 |
A Sunday School teacher asked her class to draw pictures of their favorite Bible stories. She was puzzled by one drawing — it showed four people on an airplane!
Teacher: “What Bible story is that?” Kid: “It’s the flight to Egypt.” Teacher: “I see … and that must be Mary, Joseph, and Baby Jesus … but who’s the fourth person?” Kid: “Oh, that’s Pontius, the Pilot.”
|
Beloved, as I sit to share this epistle with you, compelled by the Spirit and with a heart burdened for truth and justice, my thoughts turn to the recent tribulations endured by a figure known among you, Donald Trump. Much like in the days of old, where powers and principalities sought to ensnare and persecute the faithful through cunning, craft, and legal machinations, we see a striking parallel in your time—a method now termed “lawfare” by many. It becomes evident that this battle is not merely against flesh and blood but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world.
In the times of the early church, as recounted in the Acts of the Apostles and in the many Letters to the faithful, we faced tribulations, persecutions, and trials from those who wielded the law as a weapon—not for justice but as a means to suppress, to silence, and to punish those whose only crime was to stand firm in their convictions and to speak truth to power. This shadow, cast long and deep across the centuries, now finds its mark upon a man, and indeed upon many who have dared to challenge the prevailing currents of their time.
The term “lawfare,” a portmanteau of “law” and “warfare,” aptly describes the strategic practice of using legal systems and institutions to achieve a competitive advantage, to delegitimize opponents, or to achieve a political agenda. This is not the righteous use of law, which is to uphold justice, to protect the innocent, and to punish the guilty. Rather, it is emblematic of a Washington Cabal—those entrenched powers and elite, who, much like the Pharisees and Sadducees of old, find their authority threatened by any who dare to speak against them or to propose a dismantling of the status quo that benefits them so richly.
Donald Trump, much like David facing Goliath, finds himself besieged by an array of legal challenges and investigations, each purporting to be in the pursuit of justice but, upon closer examination, reveals a more insidious aim: to persecute and to wear down through a relentless barrage of legal battles. It is not my place to render judgment upon the innocence or guilt of a man, for that is for the Lord Almighty and the courts of your land to decide. However, it is essential, dear friends, to discern the spirit in which these actions are undertaken. Are they genuinely in pursuit of truth and justice, or are they a manifestation of a deeper struggle, a spiritual warfare played out upon the stage of your nation’s politics and legal systems?
Let us therefore, as followers of the Way, be ever mindful of the admonition to “put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” Let us stand firm in the truth, girded with righteousness, and carrying the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Let us pray for those in authority, for those who are persecuted, and for the heart of your nation, that it may seek justice truly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God.
In closing, remember the words of our Lord, who said, “In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” May His peace and His strength be with you always, in these trying times and beyond.
Your servant in Christ,
The Garden of Eden is one of the most fascinating and mysterious places in the Bible. It is the original home of Adam and Eve, the first humans, who lived in perfect harmony with God and nature. It is also the place where sin and death entered the world, after they disobeyed God and ate from the forbidden tree. But where was the Garden of Eden located? And can we find any traces of it today? In this article, we will explore some theories and evidence that have been proposed by scholars, archaeologists, historians, and biblical scholars over the centuries.
The Bible gives us some clues about the location of the Garden of Eden in the Book of Genesis. It says that God planted a garden in the east, in Eden, and that a river flowed out of Eden to water the garden, and from there it divided into four branches. The names of the four rivers are Pishon, Gihon, Tigris, and Euphrates. The Bible also mentions some lands and regions that the rivers encompassed, such as Havilah, Cush, Assyria, and Mesopotamia.
Based on these descriptions, many scholars have tried to identify the location of Eden by tracing the sources and courses of the four rivers. However, this is not an easy task, as the geography of the ancient world has changed significantly over time due to natural disasters, and human activity. Moreover, some names of the rivers and lands may have different meanings or refer to different places in different times and contexts. Therefore, there is no consensus among scholars about the exact location of Eden, and there are several possible candidates.
One of the most popular and traditional theories is that the Garden of Eden was located in southern Mesopotamia, where the Tigris and Euphrates rivers run into the Persian Gulf. This is the cradle of civilization, where some of the earliest and most advanced cultures emerged, such as Sumer, Babylon, and Assyria. Some scholars suggest that the Pishon and Gihon rivers were ancient canals or tributaries of the Tigris and Euphrates, or that they referred to the Indus and Nile rivers, respectively. This theory also fits with the biblical description of Eden as a fertile and lush land, rich in gold, precious stones, and spices.
Another theory is that the Garden of Eden was located in Armenia, at the headwaters of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, near the borders of Turkey, Iran, and Georgia. This is a mountainous and volcanic region, with a diverse and abundant flora and fauna. Some scholars argue that this is the original homeland of the Indo-European peoples, who spread their languages and cultures across Europe and Asia. They also point out that Armenia has a long and ancient history of Christianity, and that it was the first country to adopt Christianity as its official religion in the 4th century AD.
A third theory is that the Garden of Eden was located in Africa, where the Nile and the Congo rivers originate. This is the continent where humanity evolved, according to modern science, and where some of the oldest and most diverse civilizations developed, such as Egypt, Ethiopia, and Nubia. Some scholars propose that the Pishon and Gihon rivers were the Nile and the Congo, or that they referred to the Blue Nile and the White Nile, the two main branches of the Nile. They also note that Africa has a rich and varied natural environment, with many exotic and rare animals and plants.
The location of the Garden of Eden may not be a matter of life and death, but it is a matter of curiosity and interest. It reflects our desire to know more about our origins and our destiny, and to connect with our spiritual and cultural heritage. It also reveals the diversity and complexity of the human experience, and the beauty and wonder of the natural world. The Garden of Eden may be lost, but it is not forgotten. It is a symbol of hope and restoration, and a reminder of God’s love and grace.
