CGI DIGITAL NETWORK Blog

Information and opinions expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect the collective beliefs and doctrines of the Church of God International, its members, ministry, or leadership.

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Mixed Multitude
Mike James
Mixed Multitude
Mike James

As we near the fall holy days, I think it is important to reflect on what the fall holy days symbolize. One of the primary themes of these days is the salvation of humanity. Not all humanity, but I believe God will have more success than Satan.

I think it is important to reflect on the fact that God's plan was always with all of humanity and not just one nation or people. Oh yes, there is a story within the story, God working with Israel, but the bigger story was God's plans for all of humanity and not just one group.

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Mike James
Has God Foreordained Our Days?
Mike James
Has God Foreordained Our Days?
Mike James

Among the various debates in Christianity, one revolves around the idea of determinism vs. free will. Some Christians believe God has already decided everyone's fate—whether we are saved or lost, and exactly how long we will live. The position of the Church of God is that God has not predetermined everything that will happen by His will.

Now, before I go any further, I do believe God can enforce His will on humanity and the history of the world, but He, for the most part, is not doing that. The Bible is full of examples in biblical history where God did make things happen. Examples like creation, the flood, the exodus, choosing Israel, the incarnation, converting Paul, and the last days before Christ's return involve God intimately with the details of history. But there has been a lot more history where God has not inserted Himself into the equation.

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Mike James
Books Mentioned in the Bible
Mike James
Books Mentioned in the Bible
Mike James

Whenever you get into a discussion about whether apocryphal or pseudepigraphal books should be in the Bible, some will mention books mentioned in the Bible. The question will be why these books in the Bible aren't part of the canon if the Bible itself mentions them. Let me provide a few examples of what I'm talking about.

In Numbers 24:14, we read the following: "Wherefore it is said in the book of the wars of the Lord, What he did in the Red sea, and in the brooks of Arnon."

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Mike James
Neturei Karta - Guardians of the City
Mike James
Neturei Karta - Guardians of the City
Mike James

At the height of the protests of Israel's actions in Gaza, I noticed an interesting sight on the streets of New York. There seemed to be what looked like Orthodox Jews holding signs against the nation of Israel in the midst of other protesters who were holding Palestinian flags. I decided to look into this, and here is what I discovered.

Yes, believe it or not, there is a very small group (possibly numbering in the low thousands) of Orthodox Jews known as Neturei Karta (Aramaic term meaning "Guardians of the City") who oppose the creation of the modern state of Israel. The basis for their opposition to the nation of Israel is their belief that the Jewish exile must continue until the Messiah comes to return the exiles to their land.

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Mike James

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