Jul 27 2009
About
You may notice that everything on here is signed ‘Polycarp’. No, I am not the Second Century Bishop of Smyrna, just a humble public servant who would rather not have my name googled, my real name that is; however, there comes a time when you have to move past that. My name is Joel, and I am a believer, a follower, a father, and a blogger, it seems. My family and I belong to the greater Church of Jesus Christ, but for many reasons, namely that I do not appreciate the absolute control over everything which some deem as the eleventh commandment, this blog is mine, and mine alone. I am solely responsible for it – its content, it’s upkeep (both financial and technological) and it’s future.
For no one can lay any other foundation than the one we already have–Jesus Christ. Now anyone who builds on that foundation may use gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. But there is going to come a time of testing at the judgment day to see what kind of work each builder has done. Everyone’s work will be put through the fire to see whether or not it keeps its value. If the work survives the fire, that builder will receive a reward. But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builders themselves will be saved, but like someone escaping through a wall of flames. (1 Corinthians 3:11-15 NLT)
This blog started as a small and feeble attempt to rid myself of words and thoughts that needed expressed. It was my feeble attempt to do something for the Kingdom of God. It has grown beyond my original intentions. I will focus on doctrine, on helps, and of course on bringing you news that interest me. I like to study. I like to know. Further, I like to know why and what I study and what and why you study what, well, you study. I want to learn more about what I believe, and why I believe it; if I find that my beliefs need to be changed, I will change it.
It relieves stress – believe it or not. Whereas I forced my wife to listen to me prattle own about theology, now, I get to share it with the world.
I enjoy a good debate and will often post things just for discussion. The one thing that I do not like is debating with the witless. Please do not come to a discussion with some special insight or revelation. I seek to engage atheists, agnostics, pentecostals, or any one really. Do not spam my comments to promote your site. That will not be allowed. More of that in the comment policy.
I am blogging to understand my faith and to defend the Faith. I enjoy deep theology, believing that if a theological precept cannot be proved by the Scriptures, it must be abandoned forthwith.
I am not a oneness pentecostal. Nor am I a Mormon (which you should be able to tell first and foremost by the exclusion of any mention of Joseph Smith and of course of the absence of ‘Latter Day Saints’). And I am not the Church of Christ. People assume these things all the time which bewilders me.
Please feel free to join in the conversation.
For the doctrine go here. For Archives by month and Category, go here, and for the sitemap, here.
******Comment Policy******
Generally, all comments will be allowed. Comments featuring vulgar speech/words will not be. Links to sites deemed vulgar will be de-linked. Sites to other denominations, etc… will not be touched. You have the right to remain anonymous, as I am not threatened by the unknown.
If you want to leave general comments, please go to the Discussion page.
If you an non-English speaking/writing visitor, and you wish to leave your comment, please feel free to do so. I will do my best to have it translated.
Si vous un visiteur non-anglophone/écriture, et vous souhaitez laisser votre commentaire, sentez-vous svp libre pour faire ainsi. Je ferai mon meilleur pour le faire traduire.
Se voi un ospite scrittura/non di lingua inglese e voi desiderano lasciare il vostro commento, ritenga prego libero di agire in tal modo. Farò il mio meglio per farlo tradurre.
英語を話さないまたは執筆訪問者、およびあなたあなたのコメントを残したかったらそうすること自由に感じなさい。 私はそれを翻訳してもらうように全力を尽くす。
Εάν εσείς ο μιλώντας/γράφοντας επισκέπτης ενός μη-Άγγλου, και εσείς επιθυμεί να αφήσει το σχόλιό σας, παρακαλώ να αισθανθεί ελεύθερο να κάνει έτσι. Θα κάνω το καλύτερό μου να το μεταφράσω.
如果您非英文或文字访客和您希望留下您的评论，请如此做。 我将做我的最好安排它被翻译。
Si usted un visitante no hispanohablante/de la escritura, y usted desean dejar su comentario, sienta por favor libre de hacer tan. Haré mi mejor para hacerlo traducir.
Wenn Sie ein nicht-Englisch sprechender/Schreibensbesucher und Sie Ihre Anmerkung lassen möchten, fühlen Sie bitte sich frei, so zu tun. Ich tue mein Bestes, um es übersetzen zu lassen.
Если вы non-Английский визитер говорить/сочинительства, и вы желаете выйти ваш комментарий, то пожалуйста чувствуйте свободно сделать так. Я сделаю мое самое лучшее для того чтобы иметь его быть переведенным.
September 7th, 2009 11:46 pm
[...] 8, 2009 by robgreid Special thanks to the blogger here (I’m not sure who because they don’t say) who gave me a shout out and interestingly [...]
September 17th, 2009 11:37 am
you are the church of christ? wrooooooooooooooooooooooooong! you are confused, and self-righteous!
September 18th, 2009 10:29 am
o.k.! what excatly are your beliefs? and do you believe jesus is the only way to get salvation?
September 18th, 2009 11:03 am
sorry for rushing to judgement! i didnt understand you! i looked at the doctrine, and it seems preety sound! god bless!
November 26th, 2009 9:57 pm
Joel,
Hi. I am a memeber of the Church of Jesus Christ in my area. I’ve sent you an email with some doctrinal questions.
Randy
November 26th, 2009 10:04 pm
Randy, I fixed the email addy. Sorry about that. I’ll go ahead and email you, however.
November 26th, 2009 9:58 pm
The email I sent came back as not deliverable. So I will post the questions here.
Joel,
Hi. You have an impressive blog here. I am Oneness Pentecostal (I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ in my area) and I have a few questions for you. You mentioned that you’re not Oneness Pentecostal. From what I can tell from your doctrine page, you hold a Oneness view. Here is, in very simplistic terms, the basic Oneness Pentecostal doctrine:
There is one God.
The one God of the OT was manifest in flesh to become our savior.
Jesus is both God and man. As God, he is the one God. As man, he is the Son of God.
Salvation is to repent, be baptized in Jesus name, and be filled with the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in tongues.
We must live a holy life.
The Bible is the Word of God.
You can see more about what I believe on my site, but this is the basics.
Do you agree with these doctrines? You can email me if you’d rather not discuss it here (use the contact page on my site). If these are your doctrines I will place a link on my site. Fill free to delete or edit this post if you’d rather not discuss these doctrines here.
Randy
February 2nd, 2010 12:48 pm
I know that my husband Christian enjoys your blog. You have an interesting take on things. Keep writing.
February 2nd, 2010 1:02 pm
Thanks, Charlotte! That means a great deal.
September 17th, 2009 12:52 pm
Wow,Timothy. Thank you so much for this well thought out rebuttal, as I am sure that this is Spirit filled.
BTW, I am not wrong, self-righteous, or the Church of Christ.
Next!
September 18th, 2009 9:51 am
if i was rude, i am sorry! what it sounds like to me, correct me if im wrong, is you are saying you alone are the church of christ. all believers are the church. not just you! and your blog, yours and yours alone! you certaintly have that right, but anything you are doing using jesus name,should not be just yours! the bible says, if anybody seeks to be first,he will be called least in the kingdom of God! take care and have a good day!
September 18th, 2009 9:58 am
Wow, Timothy, rude, wrong, and completely able to grasp the sum of my believes from a few paragraphs – none of which I have alluded to anything that you accuse me of.
Actually, this is my blog – and mine alone. I take full responsibility of it, and if you don’t like it, don’t participate. Others who do, and who have, know full well my beliefs in sharing the work. It’s a shame you judge so easily based on nothing, and can provide no scriptural support for yourself in doing so.
September 18th, 2009 10:34 am
Timothy, my blog is open for all. If you found the About page, you can find the Doctrine page.
September 18th, 2009 1:20 pm
Timothy, you might come off better if you didn’t judge period. I welcome you to say around, and participate, and if you feel like you can add a post here or there, email me. I am always looking for guest bloggers.