eJays

Paul Cohen (Updated)

2012-01-29T10:44:00.001+02:00

Introduction

Paul Benjamin Cohen, simply known as "Paul Cohen", is an American Theologian, Arminian Scholar, Messianic Jew ^[3], and Blogger for The Path of Truth, situated in Helena, Montana, in the United States.

Opposition

Cohen is opposed to the likes of Deborah of Discerning The World ^[1], Robert McNally of Ironwolf ^[4] and, of course, myself ^[2].

Responses

For my Public Responses to Cohen, please review "A Response to 'Unconditional Election and Total Depravity are Gnostic Teachings' by Deborah" ^[2].

Contact

Electronic Mail

To correspond with him, simply email paul@thepathoftruth.com

Bibliography

1. Paul Cohen. Not Done In A Corner (The Path of Truth; 21 January 2011)
2. EJ Hill. A Response to 'Unconditional Election and Total Depravity are Gnostic Teachings' by Deborah (Ejays; 21 January 2011) ✔
3. Paul Cohen's Testimony (The Path of Truth; 29 January 2012)
4. Robert McNally. Idiots to Avoid: Victor Hafichuk and Paul Cohen (Ironwolf; 13 July 2008) ✔

Downloading

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Revisions

29.01.2012

Deborah (Updated)

2012-01-28T21:23:00.000+02:00

Introduction

Deborah* is a South African Theologian**, Author, and Founder of Discerning The World.

I don't know much about Deborah, except that she doesn't belong to any church, lives in the Limpopo, and suffers of Epilepsy.

Convictions

Differences

» Deborah is an Arminian ^[1|2|9] who upholds Arminianism ^[9], while I defend Calvinism.

» Deborah upholds Libertarian Free Will ^[2|9], while I defend Compatibilistic Free Will.

» Deborah upholds the Doctrine of Universal Atonement, while I defend the Doctrine of Limited Atonement.

» Deborah is a Cessationist ^[3] who upholds Cessationism ^[3], while I defend Continuationism.

Opposition

Deborah is opposed to Barack Obama (1961-) ^[4], Cindy Jacobs ^[5], Ivin Viljoen ^[15], John Calvin (1509-1564) ^[14], John Piper (1946-) ^[7|8], Paul Cohen ^[1], Rick Warren (1954-) ^[8], Amillennialism ^[14], Calvinism ^[2|9|14], Druidry ^[10], Roman Catholicism ^[12|13] and the New World Order ^[6|11].

Responses

For my Public Responses to Deborah, please review "A Response to 'Unconditional Election and Total Depravity are Gnostic Teachings' by Deborah".

Detractors

Those who are opposed to Deborah include:

» South African Theologian and former Charismatic Pentecostal Pastor, EJ Hill (1977-), opposed Deborah in a number of essays, including "Deborah", "The Doctrine of the Cessation of the Charismata" ^[16], and "A Response to 'Unconditional Election and Total Depravity are Gnostic Teachings' by Deborah" ^[2].

» American Theologian, Cultist and Blogger at The Path of Truth, Paul Cohen, opposed Deborah in a 2011 essay, entitled "Not Done In A Corner" ^[1] - a case of "the pot calling the kettle black".

Footnotes

* I know her only as "Deborah", since she doesn't have the guts to write under her real name. Their web address, however, is registered to Danie Strydom of Lifestyle C Hosting.

** This does not mean that she earned any degree or qualification in Bible and Theology from any Bible School or Seminary.

Bibliography

1. Paul Cohen. Not Done In A Corner (The Path of Truth; 21 January 2011)
2. EJ Hill. A Response to 'Unconditional Election and Total Depravity are Gnostic Teachings' by Deborah (Ejays; 21 January 2011) ✔
3. Deborah. Are Prophets for Today or has Prophecy Ceased? (Discerning The World; 17 January 2011)
4. Deborah. Obama The Destroyer (Discerning The World; 22 December 2010)
5. Deborah. Cindy Jacobs – False Prophecy for Australia 2001 (Discerning The World; 23 November 2010)
6. Deborah. 420 Banks Demand a One World Currency (Discerning The World; 20 October 2010)
7. Deborah. John Piper – Oh those ‘Secondary Separation Issues’! (Discerning The World; 20 October 2010)
8. Deborah. John Piper and Rick Warren together at Desiring God Conference 2010 (Discerning The World; 15 October 2010)
9. Deborah. Unconditional Election and Total Depravity are Gnostic Teachings (Discerning The World; 13 October 2010)
10. Deborah. Britain Recognises Druidry as a Religion (Discerning The World; 3 October 2010)
11. Deborah. Cuba calls for a New World Order (Discerning The World; 30 September 2010)
12. Deborah. Mass Prayer to Atone for Mankind’s Sins (Discerning The World; 27 September 2010)
13. Deborah. Mary Queen of Heaven – Whore of Babylon (Discerning The World; 25 September 2010)
14. Deborah. John Calvin believed in Amillennialism as do the Roman Catholic Church (Discerning The World; 23 September 2010)
15. Deborah. Ivin Viljoen – The Fires of Hell Burn Bright for 220Genergation (Discerning The World; 23 July 2010)
16. EJ Hill. The Doctrine of the Cessation of the Charismata (Ejays; 8 January 2012) ✔

Downloading

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Revisions

21.01.2011 / 23.01.2011 / 16.03.2011 / 06.01.2012 / 08.01.2012 / 28-29.01.2012

NeoDownloader (Updated)

2012-01-28T16:39:00.001+02:00

Introduction

NeoDownloader, from NeoWise Software, is a Batch Download Manager for Windows-powered Desktop and Laptop Computers.

Features

Bulk Image Downloading

NeoDownloader makes it easy to download images in bulk from, amongst others, Google Image Search - and that with full control over the parameters of your download, namely it's origin, it's file size, it's dimensions and it's format.

To avoid grabbing low-resolution images, you can specify either a minimum file size, minimum dimensions and/or preferred format, like .BMP, .GIF, .ICO, .JPG, .PNG or .TIFF. Everything below or outside of your specified parameters will be skipped, leaving you with only high-resolution results.

Bulk Audio Downloading

NeoDownloader also makes it easy to download audio files in bulk, and that with full control over the parameters of your download, namely it's origin, it's file size and it's format.

To avoid grabbing formats that may be incompatible with your mobile phone or portable media player, you can specify a preferred format, like .OGG, .MP3 or .WAV. Everything outside your specified parameters will be skipped, leaving you with only useful results.

Bulk Archive Downloading

NeoDownloader also makes it easy to download archives in bulk, and that with full control over the parameters of your download, namely it's origin, it's file size and it's format.

To avoid grabbing unrelated archives that may be stored with those you seek to download, you can specify a preferred format, like .7Z, .RAR or .ZIP.

Availability

You may download NeoDownloader from NeoDownloader or CNET Download.com.

Videos

Bibliography

1. Download and view pictures & videos from websites (NeoDownloader; 28 January 2012)
2. Fawad. NeoDownloader: Define Parameters & Batch Download Images From Websites (Addictive Tips; 23 January 2012)
3. Lee Mathews. Editorial Review of NeoDownloader (PC World; 5 September 2011) ✔

For more information on NeoDownloader, please visit the official NeoDownloader website.

Downloading

You may want to download this document in PDF format (single-left-click to generate).

Revisions

28.01.2012

Google Chrome Extensions and Apps (Updated)

2012-01-27T12:12:00.000+02:00

Introduction

There are literally 1000s of plugin extensions for the Google Chrome Web Browser.

Accessibility

» Blogger is a plugin for Google Chrome that adds a simple dashboard icon that leads to Blogger. ✪

» Bookmarks Button is a plugin for Google Chrome that adds a simple menu bar icon to Chrome's built-in bookmark manager. ✪

» Downloads Button ✪

» Twitter is a plugin for Google Chrome that adds a simple dashboard icon that leads to Twitter. ✪

Alerts and Notifications

Gmail and Google Apps

For Gmail and Google Apps Mail extensions, please review my post on Gmail.

Google Calendar

» Checker Plus for Google Calendar, by Jason Savard, is a Google Chrome Plugin that allows you to see your next meetings and the current date on the icon, get desktop event reminders, add events from the popup in month, week or day view, etc. ✪

Google Reader

Google Reader Checker

Search Alerts

» My Alerts is a plugin for Google Chrome that notifies you of the latest Twitter, Google and Backtweets results related to your topics of interest. ✪

Wordpress

Wordpress Comment Notifier

Automation

SocialOomph for Google Chrome

Blogging

Blogger

» Blogger is a plugin for Google Chrome that adds a simple dashboard icon that leads to Blogger. ✪

» Blogger Dynamic Views, by Google, is a plugin for Google Chrome that notifies you if you're on a Blogger blog and lets you quickly view the blog content in one of Blogger's seven new Dynamic views. Simply click on the Blogger icon when it appears, select the view, and you'll be redirected appropriately. These new views use the latest in web technology, including AJAX, HTML5 and CSS3, to deliver a host of benefits: Infinite scrolling: read more posts without having to reload or click to a second page. New layouts: different views suited to different types of blogs. Speed: download images as you view them, not all at once in advance. Interactivity: there are now more ways to experience and engage with blog content. ✪

Wordpress

Wordpress Comment Notifier

Downloading

Websites and Posts

» Webpage Screenshot is a plugin for Google Chrome that allows you to save screenshots of any webpage. ✪

YouTube Videos

» Chrome YouTube Downloader is a plugin for Google Chrome that allows you to download videos from YouTube in FLV, MP4, MP4 HD 720p, MP4 Full-HD 1080p, MP4 (4K), and MP3 formats. ✪

Graphic Design

Image Editors

Pixlr Express

Photo Editors

Picnik ✪

Sketching

MugTug Sketchpad

Maintenance

Antivirus

BitDefender QuickScan

Multimedia

Streaming Music

ExtensionFM

Streaming Radio

Chrome Radio Player

Printing

Print | Print Friendly

Rapid Application Development

Colour Picking

Chroma

Reverse Engineering

Chrome Sniffer | FireBug Lite

Rulers

MeasureIt ✪

Screencapture

Awesome Screenshot

Remote Administration

Chrome-To-Phone | LinkPush ✪

Search

Google Search

Search by Image ✪ | SearchPreview ✪

Shopping

InvisibleHand ✪

Security

History Cleaners *

» Click & Clean is a plugin for Google Chrome that deletes your browsing history, typed URLs, Flash cookies, all traces of your online activity to protect your privacy.

» History Eraser is a plugin for Google Chrome that deletes typed URLs, Cache, Cookies, your Download and Browsing History instantly, with just 1-click!

» No History is a plugin for Google Chrome that stops Chrome from recording your browsing history in 'standard' mode. ✪

Social Bookmarking

AddThis | StumbleUpon ✪

Social Networking

Facebook

Facebook for Chrome ✪ | Facebook Friends Checker ✪ | Facepad

Gmail

Rapportive ✪

Google+ Plus

» Google +1 Button

» Google+ Notifications

Tabbed-Browsing

New Tab Redirect

Web Site Analytics

Woopra

Videos

Footnotes

✪ Recommended Personal Favourites

* Be warned, testing these plugins almost cost me my marriage of three years. Apparently my wife saw it fit to secretly analyse my web browsing history, from time-to-time. While updating this post on the 26th and 27th of January 2012 [as evidenced by the timestamp on my Google+ Wall Post yesterday], she discovered that my browser suddenly didn't have any history. This led her to conclude that I must be cheating, or hiding something from her. All of this, regardless of the fact that I had no less than 13 tabs open in my browser, including Blogger [where I was working on this post], and testing 12 other [similar] plugins. But, for the record, and in my own defence, if I wanted to hide something from her, I could simply have used Incognito Mode.

Bibliography

1. Dustin Betonio. 30 Useful Chrome Extensions and Web Apps for Bloggers and Web Designers and Developers (Tripwire Magazine; 25 February 2011)
2. Jeremy Scott. 3 Chrome Extensions To Improve Your YouTube Experience (ReelSEO; 22 February 2011)
3. Sebastian Anthony. 10+ Chrome extensions and Web apps for new users (Download Squad; 22 February 2011)

For more information, please visit the official Google Chrome Extensions Gallery and Google Web Store, as well as the unofficial Chrome Extensions and UserScripts.

Downloading

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Revisions

25-26.02.2011 / 21.06.2011 / 15.01.2012 / 26-27.01.2012

Mark Driscoll, 1970- (Updated)

2012-01-26T20:46:00.000+02:00

Introduction

Pastor Mark Driscoll is an American Theologian, Author ^[2], Co-Founder ^[2] of the Acts 29 Network as well as Mars Hill Church in Seattle, Washington ^[2], where he currently serves as "Preaching and Theology Pastor" ^[2|10].

History

The Emergent Church

In the mid-1990s, Driscoll was once "somewhat connected to" ^[9], "part of" ^[2], the Emergent Church movement, which he has now "left" ^[9]. Driscoll explains:

"In the mid-1990s I was part of what is now known as the Emerging Church and spent some time traveling the country to speak on the emerging church in the emerging culture on a team put together by Leadership Network called the Young Leader Network. But, I eventually had to distance myself from the Emergent stream of the network because friends like Brian McLaren and Doug Pagitt began pushing a theological agenda that greatly troubled me. Examples include referring to God as a chick, questioning God's sovereignty over and knowledge of the future, denial of the substitutionary atonement at the cross, a low view of Scripture, and denial of hell which is one hell of a mistake." ^[2]

Convictions

Driscoll is a Calminian ^[2], Emerging Reformer ^[9] and Liar ^[1]

The Doctrine of Total Depravity ^[16|17] | The Doctrine of Unconditional Election | The Doctrine of Single Predestination ^[2] | The Doctrine of Irresistible Grace | The Doctrine of Eternal Security

Driscoll denies Double Predestination ^[2] and Limited Atonement ^[2]

Associations

Charles Joseph Mahaney | John Piper (1946-) ^[13] | Joshua Harris ^[11]

Detractors

» American Theologian and best-selling Author, Dr. John MacArthur, Jnr (1939-), opposed Mark in a number of essays, including "John MacArthur on Mark Driscoll" ^[6], "John MacArthur on Mark Driscoll – Part 2" ^[7] and "Grunge Christianity? Counterculture’s Death-Spiral and the Vulgarization of the Gospel" ^[8].

» American Theologian and Blogger, Phil Johnson of Pyromaniacs, opposed Mark in a essay, entitled "Evangelical Exhibitionists" ^[18].

» American Theologian, Continuing Education Manager for the Lowell W. Berry Institute for Continuing Education in Ministry, and Editor of The Burner at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California, David Moore, opposed Mark in a number of essays, including "(It Seems) Mark Driscoll Thinks Wives Are Only Good for Sex" ^[20], "Mark Driscoll’s Chauvinist Views on Appropriate Roles in Marriage" ^[21] and "Mark Driscoll’s Preoccupation with Visual Stimulation" ^[22].

» American Theologian and best-selling Author, Frank Viola, opposed Mark in "Two Responses: John Cardwell & Mark Driscoll" ^[3].

» American Theologian and former Pastor at Mars Hill Church, Bent Meyer, is opposed to Mark ^[1].

» American Theologian and former Pastor at Mars Hill Church, Paul Petry ^[1], is opposed to Mark ^[1].

» American Author, Speaker and Blogger, Rachel Held Evans, opposed Mark in an essay, entitled Mark Driscoll is a bully. Stand up to him. ^[23], to which mark

» South African Theologian, IT Consultant, Blogger and former Charismatic Pentecostal Pastor, EJ Hill (1977-) opposed Mark in an essay, entitled "Mark Driscoll, 1970-".

» Jesse Benjamin opposed Mark in an essay, entitled "Mark Driscoll Kicks His Own Ass" ^[4].

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you think Mark Driscoll is a good guy?

Well, that depends on who you ask.

Personally I think he means well, but unfortunately "the road to hell is paved with good intentions".

What don't you like about Driscoll?

I'm not particularly fond of his treatment of former co-pastors, Bent Meyer and Paul Petry. I am also opposed to the new Bylaws of Mars Hill Church.

What do you like about Driscoll?

There is a number of things I like about Driscoll. I like his preaching. I like the fact that he upholds at least some of the Doctrines of Grace. And I like the fact that he at least confessed to SOME of his mistakes - like his earlier involvement in the Emergent Church Movement. ^[2]

Videos

Bibliography

1. Did Mark Driscoll Lie to Mars Hill Members? (Praying Hearts; 16 April 2008)
2. Mark Driscoll (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia; 7 October 2010)
3. Frank Viola. Two Responses: John Cardwell & Mark Driscoll (Reimagining Church; 21 June 2010)
4. Jesse Benjamin. Mark Driscoll Kicks His Own Ass (Wittenburg Door; 7 January 2008)
5. Molly Worthen. Who Would Jesus Smack Down? (The New York Times; 6 January 2009)
6. John MacArthur on Mark Driscoll (Defending & Contending; 27 September 2008)
7. John MacArthur on Mark Driscoll – Part 2 (Defending & Contending; 17 April 2009)
8. Dr. John MacArthur, Jnr. Grunge Christianity? Counterculture’s Death-Spiral and the Vulgarization of the Gospel (Pulpit Magazine; 11 December 2006)
9. VIDEO: Mark Driscoll on the Emerging Church (YouTube; 26 February 2008)
10. Mark Driscoll (Mars Hill Church; 9 November 2010)
11. Joshua Harris. Learning from Mark Driscoll (JoshuaHarris.com, 16 April 2008)
12. Thor Tolo. The Gospel According to Mark (Driscoll) (Townhall.com, 6 March 2008)
12. Ken Silva. Mark Driscoll calls both Emerging Church Pastors Rob Bell and Doug Pagitt Heretics (Apprising Ministries; 16 April 2008)
13. Tim Challies. Confessions of a Reformission Rev (Challies.com, 16 April 2008)
14. Halden. Who Can Mark Driscoll Worship? (Inhabitatio Dei; 29 May 2008)
15. Mark Driscoll (Theopedia; 29 May 2008)
16. VIDEO: Mark Driscoll. Total Depravity? (YouTube/Mars Hill Church; 30 April 2008)
17. VIDEO: Mark Driscoll. 2 Myths: Murderers With Hearts Of Gold (YouTube; 25 April 2010)
18. Phil Johnson. Evangelical Exhibitionists (Pyromaniacs; 9 January 2012)
19. David Sessions. Mark Driscoll’s Sex Manual ‘Real Marriage’ Scandalizes Evangelicals (The Daily Beast; 13 January 2012)
20. David Moore. (It Seems) Mark Driscoll Thinks Wives Are Only Good for Sex (The Burner; 4 January 2012)
21. David Moore. Mark Driscoll’s Chauvinist Views on Appropriate Roles in Marriage (The Burner; 5 January 2012)
22. David Moore. Mark Driscoll’s Preoccupation with Visual Stimulation (The Burner; 6 January 2012)
23. Rachel Held Evans. Mark Driscoll is a bully. Stand up to him. (Rachel Held Evans; 11 July 2011)

For more information on Mark Driscoll, please visit the official Mars Hill Church website, Resurgence blog and Mark's Twitter Profile; or the unofficial Mark Driscoll Archives at (Watchblog) Squared.

Downloading

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Revisions

06.03.2008 / 16.04.2008 / 29.05.2008 / 14.06.2008 / 07.10.2010 / 07.11.2010 / 09.11.2010 / 15.11.2010 / 28.01.2011 / 09.02.2011 / 12.01.2012 / 26.01.2012

Gmail (Updated)

2012-01-26T12:13:00.000+02:00

Subject

The purpose of this article is to document Gmail, as reported by BlogsDNA ^[17], CNET ^[9], Download Squad ^[15], Email Swap ^[20], Engadget ^[13|21], Google ^[2|3], Google Operating System ^[8|18], Lifehacker ^[14], Make Use Of ^[4|19], OneIndia News ^[7], Remember The Milk ^[10], Sizzled Core ^[5], The Gmail Blog ^[2|3], Webmonkey ^[11], Wikipedia ^[1|16] and YouTube ^[6|11].

Introduction

Gmail, from Google, is a FREE (Freeware), ad-supported Email Service, and probably one of the best alternatives to Microsoft Outlook ^[19].

Specifications

Webmail Access

Gmail is accessible online from any Internet-connected Desktop or Laptop Computer via any Web Browser, including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox or Microsoft Internet Explorer.

Incoming POP3 Access

Contrary to popular belief, Gmail provides incoming POP3 access via any Desktop or Laptop Mail Client, including Mozilla Thunderbird, Microsoft Outlook Express or Microsoft Outlook 2003, 2007 and 2010.

Outgoing SMTP Access

Contrary to popular belief, Gmail provides outgoing SMTP access via any Desktop or Laptop Mail Client, including Mozilla Thunderbird, Microsoft Outlook Express or Microsoft Outlook.

Bidirectional IMAP Synchronization

Apart from POP3 and SMTP, Gmail also supports bidirectional IMAP synchronization between Desktop, Laptop and Smartphone Mail Clients, including Mozilla Thunderbird, Microsoft Outlook Express and Microsoft Outlook 2003, 2007 and 2010, as well as Apple iPhone 3Gs Smartphones ^[11], BlackBerry Smartphones ^[13|20] and Gmail itself.

Customizable Rich Text Signatures

Gmail's Webmail Facility also sports customizable Rich Text Signatures ^[3], which can be configured at https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#settings

Priority Inbox

Priority Inbox uses information like keywords, user habits and regular contacts to determine which emails should receive priority. ^[6|7|8|9]

Drag-and-Drop Attachments

Gmail's Webmail Facility also supports drag-and-drop functionality for attaching documents and images, when using either Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. Simply drag "a file from your desktop onto a message window" ^[12] and Gmail will automatically upload and attach it.

Integrated Events Calendar

Gmail's Webmail Facility also sports an integrated Events Calendar with FREE SMS reminders, located at https://www.google.com/calendar/b/0/render

Integrated Social Networking

Gmail is also tightly integrated with Google+.

---

Scheduled Sending

Gmail's Webmail Facility also caters for Scheduled Sending with the help of Boomerang.

Accessibility

Gmail accounts are accessible via Desktop Web Browsers, Desktop Mail Clients, Smartphones Web Browsers and Mobile Applications.

Webmail Access

To access a Gmail account from any Internet-connected Desktop Computer or Laptop, simply open your Web Browser and hop-on-over to http://mail.google.com/, fill in your username and password, and single-left-click the Login button.

Gmail are available in both, Standard and Basic HTML modes.

» To login in Basic HTML mode, simply navigate to http://mail.google.com/mail/h/ ^[18]

Mobile Access

From your Smartphone's Web Browser (i.e. Internet Explorer, Opera Mobile or Opera Mini) go to http://m.gmail.com/, fill in your username and password, and select the Login button.

Offline Access

There are also two ways of accessing Gmail 'offline'.

» One. Like most other email services, Gmail works well with virtually any Mail Client, including Mozilla Thunderbird, Microsoft Outlook Express and Microsoft Outlook 2003, 2007 and 2010.

» Two. If you are a Google Chrome user you may wish to plugin Offline Google Mail. It's fast, user-friendly and FREE.

Extensions

Gmail's popularity led to the development of a wide variety of plugin extensions, by which to augment Gmail.

BROWSER PLUGINS

Gmail plugins are available for Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox.

» ActiveInbox provides a plugin for Gmail and Google Apps Mail, that helps users to effortlessly manage their inbox. The plugin is available for both, Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox.

» Ad-blocker for Gmail is a plugin for Gmail that hides ads within the Gmail User Interface. The plugin is available for Google Chrome.

» Boomerang is a plugin for Gmail, that lets users take control over when they send and receive messages. The plugin is available for Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and Safari. ✪

» Checker Plus for Gmail, by Jason Savard, is a plugin for Gmail that displays new emails along with the sender's contact photo, provide desktop notifications and even text-to-speech support, allowing users to read or delete Gmail messages without opening Gmail itself. The plugin is available for Google Chrome. ✪

» Gmail Notifier is a plugin for Gmail that provides new message notifications for multiple Gmail accounts, directly from the browser's user interface. A status bar item will show once installed, and a toolbar item can be added by customizing the toolbar. The plugin is available for both, Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox.

» Google Mail Checker is a plugin for Gmail that displays the number of unread messages in your Google Mail inbox. You can also click the button to open your inbox. The plugin is available for Google Chrome.

» Graph My Inbox is a plugin for Gmail that allows you to graph Gmail activity over time. You can use it to visualize your communication with friends, your Facebook activity, when you purchased items on Amazon or how often you use certain words or phrases. The plugin provides the same search functionality used by Gmail, but instead of a list of messages we show you a graph of your email trends over time. The plugin is available for Google Chrome.

» Offline Google Mail is a plugin for Gmail that support offline access, allowing mail to be read, responded to, searched and archived without network access. After first start-up, Gmail Offline will automatically synchronize messages and queued actions anytime Chrome is running and an Internet connection is available. More than just an offline app, the streamlined user interface, based off Gmail’s popular tablet interface, provides extremely fast response time with a pure, email focused experience. The plugin is available for Google Chrome. ✪

» Rapportive is a plugin for Gmail that shows you everything about your contacts right inside your inbox. The plugin is available for Google Chrome. ✪

» Remember the Milk for Gmail ^[10] is a plugin for Gmail that enables users to interact directly with their Remember The Milk tasks. The plugin is available for Google Chrome.

» Row Highlighter for Gmail is a plugin for Gmail that adds some colors to the letter rows in your inbox. The plugin is available for Google Chrome.

» Send from Gmail is a plugin for Gmail that makes the web browser automatically create a new email when clicking on any mailto [email] link online. The plugin is available for Google Chrome.

» TrueNew(TM) Count for Gmail and Google Apps is a plugin for Gmail that turns unread counts on their head by not worrying so much about what is unread, but on what is NEW. The plugin is available for Google Chrome.

» Unsubscribe for Gmail is a plugin for Gmail that will rid your social networks of unwanted applications and clean your inbox of unwanted email subscriptions with the click of a button! The plugin is available for Google Chrome.

DESKTOP PLUGINS

» Gmail Notifier is a desktop plugin for Gmail that alerts you when you have new messages. It displays an icon in your system tray [bottom right] to let you know if you have unread messages, and shows you their subjects, senders and snippets, all without even having to open a web browser. The plugin is available for Microsoft Windows and Macintosh.

Toolkit

» The E-Mail Icon Generator allows users to easily generate an email icon like those below.

Availability

Gmail accounts are available from Google. ERP FREE

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I embed a photo in Gmail?

Simply click the 'Insert Image' icon, 9th from the left at the top of the email input box.

This is a special feature, so if it's unavailable, please enable 'Inserting Images' from Gmail Labs. Go to 'Settings' (top right), then select the 'Labs' tab, enable 'Inserting Images' and click 'Save' at the bottom.

How do I switch over to Gmail?

See, Switch to Gmail.

Gallery

Videos

Footnotes

✪ Recommended Personal Favourites

Bibliography

1. Gmail (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia; 14 August 2010)
2. Official Gmail Blog (Google; 14 August 2010)
3. Rich Text Signatures (The Official Gmail Blog; 8 July 2010)
4. Kaly. Gmail Craze: 40 + Tools and Hacks for Gmail (Make Use Of; 18 March 2007)
5. Gmail Gets Contacts and Updated New Look (Sizzled Core; 11 August 2010)
6. VIDEO: Gmail Priority Inbox (YouTube; 19 July 2010)
7. Google unveils Priority Inbox for Gmail (OneIndia News; 31 August 2010)
8. Alex Chitu. Gmail Priority Inbox (Google Operating System; 30 August 2010)
9. Michelle Meyers. Gmail 'Priority Inbox' aims to sort out bologna (CNET Webware; 30 August 2010)
10. Remember The Milk for Gmail (Remember The Milk; 31 August 2010)
11. VIDEO: Gmail IMAP for the iPhone (YouTube; 23 October 2007)
12. Scott Gilbertson. Google Turns to HTML5 for Gmail’s New Drag-and-Drop Attachments (Webmonkey; 16 April 2010)
13. Chris Ziegler. Confirmed: BlackBerry two-way sync for Gmail is now live (Engadget; 4 May 2010)
14. Feed Reader for Gmail Adds RSS Gadgets to Your Inbox (Lifehacker; 11 February 2009)
15. Lee Mathews. Google's HTML5 plans for Gmail include 1 second-to-Inbox startup (Download Squad; 25 June 2010)
16. Gmail interface (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia; 4 September 2010)
17. Anurag Upadhaya. More Reasons to switch to Gmail, if you still haven’t (BlogsDNA; 21 March 2011)
18. Set Basic HTML as Default Gmail View (Google Operating System; 16 May 2008)
19. Tina Sieber. 3 Best Free Alternatives To Microsoft Outlook (Make Use Of; 3 November 2009)
20. Read GMail on Your Blackberry (Email Swap; 13 September 2011)
21. Terrence O'Brien. Offline Google Mail hands-on (Engadget; 31 August 2011)

For more information, please visit the official Gmail Blog and Google Operating System; or the unofficial Engadget, Gtricks and Make Use Of.

Downloading

You may want to download this document in PDF format (single-left-click to generate).

Revisions

11.08.2010 / 14.08.2010 / 31.08.2010 / 04.09.2010 / 14.09.2010 / 04.01.2011 / 02.03.2011 / 08.03.2011 / 23.03.2011 / 06.04.2011 / 13.09.2011 / 26.01.2012

A Response to 'Hey Haters' by Steven Furtick (Updated)

2012-01-25T23:29:00.000+02:00

Title

"A Response to 'Hey Haters' by Steven Furtick" or "Stevie Makes Me Wonder"

Proof-Texts and Cross-References

Pr. 5v3; Mt. 3v7-9 ^[4], 11v20-24 ^[4], 12v1-8 ^[4], 15v7-9 ^[4|8], 16v5-12 ^[4], 23v4 ^[8], 24v4 ^[3]; 1 Cor. 3v1-2 ^[3], 5v1-13 ^[4]; Gal. 1v6-9 ^[4], 2v4-6 ^[4], v11-21 ^[4]; 2 Tim. 3v5 ^[3], 4v3-4; Heb. 5v12-14 ^[3]; 2 Pt. 3v17-18 ^[3]

Introduction

The following is a response to a YouTube Video, entitled "Hey Haters", by Steven Furtick of Elevation Church, shared on Bill Cornelius Ministries ^[18], ChurchLeaders.com ^[10], Emerging Thought In Montana ^[14], I'm Good at Being Me ^[17] and SteveFurtick.com ^[7].

STEVE: If you reading this, please don't read this as being argumentative. If I sound a bit agitated, I am. I expected more from the Senior Pastor of a Mega Church. Finally, I'm responding to you, because "Better is open rebuke than hidden love" (Pr. 27v5, ESV).

Response

Steven's rants and raves are, of course, aimed against discernment ministries, like Apologetics Index, Discerning The World, and in particular Ken Silva of Apprising Ministries ^[2|9], Frank Turk of PyroManiacs ^[11|12], Todd Friel of Wretched ^[6], and myself, who spoke out against him.

Title

The first thing I would like to address is the title of the video - "Hey Haters" ^[1|7].

According to Furtick, those who speak out against error and deception, are doing so because of 'hate'.

Now that's a 'cheap shot', if I ever heard one.

That would make Jesus a 'hater', since He Himself often publicly exposed and ridiculed the would-be religious leaders of His day. (Mt. 11v20-24, 12v1-8, 15v7-9, 16v5-12) ^[4] So did the Apostle Paul. (1 Cor. 5v1-13; Gal. 1v6-9, 2v4-6, v11-21) ^[4] So did John the Baptist. (Mt. 3v7-9) ^[4] So did virtually all 'God's Generals'.

In fact, that would make Furtick himself a 'hater', since he publicly judged John Calvin (1509-1564) ^[16], mTV ^[5] and, of course, us, the "haters" ^[1].

Content

Steve's vent, of course, had to be "rele-vent", and therefore delivered as Slam Poetry ^[13]: an increasingly popular form of forcefully delivered Poetry.

EXTRACT 00:09-00:16 "Hey haters, I hate to break this to you, but your day is done." ^[1]

Well, unless you planning to gun us all down, I don't think so! In fact, I've just begun.

EXTRACT 00:16-00:29 "You see were done with the way that you sling shame and blame in the face of anyone, who doesn't say what you say, see what you see, read what you read, think what you think, and do what you do, or how you do what you do." ^[1]

No Steve, we are not done with 'slinging shame and blame in the face of anyone, who doesn't say what we say, see what we see, read what we read, think what we think and do what we do', because we say what we say, see what we see, read what we read, think what we think and do what we do, because of a Biblical mandate.

That biblical mandate is captured within the Doctrine of Christian Judgement, which has been a guiding light throughout Christian History ^[4].

Therefore, as Paul "withstood [Peter] to the face, because he was to be blamed" (Gal. 2v11-21), likewise we will also oppose you, because you are to be blamed.

EXTRACT 00:29-00:31 "But it's not about you." ^[1]

Yes Steve, and it's not about you either. That is the whole point of our contention with you.

You accuse us of demanding support for our personal 'opinions' on Biblical Theology, but that is exactly what you are demanding of us, and your followers.

It is you, who seem to think that Scripture is a matter of private or personal interpretation - what it means to you, what you say, what you see, what you read, what you think, and what you do. But it is not. (2 Pt. 1v20) It is NOT about you. It is NOT about what you say. It is NOT about what you see. It is NOT about what you read. It is NOT about what you think. It is NOT about what you do.

It's about the Authority of Scripture, the Sufficiency of Scripture AND the fact that Scripture Interprets Itself.

Meaning, YOU are not the final arbiter of truth.

That is why we 'demand' support - not for our 'opinions', but for that of Scripture. If our 'opinion' is Scripture's 'opinion', then I'm of the 'opinion', that it's God's 'opinion'.

And if your 'opinion' is contrary to God's 'opinion', then I am of the 'opinion', that you are in error and under God's Judgement, for adhering to, and troubling God's People with another [different] Gospel.

"I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel - not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed." (Gal. 1v6-9, ESV)

It's NOT about you Steve. We are not interested in what YOU suck from YOUR thumb, or pull out of YOUR ass. We are, however, interested in what God has to say.

EXTRACT 00:32-00:45 "We're sick and tired of your pervasive propensity to pick a fight and hide the light. Nit-picking every single pixel of God's brilliant picture, seeing only your side, in only black and white." ^[1]

I'm sorry to hear that you are so sick and tired. I recommend you take a 'Gos-Pill', and call me in the morning.

Since when does 'picking a fight' equate to 'hiding the light'?!

It must have been 'Lights Out' around Christ and the Apostles, since they had a "pervasive propensity to pick a fight" ^[1] quite often.

You seem very concerned at our "nit-picking every single pixel of God's brilliant picture" ^[1]. Strange, since we are told to do exactly that in Scripture.

"For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished." (Mt. 5v18, ESV)

In Galatians chapter 3 verse 16, we find Jesus Himself 'nit-picking' Genesis chapter 12 verse 7, in explaining how the difference between "offspring" (ESV) or "seed" (ASV/KJV) [singular], and "offsprings" (ESV) or "seeds" (ASV/KJV) [plural], would affect it's understanding.

I will have to go with Jesus for now, but there's hope - that might change - just as soon as you create a universe, change water into wine, walk on water, die on the cross, rise from the dead, and ascend to Heaven.

Good luck with that, by the way.

EXTRACT 00:45-00:50 "So scared to death of difference. Shaking your fist in the face of change." ^[1]

Me scared of difference?!

Now that would explain why I, as a Nonconformist Independent, broke away from the 'Deformed', 'Penthouse-costals' and 'Charismaniacs' - because I was afraid to be different?!

No, actually I was afraid of teaching a 'different gospel' (Gal. 1v6-9) - the opposite of Truth being Error, the opposite of Right being Wrong, the opposite of Light being Darkness.

Shaking my fist in the face of change?!

No, I was in fact shaking my fist in the face of "changing the truth of God into a lie" (Rom. 1v25) to say what it doesn't, making Jesus say what He didn't, and making God guilty of what He isn't.

You see, it's a matter of perspective.

EXTRACT 00:50-01:13 "I hear you hating on some people, because they are not deep enough. But it makes me wonder, if depth is not more a measure of love, than whether it is whether people sync up to every idiosyncratic opinion you've got. They are full of opinions, but they are low on the Spirit, because the Spirit is love. The Spirit is peace. The Spirit is kindness." ^[1]

Oh no, still playing the 'hating game'?!

No, we don't hate them, we dislike them. We dislike them, because Jesus Himself dislikes them. He had very little time for false teachers. He had very little time for false prophets. He had very little time for hypocrites. In fact, the day would come, when He would spew the lukewarm from His mouth. (Rev. 3v16)

Yes, spiritual depth do relate to a measure of love. Yes, the Spirit is love. Yes, the Spirit is peace. Yes, the Spirit is kind. But true Christian love and kindness is NOT so "high on the peace train" ^[6], that it lovingly, peacefully and kindly accommodate gross error, and deception.

True Christian love, peace and kindness, the kind that Jesus had, always loved righteousness (Heb. 1v9) and admonition (Col. 3v16), loved God and kept His commandments (1 Jn. 5v2), and rejoiced in the truth (1 Cor. 13v6).

Finally, as I already explained, we do NOT expect YOU to 'sync up' to OUR 'idiosyncratic opinions', but we do expect you to 'sync up' to that of the Bible.

EXTRACT 01:13-01:20 "And the only kind words you ever seem to speak bring death to the hearer, and leave weakness in their wake." ^[1]

I have two problems with your argument.

» One. I am pretty sure that the Pharisees and Sadducees shared the same sentiment regarding Christ, who often left those in His wake in tears (Lk. 18v18-25; Jn. 6v64-67), because they were spiritually dead and weak to begin with.

» Two. Contrary to your opinion, it is in fact sugar-coated sermons, carefully crafted not to upset those with itching ears, that truly brings death to the hearer. (Pr. 5v3; 2 Tim. 4v3-4)

Be honest Steve. No matter how 'kind' we speak, you are way too proud to listen.

EXTRACT 01:20-01:30 "You look like a toddler, drawing lines in the sand, talking about how you are defending the truth, taking a stand." ^[1]

Now what do one say to that?

Well, Steve, we speak of "defending the truth", because ... the Bible speaks thereof.

"It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel." (Phillip. 1v7, ESV)

"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some." (2 Tim. 2v15-18, ESV)

EXTRACT 01:30-01:36 "But for all your hating and pontificating and stances and games, there's no change." ^[1]

How do you know? Did you meet any of us in person? Did you know any of us before we were saved? Did you follow our spiritual progress?

No you didn't. So I guess you pulled that from your ass as well?!

EXTRACT 01:36-01:47 "Fall back. It's a new day. Because we're not looking for approval from you, who give no respect, and never neglect the chance to complain." ^[1]

Honestly, you don't need my approval. The real question is whether you care about having God's?

As for your need to be respected: Sorry I only give "respect to whom respect is due" (Rom. 13v7).

EXTRACT 01:47-01:50 "Are you going to criticize or create?" ^[1]

Only two options?! I'll have to go with criticism then, since I'm not that good at creating. I always add too much milk to the Milky Way and ... you get my drift.

EXTRACT 01:50-01:57 "Waste your time casting stones, breaking bones, belittling everyone you consider opposed?" ^[1]

Well you surely wasted a lot of time 'casting stones' and 'belittling everyone you consider opposed'.

And no, were not belittling 'everyone', just you and yours.

Yet, if there be many who need correction, remember that in Noah's day God Himself could barely find a righteous man (Gen. 6), and Jesus Himself wonder whether He would "find faith on earth?" (Lk. 18v9, ESV) upon His Return.

EXTRACT 01:57-02:14 "Are you gonna exchange your hate, trade the pain of the same, embrace a new way to change your world. Honor's time has come, and a new light has dawned, to still the tongue of the cynic, and pierce the heart of the skeptic." ^[1]

A new way to change my world?!

Jesus changed my world long ago. In my 'opinion' those looking for a new way to change their world, need not look any further than Christ.

And for the record, there is nothing new under the sun.

"What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun." (Eccl. 1v9, ESV)

No, the Egyptians didn't have cellphones? I'm not speaking of 'things'. I'm speaking philosophically. Your ideas, your world view, is nothing new.

EXTRACT 02:14-02:21 "This generation is waiting, to restore the hope of a nation." ^[1]

They have been waiting, and will be waiting, for a very long time. Unless, of course, they convert from Furtick to Christ.

Conclusion

While I DO believe in Freedom of Religion and Freedom of Speech, I do NOT support your right to declare your 'idiosyncratic opinions' as that of Christ.

If you don't believe or approve of the foundational principles and doctrines of Biblical Christianity, by all means, establish your own cult. But please stop claiming to teach what you don't, or be what you aren't.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Furtick glorify himself any further? ^[6]

Yes. And here's a prediction: He will grow bolder by the day.

Objections

Jesus would have done the same than Furtick

In his "response to questions about Hey Haters" ^[8], Furtick claims "that Jesus would do something similar to haters if He were here today" ^[8].

I have no doubt that Jesus would have done "something similar". The only difference is, His would have been factual, and He would have been in the right. The same, however, can not be said of you.

You accuse those who oppose you of 'hate', then justify your own 'hate' [by your own definition] towards them, by claiming Jesus would have done the same?! Don't you think we could say the very same thing?!

I guess you will forgive us then for pointing out, that if Jesus was around here today, He'd point out your shallow platitudes and hypocrisy, very much like we do.

Videos

Bibliography

1. VIDEO: Hey Haters (Elevation Church/YouTube; 1 March 2011) ✔
2. Steven Furtick (Apprising Ministries; 15 November 2011)
3. Testing the Spirits – True Spiritual Discernment (Discerning The World; 14 October 2011)
4. EJ Hill. Christian Judgement Throughout History (Ejays; 15 November 2011)
5. VIDEO: Steven Furtick. My thoughts on Oprah (Elevation Church/YouTube; 15 November 2011) ✔
6. VIDEO: Todd Friel. Kind of Snarky, Pastor (Wrethced; 31 March 2011) ✔
7. Pastor Steve Furtick. Hey Haters (SteveFurtick.com; 2 March 2011)
8. Pastor Steve Furtick. A response to questions about Hey Haters (SteveFurtick.com; 9 March 2011)
9. Ken Silva. Steven Furtick Performer Wannabe? (Apprising Ministries; 11 March 2011) ✔
10. Steven Furtick: Hey, Haters (ChurchLeaders.com; 15 November 2011) ✔
11. Frank Turk. Open Letter to Steven Furtick (1 of 2) (Pyromaniacs; 14 September 2011) ✔
12. Frank Turk. Open Letter to Steven Furtick (2 of 2) (Pyromaniacs; 22 September 2011) ✔
13. Poetry Slam (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia; 15 November 2011) ✔
14. Carlos Iggy. Hey Haters: Pastor Steven Furtick Speaks out (Emerging Thought In Montana; 10 March 2011) ✔
15. VIDEO: Wretched: Infuriating! (Wretched/YouTube; 2 August 2011) ✔
16. VIDEO: Wretched: Feel the pastoral love! (Wretched/YouTube; 2 May 2011) ✔
17. Hey Haters. (via Pastor Steven Furtick) (I'm Good at Being Me; 2 March 2011) ✔
18. Hey Haters (Bill Cornelius Ministries; 2 March 2011) ✔
19. Hey Haters (Perth Reformer; 27 April 2011) ✔
20. Hey Haters by Steven Furtick: Max Holiday Dub (Apprising Ministries; 20 January 2012) ✔

Downloading

You may want to download this document in PDF format (single-left-click to generate).

Revisions

14-15.11.2011 / 17-18.11.2011 / 21.01.2012 / 25.01.2012

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (Updated)

2012-01-24T12:52:00.000+02:00

Introduction

Counter-Strike Global Offensive is a PAID First Person Shooter and the successor to Counter-Strike Source.

Beta Keys

Beta Keys are available via the Counter Strike Go Beta Giveaway, which is currently [24/01/2012] down for maintenance.

The following keys did not work for me,

4L2F4-O32CD-SCV1X
EL2NA-CHFCJ-92VZN

Have a spare? Please email me on ejaysnet@gmail.com

Videos

Bibliography

1. Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia; 24 January 2012)

For more information on CS:GO, please visit CS GO.

Downloading

You may want to download this document in PDF format (single-left-click to generate).

Revisions

26.12.2011 / 24.01.2012

Luke Chapter 16 Verses 19 To 31 - The Parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man (Updated)

2012-01-19T09:38:00.000+02:00

Title

"The Parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man" ^[1], "Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus" (NKJV/NLT) ^[19|28], "A Rich Man and Lazarus" (GWT), "The Rich Man and Lazarus" (ESV/GNT/GNTD/HCSB/LEB/MSG/NASB/NCV/NET/NIRV/NIV/NIV84/NIVUK) ^{[2|28|29|31|32]}, "Rich Man and Lazarus" ^[19], "Lazarus and the Rich Man" (CEV) ^[1|3|30], "Dives and Lazarus" ^[19], "Lazarus and Dives" ^[19], "The Rich Man, Lazarus, and Abraham" ^[22] or "Christ's Parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man"

Keywords

allegory, figurative, lazarus, literal, parable, personification, representation, resurrection, spiritual, symbolic, symbolism

Proof-Texts and Cross-References

Ge. 13v2 ^[3], 15v14 ^[3], 29v31-35 ^[3], 30v18-19 ^[3], 49v10 ^[3]; Ex. 19v6, 25v4 ^[3], 26v1 ^[3], 28v5 ^[3]; Deut. 4v7 ^[3]; Judg. 8v26 ^[3]; 1 Chron. 2v1-3 ^[3]; 2 Chron. 17v5 ^[3], 32v27-29 ^[3]; Est. 8v15 ^[16]; Job 1v3 ^[3], 14v12 ^[3]; Ps. 31v17-18 ^[3|24], 94v17 ^[24], 115v17 ^[24], 147v19 ^[3]; Pr. 22v7; Is. 1v6 ^[16]; Dan. 12v2 ^[3], v13 ^[3]; Hos. 4v6; Mt. 8v11 ^[16], 13v10-11, v18, v34-35 ^[34], 15v15, v17, v20, 19v16-26; Mk. 7v27-29 ^[3], 10v17-23, 11v11 ^[22]; Lk. 3v8 ^[16], 6v21 ^[16], v24 ^[16], 15v16 ^[16], v32, 16v14, v19-31 ^[3|19|20|30], 18v18-27; Jn. 1v18 ^[3], 3v13 ^[3], 4v22 ^[3], 5v45, 8v37 ^[16], 11v11 ^[22], 13v23 ^[3], v36; Acts 2v26 ^[3], 10v30 ^[3]; Rom. 2v1, 3v1-2 ^[3], v22-23, 9v6, 11v19-32 ^[9]; Ep. 2v11-12, v19, 3v8; Gal. 3v6; Phil. 2v19 ^[3]; 2 Tim. 2v17-18 ^[3]; Heb. 11v13; Js. 2v3 ^[16]; Rev. 7v4-5 ^[3], 17v4, 18v12 ^[16], v16, 19v8, 20v14 ^[30]

Introduction

Welcome to our study into Christ's Parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man.

This exposition forms part of the HALT Bible Commentary, edited by EJ Hill.

The passage of Scripture we will be looking at can be found in Luke chapter 16 from verses 19 to 31.

Significance

EMPLOYED BY THEOLOGIANS AGAINST PSYCHOPANNYCHISM AND ANNIHILATIONISM

Luke chapter 16 verses 19 to 31 are often sighted as a ready defence against the doctrines of Intermediate Unconsciousness (Psychopannycism) and Final Destruction (Annihilationism), in favour of the doctrines of a Intermediate Consciousness ^[28] and Eternal Torment. ^[30]

Those who "insist that this passage is to be taken literally" ^[28], believes "that God Almighty is going to torture the vast majority of all humanity who has ever lived by burning their flesh with real fire in a hellhole of insane pain for all eternity" ^[3].

» Charles G. Finney, for instance, believed that Luke chapter 16 verses 19 to 31 spoke "of things that take place immediately after death" ^[2]; "the state into which both good and bad men pass at death" ^[2]; "that at death the righteous go immediately to a state of bliss and the wicked to a place of torment" ^[2]; "of real and intense consciousness" ^[2]; where "the righteous and the wicked recognize each other" ^[2]; being "acquainted with each other's state and history" ^[2]. Therefore, concludes Finney, Christ "denied the assumption that this state is an unconscious one" ^[2]; teaching "the direct opposite of annihilation" ^[2]; a doctrine "entirely set aside by our Saviour's teachings in this narrative" ^[2]

» Likewise, Dr. John F. MacArthur, Jr. (1939-), believes that Luke chapter 16 verses 19 to 31 constitutes, yet "another compassionate, merciful warning, that those who follow this religion will end up under the judgement of God, in a place of torment, called hell." ^[8]

As a result, many Christians today believe that God is going to literally torture the lost for all Eternity. But is that what Luke chapter 16 verses 19 to 31 teaches? Let us have a closer look.

Transliteration

Afrikaans

"En daar was 'n ryk man, en hy het purper en fyn linne gedra en elke dag vrolik en weelderig gelewe. En daar was 'n bedelaar met die naam van Lazarus wat vol swere voor sy poort gelê het. En hy het verlang om hom te versadig met die krummels wat van die ryk man se tafel val. Ja, selfs die honde het gekom en sy swere gelek. En toe die bedelaar sterf, is hy deur die engele weggedra na die boesem van Abraham . En die ryk man het ook gesterwe en is begrawe. En toe hy in die doderyk sy oë ophef, terwyl hy in smarte was, sien hy Abraham van ver af en Lasarus aan sy boesem. En hy roep en sê: Vader Abraham, wees my barmhartig en stuur Lasarus, dat hy die punt van sy vinger in water kan insteek en my tong verkoel; want ek ly smarte in hierdie vlam. Maar Abraham antwoord: Kind, onthou dat jy jou goeie dinge in jou lewe ontvang het, en so ook Lasarus die slegte. En nou word hy getroos, maar jy ly smarte. En by dit alles is daar tussen ons en julle 'n groot kloof gevestig, sodat die wat hiervandaan wil oorgaan na julle, nie kan nie; en die wat daar is, nie na ons kan oorkom nie. En hy sê: Ek bid u dan, vader, om hom na my vader se huis te stuur - want ek het vyf broers - om hulle dringend te waarsku, sodat hulle nie ook in hierdie plek van pyniging kom nie. Toe sê Abraham vir hom: Hulle het Moses en die Profete; laat hulle na dié luister. Maar hy antwoord: Nee, vader Abraham, maar as iemand uit die dode na hulle gaan, sal hulle hul bekeer. Maar hy sê vir hom: As hulle na Moses en die Profete nie luister nie, sal hulle nie oortuig word nie, al sou iemand ook uit die dode opstaan." (Lk. 16v19-31, 1933AV, p.93)

English

"There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angel into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead." (Lk. 16v19-31, AKJV, p.461)

"There was a certain rich man who [habitually] clothed himself in purple and fine linen and reveled and feasted and made merry in splendor every day. And at his gate there was [carelessly] dropped down and left a certain utterly destitute man named Lazarus, [reduced to begging alms and] covered with [ulcerated] sores. He [eagerly] desired to be satisfied with what fell from the rich man's table; moreover, the dogs even came and licked his sores. And it occurred that the man [reduced to] begging died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. And in HADES (the realm of the dead), being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far away, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried out and said, Father Abraham, have pity and mercy on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame. But Abraham said, Child, remember that you in your lifetime fully received [what is due you in] comforts and delights, and Lazarus in like manner the discomforts and distresses; but now he is comforted here and you are in anguish. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who want to pass from this [place] to you may not be able, and no one may pass from there to us. And [the man] said, Then, father, I beseech you to send him to my father's house-- For I have five brothers--so that he may give [solemn] testimony and warn them, lest they too come into this place of torment. But Abraham said, They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear and listen to them. But he answered, No, father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent (change their minds for the better and heartily amend their ways, with abhorrence of their past sins). He said to him, If they do not hear and listen to Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be persuaded and convinced and believe [even] if someone should rise from the dead." (Lk. 16v19-31; AMP)

"There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented . And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And He said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead." (Lk. 16v19-31; KJV)

"There once was a rich man, expensively dressed in the latest fashions, wasting his days in conspicuous consumption. A poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, had been dumped on his doorstep. All he lived for was to get a meal from scraps off the rich man's table. His best friends were the dogs who came and licked his sores. Then he died, this poor man, and was taken up by the angels to the lap of Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. In hell and in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham in the distance and Lazarus in his lap. He called out, 'Father Abraham, mercy! Have mercy! Send Lazarus to dip his finger in water to cool my tongue. I'm in agony in this fire.' But Abraham said, 'Child, remember that in your lifetime you got the good things and Lazarus the bad things. It's not like that here. Here he's consoled and you're tormented. Besides, in all these matters there is a huge chasm set between us so that no one can go from us to you even if he wanted to, nor can anyone cross over from you to us.' The rich man said, 'Then let me ask you, Father: Send him to the house of my father where I have five brothers, so he can tell them the score and warn them so they won't end up here in this place of torment.' Abraham answered, 'They have Moses and the Prophets to tell them the score. Let them listen to them.' 'I know, Father Abraham,' he said, 'but they're not listening. If someone came back to them from the dead, they would change their ways.' Abraham replied, 'If they won't listen to Moses and the Prophets, they're not going to be convinced by someone who rises from the dead.'" (Lk. 16v19-31; MSG) *

"But there was a certain rich man who used to dress in purple and fine linen and lived luxuriously every day. And there was a certain beggar named El'azar, being covered with sores, who was placed at his gate, and longing to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table. Indeed, even the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to be that the beggar died, and was carried by the messengers to the bosom of Abraham. And the rich man also died and was buried. And while suffering tortures in the grave, having lifted up his eyes, he saw Abraham far away, and El'azar in his bosom. And crying out he said, 'Father Abraham, have compassion on me, and send El'azar to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am suffering in this flame.' But Abraham said, 'Son, remember that in your life you received your good, and likewise El'azar the evil, but now he is comforted and you are suffering. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set, so that those who wish to pass from here to you are unable, nor do those from there pass to us.' And he said, 'Then I beg you, father that you would send him to my father's house, for I have five brothers, let him warn them, lest they also come to this place of torture.' Abraham said to him, 'They have Mosheh and the prophets, let them hear them.' And he said, 'No, father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they shall repent.' But he said to him, 'If they do not hear Mosheh and the prophets, neither would they be persuaded even if one should rise from the dead.'" (Lk. 16v19-31, TS, p.1004)

"Now there was a certain rich man, and he was clothed in purple and fine linen, living in luxury every day. A certain beggar, named Lazarus, was laid at his gate, full of sores, and desiring to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man's table. Yes, even the dogs came and licked his sores. It happened that the beggar died, and that he was carried away by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died, and was buried. In Hades, he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and saw Abraham far off, and Lazarus at his bosom. He cried and said, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue! For I am in anguish in this flame.' But Abraham said, 'Son, remember that you, in your lifetime, received your good things, and Lazarus, in the same way, bad things. But now here he is comforted and you are in anguish. Besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, that those who want to pass from here to you are not able, and that none may cross over from there to us.' He said, 'I ask you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father's house; for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, so they won't also come into this place of torment.' But Abraham said to him, 'They have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them.' He said, 'No, father Abraham, but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.' He said to him, 'If they don't listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if one rises from the dead.'" (Lk. 16v19-31, WEB)

Commentary
or, What others said

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
by Dr. Robert Jamieson (1802-1880), A.R. Fausset (1821-1910) and Prof. Dr. David Brown (1803-1897)

"19. purple and fine linen, &c.--(Compare Esther 8:15 , Revelation 18:12 ); wanting nothing which taste and appetite craved and money could procure. 20, 21. laid--having to be carried and put down. full of sores--open, running, "not closed, nor bound up, nor mollified with ointment" ( Isaiah 1:6 ). 21. desiring to be fed with--but was not [GROTIUS, BENGEL, MEYER, TRENCH, &c.]. The words may mean indeed "was fain to feed on," or "gladly fed on," as in Luke 15:16 [ALFORD, WEBSTER and WILKINSON, &c.]. But the context rather favors the former. licked, &c.--a touching act of brute pity, in the absence of human relief. It is a case of heartless indifference, amidst luxuries of every kind, to one of God's poorest and most afflicted ones, presented daily before the eye. 22. died--His burial was too unimportant to mention; while "the rich man died and was buried"--his carcass carried in pomp to its earthly resting-place. in to Abraham's bosom--as if seen reclining next to Him at the heavenly feast ( Matthew 8:11 ). 23. in hell--not the final place of the lost (for which another word is used), but as we say "the unseen world." But as the object here is certainly to depict the whole torment of the one and the perfect bliss of the other, it comes in this case to much the same. seeth Abraham--not God, to whom therefore he cannot cry [BENGEL]. 24. Father Abraham--a well-founded, but unavailing, claim of natural descent ( Luke 3:8 , John 8:37 ). mercy on me--who never showed any ( James 2:3 ). send Lazarus--the pining victim of his merciless neglect. that he may--take me hence? No; that he dares not to ask. dip . . . tongue--that is the least conceivable and the most momentary abatement of his torment; that is all. But even this he is told is (1) unreasonable. 25, 26. Son--stinging acknowledgment of the claimed relationship. thou . . . Lazarus, &c.--As it is a great law of God's kingdom, that the nature of our present desires shall rule that of our future bliss, so by that law, he whose "good things," craved and enjoyed, were all bounded by time, could look for none after his connection with time had come to an end ( Luke 6:24 ). But by this law, he whose "evil things," all crowded into the present life, drove him to seek, and find, consolation in a life beyond the grave, is by death released from all evil and ushered into unmixed and uninterrupted good ( Luke 6:21 ). (2) It is impossible. 26. besides all this--independently of this consideration. a great gulf fixed--By an irrevocable decree there has been placed a vast impassable abyss between the two states, and the occupants of each. 27-31. Then he said--now abandoning all hope for himself. send him to my father's house, &c.--no waking up of good in the heart of the lost, but bitter reproach against God and the old economy, as not warning him sufficiently [TRENCH]. The answer of Abraham is, They are sufficiently warned. 30. Nay--giving the lie to Abraham. but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent--a principle of awful magnitude and importance. The greatest miracle will have no effect on those who are determined not to believe. A real Lazarus soon "rose from the dead," but the sight of him by crowds of people, inclined thereby to Christ, only crowned the unbelief and hastened the murderous plots of the Pharisees against the Lord of glory; nor has His own resurrection, far more overpowering, yet won over that "crooked and perverse nation." ^[16]

Exposition
or, What I believe

LUKE CHAPTER 16 VERSES 19 TO 31 IS A PARABLE

The first thing we must understand is that Luke Chapter 16 Verses 19 to 31 "is a parable" ^[30].

Today "there are many who [still] deny this fact" ^[3].

They believe this, because "somebody in the story has a name" ^[8]. In other words, both Lazarus and Abraham, were "mentioned by name and identified" ^[3]. According to them, that disqualifies Luke Chapter 16 Verses 19 to 31 from being a Parable.

In a sermon, preach at the Resolved conference, on the 21st of October 2009, Dr. John F. MacArthur, Jr (1931-), for instance, said of Luke chapter 16 verses 19 to 31:

"I am convinced at this point that this is not an actual historical story, but it is a parable. There would be no reason to consider it anything other than a parable, except for one minor detail, and that is the fact that somebody in the story has a name, which is a little odd for parables. There are no rules against that." ^[8]

The question, however, is "Can they prove their position from Scripture?" ^[3] The answer is a definite NO! "Can it the opposite be proven by the Scripture?" ^[3] Of course, and quite easily so.

The problem with the aforementioned argument is that 'identifiable individuals' were also mentioned in other Parables:

- The Parable of The Sower (Mk. 4v1-20); explicitly identified as a "parable" in both, verses 2 and 13; speaks of Satan (v15).

- The Parable of The Tares (Mt. 13v24-30, v36-43); explicitly identified as a "parable" in both, verses 24 and 36; speaks of the Son of Man (v37 and 41). The term "Son of Man" referring, of course, to Christ Himself. (Mt. 8v20, 9v6, 10v23, 11v19, 12v8, v32, v40, 16v13, v27-28, 17v9, v12, v22, 18v11, 19v28, 20v18, v28, 24v27, v30, v37, v39, v44, 25v13, v31, 26v2, v24, v45, v64; Mk. 2v10)

- The Parable of The Tares (Mt. 13v24-30, v36-43); explicitly identified as a "parable" in both, verses 24 and 36; also speaks of the Devil (v39).

Their argument, therefore, is fallacious (i.e. logically unsound).

Luke Chapter 16 Verses 19 to 31 became known as the "PARABLE of Lazarus and the Rich Man" ^[1], or the "PARABLE of the Rich Man and Lazarus" (NKJV/NLT), for a number of very good reasons:

Luke Chapter 16 Verse 19 to 31 is Introduced in the Same Way as Luke's Other Parables

The Parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man, starts with the words "There was a rich man" (Lk. 16v19, ESV). Likewise,

- The Parable of The Sower, starts with the words "A sower went out" (Lk. 8v5, ESV).
- The Parable of the Good Samaritan, starts with the words "And behold, a lawyer" (Lk. 10v25, ESV).
- The Parable of the Rich Fool, starts with the words "The land of a rich man produced plentifully" (Lk. 12v16, ESV).
- The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree, starts with the words "A man had a fig tree" (Lk. 13v6, ESV).
- The Parable of the Prodigal Son, starts with the words "There was a man who had two sons" (Lk. 15v11, ESV).
- The Parable of the Dishonest Manager, starts with the words "There was a rich man" (Lk. 16v1, ESV).
- The Parable of the Persistent Widow, starts with the words "In a certain city there was a judge" (Lk. 18v2, ESV).
- The Parable of the Ten Minas, starts with the words "A nobleman went into a far country" (Lk. 19v12, ESV).
- The Parable of the Wicked Tenants, starts with the words "A man planted p a vineyard" (Lk. 20v9, ESV).

None of Luke's parables ever identifies it's main character. All of Luke's parables simply speaks of 'a lawyer', 'a sower', 'a man', 'a nobleman', 'a rich man', 'a judge' or 'a certain city'.

Most Competent Scholars Agree that Luke Chapter 16 Verse 19 to 31 is a Parable

Many Protestant and "Catholic exegetes now commonly accept the story as a parable ..." ^[6].

This has been confirmed by those in support of a figurative interpretation (Bryan T. Huie ^[1], Pastor Jeff Walser ^[23], Joachim Jeremias (1900-1979) ^[19], Joshua Anderson ^[30], L. Ray Smith ^[3], N.T. Wright (1948-) ^[19] and myself), as well as those in favour of a literal interpretation (Dr. John F. MacArthur, Jr (1931-) ^[8]).

In a sermon, preach at the Resolved conference, on the 21st of October 2009, Dr. John F. MacArthur, Jr (1931-), for instance, said of Luke chapter 16 verses 19 to 31:

"I am convinced at this point that this is not an actual historical story, but it is a parable. There would be no reason to consider it anything other than a parable, except for one minor detail, and that is the fact that somebody in the story has a name, which is a little odd for parables. There are no rules against that. There are no rules given concerning parables. But all the elements concerning the story would lend to the idea that it is a parable. It is introduced, for example, in the way that parables are regularly introduced. 'Now there was a certain rich man' That's very typical of the introduction to parables." ^[8]

Interpreting Parables

It is important to understand that Luke chapter 16 verses 19 to 31 is a parable, since parables are interpreted differently to other genres, like poetry, psalms or historical narratives.

As Joshua Anderson of Spirit & Truth Fellowship International explains:

"It's important that we understand it's a parable, because you have to interpret Scripture according to the genre of what part of Scripture you are reading.... You interpret different types of genres differently. You wouldn't read a book that started with 'Once upon a time' the same as a newspaper article. Those are two different genres, so you come to the text differently.... Well, the same thing with Scripture. We have to interpret different parts of Scripture, according to the genre they were written. Whether it be Gospel, or whether it be parable, or whether it be poetry, a psalm, a historical narrative. We come to those with different sets of interpretations. And so with a parable it is really important not to make literal points about the details of the story, or else that leads to all sorts of bad theology." ^[30]

As we discovered in our study on Interpreting Parables ^[10], NO parable is to be interpreted literally. They are to be understood spiritually.

When Interpreted Literally

Those who insist on a literal interpretation of Luke Chapter 16 Verses 19 to 31, "must overlook several facts to arrive at that conclusion" ^[1]. "If taken literally", for instance, "this parable consists of statements that are illogical, unscriptural, contradictory, and impossible." ^[3]

A literal interpretation would contradict what the Bible teaches concerning the Afterlife

I. If taken literally, Luke chapter 16 verses 19 to 31 directly contradicts Genesis chapter 3 verse 19, Job chapter 10 verse 9, Psalms chapter 90 verse 3, Psalms chapter 104 verse 29, Psalms chapter 146 verses 4, Ecclesiastes chapter 3 verses 18 to 21 and John chapter 8 verse 21 - which makes it abundantly clear that upon death we return from where we came:

"I said in my heart with regard to the children of man that God is testing them that they may see that they themselves are but beasts. For what happens to the children of man and what happens to the beasts is the same; as one dies, so dies the other. They all have the same breath, and man has no advantage over the beasts, for all is vanity. All go to one place. All are from the dust, and to dust all return. Who knows whether the spirit of man goes upward and the spirit of the beast goes down into the earth?" (Eccl. 3v18-21, ESV)

"By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return" (Gen. 3v19, ESV)

"Remember that You have made me like clay; and will You return me to the dust?" (Job 10v9, ESV)

"You return man to dust and say, 'Return, O children of man!'" (Ps. 90v3, ESV)

"When You hide Your face, they are dismayed; when You take away their breath, they die and return to their dust." (Ps. 104v29, ESV)

"When his breath departs, he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish." (Ps. 146v4, ESV)

Upon death we will return from where we came. We came from the dust, and to the dust we will return. And there we will sleep the sleep of death (Jn. 11v11; 1 Thess. 4v14; 1 Cor. 15v20, v51), until the day Christ Returns to Resurrect us.

Christ alone ascended into Heaven, since He alone descended from Heaven.

"No one has ascended into heaven except He who descended from heaven, the Son of Man." (Jn. 3v13, ESV)

"So he said to them again, 'I am going away, and you will seek Me, and you will die in your sin. Where I am going, you cannot come" (Jn. 8v21, ESV)

Yet, as we will see in the next chapter, there will come a day, when Christ Return, that we will be with Him.

"Simon Peter said to Him, 'Lord, where are you going?' Jesus answered him, 'Where I am going you cannot follow Me now, but you will follow afterward'" (Jn. 13v36, ESV)

To the Literalists we ask: How is it that you would have us believe, that upon death we would return to, from where we did not come?

II. If taken literally, Luke chapter 16 verses 19 to 31 directly contradicts Psalms chapter 31 verse 17 to 18 and Psalms chapter 94 verse 17 - which refers to the Afterlife as a place of complete and utter silence.

"Let me not be ashamed, O LORD; for I have called upon Thee: let the wicked be ashamed, and let them be silent in the grave [sheol]. Let the lying lips be put to silence; which speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous." (Ps. 31v17-18, KJV)

In Psalms chapter 13 verses 17 to 18 David spoke specifically of "the wicked" - those "who are in outright rebellion against God" ^[24], those who wanted to kill him. David was praying for their death, since that was the only way in which their lying lips would be silenced.

Yet, it could be argued that their lying lips would be 'silenced in the grave', since the dead "have no more share in all that is done under the sun" (Eccl. 9v6, ESV), meaning that they were silenced as far as the living was concerned, but not literally 'in silence'.

This objection, however, is quickly dispelled from the original Hebrew text: יְהוָה אַל־אֵבוֹשָׁה transliterated as "yëvoshû r'shäiym yiD'mû lish'ôl" ^[25] reading "be silent in the grave" ^[25] - making it abundantly clear that the wicked would not only "go silently to Sheol" (as the ESV indicates), but would "become silent to Sheol" (YLT), "BE silent IN the grave" (KJV), "BE silent IN Sheol" (AMP/ASV) and "lie silent IN the grave" (NLT).

The above is confirmed in one of David's later passages, Psalms chapter 94 verses 17, reading:

"Unless the LORD had been my help, my soul had almost dwelt in silence." (Ps. 94v17, KJV)

According to King David, "the wicked do not constantly scream in torment in sheol" ^[24], but dwell there in silence.

It would therefore be impossible for either, Abraham or the Rich Man, to have communicated in the Afterlife.

A literal interpretation would contradict what the Bible teaches concerning the Resurrection

I. If taken literally, Luke chapter 16 verses 19 to 31 directly contradicts First Corinthians chapter 15 verses 20 to 23 - which makes it abundantly clear that no-one would be raised from the dead prior to Christ Himself: not Abraham, not Lazarus, neither the Rich Man.

In First Corinthians chapter 15 verses 20 to 23 the Apostle Paul makes it clear that Christ was the first to be resurrected from the dead.

"Maar nou, Christus is opgewek uit die dode; Hy het die eersteling geword van die wat ontslaap het. Want aangesien die dood deur 'n mens is, is die opstanding van die dode ook deur 'n mens. Want soos hulle almal in Adam sterwe, so sal hulle ook almal in Christus lewend gemaak word; maar elkeen in sy eie orde: as eersteling Christus, daarna die wat aan Christus behoort by Sy koms." (1 Kor. 15v20-23, 1933AV)

"But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at His coming l those who belong to Christ." (1 Cor. 15v20-23, ESV)

"But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming." (1 Cor. 15v20-23, KJV)

Christ was to be the first - the "firstfruit" (1 Cor. 15v20, v23) - to rise from the dead. Yet, while sharing this very parable, of Lazarus and the Rich Man, Jesus was still very much alive and well on Earth. He was not yet crucified. Nor was He yet resurrected.

This is absolute infallible Scriptural proof, that at the time Jesus gave this parable, there was no Abraham, no Lazarus, and no Rich Man living in either, Heaven or Hell.

To the Literalists: How is it that you would have us believe, that Abraham, Lazarus and the Rich Man, were risen before Christ Himself? How could they have been risen from the dead, while Jesus Himself was not yet risen? How could they be alive and well in Heaven and Hell, while Jesus Himself was yet on Earth sharing this very parable?

II. If taken literally, Luke chapter 16 verses 19 to 31 directly contradicts Job chapter 14 verse 12, Daniel chapter 12 verses 2 and 13, John chapter 3 verse 13, John chapter 5 verses 28 to 29, John chapter 6 verses 39 to 40, John chapter 11 verses 23 to 24, John chapter 13 verse 33 and 36, John chapter 14 verse 3, Acts chapter 2 verse 34, First Corinthians chapter 15 verses 20 to 24 and 35 to 55, First Thessalonians chapter 4 verses 13 to 17, Revelation chapter 20 verses 5 to 15 - which makes it clear that no-one ascend into Heaven before Christ's Return: not David (Acts 2v34), not Abraham, not Lazarus, neither the Rich Man:

"... so a man lies down and rises not again; till the heavens are no more he will not awake or be roused out of his sleep." (Job 14v12, ESV)

"And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.... But go your way till the end. And you shall rest and shall stand in your allotted place at the end of the days" (Dan. 12v2 and 13, ESV)

"No one has ascended into heaven except He who descended from heaven, the Son of Man." (Jn. 3v13, ESV)

"Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear His voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment." (Jn. 5v28-29, ESV)

"And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that I should lose nothing of all that He has given Me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in Him l should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day." (Jn. 6v39-40, ESV)

"Jesus said to her, 'Your brother will rise again' Martha said to Him, 'I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day'" (Jn. 11v23-24, ESV)

"Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek Me, and just as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, 'Where I am going you cannot come'. A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another'. Simon Peter said to Him, 'Lord, where are you going?' Jesus answered him, 'Where I am going you cannot follow Me now, but you will follow afterward" (Jn. 13v33-36, ESV)

"And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to Myself, that where I am you may be also." (Jn. 14v3, ESV)

"But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at His coming those who belong to Christ. Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power.... But someone will ask, 'How are the dead raised? With what kind of body do they come?' You foolish person! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. And what you sow is not the body that is to be, but a bare kernel, perhaps of wheat or of some other grain. But God gives it a body as He has chosen, and to each kind of seed its own body. For not all flesh is the same, but there is one kind for humans, another for animals, another for birds, and another for fish. There are heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the glory of the heavenly is of one kind, and the glory of the earthly is of another. There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for star differs from star in glory. So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. Thus it is written, 'The first man Adam became a living being'; the last Adam became a j life-giving spirit. But it is not the spiritual that is first but the natural, and then the spiritual. The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven. As was the man of dust, so also are those who are of the dust, and as is the man of heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven. I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: 'Death is swallowed up in victory'. 'O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?'" (1 Cor. 15v20-24 and 35-55, ESV)

"But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep. For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord." (1 Thess. 4v13-17, ESV)

"The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such a the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with Him for a thousand years. And when the thousand years are ended, Satan will be released from his prison and will come out to deceive the nations that are at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them for battle; their number is like the sand of the sea. And they marched up over the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, but fire came down from heaven and consumed them, and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From His presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire." (Rev. 20v5-15, ESV)

This is absolute infallible Scriptural proof, that at the time Jesus gave this parable, there was no Abraham, no Lazarus, and no Rich Man living in either, Heaven or Hell.

To the Literalists: How is it that you would have us believe, that Abraham, Lazarus and the Rich Man, were risen before Christ's Return? How is it that you would have us believe, that anyone were risen before Christ's Return? Do not fall into the error of "Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened" (2 Tim. 2v17-18, ESV).

For more information on the Intermediate State, please review the Doctrine of Soul Sleep (Psychopannychism).

Fallible Proofs Against a Literal Interpretation

I am sad to say, but I often find, among my Annihilationist-friends, the unfortunate tendency to fortify already indisputable, and therefore, infallible Scriptural proofs (like the above), with disputable, and therefore fallible proofs, like the following:

I. Some have concluded that Luke Chapter 16 Verses 19 to 31 must be a parable, because Matthew Chapter 13 Verse 34 says, that amongst the Multitudes Jesus ALWAYS spoke in PARABLES ONLY:

» L. Ray Smith, for instance, points to Matthew Chapter 13 Verse 34 as teaching that "Jesus spoke to the masses in parables only" ^[3], and hence "ought to be sufficient Scriptural evidence to anyone that Lazarus and the Rich man is indeed a parable" ^[3].

The argument is fallacious [i.e. logically unsound] for a number of reasons:

Yes, Jesus did speak in parables only on this occasion. (Mt. 13v34)

Yes, Jesus spoke in parables often. ^[3] In Matthew Chapter 13, for instance, we find no less than seven different parables. ^[3]

- He spoke to the Chief Priests (Mk. 11v27) in Parables (Mk. 12v1).
- He spoke to the Scribes (Mk. 11v27) in Parables (Mk. 12v1).
- He spoke to the Elders (Mk. 11v27) in Parables (Mk. 12v1).
- He spoke to the Multitudes (Mt. 13v34) in Parables (Mt. 13v34).

But, Jesus did NOT speak to all the multitudes in PARABLES ONLY.

» In Matthew Chapter 22 Verses 23 to 33, Jesus spoke to a "multitude" (v33) plainly.
» In Matthew Chapter 23 Verses 1 to 36, Jesus spoke to both "the multitudes and to His disciples" (v1) plainly.
» In Mark Chapter 7 Verses 14 to 16, Jesus spoke to a "multitude" (v14 and 17) plainly.
» In Mark Chapter 12 Verses 41 to 44, Jesus spoke to a "multitude" (v41) plainly.
» In Luke Chapter 13 Verses 10 to 17, Jesus spoke to a "multitude" (v14 and 17) plainly.
» In Luke Chapter 14 Verses 25 to 35, Jesus spoke to "great multitudes" (v25) plainly.
» In John Chapter 7 Verses 14 to 24, Jesus spoke to a "multitude" (v20) plainly.

II. Some have concluded that Luke Chapter 16 Verses 19 to 31 must be a parable, since if taken literally it would consign all the dead in Christ to Abraham's Bosom, and only one person could fit into Abraham's Bosom:

» L. Ray Smith, for instance, reasoned that since "Lazarus was carried (in the parable) into Abraham’s bosom" ^[3] and "no more than one person could fit into Abraham’s bosom" ^[3], the passage had to be understood figuratively.

The argument is fallacious [i.e. logically unsound] for a number of reasons:

» One. It could be said that it was ONLY Lazarus who would find himself in Abraham's Bosom. There is no Scriptural reason to object or believe otherwise.

» Two. It could be said that Abraham only received the dead into his bosom, but did not necessarily retain them there. There is no Scriptural reason to object or believe otherwise.

III. Some have concluded that Luke Chapter 16 Verses 19 to 31 must be a parable, since if taken literally, the saved could not enjoy eternity, since they would forever behold the lost tormented in hell:

» Bryan T. Huie of Tentmaker Ministries, for instance, asked "If hell is truly as it is pictured in this story, then the saved will be able to view the lost who are burning there. Could anyone enjoy eternal existence if they were able to see lost friends, family, and acquaintances being incinerated in hell, yet never burning up?" ^[1]

The argument is fallacious [i.e. logically unsound] for a number of reasons:

» One. Even those who hold to a literal interpretation of Luke Chapter 16 Verses 19 to 31, believe that what is taught in the passage do NOT speak of eternity, but only of the Intermediate State, between death and Christ's Return. In other words, it could be said that it was only during the Intermediate State that the saved would behold the suffering of the lost, and NOT necessarily thereafter.

» Two. They assume that the saved will retain some sense of compassion for the lost, even after having witnessed their judgement. In other words, they assume that the saved will still feel sympathy for the lost, even after having witnessed the deepest depths of their corruptions and sin.

To my young friends, NEVER fall into the temptation of using fallible proofs to reinforce infallible proofs. NEVER stretch the truth. Doing so will not only undermine your fallible proofs, but also your infallible proofs. The opposition will, in time, find and overthrow your fallible proofs, and in the process also discredit your infallible proofs. If they discredit you on one thing, their followers and the public, will assume you are, most likely, also in error on the other.

Even IF Taken Literally the Passage Still Does NOT Teach Eternal Conscious Torment

Even IF Lazarus was consciously in bliss and the Rich Man consciously in torment - "that still doesn't give us any justification for believing in eternal conscious suffering in hell" ^[30]. Let me explain.

The Rich Man of Luke Chapter 16 Verses 19 to 31 found himself in what the original Hebrew text calls "hades" (Lk. 16v23, AMP/ASV/ESV/NASB/YLT), often correctly translated in English as "the realm of the dead" (Lk. 16v23, AMP) and "the place of the dead" (Lk. 16v23, NLT); or incorrectly simply as "hell" (Lk. 16v23, KJV).

In Revelation chapter 20 verses 14 to 15, we read that:

"Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire." (Rev. 20v14-15, ESV)

It is very clear from Revelation chapter 20 verses 14 to 15, that at the end of the world [as we know it], following Armageddon and Final Judgement, God Himself would scoop up both, Death and Hades itself, and cast them both into the Lake of Fire, to be destroyed.

Hence, the Rich Man's torment wouldn't be everlasting, since both he and Hades [the realm of the dead], would in the end be destroyed in the Lake of Fire.

For more information on the Final Destruction, please review the Doctrine of Final Destruction (Annihilationism).

When Interpreted Figuratively

The Rich Man Described

In Luke chapter 16 verses 19 to 31, Jesus gave us five elements from which to identify the Rich Man:-

I. In verse 19, we discover that the Rich Man was "rich" (AMP/KJV/MSG/TS), or in Afrikaans: "ryk" (1933AV).

II. In verse 19, we discover that the Rich Man "clothed himself in purple and fine linen" (AMP), "clothed in purple and fine linen" (ESV/KJV), and "dress in purple and fine linen" (TS), or in Afrikaans: "hy het purper en fyn linne gedra" (1933AV).

III. In verse 19, we discover that the Rich Man "reveled and feasted and made merry in splendor every day" (AMP), "feasted sumptuously every day" (ESV), "lived luxuriously every day" (TS), and "wasting his days in conspicuous consumption" (MSG), or in Afrikaans: "elke dag vrolik en weelderig gelewe" (1933AV).

IV. In verse 24, we discover that the Rich Man recognized and referred to Abraham as his "Father" (AMP/ESV/KJV/MSG/TS), and in verse 25 Abraham referred to him as his "Child" (AMP/MSG) or "Son" (KJV/TS).

V. In verse 28, we discover that the Rich Man had "five brethren" (KJV), "five brothers" (AMP/MSG/TS), or in Afrikaans: "vyf broers" (1933AV).

VI. In verses 29 and 31, we discover that the Rich Man's brothers "have Moses and the Prophets" (AMP/ESV/KJV/MSG), or in Afrikaans: "het Moses en die Profete" (1933AV).

The Rich Man Identified

Biblically speaking, there is only one that fits ALL the descriptions of the Rich Man. Only one who "personifies" all of the symbols and identifying clues. And that is Judah and his descendants, the Tribe of Judah.

I. Like the Rich Man, Judah and his descendants were 'rich'.

God Himself prophesied that Abraham's descendants would be rich.

"But I will bring judgment on the nation that they serve, and afterward they shall come out with great possessions." (Gen. 15v14, ESV)

Hence, virtually all the Kings of Judah were extremely rich:-

David, the first King of Judah from 1010 to 1003 BC, was rich.

"Now, behold, in my trouble I have prepared for the house of the LORD an hundred thousand talents of gold, and a thousand thousand talents of silver; and of brass and iron without weight; for it is in abundance: timber also and stone have I prepared; and thou mayest add thereto." (1 Chron. 22v14, KJV)

Jehoshaphat, the fourth King of Judah from around 873 to around 849 BC, was rich.

"Therefore the Lord established the kingdom in his hand. And all Judah brought tribute to Jehoshaphat, and he had great riches and honor.... And Jehoshaphat grew steadily greater. He built in Judah fortresses and store cities, and he had large supplies in the cities of Judah. He had soldiers, mighty men of valor, in Jerusalem. This was the muster of them by fathers' houses: Of Judah, the commanders of thousands: Adnah the commander, with 300,000 mighty men of valor; and next to him Jehohanan the commander, with 280,000; and next to him Amasiah the son of Zichri, a volunteer for the service of the Lord, with 200,000 mighty men of valor. Of Benjamin: Eliada, a mighty man of valor, with 200,000 men armed with bow and shield; and next to him Jehozabad with 180,000 armed for war." (2 Chron. 17v5, 12-18, ESV)

Hezekiah, the fourteenth King of Judah from 715 to 686 BC, was rich.

"And Hezekiah [the King of Judah] had very great riches and honor, and he made for himself treasuries for silver, for gold, for precious stones, for spices, for shields, and for all kinds of a costly vessels; storehouses also for the yield of grain, wine, and oil; and stalls for all kinds of cattle, and sheepfolds. He likewise provided cities for himself, and flocks and herds in abundance, for God had given him very great possessions." (2 Chron. 32v27-29, ESV)

Even today, the Jews are still "universally known for having money and being successful in the financial world" ^[3].

However, apart from their material possession, Judah were also rich in a spiritual sense. They possessed something far more valuable than any of their material possessions - a treasure greater than any other on the face of the planet. To them He entrusted His Word.

"Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? Much in every way. To begin with, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God." (Rom. 3v1-2, ESV)

"He declares his word to Jacob, His statutes and rules to Israel." (Ps. 147v19, ESV)

So not only was Judah rich materially, but God bestowed on Judah His very word, and through Judah the very salvation of the world.

"You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is a from the Jews." (Jn. 4v22, ESV)

Who, but Judah, possessed such wealth?

"For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as the Lord our God is to us, whenever we call upon Him?" (Deut. 4v7, ESV)

II. Like the Rich Man, Judah and his descendants were 'clothed in purple and fine linen'.

From Scripture itself we know that the colour purple symbolised "rank or royalty" ^[3|11] (Est. 8v15; Judg. 8v26; Dan. 5v7, v16; Mt. 15v17, v20). According to the Greek-English Keyword Concordance, purple is "A color used in garments of a bluish red, by a dye obtained from a shell fish, purpura. It denotes rank of royalty" ^[3|11]. Purple was worn by Kings (Judg. 8v26). "Even the Caesars of Rome wore Purple as a symbol of their royalty" ^[3].

Judah "was to carry the royal line in Israel" ^[3].

"The scepter [a symbol of rulership and power] shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples." (Gen. 49v10, ESV)

King David was of the Tribe of Judah. ^[3] King Jesus was of the Tribe of Judah. (Mt. 1v2) ^[3]

From Scripture we also know that fine linen represents "righteousness" (Rev. 19v8) and the Priesthood. Fine linen was worn by the priests (Ex. 25v4, 28v5). And the Tabernacle were arrayed in fine linen (Ex. 26v1).

The Levites and Priests were part of Judah. ^[3]

It is only Judah who "had both the royalty and the priesthood" ^[3].

God has always elevated Judah above the other Tribes. Even though Judah was the third born to Israel [Jacob], he is often named first.

In First Chronicles chapter 2 verses 1 to 3, when listing the names of Israel's grandchildren, Judah's are named first.

"These are the sons of Israel: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Dan, Joseph, Benjamin, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher. The sons of Judah: Er, Onan and Shelah ..." (1 Chron. 2v1-3, ESV)

In Revelation chapter 7 verses 4 to 5, when the Tribes of Israel are enumerated, Judah is listed first.

"And a I heard the number of the sealed, 144,000, sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel: 12,000 from the tribe of Judah were sealed, 12,000 from the tribe of Reuben, 12,000 from the tribe of Gad, ..." (Rev. 7v4-5, ESV)

III. Like the Rich Man, Judah and his descendants 'feasted daily'.

More details coming soon ...

IV. Like the Rich Man, Judah and his descendants had 'Abraham as their father'.

Judah was the fourth son of Jacob (Gen. 29v35; Mt. 1v2) ^[12], later known as Israel (Gen. 32v28-29 and 35v10) ^[13]. Jacob was the son of Isaac. (Gen. 25v19-26) ^[13] Isaac was the son of Abraham. (Gen. 25v19) ^[13|14]

The Rich Man (Judah), therefore, could legitimately call Abraham, "Father", since Abraham was Judah's Great Grandfather. ^[3] And Abraham could legitimately call the Rich Man (Judah), "Child", since the Rich Man (Judah) was Abraham's Great Grandchild. ^[3]

V. Like the Rich Man, Judah had 'five brothers'.

Judah was the brother of Reuben ^[3], Simeon ^[3], Levi ^[3], Issachar ^[3] and Zebulun ^[3]. (Gen. 29v31-35; 30v18-19)

VI. Like the Rich Man, Judah and his descendants had 'Moses and the Prophets'.

As we already discovered, they were entrusted with "the oracles of God" (Rom. 3v1-2, ESV). They were the custodians, depository, "protectors and scribes of those very documents till the time of our Lord’s ministry" ^[3].

SUMMARY: The Rich Man personified Judah. His riches symbolizing their Rulership (Pr. 22v7; Lk. 16). His clothing symbolized their Royalty and Priesthood. His dialogue with Abraham confirmed their Paternity.

Lazarus Described

In Luke chapter 16 verses 19 to 31, Jesus gave us three elements from which to identify Lazarus:-

I. In verses 20 to 21, we discover that Lazarus was a "poor" (ESV) "beggar" (KJV/TS), or in Afrikaans: "'n bedelaar" (1933AV).

II. In verse 21, we discover Lazarus "desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table" (KJV) and closely identified with dogs.

III. In verse 22, we discover upon his death Lazarus was carried to "Abraham's bosom" (KJV), "the Bosom of Abraham" (TS), or in Afrikaans: "die boesem van Abraham" (1933AV).

Lazarus Identified

Biblically speaking, there is only one that fits ALL the descriptions of Lazarus. Only one who "personifies" all of the symbols and identifying clues. And that is the Gentiles, the "goyim" ^[17] or non-Israeli, non-Hebrew, "non-Jews" ^[17]).

I. Like poor Lazarus, the Gentiles were 'poor beggars'.

Lazarus was poor and hungry. He was so pitiful that even "the dogs came and licked his sores" (Lk. 16v21, KJV).

Throughout history, there were none as poor as the Gentiles. The Jews only allowed them to enter the Temple courts to a certain point. (Acts 21v28)

II. Like poor Lazarus, the Gentiles desired 'the crumbs from the rich man's table'.

In Mark chapter 7 verses 25 to 30 we find a Greek woman, a native of Syro-Phoenicia, a Gentile, begging Jesus to liberate her daughter from demonic possession.

"But immediately a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit heard of Him and came and fell down at His feet. Now the woman was a Gentile, a Syrophoenician by birth. And she begged Him to cast the demon out of her daughter. And He said to her, 'Let the children be fed first, for it is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs' But she answered Him, 'Yes, Lord; yet even the dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs' And He said to her, 'For this statement you may go your way; the demon has left your daughter'. And she went home and found the child lying in bed and the demon gone." (Mk. 7v25-30, ESV)

The Syro-Phoenician woman was not asking for scraps. She was asking for a small portion of Christ’s blessing.

As far as the Gentiles were concerned, they were literally scraping the bottom of the spiritual barrel. In biblical terms, they were like 'dogs' (Mt. 15v26-27; Mk. 7v27-28), "longing to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's [Judah's] table" (Lk. 16v20, TS).

In Ephesians chapter 2 verses 11 to 12 we read:

"Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, ... were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world." (Ep. 2v11-12, ESV)

III. Like poor Lazarus, the Gentiles would one day also find comfort in 'Abraham's Bosom'.

From Scripture itself we know that being in someone's bosom symbolised "a very close emotional relationship and position of honor" ^[3] (Jn. 1v18, 13v23). To be in the bosom of Abraham, the bosom of Christ, or the bosom of the Father, were considered as positions of great honour.

Historically the Jews [that is Judah the 'Rich Man'] believed that they had exclusive right and access to Abraham's Bosom in Heaven, because they were Abraham's "offspring" (Jn. 8v37), his "children" (Jn. 8v39). They literally believed, that being Abraham's descendants guaranteed their salvation.

But they were wrong.

In Matthew chapter 3 verses 9 to 10, John the Baptist rebuked the Pharisees and Sadducees, saying:

"And do not presume to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father,' for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire." (Mt. 3v9-10, ESV)

You see, Abraham had two types of descendants:-

- First his natural descendants, namely "Israel after the flesh" (1 Cor. 10v18). They are Abraham's children by natural descent, but the Devil's children by nature (Jn. 8v44).

- Second his spiritual descendants, namely "Israel after the spirit". They are Abraham's children by spiritual descent, and God's children by adoption.

Both, Jesus and the Apostle Paul, made it clear that only the latter were truly Abrahamic, truly Jewish, and by extension, truly Christian.

In John chapter 8 verses 37 to 47, Jesus says:

"I know that you are offspring of Abraham; yet you seek to kill Me because My Word finds no place in you. I speak of what I have seen with My Father, and you do what you have heard l from your father.' They answered Him, 'Abraham is our father'. Jesus said to them, 'If you were Abraham's children, you would be doing the works Abraham did, but now you seek to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did. You are doing the works your father did'. They said to Him, 'We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father - even God'. Jesus said to them, 'If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but He sent Me. Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear My Word. You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me. Which one of you convicts Me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me? Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God" (Jn. 8v37-47, ESV)

In Romans chapter 2 verses 28 to 29, Paul says:

"For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God." (Rom. 2v28-29, ESV)

In Romans chapter 9 verses 6 to 8, Paul continues:

"But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but "Through Isaac shall your offspring be named" This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring." (Rom. 9v6-8, ESV)

Therefore, The True Israel of God are NOT to be found among the natural descendants of Abraham, but amongst his spiritual descendants - those who believe like he believed (Rom. 4v3, v12: Gal. 3v7-9), and those who do what he did.

Contrary to the "proud claims of exclusive divine recognition" ^[18] by both, the Jews and first-century Jewish Christians, God NEVER abandoned the Gentiles. Salvation has come to the Gentiles. (Rom. 11v11; Gal. 3v26)

In Matthew chapter 8 verses 5 to 10, when Christ entered Capernaum, a Roman Centurion, a Gentile, asked Him to heal his servant. But when Christ offered to go to his house to heal him, the Centurion said Christ need only "say the word" and his son would be healed.

"When He entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to Him, appealing to Him, 'Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly' And He said to him, 'I will come and heal him' But the centurion replied, 'Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but l only say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes, and to another, 'Come,' and he comes, and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it" When Jesus heard this, He marveled and said to those who followed Him, 'Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith. I tell you, many will come from east and west [Gentiles] and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth' And to the centurion Jesus said, 'Go; let it be done for you as you have believed' And the servant was healed at that very moment." (Mt. 8v5-13, ESV)

Conclusion

In conclusion, Luke chapter 16 verses 19 to 31 does NOT support the Doctrine of Intermediate Consciousness nor the Doctrine of Eternal Torment.

The passage does, however, support the Doctrine of Intermediate Unconsciousness (Psychopannychism) and the Doctrine of Final Destruction (Annihilationism).

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have any remaining questions, please do not hesitate to email ejaysnet@gmail.com

Adherents

Individuals

» The American Theologian, Adjunct Professor of Biblical Studies at Atlanta Bible College, Ambassador Christian College and Rock River Christian College, and Pastor of Faith Bible Christian Church in Oak Ridge, NC, Prof. Dr. John H. Roller (1949-) ^{[28|29|31|32]}, defended a figurative interpretation of Lazarus and the Rich Man in an essay, entitled "The Rich Man and Lazarus" ^[28]. johnroller@faithbiblechristian.com

---

» The American Theologian, J. Thomas Butler, defended a figurative interpretation of Lazarus and the Rich Man in an essay, entitled "The Rich Man and Lazarus" ^[31].

» The American Theologian, Joshua Anderson ^[30], defended a figurative interpretation of Lazarus and the Rich Man in a video, entitled "Does God Really Burn People Forever in 'Hell?' - Lazarus and the Rich Man" ^[30].

» The American Theologian and Roofer, L. Ray Smith, defended a figurative interpretation of Lazarus and the Rich Man in a very helpful essay, entitled "Lazarus and the Rich Man" ^[3]

» Raymond M. Beecroft defended a figurative interpretation of Lazarus and the Rich Man in an essay, entitled "The Rich Man and Lazarus: The most misunderstood text of the Bible" ^[29].

» Rev. Victor L. Harrison defended a figurative interpretation of Lazarus and the Rich Man in an essay, entitled "The Rich Man and Lazarus" ^[32].

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Amazon.com Widgets

Footnotes

* The Message (MSG) is one of the worst translations out there. In fact, I won't even call it a Bible.

Bibliography

1. Bryan T. Huie. Lazarus and the Rich Man (Tentmaker Ministries; 9 January 1998) ✔
2. Charles G. Finney. The Rich Man and Lazarus (The Gospel Truth; 9 November 1853)
3. L. Ray Smith. Lazarus and the Rich Man (Exposing Those Who Contradict; 29 September 2010) ✔
4. EJ Hill. Defining Parables. Hill's Word Pictures (Ejays; 29 September 2010)
5. Ernest L. Martin, PhD. The Real Meaning of Lazarus and the Rich Man (Associates for Scriptural Knowledge; 2 June 2003)
6. Lazarus: Catholic Encyclopedia (New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1913)
7. Lazarus (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia; 29 March 2008)
8. VIDEO: John MacArthur. The Rich Man and Lazarus (YouTube; 21 October 2009)
9. Tony Warren. The Parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man: An Exposition of Luke 16:19-31 (The Mountain Retreat; 22 April 2001)
10. EJ Hill. Interpreting Parables (Ejays; 26 October 2011) ✔
11. Greek-English Keyword Concordance p. 236 ✔
12. Judah (biblical person) (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia; 28 October 2011)
13. Jacob (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia; 28 October 2011)
14. Isaac (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia; 28 October 2011)
15. Tribe of Judah (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia; 28 October 2011)
16. Jamieson, Fausset and Brown. Commentary Critical and Explanatory of the Whole Bible: Luke 16:19-31 (Bible Study Tools; 28 October 2011) ✔
17. Gentile (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia; 28 October 2011)
18. Alden Bass. Is He not Also the God of the Gentiles? (Apologetics Press; 2003)
19. Rich Man and Lazarus (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia; 31 October 2011)
20. Jenee Woodard. Luke 16:19-31 (The Text This Week; 31 October 2011)
21. The First Sunday after Trinity, Luke 16:19-31 (Lectionary Central; 31 October 2011) A Sermon by Martin Luther; taken from his Church Postil, 1522-1523.
22. Steven Cox. The Rich Man, Lazarus, and Abraham (Christadelphia World Wide; December 2000)
23. VIDEO: Pastor Jeff Walser. LUKE 16 19 31 Preached by Pastor Jeff Walser (YouTube; 8 March 2009)
24. Alexander Verin. The Exact Nature of Sheol, Hades and Hell (Sheol Know; 8 November 2011)
25. Tehillim/Psalm 31 (qBible; 10 November 2011) ✔
26. Samuel M. Ohmart. Facts About Hell.
27. Silas P. Whitney. Future Punishment (Walton, West Virginia)
28. Prof. Dr. John H. Roller. The Rich Man and Lazarus (Concord, NC: 5847 Brookstone Drive, United States, 28027-2535)
29. Raymond M. Beecroft. The Rich Man and Lazarus: The most misunderstood text of the Bible.
30. VIDEO: Joshua Anderson. Does God Really Burn People Forever in "Hell?" - Lazarus and the Rich Man (Spirit & Truth Fellowship International/YouTube; 28 January 2011) ✔
31. J. Thomas Butler. The Rich Man and Lazarus (Jacksonville, Florida)
32. Rev. Victor L. Harrison. The Rich Man and Lazarus.
33. Dr. John R. Rice. Hell – What Does the Bible Says About It (Discerning The World; 5 April 2010)
34. EJ Hill. Matthew Chapter 13 Verse 34 (Ejays; 3 January 2012) ✔

Downloading

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Revisions

29.03.2008 / 29.09.2010 / 04.10.2010 / 25-31.10.2011 / 01.11.2011 / 03-05.11.2011 / 08-13.11.2011 / 24.11.2011 / 20.12.2011 / 27.12.2011 / 03.01.2012 / 05.01.2012 / 18-19.01.2012

Pirate Christian Radio (Updated)

2012-01-18T18:00:00.000+02:00

Introduction

Pirate Christian Radio is an online, listener-supported, American Christian Talk Radio Station "that is free from the scurvy plagues of pop-psychology, goofy fads, self-help pietism, liberalism, purpose-drivenism, emergent nonsense, and the sissy girly Oprah-fied spirituality that is being passed off as Christianity".

Listen

You may listen to PCR online.

Bibliography

For more information on Pirate Christian Radio, please visit the official Pirate Christian Radio website and Fighting for the Faith blog.

Downloading

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Revisions

18.01.2012

Software for Windows (Updated)

2012-01-18T10:41:00.000+02:00

Google Chrome Web Browser (Updated)

2012-01-15T14:38:00.000+02:00

Subject

The purpose of this article is to document the Google Chrome Web Browser, as reported by Chrome OS ^[11], ChromeSpot ^[9], CNET ^[8], Google ^[2|3|4|5|12], Lifehacker ^[7|10], SA Computer Magazine ^[15], Techie Buzz ^[14], Wikipedia ^[1],YouTube ^[6] and Zijric ^[13].

Introduction

Google Chrome, from Google, is an open source Desktop Web Browser for Google Chrome OS; Windows 7 and 8 ^[1|2]; Ubuntu Linux ^[4]; and Macintosh ^[4|5].

Features

Omnibox

The integrated Omnixbox, consists of a combined search and address bar. ^[12]

Flash Support

Chrome also offers integrated support for Adobe Flash-powered sites, like 2Advanced, SARS eFiling and Studio137. ^[11]

Extensions

Chrome supports literally 1000s of Google Chrome-compatible Plugin Extensions.

Themes

Google Chrome has literally 100s of themes available from either the official Google Chrome Extensions Gallery or the unofficial Chrome Themes.

My personal favorites include Ambiance, Smoothie (AERO) and Windows 7/Vista Basic.

Switches

Google Chrome developers often include what is known as "hidden switches" enabling new features to be included in future releases. To enable these, simply append the following to your Google Chrome Desktop Shortcut.

On Windows 7, single-right-click the Google Chrome Shortcut on your Desktop, selecting "Properties" and adding any of the following to the "Target" field:

» To enable installable web apps, add --enable-apps

» To enable the new tabbed options page, add --enable-tabbed-options

» To enable the new remoting feature --enable-remoting

» To enable Aero Peek, add --enable-aero-peek-tabs ^[13]

» To expand omnibox results to 10, add --omnibox-popup-count=10

Downloading

Google Chrome are available in 3 "flavors": Stable, Beta and Developer. It is up to you to decide which you will install. Personally, I prefer the Developer edition.

» Windows Installers are available for the Stable, Beta and Developer editions. PortableApps also released two portable "flavors", one Stable and one Developer.

» Linux Installers are available for the Stable, Beta and Developer edition.

» Mac Installers are available for the Stable edition. ^[4|5]

Videos

Bibliography

1. Google Chrome (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia; 13 June 2010)
2. Official Google Chrome Blog (Google Chrome Blog; 13 June 2010)
3. Google Chrome Extensions (13 June 2010)
4. A new Chrome stable release: Welcome, Mac and Linux! (Google Chrome Blog; 13 June 2010)
5. Google Chrome for Mac: Ready, beta, now stable! (Official Google Mac Blog; 13 June 2010)
6. Official Google Chrome YouTube Channel (YouTube; 13 June 2010)
7. Whitson Gordon. How to Enable Extension Syncing in Chrome (AKA: The Holy Grail of Browser Sync Is Here) (Lifehacker; 20 June 2010)
8. Seth Rosenblatt. How To: Change Chrome's channel (CNET Download.com; 9 July 2010)
9. ChromeSpot (22 July 2010)
10. The Google Chrome Section at Lifehacker (Lifehacker; 22 July 2010)
11. Flash Integration For Chrome Confirmed (Chrome OS Site; 30 March 2010)
12. Ben Goodger. Get to know the Omnibox (Google Chrome Blog; 4 June 2009)
13. Enable Aero Tabs in Google Chrome (Zijric; 18 June 2010)
14. Pallab De. Google Chrome Gets Speech Recognition and Labs (Techie Buzz; 29 August 2010)
15. Derek Richardson. It's All Shiny (SA Computer Magazine; November 2008) p.22

For more information on Google Chrome, please visit the official Google Chrome website, Google Chrome and Google Chrome Releases blogs, Google Code Chromium Project and Facebook Page; or the unofficial Chrome Hacks, ChromeSpot and Google Chrome Facebook Page.

Downloading

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Revisions

30.03.2010 / 04.06.2010 / 13.06.2010 / 18.06.2010 / 29.08.2010 / 01.09.2010 / 23.10.2010 / 30.10.2010 / 06.01.2011 / 25.02.2011 / 23.05.2011 / 21.06.2011 / 15.01.2012

Picasa Web Albums (Updated)

2012-01-15T08:45:00.000+02:00

Introduction

Picasa Web Albums, from Google, is an online photo management solution, often compared to Flickr and similar sites.

Features

Editing

Picasa Web Albums now features integrated photo-editing, from the recently acquired online photo editor, Picnic. ^[3]

Profiles

Each user can set up a custom profile address from which their shared web albums can be accessed. For example, http://picasaweb.google.com/hil001album

Embedding

Picasa Web Albums can also be featured within virtually any website or blog, by either simply linking to them, or by embedding them as either albums or slideshows.

Crye Multicam

Software

Picasa

Picasa is the official software application for Picasa Web Albums.

Google Chrome Web Browser

Picasa Web Albums, of course, is also accessible with the Google Chrome Web Browser, which offers a variety of plugin extensions specifically for Picasa Web Albums, including Cooliris, Picasa Quick Viewer, Picasa Web Albums Extended and Slideshow.

Videos

Bibliography

1. Picasa (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia; 13 July 2010)
2. Picasa Web Albums Help (Google; 13 July 2010)
3. Virginia. Picnik Acquired by Google (Picnic Blog; 1 March 2010)

Downloading

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Revisions

13.07.2010 / 15.01.2012

Commando Corps / Kommandokorps (Updated)

2012-01-14T12:11:00.000+02:00

Introduction

The purpose of this article is to document the Commando Corps, as reported by the Afrikaner Volksparty ^[5], Die Posklip ^[1], Feint & Margin ^[3], Nadenkers ^[4], The New Age ^[6] and This Is Africa ^[2].

The Commando Corps, also known in Afrikaans as the "Kommandokorps" ^[1|2|3|4|5], operating from Pretoria South Africa, is a registered Article 21 security company, established by former members of the old South African Defence Force (1910-1994) ^[3|4] and new South African National Defence Force (1994-), following Government's Closure of the South African Commandos.

Intentions

Personal Safety and Security

The Commando Corps are predominantly concerned with the safety and security of white South Africans ^[5], and in particular their own members.

Leadership

The Commando Corps are directed by a Supreme Council ("Opperraad") ^[2], consisting of Colonel Dawid Grobbelaar (Chairman) ^[2] and Commandant Franz Jooste (Executive Director) ^[2], amongst others.

Race & Religion

The Commando Corps are well-known for their religious rhetoric.

However, in the words of the Prophet Isaiah, "These people worship Me with their mouths and honor Me with their lips. But their hearts are far from Me" (Is. 29v13).

They do not condone inter-racial friendships

» On the 2nd of September 2011, "Wolfy" of the Commando Corps, announced on their official Facebook Page, that as of the 30th of September 2011, all members having black Facebook Friends will be "removed" ^[12].

According to Eben Botha, blacks should not be considered as either human or brethren. ^[12]

It seems like the folks at the Commando Corps have completely lost touch with both, God and Scripture.

» They don't seem to realise that God "hath made of one blood all nations of men" (Acts 17v26)

» They are probably also ignorant of the fact that Moses were married to a black Ethiopian woman. (Num. 12v1-15)

Those involved with the Commando Corps would do good, to remember that God is not the God of the white man only, but of everyone who would believe. (Is. 2v2, 11v10-11; Lk. 2v29-31; Acts 10v35, 15v17)

Website

Website Traffic

On the 25th of August 2011, the Commando Corps announced the acquisition of eight servers to facilitate the immense increase in web traffic. ^[9]

As both, a Blogger and Campaign Manager of a national Internet Service Provider (ISP), I found this strange for a number of reasons:-

» One. Their website is currently hosted by a third-party company, known as IsGreat, on subdomain http://kommandokorps.isgreat.org/, meaning that all their bandwidth are provided by their host, and not themselves. Therefore, no amount of servers will speed up access to their website, unless they intend to host their website themselves internally - which will cost a fortune compared to solutions provided by international hosting companies like Hagen Hosting, etc.

» Two. Their publicly available website traffic statistics at Bravenet reflects only a mere 7742 Page Views since the 25th of March, 2011 ^[10] - an average of 32 to 43 visitors per day - not even half that of this blog.

» Three. Their SiteHolic Report isn't much better.

Responses

COMMENTS

Responding to their comments at http://hil001.blogspot.com/2011/08/kommandokorps.html

Regarding Their Seemingly Old South African Flag

In my first post I incorrectly stated that the Commando Corps makes use of the old South African flag (below), for which I was duly flogged by André and "Wolfy" via Email, on Facebook and Intense Debate.

This is the old South African flag.

This is the Commando Corps' flag.

You will notice that "the union jack flag is no longer present" ^[8].

However, regardless of the fact that the Union Jack is no longer present, the flag still very much resembles the old South African flag. If it confused me, as a whitey who grew up under that flag, then it will surely confuse many of our black, coloured and white citizens.

Hence, I still believe that it's use is neither, wise nor conducive to reconciliation in South Africa. To those previously oppressed, it may seem that the Commando Corps are in support of both, the policies and practices, of the previous regime. That is something which I, as a Christian Theologian, simply cannot support. It was the Apostle Paul who told us not to be the cause of unnecessary offence. (1 Cor. 8v13; Rom. 14v21)

Regarding Me Getting Their Website Address Wrong

According to André and "Wolfy" of the Commando Corps I got their website address wrong, linking to www.kommandokorps.co.za, rather than www.kommandokorps.org.

Well, André, it's in fact you who are mistaken, since both www.kommandokorps.co.za and www.kommandokorps.org redirects to http://kommandokorps.isgreat.org/, hosted at IsGreat.

In fact, all three of the above-mentioned addresses belongs to the Commando Corps.

» www.kommandokorps.co.za is registered with Hetzner via the CO.ZA Registrar's Office.

» www.kommandokorps.org is registered with Privacy Protect via the ORG Registrar's Office.

Hence, it is irrelevant which address I used, since "all roads lead to Rome".

Regarding the Commandos and Rural Policing

"Do you think the senseless and violent farm murders we have seen and experienced in this country would have succeeded if the old Kommando's (Not Kommnado Corps) was still around?" ^[13]

I am intimately familiar with the South African Commandos, and in particular those of Swellendam and Worcester. Me and my brother virtually grew up in the South African Commandos, my dad having been a Sergeant Major (AO2) with the Swellendam Commandos until it's closure in 2008. I also personally know former Commandant, Hennie Wessels.

As a matter of fact, prior to 1993 the weaponry and equipment of the Swellendam Commandos were secretly stored in our home, to prevent the ANC masses from 'liberating' them from the local Commando and Police Stations. Me and my brother were tasked with field-stripping, cleaning, assembling and packing these for distribution. Consequently, we also attended various training camps with the South African Commandos.

That said, I do believe that closing the South African Commandos weakened rural policing. ^[14]

There is, however, no use "crying over spilled milk". The Commandos are closed, and there's not much we can do about it - except, of course, establishing or joining something like the Commando Corps.

Regarding the Reason for Closing the Commandos

"Is it not obvious that there was a reason behind the disbanding of the Kommandos by the new regime?" ^[13]

Of course, the ANC had a reason for disbanding the Commandos. But that reason may be different from what you assume.

To begin with, the Commandos were considered "a quasi-private militia sensitive to white farmers' security but insensitive to black citizens' rights" ^[15].

That is true. They were "a quasi-private militia sensitive to white farmers' security" and "insensitive to black citizens' rights". Think Apartheid South Africa.

But, there were more to it than that.

Just recently two former Commandants [both white] told me that the Commandos were disbanded as a direct result of right-wing elements within their ranks, who allegedly abused their weaponry and equipment in service of groups, like the AWB and Boeremag.

If I were the ANC, I would have shut them down long ago. What government, in it's right mind, would finance, arm and train a private militia in opposition to itself?!

Yes, I miss the Commandos. But blaming their demise, solely on an secret attempt by the ANC government to disarm the public, is not only a baseless conspiracy theory, but also false.

This is why I addressed the Commando Corps in the first place. NOT because I'm opposed to them, but because they are making the same mistakes as the Commandos before them.

Regarding a Clandestine or Secret ANC War on White South Africans

"As a white South African, I ask you if you can deny that some form of clandestine or silent warfare has or has not been on the go since the ANC took over?" ^[13]

I am perfectly familiar with farm attacks. Not only because I maintain a short, but detailed list of Farm Attacks Around South Africa, but also because my own father had to shoot and kill a black man, who along with many others, attacked us on our farm outside Ashton. Furthermore, my own niece's husband was recently [2011] shot and killed, while barbecuing on my uncle's farm in the Limpopo.

That said, your argument is fallacious [ie, logically unsound] for a number of reasons:

» One. The ANC's 'war' on whites have never been secret or clandestine. NOT during the Apartheid era. NOT now. If they want to blackwash South Africa by removing all whites, Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) will be more than sufficient.

» Two. The belief that farm murders are secretly orchestrated by the ANC government, is nothing but a conspiracy theory based on assumption. Currently [14.01.2012] we have no substantiating evidence to the contrary.

Associations

African Resistance Movement

On the 16 August 2011, the Commando Corps signed an "agreement of cooperation" ^[11] with the "Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging (AWB)" ^[11].

Southlanders

On the 16 August 2011, the Commando Corps signed an "agreement of cooperation" ^[11] with "the Suidlanders movement" ^[11].

Frequently Asked Questions

Are you a member of the Commando Corps?

No. Nee.

Do you support what they are doing?

Yes and No. Let me explain.

In light of the expectation of a yet-future Civil War and Ethnic Cleansing in South Africa coupled with the recent launch of the National Rural Youth Services Corps (NARYSEC), I DO appreciate the efforts of any company preparing and equipping young and old to defend themselves. That is both, a very honourable and necessary endeavour.

What I do NOT like is their use of what seems like an old South African flag* - a symbol of Apartheid South Africa.

If you could give them any advice, what would it be?

» One. Ditch what seems like the old South African flag* for a new one - maybe a Commando Corps one.

» Two. Be careful who you sign alliances with, since they may not be who they claim to be.

» Three. Have your men secure your training sites, before some insane Malema-supporter or former MK veteran guns down half of your troops.

» Four. Ditch your 'Browns' for some A-TACS, Camogrom or Multicam.

» Five. Get a proper website. Your current website is difficult to navigate and, from a web designer's point of view, not well done.

Gallery

Videos

Footnotes

* Members of the Commando Corps informed me that their flag is NOT the old South African flag, since "the union jack flag is no longer present" ^[8].

Bibliography

1. Kommandokorps Jan 2010 Nuusbrief (Die Posklip; 20 Januarie 2010)
2. Tia Mysoa. Bekendstellingsbrief van die Kommandokorps (This Is Africa; 8 April 2010)
3. When Whites Push Back (Feint & Margin; 23 July 2010)
4. Die Kommandokorps: ‘n Oorlog van die (Boere-)bewussyn (Nadenkers; 2 Junie 2010)
5. Besoek die Kommandokorps vir Beveiliging (Afrikaner Volksparty; 31 August 2010)
6. De Wet Potgieter. Whites train to ‘defend’ (The New Age; 8 July 2011)
7. 8,000 ANC-youths get militia training (Space of Adriana; 31 July 2011)
8. André. In a Comment on this Post (Kommando Korps; 5 September 2011)
9. KK Kry 8 nuwe servers! (Kommandokorps; 5 September 2011)
10. Counter Statistics (Bravenet; 5 September 2011)
11. AWB, Suidlanders, Kommandokorps: united, but far from the Boer nation (Volkstaat; 18 August 2011)
12. Wall Post (Kommandokorps Facebook Page; 5 September 2011) [screenshot]
13. Mr Wolf. Comment (Kommandokorps; 13 January 2012)
14. EJ Hill. Closing of the South African Commandos (Ejays; 14 January 2012) ✔
15. Jonny Steinberg. The impact of closing the Commandos. SA Crime Quarterly, Number 13 (Criminal Justice Researcher; September 2005)

For more information, please visit the official Commando Corps website, Facebook Page and Twitter Profile.

Downloading

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Revisions

21.08.2011 / 24.08.2011 / 05.09.2011 / 14.01.2012

Ping.FM

2012-01-14T09:19:00.000+02:00

Introduction

PingFM is a FREE (Freeware) social networking, micro-blogging and automation web service.

Bibliography

1. Ping.fm (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia; 14 January 2012)

For more information on PingFM, please visit the official PingFM website and PingFM Twitter Profile.

Revisions

14.01.2012

Ubuntu Linux (Updated)

2012-01-12T20:50:00.000+02:00

Introduction

Ubuntu Linux ^[1], from Canonical, is "the world’s most popular Linux distribution" ^[2] - a free, operating system for Desktops, Netbooks and Servers, featuring integrated Cloud Computing.

Features

1-Click Software Installation

Ubuntu Linux supports 1-Click aptURL Installation of Software and Games from All My Apps, Appnr, GetDEB, Klik, Ninite and PlayDEB.

Integrated Software Management

Ubuntu Linux sports an integrated Package Management System for adding, updating and removing both, Software and Games.

Virtual Desktops

By default Ubuntu Linux 11.10 has no less than four virtual desktops for multitasking.

Repositories

There are many ways of installing software on Ubuntu Linux. But before we install anything, let us start by adding some Software Repositories.

LAUNCHPAD

The most prominent Software Repository for Ubuntu would be Launchpad, which makes use of Personal Package Archives (PPAs). Each software project has it's own PPA repository, which can be found here, including:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:abiword-stable/ppa
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:askubuntu-tools/ppa
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:atareao/lenses
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:banshee-team
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:bersace
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:bjfs
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:blueman
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:chromium-daily
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:do-core
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:freenx-team
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:gnome-games-experimental
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:gnomenu-team
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ilap/lwp
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:kubuntu-ppa/backports
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:nx
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:marlin-devs/marlin-daily
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:scottritchie
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:shkn/xnoise
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:shutter/ppa
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:skype-wrapper/ppa
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:swfdec-team
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ubuntu-wine
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:wfg/0ad

To add these above-mentioned repositories, simply open the Ubuntu Terminal, adding them one-by-one, before running sudo apt-get update

MEDIBUNTU

Medibuntu is the only Software Repository for Ubuntu that maintains downloadable packages which couldn't be included with any Ubuntu distribution due to copyright, licensing, patents, etc.

Software

ANTIVIRUS SOLUTIONS

AVG Antivirus ✪ | ClamAV

COMPATIBILITY

Vineyard

GAMING PLATFORMS

Cedega | CrossOver Games | DJL

CD/DVD MASTERING

Brasero ✪ | GnomeBaker | Nero Burning Rom

COMMUNICATION

Email Clients

Mozilla Thunderbird

Instant Messaging

Empathy | Kopete | Pidgin ✪ | Skype ✪

DESKTOP ENHANCEMENTS

Application Launchers

Gnome Pie

Theme Managers

Epidermus ✪

Wallpaper Changers

Wally ✪

DOWNLOAD MANAGERS

BiTorrent Clients

Deluge | Transmission | qBitTorrent

File-Sharing

LinuxDC++

HTTP Download Managers

JDownloader ✪

EDITORS

Audio Editors

Jokosher ✪

Graphic Editors

GIMP ✪

Video Editors

OpenShot Video Editor ✪

FILE MANAGERS

Dolphin | Marlin ✪ | Nautilus

FILE TRANSFER

Offline File Copiers

Ultracopier ✪

FTP Clients

FileZilla ✪

MEDIA PLAYERS

Amarok | Banshee ✪ | Clementine | DeaDBeeF | Rhythmbox | Miro ✪ | Moovida | VLC Media Player | Vuze | Xnoise

NAVIGATION

Global Mapping

Google Earth ✪

PHOTO MANAGEMENT

F-Spot ✪

SYSTEM ADMINISTRATION

System Configuration

Ailurus ✪ | MyUnity ✪ | Ubuntu Tweak ✪

Package Management

APTonCD ✪ | Deepin Software Center ✪ | Eve | Synaptic

WEB BROWSERS

Arora | Dillo | Epiphany | Flock | Google Chrome ✪ | Konqueror | Midori | Mozilla Firefox ✪ | Opera | Swiftfox

WORD PROCESSING

Text Editors

AbiWord | SciTE

You may also manually download and install applications, in DEB format, from Appnr, GetDeb, Launchpad, Softpedia, the Ubuntu Apps Directory or Ubuntu Packages Search.

Games

First-Person Shooters

Alien Arena | Cube 2: Sauerbraten | Nexuiz ✪ | Open Arena | Warsow

Real-Time Strategy

0 A.D. | Warzone 2100

Themes

AirLines | AquaDreams | Balanzan | Bamboo Zen | Eco | Ellanna | Exotic | Infinity | Orange | Showtime | Step Into Freedom | Tropical | Ubuntu Sunrise | Wild Shine

ICON PACKS

Faenza v1.2

WALLPAPERS

More themes, icons and wallpapers are available from Gnome Look.

Lenses

The Gnome Shell Dashboard sports a number of Search Lenses, including Ask Ubuntu ^[3] and Google Books ^[3].

Videos

Footnotes

✪ Recommended Personal Favourites

Bibliography

1. Official Ubuntu Website (18 October 2010)
2. Christopher Tozzi. Ubuntu: What’s Next? (The VAR Guy; 13 October 2010)
3. What lenses for Unity are available? (Ask Ubuntu; 11 November 2011)

For more information on Ubuntu Linux, please visit the official Ubuntu, Ubuntu Forums and Ask Ubuntu websites; or the unofficial Linoob, Noobs On Ubuntu, OMG! Ubuntu, Penguspy, the Stchman Ubuntu Linux Resource, UbuCentrum, Ubuntu Elixir, Ubuntu Geek, Ubuntu Guide, Ubuntu HQ, Ubuntu Linux Help, Ubuntu News, Ubuntu Story, Ubuntu Vibes, Ubunter, Ubuntux, Web Upd8, Linux Archives at Download Squad, Linux Archives at Lifehacker, Ubuntu Linux Archives at LinuxHub and Ubuntu Linux Archives at The VAR Guy.

Downloading

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Revisions

17-18.10.2010 / 21-22.10.2010 / 05.11.2010 / 21.05.2011 / 12-13.01.2012

Ifttt (Updated)

2012-01-12T19:33:00.000+02:00

Introduction

Ifttt, pronounced like 'lift' without the 'l', is a FREE (Freeware) webware application for online syndication and automation.

Features

Cross-Posting Status Updates

Users can cross-post status updates between Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.

With the help of Ifttt, I managed to automatically syndicate my Facebook Status Updates to Twitter and LinkedIn.

Shortcomings

No Google+ Channel

Ifttt currently [12.01.2012] has no Google+ Channel, meaning that you cannot interact or syndicate to, or from, Google+.

No RSS Feed Blending

Ifttt currently [13.01.2012] does not support merging, mixing or blending multiple RSS feeds into a single one, meaning you will need something like RSS Mix.

Videos

Bibliography

1. Alexander Tibbets. In an Email to EJ Hill, entitled "Re: [ifttt] Suggestion" (Ifttt; 13 January 2012)

Downloading

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Revisions

11.01.2012 / 13.01.2012

John Piper, 1946- (Updated)

2012-01-12T10:20:00.000+02:00

Title

"John Piper, 1946-)", "John Piper" or "The Pied Piper" ^[5]

Introduction

Dr. John Piper is an American Theologian, Author, Pastor for Preaching and Vision at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota ^[1|11], and Founder of Desiring God Ministries ^[1|8|9].

Convictions

Piper is a Baptist ^[11], Continuationist ^[12], Federal Visionist ^[2] and Neolegalist ^[4|5]. He also claims to be a Calvinist ^[11], but in reality he's more of an Arminian ^[5].

Agreements

We both uphold and defend the doctrines of Total Depravity, Compatibilistic Free Will ^[10], Conditional Election ^[5], Limited Atonement ^[13], Irresistible Grace ^[10], Eternal Security ^[8|9].

Differences

We disagree on the doctrines of Federal Vision ^[2|3] and Neolegalism ^[4|5].

» Piper upholds the Doctrine of Universal Immortality ^[17|18], while I defend the Doctrine of Conditional Immortality.

Responses

For my Public Responses to Piper, please review "A Response to 'Behold The Kindness & Severity of God: The Echo & Insufficiency of Hell' by John Piper".

Associations

» American Theologian, Professor at Fuller Theological Seminary and Neolegalist, Prof. Dr. Daniel P. Fuller, seems to be a good friend, since Piper described him as the "most influential living teacher in his [my] life" ^[5].

» American Theologian, Author and Pastor, Rick Warren (1954-), seems to be a good friend of John Piper ^[2|12|14|15], since he was invited as guest speaker to the 2010 Desiring God National Conference. ^[2|12]

Detractors

» American Theologian, Author and Founder of The Trinity Foundation, Dr. John W Robbins (-2008), opposed Piper in a number of essays, including "John Piper Invites Rick Warren to speak at 2010 Desiring God Conference" ^[2], "The Gospel of Jesus Christ versus Neolegalism" ^[4], "Pied Piper" ^[5] and "The Justification Controversy: A Guide for the Perplexed" ^[7].

» Karlberg opposed Piper in an essay, entitled "The Changing of the Guard" ^[6].

» American Theologian, Author and Blogger at Apprising Ministries, Pastor Ken Silva, opposed Piper in a number of essays, including "A 'Prophetic Word' from Dr. John Piper" ^[12] and "Questions Concerning Dr. John Piper" ^[20].

» American Theologian, Author, and Blogger, Mike Ratliff, opposed Piper in "An Open Letter to Frank Turk" ^[19].

» South African Theologian and Blogger at Discerning The World, Deborah, opposed Piper in a number of essays, including "John Piper - Oh those 'Secondary Separation Issues'!" ^[14] and "John Piper – Accepting One Mountain with All the Others" ^[16].

» South African Theologian and former Charismatic Pentecostal Pastor, EJ Hill (1977-), opposed Piper in a number of essays, including "John Piper, 1946-" and "A Response to 'Behold The Kindness & Severity of God: The Echo & Insufficiency of Hell' by John Piper" ^[21].

Videos

Store

Amazon.com Widgets

Bibliography

1. Who Is John Piper? (Desiring God; 24 November 2011)
2. Dr. John W Robbins. John Piper Invites Rick Warren to speak at 2010 Desiring God Conference (The Trinity Foundation; 2 July 2010)
3. VIDEO: John Piper Endorses the Federal Vision Heresy (YouTube; 7 July 2010)
4. Dr. John W Robbins. The Gospel of Jesus Christ versus Neolegalism (The Trinity Foundation; 7 July 2010)
5. Dr. John W Robbins. Pied Piper (The Trinity Foundation; 7 July 2010)
6. Karlberg. The Changing of the Guard (The Trinity Foundation; 7 July 2010)
7. Dr. John W Robbins. The Justification Controversy: A Guide for the Perplexed (The Trinity Foundation; 7 July 2010)
8. VIDEO: John Piper. What is perseverance of the saints? (YouTube; 7 January 2008)
9. VIDEO: John Piper. No One Born of God Makes a Practice of Sinning (YouTube; 15 March 2008)
10. VIDEO: John Piper. Irresistible Grace (YouTube; 27 April 2009)
11. John Piper (theologian) (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia; 27 September 2010)
12. Ken Silva. A 'Prophetic Word' from Dr. John Piper (Apprising Ministries; 20 July 2010)
13. Dr. John Piper. For Whom Did Christ Die? & What Did Christ Actually Achieve on the Cross for Those for Whom He Died? (Monergism; 4 October 2010)
14. Deborah. John Piper - Oh those 'Secondary Separation Issues'! (Discerning The World; 20 October 2010)
15. VIDEO: John Piper. Why Rick Warren @ the Desiring God 2010 National Conference? (Desiring God; 31 March 2010)
16. Deborah. John Piper – Accepting One Mountain with All the Others (Discerning The World; 26 May 2010)
17. Dr. John Piper. If our souls are immortal, why do our bodies need to be resurrected? (Desiring God; 23 January 2006) ✔
18. EJ Hill. The Doctrine of Universal Immortality (Ejays; 24 November 2011) ✔
19. Mike Ratliff. An Open Letter to Frank Turk (Possessing The Treasure; 5 February 2011)
20. Ken Silva. Questions Concerning Dr. John Piper (Apprising Ministries; 16 June 2010)
21. EJ Hill. A Response to 'Behold The Kindness & Severity of God: The Echo & Insufficiency of Hell' by John Piper (Ejays; 7 January 2012) ✔
22. Christine Pack and Cathy Mathews. We're Really Not Out To "Get" John Piper and Beth Moore (Sola Sisters; 11 January 2012)

For more information on John Piper, please visit the official Desiring God website.

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Revisions

07.07.2010 / 26-28.09.2010 / 04.10.2010 / 06.12.2010 / 24.11.2011 / 07-08.01.2012 / 12.01.2012

Kemo Waters (Updated)

2012-01-12T09:52:00.000+02:00

Subject

The purpose of this article is to document the agenda of South African theologian, Kemo Waters, as reported by Beeld ^[14], I Luv SA ^[13], IOL News ^[1], News24 ^[14], PoliticsWeb ^[11], Racism Daily ^[12], the Space of Adriana ^[2], the Sunday Tribune ^[10] and ToxniNews ^[16].

Introduction

Kemo Immanuel Waters, or simply "Kemo Waters", is a South African Theologian, Evangelist, DJ ^[2] and Founder of the KemoTherapy Institute of Truth ^[1].

Waters came to prominence, when early in January 2012 he "[called] for white people in South Africa to be killed" ^[1], in particular Helen Zille ^[1].

Education

Waters claims to have studied at the Rand Afrikaans University (2000) and the University of Johannesburg (1999-2000).

Responses

TWITTER TWEETS

Responding to Waters' tweets over at https://twitter.com/#!/RevKemoWaters

TWEET: "The only way to end racism is to kill a material number of whites. @helenzille your indifferent and patronizing stance is a double dare… " ^[1|4|10|13]

"The only way to end racism is to kill a material number of whites": Seriously?! Do you really think that killing the whites would end racism?!

No, Mr Waters, your argument is fallacious [i.e. logically unsound] for a number of reasons.

» One. Contrary to the claims of your comrade, Boitumelo Senokoane ^[6], racism is NOT a "white phenomenon" ^[6]. It is universal to all mankind, the result of Total Depravity.

Not only is that the testimony of Scripture, but it is also the testimony of History.

- In Rwanda ^[5] it was black Hutus, who killed almost 800 000 black Tutsis.
- In Liberia ^[7] it was former black slaves, who enslaved the indigenous black population.

» Two. Granted, killing all the racists may solve the problem, at least for a little while. But then you will have to kill ALL the racists, and NOT just "a material number of whites" ^[1|4]. I recommend starting with yourself.

» Three. You want to fight racism? Good! Then start by not being one yourself. In the words of Sally Kempton, "It's hard to fight an enemy who has outposts in your head." ^[8]

Still want to kill me, my family and my friends? Consider this a 'double dare'. But be warned, I'm ready.

TWEET: "The point of my tweet was to expose the frustration felt by a lot of black South Africans, not to incite murder or violent attack." ^[9]

Really?! Well, I am also pretty frustrated sometimes, but I don't go around the Internet inciting racial hatred and violence. The last time I checked "[killing] a material number of whites" ^[1|4] still constituted murder and violence.

TWEET: "@chrishartZA Racism will dissipate if white people condemn those from their communities who harbor such despise... But they dont" ^[15]

Really?! Then what would you call my replies to Matthys Hendrik Heyns and the Commando Corps.

Open Letter

Mr. Waters, from one theologian to another, you disgust me. You are so filled with unforgiveness, resentment and self-pity, that with one sweep of your carnal hand you brush aside, not only many for whom Christ shed His blood (1 Pt. 3v18; Ep. 3v6), but even those folks who likewise shed theirs for your freedom.

While you may have some elementary theological understanding, biblically-speaking you are neither a Christian nor a Theologian - since, neither Christians, nor Theologians, can support racial discrimination against their own blood (Acts 17v26).

Maybe you should take a cue from that Christian Bible, you claim to hold without hypocrisy - stop bearing false witness (Ex. 20v16), stop inciting racial division, and start becoming a peacemaker (Mt. 5v9).

I say this, not because you're black, but because you are wrong. In fact, I did the same with many white religious hypocrites. ^[3]

Detractors

» South African Expat and Blogger, Adriana Stuijt, opposed Waters in an essay, entitled "Black SA dj wants to kill whites to end racism".

» South African Theologian and former Charismatic Pentecostal Pastor, EJ Hill (1977-), opposed Waters in an essay, entitle "Kemo Waters".

Contact

Electronic Mail Address

kemowaters@gmail.com

Mobile Phone Number

0824309619 (national) or +27824309619 (international) ^[2]

Gallery

Bibliography

1. Angelique Serrao. Rev’s 'kill whites' tweet a shocker (IOL News; 9 January 2012) ✔
2. Adriana Stuijt. Black SA dj wants to kill whites to end racism (Space of Adriana; 7 January 2012) ✔
3. EJ Hill. The Hall of Shame (Ejays; 9 January 2012) ✔
4. Kemo Waters. Tweet [screenshot] (Twitter; 7 January 2012) ✔
5. EJ Hill. Rwanda (Ejays; 9 January 2012) ✔
6. EJ Hill. Boitumelo Senokoane (Ejays; 9 January 2012) ✔
7. EJ Hill. Liberia (Ejays; 9 January 2012) ✔
8. Sally Kempton quotes (Search Quotes; 9 January 2012) ✔
9. Kemo Waters. Tweet (Twitter; 9 January 2012) ✔
10. Angelique Serrao. Rev’s ‘kill whites’ tweet a shocker (Sunday Tribune; 9 January 2012) ✔
11. FW de Klerk Foundation condemns Rev's kill whites call (PoliticsWeb; 9 January 2012) ✔
12. Reverend's 'Kill Whites' tweet a Shocker (Racism Daily; 9 January 2012) ✔
13. Reverend Waters: 'Kill Whites' on same page as Mandela feature (I Luv SA; 9 January 2012) ✔
14. Janice Keogh. Twitter race row reverend apologises (Beeld/News24; 10 January 2012)
15. Kemo Waters. Tweet (Twitter; 9 January 2012) ✔
16. ANC Centenary Celebrations and the Future of White South Africans (ToxiNews; 8 January 2012)

For more information on Kemo Waters, please visit the official KemoTherapy Institute of Truth website, Facebook, FavStar, Google+, MySpace, The DJ List, Twitter ^[2] and Who's Who profiles; or the unofficial Space Van Adriana and Kemo Waters Archives at News24.

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Revisions

09-10.01.2012 / 12.01.2012

Free Bible Study Courses (Updated)

2012-01-11T19:27:00.000+02:00

Introduction

I'm constantly asked for FREE Bible Study Courses, so I decided to compile a registry for those of you who may be interested.

Disclaimer

Please take note that, while I do find these courses somewhat helpful, I do NOT officially endorse any. It is your personal responsibility to research and test what you have learned. (Acts 17v11; 1 Thess. 5v21)

Non-Accredited Courses

The following courses are NOT accredited by any accrediting body.

» The AMES Internatonal School of Ministry (AISOM) offers a completely FREE Program, consisting of 22 courses, including "Old Testament Survey", "New Testament Survey", "Foundations of Faith", "Creative Bible Study Methods", "Developing a Biblical World View", "Kingdom Living", "Knowing God's Voice", "Ministry of the Holy Spirit", "Spiritual Warfare", "Power Principles", "Management Principles", "Environmental Analysis", "Management by Objectives", "Mobilization Methodologies", "Evangelism", "Strategies for Spiritual Harvest", "Teaching Tactics", "Multiplication Methodologies", "Jail and Prison Ministry", "Women, A Biblical Profile", "Intercessory Prayer" and "Healing, Battle for the Body". Upon completion you will receive a Certificate of Completion in PDF format, with your name and the date you graduated. Prospective students may register here.

» The Emmaus Bible School (EBS) offers a completely FREE English Study Course, including "What The Bible Teaches", "The Servant of God", "One God, One Way", "The Word of God", "The Bible Tells Me So", "Guide to Christian Living", "Lessons for Christian Living", "Born To Win" and "Doing Time With Jesus".

» The World Bible School (WBS) offers a completely FREE 6-part series on biblical subjects, including "God Has Spoken", "Knowing Jesus", "Born of Water and Spirit", "Family of God", "Live a Life of Love" and "This Is Good News". Prospective students may register for the course online, via email or go postal. Upon completion you will receive a printed "Certificate of Graduation". I finished the course in 1998, at the age of 21.

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10-11.01.2012

J.P. Fourie (Updated)

2012-01-11T08:13:00.000+02:00

Introduction

J.P. Fourie is a South African Theologian, and the Founder of J.P. Fourie Ministries.

According to his website, Mr. Fourie got born again when he was 16 years old. ^[3] Served as a police officer with the Namibian Police when he was about 23, after which he moved to South Africa and worked for the South African Police Service (SAPS) as a member of the SAPS Dog Unit (K-9). ^[3]

Mr. Fourie's part-time ministry started in 1996 (just 3 years after my own), preaching in a house every Wednesday, in Worcester, South Africa. ^[3]

In 2003 Fourie and his wife moved to Hermanus, from where their ministry expanded rapidly throughout the Western Cape. ^[3]

Convictions

Agreements

» We both uphold and defend the Doctrine of Believer's Baptism ^[6].

Differences

» J.P. supports Dispensationalism ^[6], while I defend Replacementism.

Classification

J.P. is an Arminian ^[3|4|5|6], Continuationist ^[6] and Dispensationalist ^[6].

Healings

UNSUBSTANTIATED CLAIMS OF MIRACULOUS HEALING

Fourie's "claim to fame" is what he calls a "healing ministry" ^[3]. According to the official website of J.P. Fourie Ministries, signs and wonders were always part of his ministry.

"From the beginning as he prayed for people they got healed and signs and wonders were always part of his ministry." ^[3]

"We have seen HIV/AIDS heal, blind eyes open, cancers disappear, cripples walk and many more and since May 2008 it seems as if there is a greater and fresher anointing for more of what God has in store." ^[3]

Three Years and Still Nothing

On the 7th of December 2008 I challenged Mr Fourie to provide us [myself, my readers and his followers] with just one example of a medically verifiable, legitimate recovery from HIV/AIDS or cancer, or alternatively, a formerly blind individual that now sees, or a former cripple that now walks - as claimed his web site ^[5] - with medical proof that there was a condition, that that condition dramatically changed, and that that change continued. I also asked for access to both, the patient and the doctor.

I think anybody would agree that true miracles are medically verifiable, and that the above would constitute such medical verification.

It's been more than three years, and still we have not received a shred of evidence.

Prophecies

THE CONVERSION OF PRESIDENT POHAMBA AND HIS CABINET

On the 7th of May 2011, Fourie posted a note on the official Facebook Page of J.P. Fourie Ministries, entitled "A prophecy for Namibia by Evangelist JP Fourie" ^[8].

In this note, Fourie claimed that "early one morning while in prayer" ^[8] he was "caught up" ^[8] by the Holy Spirit, after which God showed him Namibia and in particular, Windhoek.

The Holy Spirit then spoke to him, telling him that he was about to see "what will happen" ^[8] [things to come]. According to Fourie, he was then taken "to many different meetings days apart" ^[8], until "in one particular crusade meeting [his] attention was focused on the people that sat in the front row" ^[8], namely "politicians, many of them, including the state President" ^[8].

Then, "After the sermon was preached an invitation was made to accept Christ as Lord and Saviour. The State President was the first to step forward and so did the rest of the cabinet. The president announced that Jesus Christ has full Lordship over Namibia and handed power over to Jesus Christ." ^[8]

Eight Months and Still Nothing

From 1990 to 2011, Namibia only had two Presidents: Sam Nujoma (1929-), the first President of Namibia from 1990 to 2005; and Hifikepunye Pohamba (1935-), the second President of Namibia since 2005.

Fourie's Prophecy couldn't refer to Sam Nujoma (1929-), because his presidency ended in 2005, six years prior to Fourie's Prophecy.

That leaves us with the second and current President of Namibia, Hifikepunye Pohamba (1935-).

It's been at least eight months since Fourie's Prophecy, yet Pohamba and his cabinet, neither "announced that Jesus Christ has full Lordship over Namibia" ^[8], nor "handed power over to Jesus Christ" ^[8].

Did Fourie speak the truth, or did he expose himself as a false prophet? Time will tell, but don't hold your breath.

Responses

FACEBOOK STATUS UPDATES

Responding to J.P.'s "status updates" over at https://www.facebook.com/pages/JP-Fourie-Ministries/147582909163

STATUS: "Within the next few weeks we will go to the GATES of our city and anoint the gates. Someone with a chopper will take us over the suburbs and from the air i will anoint our territory. The area that i will be the strongman in. Christ in me the hope of glory. Greater is He that is in me than he that is n this world....." ^[2]

What nonsense?! Borders on witchcraft. Where do you find this in the Bible?

STATUS: "Another false prophecy busted. I wonder when will Harold Camping and his Family Radio team stop with this nonsense. It's the 4th Prophecy that was proven wrong. The 4th time this "End Time" Prediction exploded in their faces. Today, Sunday 22 May, I'm going to preach and sinners will get saved because of God's grace and love and we are going to build the Kingdom of God..." ^[1]

And soon yours too.

TWITTER TWEETS

Responding to J.P.'s "tweets" over at http://twitter.com/jpfouriemin

TWEET: "The faults I see in others' lives are often true of me; So help me, Lord, to recognize my own hypocrisy. If you are looking for faults to correct, try looking in a mirror!!" ^[7]

It is indeed unfortunate, that both Jesus and His Apostles were seemingly ignorant of Mr. Fourie's insights, since they are constantly found "looking for faults to correct ... in others' lives" ^[7] (Mt. 16v6; Mk. 8v15; Lk. 12v1; Acts 20v31; Gal. 2v11)

Associations

J.P. supports the likes of Aimee Semple McPherson (1890-1944) ^[4], Alonzo A. Allen (1911-1970) ^[4], Charles Finney (1792–1875) ^[8], John G. Lake (1870-1935) ^[4|8], Kathryn Kuhlman ^[4], Kim Clement ^[4], Maria Woodworth Etter (1844-1924) ^[1|4], Reinhard Bonnke ^[4], Smith Wigglesworth (1895-1947) ^[4] and William Marrion Branham (1909-1965) ^[4].

"He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the Lord." (Pr. 17v15, AKJV, p.296)

Challenges

THE 2008 CHALLENGE TO A PUBLIC DEBATE

On the 7th of December 2008, I challenged Mr Fourie to a Public Debate in his home town of Hermanus, to which he responded:

ENGLISH: "Get yourself a buddy to play with and go and debate him in Hermanus' streets. I'm not interested. While you debate people are dying without Christ." ^[5]

AFRIKAANS: "Kry vir jou n maatjie om mee te speel en te gaan debateer hom in Hermanus se strate. Ek stel nie belang nie. Terwyl jy debateer gaan mense dood sonder Christus." ^[5]

Strangely enough Jesus were very much 'interested' in debating whomever He was challenged by, regardless of those who were apparently 'dying without Him'.

Maybe that is because Jesus understood a number of things that Mr Fourie still doesn't, like reaching the lost with the truth, rather than simply reaching the lost.

Funny how Mr Fourie can take time out to go on holiday, spend time with his family, watch sports on television, and YouTube videos online, while 'people are dying without Christ'? In fact, I don't know how Fourie can even sleep at night, if the lost were dying without Christ as a result of his absence?!

Conclusion

In conclusion, I consider Fourie a False Teacher, False Prophet and Fake Faith Healer, who's 'ministry' is best described in the words of the Prophet Micah:

"The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the Lord, and say, Is not the Lord among us? none evil can come upon us." (Mic. 3v11, AKJV, p.406)

Detractors

» South African Theologian and former Charismatic Pentecostal Pastor, EJ Hill (1977-), opposed Fourie in an essay, entitled "J.P. Fourie".

Frequently Asked Questions

Don't you believe in miracles and prophecy?

Yes. I DO believe in miracles and prophecy. I just don't believe in Fourie's.

Do you think J.P. is purposefully deceiving his followers?

No. As far as I could determine, J.P. seems like a regular 'nice guy', and a good father, who really believes in what he is doing.

He is simply hopelessly entangled in the hype of Charismania, much like Andrew Strom and myself, before him.

Who do you think you are judging J.P.?

I'm a Christian who upholds the Doctrine of Christian Judgement as practised throughout Church History. (Mt. 18v15-17; Lk. 17v3; Jn. 7v24; 1 Cor. 5v1-13)

Fourie is everything but an innocent victim. He himself judged and pronounced Harold Camping a false prophet. ^[1]

Gallery

Bibliography

1. J.P. Fourie. Status Update [screenshot] (Facebook Page; 22 May 2011) ✔
2. J.P. Fourie. Status Update [screenshot] (Facebook Page; 15 May 2011) ✔
3. About JP Fourie (J.P. Fourie Ministries International; 15 August 2010) ✔
4. J.P. Fourie's Pages (Facebook; 9 December 2008)
5. J.P Fourie. In a Facebook Message to EJ Hill (7 December 2008) ✔
6. J.P. Fourie. Statement of Faith (J.P. Fourie Ministries International; 15 August 2010) ✔
7. J.P. Fourie. Tweet (Twitter; 24 February 2010) ✔
8. J.P. Fourie. A prophecy for Namibia by Evangelist JP Fourie [screenshot] (J.P. Fourie Ministries/Facebook; 7 May 2011) ✔
9. List of Presidents of Namibia (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia; 6 January 2011) ✔

For more information on J.P. Fourie, please visit the official J.P. Fourie Ministries and J.P. Fourie Ministries International websites, Facebook Page, Facebook and Twitter profiles.

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Revisions

07.12.2008 / 15.08.2010 / 30.09.2010 / 22-23.11.2010 / 10.10.2011 / 05-07.01.2012 / 11.01.2012

The Hall of Shame (Updated)

2012-01-10T23:22:00.000+02:00

Introduction

Our irreverent collection of crackpots, cultists, deceivers, dictators, hypocrites, imposters, racists, scam artists, villains and "wolves in sheep's clothing" (Mt. 7v15) now feature Adolf Hitler (1889-1945), Alan Miller, Barack Obama (1961-), Benny Hinn (1952-), Bertie Brits, Bheki Cele (1952-), Billy Graham (1918-), Boitumelo Senokoane, Brian McLaren (1956-), C.S. Lewis (1898-1963), Dawn Huxley, Deborah, Idi Amin (1925-2003), Jackie Selebi, J.P. Fourie, Jimmy Swaggart (1935-), Joel Osteen (1963-), John Piper (1946-), Joseph Stalin (1878-1953), Julius Malema (1981-), Kemo Waters, Kirk Bookmyer, Margaret Sanger (1879-1966), Mark Driscoll (1970-), Matthys Hendrik Heyns, Perry Noble, Pol Pot (1928-1998), Richard Dawkins (1941-), Rick Joyner, Rick Warren (1954-), Rob Bell, Robert Mugabe (1924-), Rupert Murdock (1931-), Steven Furtick (1980-), Ted Haggard (1956-) and Tony Jones.

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05-12.01.2012

Tony Jones (Updated)

2012-01-10T23:15:00.000+02:00

Introduction

Tony Jones ^[1] is an American Theologian, Pastor and Author ^[2], currently serving as "theologian-in-residence at Solomon's Porch in Minneapolis" ^[2].

The Emergent Church

Jones "holds much sway" ^[4] within the Emergent Church movement. ^[4]

Experience

» National Coordinator of Emergent Village (2005-2008) ^[2]
» Theologian-in-Residence at Solomon's Porch (2008-) ^[2]

Publications

The New Christians: Dispatches from the Emergent Frontier ^[2]

Detractors

EJ Hill (1977-) | Pastor Ken Silva ^[4] | Michael Krahn ^[3]

Videos

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Bibliography

1. Pastor Ken Silva. Tony Jones Worships a Demon (Apprising Ministries; 30 July 2011)
2. About (The Tony Jones Blog; 9 September 2010)
3. Michael Krahn. Tony Jones Finds Audience, Loses 'Religion' (Michael Krahn: The Ascent To Truth; 29 January 2009)
4. Ken Silva. Tony Jones: Stop Performing (Legal) Marriages! (Apprising Ministries; 5 January 2010)

For more information on Tony Jones, please visit the official Theoblogy and Tony Jones blogs; or the unofficial Tony Jones Archives at Apprising Ministries and the Tony Jones Archives at the Christian Research Network.

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09.11.2010 / 10.01.2012

Ted Haggard, 1956- (Updated)

2012-01-10T22:35:00.000+02:00

Introduction

Ted Arthur Haggard (1956-) is an American Theologian, and the Founder and former Pastor of the New Life Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado; a founder of the Association of Life-Giving Churches; and was leader of the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) from 2003 until November 2006. ^[2]

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Bibliography

1. Brian Karjala. A Review of Ted Haggard's Beliefs and Associations (Christian Issues; 8 September 2011)
2. Ted Haggard (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia; 24 July 2010)
3. Church forces out Haggard for 'sexually immoral conduct' (CNN; 4 November 2006)
4. Haggard admits ‘sexual immorality,’ apologizes (MSNBC Life; 11 May 2006)

For more information on Ted Haggard, please visit the official Ted Haggard website and Twitter profile.

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25.08.2010 / 10.01.2012

Rupert Murdoch, 1931- (Updated)

2012-01-10T22:19:00.000+02:00

Introduction

Rupert Murdoch (1931-) is an Australian-born American media magnate and the founder, chairman, and chief executive officer of News Corporation. ^[1]

Murdoch owns The Sun ^[3|5] (a daily tabloid newspaper), Sky ^[3], HarperCollins Publishers ^[3|6], Zondervan ^[3], 20th Century Fox ^[2] and the Fox Broadcasting Company ^[2], broadcasting to approximately 96% of US households. ^[2].

Associations

Rick Warren ^[4]

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Bibliography

1. Rupert Murdoch (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia; 14 September 2010)
2. News Corporation (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia; 14 September 2010)
3. Murdoch of Fox News Admits Manipulating the News for Agenda (YouTube; 15 January 2008)
4. Rick Warren: Pastor to a Pornographer (YouTube; 22 May 2007)
5. The Sun (United Kingdom) (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia; 22 September 2010)
6. HarperCollins (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia; 23 September 2010)

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Revisions

14.09.2010 / 22.09.2010 / 10.01.2012