In
a “moral universe” there are shared standards and shared values and
relationships that are built on what people share. In an “individual universe”
each individual creates his or her standard, values what he or she likes – he or
she is the highest power. We have the power to choose which universe will be “our
universe.” Continue reading at –
We
believe it because there is a universal problem in the world and the wisdom in
Genesis can help people deal with it better than they are dealing with it now! The
problem is people hurt people! We believe the Bible can become the most
powerful source of bringing people together and uniting them through the ancient
wisdom recorded in Genesis, combined with powerful subconscious biological functions
of human brains. Continue reading at -
http://mailchi.mp/2f6019ea81d9/how-many-people-in-the-world-do-not-want-to-be-hurt-by-other-people
The
unrealized master idea of the grand narrative of
The Torah’s
Wisdom of the Beginnings is for the Creator’s Kingdom to become a reality on
Earth: “Humans acting together as the Creator’s Representatives and Co-Shepherds
over all life on Earth by doing acts that are TOV.” That wisdom is reflected clearly.
Rabbi Jeffrey Leynor pointed out many examples of that wisdom throughout all of
the Jewish Scriptures. But something that we discovered together made the unrealized master idea above equally important for Christians.
Continue reading at - http://mailchi.mp/29fffd47a549/the-wisdom-that-bridged-the-gap-separating-a-preacher-and-a-rabbi
It
is abundantly clear that our generation lacks a shared vision for what life
should be like today. The Creator’s vision is not a religious vision. It is not
a Jewish or Christian thing. It does not require a theology. It is mutually
inclusive and has universally beneficial shared values for today! A preacher (Jim Myers) and
a rabbi (Jeffrey Leynor) agreed and shared it! Continue reading at -
The grand narrative of the Jewish Scriptures
and the teaching of the Jewish Jesus is recorded
in the first ten chapters of Genesis. The seven parts together are the ancient
wisdom text of a temple. Part 1 begins by
introducing an unnamed Creator (something you won’t see in your English
translation). Continue reading at -
The
Jerusalem Post (12/15/22) published an article by Judy Siegel-Itzkovich about a very
important archaeological discovery near the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. Below is
short overview of the article and link to it with pictures of the coins. This
is a very important discovery. Continue reading at -
http://mailchi.mp/c0f6ba0bae79/silver-coins-found-near-temple-mount-prove-jewish-history-of-israel
The
gods of Babylon were born and subject to powers beyond them. The gods were dependent
upon physical existence too. The Genesis story has no notion of either the
birth of the Creator or a biography or mythology. The Creator’s existence was
as self-evident as life itself. Interestingly, many Bible believers today have
beliefs that are linked to ideas about Babylonian gods. Continue reading at -
http://mailchi.mp/cf8599e68612/genesis-and-enuma-elish-a-clash-of-grand-narratives
The Bible, and how it fits into 21st lives, are a subject that many people are interested in today. I have been focusing on how the Bible fits into lives today. The stories in the Bible play major roles in the creation of the life narratives and grand narratives that affect billions of lives. Continue reading at -
http://mailchi.mp/b68d397e2566/two-very-important-reasons-the-bible-benefits-21st-lives
What
“God’s will” meant to Jesus may surprise you. It wasn’t for people to believe
anything about him. It wasn’t for people to view prayer as a way to get God to
do things for them. It was for “His will to be done on Earth like it is done in
Heaven.” Find out “what was going on in Heaven.” Continue reading at - http://mailchi.mp/6aa5383ec5a1/who-cares-if-gods-will-is-done-on-earth-part-2
Who cares if “God’s will is done on earth?” The first part of the answer is “at least 2,400,000,000 Christians” who know those words are from the “Lord’s Prayer” – the prayer that Jesus taught his followers to pray. The second part of the answer is “people whose lives are affected by the 2.4 billion people in part one!” Continue reading at - http://mailchi.mp/65e0cf50f7cf/who-cares-if-gods-will-is-done-on-earth
Jesus
had just finished discussions with the Pharisees and Sadducees about issues
that were important to them when a scribe asked him this
question -- “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Torah?”
Jesus used the question to teach his “radical interpretation of the
commandment of mutual love.” Continue reading at -
http://mailchi.mp/708d69ac98f5/which-commandment-is-the-greatest-commandment
The
belief model people have for “going to heaven” affects much more than “their life
after death or after judgment day.” It affects how they live until they die, or
judgment day comes. It affects the types of relationships they have with others
and the roles they play as members of families, communities, workplaces, and nations.
What beliefs do you have about the afterlife? Continue reading at – http://mailchi.mp/3186188d3401/another-option-for-going-to-heaven
The rich man’s request reveals something very important about his actual father – he raised all of his sons to be just like him. He is aware of that and has no doubt that when his brothers die, they will join him in SHEOL. Why did he want Abraham to send Eliezer? Surely they would have recognized the guy the dogs were licking by the gate. Continue reading at - http://mailchi.mp/1a7d9073cfe1/conclusion-of-the-parable-of-eliezer-and-the-unnamed-rich-man
When
Eliezer, the poor man, died angels came and carried him to Abraham’s bosom. When
the rich man died, his body was carried to a grave
and buried it, but that wasn’t the end of story. He raised his eyes and saw the
poor man and another man who died over 1,800 years earlier, Abraham! Continue
reading at - http://mailchi.mp/f7660368da5b/the-parable-of-eliezer-and-the-unnamed-rich-man-part-2
When the Jewish audience heard the words “you
blessed of my Father” and “kingdom prepared from the foundation of the world” they
knew Jesus was referring to the first story in Genesis – and they understood
links to the Babylonian story Enuma Elish. Continue reading at – http://mailchi.mp/14e20ff4fba3/an-ancient-kingdom-prepared-for-the-blessed
Is
there a common foundation upon which the tens of thousands of Christian biblical
heritages stand? That was the question Dr. Ike Tennison, Rabbi Jeffrey Leynor,
and I discussed many times. We found the answer to the above question was
surprised that it’s linked to the Wisdom of the Creator of the Heavens and the
Earth. Continue reading at - http://mailchi.mp/300104fec680/jesus-and-the-wisdom-of-the-creator-of-the-heavens-and-the-earth
In
Genesis 1 the Hebrew word ELOHIYM is translated “God.” In Genesis 2 it is
translated “gods.” In Genesis 1 the Hebrew word ADAM is “two people.” In
Genesis 2 it is “one man.” People who only read English translations are
unaware of differences like these and being aware of them is essential to
understand what the Bible is teaching. Continue reading at -
http://mailchi.mp/37f7be7b5b93/seeing-genesis-through-the-eyes-of-ancient-scribes
Exploring
the Bible and Biblical Heritages emerged from over a decade of using the
guideline above. I created it in the late 1980s as a way to deal with
conflicts in beliefs in my Bible study meetings. People with
conflicting beliefs focused on defending their beliefs and attacking
people that disagreed with them. But after I created the guideline and people
started using it -- things changed. When a belief conflict arose, the
guideline acted like a GPS that guided to the next actions to take. Continue
reading at -
http://mailchi.mp/c1b871ebd988/the-goals-and-rewards-of-exploring-the-bible-and-beliefs
The
parallel between the missions of Udjahorresnet and Ezra are striking. Udjahorresnet
was an Egyptian priest sent by a Persian king to Egypt to create the
infrastructure required for the implementation of the “Laws of Egypt”
and the “Law of the King of Persia.” Ezra was sent by a Persian
king to Jerusalem to create the infrastructure required for the implementation of
the “Law of Yahweh” and the “Law of the King of Persia”
Continue reading at -
http://mailchi.mp/217beae24a0b/ezra-temple-scribe-and-representative-of-the-persian-king
Without a Bible,
biblical heritages would not exist. Therefore, a top priority for explorers of
biblical heritages is to acquire accurate information about “the Bible.”
But biblical heritages have two major types of religious institutions today -- Jewish
and Christian. The “divine authority claims of those institutions”
– proof that they are the authorized representatives of God -- are
directly linked to words in their Bibles. Continue reading at - https://mailchi.mp/4908aef4dead/the-first-canon-of-biblical-heritages
I was an adult and an ordained minister. I was very familiar with the parable
Jesus taught about the Day of Judgment (Matthew 25:31-46). But, I did
not understand what Jesus taught about entering eternal life. The Gospel of Jesus had been lost by the second century. It
had been replaced by the gospels of other people. Continue reading at - https://mailchi.mp/084c7665303e/why-i-didnt-know-what-jesus-actually-taught
The
“Presence of God” is with every person. Two people and God are involved in each
act of TZEDAQAH – the giver, the receiver, and God. The foundation of the
original Jesus Movement is this: Anything that involves one or more people, involves
the presence of God. Continue reading at –
The
first ten chapters of Genesis contain direct links to Babylonian scrolls,
which were written in languages that were lost and not rediscovered until the
19th century CE. Today, we are able to understand the link between
those texts and “the kingdom prepared from the foundation of the world.”
Continue reading at -
When
Jesus said, “Come you blessed of my Father,” he was referring the Creator’s
blessing of the humans in Genesis 1. It reveals the Creator’s vision of how humans
are to live on earth. Sadly, very few people understand who and what they have
within them. This wisdom has the power to change lives today – as well as
revealing the meaning of the parable of Jesus. Continue reading at -
https://mailchi.mp/d8194b628efb/the-meanings-of-blessed-of-my-father
https://mailchi.mp/7471ab852649/gods-pay-day-for-all-nations-of-the-earth
Those who took advantage of God’s favor in the Year
of Acceptance changed their status from wicked to TZEDEQ. They are called the “Trees of TZEDEQ” -- “the planting of God.” The first “planting of God” was the Garden
in Eden. When Adam was driven out of it, he was completely separated from
the Tree of Life! Continue reading at -
https://mailchi.mp/84513fca5569/gods-second-garden
When Jesus said, “today the words in Isaiah’s
prophesy have been fulfilled,” that meant “he is the Anointed One, the Year of Acceptance
and the countdown to the Day of Vengeance have begun. From that day on, each
day will bring everyone closer to the day mankind will be judged by God!
Continue reading at -
https://mailchi.mp/c1842693068a/the-anointing-of-jesus
https://mailchi.mp/21965789bffd/what-does-jesus-christ-son-of-god-mean
Catholicism
and Protestantism existed in a very different world until the 18th
century, when science and the Enlightenment began challenging their Creeds and Statements
of Faith. Some even denied that the Scriptures were a source of truth and
produced a rationalist theology. In 1895 the Five Fundamental Beliefs for being
a true Christian was published. Continue reading at -
https://mailchi.mp/9ebd34596ddd/create-transparency-instead-of-belief-conflicts
Matthew,
Mark and Luke are called the Synoptic Gospels because they include many of the
same stories, often in a similar sequence and in similar or sometimes identical
wording. Their linguistic models of Jesus are similar, but not identical. John’s
content and linguistic model of Jesus, stand in stark contrast to those of the
Synoptic Gospels. Continue reading at -
https://mailchi.mp/77dbb92ed693/which-jesus-model-are-you-using
Exploring
Biblical Heritages
increases the awareness of how brains process information. At the subconscious
level, brains use high speed neural circuits to make its “best guesses” -- which
are right about 60 to 80% of the time. Explorers develop skills to move beyond “best
guesses” to more accurate information. Continue reading at -
The
Creator in the first story in Genesis uses a standard to
judge the results of His actions. That standard is central focus of the story
– and the whole Bible. It reveals what God values the most. Continue
reading at –
How
studying the biological functions of the brain became part of Exploring
Biblical Heritages and why every Bible reader and believer should understand
it. Everyone in America has a right to believe whatever they choose, but the
public should clearly understand that beliefs generate corresponding behaviors.
Continue reading at -
https://mailchi.mp/345abfffabfd/which-model-for-love-does-your-brain-use
The
answer to that question depends on the context and which meaning of “love”
we use. The English word “love”
is defined in most dictionaries as -- “an intense feeling of deep affection.”
In other words, “love is what one feels.” Is that how we
love God? -
Individual realities emerge from the brain’s
billions of zapping neurons with their trillions of synaptic connections. It is
from this inner universe of synaptic constellations that everything we think and
feel and do emerges. The human capacity for belief, the specifics of belief,
and complex belief structures -- shape our daily lives, our societies, and the
world around us. Continue reading at -
Exploring
Biblical Heritages requires learning what “human” means from science. No
generation before us, in the history of mankind, has understood this
information. It transforms the way we understand human behaviors. It is amazing to me that there are
similarities between 21st century scientific discoveries and wisdom
principles embedded in the first ten chapters of Genesis. Continue reading at -
After
200 CE new “Christian Scriptures” were being created in multiple places and Christians
were hearing a lot of conflicting ideas. This is clearly seen in writings of
the Early Church Fathers. Keep in mind that at that time there was no
central body of Christian authority, no single standard to judge books by, and
no “Doctrine of the Inerrancy of Scriptures.” Continue reading at -
https://mailchi.mp/1fab479c83e8/the-creation-of-the-new-testament-part-3
What
do you know about Marcion or Irenaeus? Marcion created the first new Christian
Scriptures that only had one Gospel. Irenaeus created another version of Christian
Scriptures that had four Gospels. There were over 100 Gospels circulating among
other Christian groups at that time. Irenaeus is why New Testaments today have
four Gospels – instead of 1 or 100 Gospels. Continue reading at –
If
there was no New Testament, what would we know about Jesus, the apostles, or Paul?
How many Christian religions would exist now? The answer to the first question
is “nothing.” The answer to the second question is “none.” Considering
the importance of these answers, it is amazing that very few Christians know
anything about the history of the New Testament. Continue reading at -
https://mailchi.mp/b5d10ecfce62/the-story-of-the-creation-of-the-new-testament-part-1
BHC’s
Exploring Our Biblical Heritages is different from most discussions about Jesus
and religions. Facts about the biological processes of the brain and the roles that
governments, money, and power played in his life and in the religious
institutions that created our beliefs about him are essential. Continue reading
at -
https://mailchi.mp/b4ade39e2a4e/exploring-beliefs-about-jesus-requires-much-more-than-a-bible
I encourage those with Christian
biblical heritages and who value the teachings of the Jewish Jesus,
to make The Our Father Prayer and the Meditations part of your
daily rituals. I also encourage those who are not interested in praying the
prayer to make the Meditations part of your daily rituals. In
order for a democratic society to survive and thrive, members must have something
they share in common and be committed to it. Continue reading at -
https://mailchi.mp/1195e7f46a99/discover-the-power-of-praying-or-meditating-on-the-our-father-prayer
In
Matthew we find “evil,” while Luke has “evil
one.” Who or what wants to test us and do we need to be protected from?
The answer to that question will come as a shock for many Bible readers!
Continue reading at -
https://mailchi.mp/1f4fcf67b7b2/do-not-bring-us-into-the-hands-of-a-test-and-protect-us-from-evil
The
structure of the “Our Father Prayer” links the basic survival needs of eating
to another basic survival need – forgiveness of sins. Food and forgiveness of
sins are essential for individuals and societies to survive and thrive.
Continue reading at -
https://mailchi.mp/71949b989b1d/give-us-our-daily-bread-as-we-forgive-sins
Through
our actions we can give glory to our Father and sanctify his name
in the eyes of the world. Praying “May Your name be sanctified” is a
call to action that must be followed by performing deeds that
glorify his name the eyes of mankind. Those actions are revealed in the functions
He created and empowered them to do. Continue reading at – https://mailchi.mp/329cbdcd6102/may-your-name-be-sanctified
English
translations usually have either “in heaven” or “in Heaven.” I always
thought that meant “the place saved people go when they die.” I now know
that “a God in the heavens” links this prayer to the first story in
Genesis and “the God that created the heavens and the earth.” John Walton helps us recognize and understand important clues in the
first story in Genesis – clues we need to also understand The Our Father Prayer
of Jesus. Continue reading at --
This
prayer is called the “AVINU Prayer.” Its name came from the first
Hebrew word in it – AVINU (Our Father). In the New
Testament it is called “The Lord’s Prayer.” We all pray to “Our Father.” Our relationships,
those of everyone praying this prayer, are defined by their relationship with
“Our Father.” This prayer helps people see more clearly what their true
needs really are. Continue reading at -
https://mailchi.mp/f263f809ee0b/jesus-explains-his-movement-in-a-prayer
The
Jewish Jesus taught Ezekiel’s version of TESHUVAH. Every person
has the power to return to the Laws and Instructions of God whenever he or she
chooses to do so. No temple, priest, or sacrifice are required. Continue
reading at -
https://mailchi.mp/e24f39bd6b53/how-to-return-to-god
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The
wealthy, the priests, the Temple, and all of the people of Israel have God-given
roles in making sure there will be acts of TZEDAQAH in the Land of Israel. That
was the message the Jewish Jesus taught. He and his followers pursued
opportunities to do active, positive, energetic acts
that created or increased SHALOM! Continue reading at -
https://mailchi.mp/05fcaf54636e/gods-plan-for-making-acts-of-tzedaqah-a-reality-in-israel
Recovery
Update: Let me begin by giving you an update on my recovery. On May 12, I had
total knee replacement surgery . . . Now let’s turn to the article. The Jewish
Jesus was a skilled teacher and interpreter of the Torah, therefore it is no
surprise that TZEDAQAH and MISPHAT are also the foundation
of his movement and teachings. Sadly, most Christians know nothing about the two
most important words Jesus taught! Continue reading at -
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Discovering
that there are two very different stories in the New Testament linked
Paul creates an interesting situation for biblical heritage explorers. It
presents a great opportunity to explore and discover their origins. But for
members of many religious institutions, it creates a crisis. They often
subconsciously switch into the role of “defending their religious institution’s
belief.” Exploring brings people together. Defending unexplored beliefs polarizes
and divides people. Continue reading at -
https://mailchi.mp/307c4c667468/what-kind-of-people-are-we-as-a-nation
