Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes. But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.

Ecclesiastes 11:9

This verse comes as a surprise after chapters full of “Thou shalt not’s” and “All is vanity”. It’s a rare (but not unique) biblical exhortation to go out and have fun. Enjoy God’s bounty while you can. I’ve often responded with this verse when young Christians online bemoan the ubiquity of irresistible temptations (and their terror of hell) or when old Christians rail against ‘sin’. They forget that God wants us to have fun as long as we’re responsible. Follow your heart. Carnal delights are part of God’s kingdom, and always will be (though the manifestation will change greatly with AI and robots).

I’d expected that the young Christians would be relieved by this message. But much to my chagrin, they usually attack me for promoting sin among the impressionable (a transgression deserving of drowning by millstone, as they are quick to reproach me). They respond much more favorably to the shibboleth that “True faith in Jesus curbs all temptation” – and with the help of an ‘accountability partner’ you will overcome your urges to curse, gamble, drink, masturbate and gay sex. Alternately, by reciting “Jesus, Jesus” like a mantra, you will earn your get-out-of-hell-free card to play on judgment day. “Everyone’s a sinner, including you,” they scold. Of course, but that doesn’t mean we can’t improve:

You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Matthew 5:48

The fact is, they are the faithless ones and will die in their sin.

These misconceptions arise from Paul’s letters to the leaders of the new church around the world. His censure was directed at the excesses and abuses by the clergy. However the clergy now weaponizes his reprimands against the naive and impressionable of the flock, condemning them to eternal hell for youthful diversions and healthy sexual behavior. They get a kick out of pretending to be chaste as they engage in all the conduct they forbid. Their agenda is to make people despise Christian doctrine to create apostates and atheists to battle at Armageddon (and in the meantime, to exploit the vulnerable for labor and sex). This litany of hypocrisies condemns the church to the hell it created for the least of these.

Of course, there are limits to self-indulgence. The verse warns of God’s judgment for irresponsible behavior (for example, blaming your indiscretions on alcohol). Atheists bristle at such strictures, challenging the right of anyone to judge them just for being human (especially the guy who made them that way). The word ‘judgment’ in a religious context is synonymous with condemnation. But it also entails the converse: salvation. The fact is, this verse is liberating, because it says: don’t fear judgment by a world of idiots. Focus instead on earning God’s approval.  

So how do you know that God is proud of you? Because he will proclaim it! Nearly two thousand years ago (AD 28), Jesus was baptized by his cousin John in preparation to launch his ministry:

And behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

Matthew 3:17

Jesus is fully God. But he’s also completely human. No doubt He had fun as a young man. But those days were over. Now at age 30, it was time to put his youthful (and gay) escapades behind him.  He had a world to save. 

If God has been silent since Jesus’s death, it is only because no one has met His approval – no one – not even Thomas Jefferson or Albert Einstein. (Einstein famously promoted the abomination of Zionism – he was  greedy for acceptance by the cabal inflaming antisemitism hysteria.) Despite all our successes and achievements, which fuel an epidemic of delusion of grandeur, none is righteous. We are still living as we did 3000 years ago:

In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.

Judges 17:6

Now the new world is upon us. Everyone is proud of himself, certain of his moral probity, desperate for inclusion, and none fear God. This is a sure sign that the Messiah’s return is imminent. Who will be the modern scion of God’s pride? The prophets augur that she will be the last person that anyone – including our highly revered experts – ever expected:

The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.

Psalm 118:22

She will be the first of many perfect children of God:

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Matthew 11:29

The rich young man expected his wealth would provide satisfaction and joy. Yet it left him unfulfilled. So he studied the Bible and memorized all the laws and followed them fastidiously. Still his experience of the promised paradise was achingly lonely. He sought out the hot new religious leader of his day for guidance.

Continue reading Through the Eye of a Needle →

In just a little while, the wicked will be no more;
  though you look carefully at his place, he will not be there.
But the meek shall inherit the land
  and delight themselves in abundant peace.

Psalm 37:10 (King David)

The rapture is nigh. But who is taken away – the good or the evil? Jesus had a different view:

Continue reading But No One Ever Told Me! →

From Mount Hor they set out by the way to the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom. And the people became impatient on the way. And the people spoke against God and against Moses, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this worthless food.” Then the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many people of Israel died. And the people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord and against you. Pray to the Lord, that he take away the serpents from us.” So Moses prayed for the people. And the Lord said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent and set it on a pole, and everyone who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live.” So Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. And if a serpent bit anyone, he would look at the bronze serpent and live.

Numbers 21:4

Continue reading Immunity Pole →

From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.

Matthew 24:32

This was Jesus’ only mistake, but it was a whopper: his generation passed away 2 thousand years ago and nothing much happened. So much for the “Kingdom of Heaven.” If Jesus was a prophet he’s a pretty terrible one. His prediction was justifiably ridiculed for ages.

Or perhaps as with other biblical conundrums and paradoxes, we just have to forget everything “they” taught us and re-read the verses with fresh eyes and a little less cynicism.

Ask now, and see, can a man bear a child? Why then do I see every man with his hands on his stomach like a woman in labor? Why has every face turned pale?

Jeremiah 30:6

And the Lord’s anger was kindled against Israel, and he made them wander in the wilderness forty years, until all the generation that had done evil in the sight of the Lord was gone.

Numbers 32:13

Continue reading Wicked Generation →

And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people.

Acts 2:44

Communism was originally a Christian ideal. All who were filled with the Holy Spirit joined together in brotherhood to take care of each other. But unlike modern day Communism, it was voluntary not forced.

Continue reading The End of Entitlement →

Moreover, I gave them statutes that were not good and judgments by which they could not live, and I defiled them by their own gifts in their passing of every firstborn through [the fire], that I might devastate them. I did it that they might know that I am the Lord.

Ezekiel 20:25

Continue reading Refined by Law →

And Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day. When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he touched his hip socket, and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. Then he said, “Let me go, for the day has broken.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” And he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” Then he said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed.” Then Jacob asked him, “Please tell me your name.” But he said, “Why is it that you ask my name?” And there he blessed him. So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, saying, “For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life has been delivered.”

Genesis 32:24

Continue reading Wrestling with God →

All that open the womb are mine, and every firstling of your cattle born a male, ox or sheep. The firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb, or if you will not redeem it you shall break its neck. All the firstborn of your sons you shall redeem. And none shall appear before me empty-handed.

Exodus 34:19

Isaac was the first born Jew of the original covenant, and thus had to be offered to God. Fortunately he was redeemed by a ram (click the image to see the full version). God will provide for us, though we must trust him.

Continue reading Children of God →

Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no longer stubborn. For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who is not partial and takes no bribe. He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing. Love the sojourner, therefore, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt.

Deuteronomy 10:16

Continue reading Covenant of Peace →

Do not listen to the words of the prophets who are saying to you, ‘You shall not serve the king of Babylon,’ for it is a lie that they are prophesying to you. I have not sent them, declares the Lord, but they are prophesying falsely in my name.

Jeremiah 27:15

King Nebuchadnezzar had already plundered Israel’s treasures and sent many of the Jews into exile. Now they were threatening to conquer Jerusalem. Jeremiah urged the people to accept the yoke of Babylon:

Continue reading Zionism: False Prophecy →