Faith Issues - Tasbeha.org Community https://tasbeha.org/community/categories/faith-issues/p35/feed.rss Mon, 22 Jun 2026 11:35:20 +0000 Faith Issues - Tasbeha.org Community en-CA The Power of the Eucharist https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/10286/the-power-of-the-eucharist Sun, 26 Dec 2010 16:45:51 +0000 Ioannes 10286@/community/discussions
God truly is amazing. Just when you think He may have forgotten about you, the whole time he was there with you, just trying to show you something else.]]> Is it ok to use your iPhone in Church? https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/10187/is-it-ok-to-use-your-iphone-in-church Tue, 14 Dec 2010 05:37:00 +0000 Zoxsasi 10187@/community/discussions
Its been bothering me a few days now, and I'm at wits end to know whether this is right or wrong.

I go to a Church where all the Bible readings are in Arabic. I don't understand much Arabic.

Anyway, I got this really good iPhone app called "iCoptic" that has all the Bible readings and Synaxarium readings clearly produced.

So, last week, I was sitting down, during the readings, going through iCoptic App, reading the Bible verses as the deacon was reading the passage in Arabic.

Frankly speaking, it was worth it. I'd have sat down like a sack of potatoes had it not been for this iPhone App, NOR the Bible App on the iPhone.

But - it looks bad though - doesn't it? Using your iphone in Church. People stare at you and think you are rude for playing with your iPhone during a liturgy. But, I don't know what to do... its just so convenient.

For example. During last's week's Bible reading, I was using iCoptic to read the translation. Then during the reading of the Bible, I had a few questions I wanted to ask on Tasbeha.org concerning the Bible reading. So, I opened another Bible App and highlighted the verses that I wanted to keep a record of.

Its great.

This particular Bible app cross references everything with everything. I think it was free even. It was just amazing.

Let's say you are reading the Bible, and you find a phrase like "Filled with the Holy Spirit". This app will give you (automatically) EVERY SINGLE Bible verse with that same phrase or similar phrase.

Anyway, i find myself looking at my iPhone a LOT during the Bible readings - and even if its in English, its hardly very clear, so I like to use the iPhone app anyway.

Is this bad? Should I not do this? Should I sit down like a div and pretend i'm following the Bible readings, or is it OK to use my iPhone as a Bible app and follow what is being read; and if anyone judges me, let them judge me.

Also, I'd like to know one small thing. What is stopping ANY deacon with an iPhone from using his iCoptic App to read the Bible from it during the Bible Reading?

So let's say I'm a deacon, and someone tells me IN THE LAST MINUTE, please can you read the Catholikon. Rather than fumble through which passage I ought to read, and find the right page - why can I not just pull out my trendy iPhone 4.0 with its retina display, launch iCoptic and read the passage from there??
What's wrong with that?


Thanks]]> Not sure if I care anymore https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/10216/not-sure-if-i-care-anymore Sat, 18 Dec 2010 19:39:45 +0000 Ioannes 10216@/community/discussions Do you think Catholics worship Mary more than God? https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/3903/do-you-think-catholics-worship-mary-more-than-god Wed, 17 May 2006 18:28:35 +0000 lildude30894 3903@/community/discussions Paul John Paul ll Kissing The Quran! https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/9490/paul-john-paul-ll-kissing-the-quran Fri, 23 Jul 2010 06:52:55 +0000 Melchoir 9490@/community/discussions Hi guys,

I couldn't believe my own eyes when I saw the Pope kissing the Quran. Why on earth did he do that? I heard from someone that the Roman Catholic church could be the founder of the Islamic faith. What do you guys think?

Thanks]]> Matthew 7 18-23 https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/10218/matthew-7-18-23 Sun, 19 Dec 2010 12:36:41 +0000 kalsam 10218@/community/discussions St. Shenouda Monastery, Rochester, NY https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/1215/st-shenouda-monastery-rochester-ny Mon, 14 Feb 2005 16:20:33 +0000 abibawy 1215@/community/discussions
We thank God for His abundant mercy and innumerable gifts that He grants His children. As you know, H.H. Pope Shenouda III visited St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church in Rochester, NY, on August 14 and 15. On that visit, he opened the extension and new addition to the church, laid the cornerstone for the Pope Shenouda III Retreat Center and St. Shenouda the Archimandrite Monastery, and consecrated the altar of the Church of the Archangel Michael and St. Shenouda the Archimandrite, the new baptismal font for adults, and the icons of St. Mark’s Church.

Undoubtedly, we see the hand of God in the events that occurred on those two days. For example, when our neighboring Syracuse church building belonged to the Russians, it was named after St. Michael. However, the Coptic Church there was already registered under the name of St. Mary and St. Mina. So the name of that building was changed as well. Therefore, I set my heart on compensating St. Michael for his church in Syracuse by designating this new church in the basement of the church at Rochester after his name, together with the name of St. Shenouda, the patron saint of the monastery which will be constructed in its vicinity. Amazingly, as I later discovered, it is documented in the manuscript of the life of St. Shenouda that the ancient church in the Monastery of Abba Shenouda, the White Monastery near Suhaj, is consecrated in the name of the Archangel Michael and Abba Shenouda. This is just one of many examples.

Furthermore, the great encouragement of His Holiness and laying of the cornerstone for this retreat center and monastery by his own hand gives us strong faith that God’s hand is in the middle of this, and He will complete it according to His will. Just as His Holiness the Pope bore the names of two great monastic leaders, Antonius and Shenouda, so also he gave to America two monasteries: the first after the name of St. Antony in the desert of California, and the second here in Rochester after the name of St. Shenouda. This second monastery is not an imitation nor an unnecessary repetition of the first monastery because they are two distinct orders. Each one of them has a different monastic rule indicated in the difference in the appellation of each monastery. The first monastery at California follows the hermetic life of St. Antony the most famous father of anchorism whereas the second monastery here in Rochester follows the rule of St. Shenouda the Archimandrite which is developed from the Pachomian coenobitic life. The order of St. Shenouda combines the life of seclusion for prayer and meditation, together with the service for the community in a coenobitic life. Therefore, whenever the monk in the order of Abba Shenouda goes out to serve the community in the neighborhood, he will not be in breach of his monastic rule. Just as St. Shenouda built his monastery in Suhaj near the villages which he serves and was accustomed to open the gates of his monastery for the people on Saturdays and Sundays, so that they may hear his sermons and participate in the Eucharistic prayers, so also his monastery here in Rochester is not in a desert, but in the countryside in the suburbs of the cities and towns which will be served by the monks of the monastery.

By the grace of God, we will proceed with building the Pope Shenouda III Retreat Center within the next year. This will be a spiritual retreat center for anyone, but especially for those who would like to enter into this monastic order. The building of these souls will be the first step to the physical building of this monastery of St. Shenouda the Archimandrite.

If you, or anyone you know, would like to participate in taking the blessing of donating to this project, please make checks payable to: St. Shenouda Monastery. However, the mailing address will be that of our Church here in Rochester, NY:

St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church
P.O. Box 20400
Rochester, NY 14602

May the Lord God accept your gifts and offerings as a delightful aroma ascending before Him on the heavenly altar and repay you for the corruptible with the incorruptible, the earthly with the heavenly, the temporal with the eternal; and fill your houses and storehouses with every good thing.

May the Lord keep you in His love always.

Your servant,
Father Shenouda Maher Ishak
Priest, St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church
Rochester, NY
]]> Is Adultary Inherited? https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/10195/is-adultary-inherited Wed, 15 Dec 2010 16:16:04 +0000 Zoxsasi 10195@/community/discussions
I'm not sure, but I remember hearing from some Church councelor that apparently adultary is inherited.

i.e. that if the Father has committed adultary, then this is passed down to his children/grandchildren? - or they are most likely to fall into the same sin.

Is any of that true, or have i misunderstood.

Thanks]]> Weak faith https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/10183/weak-faith Mon, 13 Dec 2010 15:30:59 +0000 Cyril97 10183@/community/discussions
I used to be close to God but now, I feel like I am drifting away.
I pray as much as I can in a day, read my bible, and go to liturgies as much as posible in a seven day week.
Do you guys/gals have any things that could help me strengthen my faith.
I am currently reading the Book of Acts but am almost done.
Any recommendations for a new book. (please, no old testemant because it is to hard to understand- for me)
(and nothing by St. Paul; way too smart for my tiny understand)
God bless and pray for my weak faith,

Cyril]]> Celibacy of the Clergy https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/10165/celibacy-of-the-clergy Sun, 12 Dec 2010 14:33:23 +0000 Zoxsasi 10165@/community/discussions
Can someone kindly explain to me why a Coptic Orthodox priest can get married but not a monk nor a bishop?

From where did these laws come from?

Which time period were they introduced into the Church??

Thanks]]> Marriage as a result of Fornication https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/10077/marriage-as-a-result-of-fornication Wed, 01 Dec 2010 09:11:02 +0000 Zoxsasi 10077@/community/discussions
I'm just curious about a few issues concerning the Church's view on fornication:

It is well known that the Scriptures teach us that when we engage in sexual intimacy we become 'one flesh' with the other person.

When this is done outside the context of Marriage, (i.e. fornication), should the Christian marry the other person? Is this something the Orthodox Church advises?

Does the Coptic Orthodox Church consider that you are in fact married to a person whom you have fornicated with, and hence suggest for you that you do marry that person? Or - would it view that marrying such a person is a sin because they led you to sin?

Which is it?

Secondly, what should a person do if they were seduced by another person and committed an act of fornication? Should they pursue marriage (if they are both Coptic Orthodox, let's say) with that person and refrain in doing this sin again, or what?

Thanks
]]> Matthew 7:1-5 https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/10135/matthew-7-1-5 Tue, 07 Dec 2010 04:16:21 +0000 joeg 10135@/community/discussions
Matthew 7:1-5

1 Judge not, that you be not judged.
2 For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.
3 And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?
4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye?
5 Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
Clearly here, it seems that we should put our own house in order first before attempting to solve other people's problems.

But do members of the clergy have a duty to seek those who have gone astray?

Do all of us have such a duty at certain times?

Will we be judged by God for failing to interfere and potentially save someone from fault when we decided not to act because we didn't think it was any of our business?

What do you think?]]> Spirtual Reformation and goals https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/10154/spirtual-reformation-and-goals Thu, 09 Dec 2010 18:45:51 +0000 Tzegemariam 10154@/community/discussions
I was wondering what were some good spirtual goals that one should have during this fast?What kind of (specific) things should i be doing, to make my fast more Godly?

I have been fasting from food but also i feel no change in my behaviors outside of prayer. I haven't been a profitable or fruitful servant, i haven't been horrible but at the same time i haven't been good. Like im barely getting by spirtually everyday, i feel like i should be doing more...

May God reveal His message through anyone who is willing to reply...and bless this Holy fast for us
Pray for me a sinner

]]> Father, Son, And Holy Spirit https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/10147/father-son-and-holy-spirit Wed, 08 Dec 2010 19:11:26 +0000 PopeKyrillos 10147@/community/discussions
For sure, God the Father existed before all ages. However, did the Son exist before all ages also? I know that he was present before the creation of the world, but was he present at all times, just as the Father was? And does the same apply to the Holy Spirit? Again, I know it was present before the creation of the world, and was present at creation, as mentioned in Genesis, but did it exist before all ages, along with God the Father?

PK ]]> A Suitable Book Of Exegesis By One Of The Fathers https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/10113/a-suitable-book-of-exegesis-by-one-of-the-fathers Mon, 06 Dec 2010 08:14:37 +0000 joeg 10113@/community/discussions
So, this Christmas I will have a bit more free time on my hands than I currently do, and I would love to get hold of a good commentary by one of the Church Fathers on one of the Gospels. I don't particularly mind which Gospel it is a commentary of - as long as it is a thorough, reliable, and above all ORTHODOX commentary, ideally going through the Gospel chapter by chapter (although verse by verse would be even better [This will be my first attempt at reading a book of exegesis, so I'm not entirely sure of which the most common practise is]).

I would love it even more if it were by one of the Fathers of the Coptic Church (e.g. St. Cyril I, St. Athanasius the Apostolic), but would be very grateful if you pointed me in the direction of St. John Chrysostom, St. Basil the Great, St. Severus of Antioch etc.

Your advice on which Gospel would be most suitable to begin with would also be invaluable.

pray for me

joe]]> Wisdom of Sirach ch. 8 https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/10091/wisdom-of-sirach-ch-8 Fri, 03 Dec 2010 00:04:08 +0000 geomike 10091@/community/discussions
" do not lend to a man stronger than you, but if you do expect nothing back"

Doesn't the bible tell us that we should give to everyone who asks?

Also,

" do not uncover your heart(or something like that) to people unless unkindness is shown to you."

What does this mean. I appreciate your help.]]> Providence https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/10094/providence Fri, 03 Dec 2010 14:59:49 +0000 aidan 10094@/community/discussions
I am writing a paper on the subject of Providence, Fate and Luck. Serious religious belief must belief in the providence of God. For example; the woman I am married to is given to me by the Lord and I cannot entertain the belief that she is 'wrong' and that I need another woman. It wasn't my bad luck not to be with some other woman I might hanker after.

If any readers have resources or experiences connected with this subject or can direct me to relevant resources I shall be very grateful.

May God bless you.

]]> Sin https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/10058/sin Sat, 27 Nov 2010 22:31:42 +0000 roubir2010 10058@/community/discussions what should I do HELP ASAP I hate my self ]]> The Importance of the Eucharist https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/10092/the-importance-of-the-eucharist Fri, 03 Dec 2010 04:31:06 +0000 Zoxsasi 10092@/community/discussions
I'd like to know:

* What is the importance of Holy Communion in our lives?
* What happens if we do not take the Holy Communion, lest alone believe that this IS the Body and Blood of Christ?

* How do we explain to protestants and messianic jews that our interpretation is correct: that Christ, although He said "Do this in remembrance of Me" meant us to actually consecrate the bread and wine to partake of His Holy Body and Blood.

* What proofs (scriptural proofs) are there for us to show that indeed this is the Holy Body and Blood, and we do partake of it.

Some Messianic jews disagree with the idea of the Eucharist, saying that Christ only asked us to do so in Remembrance of Him. However, I fail totally to understand what we gain by simply doing things in remembrance of Him. Why not sit down, have a coffee, and just each person think or remember Jesus Christ.

There is a strong argument (in my opinion) that they've completely misunderstood this.

For us, as Orthodox Christians, or even Catholics, the Eucharist is the center of the Christian life. It is not treated as if it is just One of the Sacraments, but our entire praise/worship/focus in the liturgy is centered around this.

* What is the philosophy of the Orthodox Church concerning having the Eucharist.

I'm a bit disappointed, to say the least, that the book on Comparative THeology had absolutely no mention of this issue ; it is well known that this is the ultimate point of difference between us.

Please no guessing. I will use this thread to help answer a few messianic jews whom I know. They are Rabbis with PhDs in theology (believe it or not), and so, the content posted really must be accurate.

I am fully aware that the early Church practiced this sacrament, and they took it seriously. I have 100's of sermons by John Chrysostom about slothfullness before even taking the Holy Communion. Why have Messianic jews and protestants distanced themselves from the early Church? However, I really feel the innate need to explain this to them for 2 main reasons:

a) They work hard (especially protestants) in telling everyone that we are heretical over this issue. I think their ignorance is dangerous and their loud voices lead others in the same path of ignorance.
b) The Church has not yet published a concise book explaining the differences between herself and other denominations concerning such issues.

]]> Sunday School Lesson https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/10074/sunday-school-lesson Wed, 01 Dec 2010 00:24:39 +0000 ebnyasoo3 10074@/community/discussions
I am  a new Sunday school servant. I am preparing a lesson about Ezekiel. In the Sunday school curriculum it states that the objective is to learn about the new life in the prophesy of Ezekiel.
I serve middle school. But the thing is how can I relate this to them. How will this help them in their everyday life.
I know that I have to do my own research but I am using tasbeha as one of my research resources. :) I love this forum.

God bless and thank you,
Ebnyasoo3.]]> Christological Concepts of the Trinity https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/9987/christological-concepts-of-the-trinity Fri, 12 Nov 2010 06:50:43 +0000 Zoxsasi 9987@/community/discussions
I have a few questions concerning the Nature of Christ through the Trinity.


The doctrine of the Holy Trinity tells us that God is three persons in total unity. He is one in essence, but has shown Himself to us as three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These are separate persons (hypostasis) with individual (hypostatic) attributes, yet all one in essence.

I wish to discuss these "Hypostatic Attributes".

Does each hypostasis of the Trinity have a will? Does each have mind? Does each have feelings? Does God have feelings even?


The Word of God and the Holy Spirit act with the Father in the act of Creation. I know that God the Father's will is the will of the Son and the Holy Spirit. They all work with ONE will. They all work with One Mind.

However, can we say that each person in the Trinity has His own mind also?

Apparently it is a misunderstanding that God merely appears in different forms - sometimes as the Father, others as the Son, or sometimes as the Holy Spirit. But, Scripture clearly says that both the Son and Spirit are “of God” and not merely aspects of God. Both the Son and Holy Spirit are realities with different personalities. They are not just different forms. If they have different personalities, then does each person of the Trinity have His own mind? Yet their will is that of the Father? Is this correct? Please explain?
This is what we know and have understood so far:

1. One God, One Father: There is only one God because there is only one Father.
In the Bible the term "God" with very few exceptions is used primarily as a name for the Father. Thus, the Son is the "Son of God," and the Spirit is the "Spirit of God." The Son is born from the Father, and the Spirit proceeds from the Father -- both in the same timeless and eternal action of the Father's own being. In this view, the Son and the Spirit are both one with God and in no way separated from Him. Thus, the Divine Unity consists of the Father, with His Son and His Spirit distinct from Himself and yet perfectly united together in Him.

2. One God, One Divine Nature and Being: What the Father is, the Son and Spirit are also.
The Son, born of the Father, and the Spirit, proceeding from Him, share the divine nature with God, being "of one essence" with Him.

This is a Perpetual son to a Perpetual Father. We have to use the term "Perpetual" because there was never a time when the Father was without a Son, nor the Son without the Father. Simply that the Son is from the Father. You agree??

Every attribute of divinity which belongs to God the Father -- life, love, wisdom, truth, blessedness, holiness, power, purity, joy -- belongs equally as well to the Son and the Holy Spirit. The being, nature, essence, existence and life of God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are absolutely and identically one and the same.

But does that mean that each PERSON of the Trinity could still have His own mind??

3. One God: One Divine Action and Will: Whatever the Father wills, the Son and the Holy Spirit also will.
Since they are one, whatever the Father wills, the Son and the Holy Spirit will also. Whatever the Father does, the Son and Holy Spirit do also. There is no will and no action of God the Father which is not at the same time the will and action of the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Every action of God is the action of the Three. No one person of the Trinity acts independently of or in isolation from the others. The action of each is the action of all; the action of all is the action of each. The divine action is essentially one.

But does that still mean that each Person of the Trinity could have His Own mind?

4. One God, One Divine Knowledge and Love: Each knows the same Truth and exercises the same Love. Since they are one, they all have the same truth and exercise the same love.

Each person of the Trinity knows and loves the others with such absolute perfection, knowledge, and love that there is nothing unknown and nothing unloved of each in the others.


* If they have this unity of love between them, then they are separate persons of the Same Godhead. Therefore, EACH must have His Own "personal" capacity to love the other hypostasis??? Is that correct?

In the Fullness of Time, when Christ took flesh, at that moment, what was His relationship with the Trinity? was there a separation between them?

If we cannot touch nor see the Divine nature, then how could Christ's Divinity unite with His humanity without one consuming the other? How could the Divine fire overshadow Saint Mary without harming her?

When God appeared to Moses, God's glory (Just His Glory!) made Moses' face so bright that they had to put a towel over his face. What about Saint Mary who BORE Christ??

This is so mind boggling.

Thanks]]> Arguing and Reasoning with God?! Dilemma! https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/10019/arguing-and-reasoning-with-god-dilemma Sun, 21 Nov 2010 08:19:56 +0000 abrahamf 10019@/community/discussions
'He blames God... Lord how? How does all this come upon me? How does this happen, in your existance? ... Many troubled David the prophet, but he did not blame them; he blamed God himself...'

Again David 'speaks in Psalm 10 blaming God, "Why do You stand afar off, O Lord? Why do you hide  in times of trouble?" (Psalm 10:1) Perhaps if we say these words to one of our friends, he will not bear them..! But God accepts such words... and David his servant dared to say, "O Lord, how?"

Similarily, Jeremiah the prophet reproaches God "Righteous are You, O LORD, when I plead with You; Yet let me talk with You about Your judgments. Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why are those happy who deal so treacherously?" (Jeremiah 12:1).
'God, the unbounded and incomprehensible opens His heart and argues with his children when they ask, "why?" Another example, a person so frank in blaming God is Job the Just. He blames the Lord with amazing boldness and says the same word, "Why?" as in (Job 7:11,12,16) "...I will complain in the bitterness of my soul. Am i a sea, or a whale, that Thou settest a watch over me?", "Let me alone". "How long wilt Thou not depart from me, nor let me alone till i swallow down my spittle?" (Job 7:19).

'Do you think God gets angry at such reproach? Nay.. our good God does not get annoyed with Job's reproach. Nor does he consider arguing with Him hurting for His honour. Nay, God likes us to talk and argue with Him. He becomes glad and happy for this because reproach shows love and intimacy. God calls for such argument saying, "Come now, and let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow" (Ish 1:18)'


Now in Job 40:1,2 "Moreover the LORD answered Job, and said: “Shall the one who contends with the Almighty correct Him? He who rebukes God, let him answer it.” I think this shows that how can we, the worthless dust, rebuke the Almighty God?
Furthermore in Job 40:8-10 the Lord says, “Would you indeed annul My judgment? Would you condemn Me that you may be justified? Have you an arm like God? Or can you thunder with a voice like His?" I take this as God telling us that how can we argue with the righteous and blameless judge!?

I also recall the following from another thread about Saint Antony the GREAT....

When Abba Anthony thought about the depth of the judgments of God, he asked, "Lord, how is it that some die when they are young, while others drag on to extreme old age? Why are there those who are poor and those who are rich? Why do wicked men prosper and why are the just in need?" He heard a voice answering him, "Anthony, keep your attention on yourself; these things are according to the judgment of God, and it is not to your advantage to know anything about them.'

DILEMMA! Are we, the weak and feeble beings, able to argue and reason with the omnipotent God? Am sure it is probably a misunderstanding on my behalf, but what does every1 think. God forgive me but it sounds contradictory. ]]> Not Ashamed https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/10039/not-ashamed Wed, 24 Nov 2010 06:57:24 +0000 peterfarrington 10039@/community/discussions
http://www.notashamed.org.uk

(I think that Zoxasi thought this would be a good idea, and now there is a real organisation behind it)

(Please visit this site and add your name to the list)


What is ‘NOT ASHAMED’?

‘NOT ASHAMED’ is an opportunity for Christians across the UK to stand together and to express our confidence that Jesus Christ is good news not just for individuals or for the church but for our nation as a whole. He is the only true hope for our society.

When will it take place?

Wednesday 1st December 2010 has been designated ‘NOT ASHAMED’ day. It is the focal point of the initiative but the campaign will run throughout the Autumn and continue into Advent.

How can I get involved?

You can get involved in the ‘NOT ASHAMED’ movement by wearing the symbol, declaring the hope and sharing the vision.]]> Sunday Mass or Saturday Mass https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/10031/sunday-mass-or-saturday-mass Mon, 22 Nov 2010 21:23:22 +0000 mtfahmy 10031@/community/discussions Authenticity, Validity & History of the Bible https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/10053/authenticity-validity-history-of-the-bible Fri, 26 Nov 2010 04:46:57 +0000 Zoxsasi 10053@/community/discussions
Could someone kindly tell me, using references where possible, the history of the Bible?

* How the books became published?
* Who compiled them?
* Who decided what books go into the NT and OT?
* The validity/accuracy of the Bibles
* Who decided what books go into the Apocryphia

* What proofs do we have the Bible is authentic?
* How do we refute attacks such as the Holy Bible was somehow changed/altered by men, and is therefore not the true word of God?
* What is the history of the dead sea scrolls and their association with the compilation of the Bible.

I know this is a lot to ask. But tasbeha.org has become extremely useful for everyone here wishing to learn about the Orthodox faith. I am 110% sure that you WILL get these questions in your lifetime being asked at you. Either we help each other to learn more about these things, or we'll just live in ignorance.

Now, I promise, if someone does a research on this, I'll publish the answers to the questions that I asked on Christology and the Holy Trinity. I've read a lot, and I will give references concerning the questions I asked on this subject.

Unfortunately, I do not have enough time to research every single subject.

I could research this topic myself, but i've already spent enough time understanding Orthodox Christology. I will share with you my notes on these questions as soon as I've finished reading a few more books.

Thanks]]> Genealogy of Christ https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/10056/genealogy-of-christ Sat, 27 Nov 2010 14:06:31 +0000 TITL 10056@/community/discussions
]]> Bible translated by PROTESTANTS?!! https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/10052/bible-translated-by-protestants Fri, 26 Nov 2010 00:38:46 +0000 abrahamf 10052@/community/discussions
I aslo wanted to ask: why were there 7 books excluded from the bible- i know one of the is the book of Sirach. ]]> Can I give my life to God? https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/10021/can-i-give-my-life-to-god Sun, 21 Nov 2010 15:03:58 +0000 [Deleted User] 10021@/community/discussions
I really want to just live through prayer, and hymns, and studying him all the time, and to live my life just for him, but how can I?

When I was young, I wanted to be a nun. When I went to Egypt and saw how they lived, I even wanted it more. I want to always remember him and stay away from temptation and evil thoughts, but I really don't know how to since I live in America and SO many bad things happen everyday. And I want to stay away from that.

So how do I do that? Do I just meditate through prayer ever second or what?

I am way to young to really be a servant, but even though, I clean the church, help out, be nice, but that's not enough.

What do I do?]]> Stop Obama!!! https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/10018/stop-obama Sat, 20 Nov 2010 20:06:51 +0000 deaconwannaB 10018@/community/discussions In
1952
President  Truman
established  one  day  a  year  as  a
"National Day of Prayer." [/center]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[center]In
1988
President Reagan
designated the
First Thursday in May of each year as
the National Day of Prayer. 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In June
2007
(then)
Presidential
Candidate Barack Obama
declared that the USA
"Was no longer  a
Christian nation."
--------------------------------------------------------------- 
This year
President Obama
canceled the
21st annual National Day
of Prayer ceremony
at the White
House under the ruse
Of "not wanting to offend anyone" 

------------------------------------------------------------------------ 

BUT... on September 25, 2009
from 4 AM until 7 PM,
a National Day of Prayer
FOR THE MUSLIM RELIGION
was Held on Capitol Hill,
Beside the White House.
There were over 50,000 Muslims
in  D.C. that day. 

      HE PRAYS WITH THE MUSLIMS!
image
I guess it Doesn't matter
if "Christians"
Are  offended  by  this  event -
We  obviously
Don't  count  as
"anyone"  Anymore.

The direction  this country is headed
should strike fear in the heart of every Christian,
especially knowing that the
Muslim religion believes that if Christians cannot be
converted, they should be annihilated.

This is not a Rumor !!!!!!!
Go  to  the  website
To  confirm  this  info:
( http://www.islamoncapitolhill.com/ )

Pay particular attention to the very bottom of the page:
"OUR TIME HAS COME"
I hope that this information will stir your spirit.

The words of 2 Chronicles 7:14 
"If my people, Who are called by my Name,
Will humble themselves And pray, 
And seek my face, and Turn from their Wicked ways,
Then will I hear from Heaven
And will forgive their Sin and will heal Their land."

We must pray for Our nation, our communities,
Our families, and especially our children. 
They are the ones who are going to suffer the most.
.
If  we  don't  PRAY
May  God  have  Mercy.
IN GOD WE TRUST.[/center]]]> Father Peter podcasts https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/10001/father-peter-podcasts Mon, 15 Nov 2010 07:20:03 +0000 peterfarrington 10001@/community/discussions
In due course I will sort out introductory music etc etc, and host them on one of my sites, but if anyone is interested here are two talks which I have recorded as a proof of the technology I have here.

One is the short homily I preached on Sunday on the passage Luke 14: 25-35, and the other is introduction I gave at our Bible Study looking at Luke 1:1-25.

http://www.orthodoxmedway.org/media/Father_Peter_Homily_Luke_14_25_35.mp3

http://www.orthodoxmedway.org/media/Bible_Study_Luke_01.mp3

Father Peter

]]>