Saturday, June 26, 2010

Ergun Caner, Liberty University and SBC Today

I have been following the Caner Saga since Dr. White first made mention of it. I have read, listened to and watched many hours of information from both sides on the issue. I have not commented up to this point, but now that Liberty University has released a formal statement, I will keep silent no longer.

I think that Dr. Caner has disgraced the Name of Christ Jesus our Lord. He clearly has sinned against man and God and I pray that he is seeking repentance.

I think that Liberty University has Moved in the right direction by Removing Dr. Caner as dean, however, it appears to me that when one makes " [...] factual statements that are self-contradictory [...]" and has " [...] discrepancies related to matters such as dates, names and places of residence [...]" on things as basic as where you were born, it seems that one is misrepresenting the truth for gain of some type (In my opinion, with no fact to back this up, it was for the credibility and respect it earned him, not to mention book sales, ect.).

I think that SBC today has made the Stupidest statement I have ever heard regarding a public scandal when it stated, " [...] we praise God that Dr. Caner is exonerated [...]" as it seems clear that he was not exonerated, rather that he was deposed as Dean, and has been shown to be a liar. Yes, I am aware that Dr. Caner, when discussing being called a liar, said the following:
Being called a “liar,” however, is a serious charge, especially when it is made by Christians. That would indicate that (1) the accusers can know the motives of the accused person’s heart, and (2) the accused person intentionally misled people.I have never intentionally misled anyone. I am sure I have made many mistakes in the pulpit in the past 20-plus years, and I am sure I will make some in the future. For those times where I misspoke, said it wrong, scrambled words, or was just outright confusing, I apologize and will strive to do better.
The issue here is, We all know where we were born, Dr. Caner and SBC today. I was born in Glendale, CA. I was not born anywhere else, however Dr. Caner has on recording said he was born in two different countries! Hello! That is not misspeaking, that is not scrambled words or confusing, it is lying!

I don't know anyone from sbc today and I am not a Southern Baptist, however, it seems to me that anyone who can make the statement they did, is blinded by some preconceived notion.

Finally, I do not rejoice in this blasphemy of our Lord. I hope and pray that Dr. Caner and all involved in this will come to their collective senses and repent to God Almighty.

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Discussion with A Mormon on Translations

Chelsea: What prompted you to come onto Mormon.org today?
Me: a question
Me: is that ok
Chelsea: yes of course!
Me: it is about the 8th article of the church
Chelsea: alright
Me: has the church stated or defined what the proper translation of the bible is?
Me: should one be using the Joseph Smith Translation?
Chelsea: The church leves the Bible as is, but we have the Joseph Smith Translation to help clarify doctrine that was changed etc.
Chelsea: We use the King James Version of the Bible.
Me: so is the King James the Proper Translation of the Text?
Chelsea: we know that that is not the proper translation completely, because through Revelation Joseph Smith has helped clarify some scriptures. That is why we say in the 8th Article of Faith, we believe the Bible to be the word of Goid as far as it is translated correctly
Me: hmmm
Me: so what is wrong with the King James?
Chelsea: There is just things that have been translaed incorrectly or doctrines that have been changed through mans understanding.
Me: do you have an example
Chelsea: an example is in John 1:1
Me: ok
Chelsea: In the beginning was the gospel preached through the Son. And the gospel was the word, and the word was with the Son, and the Son was with God, and the Son was of God
Chelsea: In the Bible it says :In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Chelsea: The first was a translation from Revelation through Joseph Smith.
Chelsea: This clarifys it and helps us to understand that the word means the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the Word of God—He created all things and was made flesh—John baptizes Jesus and testifies he is the Lamb of God—John, Andrew, Simon, Philip, and Nathanael believe in Christ and follow him. Christ.
Chelsea: alot of people think that that verse means that God and Jesus Christ are the same person. We know that they are two seperate beings but united in purpose
 
I have to admit, that in all my discussions with Mormons, this is the first time that I have heard this, and while I am not 'surprised' I am shocked at the lengths the Joseph Smith and the Mormon Church go to re-translate the clear texts of scripture. 

However, this is where things get more interesting. Go to - http://scriptures.lds.org/en/john/1 and notice the header which reads:  Christ is the Word of God—He created all things and was made flesh—John baptizes Jesus and testifies he is the Lamb of God—John, Andrew, Simon, Philip, and Nathanael believe in Christ and follow him.

Does it seem odd that they wouldn't clear up the misconception that Jesus is God right here? I mean why even publish something that is so bankrupt and clearly wrong, would be a good question for our Mormon friends.

The JST (Joseph Smith Translation) reads as follows:

1 In the beginning was the gospel preached through the Son. And the gospel was the word, and the word was with the Son, and the Son was with God, and the Son was of God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made which was made.
4 In him was the gospel, and the gospel was the life, and the life was the light of men;
5 And the light shineth in the world, and the world perceiveth it not. 
....
14 And the same word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the Only Begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

It seems that there is a bit of a hiccup here because it seems that Ol' Joe forgot to re-translate verse 14, because this would mean that the Gospel was made flesh... and then dwelt among us as who??  ... Jesus ... Maybe? If not then who...? 

Despite Ol' Joe's best effort it seems that he missed something, or perhaps the church will get a word about the JST here.

Sunday, June 6, 2010

The Hypostatic Union - An Audio Blog

The Hypostatic Union is a deeply important and yet difficult doctrine to understand, in the following Audio Blog I attempt to discuss the issues surrounding it, esp. as it relates to John 17:3.