Solomon's Porch October 1, 2005 Would You Believe It!

This visit to the Porch is going to be a little different than usual. So as they say in the South, or is it the mountains, "come set a spell." This time you are going to be asked to do something besides just read. This time after you read we want your response to what you’ve read. After you finish reading we are going to ask you a couple of questions, and we would like to hear from you. Now lean back, relax, get a cup of coffee if you like, and read what’s next. Now don’t peak at the questions first, read first. There is but one only living and true God, who is infinite in being and perfection, a most pure spirit, invisible, without body parts, or passions, immutable, immense, eternal, incomprehensible, almighty, most wise, most holy, most free, most absolute, working all things according to the counsel of His own immutable and most righteous will, for His own glory; most loving, most gracious, merciful, long-suffering, abundant in goodness and truth, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin; the rewarder of them that diligently seek Him; and withal most just and terrible in His judgements; hating all sin, and who will by no means clear the guilty. God hath all life, glory, goodness, blessedness, in and of Himself; and is alone in and unto Himself all-sufficient, not standing in need of any creatures which He hath made, not deriving any glory from them, but only manifesting His own glory in, by, unto, and upon them,: He is the alone fountain of all being, of whom, through whom, and to whom, are all things; and has most sovereign dominion over them, to do by them, or upon them, whatsoever Himself pleaseth. In His sight all things are open and manifest; His knowledge is infinite, infallible, and independent upon the creature, so as nothing is to Him contingent or uncertain. He is most high in all His counsels, in all His works, and in all His commands. To Him is due from angels and men, and every other creature, whatsoever worship, service, or obedience, He is pleased to require of them. In the unity of the Godhead there be three persons, of one substance, power, and eternity; God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost. The Father is of none, neither begotten nor proceeding; the Son is eternally begotten of the Father; the Holy Ghost eternally proceeding from the Father and the Son. You may remember, at one time or another, reading something like this in the church you attend, perhaps from the back of a hymnal or a prayer book , or it may be that you have never seen anything quite like this. In any event we would like to know your reaction. Do you feel that this is the God who reveals Himself in the Holy Bible? You will not find this in any translation or paraphrase of the Holy Bible (not in the Greek or Hebrew or the Dead Sea Scrolls either) Great teachers, theologians, and preachers like Spurgeon, Alexander Whyte, Cardinal Manning, Augustine, Calvin, Luther, John Knox, Carey, Canon Farrar, Thomas Chalmers, D.L. Moody, Wesley, and a host of others from major countries and major denominations throughout the world, all subscribed to what you have just read. But you as an independent free thinker, Christian believer, living in this high-tech, fast pace world of increased knowledge are entitled to your belief, so is there some part of this that you feel is contrary to the understanding of what you believe? If so, tell us about it. If you totally agree, what part do you feel is the strongest point? What is the weakest point? We would like to hear from you. And lastly, where do you think this narrative or depiction might have come from? Who might be the author or authors of this vivid and graphic narrative? When next you visit the Porch we will tell you where this came from and reveal all the answers we receive, (without revealing any of your names, of course.) We look forward to hearing from you. You may reply with the pop-up email to "auts" at the bottom of this page, or - those without E-Mail may, if you so desire, respond by writing to: Arthur Manning 2612 Lake Grassmere Circle Zellwood, Florida 32798-9019