War between christian humanism & jewish materialism

William of Malmesbury mentions Joseph's going to Britain in one passage of his Chronicle of the English Kings, written in the 1120s. He says Philip the Apostle sent twelve Christians to Britain, one of whom was his dearest friend, Joseph of Arimathea. He claims that Glastonbury Abbey was founded by them; Glastonbury would be associated specifically with Joseph in later literature. Cardinal Caesar Baronius, the Vatican Librarian and historian (d. 1609), recorded this voyage by Joseph of Arimathea, Lazarus, Mary Magdalene, Martha, Marcella and others in his Annales Ecclesiatici, volume 1, section 35. The accretion of legends around Joseph of Arimathea in Britain, encapsulated by the poem hymn of William Blake And did those feet in ancient time held as "an almost secret yet passionately held article of faith among certain otherwise quite orthodox Christians", was critically examined by A. W. Smith in 1989. In its most developed version, Joseph, a tin merchant, visited Cornwall, accompanied by his nephew, the boy Jesus. C.C. Dobson made a case for the authenticity of the Glastonbury legenda.

The Jesus revealed in the gospels is not the weak, timid, trembling soul of the artists. Jesus of Nazareth was a masculine, strong and courageous man.

He worked in a carpenter's shop (Mark 6:3). There was no power equipment, no motorized transportation. Every aspect of that work was heavy, manual labor. Those who engaged in it grew physically strong.

Being from a poor family, his diet, dress and social life were Spartan - no dining on luxurious food, or sporting of fine raiment. He was a workingman.

During his brief ministry, Jesus walked the dusty roads of Palestine. Only once do we read of him riding, and it was on a borrowed beast (Luke 19:35). There were no litters born on servant's shoulders, no fine carriage in which to ride. He walked. Only a strong physical constitution could endure such rigors.

The manliness of Jesus is seen in those who became his disciples: tough, hardworking fishermen like Peter and Andrew; hotheaded young men like James and John (Mark 3:17); hardened revolutionaries like Simon the Zealot (Luke 6:15). They adored and served him and willingly died for his Cause.

It is seen in the multitude of women who followed Jesus (Luke 8:3). Women are not attracted to weak, fearful and feminine men.

His manliness was demonstrated in his ministry. Twice he walked into the Jewish temple and drove the moneychangers out (John 2:15; Mark 11:15-19). Read the report and notice that no man stepped forward to challenge his action. They were intimidated by his manly strength and fortitude.

He fearlessly rebuked the powerful leaders of Judaism, openly, calling them hypocrites and a generation of vipers (Mathew 23:29-33). They could only gnash their teeth or slip away in embarrassment.

When the band of soldiers came to arrest him, unarmed, he bravely stood up and confronted them. They melted in fear (John 18:6).

When he was flogged (John 19:1) and physically abused, he endured their wrath without tears or cries for mercy. Only after hours of abuse did he collapse under the weight of the cross (Mark 15:21). This tells us that he was extremely robust and strong.

When the heartless soldiers drove the iron spikes into this hands and feet, he did not beg for mercy, rather he forgave them for their ignorance (Luke 23:34) and expressed concern for the welfare of his mother (John 19:26-27).

When, after six hours of agony, he expired, they had not succeeded in killing him. "He yielded up his spirit" (Matt. 27:50).

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The Western Mindset is infused with Christianity. The pagan religions even had a form of pre-Christian theology. Arts and Music of the Gentile had in earlier centuries striven after Higher purposes, not simply the materialistic or fleshy motivations of our Jewish dominated culture. I have hence included some great hymns of faith:

“Beneath the Cross of Jesus” Words: Elizabeth C. Clephane, 1868

1. Beneath the cross of Jesus I fain would take my stand, The shadow of a mighty rock within a weary land; A home within the wilderness, a rest upon the way, From the burning of the noontide heat, and the burden of the day.

2. O safe and happy shelter, O refuge tried and sweet, O trysting place where Heaven’s love and Heaven’s justice meet! As to the holy patriarch that wondrous dream was given, So seems my Savior’s cross to me, a ladder up to heaven.

3. There lies beneath its shadow but on the further side The darkness of an awful grave that gapes both deep and wide And there between us stands the cross two arms outstretched to save A watchman set to guard the way from that eternal grave.

4. Upon that cross of Jesus mine eye at times can see The very dying form of One Who suffered there for me; And from my stricken heart with tears two wonders I confess; The wonders of redeeming love and my unworthiness.

5. I take, O cross, thy shadow for my abiding place; I ask no other sunshine than the sunshine of His face; Content to let the world go by to know no gain or loss, My sinful self my only shame, my glory all the cross.

“When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” Words: Isaac Watts 1707

1. When I survey the wondrous cross On which the Prince of glory died, My richest gain I count but loss, And pour contempt on all my pride.

2. Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast, Save in the death of Christ my God! All the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to His blood.

3. See from His head, His hands, His feet, Sorrow and love flow mingled down! Did e’er such love and sorrow meet, Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

4. His dying crimson, like a robe, Spreads o’er His body on the tree; Then I am dead to all the globe, And all the globe is dead to me.

5. Were the whole realm of nature mine, That were a present far too small; Love so amazing, so divine, Demands my soul, my life, my all.

“Christ the Lord Is Risen Today” Text: Charles Wesley, 1707-1788 Music: Lyra Davidica, 1708

1. 
   Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia! Earth and heaven in chorus say, Alleluia!
   

2. 
   Love's redeeming work is done, Alleluia! Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
   

3. 
   Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia! Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
   

4. 
   Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia! Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!
   

5. 
   Hail the Lord of earth and heaven, Alleluia! Praise to thee by both be given, Alleluia!
   

6. 
   King of glory, soul of bliss, Alleluia! Everlasting life is this, Alleluia!
   

“And Can it be that I Should Gain” Words: Charles Wesley, Psalms and Hymns, 1738. Music: Thomas Campbell (1777-1844)

1. And can it be that I should gain An interest in the Savior’s blood? Died He for me, who caused His pain— For me, who Him to death pursued? Amazing love! How can it be, That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me? Amazing love! How can it be, That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

2. ’Tis mystery all: th’Immortal dies: Who can explore His strange design? In vain the firstborn seraph tries To sound the depths of love divine. ’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore, Let angel minds inquire no more. ’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore; Let angel minds inquire no more.

3. He left His Father’s throne above So free, so infinite His grace— Emptied Himself of all but love, And bled for Adam’s helpless race: ’Tis mercy all, immense and free, For O my God, it found out me! ’Tis mercy all, immense and free, For O my God, it found out me!

4. Long my imprisoned spirit lay, Fast bound in sin and nature’s night; Thine eye diffused a quickening ray— I woke, the dungeon flamed with light; My chains fell off, my heart was free, I rose, went forth, and followed Thee. My chains fell off, my heart was free, I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

5. Still the small inward voice I hear, That whispers all my sins forgiven; Still the atoning blood is near, That quenched the wrath of hostile Heaven. I feel the life His wounds impart; I feel the Savior in my heart. I feel the life His wounds impart; I feel the Savior in my heart.

6. No condemnation now I dread; Jesus, and all in Him, is mine; Alive in Him, my living Head, And clothed in righteousness divine, Bold I approach th’eternal throne, And claim the crown, through Christ my own. Bold I approach th’eternal throne, And claim the crown, through Christ my own.

“Amazing Grace!” Words: John Newton (converted ex-slave trader)1779

1. Amazing grace! How sweet the sound That saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found; Was blind, but now I see.

2. ’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, And grace my fears relieved; How precious did that grace appear The hour I first believed!

3. Through many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come; ’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, And grace will lead me home.

4. The Lord has promised good to me, His Word my hope secures; He will my Shield and Portion be, As long as life endures.

5. Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail, And mortal life shall cease, I shall possess, within the veil, A life of joy and peace.

6. The earth shall soon dissolve like snow, The sun forbear to shine; But God, who called me here below, Will be forever mine.

7. When we’ve been there ten thousand years, Bright shining as the sun, We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise Than when we’d first begun.

“Turn your eyes upon Jesus” Words & Music: Helen H. Lemmel, 1922

O soul, are you weary and troubled? No light in the darkness you see? There’s a light for a look at the Savior, And life more abundant and free!

Refrain: Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace.

Through death into life everlasting He passed, and we follow Him there; Over us sin no more hath dominion— For more than conquerors we are! Refrain

His Word shall not fail you—He promised; Believe Him, and all will be well: Then go to a world that is dying, His perfect salvation to tell! Refrain

“The Church’s One Foundation” Words: Samuel J. Stone Music: Samuel S. Wesley (1810-1876)

1. 
   The Church’s one foundation Is Jesus Christ her Lord, She is His new creation By water and the Word. From heaven He came and sought her To be His holy bride; With His own blood He bought her And for her life He died.
   
2. 
   She is from every nation, Yet one o’er all the earth; Her charter of salvation, One Lord, one faith, one birth; One holy Name she blesses, Partakes one holy food, And to one hope she presses, With every grace endued.
   
3. 
   The Church shall never perish! Her dear Lord to defend, To guide, sustain, and cherish, Is with her to the end: Though there be those who hate her, And false sons in her pale, Against both foe or traitor She ever shall prevail.
   
4. 
   Though with a scornful wonder Men see her sore oppressed, By schisms rent asunder, By heresies distressed: Yet saints their watch are keeping, Their cry goes up, “How long?” And soon the night of weeping Shall be the morn of song!
   
5. 
   ’Mid toil and tribulation, And tumult of her war, She waits the consummation Of peace forevermore; Till, with the vision glorious, Her longing eyes are blest, And the great Church victorious Shall be the Church at rest.
   
6. 
   Yet she on earth hath union With God the Three in One, And mystic sweet communion With those whose rest is won, With all her sons and daughters Who, by the Master’s hand Led through the deathly waters, Repose in Eden land.
   
7. 
   O happy ones and holy! Lord, give us grace that we Like them, the meek and lowly, On high may dwell with Thee: There, past the border mountains, Where in sweet vales the Bride With Thee by living fountains Forever shall abide!
   

1. 
   A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing; Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing: For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe; His craft and power are great, and, armed with cruel hate, On earth is not his equal.
   
2. 
   Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing; Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God’s own choosing: Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He; Lord Sabaoth, His Name, from age to age the same, And He must win the battle.
   
3. 
   And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us, We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us: The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him; His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure, One little word shall fell him.
   
4. 
   That word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them, abideth; The Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him Who with us sideth: Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also; The body they may kill: God’s truth abideth still, His kingdom is forever.
   

“We Plough the Fields” by German Matthias Claudius 1782

We plough the fields and scatter The good seed on the land, But it is fed and watered By God's almighty hand: He sends the snow in winter, The warmth to swell the grain, The breezes and the sunshine, And soft, refreshing rain.

Refrain: All good gifts around us Are sent from heaven above; Then thank the Lord, O thank the Lord, For all his love.

He only is the maker Of all things near and far; He paints the wayside flower, He lights the evening star; The winds and waves obey him, By him the birds are fed; Much more to us, his children, He gives our daily bread. Refrain

We thank thee then, O Father, For all things bright and good, The seed time and the harvest, Our life, our health, our food. Accept the gifts we offer For all thy love imparts, And what thou most desirest, Our humble, thankful hearts. Refrain

“Come, Ye Thankful People, Come” Text: Henry Alford, 1810-1871 Music: George J. Elvey, 1816-1893

1. 
   Come, ye thankful people, come, raise the song of harvest home; all is safely gathered in, ere the winter storms begin. God our Maker doth provide for our wants to be supplied; come to God's own temple, come, raise the song of harvest home.
   
2. 
   All the world is God's own field, fruit as praise to God we yield; wheat and tares together sown are to joy or sorrow grown; first the blade and then the ear, then the full corn shall appear; Lord of harvest, grant that we wholesome grain and pure may be.
   
3. 
   For the Lord our God shall come, and shall take the harvest home; from the field shall in that day all offenses purge away, giving angels charge at last in the fire the tares to cast; but the fruitful ears to store in the garner evermore.
   
4. 
   Even so, Lord, quickly come, bring thy final harvest home; gather thou thy people in, free from sorrow, free from sin, there, forever purified, in thy presence to abide; come, with all thine angels, come, raise the glorious harvest home.
   

Verse 1: O Lord my God! When I in awesome wonder Consider all the works Thy hands have made. I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder, Thy power throughout the universe displayed.

Refrain: Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee; How great Thou art, how great Thou art! Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee: How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

Verse 2: When through the woods and forest glades I wander And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees; When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze: (Repeat Refrain.)

Verse 3: And when I think that God, His Son not sparing, Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in; That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing, He bled and died to take away my sin: (Repeat Refrain.)

Verse 4: When Christ shall come with shouts of acclamation And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart! Then I shall bow in humble adoration, And there proclaim, my God, how great Thou art! (Repeat Refrain.)

“Children of the Heavenly Father” (Swedish) 1858

1. Children of the Heavenly Father Safely in His bosom gather Nestling bird nor star in heaven Such a refuge e’er was given

2. God His own doth tend and nourish In His holy courts they flourish From all evil things He spares them In His mighty arms He bears them

3. Neither life nor death shall ever From the Lord His children sever Unto them His grace He showeth And their sorrows all He knoweth

4. Though He giveth or He taketh God His children ne’er forsaketh His the loving purpose solely To preserve them pure and holy

5. Lo their very hairs He numbers And no daily care encumbers Them that share His ev’ry blessing And His help in woes distressing

6. Praise the Lord in joyful numbers Your Protector never slumbers At the will of your Defender Ev’ry foe man must surrender.

“Day by Day” (Swedish) by Lina Sandell Berg (1832-1903)

1.Day by day and with each passing moment Strength I find to meet my trials here; Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment I’ve no cause for worry or for fear; He whose heart is kind beyond all measure Gives unto each day what He deems best!; Lovingly its part of pain and pleasure Mingling toil with peace and rest. 2.Ev'ry day the Lord Himself is near me With a special mercy for each hour; All my cares He fain would bear and cheer me, He whose name is Counselor and Pow'r. The protection of His child and treasure, Is a charge that on Himself He laid; "As your days, your strength shall be in measure," This the pledge to me He made. 3.Help me then in ev'ry tribulation, So to trust Your promises, O Lord; That I lose not faith's sweet consolation, Offered me within Your holy Word. Help me, Lord, when toil and trouble meeting, E'er to take, as from a Father's hand, One by one, the days, the moments fleeting, Till I reach the promised land.

35 Paul of Tarsus, a Jewish Pharisee, claims to have converted to Christianity and begins converting only Gentiles to Christianity. Some researchers claim that Christianity is a conspiracy to prevent Gentiles from fighting the Jews. Some claim that Paul Judaified Christianity. Some German researchers, understanding the roots of Tarsus, suggested that Paul’s mother was Greek. He did quote from the Greek Septuagint translation of the Old Testament.

1)“He said to them, "But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.” NIV Luke 22:36

2)“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.” NIV Romans 13:1-7

3)“But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.” NIV Matthew 5:39

4)“Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s” (Matthew 22:21).

1)Luke 22:36, in older days, was considered clear words from Jesus to physically defend oneself against evil. 2)Paul’s Romans 13 is a clear injunction that Government is to restrain evil and promote good. Christians, after peaceful methods, must change an evil government with revolution. 3)Turning the other cheek is to force the striker to treat you as an equal. The first strike is from the back of the hand as to a servant, the second strike is the front of the hand. 4) In the US, we are Caesar. And isn’t everything, God’s?

There is a theory that the New Testament was composed by the Piso family of ancient Rome, a prominent plebeian branch of the gens Calpurnia, descended from Calpus the son of Numa Pompilius. with at least 50 prominent Roman family members recognized. Members are known into the 2nd century. The surname was later changed to Riso. Numa Pompilius (753-673 BC; king of Rome, 715-673 BC) was the legendary second king of Rome, succeeding Romulus. A secondary theory would be that the New Testament was edited by them.

Was the New Testament composed or edited to convert Gentiles to a submissive, pacifist form of Judaism? The Jews themselves were not pacifists, but racist supremacist militants. If this theory of pacifism is true, there is still enough verses such as the preceding that can predicate a militant Christianity.

During the American Revolution, many preachers used Scripture to maintain and encourage the right to revolt against wicked Government.

Three Hymns which have influenced this author:

“Dare to be a Daniel” -Words & Music: Philip P. Bliss(1838-1876), 1873 Ira Sankey said this hymn was prohibited by the Sultan from use in Turkey.

1)Standing by a purpose true,/Heeding God’s command,/Honor them, the faithful few!/All hail to Daniel’s band!

Refrain: Dare to be a Daniel,/Dare to stand alone!/Dare to have a purpose firm!/Dare to make it known.

2)Many mighty men are lost/Daring not to stand,/Who for God had been a host/By joining Daniel’s band. Refrain

3)Many giants, great and tall,/Stalking through the land,/Headlong to the earth would fall,/If met by Daniel’s band. Refrain

4)Hold the Gospel banner high!/On to vict’ry grand!/Satan and his hosts defy,/And shout for Daniel’s band. Refrain

“Trust and Obey” by John H. Sammis (1846-1919) 1887. Music: Daniel B. Towner (1850-1919)

1)When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,/What a glory He sheds on our way!/While we do His good will, He abides with us still,/And with all who will trust and obey.

Refrain: Trust and obey, for there’s no other way/To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

2)Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,/But His smile quickly drives it away;/Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,/Can abide while we trust and obey. Refrain

3)Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,/But our toil He doth richly repay;/Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,/But is blessed if we trust and obey. Refrain

4)But we never can prove the delights of His love/Until all on the altar we lay;/For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,/Are for them who will trust and obey. Refrain

5)Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet./Or we’ll walk by His side in the way./What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;/Never fear, only trust and obey. Refrain

“Are Ye Able?” by Earl B. Marlatt (1892-1976) 1926. Music: Harry S. Mason, 1924

1)“Are ye able,” said the Master,/“To be crucified with Me?”/“Yea,” the sturdy dreamers answered,/“To the death we follow Thee.”

Refrain: Lord, we are able. Our spirits are Thine./Remold them, make us, like Thee, divine./Thy guiding radiance above us shall be/A beacon to God, to love and loyalty.

2)Are you able to relinquish/Purple dreams of power and fame,/To go down into the Garden,/Or to die a death of shame? Refrain

3)Are ye able, when the anguish/Racks your mind and heart with pain,/To forgive the souls who wrong you,/Who would make your striving vain? Refrain

4)Are ye able to remember,/When a thief lifts up his eyes,/That his pardoned soul is worthy/Of a place in paradise? Refrain

5)Are ye able when the shadows/Close around you with the sod,/To believe that spirit triumphs,/To commend your soul to God? Refrain

6)Are ye able? Still the Master/Whispers down eternity,/And heroic spirits answer,/Now as then in Galilee. Refrain

1 Corinthians 13:13 (NIV) “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”

Paul quotes the Greek Septuagint, the Old Testament translated from Hebrew. Paul encapsulates Christ’s teaching: The Spectrum of Love has nine ingredients: Patience "Love suffers long."; Kindness "And is kind."; Generosity "Love envies not."; Humility "Love vaunts not itself, is not puffed up."; Courtesy "Doth not behave itself unseemly."; Unselfishness "Seek not her own."; Good Temper "Is not easily provoked."; Guilelessness "Think no evil."; Sincerity "Rejoice not in iniquity, but rejoice in the truth." Galatians 5:22-23 (New International Version) - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Ephesians 6:10-20 (New International Version) The Armor of God: 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. 19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

The Curses of Disinheritance, the Fig Tree, Desolation, and Deicide compiled by Brother Nathanael Kapner

When Jesus told the Jews that their kingdom would be taken away from them and given to the Gentiles, the Jews answered, “God forbid.” But the curse stands. The Church inherits God’s blessings and the Synagogue has been forsaken. This is the Curse of Disinheritance.

When Jesus approached the fig tree, a symbol of Israel, He saw no fruit on it. He cursed it and the tree withered. The Church is the new Israel bearing much fruit but the Synagogue is a dried up tree. You can even see it in their faces. This is the Curse of the Fig Tree.

When Jesus saw Jerusalem rejecting Him as the Messiah, He declared, “Your house is left unto you desolate.” It’s the Church that offers eternal life but the Synagogue has nothing to give. This is the Curse of Desolation.

He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.” –Jesus in Matthew 15:26 (NIV) (How Jews considered the Gentiles.)

“Then Jesus said to them, “Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.”” -Jesus in Matthew 16:6 NKJV

“It is written, My house shall be called a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves.” -Jesus in Matthew 21:13 NKJV

“Woe unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. You blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. Woe unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and the platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. Woe unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you are like unto whited sepulchers, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. Woe unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because ye build tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchers of the righteous, and say, if we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets. Wherefore you be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets. Fill up then the measure of your fathers. You serpents, you generation of vipers, how can you escape the damnation of hell?” -Jesus in Matthew, 23:23-33.

“For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. -Jesus in- Matthew, 23:4.

“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you devour widow's houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.” -Jesus in Matthew, 23:14.

“And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.” -Luke in Acts 23:12

“For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism, how intensely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it. I was advancing in Judaism beyond many Jews of my own age and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers. –Paul in Galatians 1:13-14 (NIV)

“Watch out for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh (false circumcision). –Paul in Philippians 3:2 (NIV)

“For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things.” – Paul in Philippians 3:18-19 (NIV)

“For you, brothers, became imitators of God's churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own countrymen the same things those churches suffered from the Jews, who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and also drove us out. They displease God and are hostile (contrary) to all men in their effort to keep us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. In this way they always heap up their sins to the limit. The wrath of God has come upon them at last.” -Paul in 1Thessalonians 2:14-6 NIV

“Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. –Paul in 1 Timothy 1:13 (NIV) [Sounds like the philosophy of the Nazi Camps - to create good citizens out of ne’er-do-wells. “Work shall make you free.”]

“For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, ESPECIALLY THOSE OF THE CIRCUMCISION, whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain. One of them, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth. To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled. They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.”- Paul in Titus 1:10-16

“But no one would say anything publicly about him for fear of the Jews.” - John in John 7:13

“His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews; for the Jews had already agreed that if anyone confessed Him to be Christ, he was to be put out of the synagogue.” - John in John 9:22

“Nevertheless many even of the rulers believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they were not confessing Him, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue;” - John in John 12:42

“After these things Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but a secret one for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate granted permission. So he came and took away His body.” - John in John 19:38

“So when it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, "Peace be with you." (NASB) - John in John 20:19

“After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him.” - John in John 7:1.

Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me. 43 Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. 44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” - then answered the Jews - (which makes it clear that Christ was addressing the Jews.) Jesus in John 8:42-44

“Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one.” Paul in 2 Corinthians 11:24 (NIV)

In one place the Lord said, "They will make you outcasts from the synagogue, but an hour is coming for everyone who kills you to think that he is offering service to God. These things they will do because they have not known the Father or Me." Jesus in John 16:2,3

Stephen speaking before a synagogue council just before his execution: "You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered, you who received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it." Luke in Acts 7:51-53, RSV

"The Pharisees and the scribes asked Him, 'Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat their bread with impure hands?' And He (Jesus) said to them, 'Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: "This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far away from Me. But in vain do they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.' Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men.' He was also saying to them, 'You are experts at setting aside the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition.'" (Mark 7:1-9)

Matthew 15:2 NIV "Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don't wash their hands before they eat!"

Matthew 15:3 NIV Jesus replied, "And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?

Matthew 15:6 NIV he is not to 'honor his father ' with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition.

Mark 7:3 NIV (The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they give their hands a ceremonial washing, holding to the tradition of the elders.

Mark 7:5 NIV So the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, "Why don't your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with 'unclean' hands?"

Mark 7:13 NIV Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that."

Mark 7:4 NIV When they come from the marketplace they do not eat unless they wash. And they observe many other traditions, such as the washing of cups, pitchers and kettles. )

Mark 7:8 NIV You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men."

Mark 7:9 NIV And he said to them: "You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions!

****Fear of Death:

To the Hebrews: “Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death” (Hebrews 2:14-15).

Of the Greeks: "I'd rather be a day-laborer on earth working for a man of little property than lord of all the hosts of the dead." --Achilles, in The Iliad. As illustrated by the above remark by the hero Achilles, death was not a glorious thing for the ancient Greeks. In Homer's epics, the dead are "pathetic in their helplessness, inhabiting drafty, echoing halls, deprived of their wits, and flitting purposelessly about uttering batlike noises." While undesirable when compared with life on earth, this vague, shadowing existence was not generally cause for fear of the afterlife. Only terrible sinners (like Tantalus, Tityus and Sisyphus) were punished after death; similarly, only a select few ended up in the paradisical Elysian Fields.

Of the Germans: Roman Policy towards the Germans 370 AD Liber XXVIII v. 2 “But he had to do with a people who knew not the fear of death…”-Ammianus Marcellinus

Heaven –Paul testified that he had been to the Third Heaven. Even though Jewish and other Christian writings may have up to 7 heavens, the Kabbalah has a different angel assigned to each one, it is generally understood that the first heaven is where birds dwell, the second heaven is where the stars dwell and the third heaven is where God dwells.

Hell- In many religious traditions, Hell is a place of suffering and punishment in the afterlife. Religions with a linear divine history often depict Hell as endless. Religions with a cyclic history often depict Hell as an intermediary period between incarnations. Other afterlife destinations include Heaven, Purgatory, Paradise and Limbo.

The modern English word Hell is derived from Old English hel, (about 725 AD to refer to a nether world of the dead) reaching into the Anglo-Saxon pagan period. This is envisioned as a "misty" place (rather than the fire envisioned by Christianity and Islam) where go all women and in addition, some men. Punishment for wrong deeds is not mentioned.

In Christianity, punishment in Hell typically corresponds to sins committed during life, either specific or in general, with condemned sinners relegated to one or more chamber of Hell or to a level of suffering. Hell is traditionally depicted as fiery and painful, inflicting guilt and suffering. In classic Greek mythology, below Heaven, Earth, and Pontus is Tartarus. It is either a deep, gloomy place, a pit or abyss used as a dungeon of torment and suffering that resides within Hades (the entire underworld) with Tartarus being the hellish component.

The Christian doctrine of hell derives from the teaching of the New Testament, where hell is typically described using the Greek words Tartarus or Hades or the Arabic word Gehenna. Hell is translated from 3 different terms: 1) Hades has similarities to the Old Testament term, Sheol as "the place of the dead", both the righteous and the wicked.; 2) Gehenna refers to the "Valley of Hinnon", which was a garbage dump outside of Jerusalem. It was a place where people burned their garbage and thus there was always a fire burning there. Bodies of those deemed to have died in sin without hope of salvation (such as people who committed suicide) were thrown there to be destroyed. Gehenna is used in the New Testament as a metaphor for the final place of punishment for the wicked after the resurrection (and possibly of throwing away one’s life on sin).; 3) Tartaro (the verb "throw to Tartarus") occurs only once in the New Testament in II Peter 2:4, where it is parallel to the use of the noun form in 1 Enoch as the place of incarceration of 200 fallen angels. It mentions nothing about human souls being sent there in the afterlife.

Some Christian theologians of the early Church and some of the modern Church subscribe to the doctrines of Conditional Immortality. Conditional Immortality is the belief that the soul dies with the body and does not live again until the resurrection. (Paul says that the Mortal will put on Immortality.) Annihilationism is the belief that the soul is mortal unless granted eternal life, making it possible to be destroyed in Hell.

Universal Reconciliation is the belief that all human souls (and even Demons) will be eventually reconciled with God and admitted to Heaven.

Biblical words translated as "Hell": Abaddon -Hebrew meaning "destruction"; Gehenna; Hades; Infernus -Latin meaning "being underneath"; and Sheol in the King James Bible, is translated as "Hell" 31 times and translated as "the grave" 31 other times. Modern translations, however, do not translate Sheol as "Hell" at all, instead rendering it "the grave," "the pit," or "death." Tartarus appearing only in II Peter 2:4 in the New Testament.

**Many contemporary religious Jews do not believe in Heaven or Hell.

Eternity- While in the popular mind, eternity often simply means existence for a limitless amount of time, many have used it to refer to a timeless existence altogether outside time. The Greek term Aeonios, rendered eternal or everlasting in contemporary Scriptures has a more qualitative rather than quantitative meaning. It means future rather than endless. The Scripture speaks of future death, future punishment, etc. There are many instances in Scripture where something is considered to be forever, which has an end in a subsequent portion of Scripture.

New Heavens and New Earth refers to a whole new society, such as a new society following the destruction of an experienced one. As with the terms eternal and forever, this term has been fulfilled many times in Scripture.

Mankind has a common origin and heritage and then diversified into different cultures and religions. Just as the concept of Christ was prefigured within the Old Testament, it has also been prefigured in the both major and tribal religions. Some say that other religions influenced the language and even the person of Jesus the Christ. Just as Hebrew midrash influenced the gospel writing about the person of Jesus, perhaps pagan religion did too, but there is no strong evidence, only incomplete parallels. My argument is that even if it did, it was only in the language of description of Jesus, not the historic person.

The Gospel was paraphrased in German idioms and metaphors to reach the Germans. Can we not paraphrase it to reach others around the world, even unto contemporary Judaism and agnostic materialists?