1 – Start Here: An Introduction to Make Christ Your Aim
Much has changed since I first did this introduction. My understanding is continually being refined and the way that I present material also develops. The latter, not only came through experience, but the feedback I received from those with no connection to any of the Churches of God (of the Herbert W. Armstrong lineage) was surprising. They seem to see the value in what is being presented, in spite of not having much experience with the Feasts/Holy Days or the sabbath, and are able to see some things through “fresh eyes”. I would recommend reading the updated introduction below.
Much has changed since I first did this introduction. My understanding is continually being refined and the way that I present material also develops. The latter, not only came through experience, but the feedback I received from those with no connection to any of the Churches of God (of the Herbert W. Armstrong lineage) was…
Updated Introduction
Law vs Grace
There are two general camps in Christianity, which have become very polarized: Law & Grace. There are other ways of categorizing various sects and doctrines, but these two views tend to be the most antagonistic to one another. At times, what I say (e.g. on Facebook) tends to garner many positive comments from “the law” crowd, yet the comments clearly show a lack of true understanding. At other times, the reverse is true. In reality, what I, and maybe a few other “heretics” present is NOWHERE ON THAT SPECTRUM.
Another Way
What I present is a different WAY, altogether. The human mind, as it has become conditioned by the world around us, is incapable of grasping the SIMPLICITY of The Way. This is no exaggeration. One merely needs to recognize the pervasive debates within “Christianity” to realize that there must be something “wrong” with the human capacity to grasp “truth”. This is not a condemnation of the human condition, but a mere assessment of it.
An understanding of The Way may take a very long time for some, even many. And once one begins to understand The Way, the question arises, “How did I not see this before?”, and maybe even at the same time, “Well, of course I could not understand”.
The Language Problem
Many take language as something very “concrete”. We assume that the oral and written words mean what they say. That is, all we have to do is look them up in a dictionary. We believe that the problem with language is only that there are different ones, and that they must be “translated”. Of course, that responsibility is reserved for the so-called “experts”. What makes them so deserving of that title?
However, what we call “language” is only one means of COMMUNICATION. One’s expression, tone of voice, and body language, can add so much to what is actually stated in words, or even totally alter the meaning of those words. Even art is a form of communication. A painting may convey some impression to one’s mind and/or emotions. Music could be called “the language of the heart”. It has the capacity to directly instill emotions.
One of the greatest challenges with typical languages, is that they are constantly being altered. That is, the meanings of words are constantly being changed. I have exceeded six decades of living life. Even during this brief time, I’ve witnessed how many words have totally changed in meaning. What do you suppose it has done over the millennia? Even if you have lived long enough to witness this for yourself, even if only in small ways, acquire some older dictionaries and make some comparisons on the meaning of words.
The Bible actually has much to say about language. Of course, The Tower of Babel story tells us something about the origin of the many diverse languages. But few are aware of just how much The Bible has to say about language, its deficiencies, and the need for a new one. Even those who have kept the feasts and holy days of Leviticus 23 their entire lives do not realize that there is even an entire feast and holy day dedicated largely to the topic of language, meaning, and understanding: The Feast of Weeks (the LONGEST of all feasts), culminating in the Pentecost Holy Day.
Does It Resonate?
I am not here to argue and debate, but merely to share my current understanding, based upon actual EXPERIENCE. Some of what I present may not be entirely clear, but may still resonate with you, and only become evident when you share the same experience. I welcome SINCERE questions, but have a low tolerance for mere argumentation for the sake of ego. Hopefully, we can benefit from iron sharpening iron.
