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Cheryl, get ready to get mobbed by the liberals. Speaking of miss use for taxpayers money. The Eden libraries have been using public funds to push Al Gore global warming. I have been posting that in the 80's it was global freezing. ( what ever puts money in a liberals pocket) well yesterday while cleaning out my daughters college mess, we found somethings including a book, The Cooling by Lowell Ponte, it was required reading at school. Then she had lots of lte and newspaper articles backing up Ponte. Now which is it, do I need to buy shorts are overcoats?

"Studying the bible is the best way to save lives".

That's why they call this the "OPINION" page! Your kids can proselytize to other kids at your church. Leave my kids alone with your empty rhetoric. Why? Because you pick and choose whatever you want others to believe out of the book!
While I think Bill Bennet is a great big hypocrite, he did assemble some great fables and called it "The Book of Virtues". In it, he put various allegories and fables to teach children ethics. His book needs no "filter" or "interpreter" such as your "preaching from the bible requires", and it is a collection of great stories.
So if you call yourself "conservative" as Doggie seems to infer, maybe you would like to tell me and Doggie both, how you would react to the "Koran Club" meeting and teaching about Mohammed.

While I have been out of education for 3 years and things may have changed, I do know that lots of schools offered Bible Literature as an elective class. An in depth study of the Bible often opens the eyes of many to the contradictions and the realization that the norms of the day dictate the rules rather than any great truth. Many realize that the teachings of Jesus are about love and a very "liberal" life style. To know God you don't have to read the Bible, just step outside, take a deep breath and God will speak to you.

The Fellowship of Christian Athletes is a strong club in most schools. We had prayer groups meet around the flag pole, before school, many times. God has not been kept out of the schools.

I think the study of religions around the world would be a great class for kids to take. They could learn what each religion truly teaches, not what fear mongers tell you.

Cheryl, the problem is that if you allow one religious organization to do this you must allow them all. Satanism is a "religion". Do you think they should have a club in school too?

Is it possible, Biting Dog, that scientist know more now than they did 40 years ago?

I would say your "Required Reading" example only proves that nothing is absolute.

"To know God you don't have to read the Bible,"

just like if you want to be a brain surgeon, you don't need to read any book just pick up a scalpel and go to work ??

where in secular writings does one find the revealed truths of Jesus Christ, let alone what he taught ? if c.d. has not read the bible i wonder where she received her instruction concerning Jesus and the love she believes he talked about?

as far as schools allowing (any) religious clubs to meet at school i guess it seems like an ok idea - i just believe it should not be the first line of exposure to God for our children.

well PTL that carol dunn is not a teacher to our youth any longer...

these quaker 'friends' are bogus friends- they are friends of the devil...shame on you for proposing that a breath of fresh air is tantamount to knowing G-d...YOU were created to worship HIM, not HIS CREATION. (including yourself as lord of your life).

these 'friends' are all about the 'teachings of Jesus', but they conveniently leave our lord and saviour out of the equation to further their christian-cult message of 'peace'.

Shalom Darryl

First let me clear the board by saying I am a regular church member by freedom of choice.
Now that I have full disclosure let me also say that I am from the old school of thought, of which I have many, smiles.
I do not ever remember prayer groups or religious clubs while I attended school many, many years ago.
My first thought would be why can these groups not meet at there own churches such as my own church encourages? Second, I do not have any issues, what so ever, with elective classes being offered for religion. But in my slow mind I do not agree that the doors should be opened to any religious organization...Just my own thoughts...religion is a personal choice of individuals and their private families. While I would sometimes wish that all would believe, some choose not to do so. And during the formative years of childhood, many, many churches are available and many, many religious classes are electives either in their own school, church, or local community gatherings...With such availability why push these things on our local schools...school is for a well rounded education...of all subjects...but it was never intended to be a religious house of worship...All children who wish to get the basics in education can have them...all children who wish to learn of and be a part of religion will and can have the opportunity to do so either in High School or in there local church, community college, or university...but even they are not places of worship, your church and heart is...Are we going to endocrine our children from birth to death with such??? Do we really choose to push one belief on another...if you so choose to raise children in the faith, please do so...but why does it have to be the local elementary school or middle school? Do you think if you don't get them then you will never get them??? I have trouble following those thought processes...I will contemplate the motives of pushing this in school houses when there are so many other places that would be more appropriate and conductive to a child learning the faith, and learning to live it in their hearts...

"So if you call yourself "conservative" as Doggie seems to infer, maybe you would like to tell me and Doggie both, how you would react to the "Koran Club" meeting and teaching about Mohammed."

While I can't speak for Ms. Chavis, I don't see any reason why there would be a problem with this. Provided, of course a "Bible Club" or "Koran Club" were not mandatory student activities. I believe that students should have a choice to practice their faith in student activities. Anyone who has studied the bible should know that Jesus was open-minded in matters ethically and doctrinally indifferent.

It is also my belief that a lot of Christians get the whole idea of "witnessing" dead wrong. We witness in the way we live our lives as Christians, not by holding someone hostage to 'tell them about Jesus.' Kids could study Buddhism for all I care. Most core beliefs among various religions are the same: Treat people with respect, don't steal, and don't kill. Who could argue with that?

"It is also my belief that a lot of Christians get the whole idea of "witnessing" dead wrong. We witness in the way we live our lives as Christians, not by holding someone hostage to 'tell them about Jesus.'"

Best point that's been made so far, Bishop. Too bad more Christians do not realize this.

As Francis of Assissi put it: "Go out and preach the gospel. And if you must, use words."

I grew up in a Friends Meeting where I learned of Jesus and God through the Bible, Sunday School, Bible School, and the meeting for worship. As I have aged, and that has been considerable, I have come to believe that there are many ways to find and serve God. The Quaker belief that there is that of God in every man and that salvation is between each person and God work for me.

Excellent comments Bishop. Amen.

Christopher, Thanks for the words of St. Francis. A total sermon in a few words.

"I have come to believe that there are many ways to find and serve God. The Quaker belief that there is that of God in every man and that salvation is between each person and God work for me."

tha it works for you is not germain, but rather does it work FOR HIM?... you are not born again so you have not died to your former self- you are lord of your life, not Him...you may be aged, but you are not a mature believer, well, you are not a believer period...you have placed yourself in the grasp of a christian cult...the teachings of Jesus are one thing, His Lordship is that which you have forsaken...

So, after reading the added statements, I again state the resounding thought, why should religious clubs meet at the schools? Just so that they can throw stones at each other like is happening on this web blog? I really don't feel that is the purpose of faith and religion, or Christian teaching...If it happens in this blog, what in the world do you think may happen on the school campus...judge not least ye be judged...why not just learn love for our fellow man?
I would like to make another point, are the clubs for the children or for their parents...? If this is for the religious parents, who wish the same for their children...why are their own churches of choice not offering them a place to meet...and why in the world would a parent prefer that the children meet at school instead of where their faith belief is practiced? Could it maybe have something to do with the religious affiliation...some may chose or not desire for their own children? Food for thought...

"I again state the resounding thought, why should religious clubs meet at the schools? Just so that they can throw stones at each other like is happening on this web blog?"

No, because academic environments are meant to foster questions and debate. This blog is entirely different. While there may be a few people here that actively seek to debate an issue, others stoop to name-calling and argumentum ad hominem. Both of which are entirely non-academic in nature. Additionally, keeping religious clubs out of schools would seem to be rather hypocritical; given the push for "diversity" in the classroom.

Students may also find that studying another religion or interacting with folks of other faiths helps them to better grasp concepts in their own religion. As long as nobody is ramming their religion down the throats of others, what's the problem? We have the freedom OF religion in this country; not the freedom FROM religion.

So if the clubs are meant to be a debating society why not have a classroom setting instead of a private club? Why not have the children debate the issues with informed adults with no bias toward one religion or the other...
For myself, I don't feel that children can do that until they have acquired some age and experience with all religions...I use the university as an example...we studied world faiths and traditions, roles and customs...even with my age, at the time of study, of 40 something, the differences can lead you to question your own faith based teachings...do you really believe that children are ready for these discussions before leaving High School?

"We have the freedom OF religion in this country; not the freedom FROM religion."

I'm sorry, but we have both. Having one necessitates the other. Take the issue of civil rights for instance.

African-Americans were given the right to vote in America (the Freedom OF) but they weren't able to for around 100 years or so. WHY? Because they didn't have the necessary freedom FROM others opinions. When it was possible for others to molest, harrass, etc with little to no government intervention, the right could not be expressed.

The same thing happens here. How can someone openly be an Atheist, Muslim, Jew or other minority religion when Christians are allowed by the government to shove their vitriol down our throats even at the most academic of settings?

We do have the freedom from religion in this country; most people just don't know it.

I'm gonna go out on limb here.....

but I believe Jesus enjoys J4J being one of his cheerleaders about like a liberal politician enjoys the endorsement of the Ku Klux Klan!

Just one man's opinion.

"Just one man's opinion."

duly noted (but i know you are female!)

you can call me a Jesus freak.

i am on fire for Him.

i am zealous for Him.

i wear the armor.

He is not impressed by good people who do good things in the name of his good teaching (so that they can feel good about themselves.)

He is interested in being your Lord and Saviour...if you want to be lord of your own life, He will not stop you.

However, he does tell you, in that case, that you will perish indeed, and He does not want you to perish.

Every jew i have known who comes to know Him is a zealot for HIm- there is no coincidence in that.

FYI, there is great teaching and great articles found at jewsforjesus dot org

also a more local site for great teaching and articles from North Carolinian jewish believers realmessiah dot com

p.s. i don't have any reluctancy to expose any lying cult of christianity who in the name of our Lord and Saviour will cause shallow-minded seekers to perish.

apparently they can cause even the most brilliant of minds like yourself, the one and only deacon of the demons, to be deceived.

I do believe you are a good person who does good things and has good values and cherishes peace.

you will still perish.

You must be born again. period.

Please quote me the scriptures where Jesus makes fun of people, calls people names, judges people, is rude, is not loving, is not forgiving, or is arrogant.

My point has been made and I feel so much better now...
If grown adults can not love one another and have respect for each others own choice of faith belief, how in the world would I expect my children to do so in a club meeting at the school house...
I personally believe all children are better off in private schools these days than public schools and this blog is one reason I hold dear to that thought process today...
At least if my children are going to be exposed to faith, any faith, without my parental input, then I would prefer that I choose that faith for them (in a private school) at least until they are old enough to choose for themself what faith they believe. But I would want them to respect all faiths, not just my own choice for belief...
I believe will all in the end be held accountable for our actions and deeds...or at least that is what this poor servant chooses to believe...

"Please quote me the scriptures where Jesus makes fun of people, calls people names, judges people, is rude, is not loving, is not forgiving, or is arrogant."....................
quoting scripture to YOU will resolve nothing - you have admitted that there are contradictions in the bible and that reading the bible is not necessary to know God....yet you also say "I learned of Jesus and God through the Bible" - to me that sounds contradictory. i assert that one does not have the privilege of picking and choosing which scripture suits their particular religious appetite - you must consume all of the word and some of it will certainly cause indigestion - but the cure is submission to God and His word (all of it) and obedience to do your best to live that word as best as you know how.

Q.)"quote me the scriptures where Jesus judges people" and "where Jesus is not forgiving"
A.)" I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am [he], ye shall die in your sins."
if Jesus is not judging here then what is it called? and He clearly shows that forgiveness is conditional. in the past i believe you have stated that if Jesus personally didn't say it then you don't believe it - well He said it and i ask - do you believe it ?
Q.)"quote me the scriptures where Jesus calls people names"
A.)"O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? "..."[Ye] serpents, [ye] generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?"
Q.)"quote me the scriptures where Jesus was arrogant".
A.) Jesus does not fit the description of arrogant because He did NOT exaggerate His own worth or importance - He certainly knew who He was and wants us to know the same, Amen !

so scripture answers several of your questions (which you should know if you've studied) and and as far as the remainder of your questions Jesus probably wasn't rude (though some certainly had that perception), He probably didn't make fun of people (but He wasn't shy about pointing out their shortcomings) and certainly He was loving and compassionate but He tempered both with admonition to accept His gift.

As an addendum to Buz's solid witness... Carol Dunn, if I have been such as that, I do apologize.

Yet, and regardless of my personality, there is still the truth that you must be born again.

And, p.s., that there is Heaven and there is Hell.

Shalom

Rookhead, the Russian scientist have just warned their people about global cooling. Could they know more than Al Bore? Also Rockhead you are changing things to fit your agenda. Its not my required reading, some left wing professor made my children read it.
I never discuss religion with anyone. however I am going to ask a question.
If I go to church and I am a born again person, less say I am 100% wrong there is no God. What have I lost?
Now less say there is a god, and you are a non believer, what have you lost?
Bye bed time, early tee times in the morning.

Liberal, the Koran is required reading in many college.

Doggie,
College is quite different from public K-12! From what I can glean from your posts, college is not really a subject you can identify with, so watch what kind of fight you try to pick.
One goes to college at eighteen years of age, an age whereby informed decisions can be made. The last thing I want is for a child of mine to come home from elementary, middle school or high school with some wierd ideas about the "Rapture" (that word does not even appear in a bible) or such, that some lunatic fringe religious person has put into their minds! That will not help children get into excellent colleges and it is something the nutz should be teaching their little nutz at home! Get it, Doggie?

REALITY CHECK FOR J4J:
1.
You cannot be a "Jew" for Jesus, as that is just a cutsie little moniker that you feel makes you more legitimate. Sorry! If you were a Jew and were for Jesus, you would be a Christian.

2.
You are a charlatan and a narcissist. You ridicule and mock with venom and hatred, anyone who disagrees with you.

3.
You cheapen the beliefs of any and all followers of the Prince of Peace.

4.
If you really believe what you say, then gather up your family, move to Utah or Idaho. Buy a remote piece of land and rear your family the way you speak. You are caustic and offensive in your beliefs and therefore should be left to enjoy your only audience--well there might be some "Skinheads" that would appreciate your brand of religion.

As the bumper sticker says, "Smile, God loves you---but the rest of us think you're an A-HOLE!

REALITY CHECK FOR J4J:
1.
You cannot be a "Jew" for Jesus, as that is just a cutsie little moniker that you feel makes you more legitimate. Sorry! If you were a Jew and were for Jesus, you would be a Christian.

2.
You are a charlatan and a narcissist. You ridicule and mock with venom and hatred, anyone who disagrees with you.

3.
You cheapen the beliefs of any and all followers of the Prince of Peace.

4.
If you really believe what you say, then gather up your family, move to Utah or Idaho. Buy a remote piece of land and rear your family the way you speak. You are caustic and offensive in your beliefs and therefore should be left to enjoy your only audience--well there might be some "Skinheads" that would appreciate your brand of religion.

As the bumper sticker says, "Smile, God loves you---but the rest of us think you're an A-HOLE!

yeh sorry demondeacon, i did enjoy standing in that long line with those who wanted to purchase that bumper sticker with you in mind...that's right i did enjoy, but i am stepping out of the line...its no fun any longer, and really you do know that i styled my writing/blogging style after yours....but so many others enjoy getting under your skin, whats one less?

read and enjoy the truth:

Can you be both Christian and Jewish?

”You just can’t” is the unfortunate but typical response from many Jewish people in regard to this question. The issue is settled; no dialogue is necessary, regardless of facts offered. So why is it that otherwise rational, intelligent, open-minded, and inquisitive people can sometimes respond so irrationally and emotionally to this question?

You see, I am Jewish: born to a Jewish mother and father. I always was and still am proud of my heritage and Jewish-ness; yet, a number of years ago I decided to become a Christian. I still strongly believe that I am Jewish and find no contradiction in saying I am both Jewish and Christian. I realize that you may not agree with me on this point, but please consider what I am about to say. Hear me out on why I believe you can be both Jewish and Christian.

Who is a Jew? is an important question in Jewish circles. Although, in the minds of many, it is like the proverbial observation: "When you get two Jews together you have three opinions." Yes, we Jewish people are opinionated, especially regarding this subject. Acknowledging our need to understand an issue before believing its validity, I offer my opinion hoping it will enable you to consider a different point of view.

First, let's establish something that I think we can all agree on whether we are Jewish or Christian (or anything else); that is, one cannot practice both Judaism and Christianity and be consistent. The teachings of each religion are sufficiently diverse (whichever branch of either religion you might embrace) so that you cannot honestly be a devout, convinced follower of one and also a devout, convinced follower of the other.

"That settles the issue," you may be thinking. "You can't be Jewish and Christian." If we relegated the understanding of these terms simply to the practice of a religion, you would be correct. The issue, however, goes beyond any religion and the practice thereof.

The generally accepted belief among Jewish people is that if your mother is Jewish, you are Jewish. The former chief rabbi of Israel, Yitzchak Halevi Herzog (1888-1959), said that according to Jewish religious law, halacha, only the offspring of a Jewish mother could be considered a Jew. Rashi, the renowned Talmudic scholar stated, "Since the mother of the child is Jewish, he [the child] is to be counted as one of our brothers." The Talmud, in Kiddushin 68b, states that a child born of a Gentile father and a Jewish mother is Jewish.

However, there are many among Israel's brightest minds who do not limit whether one is Jewish to the Jewish-ness of one's mother. David Ben-Gurion, first prime minister of Israel, said that anyone who declares that he is a Jew, lives a Jewish life, and is interested in the welfare of the Jews is to be considered a Jew, regardless of the faith of the mother. In March 1983 at the Convention of the Central Conference of American Rabbis, this Reform Judaism body voted to recognize as Jewish a child whose mother or father is Jewish.

It is obvious from the above that you could get an argument no matter what your position is on the question of Who is a Jew? In the understanding of most Jewish people, one is Jewish no matter which form of Judaism you observe: Reform, Conservative, Orthodox, or ultra-Orthodox. Even if you are an agnostic or an atheist, you are considered Jewish if your parents (or at least your mother) are Jewish. It seems the only agreement among the majority of Jewish people is that you are not Jewish if you become a Christian.

The belief that one ceases to be a Jew upon becoming a Christian, or upon embracing another religion, is rejected by those in Judaism (primarily the ultra-orthodox) who adhere to Jewish religious law. In the Talmud, Sanhedrin 44a, Rabbi Abba ben Zabda said, "Even though [the people] have sinned, they are still [called] Israel." He gave this illustration: "A myrtle, though it stands among reeds, is still a myrtle, and it is so called." Rabbi Alfred Kolatch, author of the informative First and Second Jewish Book of Why, states: "... in the eyes of Jewish law a Jew can never forsake Judaism regardless of what he does or professes. He is considered to be a sinning Jew who has forfeited certain rights, but no more than that. A Jew is a Jew forever".

In 1962 Oswald Rufeisen (born to Jewish parents in Poland) requested citizenship under Israel's Law of Return. Oswald was known as Brother Daniel because he had become a monk with the Catholic Carmelite Order. When the authorities rejected his application, he appealed to the High Court of Israel. Judge Moshe Silberg, head of the court, rejected the appeal and emphasized that although, according to halacha, Daniel is technically a Jew, in the eyes of the Jewish people he is not a Jew. The decision of the court was not in keeping with Jewish religious law, but did agree with the view of the majority of the people at the time.

The issue, according to Jewish religious law, is very clear. Even if a Jew decides to embrace Christianity, he is still considered Jewish, although sinning.

In the Christian world there is no less a dispute on Who, in fact, is a Christian? Are Catholics Christians? Or are only Protestants Christians? What about other groups, such as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons), or Jehovah's Witnesses?

The issue of who, or what, is Christian is best understood by differentiating between religion (what is commonly referred to as Christendom) and the term Christian, especially as it applies to individuals. I think most of us would agree that Catholicism, the different Protestant denominations, and even groups such as Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses would be accepted as part of Christendom...very few would argue with this generalization. The issue here, as in the question of Who is a Jew? goes beyond the mere practice of a religious system.

The word Christian comes from the two Greek words—Christos and Ianos. Christos is the same word as the Hebrew word Maschiach, and both are translated in English as Messiah or Christ. Ianos means follower of, or like. Thus a Christian is "one who follows the Messiah." The word Christian is used in the New Testament three times--Acts 11:26, 1 Peter 4:15-16 and Acts 26:28. Each time it is used in the context of lifestyle. It speaks of someone who is living his life patterned after the way the Messiah (Jesus) lived. A Christian is simply someone who decides at some time in his/her life to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, and to follow Him. Biblically, no one is born a Christian. One might be born into a family that belongs to a sect of Christendom, but that child is not a Christian. At some point in his or her life each individual must make the decision to accept or reject Jesus. A decision to accept Jesus and follow Him makes that person a Christian, and thus is not a Christian by birth.

There is one other element that must be examined in this issue, and I would argue that it is foundational to answering our question. Actually, the question of Can you be Jewish and Christian? should be settled by this source alone, as it is the original and authoritative teaching on who is a Jew and who is a Christian. This source is the Bible. God should be the final and sole arbiter in determining the correct understanding of this issue.

It was God who brought the Jewish people into existence. He had called Abram (his name would later be changed to Abraham) to leave Ur of the Chaldees and go to the land we now refer to as Israel. Abraham obeyed God and was given a number of promises (Genesis 12:1-3). The promises would be continued through Isaac (Genesis17: 19), and then through Jacob (Genesis 28:10-15). We are told that Jacob had twelve sons who made up the nation of Israel. The lineage of Israel (the Jewish people) would be determined patri-lineally (through the father), according to the Bible. Interestingly, a reason given by the Reform Judaism movement for accepting a child's Jewish-ness based on the father, is "that is how they did it in the Bible." Ultimately, the term Jew became synonymous with Israel and referred to any person who descended from one of the tribes of Israel (the twelve sons of Jacob). Biblically, one was Jewish by birth.

The Bible also promised Israel a Messiah (Christ, in our modern day English usage) who would enable both Jew and Gentile to have a personal relationship with God through Him. One of the basic purposes of God's bringing Israel into existence was to provide a people through whom the Messiah would come. Not only is the Messiah's lineage through Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, but also we are told that He would come through the tribe of Judah (Genesis 49:10), and from the family of David (2 Sam. 7:12-16).

To make sure we would not misidentify the Messiah, God gave us scores of prophecies, which enable us to identify Him. Among them we are told that:

He would be born in Bethlehem:

But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. (Micah 5:2)

Born of a virgin:

Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14)

Born before 70 A.D.:

And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. (Daniel 9:26) (The sanctuary, or Temple, Daniel speaks of was destroyed in 70 A.D. by the Romans after the Messiah was cut off.)

He would be despised, die, and rise from the grave:

He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our grief, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? For he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. (Isaiah 53:3-10)

When we look at these prophecies, we are able to analyze all who would claim to be Israel's Messiah, and judge whether or not they meet the requirements, which God instituted. Upon establishing whom the "true" Jewish Messiah is, the individual can then choose whether or not to follow Him.

Two things can be initially established from this consideration of Can You Be Jewish and Christian? First, one is born Jewish, and will always be Jewish, no matter what belief system is adhered to. Secondly, a person is not a Christian--a follower of the Messiah--by birth, but becomes one when a decision is made to accept and follow Jesus. When the study and meaning of the word Christian is understood, it is very clear that not only can a person be Jewish and also a Christian, but for a Jewish person it is both consistent and logical to be a Christian.

I have asked many Jewish people the following question: Shouldn't Jewish people accept and follow the Messiah of Israel? There is only one answer: YES. Understand, I am not asking you who the Messiah is, or if you personally want to follow him, or even if you personally believe in the concept of the Messiah, but rather whether the Jewish people should accept and follow the divinely promised Messiah for our people. The only correct answer to this question is YES.

My next question is this: If Jesus is the Messiah of Israel, shouldn't Jewish people accept and follow Him? Again, there is only one reasonable answer to this question--YES. Notice I did not ask if you believe Jesus is the Messiah. My question is simply if He (or whoever you might name) is the Messiah, shouldn't Jewish people accept and follow him? Again, the only honest answer to this question is YES. Jewish people should accept and follow Jesus if He is the Messiah.

When someone who is Jewish reads the prophecies God gave of the Messiah in the Jewish Bible, identifies by those prophecies the individual in history who fulfills them, and then decides to accept and follow that person (the Messiah), they do not stop being Jewish. They accept the basic promises that the God of Israel gave to us, and embrace the divinely promised Messiah. Actually, deciding to follow Messiah (or in today's vernacular, becoming a Christian) is very Jewish!

J4J says,
"You see, I am Jewish: born to a Jewish mother and father. I always was and still am proud of my heritage and Jewish-ness; yet, a number of years ago I decided to become a Christian. I still strongly believe that I am Jewish and find no contradiction in saying I am both Jewish and Christian."

Wow!!
Taking a page out of your book, today I am becoming an African American. Yes, I was born to Caucasian parents, but I am going change my race from caucasian to African American.
I am now, both Black and White. Actually, on even numbered days I'm black and on odd numbered days, I'm white. While you can't see my skin color change, just trust me on this one. I'm proud of my caucasion European ancestry, but I am also proud of my new African American heritage. It's nice to have it both ways, and I'm glad your warped reasoning allows me to enjoy being both black and white. While you may see me as a white male, I'm actually a black male after midnight tonight and through midnight Tuesday. At some point, I may decide to be black during Spring and Fall, then revert to being white during Summer and Winter. With your logic, I have all sorts of ways to straddle the line!
Maybe I'll become a Mexican someday too! Then I can rotate between three different races!

Thank you J4J! You've given out some great ideas!! I might even become a "Cattleman AND Hindu"!!
Lovingly,
The Black man/White man

`

J4J,
You remind me of a very funny sketch on Chappelle's Show---"The Black, White Supremacist"! Gotta say that between your comments and Phyllis Gibbs letter, I've released tons of endorphins through laughter today!

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yes! go with your twisted logic on this one! be any man or any woman than the current! this is great news you have discovered for yourself today, endorphins and all!

i was born again, but i dont see no african american mama hoping to birth a boy/girl the likes of you...sorry blood, you aint no brother.

"well there might be some "Skinheads" that would appreciate your brand of religion."

"As the bumper sticker says, "Smile, God loves you---but the rest of us think you're an A-HOLE!"

Tisk tisk Demon Deacon, remember you are supposed to be a kinder and gentler blogger :) Don't want to call Nit back to compile vitriol.

I know it's very difficult to hold back from your old ways however as the guy in the Lending Tree commercial says "But I want you to know I'll be pulling for you".

wasnt it Jimmy Carter who laso had difficulties like the demon is now distinguishing between race and faith ?

wasnt it Jimmy Carter who also had difficulties like the demon is now distinguishing between race and faith ?

hey can you here the demon tell his new black mama he was just releasing tons of his endorphins?

she be kickin that bony ass out...

demon the best you could hope for as a born again african american is as an Oreo, or as the kids now call it, a wigger...

Yea I get it LIBERAL, you are a nut . You add nothing to the blog. I know a lot about college, I dropped out because I got tried of listen to folks like the Duke 88. Seems to worked great, both of my children, have degrees. And my retirement pay is more than their salary put together, ( they have good jobs) I been retired for 9 years. I seemed to do good in life I never listened to fruit cakes like you. I also notice you refuse to answer a direct question. Seems you big mouth knows every thing except a straight answer.

"some wierd ideas about the "Rapture" (that word does not even appear in a bible)"...............................
double d aka tlc, apparently you haven't studied enough or are willingly ignorant. for your benefit i have placed some material for you to peruse...............

"The Term "Rapture"

First of all, the word "rapture" is found in the Bible, if you have the Latin Vulgate produced by Jerome in the early 400s. The Vulgate was the main Bible of the medieval Western Church until the Reformation. It continues to this day as the primary Latin translation of the Roman Catholic Church. Yet, as we shall see later, it was Protestants who introduced the word "rapture" into the English language from the Latin raeptius.[1] It was Jerome'��s Vulgate that translated the original Greek verb harpaz™ used by Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, in 1 Thessalonians 4:17, which is usually translated into English with the phrase "caught up." The leading Greek Lexicon says that harpaz™ means "snatch, seize, i.e., take suddenly and vehemently."[2] This is the same meaning of the Latin word rapio "to seize, snatch, tear away."[3] It should not be surprising to anyone, that an English word was developed from the Latin which we use today known as rapture."
imo your brand of demonstrating Christian love (at least through these blogs) only adds fuel to the fire of unbelievers - you are caustic and closed minded and abusive to those who call themselves brothers (& sisters) in Christ. i can accept your difference in theology but i can not accept your method of sharing the gospel.

There are many secular jews who still refer to themselves as jewish. It's an ethnic group. It is also a religious group. It's like squares and rectangles. All religious Jews are ethnic jews (except for the rare convert; kind of pretentious to say, "I think I'm a chosen person too," eh?). All ethnic jews are not religious Jews. Why can't they be Christians?

Anyway, why not let there be Bible Clubs and classes in schools? Doesn't seem so bad. My high school had (still has) both. The Bible class, however, is funded by local churches. If any other group wanted a class or club, they should be able to have one with a similar set-up, as long as they do not preach violence or hate.