Christ, Our Passover Lamb

"During the Passover time, a sign hung on each lamb's neck, bearing the name of the owner of the lamb. Jesus was crucified with a sign hung over His head with the name of His Father. Studies have shown the Tetragrammaton probably appeared over Jesus when He hung on the cross. During Bible times, messages were commonly written with the first letter of each word. An example in English: UPS, stands for United Parcel Service. The phrase 'Jesus of Nazareth and King of the Jews' was written in three languages on a sign above Jesus as He hung on the cross (John 19:19). The Hebrew initials for 'Jesus of Nazareth and King of the Jews' was YHWH. That is why the priest asked Pilate to change the writing. Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews. Pilate answered, What I have written I have written (John 19: 21-22)."
(From http://www.biblicalholidays.com/Passover/messiah_in_passover.htm)


John 19

1 So then Pilate took Jesus and scourged Him. 2 And the soldiers twisted a crown of thorns and put it on His head, and they put on Him a purple robe. 3 Then they said, “Hail, King of the Jews!” And they struck Him with their hands.
4 Pilate then went out again, and said to them, “Behold, I am bringing Him out to you, that you may know that I find no fault in Him.”

5 Then Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. And Pilate said to them, “Behold the Man!”
6 Therefore, when the chief priests and officers saw Him, they cried out, saying, “Crucify Him, crucify Him!”
Pilate said to them, “You take Him and crucify Him, for I find no fault in Him.”
7 The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and according to our law He ought to die, because He made Himself the Son of God.”
8 Therefore, when Pilate heard that saying, he was the more afraid, 9 and went again into the Praetorium, and said to Jesus, “Where are You from?” But Jesus gave him no answer.
10 Then Pilate said to Him, “Are You not speaking to me? Do You not know that I have power to crucify You, and power to release You?”
11 Jesus answered, “You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above. Therefore the one who delivered Me to you has the greater sin.”
12 From then on Pilate sought to release Him, but the Jews cried out, saying, “If you let this Man go, you are not Caesar’s friend. Whoever makes himself a king speaks against Caesar.”
13 When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus out and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called The Pavement, but in Hebrew, Gabbatha. 14 Now it was the Preparation Day of the Passover, and about the sixth hour. And he said to the Jews, “Behold your King!”
15 But they cried out, “Away with Him, away with Him! Crucify Him!”
Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?”
The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar!”
16 Then he delivered Him to them to be crucified. Then they took Jesus and led Him away.

17 And He, bearing His cross, went out to a place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha, 18 where they crucified Him, and two others with Him, one on either side, and Jesus in the center. 19 Now Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross. And the writing was:

JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS.

20 Then many of the Jews read this title, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin.
21 Therefore the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but, ‘He said, “I am the King of the Jews.”’”
22 Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.”
23 Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took His garments and made four parts, to each soldier a part, and also the tunic. Now the tunic was without seam, woven from the top in one piece. 24 They said therefore among themselves, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be,” that the Scripture might be fulfilled which says:


“ They divided My garments among them,
And for My clothing they cast lots.”


Therefore the soldiers did these things.

25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!” 27 Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.

28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” 29 Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. 30 So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.

31 Therefore, because it was the Preparation Day, that the bodies should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. 32 Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who was crucified with Him. 33 But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. 34 But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. 35 And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you may believe. 36 For these things were done that the Scripture should be fulfilled, “Not one of His bones shall be broken.” 37 And again another Scripture says, “They shall look on Him whom they pierced.”

38 After this, Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took the body of Jesus. 39 And Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds. 40 Then they took the body of Jesus, and bound it in strips of linen with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury. 41 Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. 42 So there they laid Jesus, because of the Jews’ Preparation Day, for the tomb was nearby.

Family Photo Session

Today our family had our first photo session with Susan Nason of Oomph Image & Design, a photographer based in Tallapoosa, GA. We had a great time and are looking forward to seeing the results of the morning's work. I'll post some of the photos as soon as I can. Here's a small preview on Susan's blog.

Psalm 55

Painting by English artist Margaret Tarrant, 1888-1959.





Psalm 55
To the Chief Musician. With stringed instruments. A Contemplation of David.
1 Give ear to my prayer, O God,
And do not hide Yourself from my supplication.
2 Attend to me, and hear me;
I am restless in my complaint, and moan noisily,
3 Because of the voice of the enemy,
Because of the oppression of the wicked;
For they bring down trouble upon me,
And in wrath they hate me.

4 My heart is severely pained within me,
And the terrors of death have fallen upon me.
5 Fearfulness and trembling have come upon me,
And horror has overwhelmed me.
6 So I said, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove!
I would fly away and be at rest.
7 Indeed, I would wander far off,
And remain in the wilderness. Selah
8 I would hasten my escape
From the windy storm and tempest.”

9 Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues,
For I have seen violence and strife in the city.
10 Day and night they go around it on its walls;
Iniquity and trouble are also in the midst of it.
11 Destruction is in its midst;
Oppression and deceit do not depart from its streets.

12 For it is not an enemy who reproaches me;
Then I could bear it.
Nor is it one who hates me who has exalted himself against me;
Then I could hide from him.
13 But it was you, a man my equal,
My companion and my acquaintance.
14 We took sweet counsel together,
And walked to the house of God in the throng.

15 Let death seize them;
Let them go down alive into hell,
For wickedness is in their dwellings and among them.

16 As for me, I will call upon God,
And the LORD shall save me.
17 Evening and morning and at noon
I will pray, and cry aloud,
And He shall hear my voice.
18 He has redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me,
For there were many against me.
19 God will hear, and afflict them,
Even He who abides from of old. Selah
Because they do not change,
Therefore they do not fear God.

20 He has put forth his hands against those who were at peace with him;
he has broken his covenant.
21 The words of his mouth were smoother than butter,
But war was in his heart;
His words were softer than oil,
Yet they were drawn swords.

22 Cast your burden on the LORD,
And He shall sustain you;
He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.

23 But You, O God, shall bring them down to the pit of destruction;
Bloodthirsty and deceitful men shall not live out half their days;
But I will trust in You.

Praying for wisdom, patience, and help

Father in heaven, I thank you for the husband and children you have given me. I ask for your help and the constant reminder of Your presence with me through the day. Please help me to act and respond with patience, kindness, and gentleness to my children. Give me wisdom and discernment to teach and guide them; help me to think before I speak, and then to speak with love, to my husband and my children, so I can be the woman You would have me to be, and that I long to be:
25 Strength and honor are her clothing;
She shall rejoice in time to come.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom,
And on her tongue is the law of kindness.
27 She watches over the ways of her household,
And does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed;
Her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “ Many daughters have done well,
But you excel them all.”
30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,
But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands,
And let her own works praise her in the gates.
(from Proverbs 31)
Amen.

The Controlled Mother

On A Wise Woman Builds Her Home, June Fuentes had this post on 'The Controlled Mother.' I really needed this reminder because I struggle with my temper, impatience, and irritability towards my children every day, though some days are better than others. I need to remember to daily seek the Lord's help and counsel with this fault, because I can see it affecting my children and my marriage so detrimentally. Maybe writing this down will help me keep self control and gentleness in mind and remember to seek help minute by minute from my Savior. Here goes....

The Council of Nicea revisited in our time

Here is an article by Dr. Gavin Finley of End Time Pilgrim about the past Church-State compromises as a warning to the present-day church against trusting in the State as our protector. Christ is the church's husband and protector, and whenever she looks to another she is being unfaithful to Him, her Savior and betrothed Bridegroom. He warns that, as God teaches us in the books of prophecy, there will be a falling away of the church, and the church will be expected to compromise by bowing to the world government and becoming one with false religions of the world. This is the picture of the woman riding the beast in Revelation. She is shown as being drunk with the blood of the saints of God. We as christians must flee to Christ and His word alone as our refuge in these end times.

The Lord Governs The Nations

Here is a timely message by my husband, Eddie Snipes, from his website, exchangedlife.com: The Lord Governs the Nations.

The promise...that they should not be made perfect apart from us

Hebrews 11
By Faith We Understand
1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.3 By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.
Faith at the Dawn of History
4 By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks. 5 By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him”; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. 6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. 7 By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.
Faithful Abraham
8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; 10 for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. 11 By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude—innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore.
The Heavenly Hope
13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. 15 And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.
The Faith of the Patriarchs
17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, 18 of whom it was said, “In Isaac your seed shall be called,” 19 concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense. 20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. 21 By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. 22 By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel, and gave instructions concerning his bones.
The Faith of Moses
23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s command. 24 By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, 26 esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward. 27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible. 28 By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them. 29 By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned.
By Faith They Overcame
30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days. 31 By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace. 32 And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: 33 who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. 35 Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. 36 Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented— 38 of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. 39 And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, 40 God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.

Message to the Laodicean church from David Wilkerson

Here is a message by David Wilkerson about the end-times lukewarm Laodicean church. It is interesting that towards the end of the message he compares the Dominionist mindset of today's church with the Roman church of the past. It is the same mindset, saying God's kingdom is of this world, and rules in this world now.

Is the Black Sea flood the Genesis flood?

Here is an article about a study done on a past flood in the Black Sea that tries to equate this small flood with Noah's flood described in the old testament. Here is a rebuttal article by Answers In Genesis that explains that the Black Sea flood is a separate local flood that cannot be equated with the Genesis flood.
Also see the articles linked in the Answers article for further information.

An urgent message on end-times desertion!

Here is a wonderful article from End Time Pilgrim, the website of Dr. Gavin Finley. He writes to encourage and exhort Christians in these end times not to believe in the false pre-tibulation rapture teachings that strip us of the courage to be faithful to the end and make us willing to 'desert the ship' when our witness is needed the most. Don't give up the ship!

Just for Catholics

I have lately been very interested in the Roman Catholic church and how it differs from biblical christianity, as well as looking at how the protestant church developed and the history of biblical christianity as it interacted and reacted to Roman Catholic doctrines.
I found this great website called Just for Catholics which was started by a former Roman Catholic man who lives in Malta. He has so much good information from the Bible giving answers about many Roman Catholic doctrines and practices. Especially good is the Answers page with links to many subjects he has written on. Please check it out if you have questions this subject.

Tower of Babel

The Roman Catholic church* is another historical repetition of the tower of Babel. This was a metaphor used by the reformers for the Roman Catholic church.

The Lord intended that the believers scatter and form local bodies and spread over the earth, not form a central hierarchy and institution that would rule over men and nations.

Just as the Lord scattered the peoples at Babel, He scattered the believers by persecution, and also by dissent against the 'tower' built by the Roman church. That is why there are so many 'schisms'** as the Catholics call them: in reaction against Rome and in obedience to the Lord.

Here are some interesting articles about unity among denominations:

http://www.justforcatholics.org/a86.htm

http://www.justforcatholics.org/a87.htm

http://www.justforcatholics.org/a10.htm

*By church, I mean the hierarchy or magisterium, which is the catholic understanding, as opposed to the protestant understanding of the church as the people of God.

**Some schisms, denominations, or sects are not biblical, but many are.

Answers in Genesis: Why Did God Make Viruses?

Here is an interesting article from answersingenesis.org about the purpose of viruses in creation. I had never heard before that viruses are actually mostly beneficial mechanisms, just as most bacteria are. The article reminds us of the fact that God in His infinite wisdom and foreknowledge designed everything to work according to His plan. It also brings out that evolutionists are constantly missing opportunities to discover amazing things because they start from a false premise and are so busy trying to prove their false idea that they always miss the the goodness that is right in front of them.

I'm too dumb to be a Calvinist

I've come to the conclusion that I'm too dumb to read Calvin. I tried to read the document mentioned in my earlier post, called 'Calvins Calvinism,' but I couldn't get into it. I love to read informative books and articles from earlier times and normally enjoy the more detailed and precise language of those times, but this was not interesting to me, and the fact that Calvin kept referring to some other men who he called various derogatory names because they had the 'audacity' to believe in the free will of man was very annoying to me. The Bible teaches the free will of man along with the sovereignty of God, and as Spurgeon said:

“That God predestines, and that man is responsible, are two things that few can see. They are believed to be inconsistent and contradictory; but they are not. It is just the fault of our weak judgment. Two truths cannot be contradictory to each other. If, then, I find taught in one place that everything is fore-ordained, that is true; and if I find in another place that man is responsible for all his actions, that is true; and it is my folly that leads me to imagine that two truths can ever contradict each other. THESE TWO TRUTHS, I DO NOT BELIEVE, CAN EVER BE WELDED INTO ONE UPON ANY HUMAN ANVIL, but one they shall be in eternity: they are two lines that are so nearly parallel, that the mind that shall pursue them farthest, will never discover that they converge; but they do converge, and they will meet somewhere in eternity, close to the throne of God, whence all truth doth spring” (Charles Spurgeon, New Park Street Pulpit, Vol. 4, 1858, p. 337).
Following are some links from wayoflife.org that speak about Calvinism:
http://www.wayoflife.org/database/calvinscamels.html
http://www.wayoflife.org/database/calvinismprooftext.html
http://www.wayoflife.org/database/page22/page22.html
http://www.wayoflife.org/database/calvinismdebate.html
http://www.wayoflife.org/database/hypercalvinism.html

I think David Cloud's biblical view on the subject of Calvinism is the most sensible I have heard.
No, I'm not too dumb, but I do believe the Gospel is simple to understand and shouldn't require a high level degree and years of study to understand, and any system of belief that makes people proud and hateful towards others who don't agree with them is not the gospel.
Just to clarify, as David Cloud says in response to James White's desire to debate him on Calvinism vs. Arminianism: I am not a Calvinist, nor am I an Arminian; I'm a Biblicist.

CORRECTION: A reader has pointed out to me that I misunderstood Spurgeon's statement about man's responsibility and God's sovereignty, taking 'man's responsibility' to equal 'free will'. I did later realize my mistake but it never occurred to me to go back and correct it. Thanks 'Anonymous' for bringing that up :) Anyway, about 'free will' and God's sovereignty, I do believe "that the mind that shall pursue them farthest, will never discover that they converge; but they do converge, and they will meet somewhere in eternity, close to the throne of God, whence all truth doth spring". I believe our free will is subject to God, but that only He understands where the line is between them.

Christ the Savior is Born!

Luke 2
1 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. 6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 14 “ Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.

Must read Warren Smith's 'Reinventing Jesus Christ'

Here is a very important book called 'Reinventing Jesus Christ: The New Gospel' by Warren Smith that every Christian should read. Warren Smith is a former new ager who was converted to Jesus Christ and is warning people of the 'new gospel' proposed by the new age movement, via their new 'Christ' whom they call Maitreya. It is a very eye-opening book, exposing the shocking plans of the 'new gospel' evangelists and showing the prominent church leaders who have become part of this end-times delusion that was prophesied in God's Word. Please click on the blue book in the right margin of the page after you click on the link above.
In a related article, here is a commenatry by Paul Proctor speaking on the same subject.
These are urgent warnings that true Christians should prepare themselves for persecution and take care, as Jesus warned, not to be deceived by false christs (see Matthew 24).

It's fun making homemade hand salve

This week I made homemade hand salve using expeller expressed virgin coconut oil, beeswax, essential oils, and wheat germ oil. It was very easy and fun. I also ordered some cute metal tins (8 oz.) to put the salve in.


I made 5 cups at a time, using tangerine essential oil for the first batch and lavender essential oil for the second batch.


All I did was melt 4 cups of coconut oil (it's solid in cold weather) on medium low heat and then add 1 cup of beeswax pearls. You can adjust the amount of beeswax if you like it more solid. The more beeswax you add the more solid the salve will be. I had to raise the heat a little until the beeswax melted. Then I took the pot off the heat and added a tablespoon of wheat germ oil (for the vitamin e) and about an ounce of the essential oil. I let it cool for just a few minutes and then used a small ladle to spoon the oil into the tins. It hardened and turned opaque as it cooled. Then I put the lids on and later made some nice labels for them. They will be used for Christmas gifts. My daughters and I couldn't wait till Christmas to use ours, so we each got a tin and tried it! It is very good for chapped hands and dry feet.
Pictures coming soon!

Medicinal Herb Course on sale at TNfarmgirl!

Are you interested in learning about how to make your own herbal remedies? I've been wanting to for quite a while, so when I saw that TNfarmgirl has her medicinal herb course on sale until December 31 for only $15 dollars (that's $10 off the website price) I jumped on it! She will also answer email questions through the end of February (usually it's 30 days from the purchase date) so you can get lots of help for over two months if you sign up now! She also has lots of great-looking soaps and shampoo bars which I've been wanting to try; I ordered several for Christmas gifts.

Did John Calvin 'consent unto the death' of Michael Servetus?

Here is an article I read about John Calvin today. I had been told several years ago that John Calvin had a heretic put to death. I, not being a Calvinist and not knowing anything about him except by hearsay, did not have any reason to think this wasn't true and did not investigate it, though it always bothered me that someone who was supposed to be a reformer would be a persecutor.
I had started reading 'Calvin's Calvinism' here, and a reference to the incident caused me to look up more information on the subject. I found the above article that explains another side of what happened between John Calvin and Michael Servetus, who is the man Calvin supposedly persecuted.
I always have wondered what Calvin really taught; if he would recognize the doctrines that are attributed to him today. I have never read any of his writings, so when I finish the translated documents mentioned above, I'll let you know what I think.