Mark 7:27-30

Jesus was in the neighborhood of Tyre and Sidon, pretty diverse country.
And because he was beyond beat, he entered a house and tried to hide, for a day of rest.
But the people were not having it, and found Him.
And a Greek lady, with a very messed up daughter, came and begged Him for help.
And because He was annoyed, He sent her away on a lame excuse.
And because He could be kind of a jerk sometimes,
He referred to her as a dog which was almost the worst insult He had.
And  she owned it, and shamed Him by saying even dogs get fed.
And because He could be pretty amazing sometimes,
He let her words stand, as she had won the battle of words, His best game,
And healed her daughter from where He sat.

A Guest Heresy from my Friend Danny Coleman of Seattle

 After having spent 35 years in religious circles (mostly Evangelical Christian, but also in recent years Buddhist and non-Evangelical Christian) and after having earned a Master's degree in Religion, studied and read and researched extensively, I've ultimately concluded that the most honest form of religious belief is agnosticism: to humbly say, "I don't know." Agnosticism doesn't require letting go of beliefs but it does mean holding those beliefs loosely, knowing they are merely beliefs--not facts; being cognizant about what is actual and what is speculative. A danger I've observed in nearly every religion is the tendency to treat beliefs as facts. From that error flows a tremendous amount of foolishness and harm.

John recorded Jesus as saying.
I am the way the truth and the light, no man comes to the father but by me.

And then, when John was the last disciple standing he recorded Jesus fully empowered in Heaven as saying.

I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star. And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst Come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

And the conditions He put on that Whosoever were... exactly nothing. And it is His final word because it is the last thing in the book.

Oh, except that one last thing were He says that if anyone adds anything to what he says all the plagues will be upon them.

Gee... Come to think of it... Christendom does look a little poxish doesn't it?

Acts 17:6

These people, who have turned the world upside down, have now come here!
.....................

And indeed, there were moments of world flipping.
But mostly, for the next two thousand years, they argued amongst themselves.








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Luke 9:61-62
And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.
And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
...........