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-[[http://www.jesusnetwork.eu/de/jn_de_2019_01_09|Deutsche Version]] [[Start|| Wiki Start]] [[topics_collection_ix|| Theme Collection ix ]]
+[[http://www.jesusnetwork.eu/de/jn_de_2019_01_08|Deutsche Version]] [[Start|| Wiki Start]] [[topics_collection_ix|| Theme Collection ix ]]
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-====== Pillar of the Truth ... ======
+====== How many Gods are there? II ... ======
-Wednesday, Jan 9, 2019. We have quite some discussion today about truth in our political
+Tuesday, Jan 8, 2019. How many Gods are there? We have started to discuss this question yesterday,
-world. What is the truth about reality? What is the truth about conflicts and wars?
+pointing to different people believing in no God at all, one unique God, or many Gods and powers and spirits
-What is the truth about particular opinions? It is heavily debated - up to a suppression
+on the planet. But what did Jesus teach? What is the genuine Christian viewpoint? We also should
-of the truth in states without free press. But even in states where you have free
+discuss the question why we come to the conclusion and believe we have.
-expression of opinion, today the debate about what is has become quite difficult.
-{{2019:2019_01_09.jpg }}
+{{2019:2019_01_08.jpg }}
-**  ... **
+** Teaching of Jesus ... **
-The situation is not new. It has been like this since the beginning of mankind. When
+Jesus clearly was part of the Jewish believe, that there is one God, the creator, the beginning
-we look into the situation of the New Testament, we also find the discussion about
+and the end, center, ultimate goal and maintainer of all what is. Jesus believed in a personal
-the truth present in letters and gospels. And indeed, it is truth which is in the
+God. He talked to God in prayer. He trusted God. He loved God.
-core of Christian believe, the whole discussion is quite important! Paul writes in
-his letter to Timothy:
-<color #aa0000>
+There is more to say about Jesus and God. The Old Testament starts with God and his creation, but then
-I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, 15 if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. 16 Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.
+talks about God walking and living with people of faith. Prominent examples are Abraham, Isaac and
-</color>(1 Tim 3, 14ff)
+Jacob, but also Noah, Moses, David, Solomon and the prophets Jeremia, Isaiah and Ezechiel. It is a
+fascinating and very meaningful history, recorded in the books of the Old Testament.
-There are several points which excite me when I read it, which talk to me right away.
+Then Jesus is born as the special child which is announced in so many books of the Old Testament. God
-First, Paul writes about how one ought to behave in the household of God. Who is the
+is coming to visit his people. God becomes human. And indeed, Jesus talked about God as his father.
-household of God? It is you and me, who believe in Jesus. It is the groups of people,
+He talks about God being in him, and he being in God. We hear about a far reaching unity of the father
-who believe. The church in its main core is not an institution, but it is the living
+and the son and the holy spirit. The story of the New Testament is not just about a distinct creator,
-body of those who believe in Jesus. Of course, the church is also an institution - we
+but it is about God being a loving father, being the son, who is crucified at the cross for the
-need structure. The New Testament gives us structure for the church, very flexible
+sin of the world. It is about the holy spirit, to build deep and eternal community.
-stucture and principles indeed! But the main point is that we, as believers, are
-the household of God and this should be reflected in our lifestyle.
-{{ 2019:2019_01_09_2.jpg}}
+The New Testament talks about salvation a lot. What is it that needs to be saved? Humans need to be
+saved from being lost. Humans need to be saved from the big alienation - they have lost contact to
+God. The biblical word for this is "sin", another word for a big ditch or trench.
+{{ 2019:2019_01_08_2.jpg}}
-** Mystery of Godliness ...**
+** Getting to know God ...**
-Second,
+How can you come to any conclusions about God? Is God there, the one God, the creator? Or is there
+no God at all, or perhaps many Gods? Who is God, the loving father, the son, the spirit? Perhaps God
+is just the universe itself, the large void behind the appearances, as the eastern philosophies
+teach us?
+The bible teaches that you can get to know God. This is the teaching of Jesus himself, and of the
+prophets of the Old Testament. You can pray to God. He is a living God, the ultimate love and truth
+and companion. He is. The answer which the bible give to any one who seeks to explore the truth
+is: search and you will find. Jesus promises that everyone who sincerely wants to know, will get
+to know. He or she just has to ask, just has to search!
+Indeed, if you start to study the biblical books, you find great treasures here. If you start to attend
+some lively Christian church - and there are so many, from roman catholic to protestant, from free
+evangelical to pentacostal and charismatic - you find the holy spirit in the community of believers.
+Go and find your place! Go and find the Lord, the eternal creator.
+God wants us to invite him into our life. He can stay out - we are given our life time. But he can
+also come in, and we live with him, get to know him and learn from him. It is a highly fascinating
+journey, to live with the living God, father, son and holy spirit.
 (Roland Potthast)
 [[http://www.jesusnetwork.eu/en/topics_collection_ix|... further texts]]