The Making Of Heroes

Within humanity's seven billion people there are thousands, if not millions, of character traits and personality differences. Each person is uniquely created, uniquely exposed to a varity of environments, and affected in inumerable ways to become who they allow themselves to be. Among the personality traits which develope or predominate in people are that of the parasite, the fanatic, the helpless, the unconcerned, the victim and the hero. There are many others, of course. Within the parasitic types are egomaniacs, con-artists, sluggards, deadbeats, addicts, thieves and moochers. All of us have been victimized at one time or another, but some people constantly see themselves as victims. Others, not physically or mentally handicapped, yet feel unable to deal with the trials, reversals and challenges of life. Fanatics and narcissists often wind up in leadership positions because the majority of people are followers looking for a cause and a leader.  All of the above characteristics, except the hero, cause or contribute to the flood of victims lying bloody and bruised along the "broad way" of life. In this global communicating, international traveling, high tech world, the opportunities for credit card fraud, robbery, and ID theift are rampant.

The one human characteristic in shortest supply is that of the hero, 
the self sacrificing, responsible, caring and ready to rescue type person. Those people who step up to injustice and cruel abuse and punch it in the nose. Then, like the good Samaritan, lift up the true victims, care for them and pay the price. There, in such a scene you have the most likely source of new heroes ... the man, woman or child that was robbed, beaten, abused and left helpless ... but delivered by the heroic act of another person. There, in that victim, is a potential new hero. Little children rescued by a policeman or fireman or college student or passing citizen, are very likely, themselves, to one day be the hero.

The only way you can improve on the story of the good Samaritan is, as Jesus intended, a Christian good Samaritan.

"And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.

31

And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.

32And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.

33But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,

34And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

35And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee." Luke 10:30-25.

In this account, the victim was not a hero simply because he was wounded, the priest was not a hero just because he was a priest, the Levite was not a hero simply because he was religious and the innkeeper was not a hero either. He was a business man who charged the Samaritan room and board to let the wounded man recuperate in his inn. The only hero here is the good Samaritan who was a half-breed Jew and despised by the blue blood Jews. But, if the rescued man, who owed his life to the Samaritan, had any appreciation for this loving, generous Samaritan and any thankfulness to God, he is the most likely candidate in the story to become a hero. We know nothing of him beyond what is recorded, but it is almost certain that he was a changed man, and more loving and generous himself, for the rest of his life, and probably, himself, became a hero. "Iron sharpeneth iron" Prov.27:17.... and heroes make heroes.

Spiritual conversion is by God's grace through faith, but in almost every case of the conversion of a soul, God uses Christians to go to the person, witness to the person, pray with the person, and lead that person to Christ. Christians, by God's word and His Holy Spirit, make Christians. Be a hero ... Be a Christian. Care for the dying; rescue the perishing. God wants you to be a hero ... the world needs you and you need an outlet for your faith.

Show Respect To Old People. You Never Know What Great Things They May Have Done

Past heroism, accomplishment and character do not show on the surface. But even if someone has done little or nothing with their life, it is still important to show everyone basic respect, as human beings created in the image and likeness of God. That is, until they prove themselves more worthy of disdain. Showing respect to a Charles Manson or Muslim terrorists, who rape children and murder the innocent is a contradiction of justice. Jesus, himself, openly condemned such wickedness without "respect of persons" (Col.3:25).... regardless of how rich or powerful the person might have been. Jesus showed no respect to the hypocritical Pharisees when He called them "whitewashed graves full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness." Matt.23:27.  Nor was he showing the money changers, in the Temple, respect when he drove them out with a whip and called them a "den of thieves". But, in both cases, they had proven themselves to be just what Jesus said they were. In almost every other case, Jesus showed respect, not partiality, to sinners of every sort, loved them, forgave them and saved them.

So, respect to everyone we meet along the way is essential, unless they have proven themselves to be "beyond the pale" of common decency. "Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron." 1 Tim.4:2  .... "Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness." Eph. 4:19. But, of course, that is for God to judge and reveal unto us, as He will, if we are uncertain and have need of increased spiritual perception. 

Without God's leadership and the spiritual perception, that only He can give, we are not wise enough or spiritual enough to recognize what another person truly is and therefore often miss judge or miss read them by their outward appearance.
"....The LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart." 1 Sam.16:7.

Take, for instance, the case of an old gentleman who was retired, but bored so he took a job with Walmart as a greeter of customers at the entrance, and to help them with a cart. He had arrived for work late several times in the first month so his boss asked him one morning, "Before you retired, what would the manager have said to you if you came in late for work?" The old man thought a moment and answered .... "Good morning Admiral, would you like coffee?" True story.

Another true story, and just as pertinent to the importance of showing respect to everybody, without partiality (respect of persons) to those who look deserving, is at the link below. Be kind ... Be Christlike. Respect others, if you have no real reason to do otherwise.... and there are such times. RB


http://usoonpatrol.org/archives/2010/09/07/leadership-and-the-janitor

God Speaks Clearly To Every Person...Some Listen, Most Don't

There are basically just two kinds of spiritual orientation in people prior to faith and Christian conversion ... light and darkness. The children of light are and have been forever known to God and are God conscious. "Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness." 1 Thess. 5:5. God knows and has eternally known who these future people would one day be and their future acceptance of His light.

The children of darkness are not God conscious. He has also always known the children of darkness and disobedience would, in their lifetime, reject Him. Since He has always known all of their choices, faith or lack of it, the children of light have always been known as His "elect", His "chosen" and His "children". The children of light will, in their lifetimes, see, hear and receive the three clear, testimonies of God's primary witnesses of Himself as the universal Creator God.

The first of these three is Natural Creation itself. the second is the Holy Scriptures. The third is God's Holy Spirit. Natural creation is physically and emotionally perceived by all of our human senses, by both the children of light and the children of darkness. So, all human beings are "without excuse" if they reject the fact of an obvious Creator God. "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools.... 1Thess.18-22.

The children of light are willingly drawn to the Creator by the witness of Natural Creation's majesty, beauty and complexity, to seek this Creator God of the Natural Universe, and find peace with Him and to know Him spiritually....

This brings us to the testimony of God's second clear witness... the Holy Bible. Of all the world's written history, millions of books and writings, there is only one that reveals the true Creator, His person, plan and divine will for all people. The very first message of God in the Bible is the confirmation of the one true God as Creator of heaven and earth and all living things, including people... in His image and likeness. "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." Gen.1:1. The Bible then gives us a history of humanity from its creation to its fall, God's planned redemption by His Son, Messiah (Christ), His prophets, His purpose, His will, His church, the end times, and final judgment, heaven and hell. The Bible, the Holy Scriptures are also called the "word of God" and "the seed of the sower"...."Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. .... Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand..... For this people's heart is waxed gross and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears .... and should understand with their heart, and should be converted .... But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.... Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one (Satan) , and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart....." Matt.13:9-19.

Here are two phrases which are key to the children of darkness rejecting the light with the consequence of being left in their darkness."... their eyes they have closed ...." "...they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not...." It is they who have closed their own eyes to God and His light ... His truth and God has always known that is what they would do.

 The third and last witness, after Natural Creation and the Biblical confirmations of the reality of a supremely intelligent Creator, God, is His Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit, in conjunction with the Creation, convinces every person born .... of the of the truth of God as Creator. "(John the Baptist) came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe....That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world." John 1:7&9.  Natural Creation and the Holy Spirit enlighten "all men"  and "every (human) that comes into the world" sufficiently, that we and the universe were created by the one and only Creator.... God. Some see and listen, some do not. The Holy Spirit convicts and convinces every human of their guilt of sin, their need for righteousness and the consequences of impending judgment. Jesus said it in John 16:7-11."I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter (Holy Spirit) will not come unto you ... I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will re prove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged." 

Jesus also warned us that "...Many are called, but few are chosen. Matt.22:14
Every person is called by God's glorious creation, or Bible preaching, teaching or Christian's testimony... by the Holy Spirit. But most reject those witnesses. Why? For many reasons. If they acknowledge the reality of God, it means they must cast aside inherited religion, repent of the sins they cling to, and deal with disapproving family and friends. They know such a God would require them to seek Him and submit to his will and purpose for them, and yield to His changes to their lives. So, "Many are called"... but few respond to God's call, repent, and accept His Son, Jesus and yield to His will. And, only those few are "chosen".

The Apostle Paul speaks of God's children of light as "the elect" before the fact of their salvation, but whom God has always known would believe as a result of Paul's preaching and the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives .... in God's own timing. "Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory." 2 Tim.2:10. 

When I was a young preacher in seminary in the early 1950s, an old (75-85) Japanese pastor, who had founded many churches and several Bible schools, in Japan, gave us this testimony ... When he was a young man, he had many doubts about his family's and Japan's traditional religions. When he considered nature, the stars, the miracle of life, the 5 senses, and the human brain, he knew that the stone god, Buda, or his ancestors did not create this universe. He also knew it couldn't have happened accidentally by evolution. Therefore, it must have been created somehow. So, he felt compelled to discover who the intelligent Creator of all things was. He climbed a high mountain near his home and sat down and prayed to this unknown God all of a day and night for this true God to reveal Himself unto him. but, he left the mountain with just one small impression ... that he must leave home and go out looking for his Creator.

He walked many miles across Japan and finally found himself in Tokyo on a street of many shops, walking slowly along studying each shop and praying for God to reveal Himself. As he passed one shop, he heard a man's voice coming from it ... reading from a black covered book ... aloud. Instantly he knew the words were the word of God speaking to him. "What book is that?" he asked. To which the man said, "The Holy Bible, the word of God". This young seeker knew at once it was true and the Spirit of this man's God brought him to that shop, convinced him and converted him to Christ. God's Holy Spirit knows who and where every seeking sinner, every witnessing Christian and every Bible is ... and how to bring them together.

"For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you." Acts 17:23. The Master's master plan. RB

New Report ...1000 Evangelical Leaders Asked Trump His Positions

But the press can't even get to Hillary

Trump was not my first or second choice, but he is the one God allowed to be selected as an alternative to Hillary and I'm for almost any alternative to her. As much as I was opposed to Trump, I will not help elect the Democrat who is a lying, corrupt Liberal Socialist who will further destroy this country. I will vote for Trump/Pence in hopes of avoiding the complete destruction of our country by a President even worse than Obama which would seem impossible. but is. RB

You might enjoy hearing from someone who was “inside the room” for the Trump/Evangelical meeting in New York.

This is from Bill Perkins of Compass International.  PLEASE VOTE in November. Not Voting IS a Vote for Hillary

Trump Meets With Evangelical Leaders

This was a fascinating day in New York City as over 1000 Christian leaders from all over the U.S. gathered to ask Donald Trump tough specific questions about his policy and intentions should he be elected POTUS.

The event organizers originally requested Dallas, Texas as a middle-of-the-nation location to hold a get-some-private-time with Trump event, hoping to attract some 200-300 national Christian leaders. But the only opening on Trump’s schedule was in NYC for 30 minutes, 30 days out. So they took it.

A screening committee, scouring the Internet, sent out invitations to about 1000 Christian leaders. Because the high expense of flying into and staying in NYC, and the date less than 30 days away, they reserved a room for only 100 people at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square.

Each person who accepted the invitation then had to be vetted, and ultimately ok’ed by the Secret Service. Once cleared, you were notified by phone. I got two sets of phone questions about my work with Compass and when finally approved, had 10 days to make plans.
(I’m sure I was at the end of the list!!)

But despite receiving the late notices, the response to attend  was off-the-charts. Almost everyone they invited accepted the invitation. And some who were left off the original list apparently lobbied for inclusion. Ultimately there were over 1000 who hastily changed their schedules to attend.

The security was tight for the 7 AM opening for registrants. I stood in long lines for an hour, passing through three check points before finally getting through Secret Service security.

Once I finally got to my seat at my table I was astonished to be sitting next to a sharp-as-a tack Auburn grad who is married to another Auburn grad and lives in Vestavia, Alabama where I grew up. She’s a registered lobbyist who worked for George Bush (W) when she first got out of Auburn. War Eagle to that one!

Also at my table was a Congressional candidate from North Carolina, a Christian TV station owner from Florida and the Chairman of the Board of the Washington Times. There were about four past Steeling conference speakers in the room, that I noticed. Probably more I didn’t see.

After opening remarks by the conference organizers, Jerry Falwell Jr. spoke, then Franklin Graham. Both attested to the authenticity of Donald Trump.

George Barna, the polling guy, spoke. Using several charts he showed that Trump has a genuine path to victory if Christians vote. But in the last Presidential election, some 40 million evangelicals stayed home and that was literally the difference in the election.

Then Ben Carson spoke for about 20 minutes. His easy and soft-spoken style easily warmed the crowd. He referred to the fact that Trump had a bad three weeks, and Clinton had a good three weeks and yet the race is still close, virtually tied. But his main point was that Trump is a proven leader. He’s certainly not a politician who’s always worried about offending someone. And that’s what we need, a leader, not a politician.

Next came Huckabee, who moderated the discussion between the crowd and Trump.  Before introducing Trump, he made the point that we’re not voting on a pastor or a Pope, but rather a leader.  A leader who is quite different from the past in order to change things from the status quo.

So the day was set that this was not about Trump’s Christian knowledge or virtues, but rather where Trump wants to take the country.  And where we’re headed if Trump is not elected.

The biggest concern centered around the Supreme Court. The next President will appoint anywhere from one to five members. The Second Amendment, freedom of religion, prayer in public places, etc.will likely be settled by the next President’s appointees.

When Donald Trump was introduced, he didn’t speak from the podium but rather sat next to Huckabee on the stage fielding questions from the crowd for about 90 minutes. So much for the 30 minutes originally allotted. There was no press allowed inside, so it was just Trump and the Christian leaders talking back and forth.

The really big Christian leader names got to directly ask Trump questions from the floor— i.e. people like James Dobson, Ralph Reed, Tony Perkins, etc. Most felt religious liberty was at stake with this election, saying that if the policies Obama has set in place are allowed to continue, Christians will eventually have no freedom to worship. Harassment of Christian organizations would continue.

Through it all, Trump answered each of their questions with solid answers, both acknowledging the problem cited and how he would take care of the problem. He seemed to be genuinely concerned about changing the direction of the nation.

He addressed many subjects including the Supreme Court, national defense, border problems, Christian persecution, his pro-life stance, Israel, healthcare, education. and energy.

I would say that most of those who attended who were not sure if they would vote for him, left convinced of how much is at stake in this election if Trump is not elected.

After Trump left, to a standing ovation, more questions were taken from the audience addressed to a panel of Christian leaders. Things like the weakening of the military, Christian business rights, etc. were discussed at length.

I have to say, we pretty much all came away thinking that if Clinton, or any Democrat, is elected, the path this nation is currently on will continue and WILL lead to disaster. If we don’t turn the ship now, we’re headed to be like socialized Europe— religion pushed out of everyday life and a financial disaster getting worse by the month. Even reaching problems like what’s going on in Argentina, where they are currently literally fighting for food, is not out of the realm of possibilities. It’s that bad. Don’t think it can’t happen here.

At the end of the day was prayer. With few exceptions, the entire room knelt on the floor in corporate prayer for our nation. I took the opportunity to take a quick picture of that sight, some 1000 people in their Sunday clothes on the ground praying together. Who knows where this will lead. Maybe….

So, the bottom line for me is that I love this country and our Constitution more than I dislike Trumps antics and ego. He will attempt to change the direction that Godless liberals and their propaganda-media have led this nation. With Trump we have a chance.  With Clinton we have no chance. Be thankful we still have a chance and VOTE this fall.

Please pass this on.  The future of our country in general and our religious liberty in particular depend on every Christian being registered to vote --  AND VOTING.

Three Stewards Whose Lord Was A Capitalist ... One Disliked Capitalists

Now, don't faint on me ...

The Law of Sowing and Reaping:
"...Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." Gal.6:7. 

Jesus illustrates good and bad 
Stewardship  in Matt. 25:14-2

Here is Jesus' "righteous" plan for investing your money, life or spiritual gifts to the best possible gain, benefit or harvest. Jesus never once used an evil or flawed example (parable), of which God did not approve, to illustrate a spiritual truth. This "inspired" parable, about our investing, was given to His disciples as an example of what He expects of all of His Stewards, and everyone is a Steward. It is akin to the law of sowing and reaping, whether it be money, spiritual gifts or the way we spend our lives. There is a definite economic, as well as a primary, spiritual lesson here.

For the kingdom of heaven IS AS a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. 

(This illustration alludes to our Lord's giving or lending spiritual gifts, talents, abilities and resources as well as the Great Commission, to His disciples just prior to His final ascending departure back into heaven).

And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. (Each of us has a different level of ability within various talents).
Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. That is called "Free Enterprise Investing".
If these were silver shekel talents this man would have been responsible for investing a fortune of his master's money.  That much money is called Capital.

A capitalist is a wealthy person who uses money to invest in trade or finance industry for profit in accordance with the principles of capitalism. The mass production factory system was created by 19th century capitalists.

And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. 

But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. (Unused talents, time, spiritual gifts, money and other resources)

After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. (Second Coming of our Lord in the day accounting ... reckoning).

And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have  gained  
beside them five talents more. That is called "profit".

His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 

He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. 

His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 

Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: (Accused his Master of Capitalism)

And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. 

His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: ( His Master Confirmed he was a Capitalist)

Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers (interest), and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury  (Interest).  Matt. 25:14-27.

So, for heaven's sake, stop criticizing, out of jealousy,  people who work for their income and invest it wisely for gain or profit. The same goes for jealous criticism of those who invest their spiritual gifts or lives for spiritual increase. Each of us has talents and spiritual gifts differing from those of others. Use your gifts, talents, time and treasure to the best advantage... wisely, for the Lord who loaned them to you expecting you to invest them for Him. RB

Most Christian Leaders Believe Trump Would Keep His Word

I believe Trump is a worldly guy who relates more to Christians than to antiChristian, Socialist Democrats and would keep his word and do his best to live up to what he proposes he would do as President. If he does not get the Evangelical vote, Clinton/Kaine will extend the Obama left turn "change" and antiChristian attacks on us right up to the door of the of The Tribulation. Think and Pray before you decide not to vote. RB

From Western Journalism

Dobson: Electing Trump to the White House ‘Would Unleash Christian Activists’

"... Christians have been deprived of their rights ..."

Christian activist Dr. James Dobson believes that a Donald Trump presidency “would unleash Christian activists to fight for their beliefs.”

Writing on the website WND, Dobson recounted a June meeting in which he met with Trump and other Christian leaders at Trump Tower in New York City.

At the meeting, he told Trump, “Our Supreme Court has struck down Bible reading in schools and even prohibited prayer to an unidentified God. Then, they banned the posting of the Ten Commandments on bulletin boards. From there, the limitation on religious liberties has become even more egregious,” he wrote.

“Most recently, President Obama and Hillary Clinton have been referring to ‘freedom of worship,’ rather than ‘freedom of religion.’ Do you understand their motive? They are suggesting that Americans are free to worship in their churches and synagogues, but not in the public square,” he told Trump.

He said that Trump responded by calling it an “outrage that Christians have been deprived of their rights to speak openly on behalf of the values and principles in which they believe.”

Dobson noted that Trump criticized the Johnson Amendment, a 1954 piece of tax code that bans political participation by churches, as well as other tax-exempt not-for-profit groups. The amendment was supported by then-Sen. Lyndon Johnson, D-Texas.

Dobson said Trump’s promise to overturn the amendment “would have a great impact on Washington because it would unleash Christian activists to fight for their beliefs.”

Trump has kept faith with the ministers with whom he met. The Republican platform includes a plank to abolish the amendment.

“We’re going to get rid of that horrible Johnson amendment and we’re going to let evangelicals, we’re going to let Christians and Jews and people of religion talk without being afraid to talk,” Trump said last month.

Jerry Falwell Jr., president of Liberty University, has said that eliminating the amendment “is almost as important for Christians as the appointment of Supreme Court justices.”

There Will Never Be Another Time Or Chance To Do This One Glorious Thing

When you awaken one day ... a way over there
At the end of the Valley of the Shadow of death
When opportunity for obedience, love and care
Have passed away with your last fleeting breath

All you ever accomplished or failed to do
Is now lost in the past and forever forgotten
Except by those few who really knew you
And He by whom you were once begotten

Life was given and flew to its lonely, final end
What is done is done, sealed in God's eternal scroll
Too late to forgive, repent, amend or pretend
So love, serve and walk with Christ, as your life's goal

For there will never be another time or chance to do so. RB

"Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day 
of the LORD is near in the valley of decision." Joel 3:14.

(Series 2) Roman Senator/Historian, Tacitus, Wrote About Christ, Christians And Nero

Again I point out the unreasonable fact that many of the same unbelievers who swear America was not founded primarily by Christians, no matter the historical record, also swear that Jesus Christ never really existed... no matter the historical record. So here's another Historian unbeliever giving testimony shortly after Historian Josephus wrote of "Christ" in the first century, and that shortly after the Gospel Mark dated around 70AD

Rom.14:11 "For it is written (Isa.45:23), As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God."

The historian, Publius Cornelius Tacitus, was a non-Christian, Roman Senator
who recorded certain facts about Jesus Christ and Christians in his works.

In The Fire of Rome, by Karl von Piloty, 1861, says according to Tacitus, the Roman Emperor, Nero, targeted Christians as those responsible for the burning of Rome. The Roman historian and senator, Tacitus, referred to Christ, his execution by Pontius Pilate, and the existence of early Christians in Rome in one page of his final work, Annals (written around AD 116), book 15, chapter 44.

The context of the passage is the six-day conflagration of Rome that burned much of the city in AD 64 during the reign of Roman Emperor Nero. The passage is one of the earliest non-Christian references to the origins of Christianity, the execution of Christ described in the canonical gospels, and the presence and persecution of Christians in 1st-century Rome.

Scholars generally consider Tacitus' reference to the execution of Jesus by Pontius Pilate to be both authentic, and of historical value as an independent Roman source. Eddy and Boyd state that it is now "firmly established" that Tacitus provides a non-Christian confirmation of the crucifixion of Jesus.

Historian Ronald Mellor has stated that The Annals is "Tacitus's crowning achievement" which represents the "pinnacle of Roman historical writing". Scholars view it as establishing three separate facts about Rome around AD 60: (1) that there were a sizable number of Christians in Rome at the time, (2) that it was possible to distinguish between Christians and Jews in Rome, and (3) that at the time pagans made a connection between Christianity in Rome and its origin in Roman Judea.

The Annals passage (15.44), which has been subjected to much scholarly analysis, follows a description of the six-day Great Fire of Rome that burned much of Rome in July 64 AD.

The key part of the passage reads as follows (translation from Latin by A. J. Church and W. J. Brodribb, 1876):

Consequently, to get rid of the report, Nero fastened the guilt and inflicted the most exquisite tortures on a class hated for their abominations, called Christians by the populace. Christ, from whom the name had its origin, suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of one of our procurators, Pontius Pilatus, and a most mischievous superstition, thus checked for the moment, again broke out not only in Judæa, the first source of the evil, but even in Rome, where all things hideous and shameful from every part of the world find their centre and become popular. Accordingly, an arrest was first made of all who pleaded guilty. An immense multitude was convicted, not so much for the crime of firing the city, as of their hatred against mankind.

Tacitus then describes the torture of Christians. The exact cause of the fire remains uncertain, but much of the population of Rome suspected that Emperor Nero had started the fire himself. To divert attention from himself, Nero accused the Christians of starting the fire and persecuted them, making this the first documented confrontation between Christians and the authorities in Rome. Tacitus never accused Nero of playing the lyre while Rome burned – that statement came from Cassius Dio, who died in the 3rd century. But Tacitus did suggest that Nero used the Christians as scapegoats.

Copies of Tacitus' works derive from two principal manuscripts, known as the Medicean manuscripts, written in Latin, which are held in the Laurentian Library in Florence, Italy. It is the second Medicean manuscript, 11th century and at Monte Cassino, which is the oldest surviving copy of th passage describing Christians.  (Tacitus' opinion is that of a non-Christian, Roman Senator. RB)

Much of the information in this post is taken from Wikipedia.

(Series 1) First Century Romano-Jewish Historian, Josephus, Wrote About Jesus

Many of the same unbelievers who swear America was not founded primarily by Christians, no matter the historical record, also swear that Jesus Christ never really existed..... no matter the historical record. So here is what a first century, unbelieving historian wrote about Jesus, His brother, James, and John Baptist.

Rom.14:11 "For it is written (Isa.45:23), As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God." 

The existence of Jesus Christ and Early Christians is not just recorded in the Bible, but is confirmed by non-Christian historical records soon after Christ's crucifixion.

A page from a 1466 copy of Antiquities of the Jews  the extant manuscripts of the writings of the 1st-century Romano-Jewish historian Flavius Josephus include references to Jesus and the origins of Christianity. Josephus' Antiquities of the Jews, written around 93–94 AD (nearly 25 years after the first known Gospel, Mark, dated around 70 AD), ....includes two references to the biblical Jesus Christ in Books 18 and 20 and a reference to John the Baptist in Book 18.
in Book 18, Chapter 3, v.3 of the Antiquities, there is a passage that states that "Jesus the Messiah was a wise teacher who was crucified by Pilate".

Josephus also wrote this of James the brother of Jesus "And now Caesar, upon hearing the death of Festus, sent Albinus into Judea, as procurator. But the king deprived Joseph of the high priesthood, and bestowed the succession to that dignity on the son of Ananus, who was also himself called Ananus. Now the report goes that this eldest Ananus proved a most fortunate man; for he had five sons who had all performed the office of a high priest to God, and who had himself enjoyed that dignity a long time formerly, which had never happened to any other of our high priests. But this younger Ananus, who, as we have told you already, took the high priesthood, was a bold man in his temper, and very insolent; he was also of the sect of the Sadducees, who are very rigid in judging offenders, above all the rest of the Jews, as we have already observed; when, therefore, Ananus was of this disposition, and thought he had now a proper opportunity. Festus was now dead, and Albinus was but upon the road; so he assembled the sanhedrin of judges, and brought before them the brother of Jesus, who was called Christ, whose name was James, and some others; and when he had formed an accusation against them as breakers of the law, he delivered them to be stoned: but as for those who seemed the most equitable of the citizens, and such as were the most uneasy at the breach of the laws, they disliked what was done; they also sent to the king, desiring him to send to Ananus that he should act so no more, for that what he had already done was not to be justified; nay, some of them went also to meet Albinus, as he was upon his journey from Alexandria, and informed him that it was not lawful for Ananus to assemble a sanhedrin without his consent. Whereupon Albinus complied with what they said, and wrote in anger to Ananus, and threatened that he would bring him to punishment for what he had done; on which king Agrippa took the high priesthood from him, when he had ruled but three months....

Josephus also wrote in Antiquities of the Jews Book 20, Chapter 9, that "The stoning of James the brother of Jesus" was "by order of Ananus ben Ananus, a Herodian-era High Priest". The James referred to in this passage is most likely James the first bishop of Jerusalem who is also called James the Just in Christian literature, and to whom the Epistle of James has been attributed. The passage on James is found in all manuscripts, including the Greek texts. The context of the passage is the period following the death of Porcius Festus, and the journey to Alexandria by Lucceius Albinus, the new Roman Procurator of Judea, who held that position from 62 AD to 64 AD. Because Albinus' journey to Alexandria had to have concluded no later than the summer of 62 AD, the date of James' death can be assigned with some certainty to around that year. The 2nd century chronicler Hegesippus also left an account of the death of James, and while the details he provides diverge from those of Josephus, the two accounts share similar elements. Modern scholarship has almost universally acknowledged the authenticity of the reference to "the brother of Jesus, who was called Christ, whose name was James"....Moreover, in comparison with Hegesippus' account of James' death, most scholars consider Josephus' to be the more historically reliable.

Josephus also made reference to John the Baptist. "Now some of the Jews thought that the destruction of Herod's army came from God, and that very justly, as a punishment of what he did against John, that was called the Baptist: for Herod slew him, who was a good man... Herod, who feared lest the great influence John had over the people might put it into his power and inclination to raise a rebellion... Accordingly he was sent a prisoner, out of Herod's suspicious temper, to Macherus, the castle I before mentioned, and was there put to death." In the Antiquities of the Jews (Book 18, Chapter 5, 2) Josephus refers to the imprisonment and death of John the Baptist by order of Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee and Perea. The context of this reference is the 36 AD defeat of Herod Antipas in his conflict with Aretas IV of Nabatea, which the Jews of the time attributed to misfortune brought about by Herod's unjust execution of John. Almost all modern scholars consider this passage to be authentic in its entirety.... Because the death of John also appears prominently in the Christian gospels, this passage is considered an important connection between the events Josephus recorded, the chronology of the gospels and the dates for the ministry of Jesus. While this passage is the only reference to John the Baptist outside the New Testament, it is widely seen by most scholars as confirming the historicity of the baptisms that John performed. While both the gospels and Josephus refer to Herod Antipas killing John the Baptist, they differ on the details and the motive. The gospels present this as a consequence of the marriage of Herod Antipas and Herodias in defiance of Jewish law (as in Matthew 14:4, Mark 6:18); Josephus refers to it as a pre-emptive measure by Herod to quell a possible uprising. The difference in these two versions of Herod's reasons for killing John do not conflict and could both have been true. While Josephus identifies the location of the imprisonment of John as Machaerus, southeast of the mouth of the Jordan river, the gospels mention no location for the place where John was imprisoned. According to other historical accounts Machaerus was rebuilt by Herod the Great around 30 BC and then passed to Herod Antipas. The 36 AD date of the conflict with Aretas IV (mentioned by Josephus) is consistent with the approximate date of the marriage of Herod Antipas and Herodias estimated by other historical methods. Matthew and Mark were giving an account based on eye witnesses,and from a moral view, and at the time of John the Baptist's execution. Whereas, Josephus wrote from a political view, and years later. At any rate, very little of secular history, recorded by faulty humans, is broadly inclusive or totally accurate, but "All scripture is given by inspiration of God ...." 2 Tim.3:16.

This post will be followed by a second in a series of two. The second concerns

the historian, Publius Cornelius Tacitus, a non-Christian, Roman Senator who recorded certain facts about Jesus Christ and Christians in his works shortly after Josephus' record. RB

Much of this post was taken from Wickipedia Encyclopedia

The One Thing Catholics Are More Right On Than Protestants

The brightest star in the Catholic sky is not the virgin Mary, the literal blood and body theory of Communion, the Priest's Confessional, the universality of the Catholic church, the Pope's holiness or claim to be the "Vicar of Christ" and the "Successor of the Apostle Peter". The thing they seem to be more right on than Protestants is the "sanctity of life" and the "right to life" of unborn babies. Even though this particular Pope seems capable of downplaying the travesty of abortion as he has so compromised other historical standards of his church, Catholics, in general, are usually strong advocates of the right to life of every baby. Their strong stand here has been unwavering unlike many protestants. They are at least as firm on this doctrine as Baptists... who are not Protestant.
(True Baptists were never part of the church of Rome, so never exited it in "Protest"). RB

From OneNewsNow
'Church teaching' made Judge Napolitano pro-life

Judge Andrew Napolitano maintains that his strong pro-life stance is based in more than his strict constructionist view of the United States Constitution – it is firmly rooted in the teachings he learned at church.

The judicial analyst who proclaims to be a “traditionalist Roman Catholic” is confident that his biblical foundation is consistent with the U.S. Constitution when it comes to abortion – unlike the many justices who have served in the U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) over the past several decades.

“The Supreme Court’s abortion jurisprudence is such a horrific hodgepodge,” Napolitano told ReasonMagazine Editor-in-Chief Nick Gillespie in a recent interview.

But even though the 1973 landmark SCOTUS decision Roe v. Wade has been the rule of the land in America for more than 40 years, Napolitano expressed that he is “pleasantly surprised” about the number of small-government constitutionalists who also ascribe to his biblical view on abortion.

Reasoning vs. rationalization

The legal expert maintained that both biology and the jurisprudence of the Founding Fathers call upon every level of government to protect the sanctity of human life not just at birth … but from the moment of conception.

Napolitano also argued that former SCOTUS Justice Sandra Day O’Connor’s “infamous” contention – that abortion is a constitutional right upon which states may not impose an “undue burden” – is nowhere to be found in the U.S. Constitution.

“She just made that up out of whole cloth,” the conservative judge asserted. “It’s not used in any other area of human behavior.”

He maintains that the progressive mindset on abortion is rooted in the human desire to try and justify sin and excuse one from having any moral accountability for his or her actions.

“[Legal scholars’ pro-abortion reasoning is] nothing but a political canard intended to please the Left, who want to have sex without responsibility – without the natural consequences of it,” Napolitano insists. “There is no moral justification for killing a child in the womb.”

A mere growth or a real life?

During the interview, Gillespie – an advocate of abortion-on-demand – questioned Napolitano’s pro-life stance.

“When does the clump of cells become a child or is accorded personhood as a legal concept?” the Left-leaning editor asked. “Is it from the moment of conception?”

Napolitano was quick to respond by bringing up preborn children’s DNA and unique individuality within the womb from the initial joining of cells.

“The protection of the law is required from the moment of conception,” the pro-life judge answered Gillespie. “The only moral goal and activity of government is to protect natural rights.”

In addition, Napolitano stressed that innocent and vulnerable preborn children have inalienable rights the second they are conceived.

“The greatest natural right is the right to live,” the pro-family advocate continued. “The government’s obligation is to protect that.”

Wisdom firmly rooted

While Napolitano considers some of his views to be libertarian in nature, he professes that his mindset on many social issues is rooted not only in his religious beliefs, but in scientifically observable phenomena and sound legal scholarship.

“My opposition to abortion is not only because of Church teaching, but also because of a rational examination of the baby growing in the womb and a belief in the non-aggression principle,” the legal scholar shared.

The legal principles Napolitano mentions are universal tenets of jurisprudence.

“[By the non-aggressive principle, Napolitano is referring to] a cornerstone of small-government doctrine, which holds that it is wrong to initiate force against an innocent party,” LifeSiteNews explained. “While he supports the principle of subsidiarity – the Thomist notion that all government should be carried out by the lowest level of government possible because it is closest to the people – he would favor the federal government’s intervention in state affairs in order to protect life.”

Napolitano’s views on abortion are rare among libertarians and their presidential nominee, New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson – an advocate of abortion-on-demand and opponent of conscience rights for Christian business owners. The social conservative judge used an example that is not used or mentioned by most libertarians to state his case.

“If the federal government is preventing a butcher from killing a baby, that’s a good thing for the federal government to do,” the traditionalist asserted. “If the states were to look the other way while butchers destroyed babies in the womb and the federal government didn’t do anything about it, it would be violating its obligation under the Fifth Amendment to make sure that life, liberty and property are not taken without due process.”

Judge Andrew Napolitano maintains that his strong pro-life stance is based in more than his strict constructionist view of the United States Constitution – it is firmly rooted in the teachings he learned at church.

The judicial analyst who proclaims to be a “traditionalist Roman Catholic” is confident that his biblical foundation is consistent with the U.S. Constitution when it comes to abortion – unlike the many justices who have served in the U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) over the past several decades.

“The Supreme Court’s abortion jurisprudence is such a horrific hodgepodge,” Napolitano told ReasonMagazine Editor-in-Chief Nick Gillespie in a recent interview.

But even though the 1973 landmark SCOTUS decision Roe v. Wade has been the rule of the land in America for more than 40 years, Napolitano expressed that he is “pleasantly surprised” about the number of small-government constitutionalists who also ascribe to his biblical view on abortion.

Reasoning vs. rationalization

The legal expert maintained that both biology and the jurisprudence of the Founding Fathers call upon every level of government to protect the sanctity of human life not just at birth … but from the moment of conception.

Napolitano also argued that former SCOTUS Justice Sandra Day O’Connor’s “infamous” contention – that abortion is a constitutional right upon which states may not impose an “undue burden” – is nowhere to be found in the U.S. Constitution.

“She just made that up out of whole cloth,” the conservative judge asserted. “It’s not used in any other area of human behavior.”

He maintains that the progressive mindset on abortion is rooted in the human desire to try and justify sin and excuse one from having any moral accountability for his or her actions.

“[Legal scholars’ pro-abortion reasoning is] nothing but a political canard intended to please the Left, who want to have sex without responsibility – without the natural consequences of it,” Napolitano insists. “There is no moral justification for killing a child in the womb.”

A mere growth or a real life?

During the interview, Gillespie – an advocate of abortion-on-demand – questioned Napolitano’s pro-life stance.

“When does the clump of cells become a child or is accorded personhood as a legal concept?” the Left-leaning editor asked. “Is it from the moment of conception?”

Napolitano was quick to respond by bringing up preborn children’s DNA and unique individuality within the womb from the initial joining of cells.

“The protection of the law is required from the moment of conception,” the pro-life judge answered Gillespie. “The only moral goal and activity of government is to protect natural rights.”

In addition, Napolitano stressed that innocent and vulnerable preborn children have inalienable rights the second they are conceived.

“The greatest natural right is the right to live,” the pro-family advocate continued. “The government’s obligation is to protect that.”

Wisdom firmly rooted

While Napolitano considers some of his views to be libertarian in nature, he professes that his mindset on many social issues is rooted not only in his religious beliefs, but in scientifically observable phenomena and sound legal scholarship.

“My opposition to abortion is not only because of Church teaching, but also because of a rational examination of the baby growing in the womb and a belief in the non-aggression principle,” the legal scholar shared.

The legal principles Napolitano mentions are universal tenets of jurisprudence.

“[By the non-aggressive principle, Napolitano is referring to] a cornerstone of small-government doctrine, which holds that it is wrong to initiate force against an innocent party,” LifeSiteNews explained. “While he supports the principle of subsidiarity – the Thomist notion that all government should be carried out by the lowest level of government possible because it is closest to the people – he would favor the federal government’s intervention in state affairs in order to protect life.”

Napolitano’s views on abortion are rare among libertarians and their presidential nominee, New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson – an advocate of abortion-on-demand and opponent of conscience rights for Christian business owners. The social conservative judge used an example that is not used or mentioned by most libertarians to state his case.

“If the federal government is preventing a butcher from killing a baby, that’s a good thing for the federal government to do,” the traditionalist asserted. “If the states were to look the other way while butchers destroyed babies in the womb and the federal government didn’t do anything about it, it would be violating its obligation under the Fifth Amendment to make sure that life, liberty and property are not taken without due process.”

____________________________________

I really like this guy, Napolitano. He is a strong Constitutionalist and real American. RB