Finished Solaris by Stanislaw Lem. I am starting The Invincible, also be Stanislaw Lem.

Fervent said:

Talking about the ECFs while relying on two quotes hardly establishes anything,

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I’ve posted the two that I remembered from memory. I can post more if you wish.

Fervent said:

the existence of councils and other mediations speaks against the idea that Scripture was exhaustive of God's revelation, and no one argues that Scripture isn't the cornerstone authority.

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The scriptures were the foundational text by which all decisions were made. The councils were interpreters of scripture and none of their decisions (at least in the first seven councils) went against scripture. They considered the scriptures to be the rule of faith.

Fervent said:

Sola Scriptura goes further than simply asserting Scripture as the chief authority but claims that it is hostile to tradition rather than being a portion(the chief cornerstone, certainly) of a broader tradition.

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I don’t consider scripture to be hostile to tradition. All churches have traditions. But I do consider scriptures to be the litmus test of tradition and therefor of higher authority. Here is how Athanasius of Alexandria describes scriptures.

“These are fountains of salvation, that they who thirst may be satisfied with the living words they contain. In these alone is proclaimed the doctrine of godliness. Let no man add to these, neither let him take ought from these. For concerning these the Lord put to shame the Sadducees, and said, ‘Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures.’ And He reproved the Jews, saying, ‘Search the Scriptures, for these are they that testify of Me.’ (Festal Letter 39, 6–7)

Fervent said:

You have given no answer to it and instead want to move on without it being addressed. I've presented my argument, which is that God-breathed has nothing to do with inspiration when we consider how it was used by contemporaries and near contemporaries of Paul rather than those who post-date Origen. You've provided no response to this challenge, since you want to move onto other topics.

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You have provided your opinion devoid of evidence or support. No challenge has been presented. You keep referring to texts but are yet to cite any or even merely refer to any as a point of discussion. We already know what Paul teaches.

By reshaping competencies, tightening accountability and institutionalizing consultation, the new regulations outline how the Roman Curia will function under Pope Leo XIV in the next phase of papal governance.

The new General and Staff Regulations of the Roman Curia, published on Nov. 23, marked the conclusion of the Curial reform initiated by Pope Francis.

Almost simultaneously, Bishop Marco Mellino — named secretary of the Interdicasterial Commission for the Revision of the Regulations of the Roman Curia under Pope Francis’ pontificate — was appointed adjunct secretary of the Dicastery for Legislative Texts by Pope Leo XIV. This appointment signals that the work is complete and that a new chapter has begun.

Origins and Mandate of the New Regulations​

Continued below.

stevevw said:

No but I am saying that most of the attacks on Trumps admin are to get at Trump because they hate him so much.

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Disapproval does not equal hate, does not equal attacks. He needs to be held to account for his damaging rhetoric and policies.

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5:56

BETHSAIDA, Northern Israel – A wildfire on the Sea of Galilee has revealed new archaeological evidence about the birthplace of Jesus' disciples, Peter, Andrew, and Philip. The place where Jesus fed the 5,000 and healed the blind man is yielding new secrets. Just as archaeologists prepared to dig again for answers, disaster struck. One member of the scientific team, Dr. Steven Notley, dean of the School of Religious Studies at New Jersey's Pillar College, recalled for CBN News what happened this past July. Read the full story from CBN News: https://cbn.com/news/i...

Miraculous Archaeological Find CONFIRMS Catholicism?
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18:35

I don't have a video, but in my church tradition, the words are "I baptize you in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." Our church's whole baptism liturgy can be read here: The Online Book of Common Prayer (look for the "Holy Baptism" link on the side menu).

stevevw said:

How do we know these wiggling bits of energy are not created by God.

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We don't. Science cannot, does not deny it. What does that have to do with the consciousness outside the brain?

The book includes sermons and addresses delivered since his election on May 8, 2025, according to the publisher, which has also distributed works by St. John Paul II and Pope Francis.

Pope Leo XIV will offer his “vision for peace, unity, and reconciliation” in his first full-length book to be published in February 2026.

The Holy Father’s book, Peace Be With You: My Words to the Church and to the World, is set to be published in English and Spanish on Feb. 24 by HarperOne, according to a Dec. 4 press release.

The title of the book recalls the first words spoken by the risen Christ, which also were Leo’s first words as pontiff: “Peace be with you.”

“I would like this greeting of peace to resound in your hearts, in your families, among all people, wherever they may be, in every nation and throughout the world. Peace be with you!” Leo said at his first appearance from the central loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica.

Continued below.

essentialsaltes said:

STOP THE PRESSES!

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WASHINGTON — It wasn’t the one he had in mind but Donald Trump did finally take home a peace prize.

Trump was the winner of the inaugural "FIFA Peace Prize," which the soccer organization awarded during its World Cup draw in Washington.

"This is truly one of the great honors of my life," Trump said as he accepted the award.

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Breaking news: Eric Carle (author and illustrator of The Very Hungry Caterpillar) wins the FIFA literature prize


I think this whole debacle can be summed up by some of the comments on the BBC live text updates page:

"18:01 GMT I started this live text two hours ago."
"18:05 GMT This has been a disaster for live text commentators who are hungry and were planning to order a pizza once the draw was over."
"18:10 GMT Have you really watched a World Cup draw until you've seen Nigel de Jong applaud a performance from Lauryn Hill?"
"18:13 GMT I'm giving them two more minutes or else I'm going to make up my own World Cup draw and we can all just go home."
(First draw took place at 18:27 GMT)

The man who is accused of placing two pipe bombs outside the Democratic and Republican National Committee offices on Jan. 5, 2021, told investigators he was "disappointed" in the results of the 2020 election, according to U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro.

She said "it really isn't clear" if Cole is a supporter of either President Donald Trump or former President Joe Biden.

"This guy was an equal opportunity bomber," Pirro said. "He put a bomb outside the Republican National Committee and the Democrat National Committee. He was disappointed to a great deal in the system, both sides of the system, and for me as a prosecutor, my job is to prove what his intent was in placing those pipe bombs, and what he intended to do, and what we can prove, and we can prove that."

Brian Cole Jr. also said that that he got rid of the unusual shoes that investigators were looking for, according Pirro.

Benaiah468 said:

The situation remains serious, but it is moving noticeably in a direction that hardly anyone dared to hope for months ago: the underground in Rafah is losing its power.

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Why don't the trapped terrorists surrender?

The most likely answer lies at the heart of Hamas ideology, and thus also at the heart of the entire war. Surrender is out of the question for the terrorists. They would rather sacrifice themselves, their families and the Palestinian civilian population. From kindergarten to combat training, men are taught that surrender is treason. Anyone who surrenders to the Israelis loses their honour, and their right to exist. They are considered a security risk because they could reveal information during Israeli interrogations. Such alleged ‘collaborators with Israel’ face cruel treatment by Hamas. For those imprisoned, the prospect of renouncing terror and then being released, or rather ‘handed over’, by Israel is therefore the worst-case scenario.

It will stay indefinitely at St. Mark Catholic Church, while the Diocese of Charlotte awaits liturgical changes from the Bishop Michael Martin.

A North Carolina pastor has decided to keep using altar rails to distribute Communion during Mass instead of stopping the practice.

The decision flips his announcement of about a month ago, when he said the church would stop using altar rails as of the first Sunday of Advent last weekend, as the Register reported in mid-November.

Father John Putnam, pastor of St. Mark Catholic Church in Huntersville, about 15 miles north of Charlotte, told the Register he received requests from parishioners he believes had consulted a canon lawyer, as they used Church law language in their communication with him.

“I had lots of parishioners who asked that I reconsider my decision or suspend my decision, as an administrative recourse. My choice was I’m fine with that, and let things stay as they are,” Father Putnam said in an interview Friday. “And if something happens from a higher authority, we’ll deal with it when it happens.”

Continued below.

The pro-life nonprofit Coalition Life is planning to ramp up its sidewalk counseling initiative at a Planned Parenthood facility in Chicago after a woman was found crying in pain outside of the clinic.

A video shows sidewalk counselor Jacob Tipre observing the woman curled up, leaning against the doorway for the Planned Parenthood Elizabeth Cohn Morris Health Center, which is located in downtown Chicago. The incident occurred Nov. 15 shortly before 4 p.m., according to Coalition Life.

Mary Jane Maharry, a spokesperson for Planned Parenthood of Illinois, told CNA: “We’re not commenting.” Planned Parenthood Federation of America did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

A video posted by Coalition Life shows Tipre asking the woman whether she was OK. She responded: “No, I am not.”

“They just do the procedure, and they threw me out on the streets,” the woman said, while crying. “They just threw me out on the streets.”

Continued below.

In Isaiah G-d says that He considers the 2,000-year captivity of the Jews among the nations to be a brief ‘moment’ and only a ‘little wrath’! He goes on to say that He will bring His people home again with ‘great mercies’ and we are privileged to witness this today.

For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord thy Redeemer. Isa 54:7-8

Lord G-d, we thank You for all the Jews who have made Aliyah since Oct 7, but the majority of Jews remain in captivity, so we ask You to be merciful and bring them back

The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee. Jer 31:3

Lord, awaken all Jewish “ostriches” in the West who believe they can bury their heads in the sand in the face of growing hatred against them and their families, and turn their eyes to Zion

Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and deliver every man his soul: be not cut off in her iniquity; for this is the time of the Lord's vengeance; he will render unto her a recompence. Babylon hath been a golden cup in the Lord's hand, that made all the earth drunken: the nations have drunken of her wine; therefore the nations are mad. Babylon is suddenly fallen and destroyed: howl for her; take balm for her pain, if so be she may be healed. We would have healed Babylon, but she is not healed: forsake her, and let us go every one into his own country: for her judgment reacheth unto heaven, and is lifted up even to the skies. The Lord hath brought forth our righteousness: come, and let us declare in Zion the work of the Lord our G-d. Jer 51:6-10

Abba, let the Jews truly hear the open threats against them from Muslims in the West

My soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace. I am for peace: but when I speak, they are for war. Ps 120:6-7

G-d of Isaac, as many Jews are afraid to live in Israel, show them that life in the nations today is also very dangerous and that the likelihood of non-Jewish security forces sacrificing their lives to protect Jews is much lower than that of the Israeli security forces, who do so every day

They also that seek after my life lay snares for me: and they that seek my hurt speak mischievous things, and imagine deceits all the day long. Ps 38:12

G-d, erase the lies and distortions in the media that make Jews hesitate to return

Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever. Dan 6:21

Lord G-d, free Jews who are mentally, emotionally, or financially trapped in what they consider their ‘comfort zone’ while living in non-Jewish nations

He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder. Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! For he hath broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron in sunder. How shall we sing the Lord's song in a strange land? If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning. If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy. Ps 107:14-16 .137:4-6

Abba Father, let the election of Mamdani, a Muslim anti-Zionist and anti-Semite, as the next mayor of NYC make Jews throughout America aware of this dangerous trend

Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Behold, I will save my people from the east country, and from the west country; And I will bring them, and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and they shall be my people, and I will be their G-d, in truth and in righteousness. Zec 8:7-8

King Messiah, raise up more Jewish sons and daughters of Zion in captivity who will speak openly and boldly to their fellow citizens to make Aliyah, and who will also lead them home

In those days, and in that time, saith the Lord, the children of Israel shall come, they and the children of Judah together, going and weeping: they shall go, and seek the Lord their G-d. They shall ask the way to Zion with their faces thitherward, saying, Come, and let us join ourselves to the Lord in a perpetual covenant that shall not be forgotten. Jer 50:4-5

Lord, we praise You that Israel is actively pursuing plans to deal with emergencies that will result in a large number of Jews wanting to immigrate to Israel within a short period of time, and we ask You to oversee all the details so that these plans will ultimately be blessed by You

There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the Lord. The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the Lord. Prov 21:30-31

Almighty G-d, proclaim to the Israeli rabbis: prepare ye the way of the people! Isa 62:10b

Lord, help Israel to accelerate the integration of new immigrants into society

I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments. Ps 119:60

Messiah Jesus, lay upon Your body the burden to pray persistently for the Jews in their countries that they may return to Israel,

Thus saith the Lord G-d; I will yet for this be enquired of by the house of Israel, to do it for them; I will increase them with men like a flock. Ezek 36:37

and show them that this is being done for the sake of Your holy name

Therefore say unto the house of Israel, thus saith the Lord G-d; I do not this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for mine holy name's sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither ye went. And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the Lord, saith the Lord G-d, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes. For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. Ezek 36:22-24

Lord Jesus, speak to wealthy Christians and Jews that they may give generously and financially support both the Aliyah and the integration of new immigrants into Israeli society

And whosoever remaineth in any place where he sojourneth, let the men of his place help him with silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with beasts, beside the freewill offering for the house of G-d that is in Jerusalem. Ezra 1:4
Surely the isles shall wait for me, and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring thy sons from far, their silver and their gold with them, unto the name of the Lord thy G-d, and to the Holy One of Israel, because he hath glorified thee. Isa 60:9

Hail Mary,
Full of Grace,
The Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women,
and blessed is the fruit
of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary,
Mother of God,
pray for us sinners now,
and at the hour of our death.
Amen

CLEEB said:

Being saved by grace through faith IS the message of the gospel .

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Yes.

CLEEB said:

What you’re saying is that faith requires no gospel to believe in.

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Nope. Did not say that.

RamiC said:

There are not 45,000 denominations. This is a link.

• These “denominations” are defined in terms of being separate organisations, not necessarily separate beliefs. This is a critical difference, not commonly noted by critics.
• The largest component (something like two thirds to three quarters) of these totals are “independent” churches, mostly in Africa. These are not necessarily different in doctrine, but are simply independent organisations.
• These estimates include national branches of the same denomination (e.g. the Lutheran Church of Germany and the Lutheran Church of Australia) as separate organisations in the count.
• There are many churches among the independent churches which would have effectively the same teachings, just different locations, different leaders, etc.

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If there were only two churches that is still one to many. How Jesus and the Apostles described the church is nothing like what it is in the world today. You tell me, which one of these churches is the true one, the Pentecost church ?

David Lamb said:

I took it that HantsUK meant (in context) that the correct position of the north pole as far as the flat earth believers are concerned is in the centre. I don't think Hants UK meant that he believes the North pole is in the centre.

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Yes, I agree.

GloryToHisName said:

The holy of holies was not anointed, and the kingdom was not established, so your view is missing alot of context, the anointing of the holy of holies and the age of righteousness are the climax of the second 70 weeks and the necessity for the prophecy to be fulfilled.

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It was Jesus. 70 ad was the end of OT israel never to come back again

THE COMING PRINCE" - SIR ROBERT ANDERSON is a book online free about dan 9 explaining yes it was the nehemiah 2 decree​

2 Cor 12:7​

“Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, THEREFORE a thorn was given TO ME, that I should not be exalted above measure…”
yeh that is the strongest evidence paul is talking about himself...

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so maybe it was not written until 44-48 ad then

Oompa Loompa said:

You are correct in your assumption. I do not see mass un-vetted migration from anywhere as being a positive. Especially when they immediately are subsidized with welfare. But smart immigration of people who can actually contribute to the country is a good thing.

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The illogical thing in the current situation is that many of the waves of immigrants actually hate the country they are migrating to. The enemy are at the gate and they are being welcomed in at the expense of actual citizens.

FredVB said:

The symbol of the lake of fire in the book of Revelation full of symbolism does not mean people are placed where they will be burning up. God's justice is real and it will be fair, God does though provide the way for deliverance, which is desirable for any to come to, with Jesus Christ having come to beat the consequential judgment from the fair justice in place of those sinners who came the way for deliverance through him, including us. The rest are indeed lost yet it is not God's fault, having made the way of deliverance, that creation groans for with hope in that. Growth must certainly get happen even with those who are saved with the deliverance, growth is meant to happen that they are saved for. Sin against God must diminish, and there is always more of God's will to learn and grow to, with God's Spirit working with us. It includes loving more that will not exclude others. And God was not wrong about the design for us. We should learn more of it while God's will for us is not kept hidden from us.

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As an alternative to an eternity of suffering in the lake of fire, what do you see in scripture?

I've had my one hot drink with caffeine, which I actually take before each day, while I am up and it is cold still at night before that is over. Again, not like others. In many ways I am not. Though I am choosing much healthier ways than the others, in general.

I think there are safe places for communication, other than this special forum place in CF. I remember there was once Jesus Radicals with their forum, they were not conservative. They changed it not thinking their forum would still have value, which it did when I found it. And they have a site by another name since. How to find each other where communication is possible without a link, as I think links are not allowed? I don't know, but is sharing email accounts allowed?

It is not like I would agree with others, here or anywhere. I think things out too independently and have many different conclusions from those of any others. I still have Bible verses I take into account for those things. Others saying they believe the Bible will say, those things can be disregarded because of these other verses they can use. But my disagreement is that their passages, whether in context but very often not taken in context, do not negate the other passages I make note of, with the different conclusions. This is general, in almost anything. So I can trip over others' obstacles in many things here.