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prisonchaplain last won the day on January 18
prisonchaplain had the most liked content!
About prisonchaplain

- Birthday 02/28/1964
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https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=257587221&trk=nav_responsive_tab_profile
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Male
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Federal Way, WA
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Bible, Doctrine, Travel, Current Events, Social Issues
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Assemblies of God
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prisonchaplain's Achievements
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mrmarklin reacted to a post in a topic: The fate of Judas Iscariot
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Jesus said it would have been better for Judas if he had not been born. The Holy Spirit gave him insight into Judas' future, and it wasn't good.
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LDSGator reacted to a post in a topic: LDS beliefs on Judaism
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CV75 reacted to a post in a topic: LDS beliefs on Judaism
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NeuroTypical reacted to a post in a topic: LDS beliefs on Judaism
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zil2 reacted to a post in a topic: LDS beliefs on Judaism
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I'm not LDS or Jewish, though I've worked with both. In the west, when the economy is bad, conspiracy theories about Jews become popular. In Asia, the same happens to Chinese Christians. Both groups, ironically like LDS, tend to have higher social and economic success. My wife is Korean, and there is a popular book in her country on how Jewish people educate their children. So many of the tropes against Jews in the west, and Chinese Christians in the east, come down to class envy. They succeed so something must be afoot--especially if I'm not succeeding. Hate is addictive. Trends and correlation do not make causation. I suspect that the reason Jewish people generally, and Chinese Christians generally do well in the world is because they follow sound, pro-social practices. Alas, it's easier to blame the successful than to look honestly at my own failures.
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LDSGator reacted to a post in a topic: Democrats Making a Shift
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prisonchaplain reacted to a post in a topic: Hymns - why do you like what you like?
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Carborendum reacted to a post in a topic: Hymns - why do you like what you like?
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NeuroTypical reacted to a post in a topic: Hymns - why do you like what you like?
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Hymns - why do you like what you like?
prisonchaplain replied to zil2's topic in LDS Gospel Discussion
God is not reckless. His love appears so to us. To use a different example, we are sometimes told that if we really forgive someone, we must forget their offense. I disagree. God can cast our sin as far as the east is from the west because he can always read us, always know when we are double-minded. We can't read others. So, I may forgive someone who cheated me in business, yet never do business with him/her again. So, God may appear to be naive to some, but in reality, He is Almighty. -
NeuroTypical reacted to a post in a topic: Democrats Making a Shift
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Carborendum reacted to a post in a topic: Hymns - why do you like what you like?
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Hymns - why do you like what you like?
prisonchaplain replied to zil2's topic in LDS Gospel Discussion
I'll put my thumb on the scale and admit I love and approve of the song. Despite the dictionary, I understand that most perceive RECKLESS as unfavorable. I guess the writer used that common perception to surprise and reel us in. What--God's love is reckless? Ah, but yes, in a sense, it is. -
prisonchaplain reacted to a post in a topic: Hymns - why do you like what you like?
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prisonchaplain reacted to a post in a topic: Hymns - why do you like what you like?
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I've been watching clips of Bill Maher chastising liberals for being nonsensical and extreme on some issues. He's still far more of a Democrat than a Republican. Another friend of mine, who happens to be a Buddhist monk, sympathized with center-right voters, because he knew we had serious moral issues with our candidate, but it would be near-impossible for us to stomach Harris. He self-identifies as center-left and so found it easier to endure a Harris vote. Now that Trump has won, I wonder if Democrats will moderate and regain some momentum. If they don't, the shift will only increase.
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Hymns - why do you like what you like?
prisonchaplain replied to zil2's topic in LDS Gospel Discussion
This seems like as good of a string as any to gather thoughts on a mild controversy in the Evangelical world, over the song, The Reckless Love of God. Granted, it's not a hymn, it's a contemporary worship song. The controversy is over the word "Reckless." Some argue that since God is perfect, and could never be reckless, the song contains false teaching and should not be sung. Others argue that God's love is reckless, from our human perspective, and the song properly captures our being awe-struck by God's love. Thoughts? -
Understanding anothers religious beliefs
prisonchaplain replied to leem's topic in Christian Beliefs Board
Sounds like you're in the Bible belt. I'm out here in the anti-Bible belt (I still remember (circa 1980s) the head of one of the major political parties trying to explain our reality to a state representative of the now-defunct Moral Majority). His counsel: Yes, please knock on doors for our candidates. But, keep the religious stuff on the down-low--you're in the anti-Bible belt, after all. -
prisonchaplain reacted to a post in a topic: Understanding anothers religious beliefs
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Understanding anothers religious beliefs
prisonchaplain replied to leem's topic in Christian Beliefs Board
Many of us Evangelicals underrate ordinances like baptism, and even Communion (the Lord's Supper, Eucharist). Ironically, as a Pentecostal, I often anoint with oil when I pray for people. The oil is symbolic of the presence of the Holy Ghost. It's a physical substance that communicates a spiritual reality. God intervenes--He heals, he brings about miracles. Water baptism is a huge marker in a believer's life. The taking of the bread and the cup are also powerful. Yes, they are simple, symbolic acts. They are powerful, because the God we serve is powerful. Scripture says that the spiritual realm is more real than the physical. Perhaps it is the symbolic that helps us catch just a glimpse of that truth? -
Understanding anothers religious beliefs
prisonchaplain replied to leem's topic in Christian Beliefs Board
A few observations: 1. "Once saved always saved" is taught as God's blessing--what He redeems will not be lost. The doctrine is in error, imho. It is sometimes abused by those who want to claim salvation and faith in Jesus, while living for themselves (or the devil). They say, "Well, I'm backslidden." 2. Deathbed conversions are another matter. It is indeed God who saves. His work is a grace we cannot earn, so yes, it can happen at the end of life. It is a matter of faith, not works. Then again, if one has opposed God his/her whole life, thinking that in the final moments they can be saved, God is no fool. Often, they oppose God long enough that their hearts are hardened, and they don't humble themselves at the end. Also, it's not enough to believe there is a God, or even to have correct beliefs. If the confession is insincere, we are warned that Jesus will tell many at the judgement, even those who claim to have done great works in Jesus' name, depart from me--I never knew you. 3. Chick tracts are banned from most Christian stores. They are too anti just about everyone. His booklets were very popular through the late 1970s (maybe early 1980s), and then became unwelcomed by most. -
Understanding anothers religious beliefs
prisonchaplain replied to leem's topic in Christian Beliefs Board
I was posting the official LDS statement on the Trinity. My apologies for not making that clear. There seemed to be a question of what was different, so I thought posting the LDS view would be helpful. -
prisonchaplain reacted to a post in a topic: Understanding anothers religious beliefs
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Understanding anothers religious beliefs
prisonchaplain replied to leem's topic in Christian Beliefs Board
It comes down to whether the Godhead is one in purpose or in substance. This is why, for example, Trinitarians bristle at the teaching that the Father has a physical body. Jews and Muslims argue that the Christian trinity is really tri-theism. We reject that. To say that God is one in purpose but is three personages seems to give some credence to Jewish and Islamic criticisms. -
Understanding anothers religious beliefs
prisonchaplain replied to leem's topic in Christian Beliefs Board
Here's the link: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/welcome/common-questions?lang=eng Once there, look under Christian Beliefs, "Do you believe the trinity?" -
Understanding anothers religious beliefs
prisonchaplain replied to leem's topic in Christian Beliefs Board
This is from the official website: Do you believe in the Trinity? The Holy Trinity is the term many Christian religions use to describe God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost. We believe in the existence of all three, but we believe They are separate and distinct beings who are one in purpose. Their purpose is to help us achieve true joy—in this life and after we die. -
prisonchaplain reacted to a post in a topic: Understanding anothers religious beliefs
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Understanding anothers religious beliefs
prisonchaplain replied to leem's topic in Christian Beliefs Board
I appreciate @zil2's approach. One Christian music group has a song with a great line, "What about the change? What about the difference?" Have we been changed by grace, indeed. Beyond the Trinity, another difference is salvation. Traditional Christians, like myself, believe that Jesus saves us for a single heaven. Yes, salvation is by grace, but it requires faith. Those who do not believe in Jesus, do not repent to Him of their sins, will not enter any heavenly kingdom. There is no terrestrial or telestial kingdoms for them--only hell. As for the Trinity, the main distinction comes down to what unifies God. Latter-day Saints believe in the Father, in the Son, in the Holy Ghost. However, are they united in purpose or in substance? Some Latter-day Saints even argue that they are trinitarian, but that the three being united by purpose is enough. It's a distinction that may seem small, but it's why non-LDS bristle at talk of the Father having a corporeal body. -
Understanding anothers religious beliefs
prisonchaplain replied to leem's topic in Christian Beliefs Board
As the non-LDS person on the board, I can affirm that "once saved always saved," is a belief of a small segment of Christians, known as Calvinists (following the doctrines of John Calvin). Most Christians do not believe the doctrine. On the other hand, the Trinity is a belief that is widely accepted by most, including Catholics, mainstream Protestants, the National Association of Evangelicals, most Baptists, and even most Pentecostals (though there is a sub-branch, called Oneness Pentecostals, who do not).