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Gary Patton

Apologetics is not about "Defending the Faith." | Pathways International - 1 views

www.pathwaysinternational.org/...-not-about-defending-the-faith

apologetics faith christianity

shared by Gary Patton on 21 Mar 12 - No Cached
  • The theological field of apologetics is lauded by most and feared by few.  Great strides have been taken by the church to raise up “defenders of the faith.”  Debating others in public on the veracity of Christianity is a spectator sport that rivals all others.
  • I can remember my youth in Christ, and how my brain turned to sponge.  Soaking up every theory, every angle, and every point of view regarding the faith, I too wanted to nail it down so as to defend my position.
  • I read everything I could get my hands on and considered every opinion under the sun.  I also read from those who directly challenged my religion; atheists, agnostics, deists, scientists, and the various writings from those christians would call “the cults.”
  • ...8 more annotations...
  • ly and confrontationally, sparring with them in a sense to see if I had weaknesses in my theological construct.
  • But, deep down in my immaturity, I wanted and needed to be right.
    • Gary Patton
      Gary Patton on 21 Mar 12
       
      "Purposefully", I can agree with. The rest ...not so much because the attitude it implies seems to conflict with 1 Peter 3:15-17.
  • My love for apologetics had turned to lust.  I had exchanged Christ, my Hope, for the fallacy of “faith defending.”
    • Gary Patton
      Gary Patton on 22 Mar 12
       
      Being human and full of flesh, still, I suspect most of us would say about ourselves re the things the authour used to do ...not just on this point: "This is still me when I'm not careful to "walk in the Spirit"! (Galatians 5:16 & 25-26).
  • Personally, I count that time in my apologetic walk as adulterous and Idolatrous.  Where I sought to defend the faith, I was, in many cases defaming Jesus name.  If any of this strikes a chord with you, stop for a moment and ask the Lord for wisdom, then read the rest.
    • Gary Patton
      Gary Patton on 21 Mar 12
       
      WOW! (Words Of Wisdom)
  • efending the hope within us,” 1 Peter 3:15, to “defending the faith,” our stance, and our pet doctrines.
  • Somewhere along the way, the church went from “
  • I dare say that if any of us had to give a defense of our faith, we could  at least give it a decent showing.  I wonder though, how many could give a solid defense for the HOPE within them.
  • I would ask the same, “What is your hope?”
    • Gary Patton
      Gary Patton on 21 Mar 12
       
      This a powerful question that Holy Spirit will use in a convicting way for some of us.
Gary Patton

Augustine BuilT A Pagan Bridge From Christianity To Islam! - Is the West ready for Islam? - 0 views

islam4jesus.org/...m-christian-tradition-to-islam

bible Scripture christian islam islamism islamization

shared by Gary Patton on 25 May 12 - No Cached
  • Gary Patton on 25 May 12
     
    Well written and articulate analysis of the Pagan background of some of Augustine of Hippo's thought and writing ...but taken to enorous and ridulous conclusions about the validity of Islam. gfp (2012-05-25)
Gary Patton

Conference re Evangelizing Muslims | Legacy 2012 - 0 views

www.hmmi.org/legacy-2012-audios

Islam islamization audios evangelism christian

shared by Gary Patton on 25 Jun 12 - No Cached
  • Legacy 2012 Audios
  • Legacy 2012 Audios
  • Legacy 2012 Audios
  • Gary Patton on 25 Jun 12
     
    "Christian Evangelism Conference - Audio Tapes" Links to Conference Session audio tapes of speakers' remarks re evangelizing Muslims. GaryFPatton (gfp '42™ 2012-06-25)
Gary Patton

Celebrating-and Limiting-Religious "Freedom" : Dr. Marty Clien - 0 views

sexualintelligence.wordpress.com/...and-limiting-religious-freedom

christians freedom religion hate hate speech

shared by Gary Patton on 06 Jul 12 - No Cached
  • Celebrating—and Limiting—Religious “Freedom”
  • Gary Patton on 06 Jul 12
     
    Dr. Boyd makes some excellent points about the nBiblical behaviours and demands of many traditional Christians and Christendom in North America. Interesting, the Bible makes clear that Jesus Followers are to love and have compassion for those who don't believe in our Saviour and Master. It actually prohibits us from not criticizing and judging them ...especially for doing things that God commands only usto not practise GaryFPatton (2012-07 05)
Gary Patton

"Jesus is 'The Word of God' ...Not The Christian Bible" - Bible Gateway - 0 views

www.biblegateway.com/passage

bible scripture Hebrews

shared by Gary Patton on 27 Aug 12 - No Cached
  • And (J)there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are (K)open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.
  • For (C)the word of God
  • Hebrews 4:11-15 
  • ...1 more annotation...
  • Hebrews 4:11-15
  • Gary Patton on 27 Aug 12
     
    "Jesus is The Word of God ...Not The Christian Bible" - The Writer of Hebrews declares very clearly here in Hebrews 4:11-12 that Jesus IS the Word of God ...not the Bible which includes "the "Word(s) of God" including the Gospels of the Word of God"? GaryFPatton (gfp '42™ 2012-08-26)
Gary Patton

Antinomianism by Theopedia, an encyclopedia of Biblical Christianity - 0 views

www.theopedia.com/Antinomianism

scripture interpretation Antinomianism legalism

shared by Gary Patton on 07 Sep 12 - No Cached
  • Gary Patton on 07 Sep 12
     
    Theopedia, an encyclopedia of Biblical Christianity, expalins the controversial term "antinomianism" and compares it to "legalism" ...terms that some Jesus Followers says are BOTH heresies.
Gary Patton

What is bibliolatry? - 0 views

www.gotquestions.org/bibliolatry.html

bibliolatry scripture bible teaching gifts

shared by Gary Patton on 28 Nov 11 - Cached
  • The term bibliolatry comes from combining the Greek words for Bible and worship. In a Christian context, simply stated, bibliolatry is the worship of the Bible.
  • note that the charge of bibliolatry does not claim some Christians literally bow down before a Bible and worship it, as if it were an idol.
    • Gary Patton
      Gary Patton on 28 Nov 11
       
      But some religious folks come awful close to this! (Note: No smiley. I'm serious!) gfp
  • Believing in an inerrant, infallible, and authoritative Bible is not bibliolatry. Rather, it is simply believing what the Bible says about itself. Further, believing what the Bible says about itself is in fact worshipping the God who breathed out His Word.
  • ...6 more annotations...
  • the Bible is “God-breathed,” and “God does not lie” (Titus 1:2), then every word in the Bible must be true.
  • what the Bible says about itself. Second Timothy 3:16-17 declares, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful
  • Only a perfect, infallible, omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient God could create written revelation that is itself perfect and infallible.
  • Do some believers emphasize the Bible to the point that other things of importance—such as tradition, nature, reason, and experience—are neglected? Yes. However, the Bible, based on what it says about itself, must be a higher authority than any of these and must, in fact, be the authority against which they are judged.
  • The Bible is not God. The Bible does not contain all of God’s knowledge. While the Bible gives principles that apply to every situation, it does not explicitly give us all the information we need to daily live our lives. Part of the problem is that some Christians take the saying “the Bible says it, that settles it, I believe it” to extremes.
  • God’s Word does not instruct us to abandon our brains or ignore our experiences. True reason is completely compatible with Scripture.
  • Gary Patton on 28 Nov 11
     
    This is an excellent explanation of the this dangerous term. And the term is only dangerous depending on how one defines the practise. The author talks about a key practise below that is "completely compatible with Scripture". Regrettably, his/her calling Scripture "God's Word" is NOT completely compatible with Scripture. Scripture makes perfectly clear that only Jesus is "God's Word"! And in the context of bibliolatry, I'm NOT just splitting hairs with my comment! gfp (2011-11-10)
Gary Patton

God's Incredible & Unfathomable Love For All Wo(men) In Predestination - Bible Gateway - 0 views

www.biblegateway.com/passage

bible romans predestination trials scripture evangelism theology religion

shared by Gary Patton on 28 Nov 11 - No Cached
  • Romans 8:28-39
  • For I am convinced that neither (AE)death, nor life, nor (AF)angels, nor principalities, nor (AG)things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from (AH)the love of God, which is (AI)in Christ Jesus our Lord.
    • Gary Patton
      Gary Patton on 18 May 12
       
      WOW, eh! And this promise comes as the icing on the cake of those in verses 31-37!
  • all things work together for good
    • Gary Patton
      Gary Patton on 18 May 12
       
      Either wording works for me as a guarantee that God's "got my back", regardless of what he allows to "come down the track", plus He will work everything to "my best"! How about you?
  • ...8 more annotations...
  • Romans 8:28-39
  • Romans 8:28-39
    • Gary Patton
      Gary Patton on 18 May 12
       
      God's Incredible & Unfathomable Love For All Wo(men) Romans 8:29-30, in the context of the entire passage of verses 28-39, is the New Covenant's clearest statement of what theologians call the "Doctrine of Predestination". I will outline one position on this controversial and emotionally-charged word below. Predestination is a highly contentious word both inside and outside the organizational church. This contention flows almost completely from how one defines the word. The promise tucked inside of verse 28 is also a fantastic one as I note in the e-Sticky Note on that verse. Your heavenly Father starts by telling you how He handles it when we screw up. Then finally nearer the end of the passage, God explains, using an incredible metaphor, how much He loves all humankind, irrespective of their current state of "election", and without us having to earn His love in any way, shape or form. gfp (2012- 05-05 )
  • What then shall we say to these things? (L)If God is for us, who is against us?
    • Gary Patton
      Gary Patton on 18 May 12
       
      As also confirmed in Verse 33, no person or being in this world nor in the spirit realm can condemn God's "elect", at any time nor in any way. This is God's promise here regardless of his/her character, or sin, or current level of their conformity to Jesus' image. The fantastic promises regarding the breadth, depth and height of God's unfailing and unending love for us, outlined in verses 32-39 below, are NOT dependent on our loving God or even seeking Him, first.
  • Who will bring a charge against (O)God’s elect? (P)God is the one who justifies;
    • Gary Patton
      Gary Patton on 18 May 12
       
      As confirmed in Verse 31, no person or being in this world nor in the spirit realm can condemn God's "elect", at any time nor in any way. This is God's promise here regardless of the elect person's character, or sin, or current level of their conformity to Jesus' image.
  • New American Standard Bible (NASB)
  • God causes (A)all things to work together for good to those who love God
    • Gary Patton
      Gary Patton on 18 May 12
       
      Followers of Jesus have this incredible promise from their heavenly Father God to depend on when confronted with any and every trial in their lives ...no matter how dis-stressing! It's a fantastic encourager during tough times and a wonderful companion to the promise in 1 Corinthians 10:13 at http://diigo.com/0jmgy . Don't let anyone try to convince you of the lie that you have to love God first and seek Him before He will save you. The Bible says in Romans 3:3 that "no one seeks God". The only thing you need to do to know that you know you're saved is outlined simply in Romans 10:9-10 at http://diigo.com/0lk6j and 1 John 4:15-17 at http://diigo.com/0qe80 .
  • those who are (B)called according to His purpos
    • Gary Patton
      Gary Patton on 18 May 12
       
      Here is another clear promise of the surety of a Jesus Follower's salvation in Christ and the truth of the doctrine that we are "once saved and always saved". Or guaranteed salvation is also promised in John 10:22-30 at http://diigo.com/0jv8q, Philippians 1:6 at http://diigo.com/0lzi8 as well as here at Romans 8:28-39 at http://diigo.com/0lc07 . Please never forget that God elected those He has "predestined" to spend eternity with Him now and in the life after this one as it says in verses 29-30 immediately below. This predestined election applies regardless of one's current state of conformity to Jesus' image. God loves all his creation, especially we humans, more than we can ever understand in this life. Incredibly, your heavenly Father picked His elect for salvation before we were ever born. He did so at the beginning of time. And He did it pre-knowing we would be sinners and hate Him as it says in Romans 5:8 at http://diigo.com/0mphg plus elsewhere in the Bible.
  • those whom He (C)foreknew, He also (D)predestined to become (E)conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the (F)firstborn among many brethren; 30 and these whom He (G)predestined, He also (H)called; and these whom He called, He also (I)justified; and these whom He justified, He also (J)glorified.
    • Gary Patton
      Gary Patton on 18 May 12
       
      Followers of Jesus have this incredible promise from their heavenly Father God to depend on when confronted with any and every trial in their lives ...no matter how dis-stressing! It's a fantastic encourager during tough times and a wonderful companion to the promise in 1 Corinthians 10:13 at http://diigo.com/0jmgy . Don't let anyone try to convince you of the lie that you have to love God first and seek Him before He will save you. The Bible says in Romans 3:3 that "no one seeks God". The only thing you need to do to know that you know you're saved is outlined simply in Romans 10:9-10 at http://diigo.com/0lk6j and 1 John 4:15-17 at http://diigo.com/0qe80 . e-Sticky Note #1 on Verse 28 "those who are called" Here is another clear promise of the surety of a Jesus Follower's salvation in Christ and the truth of the doctrine that we are "once saved and always saved". Or guaranteed salvation is also promised in John 10:22-30 at http://diigo.com/0jv8q, Philippians 1:6 at http://diigo.com/0lzi8 as well as here at Romans 8:28-39 at http://diigo.com/0lc07 . Please never forget that God elected those He has "predestined" to spend eternity with Him now and in the life after this one as it says in verses 29-30 immediately below. This predestined election applies regardless of one's current state of conformity to Jesus' image. God loves all his creation, especially we humans, more than we can ever understand in this life. Incredibly, your heavenly Father picked His elect for salvation before we were ever born. He did so at the beginning of time. And He did it pre-knowing we would be sinners and hate Him as it says in Romans 5:8 at http://diigo.com/0mphg plus elsewhere in the Bible. e-Sticky Note on Verse 29-30 Predestination mentioned here is a key part, some would say the most, key part, of the theology (beliefs about God) of those people who call themselves 'Calvinists' or sometimes people of the "Reformed Tradition". For these and other folks who reject bo
  • Gary Patton on 28 Nov 11
     
    Romans 8:29-30, in the context of the passage from Romans 8:28-39, is the New Covenant clearest statment of what theologians call "Predestination" ...that God elects one some people to spend eternity with Him and the rest will be separated from him.
Gary Patton

"Doctrine of Retrobation" - Bible Gateway - 0 views

www.biblegateway.com/passage

bible romans predestination double predestination

shared by Gary Patton on 28 Nov 11 - No Cached
  • So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He (B)hardens whom He desires.
    • Gary Patton
      Gary Patton on 06 Jun 12
       
      Briefly, the doctrine of predestination teaches that God, in his sovereignty, elects those who will receive the benefits of salvation and eternal life in Jesus Christ and passes over the rest, who by their sin and rebellion against the holy commands of God, will be sentenced to eternal damnation. This key verse, 18, in the context of the whole passage, seems to many Jesus Followers, to be the other side of the coin from Predestination of "the 'Elect of God" i.e. Predestination of those "not elected". Some Christian theologians call the exercise of God's sovereignty by Him in pre-deciding who will, and, therefore who will not, spend eternity with Him in His Kingdom, "Double Predestination". In using this term, they refer mainly to Romans 8:29-30 in the context of a passage about God's love at http://diigo.com/0lc07 . The reason some add the adjective 'double' to the doctrine of Predestination is because God's 'choosing' or 'election' of some individuals includes His 'non-election' of others ...by definition they say. These Christians also, and harshly some say, call the doctrine of 'non-election' the "Doctrine of Divine Reprobation" (God passing over the reprobate*). Those who use the term argue that, given the eternal consequences of not choosing the Gospel of Jesus (also called Yeshua), a clear warning is crucial to help people better understand the consequences of spending eternity separated from God. Divine Reprobation according to this theology's supporters seems to be Biblical based on the following passages besides this one in context: * Matthew 11:25-26; * Romans 9:17-22; * 2 Timothy 2:19-20; * Jude 4; * 1 Peter 2:8. So Biblically speaking, they argue, anyone who rejects the doctrine that God 'dis-elects' the reprobate has a problem explaining the above passages in Scripture in any other context. * 'Reprobate' is both a noun and a verb. "A reprobate" is an evil person. "To reprobate" is to "condemn to damnation" as explained in the dict
  • For (E)who resists His will?
    • Gary Patton
      Gary Patton on 06 Jun 12
       
      There are generally "Two Views of Onus in Human Salvation" as I understand the theology of Christian salvation. (For me, theology is simply "what a person believes about God.) Some argue that because God is omniscient*, He knew before the beginning of time who would choose to believe in The Gospel Of Jesus (Yeshua) at all points in the future, He elects them for salvation and empowers their salvation by giving them the faith to do so. Those who follow "reformed theology" reject this theorem because, they say, it denies God's absolute sovereignty and puts the control in salvation in a wo(man)'s choice and hands. (Some call this latter theory re the preeminence of man in salvation "Armenianism".) However, others argue that Romans 3:11 seems to clearly say that "no one seeks God" of their own will. Therefore, some folks believe that anyone who becomes saved does so only because of God's loving grace for that person. God chooses for His own sovereign reasons to gracefully gift those the New Covenant (Testament) calls "the elect" with the faith they need to be saved. Only this way will we choose to believe the Gospel of Jesus and follow Him. In the opinion of some Jesus Followers, it is not our desire that is the onus in salvation and long-term destiny according to Ephesians 2:8-10 at http://diigo.com/0n20e .
  • Romans 9:17-22
    • Gary Patton
      Gary Patton on 06 Jun 12
       
      The Lost Are Truly Lost ...But Are The Damned Truly Damned? Romans 9:17-18 and 21-22 in the context of the whole passage is the other side of the coin from Predestination of the 'Elect' i.e. Predestination of those "not elected". gfp (2011-11-21)
  • Gary Patton on 28 Nov 11
     
    Romans 9:17-18 and 21-22 in the context of the whole passage is the other side of the coin from Predestination of the 'Elect' i.e. Predestination of those "not elected". gfp (2011-11-21)
Gary Patton

The Root of Who a Jesus Follower is In Christ - Bible Gateway - 0 views

www.biblegateway.com/passage

romans sin-nature christian dead scripture interpretation Jesus Following

shared by Gary Patton on 01 Dec 11 - No Cached
  • baptized into His death
    • Gary Patton
      Gary Patton on 01 Dec 11
       
      If you have Holy Spirit living in you, you're past tense dead! You are a brand, new "New Creation", not a patched up one or one with two natures ...despite what the NIV implies by its translation of "flesh" as "sinful nature" as outlined at by Dr. Bill Gillham at http://diigo.com/0j8w4 . The "Old You" (Old Man or Old Self) is dead and buried and a "New You" (Man/Self/Creation) is all that's left because of what Jesus has already done for you.
  • as Christ was (B)raised from the dead through the (C)glory of the Father
    • Gary Patton
      Gary Patton on 01 Dec 11
       
      If you have Holy Spirit living in you, you're past tense dead! You are a brand, new "New Creation", not a patched up one or one with two natures ...despite what the NIV implies by its translation of "flesh" as "sinful nature" as outlined at by Dr. Bill Gillham. The "Old You" (Old Man or Old Self) is dead and buried and a "New You" (Man/Self/Creation) is all that's left because of what Jesus has already done for you.
  • walk in (D)newness of life
    • Gary Patton
      Gary Patton on 01 Dec 11
       
      This promise confirms the truth of our "New Life" as a Follower of Jesus as we let Him live His life out through us as it says in Galatians 2:20 at < http://is.gd/BYVePk >. gfp (2011-09-08)
  • ...4 more annotations...
  • body of sin might be [b]done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin
    • Gary Patton
      Gary Patton on 01 Dec 11
       
      In this verse, please go with the equally acceptable translation noted in (B) of "made powerless"! This makes clearer that "Mr. Sin" is finished and cannot resurrect himself as the flesh (what remains in your human nature after rebirth) continues to do in ALL Christians. You are clearly past tense dead to the power of "Mr. Sin" operating through your flesh to control your behaviour. You can read more about Mr. Sin in the short articles by Dr. Gillham at http://diigo.com/0j8w4 .
  • dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.
    • Gary Patton
      Gary Patton on 01 Dec 11
       
      How's this for a miracle .. you are a dead wo(man) and really alive for the first time. But only when you believe this truth. This verse makes even clearer that "Mr. Sin" is dead, powerless and cannot resurrect himself as can your flesh (what remains in your human nature after rebirth) continues to do in ALL Christians. You are clearly past tense dead to the power of "Mr. Sin". As I noted above, you can read more about Mr. Sin in the short articles by Dr. Gillham @ gfp (2011-09-08)
  • having been (A)freed from sin,
    • Gary Patton
      Gary Patton on 01 Dec 11
       
      You do NOT have "two natures" Please believe it!. Then act on the truth you say you believe by keeping on keeping on abiding/resting/walking in Jesus, you dead wo(man) you!!!! Because when Jesus sets you FREE, you're free indeed as you're also promised at < http://diigo.com/0jiq6 > . gfp (2011-09-08)
    • Gary Patton
      Gary Patton on 24 Jan 12
       
      There are four other short verses attached below. Don't miss the e-Sticky Note comments on each of these.
  • Gary Patton on 01 Dec 11
     
    Please note and prayerfully meditate on the powerful truth that the verbs in each of 5 crucial verses in Romans 6:3,4,6,11,18 are each past tense? Please also reflect on what that means for you having a REAL life of abundance and true freedom if you follow Jesus. If you do, the "Old You" (Old Man or Old Self) is dead and buried and a "New You" (Man/Self/Creation) is all that's left because of what Jesus has already done for you. You already are a brand New Creation, not a patched up one or one with two natures ...even f you don't always act of feel like one. Plus you're dead to the power of Mr. Sin operating through your flesh (sinful habit patterns that remain as part of your human, not sinful, nature) to control your behaviour. gfp
  • Gary Patton on 01 Dec 11
     
    The Bible says you ARE a "Dead Wo(man) Walking". But, you may not know it. And that's holding your spiritual growth back! gfp
  • Gary Patton on 04 Dec 11
     
    Yes, you really are a Walking Dead Wo(man) when you are in Christ! And you're powerless if you don't believe and understand how and why God designed His children to be this kind of New Creation in Christ"! gfp
Gary Patton

Paul's Romans in Point Form | Centre for Public Christianity - 0 views

publicchristianity.org/...read-romans

article romans theology scripture

shared by Gary Patton on 01 Dec 11 - No Cached
  • Gary Patton on 01 Dec 11
     
    This article is a point form & section-by-section explanation of Paul's letter to the Romans published originally via Twitter by Dr. John Dickson, Director of the Centre for Public Christianity in 2011-10.
  • Gary Patton on 01 Dec 11
     
    Want to understand Romans better. Check out this point-form analysis. gfp
  • Gary Patton on 03 Dec 11
     
    Romans in point-form by a scholar who knows how to write and does it point-form for Romans on Twitter.
Gary Patton

William Wilberforce : Biography - 0 views

www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/REwilberforce.htm

biography heros slavery slave

shared by Gary Patton on 04 Dec 11 - Cached
  • At seventeen Wilberforce was sent to St. John's College. Following the deaths of his grandfather in 1776 and his childless uncle William in 1777, Wilberforce was an extremely wealthy man. Wilberforce was shocked by the behaviour of his fellow students at the University of Cambridge
  • After leaving university he showed no interest in the family business, and while still at Cambridge he decided to pursue a political career
  • "Wilberforce was little over five feet tall, a frail and elfin figure who in his later years weighed well under 100 pounds. His charm was legendary, his conversation delightful, his oratory impressive. He dressed in the colourful finery of the day and adorned any salon with his amiable manner.
  • ...49 more annotations...
  • his object in life - no less than the transformation of a corrupt society through serious religion
  • In 1784 Wilberforce became converted to Evangelical Christianity. He joined the Clapham Set,
  • In 1787 Thomas Clarkson, William Dillwyn and Granville Sharp formed the Society for the Abolition of the Slave Trade.
  • nine out of the twelve members on the committee, were Quakers.
  • Wilberforce's nephew, George Stephen, was surprised by this choice as he considered him a lazy man: "He worked out nothing for himself; he was destitute of system, and desultory in his habits; he depended on others for information, and he required an intellectual walking stick."
  • Charles Fox was unsure of Wilberforce's commitment to the anti-slavery campaign.
  • In May 1788, Charles Fox precipitated the first parliamentary debate on the issue.
  • writing, on the other hand, was to be discouraged, since it would open the way to rising above one's natural station."
    • Gary Patton
      Gary Patton on 04 Dec 11
       
      When you're starving, "half a loaf is beter than none"! And God seldom uses perfect people to advance His Kingdom!
  • "Following the publication of the privy council report on 25 April 1789, Wilberforce marked his own delayed formal entry into the parliamentary campaign on 12 May with a closely reasoned speech of three and a half hours,
  • "Everyone thought the hearing would be brief, perhaps one sitting. Instead, the slaving interests prolonged it so skilfully that when the House adjourned on 23 June, their witnesses were still testifying."
  • on 10th July 1789: "Whether the bill goes through the House or not, the discussion attending it will have a most beneficial effect.
  • Wilberforce initially welcomed the French Revolution as he believed that the new government would abolish the country's slave trade.
  • the government published A Declaration of the Rights of Man asserting that all men were born and remained free and equal. However
  • During this period he could only find twenty men willing to testify before the House of Commons. He later recalled: "I was disgusted... to find how little men were disposed to make sacrifices for so great a cause."
    • Gary Patton
      Gary Patton on 04 Dec 11
       
      "Seldom do great and difficult quests proceed with ease!" ~ gfp
  • the visit was a failure as Clarkson could not persuade the French National Assembly to discuss the abolition of the slave trade
  • Wilberforce believed that the support for the French Revolution by the leading members of the Society for the Abolition of Slave Trade was creating difficulties for his attempts to bring an end to the slave trade in the House of Commons.
  • On 18th April 1791 Wilberforce introduced a bill to abolish the slave trade.
  • "a war of the pigmies against the giants of the House".
  • defeated by 163 to 88.
  • In March 1796, Wilberforce's proposal to abolish the slave trade was defeated in the House of Commons by only four votes.
  • a dozen abolitionist MPs were out of town or at the new comic opera in London.
  • In 1804, Clarkson returned to his campaign against the slave trade and toured the country
    • Gary Patton
      Gary Patton on 04 Dec 11
       
      Note that Clarkson's 'rest' lasted about 8 years and Wilberforce is not here noted to have advanced the cause during Clarson's absence from the frey. But, who among avserage men has heard of Thomas Clarkson as winning the abolitionists cause against slavery?
  • William Wilberforce introduced an abolition bill on 30th May 1804.
  • t moved to the House of Lords.
  • advised Wilberforce to leave the vote to the following year.
  • In 1805 the bill was once again presented to the House of Commons. This time the pro-slave trade MPs were better organised and it was defeated by seven votes.
  • In February, 1806 Lord Grenville was invited by the king to form a new Whig administration.
  • Grenville's Foreign Secretary, Charles Fox, led the campaign in the House of Commons to ban the slave trade in captured colonies.
  • was little opposition and it was passed by an overwhelming 114 to 15.
  • In the House of Lords Lord Greenville made a passionate speech
  • the bill was passed in the House of Lords by 41 votes to 20.
  • In January 1807 Lord Grenville introduced a bill that would stop the trade to British colonies on grounds of "justice, humanity and sound policy".
  • "Lord Grenville masterminded the victory which had eluded the abolitionist for so long...
  • Wilberforce commented: "How popular Abolition is, just now! God can turn the hearts of men".
    • Gary Patton
      Gary Patton on 04 Dec 11
       
      However, the Bible itself does not make a strong case for the abolition of slavery and really only for the equality of men before God and in his Kingdom ...not in the world!
  • The trade was abolished by a resounding 283 to 16.
  • it was the largest majority recorded on any issue where the House divided.
  • a generous tribute to the work of Wilberforce:
  • Wilberforce made it clear that he considered the African Institution should do what it could to convert Africans to Christianity.
  • In July, 1807, members of the Society for the Abolition of Slave Trade established the African Institution, an organization that was committed to watch over the execution of the law, seek a ban on the slave trade by foreign powers and to promote the "civilization and happiness" of Africa.
  • The African Institution carried the torch for antislavery reform for twenty years and paved the way for later humanitarian efforts in Great Britain."
  • Some people involved in the anti-slave trade campaign such as Thomas Fowell Buxton, argued that the only way to end the suffering of the slaves was to make slavery illegal. Wilberforce disagreed, he believed that at this time slaves were not ready to be granted their freedom. He pointed out in a pamphlet that he wrote in 1807 that: "It would be wrong to emancipate (the slaves). To grant freedom to them immediately, would be to insure not only their masters' ruin, but their own. They must (first) be trained and educated for freedom."
  • we ought to rejoice in every opportunity of bringing them under their present sufferings, and secure for them a rich compensation of reversionary happiness."
  • (Perronet Thompson) single-handedly abolished apprenticeship and freed the slaves. He filed scandalised reports to the colonial office. Wilberforce told him he was being rash and hasty, and he and his colleagues voted unanimously for his dismissal. Wilberforce advised him to go quietly for the sake of his career."
  • the Society for the Mitigation and Gradual Abolition of Slavery. Buxton eventually persuaded Wilberforce to join his campaign but as he had retired from the House of Commons in 1825, he did not play an important part in persuading Parliament to bring an end to slavery.
  • William Wilberforce died on 29th July, 1833. One month later, Parliament passed the Slavery Abolition Act that gave all slaves in the British Empire their freedom.
  • How far the memoir was Christian, I must leave to others to decide. That it was unfair to Clarkson is not disputed. Where possible, the authors ignored Clarkson; where they could not they disparaged him. In the whole rambling work, using the thousands of documents available to them, they found no space for anything illustrating the mutual affection and regard between the two great men, or between Wilberforce and Clarkson's brother."
  • Wilson goes on to argue that the book has completely distorted the history of the campaign against the slave-trade: "The Life has been treated as an authoritative source for 150 years of histories and biographies
  • its treatment of Clarkson, in particular, a deservedly towering figure in the abolition struggle, is invalidated by untruths, omissions and misrepresentations of his motives and his achievements is not understood by later generations, unfamiliar with the jealousy that motivated the holy authors. When all the contemporary shouting had died away, the Life survived to take from Clarkson both his fame and his good name.
  • left us with the simplistic myth of Wilberforce and his evangelical warriors in a holy crusade.
  • Gary Patton on 04 Dec 11
     
    Some key bibliographical background on the famous Englishman who, allegedly, was single-handedly responsible for the freeing of slaves in the British Empire after many years of fighting in thr English Parliament.
  • Gary Patton on 04 Dec 11
     
    So you thought William Wilberforce was responsible for getting England to abolish slavery, eh? Not so! gfp
Gary Patton

Why You Can't Afford to Live Without Integrity | Keep Pressin' Ahead - 0 views

livingontheedge.org/blog

bible scripture colossians authenticity integrity

shared by Gary Patton on 25 Jan 12 - No Cached
  • The “peace” described in this passage refers to the Spirit of God confirming that everything is OK.
  • Why You Can’t Afford to Live Without Integrity
    • Gary Patton
      Gary Patton on 25 Jan 12
       
      This article address the issue of 'integrity' from a Christian perspective. gfp (2012-01-25)
  • Everyone – both believers and non-believers – wants to see positive change in their life.
  • ...7 more annotations...
  • So why is it that genuine and lasting change so rarely occurs?
  • Here’s why.
  • Authentic living means that our words and our actions tell the same story on a consistent basis.
  • Being a person of integrity begins with getting real … with ourselves and with God. Having a sober self-assessment is essential to being honest with others.
  • God put you here for a purpose,
  • Remember, having integrity doesn’t mean being perfect, but it does means being real.
  • live authentically
    • Gary Patton
      Gary Patton on 25 Jan 12
       
      There is only one way that a Jesus Follower can live authentically. That is by living our lives as the "dead wo(men) walking" that the Scripture says we are ...allowing Jesus to live his life out through us, moment to moment (http://diigo.com/0mr15).
  • Gary Patton on 25 Jan 12
     
    This article address the above question from a Christian perspective.
Gary Patton

Red Letter Christians » Following Francis: The Veneration of (Imperfect) Saints - 0 views

www.redletterchristians.org/veneration-of-imperfect-saints

Scripture saint lifestyle christian religion relationships

shared by Gary Patton on 26 Feb 12 - No Cached
  • why even bother trying to follow his example
    • Gary Patton
      Gary Patton on 26 Feb 12
       
      Jamie's is an interesting question. Initially, I reacted that the Bible tells me to only model Jesus. Then, I remembered Paul said: "Follow me as I follow Messiah".
  • “Don’t call me a saint.&nbsp; I don’t want to be dismissed that easily.”&nbsp;
    • Gary Patton
      Gary Patton on 26 Feb 12
       
      Ms. Day's is a VERY interesting point. For me, it seems to be the opposite of that of too many Christians who don't realize that every Follower of Jesus is called a Saint by the Apostles in our Bible.
  • St. Francis of Assisi is a man who deserves to be honored and esteemed for his selfless devotion to Christ and the continued, positive influence his movement has had in building the kingdom of God.&nbsp;
    • Gary Patton
      Gary Patton on 26 Feb 12
       
      Given these reasons for his suggested reverence of St. Francis, would Jamie also suggest we "revere" celebrities not singled out by the Catholic or Orthodox churches who have benefited human kind in a way not normally associated with "building the Kingdom of God", e.g. Albert Einstein, Bill Gates ...to name only a couple to make my point?
  • ...6 more annotations...
  • Some of those failings, he never acknowledged, but many he clearly repented for in his life.
    • Gary Patton
      Gary Patton on 26 Feb 12
       
      Are we wise to repent in secret to Goad alone when our sin has affected one or more other people? Jesus Followers are commanded to forgive and to seek forgiveness of both God and man.
  • We venerate them as fallen, broken, thoroughly human individuals who, despite their mistakes, pursued obedience to Christ at any cost, thus changing their world (and ours) as a result.&nbsp;
    • Gary Patton
      Gary Patton on 26 Feb 12
       
      Interestingly, this issue was a sub-plot in the 2012-02-10 episode of the TV police series, "Blue "Bloods". Frank is one of the stars and the Chief of Police of Boston is portrayed each week as an imperfect but moral, Catholic, family man. When Frank's archbishop comes asking for his support for the canonization of a local priest, Frank declined because the Priest had protested the Vietnam War. After checking into the matter further Frank changes his mind and supports the canonization for the reason suggested by Jamie here. The episode is available on line at my time of writing 2012-02-25.
  • They are deserving of our esteem because they refused to allow their own weaknesses to be used as excuses to live merely “good”, but ultimately mediocre lives.&nbsp;
    • Gary Patton
      Gary Patton on 26 Feb 12
       
      The potential eternal danger for a Jesus Follower in pursuing "better than good", as Jamie rightly implies we should here, is in whose strength we do it?  Jesus makes clear in John 15:5 that there is ONLY one way to produce a life of eternal value  (http://diigo.com/0jvfh).
  • The Veneration of (Imperfect) Saints
    • Gary Patton
      Gary Patton on 26 Feb 12
       
      This article by Jamie Arpin-Rici suggests that all Jesus Followers are wise to venerate saints ...provided that they understand the meaning f veneration". gfp (2012-02-26)
  • followed Jesus in and through his own sinful nature,
    • Gary Patton
      Gary Patton on 26 Feb 12
       
      Jamie is suggesting here that a Jesus Follower can have two natures ...a sinful one and also a Christ-like one.  However, Reverend Bill Gillham suggests in his powerful article ( http://diigo.com/0j8w4 ) that this is unBiblical ...although commonly taught in the Body of Christ by many.  This "Dual Natures Doctrine", as some call it, also is implied by the New International Version's (NIV's) translation of the Koine Greek word "flesh" as "sinful nature". I'd suggest that several verses in Romans 6 ( http://diigo.com/0jiqa ) seem to confirm that Rev. Gillham's position on this issue is the correct one.
  • I do not venerate Francis because Jesus is not enough.&nbsp; I follow in the footsteps of Francis- human and flawed- because his steps so clearly follow those of Jesus Christ.
    • Gary Patton
      Gary Patton on 26 Feb 12
       
      I say: Amen!
Gary Patton

Trouble Lies Ahead - Bible Gateway - 0 views

www.biblegateway.com/passage

bible scripture matthew sheep wolves trouble persecution joy hope

shared by Gary Patton on 09 Mar 12 - No Cached
  • Matthew 10:16-18
  • be (B)shrewd as serpents and (C)innocent as doves
    • Gary Patton
      Gary Patton on 09 Mar 12
       
      This warning takes on a powerful and different dimension that many Christians do NOT appreciate because they forget the companion warning that Haoly Spirit insired Jude to caution the Body of Messiah about re false teachers. They are Jude warns in the pulpits and pews of some churches, still today.
  • beware of men, for they will hand you over to the (D)courts and scourge you (E)in their synagogues; 18 and you will even be brought before governors and kings for My sake
  • ...1 more annotation...
  • the Gentiles
  • Gary Patton on 09 Mar 12
     
    In Matthew 10:16-18 of the New American Standard Bible Version of the God's New Covenant, Yeshua (Jesus) warns his first and present day Jesus Followers that the world hasn't changed since their Master's day. The Lord shares here how God's people should behave in dealing with others in the cruel and hostile environment in which they must live and work as ambassadors of God's loving Kingdom that will come in its fullness some day ...sooner than many Christians believe. gfp (2011-11-02)
Gary Patton

John 10:25-33 NIV1984 - Jesus answered, "I did tell you, but - Bible Gateway - 0 views

www.biblegateway.com/passage

bible scripture John 10 scripture interpretation scripture topics Jesus Jesus Following faith

shared by Gary Patton on 08 Oct 12 - No Cached
  • Jesus answered, “I did tell you,(A) but you do not believe.
  • My sheep listen to my voice; I know them,(D) and they follow me.(E) 28&nbsp;I give them eternal life,(F) and they shall never perish;
  • My Father, who has given them to me,(I) is greater than all[a];(J) no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. 30&nbsp;I and the Father are one.
  • ...2 more annotations...
  • Again the Jews picked up stones to stone him
  • stoning you for any of these,” replied the Jews, “but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.
  • Gary Patton on 08 Oct 12
     
    "Jesus Confirms He Is The One God Almighty" In the Christian Scripture passage at John 10:28-30, Yeshua (Jesus) confirms that the God-man, God in flesh and bones is One God, as "God the Son", with "God the Father" and "God the Holy Spirit". The Jews who heard say this tried to stone Him because He was speaking blasphemy in the classical Judaism of His day and still. This is one of only several Bible passages that confirm Jesus as One dimension of the One Godhead GaryFPatton (gfp '42™ 2012-10-08)
Gary Patton

"Jesus Confirms He Is The One God Almighty" - Bible Gateway - 0 views

www.biblegateway.com/passage

bible scripture topics Yeshua Jesus Jesus Following faith

shared by Gary Patton on 08 Oct 12 - No Cached
  • Gary Patton on 08 Oct 12
     
    "Jesus Confirms He Is The One God Almighty" In the Christian Scripture passage at John 10:28-30, Yeshua (Jesus) confirms that the God-man, God in flesh and bones is One God, as "God the Son", with "God the Father" and "God the Holy Spirit". The Jews who heard say this tried to stone Him because He was speaking blasphemy in the classical Judaism of His day and still. This is one of only several Bible passages that confirm Jesus as One dimension of the One Godhead GaryFPatton (gfp '42™ 2012-10-08)
Gary Patton

"God's Biggest Promise" - Romans 4:16-18 NIV1984 - Bible Gateway - 0 views

www.biblegateway.com/passage

bible scripture romans 4 faith promise theology

shared by Gary Patton on 26 Sep 12 - No Cached
  • Romans 4:16-18&nbsp;
  • Gary Patton on 26 Sep 12
     
    http://diigo.com/0t8hl "God's Biggest Promise" Romans 4:16-18 discusses God's biggest promise! Please note that the Christian Bible translation I use for Scripture quotations in my e-Sticky Note comments may vary. You'll discover which translation your viewing noted under the Chapter & Verse(s) reference. GaryFPatton (gfp '42™ 2012-09-23)
Gary Patton

What Now? (John MacArthur's Response to the 2012 Election) - YouTube - 0 views

www.youtube.com/watch

canada politcs

shared by Gary Patton on 24 Nov 12 - No Cached
  • Gary Patton on 24 Nov 12
     
    The Bible does not advocate democracy because unGodly people eventually sell their souls to Government to get the materialism they demand and the immorality to which they're not opposed. Canada & the U.S. are NOT christian nations". They ARE under the judgement of God as outlined in Romans 1. The only answer is the heralding of Jesus' love and grace as each wo(man)'s subsitutionary sacrife of Almighty God against our sin nature and personal sins as explained in Romans 10: 8-10. GaryFPatton With my compliments and permission to reproduce, without change or profiteering, including the following: © Copyright gfp '42™ 2012-11-24
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