Tovia Singer is a Rabbi who lives in Jerusalem. His goal is to educate Christians on issues of God and Salvation. His message is that Christians are great people (but deceived on many issues of theology). The theology of Christianity is the PROBLEM (according to Tovia). This theology has MADE (exalted) a human Rabbi (a Man) to Godhood so as to SAVE believers from their SIN. The historical God of Israel was abandoned by Christianity (mostly since 325 A.D.) and mankind has progressed and also digressed since this theology grew over time. Is it time to rethink this Christian theology?
Today, we live some 2,000 years since this theology started (at the death of this Rabbi called Yeshua/Jesus). Yeshua/Jesus died around 33 A.D. (give or take). His historical name was actually Yeshua as this Rabbi was an Aramaic Jew, tribe of Judah. He knew no English and he wrote no letters or books. His history is sketchy but biblical scholars now view much of this written text (called the New Testament) as somewhat problematic (there are many contradictions and mistakes in logic within the text). Tovia Singer brings out a few of these contradictions and I find this helpful and educational.
The BIG issue that everyone might consider is WHO is GOD (in reality)? Is the historical God of Israel our Creator and King over planet Earth? Is this God an 'invisible' VOICE which rules over all creation (NOW). Am I made in the IMAGE of this God? Are YOU? The Old Testament seems to demand that human beings are MADE in the image of their Creator. But who is our Creator? Is it a Rabbi from Nazareth who lived on this planet from around 6 B.C. to 33 A.D.? Is this Rabbi (a prior human being) our CREATOR GOD (NOW/TODAY)? Let's think on this idea!
Tovia Singer and many other Biblical Scholars would say that a human being can NEVER be Creator of our universe or Creator of mankind. All human beings (including this Rabbi from Nazareth) were CREATED beings (not the CREATOR GOD). If I am to believe in a CREATOR GOD, I need to think seriously on the issue of WHO this SOURCE might be. Is this SOURCE an 'invisible' VOICE which transcends human consciousness? Is this SOURCE outside of our PHYSICAL universe? Where is this SOURCE and is this SOURCE transcendent? I like Revelation 4 for scriptural evidence of this SOURCE!
My study and research has led me to the conclusion that the God of Israel (this God which led the Israelites out of Egypt) is this CREATOR GOD. This GOD also spoke to many prophets and anointed persons. This GOD spoke via an 'invisible' VOICE and this VOICE became recognizable as SUPREME (the Creator of mankind). The God of Christianity (called Jesus in English) actually heard this 'invisible' VOICE at least three times (if scripture is valid). He heard it at his baptism. He heard it at his transfiguration. He heard it at Gethsemane. Others who heard this 'invisible' VOICE were Noah, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Moses, David, Amos, John at Patmos, and even I (in 1977).
Maybe YOU have heard this 'invisible' VOICE? The VOICE has many scriptural NAMES (and Titles). Elohim is one title that is used. The personal name, Yahweh or Jehovah, is often used. Some use the word Adonai. Some will use the Title LORD or FATHER. Many Jews today use the word HaShem (as they want to honor the real name of GOD as unspoken). HaShem means 'the NAME'. Christianity has developed a theology which assumes that Jesus/Yeshua was GOD in the flesh. This theology developed mostly after the Council of Nicaea in 325 A.D. Then is 451 A.D., at the Council of Chalcedon, Jesus became part of a TRINITY. Today, millions worship this historical Jewish Rabbi as their GOD.
Today, most Christians have a theology which assumes that the historical Rabbi called Yeshua/Jesus is part of a TRINITY (of god person's). Three god person's (all unique and different) make up this TRINITY concept. Christians espouse the view that this concept is equivalent to MONOTHEISM. Many scholars, however, would REJECT this logic. How can THREE god person's demonstrate MONOTHEISM? Thomas Jefferson said this is preposterous. He developed his own scripture when he internalized this doctrine as being FALSE. Many others have concluded similar since the days of Thomas Jefferson.
My sense is that the INVISIBLE VOICE which rules over planet Earth is alive and well (NOW). Few, however, discern this VOICE as being our transcendent CREATOR GOD. Most of mankind likes virtual IMAGES (of a prior man) as their GOD. GOD is made in the IMAGE of Man under this philosophy. In reality, however, MAN is NOT GOD. Man is a 'created' being. GOD is our SOURCE and MAKER. I like to say that God is our POTTER and Man is the Clay. You and I are 'made' in the image (of God) even as we must recognize that WE are NOT GOD. We live 'at effect'! We are 'agents' (not Principals).
Anyway, Tovia Singer's viewpoint on this issue seems VALID to me. Listen to Tovia above and think for yourself. If God is this 'invisible' VOICE which works THROUGH our 'consciousness', then we all should discern this REALITY (eventually). Understanding one's CONSCIOUSNESS is key to understanding reality IMO. Anyway, listen to Tovia in the above video and ask yourself if his view on WHO is GOD is valid for 2023. Personally, I view his view on this ISSUE as valid. Have a great day!
Most Christians will espouse the viewpoint that JESUS is our CREATOR GOD. Listen to this video for an example of this theology. Personally, I find this theology as invalid and I rejected it back in 1977. You can think for yourself on these issues of theology. I must do likewise!
I am: Donald B. Swenson, Economist/Philosopher, donaldswenson.blogspot.com. Also, http://kingdomecon.wordpress.com.
No comments:
Post a Comment