you would be CIRCUMCISED after the

THE CUSTOM OF MOSES , you are NOT //. OV. IS A DISJUNCATIVE PARTICLE NEGATIVE and means you cannot EVER

BE SAVED ??

What say you. ??

dan p

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I say that the "certain individuals" were wrong.

I just came across this person, and although our philosophies differ in their details they're definitely kindred in their spirit. Now if we could just get the rest of the world to agree then Christianity may at last have found its purpose.

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Hans Blaster said:

Any more? You've been here for 1 day. So long noob.

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Pretty sure I've been on this planet for 45 years, not one day, 'noob'

None of my posts are me telling you what you need to believe. They are me giving you my perspective and the 'why' of that said perspective. This post will be different. This post is me still working out what it is I believe about Hell and the why of it. All based within the context of 'my' understanding of the Gospel. This is something I'm sure will continue to develop over time as I continue to discover more of God.

- I see in scripture two ages. The present age, and the age yet to come. The present age is understood as being only a temporary age. This is made evident by the fact that there is yet a second age to come.

- In this present, but temporary age, life is temporary. If life is temporary, then logically, death must also be temporary. Maybe this is why death is often referred to as sleep?

- The age to come is understood to be everlasting. If this age is everlasting then so must life be also. And if life is everlasting then, likewise, death must also be everlasting.

- At the end of the first age we will all be resurrected, believers and unbelievers alike. Now because I understand being created in the image of God to mean that we have three defining parts; body, soul, and spirit, I believe all three are essential for life. We cannot exist without all three. (With regards to spiritual death, I believe that our spirit has gone into a dormant state. It is not actually diseased) For this reason I am leaning towards the idea that both believers and unbelievers will receive new bodies at the time we are resurrected. And that these new bodies will be free of a sinful nature. Why?

- We will all stand before the full presence of God. Any corruption within us would likely be obliterated in the full presence of God. Just an assumption on my part. And this is only going to compound the coming judgment for an unbeliever.

- A new sinless body will most likely mean a clear understanding of one's purpose within creation. And it is for this very reason why I am coming to this particular conclusion of Hell, and what that may actually look like. (Again, this is still something I'm working out)

- Unbelievers will suddenly have full awareness of their purpose while at the same time recognizing where their rejection has led them. All the while standing in the full presence of God, the very purpose for their existence. At that moment nothing else will matter to them. All they will want and desire is standing right before them. But... with the knowledge they will never have it due to their former rejection.

- You will now have an unbeliever who's only desire is to worship and to be in the presence of God, but unable to carry it out. (there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth).

- I believe, that in the very beginning, man was created with physical death being a natural part of his existence. Hence the tree of life. As small a possibility as this may have been, a third option was always available: man could have not sinned, but also could have not eaten from the tree of life. Inevitably resulting in everlasting death. Extreme, I know, but hear me out.

- In the age to come, man again has access to the tree of life. So logically, death must still be possible, and dare I say, an option. However, highly unlikely a choice anyone would make after experiencing the full presence of God. Still, the option being there would align with God's character just as it would have in the beginning. And it's the reality of the possibility of death that now applies to unbelievers in this new age.

- If you were to stand in the full presence of God and then suddenly be taken out of His presence, any amount of time, out of His presence, would feel like hell to you.

- In the first part of Genesis, man lived upward of a thousand years. If we carry that over into the new age, you now have unbelievers with new bodies capable of living that same amount of time. This would be worse than any hell anyone could ever imagine. To an unbeliever, any amount of time is going to feel like an eternity. (the word 'Eternity' is often used as hyperbole in scripture since only God is truly eternal)

- An unbeliever will eventually face everlasting death. But not until after what felt like an eternity of hell for them. In this scenario, not only is God's justice served (experiencing time outside the presence of God in a sinless state where all you want is to be in His presence), but also His love and grace (He does not leave them there for the rest of eternity).

As I said, this understanding is something I am currently working out. So I do not hold dogmatically to it. If you do not agree but feel it necessary that I know you don't agree, then do me the respect of explaining why you don't agree, as it may help me in my understanding.

In the end does it matter if I/we understand what exactly Hell is? Not at all. But, everyone is different and being able to answer an unbelievers concerns or questions more confidently may be the defining point of whether they choose to believe or not.

Dan Perez said:

# A And the apostle Paul is telling us that believers are CHOSEN // ELECTED , before Christ made the WORLD. and no their GOSPEL

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Hey Dan.

I believe the the one important thing that is often overlooked in Ephesians 1:4 and context is that we are chosen "in Him", and always "In Christ". --Vs. 10 is speaking of the Spirit baptism which began at Pentecost (1 Cor. 12:13). Vs. 11 is speaking of true OT believers already declared righteous by OT faith (Romans 8:29) who came to faith in Jesus.

It is Jesus who was elect from the foundations of the world. Anyone who is placed 'in Him', becomes elect with Him. Thus, "In Him" we receive all these things spoken about in Ephesians 1. This has been God's plan from the [foundations of the world], thus the 'Lamb slain from the foundations of the world' is speaking about an eternal decree, but it still had to actually happen before it applied.

We are all placed into Christ with the NT indwelling, called the placing into, or, baptism with the Holy Spirit, that was made available to everyone after Christ was lifted up. Today, when someone believes and trusts in Christ Jesus in faith, Jesus places the Holy Spirit in us, making us one with Him (the baptism into the Body, into Christ), as a result, being born again and justified. This is all initiated by faith.

For your convenience, I quoted it.

1-14 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself,10 that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth--in Him. 11 In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined (Romans 8:29) according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.

Dave