Happy Holidays to all who have who have bothered to read and comment on my column this year! Though we may often continue to disagree or agree, I fully wish the joy of the Holidays that is in my heart for you wherever you may be. by Paul Benedict
(libertarian)
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
The Immaculate with Belief, Hope, and Love
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The first prophecy of Christmas, or the birth of Christ, was thousands of years before his birth. In Genesis 3: 14-15 is the place where it is written:
And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:
And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it (her seed--singular) shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
Since seed comes from the male of the species, Genesis 3:15 is a figure of speech. The Author of the scripture intends for us to understand that a man not from the line of Adam, the Son of God Himself, would be born. This promised seed, this seed of the woman, would be bruised for our transgressions. That is, figuratively, his heel would be bruised. Then in the fullness of time, after the wound received by the serpent, the Promised Seed would bruise the head of the serpent. Serpents don't walk away from that stuff.
Christians believe this record in Luke 1:35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.Christians believe that Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God and that he was conceived, not by ual , but the power of God. That is, the life that was born in Mary was not of the seed of Adam, but was out of The Holy Spirit, from God Himself. Hence, the savior of the world was born without sin and could redeem all mankind.
Some argue that this is not scientifically provable and hence should not be believed. Others argue that God existed before science deemed Him possible and will exist long after science has deemed God impossible. In other words, they contend that there is no scientific proof that He does not exist just like He says He does. Likewise, they argue that His word is so consistent in the Bible that even a foolish scientist need not be confused about His glory. Nonetheless, most Americans genuinely believe that atheists have a God given right to choose, and we are proud or them as Americans, even on Christmas.
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The notion of being immaculate, that is free from the taint of original sin, was later extended by Pope Pius IX as a Roman Catholic doctrine that Mary herself was "immaculately conceived." This Pope piously refused to order that all Roman Catholics accept this dogma of the church. In this at least he was American. Later the term immaculate became applied to a tremendous catch by Franko Harris. All Steeler fans recognize that the football never touched the turf, a turf that would have stained the reception as sinful or not a score. Then there are those Raider fans like John Madden… It's maddening… Finally, it might be fair to extend the term immaculate to those who believe that same unions are a marriage. Although, I don't believe in it, it is fair to acknowledge that many, 46 percent of California voters for instance, have faith in the immaculate union that is gay marriage. All the best my fellow Americans.
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Even Steeler fans love Madden on Christmas. So to all those that have agreed with my column or who have passionately disagreed with it, to all who recognize the Divine conception, or who are not yet ready to accept it, to all who agree with Pope Pius IX or who don't, to Madden and Raider fan everywhere, and to all those convinced in their hearts of the immaculate union of same marriage… Happy Holy-days. May you enjoy a white Christmas from the warmth of your hearth fire in the midst of families and friends. Until we disagree again… All the best!
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