Van Robison: "What is "Truth?""

What is "Truth?"

To each and every mind "truth" is what that mind thinks is "truth."   The subject matter is of no consequence, because "truth" is what anyone thinks in their own mind.   If a billion human beings think that truth is what
they read in the "Bible", does that mean that the Bible is what truth is?   The only problem with that thinking is that that same billion humans beings will think very different thoughts about what they read in that so called
Bible.   The Bible they read will bring forth a myriad of different beliefs, customs and practices among those billion human beings, that cause massive confusion as to what "truth" really is.   Is there really any such thing
as a definition of "truth?"   The Worldwide Church of God defined "truth" as what their top leaders said "truth" is.   The "apostle" Paul defined "truth" by his own definition of truth, but was he right and correct? 

Those who penned, edited, revised, distorted, twisted, added to, deleted from and generally wrote the so called "Bible" define "truth" by their own definition and attributed what they said to God.  Was God really the author? Truth differs with individuals and with groups, including religious groups and human governments.    Sometimes innocent human beings are nailed with false accusations and even serve prison sentences for being "guilty" of crimes which they never committed.   So then was the "truth" what they were accused of?   Even Jesus was accused of many false allegations.   Real truth is then an obvious slippery slope among human beings.

What human being thinks that what they think is false?   Obviously no one.  How do you define truth?   The answer differs with the mind that advances an answer.   It then becomes apparent that TRUTH is not cut and dried and has only one answer.   In the Civil War of the Untied States, the North (Yankees) have a very different perspective than the South (Confederates) about that diabolical war of death and destruction.   There is no one answer that will ever satisfy all people.   Nevertheless it is more than obvious to any astute thinker that those who "win" the wars, write the "history" books which are taught to future generations of school children. 

In reality the doctrine that "the Bible is infallible and inerrant" is nothing less than CENSORSHIP of freedom of thought.   The infallibility doctrine seeks to squelch independent questioning and to cause common people to think that to question the Bible is to question God.   The world is overrun with Bible scholars who know beyond doubt that the Bible is full of holes, while common church goers are led to believe that the Bible is beyond questioning.   Whatever "truth" is, it is without doubt that there are many answers that differ and there is no one answer that will ever satisfy those who reason, ask questions and think about issues. 


Van Robison

Armstrongism and Social Media

LCG has a letter up to members regarding the use of social media and talking about Jesus Christ.

By Wyatt Ciesielka | Thursday, March 22, 2012

Social media services have become ubiquitous, and many Christians are asking whether, or how, to use them.  “If I use social media, should I talk about my faith?  If I do talk about my faith, what will my ‘friends’ think?  If I don’t post about my faith, am I guilty of not ‘letting my light shine’ (Matthew 5:16)?”  These are important questions!  What are the benefits, and what are the consequences, of using social media?

Wyatt goes on to ask:

So, if Christians choose to use social media, how should we use this technology?  And what are the possible consequences?  

So who is Wyatt specifically referring to here as "Christians?"  Your neighborhood Lutheran, Presbyterian, Episcopalian?  According to the official mouthpiece for the Living Church of God, Bob Thiel, there are no REAL Christians outside of the LCG.  Why didn't Wyatt refer to these Christians as "so-called" or "fake" as the official spokesman for LCG does?  So who is Wyatt referring to here - LCG members, of course.

Wyatt continues:

However, this does not mean that Christians [LCG] should proselytize, try to coerce uninterested social acquaintances or enter into foolish arguments (cf. 2 Timothy 2:14; 3:1-5). And while Christ expects our conduct, our words (and our posts) to be “honorable among your unbelieving neighbors” (1 Peter 2:12, NLT), we need to understand that Christianity has never been popular.

It's interesting that devout Christians in the "world" could care less if someone is offended at their talk about Jesus.  They understand what he means to them and want to share that good news with others.  Not that they do a good job of it, but the point is that they are unafraid to do it.

Yet, the Church of God has always been afraid.  Even God's most mighty Apostle could not discuss Jesus Christ or even God for that matter.  "Brethren, let me tell you about a strong hand from someplace." What the hell does a "strong hand from someplace" mean to people?  What kind of gospel message is that?  Why the shame?

The problem with COG  folk using social media for spreading their gospel revolves around the in-you- face attitude of so many in regards to law keeping.  How long can you spit out that people are sabbath breakers, or unclean because they eat pork and shrimp?  Or that that you must be keeping all the Jewish holidays and not the pagan, filthy, rotten, corrupt Christian days. Jesus Christ will not be discussed except as it pertains to Jesus Christ being a law keeper. Law will dominate, Jesus Christ will be barely mentioned.

However, this does not mean that Christians should proselytize, try to coerce uninterested social acquaintances or enter into foolish arguments (cf. 2 Timothy 2:14; 3:1-5).  And while Christ expects our conduct, our words (and our posts) to be “honorable among your unbelieving neighbors” (1 Peter 2:12, NLT), we need to understand that Christianity has never been popular.

Christianity or Armstrongism?

As Jesus reminded His disciples: “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you” (John 15:18).  Although Christians should avoid contentions and foolish arguments, and although we are commanded, “Let [our] speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one” (Colossians 4:6), we need to remember in all our public interactions the biblical principle, “Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?” (Amos 3:3).

Grace?  Grace???  How can speech be seasoned with grace when the topic is NEVER discussed without strict law keeping?  Who is walking with whom?  Apparently what Wyatt is specifically pointing out here is that your religious talk can only be with like minded LCGers since there are no REAL Christians outside of the LCG.  So why waste your Christ talk on unconverted, low life, dirty, fake, so-called christians who's sorry asses are going to get fired in the lake of fire.

LCG: Where's Jesus?, OOPS! SORRY! Where's Christ?

Richard Bardo, an LCG minister in Arizona had a "Sabbath Greetings" letter up to his flock last night.  He was not happy to have received an email from a local restaurant saying: “Join Us For Breakfast With The Easter Bunny!”

He then goes on to say the LCG members know this time of year to be for something different:

Many of us in God’s Church can recite why this custom is not found in the Bible and why Christians should not be involved in it. Yet, what should we be “into” this time of the year?

Namely, one of self-examination, as it clearly says in I Corinthians 11.

One would assume that he is referring specifically to examining ones self because of the upcoming Passover.  While he may be implying that, he cannot mention it.  Examining ones self in light of the work that Jesus Christ did is not brought up here either.

Instead, it is back to Hebrew scriptures about David.

Notice David:

“Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy loving-kindness: According to the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin.” (Psalm 51:1-2 ASV)

He asked God to wash him thoroughly, after he accepted full accountability for his sins, which were against God. He pleaded for complete cleansing from sin and finally he cast himself totally upon God, who is the only one who can save!

Now that is, a man after God’s own heart. As we see from verse 2, sin goes completely through us. The Hebrew word “wash” ?????? kabac {kaw-bas’} means to: “to wash (by treading), be washed, perform the work of a fuller, to be washed out.” “A fuller” is a workman who “fulls” (cleans and thickens) freshly woven cloth for a living. You may remember the famous “Fuller Brush” company; and so is the reason for that name. So have we asked God to take a cleaning brush to us?

God in this case is that cleaner of cloth. He wants us to have white garments as He is pure and white. We must also be!  “…and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.” (Daniel 7:9 KJV)

Indeed, there are moments in our lives that we need to especially seek God; and before Passover we must be “fully” cleansed from our sins. We must also recommit to God and place His ways, deep into the inner parts of our hearts and minds.

So where is Jesus when this is supposed to be his "season?"  Apparently you cannot know Jesus Christ unless you are afflicting yourself with fasting:

Christ said that when He would not be present in person, then His disciples would fast to draw ourselves closer to Him. Have we fasted recently?

“And they said to Him, “The disciples of John often fast and offer prayers; the disciples of the Pharisees also do 1the same; but Yours eat and drink.” 34 And Jesus said to them, “You cannot make the attendants of the bridegroom fast while the bridegroom is with them, can you? 35 “But the days will come; and when the bridegroom is taken away from them, then they will fast in those days.” (Luke 5:33-35 NAS)

The only way to put sin out and reflect this God of true love is to draw ourselves closer to Him in prayer and fasting. This can’t happen unless we fast and pray often. Let’s seek God while He may be found and draw ourselves near to Him especially in these latter days!

These are all works that were done BEFORE Jesus Christ died.  Why is there no mention of what was accomplished AFTER Jesus died?  If they claim to be followers of Jesus Christ as they claim, why can't they never seem to discuss anything  about him, what he accomplish and what was COMPLETED by his death and resurrection.

"It is finished." apparently has no meaning to to these folk.