Roe v Wade, why the controversy?

After Justice Kennedy retired, POTUS45, by virtue of the US Constitution, has to nominate his successor. He then delivered on his promise during the campaign to nominate a “conservative judge”, Brett Kavanaugh. According to the “liberals”, this will likely tilt the direction of the Court towards “originalist or textualist” philosophy in interpretation of the US Constitution based on original writings of the “founding fathers”. Hence, the composition of SCOTUS is again a “flashpoint” in politics. The “progressives” are justifiably energized as they believe that the US Constitution is a “living and vibrant” document that has to be interpreted based on current situation. According to Podesta & Halpin, “Since the late 19th century (progressives) rejected the conservative interpretation of the Constitution as an unchangeable document…” (1). This renewed activism was self-imposed by the “left” and kindled by a call from conservatives to revisit Roe v Wade(2).

It is unlikely that Roe v Wade decision by SCOTUS will be overturned because of the principle of “stare decisis”, i.e., “to stand by things decided”. (3). It expresses the common law doctrine that court decisions should be guided by precedent. But this has been cautioned: “Although courts seldom overrule precedent, Justice Rehnquist explained that stare decisis is not an inexorable command”. (4)

Secular arguments

Aside from discord in the principle that guides interpretation of the US Constitution, the bone of contention in Roe v Wade is rooted in what is in the US Constitution as regards to:

1. right to life and

2. right to privacy.

Justification for abortion is founded on the “right to privacy”. Countered to that is the so-called Creator-given unalienable “right to life”. Let us then examine the arguments from which “pro-choice” and “pro-life” are based

Right to life

This is a commonly used argument. But, does the US Constitution really provide basis for “pro-lifers” to bank on this “right”? The preamble to the Declaration of Independence states:

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness”

So the argument was based in the Declaration of Independence, not in the US Constitution. But, is the Declaration of Independence a legally binding document in USA?(5). This question has been answered by a pro-life conservative group, the Heritage Foundation:

“The first of the four organic laws of the United States, the Declaration may lack legal force but remains nonetheless the source of all legitimate political authority.

If this document was legally enforceable, then why were some men (Blacks, Asians, Irish) not treated equally for another hundred years? Simple, because the Declaration of Independence cannot be used for legal precedent. It is a position paper, written by a collection of men stating their intent to form a new government.”

The preceding appears to be the “last nail hammered into the coffin” of this assumed “right to life”. Nevertheless, conservatives stay adamant on this principle based on the Declaration of Independence.

Right to Privacy (4th Amendment)

While the right to privacy refers to the concept that one’s personal information is protected from public scrutiny, this has been extended to justify abortion with certain limits. U.S. Justice Louis Brandeis called it “the right to be left alone.” (6). While not explicitly stated in the U.S. Constitution, some amendments provide some protections.

In Griswold v. Connecticut (1965),

the Supreme Court ruled that a state’s ban on the use of contraceptives violated the right to marital privacy (7). The case concerned a Connecticut law that criminalized the encouragement or use of birth control(8).

Clearly, there is no explicit “right to abortion” in the US Constitution and this right emanated from assumed penumbra of the “4th amendment right to privacy”. Then, Heninger, wrote in WSJ that “ Trump Blows away a Penumbra” (9).

According to him, “Griswold is worth recalling because it established a right to privacy, though the Constitution says nothing about any such right. Justice William O. Douglas famously explained how this could be, arguing that “specific guarantees in the Bill of Rights have penumbras, formed by emanations from those guarantees that help give them life and substance.”  Douglas’ “penumbras” decision, though ridiculed, defined the post-’60s era of “judge-made law,” in which achieving a result that reflected liberal values or policy goals mattered more than the legal reasoning to justify it. This results-driven view is what routinely sent Justice Antonin Scalia into eloquent and volcanic dissents.

Though capable of rigor in his reasoning, Anthony Kennedy was willing to swing toward decisions that simply affirmed what he thought were ascendant cultural mores. With the Trump Supreme Court nominations, this long era of judge-made law is at risk, if not over.”

These facts of the argument notwithstanding, passion on both sides continue to “stoke the fire” regarding principle of originalism(10) and judicial activism (11). Change has occurred in the last three generations through judicial interpretation rather than the amendment process that is embodied in the Constitution.

Because of the preceding, the course of direction as to how SCOTUS will decide on a particular issue, depends on what is the “composite intellectual and emotional bias” of the nominee and eventual composition of the SCOTUS. Hence, POTUS holds the cards as to who that person is and Congress will “advise and consent”. Nevertheless, any justice of SCOTUS can swing decision either way. There are no guarantees.

Religious arguments

The religious viewpoint centers on 2 positions of discord, viz.,

1. Does the unborn have legal status as citizen of the state?

2. When does life begin?

On the issue of legal status for the unborn, one can look back as to how traditional Judaism understood this subject. Traditional and Reformed Judaism differ on this matter. According to Fred Rosner, Professor of Medicine at New York’s Mount Sinai School of Medicine (12) “An unborn fetus in Jewish law is not considered a person (Heb. nefesh, lit. “soul”) until it has been born.” A case of accidental abortion is discussed in Exodus 21:22‑23, where Scripture states:

“When men fight and one of them pushes a pregnant woman and a miscarriage results, but no other misfortune ensues, the one responsible shall be fined as the woman’s husband may exact from him, the payment to be based on judges’ reckoning; case of property damage — not murder. But if other misfortune ensues, ( the mother dies) the penalty shall be life for life.”

“None of the rabbis raise the possibility of involuntary manslaughter being involved because the unborn fetus is not legally a person and, therefore, there is no question of murder involved when a fetus is aborted.”

The Mishnah elsewhere states: “If a pregnant woman is taken out to be executed, one does not wait for her to give birth; but if her pains of parturition have already begun [lit. she has already sat on the birth stool], one waits for her until she gives birth.” One does not delay the execution of the mother in order to save the life of the fetus because the fetus is not yet a person (Heb. nefesh), and judgments in Judaism must be promptly implemented. The Talmud also explains that the embryo is part of the mother’s body and has no identity of its own, since it is dependent for its life upon the body of the woman. However, as soon as it starts to move from the womb, it is considered an autonomous being (nefesh) and thus unaffected by the mother’s state. This concept of the embryo being considered part of the mother and not a separate being recurs throughout the Talmud and rabbinic writings.”

In Jewish law (13), “it does not share the belief common among abortion opponents that life begins at conception, nor does it legally consider the fetus to be a full person deserving of protections equal those accorded to human beings. A fetus attains the status of a full person only at birth. Sources in the Talmud indicate that prior to 40 days of gestation, the fetus has an even more limited legal status, with one Talmudic authority (Yevamot 69b) asserting that prior to 40 days the fetus is “mere water.” Elsewhere, the Talmud indicates that the ancient rabbis regarded a fetus as part of its mother throughout the pregnancy, dependent fully on her for its life — a view that echoes the position that women should be free to make decisions concerning their own bodies.

“The Jewish position on abortion is nuanced, neither condoning it nor categorically prohibiting it. Judaism teaches that the body is ultimately the property of God and is merely on loan to human beings. Multiple prohibitions in Jewish law— including prohibitions on suicide, getting tattoos and wounding oneself— collectively serve to reject the idea that individuals enjoy an unfettered right to make choices regarding their own bodies.

In the Commentary of Ernest Martin & David Sielaff(14):

“In the Didache (a late 1st or early 2nd century C.E. church document otherwise known as the “Doctrine of the Twelve Apostles”) there is a discussion about the commandments

“…thou shalt not murder a child by abortion nor kill them when born.”

• Didache 2.2,

Note that both abortion and infanticide were termed “murder.” The historical ekklesia has been consistent that in its expression that both abortion as well as infanticide were murder.“

Beyond legal status, the question as to when life begins is another issue. Everyone can see that a sperm and ovum have to be “alive” for fertilization to occur. It suspends credulity to think otherwise. A zygote (fertilized egg) is a “new creation” and is alive. An abundance of proof traces a “new life beginning at conception”(15). Concurrence also came from the American College of Pediatricians(16), US Health and Human Services(17) and Medical textbooks(18).

Summary

Even with the preceding facts, opponents on both sides of the issue will continue this political skirmish. This is just the nature of current atmosphere among protagonists in this issue. People will remain conflicted and conflated by this dilemma.

There is “new creation“ ongoing (19) and in the process of full development and subsequent birth. Metaphorically, the “sperm”(Holy Spirit of power is being given to those who are called for their “ovum” (spirit-of-man) to be “fertilized”(nourished and nurtured). The Holy Spirit is writing in the “fleshly tables” (2 Cor. 3:3) of our temple, it’s laws and opening our “deaf ears and blind eyes” (Isaiah 35:5; 43:8; Luke 8;8; Mark 8:18; Matthew 13:16) to the truth and will empower us to bring “fruits of the Holy Spirit”(Galatians 5:22-23). Through following the guidance, direction, and wisdom of the HS, this “spiritual zygote”, will eventually reach full development, maturity and manifest or declared itself “by resurrection from the dead” (Rom. 1:4) worthy of the category to be named “son of God” (20) with Jesus as “elder brother”(Heb. 2:11).

But, a heightened awareness now gives a recurring warning from God to those called and received the Holy Spirit of power to reach full development and not to “abort themselves in the womb of the church” as in 2 Peter 2:22

“They prove the truth of this proverb: “A dog returns to its vomit.” And another says, “A washed pig returns to the mud”(NLT).

Let us not go back to our sinful past. Instead, let us be firm, passionate and determined to follow the Holy Spirit and bring forth “fruits of the Holy Spirit”.

Remember the admonition in:

Matthew 24:13 Jesus says “He that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved” (KJV), or, as the NIV has it, “The one who stands firm to the end will be saved.”

Rev. 3:21 “ To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne”

Only those called in this dispensation, received the Holy Spirit of empowerment, developed into full-term maturity, endured-overcame through the end, will have “immortal-Spirit-composed bodies, eternal life.”

So, let us follow the guidance and direction of the Holy Spirit, even in “sweating of blood” scenario that Jesus went through in the garden of Gethsemane(21).

Moreover, with advances in “imaging studies”, viz.ultrasound and CT as well as the original “Roe” never had an abortion and now pro-life, this issue needs re-evaluation.

God bless🙏😇

References

1. Podesta and Halpin, The Constitution is Inherently Progressive. Retrieved 7/12/18 from https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/courts/news/2011/10/11/10444/the-constitution-is-inherently-progressive/

2. Roe v Wade Retrieved 7/12/18 from

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roe_v._Wade

3. Stare Decisis Doctrine. Retrieved 7/12/18 from https://study.com/academy/lesson/stare-decisis-doctrine-definition-example-cases.html

4. Stare Decisis. Retrieved 7/12/18 from https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/stare_decisis

5. Eric Beasley, Fact Check: Does the US Constitution guarantee a right to life? February 29, 2016 Retrieved 7/12/18 from https://aminerdetail.com

/fact-check-does-the-us-constitution-guarantee-a-right-to-life/

6. Sharp, Tim. Right to Privacy: Constitutional Rights & Privacy Laws, Retrieved 7/12/18 from https://www.livescience.com/37398-right-to-privacy.html

7. Griswold v Connecticut. Retrieved 7/12/18 from https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Griswold_v._Connecticut

8. The Supreme Court . Expanding Civil Rights . Landmark Cases. Retrieved 7/13/18 from https://www.thirteen.org/wnet/supremecourt/rights/landmark_griswold.html

9. Trump blows away a penumbra. Retrieved 7/13/18 from https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.wsj.com/amp/articles/trump-blows-away-a-penumbra-1530722910

10. Originalism. Retrieved 7/14/18 from https://constitutioncenter.org/interactive-constitution/articles/article-v/originalism-an-essential-ingredient-of-the-constitutional-amendment-process/interp/22

11. Strauss, David. How we change the Constitution (Judicial activism) Retrieved 7/14/18 from https://constitutioncenter.org/interactive-constitution/articles/article-v/how-we-change-the-constitution-hint-its-not-by-amending-it-by-david-a-stra/interp/22

12. Rosner, Fred. The Fetus in Jewish Law. Retrieved 7/18/18 https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.myjewishlearning.com/article/the-fetus-in-jewish-law/amp/

13. Abortion and Judaism. Retrieved 7/18/18 https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.myjewishlearning.com/article/abortion-in-jewish-thought/amp/

14. Abortion and the Bible. Retrieved 7/28/18 from

http://www.askelm.com/doctrine/d050201.htm

15. Life begins at fertilization. Retrieved 7/19/18 from https://www.princeton.edu/~prolife/articles/embryoquotes2.html

16. When human life begins. Retrieved 7/19/18 from https://www.acpeds.org/the-college-speaks/position-statements/life-issues/when-human-life-begins

17. Life begins at conception. Retrieved 7/19/28 from http://thefederalist.com/2017/10/13/life-begins-at-conception-says-department-hhs/

18. Quotes: Human life begins at conception Retrieved 7/19/18 from http://www.lifenews.com/2015/01/08/41-quotes-from-medical-textbooks-prove-human-life-begins-at-conception/

19. Ongoing Creation. Retrieved 7/19/18 from https://fact-s.net/2018/06/30/ongoing-creation/

20. Son of God, Whar does it mean? Retrieved 7/19/18 from https://fact-s.net/2016/12/23/son-of-god-what-does-it-mean/

21. Garden of Gethsemane, a Teaching Tool for all? Retrieved 8/11/18? from
http://fact-s.net/2018/07/26/garden-of-gethsemane-a-teaching-tool-for-all/

Original post: July 19, 2018

Revised and reposted 8/11/18

Nature of God, Christology, the Holy Spirit…. History, Why and How they Developed and What to learn from it.

Throughout history, there has been many challenges that people at each particular point in time have to overcome. Some, they did peacefully, diplomatically, others by sheer force and mandate. It was no different, whether secular or religious. From the time Adam was created as narrated in the book of Genesis, humanity has gone through ups and downs, one upheaval or controversy after another. Dichotomy in understanding of God’s will by human beings continued into the time of Jesus on earth confronting traditional beliefs of the Sanhedrin, through the apostolic era, early centuries and up to this day.

Truly, there is nothing new under the sun as written in Ecclesiastes 1:9-10,

“The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.

Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us.”

The focus of this article is on the historical development of religious teachings, through thick-and-thin, that became today’s beliefs and to critically compare them with what actually were the core foundational teachings of man-Jesus. This will also explore the growth of the church, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the original apostles and beyond.

Cases in point are the understanding of the nature of God, the Shema doctrine, and the Holy Spirit. As we delve into these subjects, a number of “isms” will be covered. First and foremost in our task is the controversy about the nature of God(1) leading to development of the Trinity Doctrine(2).

Nature of God

In essence, this controversy hinges on 2 unequivocal facts, coupling them with how the “church fathers” resolve their issues, viz.,

1. God is Spirit ( Christology, Trinity Doctrine, Holy Spirit)

There is no dissension that God is spirit-composed and those who worship him has to do this “in spirit and in truth”, as in John 4:24

“God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

As far as the Father is concerned, being spirit-composed, there is unanimity in calling him God. But this poses a problem for flesh-composed man-Jesus(described by Paul as “anthropos-Jesus”), as to how he could be called God when God is a spirit. Athanasius and Arius, both pillars of Christian religion in the 4th century, Alexandra Egypt, have different beliefs, especially on Trinity Doctrine imposed by Constantine in the Council of Nicea 325 AD. The Holy Spirit as God-person was added in 381AD. Their conflict was mainly on the nature and relationship of the Son to the Father, whether homoousios (of one or same substance) and homoiousios (of similar/like but not the same substance).They excommunicated and prevailed over each other depending upon who the Roman emperor (specific Constantine) was in power. Along the way, there were rapprochement among different factions and shades of beliefs, including the anhomoiosians. In spite of Ecumenical Councils and Synods, their differences did not get fully resolved to this day and were in fact adopted by mainstream Christianity.

For quick review of the history, please access references # 3,4,5,6,7. And for an exhaustive history of the Trinity Doctrine, see reference #8. Other religions have Trinity, as in:

“The Hindu trinity was made up of the gods Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. The Greek triad was composed of Zeus, Athena and Apollo. These three were said by the pagans to ‘agree in one.’ One of the largest pagan temples built by the Romans was constructed at Ballbek (situated in present day Lebanon) to their trinity of Jupiter, Mercury and Venus. In Babylon the planet Venus was revered as special and was worshipped as a trinity consisting of Venus, the moon and the sun. This triad became the Babylonian holy trinity in the fourteenth century before Christ.”(Ibid).

Specific to the subject Athanasian, Arianism, Unitarianism, Calvinism, Anabaptism, Adventism, Wesleyanism, Lutheranism, etc. please access reference #9

My personal take on these subjects is posted in: What is God?(1);

Trinity Deconstructed(2) and will be in my Summary.

On Holy Spirit, two schools of thought render it to mean either a “person” in the Trinity/Triune or that it is a unique power coming from and given by the Father to us through his Son-Jesus to enable us to follow the “law of the spirit” (Romans 8:2-4 ) to bring forth “fruits of the spirit”(Gal. 6:22-26).

Much like any gift, the Holy Spirit is indeed a gift and specifically a “gift of power” as in:

Luke 12:13 “ If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? “

As parents, we give gifts to our children which maybe toys, special food, clothes, money, etc. But, with God, he gave as natural laws, like power from gravitational force, mechanical-electrical-nuclear-solar, etc for our own “empowerment”. They were given as “static energy” that became “dynamic power” the moment we got the knowledge and used it. But, the “ultimate gift” he promised to give through Jesus, is the “Holy Spirit of power”. It is available as “static power” that will become “dynamic power” as we receive it “in the fleshly tables of our heart” (Jer. 31:33; 2 Cor. 3:3) and learn how to use it and follow it’s guidance. And this gift of power is needed by humans because, as Jesus convinced himself 3 times (Matthew 26:36-46; Luke 22:39-46; Mark 14:32-42), we are “weak“ and needed this power from the Father to enable us to overcome temptation. Even Jesus needed it and was “baptized “ with this power to ward-off Satan who tempted him in the wilderness.

The Holy Spirit is not a person in a “triune God”.

Various positions on this question are well documented (10,11) and needed to be evaluated by all seekers of truth.

2. Shema Doctrine as in

Deut. 6:4 שְׁמַע, יִשְׂרָאֵל:  יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ, יְהוָה אֶחָד

“Hear O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is one”

This Shema had to be harmonized by Athanasians within the concept of Trinity/Triune, for which controversy again takes its root. For how could the Father, Son and Holy Spirit , being three persons, still be consistent with the Shema teaching that the “Lord is one”?

אֶחָד – Hebrew: “echad” can signify either a compound unity (Trinity) or one alone. So, how can one tell which definition is operative when studying a verse? The answer lies in the context, which is always determinative. Clearly, the word(echad) is referring to one alone, not a “compound unity”, and is unsullied monotheism (12;13) from Jewish point of view.

Could the interpretation of the word “one” be “lost in translation “?

Summary

After reading all the referenced citations, one cannot ignore the inescapable fact that the God of the Old Testament is the God Creator in Genesis, the El SHADDAI ( Almighty God; Ex. 6:3) to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the YHVH-Elohim(Lord God; Ex. 3:14; 6:2) to Moses, the Word according to apostle John (Jn. 1:1). This spirit-composed God of the Old Testament incarnated into flesh-composed man-Jesus(anthropos-Jesus according to apostle Paul; I Tim. 2:5; Rom. 5:15). As such, man-Jesus was divine and “from above”(John 3:31), heavenly. The Father that was introduced in the New Testament was actually the “Ancient of Days” in the Old Testament (Daniel 7:9,13-14).

The timing and proper introduction of the Father/Son relationship, in the New Testament, which was never done before, was after Jesus came out of John the Baptist’s water baptism at river Jordan(Matt. 3:16). By saying “This is my Son…”, he was identifying himself as the Father and expressing this relationship being pioneered by man-Jesus for the first time. And rightly so, for them to identify themselves as such, since they knew each other “from the beginning”. Although, they did not have that relationship beforehand , this was planned that way for the future. This relationship extended to “bring many sons to glory”(Heb. 2:10) in fulfillment of the promise made to YHVH ELOHIM by the Ancient of Days and expressed by El SHADDAI to Abraham and his “seed” (Gal. 3:16, 3:29; Gen. 12:2; 13:14-17;15:5). This sequence of events discredits the belief that the word “God” is limited to a “triune”, but extends to innumerable more as the stars in heaven . This encapsulates the “gospel of the God-kingdom”, a kingdom of immortal beings of “first fruits” at the second-coming of Jesus on earth, who were “born again” ( John 3:1-21) after human birth. This is not a spirit-composed angelic kingdom, nor matter-composed plant kingdom, animal kingdom or human kingdom. In fact, no “human kingdom” will last as in Daniel’s interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream (Daniel 2:1-45).

This God-kingdom is being built by the “carpenter-builder” Jesus, from flesh-composed to become spirit-composed beings, all “one” in spirit -composition and in following the wisdom of the Father. All will be distinct and separate but, hierarchically, with the Father at the top, followed by the “firstborn” Jesus-Son-of-God (the pioneer and Head of the churchbody) and everybody else under him.

As a man, Jesus had 2 components when conceived and delivered by surrogate mother Mary, viz., flesh + spirit of man and he became a “living being”. As a young man (Luke 2:41-52), he was ahead in the knowledge of spiritual things. He was “sinless” (2Cor.5:21; Heb. 4:15) and followed the Decalogue, much like Job who was “perfect in the eyes of God”(Job 1:8). But coming from a man, this “perfection” was “as filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6)and not acceptable to the Father. It has to be “righteousness of faith” (Rom. 3:22; Phil. 3:9) of Jesus (Rev. 14:12; Rom. 3:22; Gal. 2:16). Being the first to receive the promised gift (Acts 2:38)of the Holy Spirit, he was “baptized “ into (and by) at river Jordan(Matt. 3:16). Imbued with the Holy Spirit, he was empowered to overcome Satan’s temptation in the wilderness even after fasting 40 days and night(Matt 4:1-11). With this power of the Holy Spirit, he performed the first miracle turning water into wine in the wedding at Cana(John 2:1-12). He manifested in his life “fruits of the Holy Spirit” (Gal. 5:22-23) which are “righteousness of works”(Matt. 5:20; James 2:14-26) acceptable to the Father as they are products of the Holy Spirit. He was then rewarded to be an immortal “first of the firstfruits” (I Cor. 15:23), the “Son of God“.

And, so will those who he “called” (Matt. 22:14) to have “faith in Jesus” (Heb. 11:6; John 3:16) receive the gift (Acts 2:38-39; Luke 11:13) of the Holy Spirit of power to “chose” the will of God (not their own will; Luke 22:42), overcome and endure to the end (Rev. 3:21; Matt. 24:13), will also be rewarded (Rom. 2:7), like man-Jesus, with immortality, eternal life…”salvation from eternal death”.(14;15).

The word “god” is not just “lost in translation“ , but the interpretation was. It should be understood to mean the only one to be worshipped and others are “false gods”, although called“gods” nevertheless. Anyone with power is classified as “god”, viz., angels(like Satan the god of this world), kings and humans, although these “gods” should not be worshipped. Only YHVH ELOHIM, the only known true God in the Old Testament who incarnated to man-Jesus and who then subsequently directed us to worship the Father in the New Testament era and beyond. Deification of humans will be completed (16) as planned through a process and a path started by the “pioneer and perfecter” ( Heb. 2:1-18; 12:2) man-Jesus. From a flesh-composed man, Jesus became spirit-composed, manifested at resurrection as “Son of God”(17).

Hopefully we can now see that the Holy Spirit is indeed a gift of power, not a person, although, by grammatical usage, a person pronoun was used in the Bible. This is such a critical power in creating the “God-kingdom” that Jesus had to receive this directly, at his resurrection (John 14:16; 16:7), from the Father to then be given to those “called”. Without this gift, Jesus would not be able to “create a God-kingdom of Spirit-composed beings different from angels“, and we would not be empowered to be like him. Adam in Genesis tried to be “like God” with wisdom to know good and evil ( Gen. 3:5, 3:22) but failed because he did not have this power that was planned to be given as a gift by Jesus. Adam wanted to have this power on his own “works” and not “on faith” which is the principle intimated in the narrative that makes it a gift.

The long and short of it all is that the summarized analysis of history when harmonized with the Holy scriptures as we may be able to piece together at this time, (“here a little, there a little”; Isaiah 28:10) can indeed lead to the development of the true concept of a “God-kingdom” that was promised gospel from the narrative in the Genesis creation. The Father planned for us to have a “father-son” relationship, pioneered by Jesus Christ; this is an awesome gift that was implemented with the “gift of righteousness by faith of Jesus” and the gift of the “Holy Spirit of power” baptized into us for our empowerment.

May God bless us to “hear and see” the truth. 🙏😇

References

1. What is God? Retrieved 5/11/18 at http://fact-s.net/2014/06/29/what-is-god-2/

2. Trinity Doctrine Deconstructed. Retrieved 5/11/18 at https://fact-s.net/2014/08/06/trinity-doctrine-deconstructed/

3. Theology, Arius and Athanasius. Retrieved 5/12/18 at https://www.ukessays.com/essays/theology/arius-and-athanasius-theology-essay.php

4. Athanasius vs Arius. Retrieved 5/12/18 at http://www.cnjonlinehosting.com/historyandspirituality/2013/08/29/53-athanasius-vs-arius/

5. Early Christian Dispute. Retrieved 5/12/18 at https://www.google.com/amp/s/calvinlawson.wordpress.com/2008/05/15/arius-and-athanasius-early-christian-disputes/amp/

6. Arian Controversy. Retrieved 5/12/18 at https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arian_controversy

7. Athanasius of Alexandria. Retrieved 5/12/18 at https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athanasius_of_Alexandria

8. Trinity History. Retrieved 5/12/18 at https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/trinity/trinity-history.html

http://www.christadelphia.org/trinityhistory.php

9. On the specific “ism”. Retrieved 5/12/18 at https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/

10. Doctrine, Holy Spirit. Retrieved 5/13/18 at

http://www.askelm.com/doctrine/d910201.htm

11. Is the Holy Spirit a person or a force?Retrieved 5/13/18 at

https://billygraham.org/answer/is-the-holy-spirit-a-person-or-a-force/

12. Trinity-Shema. Retrieved 5/13/18 at https://outreachjudaism.org/trinity-shema-prayer/

13. The Shema. Retrieved 5/13/18 at

http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/the-shema

14. Salvation Series 1, What?  Retrieved 5/16/2018 at http://fact-s.net/2015/10/04/salvation-series-1what/

15. Death, What is ? Retrieved 5/16/2018 at https://fact-s.net/2017/05/09/death-what-is/

16. Deification of man…Completion. Retrieved 5/16/2018 at https://fact-s.net/2014/07/12/deification-of-man-3/

17. Son of God. Retrieved 5/16/2018 at https://fact-s.net/2016/12/23/son-of-god-what-does-it-mean/

Original post: 5/16/18

Hyperlink version posted 3/12/19

The Destiny of Man

Why am I here? Did I exist because of evolution or creation? Why was I born? Is there any purpose in my life? These are questions people are asking themselves for guidance and direction in seeking self-worth, value and introspection.

Since the average lifespan is about 70-72 years, is that all there is to our longevity? Is our life on earth limited to a finite duration of time? Do telomeres predict our death? After death, then what? Should one care about whether there is life after death?

Different religions, whether Buddhism, Hinduism, Muslim, Judaism, Christianity , etc., profess that there is an after-life, although they differ in details. Knowing what the future has in store for us, brings perspective to how we value our present life and helps us understand our responsibilities and obligations, as well as what attitude and behavior we all need to adopt and express.

Creation or Evolution?

Since time immemorial, philosophers, seers and thinkers come and go. Yet, no reliable answer from them to these questions is forthcoming. Granted, they are all intellectually endowed and respected by the society and era that they lived in. Nevertheless, they are all farther from the truth for reasons that are obvious. Introspection and use of their own judgments and human abilities to search for answers, only left them with more questions. Answers to these pivotal issues are not forthcoming if we anchor our existence on evolution. Logic and wisdom lead us to a Creator. Had they turned to their Maker, their eyes could have been opened to the truth. For “…my thoughts are not your thoughts…. my ways are higher than your ways..” Isa:55:8-9. Also, isn’t it logical to listen to the Creator, as described in Job Chapters 38 and 39? We listen to others and believe their writings, scientific or not, yet why is it repulsive to believe in those who personally witnessed God?

Source of Education:

Learning comes either passive or active. The active mechanism to learn is via our sensory somatic experience, viz., fire burns or heat is hot, when one touches a burning wood or the light of a candle. Also active learning comes from what we see and hear from a primary source and/or personally experienced. Passive learning on the other hand is when what we see and hear are from secondary sources, e.g., being instructed/lectured that an item is in fact hot and does burn, without actual personal experience. This is a first lesson in faith/trust in God who tells us the truth, instead of relying on our own finite brains, feelings, sight or hearing. Adam/Eve chose to learn the hard and active learning way by an actual experience of eating the “forbidden fruit”, instead of heeding the verbal admonition of God against it, via the passive learning process. They both paid an ultimate and heavy price of eternal death for their bad choice. Sometimes, it is wiser to learn from an instructor than experience the aftermath of a bad choice and decision. Whether one believes it or not, there is a living God who is our Creator, who totally and completely knows us and has plans for us from the very beginning. As this subject is about destiny, it is vital to go to the instruction book of our Maker, the Holy Bible, for an eye-opening reality. And, there is no better place to start than from the beginning.

Sequence and Pattern:

In the book of Genesis, it is essential to consider the pattern being set by GOD/YHVH-ELOHIM in the process of creation, viz.,

1. That first, there was darkness followed by light… non-living things were created, then living things, as after death will follow life.

Notice, that “….darkness was upon the face of the deep…” [1] then there was light. He first created non-living things, e.g. the planets and stars of multiple galaxies, then the living things, e.g. plants and animals. These are facts as narrated in the Holy Scriptures. But, what is the truth behind these events? It appears that this narrative has spiritual and functional meaning. GOD is showing this pattern of death (darkness, non-living) to be followed by life everlasting, that is to say that there is hope of life (light) after death (darkness, chaos ), in the same pattern that after lies,deception,confusion, and different interpretation will come the truth…that from mortality (death) will follow immortality (life forever)…that our current physical nature is temporal and will change to spiritual which is everlasting. Isn’t this a very powerful message of hope and renewal being taught to all of us from the beginning of time? Yes, our destiny is not eternal death and oblivion but eternal life.

2. Every living creature reproduces its own kind or likeness or image…..foundation of genetics.

Notice that before there was any other living entity, GOD/YHVH and angelic beings were already there as the only living entities ( see also fact-s.net/2011/05/21/what-is-god/). As the scripture says “…In the beginning, God created…” [2].

To establish this pattern of reproducing like-for-like, kind-for-kind, class-for-class, and same image-for-image, GOD created the plants and animals. He showed that they can only reproduce after their own kind or likeness or image. And, within this concept is “adaptation changes“ depending on stimuli. After the plants and animals were created, at that particular moment, there were only three living classes of creatures, viz., GOD, plants and animals. After the principle of genetics was established that plants and animals can only reproduce after their own kind or likeness or image, what did GOD say?

“Let us make man in our image, after our own likeness…” [3].

The plant-kind can only give rise to a plant, as the animal-kind can only reproduce the same kind. The same is true with the GOD-kind. Yes, God is reproducing himself thru the creation of man, human beings, flesh-composed, mortals. Man was created in the image of God..in the GOD-KIND, the highest and ultimate class of living entity. Not even was man ranked among the angels as Paul emphasized [4]. Man, although currently lower than angels, in the future will be higher than them. Starting from a “template“/temple of flesh-composed, the “spirit of man” the “breath of life” was put in there to experience life. This flesh-composed body is only temporary and will die. Subsequently, those who have “fruits of the Holy SPIRIT and are “overcomers” will be resurrected with “spirit-composed bodies”, immortals with eternal life. (See, http://fact-s.net/2016/12/21/kingdom-of-god-in-human-anatomy/).

So it is written: “The first man Adam became a living being” the last Adam, a life-giving spirit. The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual. The first man was of the dust of the earth, the second man from heaven. As was the earthly man, so are those who are of the earth; and as is the man from heaven, so also are those who are of heaven (1 Corinthians 15:45-48).

This is indeed an awesome destiny for man to be in the GOD-KIND,, or KINGDOM of GOD, not Plant-kingdom nor Animal-kingdom but GOD-FAMILY…GOD-KINGDOM. No wonder Christ prayed that man be”ONE WITH HIM” [5], as he is one with the Father, that Paul testified that we will be”…like his glorious body…” [6] that this flesh will change in a “…twinkling of an eye …” in the future to become spirit, from mortal to immortality…that man will “have dominion “…”overall” [7] … as GOD is over all. Yes, GOD is a family, with Jesus as quoted by Paul, the “…first of the firstfuits…” [8]… “the firstborn among many brethren” [9], with Jesus as our elder brother, and his/our FATHER being all-in-all and above-all. And to think that this was all planned even before the creation of the world, before you and I were born, before anyone committed evil nor has done any good work, is a remarkable and compelling proof of GRACE and unwarranted GIFT to be in the GOD-KINGDOM and GOD-FAMILY.

SUMMARY:

Our destiny far-surpasses our imagination (2 Cor. 4:17-18; Eph. 3:20.) Our flesh-composed body is temporal, merely a template. It has the spirit of man which is a “temple” ( I Cor.6:19-20), the “holy-of-holies” for the Holy Spirit to dwell ( Acts 1:8; Lev.16:2, Matt. 27:51) so that man will be “begotten son/ child of God”. At the resurrection, this flesh-composed body will change to “born son “, “from mortality to immortality” from carnal to spiritual as “sons/children of God”. What happened to Jesus from flesh-composed man to now spirit-composed will be our destiny. He is the precursor for all of us. He is our Elder-brother, head of the church/body and we “are one”. Indeed, grace and love manifested !

References

[1] Gen. 1:2 [2] Gen. 1:1 [3] Gen 1:26 [4] Heb. 2:6-18 [5] John 17:21-23

[6] Phil. 3:21 [7] Gen. 1:26 [8] I Cor. 15:23 [9] Rom. 8:29

CONTACT:

For any questions, comments, or article contribution for publication, please e-mail foundationacts@yahoo.com

Original post:06/27/2003

Reposted:5/21/2011

Revised:4/24/2017

Revised:5/13/2018 Mother’s Day

Hyperlink version posted 3/12/19

Cloning and surrogacy, a look into the past, present and future?

Going through spotlight news the past few years, one can’t help but be in awe at the amazing progress science has made.

Dolly the Sheep(July 5, 1996 – February 14, 2003), a ewe, was the first mammal successfully cloned at Roslin Institute in Midlothian, Scotland, from a nucleus of an adult mammary frozen somatic cell of a six-year-old Finn Dorset sheep transferred into a “surrogate” de-nucleated ovum (egg cell) of a Scottish Blackface sheep. The two cells fuse and then develop into an embryo (1). No sperm were involved(2). Her birth proved that specialized cells could be used to create an exact copy of the animal they came from (3).

Not only do they look alike but also similar in performance with the animal they came from. This was the observation made also about cloned Cuatetera horses from a mare surrogate by Argentina’s high-level player Adolfo Cambiaso(4).

While these examples claim exact copies in looks as well as performance, other factors like external influences can modify gene expression/activity and help explain why even identical twins aren’t truly identical(5). They are the same in many ways but also different in many respects.

In the same vein, CRISPR technology (6)

provided a powerful tool that revolutionized editing genomes. It allows researchers to easily alter DNA sequences and modify gene function. Its many potential applications include correcting genetic defects, treating and preventing the spread of diseases and improving crops.

Human surrogacy, traditional and gestational, is now a reality(7). The difference is that in the former, the embryo is related to parents, with surrogate as the mother. Whereas, in the latter, the embryo has no relation at all to the surrogate mother.

Questionable and Controversial?

It was only a few years ago when these topics were questionable and controversial until now. Truly, “time and chance happen to all”(Eccl.9:11).

If anyone told us before the turn of the century that these will happen, we could have “laughed” at the thought as that could only happen with a”miracle”. This response reminds me of Abraham and Sarah who “laughed” when told that in their old age, 100 and 90 years old (Gen. 17:17-19) respectively, that they would have a son (Gen. 17:17; 18:12). Isaac’s conception, indeed took a divine miracle that could only come through spiritual power.

Now, these topics are no longer “miracle” and “impossible “ because we have the tools, wherewithal and know-how that enabled us to do these things. Anything becomes a miracle only when we could not do it at that particular time. But, why only at this point in time does the world get to be generally aware of cloning and surrogacy which are truly amazing feats? Why do these capabilities occur this time, not before or centuries later?

Understandably, scientific knowledge takes time and builds on established principles that lead to another. Although, these can occur immediately as “miracles”. Similarly, spiritual reality and understanding can also “miraculously” come immediately or slowly through building on some facts, as in:

Isa. 28:10 “For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:”

YHVH ELOHIM (Lord God) created with his spirit-power, the “image of God”, mortal man-Adam. But, it was the Father who gave YHVH ELOHIM (Lord God) this creative power; any power that he had, came from the Father(John 3:13). Subsequently, he incarnated voluntarily to man-Jesus, devoid of divine powers, and the Father himself created him to be the “Son of God” This started at river Jordan when he received the Holy Spirit of power until he was manifested as “Son of God” by the resurrection from the dead. But now, the Father, after his resurrection, gave him the creative spiritual power, the Holy Spirit, to bestow it to those who “believed” (Acts 19:2) and was “called”(Matt. 22:14).

Only the “Son of God”, the resurrected Jesus, was given this power to create us from merely “an image of God” which was mortal, this time to an immortal “clone” of him. As humans were created mortals by YHVH-Elohim (Lord God), this time, as Jesus-Son of God, he is building his church to be “one” with him and the Father as “children of God”, all spirit-composed, immortal-bodies for eternal life.

Immaculate Conception, Surrogacy and Cloning?

Could it be that our present generation is getting these know-how to explain some intricacies of the spiritual realm?

Like the incarnation of YHVH ELOHIM (LORD GOD) to man-Jesus, how could there be immaculate conception? How can humans (flesh-composed) be “children of God”, spirit-composed? How can humans be “one” with God. These are just some questions that now maybe explained to a certain degree.

As regards Jesus, his conception is different from Isaac who came from an infertile Abraham and barren Sarah, ages 100 and 90 respectively. Isaac came about as promised but through a mechanism that “energized” and made alive the “dead” sperm of Abraham and egg of Sarah. The mechanism appears to be similar to the “dead” body of Adam that came to life with the energizing power of the “spirit of man” breathed into his nostrils. Also, dead people came to life like Lazarus.

In contrast, man-Jesus was the incarnated spirit-composed YHVH ELOHIM(Lord God), who “came from above”(John 3:31), heavenly, sinless(2 Cor. 5:21), without any sin imputed to Adam. While his lineage (Matt. 1:1-17) was from Adam, Abraham and along the lines of David, man-Jesus did not have a human DNA contribution from parents, even from Joseph and Mary. There was no sperm from Joseph nor egg from Mary. In a manner of speaking, it was spirit that incarnated or became physical embryo that was conceived through a process of “gestational surrogacy”. His origin was not tainted with human origin since he was the incarnated YHVH ELOHIM, the Lord God, the Word. If he had DNA that came from human parents, he would have the imputed sin of Adam and subject to penalty of death, like any human. As such, he could not be a Messiah for mankind as he, himself, needed a Savior. Only a sinless Lamb can be a Passover to take on ( not take in sins) the penalty of mankind’s death.

Knowing that for a Messiah, Passover Lamb, to have sinless origin (1Peter 1:19), this had to come from a sinless spirit-being the Lord God of Adam, Abraham, Isaac, David… the El SHADDAI(Lord Almighty), the YHVH ELOHIM(Lord God), the Word(John 1:1). He incarnated to man-Jesus and was conceived in Mary’s womb as a surrogate mother of Jesus. This “gestational surrogacy” never happened ever before.

In physical cloning, it became possible for nucleus of one cell to fuse with another denuclearized cell and turned into a single complete cell that turned into an embryo, developed and grew into maturity and delivered full-term. As a parallel reality, the Father (with the consent of YHVH ELOHIM) can transform spirit-composed YHVH ELOHIM into a complete human flesh-composed cell that reached maturity in the womb of Mary.

Jesus as Pioneer, Beginner, Captain, Author, Finisher

In setting up this segment, one needs to consider the following verses:

Heb. 2:9-13,

“ But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,

Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.

And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me. “

Heb. 12:2,

“fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

“Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.”

All the promises to Abraham, Isaac, Israel and the rest of humanity (Gen. 25:18-21) hinge on the incarnation of YHVH ELOHIM to man-Jesus. As such, he is the trailblazer that initiated and will finish what he started.

He was conceived through a process of “gestational surrogacy “ in the uterus of Mary. After delivery, growth and development, he was then baptized with the Holy Spirit after coming out of water baptism in the Jordan River, i.e., it dwelt fully in him. With the guidance of the Spirit, he was empowered and sanctified to follow the will of the Father and “not his will”(Luke 22:42). He took on the penalty of death for mankind for reconciliation of the same to the Father. After resurrection to a glorified spirit-composed body, he was given the Holy Spirit of power by the Father, to be given to those who were called and believed.

In much the same way, we follow the path of our pioneer Jesus. So, those who were called and believed in him will receive the promise of Holy Spirit baptism. As a “spiritual sperm”, the Holy Spirit will dwell in the “holy of holies” (spirit of man; Lev. 16:2; innermost segment of the temple) of our temple(body;I Cor. 3:16) to “fertilize” the “spirit of man”. And this, to write the “laws of the spirit in the fleshly tables heart and mind” (2Cor. 3:3) for sanctification in the “church” (womb of Mary; maturity through growth and development). Those who endure (as Jesus endured; Matt. 24:13) through the end, the overcomers, (Rev. 3:21)will then be glorified (Rom. 8:28-30)and manifested (Rom. 8:19)by resurrection as “sons and daughters of God”, all spirit-composed.

We will be as “clones” of God in a way, yes, being “one” with him in decision making yet, voluntarily and not as a robot, while maintaining individuality, freedom of thought and circumspection.

Summary

The preceding ideas are an attempt to parallel material and physical events in this world, past, present and future with the spiritual realm. Association was made with what we now know in surrogacy and cloning with immaculate conception of the past through harmonizing biblical events and principles that project into the future. They are by no means conclusive but hopefully will help understand the subjects in another perspective.

The plan for humans as originally expressed to Adam “to have dominion over” (Gen. 1:26) everything on earth, and the promise to Abraham and to his “seed” (Gal. 3:16) placed their turning point in the incarnation (8) of the God of Adam, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob into man-Jesus.

Immaculate conception of Jesus in a human womb, is explainable through the mechanism of “gestational surrogacy” wherein the parents, Mary and Joseph did not have any contribution to his physical DNA. Christ was “from above”(John 3:13) , heavenly, and is sinless as Passover Lamb (I Peter 1:19) should be. This was an event purely of a God’s grace and love for mankind (Titus 3:4).

Our destiny(9) was planned from the beginning. We were made “an image of God”, i,e., man, classified as “god” (10) but not to be worshipped and our completion (11) for “deification“ requires a process of justification (12) for the sins of mankind imputed to the first-Adam, for us to be reconciled to the Father. Having been reconciled by the “blood of our Passover Lamb-Jesus”, those who were “called”(Matt. 22:14) to “believe” (Acts 2:38) will receive the promised gift of the Holy Spirit for our sanctification (2 Thes 2:13), following and walking willingly by the Spirit. Those who endure and overcome will be victors to be glorified as “children of God”, the “kingdom of God”(13),all spirit-composed, “one” with God, although separate and distinct from the Father, the only God to be worshipped in the name of Jesus.

God Bless 🙏😇

References

1. Dolly the sheep. Retrieved 5/5/2018 from https://www.sciencedaily.com/terms/dolly_the_sheep.htm

2. Healthy Clones. Retrieved 5/5/2018 from https://www.google.com/amp/s/mobile.reuters.com/article/amp/idUSKCN1061Z9

3. Life of Dolly. Retrieved 5/5/2018 from

http://dolly.roslin.ed.ac.uk/facts/the-life-of-dolly/index.html

4. Cloned horses. Retrieved 5/5/2018 from http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2016/12/six-cloned-horses-help-rider-win-prestigious-polo-match

5. Identical Twins are not really Identical. Retrieved 5/5/2018 from https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=123820029

6. CRISPR explained. Retrieved 5/5/2018 from

https://www.livescience.com/58790-crispr-explained.html

7. Surrogacy. Retrieved 5/8/2018 from https://www.hrc.org/resources/overview-of-the-surrogacy-process

8. Incarnation, questions and Controversies. Retrieved 5/8/18 from http://fact-s.net/2017/01/12/incarnation-questions-and-controversies/

9. Destiny of Man. Retrieved 5/8/18 from

https://fact-s.net/2011/05/21/the-destiny-of-man/

10. What is God? Retrieved 5/8/18 from http://fact-s.net/2014/06/29/what-is-god-2/

11. Deification of Man/Completion. Retrieved 5/8/18 from https://fact-s.net/2014/07/12/deification-of-man-3/

12. Justification, Reconciliation, Sanctification and Glorification. Retrieved 5/8/18 from http://fact-s.net/2018/05/01/justification-reconciliation-sanctification-and-glorification

13. Kingdom of God in Human Anatomy. Retrieved 5/8/18 from http://fact-s.net/2016/12/21/kingdom-of-god-in-human-anatomy/

Original Post: May 9, 2018

Hyperlink version posted 3/12/19

Dedicated to a Judge in Paranaque/Las Pinas 1972