Posts

Posted on

What Would Jesus Pin?

The phrase “What would Jesus do?” (often abbreviated to WWJD) became popular in the United States in the 1990s and as a personal motto for adherents of Evangelical Christianity who used the phrase as a reminder of their belief in a moral imperative to act in a manner that would demonstrate the love of Jesus through the actions of the adherents.  This saying has become a guiding principle for many Christians.

As simple as it seems, the question—What would Jesus Do?—still leaves us  wondering.

However, we’re flipping that around and asking you the question, WWJP—Would #Jesus Pin? or Post?  Do You Really Want to Know?

First Peter 2:21 says that Jesus left us “an example, that we should follow in his steps.” So, it’s admirable and biblical to ask “WWJP  —What would Jesus Pin?”  

Everyone who knows anything about the gospels—and even those who don’t—knows at a basic level that Jesus was a friend of #sinners.  Yet we  find ourselves constantly challenged by Jesus’s example to make sure we do not turn away outsiders in a way that Jesus never would.

If the truth be told Jesus was a friend of sinners not because he winked at sin, ignored sin, or enjoyed light-hearted revelry with those engaged in immorality. Jesus was a friend of sinners in that he came to save sinners.

We  looked at the four gospels with the  above  question in mind and discovered seven priorities that guided Jesus.  He would seek the Father for the strength and wisdom to embrace, restore, confront, teach, serve, and equip the people around him.

These seven priorities should drive us back to the gospels to take a fresh look at how Jesus lived. As users of the social networking websites  we need to keep asking ourselves—#What Would Jesus Pin?  or Post. It’s a great question. But remember: If you’re not sure what Jesus actually did in his life, then you’re just guessing at what he might do in yours.

We’ve included some of the most compelling photos posted to Godinterest this week.

I love doing these portraits, and our friend suits them perfectly!

Lucky enough to go into the enclosure with Mia, this gorgeous female #cheetah at the WHF Centre in Smarden, Kent

A  Chinese paramilitary police recruit being shipped to start his service in the Zhejiang province began to tear up in this photo, taken on Dec. 12, 2010.

Kevin Berthia was talked out of jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge by this police officer in 2005. He has since become an advocate for suicide prevention and has started a family.

Starving boy and #missionary

True  #love

We  want to hear  from you, when you write a message, share a photo, or a video online, do you stop and think about what it says about you as a  believer?  

 

Posted on

What Would Jesus Pin?

What Would Jesus Pin

The phrase “What would Jesus do?” (often abbreviated to WWJD) became popular, particularly in the United States but elsewhere as well, in the 1990s and as a personal motto for adherents of Christianity who used the phrase as a reminder of their belief in a moral imperative to act in a manner that would demonstrate the love of Jesus through the actions of the adherents.[

In popular consciousness, the acronym signifying the question–WWJD–is associated with a type of bracelet or wristband which became a popular accessory for members of Christian youth groups, both Catholic and Protestant, in the 1990s.[

Theological background

The Roman Catholic Church emphasizes the concept of Imitatio Christi (imitation of Christ), which is summarized well in the English phrase “What Would Jesus Do?”

The phase What would Jesus pin? was coined in 2014 with the relaunch of Godinterest.

John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist Church, in 1766 postulated the concept of Christian perfection, a moment in the life of a Christian at which the regeneration effectuated by the Holy Spirit results in a “perfection in love” which means that at least at that moment one is being motivated wholly by love of God and neighbor, with no taint of sin or ulterior motives in effect. While such Christian perfection is expressed in outward action, it is also the effect of grace. Indeed, Wesley could speak of sanctification by faith as an analogous doctrine to the more widely held belief in justification by faith. Because Christian perfection is also visible in outward good works and a rigorously moral lifestyle, adherents of the Holiness movement assumed that a perfectly moral lifestyle is a consequence (not the cause) of the state of grace and ultimate salvation.

Earlier appearances of the term, 1420s—1891

Charles Spurgeon, a well-known evangelical preacher in London, used the phrase “what would Jesus do” in quotation marks several times in a sermon he gave on June 28, 1891.[5] In his sermon he cites the source of the phrase as a book written in Latin by Thomas à Kempis between 1418 and 1427, Imitatio Christi (The Imitation of Christ).

Posted on

13 Powerful Photo Stories That Captured Our Attention This Year

Another year over, a new one about to begin. What better time to remember the visual stories from 2014 that reminded us humanity is a beautiful, complicated mess?

We cannot be everywhere, yet photographs take us nearly everywhere. Our vision is formed by what we see from those images. For example their  was a  recent trending discussion on how terrible it was that young children, as young as two, were smoking in parts of Indonesia. Why? Because visuals of children smoking were posted on Godinterest. Such images hit us right in the gut.

Every week 100s  of pictures are shared on Godinterest. In this post we are going to show you some of the images that caught our attention this week. Powerful pictures that everybody in the world should see. Photographs that will make you think, will make you stare  and feel the emotions of that moment and perhaps will make you weep.

Some of them are popular photos that you probably have seen before, and others are pictures telling stories of ordinary people.

You will see desperate people facing the end, photos of unexpected events  and photos about affection, stories of war and stories of love.

Islamist War on Christians is extending into Turkey.  Turkey’s President Erdogan is already facing international calls to respect human rights in Turkey following last weekend’s failed coup. Now he’s also being encouraged to champion the rights of Christians living in the country as well. The call is coming from the Anglican Church’s venerable man in Istanbul, Canon Ian Sherwood, who for 28 years has been chaplain of the British consulate there and priest of the Crimean Memorial Church in the city. ‘As long-centuries established Christians in Turkey we are alarmed at how life is evolving in Turkey,’ says Sherwood, who warns that the climate of tolerance has changed in the country, which is more than 99 per cent Muslim, mainly Sunni. ‘We wish Turkey peace and tolerance – the same tolerance that most societies west of Turkey enjoy.’

If you like this post, don’t be selfish, share it with your friends via Facebook or Twitter. Sharing is caring.

Bruno Morandi captures a tribal Chhetri woman in Nepal. [2009]

Survivors of Super Typhoon Haiyan, which left 1.9 million homeless, take part in a #religious procession in Tolosa on the eastern Philippine island of Leyte.

Reflections of a Hurting #Missionary

Fatherless | #God Loving Woman

The Cost of Routine Booze Madness | Walking Is Still Honest –  One Dollar by Ryan Hardgrove

3 weeks old infant with albinism snuggles up to his cousin for a snooze.

Giving Freely of Your Resources as Unto the #Lord.  Keep in mind how little you know about people, situations and circumstances in life.

Daddy’s Slippers – #God  is Good Thank you Abba for your Love❤️ ❤️ #God  the Father God the Son God the Sprit ❤️ Thank You ❤️

A Rwandan boy left scarred after being liberated from a death camp.

Hhaing The Yu, 29, holds his face in his hand as rain falls on the decimated remains of his home near Myanmar’s capital of Yangon (Rangoon). In May 2008, cyclone Nargis struck southern Myanmar, leaving millions homeless and claiming more than 100,000 lives

Latest in the  children of war series. A young african boy is not even given a glance as a soldier walks by. children are discarded and tossed away…

Thanks for visiting us today! Check back at #Godinterest  for more original breathtaking photo-stories every week

Posted on

Thousands watch Passion of Jesus Performance in Trafalgar Square

Passion of Jesus – Trafalgar Square Credit: PA
Passion of Jesus – Trafalgar Square Credit: PA
Passion of Jesus – Trafalgar Square Credit: PA
Passion of Jesus – Trafalgar Square Credit: PA
Passion of Jesus – Trafalgar Square Credit: PA
Passion of Jesus – Trafalgar Square Credit: PA
Passion of Jesus – Trafalgar Square Credit: PA
Passion of Jesus – Trafalgar Square Credit: PA
Passion of Jesus – Trafalgar Square Credit: PA
Passion of Jesus – Trafalgar Square Credit: PA
Passion of Jesus – Trafalgar Square Credit: PA
Posted on

Christian Man Sentenced to Death for Blasphemous WhatsApp Message

A Pakistani Christian man has been sentenced to death for blasphemy after he sent a Muslim friend a poem on WhatsApp that insulted Islam, a lawyer said on Friday.

Nadeem James  was charged in July last year  after his Muslim friend, Yasir Bashir, complained to local police that he received a poem on the messaging app that was derogatory towards the Prophet Mohammed.

“Mr James was handed a death sentence by the court on Thursday on blasphemy charges,” Anjum Wakeel, the lawyer of James  told AFP.

“My client will appeal the sentence in the high court as he has been framed by his friend, who was annoyed over Mr James’ affair with a Muslim girl.” Wakeel added.

He said the trial was held inside a prison due to security reasons after local Muslim clerics had threatened James and his family.

Court officials confirmed the sentence.

A sensitive topic in Pakistan

Source: Wikimedia
Source: Wikimedia

Within the deeply conservative Muslim-majority country, blasphemy is seen as a sensitive issue and legally punishable by death, where often unproven accusations can stir violence.

In 2011, a personal  bodyguard assassinated the provincial governor  of Punjab, Salman Taseer, after he called for the existing blasphemy laws to be reformed.

In 2014, a  Christian couple was lynched  in a kiln in the province of Punjab after being falsely accused of desecrating the Quran.

Several rights groups have said the laws are routinely abused to seek vengeance against ethnic and religious minorities.

Link to Original Post

Posted on

When Images Speak Louder than Words

They say, “a picture is worth much more than a thousand words”. When we read a story about the someone’s life experience  — it often has a lot less impact on us than seeing the emotions captured in a photograph.

To illustrate this further, here are some  of the most powerful and captivating photo’s added to Godinterest this week.

Philemon 1:4 I Thank My , Making Mention of You Always in My Prayers  as Our  Praise Is Not Predicated on What  Does, Are Praise Is Contingent on Who  Is and Since He Never Changes Our  Praise Should  Never Change.

Russian Soldier Preparing Himself for the Battle of Kursk, July 1943.  #God  #Jesus

Cardiac Surgeon After an 23 Hour (Successful) Heart Transplant.

Living on a Dollar a Day – Co.Exist

Chile’s Puyehue Volcano Erupts.

Children Crying War

 

Posted on

It’s Not Every Day We Share Images with Nudity, But These? We Think They’re Changing the World For Good

A movie about embracing our bodies has inspired a group of regional women in Geraldton to strip off and show case theirs.

The ‘Body Image Movement’ is a growing and recognised movement thanks largely to Taryn Brumfitt’s movie – ‘Embrace’.

The movie explores the social impact of body image and the epidemic of body shaming within our culture.

A group of women recently got together in Geraldton and dressed down to their underwear and posed in front of cameras in the hope to inspire and encourage others to embrace and love their bodies.

Ranging in ages and backgrounds, the group of women not only braved a cold rainy day in their underwear, but they also openly shared their stories of struggles and insecurities with their own body image.

One of the organisers of the photo shoot, Kate Tonkin said, “Even if know one sees our photos or video from today, just the conversations we’ve had among ourselves have just been amazing.

The group arranged to showcase some of the women’s stories in front of a live audience at the local cinema where the ‘Embrace’ movie was being screened.

Related stories : abc.net.au/news/2016-07-15/adelaide-documentary-maker-taryn-brumfitt-tackles-body-shaming/7633078

abc.net.au/news/2015-03-23/taryn-brumfitt-challenging-our-ideals-about-the-perfect-body/6335174

Posted on

When Images Speak Louder than Words

The pen is mightier than the sword, or so they say. We don’t know how true that is, but   we will say this: Pens are certainly a lot less intimidating. How about this next one?

A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words.

Photographs are  one of the most powerful tools of engagement online, and is rising in importance as the digital realm takes hold and more people look to online channels for browsing, shopping and socializing.  There’s something about a photograph on Godinterest, one that makes a statement or just takes your breath away with its sheer beauty. Why?

In this fast-moving world, when you have a message to convey, people hardly have time to sit down and read. But if you’re able to capture the essence of what you want to say in  a  photo, you’ll  stand a better chance of capturing your target audience.  It’s true that our attention is easily distracted  by pictures. Visuals are more effective than words literally and figuratively  as  people tend to stop and look at compelling visuals.

Studies have found  that pictures facilitate the learning process, especially when it comes to children and others who are mentally impaired. They have shown that  photo’s  are easier to remember and associate with facts and that they can both evoke and  are able to capture emotions that words cannot, no matter how cleverly they’re used.

In a #Warzone, a Crying Child in the Midst of All the Rubble Drives Home the Pointlessness of It All Much More Than the Harshest of Write-Ups. The Picture of a Little Baby  Praying Is Enough to Melt Even the Hardest of Hearts.

However, Most Often Though, It’s Not Just the Pictures Alone That Make a Point. When Combined with the Best Write-Ups, Visuals Help to Push Home the Message in the Most Powerful Way  and  That’s How They Ought  to Be Used on #godinterest

Today Is Veterans Day, the Official Holiday in the Unitd States That Honors People Who Have Served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Here Are Nine Things You Should Know About an Oft-Overlooked Group Of#veterans.  #worship #god #jesus #christianity  #wordpress #blog  #godinteresting

Depression Is a Doosey.  a Conversation I Had with a Friend the Other Day Inspired This Post. Depression Runs Rampant and It’s Peculiar That So Many People Afflicted with This Ailment Are . Why Is That?

Fierce, Determined Hands.  I Could Write for a Long Time About Grief. I Have Buried Too Many People. The Scar of Grief Was First Carved by My Parents’ Divorce. I Was Too Young to Remember, but I Know That My Father Was There…

Mercy Defined  “I Asked for Love. I Asked for Mercy. I Asked for Patience; But You’re Already All of These Things.”

 

Life of a #Wannabe . This Is How We Know Is Good; Because Even Though We Stumble and Fall and Our Sin Causes Us to Cry, God Will Take Those Tears and Build a Lake for Us to Dance On.

WAIT – Shining a Light “Don’t Team up with Those Who Are Unbelievers. How Can Righteousness Be a Partner with Wickedness? How Can Light Live with Darkness?” – 2 Corinthians 6:14 (NLT)

Big Girls Do Cry: Your Tears Are Not a Sign of Weakness.

We  want to know from you, when you write a message, share a photo, or a video online, which do your friends and colleagues respond to more? Share your response in the comments field below, and let us  know what the most memorable picture you’ve seen online is.

 

Posted on

Sin of Presumption

A cat was so faithful that the woman could leave her baby with it and go out to attend other matters.  She always returned to find the child soundly asleep with the cat faithfully watching over him.

One day something tragic happened. The woman as usual, left the baby in the “hands” of this faithful cat and went out shopping.  When she returned, she discovered rather a nasty scene and a total mess.  The baby’s cot was dismantled; his nappies and clothes torn to shreds with blood stains all over the bedroom where she left the child and the cat. Shocked, the woman wailed as she began looking for the baby.

All of a sudden, she saw the faithful cat emerging from under the bed. It was covered with blood and licking its mouth like it had just finished a delicious meal.

The woman went crazy and assumed that the cat had devoured her baby. Without much thought she beat the cat to death. But as she continued searching for the “remains” of her child, she beheld another scene. Close to the bed was the baby, who although lying bare on the floor, was safe and under the bed the body of a snake torn to pieces in what must have been a fierce battle between the snake and the cat, which was now dead.

Then reality dawned on the woman who now began to understand what took place in her absence. The cat fought to protect the baby from the ravenous snake.  It was too late for  her now to make  amends because in  her impatience and  anger, she had killed the faithful cat.

A Little Patience Can  drastically Reduce Major  life Long Mistakes.

How often have we  misjudged people and  torn them to shreds  with harsh words and  deeds before we have  had time to evaluate  the situation?  It is called  SIN OF PRESUMPTION.  Presuming things our  way without taking the  trouble to find out exactly  what the situation really is.

A little patience can  drastically reduce major  life long mistakes.

Who are you misjudging right now? Don’t think, what you think others are thinking. Take time to get to the whole truth. Please be patient with people, lest you live to regret your actions against them.

Be quick to hear, but slow to respond and become angry (James 1:19-27).

Share if you’re touched and use this article as a LESSON.

Posted on

From Personal Evangelism to Community Engagement

Godinterest  is a essential tool for evangelism and is focused on sharing the gospel message around the world through pictures. Jesus told his followers to take the Gospel to all the world.

Now, It’s Even Easier for People Around the World to Share Posts That Make Us Laugh, Teach Us Something New About God or Help Us Find out What’s Happening in the Christian World.

In Christ we are many parts, but make up one body. This is not just my story or your story. What is truly amazing is that it is our collective story. Our churches are full of small groups made up of Christ-followers who need to be shown the power of their collective story and released to be an active and engaged presence within the community.

Wherever you are in the world, be it Japan, Brazil or somewhere in between,  we hope Godinterest makes it easier for you to discover and post content  that bring us all closer to God and thereby closer to each other.

Christmas Around the World from U.S. Military Personnel Celebrating in Afghanistan to India, the Vatican, the United States and Elsewhere, People Celebrated Christmas 2013.

Soweto Gospel Chior  at  Symphony Hall  | DigBoston.  for I Am Not Ashamed of the Gospel, for It Is the Power of God for Salvation to Everyone Who Believes, to the Jew First and Also to the Greek. (Romans 1:16  English Standard Version)

We  Are So Thankful for Missionaries Who Persevere to Make a Difference in the Lives of People Who Would Not Get a Chance Any Other Way.

News and Views from the Continent of Africa from a Christian Perspective.

Mandela B&W

The Arb Lowers Its Flag to Half-Mast, to Honour the Passing of the World’s Greatest Campaigner for Freedom, Democracy and Human Values. May His Life and Achievements Continue to Inspire and Fortify Us All. Nkosi Sikelel’ IAfrika!

While there is a huge range of thoughts and images both positive and negative that comes to mind when we think of the word  evangelism, there always seems to be a common theme”¦evangelism is singular, personal.

Posted on

Knowing God and Making Him Known

What do you think of when you hear the word “evangelism”?

Maybe it brings up the image of someone walking door to door and asking if they can come in and talk to you about Jesus. It could be the image of the man on the street passing out tracts or the person shouting into a megaphone about sin and fornication on your college campus.

Godinterest Exists to Make God Known as  Making God Known Is Part of the Great Commission of Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:18-20).

God wants you to discover Him, perceive Him, see Him, and experience Him through a relationship with Him.  He wants you to know that you can trust Him  as  God’s  character is love, kindness, mercy  and faithfulness.

As we ask God to lead us, we find that He gives us all kinds of creative ways to live out His loving purpose for the world.

We invite you to ask God to show you how you can play a part in Making God Known on Godinterest.

Let’s do it in being and living, in speaking and writing, in proclamation and dialogue, in preaching and teaching, in argumentation and invitation.   We hope you will enjoy the touching  stories  of people Making God Known on Godinterest.

Scottsdale Master’s Commission is a discipleship program that is committed to the spiritual and personal development of its students. Our purpose is two fold: “TO KNOW GOD AND MAKE HIM KNOWN”

…therefore go and make disciples of all nations (Matt.28,19)

….a  magic moment for the city of God

 

Posted on

Godinterest – Behind Every Picture, There’s A Story

There’s a  story,  behind every picture, isn’t it obvious, considering that when we take pictures we want to seize that particular moment,  whether  that be a family photo or just a situation that you find interesting and intriguing.

All over the world and every day and every minute there is a photo somewhere being taken and each and every one of those photos, like the moment it captures, has a story.

The story maybe brief, or it may be long, or maybe not even known. The picture might even show its story, or hints of what it could be, but then maybe what is shown is not really true. None the less, for some reason we have taken these pictures, we show them, or hide them away, post them for others to see on Godinterest, and sometimes we wait to see what other people may say.

People often say that a picture is worth a  thousand words, it implies something, it means something, you take it as you want.

The exact phrase “A picture is worth a thousand words” for the first time appeared as an advertisement in San Antonio Light newspaper in 1918.

Never underestimate that feeling you get when you look at a photograph or a painting, hear the lyrics of a song and think “Yes. That, exactly. That is how I feel right now.”

The beauty of the  pictures is that it captures universal emotions and makes us feel a bit less alone.

There is a story behind every picture on Godinterest. Sad story, fun story. We hope you will enjoy the incredible story telling pictures we  gathered only for you.

If there’s a story behind every picture or image, the above story is PERFECT ♥ John 3:16  says for [God]  so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. King James Bible.  God’s love is very personal toward us. It doesn’t matter where we’ve been, it doesn’t matter what we’ve done, it doesn’t matter what we’ve experienced – God loves  us unconditionally.

Our  feet may never  come close to what these kids do. we’re  sure it’s a long tiring day for them collecting scrap woo.

Missions at Freedom Fellowship has the goal of seeing lives transformed by the power of Christ. Their  efforts are focused in India, Indonesia, China and Thailand.

July 4th was over 89 years before the 13th Amendment abolished slavery, however, human trafficking is still a problem in the United States and throughout the world.

Despair by Marcske Doubts

Street Healing By  Gil Burgos Ministries

Posted on

11 Ways to Share Your Faith Online with Godinterest

While Godinterest  is often referred to as a “photo sharing website,” in reality it is much more than that. In addition to posting photos, people  also  post funny images, quotes and text. And some people don’t post anything at all, they just “like” and comment on what others post.

Because of that we  think it’s more accurate and beneficial to think of Godinterest  as a social network where images are the primary medium.

Let’s talk about ways we can use Godinterest  to share our faith online. Here are 11 we  came up with:

1) Post pics of creation.  Give God all the praise.

2) Post pics of Christian community. Share the fun and love you experience at social events at church and within your small group.

3) Post pics of serving in your community. When you serve the poor, paint a house or join in a community service project or cause, take, upload and share photos.

4) Post pics from missions trips. Missions trips are especially good opportunities for great photos because they often provide the opportunity to mix in beautiful pictures of God’s  creation, culture and people from other  country’s.

5) Post quotes from scripture and Christian authors.

6) Post pics of Christian art.  Godinterest is a visual medium. Sometimes art – whether it’s paintings, stained glass, sculpture or other – speaks louder than words.

7) Post pics of the people you love & things you like.  In other words, be a real, authentic person.

8) Listen and engage with others. Remember Godinterest  is a SOCIAL network. Don’t just broadcast. Follow your friends, family and people in your community who use Godinterest. View their pics, comment  and  encourage them.

9) Mention your faith in your Godinterest  bio.

10) Post your testimony and/or a gospel presentation on the site your profile links toIn your Godinterest  profile, you have the ability to include a link to a website. You can use this to link to your blog or personal website where you can tell the story of how God has transformed your life and can transform others  as well.

11) Create a Godinterest  profile for your church.  If your a pastor or church communications person, you can create an Godinterest  account for your church and do all of the above on behalf of your church.

What do you think of the suggestions above? Any really resonate with you? Got any other ideas for using Godinterest  to share your faith online?  Your comment will post immediately. Comments that are not in keeping with our  comment policies  may be removed by editors.

Posted on

David Cameron: I am evangelical about Christian faith

Prime Minister David Cameron speaks up on the significance of the Christian faith.

Cameron  has declared himself an “evangelical” about his Christian faith as he criticised some non-believers for failing to grasp the role that religion can have in “helping people to have a moral code”.

David Cameron famously described his Christian faith as being a “bit like the reception for Magic FM in the Chilterns: it sort of comes and goes”. Yet recently, the signal appears to have been amplified. Mr Cameron has already praised the contribution that Christians make to society, referred to Jesus as “our saviour” and spoken of the “moments of greatest peace” that he has experienced attending the Eucharist. But in a new article in the Guardian he appears to go further than ever before, urging Christians to be “more evangelical” about their beliefs – to “get out there and make a difference to people’s lives”.

In his third effort this week to highlight his own strong faith, the prime minister said he wanted to see a bigger role for religion in Britain as a Christian country and urged fellow believers to be more confident in spreading their views.

It comes after several big clashes between the coalition and the church, including a  letter this week from 40 Anglican bishops and 600 church leaders calling on all political parties to tackle the causes of food poverty. Previous tensions have been caused by Cameron’s decision to introduce gay marriage, and deep cuts in welfare benefits

Here in Britain “we don’t do God”.

Those who know him say that the Prime Minister has always had a quiet but profound faith, one that helped him come to terms with the death of his eldest son. But this candour is not only new, but something of a departure for those in his position. Tony Blair was certainly a committed Christian, but was urged by Alastair Campbell to keep quiet about it on the grounds that here in Britain “we don’t do God”.

Actually, the British sometimes do “do God”.

How refreshing, then, to have a Prime Minister who is willing to talk openly about the values that motivate him. How refreshing, also, to be reminded that, actually, the British sometimes do “do God”.

We are a Christian country, whose laws, ethics, language and culture are the product of a particular religious foundation. True, church attendance may be falling (although not everywhere, as the Archbishop of Canterbury has reminded us). But polls show that there is a lingering popular desire for the transcendent and the meaning that it brings to believers’ lives. And Christians – along with Jews, Muslims and other faith groups – continue to play a large role in education and charity.

 

Posted on

Christmas 2014: Jesus Was Not Born in a Stable, Says Theologian?

It’s the story that everyone knows: Jesus was born in a barn, surrounded by farm animals and shepherds, because there was no room at the inn.

But now, a British biblical scholar is challenging the nativity tale, and insists that a closer reading of the Gospel of Luke demonstrates that Mary is more likely to have given birth from the comfort of a family’s upper room.

“I am sorry to spoil your preparations for Christmas,” wrote Reverend Ian Paul on his blog, an evangelical scholar at the University of Nottingham, “but Jesus wasn’t born in a stable, and, curiously, the New Testament hardly even hints that this might have been the case.”

This misconception hinges, he claims, on the mistranslation of the Greek word “kataluma”, which has historically been taken to mean inn.

The word is used elsewhere in the bible as a word to mean “private upper room” where Jesus and his disciples ate the Last Supper in the Gospel of Mark. Meanwhile, Luke uses another word – “pandocheion”, meaning a gathering place for travellers – to refer to an inn.

There’s a social context Rev Paul believes modern readers are missing, too.

He writes: “In the first place, it would be unthinkable that Joseph, returning to his place of ancestral origins, would not have been received by family members, even if they were not close relatives.”

Taking into account the fact that most people’s homes at the time would have had one room for family, and either a second room for guests and animals, or a space on the roof, it seems, he says, much more likely that there would have been no space in the guestroom.

“The family guest room is already full, probably with other relatives who arrived earlier,” he argues. “So Joseph and Mary must stay with the family itself, in the main room of the house, and there Mary gives birth.”

The manger aspect of the story is easily explained too. “The most natural place to lay the baby” would have been “in the straw-filled depressions at the lower end of the house where the animals are fed”, says Rev Paul.

So what does this mean for our religious understanding of the story? Some scholars, including Rev Paul, believe that the story as we have it today promotes the idea that Christ is somehow ostracised from society, rejected by his people and forced into a lowly cattleshed. Instead, he says, we should be seeing the newborn Jesus as arriving in a busy, loving and welcoming family home – and not distanced from humanity.

Original Article:  http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/history/jesus-was-not-born-in-a-stable-says-theologian-9944254.html

With almost 3 billion people online now, we have never been so connected. So as followers of Christ, now is our chance to reach out to the online mission field that is at our finger tips. At Godinterest our desire is that this generation would be bold enough to stand up and make the most of what God has placed in our hands, literally, to make sure that no person journeys through their life without hearing what Jesus has done for them.

 

 

Godinterest

Sharing the life changing Gospel message found in Jesus Christ

Skip to content ↓

 

As seen on