Look for my new "TC's Thoughts for Discussion" article on this page every month.

I also plan to "tweet" one (1) short, thought-provoking Bible QUESTION every Monday.

Those who follow me will get those tweets automatically, in their own Twitter feeds. 

Until you're ready to follow me on Twitter, just come to this page each week.

3,000+ people have friended me on Facebook. You are welcome, too!

They (and YOU, too) are invited to join us at TC's Friends Club.

Prefer to talk politics? Boomer+ Conservatives is for that.

Please click HERE to Comment or to Ask Any Question.

          "God's good," I replied, "but tell me why you're convinced that He would've told you that but not me?"

          Smiling again, he followed with something resembling this: "Well, you believe in the spiritual gifts. I've heard you say so. You see, I have the gift of prophecy. That's my primary function within the body of Christ."

          "Tell me about how you learned that you have that gift," I probed.

          "After several of the elders at our former church had prayed for me and my wife a few years ago, there was a message in tongues. The interpretation was that I had been personally blessed with the gift of prophecy and that I should stay especially close to the Lord so that I might learn things from The Holy Ghost that will be of great benefit to other people."

          I smiled and bid him adieu, but I didn't buy into any of what I had heard. How might YOU have responded? (If you have questions about "messages in tongues," please go to www.DYPK.org/pentecost and read what's there for full comprehension.)

          In the early Autumn of 2016, someone engaged a member of my Link1(TM) Bible Research Team in dialog about the books of Ezekiel, Daniel and Revelation. My colleague had observed that there is still MUCH in those books that we are to understand "later." He continued that most of the end-times-prophecy experts who're successfully convincing others that, today, THEY can understand all or most of what's written there are actually reading between-the-lines.

          > "For we know in part, and we prophesy in part...For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I 

             know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known." —1 Corinthians 13:9,12

          That person countered that those books are actually easy to understand—for those who have been blessed with the gift of prophecy. He continued with lots of conclusions that he claimed to have gained from an extensive study of the scriptures...and from The Holy Spirit. My colleague's recognition that most of it had been gotten via extra-Biblical revelation was driven by the fact that the scriptures that person cited cannot sensibly yield those conclusions. That person's frequent use of seminary terms confirmed, for my colleague, that he had actually gotten most of it from Bible "experts." (Have questions about what's true and what's new about end-times-prophecy? With an open Bible, study what I've written at www.DYPK.org/rapture.)

          As I had done in the first scenario, above, my colleague gracefully moved away from that dialog. Was that the appropriate response? You may recall from my September, 2016, article that Jesus NEVER shared any of the important stuff with folk who hadn't first demonstrated "ears to hear." Here's the link: www.dypk.org/TCmonthly/TC0016.pdf.

          > "But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant." —1 Corinthians 14:38

          Spiritual giftedness? Yes, I believe that can be genuine. So why the push-back? It's because there is an easy-to-observe profusion of presumed "gifts" that've been bestowed by men in the visible church. Some of those "gifts" are even like a "selfie;" i.e.: chosen for one's self! That's neither a legitimate assignment, nor a credible privilege for men:

          > "God also bearing [them] witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, 

             according to his own will" —Hebrews 2:4

—T. C. Newsome

          > "My people are destroyed for lack of [sincerity?] [prayer?] [worship?] [regular church attendance?] [holiness?] 

             [righteousness?] [faith?] [hyperspirituality?] [regular participation in trance-like praise and worship? (Can anyone 

             cite a scriptural precedent for that – Old Testament or New Testament?)] [getting "truly 'saved'?"] [believing "what 

             'we' believe?"] knowledge…" —Hosea 4:6

          > "...For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to KNOWLEDGE..." —Paul, at Romans 10:1,2

          > "But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived^ ["wholly seduced," per Strong's #G-1818] by the serpent's cunning, 

             your minds may somehow be led astray...if you receive a different spirit...or a different gospel...you put up with it 

             easily enough [i.e.: You're waaayyy too gullible!]. But I do not think I am in the least inferior to those 'SUPER 

             APOSTLES.' I may not be a trained speaker, but I do have knowledge..." —Paul, at 2 Corinthians 11:3-6 [NIV]

          So, what do you think Paul really thought about those "super preachers" and their gullible followers?

          Today's super preachers draw the largest followings – and successfully mine for those followers' dollars: Extra-Biblical "revelation" and entertainment are their stock and trade. Entertainment sells, even during economic hard times! They're highly polished motivational speakers. They succeed by making sheeple FEEL good. Some of the most popular of them clearly don't have even a good BASIC understanding of the scriptures.

          Would it be reasonable to label those who follow today's super preachers "naive?" Yes; because, per 2 Timothy 4:3,4, they will not endure sound doctrine. They're attracted only by their insatiable appetites for "the warm fuzzies;" i.e.: their ears itch! Lots of them are eaten-up with a compulsion to seek out and follow hyperspiritual preachers and teachers whom they think get frequent "new revelations" from God—of the extra-Biblical variety, of course. Many pentecostal believers think extra-Biblical revelations that are spoken via the interpretation of "tongues" are genuine. There is not even ONE scripture to support that fable. ALL the pertinent scriptures refute it. Don't believe that? Invest some prayerful, open-Bible time at www.DYPK.org/pentecost for irrefutable confirmation.

          Critical THINKING is an indispensable skill for adults in this Information Age. Today's schools (public and parochial) teach children WHAT to think. Universities teach their students WHAT to think. The visible church teaches folk WHAT to think, too. Shouldn’t someone be helping people learn HOW to think? THAT’s the primary objective of www.DYPK.org. It's available to you 27/7/365, for individual or small group Bible study. (No extra-Biblical "revelations," here!) Plan to become a frequent visitor. And please feel free to ask questions and share your comments: www.DYPK.org/contact.

          > "The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, 

             and relearn." —Alvin Toffler

—T. C. Newsome

          ^ The 2 Corinthians 11:3-6 word is translated, "beguiled," in the KJV. Per Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, 

             #G-1818, the original Greek word meant "wholly seduced." Curious about that? Paul was referring, there, to the text 

             of Genesis 3:13. Per Strong’s #H-5377, the original Hebrew word, there, meant "morally/greatly/utterly seduced." 

             Ever heard about that in church? Wonder why...? Does your preacher know about it—as it relates to Genesis chapter 6? 

             You can discover most everything you've always wanted to know but were afraid to ask about that at www.DYPK.org/exp01.

          >  "And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped [him]. But Peter took him 

              up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man." —Acts 10:25,26

              Got it? Not "Reverend" Peter or "Bishop" Peter or "Cardinal" Peter or "Pope" Peter; just "Peter." What's so hard about that?

          God, alone, is worthy of any lofty name that would tend to assign glory—or "special" status (See Psalm 111:9). The widely-coveted "reverend" title is from the word, "revere." To revere a person is to regard him as worthy of great honor or worship. To covet or to even tolerate such a title for oneself or to clothe oneself in a manner or to speak in a manner that might even suggest such an elevated status is to think more highly of oneself than one ought to think. In short, to present oneself as "special" within God's family is sin! The interim consequence of that sin results from others perceiving one as "special." In the visible church, there are "special" people; but the playing field is level in THE Church: Correction, exhortation, reproof, and occasional rebuke are reciprocal (See 2 Timothy 4:2).

          Jesus had this to say about those who behave and clothe themselves in a manner that might suggest an elevated status: "But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, and love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, [even] Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no [man] your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, [even] Christ. But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted." —Matthew 23:5-12

          It is truly unfortunate that some of Martin Luther's 16th-Century Reformation contemporaries coveted the enormous potential for controlling their followers and their followers' dollars. They copied the organization and the business model of the Roman church and the pomposity^ of its clerics. They elevated the Protestant clergy to "special" status. To reinforce that scripturally unjustified perception among their followers many clerics, even today, adorn themselves with pompous attire. With or without such pompous attire, most rank-and-file churchians perceive their clergymen as "special." In doing that, they perpetuate a dangerously false narrative.

          ^ "Pomposity," per the World English Dictionary:

             1. vain or ostentatious display of dignity or importance

             2. the quality of being pompous

             3. ostentatiously lofty style, language, etc.

          Here's something else you may not know: The Roman church replaced the false-god name, "Dagon," with the name "Ichthus," meaning "fish" in Greek (See Strong's H-2486). They claim it's an acrostic for Iesous Christos THeosUios Soter. That translates to "Jesus Christ God Son Savior," in English. Many Bible and church history scholars have concluded that it's simply the Romans' clever continuation of clandestine Dagon worship. The Ichthus monogram in Greek is ιχθυς. To yield the symbol for 666 in Greek, it is said that one must simply superimpose the first, second and last letter of that monogram on top of each other.

          The Information Age affords us access to all the same information that is/was available to the experts in every field. Here's the catch: Some of us are determined to learn, for ourselves, what we need to know and understand about things that are really, really important for us. Others continue to trust "experts" to do all their studying and critical thinking for them. Many of those they trust are con artists and many more of them simply haven't done their basic homework—especially in politics and religion. Those who haven't done their homework typically trust other "experts" who behave as if they've done theirs.

          Christian? You're instructed to study to show YOURSELF approved unto God. Why? So that you won't risk fully-justified shame when engaging other intelligent people in conversation about your faith. Until the 20th Century, most church people had no choice but to trust denominational "experts" for Bible knowledge and understanding. Today, we are without excuse. The 21st-Century Information Age has yielded all the tools we need to fulfill our scriptural challenge to search for knowledge and understanding—as if they were valuable treasure:

          > "My people are destroyed for lack of [sincerity?] [prayer?] [worship?] [holiness?] [righteousness?] [faith?] [regular church attendance?] [hyperspirituality?] [getting "truly 

             'saved'?"] [believing "what 'we' believe?"] knowledge…" —Hosea 4:6

          The only current draw-back is that, "in church," people aren't learning how and where to find those tools—or even what to look for. At best, in some of today's visible churches, people learn WHAT to study...to confirm "what 'we' believe." The Bible Explorers Club, LLC, web site is dedicated to helping you discover HOW to study...to learn the 1st-Century Gospel truth. Yes; that's amazingly different from today's enormously popular "evolved" gospel message. (We published a fascinating article on that critical topic in July, 2015: www.DYPK.org/TCmonthly/TC0002.pdf.)

          It will become important for you to know that we are not in the business of trying to convince you to change your beliefs to our beliefs. Here's some brief confirmation of that good news: www.dypk.org/we-believe.

          Finally, whenever you encounter questions about any of our scriptural conclusions, please ask: www.dypk.org/contact.

—T. C. Newsome

          Mom was, in fact, a godly woman who would stop to actually get onto her knees and pray for me several times every day. Her prayers were worthy and appropriately effective. They may've been responsible for my acquisition of discernment. Along with that and a touch of Godly wisdom, I have learned to lean more to my God-given intellect than to my feelings in matters of importance:

          > "The heart [is] deceitful above all [things], and desperately wicked: who can know it?" —Jeremiah 17:9

          > "He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered." —Proverbs 28:26

          Jesus' humble disciples who simply practice "being Christian" while earning a living via secular trades and professions are special. (That was Paul's position...and mine.) Preachers, bishops and theologians are NOT special. Instead, their legitimate function within Christ's body is simply DIFFERENT from yours or mine [1 Corinthians 12]. Those who believe otherwise cannot be effective in "the ministry." The "We're 'called and chosen' and y'all are not" mindset is inappropriate. In fairness, I think it is subconscious for the most part. Still, though, it is readily observable. Who can remedy that?

          Jesus' "The Great Commission" (Matthew 28:19-20) clearly did not assign "the ministry" to career professional christians. The apostle, Paul, believed that the establishment of a professional clergy would inevitably corrupt "the ministry." And it has! It is unfortunate that, after the Reformation, Protestant groups quickly adopted and adapted the business model the Romans have used ever since that A.D. 325 Council of Nicea. Because "money talks," several of those Protestant organizations soon amassed political power, too. Like the Roman "church," accountable to no one, those Protestant "churches" have become a lot like the proverbial manufacturer of industrial lubricants that uses all or almost all of its output to lubricate the machinery with which it manufactures lubricants. Are your tithes and offerings going to such an organization? If you pay to play, I'll bet they are.

          Among the very destructive messages of the visible church is the implication that each of us should anticipate a "special" calling, much like the one Samuel experienced as a young man. A valued correspondent wrote this a couple of years ago: "When a naive believer fails to receive this 'special' calling, the door is left wide open for a preacher's voice to become 'the voice of God'." That is why so many impressionable young people who admire their preachers come to believe that they should make lifetime career commitments, too. They're most vulnerable when they feel The Holy Spirit drawing them to a close, personal relationship with Christ.

          A large megachurch near us is publicly proud of its commitment "to turn out at least 50 new preachers every year." It is clear to objective observers that the senior pastor of that church confuses Christ's mission – to make Disciples – with making Preachers! (Great for bragging rights at his denomination's annual national convention.) Yep; you guessed it: There are hundreds of BELIEVERS who faithfully warm the pews of that church. But guess how many DISCIPLES there are.

          Like millions of the naive faithful, I waited and prayed for decades that God would reveal His "special" calling on my life. (While I loved my mom and appreciate the fact that she wanted God's best for me, I really needed divine confirmation!) In the meantime, I pursued things I enjoyed and was pretty good at doing. Those were secular pursuits for the most part. They yielded a really good living and I had a ball, too! Still, though, I often thought God just didn't have a plan for me, except maybe to be a good adult Sunday School teacher and effective spokesman for our denomination's "what 'we' believe" franchise. Much later, I learned that He had been preparing me for TODAY. So, what was my "calling" during all those years? It was to pursue things I enjoyed and was pretty good at doing! Might that be God's initial plan for the young folk you know and love?

          Here's the take-home message: PREACHERS are NOT "special." BELIEVERS are NOT "special." DISCIPLES, alone, are the "special" Christians. So, mommas, please don't let your babies grow up to be professional christians. According to Our Lord at Matthew 6:5-7, those guys have their reward! Instead, pray for your babies and encourage them to make lifetime commitments to become effective DISCIPLES.

—T. C. Newsome

          Given such a strong guilt trip, most Christians stop questioning those who presume religious authority over them. Me? I stopped questioning them openly. Inside me, though, the questions kept gnawing away, and I just didn't know how to gain peaceful resolution. Was there something wrong with me? Actually, no. The visible church teaches people what to study—to confirm doctrine. What they hadn't taught me is how to study—to gain 1st-Century truth. You?

          Just know that you are not likely to learn how to do that in church, either. Why? The visible church would quickly lose its control over you and all the faithful. Many would even start questioning its credibility and its authority...and their questions would enjoy the full support of Scripture. Is the mindset of the visible Christian church unique? No. Mind control is the primary tool of organized religion and government.

          > "What luck for rulers that men do not think." —Adolf Hitler

          > "In religion and politics, people's beliefs and convictions are in almost every case gotten at second hand, and 

             without examination." —Samuel Clemens

          > "Skeptical scrutiny is the means, in both science and religion, by which deep insights can be winnowed from deep 

             nonsense." —Carl Sagan

          Jesus never permitted his feelings to interfere with his thinking. His responses were rational; never hyperspiritual, and rarely emotional. Want to be like him? That's how. "God's gift of a sound mind is a terrible thing to waste."

          The apostle, Paul, pronounced high praise of the Bereans of Acts 17:11. Why? Both they and the Thessalonians had initially responded to the Gospel with extreme skepticism. The Thessalonians simply rejected the message. The Bereans went home and studied the scriptures, again, to learn whether the things they had heard just might be true. Paul called those Bereans "more noble" because of a characteristic that prompted them to respond intelligently. By that measure, might Thomas have been our Lord's more noble disciple? At 2 Timothy 2:15, Paul (also the author of those "The just shall live by faith" scriptures) wrote, "Study to shew THYSELF approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed..."

          As again evidenced by a memorable email exchange with a former pastor, the vast majority of clergymen think (perhaps subconsciously) that they're "called" and all the rest of us "not called." I reminded him that, though many are called, few are chosen. He was quick to agree, based on the apparently prevailing mindset that preachers are "the chosen ones" and we, the "not called" and "not chosen," are their subordinates. He wrote, "My earnest prayer for you and all those who are taking part in your studies is that you will be sure that you don't trade Faith for Understanding." Hmmm...

          > "How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity?…and fools hate knowledge?" —Proverbs 1:22

          > "knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth." —Proverbs 14:6

          > "My people are destroyed for lack of sincerity? prayer? worship? church attendance? holiness? faith? righteousness? 

              hyperspirituality? believing what ‘we' believe? knowledge…" —Hosea 4:6

          > "...they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge..." —Paul, at Romans 10:1,2

          > "For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles 

             of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth 

             milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age..." 

             —Paul, at Hebrews 5:12-14

             (See, also, Jesus' words at Matthew 15:14, re: the blind who presume to lead the blind.)

          > "If any man desire to be first, [the same] shall be last of all, and servant of all." —Jesus, at Mark 9:35

          Surveys by The Barna Group and others indicate that surprisingly large and growing percentages of Christian believers perceive that much of God's written word is fiction. For many, that appears to be a conscious conclusion. For many others, it is apparently subconscious. I think that phenomenon is directly attributable to childhood disillusionment. Who'll be accountable for that?

          Feel very free to send us your questions and scriptural rebuttals: www.DYPK.org/contact. But, please, no arguments from 3rd-party "experts."

—T. C. Newsome

          In the Old Testament, God revealed Himself and the unique essence of His nature to people. His message, there, can be boiled down to this: "Here are the boundaries for your thinking and your behavior (the 10 Commandments). Stay within these boundaries to enjoy my blessings and my protection. Step one foot outside and you're on your own. But if you do wander outside, just step back inside with plans to stay. Then you can, again, enjoy my protection and my blessings."

          Here's a another version of that: In the Old Testament, God repeatedly demonstrated what sin is and why it will always yield pain, some short-term but mostly long-term. Lots of fun now and it feels really good, too, but it's gonna hurt you and those you love forever!

          You can safely conclude that "sin" is not long list of bad things He'll punish us for doing or thinking. It's just that He knows everything about our human nature (the sin nature): He knows that obeying the 10 Commandments will keep us out of trouble with our friends and our families and our employers...and even with our enemies most of the time. He knows that not obeying them will inevitably cause lots of pain and unnecessary stress for us and for the others with whom we interact. For those who're focused on uncommon personal fulfillment, the 10 Commandments is the best-ever short list of rules for accomplishing that.

          The 10 Commandments are also a valuable gift to civilized folk who wish to organize themselves for long-term societal success, maximum productivity and relative harmony. By patterning their governments after that model, societies can even manage – and sometimes control – the behavior of those who're determined not to hold themselves accountable to any set of rules.

          Did Jesus change any of that with his New Testament message? This should answer that question: "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled." —Jesus, at Matthew 5:17,18

Here's some of what DID change with the New Testament that we still enjoy today:

          1) We no longer have to sacrifice animals to gain forgiveness for our sinning. That's because Jesus (a.k.a. the perfect 

               Lamb of God) became our forever sacrifice at His crucifixion.

          2) We are no longer required or permitted to confess our sins to priests or any other human being in order to get 

               forgiveness. That's because Jesus became our high priest upon His resurrection. We must go directly to Him with 

               our confessions and our repentances.

          3) Jesus serves, today, as our advocate. That's like a defense attorney. Satan is our accuser; i.e.: the prosecutor. When 

               our defense attorney comes to believe that we're truly repentant, He petitions The Father to gain our forgiveness. 

               That is unmerited favor, or grace.

          4) Jesus vetoed every one of the hundreds (maybe thousands) of new "laws" that the Old Testament scribes and 

               Pharisees had added. (Many O.T. Scribes and N.T. Pharisees were not Jews, but imposters: www.DYPK.org/the-dots.)

          No. The 10 Commandments didn't go away. You've heard those die-hard Calvinist talking points, too. But I'll bet you're smart enough to have figured all this out even before I saw fit to write about it...

                                                                                                                                                    —T. C. Newsome

PS: To participate in Bible discussions about articles like this one – or to just read and enjoy them – join us at TC's Friends Club. Here's the hot link: 

        https://www.facebook.com/groups/136708110091989/

Dare I conclude without this critical observation?

          Tens of thousands of Christians in the Middle East and North Africa are currently getting burned alive, raped, beaten, drowned and beheaded, etc., by Moslem Jihadists. In the U.S., though, a possible majority of Believers continue to think themselves EXTRA Special..."My preacher says we're gonna get raptured out'a here before all that bad stuff starts happenin' here, y'all!"

          And many still wonder why the visible church continues to build momentum in its epic failure to accomplish its own man-made mission—"to get people 'saved'." In case you're wondering, the assignment GOD gave us is very different: God's assignment – a.k.a. "The Great Commission" [Matthew 28:19,20] – to THE Church is this:

          a) Preach the gospel.

          b) Make DISCIPLES of those who believe it.

          c) Teach them to do the same.

Who's doing that?

          For several 20th-Century decades the visible church filled its pews and its bank accounts with lots and lots of naïve BELIEVERS but very, very few informed DISCIPLES. The 21st-Century visible church scrambled for new marketing methods when the formerly-successful methods had clearly stopped working: For many of the megachurches, at least, free tickets to Heaven, motivational speeches and professional entertainment seems to be working fairly well.

          Are they making NEW Believers? "Preaching to the choir" apparently keeps the current followers and those followers' dollars coming back. Most of the would-be NEW Believers have apparently come to think that the visible church has lost all credibility! Can you think of even one reason why they may not be justified in drawing such a conclusion? How might they have sensibly come to any other conclusion?

Chew on that.

PS: Post a comment or ask a question: www.DYPK.org/contact.

                    > "And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride 

                       adorned for her husband. And I heard a great  voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God [is] 

                       with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, [and 

                       be] their God...And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven 

                       last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife. And he 

                       carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, 

                       descending out of heaven from God...And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: 

                       and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height 

                       of it are equal. And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred [and] forty [and] four cubits, [according to] the 

                       measure of a man, that is, of the angel." —Revelation 21:2,3,9,10,16,17

          Twelve thousand furlongs would translate to roughly 1,400 miles (2250 kilometers), using today's measures. That'd be the distance from Havana, Cuba to Toronto, Canada or from Charlotte, North Carolina to Albuquerque, New Mexico. And the walls of that majestic city are about 216 feet (66 meters) thick! At least two credible schools of thought concerning those measurements have emerged during our research:

          Many scholars contend that each of the four sides of the city is 1,400 miles long. If they're right, the city is also 1,400 miles tall. How tall would that be? Approximately 35% of Earth's 3,949 mile (6,355 kilometer) radius. Its 12-layered foundation would be 1,960,000 square miles (3,155,600 square kilometers). Other credible scholars insist the angel of Revelation 21 measured the entire circumference of the city. That would yield an approximate length of ~350 miles (~560 kilometers) for each side and a ~122,500 square mile (~197,225 square kilometer) foundational footprint. The height of that structure would reach ~350 miles (~560 kilometers). How high is that? Mt. Everest is less than five miles high. Earth’s troposphere is roughly seven miles thick. Our stratosphere goes up to ~29 miles and is then overtaken by space. Although, the scriptures are unclear regarding which school of thought is the right one, this second scenario makes more sense to us.

          WHO'LL GET TO ENTER that awesome place? Revelation 22:14,15 answers that question, very clearly: "Blessed [are] they that DO his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without [are] dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie."

          Hmmm...Sounds to me like even those who've ever gotten "truly 'saved'" but practice certain sinful LIFESTYLES will be very angry about the inevitable lock-out! Who'll they be angry with? Their preachers who sugar-coated Christ's salvation message, giving them a false sense of security! Does this startling news burst your bubble? Then, how would YOU paraphrase those critical words of Christ? For some really great help in understanding this, invest some time at www.DYPK.org/salvation. Then, if we still have your attention, grab 2-3 friends and invest some group time at www.DYPK.org/rapture—paying special attention to the section on Jesus' parable of the Ten Virgins, five wise and five foolish. (The take-home message there, too, is very different from what you've likely been taught...)

          WHEN will those who're qualified get to go in and occupy that awesome place with many rooms? That'll happen precisely 3½ days after the two murdered Witnesses come back to life [Revelation 11:3-15]. That's when Jesus will arrive on a symbolic white horse [Revelation 19:11], at the 7th Vial, the 7th Seal and the 7th Trump – i.e.: the last Trump. Again, it's likely that you've been taught that the rider of that first symbolic white horse is Jesus. Unfortunately, the rider of THAT white horse is the grand imposter! Per 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12, he will SUCESSFULLY masquerade as Christ, deceiving almost everyone on Earth...including millions of sincere, but misinformed believers in Christ. How could that happen?

          First, Jesus will not appear until after there's a Great Falling Away. Unbelievers can't "fall away!" Second, if you're among the millions who've bought into a very different sequence of end-time events, you're pre-conditioned for inclusion with those who are to "fall away." Blaming your preacher or your denomination's Bible "experts" won't help you. You'll bear the ultimate weight of your own decision to believe the enormously popular "feel-good" stories, after having been exposed to the clearly-stated, but not-so-attractive scriptural truth. Sincerity doesn't count! "Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble." —James 2:19

          > "Because strait [is] the gate, and narrow [is] the way, which leadeth unto life, and FEW there be that find it." 

             —Jesus, at Matthew 7:14

          Odds are that at least one or two of those songs inspire feelings of pleasant nostalgia for you. There may be a myriad of possible reasons for that, but this one thing's for certain: We're all creatures of Human Nature. We've each learned that it can be painful to replace what comes naturally with behaviors that others may expect...or even prescribe for us. Along the way we've also discovered that we must endure a lot of that pain in order to become functionally productive and reasonably successful within a civilized society.

          Remember learning how to prepare for a job interview? How to dress? How to behave? What to think about? How to answer anticipated questions? Remember finding out that table manners and good English can either get you a job promotion or cause you to lose out? How about dating etiquette? Adjusting your personal ambitions to become a valuable member of a TEAM can also be painful. In none of those contexts will doing what comes naturally yield a favorable outcome.

          So how does one gain all that painful, but critical knowledge efficiently? Twentieth-Century American moral and social philosopher, Eric Hoffer, wrote, "When people are free to do as they please, they usually imitate each other." While it's true that experience is a good teacher, learning from other people's experiences can be considerably more efficient and a lot less painful. That's one of the primary reasons why God put His word in writing for us—so that we can learn why and how to align with His superior thinking in order to experience abundant life, now and later, with a lot less pain.

          Most of the Old Testament heroes had substantial character flaws. We can relate to that. Many of the New Testament characters did stupid stuff, too. We can relate to that. In both testaments, the individuals and the nations always dropped the ball only when they were engaged in the stinking "gotta be me" thinking that's joined-at-the-hip with Human Nature. When they recovered, it was always after they had discarded that stinking thinking and replaced it with the fully-informed thinking that God still prescribes today. Painful? Yes. "No pain; no gain."

          Fully informed? Yes: "My people are destroyed for lack of [sincerity?] [prayer?] [worship?] [holiness?] [righteousness?] [faith?] [regular church attendance?] [hyper-spirituality?] [getting "truly 'saved'?"] [believing "what ‘we’ believe?"] knowledge…" —Hosea 4:6

          For every human being, "doing what comes naturally" comes all too naturally. Why? Human Nature is the Sin Nature. Christians are instructed to crucify it. What comes naturally for us is captured in a dangerously misguided religious cliché, "Follow Your Heart."

          The Old Testament is clearly a record of God's effort to teach the Hebrews why and how to THINK rationally...to use their minds, instead of their hearts, for making choices. At Jeremiah 17:9 in the KJV translation is this: "The heart [is] deceitful above all [things] and desperately wicked: who can know it?"

Here's a worthy thumbnail sketch of God's entire Old Testament message:

          "O.K. guys, these are the boundaries for your thinking and your behavior. Stay within these boundaries to enjoy my blessings and my protection. Step one foot outside these boundaries and you're on your own. Step back inside with plans to stay and you can, again, enjoy my blessings and my protection."

The Gospels record Jesus' modeling of – and confirming – that mindset for us: He never once permitted his feelings to override his thinking. Want to be like Jesus? That’s how. Want proof? Read about His post-wilderness-experience temptations at Matthew 4:1-11.

          Now that your knowledge includes the critical fact that human nature is the sin nature, can you afford to continue being "you?"...doing it "your way?"..."doing what comes naturally?"

Those churchmen were quickly lured by the very phenomenon Paul had warned of three centuries earlier: "For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. BUT THOU, O MAN OF GOD, FLEE THESE THINGS..." [1 Timothy 6:10,11] What followed was that "The popes filled the place of the vacant emperors at Rome, inheriting their power, their prestige, and their titles from paganism." —Stanley's History, p. 40

It is unfortunate that, after the Reformation, Protestant groups quickly adopted and adapted the business model the Romans have used ever since that A.D. 325 Council of Nicea. Because "money talks," several of those Protestant organizations soon amassed political power, too. Like the Roman "church," accountable to no one, those Protestant "churches" have become a lot like the proverbial manufacturer of industrial lubricants that uses all or almost all of its output to lubricate the machinery with which it manufactures lubricants.

The Popes and their pompous parades of pious pretenders clearly patterned themselves after the 1st-Century scribes and Pharisees:

> "But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, [even] Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no [man] your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven." —Jesus, at Matthew 23:5-8

A wonderful blessing of informed Christianity is the easy destruction of profoundly popular doctrines by beautiful Bible and historical facts.

          > "Therefore go and MAKE DISCIPLES of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of 

             the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you…" —Jesus, at Matthew 28:19,20 [NIV]

"Believers" and "Disciples:" Are there differences? To learn the answer focus, first, on what Jesus did NOT tell us to do:

          > "Go, therefore, and get people 'saved'."

          > "Go, therefore, and get people 'saved' and then get them involved in church attendance and active Christian 

              fellowship, activities and programs."

          > "Go, therefore, and get people involved in church attendance and active Christian fellowship, activities and 

              programs and then get them 'saved'."

          > "Go, therefore, and persuade people to believe in me so they can be 'saved'."

What he did tell us to do was to (a) Preach/Share the good news, (b) MAKE DISCIPLES of those who believe, (c) Baptize them and (d) Teach them…to obey His teachings. That's the only assigned mission of The Church. Take it to the bank:

          > "And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that OBEY him." —Paul, at 

             Hebrews 5:9

             The visible church has done a respectable job of making BELIEVERS. Can't argue that. But, Believers are passive. 

             They are non-productive, in the Matthew 28:19,20 sense. But the visible church values Believers highly: Many of 

             them give offerings. Some of them tithe. But are they Disciples? Are they even "saved?"

          > "For the love of money is the root of all evil: which, while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced 

              themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things..." —Paul, at 1 Timothy 6:10,11 

              (Not a warning to rank-and-file Believers, but to members of the Professional Clergy!)

Disciples are active. They're fruitful. They make other Disciples. They obey the commandments of our Lord. They, alone, are The Church. Believers are…well, SPECTORS; they warm the bleachers while professional Christians keep them entertained.

          > "So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple." —Jesus, at 

             Luke 14:33

             Those are Jesus' words; not mine. Fact: It is not the mission of The Church to get people "saved." Sorry. That's the job 

             of the Holy Spirit:^

                       ^ "...And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved." —Acts 2:47

          When the visible church beckons Believers and Participants, it promises them programs and activities and a perpetual series of fully choreographed dog-n-pony shows. The opening acts are often professional musicians and singers. The headliners are often motivational speakers. Today, with the newest crop of mega-churches, there is the promise of a better life via Positive Thinking and Prosperity. When Jesus beckoned his disciples, he promised them NOTHING. (Wanna chew on that for awhile?)

          George Barna's research appears to yield a strong and clear snapshot of today's thinking Christians: They're leaving!^ They're finding entertainment and meaningful social interaction elsewhere. Thank God, some of them are discovering grassroots networks of Disciples who're working to revive The Church…one that at least resembles the church that Jesus described at Matthew 28:19,20. Must all Christian thinkers eventually follow suit?

                       ^See the book, Revolution, and multiple other publications by George Barna and the Barna Group.

          Today's church leaders, with their programs and activities, are, themselves, responsible for the current bumper crop of pew potatoes. But are those programs and activities, alone, the culprits? The preaching and teaching of the visible church are also remarkably programmed for yielding Arrested Christian Development: No matter how strong their pulpit skills, preachers CANNOT make Disciples from the pulpit. That may be at least one of the reasons why so many Sunday morning sermons are characterized as "salvation" messages: Pew potatoes love to say (or think) "Amen!" when messages are directed to others. (The "Amen!" response, today, means "You tell'em, Brother!")

Those clergymen who try to "teach" Discipleship via pulpit sermons presume an impossible task: Discipleship cannot be "taught;" it must be "coached." Only personal coaches can do that, one-on-one. Doubt it? Stand behind a podium and try "teaching" a group of young children how to ride bikes...

          So, what is the value of pulpit sermons? Pew potatoes love motivational speeches that are creative and skillfully and sometimes humorously delivered. If a preacher can consistently keep'em awake, they'll tell their friends, "You've just got to come and hear our wonderful preacher just once, at least!" and the church will grow. Include a pomposity of fully choreographed musical entertainment and FREE tickets to Heaven that can't be revoked, lost, given away or trashed to build a mega church... and collect lots of followers' dollars.

          Are size and growth legitimate measures of success for an institution whose assigned mission is to make Disciples? What eternal value might there be in a church building packed full of blissful Pew Potatoes, even if most of them were of the sweet potato variety? For some fascinating additional insight, visit us at: www.DYPK.org/we-believe.

          > "We started out in the right direction during those first few centuries: loving, serving, healing, restoring, forgiving, 

              sharing, praying – every one either learning to be a disciple, being a disciple or training others to be disciples. 

              But somewhere along the way, we turned into serious slackers, slugs even. We benched ourselves and appointed 

              a 'chosen few' to do what Jesus and the Father called us all to do, and we sat down to watch. We opted for 

              disobedience and convenience. Why did we do that? We, as the people of God, chose inertia over 'doing the stuff.' 

              We ignored God's command to 'take dominion over the earth and subdue it'…for the pleasures of more mundane, 

              less challenging 'kingdoms' and a permanent pew cushion. Folks, we've messed this job up big time…" 

              —a 2014 "Reflections" post by an unknown author, at http://wordpress.com/2007/08/10/disciple-or-pew-potato

          Where scriptural challenges of a "what 'we' believe" franchise are discouraged, there can be no healthy forum for making Disciples. Such a church is programmed only to manufacture and maintain a congregation of naïve Believers, a.k.a. pew potatoes. Consciously or subconsciously, that's what the collective leadership of the visible church wants and that's what it gets. Will God be mocked?

          Meaningful DIALOG is critical to the making of Disciples. Lecturing has been shown to be of very little value for real learning of any sort. An effective Disciple-making forum is characterized by on-going, reciprocal correction, instruction and reproof:

          > "All scripture…is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of 

             God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." —2 Timothy 3:16,17

             Note: The phrase, "man of God," here, includes non-clergy Disciples. Perhaps you've heard something different...

          > "…reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure 

             sound doctrine..." —2 Timothy 4:2-4

          So why is lecturing the "teaching" tool of choice? It is because, "That's how we do church, here!" Preferring to "teach" and "preach," today's church leaders continue to turn deaf ears to proven learning-based methods.

          > "If the only tool you have is a hammer, you tend to see every problem as a nail." —Abraham Maslow

          Among the just under 11,000 Baby Boomers who'll reach retirement age every day for the next 18 years or so are a respectable number of capable and experienced thinkers. Thinking Boomers have sat quietly in the church pews for decades, wondering whether their preachers have really done their homework. That notorious 60s-styled skepticism and curiosity continues to gnaw at them—especially when they're in church. When they retire, many of them will make the time to do their own scriptural homework. It won't take them long to discover that their silent doubting has been fully justified. (Note: Their kids, the Millennials, are not only abandoning the visible "church," they’re abandoning religion, too...in favor of secularism.)

          They'll soon discover that all seminaries teach "what 'we' believe," that seminary graduates teach "what 'we' believe" and that the Believers who warm their pews believe "what 'we' believe." Those Boomers have not been naïve, but patient. As soon as their retirement tsunami gains critical mass, they're likely to spring some major surprises on the visible church. Clergymen beware: "Make full proof of thy ministry." —2 Timothy 4:5

          Spoken or unspoken, the primary objective of the visible church is to build and maintain congregations of BELIEVERS. To attract those Believers, they use various methods for making Christianity appear ATTRACTIVE. How attractive can that be to God? How attractive is it to you? How does it compare to the method Jesus used?

Essentially, though, this article is for laymen. If you're a Christian layman, please examine your priorities: Will you be a perpetual spectator who keeps the bleacher seats warm or will you be an active participant on-the-playing-field, pursuing the mission JESUS prescribed for The Church?

          Google(R) "pew potato" and you'll find some really interesting stuff. As an example there's a fascinating Foxworthy-styled "You might be a pew potato IF…" piece. And there's a tongue-in-cheek "pew potato" hymn—"Sitting On The Premises," to the tune of "Standing On The Promises." Most of what you'll find, though, is quite serious. It's written by clergymen. Each of them is either promoting a method for transforming pew potatoes into "sweet potatoes" [my term] or searching for ways to do that. Best I can figure, their treasured sweet potatoes are pew potatoes, still, but involved in church programs and activities. Hmmm...

          Therein lies those clergymen's implied "pew potato" definition: "A believer who may or may not attend church regularly, who avoids involvement in church programs and activities." You may soon agree that definition falls far short of its potential.

          In 2013, a Bill and Blanche Fry of San Antonio, Texas wrote, "Couch potatoes may be the kings and queens of the sofa, but some…reign as sovereigns of the pew! Couch potatoes may expend more energy with TV remote controls than pew potatoes do with Bibles or hymnals. The pew potato is a Christian who has become inactive or has retired because of what she perceives to be sufficient years of service." —http://www.churchofchristusa.com/Archives/old%20bulletin%20articles/Pew%20Potatoes.htm. (That post may've been taken down by now...)

Perhaps you now perceive a more apt definition for the term, "pew potato." Consider this one:

          > "'Pew Potato,' noun: 'a sincere, but passive Christian BELIEVER who is not and will probably never become a mature 

             and fruitful Christian DISCIPLE'."

—T. C. Newsome

          Verse 7b, there, is pertinent to this learning opportunity: "...a time to keep silence, and a time to speak." Knowing the right time to speak is clearly a good thing, but knowing what to say when that perfect timing has arrived may be at least equal to that in importance.

A bit longer than two years ago, an older teenaged reader emailed these questions to me:

          "If someone asked you why you're a Christian, what would you say and why would that person need to be one, too? A few times I've had people ask me why I believe what I do. But I never could answer it because it's just what I've grown up on. It's a hard question. I could say some great things about being a Christian. I’m forgiven, I'm loved, I learn such great knowledge from what he put for me, I have an eternal home and a living God I praise. But why? Some people that aren't Christians wonder how we get here and what's the point of staying in that type of belief. But how exactly would you explain that to someone who doesn't even know where to begin? Or why on earth we even believe what we do? It sounds crazy, but its like a[n] [East] Indian who'd grown up on something different. Maybe we're curious on why they believe what they believe and where's [the] proof. I can't prepare myself for people like that with questions, so when they ask, how am I supposed to get them anywhere?"

This is how I responded:

          "No matter what the religion, almost NO ONE would be able to come up with an effective answer for those who ask. It's a universal dilemma...not unique to Christian believers. Here's a remarkable observation: 'In religion and politics, people's beliefs and convictions are in almost every case gotten at second hand, and without examination.' —Mark Twain

          "Here's a pertinent scripture that I've never heard from any pulpit: '...[be] ready always to [give] an answer to every man that ASKETH you a reason of the hope that is in you...' --1 Peter 3:15 (Emphasis via capitalization is mine.)

          "I think the reason why most preachers skip over that scripture is because they prefer to teach their followers to share the gospel message even when people DON'T ask. They call it 'witnessing,' but that's a classic oxymoron! (In court, do people go to the witness stand to "witness" or to answer questions about what they have previously witnessed?) First of all, sharing the gospel message with others who haven't asked is 'pushy.' 'Pushy' is what high-pressure salespeople are. Second, it's horribly inefficient—a waste of time for BOTH parties. That's because, until a person ASKS, they don't have what Jesus called 'ears to hear:' Jesus NEVER shared any of the really important stuff with anyone until after they had clearly demonstrated 'ears to hear.'

          "The fact that you're aware and concerned that people who ask deserve credible answers is evidence that you've ALREADY distinguished yourself from at least 95% of the world's religious adult population. I think you can build your own standard response by following the apparent pattern of Jesus' first disciples and apostles:

Œ          > They cited the Hebrew [i.e.: Old Testament] scriptures that foretold the coming of the Messiah.

          > They shared critical stories about the birth, life and ministry of Jesus.

Ž          > They talked about his capture, mock trials, scourging, crucifixion and resurrection.

          > They spoke of 'The Great Commission.'

          > IF they thought the other person/people STILL had "ears to hear," they shared the plan of salvation. For us, that 

              might include John 3:16,17.

          "All this will require some short-term and long-term study and practice on your part, but I'm confident that you can master this skill. And, yes, it is a SKILL...to be improved with much practice, as in sports. So, I encourage to find at least one other person who also perceives the value of learning and polishing that critical Discipleship skill and start practicing, pronto!"

I received the following response:

          "Thank you for all that information! I'll be going over it and going to the Bible. I figured that I should wait 'til a person asks me, because I wouldn't like to be told or pushed into something like that without wanting to know in the first place; that is, if I were someone else. When someone asked me recently, I just all of a sudden had that question. And I've never heard that scripture, either, come to think of it. I'll definitely have to do some studying on this subject too! Thanks so much!"

          Might you have responded differently? If so, how?

          It's true! Jesus never shared any of the important stuff with anyone until after they had demonstrated "ears to hear." Why? Because he had just three years to accomplish his mission. If he had shared the important stuff with everyone – most of whom wouldn't have had "ears to hear" – it might've taken him 3,000 years to complete his assignment! Clearly, the efficiency of his sharing was as important as his message! So, how did he know when a person had acquired "ears to hear?" This is how:

Meteorologists forecast stormy weather when barometric pressures fall. The lower the barometric pressure, the more intense the storm. That's because nature abhors a vacuum. Adjacent areas of higher air pressure rush frantically into the low-pressure area, in an effort to equalize the pressure. That causes wind and other familiar weather phenomena.

          When a person gets really, really curious about something he/she starts asking questions...questions that appear to arise from a burning way down deep inside. That's because human nature abhors a vacuum. When those kinds of questions emerged from a person, Jesus knew he wouldn't be wasting his valuable time in sharing critical information with them—because the timing was right; i.e.: that person’s listening efficiency was at its very highest point.

TC0004, 09/17/2015; Title: "Christian Hearts & Minds"

                      Click HERE for the reader-friendly PDF version of this article. Click HERE to post a comment or ask a question.

          Tears flow fancifully down the faces of many followers of Christ as they sing the lyrics, "To be like Jesus...To be like Jesus...That's all I want...To be like Him." What most fail to recognize, though, is that Jesus never even once permitted his "feelings" to interfere with his critical "thinking" or his actions. Want to be like Jesus? That's how.

          No scripture compels believers to take on Christ's "heart" but we're commanded multiple times to take on His MIND. Yes, Jesus was known for his compassion —always characterized by DOING what needed to be done. Here are a few reminders of the importance and the wisdom of that Godly mindset:

          >  "The HEART [is] deceitful above all [things], and desperately wicked: who can know it?" —Jeremiah 17:9

          >  "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your MIND…" —Paul, at Romans 12:2

               Lest you miss Paul's truly critical point, here, it is this: "Change the way you think!" That's a far, far cry from praying, "Oh, God, please realign my thinking to be Christ-

               like." (See Hosea 4:6, below.)

          >  "Let this MIND be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." —Paul, at Philippians 2:5

          >  "...not a spirit of fear, but of power and love and a sound MIND..." —Paul, at 2 Timothy 1:7

          >  "...Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same MIND…" —1 Peter 4:1

          >  "MY PEOPLE ARE DESTROYED FOR LACK OF [righteousnes?]  [sincerity?]  [worship?]  [prayer?]  [hyperspirituality?]  [holiness?]  [regular church attendance?] 

              [believing "what 'we' believe"?]  [faith?]  [getting "truly 'saved'"?]  KNOWLEDGE." —Hosea 4:6

          >  "God's gift of a sound MIND is a terrible thing to waste."

          For Christian believers and every other human being, "Doing What Comes Naturally" comes all too naturally. Because Human Nature is the Sin Nature, Christians are instructed to crucify it. What comes naturally for us is unfortunately reinforced by two dangerously misguided religiously-correct clichés: "Follow your heart" and "Let your conscience be your guide." There is no scriptural support for either of them. (Take that to the bank.)

          The Old Testament is clearly a record of God's effort to teach the Hebrews why and how To THINK rationally—to follow their MINDS, instead of their HEARTS: In a nutshell, God's entire Old Testament message is justly characterized like this:

          >  "O.K. guys, these are the boundaries for your behavior. Stay within these boundaries to enjoy my blessings and my protection from your enemies. Step one foot

              outside these boundaries and you're on your own. Step back inside with plans to stay and you can, again, enjoy my blessings and my protection."

              'Tis blasphemy to "spiritualize" such a practical concept.

          An uncommonly insightful friend of one of my Link1(TM) Bible Research Team colleagues wrote this on Saturday, March 16, 2013:

          >  "When I look back over my life, though I can recall my emotions at different times, the overriding question that comes to mind is the one I am persuaded that God will

              put to me on that day. It is not, when one thing or another occurred, 'How did you FEEL?' but rather, 'What did you DO?' My Lord, help me not to let my deceitful heart

              decide my actions, that my answer to You, when You call upon me, is as clear as the mind you gave me, and not muddled by the ramblings of a wandering heart." 

              —Stanley Levy, Torrance, CA

—T. C. Newsome

TC0003, 08/20/2015; Title: "Sometimes I Lie Awake at Night..."

                      Click HERE for the reader-friendly PDF version of this article.

          > "Sometimes I lie awake at night, and I ask, 'Where have I gone wrong?' Then a voice says to me, 'This is going to take more than one night.'" —Charles M. Schulz

          It took me a while to learn how to study the Bible as-if-no-one-had-ever-explained-what-it-means. That'll probably take some time for you, too. Why? For me, it had nothing at all to do with reading comprehension or even a capacity for cognitive reasoning. It had everything to do with love and respect for my Christian mentors, past and present. There is something about our Human Nature that causes us to want to trust others, especially those who appear to be genuine and sincere. In following through on that natural tendency, we inevitably accept the "filters" through which those others have come to perceive the human experience—and man's relationship to God.

          I was a preacher's kid. My dad was ordained by a large, mainstream Christian denomination. My maternal grandfather was one of three clergymen who founded yet another large, mainstream Christian denomination. Because I loved and respected them both, I gained much eternal value from them both. But was my trust in them and in other like-minded "men of God" too complete? Here's what Samuel Clemens (a.k.a. Mark Twain) said about that:

          > "In religion and politics, people's beliefs and convictions are in almost every case gotten at second hand, and without examination."

This is what God has to say about it:

          > "Thus saith the Lord; 'Cursed be the man that trusteth in man...'" —Jeremiah 17:5

          It was after I had retired from a rewarding secular career that a critical fact finally registered with me: "Human Nature is the Sin Nature." I was shocked…and embarrassed! For Christian believers and every other human being, "doing what comes naturally" comes all too naturally. Because human nature is the Sin nature, Christians are instructed in God's written word to crucify it. Remember? What comes naturally for us is captured in a well-intended, but dangerously misguided religious cliché, "Follow your heart." The Old Testament is clearly a record of God's effort to teach the Hebrews why and how to THINK rationally—to use their minds, instead of their hearts, for making choices:

          > "The heart [is] deceitful above all [things] and desperately wicked: who can know it?" —Jeremiah 17:9

          In a nutshell, God's entire Old Testament message is justly characterized like this: "Okay guys, these are the boundaries for your behavior. Stay within these boundaries to enjoy my blessings and my protection. Step one foot outside these boundaries and you're on your own. Step back inside with plans to stay and you can, again, enjoy my blessings and my protection." The Gospels record Jesus' modeling of – and confirmation of – that mindset for us: He never once permitted his feelings to interfere with his thinking. Want to be like Jesus? That's how: Use your MIND for sound reasoning. Reserve your HEART for love and compassion:

          > "Let this MIND be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." —Paul, at Philippians 2:5

          > "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your MIND…" —Paul, at Romans 12:2

          > "God's gift of a sound MIND is a terrible thing to waste."

          Neither my parents, nor my grandparents, nor any of my pastors or other religious mentors intentionally imposed the "filters" on me that been imposed on them by others whom they had loved and respected. But in defaulting, albeit sincerely, to a given "what 'we' believe" franchise, they effectively restricted my ability to comprehend what God's written word really says…until I finally grew up and started learning how to exercise personal accountability for gaining the original truth.

          Every church/denomination owns a "What 'We' Believe" franchise. All seminaries teach it, their graduates preach it and those who warm their pews buy it. Let the buyer beware.

—T. C. Newsome

PS: Post a comment or question or just read what others are saying: www.DYPK.org/apps/blog.

Short Entry, 08/17/2015

Did Paul intend the following message as a warning to LAYMEN? or to their PREACHERS and TEACHERS?

          "...You ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone's food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you...a model for you to follow...For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: 'IF A MAN WILL NOT 

WORK, HE SHALL NOT EAT.'..." —2 Thessalonians 3:7-12 (NIV)

Click here to share YOUR thoughts on that.

TC0002, 07/16/2015; Title: "Has the Gospel Message 'Evolved'?"

                      Click HERE for the reader-friendly PDF version of this article.

                                            Click HERE to ask a question or to post a comment about it.

          Why do Atheists believe what they believe about the Bible and Christianity? Why do Muslims believe what they believe about the Bible and Christianity? Why do Buddhists and Hindus and Jews believe what they believe about the Bible and Christianity? Catholics and Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormons—Why do they believe what they believe about the Bible and Christianity? Why do Pentecostals and Baptists and Methodists and Presbyterians and Lutherans and Episcopalians believe what they believe about the Bible and Christianity? Why do you believe what you believe about the Bible and Christianity? Do you teach others?

          Quick!  How many different children's party games can you recall? Ever play the one called "Gossip?" If so, the following description of it will amuse you all over again. If you are not yet familiar with it you may catch up on loads of fun and gain some valuable human nature insight, to boot. Read on for a brief description of the fascinating children's party game called "Gossip."

          With the children lined up single-file, an adult leader explains the game's simple rules and its two objectives. She might say, "The important thing is (A) to listen very carefully, so that you'll be able (B) to whisper the message, accurately, to the next person in line. Then, from the last player in line, we'll learn how well you've all listened and how accurately you've delivered the original message, as a team." After reading a short written message, the first player gives it back to the game leader and the game begins.

          More players mean longer games. Longer games always yield hilarious distortions of the original messages. Please remember that—and this, too: Throughout most of the 2,000 years since Jesus walked here, literacy was the exception. Today, literacy is the norm. Still, though, the uninformed trust their preachers for interpretation of scripture, as if they can't read with understanding. The people they trust with all their hearts, their preachers, trust denominational theologians, "experts." The theologians of each denomination hold one another accountable to their respectively franchised "what ‘we' believe" platforms. What could have possibly gone wrong with that scenario over a period of 2,000 years? Suffice it to say that Lucifer is ecstatic. The gates of Hell have observably prevailed against the visible church.

          You may know that there are shocking contrasts in the interpretation of critical scriptures even among mainstream denominations. Seems our professionals, the religious elite, have been playing multiple separate games of "Gossip" for 2,000 years. Those long games have predictably distorted God's original message, even in our mainstream denominations. That's no surprise, of course, but there's great news: We still have God's original message—in writing! Shouldn't we throw out all the new stuff? Some of it is hilarious. It's true! The Gospel message has "evolved!"

          >  "Today's new time religions masquerade, successfully, as old time religion."

          Our religious teachers often seek to bedazzle us.  Assertively, they utter things like, "What this scripture means is…" And when they wish to project exceptional spiritual credibility they say things like, "God showed me that this scripture means…" Uninformed believers nod faithfully in blind agreement.

          Often, when a discerning parishioner questions an interpretation of Scripture, a self-serving teacher will respond cleverly (like a politician) with something like, "In matters like this, dear sister, you just have to have faith."

          That's an awful lot of faith to invest in other human beings; don't you think? To invest that much Faith Equity(SM) in God and his sensibly interpreted written word would be the smart thing to do. But these are those last days, when people will not endure sound doctrine. Popular doctrines somehow feel more spiritual...and they're more comfortable and convenient, too, you know. It's just that human nature (i.e.: the Sin nature) is like water; consistently and predictably it follows the course of least resistance. That profound insight prompted the apostle, Paul, to write his bombshell messages about using our minds – instead of our hearts – when it comes to rightly dividing of the word of truth:

          >  "Change the way you think!" —Paul, at Romans 12:2, sensibly paraphrased

          >  "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." —Paul, at Philippians 2:5

          >  "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." —Paul, at 1 Thessalonians 5:21

          >  "God has given us the spirit of a sound mind." —Paul, at 2 Timothy 1:7, sensibly paraphrased

The prophet, Jeremiah, was even acquainted with the folly of thinking with one's feelings:

          >  "The heart [is] deceitful above all [things], and desperately wicked: who can know it? " —Jeremiah 17:9

          You can do this! Your own literacy and intellect can get you the original truth. The written message of truth is actually rather simple and easy to understand—for those who will learn to study God's written word as-if-no-one-had-ever-explained-what-it-means. Those who would have you believe it is too complex and difficult to understand seek to preserve their own employment / income security. For multiple centuries, members of the clergy were delighted that parishioners couldn't read.

          The lofty, intellectual, Pharisee-like theology and all that "deeper meaning" stuff can surely wait long enough for us to put an end to the 2,000-year games of Bible "Gossip."    We can do that by getting the very basic critical stuff straight, first. (One of my favorite quotes is from Vince Lombardi: "Gentlemen, this is a football.")

          There are critical differences between sincere Believers and fruitful Disciples. The visible church has done a respectable job of making Believers…

          Many, including clergy, may not consciously know why they believe whatever they believe about the Bible and Christianity. It is likely that most have passively subordinated their personal understanding to one of the theologically elite societies, each of whom claims a divine monopoly on scriptural interpretation. Observably, many of the uninformed have simply defaulted to the doctrine to which they were respectively first introduced; e.g.: "Momma was a saint! Her religion's gott'a be the right religion!" Sad.

          In 2006, I organized a group of multi-denominational friends for some serious Bible study. Jointly and severally, we have been prompted to reexamine our own respective beliefs on several important Bible topics. In the process of following through on that objective, we have gained compassion for others who will feel compelled to embark on their own active (as opposed to passive) searches for original truth. Might that include you?

          Each must acquire truth, for himself. Active searching for truth is effective. Passive searching is more comfortable, but it can only yield confirmation of denominational dogma. While denominational theologies may feature elements of Bible truth, their foundations are typically constructed of collections of derivative works. This series can help you learn WHY and HOW to search effectively and efficiently for God's original truth.

          You are literate. You are intelligent. You have no rational reason to think the religious elite have a greater ability to interpret the really important parts of God's word for you. Yes, many of them have studied for "deeper meaning" and we should honor and respect them for that. But, if they are fellow servants of God they will be delighted to learn that you have decided to begin a new study of critical scripture, this time as-if-no-one-had-ever-explained-what-it-means.

          My multi-denominational Bible study colleagues and I have discovered that much of what we had respectively been taught in our various church experiences is simply not true. Some of it is dangerous. Our teachers were educated and sincere, just like yours. So were their teachers…and their teachers…and their teachers! We were disappointed to learn that they all gained most of their understanding from others. Those you trust, who do they trust?

          "Gossip." Gotta stop that game. But don't make up your mind about any of this until you've done what those more-noble Bereans did, at Acts 17:11.

—T. C. Newsome

PS: Post a comment, a question or just read what others are saying: www.DYPK.org/apps/blog.

TC0001, 06/18/2015; Title: "Weapons of Mass Deception(SM)"

                      Click HERE for the reader-friendly PDF version of this article.

          Fully convinced for decades that I was Scripturally Conservative, I was fortunate to begin discovering (through prayerful private research and study) that my allegiance had been to Doctrinal Conservatism. I wasn't alone: Most other believers who think themselves Scripturally Conservative are also Doctrinally Conservative. Big difference. Consequential.

          If you're familiar with U.S. Constitutional Conservatism, you'll find it relatively easy to grasp the concept of Scriptural Conservatism. "Relatively easy" is the operative phrase there, though. That's because Doctrinal Conservatism is based on the presumption that the doctrines of a given Denomination are foundational. "Foundational," in this context, means to be in full alignment and agreement with the original texts of the Old and New Testament scriptures...and with what Jesus and the 1st-Century Apostles taught. Your continued study will reveal, conclusively I think, that much (if not most) of what masquerades, today, as "old time religion" is actually quite new. (I plan to address that in my July 16th article, "Has the Gospel Message Evolved?")

          At least four (4) major Weapons of Mass Deception(SM) have invaded the visible Christian church and are thriving even within the ranks of mainstream Denominational Doctrine. How and why can they continue to thrive? "In church" (or In seminary, if you're a clergyman) you've learned WHAT to study…to confirm Denominational Doctrine. To become Scripturally Conservative, you must start learning HOW to study…to discover the original truth of God's word. True, that'll be easier said than done. Worth your time and effort, though. Passivity hasn't worked. It won't. Your decision must be a conscious one. Here's some initial help for those who'll really want to learn how to do that: www.DYPK.org/how-to-study.

          >  "God's gift of a sound mind is a terrible thing to waste." —yours truly

          Informed observers have concluded that our handsomely-funded U.S. public school systems wallow in the mire of miserable mediocrity or even complete failure largely because they teach their students WHAT to think, but not HOW to think. All this because human nature is "the sin nature." Like water moving downhill, human nature predictably follows the course of least resistance. We've learned how to manage the forces of resistance to the natural flow of water to our benefit. Isn't it time that we learn to manage the resistance to the sinful flow of human nature—to the benefit of our human institutions? Wouldn't that be to the ultimate benefit of those who'll continue to blindly trust those institutions to dispense truth?

          The problem is that the observable mission of the visible Christian church has, for centuries, been "to get people 'saved' and 'in church'." The great commission has NOTHING to do with filling church buildings with Believers, but with making Disciples of those who've heard and believed the Gospel message. Big, BIG differences. So who's making Disciples? Like it or not, that cannot be done from a pulpit...or from any other podium. Not convinced? Try "teaching" a group of young children how to ride bikes! It's not a "teaching" assignment, but a COACHING assignment. So where are the coaches? And who's training the coaches...?

          Keep in mind that the Thessalonian and the Berean Jews of Acts 17:11 were highly skeptical of the 1st-Century Gospel message, but their responses were remarkably different. The Bereans proved themselves to be the adults in the room. That's why Paul called them "more noble." (You may want to read that scripture in several Bible versions.) Will yours be a Berean-styled response?

          >  "In religion and politics, people's beliefs and convictions are in almost every case gotten at second hand, and without examination." —Samuel Clemens, a.k.a. Mark

              Twain

          I'll help you to identify each of those Four (4) Weapons of Mass Deception(SM) as the series continues. Meanwhile, layman or clergy, I am compelled to remind you that your resolve to intelligently resist the ongoing damage of human nature must be a conscious one.

          I'm in. You?

—T. C. Newsome

PS: Post a comment, a question or just read what others are saying: www.DYPK.org/apps/blog.

Poem, 06/07/2015

"Humility"

Humility's a quality that few of us possess.

A lot like chasing butterflies—but without a net!

For once one thinks, "I've got it, now!" one has the thing much less.

Our Lord has set it up that way so we will not forget

That it's a thing not to be sought, but rather to possess.

Preserves the soul's tranquility; yields patience through hard trial.

Like dynamite with unlit fuse, one's enemies confess

Humility's an awesome power that's clothed as something mild.

Humility can hide great strength and steer the proud amiss:
When they perceive the meek as weak and leverage that for gain

Surprises are in store for them to rob them of their bliss.

(The weapons formed against the meek are always formed in vain.)

Our Lord has shown us how and why we all must find restraints,

Although we know we've gained great power once Jesus dwells within.

The Bible tells of some who failed but later were called saints

For they had learned the consequence and conquered prideful sin.

That state of mind that pleases God and benefits us all

Eludes the ones who seek the gifts that edify themselves

And rests on those who seek it not, but see themselves "on call"

To do small, selfless things that others leave on shelves.

A few of those whom I have met while following my road

Who demonstrate humility are giants in my sight.

Most of them do not perceive the value of their role

In prompting me to emulate their mindsets and their plight.

—T. C. Newsome

[Click HERE to see the meme at Facebook...including the comments thread.]