The Fish Club - Christians come and discuss our faith.

[MR. Nate]

The Truman Show is LOADED with Christian imagary. Truman walks on water, Christof thinks he's a god, but is intent on decieving the world. I wrote about that once in my blog. Not that anyone cares. Luns reads WORLD. I love that magazine!

[Mylittlepuddykat]

The truman show was scary, I mean anyone of us could be in a truman show?!?!

[Genghis Khant]

The truman show was scary, I mean anyone of us could be in a truman show?!?!

That's a nice top you're wearing today.

[luns101]

Which one of the apostles is your favorite and why?

My favorite is Peter. The reason is because he's such a loose cannon. It's easy for me to lose my temper and start to feel down on myself. But when I read the scriptures I see that I'm not alone. Peter also had a habit of just speaking his mind about something the moment that he felt a certain way.

I can just imagine Jesus smiling and trying to hold back a little grimace when Peter blurted out some of his rantings. I also think that the Lord probably does the same thing with me (and some of you, too!). I can't help but think it's a little bit funny that Jesus called someone like Peter to be part of the founding of His church. But it gives me hope in my own Christian walk.

[vtmarik]

I like Luke, because he was a physician and had access to drugs.

[Jamie]

Recieved this in an email today.

Read all of this one, it is interesting!! Read down to the very bottom highlighted in green, IT GAVE ME GOOSEBUMPS!!! you don't want to miss this! ((*_*))


VERY INTERESTING-
1. The Garden of Eden was in Iraq.

2. Mesopotamia, which is now Iraq, was the cradle of civilization!

3. Noah built the ark in Iraq.

4. The Tower of Babel was in Iraq

5. Abraham was from Ur, which is in Southern Iraq!

6. Isaac's wife Rebekah is from Nahor, which is in Iraq!

7. Jacob met Rachel in Iraq.

8. Jonah preached in Nineveh -
which is in Iraq.

9. Assyria, which is in Iraq, conquered the ten tribes of Israel.

10 Amos cried out in Iraq!

11. Babylon, which is in Iraq, destroyed Jerusalem.

12. Daniel was in the lion's den in Iraq!

13. The three Hebrew children were in the fire in Iraq (Jesus had been in Iraq also as the fourth person in the
Fiery Furnace!)

14. Belshazzar, the King of Babylon saw the "writing on the wall" in Iraq.

15. Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, carried the Jews captive into Iraq.

16. Ezekiel preached in Iraq.

17. The wise men were from Iraq.

18. Peter preached in Iraq.

19. The "Empire of Man" described in
Revelation is called Babylon, which was
a city in Iraq!

And you have probably seen this one: Israel is the nation most often mentioned in the Bible. But do you know which nation is second? It is Iraq! However, that is not the name that is used in the Bible. The names used in the Bible are Babylon, Land ofShinar, and Mesopotamia . The word Mesopotamia means between the two rivers, more exactly between the Tigris
and Euphrates Rivers. The name Iraq, means country with deep roots.

Indeed Iraq is a country with deep roots and is a very significant country in the Bible.

No other nation, except Israel, has more history and prophecy associated
with it than Iraq.

And also, This is something to think about: Since America is typically represented by an eagle. Saddam should have read up on his Muslim passages...

The following verse is from the Koran, (the Islamic Bible)

Koran (9:11 ) - For it is written that a son of Arabia would awaken a fearsome Eagle. The wrath of the Eagle would be felt throughout the lands of Allah and lo, while some of the people trembled in despair still more rejoiced; for the wrath of the Eagle cleansed the lands of Allah;
and there was peace.
(Note the verse number!) Hmmmmmmm?!

I BETTER NOT HEAR OF ANYONE BREAKING THIS ONE OR SEE IT DELETED. This is a ribbon for soldiers fighting inIraq. Pass it on to everyone and pray. Something good will happen to you tonight at 11:11 PM. This is not a joke. someone will either call you or will talk to you online and say that they love you. Do not break this chain. Send this to 13 people in

the next 15 minutes. Go.

[red bull]

and also just a little side not to all that the valley for the last battle is there also

[dewey316]

and also just a little side not to all that the valley for the last battle is there also

Well, I won't say that I am much of an authority, but a lot of translations, think that Armageddon is actually Megiddo, which is not in modern day Iraq, it is northern Israel. Just a little south of Nazareth.

I'll just in here, and say hello to all my brothers and sisters in Christ. Actually , while reading some of the rather negative threads about religion in here, and just coming back from an amazing lecture about a week ago from a missionary named Chris Moore, and then again tonight from another missionary, I am pretty excited, and it is great to see people from all over the world, in here.

I won't go into a ton of details, I did post a bit in another thread. I came to KNOW Christ, while in was in jail. I had heard the gospel, and in fact, my Grandpa was a preacher. But, it took me being in my lowest point, to realize the saving grace of Christ, and to realize that I needed God.

For the person, who asked about organizations they could help. I would like to first of all, encourage everyone who can, to try to take a perspectives course or something like it, they have them all over the country. It will be eye opening (http://www.worldwideperspectives.org/ is an example of one). I am sure there are other similar courses available in other places, and with other church affiliations.

I also encourage you to first off, support the missionaries your local church is supporting, get involved in your local church, and find out how you can help those people. The people on the front lines, need support through prayer, through workers, through money. So many people in our churches, are so unaware and so uninvolved in what is going on. There are a ton of organizations out there. I could list of dozens of them, working all around the world. I would encourage everyone to really get involved, in more than just giving out some money.

The last thing I would like to say, is to (ahhh, gasp) quote Neitzche, as I hope that it reminds us all, how we should be doing things every day, when I think about what he is saying, it breaks my heart, as I know that I have contributed to this problem, and that I am not doing what I should be.

"His disciples will have to look more saved if I am to believe in their Saviour."

[reverend_kyle]

JESUS!

[MR. Nate]

Which one of the apostles is your favorite and why?

I know he's not normally considered, but I'm always amazed at Paul's use of the Hebrew Scriptures. Reading some of his technical arguments, like Romans 9-11, and I stand in awe of his ability to construct a solid theology from such basic materials.

I always like John, too. In the gospels, he kind of reminds me of a little brother. He's right there with the big dogs but he doesn't say much. Everybody likes him, but he's not really anybody's hero.

[Backglass]

Recieved this in an email today, and found it very interesting. Read all of this one, it is interesting!! Read down to the very bottom highlighted in green, IT GAVE ME GOOSEBUMPS!!! you don't want to miss this! ((*_*))

(Since you felt the need to post this bunk in not one but FOUR threads, I am compelled to do the same).

AGHHHH!! You damn religious RUBES!

This illustrates how strongly held opinions can be mixed with bad biblical interpretation, emotion, and ill-conceived theology to produce something that is essentially fiction. In fact, since it is being presented as a Christian biblical view it is worse than fiction; it is outright propaganda and most of it false at that. What makes that so bad is that too many Christians are not only believing this kind of material but are basing political and ethical responses on it!

That being said...I have a few other emails you may be interested in.

• A prince in Nigeria has an an entire fortune in the bank, but needs your help to get it out.
• A boy dieing of cancer wants your business card so he can set a world record.
• You cell phone number will soon be published in a directory for telemarketers.
• Bill gates will send you $100 if you forward this message to 100 people.

Now...down to business!

The following verse is from the Koran, (the Islamic Bible)

Koran (9:11 ) - For it is written that a son of Arabia would awaken a fearsome Eagle. The wrath of the Eagle would be felt throughout the lands of Allah and lo, while some of the people trembled in despair still more rejoiced; for the wrath of the Eagle cleansed the lands of Allah;
and there was peace. (Note the verse number!) Hmmmmmmm?!
o.

HOAX.
http://www.snopes.com/politics/war/quran911.asp

The quote is not from anywhere in the Koran (or Quran).

Chapter 9 verse 11 actually says "But if they repent and keep up prayer and pay the poor-rate, they are your brethren in faith; and we make the communications clear for a people who know." (M. H. Shakir translation)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As for the rest...it is my belief that the bible is a work of fiction anyway, but I will humor you.

1. The Garden of Eden was in Iraq.

False. No one knows where the Garden of Eden was. The Bible nowhere gives a location for it other than “in the East.” Of course, where that is depends on where one starts. From Israel, that could be anywhere from Arabia to China. But since Israel does not yet exist in Genesis 2, there is no guarantee that “east” is from Israel.

2. Mesopotamia, which is now Iraq, was the cradle of civilization!

False, or at least debatable. This was the consensus of early historians, and was taught as the truth in schools until the past few decades. However, recent archaeological and anthropological research now suggest that the first human civilization originated in central Africa in the rift valleys and in northwest Africa in the area of Nigeria. And even if it were true that Mesopotamia is “the cradle of civilization,” I do not see the significance or the relevance to any interpretation of the Bible in relation to modern Iraq.

3. Noah built the ark in Iraq.

False. Nowhere in the biblical account of the flood does it state where the ark was built.

4. The Tower of Babel was in Iraq

Partly True. The biblical story only talks about the territory of Babel (along with Erech and Accad, from the later Akkadians, 2400 BC) and locates it in the Plain of Shinar (from the ancient Sumerians, 3500-1900 BC), which is roughly the territory between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. Those two rivers run from southeastern Turkey and western Syria to the Persian Gulf bordered by Iran and Kuwait, quite a distance. While there is no direct historical link of Babel in Genesis 11 to Babylonia, the city of Erech and the area of Akkad are thought to be located toward the southern end of the Tigris-Euphrates valley. This would place Babel in what in now southern Iraq. However, it could be further to the north. However, the significance of this in this context likewise eludes me.

5. Abraham was from Ur, which is in Southern Iraq!

Partially True. The ruins of Ur are located in what is now southern Iraq. However, while this was Abraham’s ancestral home, something important in the ancient world, he is often referenced in the biblical narratives as being from Haran in the region of Aram, far to the north in what is now Turkey. Terah took his family and left Ur very early in the biblical narratives. Abraham received his call from God in Genesis 12:4 at Haran. Note that Deuteronomy 26:5 says that “my father” (referring to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob) was “a wandering Aramean.” The city of Ur has only marginal significance in the biblical narratives.

6. Isaac's wife Rebekah is from Nahor, which is in Iraq!

Partially True. First, we need to note that in most of the early patriarchal narratives, people and places are interchangeable. Abraham was from Haran, yet that was also his brother’s name. His other brother was Nahor. This suggests that we cannot make too much of geographical names in the early narratives.

The city itself is not specifically named; it is only given as “the city of Nahor.” The location of this city is unknown. The biblical reference only places it in Aram-naharayim, “Aram of the Two Rivers.” The assumption is that this would be the ancestral home near Ur, but the reference is only to the general area of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. Again, I fail to see any significance to this other than the fact that it was the ancient custom to marry within tribes, which would require returning to the ancestral homeland for a wife. Nothing is made in any of these biblical narratives of any particular significance of the geographical location.

7. Jacob met Rachel in Iraq.

False. Jacob went to the territory of Aram, specifically Paddam-aram, which is the area around Haran in southern Turkey and northern Syria. Laban, Rachael’s father, is specifically said to live in Paddam-aram and is described as an Aramean. This is far to the north of present-day Iraq.

8. Jonah preached in Nineveh - which is in Iraq.

Partially True. Ninevah was the capital of the Assyrian empire in the eighth and seventh centuries BC, which occupied the upper reaches of the Tigris-Euphrates valley, partially in modern Iraq and partially in southern Turkey. The ruins of the city lie near Mosul in far northern Iraq. However, Assyrian territory extended beyond the border of present-day Iraq.

9. Assyria, which is in Iraq, conquered the ten tribes of Israel.

Partially True. Assyria did conquer the northern ten tribes in 721 BC. But as noted above, the Assyrian Empire lay only partially in what is now Iraq, reaching further north than the present boundaries of Iraq.

10 Amos cried out in Iraq!

False. Amos proclaimed his message in the northern kingdom of Israel. There is no mention of him ever visiting any area outside Judah and Israel. There is not even a record of his pronouncing any prophetic word against either Assyria or Babylon.

11. Babylon, which is in Iraq, destroyed Jerusalem.

True but misleading. All of these references to Babylon as being in Iraq are misleading at best. Iraq covers a much larger or different area than did ancient Sumer, Akkad, Assyria, or Babylon. It is virtually meaningless to try to identify any and every mention of Babylon in the Old Testament as being in Iraq, especially since Iraq has only been in existence for 70 years or so, and in some sense is a totally “artificial” country created by the demands of 20th century politics.

12. Daniel was in the lion's den in Iraq!

See #11

13. The three Hebrew children were in the fire in Iraq

See #11

(Jesus had been in Iraq also as the fourth person in the Fiery Furnace!)

False. To identify the figure in the furnace as Jesus is anachronistic. There is no Jesus named anywhere in the Old Testament. It is only by interpretation that we get any references to or about Jesus in the Old Testament, and those are always colored by certain theological slants.

14. Belshazzar, the King of Babylon saw the "writing on the wall" in Iraq.

See #11

15. Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, carried the Jews captive into Iraq.

See #11

16. Ezekiel preached in Iraq.

See #11

17. The wise men were from Iraq.

False. The biblical text never says where the Magi were from beyond saying that they came “from the East.” See # 1 on the biblical symbolism of "the East."

18. Peter preached in Iraq.

False. There is no mention of Peter visiting this area.

19. The "Empire of Man" described in Revelation is called Babylon, which was a city in Iraq!

See #11.

And you have probably seen this one: Israel is the nation most often mentioned in the Bible. But do you know which nation is second? It is Iraq! However, that is not the name that is used in the Bible. The names used in the Bible are Babylon, Land ofShinar, and Mesopotamia . The word Mesopotamia means between the two rivers, more exactly between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. The name Iraq, means country with deep roots.

False. Egypt is mentioned almost three times as often in the Bible as is Babylon. See #11.

Indeed Iraq is a country with deep roots and is a very significant country in the Bible.

False. Iraq is never mentioned in the Bible, so can have no significance. See #11.

No other nation, except Israel, has more history and prophecy associated with it than Iraq.

False. As noted, Egypt is mentioned far more often than Babylon. Israel has a far longer history with Egypt than with Babylon, since Babylon did not emerge until the fall of Assyria in 611 BC. In the NT, Babylon has become a symbol to talk about evil, and is used throughout the NT to refer to Rome, not to any country in the Middle East. “Babylon” throughout the Book of Revelation refers to Rome.

But, you will believe it is all true anyway.

Next time you want goosebumps, I suggest Stephen King...another fine fiction writer.

[luns101]

VERY INTERESTING-
1. The Garden of Eden was in Iraq.
2. Mesopotamia, which is now Iraq, was the cradle of civilization!
3. Noah built the ark in Iraq.
4. The Tower of Babel was in Iraq
5. Abraham was from Ur, which is in Southern Iraq!
6. Isaac's wife Rebekah is from Nahor, which is in Iraq!
7. Jacob met Rachel in Iraq.
8. Jonah preached in Nineveh -
which is in Iraq.
9. Assyria, which is in Iraq, conquered the ten tribes of Israel.
10 Amos cried out in Iraq!
11. Babylon, which is in Iraq, destroyed Jerusalem.
12. Daniel was in the lion's den in Iraq!
13. The three Hebrew children were in the fire in Iraq (Jesus had been in Iraq also as the fourth person in the
Fiery Furnace!)
14. Belshazzar, the King of Babylon saw the "writing on the wall" in Iraq.
15. Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, carried the Jews captive into Iraq.
16. Ezekiel preached in Iraq.
17. The wise men were from Iraq.
18. Peter preached in Iraq.
19. The "Empire of Man" described in
Revelation is called Babylon, which was
a city in Iraq!

And you have probably seen this one: Israel is the nation most often mentioned in the Bible. But do you know which nation is second? It is Iraq! However, that is not the name that is used in the Bible. The names used in the Bible are Babylon, Land ofShinar, and Mesopotamia . The word Mesopotamia means between the two rivers, more exactly between the Tigris
and Euphrates Rivers. The name Iraq, means country with deep roots.

Indeed Iraq is a country with deep roots and is a very significant country in the Bible.

No other nation, except Israel, has more history and prophecy associated
with it than Iraq.

And also, This is something to think about: Since America is typically represented by an eagle. Saddam should have read up on his Muslim passages...

The following verse is from the Koran, (the Islamic Bible)

Wow. American Christians tend to think of our country being a battleground for good versus evil. In reality, we are just a small part of God's big plan. Looks like we'll have to be focusing more on the Middle East and what develops there in light of God's Word than trying to conform it to American-style interpretation. Great post, Jamie...and ohhh, very intriguing on the Koran quote!

[luns101]

Koran (9:11 ) - For it is written that a son of Arabia would awaken a fearsome Eagle. The wrath of the Eagle would be felt throughout the lands of Allah and lo, while some of the people trembled in despair still more rejoiced; for the wrath of the Eagle cleansed the lands of Allah;
and there was peace.
(Note the verse number!) Hmmmmmmm?!

There, got it that time! LOL

[Warrior987]

^^^sry this has nothing to do with this thread but locke is amazing, but charlie beats him.

[Anarkistsdream]

^^^sry this has nothing to do with this thread but locke is amazing, but charlie beats him.

Perhaps, but Sawyer is still the coolest, although I am going for Desmond now that he has a better part...

[Backglass]

Koran (9:11 ) - For it is written that a son of Arabia would awaken a fearsome Eagle. The wrath of the Eagle would be felt throughout the lands of Allah and lo, while some of the people trembled in despair still more rejoiced; for the wrath of the Eagle cleansed the lands of Allah;
and there was peace.
(Note the verse number!) Hmmmmmmm?!

There, got it that time! LOL

<sigh> Blinders.

Koran (9:11) "But if they repent and keep up prayer and pay the poor-rate, they are your brethren in faith; and we make the communications clear for a people who know."

Not nearly as fun as throwing gas on the fire, huh.

[LewisJB3]

I'd generally say Pual, but sombody already said that. I also like Mathew, I think it's cool how he was orrignally a tax collector. It's sort of like the amazing conversions of hard core atheists...(No offense to you atheists out there)

[Backglass]

I'd generally say Pual, but sombody already said that. I also like Mathew, I think it's cool how he was orrignally a tax collector. It's sort of like amazing conversions of hard core atheists...(No offence to you atheists out there)

Or watching a christian spelling bee? No offense of course.

[luns101]

For the person, who asked about organizations they could help. I would like to first of all, encourage everyone who can, to try to take a perspectives course or something like it, they have them all over the country. It will be eye opening (http://www.worldwideperspectives.org/ is an example of one). I am sure there are other similar courses available in other places, and with other church affiliations.

I also encourage you to first off, support the missionaries your local church is supporting, get involved in your local church, and find out how you can help those people. The people on the front lines, need support through prayer, through workers, through money. So many people in our churches, are so unaware and so uninvolved in what is going on. There are a ton of organizations out there. I could list of dozens of them, working all around the world. I would encourage everyone to really get involved, in more than just giving out some money.

Yeah, that would be me. Thanks so much for helping me look at some resources for helping people and the good, practical advice.

""For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me" - Matthew 25:35-36

[dewey316]

Luns, I would get a hold of the leader of your churches missions comity, or the missions paster at your church. Schedule and hour to sit down with them, and talk about what your church is currently doing, and what the future plans are, and how you can get involved. I promise you, it will be an hour well spent.

As for my favorite, I really like Peter, the character it took to really "start" the church, and also to recognize the role the gentiles would play in the church, is amazing.

Does it also count, if James is also one of my favorite books, it will inspire you to action.

[luns101]

Does it also count, if James is also one of my favorite books, it will inspire you to action.

He wasn't one of the original apostles, but he's a good read. As the brother of Jesus, I can't even begin to imagine how difficult it must have been growing up. Just think...no matter how good you did in school, Jesus would always get better grades!

I can hear Joseph and Mary now, "James, why can't you be more like your brother"!

[Blueoctober]

Recieved this in an email today, and found it very interesting. Read all of this one, it is interesting!! Read down to the very bottom highlighted in green, IT GAVE ME GOOSEBUMPS!!! you don't want to miss this! ((*_*))

(Since you felt the need to post this bunk in not one but FOUR threads, I am compelled to do the same).

AGHHHH!! You damn religious RUBES!

This illustrates how strongly held opinions can be mixed with bad biblical interpretation, emotion, and ill-conceived theology to produce something that is essentially fiction. In fact, since it is being presented as a Christian biblical view it is worse than fiction; it is outright propaganda and most of it false at that. What makes that so bad is that too many Christians are not only believing this kind of material but are basing political and ethical responses on it!

That being said...I have a few other emails you may be interested in.

• A prince in Nigeria has an an entire fortune in the bank, but needs your help to get it out.
• A boy dieing of cancer wants your business card so he can set a world record.
• You cell phone number will soon be published in a directory for telemarketers.
• Bill gates will send you $100 if you forward this message to 100 people.

Now...down to business!

The following verse is from the Koran, (the Islamic Bible)

Koran (9:11 ) - For it is written that a son of Arabia would awaken a fearsome Eagle. The wrath of the Eagle would be felt throughout the lands of Allah and lo, while some of the people trembled in despair still more rejoiced; for the wrath of the Eagle cleansed the lands of Allah;
and there was peace. (Note the verse number!) Hmmmmmmm?!
o.

HOAX.
http://www.snopes.com/politics/war/quran911.asp

The quote is not from anywhere in the Koran (or Quran).

Chapter 9 verse 11 actually says "But if they repent and keep up prayer and pay the poor-rate, they are your brethren in faith; and we make the communications clear for a people who know." (M. H. Shakir translation)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As for the rest...it is my belief that the bible is a work of fiction anyway, but I will humor you.

1. The Garden of Eden was in Iraq.

False. No one knows where the Garden of Eden was. The Bible nowhere gives a location for it other than “in the East.” Of course, where that is depends on where one starts. From Israel, that could be anywhere from Arabia to China. But since Israel does not yet exist in Genesis 2, there is no guarantee that “east” is from Israel.

2. Mesopotamia, which is now Iraq, was the cradle of civilization!

False, or at least debatable. This was the consensus of early historians, and was taught as the truth in schools until the past few decades. However, recent archaeological and anthropological research now suggest that the first human civilization originated in central Africa in the rift valleys and in northwest Africa in the area of Nigeria. And even if it were true that Mesopotamia is “the cradle of civilization,” I do not see the significance or the relevance to any interpretation of the Bible in relation to modern Iraq.

3. Noah built the ark in Iraq.

False. Nowhere in the biblical account of the flood does it state where the ark was built.

4. The Tower of Babel was in Iraq

Partly True. The biblical story only talks about the territory of Babel (along with Erech and Accad, from the later Akkadians, 2400 BC) and locates it in the Plain of Shinar (from the ancient Sumerians, 3500-1900 BC), which is roughly the territory between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. Those two rivers run from southeastern Turkey and western Syria to the Persian Gulf bordered by Iran and Kuwait, quite a distance. While there is no direct historical link of Babel in Genesis 11 to Babylonia, the city of Erech and the area of Akkad are thought to be located toward the southern end of the Tigris-Euphrates valley. This would place Babel in what in now southern Iraq. However, it could be further to the north. However, the significance of this in this context likewise eludes me.

5. Abraham was from Ur, which is in Southern Iraq!

Partially True. The ruins of Ur are located in what is now southern Iraq. However, while this was Abraham’s ancestral home, something important in the ancient world, he is often referenced in the biblical narratives as being from Haran in the region of Aram, far to the north in what is now Turkey. Terah took his family and left Ur very early in the biblical narratives. Abraham received his call from God in Genesis 12:4 at Haran. Note that Deuteronomy 26:5 says that “my father” (referring to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob) was “a wandering Aramean.” The city of Ur has only marginal significance in the biblical narratives.

6. Isaac's wife Rebekah is from Nahor, which is in Iraq!

Partially True. First, we need to note that in most of the early patriarchal narratives, people and places are interchangeable. Abraham was from Haran, yet that was also his brother’s name. His other brother was Nahor. This suggests that we cannot make too much of geographical names in the early narratives.

The city itself is not specifically named; it is only given as “the city of Nahor.” The location of this city is unknown. The biblical reference only places it in Aram-naharayim, “Aram of the Two Rivers.” The assumption is that this would be the ancestral home near Ur, but the reference is only to the general area of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. Again, I fail to see any significance to this other than the fact that it was the ancient custom to marry within tribes, which would require returning to the ancestral homeland for a wife. Nothing is made in any of these biblical narratives of any particular significance of the geographical location.

7. Jacob met Rachel in Iraq.

False. Jacob went to the territory of Aram, specifically Paddam-aram, which is the area around Haran in southern Turkey and northern Syria. Laban, Rachael’s father, is specifically said to live in Paddam-aram and is described as an Aramean. This is far to the north of present-day Iraq.

8. Jonah preached in Nineveh - which is in Iraq.

Partially True. Ninevah was the capital of the Assyrian empire in the eighth and seventh centuries BC, which occupied the upper reaches of the Tigris-Euphrates valley, partially in modern Iraq and partially in southern Turkey. The ruins of the city lie near Mosul in far northern Iraq. However, Assyrian territory extended beyond the border of present-day Iraq.

9. Assyria, which is in Iraq, conquered the ten tribes of Israel.

Partially True. Assyria did conquer the northern ten tribes in 721 BC. But as noted above, the Assyrian Empire lay only partially in what is now Iraq, reaching further north than the present boundaries of Iraq.

10 Amos cried out in Iraq!

False. Amos proclaimed his message in the northern kingdom of Israel. There is no mention of him ever visiting any area outside Judah and Israel. There is not even a record of his pronouncing any prophetic word against either Assyria or Babylon.

11. Babylon, which is in Iraq, destroyed Jerusalem.

True but misleading. All of these references to Babylon as being in Iraq are misleading at best. Iraq covers a much larger or different area than did ancient Sumer, Akkad, Assyria, or Babylon. It is virtually meaningless to try to identify any and every mention of Babylon in the Old Testament as being in Iraq, especially since Iraq has only been in existence for 70 years or so, and in some sense is a totally “artificial” country created by the demands of 20th century politics.

12. Daniel was in the lion's den in Iraq!

See #11

13. The three Hebrew children were in the fire in Iraq

See #11

(Jesus had been in Iraq also as the fourth person in the Fiery Furnace!)

False. To identify the figure in the furnace as Jesus is anachronistic. There is no Jesus named anywhere in the Old Testament. It is only by interpretation that we get any references to or about Jesus in the Old Testament, and those are always colored by certain theological slants.

14. Belshazzar, the King of Babylon saw the "writing on the wall" in Iraq.

See #11

15. Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, carried the Jews captive into Iraq.

See #11

16. Ezekiel preached in Iraq.

See #11

17. The wise men were from Iraq.

False. The biblical text never says where the Magi were from beyond saying that they came “from the East.” See # 1 on the biblical symbolism of "the East."

18. Peter preached in Iraq.

False. There is no mention of Peter visiting this area.

19. The "Empire of Man" described in Revelation is called Babylon, which was a city in Iraq!

See #11.

And you have probably seen this one: Israel is the nation most often mentioned in the Bible. But do you know which nation is second? It is Iraq! However, that is not the name that is used in the Bible. The names used in the Bible are Babylon, Land ofShinar, and Mesopotamia . The word Mesopotamia means between the two rivers, more exactly between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. The name Iraq, means country with deep roots.

False. Egypt is mentioned almost three times as often in the Bible as is Babylon. See #11.

Indeed Iraq is a country with deep roots and is a very significant country in the Bible.

False. Iraq is never mentioned in the Bible, so can have no significance. See #11.

No other nation, except Israel, has more history and prophecy associated with it than Iraq.

False. As noted, Egypt is mentioned far more often than Babylon. Israel has a far longer history with Egypt than with Babylon, since Babylon did not emerge until the fall of Assyria in 611 BC. In the NT, Babylon has become a symbol to talk about evil, and is used throughout the NT to refer to Rome, not to any country in the Middle East. “Babylon” throughout the Book of Revelation refers to Rome.

But, you will believe it is all true anyway.

Next time you want goosebumps, I suggest Stephen King...another fine fiction writer.

why does it matter what other people think. they're other people not you. worry about youself dont go picking fights about the bible just cause some other people beleive its true.

you are super stupid

[Backglass]

why does it matter what other people think. they're other people not you.

Obviously, you didn't even read my response to Jamies forwarded urban legend. No surprise really. Just keep believing what you want, even if it's a blatant lie.

worry about youself dont go picking fights about the bible just cause some other people beleive its true.

Jamie posted his bogus spam-mail in four threads. I was just proving that it was full of lies and stretches of the truth. If you want to believe that the koran really speaks of the "great eagle" (USA) and that Iraq is central to the entire bible, you keep right on believing it...but if you would actually pick up the koran/bible and read them, you would see that it's was all a bunch of BS.

you are super stupid

Tip: Spell checker & Capitalization, Junior Einstein. Also...no need to re-quote the entire thread...you might want to edit a little in the future.

Enjoy your fish!

[CrazyAnglican]

That's a hard one. I like Peter's emotional style in his letters. I also like Paul because he was tireless in his efforts to spread the faith, and to encourage the early Christians.

There are two stories about apostles that I do like very much, however.

The first one I can't be sure of the source. I heard it on The History Channel of all places, but I liked the story. St. Andrew lived into his eighties before he was martyred. He was crucified on an "X" as if the normal cross weren't enough. That's where the St. Andrew's cross, on one of Scotland's flags, comes from. As an eighty year old man, he lived for three days, on his cross, preaching the whole time to anyone that was near. That was one stout old man who was firm in his faith.

The second one is from the Gospel of Thomas. I know it isn't cannonical, but it's still a good story. When the apostles were sent out to preach the gospel, Thomas went to India. He was a carpenter by trade and was hired by an Indian prince to build a palace. The prince paid him money for the job and Thomas, seeing the poverty of the people around him, gave the money to the poor. The prince was outraged, and threww Thomas into jail to be executed. It so happened that the Prince's brother died, or rather had a near death experience, before Thomas could be executed. The Prince's brother came to Thomas's defense saying that he had died and seen heaven, "You should see the palace that Thomas has built for you there! If I could live in one room I'd be happy". Again It's not cannonical, so it can't be verified, but I like it none the less.

So in my long winded fashion I guess I'd have to say St. Andrew for sheer guts in the face of martyrdom.

[red bull]

nathaniel {for a reason i think luns knows }