Frequently Asked Questions (about "Changes")
1. "May we copy and distribute some of the materials on your website?"
Absolutely! All we ask is that the copyright be included. The copyright is to insure that this material remains freely available to all.
2. "Who are you people?"
Rom. 3:23 says "all have sinned", so we are sinners. The parable of Luke 18:9-14 shows that only those with the attitude of the 'publican' (repentant and humble) become "justified", so we strive to be 'publicans' (but we don't assess taxes or tithes.)
Those whom Christ called were referred to as "disciples" (Greek mathetes, a learner, i.e. students), so we "study" (2 Tim. 2:15) to "prove all things" (1 Ths. 5:21) . This is necessary because there are "many false prophets" (Mat. 7:15) who "deceive many" people (Mat. 24:11).
We are voices in the wilderness, crying out, 'Hey, don't take our word for it. Look it up. Prove it for yourself. And don't take anyone else's word for it either. Any similarity between what the Bible actually says and what a lot of "churches" say, seems to be purely coincidental, and rare, which fulfills Christ's prophecy regarding the signs of the "end of the world" (Mat. 24). Christ said the "many" would be deceived, not the "few" who "find the truth", who are "laborers", and who are "chosen" (Mat. 7:14, 9:37, 20:16, Luke 13:23-24). Christ said "many will seek to enter in" (into the Kingdom calling themselves "Christians") "and shall not be able", so he's not speaking of pagans versus Christians but of "many of those calling themselves Christians" (Rev. 2:9, 3:9) versus the "few being chosen".
We didn't write the book. We just point out the obvious.
"Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do it." (Pro.3:27). So we have a responsibility to share the "good news" ("gospel", Greek, euaggelion, "a good message") with others.
Sometimes the truth hurts and we regret that, but "Open rebuke is better than secret love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful." (Pro. 27:5-6). We choose to be friends who "wound" rather than deceitful enemies who 'kiss-up'. This is in imitation of our Father (Heb. 12:5-13, Rev. 3:19, Pro. 3:11-12). If anything we say offends someone, please remember we were probably also offended when we first heard it and didn't understand it. We are all in this together. As David said, "I acknowledge my transgressions; and my sin is ever before me" (Psa. 51:3). And John wrote, "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." (1 Jn. 1:8).
Part of the "good news" is that the truth is actually far better 'good news' than what most religions say it is! If you thought the "gospel" is a hokey, feel-good, delusional philosophy for the ignorant masses, think again. Read the Book. Some really do practice delusionalism. But what Christ actually said is not the same as 'yore mama's religion'.
3. "Can you answer a question without being long-winded?"
Sometimes. ;-)
4. Are we "irreverent"?
A few (less than ten) have flamed us on what appears to them to be an "irreverence" on our part for God's word. These criticisms were made publicly in forums, and privately, in the context of some of our attempts to "lighten up" the tone. We have heard that there are others who are less than happy with our comments and articles. We feel there are several reasons for this misunderstanding. One is that, in the daylight of God's truth, some "sacred cows" are just plain old "bull". To point out the obvious does not make us irreverent.
Another is that God commands us to "rejoice always". If we take ourselves and our opinions too seriously, then we are probably "unclear on the concept". God created us in his image, complete with a sense of humor, irony, and sarcasm. Many Bible passages fall within these categories and are for our benefit, unless we are blinded by pious-itis.
Much of the Bible, in view of human nature, lends itself to humor. (For example, see "Exodus: The Rest of the Story"). Remember, as long as God is laughing, he isn't hurling thunderbolts.
5. Capital irreverence?
An observant reader wrote:
"I am fascinated and perhaps rather pleased by your use of lower case c in referring to "christian" religions on your Contact Us page. I have long believed that Jesus would be appalled at much of what calls itself Christianity these days."We're glad you noticed. All "Christianity" argues over truth versus heresy. In effect, it is a mutual accusation society. The easiest way for us to differentiate, in our articles, between those who actually imitate Christ, and those who call themselves "Christians" but who show few if any of the "fruits of the Holy Spirit" in their behavior, is by selective capitalization. It's not irreverence and it's not an irreverent spell-checker.
"I am also intrigued by the name whitesabre, which has violent and perhaps racist overtones, a curious combination to be associated with a site having to do with churches. Or maybe not?"Historically, violence and racism are not that uncommon in the context of "christian churches". As a friend of ours often says, "It ain't right, but it's true."
We do not approve violence, except as initiated by God. Racism, which is practiced by all races, is a form of hatred, which is sin.
The word white can be associated with racism or with religious purity. The word sabre can be associated with evil violence, or with the "sword of the Lord" (Jer. 12:12).
Our email address could have some subtle spiritual meaning (e.g. wreaking written, righteous violence upon spiritual heresies) or it could mean that "sabre" is from the name of a ballet suite which has personal significance for us and that "greensabre" wasn't available.
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