I felt great joy reading this. It is all so true. There is no extant copy of an original Bible, but a great deal of the missing content in it can be found in the "Nag Hammadi Library", a collection of ancient Christian and Gnostic texts, and in the "Dead Sea Scrolls." Scientists and scholars think they may find more. I am a seeker of truth on all levels. "Jesus" is not his real name. It is a Mexican name pronounced "hay soos" (I'm sure his renaming was intentional). His real name was Yeshua and his nickname was "Isa". I have been looking for the truth about this prophet for decades and when I ask for the truth about something, (e.g., "where was 'Jesus' all those missing years?") the Higher Intelligence (a.k.a. God) shows me where to look. It's true; ask and you shall receive. The door shall be opened. It makes me sad to see "the blind leading the blind" in churches. I want no part of organized religion. What they teach only puts up barriers to Truth. If it's Truth we seek, simply ask, and the door will open to show us the way.
Thank you for seeking with such an open heart. The stories are bigger than any institution, and the truth has always been available to those who truly seek. 🙏
When someone shares their spiritual seeking (like Dianne), and the immediate response is 'You're wrong, only KJV, check my Substack'... that's exactly the dynamic I'm addressing.
Bravo EKO! And there goes God doing that thing again, through EKO! We all make our own scripture, IF we let it. Just as Jesus says “The Kingdom is within”.
The pushback you've received about the Council of Nicaea, friend EKO, may be technically correct, but fails, in my view, to address the spirit. Sure the Council may not have voted for and codified the canon. But then one attendee, Athanasius, influenced by that Council, then wrote a letter listing the Canon he supported, which was the first listing which contained the whole of the modern canon. And then did not Hippo and Carthage and Trent nail the canon down?
In the end, the real question is, was the present bible "Edited. Voted on. Assembled", as you asked just before the paragraph on Nicaea? And can we talk about this?
To my mind, the extent to which Christian scriptures has been edited, voted on, and assembled by members of Cabal Culture is extremely important, and the inability to ask such questions and to "talk about it" is one of the major things which has kept me from giving myself to any particular Christian church or creed.
I understand why many object to this, of course. In chaotic times such as these, it's natural to long for certainty, simple black and whites, and clear rules and forms. But, as you rightly ask, I think, does not the search for truth still stand as a higher value?
I have attended a non-denominational church for decades. I was raised Methodist, converted to Catholicism and then got filled with the Holy Spirit and have been non-denominational since then. 50 years ago. I study the Bible and search for the truth which the Holy Spirit continually reveals.
I have always been fascinated by Jesus speaking about the rocks crying out. I imagine everywhere He went - silencing the rocks that wanted to speak of Him and the trees whispering His name. The entire Creation in awe of Him while men withstood Him to His face and blasphemed. The unseen host hovering waiting for any word from Him to destroy them. And yet…He loved.
I am not a Christian, Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim or Jew. I know that there is a divine energy flowing in all life. I am a strong ‘Believer in Higher Power’. I've been near-dead twice
Thank you friend, You always see the whole picture. You make me think, think about what if's, why's, and maybe's. You are an awesome poet, artist, etc. Most of all a fellow believer in our Savior Jesus Christ, Hosanna in the Highest! God bless you and your work. Rosie @93
Some will accept, some will reject: "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."
The word scripture that Paul wrote is graphe in Greek which means a document that is holy Writ (it's content or a statement in it). What document do you think Paul was referring to? The Jewish scrolls? The letters written after Jesus died? The letters he himself had written? All of the above? I believe the Apostle John was trying to explain there is so much more for us as believers. Things we have a hard time comprehending. But we should continue to knock, seek and find as the doors are opened to us.
John 21:25 And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.
When looking for patterns it is important to make sure you are examining the truth. Which books were to be included in the New Testament not only wasn’t decided at the Council of Nicaea in AD 325, it wasn’t even the subject of debate at that Council. Discovering which books and letters were scripture was a far more organic process than a vote. Later some local Synods held votes. One such Synod voted on two occasions, changing its position.
I appreciate your talent for writing and I love watching a young man go down many of the same rabbit holes that I went down. But be aware that many of the holes that appear to be rabbit holes have been intentionally dug by deceitful men, trying to undermine your confidence in scripture. For a good introduction to the subject I suggest “The Texts Of The New Testament: Its Transmission, Corruption And Restoration by Bruce Metzger and Bart Erhman. Until his death Bruce Metzger was the leading Christian scholar in this area and Bart Erhman is an Atheist, who is one of the most prominent critics of Christianity. When they agree on how the New Testament was formed and transmitted to us, you can can be pretty certain the Internet rumors like “It was voted on in AD 325” are complete nonsense. But the records of First Nicaea and the Canons issued there are available for you to verify what is true yourself.
Eko, your content is often thought provoking and powerful. Thank you. Your desire for seeking truth and freedom comes through your posts. Keep going. Don't lose that passion.
Can I recommend some things for you to consider?
-- do some reading on logic and formal fallacies.
-- study the origins of the Bible and read more about the council of Nicaea. Read about textual criticism.
Some additional comments or questions to think about?
-- questioning everything is good, but we must do so with order and eventual conclusions.
-- God and truth are not afraid of any questions.
-- religion is often a cage. Jesus pushed for relationship and change in the heart not outward status.
-- what is truth? Who decides?
-- Jesus called out people who followed God with their words but not their hearts.
-- Jesus pointed people to the Scriptures that pointed to him.
-- Jesus had a very high view of scripture. Saying that it cannot be broken.
-- if we are going to take ideas, actions, and lessons from Jesus to pursue truth and at the same time call into question the validity of the Scriptures that provide those words, how do we move forward without destroying our own arguments?
-- in John 14:6 Jesus claims he is the only way. Was Jesus right or wrong? Did he say those words or were they added? Added by who in what year?
-- important truths are often absolute. Its the very nature of truth. Statements like “all truth is relative” is a self defeating Statement.
I felt great joy reading this. It is all so true. There is no extant copy of an original Bible, but a great deal of the missing content in it can be found in the "Nag Hammadi Library", a collection of ancient Christian and Gnostic texts, and in the "Dead Sea Scrolls." Scientists and scholars think they may find more. I am a seeker of truth on all levels. "Jesus" is not his real name. It is a Mexican name pronounced "hay soos" (I'm sure his renaming was intentional). His real name was Yeshua and his nickname was "Isa". I have been looking for the truth about this prophet for decades and when I ask for the truth about something, (e.g., "where was 'Jesus' all those missing years?") the Higher Intelligence (a.k.a. God) shows me where to look. It's true; ask and you shall receive. The door shall be opened. It makes me sad to see "the blind leading the blind" in churches. I want no part of organized religion. What they teach only puts up barriers to Truth. If it's Truth we seek, simply ask, and the door will open to show us the way.
Thank you for seeking with such an open heart. The stories are bigger than any institution, and the truth has always been available to those who truly seek. 🙏
Yes, the truth is there for those who want to know. Thank you so much for writing this.
Tim, your comments are actually a gift.
They demonstrate my point perfectly.
When someone shares their spiritual seeking (like Dianne), and the immediate response is 'You're wrong, only KJV, check my Substack'... that's exactly the dynamic I'm addressing.
Thank you for the real-time illustration.
<3EKO
Bravo EKO! And there goes God doing that thing again, through EKO! We all make our own scripture, IF we let it. Just as Jesus says “The Kingdom is within”.
The pushback you've received about the Council of Nicaea, friend EKO, may be technically correct, but fails, in my view, to address the spirit. Sure the Council may not have voted for and codified the canon. But then one attendee, Athanasius, influenced by that Council, then wrote a letter listing the Canon he supported, which was the first listing which contained the whole of the modern canon. And then did not Hippo and Carthage and Trent nail the canon down?
In the end, the real question is, was the present bible "Edited. Voted on. Assembled", as you asked just before the paragraph on Nicaea? And can we talk about this?
To my mind, the extent to which Christian scriptures has been edited, voted on, and assembled by members of Cabal Culture is extremely important, and the inability to ask such questions and to "talk about it" is one of the major things which has kept me from giving myself to any particular Christian church or creed.
I understand why many object to this, of course. In chaotic times such as these, it's natural to long for certainty, simple black and whites, and clear rules and forms. But, as you rightly ask, I think, does not the search for truth still stand as a higher value?
FWIW.
Clarence
.
I have attended a non-denominational church for decades. I was raised Methodist, converted to Catholicism and then got filled with the Holy Spirit and have been non-denominational since then. 50 years ago. I study the Bible and search for the truth which the Holy Spirit continually reveals.
This may be your most significant post. Magnificent!
Beautiful. Perfect. Exactly where I am.
I have always been fascinated by Jesus speaking about the rocks crying out. I imagine everywhere He went - silencing the rocks that wanted to speak of Him and the trees whispering His name. The entire Creation in awe of Him while men withstood Him to His face and blasphemed. The unseen host hovering waiting for any word from Him to destroy them. And yet…He loved.
This….resonates. Thank you.
I am always delighted to find I am not alone. God is indeed everywhere!😇
I am not a Christian, Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim or Jew. I know that there is a divine energy flowing in all life. I am a strong ‘Believer in Higher Power’. I've been near-dead twice
https://jytte460.substack.com/p/near-death
Thank you friend, You always see the whole picture. You make me think, think about what if's, why's, and maybe's. You are an awesome poet, artist, etc. Most of all a fellow believer in our Savior Jesus Christ, Hosanna in the Highest! God bless you and your work. Rosie @93
Very nice. I always wondered why "Why" is considered so dangerous
You have seen. You know.
Some will accept, some will reject: "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."
(2 Tim 3:16-17)
The word scripture that Paul wrote is graphe in Greek which means a document that is holy Writ (it's content or a statement in it). What document do you think Paul was referring to? The Jewish scrolls? The letters written after Jesus died? The letters he himself had written? All of the above? I believe the Apostle John was trying to explain there is so much more for us as believers. Things we have a hard time comprehending. But we should continue to knock, seek and find as the doors are opened to us.
John 21:25 And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.
Wonderful!!!
When looking for patterns it is important to make sure you are examining the truth. Which books were to be included in the New Testament not only wasn’t decided at the Council of Nicaea in AD 325, it wasn’t even the subject of debate at that Council. Discovering which books and letters were scripture was a far more organic process than a vote. Later some local Synods held votes. One such Synod voted on two occasions, changing its position.
I appreciate your talent for writing and I love watching a young man go down many of the same rabbit holes that I went down. But be aware that many of the holes that appear to be rabbit holes have been intentionally dug by deceitful men, trying to undermine your confidence in scripture. For a good introduction to the subject I suggest “The Texts Of The New Testament: Its Transmission, Corruption And Restoration by Bruce Metzger and Bart Erhman. Until his death Bruce Metzger was the leading Christian scholar in this area and Bart Erhman is an Atheist, who is one of the most prominent critics of Christianity. When they agree on how the New Testament was formed and transmitted to us, you can can be pretty certain the Internet rumors like “It was voted on in AD 325” are complete nonsense. But the records of First Nicaea and the Canons issued there are available for you to verify what is true yourself.
Eko, your content is often thought provoking and powerful. Thank you. Your desire for seeking truth and freedom comes through your posts. Keep going. Don't lose that passion.
Can I recommend some things for you to consider?
-- do some reading on logic and formal fallacies.
-- study the origins of the Bible and read more about the council of Nicaea. Read about textual criticism.
Some additional comments or questions to think about?
-- questioning everything is good, but we must do so with order and eventual conclusions.
-- God and truth are not afraid of any questions.
-- religion is often a cage. Jesus pushed for relationship and change in the heart not outward status.
-- what is truth? Who decides?
-- Jesus called out people who followed God with their words but not their hearts.
-- Jesus pointed people to the Scriptures that pointed to him.
-- Jesus had a very high view of scripture. Saying that it cannot be broken.
-- if we are going to take ideas, actions, and lessons from Jesus to pursue truth and at the same time call into question the validity of the Scriptures that provide those words, how do we move forward without destroying our own arguments?
-- in John 14:6 Jesus claims he is the only way. Was Jesus right or wrong? Did he say those words or were they added? Added by who in what year?
-- important truths are often absolute. Its the very nature of truth. Statements like “all truth is relative” is a self defeating Statement.