MOVING TO A NEW SITE

I have recently decided to move my blog to a new host.  The new blog is called "A Light to the Nations".  

The New address is:  https://alighttothenations.wordpress.com/

This blog will continue to work for the time being.  I am in the process of moving all of the content to the new page. Making revisions and editing all of the content takes time.  

There is a contact link on the new page if you have any ideas you would like me to explore or just to say hi.

Thank you so much for making this blog a success and I look forward to writing for all of you in the future.  

Where Does it Say We Need a Mediator

A mediator is someone who stands between two parties which are at some variance.  In this sense, a mediator cannot be on either side.  A true mediator should not receive benefit from either side.  If they do receive benefit, it must be from both sides in equal proportion.  That is the only way a mediator can remain impartial.  A mediator can make suggestions to both sides in an effort find a solution.  Both sides can then agree or not.  They might make a counter offer of some kind.  The mediator is only there to make suggestions to both parties and in some disputes, get the ball rolling towards an agreement.  This is the job of the mediator.  

So the church teaches, and it is written in their bible, that Jesus was a mediator between man and G-d. Let's take a look at what their bible says.  1 Timothy 2:5 "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 6 "Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. 7 Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity."  The way this is written gives the impression that there are three distinctly different beings; G-d, the mediator, and man.  This fits with the definition above.  On a side note, I find it odd that Paul goes out of his way to tell us he isn't lying.  It has been my experience that when someone goes out of their way to say they aren't lying, that is exactly what they are doing.  In 1 John 2:1-2 we are told, "...And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world."  This concept is among the most basic tenets of the church.

The idea of a mediator contradicts both the Hebrew Scriptures as well as other church doctrines. The church teaches that Jesus is G-d, that he and the father are one.  If this is so, how can he be a mediator between G-d and man?  By definition, a mediator is someone who stands between two parties which are at some variance.  The church may tell you that he is fulfilling his role as a part of the trinity,  The problem with this argument is that the trinity is not even mentioned anywhere in their bible.  The idea of the trinity was not believed by many of the early church and did not take its current form until the fourth century.

As far as the Hebrew Scriptures are concerned, the idea of needing a mediator between G-d and man is completely foreign.  In 2 Chronicles 7:14 we are told, "14 And My people, upon whom My name is called, humble themselves and pray and seek My presence and repent of their evil ways, I shall hear from heaven and forgive their sin and heal their land."  There is no mention of a mediator here.  If this were the only passage in the Hebrew Scriptures to contradict the idea of needing a mediator, that should be sufficient proof.  If something contradicts one passage of scripture, then it does not line up with any of it.  But there are many places in the Hebrew Scriptures that contradict the mediator theology of the church.  Psalms 5:2-4, "2 Give ear to my words, O Lord; consider my meditation.3 Hearken to the voice of my cry, my King and my God, for I will pray to You.4 O Lord, in the morning You shall hearken to my voice; in the morning I shall arrange [my prayer] to You, and I shall look forward."  Psalms 16:2-4, " 2 You should say to the Lord, "You are my Master; my good is not incumbent upon You.  3 For the holy ones who are in the earth, and the mighty ones in whom is all my delight.  4 May the sorrows of those who hasten after another [deity] increase; I will not pour their libations of blood, nor will I take their names upon my lips."  

All through the book of Psalms, we see the Psalmist talking directly to G-d.  There is no reason for anyone to think they need a mediator to go to G-d on their behalf.  In fact, we are commanded to pray in Exodus 20:25.  Your soul yearns for you to connect with its creator.  This is impossible to do through someone else.  It is impossible to do in someone else's name.  You can call out to Him.  You can cry to Him.  You can meditate on Him.  You can pour your heart out to Him.  You can know Him. But you must pray directly to Him.      

Copyright 2016 by:

William Bouker

Can Someone Die For Your Sins

Where does it say that someone can die for the forgiveness of sin?

The church teaches that Jesus died so that we could be forgiven for our sins.  They use this as a tool to get people to join them.  It works like this.  People learn right from wrong at a young age.  So, everyone knows they've done wrong at some time in their life.  They tell the prospective convert that they will be cast into hell if they are not forgiven for their sins.  No one wants that.  At this point, the person begins to wonder about the things he or she has done.  The only logical question they can ask is, "what can I do?"  They tell the person that all they have to do is believe that Jesus died so their sins can be forgiven.  Someone who does not know the Bible will probably be relieved.  After all, the church is standing in a position of trust.  

The church has maneuvered itself into this position quite effectively.  Everyone in the church trusts their leaders.  The leaders trusted those who came before them.  After all, the church does a lot of good in the community.  The run soup kitchens, food pantries, other things for the poor.  They have built themselves into their position of trust, so whatever they say must be true.  Why would they lie?

The sad thing is that they don't know they are lying or even perpetuating a lie. As I said, the leaders trusted those who came before them.  They believe the things they are teaching.  The problem is that it doesn't line up with what the Bible says. 

What The Bible Says

So what does the Bible say about this?  In Exodus 32: 30-35, Moses attempts to give his own life for the sins of the people.  HaShem tells Moses that the one who sinned is the one who will die.  It might be nice if we could do this.  Many parents would gladly give up their lives for their children to live. But it doesn't work that way.  We are all accountable for what we do.  Deuteronomy 24:16 teaches expressly against this, "Fathers shall not be put to death because of sons, nor shall sons be put to death because of fathers; each man shall be put to death for his own transgression."   

There is no way this concept makes any sense.  If I sin, it's my fault.  I pay the price.  The church teaches that Jesus laid down his life for his friends.  As admirable as this might be, it doesn't work that way.  People do actually lay down their lives for others all the time.  Soldiers have done this as well as police and firefighters.  Some people donate organs and die later because the organ that remained failed.  People have pulled others from being hit by a car or a train only to fall in front of it themselves.  Yes, they gave their life but this cannot excuse what the one who survived had done.  

Ezekiel 18 goes into more detail on this subject.  In the beginning of the chapter, HaShem declares that all souls are His.  v4 says, "Behold, all souls are Mine. Like the soul of the father, like the soul of the son they are Mine; the soul that sins, it shall die."   This is telling us that He alone has authority over the souls of men.  Later in the chapter, it lists several sins and what happens to the one who commits them.  In v20 it says, "the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself."  There is not greater accountability than this. 

There is Hope 

But there is hope.  He does give us a way to be forgiven.  It does not involve a blood sacrifice.  It does not involve someone else dying for us.  All that is required is repentance and a commitment to follow the laws and execute justice and righteousness..  v21 tells us, "And if the wicked man repent of all his sins that he has committed and keeps all My laws and executes justice and righteousness, he shall surely live, he shall not die"  In v22 He tells us that those sins will be forgotten.  So repentance not only brings forgiveness it gives us a new beginning.  Now, this new beginning comes with a warning.  As it says in v.24 He warns us that, "And when the righteous repents of his righteousness and does wrong and does like all the abominations that the wicked man did, shall he live? All his righteous deeds that he has done shall not be remembered; in his treachery that he has perpetrated and in his sin that he has sinned, in them shall he die."  

At the end of chapter 18, He tells us to "repent and cause others to repent and it will not be a stumbling block of iniquity for you."  He is giving us a task to do in causing others to repent.  It is not enough for us to repent but we should also help others.  In v32 He tells us "For I do not desire the death of him who dies, says the Lord God: so turn away and live!"   It is His desire that all shall live.

To answer our question, where does it say that someone can die for the forgiveness of sin?  It definitely does not say this anywhere in the Holy Scriptures.  In fact, this notion  is the exact opposite of what it says.  

  

Copyright 2016 by:

William Bouker

Bible Knowledge: 10 Questions Your Pastor Should Be Able to Answer

There is a difference between asking questions and questioning something.  Most people don't mind if you ask them a question.  Many are happy to answer.  But If you question something they say, however, they are usually not happy at all.  They get mad at you.  Churches are famous for this.  Most preachers and teachers are very nice people who will happily answer your questions.  But there are questions to which they have no answer since the teachings of the church are actually contrary to the original scriptures.  When they have no answer, they become uncomfortable.  Many will launch a counter attack.  They will question your beliefs.  Some may even tell you not to ask such questions. My question for you, at that point, is don't you deserve to know?  If they can't answer your questions, you have no choice but to look them up for yourself.  Here are a few questions about the Bible which every church leader should be able to answer. Test their knowledge.  I will give you the answers I found.  But, in order that you understand them, you must read them for yourself.  Here is a link for your convenience.  The Complete Jewish Bible.     

1.  Where does it say that someone can die for the forgiveness of sin?          

2.  Where does it say we need a mediator in order to talk to the Creator?

3.  Where does it say there is a trinity?

4.  Where does it say that G-d's law will change?

5.  When are we told the Messiah will come?

6.  Where does it say that the devil is the adversary of the Creator?

7.  Where does it say the Messiah will be G-d incarnate?

8.  Can we choose how to worship the Creator?

9.  Is human sacrifice permissible?

10.  What is idolatry?

1.  Nowhere.  This concept is contrary to scripture.  There is not one example of one dying for themselves or anyone else in order to be forgiven.  This is interesting to me because if someone could be forgiven by death, wouldn't anyone who died be forgiven?  What about those who died because of their sin?  Also, if one could die in order for someone else to be forgiven, why couldn't they die for their own forgiveness?  None of this makes any sense.  This is why we are told that the wicked person will die [ or be punished] for their own sins.  If the wicked person repents, then his sins will be remembered no more.  It is as though it never happened.  (Ezekiel 18: 20- 24)  

2.  It does not.  The idea of needing a mediator to talk to G-d on our behalf is foreign to Judaism.  It is not in the scriptures anywhere.  That being said, there are many places where people did pray for others.  We are expected to pray for each other.  But we don't need anyone to pray in our place.  We are actually commanded to pray.

3.  The trinity comes from pagan religions.  Many of the pagan religions employ the concept of the trinity.  Not being like other religions is what has set Judaism apart from them since the beginning.

4.  Some people believe that the law was fulfilled and thus does not need to be followed. However, the Torah teaches us that His law will never change.  Deuteronomy 13 teaches us that we are not to change the laws either by adding to them or taking away from them.

5.  It is written that the Messiah will come sometime after the fourth kingdom in  Daniel 2 is divided in two.  Rome, the fourth kingdom, was divided in the year 285 of the common era.  While it is true that the Messiah has not yet come.  It is impossible that he came prior to 285 CE.

6.  The church has used the devil as a means to scare people into following them.  There is the one known as the satan but he is in no way an adversary.  He is called the accuser   The word satan is Hebrew for 'prosecutor'.  Here is a great article which describes his roles in depth.  Link    

7.  This is another myth of the church.  The word messiah means anointed.  Prophecy teaches us that the messiah will be a man.  He will be anointed by the prophet Elijah as king of Israel.  The idea of the Creator becoming a man has its roots in pagan religions.  The church didn't incorporate this idea into its doctrine until the year 325 at the council of Nicea.  This idea is also not in the Hebrew scriptures.

8.  The story of the golden calf in the Book of Exodus teaches us that our Creator only wants to be worshiped in a specific way.  The Torah teaches us how we are to worship Him.  Worshiping Him in a different way always proved catastrophic for the Children of Israel.  In my article The Second Golden Calf, I describe this in more detail.

9.  The rules for sacrifices are outlined in the Torah.  While there are several different types, none of them include human.  In addition, the sacrificial animals were required to be unblemished in any way. The church's idea of the sacrifice on the cross does not adhere to any of the requirements in the Torah.  Human sacrifice is also contrary to scripture and is thus forbidden.  We have already determined that we can't alter the Law in any way.

10.  This question is a bit different than the others but it is possibly the most important.  The Torah teaches us that we are to worship only the Creator.  When we worship anything else we are insulting the Creator.  The church will tell you that anything can become an idol.  This is true.  They give examples like cell phones, televisions, entertainers, your car, etc.  When you look back through these questions you will find several clues as to what idolatry really is.  An idol is any person or thing that is worshiped.  We are commanded not to make any image of anything that has been created and not to bow down to it.  Their definition is lacking.  It's okay to like your cell phone, a lot even.  That isn't worshiping it.  We know that Jesus was a man and that man was created.  Worshiping him is idolatry. There is no other way to explain that away.  We know that G-d is not a man.  If you are worshiping him, you are guilty of the sin of idolatry.  Fortunately for you, you read this far.  Back in number 1, I showed you that you can repent of this sin of idolatry and it will be forgotten.  You must repent, which means to turn away, from worshiping your idol.   You also must not return to it.  I urge you to take a serious look back through these questions and answers and repent of your sins.   Talk to the Creator, not in the name of anyone else.  Talk to Him like you'd talk to your best friend.  He wants to be your best friend.        

Copyright 2016 by:

William Bouker