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USURY
Banks are "supposed" to keep our money safe but both banks and the money they look after are corruptible. Without blemish or defect means to be perfect as Jesus Christ is perfect but you cannot say that about money which is responsible for much of the corruption in the world and usury has a large influence on much of this corruption and it is this greed that has been responsible for the collapse of the banks.
The Israelites were forbidden to charge interest on loans made to other Israelites, but were allowed to charge interest on transactions with non-Israelites. However there are numerous examples where this provision is evaded. (This could be the answer to your question about the conflict between the church and the people?)
Usury has always been inextricably linked to economic abuses, mostly of the masses and the poor but sometimes of the rich including royalty and King Richard (Lionhearted) expelled the Jews from England because they almost bankrupted the country with their excessive interest rates.
The main moral argument is that usury creates excessive profit and gain without "labour" which is deemed "work" in the Biblical context and is the result of avarice, greed, trickery and manipulation. In addition, usury is said to create a divide between people due to obsession with monetary gain. Most importantly, usury is the derivation of profit from biological time, which is linked to life, considered sacred, God-given and divine, leading to excessive worrying about money instead of God, thus subjugating a God-given sanctity of life to man-made artificial notions of material wealth.
Regardless of usury the love of money has always been the source of evil and we cannot be made incorruptible by something that is corruptible but thank the Lord we have been made incorruptible through the precious blood of Christ who is without blemish or defect and we can rest in the safety of His love which is secure eternally.
Verses 3-6 exhort us to praise God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ for his great mercy whereby he has given us new birth and a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. We have an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade which is kept in heaven for us until the day of His returning and not unnaturally the apostle Peter tells us to "greatly rejoice."
The chapter closes by reinforcing the message that we have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God for "All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever.
Praise God.
Some information is from Wikipedia
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Sunday 24 May 2009
Friday 22 May 2009
ATHEISTS
Atheists are aggressive, insulting, prejudiced and hostile. They talk about “live and let live” but are not prepared to let others do the same. They talk about “double standards,” while practising double standards themselves and they abuse those who are different from themselves rather than accepting them.
They take the Bible literally instead of trying to understand the point that is being made and follow the crowd because they are unable to reason things out for themselves while often inflaming the situation by twisting what Christians have said.
The atheists rejection of Christian morality has led to increased promiscuity and drug taking resulting in the chav culture and general disrespect for other people leading to deprivation of others due to the greed and selfishness of those in high places which has engulfed the whole of society resulting in the “look after number one culture “while at the same time they blame everyone but themselves for the problems in society which they by their action and speech acquiesce to.
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They take the Bible literally instead of trying to understand the point that is being made and follow the crowd because they are unable to reason things out for themselves while often inflaming the situation by twisting what Christians have said.
The atheists rejection of Christian morality has led to increased promiscuity and drug taking resulting in the chav culture and general disrespect for other people leading to deprivation of others due to the greed and selfishness of those in high places which has engulfed the whole of society resulting in the “look after number one culture “while at the same time they blame everyone but themselves for the problems in society which they by their action and speech acquiesce to.
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FOUNDERS OF VARIOUS RELIGIONS
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Bahá'u'lláh (founder of Bahá'í Faith)
Siddha-rtha Gautama (founder of Budhism)
Muhammad (founder of Islam)
Hinduism (no founder. Hindu beliefs vary widely, with concepts of God and/or gods ranging from - Panentheism, pantheism, monotheism, polytheism, and atheism with Vishnu and Shiva being the most popular deities.
Taoism (founder Laozi?)
Zoroastrianism (founder Zoroaster)
Christianity (founder Jesus Christ)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burial_places_of_founders_of_world_religions
Bahá'u'lláh (founder of Bahá'í Faith)
Siddha-rtha Gautama (founder of Budhism)
Muhammad (founder of Islam)
Hinduism (no founder. Hindu beliefs vary widely, with concepts of God and/or gods ranging from - Panentheism, pantheism, monotheism, polytheism, and atheism with Vishnu and Shiva being the most popular deities.
Taoism (founder Laozi?)
Zoroastrianism (founder Zoroaster)
Christianity (founder Jesus Christ)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burial_places_of_founders_of_world_religions
Monday 18 May 2009
Ten Tests of a True Christian from the Bible
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1. Do we walk in the light or in the darkness?
“If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” (1 John 1:6-7)
2. Do we claim to be without sin, or do we confess our sins?
“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.” (1 John 1:8-10)
3. Do we just say we know God or do we obey Him?
“We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him.” (1 John 2:3-5)
4. Do we hate our brother or do we love him?
“Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness. Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble. But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him.” (1 John 2:9-11)
5. Do we love the world or do we do the will of God?
“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world - the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does - comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.” (1 John 2:15-17)
6. Do we mix with other Christians and have fellowship with them?
“Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us.” (1 John 2:18-19)
7. Do we deny that Jesus is the Christ or do we acknowledge Jesus is the Son of God?
“Who is the liar? It is the man who denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a man is the antichrist - he denies the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also.” (1 John 2:22-23)
8. Do we practice sin or do we strive toward righteousness?
“Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness. But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin. No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him. Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. He who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous.” (1 John 3:4-7)
9. Do we love our brother just in words or do we love our brother in deeds?
“We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death. Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him. This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.” (1 John 3:14-18)
10. Do we listen to the world or do we listen to the words of God?
“They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.” (1 John 4:5-6)
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1. Do we walk in the light or in the darkness?
“If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” (1 John 1:6-7)
2. Do we claim to be without sin, or do we confess our sins?
“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.” (1 John 1:8-10)
3. Do we just say we know God or do we obey Him?
“We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him.” (1 John 2:3-5)
4. Do we hate our brother or do we love him?
“Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness. Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble. But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him.” (1 John 2:9-11)
5. Do we love the world or do we do the will of God?
“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world - the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does - comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.” (1 John 2:15-17)
6. Do we mix with other Christians and have fellowship with them?
“Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us.” (1 John 2:18-19)
7. Do we deny that Jesus is the Christ or do we acknowledge Jesus is the Son of God?
“Who is the liar? It is the man who denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a man is the antichrist - he denies the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also.” (1 John 2:22-23)
8. Do we practice sin or do we strive toward righteousness?
“Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness. But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin. No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him. Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. He who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous.” (1 John 3:4-7)
9. Do we love our brother just in words or do we love our brother in deeds?
“We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death. Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him. This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.” (1 John 3:14-18)
10. Do we listen to the world or do we listen to the words of God?
“They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.” (1 John 4:5-6)
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Three New Testament Verses About Slavery
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Slaves, obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ. (Ephesians 6:5 NLT)
Christians who are slaves should give their masters full respect so that the name of God and his teaching will not be shamed. If your master is a Christian, that is no excuse for being disrespectful. You should work all the harder because you are helping another believer by your efforts. Teach these truths, Timothy, and encourage everyone to obey them. (1 Timothy 6:1-2 NLT)
The servant will be severely punished, for though he knew his duty, he refused to do it. "But people who are not aware that they are doing wrong will be punished only lightly. Much is required from those to whom much is given, and much more is required from those to whom much more is given." (Luke 12:47-48 NLT)
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1. The New Testament is for today and the verses you give prove what I was saying about how words change over the years. "Christians who are slaves" does not work but if you read it as "Christians who are workers" we can see that it applies to us. Being a company employee, I work for my boss and I serve my customers and clients. This is a far cry from being a slave the like of which we saw in the days of William Wilberforce which is a modern invention.
2. Bearing this in mind the New Testament verses you gave read thus:
a) For workers to obey their bosses.
b) For workers to respect their bosses.
c) Is different in as much as it is about the second coming of Jesus and Judgement day and is a warning to Christians that if they neglect to do their duty they will be punished even then because I am a servant of Christ.
All these three instructions if followed make for good employees and there is no reason why everyone cannot follow them.
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Slaves, obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ. (Ephesians 6:5 NLT)
Christians who are slaves should give their masters full respect so that the name of God and his teaching will not be shamed. If your master is a Christian, that is no excuse for being disrespectful. You should work all the harder because you are helping another believer by your efforts. Teach these truths, Timothy, and encourage everyone to obey them. (1 Timothy 6:1-2 NLT)
The servant will be severely punished, for though he knew his duty, he refused to do it. "But people who are not aware that they are doing wrong will be punished only lightly. Much is required from those to whom much is given, and much more is required from those to whom much more is given." (Luke 12:47-48 NLT)
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1. The New Testament is for today and the verses you give prove what I was saying about how words change over the years. "Christians who are slaves" does not work but if you read it as "Christians who are workers" we can see that it applies to us. Being a company employee, I work for my boss and I serve my customers and clients. This is a far cry from being a slave the like of which we saw in the days of William Wilberforce which is a modern invention.
2. Bearing this in mind the New Testament verses you gave read thus:
a) For workers to obey their bosses.
b) For workers to respect their bosses.
c) Is different in as much as it is about the second coming of Jesus and Judgement day and is a warning to Christians that if they neglect to do their duty they will be punished even then because I am a servant of Christ.
All these three instructions if followed make for good employees and there is no reason why everyone cannot follow them.
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Sunday 17 May 2009
NOAH
As far as the Israelites were concerned Israel was the "Whole Earth" This is what has caused us to think the flood was global.
In Exodus 10:15 We read about a plague of locusts that "covered the face of the whole earth." It should be pretty evident that this locust plague covered only part of the land Egypt and as you can see it describes the locust as covering "the face of the whole earth." Yet we never assume these locusts covered the entire globe.
After the Israelites were delivered from Egypt and settled in Canaan, the scripture says they "covered the face of the earth" (Numbers 22:5,11).
Not even fundamentalists would say that Israelites covered every square foot of the planet...This is simply a way of stating that they occupied the land in which they were dwelling.
Again in Gen 4:14 we read, "Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth; Cain was in the Land of Nod.
Matthew 4 verse 8 and again we read the same exaggerated view of their land.
"The devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
The same idiom is used to describe the Israelite conquest of Canaan,
Deut 2:25
"This day I will begin to put the dread and fear of you on the peoples who are under the whole heaven, who shall hear the report of you and shall tremble and be in anguish because of you.
The only people who needed to tremble were the local people who were the Canaanites Moabites and Edomites.
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Deuteronomy 20
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Deuteronomy 20
The Israelites were not enslaving anyone they were buying slaves in the slave markets from around the world. These people were already slaves and in need of a good, secure and safe home and in Israel there were laws for their protection that did not exist anywhere else.
Other nations treated slaves as commodities to be sold on for profit and then discarded when they were too old and frail to work. Had these poor people needed to fend for themselves they would surely have died of cold and starvation but this way they had a home and security for life. After about seven thousand years we have forgotten the social conditions of the day as life was then and it is verses like this that show the goodness and provision of a loving God.
As it was they had security for life and not many people can say that today. Not only that but the provision of a will sets it out legally, the inheritor perhaps not wanting an elderly and frail dependent to look after, but the slaves security is ensured.
The death penalty was for killing your slave and followed the established rule of an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. Furthermore there is no record of it ever happening because the slave owner valued his own life too much so the life of the slave was safe.
Today beating your servant would be like trashing your car, you wouldn't do it. Like it says in the Bible it is your money and you are the looser.
Slaves or more properly servants in the Bible were free to go after six years; they were cared for and given shelter and food in return for work. They became part of the family and often chose to stay with the family even when they were free to go.
Compare that to Roman and Egyptian slaves and it is a different story altogether. Remember when the Egyptians held the Israelites they would not let them go, giving rise to the well known song, "Let My People Go." Not only that but if someone in the Bible ill-treated a slave it was the master who was punished. Bible slaves were well looked after and protected and their lifestyle can in no way be compared to modern slavery which Christians stopped while it was the non-Christian atheists who argued to keep people in enslavement.
Is about when the Israelites were going into the Promised Land.
The rules of combat were that people were humanly given the opportunity to surrender thus ensuring their safety. They would be subordinate but they would be protected from other nations because they now belonged to Israel and they would have been relatively free to live their lives as they always had done.
Should they choose not to surrender then it would be a fight to the death but the women, the children, the livestock and everything else in the city would be safe and looked after by the Israelites as there were no men of the city to care for the women and children and the Bible is very clear that they should be looked after.
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Deuteronomy 20
The Israelites were not enslaving anyone they were buying slaves in the slave markets from around the world. These people were already slaves and in need of a good, secure and safe home and in Israel there were laws for their protection that did not exist anywhere else.
Other nations treated slaves as commodities to be sold on for profit and then discarded when they were too old and frail to work. Had these poor people needed to fend for themselves they would surely have died of cold and starvation but this way they had a home and security for life. After about seven thousand years we have forgotten the social conditions of the day as life was then and it is verses like this that show the goodness and provision of a loving God.
As it was they had security for life and not many people can say that today. Not only that but the provision of a will sets it out legally, the inheritor perhaps not wanting an elderly and frail dependent to look after, but the slaves security is ensured.
The death penalty was for killing your slave and followed the established rule of an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. Furthermore there is no record of it ever happening because the slave owner valued his own life too much so the life of the slave was safe.
Today beating your servant would be like trashing your car, you wouldn't do it. Like it says in the Bible it is your money and you are the looser.
Slaves or more properly servants in the Bible were free to go after six years; they were cared for and given shelter and food in return for work. They became part of the family and often chose to stay with the family even when they were free to go.
Compare that to Roman and Egyptian slaves and it is a different story altogether. Remember when the Egyptians held the Israelites they would not let them go, giving rise to the well known song, "Let My People Go." Not only that but if someone in the Bible ill-treated a slave it was the master who was punished. Bible slaves were well looked after and protected and their lifestyle can in no way be compared to modern slavery which Christians stopped while it was the non-Christian atheists who argued to keep people in enslavement.
Is about when the Israelites were going into the Promised Land.
The rules of combat were that people were humanly given the opportunity to surrender thus ensuring their safety. They would be subordinate but they would be protected from other nations because they now belonged to Israel and they would have been relatively free to live their lives as they always had done.
Should they choose not to surrender then it would be a fight to the death but the women, the children, the livestock and everything else in the city would be safe and looked after by the Israelites as there were no men of the city to care for the women and children and the Bible is very clear that they should be looked after.
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The Curse of Ham
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The Curse of Ham Genises 9:20-27
Yes Noah could see it coming. Ham was a bad lot. The commandment to "Honour your father and mother" was taken very seriously and Ham laughingly talked and joked about his fathers nakedness showing how disrespectful he was towards his father, perhaps even interfering with his father sexually?
Poor old Noah when he found out what Ham had been doing swore at Ham and prophetically predicted that Hams brothers Shem and Japeth who had looked after their father would do well for themselves while the disreputable Ham or at least his son Canaan would end up in slavery. And so it happened. Events proved Noah right and it is true that we are often our own worst enemy. The Canaanites were notorious for their immorality. Slavery was common and there had always been servants, OT slavery was nothing like modern slavery and Noah could see the way Ham was headed and it is often the case of like father like son, Cain being the son of Ham, and the plight of the Canaanites serves to highlight the accuracy of the Historical record of the Bible and should be a warning to all those who disobey the commandments of God.
If you cannot respect your parents then you will probably respect no one, and gradually the downward slide begins leading to all sorts of immorality. You can often see it in teenagers today and can guess where they are headed and so it was with Hams son Canaan. He reaped what he sowed and nowhere is it implied that white people should take black people into slavery. That is the work of the slave traders whose nefarious activities Christians sought to overturn, the Christian teaching being that we should treat others with respect, with love and as equals, for Christ's message is for ALL people and all nations.
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The Curse of Ham Genises 9:20-27
Yes Noah could see it coming. Ham was a bad lot. The commandment to "Honour your father and mother" was taken very seriously and Ham laughingly talked and joked about his fathers nakedness showing how disrespectful he was towards his father, perhaps even interfering with his father sexually?
Poor old Noah when he found out what Ham had been doing swore at Ham and prophetically predicted that Hams brothers Shem and Japeth who had looked after their father would do well for themselves while the disreputable Ham or at least his son Canaan would end up in slavery. And so it happened. Events proved Noah right and it is true that we are often our own worst enemy. The Canaanites were notorious for their immorality. Slavery was common and there had always been servants, OT slavery was nothing like modern slavery and Noah could see the way Ham was headed and it is often the case of like father like son, Cain being the son of Ham, and the plight of the Canaanites serves to highlight the accuracy of the Historical record of the Bible and should be a warning to all those who disobey the commandments of God.
If you cannot respect your parents then you will probably respect no one, and gradually the downward slide begins leading to all sorts of immorality. You can often see it in teenagers today and can guess where they are headed and so it was with Hams son Canaan. He reaped what he sowed and nowhere is it implied that white people should take black people into slavery. That is the work of the slave traders whose nefarious activities Christians sought to overturn, the Christian teaching being that we should treat others with respect, with love and as equals, for Christ's message is for ALL people and all nations.
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FALSEHOODS
Reverend Richard Fuller
God did not say what the Reverend Richard Fuller says he said, and as I have just explained we are to live peacefully with our neighbour. If we do anything else we have sinned in the sight of God. What we need to remember is that God is the judge and if we are to take vengeance then it is us who are acting as Judge, jury and Executioner and that puts us in the wrong. "What god sanctioned in the Old Testament, and permitted in the new" is this....
"It is mine to avenge; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip; their day of disaster is near and their doom rushes upon them. The LORD will judge his people and have compassion on his servants" [Deuteronomy 32:35]
"Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord." [Romans 12:19
"For we know him that has said, Vengeance belongs to me, I will recompense, said the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people." [Heb 10:30]
FULLER FALSEHOODS
The No True Scotsman Fallacy.
Imagine Hamish McDonald, a Scotsman, sitting down with his Glasgow Morning Herald and seeing an article about how the "Brighton Sex Maniac Strikes Again." Hamish is shocked and declares that "No Scotsman would do such a thing." The next day he sits down to read his Glasgow Morning Herald again and this time finds an article about an Aberdeen man whose brutal actions make the Brighton sex maniac seem almost gentlemanly. This fact shows that Hamish was wrong in his opinion but is he going to admit this? Not likely. This time he says, "No true Scotsman would do such a thing."
A true friend is someone who is honest and upright and English people should read, "No “honest and upright” Scotsman would do such a thing." The No True Scotsman Fallacy.
Imagine Hamish McDonald, a Scotsman, sitting down with his Glasgow Morning Herald and seeing an article about how the "Brighton Sex Maniac Strikes Again." Hamish is shocked and declares that "No Scotsman would do such a thing." The next day he sits down to read his Glasgow Morning Herald again and this time finds an article about an Aberdeen man whose brutal actions make the Brighton sex maniac seem almost gentlemanly. This fact shows that Hamish was wrong in his opinion but is he going to admit this? Not likely. This time he says, "No true Scotsman would do such a thing."
A true friend is someone who is honest and upright and English people should read, "No “honest and upright” Scotsman would do such a thing."
FALSEHOODS
God did not say what the Reverend Richard Fuller says he said, and as I have just explained we are to live peacefully with our neighbour. If we do anything else we have sinned in the sight of God. What we need to remember is that God is the judge and if we are to take vengeance then it is us who are acting as Judge, jury and Executioner and that puts us in the wrong. "What god sanctioned in the Old Testament, and permitted in the new" is this....
"It is mine to avenge; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip; their day of disaster is near and their doom rushes upon them. The LORD will judge his people and have compassion on his servants" [Deuteronomy 32:35]
"Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord." [Romans 12:19
"For we know him that has said, Vengeance belongs to me, I will recompense, said the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people." [Heb 10:30]
FULLER FALSEHOODS
The No True Scotsman Fallacy.
Imagine Hamish McDonald, a Scotsman, sitting down with his Glasgow Morning Herald and seeing an article about how the "Brighton Sex Maniac Strikes Again." Hamish is shocked and declares that "No Scotsman would do such a thing." The next day he sits down to read his Glasgow Morning Herald again and this time finds an article about an Aberdeen man whose brutal actions make the Brighton sex maniac seem almost gentlemanly. This fact shows that Hamish was wrong in his opinion but is he going to admit this? Not likely. This time he says, "No true Scotsman would do such a thing."
A true friend is someone who is honest and upright and English people should read, "No “honest and upright” Scotsman would do such a thing." The No True Scotsman Fallacy.
Imagine Hamish McDonald, a Scotsman, sitting down with his Glasgow Morning Herald and seeing an article about how the "Brighton Sex Maniac Strikes Again." Hamish is shocked and declares that "No Scotsman would do such a thing." The next day he sits down to read his Glasgow Morning Herald again and this time finds an article about an Aberdeen man whose brutal actions make the Brighton sex maniac seem almost gentlemanly. This fact shows that Hamish was wrong in his opinion but is he going to admit this? Not likely. This time he says, "No true Scotsman would do such a thing."
A true friend is someone who is honest and upright and English people should read, "No “honest and upright” Scotsman would do such a thing."
FALSEHOODS
Tuesday 12 May 2009
Hell is a Warning
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I see it (Hell) as a warning. Hopefully the warning is strong enough and sufficiently frightening to put people off from doing wrong. If it moves you sufficiently then feel free to follow the teaching of Jesus, it means that in this world at least even if you do not believe in the resurrection you will be kept free from much of the self inflicted harm that can assail us and those who are involved with us. Just in case it is more than a verbal/written warning final or otherwise, probably final as there have been other warnings before as you are fond of pointing out with dire consequences, then I should take heed as it won't do any harm and it could rid society of much that is wrong within it.
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I see it (Hell) as a warning. Hopefully the warning is strong enough and sufficiently frightening to put people off from doing wrong. If it moves you sufficiently then feel free to follow the teaching of Jesus, it means that in this world at least even if you do not believe in the resurrection you will be kept free from much of the self inflicted harm that can assail us and those who are involved with us. Just in case it is more than a verbal/written warning final or otherwise, probably final as there have been other warnings before as you are fond of pointing out with dire consequences, then I should take heed as it won't do any harm and it could rid society of much that is wrong within it.
.
Sunday 10 May 2009
Atheists
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Atheists spend hours talking about God who they do not believe in while criticising those who more sensibly talk about what they do believe in, as they are entitled to.
Atheists who talk about "sky pixies" or "fairies at the bottom of the garden" make themselves look silly. Atheism “is an insult to human dignity. With or without it, you'd have good people doing good things and evil people doing bad things, but for good people to do bad things, it takes” atheism.
The percentage of atheists far outweighs the number of Christians, the forum is an example of this and as the world is in such a terrible state it can only be due to the influence of unbelievers whose majority can be seen in government, banking and in all walks of life. When we look at the state of Britain we can see the results of atheism and it is not good.
The reason for “good” atheists being able to do bad things is because they are not beholden to a higher authority and have generally rejected the Ten Commandments, so-much-so that there is a comedian who makes fun of the them while the atheist audience clap and cheer and are obviously in total agreement of ditching the best moral code there is.
.
Atheists spend hours talking about God who they do not believe in while criticising those who more sensibly talk about what they do believe in, as they are entitled to.
Atheists who talk about "sky pixies" or "fairies at the bottom of the garden" make themselves look silly. Atheism “is an insult to human dignity. With or without it, you'd have good people doing good things and evil people doing bad things, but for good people to do bad things, it takes” atheism.
The percentage of atheists far outweighs the number of Christians, the forum is an example of this and as the world is in such a terrible state it can only be due to the influence of unbelievers whose majority can be seen in government, banking and in all walks of life. When we look at the state of Britain we can see the results of atheism and it is not good.
The reason for “good” atheists being able to do bad things is because they are not beholden to a higher authority and have generally rejected the Ten Commandments, so-much-so that there is a comedian who makes fun of the them while the atheist audience clap and cheer and are obviously in total agreement of ditching the best moral code there is.
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Steven Weinberg Quotation
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"Religion is an insult to human dignity. With or without it, you'd have good people doing good things and evil people doing bad things, but for good people to do bad things, it takes religion.” [Steven Weinberg]
Charles Dodgson the author of Alice in Wonderland wrote nonsense stories that were clever and funny but Weinberg's nonsense is neither funny or clever it is simply insulting and stupid.
He makes the premise is that evil people do evil and good people do good. Then he contradicts himself and says good people do evil. Both statements cannot be true.
More to the point he is wrong anyway:
Evil people may do evil things, good people will always do good things, but for good people to do evil things it takes [greed, power, oil, governments, etc.]
Besides which if a good person does evil, he is NOT good. He is evil.
Weinberg even admits that religion aside "you'd have good people doing good things and evil people doing bad things"
Atheists love to quote his nonsense.
That leaves the sentence "Religion is an insult to human dignity." when in reality it is Christianity that lifts the alcoholic out of the gutter, puts cloths on his back and restores his pride.
The whole quote is an insult to humanity and makes Weinberg look like an ass.
.
"Religion is an insult to human dignity. With or without it, you'd have good people doing good things and evil people doing bad things, but for good people to do bad things, it takes religion.” [Steven Weinberg]
Charles Dodgson the author of Alice in Wonderland wrote nonsense stories that were clever and funny but Weinberg's nonsense is neither funny or clever it is simply insulting and stupid.
He makes the premise is that evil people do evil and good people do good. Then he contradicts himself and says good people do evil. Both statements cannot be true.
More to the point he is wrong anyway:
Evil people may do evil things, good people will always do good things, but for good people to do evil things it takes [greed, power, oil, governments, etc.]
Besides which if a good person does evil, he is NOT good. He is evil.
Weinberg even admits that religion aside "you'd have good people doing good things and evil people doing bad things"
Atheists love to quote his nonsense.
That leaves the sentence "Religion is an insult to human dignity." when in reality it is Christianity that lifts the alcoholic out of the gutter, puts cloths on his back and restores his pride.
The whole quote is an insult to humanity and makes Weinberg look like an ass.
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Saturday 9 May 2009
Jehovah Witness Blood Transfusion
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There are several verses in the Old Testament that prohibit the eating of blood. Both Jews and Muslims agree on this and have their own method of slaughter called kosher and Halal respectively that allows blood to drain from an animal. Interestingly Jews and Muslims who are agreed on the issue of not eating blood are similarly agreed on the acceptability of Blood Transfusion along with Christians et al.
Only Jehovah Witnesses are out of step on this issue and what makes their position ludicrous is that they do not follow the Old Testament laws themselves. Consequently many people have died unnecessarily due to their erroneous teaching. Here is what they say :
"Jehovah's Witnesses have no such religious dietary restrictions. The reason is that, as Christians, we are under the "Law of the Christ."-(Galations 6:2) According to the Bible, the Mosaic Law, with it's dietary restrictions, was "nailed to the stake"(Colosians 2:13,14) along with Jesus, when he sacrificed his life for all those exercising faith in him. So the Bible also says: "Christ is the end of the Law."-(Romans 10:4; 6:14) Therefore, JW's do not practice the Mosiac Law which includes these dietary restrictions."
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Do_Jehovah...ods_if_not_why
Below is a statement from a Jew who will undoubtedly follow the Old Testament dietary laws so obviously he does not see a conflict :
“There is nothing in Jewish law that would preclude a person from benefiting from a blood transfusion (or donating blood, for that matter). Furthermore, according to Jewish belief, saving a life is one of the most important mitzvot (commandments), overriding nearly all of the others. Therefore, if a blood transfusion is deemed medically necessary, then it is not only permissible but obligatory.
All the best,
Rochel Chein for Chabad.org
http://www.chabad.org/library/articl...ish-belief.htm
Here are the relevant verses that Jehovah Witnesses quote but do not follow.
[Genesis 9:4] "But you must not eat meat that has its lifeblood still in it.
[Leviticus 3:17] 'This is a lasting ordinance for the generations to come, wherever you live: You must not eat any fat or any blood."
[Leviticus 17:10-14] "And whatsoever man there be of the house of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn among you, that eateth any manner of blood; I will even set my face against that soul that eateth blood, and will cut him off from among his people."
[Deuteronomy 12:23] “But be sure you do not eat the blood, because the blood is the life, and you must not eat the life with the meat. You must not eat the blood; pour it out on the ground like water.”
[1 Samuel 14] “Do not sin against the LORD by eating meat with blood still in it."
.
There are several verses in the Old Testament that prohibit the eating of blood. Both Jews and Muslims agree on this and have their own method of slaughter called kosher and Halal respectively that allows blood to drain from an animal. Interestingly Jews and Muslims who are agreed on the issue of not eating blood are similarly agreed on the acceptability of Blood Transfusion along with Christians et al.
Only Jehovah Witnesses are out of step on this issue and what makes their position ludicrous is that they do not follow the Old Testament laws themselves. Consequently many people have died unnecessarily due to their erroneous teaching. Here is what they say :
"Jehovah's Witnesses have no such religious dietary restrictions. The reason is that, as Christians, we are under the "Law of the Christ."-(Galations 6:2) According to the Bible, the Mosaic Law, with it's dietary restrictions, was "nailed to the stake"(Colosians 2:13,14) along with Jesus, when he sacrificed his life for all those exercising faith in him. So the Bible also says: "Christ is the end of the Law."-(Romans 10:4; 6:14) Therefore, JW's do not practice the Mosiac Law which includes these dietary restrictions."
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Do_Jehovah...ods_if_not_why
Below is a statement from a Jew who will undoubtedly follow the Old Testament dietary laws so obviously he does not see a conflict :
“There is nothing in Jewish law that would preclude a person from benefiting from a blood transfusion (or donating blood, for that matter). Furthermore, according to Jewish belief, saving a life is one of the most important mitzvot (commandments), overriding nearly all of the others. Therefore, if a blood transfusion is deemed medically necessary, then it is not only permissible but obligatory.
All the best,
Rochel Chein for Chabad.org
http://www.chabad.org/library/articl...ish-belief.htm
Here are the relevant verses that Jehovah Witnesses quote but do not follow.
[Genesis 9:4] "But you must not eat meat that has its lifeblood still in it.
[Leviticus 3:17] 'This is a lasting ordinance for the generations to come, wherever you live: You must not eat any fat or any blood."
[Leviticus 17:10-14] "And whatsoever man there be of the house of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn among you, that eateth any manner of blood; I will even set my face against that soul that eateth blood, and will cut him off from among his people."
[Deuteronomy 12:23] “But be sure you do not eat the blood, because the blood is the life, and you must not eat the life with the meat. You must not eat the blood; pour it out on the ground like water.”
[1 Samuel 14] “Do not sin against the LORD by eating meat with blood still in it."
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Thursday 7 May 2009
Atheists, Children, Communion, Blood
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In reply to redrobbo.
Generalising obviously but personal responsibility figures high among Christians while a common expression among atheists is, “live for today for tomorrow we die” as they continue to “enjoy” that which is harmful while they kill themselves. This irresponsibility affects themselves, their family and society generally. Such is the peculiar logic of the unbeliever who has little regard for the consequences of their own actions on either themselves or on other people. Smoking is an example and the law had to be brought to bear in order to protect people from themselves. Speeding and seat belts are two more examples. I doubt if people even think about the consequences of their actions either to themselves, to their family or to society at large.
Recognising the fact that we are all God’s family helps bring cohesiveness to society while the selfishness of unbelievers drives people apart. While people are smoking themselves to death and putting themselves up to catch a terminal sexual disease they are risking their own lives and the lives of others. In other words they are being “care-less” and it is only when something happens that they begin to worry and care about the consequences when it is too late and the damage has been done. In the meantime they say, “It will never happen to me” and no doubt while they are killing themselves with cigarette after cigarette friends and family sit round chatting and laughing with them. That is how little they care for the main issues of life and death. With such an attitude that rejects known medical science and the large letters on cigarette packets telling them that smoking kills it is totally in character for these same people to reject the teaching of Jesus which if followed would have a totally beneficial and positive effect on society. The Bible says, “The fool has said in his heart there is no God,” and likewise the atheist will say, “I will do as I please and damn the consequences.” That is the effect of atheism on the lives of people while I as a Christian get pilloried for my concern. People really need to get a grip of themselves.
Breaking of Bread.
As far as the body and blood of Jesus Christ is concerned, Jesus took the bread and broke it and said, “Do this in remembrance of me.” This is what we do in the communion service and it is bread similar to the bread that Jesus broke and that is what it is, ‘bread’ pure and simple. The important thing is that firstly we are carrying out Christ’s last wishes while at the same time we remember His death on Calvary’s Cross which was for each and everyone of us.
Blood.
[Acts 15:19-20] "It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood."
Both Jews and Gentiles were turning to Christianity and in a spirit of unity the Jews wrote to the Gentiles outlining four things that would cause them offence and eating red meat was one of them. Since then the Jehovah Witnesses have made more of this than they need to.
Children and Salvation.
[Psalm 127:3]
“Sons are a heritage from the LORD; children are a reward from him.” Children are the Lords.
[2 Samuel 12:23]
David said, “But now that my son is dead, why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me."
[Matthew 19:14]
Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."
Children belong to the Lord God until such time as they with full knowledge reject Him.
.
In reply to redrobbo.
Generalising obviously but personal responsibility figures high among Christians while a common expression among atheists is, “live for today for tomorrow we die” as they continue to “enjoy” that which is harmful while they kill themselves. This irresponsibility affects themselves, their family and society generally. Such is the peculiar logic of the unbeliever who has little regard for the consequences of their own actions on either themselves or on other people. Smoking is an example and the law had to be brought to bear in order to protect people from themselves. Speeding and seat belts are two more examples. I doubt if people even think about the consequences of their actions either to themselves, to their family or to society at large.
Recognising the fact that we are all God’s family helps bring cohesiveness to society while the selfishness of unbelievers drives people apart. While people are smoking themselves to death and putting themselves up to catch a terminal sexual disease they are risking their own lives and the lives of others. In other words they are being “care-less” and it is only when something happens that they begin to worry and care about the consequences when it is too late and the damage has been done. In the meantime they say, “It will never happen to me” and no doubt while they are killing themselves with cigarette after cigarette friends and family sit round chatting and laughing with them. That is how little they care for the main issues of life and death. With such an attitude that rejects known medical science and the large letters on cigarette packets telling them that smoking kills it is totally in character for these same people to reject the teaching of Jesus which if followed would have a totally beneficial and positive effect on society. The Bible says, “The fool has said in his heart there is no God,” and likewise the atheist will say, “I will do as I please and damn the consequences.” That is the effect of atheism on the lives of people while I as a Christian get pilloried for my concern. People really need to get a grip of themselves.
Breaking of Bread.
As far as the body and blood of Jesus Christ is concerned, Jesus took the bread and broke it and said, “Do this in remembrance of me.” This is what we do in the communion service and it is bread similar to the bread that Jesus broke and that is what it is, ‘bread’ pure and simple. The important thing is that firstly we are carrying out Christ’s last wishes while at the same time we remember His death on Calvary’s Cross which was for each and everyone of us.
Blood.
[Acts 15:19-20] "It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood."
Both Jews and Gentiles were turning to Christianity and in a spirit of unity the Jews wrote to the Gentiles outlining four things that would cause them offence and eating red meat was one of them. Since then the Jehovah Witnesses have made more of this than they need to.
Children and Salvation.
[Psalm 127:3]
“Sons are a heritage from the LORD; children are a reward from him.” Children are the Lords.
[2 Samuel 12:23]
David said, “But now that my son is dead, why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me."
[Matthew 19:14]
Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."
Children belong to the Lord God until such time as they with full knowledge reject Him.
.
Monday 4 May 2009
The Mark of a True Christian
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* The mark of a true Christian is love for others and obedience to God’s Word. (1 John 2:4; 1 John 2:10).
Meaning we keep God's word, we keep his commandments and we treat people with love.
* At conversion we become a new person and a new creation, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new." (2 Corinthians 5:17)
We don't do the old things we used to do we become a new person and stop theiving and lying etc.
* "... You have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him" (Colossians 3:9-10).
Again we do not do the things we used to do.
* "For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptised into Christ have put on Christ" (Galatians 3:26-27).
We become Christ like.
* "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me" (Galatians 2:20).
Christ lives in me and as He loves me, so we love others. (We do not go round harming people)
* "You were taught to put away your former way of life, your old self, corrupt and deluded by its lusts, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to clothe yourselves with the new self, created according to the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness" (Ephesians 4:22-24, NRSV).
We give up the old sinful ways, the corruption and the lust, we do not do those things anymore, we have no desire to do them.
* "Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection" (Colossians 3:12-14).
The Christians walk with Christ is to be tender, merciful, kind, humble, meek, longsuffering and forgiving.
* "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God," said Jesus (Matthew 5:8), and James wrote, "But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy" (James 3:17).
* "Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others" (verses 3-4).
Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. John 14:23.
Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test? 6And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test. 7Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong. Not that people will see that we have stood the test but that you will do what is right even though we may seem to have failed. 8For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. 9We are glad whenever we are weak but you are strong; and our prayer is for your perfection. 2 Cor 13:5.
Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 15What harmony is there between Christ and Belial[b]? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? 16What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people."
"Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you." "I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty." 2 Cor 6:14
And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, 13 and to observe the LORD's commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good? Deut 10:12.
Let those who love the LORD hate evil, Psalm 97:10
The LORD watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy. Psalm 145:20
The Lord says: "These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Isa 29:13.
Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders 10nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 1 Cor 6:9.
But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. 4Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Eph 5:3.
The Christian life is as far removed from the ways of the world as it is possible to be.
.
* The mark of a true Christian is love for others and obedience to God’s Word. (1 John 2:4; 1 John 2:10).
Meaning we keep God's word, we keep his commandments and we treat people with love.
* At conversion we become a new person and a new creation, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new." (2 Corinthians 5:17)
We don't do the old things we used to do we become a new person and stop theiving and lying etc.
* "... You have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him" (Colossians 3:9-10).
Again we do not do the things we used to do.
* "For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptised into Christ have put on Christ" (Galatians 3:26-27).
We become Christ like.
* "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me" (Galatians 2:20).
Christ lives in me and as He loves me, so we love others. (We do not go round harming people)
* "You were taught to put away your former way of life, your old self, corrupt and deluded by its lusts, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to clothe yourselves with the new self, created according to the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness" (Ephesians 4:22-24, NRSV).
We give up the old sinful ways, the corruption and the lust, we do not do those things anymore, we have no desire to do them.
* "Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection" (Colossians 3:12-14).
The Christians walk with Christ is to be tender, merciful, kind, humble, meek, longsuffering and forgiving.
* "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God," said Jesus (Matthew 5:8), and James wrote, "But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy" (James 3:17).
* "Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others" (verses 3-4).
Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. John 14:23.
Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test? 6And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test. 7Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong. Not that people will see that we have stood the test but that you will do what is right even though we may seem to have failed. 8For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. 9We are glad whenever we are weak but you are strong; and our prayer is for your perfection. 2 Cor 13:5.
Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 15What harmony is there between Christ and Belial[b]? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? 16What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people."
"Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you." "I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty." 2 Cor 6:14
And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, 13 and to observe the LORD's commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good? Deut 10:12.
Let those who love the LORD hate evil, Psalm 97:10
The LORD watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy. Psalm 145:20
The Lord says: "These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Isa 29:13.
Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders 10nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 1 Cor 6:9.
But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. 4Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Eph 5:3.
The Christian life is as far removed from the ways of the world as it is possible to be.
.
Sunday 29 March 2009
Love
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Someone who is paralysed and in a wheelchair can be anywhere in spirit. They can love with an intensity and have such tender feelings that their sole desire is for the welfare and happiness of the one they love. They long for their presence, they delight in their approval, and they are sad at their parting. They love not with their body but with every fibre of their being and that is spiritual love.
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Someone who is paralysed and in a wheelchair can be anywhere in spirit. They can love with an intensity and have such tender feelings that their sole desire is for the welfare and happiness of the one they love. They long for their presence, they delight in their approval, and they are sad at their parting. They love not with their body but with every fibre of their being and that is spiritual love.
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Sex
.
I’m not talking about morals; I am talking about having a healthy body and a healthy mind, so let's leave Christianity, religion, and all the moralising out of it.
Just briefly I firmly believe in self improvement, enjoying the finer things of life, and having goals in life. There is such a wide tapestry of things to do and experience and my granddaughter who is only six bless her has done or is doing Irish Dancing, ballet, swimming, gymnastics, and she stays behind at school one evening a week for football. A few years ago I was involved in Schools Orienteering; I have written two books on cycling in the Peak District and have co-written a novel and was into road, fell, and cross country running and also belonged to the Long Distance Walkers Association. Young people have exams and qualifications to look forward to, a home and a family. I remember when I was working at the Bannerdale Centre such beautiful music being played by school children and there are so many things to do and there are organisations like this to help. http://www.weccamps.org/
Then there is the Workers Educational Association who do a grand job and there are many other organisations and people who volunteer their time as well. http://www.wea.org.uk/Links/edu.htm
Some people cannot see beyond their naval and one of my managers frequently makes the comment “A standing cock has no conscience” meaning you will do it anywhere, with anyone, whether you have protection or not. My reply is that it reflects a lack of willpower and enjoying someone’s company for who they are is far more satisfying. Go to the pub and play cards, dominoes, darts, or just have a chat. Enjoyment does not need a chastity belt and if that is all you can think about then you need to get a life because in my opinion playing around with someone’s bottom of whatever gender is the pits and people need to aim for the finer things in life.
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I’m not talking about morals; I am talking about having a healthy body and a healthy mind, so let's leave Christianity, religion, and all the moralising out of it.
Just briefly I firmly believe in self improvement, enjoying the finer things of life, and having goals in life. There is such a wide tapestry of things to do and experience and my granddaughter who is only six bless her has done or is doing Irish Dancing, ballet, swimming, gymnastics, and she stays behind at school one evening a week for football. A few years ago I was involved in Schools Orienteering; I have written two books on cycling in the Peak District and have co-written a novel and was into road, fell, and cross country running and also belonged to the Long Distance Walkers Association. Young people have exams and qualifications to look forward to, a home and a family. I remember when I was working at the Bannerdale Centre such beautiful music being played by school children and there are so many things to do and there are organisations like this to help. http://www.weccamps.org/
Then there is the Workers Educational Association who do a grand job and there are many other organisations and people who volunteer their time as well. http://www.wea.org.uk/Links/edu.htm
Some people cannot see beyond their naval and one of my managers frequently makes the comment “A standing cock has no conscience” meaning you will do it anywhere, with anyone, whether you have protection or not. My reply is that it reflects a lack of willpower and enjoying someone’s company for who they are is far more satisfying. Go to the pub and play cards, dominoes, darts, or just have a chat. Enjoyment does not need a chastity belt and if that is all you can think about then you need to get a life because in my opinion playing around with someone’s bottom of whatever gender is the pits and people need to aim for the finer things in life.
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Sunday 1 March 2009
Bible Timeline
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A timeline of Biblical & Christian history
Major events in Bible times and world history,
A chronology of the Genesis genealogies,
Plus important dates affecting the church.
Make sure to read the article following this chart to understand how pre-Abraham dating was derived.
Circa Place and Event Era
4892 B.C. Adam & Eve Created (D:Heb/70/Sam)(B:Heb/Sam Genesis 5:3)
Creation/Fall
4762 B.C. Seth born (D:Heb/70/Sam)(B:Heb/Sam Genesis 5:6) .
4657 B.C. Enosh born (D:Heb/70/Sam)(B:Heb/Sam Genesis 5:9) .
4567 B.C. Cainan (alt. Kenan) born (D:Heb/70/Sam)(B:Heb/Sam Genesis 5:12) .
4497 B.C. Mahalalel born (D:Heb/70/Sam)(B:Heb/Sam Genesis 5:15) .
4432 B.C. Jared born (D:Heb/70)(B:Heb/70 Genesis 5:18) .
4270 B.C. Enoch born (D:Heb/70/Sam)(B:Heb/Sam Genesis 5:21) .
4205 B.C. Methuselah born (D:Heb/70)(B:Heb/70 Genesis 5:25) .
4018 B.C. Lamech born (D:Heb)(B:Heb Genesis 5:28) .
3962 B.C. Adam dies. (Genesis 5:4) .
3905 B.C. Enoch is taken by God. (Genesis 5:22-23) .
3836 B.C. Noah born (D:Heb/70)(B:Heb/70/Sam Genesis 5:32) .
3334 B.C. Shem born (D:Heb/70/Sam)(B:Heb/70/Sam Genesis 5:10) .
3236 B.C. Methuselah dies (Genesis 5:26-27). Worldwide Flood begins (Genesis 7:6, 11). .
3235 B.C. Flood Ends. (Genesis 8:13-14) Post-Flood
3234 B.C. Arphaxad born (D:Heb/Sam) (B:70/Sam Genesis 11:12) .
3099 B.C. Cainan born (D:70)(B:70 Genesis 11:13 Septuagint only) - Luke 3:36 2
Ancient Near East: Early Bronze Age.
3000 B.C. Sumerian Civilization begins to arise in Mesopotamia (until 2340 B.C.)
Egyptian Civilization begins to arise. Archaic Period. First king Narmer (also called Menes) Writing arises. Era of written history begins.
2969 B.C. Salah (alt. Shelah) born (D:Heb/Sam)(B:70/Sam Genesis 11:14) .
2888 B.C. Noah dies. (Genesis 9:28-29) .
2839 B.C. Eber born (D:70/Sam)(B:70/Sam Genesis 11:16) .
2734 B.C. Shem dies. (Genesis 11:11) .
2705 B.C. Peleg born (D:Heb/Sam)(B:70/Sam Genesis 11:18) Tower of Babel (Genesis 10:25)
2667-2648 B.C. (alt. 2628-2609 B.C.) Egypt - Reign of Djoser (Zoser), 3rd Dynasty. First stone pyramid: Step Pyramid at Saqqara.
Egyptian Old Kingdom
2613 B.C. Egypt - King Sneferu builder of first true pyramid. Dies 2589 B.C. .
2600 B.C. Indus Civilization begins to arise in India (until 1800 B.C.)
Minoan Civilization begins to arise on Crete (until 1450 B.C.) .
2575 B.C. Reu born (D:Heb/Sam)(B:70/Sam). Genesis 11:20 .
2589 B.C. Egypt - King Khufu (Cheops), Fourth Dynasty. Builder of the Great Pyramid. Dies 2566 B.C.
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2558 B.C. Egypt - King Khafre (Chephren), Fourth Dynasty. Builder of the second largest Giza Pyramid. Dies 2532 B.C.
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2532 B.C. Egypt - King Menkaure (Mykerinus), Fourth Dynasty. Builder of the smallest Giza Pyramid. Dies 2503 B.C.
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2443 B.C. Serug born (D:Heb/Sam)(B:70/Sam). Genesis 11:22 .
2340 B.C. Akkadian Empire replaces Sumerians in Mesopotamia (until 2100 B.C) .
2313 B.C. Nahor born (D:Heb/Sam)(B:Sam). Genesis 11:24 .
2300 B.C. England (Britain) - Best estimate (by archaeologists and scholars as of 2008) of when Stonehenge was built. .
2234 B.C. Terah born (D:Heb/70/Sam)(B:Heb/70/Sam). Genesis 11:26 .
2164 B.C. Ur of the Chaldeans - Abraham born .
2160 B.C. . Egyptian First Intermediate Period
2120 B.C. Egypt - Pharaoh Khety (Kheti) III rules Egypt (until 2070 B.C.)*
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2089 B.C. Abraham leaves for Promised Land from Haran (Genesis 12:4) .
. Abraham & Sarah in Egypt (Goshen, Memphis), return to P.L. (Genesis 12:10-31:1) .
2078 B.C. P.L. - Ishmael born to Abraham (Genesis 16:16) .
2065 B.C. P.L. - Sodom destroyed by fire (Genesis 17:1 & Chapters 18-19)
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2064 B.C. P.L. - Isaac born to Abraham (Genesis 18:14, 21:5) .
2030 B.C. . Egyptian Middle Kingdom
2004 B.C. P.L. - Jacob & Esau born to Isaac (Genesis 25:26) .
2000 B.C. Old Babylonian Empire arises (until 1600 B.C.) .
1989 B.C. P.L. - Abraham dies (Genesis 25:7) .
1950 B.C. . Ancient Near East: Middle Bronze Age
1915 B.C. P.L. - Joseph born to Jacob in his old age (Genesis 37:3) .
1897 B.C. P.L. - Joseph sold into slavery in Egypt (37:2-36)
Egypt - Senusert II becomes pharaoh of Egypt .
1884 B.C. P.L. - Isaac dies (Genesis 35:28-29).
Egypt - Joseph enters service of pharaoh (Genesis 41:46) .
1878 B.C. Egypt - Senusret III (alt. Sesostris III) pharaoh of Egypt until 1840 B.C. .
1873 B.C. Jacob moves family to the Land of Goshen in Egypt (Genesis 47:28) .
1860 B.C. Egypt - Amenemhet III becomes co-regent with father Senusret III. .
1857 B.C. Egypt - Jacob dies, embalmed, buried in P.L. (Genesis 47:28, 50:1) .
1840 B.C. Egypt - Senusret III dies. Amenemhet III alone is pharaoh
Nation of Israel enslaved in Egypt (Genesis 15:13, Acts 7:6) .
1814 B.C. Egypt - Amenemhet IV is pharaoh .
1806 B.C. Egypt - Sobekneferu (alt Neferusobek, Sobeknefru) becomes first known female pharaoh of Egypt. She was wife of Amenemhet IV (also his sister and daughter of Pharaoh Amenemhat III) .
1805 B.C. Egypt - Joseph dies 110 yro, embalmed, in coffin (Genesis 50:26) .
1802 B.C. Egypt - Sobekneferu dies as last of 12th Dynasty and Middle Kingdom. A new pharaoh arises that doesn't know Joseph (Exodus 1:6-9). Likely the very next dynasty, which had many competing and short lived rulers, or perhaps the later Hyksos. .
1783 B.C. Egypt - Period of the Hyksos rulers - capital city at Avaris Egyptian Second Intermediate Period
1600 B.C. Hittite Empire arises (until 1193 B.C.)
Mycenaean civilization arises in Greece .
1570 B.C. Egypt - Pharaoh Ahmose I & wife Nefertiri (alt. Nefertari) - 18th Dynasty begins. He defeats Hyksos by taking Avaris Egyptian New Kingdom
1550 B.C. . Ancient Near East: Late Bronze Age I
1546 B.C. Egypt - Pharaoh Amenhotep I (alt. Amenophis I), son of Ahmose & Nefertiri. Founded Karnak temple at Luxor. .
1526 B.C. Egypt - Pharaoh Thutmose I (alt. Tuthmosis I) & wife Ahmose .
1522 B.C. Moses born in Egypt (Deuteronomy 34:7). Rescue most likely by Hatshepsut, daughter of Thutmose I and Ahmose. .
1514 B.C. Egypt - Pharaoh Thutmose II (alt. Tuthmosis II) .
1504 B.C. Egypt - Pharaoh Thutmose III and Queen Hatshepsut rule Egypt (co-regency, though power rests with her). .
1482 B.C. Moses flees to Midian (Acts 7:23) to escape the wrath of Thutmose III (Exodus 2:11-15). Pharaoh Thutmose III rules Egypt alone, subsequently destroying most traces of Hatshepsut. .
1450 B.C. Egypt - Pharaoh Amenhotep II (alt. Amenophis II). He was not the oldest son of Thutmose III. Bloodthirsty; liked hand to hand combat, led troops into battle with howls of rage. .
1442 B.C. Egypt - Moses returns and confronts Amenhotep II (Exodus 4:18-5:1). Exodus of Israel begins (1 Kings 6:1; Exodus 12:40-41) ***. Scripture does not state that Pharaoh was killed at this time (read about it here)..
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. Sinai (Marah, Elim, Rephidim, Mount Sinai, etc.) - Israel in wilderness 40 years (Exodus 16:35). A timeline of stops on the Exodus is here.
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1424 B.C. Egypt - Pharaoh Thutmose IV (alt. Tuthmosis IV) reigns, son of Amenhotep II and lesser wife Tiaa. He was not the oldest son. Had dream at the sphinx that he would rule - recorded on stele there. .
1414 B.C. Egypt - Pharaoh Amenhotep III (alt. Amenophis III). The clossi of Memnon are all that remains of his temple near Thebes. .
1402 B.C. Israel - Moses dies at Mount Nebo at 120 yro (Deuteronomy 34:7). .
1401 B.C. Israel - Conquests of Joshua in Promised Land begin. Battle of Jericho. .
1400 B.C. . Ancient Near East: Late Bronze Age II
1378 B.C. Egypt - Pharaoh Amenhotep IV & queen Nefertiti. Changes his name to Akhenaten. Worships one god, Aten, the disk of the rising son. Bans worship of other gods. Makes new capital city of Akhenaten. .
1361 B.C. Egypt - Pharaoh Smenkhkare. .
1360 B.C. Egypt - Queen Neferneferuaten is Pharaoh. She may have been the daughter of Akhenaten and/or wife of Smenkhkare. .
1358 B.C. Egypt - Boy king, 8 or 9 years old, Pharaoh Tutankhamen (alt. Tutankhamun) rules until 1349 B.C. Changed his name from Tutankhaten and restored worship of other gods especially Amen at Karnak temple. .
1350 B.C. Israel - (this date is plus or minus 10 years and cannot be conclusively derived from Scriptures. Consider Numbers 11:28, Joshua 24:9, and Judges 2:8-10) Period of the Judges in Israel
1301 B.C. Egypt - Pharaoh Rameses II rules Egypt. This third king of the 19th dynasty is often incorrectly identified as the Pharaoh of the exodus. .
1235 B.C. Egypt - Pharaoh Merneptah, son of Ramesses II, rules until 1225. The Merneptah victory stele of 1230 B.C. lists Israel **
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1200 B.C. . Ancient Near East: Iron Age I
1194-1184 B.C. Trojan War (later legends appears based in the actual destruction of Troy VIIa at this time) .
1170 B.C. Assyrian Empire arises (until 612 B.C.) .
1100 B.C. Israel - Jephthah is Judge (Judges 11:26)
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1070 B.C. . Egyptian Third Intermediate Period
1041 B.C. Israel - Saul becomes first king (Acts 13:21), anointed by Samuel the last judge and prophet.
Period of the Monarchy in Israel
. Israel - David kills Goliath at the Valley of Elah.
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. Israel - David hides from Saul at En Gedi.
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1001 B.C. Israel - King Saul dies, body hung at Beth Shan. David becomes king .
1000 B.C. . Ancient Near East: Iron Age II
961 B.C. Israel - Solomon becomes king .
958 B.C. Israel - First temple, built by Solomon (1 Kings 6:1; 2 Chronicles 3:2) .
922 B.C. Israel (North) - Jeroboam rules north. Begins worship of golden calf at Dan and Bethel.
Divided kingdom in Israel
922 B.C. Judah (South) - Rehoboam, son of Solomon, rules south. .
918 B.C. Pharaoh Shishak (Sheshonq I, 22nd Dynasty) sacks Jerusalem (1 Kings 14:25) and other Israeli fortified cities including Arad and Megiddo.
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915 B.C. Judah (S) - Rehoboam dies, Abijah rules only next two years .
913 B.C. Judah (S) - Asa is king .
885 B.C. Israel (N) - Omri is king. Neo-Assyrian Empire (911-612 B.C.)
874 B.C. Israel (N) - Omri dies, Ahab is king .
873 B.C. Judah (S) - Asa dies, Jehoshaphat is king .
. Israel - Elijah and confrontation with prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18:18-39) .
853 B.C. Israel (N) - Ahab dies .
849 B.C. Judah (S) - Jehoshaphat dies .
846 B.C. Mesha Stele (Moabite Stone) created by Mesha, king of Moab. Celebrating victory over Israel (re 2 Kings 3). .
793 B.C. Israel (N) - Jeroboam II is king .
792 B.C. Judah (S) - Uzziah is king (10 years or more as co-regent with Amaziah) .
. Judah (N) - Jonah receives call to Ninevah. Flees via ship from Joppa. Swallowed by fish. Goes to Ninevah. (2 Kings 14:25)
First Olympic Games 776 B.C.
753 B.C. Israel (N) - Jeroboam II dies .
743 B.C. Assyrian king Tiglath-Pileser III attacks Damascus and subsequently northern Israel, including Hazor (as late as 732 B.C.)
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741 B.C. Judah (S) - Uzziah dies (2 Kings 15:2). Year of Isaiah's vision. (Isaiah 6:1) .
735 B.C. Judah (S) - Ahaz becomes co-regent with Jotham, his father. .
732 B.C. Judah (S) - Ahaz is king. .
722 B.C. Israel (N) - Kingdom falls to Assyria. Exile .
716 B.C. Judah (S) - Ahaz dies (2 Kings 16:2). Hezekiah is king. .
705 B.C. Judah (S) - Rebels against Assyrian king Sennacherib (2 Kings 18:7) .
701 B.C. Judah (S) - Hezekiah builds water tunnel (2 Kings 20:20)
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687 B.C. Judah (S) - Hezekiah dies (2 Kings 18:2). Manasseh is king .
648 B.C. Persian Empire arises (until 330 B.C.) .
642 B.C. Judah (S) - Manasseh dies. .
640 B.C. Judah (S) - Josiah is king. (2 Kings 22:1) .
612 B.C. New Babylonian Empire arises (until 539 B.C.). Ninevah falls to Babylon. Neo-Babylonian Empire (626-539 B.C.)
609 B.C. Judah (S) - Josiah dies fighting Egyptian Pharaoh Neco at Megiddo. (2 Chronicles 34:1)
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605 B.C. Judah (S) - Nebuchadrezzar of Babylon takes hostages (See Daniel 1:1, this included Daniel. His dream interpretation revealed kingdoms to come.)
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597 B.C. Judah (S) - Jehoiakim deposed by Nebuchadnezzar, Jehoiachin has very brief and wicked reign before suffering the same fate. .
588 B.C. Judah (S) - Siege of Jerusalem (Jeremiah is prophet, circa 645-575 B.C.) .
587/586 B.C. Judah (S) - Kingdom falls to Babylon. Exile to Babylon (2 Kings 25:8-21) .
539/538 B.C. Babylon - Falls to Persia Persian Empire [Achaemenid Empire] (550-330 BC)
537 B.C. Persian king Cyrus decrees temple to be rebuilt. (Ezra 6:2-5) .
534 B.C. Israel - Work on the temple stops .
525 B.C. Persia conquers Egypt. .
521 B.C. Darius the Mede rules over Persian Empire .
520 B.C. Israel - Work on the temple resumes under King Darius, spurred by Haggai and Zechariah (Ezra 5:1 - 6:14) .
515 B.C. Israel - Temple completed and dedicated in 6th year of Darius (Ezra 6:15) .
486 B.C. Xerxes rules over Persian Empire from Susa (Esther 1:2) .
483 B.C. Xerxes banishes Queen Vashti (Esther 1:2-21) .
478 B.C. Esther becomes queen of Persian Empire, wife of Xerxes (Esther 2:16-17) .
465 B.C. Artaxerxes I rules over Persian Empire .
458 B.C. Israel - Ezra brings more exiles back from Babylon. (Ezra 7:11-26) .
447-432 B.C. Greece - Parthenon was built in Athens.
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446 B.C. Israel - Nehemiah goes to Jerusalem to rebuild walls. (Nehemiah 2) .
. Nabateans control Edomite territory - based in Petra (Selah)
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420 B.C. Israel - Last Old Testament Prophet writes... Malachi .
336 B.C. Alexander the Great rules - Alexander's Empire (until 323 B.C.) Greek Empire
333 B.C. Alexander the Great defeats Darius III (Persian Empire) in Battleof Issus .
332 B.C. Egypt - Alexander the Great rules. Also controls region of Israel but allows some self rule. Ancient Near East: Hellenistic Period
305 B.C. Egypt - Ptolemy I rules (until 285 B.C.) Ptolemaic dynasty (Hellenistic) rule Egypt (until 30 B.C.).
283 B.C. Septuagint Translation of Scriptures from Hebrew to Greek begins .
167 B.C. Israel - Seleucid King, Antiochus IV, desecrates the temple and sacrifices a pig. Maccabean revolt begins led by three sons of the priest Mattathias: Judas, Jonathan, and Simon Seleucid Empire (Hellenistic) successor state of Alexander the Great. (323 to 60 B.C.) Eclipse Ptolemies in power 217 B.C.
166 B.C. Israel - Hasmonean Period Hasmonean Dynasty (166-37 B.C.)
165 B.C. Israel - Temple is rededicated and temple sacrifices restored .
160 B.C. Israel - (Hasmonean) Judas Maccabee (alt. Maccabaeus) dies. .
152 B.C. Israel - (Hasmonean ruler) Jonathan .
142 B.C. Israel - (Hasmonean ruler) Simon Thassis .
134 B.C. Israel - (Hasmonean ruler) John Hyracanus .
104 B.C. Israel - (Hasmonean ruler) Aristobulus I .
103 B.C. Israel - (Hasmonean ruler) Alexander Jannaeus .
76 B.C. Israel - (Hasmonean ruler) Alexandra Salome (queen!) .
67 B.C. Israel - (Hasmonean ruler) Aristobulus II .
63 B.C. Israel - Roman general Pompey conquers Jerusalem.
(Hasmonean ruler) Hyrcanus II appeals to Rome, is reinstated as High Priest and Ethnarch. Much power fell to his adviser Antipater the Idumaean. Roman period begins (Israel is a protectorate of Rome)
51 B.C. Egypt - Cleopatra rules (until 30 B.C.) .
47 B.C. Israel - Herod "the Great", second son of Antipater the Idumaean, is Governor of Galilee (for Rome) .
44 B.C. Rome - Julius Caesar was assassinated on the Ides (15) of March .
40 B.C. Israel - (Hasmonean ruler) Antigonus. Last real Hasmonean ruler. Seized Jerusalem with Parthian support. Sent his uncle Hyrcanus II to Babylon in chains (after mutilating his ears, rendering him ineligible for office of High Priest). .
37 B.C. Israel - Herod "the Great" becomes king of the Jews (client king of Rome). Herod hands over Antigonus to Rome for execution. Herodian Dynasty (37 B.C.-100 A.D.)
36 B.C. Israel - (Hasmonean) Aristobulus III is only High Priest. Herod has him drowned at Jericho, fearing his potential threat and lineage to govern. .
27 B.C. Rome - Caesar Augustus emperor of Rome Roman Empire (27 B.C.-476 A.D. Fall of Western Empire)
20 B.C. Israel - King Herod begins work on rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem .
5 B.C.
Israel - Birth of Jesus. (Possibly late 6 B.C.)
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4 B.C. Israel - Herod "the Great" dies in the Spring. .
9 A.D. Jesus goes up to Jerusalem from Nazareth, for the Passover, with his parents (Luke 2:41-51) .
14 A.D. Rome - Caesar Augustus dies. Tiberius rules 14-37 A.D. .
16 A.D. Israel [Map] - City of Tiberius founded.
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18 A.D. Israel [Map] - Joseph Caiaphas becomes high priest (until 36 or early 37 A.D.). .
26 A.D. Israel [Map] - Pontius Pilate appointed governor of Judea (until 36 A.D.) .
28 A.D. Israel - John the Baptist began his ministry (Luke 3:1-2). Also the year of the first ministry Passover of Jesus in Jerusalem (John 2:13). .
29 A.D. Israel - Herod Antipas begins affair with his brother Philip's wife, leading to divorce of his wife (daughter of the Nabatean king Aretas IV), subsequently marries Herodias, his brother's wife and niece. .
30 A.D. Israel - Jesus celebrates the Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah) in Jerusalem; winter (early December); see John 10:22. Feast remembers events of 165 B.C. .
31 A.D.
Israel [Map] - Jesus in Garden of Gethsemane; trials before Caiaphas, Herod, Pilate; Death, Burial, Resurrection during Passover. .
35 A.D. Saul of Tarsus (later the Apostle Paul) meets Jesus on the road to Damascus.
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49 A.D. Church Council of Jerusalem (Acts 15) - Agreed that a Gentile did not have to become a Jew, or be circumcised, in order to be a Christian. .
51 A.D. Greece - Paul preaches on Mars Hill in Athens
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52 A.D. Israel - Herod Agrippa II given northeastern Galilee. Given limited say in Jerusalem regarding the temple. Had palace in Jerusalem and subsequently another at Caesarea Philippi (calling it Neronias after Nero). .
54 A.D. Rome - Nero becomes emperor .
58 A.D. Israel - Paul imprisoned at Caesarea Maritima
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60 A.D. Israel - Paul before Festus and Agrippa II, appeals to Caesar (Acts 24:27) .
62 A.D. Israel - James, brother of Jesus, martyred in Jerusalem by the High Priest Ananias .
64 A.D. Rome - Rome Burns (accidental fire) .
66 A.D. Israel - First Jewish revolt begins. Vespasian sent to quell rebellion. .
67 A.D. Israel - Christians abandon Jerusalem and flee to Pella of the Decapolis as a refuge.
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68 A.D. Rome - Nero dies. After uncertainty Vespasian becomes Emperor (69-79 A.D.) .
69 A.D. Rome - Paul beheaded in Rome (traditional sources). .
70 A.D. Israel - Temple destroyed by Titus (August 10th or 9th of Av). Jerusalem surrenders after six month siege, much of Jerusalem destroyed. Almost 100 thousand Jews sold into slavery by Romans. .
73 A.D. Israel - Masada falls. 967 Jewish Zealots commit mass suicide. Two women, five children only survivors who hid in a cistern. .
78 A.D. Rome - Peter martyred (traditional sources) .
79 A.D. Rome - Titus becomes Emperor (79-81 A.D.) .
81 A.D. Rome - Domitian becomes Emperor (81-96 A.D.) Major Persecution of Christians (81-96 A.D.)
95 A.D. Apostle John banished to Patmos. Last living apostle. Writes Revelation, speaks of Armageddon. Dies circa 100 A.D.
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98 A.D. Timothy stoned to death at Ephesus (traditional sources) .
100 A.D. Israel - Herod Agrippa II dies. Last ruling descendant of Herod the Great .
108 A.D. Church leader Polycarp (born 69 A.D.) writes his letter to the Philippians. .
130 A.D. Emperor Hadrian (117-138 A.D.) rebuilds Jerusalem and renames it Aelia Capitolina Roman Empire at largest extent in 117 A.D.
132 A.D. Israel - Second Jewish revolt/Bar Kokhba Revolt - (132-135 A.D.) .
155 A.D. Polycarp burned at the stake in Smyrna .
312 A.D. Constantine (the Great, 272-337), emperor of Eastern Empire, kills emperor of Western Empire. Professes conversion to Christianity after seeing a vision. .
313 A.D. Constantine issues Edict of Milan granting legal status to Christians and restoring property. Roman Christian Era
325 A.D. Eusebius of Caesarea finishes his Church History (lived 275 - 339 A.D.).
First Council of Nicea formulates the Nicene Creed. Included churches from the east and west - condemned Arian heresy. .
336 A.D. First calendar to show date of Christmas on December 25th in western church (first certain celebration not until 354 A.D.) .
367 A.D. Athanasius of Alexandria (lived circa 296-373 A.D.), in his festal letter, listed the books of the New Testament; the 27 books still recognized today. Using an old Jewish grouping method he also lists 22 books of the Old Testament which correspond to our 39 of today. He notes some of the apocryphal books but makes sure to emphasize they are not Scriptures, though important. .
381 A.D. First Council of Constantinople - included churches from the east and west. Condemned heresy of Macedonius and reaffirmed doctrine of the trinity.
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387 A.D. Augustine of Hippo (354 - 430 A.D), is baptized having converted to Christianity. Becomes leading church theologian. Opposes Pelagius. .
393 A.D. Synod of Hippo (modern Annaba, Algeria) - specifically listed their recognized books of Scriptures (matching our 27 books of the NT and all 39 of the OT, plus a few of the so-called OT apocrypha). Numerous synods and councils were held at Hippo. Last Ancient Olympic Games
395 A.D. Roman Empire divides again between the east and west. Western (Latin) church based in Rome, eastern church (Orthodox) based in Constantinople .
397 A.D. Synod of Carthage (Tunisia; 397 A.D.). Matching the synod of Hippo in 393 A.D., it again specifically listed recognized books of Scriptures. As with the synods of Hippo, some of the synods at Carthage were also called councils; for example that of 418 was called "a council of Africa" by Augustine. .
405 A.D. Jerome Eusebius Hieronymus (347-420 A.D.), working at Bethlehem, completes his Vulgate translation of the Bible into Latin. .
418 A.D. Pelagius (354-420 A.D.), a British monk, is excommunicated. He denied original sin, claiming men could do good on their own. This Council of Carthage affirmed sixteen previous synods at Carthage, one at Milevis, and one at Hippo. It denounced the Pelagian heresy on original sin, the human nature, and grace; specifically adopting the opposing view espoused by Augustine. Additionally it (and the synods of 419 & 424) protested the Roman church's increasing claims of judicial jurisdiction and supremacy over the African church. .
431 A.D. Council of Ephesus - included churches from the east and west. Condemned Nestorianism and reaffirmed that Christ was one person who was fully human and fully God. Also condemned Pelagius and affirmed the Council of Carthage in 418 A.D. .
440 A.D. Earliest date for the Athanasian Creed. Written by an anonymous author in Gaul (not St. Athanasius as traditionally claimed). .
451 A.D. Council of Chalcedon (in Thessalonica) issues the Chalcedonian Creed - included churches of the east and west. Condemned Monophysitism, the teaching that Christ had only one nature and affirmed that Christ was both God and man. .
476 A.D. Western Roman Empire falls to barbarian armies. Roman Catholic church remains as primary authority in the west. .
494 A.D. St. Valentine's Day set as February 14th by the Roman Catholic pope Gelasius I. .
550 A.D. Byzantine Empire at greatest extent .
553 A.D. Second Council of Constantinople - included churches of the east and a few from the west (only 6 bishops). Condemned the teachings of Nestorius again (as did the council in 431 A.D.), reafirmed decisions of earlier councils. .
610 A.D. Muhammad (alt. Mohammed, 570-632 A.D.) claims to receive revelations from God (Allah) - basis of Qur'an (alt. Koran). Beginning of Islam which believes the Bible has been corrupted.
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1054 A.D. Patriarch of Constantinople and Pope of Rome excommunicate each other. Beginning of Great Schism of Eastern (Orthodox) and Western (Roman Catholic) Churches.
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1096-1099 A.D. First Roman Catholic Crusade against Muslim invaders in the east, includes massacre of Jews in Europe and plundering of Jerusalem and burning of Jews in Jerusalem in a synagogue. .
1187 A.D. Roman Catholic Crusaders defeated by Saladin (died 1193 A.D.) at the Battle of Hattin, enables Muslims to retake Jerusalem .
1199 A.D. Roman Catholic Inquisition started by Pope Innocent III (expanded by Pope Gregory IX in 1233, plus use of torture to get confessions by Pope Innocent IV in 1252). .
1227 A.D. Chapter divisons added to Bible, for the first time, by professor Stephen Langton of the University of Paris. .
1380 A.D. Early reformer John Wycliffe (1328-1384 A.D.) begins first English translation of the Bible. Roman church declared him a heretic in 1380 and again in 1382. His followers become known as Lollards .
1415 A.D. Early reformer Jon Hus (1373-1415) burned at stake by Roman Catholic church for holding to the authority of the Bible over even the Pope. .
1438 A.D. Johann Gutenberg (1398-1468) invents the printing press -- creates the first Bible printed with movable type in Germany in 1455 A.D. Paves the way for cheap Bibles for all. .
1453 A.D. Byzantine (Eastern) Empire falls. Constantinople conquered by Ottoman Turks. .
1455 A.D. Johann Gutenberg (1398-1468), inventor of the printing press, creates the first Bible printed with movable type. Paves the way for cheap Bibles for all. .
1517 A.D. Martin Luther (1483-1546) posts his 95 Theses on October 31st, which sparked the Protestant Reformation. Protestant Era
1518 A.D. Swiss Reformation begins under Ulrich Zwingli. .
1525-34 A.D. William Tyndale translates New Testament from Greek text of Erasmus (1466) .
1536 A.D. John Calvin publishes first edition of his Institutes of the Christian Religion. Some of his teachings later become known as Calvinism.
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1545-1563 A.D. Council of Trent formulates official Roman Catholic church doctrine in response to the Protestant Reformation and to oppose the Five Reformation Solas.
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1551 A.D. Printer Robert Stephanus numbered the verses of the NT, while riding on horseback from Paris to Lyons. .
1582 A.D. Gregorian calendar introduced in all Roman Catholic countries. Slowly becomes most widely used calendar. .
1720-1760 A.D. Great Awakening revivals in American colonies. Jonathan Edwards preaches his sermon "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God."
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1738 A.D. Methodist Church founded by John Wesley (1703-1791) and George Whitefield (1714-1770). .
1830 A.D. Mormon "church" (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) established by Joseph Smith (1805-1844), author of the Book of Mormon. .
1871 A.D. Jehovah's Witnesses founded by Charles Taze Russell (started forerunner of The Watchtower magazine in 1879). .
1962-1965 A.D. The Second Ecumenical Council of the Vatican, commonly called Vatican II, was held. Many thought this council was proof that the Roman Catholic Church could (and was) changing.
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Chart End Notes:
This chart was created by Brent MacDonald, (c)2006-2008, utilizing well attested dates from archaeology/history combined with calculated dates based upon Scriptures. Holding a high view of Scriptures and the timeframes referenced therein, this provides an early date for the Exodus and even the life of Abraham, regardless of some modern scholarship that revises these dates later by a few hundred years. Lesser disputes exist regarding some of these dates, potentially revising them by a year or two or slightly more, due to the imprecise nature of the science of dating historical events. First and last years of the reigns of some rulers are problematic, as they may include only a partial year, or overlap with a subsequent or successive ruler.
Historical dates prior to Abraham (note double bar dividing the table) may have to be revised, especially those based on archaeology. The article following establishes how dating was derived for pre-Abraham ancestors. Even early Egyptian dates, often presented as quite reliable, are highly speculative and based on lists with legendary and overlapping elements. Lack of written records has often led to utilizing problematic dating methods, including radiometric dating, for pre-historic periods. Evolutionary bias also tends to exaggerate prehistorical evidences. The Biblical text and genealogies certainly point to a very young age for all of earth's history.
* (First Intermediate Period, 9th and 10th Dynasties: Khety III wrote his son and successor Merekare [Merikare] that he should make peace with Thebes, defend the borders as well as dominate the Asiatics and "do not reduce nobles in their possessions.")
** This was around the time, or just following the time of Gideon's death. A few decades later, following a period of trouble from the Philistines and Ammonites (Judges 10:7), God's list of kingdoms that he used to oppress Israel (to cause them to turn back to Him) included Egypt in the list before the Ammonites and Philistines. This was likely a reference to the expedition of Merneptah which would have still been remembered by those living at that time.
*** While we did not arrive at an exact match with Coffman's date for the exodus (by four years), this comment on a 15th century B.C. dating for the exodus is notable. His notes on the inaccuracy of dating Pharaohs is likewise very true. A perusal of seven scholars on one particular 18th dynasty pharaoh resulted in five differing sets of dates.
All scholars admit that all Egyptian dates should be viewed as plus or minus 50 years. Further proof of the early Exodus in 1446 B.C. is found in the Tel el-Amarna letters, in which there is a letter written from Palestine to Amenhotep III, complaining that the Hebrews were taking over the land; and that is calculated to have been in the year 1391 B.C., the date when Amenhotep III succeeded Tuthmosis IV as Pharaoh! If the critics are correct in dating the Exodus two hundred years after it actually happened, how were the Hebrews in Palestine in 1391 B.C.? This is by no means all of the rapidly expanding evidence of the accuracy of the early date for the Exodus, but we consider this far more than enough to establish it as certain. (Article on 1 Kings 6:1, Coffman's Bible Commentary, Copyright © 1971-1993 by ACU Press, Abilene Christian University. All rights reserved.)
Dating the Genealogies of Genesis
Many have undertaken the task of trying to date the genealogies of Genesis and to provide correlation with the events of our calendar, B.C. of course.1 Bishop James Ussher's timeline is perhaps the most famous to our generation. This highly educated Anglican Archbishop (1625-1656 A.D.) had a chronology drawing upon the recorded births and subsequent age of reproduction shown in Scriptures, working back to the creation of Adam and Eve, with a date of 4004 B.C. Ussher was aware of the numeric discrepancies between the Masoretic (often called Hebrew) manuscripts, the Samaritan Pentateuch and the Septuagint. For the purposes of his chronology he chose to follow exclusively the Masoretic, which was the basis of a majority of Latin and English manuscripts of his day.
I have not followed exclusively the Masoretic (Hebrew) dating. Before castigating me as a liberal, heretic, or a disputer of Scriptures, please take a moment to understand why. Up front I will reaffirm my belief that Scriptures are infallible and inerrant as written down. This being said, God knowing that His word would be transmitted by fallible humans, out of necessity being translated into diverse languages; He has safeguarded His word throughout. Though the words are changed in spelling and phraseology they still communicate clearly His eternal message of salvation. A few errors have crept in accidentally, some by omission, others by repetition, more by an incorrect character changing the spelling of a word into another. Yet in all known occurrences most may be corrected by examining the multitudes of manuscripts available. A few, especially those listing Hebrew numbers, have equally viable alternative possibilities making such a correction difficult. Again, it must be emphasized that not one of these variants affects any doctrine of Scriptures - God's word can and has been proclaimed from them all. The Bible of the Eastern Church still utilizes a manuscript foundation based in the Septuagint, whereas much of the western church derives from the Masoretic.
When Jerome began to revise the Old Latin text, which had been a translation of the Septuagint, he checked the Septuagint against the Hebrew that was then available. He unilaterally decided that the Hebrew text was in his view better in testifying to Christ. Therefore he broke with hundreds of years of tradition and translated the Old Testament of his new Latin text (later called the Vulgate) from Hebrew rather than Greek (circa 390-405 A.D.). His choice was severely criticized by other contemporaries including the notable church leader, Augustine.
By the time that English translations first came into being, most were based on the Latin manuscripts then available, and later, the original manuscripts underlying them. It is only in the last century that many translations have worked to incorporate the best of all manuscript branches into their translations. Of course, we now have far more manuscripts available for comparison than anytime in history.
It should be noted that many verses found among the Dead Sea Scrolls, particularly those written in Aramaic, the common language of Jesus' day, correspond more closely with the Septuagint than the Masoretic (but, again, remember than the vast majority of these variants are extremely minor grammatical changes, spelling differences or missing words that do not affect the overall meaning of the sentences or paragraphs). This also corresponds to the Old Testament quotations incorporated in our New Testament. A majority of these citations follow the Septuagint phraseology.
All this has been said to show that the Septuagint should not be lightly dismissed, even as the Masoretic text should be likewise consulted. Both represent valid manuscript families that have been used through the church in history - God's Word!
So why would I even consider the Samaritan text? Mostly as a tie breaker. It's true that the Samaritans altered their text intentionally for sectarian reasons hundreds of years B.C. and only embraced the Pentateuch as being the totality of Scriptures. Yet the only aspect which appears willfully altered is text necessary to make their Mount Gerizim the place to worship God and not Jerusalem. The remainder of the text they had no reason or incentive to modify.
For reference, this is the approximate dating of the oldest Old Testament manuscript families we have available...
Masoretic - The oldest known substantial portions of this text date to the 9th century A.D. and the oldest complete copy, the Aleppo Codex, to the 10th century A.D. Smaller fragments testify that this document was carefully transmitted by the Jews from a standardized text dating to around 135 A.D. Additionally a number of Dead Sea Scroll fragments (circa 100 B.C. to 70 A.D.) testify to identical phraseology, showing that the later standardized text had ancient roots.
Septuagint - The Sinaiticus (circa 330-350 A.D.) and Vaticanus (circa 310-350 A.D.) are the most complete manuscripts available. Numerous early fragments and citations are known. The Septuagint was translated between the 3rd and 1st centuries B.C. by the Jews for use in the Greek speaking world. It was widely used by the Jews until after the destruction of the temple, when renewed impetus to utilize a Hebrew only text was mandated to unify the Jews and in the face of widespread usage of the Greek by Christians.
Samaritan - In 1616 A.D. a copy was purchased from a Samaritan community in Damascus and taken to Europe. This document resurrected this manuscript family from virtual oblivion. The oldest copy in possession of the sect appears to date to about 1200 A.D. It was carefully copied by the sect from at least the 5th century B.C. and certainly earlier than 100 B.C. It was known and cited by early church fathers from Eusebius of Caesarea to Jerome.
With all of the above in mind, this became my rule for assessing dating.
1) All three manuscript families in agreement = use it.
2) Any two agreed = use it.
3) All three don't agree = use the Masoretic (Hebrew)
The exception to rule #3 came with one occurrence. Here the Masoretic and Samaritan both omit the entire person. Only the Septuagint references that individual, yet because the New Testament refers to this person (obviously referencing a Septuagint genealogy), my assumption is that the Septuagint has to be correct in this place, even though it is alone in its witness.2
The result becomes a workable timeline, providing enough time for known civilizations that had to have existed before Abraham's time and yet after the worldwide flood. People that should be dead before a worldwide flood are shown to be so (... incorrect dating leading to the flood could have a person other than Noah and his family living past the flood). Is this timeline perfect and something to be dogmatic over? Not likely. My rule number 3 is quite arbitrary and could have gone toward another manuscript family in a few occurrences. This would expand the timeline even further, though not by more than a few hundred years.
UNDERSTANDING MY PRE-ABRAHAM TIMELINE
On my timeline I have marked which manuscript families agree for each individual in regards to their death (ie. D: ) and their age when they begot an heir (ie. B: ). Heb=Masoretic/Hebrew; 70 = Septuagint; Sam=Samaritan.
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Footnotes
1. Contrast time differences of using different manuscript families and methodologies. My method, as described in this article, is noted by BJM.
From Creation to Flood
• 1656 years (Masoretic)
• 2262 years (Septuagint)
• 1307 years (Samaritan)
• 1656 years (BJM)
• 2242 years (Eusebius of Caesarea, Chronicle, 3rd century A.D.)
From Flood to birth of Abraham
• 352 years (Masoretic)
• 1232 years (Septuagint)
• 1002 years (Samaritan)
• 1072 years (BJM)
• 942 years (Eusebius of Caesarea, Chronicle, 3rd century A.D.)
Total of Creation to birth of Abraham
• 2008 years (Masoretic)
• 3494 years (Septuagint)
• 2309 years (Samaritan)
• 2728 years (BJM)
• 3184 years (Eusebius of Caesarea, Chronicle, 3rd century A.D.)
Julius Africanus (circa 170-240 A.D.), an early church writer who also compared texts available to him, preferred dates based on the Septuagint.
Noted Jewish historian Josephus, writing in the late first century, following the destruction of the temple, wrote in his Antiquities of the Jews; "That history (of the Jews) embraces a period of five thousand years, and was written by me in Greek on the basis of our sacred books." Subtracting (from 5000) the years between A.D. 70 until Abraham's birth (2086 by Eusebius), or (2233 by BJM), leaves Josephus having creation about 2914 years or 2767 years before the birth of Abraham.
All early dating charts and references that I have found tend toward the longer numbers of the Septuagint manuscripts. For the period of the flood to Abraham, I could find no early dating that comes anywhere close to the shorter Masoretic time frames.
I can across another quite late source* that reflects the longer dating of the Septuagint as well. Russian Bible scholars by 1613 A.D. had calculated that creation took place in 5509 B.C. This number would imply usage of purely Septuagint sources in their determination. (* cited by Lindsey Hughes, The Romanovs, p.14).
2. Notice the difference between manuscript families...
Genesis 10:24 (Masoretic and Samaritan) Arphaxad was the father of Shelah, and Shelah the father of Eber.
Genesis 10:24 (Septuagint) Arphaxad was the father of Cainan, and Cainan was the father of Shelah, and Shelah the father of Eber.
Again...
Genesis 11:12-13 (Masoretic and Samaritan) When Arphaxad had lived 35 years, he became the father of Shelah. 13 And after he became the father of Shelah, Arphaxad lived 403 years and had other sons and daughters.
Genesis 11:12-13 (Septuagint) When Arphaxad had lived 135 years, he became the father of Cainan. 13 And after he became the father of Cainan, Arphaxad lived 400 years and had other sons and daughters, and then he died. When Cainan had lived 130 years, he became the father of Shelah. And after he became the father of Shelah, Cainan lived 330 years and had other sons and daughters.
Then consider this almost universally attested New Testament passage...
Luke 3:35-36 the son of Serug, the son of Reu, the son of Peleg, the son of Eber, the son of Shelah, 36 the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech, (NIV)
On the authority of the New Testament, I have no choice but to accept the Septuagint in regards to Cainan, as well as the dating pertaining to him.
The alternate viewpoint on Cainan is that his appearance in Luke is a scribal copying error, duplicating his name from a later line ending (Luke 3:37). Evidence in support of this claim is relatively minimal but worth considering:
1. The other Old Testament Bible passages that mirror this genealogy don't have the name (i.e. 1 Chronicles 1:18, 24; Genesis 10:24).
2. No Hebrew manuscripts show the name in Genesis 11:12-13.
3. First century historian Josephus doesn't list the name in his list as found in his Antiquities of the Jews (1.6.4-5). He was likely working from a copy of the Septuagint.
4. The Samaritan Pentateuch (as noted), along with other early translations (into Aramaic and Syriac), as well as the later Vulgate (into Latin, circa 405 A.D.), all don't have the name in Genesis 11:12-13
5. The oldest known copy of Luke (circa 175-225 A.D.), the Bodmer Papyrus XIV-XV (P75), do not show the name in Luke.
Early translations of Luke (including into Syriac and Coptic) do have the name and it becomes hard to judge the multitudes of manuscripts having it, in all languages, by a single manuscript (P75) even though it is admittedly very early. The extra biblical work, The Book of Jubilees (8:1-5), written circa 135-105 B.C., does list Cainan, showing a very early understanding that the name was known. Until more evidence is found, I believe the passage in Luke is better attested as being proper. This opinion is shared by multitudes of translators as the Luke passage continues to be included (without footnote) in all major English translations.
http://www.bibleistrue.com/qna/qna63.htm
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A timeline of Biblical & Christian history
Major events in Bible times and world history,
A chronology of the Genesis genealogies,
Plus important dates affecting the church.
Make sure to read the article following this chart to understand how pre-Abraham dating was derived.
Circa Place and Event Era
4892 B.C. Adam & Eve Created (D:Heb/70/Sam)(B:Heb/Sam Genesis 5:3)
Creation/Fall
4762 B.C. Seth born (D:Heb/70/Sam)(B:Heb/Sam Genesis 5:6) .
4657 B.C. Enosh born (D:Heb/70/Sam)(B:Heb/Sam Genesis 5:9) .
4567 B.C. Cainan (alt. Kenan) born (D:Heb/70/Sam)(B:Heb/Sam Genesis 5:12) .
4497 B.C. Mahalalel born (D:Heb/70/Sam)(B:Heb/Sam Genesis 5:15) .
4432 B.C. Jared born (D:Heb/70)(B:Heb/70 Genesis 5:18) .
4270 B.C. Enoch born (D:Heb/70/Sam)(B:Heb/Sam Genesis 5:21) .
4205 B.C. Methuselah born (D:Heb/70)(B:Heb/70 Genesis 5:25) .
4018 B.C. Lamech born (D:Heb)(B:Heb Genesis 5:28) .
3962 B.C. Adam dies. (Genesis 5:4) .
3905 B.C. Enoch is taken by God. (Genesis 5:22-23) .
3836 B.C. Noah born (D:Heb/70)(B:Heb/70/Sam Genesis 5:32) .
3334 B.C. Shem born (D:Heb/70/Sam)(B:Heb/70/Sam Genesis 5:10) .
3236 B.C. Methuselah dies (Genesis 5:26-27). Worldwide Flood begins (Genesis 7:6, 11). .
3235 B.C. Flood Ends. (Genesis 8:13-14) Post-Flood
3234 B.C. Arphaxad born (D:Heb/Sam) (B:70/Sam Genesis 11:12) .
3099 B.C. Cainan born (D:70)(B:70 Genesis 11:13 Septuagint only) - Luke 3:36 2
Ancient Near East: Early Bronze Age.
3000 B.C. Sumerian Civilization begins to arise in Mesopotamia (until 2340 B.C.)
Egyptian Civilization begins to arise. Archaic Period. First king Narmer (also called Menes) Writing arises. Era of written history begins.
2969 B.C. Salah (alt. Shelah) born (D:Heb/Sam)(B:70/Sam Genesis 11:14) .
2888 B.C. Noah dies. (Genesis 9:28-29) .
2839 B.C. Eber born (D:70/Sam)(B:70/Sam Genesis 11:16) .
2734 B.C. Shem dies. (Genesis 11:11) .
2705 B.C. Peleg born (D:Heb/Sam)(B:70/Sam Genesis 11:18) Tower of Babel (Genesis 10:25)
2667-2648 B.C. (alt. 2628-2609 B.C.) Egypt - Reign of Djoser (Zoser), 3rd Dynasty. First stone pyramid: Step Pyramid at Saqqara.
Egyptian Old Kingdom
2613 B.C. Egypt - King Sneferu builder of first true pyramid. Dies 2589 B.C. .
2600 B.C. Indus Civilization begins to arise in India (until 1800 B.C.)
Minoan Civilization begins to arise on Crete (until 1450 B.C.) .
2575 B.C. Reu born (D:Heb/Sam)(B:70/Sam). Genesis 11:20 .
2589 B.C. Egypt - King Khufu (Cheops), Fourth Dynasty. Builder of the Great Pyramid. Dies 2566 B.C.
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2558 B.C. Egypt - King Khafre (Chephren), Fourth Dynasty. Builder of the second largest Giza Pyramid. Dies 2532 B.C.
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2532 B.C. Egypt - King Menkaure (Mykerinus), Fourth Dynasty. Builder of the smallest Giza Pyramid. Dies 2503 B.C.
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2443 B.C. Serug born (D:Heb/Sam)(B:70/Sam). Genesis 11:22 .
2340 B.C. Akkadian Empire replaces Sumerians in Mesopotamia (until 2100 B.C) .
2313 B.C. Nahor born (D:Heb/Sam)(B:Sam). Genesis 11:24 .
2300 B.C. England (Britain) - Best estimate (by archaeologists and scholars as of 2008) of when Stonehenge was built. .
2234 B.C. Terah born (D:Heb/70/Sam)(B:Heb/70/Sam). Genesis 11:26 .
2164 B.C. Ur of the Chaldeans - Abraham born .
2160 B.C. . Egyptian First Intermediate Period
2120 B.C. Egypt - Pharaoh Khety (Kheti) III rules Egypt (until 2070 B.C.)*
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2089 B.C. Abraham leaves for Promised Land from Haran (Genesis 12:4) .
. Abraham & Sarah in Egypt (Goshen, Memphis), return to P.L. (Genesis 12:10-31:1) .
2078 B.C. P.L. - Ishmael born to Abraham (Genesis 16:16) .
2065 B.C. P.L. - Sodom destroyed by fire (Genesis 17:1 & Chapters 18-19)
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2064 B.C. P.L. - Isaac born to Abraham (Genesis 18:14, 21:5) .
2030 B.C. . Egyptian Middle Kingdom
2004 B.C. P.L. - Jacob & Esau born to Isaac (Genesis 25:26) .
2000 B.C. Old Babylonian Empire arises (until 1600 B.C.) .
1989 B.C. P.L. - Abraham dies (Genesis 25:7) .
1950 B.C. . Ancient Near East: Middle Bronze Age
1915 B.C. P.L. - Joseph born to Jacob in his old age (Genesis 37:3) .
1897 B.C. P.L. - Joseph sold into slavery in Egypt (37:2-36)
Egypt - Senusert II becomes pharaoh of Egypt .
1884 B.C. P.L. - Isaac dies (Genesis 35:28-29).
Egypt - Joseph enters service of pharaoh (Genesis 41:46) .
1878 B.C. Egypt - Senusret III (alt. Sesostris III) pharaoh of Egypt until 1840 B.C. .
1873 B.C. Jacob moves family to the Land of Goshen in Egypt (Genesis 47:28) .
1860 B.C. Egypt - Amenemhet III becomes co-regent with father Senusret III. .
1857 B.C. Egypt - Jacob dies, embalmed, buried in P.L. (Genesis 47:28, 50:1) .
1840 B.C. Egypt - Senusret III dies. Amenemhet III alone is pharaoh
Nation of Israel enslaved in Egypt (Genesis 15:13, Acts 7:6) .
1814 B.C. Egypt - Amenemhet IV is pharaoh .
1806 B.C. Egypt - Sobekneferu (alt Neferusobek, Sobeknefru) becomes first known female pharaoh of Egypt. She was wife of Amenemhet IV (also his sister and daughter of Pharaoh Amenemhat III) .
1805 B.C. Egypt - Joseph dies 110 yro, embalmed, in coffin (Genesis 50:26) .
1802 B.C. Egypt - Sobekneferu dies as last of 12th Dynasty and Middle Kingdom. A new pharaoh arises that doesn't know Joseph (Exodus 1:6-9). Likely the very next dynasty, which had many competing and short lived rulers, or perhaps the later Hyksos. .
1783 B.C. Egypt - Period of the Hyksos rulers - capital city at Avaris Egyptian Second Intermediate Period
1600 B.C. Hittite Empire arises (until 1193 B.C.)
Mycenaean civilization arises in Greece .
1570 B.C. Egypt - Pharaoh Ahmose I & wife Nefertiri (alt. Nefertari) - 18th Dynasty begins. He defeats Hyksos by taking Avaris Egyptian New Kingdom
1550 B.C. . Ancient Near East: Late Bronze Age I
1546 B.C. Egypt - Pharaoh Amenhotep I (alt. Amenophis I), son of Ahmose & Nefertiri. Founded Karnak temple at Luxor. .
1526 B.C. Egypt - Pharaoh Thutmose I (alt. Tuthmosis I) & wife Ahmose .
1522 B.C. Moses born in Egypt (Deuteronomy 34:7). Rescue most likely by Hatshepsut, daughter of Thutmose I and Ahmose. .
1514 B.C. Egypt - Pharaoh Thutmose II (alt. Tuthmosis II) .
1504 B.C. Egypt - Pharaoh Thutmose III and Queen Hatshepsut rule Egypt (co-regency, though power rests with her). .
1482 B.C. Moses flees to Midian (Acts 7:23) to escape the wrath of Thutmose III (Exodus 2:11-15). Pharaoh Thutmose III rules Egypt alone, subsequently destroying most traces of Hatshepsut. .
1450 B.C. Egypt - Pharaoh Amenhotep II (alt. Amenophis II). He was not the oldest son of Thutmose III. Bloodthirsty; liked hand to hand combat, led troops into battle with howls of rage. .
1442 B.C. Egypt - Moses returns and confronts Amenhotep II (Exodus 4:18-5:1). Exodus of Israel begins (1 Kings 6:1; Exodus 12:40-41) ***. Scripture does not state that Pharaoh was killed at this time (read about it here)..
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. Sinai (Marah, Elim, Rephidim, Mount Sinai, etc.) - Israel in wilderness 40 years (Exodus 16:35). A timeline of stops on the Exodus is here.
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1424 B.C. Egypt - Pharaoh Thutmose IV (alt. Tuthmosis IV) reigns, son of Amenhotep II and lesser wife Tiaa. He was not the oldest son. Had dream at the sphinx that he would rule - recorded on stele there. .
1414 B.C. Egypt - Pharaoh Amenhotep III (alt. Amenophis III). The clossi of Memnon are all that remains of his temple near Thebes. .
1402 B.C. Israel - Moses dies at Mount Nebo at 120 yro (Deuteronomy 34:7). .
1401 B.C. Israel - Conquests of Joshua in Promised Land begin. Battle of Jericho. .
1400 B.C. . Ancient Near East: Late Bronze Age II
1378 B.C. Egypt - Pharaoh Amenhotep IV & queen Nefertiti. Changes his name to Akhenaten. Worships one god, Aten, the disk of the rising son. Bans worship of other gods. Makes new capital city of Akhenaten. .
1361 B.C. Egypt - Pharaoh Smenkhkare. .
1360 B.C. Egypt - Queen Neferneferuaten is Pharaoh. She may have been the daughter of Akhenaten and/or wife of Smenkhkare. .
1358 B.C. Egypt - Boy king, 8 or 9 years old, Pharaoh Tutankhamen (alt. Tutankhamun) rules until 1349 B.C. Changed his name from Tutankhaten and restored worship of other gods especially Amen at Karnak temple. .
1350 B.C. Israel - (this date is plus or minus 10 years and cannot be conclusively derived from Scriptures. Consider Numbers 11:28, Joshua 24:9, and Judges 2:8-10) Period of the Judges in Israel
1301 B.C. Egypt - Pharaoh Rameses II rules Egypt. This third king of the 19th dynasty is often incorrectly identified as the Pharaoh of the exodus. .
1235 B.C. Egypt - Pharaoh Merneptah, son of Ramesses II, rules until 1225. The Merneptah victory stele of 1230 B.C. lists Israel **
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1200 B.C. . Ancient Near East: Iron Age I
1194-1184 B.C. Trojan War (later legends appears based in the actual destruction of Troy VIIa at this time) .
1170 B.C. Assyrian Empire arises (until 612 B.C.) .
1100 B.C. Israel - Jephthah is Judge (Judges 11:26)
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1070 B.C. . Egyptian Third Intermediate Period
1041 B.C. Israel - Saul becomes first king (Acts 13:21), anointed by Samuel the last judge and prophet.
Period of the Monarchy in Israel
. Israel - David kills Goliath at the Valley of Elah.
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. Israel - David hides from Saul at En Gedi.
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1001 B.C. Israel - King Saul dies, body hung at Beth Shan. David becomes king .
1000 B.C. . Ancient Near East: Iron Age II
961 B.C. Israel - Solomon becomes king .
958 B.C. Israel - First temple, built by Solomon (1 Kings 6:1; 2 Chronicles 3:2) .
922 B.C. Israel (North) - Jeroboam rules north. Begins worship of golden calf at Dan and Bethel.
Divided kingdom in Israel
922 B.C. Judah (South) - Rehoboam, son of Solomon, rules south. .
918 B.C. Pharaoh Shishak (Sheshonq I, 22nd Dynasty) sacks Jerusalem (1 Kings 14:25) and other Israeli fortified cities including Arad and Megiddo.
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915 B.C. Judah (S) - Rehoboam dies, Abijah rules only next two years .
913 B.C. Judah (S) - Asa is king .
885 B.C. Israel (N) - Omri is king. Neo-Assyrian Empire (911-612 B.C.)
874 B.C. Israel (N) - Omri dies, Ahab is king .
873 B.C. Judah (S) - Asa dies, Jehoshaphat is king .
. Israel - Elijah and confrontation with prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18:18-39) .
853 B.C. Israel (N) - Ahab dies .
849 B.C. Judah (S) - Jehoshaphat dies .
846 B.C. Mesha Stele (Moabite Stone) created by Mesha, king of Moab. Celebrating victory over Israel (re 2 Kings 3). .
793 B.C. Israel (N) - Jeroboam II is king .
792 B.C. Judah (S) - Uzziah is king (10 years or more as co-regent with Amaziah) .
. Judah (N) - Jonah receives call to Ninevah. Flees via ship from Joppa. Swallowed by fish. Goes to Ninevah. (2 Kings 14:25)
First Olympic Games 776 B.C.
753 B.C. Israel (N) - Jeroboam II dies .
743 B.C. Assyrian king Tiglath-Pileser III attacks Damascus and subsequently northern Israel, including Hazor (as late as 732 B.C.)
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741 B.C. Judah (S) - Uzziah dies (2 Kings 15:2). Year of Isaiah's vision. (Isaiah 6:1) .
735 B.C. Judah (S) - Ahaz becomes co-regent with Jotham, his father. .
732 B.C. Judah (S) - Ahaz is king. .
722 B.C. Israel (N) - Kingdom falls to Assyria. Exile .
716 B.C. Judah (S) - Ahaz dies (2 Kings 16:2). Hezekiah is king. .
705 B.C. Judah (S) - Rebels against Assyrian king Sennacherib (2 Kings 18:7) .
701 B.C. Judah (S) - Hezekiah builds water tunnel (2 Kings 20:20)
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687 B.C. Judah (S) - Hezekiah dies (2 Kings 18:2). Manasseh is king .
648 B.C. Persian Empire arises (until 330 B.C.) .
642 B.C. Judah (S) - Manasseh dies. .
640 B.C. Judah (S) - Josiah is king. (2 Kings 22:1) .
612 B.C. New Babylonian Empire arises (until 539 B.C.). Ninevah falls to Babylon. Neo-Babylonian Empire (626-539 B.C.)
609 B.C. Judah (S) - Josiah dies fighting Egyptian Pharaoh Neco at Megiddo. (2 Chronicles 34:1)
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605 B.C. Judah (S) - Nebuchadrezzar of Babylon takes hostages (See Daniel 1:1, this included Daniel. His dream interpretation revealed kingdoms to come.)
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597 B.C. Judah (S) - Jehoiakim deposed by Nebuchadnezzar, Jehoiachin has very brief and wicked reign before suffering the same fate. .
588 B.C. Judah (S) - Siege of Jerusalem (Jeremiah is prophet, circa 645-575 B.C.) .
587/586 B.C. Judah (S) - Kingdom falls to Babylon. Exile to Babylon (2 Kings 25:8-21) .
539/538 B.C. Babylon - Falls to Persia Persian Empire [Achaemenid Empire] (550-330 BC)
537 B.C. Persian king Cyrus decrees temple to be rebuilt. (Ezra 6:2-5) .
534 B.C. Israel - Work on the temple stops .
525 B.C. Persia conquers Egypt. .
521 B.C. Darius the Mede rules over Persian Empire .
520 B.C. Israel - Work on the temple resumes under King Darius, spurred by Haggai and Zechariah (Ezra 5:1 - 6:14) .
515 B.C. Israel - Temple completed and dedicated in 6th year of Darius (Ezra 6:15) .
486 B.C. Xerxes rules over Persian Empire from Susa (Esther 1:2) .
483 B.C. Xerxes banishes Queen Vashti (Esther 1:2-21) .
478 B.C. Esther becomes queen of Persian Empire, wife of Xerxes (Esther 2:16-17) .
465 B.C. Artaxerxes I rules over Persian Empire .
458 B.C. Israel - Ezra brings more exiles back from Babylon. (Ezra 7:11-26) .
447-432 B.C. Greece - Parthenon was built in Athens.
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446 B.C. Israel - Nehemiah goes to Jerusalem to rebuild walls. (Nehemiah 2) .
. Nabateans control Edomite territory - based in Petra (Selah)
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420 B.C. Israel - Last Old Testament Prophet writes... Malachi .
336 B.C. Alexander the Great rules - Alexander's Empire (until 323 B.C.) Greek Empire
333 B.C. Alexander the Great defeats Darius III (Persian Empire) in Battleof Issus .
332 B.C. Egypt - Alexander the Great rules. Also controls region of Israel but allows some self rule. Ancient Near East: Hellenistic Period
305 B.C. Egypt - Ptolemy I rules (until 285 B.C.) Ptolemaic dynasty (Hellenistic) rule Egypt (until 30 B.C.).
283 B.C. Septuagint Translation of Scriptures from Hebrew to Greek begins .
167 B.C. Israel - Seleucid King, Antiochus IV, desecrates the temple and sacrifices a pig. Maccabean revolt begins led by three sons of the priest Mattathias: Judas, Jonathan, and Simon Seleucid Empire (Hellenistic) successor state of Alexander the Great. (323 to 60 B.C.) Eclipse Ptolemies in power 217 B.C.
166 B.C. Israel - Hasmonean Period Hasmonean Dynasty (166-37 B.C.)
165 B.C. Israel - Temple is rededicated and temple sacrifices restored .
160 B.C. Israel - (Hasmonean) Judas Maccabee (alt. Maccabaeus) dies. .
152 B.C. Israel - (Hasmonean ruler) Jonathan .
142 B.C. Israel - (Hasmonean ruler) Simon Thassis .
134 B.C. Israel - (Hasmonean ruler) John Hyracanus .
104 B.C. Israel - (Hasmonean ruler) Aristobulus I .
103 B.C. Israel - (Hasmonean ruler) Alexander Jannaeus .
76 B.C. Israel - (Hasmonean ruler) Alexandra Salome (queen!) .
67 B.C. Israel - (Hasmonean ruler) Aristobulus II .
63 B.C. Israel - Roman general Pompey conquers Jerusalem.
(Hasmonean ruler) Hyrcanus II appeals to Rome, is reinstated as High Priest and Ethnarch. Much power fell to his adviser Antipater the Idumaean. Roman period begins (Israel is a protectorate of Rome)
51 B.C. Egypt - Cleopatra rules (until 30 B.C.) .
47 B.C. Israel - Herod "the Great", second son of Antipater the Idumaean, is Governor of Galilee (for Rome) .
44 B.C. Rome - Julius Caesar was assassinated on the Ides (15) of March .
40 B.C. Israel - (Hasmonean ruler) Antigonus. Last real Hasmonean ruler. Seized Jerusalem with Parthian support. Sent his uncle Hyrcanus II to Babylon in chains (after mutilating his ears, rendering him ineligible for office of High Priest). .
37 B.C. Israel - Herod "the Great" becomes king of the Jews (client king of Rome). Herod hands over Antigonus to Rome for execution. Herodian Dynasty (37 B.C.-100 A.D.)
36 B.C. Israel - (Hasmonean) Aristobulus III is only High Priest. Herod has him drowned at Jericho, fearing his potential threat and lineage to govern. .
27 B.C. Rome - Caesar Augustus emperor of Rome Roman Empire (27 B.C.-476 A.D. Fall of Western Empire)
20 B.C. Israel - King Herod begins work on rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem .
5 B.C.
Israel - Birth of Jesus. (Possibly late 6 B.C.)
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4 B.C. Israel - Herod "the Great" dies in the Spring. .
9 A.D. Jesus goes up to Jerusalem from Nazareth, for the Passover, with his parents (Luke 2:41-51) .
14 A.D. Rome - Caesar Augustus dies. Tiberius rules 14-37 A.D. .
16 A.D. Israel [Map] - City of Tiberius founded.
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18 A.D. Israel [Map] - Joseph Caiaphas becomes high priest (until 36 or early 37 A.D.). .
26 A.D. Israel [Map] - Pontius Pilate appointed governor of Judea (until 36 A.D.) .
28 A.D. Israel - John the Baptist began his ministry (Luke 3:1-2). Also the year of the first ministry Passover of Jesus in Jerusalem (John 2:13). .
29 A.D. Israel - Herod Antipas begins affair with his brother Philip's wife, leading to divorce of his wife (daughter of the Nabatean king Aretas IV), subsequently marries Herodias, his brother's wife and niece. .
30 A.D. Israel - Jesus celebrates the Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah) in Jerusalem; winter (early December); see John 10:22. Feast remembers events of 165 B.C. .
31 A.D.
Israel [Map] - Jesus in Garden of Gethsemane; trials before Caiaphas, Herod, Pilate; Death, Burial, Resurrection during Passover. .
35 A.D. Saul of Tarsus (later the Apostle Paul) meets Jesus on the road to Damascus.
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49 A.D. Church Council of Jerusalem (Acts 15) - Agreed that a Gentile did not have to become a Jew, or be circumcised, in order to be a Christian. .
51 A.D. Greece - Paul preaches on Mars Hill in Athens
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52 A.D. Israel - Herod Agrippa II given northeastern Galilee. Given limited say in Jerusalem regarding the temple. Had palace in Jerusalem and subsequently another at Caesarea Philippi (calling it Neronias after Nero). .
54 A.D. Rome - Nero becomes emperor .
58 A.D. Israel - Paul imprisoned at Caesarea Maritima
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60 A.D. Israel - Paul before Festus and Agrippa II, appeals to Caesar (Acts 24:27) .
62 A.D. Israel - James, brother of Jesus, martyred in Jerusalem by the High Priest Ananias .
64 A.D. Rome - Rome Burns (accidental fire) .
66 A.D. Israel - First Jewish revolt begins. Vespasian sent to quell rebellion. .
67 A.D. Israel - Christians abandon Jerusalem and flee to Pella of the Decapolis as a refuge.
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68 A.D. Rome - Nero dies. After uncertainty Vespasian becomes Emperor (69-79 A.D.) .
69 A.D. Rome - Paul beheaded in Rome (traditional sources). .
70 A.D. Israel - Temple destroyed by Titus (August 10th or 9th of Av). Jerusalem surrenders after six month siege, much of Jerusalem destroyed. Almost 100 thousand Jews sold into slavery by Romans. .
73 A.D. Israel - Masada falls. 967 Jewish Zealots commit mass suicide. Two women, five children only survivors who hid in a cistern. .
78 A.D. Rome - Peter martyred (traditional sources) .
79 A.D. Rome - Titus becomes Emperor (79-81 A.D.) .
81 A.D. Rome - Domitian becomes Emperor (81-96 A.D.) Major Persecution of Christians (81-96 A.D.)
95 A.D. Apostle John banished to Patmos. Last living apostle. Writes Revelation, speaks of Armageddon. Dies circa 100 A.D.
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98 A.D. Timothy stoned to death at Ephesus (traditional sources) .
100 A.D. Israel - Herod Agrippa II dies. Last ruling descendant of Herod the Great .
108 A.D. Church leader Polycarp (born 69 A.D.) writes his letter to the Philippians. .
130 A.D. Emperor Hadrian (117-138 A.D.) rebuilds Jerusalem and renames it Aelia Capitolina Roman Empire at largest extent in 117 A.D.
132 A.D. Israel - Second Jewish revolt/Bar Kokhba Revolt - (132-135 A.D.) .
155 A.D. Polycarp burned at the stake in Smyrna .
312 A.D. Constantine (the Great, 272-337), emperor of Eastern Empire, kills emperor of Western Empire. Professes conversion to Christianity after seeing a vision. .
313 A.D. Constantine issues Edict of Milan granting legal status to Christians and restoring property. Roman Christian Era
325 A.D. Eusebius of Caesarea finishes his Church History (lived 275 - 339 A.D.).
First Council of Nicea formulates the Nicene Creed. Included churches from the east and west - condemned Arian heresy. .
336 A.D. First calendar to show date of Christmas on December 25th in western church (first certain celebration not until 354 A.D.) .
367 A.D. Athanasius of Alexandria (lived circa 296-373 A.D.), in his festal letter, listed the books of the New Testament; the 27 books still recognized today. Using an old Jewish grouping method he also lists 22 books of the Old Testament which correspond to our 39 of today. He notes some of the apocryphal books but makes sure to emphasize they are not Scriptures, though important. .
381 A.D. First Council of Constantinople - included churches from the east and west. Condemned heresy of Macedonius and reaffirmed doctrine of the trinity.
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387 A.D. Augustine of Hippo (354 - 430 A.D), is baptized having converted to Christianity. Becomes leading church theologian. Opposes Pelagius. .
393 A.D. Synod of Hippo (modern Annaba, Algeria) - specifically listed their recognized books of Scriptures (matching our 27 books of the NT and all 39 of the OT, plus a few of the so-called OT apocrypha). Numerous synods and councils were held at Hippo. Last Ancient Olympic Games
395 A.D. Roman Empire divides again between the east and west. Western (Latin) church based in Rome, eastern church (Orthodox) based in Constantinople .
397 A.D. Synod of Carthage (Tunisia; 397 A.D.). Matching the synod of Hippo in 393 A.D., it again specifically listed recognized books of Scriptures. As with the synods of Hippo, some of the synods at Carthage were also called councils; for example that of 418 was called "a council of Africa" by Augustine. .
405 A.D. Jerome Eusebius Hieronymus (347-420 A.D.), working at Bethlehem, completes his Vulgate translation of the Bible into Latin. .
418 A.D. Pelagius (354-420 A.D.), a British monk, is excommunicated. He denied original sin, claiming men could do good on their own. This Council of Carthage affirmed sixteen previous synods at Carthage, one at Milevis, and one at Hippo. It denounced the Pelagian heresy on original sin, the human nature, and grace; specifically adopting the opposing view espoused by Augustine. Additionally it (and the synods of 419 & 424) protested the Roman church's increasing claims of judicial jurisdiction and supremacy over the African church. .
431 A.D. Council of Ephesus - included churches from the east and west. Condemned Nestorianism and reaffirmed that Christ was one person who was fully human and fully God. Also condemned Pelagius and affirmed the Council of Carthage in 418 A.D. .
440 A.D. Earliest date for the Athanasian Creed. Written by an anonymous author in Gaul (not St. Athanasius as traditionally claimed). .
451 A.D. Council of Chalcedon (in Thessalonica) issues the Chalcedonian Creed - included churches of the east and west. Condemned Monophysitism, the teaching that Christ had only one nature and affirmed that Christ was both God and man. .
476 A.D. Western Roman Empire falls to barbarian armies. Roman Catholic church remains as primary authority in the west. .
494 A.D. St. Valentine's Day set as February 14th by the Roman Catholic pope Gelasius I. .
550 A.D. Byzantine Empire at greatest extent .
553 A.D. Second Council of Constantinople - included churches of the east and a few from the west (only 6 bishops). Condemned the teachings of Nestorius again (as did the council in 431 A.D.), reafirmed decisions of earlier councils. .
610 A.D. Muhammad (alt. Mohammed, 570-632 A.D.) claims to receive revelations from God (Allah) - basis of Qur'an (alt. Koran). Beginning of Islam which believes the Bible has been corrupted.
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1054 A.D. Patriarch of Constantinople and Pope of Rome excommunicate each other. Beginning of Great Schism of Eastern (Orthodox) and Western (Roman Catholic) Churches.
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1096-1099 A.D. First Roman Catholic Crusade against Muslim invaders in the east, includes massacre of Jews in Europe and plundering of Jerusalem and burning of Jews in Jerusalem in a synagogue. .
1187 A.D. Roman Catholic Crusaders defeated by Saladin (died 1193 A.D.) at the Battle of Hattin, enables Muslims to retake Jerusalem .
1199 A.D. Roman Catholic Inquisition started by Pope Innocent III (expanded by Pope Gregory IX in 1233, plus use of torture to get confessions by Pope Innocent IV in 1252). .
1227 A.D. Chapter divisons added to Bible, for the first time, by professor Stephen Langton of the University of Paris. .
1380 A.D. Early reformer John Wycliffe (1328-1384 A.D.) begins first English translation of the Bible. Roman church declared him a heretic in 1380 and again in 1382. His followers become known as Lollards .
1415 A.D. Early reformer Jon Hus (1373-1415) burned at stake by Roman Catholic church for holding to the authority of the Bible over even the Pope. .
1438 A.D. Johann Gutenberg (1398-1468) invents the printing press -- creates the first Bible printed with movable type in Germany in 1455 A.D. Paves the way for cheap Bibles for all. .
1453 A.D. Byzantine (Eastern) Empire falls. Constantinople conquered by Ottoman Turks. .
1455 A.D. Johann Gutenberg (1398-1468), inventor of the printing press, creates the first Bible printed with movable type. Paves the way for cheap Bibles for all. .
1517 A.D. Martin Luther (1483-1546) posts his 95 Theses on October 31st, which sparked the Protestant Reformation. Protestant Era
1518 A.D. Swiss Reformation begins under Ulrich Zwingli. .
1525-34 A.D. William Tyndale translates New Testament from Greek text of Erasmus (1466) .
1536 A.D. John Calvin publishes first edition of his Institutes of the Christian Religion. Some of his teachings later become known as Calvinism.
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1545-1563 A.D. Council of Trent formulates official Roman Catholic church doctrine in response to the Protestant Reformation and to oppose the Five Reformation Solas.
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1551 A.D. Printer Robert Stephanus numbered the verses of the NT, while riding on horseback from Paris to Lyons. .
1582 A.D. Gregorian calendar introduced in all Roman Catholic countries. Slowly becomes most widely used calendar. .
1720-1760 A.D. Great Awakening revivals in American colonies. Jonathan Edwards preaches his sermon "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God."
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1738 A.D. Methodist Church founded by John Wesley (1703-1791) and George Whitefield (1714-1770). .
1830 A.D. Mormon "church" (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) established by Joseph Smith (1805-1844), author of the Book of Mormon. .
1871 A.D. Jehovah's Witnesses founded by Charles Taze Russell (started forerunner of The Watchtower magazine in 1879). .
1962-1965 A.D. The Second Ecumenical Council of the Vatican, commonly called Vatican II, was held. Many thought this council was proof that the Roman Catholic Church could (and was) changing.
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Chart End Notes:
This chart was created by Brent MacDonald, (c)2006-2008, utilizing well attested dates from archaeology/history combined with calculated dates based upon Scriptures. Holding a high view of Scriptures and the timeframes referenced therein, this provides an early date for the Exodus and even the life of Abraham, regardless of some modern scholarship that revises these dates later by a few hundred years. Lesser disputes exist regarding some of these dates, potentially revising them by a year or two or slightly more, due to the imprecise nature of the science of dating historical events. First and last years of the reigns of some rulers are problematic, as they may include only a partial year, or overlap with a subsequent or successive ruler.
Historical dates prior to Abraham (note double bar dividing the table) may have to be revised, especially those based on archaeology. The article following establishes how dating was derived for pre-Abraham ancestors. Even early Egyptian dates, often presented as quite reliable, are highly speculative and based on lists with legendary and overlapping elements. Lack of written records has often led to utilizing problematic dating methods, including radiometric dating, for pre-historic periods. Evolutionary bias also tends to exaggerate prehistorical evidences. The Biblical text and genealogies certainly point to a very young age for all of earth's history.
* (First Intermediate Period, 9th and 10th Dynasties: Khety III wrote his son and successor Merekare [Merikare] that he should make peace with Thebes, defend the borders as well as dominate the Asiatics and "do not reduce nobles in their possessions.")
** This was around the time, or just following the time of Gideon's death. A few decades later, following a period of trouble from the Philistines and Ammonites (Judges 10:7), God's list of kingdoms that he used to oppress Israel (to cause them to turn back to Him) included Egypt in the list before the Ammonites and Philistines. This was likely a reference to the expedition of Merneptah which would have still been remembered by those living at that time.
*** While we did not arrive at an exact match with Coffman's date for the exodus (by four years), this comment on a 15th century B.C. dating for the exodus is notable. His notes on the inaccuracy of dating Pharaohs is likewise very true. A perusal of seven scholars on one particular 18th dynasty pharaoh resulted in five differing sets of dates.
All scholars admit that all Egyptian dates should be viewed as plus or minus 50 years. Further proof of the early Exodus in 1446 B.C. is found in the Tel el-Amarna letters, in which there is a letter written from Palestine to Amenhotep III, complaining that the Hebrews were taking over the land; and that is calculated to have been in the year 1391 B.C., the date when Amenhotep III succeeded Tuthmosis IV as Pharaoh! If the critics are correct in dating the Exodus two hundred years after it actually happened, how were the Hebrews in Palestine in 1391 B.C.? This is by no means all of the rapidly expanding evidence of the accuracy of the early date for the Exodus, but we consider this far more than enough to establish it as certain. (Article on 1 Kings 6:1, Coffman's Bible Commentary, Copyright © 1971-1993 by ACU Press, Abilene Christian University. All rights reserved.)
Dating the Genealogies of Genesis
Many have undertaken the task of trying to date the genealogies of Genesis and to provide correlation with the events of our calendar, B.C. of course.1 Bishop James Ussher's timeline is perhaps the most famous to our generation. This highly educated Anglican Archbishop (1625-1656 A.D.) had a chronology drawing upon the recorded births and subsequent age of reproduction shown in Scriptures, working back to the creation of Adam and Eve, with a date of 4004 B.C. Ussher was aware of the numeric discrepancies between the Masoretic (often called Hebrew) manuscripts, the Samaritan Pentateuch and the Septuagint. For the purposes of his chronology he chose to follow exclusively the Masoretic, which was the basis of a majority of Latin and English manuscripts of his day.
I have not followed exclusively the Masoretic (Hebrew) dating. Before castigating me as a liberal, heretic, or a disputer of Scriptures, please take a moment to understand why. Up front I will reaffirm my belief that Scriptures are infallible and inerrant as written down. This being said, God knowing that His word would be transmitted by fallible humans, out of necessity being translated into diverse languages; He has safeguarded His word throughout. Though the words are changed in spelling and phraseology they still communicate clearly His eternal message of salvation. A few errors have crept in accidentally, some by omission, others by repetition, more by an incorrect character changing the spelling of a word into another. Yet in all known occurrences most may be corrected by examining the multitudes of manuscripts available. A few, especially those listing Hebrew numbers, have equally viable alternative possibilities making such a correction difficult. Again, it must be emphasized that not one of these variants affects any doctrine of Scriptures - God's word can and has been proclaimed from them all. The Bible of the Eastern Church still utilizes a manuscript foundation based in the Septuagint, whereas much of the western church derives from the Masoretic.
When Jerome began to revise the Old Latin text, which had been a translation of the Septuagint, he checked the Septuagint against the Hebrew that was then available. He unilaterally decided that the Hebrew text was in his view better in testifying to Christ. Therefore he broke with hundreds of years of tradition and translated the Old Testament of his new Latin text (later called the Vulgate) from Hebrew rather than Greek (circa 390-405 A.D.). His choice was severely criticized by other contemporaries including the notable church leader, Augustine.
By the time that English translations first came into being, most were based on the Latin manuscripts then available, and later, the original manuscripts underlying them. It is only in the last century that many translations have worked to incorporate the best of all manuscript branches into their translations. Of course, we now have far more manuscripts available for comparison than anytime in history.
It should be noted that many verses found among the Dead Sea Scrolls, particularly those written in Aramaic, the common language of Jesus' day, correspond more closely with the Septuagint than the Masoretic (but, again, remember than the vast majority of these variants are extremely minor grammatical changes, spelling differences or missing words that do not affect the overall meaning of the sentences or paragraphs). This also corresponds to the Old Testament quotations incorporated in our New Testament. A majority of these citations follow the Septuagint phraseology.
All this has been said to show that the Septuagint should not be lightly dismissed, even as the Masoretic text should be likewise consulted. Both represent valid manuscript families that have been used through the church in history - God's Word!
So why would I even consider the Samaritan text? Mostly as a tie breaker. It's true that the Samaritans altered their text intentionally for sectarian reasons hundreds of years B.C. and only embraced the Pentateuch as being the totality of Scriptures. Yet the only aspect which appears willfully altered is text necessary to make their Mount Gerizim the place to worship God and not Jerusalem. The remainder of the text they had no reason or incentive to modify.
For reference, this is the approximate dating of the oldest Old Testament manuscript families we have available...
Masoretic - The oldest known substantial portions of this text date to the 9th century A.D. and the oldest complete copy, the Aleppo Codex, to the 10th century A.D. Smaller fragments testify that this document was carefully transmitted by the Jews from a standardized text dating to around 135 A.D. Additionally a number of Dead Sea Scroll fragments (circa 100 B.C. to 70 A.D.) testify to identical phraseology, showing that the later standardized text had ancient roots.
Septuagint - The Sinaiticus (circa 330-350 A.D.) and Vaticanus (circa 310-350 A.D.) are the most complete manuscripts available. Numerous early fragments and citations are known. The Septuagint was translated between the 3rd and 1st centuries B.C. by the Jews for use in the Greek speaking world. It was widely used by the Jews until after the destruction of the temple, when renewed impetus to utilize a Hebrew only text was mandated to unify the Jews and in the face of widespread usage of the Greek by Christians.
Samaritan - In 1616 A.D. a copy was purchased from a Samaritan community in Damascus and taken to Europe. This document resurrected this manuscript family from virtual oblivion. The oldest copy in possession of the sect appears to date to about 1200 A.D. It was carefully copied by the sect from at least the 5th century B.C. and certainly earlier than 100 B.C. It was known and cited by early church fathers from Eusebius of Caesarea to Jerome.
With all of the above in mind, this became my rule for assessing dating.
1) All three manuscript families in agreement = use it.
2) Any two agreed = use it.
3) All three don't agree = use the Masoretic (Hebrew)
The exception to rule #3 came with one occurrence. Here the Masoretic and Samaritan both omit the entire person. Only the Septuagint references that individual, yet because the New Testament refers to this person (obviously referencing a Septuagint genealogy), my assumption is that the Septuagint has to be correct in this place, even though it is alone in its witness.2
The result becomes a workable timeline, providing enough time for known civilizations that had to have existed before Abraham's time and yet after the worldwide flood. People that should be dead before a worldwide flood are shown to be so (... incorrect dating leading to the flood could have a person other than Noah and his family living past the flood). Is this timeline perfect and something to be dogmatic over? Not likely. My rule number 3 is quite arbitrary and could have gone toward another manuscript family in a few occurrences. This would expand the timeline even further, though not by more than a few hundred years.
UNDERSTANDING MY PRE-ABRAHAM TIMELINE
On my timeline I have marked which manuscript families agree for each individual in regards to their death (ie. D: ) and their age when they begot an heir (ie. B: ). Heb=Masoretic/Hebrew; 70 = Septuagint; Sam=Samaritan.
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Footnotes
1. Contrast time differences of using different manuscript families and methodologies. My method, as described in this article, is noted by BJM.
From Creation to Flood
• 1656 years (Masoretic)
• 2262 years (Septuagint)
• 1307 years (Samaritan)
• 1656 years (BJM)
• 2242 years (Eusebius of Caesarea, Chronicle, 3rd century A.D.)
From Flood to birth of Abraham
• 352 years (Masoretic)
• 1232 years (Septuagint)
• 1002 years (Samaritan)
• 1072 years (BJM)
• 942 years (Eusebius of Caesarea, Chronicle, 3rd century A.D.)
Total of Creation to birth of Abraham
• 2008 years (Masoretic)
• 3494 years (Septuagint)
• 2309 years (Samaritan)
• 2728 years (BJM)
• 3184 years (Eusebius of Caesarea, Chronicle, 3rd century A.D.)
Julius Africanus (circa 170-240 A.D.), an early church writer who also compared texts available to him, preferred dates based on the Septuagint.
Noted Jewish historian Josephus, writing in the late first century, following the destruction of the temple, wrote in his Antiquities of the Jews; "That history (of the Jews) embraces a period of five thousand years, and was written by me in Greek on the basis of our sacred books." Subtracting (from 5000) the years between A.D. 70 until Abraham's birth (2086 by Eusebius), or (2233 by BJM), leaves Josephus having creation about 2914 years or 2767 years before the birth of Abraham.
All early dating charts and references that I have found tend toward the longer numbers of the Septuagint manuscripts. For the period of the flood to Abraham, I could find no early dating that comes anywhere close to the shorter Masoretic time frames.
I can across another quite late source* that reflects the longer dating of the Septuagint as well. Russian Bible scholars by 1613 A.D. had calculated that creation took place in 5509 B.C. This number would imply usage of purely Septuagint sources in their determination. (* cited by Lindsey Hughes, The Romanovs, p.14).
2. Notice the difference between manuscript families...
Genesis 10:24 (Masoretic and Samaritan) Arphaxad was the father of Shelah, and Shelah the father of Eber.
Genesis 10:24 (Septuagint) Arphaxad was the father of Cainan, and Cainan was the father of Shelah, and Shelah the father of Eber.
Again...
Genesis 11:12-13 (Masoretic and Samaritan) When Arphaxad had lived 35 years, he became the father of Shelah. 13 And after he became the father of Shelah, Arphaxad lived 403 years and had other sons and daughters.
Genesis 11:12-13 (Septuagint) When Arphaxad had lived 135 years, he became the father of Cainan. 13 And after he became the father of Cainan, Arphaxad lived 400 years and had other sons and daughters, and then he died. When Cainan had lived 130 years, he became the father of Shelah. And after he became the father of Shelah, Cainan lived 330 years and had other sons and daughters.
Then consider this almost universally attested New Testament passage...
Luke 3:35-36 the son of Serug, the son of Reu, the son of Peleg, the son of Eber, the son of Shelah, 36 the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech, (NIV)
On the authority of the New Testament, I have no choice but to accept the Septuagint in regards to Cainan, as well as the dating pertaining to him.
The alternate viewpoint on Cainan is that his appearance in Luke is a scribal copying error, duplicating his name from a later line ending (Luke 3:37). Evidence in support of this claim is relatively minimal but worth considering:
1. The other Old Testament Bible passages that mirror this genealogy don't have the name (i.e. 1 Chronicles 1:18, 24; Genesis 10:24).
2. No Hebrew manuscripts show the name in Genesis 11:12-13.
3. First century historian Josephus doesn't list the name in his list as found in his Antiquities of the Jews (1.6.4-5). He was likely working from a copy of the Septuagint.
4. The Samaritan Pentateuch (as noted), along with other early translations (into Aramaic and Syriac), as well as the later Vulgate (into Latin, circa 405 A.D.), all don't have the name in Genesis 11:12-13
5. The oldest known copy of Luke (circa 175-225 A.D.), the Bodmer Papyrus XIV-XV (P75), do not show the name in Luke.
Early translations of Luke (including into Syriac and Coptic) do have the name and it becomes hard to judge the multitudes of manuscripts having it, in all languages, by a single manuscript (P75) even though it is admittedly very early. The extra biblical work, The Book of Jubilees (8:1-5), written circa 135-105 B.C., does list Cainan, showing a very early understanding that the name was known. Until more evidence is found, I believe the passage in Luke is better attested as being proper. This opinion is shared by multitudes of translators as the Luke passage continues to be included (without footnote) in all major English translations.
http://www.bibleistrue.com/qna/qna63.htm
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Nazareth
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The name Nazareth occurs in a great orthographical variety, such as Nazaret, Nazareth, Nazara, Nazarat, and the like. In the time of Eusebius and St. Jerome (Onomasticon), its name was Nazara (in modern Arabic, en Nasirah), which therefore, seems to be the correct name; in the New Testament we find its derivatives written Nazarenos, or Nazoraios, but never Nazaretaios. The etymology of Nazara is neser, which means "a shoot". The Vulgate renders this word by flos, "flower", in the Prophecy of Isaias (xi, 1), which is applied to the Saviour. St. Jerome (Epist., xlvi, "Ad Marcellam") gives the same interpretation to the name of the town.
Nazareth was not such an insignificant hamlet as is generally believed. We know, first, that it possessed a synagogue. Neubaurer (La géographie du Talmud, p. 190) quotes, moreover, an elegy on the destruction of Jerusalem, taken from ancient Midrashim now lost, and according to this document, Nazareth was a home for the priests who went by turns to Jerusalem, for service in the Temple. Up to the time of Constantine, it remained exclusively a Jewish town.
St. Epiphaenius (Adv. Haereses, I, ii, haer., 19) relates that in 339 Joseph, Count of Tiberias, told him that, by a special order of the emperor, "he built churches to Christ in the towns of the Jews, in which there were none, for the reason that neither Greeks, Samaritans, nor Christians were allowed to settle there, viz., at Tiberias, at Diocaesarea, or Sepphoris, at Nazareth, and at Capharnaum".
http://www.saint-mike.org/Library/Papal_Library/Definitions/NazarethMap.html
Do a word search here for Nazareth.
http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=d_vxEB7nT_QC&pg=PT49&lpg=PT49&dq=constantine+samaritans+nazareth&source=bl&ots=Bl3Cqez27_&sig=_M0X72wN1stjNzOeSR_q08AYCAY&hl=en&ei=ieGqSaYPhMeMB9LAgfYP&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=2&ct=result#PPA37,M1
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The name Nazareth occurs in a great orthographical variety, such as Nazaret, Nazareth, Nazara, Nazarat, and the like. In the time of Eusebius and St. Jerome (Onomasticon), its name was Nazara (in modern Arabic, en Nasirah), which therefore, seems to be the correct name; in the New Testament we find its derivatives written Nazarenos, or Nazoraios, but never Nazaretaios. The etymology of Nazara is neser, which means "a shoot". The Vulgate renders this word by flos, "flower", in the Prophecy of Isaias (xi, 1), which is applied to the Saviour. St. Jerome (Epist., xlvi, "Ad Marcellam") gives the same interpretation to the name of the town.
Nazareth was not such an insignificant hamlet as is generally believed. We know, first, that it possessed a synagogue. Neubaurer (La géographie du Talmud, p. 190) quotes, moreover, an elegy on the destruction of Jerusalem, taken from ancient Midrashim now lost, and according to this document, Nazareth was a home for the priests who went by turns to Jerusalem, for service in the Temple. Up to the time of Constantine, it remained exclusively a Jewish town.
St. Epiphaenius (Adv. Haereses, I, ii, haer., 19) relates that in 339 Joseph, Count of Tiberias, told him that, by a special order of the emperor, "he built churches to Christ in the towns of the Jews, in which there were none, for the reason that neither Greeks, Samaritans, nor Christians were allowed to settle there, viz., at Tiberias, at Diocaesarea, or Sepphoris, at Nazareth, and at Capharnaum".
http://www.saint-mike.org/Library/Papal_Library/Definitions/NazarethMap.html
Do a word search here for Nazareth.
http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=d_vxEB7nT_QC&pg=PT49&lpg=PT49&dq=constantine+samaritans+nazareth&source=bl&ots=Bl3Cqez27_&sig=_M0X72wN1stjNzOeSR_q08AYCAY&hl=en&ei=ieGqSaYPhMeMB9LAgfYP&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=2&ct=result#PPA37,M1
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Jesus the teacher
.
Many times Jesus is spoken of as a teacher so presumably he had received an education. We know he often read from the scroll in the temple and we know that when he was twelve years old he was in the temple courts in Jerusalem sitting among the teachers, listening to them, asking questions and everyone who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.
Later he went to Nazareth where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:
"The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to release the oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord's favour."
Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, and he began by saying to them, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."
Jesus was the promised Messiah and here he was proclaiming it to everyone in the synagogue. His entire life was a witness to the power of God and here we are talking about him years later. I believe in God and whether you believe in him or not is your privilege
After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax came to Peter and asked, "Doesn't your teacher pay the temple tax[b]?" "Yes, he does," he replied.
Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?"
Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?"
While Jesus was still speaking, some men came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. "Your daughter is dead," they said. "Why bother the teacher any more?"
As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. "Good teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
While Jesus was teaching in the temple courts, he asked, "How is it that the teachers of the law say that the Christ is the son of David? David himself, speaking by the Holy Spirit, declared:
" 'The Lord said to my Lord:
"Sit at my right hand
until I put your enemies
under your feet."
David himself calls him 'Lord.' How then can he be his son?" The large crowd listened to him with delight.
As he taught, Jesus said, "Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted in the market-places, and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honour at banquets. They devour widows' houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely."
Jesus answered him, "Simon, I have something to tell you." Tell me, teacher," he said.
On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.
Every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up to the Feast, according to the custom. After the Feast was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. Thinking he was in their company, they travelled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers.
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Many times Jesus is spoken of as a teacher so presumably he had received an education. We know he often read from the scroll in the temple and we know that when he was twelve years old he was in the temple courts in Jerusalem sitting among the teachers, listening to them, asking questions and everyone who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.
Later he went to Nazareth where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:
"The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to release the oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord's favour."
Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, and he began by saying to them, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."
Jesus was the promised Messiah and here he was proclaiming it to everyone in the synagogue. His entire life was a witness to the power of God and here we are talking about him years later. I believe in God and whether you believe in him or not is your privilege
After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax came to Peter and asked, "Doesn't your teacher pay the temple tax[b]?" "Yes, he does," he replied.
Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?"
Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?"
While Jesus was still speaking, some men came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. "Your daughter is dead," they said. "Why bother the teacher any more?"
As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. "Good teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
While Jesus was teaching in the temple courts, he asked, "How is it that the teachers of the law say that the Christ is the son of David? David himself, speaking by the Holy Spirit, declared:
" 'The Lord said to my Lord:
"Sit at my right hand
until I put your enemies
under your feet."
David himself calls him 'Lord.' How then can he be his son?" The large crowd listened to him with delight.
As he taught, Jesus said, "Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted in the market-places, and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honour at banquets. They devour widows' houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely."
Jesus answered him, "Simon, I have something to tell you." Tell me, teacher," he said.
On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.
Every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up to the Feast, according to the custom. After the Feast was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. Thinking he was in their company, they travelled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers.
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Wednesday 25 February 2009
Personal Salvation
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I think it is only fair to give an explanation to flamingjimmy as to why I said I am not religious.
For starters I believe in God, so that makes me either a deist or a theist, personally I am the latter.
Believing in God and accepting the Bible means I have a faith and that is all I need to do.
Now religious people, and this is only my personal opinion, will perform various rites and rituals that I regard as religious superstition. There is a wikipedia page about it here. Suffice it to say this is not for me.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superstition (See Superstition and religion)
My personal view is that in order to be a born again Christian all that is necessary is to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, to confess our sins and to ask forgiveness. imo.
Being religious means doing religious things which I do not believe are necessary for personal salvation.
I hope this helps to explain my position regarding "religion." I am not "religious, I am a Christian saved by grace.
Thanks.
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I think it is only fair to give an explanation to flamingjimmy as to why I said I am not religious.
For starters I believe in God, so that makes me either a deist or a theist, personally I am the latter.
Believing in God and accepting the Bible means I have a faith and that is all I need to do.
Now religious people, and this is only my personal opinion, will perform various rites and rituals that I regard as religious superstition. There is a wikipedia page about it here. Suffice it to say this is not for me.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superstition (See Superstition and religion)
My personal view is that in order to be a born again Christian all that is necessary is to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, to confess our sins and to ask forgiveness. imo.
Being religious means doing religious things which I do not believe are necessary for personal salvation.
I hope this helps to explain my position regarding "religion." I am not "religious, I am a Christian saved by grace.
Thanks.
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Tuesday 24 February 2009
Elisha and the Bear
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"From there Elisha went up to Bethel. As he was walking along the road, some youths came out of the town and jeered at him. "Go on up, you baldhead!" they said. "Go on up, you baldhead!" He turned around, looked at them and called down a curse on them in the name of the LORD. Then two bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the youths. And he went on to Mount Carmel and from there returned to Samaria."
He cursed them, as you might, and at that moment two bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the children.
What's your problem when a group of youths cause a disturbance. With that number of people it would have been quite a disturbance. The bears will have been frightened and what do wild animals do when they are frightened? They turn on you. Don't you watch any wild life programs? You are reading something into it that isn't there.
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"From there Elisha went up to Bethel. As he was walking along the road, some youths came out of the town and jeered at him. "Go on up, you baldhead!" they said. "Go on up, you baldhead!" He turned around, looked at them and called down a curse on them in the name of the LORD. Then two bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the youths. And he went on to Mount Carmel and from there returned to Samaria."
He cursed them, as you might, and at that moment two bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the children.
What's your problem when a group of youths cause a disturbance. With that number of people it would have been quite a disturbance. The bears will have been frightened and what do wild animals do when they are frightened? They turn on you. Don't you watch any wild life programs? You are reading something into it that isn't there.
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Religion defined
.
I think this is the problem; you define religion as a belief in God which appears to be a man made definition, while I take my inspiration from the Bible, which after all is what I follow. The Bible defines religion like this :
“If anyone considers themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongue [quarrelling, swearing, gossiping, trouble causing] he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress [of whatever race, creed, colour, gender, or appearance].
And to keep oneself from being polluted by the world [keeping up with the joneses, avaricious, selfish, etc.]”
Adolf Hitler, Robert Mugabe and any other despot you can think of may conform to mans definition of religion (a belief in God), but they do not conform to the Christians understanding of religion. Try comparing what those people have done and then compare it with how the Bible says we should live our religious life and you will see the difference.
Oddly enough there are many atheists who do conform to the religious life style and it goes to show how close many non-religious people are to being Christians.
I am not religious by your definition neither do the tyrants around the world conform to the Christian definition of religion. Therefore according to the generally and incorrectly understood definition of religion I am NOT religious by your standard or criteria.
Personally I think true religion is totally different from what we see of Bin Laden and I think a good example would be the way a loving mother treats her child. For me that exemplifies true religion perfectly and the murderous religions that we see around the world are really false cults.
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I think this is the problem; you define religion as a belief in God which appears to be a man made definition, while I take my inspiration from the Bible, which after all is what I follow. The Bible defines religion like this :
“If anyone considers themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongue [quarrelling, swearing, gossiping, trouble causing] he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress [of whatever race, creed, colour, gender, or appearance].
And to keep oneself from being polluted by the world [keeping up with the joneses, avaricious, selfish, etc.]”
Adolf Hitler, Robert Mugabe and any other despot you can think of may conform to mans definition of religion (a belief in God), but they do not conform to the Christians understanding of religion. Try comparing what those people have done and then compare it with how the Bible says we should live our religious life and you will see the difference.
Oddly enough there are many atheists who do conform to the religious life style and it goes to show how close many non-religious people are to being Christians.
I am not religious by your definition neither do the tyrants around the world conform to the Christian definition of religion. Therefore according to the generally and incorrectly understood definition of religion I am NOT religious by your standard or criteria.
Personally I think true religion is totally different from what we see of Bin Laden and I think a good example would be the way a loving mother treats her child. For me that exemplifies true religion perfectly and the murderous religions that we see around the world are really false cults.
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Friday 20 February 2009
Atheism Today
A Christian (briefly) is someone who believes in the Lord Jesus Christ and who follows Him. Not many people do that although a lot of people when asked will say they are Christian without knowing what it means and I doubt many monarchs have been true Christians. Henry VIII for example killed his wives and set up the Anglican Church to rid himself of the Pope. If you asked him he would have said he was a Christian. If you were to ask God I think you will get a different answer.
This also is the answer to the Crusades which people say was Christian, but in reality they were foreign adventures and mercenaries who were out to plunder another country and were far from being Christian.
**********************************
http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=460047
Quote:
Originally Posted by quisquose
On every census we’ve been on, myself, my wife, our family and our friends have all been identified as "Christian" and yet all of us with a few exceptions are agnostic/atheists.
I predict that a significant number of us will actually be thinking about the question properly in the 2011 census, and ticking the "non-religious" box correctly because that is what we are, rather than the box of the religion that we think we are culturally attached to.
I expect some worried self analysis from the Archbishop and his friends as the number of "Christians" is shown to have fallen dramatically from 2001's 72%, even though in reality it was never that high anyway.
People rarely identify themselves are atheist, and most of us carry some sort of woo-woo beliefs or identify themselves as “spiritual” even if they don’t believe in a god. I actually know some atheists that believe in ghosts!
I have some Norwegian colleagues (there's one sat opposite me now) and have visited all the countries in Scandinavia often. I have never met anyone there for whom religion is important. So I thought your 17% claim was a little odd.
The link you provided asks just 3 interesting questions:
I believe there is a God - or - I believe there is some sort of spirit or life force - or -
I don’ t believe there is any sort of spirit, God or life force.
You quite deliberately claimed that the 17% of Norwegians that chose option 3 meant that there are only 17% that identify themselves as atheist. Since I have just asked my atheist wife the same questions as she has chosen option 2, the only thing we can say with certainty from your link is that the percentage of atheists in that country is somewhere between 17% and 68%.
If anything, my anecdotal experience is more reliable than your statistical ‘proof’, and the link you provided backs up essential’s assertion (say that after a couple of pints!) rather than yours, that there does appear to be a negative correlation between belief in god and societal health.
I have this book on order:
Society without God: What the Least Religious Nations Can Tell Us About Contentment by Phil Zuckerman
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Society-with...5129473&sr=8-1
As for Christian Aid, I would not suppose it needs explaining anymore than secular charities like Oxfam, Save the Children, the Red Cross, Medicin San Frontiers, Childline, Shelter, Mind and numerous others, large and small. These organisations are inspired by human altruism and compassion. Besides, I would never claim religion cannot be a motivation for good, but just because religion might motivate charitable work does NOT mean that they benefit society overall. The empirical evidence from Zuckerman and other studies backs this up.
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Reply.
I am so glad you said that because it sounds like an honest post straight from the heart and probably every atheist would echo your thoughts. And you know what, if you were to have taken a census of people down the ages you would have had similar results only some people would have been making stone circles, worshiping sun gods and making human sacrifice which last time I looked is still happening. People in general are not Christians and when you talk about large numbers of people, whether it is a football crowd, a pop concert, or an army going into battle you will find the biggest number of people are like yourself, atheists.
So next time anyone talks about the crusades or the war in Iraq, please remember it is mainly atheists you are pointing the finger at, and please don’t lay the blame for the sins of the world at the feet of Christians, because as you have stated, there aren’t very many.
.
This also is the answer to the Crusades which people say was Christian, but in reality they were foreign adventures and mercenaries who were out to plunder another country and were far from being Christian.
**********************************
http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=460047
Quote:
Originally Posted by quisquose
On every census we’ve been on, myself, my wife, our family and our friends have all been identified as "Christian" and yet all of us with a few exceptions are agnostic/atheists.
I predict that a significant number of us will actually be thinking about the question properly in the 2011 census, and ticking the "non-religious" box correctly because that is what we are, rather than the box of the religion that we think we are culturally attached to.
I expect some worried self analysis from the Archbishop and his friends as the number of "Christians" is shown to have fallen dramatically from 2001's 72%, even though in reality it was never that high anyway.
People rarely identify themselves are atheist, and most of us carry some sort of woo-woo beliefs or identify themselves as “spiritual” even if they don’t believe in a god. I actually know some atheists that believe in ghosts!
I have some Norwegian colleagues (there's one sat opposite me now) and have visited all the countries in Scandinavia often. I have never met anyone there for whom religion is important. So I thought your 17% claim was a little odd.
The link you provided asks just 3 interesting questions:
I believe there is a God - or - I believe there is some sort of spirit or life force - or -
I don’ t believe there is any sort of spirit, God or life force.
You quite deliberately claimed that the 17% of Norwegians that chose option 3 meant that there are only 17% that identify themselves as atheist. Since I have just asked my atheist wife the same questions as she has chosen option 2, the only thing we can say with certainty from your link is that the percentage of atheists in that country is somewhere between 17% and 68%.
If anything, my anecdotal experience is more reliable than your statistical ‘proof’, and the link you provided backs up essential’s assertion (say that after a couple of pints!) rather than yours, that there does appear to be a negative correlation between belief in god and societal health.
I have this book on order:
Society without God: What the Least Religious Nations Can Tell Us About Contentment by Phil Zuckerman
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Society-with...5129473&sr=8-1
As for Christian Aid, I would not suppose it needs explaining anymore than secular charities like Oxfam, Save the Children, the Red Cross, Medicin San Frontiers, Childline, Shelter, Mind and numerous others, large and small. These organisations are inspired by human altruism and compassion. Besides, I would never claim religion cannot be a motivation for good, but just because religion might motivate charitable work does NOT mean that they benefit society overall. The empirical evidence from Zuckerman and other studies backs this up.
.
Reply.
I am so glad you said that because it sounds like an honest post straight from the heart and probably every atheist would echo your thoughts. And you know what, if you were to have taken a census of people down the ages you would have had similar results only some people would have been making stone circles, worshiping sun gods and making human sacrifice which last time I looked is still happening. People in general are not Christians and when you talk about large numbers of people, whether it is a football crowd, a pop concert, or an army going into battle you will find the biggest number of people are like yourself, atheists.
So next time anyone talks about the crusades or the war in Iraq, please remember it is mainly atheists you are pointing the finger at, and please don’t lay the blame for the sins of the world at the feet of Christians, because as you have stated, there aren’t very many.
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Friday 6 February 2009
Americian Constituation
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U.S. Constitution Online
God in the State Constitutions
The subject of God in the Constitution arises from time to time, and this site deals with the topic specifically elsewhere. However, another question also arises: how is God referenced, if at all, in state constitutions.
This list is not guaranteed to be exhaustive, but it attempts to be. Using the most recent version of each state's constitution, these words were searched for: God, Lord, Creator, Christ. Other variations were recorded when noted. Each instance is noted below, alphabetically by state name. Copied portions are excerpts only - only the sentence with the term in question is included. Refer to the original document for context.
Content notes: When the usage of the word "Lord" is in the context of a date, only the usage and the accompanying date is noted below. When the words "so help me God" are in an oath of office, only the words "so help me God" are noted below. Also see summary notes.
Alabama
Preamble:
We, the people of the State of Alabama, in order to establish justice, insure domestic tranquillity, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, invoking the favor and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish the following Constitution and form of government for the State of Alabama:
Section 1:
That all men are equally free and independent; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Section 186, witness oath:
"... so help me God."
Section 279, oath of office:
"So help me God."
Alaska
Preamble:
We the people of Alaska, grateful to God and to those who founded our nation and pioneered this great land, in order to secure and transmit to succeeding generations our heritage of political, civil, and religious liberty within the Union of States, do ordain and establish this constitution for the State of Alaska.
Arizona
Preamble:
We, the people of the State of Arizona, grateful to Almighty God for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution.
Arkansas
Preamble:
We, the People of the State of Arkansas, grateful to Almighty God for the privilege of choosing our own form of government; for our civil and religious liberty; and desiring to perpetuate its blessings, and secure the same to our selves and posterity; do ordain and establish this Constitution.
Article 2, Section 24:
All men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences;
Article 19:
No person who denies the being of a God shall hold any office in the civil departments of this State, nor be competent to testify as a witness in any Court.
Terminus:
... in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy four ...
California
Preamble:
We, the People of the State of California, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, in order to secure and perpetuate its blessings, do establish this Constitution.
Colorado
Preamble:
We, the people of Colorado, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, in order to form a more independent and perfect government; establish justice; insure tranquillity; provide for the common defense; promote the general welfare and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this constitution for the "State of Colorado".
Article 5, Section 45:
... in the year of our Lord 1885 ...
Terminus:
... in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy-six ...
Connecticut
Preamble:
The People of Connecticut acknowledging with gratitude, the good providence of God, in having permitted them to enjoy a free government; do, in order more effectually to define, secure, and perpetuate the liberties, rights and privileges which they have derived from their ancestors; hereby, after a careful consideration and revision, ordain and establish the following constitution and form of civil government.
Article 11, Section 1, oath of office:
... So help you God.
Delaware
Preamble:
Through Divine goodness, all men have by nature the rights of worshiping and serving their Creator according to the dictates of their consciences, of enjoying and defending life and liberty, of acquiring and protecting reputation and property, and in general of obtaining objects suitable to their condition, without injury by one to another; and as these rights are essential to their welfare, for due exercise thereof, power is inherent in them; and therefore all just authority in the institutions of political society is derived from the people, and established with their consent, to advance their happiness; and they may for this end, as circumstances require, from time to time, alter their Constitution of government.
Article 1, Section 1:
Although it is the duty of all men frequently to assemble together for the public worship of Almighty God; and piety and morality, on which the prosperity of communities depends, are hereby promoted; yet no man shall or ought to be compelled to attend any religious worship, to contribute to the erection or support of any place of worship, or to the maintenance of any ministry, against his own free will and consent;
Article 5, Section 2:
... in the year of our Lord, Nineteen Hundred ...
Article 14, Section 1, oath of office:
"... so help me God."
Terminus:
... in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Ninety-Seven ...
Florida
Preamble:
We, the people of the State of Florida, being grateful to Almighty God for our constitutional liberty, in order to secure its benefits, perfect our government, insure domestic tranquility, maintain public order, and guarantee equal civil and political rights to all, do ordain and establish this constitution.
Article 2, Section 5, oath of office:
"So help me God."
Georgia
Preamble:
To perpetuate the principles of free government, insure justice to all, preserve peace, promote the interest and happiness of the citizen and of the family, and transmit to posterity the enjoyment of liberty, we the people of Georgia, relying upon the protection and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish this Constitution.
Hawaii
Preamble:
We, the people of Hawaii, grateful for Divine Guidance, and mindful of our Hawaiian heritage and uniqueness as an island State, dedicate our efforts to fulfill the philosophy decreed by the Hawaii State motto, "Ua mau ke ea o ka aina i ka pono."
Article 7, Section 13:
Bonds issued by or on behalf of the State or by any political subdivision to meet appropriations for any fiscal period in anticipation of the collection of revenues for such period or to meet casual deficits or failures of revenue, if required to be paid within one year, and bonds issued by or on behalf of the State to suppress insurrection, to repel invasion, to defend the State in war or to meet emergencies caused by disaster or act of God.
Idaho
Preamble:
We, the people of the State of Idaho, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings and promote our common welfare do establish this Constitution.
Illinois
Preamble:
We, the People of the State of Illinois - grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberty which He has permitted us to enjoy and seeking His blessing upon our endeavors - in order to provide for the health, safety and welfare of the people; maintain a representative and orderly government; eliminate poverty and inequality; assure legal, social and economic justice; provide opportunity for the fullest development of the individual; insure domestic tranquility; provide for the common defense; and secure the blessings of freedom and liberty to ourselves and our posterity - do ordain and establish this Constitution for the State of Illinois.
Indiana
Preamble:
TO THE END, that justice be established, public order maintained, and liberty perpetuated; WE, the People of the State of Indiana, grateful to ALMIGHTY GOD for the free exercise of the right to choose our own form of government, do ordain this Constitution.
Article 1, Section 1:
WE DECLARE, That all people are created equal; that they are endowed by their CREATOR with certain inalienable rights;
Article 1, Section 2:
All people shall be secured in the natural right to worship ALMIGHTY GOD, according to the dictates of their own consciences.
Iowa
Preamble:
WE THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF IOWA, grateful to the Supreme Being for the blessings hitherto enjoyed, and feeling our dependence on Him for a continuation of those blessings, do ordain and establish a free and independent government, by the name of the State of Iowa, the boundaries whereof shall be as follows:
Article 9, Part 2, Section 3:t 2, Section 3:
... in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty-one ...
Kansas
Preamble:
We, the people of Kansas, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious privileges, in order to insure the full enjoyment of our rights as American citizens, do ordain and establish this constitution of the state of Kansas, with the following boundaries, to wit:
Bill of Rights, Section 7:
The right to worship God according to the dictates of conscience shall never be infringed;
Kentucky
Preamble:
We, the people of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties we enjoy, and invoking the continuance of these blessings, do ordain and establish this Constitution.
Section 1, Clause 2:
The right of worshipping Almighty God according to the dictates of their consciences.
Section 228, oath of office:
... so help me God.
Section 232:
The manner of administering an oath or affirmation shall be such as is most consistent with the conscience of the deponent, and shall be esteemed by the General Assembly the most solemn appeal to God.
Terminus:
... in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ninety-one ...
Louisiana
Preamble:
We, the people of Louisiana, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political, economic, and religious liberties we enjoy, and desiring to protect individual rights to life, liberty, and property; afford opportunity for the fullest development of the individual; assure equality of rights; promote the health, safety, education, and welfare of the people; maintain a representative and orderly government; ensure domestic tranquility; provide for the common defense; and secure the blessings of freedom and justice to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this constitution.
Article 10, Section 30, oath of office:
"... so help me God."
Maine
Preamble:
We the people of Maine, in order to establish justice, insure tranquility, provide for our mutual defense, promote our common welfare, and secure to ourselves and our posterity the blessings of liberty, acknowledging with grateful hearts the goodness of the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe in affording us an opportunity, so favorable to the design; and, imploring God's aid and direction in its accomplishment, do agree to form ourselves into a free and independent State, by the style and title of the State of Maine and do ordain and establish the following Constitution for the government of the same.
Article 1, Section 3:
All individuals have a natural and unalienable right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences, and no person shall be hurt, molested or restrained in that person's liberty or estate for worshipping God in the manner and season most agreeable to the dictates of that person's own conscience, nor for that person's religious professions or sentiments, provided that that person does not disturb the public peace, nor obstruct others in their religious worship;
Article 9, Section 1, oath of office
"So help me God."
Article 9, Section 1, alternative oath of office
"So help me God."
Maryland
Preamble:
We, the People of the State of Maryland, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberty, and taking into our serious consideration the best means of establishing a good Constitution in this State for the sure foundation and more permanent security thereof, declare:
Declaration of Rights, Article 36:
That as it is the duty of every man to worship God in such manner as he thinks most acceptable to Him, all persons are equally entitled to protection in their religious liberty; ... nor shall any person, otherwise competent, be deemed incompetent as a witness, or juror, on account of his religious belief; provided, he believes in the existence of God, and that under His dispensation such person will be held morally accountable for his acts, and be rewarded or punished therefor either in this world or in the world to come.
Nothing shall prohibit or require the making reference to belief in, reliance upon, or invoking the aid of God or a Supreme Being in any governmental or public document, proceeding, activity, ceremony, school, institution, or place.
Declaration of Rights, Article 37:
That no religious test ought ever to be required as a qualification for any office of profit or trust in this State, other than a declaration of belief in the existence of God; nor shall the Legislature prescribe any other oath of office than the oath prescribed by this Constitution.
Declaration of Rights, Article 39:
That the manner of administering an oath or affirmation to any person, ought to be such as those of the religious persuasion, profession, or denomination, of which he is a member, generally esteem the most effectual confirmation by the attestation of the Divine Being.
Massachusetts
Preamble:
We, therefore, the people of Massachusetts, acknowledging, with grateful hearts, the goodness of the great Legislator of the universe, in affording us, in the course of His providence, an opportunity, deliberately and peaceably, without fraud, violence or surprise, of entering into an original, explicit, and solemn compact with each other; and of forming a new constitution of civil government, for ourselves and posterity; and devoutly imploring His direction in so interesting a design, do agree upon, ordain and establish the following Declaration of Rights, and Frame of Government, as the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Part 1, Article 2:
It is the right as well as the duty of all men in society, publicly, and at stated seasons to worship the Supreme Being, the great Creator and Preserver of the universe. And no subject shall be hurt, molested, or restrained, in his person, liberty, or estate, for worshipping God in the manner and season most agreeable to the dictates of his own conscience;
Chapter 5, Section 1, Article 1:
Whereas our wise and pious ancestors, so early as the year one thousand six hundred and thirty-six, laid the foundation of Harvard College, in which university many persons of great eminence have, by the blessing of God, been initiated in those arts and sciences, which qualified them for public employments, both in church and state: and whereas the encouragement of arts and sciences, and all good literature, tends to the honor of God, the advantage of the Christian religion, and the great benefit of this and the other United States of America ...
Chapter 6, Article 1:
"So help me, God."
Chapter 6, Article 10:
... in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety-five ...
Chapter 6, Article 12:
... in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-seven ...
... in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-seven ...
Amendments, Article 6, oath of office:
"So help me God."
Amendments, Article 11:
As the public worship of God and instructions in piety, religion and morality, promote the happiness and prosperity of a people and the security of a republican government;
Michigan
Preamble:
We, the people of the State of Michigan, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of freedom, and earnestly desiring to secure these blessings undiminished to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this constitution.
Article 1, Section 4:
Every person shall be at liberty to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience.
Minnesota
Preamble:
We, the people of the state of Minnesota, grateful to God for our civil and religious liberty, and desiring to perpetuate its blessings and secure the same to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution.
Article 1, Section 16:
The right of every man to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience shall never be infringed;
Mississippi
Preamble:
We, the people of Mississippi in convention assembled, grateful to Almighty God, and invoking his blessing on our work, do ordain and establish this constitution.
Article 4, Section 40, oath of office:
"So help me God."
Article 6, Section 155, oath of office:
"So help me God."
Article 14, Section 268, oath of office:
"So help me God."
Missouri
Preamble:
We the people of Missouri, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, and grateful for His goodness, do establish this constitution for the better government of the state.
Article 1, Section 5:
That all men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences;
Montana
Preamble:
We the people of Montana grateful to God for the quiet beauty of our state, the grandeur of our mountains, the vastness of our rolling plains, and desiring to improve the quality of life, equality of opportunity and to secure the blessings of liberty for this and future generations do ordain and establish this constitution.
Article 3, Section 3, oath of office:
"... (so help me God)."
Nebraska
Preamble:
We, the people, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, do ordain and establish the following declaration of rights and frame of government, as the Constitution of the State of Nebraska.
Article 1, Section 4:
All persons have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences.
Nevada
Preamble:
We the people of the State of Nevada Grateful to Almighty God for our freedom in order to secure its blessings, insure domestic tranquility, and form a more perfect Government, do establish this Constitution.
Article 15, Section 2, oath of office:
... so help me God.
Terminus:
... in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Sixty Four ...
New Hampshire
Part 1, Article 5:
Every individual has a natural and unalienable right to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience, and reason; and no subject shall be hurt, molested, or restrained, in his person, liberty, or estate, for worshipping God in the manner and season most agreeable to the dictates of his own conscience;
Part 2, Article 84, oath of office:
So help me God.
New Jersey
Preface:
... in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and forty-seven.
Preamble:
We, the people of the State of New Jersey, grateful to Almighty God for the civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing upon our endeavors to secure and transmit the same unimpaired to succeeding generations, do ordain and establish this Constitution.
Article 1, Section 3:
No person shall be deprived of the inestimable privilege of worshipping Almighty God in a manner agreeable to the dictates of his own conscience;
Article 8, Section 2:
Nor shall anything in this paragraph contained apply to the creation of any debts or liabilities for purposes of war, or to repel invasion, or to suppress insurrection or to meet an emergency caused by disaster or act of God.
Article 10, Clause 5:
... in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and forty-eight.
New Mexico
Preamble:
We, the people of New Mexico, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty, in order to secure the advantages of a state government, do ordain and establish this constitution.
Article 2, Section 11:
Every man shall be free to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience, and no person shall ever be molested or denied any civil or political right or privilege on account of his religious opinion or mode of religious worship.
New York
Preamble:
We The People of the State of New York, grateful to Almighty God for our Freedom, in order to secure its blessings, DO ESTABLISH THIS CONSTITUTION.
North Carolina
Preamble:
We, the people of the State of North Carolina, grateful to Almighty God, the Sovereign Ruler of Nations, for the preservation of the American Union and the existence of our civil, political and religious liberties, and acknowledging our dependence upon Him for the continuance of those blessings to us and our posterity, do, for the more certain security thereof and for the better government of this State, ordain and establish this Constitution.
Article 1, Section 1:
We hold it to be self-evident that all persons are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, the enjoyment of the fruits of their own labor, and the pursuit of happiness.
Article 1, Section 13:
All persons have a natural and inalienable right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences, and no human authority shall, in any case whatever, control or interfere with the rights of conscience.
Article 6, Section 7, oath of office:
"... so help me God."
Article 6, Section 8:
The following persons shall be disqualified for office:
First, any person who shall deny the being of Almighty God.
North Dakota
Preamble:
We, the people of North Dakota, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, do ordain and establish this constitution.
Article 11, Section 4, oath of office:
"... so help me God."
Ohio
Preamble:
We, the people of the State of Ohio, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings and promote our common welfare, do establish this Constitution.
Article 1, Section 7:
All men have a natural andle right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own conscience.
Terminus:
... in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-one ...
Oklahoma
Preamble:
Invoking the guidance of Almighty God, in order to secure and perpetuate the blessing of liberty; to secure just and rightful government; to promote our mutual welfare and happiness, we, the people of the State of Oklahoma, do ordain and establish this Constitution.
Terminus:
... in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and seven ...
Oregon
Article 1, Section 2:
All men shall be secure in the Natural right, to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences.
Pennsylvania
Preamble:
WE, the people of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, and humbly invoking His guidance, do ordain and establish this Constitution.
Article 1, Section 3:
All men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences;
Article 1, Section 4:
No person who acknowledges the being of a God and a future state of rewards and punishments shall, on account of his religious sentiments, be disqualified to hold any office or place of trust or profit under this Commonwealth.
Rhode Island
Preamble:
We, the people of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, grateful to Almighty God for the civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing upon our endeavors to secure and to transmit the same, unimpaired, to succeeding generations, do ordain and establish this Constitution of government.
Article 1, Section 3:
Whereas Almighty God hath created the mind free; ... and that every person shall be free to worship God according to the dictates of such person's conscience, and to profess and by argument to maintain such person's opinion in matters of religion;
Article 3, Section 3, oath of office:
So help you God.
South Carolina
Preamble:
We, the people of the State of South Carolina, in Convention assembled, grateful to God for our liberties, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the preservation and perpetuation of the same.
Article 3, Section 26, oath of office:
"So help me God."
Article 6, Section 5, oath of office:
"So help me God."
Terminus:
... in the year of our Lord, one thousand Eight hundred and Ninety-five.
South Dakota
Preamble:
We, the people of South Dakota, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberties, in order to form a more perfect and independent government, establish justice, insure tranquillity, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare and preserve to ourselves and to our posterity the blessings of liberty, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the state of South Dakota.
Article 3:
The right to worship God according to the dictates of conscience shall never be infringed.
Article 21, Section 1:
Properly divided between the upper and lower edges of the circle shall appear the legend, "Under God the People Rule" which shall be the motto of the state of South Dakota.
Tennessee
Preamble:
... in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety-six ...
... in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-three ...
... in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-four ...
... in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-five ...
... in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine ...
... in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy ...
Article 1, Section 2:
That all men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own conscience;
Article 9, Section 1:
Whereas ministers of the Gospel are by their profession, dedicated to God and the care of souls, and ought not to be diverted from the great duties of their functions; therefore, no minister of the Gospel, or priest of any denomination whatever, shall be eligible to a seat in either House of the Legislature.
Article 9, Section 2:
No person who denies the being of God, or a future state of rewards and punishments, shall hold any office in the civil department of this state.
Texas
Preamble:
Humbly invoking the blessings of Almighty God, the people of the State of Texas, do ordain and establish this Constitution.
Article 1, Section 6:
All men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences.
Article 16, Section 1, oath of office:
"... so help me God."
Utah
Preamble:
Grateful to Almighty God for life and liberty, we, the people of Utah, in order to secure and perpetuate the principles of free government, do ordain and establish this CONSTITUTION.
Terminus:
... in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ninety-five ...
Vermont
Chapter 1, Article 3:
That all persons have a natural and unalienable right, to worship Almighty God, according to the dictates of their own consciences and understandings, as in their opinion shall be regulated by the word of God; ... Nevertheless, every sect or denomination of Christians ought to observe the sabbath or Lord's day, and keep up some sort of religious worship, which to them shall seem most agreeable to the revealed will of God.
Article 2, Section 16, oath of office:
So help you God.
Article 2, Section 17, oath of office:
So help you God.
Article 2, Section 56, oath of office:
So help you God.
Virginia
Article 1, Section 17:
That religion or the duty which we owe to our Creator, and the manner of discharging it, can be directed only by reason and conviction, not by force or violence;
Article 2, Section 7, oath of office:
"... (so help me God)."
Washington
Preamble:
We, the people of the State of Washington, grateful to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe for our liberties, do ordain this constitution.
West Virginia
Preamble:
Since through Divine Providence we enjoy the blessings of civil, political and religious liberty, we, the people of West Virginia, in and through the provisions of this Constitution, reaffirm our faith in and constant reliance upon God and seek diligently to promote, preserve and perpetuate good government in the state of West Virginia for the common welfare, freedom and security of ourselves and our posterity.
Wisconsin
Preamble:
We, the people of Wisconsin, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, in order to secure its blessings, form a more perfect government, insure domestic tranquility and promote the general welfare, do establish this constitution.
Article 1, Section 18:
The right of every person to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of conscience shall never be infringed;
Wyoming
Preamble:
We, the people of the State of Wyoming, grateful to God for our civil, political and religious liberties, and desiring to secure them to ourselves and perpetuate them to our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution.
Terminus:
... in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighty-nine.
American Samoa
Article 5, Section 6, oath of office:
So help me God.
Guam - Organic Act
Subchapter 3, Section 1423d, oath of office:
I solemnly swear (or affirm) in the presence of Almighty God that I will well and faithfully support the Constitution of the United States...
Terminus:
... in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred seventy-five ...
Puerto Rico
Preamble:
We, the people of Puerto Rico, in order to organize ourselves politically on a fully democratic basis, to promote the general welfare, and to secure for ourselves and our posterity the complete enjoyment of human rights, placing our trust in Almighty God, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the commonwealth which, in the exercise of our natural rights, we now create within our union with the United States of America.
Terminus:
... in the year of Our Lord one thousand nine hundred and fifty-two.
U.S. Virgin Islands - Organic Act
No mention.
Notes
The above excerpts illustrate some interesting points:
· In almost all cases, states mention God in the preambles to their Constitutions. Only a few do not. New Hampshire, Vermont, and Virginia do not have preambles. Tennessee's only mentions "Lord" in the context of dates. Oregon's preamble is decidedly neutral.
· The use of the term "in the year of our Lord" is very common.
· Many states mention God in sections that refer to religious freedom, but many of those refer to "Almighty God," which, by all objective standards, is an endorsement of the Judeo-Christian-Islamic deity (several of the religious freedom sections mention Christianity specifically).
· A handful of states, Arkansas, Maryland, North Carolina, and Tennessee, have provisions that deny elective office to anyone who does not believe in God. These provisions are probably not enforceable. In Arkansas and Maryland, persons who do not believe in God are constitutionally forbidden from being witnesses in a trial.
· The oaths of office codified in the various constitutions often include the closing statement, "So help me God." Several states allow an alternate statement such as "Under the pains and penalties of perjury." Several do not allow an alternate closing, and several have no such closing whatever.
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U.S. Constitution Online
God in the State Constitutions
The subject of God in the Constitution arises from time to time, and this site deals with the topic specifically elsewhere. However, another question also arises: how is God referenced, if at all, in state constitutions.
This list is not guaranteed to be exhaustive, but it attempts to be. Using the most recent version of each state's constitution, these words were searched for: God, Lord, Creator, Christ. Other variations were recorded when noted. Each instance is noted below, alphabetically by state name. Copied portions are excerpts only - only the sentence with the term in question is included. Refer to the original document for context.
Content notes: When the usage of the word "Lord" is in the context of a date, only the usage and the accompanying date is noted below. When the words "so help me God" are in an oath of office, only the words "so help me God" are noted below. Also see summary notes.
Alabama
Preamble:
We, the people of the State of Alabama, in order to establish justice, insure domestic tranquillity, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, invoking the favor and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish the following Constitution and form of government for the State of Alabama:
Section 1:
That all men are equally free and independent; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Section 186, witness oath:
"... so help me God."
Section 279, oath of office:
"So help me God."
Alaska
Preamble:
We the people of Alaska, grateful to God and to those who founded our nation and pioneered this great land, in order to secure and transmit to succeeding generations our heritage of political, civil, and religious liberty within the Union of States, do ordain and establish this constitution for the State of Alaska.
Arizona
Preamble:
We, the people of the State of Arizona, grateful to Almighty God for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution.
Arkansas
Preamble:
We, the People of the State of Arkansas, grateful to Almighty God for the privilege of choosing our own form of government; for our civil and religious liberty; and desiring to perpetuate its blessings, and secure the same to our selves and posterity; do ordain and establish this Constitution.
Article 2, Section 24:
All men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences;
Article 19:
No person who denies the being of a God shall hold any office in the civil departments of this State, nor be competent to testify as a witness in any Court.
Terminus:
... in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy four ...
California
Preamble:
We, the People of the State of California, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, in order to secure and perpetuate its blessings, do establish this Constitution.
Colorado
Preamble:
We, the people of Colorado, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, in order to form a more independent and perfect government; establish justice; insure tranquillity; provide for the common defense; promote the general welfare and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this constitution for the "State of Colorado".
Article 5, Section 45:
... in the year of our Lord 1885 ...
Terminus:
... in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy-six ...
Connecticut
Preamble:
The People of Connecticut acknowledging with gratitude, the good providence of God, in having permitted them to enjoy a free government; do, in order more effectually to define, secure, and perpetuate the liberties, rights and privileges which they have derived from their ancestors; hereby, after a careful consideration and revision, ordain and establish the following constitution and form of civil government.
Article 11, Section 1, oath of office:
... So help you God.
Delaware
Preamble:
Through Divine goodness, all men have by nature the rights of worshiping and serving their Creator according to the dictates of their consciences, of enjoying and defending life and liberty, of acquiring and protecting reputation and property, and in general of obtaining objects suitable to their condition, without injury by one to another; and as these rights are essential to their welfare, for due exercise thereof, power is inherent in them; and therefore all just authority in the institutions of political society is derived from the people, and established with their consent, to advance their happiness; and they may for this end, as circumstances require, from time to time, alter their Constitution of government.
Article 1, Section 1:
Although it is the duty of all men frequently to assemble together for the public worship of Almighty God; and piety and morality, on which the prosperity of communities depends, are hereby promoted; yet no man shall or ought to be compelled to attend any religious worship, to contribute to the erection or support of any place of worship, or to the maintenance of any ministry, against his own free will and consent;
Article 5, Section 2:
... in the year of our Lord, Nineteen Hundred ...
Article 14, Section 1, oath of office:
"... so help me God."
Terminus:
... in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Ninety-Seven ...
Florida
Preamble:
We, the people of the State of Florida, being grateful to Almighty God for our constitutional liberty, in order to secure its benefits, perfect our government, insure domestic tranquility, maintain public order, and guarantee equal civil and political rights to all, do ordain and establish this constitution.
Article 2, Section 5, oath of office:
"So help me God."
Georgia
Preamble:
To perpetuate the principles of free government, insure justice to all, preserve peace, promote the interest and happiness of the citizen and of the family, and transmit to posterity the enjoyment of liberty, we the people of Georgia, relying upon the protection and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish this Constitution.
Hawaii
Preamble:
We, the people of Hawaii, grateful for Divine Guidance, and mindful of our Hawaiian heritage and uniqueness as an island State, dedicate our efforts to fulfill the philosophy decreed by the Hawaii State motto, "Ua mau ke ea o ka aina i ka pono."
Article 7, Section 13:
Bonds issued by or on behalf of the State or by any political subdivision to meet appropriations for any fiscal period in anticipation of the collection of revenues for such period or to meet casual deficits or failures of revenue, if required to be paid within one year, and bonds issued by or on behalf of the State to suppress insurrection, to repel invasion, to defend the State in war or to meet emergencies caused by disaster or act of God.
Idaho
Preamble:
We, the people of the State of Idaho, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings and promote our common welfare do establish this Constitution.
Illinois
Preamble:
We, the People of the State of Illinois - grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberty which He has permitted us to enjoy and seeking His blessing upon our endeavors - in order to provide for the health, safety and welfare of the people; maintain a representative and orderly government; eliminate poverty and inequality; assure legal, social and economic justice; provide opportunity for the fullest development of the individual; insure domestic tranquility; provide for the common defense; and secure the blessings of freedom and liberty to ourselves and our posterity - do ordain and establish this Constitution for the State of Illinois.
Indiana
Preamble:
TO THE END, that justice be established, public order maintained, and liberty perpetuated; WE, the People of the State of Indiana, grateful to ALMIGHTY GOD for the free exercise of the right to choose our own form of government, do ordain this Constitution.
Article 1, Section 1:
WE DECLARE, That all people are created equal; that they are endowed by their CREATOR with certain inalienable rights;
Article 1, Section 2:
All people shall be secured in the natural right to worship ALMIGHTY GOD, according to the dictates of their own consciences.
Iowa
Preamble:
WE THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF IOWA, grateful to the Supreme Being for the blessings hitherto enjoyed, and feeling our dependence on Him for a continuation of those blessings, do ordain and establish a free and independent government, by the name of the State of Iowa, the boundaries whereof shall be as follows:
Article 9, Part 2, Section 3:t 2, Section 3:
... in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty-one ...
Kansas
Preamble:
We, the people of Kansas, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious privileges, in order to insure the full enjoyment of our rights as American citizens, do ordain and establish this constitution of the state of Kansas, with the following boundaries, to wit:
Bill of Rights, Section 7:
The right to worship God according to the dictates of conscience shall never be infringed;
Kentucky
Preamble:
We, the people of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties we enjoy, and invoking the continuance of these blessings, do ordain and establish this Constitution.
Section 1, Clause 2:
The right of worshipping Almighty God according to the dictates of their consciences.
Section 228, oath of office:
... so help me God.
Section 232:
The manner of administering an oath or affirmation shall be such as is most consistent with the conscience of the deponent, and shall be esteemed by the General Assembly the most solemn appeal to God.
Terminus:
... in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ninety-one ...
Louisiana
Preamble:
We, the people of Louisiana, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political, economic, and religious liberties we enjoy, and desiring to protect individual rights to life, liberty, and property; afford opportunity for the fullest development of the individual; assure equality of rights; promote the health, safety, education, and welfare of the people; maintain a representative and orderly government; ensure domestic tranquility; provide for the common defense; and secure the blessings of freedom and justice to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this constitution.
Article 10, Section 30, oath of office:
"... so help me God."
Maine
Preamble:
We the people of Maine, in order to establish justice, insure tranquility, provide for our mutual defense, promote our common welfare, and secure to ourselves and our posterity the blessings of liberty, acknowledging with grateful hearts the goodness of the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe in affording us an opportunity, so favorable to the design; and, imploring God's aid and direction in its accomplishment, do agree to form ourselves into a free and independent State, by the style and title of the State of Maine and do ordain and establish the following Constitution for the government of the same.
Article 1, Section 3:
All individuals have a natural and unalienable right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences, and no person shall be hurt, molested or restrained in that person's liberty or estate for worshipping God in the manner and season most agreeable to the dictates of that person's own conscience, nor for that person's religious professions or sentiments, provided that that person does not disturb the public peace, nor obstruct others in their religious worship;
Article 9, Section 1, oath of office
"So help me God."
Article 9, Section 1, alternative oath of office
"So help me God."
Maryland
Preamble:
We, the People of the State of Maryland, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberty, and taking into our serious consideration the best means of establishing a good Constitution in this State for the sure foundation and more permanent security thereof, declare:
Declaration of Rights, Article 36:
That as it is the duty of every man to worship God in such manner as he thinks most acceptable to Him, all persons are equally entitled to protection in their religious liberty; ... nor shall any person, otherwise competent, be deemed incompetent as a witness, or juror, on account of his religious belief; provided, he believes in the existence of God, and that under His dispensation such person will be held morally accountable for his acts, and be rewarded or punished therefor either in this world or in the world to come.
Nothing shall prohibit or require the making reference to belief in, reliance upon, or invoking the aid of God or a Supreme Being in any governmental or public document, proceeding, activity, ceremony, school, institution, or place.
Declaration of Rights, Article 37:
That no religious test ought ever to be required as a qualification for any office of profit or trust in this State, other than a declaration of belief in the existence of God; nor shall the Legislature prescribe any other oath of office than the oath prescribed by this Constitution.
Declaration of Rights, Article 39:
That the manner of administering an oath or affirmation to any person, ought to be such as those of the religious persuasion, profession, or denomination, of which he is a member, generally esteem the most effectual confirmation by the attestation of the Divine Being.
Massachusetts
Preamble:
We, therefore, the people of Massachusetts, acknowledging, with grateful hearts, the goodness of the great Legislator of the universe, in affording us, in the course of His providence, an opportunity, deliberately and peaceably, without fraud, violence or surprise, of entering into an original, explicit, and solemn compact with each other; and of forming a new constitution of civil government, for ourselves and posterity; and devoutly imploring His direction in so interesting a design, do agree upon, ordain and establish the following Declaration of Rights, and Frame of Government, as the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Part 1, Article 2:
It is the right as well as the duty of all men in society, publicly, and at stated seasons to worship the Supreme Being, the great Creator and Preserver of the universe. And no subject shall be hurt, molested, or restrained, in his person, liberty, or estate, for worshipping God in the manner and season most agreeable to the dictates of his own conscience;
Chapter 5, Section 1, Article 1:
Whereas our wise and pious ancestors, so early as the year one thousand six hundred and thirty-six, laid the foundation of Harvard College, in which university many persons of great eminence have, by the blessing of God, been initiated in those arts and sciences, which qualified them for public employments, both in church and state: and whereas the encouragement of arts and sciences, and all good literature, tends to the honor of God, the advantage of the Christian religion, and the great benefit of this and the other United States of America ...
Chapter 6, Article 1:
"So help me, God."
Chapter 6, Article 10:
... in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety-five ...
Chapter 6, Article 12:
... in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-seven ...
... in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-seven ...
Amendments, Article 6, oath of office:
"So help me God."
Amendments, Article 11:
As the public worship of God and instructions in piety, religion and morality, promote the happiness and prosperity of a people and the security of a republican government;
Michigan
Preamble:
We, the people of the State of Michigan, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of freedom, and earnestly desiring to secure these blessings undiminished to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this constitution.
Article 1, Section 4:
Every person shall be at liberty to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience.
Minnesota
Preamble:
We, the people of the state of Minnesota, grateful to God for our civil and religious liberty, and desiring to perpetuate its blessings and secure the same to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution.
Article 1, Section 16:
The right of every man to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience shall never be infringed;
Mississippi
Preamble:
We, the people of Mississippi in convention assembled, grateful to Almighty God, and invoking his blessing on our work, do ordain and establish this constitution.
Article 4, Section 40, oath of office:
"So help me God."
Article 6, Section 155, oath of office:
"So help me God."
Article 14, Section 268, oath of office:
"So help me God."
Missouri
Preamble:
We the people of Missouri, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, and grateful for His goodness, do establish this constitution for the better government of the state.
Article 1, Section 5:
That all men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences;
Montana
Preamble:
We the people of Montana grateful to God for the quiet beauty of our state, the grandeur of our mountains, the vastness of our rolling plains, and desiring to improve the quality of life, equality of opportunity and to secure the blessings of liberty for this and future generations do ordain and establish this constitution.
Article 3, Section 3, oath of office:
"... (so help me God)."
Nebraska
Preamble:
We, the people, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, do ordain and establish the following declaration of rights and frame of government, as the Constitution of the State of Nebraska.
Article 1, Section 4:
All persons have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences.
Nevada
Preamble:
We the people of the State of Nevada Grateful to Almighty God for our freedom in order to secure its blessings, insure domestic tranquility, and form a more perfect Government, do establish this Constitution.
Article 15, Section 2, oath of office:
... so help me God.
Terminus:
... in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Sixty Four ...
New Hampshire
Part 1, Article 5:
Every individual has a natural and unalienable right to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience, and reason; and no subject shall be hurt, molested, or restrained, in his person, liberty, or estate, for worshipping God in the manner and season most agreeable to the dictates of his own conscience;
Part 2, Article 84, oath of office:
So help me God.
New Jersey
Preface:
... in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and forty-seven.
Preamble:
We, the people of the State of New Jersey, grateful to Almighty God for the civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing upon our endeavors to secure and transmit the same unimpaired to succeeding generations, do ordain and establish this Constitution.
Article 1, Section 3:
No person shall be deprived of the inestimable privilege of worshipping Almighty God in a manner agreeable to the dictates of his own conscience;
Article 8, Section 2:
Nor shall anything in this paragraph contained apply to the creation of any debts or liabilities for purposes of war, or to repel invasion, or to suppress insurrection or to meet an emergency caused by disaster or act of God.
Article 10, Clause 5:
... in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and forty-eight.
New Mexico
Preamble:
We, the people of New Mexico, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty, in order to secure the advantages of a state government, do ordain and establish this constitution.
Article 2, Section 11:
Every man shall be free to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience, and no person shall ever be molested or denied any civil or political right or privilege on account of his religious opinion or mode of religious worship.
New York
Preamble:
We The People of the State of New York, grateful to Almighty God for our Freedom, in order to secure its blessings, DO ESTABLISH THIS CONSTITUTION.
North Carolina
Preamble:
We, the people of the State of North Carolina, grateful to Almighty God, the Sovereign Ruler of Nations, for the preservation of the American Union and the existence of our civil, political and religious liberties, and acknowledging our dependence upon Him for the continuance of those blessings to us and our posterity, do, for the more certain security thereof and for the better government of this State, ordain and establish this Constitution.
Article 1, Section 1:
We hold it to be self-evident that all persons are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, the enjoyment of the fruits of their own labor, and the pursuit of happiness.
Article 1, Section 13:
All persons have a natural and inalienable right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences, and no human authority shall, in any case whatever, control or interfere with the rights of conscience.
Article 6, Section 7, oath of office:
"... so help me God."
Article 6, Section 8:
The following persons shall be disqualified for office:
First, any person who shall deny the being of Almighty God.
North Dakota
Preamble:
We, the people of North Dakota, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, do ordain and establish this constitution.
Article 11, Section 4, oath of office:
"... so help me God."
Ohio
Preamble:
We, the people of the State of Ohio, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings and promote our common welfare, do establish this Constitution.
Article 1, Section 7:
All men have a natural andle right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own conscience.
Terminus:
... in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-one ...
Oklahoma
Preamble:
Invoking the guidance of Almighty God, in order to secure and perpetuate the blessing of liberty; to secure just and rightful government; to promote our mutual welfare and happiness, we, the people of the State of Oklahoma, do ordain and establish this Constitution.
Terminus:
... in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and seven ...
Oregon
Article 1, Section 2:
All men shall be secure in the Natural right, to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences.
Pennsylvania
Preamble:
WE, the people of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, and humbly invoking His guidance, do ordain and establish this Constitution.
Article 1, Section 3:
All men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences;
Article 1, Section 4:
No person who acknowledges the being of a God and a future state of rewards and punishments shall, on account of his religious sentiments, be disqualified to hold any office or place of trust or profit under this Commonwealth.
Rhode Island
Preamble:
We, the people of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, grateful to Almighty God for the civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing upon our endeavors to secure and to transmit the same, unimpaired, to succeeding generations, do ordain and establish this Constitution of government.
Article 1, Section 3:
Whereas Almighty God hath created the mind free; ... and that every person shall be free to worship God according to the dictates of such person's conscience, and to profess and by argument to maintain such person's opinion in matters of religion;
Article 3, Section 3, oath of office:
So help you God.
South Carolina
Preamble:
We, the people of the State of South Carolina, in Convention assembled, grateful to God for our liberties, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the preservation and perpetuation of the same.
Article 3, Section 26, oath of office:
"So help me God."
Article 6, Section 5, oath of office:
"So help me God."
Terminus:
... in the year of our Lord, one thousand Eight hundred and Ninety-five.
South Dakota
Preamble:
We, the people of South Dakota, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberties, in order to form a more perfect and independent government, establish justice, insure tranquillity, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare and preserve to ourselves and to our posterity the blessings of liberty, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the state of South Dakota.
Article 3:
The right to worship God according to the dictates of conscience shall never be infringed.
Article 21, Section 1:
Properly divided between the upper and lower edges of the circle shall appear the legend, "Under God the People Rule" which shall be the motto of the state of South Dakota.
Tennessee
Preamble:
... in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety-six ...
... in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-three ...
... in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-four ...
... in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-five ...
... in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine ...
... in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy ...
Article 1, Section 2:
That all men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own conscience;
Article 9, Section 1:
Whereas ministers of the Gospel are by their profession, dedicated to God and the care of souls, and ought not to be diverted from the great duties of their functions; therefore, no minister of the Gospel, or priest of any denomination whatever, shall be eligible to a seat in either House of the Legislature.
Article 9, Section 2:
No person who denies the being of God, or a future state of rewards and punishments, shall hold any office in the civil department of this state.
Texas
Preamble:
Humbly invoking the blessings of Almighty God, the people of the State of Texas, do ordain and establish this Constitution.
Article 1, Section 6:
All men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences.
Article 16, Section 1, oath of office:
"... so help me God."
Utah
Preamble:
Grateful to Almighty God for life and liberty, we, the people of Utah, in order to secure and perpetuate the principles of free government, do ordain and establish this CONSTITUTION.
Terminus:
... in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ninety-five ...
Vermont
Chapter 1, Article 3:
That all persons have a natural and unalienable right, to worship Almighty God, according to the dictates of their own consciences and understandings, as in their opinion shall be regulated by the word of God; ... Nevertheless, every sect or denomination of Christians ought to observe the sabbath or Lord's day, and keep up some sort of religious worship, which to them shall seem most agreeable to the revealed will of God.
Article 2, Section 16, oath of office:
So help you God.
Article 2, Section 17, oath of office:
So help you God.
Article 2, Section 56, oath of office:
So help you God.
Virginia
Article 1, Section 17:
That religion or the duty which we owe to our Creator, and the manner of discharging it, can be directed only by reason and conviction, not by force or violence;
Article 2, Section 7, oath of office:
"... (so help me God)."
Washington
Preamble:
We, the people of the State of Washington, grateful to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe for our liberties, do ordain this constitution.
West Virginia
Preamble:
Since through Divine Providence we enjoy the blessings of civil, political and religious liberty, we, the people of West Virginia, in and through the provisions of this Constitution, reaffirm our faith in and constant reliance upon God and seek diligently to promote, preserve and perpetuate good government in the state of West Virginia for the common welfare, freedom and security of ourselves and our posterity.
Wisconsin
Preamble:
We, the people of Wisconsin, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, in order to secure its blessings, form a more perfect government, insure domestic tranquility and promote the general welfare, do establish this constitution.
Article 1, Section 18:
The right of every person to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of conscience shall never be infringed;
Wyoming
Preamble:
We, the people of the State of Wyoming, grateful to God for our civil, political and religious liberties, and desiring to secure them to ourselves and perpetuate them to our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution.
Terminus:
... in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighty-nine.
American Samoa
Article 5, Section 6, oath of office:
So help me God.
Guam - Organic Act
Subchapter 3, Section 1423d, oath of office:
I solemnly swear (or affirm) in the presence of Almighty God that I will well and faithfully support the Constitution of the United States...
Terminus:
... in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred seventy-five ...
Puerto Rico
Preamble:
We, the people of Puerto Rico, in order to organize ourselves politically on a fully democratic basis, to promote the general welfare, and to secure for ourselves and our posterity the complete enjoyment of human rights, placing our trust in Almighty God, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the commonwealth which, in the exercise of our natural rights, we now create within our union with the United States of America.
Terminus:
... in the year of Our Lord one thousand nine hundred and fifty-two.
U.S. Virgin Islands - Organic Act
No mention.
Notes
The above excerpts illustrate some interesting points:
· In almost all cases, states mention God in the preambles to their Constitutions. Only a few do not. New Hampshire, Vermont, and Virginia do not have preambles. Tennessee's only mentions "Lord" in the context of dates. Oregon's preamble is decidedly neutral.
· The use of the term "in the year of our Lord" is very common.
· Many states mention God in sections that refer to religious freedom, but many of those refer to "Almighty God," which, by all objective standards, is an endorsement of the Judeo-Christian-Islamic deity (several of the religious freedom sections mention Christianity specifically).
· A handful of states, Arkansas, Maryland, North Carolina, and Tennessee, have provisions that deny elective office to anyone who does not believe in God. These provisions are probably not enforceable. In Arkansas and Maryland, persons who do not believe in God are constitutionally forbidden from being witnesses in a trial.
· The oaths of office codified in the various constitutions often include the closing statement, "So help me God." Several states allow an alternate statement such as "Under the pains and penalties of perjury." Several do not allow an alternate closing, and several have no such closing whatever.
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