After reading where a person I know will be getting a divorce for the second time, I thought about why people continue to follow the counsel of people who fail to succeed in their own lives. I mean, if you claim to be giver of wise counsel; especially on biblical matters, shouldn't your life reflect that? I understand that we all fail, but it is what we do with those failures that matters. And it should matter if the person continues to make the same mistake over and over; such as multiple divorces.

What is more disturbing is when people who so often fail at basic life events, act like it is no big deal or that it just happened outside of their control. They want people to just give them a pass and move on. Of course we should all pray, "But by the grace of God, there go I" whenever we see people tempted, drawn away, or falling into corruption. For we are a Fallen people, a sinful people that needs the grace and mercy of God.

As I become more and more disenchanted with the "leadership" within current Christianity, I've been looking for other organizations with which I can interact. Note, that this doesn't mean I am losing my faith, I just have no desire to interact with FRAUDS that claim to be "pastors" and "seminary presidents". These people are often liars and compromisers. So anyhow, I took a look at the American Freethinkers. I mean, if I am moving away from being manipulated by frauds, wouldn't I be thinking "free"?

Although I do not regularly post Bible studies, I still hold weekly Bible studies with my family and a few others.

This week we studied the Ten Commandments. You can find the Ten Commandments in complete form in two places in the Bible; Exodus 20:1-17 and Deuteronomy 5:4-21. Interestingly enough, depending what "authority" you follow, the division of the commandments is different.

• Philonic Division -- after Philo, Hellenistic Jewish biblical philosopher (20 B.C.–50 A.D.)
• Talmudic Division -- after the Talmud, Jewish commentary compiled by multiple rabbis between AD70 and 5th century AD.
• Augustinian Division -- after Augustinian order in about the 5th century AD.

Roman Catholics and Protestants typically follow the Augustinian Division of the Ten Commandments. (ref)

As many Americans and people around the world, I too tuned into the first 2012 presidential debate on October 3, 2012.

Barack Obama faced off with Mitt Romney in what is being presented as an election that may very well decide the course of a nation; not just in the short term but perhaps fundamentally.

First, what is a counter-cult ministry? A counter-cult ministry is an effort by one or more people to expose and address a cultic group.  A cultic group is defined not merely by something extreme such as an individual leader controlling followers but by any abnormal devotion to one or more leaders that often results in the followers behaving unethically or even illegally in support of the leader(s). And the leader(s) need not even ask the followers to behave in this way, however the leader(s) often will turn a blind eye to the actions of their followers.

DEFINING A CULT

As stated, a cult is not merely an individual leader controlling followers. A cult need not even be religious in nature, although that is perhaps the easiest vehicle to use to get followers to be that devoted. Also, just because followers are very devoted to leadership doesn't make it a cult. Obviously, religions in general call for the express devotion of its adherents, if not to its founders and leaders at least to its principles and teachings. The kind of cult we're talking about is the kind of group that causes its followers to manifest unethical and often illegal behavior in support of the leadership. It is an almost, "protect the leadership at all costs" mentality.  Often, no matter how much documentation and evidence is brought to bear that the leadership is corrupt, the followers will still remain devoted and sometimes even become more entrenched.  We see this with some political parties, unions, and even yes religious leaders.

:-)

Be happy, live life avoid strife.
Be happy, smile awhile.
Breathe

Be happy, let no one steal you away.
Be happy, let no one deal you dismay.
Breathe

Be happy, haters hate still.
Be happy, lovers love still.
Breathe

Only words....

I just wanted to let everyone know that if something happens to me or my family, they should first suspect Jason L. Bradfield, the P.R. manager for Sam Frost of RCM (Reign of Christ website).  Bradfield has truly been stalking me, even coming onto the Christian Forum, CARM where he was promptly banned by the moderators after he not only blatantly broke multiple rules, but even said he "wished they'd ban him".

Shortly after this, Bradfield started emailing me, even from a fake account called roderickthecoward@yahoo.com with my name as the sender, as if he is Roderick Edwards.  Bradfield obviously has a history of unethical behavior, whether it is blatantly breaking/disrespecting the rules of a community or making it look like someone said something they clearly didn't or using other people's names as a sender in an email.

In these hostile and hate filled emails Bradfield sent, he called me a "little bitch" several times among other names.  He then called my home, while I was at work.  Fortunately I have him recorded and will record him if he ever calls again.  My wife listened to the message and was frightened and called me at work.  This is not the first time Bradfield's group has called my house frightening my family.  Indeed, another hyperpreteristⁱ had at one time threatened to harm my family if I didn't shut up.  I reported that individual to the FBI.

Now, Bradfield is threatening me.  I don't know what his threat entails but he said: "You ain't getting away that easy. It has just begun. Now keeping talking you little bitch."  He said this after I asked him to:

• stop emailing me
• stop sending me Google+ invites
• stop coming onto forums where I am
• stop threatening me
• stop calling my house
• stop assuming you know what goes on at my house

Bradfield is upset partly because he says, unpreterist.blogspot.com is "dedicated to talking about him" and his cronies.  Actually, NO it is dedicated to UNDOING over 15 years of promotion of hyperpreterism.  The FACT is that people like Sam Frost, Gary DeMar, Kenneth Talbot, Dee Dee Warren and yes even Bradfield have been heavily involved in purposely or unwittingly promoting various forms of hyperpreterism.

This site has NEVER asked for donations and I am not asking for any now. However, I am asking you to consider supporting another ministry; APOLOGETIX. Apologetix is a great group that has been ministering to people with their music since at least 1992. Not just any people, but young folks, our kids, our children with Christian "parody" renditions of popular secular songs.

This site has featured Apologetix several times including a concert review I posted in 2008 -- http://thekingdomcome.com/apologetix_review

Thekingdomcome.com has also featured Apologetix in our "Parody Player" which contains 174 songs (mainly by Randy Hyde) http://thekingdomcome.com/node/135 and in several videos on Youtube.

So, please consider sending a donation to Apologetix. Pray about it and if you feel led, by all means help them out. What follows is a letter from Apologetix's lead singer, J. Jackson:

A "tar-baby" is any issue that is difficult to extract one's self from after engaging. Tar-baby specifically comes from the 1881 book, Br'er Rabbit (source) where the character Br'er Rabbit fights with a Tar-baby and becomes increasingly stuck to the tar on the baby.

Sometimes people, especially politicians like to act like an issue is a tar-baby; an issue not worth addressing because it would only bog them down in needless and endless dispute, and indeed there are issues like this. But sometimes there are fake tar-babies where the person acts like the issue isn't worth their time but in reality is often the very thing that needs to be addressed. Using another phrase, it is the "white elephant" in the room -- something obvious but that almost everyone wants to avoid.

UPDATE

I have had false starts with this project because unlike some people, I don't seem to have the ego to see it through. I feel presumptuous writing it without other people desiring me to write it. So, if you want me to write this book, let me know via the comments here or via the email form.

I have been working on a book on Preterism for some time now. I'd like to share the introduction with my readers. There is more to the book, but this is just a taste of it so far.

Roderick Edwards spent 15 years within the Full or Hyper-Preterist movement. His writings while all online were very profuse and varied on topics many Preterist writers never thought to consider; such as the validity of pastors if indeed the Chief Shepherd came in AD70.

Edwards always held a strained relationship with many of the “leaders” within the movement because of his propensity to push the theory of Hyper-preterism to its logical conclusions.

In about 2007, Edwards officially renounced Hyper-preterism and began trying to undo some of the damage he has done. This has made him an enemy not only of the Hyper-preterists, but also of many of the so-called “Partial-Preterists” whom he points to as having aided in the advancement of Hyper-preterism.

This book will give the reader a clear, and honestly critical view not only of Hyper-preterism but of Preterism in general and how it is affecting and will affect Christianity in general.

ENDORSEMENTS:

“Roderick Edwards is the most vicious critic of Full Preterismⁱ to date” – Samuel Frost; ex-Hyper-Preterist circuit speaker.

PROOF READERS WANTED -- send email via this link.

The following will interact with recent events including the shocking movie theater massacre purportedly perpetrated by James Holmes where 12 people were murdered and 58 or more injured when Holmes systematically shot people at a midnight showing of the Batman movie.

We have heard the various explanations, including that the attack was "evil", but what do these people mean by the word evil? I mean, I've seen people using this word who normally are amoral -- meaning they really have no position on what is and isn't moral. These same people are often "godless", atheistic people. How can something be "evil" unless there is an opposite concept of "righteousness". Then the question becomes, what is righteous and what is evil?

I do not want to belittle what happened by talking about the issue of evil and righteousness, but undoubtedly this case will involve asking for the death sentence and some questioning Holmes' sanity. Is an "evil" person sane? Is an insane person evil? My desire is that Holmes gets the full extent of Colorado law, which includes the death penalty.

GAFFE OR GOAL
The next topic is of the U.S. presidential election. Barack Obama recently said:

"If you've got a business, you didn't build that. Somebody else made that happen."

First off, this wasn't a gaffe by Obama, this is how he thinks. He actually believes that successful people aren't successful because they are smart or assertive but because somebody else cleared the way for them. Obama doesn't understand that whether he and his socialistic friends like it or not, some people do things that make them more money than other people. All people are NOT the same. It doesn't necessarily mean one person is better than the other. We all have different goals and aspirations. Apparently Obama's goal is to destroy America.

Barack Obama declared that his presidency would be the most transparent in history when in fact it has been one of the most secretive. In July 2012, after Obama's Press Secretary, Jay Carney was extolling Obama's supposed policy of openness a report asked a pointed question:

“One thing that people — at least his opponents — continue to bring up is his college records...” but Carney cut him short.

“Right, this is the Donald Trump question. I think he is the one that brings it up the most,” he said, before the reporter asked, “What’s the answer?”

Carney made no attempt to give one, saying, “I would refer you to the campaign.”

Whether it is when we talk about sports, politics, theology or any other topic, we use a specific language, or words that are specific to the topic. For instance, in American football, there are words like touchback, downs, yardage which have specific meaning.

In a Bible Study at my home on July 6, 2012; our group talked about the language of theology and what it means. For example, we addressed three words:

1. Eisegetics - In (to/of)
2. Exegetics - Out (to/of)
3. Apologetics - Defense (to/of)

After over 8 years in existence, I'm thinking about closing the TKC website. Not for lack of activity since the site has on average, over 6500 hits a day and 200,000 hits a month. But, it is sort of like how people become disenchanted with political parties that keep failing to do what they say they are going to do. I have interacted with a lot of great people throughout the years. The site has gone through a variety of changes. The podcast collection boasts over 50 interesting and thought provoking shows; with many that were deleted when I left the hyperpreteristⁱ movement.

I have never asked for donations nor used a sponsor of any sort. This site has been an open and honest site that doesn't even require a person to sign up before they comment. The topics range from verse-by-verse studies to world politics, movie reviews, deep theological issues, history or personal blog commentary.

Dallas, the long running television series that began in 1978 and ended in 1991 was revived on June 13, 2012. The new series picks up with following the lives of the sons of the Ewing brothers. If you have watched the original series, the Ewings are oilmen in Texas.

The ongoing theme in the show is a tension between elder brother J.R. Ewing and younger brother Bobby Ewing. J.R. is depicted as unscrupulous and power hungry whereas Bobby is depicted as principled and moralistic. The original show was the classic struggle between "good" and "evil" but it didn't have any particular political agenda.

However, the new series is loaded with political agenda. The sons of J.R. and Bobby resume the fight between brothers but this time the son of J.R., John Ross III, and the adopted son of Bobby, Christopher are at odds; not over power in general but over pursuing oil or pursuing "alternative energy". Now, I know the makers of the new series are just trying to make the show relevant but there is so much demonstrative bogus claims for alternative energy, that the claims within the show only feed into that entire issue. For example, early on in the first episode, John Ross finds millions of barrels of oil on the family ranch, Southfork. The problem is, supposedly the matriarch of the family, "Miss Ellie Ewing" stated in her will that no one will ever drill for oil on Southfork. This starts the fight.

Back in May 2010 I suggested a graduation speech where the reality is that most of the graduates will not go on to do monumental things. I said that despite that most commencement speeches talk about how the graduates should go out and "change" the world. Rather, we need more people who are trying to simply maintain those good and noble things; especially against those who are always trying to "change" those good and noble things to bad things and ignoble things.

With all the talk about the president of the United States coming out in favor of same-sex or "gay" marriage I thought I'd address this topic from a few perspectives.

THE LOVE AND PRIVACY ARGUMENT

It used to be that when America reluctantly but finally became involved in a conflict or a war, the oppressed welcomed our involvement. Our involvement usually meant that the end result was a more stabilized nation that would give more opportunity to more people.

So, why wouldn't Muslims want America's involvement in overthrowing the dictatorial regimes controlling most of the Islamic world?

May is busy around my house. My daughter will walk the aisle to mark the end of her High School days. Her mother and I are so proud of her. She even graduated a semester earlier but had to wait until now to walk. In fact she will be done with her college education by January.

On the topic of education; public primary education is almost pointless after the sixth grade. Most of the remaining six years are spent rehashing the same thing learned in the prior six years. I think our cookie-cutter education system needs a reformation; starting with moving most of it to privatization. America has become too socialistic in thinking everyone is the same. We're all different to some degree and we'd be more powerful and productive as a united country if we stopped wasting time teaching our children things they will never use.

As a guy, a man married to the same woman for 22 years, and the father of an 18 year old daughter whom has dated a few guys -- I want to offer this "guide to guys".

Girls seem to think guys are difficult to understand, but really, most guys are fairly simple. Most guys are driven by a few things but not necessarily in this order:

(1) Food
(2) Play (games, sports, whatever)
(3) Sleep (mainly naps)
(4) Um...Sex

After that, guys can be broken down into types (mix and match too):

The Bible says "But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty;" -- 1 Cor 1:27

Many well-meaning Christians think this means we ought to be in a perpetual state of self imposed impotency when it comes to expressing our faith. They want to revel in a form of pity. But is that what the Bible is saying to do?

First, by "Post-Christian" I simply mean that much of Western civilization is becoming increasingly secularized, moving away from daily expression and adherence to Christian principles. So, in understanding that meaning, when I address the topic of women in a post-Christian world I want to contrast that with the roles, attitudes, and behavior of women in this post-Christian world. I will address both Christian and non-Christian women.

Let's establish the roles, attitudes and behavior of women when most of Western civilization was still Christianized. We'll consider this the period from roughly the 4th century to the early 1800s. This encompasses both the decline of the pagan empire of Rome and the conversion to Christianity of the last of Europe; England itself.

Um, before I go any further; let me say I have been happily married for 22 years to the same woman. She is a confident woman. She has worked outside the home during our entire marriage. We have also raised an intelligent and assertive daughter. My point is, no one should attempt to claim I'm chauvinistic or misogynistic. My wife and I have been partners in life. I am not her dictator.

Arguments aren't simply disagreements, but propositions. An argument is any point that is being made. It need not be a negative or hostile point.

I recently re-read a little book by Anthony Weston called, A Rulebook for Arguments. It appears he published the first edition in 1986. I have the third edition published in 2000.

Sick of your local news channel or local newspaper ignoring the REAL news or only sloppily reporting it?

Check out TKC's NEWSFEED
http://thekingdomcome.com/aggregator

HEADLINES

You might have clicked on a link on PreteristBlog and it brought you to this site. Perhaps it was supposed to be a link to a wav file from 2006 or something. The problem is, Dee Dee Warren from PreteristBlog is attempting to SMEAR me. She knows FULL WELL I haven't been a hyper/full preterist since 2007 but she wants to try to SMEAR me so she digs up some old article she wrote that no longer has verifiable links -- since I have no desire to promote hyper/full preterismⁱ. It is like a person who attempts to SMEAR an ex-communist by digging up old news about when they were a communist. But reader, keep in mind; I am in NO WAY trying to hide I was a hyper/full preterist. You can read all about that here: http://unpreterist.blogspot.com

So, why is Dee Dee Warren (not her real name by the way) doing this??? Well, because I recently caught her LYING about me and I very detailed documented her lies here: http://unpreterist.blogspot.com/2012/04/dee-dee-warrens-fantasy-world.html