p
COG News: Emphasizing News of Interest to those Once in the Worldwide Church
of God
"For there must also be factions among you, that those who are approved may be
recognized among you" (I Corinthians 11:19).
* LCG News * 2005 Feast of Tabernacles Sites * Listing of Living Church of God Congregations *Sunset Times for the U.S. * News of Those Once Affiliated with the Global COG * Prayer Requests * Official Living Church of God What's New? page.
Click Here for the COGwriter Home Page which has articles on various sabbatarian Churches of God (COGs) and articles supporting beliefs of the Philadelphia portion of the Church of God.
03/21/06 a.m. PCG has updated its home page and now has this information listed as Gerald Flurry's autobiography:
Gerald Flurry is the Pastor General of the Philadelphia Church of God. He has been an ordained minister for over 30 years. He formerly served under Herbert W. Armstrong as a minister in the Worldwide Church of God. After being excommunicated from the Worldwide Church of God for resisting sweeping doctrinal changes, Mr. Flurry founded the Philadelphia Church of God in 1989.
He is editor in chief of The Philadelphia Trumpet magazine with a monthly readership of over one million. Through The Key of David television program he broadcasts to a potential audience of over 300 million.
Mr. Flurry has visited over 20 countries in such critical areas as South Africa, Europe and Asia meeting with key international news analysts. He has written over 30 books and has successfully defended the Church's legal right to reprint Herbert Armstrong's final book Mystery of the Ages and other writings such as the Incredible Human Potential, Missing Dimension in Sex and the United States and Britain in Prophecy. Through Personal Appearance Campaigns he prophesies again in the tradition of Herbert W. Armstrong, God's final watchman warning to the world.
He also focuses on the coming good news, when Jesus Christ will return to earth to establish His family government and will usher-in the peaceful, happy, wonderful World Tomorrow. (http://www.pcog.org/Default.asp?siteMapId=Biographies)
But the above left out most of the titles he has given himself. In the July/August 2000 edition of Royal Vision, Gerald Flurry specifically calls or refers to himself the following variety of titles (listed in the order they occur in that issue): that prophet, the last voice, a third voice, the physical head of God's work, the last and final voice, a prophet, God's man, one that was prophesied by Jeremiah and Ezekiel, this watchman, end-time watchman, a prophet to the nations, Christ's man, a breaker, a modern type of Micah, this king, this counselor, the breaker whom God has chosen, God's watchman, prophesied by Habakkuk, a lawgiver, His lawgiver, God's leader, an end-time Malachi-type prophet, the one who fulfills Zechariah's role in the end-time, ruler over His household, a type of Elisha, the conduit, God's true prophet, the voice, that voice, type of Joel, a preacher of righteousness, this man (of God), an end-time Obadiah, a warrior for God, the one God actually wants us to focus on, and only a messenger--at least one of those titles he is taking refers to Jesus. The titles of the articles, all of which were written by Gerald Flurry were (in order of appearance, all CAPS from G. Flurry), THAT PROPHET PART ONE: WHO IS 'THAT PROPHET'?, THAT PROPHET PART TWO: A NEW THING, THAT PROPHET PART THREE: GOD'S WATCHMAN, THAT PROPHET PART FOUR: THE THRONE AND LAWGIVER, GOD'S COMMAND, ZECHARIAH'S FLYING SCROLL, THAT PROPHET PART FIVE: THE ELISHA WORK, and THAT PROPHET PART SIX: THE VOICE OF THE DAY OF THE LORD. He also calls PCG "God's greatest gift" (p.12).
Furthermore, Gerald Flurry wrote, "And I have been the conduit for revelation from all the major and minor prophets, Colossians, Lamentations, Daniel, Revelation, the former prophets and other books. All this prophetic revelation has come from God through THAT PROPHET" (p.33).
More information can be found in the article Teachings Unique to the Philadelphia Church of God.
Zenit had this item:
VATICAN CITY, MARCH 20, 2006 (Zenit) - Benedict XVI signals his desire to promote unity with the Armenian Apostolic Church, a Christian confession that separated from Rome in the fifth century.
The Pope expressed his desire for unity today when he received in audience His Beatitude Nerses Bedros XIX Tarmouni, Catholic patriarch of Cilicia of the Armenians, Lebanon, with members of the patriarchal synod and a group of pilgrims.
The Mideast-based patriarch leads 600,000 Catholic faithful in communion with Rome, assisted by 120 priests and about 90 women religious, according to Vatican Radio.
By contrast, more than 90% of the Armenian Christians are under the Armenian Apostolic Patriarchate, which separated from Rome after the Council of Chalcedon in 451. A key step toward overcoming this division was taken in 1996 when Pope John Paul II and Patriarch Karekin I signed a joint declaration on the nature of Jesus.
According to the Washington Post:
Pope Benedict XVI recalled the "terrible persecution" Armenians suffered under Turkish rule 90 years ago during an audience Monday with an Armenian Catholic patriarch.Speaking to Nerses Bedros XIX Tarmouni about the Armenian people over the centuries, the pope singled out the "sufferings which they underwent in the name of the Christian faith in the years of the terrible persecution that went down in history with the sadly meaningful name 'metz yeghern,' the great evil."Armenians accuse Turks of a genocide of up to 1.5 million Armenians between 1915 and 1923. Turks claim the number of deaths is inflated and say the victims were killed in civil unrest.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/03/20/AR2006032002024.html
The Vatican is determined to set the stage for the coming together of the woman that rides the beast and her daughters. Some information of interest is in the article Europa, the Beast, and Revelation.
03/20/06 a.m. PABC's Norman Edwards sent this update:
PABC activities have gone as planned since the Jan/Feb newsletter. New
people have moved here to help and more have signed up to come for the
Feasts, music camps, and/or summer retreats. Financially, God has
provided for our needs; we had been making our $4348 monthly property
payments largely on time through November.
Having exhausted other sources of funds that God provided, we prayed
for help. Shortly afterward, Mike Zaeske came and agreed to buy one of
our 12 buildings, which is currently rented to the Port Austin
Township Hall. Mike needed to arrange for a $30,000 bank loan to
purchase it. The money from that sale would take care of all of our
property payments until August 15.
PABC has had some rocky financial times, but Norman Edwards appears determined to try to keep it going.
CG7's Keith Michalak, who is their Director of Publications, announced this past Sabbath:
Our mission
Publications (Bible Advocate Press) is a ministry of the Church of God (Seventh Day) that produces literature for distribution around the world. Impacting the lives of individuals is one of our most important goals. Through the Bible Advocate, tracts, quarterlies, and the Internet, we are determined to reach the lost and enrich the faithful.
What you can do to help us promote gospel literature
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Carry a few Light for Life tracts with you, such as When the Bottom Falls Out. You never know when the opportunity to witness may arise.
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Go hi-tech. References in some BA articles direct you to the BA Online, which features expanded articles and some fresh ones. While you’re online, check out Now What? (http:nowwhat.cog7.org). These stories help folks with marriage problems, grief, chronic illness, and other life struggles.
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Order our longer booklets, such as A Study of the Holy Spirit, Who Is Jesus?, and How We Got the Bible. When you improve your knowledge of Scripture and its teachings, you lend credibility to the literature you share.
Those who wish to know more about CG7 may wish to read the article on the Church of God, Seventh Day.
03/19/06 a.m. LCG's Kinnear Penman reported:
New Zealand Update. Here in New Zealand we are also experiencing very good responses to the Tomorrow’s World programme on Prime TV. During February, responses averaged 117 each week, and 57% of all responses were from first-time callers. At month’s end, the mailing list stood at 2,956 in New Zealand/South Pacific area. A total of eight people were visited in their homes. Three were first-time visits. Two of them have been invited and attended services in Otaki. I conducted baptismal counseling sessions with three New Zealanders.
LCG also reported:
Deadly Viruses Mutating. A recent study revealed that out of 1,400 pathogens, at least 800 have crossed the species barrier from animal to human. Citing numerous factors that have contributed to the rapid spread of disease in the modern world, British scientist Dr. Woolhouse stated, “it was impossible that human beings had been exposed to so many new pathogens so quickly through most of history,” Dr. Woolhouse also made this profound comment, “Either many of these pathogens will not persist in humans, or there is something very unusual about the present time” (The Times, Feb. 21, 2006). In a related situation, the mass production of chickens—and not migratory birds—may be responsible for the spread of the “avian flu.” Reporter Wendy Orent suggests that the rapid mutation of the H5N1 virus is made possible by millions of birds being raised in very close proximity in commercial farms (The Charlotte Observer, Mar. 15, 2006). Ultimately the mass production of chickens, as well as the sale of sick chickens for food, comes from greed and the desire to make money despite the potential risks. The Bible not only warned of pestilence “in the last days” (Jer 34:17-20, Lk 21:9) but also that money is a root of all evil (I Tim 6:10). These factors are converging with other environmental and social factors in our modern world in a potentially deadly combination.
I have had one or more chickens most of my life and have long been appalled by how they are normally raised commercially. The Book of Proverbs teaches:
A righteous man regards the life of his animal,
But the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel (Proverbs 12:10).
03/18/06 a.m. Ever wonder about Ambassador Auditorium? Well, as most readers know, it was purchased from WCG by Harvest Rock Church, a pentecostal group. Although they have hosted some concerts there, they mainly use it as their place of worship. The most major event they had, was their own "Prophetic Intercession Conference" which covered such topics as:
- Building a Prophetic People
- Receiving Prophetic Power
- Releasing Prophetic Prayers
“men of Issachar, who understood the times and knew what Israel should do—200 chiefs, with all their relatives under their command;”1 Chron. 12:32
“We want to be like the people of Issachar who understood the times and seasons and knew what God’s people should do.”
Harvest Rock announced that it will participate in something called the Azusa Street Centennial April 25-29, 2006. Pentecostals wrote the following about it:
Join from believers around the world in the Spiritual Experience of a Lifetime...The Azusa Street Centennial is a Worldwide Gathering of Pentecostal/Charismatic Believers Commemorating and Celebrating the Centennial Anniversary of the Azusa Street Revival.
Worldnet Daily noted:
Tens of thousands of Christians will gather next month in downtown Los Angeles to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Azusa Street revival.
In April 1906, the Los Angeles Times reported that a new "fanatic" religious sect gathered on Azusa Street in Los Angeles and babbled in a weird tongue.
We in the COGs do not consider that this would be the work of God's Holy Spirit. Some of my experiences with Pentecostals is mentioned in the article Close Encounters of a 'Spirit' Kind
Last night, ICG's Mark Armstrong reported:
You are undoubtedly aware of the heightened levels of bloodshed in Iraq, the litany of dangers that threaten our nation and the intractable problems around the world with absolutely no humanly devised solutions on the horizon. It is a bit depressing, unless you know the ultimate outcome. Thank God for the comfort of that knowledge, and for the day of rest that is now at hand.
The good news is that the kingdom of God will be coming--and that is what the millenium is all about--am article of related interest may be be Did The Early Church Millenarianism?
On related matters, here is a link to my newest article: The Gospel of the Kingdom of God was the Emphasis of Jesus and the Early Church.
03/17/06 a.m. Today is the Catholic holiday, St. Patrick's Day. Here are two news accounts:
"He cleverly incorporated traditional pagan beliefs into his teachings so the Irish were more likely to accept his teachings. It’s also thought that he created the Celtic cross by adding a sun, a strong Celtic symbol, on to the Christian cross, so it would sit better with the Irish". http://www.citynews.com.au/news/Article.asp?id=4491
History suggests that there was originally a Patrick who was an actual, not Roman, Christian, but that is not something in the news accounts. Of course, as mentioned previously on the COGwriter news page, true Christians never revered any cross.
The Catholic Encyclopedia notes this about 666:
Even so early a writer as St. Irenaeus (Haer., V, xxx) does not hesitate to explain the number of the beast 666 (Revelation 13:18) by the word "Lateinos" since the numerical value of its constituent [Greek] letters yields the same total (30+1+330+5+10+50+70+200=666) (Thurston H. Use of Numbers in the Church).
What do the COGs and the SDAs teach about the identity of 666? This number is mentioned in the Bible so let's view that first:
Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666 (Revelation 13:18).
The first writing that have been found that suggests that a Roman is 666 was by Irenaeus, who claimed to have listened to Polycarp when he (Irenaeus) was a young man. Irenaeus wrote:
Then also Lateinos (LATEINOS) has the number six hundred and sixty-six; and it is a very probable [solution], this being the name of the last kingdom [of the four seen by Daniel] (Irenaeus. Adversus haereses, Book V, Chapter 30, Verse 3. Excerpted from Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 1. Edited by Alexander Roberts & James Donaldson. American Edition, 1885. Online Edition Copyright © 2004 by K. Knight).
The SDAs have a couple of different views of 666--but officially they do NOT teach that it is a Roman government or leader. This is confirmed by SDA scholar Samuele Bacchiocchi:
First, the identification of 666 with the pope's title Vicarius Filii Dei, has never been an official teaching of the Adventist church. The truth is that our Adventist church has struggled over the years to understand the meaning of the number 666. Initially, some of our pioneers (including possibly Ellen White, as shown in the lecture) believed that the number 666 was made up of the number of Protestant sects influenced by Rome...
The conclusion of recent Adventist studies, including the Sabbath School Lesson of June 1-7, 2002, is that the traditional numerical interpretation of the number 666 as representing the numerical value of the letter Vicarius Filii Dei, cannot be legitimately defended exegetically and historically.
The key phrase "it is a human number -arithmos anthropou" (Rev 13:18), suggests that the meaning of the number is to be found, not in a name or title whose letters add up to the numerical value of 666, but in a human condition of rebellion against God. In the context of the false worship promoted by the Beast and its image, the triple six stands for the total false worship, enforced by the endtime Antichrist (Bacchiocchi S. Our Adventist Church Has Struggled to Define 666. ENDTIME ISSUES NEWSLETTER No. 144, March 15, 2006).
In the previously cited HWA booklet, here is some of what he explained about the number 666 discussed in Revelation 13:18,
The founder and first king of Rome was ROMULUS. The Roman Empire was named after him. His name, the name of a MAN, also is the name of the KINGDOM. And every citizen in the kingdom bears the same name — a ROMAN. When John wrote this Revelation, telling us to COUNT the number of the Beast, he wrote in the GREEK language. Consequently, we should look for this name, and the number 666, in this language recognized in the BIBLE, not in the Latin. We are all familiar with the Roman numerals, whereletters are used for numbers. All understand that I is 1, V is 5,X is 10, etc. But many do not know that the Greek language,in which the book of Revelation was written, also uses lettersfor numbers. In the Greek, the language in which Revelation was written, this name is “LATEINOS.” It signifies “Latin man” or“the name of Latium,” from which region the Romans derived their origin and their language. This word, too, signifies“ROMAN.” In the Greek, L is 30, A is 1, T is 300, E is 5, I is 10, N is 50, O is 70, S is 200. Count these figures. They count to exactly 666! It is indeed no coincidence that the name of the KINGDOM, its founder and first KING, and of each man in the kingdom, counts to exactly 666! Certainly THE BEAST stands identified!
It should be noted that this understanding was NOT unique to HWA as it has long been the COG position. LCG's John Ogwyn wrote this about its meaning and origins:
Scarcely any prophetic subject has elicited more conjecture and speculation than the "mark of the Beast." In addition to a "mark," Revelation 13 also mentions an "image" of the Beast as well as the mysterious "number of his name"—666...
Since the Roman Empire is the Beast described by John in Revelation 13 and Revelation 17, the "mark" is a brand or mark of the Roman Empire. The "image" of the Beast must be something modeled or patterned after the Roman Empire.
Before going further, notice that Revelation 13 mentions a second "beast" with an earthly, not heavenly, origin (v. 11). It outwardly masquerades as Christian, seeking to be identified with Christ, the Lamb of God (cf. John 1:29) but receives its power from the devil, that old dragon (Revelation 12:9). In prophecy, horns are used to represent rulership or authority, and this creature is pictured with two horns. Revelation 13:12 reveals that this second beast insists that all give their allegiance and loyalty to the Holy Roman Empire, the beast whose deadly wound was healed (v. 12). This second beast is described as performing great miracles, which will deceive humanity (vv. 13–14). In Matthew 24:24, Christ prophesied of "false Christs" who will deceive all but the very elect...
Historically, was there an institution claiming to represent Christ ("like a lamb," v. 11) and holding sway over the populace by means of various "miracles" (v. 14)—an institution which taught the devil’s false message that God’s law was "done away" and which insisted that its adherents give their loyalty to the Holy Roman Empire? Throughout the medieval period, the Church of Rome did exactly this!
Why the two horns? The Church of Rome is both an ecclesiastical and a civil government...
The earliest proposed solution to the meaning of 666 is a tradition attributed to Polycarp, the disciple of the same Apostle John who wrote Revelation. This tradition is preserved in the second century writings of Irenaeus. The number 666 is "…contained in the Greek letters of Lateinos (L=30; A=1; T=300; E,=5; I=10; N=50; O=70; S=200)" (Commentary on the Whole Bible, Jamieson, Fausset and Brown). Lateinos is a Greek term referring to the Romans. Interestingly, the Greek expression meaning "the Latin kingdom" (h Latine Basileia) also has a numeric value of 666. Greek writers commonly referred to the Roman Empire in this way. The book of Revelation was originally written in Greek, as it was written to Greek-speaking churches in ancient Asia Minor...
The founder of ancient Rome was Romulus, from whose name Rome and Roman are derived. The Latin name Romvlvs is written in Hebrew as Romiith. In the Hebrew language this also adds up to 666 (resh=200, vau=6, mem=40, yod=10, yod=10, tau=400). Thus, in both Greek and Hebrew, the two languages of the Bible, the number 666 is stamped upon the kingdom that derived from Rome (Ogwyn J. The Beast of Revelation: Myth, Metaphor or Soon-Coming Reality?).
Hence, the COGs teach that 666 represents a Roman leader/kingdom, while SDAs seem to teach that it represents all false worship. Personally, I consider that the idea of 666 representing all false worship leads to a discounting of the relevance of that which is revealed in the Book of Revelation. Furthermore, because the SDAs do not have the correct understanding of the two horned beast of Revelation, this puts them in a position that they cannot (without changing that position) come up with the correct understanding of the identity of 666. More information can be found in the article SDA/COG Differences: Two Horned Beast of Revelation and 666
On other matters, xCG's Jared Olar is now attempting to to say that even though Theophilus of Antioch held a "man becoming God" doctrine, it is not close enough to what HWA once taught to count for his purposes (Theophilus also held a "born again" concept similar to HWA's). My point is that even in Roman preserved writings, there is early evidence of many of the 18 truths that HWA claimed were restored to the Philadelphia era of the COG. Interestingly, Jared refers to Theophilus as a saint, but is this an individual whose teachings were closer to the COG or Rome? Those interested may wish to read the article Theophilus of Antioch.
03/16/06 a.m. In his latest letter, CBCG's Fred Coulter writes:
Actually, how people will be able to tell the difference between the validity of miracles of the two witnesses vs. those of the false prophet will be because the two witnesses will teach the word of God over human tradition. An article of related interest may be Tradition and Scripture: From the Bible and Church Writings
On the other hand, some use an unusual form of human reason to interpret the Bible called the "Bible Code". LCG's Dr. Winnail wrote the following:
Many have wondered about the “Bible code.” Does it prove that God inspired the Bible? Does it really predict the future? Does it give us remarkable new insights into Scripture and the world around us? Michael Drosnin’s 1997 book, The Bible Code, was an instant best-seller that enlivened talk shows and spawned a series of “copycat” novels, films and videos that were immediately snatched up by a fascinated public.
The complete article is available at http://www.lcg.org/cgi-bin/lcg/studytopics/lcg-st.cgi?category=BibleScholarship1&item=1116550257
In his letter yesterday, SDA Samuele Bacchiocchi reports:
"The Ten Commandments Day, May 7th, 2006"
A coalition of leading Evangelical, Catholic, Orthodox, and Jewish church leaders have joined hands in co-sponsoring a national affirmation and recognition of the binding moral principles of the Decalogue on May 7, 2006. The event is widely promoted nationwide as "Ten Commandments Day"...
The celebration and affirmation of the Ten Commandments on May 7, is a unique American phenomenon...
I see this rally behind the Ten Commandments as a possible ploy of the Religious Right determined to promote its religious agenda, which is intolerant toward minority dissenters like Adventists. It important to remember that religious persecution has often been inspired and carried out by religious fanatics. We would call them today "Fundamentalists," where inspired by Islam or Christianity...
The religious leaders who are zealously promoting the Ten Commandment Day, give the impression that they all stand for the same Ten Commandments. But this is hardly true. One of the best kept secret is the deep division that exists among Christians and Jews regarding the versions and views of the Ten Commandments.
For example, Catholics and Lutherans consider all of Exodus 20:1-6, to be one single commandment, which enjoins monotheism and forbids polytheism. Thus, for them the First Commandment reads: " I am the Lord thy God. You shall have no other gods before me."
Catholics and Lutherans omits from their listing of the Ten Commandments, the verses of Exodus 20:4-6. These verses prohibit the making and worshipping of graven images. This is an obvious problem for the Roman Catholic church which is rife with shrines, statues, and images of Mary and saints. To make up for this omission, Catholics and Lutherans divide Exodus 20:17 into two commandments, by separating the coveting of a wife from the coveting of farm animals. Most Protestant versions of the commandments retain the prohibition against graven images, but it seems to be ignored since statues and other images have proliferated in their churches as well.
The omission of the Second Commandment, has caused Catholics and Lutherans to advance the Fourth Commandment about seventh day Sabbathkeeping, to the position of Third Commandment. But in order to distance Sundaykeeping from the"Jewish" Sabbath, the commandment has been renamed "Remember to keep holy the Lord's Day." By so doing, many Christians are misled into believing that Sunday is the Christian Sabbath, rooted in the Decalogue. The truth is, that Sunday is not the Sabbath...
Most Evangelical churches today, under the influence of Dispensationalism, view the Ten Commandments as part of the package of Jewish laws that were nailed to the Cross. They do contain moral principles which are beneficial to the believer, but in their present form, they are part of the Old Jewish Covenant. Indirectly they support to Jewish contention that the Ten Commandments were given exclusively to the Jewish people, thus, they are not meant for mankind as a whole.
According to Dispensationalism, New Covenant Christians no longer live by the package of laws of the Old Covenant. Instead, they live by the Principles of Love of the New Covenant which are written, not in table of stones, but in the human heart.
One wonders, How can Evangelical church leaders promote in good conscience the affirmation and celebration of Ten Commandments Day on May 7th, when they believe that the Decalogue is part of the package of Jewish laws nailed to the Cross?
Articles of possible interest may be:
Were the Ten Commandments Nailed to the Cross? Some have said so. This article provides some biblical quotes to answer this important question.
What Did Paul Actually Teach About the Ten Commandments? Many say Paul taught against the ten commandments. Is this true? This article quotes Paul with his words in green.
The Similarities and Dissimilarities between Martin Luther and Herbert Armstrong This article clearly shows some of the doctrinal differences between in the two. At this time of doctrinal variety and a tendency by many to accept certain aspects of Protestantism, the article should help clarify why the COG is NOT Protestant.
03/15/06 a.m. COGhomeschool sent out this news announcement last night:
March 14, 2006 — Over the weekend, the government told Americans to start storing canned foods and powdered milk under their beds as the prospect of a deadly bird flu outbreak approaches the United States. The fear is that the bird flu will turn into a pandemic and drastically alter the course of American life for a time.
The Red Cross says that if there's a pandemic, we need to prepare for 10 days of being stuck in our homes, and that we may be without power and water during that time. In the event of a bird flu pandemic, Americans should plan for interruptions or delays in other services: Banks might close, hospitals could be overwhelmed, and postal service could be spotty. Experts also say that people need to begin stocking up on extra food and supplies like protective masks, flashlights, portable radios, batteries and matches.
"When you go to the store and buy three cans of tuna fish, buy a fourth and put it under the bed. When you go to the store to buy some milk, pick up a box of powdered milk, put it under the bed," said Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt. "When you do that for a period of four to six months, you are going to have a couple of weeks of food. And that's what we're talking about."
An article of related interest may be Physical Preparation Scriptures for Christians.
WCG's Joyce Catherwood now appears to have a regular column called Bystander in WCG Christian Odyssey. The latest article, about the Gentile mother that approach Jesus, can be found at http://www.christianodyssey.org/jesus/syro-mom.htm
Speaking of women, a news item reported the following:
"Regardless of what married women say they believe about gender, they tend to have happier marriages when their husband is a good provider — provided that he is also emotionally engaged," said W. Bradford Wilcox, a University of Virginia sociologist. "I was very surprised to find that even egalitarian-minded women are happier when their marriages are organized along more gendered lines."Fairness is also considered an important element.
Women who perceive that housework is shared in a fair manner consider themselves happier partners. Fair in this case does not necessarily mean splitting housework evenly—most of the women in this happier category perform the majority of household chores themselves. But because they believe that their husbands are playing an important role as providers, they view the unequal work split as fair...
http://www.livescience.com/humanbiology/060314_happy_marriage.html
In its latest Mini-Study, yesterday COGMUK stated:
the first Christians, because of their practices and teachings and submission to the Law, were considered to be a sect of Judaism
Although saying the Law is ‘done away’ few Christians believe the last six of the Ten Commandments of the Law are, in Christ, abolished: theft, adultery, murder etc
at least lip service is paid by Christians to three of the first four of these Commandments, omitting only the Sabbath command— also appointed for mankind since Creation
willing Spirit-driven submission to God’s revealed will in the Scriptures is not ‘legalism’
the apostle John—’apostle of love’—defines sin as ‘...the transgression of the law’ or ‘lawlessness’ (I John 3:4)
More information on love and the commandments can be found in the following articles:
The Ten Commandments Reflect Love, Breaking them is Evil Some feel that the ten commandments are a burden. Is that what Jesus, Paul, Peter, James, and John taught?
Was the Commandment to Love the Only Command? Some have stated that John's writings teach this, but is that what the Bible really says?
On other matters:
VATICAN: CHRISTIAN PRESENCE IN HOLY LAND NECESSARY
(AGI) - Vatican City. March 14
"The presence of Christians in the Holy Land is now, more than ever, necessary to ensure a peaceful future to that area, and for the sake of the universal church, which must have communities championing the faith in the gospel" wrote cardinal Ignace Moussa Daoud, prefect of the eastern Churches congregation, in a letter sent to all the bishops of the world, to "promote initiatives and intervention in holy places and to help raise money.
The land of our Lord - he wrote - keeps on witnessing a conflict that has been going on for years, depriving the Catholic communities and institutions of adequate means to sustain and promote religious, cultural and humanitarian activities. This situation leads to poverty and unemployment, with terrible repercussions on the people, and drives Christians away".
The note points out what Pope Benedict XVI said at the "meeting of missions helping eastern churches", revealing "some recent positive signals of reconciliation between the several communities operating in the Holy Land. That's why we must keep on praying and have faith. That's our responsibility for the sake of the mother church of Jerusalem, which all Christians are in debt with", as the pope said.
We in the COGs have long taught that the Vatican would have a major presence, most likely in the form of a Pope, in Jerusalem, based upon our understanding of Daniel 11. Interestingly, just a couple of weeks ago, I noticed that a least one COG critic stated that the Pope still had not yet moved to Jerusalem, suggesting that this COG understanding is in error--the COG understanding is not in error, as the Bible is not in error. No matter how many facts we provide, those who set their hearts against us, will come up with reasons to not accept the truths we teach.
We also expect miraculous signs at the end of the age both by those in the COGs and by those opposed to the COGs. The following news item seems to report the latter:
Intact monk’s corpse seen as ‘sign of God’
Greece - March 14 Church authorities in Lamia, central Greece, have described the body of an Orthodox monk that has remained intact 15 years after its burial as a “sign of God” as medical experts fail to come up with a scientific explanation to the alleged phenomenon.
“From the start I believed that this is a sign of God,” said Bishop Nikolaos from the prefecture of Fthiotida...
Church authorities had summoned four local doctors and an Athens coroner to explain the alleged phenomenon. However, experts could only describe the case as unique.
http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_politics_100023_14/03/2006_67435
An article of possible interest may be Some Similarities and Differences Between the Orthodox Church and the Churches of God.
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Volume 9, issue 33 COGwriter B. Thiel (c) 2006