When I wrote about Carl's demise a couple of days ago - I referred to him being dead as a doornail. After posting that, I decided to look up where that phrase comes from. Apparently, a very long time ago nails where used to fasten thick boards together to make doors. The pointed end sticking out one side was bent over to hold the nails in place...rendering the nail useless or "dead" from now on. The search also listed this phrase from a Middle English allegorical narrative poem
The Vision of William Concerning Piers The Plowman written by William Langland around 1362..."Faith without works is feebler than nothing and dead as a doornail". Two things occurred to me. 1-That sounds like scripture. 2 - If it is scripture, why is a writer from the 14th century quoting it at a time in history when few had access to the Bible (none at the time had been printed in English) other than what the Popes doled out to control the uneducated. This was pre-reformation and although Langland was a contemporary of John Wycliffe (one of the earliest opponents of papal authority influencing secular power), it is unclear if he was aware of the movement that was about to start which would ultimately topple the early Roman Catholic Church's control of the masses. A brief summery of Langland's epic would suggest that he had an inkling..."an intense quest for the true Christian life from the perspective of medieval Catholicism".
So....this is Carl's message:
James 2:
19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe , and tremble . 20 But wilt thou know , O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
James 1:
23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way , and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was . 25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
2 Peter 1:5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 8 For if these things be in you, and abound , they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off , and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. 10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall : 11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
16 comments:
The 66 books of the Bible were written:
1. On three continents.
2. In three languages.
3. By about 40 different people (kings, shepherds, scientists, attorneys, an army general, fishermen, priests, and a physician).
4. Over a period of about 1,500 years.
5. On the most controversial subjects.
6. By people who, in most cases, had never met.
7. By authors whose education and background varied greatly.
srkJustastick, had people from various continents, speaking various languages, composed any ordinary book written by around 40 people over a period of about 1,500 years, I would agree with your comments. However, with God all things are possible. God made sure, through HIS DIVINE intervention, we have His accurate word today. God knew way ahead of time what was to happen in the future. You need to give HIM more credit than that. The King James Bible is the living, breathing word of God. God made sure this version is precise and 100% accurate. Study Bible prophecy and your eyes will be opened as to exactly how precise the written word is. It is simply amazing and perfect.
Good post today. Keep up the good work.
Not a comment just a little history
As a man who is on the fence about religion, can you tell me which religion or which form or religion you have adopted? Your messages always seem somewhat hate-filled and Satan is mentioned almost always. I was brought up around similar things and this is actually what turned me against religion so I am trying to make heads and tails of it all. It seems as though some "churches" like to instill hate and fear into the minds of people to control them and that's all I ever witnessed growing up. I quickly ran from it all when I realized what was going on but I am intrigued by those who went the other way.
Good post. Yet, I sense an anti-Catholic tone to today's words, John. From where I sit, that particular group of Christians have the the "faith plus works" thing down in spades. Tolerance, brotherly love - we all sit in the same room.
Pamit:
So true, even though we Catholics have had our share of tyrants, pedophiles, poor leaders, and men who led us down a wrong path, we have done some fairly good things, especially here in the good ol' U. S. of A.
We started the first modern hospital system, the concept of innocent until proven guilty started with the Church around the 1000's, in the 1600's Catholic missionaries created schools in FL and in the 1700's created schools in missions up and down the Californias.
When we are met at the Pearly Gate though I don't think St. Peter or Jesus, God will ask which road we took to get there, I think he will welcome us and congratulate us on being able to follow the map!
Carl
Hmmm this post was better than your typical Sunday posts, John. Good message, and I like how it tied into what was happening round your place.
Doesn't matter what you believe, the Bible, the Koran, soley in material science... conscious view without making something good of it is useless! Faith without works...
Many maintain the mistaken belief that there were no Bibles available until after the Reformation. They had the Bible, but only in the Latin. Only the educated could read Latin. The poet was obviously educated and, along with reading other Latin texts, he was able to read the only Bible that he had. Aren't you glad that we have the Bible in our own language?
I guess I am missing the hate part in John's posts. I do understand why many people feel that way about Christianity and religion in general. There is way to much to discuss in a short blog post but speaking for myself, a non-denominational Christian, I will say that I strive to follow the "words in red", those of Jesus. Remember, the Old Testament is the book of Jewish laws and pre-dates the time of Christ, although it includes many prophesies about his coming. Jesus preached love, mercy, tolerance, forgiveness, and compassionate. He warned against judging others and Satan's trickery, which causes much heartache in the world. If you are "on the fence", read the words of Jesus. That is where I focus and it is where I find hope. God bless.
Sorry for poor grammar, etc. Itty bitty iphone keys don't perform well as a keyboard.
I agree, Melanie. It's impossible to explain to someone who has not read the Bible... Like trying to describe love to someone who has never experienced it. But when you read it with an open heart, especially the Four Gospels, there is something that takes hold of you, a Spirit that fills you. You realize they are not mere words. They are indeed "perfect" and you can only receive the message by going to the book yourself. I encourage others to disregard those who preach and practice hate. They deceive and are deceived. Make up your own mind based upon what you learn and what it brings to your life.
Hi Chris, I've followed your family's adventures for quite a while. I am so impressed by what you (and John) are doing. Email me anytime if you would like to talk about this... jillcriswell@consplidated.net. Kudos to you and your family for having the courage to follow your dreams. Blessings, Jill
532Carl was one handsome chicken!
Not very religious but have read the Book of James several times. "For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also." Chapter 2 is most likely where that original reference came from.
James per tradition was the brother of Jesus, or would that be half brother as Joseph was his father?
Nice to see Carl intertwined in all this.
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