This past Sunday morning we learned – Jesus Christ has taught the gospel.  He has performed breathtaking signs over the course of three years.  And yet the people don’t believe (John 12:37). 

Astounding!

But Jesus is not surprised (Isaiah 53:1).  God judicially hardens peoples’ hearts (Isaiah 6).  Unbelief leads to greater unbelief.  This should terrify persistent unbelievers.  God will hide himself from them, where they can not believe.

And yet not all are in unbelief.  Some believe. 

Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him

But notice the disclaimer:

but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue (John 12:42).

What kind of belief is this?  They fear religious excommunication and losing all their benefits, so they remain quiet.

It is a privatized faith.  But what true disciple of Jesus Christ stays secret?

I just saw Andy’s notes, today.  Somehow I missed this.  Very good.  Also, I overlooked Nick’s aftermath musings.  Of course, it is hard to keep up with Nick’s blaze of perpetual blogging on the Trinity.  But I am glad.

And what better is there to meditate on in the Intermountain West I-15 Corridor?  What better mountain is there to climb?

God captures all creaturely reasoning and imagination.

All is not well in our community.

On Friday, someone committed suicide right on a church’s front doorstep near Temple View Elementary School.

It fills me with grief.  I am praying.

It’s Saturday night.  First, the LDS Yellow Dart gets me thinking about monotheism as he quotes Larry Hurtado, and now Nick is priming the pump for my excitement and joy in God.

Sunday is coming!

I hunger to worship corporately the one God!  The discussion only fuels the fire for church family worship.  Tomorrow, it is seeing afresh this God in Genesis, Isaiah (ch. 6), and John’s Gospel (ch. 12).

There is only one glory worth getting excited over.  God’s glory alone. 

The agape love for men’s glory? – what a pitiful trap (John 12:43).

What is the best way for me to link audio clips every week to HI4LDS?  Two years into this blog, I desire to communicate audibly to you.

I bought a RCA Digital Voice Recorder (RP5120), but for the life of me, I can’t figure things out.

I have a simple Dell Inspiron / 640 m laptop.  What is the most simple way for me to add my own personal audio clips to these blog posts?

1.  The Vision of Mormonism:  Pressing the Boundaries of Christianity (2007) by Robert L. Millet

2.  Mormonism:  A Very Short Introduction (2008) by Richard L. Bushman

3.  C. S. Lewis:  Latter-Day Truths in Narnia (2008) by Marianna Richardson and Christine Thackeray

4.  The Godhead:  New Scriptural Insights on The Father, The Son, and The Holy Ghost (2007) by Duane S. Crowther

A snippet from this Sunday morning:

We are hearing some of Jesus’ last public pleas in John’s Gospel.  Look how he lovingly, earnestly communicates to those in Jerusalem, those in complete rebellion to him.  It is pure gospel.

Yet a little while is the light with you.  Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you:  for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.  While ye have the light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light (John 12:35-36).

Soon, very soon, the Light will be a bloody body crucified to rough planks made out of a tree.  Yes, this “lifted up” Savior of John 12:32 is the same “lifted up” Servant of Isaiah 52:13.  And it is the crucified Christos that is the Messiah who draws – not any other kind of Jesus.

You must turn, believe, walk in this Light.  Not the substitutes.  Beware the crystal lights.

Yesterday, I heard Mr. Packer defending the Church.

Afterward, I heard another Authority.  I don’t have my scribbled notations in front of me (I am at the house); but if I can recall correctly, he said something like this around 2:30 pm: (more…)

Would it be proper for me to write an October 95 theses questioning the very words of the LDS First Presidency and the Apostles? (more…)

Bring it on!