Bücher veröffentlicht von Lighthouse Publishing

Is the earth really just 6,000 years old, as many conservative Christians believe? Or is it really 4,500,000,000 years old, as the vast majority of scientists believe? It is a big difference. Almost a million times different! The purpose of this book is to assist pastors and other church leaders who may lack appropriate scientific qualifications to deal with that important question. The book is short and uses a Question/Discussion format to help readers think for themselves. Its balanced approach which appreciates both Biblical and scientific knowledge helps the reader see that the Genesis account is not speaking about a recent creation at all.

Whatever noxious vapors, accordingly, exhaled from philosophy, obscure the clear and wholesome atmosphere of truth, it will be for Christians to clear away, both by shattering to pieces the arguments which are drawn from the principles of things-I mean those of the philosophers-and by opposing to them the maxims of heavenly wisdom-that is, such as are revealed by the Lord; in order that both the pitfalls wherewith philosophy captivates the heathen may be removed, and the means employed by heresy to shake the faith of Christians may be repressed. We have already decided one point in our controversy with Hermogenes, as we said at the beginning of this treatise, when we claimed the soul to be formed by the breathing of God, and not out of matter. We relied even there on the clear direction of the inspired statement which informs us how that "the Lord God breathed on man's face the breath of life, so that man became a living soul"-by that inspiration of God, of course. On this point, therefore, nothing further need be investigated or advanced by us. It has its own treatise, and its own heretic. I shall regard it as my introduction to the other branches of the subject. -Tertullian

Modesty, the flower of manners, the honor of our bodies, the grace of the sexes, the integrity of the blood, the guarantee of our race, the basis of sanctity, the pre-indication of every good disposition; rare though it is, and not easily perfected, and scarce ever retained in perpetuity, will yet up to a certain point linger in the world, if nature shall have laid the preliminary groundwork of it, discipline persuaded to it, censorial rigor curbed its excesses-on the hypothesis, that is, that every mental good quality is the result either of birth, or else of training, or else of external compulsion. But as the conquering power of things evil is on the increase-which is the characteristic of the last times-things good are now not allowed either to be born, so corrupted are the seminal principles; or to be trained, so deserted are studies; nor to be enforced, so disarmed are the laws. In fact, (the modesty) of which we are now beginning (to treat) is by this time grown so obsolete, that it is not the abjuration but the moderation of the appetites which modesty is believed to be; and he is held to be chaste enough who has not been too chaste. But let the world's modesty see to itself, together with the world itself: together with its inherent nature, if it was wont to originate in birth; its study, if in training; its servitude, if in compulsion: except that it had been even more unhappy if it had remained only to prove fruitless, in that it had not been in God's household that its activities had been exercised.

The principal crime of the human race, the highest guilt charged upon the world, the whole procuring cause of judgment, is idolatry. For, although each single fault retains its own proper feature, although it is destined to judgment under its own proper name also, yet it is marked off under the general account of idolatry. Set aside names, examine works, the idolater is likewise a murderer. Do you inquire whom he has slain? If it contributes ought to the aggravation of the indictment, no stranger nor personal enemy, but his own self. By what snares? Those of his error. By what weapon? The offense done to God. By how many blows? As many as are his idolatries. He who affirms that the idolater perishes not, will affirm that the idolater has not committed murder. Further, you may recognize in the same crime adultery and fornication; for he who serves false gods is doubtless an adulterer of truth, because all falsehood is adultery. So, too, he is sunk in fornication. For who that is a fellow-worker with unclean spirits, does not stalk in general pollution and fornication? And thus it is that the Holy Scriptures use the designation of fornication in their upbraiding of idolatry. The essence of fraud, I take it, is, that any should seize what is another's, or refuse to another his due; and, of course, fraud done toward man is a name of greatest crime. Well, but idolatry does fraud to God, by refusing to Him, and conferring on others, His honors; so that to fraud it also conjoins contumely. But if fraud, just as much as fornication and adultery, entails death, then, in these cases, equally with the former, idolatry stands unacquitted of the impeachment of murder. - Quintus Septimius Florens Tertullianus (Tertullian)

Earthquakes are occurring in diverse places, famine is surfacing in new world regions, nations rage against nations and lawlessness abounds worldwide. As the planet hastens toward the end of this age, on the horizon is the establishment of a new kingdom where the solution to the human problem of its inability to govern itself, will be instituted. The new kingdom, the fifth and final kingdom will come, but what happens in the period prior.   Between the covers of Kingdom Planet read about the extraordinary events that surface within the functions of a major worldwide chemical corporation. The diabolical plot of the firm that is actually run by Satan’s soldiers, will astound and challenge your thinking regarding workplace realities. How the plot impacts the coming new kingdom and the discovery by one man about his own faith shortfalls will draw you into the adventures as the resolution of the enigma “P.T.D.T.Y.” plays out.

Young J.R. has become highly skilled at one of the world’s oldest trades - printing - but what he desires to print is far from Gutenberg’s Bible. With the help of a smart and lovely accomplice, J. R. creates outstanding duplicates of the US twenty dollar bill and it is real touch-and-feel money, not just digits on a computer screen. Much superior to what a digital copier can do, his high-tech printing press duplicates can pass all the conventional checks done at any cash register. His small-time operation is foolproof and exciting as they exchange his money for genuine currency. The pair go unnoticed as they carefully pass it together one bill at a time with no violence and no harm done to anyone on their cross country romantic spending sprees. While they quickly accumulate bundles of genuine currency, J.R. battles his conscience and his ego until it reaches a momentous breaking point…  In Dog We Trust – The Big Collapse chronicles the tripping dominoes that start with a loss of confidence in the foundation of the American economy -faith in cold hard cash - and ends up with a third-world type of survival of the fittest; a survival existence that uses gasoline, guns and gold for currency.  What emerges is a sobering snapshot of a hi-tech society that is violently thrust backwards to confront its downward spiral all the way from the leaders at the top to the small-town folks struggling to keep a lid on their American Dream.

Many Bible study guides lead you to an initial emotional response to a text, but don't really get at the deeper details of the Bible. Academic studies ask the difficult intellectual questions, but too often fail to ask how these texts relate to your life. This study combines both ways of looking at the Bible. As a professor and pastor, Wes Bergen is able to look at the stories of Jesus' death spiritually and intellectually. Each chapter begins by connecting you to the gospels in a personal way. It then goes on to ask the kinds of questions that stimulate the mind to explore new ideas. The chapters conclude by bringing the two kinds of study together, as the best kind of study always does.

In Mathew 28:19-20 Jesus commands us to go and teach all nations "to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you." One definition of "observe" (Webster) is to "conform one's actions to or to comply with". One might interpret that to mean that we are to go out and teach people to "do whatever it is that He commands" or, in effect, to "follow His will" And surely if God intends for you do something for Him He will equip you with the talents necessary to accomplish it. And so it would seem that the first clue to a life full of meaning and purpose, to a life of joy and accomplishment, would lie in the special talents that He gave you. After that, His direction should be recognizable by the things that bring you happiness -- if you are following His will He will fill you with that joy and satisfaction. At least the first half of my life seems to have followed that path rather clearly. Very early I began to recognize certain special talents and capabilities, then He urged me along the way and strongly supported me when I was truly doing what it was He wanted me to do. And for me that early objective seemed to be, as a "rocket scientist", to save the life of Neal Armstrong on the moon. The overall (wonderful) personal result -- a life full of meaning and purpose, of joy and accomplishment beyond my wildest dreams.

Socrates, Einstein, and Jesus of Nazareth all tell us something about ourselves and our world. We all find ourselves in the mysterious process of living a human life. Does it have meaning or is it just a bit of empty cosmic drama? Can we merely say on our deathbeds, “Now that was interesting; I wonder what it was all about?” Perhaps a profound adventure and a deep purpose and direction can be found in it. Socrates said that the unexamined life is not worth living. Albert Einstein said that believing our world happened by chance is like saying an unabridged dictionary could result from an explosion in a print shop. Jesus of Nazareth said that this life is merely a preparation stage for another life based on how we live this one.  Enough mystery surrounds life for us to take seriously the question, “Why are we?” Challenged by the wonder of our very own existence, we seem to be only being polite to Whoever we came from to spend a little time trying to answer the question. Socrates would applaud us. Einstein would say, “Good question, but not in my field.” Jesus of Nazareth said, “I come that you might have life, and have it in abundance.” This little book tries to find the meaning of abundant life.

An avalanche slammed Alyce Gross into a new reality on December 14, 2008, when it killed her daughter. In this nonfiction work, Alyce climbs from the lowest pit to an eleven thousand foot tombstone. Two parts show the dark depths of Sheol compared to the brilliant light shared by her agape filled daughter.   Her hope is to inspire the reader to stay in communion with God while facing death and grief. She explains what gave and continues to give her comfort, and she boldly shares her struggle with prayer, faith, and doubt.   The second and longest volume is about the deceased daughter, Heather, as told through letters, emails, and Facebook comments from friends showing her unusual capacity for love. A good portion is written by Heather in a small amount of childhood poetry and pros as well as her many entertaining travel emails as an adventurous young adult. A dark side is also shared through some of Heather’s journal entries. Her death, at age twenty-seven was extraordinary and is covered by news articles and reports. Although her challenging life was short, her mother’s hope is that Heather’s example will last long, spread far and wide, and continue to motivate others to live life abundantly as God intended.

Dystopian novels typically depict a nightmarish society in a science fictional, futuristic setting. Prole Nation depicts a nightmare world but not one in the distant future or one requiring great stretches of the imagination. RC Murray's novel depicts today's world from a Christian perspective. Prole Nation takes place just prior to the 2020 elections. It's a time of natural and man-made disasters on a biblical scale. It's a time when economic collapse has created a desperate people whose lives are controlled by its socialist government. It's a time when Big Brother is attempting to crush all remaining opposition through repressive legislation like the Patriot Act, NCIS Improvement Act (a.k.a., Veterans Disarmament Act) and Hate Crimes Protection Act. "Tea partiers will love this book. A skillful combination of fact and fiction, this is a real page-turner. The setting is America a year down the road - an America beset by natural disasters and a vicious police state. The hero is a deputy sheriff who spends most of his time and effort defending citizens from federal agents. He is also a Christian, which makes him an enemy of the New World Order. Altogether an exciting and entertaining read (especially when the feds get theirs)." L.J. House, Washington "Prole Nation is a man's book. Even better, it's a Christian man's book. Every Christian man who is not content to sit on a padded pew and be entertained each Sunday should read Prole Nation….Women [however] should understand this book has some accurate descriptions of what happens when a bullet hits a human. Those scenes are important and infrequent. Tender-hearted readers will cry during the sad parts much more than shutter at the few incidents of violence. Prole Nation leaves Left Behind behind. No one knows exactly how end times events will transpire, but Murray provides a believable description of what everyone living in the next few years will experience…It will be difficult to read this book and not be moved to protect America's children as biblical predictions of world events occur right before our eyes." Karl Priest, West Virginia RC Murray is a disabled vet, former paratrooper and English teacher. He is the author of Golden Knights: History of the U.S. Army Parachute Team and Legally STUPiD: Why Johnny doesn't have to read.

The Apology (Latin: Apologeticum or Apologeticus) is Tertullian's most famous work, consisting of apologetic and polemic; In this book Tertullian defends the Christian Church, demanding legal toleration and that Christians be treated as all other sects or religions of the Roman Empire. It is in this treatise that one finds the phrase: "the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church".

The treatise of Origen Against Celsus is, of all his works, the most interesting to the modern reader. It is a defense of Christianity in opposition to a Greek philosopher named Celsus, who had attacked it in a work entitled, The True Word, or The True Discourse. Of this work we know nothing, except from the quotations contained in the Origen Against Celsus answer given to it by Origen. Nor has anything very certain been ascertained respecting its author. According to Origen, he was a follower of Epicures, but others have regarded him as a Platonist. If we may judge of the work by those specimens of it presented in the reply of Origen, it was little better than a compound of sophistry and slander. But there is reason to be grateful for it, as having called forth the admirable answer of Origen. This work was written in the old age of our author, and is composed with great care; while it abounds with proofs of the widest erudition. It is also perfectly orthodox; and, as Bishop Bull has remarked, it is only fair that we should judge from a work written with the view of being considered by the world at large, and with the most elaborate care, as to the mature and finally accepted views of the author.  His great apologetical work was the treatise undertaken at the special request of his friend Ambrosius, in answer to the attack of the heathen philosopher Celsus on the Christian religion, in a work which he entitled A True Discourse. Origen states that he had heard that there were two individuals of this name, both of them Epicureans, the earlier of the two having lived in the time of Nero, and the other in the time of Adrian, or later. Redepenning is of opinion that Celsus must have composed his work in the time of Marcus Aurelius (161–180 a.d.), on account of his supposed mention of the Marcionites (whose leader did not make his appearance at Rome before 142 a.d.), and of the Marcellians (followers of the Carpocratian Marcellina), a sect which was founded after the year 155 a.d. under Bishop Anicetus. Origen believed his opponent to be an Epicurean, but to have adopted other doctrines than those of Epicurus, because he thought that by so doing he could assail Christianity to greater advantage. The work which Origen composed in answer to the so-styled True Discourse consists of eight books, and belongs to the latest years of his life. It has always been regarded as the great apologetic work of antiquity; and no one can peruse it without being struck by the multifarious reading, wonderful acuteness, and rare subtlety of mind which it displays. But the rule which Origen prescribed to himself, of not allowing a single objection of his opponent to remain unanswered, leads him into a minuteness of detail, and into numerous repetitions, which fatigue the reader, and detract from the interest and unity of the work. He himself confesses that he began it on one plan, and carried it out on another. No doubt, had he lived to re-write and condense it, it would have been more worthy of his reputation. But with all its defects, it is a great work, and well deserves the notice of the students of Apologetics. The table of contents subjoined to the translation will convey a better idea of its nature than any description which our limits would permit us to give.

De Principiis, which contains Origen’s views on various questions of systematic theology. The work has come down to us in the Latin translation of his admirer Rufinus; but, from a comparison of the few fragments of the original Greek which have been preserved, we see that Rufinus was justly chargeable with altering many of Origen’s expressions, in order to bring his doctrine on certain points more into harmony with the orthodox views of the time. The De Principiis consists of four books, and is the first of the works of Origen in this series, to which we refer the reader.

The Octavius, which is here translated, is a supposed argument between the heathen Cæcilius and the Christian Octavius-the writer being requested to arbitrate between the disputants. Of the literary character of the dialogue, it is sufficient to quote the testimony of the late Dean Milman: "Perhaps no late work, either Pagan or Christian, reminds us of the golden days of Latin prose so much as the Octavius of Minucius Felix."

The Pastor of Hermas is a Christian literary work of the 1st or 2nd century, considered a valuable book by many Christians, and considered canonical scripture by some of the early Church fathers such as Irenaeus. The Pastor or “The Shepherd of Hermas” had great authority in the 2nd and 3rd centuries. It was bound as part of the New Testament in the Codex Sinaiticus, and it was listed between the Acts of the Apostles and the Acts of Paul in the stichometrical list of the Codex Claromontanus.  The work comprises five visions, twelve mandates, and ten parables. It relies on allegory and pays special attention to the Church, calling the faithful to repent of the sins that have harmed it.  The book was originally written in Rome, in the Greek language, but a Latin translation was made very shortly afterwards. Only the Latin version has been preserved in full; of the Greek, the last fifth or so is missing.  The shepherd is one of the meanings that was probably attached to some figurines of the Good Shepherd as well as a symbol for Christ, or a traditional pagan kriophoros.  The book consists of five visions granted to Hermas, a former slave. This is followed by twelve mandates or commandments, and ten similitudes, or parables. It commences abruptly in the first person: "He who brought me up sold me to a certain Rhoda, who was at Rome. After many years I met her again, and began to love her as a sister." As Hermas was on the road to Cumae, he had a vision of Rhoda. She told him that she was his accuser in heaven, on account of an unchaste thought the (married) narrator had once had concerning her, though only in passing. He was to pray for forgiveness for himself and all of his house. He is consoled by a vision of the Church in the form of an aged woman, weak and helpless from the sins of the faithful, who tells him to do penance and to correct the sins of his children. Subsequently he sees her made younger through penance, yet wrinkled and with white hair; then again, as quite young but still with white hair; and lastly, she shows herself as glorious as a Bride.

Various accounts have been given of the meaning of the distinctive word in the title; but all agree in regarding it as indicating the miscellaneous character of its contents. And they are very miscellaneous. They consist of the speculations of Greek philosophers, of heretics, and of those who cultivated the true Christian gnosis, and of quotations from sacred Scripture. The latter he affirms to be the source from which the higher Christian knowledge is to be drawn; as it was that from which the germs of truth in Plato and the Hellenic philosophy were derived. He describes philosophy as a divinely ordered preparation of the Greeks for faith in Christ, as the law was for the Hebrews; and shows the necessity and value of literature and philosophic culture for the attainment of true Christian knowledge, in opposition to the numerous body among Christians who regarded learning as useless and dangerous. He proclaims himself an eclectic, believing in the existence of fragments of truth in all systems, which may be separated from error; but declaring that the truth can be found in unity and completeness only in Christ, as it was from Him that all its scattered germs originally proceeded. The Stromata are written carelessly, and even confusedly; but the work is one of prodigious learning, and supplies materials of the greatest value for understanding the various conflicting systems which Christianity had to combat.

The Pædagogus, or Instructor, is addressed to those who have been rescued from the darkness and pollutions of heathenism, and is an exhibition of Christian morals and manners,—a guide for the formation and development of Christian character, and for living a Christian life. It consists of three books. It is the grand aim of the whole work to set before the converts Christ as the only Instructor, and to expound and enforce His precepts. In the first book Clement exhibits the person, the function, the means, methods, and ends of the Instructor, who is the Word and Son of God; and lovingly dwells on His benignity and philanthropy, His wisdom, faithfulness, and righteousness.  The second and third books lay down rules for the regulation of the Christian, in all the relations, circumstances, and actions of life, entering most minutely into the details of dress, eating, drinking, bathing, sleeping, etc. The delineation of a life in all respects agreeable to the Word, a truly Christian life, attempted here, may, now that the Gospel has transformed social and private life to the extent it has, appear unnecessary, or a proof of the influence of ascetic tendencies. But a code of Christian morals and manners (a sort of “whole duty of man” and manual of good breeding combined) was eminently needed by those whose habits and characters had been molded under the debasing and polluting influences of heathenism; and who were bound, and were aiming, to shape their lives according to the principles of the Gospel, in the midst of the all but incredible licentiousness and luxury by which society around was incurably tainted. The disclosures which Clement, with solemn sternness, and often with caustic wit, makes of the prevalent voluptuousness and vice, form a very valuable contribution to our knowledge of that period.

The Exhortation, the object of which is to win pagans to the Christian faith, contains a complete and withering exposure of the abominable licentiousness, the gross imposture and sordidness of paganism. With clearness and cogency of argument, great earnestness and eloquence, Clement sets forth in contrast the truth as taught in the inspired Scriptures, the true God, and especially the personal Christ, the living Word of God, the Savior of men. It is an elaborate and masterly work, rich in felicitous classical allusion and quotation, breathing throughout the spirit of philosophy and of the Gospel, and abounding in passages of power and beauty.

Wherein the truth of predestination and grace is defended against the semi-Pelagians, -those people to wit, who by no means withdraw altogether from the Pelagian heresy, in that they contend that the beginning of salvation and of faith is of ourselves; so that in virtue, as it were, of this precedent merit, the other good gifts of God are attained. Augustin shows that not only the increase, but the very beginning also of faith is in God's gift. On this matter he does not disavow that he once thought differently, and that in some small works, written before his episcopate, he was in error, as in that exposition, which they object to him, of propositions from the epistle to the Romans. But he points out that he was subsequently convinced chiefly by this testimony, "but what hast thou that thou hast not received?" which he proves is to be taken as a testimony concerning faith itself also. He says that faith is to be counted among other works, which the apostle denies anticipating God's grace when He says, "not of works." He declares that the hardness of the heart is taken away by grace, and that all come to Christ who are taught to come by the Father; but that those whom He teaches, He teaches in mercy, while those whom He teaches not, in judgment He teaches not.

In the first part of the book he proves that the perseverance by which a man perseveres in Christ to the end is God’s gift; for that it is a mockery to ask of God that which is not believed to be given by God. Moreover, that in the Lord’s prayer scarcely anything is asked for but perseverance, according to the exposition of the martyr Cyprian, by which exposition the enemies to this grace were convicted before they were born.

I Wrote again to the same persons another treatise, which I entitled On Rebuke and Grace, because I had been told that someone there had said that no man ought to be rebuked for not doing God's commandments, but that prayer only should be made on his behalf, that he may do them. This book begins on this wise, "I have read your letters, dearly beloved brother Valentine."