Category Archives: Bible

Bible contradictions #05: Jesus’ genealogies

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The New Testament provides two genealogies of Jesus, one in Matthew and one in Luke.  Matthew’s genealogy begins with Abraham and moves forward in time:  “A was the father of B, B the father of C,” and so on.  Luke’s genealogy begins with Jesus and moves backwards in time all the way to Adam:  “C the son of B, the son of A.”

Let’s compare only the portions from Abraham forward.

Continue reading Bible contradictions #05: Jesus’ genealogies →

The Real Reason Why You Haven’t Healed Your Trauma/Depression/Heartbreak

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At first I expected this author to affirm the “blame-your-past” orientation of “the prevailing psychological wisdom of our time.”  Instead, she sets forth an intriguing vision remarkably similar to my own, with, for me, remarkably intriguing ramifications that I want to consider further.

Her counsel is to accept What Is.

Continue reading The Real Reason Why You Haven’t Healed Your Trauma/Depression/Heartbreak →

Bible contradictions #04: The problem of Luke 1:5 and Luke 2:2

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Luke 1:5:

5In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly order of Abijah. His wife was a descendant of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.

This, and the story following it, imply that Jesus was born during the reign of Herod the Great.  He died in 4 B.C.E.

Continue reading Bible contradictions #04: The problem of Luke 1:5 and Luke 2:2 →

4. Serotonin and the individual

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THE WAY OF PEACE

← 3. Application Home  5. Serotonin and society→

Living as Jesus taught actually changes your physical body, in desirable ways.

I will focus just now on body chemistry, and specifically one chemical, serotonin.  Dozens of chemicals are probably involved, and I don’t mean to exaggerate the importance of just one.  However, it happens that, on the one hand, serotonin plays a major role in the challenges I have personally faced in my life; and on the other hand, it has profound ramifications for how well anyone does in life. Continue reading 4. Serotonin and the individual →

12. An examination of the Sermon on the Mount

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THE WAY OF PEACE

← 11. Tactics Home 13. Two (or more) views of the Kingdom →

In the beginning, I claimed that all Jesus’ teachings have the goal of enabling a person to attain and maintain a state I said he called “the Kingdom,” which I call peace of mind; and that the principal means thereto is the practice of presence, keeping one’s attention on the here and now and on what one, oneself, can do.

The time has come to test that thesis. Continue reading 12. An examination of the Sermon on the Mount →

13. Two (or more) views of “the Kingdom”

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THE WAY OF PEACE

← 12. [About] the Sermon on the Mount Home  14. Jesus is not coming soon — or ever →

The term “kingdom of heaven” or “kingdom of God” meant different things to different people in New Testament times.  What it meant to Jesus appears to me to be different from what it meant to the early church, the Gospel writers, and even the Twelve.

On the one hand, I will set forth below what it meant to everyone but Jesus.  On the other hand, if the reader is content to accept what I just said without proof, the reader may be happiest to skip the rest of this chapter, and the next, and instead go straight to “Jesus’ words about ‘the Kingdom‘”.  Some of this stuff gets really technical. Continue reading 13. Two (or more) views of “the Kingdom” →