OFFICIAL: Biblical/Theology Discussion thread

[lvbuckeye]

which Herod?

 

[sandgk]

which Herod?

Herod the Great.

Also referenced in Matthew - massacre of the innocents. Historical accuracy of which is debatable.

 

[Muck]

Always interesting when history and archaeology intersect with religion.

The latest such example? Herod's tomb has been found.

It'll be interesting to see if this find received corroboration, or if it is another "James brother of Jesus" box or "Jesus' family" tomb.

 

[sandgk]

It'll be interesting to see if this find received corroboration, or if it is another "James brother of Jesus" box or "Jesus' family" tomb.

This is the real deal, not a fake. The dig on that site has been run for many years. It is under the auspice of well respected archaeologists from Hebrew University.

 

[CookyPuss]

This is the real deal, not a fake. The dig on that site has been run for many years. It is under the auspice of well respected archaeologists from Hebrew University.

I've been there (the fortress of Herodium) and given the nature of the site would also agree this is most likely the real deal.

 

[Bleed S & G]

With Iran not slowing up and with the upcoming election, who is really comfortable with Iran having nuclear anything? In doing some lite research, President Ahmendjeadada dosen't want peace.. he's announced in public it is his personal mission to send the world into such chaos it forces the 12th Imam to come out of hiding and that he thinks this because he was in an aura of light and was told to do so by Allah.



The 12th Imam: Who Is The 12th Imam?
Within the Shiite, (which is predominate in Iran), it is prophesied that there is a coming 12th Imam who is the great spiritual savior. This Imam is named Abu al-Qasim Muhammad or also called Muhammad al Mahdi. He is said to have been born the son of the 11th Imam, Hasan Al-Askari and his wife, the granddaughter of an Emperor. There are conflicting statements of her name being either Fatima or Nargis Khatoon.

Most accounts of the story say that al Mahdi went into hiding as a child around the age of 5 years (about 13th Century). It said he has been ?in hiding? in caves ever since but will supernaturally return just before the Day of Judgment. According to the Hadith the criteria for the Hidden Imam are:

• He will be a descendant of Muhammad and the son of Fatima
• Will have a broad forehead and pointed nose
• Will return just before the end of the world
• His appearance will be preceded by a number of prophetic events during 3 years of horrendous world chaos, tyranny and oppression
• Will escape from Madina to Mekkah, thousands will pledge allegiance to him
• Will rule over the Arabs and the world for 7 years
• Will eradicate all tyranny and oppression bringing harmony and total peace
• Will lead a prayer in Mekkah which Jesus will be at his side and follow in

Remarkably, the 12th Imam theory plays heavily into the world?s current concerns with Iran. The Shiite Muslim President of Iran, Ahmadinejad, is deeply committed to the Islamic Messiah, al Mahdi. There have been many through the years claiming to be the Hidden Imam but Ahmadinejad believes he is yet to come. He claims that he is to personally prepare the world for the coming Mahdi. In order to save the world, it must be in a state of chaos and subjugation. Ahmadinejad claims he was ?directed by Allah to pave the way for the glorious appearance of the Mahdi?. This apocalyptic directive includes some very scary proclamations.

The 12th Imam: Why Is This Especially Important Now?
While Christians look for Jesus? 2nd coming, the Jews await the Messiah and Muslims await the 12th Imam. However, of the three, Allah?s designated Mahdi is the only one who demands a violent path to conquer the world. Mr. Ahmadinejad, and his cabinet, say they have a ?signed contract? with al Mahdi in which they pledge themselves to his work. What does this work involve? In light of concerns over Iran?s nuclear capabilities, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has reportedly stated Israel should be wiped off the map. He spoke to the United Nations in September ?05. During that speech he claims to have been in an aura of light and felt a change in the atmosphere during which time no one present could blink their eyes. Iran?s PM is also said to have spoken in apocalyptic terms and seems to relish conflict with the West whom he calls the Great Satan. This is while he proclaims he must prepare the world for the coming Mahdi by way of a world totally under Muslim control. He is working hard to bring about the world-wide horrors that must be in place for their al Mahdi to bring peace.

This notion and goal, along with a violent hatred of infidels, America and Israel reminds us of Biblical prophecies of the coming anti-Christ and the pledges of millions to a deceiving False Messiah who will claim to bring peace. Could this 12th Imam Mahdi and his servant Ahmadinejad spark the last days of the coming true Savior?

LINK

 

[Gatorubet]

Iran's PM is also said to have spoken in apocalyptic terms and seems to relish conflict with the West whom he calls the Great Satan. This is while he proclaims he must prepare the world for the coming Mahdi by way of a world totally under Muslim control. He is working hard to bring about the world-wide horrors that must be in place for their al Mahdi to bring peace.

This notion and goal, along with a violent hatred of infidels, America and Israel reminds us of Biblical prophecies of the coming anti-Christ and the pledges of millions to a deceiving False Messiah who will claim to bring peace. Could this 12th Imam Mahdi and his servant Ahmadinejad spark the last days of the coming true Savior?

LINK

Interesting post SG. But I have to say that the "Satan" that is the Islamic figure is not the same guy are our Old Scratch. The Shaitan of Islam is a Djinni, or Jinn, a demonic figure to be sure, but more of a "trickster" and spreader of falsehoods than the Big Guy that is the ruler of Hell.

When they call us the "Great Satan", it is not complimentary, but it is also not calling us the same thing as the Devil of Christian theology. Our culture being imposed on theirs is part of it, as they think we spread lies and evil behavior. Not excusing - just 'splaining.

 

[Taosman]

We've covered this ground before. And there are those here who refuse to see past the Iranian President's statements. He has to appeal to his political base and say the right things like any politician.
Does he really believe every thing he says?
Can we really believe every thing he says when he has a very political history?
Clearly, the Iranians want nukes. But, even more they want recognition as a political and military power in the Middle East. They see it as their history, their heritage.
They have to know that any legitimate threat to Israel would result in Israel turning most of Iran into a smoldering ruin.
The Iranians are not suicidal!
We must examine the larger implications of the Iranian President's speeches.
Don't be simplistic in taking every word he utters as a plan!
Or fact.

 

[Gatorubet]

We've covered this ground before. And there are those here who refuse to see past the Iranian President's statements. He has to appeal to his political base and say the right things like any politician.
Does he really believe every thing he says?
Can we really believe every thing he says when he has a very political history?
Clearly, the Iranians want nukes. But, even more they want recognition as a political and military power in the Middle East. They see it as their history, their heritage.
They have to know that any legitimate threat to Israel would result in Israel turning most of Iran into a smoldering ruin.
The Iranians are not suicidal!
We must examine the larger implications of the Iranian President's speeches.
Don't be simplistic in taking every word he utters as a plan!
Or fact.

So you're saying we shouldn't glaze the sand beneath all those rag-heads? Why do you hate Freedom so?

 

[Taosman]

That's funny, Gator!

There are some Evangelicals here who won't be convinced of anything other than their narrow and extreme beliefs.

 

[jwinslow]

I sure did miss the self-righteous lecturing of self-righteous people.

 

[SparkyOSU]

Djinn, like as in this guy????

Interesting post SG. But I have to say that the "Satan" that is the Islamic figure is not the same guy are our Old Scratch. The Shaitan of Islam is a Djinni, or Jinn, a demonic figure to be sure, but more of a "trickster" and spreader of falsehoods than the Big Guy that is the ruler of Hell.

When they call us the "Great Satan", it is not complimentary, but it is also not calling us the same thing as the Devil of Christian theology. Our culture being imposed on theirs is part of it, as they think we spread lies and evil behavior. Not excusing - just 'splaining.

He was banned by Wizards of the Coast way back in something like 1995, hes cool. Dont worry about a second coming of him. The R&D found him too powerful, like the Power nine released in the original M:TG sets.

Now the Serra Angel is how we should be scared of.

 

[Bleed S & G]

We've covered this ground before. And there are those here who refuse to see past the Iranian President's statements. He has to appeal to his political base and say the right things like any politician.

Does he really believe every thing he says?

Only he truley knows, but its not like he hasn't made his intentions pretty clear with israel and with the nuke situation.. and isn't a big fan of the free world or rather the non-islamic world, so i personally feel that yes, he is serious in his beliefs and is serious about "uprooting" israel and the nation of islam ruling the world.. but i think you may be right and it's nothing to worry about or even look into :rolleyes:

Clearly, the Iranians want nukes. But, even more they want recognition as a political and military power in the Middle East. They see it as their history, their heritage. They have to know that any legitimate threat to Israel would result in Israel turning most of Iran into a smoldering ruin.

Perhaps, but I wouldn't be all that surprised to see a China, Russia, Islam alliance in the future.. but the nuke to israel may be coming from another country shortly, president a talked about this a day or so ago, saying the countdown had begun and it was coming from a diffrent country.

The Iranians are not suicidal!

you're right, extermists (granted not iranians) aren't sucidal at all, and wouldn't want chaos (considering chaos is the only way the islamic messiah is coming back)

We must examine the larger implications of the Iranian President's speeches. Don't be simplistic in taking every word he utters as a plan!
Or fact.

Sure.. i wish i had the link to a letter he wrote to Bush.. its regaurded as the biggest theological letter in recent times

Where you consider me simplistic, i sometimes think you dig too deep.. IE. the art crap where you were saying the chick was a black panther and this and that and the american girl was something or another

So the question really is, is he bluffing or not.. and when it comes to destroying countries, i rather not give him a free pass.. especially when they are currently trying to build nuclear strength and we're setting up missle defense systems specifcally for iran.

 

[Flocka]

He has to appeal to his political base and say the right things like any politician.
Does he really believe every thing he says?
Can we really believe every thing he says when he has a very political history?

The biggest criticism of Ahmadinejad within his own country, is that he he spends too much time criticizing the U.S. and Israel, and needs to focus on their economy. The man is extremely unstable, and growing extremely unpopular. I don't think he really cares what his base says. He continues to put forth changes that are vetoed by the Supreme Leader.

That's funny, Gator!

There are some Evangelicals here who won't be convinced of anything other than their narrow and extreme beliefs.
But, some can be educated to gain a more complete picture.
Let's work on those!

Wow. That is a very interesting mindset.

 

[Gatorubet]

That's funny, Gator!

There are some Evangelicals here who won't be convinced of anything other than their narrow and extreme beliefs.
But, some can be educated to gain a more complete picture.
Let's work on those!

Well, I had a back fence neighbor who was/is right of right. Thinks Rush walks on water. He and I agree on nothing politically, and he is a fan of TOSU.....so we did not have an agreement this spring on other things. But his kid and mine are best buds, and we both want the same things, our country and families to be happy and successful. Now, it cannot be true that we are both right, and what he thinks is the best way to achieve the goal is opposite of what I want to do on most things, but as long as he is sincere in his beliefs, and I in mine, then we both can pop a brew and get along. My views are pretty narrow, in the sense that I think I am right about a lot of things - and the other side is not. But I'm sure that they think I'm a cluless but well meaning liberal who just needs to be educated.

And they are right, to that extent. I bring my biases into this too, as you do. My old best h.s. friend is now an evangelical home schooling guy - who I think is a Talibaptist. But he is a great husband and father, and he gets to the same place that I try to by a different path. I get preachy (no shit), so I can recognize it in me and others, and you were a little too preachy....NTTAWWT