Mockingbird0 said:

Once again you fail to recognize that my proposal would allow individual jurisdictions (especially in North and South America) to adopt the Gregorian paschalion voluntarily. Jerusalem and Mount Athos could still use the Julian Paschalion if they wanted to.

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Right, the problem with that proposal is we currently have it already, and insofar as we have it, it has not brought about ecumenical bliss with the Roman Catholics but has driven many into schism, and created a situation where there are now three different liturgical calendars in use in the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, which has also destroyed its relationship for other reasons with all but one of the largest Orthodox jurisdictions (they are still on somewhat good terms with the Romanians, but have alienated the Russians, Serbians, Georgians and Bulgarians) and also the fastest growing jurisdictions (the OCA, Antioch, ROCOR); GOArch, which represents the largest part of the EP in North America, is shrinking, aside from the monasteries founded by Elder Ephraim, memory eternal, which are growing, and are bitterly resented by the more liberal parish clergy that dominate much of GoArch as a result, but which are probably responsible for many people not joining the Genuine Orthodox Church or another Old Calendarist jurisdiction (that the leading Old Calendarist churches are Greek or Romanian demonstrates the nature of the problem aptly - Orthodox laity resent liturgical modernism; that there are no Georgian or Serbian Old Calendarists (why would there be?) and the Russian Old Calendarists are small in number and driven mainly by the lingering effects of the Cold War and suspicions of the motives of the MP, is important to consider.

*see the Church of Finland, the Church of Estonia, etc); and it has been a disaster; indeed the mere fact of the Church of Finland being allowed to use the Gregorian Paschalion has caused many EO to join the the Old Calendarist schismatics.

Among the Oriental Orthodox, most Armenians as well as the Indian Orthodox use the Gregorian Calendar, whereas the Syriac Orthodox use the Revised Julian Calendar, except in India, but the Copts and Ethiopians are fiercely committed to the Coptic Calendar and the Ethiopian variant from it; the Coptic Calendar predates the Julian Calendar (which was based upon it) and has useful features; the last day of every month falls on the same day as the feasts of the Nativity and Annunciation and also the estimated date of Pascha in 33 AD, and so the last day of each Coptic month is a special feast of the Incarnation of God in the person of Christ, something the Copts with their strident anti-Nestorianism (they refuse to allow the Assyrian Church of the East or the Ancient Church of the East to be admitted to the Middle Eastern Council of Churches as long as they continue to venerate Nestorius as a “confessor”* even though the Assyrians have not been literally Nestorian in Christology since Mar Babai the Great, a decision which I respect, even if I would personally be inclined to be more accomodating).

The problem with your proposal - your ecumenical instincts are appreciated, but what you’re proposing we already have, it hasn’t worked, it has contributed to problems, also the only reason really it exists is because the Finnish Orthodox are under heavy influence with the Finnish government, which most people are unaware was an authoritarian one party state during the Cold War (see: Finlandization) and which desired the Orthodox minority and the Lutheran majority celebrate Easter on the same day for reasons of administrative efficiency), and if expanded, it would cause more schisms.

Indeed in suggesting an expansion of it, you’re basically proposing increasing internal disunity within the Orthodox, around important issues such as when we celebrate the Pascha, in order to facilitate increased unity with the Roman Catholics, when really, we should be increasing our distance from the Roman Catholics due to the recent move by the liberal German bishops and the failure of the Papacy to adequately reject, to embrace modes of sexuality that the Catechism of the Catholic Church refers to as “intrinsically disordered.” Until the RCC fixes its liturgy and unequivocally condemns homosexuality and reiterates its pro-life stance from the Vatican, undoing the damage caused in the previous decade after the surprising, unexpected and unusual resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, we Orthodox should have very little to do with the Roman Catholic Church, officially.

Also, if a common Pascha is really desired, the Roman Catholics certainly could switch to the Julian Paschalion without causing a schism, whereas we can’t switch calendars, without causing a schism, so consider that.

Say it aint so said:

Then why provide an apologetic of some unknown white house official arguing his wrongful conviction?

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Um.. because that is what they believe -

Say it aint so said:

Trump pardoned yet another con man, seeing he can relate to con men.

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He did NOT pardon him - he commuted his sentence - reduced it to time served - the man is still a convicted felon - his record has not been expunged (like what happens with a pardon). Distain the President all you want - but let's be intellectually honest - please.

Also it is shown they have NO connection to each other. So please - let's stay in reality.

If I may comment on your use of the word unemployment and offer potentially a new perspective on your job search. I say this to build you up and give you more confidence.

To be considered unemployed in the UK. "(Using the standard ILO definition),
you must be without a job, have actively sought work in the past four weeks, and be available to start work within the next two weeks, or have a job starting soon. Those not working but not meeting these criteria (e.g., not looking for work, sick, or students) are classified as "economically inactive" rather.
While it is possible, it seems unlikely that you were unemployed for years. If there were significant times that you were not looking for work, that is simply a gap in employment, which sometimes needs an explanation on a job application. I asked google ai if long term unemployment was a bias by potential employers. It answered "
Yes, numerous studies and anecdotal evidence suggest that the long-term unemployed (LTU) often face significant bias and are less likely to be hired by employers. This phenomenon is often referred to as "stigma" or "discrimination" against the LTU"

My point in all of this is that if you choose not to work because you were a homemaker or for any other good reason like caring for a family member etc., then you can reduce the stigma of your employment gap. Your attitude and how you present this to potential employers is a key. In other words, choosing not to work is better than no one would hire me. Gaps explained by I was fortunate to be able to use this time to care for a family member or manage a household give a far better vibe than I was "unemployed."

So hopefully you were not "unemployed for years," that you simply opted out of wage earning employment. That you can remove the stigma and bias of long-term unemployment and replace it with showing an enthusiasm or upbeat attitude to potential employers. For instance, rather than say you were forced for economic reason back into the labor market, you could say you accomplished everything you needed during your employment gap and am excited to re-enter the labor market.

If I may also offer the spiritual dimensions to your job search. You are a child of God, a sister to the King of Kings. You have the host of heaven to assist you and as such you are a true blessing to an employer that God will provide. Yes, God loves you and wants to partner with you in your job search. So you can be optimistic, confident and even believing there is a good job that awaits you, even if you have been looking for work for years.

I would also suggest you look at your skills in a new way. In God, you can be reliable, trustworthy, have an eagerness to learn, and bring the fruit of the spirit to your workplace. Now you might not be able to tell a potential employer all of this but you can know for sure on the inside, that yes you are a great candidate for a suitable job.

With that said, we pray and agree that God has a good job for you. That you can find suitable employment and resources that are according to God's will. That you can better see your situation from God's perspective and love. That you are a treasure created from God, that awaits God's hand to bring you the right employer. God bless you and give you peace.

Yes it can be reconciled. I believe the internal date of Didascalia, and that it is inspired.
It is so funny you are blinded to your own biases.

Romans 1:22-32​

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King James Version​

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22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

Also what books of the protestant canon do you believe are pseudepigrapha? I believe the internal date of all. This is just to let readers know you likely do not even believe internal dates in the protestant canon. Lets see if you are honest enough to answer. More specifically do you believe the torah is pseudepigrapha? Therefore when Jesus quotes it, and says Moses says, you think Jesus is wrong correct? Also I notice you dodged the question about gospel of Nic.​

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It won't let me copy paste from chatGPT for some reason. Just tell it to reconcile the internal timeline of Diascalia with the NT, and assume the Diascalia is historical, and not pseudepigrapha, and it will. Tell it to reconcile the Peter rooster event too.

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Strong in Him said:

That doesn't alter the fact that when Jesus spoke of his return in Matthew 24 he used the analogy of a thief in the night.

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Please write out where Jesus mentions His Return in Matthew 24:36-44
We know His 'coming' in fiery wrath, He will not be seen. Hab 3:4, Psalms 18:11 and He remains in His Holy Temple in heaven, Psalms 11:4-6

It is obvious that the event that comes unexpectedly, is not the Glorious Return. Those Christians taken to the place of safety on earth, Rev 12:14, only need to mark off 1260 days to know when Jesus will Return.

Servus said:

That's going too far and overdoing it.

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Glad you've found your line.

Changing Biden's photo to an autopen didn't quite do it.

Strong in Him said:

Yes.
But if you told the average non Christian that Jesus wasn't returning for 15-20 years, they would think they could put off making a decision. Especially if they were young and had no thought of dying; that's what I'm saying.

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Not very smart. Death can come to anyone at any time.

Strong in Him said:

How could someone make a covenant with another person/party if that person/party was nowhere near ready to make a covenant?
Sounds to me like you think it's conditional; that we have to do something to earn it.

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The condition is; that we gather and live in the Holy Land. THEN Jesus will appear to His faithful Christian peoples and make the new Covenant.
2 Thess 1:10, Revelation 14:1
That the NC is not yet made, is proved by Hebrews 8:10-12 being unfulfilled. The Blessings to follow it, which you fail to address.
Also stated in Jeremiah 31:31-34, in the context of the Lords faithful people being gathered into the Holy Land. Jeremiah 31:8

Strong in Him said:

He said "this is my blood OF the new covenant," not "in anticipation of the new covenant".

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A Covenant was not made with the 12 Disciples. We have Communion in our Church services as a remembrance of Jesus Sacrifice.
The Disciples are all gone; the NC must be made between Jesus and living people. Ezekiel 34:25 says it, in the context of His people in the Holy Land, a Covenant for their peace and prosperity.

Strong in Him said:

Millions who were/have been affected by 2 world wars, Tsunamis, the pandemic etc, would disagree.

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Those things are just the birth pangs of the new age to come. That they are getting closer together, is a sign of the immanence of the end.
They are not worldwide, as the Flood was [maybe just the area of human habitation at that time] but the Day of the Lords wrath will cover all the earth. Zephaniah 3:8, Revelation 6:12-17

Strong in Him said:

THE event will be the return of Jesus.

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How can anyone say that? It means you dismiss all the Prophecy from now until the Return and force into a one day event.
Simply crazy and a total abrogation of most of the Bible.

Strong in Him said:

"that's ok, no one believed the prophets either."

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Another truth, proved correct by Daniel 12:10b and Matthew 11:25-26

Brightfame52 said:

Water Baptism has nothing to do with Jesus giving repentance.

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peace in Jesus name

fhansen said:

Well, I'm not sure what good specificity would do first of all if one is opposed to the idea of social justice at the outset. But, ok, though some of these we're already offered: we specifically oppose slavery first of all as an evil that must be stopped, without regard to any reparations or who may've caused it, etc. Likewise for human trafficking, starvation, genocide, domestic and child abuse, discrimination based on race or gender, and maintain that it's the duty of mankind to fight these issues using whaterever availalble resources might apply to the particular need: churches, religious orders, relief agenceis, sometimes police, military, etc.

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I don't know of any Christian church or organization that is afraid to talk about these things. I want to share my sincere concerns with "social justice" as a modern concept. I would hope that you read this carefully and respond to the concerns. Please do not write it off as a fear of talking about social justice.

My thoughts on social justice
I want to offer a concern—not about justice itself, which Scripture clearly affirms—but about the way “social justice” is often used as a broad, undefined category in Christian discussion.

One of the pitfalls of this language is that it can blur biblical categories. In Scripture, justice is grounded in the character of God and tied closely to righteousness, mercy, repentance, and covenant faithfulness. In modern usage, however, social justice can mean many different things, often shaped more by contemporary political or ideological frameworks than by Scripture. When Christians adopt the term uncritically, biblical concepts like sin, grace, reconciliation, and redemption can quietly be replaced by categories such as power, oppression, and identity.

Another danger is moral reductionism. The Bible recognizes unjust systems, but it never treats injustice as merely structural. Jesus consistently locates the root of evil in the human heart (Mark 7:20–23). When injustice is framed only in systemic terms, personal repentance and the need for grace are minimized, and the gospel can be reduced to activism rather than transformation.

There is also a risk of substituting discipleship with causes. Doing good works is essential to Christian faith, but it is possible to confuse moral action with reconciliation to God. Jesus rebuked those who emphasized certain forms of justice while neglecting faithfulness to God Himself (Matt. 23:23). Justice matters—but it must flow from devotion to Christ, not replace it.

This raises an important question: Is social justice the main thrust of Christ’s mission?
The answer, I believe, is no—though justice is certainly not irrelevant.

Jesus is clear about why He came: to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10), to reconcile sinners to God (1 Pet. 3:18), and to inaugurate the kingdom of God through repentance and faith. While His teaching has profound ethical and social implications, He consistently refuses to reduce His mission to political or social reform. His kingdom is “not of this world” (John 18:36), and lasting justice flows outward from transformed hearts, not imposed structures.

The early church followed this pattern. They proclaimed Christ crucified, practiced generosity and mercy, cared for the poor, and lived as a holy people within a broken society—without attempting to engineer a worldly utopia through power.

A healthier Christian framing may be this: justice is not the gospel, but the fruit of it. We are called to love God and neighbor, to do justice and love mercy, and to walk humbly with God (Micah 6:8). When justice is biblically defined, rooted in the gospel, practiced personally, and held together with mercy and truth, it reflects Christ rather than replacing Him.

Keeping Christ at the center guards both our theology and our witness.

essentialsaltes said:

Trump signs executive order easing marijuana restrictions by reclassifying drug​

The order will move the drug from Schedule I to Schedule III.

Trump signs executive order easing marijuana restrictions by reclassifying drug

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday reclassifying marijuana as a less dangerous drug.

abcnews.go.com

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Credit where credit is due. Good job Trump. I agree with this decision.

Where Did Christmas Come From?

World Scope Encyclopedia (1960 vol.3) states, "Christmas, the festival observed by the Christian Church on the 25th day of December in commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ. No certain knowledge of the birthday of Jesus Christ exists and its observance was not established until some time after the organization of the first churches. The 25th day of December was advocated by Julius 1, Bishop of Rome from 337 to 352, as the most suitable time to commemorate the birth of Christ. The day was finally placed on December 25th, which made it possible for all nations to observe a festival of rejoicing that the shortest day of the year has passed. The end of December was an especially significant time in the northern hemisphere. Days were short; nights long. The sun was at its lowest point. This called for the celebration of special festivals of thanksgiving and encouragement to the waning sun. When at the winter solstice in late December, the days began to lengthen once again, there was great festivity lasting into the first part of January. The reason was that the declining sun---the light of the world--had been reborn and began to gain in strength. Moreover, the newly converted peoples found it convenient to get a kind of substitute for their original celebrations of the solstice ". The birth of Jesus the Christ was assigned the date of December 25th, because on this day, as the sun began its return to the northern skies, the pagan devotees of Mithra (the Persian's Sun God) celebrated the dies natalis Solis Invicti (birthday of the invincible sun).

The history book a Pictorial History of the Italian People states, "Saint Gregory was repelled by Graeco-Roman civilization and, paradoxically, did more than anyone else to facilitate the absorption of pagan residues into Italian Christianity. Through that process of absorption, any paganism hostile to Christianity remaining in Italian rural communities faded away".

The simple fact is that, as more and more people from throughout the Western Roman Empire became converted to an increasingly popular Christianity, they brought many of their favorite customs with them. "The pagan [winter festivals of the] Saturnalia and Brumalia were too deeply entrenched in popular custom to be set aside by Christian influence... The pagan festival with its riot and merrymaking was so popular that Christians were glad of an excuse to continue its celebration with little change in spirit or in manner... Christians of Mesopotamia accused their western brethren of idolatry and sun-worship for adopting as Christian this pagan festival. Yet the festival rapidly gained acceptance and became at last so firmly entrenched that even the Protestant revolution of the sixteenth century was not able to dislodge it..." (The New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge, Volume III, article "Christmas.") You see this going on in churches today. Churches are constantly recruiting new members from other denominations and they often bring some aspect of their previous church to the new one. If you notice, many Christians today celebrate the Roman Catholic tradition of Lent. Historically, Lent, was not celebrated by Protestant churches.

peter2 said:

Yet, she also was surprised at 12 years old Jesus' reply, when they find him in the Temple

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Surprised how? Surely you're not saying that being clairvoyant is a preternatural gift.

Kathleen30 said:

It’s not a light thing to make such false accusations.. that’s all I say

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Yet you continue to double down on your false accusation that I claimed the Orthodox Church never accepted geocentrism. Perhaps you should remove the beam from your own eye.

Lukaris said:

In the overall chapter of John 10:1-42, the Lord speaks of being the good shepherd in John 10:14. This was during Chanukah ( the dedication) of when the Temple was cleansed by the Maccabeans ( John 10:22-23). It seems possible that at least a few shepherds may have tended their sheep at this time. I believe Chanukah ( as is Passover or “Easter”) is on a lunar calendar which is why it shifts on our solar calendar. The date is fixed on the lunar calendar at 25th of the month “Chislev”. This day is recorded in 2nd Maccabees 10:5 ( the month of Chislev was known as “Casleu” in the KJV): See 2 Maccabees 10:1-10.

2 Maccabees chapter 10 KJV (King James Version)

2 Maccabees chapter 10 KJV (King James Version)

www.kingjamesbibleonline.org

Why is a pagan association made with the tradition of the date of the Lord’s Nativity when He fulfilled the exact opposite? The opposite being the Temple being rededicated from a pagan abomination.

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Nice try, but the feast of dedication is totally different from Christmas Pagan festival. I'm going to post a history of where Christmas came from.

Kind of

ARBITER01 said:

Lol, chatgpt is arguing with chatgpt.

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I had a laugh at that, too. But it's really a matter of misusing the tool. If he got answers that support his view, then he's asking it leading questions. I warned him that the AIs are programmed to cater and encourage. It doesn't matter what you're researching or trying to write about. It will help you accomplish your goal to the best of its ability.

If, however, you want accurate responses, you have to provide clean evidence and neutrality. It will tell you straight if you're not encouraging it to pat you on the back.

rjs330 said:

I am a Bible scholar with a degree in Biblical literature. So, you won't dissuade me from the divine truth contained within its pages. The Bible is the most supported ancient manuscript in the world. And whatever liberal philosophy you may have and use to try and cast doubt on its veracity and authority are useless spitting into tye wind.

I am well aware of all the issues that people love to discuss. And quite often the motive for many is to cast doubt upon its divine truth. Yes understanding some of the culture of the time can be important. And if you really study scripture you can see where even the writers acknowledge cultural issues as such. That does not negate the divine universal truth and teachings within.

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And I'm a rocket scientist. First, since most of the volume of scripture passed off as "support" is late as the church had scribes sit there and make copies of copies of scripture day in and day out for years, doesn't mean much. Second. The scripture you provide proves my point. It's a contextual apologetic from day one because the things promised to come to fruition never occurred. Still hasn't. So given the context of being mocked, a day becomes a thousand years to justify events to never come. It's no different than today with the invention of “double prophecy” because the prophecy as read and understood in context never happened either.

zelosravioli said:

But either way - even those who looked upon the corpses of Daniel 11 did not see corpses that were conscious or withering in torture - the corpses were DEAD

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I mean, if they weren't literally dead, then I just don't see why they would have been referred to as corpses in the first place.

Servus said:

There were such high hopes that Jack Smith would bring about Trump's downfall. What a disappointment.

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With any luck, Trump can stand trial after his term is over.

Kathleen30 said:

Where did you ever mention Aristarchus in your post 48 or anywhere else in this post on that matter. You didn't’.

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I included a link to Wikipedia in the text of my post regarding how long heliocentrism has been a consideration.

Always in His Presence said:

Pssst… he is still guilty
He is still a felon

It was not a pardon.

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Then why provide an apologetic of some unknown white house official arguing his wrongful conviction?
Trump pardoned yet another con man, seeing he can relate to con men.
And now that Trump has he has yet again gave difference the victimizing over the victims.

Trump signs executive order easing marijuana restrictions by reclassifying drug​

The order will move the drug from Schedule I to Schedule III.