A Knight's Blog

The Falling Away from the faith is an unnerving topic. In fact, its so disturbing that some espouse the doctrine of "once saved always saved." The problem with this doctrine is that it violates many Scriptures which clearly claim that a believer can lose their salvation. But how easy to lose is your salvation? Can it be lost if you say the Lord's name in vain? Can it be lost if you doubt God or think blasphemies? Can it be lost if you utter disbelieving words? Because the falling away is going to be major part of the End of Days, that I am I believe we are now living in. I shall answer these questions with Scripture. Our Lord and Savior expressly states that there will be falling away. He says, " Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another ." (Matthew 24:10). These words are unnerving, especially when y

ISIS, the Islamic State In Syria and ISIL, the Islamic State In Lebanon have become a military force to create the Islamic State or Caliphate in countries like Syria and Iraq, and eventually the whole world. ISIS and ISIL take the Quran literally. When it says, "kill the infidels.." (Surah 2:191, Surah 9:5, Surah 3:140-143), they obey. The response the US media has been to create a counter offensive to whip out this rising serpent in the Middle East. Even renowned Christian leaders and figures are calling for the annihilation of these people (ISIS/ISIL). Interesting. The Church says, "turn the other cheek," and "love your enemies," when they censor and belittle you; but when it comes to Jihadi fighters, "kill them! God wills it!" The response isn't unwarranted. We can look back in history and see when Islam began to advance across the globe and how it sparked the campaigns known as the Crusades. An argument can be made to "take up t

When we think of the end times we tend to picture Christ Returning to Completed Jews and Christian Gentiles. The Gentiles are often pictured as people of Greco-Roman, European, African, Asian, and Latin American (Mexican to Colombian heritages). The idea of Egypt or Modern day Assyria is not what comes to mind first, save maybe those Christians in those countries. But there is shocking promises to the Egyptians and Assyrians that will make many dispensationalists unhappy and change our notions of which nations are more favored of God. The Prophet of Isaiah shares the future of the Egyptian people in his nineteenth chapter. It begins with the prophet sharing that the Egyptians shall be cursed, their land shall become desolate, and their trade torn asunder by drought. But then there is a promise of salvation! The words of the prophet read: " 19  In that day there will be an altar to the Lord in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar to the Lord near its border. 20  I

Aloha is the latest film by Cameron Crowe, the director of "We Bought A Zoo," "Elizabethtown," and "Jeremy McGuire." As in many Crowe films Aloha is a film about people and thus a character driven story. Normally, I would review this film according to the performance of cast members, cinematography and content. This time I wish to explore certain quotes that will haunt you as a Christian and critique the elements of the movie that are objectionable. Before I begin with the quotes and dissect the profundity, let me state that Aloha is a romance and redemption story. It centers around Brian Gilerest, played by the talented Bradley Cooper, who seems to be making a name for himself as military actor, his last film being "American Sniper" where he portrayed Chris Kyle, the Navy Seal Sniper, Bradley Cooper returns this time as Brian Gilerest, a former NASA, Air force, and Military Contractor who after an injury in a war has been given a second c

The Renaissance Period of 1453 to 1690 is heralded by artisans and historians are period of great brilliance. When sculptures, artists, philosophers, lawyers, and all matter of society was effected by resurgence, a return to Greco-Roman thinking and living. Some of the greatest pieces of art come from this period; examples being the "Ceiling of the Sistine Chapel," (Michelangelo) "Mona Lisa," (Leonard Da Vinci), "Transfiguration" (Raphael), and "David" (Donatello). However, the Renaissance also gave birth to Liberal Theology. A dangerous approach to interpreting Scripture and the events therein as merely symbolic and allegorical. The Renaissance which is esteemed as the epitome of culture and classicalism issued forth the greatest apostasy. The Classical Revival of Greek and Roman Pagan cultures led Michelangelo to create a famous statue called, "Moses/Zeus." Universalism was birthed, allowing all religions to be one. But the utop

As Christians we are living in a very unique period in history. For first time the Bible has been translated into every language, all 100% of the world can now read the Gospel, both Old and New Testaments in their native languages! This is both exciting and a fulfillment of prophecy! for the Lord said, " And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come ." (Matthew 24:14). How has this been done? Through technology. Yes, for once technology is on the side of Truth! The ability to translate anything into hundreds, even thousands of languages with a click of a button is remarkable! It reminds me of Christ's own words, " Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father !" (John 14:12). I think in this case we are in a greater thing, because Peter and Paul could only preach

Dispensationalist Doctrine has become popular in the western church. The concept that Israel, the people known as Jews will receive a separate inherence and blessings than the Church of the Gentiles has gained strength in many circles. But is it Biblical? Does the text tell of Jews who do not believe in Messiah being spared or that Completed Jews who believe in Christ will have different promise than Gentile Christians? Before I continue I want to be clear that we must be careful when interpreting Scripture. I do not want to be so staunch in a view that cannot completely be affirmed by the Word and the Holy Spirit that I become deceived like Pharisee or Sadducee. However, we also must let "scripture define scripture," and so with that endeavor I point to the scriptures that answer if being Jewish Christian or simply being a Son of Abraham guarantees promises that Gentile Christians will not get. I shall start with Jesus Christ's words. He said to Pharisees, "

      The Romans who ruled the earth for Five-Hundred Years were considered tolerant. They abided the diverse faiths of different cultures they conquered and even let them worship their gods. Governors and Prefects ruled barbarians (non-Romans) with the aid of indigenous rulers who were allowed to keep their positions or were elected if they were favorable to their Roman masters. The Romans even built better roads, aqueducts, latrines, and markets. For all intensive purposes, being under the rule of Rome was great! Or so it seems. The Romans had another side. When someone disagreed with the rulers or their enforcers (Praetorium and Centurions) they were put to death. If politician was favoring an enemy of Cesar, or the new establishment, they were assassinated. For the barbarians strict curfews were administered, and those who would speak out for their beliefs, civilization, or politics were silenced with execution in the form of Crucifixion. Rome is wonderful, until you don

    Today is Pentecost, when the Disciples in Jerusalem waited and prayed. The result of this time in prayer and waiting was: "When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them." (Acts 2:1-4). Pentecost is celebrated in churches ranging from Catholic to Charismatic. However, the experience of Pentecost is more vivid in Charimatic and well Pentecostal churches. In fact, most churches forbid the manifestations of the Holy Spirit and deem Tongues to either be not for today or demonic. This is shame and in fact in violation of the Scriptures and Holy Spirit. It is probably one of contributing factors to the decline of the organized chur

There is a practice in the Benedictine monastic circles called "Lectio Divina." The point of this practice is to read God's Word (The Bible) and let it speak to you as the Living Word. What can happen is that the Scriptures can become relevant to you in a way you never imagined and you can receive an interpretation or explanation from the Holy Spirit that no one has gotten before! I believe in Lectio Divina. While I revere the Holy Fathers who wrote the Four Gospels, Acts, and Epistles. I believe the same God, who is the Same revealer of all Truth and wisdom back then is revealing things to his people today! The radical truth is that St. Peter and St. Paul are no different from any follower of Christ today. I know, I may have just have alienated or ruffed feathers, but hear me out before offense takes root. What makes St. Peter and Paul special is their proximity to Incarnate Christ. Peter walked with Jesus in the flesh, while Paul had vision and expanded the Church

Bride (left) and Broad (right) We all have chance to live two completely opposites lives. We can live as committed follower of Christ or we can be a conqueror of this world. The temptation is often before us and some try to be both. I like to think of it in terms of women; for women often make things easier to understand. In fact, they are often where comparisons are best understood. The choice in this life is to be Bride (of Christ) or Broad (which is way that leads to riches, but also eternal death). The Bride and Broad are nothing alike. The Bride is meek, loving, tender, gentle, kind, forgives easily, walks in truth, and understands frailty. The Broad in contrast is mighty, lustful, tyrannical, gruesome, kindling, is unforgiving, walks in deceit, and undermines the frail. The Bride sees the world as Christ does, a place of fallen people who need a Savior and God's love. The Broad sees a world that needs to be conquered and controlled through severity and great lordship.

Sometimes the followers of the Messiah are a mob. We as Christians come together to criticize and condemn. Someone stumbles in sin and the immediate response is to stone them or crucify them. Without mercy a man or woman is trampled; their reputation destroyed. In revelry of bringing 'reviler' to justice, the religious feel they have had a victory, that another sinner has been corrected and the sin itself is on display and shown to be a source of death and punishment. Unfortunately, that is the not the primary effect it has. Rather than making people feel afraid to sin due to the consequences, people feel judged and afraid to confess anything in fear of being crucified publicly by those they trust. Instead of inspiring reverential fear before God and right living; the spectacle of condemning people who have "missed the mark" publicly makes more people struggling privately afraid to speak up and seek help for their addictions, sins, and bad habits. A taboo in th

There is power in faith. Jesus said, " If you have faith like mustard seed, you could say to this mountain move and be cast into the sea ." (Matthew 21:21,  Mark 11:23, Luke 17:6). Faith which is trusting God has the power to move mountains. The opposite of faith however is unbelief. This too has a power. If someone harbors unbelief and disbelief in their hearts they can hinder the Holy Spirit. When Jesus had Risen from the dead he visited His Disciples, but the Apostle Thomas was not there. Later Peter and rest of the Apostles told Thomas that Jesus had appeared, but Thomas replied, "Unless see the wounds in his hands, no unless I put my finger in his side I will not believe." (John 20:25). St. Thomas was skeptic. He distrusted and scrutinized everything. This was both his greatest strength and his greatest weakness. On one hand it meant that skeptics have a patron Apostle. Jesus choose a man who would naturally question, doubt, and analyze everything. The Lor

    What are idols? There are objects and images of worship. In the traditional sense they are made of metal, clay, wood, and other elements. Typically they are fashioned into something like pole, a person, or power god. Pagans since paradise was lost have made idols to worship. But are there idols among us today? Is the Church erecting them in their own homes? Most would claim they have no idols. That there home is hollowed before the Lord. But if we took an honest look what would we find? From childhood to adulthood people become infatuated with worlds in fiction. When they devote themselves to places like A Galaxy Far, Far, Away..., Middle-Earth, The Final Frontier, Time Travel, Halo, or the Mushroom Kingdom do they erect idols? Upon searching a Ringer or Trekkie's home you would find symbols, images, and perhaps items from franchise which could denote idolatry & worship; but the more sinister form of the idolatry is in digital imagery! When people are pulled fro

  The Christian life is not one of comfort. On the contrary what Christ asks of us is in direct opposition to our fallen nature; the flesh which is conformed to sin. On the norm our desire is to be glorified, to be prestigious, to be noticed, to be of value, and to be center of attention. Our flesh craves to live, to indulge ourselves. But Jesus called us to die. He said, " Unless a man deny himself, pick up his cross and follow me, he cannot be my disciple ." (Matthew 16:24). The Apostle Paul echoing the words of the savior said, "die daily," (1 Corinthians 15:31) and "crucify the flesh and its passions." (Galatians 5:24). We are called to die. To deny. To put to death self glory, gratification, our own honor, and esteem. We are to die to this world, and live in Christ. To "Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry." (Colossians 3:5, cross

There are many celebrations and feasts for Christians. The featured feasts are Easter and Christmas. The Ressurection and the Birth of Christ get the most coverage and rightfully so. However, Good Friday which is the Crucfixion; the event when sin and death were defeated and the moment that leads to the Ressurection is often not featured in many churches. Even more obscured is a celebration forty days after Easter, know as Ascent or Ascension Day. This holiday or holyday commemorate when Jesus after forty days of being with His disciples and giving the Great Commission He ascended into Heaven. This event described in the Gospel of Luke 24:50-5 and Acts 1:6-11. The Ascension is significant for several reasons. Firstly Jesus gives the Great Commision, He says, "Go into the world and preach the Gospel to all creation," and "Go to all nations baptizing them in the Name of the Father, The Son and the Holy Spirit." (Matthew 28:19). While missions could be said to hav