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1 Thessalonians 1:10

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Berean: ..."10 and to await His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead—Jesus our deliverer from the coming wrath. "...
NRSV: ..."10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead — Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath that is coming."...


Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Jesus only rescues those who – gathering strength and conviction from his intervention – manage to live a justified life, and the only wrath Jesus is rescuing those people from is their eternal damnation (provided that during the last judgment those people will have received their salvation). People could easily misunderstood this passage as saying “if I believe in Jesus I will be spared from misery in this life because of my belief and belonging to Jesus” - which is obviously wrong.
     
        

    1 Thessalonians 2:4

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    Berean: ..."4 Instead, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, not in order to please men but God, who examines our hearts. "...
    NRSV: ..."4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the message of the gospel, even so we speak, not to please mortals, but to please God who tests our hearts"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    The creator is testing humans' hearts, true conviction, on its alignment on love vs. selfishness. The authors of the NT are responsible to pass their justified conviction to humanity, and in it they made their best effort to relay the message and events that took place in the CESAPH. The result is a very human creation, a set of writings that include their author's convictions, beliefs, opinions, cultural and religious (OT) biases, and can include misunderstandings, misconceptions, mistakes, and ideas that make little or no sense to later readers. Posterity's responsibility is to distill the essential message from all these, for their individual self.
     
        

    1 Thessalonians 2:12

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    Berean: ..."12 encouraging you, comforting you, and urging you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into His own kingdom and glory. "...
    NRSV: ..."12 urging and encouraging you and pleading that you lead a life worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage nails the purpose of the good news of the CESAPH: to urge and encourage, pleading us to live a life worthy of salvation. The creator invited us to participate in this reality to prove our alignment to love, and thereby qualify to be in his presence in our next context of reality. The invitation was to sinners (fallen angels) who committed a wrong in their previous existence.
     
        

    1 Thessalonians 3:12

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    Berean: ..."12 And may the Lord cause you to increase and overflow with love for one another and for everyone else, just as our love for you overflows, "...
    NRSV: ..."12 And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • The evaluation result is likely progressive within pass or fail
  •  
    interpretation:
    Emphasizing the essence of the teaching, aligning with love. This passage also backs the idea that salvation is not a pass/fail binary affair, but also an achievement on a scale (within those outcomes perhaps).
     
        

    1 Thessalonians 4:2, 3, 4, 5

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    Berean: ..."2 For you know the instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. 3 For it is God’s will that you should be holy: You must abstain from sexual immorality; 4 each of you must know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, 5 not in lustful passion like the Gentiles who do not know God; "...
    NRSV: ..."2 For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. 3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from fornication; 4 that each one of you know how to control your own body in holiness and honor, 5 not with lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God;"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • content that is unhelpful, intentionally mystifying, irrelevant, or too detailed to be a part of ‘scriptures’ of guidance to salvation
  • incorrect or inappropriate generalization
  •  
    interpretation:
    “that each one of you know how to control your own body in holiness and honor” should have been enough on this topic. That the gentiles (non-Jews) do not know God is a generalization that is not even close to being true. Zoroastrians were closer to Jesus's message than Jews. And as long as a human being concludes that love should guide his life versus selfishness, he “knows God” (ie. his conviction is in line with what the creator requires of us).
     
        

    1 Thessalonians 4:9, 10

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    Berean: ..."9 Now about brotherly love, you do not need anyone to write to you, because you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another. 10 And you are indeed showing this love to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to excel more and more "...
    NRSV: ..."9 Now concerning love of the brothers and sisters, you do not need to have anyone write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another; 10 and indeed you do love all the brothers and sisters throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, beloved, to do so more and more,"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  •  
    interpretation:
    The creator taught humanity to love one another. This love is an activity in decisions, actions, thoughts, motivations.
     
        

    1 Thessalonians 4:11, 12

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    Berean: ..."11 and to aspire to live quietly, to attend to your own matters, and to work with your own hands, as we instructed you. 12 Then you will behave properly toward outsiders, without being dependent on anyone. "...
    NRSV: ..."11 to aspire to live quietly, to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we directed you, 12 so that you may behave properly toward outsiders and be dependent on no one."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • personal perspectives and directives that are culturally dependent
  •  
    interpretation:
    There is nothing wrong with this practical advice, however this is not part of the essential message of Jesus, but the personal opinion of one of the authors of the NT. Thus, no one should refer to these as rules to live by.
     
        

    1 Thessalonians 4:13, 14

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    Berean: ..."13 Brothers, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who are without hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, we also believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him. "...
    NRSV: ..."13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who have died, so that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have died."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • The eternal continuation of their awareness is inevitable and unavoidable for all human souls
  •  
    interpretation:
    The emphasis of Paul is on everlasting life, just as Jesus showed it is possible.
     
        

    1 Thessalonians 4:15, 17

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    Berean: ..."15 By the word of the Lord, we declare to you that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who have fallen asleep. 17 After that, we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will always be with the Lord. "...
    NRSV: ..."15 For this we declare to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will by no means precede those who have died. ... the dead in Jesus will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up in the clouds together with them to meet the Lord in the air; and so we will be with the Lord forever."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • clear misguidance of author as the time remaining till the second coming was NOT near
  •  
    interpretation:
    This was still written in a time when disciples of Jesus lived in the hope that during their lifetime the second coming of Jesus will take place. Obviously, they were wrong. And now we face, whether the author has put these words into the mouth of Jesus, or Jesus said these words himself. We need to keep in mind that the time the author wrote this writing was decades after Jesus has died already. Hope of the second coming was already waning among the disciples, as many already started dying. Stating such an obviously failing proposition must come from the sincere hope that indeed at least some who have witnessed Jesus will also live to see his second coming. The more likely scenario is that the second coming of Jesus will take place in everyone's awareness, right (or shortly) after their deaths in a shared moment in objective time, simultaneously experienced by all the souls who will have ever participated in the evaluation of life. If so, such an event is not to be looked forward to in this life, but beyond. This passage refutes the infallibility of the NT writings, as it is obviously made on an incorrect assumption that the second coming of Jesus comes during the lifetime of the disciples. There is nothing wrong with being wrong on this; however then, people should not refer to the NT as infallible, and the writings can also contain other errors/ misunderstandings/ misconceptions/ misrepresentations/ inconsistencies/ contradictions, etc.
     
        

    1 Thessalonians 5:1, 2

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    Berean: ..."1 Now about the times and seasons, brothers, we do not need to write to you. 2 For you are fully aware that the Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. "...
    NRSV: ..."1 Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers and sisters, you do not need to have anything written to you. 2 For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator
  • One needs to live life being always ready for its accounting - then, if events in the future come as a ’thief’, as one would have needed to do nothing differently
  •  
    interpretation:
    Clear and simple: no need to be concerned with the end times, just live a life to be ready at any time.
     
        

    1 Thessalonians 5:8, 9

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    Berean: ..."8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and the helmet of our hope of salvation. 9 For God has not appointed us to suffer wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. "...
    NRSV: ..."8 … put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  •  
    interpretation:
    God has destined all humans to salvation by giving them a chance to rectify their sinful condition (originating in their precursory existence) and prove their alignment to the preferred value of the creator, love. Thus, by being born into this world, each human was invited to cooperate with the creator's plan for us, that is to achieve salvation in the assigned set of situations. Salvation is possible through following the eternal word of God, of salvation, as formalized by the CESAPH. Aligning one's life with love is equivalent to gaining salvation through Jesus's message, even if one was not aware of his story in life.
     
        

    1 Thessalonians 5:9, 10

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    Berean: ..."9 For God has not appointed us to suffer wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with Him. "...
    NRSV: ..."9 … Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live with him"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • incorrect or inappropriate generalization
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Jesus died not FOR US, but BECAUSE OF our failings, our sinful nature – and because some humans from his Jewish context chose to kill him. The creator in Jesus undertook the sacrifices and suffering that comes with living among us in a limited human context, so that more of us would reach our salvation because of his testimony of love, and because of his guidance about how to reach our salvation. The passage incorrectly generalizes that “we” (implying all of us, or those of us who “believe that Jesus is Lord”) will live with Jesus because he died for us, saved our souls and atoned for our sins. This is a huge misunderstanding: Jesus's suffering and death was part of the creator's testimony that he loves us and wants us to succeed in reaching our salvation, which we can accomplish with a conviction that is aligned with love, and a life lived accordingly. It is only then, that “we may live with him”.
     
        

    1 Thessalonians 5:14, 15

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    Berean: ..."14 And we urge you, brothers, to admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, and be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure that no one repays evil for evil. Always pursue what is good for one another and for all people. "...
    NRSV: ..."14 And we urge you, beloved, to admonish the idlers, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with all of them. 15 See that none of you repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to all"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • Behavioral guidance
  • One ‘loves God’ by loving their fellow human beings, no matter how far removed they may be, which fulfills the single command of God
  •  
    interpretation:
    Behavioral guidance that follows from a life aligned with love.
     
        

    1 Thessalonians 5:20, 21

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    Berean: ..."20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt, 21 but test all things. Hold fast to what is good. "...
    NRSV: ..."20 Do not despise the words of prophets, 21 but test everything; hold fast to what is good;"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator; the author should elaborate why prophecies mattered, what value did they add, and why did the creator consider them as necessary. In fact, prophecies were maintained and relied on by the NT authors because their primary targets to convert to Christianity were Jews. Thus, they felt it necessary to tie Jesus to OT prophecies, and Jewish law (as Jews were blind to anything else). As for “prophets” who have been proclaiming and preaching values that were close to the eternal word of God, of salvation, they were simply justified people doing their best to help others to their salvation. There were likely many of those, who – with their message fostering love in conviction – may have helped build the right conviction about love in others. Sadly, the OT “prophets” were not among these.
     
        

    Galatians 1:7, 9

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    Berean: ..."7 which is not even a gospel. Evidently some people are troubling you and trying to distort the gospel of Christ. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be under a curse! "...
    NRSV: ..."7 not that there is another gospel, but there are some who are confusing you and want to pervert the gospel of Jesus ...9 As we have said before, so now I repeat, if anyone proclaims to you a gospel contrary to what you received, let that one be accursed"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • attempted building, claiming, or referencing authority that is misguided and improper
  •  
    interpretation:
    This is part of the temptation we all have to face in this life and prevail against – thus, this goes without saying. However, the tone of the author indicates an attempt to build a human authority over the interpretation of Jesus's story and message. Everything can be declared “contrary” and thus be “accursed”. Whereas, the interpretation of any message should lay within the listener, without any intermediaries mandating their understanding to those who accept it uncritically. This way, those who speak against one's conviction will naturally be evaluated and rejected (or accepted and recognized) as each individual navigates through life's assigned situations.
     
        

    Galatians 1:11, 12

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    Berean: ..."11 For I certify to you, brothers, that the gospel I preached was not devised by man. 12 I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ. "...
    NRSV: ..."11 … the gospel that was proclaimed by me is not of human origin; 12 for I did not receive it from a human source, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • attempted building, claiming, or referencing authority that is misguided and improper
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  •  
    interpretation:
    As for Paul, this stands; for the rest of us, it will be of human origin, as we hear it from him and others who wrote it all down for posterity. As Joseph Smith and Mohammed also received messages “not of human origin”, Paul's logic does not hold: we are to evaluate each message according to the sense it makes, and the gauge its likelihood of truth for ourselves. In the story and message of Jesus, the sense the CESAPH makes in Jesus and the logic its message presents about the meaning and purpose of life can support one's confidence in its truth value (short of certainty, of course).
     
        

    Galatians 2:7, 9

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    Berean: ..."7 On the contrary, they saw that I had been entrusted to preach the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised. 9 And recognizing the grace that I had been given, James, Cephas, and John—those reputed to be pillars—gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, so that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcised. "...
    NRSV: ..."7 On the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel for the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel for the circumcised ...9 and when James and Cephas and John, who were acknowledged pillars, recognized the grace that had been given to me, they gave to Barnabas and me the right hand of fellowship, agreeing that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • misguided focus on Jews or improper differentiation between Jews and Gentiles
  •  
    interpretation:
    There is no “gospel for the uncircumcised” and “gospel for the circumcised” - there is only one gospel, and if the Jews failed to comprehend its relevance, it is their loss. The attempt to cater to Jews is responsible to position Jesus as their Messiah, and tie his story to the OT prophecies. This is a huge damage in credibility and misleading people (not to mention not having the desired results, as most Jews did not accept Jesus in the end).
     
        

    Galatians 2:16, 19, 21

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    Berean: ..."16 know that a man is not justified by works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have believed in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified. 19 For through the law I died to the law so that I might live to God. 21 I do not set aside the grace of God. For if righteousness comes through the law, Christ died for nothing. "...
    NRSV: ..."16 yet we know that a person is justified not by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ. ...no one will be justified by the works of the law ...19 For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. ...And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21 I do not nullify the grace of God; for if justification comes through the law, then Jesus died for nothing"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation
  • One’s ‘faith’/belief system has no direct value to the creator, and is only a potential tool in one’s quest to gain justification and reach salvation IF it helps its holder in these
  •  
    interpretation:
    Faith in Jesus means accepting his guidance, which means a life aligned with love. Adhering to a set of laws is logically unimportant to the creator; our alignment to love, as reflected by our decisions, is logically the only interesting thing in our reality for the creator to care about and follow. Also a good summary of the motivation behind the CESAPH: to show humans that the creator loves them by giving himself for our salvation (so that as many of us as possible have the strength and power to succeed in the evaluation). Justification, the attaining of the right conviction, can not come through following a set of laws; it can only come from realizing the truth and the meaning in life.
     
        

    Galatians 3:10, 11

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    Berean: ..."10 All who rely on works of the law are under a curse. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” 11 Now it is clear that no one is justified before God by the law, because, “The righteous will live by faith.” "...
    NRSV: ..."10 For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who does not observe and obey all the things written in the book of the law." 11 Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law; for "The one who is righteous will live by faith.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation
  • One’s ‘faith’/belief system has no direct value to the creator, and is only a potential tool in one’s quest to gain justification and reach salvation IF it helps its holder in these
  •  
    interpretation:
    If it is evident that no one is justified by following the law, then the law could have never been the way by which one could reach justification (gaining conviction of the eternal word of God, of salvation). Getting the eternal word into conviction is the only way of justification, and living that conviction throughout life is the only way to reach salvation, the redemption of the sinful condition originating from the precursor (and perhaps in this life too).
     
        

    Galatians 3:14, 16, 17

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    Berean: ..."14 He redeemed us in order that the blessing promised to Abraham would come to the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit. 16 The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say, “and to seeds,” meaning many, but “and to your seed,” meaning One, who is Christ. 17 What I mean is this: The law that came 430 years later does not revoke the covenant previously established by God, so as to nullify the promise. "...
    NRSV: ..."14 in order that in Jesus Christ the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. ...16 Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring; it does not say, "And to offsprings," as of many; but it says, "And to your offspring," that is, to one person, who is Jesus. 17 My point is this: the law, which came four hundred thirty years later, does not annul a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • misguided focus on Jews or improper differentiation between Jews and Gentiles
  •  
    interpretation:
    Forget about the “blessings of Abraham” - there are no blessings from Abraham; no one needs it! The purpose of this is again, to convert Jews and appeal to their zeal about their ancestry and law. ANYONE can receive the promise of the Spirit through a conviction that is aligned with love. Each human have had the same blessings from the beginning of time – that is a predisposition to love (as well as to selfishness) and a chance to redeem their sinful condition in this life, by the same criterion as everyone else on Earth: alignment to the eternal word of God, of salvation. Jesus's formalization of the eternal Word of God highlights everything else that is not in line with it as invalid (not that it was valid before).
     
        

    Galatians 3:19, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25

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    Berean: ..."19 Why then was the law given? It was added because of transgressions, until the arrival of the seed to whom the promise referred. It was administered through angels by a mediator. 21 Is the law, then, opposed to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come from the law. 22 But the Scripture pronounces all things confined by sin, so that by faith in Jesus Christ the promise might be given to those who believe. 23 Before this faith came, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. 24 So the law became our guardian to lead us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 Now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian. "...
    NRSV: ..."19 Why then the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the offspring would come to whom the promise had been made; ...21 Is the law then opposed to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could make alive, then righteousness would indeed come through the law. 22 But the scripture has imprisoned all things under the power of sin, so that what was promised through faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. 23 Now before faith came, we were imprisoned and guarded under the law until faith would be revealed. 24 Therefore the law was our disciplinarian until Jesus came, so that we might be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer subject to a disciplinarian,"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Here, unfortunately Paul does not have the guts to tell it to the Jews as it is: you have been living under a misunderstanding, and your law is worthless for salvation. Instead, he enters into an elaborate explanation that is weak and is appeasing the Jews. Jewish law was made up by Moses, was specific to Jews and contained no universal message or appeal to humanity, had a human purpose to separate Jews from others, and is irrelevant and inadequate for salvation. Faith in the eternal word of God, of salvation was always available to those who were seeking the truth, just, it was a lot harder to conclude it before Jesus's formalization of it, as most situations and the voices of others tempted people away from it.
     
        

    Galatians 3:24, 25

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    Berean: ..."24 So the law became our guardian to lead us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 Now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian. "...
    NRSV: ..."24 Therefore the law was our disciplinarian until Jesus came, so that we might be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer subject to a disciplinarian"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation
  •  
    interpretation:
    Though the core proposition of this passage is wrong (Jewish law was NEVER the way to salvation, and faith was ALWAYS available to those who concluded the eternal word of God, of salvation even before Jesus), it is interesting to hear from Paul that “we are no longer subject to a [religious] disciplinarian”. This backs the irrelevance and invalidity of the law as a way to salvation from the very beginning.
     
        

    Galatians 3:26

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    Berean: ..."26 You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. "...
    NRSV: ..."26 for in Jesus Christ you are all children of God through faith. ..."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • incorrect or inappropriate generalization
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "One’s ‘faith’/belief system has no direct value to the creator, and is only a potential tool in one’s quest to gain justification and reach salvation IF it helps its holder in these"
  •  
    interpretation:
    This is only true if “through faith” means “having the eternal word of God, of salvation in conviction”, which means aligning one's conviction and life with love vs selfishness, not to mention living the rest of one's life accordingly. In this case, all humans who concluded this truth can live a justified life and reach salvation.  
     
        

    Galatians 3:27, 28

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    Berean: ..."27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. "...
    NRSV: ..."27 As many of you as were baptized into Jesus have clothed yourselves with Jesus. 28 There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Jesus Christ."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation
  • Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally
  •  
    interpretation:
    Contradicts Galatians 4:30, Matthew 22:8, Luke 17:7, Acts 2:18, Colossians 3:22, 4:1, 1 Peter 2:18, Ephesians 6:5,7,8, 1 Timothy 6:1, Titus 2:9 – as those seemingly condone slavery, whereas here the distinction between free or slave is dismissed. All humans born into this reality are invited to, and have the chance to reach their salvation. The message of salvation and its universally applicable criterion – the eternal word of God – is universally applicable to all humans. The situational assignments of each individual is different and deserved, according to the wrong committed by the individual's soul in the precursor. The difficulty of the situation to live through (amount of misery to live through as part of the penance), and the difficulty of the situation to succeed from in reaching salvation (amount of temptation and trickiness faced) is different for each individual. But these are assumed to be fairly assigned according to the wrong of the precursor. This is key to answer the questions “Why is there suffering in this world”? and “How can a just and loving God assign so much misery seemingly randomly to some, and not to others?”.
     
        

    Galatians 3:29

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    Berean: ..."29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise. "...
    NRSV: ..."29 And if you belong to Jesus, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to the promise."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • appeasement/catering to potential Jewish converts
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation"
  •  
    interpretation:
    This includes a pathetic attempt to position “belonging to Jesus” as somehow a step to, a qualifier to, a lesser glory than “being Abraham's offspring” and therefore an “heir according to the promise”. People are “heirs according to the promise” by virtue of living on this Earth. There was no “promise to Abraham”, other than what Moses made up, to position the Jews as somehow a more important bunch than the rest of humanity. And even what Moses made up, was a generalization that pretty much fits all nations, not just the Jews: “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” - fits the Mongols of Genghis Khan just as much as (if not more than) the Jews... Besides, the creator does not care about the path of history and nations, but of humans' salvations.
     
        

    Galatians 4:4, 5

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    Berean: ..."4 But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those under the law, that we might receive our adoption as sons. "...
    NRSV: ..."4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Misspoken passage catering to potential Jewish converts. Jesus being born “under the law” is neither relevant, nor true. The creator's chosen context for his appearance to humanity was Judea and the Jewish religion, precisely to contrast his universal message against their exclusionary and hereditary belief system that missed the point about how to reach salvation. If we meant “under the law” as “justified in conviction about love's guiding force and living the path of salvation”, the sentence could be correct – however, the author most certainly meant “under Jewish law”, which makes the passage incorrect and misguided. Jewish law was made up by Moses, was specific to Jews and contained no universal message or appeal to humanity, had a human purpose to separate Jews from others, and is irrelevant and inadequate for salvation. Faith in the eternal word of God, of salvation was always available to those who were seeking the truth, just, it was a lot harder to conclude it before Jesus's formalization of it, as most situations and the voices of others tempted people away from it. In this context then “receiving adoption as children” (one becoming a children) happens when one reached salvation (by successfully living life aligned with love). However, no one becomes the child of the creator by abiding by Jewish law.
     
        

    Galatians 4:4, 5, 6, 7

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."4 But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those under the law, that we might receive our adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, you are also an heir through God. "...
    NRSV: ..."4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. 6 And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" 7 So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • In their predispositions, humans inherit both love (the essence of the creator’s spirit we share with him, indicating our significance) and selfishness (its opposite/opposing property, what some mistakenly attribute to a separate entity of the ‘evil/devil/satan’) to different degrees from their greater-self, from their originating context of reality
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  • The reason for the creator to appear in the Jewish context was to contrast their beliefs of exclusivity and specialness in the eye of the creator with the eternal word of God, of salvation, universally applicable to all humans
  •  
    interpretation:
    Contradicts Galatians 4:30, Matthew 22:8, Luke 17:7, Acts 2:18, Colossians 3:22, 4:1, 1 Peter 2:18, Ephesians 6:5,7,8, 1 Timothy 6:1, Titus 2:9 – as those seemingly condone slavery, whereas here the condition of slavery for all humans is invalidated. The timing and the historical context for the CESAPH was chosen appropriately within the lifespan of creation. Being born to a human who was under the law of the eternal word of God the same way as all humans are. The “law” here can not have anything to do with Jewish law or belonging to the “chosen people” as the creator invited all humans to reach salvation, not only a particular group or set of pre-selected people. And indeed, the intent of the CESAPH was to help everyone (as all humans are under the same law of the eternal word of God) to redeem their sinful condition by following the law (the eternal word of God). The adaption as children refers to rejoining the presence of the creator upon reaching salvation (passing the evaluation of life). As potential adopted children (if we end up qualifying with our life), we all come with seeds of predisposition to love, the spirit of the creator. This makes our relation to the creator not based on servitude, but love.
     
        

    Galatians 4:30, 31

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    Berean: ..."30 But what does the Scripture say? “Expel the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman’s son.” 31 Therefore, brothers, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman. "...
    NRSV: ..."30 But what does the scripture say? "Drive out the slave and her child; for the child of the slave will not share the inheritance with the child of the free woman." 31 So then, friends, we are children, not of the slave but of the free woman."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • condoning slavery
  • contradicts other NT passages
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Contradicts Mark 10:44, Romans 7:6, 1 Corinthians 7:22-23, Philippians 2:6-8, Galatians 5:13-14 Galatians 5:1, 4:7, 3:28, 1 Timothy 1:10-11, 1 Peter 2:16, James 5:1-5, Colossians 3:10 by implicitly condoning the condition of slavery. The author is simply wrong on the possibility for any person to own slaves, their family, and make them obedient. Some forms of subservient relations CAN exist out of legal (repaying debt or fulfilling a contractual obligation) or moral reasons (voluntary or sanctioned rectifying trespasses to those harmed), but in those cases the relationship is NOT 'slavery', as ownership of another person or their offspring is not involved. Of course, people in subservient relations to their 'lenders' still need to relate to them (to the people they owe and serve) with love, and vice versa. This passage was likely included to maintain social order at the time of its writing, and has nothing to do with the wish of Jesus or his message (other than the main command covers all situations, including this one). If the 'master' is a respectable human, then treat him with respect. In ALL cases treat all humans – including masters – in alignment with love and consideration. Then, there are those masters who are not worthy of respect as they may not be worthy of any honor. And those should be treated 'appropriately'. No one needs to take consistent wickedness from an abuser as part of the abuser's pleasure and entertainment – and this does not even contradict the 'other cheek' principle. Masters who are believers (justified in their conviction) should have already freed their slaved and transferred all legitimate cases into contractual obligations (debt, rectifying sins). Addressing the condition of 'slavery' head on would have been perhaps more important for the author to address than these other detailed instructions he was so concerned about. But then, I guess he would have risked a quick execution from the slave-owning authorities. How about the practice of prisoners of war being converted into slave status? Well, perfect opportunity to preach the message of Jesus to the enablers and maintainers of such injustices! Social justice and sustainable development directly follow from Jesus's main command. More than 2000 years later church leaders still did not address those points by sticking them to the face of those who have been responsible for maintaining such injustices (namely, rulers and the rich who have been allied with the church throughout history).. And we did not even touch the camel's case with the eye of the needle. Sadly, parts like this were responsible in the upkeep of those unjust situations, as they could be referenced as examples and counter-examples, invoking 'divine blessing'. Another misspoken passage from Paul. He should not have cared about “what the Jewish scriptures said” knowing what Jesus said – but perhaps he also lacked some understanding (as all humans do). We should care about the child of the slave as well as of the free. Another unfortunate reference is about “being a child of someone”, implying that descent matters at all as far as the creator and our salvation. Instead of using this very unfortunate quote, he should have simply summarized his understanding that may have gone like this: “by aligning our life with love, the preference of the creator, we are free of silly laws, and by living our conviction about love, we are walking on the path toward our salvation, and receiving our inheritance as children of the creator  – and this is all that matters in life”.
     
        

    Galatians 5:1, 4, 5, 6

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery. 4 You who are trying to be justified by the law have been severed from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. 5 But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the hope of righteousness. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. All that matters is faith, expressed through love. "...
    NRSV: ..."1 For freedom Jesus has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. … 4 You who want to be justified by the law have cut yourselves off from Jesus; you have fallen away from grace. 5 For through the Spirit, by faith, we eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. 6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything; the only thing that counts is faith working through love."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • As salvation is an individual achievement, finding the way and living life accordingly is a private matter that can not be policed or compelled by others
  • Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation
  •  
    interpretation:
    Contradicts Galatians 4:30, Matthew 22:8, Luke 17:7, Acts 2:18, Colossians 3:22, 4:1, 1 Peter 2:18, Ephesians 6:5,7,8, 1 Timothy 6:1, Titus 2:9 – as those seemingly condone slavery, whereas here slavery is put into a negative, despicable light, thus condemning the condition. Slavery to complying with Jewish (or any other prescribed set of worldly) law is contrasted by each individual's freedom of will, accompanied by the invitation and urging to reach salvation. Those who will hope to have complied with the will of the creator by satisfying a set of law without gaining the conviction and alignment of the preferred value of the creator – love – are grossly misguided. Having faith in the eternal word of God, of salvation and aligning our life with love is the only thing that counts in life. “Waiting for the hope of righteousness” must include an active life that is guided by, and is aligned with love. Such life can not be a passive waiting for an event.
     
        

    Galatians 5:13, 14

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."13 For you, brothers, were called to freedom; but do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh. Rather, serve one another in love. 14 The entire law is fulfilled in a single decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” "...
    NRSV: ..."13 For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another. 14 For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • As salvation is an individual achievement, finding the way and living life accordingly is a private matter that can not be policed or compelled by others
  • One ‘loves God’ by loving their fellow human beings, no matter how far removed they may be, which fulfills the single command of God
  •  
    interpretation:
    Contradicts Galatians 4:30, Matthew 22:8, Luke 17:7, Acts 2:18, Colossians 3:22, 4:1, 1 Peter 2:18, Ephesians 6:5,7,8, 1 Timothy 6:1, Titus 2:9 – as those seemingly condone slavery, whereas here it points out the only proper condition for slavery. The essence of the single command, the way to salvation, and the purpose of our existence. This is what humans will be evaluated on, and this is the purpose of our reality, the creation, the simulation we participate in.
     
        

    Galatians 5:16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26

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    Berean: ..."16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are opposed to each other, so that you do not do what you want. 19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; 20 idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us walk in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying one another. "...
    NRSV: ..."16 Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For what the flesh desires is opposed to the Spirit, and what the Spirit desires is opposed to the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you want. ... 19 Now the works of the flesh are obvious: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, 21 envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these. I am warning you, as I warned you before: those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. 24 And those who belong to Jesus Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, competing against one another, envying one another."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Behavioral guidance
  • The main goal of our life is to reach our salvation and build values that transcend this reality into eternal life, not to reach material or academic success or to fulfill other worldly desires or loyalties
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    Materialistic comfort-driven desires encourage us toward selfishness, while the spirit required of us for salvation is its opposite, love. The joys, beauty, and pleasures of life can also be enjoyed in life as long as doing so will not derail us form being aligned with love – and this is an extremely tricky balance in life for everyone. Thus, the message of Jesus does not call for the rejection of the enjoyment of all these things, but for doing so only as long as staying true to the path of salvation, that is being aligned by love and consideration for all others (not just the immediate neighbors).
     
        

    Galatians 5:18

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. "...
    NRSV: ..."18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the law."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • As salvation is an individual achievement, finding the way and living life accordingly is a private matter that can not be policed or compelled by others
  • Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation
  •  
    interpretation:
    Contradicts Matthew 5:17 and several other verses from the NT about Jesus representing, leaving intact/keeping Jewish law in effect – rightly. Therefore, the law is useless, as the quality of the spirit – as demonstrated by the life lived – is what the creator is evaluating in the last judgment. The law should be there for the workings and maintenance of society; salvation is an individual affair not to be policed by external forces.  
     
        

    Galatians 6:4, 5, 8, 10

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    Berean: ..."4 Each one should test his own work. Then he will have reason to boast in himself alone, and not in someone else. 5 For each one should carry his own load. 8 The one who sows to please his flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; but the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith. "...
    NRSV: ..."4 All must test their own work; then that work, rather than their neighbor's work, will become a cause for pride. 5 For all must carry their own loads. … for you reap whatever you sow. 8 If you sow to your own flesh, you will reap corruption from the flesh; but if you sow to the Spirit, you will reap eternal life from the Spirit. ...10 So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all,"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • It is logical to expect appropriate consequences due for passing or failing the evaluation
  • One ‘loves God’ by loving their fellow human beings, no matter how far removed they may be, which fulfills the single command of God
  • Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally
  • The main goal of our life is to reach our salvation and build values that transcend this reality into eternal life, not to reach material or academic success or to fulfill other worldly desires or loyalties
  •  
    interpretation:
    Here, the category statements cover all necessary comments on the passage.
     
        

    Galatians 6:10

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    Berean: ..."10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith. "...
    NRSV: ..."10 So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • misconceived comprehension or misrepresentation of Jesus’s message
  •  
    interpretation:
    This false idea is inherited from Jewish tradition, where helping another Jew is held in the highest esteem. This contrasts the message of Jesus, in which it is clear that we should help ALL our neighbors. Through the passage about the Samaritan, we know that helping those who are the farthest from us in respect and relation is a greater act than helping those in our immediate circle of friends or family. Paul misses this in his quote.
     
        

    Galatians 6:17

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    Berean: ..."17 From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. "...
    NRSV: ..."17 From now on, let no one make trouble for me; for I carry the marks of Jesus branded on my body."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • attempted building, claiming, or referencing authority that is misguided and improper
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  •  
    interpretation:
    Not clear what this is about – threatening? warning? joking? boasting? For sure it has no place in an infallible set of writings.
     
        

    Philippians 2:3, 4, 5

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    Berean: ..."3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus: "...
    NRSV: ..."3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. 5 Let the same mind be in you that was in Jesus Christ,"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Behavioral guidance
  • One ‘loves God’ by loving their fellow human beings, no matter how far removed they may be, which fulfills the single command of God
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    Here, the category statements cover all necessary comments on the passage.
     
        

    Philippians 2:6, 7, 8

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."6 Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross. "...
    NRSV: ..."6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, 7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death — even death on a cross."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  • The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans
  •  
    interpretation:
    Contradicts Galatians 4:30, Matthew 22:8, Luke 17:7, Acts 2:18, Colossians 3:22, 4:1, 1 Peter 2:18, Ephesians 6:5,7,8, 1 Timothy 6:1, Titus 2:9 – as those seemingly condone slavery, whereas here “taking the form of a slave” is used in a negative light, a sacrifice that the creator undertook on our behalf. A very good description of the CESAPH – all, for the purpose of demonstrating the creator's love for us and urging and inviting us to reach salvation with our life.
     
        

    Philippians 2:12, 13

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    Berean: ..."12 Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now even more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose. "...
    NRSV: ..."12 … work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • It is logical to expect appropriate consequences due for passing or failing the evaluation
  •  
    interpretation:
    In our reality free will is allowed its full effects (the creator does not limit its effects on others). Through our predispositions carried by all of us into this world, the spirit and the grace of the creator is within us, urging us to move toward salvation. However, the work has to be performed by the individual human using his free will. The active work and effort of our creator to move us into alignment with love during our life is also manifested in the good news of the CESAPH (the formalized word of God of salvation), to which – by these modern times – mostly everyone can be exposed to.
     
        

    Philippians 3:9

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    Berean: ..."9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God on the basis of faith. "...
    NRSV: ..."9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but one that comes through faith in Jesus, the righteousness from God based on faith"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation
  • One’s ‘faith’/belief system has no direct value to the creator, and is only a potential tool in one’s quest to gain justification and reach salvation IF it helps its holder in these
  • ‘Justification’ is ‘being convinced about love’s (vs. selfishness) need to guide life’ (= ‘being rightly enlightened’, = ‘holding Jesus’s message in conviction’, = ‘following/believing in Jesus’, = ‘gaining a justified conviction’, = ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, = ‘doing the works of God’, = ‘satisfying/keeping/adhering to the command of God’, = ‘accepting/living according to Jesus’s message’, = ‘fulfilling the eternal word of God, of salvation’)
  •  
    interpretation:
    Justification can not come from adherence to law, but through one recognizing and accepting that the eternal word of God, of salvation (one needs to live a life aligned with love vs. selfishness) is right, true, and it properly addresses the meaning of one's life.
     
        

    Philippians 3:10, 11

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    Berean: ..."10 I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to Him in His death, 11 and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. "...
    NRSV: ..."10 I want to know Jesus and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death, 11 if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  •  
    interpretation:
    Here Paul seems to not understand what he clearly understands elsewhere – that everyone is resurrecting, as did Jesus. Also what is it to “know the power of his resurrection?? Did he believe this or not? What is there to “know” more – like how he did it? This passage demonstrates either a failure of understanding (and sheds questions on his faith) or a talk to a very specific audience who have some difficulty in gaining understanding (and for them, Paul is bending his narrative). Why would he want to share in Jesus's suffering? If that is not his assigned situation in his life, why would he (or anyone) wish this torment for himself? Because he loves Jesus? Well, then love others – this does not require one to go through such suffering.. Besides, suffering like Jesus will not lessen the load on Jesus now. This gives precedence to people seeking out suffering, as if that is something good or positive. People should patiently endure the suffering they can not avoid, but not seek it.
     
        

    Philippians 3:13, 14

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    Berean: ..."13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus. "...
    NRSV: ..."13 … but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Jesus Christ."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • It is logical to expect appropriate consequences due for passing or failing the evaluation
  • One needs to live life being always ready for its accounting - then, if events in the future come as a ’thief’, as one would have needed to do nothing differently
  • Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally
  • There is always hope and is never too late for salvation
  •  
    interpretation:
    The heavenly call – the divine invitation of following Jesus's message – to all people is to reach salvation by aligning life with love. One does this by staying aligned with love in the situations assigned throughout life. To be able to dedicate life to the way of salvation, one may stand in conflict with loyalties to family, clan, tribe, culture, religion, and one's own personal achievements. Matthew 16:24-26, 19:29, Luke 14:25-27, Philippians 3:13,14 all express the same: following the path of salvation may require one to completely go against one's old, established ways and whatever loyalties this may conflict with. One needs to remember that situational assignments are there as one's penance, and temptations are there to probe one's alignment – and one needs to succeed at reaching salvation DESPITE these.
     
        

    Philippians 4:19

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."19 And my God will supply all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. "...
    NRSV: ..."19 And my God will fully satisfy every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • lacking understanding of reasons behind ‘good things can happen to bad people’, and all its variations
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Parallels John 14:13,14, 15:7,16:24 Matthew 7:7, 21:22 1 John 3:22, 5:14-15 Philippians 4:19, Mark 11:24 One may misunderstand “asking and receiving” to be a valid and realistic expectation for this life, however, clearly this is not the case, and neither is this the intention of the creator. The obvious case in this life (that can be tested by anyone) is: “praying/asking for something may or may NOT be granted, regardless of the subject or strength of one's faith”. This is NOT because of a lack of faith on our part, or NOT abiding in Jesus, but because of the nature of our evaluation (of the quality of our soul, the proven alignment of our conviction in our life of penance). Bad things happen to good people, and all other variations of it, regardless of the amount of prayers and faith. Our reality is a place of penance for the wrongs we committed before we joined this reality in our eternal past (as angels?), and as such, it is expected to include a proportional and fair share of suffering in our assigned situations, that fits our failings. Thus, even if we believe and constantly pray, we may still be made to endure what we are to endure as part of our penance. The understanding of the authors on this is most likely misguided, and this may lead to harmful beliefs: false hopes can lead to big disappointments and even the loss of faith when things don't turn out the way we expected them. The CESAPH did not take place to impress or awe people into submission, but to demonstrate the creator's love for us and our need to endure our penance, as we earn our salvation with our properly aligned conviction and life. Routine miracles (prayers automatically fulfilled upon the proper belief) would work against the integrity of the simulation, and would render it incapable in assessing the quality of human souls. Miracles or certainty about outcomes would make one's proven conviction less convincing and valuable and more prone to calculation compared to the achievements of those who did not experience these, but still believed and lived according to their justified conviction. Asking for and being granted whatever we wish for may be the case for those who pass the last judgment and earn their salvation, but the author likely meant this to happen during this life.
     
        

    1 Corinthians 1:10

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    Berean: ..."10 I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree together, so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be united in mind and conviction. "...
    NRSV: ..."10 Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same purpose"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "As salvation is an individual achievement, finding the way and living life accordingly is a private matter that can not be policed or compelled by others"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Surely, all people united in agreement without divisions is a nice goal, but Paul should know better: divisions are impossible to prevent and are a natural state while people try to find the truth in their lives. Part of the evaluation is to find one's way and live the life accordingly, and this can not be policed and forced by others, especially not for the sake of unity and agreement. Conviction has to arise in the self voluntarily; that is the only way love as a value is appreciated in the eyes of the creator.
     
        

    1 Corinthians 1:12, 13, 14, 15

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."12 What I mean is this: Individuals among you are saying, “I follow Paul,” “I follow Apollos,” “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so no one can say that you were baptized into my name. "...
    NRSV: ..."12 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw — 13 the work of each builder will become visible, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each has done. 14 If what has been built on the foundation survives, the builder will receive a reward. 15 If the work is burned up, the builder will suffer loss; the builder will be saved, but only as through fire."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • contradicts other NT passages
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  •  
    interpretation:
    Contradicts Matthew 25:46 - This is likely the single place in the NT that could be interpreted as souls being ultimately saved regardless of their works in this life – thus, this may hint that 'hell' (the negative consequences of failing the evaluation) may not be final into eternity. However, even if negative consequences reaching into eternity is not the immediate outcome of this life (and somehow, there may be some further chances at rectifying the sinful condition of our past alignment with selfishness), not succeeding at the evaluation as a result of counting on getting another subsequent chance may end up as a supremely foolish hope to entertain or expect. Besides, one should be careful to entertain a theory of this magnitude based on a single sentence mentioned from among the NT sources... This universalist position makes our life here without any weight, as even if one may suffer some disadvantages in a future life, ultimately everyone is guaranteed to complete the task with success. This may be so, but I would not bet on it – this is my final conclusion on this.
     
        

    1 Corinthians 1:17, 18, 19, 22, 23, 24

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    Berean: ..."17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with words of wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. 18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” 22 Jews demand signs and Greeks search for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. "...
    NRSV: ..."17 For Jesus did not send me to baptize but to proclaim the gospel, and not with eloquent wisdom, so that the cross of Jesus might not be emptied of its power. 18 For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart." ...22 For Jews demand signs and Greeks desire wisdom, 23 but we proclaim Jesus crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Jesus the power of God and the wisdom of God."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    The 'power of the cross of Jesus' stands on its own, without prerequisites, the need for prophecies or foretelling, authenticating by other scriptures, or descent from people. The philosophical foundation's reasoning can not conclude it from its logic, as the CESAPH is something extra; yet it fits as an extra step on top of the philosophical narrative, fits on top of the eternal word of God, that it came to formalize for humanity. Demanding signs as a guarantor of divine origin is misguided, as supernatural signs go against the ability of the setup to evaluate the true characters of humans. “the called” are those who end up being justified in their conviction about the eternal word of God, of salvation guiding their lives – they are not a predestined set of people.
     
        

    1 Corinthians 1:27, 28, 29

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 He chose the lowly and despised things of the world, and the things that are not, to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast in His presence. "...
    NRSV: ..."27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to reduce to nothing things that are, 29 so that no one might boast in the presence of God."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  • The main goal of our life is to reach our salvation and build values that transcend this reality into eternal life, not to reach material or academic success or to fulfill other worldly desires or loyalties
  •  
    interpretation:
    This is a beautiful description and reasoning to express the motivation behind the CESAPH. It amounts to a representative situation that we can all fear to happen to us during our life – humiliation, destitution, suffering, hopelessness, death. By choosing the most 'despicable' of situations, the creator brought down any possible reason why one not in this situation but in prestige or privilege would have to boast about about his lucky situation. Thus, a life of ease, luck and privilege is nothing to boast about in the eye of the creator.
     
        

    1 Corinthians 2:9, 11, 12, 13, 14

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    Berean: ..."9 Rather, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no heart has imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him.” 11 For who among men knows the thoughts of man except his own spirit within him? So too, no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 We have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. 13 And this is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom, but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. 14 The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. "...
    NRSV: ..."9 But, as it is written "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the human heart conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him" … 11 For what human being knows what is truly human except the human spirit that is within? So also no one comprehends what is truly God's except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit that is from God, so that we may understand the gifts bestowed on us by God. 13 And we speak of these things in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual things to those who are spiritual.14 Those who are unspiritual do not receive the gifts of God's Spirit, for they are foolishness to them, and they are unable to understand them because they are spiritually discerned."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • In their predispositions, humans inherit both love (the essence of the creator’s spirit we share with him, indicating our significance) and selfishness (its opposite/opposing property, what some mistakenly attribute to a separate entity of the ‘evil/devil/satan’) to different degrees from their greater-self, from their originating context of reality
  • Jesus’s ‘covenant’ of the eternal word of God, of salvation is the only covenant that has ever been and will ever be in effect from the creator for all of humanity, since the very beginning of time till the ending of our simulated reality, meaning that if one passes their evaluation on their alignment with love, one redeems their sinful condition and gains their salvation
  • Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally
  • ‘Justification’ is ‘being convinced about love’s (vs. selfishness) need to guide life’ (= ‘being rightly enlightened’, = ‘holding Jesus’s message in conviction’, = ‘following/believing in Jesus’, = ‘gaining a justified conviction’, = ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, = ‘doing the works of God’, = ‘satisfying/keeping/adhering to the command of God’, = ‘accepting/living according to Jesus’s message’, = ‘fulfilling the eternal word of God, of salvation’)
  •  
    interpretation:
    We can not compare any earthly pleasure to the kinds of things we may experience in the next realm. The spirit from God we “received” are the predispositions that we carried into this existence, that are likely innate to our sovereign souls, and not assigned to us by the creator (which would not make much logical sense from the creator's possible perspectives). The amount of this spirit remaining in us at the point of our birth into this world is likely the result of our failings in our previous existence. Thus, the amount of the creator's spirit carried in our sovereign soul is one of its true properties that belong solely to the soul, not something granted, assigned or implanted by the creator. And it makes sense that, throughout our infinite existence, we are responsible to keeping, nurturing, and growing this property, which is what we are accountable about to the creator in our infinite relationship with him. After all, this is the base of our relationship with the creator. One may not need wisdom to learn about these things; one may simply feel the essence of it within – and this guarantees the chance for salvation to all people.
     
        

    1 Corinthians 3:10, 11

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    Berean: ..."10 By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one must be careful how he builds. 11 For no one can lay a foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. "...
    NRSV: ..."10 … Each builder must choose with care how to build on it. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one that has been laid; that foundation is Jesus Christ."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • One’s ‘faith’/belief system has no direct value to the creator, and is only a potential tool in one’s quest to gain justification and reach salvation IF it helps its holder in these
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    The only right foundation is the eternal word of God, of salvation, the message that we are here to be evaluated on our alignment with love vs selfishness. The CESAPH happened to formalize and press this as the meaning of our existence.
     
        

    1 Corinthians 3:12, 13, 14, 15

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    Berean: ..."12 If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw, 13 his workmanship will be evident, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will prove the quality of each man’s work. 14 If what he has built survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If it is burned up, he will suffer loss. He himself will be saved, but only as if through the flames. "...
    NRSV: ..."12 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw — 13 the work of each builder will become visible, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each has done. 14 If what has been built on the foundation survives, the builder will receive a reward. 15 If the work is burned up, the builder will suffer loss; the builder will be saved, but only as through fire."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • It is logical to expect appropriate consequences due for passing or failing the evaluation
  • Salvation can not be put off till later in life, as such calculation can not lead to genuine repentance of sins or justification
  • The evaluation result is likely progressive within pass or fail
  •  
    interpretation:
    Hints at the degrees of success or compliance with the eternal word of God, of salvation. It is up to build up our character with the right conviction and right focus during our life, to collect treasure for next life. This treasure is of the type that can transcend to any different context of reality, as it is a part of our soul, one is carried forward. Contradicts Matthew 25:46 - This is the single place in the NT that could be interpreted as souls being ultimately saved regardless of their works in this life – thus, this may hint that 'hell' (the negative consequences of failing the evaluation) may not be final into eternity. However, even if negative consequences reaching into eternity is not the outcome (somehow there may be some further chances at rectifying the sinful condition of alignment with selfishness), not succeeding at the evaluation as a result of counting on getting another subsequent chance may end up as a supremely foolish position to hold.
     
        

    1 Corinthians 3:16

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    Berean: ..."16 Do you not know that you yourselves are God’s temple, and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? "...
    NRSV: ..."16 Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • In their predispositions, humans inherit both love (the essence of the creator’s spirit we share with him, indicating our significance) and selfishness (its opposite/opposing property, what some mistakenly attribute to a separate entity of the ‘evil/devil/satan’) to different degrees from their greater-self, from their originating context of reality
  •  
    interpretation:
    The source of our significance is that we share the spirit of the creator – each of us to different degrees. This is present in all humans in their predispositions and can also be reinforced by divine grace's efforts – in thoughts, impressions, ideas, accidental situations to face that can be the work of grace's active help. This help is not an achievement; humans still need to act on it and implement it in their lives to achieve salvation.
     
        

    1 Corinthians 3:21, 22, 23

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."21 Therefore, stop boasting in men. All things are yours, 22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future. All of them belong to you, 23 and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God. "...
    NRSV: ..."21 So let no one boast about human leaders. For all things are yours, 22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future — all belong to you, 23 and you belong to Jesus, and Jesus belongs to God."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • The creator created our reality (best modeled as a consciousness-centric simulation) to facilitate the evaluation of its target audience: humans
  • The human spirit is somehow part of the eternal consciousness
  •  
    interpretation:
    This abstract description eerily fits the description of being in a simulated reality, where everything exists to facilitate our interactions. And all this reality exist because the creator granted us – failed angels – a chance to redeem our wrongs. The human soul can also be looked at as a thread running within/belonging to the master-consciousness of the creator. This would explain our consciousness's complete transparency to the creator – a base assumption that would be backed by the conscious thread model.
     
        

    1 Corinthians 4:4, 5

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    Berean: ..."4 My conscience is clear, but that does not vindicate me. It is the Lord who judges me. 5 Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God. "...
    NRSV: ..."4 … It is the Lord who judges me. 5 Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive commendation from God."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • As salvation is an individual achievement, finding the way and living life accordingly is a private matter that can not be policed or compelled by others
  • It is logical to expect appropriate consequences due for passing or failing the evaluation
  • The creator created our reality (best modeled as a consciousness-centric simulation) to facilitate the evaluation of its target audience: humans
  • The human spirit is somehow part of the eternal consciousness
  • There is always hope and is never too late for salvation
  •  
    interpretation:
    Human souls are participating in a penance for their past (pre-life) wrongs, also being evaluated on their ability to realign with love. The amount of misery one faces through accidental situations (health, wealth, talent, luck, comfort or the lack of those) are assumed fairly assigned proportionately to the wrong of the precursor. Thus, no further judging, shaming, looking down, blaming is due from peers in this life. As each received their cross to bare, all we are to do is to conduct our life aligned with love in our interactions, acts, and thoughts. That means actively helping each other to salvation, whenever we have the chance to do so in a non-intrusive way, like being examples. Because of the total transparency of the human soul to the creator (the running thread model within the master-consciousness in the simulation) judgment can (and is expected to) be thorough, including the hidden motives, thoughts of each individual. And the consequences can also be thought of as fitting the judgment.
     
        

    1 Corinthians 4:7

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    Berean: ..."7 For who makes you so superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not? "...
    NRSV: ..."7 … What do you have that you did not receive? And if you received it, why do you boast as if it were not a gift?"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • In their predispositions, humans inherit both love (the essence of the creator’s spirit we share with him, indicating our significance) and selfishness (its opposite/opposing property, what some mistakenly attribute to a separate entity of the ‘evil/devil/satan’) to different degrees from their greater-self, from their originating context of reality
  • Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally
  •  
    interpretation:
    As our current existence is a penance for a wrong from a precursory existence (before our life here), the amount of misery or privilege received in our accidental situations (health, wealth, talent, luck, comfort or the lack of those) and the difficulty of achieving our salvation given or despite our assigned situations – according to the only criterion that makes sense (life aligned with love, the eternal word of God) – are assumed to fairly reflect the wrong committed by our soul in our precursory existence. As such, no one is justified to boast or rebel/complain about their accidental situational assignments (not caused by human free will in this life). The only trait we can assume we did not receive as part of our assignment is the level of our predisposition to love and selfishness. It makes the most sense that these traits are part of who we were, carried into who we are in this life. In other words, this is likely not set by the creator (as our other assignments) but belong to our soul.
     
        

    1 Corinthians 5:9, 10, 11, 12, 13

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    Berean: ..."9 I wrote you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people. 10 I was not including the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. 11 But now I am writing you not to associate with anyone who claims to be a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a verbal abuser, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat. 12 What business of mine is it to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? 13 God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.” "...
    NRSV: ..."9 I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral persons — 10 not at all meaning the immoral of this world, or the greedy and robbers, or idolaters, since you would then need to go out of the world. 11 But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother or sister who is sexually immoral or greedy, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or robber. Do not even eat with such a one. 12 For what have I to do with judging those outside? Is it not those who are inside that you are to judge? 13 God will judge those outside. "Drive out the wicked person from among you.""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • contradicts other NT passages
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • judgment and punishment regarding justification and salvation is for the creator
  • personal perspectives and directives that are culturally dependent
  •  
    interpretation:
    Contradicts Galatians 5:18, 1 Corinthians 4:4,5, 2 Corinthians 5:10, Romans 2:1,14:4,10, Luke 6:37, James 2:13,4:12,13, 1 Peter 2:23,4:5, John 12:47,48 – Here, Paul encourages disciples to judge others instead of helping them to find the path to salvation or staying on it. This is clearly wrong: one is not to give up to showing the example of the right way and helping those who are on the wrong path to get back to justification, whenever this opportunity arises for them. Therefore not even eating with them and excommunicating them is obviously the wrong advice to followers of Jesus, coming from the misconceived personal points of view (at the moment probably) of Paul.
     
        

    1 Corinthians 6:3

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    Berean: ..."3 Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life! "...
    NRSV: ..."3 Do you not know that we are to judge angels — to say nothing of ordinary matters?"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • contradicts other NT passages
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • judgment and punishment regarding justification and salvation is for the creator
  •  
    interpretation:
    Contradicts Galatians 5:18, 1 Corinthians 4:4,5, 2 Corinthians 5:10, Romans 2:1,14:4,10, Luke 6:37, James 2:13,4:12,13, 1 Peter 2:23,4:5, John 12:47,48 – This passage is part of an argument that despises people resorting to lawsuits instead of settling their differences in the spirit of love. Not sure where Paul is getting the idea that “we are to judge angels”... Judging angels contradicts several passages where we are told NOT to judge others, as that is for the creator to do. However, this refers to passing judgment with authority. The topic here is to encourage people to settle their differences instead of resorting to lawsuit and judgments (which is a correct goal). Knowing right from wrong and warning others of this according to our conviction may not be judging, but helping each other towards salvation though. As for judging angels, as all humans are likely eternal but fallen angels (according to the philosophical foundation), it is possible that at some point we are to judge each other. But it does not have to be in this life. And the fact that the motivation of this passage is to encourage each other to settle our differences in the spirit of the creator, this may be an encouragement to do so in the spirit, as opposed to defer this decision to other authorities, such as courts and the law.
     
        

    1 Corinthians 6:9, 10

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    Berean: ..."9 Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who submit to or perform homosexual acts, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. "...
    NRSV: ..."9 … Fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, male prostitutes, sodomites, 10 thieves, the greedy, drunkards, revilers, robbers — none of these will inherit the kingdom of God"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • content that is unhelpful, intentionally mystifying, irrelevant, or too detailed to be a part of ‘scriptures’ of guidance to salvation
  • incorrect or inappropriate generalization
  • personal perspectives and directives that are culturally dependent
  •  
    interpretation:
    Even though some of these behaviors may logically lead one to damnation in general (there is a higher chance that such person will fail the evaluation of life), they can not be generalized here by Paul, and people should not form and publish a list of these deeds apart from being guided by love or not. Yes, the general guidance of “make your decisions in alignment with love and consideration for others” IS enough for people. The rest is up to their decisions and they can await the judgment of the creator. For example, why the distinction between “male prostitutes” and female prostitutes? Is one somehow in a better situation than the other?
     
        

    1 Corinthians 6:13, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20

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    Berean: ..."13 “Food for the stomach and the stomach for food,” but God will destroy them both. The body is not intended for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. 15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! 16 Or don’t you know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.” 18 Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a man can commit is outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. 19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body. "...
    NRSV: ..."13 … The body is meant not for fornication but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. … 15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Jesus? Should I therefore take the members of Jesus and make them members of a prostitute? Never! 16 Do you not know that whoever is united to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For it is said, "The two shall be one flesh." ...18 … Every sin that a person commits is outside the body; but the fornicator sins against the body itself. 19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God, and that you are not your own? 20 For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • incorrect or inappropriate generalization
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misguided understanding of sin, the origin of sinful condition/the ‘original sin’ inherited from the OT
  • personal perspectives and directives that are culturally dependent
  •  
    interpretation:
    Obviously, engaging in prostitution on either side is not right, however Paul's analogy of the body being “members of Jesus” is a bit far and likely incorrect (reflecting his personal points of view). There is also an overemphasis on prostitution here from an overzealous Paul in trying to guide his flock. The fornicator does not sin against the body either, as the body is just a limitation we have in this reality. All sins go against being guided and aligned with love in our conduct to others. Thus, the very idea of the body as a temple of the Holy Spirit is wrong, as the very idea of a 'temple' is also incorrect – coming from concepts of the OT and other religions. I do understand Paul's efforts to discourage the disciples from engaging in prostitution, but this should not involve getting to this level of exaggeration and likely being incorrect in many details. That “we are not our own” is also an exaggeration to serve this purpose – we are sovereign conscious beings who belong under the authority of the creator currently assigned to this reality with our limitations of our bodies. We were also not “bought with a price” in any way from anyone by anyone, and we glorify God in our spirits, not in our body (even though this naturally involves carrying and dealing through our bodies, in this life). In summary, I can not accept these personal advices and opinions from Paul as coming from the creator.
     
        

    1 Corinthians 7:6, 7, 10, 11, 14

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    Berean: ..."6 I say this as a concession, not as a command. 7 I wish that all men were as I am. But each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that. 10 To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. 11 But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife. 14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified through his believing wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy. "...
    NRSV: ..."6 This I say by way of concession, not of command. 7 I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has a particular gift from God, one having one kind and another a different kind. ...10 To the married I give this command — not I but the Lord — that the wife should not separate from her husband 11 (but if she does separate, let her remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and that the husband should not divorce his wife. ...14 For the unbelieving husband is made holy through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy through her husband. Otherwise, your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • incorrect or inappropriate generalization
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • personal perspectives and directives that are culturally dependent
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Of course, as Paul can not make up commands, only offer opinions and advices that are supposed to be in line with the one command from the creator, that is the eternal word of God, of salvation. We should heed these advices and listen to these opinions as they are coming from someone who was personally inspired by Jesus, but these will not belong to any infallible word of God. Individuals receiving different kinds of gifts from the creator is noted well – this is the basis of our accidental assigned situations that for our penance for our life. We are to succeed DESPITE the difficulties (or ease) they present to us in life. Thus, no one is created with situations that are equal in difficulty to endure, or succeed from in the evaluation. The opinion on marriage is that, and can not be a command from God, as Paul claims it. Children will not become 'clean' or 'dirty' because of the status of their parents – that is only society's mark on them, that has nothing to do with how the creator looks at such people. The creator assigning a soul to such 'unfortunate' or 'disadvantaged' situation (imposed by society) is part of one's penance to deal with (for example, being born into a caste or family that is looked down by society). But the wrong committed in this situation is not by the one being born into such situation, but by those who let their societal prejudices make them look down on such people. Thus, one's unfortunate situation may serve a tricky situation of temptation for others that they may fail with greater ease (treat them with disrespect and not out of love). For example, being bullied at school serves as a trap for those who bully the less fortunate, as it is a temptation for them to fail.
     
        

    1 Corinthians 7:17, 19, 20

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    Berean: ..."17 Regardless, each one should lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him and to which God has called him. This is what I prescribe in all the churches. 19 Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God’s commandments is what counts. 20 Each one should remain in the situation he was in when he was called. "...
    NRSV: ..."17 However that may be, let each of you lead the life that the Lord has assigned, to which God called you. … 19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing; but obeying the commandments of God is everything. 20 Let each of you remain in the condition in which you were called."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation
  • Jesus’s ‘covenant’ of the eternal word of God, of salvation is the only covenant that has ever been and will ever be in effect from the creator for all of humanity, since the very beginning of time till the ending of our simulated reality, meaning that if one passes their evaluation on their alignment with love, one redeems their sinful condition and gains their salvation
  • Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally
  •  
    interpretation:
    The law is irrelevant, and the only commandment to obey is that of love, the eternal word of God, of salvation. No other formalities, rituals, rites are necessary to please the creator. Each one of us has a unique set of assigned situations to go through in life, to probe our alignment and complete our penance for the wrong committed by us in our precursory existence.
     
        

    1 Corinthians 7:22, 23

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    Berean: ..."22 For he who was a slave when he was called by the Lord is the Lord’s freedman. Conversely, he who was a free man when he was called is Christ’s slave. 23 You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men. "...
    NRSV: ..."22 For whoever was called in the Lord as a slave is a freed person belonging to the Lord, just as whoever was free when called is a slave of Jesus. 23 You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of human masters."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    Contradicts Galatians 4:30, Matthew 22:8, Luke 17:7, Acts 2:18, Colossians 3:22, 4:1, 1 Peter 2:18, Ephesians 6:5,7,8, 1 Timothy 6:1, Titus 2:9 – as those seemingly condone slavery, whereas here the word encourages us not to become slaves of human masters. No matter how one's situation may be in life, the right thing to do in each assigned human situation is to aligning life with love. The path of salvation is the same for the king and the slave, for the sick and the fortunate. The difficulty
     
        

    1 Corinthians 7:24

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    Berean: ..."24 Brothers, each one should remain in the situation he was in when God called him. "...
    NRSV: ..."24 In whatever condition you were called, brothers and sisters, there remain with God."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • contradicts other NT passages
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • incorrect or inappropriate generalization
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Contradicts Luke 9:23, 14:26, 18:22 The translation calls for everyone to remain in the condition they were in when they received their calling (justification). This is an incorrect generalization. Though there is no requirement for any justified person to change their condition to any specific target, doing so is possible (and sometimes required) as long as one remains in alignment with love. Also, not changing one's conditions can not be recommended when the condition would require one to sway from the path of salvation (commit sin) or to keep sinning because of the condition one has already been before being justified. For example, if someone is born into a setting where the family is making a living robbing others, one is to reject this condition even at the price of violating loyalties or duties to parents, family, culture, clan, tribe, etc. This position is expressed by the contradicting verses. Thus, the better advice would be, after reaching justification one should live life in alignment with love (whether one has to start doing this, change to doing this and quit old ways of doing things wrong). This advice may have originated from the belief that the second coming of Jesus is about to happen in one's lifetime, and making radical changes in one's life does not make much sense.
     
        

    1 Corinthians 7:29, 30, 31

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    Berean: ..."29 What I am saying, brothers, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they had none; 30 those who weep, as if they did not; those who are joyful, as if they were not; those who make a purchase, as if they had nothing; 31 and those who use the things of this world, as if not dependent on them. For this world in its present form is passing away. "...
    NRSV: ..."29 I mean, brothers and sisters, the appointed time has grown short; from now on, let even those who have wives be as though they had none, 30 and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no possessions, 31 and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • clear misguidance of author as the time remaining till the second coming was NOT near
  • contradicts other NT passages
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  •  
    interpretation:
    Contradicts 1 Thessalonians 5:1,2; Mark 13:32; Matthew 24:42-44; Luke 12:37,40 17:20,21 21:34,35; Acts 1:6-8; Revelation 3:3 16:15 – This advice does not stand in any case, even if the end of the world is tomorrow: no one should be as they did not even have a wife, if they have a wife – intentions aside. This points to the fallibility of the text in many details. All throughout our lives we are to live in THIS life, care for our fellow humans with love in THIS life, and NOT wait for some cosmic event to happen passively. NOTHING should change in our lives if we knew the end of the world would to be near (which we will not know anyhow, as a clear promise from our creator anyway).
     
        

    1 Corinthians 7:32, 33, 34, 35, 38, 39, 40

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    Berean: ..."32 I want you to be free from concern. The unmarried man is concerned about the work of the Lord, how he can please the Lord. 33 But the married man is concerned about the affairs of this world, how he can please his wife, 34 and his interests are divided. The unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the work of the Lord, how she can be holy in both body and spirit. But the married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world, how she can please her husband. 35 I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but in order to promote proper decorum and undivided devotion to the Lord. 38 So then, he who marries the virgin does well, but he who does not marry her does even better. 39 A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, as long as he belongs to the Lord. 40 In my judgment, however, she is happier if she remains as she is. And I think that I too have the Spirit of God. "...
    NRSV: ..."32 I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the affairs of the Lord, how to please the Lord; 33 but the married man is anxious about the affairs of the world, how to please his wife, 34 and his interests are divided. And the unmarried woman and the virgin are anxious about the affairs of the Lord, so that they may be holy in body and spirit; but the married woman is anxious about the affairs of the world, how to please her husband. 35 I say this for your own benefit, not to put any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and unhindered devotion to the Lord. ...38 So then, he who marries his fiancée does well; and he who refrains from marriage will do better.39 A wife is bound as long as her husband lives. But if the husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, only in the Lord. 40 But in my judgment she is more blessed if she remains as she is. And I think that I too have the Spirit of God."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misconceived comprehension or misrepresentation of Jesus’s message
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • misguided understanding of sin, the origin of sinful condition/the ‘original sin’ inherited from the OT
  • personal perspectives and directives that are culturally dependent
  •  
    interpretation:
    This mistakenly promotes being unmarried and being a virgin as something pleasing and more desirable to the creator than the opposite (being anxious about the affairs of the Lord). No one should be “anxious about the affairs of the Lord”! The Lord has expressed what he expects from us, and what he invited us for – and it is not about being anxious about his affairs, but to fulfill his one commandment to align our lives with love for each other (which is done just as much for our own sake as for the Lord). Paul talks about sexuality and marriage as disturbances we should rather restrain ourselves from to be able to “promote good order” and “devote ourselves to the Lord”. This is incredibly harmful as it plants false values into peoples' minds. The question would remain how to “devote oneself to the Lord unhindered” in this state, and why is this state serve devotion more than staying in relationships with each other, and conducting ourselves aligned with love... Another harmful belief is to encourage women not to remarry after being widowed – a personal opinion of Paul. All this may originate form the false believe that the end of times may be near, so it is not worth engaging in marriage till then, and the false belief that the creator is somehow looking for some kind of ritual or worship from us. We can not serve the creator in any better way than proving to him that we can love each other and behave in an unselfish way – and this is exactly what we are here to prove.
     
        

    1 Corinthians 8:6

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    Berean: ..."6 yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we exist. And there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we exist. "...
    NRSV: ..."6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • The creator created our reality (best modeled as a consciousness-centric simulation) to facilitate the evaluation of its target audience: humans
  •  
    interpretation:
    Aside from the trinity-confusion, “all things” in this reality exist (were created) from the act of creation of the creator. This creation is best modeled as a consciousness-centric simulation. We humans exist in this reality “for” the creator, as he wished to give us a chance to regain our place in his presence. In this sense, we were likely assigned to/compelled to participate in this reality.
     
        

    1 Corinthians 9:5

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    Berean: ..."5 Have we no right to take along a believing wife, as do the other apostles and the Lord’s brothers and Cephas? "...
    NRSV: ..."5 Do we not have the right to be accompanied by a believing wife, as do the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas?"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Behavioral guidance
  • Ritual guidance
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage is not part of the essential message of the NT (and certainly not Jesus), but it is an argument those who campaign against celibacy could quote. Naturally, I agree with Paul's proposition – of course they (and everyone) has the right to find a wife or husband for themselves.
     
        

    1 Corinthians 9:9, 10

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."9 For it is written in the Law of Moses: “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.” Is it about oxen that God is concerned? 10 Isn’t He actually speaking on our behalf? Indeed, this was written for us, because when the plowman plows and the thresher threshes, they should also expect to share in the harvest. "...
    NRSV: ..."9 … Is it for oxen that God is concerned? 10 Or does he not speak entirely for our sake? It was indeed written for our sake, for whoever plows should plow in hope and whoever threshes should thresh in hope of a share in the crop."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • In their predispositions, humans inherit both love (the essence of the creator’s spirit we share with him, indicating our significance) and selfishness (its opposite/opposing property, what some mistakenly attribute to a separate entity of the ‘evil/devil/satan’) to different degrees from their greater-self, from their originating context of reality
  • It is logical to expect appropriate consequences due for passing or failing the evaluation
  • The creator created our reality (best modeled as a consciousness-centric simulation) to facilitate the evaluation of its target audience: humans
  •  
    interpretation:
    The clear focus of the creator is said to be on us, humans. Indeed, we are the target audience of the simulation created for our evaluation, giving us a chance to redeem the sinful condition of the wrong committed by us in the precursor. In this sense all things in this reality serve this evaluation. And as in simulations, in general, the objective success criterion for its participants is logically in line with the motivation of the creator's intent for assigning the participants to the simulation: we are to plow and thresh so we reap and share in the crop.
     
        

    1 Corinthians 9:11, 12

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    Berean: ..."11 If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much for us to reap a material harvest from you? 12 If others have this right to your support, shouldn’t we have it all the more? But we did not exercise this right. Instead, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ. "...
    NRSV: ..."11 If we have sown spiritual good among you, is it too much if we reap your material benefits? 12 If others share this rightful claim on you, do not we still more?"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • misconceived comprehension or misrepresentation of Jesus’s message
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • personal perspectives and directives that are culturally dependent
  •  
    interpretation:
    There should not be any rightful claim for material benefit for spiritual good served, just as one can not expect to hear 'thanks' for any favor; once someone is grateful with saying 'thanks' or offering their thanks in any other way, one may accept if one deems it appropriate to do so – but this is a very fine line, and accepting such gifts may soon turn into expectations on the parts of some. And expectations are wrong in this regard. This passage may have fueled the truly sick deeds and greed of some 'religious' leaders who enriched themselves from the gullibility of their flock.
     
        

    1 Corinthians 10:13

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    Berean: ..."13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide an escape, so that you can stand up under it. "...
    NRSV: ..."13 No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  • There is always hope and is never too late for salvation
  •  
    interpretation:
    There is a single universal evaluation criterion for all humans in all possible situations assigned and achieving salvation is theoretically possible for all human situations in this world. There are no impossible situations or suffering that is unjust and would make it impossible for the individual to attain salvation.
     
        

    1 Corinthians 10:24

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    Berean: ..."24 No one should seek his own good, but the good of others. "...
    NRSV: ..."24 Do not seek your own advantage, but that of the other."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • One ‘loves God’ by loving their fellow human beings, no matter how far removed they may be, which fulfills the single command of God
  • The main goal of our life is to reach our salvation and build values that transcend this reality into eternal life, not to reach material or academic success or to fulfill other worldly desires or loyalties
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    This follows from genuine love and consideration for others, which precludes selfishness.
     
        

    1 Corinthians 10:25, 26

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    Berean: ..."25 Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience, 26 for, “The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof.” "...
    NRSV: ..."25 Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience, 26 for "the earth and its fullness are the LORD's.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation
  •  
    interpretation:
    Pointing out the silliness of considering some food to be shunned by the creator (yet, he created all of them).
     
        

    1 Corinthians 10:33

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    Berean: ..."33 as I also try to please everyone in all I do. For I am not seeking my own good, but the good of many, that they may be saved. "...
    NRSV: ..."33 just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, so that they may be saved."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • One ‘loves God’ by loving their fellow human beings, no matter how far removed they may be, which fulfills the single command of God
  • The main goal of our life is to reach our salvation and build values that transcend this reality into eternal life, not to reach material or academic success or to fulfill other worldly desires or loyalties
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    This follows from genuine love and consideration for others, which precludes selfishness.
     
        

    1 Corinthians 11:4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

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    Berean: ..."4 Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head. 5 And every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, for it is just as if her head were shaved. 6 If a woman does not cover her head, she should have her hair cut off. And if it is shameful for a woman to have her hair cut or shaved off, she should cover her head. 7 A man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man. 8 For man did not come from woman, but woman from man. 9 Neither was man created for woman, but woman for man. 10 For this reason a woman ought to have a sign of authority on her head, because of the angels. "...
    NRSV: ..."4 Any man who prays or prophesies with something on his head disgraces his head, 5 but any woman who prays or prophesies with her head unveiled disgraces her head — it is one and the same thing as having her head shaved. 6 For if a woman will not veil herself, then she should cut off her hair; but if it is disgraceful for a woman to have her hair cut off or to be shaved, she should wear a veil. 7 For a man ought not to have his head veiled, since he is the image and reflection of God; but woman is the reflection of man. 8 Indeed, man was not made from woman, but woman from man. 9 Neither was man created for the sake of woman, but woman for the sake of man. 10 For this reason a woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  • personal perspectives and directives that are culturally dependent
  •  
    interpretation:
    Like the creator cares about what is or isn't on the head of a praying human... This is truly misguided, and Paul, who is preaching the irrelevance of keeping the dietary Jewish rituals should know better not to go into such silly details, even if his contemporaries were preoccupied with stuff like this. Just underscores why one should not look at the scriptural sources as an infallible guide. Both man and woman are reflections of the creator, meaning that they both share in the creator's spirit. This originates from the OT misguidance influencing the minds of the disciples who can not get rid of this scourge even in light of the teachings of Jesus (there are examples where Jesus confronts the lack of understanding of the disciples of his own teachings – well, this is a clear example of this).
     
        

    1 Corinthians 12:7, 8, 9, 10, 11

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    Berean: ..."7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in various tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, who apportions them to each one as He determines. "...
    NRSV: ..."7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally
  •  
    interpretation:
    These refer to the unique set of assigned situations each individual is receiving (health, wealth, talent, luck, comfort or the lack of those) to navigate through in life, while staying aligned with love. To each, different types and amounts of talent is given, all to be used for the common good, and not for selfish self-enrichment. These are all assigned by the creator to fit the penance to serve and the weight of temptation to resist. (To talk about the “Spirit” here may be misleading, signaling the trinity-confusion. Naturally, the creator's spirit is involved with his decisions like this.)
     
        

    1 Corinthians 12:13, 21, 25

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    Berean: ..."13 For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free, and we were all given one Spirit to drink. 21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I do not need you.” Nor can the head say to the feet, “I do not need you.” 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its members should have mutual concern for one another. "...
    NRSV: ..."13 For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body ... As it is, there are many members, yet one body. 21 The eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you," nor again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you." … But God has so arranged the body, giving the greater honor to the inferior member, 25 that there may be no dissension within the body, but the members may have the same care for one another."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • In their predispositions, humans inherit both love (the essence of the creator’s spirit we share with him, indicating our significance) and selfishness (its opposite/opposing property, what some mistakenly attribute to a separate entity of the ‘evil/devil/satan’) to different degrees from their greater-self, from their originating context of reality
  • The human spirit is somehow part of the eternal consciousness
  •  
    interpretation:
    Through the spirit of the creator – love – we all somehow belong together, and belong with the creator. And in the creator – through love – we are equally important parts of the whole. This is the state we are to get back to in this life after our failings during our precursory existence. Getting back to this state, into the presence of the creator in heaven, is salvation.
     
        

    1 Corinthians 12:28

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."28 And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, and those with gifts of healing, helping, administration, and various tongues. "...
    NRSV: ..."28 And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers; then deeds of power, then gifts of healing, forms of assistance, forms of leadership, various kinds of tongues."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • attempted building, claiming, or referencing authority that is misguided and improper
  • personal perspectives and directives that are culturally dependent
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  •  
    interpretation:
    No, God did not appoint such things! The creator came among us in the human form of Jesus to demonstrate his love for humanity, to invite us to reach our salvation despite the suffering we may have to face in our assigned situations in life, and to formalize the guide on how to accomplish this (through aligning our conviction and live with love). This is an obvious misguided and misconceived attempt on the part of Paul to build up the official hierarchy and power of the Church, and not matching the intention and message of Jesus. None of the things listed in this passage are needed for individuals' salvation that is not covered by “followers of Jesus should be recognized by their loving conduct to others”. Justified people affect others by living a life that is an example to others, and offering help and advice of understanding when they have the chance.
     
        

    1 Corinthians 13:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a ringing gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have absolute faith so as to move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and exult in the surrender of my body, but have not love, I gain nothing. 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no account of wrongs. 6 Love takes no pleasure in evil, but rejoices in the truth. 7 It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be restrained; where there is knowledge, it will be dismissed. "...
    NRSV: ..."1 If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.4 Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. 7 It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never ends."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • The essence of the creator is love
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    Underscoring that only love matters, none of this fluffy stuff like miracles, 'speaking in tongues' (whatever that may be). What matters to the creator is the quality of one's soul, the conviction that is filled with genuinely filled with love. After all, all other properties and achievements of humans are directly influenced by the situational assignments (health, wealth, talent, luck, comfort or the lack of those) granted by the creator, and thus, should not be 'interesting' to the creator – they are predictable and determined by him. The lack of certainty in our reality guarantees that our conviction is not calculated (as no one can be certain of the reward and the path beyond a reasonable doubt). All life wagers are necessarily made without the presence of this reasonable doubt, including that of materialism.
     
        

    1 Corinthians 13:8

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be restrained; where there is knowledge, it will be dismissed. "...
    NRSV: ..."8 Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator
  • The creator created our reality (best modeled as a consciousness-centric simulation) to facilitate the evaluation of its target audience: humans
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage also hints at our reality being a simulation – with its ending, all (scientific) 'knowledge' will become inapplicable and worthless, so will all achievements that are specific to this existence only. Love, selfishness, and the appreciation and sensitivity to beauty are the only values that can transcend to any other context of reality. Thus, we are wise to work on those during our existence here.
     
        

    1 Corinthians 13:9, 10, 11, 12

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    Berean: ..."9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when the perfect comes, the partial passes away. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I set aside childish ways. 12 Now we see but a dim reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. "...
    NRSV: ..."9 For we know only in part, and we prophesy only in part; 10 but when the complete comes, the partial will come to an end. 11 When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways. 12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • The creator created our reality (best modeled as a consciousness-centric simulation) to facilitate the evaluation of its target audience: humans
  • The human spirit is somehow part of the eternal consciousness
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage also hints at our reality being a simulation – exiting our limited context of reality at the point of death, we re-enter our originating context, where our understanding and awareness can be expected to be broader, shedding light to the causes of our assigned situations, and the reasons for which we were to enter life. This works the same way as sliding into and then re-entering reality from dreams during night. This analogy in our life is a huge hint at how consciousness and its reality works at all levels.
     
        

    1 Corinthians 14:35

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    Berean: ..."35 If they wish to inquire about something, they are to ask their own husbands at home; for it is dishonorable for a woman to speak in the church. "...
    NRSV: ..."35 … For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  • personal perspectives and directives that are culturally dependent
  •  
    interpretation:
    No, it is not shameful for any woman to speak in church – another misguidance originating from the OT.
     
        

    1 Corinthians 14:37, 38, 39, 40

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    Berean: ..."37 If anyone considers himself a prophet or spiritual person, let him acknowledge that what I am writing you is the Lord’s command. 38 But if anyone ignores this, he himself will be ignored. 39 So, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. 40 But everything must be done in a proper and orderly manner. "...
    NRSV: ..."37 Anyone who claims to be a prophet, or to have spiritual powers, must acknowledge that what I am writing to you is a command of the Lord. 38 Anyone who does not recognize this is not to be recognized. 39 So, my friends, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues; 40 but all things should be done decently and in order."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • attempted building, claiming, or referencing authority that is misguided and improper
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "As salvation is an individual achievement, finding the way and living life accordingly is a private matter that can not be policed or compelled by others"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Such an attempt to come from Paul is misguided to say the least, but rather insecure. Here he really seems to be working on establishing, monopolizing, and increasing his authority by making his interpretations and personal views as divine commands. “speaking in tongues” does not warrant any sensible comment.
     
        

    1 Corinthians 15:1, 2

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."1 Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, and in which you stand firm. 2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. "...
    NRSV: ..."1 Now I would remind you, brothers and sisters, of the good news that I proclaimed to you, which you in turn received, in which also you stand, 2 through which also you are being saved, if you hold firmly to the message that I proclaimed to you — unless you have come to believe in vain."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • The eternal continuation of their awareness is inevitable and unavoidable for all human souls
  • The evaluation result is likely progressive within pass or fail
  • The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    Standing in the 'good news' means that one is exposed to it, were made to face it. This is a part of one's assigned situations, and from this point, the weight of success is that much heavier. One needs to hold firm to the message of the CESAPH, that is the eternal word of God, of salvation. Unless one believes in vain, meaning the lack of an afterlife – essentially materialism being the case (which one will never find out to be the case anyway). In this case holding firm to Jesus's message does not make logical sense; at the most, it can make an individual sense, if one deems it so. People are free to make their wagers and weigh the likelihood of outcomes, hopefully wisely.
     
        

    1 Corinthians 15:3

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, "...
    NRSV: ..."3 For I handed on to you as of first importance what I in turn had received: that Jesus died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures,"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Not only that 'Jesus dying for our sins' is NOT of primary importance, it is also not the essence of the creator's appearance among us in Jesus, and of his message. The “accordance with the scriptures” is a positioned, manufactured setup by the writers of the NT to position Jesus as the Jewish Messiah who came to fulfill their prophecies and law, as that was the only way they could gain Jewish converts. Unfortunately, this was a wrong target: they should have focused on the universal message of Jesus on behalf of the whole humanity, making all Jewish prophecies irrelevant (not to mention that they were not made about Jesus and one can only force an ill-fit onto him that makes the whole prophesying weak and nonsensical). One could interpret the fate Jesus ended up going through as something that was undertaken BECAUSE of our sinful condition – after all, we are all here because we are attempting to redeem our sinful condition and reach our salvation after the wrong committed by all of us in our precursory existence). But Jesus's suffering and death did not change the state of our sinful condition. At best, it gave those of us with access to this good news (of facing a loving creator who hopes for us to reach our salvation) strength in reaching our salvation with our life. Salvation is achieved (or lost). “Jesus dying for our sins” can imply that he has done what we ought have done for our own sins – which is completely nonsensical and incorrect by any logic.
     
        

    1 Corinthians 15:12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."12 But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is worthless, and so is your faith. 16 For if the dead are not raised, then not even Christ has been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If our hope in Christ is for this life alone, we are to be pitied more than all men. "...
    NRSV: ..."12 Now if Jesus is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then Jesus has not been raised; 14 and if Jesus has not been raised, then our proclamation has been in vain and your faith has been in vain. ... whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, then Jesus has not been raised. 17 If Jesus has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have died in Jesus have perished. 19 If for this life only we have hoped in Jesus, we are of all people most to be pitied."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • The eternal continuation of their awareness is inevitable and unavoidable for all human souls
  • The human spirit is somehow part of the eternal consciousness
  • The resurrection is not a cornerstone belief to be held about Jesus or the subject of faith one needs to believe in to gain salvation, but an emphasis on the inevitability of afterlife for everyone. From a simulated reality everyone exits to their originating context, and the creator can naturally make exceptions for his exit and reappearance
  •  
    interpretation:
    Contradicts 1 Timothy 1:16 rightly – all of the dead will be raised, will go on into either eternal damnation or salvation, as souls are immortal and can not extinguish. One of the most significant points of Paul pointing out the cornerstone belief everyone should hold in conviction if they are to entertain considering the message of Jesus: belief in the continuation of conscious awareness after death. A lot of people mistakenly use a part of this passage as reasoning to hold the resurrection as a cornerstone belief that guarantees their fate. Yet, it is the other way around: the making sense in every soul's continuity of conscious existence after death makes the resurrection as inevitable as well (thus, not such a critical and cornerstone belief as most Christians hold it to be). This passage's significance is in its widespread misinterpretation to emphasize Jesus's resurrection, whereas it emphasizes everyone's resurrection.
     
        

    1 Corinthians 15:21, 22

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    Berean: ..."21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. "...
    NRSV: ..."21 For since death came through a human being, the resurrection of the dead has also come through a human being; 22 for as all die in Adam, so all will be made alive in Jesus."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Relativity of experiencing time
  • Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally
  • The eternal continuation of their awareness is inevitable and unavoidable for all human souls
  • The human spirit is somehow part of the eternal consciousness
  • The resurrection is not a cornerstone belief to be held about Jesus or the subject of faith one needs to believe in to gain salvation, but an emphasis on the inevitability of afterlife for everyone. From a simulated reality everyone exits to their originating context, and the creator can naturally make exceptions for his exit and reappearance
  •  
    interpretation:
    We all died in Adam – a powerful statement, but with a different interpretation. Adam – being all of us humans in our precursory existence – died to our creator: we somehow violated our relationship with the creator and were expelled from his presence to our life, our penance for what we have done. Through the message of Jesus, the formalized eternal word of the creator, we can regain our place in his presence. This is our resurrection, our continued existence in where we belong. That is, if we manage to realign our conviction, the quality of our soul, with the preferred value of the creator, the base of our relationship with him, love. But we have to prove this with our entire life. Otherwise, a different type of eternal existence awaits us.
     
        

    1 Corinthians 15:25, 26

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    Berean: ..."25 For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. "...
    NRSV: ..."25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The eternal continuation of their awareness is inevitable and unavoidable for all human souls"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The human spirit is somehow part of the eternal consciousness"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The resurrection is not a cornerstone belief to be held about Jesus or the subject of faith one needs to believe in to gain salvation, but an emphasis on the inevitability of afterlife for everyone. From a simulated reality everyone exits to their originating context, and the creator can naturally make exceptions for his exit and reappearance"
  •  
    interpretation:
    “Reigning” and “putting all enemies under his feet” sounds nothing like Jesus (who invited us to love each other and reach our salvation that way, so we can rejoin the presence of the creator in heaven), and very much like the angry God of the OT. The goals of the creator with our world and us in it is not “reigning” but giving us a chance to prove our worths to be in his presence. Using the “destruction of death as the last enemy” is a very unfortunate analogy. In his other writings, Paul eloquently explains why the afterlife is a given condition for everyone. In this case, “death” either represents eternal damnation (in which case the creator does not need to destroy this, as this reality is created by him for those who he deems as failures), or it represents a failure of understanding what death means (which is strange, coming from Paul). Based on this, I have to look at this passage as a propaganda-attempt to instill fear and hope, heavily influenced by the imagery of the OT – which is understandable when looking at the target audience of such letter. It misses the point about the essence of the creator and its purpose with the creation of our world and us in it.
     
        

    1 Corinthians 15:28

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    Berean: ..."28 And when all things have been subjected to Him, then the Son Himself will be made subject to Him who put all things under Him, so that God may be all in all. "...
    NRSV: ..."28 When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to the one who put all things in subjection under him, so that God may be all in all."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misconceived understanding of what the ‘trinity’ could be
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  •  
    interpretation:
    As the creator is a single entity, the Son is not subjected to anything; the creator may subject himself, but not the 'different entity' of the Son. But even beside this, this passage makes no sense and adds nothing to the essence: all created 'things' are subjected to the creator, even the conscious beings who he gave a chance to redeem themselves. He did not need to give this chance to us, but he did, out of his love for us, failed angels. The creator IS “all in all” already, and has always been so – all conscious beings are participating in realities he creates, and he most likely compels them to participate in those realities (though there could be other likely scenarios about too, like us volunteering or signing up to participate in realities). Thus, the whole passage seems to be some kind of twist on some OT misguidance about the end state of human/divine history (which is irrelevant for the creator – to him what matters is how many of us humans will make it to salvation).
     
        

    1 Corinthians 15:32

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    Berean: ..."32 If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus for human motives, what did I gain? If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” "...
    NRSV: ..."32 … what would I have gained by it? If the dead are not raised, "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • The eternal continuation of their awareness is inevitable and unavoidable for all human souls
  • The resurrection is not a cornerstone belief to be held about Jesus or the subject of faith one needs to believe in to gain salvation, but an emphasis on the inevitability of afterlife for everyone. From a simulated reality everyone exits to their originating context, and the creator can naturally make exceptions for his exit and reappearance
  •  
    interpretation:
    The one who dies with the most toys wins. We only live once! As long as I can get away with it and nobody sees/notices/punishes me for it, it is OK to do whatever one pleases. These are all logical and defendable positions for those who hold that there is no afterlife.
     
        

    1 Corinthians 15:41, 42, 43, 44

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    Berean: ..."41 The sun has one degree of splendor, the moon another, and the stars another; and star differs from star in splendor. 42 So will it be with the resurrection of the dead: What is sown is perishable; it is raised imperishable. 43 It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. 44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. "...
    NRSV: ..."41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; indeed, star differs from star in glory. 42 So it is with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable, what is raised is imperishable. 43 It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. 44 It is sown a physical body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a physical body, there is also a spiritual body"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally
  • The creator created our reality (best modeled as a consciousness-centric simulation) to facilitate the evaluation of its target audience: humans
  • The human spirit is somehow part of the eternal consciousness
  •  
    interpretation:
    All humans were perishable when sown to this existence; those who bare fruit are raised to be imperishable, into eternal existence in the present of the creator. Though – because of the wrongs committed by us in our precursory existence – we were sown in dishonor, those of us who manage to reach salvation will be raised in glory, in power. Thus, this existence is a penance and a chance for redemption at the same time. Our physical existence contains our spiritual one, as that is the part that stays constant, with us, making us what we are.
     
        

    1 Corinthians 15:45, 46, 47, 48

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    Berean: ..."45 So it is written: “The first man Adam became a living being;” the last Adam a life-giving spirit. 46 The spiritual, however, was not first, but the natural, and then the spiritual. 47 The first man was of the dust of the earth, the second man from heaven. 48 As was the earthly man, so also are those who are of the earth; and as is the heavenly man, so also are those who are of heaven. "...
    NRSV: ..."45 Thus it is written, “The first man, Adam, became a living being”; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit. 46 But it is not the spiritual that is first, but the physical, and then the spiritual. 47 The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven. 48 As was the man of dust, so are those who are of the dust; and as is the man of heaven, so are those who are of heaven."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "In their predispositions, humans inherit both love (the essence of the creator’s spirit we share with him, indicating our significance) and selfishness (its opposite/opposing property, what some mistakenly attribute to a separate entity of the ‘evil/devil/satan’) to different degrees from their greater-self, from their originating context of reality"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The human spirit is somehow part of the eternal consciousness"
  •  
    interpretation:
    These set of passages can be thoroughly confusing and perhaps grossly misleading (because of the OT reference to Adam). There are no different kinds of humans (one of dust and one of spirit) and one type was not present on Earth before the other. In this case it is important to understand that the “first” and “second” man are stages within us – first our physicality takes over, then (as second, after that) our spiritual can overcome it and dominate it. We all have these two aspects in our current limited form in this reality and we can let either of these grow in us. The “the man of dust” refers to our physical bodies and reality; however, our “the man of heaven” is our greater self that shared the attribute love with the creator. We carry both of these aspects/properties in our current form in this reality. Thankfully, Paul clarifies what he means or is trying to convey in what follows in 49-54: build on values that transcend this life and will benefit you on the next one, so during the last judgment you will not be assessed as “man of dust” (those whose lives were preoccupied with selfish worldly values) but as “man of heaven” (those who managed to align their lives with love).
     
        

    1 Corinthians 15:47, 48, 49

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."47 The first man was of the dust of the earth, the second man from heaven. 48 As was the earthly man, so also are those who are of the earth; and as is the heavenly man, so also are those who are of heaven. 49 And just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man, so also shall we bear the likeness of the heavenly man. "...
    NRSV: ..."47 The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven. 48 As was the man of dust, so are those who are of the dust; and as is the man of heaven, so are those who are of heaven. 49 Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we will also bear the image of the man of heaven."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • In their predispositions, humans inherit both love (the essence of the creator’s spirit we share with him, indicating our significance) and selfishness (its opposite/opposing property, what some mistakenly attribute to a separate entity of the ‘evil/devil/satan’) to different degrees from their greater-self, from their originating context of reality
  • The creator created our reality (best modeled as a consciousness-centric simulation) to facilitate the evaluation of its target audience: humans
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    It is important to realize that this can not talk about the historical first and second man on Earth, or two different types of humans! The “man of dust” refers to our physical bodies and reality; however, our “man of heaven” is our greater self (the ED-self) that shared the attribute love with the creator. We carry both of these aspects/properties in our current form in this reality. In each of us there is the physicality of our world that includes our temptations to be selfish and hoard the comfort and wealth of our physicality – this comes out in our life first. Then there is also the spiritual side of our ED-self that (used to) aligns with the preferred value of the creator, love – this aspect of ours we need to discover in us, and grow during our lives as our task and subject of our evaluation. Our task in this existence is to overpower the image of the dust (physicality) and align with the image of the man of heaven (love, and the values that transcend to our originating reality).
     
        

    1 Corinthians 15:50, 51, 52, 53, 54

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."50 Now I declare to you, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— 52 in an instant, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For the perishable must be clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. 54 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come to pass: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” "...
    NRSV: ..."50 ... flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51 Listen, I will tell you a mystery! We will not all die, but we will all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For this perishable body must put on imperishability, and this mortal body must put on immortality. 54 When this perishable body puts on imperishability, and this mortal body puts on immortality, then the saying that is written will be fulfilled: "Death has been swallowed up in victory.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • Relativity of experiencing time
  • The creator created our reality (best modeled as a consciousness-centric simulation) to facilitate the evaluation of its target audience: humans
  • The eternal continuation of their awareness is inevitable and unavoidable for all human souls
  • The human spirit is somehow part of the eternal consciousness
  •  
    interpretation:
    Eerily compliant with the simulation model of reality and the phenomenon we all can experience during dreaming: that our awareness is continuous, yet not always reconcilable with an 'objective' reality. For everyone, death may be a single moment of rejoining objective time, a fast-forward to the moment of last judgment, that all human participants who ever lived on Earth will share in a single moment. At that time, the imperishable part of us (our souls, as our bodies only limit us in this simulation) will face eternal existence according to the judgment received on everyone's life.
     
        

    1 Corinthians 15:56, 57

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! "...
    NRSV: ..."56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans"
  •  
    interpretation:
    I could perhaps understand this more if the “sting of sin” would be “death” (eternal damnation); but it is written as the opposite, which is not comprehensible to me. I also can not interpret the “power of sin” being “the law” - how could the law of loving our fellow humans be the power of sin?? Thus, I am forced to take this passage as a misspoken analogy on the part of Paul. “Victory” (reaching salvation?) has to be earned/won by each human; it is not ”given to us through Jesus”, meaning that Jesus did not give victory to us. Those of us who gathered the hope and strength to prevail in life and reach their salvation can say that they have achieved their “victory” through (with the help of) the good news and guidance of Jesus (the CESAPH), but this is only one possible meaning. And there are huge differences in the actual interpretations that are possible to draw from “the creator giving us victory through Jesus”. Also, those who achieve victory through aligning their life with love on their own, not knowing about the good news, can also say that they have achieved their salvation (victory) through the creator's grace – and since Jesus is an interface to the creator, they would be correct in saying so. The main caution here is not to believe that Jesus achieved victory for us, so there is not much WE have to achieve (except perhaps believe in his story and him being “Lord”) - which can be a fatal mistake for reaching salvation.
     
        

    1 Corinthians 15:58

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    Berean: ..."58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast and immovable. Always excel in the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. "...
    NRSV: ..."58 ... be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, because you know that in the Lord your labor is not in vain."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • It is logical to expect appropriate consequences due for passing or failing the evaluation
  •  
    interpretation:
    This speaks for itself.
     
        

    1 Corinthians 16:14

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    Berean: ..."14 Do everything in love. "...
    NRSV: ..."14 Let all that you do be done in love."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    This speaks for itself. Pretty much sums up of what one is to do with all of this. Following this one principle will likely get one to salvation in the eye of the creator, as this makes sense from his perspective.
     
        

    2 Corinthians 3:12, 13, 16, 17

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    Berean: ..."12 Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. 13 We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at the end of what was fading away. 16 But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. "...
    NRSV: ..."12 Since, then, we have such a hope, we act with great boldness, 13 not like Moses, who put a veil over his face to keep the people of Israel from gazing at the end of the glory that was being set aside. ... whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their minds; 16 but when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation
  • Jesus’s ‘covenant’ of the eternal word of God, of salvation is the only covenant that has ever been and will ever be in effect from the creator for all of humanity, since the very beginning of time till the ending of our simulated reality, meaning that if one passes their evaluation on their alignment with love, one redeems their sinful condition and gains their salvation
  •  
    interpretation:
    Quite simply: one should stop reading and being concerned with Moses... There is (and always have been) freedom from the (religiously subscribed) law, as the single principle of the eternal word of God, of salvation has always been in effect.
     
        

    2 Corinthians 4:3, 4

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. "...
    NRSV: ..."3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Jesus, who is the image of God"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  • There is always hope and is never too late for salvation
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage is easily misunderstood (addressed under issues). The proper reading of this passage can be “those who will fail in their evaluation to reach their salvation must not have arrived at concluding the gospel (the the eternal word of God, of salvation) during their life. In this way, the gospel remained veiled for them in their life, they did not arrive at the truth and the right conviction of love's need to guide their life”. God blinding the mind for the “unbelievers” can refer to 'those who fail to gain a conviction about Jesus's message' – however this act hinges on their refusal to accept the truth into their conviction (love's need to guide their life), and thus, this remains an act of their free will, and a part of their evaluation. In this passage, the “god of this world” (in small caps) must refer to “values of this world – what people choose to center their life about, their god, be it wealth or power or material comforts”. These are the traps and tricks presented by the simulation to them in the form of temptations toward selfishness, to blind them to the truth of the light of the gospel, the way to salvation. Resisting such temptations IS the test of our evaluation though, and the amount and kinds of temptations we are to face and resist is part of our individually assigned situations. One proves the quality of their soul (their worthiness to rejoin the presence of the creator) by succeeding in the evaluation of their life.
     
    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "As salvation is an individual achievement, finding the way and living life accordingly is a private matter that can not be policed or compelled by others"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Every human has a real chance at reaching their salvation, which is NOT predetermined or predestined. The creator is NOT omniscient with regard to humans’ free will, and their fate in the evaluation"
  •  
    interpretation:
    It is easy to misunderstand this passage as saying “the creator veiled the gospel to those who he knows will perish” which would equal to the false concept of predetermination. “blinding the mind” implies that the free will (the mind) of the individual is affected beyond their control. If one's mind is blinded, one can not exercise their free will properly. And if God blinds one's mind (and this is not just an influence coming from the outside which one is able to digest and reject or accept), then one may be excused, as their behavior will not be their own, but due to this blinded mind. The proper reading of this passage can be “those who will fail at the evaluation (in reaching their salvation) did not arrive at concluding the gospel, the the eternal word of God, of salvation – thus, the gospel remained veiled for them in their life, they did not arrive at the truth and the right conviction”.
     
        

    2 Corinthians 4:4

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    Berean: ..."4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. "...
    NRSV: ..."4 ... Jesus, who is the image of God."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • The concept of the ‘trinity’ can only be interpreted as ‘three possible interface to the same single entity of the creator’
  •  
    interpretation:
    The image – or interface – to humanity in this reality is the entity of Jesus, which is the manifestation of the creator through a human interface. There are three possible interfaces to the creator: the unfathomable (“Father”), the formalized message to humanity (“Son), and the essential spirit, in which each of us shares (“Holy Spirit”).
     
        

    2 Corinthians 4:18

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    Berean: ..."18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. "...
    NRSV: ..."18 because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • The main goal of our life is to reach our salvation and build values that transcend this reality into eternal life, not to reach material or academic success or to fulfill other worldly desires or loyalties
  •  
    interpretation:
    Virtues and values that can transcend into any other context of reality, that stay with the eternal soul of the individual, should be the focus of one's life.  These are one's alignment on the scale of selfishness and love, and one's appreciation of beauty of all kind.
     
        

    2 Corinthians 5:1, 5

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    Berean: ..."1 Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is dismantled, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. 5 And God has prepared us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a pledge of what is to come. "...
    NRSV: ..."1 For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. ... 5 He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • In their predispositions, humans inherit both love (the essence of the creator’s spirit we share with him, indicating our significance) and selfishness (its opposite/opposing property, what some mistakenly attribute to a separate entity of the ‘evil/devil/satan’) to different degrees from their greater-self, from their originating context of reality
  • It is logical to expect appropriate consequences due for passing or failing the evaluation
  • The human spirit is somehow part of the eternal consciousness
  •  
    interpretation:
    One's degrees of predisposition to love and selfishness are something that is likely inherited from one's eternal soul, and not assigned to one as part of one's penance. Where we end up moving on the scale of love vs selfishness during our life is the most relevant attribute we can achieve with our life that is of interest to the creator. It is the only factor not known with certainty by the creator, who is not omniscient with regard to our decisions made through our free will. The fact that most of us 'feel' that love is right and that selfishness is wrong, is not an accident. We carry the seeds of the loving spirit of the creator in us, and that alone can trigger us to increase our alignment with it vs selfishness. The formalized eternal word of God is not a necessary ingredient for one to align life with love, but it sure helps, especially given the story of Jesus. The presence of love as a predisposition in each human is a universal guarantee and compass for humans with regard to where to go and how to decide in life. The CESAPH is an extra help that is granted only to some of humanity.
     
        

    2 Corinthians 5:6, 7, 8

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    Berean: ..."6 Therefore we are always confident, although we know that while we are at home in the body, we are away from the Lord. 7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, then, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. "...
    NRSV: ..."6 So we are always confident; even though we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord — 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 Yes, we do have confidence, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • The eternal continuation of their awareness is inevitable and unavoidable for all human souls
  • The human spirit is somehow part of the eternal consciousness
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    Our confidence can not equal certainty, but that guarantees that our motives, thoughts and actions can not be calculated in the eye of the creator. We do need to make a wager in the presence of doubt, then stick to this out of our conviction that our wager represents the the closest possible scenario to the eventual unfolding reality.
     
        

    2 Corinthians 5:10

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    Berean: ..."10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive his due for the things done in the body, whether good or bad. "...
    NRSV: ..."10 For all of us must appear before the judgment seat of Jesus, so that each may receive recompense for what has been done in the body, whether good or evil."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • It is logical to expect appropriate consequences due for passing or failing the evaluation
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    This life is a penance and evaluation at the same time, to qualify for what comes next.
     
        

    2 Corinthians 5:15

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    Berean: ..."15 And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died for them and was raised again. "...
    NRSV: ..."15 And he died for all, so that those who live might live no longer for themselves, but for him who died and was raised for them."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • Every human has a real chance at reaching their salvation, which is NOT predetermined or predestined. The creator is NOT omniscient with regard to humans’ free will, and their fate in the evaluation
  • The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans
  •  
    interpretation:
    The eternal word of God, of salvation would have everyone live to achieve salvation, rather than fulfill the desires of this life. This makes rejoining the presence of the creator as the end goal of and meaning of life. Thus we should 'live for the creator', the one who sets the criterion for the evaluation in this existence. However, as the relationship between human souls and the creator must also be based on love, accepting the invitation of the creator to be in his presence in alignment with with love must also be the ultimate goal of conscious existence in eternity. The creator demonstrated his love for humanity in the CESAPH. Lucky are those who have the chance to hear about this good news in their lives.
     
        

    2 Corinthians 5:17

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    Berean: ..."17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come! "...
    NRSV: ..."17 So if anyone is in Jesus, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • ‘Justification’ is ‘being convinced about love’s (vs. selfishness) need to guide life’ (= ‘being rightly enlightened’, = ‘holding Jesus’s message in conviction’, = ‘following/believing in Jesus’, = ‘gaining a justified conviction’, = ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, = ‘doing the works of God’, = ‘satisfying/keeping/adhering to the command of God’, = ‘accepting/living according to Jesus’s message’, = ‘fulfilling the eternal word of God, of salvation’)
  •  
    interpretation:
    Justification, the gaining in conviction of the eternal word of God, of salvation, is the first step toward turning to and walking on the path of salvation, that can be thought of as being reborn, being part of a new creation. However, the substantial task of living the rest of one's life accordingly remains before one can attain salvation.
     
        

    2 Corinthians 5:18

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    Berean: ..."18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: "...
    NRSV: ..."18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Jesus, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation;"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • attempted building, claiming, or referencing authority that is misguided and improper
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "As salvation is an individual achievement, finding the way and living life accordingly is a private matter that can not be policed or compelled by others"
  •  
    interpretation:
    The “ministry” of reconciliation is a personal mission for all justified people, not a call to a centralized authority to carry out the official mission of the creator on Earth. Each justified person has the responsibility to help others to the path of salvation as best as their situation allows, and mainly by showing them the example of a life aligned by love. Here, Paul may be attempting to establish the grounds of a centralized hierarchical church structure, of which he is one of the authority figures, and which has the power to reconcile people to God. This may be a personal initiative of Paul, perhaps shared by some other early disciples – however this does not follow from the teachings of Jesus! It makes the most sense, and seems most likely to be closest to the eventual unfolding reality, that salvation (and religion) is an individual purpose and achievement and a private affair between the evaluator and the evaluated. And official structures play no role in this. Naturally, people who think and believe alike may form communities, but this should be all unofficial, carrying no special powers in the affairs or salvation of members or others.
     
        

    2 Corinthians 5:19

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    Berean: ..."19 that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting men’s trespasses against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation. "...
    NRSV: ..."19 that is, in Jesus God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them,"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  • The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans
  •  
    interpretation:
    In the act of the CESAPH, the creator showed his willingness and wish to get failed humans back to his presence so much so that he was willing to take on a fully human form and go through the suffering we may have to experience to show that striving to attain salvation is worth it regardless of what life throws at us. With it, humanity received the closest thing to an assurance that we face a loving creator, being short of certainty (which would have stood at odds with the evaluation of our true character).
     
        

    2 Corinthians 5:19, 20

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    Berean: ..."19 that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting men’s trespasses against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ: Be reconciled to God. "...
    NRSV: ..."19 that is, in Jesus God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us. 20 So we are ambassadors for Jesus, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Jesus, be reconciled to God."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • attempted building, claiming, or referencing authority that is misguided and improper
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "As salvation is an individual achievement, finding the way and living life accordingly is a private matter that can not be policed or compelled by others"
  •  
    interpretation:
    This is one of the sources of one of the greatest misunderstanding in the NT, namely, that Jesus's suffering and death somehow accomplished something for our sinful status. Trespasses (originating in this life or before) are very much still counted against us during our life here, and it is up to us to reconcile them by our conviction of love and a life lived accordingly. In fact, this is the very purpose of our existence here. If one does not get this, one may fall for 'being saved' by mere belief, or being predestined to join heaven, or any other fatal beliefs that may prompt one to a passive life of shunning this life and waiting for heaven. Whereas, our life here needs to be action filled, whatever one's situations bring them through, assign them, or present them with opportunities to help others and conduct one's rest of life according to the spirit of the creator, that qualifies us to join his presence in heaven.
     
        

    2 Corinthians 5:21

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."21 God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. "...
    NRSV: ..."21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • misconceived understanding of what the ‘trinity’ could be
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans"
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage (especially some translations of it) gives fuel to the harmful misconception of Jesus being an atoning sacrifice for our sins to the Father – now, this is a potentially harmful misunderstanding of the CESAPH and its purpose. No one made no one else to be the atoning sacrifice – the very idea of any 'atoning sacrifice' is just a wholly misconceived idea originating from the OT's imagery of the creator (and of other religions). Since Jesus was the creator in human form, the creator did not make Jesus do anything. The creator – as the good Shepard – undertook the human form of Jesus so that he could share in our suffering and demonstrate his love for us in a genuine way, without affecting our evaluations. The suffering he undergone is a sharing in our fate, a partaking in our suffering in this world, out of love for us. This can be viewed as a genuine testimony of love for us from the creator that can give us the most strength in our conviction and determination to reach our salvation during our life. We still have to do/accomplish reaching our salvation in the remainder of our lives by following the eternal word of God, of salvation (which Jesus came to formalize) in whatever situations the creator assigns to us. So no one should be under the illusion that the creator in Jesus has somehow done/accomplished something for (or instead of) us “in front of the Father”. Was Jesus as a kid completely void of any selfish mischief? To be fully human means experiencing the poles of love vs selfishness. If Jesus experienced that as well, the CESAPH did not lose any value at all, as its essence lays in the divine testament of love.
     
        

    2 Corinthians 6:16, 17, 18

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    Berean: ..."16 What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.” 17 “Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” 18 And: “I will be a Father to you, and you will be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” "...
    NRSV: ..."16 ... "I will live in them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Therefore come out from them, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch nothing unclean; then I will welcome you, 18 and I will be your father, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The reason for the creator to appear in the Jewish context was to contrast their beliefs of exclusivity and specialness in the eye of the creator with the eternal word of God, of salvation, universally applicable to all humans"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Quoting the OT for no good reason. The creator never had any special people, there is nothing unclean that the creator created (as well-said by other NT writings), and all of us can be considered children of the Lord, especially if we keep his main command, as formalized by Jesus (and not the OT writers). The concept of any “chosen people” is invalid and inconsistent with the eternal word of God, and God's choice of human context for the CESAPH to take place has no bearing on descendants of Jews or subscribers to Judaism (rather, the context of choice served to contrast the universal message of Jesus with that of the exclusionary beliefs of Jews).
     
        

    2 Corinthians 7:1

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    Berean: ..."1 Therefore, beloved, since we have these promises, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that defiles body and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. "...
    NRSV: ..."1 Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and of spirit, making holiness perfect in the fear of God."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • It is logical to expect appropriate consequences due for passing or failing the evaluation
  •  
    interpretation:
    We have our predispositions to love, the helping hand of grace in our assigned situations, promises and a divine demonstration we can read in stories of the past, and the experience of dreams. We can reason to conclude our wager based on these. Once we realize that our meaning and purpose in life stems from the creator's plan for the creation of our world and our assignment to it, the rest should be clear to follow and implement in our life. Fearing God is another way of putting weighing the likely logical consequences of the way we choose to live our life.
     
        

    2 Corinthians 7:10

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    Berean: ..."10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation without regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. "...
    NRSV: ..."10 For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation and brings no regret, but worldly grief produces death."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    “godly grief” is regretting ways in which we violate the path of the eternal word of God, is the repentance of sins committed against love, the main focus of life; “worldly grief” is about worldly things, missing out on materialistic or achievement-oriented opportunities that are not the main focus of life.
     
        

    2 Corinthians 9:6

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    Berean: ..."6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. "...
    NRSV: ..."6 The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • As salvation is an individual achievement, finding the way and living life accordingly is a private matter that can not be policed or compelled by others
  • The evaluation result is likely progressive within pass or fail
  •  
    interpretation:
    Hints at the degrees of success or compliance with the eternal word of God, of salvation. It is up to build up our character with the right conviction and right focus during our life, to collect treasure for next life. This treasure is of the type that can transcend to any different context of reality, as it is a part of our soul, one is carried forward.
     
        

    2 Corinthians 9:7

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    Berean: ..."7 Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver. "...
    NRSV: ..."7 Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • As salvation is an individual achievement, finding the way and living life accordingly is a private matter that can not be policed or compelled by others
  • It is logical to expect appropriate consequences due for passing or failing the evaluation
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage means that there is no formula for giving, being charitable, helping others. If we are aligned with the value of love, our actions will come as natural and not calculated, sticking to formulas.
     
        

    2 Corinthians 9:8, 9

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    Berean: ..."8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is written: “He has scattered abroad His gifts to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.” "...
    NRSV: ..."8 And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work. 9 As it is written, "He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Except, the creator does not provide for all people to have enough of everything in abundance so that “we always have enough of everything”, even though he would be able to. One has to remember that the creator's purpose with us here is not to provide us comfort and satisfaction – we have likely lost all of that in paradise/heaven we were cast out of because of our failings in our previous existence. So what we have now are the conditions of a penitentiary, where each is serving their different sentence. However, we can still share abundantly with each other, from whatever we have! Perhaps, since the creator “is able” to provide, we can expect that he will, once we pass this evaluation, serve our sentence, and earn our 'early release' from the penitentiary for good behavior (reach salvation and rejoin the presence of the creator in heaven).
     
        

    2 Corinthians 9:11

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    Berean: ..."11 You will be enriched in every way to be generous on every occasion, so that through us your giving will produce thanksgiving to God. "...
    NRSV: ..."11 You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us;"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • lacking understanding of reasons behind ‘good things can happen to bad people’, and all its variations
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally"
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage is part of Paul's instructions on the conduct of groups of disciples living at different locations. It is well understandable, but at the same time is still irresponsible for Paul to promise the disciples this kind of rewards that can be easily misunderstood to come in this world, if only they are patient enough. Rewards for good behavior – though they may happen during this life – can only be expected to come during eternal salvation (and punishments in damnation). As for this existence, “good things happen to bad people” and all its other variations stand – as it has to, to keep the integrity of our reality as the ether that evaluates the quality of our souls.
     
        

    2 Corinthians 10:6

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    Berean: ..."6 And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, as soon as your obedience is complete. "...
    NRSV: ..."6 We are ready to punish every disobedience when your obedience is complete."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • attempted building, claiming, or referencing authority that is misguided and improper
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "As salvation is an individual achievement, finding the way and living life accordingly is a private matter that can not be policed or compelled by others"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Followers of Jesus's message are not to punish others for their disobedience, as reaching salvation is an individual matter, not to be interfered with by others (other than showing them examples of a life aligned with love, and consulting with them, if invited or if the situation arises). The idea of obedience and punishment in religion has its origin in the OT and other religions, but is incompatible with the message of Jesus an our purpose here (to pass an evaluation, to demonstrate our worth to rejoin the presence of the creator).
     
        

    2 Corinthians 10:8

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    Berean: ..."8 For even if I boast somewhat excessively about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than tearing you down, I will not be ashamed. "...
    NRSV: ..."8 Now, even if I boast a little too much of our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for tearing you down,"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • attempted building, claiming, or referencing authority that is misguided and improper
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "A justified person has the duty to spread the word of God to others in a non-intrusive way whenever the chance arises and by showing an example"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "As salvation is an individual achievement, finding the way and living life accordingly is a private matter that can not be policed or compelled by others"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Yes, Paul is boasting not a little too much, but too much, which is completely unwarranted and does not follow from the teachings of Jesus. Jesus did not give the disciples any authority to build up or tear down anything – references to this may have been added by the author's perceived or imagined authority that they mistakenly concluded from Jesus's message. All disciples (people who are justified in their faith) are encouraged to “build up others” (bring them to the path of salvation), and for this, they do not need any authority or certification.
     
        

    2 Corinthians 11:3, 4

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    Berean: ..."3 I am afraid, however, that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may be led astray from your simple and pure devotion to Christ. 4 For if someone comes and proclaims a Jesus other than the One we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit than the One you received, or a different gospel than the one you accepted, you put up with it way too easily. "...
    NRSV: ..."3 But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by its cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Jesus. 4 For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you submit to it readily enough."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "As salvation is an individual achievement, finding the way and living life accordingly is a private matter that can not be policed or compelled by others"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Paul's worry is unwarranted, and he should not worry about such things; for all humans need to walk their own journey to their salvation. In it, they are endowed with free will and the responsibility to navigate the influences and temptations of their assigned situations. This passage could be taken as an attempt to monopolize Paul's understanding, because of his insecurity (“I am afraid for you”). People should submit to what they deem to be the most sensible message they can identify with in their conscience – it is their life, their responsibility, their path to walk (and not Paul's). Jesus's essential message can be uncovered by anyone, without the need for expert interpretation – only an open heart and mind are needed. The divisions Paul is afraid of, are impossible to prevent; and the last thing disciples should be worried about is how to prevent or police their flock. Bad things can result from this approach, as shown throughout history.
     
        

    2 Corinthians 11:5, 6, 7

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    Berean: ..."5 I consider myself in no way inferior to those “super-apostles.” 6 Although I am not a polished speaker, I am certainly not lacking in knowledge. We have made this clear to you in every way possible. 7 Was it a sin for me to humble myself in order to exalt you, because I preached the gospel of God to you free of charge? "...
    NRSV: ..."5 I think that I am not in the least inferior to these super-apostles. 6 I may be untrained in speech, but not in knowledge; certainly in every way and in all things we have made this evident to you. 7 Did I commit a sin by humbling myself so that you might be exalted, because I proclaimed God's good news to you free of charge?"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • attempted building, claiming, or referencing authority that is misguided and improper
  • content that is unhelpful, intentionally mystifying, irrelevant, or too detailed to be a part of ‘scriptures’ of guidance to salvation
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "As salvation is an individual achievement, finding the way and living life accordingly is a private matter that can not be policed or compelled by others"
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage lists Pau's grievances about being underappreciated by some of the early communities, and being shunned, putting other apostles in favor instead of him – and as such, this sort of detail should not be part of scripture. However, as part of a letter discussing tactical matters of the early disciples and groups of followers, it is a wholly understandable human documentation on the efforts undertaken by early disciples to spread the good news. Naturally, all disciples should pass on the good news to others for free, and should not enter into a contest with others, other than a good debate where they can express their understanding and interpretations of the good news and the message of Jesus, for the benefit of all who are listening and making their own conclusions.
     
        

    2 Corinthians 11:12, 13, 14, 15

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    Berean: ..."12 But I will keep on doing what I am doing, in order to undercut those who want an opportunity to be regarded as our equals in the things of which they boast. 13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. 15 It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their actions. "...
    NRSV: ..."12 And what I do I will also continue to do, in order to deny an opportunity to those who want an opportunity to be recognized as our equals in what they boast about. 13 For such boasters are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Jesus. 14 And no wonder! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 So it is not strange if his ministers also disguise themselves as ministers of righteousness. Their end will match their deeds."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • attempted building, claiming, or referencing authority that is misguided and improper
  • content that is unhelpful, intentionally mystifying, irrelevant, or too detailed to be a part of ‘scriptures’ of guidance to salvation
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "As salvation is an individual achievement, finding the way and living life accordingly is a private matter that can not be policed or compelled by others"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "‘Evil’, ‘Devil’, or ‘Satan’ is NOT a separate entity opposed to the creator, but the value of selfishness in us that is opposite to the preferred value of the creator, love"
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage lists Pau's grievances about being underappreciated by some of the early communities, and being shunned, putting other apostles in favor instead of him – and as such, this sort of detail should not be part of scripture. In this passage though Paul is going a bit too far, displaying a degree of jealousy for what other disciples may have achieved in those early communities. To compare others to “Satan” is perhaps a bit far off, especially that Satan is but a symbol, an influence of the opposite of love, that is selfishness. This is nothing but a negative human emotion, that should not have been expressed in such letters to those communities (in my opinion). Naturally, all disciples should pass on the good news to others for free, and should not enter into a contest with others, other than a good debate where they can express their understanding and interpretations of the good news and the message of Jesus, for the benefit of all who are listening and making their own conclusions. Based on the belief system of the OT,  the authors and disciples of Jesus misguidedly believed the ‘Evil One’, ‘Devil’, or ’Satan’ to be a separate independent entity (a fallen leader of angels) opposed to the creator and having some special powers. However, the concept should simply be interpreted as ‘the influence and temptations to be selfish’, the opposite of the creator’s preference of love that is present in us conscious humans, and all of us are here to demonstrate that we can subdue and eliminate this value in us, and side with its opposite in our evaluation.
     
        

    2 Corinthians 11:22, 23

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    Berean: ..."22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I. 23 Are they servants of Christ? I am speaking like I am out of my mind, but I am so much more: in harder labor, in more imprisonments, in worse beatings, in frequent danger of death. "...
    NRSV: ..."22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I. 23 Are they ministers of Jesus? I am talking like a madman — I am a better one: with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless floggings, and often near death."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • attempted building, claiming, or referencing authority that is misguided and improper
  • content that is unhelpful, intentionally mystifying, irrelevant, or too detailed to be a part of ‘scriptures’ of guidance to salvation
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "As salvation is an individual achievement, finding the way and living life accordingly is a private matter that can not be policed or compelled by others"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Being an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, having more imprisonment, floggings or being near death for the sake of Jesus does not necessarily and logically make one more right. This is invalid logic on the part of Paul, even though we can likely assume that he carried a message that was closer to the eventual truth than that of others at the time. If he was right, he should have argued his point, not boast and refer to his achievements and sacrifices (that do not make him righter..).
     
        

    2 Corinthians 12:2, 3, 4, 5

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    Berean: ..."2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of it I do not know, but God knows. 3 And I know that this man—whether in the body or out of it I do not know, but God knows— 4 was caught up to Paradise. The things he heard were too sacred for words, things that man is not permitted to tell. 5 I will boast about such a man, but I will not boast about myself, except in my weaknesses. "...
    NRSV: ..."2 I know a person in Jesus who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven — whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows. 3 And I know that such a person — whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows — 4 was caught up into Paradise and heard things that are not to be told, that no mortal is permitted to repeat. 5 On behalf of such a one I will boast,"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • content that is unhelpful, intentionally mystifying, irrelevant, or too detailed to be a part of ‘scriptures’ of guidance to salvation
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  •  
    interpretation:
    This is some egoistic and irrelevant content, a complete rubbish. Why do you need such person on whose behalf you can boast? Why SHOULD you boast? If you are sure of the rightness of your message, you need no such things.. Oh, I see – they are only interested in supernatural miracles and can only be convinced if you tie your message to their scriptures? Well, you should not have – and you did quite a good job separating the two; just not completely, as they should have been (in my humble view). This sort of content should not be interpreted, but outright rejected as the humble failings of a fallible human.. But, a good confirmation that, indeed “paradise” and “heaven” refer to the same context of reality.. In addition, if someone heard something that no mortal is allowed to repeat, then how can someone else boast about on behalf of such person??
     
        

    2 Corinthians 12:9

     Significant Alignment! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."9 But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me. "...
    NRSV: ..."9 but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • Grace is the ever-present willingness of the creator to help humans reach their salvation
  • Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  • The essence of the creator is love
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    The power of God is love. Those who want to perfect love in their lives and live by it should not seek power and money, as those corrupt (steer you toward selfishness, which is the opposite of love). Grace is the ever-willing help of God to help us in reaching our salvation, once we turn to it (being open to genuinely search the purpose of our life, and live accordingly); and having grace on our side is sufficient for us to perfect love; we do not need other tools, positions, opportunities in life to carry out our purpose. The apparent and typical goal of hoarding money and amassing power in life is contrasted with the 'power' God seeks in us: our alignment with love. So even if we are weak and powerless in life, we can be powerful in the very purpose we are here for, to gain our salvation by proving our alignment. This passage goes hand in hand with the camel and the eye of the needle proverb: we need to shift our focus in life from those that induce our selfishness, to those that boost our alignment with love.
     
        

    2 Corinthians 12:11, 12

    top  

    Berean: ..."11 I have become a fool, but you drove me to it. In fact, you should have commended me, since I am in no way inferior to those “super-apostles,” even though I am nothing. 12 The true marks of an apostle—signs, wonders, and miracles—were performed among you with great perseverance. "...
    NRSV: ..."11 I have been a fool! You forced me to it. Indeed you should have been the ones commending me, for I am not at all inferior to these super-apostles, even though I am nothing. 12 The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with utmost patience, signs and wonders and mighty works."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • content that is unhelpful, intentionally mystifying, irrelevant, or too detailed to be a part of ‘scriptures’ of guidance to salvation
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  •  
    interpretation:
    Pure jealousy and frustration on poor Paul's part.. There are no “signs and wonders” (miracles) that accompany those who carry the true message of God – anyone can make up such claim (see Moses). The true message speaks for itself in having the most sense in it. Jesus's message did not need signs and wonders either – its essence can be philosophically concluded by anyone as representing the most likely scenario of  reality and purpose of life independently. (This is what the philosophical foundation claims to have accomplished in isolation.)
     
        

    Romans 1:16

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, then to the Greek. "...
    NRSV: ..."16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel; it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith, to the Jew first and also to the Greek."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misguided focus on Jews or improper differentiation between Jews and Gentiles
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "One’s ‘faith’/belief system has no direct value to the creator, and is only a potential tool in one’s quest to gain justification and reach salvation IF it helps its holder in these"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Salvation is not a result of faith, but of a 'quality of the soul' which comprises a conviction aligned with love, and a life lived accordingly. The target of “faith” needs to be the message of Jesus, which is the way to salvation being through alignment with love, which is the eternal word of God, of salvation. Jews being the first target of the gospel (and greek being second) is a low-level catering to potential Jewish converts, and is a gross misguidance on the part of Paul. The message of Jesus should have been preached to all people from day one, without any distinction between Jews or Gentiles or otherwise. The Jewish belief system should have been addressed too based on the universal message of Jesus – they should have been told clearly that they have been mistaken all along about the way to salvation and their “chosen, special status”.
     
        

    Romans 1:17

    top  

    Berean: ..."17 For the gospel reveals the righteousness of God that comes by faith from start to finish, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” "...
    NRSV: ..."17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed through faith for faith; as it is written, "The one who is righteous will live by faith.""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • incorrect or inappropriate generalization
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "One’s ‘faith’/belief system has no direct value to the creator, and is only a potential tool in one’s quest to gain justification and reach salvation IF it helps its holder in these"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Although “the one who is righteous WILL live by faith” (as is everyone else, believing in their belief system/world view), this passage puts improper emphasis on 'belief', without specifying what to believe in. Salvation is not a result of faith, but of a 'quality of the soul' which comprises a conviction aligned with love, and a life lived accordingly. The target of “faith” needs to be the message of Jesus, which is the way to salvation being through alignment with love, which is the eternal word of God, of salvation.
     
        

    Romans 1:18

    top  

    Berean: ..."18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness. "...
    NRSV: ..."18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and wickedness of those who by their wickedness suppress the truth."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • lacking understanding of reasons behind ‘good things can happen to bad people’, and all its variations
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally"
  •  
    interpretation:
    This is a threatening tone from Paul, even if our evaluation will naturally carry its consequences for everyone. It is also easy to misunderstand this passage as implying that the wrath of God will happen to the misbehavers in their life. The right punishment or reward that fits one's life will only happen upon the last judgment. In this judgment the reward or punishment can be assumed to fit the evaluation result for each human. During this life, “good things happen to bad people” and all its other variations can be expected to happen, which should not derail us from the path of salvation.
     
        

    Romans 1:20, 21, 22, 23

    top  

    Berean: ..."20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. "...
    NRSV: ..."20 Ever since the creation of the world his eternal power and divine nature, invisible though they are, have been understood and seen through the things he has made. So they are without excuse; 21 for though they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their senseless minds were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools; 23 and they exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling a mortal human being or birds or four-footed animals or reptiles."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    Indeed, a lot of people throughout history believed in all kinds of silliness. But this is simply part of one's freedom of will and thought and illustrates the paths reasoning and the lack of critical thinking can lead to, especially in the pre-scientific age. However, the lack of certainty serves a very important role in all this. Guessing the proper description of the eventual unfolding reality right on is NOT the goal of our existence, and naturally, many will fail at guessing, accepting, or reasoning to conclude the closest scenario to it. However, as the closest scenario IS out there on the scale of possibilities, it is worth to make a genuine best effort to try to conclude it, and then wager one's life on it. The goal of our existence is to reach realignment with love – a goal that is possible to reason and conclude via many different belief systems.
     
        

    Romans 1:26, 27

    top  

    Berean: ..."26 For this reason God gave them over to dishonorable passions. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. 27 Likewise, the men abandoned natural relations with women and burned with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error. "...
    NRSV: ..."26 For this reason God gave them up to degrading passions. Their women exchanged natural intercourse for unnatural, 27 and in the same way also the men, giving up natural intercourse with women, were consumed with passion for one another. Men committed shameless acts with men and received in their own persons the due penalty for their error."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same"
  •  
    interpretation:
    The creator does not give up on any human being born into this world – they are all getting a chance to redeem themselves and reach their salvations. Instead, this is simply an example of misguided thought, misguided writing. People give up on the word of God, out of their own free will, under the influence of temptations influencing them to fail in their assigned situations – and this is all part of our evaluation of the quality of our souls.
     
        

    Romans 2:1

    top  

    Berean: ..."1 You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on another. For on whatever grounds you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. "...
    NRSV: ..."1 Therefore you have no excuse, whoever you are, when you judge others; for in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, are doing the very same things."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • A justified person has the duty to spread the word of God to others in a non-intrusive way whenever the chance arises and by showing an example
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • As salvation is an individual achievement, finding the way and living life accordingly is a private matter that can not be policed or compelled by others
  • Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally
  •  
    interpretation:
    While judging is not our role, doing our best to help others reach their salvation IS. Doing nothing while seeing that someone we have the chance to communicate with or affect is going down the path of damnation would be weak, selfish, or ignorant. Another important note is on how we look at others who deserved differently than us. Assigned situations are assumed to have been granted justly, reflecting the wrong of the precursor of the individual, however, with this assignment, the playing field is also assumed to be evened in this life. This means that in this life no one deserves more chastising or mistreatment from peers over the condition they received. Everyone is assumed to have already received a proper sentence for one's penance, and from this point on people are to help each other with kindness, consideration, and love, helping everyone in their own path to salvation.
     
        

    Romans 2:4

    top  

    Berean: ..."4 Or do you disregard the riches of His kindness, tolerance, and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you to repentance? "...
    NRSV: ..."4 Or do you despise the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience? Do you not realize that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  •  
    interpretation:
    The role of the CESAPH was to lead as many of us toward salvation as possible. The road will be hard for most, and even harder for many. But despite the potential misery of the assigned conditions, walking the path of salvation is worth it. THIS is the supreme point the creator made to humanity in undertaking the CESAPH. This was a credible demonstration and testimony that did not affect the setup's ability to test our alignment with love vs selfishness. In other words, our doubts could remain, we could claim to know better and walk different paths according to the freedom of our will, and caving in to all types of temptations on the way.
     
        

    Romans 2:6, 7, 8

    top  

    Berean: ..."6 God “will repay each one according to his deeds.” 7 To those who by perseverance in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality, He will give eternal life. 8 But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow wickedness, there will be wrath and anger. "...
    NRSV: ..."6 For he will repay according to each one's deeds: 7 to those who by patiently doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; 8 while for those who are self-seeking and who obey not the truth but wickedness, there will be wrath and fury."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • It is logical to expect appropriate consequences due for passing or failing the evaluation
  • The eternal continuation of their awareness is inevitable and unavoidable for all human souls
  • The human spirit is somehow part of the eternal consciousness
  •  
    interpretation:
    An important passage that states the fate for those who do not walk the path to salvation - they can not expect a simple death, a final extinguishment (as many hope to end their existence). To their dismay, they will find that their conscious awareness will go on into a different realm, a different context of reality. And at that time of gaining certainty over this, it will already be too late to do anything about it, the quality of their souls have already been assessed and judged.
     
        

    Romans 2:9

    top  

    Berean: ..."9 There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil, first for the Jew, then for the Greek; "...
    NRSV: ..."9 There will be anguish and distress for everyone who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek,"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • lacking understanding of reasons behind ‘good things can happen to bad people’, and all its variations
  • misguided focus on Jews or improper differentiation between Jews and Gentiles
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Just as with benefits, Jews don't stand to receive any harsher punishments (or receive them first before others) than gentiles, as being a Jew is irrelevant in the eye of the creator. The passage may also be misunderstood by some to mean that the punishment for evil will be coming to its perpetrator in this life – which is incorrect (we have the “bad things happen to good people” and all its variations going on in our reality).
     
        

    Romans 2:13

    top  

    Berean: ..."13 For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but it is the doers of the law who will be declared righteous. "...
    NRSV: ..."13 For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous in God's sight, but the doers of the law who will be justified."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  •  
    interpretation:
    Walking the path to salvation is not about reaching some sort of divine enlightenment, but living the rest of one's life accordingly throughout one's assigned situations. Justification is 'gaining the right conviction that can lead to salvation. However reaching salvation is an entirely different thing, of which justification is just a first necessary step. One needs to prove (back) their justified conviction with a life lived accordingly – this means prevailing through all trials and ordeals of what life's assigned situations throw at one.
     
        

    Romans 2:14, 15

    top  

    Berean: ..."14 Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 So they show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts either accusing or defending them "...
    NRSV: ..."14 When Gentiles, who do not possess the law, do instinctively what the law requires, these, though not having the law, are a law to themselves. 15 They show that what the law requires is written on their hearts, to which their own conscience also bears witness;"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation
  • In their predispositions, humans inherit both love (the essence of the creator’s spirit we share with him, indicating our significance) and selfishness (its opposite/opposing property, what some mistakenly attribute to a separate entity of the ‘evil/devil/satan’) to different degrees from their greater-self, from their originating context of reality
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    This demonstrates the role for the law – which is none. People should gain the right conviction of love in their lives, and live their lives accordingly; this is the only thing that matters to the creator, not compliance to law without this conviction. This way, all people can reach their salvation if they walk the path of salvation – the eternal word of God – regardless of the belief system they subscribe to. Naturally, some belief systems will make it entirely much easier to walk this path than others.
     
        

    Romans 2:25

    top  

    Berean: ..."25 Circumcision has value if you observe the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. "...
    NRSV: ..."25 Circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law; but if you break the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    In other words, circumcision (and other formalities and rituals prescribed by different sets of laws) are entirely useless, if one is not aligned with love. From this, it also follows that these different sets of laws are entirely irrelevant to the creator.
     
        

    Romans 3:1, 2

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."1 What, then, is the advantage of being a Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? 2 Much in every way. First of all, they have been entrusted with the very words of God. "...
    NRSV: ..."1 Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? 2 Much, in every way. For in the first place the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • misguided focus on Jews or improper differentiation between Jews and Gentiles
  •  
    interpretation:
    Paul is not being honest here either (or is being thoroughly confused or wrong). He either does not understand the concept of Jesus, and his universal message making anything that came before irrelevant and invalid, or he is catering to potential Jewish converts, who can only be approached via their law and prophets. Instead, he should state it clear that being a Jew has no advantage over other people, and that what they had believed so far is a completely different message and concept of God than what Jesus represented. And most importantly, their ways are not the way to salvation. And instead he is wishy-washy with them. Examining their message, Zoroaster was much more of an 'oracle' of God than any of the OT prophets – at least he concluded a universal message to mankind which was more in alignment with the eternal word of God, of salvation, than his competitors in Judea, who were waiting for THEIR Messiah.. Early Christians very much hoped that 'proper/true' Jews would see Jesus as their Messiah, if only they read their own prophecies more carefully. However, most Jews were right NOT to see Jesus as their Messiah for a very good reason: the description of whom they were expecting for just did not match the claims, person and message of Jesus. And indeed, the CESAPH was magnitudes more significant than any concept of the Jewish Messiah, it had a completely different focus (individual salvation vs the fate of the Jewish nation), different purpose of life and a way to achieve it (alignment with love vs keeping hundreds of laws), and a different creator-image (loving, forgiving vs. vengeful, jealous, conquering). So what those who had the right mind should have realized was: in light of Jesus's claims and message their Jewish beliefs no longer made any sense, and it was much more likely that ultimate truth lay within the message and person of Jesus. Unfortunately, even the disciples and the authors of the NT were not entirely up to this giant leap in thinking (except for Marcion, who was kindly asked to leave).
     
        

    Romans 3:5, 6

     Significant Alignment! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."5 But if our unrighteousness highlights the righteousness of God, what shall we say? That God is unjust to inflict His wrath on us? I am speaking in human terms. 6 Certainly not! In that case, how could God judge the world? "...
    NRSV: ..."5 But if our injustice serves to confirm the justice of God, what should we say? That God is unjust to inflict wrath on us? (I speak in a human way.) 6 By no means! For then how could God judge the world?"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    Our perceived injustice, stemming from the completely varying level of individual suffering and comfort we have to endure in our assigned situations, can only confirm the justice of God if they are received fairly, reflecting a cause. Random assignments of these conditions could not be considered just from a just God. And indeed, the creator can only fairly judge the world in the final judgment, if our assigned accidental situations (the amount of health, wealth, talent, luck, comfort, temptation or the lack of those) are also assigned fairly, fitting the conditions for which we are serving our penance in this life.
     
        

    Romans 3:20

    top  

    Berean: ..."20 Therefore no one will be justified in His sight by works of the law. For the law merely brings awareness of sin. "...
    NRSV: ..."20 For "no human being will be justified in his sight" by deeds prescribed by the law, for through the law comes the knowledge of sin."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    Following the law without the conviction of love is worthless to the creator. Sin is an act or thought that can not be said to come while being aligned with love. In this way, the law may lead one to knowledge of specific examples of sin (through sanctioning the manifestations of some behavior that is misaligned with love), but it can not lead to the divine requirement itself, the evaluation criterion of our life, which is the alignment of one's conviction with love.
     
        

    Romans 3:21, 22

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    Berean: ..."21 But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been revealed, as attested by the Law and the Prophets. 22 And this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no distinction, "...
    NRSV: ..."21 But now, apart from law, the righteousness of God has been disclosed, and is attested by the law and the prophets, 22 the righteousness of God through the faith of Jesus Christ for all who believe."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation
  • One’s ‘faith’/belief system has no direct value to the creator, and is only a potential tool in one’s quest to gain justification and reach salvation IF it helps its holder in these
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  • ‘Justification’ is ‘being convinced about love’s (vs. selfishness) need to guide life’ (= ‘being rightly enlightened’, = ‘holding Jesus’s message in conviction’, = ‘following/believing in Jesus’, = ‘gaining a justified conviction’, = ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, = ‘doing the works of God’, = ‘satisfying/keeping/adhering to the command of God’, = ‘accepting/living according to Jesus’s message’, = ‘fulfilling the eternal word of God, of salvation’)
  •  
    interpretation:
    The CESAPH's formalization of the eternal word of God, of salvation reflects the righteousness of God. But this righteousness does not come from belief of/in Jesus's divinity, miracles, but from holding Jesus's message – the formalized eternal word of God, of salvation – in conviction, in the 'heart'. And, of course, this righteousness, once attained, needs to be carried forward through the rest of one's life, to lead to salvation.
     
    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "One’s ‘faith’/belief system has no direct value to the creator, and is only a potential tool in one’s quest to gain justification and reach salvation IF it helps its holder in these"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Unfortunately for the OT, their prophets did not foretell the righteousness of God being disclosed in Jesus – they were busy justifying genocide and slavery instead, and instilling fear in a jealous God. Also, their law did not attest to the righteousness of God either; at best, some of their commands of the 613 (for example don't kill, don't lie) are compatible with the main focus and command of Jesus – love. But I would not count this as an achievement, and certainly would not boast about this being an attestation to what we have received in Jesus. Instead, it should have been the moment of admitting the most painful: that they have been wrong all along in their belief system and focus. But that did not happen, and Christian disciples also did not grab the opportunity to put Jesus's message in its rightful light – instead, they piggybacked it on top of the OT, resulting in an enduring damage and confusion to the faith.
     
        

    Romans 3:23

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    Berean: ..."23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, "...
    NRSV: ..."23 since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God;"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally
  •  
    interpretation:
    Indeed, all humans are sinners already at birth – not for actions they have committed in this life, or actions that were inherited from any ancestor (like Adam and Eve), but for actions each human must have committed before they entered this reality, during a previous existence. The wrong committed in this previous existence warrants each human to receive their unique accidental situational assignments during their lives, that can then be assumed to have been assigned fairly and justly, in proportion to the nature and magnitude of this previous wrong.
     
        

    Romans 3:24, 25

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."24 and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. 25 God presented Him as the atoning sacrifice through faith in His blood, in order to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance He had passed over the sins committed beforehand. "...
    NRSV: ..."24 they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ, 25 whom God put forward as a sacrifice of atonement by his blood, effective through faith."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • misconceived understanding of what the ‘trinity’ could be
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Misguidance or confusion about the role of Jesus's sacrifice and death, and what it achieved for humans. This passage gives fuel to the harmful misconception of Jesus being an atoning sacrifice for our sins to the Father – now, this is a potentially harmful misunderstanding of the CESAPH and its purpose. No one made no one else to be the atoning sacrifice – the very idea of any 'atoning sacrifice' is just a wholly misconceived idea originating from the OT's imagery of the creator (and of other religions). Since Jesus was the creator in human form, the creator did not make Jesus do anything. The creator – as the good Shepard – undertook the human form of Jesus so that he could share in our suffering and demonstrate his love for us in a genuine way, without affecting our evaluations. The suffering he undergone is a sharing in our fate, a partaking in our suffering in this world, out of love for us. This can be viewed as a genuine testimony of love for us from the creator that can give us the most strength in our conviction and determination to reach our salvation during our life. We still have to do/accomplish reaching our salvation in the remainder of our lives by following the eternal word of God, of salvation (which Jesus came to formalize) in whatever situations the creator assigns to us. So no one should be under the illusion that the creator in Jesus has somehow done/accomplished something for (or instead of) us “in front of the Father”. It is also important to note that justification (holding in conviction of the eternal word of God, of salvation – that one reaches salvation through aligning with love) IS achieved by faith (as one has to have faith to wager one's life on love's leading guidance as opposed to selfishness), but for salvation this is only the first step. For salvation, one needs to live life accordingly through one's assigned situations.
     
        

    Romans 3:25, 26

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    Berean: ..."25 God presented Him as the atoning sacrifice through faith in His blood, in order to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance He had passed over the sins committed beforehand. 26 He did this to demonstrate His righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and to justify the one who has faith in Jesus. "...
    NRSV: ..."25 … He did this to show his righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over the sins previously committed; 26 it was to prove at the present time that he himself is righteous and that he justifies the one who has faith in Jesus."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • In their predispositions, humans inherit both love (the essence of the creator’s spirit we share with him, indicating our significance) and selfishness (its opposite/opposing property, what some mistakenly attribute to a separate entity of the ‘evil/devil/satan’) to different degrees from their greater-self, from their originating context of reality
  • One’s ‘faith’/belief system has no direct value to the creator, and is only a potential tool in one’s quest to gain justification and reach salvation IF it helps its holder in these
  • Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  • ‘Justification’ is ‘being convinced about love’s (vs. selfishness) need to guide life’ (= ‘being rightly enlightened’, = ‘holding Jesus’s message in conviction’, = ‘following/believing in Jesus’, = ‘gaining a justified conviction’, = ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, = ‘doing the works of God’, = ‘satisfying/keeping/adhering to the command of God’, = ‘accepting/living according to Jesus’s message’, = ‘fulfilling the eternal word of God, of salvation’)
  •  
    interpretation:
    The creator did not need to show righteousness; in Jesus, he demonstrated righteousness and his love to humanity. The sins the creator may have 'passed over' can be evident to every human being by the fact of being born into this reality. Thus, the leniency (not forgiveness, but a chance at redemption) granted to humans was for the sins they have committed in their previous existence. These previously committed sins (in our previous context of reality) were the 'original sin', what made each and every one of us a 'sinner' even at the point of our birth into this reality. The chance at redemption granted to all humans may not have been granted to other 'fallen angels'. Redemption from the sinful condition is granted if an individual passes the universal evaluation criterion for it, that is align life with love vs selfishness. Justification is performed by the individual, by taking into conviction the eternal word of God, of salvation. Thus, this is not an act performed by the creator for humans. Grace may help the individual by hints, but voluntary cooperation is needed by the individual to accept and trust the conviction to a degree to wager life on it.
     
        

    Romans 3:27, 28

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    Berean: ..."27 Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On that of works? No, but on that of faith. 28 For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the law. "...
    NRSV: ..."27 Then what becomes of boasting? It is excluded. By what law? By that of works? No, but by the law of faith. 28 For we hold that a person is justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation
  • One’s ‘faith’/belief system has no direct value to the creator, and is only a potential tool in one’s quest to gain justification and reach salvation IF it helps its holder in these
  • ‘Justification’ is ‘being convinced about love’s (vs. selfishness) need to guide life’ (= ‘being rightly enlightened’, = ‘holding Jesus’s message in conviction’, = ‘following/believing in Jesus’, = ‘gaining a justified conviction’, = ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, = ‘doing the works of God’, = ‘satisfying/keeping/adhering to the command of God’, = ‘accepting/living according to Jesus’s message’, = ‘fulfilling the eternal word of God, of salvation’)
  •  
    interpretation:
    The emphasis here is on the irrelevance of law and on the role of carrying the message of salvation in conviction (faith). Naturally, being justified is just a helping hand for one to reach salvation by living accordingly – which is the main purpose of human life.
     
        

    Romans 3:29, 30

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    Berean: ..."29 Is God the God of Jews only? Is He not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, 30 since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. "...
    NRSV: ..."29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, 30 since God is one; and he will justify the circumcised on the ground of faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation
  •  
    interpretation:
    Continuing the point of Jewish law being irrelevant and the creator in Jesus carrying a universal message that is equally applicable to all humans in all situations.
     
        

    Romans 3:31

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."31 Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Certainly not! Instead, we uphold the law. "...
    NRSV: ..."31 Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies"
  •  
    interpretation:
    The law then must not be the Jewish law but the eternal word of God – that is love vs selfishness. However, unfortunately Paul most likely meant Jewish law, in a statement of appeasement and catering to potential Jewish converts. Jewish law did not need to be 'overthrown', as it never was a valid way to salvation. Instead, people should have realized their error in believing in such belief system and gone for something that makes sense, and has the chance to be true. As for the ten commandments, what makes sense of it, simply follows from the single commandment of love.
     
        

    Romans 4:4, 5

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."4 Now the wages of the worker are not credited as a gift, but as an obligation. 5 However, to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness. "...
    NRSV: ..."4 Now to one who works, wages are not reckoned as a gift but as something due. 5 But to one who without works trusts him who justifies the ungodly, such faith is reckoned as righteousness."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    As we lack certainty about our precursor, the existence of the creator and the consequences of our evaluation, we need to live our life based on a wager we made, on faith. We are not 'employed' by the creator to perform a certain task; we are being evaluated on our alignment on the preferred value of the creator. This is not a faith in the divinity and miracles of Jesus or the tenets of organized religion, but a faith in the afterlife and the meaning of our existence being the walking of the path to salvation. Justified is the one who accepted into conviction that walking the path of the eternal word of God, of salvation is the purpose of life.
     
        

    Romans 4:11, 12, 13, 16, 17

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    Berean: ..."11 And he received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but are not circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them. 12 And he is also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised, but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised. 13 For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world was not given through the law, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. 16 Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may rest on grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all. 17 As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.” He is our father in the presence of God, in whom he believed, the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being what does not yet exist. "...
    NRSV: ..."11 … The purpose was to make him the ancestor of all who believe without being circumcised and who thus have righteousness reckoned to them, 12 and likewise the ancestor of the circumcised who are not only circumcised but who also follow the example of the faith that our ancestor Abraham had before he was circumcised. 13 For the promise that he would inherit the world did not come to Abraham or to his descendants through the law but through the righteousness of faith. 16 For this reason it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his descendants, not only to the adherents of the law but also to those who share the faith of Abraham (for he is the father of all of us, 17 as it is written, "I have made you the father of many nations")"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation
  • One’s ‘faith’/belief system has no direct value to the creator, and is only a potential tool in one’s quest to gain justification and reach salvation IF it helps its holder in these
  •  
    interpretation:
    The purpose of the CESAPH indeed was to have righteousness reckoned to all to whom the good news will get to, regardless of affiliation to any group. Thus, in this passage Abraham can only be seen as a symbolic ancestor of all humans, not to be taken literally. The promise of inheriting the world must also refer to heaven, and as such, this was made to all humans who have ever entered this reality. Inheritance from Abraham can only be taken symbolically here (not as a historical human ancestor). The promise of inheriting the world must then be analogous to regaining our place in the presence of the creator upon reaching salvation – and indeed, this is done not through obeying any law, but through having faith in the message of Jesus, the eternal word of God, of salvation needing to guide our life.
     
        

    Romans 4:24, 25

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    Berean: ..."24 but also for us, to whom righteousness will be credited—for us who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. 25 He was delivered over to death for our trespasses and was raised to life for our justification. "...
    NRSV: ..."24 … It [righteousness] will be reckoned to us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, 25 who was handed over to death for our trespasses and was raised for our justification."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "One’s ‘faith’/belief system has no direct value to the creator, and is only a potential tool in one’s quest to gain justification and reach salvation IF it helps its holder in these"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "‘Justification’ is ‘being convinced about love’s (vs. selfishness) need to guide life’ (= ‘being rightly enlightened’, = ‘holding Jesus’s message in conviction’, = ‘following/believing in Jesus’, = ‘gaining a justified conviction’, = ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, = ‘doing the works of God’, = ‘satisfying/keeping/adhering to the command of God’, = ‘accepting/living according to Jesus’s message’, = ‘fulfilling the eternal word of God, of salvation’)"
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage is almost correct, except it may incorrectly suggest that we will be righteous merely by believing that the creator raised Jesus from the dead – and I believe it is not as easy as that. Righteous is one who does right; the justified in conviction about love. And someone will not become righteous by believing the resurrection (or whatever else tenet one may wish to append to it). One needs to carry Jesus's message in conviction to be considered justified, and thus, righteous. “being raised for our justification” is also incorrect. The creator undertook the CESAPH in Jesus so that more of us reach salvation. But this does not mean he “was handed over to death” (by the Father or by us humans) or that he was “raised for our justification” (as if he were not raised, we would not have been justified). It simply means that wherever the human fate of Jesus took him (through the decisions of those humans who dealt with him at the time) the creator would not intervene to spare him from its consequences – just like we can expect this in our life! And as it happened so, he was humiliated, tortured, and executed (a kind of expected outcome given his chosen context and his mission). So this message CAN be correctly interpreted if we keep all these in mind.
     
        

    Romans 5:1, 2

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    Berean: ..."1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. "...
    NRSV: ..."1 Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand;"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Grace is the ever-present willingness of the creator to help humans reach their salvation
  • ‘Justification’ is ‘being convinced about love’s (vs. selfishness) need to guide life’ (= ‘being rightly enlightened’, = ‘holding Jesus’s message in conviction’, = ‘following/believing in Jesus’, = ‘gaining a justified conviction’, = ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, = ‘doing the works of God’, = ‘satisfying/keeping/adhering to the command of God’, = ‘accepting/living according to Jesus’s message’, = ‘fulfilling the eternal word of God, of salvation’)
  •  
    interpretation:
    Faith in Jesus's message (not in who he is or what he did) results in one's justification. This should give us the confidence to wager our life on our conviction, and thus achieve the “peace of mind” through Jesus's help (or through the help of his grace, for those who did not end up knowing the good news). Grace is the ever-willingness of the creator to help those succeed in their salvation who turn to him for help – even if they never heard of Jesus.
     
        

    Romans 5:5

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    Berean: ..."5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us. "...
    NRSV: ..."5 and hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Grace is the ever-present willingness of the creator to help humans reach their salvation
  • In their predispositions, humans inherit both love (the essence of the creator’s spirit we share with him, indicating our significance) and selfishness (its opposite/opposing property, what some mistakenly attribute to a separate entity of the ‘evil/devil/satan’) to different degrees from their greater-self, from their originating context of reality
  •  
    interpretation:
    The Holy Spirit has been with humanity from the very beginning though, not just starting with the CESAPH – through our predispositions to love and through the ever-willingness of grace to help people toward salvation. It is of course possible that the active intervention of the creator, through grace, increased after the CESAPH compared to what was happening before.  
     
    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally"
  •  
    interpretation:
    It is easy to misunderstand though how some can take this passage as a guarantee that if we ask something of the creator and believe strong enough that it will be granted to us, it will. Thus, if we did not get it, our faith must not have been strong enough. This is all false though, as there is no guarantee that the creator will satisfy our requests in this life – we all have a set of assigned situations to go through as part of our penance for the wrong committed by us in the precursor.
     
        

    Romans 5:8, 9

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    Berean: ..."8 But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Therefore, since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from wrath through Him! "...
    NRSV: ..."8 But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Jesus died for us. 9 Much more surely then, now that we have been justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath of God."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • In their predispositions, humans inherit both love (the essence of the creator’s spirit we share with him, indicating our significance) and selfishness (its opposite/opposing property, what some mistakenly attribute to a separate entity of the ‘evil/devil/satan’) to different degrees from their greater-self, from their originating context of reality
  • It is logical to expect appropriate consequences due for passing or failing the evaluation
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  •  
    interpretation:
    While we were all still sinners – meaning that none of us has reached salvation yet – the CESAPH was still carried out on our behalf, for helping the most of us who are still to enter life. Thus, the creator's sacrifice was performed not for already saved humans, but for those who are still before completing their lives and receiving judgment about it, in hope that they will reach their salvation with such help. For some, receiving such help was warranted by the nature and magnitude of the wrongs committed in their precursory existence. As for others, they did not deserve to have such help in their assigned situations. This willingness to help humanity can underscore the hope that the consequences of our evaluation of life will be just and fair.
     
        

    Romans 5:10

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    Berean: ..."10 For if, when we were enemies of God, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life! "...
    NRSV: ..."10 For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more surely, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • In their predispositions, humans inherit both love (the essence of the creator’s spirit we share with him, indicating our significance) and selfishness (its opposite/opposing property, what some mistakenly attribute to a separate entity of the ‘evil/devil/satan’) to different degrees from their greater-self, from their originating context of reality
  • It is logical to expect appropriate consequences due for passing or failing the evaluation
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  •  
    interpretation:
    If even though we were all sinners in the precursor, we got the chance at redemption and salvation, then if we reconcile with the word of God, how much more we can hope for. Except the saving (people reaching salvation) is not done by Jesus on the cross, but by us living a life that is aligned with love.
     
    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • misconception about Jesus saving or justifying people rather than them achieving this through their own free will
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  •  
    interpretation:
    One can think that through the act of the CESAPH (the ultimate testimony of love for humanity, and the creator's wish for us to reach salvation) humanity as a whole has been reconciled with the creator for their wrongs caused by the precursor. And I top this by the view that all of humanity was already very much reconciled with the creator by getting a chance at their salvation, by giving them a chance to prove their worths in this life. But even if the good intention, the invitation, the readiness to forgive us is there on the part of the creator, and even if through the CESAPH we clearly received our assurance that we face a loving creator who wants us to succeed and rejoin his presence, reaching this salvation remains on us to do – using all the above mentioned help. This is the most the creator can do for is; but the evaluation of our soul, our worthiness for salvation is up to us, using our free will, whether we will walk the path of salvation or some other path we choose. Thus, being reconciled does not necessarily lead to being saved, unless we make this happen in our life. The CESAPH did not save any of us directly; at the maximum, indirectly, as “thanks to it countless people gaining the strength and conviction to do it”.  
     
        

    Romans 5:12, 13, 14

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, so also death was passed on to all men, because all sinned. 13 For sin was in the world before the law was given; but sin is not taken into account when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless, death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who did not sin in the way that Adam transgressed. He is a pattern of the One to come. "...
    NRSV: ..."12 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death came through sin, and so death spread to all because all have sinned — 13 sin was indeed in the world before the law, but sin is not reckoned when there is no law. 14 Yet death exercised dominion from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sins were not like the transgression of Adam, who is a type of the one who was to come."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misconception about death's finality
  • misguided understanding of sin, the origin of sinful condition/the ‘original sin’ inherited from the OT
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Jesus’s ‘covenant’ of the eternal word of God, of salvation is the only covenant that has ever been and will ever be in effect from the creator for all of humanity, since the very beginning of time till the ending of our simulated reality, meaning that if one passes their evaluation on their alignment with love, one redeems their sinful condition and gains their salvation"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Sin is acting out of the opposite of the creator's preference of love - selfishness. It did not come to into the world through one man, but all of us carry its seeds within us from eternity. Our sinful condition that originates from our precursory existence is the very reason we are participating in this reality. Thus, explicit command or formalized version of the eternal word of God, of salvation present or not in our reality, the evaluation criterion has been the exact same for all human beings in all possible situations. Thus, Paul's logic here is faulty. Death has nothing to do with sin. Death is the end of this temporary phase of our existence, and a boundary to our next context of reality. Having to enter this temporary reality resulted from us being sinners – so one may understand “death spreading to all because all have sinned” this way. There is an ongoing confusion in the NT about death and conquering death – we do not need to conquer death, as everyone's awareness continues into eternity anyway. Paul expressed this rightly too – the afterlife is given; what matters is how we spend it, as that is up to the creator. Sin has always been reckoned/considered as 'sin' in this world and before as selfishness has always been considered as being against the preference of the creator. Thus, this statement from Paul is misguided. I understand that this may have originated from him talking about Moses getting the law and before, but nonetheless, he is incorrect and wrong on this.
     
        

    Romans 5:15

    top  

    Berean: ..."15 But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many! "...
    NRSV: ..."15 But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died through the one man's trespass, much more surely have the grace of God and the free gift in the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abounded for the many."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • misguided understanding of sin, the origin of sinful condition/the ‘original sin’ inherited from the OT
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Grace is the ever-present willingness of the creator to help humans reach their salvation"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "‘Justification’ is ‘being convinced about love’s (vs. selfishness) need to guide life’ (= ‘being rightly enlightened’, = ‘holding Jesus’s message in conviction’, = ‘following/believing in Jesus’, = ‘gaining a justified conviction’, = ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, = ‘doing the works of God’, = ‘satisfying/keeping/adhering to the command of God’, = ‘accepting/living according to Jesus’s message’, = ‘fulfilling the eternal word of God, of salvation’)"
  •  
    interpretation:
    The free gift is the CESAPH - through the grace of the creator, it took place to benefit many. Receiving the good news of the CESAPH is not essential or a prerequisite for salvation but it surely can help. The ever willing help of divine grace is available to all humans throughout history, and thus, it is not a function of the CESAPH. Many did NOT die for the trespass of one (Adam); rather, all of us fell and committed sins for which we were condemned to this life of penance. Thus, we have committed the trespass ourselves. Surely, much more will have the help of grace in their salvation – probably all who attempt to reach it.
     
        

    Romans 5:15, 16

    top  

    Berean: ..."15 But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many! 16 Again, the gift is not like the result of the one man’s sin: The judgment that followed one sin brought condemnation, but the gift that followed many trespasses brought justification. "...
    NRSV: ..."15 But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died through the one man's trespass, much more surely have the grace of God and the free gift in the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abounded for the many. 16 And the free gift is not like the effect of the one man's sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brings justification."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally
  • ‘Justification’ is ‘being convinced about love’s (vs. selfishness) need to guide life’ (= ‘being rightly enlightened’, = ‘holding Jesus’s message in conviction’, = ‘following/believing in Jesus’, = ‘gaining a justified conviction’, = ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, = ‘doing the works of God’, = ‘satisfying/keeping/adhering to the command of God’, = ‘accepting/living according to Jesus’s message’, = ‘fulfilling the eternal word of God, of salvation’)
  •  
    interpretation:
    The free gift is the good news of the CESAPH - through the grace of the creator. It is for many who deserve it, but it is not a guarantee of or a necessary for salvation. But such a demonstration of divine love and story of partaking in our suffering can surely help in carrying our cross and succeeding at reaching salvation despite of it. The free gift is not forcibly pushed onto anyone – one can draw strength from it, or ignore it, or ridicule it.
     
        

    Romans 5:16, 17

    top  

    Berean: ..."16 Again, the gift is not like the result of the one man’s sin: The judgment that followed one sin brought condemnation, but the gift that followed many trespasses brought justification. 17 For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive an abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ! "...
    NRSV: ..."16 And the free gift is not like the effect of the one man's sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brings justification. 17 If, because of the one man's trespass, death exercised dominion through that one, much more surely will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness exercise dominion in life through the one man, Jesus Christ."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • misconception about death's finality
  • misguided understanding of sin, the origin of sinful condition/the ‘original sin’ inherited from the OT
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The resurrection is not a cornerstone belief to be held about Jesus or the subject of faith one needs to believe in to gain salvation, but an emphasis on the inevitability of afterlife for everyone. From a simulated reality everyone exits to their originating context, and the creator can naturally make exceptions for his exit and reappearance"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Our own trespass brought condemnation to all of us humans (having to participate in this life of penance), and the free gift of the CESAPH may have brought justification to some who enlightened their convictions because of hearing about it. But this did not apply even to all who heard about it; only to those who took the eternal word of God, of salvation, into their conviction. Death did not exercise dominion because of our precursory sinful condition (and certainly not because of our single ancestor's failure); it was always the end of our temporary reality, the end of our participation in it, after which the conscious soul of everyone goes on to the next (likely the originating) context of reality. Death could symbolize the eternal damnation (the less favorable outcome of our evaluation, whatever that may be) that would await those who do not succeed in reaching their salvation and redemption. Receiving any help of righteousness or justification from grace is NOT a guarantee that we will also reach our salvation; for that, we need to live our life according to Jesus's message, that is being aligned with love.
     
        

    Romans 5:18, 19

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."18 So then, just as one trespass brought condemnation for all men, so also one act of righteousness brought justification and life for all men. 19 For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous. "...
    NRSV: ..."18 Therefore just as one man's trespass led to condemnation for all, so one man's act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all. 19 For just as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • misconception about Jesus saving or justifying people rather than them achieving this through their own free will
  • misguided understanding of sin, the origin of sinful condition/the ‘original sin’ inherited from the OT
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage is full of misguided tenets. The trespass was not committed by one man (Adam) but by each of us, in our precursory existence. No one was made a sinner or inherits such condition; everyone sinned in our previous life, and that is why we ended up in this reality, having to face the conditions that will be assigned to us, in which we need to redeem our sinful condition and gain our salvation. The CESAPH did not lead to justification and life (salvation) for all, but surely for many; it is up to the individual to gain the eternal word of God, of salvation into their conviction and accomplish salvation by their living life accordingly. It was the creator himself in Jesus who accomplished the demonstration of love that amounted to the help we can have in our path to salvation; this act was not obedience but will of love. But, what is required of us is obedience to the eternal word of God, of salvation. No one is “made righteous”; one decides to accept righteousness into their conviction (justification).
     
        

    Romans 5:21

    top  

    Berean: ..."21 so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. "...
    NRSV: ..."21 so that, just as sin exercised dominion in death, so grace might also exercise dominion through justification leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • ‘Justification’ is ‘being convinced about love’s (vs. selfishness) need to guide life’ (= ‘being rightly enlightened’, = ‘holding Jesus’s message in conviction’, = ‘following/believing in Jesus’, = ‘gaining a justified conviction’, = ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, = ‘doing the works of God’, = ‘satisfying/keeping/adhering to the command of God’, = ‘accepting/living according to Jesus’s message’, = ‘fulfilling the eternal word of God, of salvation’)
  •  
    interpretation:
    Death can be interpreted as the state of believing in the finality of death in this world, or the lack of an afterlife. This was (and continues to be) likely a condition that many were in. However, through cooperating with the active help of grace, death's finality has been conquered by the belief in a higher meaning, the purpose of our existence, salvation. This belief (a justified conviction) can help one to lead a life aligned with love, leading to salvation.
     
        

    Romans 6:3, 4

    top  

    Berean: ..."3 Or aren’t you aware that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may walk in newness of life. "...
    NRSV: ..."3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Jesus was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • rituals don't matter or accomplish anything directly, but serve only as cultural customs with symbolic value to people
  •  
    interpretation:
    Sure, once justified, we will have a new outlook on life, and so can be said to “walk in newness of life”. With this, we can be “dead” to sin (selfishness). But other than this roundabout explanation for this passage, it is not that well said and may amount to a misspoken quote that was not that well thought through by the author. Jesus's raising from the dead has no direct impact on us walking a newness of life: our eternal awareness will continue regardless, though it is relevant whether we pass the evaluation or not, as we can expect different conditions. As our reality is a simulation by the creator, it is not a question that the creator can change our reality in any way he wishes, at any point. This includes miracles witnessed by some, or the resurrection of the dead (to this or any other reality).
     
        

    Romans 6:5, 6

    top  

    Berean: ..."5 For if we have been united with Him like this in His death, we will certainly also be united with Him in His resurrection. 6 We know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body of sin might be rendered powerless, that we should no longer be slaves to sin. "...
    NRSV: ..."5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • personal perspectives and directives that are culturally dependent
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The human spirit is somehow part of the eternal consciousness"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The resurrection is not a cornerstone belief to be held about Jesus or the subject of faith one needs to believe in to gain salvation, but an emphasis on the inevitability of afterlife for everyone. From a simulated reality everyone exits to their originating context, and the creator can naturally make exceptions for his exit and reappearance"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Somehow I can not digest the analogy that “we have been united with him in death”. Surely, one can come up with all kinds of explanations to arrive close to where they want the meaning to be, but this does not change the fact that the formulation of the sentence may be lacking or is wrong, a misunderstanding on the author's part. No human can be said to be “united with Jesus in his death” - unless one means the very human process of death at the end of life. But even then, whey would we be 'united' in this with Jesus? And what would be its point? Surely, once we exit our reality, we will be united with (together/in the presence of) Jesus during the last judgment – but is this “being united with him in a resurrection like this”? Surely, if we reach justification, our old self can be said to “die” but it is very unfortunate to put it as “our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be destroyed”, as nothing is destroyed yet, justification is only the beginning of the road to salvation, where we can still easily fail if we end up seeing things differently, we are weak or stupid enough not to do what is required despite our convictions. Thus, it is not a step that guarantees salvation!
     
        

    Romans 6:7, 8, 9

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."7 For anyone who has died has been freed from sin. 8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with Him. 9 For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, He cannot die again; death no longer has dominion over Him. "...
    NRSV: ..."7 For whoever has died is freed from sin. 8 But if we have died with Jesus, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 We know that Jesus, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misconception about death's finality
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The human spirit is somehow part of the eternal consciousness"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The resurrection is not a cornerstone belief to be held about Jesus or the subject of faith one needs to believe in to gain salvation, but an emphasis on the inevitability of afterlife for everyone. From a simulated reality everyone exits to their originating context, and the creator can naturally make exceptions for his exit and reappearance"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "‘Justification’ is ‘being convinced about love’s (vs. selfishness) need to guide life’ (= ‘being rightly enlightened’, = ‘holding Jesus’s message in conviction’, = ‘following/believing in Jesus’, = ‘gaining a justified conviction’, = ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, = ‘doing the works of God’, = ‘satisfying/keeping/adhering to the command of God’, = ‘accepting/living according to Jesus’s message’, = ‘fulfilling the eternal word of God, of salvation’)"
  •  
    interpretation:
    If Paul talks about our “old self” dying (meaning one has reached justification), one may be free from sin, IF one stays on this road for the rest of one's life (not too weak or too stupid to sin, and not changing conviction about being aligned with love). So this is not a guaranteed state, but an “only as long as”, as walking the right path is still to be done in life. But until life's assigned situations run out, as one's evaluation concludes, one can not really say that we are “free from sin”. Surely I understand the motivational value of this message to disciples, but the content is not fully correct, and is prone to misunderstandings. Thus, “dying with Jesus” (old self dying and new self being born - justification) does not necessarily mean that one will also “live with him” (at least not in eternal salvation). But perhaps one “dies with Jesus and lives with him” at the same time, simultaneously – and then this would be justification in this life. I can not really comprehend why “being raised from the dead” necessarily means “never dying again”, but I can get over this sort of language – this must be about the resurrected Jesus never dying again; but this is also the case with everyone else, as eternal beings don't 'die' (extinguish forever), but simply exit this context of reality, to reenter another one. Thus, 'death' (fatal extinguishment of awareness) does not have dominion over any conscious soul, to begin with.
     
        

    Romans 6:17

    top  

    Berean: ..."17 But thanks be to God that, though you once were slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were committed. "...
    NRSV: ..."17 But thanks be to God that you, having once been slaves of sin, have become obedient from the heart to the form of teaching to which you were entrusted,"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • ‘Justification’ is ‘being convinced about love’s (vs. selfishness) need to guide life’ (= ‘being rightly enlightened’, = ‘holding Jesus’s message in conviction’, = ‘following/believing in Jesus’, = ‘gaining a justified conviction’, = ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, = ‘doing the works of God’, = ‘satisfying/keeping/adhering to the command of God’, = ‘accepting/living according to Jesus’s message’, = ‘fulfilling the eternal word of God, of salvation’)
  •  
    interpretation:
    Being justified is the word here; it is the individual's achievement, even if the helping hand of grace was involved.
     
        

    Romans 7:4

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."4 Therefore, my brothers, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit to God. "...
    NRSV: ..."4 In the same way, my friends, you have died to the law through the body of Jesus, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead in order that we may bear fruit for God."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies"
  •  
    interpretation:
    We have not died to the law through the body of Jesus (neither did Jesus's Jewish contemporaries), but they rightly realized that their belief system does not make sense. If that was because of the testimony of Jesus, then one could say “through the body of Jesus”, but even this would be pretty bad wording to get this message through. Jesus did not get “raised from the dead” so that we bear fruit – the creator in Jesus undertook the suffering and death to come with his human existence out of love for us “so that we bear fruit”. The emphasis is again on the raising (miracle) instead of being on the true miracle (his willingness to demonstrate his love for us at the price he was going to pay for it as a human. In the simulation, the raising of any dead is just a small technicality for the programmer – partaking in the simulation under the same conditions as its players is the real sacrifice and the big deal for the creator. Unfortunately most humans got hung up on the miracle part instead, thereby missing the main point in the CESAPH..
     
        

    Romans 7:6

    top  

    Berean: ..."6 But now, having died to what bound us, we have been released from the law, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code. "...
    NRSV: ..."6 ... we are slaves not under the old written code but in the new life of the Spirit."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation
  • ‘Justification’ is ‘being convinced about love’s (vs. selfishness) need to guide life’ (= ‘being rightly enlightened’, = ‘holding Jesus’s message in conviction’, = ‘following/believing in Jesus’, = ‘gaining a justified conviction’, = ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, = ‘doing the works of God’, = ‘satisfying/keeping/adhering to the command of God’, = ‘accepting/living according to Jesus’s message’, = ‘fulfilling the eternal word of God, of salvation’)
  •  
    interpretation:
    Contradicts Galatians 4:30, Matthew 22:8, Luke 17:7, Acts 2:18, Colossians 3:22, 4:1, 1 Peter 2:18, Ephesians 6:5,7,8, 1 Timothy 6:1, Titus 2:9 – as those seemingly condone slavery, whereas here we only should become slaves to justification. Those who are justified in their conviction about the eternal word of God, of salvation, needing to guide one's life to salvation can be said to be a slave in this new life of justified conviction.
     
        

    Romans 7:7, 12

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."7 What then shall we say? Is the law sin? Certainly not! Indeed, I would not have been mindful of sin if not for the law. For I would not have been aware of coveting if the law had not said, “Do not covet.” 12 So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous, and good. "...
    NRSV: ..."7 ... That the law is sin? By no means! Yet, if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. ... Apart from the law sin lies dead. ... 12 So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and just and good."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • appeasement/catering to potential Jewish converts
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • misguided understanding of sin, the origin of sinful condition/the ‘original sin’ inherited from the OT
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "In their predispositions, humans inherit both love (the essence of the creator’s spirit we share with him, indicating our significance) and selfishness (its opposite/opposing property, what some mistakenly attribute to a separate entity of the ‘evil/devil/satan’) to different degrees from their greater-self, from their originating context of reality"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Jesus’s ‘covenant’ of the eternal word of God, of salvation is the only covenant that has ever been and will ever be in effect from the creator for all of humanity, since the very beginning of time till the ending of our simulated reality, meaning that if one passes their evaluation on their alignment with love, one redeems their sinful condition and gains their salvation"
  •  
    interpretation:
    For this passage to be correct, the “law” referred to, must not be 'Jewish law' but the eternal word of God, of salvatoin – that is love vs selfishness (love thy neighbor). However, unfortunately Paul most likely meant Jewish law, in a statement of appeasement and catering to potential Jewish converts. Jewish law did not need to be 'overthrown', as it never was a valid way to salvation. Instead, people should have realized their error in believing in such belief system and gone for something that makes sense, and has the chance to be true. As for the ten commandments, what makes sense of it, simply follows from the single commandment of love. Right, wrong and sin are all knowable by all humans through their different levels of predispositions; if it had not been for the creator's preference of love over selfishness, the command, and the evaluation criterion would be different. Thus, the command, the eternal word of God, of salvation, is eternally with conscious beings, even before they join this reality. Thus, sin does NOT lie dead apart from the law – sin remains an act contrary to the preference and of the creator in eternity. And there is nothing 'holy' about Jewish law.
     
        

    Romans 7:14, 17, 18

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."14 We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 17 In that case, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. 18 I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh; for I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. "...
    NRSV: ..."14 For we know that the law is spiritual; ... 17 But in fact it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells within me. 18 For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • misguided understanding of sin, the origin of sinful condition/the ‘original sin’ inherited from the OT
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "In their predispositions, humans inherit both love (the essence of the creator’s spirit we share with him, indicating our significance) and selfishness (its opposite/opposing property, what some mistakenly attribute to a separate entity of the ‘evil/devil/satan’) to different degrees from their greater-self, from their originating context of reality"
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage is incorrect in many ways and can not be correctly stated in any context of the author (no matter the interpretations of it, the statement will always be wrong). The author either misspoke, misunderstood things, or had some misconceived idea about Jesus's message. The law is NOT spiritual, except if Paul meant the main command of love. Sin does not “do” anything – conscious beings commit sin by deciding to do so, as sin is simply acting contrary to the preferred value of the creator, love. “nothing good dwells in me” is an overly bleak account of how one's self is this world is, and is incorrect. Seeds of good are within everyone, but that seed needs to be nurtured, protected, built up to dominate one's conviction (justification). The appreciation for beauty one may have is also “good” that is within the self to various degrees. This passage fuels the very unhealthy view of the self as worthless sinners. With one's situations to go through in life, one received proper conditions for one's sinful condition. What we need to do is align our conviction and life with love throughout these situations, and THAT IS IT – we DO NOT need to also feel worthless no-good sinners void of any good.
     
        

    Romans 7:18, 19, 20

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."18 I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh; for I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want to do. Instead, I keep on doing the evil I do not want to do. 20 And if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. "...
    NRSV: ..."18 … I can will what is right, but I cannot do it. 19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do. 20 Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells within me."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • misguided understanding of sin, the origin of sinful condition/the ‘original sin’ inherited from the OT
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "In their predispositions, humans inherit both love (the essence of the creator’s spirit we share with him, indicating our significance) and selfishness (its opposite/opposing property, what some mistakenly attribute to a separate entity of the ‘evil/devil/satan’) to different degrees from their greater-self, from their originating context of reality"
  •  
    interpretation:
    This is complete rubbish, showing a lack of understanding and a really twisted way of thinking about the self – that is the only way I can put it. It is an attempt to escape responsibility for one's own actions and deny free will. One “willing right but not being able to do it” is called weakness, and is a decision of the self that is not excused (is the subject of our evaluation). If one “does not do the good one wants but the evil one does not want” is called stupidity or weakness (and is the subject of our evaluation). If one does what one does not want, it is still the self that is making the call, being the weak or stupid. Sin does not “do” anything; we do/commit “sin”. Sin (thoughts and acts contrary to the preferred value of the creator) does not “dwell” in anyone as an independent entity; it is the property of the self that is subject to one's will. Intention is not enough; one has to prove one's worthiness to the creator by doing the right thing with one's life.
     
        

    Romans 8:3, 4

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."3 For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful man, as an offering for sin. He thus condemned sin in the flesh, 4 so that the righteous standard of the law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. "...
    NRSV: ..."3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do: by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and to deal with sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 so that the just requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  •  
    interpretation:
    The CESAPH did not fulfill anything; it was a gift to those deemed worthy to receive such good new as a help or boost in their struggle to reach salvation. It was the best way the creator could reassure us about his love for us short of disabling the setup's ability to evaluate our true character. The creator in the flesh did condemn sin and formalized the path to salvation for humanity through Jesus's life. Those who walk the path of salvation will gain it – and this accomplished by fulfilling the main commandment of the creator.
     
    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • appeasement/catering to potential Jewish converts
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies"
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage reflects the author's misconception about many things. The (Jewish) law did not do anything at all for salvation to begin with, and this is not because it was “weakened by the flesh”, but because it was NOT from God– it was always a wrong belief system that did a very bad job at preparing its adherents for reaching salvation (live a life aligned with love vs take lands of your opponents, believe in your special status, keep 613 irrelevant laws thinking that this is what the creator wants from your special group, not having a universal message to the rest of humanity). Jesus did “condemn sin in the flesh” by showing us the way to salvation and demonstrating the divine love for humanity. The “sin” that was condemned was selfishness, by being the opposite of the creator's preference, love. And the “condemnation” was the elevation of its opposite (love) as the preference of the creator. But the author did not mean 'love' as the “just requirement of the law” (even though this is the only the statement can be correct), but some sort of a twisted idea that the OT laws were fulfilled by/in Jesus. The CESAPH did not fulfill anything. It was a concept the Jewish belief system did not see coming: the creator coming in a human form to partake in our suffering to demonstrate his love for humanity, and invite us to succeed in reaching our salvation by aligning with his preferred value, love. This was a gift to those who the creator deemed to have access to it. Those who walk its path throughout their life will gain their salvation(fulfilling the main commandment of the creator).
     
        

    Romans 8:5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

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    Berean: ..."5 Those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh; but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 The mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace, 7 because the mind of the flesh is hostile to God: It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those controlled by the flesh cannot please God. 9 You, however, are controlled not by the flesh, but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. 10 But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. "...
    NRSV: ..."5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For this reason the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God's law — indeed it cannot, 8 and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But you are not in the flesh; you are in the Spirit, since the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Jesus does not belong to him. 10 But if Jesus is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • The main goal of our life is to reach our salvation and build values that transcend this reality into eternal life, not to reach material or academic success or to fulfill other worldly desires or loyalties
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  • ‘Justification’ is ‘being convinced about love’s (vs. selfishness) need to guide life’ (= ‘being rightly enlightened’, = ‘holding Jesus’s message in conviction’, = ‘following/believing in Jesus’, = ‘gaining a justified conviction’, = ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, = ‘doing the works of God’, = ‘satisfying/keeping/adhering to the command of God’, = ‘accepting/living according to Jesus’s message’, = ‘fulfilling the eternal word of God, of salvation’)
  •  
    interpretation:
    Here 'death' must mean this world's temporary values that pass; attachment to materialistic desires represents a failure to grasp the importance of why we are here, represent death: to be measured on our alignment towards love vs selfishness. One who does not align their lives with love does not belong to the creator. The rightly justified are not living in the flesh, meaning that the flesh's desires do not guide their lives.
     
        

    Romans 8:13

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    Berean: ..."13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. "...
    NRSV: ..."13 for if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • Our evaluation serves to separate those who align with love from those who align with selfishness, thereby eliminating the source of suffering from heaven
  • The main goal of our life is to reach our salvation and build values that transcend this reality into eternal life, not to reach material or academic success or to fulfill other worldly desires or loyalties
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    For this quote to be right, 'death' has to represent failure to reach salvation and eternal life in the presence of the creator (eternal damnation) – no one should conclude an 'eternal cessation of conscious awareness” by death here. Thus, “death” is eternal damnation, while “you will live” is reaching eternal salvation. Indeed, those who do not fall for the trap of the “flesh” (the temptation of selfishness coming from the simulation) but instead live “by the Spirit” (conviction and live aligned by love) should “live” (pass the evaluation of life and reach eternal salvation). That's the promise of the eternal word of God, of salvation formalized by Jesus. The focus of life is to gain the salvation we are here for, not get lost in chasing the pleasures of this world
     
    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The human spirit is somehow part of the eternal consciousness"
  •  
    interpretation:
    For this quote to be right, 'death' has to represent failure to reach salvation and eternal life in the presence of the creator (eternal damnation) – no one should conclude an 'eternal cessation of conscious awareness” by death here. Thus, “death” is eternal damnation, while “you will live” is reaching eternal salvation. Indeed, those who do not fall for the trap of the “flesh” (the temptation of selfishness coming from the simulation) but instead live “by the Spirit” (conviction and live aligned by love) should “live” (pass the evaluation of life and reach eternal salvation). That's the promise of the eternal word of God, of salvation formalized by Jesus.
     
        

    Romans 8:14

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    Berean: ..."14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. "...
    NRSV: ..."14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • In their predispositions, humans inherit both love (the essence of the creator’s spirit we share with him, indicating our significance) and selfishness (its opposite/opposing property, what some mistakenly attribute to a separate entity of the ‘evil/devil/satan’) to different degrees from their greater-self, from their originating context of reality
  •  
    interpretation:
    Here, being the children of God symbolizes being in the presence of the creator, the state we should aim to regain with our life.
     
        

    Romans 8:18

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."18 I consider that our present sufferings are not comparable to the glory that will be revealed in us. "...
    NRSV: ..."18 I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally
  •  
    interpretation:
    Humans have no way of knowing the reasons and conditions of their larger originating context or the alternative of not having entered or not being offered this life of penance and its chance for redemption. We also have no idea to measure the misery of our suffering and compare it to our fulfillment in the place we end up if we gain our salvation.
     
        

    Romans 8:19, 20, 21

     Significant Alignment! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."19 The creation waits in eager expectation for the revelation of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not by its own will, but because of the One who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. "...
    NRSV: ..."19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; 20 for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • In their predispositions, humans inherit both love (the essence of the creator’s spirit we share with him, indicating our significance) and selfishness (its opposite/opposing property, what some mistakenly attribute to a separate entity of the ‘evil/devil/satan’) to different degrees from their greater-self, from their originating context of reality
  • The creator created our reality (best modeled as a consciousness-centric simulation) to facilitate the evaluation of its target audience: humans
  •  
    interpretation:
    One of the most difficult to understand passages may be understood as follows. The entirety of creation (the creator and all other conscious beings, like angels) eagerly awaits those who will gain salvation from among the fallen angels (humans). This may mean that the our world and our efforts to reach or salvation is perhaps very much the focus of the creator. Our return to the presence of the creator is eagerly awaited by all in heaven. The creation (our world in this case, the simulation) was subjected to futility and bondage to decay by the will of the creator so that it can obtain the salvation of those who reach it. Meaning that the simulation's purpose is to facilitate our evaluation in which we may earn to rejoin the presence of the creator (if we succeed) The simulation itself has no purpose beyond this function,and thus, it is bound to decay and become futile. But our otherwise futile reality (as it is bound to pass) accomplishes its main goal of getting those of us to salvation who earn it.
     
        

    Romans 8:22, 23

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    Berean: ..."22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until the present time. 23 Not only that, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. "...
    NRSV: ..."22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; 23 and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  • The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans
  • ‘Justification’ is ‘being convinced about love’s (vs. selfishness) need to guide life’ (= ‘being rightly enlightened’, = ‘holding Jesus’s message in conviction’, = ‘following/believing in Jesus’, = ‘gaining a justified conviction’, = ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, = ‘doing the works of God’, = ‘satisfying/keeping/adhering to the command of God’, = ‘accepting/living according to Jesus’s message’, = ‘fulfilling the eternal word of God, of salvation’)
  •  
    interpretation:
    Here, the “until now” must refer to the CESAPH. It was a lot harder for humans to succeed in reaching their salvation before the CESAPH, which gave people the hope for divine love and a light to the meaning of their lives. This has become the greatest help possible to help many of them in their quest to reach their salvation (who may have failed without this help). Until the gift of the CESAPH achieving salvation was much more like “groaning in labor pains”. The creator (and perhaps other conscious beings like angels who did not fail like we did as well, who together make up what the text refers to as “the creation”) eagerly anticipates and awaits our success, and not the “creation”, that are simulated realities lacking consciousness. The first fruits of the Spirit must be those who reached their justification (of conviction) because of the CESAPH – while walking the path of salvation, they must be “waiting for adoption, the redemption of their souls (NOT bodies, as souls transcend, but not bodies).
     
    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Grace is the ever-present willingness of the creator to help humans reach their salvation"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Jesus’s ‘covenant’ of the eternal word of God, of salvation is the only covenant that has ever been and will ever be in effect from the creator for all of humanity, since the very beginning of time till the ending of our simulated reality, meaning that if one passes their evaluation on their alignment with love, one redeems their sinful condition and gains their salvation"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "‘Justification’ is ‘being convinced about love’s (vs. selfishness) need to guide life’ (= ‘being rightly enlightened’, = ‘holding Jesus’s message in conviction’, = ‘following/believing in Jesus’, = ‘gaining a justified conviction’, = ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, = ‘doing the works of God’, = ‘satisfying/keeping/adhering to the command of God’, = ‘accepting/living according to Jesus’s message’, = ‘fulfilling the eternal word of God, of salvation’)"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Should more clearly be: “All humanity has been waiting for something like the CESAPH, and now, us who were first helped by this great divine help eagerly await our salvation.” Here, the “until now” must refer to the CESAPH. In general, it was a lot harder for humans to succeed in reaching their salvation before the CESAPH (which gave people the hope for divine love and a light to the meaning of their lives) – so this could be akin to the “groaning in labor pains” mentioned by the author. The CESAPH has become the greatest help possible to help many people since then in their quest to reach their salvation (who may have failed without this help). However, I can not really say that “the creation” was in any more pain before the CESAPH than after.. The author must have meant the “first fruits of the Spirit” as those who reached their justification (of conviction) because of the CESAPH. But the actual “first fruits of the Spirit” must have been those who were helped by grace to reach their salvation BEFORE the CESAPH (and not the first disciples who have done that with the active assistance and guidance of the CESAPH). While walking the path of salvation, all humans must be “waiting for adoption, the redemption of their” souls (NOT “bodies”, as souls transcend into other realities, but not our bodies).
     
        

    Romans 8:24, 25

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."24 For in this hope we were saved; but hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he can already see? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet see, we wait for it patiently. "...
    NRSV: ..."24 For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    Doubt is an essential part of the evaluation since selfishness has to have a realistic way to influence us. This passage answers why we can not prove the existence of the creator, the afterlife, or the precursor. We are locked into the simulation, where the only way we can reason beyond it to a meaning of our existence (which, with the fatality of death, does not exist within) is with hope, faith and reasoning to conclude one's wager. In hope we WILL BE saved, IF we align our life with love!
     
        

    Romans 8:27

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    Berean: ..."27 And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. "...
    NRSV: ..."27 And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit,"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    As the simulation and our consciousness runs in the mind of the creator (as independent threads of a running program), our minds are fully transparent to the creator. The creator has a direct reading on our character, thoughts, motivations, and the quality of our soul.
     
        

    Romans 8:30

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."30 And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified. "...
    NRSV: ..."30 And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Every human has a real chance at reaching their salvation, which is NOT predetermined or predestined. The creator is NOT omniscient with regard to humans’ free will, and their fate in the evaluation"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Grace is the ever-present willingness of the creator to help humans reach their salvation"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "‘Justification’ is ‘being convinced about love’s (vs. selfishness) need to guide life’ (= ‘being rightly enlightened’, = ‘holding Jesus’s message in conviction’, = ‘following/believing in Jesus’, = ‘gaining a justified conviction’, = ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, = ‘doing the works of God’, = ‘satisfying/keeping/adhering to the command of God’, = ‘accepting/living according to Jesus’s message’, = ‘fulfilling the eternal word of God, of salvation’)"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Utter failure to understand the message of Jesus on this. There is no predestination, as the creator does not know in advance (with certainty) how conscious individuals will use their free will. Thus, every human has their chance at salvation in their life, if they successfully prevail through the temptations and influences of life that try to make them fail in their evaluation. Justification (the conviction to align one's life with love) is not done by the creator but is up to a decision of acceptance by the individual. The creator's grace tries to influence humans to justification, but the decision is up to them. Glorification (if it refers to reaching salvation) works the same way – the individual needs to prove that they could live the assigned situations of their life according to their justified conviction. The only predetermination that fits the logic is to know in advance to whom to grant the possibility to hear the good news, and to whom not. This is part of one's assigned situations to go through.
     
        

    Romans 8:31, 32

    top  

    Berean: ..."31 What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also, along with Him, freely give us all things? "...
    NRSV: ..."31 ... If God is for us, who is against us? 32 He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else?"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • In their predispositions, humans inherit both love (the essence of the creator’s spirit we share with him, indicating our significance) and selfishness (its opposite/opposing property, what some mistakenly attribute to a separate entity of the ‘evil/devil/satan’) to different degrees from their greater-self, from their originating context of reality
  • It is logical to expect appropriate consequences due for passing or failing the evaluation
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  • The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans
  •  
    interpretation:
    The CESAPH is likely the most one can hope for short of a reassurance or guarantee (which would disable the setup's ability to evaluate the quality of our soul) that the creator's relation towards us is based on love and a hope that we succeed in this evaluation.
     
        

    Romans 8:34

    top  

    Berean: ..."34 Who is there to condemn us? For Christ Jesus, who died, and more than that was raised to life, is at the right hand of God—and He is interceding for us. "...
    NRSV: ..."34 ... It is Jesus Christ, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • misconceived understanding of what the ‘trinity’ could be
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  •  
    interpretation:
    “Jesus sitting at the right hand of God” is imagery that follows from the understanding of the Trinity at the time of the authors (and since) – it is technically incorrect (though this is irrelevant in the end); the single entity of the creator has three interfaces, not three different persons of the same entity. Jesus's intervention was for humanity in general; but more exactly, it HELPED many who otherwise would have likely failed to gain conviction and gather strength to succeed in reaching salvation. But an individual does not reach their salvation by the direct intervention of God (or the direct intervention of Jesus in the CESAPH); rather, individuals reach their salvation by living their lives true to their justified conviction (living in alignment with love vs selfishness). Thus, it is a task for each human to accomplish, and not something done for us by Jesus as God. Jesus, as the creator in human form, does his own will. It is also possible that while partaking in our reality as a fully-human, the creator voluntarily undertook some of the limitations that define being human – if not for this, his partaking as fully human would not have been genuine. We can also experience this kind of limitation setting in when we dream at night, and then reawaken into our 'reality': the limitations and level of awareness of these two worlds (realities) are different, yet we are the same 'self' in both of them. As 'being fully-human' can typically mean a good amount of doubt, insecurity, fear, helplessness, suffering and despair, it is also imaginable that Jesus also took on these experiences. This could explain his alleged interactions and conversations with 'the Father' (his greater-self in the larger context of reality), and could also explain the disciples' understanding and conception of the 'trinity'.
     
        

    Romans 8:35, 36, 37, 38, 39

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    Berean: ..."35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written: “For Your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor principalities, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. "...
    NRSV: ..."35 Who will separate us from the love of Jesus? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered." 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Jesus Christ our Lord."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • Grace is the ever-present willingness of the creator to help humans reach their salvation
  • In their predispositions, humans inherit both love (the essence of the creator’s spirit we share with him, indicating our significance) and selfishness (its opposite/opposing property, what some mistakenly attribute to a separate entity of the ‘evil/devil/satan’) to different degrees from their greater-self, from their originating context of reality
  • Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  • There is always hope and is never too late for salvation
  •  
    interpretation:
    Passing the evaluation is worth the utmost of our efforts, no matter what hardship and suffering one may face in this life. This is the message of the CESAPH.
     
        

    Romans 9:7, 8

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."7 Nor because they are Abraham’s descendants are they all his children. On the contrary, “Through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned.” 8 So it is not the children of the flesh who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as offspring. "...
    NRSV: ..."7 ... "It is through Isaac that descendants shall be named for you." 8 This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as descendants."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The reason for the creator to appear in the Jewish context was to contrast their beliefs of exclusivity and specialness in the eye of the creator with the eternal word of God, of salvation, universally applicable to all humans"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Descent from Abraham, Isaac, or whoever else does not matter to the creator (except in the sick mind of the OT authors) as all humans are 'children' of the creator, sharing in his spirit, love. The only “promise” that makes sense as coming from the creator is that those who align their lives with love, shall reach their salvation. This is the eternal word of God, of salvation, the word Jesus came to formalize for humanity. Promises made to Abraham by the author(s) of the OT do not matter, and they are not relevant for salvation (or anything as a matter of fact). Here, Paul tries to correct the OT misconception about heredity but instead of a clear break with such an invalid concept and an admittance that these elements do not count from the OT, he goes for a compromise to save face with Jews. Because, if they do not count after the CESAPH, they actually never counted and mattered – and that would mean that the belief system of the OT is incorrect. I guess instead of this selling point (and a possible crucifixion that would follow) Paul rather chose to change his narrative and twist the truth a bit.
     
        

    Romans 9:22, 23, 24

     Significant Alignment! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."22 What if God, intending to show His wrath and make His power known, bore with great patience the vessels of His wrath, prepared for destruction? 23 What if He did this to make the riches of His glory known to the vessels of His mercy, whom He prepared in advance for glory— 24 including us, whom He has called not only from the Jews, but also from the Gentiles? "...
    NRSV: ..."22 What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience the objects of wrath that are made for destruction; 23 and what if he has done so in order to make known the riches of his glory for the objects of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory — 24 including us whom he has called, not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles?"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation
  •  
    interpretation:
    Humans are “the objects of wrath” of the creator because of their failings in the precursor. But the creator has “endured with much patience” and has given us a second chance at our redemption, making us the “object of mercy”, that is, if we pass our evaluations and show that we can align with his preferred value of love vs selfishness. If we gain our salvation this way, we can hope for the “riches of his glory”. All humans are here on Earth because they were 'called' to succeed and redeem themselves.
     
        

    Romans 9:30, 31

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    Berean: ..."30 What then will we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; 31 but Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it. "...
    NRSV: ..."30 ... Gentiles, who did not strive for righteousness, have attained it, that is, righteousness through faith; 31 but Israel, who did strive for the righteousness that is based on the law, did not succeed in fulfilling that law."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation
  •  
    interpretation:
    Fulfilling the law can only mean living life in conviction of and according to the preferred value of the creator, NOT Jewish law. The example of the Jews who live according to their law and disregarding the eternal word of God, of salvation illustrates those who did not fulfill the law that matters (of aligning one's life with love).
     
        

    Romans 9:31, 32

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."31 but Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it. 32 Why not? Because their pursuit was not by faith, but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone, "...
    NRSV: ..."31 but Israel, who did strive for the righteousness that is based on the law, did not succeed in fulfilling that law. 32 Why not? Because they did not strive for it on the basis of faith, but as if it were based on works."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • appeasement/catering to potential Jewish converts
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Naturally, fulfilling the law is about works that are compliant with the law. The essence here is that being compliant with Jewish law was, after all, never the way to salvation (making that law irrelevant, and the works that try to comply with it futile). Thus, the only valid “law” we could talk about would be the single command of love from the creator (NOT the law meant by the author), as if it were, it would had to be complied with acts, works, decisions, not just simply a belief in it. So the essence here is not whether we strive for the “law” on the basis of faith or works, but WHAT that law is. And Paul is mixing these two in this passage: works for complying with Jewish law is futile and irrelevant, but works for complying with the law of the eternal word of God, of salvation is very much relevant (and to this, faith is only a tool. Thus, the only proper interpretation of “faith” here is a justified conviction, which one holds based on faith, and one uses to hopefully live the hardships and tricks of life accordingly (which is works, but not of Jewish law, but of Jesus's main command).  
     
        

    Romans 10:3, 4

    top  

    Berean: ..."3 Because they were ignorant of God’s righteousness and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. 4 For Christ is the end of the law, to bring righteousness to everyone who believes. "...
    NRSV: ..."3 For, being ignorant of the righteousness that comes from God, and seeking to establish their own, they have not submitted to God's righteousness. 4 For Jesus is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation
  •  
    interpretation:
    Jesus contrasted Jewish law with the eternal word of God. Jewish law never was the way to salvation, even before Jesus. However, if Jews were living according to the eternal word of God, they could have attained salvation. Everyone who manages to align with love can hope for their salvation.
     
        

    Romans 10:4

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."4 For Christ is the end of the law, to bring righteousness to everyone who believes. "...
    NRSV: ..."4 For Jesus is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • contradicts other NT passages
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Though some translations put it as the “culmination” of the law, the original is closer to “end”. “the end of the law” can indeed be either the cancellation of it, or the very end of it, its last step (in which case it can be properly translated as “culmination”). Unfortunately both of these interpretations are wrong, as they assume that the law – while it was in effect – was valid, and a proper way for people to live, a correct way to their salvation. And this is wrong: the only way for any human to ever reach salvation has been (and always will be) through the eternal word of God, of salvation, as formalized by Jesus, which calls for an alignment with the preferred value of the creator to earn salvation. Thus, Jewish law could have never been this, as its focus is on entirely different things. Unfortunately, the disciples and authors were not brave enough to put it this way, or did not arrive at this understanding, even after spending time in the presence of Jesus. “righteousness” is justification, the holding in conviction of what is needed for salvation, which is that one's life needs to be aligned with love vs selfishness. Justification is based on faith, and gives the basis for one to wager one's life on its path – a path that one needs to complete in life to earn salvation.
     
        

    Romans 10:9, 10, 11, 13

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."9 that if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with your heart you believe and are justified, and with your mouth you confess and are saved. 11 It is just as the Scripture says: “Anyone who believes in Him will never be put to shame.” 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” "...
    NRSV: ..."9 because if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. 11 The scripture says, "No one who believes in him will be put to shame." ... 13 For, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • misconception about Jesus saving or justifying people rather than them achieving this through their own free will
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The resurrection is not a cornerstone belief to be held about Jesus or the subject of faith one needs to believe in to gain salvation, but an emphasis on the inevitability of afterlife for everyone. From a simulated reality everyone exits to their originating context, and the creator can naturally make exceptions for his exit and reappearance"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "‘Justification’ is ‘being convinced about love’s (vs. selfishness) need to guide life’ (= ‘being rightly enlightened’, = ‘holding Jesus’s message in conviction’, = ‘following/believing in Jesus’, = ‘gaining a justified conviction’, = ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, = ‘doing the works of God’, = ‘satisfying/keeping/adhering to the command of God’, = ‘accepting/living according to Jesus’s message’, = ‘fulfilling the eternal word of God, of salvation’)"
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage is the source of one of the gravest misunderstandings about what is required to reach salvation. From it, one may conclude that all that is necessary is to “confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead”. And so far, no action is required – one may even sit back, relax and wait for salvation to take place... Justification is surely based on faith. But the act that brings salvation is NOT simply “confessing that 'Jesus is Lord and he was raised from the dead' with the mouth” (saying or stating this). First of all, believing this is not even justification – a conviction that love needs to guide life IS justification. It is not 'being put into shame' that we need to worry about our beliefs, but whether we hold the beliefs that help us reach salvation. And “calling on the name of the Lord” is merely a prayer that can help one live a justified life (making decisions and acting in accordance with love's guiding force), not an act that will guarantee one's salvation.
     
        

    Romans 10:14, 15

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    Berean: ..."14 How then can they call on the One in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in the One of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach? 15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” "...
    NRSV: ..."14 But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? 15 And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent?"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • A justified person has the duty to spread the word of God to others in a non-intrusive way whenever the chance arises and by showing an example
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  •  
    interpretation:
    All people who reached a justified conviction about the eternal word of God, of salvation defining the meaning and purpose of our existence have a duty to proclaim this to others, when they have a chance, by living the life aligned with love, and expressing their thoughts when the opportunity arises. Those who received the good news of the CESAPH should pass on their conviction about that too, as that reinforces the eternal word of God, of salvation.
     
        

    Romans 10:17

    top  

    Berean: ..."17 Consequently, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. "...
    NRSV: ..."17 So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Jesus."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • incorrect or inappropriate generalization
  •  
    interpretation:
    Naturally, not in all cases. All kinds of things are heard by people from all kinds of sources. One needs to apply their common-sense filter of critical thinking to identify what makes sense from what is heard and to whom to give credit. There are also one's own ideas. convictions that arise within, reasoning and conclusions, that can also be the source of faith. As certainty is lacking in our world, all belief systems amount to a wager, requiring faith to various degrees. One needs to make an effort and realize that the word from Jesus is the scenario that we most likely face in this reality. One needs to realized this into their conviction, and not just accept it at face value from sources out of loyalty or fear. And more exactly, what we hear comes from what authors wrote several decades later about Jesus and what he said according to their understanding, filtered by the early church hierarchy.
     
        

    Romans 11:4, 5, 6, 8

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."4 And what was the divine reply to him? “I have reserved for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” 5 In the same way, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. 6 And if it is by grace, then it is no longer by works. Otherwise, grace would no longer be grace. 8 as it is written: “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that could not see, and ears that could not hear, to this very day.” "...
    NRSV: ..."4 But what is the divine reply to him? "I have kept for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal." 5 So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. 6 But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace would no longer be grace.... 8 as it is written,"God gave them a sluggish spirit, eyes that would not see and ears that would not hear, down to this very day.""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • personal perspectives and directives that are culturally dependent
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Every human has a real chance at reaching their salvation, which is NOT predetermined or predestined. The creator is NOT omniscient with regard to humans’ free will, and their fate in the evaluation"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Grace is the ever-present willingness of the creator to help humans reach their salvation"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness"
  •  
    interpretation:
    The creator does not choose and set aside certain groups of people, divine grace is not choosing who will be the righteous or who will be saved – this would be predestination and predetermination, and would lead us into absurdity about our reality. The always-willing assistance of grace helps those who seek their way to the truth. True, the creator may choose to intervene on behalf of some people, or even choose whom to affect unsolicited. However, its effects – the result of this intervention – is still very much up to the free will of the individual. Thus, the help and workings of grace does not eliminate the need of works (good deeds done following the guidance of love – NOT compliance with Jewish law!). And the helping hand of grace is still the helping hand of grace – no contradictions! As for the combination of two OT quotes into one, the result is wholly misguided: God does not “give” people sluggish spirit or eyes that would not see. These properties come with the soul that is assigned to the body in this reality – thus, they are the very property of the self, not an attribute assigned by the creator (that would be another form of predestination). These attributes are to be changed by the individual during their evaluation, and influenced toward the preferred value of the creator, love – but this is what the evaluation is all about!
     
        

    Romans 11:11

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."11 I ask then, did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Certainly not! However, because of their trespass, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel jealous. "...
    NRSV: ..."11 So I ask, have they stumbled so as to fall? By no means! But through their stumbling salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misguided focus on Jews or improper differentiation between Jews and Gentiles
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • personal perspectives and directives that are culturally dependent
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Every human has a real chance at reaching their salvation, which is NOT predetermined or predestined. The creator is NOT omniscient with regard to humans’ free will, and their fate in the evaluation"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The reason for the creator to appear in the Jewish context was to contrast their beliefs of exclusivity and specialness in the eye of the creator with the eternal word of God, of salvation, universally applicable to all humans"
  •  
    interpretation:
    This makes it sound that God had a Plan B in case things did not work out with the Jews as planned; and since Plan A did not work out, God – being pissed – wanted to make the Jews jealous. This is a terrible way to put things, and a horrible way to see things. But if Paul wanted to affect and concentrate on converting Jews, the approach – though resulting in misguidance and dishonesty – is understandable. It becomes a last-ditch frustrated effort to lash out at his primary targets, the Jews, whom he did not manage to convert from their silly ways (probably because he was not stern enough in delivering to the Jews that they have been misguided all along in their belief system. (not to mention that IF one believes in an omniscient God, the entire proposition becomes ridiculous...) Salvation has nothing to do with Israel or Jews or Gentiles, making Israel jealous or other Israel-or-Jew-focused theory or interpretation. Salvation is about the individual's chance to demonstrate his worth in the eye of the creator, through his assigned situations in life, received justly and fairly. The creator intervened in his creation on behalf of the whole humanity (those whom he wished to grant access to the good news going forward). The fact that he choose the Jewish context of the time, probably has to do with contrasting their exclusionary belief system with his universal message to humanity.
     
        

    Romans 11:28, 29

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."28 Regarding the gospel, they are enemies on your account; but regarding election, they are loved on account of the patriarchs. 29 For God’s gifts and His call are irrevocable. "...
    NRSV: ..."28 As regards the gospel they [the Jews] are enemies of God for your sake; but as regards election they are beloved, for the sake of their ancestors; 29 for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misguided focus on Jews or improper differentiation between Jews and Gentiles
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • personal perspectives and directives that are culturally dependent
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The reason for the creator to appear in the Jewish context was to contrast their beliefs of exclusivity and specialness in the eye of the creator with the eternal word of God, of salvation, universally applicable to all humans"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Paul's unwillingness or inability to face that Jews have been subscribing to the wrong belief system all along makes for some freakish explanations – instead of realizing and owning up to it in words and deeds... Jews would have had to face that the message of Jesus means a parting from their beloved and cherished belief system that is worthless to address the purpose of human existence (reaching salvation). The concept of “election” is false from the very beginning – there can not be a creator who would go for such concept; it is simply ludicrous from a group of people to believe such things that completely lack any logical feasibility. Why would a creator chose one hereditary group over another, and for what possible purpose? The concept of “being beloved for the sake of one's ancestors” is ground for a caste system, injustice, favoritism, subhumans – not properties of a loving God. But here, they are simply the signs of Paul's failure to be honest, or his complete misunderstanding of Jesus's message with regards to this area.
     
        

    Romans 11:32

    top  

    Berean: ..."32 For God has consigned everyone to disobedience so that He may have mercy on everyone. "...
    NRSV: ..."32 For God has imprisoned all in disobedience so that he may be merciful to all."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally
  • The creator created our reality (best modeled as a consciousness-centric simulation) to facilitate the evaluation of its target audience: humans
  •  
    interpretation:
    The creator imprisoned all humans in this reality  which is a penance for their failings (disobedience) in the precursor. But we also all got the chance at our redemption and salvation at the same time, through his mercy, if we align our conviction with love and live our life accordingly.
     
        

    Romans 12:2

     Significant Alignment! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. "...
    NRSV: ..."2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God — what is good and acceptable and perfect."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • The creator created our reality (best modeled as a consciousness-centric simulation) to facilitate the evaluation of its target audience: humans
  • The main goal of our life is to reach our salvation and build values that transcend this reality into eternal life, not to reach material or academic success or to fulfill other worldly desires or loyalties
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    The objective meaning and purpose of participants in a simulation is necessarily and logically defined by the motivation of the creator of the simulation with creating the reality and letting/having the participants take part in it. Individual meaning and purpose is possible per the free will of the participants, but they are all measured agains the objective one defined by the creator. The passage also correctly states that one can not arrive at this objective meaning and purpose by (scientifically) thinking within the simulation. The “renewal of mind” needs to involve reasoning beyond the observable reality.
     
        

    Romans 12:9, 10, 11, 12

    top  

    Berean: ..."9 Love must be sincere. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another. 11 Do not let your zeal subside; keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, persistent in prayer. "...
    NRSV: ..."9 Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; 10 love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Behavioral guidance
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  • ‘Evil’, ‘Devil’, or ‘Satan’ is NOT a separate entity opposed to the creator, but the value of selfishness in us that is opposite to the preferred value of the creator, love
  •  
    interpretation:
    The love that is not genuine is a calculating one, that can be traced back to selfishness. In our reality, the lack of certainty guarantees that genuine love can take control of one's conviction (heart). Humans can not be certain that the creator, heaven, hell, an afterlife exist – they have to accept/believe this as a wager. In this wager, the love that takes hold of one's conviction can be genuine. Based on the belief system of the OT,  the authors and disciples of Jesus misguidedly believed the ‘Evil One’, ‘Devil’, or ’Satan’ to be a separate independent entity (a fallen leader of angels) opposed to the creator and having some special powers. However, the concept should simply be interpreted as ‘the influence and temptations to be selfish’, the opposite of the creator’s preference of love that is present in us conscious humans, and all of us are here to demonstrate that we can subdue and eliminate this value in us, and side with its opposite in our evaluation.
     
        

    Romans 12:14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21

    top  

    Berean: ..."14 Bless those who persecute you. Bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but enjoy the company of the lowly. Do not be conceited. 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18 If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 On the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. "...
    NRSV: ..."14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. 18 If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." 20 No, "if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads." 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • Behavioral guidance
  • It is logical to expect appropriate consequences due for passing or failing the evaluation
  • One ‘loves God’ by loving their fellow human beings, no matter how far removed they may be, which fulfills the single command of God
  • ‘Evil’, ‘Devil’, or ‘Satan’ is NOT a separate entity opposed to the creator, but the value of selfishness in us that is opposite to the preferred value of the creator, love
  •  
    interpretation:
    The derived acts of love are forgiveness, empathy, pacifism, generosity, humbleness, the lack of vengeance. Based on the belief system of the OT,  the authors and disciples of Jesus misguidedly believed the ‘Evil One’, ‘Devil’, or ’Satan’ to be a separate independent entity (a fallen leader of angels) opposed to the creator and having some special powers. However, the concept should simply be interpreted as ‘the influence and temptations to be selfish’, the opposite of the creator’s preference of love that is present in us conscious humans, and all of us are here to demonstrate that we can subdue and eliminate this value in us, and side with its opposite in our evaluation.
     
        

    Romans 13:1, 2

    top  

    Berean: ..."1 Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God. 2 Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. "...
    NRSV: ..."1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities; for there is no authority except from God, and those authorities that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists authority resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. …"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • attempted building, claiming, or referencing authority that is misguided and improper
  • incorrect or inappropriate generalization
  • personal perspectives and directives that are culturally dependent
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "As salvation is an individual achievement, finding the way and living life accordingly is a private matter that can not be policed or compelled by others"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Simply not correct in all cases, and one has to determine this for oneself – this has nothing to do with religion, but the workings of society. The governing authorities are NOT God's servants but men's servants accountable to men, to insure the workings of society. Salvation is an individual matter, whereas governance is up to a group to establish. Governance SHOULD ideally still be based on individuals' guidance by love (vs. selfishness), even regarding other, different groups. (One group's decisions to adversely, selfishly disregard the interests of another group will be a failing of that group's decision makers, and of those who fail to make their leaders account for their wrong actions.) All this makes this passage utterly incorrect and wrong: there are plenty of authorities out there that are certainly NOT from God, as no authority has been instituted by God.  Those resisting an authority do not resist God's appointment, and resisting authority falls under the same criterion as every other decision in life: is it aligned by love or not, and how can I react to this authority while remaining aligned with love? In the end, one correct part is this: there is no authority except from God – meaning that in the end, all decisions have to be weighed by whether they are aligned with God's single command of love, or not. No authority can overwrite this and make correct what is incorrect in the eye of God.
     
        

    Romans 13:4, 5, 6

    top  

    Berean: ..."4 For he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not carry the sword in vain. He is God’s servant, an agent of retribution to the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore it is necessary to submit to authority, not only to avoid punishment, but also as a matter of conscience. 6 This is also why you pay taxes. For the authorities are God’s servants, who devote themselves to their work. "...
    NRSV: ..."4 ... But if you do what is wrong, you should be afraid, for the authority does not bear the sword in vain! It is the servant of God to execute wrath on the wrongdoer.  5 Therefore one must be subject, not only because of wrath but also because of conscience. 6 For the same reason you also pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, busy with this very thing"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • incorrect or inappropriate generalization
  • personal perspectives and directives that are culturally dependent
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally"
  •  
    interpretation:
    It is not necessarily the servants of God who execute wrath on the wrongdoer, but sometimes those who can not be said to be the servants of God. But any wrath executed on a wrongdoer by anyone can be considered to come from God. And more than often the wrath that should come is lacking implementors – variations of the “good things happen to bad people” that follow from free will and one's assigned situations. Naturally, people SHOULD be subservient to authority structures that are established to maintain the proper functioning of society – but this has nothing to do with religion, as religion can not be enforced by humans. And societal civil and criminal law (that SHOULD naturally be followed by those who follow Jesus's message) should never be mixed with enforcing religious convictions.
     
        

    Romans 13:7

    top  

    Berean: ..."7 Pay everyone what you owe him: taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due. "...
    NRSV: ..."7 Pay to all what is due them — taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Behavioral guidance
  •  
    interpretation:
    The derived acts of love include cooperation with others to better the life of all.
     
        

    Romans 13:8, 9, 10

     Significant Alignment! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."8 Be indebted to no one, except to one another in love. For he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. 9 The commandments “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,” and any other commandments, are summed up in this one decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does no wrong to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. "...
    NRSV: ..."8 Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. 9 The commandments, "You shall not commit adultery; You shall not murder; You shall not steal; You shall not covet"; and any other commandment, are summed up in this word, "Love your neighbor as yourself." 10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • Behavioral guidance
  • Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    Contradicts Matthew 5:17 and several other verses from the NT about Jesus representing, leaving intact/keeping Jewish law in effect – rightly. This passage is one of the most significant summaries of what one's faith should be about. Emphasizes the single command of Jesus, the eternal word of God, of salvation – love – that covers all of what we are to do in our existence. Also mentions the derived act of love, fairness to others.  
     
        

    Romans 13:11

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."11 And do this, understanding the occasion. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. "...
    NRSV: ..."11 Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers;"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • clear misguidance of author as the time remaining till the second coming was NOT near
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator"
  •  
    interpretation:
    This was still written in a time when disciples of Jesus lived in the hope that during their lifetime the second coming of Jesus will take place. Obviously, they were wrong. And now we face, whether the author has put these words into the mouth of Jesus, or Jesus said these words himself. We need to keep in mind that the time the author wrote this writing was decades after Jesus has died already. Hope of the second coming was already waning among the disciples, as many already started dying. Stating such an obviously failing proposition must come from the sincere hope that indeed at least some who have witnessed Jesus will also live to see his second coming. The more likely scenario is that the second coming of Jesus will take place in everyone's awareness, right (or shortly) after their deaths in a shared moment in objective time, simultaneously experienced by all the souls who will have ever participated in the evaluation of life. If so, such an event is not to be looked forward to in this life, but beyond. This passage refutes the infallibility of the NT writings, as it is obviously made on an incorrect assumption that the second coming of Jesus comes during the lifetime of the disciples. There is nothing wrong with being wrong on this; however then, people should not refer to the NT as infallible, and the writings can also contain other errors/ misunderstandings/ misconceptions/ misrepresentations/ inconsistencies/ contradictions, etc.
     
        

    Romans 14:4

    top  

    Berean: ..."4 Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand. "...
    NRSV: ..."4 Who are you to pass judgment on servants of another? It is before their own lord that they stand or fall. And they will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make them stand."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • As salvation is an individual achievement, finding the way and living life accordingly is a private matter that can not be policed or compelled by others
  • Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally
  •  
    interpretation:
    All humans are servants to the creator; our failings in the precursor are failings to the creator, so our penance assigned here are received from the creator. No one is to add any more suffering to this penance, as we have no idea what it was received for and can only assume that its severity fits the fault for which it was received. We can, of course, pass judgment on each other on atrocities and sins committed against each other, to defend society and its members from the acts of misguided and selfish humans.
     
        

    Romans 14:7, 8

     Significant Alignment! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."7 For none of us lives to himself alone, and none of us dies to himself alone. 8 If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. "...
    NRSV: ..."7 We do not live to ourselves, and we do not die to ourselves. 8 If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the LORD's."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • The creator created our reality (best modeled as a consciousness-centric simulation) to facilitate the evaluation of its target audience: humans
  • The human spirit is somehow part of the eternal consciousness
  •  
    interpretation:
    The simulation model of reality makes it logical that participants' objective meaning and purpose within is defined by the creator of our reality and our assigner to it (assumed to be the same entity). Whether we fail or succeed in this evaluation, we are subjects of the creator from and to eternity. This highlights the futility of any rebellion against the will of the creator.
     
        

    Romans 14:10

    top  

    Berean: ..."10 Why, then, do you judge your brother? Or why do you belittle your brother? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. "...
    NRSV: ..."10 Why do you pass judgment on your brother or sister? Or you, why do you despise your brother or sister? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. ... each of us will be accountable to God."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally
  •  
    interpretation:
    All humans are servants to the creator; our failings in the precursor are failings to the creator, so our penance assigned here are received from the creator. No one is to add any more suffering to this penance, as we have no idea what it was received for and can only assume that its severity fits the fault for which it was received. We can, of course, pass judgment on each other on atrocities and sins committed against each other, to defend society and its members from the acts of misguided and selfish humans.
     
        

    Romans 14:17, 19, 20

    top  

    Berean: ..."17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. 19 So then, let us pursue what leads to peace and to mutual edification. 20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to let his eating be a stumbling block. "...
    NRSV: ..."17 For the kingdom of God is not food and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. … 19 Let us then pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. 20 Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation
  • In their predispositions, humans inherit both love (the essence of the creator’s spirit we share with him, indicating our significance) and selfishness (its opposite/opposing property, what some mistakenly attribute to a separate entity of the ‘evil/devil/satan’) to different degrees from their greater-self, from their originating context of reality
  • The main goal of our life is to reach our salvation and build values that transcend this reality into eternal life, not to reach material or academic success or to fulfill other worldly desires or loyalties
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    Trying to focus to the essence of the message and the trap of getting lost in the details.
     
        

    Romans 14:22

     Significant Alignment! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."22 Keep your belief about such matters between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves. "...
    NRSV: ..."22 The faith that you have, have as your own conviction before God."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • As salvation is an individual achievement, finding the way and living life accordingly is a private matter that can not be policed or compelled by others
  • One’s ‘faith’/belief system has no direct value to the creator, and is only a potential tool in one’s quest to gain justification and reach salvation IF it helps its holder in these
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  • ‘Justification’ is ‘being convinced about love’s (vs. selfishness) need to guide life’ (= ‘being rightly enlightened’, = ‘holding Jesus’s message in conviction’, = ‘following/believing in Jesus’, = ‘gaining a justified conviction’, = ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, = ‘doing the works of God’, = ‘satisfying/keeping/adhering to the command of God’, = ‘accepting/living according to Jesus’s message’, = ‘fulfilling the eternal word of God, of salvation’)
  •  
    interpretation:
    Points out the futility of an official and hierarchical body of church leaders sanctioning and establishing interpretations of what one should believe in. The relationship is a personal one between the human and the creator – there are no intermediaries, and one is personally accountable for the evaluation of one's soul. A mandated, policed life is worthless in the eyes of the creator.
     
        

    Romans 15:1, 2

    top  

    Berean: ..."1 We who are strong ought to bear with the shortcomings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2 Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. "...
    NRSV: ..."1 We who are strong ought to put up with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Each of us must please our neighbor for the good purpose of building up the neighbor."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    The derived acts of love include empathy, a willing helpfulness to others in need, tolerance, forgiveness. And by showing the example of what Jesus has demanded of us in the eternal word of God, of salvation, we may positively affect others and help them achieve their salvation.
     
        

    Romans 15:8, 9

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."8 For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the circumcised on behalf of God’s truth, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs, 9 so that the Gentiles may glorify God for His mercy. As it is written: “Therefore I will praise You among the Gentiles; I will sing hymns to Your name.” "...
    NRSV: ..."8 For I tell you that Jesus has become a servant of the circumcised on behalf of the truth of God in order that he might confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, 9 and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • misguided focus on Jews or improper differentiation between Jews and Gentiles
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Nope: the creator did not “become a servant of the circumcised” (chose the Jewish context to appear to humanity in Jesus) to “confirm promises given to patriarchs”, but to contrast their silly, exclusionary belief systems that does not lead to salvation, with his universal message of the eternal word of God, of salvation to all of humanity, including the Jews. Again, Paul is unwilling or unable to part with targeting Jews and admitting that the message of Jesus is incompatible with the Jewish belief system. Though this might have been just a side strategy used with certain communities of believers, these letters then – unfortunately –defined the doctrines of the early church.
     
        

    2 Timothy 1:6

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    Berean: ..."6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. "...
    NRSV: ..."6 For this reason I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you through the laying on of my hands;"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • personal perspectives and directives that are culturally dependent
  • rituals don't matter or accomplish anything directly, but serve only as cultural customs with symbolic value to people
  •  
    interpretation:
    The laying on of hands is nothing more than a ritual; as such, it has some commemorative or ceremonial value, but it does not cause anything to actually take place, unless the receiver imagines it so (placebo effect).
     
        

    2 Timothy 1:9, 10

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."9 He has saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works, but by His own purpose and by the grace He granted us in Christ Jesus before time began. 10 And now He has revealed this grace through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has abolished death and illuminated the way to life and immortality through the gospel, "...
    NRSV: ..."9 ... This grace was given to us in Jesus Christ before the ages began, 10 but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • Grace is the ever-present willingness of the creator to help humans reach their salvation
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  • The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage clarifies that grace was given to humanity before the beginning of history, and revealed/clarified in the CESAPH. The act of creation of our place of penance and our chance to redeem our sinful condition is also the work of grace. This is the first step of helping all people toward their salvation, their rejoining the presence of the creator. Grace is ever-present to all humans throughout history, and not an act that the CESAPH started or caused (which is a common misunderstanding). The act of the CESAPH was also the works of divine grace, involving the sacrifice and demonstration performed by the creator in Jesus. The formal revealing of the evaluation and its consequences can be understood symbolically as 'abolishing death' (pointing out the futility of believing in death's finality) and 'bringing life and immortality through the gospel' (demonstrating divine love, the eternity of the human spirit, and the consequences of our evaluation).
     
        

    2 Timothy 2:8, 9, 10

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    Berean: ..."8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David, as proclaimed by my gospel, 9 for which I suffer to the extent of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be chained! 10 For this reason I endure all things for the sake of the elect, so that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. "...
    NRSV: ..."8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David — that is my gospel, 9 for which I suffer hardship, even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained. 10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, so that they may also obtain the salvation that is in Jesus Christ, with eternal glory."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Every human has a real chance at reaching their salvation, which is NOT predetermined or predestined. The creator is NOT omniscient with regard to humans’ free will, and their fate in the evaluation"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The resurrection is not a cornerstone belief to be held about Jesus or the subject of faith one needs to believe in to gain salvation, but an emphasis on the inevitability of afterlife for everyone. From a simulated reality everyone exits to their originating context, and the creator can naturally make exceptions for his exit and reappearance"
  •  
    interpretation:
    “Jesus – a descendant of David – being raised from the dead” is not even the Gospel (good news), that is the eternal word of God, even if Paul has suffered for these beliefs of his. The good news is that “the creator loves us so much that he came among us in human form to partake in our suffering to guide us to salvation through our alignment with love”. Everyone can decide which one makes more sense from the overall writings of the NT. There is no 'elect' apart from ALL of humanity who all have been given the chance at redemption in this life (as this would equal predestination). Another possibility for who the 'elect' may be are those who will reach their salvation because of the direct intervention of Paul's service in getting people to reach their salvation. But who the members of this elect will be, will only be known after the last judgment – those who will have lived their life aligned with love thanks to Paul's efforts, therefore reaching their salvations. No doubt, there will be many! Despite the many misunderstandings and misguidance I attribute to Paul's writings, I also believe that he succeeded in conveying the message in a way that recipients can distill the correct essence needed for their guidance to reach their salvation.
     
        

    2 Timothy 3:15, 16, 17

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."15 From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work. "...
    NRSV: ..."15 and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. 16 All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • attempted building, claiming, or referencing authority that is misguided and improper
  • improper emphasis on belief in Jesus as opposed to in his message
  • incorrect or inappropriate generalization
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  • personal perspectives and directives that are culturally dependent
  •  
    interpretation:
    obviously, engaging in prostitution on either side is not right, however Paul's analogy of the body being “members of Jesus” is a bit far and likely incorrect (reflecting his personal points of view). There is also an overemphasis on prostitution here from an overzealous Paul in trying to guide his flock. The fornicator does not sin against the body either, as the body is just a limitation we have in this reality. All sins go against being guided and aligned with love in our conduct to others. Thus, the very idea of the body as a temple of the Holy Spirit is wrong, as the very idea of a 'temple' is also incorrect – coming from concepts of the OT and other religions.  I do understand Paul's efforts to discourage the disciples from engaging in prostitution, but this should not involve getting to this level of exaggeration and likely being incorrect in many details. That “we are not our own” is also an exaggeration to serve this purpose – we are sovereign conscious beings who belong under the authority of the creator currently assigned to this reality with our limitations of our bodies. We were also not “bought with a price” in any way from anyone by anyone, and we glorify God in our spirits, not in our body (even though this naturally involves carrying and dealing through our bodies, in this life). In summary, I can not accept these personal advices and opinions from Paul as coming from the creator.
     
        

    2 Timothy 4:1, 2

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."1 I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and encourage with every form of patient instruction. "...
    NRSV: ..."1 In the presence of God and of Jesus Christ, who is to judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly urge you: 2 proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable; convince, rebuke, and encourage, with the utmost patience in teaching."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • A justified person has the duty to spread the word of God to others in a non-intrusive way whenever the chance arises and by showing an example
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • As salvation is an individual achievement, finding the way and living life accordingly is a private matter that can not be policed or compelled by others
  •  
    interpretation:
    A passage that encourages discussion and critical thinking in uncovering the essence of the message of Jesus from one's sources available. The writings are not infallible (they can contain misunderstanding, misspoken parts, misguidance, contradictions, misconceptions that may need to be reinterpreted or rejected), so one needs to distill the essence to make the most sense of it before one adapts the end result into one's belief system and life wager.
     
        

    2 Timothy 4:8

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    Berean: ..."8 From now on there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but to all who crave His appearing. "...
    NRSV: ..."8 From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • attempted building, claiming, or referencing authority that is misguided and improper
  •  
    interpretation:
    A little arrogant of Paul to assume that the “crown of righteousness”, but I am sure he was kind of right about this. I can interpret “crown of righteousness” as reaching salvation, as that is the only thing making sense to be reserved for us. But this is reserved not for those who “longed for his appearing” but those who have managed to successfully pass their evaluations (even if they did not know about Jesus in their life, so they did not long for his appearing).
     
        

    Mark 1:1

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    Berean: ..."1 This is the beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. "...
    NRSV: ..."1 The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  • The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans
  •  
    interpretation:
    The good news of the CESAPH is the greatest help one can receive short of an assurance that we face a loving creator who wants us to succeed in reaching our salvation. 'Son of God' is a misconception that facilitated the comprehension of the CESAPH at the time of Jesus. Naturally, people at the time had no idea about what an 'interface' may be.
     
    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • misconceived understanding of what the ‘trinity’ could be
  •  
    interpretation:
    I take the “Son of God” as a misconception that facilitated the contemporary comprehension of the CESAPH. The creator is a single entity, with three possible interfaces/approaches that correspond to the misconceived 'members' of the trinity – this is how one can best understands the 'trinity'. (This is similar to how one can approach the Mandelbrot Set: its equation, the beauty of a static image it produces, and the infinity of its formulation that can be played out. They are all different 'interfaces' to the same entity/essence) The creator entered our simulation in the human form of Jesus, undertaking the limitations of our reality, and perhaps even bearing a limited conscious state for himself, for the duration of his undertaking.This is similar to how we enter our nightly dreams – with a limited awareness of our more extended reality. This was the one genuine way to demonstrate his love for humanity without affecting the simulation's ability to test the quality of our souls on our alignment with love vs selfishness.
     
        

    Mark 1:2, 3

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    Berean: ..."2 As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “Behold, I will send My messenger ahead of You, who will prepare Your way.” 3 “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him.’” "...
    NRSV: ..."2 As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, "See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; 3 the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,'""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Parallels Luke 3:4 Jesus's path was anything but “straight”, nor was it meant/expected to be a straight and simple path for him. Thus, preparation was thoroughly lacking for him, nor was any needed – he hit the Jewish context of the time head on. What little help he received from John the Baptist's efforts also could not be considered as making his path much straighter. But all this path-making does not matter, as straight path is not what Jesus was expecting, thus the prophecy about this is irrelevant and invalid.
     
        

    Mark 1:8

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    Berean: ..."8 I baptize you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” "...
    NRSV: ..."8 I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • rituals don't matter or accomplish anything directly, but serve only as cultural customs with symbolic value to people
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "In their predispositions, humans inherit both love (the essence of the creator’s spirit we share with him, indicating our significance) and selfishness (its opposite/opposing property, what some mistakenly attribute to a separate entity of the ‘evil/devil/satan’) to different degrees from their greater-self, from their originating context of reality"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "‘Justification’ is ‘being convinced about love’s (vs. selfishness) need to guide life’ (= ‘being rightly enlightened’, = ‘holding Jesus’s message in conviction’, = ‘following/believing in Jesus’, = ‘gaining a justified conviction’, = ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, = ‘doing the works of God’, = ‘satisfying/keeping/adhering to the command of God’, = ‘accepting/living according to Jesus’s message’, = ‘fulfilling the eternal word of God, of salvation’)"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Baptism is a symbolic ritual that does not actually accomplish anything, except maybe indirectly (ie, it does not result in any concrete changes in the individual that is directly attributable to the act of baptism). Baptism CAN be equivalent to justification, IF it is accompanied by the person who is being baptized also gaining a conviction about the eternal word of God, of salvation (that love needs to guide life to gain salvation). This is why the early tradition of getting baptized in adulthood as a sign and ritual of conviction makes more sense than baptizing babies against their direct will. Baptizing someone who does not gain a conviction about the eternal word of God, of salvation (the need of love to guide one's life) is without any effect. Seeds of the Holy Spirit are present in everyone, to different degrees; growing this seed to fruition is what the evaluation is all about. “Baptizing with the Holy Spirit” can not really mean justification, because that requires a conviction and acceptance on the part of those being baptized (in which case we can talk about simple justification, which can arise in one even without being baptized).
     
        

    Mark 1:15

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."15 “The time is fulfilled,” He said, “and the kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe in the gospel!” "...
    NRSV: ..."15 and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "One’s ‘faith’/belief system has no direct value to the creator, and is only a potential tool in one’s quest to gain justification and reach salvation IF it helps its holder in these"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Nothing was “fulfilled” by the CESAPH, as fulfilling was not the aim of it. The aim of the CESAPH was something magnitudes more significant, that no prophecy foretold: the demonstration of the creator's love for us, and of his desire for us to reach our salvation by walking the path formalized by Jesus. Nothing foretold this, and nothing focused on this in previous scriptures; and more importantly, foretelling this would not have made any sense (ie, what could have been the role of foretelling the CESAPH??). The “kingdom of God” is not any nearer for humans in general because of the CESAPH, except for those individuals who (perhaps because of the CESAPH, but maybe because out of their own conclusions and conviction) reach justification, and stay on that path for the rest of their lives. Belief in the good news helps one to get justified and stay on its path, and it can help greatly; but this help is not a guarantee, and our belief in the good news is not our end goal of our existence here – reaching our salvation is, and this is accomplished by living out the rest of our lives according to our justified conviction.
     
        

    Mark 3:13, 14, 15

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    Berean: ..."13 Then Jesus went up on the mountain and called for those He wanted, and they came to Him. 14 He appointed twelve of them, whom He designated as apostles, to accompany Him, to be sent out to preach, 15 and to have authority to drive out demons. "...
    NRSV: ..."13 He went up the mountain and called to him those whom he wanted, and they came to him. 14 And he appointed twelve, whom he also named apostles, to be with him, and to be sent out to proclaim the message, 15 and to have authority to cast out demons."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • attempted building, claiming, or referencing authority that is misguided and improper
  • leaning on miracles for authenticity
  • misconceived idea about casting out demons
  •  
    interpretation:
    The ability and the need to “cast out any demons” is highly questionable, and thus, this passage is likely misguided. The existence of demons (souls inhabiting a body that is not one's own) is also questionable. For those with multiple personalities – a mental disease – they likely own all those personalities and their main/primary soul responsible for the conduct of all their personalities (perhaps only gaining awareness of them at a later point, just as the dreamer only becomes aware of his greater context of reality after awakening). It would be more unlikely that many different sovereign souls take over/inhibit their one body. But the main focus of this passage is to build authority by attributing miraculous abilities to apostles or disciples - which is setting a bad precedent, not to mention likely being false. Miracles are a private matter to those to whom they happen, and they are exceptions in the implementation of the simulation, an intervention to what the default processes would result in otherwise for the individual otherwise.
     
        

    Mark 3:23, 24, 25, 26

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    Berean: ..."23 So Jesus called them together and began to speak to them in parables: “How can Satan drive out Satan? 24 If a kingdom is divided against itself, it cannot stand. 25 If a house is divided against itself, it cannot stand. 26 And if Satan is divided and rises against himself, he cannot stand; his end has come. "...
    NRSV: ..."23 .. "How can Satan cast out Satan? 24 If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25 And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. 26 And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but his end has come."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "‘Evil’, ‘Devil’, or ‘Satan’ is NOT a separate entity opposed to the creator, but the value of selfishness in us that is opposite to the preferred value of the creator, love"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Based on the belief system of the OT,  the authors and disciples of Jesus misguidedly believed the ‘Evil One’, ‘Devil’, or ’Satan’ to be a separate independent entity (a fallen leader of angels) opposed to the creator and having some special powers. However, the concept should simply be interpreted as ‘the influence and temptations to be selfish’, the opposite of the creator’s preference of love that is present in us conscious humans, and all of us are here to demonstrate that we can subdue and eliminate this value in us, and side with its opposite in our evaluation. Satan is not an entity but the opposite of the preference of the creator (selfishness). Temptations first need to get around our convictions to do their damage. By attributing a personage to Satan, the author also attributes acts to this person, which is misguided. Satan (the temptation towards selfish acts) is within us, something we have to conquer within. This is not to be confused by the influences and temptations we are made to face in our evaluation – these are set up by the creator as part of our evaluation. Yes, the creator is testing us on our alignment on love vs selfishness, and we have to prevail on the side of love. Others who are not justified can also try to influence us to their thinking – we are simply to resist those efforts and stay on the path of justification. This is how our evaluation works. The talk about Satan rising up against himself and being divided is just silly talk. “His end” will come by us rejecting selfishness and living life aligned with love.
     
        

    Mark 3:28, 29

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    Berean: ..."28 Truly I tell you, the sons of men will be forgiven all sins and blasphemies, as many as they utter. 29 But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; he is guilty of eternal sin.” "...
    NRSV: ..."28 "Truly I tell you, people will be forgiven for their sins and whatever blasphemies they utter; 29 but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit can never have forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • In their predispositions, humans inherit both love (the essence of the creator’s spirit we share with him, indicating our significance) and selfishness (its opposite/opposing property, what some mistakenly attribute to a separate entity of the ‘evil/devil/satan’) to different degrees from their greater-self, from their originating context of reality
  • Our evaluation serves to separate those who align with love from those who align with selfishness, thereby eliminating the source of suffering from heaven
  • The essence of the creator is love
  • The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans
  •  
    interpretation:
    Rather, one will be forgiven when one rectifies their wrongs, serves their penance for their sins and genuinely regrets them. There is no automatic forgiveness for anything, and no one will pay the price of our sins for humans but themselves. This is not what Jesus has done for us with his suffering and death. The eternal sin is a sin that is directly and purposefully against love as a value, not out of weakness or selfishness to follow its path. When such value gets into conviction, this goes against the very relationship that the creator is trying to rebuild between humans and himself.
     
        

    Mark 4:3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."3 “Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 And as he was sowing, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured it. 5 Some fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun rose, the seedlings were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the seedlings, and they yielded no crop. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it sprouted, grew up, and produced a crop—one bearing thirtyfold, another sixtyfold, and another a hundredfold.” "...
    NRSV: ..."3 "Listen! A sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil, and it sprang up quickly, since it had no depth of soil. 6 And when the sun rose, it was scorched; and since it had no root, it withered away. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no grain. 8 Other seed fell into good soil and brought forth grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirty and sixty and a hundredfold.""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Every human has a real chance at reaching their salvation, which is NOT predetermined or predestined. The creator is NOT omniscient with regard to humans’ free will, and their fate in the evaluation"
  •  
    interpretation:
    The parable is explained later in the section by Jesus: people are “being like” seeds fallen here, versus seeds fallen there. The seed  or the sower can not represent us, as that would be against our free will to determine our fate – we are being thrown (or we would throw ourselves) to bad soil, so we are not responsible for our fate (it is not the seed's fault that it was thrown to bad soil. The seed can represent the word of God (as told by Jesus), as that is going out to all kinds of people (soils), some of which will be susceptible to it, some not. But the analogy is still wrong, as the act of throwing a seed to a bad soil does not allow the soil to do anything about growing the seed, as it is not his fault that it is bad soil for the seed. So some could conclude from this analogy that “yeah, my destiny was to fail the evaluation, as I was always the bad soil, so damnation will not be my fault, it was predetermined by my attributes I can not help”. What is missing in this analogy is the soil's ability to change and become better, to grow better fruit. But indeed, at the end of the evaluation, on judgment day, people will fall into these soil categories – and the parable can be a description of what has happened post-evaluation (knowing darn well that during their life, different soils had the ability/chance to change for the better).
     
        

    Mark 4:34

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    Berean: ..."34 He did not tell them anything without using a parable. But privately He explained everything to His own disciples. "...
    NRSV: ..."34 he did not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything in private to his disciples."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies"
  •  
    interpretation:
    The reason why this was the case baffles me; but then it would have been the responsibility of those disciples to explain to everyone else who needs explanation. Unless, this is also done intentionally, not to have a clear cut message of exactly what to do, but have people go figure from an intentionally vague guidance that can be interpreted in many ways. The possibilities are either that the message is complex and hard to understand well, or that people need to realize/discover that the message is actually very simple and easily understood, but is buried in the human efforts of those who tried to capture this message, and in the process complicated it and perhaps miscommunicated it along the way. I view the second option as more likely, especially that I can not see justification for understanding the NT content in any complex way. But then why not just leave it at that obfuscated level instead of telling how it really was right here? And what were the disciples to do with the broader explanation – keep it to themselves or explain it to others? None of these possibilities make much sense.
     
        

    Mark 5:19, 43

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."19 But Jesus would not allow him. “Go home to your own people,” He said, “and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and what mercy He has shown you.” 43 Then Jesus gave strict orders that no one should know about this, and He told them to give her something to eat. "...
    NRSV: ..."19 But Jesus refused, and said to him, "Go home to your friends, and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and what mercy he has shown you." ... and everyone was amazed. ... 43 He strictly ordered them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • leaning on miracles for authenticity
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies"
  •  
    interpretation:
    If the goal with performing miracles were to amaze people with miracles, a lot more and a lot more spectacular ones would have happened; but as this was not the point, this passage is questionable. It is especially strange that behavior that is encouraged following :19 is strictly discouraged in the next section in a very similar situation, under :43. If those for whom Jesus did the miracles were instructed by him to “tell your friends how much the Lord has done for them”, then why would he “strictly order” a different but similar miracle-witnessing crowd that “no one should know this”? And if he ordered them so, why did they disobey Jesus by obviously telling so many people that the story ends up in the Mark gospel? Something is fishy with the sense and logic, and perhaps someone is not telling their side of the story correctly. Perhaps the whole passage was just included for their “miracle effects” (to awe potential followers and convert them to their religion).
     
        

    Mark 6:7

    top  

    Berean: ..."7 Then Jesus called the Twelve to Him and began to send them out two by two, giving them authority over unclean spirits. "...
    NRSV: ..."7 He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • leaning on miracles for authenticity
  • misconceived idea about casting out demons
  •  
    interpretation:
    I guess “cleaning spirits” was the most popular or important miracle performed in those days.. The concept of having 'authority' over 'unclean spirits' is, however, absurd. The concept of even 'unclean spirits' is already absurd – a spirit is either aligned with love or is aligned with selfishness; not sure what that leaves for being 'unclean' (though I am sure the author describes the common condition of multiple personality disorder). But not sure what authority can one have over this condition – curing it? Then these apostles would be 'miracle workers' – also not a concept that has any place in logical reasoning (not counting the vast amount of faked healings that are going on even today by various religious groups). But even then, why only about spirit cleaning? Why not other medical conditions? Perhaps cleaning spirits could have been more easily faked than reattaching lost limbs or curing cancer?
     
        

    Mark 6:11

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."11 If anyone will not welcome you or listen to you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that place, as a testimony against them.” "...
    NRSV: ..."11 If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "As salvation is an individual achievement, finding the way and living life accordingly is a private matter that can not be policed or compelled by others"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Parallels Luke 9:5, 10:11 – This sounds like some sort of mandating that the good news shall be welcomed, or else a reprimanding and taking notes is in place for future retribution (like the creator could not see who is welcoming the good news and who does not and would need assistance in identifying those who are out of compliance..). The way the disciples are to show their conviction is by loving one another, not by taking notes on those who are not willing to accept the good news or think differently (the creator will deal with them and this is not for the disciples to worry about.
     
        

    Mark 7:10

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."10 For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’ "...
    NRSV: ..."10 For Moses said, 'Honor your father and your mother'; and, 'Whoever speaks evil of father or mother must surely die.'"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Yup; this is the level at which Moses operated. And what constitutes “speaking evil”, “cursing” or “dishonoring” (from the various OT translations) is up to the interpreter. This is also one of the few places one could quote from the NT where violence is encouraged in some ways. This goes well with the vengeful and jealous God of the OT, however this is not how Jesus depicted the creator. (The purpose of the part that contains this passage is NOT to highlight this Mosaic law, but to ridicule the misguidance and hypocrisy of the pharisees in hiding behind loopholes in their law and not being in line with the spirit of the command – which is a valid point.)
     
        

    Mark 7:15

    top  

    Berean: ..."15 Nothing that enters a man from the outside can defile him; but the things that come out of a man, these are what defile him.” "...
    NRSV: ..."15 there is nothing outside a person that by going in can defile, but the things that come out are what defile.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation
  •  
    interpretation:
    Acts and thoughts count, not adherence to set of worldly laws.
     
        

    Mark 7:21, 22

     Significant Alignment! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."21 For from within the hearts of men come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, 22 greed, wickedness, deceit, debauchery, envy, slander, arrogance, and foolishness. "...
    NRSV: ..."21 For it is from within, from the human heart, that evil intentions come: fornication, theft, murder, 22 adultery, avarice, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, folly."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Behavioral guidance
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  • ‘Evil’, ‘Devil’, or ‘Satan’ is NOT a separate entity opposed to the creator, but the value of selfishness in us that is opposite to the preferred value of the creator, love
  •  
    interpretation:
    Based on the belief system of the OT,  the authors and disciples of Jesus misguidedly believed the ‘Evil One’, ‘Devil’, or ’Satan’ to be a separate independent entity (a fallen leader of angels) opposed to the creator and having some special powers. However, the concept should simply be interpreted as ‘the influence and temptations to be selfish’, the opposite of the creator’s preference of love that is present in us conscious humans, and all of us are here to demonstrate that we can subdue and eliminate this value in us, and side with its opposite in our evaluation. Other than that, derived acts of selfishness are listed in this passage.
     
        

    Mark 8:29, 30

    top  

    Berean: ..."29 “But what about you?” Jesus asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Christ.” 30 And Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about Him. "...
    NRSV: ..."29 He asked them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered him, "You are the Messiah." 30 And he sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misconception about the CESAPH, which is magnitudes more significant than the concept of the Jewish Messiah
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Early Christians very much hoped that 'proper/true' Jews would see Jesus as their Messiah, if only they read their own prophecies more carefully. However, most Jews were right NOT to see Jesus as their Messiah for a very good reason: the description of whom they were expecting for just did not match the claims, person and message of Jesus. And indeed, the CESAPH was magnitudes more significant than any concept of the Jewish Messiah, it had a completely different focus (individual salvation vs the fate of the Jewish nation), different purpose of life and a way to achieve it (alignment with love vs keeping hundreds of laws), and a different creator-image (loving, forgiving vs. vengeful, jealous, conquering). So what those who had the right mind should have realized was: in light of Jesus's claims and message their Jewish beliefs no longer made any sense, and it was much more likely that ultimate truth lay within the message and person of Jesus. Unfortunately, even the disciples and the authors of the NT were not entirely up to this giant leap in thinking (except for Marcion, who was kindly asked to leave). On a different note, if Jesus “sternly ordered the apostles not to tell anyone about him”, then why can we read about this in the Gospel? Was this to be secret for a while only – then why not specify the interval (until I die, for example) and the purpose of this restriction, especially if they obviously violated it? Also interesting to note that Jesus does not confirm to them that he IS the Messiah they are expecting (as in other places in the Gospels); but instead, he speaks about being from/part of/son of God.
     
        

    Mark 8:31

    top  

    Berean: ..."31 Then He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and that He must be killed and after three days rise again. "...
    NRSV: ..."31 Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • suspected post-fitting of the narrative (not possible for the author to know about, or likely did not happen as described)
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The resurrection is not a cornerstone belief to be held about Jesus or the subject of faith one needs to believe in to gain salvation, but an emphasis on the inevitability of afterlife for everyone. From a simulated reality everyone exits to their originating context, and the creator can naturally make exceptions for his exit and reappearance"
  •  
    interpretation:
    The resurrection is not a necessary element (and especially not the culmination) of the CESAPH, even if it happened as described. As this narrative originates long after this alleged prophesying, it looses some of its credibility; it is more likely that this was simply written so after the list of things took place in the past and then positioned as a prophecy to cater to potential Jewish converts. But regardless, the resurrection is not a cornerstone belief in the philosophical foundation's reasoning, as it does not add anything beyond being a spectacular miracle to the essence (which is the creator's willingness to partake in our suffering in a human form to demonstrate his love for us, and invite us to salvation by guiding us to realign our lives with love). The fate of Jesus in the CESAPH (ridicule, humiliation, betrayal, suffering, torture and possible execution) could have largely been foreseen by anyone, using common sense, given the kind of message he carried and claims he had about himself in his chosen context of appearance. The removal of his body from his tomb (and his reburial elsewhere) could have been orchestrated by zealous followers for exactly the claims and effect the story then had. But in the philosophical foundation's reasoning, their act (though despicable) would not lessen the effect and the value of the CESAPH one bit. Humans will keep interpreting and following the message and the event of the CESAPH in their own errant or righteous ways.
     
        

    Mark 8:34, 35, 36

    top  

    Berean: ..."34 Then Jesus called the crowd to Him along with His disciples, and He told them, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. 35 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and for the gospel will save it. 36 What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? "...
    NRSV: ..."34 He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35 For those who want to save their lives will lose it, and those who lose their lives for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. 36 For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their lives?"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • The main goal of our life is to reach our salvation and build values that transcend this reality into eternal life, not to reach material or academic success or to fulfill other worldly desires or loyalties
  •  
    interpretation:
    Denying for what one stood for before justification, then walk the path to salvation (living a life aligned with love) through one's assigned situations in life – this is what “following Jesus” entails. Those who cling to their worldly desires over this path will lose their salvation. Those who recognize that the main purpose of existence (forgoing the pleasures and temptations of this life when this conflicts with being aligned with love) may gain their salvation. “for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel” is interpreted as “for the sake of the eternal word of God, of salvation”, the message that the CESAPH formalized for humanity.
     
        

    Mark 9:1

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."1 Then Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God arrive with power.” "...
    NRSV: ..."1 And he said to them, "Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • clear misguidance of author as the time remaining till the second coming was NOT near
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator"
  •  
    interpretation:
    This was still written in a time when disciples of Jesus lived in the hope that during their lifetime the second coming of Jesus will take place. Obviously, they were wrong. And now we face, whether the author has put these words into the mouth of Jesus, or Jesus said these words himself. We need to keep in mind that the time the author wrote this writing was decades after Jesus has died already. Hope of the second coming was already waning among the disciples, as many already started dying. Stating such an obviously failing proposition must come from the sincere hope that indeed at least some who have witnessed Jesus will also live to see his second coming. The more likely scenario is that the second coming of Jesus will take place in everyone's awareness, right (or shortly) after their deaths in a shared moment in objective time, simultaneously experienced by all the souls who will have ever participated in the evaluation of life. If so, such an event is not to be looked forward to in this life, but beyond. This passage refutes the infallibility of the NT writings, as it is obviously made on an incorrect assumption that the second coming of Jesus comes during the lifetime of the disciples. There is nothing wrong with being wrong on this; however then, people should not refer to the NT as infallible, and the writings can also contain other errors/ misunderstandings/ misconceptions/ misrepresentations/ inconsistencies/ contradictions, etc.
     
        

    Mark 9:18, 19

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."18 Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid. I asked Your disciples to drive it out, but they were unable.” 19 “O unbelieving generation!” Jesus replied. “How long must I remain with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy to Me.” "...
    NRSV: ..."18 and whenever it seizes him, it dashes him down; and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid; and I asked your disciples to cast it out, but they could not do so." 19 He answered them, "You faithless generation, how much longer must I be among you? How much longer must I put up with you? Bring him to me.""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • leaning on miracles for authenticity
  • misconceived idea about casting out demons
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Parallels Luke 9:40-42 - Epilepsy is not something to cast out from anyone as a demon; the disciples' faith had nothing to do with their failure to heal the epileptic (though it is theoretically possible that upon asking for such an intervention from the creator, it is granted – but obviously faith healing is not a common practice anyone should rely on). This passage is part of the focus of the authors to focus on the miraculous to convince potential converts. In such pursuit, it is feasible to think that made up some of these stories to convince potential followers with the power of miracles. The miracles mentioned in the NT may have happened as described – it is just not that relevant to the essential message of Jesus, as THAT speaks for itself (makes its own sense, fits into the logic of the philosophical foundation). In other words, it does not 'need' the support of miracles, including the resurrection. Additionally, the impatience and frustration of Jesus documented in this passage with his disciples is not characteristic of his spirit and other stories of him.
     
        

    Mark 9:25

    top  

    Berean: ..."25 When Jesus saw that a crowd had come running, He rebuked the unclean spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” He said, “I command you to come out and never enter him again.” "...
    NRSV: ..."25 When Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, "You spirit that keeps this boy from speaking and hearing, I command you, come out of him, and never enter him again!" ..."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • leaning on miracles for authenticity
  • misconceived idea about casting out demons
  • suspected post-fitting of the narrative (not possible for the author to know about, or likely did not happen as described)
  •  
    interpretation:
    Other spirits don't enter one body, even if one suffers from multiple personality disorder or other mental conditions. And a spirit is not unclean – it is either in aligned with love or its opposite (or sick in other ways). This passage likely arose from the lack of contemporary understanding of mental illness, and no doubt it would not have been included with the understanding of such conditions. Therefore, it is likely to have been included with the motivation to amaze potential converts and in general, lean on miracles for the authenticity and authority of the writings and Jesus. As a side note, modeling reality as a consciousness-centric simulation, it is quite possible that living with mental illness is a 'sentence' of hardship (an assigned situation) for the sufferer and its surrounding. But even then, other unclean spirits taking over one's body remains a highly unlikely scenario with very small likelihood (though not an impossibility).
     
        

    Mark 9:28, 29

    top  

    Berean: ..."28 After Jesus had gone into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” 29 Jesus answered, “This kind cannot come out, except by prayer.” "...
    NRSV: ..."28 When he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, "Why could we not cast it out?" 29 He said to them, "This kind can come out only through prayer.""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misconceived idea about casting out demons
  • suspected post-fitting of the narrative (not possible for the author to know about, or likely did not happen as described)
  •  
    interpretation:
    Jesus going into the technicalities of the different types of demonic possessions (or demons) is highly unlikely to have taken place, especially that being possessed by demons is also unlikely in itself. The origin of such stories may have been being made up by the author for effect, or hearsay from anecdotes (from the very distant past) heard from others.
     
        

    Mark 9:31

    top  

    Berean: ..."31 because He was teaching His disciples. He told them, “The Son of Man will be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill Him, and after three days He will rise.” "...
    NRSV: ..."31 for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, "The Son of Man is to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and three days after being killed, he will rise again.""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • suspected post-fitting of the narrative (not possible for the author to know about, or likely did not happen as described)
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The resurrection is not a cornerstone belief to be held about Jesus or the subject of faith one needs to believe in to gain salvation, but an emphasis on the inevitability of afterlife for everyone. From a simulated reality everyone exits to their originating context, and the creator can naturally make exceptions for his exit and reappearance"
  •  
    interpretation:
    The resurrection is not a necessary element (and especially not the culmination) of the CESAPH, even if it happened as described. As this narrative originates long after this alleged prophesying, it looses some of its credibility; it is more likely that this was simply written so after the list of things took place in the past and then positioned as a prophecy to cater to potential Jewish converts. But regardless, the resurrection is not a cornerstone belief in the philosophical foundation's reasoning, as it does not add anything beyond being a spectacular miracle to the essence (which is the creator's willingness to partake in our suffering in a human form to demonstrate his love for us, and invite us to salvation by guiding us to realign our lives with love). The fate of Jesus in the CESAPH (ridicule, humiliation, betrayal, suffering, torture and possible execution) could have largely been foreseen by anyone, using common sense, given the kind of message he carried and claims he had about himself in his chosen context of appearance. The removal of his body from his tomb (and his reburial elsewhere) could have been orchestrated by zealous followers for exactly the claims and effect the story then had. But in the philosophical foundation's reasoning, their act (though despicable) would not lessen the effect and the value of the CESAPH one bit. Humans will keep interpreting and following the message and the event of the CESAPH in their own errant or righteous ways.
     
        

    Mark 9:39, 40, 41

    top  

    Berean: ..."39 “Do not stop him,” Jesus replied. “For no one who performs a miracle in My name can turn around and speak evil of Me. 40 For whoever is not against us is for us. 41 Indeed, if anyone gives you even a cup of water because you bear the name of Christ, truly I tell you, he will never lose his reward. "...
    NRSV: ..."39 But Jesus said, “Do not stop him; for no one who does a deed of power in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. 40 Whoever is not against us is for us. 41 For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Jesus will by no means lose the reward."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • contradicts other NT passages
  • incorrect or inappropriate generalization
  •  
    interpretation:
    Contradicts Luke 11:23 - “Whoever is not with me is against me”. In addition, someone who is “not against us” can still “not give a darn” and thus, not be “for us”.
     
        

    Mark 9:43, 45, 47, 48

    top  

    Berean: ..."43 If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two hands and go into hell, into the unquenchable fire. 45 If your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than to have two feet and be thrown into hell. 47 And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, 48 where ‘their worm never dies, and the fire is never quenched.’ "...
    NRSV: ..."43 If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed than to have two hands and to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. 45 And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame than to have two feet and to be thrown into hell. 47 And if your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and to be thrown into hell, 48 where their worm never dies, and the fire is never quenched."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • There is always hope and is never too late for salvation
  •  
    interpretation:
    The simple summary (and the correct interpretation): any price is worth to pay, any misery is worth to go through to gain salvation. And with this, NOTHING is worth as much as to give up salvation for.
     
        

    Mark 10:4, 5

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."4 They answered, “Moses permitted a man to write his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away.” 5 But Jesus told them, “Moses wrote this commandment for you because of your hardness of heart. "...
    NRSV: ..."4 They said, "Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of dismissal and to divorce her." 5 But Jesus said to them, "Because of your hardness of heart he wrote this commandment for you."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Parallels Matthew 19:8-9 It is highly unlikely (and makes absolutely no sense) that the creator made special conditions for special people because of the 'hardness of their hearts', which he later cancelled for whatever reason. What is more likely is that the author made up this story to cater to potential Jewish converts with such nonsensical explanations. What makes more sense is that the creator has had and will continue to have a single universal criterion for all of humanity in all situations, and undertook an intervention in the CESAPH to help those he deemed to receive such help (of knowing about the good news). The “certificate of dismissal” of the Mosaic law is another reason why Jewish law can not have originated from or been inspired by the creator. This explanation seems more like packaging personal or cultural views into a religious flavor by attributing it to Jesus. Moses should not have allowed anything that God does not allow. Exceptions are unlikely from the creator of our reality.
     
        

    Mark 10:9, 12

    top  

    Berean: ..."9 Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.” 12 And if a woman divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery.” "...
    NRSV: ..."9 Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate." ... "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her; 12 and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • personal perspectives and directives that are culturally dependent
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Divorcing with ease is obviously not the way to live and raise a family. But just as with everything else, the main command is not about divorce law or marriage law, but about love needing to guide one's life. This amounts to an obvious micromanagement of this one law into specific cases that may or may not apply in different situations. The main command of love should provide guidance to all individuals, as in everything else.
     
        

    Mark 10:14, 15

    top  

    Berean: ..."14 But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and told them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them! For the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 Truly I tell you, anyone who does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” "...
    NRSV: ..."14 … "Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. 15 Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • In their predispositions, humans inherit both love (the essence of the creator’s spirit we share with him, indicating our significance) and selfishness (its opposite/opposing property, what some mistakenly attribute to a separate entity of the ‘evil/devil/satan’) to different degrees from their greater-self, from their originating context of reality
  •  
    interpretation:
    Children are most susceptible toward love – perhaps; this is the time when their predispositions can guide them the most. In humans, the creator may also be looking for the child's ability to awe and wonder in joy, be glad for things, and their honesty.
     
        

    Mark 10:17, 18

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."17 As Jesus started on His way, a man ran up and knelt before Him. “Good Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 “Why do you call Me good?” Jesus replied. “No one is good except God alone. "...
    NRSV: ..."17 ... "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" 18 Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • contradicts other NT passages
  • inadequate answer to question
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misconceived understanding of what the ‘trinity’ could be
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The concept of the ‘trinity’ can only be interpreted as ‘three possible interface to the same single entity of the creator’"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Contradicts Hebrews 4:15, 7:28; Parallels Matthew 19:16-17, Luke 18:19 – the one who is sinless must be “good”; otherwise we would have a hard time defining what 'good' is. Jesus IS the creator in human form, IS the CESAPH, thus, he is the loving creator who is good (or perhaps, as being fully human, Jesus may not have been completely sinless?).  
     
        

    Mark 10:21

    top  

    Berean: ..."21 Jesus looked at him, loved him, and said to him, “There is one thing you lack: Go, sell everything you own and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.” "...
    NRSV: ..."21 Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, "You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • The main goal of our life is to reach our salvation and build values that transcend this reality into eternal life, not to reach material or academic success or to fulfill other worldly desires or loyalties
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    This basically boils down to one can not serve two gods – selflessness and love sometimes calls for having to make huge sacrifices to help others in need.
     
        

    Mark 10:25

     Significant Alignment! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."25 It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” "...
    NRSV: ..."25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • The main goal of our life is to reach our salvation and build values that transcend this reality into eternal life, not to reach material or academic success or to fulfill other worldly desires or loyalties
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    The starkest warning to those pursuing a life of wealth and comfort. This basically boils down to one can not serve two gods – selflessness and love sometimes calls for having to make huge sacrifices to help others in need. One can only enrich one's self if that does not prevent or hinder one's alignment with love – and this is extremely difficult to implement throughout life.
     
        

    Mark 10:26, 27

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."26 They were even more astonished and said to one another, “Who then can be saved?” 27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” "...
    NRSV: ..."26 ... "Then who can be saved?" 27 Jesus looked at them and said, "For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible.""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • inadequate answer to question
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Parallels Luke 18:26-27 – I suspect this passage to have arisen from a misunderstood anecdote the author heard or held such misguided views himself (or may have been uttered by a Jesus under the influence of some good wine after a long day, in his fully human condition of being a bit drunk – which is NOT a sin if one does not manage to do the wrong things as a result). First of all, in it Jesus does not answer the question; he rather tries to answer the question “who is saving us?”. And his response (a terrible answer attributed to Jesus) makes it sound like we can do NOTHING about reaching salvation, and only God knows who will be saved, and he will be doing the saving himself, independent of us. This is a nonsensical answer: of course God can do anything (well, not ANYthing, but most of what can affect us); but why would Jesus answer in such way? His answer could equal predetermination or predestination, which is clearly wrong. It has to be possible for everyone to reach salvation here, otherwise it would be pointless for us to be here and try doing anything in this life. Question is, what criterion will be used to determine who is going to be saved, and who is not. No one questions that if God does not want to save someone, he will not be saved – but this is not the question here. All humans can be saved by God if they manage to pass the evaluation of their life on the criterion of aligning their life with love. In this sense, they reach their salvation themselves using their free will.
     
        

    Mark 10:29, 30

    top  

    Berean: ..."29 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for My sake and for the gospel 30 will fail to receive a hundredfold in the present age—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and fields, along with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life. "...
    NRSV: ..."29 Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields, for my sake and for the sake of the good news, 30 who will not receive a hundredfold now in this age — houses, brothers and sisters, mothers and children, and fields, with persecutions — and in the age to come eternal life."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • It is logical to expect appropriate consequences due for passing or failing the evaluation
  • Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally
  •  
    interpretation:
    Since humans have free will, and they have an assigned set of situations to go through in their lives (their cross to bare) as part of their penance, 'bad things happen to good people' and all its other combinations in this life is logically unavoidable. However, the suffering or pleasures in this life may not compare in magnitude with what one may gain or lose in the presence of the creator, or away from it.
     
        

    Mark 10:40

    top  

    Berean: ..."40 But to sit at My right or left is not Mine to grant. These seats belong to those for whom they have been prepared.” "...
    NRSV: ..."40 but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • Every human has a real chance at reaching their salvation, which is NOT predetermined or predestined. The creator is NOT omniscient with regard to humans’ free will, and their fate in the evaluation
  • There is always hope and is never too late for salvation
  •  
    interpretation:
    A wrong way to interpret this passage can be predetermination (God already knows who will gain their salvation, and their place is prepared; the rest is already known to go to damnation). However, the right interpretation can be: the place is already prepared for those who will have succeeded in reaching their salvation once they complete their worldly live. Thus, it is still up to each one of us to arrange our life so that we can be among the saved ones.
     
        

    Mark 10:43, 44

    top  

    Berean: ..."43 But it shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first must be the slave of all. "...
    NRSV: ..."43 ... but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • One ‘loves God’ by loving their fellow human beings, no matter how far removed they may be, which fulfills the single command of God
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  • The main goal of our life is to reach our salvation and build values that transcend this reality into eternal life, not to reach material or academic success or to fulfill other worldly desires or loyalties
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    Contradicts Galatians 4:30, Matthew 22:8, Luke 17:7, Acts 2:18, Colossians 3:22, 4:1, 1 Peter 2:18, Ephesians 6:5,7,8, 1 Timothy 6:1, Titus 2:9 – as those seemingly condone slavery, whereas here slavery is talked in connection with serving other out of love. Our life here is not a contest for personal achievements, but for achievements that serve most, the common good. A loving considerate life fulfills this. Followers of Jesus's message (the eternal word of God, of salvation) must lead others by being recognized from their conduct, and serving as an example.
     
        

    Mark 10:45

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” "...
    NRSV: ..."45 For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans
  •  
    interpretation:
    “a ransom for many” or “redemption price” (that includes his suffering and limitations undertaken) can only refer to the price/hardship undertaken for the sake of those who will have reached their salvation directly thanks to the help the CESAPH meant for them. It was a sacrifice/hardship the creator was willing to undergo so that many more humans succeed at reaching their salvation as would have without the good news of the CESAPH. But this was not a “ransom” paid to anyone, especially not to any entity, such as the devil. Sin and evil is considered as a property of conscious souls, the opposite of the preferred value of the creator (love), and not an independent entity the creator has to or can deal with.
     
    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • misconceived understanding of what the ‘trinity’ could be
  • misconception about Jesus saving or justifying people rather than them achieving this through their own free will
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans"
  •  
    interpretation:
    The potential ramifications of the misconceived traditional interpretation of this passage are severe. It is influenced by the misconceived trinity-concept of the authors – the way the disciples viewed Jesus and the creator. The ideas that – with his suffering and death – Jesus performed an atonement for the sins of humanity (or to be more precise, the inherited 'sinful condition' of the wrongs committed by Adam and Eve) INSTEAD OF us (who inherited the condition and/or committed sins in our life too), and that with this he paid off a ransom (to either the Devil or to the Father) are logically absurd. If we hold the trinity as 'three possible interfaces' to the single entity of the creator, the whole logic of this narrative collapses. Additionally, the traditional Christian interpretation of the 'original sin' (developed around the 3rd century AD) is also misconceived: the reason why 'all humans are sinners' is NOT that they inherited this from any of their ancestors, NOR is it because they necessarily sinned during their life, BUT because their own greater-selves committed them in their originating context of reality. In this context, any 'atonement' performed in place of us by Jesus becomes absurd – it is each one of us that needs to rectify our sinful condition by reaching a justified conviction and living our life (our assigned situations) accordingly. This is simpler, makes much more sense, and seems a lot more likely. Even if one subscribes to the traditional trinity-interpretation of the Father and Son being 'somewhat' separate, the idea that the Devil is assumed as a separate entity, with powers that God needs to 'destroy' with the acts of Jesus, is without much sense. Why would the Son perform any self-sacrifice/favor to the Father to pay off a debt to the Devil instead of us who sinned or inherited those sins doing so? Why would the almighty creator enter into dealings with the separate, lesser-entity of the Devil, and end up owing anything to him (especially, our sovereign conscious souls, because of an inheritance from our far-ancestors)? And why would/could the Devil require such a ransom? And if the Son paid the ransom to the Father, what was the point in it – was there two separate entities involved (because this makes little if any sense being done within the same being). The idea that God needs to conquer the different entity (of the Devil) is also a lot less likely than 'evil' simply being the opposite value of the creator's preference/essence of love (selfishness). Selfishness, then, is a mere property in each one of us, to different degrees, that we are to conquer during our life by proving our realignment with love – a lot simpler, more likely than ransom, devil, conquering, debt, atonement, inherited sin from ancestors... It is entirely more likely that each one of us needs to complete a penance for wrongs we ourselves committed (in a higher context of reality we have no access to while in this life – as in dreams) and struggle to gain our salvation as a personal effort (rectify our sinful condition by realigning with love and return to the presence of the creator in heaven) of our life, and that is the very reason for our participation in this reality. The good news and guidance of the CESAPH CAN help those who were granted access to it in their situational assignments in reaching their justified conviction and having the strength to live life accordingly. In the CESAPH, the creator in Jesus fully shared the human condition with us, together with all its potential misery, suffering, and humiliation to demonstrate the creator's love for us and his desire for us to reach our salvation by aligning our life with love vs. selfishness. The sinful condition of all humans was NOT affected by the CESAPH. It had been and remains to this day up to each individual to reach their justified conviction and live their life accordingly. Undoubtedly for many, the good news helped in doing so. The intervention and good news of the CESAPH was a sacrifice/hardship the creator was willing to make for our benefit (NOT a sacrifice Jesus to offered to the Father), so that more of us would reach salvation (out of our own free will) than without. Most importantly, it was a demonstration of the creator's love for humanity – a gift that can be the greatest help from which people CAN (if they choose so) gain strength to reach their salvation with their life.
     
        

    Mark 11:17

    top  

    Berean: ..."17 Then Jesus began to teach them, and He declared, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’” "...
    NRSV: ..."17 He was teaching and saying, "Is it not written, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations'?"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation
  •  
    interpretation:
    The call to salvation is to the whole of humanity. There are no privileged or more important nations or individuals in the eye of the creator. We humans need to recognize this too about each other.
     
        

    Mark 11:23, 24

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."23 “Truly I tell you that if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and has no doubt in his heart but believes that it will happen, it will be done for him. 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. "...
    NRSV: ..."23 Truly I tell you, if you say to this mountain, 'Be taken up and thrown into the sea,' and if you do not doubt in your heart, but believe that what you say will come to pass, it will be done for you. 24 So I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • incorrect or inappropriate generalization
  • lacking understanding of reasons behind ‘good things can happen to bad people’, and all its variations
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Parallels John 14:13,14, 15:7,16:24 Matthew 7:7, 21:22 1 John 3:22, 5:14-15 Philippians 4:19, Mark 11:24 One may misunderstand “asking and receiving” to be a valid and realistic expectation for this life, however, clearly this is not the case, and neither is this the intention of the creator. The obvious case in this life (that can be tested by anyone) is: “praying/asking for something may or may NOT be granted, regardless of the subject or strength of one's faith”. This is NOT because of a lack of faith on our part, or NOT abiding in Jesus, but because of the nature of our evaluation (of the quality of our soul, the proven alignment of our conviction in our life of penance). Bad things happen to good people, and all other variations of it, regardless of the amount of prayers and faith. Our reality is a place of penance for the wrongs we committed before we joined this reality in our eternal past (as angels?), and as such, it is expected to include a proportional and fair share of suffering in our assigned situations, that fits our failings. Thus, even if we believe and constantly pray, we may still be made to endure what we are to endure as part of our penance. The understanding of the authors on this is most likely misguided, and this may lead to harmful beliefs: false hopes can lead to big disappointments and even the loss of faith when things don't turn out the way we expected them. The CESAPH did not take place to impress or awe people into submission, but to demonstrate the creator's love for us and our need to endure our penance, as we earn our salvation with our properly aligned conviction and life. Routine miracles (prayers automatically fulfilled upon the proper belief) would work against the integrity of the simulation, and would render it incapable in assessing the quality of human souls. Miracles or certainty about outcomes would make one's proven conviction less convincing and valuable and more prone to calculation compared to the achievements of those who did not experience these, but still believed and lived according to their justified conviction. Asking for and being granted whatever we wish for may be the case for those who pass the last judgment and earn their salvation, but the author likely meant this to happen during this life. Blind belief has no value in our life – the evaluation of our souls. What would be the use and purpose for us to be able to just ask for anything and have it made to happen by the creator? Our world would be a completely different reality if we could just pray away all of our misery.. It is sufficient to believe with reasonable doubt that the eternal word of God is the path to salvation, and to reach that is the purpose of our existence. A belief beyond this is ultimately pointless (will not result in anything concrete, apart from perhaps being able to state to each other in the afterlife: “see, I told you so”) and can also be harmful (see faith healers and those refusing medical treatment but trusting the power of prayer instead). Doubt is an essential part of our evaluation, and as we are also serving our penance here in this world, pain and suffering should not derail anyone from the goal of reaching salvation.
     
        

    Mark 11:25

    top  

    Berean: ..."25 And when you stand to pray, if you hold anything against another, forgive it, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your trespasses as well.” "...
    NRSV: ..."25 "Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone; so that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  •  
    interpretation:
    The derived acts of love include forgiveness.
     
        

    Mark 11:33

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."33 So they answered, “We do not know.” And Jesus replied, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.” "...
    NRSV: ..."33 … And Jesus said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • inadequate answer to question
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  •  
    interpretation:
    I can't find any reason why Jesus would not answer this question.
     
        

    Mark 12:17

    top  

    Berean: ..."17 Then Jesus told them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” And they marveled at Him. "...
    NRSV: ..."17 Jesus said to them, "Give to the emperor the things that are the emperor's, and to God the things that are God's.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • As salvation is an individual achievement, finding the way and living life accordingly is a private matter that can not be policed or compelled by others
  •  
    interpretation:
    There are no valid externally defined formulas for how to life life.  An individual needs to decide without such help, weighing all inputs and circumstances. The only guidance is that decisions should be in alignment with love. As for the conduct of members of societies, they can define their own rules and laws to serve the public interest and protect their members. One should not mix the affairs of societal affairs with the personal overall aim of salvation – but if they have to be mixed, let that mixing be in alignment with love.
     
        

    Mark 12:18

    top  

    Berean: ..."18 Then the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Jesus and questioned Him: "...
    NRSV: ..."18 Some Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him and asked him a question"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • The resurrection is not a cornerstone belief to be held about Jesus or the subject of faith one needs to believe in to gain salvation, but an emphasis on the inevitability of afterlife for everyone. From a simulated reality everyone exits to their originating context, and the creator can naturally make exceptions for his exit and reappearance
  •  
    interpretation:
    Once the belief in the afterlife is firmly in one's conviction, the resurrection of Jesus loses its miracle potential and significance and the real significance will be focused on what it needs to: the creator's demonstration of love in Jesus and the formal guidance we have received in his message of salvation.
     
        

    Mark 12:25

     Significant Alignment! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."25 When the dead rise, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage. Instead, they will be like the angels in heaven. "...
    NRSV: ..."25 For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally
  • The creator created our reality (best modeled as a consciousness-centric simulation) to facilitate the evaluation of its target audience: humans
  • The human spirit is somehow part of the eternal consciousness
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage is the clearest indication in the NT about human origin – we are indeed fallen angels, and that is where we return to be again if we reach our salvation. Thus, we should not stick to worldly concepts about our human relations, as they may not be carried forward into the next realm as we expect them.
     
        

    Mark 12:26, 27

    top  

    Berean: ..."26 But concerning the dead rising, have you not read about the burning bush in the Book of Moses, how God told him, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? 27 He is not the God of the dead, but of the living. You are badly mistaken!” "...
    NRSV: ..."26 And as for the dead being raised, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the story about the bush, how God said to him, 'I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'? 27 He is God not of the dead, but of the living; you are quite wrong.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Relativity of experiencing time
  • The human spirit is somehow part of the eternal consciousness
  • The resurrection is not a cornerstone belief to be held about Jesus or the subject of faith one needs to believe in to gain salvation, but an emphasis on the inevitability of afterlife for everyone. From a simulated reality everyone exits to their originating context, and the creator can naturally make exceptions for his exit and reappearance
  •  
    interpretation:
    Supporting the relativeness of experiencing time and the eternal nature of the human spirit; quite an unexpected argument for the afterlife, eternal life and death as a transition to an encompassing context.
     
        

    Mark 12:29, 30, 31

    top  

    Berean: ..."29 Jesus replied, “This is the most important: ‘Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.” "...
    NRSV: ..."29 ... the Lord our God, the Lord is one; 30 you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.' 31 The second is this, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • The concept of the ‘trinity’ can only be interpreted as ‘three possible interface to the same single entity of the creator’
  •  
    interpretation:
    And one loves God by loving others and making decisions in consideration of others, no matter how far removed they may be from one – Galatians 5:14, Matthew 25:35,36,45, Luke 9:48, James 1:27, 2:8, 1 Peter 4:11, John 4:23, 10:38, 13:14,15, 14:23,24, 1 John 2:10,11, 1 John 3:10,17, 1 John 4:11,12,13,19,20,21, 2 John 5,6.
     
        

    Mark 12:43, 44

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    Berean: ..."43 Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more than all the others into the treasury. 44 For they all contributed out of their surplus, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on.” "...
    NRSV: ..."43 … "Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. 44 For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • The evaluation result is likely progressive within pass or fail
  • The main goal of our life is to reach our salvation and build values that transcend this reality into eternal life, not to reach material or academic success or to fulfill other worldly desires or loyalties
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage hints at salvation not being a pass/fail affair, but having a progressive outcome (probably within a pass/fail outcome). This means that it does matter how much good one does during life, so humans should never think they have already done enough. The assigned situations of one can be the likely measure of how much good one is expected to do in life.
     
        

    Mark 13:13

    top  

    Berean: ..."13 You will be hated by everyone because of My name, but the one who perseveres to the end will be saved. "...
    NRSV: ..."13 and you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • It is logical to expect appropriate consequences due for passing or failing the evaluation
  • Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  • There is always hope and is never too late for salvation
  •  
    interpretation:
    One's assigned situations reflects the expectation of the creator on how much one needs to go through in life to attain salvation. The assigned situations of one can be the likely measure of how much good one is expected to do in life. Endurance here refers to the necessary suffering that is assigned to one, which can make the amount of misery a unique and fair assignment
     
        

    Mark 13:20

    top  

    Berean: ..."20 If the Lord had not cut short those days, nobody would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, whom He has chosen, He has cut them short. "...
    NRSV: ..."20 And if the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would be saved; but for the sake of the elect, whom he chose, he has cut short those days."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • In their predispositions, humans inherit both love (the essence of the creator’s spirit we share with him, indicating our significance) and selfishness (its opposite/opposing property, what some mistakenly attribute to a separate entity of the ‘evil/devil/satan’) to different degrees from their greater-self, from their originating context of reality
  • Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally
  •  
    interpretation:
    This must refer to the creator's decision to let some of the fallen angels (Adams and Eves) have a chance to redeem themselves; thus, letting them live here on Earth. ALL of humanity comprises the 'elect' – they were the ones granted a chance at redeeming their sins, should they reach salvation in the evaluation of life. 'cutting short' can mean being given a chance at redemption rather than receiving damnation without this chance.
     
        

    Mark 13:30

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."30 Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have happened. "...
    NRSV: ..."30 Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • clear misguidance of author as the time remaining till the second coming was NOT near
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator"
  •  
    interpretation:
    This was still written in a time when disciples of Jesus lived in the hope that during their lifetime the second coming of Jesus will take place. Obviously, they were wrong. And now we face, whether the author has put these words into the mouth of Jesus, or Jesus said these words himself. We need to keep in mind that the time the author wrote this writing was decades after Jesus has died already. Hope of the second coming was already waning among the disciples, as many already started dying. Stating such an obviously failing proposition must come from the sincere hope that indeed at least some who have witnessed Jesus will also live to see his second coming. The more likely scenario is that the second coming of Jesus will take place in everyone's awareness, right (or shortly) after their deaths in a shared moment in objective time, simultaneously experienced by all the souls who will have ever participated in the evaluation of life. If so, such an event is not to be looked forward to in this life, but beyond. This passage refutes the infallibility of the NT writings, as it is obviously made on an incorrect assumption that the second coming of Jesus comes during the lifetime of the disciples. There is nothing wrong with being wrong on this; however then, people should not refer to the NT as infallible, and the writings can also contain other errors/ misunderstandings/ misconceptions/ misrepresentations/ inconsistencies/ contradictions, etc.
     
        

    Mark 13:31

     Significant Alignment! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away. "...
    NRSV: ..."31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Grace is the ever-present willingness of the creator to help humans reach their salvation
  • In their predispositions, humans inherit both love (the essence of the creator’s spirit we share with him, indicating our significance) and selfishness (its opposite/opposing property, what some mistakenly attribute to a separate entity of the ‘evil/devil/satan’) to different degrees from their greater-self, from their originating context of reality
  • The human spirit is somehow part of the eternal consciousness
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    This could refer to the material reality – our world – being a temporary one. The eternal word of the creator – that love is the property for our soul to attain to remain in his presence, and his desire for us to do so – still remains after our reality passes.
     
        

    Mark 13:32

     Significant Alignment! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."32 No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. "...
    NRSV: ..."32 "But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator
  • One needs to live life being always ready for its accounting - then, if events in the future come as a ’thief’, as one would have needed to do nothing differently
  •  
    interpretation:
    Humans are not to know about the end times of the simulation; they need not know or worry about this, as the evaluation should not be any different because of the end of the simulation being near. The “end of one's life being near” is more applicable to what we need to worry about. But regarding that, one should simply be ready at all times leaving no need for worrying about the end. Jesus did not know when the end of the world is because – taking part in our reality as fully human meant having a limited form of awareness. Thus, he may not have been aware of such info himself while existing among us – by design. This is well illustrated to everyone in the process of dreaming: while in our dreams, we are not fully aware of our greater originating context of reality, but we become aware of it once we wake up. So in our dreams we can be unaware of something we are aware of in our larger context of reality. Additionally, for the duration of his appearance in our world as Jesus, the reality of all other conscious observers could have been 'paused', so nothing else would be needed to be attended to or be observed by the creator (similarly to how we can witness those who sleep as pausing from our objective time while they are unconscious). If free will is allowed to reign free in our world, the end of civilization and mankind could be resulting from a human decision (nuclear holocaust – surely, the creator could choose to intervene if this end would be incompatible with his plan, or let a few survivors inherit and handle the truly horrific aftermath). Such decisions can not be foreseen even by the creator (though surely, he can react to them and modify the outcome as he wishes, even to the degree of appearing miraculous to us).
     
        

    Mark 14:7

    top  

    Berean: ..."7 The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them whenever you want. But you will not always have Me. "...
    NRSV: ..."7 For you always have the poor with you, and you can show kindness to them whenever you wish; but you will not always have me."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally
  •  
    interpretation:
    Suffering is an expected condition of the penance we are here to go through as part of our evaluation.
     
        

    Mark 14:21

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."21 The Son of Man will go just as it is written about Him, but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed! It would be better for him if he had not been born.” "...
    NRSV: ..."21 For the Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that one by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that one not to have been born."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Every human has a real chance at reaching their salvation, which is NOT predetermined or predestined. The creator is NOT omniscient with regard to humans’ free will, and their fate in the evaluation"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Though the betrayal, humiliation, suffering and death of Jesus could have been foreseen by anyone (given the context chosen for his appearance among us and the sinful conditions of humans), this was not a determined outcome by the creator but perhaps a largely expected suffering and outcome that came with undertaking the CESAPH. The appearance of compliance with OT prophecies was fabricated and largely made up by the disciples and authors of the NT, to give Jesus an authenticity in the eyes of potential Jewish converts (fulfilling the prophecies of THEIR scriptures). Never mind the fact that those prophecies were NOT written about Jesus, and were so vague or unfitting that no wonder most Jews did not see THEIR Messiah in Jesus. What would have been needed by the disciples is to realize the need to step out of their limiting bounds of the OT and interpret Jesus's message in itself, make sense of it in itself. They should have seen that the creator's appearance in Jesus and his message needs no prophecies or anything else (like descent or continuation) from the OT – and in fact, the OT is incompatible with Jesus's message and entity.
     
        

    Mark 14:24

    top  

    Berean: ..."24 He said to them, “This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. "...
    NRSV: ..."24 He said to them, "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • In their predispositions, humans inherit both love (the essence of the creator’s spirit we share with him, indicating our significance) and selfishness (its opposite/opposing property, what some mistakenly attribute to a separate entity of the ‘evil/devil/satan’) to different degrees from their greater-self, from their originating context of reality
  • Jesus’s ‘covenant’ of the eternal word of God, of salvation is the only covenant that has ever been and will ever be in effect from the creator for all of humanity, since the very beginning of time till the ending of our simulated reality, meaning that if one passes their evaluation on their alignment with love, one redeems their sinful condition and gains their salvation
  • The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans
  •  
    interpretation:
    Jesus's suffering and blood was the sacrifice undertaken by the creator for us in the CESAPH in hope to save as many as possible. The sacrifice did not directly accomplish the salvation of anyone, however the strength gained in conviction and endurance out of the story and formalized message of the CESAPH likely helped many to their salvation.
     
        

    Mark 15:39

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    Berean: ..."39 When the centurion standing there in front of Jesus saw how He had breathed His last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” "...
    NRSV: ..."39 Now when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, "Truly this man was God's Son!""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • misconceived understanding of what the ‘trinity’ could be
  • suspected post-fitting of the narrative (not possible for the author to know about, or likely did not happen as described)
  •  
    interpretation:
    What is more likely is that a roman centurion would have not known about such concepts as being a 'son of God'. In addition, at the most this could have been a story of hearsay heard by the author. It is very unlikely that someone who was there when Jesus breathed out his last breath heard him saying a centurion staying nearby, and this anecdote truthfully stayed in hearsay till the days the gospel was written by its author. It is possible that such a centurion said this, but very unlikely. And even if this happened, it would not add much credibility to the divinity of the story (the motivation why this was included in the gospel).
     
        

    Mark 16:3, 4, 5, 6

    top  

    Berean: ..."3 They were asking one another, “Who will roll away the stone from the entrance of the tomb?” 4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away, even though it was extremely large. 5 When they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. 6 But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here! See the place where they put Him. "...
    NRSV: ..."3 They had been saying to one another, "Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?" 4 When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back. 5 As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. 6 But he said to them, "Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised;"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The resurrection is not a cornerstone belief to be held about Jesus or the subject of faith one needs to believe in to gain salvation, but an emphasis on the inevitability of afterlife for everyone. From a simulated reality everyone exits to their originating context, and the creator can naturally make exceptions for his exit and reappearance"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Unfortunately, this story also fits the following scenario: a party of zealous followers could have easily rolled away the stone and stole the body of Jesus to be buried at a secret place and claim the resurrection (there are very few first-hand witness accounts to go by anyway). The person greeting them (the young man) was part of the crew who removed the body. The belief in the resurrection is not an essential part of faith and is not a necessary criterion for salvation; belief in the afterlife is – as was properly emphasized by Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:12-19. The resurrection may have happened as described, or Jesus may have died as any other human to fully share in our condition. He got resurrected as all other humans (eternal souls) will be, and he may even reappeared to us in the simulation to demonstrate to some disciples the miracle of the afterlife. And if tomorrow a tomb with his remains is found, none of the essence of the CESAPH and its message would be lost in vain, except some of the misconceptions about his resurrection.
     
        

    Mark 16:9, 12, 14

    top  

    Berean: ..."9 Early on the first day of the week, after Jesus had risen, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom He had driven out seven demons. 12 After this, Jesus appeared in a different form to two of them as they walked along in the country. 14 Later, as they were eating, Jesus appeared to the Eleven and rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen. "...
    NRSV: ..."9 Now after he rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, ... 12 After this he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country. ... 14 Later he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were sitting at the table; and he upbraided them for their lack of faith and stubbornness, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "One’s ‘faith’/belief system has no direct value to the creator, and is only a potential tool in one’s quest to gain justification and reach salvation IF it helps its holder in these"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The resurrection is not a cornerstone belief to be held about Jesus or the subject of faith one needs to believe in to gain salvation, but an emphasis on the inevitability of afterlife for everyone. From a simulated reality everyone exits to their originating context, and the creator can naturally make exceptions for his exit and reappearance"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness"
  •  
    interpretation:
    The author is preparing the foundation of belief in the resurrection in the general population and positioning the resurrection as the guarantor of faith. He is listing witnesses in an attempt to build authenticity of the event. If the disciples lost their faith because of the death of Jesus – thinking that all hope of their beliefs is gone – then Jesus (or the author) is right to upbraid them for their lack of understanding of the message (not the prophecy of death and resurrection!). If the belief in the resurrection was to be an important cornerstone for the faith, why was not this performed in a convincing, generally witnessed way where many types of witnesses would have left their written first-hand testimonies (or have made them with the help of those who can write, adding their names to it). Faith IS important, but its target should be the message of Jesus and the existence of the afterlife, not of Jesus's resurrection – whether it happened as described or not. Right now, for most Christians, belief in the resurrection guarantees the rightness of the message and hope in the afterlife, whereas, those should be self-evident (being the most likely scenario of reality) for the individual, without the need for miracles to underscore them.
     
        

    Mark 16:15

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    Berean: ..."15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. "...
    NRSV: ..."15 And he said to them, "Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • A justified person has the duty to spread the word of God to others in a non-intrusive way whenever the chance arises and by showing an example
  • Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation
  •  
    interpretation:
    The good news of the CESAPH – the creator's love for humanity and his desire for all of us to succeed in this evaluation – is for all of humanity. This means nothing else has ever been the way to salvation, and there was never any other meaning to human life either. This makes the OT irrelevant and invalid as a way to salvation or to address the meaning of life. The duty of a justified person (one who gained into conviction the eternal word of God, of salvation) is to pass on this word to others so they also can reach their salvation.
     
        

    Mark 16:16

    top  

    Berean: ..."16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. "...
    NRSV: ..."16 The one who believes and is baptized will be saved; but the one who does not believe will be condemned."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • attempted building, claiming, or referencing authority that is misguided and improper
  • misconception about forgiveness, and the role of rituals
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  •  
    interpretation:
    What to believe is, of course, not specified here (not to mention why belief would be of utmost importance to the creator over proof that one can be aligned with love). But I suspect the author meant the subject of belief to be “whatever I am writing here”. Blind belief and the ritual of baptism will not save anyone; alignment with the preferred value of the creator – and a life lived accordingly – will. This is merely an attempt to monopolize on being the source of what to believe (to be interpreted later by church leaders) and being the authorized personnel to perform baptism rituals.
     
        

    Mark 16:17, 18

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In My name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up snakes with their hands, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not harm them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will be made well.” "...
    NRSV: ..."17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: by using my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up snakes in their hands, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • contradicts other NT passages
  • misconceived idea about casting out demons
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "One ‘loves God’ by loving their fellow human beings, no matter how far removed they may be, which fulfills the single command of God"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Contradicts John 13:35 – “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (which makes complete sense over this passage..). I guess one is to challenge true believers by their ability to cast out demons (using genuine epileptics) and speaking in tongues (whatever that is, and how to test it). Sorry author, you have included some complete BS here, discrediting your work here. All this is completely irrelevant and amounts to an attempt of boost belief with claims of miracles and the supernatural.
     
        

    Mark 16:19

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."19 After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. "...
    NRSV: ..."19 So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • leaning on miracles for authenticity
  • suspected post-fitting of the narrative (not possible for the author to know about, or likely did not happen as described)
  •  
    interpretation:
    How would the writer know this (decades later than it allegedly happened)? How would ANYONE know this: did they see an image of Jesus sitting at the right hand of God? If so, a more interesting description on ho God actually looked like would have been more appropriate here. Did it come from the writer's personal imagination or from hearsay coming from others? Of course, there are no details – and I suspect the author simply made up the sentence as 'decoration', for effect, to awe people.. The statement also has no implications on any of the core teachings of Jesus. And if it was included here for effect only (nobody really saw this) then how many other things were also included along the same lines – for effect, without actual proof or checking the credibility of sources. And why did the authors feel the need to include all these miracle references then – did they feel that the story needs support this way? Well, it did not...
     
        

    Matthew 4:3, 7

     Significant Alignment! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."3 The tempter came to Him and said, “If You are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” 7 Jesus replied, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” "...
    NRSV: ..."3 The tempter came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread." ..."If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written, 'He will command his angels concerning you,' and 'On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.'" 7 Jesus said to him, "Again it is written, 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  •  
    interpretation:
    Part of being fully human (the guarantee of the genuineness of the creator's demonstration of love for humanity) for the creator in Jesus was living through temptation, doubt, insecurity, fear. If the creator did not have these human attributes, his demonstration would not be as genuine.
     
        

    Matthew 4:16

    top  

    Berean: ..."16 the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned.” "...
    NRSV: ..."16 the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light,and for those who sat in the region and shadow of deathlight has dawned.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    The good news of the CESAPH gives humans the most hope about facing a loving creator who cares about them and wants them to return to his side. This is the closest thing we have to an outright guarantee on this in our evaluation that can help us the most in reaching salvation. This was a revelation that got humanity closer to certainty about the meaning and purpose of human life. One needs to keep in mind that providing certainty for everyone would have disabled the setup's ability to test humans' true character on their alignment with love vs selfishness.
     
        

    Matthew 4:17

    top  

    Berean: ..."17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” "...
    NRSV: ..."17 From that time Jesus began to proclaim, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator
  •  
    interpretation:
    The kingdom of heaven is near to everyone – it comes right after one's death, our exit from this reality. One should not expect this to be a future moment in history, something to live through on this Earth. Once all souls in the queue had their chance at participation, the simulation can theoretically end in a way that no participants would notice from within. Or, it could end with a big cataclysmic event for those who are alive at the time to experience. Either way, it does not matter, as all you can do is what one should do anyway: be ready at all times by living a life aligned with love.
     
        

    Matthew 5:3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

     Significant Alignment! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you. "...
    NRSV: ..."3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 "Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. 8 "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10 "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 "Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • Behavioral guidance
  • Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally
  • The main goal of our life is to reach our salvation and build values that transcend this reality into eternal life, not to reach material or academic success or to fulfill other worldly desires or loyalties
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage should tell us that there is something tricky in the assignment of situations. It contrasts worldly values with heavenly ones, but it also implies that those who lack 'commonly desired worldly qualities' will get their compensation, and those who have those qualities in life should be very careful with using them for their own benefit only. There are two aspects of our situation: one relates to how much misery or pleasure we have to live with during our life. The other relates to how hard (or tricky) is it from our situation to reach our salvation. As life's purpose is not to excel academically, materially, with our careers or power, but to reach salvation by living a life aligned with love, one's situation that may be enviable by worldly standard may be setting one to easy failure at salvation, by making it that much easier to give in to the temptation of selfishness.
     
        

    Matthew 5:16

    top  

    Berean: ..."16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. "...
    NRSV: ..."16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • A justified person has the duty to spread the word of God to others in a non-intrusive way whenever the chance arises and by showing an example
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • One ‘loves God’ by loving their fellow human beings, no matter how far removed they may be, which fulfills the single command of God
  •  
    interpretation:
    A justified person should try their best to lead others to the path of salvation, whenever there is a chance. One does that by being a living example of the eternal word of God, of salvation, by conducting a loving and considerate life.
     
        

    Matthew 5:17, 18, 19, 20

    top  

    Berean: ..."17 Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them. 18 For I tell you truly, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19 So then, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do likewise will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever practices and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. "...
    NRSV: ..."17 "Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. 19 Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • appeasement/catering to potential Jewish converts
  • contradicts other NT passages
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Contradicts Hebrews 13:9, Galatians 5:6,14,18, Romans 13:8 - the single main command of God coming from Jesus, from which everything else derives; this seems to be an appeasement/catering to potential Jewish converts. Also, from other verses that are about the Pharisees, it should be extremely easy for one to exceed them in righteousness, so this would be a very low bar to enter heaven then.
     
        

    Matthew 5:24

    top  

    Berean: ..."24 leave your gift there before the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift. "...
    NRSV: ..."24 leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • One ‘loves God’ by loving their fellow human beings, no matter how far removed they may be, which fulfills the single command of God
  •  
    interpretation:
    Here, the providing of a gift or offering at the altar (which is irrelevant and not what the creator is looking for) just symbolizes the act of turning to the creator, like in prayer. The main point is to first reconcile with those one needs to reconcile with – to clear one's conscience and work of any debt outstanding to others, like forgiveness – before turning to the creator for help.
     
        

    Matthew 5:29

    top  

    Berean: ..."29 If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. "...
    NRSV: ..."29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be thrown into hell."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  •  
    interpretation:
    Achieving salvation is worth it at any price, as that is our main purpose here, why we are here to begin with. Thus, there can not be a worldly reason that we should put ahead of reaching salvation.
     
        

    Matthew 5:32

    top  

    Berean: ..."32 But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, brings adultery upon her. And he who marries a divorced woman commits adultery. "...
    NRSV: ..."32 But I say to you that anyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of unchastity, causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • personal perspectives and directives that are culturally dependent
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Divorcing with ease is obviously not the way to live and raise a family. But just as with everything else, the main command is not about divorce law or marriage law, but about love needing to guide one's life. This amounts to an obvious micromanagement of this one law into specific cases that may or may not apply in different situations. The main command of love should provide guidance to all individuals, as in everything else. Society may also govern divorce law to protect children and society, but this does not belong under matters that influence one's chance at salvation.
     
        

    Matthew 5:38, 39, 40, 41, 42

     Significant Alignment! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."38 You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.’ 39 But I tell you not to resist an evil person. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also; 40 if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well; 41 and if someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. "...
    NRSV: ..."38 "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' 39 But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; 40 and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; 41 and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. 42 Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • A justified person has the duty to spread the word of God to others in a non-intrusive way whenever the chance arises and by showing an example
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • Behavioral guidance
  • One ‘loves God’ by loving their fellow human beings, no matter how far removed they may be, which fulfills the single command of God
  •  
    interpretation:
    Revenge is inconsistent with love and forgiveness. This sort of response to an aggressor should also make them rethink what they are doing. Responding in kind or with an even bigger force is only going to get them to do the same, and the cycle of violence will get all participants to where it took countless humans throughout history. Based on the belief system of the OT,  the authors and disciples of Jesus misguidedly believed the ‘Evil One’, ‘Devil’, or ’Satan’ to be a separate independent entity (a fallen leader of angels) opposed to the creator and having some special powers. However, the concept should simply be interpreted as ‘the influence and temptations to be selfish’, the opposite of the creator’s preference of love that is present in us conscious humans, and all of us are here to demonstrate that we can subdue and eliminate this value in us, and side with its opposite in our evaluation.
     
        

    Matthew 5:44, 45, 46, 47, 48

    top  

    Berean: ..."44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Do not even tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even Gentiles do the same? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. "...
    NRSV: ..."44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • Behavioral guidance
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  • ‘Evil’, ‘Devil’, or ‘Satan’ is NOT a separate entity opposed to the creator, but the value of selfishness in us that is opposite to the preferred value of the creator, love
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage asserts that true love can not be calculated. Only those who love out of their own conviction – because they hold this to be right – achieve justification and salvation. But as one can not hope for guaranteed reward and punishment for good or bad behavior in this life, necessary doubt in our life (the lack of certainty) guarantees that true un-calculated love can be achieved. Based on the belief system of the OT,  the authors and disciples of Jesus misguidedly believed the ‘Evil One’, ‘Devil’, or ’Satan’ to be a separate independent entity (a fallen leader of angels) opposed to the creator and having some special powers. However, the concept should simply be interpreted as ‘the influence and temptations to be selfish’, the opposite of the creator’s preference of love that is present in us conscious humans, and all of us are here to demonstrate that we can subdue and eliminate this value in us, and side with its opposite in our evaluation.
     
        

    Matthew 5:47

    top  

    Berean: ..."47 And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even Gentiles do the same? "...
    NRSV: ..."47 And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • appeasement/catering to potential Jewish converts
  • incorrect or inappropriate generalization
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misguided focus on Jews or improper differentiation between Jews and Gentiles
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Generalizing and putting gentiles in a light as worse than Jews. Besides this 'slip of the tongue', the intention of the passage is correct: one should be loving and kind to all their fellow humans, no matter how far they may be from one's family, nation, culture, religion, customs, location.
     
        

    Matthew 6:1, 4, 6

    top  

    Berean: ..."1 “Be careful not to perform your righteous acts before men to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. 4 so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 6 But when you pray, go into your inner room, shut your door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. "...
    NRSV: ..."1 "Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven. ... 4 so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. ... 6 But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret;"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • The human spirit is somehow part of the eternal consciousness
  • ‘Justification’ is ‘being convinced about love’s (vs. selfishness) need to guide life’ (= ‘being rightly enlightened’, = ‘holding Jesus’s message in conviction’, = ‘following/believing in Jesus’, = ‘gaining a justified conviction’, = ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, = ‘doing the works of God’, = ‘satisfying/keeping/adhering to the command of God’, = ‘accepting/living according to Jesus’s message’, = ‘fulfilling the eternal word of God, of salvation’)
  •  
    interpretation:
    Religion – our aim to figure out the meaning of our existence and wager our life on our conclusions reached – is a matter between the individual and the creator. It is not for others to see, and not for us to show to others, other than living our life as an example to the justified living. As our eternal conscious mind is a thread running in the mind of our creator, our thoughts are fully transparent to the creator. True conviction, true character that is in alignment with love is what the creator is expecting from us for salvation and the redemption of our sinful condition.
     
        

    Matthew 6:9, 10, 11, 12, 13

     Significant Alignment! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."9 So then, this is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. 10 Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’ "...
    NRSV: ..."9 "Pray then in this way: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. 10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done,on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And do not bring us to the time of trial, but rescue us from the evil one."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • Behavioral guidance
  • One ‘loves God’ by loving their fellow human beings, no matter how far removed they may be, which fulfills the single command of God
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  • ‘Evil’, ‘Devil’, or ‘Satan’ is NOT a separate entity opposed to the creator, but the value of selfishness in us that is opposite to the preferred value of the creator, love
  •  
    interpretation:
    Humans live on this Earth to serve their penance for the wrong committed in their precursory existence and to earn to rejoin the kingdom of God in Heaven to come. It is right for us to ask for the help to succeed in reaching salvation, for our basic needs to function in this life, and on behalf of others, but not more. We also ask to face less temptation and our ability to resist it, as this measures our conviction and commitment to the value of love. Forgiveness derives from love, and if we expect the sins of our precursory existence to be forgiven, we should forgive those who trespass against us in this life. Based on the belief system of the OT,  the authors and disciples of Jesus misguidedly believed the ‘Evil One’, ‘Devil’, or ’Satan’ to be a separate independent entity (a fallen leader of angels) opposed to the creator and having some special powers. However, the concept should simply be interpreted as ‘the influence and temptations to be selfish’, the opposite of the creator’s preference of love that is present in us conscious humans, and all of us are here to demonstrate that we can subdue and eliminate this value in us, and side with its opposite in our evaluation.
     
        

    Matthew 6:14, 15

    top  

    Berean: ..."14 For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive yours. "...
    NRSV: ..."14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; 15 but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • Behavioral guidance
  • One ‘loves God’ by loving their fellow human beings, no matter how far removed they may be, which fulfills the single command of God
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage needs no commenting.
     
        

    Matthew 6:19, 20, 21

    top  

    Berean: ..."19 Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. "...
    NRSV: ..."19 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • The main goal of our life is to reach our salvation and build values that transcend this reality into eternal life, not to reach material or academic success or to fulfill other worldly desires or loyalties
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    It is clear that if our existence here has the purpose to gain our salvation, we should focus on enriching ourselves with values that can transcend to any other possible realm. These are primarily our goodness, our alignment with love, but also some of our creations that have an aesthetic aspect, like music and art. An ability to pay attention to and enjoy beauty of all kinds (as opposed to being insensitive to it) may serve us well in any reality we may transfer to.
     
        

    Matthew 6:22, 23

     Significant Alignment! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."22 The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! "...
    NRSV: ..."22 "The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light; 23 but if your eye is unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • In their predispositions, humans inherit both love (the essence of the creator’s spirit we share with him, indicating our significance) and selfishness (its opposite/opposing property, what some mistakenly attribute to a separate entity of the ‘evil/devil/satan’) to different degrees from their greater-self, from their originating context of reality
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    The “eye” here refers to one's outlook in life, one's conviction, world view that drives one's free will in one's conscious awareness. One's belief system drives one's world view and motivations, and this determines what and how one sees. This also shows what qualities the creator is looking for in us. If the creator wanted us to obey a set of laws or worship him blindly, how we see things should not matter to him.
     
        

    Matthew 6:24

     Significant Alignment! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."24 No one can serve two masters: Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. "...
    NRSV: ..."24 "No one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • In their predispositions, humans inherit both love (the essence of the creator’s spirit we share with him, indicating our significance) and selfishness (its opposite/opposing property, what some mistakenly attribute to a separate entity of the ‘evil/devil/satan’) to different degrees from their greater-self, from their originating context of reality
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    Contradicts Galatians 4:30, Matthew 22:8, Luke 17:7, Acts 2:18, Colossians 3:22, 4:1, 1 Peter 2:18, Ephesians 6:5,7,8, 1 Timothy 6:1, Titus 2:9 – as those seemingly condone slavery, whereas here the condition is paired against serving God OR serving wealth. As clear as possible about the conflict of love and selfishness, and the evaluation criterion of our life. As our relation to the creator id based on love, those who put selfishness or its derived qualities ahead of this in their relations to their fellow humans do not qualify to gain their salvation. One can only gain wealth if in the process their alignment with love is not suffering, and what they do with it is not self-enrichment but serving the common good. This may be extremely hard to achieve for most wealthy people.
     
        

    Matthew 7:7, 8

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."7 Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. "...
    NRSV: ..."7 “Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • lacking understanding of reasons behind ‘good things can happen to bad people’, and all its variations
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Parallels John 14:13,14, 15:7,16:24 Matthew 7:7, 21:22 1 John 3:22, 5:14-15 Philippians 4:19, Mark 11:24 One may misunderstand “asking and receiving” to be a valid and realistic expectation for this life, however, clearly this is not the case, and neither is this the intention of the creator. The obvious case in this life (that can be tested by anyone) is: “praying/asking for something may or may NOT be granted, regardless of the subject or strength of one's faith”. This is NOT because of a lack of faith on our part, or NOT abiding in Jesus, but because of the nature of our evaluation (of the quality of our soul, the proven alignment of our conviction in our life of penance). Bad things happen to good people, and all other variations of it, regardless of the amount of prayers and faith. Our reality is a place of penance for the wrongs we committed before we joined this reality in our eternal past (as angels?), and as such, it is expected to include a proportional and fair share of suffering in our assigned situations, that fits our failings. Thus, even if we believe and constantly pray, we may still be made to endure what we are to endure as part of our penance. The understanding of the authors on this is most likely misguided, and this may lead to harmful beliefs: false hopes can lead to big disappointments and even the loss of faith when things don't turn out the way we expected them. The CESAPH did not take place to impress or awe people into submission, but to demonstrate the creator's love for us and our need to endure our penance, as we earn our salvation with our properly aligned conviction and life. Routine miracles (prayers automatically fulfilled upon the proper belief) would work against the integrity of the simulation, and would render it incapable in assessing the quality of human souls. Miracles or certainty about outcomes would make one's proven conviction less convincing and valuable and more prone to calculation compared to the achievements of those who did not experience these, but still believed and lived according to their justified conviction. Asking for and being granted whatever we wish for may be the case for those who pass the last judgment and earn their salvation, but the author likely meant this to happen during this life.
     
        

    Matthew 7:12

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    Berean: ..."12 In everything, then, do to others as you would have them do to you. For this is the essence of the Law and the Prophets. "...
    NRSV: ..."12 "In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  •  
    interpretation:
    The golden rule. There are no prophecies or messages from the creator that can go beyond this in essence. This single sentence just redefines what the 'law' is as far as the creator is concerned. This also involves way more in one's life than holding a belief in who Jesus is supposed to be, what happened to him, or even worse, what he accomplished for us (thinking that we are already saved through his sacrifice, which is a misconception).
     
        

    Matthew 7:13, 14

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."13 Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it. "...
    NRSV: ..."13 "Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. 14 For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    Living a materialistic lifestyle leads to selfishness, and its road is – unfortunately – widely appealing and popular among humans. This is a dire prediction about humans' success rate at gaining salvation; but when one looks at the world at large, it seems dead on right.
     
        

    Matthew 7:21

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    Berean: ..."21 Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven. "...
    NRSV: ..."21 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  •  
    interpretation:
    Alignment with love needs to be proved by a life lived accordingly. The entry criteria is set by the creator of the reality – one can rebel or reject, but this can not logically be any other way.
     
        

    Matthew 7:24, 25, 26, 27

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    Berean: ..."24 Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain fell, the torrents raged, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because its foundation was on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain fell, the torrents raged, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell—and great was its collapse!” "...
    NRSV: ..."24 "Everyone then who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. 25 The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell — and great was its fall!""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • Jesus’s ‘covenant’ of the eternal word of God, of salvation is the only covenant that has ever been and will ever be in effect from the creator for all of humanity, since the very beginning of time till the ending of our simulated reality, meaning that if one passes their evaluation on their alignment with love, one redeems their sinful condition and gains their salvation
  • Salvation can not be put off till later in life, as such calculation can not lead to genuine repentance of sins or justification
  • ‘Justification’ is ‘being convinced about love’s (vs. selfishness) need to guide life’ (= ‘being rightly enlightened’, = ‘holding Jesus’s message in conviction’, = ‘following/believing in Jesus’, = ‘gaining a justified conviction’, = ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, = ‘doing the works of God’, = ‘satisfying/keeping/adhering to the command of God’, = ‘accepting/living according to Jesus’s message’, = ‘fulfilling the eternal word of God, of salvation’)
  •  
    interpretation:
    The belief system that reflects most the eventual unfolding reality is logically the best foundation to guide one to salvation. Naturally, lots of belief systems claim to represent this truth – and that is OK. One is to reach a conviction about the nature of reality and the meaning of life as part of the journey of life, and weighing the validity and sense in different belief system one is exposed to is part of the task. One who reached one's wager in conviction but fails to live by it is either weak or a fool. Those whose conviction holds beliefs that are far from the eventual unfolding truth run the risk of miscalculating the meaning and purpose of life. It is simply wise to try to figure out one's meaning and purpose in life, and then live by it, wherever one's conclusions may end up at, as the creator is only interested in what is in one's conviction, and how one's life testifies to it.
     
        

    Matthew 8:11, 12

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    Berean: ..."11 I say to you that many will come from the east and the west to share the banquet with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” "...
    NRSV: ..."11 I tell you, many will come from east and west and will eat with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, 12 while the heirs of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation
  •  
    interpretation:
    The eternal word of God, of salvation is successfully followed by many who are not from among the Jews, but from all over the world. Thus, there is no such thing as group of humans being heirs of any kingdom, except in their misguided minds. Here, the names mentioned simply relate the Jews to their own stories and do not mean such persons are actually in the kingdom of Heaven waiting for others to appear (or not necessarily).
     
        

    Matthew 8:21, 22

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    Berean: ..."21 Another of His disciples requested, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” 22 But Jesus told him, “Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead.” "...
    NRSV: ..."21 Another of his disciples said to him, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father." 22 But Jesus said to him, "Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • Behavioral guidance
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage is about setting priorities in life, with gaining salvation always having to be at the highest priority over all else. The specific example is a simple illustration of this, not an actual instruction for such cases.
     
        

    Matthew 8:28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34

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    Berean: ..."28 When Jesus arrived on the other side in the region of the Gadarenes, He was met by two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs. They were so violent that no one could pass that way. 29 “What do You want with us, Son of God?” they shouted. “Have You come here to torture us before the appointed time?” 30 In the distance a large herd of pigs was feeding. 31 So the demons begged Jesus, “If You drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.” 32 “Go!” He told them. So they came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and died in the waters. 33 Those tending the pigs ran off into the town and reported all this, including the account of the demon-possessed men. 34 Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw Him, they begged Him to leave their region. "...
    NRSV: ..."28 When he came to the other side, to the country of the Gadarenes, two demoniacs coming out of the tombs met him. They were so fierce that no one could pass that way. 29 Suddenly they shouted, "What have you to do with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?" 30 Now a large herd of swine was feeding at some distance from them. 31 The demons begged him, "If you cast us out, send us into the herd of swine." 32 And he said to them, "Go!" So they came out and entered the swine; and suddenly, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and perished in the water. 33 The swineherds ran off, and on going into the town, they told the whole story about what had happened to the demoniacs. 34 Then the whole town came out to meet Jesus; and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their neighborhood."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • content that is unhelpful, intentionally mystifying, irrelevant, or too detailed to be a part of ‘scriptures’ of guidance to salvation
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • leaning on miracles for authenticity
  • misconceived idea about casting out demons
  • misconceived understanding of what the ‘trinity’ could be
  • suspected post-fitting of the narrative (not possible for the author to know about, or likely did not happen as described)
  •  
    interpretation:
    Parallels Luke 8:32-33 – Right... Now, did we need this parable in the infallible inspired holy scripture??? Why would demons who torment humans wish to rather enter swine instead and then commit suicide? This story very likely made it to the writing as an anecdote told by someone, and even that was likely to be made up, as there are no demons that enter people or swine and why would demons want to enter swine – this does not make any sense whatsoever, nor does it carry any relevance or message.
     
        

    Matthew 10:5, 6, 7, 8

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    Berean: ..."5 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go onto the road of the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. 6 Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. 7 As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give. "...
    NRSV: ..."5 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: "Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, 6 but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 As you go, proclaim the good news, 'The kingdom of heaven has come near.' 8 Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • contradicts other NT passages
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misconceived idea about casting out demons
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Contradicts 2 Corinthians 3:12-17, Romans 3:29-30, 4:11-17, 9:23-24, 10:3-4, 13:8-10, 14:17, Mark 11:17, 16:15, Matthew 8:11-12, 22:39-40, 28;19, Luke 3:8-9, 19:9, 24:47, Acts 1:8, 10:34-35, 13:26 etc. Throughout the NT, the focus is on the universality of the message to the whole of humanity. It makes absolutely no sense for Jesus to instruct the apostles to NOT preach to the gentiles (or make any difference between the approach or the message), having a universal message of salvation to the whole of humanity. What does make sense is that the authors bent their writings so to appeal to potential Jewish converts, as their primary targets for conversions to the new religion. This drive fueled the many attempts to inappropriately tie the person and message of Jesus to the OT through prophecies and even descent (like they had the ability to trace St. Joseph's bloodline and descent back to king David, and then to Abraham...).
     
        

    Matthew 10:23

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."23 When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next. Truly I tell you, you will not reach all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes. "...
    NRSV: ..."23 When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next; for truly I tell you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • clear misguidance of author as the time remaining till the second coming was NOT near
  •  
    interpretation:
    This was still written in a time when disciples of Jesus lived in the hope that during their lifetime the second coming of Jesus will take place. Obviously, they were wrong. And now we face, whether the author has put these words into the mouth of Jesus, or Jesus said these words himself. We need to keep in mind that the time the author wrote this writing was decades after Jesus has died already. Hope of the second coming was already waning among the disciples, as many already started dying. Stating such an obviously failing proposition must come from the sincere hope that indeed at least some who have witnessed Jesus will also live to see his second coming. The more likely scenario is that the second coming of Jesus will take place in everyone's awareness, right (or shortly) after their deaths in a shared moment in objective time, simultaneously experienced by all the souls who will have ever participated in the evaluation of life. If so, such an event is not to be looked forward to in this life, but beyond. This passage refutes the infallibility of the NT writings, as it is obviously made on an incorrect assumption that the second coming of Jesus comes during the lifetime of the disciples. There is nothing wrong with being wrong on this; however then, people should not refer to the NT as infallible, and the writings can also contain other errors/ misunderstandings/ misconceptions/ misrepresentations/ inconsistencies/ contradictions, etc.
     
        

    Matthew 10:28

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. "...
    NRSV: ..."28 Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    The purpose and main focus of our existence should be to attain our salvation. The people who endanger this the most are who we should fear the most as they can derail our salvation – and they are not the ones who can physically hurt us in life, but who can successfully tempt us away from being aligned with love, to selfishness. This passage reflects on the two aspects of difficulty in life: one is the amount of suffering one has to endure in life – this is our penance for the past wrong we ended up being here in this life. The other aspect is more critical to us: it is the trickiness of our situation, the temptations we are made to face that can derail us from being aligned with love, thus contributing to our failure to reach salvation. The second aspect is, of course, more dangerous to us.
     
        

    Matthew 10:32, 33

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    Berean: ..."32 Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father in heaven. 33 But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father in heaven. "...
    NRSV: ..."32 “Everyone therefore who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven; 33 but whoever denies me before others, I also will deny before my Father in heaven."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • A justified person has the duty to spread the word of God to others in a non-intrusive way whenever the chance arises and by showing an example
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • It is logical to expect appropriate consequences due for passing or failing the evaluation
  • The creator created our reality (best modeled as a consciousness-centric simulation) to facilitate the evaluation of its target audience: humans
  •  
    interpretation:
    Acknowledging Jesus means acknowledging his message of salvation through loving our fellow human beings in this reality, and defending this view whenever the circumstances require it (not being a coward about this). This is also part of justification (seeing the proper path toward salvation), as sharing this with others (non-intrusively, whenever the situation requires it) is a duty of everyone who became justified. Acknowledging our faith should mostly be accomplished by being recognized to be a follower of Jesus. This is accomplished primarily by the way we love our fellow human beings, and by expressing our faith in our communications to others, when the situation requires this. To deny that this is our path in our life (deny Jesus), is to mislead those with whom we interact, giving in to the pressure of our surroundings – and this adds to us failing our salvation. All this is very much the essence of our evaluation, the very reason why we are in this reality. People who do not know about Jesus or the Good News also “acknowledge Jesus” by standing up to the guiding value of love vs selfishness in the assigned situations of their life – thus, this is not about believing aspects of the Gospel or tenets taught by churches.
     
        

    Matthew 10:34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."34 Do not assume that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to turn ‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 36 A man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’ 37 Anyone who loves his father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me; 38 and anyone who does not take up his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me. 39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. "...
    NRSV: ..."34 "Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; 36 and one's foes will be members of one's own household. 37 Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38 and whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Those who find their lives will lose it, and those who lose their lives for my sake will find it."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    The purpose of the creator's participation in our reality in a human form was not to bring peace and end our suffering here on Earth but to help us succeed in attaining our salvation through proving our realignment with his spirit of love vs selfishness. After the intervention of the creator in our reality in Jesus, the evaluation of our lives continue in our assigned (and assumed-fair) situations (our penance). The only difference that came with the creator's visit in Jesus was the good news humans received about facing a loving creator who wants us to succeed in reaching our salvation (our return to his presence). The sinful condition of humans (inherited from their previous existence, that caused them to live here) DID NOT CHANGE - Jesus did not save us from sin! Thus, this good news, of the creator's love for us, IS our "sword" (weapon) we can use to gain the strength needed to reach salvation in the assigned situations of our life. Thus, no violence is implied in this message. And this sword (a weapon, or a great help) is needed indeed (by most of us), as humans' evaluation goes on as before throughout history. Loyalties to family or otherwise can not outweigh or redirect one's path to salvation; in this case, one should be clear about which way to proceed with decisions.
     
        

    Matthew 11:27

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    Berean: ..."27 All things have been entrusted to Me by My Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him. "...
    NRSV: ..."27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • misconceived understanding of what the ‘trinity’ could be
  •  
    interpretation:
    A peculiar way for the writer to approach and write about the entity of the creator – what was later morphed into the traditional concept of the Trinity. However, from this passage one can also derive a different understanding/model of the Trinity: the Father and the Son (and the Holy Spirit) are different interfaces/approaches of the same (a single) entity. Not sure what 'revealing the Father' would entail here, and to whom did the Son reveal this. But, being fully human, Jesus was also endowed with the limitations of humanity, such as doubt, temptation, insecurity. 'Son of God' originates from a benign misconception of the trinity concept that facilitated the flawed comprehension of the CESAPH at the time of Jesus. Naturally, people at the time had no idea about what an 'interface' may be. The philosophical foundation argues for a creator that is a single entity, to which we have three possible interfaces/approaches. (This can be well illustrated with how one can approach the Mandelbrot Set: the mathematical equation that drives it, the beauty of a snapshot/calculated image it produces, and the infinity of its formulation that can be played out to us/grasped by us only to a degree. But all three approaches are about the same entity/essence.) The creator entered our simulation in the human form of Jesus, undertaking the limitations of our reality, and perhaps even bearing a limited conscious state for himself, for the duration of his undertaking.This is similar to how we enter our nightly dreams – with a limited awareness of our more extended reality. This was the one genuine way to demonstrate his love for humanity without affecting the simulation's ability to test the quality of our souls on our alignment with love vs selfishness. Additionally, for the duration of his appearance in our world as Jesus, the reality of all other conscious observers could have been 'paused', so nothing else would be needed to be attended to or be observed by the creator (similarly to how we can witness those who sleep as pausing in their consciousness while our objective time goes on).
     
        

    Matthew 11:28, 29, 30

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."28 Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” "...
    NRSV: ..."28 "Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  •  
    interpretation:
    This is an expression of an invitation from the creator for all to accept the eternal word of God, of salvation as the purpose of our existence and find solace in it. One should attempt to reach salvation given the chance we all got in this life. The greatest help in us pursuing this path of salvation is the CESAPH, from which we can gain strength and guidance. This passage also attempts to compare life's miseries one may have to face with the consequences of the evaluation; this misery, even if it is as horrific as Jesus's, may compare as minuscule to existence in the presence of the creator in heaven.
     
        

    Matthew 12:6, 7, 8

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    Berean: ..."6 But I tell you that something greater than the temple is here. 7 If only you had known the meaning of ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent. 8 For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.” "...
    NRSV: ..."6 I tell you, something greater than the temple is here. 7 But if you had known what this means, 'I desire mercy and not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the guiltless. 8 For the Son of Man is lord of the sabbath.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage expresses a universal message by Jesus from within the Jewish context. The Jewish law is not the way to salvation; temples, rituals and rules do not matter. Instead of all the religious fanfare, mercy and forgiveness that comes from a genuine love is what counts for the creator. Forget about temples, rituals, customs, and all the silly commands that do not transcend to the next reality.
     
        

    Matthew 12:30, 31, 32

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."30 He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters. 31 Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. 32 Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the one to come. "...
    NRSV: ..."30 Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. 31 Therefore I tell you, people will be forgiven for every sin and blasphemy, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. 32 Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • Our evaluation serves to separate those who align with love from those who align with selfishness, thereby eliminating the source of suffering from heaven
  • The essence of the creator is love
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage expresses the eternal validity of the word of God, of salvation, but also beyond: the spirit of our conviction needs to be aligned with love to be worthy to remain in the presence of the creator. Our evaluation on the criterion of selfishness vs love will divide people into these two groups – those who will gather with the creator in heaven, and those who will scatter from this group. Those who stand clearly and willingly against the value of love out of their conviction, are committing the supreme violation against the basis of our relationship to the creator. Thus, speaking against or not believing in Jesus is not such a big deal than being against the eternal word of God out of conviction. Not being “with Jesus” means not going along with the purpose of our life, gaining salvation, by aligning our life with love. All those who do not do this are working against the will of the creator. And since all humans are in this reality to gain their salvation, those who do not work on this miss the whole point of existence, and their salvation.
     
        

    Matthew 12:33

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    Berean: ..."33 Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad; for a tree is known by its fruit. "...
    NRSV: ..."33 "Either make the tree good, and its fruit good; or make the tree bad, and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    The tree is one's values held in conviction. The tree grows the fruit – one's actions of free will according to one's conviction. One's actions reflect the convictions held, however weakness can prevent one to stick to conviction and still produce 'bad fruit' with failings or doing bad deeds that go against convictions. Our task is to make align our convictions with love (the tree), and that will drive our actions (the fruit).
     
        

    Matthew 12:48, 49, 50

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."48 But Jesus replied, “Who is My mother, and who are My brothers?” 49 Pointing to His disciples, He said, “Here are My mother and My brothers. 50 For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.” "...
    NRSV: ..."48 But to the one who had told him this, Jesus replied, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?" 49 And pointing to his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! 50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • In their predispositions, humans inherit both love (the essence of the creator’s spirit we share with him, indicating our significance) and selfishness (its opposite/opposing property, what some mistakenly attribute to a separate entity of the ‘evil/devil/satan’) to different degrees from their greater-self, from their originating context of reality
  • The creator created our reality (best modeled as a consciousness-centric simulation) to facilitate the evaluation of its target audience: humans
  •  
    interpretation:
    One's family is one's closest set of human accompaniments in this world. However, humans' spirits belong to the presence of the creator, hinting of a more significant relationship, and whatever relations we may experience in our temporary life here (family, friends), may not fully compare to this. Once we rectify the wrong of our precursor by aligning our life with the preferred value of love, we can hope to regain our place in the presence of the creator, hope to regain the relationship we once lost. We can also hope to return to those we may have had a relationship before we joined this reality, and who are waiting for our successful return after passing our evaluation. We may also end up maintaining some of our relationships from this life. But these are all elaborations without any evidence.
     
        

    Matthew 13:10, 11, 12

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."10 Then the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Why do You speak to the people in parables?” 11 He replied, “The knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. 12 Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. "...
    NRSV: ..."10 Then the disciples came and asked him, "Why do you speak to them in parables?" 11 He answered, "To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. 12 For to those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • It is logical to expect appropriate consequences due for passing or failing the evaluation
  • The evaluation result is likely progressive within pass or fail
  • The main goal of our life is to reach our salvation and build values that transcend this reality into eternal life, not to reach material or academic success or to fulfill other worldly desires or loyalties
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    Parallels Matthew 13:12, 25:29, Luke 8:18, 12:48, 19:26. Here, “knowing the secrets of the kingdom of heaven” must mean the ‘proper understanding of the good news’ - spiritual help one CAN use to reach a justified conviction and (upon living accordingly) salvation. The author assumes that the disciples are in the possession of this proper understanding (though this can be debatable even from other NT passages). The “to them” has to be those who have received Jesus’s ‘standard’ teachings through his parables. They may not have gained the special understanding received by Jesus’s close disciples, BUT writing the gospels should have taken care of this, as this is the disciples’ chance to spread and explain the good news to all others in detail. But we can stick with “to them” referring to those who have no, or a very superficial understanding of the good news - to this day. Thus, we can assume that “those who have” (spiritual values) are the ‘justified’ - they are those who reach proper understanding, and “will have an abundance” of spiritual rewards, perhaps in this life, and especially in the next. And those who “have nothing” are those who do not even have the conviction needed to reach salvation (the spiritual value, justification) - from them even what they have “will be taken away” in eternal damnation. In this sense, the more good one accumulates (acts in line with love), the more one will receive. This may refer to how the consequences of the evaluation may be gradual: not just pass/fail, but accumulating more of something which is positive and desirable to the individual within that. In this sense, the bigger bottle one manages to grow in life, the more wine it can contain, once filled.
     
    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • incorrect or inappropriate generalization
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage talks well about the need to attain a justified conviction - the spiritual value that will be rewarded even more upon reaching salvation (and perhaps even in this life). However the way this is formulated in the text can result in some misunderstanding and confusion for some. Jesus (through the author’s rendering) assumes that those who hear only the parables (perhaps representing a ’superficial understanding of the good news and its message’) but are not given the special understanding his disciples were lucky enough to receive do not have the ability to gain proper understanding of the message. This can be an improper generalization, as even those who do not hear the message of Jesus in their lives can reach a justified conviction that can lead them to their salvation. And there is nothing more to “secrets of the kingdom of heaven” than a justified conviction that can lead one to salvation - the disciples also did not receive any other secret message from Jesus (perhaps apart from a better understanding of the eternal word of God, of salvation) that would give them an even better chance to gain their salvation. Some may also misunderstand the passage and conclude that “the more secrets I will know about the kingdom of heaven, the even more secrets I will receive of it”, whereas beyond a proper understanding of the good news and the eternal word of God, of salvation, there is nothing more that is granted to us to understand in this existence, for good reason: we are in an evaluation where our true character's alignment on love is being tested, not the amount of knowledge and secret we can amass. It would also be questionable how one would gain those even more secrets, even leading to ideas about predetermination.. And the worst misunderstanding from this passage may result from taking 12 out of context, and interpret it for material wealth.
     
        

    Matthew 13:19, 20, 21, 22, 23

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    Berean: ..."19 When anyone hears the message of the kingdom but does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The seed sown on rocky ground is the one who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since he has no root, he remains for only a season. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away. 22 The seed sown among the thorns is the one who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. 23 But the seed sown on good soil is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and produces a crop—a hundredfold, sixtyfold, or thirtyfold.” "...
    NRSV: ..."19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in the heart; this is what was sown on the path. 20 As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21 yet such a person has no root, but endures only for a while, and when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, that person immediately falls away. 22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the lure of wealth choke the word, and it yields nothing. 23 But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • Every human has a real chance at reaching their salvation, which is NOT predetermined or predestined. The creator is NOT omniscient with regard to humans’ free will, and their fate in the evaluation
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  • There is always hope and is never too late for salvation
  •  
    interpretation:
    Outlines different typical categories outcomes of humans take when facing the message about their purpose in life (the good news or the eternal word of God, of salvation). One's conviction drives one's free will and what one achieves with their lives – the fruit they bear. The creator is after a quality of soul that reflects his preferred value, that is demonstrated in the life one lives through one's assigned situations. Based on the belief system of the OT,  the authors and disciples of Jesus misguidedly believed the ‘Evil One’, ‘Devil’, or ’Satan’ to be a separate independent entity (a fallen leader of angels) opposed to the creator and having some special powers. However, the concept should simply be interpreted as ‘the influence and temptations to be selfish’, the opposite of the creator’s preference of love that is present in us conscious humans, and all of us are here to demonstrate that we can subdue and eliminate this value in us, and side with its opposite in our evaluation.
     
        

    Matthew 13:27, 28, 29, 30

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    Berean: ..."27 The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’ 28 ‘An enemy did this,’ he replied. So the servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’ 29 ‘No,’ he said, ‘if you pull the weeds now, you might uproot the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat into my barn.’” "...
    NRSV: ..."27 ... Where, then, did these weeds come from?' 28 He answered, 'An enemy has done this.' The slaves said to him, 'Then do you want us to go and gather them?' 29 But he replied, 'No; for in gathering the weeds you would uproot the wheat along with them. 30 Let both of them grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Collect the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.'"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • Our evaluation serves to separate those who align with love from those who align with selfishness, thereby eliminating the source of suffering from heaven
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    Contradicts Galatians 4:30, Matthew 22:8, Luke 17:7, Acts 2:18, Colossians 3:22, 4:1, 1 Peter 2:18, Ephesians 6:5,7,8, 1 Timothy 6:1, Titus 2:9 – as those seemingly condone slavery, whereas here – though also seemingly condoning the condition - the condition simply refers to servitude, and could be a version used by the writer instead of originally spoken by Jesus like this. This answers why the creator does not just get rid of the evil in this world: they are here to influence and tempt us as part of our evaluation, having their own free will. At the end, all will be judged accord to the same evaluation criterion. The weed (those with a selfish conviction) and the wheat (with a loving conviction) exist together till the harvest (the last judgment), when they will be separated.
     
        

    Matthew 13:37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."37 He replied, “The One who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. 38 The field is the world, and the good seed represents the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, 39 and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels. 40 As the weeds are collected and burned in the fire, so will it be at the end of the age. 41 The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will weed out of His kingdom every cause of sin and all who practice lawlessness. 42 And they will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear. "...
    NRSV: ..."37 He answered, "The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man; 38 the field is the world, and the good seed are the children of the kingdom; the weeds are the children of the evil one, 39 and the enemy who sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. 40 Just as the weeds are collected and burned up with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. 41 The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all evildoers, 42 and they will throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Let anyone with ears listen!"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • It is logical to expect appropriate consequences due for passing or failing the evaluation
  • Our evaluation serves to separate those who align with love from those who align with selfishness, thereby eliminating the source of suffering from heaven
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage does not talk about destroying evil (with a finality of extinguishment), but separating the bad (those who align with selfishness) from the good (those who align with love). One source of suffering in life is from human selfishness, and such a separation would rid (or minimize) suffering originating from human free will while still leaving their free will intact. Thus, 'burned up' can mean being discarded and eternal separation from those who aligned with love, and are in the presence of the creator. Based on the belief system of the OT,  the authors and disciples of Jesus misguidedly believed the ‘Evil One’, ‘Devil’, or ’Satan’ to be a separate independent entity (a fallen leader of angels) opposed to the creator and having some special powers. However, the concept should simply be interpreted as ‘the influence and temptations to be selfish’, the opposite of the creator’s preference of love that is present in us conscious humans, and all of us are here to demonstrate that we can subdue and eliminate this value in us, and side with its opposite in our evaluation.
     
        

    Matthew 13:44

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    Berean: ..."44 The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and in his joy he went and sold all he had and bought that field. "...
    NRSV: ..."44 "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • It is logical to expect appropriate consequences due for passing or failing the evaluation
  • The main goal of our life is to reach our salvation and build values that transcend this reality into eternal life, not to reach material or academic success or to fulfill other worldly desires or loyalties
  • There is always hope and is never too late for salvation
  •  
    interpretation:
    A warning and an analogy of why we should not risk our salvation for earthly values as that is immeasurably and unimaginably more valuable. The field of treasure (though barren and void of anything spectacular to the eye) is more valuable than all other earthly possessions one may amass.
     
        

    Matthew 15:11

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    Berean: ..."11 A man is not defiled by what enters his mouth, but by what comes out of it.” "...
    NRSV: ..."11 it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but it is what comes out of the mouth that defiles.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation
  •  
    interpretation:
    Forget about silly customs and laws that the creator does not care about; what he cares about is the quality and alignment of our soul, our conviction, as demonstrated by our life lived.
     
        

    Matthew 15:14

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    Berean: ..."14 Disregard them! They are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.” "...
    NRSV: ..."14 Let them [pharisees] alone; they are blind guides of the blind. And if one blind person guides another, both will fall into a pit."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • A justified person has the duty to spread the word of God to others in a non-intrusive way whenever the chance arises and by showing an example
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • As salvation is an individual achievement, finding the way and living life accordingly is a private matter that can not be policed or compelled by others
  • Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation
  •  
    interpretation:
    There is only so much one can do to convince others to get on and walk the path of salvation. In the example, the Jews, with their beliefs, are the ones on the obviously wrong path. One has the duty to do that when having this chance with someone, but this ought not to be forceful, coerced, pushy, or done with force. One should rely on showing an example with one's life foremost, and then relaying one's understanding and reasoning, if the other party is open. After this, one has done enough.
     
        

    Matthew 16:18, 19

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    Berean: ..."18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” "...
    NRSV: ..."18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • attempted building, claiming, or referencing authority that is misguided and improper
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • reliance on OT and greek mythology
  •  
    interpretation:
    Reference to greek mythology from Jesus must have been made up. Everyone has the keys to heaven, and by reaching their salvation they are using it. This may be an attempt to build authority by the disciples for themselves, assuming special authority and role. There is no logical justification why this would be needed beyond trying to spread the good news and the teachings of Jesus to all others, as the way for them to reach their salvation. As rituals only have a commemorative and symbolic value, even those can be performed or practiced by anyone without the logical need for any authorized personnel. As for special abilities and authorizations, they are perhaps wishful thinking, originating from a few founding father's misguided ideas on how to proceed with the legacy of Jesus. Giving the “keys to the kingdom of heaven” to a select group of leaders would logically give all humans who fall outside of this group no chance to reach their own salvation – which could not have been the intention of the creator and the CESAPH with its clear and simple guidance.
     
        

    Matthew 16:24, 25, 26

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."24 Then Jesus told His disciples, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. 25 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. 26 What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? "...
    NRSV: ..."24 Then Jesus told his disciples, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25 For those who want to save their lives will lose it, and those who lose their lives for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their lives?"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally
  • The main goal of our life is to reach our salvation and build values that transcend this reality into eternal life, not to reach material or academic success or to fulfill other worldly desires or loyalties
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    The heavenly call – the divine invitation of following Jesus's message – to all people is to reach salvation by aligning life with love. One does this by staying aligned with love in the situations assigned throughout life. To be able to dedicate life to the way of salvation, one may stand in conflict with loyalties to family, clan, tribe, culture, religion, and one's own personal achievements. Matthew 16:24-26, 19:29, Luke 14:25-27, Philippians 3:13,14 all express the same: following the path of salvation may require one to completely go against one's old, established ways and whatever loyalties this may conflict with. One needs to remember that situational assignments are there as one's penance, and temptations are there to probe one's alignment – and one needs to succeed at reaching salvation DESPITE these.
     
        

    Matthew 16:28

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."28 Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.” "...
    NRSV: ..."28 Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • clear misguidance of author as the time remaining till the second coming was NOT near
  •  
    interpretation:
    This was still written in a time when disciples of Jesus lived in the hope that during their lifetime the second coming of Jesus will take place. Obviously, they were wrong. And now we face, whether the author has put these words into the mouth of Jesus, or Jesus said these words himself. We need to keep in mind that the time the author wrote this writing was decades after Jesus has died already. Hope of the second coming was already waning among the disciples, as many already started dying. Stating such an obviously failing proposition must come from the sincere hope that indeed at least some who have witnessed Jesus will also live to see his second coming. The more likely scenario is that the second coming of Jesus will take place in everyone's awareness, right (or shortly) after their deaths in a shared moment in objective time, simultaneously experienced by all the souls who will have ever participated in the evaluation of life. If so, such an event is not to be looked forward to in this life, but beyond. This passage refutes the infallibility of the NT writings, as it is obviously made on an incorrect assumption that the second coming of Jesus comes during the lifetime of the disciples. There is nothing wrong with being wrong on this; however then, people should not refer to the NT as infallible, and the writings can also contain other errors/ misunderstandings/ misconceptions/ misrepresentations/ inconsistencies/ contradictions, etc.
     
        

    Matthew 18:3

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    Berean: ..."3 “Truly I tell you,” He said, “unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. "...
    NRSV: ..."3 and said, "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  •  
    interpretation:
    Likely, children are more inclined to act on their predisposition of love than adults.(?) The ability to appreciate beauty or respond to love is more untouched and original.
     
        

    Matthew 18:12

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    Berean: ..."12 What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost? "...
    NRSV: ..."12 What do you think? If a shepherd has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray?"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • In their predispositions, humans inherit both love (the essence of the creator’s spirit we share with him, indicating our significance) and selfishness (its opposite/opposing property, what some mistakenly attribute to a separate entity of the ‘evil/devil/satan’) to different degrees from their greater-self, from their originating context of reality
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  •  
    interpretation:
    This may refer to all of mankind as the 'lost sheep' and the rest of the angels who were left so that the lost can be found. The ones who will end up being saved are the sheep found, and the CESAPH was the attempt to search for those who went astray.
     
        

    Matthew 18:20

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    Berean: ..."20 For where two or three gather together in My name, there am I with them.” "...
    NRSV: ..."20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • attempted building, claiming, or referencing authority that is misguided and improper
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "As salvation is an individual achievement, finding the way and living life accordingly is a private matter that can not be policed or compelled by others"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Now is it two or three? Or the more, the more likely? There is no logic why he is not everywhere, or why he is not there for when a single person is turning to him. Except perhaps to encourage followers to gather together during mass.. I would like to believe that even if one prays or wishes to be in touch of the creator, the creator is there for the person – as all of our awareness runs within the mind of the creator's consciousness, and he certainly has capacity to pay attention to each of us, and does not look for economies of scale in large gatherings. Apart from this, it is certainly nice for people to gather together in the name of their creator, and commemorate the good news and the CESAPH among themselves.
     
        

    Matthew 19:8, 9

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."8 Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because of your hardness of heart; but it was not this way from the beginning. 9 Now I tell you that whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman, commits adultery.” "...
    NRSV: ..."8 He said to them, "It was because you were so hard-hearted that Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. 9 And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for unchastity, and marries another commits adultery.""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Parallels Mark 10:4-5 It is highly unlikely (and makes absolutely no sense) that the creator made special conditions for special people because of the 'hardness of their hearts', which he later cancelled for whatever reason. What is more likely is that the author made up this story to cater to potential Jewish converts with such nonsensical explanations. What makes more sense is that the creator has had and will continue to have a single universal criterion for all of humanity in all situations, and undertook an intervention in the CESAPH to help those he deemed to receive such help (of knowing about the good news). The “certificate of dismissal” of the Mosaic law is another reason why Jewish law can not have originated from or been inspired by the creator. This explanation seems more like packaging personal or cultural views into a religious flavor by attributing it to Jesus. Moses should not have allowed anything that God does not allow. Exceptions are unlikely from the creator of our reality.
     
        

    Matthew 19:16

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    Berean: ..."16 Just then a man came up to Jesus and inquired, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to obtain eternal life?” "...
    NRSV: ..."16 Then someone came to him and said, "Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?" ... "If you wish to be perfect, go, sell your possessions, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • The evaluation result is likely progressive within pass or fail
  • The main goal of our life is to reach our salvation and build values that transcend this reality into eternal life, not to reach material or academic success or to fulfill other worldly desires or loyalties
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    The preferred value of love, and our purpose of aligning our life with it is in stark contrast with building and maintaining wealth in this world. And one can not serve two Gods. The prompting “if you wish to be perfect” (as opposed to be just being OK!) was almost made with the firm expectation of rejection, almost sarcastically. This may hint at salvation being not simply a pass/fail affair, but a progressive accomplishment (within pass/fail that is) where one can perform better and accomplish more than others.
     
        

    Matthew 19:16, 17

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."16 Just then a man came up to Jesus and inquired, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to obtain eternal life?” 17 “Why do you ask Me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.” "...
    NRSV: ..."16 Then someone came to him and said, "Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?" 17 And he said to him, "Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • contradicts other NT passages
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The main goal of our life is to reach our salvation and build values that transcend this reality into eternal life, not to reach material or academic success or to fulfill other worldly desires or loyalties"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Contradicts Hebrews 4:15, 7:28; Parallels Mark 10:17-18 – the one who is sinless must be “good”; otherwise we would have a hard time defining what 'good' is. Jesus IS the creator in human form, IS the CESAPH, thus, he is the loving creator who is good. In the parallel verse Jesus strangely disassociates himself from “God”, claiming that only God is good (versus himself?): “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone.”. Perhaps, as being fully human, Jesus may not have been completely sinless? This verse takes a different approach by saying “There is only one who is good”, which COULD also mean Jesus. Which one could be closer to what actually took place.. However, the outcome does not matter greatly either way according to the philosophical foundation's understanding of what the CESAPH was: a not-so-perfect fully-human Jesus during his youth would still accomplish the same mission of the CESAPH (demonstrating the creator's love for humanity, formalizing the eternal word of God as our guide to salvation, and expressing divine hope that we all strive and reach our salvation with our life).
     
        

    Matthew 19:24

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” "...
    NRSV: ..."24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • The main goal of our life is to reach our salvation and build values that transcend this reality into eternal life, not to reach material or academic success or to fulfill other worldly desires or loyalties
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    Materialistic outlook on life poses a real danger to the individual's efforts to attain salvation. The hoarding of wealth, power, privilege, and comfort (usually as a goal of life, at any price) is the aim of the selfish. This goes hand in hand with “you are either against me or with me” and that one can not serve two Gods (Matthew 12:30)
     
        

    Matthew 19:28

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    Berean: ..."28 Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, in the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. "...
    NRSV: ..."28 Jesus said to them, "Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man is seated on the throne of his glory, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • appeasement/catering to potential Jewish converts
  • misguided focus on Jews or improper differentiation between Jews and Gentiles
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation"
  •  
    interpretation:
    When the things mentioned in the passage will take place (most likely in the next world after everyone's death), being an Israelite or having anything to do with Jewish history will not matter a bit. Whatever will take place will be universally applicable to all humans. Thus, mentioning the twelve tribes of Israel here is inappropriate and totally irrelevant of the author.
     
        

    Matthew 19:29

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for the sake of My name will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. "...
    NRSV: ..."29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold, and will inherit eternal life."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • It is logical to expect appropriate consequences due for passing or failing the evaluation
  • The evaluation result is likely progressive within pass or fail
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    The magnitude of the reward likely justifies the magnitude of the sacrifices. This COULD amount to being a calculated move on the part of humans, IF there was not be the lack of certainty surrounding this outcome. The lack of certainty guarantees genuine love by ruling out calculation and demoting it to mere hope. The heavenly call – the divine invitation of following Jesus's message – to all people is to reach salvation by aligning life with love. One does this by staying aligned with love in the situations assigned throughout life. To be able to dedicate life to the way of salvation, one may stand in conflict with loyalties to family, clan, tribe, culture, religion, and one's own personal achievements. Matthew 16:24-26, 19:29, Luke 14:25-27, Philippians 3:13,14 all express the same: following the path of salvation may require one to completely go against one's old, established ways and whatever loyalties this may conflict with. One needs to remember that situational assignments are there as one's penance, and temptations are there to probe one's alignment – and one needs to succeed at reaching salvation DESPITE these.
     
        

    Matthew 20:13, 14, 15, 16

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    Berean: ..."13 But he answered one of them, ‘Friend, I am not being unfair to you. Did you not agree with me on one denarius? 14 Take your pay and go. I want to give this last man the same as I gave you. 15 Do I not have the right to do as I please with what is mine? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ 16 So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” "...
    NRSV: ..."13 But he replied to one of them, 'Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? 14 Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. 15 Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?' 16 So the last will be first, and the first will be last.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally
  • The evaluation result is likely progressive within pass or fail
  •  
    interpretation:
    This parable may make more sense if we apply it to entering this reality of penance: all humans agreed to enter this life, perhaps even with the assigned conditions that fit the crime (random assignments of these conditions are highly unlikely and would be unjust). Assigning us our conditions as per the discretion of the creator, but somehow fitting our crime (of the precursor) can also make sense into the future, after we leave this life. Envy or questioning of these assignments makes no logical sense. Compassion to everyone regardless of their situations makes perfect sense, as everyone is assumed to have received their accidental situations justly, fitting their wrongs. The “last will be the first and first will be last” can only be interpreted as: conditions of privilege and suffering may very well change/flip in the next realm. A position of power and esteem in this world, in no way reflects what awaits one in the next realm – performance in the evaluation does.
     
        

    Matthew 20:23, 26, 27, 28

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    Berean: ..."23 “You will indeed drink My cup,” Jesus said. “But to sit at My right or left is not Mine to grant. These seats belong to those for whom My Father has prepared them.” 26 It shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave— 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” "...
    NRSV: ..."23 He said to them, "You will indeed drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left, this is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father." ... 26 ... whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wishes to be first among you must be your slave; 28 just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    Contradicts Galatians 4:30, Matthew 22:8, Luke 17:7, Acts 2:18, Colossians 3:22, 4:1, 1 Peter 2:18, Ephesians 6:5,7,8, 1 Timothy 6:1, Titus 2:9 – as those seemingly condone slavery, whereas here the condition is only used with regard to lovingly serving others. There are no exceptions, shortcuts, special reserved places or special favors in the evaluation; salvation is for those who manage to reach it from their assigned situations. Love – the absence of selfishness – means service and sacrificing one's own desires and wishes for the sake of others. The “ransom for many” can only refer to the creator's undertaking of the CESAPH in the hope to help as many people as possible to reach their salvation. Those who will have succeeded at the evaluation because of this divine sacrifice (because they gained strength from the story and guidance of Jesus) can be said to have succeeded thanks in part to this divine intervention (and in part of their ability to walk this path of salvation in their assigned situations). This in no way means predetermination for an already-preselected few. The sacrifice was undertaken for those who will have been exposed to the good news and the gospels during their assigned situations in their lives – the rest of achieving salvation with this help is up to them.
     
        

    Matthew 21:21, 22

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."21 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “if you have faith and do not doubt, not only will you do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen. 22 If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” "...
    NRSV: ..."21 Jesus answered them, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only will you do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ it will be done. 22 Whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will receive.”"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • lacking understanding of reasons behind ‘good things can happen to bad people’, and all its variations
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Parallels John 14:13,14, 15:7,16:24 Matthew 7:7, 21:22 1 John 3:22, 5:14-15 Philippians 4:19, Mark 11:24 One may misunderstand “asking and receiving” to be a valid and realistic expectation for this life, however, clearly this is not the case, and neither is this the intention of the creator. The obvious case in this life (that can be tested by anyone) is: “praying/asking for something may or may NOT be granted, regardless of the subject or strength of one's faith”. This is NOT because of a lack of faith on our part, or NOT abiding in Jesus, but because of the nature of our evaluation (of the quality of our soul, the proven alignment of our conviction in our life of penance). Bad things happen to good people, and all other variations of it, regardless of the amount of prayers and faith. Our reality is a place of penance for the wrongs we committed before we joined this reality in our eternal past (as angels?), and as such, it is expected to include a proportional and fair share of suffering in our assigned situations, that fits our failings. Thus, even if we believe and constantly pray, we may still be made to endure what we are to endure as part of our penance. The understanding of the authors on this is most likely misguided, and this may lead to harmful beliefs: false hopes can lead to big disappointments and even the loss of faith when things don't turn out the way we expected them. The CESAPH did not take place to impress or awe people into submission, but to demonstrate the creator's love for us and our need to endure our penance, as we earn our salvation with our properly aligned conviction and life. Routine miracles (prayers automatically fulfilled upon the proper belief) would work against the integrity of the simulation, and would render it incapable in assessing the quality of human souls. Miracles or certainty about outcomes would make one's proven conviction less convincing and valuable and more prone to calculation compared to the achievements of those who did not experience these, but still believed and lived according to their justified conviction. Asking for and being granted whatever we wish for may be the case for those who pass the last judgment and earn their salvation, but the author likely meant this to happen during this life.
     
        

    Matthew 22:8, 9

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    Berean: ..."8 Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited were not worthy. 9 Go therefore to the crossroads and invite to the banquet as many as you can find.’ "...
    NRSV: ..."8 Then he said to his slaves, 'The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. 9 Go therefore into the main streets, and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet.'"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • personal perspectives and directives that are culturally dependent
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Jesus’s ‘covenant’ of the eternal word of God, of salvation is the only covenant that has ever been and will ever be in effect from the creator for all of humanity, since the very beginning of time till the ending of our simulated reality, meaning that if one passes their evaluation on their alignment with love, one redeems their sinful condition and gains their salvation"
  •  
    interpretation:
    So according to this statement, IF the invited (the Jews) WERE ready, others outside would NOT have been invited? This also means, that initially NOT EVERYONE was invited to the wedding? This seems to be a VERY Jewish perspective (that can be witnessed to this day, with their concept of being “chosen”). This logic is, of course, invalid, and must be resulting from the author's focus on the Jews, and converting potential Jewish converts to the new faith, expressing frustration at their refusal to convert.. Why would the creator first try to work with a select group of people, and then, after they fail to measure up to his standards, open up the cooperation with everyone else? All this from an allegedly omniscient creator (which is also an invalid presupposition)? Everyone who is born into this Earth was invited to reach their salvation from the very beginning of history till the ending of this reality.
     
        

    Matthew 22:14

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    Berean: ..."14 For many are called, but few are chosen.” "...
    NRSV: ..."14 For many are called, but few are chosen."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  •  
    interpretation:
    The “many” who are called are ALL of humanity who got the chance at their redemption in this life for their sinful condition that originates from their precursory existence. Some, perhaps, were not granted this chance. The “few chosen” can only be the ones who will have passed the evaluation of their lives and thus, reached their salvation by this.
     
        

    Matthew 22:30

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    Berean: ..."30 In the resurrection, people will neither marry nor be given in marriage. Instead, they will be like the angels in heaven. "...
    NRSV: ..."30 For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally
  • The human spirit is somehow part of the eternal consciousness
  •  
    interpretation:
    This hints that humans' souls are likely fallen angels who belonged to heaven/paradise in the precursor, but were cast out of it because of their failings, and returning to their formal selves upon a successful passing of the evaluation of life.
     
        

    Matthew 22:37, 38, 39, 40

     Significant Alignment! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."37 Jesus declared, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” "...
    NRSV: ..."37 He said to him, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' 38 This is the greatest and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    Confirms the evaluation criterion as love vs. selfishness and emphasizes According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’), pointing out the irrelevance of adhering to a set of laws or rituals, like the Jewish law. States that this is the main commandment that everything derives from. As 1 John 5:20,21, Matthew 25:34-36 points out, one loves the God they never seen by loving their fellow human beings. One can also love the creator by appreciating, respecting, and marveling at the beauty of his creation. This is what humans should concentrate on, not on how to “worship” the creator – this IS the worship expected of us.
     
        

    Matthew 23:23

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    Berean: ..."23 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You pay tithes of mint, dill, and cumin. But you have disregarded the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. "...
    NRSV: ..."23 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint, dill, and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. It is these you ought to have practiced without neglecting the others."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation
  •  
    interpretation:
    What matters to the creator is love (and its derivations justice, mercy), and faith. Other matters of the law are irrelevant for reaching salvation. This interpretation contradicts the part “without neglecting the others”, which I take it as inserted by the author to appease Jewish converts and their customs.
     
        

    Matthew 24:11, 12, 13, 14

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    Berean: ..."11 and many false prophets will arise and mislead many. 12 Because of the multiplication of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold. 13 But the one who perseveres to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. "...
    NRSV: ..."11 And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. 12 And because of the increase of lawlessness, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 14 And this good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the world, as a testimony to all the nations; and then the end will come."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • One needs to live life being always ready for its accounting - then, if events in the future come as a ’thief’, as one would have needed to do nothing differently
  • One ‘loves God’ by loving their fellow human beings, no matter how far removed they may be, which fulfills the single command of God
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  • There is always hope and is never too late for salvation
  •  
    interpretation:
    This warning could be applied to pretty much any time in history.  However, the exact time when the “end times are nigh” should not matter to any follower of Jesus on the path to salvation, as it would change nothing for how they live and behave. One needs to stick to living according to the evaluation criterion no matter the difficulties of the times, as those are just a regular part of one's assignment to go through in life.
     
        

    Matthew 24:34

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."34 Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have happened. "...
    NRSV: ..."34 Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • clear misguidance of author as the time remaining till the second coming was NOT near
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator"
  •  
    interpretation:
    This was still written in a time when disciples of Jesus lived in the hope that during their lifetime the second coming of Jesus will take place. Obviously, they were wrong. And now we face, whether the author has put these words into the mouth of Jesus, or Jesus said these words himself. We need to keep in mind that the time the author wrote this writing was decades after Jesus has died already. Hope of the second coming was already waning among the disciples, as many already started dying. Stating such an obviously failing proposition must come from the sincere hope that indeed at least some who have witnessed Jesus will also live to see his second coming. The more likely scenario is that the second coming of Jesus will take place in everyone's awareness, right (or shortly) after their deaths in a shared moment in objective time, simultaneously experienced by all the souls who will have ever participated in the evaluation of life. If so, such an event is not to be looked forward to in this life, but beyond. This passage refutes the infallibility of the NT writings, as it is obviously made on an incorrect assumption that the second coming of Jesus comes during the lifetime of the disciples. There is nothing wrong with being wrong on this; however then, people should not refer to the NT as infallible, and the writings can also contain other errors/ misunderstandings/ misconceptions/ misrepresentations/ inconsistencies/ contradictions, etc.
     
        

    Matthew 24:35

     Significant Alignment! 
     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away. "...
    NRSV: ..."35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • The creator created our reality (best modeled as a consciousness-centric simulation) to facilitate the evaluation of its target audience: humans
  • The human spirit is somehow part of the eternal consciousness
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    The need for conscious beings to adhere to and align with the preferred value of the creator – love – is eternal and not changing; this also points to the eternal nature of our relationship with the creator – the word of God only makes sense if the companions of the creator are eternally around. Heaven and earth passing away can refer to our simulated reality ending, and only memories of it remaining in our collective recollections of it. However, not sure how an eternal heaven would pass away – unless it is not eternal.. Heaven could pass away for those who fail to get in because they did not pass the evaluation of life, for example. But likely, this is not the author's intent. And of course, it could be a misspoken sentence too.
     
    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • contradicts other NT passages
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  •  
    interpretation:
    Contradicts Revelation 22:5, 1 John 2:17, 1 John 3:15, Acts 13:46 1 Peter 5:10, John 3:16, John 4:36, John 6:27,40 – heaven being forever. Heaven and earth (together) passing away can refer to our simulated reality ending, and only memories of it remaining in our collective recollections of it. However, not sure how an 'eternal' heaven would pass away – unless it is not eternal.. Heaven could “pass away” for those who fail to get in because they did not pass the evaluation of life, for example. However, this is likely not the author's intent. It is most likely a misspeaking to refer to “heaven passing away”, and the author actually meant 'our entire reality will pass away, but not the eternal word of god'. This way, “heaven” here could also refer to the part of creation that is above (inaccessible) the earth, in which case it is part of our reality, and will pass with it when it ends its service (the evaluation of souls).
     
        

    Matthew 24:42, 43, 44

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    Berean: ..."42 Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day on which your Lord will come. 43 But understand this: If the homeowner had known in which watch of the night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 For this reason, you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour you do not expect. "...
    NRSV: ..."42 Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. 43 But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator
  • One needs to live life being always ready for its accounting - then, if events in the future come as a ’thief’, as one would have needed to do nothing differently
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    The lack of knowledge about the fact that we are in an evaluation, its stakes, or the timing of its ending is an essential part of the setup of our reality so that the quality of souls can be assessed on its alignment with love vs selfishness. On the outcome of this evaluation, the separation of souls will happen on judgment day.
     
        

    Matthew 25:29

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    Berean: ..."29 For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. But the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. "...
    NRSV: ..."29 For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • It is logical to expect appropriate consequences due for passing or failing the evaluation
  • The evaluation result is likely progressive within pass or fail
  •  
    interpretation:
    Parallels betw. Matthew 13:12, 25:29, Luke 8:18, 12:48, 19:26; This must refer to spiritual gifts, talents. Talents are to be used for the common good and not wasted, as wasted talent unused for good is as much of a failure as sin is – it is a derived form of selfishness.
     
        

    Matthew 25:31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."31 When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, He will sit on His glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate the people one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will place the sheep on His right and the goats on His left. 34 Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 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 took Me in, 36 I was naked and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you visited Me.’ "...
    NRSV: ..."31 "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, 33 and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. 34 Then the king will say to those at his right hand, 'Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; 35 for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.' ... just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.'"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • One ‘loves God’ by loving their fellow human beings, no matter how far removed they may be, which fulfills the single command of God
  • Our evaluation serves to separate those who align with love from those who align with selfishness, thereby eliminating the source of suffering from heaven
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    The arrival of the Son of Man will likely be a single unified moment in all humans' life, most probably right after each of their deaths. “prepared for you from the foundation of the world” likely means that the inherited kingdom prepared for those who are saved will have likeness to our world in many sense, like beauty, pleasure, and love – as these values can logically transcend to any other reality. Thus, in a limited way we can relate to it even in this life, and it is not something abstract we can not fathom. This also directly refers to the expected outcome of the last judgment: the separation of souls based on their alignment on love and selfishness. In one camp, selfishness can prevail on, while in the other, its absence (or domination) naturally means less suffering. Finally, the idea that one loves, respects, fears, worships the creator by how one acts towards other fellow humans, not by obeying silly laws, performing customs, offering sacrifices, building temples, etc.
     
        

    Matthew 25:45, 46

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."45 Then the King will answer, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for Me.’ 46 And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” "...
    NRSV: ..."45 Then he will answer them, 'Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.' 46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • One ‘loves God’ by loving their fellow human beings, no matter how far removed they may be, which fulfills the single command of God
  • Our evaluation serves to separate those who align with love from those who align with selfishness, thereby eliminating the source of suffering from heaven
  •  
    interpretation:
    Contradicts 1 Corinthians 3:15 - The separation of the different alignments will likely be final, amounting to a 'discarding' of those who did not qualify after being given this one last chance of life. If this were in any other way, there would be no weight to what one does with this life (just try life multiple times until one gets it right...). Thus, even if there will be another chance for damned souls to rectify themselves, one would be foolish to count on this in this life.
     
        

    Matthew 26:8, 9, 10, 11

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    Berean: ..."8 When the disciples saw this, they were indignant and asked, “Why this waste? 9 This perfume could have been sold at a high price, and the money given to the poor.” 10 Aware of this, Jesus asked, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful deed to Me. 11 The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have Me. "...
    NRSV: ..."8 But when the disciples saw it, they were angry and said, "Why this waste? 9 For this ointment could have been sold for a large sum, and the money given to the poor." 10 But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, "Why do you trouble the woman? She has performed a good service for me. 11 For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally
  •  
    interpretation:
    Tells humans that the condition of poverty is here to stay – as part of the assigned situations, and as the outcome of free will – all a part of one's penance to endure. But this passage also tells us about the flexibility and attention we will need to approach each and every situation in life, as opposed to just having rigid rules, formulas, and no flexibility.
     
        

    Matthew 26:24

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    Berean: ..."24 The Son of Man will go just as it is written about Him, but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed. It would be better for him if he had not been born.” "...
    NRSV: ..."24 The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that one by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that one not to have been born.""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Every human has a real chance at reaching their salvation, which is NOT predetermined or predestined. The creator is NOT omniscient with regard to humans’ free will, and their fate in the evaluation"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Referring to prophecies here (as it is written) with regards to the necessary suffering and death of Jesus may hint to some the possibility of predisposition, which would violate free will. It is more likely and makes more sense that the reaction to Jesus's message within his chosen Jewish context could have been foreseen by anyone given his message and claims about himself. The type of outcome (or anything that is similar to it) could be generally expected by the creator, given the general condition of sinful humans. This does NOT violate anyone's free will, but simply complies with statistical probability for such event. Prophecies of this outcome from Jewish scriptures are unclear and imprecise, but also irrelevant. Similarly, if I choose to go among some of the Amazon tribes, I can pretty much forecast that I will be killed – and this does not equal knowledge of a certain male tribesman killing me in a certain way, on a certain date. Thus, God did not know in advance that Kaifas, and Pilate would be the ones to sentence him to death, or that Judas would be the man who would betray him (a betrayal as such was completely unnecessary too, as there could have been countless other ways for the authorities to identify and capture Jesus).
     
        

    Matthew 26:28

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."28 This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. "...
    NRSV: ..."28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Jesus’s ‘covenant’ of the eternal word of God, of salvation is the only covenant that has ever been and will ever be in effect from the creator for all of humanity, since the very beginning of time till the ending of our simulated reality, meaning that if one passes their evaluation on their alignment with love, one redeems their sinful condition and gains their salvation
  • The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans
  •  
    interpretation:
    The sacrifices of suffering and death of Jesus took place for those who – because of hearing about the CESAPH and its message of salvation – will have successfully used this help to reach their salvation (with their proven conviction that is aligned with love).
     
    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans"
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage could be easily misunderstood by believing that our sins are already forgiven, due to the sacrifices of the creator in Jesus – this could be a fatal misunderstanding, if one draws conclusions from this that there is no need to do anything else but to believe in this, and salvation will be at hand.
     
        

    Matthew 26:56

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."56 But this has all happened so that the writings of the prophets would be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted Him and fled. "...
    NRSV: ..."56 But all this has taken place, so that the scriptures of the prophets may be fulfilled.""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • appeasement/catering to potential Jewish converts
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies"
  •  
    interpretation:
    This is a completely misguided statement, service the purpose to cater to potential Jewish converts, positioning the message and person of Jesus as the fulfillment of THEIR religion and belief system. It is like stating that the message and person of Jesus can only logically exist within their belief system, as its fulfillment. Like the main goal of the creator is to fulfill prophecies made by prophets.. One needs to think, what IS the role or prophecy: to foretell the arrival of events that will be then fulfilled, and they happen so that they fulfill whatever has been foretold – sounds like senseless circular reasoning with no meaning in it whatsoever.
     
        

    Matthew 26:64

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    Berean: ..."64 “You have said it yourself,” Jesus answered. “But I say to all of you, from now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” "...
    NRSV: ..."64 ... But I tell you, From now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • misconceived understanding of what the ‘trinity’ could be
  • suspected post-fitting of the narrative (not possible for the author to know about, or likely did not happen as described)
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator"
  •  
    interpretation:
    This amounts to an unfulfilled prophesy: no one recorded or talked about seeing the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power – not in this world. I am sure we will be seeing all kinds of things after we exit this reality, but this passage can be misunderstood as meaning all this in this life. I take the “Son of Man” as a misconception that facilitated the contemporary comprehension of the CESAPH. The creator is a single entity, with three possible interfaces/approaches that correspond to the misconceived 'members' of the trinity – this is how one can best understands the 'trinity'. (This is similar to how one can approach the Mandelbrot Set: its equation, the beauty of a static image it produces, and the infinity of its formulation that can be played out. They are all different 'interfaces' to the same entity/essence) The creator entered our simulation in the human form of Jesus, undertaking the limitations of our reality, and perhaps even bearing a limited conscious state for himself, for the duration of his undertaking.This is similar to how we enter our nightly dreams – with a limited awareness of our more extended reality. This was the one genuine way to demonstrate his love for humanity without affecting the simulation's ability to test the quality of our souls on our alignment with love vs selfishness. Jesus, as the creator in human form, does his own will. It is also possible that while partaking in our reality as a fully-human, the creator voluntarily undertook some of the limitations that define being human – if not for this, his partaking as fully human would not have been genuine. We can also experience this kind of limitation setting in when we dream at night, and then reawaken into our 'reality': the limitations and level of awareness of these two worlds (realities) are different, yet we are the same 'self' in both of them. As 'being fully-human' can typically mean a good amount of doubt, insecurity, fear, helplessness, suffering and despair, it is also imaginable that Jesus also took on these experiences. This could explain his alleged interactions and conversations with 'the Father' (his greater-self in the larger context of reality), and could also explain the disciples' understanding and conception of the 'trinity'.
     
        

    Matthew 27:40, 41, 42, 43

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    Berean: ..."40 and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross!” 41 In the same way, the chief priests, scribes, and elders mocked Him, saying, 42 “He saved others, but He cannot save Himself. He is the King of Israel! Let Him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in Him. 43 He trusts in God. Let God deliver Him now if He wants Him. For He said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” "...
    NRSV: ..."40 ... "You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross." 41 In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes and elders, were mocking him, saying, 42 "He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him. 43 He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he wants to; for he said, 'I am God's Son.'""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  • The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    Obviously, the CESAPH was not a demonstration of power, but the creator's love for humanity, to the degree that he was willing to share our fate in this life of penance, with all the miserable conditions a human may have to face in life. But as the simulation had to keep its ability to assess true convictions and the quality of soul of humans, the use of divine might was not a proper form of intervention. The humiliation faced by Jesus at the hands of his persecutors is a testimony to the fully human conditions the creator was willing to undergo.
     
        

    Matthew 27:46

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."46 About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” "...
    NRSV: ..."46 And about three o'clock Jesus cried with a loud voice, "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" that is, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  •  
    interpretation:
    If the creator was to subject himself to the fully human experience (to share in our fate and thereby demonstrate his love for us and express his hope that we succeed reaching our salvation in our assigned situations), this also had to include doubt, insecurity, fear, pain, misery, humiliation. If the creator did not experience our fully human conditions, his demonstration would have lacked genuineness and sincerity, thus, we could not be as certain that we face a loving creator who wants us to succeed in his evaluation.
     
        

    Matthew 27:52, 53

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."52 The tombs broke open, and the bodies of many saints who had fallen asleep were raised. 53 After Jesus’ resurrection, when they had come out of the tombs, they entered the holy city and appeared to many people. "...
    NRSV: ..."52 The tombs also were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised. 53 After his resurrection they came out of the tombs and entered the holy city and appeared to many."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • leaning on miracles for authenticity
  • suspected post-fitting of the narrative (not possible for the author to know about, or likely did not happen as described)
  •  
    interpretation:
    A clear example of the writer making stuff up or writing something that he heard but was not substantiated by any other testimony. It is easy decades after the events to write something like this – and the reader either accepts it or not. Thankfully, nothing really relies on these sort of passages, and while one distills the message of Jesus from these writings, these sorts of details can be safely ignored and disregarded. Unfortunately this affects the credibility of the writer (but not the message of Jesus, that makes sense on its own). After all, if he makes up claims like these, what else did he also make up (or accept from others without due diligence)?
     
        

    Matthew 27:57, 58

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."57 When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea named Joseph, who himself was a disciple of Jesus. 58 He went to Pilate to ask for the body of Jesus, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. "...
    NRSV: ..."57 When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who was also a disciple of Jesus. 58 He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus;"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • improper focus on resurrection
  • leaning on miracles for authenticity
  • suspected post-fitting of the narrative (not possible for the author to know about, or likely did not happen as described)
  •  
    interpretation:
    A “rich man” (and his company) was a perfect candidate to organize the removal of Jesus's body, secret burial and the orchestrator for the claims of resurrection – to keep hope alive and save their religion, perhaps conspiring even with those who have claimed to have witnessed the resurrected Jesus. This could be one of the plausible scenarios (alongside the entire text being a truthful record of what took place). If he rolled a great stone in front of the grave, he could surely remove it too and remove the body with some co-conspirators. Their cause could have been 'good': by making it appear as a fulfillment of prophecies and a miracle, many Jews could see Jesus as their Messiah, and be open to his message. Thus, they ensured the survival and propagation of the good news to many (as everyone then was preoccupied with miracles anyway). Thankfully, the miracle of resurrection – even if happened as claimed in the scriptures – is not an essential part of the CESAPH and its message. And one trying to figure out what could have been the message of Jesus from all the NT  writings can still arrive at the proper assessment: the creator through Jesus took part in our limitations and suffering, and subjected himself to our will, in order to show us his love for humanity, and guide us toward salvation. The resurrection – whether it happened or not – does not affect any part of this statement. It is just a miracle that needlessly tries to add to authenticity and authority.
     
        

    Matthew 27:62, 63, 64

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."62 The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and Pharisees assembled before Pilate. 63 “Sir,” they said, “we remember that while He was alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ 64 So give the order that the tomb be secured until the third day. Otherwise, His disciples may come and steal Him away and tell the people He has risen from the dead. And this last deception would be worse than the first.” "...
    NRSV: ..."62 The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate 63 and said, "Sir, we remember what that impostor said while he was still alive, 'After three days I will rise again.' 64 Therefore command the tomb to be made secure until the third day; otherwise his disciples may go and steal him away, and tell the people, 'He has been raised from the dead,' and the last deception would be worse than the first.""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • improper focus on resurrection
  • leaning on miracles for authenticity
  • suspected post-fitting of the narrative (not possible for the author to know about, or likely did not happen as described)
  •  
    interpretation:
    This narrative is spoken as if the writer was an insider of Pilate's court and thus, somehow had access about this request – all, many decades later than this took place. It is very unlikely the sayings in Pilate's court were available and known to the circle of Jesus's followers to this degree. However, if there was a conspiracy (or an idea of it) to remove Jesus's body by followers and claim his resurrection (to keep the faith going), it would make sense to come up with a narrative to support this – and knowledge of this could have been around for many decades, that even got to the author of this text. It is more plausible that guards were NOT posted at all at the grave, so disciples could freely remove the body at night (even if it meant paying off guards present). And to deny the feasibility of this happening, some later came up with the story that guards were requested and were posted, and they even list the very reason why this was necessary. However, even with guards, a group showing up at night could have overpowered the guard or paid him off. There is also no mention of the guards reporting anything about this event after the stone is already rolled over the next day. As even if there was a resurrection, the guard should have reported 'something' on how the stone got rolled over. Putting this together with “a rich man” Joseph of Arimathea requesting the body, we even have a suspect for the orchestration of all this.
     
        

    Matthew 28:2

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."2 Suddenly there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, rolled away the stone, and sat on it. "...
    NRSV: ..."2 And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • improper focus on resurrection
  • leaning on miracles for authenticity
  • suspected post-fitting of the narrative (not possible for the author to know about, or likely did not happen as described)
  •  
    interpretation:
    Or, the witnesses showing up the next morning caught one of the conspirators who removed Jesus's body? In Mark 16:5 they saw the same guy inside the tomb. The earthquake is only mentioned here for miraculous effect to awe potential followers. Why would an angel be needed if Jesus planned to appear to people later on? Why was rolling the stone over necessary for a resurrected Jesus – if the resurrection is arranged as a miracle, the stone rolling could also have been take care of by the divine power, without the assistance of angels. And, if the rolling of the stone was necessary because Jesus's resurrection was 'bodily' (not just miraculous, in which case he could have just 'appeared' outside of the grave miraculously), then why didn't Jesus leave with his robes on – as he had no other clothes with him. Or, did the angels bring him new clothes to use to leave the scene? The robes should have been taken along at least till at some place Jesus found other clothes to wear. If for the bodily resurrection Jesus had to be physically present on Earth for the whole duration, he had to stay somewhere. But from the accounts we hear that he could just appear anywhere out of the blue. So then, appearing outside of the grave with the stone still intact could also have been an option, and a more miraculous: Jesus just starts appearing, and the authorities wonder what happened, they unseal the tomb, and find NO ONE – no assistance needed from angels, and no accusations possible for grave robbing by people.
     
        

    Matthew 28:4

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."4 The guards trembled in fear of him and became like dead men. "...
    NRSV: ..."4 For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • improper focus on resurrection
  • leaning on miracles for authenticity
  • suspected post-fitting of the narrative (not possible for the author to know about, or likely did not happen as described)
  •  
    interpretation:
    in Mark 16 the guards were not even present, and that was an earlier source. If the guards saw the angel, certainly others had to as well – as there was also an earthquake. Surely, some people expecting the fulfillment of prophecy HAD to be staying around the tomb expecting the resurrection (certainly, if the authorities were aware of this prophecy). If others witnessed this, why didn't they write about it (or went to the scribes in groups to report this to them or to the authorities)? And if no others witnessed, the account of the guards' reports should have stayed about this miracle. Yet, the guards just disappeared from the source, as the most important witnesses of the actual resurrection taking place.
     
        

    Matthew 28:12, 13

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."12 And after the chief priests had met with the elders and formed a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money 13 and instructed them: “You are to say, ‘His disciples came by night and stole Him away while we were asleep.’ "...
    NRSV: ..."12 After the priests had assembled with the elders, they devised a plan to give a large sum of money to the soldiers, 13 telling them, "You must say, 'His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.'"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • improper focus on resurrection
  • leaning on miracles for authenticity
  • suspected post-fitting of the narrative (not possible for the author to know about, or likely did not happen as described)
  •  
    interpretation:
    How would the knowledge of what the priests decided among themselves get to the followers of Jesus, to pass on to the author decades later? And if the guards witnessed such miracle (the biggest miracle so far in history), why would they take money over the opportunity to change their life and immediately become Christians themselves, becoming the main witness of the resurrection? They could have been the most celebrated people in their age – more than Paul with his mere visions of Jesus later on! Plus, there is no documentation of this event by the priests (and why would they stay priests of an obviously wrong religion after being sure upon the description of their guards that a genuine resurrection took place? But the most plausible story is: that Jesus's disciples came by night, taking advantage of the Sabbath, and stole the body to claim his resurrection (after perhaps paying off the guards or knocking them unconscious). If according to the reports of the guards the resurrection took place as a miraculous event, and if those guards were meek enough to report back to their (by now obviously false) superiors, at least one if not more of the 'assembly of elders' would have eventually produced some documentation of their conspiracy to cover up this event and pay off the guards.
     
        

    Matthew 28:18, 19, 20

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    Berean: ..."18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” "...
    NRSV: ..."18 And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • A justified person has the duty to spread the word of God to others in a non-intrusive way whenever the chance arises and by showing an example
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation
  • The concept of the ‘trinity’ can only be interpreted as ‘three possible interface to the same single entity of the creator’
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage may be interpreted as tying baptism and the teachings to the authority of the church – it is debatable whether this was indeed the intent of Jesus. However, there are several other valid points here too: * Jesus carries the full representation of the creator (he is one of the three interfaces to the creator) * after the event of the CESAPH, its message and story needs to be passed on by those who are justified in their convictions * the message of Jesus universally applies and is addressed to everyone on Earth (making being Jewish irrelevant) * baptism can be understood as a ritual that symbolizes one's justification and commitment to walk the path of salvation * obeying all Jesus's commands is really the single command of love, that everything else derives from * the creator is with us and hopes for us to reach salvation (hence the undertaking of the CESAPH)
     
    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • attempted building, claiming, or referencing authority that is misguided and improper
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  •  
    interpretation:
    Among all the correct and good content this passage, it also attempts to tie baptism and the teachings to the authority of the church – it is debatable whether this (an officially sanctioned hierarchical body with power over their adherents) was indeed the intent of Jesus (as opposed to those who reach justification also propagate the good news), or it was the personal conviction of the early (or by the time of the writing of this scripture, the later) disciples.
     
        

    Luke 1:27, 32

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."27 to a virgin pledged in marriage to a man named Joseph, who was of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David, "...
    NRSV: ..."27 to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. ... 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation"
  •  
    interpretation:
    If Joseph descended from David (highly debatable how they could maintain and then uncover such a documented lineage at that time) then Jesus did NOT: because of the 'immaculate conception of Mary', the only human parent of Jesus that qualifies for descent was Mary, not Joseph. Thus, David was not the ancestor of Jesus. Ups...
     
        

    Luke 1:52, 53, 54, 55

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    Berean: ..."52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones, but has exalted the humble. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things, but has sent the rich away empty. 54 He has helped His servant Israel, remembering to be merciful, 55 as He promised to our fathers, to Abraham and his descendants forever.” "...
    NRSV: ..."52 He [the Lord] has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; 53 he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, 55 according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • appeasement/catering to potential Jewish converts
  • incorrect or inappropriate generalization
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation"
  •  
    interpretation:
    The problem is that this description can pretty much fit any nation at the time. They all had their ups and downs in history. When examining the history of Israel, one can conclude that it is 'nothing special' with regards to the history of other empires/nations.
     
        

    Luke 1:68, 69

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."68 “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, because He has visited and redeemed His people. 69 He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David, "...
    NRSV: ..."68 "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has looked favorably on his people and redeemed them. 69 He has raised up a mighty savior for us in the house of his servant David,"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • appeasement/catering to potential Jewish converts
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation"
  •  
    interpretation:
    The Lord is not just the Lord of Israel, he did NOT look favorably on the Jewish people and did NOT redeem the people of Israel; The savior did not save anyone directly, except he demonstrated his love for all of humanity, inviting all people to salvation. Nothing of this is specific to the people of Israel, or any descendants of David or Abraham. Jesus did not even descend from the house of David, as Joseph – who allegedly had his lineage to David (that was likely made up for effect) – was not even his father (or was he?).; Jesus was anything but 'mighty' (in the way the author meant it) as that was not his mission here. The whole passage is there just for effect and awing. Of course, Jesus can be thought as a “mighty savior” as no doubt, countless humans reached their salvation because of his intervention and guidance in the CESAPH. However, it is unlikely that the author meant it – he meant direct saving, accomplishing the salvation itself.
     
        

    Luke 1:72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."72 to show mercy to our fathers and to remember His holy covenant, 73 the oath He swore to our father Abraham, to grant us 74 deliverance from hostile hands, that we may serve Him without fear, 75 in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our lives. 76 And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for Him, 77 to give to His people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, "...
    NRSV: ..."72 Thus he has shown the mercy promised to our ancestors, and has remembered his holy covenant, 73 the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham, to grant us 74 that we, being rescued from the hands of our enemies, might serve him without fear, 75 in holinessand righteousness before him all our days. 76 And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, 77 to give knowledge of salvation to his people by the forgiveness of their sins."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • inappropriate/inadequate/misguided attempt to apply OT prophecy
  • misconceived comprehension or misrepresentation of Jesus’s message
  • suspected post-fitting of the narrative (not possible for the author to know about, or likely did not happen as described)
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation"
  •  
    interpretation:
    This self-praise of the Israelites is just just grossly misguided, given the universal message of salvation of Jesus, that just shows how, even after receiving this message, the author can write such irrelevant Jewish-centered rubbish. No preparation, foretelling, or prophecies were needed for the CESAPH; there were many justified people before Jesus whose help and message had the potential to help others toward their salvation, but none carried the weight of the CESAPH. The oath to Abraham (the made up OT story for the Israelites to take over the land of Canaan and be a 'great nation', however temporarily) is not relevant in the message of Jesus or for salvation. In itself, what a ridiculous covenant and promise did they receive from the creator: if they keep their 613 items of silly law, they will get a certain piece of land and will become 'great' (I guess compared to other not-so-great nations around). Well, other nations also got their lands (took them away successfully from others) and kept them for even longer than the Jews, and the land of Israel was occupied and conquered several times as well by some other not-so-great nations – so what covenant and promise can we talk about? (ahh, those must have happened because the Jews stopped being compliant to their law – right...) John did not have power to forgive sins of the Jews; this power rests with the creator and forgiveness will be part of the last judgment. One can hope throughout life that their sins will be forgiven if one genuinely regrets them and does everything possible to rectify them with those they trespassed against in their lives. As it is extremely unlikely that the authors contacted the parents of John the Baptist to recall what was said before he was born, it is entirely plausible that the whole passage was just made up to fit the narrative.
     
        

    Luke 2:4

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."4 So Joseph also went up from Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, since he was from the house and line of David. "...
    NRSV: ..."4 Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation"
  •  
    interpretation:
    If Joseph descended from David, then Jesus did not (he was not his father...); however, in reality, Joseph could have been the biological father of Jesus (this way the descent would be genuine) but then the issue remains how a carpenter in those times would know his descent from king David (unless people in general in a certain area considered themselves a descendant of some great historical figure). And even if that is so, descent does not matter a bit in the relevance of the NT and for what the CESAPH was to the whole of humanity.
     
        

    Luke 2:10, 11

     Significant Alignment! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid! For behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: 11 Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord! "...
    NRSV: ..."10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see — I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  • The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans
  •  
    interpretation:
    The good news is not about the Jewish Messiah of course, but the CESAPH that is the good news to those who will gain their salvations because of this, by living a life aligned with love. The increased confidence that we face a loving creator who wants us to succeed in the evaluation of life is the greatest possible help one can receive in reaching salvation (ie. reaching a conviction that is in alignment with love, and living a life that is a testimony to that). This extra help – that is selectively granted to only those who will have been exposed to this during their live – is the “good news of great joy for all the people”.
     
        

    Luke 2:32

    top  

    Berean: ..."32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to Your people Israel.” "...
    NRSV: ..."32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • misguided focus on Jews or improper differentiation between Jews and Gentiles
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation"
  •  
    interpretation:
    There is no glory for the people of Israel except for those of them who welcomed and followed Jesus. But that goes for all the people, even if they do not belong to the people of Israel. If anything, shame goes to most people of Israel for their complete failure to recognize the relevant, what makes sense, and depart from the irrelevant senseless.
     
        

    Luke 2:34, 35

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    Berean: ..."34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to His mother Mary: “Behold, this Child is appointed to cause the rise and fall of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed— and a sword will pierce your soul as well.” "...
    NRSV: ..."34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, "This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed 35 so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed — and a sword will pierce your own soul too.""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misconceived comprehension or misrepresentation of Jesus’s message
  • misguided focus on Jews or improper differentiation between Jews and Gentiles
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Just another proof of the author's focus on the people of Israel, as his primary potential target of conversion to the new religion. Why not mention and think about other people of the world? Don't they notice that Jesus is responsible for more than the rising and falling of people of Israel? A poor expression of thought, way too specific to the people of Israel, if the author wanted to express Jesus's universal message that applies to everyone (which should have been their mission to begin with). So much for being infallible, I guess.
     
        

    Luke 2:38

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    Berean: ..."38 Coming forward at that moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the Child to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem. "...
    NRSV: ..."38 At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misconceived comprehension or misrepresentation of Jesus’s message
  • misguided focus on Jews or improper differentiation between Jews and Gentiles
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation"
  •  
    interpretation:
    In no way was Jerusalem (or anything or anybody else) redeemed by the CESAPH, as such concepts would be absurd. The CESAPH happened to demonstrate the creator's love for humanity, and to guide them toward their salvation. The universal message or the event of the CESAPH has nothing to do with Jerusalem, the Jews, or the OT. Sins committed in this world need to be redeemed by people themselves, rectifying them with those whom the sins were committed against and asking for their forgiveness (or with the creator, if this is impossible). Uttering some prayers or simply regretting them will not do. The sinful condition, for which people appeared in this reality, need to be redeemed by living a life according to a conviction that is aligned with love – and the forgiveness gained for this is salvation itself. In trying to reach salvation, belief in the good news of the CESAPH can help to a great degree – but still, the proving has to be done by the individual, as no one (not Jesus, not the Holy Spirit, not the Saints, etc.) will do this for them. In fact, this is their main task in life. Of course, the “redemption of Jerusalem” could have meant the “correction of the Jews' misguidance, and their conversion to the path of salvation, according to Jesus's message” - but as we know, that was not very successful, as most Jews went on expecting their own misguided version of the 'Messiah', ignoring the truth in Jesus.
     
        

    Luke 2:40

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    Berean: ..."40 And the Child grew and became strong. He was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon Him. "...
    NRSV: ..."40 The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • suspected post-fitting of the narrative (not possible for the author to know about, or likely did not happen as described)
  •  
    interpretation:
    There is no way the writer of the Gospel would know about this decades after Jesus's death. The favor of God was not upon Jesus, as he was the creator in human form – though this could have been an innocent misconception. Also, not clear how the “favor of God” would have been upon Jesus during his upbringing. If this means exempting him from suffering, doubt, humiliation, sickness, then this would go against experiencing reality as a fully human being – the very undertaking the creator took on in Jesus. Thus, it is more likely that the author just makes up stuff that he imagines about Jesus – which is very fallible indeed.
     
        

    Luke 2:43, 49

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    Berean: ..."43 When those days were over and they were returning home, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but His parents were unaware He had stayed. 49 “Why were you looking for Me?” He asked. “Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s house ?” "...
    NRSV: ..."43 When the festival was ended and they started to return, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. ... 49 He said to them, "Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • suspected post-fitting of the narrative (not possible for the author to know about, or likely did not happen as described)
  •  
    interpretation:
    Highly unlikely that a boy would have been accidentally left behind by their parents. The reaction of Jesus to his parents finding him is also unlikely – but the story is also entirely irrelevant to the essential message of the Good News. The narrative was either based on an unreliable hearsay or something that the author made up.
     
        

    Luke 2:52

    top  

    Berean: ..."52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. "...
    NRSV: ..."52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • suspected post-fitting of the narrative (not possible for the author to know about, or likely did not happen as described)
  •  
    interpretation:
    A 'gradual progress' in wisdom could indeed be part of his fully human experience. However, there is absolutely no sign of how he increased in any 'human favor' or what that could mean. In fact, toward the end of his life, he greatly increased in the lack of human favor. There is no way the writer of the Gospel would know about this decades after Jesus's death. The favor of God was not upon Jesus, as he was the creator in human form – though this could have been an innocent misconception. Also, not clear how the “favor of God” would have been upon Jesus during his upbringing. If this means exempting him from suffering, doubt, humiliation, sickness, then this would go against experiencing reality as a fully human being – the very undertaking the creator took on in Jesus. Thus, it is more likely that the author just makes up stuff that he imagines about Jesus – which is very fallible indeed. But I guess the author felt he had to have a story about the origins and upbringing of Jesus, to complete the picture – and he did so.
     
        

    Luke 3:2, 3

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    Berean: ..."2 during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. 3 He went into all the region around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, "...
    NRSV: ..."2 ... the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. 3 He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally
  • ‘Justification’ is ‘being convinced about love’s (vs. selfishness) need to guide life’ (= ‘being rightly enlightened’, = ‘holding Jesus’s message in conviction’, = ‘following/believing in Jesus’, = ‘gaining a justified conviction’, = ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, = ‘doing the works of God’, = ‘satisfying/keeping/adhering to the command of God’, = ‘accepting/living according to Jesus’s message’, = ‘fulfilling the eternal word of God, of salvation’)
  •  
    interpretation:
    John had a conviction about the eternal word of God, of salvation, of repentance of sins leading to their forgiveness by God. This is an example of justification before the CESAPH has happened. This repentance is what our life and our assigned situations is all about – for the sins committed before – and likely also, during – this life. Baptism is a formal, ritual that can represent someone arriving to the conviction of justification (being convinced about the path to salvation being getting aligned with love) and formally vowing to live life accordingly. The act of baptism, by itself, accomplishes nothing – it can only indirectly help one to stay on the path of salvation, as a reminder.
     
        

    Luke 3:4, 5, 6

    top  

    Berean: ..."4 as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him. 5 Every valley shall be filled in, and every mountain and hill made low. The crooked ways shall be made straight, and the rough ways smooth. 6 And all humanity will see God’s salvation.’” "...
    NRSV: ..."4 as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah, "The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.5 Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth; 6 and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.'""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • inappropriate/inadequate/misguided attempt to apply OT prophecy
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Parallels Mark 1:2-3 Jesus's path was anything but “straight”, nor was it meant/expected to be a straight and simple path for him. Thus, preparation was thoroughly lacking for him, nor was any needed – he hit the Jewish context of the time head on. What little help he received from John the Baptist's efforts also could not be considered as making his path much straighter. But all this path-making does not matter, as straight path is not what Jesus was expecting, thus the prophecy about this is irrelevant and invalid. Grand words that amount to an unfulfilled prophecy-attempt from the OT (lots of “shall be”s, but little “was so”s).
     
        

    Luke 3:7, 8, 9, 10, 11

     Significant Alignment! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."7 Then John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Produce fruit, then, in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 9 The axe lies ready at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” 10 The crowds asked him, “What then should we do?” 11 John replied, “Whoever has two tunics should share with him who has none, and whoever has food should do the same.” "...
    NRSV: ..."7 John said to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruits worthy of repentance. Do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our ancestor'; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. 9 Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire." 10 And the crowds asked him, "What then should we do?" 11 In reply he said to them, "Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation
  • Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally
  •  
    interpretation:
    With “children to Abraham” having a symbolic message (meaning “those who will be ultimately favored by the creator”), this one is spot on representing the eternal word of God and the irrelevance of descent, or being a Jew. “Bearing fruits worthy of repentance” is a clear indication of how to repent – it is not a belief in Jesus's divinity or his resurrection, but acts that prove one's conviction is aligned with love, not selfishness (the coats and the food reference). One who acts in accordance with the divine criteria (of love) throughout one's assigned situations in life, has served the penance for the past wrong for which one existed here to begin with.
     
        

    Luke 3:16, 17

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    Berean: ..."16 John answered all of them: “I baptize you with water, but One more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in His hand to clear His threshing floor and to gather the wheat into His barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” "...
    NRSV: ..."16 … "I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • Our evaluation serves to separate those who align with love from those who align with selfishness, thereby eliminating the source of suffering from heaven
  • ‘Justification’ is ‘being convinced about love’s (vs. selfishness) need to guide life’ (= ‘being rightly enlightened’, = ‘holding Jesus’s message in conviction’, = ‘following/believing in Jesus’, = ‘gaining a justified conviction’, = ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, = ‘doing the works of God’, = ‘satisfying/keeping/adhering to the command of God’, = ‘accepting/living according to Jesus’s message’, = ‘fulfilling the eternal word of God, of salvation’)
  •  
    interpretation:
    “Baptism with the Holy Spirit and fire” can only mean justification – the holding in conviction of the right path to salvation and the intent to walk it in life – with the help of the good news of the CESAPH, as ritual is unlikely to count for anything concrete in the evaluation, other than a gesture, a formality of an expression of commitment. Reaching such justification amounts to “being baptized with the Holy Spirit and fire”. The second part is a clear reference to our life as an evaluation that will lead to the separation of those who pass it from those who fail it. Naturally, this will not be those who are baptized versus those who are not.
     
        

    Luke 3:18

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    Berean: ..."18 With these and many other exhortations, John proclaimed the good news to the people. "...
    NRSV: ..."18 So, with many other exhortations, he proclaimed the good news to the people."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • A justified person has the duty to spread the word of God to others in a non-intrusive way whenever the chance arises and by showing an example
  • One ‘loves God’ by loving their fellow human beings, no matter how far removed they may be, which fulfills the single command of God
  •  
    interpretation:
    Like John the Baptist, all who are convinced of the eternal word of God, of salvation, and the good news of the CESAPH need to pass on this information to whoever they have the chance to during their lives. Mostly, it should be done by living a life as a demonstration to this, by providing a convincing example for others, as Jesus asked us to do so.
     
        

    Luke 3:21, 22

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    Berean: ..."21 When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as He was praying, heaven was opened, 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on Him in a bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.” "...
    NRSV: ..."21 Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, 22 and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • leaning on miracles for authenticity
  • suspected post-fitting of the narrative (not possible for the author to know about, or likely did not happen as described)
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The concept of the ‘trinity’ can only be interpreted as ‘three possible interface to the same single entity of the creator’"
  •  
    interpretation:
    This may have very well been a vision of John the Baptist when he baptized Jesus, however, several decades later, it is unlikely the writer of the Gospel had first-hand or reliable information on this. It is also unlikely that Jesus or John the Baptist had told this episode to the disciples. Thus, most likely this may have been an anecdote added to the story to support the author's understanding of the concept of the Trinity. However, the content of this is totally irrelevant to the message of Jesus. Jesus, as the creator in human form, does his own will. It is also possible that while partaking in our reality as a fully-human, the creator voluntarily undertook some of the limitations that define being human – if not for this, his partaking as fully human would not have been genuine. We can also experience this kind of limitation setting in when we dream at night, and then reawaken into our 'reality': the limitations and level of awareness of these two worlds (realities) are different, yet we are the same 'self' in both of them. As 'being fully-human' can typically mean a good amount of doubt, insecurity, fear, helplessness, suffering and despair, it is also imaginable that Jesus also took on these experiences. This could explain his alleged interactions and conversations with 'the Father' (his greater-self in the larger context of reality), and could also explain the disciples' understanding and conception of the 'trinity'.
     
        

    Luke 4:3, 6

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    Berean: ..."3 The devil said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.” 6 “I will give You authority over all these kingdoms and all their glory,” he said. “For it has been relinquished to me, and I can give it to anyone I wish. "...
    NRSV: ..."3 The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread." ... 6 And the devil said to him, "To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    This can be understood if we see Jesus as also fully human. Temptation, doubt, weakness, desperation, insecurity are all parts of the typical human experience. To be genuinely taking part in our experience of this life for the purposes of his demonstration of love for us, the creator must have subjected himself to the full spectrum of limitations and weaknesses humans have to experience. Based on the belief system of the OT,  the authors and disciples of Jesus misguidedly believed the ‘Evil One’, ‘Devil’, or ’Satan’ to be a separate independent entity (a fallen leader of angels) opposed to the creator and having some special powers. However, the concept should simply be interpreted as ‘the influence and temptations to be selfish’, the opposite of the creator’s preference of love that is present in us conscious humans, and all of us are here to demonstrate that we can subdue and eliminate this value in us, and side with its opposite in our evaluation.
     
        

    Luke 4:12

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."12 But Jesus answered, “It also says, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” "...
    NRSV: ..."12 Jesus answered him, "It is said, 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    Daring or testing the creator to demonstrate his existence and power via miracles as a condition of belief defeats the purpose of the evaluation of the quality of soul. It is in the presence of doubt that we need to prove our alignment with love vs selfishness. One can think into how such an evaluation could work in the presence of certainty of reward, the justness of the inherited conditions in life, and of divine power. One can not hope for exemptions from one's assigned conditions in life one has to go through as part of one's penance. This does not mean one should not pray for favorable outcomes and exceptions by divine interventions – one just can not count on guaranteed fulfillment of such requests, and one has to accept the outcomes no matter how unfavorable they are.
     
        

    Luke 4:14

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    Berean: ..."14 Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and the news about Him spread throughout the surrounding region. "...
    NRSV: ..."14 Then Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "In their predispositions, humans inherit both love (the essence of the creator’s spirit we share with him, indicating our significance) and selfishness (its opposite/opposing property, what some mistakenly attribute to a separate entity of the ‘evil/devil/satan’) to different degrees from their greater-self, from their originating context of reality"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The concept of the ‘trinity’ can only be interpreted as ‘three possible interface to the same single entity of the creator’"
  •  
    interpretation:
    It is questionable whether Jesus needed to be filled with the power of his spirit; if we look at him as fully human, we can perhaps envision sometimes lacking the spirit, as that is a very human experience. But this could have also meant that when sometimes Jesus was not filled with the power of the Spirit, he also was not perfect in every sense (which is completely fine within the philosophical foundation's understanding of the CESAPH). So perhaps this could have been the case with Jesus. Or, the writer just made up this part for the story's sake. Either way, this is not very relevant as far as the essence goes, so it is safe to ignore, instead of getting into it literally.
     
        

    Luke 4:18, 19, 20, 21

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    Berean: ..."18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” 20 Then He rolled up the scroll, returned it to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fixed on Him, 21 and He began by saying, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” "...
    NRSV: ..."18 [Jesus reading in the synagogue:] "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, 19 to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor." 20 And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. 21 Then he began to say to them, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • inappropriate/inadequate/misguided attempt to apply OT prophecy
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Isaiah wrote this about himself; but this can only symbolically apply to Jesus – the good news was brought to everyone, not just the poor, releasing captives can only mean releasing those who were misguided from the captivity of their misguidance. The same applies fo regaining the sight of the blind and letting the oppressed go free from the oppression of their wrong thinking – but this is pushing it; as Isaiah likely did not mean it this way.. Again, we could 'try' to fit all this to Jesus, but why would we need to? Jesus did what he did without the need for the half-fitting prophecies of the OT. The ones who tried to convert the Jews were the ones needing these prophecies to fit somehow. The CESAPH happened so that with its help and guidance more of us would attain salvation. Salvation must be the good news to the poor, must be the release of the captives, the recovery of sight to the blind, and the freeing the oppressed. The CESAPH did proclaim all this – however, all of this will not (fully or necessarily) take place in our lives in this world, but in the next. And all these things will only happen to those who manage to attain their salvation.
     
        

    Luke 4:43

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    Berean: ..."43 But Jesus told them, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well, because that is why I was sent.” "...
    NRSV: ..."43 But he said to them, "I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other cities also; for I was sent for this purpose.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • A justified person has the duty to spread the word of God to others in a non-intrusive way whenever the chance arises and by showing an example
  • Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  •  
    interpretation:
    The motivation behind the CESAPH is to formalize the eternal word of God, of salvation, and spread it to those who will be granted access to it (born into situations where access to it is possible). Jesus's story and message formalizes the universally applicable eternal word of God, the way to salvation, meant for the entirety of humanity ('formalized', as this word has always been around, available through our predispositions and the help of divine grace).
     
        

    Luke 5:14

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    Berean: ..."14 “Do not tell anyone,” Jesus instructed him. “But go, show yourself to the priest and present the offering Moses prescribed for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.” "...
    NRSV: ..."14 And he ordered him to tell no one. "Go," he said, "and show yourself to the priest, and, as Moses commanded, make an offering for your cleansing, for a testimony to them.""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • suspected post-fitting of the narrative (not possible for the author to know about, or likely did not happen as described)
  •  
    interpretation:
    if Jesus ordered him to tell no one, then why did this end up in the NT scripture? The author is going directly against the will of Jesus by writing about this then. And I am sure Jesus did not tell anyone to make any offering for any cleansing, as Moses misguidedly told his followers. But naturally, it is a nice way of putting Jesus as trying to comply with Mosaic law – therefore make him more appealing to potential Jewish converts. Plus, if he ordered him to tell no one, but show himself to the priest, what total effect would that accomplish, would he wish for? Obviously, it would not stay a secret then.. The reasons behind this just don't make much sense.
     
        

    Luke 5:31, 32

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    Berean: ..."31 Jesus answered, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 32 I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” "...
    NRSV: ..."31 Jesus answered, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; 32 I have come to call not the righteous but sinners to repentance.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans
  • The resurrection is not a cornerstone belief to be held about Jesus or the subject of faith one needs to believe in to gain salvation, but an emphasis on the inevitability of afterlife for everyone. From a simulated reality everyone exits to their originating context, and the creator can naturally make exceptions for his exit and reappearance
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    This indicates that some people have no need for the help the good news of the CESAPH represents for some, as they are already on the good path to their salvation. This means that access to the CESAPH is not a prerequisite for salvation, but a great help for many who will manage to rely on it on their path to salvation. Thus, one can be righteous (holding the right 'justified' conviction that can guide and help one to salvation) without knowing about the CESAPH. Throughout history, there have been many such assignments to people.
     
        

    Luke 6:5

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    Berean: ..."5 Then Jesus declared, “The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.” "...
    NRSV: ..."5 Then he said to them, "The Son of Man is lord of the sabbath.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation
  •  
    interpretation:
    In other words, the sabbath makes no sense and is overruled as being irrelevant – put a bit nicer to potential Jewish converts.
     
        

    Luke 6:20, 21, 22, 23

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    Berean: ..."20 Looking up at His disciples, Jesus said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. 21 Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. 22 Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil because of the Son of Man. 23 Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For their fathers treated the prophets in the same way. "...
    NRSV: ..."20 Then he looked up at his disciples and said: "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. 21 "Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. "Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. 22 "Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. 23 Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven;"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • It is logical to expect appropriate consequences due for passing or failing the evaluation
  • Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally
  • The main goal of our life is to reach our salvation and build values that transcend this reality into eternal life, not to reach material or academic success or to fulfill other worldly desires or loyalties
  • There is always hope and is never too late for salvation
  •  
    interpretation:
    Don't be preoccupied by your suffering (that is your penance for the wrong committed by you in your precursory existence), but keep your sight on reaching your salvation no matter what your situation may be. The reward will be immeasurably greater than what we can relate to in our existence here, or what our suffering can compare to.
     
        

    Luke 6:24, 25, 26

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    Berean: ..."24 But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort. 25 Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will hunger. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep. 26 Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for their fathers treated the false prophets in the same way. "...
    NRSV: ..."24 "But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. 25 "Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry. "Woe to you who are laughing now, for you will mourn and weep. 26 "Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • The main goal of our life is to reach our salvation and build values that transcend this reality into eternal life, not to reach material or academic success or to fulfill other worldly desires or loyalties
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    Amassing wealth (comfort and security) or material success can not be the goals of our existence here, as those values do not transcend to any other realm and encourage alignment with selfishness and greed. Academic success or self-actualization also can not be the goal, as those are largely thanks to what we have received through our situational assignments, and may not all transcend to any other realm (except for creations in beauty and music). This does not mean we can not strive for these goals in this life, but we have to make sure they our efforts to do so are not happening at the expense of being aligned with love. And this can be a very tricky task, in general.
     
        

    Luke 6:27, 28, 29, 30, 31

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    Berean: ..."27 But to those of you who will listen, I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone takes your cloak, do not withhold your tunic as well. 30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what is yours, do not demand it back. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you. "...
    NRSV: ..."27 "But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 29 If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. 30 Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • One ‘loves God’ by loving their fellow human beings, no matter how far removed they may be, which fulfills the single command of God
  • The main goal of our life is to reach our salvation and build values that transcend this reality into eternal life, not to reach material or academic success or to fulfill other worldly desires or loyalties
  •  
    interpretation:
    These are derivatives of love, the absence of selfishness toward our fellow humans. Following the guidance of Jesus is very simple to do, but very hard to implement throughout life – yet, this is what our salvation will depend on.
     
        

    Luke 6:32, 33, 34, 35, 36

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    Berean: ..."32 If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. 33 If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. 35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. "...
    NRSV: ..."32 "If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. 35 But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • The evaluation result is likely progressive within pass or fail
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    True love does not perform for rewards, out of calculation. The reasonable doubt that is a necessary element of our reality (about the stakes, the existence of the creator, the consequences or the reasons for our evaluation) guarantees that we CAN follow Jesus's guidance NOT as a calculation for the certainty of reward or the fear of punishment, but because we are genuinely aligned in our conviction with the value of love. Having certainty would break this. Performing acts of love where the reward is guaranteed to lack in this life is the greatest act of un-calculated love.
     
        

    Luke 6:37, 38

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    Berean: ..."37 Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.” "...
    NRSV: ..."37 "Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; 38 give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • As salvation is an individual achievement, finding the way and living life accordingly is a private matter that can not be policed or compelled by others
  • Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    One who is aligned with love can not judge others for their inherited situations (“must be their fault”, or “they deserved it”), nor can one use these situations as an excuse NOT to help them in their need or to help them toward their salvation. For their assigned situations already contain the fair punishment for their wrongs of the precursor, and no one in this life is to add to one's misery.
     
        

    Luke 6:40

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    Berean: ..."40 A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher. "...
    NRSV: ..."40 A disciple is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully qualified will be like the teacher."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • A justified person has the duty to spread the word of God to others in a non-intrusive way whenever the chance arises and by showing an example
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • As salvation is an individual achievement, finding the way and living life accordingly is a private matter that can not be policed or compelled by others
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage hints at what could be a lack of any intent for any hierarchical way followers should organize themselves to any organized 'church'. The movement should be self-driven, self-developed, the responsibility of each member, emphasizing personal responsibility and accountability in the eye of the creator. Realizing and acting on the eternal word of God should be a personal goal for any individual, part of one's evaluation, for what one has been compelled to participate in this reality. One's efforts in this (or the lack of them) may result in one's salvation or not. Thus, one can not be compelled, mandated, policed to do so, as their conviction has to be aligned right and their lives lived accordingly.  
     
        

    Luke 6:41, 42

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    Berean: ..."41 Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but fail to notice the beam in your own eye? 42 How can you say, ‘Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,’ while you yourself fail to see the beam in your own eye? You hypocrite! First take the beam out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. "...
    NRSV: ..."41 Why do you see the speck in your neighbor's eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? 42 Or how can you say to your neighbor, 'Friend, let me take out the speck in your eye,' when you yourself do not see the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor's eye."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • A justified person has the duty to spread the word of God to others in a non-intrusive way whenever the chance arises and by showing an example
  • One ‘loves God’ by loving their fellow human beings, no matter how far removed they may be, which fulfills the single command of God
  •  
    interpretation:
    The parts about hypocrisy are important and self-evident.
     
        

    Luke 6:45

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    Berean: ..."45 The good man brings good things out of the good treasure of his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil treasure of his heart. For out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks. "...
    NRSV: ..."45 The good person out of the good treasure of the heart produces good, and the evil person out of evil treasure produces evil; for it is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Our evaluation serves to separate those who align with love from those who align with selfishness, thereby eliminating the source of suffering from heaven
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  • ‘Evil’, ‘Devil’, or ‘Satan’ is NOT a separate entity opposed to the creator, but the value of selfishness in us that is opposite to the preferred value of the creator, love
  • ‘Justification’ is ‘being convinced about love’s (vs. selfishness) need to guide life’ (= ‘being rightly enlightened’, = ‘holding Jesus’s message in conviction’, = ‘following/believing in Jesus’, = ‘gaining a justified conviction’, = ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, = ‘doing the works of God’, = ‘satisfying/keeping/adhering to the command of God’, = ‘accepting/living according to Jesus’s message’, = ‘fulfilling the eternal word of God, of salvation’)
  •  
    interpretation:
    The heart here is analogous to conviction. The right conviction brings the right action and thoughts. This may be the motivation behind the separation of those who reach their salvation from those who failed to do this, based on their alignment on love vs selfishness, following the last judgment. Based on the belief system of the OT,  the authors and disciples of Jesus misguidedly believed the ‘Evil One’, ‘Devil’, or ’Satan’ to be a separate independent entity (a fallen leader of angels) opposed to the creator and having some special powers. However, the concept should simply be interpreted as ‘the influence and temptations to be selfish’, the opposite of the creator’s preference of love that is present in us conscious humans, and all of us are here to demonstrate that we can subdue and eliminate this value in us, and side with its opposite in our evaluation.
     
        

    Luke 6:46, 47, 48, 49

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    Berean: ..."46 Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ but not do what I say? 47 I will show you what he is like who comes to Me and hears My words and acts on them: 48 He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid his foundation on the rock. When the flood came, the torrent crashed against that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. 49 But the one who hears My words and does not act on them is like a man who built his house on ground without a foundation. The torrent crashed against that house, and immediately it fell—and great was its destruction!” "...
    NRSV: ..."46 "Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I tell you? 47 I will show you what someone is like who comes to me, hears my words, and acts on them. 48 That one is like a man building a house, who dug deeply and laid the foundation on rock; when a flood arose, the river burst against that house but could not shake it, because it had been well built. 49 But the one who hears and does not act is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the river burst against it, immediately it fell, and great was the ruin of that house.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • As salvation is an individual achievement, finding the way and living life accordingly is a private matter that can not be policed or compelled by others
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  • ‘Justification’ is ‘being convinced about love’s (vs. selfishness) need to guide life’ (= ‘being rightly enlightened’, = ‘holding Jesus’s message in conviction’, = ‘following/believing in Jesus’, = ‘gaining a justified conviction’, = ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, = ‘doing the works of God’, = ‘satisfying/keeping/adhering to the command of God’, = ‘accepting/living according to Jesus’s message’, = ‘fulfilling the eternal word of God, of salvation’)
  •  
    interpretation:
    A justified conviction is the foundation of faith. This means someone can be confident in their beliefs, as they are holding what makes to them the most sense, and what they deem to be most likely to end up being true. Blind faith, or shallow belief do not amount to conviction as the holder can not logically back it up to themselves or to others. And even holding the right conviction is not enough for salvation, as one still needs to live a life according to this conviction. Weakness or other failure to walk the path while being convinced of its rightness equals to failure.
     
        

    Luke 7:29, 30

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    Berean: ..."29 All the people who heard this, even the tax collectors, acknowledged God’s justice. For they had received the baptism of John. 30 But the Pharisees and experts in the law rejected God’s purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John. "...
    NRSV: ..."29 (And all the people who heard this, including the tax collectors, acknowledged the justice of God, because they had been baptized with John's baptism. 30 But by refusing to be baptized by him, the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected God's purpose for themselves.)"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • attempted building, claiming, or referencing authority that is misguided and improper
  • incorrect or inappropriate generalization
  • leaning on miracles for authenticity
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "‘Justification’ is ‘being convinced about love’s (vs. selfishness) need to guide life’ (= ‘being rightly enlightened’, = ‘holding Jesus’s message in conviction’, = ‘following/believing in Jesus’, = ‘gaining a justified conviction’, = ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, = ‘doing the works of God’, = ‘satisfying/keeping/adhering to the command of God’, = ‘accepting/living according to Jesus’s message’, = ‘fulfilling the eternal word of God, of salvation’)"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Baptism can only have a symbolic meaning of conviction, not as a ritual that somehow physically counts for anything or does anything directly to the bearer. Here, the author is promoting this as a vehicle for justification that only the church (authorized personnel) can perform, making church leaders indispensable for peoples' salvation. Refusing baptism here may refer to denying the word of God to be valid as the purpose of life, refusing the sense in Jesus's message. But it is not the ritual of baptism that counts, but the changed conviction. Thus, there could have been those who were baptized but still wronged later, and there could have been those who were not baptized but still arrived at justification and lived their lives accordingly.
     
        

    Luke 7:41, 42, 43, 47

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."41 “Two men were debtors to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 When they were unable to repay him, he forgave both of them. Which one, then, will love him more?” 43 “I suppose the one who was forgiven more,” Simon replied. “You have judged correctly,” Jesus said. 47 Therefore I tell you, because her many sins have been forgiven, she has loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little.” "...
    NRSV: ..."41 "A certain creditor had two debtors; one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 When they could not pay, he canceled the debts for both of them. Now which of them will love him more?" 43 Simon answered, "I suppose the one for whom he canceled the greater debt." And Jesus said to him, "You have judged rightly." ... 47 Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which were many, have been forgiven; hence she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally
  • The evaluation result is likely progressive within pass or fail
  •  
    interpretation:
    Love (in the one who is being forgiven) follows from forgiveness (of their sins); the more of what one forgives of the other's sins, the more likely that the other may arrive at love (at least in most normal cases). Thus, one can increase overall love by forgiveness (the lack of revenge and anger). Other than that though, there are some serious issues with this passage, addressed among the issues.
     
    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misconceived comprehension or misrepresentation of Jesus’s message
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  •  
    interpretation:
    Love (in the one who is being forgiven) follows from forgiveness (of their sins). The more one forgives the other, the more likely that the other may arrive at loving – at least in most normal cases (when one is not encouraged by it to take advantage of someone instead, or make a fool of him). But there are some serious issues with this parable. If the creator is our creditor, then according to this parable, we are better off owing him a lot (having sinned a lot) instead of just a little, as then, we can arrive at greater love upon being forgiven more. Along these lines, if I am not much of a sinner, I will also end up not loving much, as there is not much the creator can forgive me. Another factor missing is the penance we are already serving for our sinful condition inherited from our precursory existence (which I assume to be fairly assigned to fit our failings). If we committed many sins, we may have a more difficult and/or tricky situation in our life as a result of it – and this already (at least partially) covers the penance we have to pay for our wrongdoing. But in this regard, forgiving is 'equalized' among us sinners of different magnitudes, within our 'sentence' (our assigned situations in this life). Blind, unconditional, blanket forgiving can only be seen as an encouragement to sin; that way one is encouraged to sin more, and in the end, reaps bigger benefits of forgiveness (and on top of that, their virtue of love will also increase?). It paints not sinning and staying virtuous as a loser position. Another huge problem with this parable is that love is supposed to be un-calculated and unconditional from both ends. Thus, the amount of forgiveness should not affect it from either side. What IS affected is indebtedness, gratefulness, as that varies with the magnitude of forgiveness. The parable would actually make more sense if it were switched: to the one who loves little, little will be forgiven; one who shows great love, a lot will be forgiven. But this is not the original reading of it – so did the authors or the ones they heard the story from lost the original meaning and ended up at this version? I can easily allow for that possibility. Another interesting aspect of this parable is that it is not actionable: it does not instruct anyone of any behavior, just tells facts.
     
        

    Luke 8:11, 12, 13, 14, 15

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    Berean: ..."11 Now this is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. 12 The seeds along the path are those who hear, but the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. 13 The seeds on rocky ground are those who hear the word and receive it with joy, but they have no root. They believe for a season, but in the time of testing, they fall away. 14 The seeds that fell among the thorns are those who hear, but as they go on their way, they are choked by the worries, riches, and pleasures of this life, and their fruit does not mature. 15 But the seeds on good soil are those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, cling to it, and by persevering produce a crop. "...
    NRSV: ..."11 "Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. 12 The ones on the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. 13 The ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe only for a while and in a time of testing fall away. 14 As for what fell among the thorns, these are the ones who hear; but as they go on their way, they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. 15 But as for that in the good soil, these are the ones who, when they hear the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patient endurance."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • The evaluation result is likely progressive within pass or fail
  • ‘Justification’ is ‘being convinced about love’s (vs. selfishness) need to guide life’ (= ‘being rightly enlightened’, = ‘holding Jesus’s message in conviction’, = ‘following/believing in Jesus’, = ‘gaining a justified conviction’, = ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, = ‘doing the works of God’, = ‘satisfying/keeping/adhering to the command of God’, = ‘accepting/living according to Jesus’s message’, = ‘fulfilling the eternal word of God, of salvation’)
  •  
    interpretation:
    The “fruit” of the word of God is the justified conviction that can lead one through a life aligned with love, to salvation. Based on the belief system of the OT,  the authors and disciples of Jesus misguidedly believed the ‘Evil One’, ‘Devil’, or ’Satan’ to be a separate independent entity (a fallen leader of angels) opposed to the creator and having some special powers. However, the concept should simply be interpreted as ‘the influence and temptations to be selfish’, the opposite of the creator’s preference of love that is present in us conscious humans, and all of us are here to demonstrate that we can subdue and eliminate this value in us, and side with its opposite in our evaluation.
     
        

    Luke 8:17, 18

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."17 For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be made known and brought to light. 18 Pay attention, therefore, to how you listen. Whoever has will be given more, but whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken away from him.” "...
    NRSV: ..."17 For nothing is hidden that will not be disclosed, nor is anything secret that will not become known and come to light. 18 Then pay attention to how you listen; for to those who have, more will be given; and from those who do not have, even what they seem to have will be taken away.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator
  • It is logical to expect appropriate consequences due for passing or failing the evaluation
  • Jesus’s ‘covenant’ of the eternal word of God, of salvation is the only covenant that has ever been and will ever be in effect from the creator for all of humanity, since the very beginning of time till the ending of our simulated reality, meaning that if one passes their evaluation on their alignment with love, one redeems their sinful condition and gains their salvation
  • The evaluation result is likely progressive within pass or fail
  • There is always hope and is never too late for salvation
  •  
    interpretation:
    Parallels betw. Matthew 13:12, 25:29, Luke 8:18, 12:48, 19:26; Everything we need to know to attain salvation is contained in the eternal word of God, available to all humans who have ever lived on Earth - and this is what Jesus's message formalized. There are no special secrets, mysteries, or knowledge that is only awarded to special people or that only experts with special talent can reach. More importantly, no one should be waiting for any extra information that is relevant to what to do with one's life. Prophets, prophecies, and knowledge about the end times is also not something we 'need'. Those who listen and receive the word will grow and shape, with their lives, say a 'bottle', and the larger this bottle one builds by seeking values that transcend to other realms, the more the creator will be able to fill it with richness that we will appreciate. Another analogy is, the more one learns and invests in appreciation of art, music, culture, the more richness one can receive from this – and we can project something like this to receiving our reward in this life, and in the next. We need to grow spiritually so we can be greatly fulfilled with spiritual richness. In fact, growing our spiritual bottle is wise, when considering that we face eternity. The spiritual fulfillment could for example be understanding a larger part of the context of reality that awaits us, once we are there. This also hints about the possible progressive consequences of our evaluation (within reaching or not reaching salvation).
     
        

    Luke 8:21

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    Berean: ..."21 But He replied, “My mother and brothers are those who hear the word of God and carry it out.” "...
    NRSV: ..."21 But he said to them, "My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • Our evaluation serves to separate those who align with love from those who align with selfishness, thereby eliminating the source of suffering from heaven
  •  
    interpretation:
    There are no other ways to earn our way back to the presence of the creator (heaven/paradise) than walking the path of salvation, the eternal word of God. Those who do this successfully belong to/are related to the creator. Others do not belong to his presence.
     
        

    Luke 8:32, 33

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    Berean: ..."32 There on the hillside a large herd of pigs was feeding. So the demons begged Jesus to let them enter the pigs, and He gave them permission. 33 Then the demons came out of the man and went into the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned. "...
    NRSV: ..."32 Now there on the hillside a large herd of swine was feeding; and the demons begged Jesus to let them enter these. So he gave them permission. 33 Then the demons came out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • content that is unhelpful, intentionally mystifying, irrelevant, or too detailed to be a part of ‘scriptures’ of guidance to salvation
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • leaning on miracles for authenticity
  • misconceived idea about casting out demons
  • suspected post-fitting of the narrative (not possible for the author to know about, or likely did not happen as described)
  •  
    interpretation:
    Parallels Matthew 8:28-34 – Rrrrright... Now, did we need this parable in the infallible inspired holy scripture??? Why would demons who torment humans wish to rather enter swine instead and then commit suicide? This story very likely made it to the writing as an anecdote told by someone, and even that was likely to be made up, as there are no demons that enter people or swine and why would demons want to enter swine – this does not make any sense whatsoever, nor does it carry any relevance or message.
     
        

    Luke 8:46

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    Berean: ..."46 But Jesus declared, “Someone touched Me, for I know that power has gone out from Me.” "...
    NRSV: ..."46 But Jesus said, "Someone touched me; for I noticed that power had gone out from me.""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • leaning on miracles for authenticity
  • suspected post-fitting of the narrative (not possible for the author to know about, or likely did not happen as described)
  •  
    interpretation:
    Another unlikely anecdote that does not make any logical sense; why would touching Jesus make him lose any power? It is also non-important, but this illustrates how such anecdotes make it into the 'infallible' scripture. We should simply get over these anecdotes and safely ignore them as part of the author's zeal in making a more convincing case to their contemporaries.
     
        

    Luke 8:52, 53

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    Berean: ..."52 Meanwhile, everyone was weeping and mourning for her. But Jesus said, “Stop weeping; she is not dead but asleep.” 53 And they laughed at Him, knowing that she was dead. "...
    NRSV: ..."52 They were all weeping and wailing for her; but he said, "Do not weep; for she is not dead but sleeping." 53 And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • leaning on miracles for authenticity
  •  
    interpretation:
    Another miracle story to support authority that is unlikely to have happened as described; but even if it were true, it would not be relevant or a part of the essential message of Jesus. But, the authors felt it necessary to include it to convince people more effectively. The CESAPH stands on its own, without the need for miracles to support it. Miracles contradict the essence of the CESAPH as a demonstration of love, not of power.
     
        

    Luke 9:1, 2, 5

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    Berean: ..."1 Then Jesus called the Twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and power to cure diseases. 2 And He sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. 5 If anyone does not welcome you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that town, as a testimony against them.” "...
    NRSV: ..."1 Then Jesus called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, 2 and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. ... 5 Wherever they do not welcome you, as you are leaving that town shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • attempted building, claiming, or referencing authority that is misguided and improper
  • misconceived idea about casting out demons
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "As salvation is an individual achievement, finding the way and living life accordingly is a private matter that can not be policed or compelled by others"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Parallels Mark 6:11, Luke 10:11 – The 'testimony against them' would be for the future punishment for disbelief or not welcoming the message? This is a highly unlikely attitude coming from Jesus and does not follow from the main commandment of love; the creator will evaluate everyone anyway as to how they lived their lives, so such testimony is not needed by the followers of Jesus (especially that everyone's thoughts are all transparent to the creator). This anecdote is suspected to have been made up by the writers (taken from Mark) for the story's sake, and not originating from Jesus himself. The way the disciples are to show their conviction is by loving one another, not by taking notes on those who are not willing to accept the good news or think differently (the creator will deal with them and this is not for the disciples to worry about.
     
        

    Luke 9:20

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    Berean: ..."20 “But what about you?” Jesus asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “The Christ of God.” "...
    NRSV: ..."20 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered, "The Messiah of God.""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • appeasement/catering to potential Jewish converts
  • misconception about the CESAPH, which is magnitudes more significant than the concept of the Jewish Messiah
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans"
  •  
    interpretation:
    The 'Messiah' can only be valid in this context if it meant what the CESAPH was, and not a reference to what the Jews were waiting for and expecting (their definition of the Messiah, which Jesus did not fit). But of course, Peter likely thought of Jesus as the Messiah the Jews were expecting.
     
        

    Luke 9:21, 22

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    Berean: ..."21 Jesus strictly warned them not to tell this to anyone. 22 “The Son of Man must suffer many things,” He said. “He must be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and He must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.” "...
    NRSV: ..."21 He sternly ordered and commanded them not to tell anyone, 22 saying, "The Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • suspected post-fitting of the narrative (not possible for the author to know about, or likely did not happen as described)
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Every human has a real chance at reaching their salvation, which is NOT predetermined or predestined. The creator is NOT omniscient with regard to humans’ free will, and their fate in the evaluation"
  •  
    interpretation:
    If he sternly ordered them NOT to tell anyone, why did this make it to the NT? It is more likely that this anecdote was made up to retrofit the story. On the other hand, from the nature of the CESAPH anyone can expect the likelihood of such fate (or something very similar) for Jesus given his entity, his message, and his chosen context of appearance. But this does not mean predetermination for the humans who were making their individual decisions affecting Jesus's fate.
     
        

    Luke 9:23, 24, 25, 26

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."23 Then Jesus said to all of them, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me. 24 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. 25 What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet lose or forfeit his very self? 26 If anyone is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. "...
    NRSV: ..."23 Then he said to them all, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 24 For those who want to save their lives will lose it, and those who lose their lives for my sake will save it. 25 What does it profit them if they gain the whole world, but lose or forfeit themselves? 26 Those who are ashamed of me and of my words, of them the Son of Man will be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • The main goal of our life is to reach our salvation and build values that transcend this reality into eternal life, not to reach material or academic success or to fulfill other worldly desires or loyalties
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    As all of us are here in this life to serve our penance and succeed in the evaluation to gain our salvation, this passage makes supreme and logical sense. Those who are seemingly the most successful people in this life can fail their evaluation and vice versa, because our situations here also represent a trap of temptation, where one more easily aligns with selfishness instead of love. The amount of misery in life is one factor, but more important is the amount of temptation to fail that one is to face. To deny one's self means that there is no loyalty or situation on Earth that would justify NOT walking the path of salvation (and do the opposite instead because of whatever excuse).
     
        

    Luke 9:27

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."27 But I tell you truthfully, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.” "...
    NRSV: ..."27 But truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • clear misguidance of author as the time remaining till the second coming was NOT near
  •  
    interpretation:
    This was still written in a time when disciples of Jesus lived in the hope that during their lifetime the second coming of Jesus will take place. Obviously, they were wrong. And now we face, whether the author has put these words into the mouth of Jesus, or Jesus said these words himself. We need to keep in mind that the time the author wrote this writing was decades after Jesus has died already. Hope of the second coming was already waning among the disciples, as many already started dying. Stating such an obviously failing proposition must come from the sincere hope that indeed at least some who have witnessed Jesus will also live to see his second coming. The more likely scenario is that the second coming of Jesus will take place in everyone's awareness, right (or shortly) after their deaths in a shared moment in objective time, simultaneously experienced by all the souls who will have ever participated in the evaluation of life. If so, such an event is not to be looked forward to in this life, but beyond. This passage refutes the infallibility of the NT writings, as it is obviously made on an incorrect assumption that the second coming of Jesus comes during the lifetime of the disciples. There is nothing wrong with being wrong on this; however then, people should not refer to the NT as infallible, and the writings can also contain other errors/ misunderstandings/ misconceptions/ misrepresentations/ inconsistencies/ contradictions, etc.
     
        

    Luke 9:40, 41, 42

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."40 I begged Your disciples to drive it out, but they were unable.” 41 “O unbelieving and perverse generation!” Jesus replied. “How long must I remain with you and put up with you? Bring your son here.” 42 Even while the boy was approaching, the demon slammed him to the ground in a convulsion. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the boy, and gave him back to his father. "...
    NRSV: ..."40 I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not." 41 Jesus answered, "You faithless and perverse generation, how much longer must I be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here." 42 While he was coming, the demon dashed him to the ground in convulsions. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the boy, and gave him back to his father."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • leaning on miracles for authenticity
  • misconceived idea about casting out demons
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Parallels Mark 9:18-19 – Epilepsy is not something to cast out from anyone as a demon; the disciples' faith had nothing to do with their failure to heal the epileptic (though it is theoretically possible that upon asking for such an intervention from the creator, it is granted – but obviously faith healing is not a common practice anyone should rely on). This passage is part of the focus of the authors to focus on the miraculous to convince potential converts. In such pursuit, it is feasible to think that made up some of these stories to convince potential followers with the power of miracles. The miracles mentioned in the NT may have happened as described – it is just not that relevant to the essential message of Jesus, as THAT speaks for itself (makes its own sense, fits seamlessly into the logic of the philosophical foundation's conclusions). In other words, it does not 'need' the support of miracles, including the resurrection. Additionally, the impatience and frustration of Jesus documented in this passage with his disciples is not characteristic of his spirit and other stories of him.
     
        

    Luke 9:46, 47, 48

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    Berean: ..."46 Then an argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest. 47 But Jesus, knowing the thoughts of their hearts, had a little child stand beside Him. 48 And He said to them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in My name welcomes Me, and whoever welcomes Me welcomes the One who sent Me. For whoever is the least among all of you, he is the greatest.” "...
    NRSV: ..."46 An argument arose among them as to which one of them was the greatest. 47 But Jesus, aware of their inner thoughts, took a little child and put it by his side, 48 and said to them, "Whoever welcomes this child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me; for the least among all of you is the greatest.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • One ‘loves God’ by loving their fellow human beings, no matter how far removed they may be, which fulfills the single command of God
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    Here, the child represents being seemingly unimportant and irrelevant. One who regards such people with respect, dignity and consideration does the deed that is dearest to the creator. Indeed, this is the most selfless act, thus the most valid expression of un-calculated love for your 'neighbor' that one did not regard with 'importance' or 'significance'. One's “importance” on Earth does not necessarily correspond with one's significance in the next world.
     
        

    Luke 9:49, 50

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."49 “Master,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in Your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not accompany us.” 50 “Do not stop him,” Jesus replied, “for whoever is not against you is for you.” "...
    NRSV: ..."49 John answered, "Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not follow with us." 50 But Jesus said to him, "Do not stop him; for whoever is not against you is for you.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • As salvation is an individual achievement, finding the way and living life accordingly is a private matter that can not be policed or compelled by others
  •  
    interpretation:
    Establishing official structures, churches, rituals, power base that then would have the exclusive authority to perform things, establish tenets, and interpret scripture in the name of the divine is not the point and intention of Jesus. The CESAPH happened to help as many individuals reach their salvation as possible – all through their free will. Therefore, if one is not against the eternal word of God – against humans reaching their salvation through alignment with love – is cooperating with the creator's plan, and no one has authority over such people. One who is against love in conviction, who stands for selfishness, is the enemy. The story has nothing to do with demons or the power to cast them out – that part is misguided.
     
        

    Luke 9:60, 61, 62

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    Berean: ..."60 But Jesus told him, “Let the dead bury their own dead. You, however, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” 61 Still another said, “I will follow You, Lord; but first let me bid farewell to my family.” 62 Then Jesus declared, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and then looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” "...
    NRSV: ..."60 But Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God." 61 Another said, "I will follow you, Lord; but let me first say farewell to those at my home." 62 Jesus said to him, "No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • The main goal of our life is to reach our salvation and build values that transcend this reality into eternal life, not to reach material or academic success or to fulfill other worldly desires or loyalties
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    Forget about anything else that you may think is more important than walking the path of salvation – as there are no such things in life. A justified conviction should fully define and drive one's life. Those who have doubt about the rightness of this conviction or following it, or wish to also pursue other convictions, goals, or 'more important or urgent things' are unfit. Our materialistic world serves to tempt us this way – to look back and ponder whether it is worth it, whether it really is so, once we already grabbed the plow of our justified conviction. This is exactly the setup our evaluation needs to test our alignment.
     
        

    Luke 10:10, 11, 12

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    Berean: ..."10 But if you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go into the streets and declare, 11 ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off as a testimony against you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God is near.’ 12 I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town. "...
    NRSV: ..."10 But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say, 11 'Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off in protest against you. Yet know this: the kingdom of God has come near.' 12 I tell you, on that day it will be more tolerable for Sodom than for that town."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • attempted building, claiming, or referencing authority that is misguided and improper
  • incorrect or inappropriate generalization
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "As salvation is an individual achievement, finding the way and living life accordingly is a private matter that can not be policed or compelled by others"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Parallels Luke 9:5, Mark 6:11 – for unwelcoming the disciples, this is way harsh of a reaction coming from Jesus; it is more likely that the disciples made this up for themselves for their missionary work. Naturally, the reaction to the Good News has to come from individuals, not from towns. This sounds like some sort of mandating that the good news shall be welcomed, or else a reprimanding and taking notes is in place for future retribution (like the creator could not see who is welcoming the good news and who does not and would need assistance in identifying those who are out of compliance..). The way the disciples are to show their conviction is by loving one another, not by taking notes on those who are not willing to accept the good news or think differently (the creator will deal with them and this is not for the disciples to worry about.
     
        

    Luke 10:15

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    Berean: ..."15 And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to heaven? No, you will be brought down to Hades! "...
    NRSV: ..."15 And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven?No, you will be brought down to Hades."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • incorrect or inappropriate generalization
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • reliance on OT and greek mythology
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "As salvation is an individual achievement, finding the way and living life accordingly is a private matter that can not be policed or compelled by others"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Generalizing and collective punishment is contrary to love and forgiveness. It is also unlikely that Jesus would have referred to the Greek mythological figure of Hades. In the grand scheme, of course, those individuals who reject the word and path of God to gain their salvation will be cast aside.
     
        

    Luke 10:20

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    Berean: ..."20 Nevertheless, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” "...
    NRSV: ..."20 Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • The main goal of our life is to reach our salvation and build values that transcend this reality into eternal life, not to reach material or academic success or to fulfill other worldly desires or loyalties
  •  
    interpretation:
    Do not seek and marvel about miracles, but about reaching justification (seeing the light) and successfully completing the journey to salvation. After all, this is the purpose and goal of human existence in this reality.
     
    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Every human has a real chance at reaching their salvation, which is NOT predetermined or predestined. The creator is NOT omniscient with regard to humans’ free will, and their fate in the evaluation"
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage may be interpreted as some humans are meant to be saved and their name is already written in heaven, even before they complete their evaluation of their lives. This would amount to predestination, which is logically false and absurd.
     
        

    Luke 10:21

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    Berean: ..."21 At that time Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and declared, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was well-pleasing in Your sight. "...
    NRSV: ..."21 At that same hour Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • The main goal of our life is to reach our salvation and build values that transcend this reality into eternal life, not to reach material or academic success or to fulfill other worldly desires or loyalties
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    In this passage, wisdom and intelligence refers to that of this world. The goal here is not material or academic success in life, but alignment with the preferred value of the creator; in this way, those who seem to be 'successful' may have a much harder time to gain their salvation, because their focus and goal lays elsewhere. Thus, the 'successes' of this world may be mere temptations that derail one from reaching salvation. In fact, intelligence and wisdom (and the knowledge of this world) are not the type of talents that directly or necessarily lead one more to salvation, as they are not by their nature lead onto alignment with love. This may be why the meek are closer to salvation than the wise and intelligent.
     
        

    Luke 10:22

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    Berean: ..."22 All things have been entrusted to Me by My Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him.” "...
    NRSV: ..."22 All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  • The concept of the ‘trinity’ can only be interpreted as ‘three possible interface to the same single entity of the creator’
  •  
    interpretation:
    Jesus IS the creator in a fully human form, constituting one of the three possible interfaces. Naturally, the authors saw this differently at the time, but the essence is the same about Jesus's divinity. A more complete revelation on the creator may be available to those who reach salvation and rejoin his presence in the next realm. As for this life, there isn't anything to comprehend about the creator beyond what we can already can 'know' of him: that he loves humans and wants them to rejoin his presence; and doing so is up to us. We can do this by serving our assigned penance while align our conviction and life with love.
     
        

    Luke 10:23, 24

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."23 Then Jesus turned to the disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. 24 For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.” "...
    NRSV: ..."23 ... "Blessed are the eyes that see what you see! 24 For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    To receive more certainty than the average (who simply hear the good news) is an exception from the creator, but those who achieve their salvation without such extra help are even more dear to the creator. Seeking miracles is self-defeating.
     
        

    Luke 10:33, 34, 36, 37

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."33 But when a Samaritan on a journey came upon him, he looked at him and had compassion. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 36 Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” 37 “The one who showed him mercy,” replied the expert in the law. Then Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” "...
    NRSV: ..."33 But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. ... 36 Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?" 37 He said, "The one who showed him mercy.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • One ‘loves God’ by loving their fellow human beings, no matter how far removed they may be, which fulfills the single command of God
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    Our neighborly consideration needs to go across all boundaries we perceive and include all of humanity, those whom we interact or know about. All decisions should be made with consideration to all who may suffer or be disadvantaged from it. We all need to be Samaritans!
     
        

    Luke 10:37, 40

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    Berean: ..."37 “The one who showed him mercy,” replied the expert in the law. Then Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations to be made. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her to help me!” "...
    NRSV: ..."37 Blessed are those slaves whom the master finds alert when he comes; truly I tell you, he will fasten his belt and have them sit down to eat, and he will come and serve them. ... 40 You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • condoning slavery
  • contradicts other NT passages
  •  
    interpretation:
    Contradicts Mark 10:44, Romans 7:6, 1 Corinthians 7:22-23, Philippians 2:6-8, Galatians 5:13-14 Galatians 5:1, 4:7, 3:28, 1 Timothy 1:10-11, 1 Peter 2:16, James 5:1-5, Colossians 3:10 by implicitly condoning the condition of slavery. The author is simply wrong on the possibility for any person to own slaves, their family, and make them obedient. Some forms of subservient relations CAN exist out of legal (repaying debt or fulfilling a contractual obligation) or moral reasons (voluntary or sanctioned rectifying trespasses to those harmed), but in those cases the relationship is NOT 'slavery', as ownership of another person or their offspring is not involved. Of course, people in subservient relations to their 'lenders' still need to relate to them (to the people they owe and serve) with love, and vice versa. This passage was likely included to maintain social order at the time of its writing, and has nothing to do with the wish of Jesus or his message (other than the main command covers all situations, including this one). If the 'master' is a respectable human, then treat him with respect. In ALL cases treat all humans – including masters – in alignment with love and consideration. Then, there are those masters who are not worthy of respect as they may not be worthy of any honor. And those should be treated 'appropriately'. No one needs to take consistent wickedness from an abuser as part of the abuser's pleasure and entertainment – and this does not even contradict the 'other cheek' principle. Masters who are believers (justified in their conviction) should have already freed their slaved and transferred all legitimate cases into contractual obligations (debt, rectifying sins). Addressing the condition of 'slavery' head on would have been perhaps more important for the author to address than these other detailed instructions he was so concerned about. But then, I guess he would have risked a quick execution from the slave-owning authorities. How about the practice of prisoners of war being converted into slave status? Well, perfect opportunity to preach the message of Jesus to the enablers and maintainers of such injustices! Social justice and sustainable development directly follow from Jesus's main command. More than 2000 years later church leaders still did not address those points by sticking them to the face of those who have been responsible for maintaining such injustices (namely, rulers and the rich who have been allied with the church throughout history).. And we did not even touch the camel's case with the eye of the needle. Sadly, parts like this were responsible in the upkeep of those unjust situations, as they could be referenced as examples and counter-examples, invoking 'divine blessing'.
     
        

    Luke 11:2, 3, 4

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."2 So Jesus told them, “When you pray, say: ‘Father, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. 3 Give us each day our daily bread. 4 And forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.’” "...
    NRSV: ..."2 He said to them, "When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. 3 Give us each day our daily bread. 4 And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us. And do not bring us to the time of trial.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • Grace is the ever-present willingness of the creator to help humans reach their salvation
  • The main goal of our life is to reach our salvation and build values that transcend this reality into eternal life, not to reach material or academic success or to fulfill other worldly desires or loyalties
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    We are to pray for help in achieving salvation, catering to our basic needs (not wealth and power), forgive our sins as we are to do so, and ease our evaluation by lessening temptation. The 'kingdom to come' will be in the next realm of existence, not in this one. What is the 'time of trial'? Temptation. Who arranges or brings us to temptation or can arrange to spare us from it? The creator (grace), NOT the devil. Thus, the source of 'evil' is us, and the temptation comes from each other and from the creator, as part of our evaluation.
     
        

    Luke 11:9, 10

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    Berean: ..."9 So I tell you: Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. "...
    NRSV: ..."9 "So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Grace is the ever-present willingness of the creator to help humans reach their salvation
  • It is logical to expect appropriate consequences due for passing or failing the evaluation
  • There is always hope and is never too late for salvation
  • ‘Justification’ is ‘being convinced about love’s (vs. selfishness) need to guide life’ (= ‘being rightly enlightened’, = ‘holding Jesus’s message in conviction’, = ‘following/believing in Jesus’, = ‘gaining a justified conviction’, = ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, = ‘doing the works of God’, = ‘satisfying/keeping/adhering to the command of God’, = ‘accepting/living according to Jesus’s message’, = ‘fulfilling the eternal word of God, of salvation’)
  •  
    interpretation:
    What will be given and what one can find can only refer to justification, gaining the conviction about the path to salvation, the eternal word of God. Naturally, this verse can not mean that whatever one prays for will be granted. We are to pray for help in achieving salvation, catering to our basic needs (not wealth and power), forgive our sins as we are to do so, and ease our evaluation by lessening temptation.
     
        

    Luke 11:13

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    Berean: ..."13 So if you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” "...
    NRSV: ..."13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • It is logical to expect appropriate consequences due for passing or failing the evaluation
  • ‘Evil’, ‘Devil’, or ‘Satan’ is NOT a separate entity opposed to the creator, but the value of selfishness in us that is opposite to the preferred value of the creator, love
  •  
    interpretation:
    This can also refer to the magnitudes of difference between rewards in this life and rewards in the next one (and same with misery perhaps). Based on the belief system of the OT,  the authors and disciples of Jesus misguidedly believed the ‘Evil One’, ‘Devil’, or ’Satan’ to be a separate independent entity (a fallen leader of angels) opposed to the creator and having some special powers. However, the concept should simply be interpreted as ‘the influence and temptations to be selfish’, the opposite of the creator’s preference of love that is present in us conscious humans, and all of us are here to demonstrate that we can subdue and eliminate this value in us, and side with its opposite in our evaluation.
     
        

    Luke 11:23

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    Berean: ..."23 He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters. "...
    NRSV: ..."23 Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Our evaluation serves to separate those who align with love from those who align with selfishness, thereby eliminating the source of suffering from heaven
  •  
    interpretation:
    Mark 9:40 (“Whoever is not against us is for us” referring to when someone tries to do something in the name of Jesus, tries to follow Jesus, but is not affiliated with the 'official' church) seemingly contradicts this verse, however, this one is about those who do not help Jesus gather the herd being against him, his plan. Thus, these statements refer to different situations. If one lives a life that will result in others not walking the path to their salvation (the gathering of the heard), then such person is working against the creator's plan, works against the scattering of the heard. This verse is not about mobilizing fighters of different factions for a fight in this life, but helping others in reaching salvation.
     
        

    Luke 11:24, 25, 26

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."24 When an unclean spirit comes out of a man, it passes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ 25 On its return, it finds the house swept clean and put in order. 26 Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and dwell there. And the final plight of that man is worse than the first.” "...
    NRSV: ..."24 "When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it wanders through waterless regions looking for a resting place, but not finding any, it says, 'I will return to my house from which I came.' 25 When it comes, it finds it swept and put in order. 26 Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and live there; and the last state of that person is worse than the first.""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • suspected post-fitting of the narrative (not possible for the author to know about, or likely did not happen as described)
  •  
    interpretation:
    There are no unclean spirits that are in humans; there is a single human soul being evaluated on its alignment with love vs selfishness (even for people with multiple personality disorders). Why seven others, and why could they overcome the person if there is free will and one has the choice to make relevant decisions, like giving in to temptations or resisting them? This passage, attributed to Jesus, makes no sense and is not actionable – in other words, one can not do anything with it. Why would this matter? And why would the creator let these other spirits take over one's body (the place of one's main soul in this reality)? It is most likely that the authors wrote these stories down based on anecdotes that have been circulating among the followers, for their miracle effect.
     
        

    Luke 11:28

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    Berean: ..."28 But He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” "...
    NRSV: ..."28 But he said, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it!""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  •  
    interpretation:
    Hearing the eternal word of God, of salvation (either through Jesus, or directly through inspiration from grace) and living accordingly is the only way to reach salvation.
     
        

    Luke 11:29, 30

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    Berean: ..."29 As the crowds were increasing, Jesus said, “This is a wicked generation. It demands a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah. 30 For as Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites, so the Son of Man will be a sign to this generation. "...
    NRSV: ..."29 When the crowds were increasing, he began to say, "This generation is an evil generation; it asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah. 30 For just as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so the Son of Man will be to this generation."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    People who are looking for miracles as justification for their faith are misguided. The evaluation of the quality of human soul does not allow for certainty of knowledge or miracles.
     
        

    Luke 11:34, 35

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    Berean: ..."34 Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are good, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are bad, your body is full of darkness. 35 Be careful, then, that the light within you is not darkness. "...
    NRSV: ..."34 Your eye is the lamp of your body. If your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light; but if it is not healthy, your body is full of darkness. 35 Therefore consider whether the light in you is not darkness."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    The eye represents one's conviction. Everything one sees goes through one's conviction. One's world view corresponds to one's belief system held in conviction. Thus, belief systems lead one to either salvation or damnation. Everyone holds and is driven by a belief system (including materialists) consciously or subconsciously.
     
        

    Luke 12:2, 3

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."2 There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, and nothing hidden that will not be made known. 3 What you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the housetops. "...
    NRSV: ..."2 Nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known. 3 Therefore whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be proclaimed from the housetops."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • The creator created our reality (best modeled as a consciousness-centric simulation) to facilitate the evaluation of its target audience: humans
  • The human spirit is somehow part of the eternal consciousness
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    Human conscious souls are fully transparent to the creator, thus its thoughts, desires, motivations and convictions are apparent to the creator, ready to be evaluated. The simulation and our participation in it runs in the mind of the creator. All reality is consciousness centric and is simulated by the creator.
     
        

    Luke 12:8, 9, 10

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."8 I tell you, everyone who confesses Me before men, the Son of Man will also confess him before the angels of God. 9 But whoever denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God. 10 And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. "...
    NRSV: ..."8 "And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God; 9 but whoever denies me before others will be denied before the angels of God. 10 And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven; but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Jesus’s ‘covenant’ of the eternal word of God, of salvation is the only covenant that has ever been and will ever be in effect from the creator for all of humanity, since the very beginning of time till the ending of our simulated reality, meaning that if one passes their evaluation on their alignment with love, one redeems their sinful condition and gains their salvation
  • Our evaluation serves to separate those who align with love from those who align with selfishness, thereby eliminating the source of suffering from heaven
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    There will be times in life for everyone where one has to reveal one's stand that reflects one's beliefs. Failure to act in accordance with love by giving in to selfishness, or lacking the belief in Jesus's message and story can still be forgiven. However, intentionally standing or speaking against love – the preferred value of the creator – out of conviction, will not be forgiven. This also indicates that it is not the person of Jesus who we need to really worry about in this life, but the eternal word of God, of salvation – the message he formalized to humanity. And this can also be the case for those not granted access to the good news of the CESAPH.
     
        

    Luke 12:15

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    Berean: ..."15 And He said to them, “Watch out! Guard yourselves against every form of greed, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” "...
    NRSV: ..."15 And he said to them, "Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one's life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • The main goal of our life is to reach our salvation and build values that transcend this reality into eternal life, not to reach material or academic success or to fulfill other worldly desires or loyalties
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    Greed, as a derivative of selfishness, is the opposite of love. There are plentiful of temptations that try to align us with greed in life, arranged by the creator, to test our soul.
     
        

    Luke 12:22, 23

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    Berean: ..."22 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. "...
    NRSV: ..."22 He said to his disciples, "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • The main goal of our life is to reach our salvation and build values that transcend this reality into eternal life, not to reach material or academic success or to fulfill other worldly desires or loyalties
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    Positioning the worries of physical life with the values that bring salvation.
     
        

    Luke 12:29, 30, 31

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    Berean: ..."29 And do not be concerned about what you will eat or drink. Do not worry about it. 30 For the Gentiles of the world strive after all these things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 But seek His kingdom, and these things will be added unto you. "...
    NRSV: ..."29 And do not keep striving for what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not keep worrying. 30 For it is the nations of the world that strive after all these things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 Instead, strive for his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally
  • The main goal of our life is to reach our salvation and build values that transcend this reality into eternal life, not to reach material or academic success or to fulfill other worldly desires or loyalties
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage is about preoccupation and priorities, while acknowledging the physical needs of people. Jesus does not tell us to shun all material things, but not to have them as our main focus in life. Nations of the world also strive to maintain social order, where there is place for detailed laws to sanction harmful behavior and encourage beneficial ones. Our needs are also somewhat the function of our assigned situations we got as a sentence for our wrongdoings in our precursory existence.
     
        

    Luke 12:32, 33, 34

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    Berean: ..."32 Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide yourselves with purses that will not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. "...
    NRSV: ..."32 "Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • In their predispositions, humans inherit both love (the essence of the creator’s spirit we share with him, indicating our significance) and selfishness (its opposite/opposing property, what some mistakenly attribute to a separate entity of the ‘evil/devil/satan’) to different degrees from their greater-self, from their originating context of reality
  • It is logical to expect appropriate consequences due for passing or failing the evaluation
  • The main goal of our life is to reach our salvation and build values that transcend this reality into eternal life, not to reach material or academic success or to fulfill other worldly desires or loyalties
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    This confirms that we are all like children to the creator and that He wants and desires us to succeed in our evaluations so that we rejoin his presence. Our 'treasure' signifies our world view/conviction that drives our motivations, and as such, describes the quality of our soul.
     
        

    Luke 12:37, 40

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."37 Blessed are those servants whom the master finds on watch when he returns. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve and will have them recline at the table, and he himself will come and wait on them. 40 You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour you do not expect.” "...
    NRSV: ..."37 Blessed are those slaves whom the master finds alert when he comes; truly I tell you, he will fasten his belt and have them sit down to eat, and he will come and serve them. ... 40 You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator
  • In their predispositions, humans inherit both love (the essence of the creator’s spirit we share with him, indicating our significance) and selfishness (its opposite/opposing property, what some mistakenly attribute to a separate entity of the ‘evil/devil/satan’) to different degrees from their greater-self, from their originating context of reality
  • Relativity of experiencing time
  • The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans
  • There is always hope and is never too late for salvation
  •  
    interpretation:
    Condoning slavery addressed under issues. The condition of slavery here refers to that between humans and the creator (the only valid and proper application of this condition, as we are subservient to the creator having to serve him by aligning our conviction with love). We are here to serve according to the criterion set forth by the creator – not without payment, but with the hope of gaining salvation. This hints at our servitude-like relationship with the creator, but it tells us that it is really not just a one-sided servitude (even though we are ultimately subject to divine might and will), but a relationship that is based on love, that is mutually desirable. There is no point in rebelling against this condition as we are not equals to the creator. Having the right conviction that drives one's life satisfies the readiness for the arrival of judgment at any time. This renders all efforts to find out when the end times may come in this life futile and irrelevant. The end times may simply happen to everyone at the same moment, after each person's death (skipping everyone in time to the same moment after their death, just as this sort of phenomena can happen when one sleeps).
     
        

    Luke 12:47, 48

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    Berean: ..."47 That servant who knows his master’s will but does not get ready or follow his instructions will be beaten with many blows. 48 But the one who unknowingly does things worthy of punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and from him who has been entrusted with much, even more will be demanded. "...
    NRSV: ..."47 That slave who knew what his master wanted, but did not prepare himself or do what was wanted, will receive a severe beating. 48 But the one who did not know and did what deserved a beating will receive a light beating. From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from the one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    Parallels betw. Matthew 13:12, 25:29, Luke 8:18, 12:48, 19:26; The weight of knowing about the good news or being convinced of the rightness of the eternal word of God, of salvation, is an extra responsibility and assignment for the individual. Enlightenment and knowledge comes with extra responsibilities. Willful ignorance of having to walk the path is a form of selfishness. The blessings of life one receives in their assigned situations (talent, luck, wealth, health) are also to be used in light of this extra responsibility, to use them for good, in line with love.
     
        

    Luke 12:51

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."51 Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but division. "...
    NRSV: ..."51 Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division!"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    Division comes from the necessary uncertainty we face, the temptations we are to navigate through, and from the nature of selfishness affecting humans. Division also comes from the loyalties we may need to break (to family, tribe, culture, etc) in order to walk the path of salvation according to our justified conviction. Love threatens/upsets the logic of selfish behavior and its aims (achievement-oriented and materialistic life). Bringing peace is not the goal of our setup, our evaluation and penance is; Achieving peace can be one of our goals in this life, as an outcome that directly derives from our evaluation criterion of love. But WE have to accomplish this; it can not be brought by the creator to us on a silver platter. Peace will be accomplished once those who align with selfishness are separated from those who align with love (in the next realm). Just how important is the goal of trying to reach salvation should be apparent in the creator's willingness to undergo the suffering that could be foreseen in Jesus's fate.
     
        

    Luke 12:54, 55, 56

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."54 Then Jesus said to the crowds, “As soon as you see a cloud rising in the west, you say, ‘A shower is coming,’ and that is what happens. 55 And when the south wind blows, you say, ‘It will be hot,’ and it is. 56 You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and sky. Why don’t you know how to interpret the present time? "...
    NRSV: ..."54 He also said to the crowds, "When you see a cloud rising in the west, you immediately say, 'It is going to rain'; and so it happens. 55 And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, 'There will be scorching heat'; and it happens. 56 You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Jesus’s ‘covenant’ of the eternal word of God, of salvation is the only covenant that has ever been and will ever be in effect from the creator for all of humanity, since the very beginning of time till the ending of our simulated reality, meaning that if one passes their evaluation on their alignment with love, one redeems their sinful condition and gains their salvation
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage refers to the failure of contemporaries to properly interpret and look at the CESAPH; here Jesus directly tells their audience that they do NOT have a proper interpretation of him and his teaching. This may have also applied to an extent to his disciples.
     
        

    Luke 12:57, 58

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    Berean: ..."57 And why don’t you judge for yourselves what is right? 58 Make every effort to reconcile with your adversary while you are on your way to the magistrate. Otherwise, he may drag you off to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and the officer may throw you into prison. "...
    NRSV: ..."57 "And why do you not judge for yourselves what is right? 58 Thus, when you go with your accuser before a magistrate, on the way make an effort to settle the case"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  •  
    interpretation:
    Indeed, if everyone held the conviction of love, fairness, and consideration for others, all disagreements could be settled by people as agreements would follow naturally; that is also the expectation in the next realm, as people will be separated based on the alignment with love vs selfishness (with their lives as the testimony to that).
     
        

    Luke 13:4, 5

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    Berean: ..."4 Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam collapsed on them: Do you think that they were more sinful than all the others living in Jerusalem? 5 No, I tell you. But unless you repent, you too will all perish.” "...
    NRSV: ..."4 Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them — do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others living in Jerusalem? 5 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Jesus’s ‘covenant’ of the eternal word of God, of salvation is the only covenant that has ever been and will ever be in effect from the creator for all of humanity, since the very beginning of time till the ending of our simulated reality, meaning that if one passes their evaluation on their alignment with love, one redeems their sinful condition and gains their salvation
  • Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally
  •  
    interpretation:
    What we have to go through in life does not relate to how good or bad we have been in this life; bad tings happen to good people and all other combinations! Our assignments are proportional to the wrong of our precursor (the wrongs we have caused before this life in our garden of Eden). Repentance here means a realignment of our conviction to love and living our life in our assigned situations as a testimony to that, whatever those may be.
     
        

    Luke 13:24, 25

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    Berean: ..."24 “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able. 25 After the master of the house gets up and shuts the door, you will stand outside knocking and saying, ‘Lord, open the door for us.’ But he will reply, ‘I do not know where you are from.’ "...
    NRSV: ..."24 "Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able. 25 When once the owner of the house has got up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, 'Lord, open to us,' then in reply he will say to you, 'I do not know where you come from.'"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  • There is always hope and is never too late for salvation
  •  
    interpretation:
    This tells us that our life here is a single chance at redemption, not a cycle of trial and errors until we succeed; thus no one should expect further chances at redemption. The narrow door symbolizes the hard way of getting in; indeed, living a life aligned with love is the simplest message, but the hardest to implement throughout one's life. One should not think that “since I did not kill or harm anyone and kept the ten commandments, I should be good to go”, as this keeps plenty of space for selfishness.
     
        

    Luke 14:10, 11

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    Berean: ..."10 But when you are invited, go and sit in the last place, so that your host will come and tell you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in front of everyone at the table with you. 11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” "...
    NRSV: ..."10 But when you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, 'Friend, move up higher'; then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at the table with you. 11 For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Behavioral guidance
  • The main goal of our life is to reach our salvation and build values that transcend this reality into eternal life, not to reach material or academic success or to fulfill other worldly desires or loyalties
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    Pointing out the importance of humility vs the boasting.
     
        

    Luke 14:13, 14

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    Berean: ..."13 But when you host a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind, 14 and you will be blessed. Since they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” "...
    NRSV: ..."13 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. 14 And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Behavioral guidance
  • One ‘loves God’ by loving their fellow human beings, no matter how far removed they may be, which fulfills the single command of God
  • The main goal of our life is to reach our salvation and build values that transcend this reality into eternal life, not to reach material or academic success or to fulfill other worldly desires or loyalties
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    True love is non-calculated and unselfish, performing out of conviction.
     
        

    Luke 14:26, 27

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    Berean: ..."26 “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be My disciple. 27 And whoever does not carry his cross and follow Me cannot be My disciple. "...
    NRSV: ..."26 "Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple. 27 Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • The main goal of our life is to reach our salvation and build values that transcend this reality into eternal life, not to reach material or academic success or to fulfill other worldly desires or loyalties
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    Loyalty can not overwrite sticking to the right alignment and walking the path of salvation, at any level. Hating life itself means recognizing that materialistic and achievement-oriented living is not the goal (unless it serves love). The heavenly call to all people – the divine invitation to follow Jesus's message of salvation – is to reach salvation by aligning life with love in the situations assigned throughout life. In dedicating life to reaching salvation, one may stand in conflict with loyalties to family, clan, tribe, culture, religion, and one's own personal achievements. Matthew 16:24-26, 19:29, Luke 14:25-27, Philippians 3:13,14 all express the same: following the path of salvation may require one to completely go against one's old, established ways and whatever loyalties this may conflict with. One needs to remember that situational assignments are there as one's penance, and temptations are there to probe one's alignment – and one needs to succeed at reaching salvation DESPITE these.
     
        

    Luke 14:28, 29, 33

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    Berean: ..."28 Which of you, wishing to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost to see if he has the resources to complete it? 29 Otherwise, if he lays the foundation and is unable to finish the work, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, 33 In the same way, any one of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be My disciple. "...
    NRSV: ..."28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it will begin to ridicule him, ... 33 So therefore, none of you can become my disciple if you do not give up all your possessions."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • There is always hope and is never too late for salvation
  •  
    interpretation:
    Reaching salvation is the purpose of our existence here, thus, it requires total commitment on our part. Having the conviction of the right path but not following it just makes no logical sense at all.
     
        

    Luke 15:7, 10, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 31, 32

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."7 In the same way, I tell you that there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous ones who do not need to repent. 10 In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels over one sinner who repents.” 17 Finally he came to his senses and said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have plenty of food? But here I am, starving to death! 18 I will get up and go back to my father and say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.”’ 20 So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still in the distance, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. 21 The son declared, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 31 ‘Son, you are always with me,’ the father said, ‘and all that is mine is yours. 32 But it was fitting to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’” "...
    NRSV: ..."7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. ... 10 Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." ... 17 But when he came to himself he said, 'How many of my father's hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! 18 I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands."' 20 So he set off and went to his father. ... 21 Then the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' 22 But the father said to his slaves, 'Quickly, bring out a robe — the best one — and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. ... 31 Then the father said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.'""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • Every human has a real chance at reaching their salvation, which is NOT predetermined or predestined. The creator is NOT omniscient with regard to humans’ free will, and their fate in the evaluation
  • In their predispositions, humans inherit both love (the essence of the creator’s spirit we share with him, indicating our significance) and selfishness (its opposite/opposing property, what some mistakenly attribute to a separate entity of the ‘evil/devil/satan’) to different degrees from their greater-self, from their originating context of reality
  • The evaluation result is likely progressive within pass or fail
  • There is always hope and is never too late for salvation
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage can be describing the journey of humanity from being fallen angels to possibly reaching salvation, the regaining of their place in heaven. It tells of the relation of angels (who did not falter and thus had no need to enter Earth) and humans (who did and are now in their repentance on Earth). The prodigal son are all of us humans, and the elder son (who has always been with the Father) are angels who did not falter,and thus, stayed in the presence of the creator. This passage illustrates the creator's motivation as to why a second chance was granted to a group of fallen angels - us. This way, this parable is NOT about humans who are righteous throughout their lives, as their appearance in this reality means that they are also repenting sinners. One could have the thought based on this that perhaps one is better to be a sinner so that there will be more joy at their repentance. However the potential misery one may have to go through as part of repentance (as opposed to not breaking the bond between the creator and staying in his presence) may not make this reasoning worth to consider. Additionally, if everyone's faith was predetermined, there would be no joy in Heaven for any repentant souls.
     
        

    Luke 16:9

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."9 I tell you, use worldly wealth to make friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, they will welcome you into eternal dwellings. "...
    NRSV: ..."9 And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of dishonest wealth so that when it is gone, they may welcome you into the eternal homes."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Behavioral guidance
  • One ‘loves God’ by loving their fellow human beings, no matter how far removed they may be, which fulfills the single command of God
  • The main goal of our life is to reach our salvation and build values that transcend this reality into eternal life, not to reach material or academic success or to fulfill other worldly desires or loyalties
  •  
    interpretation:
    A translation closer to the original greek would be: “I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.” (NIV version) This paragraph gives some hope for the rich: if they use their wealth to make friends (do good to others, enrich others) then they can hope that some of those will “welcome them into eternal dwellings”. Basically, this may somehow qualify them to reach their salvation, if their life was otherwise aligned with love. Wealth, in itself, is not the issue. Having the goal of amassing wealth is the issue, as that may lead one to selfishness.
     
        

    Luke 16:13

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    Berean: ..."13 No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” "...
    NRSV: ..."13 No slave can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • The main goal of our life is to reach our salvation and build values that transcend this reality into eternal life, not to reach material or academic success or to fulfill other worldly desires or loyalties
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    Those hoping to benefit materially and spiritually may hope so in vain. So much for the prosperity of individuals (or small communities) at the expense of others.
     
        

    Luke 16:16, 17

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    Berean: ..."16 The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John. Since that time, the gospel of the kingdom of God is being preached, and everyone is forcing his way into it. 17 But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for a single stroke of a pen to drop out of the Law. "...
    NRSV: ..."16 "The law and the prophets were in effect until John came; since then the good news of the kingdom of God is proclaimed, and everyone tries to enter it by force. 17 But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away, than for one stroke of a letter in the law to be dropped."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • appeasement/catering to potential Jewish converts
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Jesus’s ‘covenant’ of the eternal word of God, of salvation is the only covenant that has ever been and will ever be in effect from the creator for all of humanity, since the very beginning of time till the ending of our simulated reality, meaning that if one passes their evaluation on their alignment with love, one redeems their sinful condition and gains their salvation"
  •  
    interpretation:
    It is easy to misunderstand this passage as meaning that Jesus did not come to change Mosaic law, but to uphold it, meaning that Jewish law has always been right, and Jesus did not mean to change it – which is utter rubbish. Another version is that he came to “fulfill” - which he did not do in any meaningful way: if the law could not be fulfilled by people, then why would God do this for us instead? It makes zero sense. What does make sense is that if the law is not fulfilled by people, they will FAIL. And this is what is in Jesus's message: one either reaches salvation, or fails at it (not getting yet a different set of conditions because the previous set seem to have not worked as expected). The evaluation criterion is universal and has always been in effect: prove with your life that you can love others. Moses's law was never in effect as that would mean we are facing a creator who is changing his mind about what our goals are in this life, and what is the criterion for everyone to succeed by. The OT never represented the word of the creator as it was written about Jews, for Jews, by Jews, lacking a universal message to humanity that makes sense, and putting the focus on something entirely different than proving one can love others with their life (the only law that is eternal, the eternal word of God, of salvation. This passage is an attempt to cater to Jewish converts by stating that the law they are sticking to is valid and remains so (thereby making them feel better about joining the ranks of the disciples.  
     
        

    Luke 16:22, 23

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    Berean: ..."22 One day the beggar died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. And the rich man also died and was buried. 23 In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham from afar, with Lazarus by his side. "...
    NRSV: ..."22 The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In Hades, where he was being tormented, he looked up and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • reliance on OT and greek mythology
  •  
    interpretation:
    Reference to greek mythology from Jesus must have been made up; reference to Abraham is catering to Jewish converts – however this parable can also be understood in a non-Jewish context, without any such references.
     
        

    Luke 16:25, 26

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    Berean: ..."25 But Abraham answered, ‘Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things. But now he is comforted here, while you are in agony. 26 And besides all this, a great chasm has been fixed between us and you, so that even those who wish cannot cross from here to you, nor can anyone cross from there to us.’ "...
    NRSV: ..."25 But Abraham said, 'Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony. 26 Besides all this, between you and us a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who might want to pass from here to you cannot do so, and no one can cross from there to us.' ... 'If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.'""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • As salvation is an individual achievement, finding the way and living life accordingly is a private matter that can not be policed or compelled by others
  • Jesus’s ‘covenant’ of the eternal word of God, of salvation is the only covenant that has ever been and will ever be in effect from the creator for all of humanity, since the very beginning of time till the ending of our simulated reality, meaning that if one passes their evaluation on their alignment with love, one redeems their sinful condition and gains their salvation
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    Apart form references to Abraham and Moses (which serve the purpose to convince potential Jewish believers), this parable tells us that there will always be those who will not be convinced of any story unless the supernatural is demonstrated to them. However, this will be their failings, as the evaluation setup has to logically maintain a reasonable doubt so that the human character be testable in its alignment on love vs selfishness. Beside figuring things out for our own sake in our life, guidance may also be available from others' wisdom who may have some special understanding, and from the CESAPH (or its story). One may or may not see the sense in, or heed these wisdoms – all part of the journey of one's life. But THIS is the evaluation's setup, and the consequences may be grave and irreversible.
     
        

    Luke 17:1, 2

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    Berean: ..."1 Jesus said to His disciples, “It is inevitable that stumbling blocks will come, but woe to the one through whom they come! 2 It would be better for him to have a millstone hung around his neck and to be thrown into the sea than to cause one of these little ones to stumble. "...
    NRSV: ..."1 Jesus said to his disciples, "Occasions for stumbling are bound to come, but woe to anyone by whom they come! 2 It would be better for you if a millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea than for you to cause one of these little ones to stumble."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    There are two sources of misery and temptations for everyone in this life: one is assigned by the creator in our accidental circumstances/situations we face during our life, and the other is caused by the free will of others. Tempting others toward selfishness (the stumbling) seems to be an extremely grave sin – as it works against the motivation of the creator. There may also be a logical contradiction in this statement, addressed among the issues.
     
        

    Luke 17:3

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    Berean: ..."3 Watch yourselves. If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. "...
    NRSV: ..."3 Be on your guard! If another disciple sins, you must rebuke the offender, and if there is repentance, you must forgive."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • A justified person has the duty to spread the word of God to others in a non-intrusive way whenever the chance arises and by showing an example
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • Behavioral guidance
  •  
    interpretation:
    Some practical Behavioral guidance, however, repentance must also include the attempt to rectify the wrong caused and its consequences as best it can be done.
     
        

    Luke 17:7, 8, 9, 10

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."7 Which of you whose servant comes in from plowing or shepherding in the field will say to him, ‘Come at once and sit down to eat’? 8 Instead, won’t he tell him, ‘Prepare my meal and dress yourself to serve me while I eat and drink; and afterward you may eat and drink’? 9 Does he thank the servant because he did what he was told? 10 So you also, when you have done everything commanded of you, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’” "...
    NRSV: ..."7 "Who among you would say to your slave who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field, 'Come here at once and take your place at the table'? 8 Would you not rather say to him, 'Prepare supper for me, put on your apron and serve me while I eat and drink; later you may eat and drink'? 9 Do you thank the slave for doing what was commanded? 10 So you also, when you have done all that you were ordered to do, say, 'We are worthless slaves; we have done only what we ought to have done!'""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • It is logical to expect appropriate consequences due for passing or failing the evaluation
  • Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally
  •  
    interpretation:
    Contradicts other NT passages by implicitly condoning slavery – addressed under the issues. The condition – being mandated to perform a task without payment while lacking the freedom to escape from the situation – can only be valid between the creator and other lesser conscious beings, like humans. This condition can not be present legitimately among humans in any ethical or moral way. However, since this WAS a condition present at that time (immorally), the author (or even Jesus) has used it to illustrate our place with regard to the creator: we are in a subservient position to the creator, in no hope of being equal to him. We were commanded (or were granted) to undergo this evaluation to earn back our place in the presence of the creator, where we can only remain under the conditions specified by the creator – that is our proven conviction is aligned with love. In this, we have no choice, and no freedom – we ARE here (and suicide is not solving our obligations either, just most likely makes us fail automatically). In this sense, this passage is a reality check for humans – putting us into our rightful place. This also sets our expectations in the next world and this one; after all, we are servants of the creator, and this will not change just because we have gained our salvation (did what we were expected to do in this world).
     
    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • condoning slavery
  • contradicts other NT passages
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "In their predispositions, humans inherit both love (the essence of the creator’s spirit we share with him, indicating our significance) and selfishness (its opposite/opposing property, what some mistakenly attribute to a separate entity of the ‘evil/devil/satan’) to different degrees from their greater-self, from their originating context of reality"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Contradicts Matthew 19:29, 20:28, 25:34, Mark 10:40, Luke 6:23, 10:20 on the relation between humans and the creator. Contradicts Mark 10:44, Romans 7:6, 1 Corinthians 7:22-23, Philippians 2:6-8, Galatians 5:13-14 Galatians 5:1, 4:7, 3:28, 1 Timothy 1:10-11, 1 Peter 2:16, James 5:1-5, Colossians 3:10 by implicitly condoning the condition of slavery. The author is simply wrong on the possibility for any person to own slaves, their family, and make them obedient. Some forms of subservient relations CAN exist out of legal (repaying debt or fulfilling a contractual obligation) or moral reasons (voluntary or sanctioned rectifying trespasses to those harmed), but in those cases the relationship is NOT 'slavery', as ownership of another person or their offspring is not involved. Of course, people in subservient relations to their 'lenders' still need to relate to them (to the people they owe and serve) with love, and vice versa. This passage was likely included to maintain social order at the time of its writing, and has nothing to do with the wish of Jesus or his message (other than the main command covers all situations, including this one). If the 'master' is a respectable human, then treat him with respect. In ALL cases treat all humans – including masters – in alignment with love and consideration. Then, there are those masters who are not worthy of respect as they may not be worthy of any honor. And those should be treated 'appropriately'. No one needs to take consistent wickedness from an abuser as part of the abuser's pleasure and entertainment – and this does not even contradict the 'other cheek' principle. Masters who are believers (justified in their conviction) should have already freed their slaved and transferred all legitimate cases into contractual obligations (debt, rectifying sins). Addressing the condition of 'slavery' head on would have been perhaps more important for the author to address than these other detailed instructions he was so concerned about. But then, I guess he would have risked a quick execution from the slave-owning authorities. How about the practice of prisoners of war being converted into slave status? Well, perfect opportunity to preach the message of Jesus to the enablers and maintainers of such injustices! Social justice and sustainable development directly follow from Jesus's main command. More than 2000 years later church leaders still did not address those points by sticking them to the face of those who have been responsible for maintaining such injustices (namely, rulers and the rich who have been allied with the church throughout history).. And we did not even touch the camel's case with the eye of the needle. Sadly, parts like this were responsible in the upkeep of those unjust situations, as they could be referenced as examples and counter-examples, invoking 'divine blessing'. Also, the tone of Jesus changes from a loving father and a good shepherd trying to find his lost sheep, to a creator demanding his command is respected from his subordinates. But after all, the two faces do not logically exclude each other. We were commanded (or were granted) to undergo this evaluation to earn back our place in the presence of the creator, where we can only remain under the conditions specified by the creator – that is, we proved that our conviction is aligned with love.
     
        

    Luke 17:20, 21

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    Berean: ..."20 When asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The kingdom of God will not come with observable signs. 21 Nor will people say, ‘Look, here it is,’ or ‘There it is.’ For you see, the kingdom of God is in your midst.” "...
    NRSV: ..."20 Once Jesus was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was coming, and he answered, "The kingdom of God is not coming with things that can be observed; 21 nor will they say, 'Look, here it is!' or 'There it is!' For, in fact, the kingdom of God is among you.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator
  • Our evaluation serves to separate those who align with love from those who align with selfishness, thereby eliminating the source of suffering from heaven
  •  
    interpretation:
    To the degree we humans love and care for each other in this life, the kingdom of God can be among us already. To this comes all the beauty and pleasure we are allowed to enjoy in this life. And since the CESAPH, it can be said that those of us who saw its light got closer to the presence of the creator too. But this passage can also hint about the kind of reality inaccessible in our current life, as it will begin after we exit this life – for those who meet the criteria. Thus, it is futile to wait for the end times in this life.
     
        

    Luke 17:33

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    Berean: ..."33 Whoever tries to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will preserve it. "...
    NRSV: ..."33 Those who try to make their lives secure will lose it, but those who lose their lives will keep it."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • The main goal of our life is to reach our salvation and build values that transcend this reality into eternal life, not to reach material or academic success or to fulfill other worldly desires or loyalties
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    Those hoping to benefit materially and spiritually may hope so in vain. So much for the prosperity of individuals (or small communities) at the expense of others.
     
        

    Luke 18:7, 8

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."7 Will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry out to Him day and night? Will He continue to defer their help? 8 I tell you, He will promptly carry out justice on their behalf. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?” "...
    NRSV: ..."7 And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? 8 I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • It is logical to expect appropriate consequences due for passing or failing the evaluation
  • One’s ‘faith’/belief system has no direct value to the creator, and is only a potential tool in one’s quest to gain justification and reach salvation IF it helps its holder in these
  • Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage urges us to pray in this life, however the answers to prayers and justice in this world are utterly lacking (or at least, they are grossly not guaranteed – good things happen to bad people, and all other variations of it..). This follows from the natural consequences of being in an evaluation (of a fairly assigned penance for the past wrongs we have caused before we joined this reality) and of the need for an ever-present reasonable doubt (the lack of publicly-obvious miracles in everyday life). Due to these, one can not draw the conclusion that for our problems it is enough to just pray and things will be solved upon request (even if we believe all kinds of things). The “chosen ones” are ALL humans, as they were all granted a chance to get their justice by participating in this life to evaluate their characters and see if they can prove they can be aligned with love. (Perhaps other 'failed angels' were not so lucky, were not the chosen ones.) And even though they were granted this chance – which only last a mere lifetime for each – when judgment day comes (and most likely, with it the second coming of Jesus), how many of them will be able to say that they succeeded in aligning their life with love (have “faith” in the eternal word of God, of salvation)? “Quickly granting justice” to all those who have participated in the evaluation is expected right after everyone's death, skipping objective time and joining everyone's awareness in the moment of last judgment. In this passage the author meant the second coming happening in this world, however I hold that as a misunderstanding by the disciples. In principle, people should do nothing differently in their life if the second coming were to happen tomorrow on this Earth.  
     
    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • clear misguidance of author as the time remaining till the second coming was NOT near
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage is about the need to pray in this life, however the answers to prayers and justice in this world is utterly lacking (or at least grossly not guaranteed – good things happen to bad people, and all other variations of it, thus amounting to a logical contradiction if meant for this world..). This could be a source of great misunderstanding to some, as they expect prayers to be heard and answered in this life. Automatic rewards and punishments for good and bad behavior, and prayers answered in general is obviously NOT our world. Here, we bare the natural consequences of the evaluation: a fairly assigned penance for the past wrongs we have caused before we joined this reality, and the ever-present reasonable doubt. Due to these consequences, one can not expect that for all problems it is enough to just pray and things will be solved or eased. The “chosen ones” can also be misunderstood to be a predestined set, or Jews as the 'chosen people' – both wrong. They can only be ALL humans, since they were all granted a chance to get their justice by participating in this life (and perhaps other 'failed angels' were not so lucky, were not the chosen ones), the evaluation of their characters, to see if they can prove they can be aligned with love. The quick justice is expected right after everyone's death, skipping everyone's conscious time to the last judgment, and not during their lifetime in this world – another source of misunderstanding. Here the second coming refers to a coming into this world, however I hold that as a misunderstanding by the disciples (in the writings). In principle, people should do nothing differently in life if the second coming were to happen tomorrow on this Earth.
     
        

    Luke 18:11, 12, 13, 14

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like the other men—swindlers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and pay tithes of all that I acquire.’ 13 But the tax collector stood at a distance, unwilling even to lift up his eyes to heaven. Instead, he beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man, rather than the Pharisee, went home justified. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” "...
    NRSV: ..."11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, 'God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.' 13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!' 14 I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Behavioral guidance
  • ‘Justification’ is ‘being convinced about love’s (vs. selfishness) need to guide life’ (= ‘being rightly enlightened’, = ‘holding Jesus’s message in conviction’, = ‘following/believing in Jesus’, = ‘gaining a justified conviction’, = ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, = ‘doing the works of God’, = ‘satisfying/keeping/adhering to the command of God’, = ‘accepting/living according to Jesus’s message’, = ‘fulfilling the eternal word of God, of salvation’)
  •  
    interpretation:
    This is an important take on what being 'justified' may mean. The right conviction was missing from the Pharisee (boasting and exhibiting his righteousness), whereas the tax collector held true remorse and acquired the right conviction of justification. The pharisee took comfort in his compliance to the law, which is not justification.
     
        

    Luke 18:16, 17

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    Berean: ..."16 But Jesus called the children to Him and said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them! For the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 17 Truly I tell you, anyone who does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” "...
    NRSV: ..."16 But Jesus called for them and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. 17 Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • In their predispositions, humans inherit both love (the essence of the creator’s spirit we share with him, indicating our significance) and selfishness (its opposite/opposing property, what some mistakenly attribute to a separate entity of the ‘evil/devil/satan’) to different degrees from their greater-self, from their originating context of reality
  •  
    interpretation:
    Parallels Mark 10:15; children are most susceptible toward love – perhaps; this is the time when their predispositions can guide them the most. In humans, the creator may also be looking for the child's ability to awe and wonder in joy, be glad for things, and their honesty.
     
        

    Luke 18:19

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    Berean: ..."19 “Why do you call Me good?” Jesus replied. “No one is good except God alone. "...
    NRSV: ..."19 Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • contradicts other NT passages
  • inadequate answer to question
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misconceived understanding of what the ‘trinity’ could be
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The concept of the ‘trinity’ can only be interpreted as ‘three possible interface to the same single entity of the creator’"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Contradicts Hebrews 4:15, 7:28; Parallels Matthew 19:16-17, Mark 10:18 – the one who is sinless must be “good”; otherwise we would have a hard time defining what 'good' is. Jesus IS the creator in human form, IS the CESAPH, thus, he is the loving creator who is good (or perhaps, as being fully human, Jesus may not have been completely sinless?). Jesus, as the creator in human form, does his own will. It is also possible that while partaking in our reality as a fully-human, the creator voluntarily undertook some of the limitations that define being human – if not for this, his partaking as fully human would not have been genuine. We can also experience this kind of limitation setting in when we dream at night, and then reawaken into our 'reality': the limitations and level of awareness of these two worlds (realities) are different, yet we are the same 'self' in both of them. As 'being fully-human' can typically mean a good amount of doubt, insecurity, fear, helplessness, suffering and despair, it is also imaginable that Jesus also took on these experiences. This could explain his alleged interactions and conversations with 'the Father' (his greater-self in the larger context of reality), and could also explain the disciples' understanding and conception of the 'trinity'.
     
        

    Luke 18:22

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    Berean: ..."22 On hearing this, Jesus told him, “You still lack one thing: Sell everything you own and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.” "...
    NRSV: ..."22 … "There is still one thing lacking. Sell all that you own and distribute the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • The main goal of our life is to reach our salvation and build values that transcend this reality into eternal life, not to reach material or academic success or to fulfill other worldly desires or loyalties
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    Parallels Mark 10:21; this basically boils down to one can not serve two gods – selflessness and love sometimes calls for having to make huge sacrifices to help others in need. One can not say, 'I do all this except this one thing that I keep doing wrong'
     
        

    Luke 18:25

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."25 Indeed, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” "...
    NRSV: ..."25 Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • The main goal of our life is to reach our salvation and build values that transcend this reality into eternal life, not to reach material or academic success or to fulfill other worldly desires or loyalties
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    Parallels Mark 10:25; the starkest warning to those pursuing a life of wealth and comfort. This basically boils down to one can not serve two gods – selflessness and love sometimes calls for having to make huge sacrifices to help others in need. One can only enrich one's self if that does not prevent or hinder one's alignment with love – and this is extremely difficult to implement throughout life.
     
        

    Luke 18:26, 27

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."26 Those who heard this asked, “Who then can be saved?” 27 But Jesus said, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.” "...
    NRSV: ..."26 Those who heard it said, "Then who can be saved?" 27 He replied, "What is impossible for mortals is possible for God.""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • inadequate answer to question
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Parallels Mark 10:26 – I suspect this passage to have arisen from a misunderstood anecdote the author heard or held such misguided views himself (or may have been uttered by a Jesus under the influence of some good wine after a long day, in his fully human condition of being a bit drunk – which is NOT a sin if one does not manage to do the wrong things as a result). First of all, in it Jesus does not answer the question; he rather tries to answer the question “who is saving us?”. And his response (a terrible answer attributed to Jesus) makes it sound like we can do NOTHING about reaching salvation, and only God knows who will be saved, and he will be doing the saving himself, independent of us. This is a nonsensical answer: of course God can do anything (well, not ANYthing, but most of what can affect us); but why would Jesus answer in such way? His answer could equal predetermination or predestination, which is clearly wrong. It has to be possible for everyone to reach salvation here, otherwise it would be pointless for us to be here and try doing anything in this life. Question is, what criterion will be used to determine who is going to be saved, and who is not. No one questions that if God does not want to save someone, he will not be saved – but this is not the question here. All humans can be saved by God if they manage to pass the evaluation of their life on the criterion of aligning their life with love. In this sense, they reach their salvation themselves using their free will.
     
        

    Luke 18:29, 30

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    Berean: ..."29 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God 30 will fail to receive many times more in this age—and in the age to come, eternal life.” "...
    NRSV: ..."29 And he said to them, "Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, 30 who will not get back very much more in this age, and in the age to come eternal life.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • It is logical to expect appropriate consequences due for passing or failing the evaluation
  • Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    Parallels Mark 10:29; Since humans have free will, and they have an assigned set of situations to go through in their lives (their cross to bare) as part of their penance, 'bad things happen to good people' and all its other combinations in this life is logically unavoidable, as that enables the evaluation of the quality of human soul. However, the suffering or pleasures in this life may not compare in magnitude with what one may gain or lose in the presence of the creator, or away from it. Nothing earthly compares in value with one's realization of the real treasure - the importance of reaching salvation.
     
        

    Luke 18:31

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."31 Then Jesus took the Twelve aside and said to them, “Look, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything the prophets have written about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. "...
    NRSV: ..."31 Then he took the twelve aside and said to them, "See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The reason for the creator to appear in the Jewish context was to contrast their beliefs of exclusivity and specialness in the eye of the creator with the eternal word of God, of salvation, universally applicable to all humans"
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage is the product of the efforts of the disciples to position Jesus as the Jewish Messiah who gains his authenticity by fitting a set of OT prophecies – except most of those prophecies were not written about Jesus, or one would really need to stretch it to try to fit it to Jesus. But mostly, prophecies do not matter, and Jesus and his message should have been recognized for what they were – the creator in human form, carrying the message of salvation, which is gained through a conviction aligned with love and a life that proves this. And unfortunately NONE of this was prophesied in the OT, and none of this was the focus of the OT. Thus, fitting Jesus and his message on top of the OT is grossly misguided, causing irreparable harm throughout history in many people.
     
        

    Luke 19:8, 9

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."8 But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, half of my possessions I give to the poor, and if I have cheated anyone, I will repay it fourfold.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man too is a son of Abraham. "...
    NRSV: ..."8 Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, "Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much." 9 Then Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation
  • Jesus’s ‘covenant’ of the eternal word of God, of salvation is the only covenant that has ever been and will ever be in effect from the creator for all of humanity, since the very beginning of time till the ending of our simulated reality, meaning that if one passes their evaluation on their alignment with love, one redeems their sinful condition and gains their salvation
  •  
    interpretation:
    Repentance plus rectification of wrongs should lead to forgiveness of those sins (not just repentance) – and these naturally follow from a conviction that is guided by love. Thus, it is not just a simple regretting of sins, but an attempt to rectify it, that counts for forgiveness. Being a 'son of Abraham' does not mean physical descent from Abraham or being a Jew, but simply that everyone is part of the chosen people if they do the right thing with the right conviction. Those who will pass their evaluations will be the ones reaching their salvation, from among those (all humans) who were chosen to be given a chance at redeeming their sinful condition (originating from their precursory existence).
     
        

    Luke 19:13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27

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    Berean: ..."13 Beforehand, he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. ‘Conduct business with this until I return,’ he said. 14 But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, ‘We do not want this man to rule over us.’ 15 When he returned from procuring his kingship, he summoned the servants to whom he had given the money, to find out what each one had earned. 16 The first servant came forward and said, ‘Master, your mina has produced ten more minas.’ 17 His master replied, ‘Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very small matter, you shall have authority over ten cities.’ 18 The second servant came and said, ‘Master, your mina has made five minas.’ 19 And to this one he said, ‘You shall have authority over five cities.’ 20 Then another servant came and said, ‘Master, here is your mina, which I have laid away in a piece of cloth. 21 For I was afraid of you, because you are a harsh man. You withdraw what you did not deposit and reap what you did not sow.’ 22 His master replied, ‘You wicked servant, I will judge you by your own words. So you knew that I am a harsh man, withdrawing what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow? 23 Why then did you not deposit my money in the bank, and upon my return I could have collected it with interest?’ 24 Then he told those standing by, ‘Take the mina from him and give it to the one who has ten minas.’ 25 ‘Master,’ they said, ‘he already has ten!’ 26 He replied, ‘I tell you that everyone who has will be given more; but the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. 27 And these enemies of mine who were unwilling for me to rule over them, bring them here and slay them in front of me.’” "...
    NRSV: ..."13 He summoned ten of his slaves, and gave them ten pounds, and said to them, 'Do business with these until I come back.' 14 But the citizens of his country hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, 'We do not want this man to rule over us.' 15 When he returned, having received royal power, he ordered these slaves, to whom he had given the money, to be summoned so that he might find out what they had gained by trading. 16 The first came forward and said, 'Lord, your pound has made ten more pounds.' 17 He said to him, 'Well done, good slave! Because you have been trustworthy in a very small thing, take charge of ten cities.' 18 Then the second came, saying, 'Lord, your pound has made five pounds.' 19 He said to him, 'And you, rule over five cities.' 20 Then the other came, saying, 'Lord, here is your pound. I wrapped it up in a piece of cloth, 21 for I was afraid of you, because you are a harsh man; you take what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.' 22 He said to him, 'I will judge you by your own words, you wicked slave! You knew, did you, that I was a harsh man, taking what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow? 23 Why then did you not put my money into the bank? Then when I returned, I could have collected it with interest.' 24 He said to the bystanders, 'Take the pound from him and give it to the one who has ten pounds.' 25 (And they said to him, 'Lord, he has ten pounds!') 26 'I tell you, to all those who have, more will be given; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. 27 But as for these enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them — bring them here and slaughter them in my presence.'""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • Every human has a real chance at reaching their salvation, which is NOT predetermined or predestined. The creator is NOT omniscient with regard to humans’ free will, and their fate in the evaluation
  • It is logical to expect appropriate consequences due for passing or failing the evaluation
  • The evaluation result is likely progressive within pass or fail
  • There is always hope and is never too late for salvation
  •  
    interpretation:
    Parallels betw. Matthew 13:12, 25:29, Luke 8:18, 12:48, 19:26;  apart from hinting at the progressive results of our evaluation, this passage points to our responsibility to grow and develop using what we have received. Never can one think 'I have already done enough for my salvation' or entertain the idea of no longer trying to reach it. This passage refutes predestination, as then the evaluation would be pointless (the creator accounting of what we did with our life would be absurd). The “slaughter” of those who did not want the creator to rule over them may refer to the consequences of our evaluation (for intentionally and knowingly doing contrary to the eternal word of God).
     
        

    Luke 19:44

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."44 They will level you to the ground—you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of your visitation from God.” "...
    NRSV: ..."44 They will crush you to the ground, you and your children within you, and they will not leave within you one stone upon another; because you did not recognize the time of your visitation from God.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  • The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans
  •  
    interpretation:
    The part about (Jerusalem/the Jews) not recognizing the “time of our visitation from God” confirms the true nature of the CESAPH – that it was something completely different than what the Jews were expecting. The Jews did not recognize divine visitation in the CESAPH as it was not recognizable from their point of view, their religion, their expectations. As such, Jesus can not be the Messiah the Jews were expecting, but something entirely different, that is much more significant and universal. As such, the NT can not be the continuation and fulfillment of the OT, but something entirely different (making the OT plane old WRONG).
     
    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • attempted building, claiming, or referencing authority that is misguided and improper
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • leaning on miracles for authenticity
  • suspected post-fitting of the narrative (not possible for the author to know about, or likely did not happen as described)
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  •  
    interpretation:
    The author writing this 15 or so years AFTER the fall of Jerusalem in 70 CE, this passage may lose its credibility as originating from Jesus. It also implies that failure to recognize or believe in Jesus will result in revenge from the creator, including collective punishment. I consider these misguided ideas coming from the writers of the NT to scare people into believing (thus following the disciples). This passage is more in line with the OT image of a creator, not Jesus. Salvation can also come to Jews, if their conviction and life is aligned with the eternal word of God (despite their beliefs).
     
        

    Luke 20:12, 13, 14

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    Berean: ..."12 Then he sent a third, but they wounded him and threw him out. 13 ‘What shall I do?’ asked the owner of the vineyard. ‘I will send my beloved son. Perhaps they will respect him.’ 14 But when the tenants saw the son, they discussed it among themselves and said, ‘This is the heir. Let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ "...
    NRSV: ..."12 And he sent still a third; this one also they wounded and threw out. 13 Then the owner of the vineyard said, 'What shall I do? I will send my beloved son; perhaps they will respect him.' 14 But when the tenants saw him, they discussed it among themselves and said, 'This is the heir; let us kill him so that the inheritance may be ours.'"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • A justified person has the duty to spread the word of God to others in a non-intrusive way whenever the chance arises and by showing an example
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • As salvation is an individual achievement, finding the way and living life accordingly is a private matter that can not be policed or compelled by others
  •  
    interpretation:
    Messengers (people with the right understanding about the eternal word of God) have been with humanity from the very beginning. These are not necessarily the revered prophets of the OT who told the Jews what to expect in the future, but anyone with the understanding that love needs to guide life who tried to convince others of their wisdom. The analogy is about a father and his beloved son, however the human 'father-son' relation can also be looked at as the creator entering the simulation in a limited (fully human) form – the entity entering the limited context is the father, and the entity within the limited context is the son. The passage illustrates well how the creator may have decided on the need for the intervention that was the CESAPH.
     
        

    Luke 20:13, 14

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    Berean: ..."13 ‘What shall I do?’ asked the owner of the vineyard. ‘I will send my beloved son. Perhaps they will respect him.’ 14 But when the tenants saw the son, they discussed it among themselves and said, ‘This is the heir. Let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ "...
    NRSV: ..."13 Then the owner of the vineyard said, 'What shall I do? I will send my beloved son; perhaps they will respect him.' 14 But when the tenants saw him, they discussed it among themselves and said, 'This is the heir; let us kill him so that the inheritance may be ours.'"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misconceived understanding of what the ‘trinity’ could be
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies"
  •  
    interpretation:
    The analogy is about the beloved son, however the human 'father-son' relation can be looked at as the creator entering the simulation in a limited (fully human) form. Not sure what inheritance the workers would get by killing the son and why – so this may be a bit off in the analogy. Also, I do not believe that the creator thought that perhaps humiliation and a fatal end to the CESAPH could be realistically avoided – his chosen context of appearance and his mission pretty much guaranteed him a fatal ending.
     
        

    Luke 20:25

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."25 So Jesus told them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” "...
    NRSV: ..."25 He said to them, "Then give to the emperor the things that are the emperor's, and to God the things that are God's.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • As salvation is an individual achievement, finding the way and living life accordingly is a private matter that can not be policed or compelled by others
  •  
    interpretation:
    A fantastic way to say that the guidance is out there, and instead of looking for rigid formulas, one needs to make a decision about what is right and what is wrong in the given situation for the individual based on the main command of love – that is it; the rest is really up to how individuals implement this in life. As the end goal is a quality of the soul that carries in conviction the preferred value of the creator, specific and exact outcomes and decisions are NOT the goal.
     
        

    Luke 20:34, 35, 36

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."34 Jesus answered, “The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage. 35 But those who are considered worthy to share in the age to come and in the resurrection from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage. 36 In fact, they can no longer die, because they are like the angels. And since they are sons of the resurrection, they are sons of God. "...
    NRSV: ..."34 Jesus said to them, "Those who belong to this age marry and are given in marriage; 35 but those who are considered worthy of a place in that age and in the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage. 36 Indeed they cannot die anymore, because they are like angels and are children of God, being children of the resurrection."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • The creator created our reality (best modeled as a consciousness-centric simulation) to facilitate the evaluation of its target audience: humans
  • The human spirit is somehow part of the eternal consciousness
  • The main goal of our life is to reach our salvation and build values that transcend this reality into eternal life, not to reach material or academic success or to fulfill other worldly desires or loyalties
  •  
    interpretation:
    Parallels Mark 12:25; this is the clearest indication in the NT from Jesus about human origin – we are indeed fallen angels, and that is where we return to be again if we reach our salvation. Thus, we should not stick to worldly concepts about our human relations, as they may not be carried forward into the next realm as we expect them. An interesting detail is that angels are eternal beings who can not die (and probably have always existed. Thus, we could be such angels, cast out of heaven to this existence of penance for our sins committed in our precursory existence. An angel who can not die probably also always existed – so they are bi-directionally eternal beings.
     
        

    Luke 20:37, 38

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    Berean: ..."37 Even Moses demonstrates that the dead are raised, in the passage about the burning bush. For he calls the Lord ‘the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ 38 He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to Him all are alive.” "...
    NRSV: ..."37 And the fact that the dead are raised Moses himself showed, in the story about the bush, where he speaks of the Lord as the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. 38 Now he is God not of the dead, but of the living; for to him all of them are alive.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • The creator created our reality (best modeled as a consciousness-centric simulation) to facilitate the evaluation of its target audience: humans
  • The human spirit is somehow part of the eternal consciousness
  •  
    interpretation:
    A funny way to say that the dead are alive, but in a different realm. Here the names mentioned are irrelevant; the main point is that all who have died continue their existence and awareness, as they are eternal conscious beings.  This also points to the likely eternal and uncreated nature of the human soul.
     
        

    Luke 20:41, 42, 43, 44

     Significant Alignment! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."41 Then Jesus declared, “How can it be said that the Christ is the Son of David? 42 For David himself says in the book of Psalms: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand 43 until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”’ 44 Thus David calls Him ‘Lord.’ So how can He be David’s son?” "...
    NRSV: ..."41 Then he said to them, "How can they say that the Messiah is David's son? 42 For David himself says in the book of Psalms, 'The Lord said to my Lord, "Sit at my right hand, 43 until I make your enemies your footstool."' 44 David thus calls him Lord; so how can he be his son?""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation
  • The reason for the creator to appear in the Jewish context was to contrast their beliefs of exclusivity and specialness in the eye of the creator with the eternal word of God, of salvation, universally applicable to all humans
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage kind of ridicules the idea of the Messiah having any kind of descent from David. However, this also points out that the Messiah will not be the Messiah the Jews have been expecting, but the magnitudes more significant and universal CESAPH. The point of appearing among the people who are expecting a different kind of Messiah should be heeded by all, especially them.
     
        

    Luke 21:4

    top  

    Berean: ..."4 For they all contributed out of their surplus, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on.” "...
    NRSV: ..."4 for all of them have contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • The evaluation result is likely progressive within pass or fail
  • The main goal of our life is to reach our salvation and build values that transcend this reality into eternal life, not to reach material or academic success or to fulfill other worldly desires or loyalties
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    Being unselfish and loving means making sacrifices at all levels of wealth. People can not take the easy way out by doing what is less painful for them while thinking that this is still a relatively large sacrifice when compared to others'. To the creator, the relative value and pain of sacrifices taken on at all levels of human luck and misery is apparent.
     
        

    Luke 21:10, 11

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    Berean: ..."10 Then He told them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be great earthquakes, famines, and pestilences in various places, along with fearful sights and great signs from heaven. "...
    NRSV: ..."10 Then he said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; 11 there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and plagues; and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • contradicts other NT passages
  • incorrect or inappropriate generalization
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "One needs to live life being always ready for its accounting - then, if events in the future come as a ’thief’, as one would have needed to do nothing differently"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Contradicts 1 Thessalonians 5:1-2 – or at least not compatible with it; no one knows or should care about the end times, as that is unknown to everyone – therefore, no one should look for signs and be preoccupied with the hastening of such times. Instead, live a life aligned with the eternal word of God. It is likely that this was made up by the disciples to answer questions regarding the expectation of such end times at the time. Spending time with, anticipating, helping to bring about the end times because of the “fulfillment of prophecies” is grossly misguided. Also, the conditions described are too general and vague – they can be said about any point in history, applying to any country. Of course, what the “great signs from heaven” are, are not specified..
     
        

    Luke 21:25, 26, 27, 28

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    Berean: ..."25 There will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and on the earth dismay among the nations, bewildered by the roaring of the sea and the surging of the waves. 26 Men will faint from fear and anxiety over what is coming upon the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 When these things begin to happen, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” "...
    NRSV: ..."25 "There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. 26 People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 Then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in a cloud' with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • contradicts other NT passages
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "One needs to live life being always ready for its accounting - then, if events in the future come as a ’thief’, as one would have needed to do nothing differently"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Contradicts 1 Thessalonians 5:1-2 – or at least not compatible with it.  One can not know in advance when the end times are coming as it will come like a thief, but nor should one care, beyond always being ready for it (the exact same way as being ready to die and face judgment about the life lived so far). Everyone will witness these things after they die – not in this world (or not necessarily), but in the afterlife. Should these or similar events come in this reality in one's lifetime, it should not alter how anyone lives, what anyone does, provided they are ready to face justice at all times. But this is the same as one's death – thus, one prepares for the end-times the same exact way one prepares for death: by always being ready, by living life aligned with love. End times should not matter to those who are prepared, and we should be prepared at all times – this is the valid message! And if one is not to know when exactly the end times will come, neither should one care whether those end times are nearing or not (they are nearing every single day by one day, by the way...).
     
        

    Luke 21:27, 28

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."27 At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 When these things begin to happen, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” "...
    NRSV: ..."27 Then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in a cloud' with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  • The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage suggests that redemption is not something that happened with the CESAPH, but is something that we will face (or not) on judgment day – that is, after we die. Therefore, no need to anticipate such event in our life. And, Jesus was not a redeemer of our sins either!
     
        

    Luke 21:31, 32

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    Berean: ..."31 So also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have happened. "...
    NRSV: ..."31 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • contradicts other NT passages
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "One needs to live life being always ready for its accounting - then, if events in the future come as a ’thief’, as one would have needed to do nothing differently"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Contradicts 1 Thessalonians 5:1-2; no one will know the hour, and that includes all efforts or the claimed 'special abilities' to interpreting signs. In other words, even with signs matching scriptures, one will not know the end of the simulation (or the second coming of Jesus – if these are not happening at the same time). Nor should anyone spend any time or effort in awaiting, or helping to bring about these end-of-times prophecies, but rather, live life the same way as they should: to be able to face judgment about their life lived so far at any time. After all, this is the exact thing Jesus asked us for too.
     
        

    Luke 21:33

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    Berean: ..."33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away. "...
    NRSV: ..."33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • Grace is the ever-present willingness of the creator to help humans reach their salvation
  • The creator created our reality (best modeled as a consciousness-centric simulation) to facilitate the evaluation of its target audience: humans
  • The eternal continuation of their awareness is inevitable and unavoidable for all human souls
  • The human spirit is somehow part of the eternal consciousness
  • ‘Justification’ is ‘being convinced about love’s (vs. selfishness) need to guide life’ (= ‘being rightly enlightened’, = ‘holding Jesus’s message in conviction’, = ‘following/believing in Jesus’, = ‘gaining a justified conviction’, = ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, = ‘doing the works of God’, = ‘satisfying/keeping/adhering to the command of God’, = ‘accepting/living according to Jesus’s message’, = ‘fulfilling the eternal word of God, of salvation’)
  •  
    interpretation:
    The eternal word of God, of salvation (the need to align in conviction with the preferred value of the creator) represents the condition under which spirits (angels, including humans) are allowed to stay in the presence of the creator. This acts as a constant point of reference in both ways of eternity, the equilibrium to which we humans try to get back to with our life. And Grace is the force of the creator that tries to keep us in this fold.
     
        

    Luke 21:34, 35

     Significant Alignment! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."34 But watch yourselves, or your hearts will be weighed down by dissipation, drunkenness, and the worries of life—and that day will spring upon you suddenly like a snare. 35 For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of all the earth. "...
    NRSV: ..."34 "Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day does not catch you unexpectedly, 35 like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator
  • One needs to live life being always ready for its accounting - then, if events in the future come as a ’thief’, as one would have needed to do nothing differently
  • Relativity of experiencing time
  • The creator created our reality (best modeled as a consciousness-centric simulation) to facilitate the evaluation of its target audience: humans
  •  
    interpretation:
    Everyone who has ever lived will experience the end times – likely at the very next moment after they die, with everyone who ever lived, time-shifted to a single point in universal time, to experience judgment.
     
        

    Luke 22:21, 22

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    Berean: ..."21 Look! The hand of My betrayer is with Mine on the table. 22 Indeed, the Son of Man will go as it has been determined, but woe to that man who betrays Him.” "...
    NRSV: ..."21 But see, the one who betrays me is with me, and his hand is on the table. 22 For the Son of Man is going as it has been determined, but woe to that one by whom he is betrayed!""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • suspected post-fitting of the narrative (not possible for the author to know about, or likely did not happen as described)
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Every human has a real chance at reaching their salvation, which is NOT predetermined or predestined. The creator is NOT omniscient with regard to humans’ free will, and their fate in the evaluation"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator"
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage may be an attempt to post-fit the narrative: even if no one saw Judas's betrayal coming, writing that Jesus knew and said so beforehand adds to the effect of prophecy. Jesus was headed for being captured, tried, and executed as the most logical and likely outcome given the message of the CESAPH and his claims about himself in his chosen Jewish context – even without this betrayal. And indeed, the betrayer – if there was one – succumbed to his selfishness out of his own free will, without any predestination, so this act will be a part of his life's evaluation. Judas exercised his free will, and not divine will, in betraying Jesus. I do not subscribe to Jesus prearranging the betrayal for himself with Judas in order to fit any prophecy. However, betrayal or not, this is not part of the essential message of Jesus.
     
        

    Luke 22:26

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    Berean: ..."26 But you shall not be like them. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who leads like the one who serves. "...
    NRSV: ..."26 But not so with you; rather the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like one who serves."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • A justified person has the duty to spread the word of God to others in a non-intrusive way whenever the chance arises and by showing an example
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • One ‘loves God’ by loving their fellow human beings, no matter how far removed they may be, which fulfills the single command of God
  •  
    interpretation:
    Discipleship is about servitude, leading by example, and an unselfish desire to help others. One should attempt to convert others by providing an example for them with one's life.
     
        

    Luke 22:28, 29, 30

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    Berean: ..."28 You are the ones who have stood by Me in My trials. 29 And I bestow on you a kingdom, just as My Father has bestowed one on Me, 30 so that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. "...
    NRSV: ..."28 "You are those who have stood by me in my trials; 29 and I confer on you, just as my Father has conferred on me, a kingdom, 30 so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The creator created our reality (best modeled as a consciousness-centric simulation) to facilitate the evaluation of its target audience: humans"
  •  
    interpretation:
    It is the entire human population of all of history who will be judged, not the twelve tribes of Israel. But again, the authors are likely targeting potential Jewish converts, and making this apparent in their text. Also, judging is unlikely to be passed on anyone by humans taking part in the evaluation (though not impossible) but by the creator.
     
        

    Luke 22:37

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    Berean: ..."37 For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in Me: ‘And He was numbered with the transgressors.’ For what is written about Me is reaching its fulfillment.” "...
    NRSV: ..."37 For I tell you, this scripture must be fulfilled in me, 'And he was counted among the lawless'; and indeed what is written about me is being fulfilled.""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • contradicts other NT passages
  • suspected post-fitting of the narrative (not possible for the author to know about, or likely did not happen as described)
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Contradicts Matthew 5:17-20 – if he was counted as 'lawless' by his accusers, it is unlikely that he was here to fulfill the very law towards which he is accused of being lawless. And fulfilling the law by being lawless is kind of an oxymoron. Then, the law can also be fulfilled by countless other humans – all they have to do is be counted among the lawless (pretty simple). This may be an attempt to post-fit the narrative, an interpretation by the writers on what has happened and how to justify it, tying it to prophecies for legitimacy. It is unlikely that Jesus referred back to prophecies to justify or legitimize his acts – his disciples may have done that though, for understandable reasons. Fulfilling ill-fitting OT prophecies does NOTHING to the essence of Jesus's entity (the CESAPH) and message. Those prophecies were not in focus, were not emphasized, and were obviously intended to be written about something/someone else.
     
        

    Luke 22:38, 20

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    Berean: ..."38 So they said, “Look, Lord, here are two swords.” “That is enough,” He answered. 20 In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you. "...
    NRSV: ..."38 ... "This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me." 20 And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, "This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation
  • Jesus’s ‘covenant’ of the eternal word of God, of salvation is the only covenant that has ever been and will ever be in effect from the creator for all of humanity, since the very beginning of time till the ending of our simulated reality, meaning that if one passes their evaluation on their alignment with love, one redeems their sinful condition and gains their salvation
  • Ritual guidance
  •  
    interpretation:
    Jesus is asking for a symbolic remembrance to the CESAPH and the suffering he underwent to try to help as many humans as possible save themselves by aligning their lives with love. The formalization of the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the CESAPH becomes a covenant, a formal promise from the creator, backed with the utmost demonstration of love possible. There were no previous and will not be any other new covenants for humanity beyond the salvation talked about by Jesus that is reachable for everyone only via a realignment with love.
     
    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Jesus’s ‘covenant’ of the eternal word of God, of salvation is the only covenant that has ever been and will ever be in effect from the creator for all of humanity, since the very beginning of time till the ending of our simulated reality, meaning that if one passes their evaluation on their alignment with love, one redeems their sinful condition and gains their salvation"
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage resulted in the misunderstanding that during the eucharist, the bread and wine (which they mostly spare) are becoming the ACTUAL body and blood of Jesus. Yet, it is clear that this ritual is only for “remembrance of him”. Otherwise, we could expect specific instructions and explanations on why it is essential to take the eucharist as an essential part of the path toward our salvation (and why people . Thus, these acts are a form of suggested rituals to commemorate the creator's sacrifices in trying to help us gaining our salvation. The new covenant is not really a new covenant, but the formalization of the eternal word of God, of salvation that has always been in effect for all humans, but was not formalized by the creator till the CESAPH. In fact, there were no other valid covenants from the creator in effect beforehand – thus, the covenant the Jews believed in can not have been from the creator, but was made up by Moses to justify the Jewish peoples' conquests at the time and to elevate their importance in the eyes of the creator. Humanity throughout history had their rightly guided individuals who came fairly close to stating the eternal word of God as a goal or principle of life. And their guidance may have amounted to the help others needed to help reach their salvation. Such people may have included Zoroaster and John the Baptist, but not Moses, David or Abraham.
     
        

    Luke 22:40

     Significant Alignment! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."40 When He came to the place, He told them, “Pray that you will not enter into temptation.” "...
    NRSV: ..."40 When he reached the place, he said to them, "Pray that you may not come into the time of trial.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Behavioral guidance
  • Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    It is quite relevant that the creator advises us to pray to lessen the load of our temptation that we should resist. Temptation must most logically be about giving in to selfishness over love. Thus, if one prays to the creator to lessen temptation in one's assigned situations, one must also be holding the right evaluation criterion in conviction (love vs selfishness). And being clear on the evaluation criterion is the first step needed for salvation. If we pray to the creator to spare us from temptation, we also acknowledge that the creator must be the one who arranges for us the amount and type of hardship and temptation we are to go through in life. It is this load that we seek to lessen, asking for an intervention, an exception from our otherwise planned/assigned load through which we must prove ourselves and pass the evaluation, in order to reach our salvation.
     
        

    Luke 22:42, 43, 44

    top  

    Berean: ..."42 “Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me. Yet not My will, but Yours be done.” 43 Then an angel from heaven appeared to Him and strengthened Him. 44 And in His anguish, He prayed more earnestly, and His sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground. "...
    NRSV: ..."42 "Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will but yours be done." 43 Then an angel from heaven appeared to him and gave him strength. 44 In his anguish he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down on the ground."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • The concept of the ‘trinity’ can only be interpreted as ‘three possible interface to the same single entity of the creator’
  • The creator created our reality (best modeled as a consciousness-centric simulation) to facilitate the evaluation of its target audience: humans
  •  
    interpretation:
    In the CESAPH, for the creator to take on a fully human presence in the simulation must have meant to include the typical human conditions of doubt and uncertainty. Otherwise this would not be a valid fully-human condition. When the passage talks about Jesus's will versus the Father's will, it does not need to refer to two separate entities (father and son). Rather, the CESAPH meant that the creator undertook a limited form, where he may not even have been fully aware of his entire divine context for the duration of his participation in our reality – just as this can happen to us in dreams. This can explain his doubts, and his references to the 'Father' as some other entity.
     
    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • misconceived understanding of what the ‘trinity’ could be
  • suspected post-fitting of the narrative (not possible for the author to know about, or likely did not happen as described)
  •  
    interpretation:
    As Jesus stepped aside and was praying separately from the disciples, the idea of what Jesus talked with the father (his internal monologue that is quoted here) must have came from the disciples' observations of him praying, perhaps overhearing something of this (though this is highly unlikely), and then forming an idea what may have transpired at that moment. It is unlikely that Jesus – after stepping aside for privacy – comes back and tells the disciples exactly how he felt, what he experienced, and what he talked about with the Father. It is also unlikely that this story would have lived in anecdotes precisely enough to be written down several decades later... The original passage displays the disciples' understanding of the trinity (though this can also be seen and interpreted differently). Jesus, as the creator in human form, does his own will. It is also possible that while partaking in our reality as a fully-human, the creator voluntarily undertook some of the limitations that define being human – if not for this, his partaking as fully human would not have been genuine. We can also experience this kind of limitation setting in when we dream at night, and then reawaken into our 'reality': the limitations and level of awareness of these two worlds (realities) are different, yet we are the same 'self' in both of them. As 'being fully-human' can typically mean a good amount of doubt, insecurity, fear, helplessness, suffering and despair, it is also imaginable that Jesus also took on these experiences. This could explain his alleged interactions and conversations with 'the Father' (his greater-self in the larger context of reality), and could also explain the disciples' understanding and conception of the 'trinity'.
     
        

    Luke 22:70

     Significant Alignment! 
     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."70 So they all asked, “Are You then the Son of God?” He replied, “You say that I am.” "...
    NRSV: ..."70 All of them asked, "Are you, then, the Son of God?" He said to them, "You say that I am.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • The concept of the ‘trinity’ can only be interpreted as ‘three possible interface to the same single entity of the creator’
  •  
    interpretation:
    It is interesting – to say the least – why this is not answered directly by Jesus. We are to figure this out from the rest of his statements attributed to him in the sources written many decades after his death. From this we can even conclude that the concept of the “Son of God” (and therefore, perhaps the whole trinity) was something “others started saying of Jesus”, not something he taught or claimed of himself.
     
    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • inadequate answer to question
  • misconceived understanding of what the ‘trinity’ could be
  •  
    interpretation:
    It is interesting – to say the least – why this is not answered directly by Jesus. We are to figure this out from the rest of his statements attributed to him in the sources written many decades after his death. From this we can even conclude that the concept of the “Son of God” (and therefore, perhaps the whole trinity) was something “others started saying of Jesus”, not something he taught or claimed of himself. Jesus, as the creator in human form, does his own will. It is also possible that while partaking in our reality as a fully-human, the creator voluntarily undertook some of the limitations that define being human – if not for this, his partaking as fully human would not have been genuine. We can also experience this kind of limitation setting in when we dream at night, and then reawaken into our 'reality': the limitations and level of awareness of these two worlds (realities) are different, yet we are the same 'self' in both of them. As 'being fully-human' can typically mean a good amount of doubt, insecurity, fear, helplessness, suffering and despair, it is also imaginable that Jesus also took on these experiences. This could explain his alleged interactions and conversations with 'the Father' (his greater-self in the larger context of reality), and could also explain the disciples' understanding and conception of the 'trinity'.
     
        

    Luke 23:3

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."3 So Pilate asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” “You have said so,” Jesus replied. "...
    NRSV: ..."3 Then Pilate asked him, "Are you the king of the Jews?" He answered, "You say so.""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • inadequate answer to question
  •  
    interpretation:
    It is interesting – to say the least – why this is not answered directly by Jesus. We are to figure this out from the rest of his statements attributed to him in the sources written many decades after his death. Of course the CESAPH was not about being the “king” of any chosen people but the whole of humanity, so Jesus was not the king of the Jews. And his answer is identical to the Son of God question in Luke 22:70, meaning that this is not something he said of himself, but something others made up about him. To me, this confirms that we can not quite think of Jesus in these terms.
     
        

    Luke 23:28, 29

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    Berean: ..."28 But Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 Look, the days are coming when people will say, ‘Blessed are the barren women, the wombs that never bore, and breasts that never nursed!’ "...
    NRSV: ..."28 But Jesus turned to them and said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 For the days are surely coming when they will say, 'Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed.'"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • suspected post-fitting of the narrative (not possible for the author to know about, or likely did not happen as described)
  •  
    interpretation:
    Written more than a decade after the destruction of Jerusalem, it is easily argued that these words are put into the mouth of Jesus by the author, for its potential effect on the audience (sounds like a prophecy, but actually was written after the prophesied event, making Jesus look like a prophet able to foretell the future).
     
        

    Luke 23:46

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    Berean: ..."46 Then Jesus called out in a loud voice, “Father, into Your hands I commit My Spirit.” And when He had said this, He breathed His last. "...
    NRSV: ..."46 Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • The concept of the ‘trinity’ can only be interpreted as ‘three possible interface to the same single entity of the creator’
  •  
    interpretation:
    While the author surely meant to write assuming the traditional trinitarian belief, this behavior could also be a consequence of the creator taking on a fully human form in our reality, while remaining the creator at the same time. In the CESAPH the creator undertook a limited form, where he may not even have been fully aware of his entire divine context for the duration of his participation in our reality – just as this can happen to us in dreams. This can explain his doubts, and his references to the 'Father' as some other entity.
     
    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • misconceived understanding of what the ‘trinity’ could be
  •  
    interpretation:
    This may be misunderstood and used to prove the distinct entities of the trinity. While the author surely meant to write assuming the traditional trinitarian belief, this behavior could also be a consequence of the creator taking on a fully human form in our reality, while remaining the creator at the same time. In the CESAPH the creator undertook a limited form, where he may not even have been fully aware of his entire divine context for the duration of his participation in our reality – just as this can happen to us in dreams. This can explain his doubts, and his references to the 'Father' as some other entity. Jesus, as the creator in human form, does his own will. It is also possible that while partaking in our reality as a fully-human, the creator voluntarily undertook some of the limitations that define being human – if not for this, his partaking as fully human would not have been genuine. We can also experience this kind of limitation setting in when we dream at night, and then reawaken into our 'reality': the limitations and level of awareness of these two worlds (realities) are different, yet we are the same 'self' in both of them. As 'being fully-human' can typically mean a good amount of doubt, insecurity, fear, helplessness, suffering and despair, it is also imaginable that Jesus also took on these experiences. This could explain his alleged interactions and conversations with 'the Father' (his greater-self in the larger context of reality), and could also explain the disciples' understanding and conception of the 'trinity'.
     
        

    Luke 23:50, 51, 52, 53

     Significant Alignment! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."50 Now there was a Council member named Joseph, a good and righteous man, 51 who had not consented to their decision or action. He was from the Judean town of Arimathea, and was waiting for the kingdom of God. 52 He went to Pilate to ask for the body of Jesus. 53 Then he took it down, wrapped it in a linen cloth, and placed it in a tomb cut into the rock, where no one had yet been laid. "...
    NRSV: ..."50 Now there was a good and righteous man named Joseph, who, though a member of the council, 51 had not agreed to their plan and action. He came from the Jewish town of Arimathea, and he was waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God. 52 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 53 Then he took it down, wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid it in a rock-hewn tomb where no one had ever been laid. ... On the sabbath they rested according to the commandment."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • The resurrection is not a cornerstone belief to be held about Jesus or the subject of faith one needs to believe in to gain salvation, but an emphasis on the inevitability of afterlife for everyone. From a simulated reality everyone exits to their originating context, and the creator can naturally make exceptions for his exit and reappearance
  •  
    interpretation:
    Joseph's “waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God” indicates a misunderstanding on the part of Joseph that MAY have motivated him to organize a theft of the body to claim a resurrection to keep this hope alive (though this could also indicate a deep understanding of what needs to take place for the new religion to spread). He could have used the disguise of the sabbath to remove the body of Jesus for reburial. We can contrast the NT's resurrection story to a miraculous resurrection witnessed by everyone around to leave no doubt about the divine might. Obviously, this is not how the resurrection of Jesus happened – everything regarding that happened only to a close circle of followers who may have been desperate to rewrite the story, waiting for the Jewish Messiah and due to the lack of understanding of the CESAPH.
     
    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • suspected post-fitting of the narrative (not possible for the author to know about, or likely did not happen as described)
  •  
    interpretation:
    “waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God” indicates a misunderstanding on the part of Joseph that may have motivated him to organize a theft of the body to claim a resurrection to keep this hope alive (though this could also indicate a deep understanding of the situation and what needs to happen for the new religion to spread). He could have used the disguise of the sabbath to remove the body of Jesus for reburial. We can contrast this to a truly miraculous resurrection witnessed by everyone around to leave no doubt in any contemporary's mind, triggering many to record their first-hand account of such an event. Obviously, this is not what happened. Here, all the appearances happened only to a close circle of followers who may have been desperate to rewrite the story, due to the lack of understanding of the CESAPH.
     
        

    Luke 24:4

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    Berean: ..."4 While they were puzzling over this, suddenly two men in radiant apparel stood beside them. "...
    NRSV: ..."4 While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • suspected post-fitting of the narrative (not possible for the author to know about, or likely did not happen as described)
  •  
    interpretation:
    In other sources there was only one man. Besides, these two men could have been part of the group that carried out the theft of the body.
     
        

    Luke 24:6, 7

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."6 He is not here; He has risen! Remember how He told you while He was still in Galilee: 7 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.’” "...
    NRSV: ..."6 Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, 7 that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • suspected post-fitting of the narrative (not possible for the author to know about, or likely did not happen as described)
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The resurrection is not a cornerstone belief to be held about Jesus or the subject of faith one needs to believe in to gain salvation, but an emphasis on the inevitability of afterlife for everyone. From a simulated reality everyone exits to their originating context, and the creator can naturally make exceptions for his exit and reappearance"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Post-fitting the narrative to explain and support the story as a fulfillment of prophecy. Jesus telling this to his disciples should have resulted in all his followers standing at his grave to wait for his resurrection after three days! Or did they forget this very important prophecy just at the time when they could have checked its fulfillment? The fact that they did not actively wait for his rise, and that they were sad and grieving indicates that the resurrection was not expected by the disciples prior to its alleged event (despite all their understanding of prophecy fulfillments) and the way things unfolded surprised them. After all, what could have been the point of their leader not telling them what was to be expected after his death – his imminent rise in three days? If the disciples really understood who Jesus was (their alleged Messiah), then they should have already known during his life and ministry what is to come soon after his death, and they likely would have waited out the expected resurrection near the burial ground to witness it. As clearly they did not expect such case to unfold after Jesus's death, there is a likelihood that the search for a 'solution' for the 'dying Jewish Messiah' problem included looking up possible 'other prophecies' from the OT that they could then revise and fit their narrative to, even to the point of 'organizing/implementing' the appearance of the resurrection, to fit their story. Only remembering the prophecies that were just fulfilled AFTER Jesus's death, in time for the gospel writers to included them in the scriptures decades later is suspicious, to say the least, and makes it more likely that the story may have been 'created' later with the purpose of creating the appearance of fulfillment for those alleged prophecies. After coming up with the plan to remove Jesus's body from his original grave, the disciples could also have claimed to 'have heard Jesus's prophecy about his death and resurrection', to fit their narrative of the miraculous resurrection. Any fit of the resurrection story to any of the OT 'prophecies' (that did not even mean to prophesy about their Messiah) makes this conspiracy scenario even more likely: in fact, if the OT prophecies were so clear about Jesus, the disciples must have been grossly ignorant of this, and grossly foolish not to be waiting in earnest at the grave of Jesus for his resurrection, even if that was on the Sabbath (who cares if today is Sabbath, if the “Lord of the Sabbath” is about to rise from his tomb, according to the prophecies!). Thus, the resurrection may or may not have happened as described – but IN EITHER CASE, 'belief in the resurrection as described' is not an essential belief or a necessary subject of one's 'faith' from the philosophical foundation's point of view. The authors put an undue emphasis on the resurrection due to their lack of proper understanding of the CESAPH. An archeological find of the tomb of where Jesus was reburied could collapse the logic of their faith this way. But again, in a simulation model of reality, the body of Jesus could have just disappeared into thin air and reappear afterwards to any select group of people to reinforce THEIR beliefs, 'ensuring that the story of the good news gets out to further generations'..
     
        

    Luke 24:10, 11

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."10 It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles. 11 But their words seemed like nonsense to them, and they did not believe the women. "...
    NRSV: ..."10 Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles. 11 But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • suspected post-fitting of the narrative (not possible for the author to know about, or likely did not happen as described)
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The resurrection is not a cornerstone belief to be held about Jesus or the subject of faith one needs to believe in to gain salvation, but an emphasis on the inevitability of afterlife for everyone. From a simulated reality everyone exits to their originating context, and the creator can naturally make exceptions for his exit and reappearance"
  •  
    interpretation:
    The author is eager to depict the disciples as 'not remembering' the rise-on-the-third-day prophecy, and not caring whether their leader really died or rose already, despite knowing that there were OT prophecies supporting it, and their own leader told them about what is going to happen to him beforehand (in 24:6). Highly suspicious of the disciples to have been so ignorant of what were to happen to their leader, even after they supposedly have been clearly told. A scenario where the disciples did not hear anything about the resurrection prophecies (neither from the OT, nor from Jesus), and Jesus's death came to them as a complete surprise is more likely, along with making up the story of the prophecies and the resurrection later on. The basis of this could have been that 1. Jesus actually appeared to some of them in the simulation through visions 2. they simply faced the fact that they have either dedicated their life to something that just passed, or they needed a way to resurrect and keep alive their belief system somehow. And no. 2 could have been entertained because they believed in the teachings of Jesus, but had no way to propagate this message effectively to posterity without some 'more powerful guns' (the claimed miracle-effect).
     
        

    Luke 24:15, 16

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    Berean: ..."15 And as they talked and deliberated, Jesus Himself came up and walked along with them. 16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing Him. "...
    NRSV: ..."15 While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, 16 but their eyes were kept from recognizing him."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • suspected post-fitting of the narrative (not possible for the author to know about, or likely did not happen as described)
  •  
    interpretation:
    It is highly unlikely that multiple people going on the road do not notice or recognize someone who approaches and joins them, who they actually knew personally.
     
        

    Luke 24:18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked Him, “Are You the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in recent days?” 19 “What things?” He asked. “The events involving Jesus of Nazareth,” they answered. “This man was a prophet, powerful in speech and action before God and all the people. 20 Our chief priests and rulers delivered Him up to the sentence of death, and they crucified Him. 21 But we were hoping He was the One who would redeem Israel. And besides all this, it is the third day since these things took place. 22 Furthermore, some of our women astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, 23 but they did not find His body. They came and told us they had seen a vision of angels, who said that Jesus was alive. "...
    NRSV: ..."18 ... "Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?" 19 He asked them, "What things?" They replied, "The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. 21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. 22 Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, 23 and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • suspected post-fitting of the narrative (not possible for the author to know about, or likely did not happen as described)
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The resurrection is not a cornerstone belief to be held about Jesus or the subject of faith one needs to believe in to gain salvation, but an emphasis on the inevitability of afterlife for everyone. From a simulated reality everyone exits to their originating context, and the creator can naturally make exceptions for his exit and reappearance"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Reflects disappointment of followers who should have known Jesus's teachings, heard or knew about his prophecies about himself – yet, they expected and saw in Jesus the false Jewish Messiah who would be caring about THEIR nation or group of people. This means, they totally missed the point in the message of Jesus. This is a sad reflection on the disciples of Jesus. About the third day prophesy they seem to know NOTHING – yet, this should have been the hope for all their disciples (knowing the OT's and Jesus's prophesy). Yet, they seem to know about the first-hand reports of the women and their visions of angels, who knew about the empty tomb. The removal of body may have been secretly devised by a small circle (of Joseph of Arimatea) to keep these people believing in the resurrection. Instead of recognizing what the CESAPH meant and what was its significance and message, they kept waiting for a redeemer of Israel – displaying a very narrow mindset if they were familiar with Jesus's teachings. Also, where were these guys going, if not to the tomb of the leader who allegedly disappeared from his tomb this very morning? But the whole story very much sounds like the writers (or the people telling them the stories) backing the miraculous story of the resurrection and the then-manufactured prophecies that tied them to the OT prophecies. So instead of fulfilling the hope of those who were waiting for Israel's redemption, they refocused on fulfilling the hope of those who knew about these prophecies of the resurrection (that were obviously very few, if any). Unfortunately the narrative is bleeding from many wounds.
     
        

    Luke 24:25, 26, 27

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."25 Then Jesus said to them, “O foolish ones, how slow are your hearts to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and then to enter His glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was written in all the Scriptures about Himself. "...
    NRSV: ..."25 Then he said to them, "Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! 26 Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?" 27 Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • inappropriate/inadequate/misguided attempt to apply OT prophecy
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • suspected post-fitting of the narrative (not possible for the author to know about, or likely did not happen as described)
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies"
  •  
    interpretation:
    This sounds very much like an attempt to post-fit the narrative to the story. The suffering and death of Jesus could be foreseen not because of prophecies, but because of the nature of the CESAPH and the chosen context of appearance – the Jewish world of 2000 years ago. Strangely, this part does not mention that Jesus himself told his disciples what fate he is expecting for himself and why (as mentioned in 24:6), even though this would have made a much stronger case than vague OT prophecies. It is also highly unlikely that the resurrected Jesus is making the case to two of his misguided disciples about prophecies that tell about him being resurrected – like the resurrection does not matter, but what matters is that prophecies foretold it. And never mind the message of Jesus, the meaning of life, salvation, etc. - main thing is that prophecies are fulfilled... Such a sad interpretation of the biggest event in history!
     
        

    Luke 24:30, 31

    top  

    Berean: ..."30 While He was reclining at the table with them, He took bread, spoke a blessing and broke it, and gave it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Jesus—and He disappeared from their sight. "...
    NRSV: ..."30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • suspected post-fitting of the narrative (not possible for the author to know about, or likely did not happen as described)
  •  
    interpretation:
    It is highly unlikely that disciples who knew Jesus would not recognize him for such a long time after walking with him and then sitting with him at the same table. It is more likely that this story was made up as an anecdote to illustrate a point. And how can we genuinely count this episode as a reappearance of Jesus after his death, if his own disciples do not recognize the reappeared Jesus at their own table? I guess such story can only be finished with such a 'vanishing miracle'. (Never mind that all this COULD be possible in the simulation model – it is just not very likely to have happened this way, or at all...)
     
        

    Luke 24:39

    top  

    Berean: ..."39 Look at My hands and My feet. It is I Myself. Touch Me and see—for a spirit does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” "...
    NRSV: ..."39 Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  •  
    interpretation:
    This can be taken by some as a confirmation of the existence of ghosts – something that is irrelevant to the word of God, and Jesus's message. This passage could be quoted by misguided individuals to support their arguments about ghosts. Though the participation of other conscious beings in our reality as observers or as having very limited roles or capabilities is logically possible (the simulation model allows for this), there are no reasons one should need to believe in them (unless they are faced with it personally).
     
        

    Luke 24:44, 45, 46

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."44 Jesus said to them, “These are the words I spoke to you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about Me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms.” 45 Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. 46 And He told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, "...
    NRSV: ..."44 Then he said to them, "These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you — that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled." 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, 46 and he said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day,"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • suspected post-fitting of the narrative (not possible for the author to know about, or likely did not happen as described)
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Again, an unhealthy tying of Jesus's message to the OT by the author. What was attributed to being written about Jesus in the OT is not even relevant compared to the message of Jesus and the CESAPH. As the Jews were preoccupied by expecting the imminent arrival of their Messiah, tying Jesus as much as possible to those prophecies (and perhaps even altering or making up stories or sayings for more such ties) makes sense from the author's and early Jewish Christian converts' perspectives: they wanted Jews to accept Jesus as their Messiah at the time. In fact, NOTHING was written about Jesus in the “law of Moses” and prophecies that attempt to tie Jesus to the expected Messiah are a far stretch at best. Focus and emphasis on those prophecies were also lacking, as it is clear they expected a warrior Messiah who would lead their nation to victory and glory (never mind the rest of the world). It is as if the whole point of someone doing something is not in what is being done, but to fulfill someone else's foretelling about that very act.
     
        

    Luke 24:47

     Significant Alignment! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."47 and in His name repentance and forgiveness of sins will be proclaimed to all nations, beginning in Jerusalem. "...
    NRSV: ..."47 and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation
  • One ‘loves God’ by loving their fellow human beings, no matter how far removed they may be, which fulfills the single command of God
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  •  
    interpretation:
    This is exactly what happened in the CESAPH: the creator formally proclaimed in Jesus that through repentance (living a life aligned with love as a testimony of a justified conviction – as that is how one repents his sinful condition originating from our precursory existence) our sinful condition will be forgiven. And this is universally applicable to all of humanity throughout history. This is the eternal word of God, of salvation, the essence of the message of Jesus. The reference to Jerusalem is only significant because this is where the proclamation and divine demonstration took place.
     
        

    Acts 1:6

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."6 So when they came together, they asked Him, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” "...
    NRSV: ..."6 So when they had come together, they asked him, "Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  • misguided focus on Jews or improper differentiation between Jews and Gentiles
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Indicates a complete lack of understanding by the disciples on what the CESAPH was about and what Jesus has likely taught them (never mind the meaning and purpose of human existence, they keep talking about restoring the kingdom of Israel, like that is the main focus and priority of the creator...). Talking about missing the whole point of his teachings... Perhaps Jesus worked to change the expectations of their disciples about what they should rather look in “the Messiah”, but he also never clearly identified himself with being the Jewish Messiah.
     
        

    Acts 1:6, 7, 8

     Significant Alignment! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."6 So when they came together, they asked Him, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 Jesus replied, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by His own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” "...
    NRSV: ..."6 So when they had come together, they asked him, "Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?" 7 He replied, "It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • A justified person has the duty to spread the word of God to others in a non-intrusive way whenever the chance arises and by showing an example
  • Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator
  • Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation
  • Grace is the ever-present willingness of the creator to help humans reach their salvation
  • One needs to live life being always ready for its accounting - then, if events in the future come as a ’thief’, as one would have needed to do nothing differently
  • One ‘loves God’ by loving their fellow human beings, no matter how far removed they may be, which fulfills the single command of God
  • ‘Justification’ is ‘being convinced about love’s (vs. selfishness) need to guide life’ (= ‘being rightly enlightened’, = ‘holding Jesus’s message in conviction’, = ‘following/believing in Jesus’, = ‘gaining a justified conviction’, = ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, = ‘doing the works of God’, = ‘satisfying/keeping/adhering to the command of God’, = ‘accepting/living according to Jesus’s message’, = ‘fulfilling the eternal word of God, of salvation’)
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage is a powerful refocus of the disciples to the essence. Jesus corrects the disciples' (still-)misguided notion about the CESAPH being specific to Israel or the Jewish religion by addressing all of humanity. The Holy Spirit comes upon one when one gets the right alignment in one's conviction about love vs selfishness (justification). This will give one the strength to attain salvation, but this help is still not a guarantee, as one needs to testify to this conviction with one's entire life (the conviction carried through one's assigned situations). Such justified people will be the creator's witnesses all over the world. One is a witness to Jesus when one can be recognized by others to love and respect their fellow human beings.
     
        

    Acts 1:15, 16

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    Berean: ..."15 In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (a gathering of about a hundred and twenty) and said, 16 “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit foretold through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide for those who arrested Jesus. "...
    NRSV: ..."15 In those days Peter stood up among the believers (together the crowd numbered about one hundred twenty persons) and said, 16 "Friends, the scripture had to be fulfilled,"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Indicates a complete lack of understanding by the disciples on what the CESAPH was about and what Jesus has likely taught them (never mind the meaning and purpose of human existence, they keep talking about fulfilling scriptures that aim the restoration of the glory of Israel...). There seems to be a fixation on scriptures being fulfilled rather than capturing meaning from the event itself. This would mean that whatever the prophets foretold is more important than what Jesus said and did! And no one noticed that this is ludicrous!? They rather blamed the scriptures and its prophecies for what happened to Jesus than acknowledging the failure of humanity (and the individuals in those situations) to recognize and accept the CESAPH and its message.
     
        

    Acts 1:20

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    Berean: ..."20 “For it is written in the book of Psalms: ‘May his place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in it,’ and, ‘May another take his position.’ "...
    NRSV: ..."20 "For it is written in the book of Psalms, 'Let his [Judas's] homestead become desolate, and let there be no one to live in it'; and'Let  another take his position of overseer.'"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • inappropriate/inadequate/misguided attempt to apply OT prophecy
  • leaning on miracles for authenticity
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator"
  •  
    interpretation:
    The quoted Psalm contains a lot of curses for a general enemy or accuser, and thus, in no way can be taken as a prophecy about the fate of Judas. Let's start with the fact that Judas was not an accuser of Jesus – he simply (allegedly) betrayed him. What happened to Judas's land he got from his reward money can be generally foreseen with pure probability, and needs no prophecies to back it or make it look like a fulfillment, especially if the original quote is in no way trying to foretell such event. Looking for such potential prophecy-fulfilling opportunities to increase the writing's credibility is a truly pathetic endeavor.
     
        

    Acts 1:23, 24, 25, 26

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    Berean: ..."23 So they proposed two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. 24 And they prayed, “Lord, You know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two You have chosen 25 to take up this ministry and apostleship, which Judas abandoned to go to his rightful place.” 26 Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles. "...
    NRSV: ..."23 So they proposed two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias. 24 Then they prayed and said, "Lord, you know everyone's heart. Show us which one of these two you have chosen 25 to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place." 26 And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  •  
    interpretation:
    It is a bit absurd as to why would Judas need to be 'replaced', and why only with one person. If witnesses are sought for the resurrection, why not take everyone who witnessed it? If disciples are needed who can propagate Jesus's message, why not take anyone who is justified – who is well versed with the teachings of Jesus, who holds Jesus's message in conviction? Why would the 12 think of himself as a special group authorized to do anything over others (like Paul later on)? I hope this is not about the 12 tribes of Israel again...
     
        

    Acts 2:2, 3

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    Berean: ..."2 Suddenly a sound like a mighty rushing wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw tongues like flames of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. "...
    NRSV: ..."2 And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • attempted building, claiming, or referencing authority that is misguided and improper
  • leaning on miracles for authenticity
  • suspected post-fitting of the narrative (not possible for the author to know about, or likely did not happen as described)
  •  
    interpretation:
    This sounds very much like an attempt to enhance the writing with miracles to add to the basis of authority. Again, this is decades after the death of Jesus, telling us about what happened to their followers and leaders in the distant past. Possible, but not likely, and definitely not relevant to the message.
     
        

    Acts 2:11, 12

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."11 both Jews and converts to Judaism; Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” 12 Astounded and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?” "...
    NRSV: ..."11 ... in our own languages we hear them speaking about God's deeds of power." 12 All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, "What does this mean?""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies"
  •  
    interpretation:
    “God's deeds of power” very much sounds like a reference to Jesus's miracles, which was not the message and focus of the creator's intervention in Jesus. Letting himself be subject to the will of men and the limitations of our human environment (sharing in our human fate and suffering) WAS. This was the creator's genuine way to show his love for us, and invite us to succeed in reaching our salvation. As such, references to miracles as the main focus of Jesus's mission is suspect of being made up for effect. If the creator intended to awe us with his power, other much more powerful means would have been available to him for far more superior effects on ALL of humanity, not just a select few witnesses who could not pass these happenings to posterity themselves. Sadly, this also shows the focus of the disciples in passing Jesus's message on: focus on the miracle claims! But – as it is clear from some other passages, even from quoting Jesus – the disciples themselves also did not necessarily fully understand Jesus's message. This also explains their steadfast focus on the role of the Jewish Messiah, even after hearing Jesus's message. I guess they wanted Jesus to be that Messiah SO much, they looked for justification for their beliefs instead of evaluating Jesus's message objectively and apart from their preconceptions (and what that message would mean about the validity of their Jewish beliefs).
     
        

    Acts 2:16, 17, 18, 19, 20

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    Berean: ..."16 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 17 ‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. 18 Even on My menservants and maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. 19 I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. 20 The sun will be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the coming of the great and glorious Day of the Lord. "...
    NRSV: ..."16 No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:17 'In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. 18 Even upon my slaves, both men and women, in those days I will pour out my Spirit; and they shall prophesy. 19 And I will show portents in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and smoky mist. 20 The sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the coming of the LORD's great and glorious day."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • clear misguidance of author as the time remaining till the second coming was NOT near
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • inappropriate/inadequate/misguided attempt to apply OT prophecy
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Peter using this quote from Psalms (which talks about the nearing end times) to explain (or connect it to) the pentecost is grossly inappropriate. In addition, people are not supposed to interpret signs to assess when the last days are about to take place, as Jesus specified that those days will come like a thief, so that no one can predict them. In addition, the most likely outcome of reality is that the end times will happen to everyone upon their death. Thus, everyone will participate in those “end times” that may be a shared moment in all humans' awareness who took part in life on Earth, facing their judgment. For this, one prepares by living every day as being ready for accounting – and this is exactly what Jesus asked us for. Thus, no one needs to worry about any end-times on Earth!
     
        

    Acts 2:21

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."21 And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ "...
    NRSV: ..."21 Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.'"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Achieving salvation is not at all that simple; there is only one way to achieve salvation, and that involves something that is MUCH harder: live a life aligned with love vs selfishness. Everyone who “calls on the Lord” for help in reaching salvation may reach justification in their convictions due to the ever-willing help of grace, but that is just the first (though most important) step towards reaching salvation.
     
        

    Acts 2:22

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."22 Men of Israel, listen to this message: Jesus of Nazareth was a man certified by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs, which God did among you through Him, as you yourselves know. "...
    NRSV: ..."22 "You that are Israelites, listen to what I have to say: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with deeds of power, wonders, and signs that God did through him among you, as you yourselves know"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • leaning on miracles for authenticity
  • misguided focus on Jews or improper differentiation between Jews and Gentiles
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies"
  •  
    interpretation:
    “a man attested to you by God with deeds of power, wonders, and signs that God did through him” is not a good description of the essence and message of the CESAPH. This, and addressing Israelites only is a sign of misguidance, and a failure to understand the message of Jesus and the CESAPH. But obviously, the author tries to appeal to a miracle-hungry Jewish target audience, emphasizing the might and power of the creator instead of the demonstration of love in Jesus and his universal message of salvation for each human on Earth, that was the essence.
     
        

    Acts 2:23

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."23 He was delivered up by God’s set plan and foreknowledge, and you, by the hands of the lawless, put Him to death by nailing Him to the cross. "...
    NRSV: ..."23 this man, handed over to you according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of those outside the law."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Every human has a real chance at reaching their salvation, which is NOT predetermined or predestined. The creator is NOT omniscient with regard to humans’ free will, and their fate in the evaluation"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator"
  •  
    interpretation:
    I beg to disagree with the 'definitive plan and foreknowledge' of the creator of what exactly was going to happen to Jesus in the CESAPH. This passage serves to position the story of what happened to Jesus as part of the divine plan that was foretold, and thereby authenticating and justifying the belief system of those who foretold it (the OT). The story could have played out similarly if Jesus would have been born as a Spartan, Roman or Persian: his fate of betrayal, ridicule, and fatal conflict with religious authorities could be similarly foreseen by anyone knowing those contexts. But this was especially true in the ethnocentric exclusionary belief system of the Jews (the best context with which to contrast Jesus's universal message). But in all cases, what would have happened would have been the direct result of actual peoples' free will, which could not have been foreseen by the creator (only to the degree of likelihoods). In all scenarios, individuals would would have made actual decisions that they would have had the freedom to carry out differently.
     
        

    Acts 2:24

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    Berean: ..."24 But God raised Him from the dead, releasing Him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for Him to be held in its clutches. "...
    NRSV: ..."24 But God raised him up, having freed him from death, because it was impossible for him to be held in its power."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The creator created our reality (best modeled as a consciousness-centric simulation) to facilitate the evaluation of its target audience: humans"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The human spirit is somehow part of the eternal consciousness"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The resurrection is not a cornerstone belief to be held about Jesus or the subject of faith one needs to believe in to gain salvation, but an emphasis on the inevitability of afterlife for everyone. From a simulated reality everyone exits to their originating context, and the creator can naturally make exceptions for his exit and reappearance"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness"
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage exhibits misconceptions about the understanding and nature of death, the essence of Jesus (being the eternal creator in human form), and the nature of our reality (temporary simulation). Paul already wrote beforehand, that it is given that everyone resurrects – as Jesus did too – emphasizing the existence of the afterlife for EVERYONE. So there is nothing special about 'death' not affecting or not having the power over Jesus (or anyone else). Besides, 'death' does not have power, as it is not a person, or even a 'thing' – it is simply the point in time when one wakes up from a limited reality back into an encompassing reality. If the extraordinary appearance of Jesus after his death happened to a select few, that would have been an exception to the rule of the simulation, that is completely doable by the programmer of the simulation. All miracles are implemented by exceptions to the default configuration and to the outcome of the default processes of the simulation. But miracles only carry relevance to those witnessing it, and not to the rest of us.
     
        

    Acts 2:30, 31

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."30 But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that He would place one of his descendants on his throne. 31 Foreseeing this, David spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that He was not abandoned to Hades, nor did His body see decay. "...
    NRSV: ..."30 Since he [David] was a prophet, he knew that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would put one of his descendants on his throne. 31 Foreseeing this, David spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, saying, 'He was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh experience corruption.'"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • inappropriate/inadequate/misguided attempt to apply OT prophecy
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • reliance on OT and greek mythology
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator"
  •  
    interpretation:
    The context from Psalms: “I keep my eyes always on the LORD. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay. You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. ” - from the full context, it is clear that David wrote this 'prayer of wishes' about himself, not about the Messiah. If the authors mis-apply OT text segments as prophecies foretelling about their Messiah and try to apply this to Jesus, their entire effort of prophesy-fitting to Jesus is discredited (not to mention the complete irrelevance and inappropriateness of viewing Jesus as some validation or fulfilling of the OT and Jewish belief systems) .
     
        

    Acts 2:32

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    Berean: ..."32 God has raised this Jesus to life, to which we are all witnesses. "...
    NRSV: ..."32 This Jesus God raised up, and of that all of us are witnesses."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • incorrect or inappropriate generalization
  • suspected post-fitting of the narrative (not possible for the author to know about, or likely did not happen as described)
  •  
    interpretation:
    He is talking to “fellow Israelites” and assumes/talks as all of them witnessed the resurrection.
     
        

    Acts 2:36

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."36 Therefore let all Israel know with certainty that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ!” "...
    NRSV: ..."36 Therefore let the entire house of Israel know with certainty that God has made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified.""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • appeasement/catering to potential Jewish converts
  • misconceived understanding of what the ‘trinity’ could be
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  •  
    interpretation:
    God did not “make” Jesus Lord. Jesus WAS Lord, the creator, in fully human form among us, taking part in our reality. And the CESAPH has nothing to do with being the Jewish Messiah – this the author does not seem to get, and still tries to appeal to the Jewish crowd as 'you just missed your Messiah'. Indeed, referencing their scriptures and prophecies appears to be the only way to appeal to Jews, as they are unable to see the CESAPH for what it was, and unable to fathom that their sacred writings and prophets all represented the wrong purpose of life for their people. And the disciples seem to be catering to this need as opposed to owning up to the position that stems from Jesus's universal message of salvation to humanity: the total lunacy and misguidance of the Jewish belief system in light of this. Jesus, as the creator in human form, does his own will. It is also possible that while partaking in our reality as a fully-human, the creator voluntarily undertook some of the limitations that define being human – if not for this, his partaking as fully human would not have been genuine. We can also experience this kind of limitation setting in when we dream at night, and then reawaken into our 'reality': the limitations and level of awareness of these two worlds (realities) are different, yet we are the same 'self' in both of them. As 'being fully-human' can typically mean a good amount of doubt, insecurity, fear, helplessness, suffering and despair, it is also imaginable that Jesus also took on these experiences. This could explain his alleged interactions and conversations with 'the Father' (his greater-self in the larger context of reality), and could also explain the disciples' understanding and conception of the 'trinity'.
     
        

    Acts 2:38

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. "...
    NRSV: ..."38 Peter said to them, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • misconception about Jesus saving or justifying people rather than them achieving this through their own free will
  • misconception about forgiveness, and the role of rituals
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Parallels Acts 22:16 This passage may improperly give people the impression that all they need to do for their salvation is to be baptized. This is false, as there are no shortcuts to salvation. The Holy Spirit can be received by anyone who genuinely looks for the meaning of their existence though the ever-willing help of grace. Improper message about how one can reach the forgiveness of sins and salvation, stemming from misguidance. The Holy Spirit is within all humans to various degrees in their predispositions, so also in those who are not baptized. The Holy Spirit is not received as a 'gift' upon the performance of a ritual. The ritual MAY serve to awaken and strengthen our predispositions if the subject wills it so. Sins committed in this world need to be redeemed by people themselves, rectifying them with those whom the sins were committed against and asking for their forgiveness (or with the creator, if this is impossible). Uttering some prayers or simply regretting them will not do. The sinful condition, for which people appeared in this reality, need to be redeemed by living a life according to a conviction that is aligned with love – and the forgiveness gained for this is salvation itself. In trying to reach salvation, belief in the good news of the CESAPH can help to a great degree – but still, the proving has to be done by the individual, as no one (not Jesus, not the Holy Spirit, not the Saints, etc.) will do this for them. In fact, this is their main task in life.
     
        

    Acts 2:45

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    Berean: ..."45 Selling their possessions and goods, they shared with anyone who was in need. "...
    NRSV: ..."45 they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Behavioral guidance
  • One ‘loves God’ by loving their fellow human beings, no matter how far removed they may be, which fulfills the single command of God
  • The main goal of our life is to reach our salvation and build values that transcend this reality into eternal life, not to reach material or academic success or to fulfill other worldly desires or loyalties
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    Yes, preceding Marx and Lenin, Jesus was likely a true communist, in its best sense.
     
        

    Acts 2:47

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    Berean: ..."47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. "...
    NRSV: ..."47 praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • misconception about Jesus saving or justifying people rather than them achieving this through their own free will
  •  
    interpretation:
    This is an innocent but incorrect exaggeration and generalization on the part of the author. Those WILL BE “saved” who reach their salvation with their lives that prove their conviction being aligned with love. And they will find out whether they reached their salvation after their deaths, during the last judgment. Thus, joining a movement, believing something one is (or is not) convinced of, adhering to any set of laws, performing any rituals, or even reaching justification is still not a guarantee of reaching salvation! Surely, the author must have meant 'those who reached justification and thus entered the path to their salvation'. But it is too easy and common to misunderstand that this step is all one needs for salvation, yet the hard part of walking the path through life's ordeals and trials is still left for one to accomplish in alignment with the right conviction to reach salvation.
     
        

    Acts 3:17, 18

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."17 And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders. 18 But in this way God has fulfilled what He foretold through all the prophets, saying that His Christ would suffer. "...
    NRSV: ..."17 "And now, friends, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. 18 In this way God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, that his Messiah would suffer."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • appeasement/catering to potential Jewish converts
  • inappropriate/inadequate/misguided attempt to apply OT prophecy
  • incorrect or inappropriate generalization
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Every human has a real chance at reaching their salvation, which is NOT predetermined or predestined. The creator is NOT omniscient with regard to humans’ free will, and their fate in the evaluation"
  •  
    interpretation:
    As if the goal of the CESAPH were to fulfill the prophecy that during his mission Jesus “would suffer”... People and rulers did NOT act in ignorance because they were to fulfill any prophecy, but because they WERE ignorant out of their own will. And nothing about this was foretold, except that it could have easily be foreseen by anyone given Jesus's claims about himself and his teachings in his chosen context of appearance. And more importantly, whatever WAS foretold in the OT did not get fulfilled in Jesus, as it was a foretelling about something completely different and grossly narrow-minded. But again, the only way to appeal to Jews' sense of truth was to refer to and tie anything of importance to their scriptures and prophecies as they lacked the ability to imagine that they may have been wrong all along in their belief system. Thus, they missed the real universal relevance in the CESAPH and the message of Jesus, that has nothing to do with them being Jewish, only human, as all others. Not to mention that “all the prophets” did NOT foretell how and what Jesus ended up as, and their focus and emphasis was on something completely different than what Jesus turned out to be, and what his message was all about – thus their foretelling and its alleged fulfillment is completely irrelevant.
     
        

    Acts 3:19, 20, 21

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."19 Repent, then, and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away, 20 that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send Jesus, the Christ, who has been appointed for you. 21 Heaven must take Him in until the time comes for the restoration of all things, which God announced long ago through His holy prophets. "...
    NRSV: ..."19 Repent therefore, and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out, 20 so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Messiah appointed for you, that is, Jesus, 21 who must remain in heaven until the time of universal restoration that God announced long ago through his holy prophets."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • inappropriate/inadequate/misguided attempt to apply OT prophecy
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator"
  •  
    interpretation:
    It is incredible to envision that a group of people (Jews) are ingrained in such a brainwashing (about their scripture's description on who they are supposed to wait for in their lives – their Messiah) that they are utterly incapable of even envisioning that something else may in fact describe reality better. In other words, they are completely unwilling to entertain and unable to fathom that their beliefs are all rubbish, and truth about reality and the purpose of their lives lies elsewhere. It is sad, but true. One needs to only care about reaching one's own salvation in this life by aligning one's life with love – it is THIS simple. Then, one can forget about being a member or a non-member of any allegedly chosen group, any prophecy about what is to happen in history or what they should be waiting for, about any importance of nationhood, ethnicity, cultural values – as these are all there to distract one from the path one is supposed to walk to pass the evaluation of life, which is an individual task for everyone. These distractions also include waiting for or hastening the second coming of Jesus, that is also not an activity anyone should be engaged in. Living life does not involve any special tasks or fulfilling any roles that is beyond being always ready to face judgment on one's life by always staying aligned with love through all of life's trials and ordeals. And naturally, no one should feel disappointed if none of the events contributed to the coming end times are happening in this life, as they are more logical to take place after all humans are done with their evaluation (after their deaths).
     
        

    Acts 3:22, 23

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."22 For Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your brothers. You must listen to Him in everything He tells you. 23 Everyone who does not listen to Him will be completely cut off from among his people.’ "...
    NRSV: ..."22 Moses said, 'The Lord your God will raise up for you from your own people a prophet like me. You must listen to whatever he tells you. 23 And it will be that everyone who does not listen to that prophet will be utterly rooted out of the people.'"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • inappropriate/inadequate/misguided attempt to apply OT prophecy
  • incorrect or inappropriate generalization
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Demonstrating the incredibly ludicrous ignorance of the OT. This statement of Moses could be the single statement in the OT that invalidates it in front of all sane people. It is super-generic and can pertain to virtually anyone who then will be considered to be “like him”. And how to test this – how tell who is such a person? By the number of people not listening to such person who are then being rooted out of their group? So someone who starts rooting out people who does not listen to him stands a good chance of being such a prophet? Nah – there is a much better way outlined by Moses himself in his original masterpiece of prophecy (in Deuteronomy 18:15-22): if the alleged prophet's message “does not come to pass or come true” (in other words, can not properly foretell – to be tested only by waiting plenty of time and checking for results), then, the message is NOT from the LORD. So as long as someone keeps properly foretelling events (the farther out in time and the more generic, the better for the prophet...), that message MAY be from the LORD, and the prophet MAY be the prophet foretold by Moses. And if someone tries but fails at this, we need not be “afraid of him”, but “that prophet must be put to death” - splendid Moses! Well outlined! Never mind the content of the message, making sense, as long as events are properly foretold! Great focus, addressing the purpose of existence! Prophets anyone, anyone? I can certainly foretell some events I can bet on too.. Also, a great way for the creator to relay messages through prophets: their ability to foretell events that come true (otherwise false prophet, to be put to death) – content of message, criterion for validity (other than foretold event took place) and truthfulness irrelevant. It is outright shameful for the author to associate this prophecy with Jesus and the CESAPH (not to mention that events foretold by Jesus would have to be tested for historical fulfillment for us to accept him as someone who measures up to the great Moses – so he could not be tested for a fit during his lifetime...).
     
        

    Acts 3:25

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."25 And you are sons of the prophets and of the covenant God made with your fathers when He said to Abraham, ‘Through your offspring all the families of the earth will be blessed.’ "...
    NRSV: ..."25 You are the descendants of the prophets and of the covenant that God gave to your ancestors, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your descendants all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • appeasement/catering to potential Jewish converts
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • inappropriate/inadequate/misguided attempt to apply OT prophecy
  • incorrect or inappropriate generalization
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  •  
    interpretation:
    The covenant given to Abraham (“make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and will give them all these lands, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed”) can be pretty much applied to any (but at least most) nations. This also highlights one of the biggest issues with the OT – it's message is focused on a nation, as opposed to on individuals' salvation. This is a completely different focus from Jesus's message, and the two can not be reconciled as originating from the same creator! Till this point in time, NO nation has been “blessed” through the descendants of Abraham (though, it largely depends on what we mean by being 'blessed' – perhaps existing or remaining can be looked at as such?). If one understands the CESAPH as being that general 'blessing' that applies to all nations, still, the act of blessing just simply did not occur: how is one who is blessed different from another who is not blessed? Is this a quality endowed by Jesus on particular individuals only? If yes, then this is contrary to free will and the evaluation. Yes, the CESAPH can be regarded as a blessing to all who are granted to hear about it – but it is only a help they can CHOOSE to use, and even with that, the hardest part of living according to the message is still left for them to accomplish. Additionally, we can also speak of 'nations' who were not 'blessed' at all, as the good news did not get to them perhaps not even by today. The author is simply forcing the fulfillment concept as his best hope to gain converts from among Jews.
     
        

    Acts 3:26

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."26 When God raised up His Servant, He sent Him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways.” "...
    NRSV: ..."26 When God raised up his servant, he sent him first to you, to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways.""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • appeasement/catering to potential Jewish converts
  • incorrect or inappropriate generalization
  • misconceived understanding of what the ‘trinity’ could be
  • misguided focus on Jews or improper differentiation between Jews and Gentiles
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Jesus is not the 'servant' of the creator – he IS the creator choosing to appear among us in a fully human form as part of an intervention on our behalf, to foster the salvation of as many people as possible, by reaching out to them with the invitation of the good news. The CESAPH did not happen to 'bless the Israelites', especially that their “wicked ways” was in no way turned. INDIVIDUALS from among them may have reached the right conclusions, as with members of many other nations – and this is the only part that matters. Jesus came to turn as many humans as possible (of those granted to receive this help in their evaluations) from their wicked ways and to help them reach our salvation. But this has nothing to do with Israel. The Jews may have been selected because their ways/beliefs were so “wicked” that the contrast with the universal message of Jesus would be most apparent – to them and to the rest of the world. Jesus, as the creator in human form, does his own will. It is also possible that while partaking in our reality as a fully-human, the creator voluntarily undertook some of the limitations that define being human – if not for this, his partaking as fully human would not have been genuine. We can also experience this kind of limitation setting in when we dream at night, and then reawaken into our 'reality': the limitations and level of awareness of these two worlds (realities) are different, yet we are the same 'self' in both of them. As 'being fully-human' can typically mean a good amount of doubt, insecurity, fear, helplessness, suffering and despair, it is also imaginable that Jesus also took on these experiences. This could explain his alleged interactions and conversations with 'the Father' (his greater-self in the larger context of reality), and could also explain the disciples' understanding and conception of the 'trinity'.
     
        

    Acts 4:11

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    Berean: ..."11 This Jesus is ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ "...
    NRSV: ..."11 This Jesus is 'the stone that was rejected by you, the builders; it has become the cornerstone.'"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • appeasement/catering to potential Jewish converts
  • inappropriate/inadequate/misguided attempt to apply OT prophecy
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage sets a very low standard of quoting OT verses as prophecies that apply to Jesus and his fulfillment of OT prophecies. In Psalm 118:19 David says: “Open for me the gates of the righteous; I will enter and give thanks to the LORD. This is the gate of the LORD through which the righteous may enter. I will give you thanks, for you answered me; you have become my salvation. The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the LORD has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes.”. Here, David thanks the LORD for his luck against his rivals and neighbors, and in no way did he talk (or intended to talk or foretell) about Jesus or even the Messiah he envisioned. This quote is misappropriated by the NT writer when he applies it for Jesus, even if it fits how, despite the Israelites' rejection of him, Jesus's message prevailed to help people reach their salvation. A better analogy would have been 'the builders built a completely wrong building, in the wrong place, using the wrong materials, for the wrong purpose' – and they had the chance to realize this in the CESAPH (but most failed to).
     
        

    Acts 4:12

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."12 Salvation exists in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” "...
    NRSV: ..."12 There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • Jesus’s ‘covenant’ of the eternal word of God, of salvation is the only covenant that has ever been and will ever be in effect from the creator for all of humanity, since the very beginning of time till the ending of our simulated reality, meaning that if one passes their evaluation on their alignment with love, one redeems their sinful condition and gains their salvation
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    There is no other way of reaching salvation than through the eternal word of God, as formalized by Jesus during the CESAPH. “In no one else” means “through the way guided and formalized by Jesus”, not by merely believing that “Jesus is Lord” or his resurrection, or the nonsensical beliefs that “Jesus took away the sins of the world”.
     
        

    Acts 4:27, 28

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    Berean: ..."27 In fact, this is the very city where Herod and Pontius Pilate conspired with the Gentiles and the people of Israel against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed. 28 They carried out what Your hand and will had decided beforehand would happen. "...
    NRSV: ..."27 For in this city, in fact, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, 28 to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • inappropriate/inadequate/misguided attempt to apply OT prophecy
  • misconceived understanding of what the ‘trinity’ could be
  • misconception about the CESAPH, which is magnitudes more significant than the concept of the Jewish Messiah
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Every human has a real chance at reaching their salvation, which is NOT predetermined or predestined. The creator is NOT omniscient with regard to humans’ free will, and their fate in the evaluation"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Jesus is the creator in human form, is the CESAPH, not a servant of a separate entity who was anointed to be such person. His mission was not fulfillment of prophecies but a demonstration of divine love for humanity, and guidance to the whole humanity on how to reach salvation. The exact outcome of what were to happen to Jesus could not have been foreseen (who committed what), even by the creator, even though probability-wise it was easy for anyone to foretell that an outcome 'like this' (suffering, humiliation, betrayal, death) was a likely outcome given Jesus's claims of himself and his message in the chosen context of appearance (contrasting the Jewish belief system). Again, the focus is on the fulfillment of OT prophecies, rather than the actual content of Jesus's message, and the way to salvation. Jesus, as the creator in human form, does his own will. It is also possible that while partaking in our reality as a fully-human, the creator voluntarily undertook some of the limitations that define being human – if not for this, his partaking as fully human would not have been genuine. We can also experience this kind of limitation setting in when we dream at night, and then reawaken into our 'reality': the limitations and level of awareness of these two worlds (realities) are different, yet we are the same 'self' in both of them. As 'being fully-human' can typically mean a good amount of doubt, insecurity, fear, helplessness, suffering and despair, it is also imaginable that Jesus also took on these experiences. This could explain his alleged interactions and conversations with 'the Father' (his greater-self in the larger context of reality), and could also explain the disciples' understanding and conception of the 'trinity'.
     
        

    Acts 4:33

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    Berean: ..."33 With great power the apostles continued to give their testimony about the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And abundant grace was upon them all. "...
    NRSV: ..."33 With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • misconception about the CESAPH, which is magnitudes more significant than the concept of the Jewish Messiah
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The resurrection is not a cornerstone belief to be held about Jesus or the subject of faith one needs to believe in to gain salvation, but an emphasis on the inevitability of afterlife for everyone. From a simulated reality everyone exits to their originating context, and the creator can naturally make exceptions for his exit and reappearance"
  •  
    interpretation:
    The resurrection was their main selling point for the miracle-hungry, instead of the universal message of the creator about how each individual can gain salvation – the purpose of their very existence here on Earth. One can only hope that this message also got through.
     
        

    Acts 4:34, 35

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."34 There were no needy ones among them, because those who owned lands or houses would sell their property, bring the proceeds from the sales, 35 and lay them at the apostles’ feet for distribution to anyone as he had need. "...
    NRSV: ..."34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. 35 They laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • personal perspectives and directives that are culturally dependent
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "As salvation is an individual achievement, finding the way and living life accordingly is a private matter that can not be policed or compelled by others"
  •  
    interpretation:
    This can be a misguided implementation of communism. (And soon after, the church leaders would need more and more of the required redistribution of wealth.) Trouble is always brewing when a formalized church leadership exercises power. A central hierarchical leadership is not needed to redistribute wealth as one can directly do this to their fellow needy humans. Then, one does not enter into mistakes as to sell one's house, while the proceeds will be used to buy another even fancier house for someone less deserving (and God-forbid, a leader of the church). A better way to support one another is to dedicate personal time to helping others, directly helping the needy, and finding ways for sustainable development for a whole community or groups of people. Selling one's house to become homeless will just get someone else to use the same house, so the net effect is ignorable. And this act also assumes that there will be someone who will buy the house for their personal use (unless they plan to open an orphanage there..); and in that case, the act of selling assumes an immoral buyer (who will then go to hell for he spent his resources on buying such a house?). The lands and houses could have been kept instead, and members of the community could have worked and benefitted from their harvests and uses in a sustainable way.
     
        

    Acts 5:1, 2, 3, 4, 5

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."1 Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. 2 With his wife’s full knowledge, he kept back some of the proceeds for himself, but brought a portion and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and withhold some of the proceeds from the land? 4 Did it not belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? How could you conceive such a deed in your heart? You have not lied to men, but to God!” 5 On hearing these words, Ananias fell down and died. And great fear came over all who heard what had happened. "...
    NRSV: ..."1 But a man named Ananias, with the consent of his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property; 2 with his wife's knowledge, he kept back some of the proceeds, and brought only a part and laid it at the apostles' feet. 3 "Ananias," Peter asked, "why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back part of the proceeds of the land? 4 While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, were not the proceeds at your disposal? How is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You did not lie to us but to God!" 5 Now when Ananias heard these words, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard of it."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • attempted building, claiming, or referencing authority that is misguided and improper
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "As salvation is an individual achievement, finding the way and living life accordingly is a private matter that can not be policed or compelled by others"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "‘Evil’, ‘Devil’, or ‘Satan’ is NOT a separate entity opposed to the creator, but the value of selfishness in us that is opposite to the preferred value of the creator, love"
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage is really harmful and misguided (not to mention that the apostles literally scared this guy to death). This amounts to threats to people and coercion to get their money. Perhaps the poor guy kept what he needed, or only decided to give as much as he did (for which the apostles should have been grateful for, and not demand more, let along ALL proceeds. How much to give and how to help is an individual decision that is accountable only to the creator, not to any authority here on Earth. Based on the belief system of the OT,  the authors and disciples of Jesus misguidedly believed the ‘Evil One’, ‘Devil’, or ’Satan’ to be a separate independent entity (a fallen leader of angels) opposed to the creator and having some special powers. However, the concept should simply be interpreted as ‘the influence and temptations to be selfish’, the opposite of the creator’s preference of love that is present in us conscious humans, and all of us are here to demonstrate that we can subdue and eliminate this value in us, and side with its opposite in our evaluation.
     
        

    Acts 5:13

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    Berean: ..."13 Although the people regarded them highly, no one else dared to join them. "...
    NRSV: ..."13 None of the rest dared to join them, but the people held them in high esteem."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • attempted building, claiming, or referencing authority that is misguided and improper
  • leaning on miracles for authenticity
  •  
    interpretation:
    The apostles using the performing of alleged miracles to build credibility and authority is misguided. The sense and truth in Jesus's message is the only valid selling point here! This was the beginning of building the church hierarchy. It is highly likely that Jesus did not mean their apostles to establish and build out a hierarchical authority (which they have seen in the Jewish religion). Jesus commanded his followers to be recognized by their deeds and love for each other, not by the performance of miracles.
     
        

    Acts 5:30, 31, 32

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging Him on a tree. 31 God exalted Him to His right hand as Prince and Savior, in order to grant repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel. 32 We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him.” "...
    NRSV: ..."30 The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. 31 God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior that he might give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.”"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • appeasement/catering to potential Jewish converts
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • misconceived understanding of what the ‘trinity’ could be
  • misconception about the CESAPH, which is magnitudes more significant than the concept of the Jewish Messiah
  • misguided focus on Jews or improper differentiation between Jews and Gentiles
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans"
  •  
    interpretation:
    It is not the God of the apostles' Jewish ancestors, but the creator, of whom the ancestors of the apostles got a very twisted view through their misguided prophets, who appeared in Jesus in a fully human form to demonstrate his love for all of humanity. An even closer translation to the original is “God exalted Him to His right hand as Prince and Savior, in order to grant repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel.” In this passage, the whole CESAPH seems to have been about the forgiveness of sins of Israel, with all other humans on the sidelines (a pretty self-centered view of their own nation, as imagined by themselves). The CESAPH had nothing to do with Israel, the Jews, or their belief system, apart from the creator choosing their context for his appearance in Jesus. This choice most likely served the purpose of contrasting his universal message of salvation for all humans with the misguided and exclusionary Jewish beliefs about the greatness and special destiny of their nation (what their concept of a Messiah served). Furthermore, Jesus did not forgive sins of humans (and not even of Israelites) or give repentance to anyone. He formalized the eternal word of God as the way to achieve salvation to all humans who manage to gain the right conviction about love vs. selfishness, and walk the path of their life aligned with this conviction. And unfortunately, the author (and those who believe alike) seem to have been witnesses to these misunderstandings. The Holy Spirit is the spirit of the creator, love that we can share with him, and not a witness to anything (the creator is the witness to everything, as all reality runs in his conscious mind as a simulation)
     
        

    Acts 5:38, 39

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    Berean: ..."38 So in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone. Let them go! For if their purpose or endeavor is of human origin, it will fail. 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop them. You may even find yourselves fighting against God.” "...
    NRSV: ..."38 So in the present case, I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone; because if this plan or this undertaking is of human origin, it will fail; 39 but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them — in that case you may even be found fighting against God!"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • incorrect or inappropriate generalization
  •  
    interpretation:
    Plans or undertakings by humans do not necessarily fail; and even if they are misguided, they may succeed. Rightly-guided endeavors may fail, as good things can happen to bad people, and all other variations of it.
     
        

    Acts 7:36, 37

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."36 He led them out and performed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, at the Red Sea, and for forty years in the wilderness. 37 This is the same Moses who told the Israelites, ‘God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your brothers.’ "...
    NRSV: ..."36 He led them out, having performed wonders and signs in Egypt, at the Red Sea, and in the wilderness for forty years. 37 This is the Moses who said to the Israelites, 'God will raise up a prophet for you from your own people as he raised me up.'"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • leaning on miracles for authenticity
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • suspected post-fitting of the narrative (not possible for the author to know about, or likely did not happen as described)
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Referring to historical events told by the OT that, as it looks from the lack of evidence, never have taken place. Why would the Israelites need new prophets if their existing prophets were rightly guided and expressed the right message (addressing what an individual to do with their life)? This shows that the focus is not on individual salvation but on national pride, glory, destiny, or superiority – a focus that is irreconcilable with the message of Jesus.
     
        

    Acts 7:44, 45

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."44 Our fathers had the tabernacle of the Testimony with them in the wilderness. It was constructed exactly as God had directed Moses, according to the pattern he had seen. 45 And our fathers who received it brought it in with Joshua when they dispossessed the nations God drove out before them. It remained until the time of David, "...
    NRSV: ..."44 "Our ancestors had the tent of testimony in the wilderness, as God directed when he spoke to Moses, ordering him to make it according to the pattern he had seen. 45 Our ancestors in turn brought it in with Joshua when they dispossessed the nations that God drove out before our ancestors."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • incorrect or inappropriate generalization
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misconception about forgiveness, and the role of rituals
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "One ‘loves God’ by loving their fellow human beings, no matter how far removed they may be, which fulfills the single command of God"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Justifying the driving out (ethnic cleansing) of other nations from their lands and claiming it to be divine will is misguided. Blaming all members of sins is incorrect generalization, and driving them out of their land is collective punishment and a supreme act of selfishness that the creator (who later appeared in Jesus) certainly did not order or suggest. Dispossessing nations (fellow humans) is most certainly against the main command of loving them and act with them not in selfishness. The need for any temple is also illogical (Jesus also did not talk about any need for any church or temple building or location). This is rightly pointed out in the following sections though. This section is continued proof that the authors of the scriptures could also keep their misguidance and ignorance even after witnessing the deeds and hearing the message of Jesus first hand. The creator does not think in terms of nations, groups, cultures, but in individuals.
     
        

    Acts 7:48, 49, 50

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    Berean: ..."48 However, the Most High does not dwell in houses made by human hands. As the prophet says: 49 ‘Heaven is My throne and the earth is My footstool. What kind of house will you build for Me, says the Lord, or where will My place of repose be? 50 Has not My hand made all these things?’ "...
    NRSV: ..."48 Yet the Most High does not dwell in houses made with human hands; as the prophet says, 49 'Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me, says the Lord, or what is the place of my rest? 50 Did not my hand make all these things?'"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation
  • The creator created our reality (best modeled as a consciousness-centric simulation) to facilitate the evaluation of its target audience: humans
  •  
    interpretation:
    The idea of building a temple for the creator, or the concept of any land being sacred, promised, the offering of sacrifices, and the creator's need for such things from us is simply ridiculous, illogical, and makes no sense. The creator creates all realities that are simulated to conscious beings.
     
        

    Acts 7:51, 52

    top  

    Berean: ..."51 You stiff-necked people with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit, just as your fathers did. 52 Which of the prophets did your fathers fail to persecute? They even killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One. And now you are His betrayers and murderers— "...
    NRSV: ..."51 "You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you are forever opposing the Holy Spirit, just as your ancestors used to do. 52 Which of the prophets did your ancestors not persecute?"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation
  •  
    interpretation:
    Positions Jewish customs and values (circumcision) against the heart and ears representing one's conviction overtaken by the Holy Spirit (love). Jewish “ancestors” can refer to the standard thinking and behavior that misses the point and is of no value to the creator (trying to stick to Jewish law despite the apparent lack of sense in them from any possible perspective of the creator). This can also refer to the senselessness and value in following rituals.
     
        

    Acts 7:52, 53

    top  

    Berean: ..."52 Which of the prophets did your fathers fail to persecute? They even killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One. And now you are His betrayers and murderers— 53 you who received the law ordained by angels, yet have not kept it.” "...
    NRSV: ..."52 Which of the prophets did your ancestors not persecute? They killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One, and now you have become his betrayers and murderers. 53 You are the ones that received the law as ordained by angels, and yet you have not kept it."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • misconception about Jesus saving or justifying people rather than them achieving this through their own free will
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Apparently, keeping (or not keeping) Jewish law as defined and scribed onto stone tablets by Moses on top of Mount Sinai (as opposed to being “ordained by angels”) did not keep their followers from not being able to recognize the right message coming from Jesus. Perhaps not being preoccupied by such law would have made them more open to hearing the truth. The passage tries to legitimize Jewish law (the commandments that do not even mention Jesus's main command and focus of loving our fellow humans) this way, instead of realizing and/or facing up to the fact that it has always been a misconceived dead end that does not lead to salvation.
     
        

    Acts 7:55, 56

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked intently into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” "...
    NRSV: ..."55 But filled with the Holy Spirit, he [Stephen the martyr] gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 "Look," he said, "I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • contradicts other NT passages
  • leaning on miracles for authenticity
  • suspected post-fitting of the narrative (not possible for the author to know about, or likely did not happen as described)
  •  
    interpretation:
    Contradicts John 1:18 – This passage states that Stephen saw “God and Jesus” as a separate entity sitting at the right hand of the creator – OR, that is what he 'said'. I thought no one ever saw the Father, and this would be an unlikely exception. Having a divinely affected vision in his situation is possible though. But then more emphasis should have been put on how the Father looked like on the left of Jesus... In reality, what has been said is more likely to have been heard by the author from sources that were not reliable, or been made up for effect.
     
        

    Acts 8:14

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    Berean: ..."14 When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. "...
    NRSV: ..."14 Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • incorrect or inappropriate generalization
  •  
    interpretation:
    'Samaria' could not have accepted the word of God – some individuals in Samaria may have. This is similar to rulers converting their people to new faiths – absolutely worthless and invalid.  
     
        

    Acts 8:15, 16, 17, 18, 19

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    Berean: ..."15 On their arrival, they prayed for them to receive the Holy Spirit. 16 For the Holy Spirit had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. 18 When Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money. 19 “Give me this power as well,” he said, “so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” "...
    NRSV: ..."15 The two went down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit 16 (for as yet the Spirit had not come upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus). 17 Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. 18 Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money, 19 saying, "Give me also this power so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • attempted building, claiming, or referencing authority that is misguided and improper
  • misconception about forgiveness, and the role of rituals
  •  
    interpretation:
    The Holy Spirit is present in everyone – to different degrees – in their predispositions (same as selfishness). If people accepted the word of God, they must have had this spirit working in them and they DECIDED to accept their justified conviction, and thus, receive the Holy Spirit's guidance in their life. The receiving of the Holy Spirit is not a physical event, but a spiritual step one goes through without the necessity for any ritual or physical steps. (Though some rituals may foster the step of acceptance of this spirit in an individual to be the guiding force in their life, like in baptism of adults). By attributing the ability to convey the Holy Spirit onto people to the apostles, the author attempts to build their authority over the flock – which is suspect and is misguided. If the Holy Spirit has to be physically given by the apostles, we have some problems, as with the death of the Apostles, no one could receive it any more. Ritually leaving this ability to ordained priests? Nah.. Anyone can arrive to a justified conviction (receiving the guiding force of love in life) through their own will, with the possible simultaneous help of divine grace, and without the need for any intermediaries or rituals.
     
        

    Acts 8:29, 30, 31

    top  

    Berean: ..."29 The Spirit said to Philip, “Go over to that chariot and stay by it.” 30 So Philip ran up and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked. 31 “How can I,” he said, “unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. "...
    NRSV: ..."29 Then the Spirit said to Philip, "Go over to this chariot and join it." 30 So Philip ran up to it and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah. He asked, "Do you understand what you are reading?" 31 He replied, "How can I, unless someone guides me?""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  •  
    interpretation:
    This makes it sound that all scriptures need a guide to be understood (at least by 'common' people). If this were the case, the scriptures as the 'divine guidance provided' would have some serious issues. Rather, authors of scriptures may have made their writings so cryptic and/or convoluted/incoherent that followers would need special advice and interpretation from 'experts' or authorized interpreters to comprehend them. And nothing justifies this!
     
        

    Acts 9:22

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."22 But Saul was empowered all the more, and he confounded the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ. "...
    NRSV: ..."22 Saul became increasingly more powerful and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Messiah."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • misconception about the CESAPH, which is magnitudes more significant than the concept of the Jewish Messiah
  • misguided focus on Jews or improper differentiation between Jews and Gentiles
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies"
  •  
    interpretation:
    There is no proof about the entity of Jesus, who he was. One will need faith to accept him as the CESAPH. Painting Jesus as the Messiah the Jews were waiting for is misguided – the CESAPH is entirely more significant than being the Messiah of the Jews. However, it is likely that portraying him as such was the only chance the disciples saw to propagate their message among the Jews – still their primary focus, for some ungodly reason. In this light, it is understandable that by the time they started gathering their thoughts and ideas about their new religion to capture them for posterity, this motivation and the materials they gathered over the years to support it were ready. Unfortunately ALL of the prophecy fulfillments they used to tie Jesus to the of OT were weak, out of context, and out of the focus of the OT, not to mention a complete misalignment in the depiction of a creator. The passage points out quite well the focus of the apostles: to confound Jews who lived all over around Israel – a misguidedly narrow focus, given the universality of Jesus's person and message. This should have been immediately clear to all disciples who spent time in Jesus's presence. Unfortunately, even from words attributed to Jesus, this was not the case.
     
        

    Acts 10:34, 35, 36

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    Berean: ..."34 Then Peter began to speak: “I now truly understand that God does not show favoritism, 35 but welcomes those from every nation who fear Him and do what is right. 36 He has sent this message to the people of Israel, proclaiming the gospel of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. "...
    NRSV: ..."34 Then Peter began to speak to them: "I truly understand that God shows no partiality, 35 but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 36 You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ — he is Lord of all."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation
  • Jesus’s ‘covenant’ of the eternal word of God, of salvation is the only covenant that has ever been and will ever be in effect from the creator for all of humanity, since the very beginning of time till the ending of our simulated reality, meaning that if one passes their evaluation on their alignment with love, one redeems their sinful condition and gains their salvation
  •  
    interpretation:
    A clear message from Peter about the irrelevance of being Jewish as far as attaining salvation – which is the only thing that matters in the eye of the creator.
     
        

    Acts 10:38, 40, 41

    top  

    Berean: ..."38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, because God was with Him. 40 God raised Him up on the third day and caused Him to be seen— 41 not by all the people, but by the witnesses God had chosen beforehand, by us who ate and drank with Him after He rose from the dead. "...
    NRSV: ..."38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 40 but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, 41 not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • misconceived understanding of what the ‘trinity’ could be
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The resurrection is not a cornerstone belief to be held about Jesus or the subject of faith one needs to believe in to gain salvation, but an emphasis on the inevitability of afterlife for everyone. From a simulated reality everyone exits to their originating context, and the creator can naturally make exceptions for his exit and reappearance"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "‘Evil’, ‘Devil’, or ‘Satan’ is NOT a separate entity opposed to the creator, but the value of selfishness in us that is opposite to the preferred value of the creator, love"
  •  
    interpretation:
    The “Holy Spirit” was always with Jesus, as that is the essence of the creator, who appeared to us in the human form of Jesus. Being “anointed by God” is just a figure of speech that reflects the contemporary understanding of who Jesus was. Jesus – as the creator in fully human form – raised himself (but from Paul we already should believe that ALL humans resurrect to an afterlife, exiting the simulation back into the originating context of reality). And the creator may have chosen to reappear in the simulation as Jesus to those witnesses he deemed appropriate (if the scripture is correct on this). But for the programmer of our simulated reality, reappearing in Jesus to select witnesses is nothing but another exception to the default workings and configuration of our reality. Based on the belief system of the OT,  the authors and disciples of Jesus misguidedly believed the ‘Evil One’, ‘Devil’, or ’Satan’ to be a separate independent entity (a fallen leader of angels) opposed to the creator and having some special powers. However, the concept should simply be interpreted as ‘the influence and temptations to be selfish’, the opposite of the creator’s preference of love that is present in us conscious humans, and all of us are here to demonstrate that we can subdue and eliminate this value in us, and side with its opposite in our evaluation.
     
        

    Acts 10:43

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."43 All the prophets testify about Him that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name.” "...
    NRSV: ..."43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • misconception about Jesus saving or justifying people rather than them achieving this through their own free will
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  •  
    interpretation:
    This statement is just pure nonsense. Belief in the divinity of Jesus (or whatever set of tenets to believe in) will not get anyone the forgiveness of their sins (whether they originate from their precursory existence or from this life). Belief in Jesus's divinity, the CESAPH may help one to accept Jesus's message (the eternal word of God, of salvation) into their conviction can help one to live a life that is aligned with this conviction – and THAT can result in the forgiveness of sins and salvation. And unfortunately NONE of the prophets testified about this or about the CESAPH or its purpose. And stating anything like this passage is, therefore, misguided. Sins committed in this world need to be redeemed by people themselves, rectifying them with those whom the sins were committed against and asking for their forgiveness (or with the creator, if this is impossible). Uttering some prayers or simply regretting them will not do. The sinful condition, for which people appeared in this reality, need to be redeemed by living a life according to a conviction that is aligned with love – and the forgiveness gained for this is salvation itself. In trying to reach salvation, belief in the good news of the CESAPH can help to a great degree – but still, the proving has to be done by the individual, as no one (not Jesus, not the Holy Spirit, not the Saints, etc.) will do this for them. In fact, this is their main task in life.
     
        

    Acts 10:45, 46

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."45 All the circumcised believers who had accompanied Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. 46 For they heard them speaking in tongues and exalting God. Then Peter said, "...
    NRSV: ..."45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles, 46 for they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • leaning on miracles for authenticity
  • misguided focus on Jews or improper differentiation between Jews and Gentiles
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Then those circumcised believers surely missed the whole point about the teachings of Jesus. And this should have been stated by the author right here! This illustrates how much ingrained their belief system runs in Jews, unable to fathom that any other belief system can stand closer to the eventual unfolding reality.
     
        

    Acts 11:18

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."18 When they heard this, their objections were put to rest, and they glorified God, saying, “So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life.” "...
    NRSV: ..."18 When they heard this, they were silenced. And they praised God, saying, "Then God has given even to the Gentiles the repentance that leads to life.""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • misguided focus on Jews or improper differentiation between Jews and Gentiles
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation"
  •  
    interpretation:
    A clear sign of the author and disciples holding very Jewish perspectives, being astounded that a scenario much grander than something about their 'chosen' bunch is turning out to be the case there. I guess up till then the Gentiles were to be cast aside and forgotten in the eye of their God, being an irrelevant nuisance on the margin of reality – a great religion holding universal truth from the creator, it must have been (congratulations Moses, or whoever came up with these great concepts!)... But this kind of attitude proves it well why the authors and disciples felt it necessary to wrap their Jesus and his message in the fold of OT prophecy, as their only chance to propagate their message (and never mind the corruption that it suffered in the meantime). The whole point of Jesus appearing to humanity among the Jews was to contrast his universal message with the Jewish belief system.
     
        

    Acts 11:27

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    Berean: ..."27 In those days some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. "...
    NRSV: ..."27 At that time prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Are prophets that commonplace? And what is their message and purpose after Jesus? Disciples (followers) of Jesus spreading the message of Jesus are NOT prophets. One can, at most, be a justified person and thus spreading the one and only message of salvation and how to achieve it according to Jesus's message. The opportunity for prophesying is over, even if they ever had any purpose at all.
     
        

    Acts 13:2

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    Berean: ..."2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” "...
    NRSV: ..."2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • attempted building, claiming, or referencing authority that is misguided and improper
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misconceived understanding of what the ‘trinity’ could be
  •  
    interpretation:
    Seems they make the Holy Spirit decide instead of using their own free will.. Let's face it: someone had this idea, and they blamed the Holy Spirit for it. (Who set Barnabas and Saul apart for this work?? Sorry, but it was the Holy Spirit, not us...) Besides, the spirit of the creator is not here to manage the daily affairs and decisions of the disciples, but to help guide people to their salvation and giving them strength to accomplish it. But it surely sound more magnanimous, miraculous, that should adds to credibility and authority in the hope of the author.
     
        

    Acts 13:11, 12

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."11 Now look, the hand of the Lord is against you, and for a time you will be blind and unable to see the light of the sun.” Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand. 12 When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was astonished at the teaching about the Lord. "...
    NRSV: ..."11 [Barnabas and Saul teaching a lesson to false prophet Elymas] And now listen — the hand of the Lord is against you, and you will be blind for a while, unable to see the sun." Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he went about groping for someone to lead him by the hand. 12 When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was astonished at the teaching about the Lord."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "As salvation is an individual achievement, finding the way and living life accordingly is a private matter that can not be policed or compelled by others"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Is this a threatening warning to all would-be false prophets who challenge the official authority and interpretation of church leaders? People should believe and be astonished for the content of Paul's message, not because of some scary miracle he allegedly performed. As for Paul, a debate would have been more appropriate than blinding this poor fellow for his different views.. What is the message this way? To fear and obey the leaders? To scare people into believing? Reference to the disciples' ability to invoke miracles? Or to use violence to silence opponents?
     
        

    Acts 13:17, 18, 19, 20

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."17 The God of the people of Israel chose our fathers. He made them into a great people during their stay in Egypt, and with an uplifted arm He led them out of that land. 18 He endured their conduct for about forty years in the wilderness. 19 And having vanquished seven nations in Canaan, He gave their land to His people as an inheritance. 20 All this took about 450 years. After this, God gave them judges until the time of Samuel the prophet. "...
    NRSV: ..."17 The God of this people Israel chose our ancestors and made the people great during their stay in the land of Egypt, and with uplifted arm he led them out of it. 18 For about forty years he put up with them in the wilderness. 19 After he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land as an inheritance 20 for about four hundred fifty years."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • inappropriate/inadequate/misguided attempt to apply OT prophecy
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  • suspected post-fitting of the narrative (not possible for the author to know about, or likely did not happen as described)
  •  
    interpretation:
    Yes, it is a nice story they wrote about themselves in the OT. Too bad none of the details are corroborated in any other source. despite featuring some awing and great divine miracles. Somehow. destroying seven nations. killing their young and women. and giving their land to a chosen bunch of self-centered deranged people is NOT in line with the loving and just creator represented by Jesus. Jews could have stayed behind and/or lived anywhere and be righteous instead of annihilating other nations so they can have their specific piece of real estate earmarked by their prophet. The life of individuals (sorry, but the creator can not logically have any interest in one nation or grouping over another in this life. Conscious human existence in this reality is not about conquering or owning physical locations in this world but about regaining our place we lost in the presence of the creator, our salvation in the next life. It is no less than shameful to connect Jesus and his message to such a history and belief system.
     
        

    Acts 13:25, 26

     Significant Alignment! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."25 As John was completing his course, he said, ‘Who do you suppose I am? I am not that One. But He is coming after me whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.’ 26 Brothers, children of Abraham, and you Gentiles who fear God, it is to us that this message of salvation has been sent. "...
    NRSV: ..."25 And as John [the Baptist] was finishing his work, he said, 'What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. No, but one is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of the sandals on his feet.'26 "My brothers, you descendants of Abraham's family, and others who fear God, to us the message of this salvation has been sent."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation
  • One’s ‘faith’/belief system has no direct value to the creator, and is only a potential tool in one’s quest to gain justification and reach salvation IF it helps its holder in these
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  • The reason for the creator to appear in the Jewish context was to contrast their beliefs of exclusivity and specialness in the eye of the creator with the eternal word of God, of salvation, universally applicable to all humans
  •  
    interpretation:
    Indeed, no human messenger can be compared, or carries a similar relevance to the CESAPH. The message of salvation has been sent to all – to John's Jewish brothers, as well as everyone else. Those who heed the message of the eternal word of God, of salvation in their lives (the “message of salvation”) can gain their salvation. Thus, to humanity, Jesus represents the formalized message of salvation. This message has always existed, but before the CESAPH it was only accessible through intuition, the voice of one's inherent predispositions, or belief systems that may be close to its values. The eternal word of God does NOT require one to know about the CESAPH. It is available in our predispositions (together with selfishness). In the sentence “to them the message of salvation has been sent”, John presents a wake up call to the Jews, as this is not what they have been expecting in their “savior” in their religion, this message is not for or about them. This pretty much cancels their belief systems as invalid and irrelevant.
     
        

    Acts 13:30, 31

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    Berean: ..."30 But God raised Him from the dead, 31 and for many days He was seen by those who had accompanied Him from Galilee to Jerusalem. They are now His witnesses to our people. "...
    NRSV: ..."30 But God raised him from the dead; 31 and for many days he appeared to those who came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, and they are now his witnesses to the people."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • leaning on miracles for authenticity
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The resurrection is not a cornerstone belief to be held about Jesus or the subject of faith one needs to believe in to gain salvation, but an emphasis on the inevitability of afterlife for everyone. From a simulated reality everyone exits to their originating context, and the creator can naturally make exceptions for his exit and reappearance"
  •  
    interpretation:
    It seems that the resurrection miracle was used as a tool to 'sell' the new religion, whereas its belief system should have stood on its own merit: the creator entering his creation as a participating human (the CESAPH) to demonstrate his love for humanity and guide us toward our salvation. A genuine demonstration of love meant that he took part in the same type of suffering, humiliation, fears and doubt we have to face. He also formalized a message of salvation that in itself makes the most logical sense for the meaning of human life. The value and significance of the miracle of resurrection (if happened as described, and as with all miracles) is limited to those who witnessed it. Using a simulation to model reality, carrying out the alleged appearances of Jesus after his death is quite possible, and the real miracle lies with the creator's willingness to demonstrate his love the way he chose to do it – the only really genuine way, by partaking in our suffering that we may also have to face in our life. It makes no sense to believe that the creator would want all of us to believe in something that was only (allegedly) performed to a very limited set of witnesses; why would this be of any value to him? And wouldn't it make more sense that he wants to select people who proved with their life that they can love others and reject selfishness, especially that his essential spirit is love.
     
        

    Acts 13:32, 33

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."32 And now we proclaim to you the good news: What God promised our fathers 33 He has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus. As it is written in the second Psalm: ‘You are My Son; today I have become Your Father.’ "...
    NRSV: ..."32 And we bring you the good news that what God promised to our ancestors 33 he has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising Jesus; as also it is written in the second psalm, 'You are my Son; today I have begotten you.'"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • appeasement/catering to potential Jewish converts
  • inappropriate/inadequate/misguided attempt to apply OT prophecy
  • misconception about the CESAPH, which is magnitudes more significant than the concept of the Jewish Messiah
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  •  
    interpretation:
    Nowhere in the OT is the CESAPH described properly or even somewhat accurately or in the right context, not to mention the main emphasis being on something entirely different. Everywhere in the OT the text foretells about a Messiah character which does not fit Jesus. The Jewish Messiah is something entirely different, an entirely earthly concept centered around the nation of Israel. If this did not EXACTLY fit Jesus, why force it, and why not instead call Jesus for what he was – the CESAPH. Well, because Jews then would have outright rejected him and his whole message. The authors' portrayal of Jesus as the Jewish Messiah comes with a fatal price of misguidance that has been doing its damage to this day in traditional Christian beliefs in general. As the main emphasis of the OT (obedience to law, separation from Gentiles, the greatness and destiny of the nation of Israel) is not on the upcoming CESAPH, then the whole OT loses its credibility and relevance, and attempts to portray the NT as some sort of fulfillment of the OT become ridiculous. There were those who saw this early on (like Marcion), however they have been silenced by those in power. At that time silencing dissidents and heretics was still very much possible.
     
        

    Acts 13:35

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    Berean: ..."35 So also, He says in another Psalm: ‘You will not let Your Holy One see decay.’ "...
    NRSV: ..."35 Therefore he has also said in another psalm,'You will not let your Holy One experience corruption.'"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • inappropriate/inadequate/misguided attempt to apply OT prophecy
  •  
    interpretation:
    “corruption” refers to the decay of body. In Psalm 16:10 David clearly talks about himself, his wish (and perhaps wish for other righteous ones) not to let death be the end, as symbolized by the decay of the body. However, as Paul already pointed out to everyone, the afterlife will be a given for everyone. Thus this can not be seen as a validating prophecy about Jesus. Nice try, I guess.
     
        

    Acts 13:38, 39

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    Berean: ..."38 Therefore let it be known to you, brothers, that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. 39 Through Him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses. "...
    NRSV: ..."38 Let it be known to you therefore, my brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you; 39 by this Jesus everyone who believes is set free from all those sins from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation
  • The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans
  • ‘Justification’ is ‘being convinced about love’s (vs. selfishness) need to guide life’ (= ‘being rightly enlightened’, = ‘holding Jesus’s message in conviction’, = ‘following/believing in Jesus’, = ‘gaining a justified conviction’, = ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, = ‘doing the works of God’, = ‘satisfying/keeping/adhering to the command of God’, = ‘accepting/living according to Jesus’s message’, = ‘fulfilling the eternal word of God, of salvation’)
  •  
    interpretation:
    Indeed, forgiveness was not given to anyone (Jesus did not “save” anyone) - Jesus officially proclaimed this possibility to everyone, that they can and should try to reach by following the guidance, the eternal word of God, of salvation. In no way does this mean that the CESAPH meant automatic forgiveness for any human for their sins – for which they are spending their penance on Earth. Everyone who holds in conviction the eternal word of God (the alignment with love) and testifies to this conviction with their lives can gain their salvation and the forgiveness of their prior sins from the precursor (before birth to this place). This also carries the fact that the law of Moses is useless and is not the way to salvation.
     
        

    Acts 13:46

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."46 Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “It was necessary to speak the word of God to you first. But since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. "...
    NRSV: ..."46 Then both Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, "It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken first to you. Since you reject it and judge yourselves to be unworthy of eternal life, we are now turning to the Gentiles."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • appeasement/catering to potential Jewish converts
  • misguided focus on Jews or improper differentiation between Jews and Gentiles
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The reason for the creator to appear in the Jewish context was to contrast their beliefs of exclusivity and specialness in the eye of the creator with the eternal word of God, of salvation, universally applicable to all humans"
  •  
    interpretation:
    This sounds like “ok, if you guys don't listen to us, we will go to the Gentiles”, meaning that the Gentiles were not a priority, or not even considered, should the master plan of 'converting Jews' succeeded. So if the Jews welcomed the word of God, the gentiles would have been passed/ignored then (as there would not have been a need to turn to them). Thus, it is only because of the Jew's rejection of the message that the word – the meaning and purpose of human life and the way to salvation – got to be proclaimed to the gentiles. How lucky for the Gentiles, I guess - they got the good news as a result of Paul's resentment of failing with the chosen people... This is grossly out of sync with the message of Jesus. It is like “ok, if you don't want this cake, we will take it to others to eat – now, do you want the cake?” Disciples of Jesus should focus on all human beings! This shows the focus and effort put on converting Jews, explaining the connecting of the OT with Jesus in the NT scriptures. The reason for Jesus appearance among the Jews (and not other religions) is exactly to contrast their beliefs of exclusivity and being special to the creator. A big “Fuck You!” to Paul for this (or the author; whoever held these beliefs) on behalf of all the human beings in history and in the future who were not/will not be not blessed by belonging to the self-selected bunch of deranged Moses-followers...
     
        

    Acts 13:48

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."48 When the Gentiles heard this, they rejoiced and glorified the word of the Lord, and all who were appointed for eternal life believed. "...
    NRSV: ..."48 When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and praised the word of the Lord; and as many as had been destined for eternal life became believers."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misguided focus on Jews or improper differentiation between Jews and Gentiles
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Every human has a real chance at reaching their salvation, which is NOT predetermined or predestined. The creator is NOT omniscient with regard to humans’ free will, and their fate in the evaluation"
  •  
    interpretation:
    The gentiles – after thinking through the message of Jesus – should have enlightened the apostles and disciples about their misguided focus on Israelites, and on their inability to abstract away from their Jewish belief system, not recognizing its incompatibility with Jesus's message. All humanity is destined for eternal life, that is why all humans got their chance to redeem the wrong of their precursor and prove their alignment with love during the assigned situations of their life. All people can reason to believe to align their conviction with love and reach salvation per their free will. This is the subject of our evaluation. No human is predestined to succeed or fail at the evaluation of life.
     
        

    Acts 14:22

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    Berean: ..."22 strengthening the souls of the disciples and encouraging them to continue in the faith. “We must endure many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said. "...
    NRSV: ..."22 There they strengthened the souls of the disciples and encouraged them to continue in the faith, saying, "It is through many persecutions that we must enter the kingdom of God.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    Walking the path of the eternal word of God will not be an easy journey for most. Belief may be a tool that strengthens conviction about love, but the struggle with selfish temptations lasts a lifetime.
     
        

    Acts 15:11

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    Berean: ..."11 On the contrary, we believe it is through the grace of the Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.” "...
    NRSV: ..."11 On the contrary, we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Grace is the ever-present willingness of the creator to help humans reach their salvation"
  •  
    interpretation:
    People reach their salvation using their own free will IF they manage to pass the evaluation of life on the universal criterion of love vs. selfishness. Thanks to divine grace, all of us received such a chance to redeem the wrong we have committed in the precursor and reach salvation with our life. Grace is ever-willing to help us gain and maintain our conviction about love's guiding force in life – this way grace helps us reach our salvation, if we cooperate with its guidance. There is no shortcut to salvation, and no one achieves one's salvation but the self.
     
        

    Acts 15:19, 20

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."19 It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not cause trouble for the Gentiles who are turning to God. 20 Instead, we should write and tell them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals, and from blood. "...
    NRSV: ..."19 Therefore I have reached the decision that we should not trouble those Gentiles who are turning to God, 20 but we should write to them to abstain only from things polluted by idols and from fornication and from whatever has been strangled and from blood."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Barnabas and Paul have no authority to decide whether gentiles should follow the law or not – this should be obvious from Jesus's teachings. The law has always been irrelevant (not leading to one's salvation); and it is not up to a personal decision from the apostle whether to keep it or force it on gentiles. This means that despite receiving Jesus's message, some of the disciples remained heavily influenced by their original misguided belief system, which made them unable to see the message of Jesus clearly. The list of the law to abstain from for gentiles also makes little sense. Things being polluted by anything is just plane old silly. Also, if gentiles turning to God are not to be troubled with the law, then, necessarily, the law has to have been irrelevant from the very beginning with regard to the meaning and purpose of human life (which it was).
     
        

    Acts 15:28, 29

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."28 It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond these essential requirements: 29 You must abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things. Farewell. "...
    NRSV: ..."28 For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to impose on you no further burden than these essentials: 29 that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols and from blood and from what is strangled and from fornication. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • appeasement/catering to potential Jewish converts
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  • rituals don't matter or accomplish anything directly, but serve only as cultural customs with symbolic value to people
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Nice to talk about what “seemed good to the Holy Spirit”, but the disciples should have better stayed with what seemed good to THEM, and leave the Holy Spirit out of their business. This kind of talk attempts to assume divine blessing on what humans decide – which is misguided. The Holy Spirit is in no business of deciding to stop imposing some divine set of laws that have been divinely ordained and in effect so far, but are now to be cancelled. Rather, the disciples saw it right to abandon the burden of the silly set of Jewish laws, that have been silly from the very beginning, having nothing to do with the salvation of humans. And they should have publicly stated this, instead of formulating their language as to stay respectable to Jews as much as possible – their credibility is damaged with this behavior. Keeping oneself from the listed things will not mean one is “doing well” at all – and this should have been clearly stated! Living life according to a conviction aligned with love will make one “do well”. By not clarifying this here, the passage may imply to some that keeping these things will lead them to their salvation – which would be a fatal misunderstanding. Keeping Jesus's main command will lead one to their salvation, and one need not bother with any other silly thing.
     
        

    Acts 16:3

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    Berean: ..."3 Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, so he took him and circumcised him on account of the Jews in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. "...
    NRSV: ..."3 Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him; and he took him and had him circumcised because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • appeasement/catering to potential Jewish converts
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • personal perspectives and directives that are culturally dependent
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation"
  •  
    interpretation:
    I guess they anticipated the Jews checking the circumcision on people!?!? This was a dishonest and appalling decision of Paul, and demonstrates the fear and the size of the task the disciples faced in trying convert Jews to their beliefs. And instead of facing the obvious incompatibility of these messages, they choose appeasement and the portrayal of Jesus as the Jewish Messiah (with a modified definition and mission), wrapping Jesus in OT packaging to sell the story better. This misguided effort is very much reflected in all the scriptures. Converting the Jews (and therefore the continued maintenance of the OT's legitimacy) had even a higher priority than sticking to the proper message and telling the Jews flat out that their beliefs have been wrong all along. (But to be fair, if this were their approach, they would not have gotten too far in spreading the message of Jesus, as they would have been all executed before they had the chance to put together their scriptures for posterity.)
     
        

    Acts 16:7

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    Berean: ..."7 And when they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not permit them. "...
    NRSV: ..."7 When they had come opposite Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them;"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • misconceived understanding of what the ‘trinity’ could be
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Grace is the ever-present willingness of the creator to help humans reach their salvation"
  •  
    interpretation:
    The Holy Spirit does not work on such low level – this is a misconception! They can say “they felt guided not to do this or that” but this is nothing more than “I had a feeling not to do this or that” or “I decided not to do this or that” - but invoking the Holy Spirit makes it sound more divine for sure... Divine grace can help align one's conviction toward love, especially if one is actively seeking the truth. “Getting a feeling” for a decision may be an input from the creator, and if that helps one toward their salvation, this input could be originating from the creator, who is – after all – arranging the accidental situations for everyone in the simulation, and may be making exceptions to default outcomes on his discretion.
     
        

    Acts 16:17

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."17 This girl followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are proclaiming to you the way of salvation!” "...
    NRSV: ..."17 While she followed Paul and us, she would cry out, "These men are slaves of the Most High God, who proclaim to you a way of salvation.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    An excellent way of putting it from one who is not even an apostle (she is the slave girl who makes money for her owners). Indeed Jesus proclaimed a way to salvation, but did not perform the work of reaching it for anyone. Atonement and being a ransom are ludicrous ideas of the CESAPH. The “way of salvation” clearly speaks of a process, works, a life's worth of journey and orientation for one to achieve, not an event that accomplishes it, or a belief to be accepted.
     
        

    Acts 16:18

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    Berean: ..."18 She continued this for many days. Eventually Paul grew so aggravated that he turned and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” And the spirit left her at that very moment. "...
    NRSV: ..."18 She kept doing this for many days. But Paul, very much annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, "I order you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her." And it came out that very hour."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • content that is unhelpful, intentionally mystifying, irrelevant, or too detailed to be a part of ‘scriptures’ of guidance to salvation
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • leaning on miracles for authenticity
  • misconceived idea about casting out demons
  •  
    interpretation:
    Why would Paul get annoyed about a slave girl telling the surrounding people about Paul and company serving Jesus? Getting spirits or demons out of people is misguided; however, this slave girl happened to have the 'right spirit' in her (she was actually supporting them), so there was no such need to get anything out of her anyway.
     
        

    Acts 16:31

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, you and your household.” "...
    NRSV: ..."31 They answered, "Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • incorrect or inappropriate generalization
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "As salvation is an individual achievement, finding the way and living life accordingly is a private matter that can not be policed or compelled by others"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "One’s ‘faith’/belief system has no direct value to the creator, and is only a potential tool in one’s quest to gain justification and reach salvation IF it helps its holder in these"
  •  
    interpretation:
    One does not reach salvation by mere believe in Lord Jesus or whatever that includes – one is saved by one's proven conviction that is aligned with love. If one leads such a life, one has faith in love's need to guide life, and in Jesus's message, the eternal word of God, of salvation. Thus, one has to believe the path Jesus outlined and follow it throughout life. As for saving one's family or household, I am afraid that is entirely up to the members of that family and household, as salvation is the achievement of each individual. One can not achieve salvation for someone else, and there is no shortcut to salvation. Naturally, justified individuals can, and have the duty to help all others get on the path of salvation too – and that can include one's family and household, hoping that members will use their free will wisely.
     
        

    Acts 17:3

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."3 explaining and proving that the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead. “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Christ,” he declared. "...
    NRSV: ..."3 explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Messiah to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, "This is the Messiah, Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you.""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • misconception about the CESAPH, which is magnitudes more significant than the concept of the Jewish Messiah
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Every human has a real chance at reaching their salvation, which is NOT predetermined or predestined. The creator is NOT omniscient with regard to humans’ free will, and their fate in the evaluation"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation"
  •  
    interpretation:
    It was not necessary, but foreseeable that the CESAPH would involve suffering, humiliation, and ultimately death on the part of the creator appearing among his chosen context in human form and given the claims about himself and his message. But none of the decisions that led to Jesus's death and suffering were determined, hence, it was not a necessary fate, but a likely and foreseeable one. Prophecies about this are not clear, were not the focus or emphasis of the prophets. The authors clearly are trying to post-fit the narrative to present Jesus as the Messiah the Jews were waiting for. Jesus had nothing to do with the concept of the Messiah the Jews were waiting for, and instead of changing what the Messiah was to be, rather, the authors should have faced and admitted that Jesus was something entirely different and much more significant for all of humanity than being the Messiah of Jews.
     
        

    Acts 17:11

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."11 Now the Bereans were more noble-minded than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if these teachings were true. "...
    NRSV: ..."11 These Jews were more receptive than those in Thessalonica, for they welcomed the message very eagerly and examined the scriptures every day to see whether these things were so."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misconception about the CESAPH, which is magnitudes more significant than the concept of the Jewish Messiah
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  •  
    interpretation:
    Reflecting the sad results of blind belief in scriptures… This explains quite well the reason behind packaging the NT in the cloak of the OT as a necessity step to convert Jews (or at least, have them listen at all)… So with this logic, the only way Jews would accept the CESAPH is if they found prophecies about it in their own scripture, written by Moses (never mind his message or even miracles). This way, the very first writer who claimed divinity in his scripture during history stood the best chance to never being overwritten by anyone else – never mind the content of the message. One just has to be smart enough to be the first in history to come up with a religious story, foretelling a bunch of things and capture them in scripture, and followers forever will be looking for the fulfillment of those prophecies. What an opportunity Moses took advantage of.. Never mind the chance that the first person who wrote the scriptures was delusional, mentally unstable, or just wanted to effectively fool a bunch of people and have power over them, enlisting some divine backing..
     
        

    Acts 17:24, 25

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    Berean: ..."24 The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples made by human hands. 25 Nor is He served by human hands, as if He needed anything, because He Himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. "...
    NRSV: ..."24 The God who made the world and everything in it, he who is Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by human hands, 25 nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mortals life and breath and all things."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation
  • The creator created our reality (best modeled as a consciousness-centric simulation) to facilitate the evaluation of its target audience: humans
  • The essence of the creator is love
  •  
    interpretation:
    Temples, locations, holy places, promised lands, rituals are all irrelevant and worthless to the creator. The creator does not 'need' anything from humans; he invites us – out of his love for us – to rejoin his presence by rectifying the wrong we have caused (that made us to be born here) and reaching our salvation with our life. The “all things” given to humans (that we need) can refer to the simulation as the creation that centers and focuses on its target audience, us humans, for the specific purpose of serving as our evaluation platform.
     
        

    Acts 17:26

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."26 From one man He made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their lands. "...
    NRSV: ..."26 From one ancestor he made all nations to inhabit the whole earth"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally
  •  
    interpretation:
    Apart from the misconception about the metaphor of Adam and Eve being about humans' ancestors on Earth, allotting the times and boundaries of the places where everyone would live matches perfectly with the concept of human souls waiting in a queue to receive their penance of a fitting assigned situation, from which they will have the chance to be evaluated for their redemption and salvation. The assigned situations of each individual must have had their reasons, implying a precursory existence that justified these assignments as fair. Thus, this makes it likely that assignees (our souls) existed and acted before this life, to have earned our justly and intentionally assigned specific circumstances. The alternative is terrible suffering, incredible luck, and everything in between being randomly assigned to everyone, therefore being unjust and unfair from the creator's part.
     
    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • inappropriate/inadequate/misguided attempt to apply OT prophecy
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator"
  •  
    interpretation:
    This obvious reference to Adam and Eve is not relevant, BUT it is incorrect. The philosophical foundation argues that the Adam and Eve story must have been a metaphor that depicts why humans had to enter our simulation, and describes the kind of failure that may have led to it, explains why our misery in this life may be deserved and fair to reflect the magnitude and nature of our failings. And when looking at the story together with the CESAPH and its message (not to mention the philosophical conclusions that all point to it) it becomes the most plausible that our participation here is an evaluation, a chance to redeem a wrong. This way of looking at the Adam and Eve story also fits well with the story of the fallen angels, another metaphor, that can also be interpreted as what happened to us humans, as we were likely fallen angels ourselves in our originating context of reality, now serving our penance in our lives for our failings. The 'one ancestor' can not refer to a literal single descendant of all humans on this earth, especially that descent should be logically irrelevant in the eye of the creator with regard to reaching our salvation (apart from forming a big chunk of our assigned situations we have to deal with and succeed from).
     
        

    Acts 17:27, 28

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."27 God intended that they would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us. 28 ‘For in Him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are His offspring.’ "...
    NRSV: ..."27 so that they would search for God and perhaps grope for him and find him — though indeed he is not far from each one of us. 28 For 'In him we live and move and have our being'; as even some of your own poets have said, 'For we too are his offspring.'"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • In their predispositions, humans inherit both love (the essence of the creator’s spirit we share with him, indicating our significance) and selfishness (its opposite/opposing property, what some mistakenly attribute to a separate entity of the ‘evil/devil/satan’) to different degrees from their greater-self, from their originating context of reality
  • The creator created our reality (best modeled as a consciousness-centric simulation) to facilitate the evaluation of its target audience: humans
  • The eternal continuation of their awareness is inevitable and unavoidable for all human souls
  • The human spirit is somehow part of the eternal consciousness
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    This is an excellent way of describing the mission of human life, each in their uniquely assigned situation. The fact that we all showed up in this simulated reality is a sign that each of us is equally important to the creator (we have received our 'equalizing sentence' in the level of misery of our assigned situations). Our conscious existence is like a thread running in this temporary simulation that takes place within the master consciousness of the creator, to be evaluated of being worthy to rejoin the creator's presence (going home). This model 'can' be described with the father-son analogy – an independent entity that originates from within another one.
     
        

    Acts 17:29, 30

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."29 Therefore, being offspring of God, we should not think that the Divine Being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by man’s skill and imagination. 30 Although God overlooked the ignorance of earlier times, He now commands all people everywhere to repent. "...
    NRSV: ..."29 Since we are God's offspring, we ought not to think that the deity is like gold, or silver, or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of mortals. 30 While God has overlooked the times of human ignorance, now he commands all people everywhere to repent,"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • In their predispositions, humans inherit both love (the essence of the creator’s spirit we share with him, indicating our significance) and selfishness (its opposite/opposing property, what some mistakenly attribute to a separate entity of the ‘evil/devil/satan’) to different degrees from their greater-self, from their originating context of reality
  • Jesus’s ‘covenant’ of the eternal word of God, of salvation is the only covenant that has ever been and will ever be in effect from the creator for all of humanity, since the very beginning of time till the ending of our simulated reality, meaning that if one passes their evaluation on their alignment with love, one redeems their sinful condition and gains their salvation
  • Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  • The creator created our reality (best modeled as a consciousness-centric simulation) to facilitate the evaluation of its target audience: humans
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
     
     
        

    Acts 17:31

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    Berean: ..."31 For He has set a day when He will judge the world with justice by the Man He has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising Him from the dead.” "...
    NRSV: ..."31 because he has fixed a day on which he will have the world judged in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed, and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • leaning on miracles for authenticity
  • misconceived understanding of what the ‘trinity’ could be
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The resurrection is not a cornerstone belief to be held about Jesus or the subject of faith one needs to believe in to gain salvation, but an emphasis on the inevitability of afterlife for everyone. From a simulated reality everyone exits to their originating context, and the creator can naturally make exceptions for his exit and reappearance"
  •  
    interpretation:
    The author most certainly means judgment day to be a future date in our future history. However, it is also feasible that this day will be the very next moment coming to everyone after their death, time-shifting to the same moment in objective time, to the ending of the simulation (which the creator controls). In addition, the judging will not be done by any appointed man, but the creator himself. Jesus is the creator in fully human form – so he qualifies.. The resurrection – if happened as described – can be seen as a reassurance about death's non-finality, however, it is then questionable why the same reassurance was not available to the general public at that time. And if it was only available to select believers, then what is the purpose of it, and how should others relate to it? Belief about the afterlife should already have firm grounding based on the teachings and logic of Jesus's claims about himself and from his message. And necessary and reasonable doubt about any belief is an intentional part of the human condition that enables the evaluation of the quality of human soul. Then, why was the resurrection necessary?
     
        

    Acts 18:5, 6

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."5 And when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself fully to the word, testifying to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ. 6 But when they opposed and insulted him, he shook out his garments and told them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent of it. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” "...
    NRSV: ..."5 When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul was occupied with proclaiming the word, testifying to the Jews that the Messiah was Jesus. 6 When they opposed and reviled him, in protest he shook the dust from his clothes and said to them, "Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • appeasement/catering to potential Jewish converts
  • misguided focus on Jews or improper differentiation between Jews and Gentiles
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The reason for the creator to appear in the Jewish context was to contrast their beliefs of exclusivity and specialness in the eye of the creator with the eternal word of God, of salvation, universally applicable to all humans"
  •  
    interpretation:
    This sounds like “ok, if you guys don't listen to us, we will go to the Gentiles”, meaning that the Gentiles were not a priority, or not even considered, should the master plan of 'converting Jews' succeeded. So if the Jews welcomed the word of God, the gentiles would have been passed/ignored then (as there would not have been a need to turn to them). Thus, it is only because of the Jew's rejection of the message that the word – the meaning and purpose of human life and the way to salvation – got to be proclaimed to the gentiles. How lucky for the Gentiles, I guess - they got the good news as a result of Paul's resentment of failing with the chosen people... This is grossly out of sync with the message of Jesus. It is like “ok, if you don't want this cake, we will take it to others to eat – now, do you want the cake?” Disciples of Jesus should focus on all human beings! This shows the focus and effort put on converting Jews, explaining the connecting of the OT with Jesus in the NT scriptures. The reason for Jesus appearance among the Jews (and not other religions) is exactly to contrast their beliefs of exclusivity and being special to the creator. A big “Fuck You!” to Paul for this (or the author; whoever held these beliefs) on behalf of all the human beings in history and in the future who were not/will not be not blessed by belonging to the self-selected bunch of deranged Moses-followers...
     
        

    Acts 18:9, 10

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    Berean: ..."9 One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking; do not be silent. 10 For I am with you and no one will lay a hand on you, because I have many people in this city.” "...
    NRSV: ..."9 One night the Lord said to Paul in a vision, "Do not be afraid, but speak and do not be silent; 10 for I am with you, and no one will lay a hand on you to harm you, for there are many in this city who are my people.""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • leaning on miracles for authenticity
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Every human has a real chance at reaching their salvation, which is NOT predetermined or predestined. The creator is NOT omniscient with regard to humans’ free will, and their fate in the evaluation"
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage may be mistakenly taken as supporting predestination: if Jesus already knows who will be susceptible to his message, then they must be predestined to salvation vs those who are already known to fail. Of course, the vision could also be referring to a group of people known to be justified in their beliefs about the message of Jesus in this city (a fact likely passed on to Paul by others). But wrapping this into a miracle is more powerful.
     
        

    Acts 18:13

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."13 “This man is persuading the people to worship God in ways contrary to the law,” they said. "...
    NRSV: ..."13 They said, "This man is persuading people to worship God in ways that are contrary to the law.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation
  •  
    interpretation:
    As there is no rebuttal of this statement from Paul, we can conclude from it that indeed, this was the case: Jesus persuaded people to worship God in ways contrary to the law – as it always should have been the case. Thus, this cancels the OT's validity.
     
        

    Acts 18:28

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."28 For he powerfully refuted the Jews in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ. "...
    NRSV: ..."28 for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the scriptures that the Messiah is Jesus."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation"
  •  
    interpretation:
    His refutation may have been powerful to the audience, but the logic of it could not have been so. The approach of “Never mind your concept of the Messiah and your entire belief system inherited from Moses, the CESAPH has happened among us in Jesus – wake up people!” would have been more honest and true. The right approach should have included the demonstration of the ridiculousness and illogical nature of their inherited belief system, the lunacy of the concept of a certain group of people being chosen by God, and an illustration of how Jesus's message addresses the meaning and purpose of conscious existence in this reality differently. But instead, the continued misguided effort of packaging Jesus in an OT cloak for the purpose of convincing Jews continues.
     
        

    Acts 19:2, 6

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    Berean: ..."2 and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?” “No,” they answered, “we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” 6 And when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. "...
    NRSV: ..."2 He [Paul] said to them [disciples], "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?" They replied, "No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit." ... 6 When Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • attempted building, claiming, or referencing authority that is misguided and improper
  • leaning on miracles for authenticity
  • misconception about forgiveness, and the role of rituals
  •  
    interpretation:
    A spiritual experience is likely to have happened, and this does not mean that the Holy Spirit can be physically administered to anyone by anyone else. Rituals may have their place as commemorations and celebrations though. However, this passage serves to increase the disciples' authority by attributing exclusive (supernatural, God-given) abilities to them. And even if things happened as described, it would only have relevance to those by whom it was all witnessed.
     
        

    Acts 19:11, 12

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    Berean: ..."11 God did extraordinary miracles through the hands of Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and the diseases and evil spirits left them. "...
    NRSV: ..."11 God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, 12 so that when the handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his skin were brought to the sick, their diseases left them, and the evil spirits came out of them."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • leaning on miracles for authenticity
  • misconceived idea about casting out demons
  •  
    interpretation:
    Spirits are not taking over or coming out of people. Miraculous healings are possible to the extent of the placebo effect, and exceptions in the simulation made by the creator on behalf of someone are also possible – but certainly we are not to use them as justifications for our faith, as they are not evident to all. Miracles should have relevance to those to whom they happen to or are witnessing it.
     
        

    Acts 19:15

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    Berean: ..."15 Eventually, one of the evil spirits answered them, “Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?” "...
    NRSV: ..."15 But the evil spirit said to them in reply, "Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • content that is unhelpful, intentionally mystifying, irrelevant, or too detailed to be a part of ‘scriptures’ of guidance to salvation
  • leaning on miracles for authenticity
  • misconceived idea about casting out demons
  •  
    interpretation:
    Spirits are not taking over or coming out of people. Miraculous healings are possible to the extent of the placebo effect, and exceptions in the simulation made by the creator on behalf of someone are also possible – but certainly we are not to use them as justifications for our faith, as they are not evident to all. Miracles should have relevance to those to whom they happen to or are witnessing it. This passage is more like a funny anecdote – a joke – than a historical fact.
     
        

    Acts 20:21

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    Berean: ..."21 testifying to Jews and Greeks alike about repentance to God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. "...
    NRSV: ..."21 as I testified to both Jews and Greeks about repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • One ‘loves God’ by loving their fellow human beings, no matter how far removed they may be, which fulfills the single command of God
  • One’s ‘faith’/belief system has no direct value to the creator, and is only a potential tool in one’s quest to gain justification and reach salvation IF it helps its holder in these
  • Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally
  •  
    interpretation:
    Repentance is not only for sins committed in this life, but the sins for which everyone appeared in the simulation with their assigned situations (this could be the “original sin”). Repentance is accomplished by enduring one's assigned penance while aligning one's conviction and life with love. “Faith toward Lord Jesus” is faith in Jesus's message, the eternal word of God, of salvation (and for those who had access to the good news, perhaps in a loving creator whose presence we are trying to rejoin with our life in paradise/heaven).
     
        

    Acts 20:28

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    Berean: ..."28 Keep watch over yourselves and the entire flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood. "...
    NRSV: ..."28 Keep watch over yourselves and over all the flock, of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God that he obtained with the blood of his own Son."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • attempted building, claiming, or referencing authority that is misguided and improper
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "As salvation is an individual achievement, finding the way and living life accordingly is a private matter that can not be policed or compelled by others"
  •  
    interpretation:
    The purpose of Jesus's suffering and death was NOT to establish an official church organization or to officially sanction leaders for the people who want to follow him, but to help people reach their salvation by testifying about the divine love for them, and guiding them to the path of love. Making sure and doing everything possible that one tries to help all others who one has interacted with towards their salvation, if the situation allows, does not require an official church structure or hierarchy, or leadership. Grace works to help one grow their predisposition toward love (the Holy Spirit) to dominate one's conviction and life. And those who are justified in their conviction have the duty to lead others by example, and share their beliefs in a non-intrusive way, when it is appropriate.
     
        

    Acts 20:29, 30

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    Berean: ..."29 I know that after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. 30 Even from your own number, men will rise up and distort the truth to draw away disciples after them. "...
    NRSV: ..."29 I know that after I have gone, savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Some even from your own group will come distorting the truth in order to entice the disciples to follow them."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    The savage wolves (representing the temptation of alternative theories and beliefs) are a natural outcome of being in this evaluation where selfishness has the reign to influence us in our evaluation. The creator could have easily render them ineffective with a more apparent and miraculous appearance. But this was not his purpose, as certainty was not the goal, and thus temptation was to continue wielding its influence among us – by design. Everyone needs to attain their salvation from their assigned situation – and nobody has the guarantee that it will be easy. Various beliefs, interpretations will always be out there, and they are part of the necessary doubt of the evaluation – one needs to navigate through them and still find which one may be the way to salvation.
     
        

    Acts 20:32

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    Berean: ..."32 And now I commit you to God and to the word of His grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all who are sanctified. "...
    NRSV: ..."32 And now I commend you to God and to the message of his grace, a message that is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all who are sanctified."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • Grace is the ever-present willingness of the creator to help humans reach their salvation
  •  
    interpretation:
    Then, the message of God's grace must not be about belief in Jesus as Lord, or the resurrection, but about love that can build into one's conviction, give meaning to our existence, guide our life to achieve our salvation. Salvation is the inheritance one should aim to get, the rejoining the presence of the creator among all those who qualify to be there (whose convictions are rightly aligned with love).
     
        

    Acts 20:35

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    Berean: ..."35 In everything, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus Himself: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” "...
    NRSV: ..."35 In all this I have given you an example that by such work we must support the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, for he himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • One ‘loves God’ by loving their fellow human beings, no matter how far removed they may be, which fulfills the single command of God
  • The main goal of our life is to reach our salvation and build values that transcend this reality into eternal life, not to reach material or academic success or to fulfill other worldly desires or loyalties
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    Supporting the weak is a natural product of someone being aligned with love vs selflessness.
     
        

    Acts 21:20, 21, 24, 26

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."20 When they heard this, they glorified God. Then they said to Paul, “You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have believed, and all of them are zealous for the law. 21 But they are under the impression that you teach all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or observe our customs. 24 Take these men, purify yourself along with them, and pay their expenses so they can have their heads shaved. Then everyone will know that there is no truth to these rumors about you, but that you also live in obedience to the law. 26 So the next day Paul took the men and purified himself along with them. Then he entered the temple to give notice of the date when their purification would be complete and the offering would be made for each of them. "...
    NRSV: ..."20 When they heard it, they praised God. Then they said to him, "You see, brother, how many thousands of believers there are among the Jews, and they are all zealous for the law. 21 They have been told about you that you teach all the Jews living among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, and that you tell them not to circumcise their children or observe the customs. ... 24 Join these men, go through the rite of purification with them, and pay for the shaving of their heads. Thus all will know that there is nothing in what they have been told about you, but that you yourself observe and guard the law. ... 26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day, having purified himself, he entered the temple with them, making public the completion of the days of purification when the sacrifice would be made for each of them."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • appeasement/catering to potential Jewish converts
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  • misguided focus on Jews or improper differentiation between Jews and Gentiles
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Indeed, Moses and his laws need to be forsaken, so is circumcision and the other customs, including ritual purification. Those who – upon hearing the message of Jesus – forsaken Moses, customs, and circumcision should have been defended by Paul. But the disciples must have been too afraid or unsure about cutting ties with Jewish belief and law. This shows that already the disciples of Jesus themselves lacked clarity and vision about the true nature of Jesus's message and person and bowed under the pressure of conformity to Jewish beliefs. And unfortunately, this – through the scriptures they created – defined Christianity going forward. If Paul sternly stated to all followers – Jew and Gentile alike – that Jewish law is irrelevant and is NOT the way to salvation instead of this this kind of wishy washy way, the scriptures would have stated something entirely different (or Paul would have gotten eliminated perhaps). The temple, purification, and making sacrifices are ALL irrelevant – and this should have been all clear to Paul already at this point, and he should have made this all clear to everyone at that time (even if it meant having been bludgeoned to death right at the spot for blasphemy).
     
        

    Acts 22:14, 15

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    Berean: ..."14 Then he said, ‘The God of our fathers has appointed you to know His will, and to see the Righteous One, and to hear His voice. 15 You will be His witness to everyone of what you have seen and heard. "...
    NRSV: ..."14 Then he said, 'The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will, to see the Righteous One and to hear his own voice; 15 for you will be his witness to all the world of what you have seen and heard."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation
  • The reason for the creator to appear in the Jewish context was to contrast their beliefs of exclusivity and specialness in the eye of the creator with the eternal word of God, of salvation, universally applicable to all humans
  •  
    interpretation:
    The creator chose the Israelites' historical setting for the event of the CESAPH to contrast his universal message with that of the Jews' exclusionary beliefs; however, after the CESAPH, even this chosen-ness becomes irrelevant with Jesus's universal message to all of humanity. From that point on, the role of the Jews should have been to bear witness to the CESAPH and carry its message throughout the world. This is what the disciples tried to do (to a certain degree, successfully).
     
        

    Acts 22:16

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."16 And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized, and wash your sins away, calling on His name.’ "...
    NRSV: ..."16 And now why do you delay? Get up, be baptized, and have your sins washed away, calling on his name.'"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • misconception about Jesus saving or justifying people rather than them achieving this through their own free will
  • misconception about forgiveness, and the role of rituals
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Parallels Acts 2:38 This passage may improperly give people the impression that all they need to do for their salvation is to be baptized. This is false, as there are no shortcuts to salvation. The Holy Spirit can be received by anyone who genuinely looks for the meaning of their existence though the ever-willing help of grace. Improper message about how one can reach the forgiveness of sins and salvation, stemming from misguidance. The Holy Spirit is within all humans to various degrees in their predispositions, so also in those who are not baptized. The Holy Spirit is not received as a 'gift' upon the performance of a ritual. The ritual MAY serve to awaken and strengthen our predispositions if the subject wills it so. Sins committed in this world need to be redeemed by people themselves, rectifying them with those whom the sins were committed against and asking for their forgiveness (or with the creator, if this is impossible). Uttering some prayers or simply regretting them will not do. The sinful condition, for which people appeared in this reality, need to be redeemed by living a life according to a conviction that is aligned with love – and the forgiveness gained for this is salvation itself. In trying to reach salvation, belief in the good news of the CESAPH can help to a great degree – but still, the proving has to be done by the individual, as no one (not Jesus, not the Holy Spirit, not the Saints, etc.) will do this for them. In fact, this is their main task in life.
     
        

    Acts 23:6

     Significant Alignment! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."6 Then Paul, knowing that some of them were Sadducees and others Pharisees, called out in the Sanhedrin, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee. It is because of my hope in the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.” "...
    NRSV: ..."6 When Paul noticed that some were Sadducees and others were Pharisees, he called out in the council, "Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. I am on trial concerning the hope of the resurrection of the dead.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • The resurrection is not a cornerstone belief to be held about Jesus or the subject of faith one needs to believe in to gain salvation, but an emphasis on the inevitability of afterlife for everyone. From a simulated reality everyone exits to their originating context, and the creator can naturally make exceptions for his exit and reappearance
  •  
    interpretation:
    This clearly shows the focus of Paul: not the miraculous resurrection of Jesus, but the general idea of the afterlife – and everyone's resurrection into it – as a general hope for everyone.
     
        

    Acts 24:15, 16

     Significant Alignment! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."15 and I have the same hope in God that they themselves cherish, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. 16 In this hope, I strive always to maintain a clear conscience before God and man. "...
    NRSV: ..."15 I have a hope in God — a hope that they themselves also accept — that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous. 16 Therefore I do my best always to have a clear conscience toward God and all people."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator
  • One needs to live life being always ready for its accounting - then, if events in the future come as a ’thief’, as one would have needed to do nothing differently
  • The human spirit is somehow part of the eternal consciousness
  • The resurrection is not a cornerstone belief to be held about Jesus or the subject of faith one needs to believe in to gain salvation, but an emphasis on the inevitability of afterlife for everyone. From a simulated reality everyone exits to their originating context, and the creator can naturally make exceptions for his exit and reappearance
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    This clearly shows the focus of Paul: not the miraculous resurrection of Jesus, but the general idea of the afterlife – and everyone's resurrection into it – as a general hope for everyone. This rightly shows that no one can claim certain knowledge about the message of Jesus, as our life amounts to a wager to be made that will have to be based on faith. The uncertainty is an essential part of the evaluation of the quality of the soul. Additionally, this passage indicates (hopes) that one can not count on an extinguishment of the soul upon death either (as some may prefer this to an eternal Heavenly existence), and all souls will resurrect into eternity. It also points to the futility to wait for and prepare for any 'end times', but rather, just be ready at all times.
     
        

    Acts 26:6, 7, 8

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."6 And now I stand on trial because of my hope in the promise that God made to our fathers, 7 the promise our twelve tribes are hoping to realize as they earnestly serve God day and night. It is because of this hope, O king, that I am accused by the Jews. 8 Why would any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead? "...
    NRSV: ..."6 And now I stand here on trial on account of my hope in the promise made by God to our ancestors, 7 a promise that our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly worship day and night. It is for this hope, your Excellency, that I am accused by Jews! 8 Why is it thought incredible by any of you that God raises the dead?"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  • misguided focus on Jews or improper differentiation between Jews and Gentiles
  •  
    interpretation:
    Why would the promise made by God to the ancestors of the Jews have been the 'raising the dead'? Why would such a promise not apply to all people of Earth? Why would this have to be a promise, and not one of the eventuality that – by the way – seems to be the most likely and logical one too? We all know that the alleged promise made to the ancestors of Jews was NOT about eternal life, but glory to their nation, the coming of their Messiah from the bloodline of their esteemed king, and the granting of a particular part of real estate to their people located right here on Earth (by helping them to uproot and annihilate the current inhabitants). But why would the fulfillment of THIS promise be the hope of Paul? Didn't he hear the message of Jesus that was MUCH grander than this: individual salvation for all humans who prove they are aligned with the preferred value of the creator? Straight talk would have been more useful for the Jews (in facing the fallacy of their beliefs), and more respectable to the rest of humanity (by portraying them as equal children of the creator, and treating them so).
     
        

    Acts 26:8

    top  

    Berean: ..."8 Why would any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead? "...
    NRSV: ..."8 Why is it thought incredible by any of you that God raises the dead?"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • The resurrection is not a cornerstone belief to be held about Jesus or the subject of faith one needs to believe in to gain salvation, but an emphasis on the inevitability of afterlife for everyone. From a simulated reality everyone exits to their originating context, and the creator can naturally make exceptions for his exit and reappearance
  •  
    interpretation:
    Illustrates the right focus of Paul on resurrection: an afterlife that applies to all souls. The soul is bi-directionally infinite, uncreated, and indestructible (but readily assignable and limitable to all kinds of conditions in different simulated realities).
     
        

    Acts 26:17, 18

    top  

    Berean: ..."17 I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them 18 to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those sanctified by faith in Me.’ "...
    NRSV: ..."17 I will rescue you from your people and from the Gentiles — to whom I am sending you 18 to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • A justified person has the duty to spread the word of God to others in a non-intrusive way whenever the chance arises and by showing an example
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • One’s ‘faith’/belief system has no direct value to the creator, and is only a potential tool in one’s quest to gain justification and reach salvation IF it helps its holder in these
  •  
    interpretation:
    The purpose of the CESAPH was to turn as many people as possible from darkness/Satan (selfishness) to light/God (love). And indeed, this is the way humans may hope to receive their forgiveness for their sins (that from this life and from the precursor), and gain their salvation (their place in the presence of the creator). This can be taken as the mission statement of Paul, and all disciples of Jesus's messages who followed. “Faith in Jesus” means believing in his message, the eternal word of God, of salvation. Based on the belief system of the OT,  the authors and disciples of Jesus misguidedly believed the ‘Evil One’, ‘Devil’, or ’Satan’ to be a separate independent entity (a fallen leader of angels) opposed to the creator and having some special powers. However, the concept should simply be interpreted as ‘the influence and temptations to be selfish’, the opposite of the creator’s preference of love that is present in us conscious humans, and all of us are here to demonstrate that we can subdue and eliminate this value in us, and side with its opposite in our evaluation.
     
        

    Acts 26:19, 20

    top  

    Berean: ..."19 So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision. 20 First to those in Damascus and Jerusalem, then to everyone in the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I declared that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds worthy of their repentance. "...
    NRSV: ..."19 "After that, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, 20 but declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout the countryside of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God and do deeds consistent with repentance."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  •  
    interpretation:
    Contradicts Hebrews 4:3/ 10:39, John 3:15,16,18,36/ 6:47, Ephesians 2:8, 1 John 4:15/ 5:4-5, Galatians 3:26, Romans 1:16,17/ 3:22,25/ 9:32/ 10:17, 2 Timothy 3:15, 1 Peter 1:9 – this passage rightly contradicts the listed passages that imply 'salvation only through belief'. The idea that all one needs to do is believe and accept Jesus as Lord must be false – there is a lot more to it (love in conviction and a life that testifies to that).
     
        

    Acts 26:23

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."23 that the Christ would suffer, and as the first to rise from the dead, would proclaim light to our people and to the Gentiles.” "...
    NRSV: ..."23 that the Messiah must suffer, and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • appeasement/catering to potential Jewish converts
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Jesus’s ‘covenant’ of the eternal word of God, of salvation is the only covenant that has ever been and will ever be in effect from the creator for all of humanity, since the very beginning of time till the ending of our simulated reality, meaning that if one passes their evaluation on their alignment with love, one redeems their sinful condition and gains their salvation"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Another attempt to wrap Jesus's resurrection claim into explanations that fit the OT, to make them more appealing to Jews. Additionally, Jesus brought back Lazarus from the dead, thus, Jesus's resurrection was not the first one. Apart from these issues (that are the nature of human writings), the rest of this passage is essentially correct: Jesus came to proclaim the light of the eternal word of God to the part of humanity he granted the opportunity to hear the good news (the rest have to succeed reaching their salvation without this help – which is possible, but perhaps much harder). Jesus's demonstration of love for humanity, suffering, death, and message has the same value and validity without the mistaken interpretations that have it foretold by the OT. If divine light have been proclaimed to Jews and Gentiles, then it had been proclaimed to all people, and it should have been stated so. And if this light have been proclaimed at some point, then nothing else that have been in effect or allegedly been proclaimed before or that is coming after can keep its validity and applicability – as the creator does not change tactics or the criterion for our evaluation. It makes the most sense that the criterion for our lives, and the way to our salvation has always been the same throughout history, to all people. Our access to it may vary, but the eternal word of God, of salvation has not changed. And Jesus came at one point of history to formalize this one eternal message, and criteria.  
     
        

    Acts 27:13

    top  

    Berean: ..."13 When a gentle south wind began to blow, they thought they had their opportunity. So they weighed anchor and sailed along, hugging the coast of Crete. "...
    NRSV: ..."13 When a moderate south wind began to blow, they thought they could achieve their purpose;"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • content that is unhelpful, intentionally mystifying, irrelevant, or too detailed to be a part of ‘scriptures’ of guidance to salvation
  • suspected post-fitting of the narrative (not possible for the author to know about, or likely did not happen as described)
  •  
    interpretation:
    The author includes some amazing level of details for the purpose of telling the story that allegedly happened decades before.. This may show the kind of storytelling and enhancements the writers employed to tell the narrative after decades that past since this took place. It is almost impossible that an accurate recollection of a “moderate south wind” got to the author from a credible source that was present at the event. But still, the detail is included on this level. The detail (or the message of this passage) is in no way relevant, but the technique employed could have been also used at more relevant parts.
     
        

    Acts 28:17

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."17 After three days, he called together the leaders of the Jews. When they had gathered, he said to them, “Brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, I was taken prisoner in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. "...
    NRSV: ..."17 Three days later he called together the local leaders of the Jews. When they had assembled, he said to them, "Brothers, though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors, yet I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • appeasement/catering to potential Jewish converts
  • contradicts other NT passages
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  •  
    interpretation:
    This is not true though: he DID (as he should have) rejected the essence of the Jewish religion that revolved around their laws that separated them from the gentiles, in favor of the new universally applicable belief system represented by Jesus. Unfortunately, under Jewish pressure, we get this wishy washy response, instead of a valid confrontation about this very essence. This shows the enormously misguided effort undertaken by the disciples to position their new belief system represented by Jesus as the continuation of the Jewish faith. This contradicts the numerous other places in the NT where Paul advocates the irrelevance of circumcision and the law, and the universal applicability of the new faith (of which the OT completely lacks).
     
        

    Acts 28:20

    top  

    Berean: ..."20 So for this reason I have called to see you and speak with you. It is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain.” "...
    NRSV: ..."20 For this reason therefore I have asked to see you and speak with you, since it is for the sake of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain.""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • appeasement/catering to potential Jewish converts
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  •  
    interpretation:
    The “sake of the hope of Israel” has nothing to do with the message of Jesus, which is a universally applicable message of salvation for all humans, depending on fulfilling a criterion that has nothing to do with the Jewish belief system. Naturally, abiding by the single universally applicable criterion of the evaluation also benefits all individuals who happen to be ethnically or culturally Jewish – but that goes without saying, and is included in 'all people'.
     
        

    Acts 28:23

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."23 So they set a day to meet with Paul, and many people came to the place he was staying. He expounded to them from morning to evening, testifying about the kingdom of God and persuading them about Jesus from the Law of Moses and the Prophets. "...
    NRSV: ..."23 After they had set a day to meet with him, they came to him at his lodgings in great numbers. From morning until evening he explained the matter to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the law of Moses and from the prophets."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • appeasement/catering to potential Jewish converts
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  •  
    interpretation:
    Unfortunately this was definitely the wrong way to go about it, beating around the bush (though a direct confrontation with Jewish teachings perhaps would have resulted in their quick elimination of the messenger's essential bodily functions – and if so, pursuing this false approach could have ensured the continuity of their message to later generations, though in a morphed, and compromised form). The bottom line is that one can NOT derive Jesus's message from the focus and emphasis of the OT, let alone its details and derangements. At best, one can find out of context, ill-fitting fragments that are out of focus to link to bits and pieces of the NT message by declaring them so. I do understand what the authors would have had to confront and deal with in a complete blasphemy of the OT belief system at the time, but this issue does not need to be inherited by later generations who can see through them.
     
        

    Acts 28:27, 28

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."27 For this people’s heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.’ 28 Be advised, therefore, that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!” "...
    NRSV: ..."27 For this people's heart has grown dull, and their ears are hard of hearing, and they have shut their eyes; so that they might not look with their eyes, and listen with their ears, and understand with their heart and turn — and I would heal them.' 28 Let it be known to you then that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • appeasement/catering to potential Jewish converts
  • incorrect or inappropriate generalization
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  •  
    interpretation:
    This is a terrible admission by the author: it is because the Jews failed to listen to the new belief system proclaimed by the disciples of Jesus, (as a revenge perhaps?) that the message of salvation was passed on the message to the Gentiles, as hopefully, they will listen more? So the gentiles were the Plan B of the creator, should Plan A fail? Or: the entire message of salvation was sent to the Gentiles (and not the Jews) because Jews pissed off the creator? So if the Jews did NOT piss off the creator (by properly obeying their 613 laws perhaps), his message of salvation would go to THEM, instead of the Gentiles? (Salvation to both Gentiles and Jews would not be as appealing to the Jews, as that would mean that their special status has always been irrelevant, and only in their heads...) This is completely misguided. Never mind that salvation is an individual affair and not a group-achievement, never mind that gaining one's salvation during life is the prime purpose of human existence, never mind that pieces or real estate on Earth are completely irrelevant to the creator, and that the creator does not differentiate between members of different ethnic or cultural groups as far as their criterion for salvation..
     
        

    Colossians 1:9, 10

    top  

    Berean: ..."9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, "...
    NRSV: ..."9 For this reason, since the day we heard it, we have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of God's will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so that you may lead lives worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, as you bear fruit in every good work and as you grow in the knowledge of God."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  •  
    interpretation:
    Contradicts Hebrews 4:3/ 10:39, John 3:15,16,18,36/ 6:47, Ephesians 2:8, 1 John 4:15/ 5:4-5, Galatians 3:26, Romans 1:16,17/ 3:22,25/ 9:32/ 10:17, 2 Timothy 3:15, 1 Peter 1:9 – this passage rightly contradicts the listed passages that imply 'salvation only through belief'. The idea that all one needs to do is believe and accept Jesus as Lord must be false – there is a lot more to it (love in conviction and a life that testifies to that).
     
        

    Colossians 1:13, 14

    top  

    Berean: ..."13 He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of His beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. "...
    NRSV: ..."13 He [the Father] has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • incorrect or inappropriate generalization
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans"
  •  
    interpretation:
    This is easy to misunderstand to mean that belief in Jesus results in redemption and the forgiveness of our sins (even those we committed in this life). Jesus and his disciples most likely have been helped by grace to reach justification in their conviction, but this can not be said of people using generalizations. The kingdom of Jesus has not arrived yet on this Earth (no evidence of that to this day, especially after Jesus stated that his Kingdom is not of this world), so no one was transferred there yet. People CAN reach their redemption and the forgiveness of their sins by following the message of Jesus throughout their lives (and one could express this as “having redemption in Jesus”), but this means living life according to his message till the end, through all ordeals and trick one is assigned in life. One also CAN view living a justified life as “already living in the kingdom of Jesus”, but these are up to individuals' interpretations on what and how they mean things.
     
        

    Colossians 1:15, 16, 17

     Significant Alignment! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. "...
    NRSV: ..."15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; 16 for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers — all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • In their predispositions, humans inherit both love (the essence of the creator’s spirit we share with him, indicating our significance) and selfishness (its opposite/opposing property, what some mistakenly attribute to a separate entity of the ‘evil/devil/satan’) to different degrees from their greater-self, from their originating context of reality
  • Relativity of experiencing time
  • The concept of the ‘trinity’ can only be interpreted as ‘three possible interface to the same single entity of the creator’
  • The creator created our reality (best modeled as a consciousness-centric simulation) to facilitate the evaluation of its target audience: humans
  • The essence of the creator is love
  • The eternal continuation of their awareness is inevitable and unavoidable for all human souls
  • The human spirit is somehow part of the eternal consciousness
  •  
    interpretation:
    This is a brief, logical theological summary: the creator is eternal, and we humans in this simulation have an interface to him through his human manifestation of Jesus. All simulations are running within the consciousness of the creator. Human souls are but a small thread of this consciousness – likely uncreated and eternally existing in both directions. Conscious beings are the audiences and companions of the creator, as our relation is based on love. Souls can sometime violate this relationship through selfishness, that gets them cast away from this relationship, perhaps with a chance to rectify their wrongs and prove that they realigned with love (the preferred value and the bond that holds conscious beings together in the presence of the creator).
     
        

    Colossians 1:18

    top  

    Berean: ..."18 And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and firstborn from among the dead, so that in all things He may have preeminence. "...
    NRSV: ..."18 He is the head of the body, the church;"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Relativity of experiencing time
  • The concept of the ‘trinity’ can only be interpreted as ‘three possible interface to the same single entity of the creator’
  • The human spirit is somehow part of the eternal consciousness
  •  
    interpretation:
    The wording likely originates from some misconceptions about the trinity, but this passage represents an interesting take: Jesus can be the first one to cross the line of death and arrive at judgment (“firstborn from the dead”). While all other humans are paused and rejoin objective time at judgment day (skipping the rest of human history just as while awakening from sleep), Jesus continues to exist throughout objective time, as he is the creator. Thus, he (his creator self) can be the only one truly present during each human's lifespan.  
     
    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • attempted building, claiming, or referencing authority that is misguided and improper
  •  
    interpretation:
    The “church” should be nothing more and nothing else than “all those individuals who accept and follow Jesus's message (the eternal word of God that leads to salvation) and live their lives according to his guidance”. An organized and hierarchical body and leadership for this church is not necessarily justified or intended from Jesus's message. One should ask, what the role and intention of such a body would be, given that reaching salvation is an individual achievement, and an uncompelled conviction is the only value one has in front of the creator.
     
        

    Colossians 1:19, 20

    top  

    Berean: ..."19 For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him, 20 and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through the blood of His cross. "...
    NRSV: ..."19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • In their predispositions, humans inherit both love (the essence of the creator’s spirit we share with him, indicating our significance) and selfishness (its opposite/opposing property, what some mistakenly attribute to a separate entity of the ‘evil/devil/satan’) to different degrees from their greater-self, from their originating context of reality
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  • The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans
  •  
    interpretation:
    In other words, the creator willingly and lovingly undertook the CESAPH on behalf of humans – there can not be any better news to humans in their existence in this world (and the next). Through the sacrifices undertaken by the creator on our behalf (to share in our fate), he reconciled with, and made peace with humanity's wrongs on the cross. This reconciliation amounts to a genuine testimony of his love for us and his willingness to forgive. But for this, we have to pass our evaluation by realigning with his preferred value, love. On the cross and through his suffering, the creator made peace and forgave the sins of the precursor for those who will follow his message and gain their salvation. And he invited every single human to do so. One should try to achieve salvation 'at all cost' (deny oneself if necessary), as the meaning of one's existence on Earth (in this simulation).
     
        

    Colossians 1:21, 22, 23

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."21 Once you were alienated from God and were hostile in your minds, engaging in evil deeds. 22 But now He has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy, unblemished, and blameless in His presence— 23 if indeed you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope of the gospel you heard, which has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant. "...
    NRSV: ..."21 And you who were once estranged and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his fleshly body through death, so as to present you holy and blameless and irreproachable before him – 23 provided that you continue securely established and steadfast in the faith, without shifting from the hope promised by the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans
  • ‘Justification’ is ‘being convinced about love’s (vs. selfishness) need to guide life’ (= ‘being rightly enlightened’, = ‘holding Jesus’s message in conviction’, = ‘following/believing in Jesus’, = ‘gaining a justified conviction’, = ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, = ‘doing the works of God’, = ‘satisfying/keeping/adhering to the command of God’, = ‘accepting/living according to Jesus’s message’, = ‘fulfilling the eternal word of God, of salvation’)
  •  
    interpretation:
    Jesus's death did not reconcile our sinful condition and did not make us holy, blameless and irreproachable before God; we have to achieve that with our life and conviction. Taking only the first half of this sentence can be a source of great misunderstandings. The hope promised in the gospel is salvation through alignment with love vs selfishness. One can not stay steadfast in faith if one fails to align with love and instead does so with selfishness. The reconciliation that may have happened on the cross (the climax of the divine sacrifice on our behalf) is the forgiveness of those who reach salvation: the creator may have settled within himself (resigned to the fact) that he will forgive and grant salvation to those who will have realigned their lives with love. Obviously he did not know in advance how exactly his partaking as a human would go on Earth (even if, given his mission and context of appearance, similar outcomes could have been logically expected). He could have also reconciled to the worthiness of his intervention in the CESAPH at that point, meaning that the CESAPH could have been a decision made on the go. Being “estranged and hostile in mind, doing evil” was the condition for which all humans were made to participate in this reality – so this really applies to all humans. Based on the belief system of the OT,  the authors and disciples of Jesus misguidedly believed the ‘Evil One’, ‘Devil’, or ’Satan’ to be a separate independent entity (a fallen leader of angels) opposed to the creator and having some special powers. However, the concept should simply be interpreted as ‘the influence and temptations to be selfish’, the opposite of the creator’s preference of love that is present in us conscious humans, and all of us are here to demonstrate that we can subdue and eliminate this value in us, and side with its opposite in our evaluation.
     
    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • misconception about Jesus saving or justifying people rather than them achieving this through their own free will
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Jesus's death did not reconcile us or our sinful condition and did not make us holy, blameless and irreproachable before God; we have to achieve that in our conviction and prove this with our life. The CESAPH was an intervention in our evaluation to help those of us to whom knowing about the good news was granted in our situational assignments reach our salvation. Also, Jesus is not “presenting humans holy and blameless and irreproachable before the Father”. As Jesus is the creator in a humanly-accessible 'human' form, there is no such 'presentation to the Father' – this is a misconception coming from the trinity-confusion. People themselves, however, do 'present' the result of their evaluation on the day of judgment to the creator who will decide our fate based on our alignment with love vs. selfishness. The hope promised in the gospel is the individual's salvation that one achieves by aligning one's conviction and life with love vs selfishness. One can not stay “steadfast in faith” if one fails to align with love and instead let's selfishness's influence. Thus, faith is not passive, but an active proof of conviction throughout the ordeals and trials of life.
     
        

    Colossians 1:24

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    Berean: ..."24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions for the sake of His body, which is the church. "...
    NRSV: ..."24 I [Paul] am now rejoicing in my sufferings for your sake [the church], and in my flesh I am completing what is lacking in Jesus's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • attempted building, claiming, or referencing authority that is misguided and improper
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  •  
    interpretation:
    The 'church' can be looked at as “those who are justified and follow the way to salvation (according to Jesus's guidance)”. The church does not have to be a formal hierarchical organization with official ordained leadership that carries certain authority or capability to administer rituals or deeds in the name of the creator, or a body that has monopoly on interpretation of the scriptures. Paul may be implying here that an official church is called for or warranted from the message of Jesus, but I see this as a personal motivation (perhaps shared by some other disciples) and not a direct intention of Jesus. There is nothing an individual should or need that only such a formal church organization should provide/have. Commemorative and/or symbolic rituals (such as baptism or the eucharist) can be performed by any groups of believers among themselves, as needed.
     
        

    Colossians 1:25, 26

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."25 I became its servant by the commission God gave me to fully proclaim to you the word of God, 26 the mystery that was hidden for ages and generations but is now revealed to His saints. "...
    NRSV: ..."25 I became its servant according to God's commission that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, 26 the mystery that has been hidden throughout the ages and generations but has now been revealed to his saints."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • Jesus’s ‘covenant’ of the eternal word of God, of salvation is the only covenant that has ever been and will ever be in effect from the creator for all of humanity, since the very beginning of time till the ending of our simulated reality, meaning that if one passes their evaluation on their alignment with love, one redeems their sinful condition and gains their salvation
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  •  
    interpretation:
    The CESAPH, besides being a demonstration of love for humanity, is also a formalization of the eternal word of God, that is the guidance to salvation: those who align with love can rejoin the presence of the creator, and those who don't, will not. This message was always available to humans through their predispositions and though grace helping those who turn for help. Thus, people who have no access to the good news of the CESAPH can also gain their salvation – it is just that much more difficult for them.
     
        

    Colossians 2:2, 3

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."2 that they may be encouraged in heart, knit together in love, and filled with the full riches of complete understanding, so that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. "...
    NRSV: ..."2 I want their hearts to be encouraged and united in love, so that they may have all the riches of assured understanding and have the knowledge of God's mystery, that is, Jesus himself, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  • The concept of the ‘trinity’ can only be interpreted as ‘three possible interface to the same single entity of the creator’
  • The essence of the creator is love
  • The human spirit is somehow part of the eternal consciousness
  •  
    interpretation:
    The creator's mystery is the CESAPH. Understanding it is key to understand life, the creator, and his motivation with our existence here. This is the degree that we can understand the creator in our current context, and there is not much more to it. So we should not spend time and effort to try to understand more mysteries of the creator, as that is not granted for us, one who does that instead of walking the path of salvation is missing the point. To get to this wisdom, we need to align with love in our conviction (heart). The CESAPH is an assurance, the next best thing to certainty, that we are facing a loving creator who wants us to succeed in reaching our salvation. Jesus's message contains ALL the treasure of wisdom and knowledge one can hope to gain with regard to the meaning and purpose of life. Literally, there is nothing more to it – it is as simple as that...
     
        

    Colossians 2:6, 7

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    Berean: ..."6 Therefore, just as you have received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him, established in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. "...
    NRSV: ..."6 As you therefore have received Jesus Christ the Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • ‘Justification’ is ‘being convinced about love’s (vs. selfishness) need to guide life’ (= ‘being rightly enlightened’, = ‘holding Jesus’s message in conviction’, = ‘following/believing in Jesus’, = ‘gaining a justified conviction’, = ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, = ‘doing the works of God’, = ‘satisfying/keeping/adhering to the command of God’, = ‘accepting/living according to Jesus’s message’, = ‘fulfilling the eternal word of God, of salvation’)
  •  
    interpretation:
    “Living life in Jesus” and being “rooted and built up in him” mean being justified in conviction, living according to his guiding message. This means living a life of alignment with love, and a life of steadfast action throughout the trials of whatever one's assignment may contain. This is what the faith is all about (as one needs faith to make a wager in life, in the presence of uncertainty).
     
        

    Colossians 2:8, 9, 10

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."8 See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, which are based on human tradition and the spiritual forces of the world rather than on Christ. 9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity dwells in bodily form. 10 And you have been made complete in Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority. "...
    NRSV: ..."8 See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the universe, and not according to Jesus. 9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 10 and you have come to fullness in him, who is the head of every ruler and authority."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • The creator created our reality (best modeled as a consciousness-centric simulation) to facilitate the evaluation of its target audience: humans
  • ‘Justification’ is ‘being convinced about love’s (vs. selfishness) need to guide life’ (= ‘being rightly enlightened’, = ‘holding Jesus’s message in conviction’, = ‘following/believing in Jesus’, = ‘gaining a justified conviction’, = ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, = ‘doing the works of God’, = ‘satisfying/keeping/adhering to the command of God’, = ‘accepting/living according to Jesus’s message’, = ‘fulfilling the eternal word of God, of salvation’)
  •  
    interpretation:
    Quite a foresight about the various influences one needs to navigate through life to find and then stay true to the right conviction. Thus, there is an added weight to this process (of reasoning, thinking, experiencing and concluding) in the journey of life that should result in a conscious wager of faith. This passage also provides an insight of how one may interpret the entity of Jesus - the creator partaking in our fate in a human form. Being the “head of every ruler and authority” may refer to Jesus's message of salvation, that accordingly, needs to be taken with paramount importance over all other matters and authority. Jesus's message is due the highest possible priority in one's life, as that directly addresses the meaning and purpose of life, and provides guidance on how to succeed in it. Thus, logically, there can be no higher priority task or higher authority than that, for any human in any situation. Once we understand Jesus and his message (which is essentially very simple and accessible to all) we will come to “fullness in him” – the complete understanding necessary for one to walk the path of salvation and complete life 'satisfactorily'.
     
        

    Colossians 2:16, 17, 18, 19

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    Berean: ..."16 Therefore let no one judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a feast, a New Moon, or a Sabbath. 17 These are a shadow of the things to come, but the body that casts it belongs to Christ. 18 Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you with speculation about what he has seen. Such a person is puffed up without basis by his unspiritual mind. 19 He has lost connection to the head, from whom the whole body, supported and knit together by its joints and ligaments, grows as God causes it to grow. "...
    NRSV: ..."16 Therefore do not let anyone condemn you in matters of food and drink or of observing festivals, new moons, or sabbaths. 17 These are only a shadow of what is to come, but the substance belongs to Jesus. 18 Do not let anyone disqualify you, insisting on self-abasement and worship of angels, dwelling on visions, puffed up without cause by a human way of thinking, 19 and not holding fast to the head, from whom the whole body, nourished and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows with a growth that is from God."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • As salvation is an individual achievement, finding the way and living life accordingly is a private matter that can not be policed or compelled by others
  • Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  •  
    interpretation:
    Substance belongs to Jesus – everyone should focus on Jesus's essential message (as can be distilled from the writings of the NT) instead of getting lost in irrelevant or misguided details, like the law. Uncovering the essence of the message of salvation is a duty of everyone, and delegation of interpretation to others (including Churches) is irresponsible and unwise. The head of the Church (those who follow Jesus's message) is Jesus, not organizations or human authority figures. Only genuine conviction is rewarded, that one testifies with living accordingly. This shows that what the creator is looking for is a changed, reoriented human soul that is worthy to rejoin his presence. The head-body parts analogy depicts the right conviction guiding life.
     
        

    Colossians 2:20, 21, 22, 23

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."20 If you have died with Christ to the spiritual forces of the world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its regulations: 21 “Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!”? 22 These will all perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. 23 Such restrictions indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-prescribed worship, their false humility, and their harsh treatment of the body; but they are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh. "...
    NRSV: ..."20 If with Jesus you died to the elemental spirits of the universe, why do you live as if you still belonged to the world? Why do you submit to regulations, 21 "Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch"? 22 All these regulations refer to things that perish with use; they are simply human commands and teachings. 23 These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-imposed piety, humility, and severe treatment of the body, but they are of no value in checking self- indulgence."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation
  • The main goal of our life is to reach our salvation and build values that transcend this reality into eternal life, not to reach material or academic success or to fulfill other worldly desires or loyalties
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  • ‘Justification’ is ‘being convinced about love’s (vs. selfishness) need to guide life’ (= ‘being rightly enlightened’, = ‘holding Jesus’s message in conviction’, = ‘following/believing in Jesus’, = ‘gaining a justified conviction’, = ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, = ‘doing the works of God’, = ‘satisfying/keeping/adhering to the command of God’, = ‘accepting/living according to Jesus’s message’, = ‘fulfilling the eternal word of God, of salvation’)
  •  
    interpretation:
    This is one of the clearest refutation of the Jewish religion's main point and essence (adherence to laws), a confirmation that they are merely human commands and teachings – and definitely not something Jesus came to uphold... This applies to the ten commandments as well. If one is justified to the right conviction of love vs selfishness, all other man-made rules will become either senseless (as they have always been), or they simply follow from the single rule, that is also our evaluation criterion for this life, for salvation. What “checks self-indulgence” is a conviction that is aligned with love as opposed to selfishness.
     
        

    Colossians 3:1

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    Berean: ..."1 Therefore, since you have been raised with Christ, strive for the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. "...
    NRSV: ..."1 So if you have been raised with Jesus, seek the things that are above, where Jesus is,"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • The main goal of our life is to reach our salvation and build values that transcend this reality into eternal life, not to reach material or academic success or to fulfill other worldly desires or loyalties
  •  
    interpretation:
    This follows naturally from a justified conviction, as one concentrates on walking the path of salvation.
     
        

    Colossians 3:4

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    Berean: ..."4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. "...
    NRSV: ..."4 When Jesus who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • It is logical to expect appropriate consequences due for passing or failing the evaluation
  •  
    interpretation:
    If one aligns life with the message of Jesus, that addresses the meaning and purpose of our existence. Once this revelation will become obvious to everyone on Judgment day, after death, those who reached their salvation will be revealed glorious in the presence of the creator.
     
        

    Colossians 3:5, 6, 7, 8

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    Berean: ..."5 Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience. 7 When you lived among them, you also used to walk in these ways. 8 But now you must put aside all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. "...
    NRSV: ..."5 Put to death, therefore, whatever in you is earthly: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed (which is idolatry). 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming on those who are disobedient. 7 These are the ways you also once followed, when you were living that life. 8 But now you must get rid of all such things — anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive language"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • Behavioral guidance
  • ‘Justification’ is ‘being convinced about love’s (vs. selfishness) need to guide life’ (= ‘being rightly enlightened’, = ‘holding Jesus’s message in conviction’, = ‘following/believing in Jesus’, = ‘gaining a justified conviction’, = ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, = ‘doing the works of God’, = ‘satisfying/keeping/adhering to the command of God’, = ‘accepting/living according to Jesus’s message’, = ‘fulfilling the eternal word of God, of salvation’)
  •  
    interpretation:
    Passing or failing the evaluation will logically have its consequences. This passage is also reinforcing that belief alone will not get one salvation, and there are no shortcuts or easy ways to salvation. The list of these 'sins' should not be taken literally as a complete list of things to avoid doing. They are examples of bad behavior, where the guidance of love is obviously missing. “Disobedient” means a failure to align with the preferred value of the creator (love) and instead leaning towards its opposite (selfishness). Thus, one should let justification take a hold in conviction and guide one's life. Based on the belief system of the OT,  the authors and disciples of Jesus misguidedly believed the ‘Evil One’, ‘Devil’, or ’Satan’ to be a separate independent entity (a fallen leader of angels) opposed to the creator and having some special powers. However, the concept should simply be interpreted as ‘the influence and temptations to be selfish’, the opposite of the creator’s preference of love that is present in us conscious humans, and all of us are here to demonstrate that we can subdue and eliminate this value in us, and side with its opposite in our evaluation.
     
        

    Colossians 3:10, 11

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    Berean: ..."10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11 Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, or free, but Christ is all and is in all. "...
    NRSV: ..."10 [you] have clothed yourselves with the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its creator. 11 In that renewal there is no longer Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Jesus is all and in all!"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation
  • In their predispositions, humans inherit both love (the essence of the creator’s spirit we share with him, indicating our significance) and selfishness (its opposite/opposing property, what some mistakenly attribute to a separate entity of the ‘evil/devil/satan’) to different degrees from their greater-self, from their originating context of reality
  • ‘Justification’ is ‘being convinced about love’s (vs. selfishness) need to guide life’ (= ‘being rightly enlightened’, = ‘holding Jesus’s message in conviction’, = ‘following/believing in Jesus’, = ‘gaining a justified conviction’, = ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, = ‘doing the works of God’, = ‘satisfying/keeping/adhering to the command of God’, = ‘accepting/living according to Jesus’s message’, = ‘fulfilling the eternal word of God, of salvation’)
  •  
    interpretation:
    Contradicts Galatians 4:30, Matthew 22:8, Luke 17:7, Acts 2:18, Colossians 3:22, 4:1, 1 Peter 2:18, Ephesians 6:5,7,8, 1 Timothy 6:1, Titus 2:9 – as those seemingly condone slavery, whereas this passage states that such distinction does not matter. This passage talks about the condition of justification – a renewal of conviction aligned with love. As we are created in the image of the creator (carry in us/share the property of) the seed of the Holy Spirit within us (as our predisposition to love) may guide every human – even if they don't have access to the CESAPH – . This also implies that no other way or covenant was ever valid between humanity and the creator: the creator, its values and purposes are eternal, universal, and timeless, so they don't change with human history.
     
        

    Colossians 3:12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, for to this you were called as members of one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. "...
    NRSV: ..."12 As God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. 13 Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Jesus rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Jesus dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • A justified person has the duty to spread the word of God to others in a non-intrusive way whenever the chance arises and by showing an example
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • Behavioral guidance
  • The essence of the creator is love
  • ‘Justification’ is ‘being convinced about love’s (vs. selfishness) need to guide life’ (= ‘being rightly enlightened’, = ‘holding Jesus’s message in conviction’, = ‘following/believing in Jesus’, = ‘gaining a justified conviction’, = ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, = ‘doing the works of God’, = ‘satisfying/keeping/adhering to the command of God’, = ‘accepting/living according to Jesus’s message’, = ‘fulfilling the eternal word of God, of salvation’)
  •  
    interpretation:
    “clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony” is the essence of the NT. “let the peace of Jesus rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body” summarizes what the creator is looking for in us, so that we can restore the foundation of our relationship, and can rejoin his presence in heaven. “doing everything in the name of Jesus” means that all meaningful decisions should be guided by our justified convictions.
     
        

    Colossians 3:18, 19, 20, 21, 22

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."18 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. 20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, so they will not become discouraged. 22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything, not only to please them while they are watching, but with sincerity of heart and fear of the Lord. "...
    NRSV: ..."18 Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives and never treat them harshly. 20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is your acceptable duty in the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, or they may lose heart. 22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything, not only while being watched and in order to please them, but wholeheartedly, fearing the Lord."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • condoning slavery
  • contradicts other NT passages
  • personal perspectives and directives that are culturally dependent
  •  
    interpretation:
    Contradicts Mark 10:44, Romans 7:6, 1 Corinthians 7:22-23, Philippians 2:6-8, Galatians 5:13-14 Galatians 5:1, 4:7, 3:28, 1 Timothy 1:10-11, 1 Peter 2:16, James 5:1-5, Colossians 3:10 by implicitly condoning the condition of slavery. The author is simply wrong on the possibility for any person to own slaves, their family, and make them obedient. Some forms of subservient relations CAN exist out of legal (repaying debt or fulfilling a contractual obligation) or moral reasons (voluntary or sanctioned rectifying trespasses to those harmed), but in those cases the relationship is NOT 'slavery', as ownership of another person or their offspring is not involved. Of course, people in subservient relations to their 'lenders' still need to relate to them (to the people they owe and serve) with love, and vice versa. This passage was likely included to maintain social order at the time of its writing, and has nothing to do with the wish of Jesus or his message (other than the main command covers all situations, including this one). If the 'master' is a respectable human, then treat him with respect. In ALL cases treat all humans – including masters – in alignment with love and consideration. Then, there are those masters who are not worthy of respect as they may not be worthy of any honor. And those should be treated 'appropriately'. No one needs to take consistent wickedness from an abuser as part of the abuser's pleasure and entertainment – and this does not even contradict the 'other cheek' principle. Masters who are believers (justified in their conviction) should have already freed their slaved and transferred all legitimate cases into contractual obligations (debt, rectifying sins). Addressing the condition of 'slavery' head on would have been perhaps more important for the author to address than these other detailed instructions he was so concerned about. But then, I guess he would have risked a quick execution from the slave-owning authorities. How about the practice of prisoners of war being converted into slave status? Well, perfect opportunity to preach the message of Jesus to the enablers and maintainers of such injustices! Social justice and sustainable development directly follow from Jesus's main command. More than 2000 years later church leaders still did not address those points by sticking them to the face of those who have been responsible for maintaining such injustices (namely, rulers and the rich who have been allied with the church throughout history).. And we did not even touch the camel's case with the eye of the needle. Sadly, parts like this were responsible in the upkeep of those unjust situations, as they could be referenced as examples and counter-examples, invoking 'divine blessing'.
     
        

    Colossians 3:25

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    Berean: ..."25 Whoever does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism. "...
    NRSV: ..."25 For the wrongdoer will be paid back for whatever wrong has been done, and there is no partiality."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • It is logical to expect appropriate consequences due for passing or failing the evaluation
  • Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally
  •  
    interpretation:
    Of course, the wrongdoer and right-doer will not be paid back in this life (at least not necessarily) as that would defeat the goal of the evaluation of the soul. This must refer to judgment day and beyond. But this cal also refer to inheriting our assigned situations justly, based on the wrongs we have committed, that caused us to appear in this reality.
     
        

    Colossians 4:1

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    Berean: ..."1 Masters, supply your slaves with what is right and fair, since you know that you also have a Master in heaven. "...
    NRSV: ..."1 Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly, for you know that you also have a Master in heaven."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • condoning slavery
  • contradicts other NT passages
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Contradicts Mark 10:44, Romans 7:6, 1 Corinthians 7:22-23, Philippians 2:6-8, Galatians 5:13-14 Galatians 5:1, 4:7, 3:28, 1 Timothy 1:10-11, 1 Peter 2:16, James 5:1-5, Colossians 3:10 by implicitly condoning the condition of slavery. The author is simply wrong on the possibility for any person to own slaves, their family, and make them obedient. Some forms of subservient relations CAN exist out of legal (repaying debt or fulfilling a contractual obligation) or moral reasons (voluntary or sanctioned rectifying trespasses to those harmed), but in those cases the relationship is NOT 'slavery', as ownership of another person or their offspring is not involved. Of course, people in subservient relations to their 'lenders' still need to relate to them (to the people they owe and serve) with love, and vice versa. This passage was likely included to maintain social order at the time of its writing, and has nothing to do with the wish of Jesus or his message (other than the main command covers all situations, including this one). If the 'master' is a respectable human, then treat him with respect. In ALL cases treat all humans – including masters – in alignment with love and consideration. Then, there are those masters who are not worthy of respect as they may not be worthy of any honor. And those should be treated 'appropriately'. No one needs to take consistent wickedness from an abuser as part of the abuser's pleasure and entertainment – and this does not even contradict the 'other cheek' principle. Masters who are believers (justified in their conviction) should have already freed their slaved and transferred all legitimate cases into contractual obligations (debt, rectifying sins). Addressing the condition of 'slavery' head on would have been perhaps more important for the author to address than these other detailed instructions he was so concerned about. But then, I guess he would have risked a quick execution from the slave-owning authorities. How about the practice of prisoners of war being converted into slave status? Well, perfect opportunity to preach the message of Jesus to the enablers and maintainers of such injustices! Social justice and sustainable development directly follow from Jesus's main command. More than 2000 years later church leaders still did not address those points by sticking them to the face of those who have been responsible for maintaining such injustices (namely, rulers and the rich who have been allied with the church throughout history).. And we did not even touch the camel's case with the eye of the needle. Sadly, parts like this were responsible in the upkeep of those unjust situations, as they could be referenced as examples and counter-examples, invoking 'divine blessing'.
     
        

    Hebrews 1:1, 2, 3

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    Berean: ..."1 On many past occasions and in many different ways, God spoke to our fathers through the prophets. 2 But in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe. 3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature, upholding all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. "...
    NRSV: ..."1 Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. 3 He is the reflection of God's glory and the exact imprint of God's very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • A justified person has the duty to spread the word of God to others in a non-intrusive way whenever the chance arises and by showing an example
  • Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator
  • The concept of the ‘trinity’ can only be interpreted as ‘three possible interface to the same single entity of the creator’
  • The creator created our reality (best modeled as a consciousness-centric simulation) to facilitate the evaluation of its target audience: humans
  •  
    interpretation:
    Apart from the trinity-confusion, the passage correctly states that many people throughout history (not necessarily the OT prophets) had the right conviction about the eternal word of God (basically achieved justification), and they tried to steer people towards their salvation. This is not about the foretelling of future events, but getting people onto the right path of justification and salvation (that is the responsibility of every justified person). Jesus being the “reflection of God's glory” and “the exact imprint of God's very being” aligns with the concept of three “interfaces” accessible to humans about the single creator entity. The eternal word of God does sustain all things in the simulation, as it describes the motivation behind the creation of the simulation.
     
        

    Hebrews 1:2

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    Berean: ..."2 But in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe. "...
    NRSV: ..."2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things,"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misconceived understanding of what the ‘trinity’ could be
  •  
    interpretation:
    The notion of the trinity as three different persons is misguided. Thus, talking about 'appointments' and being an 'heir' is wrong (however, this may be useful to get a different message across). The creator is a single entity, with three possible interfaces/approaches that correspond to the misconceived 'members' of the trinity – this is how one can best understands the 'trinity'. (This is similar to how one can approach the Mandelbrot Set: its equation, the beauty of a static image it produces, and the infinity of its formulation that can be played out. They are all different 'interfaces' to the same entity/essence.) The creator entered our simulation in the human form of Jesus, undertaking the limitations of our reality, and perhaps even bearing a limited conscious state for himself, for the duration of his undertaking.This is similar to how we enter our nightly dreams – with a limited awareness of our more extended reality. This was the one genuine way to demonstrate his love for humanity without affecting the simulation's ability to test the quality of our souls on our alignment with love vs selfishness. The “appointed heir of all things” also does not make much sense: why would the creator – the master of objective time and all creations – need to inherit anything from himself. Jesus, as the creator in human form, does his own will. It is also possible that while partaking in our reality as a fully-human, the creator voluntarily undertook some of the limitations that define being human – if not for this, his partaking as fully human would not have been genuine. We can also experience this kind of limitation setting in when we dream at night, and then reawaken into our 'reality': the limitations and level of awareness of these two worlds (realities) are different, yet we are the same 'self' in both of them. As 'being fully-human' can typically mean a good amount of doubt, insecurity, fear, helplessness, suffering and despair, it is also imaginable that Jesus also took on these experiences. This could explain his alleged interactions and conversations with 'the Father' (his greater-self in the larger context of reality), and could also explain the disciples' understanding and conception of the 'trinity'.
     
        

    Hebrews 1:3, 4

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    Berean: ..."3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature, upholding all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. 4 So He became as far superior to the angels as the name He has inherited is excellent beyond theirs. "...
    NRSV: ..."3 ... When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • misconceived understanding of what the ‘trinity’ could be
  • misconception about Jesus saving or justifying people rather than them achieving this through their own free will
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The concept of the ‘trinity’ can only be interpreted as ‘three possible interface to the same single entity of the creator’"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans"
  •  
    interpretation:
    This is a completely misguided vision of fantasy about Jesus and the trinity. Jesus did not make any purification for sins. Sins can not be purified – they can be regretted and rectified, and thus redeemed. Jesus – as the creator in human form – did not become superior to any angels, Jesus was the creator, so he has always been superior to all angels and other lesser beings like humans (angels locked in a temporary reality).
     
        

    Hebrews 1:5, 6

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    Berean: ..."5 For to which of the angels did God ever say: “You are My Son; today I have become Your Father”? Or again: “I will be His Father, and He will be My Son”? 6 And again, when God brings His firstborn into the world, He says: “Let all God’s angels worship Him.” "...
    NRSV: ..."5 For to which of the angels did God ever say, "You are my Son; today I have begotten you"? Or again, "I will be his Father, and he will be my Son"? 6 And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, "Let all God's angels worship him.""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • misconceived understanding of what the ‘trinity’ could be
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The concept of the ‘trinity’ can only be interpreted as ‘three possible interface to the same single entity of the creator’"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Some unnecessary elaboration on the misguidance of the trinity confusion (once one sees the creator as having three possible interfaces/approaches). It is completely unnecessary to talk about whether and how the creator in human form compares to angels, who was told to worship him. The passage was likely made up entirely by its author. Jesus, as the creator in human form, does his own will. It is also possible that while partaking in our reality as a fully-human, the creator voluntarily undertook some of the limitations that define being human – if not for this, his partaking as fully human would not have been genuine. We can also experience this kind of limitation setting in when we dream at night, and then reawaken into our 'reality': the limitations and level of awareness of these two worlds (realities) are different, yet we are the same 'self' in both of them. As 'being fully-human' can typically mean a good amount of doubt, insecurity, fear, helplessness, suffering and despair, it is also imaginable that Jesus also took on these experiences. This could explain his alleged interactions and conversations with 'the Father' (his greater-self in the larger context of reality), and could also explain the disciples' understanding and conception of the 'trinity'.
     
        

    Hebrews 1:13

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."13 Yet to which of the angels did God ever say: “Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet”? "...
    NRSV: ..."13 But to which of the angels has he ever said, "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet"?"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • inappropriate/inadequate/misguided attempt to apply OT prophecy
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same"
  •  
    interpretation:
    This was said in Psalm 110:1 , in a way that conforms to the image of a conquering God of the Israelites. This has nothing to do with the image of the creator as conveyed by Jesus. God does not have enemies among humans; he has those who will not be able to align their lives and conviction with love, and those will not be able to rejoin the presence of the creator. But they are not an enemy made into a footstool, but humans who will end up failing their evaluations. David, on the other hand, with his misguided mindset and belief system, DID have enemies he wished to crush, conquer and be victorious over (those who occupied or wanted to occupy lands he deemed his). It is no surprise then, then his belief system is about a God who will help him accomplish these types of goals. Enemies, nations, glory, victory, are all imagery belonging to the misguided OT scriptures. And never mind an individual's salvation, the path to it, loving one another even if one belongs to those we see as our enemies here. Thus, Jesus's message is thoroughly lacking in the OT.
     
        

    Hebrews 2:3, 4

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    Berean: ..."3 how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? This salvation was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, 4 and was affirmed by God through signs, wonders, various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to His will. "...
    NRSV: ..."3 ... It was declared at first through the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard him, 4 while God added his testimony by signs and wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit, distributed according to his will."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • A justified person has the duty to spread the word of God to others in a non-intrusive way whenever the chance arises and by showing an example
  • The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans
  •  
    interpretation:
    This describes how the message of Jesus is being spread among all people. The creator makes sure that those who deserve it, in their assigned situation will get a fitting exposure to the good news and/or the eternal word of God, of salvation.
     
        

    Hebrews 2:5, 6, 7, 8

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."5 For it is not to angels that He has subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking. 6 But somewhere it is testified in these words: “What is man that You are mindful of him, or the son of man that You care for him? 7 You made him a little lower than the angels; You crowned him with glory and honor 8 and placed everything under his feet.” When God subjected all things to him, He left nothing outside of his control. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to him. "...
    NRSV: ..."5 Now God did not subject the coming world, about which we are speaking, to angels. 6 But someone has testified somewhere, "What are human beings that you are mindful of them, or mortals, that you care for them? 7 You have made them for a little while lower than the angels; you have crowned them with glory and honor, 8 subjecting all things under their feet.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • In their predispositions, humans inherit both love (the essence of the creator’s spirit we share with him, indicating our significance) and selfishness (its opposite/opposing property, what some mistakenly attribute to a separate entity of the ‘evil/devil/satan’) to different degrees from their greater-self, from their originating context of reality
  • The creator created our reality (best modeled as a consciousness-centric simulation) to facilitate the evaluation of its target audience: humans
  • The human spirit is somehow part of the eternal consciousness
  •  
    interpretation:
    Some angels wondered about the chance and privilege humans (the fallen angels) got by being allowed to go through this life and attempt to redeem their sinful condition? This sounds like jealousy in some angel circles about the preeminence of humanity in the eye of the creator. This jealousy may be taken as a hint at the eternal nature of the angels, and if humans are like angels in heaven, they they are likely eternal as well (we already know from the NT that in one direction, but it makes sense that humans are also angels eternal in both directions).
     
        

    Hebrews 2:8

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."8 and placed everything under his feet.” When God subjected all things to him, He left nothing outside of his control. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to him. "...
    NRSV: ..."8 … In subjecting all things to them, God left nothing outside their control. As it is, we do not yet see everything in subjection to them,"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • The creator created our reality (best modeled as a consciousness-centric simulation) to facilitate the evaluation of its target audience: humans
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    “we do not yet see everything in subjection to them” may refer to humans having authority and a mandate to uncover and benefit from the configuration and rules of their simulation – namely, scientific advances and understanding to come, to be used in subjecting our reality to our use. This also confirms that our reality is centered around conscious humans, as it was created for their evaluation. With this, and with our mission to gain our salvation, it is given that we need to use our reality so that benefits all of us; namely, we are responsible for it and need to take good care of it. Leaving nothing out of our control also implies that when we search for answers, our simulated reality will contain all the answers we seek WITHIN to help us sustain our life in our temporary home. Naturally, our salvation is not WITHIN our world, but beyond, thus, we can not hope to find scientific answers to these types of questions.  
     
        

    Hebrews 2:9

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because He suffered death, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone. "...
    NRSV: ..."9 but we do see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  • The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans
  • The resurrection is not a cornerstone belief to be held about Jesus or the subject of faith one needs to believe in to gain salvation, but an emphasis on the inevitability of afterlife for everyone. From a simulated reality everyone exits to their originating context, and the creator can naturally make exceptions for his exit and reappearance
  •  
    interpretation:
    The creator lowered himself to a more vulnerable position than angels are (to the human level) so humans may get a credible testimony from of the creator's love for them, and more importantly, his desire for us to succeed in this evaluation, despite the suffering we may have to face as part of our penance - all in a way that lets the evaluation of their soul proceed, while constituting a massive meaningful help for those who are exposed to it. “might taste death for everyone” can refer to the creator's decision to partake in human suffering and undergo the full spectrum of human condition (including death with the accompanying fear of annihilation), thereby showing us not to fear this milestone. Thus, his tasting of death becomes a taste for everyone who hears about it. Tasting death (and human suffering) for everyone is not 'conquering death' (as in 'death no longer affecting humans') but conquering the idea/concept of death, of final annihilation or extinguishment, thereby underscoring the everlasting life of the soul. “we do see Jesus … now crowned with glory and honor”: once we understand the idea behind the CESAPH, we do see our loving creator in glory and honor.
     
        

    Hebrews 2:10

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."10 In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting for God, for whom and through whom all things exist, to make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering. "...
    NRSV: ..."10 It was fitting that God, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  • The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage describes the logic behind the CESAPH – and if this description is fitting, then the CESAPH needs no foretelling, as it makes senses and stands on its own. Partaking fully in the human condition (the divine punishment to fallen humans) was a 'fitting/ right/ proper' (from the greek 'eprepen') way to be the ultimate demonstration for humans about the creator's love for us, and that it is worth for us to try to succeed in the evaluation, no matter how difficult of a situation we may be facing (as the creator himself went through a likely worse situation as a move of solidarity). Thus, this is the greatest help humans can hope for in reaching their salvation. The CESAPH was the 'proper' demonstration, whereas a demonstration of might and power was 'not a proper way' to bring many children to glory. This also confirms that the goal of the CESAPH – as an intervention in our evaluation – was to bring as many people as possible to their own salvation as possible. The word 'pioneer' (from the greek 'archegon') is not just the first, but, 'originator, author, founder, prince, chief leader', which even better describes the creator in Jesus.
     
        

    Hebrews 2:11

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    Berean: ..."11 For both the One who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers. "...
    NRSV: ..."11 For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • misconceived understanding of what the ‘trinity’ could be
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The concept of the ‘trinity’ can only be interpreted as ‘three possible interface to the same single entity of the creator’"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Yes, we can look at the creator as “our Father”, though unlike our biological father. Even if our souls are eternal and uncreated, we CAN look at the creator of our reality and our assigner to them as a 'father': as the father acts to bring our body into this world, the creator acts to transfer our soul to it for the duration of our reality. Thus, the 'heavenly father' analogy stays fully valid in accordance with the philosophical foundation's reasoning. However, the authors surely did not mean it this way, but referred to the concept of the trinity. Jesus, as the creator in human form, does his own will. It is also possible that while partaking in our reality as a fully-human, the creator voluntarily undertook some of the limitations that define being human – if not for this, his partaking as fully human would not have been genuine. We can also experience this kind of limitation setting in when we dream at night, and then reawaken into our 'reality': the limitations and level of awareness of these two worlds (realities) are different, yet we are the same 'self' in both of them. As 'being fully-human' can typically mean a good amount of doubt, insecurity, fear, helplessness, suffering and despair, it is also imaginable that Jesus also took on these experiences. This could explain his alleged interactions and conversations with 'the Father' (his greater-self in the larger context of reality), and could also explain the disciples' understanding and conception of the 'trinity'.
     
        

    Hebrews 2:14, 15

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."14 Now since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity, so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. "...
    NRSV: ..."14 Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • contradicts other NT passages
  • misconception about death's finality
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The creator created our reality (best modeled as a consciousness-centric simulation) to facilitate the evaluation of its target audience: humans"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The eternal continuation of their awareness is inevitable and unavoidable for all human souls"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The human spirit is somehow part of the eternal consciousness"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "‘Evil’, ‘Devil’, or ‘Satan’ is NOT a separate entity opposed to the creator, but the value of selfishness in us that is opposite to the preferred value of the creator, love"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Contradicts Galatians 4:30, Matthew 22:8, Luke 17:7, Acts 2:18, Colossians 3:22, 4:1, 1 Peter 2:18, Ephesians 6:5,7,8, 1 Timothy 6:1, Titus 2:9 – as those seemingly condone slavery, whereas here the condition is put into a negative light. BUT this is not the main point of this passage! The concept of 'death' in this passage originates from the typical human view of final extinguishment of reality for the self. Some may interpret Jesus's death and resurrection as an act that 'conquered' this finality of death – in effect, because of Jesus's sacrifice and resurrection, we get eternal life. This is a huge misconception: reality as a simulation means that most probably death has always affected all humans the same way, and this did not change with the CESAPH. At the point of death people have always continued their ever-continuous awareness in a different context of reality (probably their originating context of reality). It makes little, if any sense to believe that an act that takes place in the middle of our history would affect the fate of those who have already passed through it. Retroactivity that applies to 'all people' (even those already dead for a long time) just makes very little sense. Thus, death never meant final extinguishment, so it did not need to be conquered by anyone – eternal existence is given; the only question remains 'under what conditions'. The “devil” may have the “power of death” symbolically. Our reality makes people believe in the finality of death, which CAN allow the logic for selfishness to flourish in some, at the expense of love. But this 'devil' is in the setup of our simulation in the form of the temptations that draw us toward selfishness. And temptations are essential parts of our evaluation. The emphasis here is on conquering our fear of death (our slavery) as the first step to succeeding in the evaluation. This was also Paul's emphasis with the resurrection of Jesus. If one lives their life believing in the final extinguishment of awareness upon death, reaching salvation may be very hard, if not impossible (unless they still manage to align their life with love, which typically goes against the logic of materialism). Based on the belief system of the OT,  the authors and disciples of Jesus misguidedly believed the ‘Evil One’, ‘Devil’, or ’Satan’ to be a separate independent entity (a fallen leader of angels) opposed to the creator and having some special powers. However, the concept should simply be interpreted as ‘the influence and temptations to be selfish’, the opposite of the creator’s preference of love that is present in us conscious humans, and all of us are here to demonstrate that we can subdue and eliminate this value in us, and side with its opposite in our evaluation.
     
        

    Hebrews 2:16

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    Berean: ..."16 For surely it is not the angels He helps, but the descendants of Abraham. "...
    NRSV: ..."16 For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • misguided focus on Jews or improper differentiation between Jews and Gentiles
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation"
  •  
    interpretation:
    As the CESAPH was undertaken by the creator to help all those who are granted exposure to it in their situational assignments (got the chance to hear about it in their lives), the “descendants of Abraham” can not be correct – not even metaphorically. The CESAPH had nothing specific to do with descendants of a figure of myth from the Jewish religion. However, the passage is correct in that Jesus 'helped' humans, and not accomplish something for/instead of them. And as far as humans are likely fallen angels, the creator is actually helping angels (us – but naturally not those angels who are not assigned to participate in this reality).
     
        

    Hebrews 2:17

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."17 For this reason He had to be made like His brothers in every way, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, in order to make atonement for the sins of the people. "...
    NRSV: ..."17 Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misconceived understanding of what the ‘trinity’ could be
  • misconception about Jesus saving or justifying people rather than them achieving this through their own free will
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans"
  •  
    interpretation:
    The creator had to become fully human and undertake our typical suffering in his fate to give credibility to his testimony of love for us. This has NOTHING to do with being a “high priest” or serving anyone but himself, the creator God. The concept of offering ritual sacrifices at the altar is a misguidance that originates from the OT and other world religions, in their attempts to please their gods in return for good earthly results. The creator undergoing our typical human suffering and subjecting himself to our will can not be compared to such 'sacrifices' – however, it can be analogous to 'making sacrifices to help further a cause'. Making atonement for someone else's sins (sparing them from its consequences) is ludicrous. Besides, everyone's continued penance seems to be justly included in their assigned situations in their lives, AND in the fate they will deserve with their conviction and life at the last judgment – so then, what sort of atonement could we be talking about? The potential ramifications of the misconceived traditional interpretation of this passage are severe. It is influenced by the misconceived trinity-concept of the authors – the way the disciples viewed Jesus and the creator. The ideas that – with his suffering and death – Jesus performed an atonement for the sins of humanity (or to be more precise, the inherited 'sinful condition' of the wrongs committed by Adam and Eve) INSTEAD OF us (who inherited the condition and/or committed sins in our life too), and that with this he paid off a ransom (to either the Devil or to the Father) are logically absurd. If we hold the trinity as 'three possible interfaces' to the single entity of the creator, the whole logic of this narrative collapses. Additionally, the traditional Christian interpretation of the 'original sin' (developed around the 3rd century AD) is also misconceived: the reason why 'all humans are sinners' is NOT that they inherited this from any of their ancestors, NOR is it because they necessarily sinned during their life, BUT because their own greater-selves committed them in their originating context of reality. In this context, any 'atonement' performed in place of us by Jesus becomes absurd – it is each one of us that needs to rectify our sinful condition by reaching a justified conviction and living our life (our assigned situations) accordingly. This is simpler, makes much more sense, and seems a lot more likely. Even if one subscribes to the traditional trinity-interpretation of the Father and Son being 'somewhat' separate, the idea that the Devil is assumed as a separate entity, with powers that God needs to 'destroy' with the acts of Jesus, is without much sense. Why would the Son perform any self-sacrifice/favor to the Father to pay off a debt to the Devil instead of us who sinned or inherited those sins doing so? Why would the almighty creator enter into dealings with the separate, lesser-entity of the Devil, and end up owing anything to him (especially, our sovereign conscious souls, because of an inheritance from our far-ancestors)? And why would/could the Devil require such a ransom? And if the Son paid the ransom to the Father, what was the point in it – was there two separate entities involved (because this makes little if any sense being done within the same being). The idea that God needs to conquer the different entity (of the Devil) is also a lot less likely than 'evil' simply being the opposite value of the creator's preference/essence of love (selfishness). Selfishness, then, is a mere property in each one of us, to different degrees, that we are to conquer during our life by proving our realignment with love – a lot simpler, more likely than ransom, devil, conquering, debt, atonement, inherited sin from ancestors... It is entirely more likely that each one of us needs to complete a penance for wrongs we ourselves committed (in a higher context of reality we have no access to while in this life – as in dreams) and struggle to gain our salvation as a personal effort (rectify our sinful condition by realigning with love and return to the presence of the creator in heaven) of our life, and that is the very reason for our participation in this reality. The good news and guidance of the CESAPH CAN help those who were granted access to it in their situational assignments in reaching their justified conviction and having the strength to live life accordingly. In the CESAPH, the creator in Jesus fully shared the human condition with us, together with all its potential misery, suffering, and humiliation to demonstrate the creator's love for us and his desire for us to reach our salvation by aligning our life with love vs. selfishness. The sinful condition of all humans was NOT affected by the CESAPH. It had been and remains to this day up to each individual to reach their justified conviction and live their life accordingly. Undoubtedly for many, the good news helped in doing so. The intervention and good news of the CESAPH was a sacrifice/hardship the creator was willing to make for our benefit (NOT a sacrifice Jesus to offered to the Father), so that more of us would reach salvation (out of our own free will) than without. Most importantly, it was a demonstration of the creator's love for humanity – a gift that can be the greatest help from which people CAN (if they choose so) gain strength to reach their salvation with their life.
     
        

    Hebrews 2:18

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."18 Because He Himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted. "...
    NRSV: ..."18 Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  • The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans
  •  
    interpretation:
    The CESAPH amounted to the most genuine testimony of love – meaning that any other way would not have been as genuine (no one loves as one who gives life for others). Partaking in our suffering and limitations was also the only way for the creator to intervene on behalf of those he deemed worthy (those who will have had exposure to the good news) without affecting the simulation setup's ability to assess the quality of humans' soul (without giving us certainty beyond reasonable doubt).
     
        

    Hebrews 3:1, 2, 3, 6

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."1 Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, set your focus on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess. 2 He was faithful to the One who appointed Him, just as Moses was faithful in all God’s house. 3 For Jesus has been counted worthy of greater glory than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself. 6 But Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house. And we are His house, if we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope of which we boast. "...
    NRSV: ..."1 Therefore, brothers and sisters, holy partners in a heavenly calling, consider that Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, 2 was faithful to the one who appointed him, just as Moses also "was faithful in all God's house." 3 Yet Jesus is worthy of more glory than Moses, just as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself. ... 6 Jesus, however, was faithful over God's house as a son,"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • inappropriate/inadequate/misguided attempt to apply OT prophecy
  • misconceived understanding of what the ‘trinity’ could be
  • misguided focus on Jews or improper differentiation between Jews and Gentiles
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation"
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage is extremely convoluted and confused. It is an error to look at Jesus as an apostle, and a high priest. Jesus was not faithful to anyone except to his own higher-self, as the creator himself. However Jesus was not appointed by himself, but the creator wished to undertake the CESAPH in Jesus. Any comparison of who is “worthy of more glory”, Jesus or Moses is ridiculous: one is the CESAPH, while the other is a human leader of a people with the wrong focus, propagating the wrong belief system, a message of exclusivity and chosen-ness. Moses being the house Jesus (the creator) has built is also grossly misguided: Jesus carried a universal message of salvation to all of humanity, and thus, has nothing to do with the narrow-minded focus of the Jewish belief system (the house). If anything, Jesus is demolishing the house Moses built and tells everyone that any house is not necessary for salvation, focus on the relevance, your conviction's alignment with love! God's house, the church are those who are justified in their conviction, who are aligned with the need of love vs selfishness to guide life. Jesus, as the creator in human form, does his own will. It is also possible that while partaking in our reality as a fully-human, the creator voluntarily undertook some of the limitations that define being human – if not for this, his partaking as fully human would not have been genuine. We can also experience this kind of limitation setting in when we dream at night, and then reawaken into our 'reality': the limitations and level of awareness of these two worlds (realities) are different, yet we are the same 'self' in both of them. As 'being fully-human' can typically mean a good amount of doubt, insecurity, fear, helplessness, suffering and despair, it is also imaginable that Jesus also took on these experiences. This could explain his alleged interactions and conversations with 'the Father' (his greater-self in the larger context of reality), and could also explain the disciples' understanding and conception of the 'trinity'.
     
        

    Hebrews 3:6

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    Berean: ..."6 But Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house. And we are His house, if we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope of which we boast. "...
    NRSV: ..."6 Jesus, however, was faithful over God's house as a son, and we are his house if we hold firm the confidence and the pride that belong to hope."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Jesus’s ‘covenant’ of the eternal word of God, of salvation is the only covenant that has ever been and will ever be in effect from the creator for all of humanity, since the very beginning of time till the ending of our simulated reality, meaning that if one passes their evaluation on their alignment with love, one redeems their sinful condition and gains their salvation
  • ‘Justification’ is ‘being convinced about love’s (vs. selfishness) need to guide life’ (= ‘being rightly enlightened’, = ‘holding Jesus’s message in conviction’, = ‘following/believing in Jesus’, = ‘gaining a justified conviction’, = ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, = ‘doing the works of God’, = ‘satisfying/keeping/adhering to the command of God’, = ‘accepting/living according to Jesus’s message’, = ‘fulfilling the eternal word of God, of salvation’)
  •  
    interpretation:
    Apart from the trinity-confusion present in this passage, it states that those who have the firm conviction of how salvation can be achieved (those who “hold firm the confidence and the pride that belong to hope”) can be thought of as the house the creator built. Such people are the 'justified', holding the eternal word of God in their conviction that leads their lives.
     
        

    Hebrews 3:8, 9

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    Berean: ..."8 do not harden your hearts, as you did in the rebellion, in the day of testing in the wilderness, 9 where your fathers tested and tried Me, and for forty years saw My works. "...
    NRSV: ..."8 For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not speak later about another day. 9 So then, a sabbath rest still remains for the people of God;"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • misguided focus on Jews or improper differentiation between Jews and Gentiles
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation"
  •  
    interpretation:
    The author advocates or formulates his position/belief that the sabbath should still apply to those who follow God (as hopefully, he meant those to be the 'people of God', not just the chosen people). However, from the context of the disciples – working under the heavy pressure of conforming to (their own, original) Jewish beliefs – this meant that they caved in to this kind of pressure, and thus, they failed to grasp the essential message of Jesus. Jesus being the “Lord of the Sabbath” means that his message overrules and invalidates Jewish law (not replaces, as Jewish law was never the way to salvation). If anything, the Sabbath existed for the creator, not the creator for the Sabbath... This passage amounts to an appeasement to Jewish beliefs so they are easier convinced to accept Jesus's message – a misguided and weak approach used by the disciples that amounts to a misrepresenting and mishandling of Jesus's message and focus. If one works for the good of the people, and feels like working every day, one should feel free to do so. If one needs to take a break, one should feel free to do so. Keeping a day (or two) for break remains a very practical idea that has nothing to do with the message of Jesus.
     
        

    Hebrews 3:14

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    Berean: ..."14 We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly to the end the assurance we had at first. "...
    NRSV: ..."14 Since, then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • A justified person has the duty to spread the word of God to others in a non-intrusive way whenever the chance arises and by showing an example
  • ‘Justification’ is ‘being convinced about love’s (vs. selfishness) need to guide life’ (= ‘being rightly enlightened’, = ‘holding Jesus’s message in conviction’, = ‘following/believing in Jesus’, = ‘gaining a justified conviction’, = ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, = ‘doing the works of God’, = ‘satisfying/keeping/adhering to the command of God’, = ‘accepting/living according to Jesus’s message’, = ‘fulfilling the eternal word of God, of salvation’)
  •  
    interpretation:
    Those who remain justified and live their lives accordingly are the real church of the creator on this Earth. And this does not imply a formal hierarchical organization that has authority over its members. Individuals become partners of Jesus directly, this way – they don't become partners/members to an organized church.
     
    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • misconceived understanding of what the ‘trinity’ could be
  •  
    interpretation:
    Jesus can not be a “high priest” worshiping and offering sacrifices to himself (the role of priests...) as he is the same entity as the 'Father'. The passage is an irrelevant side note that is not part of the essential message though – the author or some others may have envisioned Jesus as such, but this should not become anyone else's dogma to believe in...
     
        

    Hebrews 4:1, 2

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."1 Therefore, while the promise of entering His rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be deemed to have fallen short of it. 2 For we also received the good news just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, since they did not share the faith of those who comprehended it. "...
    NRSV: ..."1 Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest is still open, let us take care that none of you should seem to have failed to reach it. 2 For indeed the good news came to us just as to them; but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation
  • One’s ‘faith’/belief system has no direct value to the creator, and is only a potential tool in one’s quest to gain justification and reach salvation IF it helps its holder in these
  • The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans
  • There is always hope and is never too late for salvation
  • ‘Justification’ is ‘being convinced about love’s (vs. selfishness) need to guide life’ (= ‘being rightly enlightened’, = ‘holding Jesus’s message in conviction’, = ‘following/believing in Jesus’, = ‘gaining a justified conviction’, = ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, = ‘doing the works of God’, = ‘satisfying/keeping/adhering to the command of God’, = ‘accepting/living according to Jesus’s message’, = ‘fulfilling the eternal word of God, of salvation’)
  •  
    interpretation:
    As all of us are here to earn our salvation (“entering his rest”), and since there is no shortcut to salvation, the game is not over till one dies. Thus, one should do the utmost to try to reach salvation, as the single purpose of our existence here. Throughout life the right conviction needs to be demonstrated with the right decisions. Unfortunately, there will be those (the “them” in this passage, originally likely meant for the Jews, but can be understood to mean a more general type of person) who hear the message (either the good news or other workings by divine grace) but through their own free will, it will not benefit them in their conviction, so it won't be guiding their lives. Such is free will in the presence of an uncertain outcome – our evaluation setting.
     
        

    Hebrews 4:12, 13

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight; everything is uncovered and exposed before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. "...
    NRSV: ..."12 Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two- edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And before him no creature is hidden, but all are naked and laid bare to the eyes of the one to whom we must render an account."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • Every human has a real chance at reaching their salvation, which is NOT predetermined or predestined. The creator is NOT omniscient with regard to humans’ free will, and their fate in the evaluation
  • Jesus’s ‘covenant’ of the eternal word of God, of salvation is the only covenant that has ever been and will ever be in effect from the creator for all of humanity, since the very beginning of time till the ending of our simulated reality, meaning that if one passes their evaluation on their alignment with love, one redeems their sinful condition and gains their salvation
  • The human spirit is somehow part of the eternal consciousness
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    A clear indication that following the word of God is the way to salvation, that is alignment with love vs selfishness. It is the evaluation criterion for our evaluation, done on our life and conviction. The sharpness of the word of God – our evaluation criterion – is apparent in its simplicity and universal applicability: each of our decisions will necessarily fit on the scale of selfishness-love, and thus, “is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart”. We must render an account with our life as to how we performed in this evaluation on Judgment day, that should happen after all of us dies. All our thoughts are fully transparent to the creator, to be part of this evaluation. It is quite possible to envision how this is possible in the simulation model: all of our conscious selves are threads running within the mind of the creator consciousness. “Rendering an account” of our life would not make any sense if the contents of our belief is the criterion for the creator, or if the creator would be omniscient with regard to our future decisions.
     
        

    Hebrews 4:15, 16

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin. 16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. "...
    NRSV: ..."15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Grace is the ever-present willingness of the creator to help humans reach their salvation
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  • The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans
  • ‘Justification’ is ‘being convinced about love’s (vs. selfishness) need to guide life’ (= ‘being rightly enlightened’, = ‘holding Jesus’s message in conviction’, = ‘following/believing in Jesus’, = ‘gaining a justified conviction’, = ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, = ‘doing the works of God’, = ‘satisfying/keeping/adhering to the command of God’, = ‘accepting/living according to Jesus’s message’, = ‘fulfilling the eternal word of God, of salvation’)
  •  
    interpretation:
    Correctly describing the aims of the CESAPH and the reasons behind why it happened as it did: to partake in our suffering so to amount to a genuine demonstration of love (“one who in every respect has been tested as we are”), to guide us toward our salvation. The passage also dismisses rituals and priests as necessary acts or actors we would need. Correct depiction of Grace as a helping force, not a saving force (“find grace to help in time of need”). Trusting Jesus's message and guidance, we can have the boldness that we are walking on the right path to salvation. This is a virtue of justification in the presence of uncertainty.
     
        

    Hebrews 5:5, 6

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    Berean: ..."5 So also Christ did not take upon Himself the glory of becoming a high priest, but He was called by the One who said to Him: “You are My Son; today I have become Your Father.” 6 And in another passage God says: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.” "...
    NRSV: ..."5 So also Jesus did not glorify himself in becoming a high priest, but was appointed by the one who said to him, "You are my Son, today I have begotten you"; 6 as he says also in another place, "You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • misconceived understanding of what the ‘trinity’ could be
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  •  
    interpretation:
    Jesus did not become a “high priest” and was not appointed by anyone – Jesus was the CESAPH. This is but a misconceived analogy by some of the authors or early disciples that should not have made into the scriptures and should not have been propagated and promoted into dogma. Melchizedek, being a king-priest of the Canaanites and allegedly welcoming and earning the respect of Abraham, is not a source of authority, wisdom, or a proof of divine origin for the later ages. Thus, the “order of Melchizedek” is a made-up concept that is entirely irrelevant and non-associable to the CESAPH. The authors of the scriptures  misguidedly included this depiction of Jesus to attempt to increase his authority and authenticity, and thereby to potentially gain Jewish converts. Being a priest in any order established by men (not to mention a Canaanite king-priest) would mean that Jesus would be subservient to it in some form (as the order and its founder must be of higher importance and eminence than its high priest).
     
        

    Hebrews 5:8, 9, 10

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    Berean: ..."8 Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from what He suffered. 9 And having been made perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey Him 10 and was designated by God as high priest in the order of Melchizedek. "...
    NRSV: ..."8 Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered; 9 and having been made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him, 10 having been designated by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • misconceived understanding of what the ‘trinity’ could be
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  •  
    interpretation:
    The creator did learn obedience and the misery of the human condition by willingly subjecting himself to a fully human condition in Jesus. However, in his fully human form, 'perfectness' also need not necessarily apply (even if people wished to attribute this to Jesus). But even if Jesus was 'perfect', his perfectness certainly was not the “source of eternal salvation” for humans. But people make up all kinds of stuff, trying to relay their understanding.. The source of eternal salvation is the creator's love for us, eternal souls. Jesus did not become a “high priest” and was not appointed by anyone – Jesus was the CESAPH. This is but a misconceived analogy by some of the authors or early disciples that should not have made into the scriptures and should not have been propagated and promoted into dogma. Melchizedek, being a king-priest of the Canaanites and allegedly welcoming and earning the respect of Abraham, is not a source of authority, wisdom, or a proof of divine origin for the later ages. Thus, the “order of Melchizedek” is a made-up concept that is entirely irrelevant and non-associable to the CESAPH. The authors of the scriptures  misguidedly included this depiction of Jesus to attempt to increase his authority and authenticity, and thereby to potentially gain Jewish converts. Being a priest in any order established by men (not to mention a Canaanite king-priest) would mean that Jesus would be subservient to it in some form (as the order and its founder must be of higher importance and eminence than its high priest). Jesus, as the creator in human form, does his own will. It is also possible that while partaking in our reality as a fully-human, the creator voluntarily undertook some of the limitations that define being human – if not for this, his partaking as fully human would not have been genuine. We can also experience this kind of limitation setting in when we dream at night, and then reawaken into our 'reality': the limitations and level of awareness of these two worlds (realities) are different, yet we are the same 'self' in both of them. As 'being fully-human' can typically mean a good amount of doubt, insecurity, fear, helplessness, suffering and despair, it is also imaginable that Jesus also took on these experiences. This could explain his alleged interactions and conversations with 'the Father' (his greater-self in the larger context of reality), and could also explain the disciples' understanding and conception of the 'trinity'.
     
        

    Hebrews 5:12

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    Berean: ..."12 Although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to reteach you the basic principles of God’s word. You need milk, not solid food! "...
    NRSV: ..."12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic elements of the oracles of God."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • attempted building, claiming, or referencing authority that is misguided and improper
  •  
    interpretation:
    Having teachers about the essential word of God is not a necessity for everyone, as one can arrive at its essence (justification) on their own too by a process of realization and conclusion, with the help of the willing help of grace. The good news is also available in this age (and has been for a while) and everyone can freely interpret it – they just need to realize that they CAN and SHOULD do this for themselves, and not cave in to the pressure of their surroundings. One may seek out teachers (those with understanding) to help gain their own understanding, and if they feel this would be helpful to them – but this is not a general need of everyone. Oracles, secrets, special wisdom do not exist in the teachings of Jesus – everyone can access and comprehend the very simple message of the eternal word of God, of salvation: the need for love to guide one's life. The implying that one needs teachers to properly receive the eternal word of God can be taken as an attempt to strengthen the church's authority.
     
        

    Hebrews 6:1, 2

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."1 Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith in God, 2 instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. "...
    NRSV: ..."1 Therefore let us go on toward perfection, leaving behind the basic teaching about Jesus, and not laying again the foundation: repentance from dead works and faith toward God, 2 instruction about baptisms, laying on of hands, resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • misconception about Jesus saving or justifying people rather than them achieving this through their own free will
  • misconception about forgiveness, and the role of rituals
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • rituals don't matter or accomplish anything directly, but serve only as cultural customs with symbolic value to people
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "One’s ‘faith’/belief system has no direct value to the creator, and is only a potential tool in one’s quest to gain justification and reach salvation IF it helps its holder in these"
  •  
    interpretation:
    There is no need to leave behind the basic teachings, as the eternal word of God is simple enough for all to comprehend. There are no mysteries to uncover, secrets to find out, or special knowledge to build. One must stick to this very basic teaching throughout life, which will end up being rather difficult. However the basic teaching of Jesus is NOT as the author has outlined here. The essential (and therefore basic) teaching of Jesus (what the message of Jesus might have been, as distilled from the overall NT writings) is that the creator loves us and wants us to return to his presence, and one achieves this by having a conviction guided by love (vs. selfishness) and living life accordingly. This is the main command of Jesus, and this is the way to salvation, our purpose in life. One can not get any more basic than this, and one does not need to go any more complicated or sophisticated than this. Perfection lays in being able to live this very basic message throughout life! Repentance of sins committed in this life IS essential, and follows from this basic message. “Faith towards God” (more exactly, toward his message) may help one reach justification, but it is what this faith does to one's conviction and life that counts in the eyes of the creator. It is one's life – the maze of one's assigned situations – that proves one's alignment of spirit, that earns one's salvation. Baptism is a ritual that CAN help one reach justification. The laying of hands is part of this ritual, but the act in itself accomplishes nothing (except that it MAY indirectly change the subject's state of mind – as in placebo). One's belief in the resurrection of the dead and the eternal judgment MAY be philosophical conclusions one reaches (or beliefs accepted at face value), and they MAY help one in reaching justification and in sticking to such conviction throughout the ordeals and trials of life.
     
        

    Hebrews 6:4, 5, 6

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    Berean: ..."4 It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age— 6 and then have fallen away—to be restored to repentance, because they themselves are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting Him to open shame. "...
    NRSV: ..."4 For it is impossible to restore again to repentance those who have once been enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 and then have fallen away, since on their own they are crucifying again the Son of God and are holding him up to contempt."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • ‘Justification’ is ‘being convinced about love’s (vs. selfishness) need to guide life’ (= ‘being rightly enlightened’, = ‘holding Jesus’s message in conviction’, = ‘following/believing in Jesus’, = ‘gaining a justified conviction’, = ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, = ‘doing the works of God’, = ‘satisfying/keeping/adhering to the command of God’, = ‘accepting/living according to Jesus’s message’, = ‘fulfilling the eternal word of God, of salvation’)
  •  
    interpretation:
    Once one reached justification by realizing the rightness of the eternal word of God to guide life, consciously turning away from this means there is little (or no) hope that they will again truly be able to do that. This is like intentionally (not out of weakness) sinning against the Holy Spirit – love – itself. Such people are meant to fail the evaluation and be separated from those who align with the preferred value of the creator.
     
        

    Hebrews 6:7, 8

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    Berean: ..."7 For land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is tended receives the blessing of God. 8 But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless, and its curse is imminent. In the end it will be burned. "...
    NRSV: ..."7 Ground that drinks up the rain falling on it repeatedly, and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. 8 But if it produces thorns and thistles, it is worthless and on the verge of being cursed; its end is to be burned over."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • ‘Justification’ is ‘being convinced about love’s (vs. selfishness) need to guide life’ (= ‘being rightly enlightened’, = ‘holding Jesus’s message in conviction’, = ‘following/believing in Jesus’, = ‘gaining a justified conviction’, = ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, = ‘doing the works of God’, = ‘satisfying/keeping/adhering to the command of God’, = ‘accepting/living according to Jesus’s message’, = ‘fulfilling the eternal word of God, of salvation’)
  •  
    interpretation:
    Consciously turning away from the word of God after receiving it, and not baring fruit (remaining selfish despite knowing that love is the right way) is a sure way to failure in the evaluation and staying away from the presence of the creator.
     
        

    Hebrews 6:10, 11

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    Berean: ..."10 For God is not unjust. He will not forget your work and the love you have shown for His name as you have ministered to the saints and continue to do so. 11 We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure. "...
    NRSV: ..."10 For God is not unjust; he will not overlook your work and the love that you showed for his sake in serving the saints, as you still do. 11 And we want each one of you to show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope to the very end,"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • It is logical to expect appropriate consequences due for passing or failing the evaluation
  • One ‘loves God’ by loving their fellow human beings, no matter how far removed they may be, which fulfills the single command of God
  • Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally
  •  
    interpretation:
    We serve not just saints but all our fellow humans in making responsible decisions in alignment with love. Showing diligence means working till there is a chance to perform good, till the end of life. One can only hope to gain salvation – the “full assurance” – if the lives life aligned with love.
     
        

    Hebrews 6:12

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    Berean: ..."12 Then you will not be sluggish, but will imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised. "...
    NRSV: ..."12 so that you may not become sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • misconception about Jesus saving or justifying people rather than them achieving this through their own free will
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  •  
    interpretation:
    This may be misunderstood by some to be about any promises made by the God of the OT to the 'chosen people', whereas it must be understood to mean the promise of salvation coming from the eternal word of God, of salvation. Furthermore, one does not “inherit” this promise, but may qualify for it with one's conviction and life. The passage may also be misunderstood by some to imply that an inactive maintaining of faith (in whatever set of tenets) and patience can lead to the promise of salvation – which is a huge misconception held by many. Only a life that proves one's justified conviction (acts and decisions aligned with love) can earn one's salvation.
     
        

    Hebrews 6:17, 19, 20

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."17 So when God wanted to make the unchanging nature of His purpose very clear to the heirs of the promise, He guaranteed it with an oath. 19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, 20 where Jesus our forerunner has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever in the order of Melchizedek. "...
    NRSV: ..."17 In the same way, when God desired to show even more clearly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose ... 19 We have this hope, a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters the inner shrine behind the curtain, 20 where Jesus, a forerunner on our behalf, has entered,"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  • The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage is a perfect description of the intervention of the CESAPH. The “heirs of the promise” are all humans – those who were granted a chance at salvation in this world. The creator, in a way that is still short of certainty, granted us the good news of the CESAPH (the “hope, a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul”) so we can be confident in our faith that we face a loving creator who wants us to succeed in this evaluation. Hope is not certainty, but a belief held with confidence in conviction. The act of the creator in which he “desired to show even more clearly to the heirs of the promise” depicts the intervention to formalize the eternal word of God, of salvation (“the unchangeable character of his purpose”) so it is clearer to everyone who was granted access to it, and is backed by the demonstration of love in the creator's sharing our our limitations, fate and miseries.
     
        

    Hebrews 6:20

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    Berean: ..."20 where Jesus our forerunner has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever in the order of Melchizedek. "...
    NRSV: ..."20 where Jesus, a forerunner on our behalf, has entered, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • appeasement/catering to potential Jewish converts
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  • personal perspectives and directives that are culturally dependent
  •  
    interpretation:
    Jesus did not become a “high priest” and was not appointed by anyone – Jesus was the CESAPH. This is but a misconceived analogy by some of the authors or early disciples that should not have made into the scriptures and should not have been propagated and promoted into dogma. Melchizedek, being a king-priest of the Canaanites and allegedly welcoming and earning the respect of Abraham, is not a source of authority, wisdom, or a proof of divine origin for the later ages. Thus, the “order of Melchizedek” is a made-up concept that is entirely irrelevant and non-associable to the CESAPH. The authors of the scriptures  misguidedly included this depiction of Jesus to attempt to increase his authority and authenticity, and thereby to potentially gain Jewish converts. Being a priest in any order established by men (not to mention a Canaanite king-priest) would mean that Jesus would be subservient to it in some form (as the order and its founder must be of higher importance and eminence than its high priest).
     
        

    Hebrews 7:1, 3

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    Berean: ..."1 This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 3 Without father or mother or genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, like the Son of God, he remains a priest for all time. "...
    NRSV: ..."1 This "King Melchizedek of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham as he was returning from defeating the kings and blessed him" … 3 Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • appeasement/catering to potential Jewish converts
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misconceived understanding of what the ‘trinity’ could be
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  • personal perspectives and directives that are culturally dependent
  •  
    interpretation:
    Jesus did not become a “high priest” and was not appointed by anyone – Jesus was the CESAPH. This is but a misconceived analogy by some of the authors or early disciples that should not have made into the scriptures and should not have been propagated and promoted into dogma. Melchizedek, being a king-priest of the Canaanites and allegedly welcoming and earning the respect of Abraham, is not a source of authority, wisdom, or a proof of divine origin for the later ages. Thus, the “order of Melchizedek” is a made-up concept that is entirely irrelevant and non-associable to the CESAPH. The authors of the scriptures  misguidedly included this depiction of Jesus to attempt to increase his authority and authenticity, and thereby to potentially gain Jewish converts. Being a priest in any order established by men (not to mention a Canaanite king-priest) would mean that Jesus would be subservient to it in some form (as the order and its founder must be of higher importance and eminence than its high priest). Just because the OT does not mention any genealogy for Melchizedek, it does not follow from this that he is an eternal priest.
     
        

    Hebrews 7:15, 16

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    Berean: ..."15 And this point is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears, 16 one who has become a priest not by a law of succession, but by the power of an indestructible life. "...
    NRSV: ..."15 It is even more obvious when another priest arises, resembling Melchizedek, 16 one who has become a priest, not through a legal requirement concerning physical descent, but through the power of an indestructible life."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • inappropriate/inadequate/misguided attempt to apply OT prophecy
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  • personal perspectives and directives that are culturally dependent
  •  
    interpretation:
    Jesus did not become a “high priest” and was not appointed by anyone – Jesus was the CESAPH. This is but a misconceived analogy by some of the authors or early disciples that should not have made into the scriptures and should not have been propagated and promoted into dogma. Melchizedek, being a king-priest of the Canaanites and allegedly welcoming and earning the respect of Abraham, is not a source of authority, wisdom, or a proof of divine origin for the later ages. Thus, the “order of Melchizedek” is a made-up concept that is entirely irrelevant and non-associable to the CESAPH. The authors of the scriptures  misguidedly included this depiction of Jesus to attempt to increase his authority and authenticity, and thereby to potentially gain Jewish converts. Being a priest in any order established by men (not to mention a Canaanite king-priest) would mean that Jesus would be subservient to it in some form (as the order and its founder must be of higher importance and eminence than its high priest). Coming up with the idea of Jesus's resemblance to Melchizedek (because of his gift of wine and bread to Abraham) is grossly exaggerated, entirely made up for the purpose of tying Jesus to the OT.
     
        

    Hebrews 7:18, 19

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."18 So the former commandment is set aside because it was weak and useless 19 (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God. "...
    NRSV: ..."18 There is, on the one hand, the abrogation of an earlier commandment because it was weak and ineffectual 19 (for the law made nothing perfect); there is, on the other hand, the introduction of a better hope, through which we approach God."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  •  
    interpretation:
    The idea of the creator setting aside earlier commandments because of changed conditions or its ineffectiveness is ludicrous and makes no sense. This would mean that the earlier commandment must then have been wrong, a mistake from God. But instead, the author should face that the earlier commandment was simply false and did not originate from the creator. Hence, it should have been stated that the Jews were following false prophets so far. The creator can not be envisioned to make weak and ineffectual commandments, to change his mind later, or introducing a hope, and then cancel it to introduce a better one for efficiency. This would also be unfair for those who got the crappy hope vs. those who receive a better hope later (keeping in mind the traditional interpretations, of course). In addition, throughout history, the hope of all humans should have been the same all along: to live a life that earns their salvation, the redemption of their sinful condition, and the earning of their return to the presence of the creator (which they lost because of their prior failings). It is worth noting however, that the good news of the CESAPH does represent a new and “better hope” about the purpose of human life, that was unavailable previously – but this is intentionally available only to those who were granted the chance of exposure to it by the creator. But the proper understanding of this is not forthcoming from traditional interpretations of the scriptures. Overall, this passage depicts the desperate attempt to reconcile the incompatible focus and message of the OT with Jesus's essence and message, in hope of still keeping it appealing to a Jewish audience.
     
        

    Hebrews 7:22

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."22 Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant. "...
    NRSV: ..."22 accordingly Jesus has also become the guarantee of a better covenant."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Jesus’s ‘covenant’ of the eternal word of God, of salvation is the only covenant that has ever been and will ever be in effect from the creator for all of humanity, since the very beginning of time till the ending of our simulated reality, meaning that if one passes their evaluation on their alignment with love, one redeems their sinful condition and gains their salvation"
  •  
    interpretation:
    A “better covenant” implies an 'OK covenant' that was in effect before (or a downright ineffective, wrong covenant from God) – and this makes this proposition completely ludicrous and senseless. The very idea of the creator first passing an OK covenant, then make improvements or modifications to it later (based on reflecting on its performance or coming up with a better idea) is idiotic. The authors and disciples should have faced up to the reality that the OT does not represent a covenant that originated from the creator, but a set of laws made up by a set of misguided and self-serving people who did not represent or or carry the message of the creator. In addition, the very idea of 'covenants' between humans and God made in this world at some point in history is silly: throughout history, all humans exist in this reality for one unchanging purpose – this is not a covenant but a purpose and meaning for our existence mandated on humans by the creator via our sheer presence in this reality. Humans did not necessarily agree to this (unless we volunteered to partake in the simulation in our originating context of reality), and once inside, we have no choice in this matter (we can no longer disagree with our conditions, seek or negotiate new covenants, or exit without consequence). This passage reflects the misconceived understanding of its writer on this topic. By demonstrating the creator's love for humanity and his desire for us to succeed in this evaluation, Jesus DID increase our confidence in our existing, eternal covenant, the eternal word of God, of salvation. But this does not follow from traditional interpretations of the scriptures which focus on tying Jesus to the OT.
     
        

    Hebrews 7:24, 25

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    Berean: ..."24 But because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood. 25 Therefore He is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them. "...
    NRSV: ..."24 but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. 25 Consequently he is able for all time to save those who approach God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally"
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage contains misguided ideas about priesthoods and Jesus being a high-priest, that are not a part of Jesus's message and are irrelevant with regard to salvation and the meaning of human existence. The CESAPH WAS an 'intercession' by God on behalf of those who were granted to know about it, and the creator DOES save exactly those who draw near/approach the creator's preference on love vs. selfishness. But this passage may lead one to conclude that “salvation is an act of God done for those who believe the right thing or 'worship' God”. A person counting on this may believe that pure belief will address the purpose of life. Saving is not done by God through intercessions, but by humans earning it through developing a conviction that is aligned with love, and living a life accordingly. This is the eternal word of God, of salvation, one needs to have faith in. Some may also get the idea that by 'turning to God' and asking for interventions through prayers (“ask, and you will be given...”), one can get out of one's assigned situations of trials and misery and sail through life with ease – which is obviously false.
     
        

    Hebrews 7:26

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."26 Such a high priest truly befits us—One who is holy, innocent, undefiled, set apart from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. "...
    NRSV: ..."26 For it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, blameless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • contradicts other NT passages
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Contradicts Luke 5:32, 22:24-27, Matthew 20:28, Mark 10:45, John 13:1-17 Perhaps, if one thinks in terms of priests, temples and sacrifices, depicting Jesus as a high priest comes naturally. But there are consequences to that kind of depiction, especially given that the entire concept of priests, temples and sacrifices is wrong – these are NOT what the creator is looking for in assigning us to this existence. We were never meant to make ritual sacrifices through priests to the creator in holy temples. Instead, each one of us partakes in an evaluation where the quality of our spirit is evaluated on its alignment between love vs. selfishness. Thus, it was NOT “fitting that we should have such high priest” - the whole analogy is bad, harmful, misguided and wrong. In addition, the description of Jesus in this passage also seems to have missed the relevance and purpose of the CESAPH. “Exaltation above the heavens” and “separation from sinners” are not something we have witnessed with the visit of the creator in the fully human form of Jesus. Rather, exaltation and separation was quite the opposite of Jesus's partaking in our suffering, subjecting himself to our will, and inclusion of the most despised parts of society. The benefit we received from the CESAPH is the increased confidence that we face a loving creator who wants us to succeed in our evaluation despite the amount of misery and suffering we may have to face in our life.
     
        

    Hebrews 7:27

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."27 Unlike the other high priests, He does not need to offer daily sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people; He sacrificed for sin once for all when He offered up Himself. "...
    NRSV: ..."27 Unlike the other high priests, he has no need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for those of the people; this he did once for all when he offered himself."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • misconceived understanding of what the ‘trinity’ could be
  • misconception about Jesus saving or justifying people rather than them achieving this through their own free will
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans"
  •  
    interpretation:
    The potential ramifications of the misconceived traditional interpretation of this passage are severe. It is influenced by the misconceived trinity-concept of the authors – the way the disciples viewed Jesus and the creator. The ideas that – with his suffering and death – Jesus performed an atonement for the sins of humanity (or to be more precise, the inherited 'sinful condition' of the wrongs committed by Adam and Eve) INSTEAD OF us (who inherited the condition and/or committed sins in our life too), and that with this he paid off a ransom (to either the Devil or to the Father) are logically absurd. If we hold the trinity as 'three possible interfaces' to the single entity of the creator, the whole logic of this narrative collapses. Additionally, the traditional Christian interpretation of the 'original sin' (developed around the 3rd century AD) is also misconceived: the reason why 'all humans are sinners' is NOT that they inherited this from any of their ancestors, NOR is it because they necessarily sinned during their life, BUT because their own greater-selves committed them in their originating context of reality. In this context, any 'atonement' performed in place of us by Jesus becomes absurd – it is each one of us that needs to rectify our sinful condition by reaching a justified conviction and living our life (our assigned situations) accordingly. This is simpler, makes much more sense, and seems a lot more likely. Even if one subscribes to the traditional trinity-interpretation of the Father and Son being 'somewhat' separate, the idea that the Devil is assumed as a separate entity, with powers that God needs to 'destroy' with the acts of Jesus, is without much sense. Why would the Son perform any self-sacrifice/favor to the Father to pay off a debt to the Devil instead of us who sinned or inherited those sins doing so? Why would the almighty creator enter into dealings with the separate, lesser-entity of the Devil, and end up owing anything to him (especially, our sovereign conscious souls, because of an inheritance from our far-ancestors)? And why would/could the Devil require such a ransom? And if the Son paid the ransom to the Father, what was the point in it – was there two separate entities involved (because this makes little if any sense being done within the same being). The idea that God needs to conquer the different entity (of the Devil) is also a lot less likely than 'evil' simply being the opposite value of the creator's preference/essence of love (selfishness). Selfishness, then, is a mere property in each one of us, to different degrees, that we are to conquer during our life by proving our realignment with love – a lot simpler, more likely than ransom, devil, conquering, debt, atonement, inherited sin from ancestors... It is entirely more likely that each one of us needs to complete a penance for wrongs we ourselves committed (in a higher context of reality we have no access to while in this life – as in dreams) and struggle to gain our salvation as a personal effort (rectify our sinful condition by realigning with love and return to the presence of the creator in heaven) of our life, and that is the very reason for our participation in this reality. The good news and guidance of the CESAPH CAN help those who were granted access to it in their situational assignments in reaching their justified conviction and having the strength to live life accordingly. In the CESAPH, the creator in Jesus fully shared the human condition with us, together with all its potential misery, suffering, and humiliation to demonstrate the creator's love for us and his desire for us to reach our salvation by aligning our life with love vs. selfishness. The sinful condition of all humans was NOT affected by the CESAPH. It had been and remains to this day up to each individual to reach their justified conviction and live their life accordingly. Undoubtedly for many, the good news helped in doing so. The intervention and good news of the CESAPH was a sacrifice/hardship the creator was willing to make for our benefit (NOT a sacrifice Jesus to offered to the Father), so that more of us would reach salvation (out of our own free will) than without. Most importantly, it was a demonstration of the creator's love for humanity – a gift that can be the greatest help from which people CAN (if they choose so) gain strength to reach their salvation with their life.
     
        

    Hebrews 7:28

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    Berean: ..."28 For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever. "...
    NRSV: ..."28 For the law appoints as high priests those who are subject to weakness, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Being a priest, having a high priest, or the oath of the high priest have nothing to do with the message of Jesus and the way to reach salvation. Thus, they are completely irrelevant and incompatible with the message of salvation through alignment with love. The CESAPH has nothing to do with Jewish law, and the only law that has ever mattered is the commandment of Jesus about alignment with love (the eternal word of God, of salvation – the criterion for our evaluation). To relate Jewish law or any order of Melchizedek with Jesus's message is contradictory. Nobody made Jesus “perfect forever”, as he is the creator in human form. The perfectness of the creator is also completely irrelevant for us to ponder about – even if the creator is not 'perfect' by some abstract measuring concept, this would not affect a bit about what we are to do here in this existence and how to reach salvation. So whether Jesus/the creator has always been 'perfect' or what this means is completely meaningless for us humans, as we are his subjects anyway. By definition, if we are to comply to his preference, his preference must be 'perfection'.
     
        

    Hebrews 8:3

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    Berean: ..."3 And since every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices, it was necessary for this One also to have something to offer. "...
    NRSV: ..."3 For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices; hence it is necessary for this priest also to have something to offer."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • attempted building, claiming, or referencing authority that is misguided and improper
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  •  
    interpretation:
    Based on the misguided assumes that the institution of priesthood and priests are self-evidently necessary (for humanity or humans to maintain a relationship with the creator?). However, there is not logical reason why one should believe that such institution and practices need to exist between the creator and humans. Sacrificial gifts and offerings are misconceived and have nothing to do with the message of Jesus.
     
        

    Hebrews 8:6

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."6 Now, however, Jesus has received a much more excellent ministry, just as the covenant He mediates is better and is founded on better promises. "...
    NRSV: ..."6 But Jesus has now obtained a more excellent ministry, and to that degree he is the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted through better promises."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Jesus’s ‘covenant’ of the eternal word of God, of salvation is the only covenant that has ever been and will ever be in effect from the creator for all of humanity, since the very beginning of time till the ending of our simulated reality, meaning that if one passes their evaluation on their alignment with love, one redeems their sinful condition and gains their salvation"
  •  
    interpretation:
    A “better covenant” implies an 'OK covenant' that was in effect before – a proposition that is truly ridiculous from the creator. The very idea of the creator first passing an OK covenant, then make improvements or modifications to it later is highly questionable by any set of logic. Besides, better promises can always be outweighed or abrogated by even better promises... The more likely scenario is that the OT's alleged covenant is NOT from the creator at all, but a set of laws made up by a set of people, for their (or rather for their leaders') own self-serving purposes, which naturally did not represent/carry the message of the creator of our world. The very idea of 'covenants' from God is silly in general. All humans were most likely made to participate in this world for a single unchanging purpose. Thus, we are not making covenants with God (negotiating or accepting its terms), but are all complying to (or are being measured on) this single purpose, with no choice in the matter. To successfully comply with this single purpose during our life is the single purpose of our existence. One CAN look at the eternal word of God, of salvation – our unchanging, universal evaluation criterion for our salvation – as a 'covenant'. But this is in effect from the very beginning of creation (of our world) and was not made by any historical human with God.
     
        

    Hebrews 8:8, 9

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."8 But God found fault with the people and said: “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. 9 It will not be like the covenant I made with their fathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, because they did not abide by My covenant, and I disregarded them, declares the Lord. "...
    NRSV: ..."8 God finds fault with them when he says: "The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah; 9 not like the covenant that I made with their ancestors, on the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; for they did not continue in my covenant, and so I had no concern for them, says the Lord."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Jesus’s ‘covenant’ of the eternal word of God, of salvation is the only covenant that has ever been and will ever be in effect from the creator for all of humanity, since the very beginning of time till the ending of our simulated reality, meaning that if one passes their evaluation on their alignment with love, one redeems their sinful condition and gains their salvation"
  •  
    interpretation:
    A “better covenant” implies an 'OK covenant' that was in effect before – a proposition that is truly ridiculous from the creator. The very idea of the creator first passing an OK covenant, then make improvements or modifications to it later is highly questionable by any set of logic. Besides, better promises can always be outweighed or abrogated by even better promises... The more likely scenario is that the OT's alleged covenant is NOT from the creator at all, but a set of laws made up by a set of people, for their (or rather for their leaders') own self-serving purposes, which naturally did not represent/carry the message of the creator of our world. The very idea of 'covenants' from God is silly in general. All humans were most likely made to participate in this world for a single unchanging purpose. Thus, we are not making covenants with God (negotiating or accepting its terms), but are all complying to (or are being measured on) this single purpose, with no choice in the matter. To successfully comply with this single purpose during our life is the single purpose of our existence. One CAN look at the eternal word of God, of salvation – our unchanging, universal evaluation criterion for our salvation – as a 'covenant'. But this is in effect from the very beginning of creation (of our world) and was not made by any historical human with God. A covenant made by the creator of our reality with only a specific group of people, to take them out of Egypt and deliver them to a promised location – which the creator will help them clear from the indigenous population – is way too specific (lacking universality and meaning to the whole of humanity), wholly illogical, most unlikely, and quite preposterous. (And one need not even mention the complete lack of historical evidence for the entire Egypt-fleeing and 40-year-wondering-in-the-desert stories.) What is entirely likely, instead, is that a self-selecting group of people (or rather, their leaders) made up some stories that they positioned as having divine origins to justify their own self-serving purposes (controlling people, taking over desired real estate, separating from others, etc.).
     
        

    Hebrews 8:12, 13

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."12 For I will forgive their iniquities and will remember their sins no more.” 13 By speaking of a new covenant, He has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear. "...
    NRSV: ..."12 For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more." 13 In speaking of "a new covenant," he has made the first one obsolete. And what is obsolete and growing old will soon disappear."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Jesus’s ‘covenant’ of the eternal word of God, of salvation is the only covenant that has ever been and will ever be in effect from the creator for all of humanity, since the very beginning of time till the ending of our simulated reality, meaning that if one passes their evaluation on their alignment with love, one redeems their sinful condition and gains their salvation"
  •  
    interpretation:
    It is nice that the right covenant is finally out (after some misunderstandings on the part of the creator were cleared perhaps), however this implies that the old covenant was actually valid and useful for people to gain their salvation before the new release (as the purpose of individuals' existence –in this world – to gain their salvation – should be unchanging). The “will soon disappear” is also ludicrous – meaning perhaps that it is still partially in effect?? What parts are in effect, and why on Earth?? And when will they be completely phased out?? A “better covenant” implies an 'OK covenant' that was in effect before – a proposition that is truly ridiculous from the creator. The very idea of the creator first passing an OK covenant, then make improvements or modifications to it later is highly questionable by any set of logic. Besides, better promises can always be outweighed or abrogated by even better promises... The more likely scenario is that the OT's alleged covenant is NOT from the creator at all, but a set of laws made up by a set of people, for their (or rather for their leaders') own self-serving purposes, which naturally did not represent/carry the message of the creator of our world. The very idea of 'covenants' from God is silly in general. All humans were most likely made to participate in this world for a single unchanging purpose. Thus, we are not making covenants with God (negotiating or accepting its terms), but are all complying to (or are being measured on) this single purpose, with no choice in the matter. To successfully comply with this single purpose during our life is the single purpose of our existence. One CAN look at the eternal word of God, of salvation – our unchanging, universal evaluation criterion for our salvation – as a 'covenant'. But this is in effect from the very beginning of creation (of our world) and was not made by any historical human with God. A covenant made by the creator of our reality with only a specific group of people, to take them out of Egypt and deliver them to a promised location – which the creator will help them clear from the indigenous population – is way too specific (lacking universality and meaning to the whole of humanity), wholly illogical, most unlikely, and quite preposterous. (And one need not even mention the complete lack of historical evidence for the entire Egypt-fleeing and 40-year-wondering-in-the-desert stories.) What is entirely likely, instead, is that a self-selecting group of people (or rather, their leaders) made up some stories that they positioned as having divine origins to justify their own self-serving purposes (controlling people, taking over desired real estate, separating from others, etc.).
     
        

    Hebrews 9:7

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."7 But only the high priest entered the second room, and then only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance. "...
    NRSV: ..."7 but only the high priest goes into the second [tent], and he but once a year, and not without taking the blood that he offers for himself and for the sins committed unintentionally by the people."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • misconception about forgiveness, and the role of rituals
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  • rituals don't matter or accomplish anything directly, but serve only as cultural customs with symbolic value to people
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans"
  •  
    interpretation:
    People rarely commit sins unintentionally, thus this is an oxymoron (if they do, those are not sins, but perhaps accidents). Free will is in effect for everyone in each situation they face, even under the heavy influence of circumstances; thus, unintentional acts are not sins but accidents. Furthermore, blood offering to the creator is plane old ridiculous and invalid. And who cares whether those making up these silly rituals made them to be held once a year or every day.. In addition, no priests are needed – those who sin have the duty to rectify their sins themselves with those they harmed. No priest can perform this in place of them. Thus, priests have no logical role to play in the relationship of humans and the creator. It is understandable why blood sacrifices played a role in the OT's belief system, however, this has nothing to do and plays no role in the message of Jesus. His suffering and death was a SACRIFICE TAKEN ON by the creator to foster us succeeding in reaching our salvation with our lives, not a SACRIFICE OFFERED to please the Father, or for the forgiveness of humans' sins.
     
        

    Hebrews 9:8

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    Berean: ..."8 By this arrangement the Holy Spirit was showing that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still standing. "...
    NRSV: ..."8 By this the Holy Spirit indicates that the way into the sanctuary has not yet been disclosed as long as the first tent is still standing."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misconceived understanding of what the ‘trinity’ could be
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  •  
    interpretation:
    The Holy Spirit is the spirit of the creator, the preferred value of the creator, the evaluation criterion on which the alignment of our souls are weighed in this life, the property that qualifies one to be in the presence of the creator. This property is also present in each one of us in the form of our predisposition toward it, that is an innate part of our self, to various degrees. It is this predisposition that we are to make dominate our life in this world, that is our task in this reality. Thus, the Holy Spirit does not care about tents, sanctuaries, and any disclosure of such things.
     
        

    Hebrews 9:11, 12

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    Berean: ..."11 But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that have come, He went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made by hands and is not a part of this creation. 12 He did not enter by the blood of goats and calves, but He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood, thus securing eternal redemption. "...
    NRSV: ..."11 But when Jesus came as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation), 12 he entered once for all into the Holy Place, not with the blood of goats and calves, but with his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans"
  •  
    interpretation:
    There are no holy places, especially not in tents maintained by a people who believe they are a special bunch to the creator. Furthermore, shedding the blood of Jesus redeemed nothing for humans – they still need to achieve their own salvation. The help the CESAPH gave to those who are granted access to it has nothing to do with tents, rituals, or anything that is specifically Jewish.
     
        

    Hebrews 9:13, 14

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    Berean: ..."13 For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that their bodies are clean, 14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, purify our consciences from works of death, so that we may serve the living God! "...
    NRSV: ..."13 For if the blood of goats and bulls, with the sprinkling of the ashes of a heifer, sanctifies those who have been defiled so that their flesh is purified, 14 how much more will the blood of Jesus, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to worship the living God!"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Holding the wrong premise: the blood of goats and bulls with ashes never sanctified or purified anyone. The right conviction purifies the soul, however the hard work of living the life accordingly remains for the recently-purified. Similarly, the blood (suffering) of Jesus did not purify or sanctify anyone, except help some achieve justification, that can help them to live a life worthy of salvation. Furthermore, worshiping the living God is not the aim of our existence here – passing the evaluation and realigning our conviction and life to the preferred value of the creator is. If one calls this 'worship', then be it. Thus, the emphasis of our existence is not on worship, but on qualification.
     
        

    Hebrews 9:15

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    Berean: ..."15 Therefore Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, now that He has died to redeem them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant. "...
    NRSV: ..."15 For this reason he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, because a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions under the first covenant."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Jesus’s ‘covenant’ of the eternal word of God, of salvation is the only covenant that has ever been and will ever be in effect from the creator for all of humanity, since the very beginning of time till the ending of our simulated reality, meaning that if one passes their evaluation on their alignment with love, one redeems their sinful condition and gains their salvation"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans"
  •  
    interpretation:
    There has always been but a single, objective covenant of the creator, universally applicable to all humans, from the very beginning of time, mandated by the creator to all of humanity (and not mediated with humans). Everyone is invited to reach their salvation, but the help of the good news of the CESAPH and its formalized message is only available to whom the creator grants access in their assigned situations. Jesus's suffering and death did not redeem anyone's transgressions – each individual needs to do that for themselves. But to imply that these transgressions were violations of the first (Jewish) covenant is a sign of gross misguidance. It implies that the first covenant is of any value, and it tries to tie and authenticate Jesus as someone that follows from the logic of the OT as its continuation – a proposition that is without merit and sense.
     
        

    Hebrews 9:16, 17

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."16 In the case of a will, it is necessary to establish the death of the one who made it, 17 because a will does not take effect until the one who made it has died; it cannot be executed while he is still alive. "...
    NRSV: ..."16 Where a will is involved, the death of the one who made it must be established. 17 For a will takes effect only at death, since it is not in force as long as the one who made it is alive."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Grace is the ever-present willingness of the creator to help humans reach their salvation"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Jesus’s ‘covenant’ of the eternal word of God, of salvation is the only covenant that has ever been and will ever be in effect from the creator for all of humanity, since the very beginning of time till the ending of our simulated reality, meaning that if one passes their evaluation on their alignment with love, one redeems their sinful condition and gains their salvation"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Except, a 'will' is not involved with regard to the CESAPH. Jesus came to formalize the eternal word of God, of salvation, that has always been in effect in this reality, for all humans. The will (or rather, the desire) of the creator to allow the salvation of those who pass the evaluation has always been in effect, for all humans, in all possible settings and times in history, from the very beginning of time in our reality (the start of the simulation). The good news of the CESAPH is the help that is available to only those who are granted the circumstances to know about it (one's soul is either assigned to be born into circumstances where hearing about it is granted, or it will not be possible in their given situation). The event of the suffering and death of Jesus did not directly bring into effect anything for humans - the CESAPH and the fate of the creator in Jesus was a sacrifice undertaken to foster those humans' chances at reaching their salvation who have been granted to know about the good news. The creator undertook the human condition, submitting himself to the will of humans, to demonstrate his love for humanity, and express his desire for us to succeed in reaching our salvation. This amounted to the greatest possible increase in confidence humans can have in facing a loving creator, and the greatest help one can hope for in reaching salvation with one's life. The death of Jesus was the completion of this sacrifice taken by the creator (and NOT offered by the Son to the Father, as featured in interpretations with the Trinity-confusion).
     
        

    Hebrews 9:18, 19, 20, 21, 22

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."18 That is why even the first covenant was not put into effect without blood. 19 For when Moses had proclaimed every commandment of the law to all the people, he took the blood of calves and goats, along with water, scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled the scroll and all the people, 20 saying, “This is the blood of the covenant, which God has commanded you to keep.” 21 In the same way, he sprinkled with blood the tabernacle and all the vessels used in worship. 22 According to the law, in fact, nearly everything must be purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. "...
    NRSV: ..."18 Hence not even the first covenant was inaugurated without blood. 19 For when every commandment had been told to all the people by Moses in accordance with the law, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the scroll itself and all the people, 20 saying, "This is the blood of the covenant that God has ordained for you." 21 And in the same way he sprinkled with the blood both the tent and all the vessels used in worship. 22 Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • misconception about forgiveness, and the role of rituals
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  • rituals don't matter or accomplish anything directly, but serve only as cultural customs with symbolic value to people
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Grace is the ever-present willingness of the creator to help humans reach their salvation"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Jesus’s ‘covenant’ of the eternal word of God, of salvation is the only covenant that has ever been and will ever be in effect from the creator for all of humanity, since the very beginning of time till the ending of our simulated reality, meaning that if one passes their evaluation on their alignment with love, one redeems their sinful condition and gains their salvation"
  •  
    interpretation:
    It would be illogical from the creator to introduce or make covenants in the middle of human history, leaving large parts of humanity out and including only a chosen bunch that is growing by heredity. The more likely scenario is that the OT's alleged covenant is NOT from the creator at all, but a set of laws made up by a set of people, for their (or rather for their leaders') own self-serving purposes, which naturally did not represent/carry the message of the creator of our world. “Blood” has nothing to do with covenants, shedding blood has nothing to do with forgiveness – these are grossly misguided ideas originating from the imagery of the OT, clearly influencing the writer. Forgiveness comes from repentance and the rectification of sins with those it was committed against – and NOT from the shedding of blood. Worshiping, whether using tents and vessels or not, is useless to the creator – it is our compliance to his preferred value of love that interests the creator, not ritual worship. One shows respect and love for the creator (worships him) by treating all other humans one interacts with, with love and respect. All else is just worthless, misguided, human-invented fanfare, that is irrelevant. The very idea of 'covenants' from God is silly in general. All humans were most likely made to participate in this world for a single unchanging purpose. Thus, we are not making covenants with God (negotiating or accepting its terms), but are all complying to (or are being measured on) this single purpose, with no choice in the matter. To successfully comply with this single purpose during our life is the single purpose of our existence. One CAN look at the eternal word of God, of salvation – our unchanging, universal evaluation criterion for our salvation – as a 'covenant'. But this is in effect from the very beginning of creation (of our world) and was not made by any historical human with God. A covenant made by the creator of our reality with only a specific group of people, to take them out of Egypt and deliver them to a promised location – which the creator will help them clear from the indigenous population – is way too specific (lacking universality and meaning to the whole of humanity), wholly illogical, most unlikely, and quite preposterous. (And one need not even mention the complete lack of historical evidence for the entire Egypt-fleeing and 40-year-wondering-in-the-desert stories.) What is entirely likely, instead, is that a self-selecting group of people (or rather, their leaders) made up some stories that they positioned as having divine origins to justify their own self-serving purposes (controlling people, taking over desired real estate, separating from others, etc.).
     
        

    Hebrews 9:23

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    Berean: ..."23 So it was necessary for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. "...
    NRSV: ..."23 Thus it was necessary for the sketches of the heavenly things to be purified with these rites, but the heavenly things themselves need better sacrifices than these."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • misconception about forgiveness, and the role of rituals
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Jesus’s ‘covenant’ of the eternal word of God, of salvation is the only covenant that has ever been and will ever be in effect from the creator for all of humanity, since the very beginning of time till the ending of our simulated reality, meaning that if one passes their evaluation on their alignment with love, one redeems their sinful condition and gains their salvation"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Clearly, the author is trying to push (attempt to explain) an invalid analogy to relate the ritual blood sacrifices misguidedly offered to the creator in the OT, with the sacrifice undertaken by the creator in the CESAPH to demonstrate divine love for humanity. No, it was not necessary for any “heavenly things” to be “purified with rites”. The people of Moses are definitely not “heavenly”, at least no more heavenly than any other human is: fallen angels who failed the creator, spending their penance here on Earth, who should be trying to rectify their sinful condition by complying with the preferred value of the creator, love. Thus, offering blood sacrifices was NEVER a necessity for anyone; treating their fellow (Jew or non-Jew) human brothers WAS. Needing “better sacrifices” is just a gross misconception – making the RIGHT sacrifice is what has been, and will always be needed to achieve salvation of the individual. And this has ALWAYS been the loving sacrifice of the self for the other. If one looks at a life lived by the alignment with love vs selfishness as a 'sacrifice', then one can say the creator needs such sacrifice. This is not a “better” sacrifice; this is THE proper sacrifice, and everything else has ALWAYS been the WRONG sacrifice.
     
        

    Hebrews 9:24

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    Berean: ..."24 For Christ did not enter a man-made copy of the true sanctuary, but He entered heaven itself, now to appear on our behalf in the presence of God. "...
    NRSV: ..."24 For Jesus did not enter a sanctuary made by human hands, a mere copy of the true one, but he entered into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • misconceived understanding of what the ‘trinity’ could be
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  • rituals don't matter or accomplish anything directly, but serve only as cultural customs with symbolic value to people
  •  
    interpretation:
    Jesus can not appear in the presence of God, as he IS God. They are the same entity, with different approaches/interfaces. Furthermore, the passage alludes that a “sanctuary” may have been necessary for the creator in our reality – which is illogical and wrong. But, of course, this is understandable in light of the author's attempt to convert Jews, who are entirely engulfed in their belief system, seeing and seeking no reason or logic anywhere else, completely precluding the possibility that they have been wrong all along. Jesus, as the creator in human form, does his own will. It is also possible that while partaking in our reality as a fully-human, the creator voluntarily undertook some of the limitations that define being human – if not for this, his partaking as fully human would not have been genuine. We can also experience this kind of limitation setting in when we dream at night, and then reawaken into our 'reality': the limitations and level of awareness of these two worlds (realities) are different, yet we are the same 'self' in both of them. As 'being fully-human' can typically mean a good amount of doubt, insecurity, fear, helplessness, suffering and despair, it is also imaginable that Jesus also took on these experiences. This could explain his alleged interactions and conversations with 'the Father' (his greater-self in the larger context of reality), and could also explain the disciples' understanding and conception of the 'trinity'.
     
        

    Hebrews 9:25, 26

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    Berean: ..."25 Nor did He enter heaven to offer Himself again and again, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. 26 Otherwise, Christ would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But now He has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of Himself. "...
    NRSV: ..."25 Nor was it to offer himself again and again, as the high priest enters the Holy Place year after year with blood that is not his own; 26 for then he would have had to suffer again and again since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the age"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  • The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans
  •  
    interpretation:
    Apart from the comparison to the high priest sacrificing animals, the passage properly hints at the ridiculousness of the CESAPH happening multiple times during human history. Thus, it answers why there it makes no sense to hope for further appearances or elaborate about possible previous ones. The CESAPH was the single demonstration of divine love for humanity that happened early enough in human history to have benefitted most of humanity still to enter the world since then and going forward (that have also allowed for written records to remain for posterity).
     
        

    Hebrews 9:26

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    Berean: ..."26 Otherwise, Christ would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But now He has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of Himself. "...
    NRSV: ..."26 ... But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the age to remove sin by the sacrifice of himself."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • clear misguidance of author as the time remaining till the second coming was NOT near
  • misguided understanding of sin, the origin of sinful condition/the ‘original sin’ inherited from the OT
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans"
  •  
    interpretation:
    The creator's undertaking of the CESAPH did not take place to remove any sins from humans (nor did it remove those sins for anyone), but to demonstrate his love for humanity and give us strength to succeed in reaching our salvation. It is the individual who achieves their salvation by aligning their conviction with love and living life accordingly. The CESAPH was a next best thing to an assurance that we humans face a loving creator who wants us to reach our salvation. Sins committed in this world need to be redeemed by people themselves, rectifying them with those whom the sins were committed against and asking for their forgiveness (or with the creator, if this is impossible). Uttering some prayers or simply regretting them will not do. The sinful condition, for which people appeared in this reality, need to be redeemed by living a life according to a conviction that is aligned with love – and the forgiveness gained for this is salvation itself. In trying to reach salvation, belief in the good news of the CESAPH can help to a great degree – but still, the proving has to be done by the individual, as no one (not Jesus, not the Holy Spirit, not the Saints, etc.) will do this for them. In fact, this is their main task in life. Furthermore, the writer suffers from the misconception that the age of Jesus is near the 'end times'
     
        

    Hebrews 9:28

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    Berean: ..."28 so also Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who eagerly await Him. "...
    NRSV: ..."28 so Jesus, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin, but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Jesus did not “bear the sins” of ANY. During the last judgment (that should logically take place after everyone who was ever meant to take part in life in this world dies, and perhaps time-shifting all past participants to skip to this point right after their deaths) those who passed the evaluation can hope to gain their salvation. These folks are not necessarily those who “eagerly awaited” Jesus's second arrival into this reality during their life, but who managed to live their life aligned with love. Those who actively look forward to the second coming during their lives, and neglect loving others while doing so (due to their wrong focus), may be in for a surprise then.
     
        

    Hebrews 10:4

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    Berean: ..."4 because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. "...
    NRSV: ..."4 For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • misconception about forgiveness, and the role of rituals
  •  
    interpretation:
    Rightly said. But then, this was also impossible during the time of Moses, thus admitting that the rituals (and laws) of Moses were ineffective, inappropriate, and the wrong way to reach salvation, thus could not have been originating from the creator.
     
        

    Hebrews 10:5, 6, 7

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    Berean: ..."5 Therefore, when Christ came into the world, He said: “Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but a body You prepared for Me. 6 In burnt offerings and sin offerings You took no delight. 7 Then I said, ‘Here I am, it is written about Me in the scroll: I have come to do Your will, O God.’” "...
    NRSV: ..."5 Consequently, when Jesus came into the world, he said, "Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body you have prepared for me; 6 in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure. 7 Then I said, 'See, God, I have come to do your will, O God' (in the scroll of the book it is written of me).""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • suspected post-fitting of the narrative (not possible for the author to know about, or likely did not happen as described)
  •  
    interpretation:
    In this passage, the author puts an alleged dialogue between the Son and the Father into Jesus's mouth many decades later. This kind of dialogue is highly unlikely to have been shared by Jesus with his disciples (or been overheard by them). Additionally, it is also unlikely that such dialogue – even if overheard by some disciples – made it to the author, to be included in his letter. Thus, it is most likely that this was entirely made up by the author in his attempt to position the NT as a 'better' covenant than the OT. His reasoning seems to be that this was necessary because people failed the old covenant, an thus the creator had no choice (or had the idea) but to come up with a better set, a better covenant and offering for them – an improvement brought to humanity by the creator, because they did not perform (failed) the old agreement. Well, this is highly unlikely, illogical, or simply ludicrous. The passage was also written under the mistaken assumption of the Trinity representing three separate persons of the creator – which is wrong: the trinity represents three different approaches/interfaces to the same single entity, the creator. And of course, this also amounts to an attempt to position this as a prophecy being fulfilled in Jesus. The only sacrifices and offerings the creator has ever expected and hoped from humans were their selfless acts of love towards each other, proving the alignment of their character with love vs. selfishness. This is a universal and unchanging expectation/covenant/evaluation criterion that applies to each human finding themselves in this reality regardless their location or historical setting.
     
        

    Hebrews 10:10

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    Berean: ..."10 And by that will, we have been sanctified through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. "...
    NRSV: ..."10 And it is by God's will that we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • misconceived understanding of what the ‘trinity’ could be
  • misconception about Jesus saving or justifying people rather than them achieving this through their own free will
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans"
  •  
    interpretation:
    The potential ramifications of the misconceived traditional interpretation of this passage are severe. It is influenced by the misconceived trinity-concept of the authors – the way the disciples viewed Jesus and the creator. The ideas that – with his suffering and death – Jesus performed an atonement for the sins of humanity (or to be more precise, the inherited 'sinful condition' of the wrongs committed by Adam and Eve) INSTEAD OF us (who inherited the condition and/or committed sins in our life too), and that with this he paid off a ransom (to either the Devil or to the Father) are logically absurd. If we hold the trinity as 'three possible interfaces' to the single entity of the creator, the whole logic of this narrative collapses. Additionally, the traditional Christian interpretation of the 'original sin' (developed around the 3rd century AD) is also misconceived: the reason why 'all humans are sinners' is NOT that they inherited this from any of their ancestors, NOR is it because they necessarily sinned during their life, BUT because their own greater-selves committed them in their originating context of reality. In this context, any 'atonement' performed in place of us by Jesus becomes absurd – it is each one of us that needs to rectify our sinful condition by reaching a justified conviction and living our life (our assigned situations) accordingly. This is simpler, makes much more sense, and seems a lot more likely. Even if one subscribes to the traditional trinity-interpretation of the Father and Son being 'somewhat' separate, the idea that the Devil is assumed as a separate entity, with powers that God needs to 'destroy' with the acts of Jesus, is without much sense. Why would the Son perform any self-sacrifice/favor to the Father to pay off a debt to the Devil instead of us who sinned or inherited those sins doing so? Why would the almighty creator enter into dealings with the separate, lesser-entity of the Devil, and end up owing anything to him (especially, our sovereign conscious souls, because of an inheritance from our far-ancestors)? And why would/could the Devil require such a ransom? And if the Son paid the ransom to the Father, what was the point in it – was there two separate entities involved (because this makes little if any sense being done within the same being). The idea that God needs to conquer the different entity (of the Devil) is also a lot less likely than 'evil' simply being the opposite value of the creator's preference/essence of love (selfishness). Selfishness, then, is a mere property in each one of us, to different degrees, that we are to conquer during our life by proving our realignment with love – a lot simpler, more likely than ransom, devil, conquering, debt, atonement, inherited sin from ancestors... It is entirely more likely that each one of us needs to complete a penance for wrongs we ourselves committed (in a higher context of reality we have no access to while in this life – as in dreams) and struggle to gain our salvation as a personal effort (rectify our sinful condition by realigning with love and return to the presence of the creator in heaven) of our life, and that is the very reason for our participation in this reality. The good news and guidance of the CESAPH CAN help those who were granted access to it in their situational assignments in reaching their justified conviction and having the strength to live life accordingly. In the CESAPH, the creator in Jesus fully shared the human condition with us, together with all its potential misery, suffering, and humiliation to demonstrate the creator's love for us and his desire for us to reach our salvation by aligning our life with love vs. selfishness. The sinful condition of all humans was NOT affected by the CESAPH. It had been and remains to this day up to each individual to reach their justified conviction and live their life accordingly. Undoubtedly for many, the good news helped in doing so. The intervention and good news of the CESAPH was a sacrifice/hardship the creator was willing to make for our benefit (NOT a sacrifice Jesus to offered to the Father), so that more of us would reach salvation (out of our own free will) than without. Most importantly, it was a demonstration of the creator's love for humanity – a gift that can be the greatest help from which people CAN (if they choose so) gain strength to reach their salvation with their life.
     
        

    Hebrews 10:12, 13, 14

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    Berean: ..."12 But when this Priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God. 13 Since that time, He waits for His enemies to be made a footstool for His feet, 14 because by a single offering He has made perfect for all time those who are being sanctified. "...
    NRSV: ..."12 But when Jesus had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, "he sat down at the right hand of God," 13 and since then has been waiting "until his enemies would be made a footstool for his feet." 14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are sanctified."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • misconception about the CESAPH, which is magnitudes more significant than the concept of the Jewish Messiah
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans"
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage is source of great misunderstandings and misconceptions. The CESAPH was not a sacrifice offered by the Son to rectify or wipe out the sinful condition of all humans offered to the creator, and it certainly did not affect the status of any human's sinful condition. When looking at the trinity as three possible approaches/interfaces to the same entity, the proposition that one interface offers a sacrifice to the other (or one interface sacrifices the other) becomes absurd. This misconceived line of thought of the author led to the misguided concept of atonement – that Jesus sacrificed himself for our sins and thereby,with this act he achieved some change of status for all sinful humans (which they then do not have to achieve, and they just have to 'believe in Jesus'). Nobody saw Jesus's sitting down at the right hand of God, since Jesus is the creator in human form. This is pure imagination on the part of the writer. The “footstool” part is a misguided reference to the OT's Psalms: the creator does not have “enemies”, but hopes for all humans to return to his side (gain their salvation). Evil or the Devil are not entities that are opposed to the creator, but are simply the opposite traits (selfishness) to the preferred value of the creator (love). Conquests, enemies, vengeance are from the world of the OT belief system, that is alien to the message of Jesus. One is sanctified (justified) if one gains a conviction about the eternal word of God, of salvation – the need for love to guide one's life. Justification can be helped by grace, but the will to accept it into conviction is up to one's free will – thus, it is not an act performed by anyone other than the individual.
     
        

    Hebrews 10:16

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."16 “This is the covenant I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord. I will put My laws in their hearts and inscribe them on their minds.” "...
    NRSV: ..."16 "This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds,""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • appeasement/catering to potential Jewish converts
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • inappropriate/inadequate/misguided attempt to apply OT prophecy
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  •  
    interpretation:
    Nice-sounding covenant, however this quote from Jeremiah 31:33 omits a very important detail that is part of the essence: “with the people of Israel” To quote this with this omission is disingenuous from the author, as it makes it sound that this passage referred to and intended to include everyone. And this makes quite a difference... The very idea of 'covenants' from God is silly in general. All humans were most likely made to participate in this world for a single unchanging purpose. Thus, we are not making covenants with God (negotiating or accepting its terms), but are all complying to (or are being measured on) this single purpose, with no choice in the matter. To successfully comply with this single purpose during our life is the single purpose of our existence. One CAN look at the eternal word of God, of salvation – our unchanging, universal evaluation criterion for our salvation – as a 'covenant'. But this is in effect from the very beginning of creation (of our world) and was not made by any historical human with God. A covenant made by the creator of our reality with only a specific group of people, to take them out of Egypt and deliver them to a promised location – which the creator will help them clear from the indigenous population – is way too specific (lacking universality and meaning to the whole of humanity), wholly illogical, most unlikely, and quite preposterous. (And one need not even mention the complete lack of historical evidence for the entire Egypt-fleeing and 40-year-wondering-in-the-desert stories.) What is entirely likely, instead, is that a self-selecting group of people (or rather, their leaders) made up some stories that they positioned as having divine origins to justify their own self-serving purposes (controlling people, taking over desired real estate, separating from others, etc.).
     
        

    Hebrews 10:17, 18

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."17 Then He adds: “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.” 18 And where these have been forgiven, an offering for sin is no longer needed. "...
    NRSV: ..."17 he also adds, "I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more." 18 Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • misconception about forgiveness, and the role of rituals
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans"
  •  
    interpretation:
    A nice way to try to get the Jews to convert to following Jesus, however, the premise is incorrect and misguiding. All (or any) sins will NOT be forgotten or fogiven with the CESAPH for anyone. Sins committed in this world need to be redeemed by people themselves, rectifying them with those whom the sins were committed against and asking for their forgiveness (or with the creator, if this is impossible). Uttering some prayers or simply regretting them will not do. The sinful condition, for which people appeared in this reality, need to be redeemed by living a life according to a conviction that is aligned with love – and the forgiveness gained for this is salvation itself. In trying to reach salvation, belief in the good news of the CESAPH can help to a great degree – but still, the proving has to be done by the individual, as no one (not Jesus, not the Holy Spirit, not the Saints, etc.) will do this for them. In fact, this is their main task in life. As sacrificial offerings never addressed/rectified the sinful condition of humans, the old covenant has always been invalid, and not the way to salvation.
     
        

    Hebrews 10:19, 20, 21, 22

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    Berean: ..."19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way opened for us through the curtain of His body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. "...
    NRSV: ..."19 Therefore, my friends, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain (that is, through his flesh), 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us approach with a true heart in full assurance of faith"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • misconception about forgiveness, and the role of rituals
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness"
  •  
    interpretation:
    We can try to take this whole passage symbolically, though this was unlikely the intention of the writers, who meant to write about the Jewish temple, Jesus's priesthood, and the CESAPH as a blood sacrifice of the Son to the Father. The blood of Jesus did not open any door that was not always open. The door of salvation was always open to any human throughout history, anywhere on Earth (though it has been quite difficult to enter without the help of the good news). There is no 'new and living way' to enter salvation; the way to enter salvation has not changed with the CESAPH: is still the old and only way, through a life aligned with love. If one thought keeping the laws of the OT will do, they were mistaken. The good news of the CESAPH is simply the greatest help humans can have in their struggle to reach their salvation – and the closest thing they can hope for to an 'assurance' that their wager is the right one, and they face a loving creator who wants them to succeed. And if one wants to think of Jesus as the 'high priest of the house of God', it won't hurt or help anything – the main thing for one to keep in mind is that Jesus's guidance leads to salvation. This is also what is meant by “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” in John 14:6 and other similar statements attributed to Jesus. Furthermore, faith is not “full assurance”, and that is the point of it – there is always a reasonable amount of doubt around the existential questions of life in which we are not granted certainty. And this is a necessary part of the setup for the evaluation of our souls.
     
        

    Hebrews 10:25

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."25 Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching. "...
    NRSV: ..."25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • clear misguidance of author as the time remaining till the second coming was NOT near
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator"
  •  
    interpretation:
    As we found out from Jesus, this is a misconception: the day is NOT approaching, nor should we anticipate it. Though 'the day' can be on us any day, this should not matter to anyone in any meaningful way, as one always needs to be ready for this by living a life aligned with love – which is what one is to do, even way before 'the day'. Also, no one 'sees' the Day approaching (even though mathematically, with each day passed, we are one day closer to the end of the simulation – a day no one should logically be concerned with).
     
        

    Hebrews 10:26, 27

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    Berean: ..."26 If we deliberately go on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no further sacrifice for sins remains, 27 but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume all adversaries. "...
    NRSV: ..."26 For if we willfully persist in sin after having received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a fearful prospect of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • It is logical to expect appropriate consequences due for passing or failing the evaluation
  • ‘Justification’ is ‘being convinced about love’s (vs. selfishness) need to guide life’ (= ‘being rightly enlightened’, = ‘holding Jesus’s message in conviction’, = ‘following/believing in Jesus’, = ‘gaining a justified conviction’, = ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, = ‘doing the works of God’, = ‘satisfying/keeping/adhering to the command of God’, = ‘accepting/living according to Jesus’s message’, = ‘fulfilling the eternal word of God, of salvation’)
  •  
    interpretation:
    If despite receiving the word of God, one consciously turns away from it and does not bare fruit (remains selfish despite knowing that love is the right way), one is on a sure way to failing the evaluation and staying away from the presence of the creator.  
     
        

    Hebrews 10:28, 29, 30, 31

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."28 Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 How much more severely do you think one deserves to be punished who has trampled on the Son of God, profaned the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and insulted the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge His people.” 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. "...
    NRSV: ..."28 Anyone who has violated the law of Moses dies without mercy "on the testimony of two or three witnesses." 29 How much worse punishment do you think will be deserved by those who have spurned the Son of God, profaned the blood of the covenant by which they were sanctified, and outraged the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know the one who said, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay." And again, "The Lord will judge his people." 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • appeasement/catering to potential Jewish converts
  • misconceived understanding of what the ‘trinity’ could be
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "It is logical to expect appropriate consequences due for passing or failing the evaluation"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Comparing the law of Moses and Jesus's command of love is silly – they have different focus and purpose. One is universal, the other serves to separate a people from the rest of humanity. One is obviously misguided, the other can serve as the universal criterion by which each human conviction and life is evaluated by the creator. The law of Moses is not divinely guided but the self-serving work of men. Additionally, the concept of the vengeful and jealous God of the OT is in complete contrast to the creator in Jesus. The author is unwise to mix these two concepts (but of course, it is understandable why he did so...). The fear and threats of punishment is also the way of the OT, while Jesus invites humans to reach their salvation and rejoin the creator in Heaven Also, souls are eternal, so there is no extinguishment of it – something always remains of it, experiencing an eternal and continuous awareness of whatever world the creator presents them. The passage tries to invoke fear – perhaps wisely and correctly, but in a misguided way. But indeed, those who directly work against love's need to guide life and the saving grace can not hope for much mercy in the judgment of their life. And the focus of life should be reaching salvation to rejoin the creator in his presence where we can exist based on love, not to avoid the punishment and potential misery of 'hell', whatever that may be.
     
        

    Hebrews 10:36

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    Berean: ..."36 You need to persevere, so that after you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised. "...
    NRSV: ..."36 For you need endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • It is logical to expect appropriate consequences due for passing or failing the evaluation
  •  
    interpretation:
    Endurance means a series of acts, a life of decisions in one's given situations. Salvation can not be attained through belief only, inaction, or counting on last-minute conversions and remorse happening at that time, as that will necessarily NOT come with love in conviction (but only out of calculation).
     
        

    Hebrews 10:37, 38, 39

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    Berean: ..."37 For, “In just a little while, He who is coming will come and will not delay. 38 But My righteous one will live by faith; and if he shrinks back, I will take no pleasure in him.” 39 But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls. "...
    NRSV: ..."37 For yet "in a very little while, the one who is coming will come and will not delay; 38 but my righteous one will live by faith. My soul takes no pleasure in anyone who shrinks back." 39 But we are not among those who shrink back and so are lost, but among those who have faith and so are saved."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • clear misguidance of author as the time remaining till the second coming was NOT near
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "One needs to live life being always ready for its accounting - then, if events in the future come as a ’thief’, as one would have needed to do nothing differently"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "One’s ‘faith’/belief system has no direct value to the creator, and is only a potential tool in one’s quest to gain justification and reach salvation IF it helps its holder in these"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "‘Justification’ is ‘being convinced about love’s (vs. selfishness) need to guide life’ (= ‘being rightly enlightened’, = ‘holding Jesus’s message in conviction’, = ‘following/believing in Jesus’, = ‘gaining a justified conviction’, = ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, = ‘doing the works of God’, = ‘satisfying/keeping/adhering to the command of God’, = ‘accepting/living according to Jesus’s message’, = ‘fulfilling the eternal word of God, of salvation’)"
  •  
    interpretation:
    One of the clearest sign of the lack of infallibility in the works of the NT writers is their belief that the second coming of Christ into this world is imminent and would soon happen. If they were mistaken in this, they could have been mistaken in other areas too, resulting in misunderstandings, misconceptions, and mistakes. Those who reach justification (the conviction that love needs to guide their life) carry the crucial responsibility to live accordingly. Typically, justification happens to one at one point in their life, and if the conviction is sincere and honest, it 'should' help one to live life so they reach their salvation – that is unless weakness and/or foolishness takes hold, or if the conviction changes. The changing of an already justified conviction IS a great failing in one's life, very likely causing one to fail the evaluation, and thus, salvation. In this sense, the passage gives us a fair warning. “Having faith” in this passage can be easily misunderstood to be the sole thing one needs to reach saved – which can be a fatal misguidance. The author most likely meant faith to mean 'belief ABOUT Jesus and what he accomplished for us' (who he is supposed to be, what he accomplished for us with his suffering and death, his miracles, and his resurrection), and not necessarily holding his message in conviction (which should be the proper subject of faith). This is a fatal misunderstanding in most traditional Christian interpretations if it de-emphasizes our need to reach and maintain alignment with the divine preference of love vs. selfishness in our life.
     
        

    Hebrews 11:1, 2, 3

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."1 Now faith is the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see. 2 This is why the ancients were commended. 3 By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. "...
    NRSV: ..."1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. 3 By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • The creator created our reality (best modeled as a consciousness-centric simulation) to facilitate the evaluation of its target audience: humans
  • The human spirit is somehow part of the eternal consciousness
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    This may surprisingly fit an advanced understanding of reality as a simulation: the word of God (his intention/will) “prepares” the worlds (“what is seen was made from things that are not visible”) of creation in which conscious beings can participate in. This may refer to the way we take – by faith – even what we observe, as reality. Naturally, a “simulation model of reality” is not what the writers had in mind two millennia ago, however this is how wisdom can hit one's comprehension from writings that depict the essential message of Jesus to posterity, even if the original authors could not have possibly have any idea about this very concept (but were perhaps inspired by the creator to write such things). Thus, if one accepts that these writings were inspired by the creator, then one should not limit the scope of its content/message to strictly adhere to the level of understanding of its writers. The 'things that are not visible' can not refer to quantum particles or fields, as those can be experimentally visible. The non-visible simulation running in the mind of the creator makes up our reality that is visible to us.
     
        

    Hebrews 11:6

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. "...
    NRSV: ..."6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, for whoever would approach him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • One’s ‘faith’/belief system has no direct value to the creator, and is only a potential tool in one’s quest to gain justification and reach salvation IF it helps its holder in these
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    To arrive at the right conviction of love's need to guide life (vs. selfishness), 'faith' WILL be needed in practically all cases. One typically can not deduce 'love's need to guide life' from the logic of the material world, where the survival of the fittest is witnessed all around us. And indeed, without having and living this faith (conviction of love) it is impossible to please God. A proven alignment with love, selflessness is the quality the creator seeks in us during this evaluation. This qualifies us to return to the presence of the creator in heaven, our likely originating context of reality. Thanks to the creator's testimony in Jesus a lot of humans know about the good news and thus, can better trust that a loving creator awaits us and wants us to rejoin his presence. Nothing imaginable can provide humans more strength in our individual journey to reach salvation (without affecting our simulation's ability to evaluate our true alignment on love vs. selfishness). This passage is also easy to misunderstand (addressed under the issues).
     
    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Grace is the ever-present willingness of the creator to help humans reach their salvation"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "In their predispositions, humans inherit both love (the essence of the creator’s spirit we share with him, indicating our significance) and selfishness (its opposite/opposing property, what some mistakenly attribute to a separate entity of the ‘evil/devil/satan’) to different degrees from their greater-self, from their originating context of reality"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "One’s ‘faith’/belief system has no direct value to the creator, and is only a potential tool in one’s quest to gain justification and reach salvation IF it helps its holder in these"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Having “faith” in this passage can be easily misunderstood to be the sole thing one needs to reach salvation. The author most likely meant this faith to mean 'belief ABOUT Jesus and what he accomplished for us' (who he is supposed to be, what he accomplished for us with his suffering and death, his miracles, and his resurrection), and not necessarily 'holding his message in conviction' (which should be faith's proper subject). This is a fatal misunderstanding in most traditional Christian interpretations, as it de-emphasizes our need to reach and maintain alignment with the divine preference of love vs. selfishness in our life. Faith in God's existence (though it is typically a part of one's reasoning about what needs to guide life and why) is NOT an end-goal the creator seeks in humans. And even if 'faith' in the unknown and uncertain IS needed in almost all successful journeys to salvation (as one typically can not deduce love's need to guide life from death's finality and from the logic of the material world, where the survival of the fittest is witnessed all around us), there could be other possible ways to acquire the right conviction and live life accordingly. One could simply 'feel' the need for the value of love (vs. selfishness) to guide life, without any reasoning or conclusions, thanks to acting on their predispositions and with the possible help of divine grace. Or, one could reason to conclude this logically (as in the philosophical foundation) – and these paths should also be sufficient for salvation, as the end result of a proven conviction can be the same. After all, the CESAPH took place for just this very purpose, as a help for those to whom these other journeys are not that apparent. The grace of the creator helps those who turn to the creator, by steering them toward their salvation. However, this help will require cooperation on the part of the human in each case. The creator must be pleased when a human aligns with his preferred value of love, even if that human does not see the purpose of life as 'reaching salvation', the role the CESAPH played to foster this, the need for the existence of a creator, or does not see all these as constituting the meaning behind our conscious existence in this world.
     
        

    Hebrews 11:8

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    Berean: ..."8 By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, without knowing where he was going. "...
    NRSV: ..."8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to set out for a place that he was to receive as an inheritance;"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • appeasement/catering to potential Jewish converts
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  •  
    interpretation:
    The concept of material inheritance from the creator in this world for descendants of one in return for obedience is absurd. There is no logical basis for belief in this, other than self-selecting a group of people to make them believe they are 'special' in the eye of the creator (which is a very human perspective). The passage is an example of connecting/relating elements of Jesus's message to points in the tales and prophecies of the OT, as part of the general and repeated attempt to position Jesus as the Messiah the Jews were waiting for, and a fulfiller of prophecies, in the hope of gaining converts from the Jews. This, of course, came at the expense of neglecting the universality of Jesus's message, and its universal applicability to every human in this reality, throughout history.
     
        

    Hebrews 11:20

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    Berean: ..."20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning the future. "...
    NRSV: ..."20 By faith Isaac invoked blessings for the future on Jacob and Esau."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • appeasement/catering to potential Jewish converts
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Well, things just don’t work that way. One does not “invoke blessings” on descendants, but perhaps asks for them from the creator in prayer. And then, those blessings either come through, or not – depending on the intention of the creator. In general, there is no way to escape the assignment one is meant to go through in their life as penance for their past wrong, by way of praying it away. There are no automatic rewards or punishments for good and bad behavior, and there are no guaranteed answers to prayers either. The passage is an example of connecting/relating elements of Jesus's message to points in the tales and prophecies of the OT, as part of the general and repeated attempt to position Jesus as the Messiah the Jews were waiting for, and a fulfiller of prophecies, in the hope of gaining converts from the Jews. This, of course, came at the expense of neglecting the universality of Jesus's message, and its universal applicability to every human in this reality, throughout history.
     
        

    Hebrews 11:26

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."26 He valued disgrace for Christ above the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to his reward. "...
    NRSV: ..."26 He [Moses] considered abuse suffered for the Christ to be greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to the reward."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  •  
    interpretation:
    This wrongly implies that Jesus is identical to the God of the Old Testament. However Jesus's message and entity is wholly incompatible with the image of the creator depicted by the OT. In addition, weighing the reward of a promised land vs. the treasures of Egypt is also the wrong illustration of what faith should be about. According to Moses, is the value of faith getting the better material reward (ok, perhaps for one's descendants)? Is this kind of faith the virtue the creator is looking for in humans? Really? Somehow I can not deem this likely at all. “if you believe me and do as I instruct you, I will reward you or your descendants with worldly, material rewards”? Why would the creator of the Universe single out a single set of people and take care of their need for real estate over all other people of the same planet? Is this really about having your own land, or having your own way? Because then, all the wars and nationalism is better understood – but is this right, and is this the focus of the creator? Most likely not, as all this seems rather deranged instead. Somehow, people using these kinds of beliefs to reach their worldly objectives seems much more likely.. The only reward one should seek from the creator is gaining salvation – and that applied to Moses too. Weighing individual humans in their assigned situations on a single universal criterion that can be applied to everyone in each situation regardless of their nationality or heredity makes a heck of a lot more sense as the focus of the creator. This evaluation as the divine motivation behind creation and the assignment of human souls into this reality actually makes sense. Then, the universal evaluation criterion directly translates into the purpose of human life, leaving no logical place for nations, heredity, historical outcome, etc. - life is all about the assigned individual's evaluation by the creator according to the exact same criterion that is used for every other human of this world. And this universal criterion is most logically one's proven alignment on love vs. selfishness, not one's specific beliefs that may or may not make sense to them, in a message that may or may not make it to them during their life. If Moses were concerned with the salvation of mankind, he would have started to convert the Egyptians to try help them towards their own salvation – preaching them love and forgiveness. But obviously, the message of Jesus was far from him, as his focus laid somewhere else instead..
     
        

    Hebrews 11:32, 33, 34

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."32 And what more shall I say? Time will not allow me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets, 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the raging fire, and escaped the edge of the sword; who gained strength from weakness, became mighty in battle, and put foreign armies to flight. "...
    NRSV: ..."32 And what more should I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets — 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • appeasement/catering to potential Jewish converts
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "One’s ‘faith’/belief system has no direct value to the creator, and is only a potential tool in one’s quest to gain justification and reach salvation IF it helps its holder in these"
  •  
    interpretation:
    This entirely-OT mentality – that is in stark contrast to the message of Jesus – condones war as a natural and necessary process one is supposed to fight and win. It states that the blind faith in the right God will get one to win wars. Having faith is not about believing that one will be victorious over their enemies (another silly concept, as enemies are 'those unlike us, who want to have the resources we do'), and that a stronger faith or faith in the right God will achieve the desired victory – such a narrow-minded and misconceived idea about what are we to accomplish here in this life. The subject of faith should be the conviction that love needs to guide one's life, and this is the way to reach salvation. That is it. No wars, no victories, no conquests, no swords. Instead, compromise, consideration for others who are not like us, negotiation, respect for others, and loving all of our human brothers we are sharing this reality with. This sort of attitude should steer people toward a globally sustainable development and the fair sharing of resources – that is, if everyone held to the principles of Jesus's message.
     
        

    Hebrews 11:35

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    Berean: ..."35 Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused their release, so that they might gain a better resurrection. "...
    NRSV: ..."35 Women received their dead by resurrection."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • appeasement/catering to potential Jewish converts
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage is based on some obviously made up OT-inspired writings: no women received (or will receive in this world) their dead by resurrection. (This would even contradict Jesus, who should have been the first one to be resurrected...) It is entirely likely that the souls of all humans will go on after death, and maybe we are to meet those we knew in life – family members, loved ones, etc. However, this passage is NOT a reference to this possibility, thus it remains a confused, misconceived section of the text. This attempt is trying to back the role of belief in tenets the disciples tried to spread, referring to the OT to make it more attractive to potential Jewish converts.
     
        

    Hebrews 11:39, 40

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."39 These were all commended for their faith, yet they did not receive what was promised. 40 God had planned something better for us, so that together with us they would be made perfect. "...
    NRSV: ..."39 Yet all these, though they were commended for their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40 since God had provided something better so that they would not, apart from us, be made perfect."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "One’s ‘faith’/belief system has no direct value to the creator, and is only a potential tool in one’s quest to gain justification and reach salvation IF it helps its holder in these"
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage is unclear, and confusing. Commentaries on its traditional interpretations are all over the place, making little sense. This passage is best be left as complete misguidance that is utterly useless and unrelated to the message of Jesus. This is what happens when one tries to forcibly merge the false message of the OT with the right message of Jesus. The only promise made by the creator through its eternal covenant (of the eternal word of God, of salvation) is that those who succeed in their evaluation in their life in this world will reach salvation – the return to the presence of the creator in heaven. There were (and will be) no other covenants made by the creator, as that would make absolutely no sense. People's belief in those are their delusions that were made up for some very human, this-worldly purposes. “Faith” achieves nothing for humans, if it does not foster love to become the guiding force in their lives, and if it does not give strength throughout life to live accordingly. “Perfection” is a life lived in alignment with love. The author is trying to get people to accept their teachings without questioning or seeing sense in them. It also alludes for the subject of this faith to be the tenets/prophecies/miracles they are teaching about Jesus, not his essential message. The proper subject of faith is Jesus's message, the eternal word of God, of salvation, love's need to guide life to achieve salvation for the individual.
     
        

    Hebrews 12:1

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    Berean: ..."1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race set out for us. "...
    NRSV: ..."1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • leaning on miracles for authenticity
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • suspected post-fitting of the narrative (not possible for the author to know about, or likely did not happen as described)
  •  
    interpretation:
    What great cloud of witnesses? If the creator wanted witnesses, he would have arranged for a universal message available to many, and all over the world. However, this is obviously not how the creator intended the CESAPH to be. But despite the lack of certainty about the CESAPH, the existence of God, the afterlife, and indeed, also about materialism's claim to represent the entirety of reality, faith and reason should be enough to conclude the essential message of the CESAPH, and to wager one's life on it. One can not have both certainty/proof and faith. And faith's role is for the creator to evaluate genuine conviction about one's alignment on love vs. selfishness. This is why the lack of certainty is a necessary part of our reality. As the writings of the NT stand, there are hardly more than a single FIRST-HAND account of witnessing the resurrected Jesus. All the belief stands on this (Paul's) testimony. We are to believe that there were other, “clouds” of other witnesses too based on writings that were produced decades later than the events they are describing. (The miracles mentioned in the NT are not relevant to the message of Jesus. They either happened or not, however justification and reaching salvation will stand or fail based on belief in them, including in the resurrection.)
     
        

    Hebrews 12:2

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    Berean: ..."2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. "...
    NRSV: ..."2 looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • misconceived understanding of what the ‘trinity’ could be
  •  
    interpretation:
    A slightly confusing statement about the CESAPH that can nonetheless be partially and symbolically interpreted in alignment with the philosophical foundation's understanding. Jesus as the “perfecter of faith” – perhaps. He gave us more reason to believe than anything else during history. “Pioneer” – one may explain something into being a pioneer perhaps, but not “of our faith”. There is only a single event of the CESAPH during history, and undertaking the suffering we may have to face in life Jesus 'pioneered' how to endure and still strive to achieve salvation. And the formalization of the eternal word of God, of salvation in Jesus's message can also be thought as “pioneering our faith”, if one wishes to look at it that way. The “sake of joy” could be the eventual reuniting of as many saved souls as possible in the presence of the creator – otherwise this makes little sense. The fully human condition came with the mentioned, quite likely and quite miserable possible outcomes for the creator. He undertook the CESAPH to underpin the message of salvation and to demonstrate the creator's love for us, failed angels trying to rectify our sinful condition in this life. However, no doubt the author wrote this passage in the misguided belief of the traditional interpretation of the 'trinity'. Nobody 'made' Jesus undertake the CESAPH but himself, the creator. And there is no sitting at the right hand of the throne of God, but ON it. A nice and seemingly innocent analogy for the people of the times of the disciples, however, the source of many confusion and misguided tenets because of this. Jesus, as the creator in human form, does his own will. It is also possible that while partaking in our reality as a fully-human, the creator voluntarily undertook some of the limitations that define being human – if not for this, his partaking as fully human would not have been genuine. We can also experience this kind of limitation setting in when we dream at night, and then reawaken into our 'reality': the limitations and level of awareness of these two worlds (realities) are different, yet we are the same 'self' in both of them. As 'being fully-human' can typically mean a good amount of doubt, insecurity, fear, helplessness, suffering and despair, it is also imaginable that Jesus also took on these experiences. This could explain his alleged interactions and conversations with 'the Father' (his greater-self in the larger context of reality), and could also explain the disciples' understanding and conception of the 'trinity'.
     
        

    Hebrews 12:3

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."3 Consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. "...
    NRSV: ..."3 Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary or lose heart."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  • The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans
  • There is always hope and is never too late for salvation
  •  
    interpretation:
    This nails the purpose of the CESAPH – sharing in our fate and misery has the power to give humans with potentially similarly miserable lives the strength to pull through and prevail in reaching salvation. With the CESAPH in our mind, striving for salvation is worth it, no matter how difficult the path may be.
     
        

    Hebrews 12:7, 8

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    Berean: ..."7 Endure suffering as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? 8 If you do not experience discipline like everyone else, then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. "...
    NRSV: ..."7 Endure trials for the sake of discipline. God is treating you as children; for what child is there whom a parent does not discipline? 8 If you do not have that discipline in which all children share, then you are illegitimate and not his children."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • Our evaluation serves to separate those who align with love from those who align with selfishness, thereby eliminating the source of suffering from heaven
  • Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    The trials refer to each human's unique assigned situation. We are all being evaluated like children at school taking their exams, for  discipline (compliance, qualification) is needed to repel temptations to stear off of the path of salvation and reach the presence of the creator (which we are to rejoin, if succeeding in our evaluation). Those who are illegitimate (were not disciplined enough to align their conviction and life with love) will not rejoin his presence in heaven. This passage is also a direct confirmation that we are here on an evaluation that we need to complete while serving our penance throughout our assigned situations (trials).
     
        

    Hebrews 12:14

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    Berean: ..."14 Pursue peace with everyone, as well as holiness, without which no one will see the Lord. "...
    NRSV: ..."14 Pursue peace with everyone, and the holiness without which no one will see the Lord."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • Behavioral guidance
  • One ‘loves God’ by loving their fellow human beings, no matter how far removed they may be, which fulfills the single command of God
  •  
    interpretation:
    Pursuing peace with everyone naturally follows from living a lig aligned with love towards all our human companions. “holiness” must refer to alignment with the preferred value of the creator – love. Seeing the Lord means gaining salvation and rejoining his presence.    
     
        

    Hebrews 12:15, 16, 17

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    Berean: ..."15 See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God, and that no root of bitterness springs up to cause trouble and defile many. 16 See to it that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his birthright. 17 For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected. He could find no ground for repentance, though he sought the blessing with tears. "...
    NRSV: ..."15 See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springs up and causes trouble, and through it many become defiled. 16 See to it that no one becomes like Esau, an immoral and godless person, who sold his birthright for a single meal. 17 You know that later, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, even though he sought the blessing with tears."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • A justified person has the duty to spread the word of God to others in a non-intrusive way whenever the chance arises and by showing an example
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • Salvation can not be put off till later in life, as such calculation can not lead to genuine repentance of sins or justification
  • The main goal of our life is to reach our salvation and build values that transcend this reality into eternal life, not to reach material or academic success or to fulfill other worldly desires or loyalties
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  • There is always hope and is never too late for salvation
  • ‘Justification’ is ‘being convinced about love’s (vs. selfishness) need to guide life’ (= ‘being rightly enlightened’, = ‘holding Jesus’s message in conviction’, = ‘following/believing in Jesus’, = ‘gaining a justified conviction’, = ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, = ‘doing the works of God’, = ‘satisfying/keeping/adhering to the command of God’, = ‘accepting/living according to Jesus’s message’, = ‘fulfilling the eternal word of God, of salvation’)
  •  
    interpretation:
    Justification includes responsibility toward others we come in contact with. The single meal is this life; the birthright is the invitation to reach salvation. To throw away eternal life for this life is put in a ridiculous light. This is also a warning to those who put off working for salvation till later, preferring to have fun instead in the present. Such calculated moves can not lead to genuine repentance, thus are doomed to failure with regards to reaching salvation. Also points out that our current existence here is a “chance to repent”, a penance (for the wrongs we likely have caused before we joined this reality).
     
        

    Hebrews 12:22, 23, 24

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."22 Instead, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to myriads of angels 23 in joyful assembly, to the congregation of the firstborn, enrolled in heaven. You have come to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. "...
    NRSV: ..."22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, 23 and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • appeasement/catering to potential Jewish converts
  • misconceived understanding of what the ‘trinity’ could be
  • misconception about the CESAPH, which is magnitudes more significant than the concept of the Jewish Messiah
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Jesus’s ‘covenant’ of the eternal word of God, of salvation is the only covenant that has ever been and will ever be in effect from the creator for all of humanity, since the very beginning of time till the ending of our simulated reality, meaning that if one passes their evaluation on their alignment with love, one redeems their sinful condition and gains their salvation"
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage contains some utterly confused and misconceived visions of the fantasy of its writer, similar to the depictions of biblical stories in medieval paintings. Mount Zion and Jerusalem – as locations on this Earth – are irrelevant to the message of Jesus. (One can surely fantasize about heaven as some sort of a 'new Jerusalem' if one can not imagine it in any other way, but that won't very meaningful either.) Innumerable angels and festal gatherings – sure, though totally irrelevant to the message of Jesus... The assembly of the firstborn (Jesus I assume) enrolled in heaven – what?? Sure, there will likely be assemblies of souls in the next realm, so we can think of that perhaps – but again, completely irrelevant detail as to the essential message of Jesus. Human life is an evaluation for qualification to return to the presence of the creator in heaven (enrollment?). Jesus is NOT a 'mediator' of any new covenant. Jesus – as the creator in human form – is the formalizer of the only covenant that has ever been and will always be in effect for every human throughout history. This covenant is about how to reach salvation with one's life. There is no mediation of this covenant, as this is an underlying property of our reality, the purpose of the creation of our reality and our assignment to it. Succeeding in this covenant (the evaluation of our alignment on love vs. selfishness) is the purpose of our existence here. Mentioning the “blood of Abel” is unrelating and confusing, but serves to relate Jesus to the OT. The passage also alludes to the interpretation that the spilled blood of Jesus is somehow directly accomplishing something for us humans (which it does not – we still need to earn our salvation the hard and only way, through proving our alignment with our lives to earn our salvation).
     
        

    Hebrews 12:26, 27

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."26 At that time His voice shook the earth, but now He has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth, but heaven as well.” 27 The words “Once more” signify the removal of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that the unshakable may remain. "...
    NRSV: ..."26 At that time his voice shook the earth; but now he has promised, "Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heaven." 27 This phrase, "Yet once more," indicates the removal of what is shaken — that is, created things — so that what cannot be shaken may remain."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • The creator created our reality (best modeled as a consciousness-centric simulation) to facilitate the evaluation of its target audience: humans
  • The eternal continuation of their awareness is inevitable and unavoidable for all human souls
  • The human spirit is somehow part of the eternal consciousness
  •  
    interpretation:
    The “removal of what is shaken, created things” leaving behind that which can not be shaken may hint at the nature of reality (likely, unintentionally from the writer): our temporary simulation will be unplugged at the day of judgment, as this world is no longer serving any purpose (the evaluation and redemption of souls). The remaining/subsequent context of reality is (perhaps more?) permanent. That it “cannot be shaken”, perhaps indicates a default reality of the creator (which may even be eternal and uncreated, as it belongs to the entity of the eternal creator consciousness. This could be our encompassing, fuller context of reality we originate from. I could even take the “yet once more” as a hint that such places of penance for the wrongdoings of eternal conscious beings are a way to get the flock back to the herder every now and then (thus, implying the possible existence of these kinds of reality bubbles into infinity). Surely the writer of this passage did not have this very idea in mind (and was likely referring to OT texts about Moses and Mount Sinai instead). But if we accept the idea of “inspired texts by the creator”, then we ought to also accept that perhaps the end result of such texts may (perhaps unintentionally) reach beyond the comprehension of the writer as well, especially millennia after its creation.
     
        

    Hebrews 12:28, 29

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    Berean: ..."28 Therefore, since we are receiving an unshakable kingdom, let us be filled with gratitude, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe. 29 “For our God is a consuming fire.” "...
    NRSV: ..."28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us give thanks, by which we offer to God an acceptable worship with reverence and awe; 29 for indeed our God is a consuming fire."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • It is logical to expect appropriate consequences due for passing or failing the evaluation
  • Ritual guidance
  •  
    interpretation:
    “God as a consuming fire” originates from the OT. The author uses this to instill fear in the (potential) converts. Perhaps rightfully so, as passing or not passing the evaluation must have weight – and every human free to think of the consequences of this evaluation as they wish. Some ignore or neglect it, others are dead serious about it and fear it. Having serious and long-lasting (possibly eternal) consequences for our evaluation does not contradict the nature of the creator as 'loving'. The creator is free to declare the conditions by which conscious souls can be in his presence independent of our liking or agreement. That condition seems most likely to be one's alignment with the value of love vs. selfishness.
     
        

    Hebrews 13:1, 2, 3, 4

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."1 Continue in brotherly love. 2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. 3 Remember those in prison as if you were bound with them, and those who are mistreated as if you were suffering with them. 4 Marriage should be honored by all and the marriage bed kept undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers. "...
    NRSV: ..."1 Let mutual love continue. 2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. 3 Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them; those who are being tortured, as though you yourselves were being tortured. 4 Let marriage be held in honor by all, and let the marriage bed be kept undefiled; for God will judge fornicators and adulterers."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Behavioral guidance
  • The creator created our reality (best modeled as a consciousness-centric simulation) to facilitate the evaluation of its target audience: humans
  •  
    interpretation:
    “entertaining angels” without knowing it' may even imply that not all humans we encounter may be humans evaluated in this world; some may be angels participating to facilitate our evaluation. There is no way to know this, and one needs to behave no differently because of this toward anyone anyway. I can also read this passage as hinting at a simulated reality: angels who are not being evaluated could also help facilitate the starting and ending of the simulation. As for the behavior examples listed, all follow from love, caring and consideration for all others.
     
        

    Hebrews 13:5

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said: “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.” "...
    NRSV: ..."5 Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, "I will never leave you or forsake you.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Behavioral guidance
  • It is logical to expect appropriate consequences due for passing or failing the evaluation
  • Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally
  • The main goal of our life is to reach our salvation and build values that transcend this reality into eternal life, not to reach material or academic success or to fulfill other worldly desires or loyalties
  • There is always hope and is never too late for salvation
  •  
    interpretation:
    This points to the opposite of love being selfishness and materialistic thinking. Being content may indicate the acceptance that one's accidental situations are assigned justly and deservedly. Though some may feel that life is like being forsaken or abandoned, ultimately this is not the case. The creator's promise of salvation is universal, and a valid invitation for everyone in all possible human situations. The assurance of this passage will not necessarily mean the cessation of misery in this world if one asks to be relieved in prayer, or any kind of automatic rewards or punishments for good and bad behavior though, but the guaranteed reaching of salvation if one walks the path.
     
        

    Hebrews 13:6

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."6 So we say with confidence: “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” "...
    NRSV: ..."6 So we can say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  • The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans
  •  
    interpretation:
    This should all be evident in the CESAPH. Even though people can exercise their free will to derail one from salvation or cause misery and suffering in life, they can not take away one's salvation if one is steadfast on the path of salvation. This passage also correctly identifies the CESAPH as a 'help' in reaching one's salvation, by giving guidance and strength, and assurance (short of certainty), as opposed to  an act that 'saved' anyone, or 'redeemed the sins' of anyone.
     
        

    Hebrews 13:8, 9

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. 9 Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace and not by foods of no value to those devoted to them. "...
    NRSV: ..."8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. 9 Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings; for it is well for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by regulations about food, which have not benefited those who observe them."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation
  • Grace is the ever-present willingness of the creator to help humans reach their salvation
  • Jesus’s ‘covenant’ of the eternal word of God, of salvation is the only covenant that has ever been and will ever be in effect from the creator for all of humanity, since the very beginning of time till the ending of our simulated reality, meaning that if one passes their evaluation on their alignment with love, one redeems their sinful condition and gains their salvation
  • One’s ‘faith’/belief system has no direct value to the creator, and is only a potential tool in one’s quest to gain justification and reach salvation IF it helps its holder in these
  •  
    interpretation:
    Contradicts Matthew 5:17 and several other verses from the NT about Jesus representing, leaving intact/keeping Jewish law in effect – rightly. This must have been an appeasement towards potential Jewish converts (presumably there, the writers wanted to be safe with their laws, as they must not have trusted Jesus's guidance and message). This passage also invalidates the OT: if its set of laws does not align with Jesus's formalized message of the eternal word of God, of salvation, then it must have been invalid (filed under the category 'strange teachings').
     
        

    Hebrews 13:12

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."12 And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate, to sanctify the people by His own blood. "...
    NRSV: ..."12 Therefore Jesus also suffered outside the city gate in order to sanctify the people by his own blood."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • misconception about the CESAPH, which is magnitudes more significant than the concept of the Jewish Messiah
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans"
  •  
    interpretation:
    The suffering and blood of Jesus did not sanctify anyone, but was an expectable consequence of the creator's undertaking in the CESAPH – the demonstration of love for humanity and a testimony that reaching salvation with our life, with all its potential suffering, is the purpose of our existence here, and also the creator's desire. The CESAPH was not a sacrifice offered by the Son to rectify or wipe out the sinful condition of all humans offered to the creator, and it certainly did not affect the status of any human's sinful condition. When looking at the trinity as three possible approaches/interfaces to the same entity, the proposition that one interface offers a sacrifice to the other (or one interface sacrifices the other) becomes absurd. This misconceived line of thought of the author led to the misguided concept of atonement – that Jesus sacrificed himself for our sins and thereby,with this act he achieved some change of status for all sinful humans (which they then do not have to achieve, and they just have to 'believe in Jesus'). The concept of offering ritual sacrifices at the altar is a misguidance that originates from the OT and other world religions, in their attempts to please their gods in return for good earthly results. The creator undergoing our typical human suffering and subjecting himself to our will can not be compared to such 'sacrifices' – however, it can be analogous to 'making sacrifices to help further a cause'. The creator DID make a huge sacrifice in order to help as many of us to reach our salvation as possible (from those of us who were granted the help of the good news in our situational assignments). (Those who were not granted this help are to succeed in reaching their salvation without this help – surely a different level of difficulty.) The sacrifices undertaken by the creator in the CESAPH amounted to no atonement for anyone's sins: everyone still needs to individually achieve their salvation in their assigned situations by aligning their conviction with love (the preferred value of the creator) and proving this alignment throughout the ordeals and trials of life. Making atonement for someone else's sins (sparing them from its consequences) is ludicrous. Besides, everyone's continued penance seems to be justly included in their assigned situations in their lives, AND in the fate they will deserve with their conviction and life at the last judgment – so then, what sort of atonement could we be talking about?
     
        

    Hebrews 13:16

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    Berean: ..."16 And do not neglect to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. "...
    NRSV: ..."16 Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • Behavioral guidance
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    Again, belief is not what achieves one's salvation. Also an emphasis on selfishness being the pole that is the opposite of love.
     
        

    Hebrews 13:17

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch over your souls as those who must give an account. To this end, allow them to lead with joy and not with grief, for that would be of no advantage to you. "...
    NRSV: ..."17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls and will give an account."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • attempted building, claiming, or referencing authority that is misguided and improper
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Obeying leaders can not and should not be an automatic, blind step for anyone. One's leader is one's conscious conviction, and one has to decide to accept or reject anything into their conviction – there is no delegation of this responsibility to others, as one can not blame others for their misguided beliefs or actions either. Anyone who has a justified conviction (he is convinced he is on the right path) has the responsibility to guide others. Thus, anyone can be a leader, and this is not connected to any formality or authority. Any guidance coming from others needs to be weighed together with all other influences (that may or may not represent the right path) to arrive at a scenario one can wager their life on in clear conscience. One's wager scenario is what makes the most sense to them, and what they deem to be the most likely scenario. One can only hope that they wagered on a scenario that will be the closest to the eventual unfolding reality, as one can not reach certainty in life in questions of philosophy. Hence, 'faith' is a necessary part of our existence – and this also includes materialists' beliefs in the observable reality representing the entirety of their reality. This type of weighing/reasoning and subsequent wagering one's life on is the most one can do, and the least one should do. Some do this consciously, while others live their life according to their underlying world view (their 'faith') unconsciously. Living according to a belief system that has similar conclusions to the philosophical foundation can be the hardest part of life. “Leaders” do not have the responsibility and the ability to keep watch over others' souls – that is the individual's task in life – nor will they need to give any account on anyone, as one's life and thoughts are fully transparent to the creator. This part is pure fantasizing on the part of the author, trying to establish the authority of church leaders among followers.
     
        

    James 1:1

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes of the Dispersion: Greetings. "...
    NRSV: ..."1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • misguided focus on Jews or improper differentiation between Jews and Gentiles
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage misguidedly focuses on Israelites, whereas the message of Jesus – of salvation on a criterion universally applicable to all humans – is universally applicable to all of humanity. Unfortunately focusing on converting Jews to the new faith while failing to point out the futility of their belief system and its incompatibility with the message of and the creator-image portrayed by Jesus resulted in the misguided aind indefensible interpretations of the Bible adhered to by most traditional Christian denominations. Early and enlightened voices of reason on this topic were dismissed as heretics (as in the case of Marcion of Sinope) and their arguments buried, while the misguided dogmas of the Church went unchallenged for millennia. One can not be a servant to only the twelve tribes of Israel. A true disciple of Jesus has to be a servant to all fellow human beings – their 'neighbors'. Limiting this and focusing on Israelites is grossly misguided of the early disciples. (This is clearly evidenced by their frustration to convert the Jews, and as a response, their 'turning instead' to the gentiles, as their 'plan B' – see Acts 14:46, 18:6, 28:27,28).
     
        

    James 1:2, 3

    top  

    Berean: ..."2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. "...
    NRSV: ..."2 My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance;"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    The “testing of faith” is also evaluating one's quality of soul – the focus for the creator. And this comes out in trials - the decisions and actions performed by the individual throughout life in one's assigned situations.
     
        

    James 1:5

    top  

    Berean: ..."5 Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. "...
    NRSV: ..."5 If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • Grace is the ever-present willingness of the creator to help humans reach their salvation
  • Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally
  •  
    interpretation:
    It is important that the asking is in regard to wisdom, not for material gains or the alleviation of suffering (that may be assigned to us as part of our penance, and the creator may not grant an exemption from them, even if we keep asking for this).
     
        

    James 1:9, 10, 11

    top  

    Berean: ..."9 The brother in humble circumstances should exult in his high position. 10 But the one who is rich should exult in his low position, because he will pass away like a flower of the field. 11 For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its flower falls and its beauty is lost. So too, the rich man will fade away in the midst of his pursuits. "...
    NRSV: ..."9 Let the believer who is lowly boast in being raised up, 10 and the rich in being brought low, because the rich will disappear like a flower in the field. 11 For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the field; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. It is the same way with the rich; in the midst of a busy life, they will wither away."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • The main goal of our life is to reach our salvation and build values that transcend this reality into eternal life, not to reach material or academic success or to fulfill other worldly desires or loyalties
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    Highlights the temporary nature of material things we falsely hold in high esteem on this world, as they are working against our salvation. Working for being wealthier and wealthier in life is endangering our salvation, if we do not use our riches for good and selfless purposes.
     
        

    James 1:12

     Significant Alignment! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."12 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him. "...
    NRSV: ..."12 Blessed is anyone who endures temptation. Such a one has stood the test and will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • It is logical to expect appropriate consequences due for passing or failing the evaluation
  • One ‘loves God’ by loving their fellow human beings, no matter how far removed they may be, which fulfills the single command of God
  • Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    “enduring the temptation” of selfishness (in all its forms) translates to a life aligned with love. That is how one achieves salvation. This also implies an active decision making and doing the right things, thus goes against predetermination and pre-selection, or being saved by belief alone. The passage rightly highlights that we are here on an evaluation (passing the “test”). One can love the creator by loving other humans around him, and be considerate to others who are farther away (but are still indirectly affected by one's decisions).
     
        

    James 1:13

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone. "...
    NRSV: ..."13 No one, when tempted, should say, "I am being tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil and he himself tempts no one."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misconception about the nature and setup of our reality
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "‘Evil’, ‘Devil’, or ‘Satan’ is NOT a separate entity opposed to the creator, but the value of selfishness in us that is opposite to the preferred value of the creator, love"
  •  
    interpretation:
    As 'evil' is 'the opposite of the creator's preference' (according to the philosophical foundation's conclusions), it would be illogical if the creator could be tempted by something he does not prefer. However, temptation in this world is coming from our own predispositions that we eternally had (or developed) that we are here to conquer with our opposing predisposition of love. And this is what life is all about. And the tempting situations are arranged by either the creator (through our accidental situations) or each other. But in both cases, temptation is essential for the evaluation of our soul, thus, it originates from the creator. The misguided concept of evil or the Devil – as featured in most traditional 'Christian' interpretations – is inherited from the OT. It would also be illogical to envision an adversary with any chance of succeeding next to an 'almighty God'. Based on the belief system of the OT,  the authors and disciples of Jesus misguidedly believed the ‘Evil One’, ‘Devil’, or ’Satan’ to be a separate independent entity (a fallen leader of angels) opposed to the creator and having some special powers. However, the concept should simply be interpreted as ‘the influence and temptations to be selfish’, the opposite of the creator’s preference of love that is present in us conscious humans, and all of us are here to demonstrate that we can subdue and eliminate this value in us, and side with its opposite in our evaluation.
     
        

    James 1:14, 15

     Significant Alignment! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."14 But each one is tempted when by his own evil desires he is lured away and enticed. 15 Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. "...
    NRSV: ..."14 But one is tempted by one's own desire, being lured and enticed by it; 15 then, when that desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and that sin, when it is fully grown, gives birth to death."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • In their predispositions, humans inherit both love (the essence of the creator’s spirit we share with him, indicating our significance) and selfishness (its opposite/opposing property, what some mistakenly attribute to a separate entity of the ‘evil/devil/satan’) to different degrees from their greater-self, from their originating context of reality
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    The source of temptation comes from one's predisposition to selfishness (similar to love). Temptation is either set up by the creator in our assigned situations, or is presented to us by our peers – both are parts of our evaluation setup by design, thus, originating from the creator. Death here must mean eternal separation from the creator, the failure to reach salvation, not the final extinguishment of the conscious soul. “Fully grown sin” means a life that is aligned more with selfishness than with love.
     
        

    James 1:17

    top  

    Berean: ..."17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, with whom there is no change or shifting shadow. "...
    NRSV: ..."17 Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • misconception about the nature and setup of our reality
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Every human has a real chance at reaching their salvation, which is NOT predetermined or predestined. The creator is NOT omniscient with regard to humans’ free will, and their fate in the evaluation"
  •  
    interpretation:
    This is one convoluted set of statements that are extremely hard to try to figure out what the author even meant, not to mention finding any meaning or truth to it. For a start, humans can also gift each other 'good' or even 'perfect' gifts: love and respect towards each other must be such a gift, and these originate in us, in our own predisposition and/or conviction, as the product of our free will. Thus, they can not ALL originate 'from above' as we are not 'from above' (unless, of course, one means 'from above' to be our own eternal greater self in our originating context of reality, the source of our soul in this world, but surely, the author did not mean to propose this interpretation...), and they are NOT from the Father. One may take the position that this seed of good in each soul also originates from the creator, but that kind of destroys the sovereignty of the human soul. Somehow, in some way, we must be independent sovereign beings for the creator to be able to love us. And if so, then the good in us can originate in us too. There is truth that the creator IS most likely unchanging in his preference, intentions, motivation (“no variation or shadow due to change”), but it is uncertain whether the author meant this or something totally different.  
     
        

    James 1:18

     Significant Alignment! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we would be a kind of firstfruits of His creation. "...
    NRSV: ..."18 In fulfillment of his own purpose he gave us birth by the word of truth, so that we would become a kind of first fruits of his creatures."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • The creator created our reality (best modeled as a consciousness-centric simulation) to facilitate the evaluation of its target audience: humans
  •  
    interpretation:
    The “fulfillment of the creator's purpose” (that is the “word of truth”, or the eternal word of God, of salvation) can be interpreted as 'the creator helping and encouraging loving souls (conscious beings) to remain in presence by giving them a chance to redeem their sinful condition in this reality, provided they prove their alignment on the creator's preferred value of love'. As a result of this, the failed angels (their souls in humans) got their chance to rectify their wrongs and prove their worthiness (reach their salvation) and return to the presence of the creator upon proving their alignment with love vs. selfishness with their lives. “giving us birth” is what happened when we got assigned to partake in this reality of penance, that is also a chance to redeem our sinful condition with our proven alignment. The passage stays clear from suggesting that our souls are being 'created' at our birth. 'Birth', is after all the 'arrival' of a being into this world, not its creation. Those souls who manage to reach their salvation by rectifying their sinful conditions (by proving their alignment on love vs. selfishness in their lives) are a kind of offering to the creator (the “first fruit”), similar to the portion of harvest offered as a sacrifice to the creator. Of course, no one offers us as such a 'sacrifice' to the creator, however one CAN make such slightly misguided analogy as the whole creation (and the intervention of the CESAPH in it) was a kind of sacrifice the creator UNDERTOOK (not offered!) so that the failed souls can get a chance to return to him. A closer translation to the original greek reflects this better: “He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we would be a kind of firstfruits of His creation.” - except, that the whole purpose of the creation of our reality was to grant this chance of redemption to us, failed angels. Thus, we are not just some main decoration or extra feature in creation, but the focus of it.
     
        

    James 1:19, 20, 21, 22

     Significant Alignment! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."19 My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, 20 for man’s anger does not bring about the righteousness that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and every expression of evil, and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save your souls. 22 Be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves. "...
    NRSV: ..."19 You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for your anger does not produce God's righteousness. 21 Therefore rid yourselves of all sordidness and rank growth of wickedness, and welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls.22 But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves. ...  being not hearers who forget but doers who act — they will be blessed in their doing."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • Behavioral guidance
  •  
    interpretation:
    The truth needs to be approached with humbleness, as arrogance will prevent justification. Materialist belief is a form of this arrogance, believing that the entirety of reality conforms to one's observable and measurable reality. Stating quite properly that the word has the power to save one’s soul but the task of accomplishing it remains for the individual. The implanted word is in one's predispositions to love, and this was also formalized by the CESAPH. 'Doers of the word' implies an active alignment with the word, meaning actions and decisions throughout life and not simply belief.
     
        

    James 1:27

     Significant Alignment! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."27 Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. "...
    NRSV: ..."27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • One ‘loves God’ by loving their fellow human beings, no matter how far removed they may be, which fulfills the single command of God
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    “being unstained by the world” is resisting the temptation of materialism and materialistic thinking. This requires a justified conviction. And one is 'properly religious' when living the justified conviction, that is loving and caring for their neighbors and fellow humans (naturally, not only for widows and orphans). This passage also hints that religion should not be anything else beyond this – as that is what our salvation is all about.
     
        

    James 2:2, 3, 4, 5

     Significant Alignment! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. 3 If you lavish attention on the man in fine clothes and say, “Here is a seat of honor,” but say to the poor man, “You must stand” or “Sit at my feet,” 4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? 5 Listen, my beloved brothers: Has not God chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He promised those who love Him? "...
    NRSV: ..."2 For if a person with gold rings and in fine clothes comes into your assembly, and if a poor person in dirty clothes also comes in, 3 and if you take notice of the one wearing the fine clothes and say, "Have a seat here, please," while to the one who is poor you say, "Stand there," or, "Sit at my feet," 4 have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts? 5 Listen, my beloved brothers and sisters. Has not God chosen the poor in the world to be rich in faith and to be heirs of the kingdom that he has promised to those who love him?"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • One ‘loves God’ by loving their fellow human beings, no matter how far removed they may be, which fulfills the single command of God
  • The main goal of our life is to reach our salvation and build values that transcend this reality into eternal life, not to reach material or academic success or to fulfill other worldly desires or loyalties
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    The temptation coming from material wealth is the greatest danger to reaching a justified conviction and thus, reaching salvation. Based on the belief system of the OT,  the authors and disciples of Jesus misguidedly believed the ‘Evil One’, ‘Devil’, or ’Satan’ to be a separate independent entity (a fallen leader of angels) opposed to the creator and having some special powers. However, the concept should simply be interpreted as ‘the influence and temptations to be selfish’, the opposite of the creator’s preference of love that is present in us conscious humans, and all of us are here to demonstrate that we can subdue and eliminate this value in us, and side with its opposite in our evaluation.
     
        

    James 2:8

     Significant Alignment! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."8 If you really fulfill the royal law stated in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. "...
    NRSV: ..."8 You do well if you really fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation
  • One ‘loves God’ by loving their fellow human beings, no matter how far removed they may be, which fulfills the single command of God
  •  
    interpretation:
    If we do well with the single command of love (implying being able to reach salvation this way) then all other laws are irrelevant or logically derive from this one, and following separate sets of laws have always been missing the point. The OT version “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against any of your people (a fellow Israelite), but love your neighbor as yourself.” (Leviticus 19:18) is sadly specific to their own people, and thus, does not carry a universal and valid message from the creator. Of course, everyone helps their own kind, for their own self-interest, even the Incas performing human sacrifices..
     
        

    James 2:13

    top  

    Berean: ..."13 For judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment. "...
    NRSV: ..."13 For judgment will be without mercy to anyone who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • One ‘loves God’ by loving their fellow human beings, no matter how far removed they may be, which fulfills the single command of God
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    Forgiveness and showing mercy derives from love. They are also acts, works that reflect one's conviction, not mere beliefs.
     
        

    James 2:14, 17, 24, 26

     Significant Alignment! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone claims to have faith, but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? 17 So too, faith by itself, if it does not result in action, is dead. 24 As you can see, a man is justified by his deeds and not by faith alone. 26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. "...
    NRSV: ..."14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but do not have works? Can faith save you? ... 17 So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead. ... 24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. ... 26 For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is also dead."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • Every human has a real chance at reaching their salvation, which is NOT predetermined or predestined. The creator is NOT omniscient with regard to humans’ free will, and their fate in the evaluation
  •  
    interpretation:
    This rests the case about all people needing to do is believe or whether salvation is for a preselected bunch. Faith with works is conviction and a life lived accordingly – the subject of our evaluation.
     
        

    James 3:1, 2

     Significant Alignment! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2 We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to control his whole body. "...
    NRSV: ..."1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. 2 For all of us make many mistakes."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • A justified person has the duty to spread the word of God to others in a non-intrusive way whenever the chance arises and by showing an example
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • As salvation is an individual achievement, finding the way and living life accordingly is a private matter that can not be policed or compelled by others
  •  
    interpretation:
    “Teachers making many mistakes” is an honest admission about the infallibility of the scriptures and that we can not take them literally – they are a good-faith attempt to capture the CESAPH and convey Jesus's teachings to posterity, most likely inspired (not dictated) by divine grace. But such divine inspiration does not result in an infallible and perfect holy text, but instead will remain a work of humans, with possibilities for contradictions, misunderstandings, misguidance, misconceptions, misrepresentations, as in every text. And as such, the NT also needs to be distilled in good faith and conscience as to its essential message. Critical interpretation is up to the individual, with a hopefully well-grounded and open perspective. It is also not for granted that those who witnessed Jesus, heard his message, and perhaps wrote some of the scriptures necessarily have a better comprehension of that message and what took place than those who heard about it much later through translated texts.  
     
        

    James 3:8, 9

    top  

    Berean: ..."8 but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. "...
    NRSV: ..."8 but no one can tame the tongue — a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • Behavioral guidance
  •  
    interpretation:
    About the responsibility of how and what we communicate. A communicated idea affects others, thus they are relevant products of our free will that we are accountable with in our evaluation. Being aligned with love also includes what one thinks and says. Our motivations and intentions will be included in the evaluation of our thoughts and our communication.
     
        

    James 3:13, 16, 17

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    Berean: ..."13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good conduct, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere. "...
    NRSV: ..."13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom. ... 16 For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • ‘Justification’ is ‘being convinced about love’s (vs. selfishness) need to guide life’ (= ‘being rightly enlightened’, = ‘holding Jesus’s message in conviction’, = ‘following/believing in Jesus’, = ‘gaining a justified conviction’, = ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, = ‘doing the works of God’, = ‘satisfying/keeping/adhering to the command of God’, = ‘accepting/living according to Jesus’s message’, = ‘fulfilling the eternal word of God, of salvation’)
  •  
    interpretation:
    A listing of examples of what other wrongs can derive from selfishness. “wisdom” is the holding in conviction of the eternal word of God (justification). “gentleness born of wisdom” refers to a justified conviction, which is reachable in everyone's life – through predispositions present in each human, and/or through the good news of the CESAPH. The wisdom from above is the eternal word of God, of salvation, available through the willing help of grace. The lack of partiality and hypocrisy may refer to salvation's universal availability to every human through the single universal evaluation criterion of love vs selfishness. The creator's loving grace granted all humans the opportunity of redemption (through penance) and a chance at salvation in this world.
     
        

    James 4:1, 2, 3, 4

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    Berean: ..."1 What causes conflicts and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from the passions at war within you? 2 You crave what you do not have; you kill and covet, but are unable to obtain it. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3 And when you do ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may squander it on your pleasures. 4 You adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever chooses to be a friend of the world renders himself an enemy of God. "...
    NRSV: ..."1 Those conflicts and disputes among you, where do they come from? Do they not come from your cravings that are at war within you? 2 You want something and do not have it; so you commit murder. And you covet something and cannot obtain it; so you engage in disputes and conflicts. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, in order to spend what you get on your pleasures. 4 Adulterers! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • The main goal of our life is to reach our salvation and build values that transcend this reality into eternal life, not to reach material or academic success or to fulfill other worldly desires or loyalties
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    Materialistic desires (friendship with the world) create conflicts and disputes and work against love's dominance. Asking the creator to fulfill our materialistic pleasures is misguided. As we are here to attempt to reach our salvation, we should not ask for fulfillment for our temptations that are against salvation, but for the strength to succeed in resisting those temptations. Material or academic success or fulfillment is not the goal of our life here; reaching salvation is. One can be a friend of the world (strive for material or academic success) as long as one can do that in a way that will help their (and others') salvation. Thus, worldly success can be a means to salvation, not the goal of life.
     
        

    James 4:5, 6, 10

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."5 Or do you think the Scripture says without reason that the Spirit He caused to dwell in us yearns with envy? 6 But He gives us more grace. This is why it says: “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you. "...
    NRSV: ..."5 ... "God yearns jealously for the spirit that he has made to dwell in us"? 6 But he gives all the more grace; therefore it says, "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." ... 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Behavioral guidance
  • Grace is the ever-present willingness of the creator to help humans reach their salvation
  • In their predispositions, humans inherit both love (the essence of the creator’s spirit we share with him, indicating our significance) and selfishness (its opposite/opposing property, what some mistakenly attribute to a separate entity of the ‘evil/devil/satan’) to different degrees from their greater-self, from their originating context of reality
  • The creator created our reality (best modeled as a consciousness-centric simulation) to facilitate the evaluation of its target audience: humans
  • The human spirit is somehow part of the eternal consciousness
  •  
    interpretation:
    The “spirit he made to dwell in us” may refer to our eternal uncreated spirit (that existed in a precursor to this existence) being temporarily assigned to dwell in our human bodies for the duration of this evaluation. Genesis's reference of the 'spirit of life' that God breathed into a human can be thought of as that eternal spirit being assigned to dwell as a human for the duration of this life, and not the creation of the conscious soul itself. This supports the philosophical base of this interpretation too, even though the OT is not considered a source of divine message. (The OT isn't rejected for not containing any value or wisdom, but for being a necessary prerequisite to the NT, or for giving a necessary context to interpret the NT). Being in this evaluation signals our spirit's significance to the creator. The significance is likely based on or fueled by love, the base of our relations with the creator. Grace helps one reach salvation, and is a help freely available to everyone. One can not ask for this in arrogance (of boasting to know better) but in humbleness.
     
        

    James 4:11

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    Berean: ..."11 Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. And if you judge the law, you are not a practitioner of the law, but a judge of it. "...
    NRSV: ..."11 Do not speak evil against one another, brothers and sisters. Whoever speaks evil against another or judges another, speaks evil against the law and judges the law; but if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • appeasement/catering to potential Jewish converts
  • attempted building, claiming, or referencing authority that is misguided and improper
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  •  
    interpretation:
    This entirely depends on what kind of law we are talking about. Judging the adherence of others to societal or civil law is quite an OK thing to do for all members of society, especially if the law is not suitable, moral, or is improper. Law for the protection of society is a human endeavor, and one that continually changes and improves. It is NOT right to judge others on their conclusions and whether or how well they follow the eternal word of God, of salvation in their lives (their alignment on love vs. selfishness and their progress toward reaching their salvation according to our opinion) – this matches the philosophical foundation's conclusions on this topic. However, this passage is almost certainly does not mean to convey this interpretation. The most likely focus of the author here was to work around the Jews' sensitivity to their Mosaic law by proclaiming respect for it and attempting to merge it with Jesus's message. With this, the disciples tried to convert Jews to Christianity.
     
        

    James 4:11, 12

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."11 Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. And if you judge the law, you are not a practitioner of the law, but a judge of it. 12 There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor? "...
    NRSV: ..."11 Do not speak evil against one another, brothers and sisters. Whoever speaks evil against another or judges another, speaks evil against the law and judges the law; but if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. 12 There is one lawgiver and judge who is able to save and to destroy. So who, then, are you to judge your neighbor?"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • As salvation is an individual achievement, finding the way and living life accordingly is a private matter that can not be policed or compelled by others
  • It is logical to expect appropriate consequences due for passing or failing the evaluation
  •  
    interpretation:
    The important point in this passage is of not judging our fellow human beings (regarding judgment on their progress toward reaching their salvation, or the lack of it), as that is solely the role of the creator, not us, humans. This passage categorically – and rightly – instruct us humans NOT to serve and try to be the judge of each other in matters of religious adherence: we are to be law doers and not law givers or judges. Each individual has to form their own conviction and walk their own path in this evaluation of the quality of their soul (its alignment on love vs. selfishness). The question can also be 'what law?'. The 'law' can only, and has always been the eternal word of God, of salvation. This law is also the evaluation criterion for our life, of reaching salvation. The creator of our reality, who assigned our souls to it, logically and necessarily defines the purpose of our existence in it. What the right vs wrong behavior or motivation of humans may be necessarily follows from this overall high-level divine purpose (that also translates to the evaluation criterion for successful participation in this reality).
     
        

    James 4:14, 15, 16

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    Berean: ..."14 You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15 Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord is willing, we will live and do this or that.” 16 As it is, you boast in your proud intentions. All such boasting is evil. "...
    NRSV: ..."14 Yet you do not even know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15 Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wishes, we will live and do this or that." 16 As it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  •  
    interpretation:
    Surely, one should not be over confident and plan ahead assuming everything will work out according to such plans. 'Man plans, God implements'. But doing this is NOT boasting, and nor is this 'evil' – just perhaps a bit shortsighted and/or unwise. So to brand this evil is misguided or grossly exaggerated at the minimum.
     
        

    James 4:17

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    Berean: ..."17 Anyone, then, who knows the right thing to do, yet fails to do it, is guilty of sin. "...
    NRSV: ..."17 Anyone, then, who knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, commits sin."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  •  
    interpretation:
    Inaction and failure to do the right thing are naturally sins, and are resulting from weakness that derive from the poor quality of the soul.
     
        

    James 5:1, 2, 3, 4, 5

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."1 Come now, you who are rich, weep and wail over the misery to come upon you. 2 Your riches have rotted and moths have eaten your clothes. 3 Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and consume your flesh like fire. You have hoarded treasure in the last days. 4 Look, the wages you withheld from the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of Hosts. 5 You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in the day of slaughter. "...
    NRSV: ..."1 Come now, you rich people, weep and wail for the miseries that are coming to you. 2 Your riches have rotted, and your clothes are moth- eaten. 3 Your gold and silver have rusted, and their rust will be evidence against you, and it will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure for the last days. 4 Listen! The wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. 5 You have lived on the earth in luxury and in pleasure; you have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • The main goal of our life is to reach our salvation and build values that transcend this reality into eternal life, not to reach material or academic success or to fulfill other worldly desires or loyalties
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    Contradicts Galatians 4:30, Colossians 4:1 – those may be seen as condoning slavery as a condition. This passage directly speaks out against slavery: a condition when wages are not paid fairly for work, or all other unfairness committed against fellow humans. This suggests that being rich typically means harm has been done to others - someone was not rewarded for their efforts fairly, someone was cheated or taken advantage of. Achieving social justice needs to be part of the way to salvation for those who follow Jesus's teachings. This means paying fair prices and not market prices when possible. This directly follows from loving and considering others. Wealth is a temptation that works against salvation.
     
        

    James 5:8

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."8 You, too, be patient and strengthen your hearts, because the Lord’s coming is near. "...
    NRSV: ..."8 You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • clear misguidance of author as the time remaining till the second coming was NOT near
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "One needs to live life being always ready for its accounting - then, if events in the future come as a ’thief’, as one would have needed to do nothing differently"
  •  
    interpretation:
    The coming of the Lord IS near for everyone, for it is going to happen right after the death of everyone – but that is not what the author meant. The author refers to the second coming of Jesus into this reality being imminent at the time of his writing. As for the second coming of Jesus into this reality, this is not something anyone should be waiting for or be preoccupied with. If the author was wrong on this expectation, what else he may have been wrong/misguided/confused about, or what else did he misconceive, misrepresent, or make up? With this, the claim of infallibility of the text crumbles, as this reflects on the credibility or wisdom of the author.
     
        

    James 5:8, 9

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    Berean: ..."8 You, too, be patient and strengthen your hearts, because the Lord’s coming is near. 9 Do not complain about one another, brothers, so that you will not be judged. Look, the Judge is standing at the door! "...
    NRSV: ..."8 Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and rejoice with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 now that you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • One’s ‘faith’/belief system has no direct value to the creator, and is only a potential tool in one’s quest to gain justification and reach salvation IF it helps its holder in these
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    I took this translation from the Berean Standard Bible, as it stays closer to the original greek, and is more understandable too. Belief in Jesus's message should be one's subject of faith. And though no one in their life receives their salvation (that is to be granted upon the evaluation of their life during last judgment), the GOAL of one's faith is reaching the salvation of one's soul. So, though the author certainly did not mean it so, the passage can be about the future, after last judgment, when some human souls receive their salvation thanks to the life they lived, which was guided by their faith in the message of Jesus (while the first sentences can be referring back to their life, when their faith guided them through the necessary uncertainty of their human life).
     
        

    James 5:14

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."14 Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. "...
    NRSV: ..."14 Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  •  
    interpretation:
    This is seriously misguided, harmful in urging people not to rely on science but prayer-only instead. The saying 'help yourself; God will help you too' is valid, and overrules this. The rules for the simulation are for us to figure out and turn to our benefit; this includes the sciences, that we are to master and use. Prayer, of course, can be done parallel (asking for a favorable intervention by the creator), but a positive response can and should NOT be counted on.
     
        

    James 5:15

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."15 And the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick. The Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. "...
    NRSV: ..."15 The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • misconception about forgiveness, and the role of rituals
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  •  
    interpretation:
    This is seriously misguided, harmful in urging people not to rely on science but prayer-only instead. The saying 'help yourself; God will help you too' is valid, and overrules this. The rules for the simulation are for us to figure out and turn to our benefit; this includes the sciences, that we are to master and use. Prayer, of course, can be done parallel (asking for a favorable intervention by the creator), but a positive response can and should NOT be counted on. Prayer will NOT make the Lord forgive anyone's sins either. The genuine regret of sins – perhaps coupled with prayer – should lead one to a genuinely justified of conviction. The justified state needs to be proven throughout the assigned situations of one's life. Naturally, as part of a genuine repentance of the sins committed, one needs to do everything humanly possible to rectify them with the victims, so that one can hope for forgiveness from them, and from the creator.
     
        

    James 5:16

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    Berean: ..."16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail. "...
    NRSV: ..."16 Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Behavioral guidance
  • Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally
  •  
    interpretation:
    Confessing the sins to one-another – as opposed to a designated authority figure – is essential for anyone who genuinely regrets their sins and intends to rectify its effects to those who were affected. Even though one can not count on favorable results to prayers (as certain situations may necessarily be part of our penance), this does not mean that it is not worth to pray, or it is silly to do so, but simply that one should not get disappointed or angry if prayers are not answered – this just means the creator did not choose to intervene in the assigned situations of the individuals. The passage rightly encourages us to maintain an internal communication-in-thought with the creator.
     
        

    James 5:16, 17

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    Berean: ..."16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail. 17 Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. "...
    NRSV: ..."16 Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective. 17 Elijah was a human being like us, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misconception about forgiveness, and the role of rituals
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  •  
    interpretation:
    Confessing the sins to one-another is an excellent advice for anyone who genuinely regrets committing them. However, no one should follow the footsteps of Elijah in praying to harm innocents, as that is sick and misguided (this is, besides the point that the whole story of Elijah was simply made up to impress people) and certainly goes against the message of Jesus. At best one can hope that the effects of one's prayer will manifest in mercy the creator may show to those we pray for, in their evaluation during the last judgment. And if our prayers get answered during our life, good for us, and praise the Lord!
     
        

    1 Peter 1:3

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    Berean: ..."3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, "...
    NRSV: ..."3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • improper focus on resurrection
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "One’s ‘faith’/belief system has no direct value to the creator, and is only a potential tool in one’s quest to gain justification and reach salvation IF it helps its holder in these"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The resurrection is not a cornerstone belief to be held about Jesus or the subject of faith one needs to believe in to gain salvation, but an emphasis on the inevitability of afterlife for everyone. From a simulated reality everyone exits to their originating context, and the creator can naturally make exceptions for his exit and reappearance"
  •  
    interpretation:
    The most hope is given by the creator's demonstration of love for humans and his readiness to share our fate and suffering in Jesus. The likelihood that conscious awareness will continue after death can be concluded philosophically, independent of the death of Jesus too. Surely, the resurrection – if happened as described, and if one contributes significance to this – can also bring hope to people. But the main point, the main achievement of the CESAPH was the creator's demonstrate of love to humans and his expression that he wishes us to succeed in reaching our salvation, despite the suffering we may have to face in this life. It is the increase in confidence that we face a loving creator and the formalization of the eternal word of God, of salvation that formalized for us how we can reach our salvation, our return to the presence of the creator in heaven. One CAN look at justification as a 'new birth' – the realization of the purpose of our life. The resurrection – if happened as written – can reinforce one about the eventuality of eternal existence of all conscious souls, if they did not conclude this already on their own. But this reinforced confidence in the afterlife is not what the creator is looking for in our 'faith'. In other words, believing that Jesus resurrected will not get us into heaven; reaching a justified conviction about love's (vs. selfishness) need to guide life (the eternal word of God, of salvation) and living our life accordingly will.
     
        

    1 Peter 1:8, 9

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    Berean: ..."8 Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and rejoice with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 now that you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. "...
    NRSV: ..."8 Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • improper emphasis on belief in Jesus as opposed to in his message
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "One ‘loves God’ by loving their fellow human beings, no matter how far removed they may be, which fulfills the single command of God"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "One’s ‘faith’/belief system has no direct value to the creator, and is only a potential tool in one’s quest to gain justification and reach salvation IF it helps its holder in these"
  •  
    interpretation:
    The biggest error in this passage is its teaching that faith itself secures one's salvation. This is wrong in two ways: faith in anything is only a tool that may help one reach their salvation. And the subject of faith needs to be a conviction about Jesus's message (love's need to guide one's life), NOT belief in the stories and claims about him. Humans can 'love the creator' (/Jesus) through the love they show to each other, especially to our seemingly most distant or insignificant neighbors. The outcome of faith (our proper conviction about love's need to guide life) is not necessarily salvation. Faith can be a great HELP and the source of strength IF that guides us toward reaching our salvation through the assigned situations of our life. If faith does not help in this, it is but a useless fantasy.
     
        

    1 Peter 1:10, 11

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets who foretold the grace to come to you searched and investigated carefully, 11 trying to determine the time and setting to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow. "...
    NRSV: ..."10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that was to be yours made careful search and inquiry, 11 inquiring about the person or time that the Spirit of Jesus within them indicated when it testified in advance to the sufferings destined for Jesus and the subsequent glory."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • appeasement/catering to potential Jewish converts
  • inappropriate/inadequate/misguided attempt to apply OT prophecy
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Following the previous set of passages of wisdom, this passage goes off to fantasy land, again trying to increase the authenticity of the NT writings as a 'natural continuation and fulfillment of OT prophecies'. As if what happened to Jesus could not be connected to any OT prophecy, the whole Jesus episode would lose its credit in the eyes of the Jews... Was the 'salvation' they mentioned in the OT meant to be a 'salvation from their enemies'? Did any of the OT prophets prophesied this grace that was meant for everyone, or only for their chosen people? Because if they did not have a message for anyone else but their own people, then whatever they prophesied was incompatible with the message of Jesus, and thus, invalid and not from the creator. Prophesies about Jesus's arrival (or a need for them to exist at all) are irrelevant, as the CESAPH stands on its own and carries its independently valid and universal message of the eternal word of God to all of humanity. Jewish scripture that was specifically written to/about only a group of people play no role in such a magnanimous event. Choosing Israel and the Jews for the setting of the CESAPH played the role of contrasting their misguided and exclusionary belief system with the universal message the creator formalized to humanity. The suffering and death of Jesus was an expected outcome of the creator's choice for the context of the CESAPH. It was not necessary, but very much likely and foreseeable that the CESAPH would involve suffering, humiliation, and ultimately death on the part of the creator appearing among his chosen context in human form and given the claims about himself and his message. But none of the decisions that led to Jesus's death and suffering were determined, hence, it was not a necessary fate, but a likely and foreseeable one. Prophecies about this are not clear, were not the focus or emphasis of the prophets. The authors clearly are trying to post-fit the narrative to present Jesus as the Messiah the Jews were waiting for.
     
        

    1 Peter 1:13

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    Berean: ..."13 Therefore prepare your minds for action. Be sober-minded. Set your hope fully on the grace to be given you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. "...
    NRSV: ..."13 Therefore prepare your minds for action; discipline yourselves; set all your hope on the grace that Jesus Christ will bring you when he is revealed."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Grace is the ever-present willingness of the creator to help humans reach their salvation"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Grace is an ever present willingness of the creator to help us reach our salvation that has always been present and helping humans in this reality, not something that Jesus brought to us in the CESAPH. The gift of the good news of the CESAPH can bring hope to people, can give them strength. This constitutes an intervention by the grace of the creator to help as large of a part of humanity in reaching their salvation as possible. Thus, the CESAPH is also the work of grace; in fact, it is grace's most powerful undertaking in our reality. But as the passage talks about this in future tense, it suggests a misguided interpretation (perhaps of something that is to happen upon the second coming of Jesus?). The act of granting salvation to those souls who passed their evaluations during the last judgment can also be interpreted as the final act of grace on their penance.
     
        

    1 Peter 1:16

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    Berean: ..."16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” "...
    NRSV: ..."16 for it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • In their predispositions, humans inherit both love (the essence of the creator’s spirit we share with him, indicating our significance) and selfishness (its opposite/opposing property, what some mistakenly attribute to a separate entity of the ‘evil/devil/satan’) to different degrees from their greater-self, from their originating context of reality
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    “Holiness” can only be understood as alignment with the creator's preferred value, love; every other interpretation of what 'holiness' may mean must be misguided. People become 'holy' if they reach justification, and they keep this state until, and for as long as, they manage to live their lives aligned with love vs. selfishness.
     
    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  •  
    interpretation:
    “Holiness” can only be understood as alignment with the creator's preferred value, love; every other interpretation of what 'holiness' may mean must be misguided. People become 'holy' if they reach justification, and they keep this state until, and for as long as, they manage to live their lives aligned with love vs. selfishness. However, the author likely did not mean it this way.
     
        

    1 Peter 1:18, 19

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life you inherited from your forefathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot. "...
    NRSV: ..."18 You know that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Jesus,"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • misconceived understanding of what the ‘trinity’ could be
  • misconception about Jesus saving or justifying people rather than them achieving this through their own free will
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans"
  •  
    interpretation:
    The potential ramifications of the misconceived traditional interpretation of this passage are severe. It is influenced by the misconceived trinity-concept of the authors – the way the disciples viewed Jesus and the creator. The ideas that – with his suffering and death – Jesus performed an atonement for the sins of humanity (or to be more precise, the inherited 'sinful condition' of the wrongs committed by Adam and Eve) INSTEAD OF us (who inherited the condition and/or committed sins in our life too), and that with this he paid off a ransom (to either the Devil or to the Father) are logically absurd. If we hold the trinity as 'three possible interfaces' to the single entity of the creator, the whole logic of this narrative collapses. Additionally, the traditional Christian interpretation of the 'original sin' (developed around the 3rd century AD) is also misconceived: the reason why 'all humans are sinners' is NOT that they inherited this from any of their ancestors, NOR is it because they necessarily sinned during their life, BUT because their own greater-selves committed them in their originating context of reality. In this context, any 'atonement' performed in place of us by Jesus becomes absurd – it is each one of us that needs to rectify our sinful condition by reaching a justified conviction and living our life (our assigned situations) accordingly. This is simpler, makes much more sense, and seems a lot more likely. Even if one subscribes to the traditional trinity-interpretation of the Father and Son being 'somewhat' separate, the idea that the Devil is assumed as a separate entity, with powers that God needs to 'destroy' with the acts of Jesus, is without much sense. Why would the Son perform any self-sacrifice/favor to the Father to pay off a debt to the Devil instead of us who sinned or inherited those sins doing so? Why would the almighty creator enter into dealings with the separate, lesser-entity of the Devil, and end up owing anything to him (especially, our sovereign conscious souls, because of an inheritance from our far-ancestors)? And why would/could the Devil require such a ransom? And if the Son paid the ransom to the Father, what was the point in it – was there two separate entities involved (because this makes little if any sense being done within the same being). The idea that God needs to conquer the different entity (of the Devil) is also a lot less likely than 'evil' simply being the opposite value of the creator's preference/essence of love (selfishness). Selfishness, then, is a mere property in each one of us, to different degrees, that we are to conquer during our life by proving our realignment with love – a lot simpler, more likely than ransom, devil, conquering, debt, atonement, inherited sin from ancestors... It is entirely more likely that each one of us needs to complete a penance for wrongs we ourselves committed (in a higher context of reality we have no access to while in this life – as in dreams) and struggle to gain our salvation as a personal effort (rectify our sinful condition by realigning with love and return to the presence of the creator in heaven) of our life, and that is the very reason for our participation in this reality. The good news and guidance of the CESAPH CAN help those who were granted access to it in their situational assignments in reaching their justified conviction and having the strength to live life accordingly. In the CESAPH, the creator in Jesus fully shared the human condition with us, together with all its potential misery, suffering, and humiliation to demonstrate the creator's love for us and his desire for us to reach our salvation by aligning our life with love vs. selfishness. The sinful condition of all humans was NOT affected by the CESAPH. It had been and remains to this day up to each individual to reach their justified conviction and live their life accordingly. Undoubtedly for many, the good news helped in doing so. The intervention and good news of the CESAPH was a sacrifice/hardship the creator was willing to make for our benefit (NOT a sacrifice Jesus to offered to the Father), so that more of us would reach salvation (out of our own free will) than without. Most importantly, it was a demonstration of the creator's love for humanity – a gift that can be the greatest help from which people CAN (if they choose so) gain strength to reach their salvation with their life.
     
        

    1 Peter 1:21

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    Berean: ..."21 Through Him you believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and glorified Him; and so your faith and hope are in God. "...
    NRSV: ..."21 Through him you have come to trust in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are set on God."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  • The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans
  •  
    interpretation:
    This fragment nails the purpose of the CESAPH: it is to increase our trust and hope in a loving creator in a genuine, convincing way, without hindering the simulation's ability to test human souls (leaving necessary doubt intact). With the CESAPH, we can more confidently wager on the eternal word of God, of salvation, than with any other imaginable help (that would also leave the necessary doubt intact). There are also some issues within this passage that are addressed among the issues.
     
    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The resurrection is not a cornerstone belief to be held about Jesus or the subject of faith one needs to believe in to gain salvation, but an emphasis on the inevitability of afterlife for everyone. From a simulated reality everyone exits to their originating context, and the creator can naturally make exceptions for his exit and reappearance"
  •  
    interpretation:
    The CESAPH increases our trust in the creator, but not for the reasons mentioned here (the resurrection and display of glory). To focus on the miraculous and glorious in Jesus, and making this the focus of our belief is misguided, and misses the point of the CESAPH. Instead of a mighty all-powerful creator, we should see the demonstration of divine love for humanity, and the tremendous sacrifice undertaken in appearing in a fully-human, limited form, and subjecting himself to our will, to help us succeed in our salvation. The willingness of our creator to go to this length in attempting to get us failed souls back to his side is the real miracle of the CESAPH, and the good news we have since Jesus. The demonstration of might, the miraculous, or glorious would defeat the purpose of our existence's setup: the evaluation of the quality of our soul on its alignment with love vs. selfishness. The interpretation of the NT proposed by the philosophical foundation attributes these narratives to the disciples' efforts to gain converts to their new belief system – as, perhaps justifiably, perhaps not, they viewed this as their best chance in doing so. They may or may not have taken place as described, but they are not relevant to what the subject of faith should be, and what the message of Jesus was about.
     
        

    1 Peter 1:22, 23

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."22 Since you have purified your souls by obedience to the truth so that you have a genuine love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from a pure heart. 23 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. "...
    NRSV: ..."22 Now that you have purified your souls by your obedience to the truth so that you have genuine mutual love, love one another deeply from the heart. 23 You have been born anew, not of perishable but of imperishable seed, through the living and enduring word of God."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • ‘Justification’ is ‘being convinced about love’s (vs. selfishness) need to guide life’ (= ‘being rightly enlightened’, = ‘holding Jesus’s message in conviction’, = ‘following/believing in Jesus’, = ‘gaining a justified conviction’, = ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, = ‘doing the works of God’, = ‘satisfying/keeping/adhering to the command of God’, = ‘accepting/living according to Jesus’s message’, = ‘fulfilling the eternal word of God, of salvation’)
  •  
    interpretation:
    Being justified – realizing  that the living and enduring word of God is the proper guide to life – can be thought of as being 'born anew'. But this is only the start of one's journey to salvation in life - living the rest of life aligned with this conviction remains to be accomplished.
     
        

    1 Peter 1:25

     Significant Alignment! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."25 but the word of the Lord stands forever.” And this is the word that was proclaimed to you. "...
    NRSV: ..."25 but the word of the Lord endures forever." That word is the good news that was announced to you."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  • The essence of the creator is love
  • The human spirit is somehow part of the eternal consciousness
  •  
    interpretation:
    Again, nails the essence of the CESAPH and its message: the formalization of the eternal word of God, of salvation, by the creator himself in human form among us. The CESAPH amounted to a formal announcement of this word, which has always been and will always be in effect in our reality (and likely beyond). The eternal word of God is the divine motivation behind the creation or our reality. And if the word is eternal, its audience must also have been, and will be around from and into eternity.
     
        

    1 Peter 2:2

     Significant Alignment! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, "...
    NRSV: ..."2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow into salvation"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • ‘Justification’ is ‘being convinced about love’s (vs. selfishness) need to guide life’ (= ‘being rightly enlightened’, = ‘holding Jesus’s message in conviction’, = ‘following/believing in Jesus’, = ‘gaining a justified conviction’, = ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, = ‘doing the works of God’, = ‘satisfying/keeping/adhering to the command of God’, = ‘accepting/living according to Jesus’s message’, = ‘fulfilling the eternal word of God, of salvation’)
  •  
    interpretation:
    Achieving salvation is not done in an instant, and it does not come as a result of a decision to believe and have faith. It comes through aligning with love in conviction and living accordingly throughout one's assigned situations in life. Together, they form the quality of the soul, that is desired by the creator in heaven. The CESAPH helped those who were granted exposure to it in achieving this conviction and finding the strength to live the required life, but it did not accomplish for us anything without our active involvement.
     
        

    1 Peter 2:4, 5

     Significant Alignment! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."4 As you come to Him, the living stone, rejected by men but chosen and precious in God’s sight, 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. "...
    NRSV: ..."4 Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God's sight, and 5 like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • The main goal of our life is to reach our salvation and build values that transcend this reality into eternal life, not to reach material or academic success or to fulfill other worldly desires or loyalties
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    The spiritual house is the community of those who reach justification – together they form the 'church' (which is NOT a formal organization). They will be rejected by others who hold materialistic values and dismiss the eternal word of God, yet, their lives is the 'spiritual sacrifice' preferred and sought by the creator. The rejection by others is part of their temptation (of conformity) that they are expected to successfully resist. Their lives will amount to be the 'spiritual house' and are the 'holy priesthood' of the creator in this world.
     
        

    1 Peter 2:8

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."8 and, “A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word—and to this they were appointed. "...
    NRSV: ..."8 ... They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Every human has a real chance at reaching their salvation, which is NOT predetermined or predestined. The creator is NOT omniscient with regard to humans’ free will, and their fate in the evaluation"
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage clearly suggests predestination, which is false and illogical. If the fate of humans were known in advance to the creator, their existence (and of creation itself) would lose all its meaning. Each human has been invited to have the chance at proving their worths to reach their salvation. This is evident by their mere presence in this reality. The creator is NOT omniscient with regard to the decisions free-willed conscious humans make during their lives. Thus, the creator does NOT know in advance who will fail and who will succeed at reaching their salvation. This does NOT mean that likelihoods of success and failure are not known in advance, given one's character and world views. But no one has been predestined to either fail or succeed at this evaluation, of our life here.
     
        

    1 Peter 2:9

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. "...
    NRSV: ..."9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Grace is the ever-present willingness of the creator to help humans reach their salvation"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The creator created our reality (best modeled as a consciousness-centric simulation) to facilitate the evaluation of its target audience: humans"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Even if taken as the 'chosen race', 'royal priesthood', 'holy nation' as referring to all those who follow Jesus (and not just the Jews, as the author likely meant to), these tags are wholly misguided. There is no race that is chosen over any other race for any reason regarding the purpose of their lives and their chances at reaching their salvation. The members of all races, cultures, tribes, nations are all simply individuals who chose between right or wrong, between aligning their lives with love vs. selfishness. Thinking of people as priests or as a holy nation is also not right. Those individuals who will reach their salvation can be thought of as holy. Unfortunately, the 'mighty acts' also likely refer to miracles, amounting to being miracle-hungry, while the sacrifices and enormity of the CESAPH stays in the background. All of humanity was called out of the “darkness” and into the “light” by giving them a chance to rectify their sinful condition in this life. The 'darkness' was likely the precursor where we failed, that caused us to appear in this reality of penance and evaluation. The “light” can refer to the state of justification, or reaching one's salvation. In addition, the “proclamation of the mighty acts of Jesus/the creator” is NOT the purpose or goal of “God's own people” (that can only rightly be interpreted as 'all those who reach and keep their justified convictions throughout their lives'). Their purpose is to reach their salvation – to rejoin the presence of the creator in heaven. The image of the creator here is contaminated by the OT's creator-image.
     
        

    1 Peter 2:10

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. "...
    NRSV: ..."10 Once you were not a people,but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • misconception about forgiveness, and the role of rituals
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Those who are justified may be thought of as 'God's people', however not even such people receive “mercy” until their lives are complete and they have proven their alignment with love throughout all the assigned situations of their lives. That is, “mercy” (the rectification of one's sinful status, reaching salvation, the return to the creator's presence in heaven) is given upon passing one's evaluation during the Last Judgment, after one's death.
     
        

    1 Peter 2:11

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    Berean: ..."11 Beloved, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from the desires of the flesh, which war against your soul. "...
    NRSV: ..."11 Beloved, I urge you as aliens and exiles to abstain from the desires of the flesh that wage war against the soul."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • The main goal of our life is to reach our salvation and build values that transcend this reality into eternal life, not to reach material or academic success or to fulfill other worldly desires or loyalties
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    The war against the soul is a lifelong struggle against temptation that is part of our penance. The temptations we face in life translate to the difficult in prevailing in our alignment with love. Temptation is reigning free to try to prevent us from reaching salvation – but this is what our evaluation is all about.
     
        

    1 Peter 2:12

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    Berean: ..."12 Conduct yourselves with such honor among the Gentiles that, though they slander you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us. "...
    NRSV: ..."12 Conduct yourselves honorably among the Gentiles, so that, though they malign you as evildoers, they may see your honorable deeds and glorify God when he comes to judge."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  • misguided focus on Jews or improper differentiation between Jews and Gentiles
  •  
    interpretation:
    Though 'Gentiles' may be translated pagans/unbelievers as well (though certainly, this was NOT the intention of the author), this need not be specified, as everyone needs to be treated as a 'neighbor' (a fellow human being participating in the same evaluation) anyway. If 'gentile' means non-Jew, then surely, there are plenty of them who are more honorable than some Jews may be. So this differentiation is entirely misguided on the part of the author. They should talk about those who follow the message of Jesus versus those who do not.
     
        

    1 Peter 2:13, 14

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    Berean: ..."13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to the king as the supreme authority, 14 or to governors as those sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right. "...
    NRSV: ..."13 For the LORD's sake accept the authority of every human institution, whether of the emperor as supreme, 14 or of governors, as sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  •  
    interpretation:
    This generalized blanket statement can not be applied to every situation. Not all authorities are “sent by God to punish wrongdoers and praise right-doers”. In fact, some authorities are downright corrupt, evil, cruel, self-serving, unjust, etc. Humans need to use their critical thinking to see for themselves whether their authorities are there to serve them or not. But this is all common sense, hence, no one should take this passage literally or even bother with it. Obviously, the sharing of the common burden that affect many members of society (taxes, rules and regulations), the solving of problems that require sacrifice on the part of many or all individuals need to be organized on a broader community level, and for this, elected authorities serve a benevolent purpose.
     
        

    1 Peter 2:16

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    Berean: ..."16 Live in freedom, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. "...
    NRSV: ..."16 As servants of God, live as free people, yet do not use your freedom as a pretext for evil."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • As salvation is an individual achievement, finding the way and living life accordingly is a private matter that can not be policed or compelled by others
  • Every human has a real chance at reaching their salvation, which is NOT predetermined or predestined. The creator is NOT omniscient with regard to humans’ free will, and their fate in the evaluation
  •  
    interpretation:
    Contradicts Galatians 4:30, Colossians 4:1 – those may be seen as condoning slavery as a condition whereas living as “free people” is granted as a base condition. This indicates freedom of will though in this context, but as all humans are granted this, slavery can not be a justified condition without a selfish disregard for others. The concept of free will logically precludes the possibility of the creator knowing in advance of our decisions. Based on the belief system of the OT,  the authors and disciples of Jesus misguidedly believed the ‘Evil One’, ‘Devil’, or ’Satan’ to be a separate independent entity (a fallen leader of angels) opposed to the creator and having some special powers. However, the concept should simply be interpreted as ‘the influence and temptations to be selfish’, the opposite of the creator’s preference of love that is present in us conscious humans, and all of us are here to demonstrate that we can subdue and eliminate this value in us, and side with its opposite in our evaluation.
     
        

    1 Peter 2:17, 18

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    Berean: ..."17 Treat everyone with high regard: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king. 18 Servants, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but even to those who are unreasonable. "...
    NRSV: ..."17 Honor everyone. Love the family of believers. Fear God. Honor the emperor. 18 Slaves, accept the authority of your masters with all deference, not only those who are kind and gentle but also those who are harsh."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • condoning slavery
  • contradicts other NT passages
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  •  
    interpretation:
    Contradicts Mark 10:44, Romans 7:6, 1 Corinthians 7:22-23, Philippians 2:6-8, Galatians 5:13-14 Galatians 5:1, 4:7, 3:28, 1 Timothy 1:10-11, 1 Peter 2:16, James 5:1-5, Colossians 3:10 by implicitly condoning the condition of slavery. The author is simply wrong on the possibility for any person to own slaves, their family, and make them obedient. Some forms of subservient relations CAN exist out of legal (repaying debt or fulfilling a contractual obligation) or moral reasons (voluntary or sanctioned rectifying trespasses to those harmed), but in those cases the relationship is NOT 'slavery', as ownership of another person or their offspring is not involved. Of course, people in subservient relations to their 'lenders' still need to relate to them (to the people they owe and serve) with love, and vice versa. This passage was likely included to maintain social order at the time of its writing, and has nothing to do with the wish of Jesus or his message (other than the main command covers all situations, including this one). If the 'master' is a respectable human, then treat him with respect. In ALL cases treat all humans – including masters – in alignment with love and consideration. Then, there are those masters who are not worthy of respect as they may not be worthy of any honor. And those should be treated 'appropriately'. No one needs to take consistent wickedness from an abuser as part of the abuser's pleasure and entertainment – and this does not even contradict the 'other cheek' principle. Masters who are believers (justified in their conviction) should have already freed their slaved and transferred all legitimate cases into contractual obligations (debt, rectifying sins). Addressing the condition of 'slavery' head on would have been perhaps more important for the author to address than these other detailed instructions he was so concerned about. But then, I guess he would have risked a quick execution from the slave-owning authorities. How about the practice of prisoners of war being converted into slave status? Well, perfect opportunity to preach the message of Jesus to the enablers and maintainers of such injustices! Social justice and sustainable development directly follow from Jesus's main command. More than 2000 years later church leaders still did not address those points by sticking them to the face of those who have been responsible for maintaining such injustices (namely, rulers and the rich who have been allied with the church throughout history).. And we did not even touch the camel's case with the eye of the needle. Sadly, parts like this were responsible in the upkeep of those unjust situations, as they could be referenced as examples and counter-examples, invoking 'divine blessing'. Humans are to love not only their family of believers (the best deed of a Jew is to help a fellow Jew) but all other fellow humans they know about. Loving those far away can be in the form of making decisions that consider their welfare as well. National selfishness is as unjustified as that of the individual. To “honor the emperor” may be a practical advice in a specific situation, but can not be generalized to all similar situations. And “live as free people” contradicts “slaves accepting the authority of their masters”.
     
        

    1 Peter 2:19, 20

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."19 For if anyone endures the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God, this is to be commended. 20 How is it to your credit if you are beaten for doing wrong and you endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. "...
    NRSV: ..."19 For it is a credit to you if, being aware of God, you endure pain while suffering unjustly. 20 If you endure when you are beaten for doing wrong, what credit is that? But if you endure when you do right and suffer for it, you have God's approval."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • It is logical to expect appropriate consequences due for passing or failing the evaluation
  • Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally
  •  
    interpretation:
    Of course, the seeming unjust suffering that comes from an 'act of God' (circumstances arranged by the creator) may not be unjust at all, as that may be part of one's assigned penance for the wrong of the precursor. One should be clear about this possibility in life of penance, and endurance is the only way to handle it with dignity (rebelling against it or rejecting it makes no logical sense). As for the intentional suffering caused by the free will of other humans, we must understand that in light of our free will, any other alternative must be illogical (miracles would be needed to prevent the effects of ill will from others – the automatic cancellation of those undesired effects would effectively cancel the free will of others.) What one can hope for is that, after the evaluation separates those who will have aligned with love from those aligned with selfishness, further suffering imposed by free will will be alleviated (eliminated or minimized), and we may even receive compensation from the creator for the suffering we endured out of the ill will of others in this life. In this case endurance (as opposed to rage or revenge) may be a wise option.
     
        

    1 Peter 2:21

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His footsteps: "...
    NRSV: ..."21 For to this you have been called, because Jesus also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage is a perfect description of our reality. We have been called to go through our life of penance for the past wrongs we have committed before we appeared in this life, and reach our salvation despite our assigned situations in life. Jesus DID suffer BECAUSE of our failings in our precursor (and not “FOR us”), as he wanted as many of us to reach our salvation as possible. If we did not fail the creator in our precursor, we would not have had to spend our penance here, and there would have been no need to evaluate us on our alignment with love vs. selfishness. And then, the creator would have had no need to suffer BECAUSE of our failings, as being evaluated in our reality and the CESAPH would not have been needed. Following him in his steps means taking on our cross (whatever our assigned situations may be) and walk the path of salvation, stay in alignment with love vs. selfishness. You have been called to suffer according to your assigned penance you received for your failings in the originating context of reality (before you joined this reality). But the good news is that you are still loved by the creator who wants you to reach your salvation, to rejoin his presence in heaven. For this, the creator is evaluating your worthiness in your life – and this is what the purpose of our existence is in this reality. Thus, what makes sense for us to do is to take up our cross (our assigned situations) and follow his guidance to salvation. And because of the CESAPH (the intervention undertaken by the creator in Jesus to sway us toward salvation) we are strengthened and encouraged to follow in Jesus's steps in enduring our fate and suffering, and still prevailing in reaching salvation by living a life aligned with love.
     
    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies"
  •  
    interpretation:
    The creator DID “suffer” at the hand of humans, but not 'FOR you'; rather 'BECAUSE you have violated his preference (of love) somehow in the precursor, and BECAUSE he loved you so much nonetheless that he was willing to subject himself to our will to demonstrate his love for us and invite us to reach our salvation despite our sufferings.
     
        

    1 Peter 2:23

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    Berean: ..."23 When they heaped abuse on Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats, but entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly. "...
    NRSV: ..."23 When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • Behavioral guidance
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  •  
    interpretation:
    Enduring our assignment with humility and not anger, not lashing out in revenge at God or others are the prescribed ways for us in trying to reach salvation. Judgment and consequences for our evaluation will happen after the Last Judgment after we die. Resisting the urge for revenge directly derives from loving others, even if they act against us. By this, we leave judgment, sentencing and compensation to the creator. Revenge can easily turn to the attempt to amass power, that typically involves the selfish disregard of others.
     
        

    1 Peter 2:24

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."24 He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. “By His stripes you are healed.” "...
    NRSV: ..."24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misconception about forgiveness, and the role of rituals
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Jesus did not carry the weight of our sins; he undertook a human form and subjected himself to our will so he can genuinely demonstrate his love for humanity and formalize the eternal word of God as the way to our salvation. Jesus taking on and carrying away our sins is just a gross misunderstanding that is also illogical. Even if one reaches a justified conviction one will not be “free from sins” unless he lives according to this conviction throughout the assigned situations of life. The “wounds of Jesus” are a great reminder the sacrifice the creator has undertaken in Jesus so that many more of us reach salvation through the help of this good news. The CESAPH did not directly make us “free from our past or future sins” - we have to implement this in our lives using our free will. If we manage to do this, we “will have lived for righteousness”. We live righteously if we are justified in our conviction and act accordingly throughout the ordeals and trials of life.
     
        

    1 Peter 3:1, 2, 3, 4

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    Berean: ..."1 Wives, in the same way, submit yourselves to your husbands, so that even if they refuse to believe the word, they will be won over without words by the behavior of their wives 2 when they see your pure and reverent demeanor. 3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair or gold jewelry or fine clothes, 4 but from the inner disposition of your heart, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in God’s sight. "...
    NRSV: ..."1 Wives, in the same way, accept the authority of your husbands, so that, even if some of them do not obey the word, they may be won over without a word by their wives' conduct, 2 when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. 3 Do not adorn yourselves outwardly by braiding your hair, and by wearing gold ornaments or fine clothing; 4 rather, let your adornment be the inner self with the lasting beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in God's sight."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • personal perspectives and directives that are culturally dependent
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness"
  •  
    interpretation:
    The level of detail about behavioral guidelines is grossly and unnecessarily exaggerated. Life is simply NOT about adhering to these kinds of customs, guidelines, norms. As far as “adornment” of women, men should control themselves instead of trying to control the appearance of women. Temptation is something everyone needs to be prepared to handle and conquer to prove their worth to the creator. If there is no temptation, there is no evaluation – and we are here to be evaluated on our alignment. Thus, life is not about eliminating temptations, but willfully resisting them whenever we face them. This proves the quality of our soul – its alignment on love vs. selfishness – to the creator, and this is our worth to him.  
     
        

    1 Peter 3:6

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    Berean: ..."6 just as Sarah obeyed Abraham and called him lord. And you are her children if you do what is right and refuse to give way to fear. "...
    NRSV: ..."6 Thus Sarah obeyed Abraham and called him lord. You have become her daughters as long as you do what is good and never let fears alarm you."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • appeasement/catering to potential Jewish converts
  • incorrect or inappropriate generalization
  •  
    interpretation:
    The reference to Sarah from the OT is irrelevant and misleading. To become like “Sarah” from the OT should not be anyone's goal. It is wise to simply follow Jesus's message and not get mixed up with the OT's teachings, as that will distort the message of Jesus. What one ought to do in all given situations – whether a man or a woman – is to align their conviction with love, and act accordingly. This addresses everything, and will get one their salvation. The OT reference is obviously included to appeal to and gain potential Jewish converts. As far as 'obeying one's husband', this is a generalization that may or may not be valid or even right in all cases. As in all human interactions, love and respect for the other should guide the relationship between a woman and a man.
     
        

    1 Peter 3:8, 9

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    Berean: ..."8 Finally, all of you, be like-minded and sympathetic, love as brothers, be tenderhearted and humble. 9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. "...
    NRSV: ..."8 Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love for one another, a tender heart, and a humble mind. 9 Do not repay evil for evil or abuse for abuse; but, on the contrary, repay with a blessing. It is for this that you were called — that you might inherit a blessing."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • One ‘loves God’ by loving their fellow human beings, no matter how far removed they may be, which fulfills the single command of God
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    Enduring our assignment with humility and not anger, not lashing out in revenge at God or others are the prescribed ways for us in trying to reach salvation. Resisting the urge for revenge directly derives from loving others, even if they act against us. By this, we leave judgment, sentencing and compensation to the creator. Revenge can easily turn to the attempt to amass power, that typically involves the selfish disregard of others. In other words, let love dominate your life – that is what we are called to do in this evaluation, so we may gain our salvation. The “unity of spirit, sympathy, love for one another, a tender heart, and a humble mind” also describes the community of those who will have reached their salvation; thus, it also describes part of the expected reality in heaven. The blessing we will inherit will be our salvation, rejoining the presence of the creator.
     
        

    1 Peter 3:15, 16

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    Berean: ..."15 But in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that is in you. But respond with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who slander you may be put to shame by your good behavior in Christ. "...
    NRSV: ..."15 but in your hearts sanctify Jesus as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you; 16 yet do it with gentleness and reverence."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • A justified person has the duty to spread the word of God to others in a non-intrusive way whenever the chance arises and by showing an example
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • As salvation is an individual achievement, finding the way and living life accordingly is a private matter that can not be policed or compelled by others
  •  
    interpretation:
    Beautifully said guidance. “Sanctifying Jesus as Lord” means accepting his guidance for life as the one that can lead to salvation. A justified person needs to be ready to defend his faith at any situation, using reasoning through their understanding. But this can not be an overpowering, humiliating or forceful way of attempted conversion, and one needs to be prepared to be rejected.
     
        

    1 Peter 3:17, 18

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."17 For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 18 For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit, "...
    NRSV: ..."17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if suffering should be God's will, than to suffer for doing evil. 18 For Jesus also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • Grace is the ever-present willingness of the creator to help humans reach their salvation
  • Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  • The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans
  •  
    interpretation:
    Parallels 1 Peter 2:19,20 - The suffering we face in accidental situations are part of our assignment to go through in our penance and evaluation. Suffering from the will of other humans may be compensated in the afterlife. The CESAPH was an intervention of help benefitting those who were granted access to the good news during their lives. Jesus did suffer for/because of/with respect to the sins of these humans, as they are all in this world as sinners trying to rectify their sinful condition (originating in the precursor). In this life, some of them manage to be righteous, some unrighteous – but the good news of the CESAPH was done on behalf of both of these groups, in hope to help as many of them to their salvation as possible. The ever-willing help of divine grace is helping ALL humans in their mission to reach salvation (whether they acknowledge this mission or not) regardless of whether they were granted the help of the good news or not. Some journeys to salvation are harder than others – and this is all part of our assigned situations, despite of which we are expected to reach salvation. The sinful condition of any human is not affected by the CESAPH –  all of us still need to walk the walk of life in alignment with love. The gift of the good news of the CESAPH – as a testimony of the creator's love for us, his sharing in our human suffering, limitations and fate – is just the most genuine help imaginable we can hope for in our situation in succeeding to reach our salvation. It can help one in instilling the right conviction (justification) and give strength to complete life in alignment with this conviction (trusting that we face a loving and fair creator), all while leaving the setup's ability to test the quality of human soul. “Bringing us to God” is helping us to reach our salvation.
     
        

    1 Peter 3:21

     Significant Alignment! 
     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."21 And this water symbolizes the baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body, but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, "...
    NRSV: ..."21 And baptism, which this prefigured, now saves you — not as a removal of dirt from the body, but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Ritual guidance
  • The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans
  • ‘Justification’ is ‘being convinced about love’s (vs. selfishness) need to guide life’ (= ‘being rightly enlightened’, = ‘holding Jesus’s message in conviction’, = ‘following/believing in Jesus’, = ‘gaining a justified conviction’, = ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, = ‘doing the works of God’, = ‘satisfying/keeping/adhering to the command of God’, = ‘accepting/living according to Jesus’s message’, = ‘fulfilling the eternal word of God, of salvation’)
  •  
    interpretation:
    A closer translation: “And this water symbolizes the baptism that now saves you also— not the removal of dirt from the body, but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God— through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,” The “pledge of a clear conscience toward God” is well said about what Baptism is. It can be a ritual that accompanies one's reaching of a justified conviction, one's desire to be on the right path toward salvation. It is also well said that this ritual is not a “removal of dirt from the body” (it does not affect one's sinful status or take away their sins), however, if one sticks to it and lives life according to this conviction, one is expected to earn their salvation and the redemption of their sinful condition. One's belief in the resurrection of Jesus – whether it happened as described or not – CAN help them to justification and subsequently in living their life accordingly. But belief in the resurrection is not the only (or even a necessary) way to justification and salvation. There are also issues with this passage addressed among the issues.  
     
    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • misconception about forgiveness, and the role of rituals
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The resurrection is not a cornerstone belief to be held about Jesus or the subject of faith one needs to believe in to gain salvation, but an emphasis on the inevitability of afterlife for everyone. From a simulated reality everyone exits to their originating context, and the creator can naturally make exceptions for his exit and reappearance"
  •  
    interpretation:
    A closer translation: “And this water symbolizes the baptism that now saves you also— not the removal of dirt from the body, but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God— through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,” Baptism's pledge does not have anything to do with the resurrection of Jesus. Anyone who did not get the chance to know about Jesus can also appeal to a creator entity for guidance, and the grace of the creator can help and guide the individual to a justified conviction (which is one's conviction that love vs selfishness needs to guide life). In this sense Baptism is a formality, a custom, a ritual, that has no direct effect on reaching salvation. Indirectly it can strengthen one's conviction and determination to stay on the right path though. But the pledge of baptism alone (as well as Justification itself) does not guarantee one's salvation. A life lived according to a justified conviction does. One's belief in the resurrection of Jesus – whether it happened as described or not – CAN help them to justification and subsequently in living their life accordingly. But belief in the resurrection is not the only (or even a necessary) way to justification and salvation.
     
        

    1 Peter 4:1, 2

     Significant Alignment! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."1 Therefore, since Christ suffered in His body, arm yourselves with the same resolve, because anyone who has suffered in his body is done with sin. 2 Consequently, he does not live out his remaining time on earth for human passions, but for the will of God. "...
    NRSV: ..."1 Since therefore Jesus suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same intention (for whoever has suffered in the flesh has finished with sin), 2 so as to live for the rest of your earthly life no longer by human desires but by the will of God."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • It is logical to expect appropriate consequences due for passing or failing the evaluation
  • Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally
  • The main goal of our life is to reach our salvation and build values that transcend this reality into eternal life, not to reach material or academic success or to fulfill other worldly desires or loyalties
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    Be ready to go through your assigned situations even if they include greater amount of suffering, as Jesus also suffered on our behalf – to demonstrate to us his love, showing us an example by appearing among us as a human and joining in our fate and limitations. Most suffering that comes from an 'act of God' (accidental situations that are not caused by the will of other humans) serves as our penance for our past wrongs we committed in our precursory existence, and are justly assigned to fit those wrongs. The sins we commit in this life will be part of our evaluation, and we will face the consequences of those sins after the last judgment, in our existence beyond this life. Thus, our suffering in this life is NOT directly or necessarily related to how unrighteous we live our life. This explains the possible reasons behind “bad things can happen to good people” and all its other variations in a fair and just way.
     
    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • incorrect or inappropriate generalization
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "‘Justification’ is ‘being convinced about love’s (vs. selfishness) need to guide life’ (= ‘being rightly enlightened’, = ‘holding Jesus’s message in conviction’, = ‘following/believing in Jesus’, = ‘gaining a justified conviction’, = ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, = ‘doing the works of God’, = ‘satisfying/keeping/adhering to the command of God’, = ‘accepting/living according to Jesus’s message’, = ‘fulfilling the eternal word of God, of salvation’)"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Suffering in the flesh does NOT necessarily mean “finishing with sin” or getting into any justified condition at all. People who go through suffering can still live a sinful selfish life afterwards or change their convictions. Physical suffering is an assigned condition in most cases (unless it is caused by the will of other humans) people are to go through in their life as part of their penance for the wrongs they committed in their precursory existence (for which they find themselves in this reality). The assignment of these situations (and their difficulty or level of suffering) can be thought to have been made justly to each individual, even though, during our lives in this reality we are not to find out the exact reasons for them. It is going through this set of difficulties that one also needs to prove their soul's worth to the creator (the evaluation of their alignment with love vs. selfishness) in order to reach their salvation (their return to the creator's presence in heaven). Justification also does not necessarily follow the endurance of suffering. One may turn bitter and resentful afterwards, not justified in their conviction. One also does not have to reject “human desires” as long as their conduct and acts are in line with love and not selfishness.
     
        

    1 Peter 4:3

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."3 For you have spent enough time in the past carrying out the same desires as the Gentiles: living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and detestable idolatry. "...
    NRSV: ..."3 You have already spent enough time in doing what the Gentiles like to do, living in licentiousness, passions, drunkenness, revels, carousing, and lawless idolatry."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • appeasement/catering to potential Jewish converts
  • incorrect or inappropriate generalization
  •  
    interpretation:
    This generalized statement about the gentiles is likely false, stereotyped, and grossly misguided. There is no logical basis for why the values of the Jews would seem any better to the creator (in keeping their misguided 613 rules and caring about only themselves) than that of any other individual from a different culture at the time. The only criterion to apply – on which bases to use to judge people on their 'lawlessness' – is Jesus's formalized criterion for our evaluation: how aligned one is with love vs. selfishness. So to say that the Jews of Moses were more loving and less selfish than other people at the time may be blatantly false and arrogant. The passage also appeals to potential Jewish converts, as it reinforces their misconceived view that they are 'better' or 'more important' in the eyes of the creator: “It is the 'gentiles' that are supposed to be ungodly, nor YOU!”.
     
        

    1 Peter 4:5

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    Berean: ..."5 But they will have to give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. "...
    NRSV: ..."5 But they will have to give an accounting to him who stands ready to judge the living and the dead."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • It is logical to expect appropriate consequences due for passing or failing the evaluation
  • Jesus’s ‘covenant’ of the eternal word of God, of salvation is the only covenant that has ever been and will ever be in effect from the creator for all of humanity, since the very beginning of time till the ending of our simulated reality, meaning that if one passes their evaluation on their alignment with love, one redeems their sinful condition and gains their salvation
  • Relativity of experiencing time
  •  
    interpretation:
    Judging all the living and the dead in the end may imply that those who had a human life in this world will all face judgment at the same time. In the simulation/dream model of reality, this could be the very next moment after each human's death, time-shifting (skipping time) to the same moment in objective time – just as it can happen with skipping the unconscious parts of sleep, yet still having a continuous experience of awareness. The passage underscores that we are here on an evaluation on which the quality of our soul (including our conduct) will be judged – thus, the sentence can not just be about believing/accepting certain things, but living life according to the right conviction. As with each evaluation, the result should carry a consequence (as that was the motivation for setting up the evaluation itself).
     
        

    1 Peter 4:6

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    Berean: ..."6 That is why the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged as men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. "...
    NRSV: ..."6 For this is the reason the gospel was proclaimed even to the dead, so that, though they had been judged in the flesh as everyone is judged, they might live in the spirit as God does."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "‘Justification’ is ‘being convinced about love’s (vs. selfishness) need to guide life’ (= ‘being rightly enlightened’, = ‘holding Jesus’s message in conviction’, = ‘following/believing in Jesus’, = ‘gaining a justified conviction’, = ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, = ‘doing the works of God’, = ‘satisfying/keeping/adhering to the command of God’, = ‘accepting/living according to Jesus’s message’, = ‘fulfilling the eternal word of God, of salvation’)"
  •  
    interpretation:
    The gospel (the eternal word of God, of salvation through a proven alignment with love) was not proclaimed/formalized to the “dead”, unless the author means those who heard about the good news but died before this writing. However, the gospel has still been accessible to every human in history who did not hear the good news during their life through their predisposition. Those who did not hear the good news in their assigned circumstances were also assigned to live in this reality in order to reach their salvations in which they must have had a realistic chance, even without knowing about the good news of the CESAPH. The second coming of Jesus (if it is to happen during anyone's lifetime in our reality) is not something any living human should 'expect' to live through or prepare for in this world. One should do nothing differently if this were to happen, than if not: one should live their life aligned with love vs. selfishness. This does not change whether the second coming is tomorrow or after everyone's death in the next world. Relying and building on their predispositions and with the help of grace, everyone can align their life with love vs. selfishness and reach salvation. The gift of the good news of the CESAPH attempts to help those who were/are/will be granted to know about it in their assigned conditions. “living in the spirit as God does” is living life according to a justified conviction, in alignment with love.
     
        

    1 Peter 4:7

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear-minded and sober, so that you can pray. "...
    NRSV: ..."7 The end of all things is near; therefore be serious and discipline yourselves for the sake of your prayers."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • clear misguidance of author as the time remaining till the second coming was NOT near
  •  
    interpretation:
    This can only be taken seriously if it refers to everyone's death. However, the writer was not referring to this, but to the imminent second coming of Jesus. This is a misunderstanding or a misconception on the author's part, and so an indication that the 'scriptures' can not be taken as an infallible set of text – if the author is mistaken on this, what else can he also be mistaken about, misunderstand, misconceive, or misrepresent.. It is only wise to take the scriptures as a set of writings produced by humans, they include their best ability to recall what happened and what was said about the creator's visit in our reality as Jesus.
     
        

    1 Peter 4:8

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."8 Above all, love one another deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. "...
    NRSV: ..."8 Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Jesus’s ‘covenant’ of the eternal word of God, of salvation is the only covenant that has ever been and will ever be in effect from the creator for all of humanity, since the very beginning of time till the ending of our simulated reality, meaning that if one passes their evaluation on their alignment with love, one redeems their sinful condition and gains their salvation
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    Contradicts Matthew 5:17 and several other verses from the NT about Jesus representing, leaving intact/keeping Jewish law in effect – rightly. This was an appeasement towards potential Jewish converts (the authors must have wanted to remain safe with their laws, as apparently they did not entirely trust Jesus's message). Love covering a multitude/ a fullness of sins sums up the essential message, the eternal word of God, of salvation, which Jesus came to formalize and testify to with his love for us.
     
        

    1 Peter 4:10, 11

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    Berean: ..."10 As good stewards of the manifold grace of God, each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve one another. 11 If anyone speaks, he should speak as one conveying the words of God. If anyone serves, he should serve with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen. "...
    NRSV: ..."10 Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. 11 Whoever speaks must do so as one speaking the very words of God; whoever serves must do so with the strength that God supplies, so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • A justified person has the duty to spread the word of God to others in a non-intrusive way whenever the chance arises and by showing an example
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • One ‘loves God’ by loving their fellow human beings, no matter how far removed they may be, which fulfills the single command of God
  •  
    interpretation:
    This highlights what to do with talent: not to enrich the self and its surrounding circle, but for the benefit and hopeful salvation of others. God is 'glorified' if we live a justified life aligned with love – his preferred value.
     
        

    1 Peter 4:12, 13, 16, 19

     Significant Alignment! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial that has come upon you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed at the revelation of His glory. 16 But if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but glorify God that you bear that name. 19 So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should entrust their souls to their faithful Creator and continue to do good. "...
    NRSV: ..."12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you are sharing Jesus's sufferings, so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed. ... 16 Yet if any of you suffers as a Christian, do not consider it a disgrace, but glorify God because you bear this name. ... 19 Therefore, let those suffering in accordance with God's will entrust themselves to a faithful Creator, while continuing to do good."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • A justified person has the duty to spread the word of God to others in a non-intrusive way whenever the chance arises and by showing an example
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    The creator taking up a human form to share in our potential misery gives us strength to take our cross and despite of it succeed in reaching our salvation by living a life aligned with love. Bad things can happen to good people – and all its other variations – should not derail people from continuing to do good, which is the only way to salvation. The passage underscores that we are on an evaluation where we are tested in our endurance and alignment on the preferred value of the creator. Jesus's suffering can give us the strength to endure our assigned suffering and still prevail in reaching salvation by living our life aligned with love. Suffering for 'being Christian' is a direct service for the creator, doing our part in the divine invitation for all humans to reach their salvation.
     
        

    1 Peter 5:2, 3

     Significant Alignment! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is among you, watching over them not out of compulsion, but because it is God’s will; not out of greed, but out of eagerness; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. "...
    NRSV: ..."2 to tend the flock of God that is in your charge, exercising the oversight, not under compulsion but willingly, as God would have you do it — not for sordid gain but eagerly. 3 Do not lord it over those in your charge, but be examples to the flock."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • A justified person has the duty to spread the word of God to others in a non-intrusive way whenever the chance arises and by showing an example
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • As salvation is an individual achievement, finding the way and living life accordingly is a private matter that can not be policed or compelled by others
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage describes how followers of Jesus's message should voluntarily (not out of a calculated motive) lead pass on the good news and Jesus's message - by example (of loving and being considerate of each other). Anyone who does it differently is not walking the path marked by Jesus. Amassing power or building a formal organization can not be justified from this passage. Unfortunately, this passage has been violated by alleged followers of Jesus throughout history, till this day. Who are the justified people in charge of? Those who they can reach in their assigned situations. Does this being in charge mean any power over? Nope.
     
        

    1 Peter 5:5

    top  

    Berean: ..."5 Young men, in the same way, submit yourselves to your elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” "...
    NRSV: ..."5 In the same way, you who are younger must accept the authority of the elders."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • incorrect or inappropriate generalization
  • personal perspectives and directives that are culturally dependent
  •  
    interpretation:
    In general, one is wise to follow authorities and elders (those with more knowledge, experience and wisdom), but this is not always the case. Ultimately, one needs to rely on the guidance of his conscience and conviction, and not blindly entrust this responsibility to any outside authority. The excuse 'but I grew up this way/they taught me so/they raised me this way will not get one out of the responsibility of the evaluation of their alignment on love vs. selfishness.
     
        

    1 Peter 5:8, 9, 10

     Significant Alignment! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."8 Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in your faith and in the knowledge that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering. 10 And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore you, secure you, strengthen you, and establish you. "...
    NRSV: ..."8 Discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in your faith, for you know that your brothers and sisters in all the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering.  10 And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Jesus, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • Behavioral guidance
  • One needs to live life being always ready for its accounting - then, if events in the future come as a ’thief’, as one would have needed to do nothing differently
  • Our evaluation serves to separate those who align with love from those who align with selfishness, thereby eliminating the source of suffering from heaven
  • Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally
  • The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness – and resisting the temptation of selfishness summarizes the evaluation/life of every human throughout history. Everyone undergoing the “same kinds of suffering” to different degrees (the temptations and the misery of the assigned situations each of us needs to succeed from) confirms the penance everyone is serving for our sinful condition (originating from our precursory existence) and the single universal evaluation criterion applicable to everyone in each human situation. “Suffered for a little while” refers to our life, in the context of our eternal existence. After a life that successfully reached salvation, the creator will restore and establish us to “his eternal glory in Jesus” (his presence in heaven). With the CESAPH as his formal invitation, “the God of all grace called us to his eternal glory in Jesus” by giving us a chance at our salvation in this life, urging us to succeed and offering us the strength and an increased assurance of facing a loving creator. Being ready at all times means life is not achievement-oriented, but alignment-oriented. Achievements are encouraged if they also put to use in this alignment. This passage summarizes the reasons for the CESAPH and summarizes the reasons for the existence in our reality. Based on the belief system of the OT,  the authors and disciples of Jesus misguidedly believed the ‘Evil One’, ‘Devil’, or ’Satan’ to be a separate independent entity (a fallen leader of angels) opposed to the creator and having some special powers. However, the concept should simply be interpreted as ‘the influence and temptations to be selfish’, the opposite of the creator’s preference of love that is present in us conscious humans, and all of us are here to demonstrate that we can subdue and eliminate this value in us, and side with its opposite in our evaluation.
     
        

    John 1:1, 2, 3

     Significant Alignment! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made. "...
    NRSV: ..."1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Grace is the ever-present willingness of the creator to help humans reach their salvation
  • Jesus’s ‘covenant’ of the eternal word of God, of salvation is the only covenant that has ever been and will ever be in effect from the creator for all of humanity, since the very beginning of time till the ending of our simulated reality, meaning that if one passes their evaluation on their alignment with love, one redeems their sinful condition and gains their salvation
  • The creator created our reality (best modeled as a consciousness-centric simulation) to facilitate the evaluation of its target audience: humans
  • The essence of the creator is love
  • The human spirit is somehow part of the eternal consciousness
  •  
    interpretation:
    The 'beginning' refers to before the creation of our simulated reality. The simulation was created to be a setting for failed souls (conscious spirits/angels) serving their penance. Souls enter this simulation from the eternal domain of our encompassing context (heaven/paradise – existing in the presence of the creator where our relation is based on love). The 'Word' symbolizes the rule by which sovereign conscious souls can stay in the presence of the creator in eternity. This rule is to be aligned with the preferred value of the creator, love. This rule likely existed before the creation of our reality, as a condition for remaining in the presence of the creator. Then, this rule was likely violated by some (failed) souls in this precursor, by actions that were contrary to it (selfishness and its derivatives). This may have warranted the creation of our reality as a place of penance (out of the loving grace of the creator), and as a chance to rectify the sinful condition of its participants, and rejoin the presence of the creator. The 'Word was God' and 'all things came into being through him' (the Word or God) highlights the motivation behind the creation of our reality for the above purposes. All things that came into being through him can refer to the design and configuration of our simulation for the failed souls, for whom this reality is being created.
     
        

    John 1:3, 4, 5

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."3 Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5 The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. "...
    NRSV: ..."3 … What has come into being 4 in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • In their predispositions, humans inherit both love (the essence of the creator’s spirit we share with him, indicating our significance) and selfishness (its opposite/opposing property, what some mistakenly attribute to a separate entity of the ‘evil/devil/satan’) to different degrees from their greater-self, from their originating context of reality
  • Jesus’s ‘covenant’ of the eternal word of God, of salvation is the only covenant that has ever been and will ever be in effect from the creator for all of humanity, since the very beginning of time till the ending of our simulated reality, meaning that if one passes their evaluation on their alignment with love, one redeems their sinful condition and gains their salvation
  • Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally
  • The creator created our reality (best modeled as a consciousness-centric simulation) to facilitate the evaluation of its target audience: humans
  • The eternal continuation of their awareness is inevitable and unavoidable for all human souls
  • The human spirit is somehow part of the eternal consciousness
  •  
    interpretation:
    What took place in the creation of our simulated world (“what has come into being in him”) was failed conscious beings getting a chance to redeem themselves in this life (“life”) - this was the hope (“light”) of all people who were granted this opportunity. This hope shines through “darkness” (the alternative of NOT receiving this chance, facing the opposite of love, selfishness in eternity). Selfishness destined to damnation did not prevail, and the failed souls got this chance in this life to rectify their wrongs and regain their place in the presence of the creator in heaven (their salvation). Conscious beings participating in simulated realities (either voluntarily or compulsorily) created by the creator are running as threads within the conscious mind of the creator. This is how the creator can be omnipresent. The participation of conscious beings gives meaning to the created realities they exist in, thus, it must be the motivation behind the creation of any reality. Life (the “spirit of Life”) blown into the nostrils of humans can be thought of as the eternal (failed) souls being transplanted into this human existence inside of this simulation (through their human birth and gaining their awareness here). This may be the best passage that illustrates the motivation and the purpose behind the creation of our reality and our assignment to it.  
     
        

    John 1:7

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    Berean: ..."7 He came as a witness to testify about the Light, so that through him everyone might believe. "...
    NRSV: ..."7 He [John the Baptist] came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • A justified person has the duty to spread the word of God to others in a non-intrusive way whenever the chance arises and by showing an example
  • Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator
  •  
    interpretation:
    John the Baptist properly saw the essence and message of Jesus. In fact, there were likely many people that saw the proper way to salvation (through alignment with love) and the meaning of life (such as Zoroaster), became witnesses to this light, and those who followed their messages (or concluded the same message independently) long before or independent of the CESAPH could also reach their salvation. Witnesses who reach justification in their conviction about the eternal word of God (the way to salvation, the right way to live life) can and should testify about their conviction to others about this, mainly by living an exemplary life, and offering help and guidance in a non-intrusive way. Such witnesses are not necessarily published or well known, but can affect their surrounding in a beneficial way, helping others toward their salvation unnoticed by the general public. Such witnesses are different from 'prophets' who claim to foretell, which is unnecessary and irrelevant. Prophecies are irrelevant and unneeded according to the general logic, and that of Jesus's message. “Belief through him” should mean believing that salvation is the goal of life and following Jesus's message is the proper way to attain it – it does not mean that belief in the miracles (including the resurrection) is necessary for salvation. The CESAPH happened so that many more would gain their justified conviction and reach their salvation than otherwise – so that all of us might belief through him.
     
    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • improper emphasis on belief in Jesus as opposed to in his message
  •  
    interpretation:
    Belief can be an intermediary tool, but seeing the 'light' in the message is the goal. This highlights the difference between a conviction one holds true (by its own virtue) and a belief one accepts. Humans can hold the eternal word of God, of salvation in conviction (be convinced that love needs to guide life on its own virtue), but can only 'believe' the story about the good news of the CESAPH. Convictions can also be concluded philosophically or through 'feelings', while belief relies on the acceptance of a story to be true. Religious convictions should satisfactorily answer the meaning and purpose of life, while beliefs (if they are in alignment with conviction) can reinforce and strengthen convictions. This passage may lead one to 'believe' that all one needs to do is 'accept Jesus as Lord' and salvation is assured for them, their sins are forgiven. Holding only this belief while not managing to live life according to the message of Jesus (the eternal word of God, of salvation, in alignment with love vs. selfishness) should NOT result in reaching salvation (that is, if the philosophical foundation's conclusions hold true).
     
        

    John 1:10, 11, 12, 13

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him. 11 He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. 12 But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of blood, nor of the desire or will of man, but born of God. "...
    NRSV: ..."10 He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. 12 But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator
  • Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation
  • Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  • The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans
  • The reason for the creator to appear in the Jewish context was to contrast their beliefs of exclusivity and specialness in the eye of the creator with the eternal word of God, of salvation, universally applicable to all humans
  •  
    interpretation:
    The world not knowing Jesus just confirms that despite all prophecies allegedly foretelling his arrival, no one expected the CESAPH – even though, our world can thank its existence to him. In reality, the Jews were expecting someone completely different as their Messiah, thus all their foretelling did not work in Jesus. Thus, trying to fit Jesus into the Jewish Messiah role is simply misguided. The OT did not foretell the CESAPH and did not focus on its message! Jews – his chosen context of appearance, not really “his own people”, as those could have been any other chosen context – did not accept him. The power to become the children of God (reaching salvation) is one's justification – the conviction that love needs to guide life – that guides and strengthens one to be able to live a life accordingly. This is not something Jesus accomplished for anyone, but something that each individual needs to accomplish for his life. Reaching salvation (becoming children of God) is not achieved through  being born of blood (descent is irrelevant), of the will of flesh or man (it is not up to other people's will), but through God willingly giving us the chance, the power, strength and guidance to become as such.  
     
        

    John 1:14, 15

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."14 The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 John testified concerning Him. He cried out, saying, “This is He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because He was before me.’” "...
    NRSV: ..."14 And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth. 15 (John testified to him and cried out, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.'")"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Grace is the ever-present willingness of the creator to help humans reach their salvation
  • Jesus’s ‘covenant’ of the eternal word of God, of salvation is the only covenant that has ever been and will ever be in effect from the creator for all of humanity, since the very beginning of time till the ending of our simulated reality, meaning that if one passes their evaluation on their alignment with love, one redeems their sinful condition and gains their salvation
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  • The concept of the ‘trinity’ can only be interpreted as ‘three possible interface to the same single entity of the creator’
  • The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans
  •  
    interpretation:
    The creator undertook the CESAPH to formalize the guide to salvation (the eternal word of God that existed before John) and demonstrate the creator's love for humanity, to help as many humans in reaching their salvation as possible. This is how the formalized eternal word of God, of salvation, in Jesus, became one of the interfaces to the creator. The glory of the CESAPH as the creator's most effective intervention possible on behalf of humans reaching their salvation (without affecting the setup's ability to test our quality of soul), can be likened to that of an “only son of a Father” who is doing the right thing that the father can be proud of. Except, the entity of Jesus and the creator is the singular entity of the creator, in a specific manifestation/interface (choosing to appear to us and partake in our reality in our limited human form – similar to how our own self participates in a dream, in a limited context, yet the participant is still our own self, not someone else). “Grace” means the help and strength the CESAPH can be for someone in reaching salvation. “Truth” means the eternal word of God, of salvation, that is the essential message of Jesus. And, of course, the eternal word of God comes before John the Baptist.  
     
        

    John 1:16, 17

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."16 From His fullness we have all received grace upon grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. "...
    NRSV: ..."16 From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17 The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation
  • In their predispositions, humans inherit both love (the essence of the creator’s spirit we share with him, indicating our significance) and selfishness (its opposite/opposing property, what some mistakenly attribute to a separate entity of the ‘evil/devil/satan’) to different degrees from their greater-self, from their originating context of reality
  •  
    interpretation:
    This section has been mistakenly interpreted as the truth and grace that came with Jesus fulfilled the law of Moses. Indeed, this is the opposite: the law of Moses is irrelevant, and it never was what the creator desired from us. The truth and grace that was formalized by Jesus (the eternal word of God, of salvation) has always been the way to salvation, even before the CESAPH, and thus, was always what the creator was looking for in our life. This is backed by John 4:23,24 – if the father seeks worship in spirit and truth, then the law could have never been what the Father sought before.
     
        

    John 1:17

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. "...
    NRSV: ..."17 The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • appeasement/catering to potential Jewish converts
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Grace is the ever-present willingness of the creator to help humans reach their salvation"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The reason for the creator to appear in the Jewish context was to contrast their beliefs of exclusivity and specialness in the eye of the creator with the eternal word of God, of salvation, universally applicable to all humans"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Nope – there is only one law from the creator, and that is the eternal word of God, of salvation: those who align in their conviction with love vs. selfishness and live life accordingly may gain their salvation. There has not ever been any other law proclaimed by the creator, an this is the law Jesus formalized in the CESAPH. The law of Moses was made up by Moses for the purposes of separating the Jews from the rest of humanity and depict them as having higher importance to the creator. Mosaic law originates from the misguidance of Jewish religious leaders who made up such exclusionary belief system (that distorts the image of the creator as caring or choosing only a particular set of people who would then have special importance in his eyes, and not having any message to the rest of humanity). It depends on the blind ignorance of their followers who irrationally and unquestioningly accepted them as a belief system that properly addresses the purpose of human existence. Adhering to Mosaic law does not lead to salvation, it does not answer existential questions in a valid, logical and universal way, and its tenets not be supported by any rational, logical and ethical argument that would make any sense. At most, Judaism can be respected as a cultural tradition of a people, but can not be taken seriously as a belief system with any chance of being the closest to the eventual unfolding reality. The passage also improperly implies that grace is something that came with the CESAPH: grace has always been around to help humans reach their salvation. True, “grace and truth comes through Jesus/the creator” – but this is not really what the author had in mind here..
     
        

    John 1:18

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."18 No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is Himself God and is at the Father’s side, has made Him known. "...
    NRSV: ..."18 No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father's heart, who has made him known."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Relativity of experiencing time
  • The concept of the ‘trinity’ can only be interpreted as ‘three possible interface to the same single entity of the creator’
  • The essence of the creator is love
  • The human spirit is somehow part of the eternal consciousness
  •  
    interpretation:
    Jesus is the interfaces humans can use to approach and know about the infinite creator, to the extent we need to in our current limitations. “God the only Son” is the creator in human form, Jesus. Jesus is not a separate entity – he is God, the creator, in a manifestation/interface that we humans can deal with in our reality, to the degree we need to. Jesus as “God the only Son” does not make Jesus the “son” (a related but separate entity) of the creator. This is likely a figure of speech that originated from the understanding of Jesus's disciples at the time, which then remained, and morphed into the mistaken interpretations of the Trinity (that differ from a single entity and three interfaces). The interface of Jesus is close to the heart of the creator, which is about love. Jesus taught humanity about the creator and its essential spirit in a way we can use in our current reality. Thus, Jesus also filled the role of being the “official documentation” of what we need to know about the creator. The entirety or totality of the creator is not accessible to anyone; we can hope to understand a larger context of the creator once we wake up from our current reality into our originating context (as in waking up from dreams).
     
        

    John 1:29

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! "...
    NRSV: ..."29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, "Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • misconception about forgiveness, and the role of rituals
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans"
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage represents a strongly ingrained harmful belief – that Jesus somehow did the work of taking away our sins. Jesus did not perform the work of redemption instead of/for any humans. The sinful condition of humans remained after the CESAPH – redemption of the sinful condition is to be achieved by each human who appears in this reality by proving their alignment with love with their life. In the good news of the CESAPH, those humans who were granted to know about it received the greatest possible help in their struggle to reach their salvation. Salvation (which is the same as the redemption of the sinful condition and earning back our place in the presence of the creator) is reached by gaining a justified conviction about love's need to guide life (vs. selfishness), and living life accordingly. Sins committed in this world need to be redeemed by people themselves, rectifying them with those whom the sins were committed against and asking for their forgiveness (or with the creator, if this is impossible). Uttering some prayers or simply regretting them will not do. The sinful condition, for which people appeared in this reality, need to be redeemed by living a life according to a conviction that is aligned with love – and the forgiveness gained for this is salvation itself.
     
        

    John 2:16

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."16 To those selling doves He said, “Get these out of here! How dare you turn My Father’s house into a marketplace!” "...
    NRSV: ..."16 He told those who were selling the doves, "Take these things out of here! Stop making my Father's house a marketplace!""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • appeasement/catering to potential Jewish converts
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  •  
    interpretation:
    Contradicts Matthew 12:6-8, Acts 7:48-50, 17:24-25 – the Temple can not play any logical role in religion. Temples, locations, holy places, promised lands, rituals are all irrelevant and worthless to the creator. The creator does not 'need' anything from humans; he invites us – out of his love for us – to rejoin his presence by rectifying the wrong we have caused (that made us to be born here) and reaching our salvation with our life. The idea of building a temple for the creator, or the concept of any land being sacred, promised, the offering of sacrifices, and the creator's need for such things from us is simply ridiculous, illogical, and makes no sense. The creator creates all realities that are simulated to conscious beings. The anecdote of seeming acknowledgement of the Temple's role and significance for the Jews was a likely appeasement to potential Jewish converts. Temples and physical locations have no significance in the message of Jesus.
     
        

    John 3:2

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    Berean: ..."2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs You are doing if God were not with him.” "...
    NRSV: ..."2 He [Nicodemus] came to Jesus by night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • leaning on miracles for authenticity
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies"
  •  
    interpretation:
    If the creator wanted to awe people with divine might, he would have done so; but that is not the route he choose in the CESAPH. Still, disciples use these alleged miracles (whether they happened or not) as selling points and as testimonials to divinity. The message of Jesus should have been clear, making philosophically, theologically supreme sense without the backing of any alleged miracles performed. Surely, anyone can say that 'I am the creator' and 'loving each other is the one way to come back to my presence', but no one has nailed this message till Jesus, and no one has backed it with a divine demonstration of love for humanity. It would not make sense for the CESAPH to happen multiple times during human history either. The formalized guidance received in the message of the CESAPH (the eternal word of God, of salvation) nails the logical meaning of existence. It needs no prophecies to warn of its imminent arrival or to validate its authenticity. And logically, it would be inconceivable to need any further addendums, changes, or variations for different settings or times. Somehow, the authors failed to refer to (or even realize) the brilliance of Jesus's message, which SHOULD be the reason one can be confident that it represents the scenario most likely to be the closest to the eventual unfolding reality. Trying to gain authenticity from a very limited set of alleged miracles (to a very limited set of nameless witnesses) – instead of the message's brilliance, its ability to answer existential questions, and its universal applicability to all situations – is weak, insufficient, and becomes more and more pathetic with the passing of time. Naturally, for the men of those times, alleged miracles worked better.
     
        

    John 3:3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."3 Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” 4 “How can a man be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked. “Can he enter his mother’s womb a second time to be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh is born of flesh, but spirit is born of the Spirit. 7 Do not be amazed that I said, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes. You hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” "...
    NRSV: ..."3 Jesus answered him, "Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above." 4 Nicodemus said to him, "How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother's womb and be born?" 5 Jesus answered, "Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. 6 What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not be astonished that I said to you, 'You must be born from above.' 8 The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • The creator created our reality (best modeled as a consciousness-centric simulation) to facilitate the evaluation of its target audience: humans
  • The eternal continuation of their awareness is inevitable and unavoidable for all human souls
  • The human spirit is somehow part of the eternal consciousness
  •  
    interpretation:
    Powerful hints about our essence and existing in a simulation. “Being born from above” I take as the soul originating from a higher encompassing context of reality, from which our spirit entered this simulation (as in dreaming). You must be “born from above” is a confirmation for every human that their conscious spirit originates from above (from an external context of reality). Only those who originate from this higher-level of context, the kingdom of God, can return to it and see it again. Things that are not being born from above (they are not spirits transplanted into this reality from outside, but are the simulation's creations) can not transfer back to the kingdom of God. Interesting to note that upon the obvious confusion of the listeners, there is no further explanation or clarification, only further elaboration. Our bodies are “born of the flesh”, but our separate spirit is “born of the Spirit”. Being “born” here means originating/entering from – not being born of a mother's womb. Likening the spirit to the wind – not knowing where it comes from or where it goes – is also indicating a model of reality where souls originate from and return to after existing in their present reality. “hearing the sound of the wind” refers to this life of penance and chance (this simulation with our limited awareness); where the wind comes from and goes to refers to our originating context of reality, just as this happens when dreaming and waking. As in John 4:14, water symbolizes the word of God, the message of salvation.
     
        

    John 3:14, 15

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life. "...
    NRSV: ..."14 And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • improper emphasis on belief in Jesus as opposed to in his message
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "One’s ‘faith’/belief system has no direct value to the creator, and is only a potential tool in one’s quest to gain justification and reach salvation IF it helps its holder in these"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The resurrection is not a cornerstone belief to be held about Jesus or the subject of faith one needs to believe in to gain salvation, but an emphasis on the inevitability of afterlife for everyone. From a simulated reality everyone exits to their originating context, and the creator can naturally make exceptions for his exit and reappearance"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Existence into eternity is assured for every conscious soul, in one way or another. Faith should be 'having the message of Jesus in conviction', not just mere belief that 'Jesus is Lord' and that he 'died and resurrected for our sins'. A conviction holding that love vs. selfishness needs to guide life, and a life lived accordingly is the way to redeem one's sinful condition, reach salvation – eternal life in the presence of the creator (as opposed to eternal existence away from the creator). A proven conviction that is aligned with love is the likely quality sought in the evaluation, not belief in something that is not evident. And of course, none of this has anything to do with Moses and his serpent, which was added to appeal to a Jewish target audience.
     
        

    John 3:16

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."16 For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. "...
    NRSV: ..."16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Jesus’s ‘covenant’ of the eternal word of God, of salvation is the only covenant that has ever been and will ever be in effect from the creator for all of humanity, since the very beginning of time till the ending of our simulated reality, meaning that if one passes their evaluation on their alignment with love, one redeems their sinful condition and gains their salvation
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  • The eternal continuation of their awareness is inevitable and unavoidable for all human souls
  • The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans
  • The human spirit is somehow part of the eternal consciousness
  •  
    interpretation:
    The trinity-misunderstandings aside, this passage gives one of the best understanding of the CESAPH: the creator appeared in our reality in human form out of his love for humanity and his desire to help as many of us in reaching salvation as possible. But humans need to achieve their salvation as an individual, living in alignment with love through all their assigned situations in life – there are no shortcuts to salvation. “belief in the Son” means believing in the message of the CESAPH, the formalized eternal word of God, of salvation. Reaching eternal life means an eternal life in the presence of the creator, as opposed to away from it (what “perishing” refers to).
     
    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • improper emphasis on belief in Jesus as opposed to in his message
  • misconceived understanding of what the ‘trinity’ could be
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The human spirit is somehow part of the eternal consciousness"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Apart from being one of the most significant and true statement about the CESAPH, the passage contains several easily mis-understandable issues: Jesus was the creator himself participating in our reality, not a separate entity of a 'Son'. Belief alone is not the goal, and will not get one salvation – belief in claims about, and the story of Jesus MAY lead to a justified conviction (about love's need to guide life), but not necessarily. This kind of 'traditional Christian' belief MAY or MAY NOT help one live in alignment with love, which earns one's salvation/the redemption of one's sinful condition/return to the presence of the creator in heaven. Thus, any kind of belief is only beneficial IF it supports a conviction about love's need to guide life (which was Jesus's message of the formalized eternal word of God, of salvation. Eternal life is the most likely outcome of existence for everyone: the annihilation of the soul (conscious awareness and its memories) would be logically unthinkable. This outcome would render conscious existence meaningless. But the question is, under what circumstances one will spend in eternity. Jesus, as the creator in human form, does his own will. It is also possible that while partaking in our reality as a fully-human, the creator voluntarily undertook some of the limitations that define being human – if not for this, his partaking as fully human would not have been genuine. We can also experience this kind of limitation setting in when we dream at night, and then reawaken into our 'reality': the limitations and level of awareness of these two worlds (realities) are different, yet we are the same 'self' in both of them. As 'being fully-human' can typically mean a good amount of doubt, insecurity, fear, helplessness, suffering and despair, it is also imaginable that Jesus also took on these experiences. This could explain his alleged interactions and conversations with 'the Father' (his greater-self in the larger context of reality), and could also explain the disciples' understanding and conception of the 'trinity'.
     
        

    John 3:17

     Significant Alignment! 
     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. "...
    NRSV: ..."17 "Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  • The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans
  •  
    interpretation:
    The condemnation for our past wrong is already in effect, in the situations we are assigned throughout our life, that is potentially full of misery. So no further condemnation is needed by the visit of the creator in our reality – a final condemnation will take place as part of the last judgment. The role of the CESAPH was to attempt to help as many people to reach their salvation as possible (not the whole world, but those who will have achieved this in their given chance to do so). In this way, the “world” means each human who got a chance at salvation in this life. However, salvation needs to be achieved by the individual, by aligning their lives with love vs. selfishness. And in this way, the good news's power to help people save themselves is only meant for those who will have been granted access to this good news. Others without access to the good news will have to achieve their salvation without this help – as they did not deserve to have this help in their evaluation. So the “world might be saved through him” must mean “those members of humanity who get and heed the message of the CESAPH in their lives and thereby gain their salvation”.
     
    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • misconception about Jesus saving or justifying people rather than them achieving this through their own free will
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans"
  •  
    interpretation:
    The role of the CESAPH was to attempt to help as many people to reach their salvation as possible. The good news did not affect the whole world, but only those who will have achieved their salvation thanks to its help (some may achieve their salvation without this help, as they did not end up knowing about the good news during their life). Surely, the author meant the “world” to be all humans throughout history, as everyone got a chance at reaching their salvation by their mere presence in this world. But, of course, everyone who got the chance does not mean everyone will have reached their salvation with their life. So in this chance, the passage may be misunderstood: the CESAPH did not 'save' everyone. Salvation needs to be achieved by the individual, by aligning their lives with love vs. selfishness. Expusure to the good news's helping power is only meant for those who will have been granted access to this in their situational assignments. Others without access to the good news will have to achieve their salvation without this help – as they did not deserve this help in their evaluation. Thus, the CESAPH did not save or enable the salvation of the whole world.
     
        

    John 3:18

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."18 Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. "...
    NRSV: ..."18 Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • improper emphasis on belief in Jesus as opposed to in his message
  • misconceived understanding of what the ‘trinity’ could be
  • misconception about Jesus saving or justifying people rather than them achieving this through their own free will
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "There is always hope and is never too late for salvation"
  •  
    interpretation:
    This could be talking about what may go on during the last judgment for everyone, but surely, the author did not mean it that way. However, in the last judgment the evaluation of each human will not be about the type of beliefs held during life (and certainly not about the “name of the only Son of God”). The evaluation criterion is not about belief, but about one's proven alignment with the preferred value of the creator, love. In addition, no one is condemned “already” while they are still on this Earth, as at any moment till death one can reach justification, repent their sins and hope to reach salvation (as long as this is not an intentionally-delayed action, which would be a calculated move, which is not a trait of a genuinely good quality soul).
     
        

    John 3:19, 20, 21

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."19 And this is the verdict: The Light has come into the world, but men loved the darkness rather than the Light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come into the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever practices the truth comes into the Light, so that it may be seen clearly that what he has done has been accomplished in God.” "...
    NRSV: ..."19 And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. 20 For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. 21 But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • As salvation is an individual achievement, finding the way and living life accordingly is a private matter that can not be policed or compelled by others
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    Selfish and materialistic people are not attracted to/convinced by the eternal word of God, of salvation, as that proves their failure in light of the evaluation criterion. However, those who are justified in their conviction about the eternal word of God having to guide their lives – either through the help of the good news or other means of grace – will be attracted to the message of Jesus, that confirms their right conviction and their deeds being done in alignment with the evaluation criterion of their lives. If you arrived at your conviction that love should guide your life, you will be glad to receive the good news and the formalized eternal word of God, whereas if your conviction lies elsewhere, you will resist it. The creator's preference and motivation with its creation necessarily defines the meaning and purpose of our life and the criterion for our success or failure in it, whether we see it, agree with it, or not.
     
        

    John 3:35, 36

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."35 The Father loves the Son and has placed all things in His hands. 36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life. Whoever rejects the Son will not see life. Instead, the wrath of God remains on him.” "...
    NRSV: ..."35 The Father loves the Son and has placed all things in his hands. 36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but must endure God's wrath."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • improper emphasis on belief in Jesus as opposed to in his message
  • misconceived understanding of what the ‘trinity’ could be
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "It is logical to expect appropriate consequences due for passing or failing the evaluation"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The eternal continuation of their awareness is inevitable and unavoidable for all human souls"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The human spirit is somehow part of the eternal consciousness"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Here, “life” must be 'eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven', as opposed to away from it (in hell, suffering whatever negative consequences of failing the evaluation). Eternal existence for all conscious awarenesses is a given (can be logically concluded as the most likely scenario, that makes the most sense), however those who do not qualify to be in the presence of the creator will have to “endure his wrath”, perhaps even into eternity (or for such a long time that it is not worth entertaining as a viable option of existence). The passage is dominated by the Trinity misunderstanding: Jesus, as the creator of our reality in human form, naturally has all of creation and our fate in his hands, without anyone placing it there. Jesus is one of the possible interfaces humans can have to the creator. “believing in the Son” should mean belief in the message of how one can reach salvation and redemption (Jesus's message). One may also marvel at the sacrifice the creator has undergone on our behalf so that as many of us succeed in getting our salvation as possible and gain strength from this to live life according to Jesus's message. But the task of living life according to a justified conviction remains for all to complete. “Disobeying the Son” must mean not living life according to/in alignment with the preferred value of the creator – love. Jesus, as the creator in human form, does his own will. It is also possible that while partaking in our reality as a fully-human, the creator voluntarily undertook some of the limitations that define being human – if not for this, his partaking as fully human would not have been genuine. We can also experience this kind of limitation setting in when we dream at night, and then reawaken into our 'reality': the limitations and level of awareness of these two worlds (realities) are different, yet we are the same 'self' in both of them. As 'being fully-human' can typically mean a good amount of doubt, insecurity, fear, helplessness, suffering and despair, it is also imaginable that Jesus also took on these experiences. This could explain his alleged interactions and conversations with 'the Father' (his greater-self in the larger context of reality), and could also explain the disciples' understanding and conception of the 'trinity'.
     
        

    John 4:9

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."9 “You are a Jew,” said the woman. “How can You ask for a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.) "...
    NRSV: ..."9 The Samaritan woman said to him, "How is it that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman of Samaria?" (Jews do not share things in common with Samaritans.)"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation
  • The reason for the creator to appear in the Jewish context was to contrast their beliefs of exclusivity and specialness in the eye of the creator with the eternal word of God, of salvation, universally applicable to all humans
  •  
    interpretation:
    The passage properly depicts the effects of the Jewish belief system. The self-separation of Jews from the rest of humanity on the pretext of their special relationship with the creator is already present at that time. This wrong, unethical and false belief that comes from the set of rules Jews hold sacred excludes the logical possibility that Jesus's message is a continuation of their religion. Jesus's message, at best is a critique or rebuttal of their religion, their focus, their mentality. Thus, to hold that Jesus was the Messiah these people – with their logically misguided and invalid belief system – were waiting for, and that Jesus fulfilled their expectations, is ludicrous at best.
     
        

    John 4:21

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    Berean: ..."21 “Believe Me, woman,” Jesus replied, “a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. "...
    NRSV: ..."21 Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation
  •  
    interpretation:
    This hour may be coming in the future in history, but it has always been so that praying to the creator does not require any physical places or locations. However this misguidance has been packaged to potential Jewish converts as a 'change' from the creator, in their religious belief system. Sadly, they have been misguided all along in their location and people-specific belief system.
     
        

    John 4:22

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."22 You worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. "...
    NRSV: ..."22 You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • appeasement/catering to potential Jewish converts
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  •  
    interpretation:
    A grossly misguided passage from the author, even if he means that the savior the Jews prophesied about is coming from among the Jewish people. The Jewish idea of salvation does not align with Jesus's message: salvation according to Jesus has nothing to do with souls rejoining their bodies in the Earthly place of Israel. Upon reaching salvation after the last judgment, humans can hope to rejoin the presence of the creator in heaven. Forget about the new or the old Jerusalem and the 1000-year reign of Christ on Earth – all these OT concept that are tied to their expectations of their 'Messiah' do not matter and are wholly misguided. What matters is individuals reaching their salvation (rejoining the presence of the creator in heaven after redeeming their sinful condition) by passing the evaluation of their Earthly life. Thus, 'salvation' did not, and can not “come from the Jews”, and neither is salvation a concept for the Jews. The CESAPH taking place among them has no special significance to the Jewish people or Israel, as it carries a universal message to all of humanity (that CAN also apply to them under the same conditions and circumstances as to anyone else). The following passage tries to clear up this misconception, but unsuccessfully.
     
        

    John 4:23

    top  

    Berean: ..."23 But a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for the Father is seeking such as these to worship Him. "...
    NRSV: ..."23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such as these to worship him."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Except, the hour was always there for everyone during human history, as all previous forms of “worship” and specificity to locations and places have been therefore logically misguided beliefs, given the universal message of salvation through alignment with love formalized by Jesus. The context of 1st century Judea is what the creator choose for the CESAPH to contrast Jewish expectations and belief systems with his universal message to humanity. The goal of the creator with the participation of humans in his creator can not logically be to glorify or worship him. Why would the creator keep on creating more and more souls to worship him? At what point is it enough for him? What about the logical internally-pointing end of our reality (the 'cosmic' end of the world) – would that be the end of soul-creation? The goal of giving already existing souls and companions a chance to rectify a wrong they have committed previously, and to evaluate their alignment with his basic preference of love is a much more likely goal, that makes entirely more sense. “worshiping the Father in spirit and truth” can not be anything else than living a life in accordance with his preferred value, love – even if the author did not mean it that way. Those who comply with the divine preference are the “true worshippers”. There is no sense in any other form of 'worship', as the creator is extremely unlikely to need this from us, eternal beings. What the creator most likely needs from us is our alignment with his preferred value. Likely, there were already some 'true worshippers' before the CESAPH, who also gained their salvation without the help of the good news. And naturally, this is more difficult to accomplish without the strength and confidence the CESAPH can give us.
     
        

    John 4:23, 24

     Significant Alignment! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."23 But a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for the Father is seeking such as these to worship Him. 24 God is Spirit, and His worshipers must worship Him in spirit and in truth.” "...
    NRSV: ..."23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such as these to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation
  • In their predispositions, humans inherit both love (the essence of the creator’s spirit we share with him, indicating our significance) and selfishness (its opposite/opposing property, what some mistakenly attribute to a separate entity of the ‘evil/devil/satan’) to different degrees from their greater-self, from their originating context of reality
  • One ‘loves God’ by loving their fellow human beings, no matter how far removed they may be, which fulfills the single command of God
  •  
    interpretation:
    If “true worshipers” will worship ”the Father in spirit and truth”, then whoever was/is/will be worshiping whatever else was/is/will be wrong.   The “in spirit and truth” refers to a creator who loves people. Our relation to the creator is also based on love, and he expects us to be aligned with this value (and not its opposite, selfishness) – this is the condition on which we can stay in the presence of the creator. Humans can “worship” the creator by living a life that is aligned to his preference – that is to love each other and be considerate to each other. Such a creator could have also been/can also be worshiped by people who have this conviction about their lives, but did not know about the CESAPH. This conviction is simple, and one can reason to conclude it with the typical minimal inputs everyone already has in life – their predispositions. The CESAPH is not necessary for this kind of worship, however it can be a highly valuable help in gaining the necessary conviction about love – if granted to the individual in their situational assignment – and to live life accordingly. A creator who expects humans to perform rituals and obey laws as something that pleases him does not fit the idea. The idea of worship may originate in the OT, but the way we worship the creator Jesus is by aligning our life with love towards others. This passage is in sync with John 1:17 and reinforces the idea that Jewish law was never what the creator was looking for from humans (making Judaism an invalid and incorrect religion, and not a prequel or prerequisite of Jesus and his message).
     
        

    John 4:25, 26

    top  

    Berean: ..."25 The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When He comes, He will explain everything to us.” 26 Jesus answered, “I who speak to you am He.” "...
    NRSV: ..."25 The woman said to him, "I know that Messiah is coming" (who is called Jesus). "When he comes, he will proclaim all things to us." 26 Jesus said to her, "I am he, the one who is speaking to you.""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • misconception about the CESAPH, which is magnitudes more significant than the concept of the Jewish Messiah
  • suspected post-fitting of the narrative (not possible for the author to know about, or likely did not happen as described)
  •  
    interpretation:
    In hindsight, when writing the scriptures many decades after the death of Jesus, the disciples could only think of Jesus in terms of him being the Messiah the Jews were expecting, and tried to fit him into that role every way possible. However, the essence of Jesus's being and visit among humans was about something entirely different than whom the Jews were expecting as their savior. This anecdote was likely made up to fit such narrative. Jesus did proclaim the formalized eternal word of God as the only way to salvation, and as being the meaning and purpose of life though. This is “all” one needs to know about what to do in their life, and why. So he IS the one who will explain everything to humanity in his formalized message of the eternal word of God, of salvation. There won't be anyone else coming who matters – thus, no one should wait any longer for any other message making more or additional sense about the purpose of life.
     
        

    John 4:34, 35, 36

    top  

    Berean: ..."34 Jesus explained, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work. 35 Do you not say, ‘There are still four months until the harvest’? I tell you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are ripe for harvest. 36 Already the reaper draws his wages and gathers a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may rejoice together. "...
    NRSV: ..."34 Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to complete his work. 35 Do you not say, 'Four months more, then comes the harvest'? But I tell you, look around you, and see how the fields are ripe for harvesting. 36 The reaper is already receiving wages and is gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • Our evaluation serves to separate those who align with love from those who align with selfishness, thereby eliminating the source of suffering from heaven
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  •  
    interpretation:
    The fruit are the people whose conviction produce a life aligned with love. The fields are ripe for harvesting because many people who completed their lives are already set to reach their salvation. And thanks to the CESAPH, more will surely be on such course of life. “receiving wages” means that the investment of the second chance for salvation is already paying off: many have already completed life that is worthy of salvation. Rejoicing ('together' – though the sower and reaper is the same creator) is the motivation of the creator with our reality: to separate those who align with love from those who rather align with its opposite, and let them rejoin his presence.
     
        

    John 4:42

     Significant Alignment! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."42 They said to the woman, “We now believe not only because of your words; we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man truly is the Savior of the world.” "...
    NRSV: ..."42 They [Samaritans] said to the woman, "It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is truly the Savior of the world.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation
  • Jesus’s ‘covenant’ of the eternal word of God, of salvation is the only covenant that has ever been and will ever be in effect from the creator for all of humanity, since the very beginning of time till the ending of our simulated reality, meaning that if one passes their evaluation on their alignment with love, one redeems their sinful condition and gains their salvation
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  •  
    interpretation:
    Hearing the message of Jesus should make one realize that the CESAPH and its message addresses the meaning of life and the way to salvation for humans in a way that makes the most logical sense, and having the highest likelihood of ending up correct. Nothing else is logically necessary for the truth: not prophecies, not secrets, not holy places, rituals, or future amendments to this message of salvation. The message is logically self-contained and all-encompassing needing no previous or future support. Samaritan Jews were not subscribers to the full, official Jewish belief system, yet, to them the essence of the message made sense upon hearing it from Jesus.
     
        

    John 4:48

     Significant Alignment! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."48 Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will never believe.” "...
    NRSV: ..."48 Then Jesus said to him [Capernaum royal official], "Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • One’s ‘faith’/belief system has no direct value to the creator, and is only a potential tool in one’s quest to gain justification and reach salvation IF it helps its holder in these
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    This statement is a reprimand from Jesus to humans. Apparently, people at the time (and to this day) needed miracles so they believed. It is possible that Jesus performed some (or all claimed) miracles. But behind this statement lies the truth: one should believe because something makes sense, not because of supernatural experiences, as in general, those are not granted to people. Our evaluation is meant to be completed in the presence of reasonable doubt and uncertainty. Jesus's message of salvation should stand on its own, and one can conclude its rightness without the help of miracles. Indeed, preoccupation with miracles will corrupt one's faith and make one's  efforts in reaching salvation more calculated and less valuable.
     
        

    John 5:19, 20, 21

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    Berean: ..."19 So Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing by Himself, unless He sees the Father doing it. For whatever the Father does, the Son also does. 20 The Father loves the Son and shows Him all He does. And to your amazement, He will show Him even greater works than these. 21 For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom He wishes. "...
    NRSV: ..."19 Jesus said to them, "Very truly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, the Son does likewise. 20 The Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing; and he will show him greater works than these, so that you will be astonished. 21 Indeed, just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whomever he wishes."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • The concept of the ‘trinity’ can only be interpreted as ‘three possible interface to the same single entity of the creator’
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    The “Son doing whatever the Father does” and the “Father showing the Son all that he himself is doing” follows from the creator taking on a fully human form, subjecting himself to the rules and limitations of the simulation and being human. This does not require two separate entities, but – just as in the case of dreaming humans – the creator undertaking a form where his conscious experience is more limited to our current reality. Otherwise, his demonstration of love to humanity would not be genuine (it is easy for a powerful entity to declare his love for a lesser being, but it is only really genuine if the entity does something for the lesser being on his level). The “greater works” may not refer to supernatural signs coming in the future of our existence here on Earth, but those that may happen in the heavens, after our death (if we get there). Jesus may very well have performed a few select (or all claimed) miracles, like raising the dead, performed to a limited audience. But the divine intention could not have been for his disciples to keep referring to these miracles for authenticity and authority. If a divine demonstration of might and power was the divine intention, larger, more public miracles would have been performed, that would have been undoubtedly recorded by various and independent witnesses. After all, the message of the CESAPH stands on its own, without the need for any potential authenticity coming from miracles. Here, “giving life” means giving salvation (vs. damnation) in eternal life.
     
        

    John 5:22, 23

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    Berean: ..."22 Furthermore, the Father judges no one, but has assigned all judgment to the Son, 23 so that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him. "...
    NRSV: ..."22 The Father judges no one but has given all judgment to the Son, 23 so that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Anyone who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • misconceived understanding of what the ‘trinity’ could be
  •  
    interpretation:
    It must have been really difficult for Jesus's followers to write about the CESAPH – the entity of Jesus – and they might even lacked a full understanding of it and/or the ability to convey it properly to the people of their time. 'Son of God' originates from a benign misconception of the trinity concept that facilitated the flawed comprehension of the CESAPH at the time of Jesus. Naturally, people at the time had no idea about what an 'interface' may be. The philosophical foundation argues for a creator that is a single entity, to which we have three possible interfaces/approaches. (This can be well illustrated with how one can approach the Mandelbrot Set: the mathematical equation that drives it, the beauty of a snapshot/calculated image it produces, and the infinity of its formulation that can be played out to us/grasped by us only to a degree. But all three approaches are about the same entity/essence.) In the end, the creator judges everyone in this reality – and that is the very reason we find ourselves here. Jesus, as the creator in human form, does his own will. It is also possible that while partaking in our reality as a fully-human, the creator voluntarily undertook some of the limitations that define being human – if not for this, his partaking as fully human would not have been genuine. We can also experience this kind of limitation setting in when we dream at night, and then reawaken into our 'reality': the limitations and level of awareness of these two worlds (realities) are different, yet we are the same 'self' in both of them. As 'being fully-human' can typically mean a good amount of doubt, insecurity, fear, helplessness, suffering and despair, it is also imaginable that Jesus also took on these experiences. This could explain his alleged interactions and conversations with 'the Father' (his greater-self in the larger context of reality), and could also explain the disciples' understanding and conception of the 'trinity'.
     
        

    John 5:24

    top  

    Berean: ..."24 Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgment. Indeed, he has crossed over from death to life. "...
    NRSV: ..."24 Very truly, I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life, and does not come under judgment, but has passed from death to life."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • It is logical to expect appropriate consequences due for passing or failing the evaluation
  • One’s ‘faith’/belief system has no direct value to the creator, and is only a potential tool in one’s quest to gain justification and reach salvation IF it helps its holder in these
  • The eternal continuation of their awareness is inevitable and unavoidable for all human souls
  • The human spirit is somehow part of the eternal consciousness
  •  
    interpretation:
    If ever said by Jesus, these would be confirmation that the subject of belief is not his resurrection but his message of salvation. The demonstration of love in the CESAPH is part of this message, based on which one may have a stronger faith that humans face a loving creator who wants them to gain their salvation (and not an uncaring or evil creator). This help of the gift of good news is available to those who are granted to hear about the CESAPH. Hearing the word of (and about) Jesus is equivalent to believing the plan of the creator with humans' salvation in this creation. The outcome of the evaluation of life will be eternal life for everyone, either in the presence of the creator or away from it. Death here can not refer to the annihilation of soul (as preferred by some) but continued eternal existence under much more unfavorable conditions.
     
        

    John 5:25

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."25 Truly, truly, I tell you, the hour is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. "...
    NRSV: ..."25 "Very truly, I tell you, the hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • Jesus’s ‘covenant’ of the eternal word of God, of salvation is the only covenant that has ever been and will ever be in effect from the creator for all of humanity, since the very beginning of time till the ending of our simulated reality, meaning that if one passes their evaluation on their alignment with love, one redeems their sinful condition and gains their salvation
  •  
    interpretation:
    The situation is here (and has always been here since people started dying in this reality) when those who lived their lives according to the eternal word of God, of salvation (in alignment with love), will gain their salvation in eternal life. There is some place for misunderstanding in this passage that is addressed among the issues. However, the “dead” can refer to lost souls destined for damnation unless they change their conviction and align their lives with love. If so, the “dead” may refer to all humans participating in the evaluation who got a chance to rectify their sinful conditions – if they hear and heed the voice of the Son of God during their lives (take into their conviction the eternal word of God and live their lives accordingly), they may gain their eternal life in salvation (as opposed to in damnation).
     
    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • misconceived understanding of what the ‘trinity’ could be
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  •  
    interpretation:
    This sounds to a wrong understanding from the author: the hour has always been available to hear the voice of the creator for those who 'lived' on this Earth. When those who died hear the voice of creator, that will be of judgment on their already completed life (game over), and at that time, hearing it will already not make any difference to them. At the hour when the dead hear the voice of the creator, they have already done everything for or against their salvation. Hearing and realizing the truth in the word of God is simply too late for them after their deaths. However, the “dead” can refer to 'lost souls' – the souls of failed angels who would be destined for damnation unless they prove that their conviction is aligned with love in their lives here on Earth. Thus, the “dead” could be 'all humans participating in the evaluation' who got a chance to rectify their sinful conditions in their life. If they “hear” and heed the voice of the Son of God (actually, the creator, as some can hear the help of divine grace independent of the CESAPH) during their lives – they take into their conviction the eternal word of God and live their lives accordingly – they may gain their eternal life in salvation (as opposed to in damnation). Even though the author most certainly did not mean this passage to be interpreted this way, the end product of the scriptures that was left to posterity CAN be interpreted this way – against the intentions of its author. As, if one talks about 'divinely inspired texts', the proper understanding of the author is of secondary concern. The creator CAN inspire someone to write a text that is beyond the understanding and interpretation of even its author, and thus, carry the possibility of a 'proper interpretation' by others). 'Son of God' originates from a benign misconception of the trinity concept that facilitated the flawed comprehension of the CESAPH at the time of Jesus. Naturally, people at the time had no idea about what an 'interface' may be. The philosophical foundation argues for a creator that is a single entity, to which we have three possible interfaces/approaches. (This can be well illustrated with how one can approach the Mandelbrot Set: the mathematical equation that drives it, the beauty of a snapshot/calculated image it produces, and the infinity of its formulation that can be played out to us/grasped by us only to a degree. But all three approaches are about the same entity/essence.)
     
        

    John 5:26, 27

    top  

    Berean: ..."26 For as the Father has life in Himself, so also He has granted the Son to have life in Himself. 27 And He has given Him authority to execute judgment, because He is the Son of Man. "...
    NRSV: ..."26 For just as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself; 27 and he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misconceived understanding of what the ‘trinity’ could be
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  •  
    interpretation:
    'Son of God' originates from a benign misconception of the trinity concept that facilitated the flawed comprehension of the CESAPH at the time of Jesus. Naturally, people at the time had no idea about what an 'interface' may be. The philosophical foundation argues for a creator that is a single entity, to which we have three possible interfaces/approaches. (This can be well illustrated with how one can approach the Mandelbrot Set: the mathematical equation that drives it, the beauty of a snapshot/calculated image it produces, and the infinity of its formulation that can be played out to us/grasped by us only to a degree. But all three approaches are about the same entity/essence.) Of course Jesus – as the creator in human form – has the powers of giving life (assigning/compel/invite lesser eternal souls to participate in his created realities) and has authority to execute judgment, because he IS the creator and has the power to do so (not because he is the “Son of Man”). The elaboration on the 'relation' of the 'Son' to the 'Father' reflects the understanding of the author of who Jesus was, many decades after his passing, and likely reflects mainstream views of the disciples at the time, not necessarily what Jesus spoke about himself while still alive. Jesus, as the creator in human form, does his own will. It is also possible that while partaking in our reality as a fully-human, the creator voluntarily undertook some of the limitations that define being human – if not for this, his partaking as fully human would not have been genuine. We can also experience this kind of limitation setting in when we dream at night, and then reawaken into our 'reality': the limitations and level of awareness of these two worlds (realities) are different, yet we are the same 'self' in both of them. As 'being fully-human' can typically mean a good amount of doubt, insecurity, fear, helplessness, suffering and despair, it is also imaginable that Jesus also took on these experiences. This could explain his alleged interactions and conversations with 'the Father' (his greater-self in the larger context of reality), and could also explain the disciples' understanding and conception of the 'trinity'.
     
        

    John 5:28, 29

    top  

    Berean: ..."28 Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming when all who are in their graves will hear His voice 29 and come out—those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment. "...
    NRSV: ..."28 Do not be astonished at this; for the hour is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice 29 and will come out — those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • It is logical to expect appropriate consequences due for passing or failing the evaluation
  • Relativity of experiencing time
  • The creator created our reality (best modeled as a consciousness-centric simulation) to facilitate the evaluation of its target audience: humans
  • The eternal continuation of their awareness is inevitable and unavoidable for all human souls
  • The human spirit is somehow part of the eternal consciousness
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage corrects the misunderstanding that could arise from John 5:25 – hearing the voice of judgment after everyone's deaths comes after one had done good or evil in life. All humans may come together in a single moment in objective time to face judgment over their lives and face its consequences. But this does not mean a wait in limbo for all dead consciousnesses – souls can time-shift to this point after death while still keeping the subjective continuity of their awareness (just as this is illustrated in the process of dreaming and waking up). The passage also confirms that everyone necessarily resurrects (conscious awareness is eternal and continuous for the experiencer).
     
        

    John 5:31, 32, 33, 34

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."31 If I testify about Myself, My testimony is not valid. 32 There is another who testifies about Me, and I know that His testimony about Me is valid. 33 You have sent to John, and he has testified to the truth. 34 Even though I do not accept human testimony, I say these things so that you may be saved. "...
    NRSV: ..."31 "If I testify about myself, my testimony is not true. 32 There is another who testifies on my behalf, and I know that his testimony to me is true. 33 You sent messengers to John, and he testified to the truth. 34 Not that I accept such human testimony, but I say these things so that you may be saved."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies"
  •  
    interpretation:
    One may ask 'what is the need for testimonies, and who can testify for the creator?'. Of course Jesus “said things so we may be saved” - but that does not have anyting to do with anyone's testimony. Like we need some humans' testimonies so that we can believe the creator who took on a human form and partaken in our suffering to demonstrate his love for us... This message speaks for itself, without the need for any prophecies, foretelling, authenticating, and continuity from any belief system. I take this passage as utter confusion made up about Jesus as the author attempted to explain his essence. I naturally doubt that these words were witnessed and then passed on all the way to John, who then accurately recorded them in his gospel. The brilliant sense in the formalized message conveyed by the CESAPH to all of humanity should be a sufficient testimony about Jesus's entity and the truth in his message. After hearing the message from Jesus, no one should be asking for others' testimonies or prophecies for justification, authenticity, or authority.
     
        

    John 5:36

     Significant Alignment! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."36 But I have testimony more substantial than that of John. For the works that the Father has given Me to accomplish—the very works I am doing—testify about Me that the Father has sent Me. "...
    NRSV: ..."36 But I have a testimony greater than John's. The works that the Father has given me to complete, the very works that I am doing, testify on my behalf that the Father has sent me."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  •  
    interpretation:
    This – the testimony of divine love – is the very essence of why we should accept the CESAPH in Jesus, NOT because of prophecies, continuation from lineage of descent from the OT, miraculous signs, and testimonies.
     
        

    John 5:37, 38

    top  

    Berean: ..."37 And the Father who sent Me has Himself testified about Me. You have never heard His voice nor seen His form, 38 nor does His word abide in you, because you do not believe the One He sent. "...
    NRSV: ..."37 And the Father who sent me has himself testified on my behalf. You have never heard his voice or seen his form, 38 and you do not have his word abiding in you, because you do not believe him whom he has sent."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • In their predispositions, humans inherit both love (the essence of the creator’s spirit we share with him, indicating our significance) and selfishness (its opposite/opposing property, what some mistakenly attribute to a separate entity of the ‘evil/devil/satan’) to different degrees from their greater-self, from their originating context of reality
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  •  
    interpretation:
    Those who believe that life's goal is to live it aligned with love for others naturally accept the message of Jesus – because it makes sense and aligns with one's conviction. Believing in the rightness of the message of Jesus and in his testimony of love means the eternal word of God is abiding in the person. It is misguided to look for supernatural testimony from the creator, as that would defeat the purpose of the simulation evaluating our souls. We can accept the CESAPH for what it was because its message makes supreme sense in our setup, and it is the only logical way the creator can testify to humans about his love for us and his desire to get as many of us to salvation as possible, while also leaving the setup's ability to evaluate our souls's alignment intact. Thus, through the story and message of Jesus, we hear the voice of our creator.
     
        

    John 5:46, 47

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."46 If you had believed Moses, you would believe Me, because he wrote about Me. 47 But since you do not believe what he wrote, how will you believe what I say?” "...
    NRSV: ..."46 If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me. 47 But if you do not believe what he wrote, how will you believe what I say?""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation"
  •  
    interpretation:
    This is a misguided attempt by the author to approach and convince the Jews from the only angle they are receptive to, through their prophets' writings. Those who see the light in the message of Jesus should realize its significance, and recognize that traditions and belief systems contrary to it need to be rejected. The belief system founded by Moses and contained in the writings of the OT never represented the way to salvation. But instead of stating this obvious conclusion, the disciples of Jesus and the authors of the scriptures attempted to present Jesus's entity and message as the fulfillment of OT prophecies and as a continuation/upgrade of the Jewish belief system. Their sporadic lack of understanding (and therefore, their possible misguidance) is clear even from some of the anecdotes of the NT (Mark 4:40; 6:51–52; 8:4,14–21; 8:33; 9:2–10; 10:35-45; 14:68–72). Thus, it is possible NOT to believe in the illogical, exclusionary message of Moses who never wrote about the CESAPH, but believe in the universal message of salvation brought by Jesus, and see that the CESAPH stands on its own without the need for any foretelling and prophecies, and that Jesus has nothing to do with the Messiah figure Moses and the Jews were expecting.
     
        

    John 6:27

    top  

    Berean: ..."27 Do not work for food that perishes, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on Him God the Father has placed His seal of approval.” "...
    NRSV: ..."27 Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  • The main goal of our life is to reach our salvation and build values that transcend this reality into eternal life, not to reach material or academic success or to fulfill other worldly desires or loyalties
  •  
    interpretation:
    The Son of Man gave humanity testimony that it faces a loving creator who wants them to reach their salvation and a formalized guide to salvation. This is indeed the good news – the food – that can get one to succeed in this life of evaluation and reach salvation.
     
        

    John 6:28, 29

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."28 Then they inquired, “What must we do to perform the works of God?” 29 Jesus replied, “The work of God is this: to believe in the One He has sent.” "...
    NRSV: ..."28 Then they said to him, "What must we do to perform the works of God?" 29 Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  • ‘Justification’ is ‘being convinced about love’s (vs. selfishness) need to guide life’ (= ‘being rightly enlightened’, = ‘holding Jesus’s message in conviction’, = ‘following/believing in Jesus’, = ‘gaining a justified conviction’, = ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, = ‘doing the works of God’, = ‘satisfying/keeping/adhering to the command of God’, = ‘accepting/living according to Jesus’s message’, = ‘fulfilling the eternal word of God, of salvation’)
  •  
    interpretation:
    This may be misunderstood as meaning that to simply believe that Jesus is Lord is enough for salvation, and that is what Jesus came to accomplish. This scenario can not be logically supported though. Asking this kind of question from Jesus, the disciples seem to have missed the essence of his teachings on what is required of one to attain salvation. The aim of the CESAPH was to get people to be convinced of the eternal word of God, of salvation. This is what Jesus came to formalize. And believing in this message requires one to live a life in alignment with the preferred value of the creator – thus, the life in alignment with such conviction earns one's salvation.
     
    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "One’s ‘faith’/belief system has no direct value to the creator, and is only a potential tool in one’s quest to gain justification and reach salvation IF it helps its holder in these"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Belief in the good news of the CESAPH (who Jesus was and his demonstration of love for humanity) is the greatest help possible for anyone to arrive at a conviction about love's need to guide life (justification). Jesus's message (the eternal word of God, of salvation) is about how to reach justification: one needs to align their conviction with love vs. selfishness, and live life accordingly. This does not equal to a belief in the resurrection, the trinity, the miracles written in the NT, or in any other tenets taught by churches. This passage may be misunderstood as meaning that mere belief that 'Jesus is Lord' (and perhaps throw in the belief in the resurrection and that he 'died for our sins' too) is enough for salvation. However no logic supports this scenario. A passive belief is worthless and belief in Jesus's message requires one to live accordingly for the rest of their lives. “believing” should mean believing in the message of salvation Jesus came to formalize. If so, the message requires one to live a life in alignment with the preferred value of the creator.
     
        

    John 6:33, 35, 36

    top  

    Berean: ..."33 For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 35 Jesus answered, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never hunger, and whoever believes in Me will never thirst. 36 But as I stated, you have seen Me and still you do not believe. "...
    NRSV: ..."33 For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world. ... 35 Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. 36 But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Grace is the ever-present willingness of the creator to help humans reach their salvation
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  • ‘Justification’ is ‘being convinced about love’s (vs. selfishness) need to guide life’ (= ‘being rightly enlightened’, = ‘holding Jesus’s message in conviction’, = ‘following/believing in Jesus’, = ‘gaining a justified conviction’, = ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, = ‘doing the works of God’, = ‘satisfying/keeping/adhering to the command of God’, = ‘accepting/living according to Jesus’s message’, = ‘fulfilling the eternal word of God, of salvation’)
  •  
    interpretation:
    The “bread” (nourishment) of God is the demonstration of love and formalized message of salvation that came in the CESAPH. People see the correctness in the message, yet they do not believe, as they continue to live their lives letting selfishness to get the better of themselves. The justification of conviction drives one toward reaching their salvation throughout their assigned situations in life. The one who “goes to Jesus” is the justified who complete their life in that conviction, and thus, attain salvation – those will never be hungry or thirsty in their eternal life.
     
        

    John 6:38

    top  

    Berean: ..."38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but to do the will of Him who sent Me. "...
    NRSV: ..."38 for I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • misconceived understanding of what the ‘trinity’ could be
  •  
    interpretation:
    Jesus, as the creator in human form, does his own will. It is also possible that while partaking in our reality as a fully-human, the creator voluntarily undertook some of the limitations that define being human – if not for this, his partaking as fully human would not have been genuine. We can also experience this kind of limitation setting in when we dream at night, and then reawaken into our 'reality': the limitations and level of awareness of these two worlds (realities) are different, yet we are the same 'self' in both of them. As 'being fully-human' can typically mean a good amount of doubt, insecurity, fear, helplessness, suffering and despair, it is also imaginable that Jesus also took on these experiences. This could explain his alleged interactions and conversations with 'the Father' (his greater-self in the larger context of reality), and could also explain the disciples' understanding and conception of the 'trinity'.
     
        

    John 6:40

    top  

    Berean: ..."40 For it is My Father’s will that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.” "...
    NRSV: ..."40 This is indeed the will of my Father, that all who see the Son and believe in him may have eternal life; and I will raise them up on the last day.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • It is logical to expect appropriate consequences due for passing or failing the evaluation
  • One’s ‘faith’/belief system has no direct value to the creator, and is only a potential tool in one’s quest to gain justification and reach salvation IF it helps its holder in these
  • Relativity of experiencing time
  • ‘Justification’ is ‘being convinced about love’s (vs. selfishness) need to guide life’ (= ‘being rightly enlightened’, = ‘holding Jesus’s message in conviction’, = ‘following/believing in Jesus’, = ‘gaining a justified conviction’, = ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, = ‘doing the works of God’, = ‘satisfying/keeping/adhering to the command of God’, = ‘accepting/living according to Jesus’s message’, = ‘fulfilling the eternal word of God, of salvation’)
  •  
    interpretation:
    Believing in the father means believing in the message of salvation Jesus (the creator in human form) came to formalize. If one believes as such, the conviction requires one to live a life in alignment with the preferred value of the creator – love vs. selfishness. The last day will likely be the next moment after everyone's deaths, when people will face judgment, perhaps in a single unified moment in objective time. This moment of Judgment may be the second coming of Jesus, that everyone will experience, regardless of when they lived.
     
    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • misconceived understanding of what the ‘trinity’ could be
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "One’s ‘faith’/belief system has no direct value to the creator, and is only a potential tool in one’s quest to gain justification and reach salvation IF it helps its holder in these"
  •  
    interpretation:
    “Believing in the father” should mean believing in the message of salvation Jesus came to formalize. If so, the message requires one to live a life in alignment with the preferred value of the creator. This is not mere belief, but a life lived according to the right conviction. The “last day” will likely be the point in time after everyone's death, after which people will face judgment, likely in a single unified moment in objective time. This common experience of the moment of judgment will be the “second coming” of Jesus, not necessarily a mighty historical moment in a future of this reality on Earth. “Seeing the Son” can not mean that only those who has seen Jesus can be saved. Salvation is also available to those who – on their own – recognize the eternal word of God and align their lives with love, out of their own conviction, building on their predisposition toward love, and using the active help of grace available to them. Jesus, as the creator in human form, does his own will. It is also possible that while partaking in our reality as a fully-human, the creator voluntarily undertook some of the limitations that define being human – if not for this, his partaking as fully human would not have been genuine. We can also experience this kind of limitation setting in when we dream at night, and then reawaken into our 'reality': the limitations and level of awareness of these two worlds (realities) are different, yet we are the same 'self' in both of them. As 'being fully-human' can typically mean a good amount of doubt, insecurity, fear, helplessness, suffering and despair, it is also imaginable that Jesus also took on these experiences. This could explain his alleged interactions and conversations with 'the Father' (his greater-self in the larger context of reality), and could also explain the disciples' understanding and conception of the 'trinity'.
     
        

    John 6:44

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."44 “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day. "...
    NRSV: ..."44 No one can come to me unless drawn by the Father who sent me; and I will raise that person up on the last day."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • Our evaluation serves to separate those who align with love from those who align with selfishness, thereby eliminating the source of suffering from heaven
  • The creator created our reality (best modeled as a consciousness-centric simulation) to facilitate the evaluation of its target audience: humans
  •  
    interpretation:
    One can see humans' predispositions to love that everyone is born with as the 'drawing/persuading force' that needs to succeed in one's life so that one's life can be said to be 'dominated/aligned by love'. And indeed, no one will gain their salvation unless their lives was dominated by love. This is not selection by the creator, but an act of free will, of conviction, on behalf of each individual. In this interpretation, our life is an invitation where we need to use our free will to cooperate with the plan of the creator – to save us from damnation and gather us into his presence. Those who will succeed at this will gain their salvation, and rejoin the creator in his presence in heaven. The rest will logically await a different fate, as they proved to be unworthy to be in the presence of the creator. The essence and the preferred value of the creator is love, so we need to be aligned with this value to be in his presence.
     
    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • misconceived understanding of what the ‘trinity’ could be
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Every human has a real chance at reaching their salvation, which is NOT predetermined or predestined. The creator is NOT omniscient with regard to humans’ free will, and their fate in the evaluation"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Parallels John 6:65 This is another very easily misunderstood passage that may lead one to conclude that salvation is by selection of the creator, leading to the false concept of predetermination. However, one can see human predispositions to love everyone is born with as the drawing force that needs to be worked on throughout life so that one's life ends up being dominated by love. And indeed, no one will gain their salvation unless their lives was dominated by love. This is not selection by the creator, but an act of free will, of conviction, on behalf of each individual. Jesus, as the creator in human form, does his own will. It is also possible that while partaking in our reality as a fully-human, the creator voluntarily undertook some of the limitations that define being human – if not for this, his partaking as fully human would not have been genuine. We can also experience this kind of limitation setting in when we dream at night, and then reawaken into our 'reality': the limitations and level of awareness of these two worlds (realities) are different, yet we are the same 'self' in both of them. As 'being fully-human' can typically mean a good amount of doubt, insecurity, fear, helplessness, suffering and despair, it is also imaginable that Jesus also took on these experiences. This could explain his alleged interactions and conversations with 'the Father' (his greater-self in the larger context of reality), and could also explain the disciples' understanding and conception of the 'trinity'.  
     
        

    John 6:47

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."47 Truly, truly, I tell you, he who believes has eternal life. "...
    NRSV: ..."47 Very truly, I tell you, whoever believes has eternal life."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "One’s ‘faith’/belief system has no direct value to the creator, and is only a potential tool in one’s quest to gain justification and reach salvation IF it helps its holder in these"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Every human soul will have eternal life, however the question is under what circumstances. Belief in the good news of the CESAPH (who Jesus was and his demonstration of love for humanity) is the greatest help possible for anyone to arrive at a conviction about love's need to guide life (justification). Jesus's message (the eternal word of God, of salvation) is about how to reach justification: one needs to align their conviction with love vs. selfishness, and live life accordingly. This does not equal to a belief in the resurrection, the trinity, the miracles written in the NT, or in any other tenets taught by churches. This passage may be misunderstood as meaning that mere belief that 'Jesus is Lord' (and perhaps throw in the belief in the resurrection and that he 'died for our sins' too) is enough for salvation. However no logic supports this scenario. A passive belief is worthless and belief in Jesus's message requires one to live accordingly for the rest of their lives. “believing” should mean believing in the message of salvation Jesus came to formalize. If so, the message requires one to live a life in alignment with the preferred value of the creator.
     
        

    John 6:48, 50, 51, 53, 54, 55, 56

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    Berean: ..."48 I am the bread of life. 50 This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that anyone may eat of it and not die. 51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And this bread, which I will give for the life of the world, is My flesh.” 53 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh and drink the blood of the Son of Man, you have no life in you. 54 Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. 55 For My flesh is real food, and My blood is real drink. 56 Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood remains in Me, and I in him. "...
    NRSV: ..."48 I am the bread of life. ... 50 This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. 51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh." ... 53 So Jesus said to them, "Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54 Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day; 55 for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. 56 Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • Jesus’s ‘covenant’ of the eternal word of God, of salvation is the only covenant that has ever been and will ever be in effect from the creator for all of humanity, since the very beginning of time till the ending of our simulated reality, meaning that if one passes their evaluation on their alignment with love, one redeems their sinful condition and gains their salvation
  • Ritual guidance
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  • The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans
  •  
    interpretation:
    The “bread”is the message of Jesus that shows us the way to salvation. Eating this bread” means heeding his message and accepting its guidance throughout one's life. Those who heed the message will gain their salvation. “Living forever” means attaining eternal salvation (as opposed to damnation). The “world” symbolizes humanity – all humans who partake in life. The “life of the world” is the salvation of the world, of humans – this was the motivation for the CESAPH: to help as many humans to their salvation as possible, for which the creator undertook the suffering and death in Jesus (submitted himself to our sins and limitations to show us his love for us). The symbolism of the eucharist is a and commemoration of this fact.
     
        

    John 6:58

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."58 This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your fathers, who ate the manna and died, the one who eats this bread will live forever.” "...
    NRSV: ..."58 This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live forever.""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • misconception about forgiveness, and the role of rituals
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The human spirit is somehow part of the eternal consciousness"
  •  
    interpretation:
    If one does not interpret the “bread and blood” as the message and sacrifice made by the creator on our behalf so that many more of us may reach our salvation by heeding his message in our life, then misunderstanding and misrepresentation can result. One who does NOT “eat this bread” will ALSO live forever, except probably not in the presence of the creator in heaven. So this passage should not mislead anyone thinking that by not obeying the message of Jesus one will just expire in a complete and fatal annihilation of his soul. There is way out of our evaluation – one will either fail or succeed (even if to different degrees). This makes suicide an illogical attempt at 'ending it all' – it will just get one out of this reality, with the consequences of the act itself (of NOT facing up to the evaluation, for which one was assigned to participate in this reality).
     
        

    John 6:62, 63

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    Berean: ..."62 Then what will happen if you see the Son of Man ascend to where He was before? 63 The Spirit gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. "...
    NRSV: ..."62 Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? 63 It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • The main goal of our life is to reach our salvation and build values that transcend this reality into eternal life, not to reach material or academic success or to fulfill other worldly desires or loyalties
  •  
    interpretation:
    The creator's message in the formalized eternal word of God has nothing to do with material things on this Earth and our earthly desires (the “flesh”) but with reaching salvation, the very meaning of our existence here. Witnessing the supernatural has nothing to do with the quality of spirit that is required for salvation – one that is aligned with love.
     
        

    John 6:65

    top  

    Berean: ..."65 Then Jesus said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to Me unless the Father has granted it to him.” "...
    NRSV: ..."65 And he said, "For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted by the Father.""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • misconceived understanding of what the ‘trinity’ could be
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Every human has a real chance at reaching their salvation, which is NOT predetermined or predestined. The creator is NOT omniscient with regard to humans’ free will, and their fate in the evaluation"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Parallels John 6:44 This is another very easily misunderstood passage that may lead one to conclude that salvation is by selection of the creator, leading one to falsely conclude predetermination/predestination. The father “grants” one salvation upon proving one's justified conviction, by by one's life lived according to the eternal word of God (a life aligned with love). “can come to me” means rejoining the presence of the creator in heaven. Everyone in this life was given the chance to reach salvation though passing the evaluation according to the same evaluation criterion as everyone else: their proven alignment on love vs. selfishness.
     
        

    John 7:4

    top  

    Berean: ..."4 For no one who wants to be known publicly acts in secret. Since You are doing these things, show Yourself to the world.” "...
    NRSV: ..."4 for no one who wants to be widely known acts in secret."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • A justified person has the duty to spread the word of God to others in a non-intrusive way whenever the chance arises and by showing an example
  •  
    interpretation:
    The story and message of the CESAPH – the good news – needed to be widely known among humanity; it was meant to be spread around by word and the testimony of those who are justified in their conviction, reaching as many people as possible.
     
        

    John 7:6

     Significant Alignment! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."6 Therefore Jesus told them, “Although your time is always at hand, My time has not yet come. "...
    NRSV: ..."6 Jesus said to them, "My time has not yet come, but your time is always here."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • One needs to live life being always ready for its accounting - then, if events in the future come as a ’thief’, as one would have needed to do nothing differently
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  • There is always hope and is never too late for salvation
  •  
    interpretation:
    “Your time” pertains to every human; our time to live the life in alignment in love has always been the commandment and the evaluation criterion for all humans throughout history. Attaining salvation through alignment with the divine preference for love has always been the purpose of human existence everywhere. Another possible interpretation of “your time” is: everyone's life goes on until it ends at death, and until then, one always has the chance to turn from selfishness toward love, and live the rest of life accordingly. One should not count on such late conversions though, as that may not be a genuine conversion but a calculated one (which is invalid).
     
        

    John 7:16, 17

     Significant Alignment! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."16 “My teaching is not My own,” Jesus replied. “It comes from Him who sent Me. 17 If anyone desires to do His will, he will know whether My teaching is from God or whether I speak on My own. "...
    NRSV: ..."16 Then Jesus answered them, "My teaching is not mine but his who sent me. 17 Anyone who resolves to do the will of God will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • As salvation is an individual achievement, finding the way and living life accordingly is a private matter that can not be policed or compelled by others
  • Grace is the ever-present willingness of the creator to help humans reach their salvation
  • Jesus’s ‘covenant’ of the eternal word of God, of salvation is the only covenant that has ever been and will ever be in effect from the creator for all of humanity, since the very beginning of time till the ending of our simulated reality, meaning that if one passes their evaluation on their alignment with love, one redeems their sinful condition and gains their salvation
  • ‘Justification’ is ‘being convinced about love’s (vs. selfishness) need to guide life’ (= ‘being rightly enlightened’, = ‘holding Jesus’s message in conviction’, = ‘following/believing in Jesus’, = ‘gaining a justified conviction’, = ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, = ‘doing the works of God’, = ‘satisfying/keeping/adhering to the command of God’, = ‘accepting/living according to Jesus’s message’, = ‘fulfilling the eternal word of God, of salvation’)
  •  
    interpretation:
    Confirmation that Jesus did not come up with something new in his message, but formalized the evaluation criterion for our existence here, the eternal word of God that has always been around. One “who resolves to do the will of God” (those who have a justified conviction) will recognize from the universal message of Jesus that it comes from the creator, and is not something that was made up by one man (the message makes sense as the meaning and purpose of life, and the CESAPH is a most feasible demonstration of love coming from the creator in this setup). This is the main reason why one can and should accept the CESAPH in Jesus. Grace helps those find the way to salvation who turn to the creator for help in this. Interesting that this does not say “anyone who believes in me”, but starts with “resolves to do the will of God” - thus one who is on the right path toward salvation in conviction and actions.
     
        

    John 7:27, 28, 29

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    Berean: ..."27 But we know where this man is from. When the Christ comes, no one will know where He is from.” 28 Then Jesus, still teaching in the temple courts, cried out, “You know Me, and you know where I am from. I have not come of My own accord, but He who sent Me is true. You do not know Him, 29 but I know Him, because I am from Him and He sent Me.” "...
    NRSV: ..."27 But we know where this man is from. When the Christ comes, no one will know where He is from.” 28 Then Jesus cried out as he was teaching in the temple, "You know me, and you know where I am from. I have not come on my own. But the one who sent me is true, and you do not know him. 29 I know him, because I am from him, and he sent me.""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misconceived understanding of what the ‘trinity’ could be
  •  
    interpretation:
    This is an excellent example of Jews' description of who their Messiah will be not matching Jesus. More importantly, in Jesus's response is not a direct rebuttal of this (claiming that he IS the Messiah), but a carefully worded description of himself that includes a contradiction to being the expected Messiah (it was known where he is from). Unfortunately the rest of the statements are a bit confusing and/or simply way too generic to mean anything specific – but it is also very much unlikely that the author was able to reliably and precisely recall the discussion that took place many decades before. This is an issue with all NT scriptures – hence the need for the process of 'distillation of its message' to get to what Jesus's message might have been. Jesus, as the creator in human form, does his own will. It is also possible that while partaking in our reality as a fully-human, the creator voluntarily undertook some of the limitations that define being human – if not for this, his partaking as fully human would not have been genuine. We can also experience this kind of limitation setting in when we dream at night, and then reawaken into our 'reality': the limitations and level of awareness of these two worlds (realities) are different, yet we are the same 'self' in both of them. As 'being fully-human' can typically mean a good amount of doubt, insecurity, fear, helplessness, suffering and despair, it is also imaginable that Jesus also took on these experiences. This could explain his alleged interactions and conversations with 'the Father' (his greater-self in the larger context of reality), and could also explain the disciples' understanding and conception of the 'trinity'.
     
        

    John 7:38, 39

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."38 Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said: ‘Streams of living water will flow from within him.’” 39 He was speaking about the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were later to receive. For the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet been glorified. "...
    NRSV: ..."38 ... As the scripture has said, 'Out of the believer's heart shall flow rivers of living water.'" 39 Now he said this about the Spirit, which believers in him were to receive; for as yet there was no Spirit, because Jesus was not yet glorified."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Grace is the ever-present willingness of the creator to help humans reach their salvation"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "In their predispositions, humans inherit both love (the essence of the creator’s spirit we share with him, indicating our significance) and selfishness (its opposite/opposing property, what some mistakenly attribute to a separate entity of the ‘evil/devil/satan’) to different degrees from their greater-self, from their originating context of reality"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "‘Justification’ is ‘being convinced about love’s (vs. selfishness) need to guide life’ (= ‘being rightly enlightened’, = ‘holding Jesus’s message in conviction’, = ‘following/believing in Jesus’, = ‘gaining a justified conviction’, = ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, = ‘doing the works of God’, = ‘satisfying/keeping/adhering to the command of God’, = ‘accepting/living according to Jesus’s message’, = ‘fulfilling the eternal word of God, of salvation’)"
  •  
    interpretation:
    There is a general misguidance and absurdity about who receives the Holy Spirit and when. Before the glorification (resurrection) of Jesus, the spirit had to be available to all humans the same way as after this. The CESAPH has no bearing on the availability of the spirit, the seeds of which are present in everyone's predisposition to love (to differing degrees), and is attainable to anyone who searches for the truth, through the ever-present willing help of divine grace. What DID become available with the CESAPH is its good news (that the creator so loved humanity that he was willing to appear among us in human form and subject himself to our will) and the formalized message of the eternal word of God, of salvation. Knowing about the good news is the greatest help one can receive in reaching justification and living life accordingly (aligned with love vs. selfishness), and thus, in attaining salvation. Keeping the good news in mind gives one the greatest possible boost in strength to carry through living a justified life. There is no justifiable logic for the event of the Pentecost – i.e. believers receiving/being filled with the Holy Spirit at a certain time in history. Being filled with the Holy Spirit – an essential element of salvation – must have been around and available to all of humanity since the very beginning, also available for those who did not know about the CESAPH. Otherwise, they would have been in a fatal disadvantage – something not imaginable from a fair and just creator. It IS imaginable that the creator gave 'extra help' only to a select few: knowing about the good news of the CESAPH is a boost in strength that was granted only to those who deserve it in their assigned situations. Knowing about the good news is NOT essential for one to reach salvation. However, 'being filled with the Holy Spirit' must be essential for salvation, and so, it can NOT be considered as an 'extra help' given only to a select few, which is not really necessary for salvation. If the creator denied a crucial element necessary for reaching salvation to a large part of the population (those who lived and died before the Pentecost or who do not get to hear about the CESAPH), then this would have eliminated all their chances at reaching their salvation, and thus, the point of their existence here – and this is very unlikely from a just and loving creator who put us here to reach our salvation. Thus, it is is unlikely, and makes little (or no) sense, that the event of the Pentacost affected all believers or all people in any way. If something did take place among the apostles and disciples 50 days after Easter, that must have been a personal experience for them (as in miracles) and it surely has no relevance for the rest of humanity. However, decades later, when they had the chance to influence the writing of the scriptures, their clear fallibility remained and were deposited in the writings. Thanks to the good news, most probably a lot more people gained their justified conviction (an act of acceptance up to one's free will) than if it did not take place. And thus, because of this intervention, many more may have lived to earn their salvation in the last judgment. But the Pentecost did not change anything drastic in the quality of human souls, their susceptibility to sin, or the degree of their wisdom in general. And this was also unlikely to have been the plan of the creator. Therefore, 'being filled with the Holy Spirit' must equal 'reaching a justified conviction’, which has been possible for all humans throughout history, independent of any events in history.
     
        

    John 7:42

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    Berean: ..."42 Doesn’t the Scripture say that the Christ will come from the line of David and from Bethlehem, the village where David lived?” "...
    NRSV: ..."42 Has not the scripture said that the Messiah is descended from David and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David lived?""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • appeasement/catering to potential Jewish converts
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  •  
    interpretation:
    Except, Jesus did not descend from David, even if the made-up descent of Joseph to David would be true: Jesus's father was NOT Joseph, as Mary had an 'immaculate conception – if one is to follow those tenets... If one does NOT necessarily follow these tenets (the descent of Joseph was untraceable to David and thus, was made up; additionally, Joseph could even have been the biological father of Jesus if the assigned soul to the baby-to-be-born was going to be the creator's), then it seems most likely that the descent claim was made up by the disciples to support the Messiah claim (once they realized this gives them the best hope of convincing Jews to switch to their beliefs).
     
        

    John 8:12

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    Berean: ..."12 Once again, Jesus spoke to the people and said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.” "...
    NRSV: ..."12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • It is logical to expect appropriate consequences due for passing or failing the evaluation
  • The eternal continuation of their awareness is inevitable and unavoidable for all human souls
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  • ‘Justification’ is ‘being convinced about love’s (vs. selfishness) need to guide life’ (= ‘being rightly enlightened’, = ‘holding Jesus’s message in conviction’, = ‘following/believing in Jesus’, = ‘gaining a justified conviction’, = ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, = ‘doing the works of God’, = ‘satisfying/keeping/adhering to the command of God’, = ‘accepting/living according to Jesus’s message’, = ‘fulfilling the eternal word of God, of salvation’)
  •  
    interpretation:
    The “light of the world” formalized the eternal word of God, of salvation, and demonstrated the creator's love for humanity so whoever follows it (passes the evaluation of life on one's alignment with love vs. selfishness) will reach salvation instead of damnation.
     
        

    John 8:13, 14

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    Berean: ..."13 So the Pharisees said to Him, “You are testifying about Yourself; Your testimony is not valid.” 14 Jesus replied, “Even if I testify about Myself, My testimony is valid, because I know where I came from and where I am going. But you do not know where I came from or where I am going. "...
    NRSV: ..."13 Then the Pharisees said to him, "You are testifying on your own behalf; your testimony is not valid." 14 Jesus answered, "Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid because I know where I have come from and where I am going, but you do not know where I come from or where I am going."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies"
  •  
    interpretation:
    The logic in “my testimony is valid because I know where I come from and where I am going, but you don't” is invalid. Basically, any fool can say anything and state this very claim. Jesus's testimony is valid (and more importantly relevant) because it carries a logically valid message that makes supreme sense and satisfactorily answers existential questions of religion. Validity and relevance can not be any more than this. Oh, wait – it can also come directly from the creator! The CESAPH itself IS a testimony from the creator to humanity. And the creator testifies on behalf of himself, about himself and his intentions with humanity, formalizing the eternal word of God, of salvation. It makes sense that the creator may intervene once during history (and only once) to help foster humans' salvation by demonstrating his love for us and formalizing the criterion for salvation. This passage sounds being made up by the author to reflect his inadequate recollection or understanding of what might have taken place decades earlier.
     
        

    John 8:15, 16

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    Berean: ..."15 You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one. 16 But even if I do judge, My judgment is true, because I am not alone; I am with the Father who sent Me. "...
    NRSV: ..."15 You judge by human standards; I judge no one. 16 Yet even if I do judge, my judgment is valid; for it is not I alone who judge, but I and the Father who sent me."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misconceived understanding of what the ‘trinity’ could be
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Our evaluation serves to separate those who align with love from those who align with selfishness, thereby eliminating the source of suffering from heaven"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Contradicts John 9:39 – Jesus carried the message of judgment, so even if he did not judge people during his life on Earth (which he did), he is the ultimate, final judge. Of course, Jesus, the creator in human form judges humans – that is why we were assigned to this reality! Thus, this passage is misconceived and confused (“I do not judge anyone. Yet even if I do...”). Jesus, as the creator in human form, does his own will. It is also possible that while partaking in our reality as a fully-human, the creator voluntarily undertook some of the limitations that define being human – if not for this, his partaking as fully human would not have been genuine. We can also experience this kind of limitation setting in when we dream at night, and then reawaken into our 'reality': the limitations and level of awareness of these two worlds (realities) are different, yet we are the same 'self' in both of them. As 'being fully-human' can typically mean a good amount of doubt, insecurity, fear, helplessness, suffering and despair, it is also imaginable that Jesus also took on these experiences. This could explain his alleged interactions and conversations with 'the Father' (his greater-self in the larger context of reality), and could also explain the disciples' understanding and conception of the 'trinity'.
     
        

    John 8:21

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    Berean: ..."21 Again He said to them, “I am going away, and you will look for Me, but you will die in your sin. Where I am going, you cannot come.” "...
    NRSV: ..."21 Again he said to them, "I am going away, and you will search for me, but you will die in your sin. Where I am going, you cannot come.""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • incorrect or inappropriate generalization
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  •  
    interpretation:
    Parallels John 7:33-34; This must be a misspoken or incorrectly recollected quote from Jesus (if not made up by the author). Why would anyone “search for Jesus, but die in their sin”? This makes zero sense. Certainly there will be people who will end up this way (they search for Jesus in some way and they still die a sinner, not reaching a justified conviction and not living in alignment with love vs selfishness), but this is just one of the many possibilities for each human to end up like. The statement is an incorrect generalization or is clearly misspoken, and its attempted clarification in verse 23 does not explain satisfactorily either.
     
        

    John 8:23, 24

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    Berean: ..."23 Then He told them, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. 24 That is why I told you that you would die in your sins. For unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.” "...
    NRSV: ..."23 He said to them, “You are from below, I am from above; you are of this world, I am not of this world. 24 I told you that you would die in your sins, for you will die in your sins unless you believe that I am he.""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • incorrect or inappropriate generalization
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "One’s ‘faith’/belief system has no direct value to the creator, and is only a potential tool in one’s quest to gain justification and reach salvation IF it helps its holder in these"
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage features a convoluted way of what it basically should say: if one does not pass the evaluation by living a life aligned by love, one will miss out on salvation. Of course, the misunderstanding of “believing that 'Jesus is Lord' (and his resurrection perhaps and that he 'died for our sins') will qualify one for salvation” is also in this passage. Those who did not repent and rectify their sins and did not manage to live their lives aligned with love will “die in their sins” (or rather, face damnation as they kept their sinful condition). But this is not the same group of people as those who do not believe in Jesus's entity (according to whatever interpretation of whatever church). Belief in the CESAPH can help a person gain the right conviction and live accordingly to reach salvation, but this belief is not a prerequisite to salvation. It is not as easy to reach salvation as just having to believe who Jesus was and what he allegedly did for us. Belief is a mere tool that may or may not help one gain the right conviction about love's need to guide one's life (which IS the way to salvation).
     
        

    John 8:28

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."28 So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing on My own, but speak exactly what the Father has taught Me. "...
    NRSV: ..."28 So Jesus said, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will realize that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own, but I speak these things as the Father instructed me."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misconceived understanding of what the ‘trinity’ could be
  •  
    interpretation:
    This complex sentence could be said the following way without the 'trinity confusion': after ascending to heaven the disciples will realize that Jesus was the CESAPH, so Jesus's messages are directly from the creator. Well, didn't they realize this while Jesus was alive and teaching them? Why was witnessing a miracle necessary for the disciples to believe that Jesus's message was the creator's message? And how are those who did not witness such miracles to believe the same then? This is quite disparaging about the disciples then... Well, they could/should believe by looking at the sense of the message itself, and elaborating on the claims of Jesus about himself – without the need for miracles. This points to the likelihood that Jesus's closest disciples may not have understood the messages of Jesus at the time they heard it. So how could they have even recounted them correctly decades later, to be captured in the scriptures? This makes it quite likely that the original messages have been lost in translation in this process. Hence the need for the process of distillation of the essential meaning from these fallible sources. Additionally, the disciples did not “lift up the Son of Man”; the creator lifted up himself. Jesus, as the creator in human form, does his own will. It is also possible that while partaking in our reality as a fully-human, the creator voluntarily undertook some of the limitations that define being human – if not for this, his partaking as fully human would not have been genuine. We can also experience this kind of limitation setting in when we dream at night, and then reawaken into our 'reality': the limitations and level of awareness of these two worlds (realities) are different, yet we are the same 'self' in both of them. As 'being fully-human' can typically mean a good amount of doubt, insecurity, fear, helplessness, suffering and despair, it is also imaginable that Jesus also took on these experiences. This could explain his alleged interactions and conversations with 'the Father' (his greater-self in the larger context of reality), and could also explain the disciples' understanding and conception of the 'trinity'.
     
        

    John 8:31, 32

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    Berean: ..."31 So He said to the Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” "...
    NRSV: ..."31 Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, "If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation
  • Jesus’s ‘covenant’ of the eternal word of God, of salvation is the only covenant that has ever been and will ever be in effect from the creator for all of humanity, since the very beginning of time till the ending of our simulated reality, meaning that if one passes their evaluation on their alignment with love, one redeems their sinful condition and gains their salvation
  •  
    interpretation:
    Jesus, turning to the people of his chosen context of appearance, invites them to follow his universal message to humanity. The truth of the eternal word of God will free people from all misguided teachings, such as the law of Moses and their misguided self-centered belief system.
     
        

    John 8:37, 38, 39, 40

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."37 I know you are Abraham’s descendants, but you are trying to kill Me because My word has no place within you. 38 I speak of what I have seen in the presence of the Father, and you do what you have heard from your father.” 39 “Abraham is our father,” they replied. “If you were children of Abraham,” said Jesus, “you would do the works of Abraham. 40 But now you are trying to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham never did such a thing. "...
    NRSV: ..."37 I know that you are descendants of Abraham; yet you look for an opportunity to kill me, because there is no place in you for my word. 38 I declare what I have seen in the Father's presence; as for you, you should do what you have heard from the Father." 39 They answered him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing what Abraham did, 40 but now you are trying to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • appeasement/catering to potential Jewish converts
  • misconceived understanding of what the ‘trinity’ could be
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  •  
    interpretation:
    Quite a weak argument to the Jewish crowd on why they should believe in Jesus's divinity and his message over their own beliefs – likely made up by the author or disciples and not directly 'recalled' from Jesus. A declaration about anyone “seeing things in the presence of the Father” is obviously not going to impress them – anyone can claim this. “you should do what you heard from the Father” is also faulty, as the Jewish crowd obviously did not directly hear anything from the Heavenly Father (and neither from Abraham, whose character Moses likely borrowed from other myths and legends of the time circulating in different cultures). “but now you are trying to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God” also carries very little convincing power, that everyone could say or claim. And the text does not back these claims in any other way (for example, with the sense and logic in the message). What allegedly Abraham did was 'blindly obey'. For his obedience, the creator allegedly gave him three promises that make absolutely no sense: why would the creator want a random guy to go to some unspecified land on Earth? Why THAT guy, and why not someone else? Making him a 'great nation' makes no sense from the creator's perspective – like the creator is into 'nation-making' or the outcome of human history. This is also totally ludicrous in any philosophical sense. The promise to make his descendants 'blessed' is also silly when viewed from any possible perspective of a creator facing his creation – were the Jews blessed when Rome destroyed Jerusalem or when they were carried away to Babylon? Oh, that was because they 'misbehaved' at that time... Well, this kind of story could fit just about any nation on Earth: sometimes they were more blessed than other times. Essentially, there is nothing positive in the deeds of Abraham that could be said to align with Jesus's message of loving thy neighbor and even enemy. In any case, the majority of the Jews of the time were clearly NOT receptive to Jesus's message and claims, as they contradicted their holy book's accounts and prophecies (despite the great efforts of the disciples to connect Jesus's person and acts to those prophecies). This also shows the incompatibility between the two belief systems, their message, their audience, their focus, and their guidance for life.
     
        

    John 8:40, 42

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    Berean: ..."40 But now you are trying to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham never did such a thing. 42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on My own, but He sent Me. "...
    NRSV: ..."40 but now you are trying to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. ... 42 Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and now I am here. I did not come on my own, but he sent me."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • misconceived understanding of what the ‘trinity’ could be
  •  
    interpretation:
    Another unlikely quote from Jesus, several decades later than it was allegedly heard. These are weak arguments to talk to Jews who do not believe in Jesus's divine being. Apart from this, it continues with the confusion about how the disciples thought of the trinity. Jesus, as the creator in human form, does his own will. It is also possible that while partaking in our reality as a fully-human, the creator voluntarily undertook some of the limitations that define being human – if not for this, his partaking as fully human would not have been genuine. We can also experience this kind of limitation setting in when we dream at night, and then reawaken into our 'reality': the limitations and level of awareness of these two worlds (realities) are different, yet we are the same 'self' in both of them. As 'being fully-human' can typically mean a good amount of doubt, insecurity, fear, helplessness, suffering and despair, it is also imaginable that Jesus also took on these experiences. This could explain his alleged interactions and conversations with 'the Father' (his greater-self in the larger context of reality), and could also explain the disciples' understanding and conception of the 'trinity'.
     
        

    John 8:43, 44, 45

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."43 Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you are unable to accept My message. 44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out his desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, refusing to uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, because he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 But because I speak the truth, you do not believe Me! "...
    NRSV: ..."43 Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot accept my word. 44 You are from your father the devil, and you choose to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • personal perspectives and directives that are culturally dependent
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "‘Evil’, ‘Devil’, or ‘Satan’ is NOT a separate entity opposed to the creator, but the value of selfishness in us that is opposite to the preferred value of the creator, love"
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage seems to be reflecting the author's and the disciples' frustration with being unable to convince Jews of their new faith, rather than actual, recalled quotes of what Jesus may have spoken decades before, when facing crowds who rejected his message. Not understanding and even not accepting Jesus's words could not have angered the creator as much as to call the offenders the 'children of the devil'. Being a 'child of the devil' makes zero sense – all humans are assigned to this reality to rectify their sinful conditions and regain their lost place in heaven, so some of them being 'children of the devil' sounds more like human frustration than words from Jesus. Do the children of the devil have zero chance to reach their salvation? How did they get here? Are they not participating in the evaluation of their life just as all other humans? These and similar questions all lead to this statement's absurdity. Not understanding, or even not accepting the word of Jesus is NOT a sin – one still is measured on their alignment on love vs. selfishness. If they can accomplish this in their life without Jesus's help, that is still realignment with the eternal word of God, of salvation (which WAS Jesus's message). The 'devil' is not a separate, opposing entity to the creator, but simply the opposite of his preferred value/property of love: selfishness. An entity is not needed for this force to draw people away from the presence of the creator. Simply, not complying or not being aligned with the preferred value of the creator makes one aligned with the opposite of the preferred value of the creator. And this can disqualify someone from remaining in the presence of the creator in heaven. And this is what happened to all humans: they got themselves disqualified from remaining in heaven with the creator, and thus, were cast away to this reality as a penance, but also a chance to redeem their sinful condition by realigning their conviction. Based on the belief system of the OT,  the authors and disciples of Jesus misguidedly believed the ‘Evil One’, ‘Devil’, or ’Satan’ to be a separate independent entity (a fallen leader of angels) opposed to the creator and having some special powers. However, the concept should simply be interpreted as ‘the influence and temptations to be selfish’, the opposite of the creator’s preference of love that is present in us conscious humans, and all of us are here to demonstrate that we can subdue and eliminate this value in us, and side with its opposite in our evaluation.
     
        

    John 8:51

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    Berean: ..."51 Truly, truly, I tell you, if anyone keeps My word, he will never see death.” "...
    NRSV: ..."51 Very truly, I tell you, whoever keeps my word will never see death.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • Our evaluation serves to separate those who align with love from those who align with selfishness, thereby eliminating the source of suffering from heaven
  •  
    interpretation:
    The content of this statement can also be misunderstood (addressed under the issues), but the bottom line is true: one who keeps the word of Jesus (the eternal word of God, of salvation through realignment with love vs. selfishness) will gain eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven. And those who do not keep this word (rather align with selfishness) will face a different outcome, which may be an unfavorable condition into eternity.
     
    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Our evaluation serves to separate those who align with love from those who align with selfishness, thereby eliminating the source of suffering from heaven"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Relativity of experiencing time"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The eternal continuation of their awareness is inevitable and unavoidable for all human souls"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The human spirit is somehow part of the eternal consciousness"
  •  
    interpretation:
    The content of this statement can also be interpreted correctly (addressed in the alignment section), but can also lead some to erroneously conclude that those who do not keep the word will 'die' (annihilate, and end their conscious existence). The final and fatal extinguishment of conscious awareness is not a likely outcome for human conscious awareness. The human soul (its memories, story, and awareness) is much more likely to be eternal and indestructible in some form. Otherwise, the entire reality of what happened would NOT have happened at all (as all that ever happened is in memory of consciousness in some form). Rather, it is more likely that we are facing a scenario that is similar to when we dream and then reawaken: the level of awareness and the context of reality changes at the point when we exit one reality back into the originating context of reality. All of a sudden we gain insights why we have dreamed what we did – info that was not available to the dreamer while in the dream, even though the self (the one being aware) did not change from one type of reality to the other. So the question is not whether we 'face death or life' but rather, “under what circumstances will such souls spend their eternal existence after this life?”.
     
        

    John 8:58

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    Berean: ..."58 “Truly, truly, I tell you,” Jesus declared, “before Abraham was born, I am!” "...
    NRSV: ..."58 Jesus said to them, "Very truly, I tell you, before Abraham was, I am.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Jesus’s ‘covenant’ of the eternal word of God, of salvation is the only covenant that has ever been and will ever be in effect from the creator for all of humanity, since the very beginning of time till the ending of our simulated reality, meaning that if one passes their evaluation on their alignment with love, one redeems their sinful condition and gains their salvation
  • The concept of the ‘trinity’ can only be interpreted as ‘three possible interface to the same single entity of the creator’
  • The human spirit is somehow part of the eternal consciousness
  •  
    interpretation:
    Refers to the eternal existence and divinity of Jesus as the creator, and his word of salvation, the criterion for every human's evaluation.
     
        

    John 9:2, 3

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."2 and His disciples asked Him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the works of God would be displayed in him. "...
    NRSV: ..."2 … “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 Jesus answered, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God's works might be revealed in him."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • inadequate answer to question
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally"
  •  
    interpretation:
    The man born blind is not blind because of a sin committed by him or his ancestors (parents at least) in this life, in this world. This is a troubling passage, as Jesus answers in a logically unacceptable and unjust way, and leaves with no general answer to the extremely crucial existential question: why is there a different degree of suffering and luck from person to person? What is the reason for one specific human's suffering over the others who do not face such suffering? What is the reason and the decision of distribution of misery and luck – with no answer coming from Jesus. (Surely, not all cases of suffering humans are present so that divine might or miracles can be demonstrated through them). If Jesus really answered this question as this passage describes, then he must have had a reason not to reveal anything about the general reason why humans receive their assignments of misery. The most likely scenario concluded by the philosophical foundation is that the eternal souls of all humans (existing in infinity perhaps as angels) somehow failed the creator in their precursory existence (before this life), likely by violating the bond of love they had with the creator. This falling out resulted in our 'sinful condition' (the 'original sin') and our assignment to this reality of penance where our accidental situations are assigned fairly, according to our failings in the precursor. Thus, someone's suffering (which is NOT an outcome of someone else's free will) can be directly proportional to the magnitude and nature of one's failing in the precursor. Naturally, at that time of Jesus, people's beliefs excluded such concepts for the origination of misery. The only reason I can think of for the creator's intention not to reveal a proper and general answer to this very crucial question is to actually hide this revelation from people at that time, so that their evaluation of the quality of their soul can proceed without this understanding. This could be part of their assigned condition, just as living in a time when scientific understanding is not yet developed. So a more general answer to this question could have been 'neither the blind, nor his parents have sinned the way you think, but both are sinners the way you don't think'. The blindness is a personal situational assignment of an individual that suits the degree of difficulty in which he needs to go through life and prove his alignment with love vs. selfishness, while serving his penance – that is the proportional and fair assignment he got from the creator for his life. Now, if I stab someone in the stomach, his misery will not be assigned by the creator, as it was my fault (of exercising my free will in an ill way). Him surviving the stabbing or dying of it (how my act against him turns out for him in his life) is again arranged and assigned by the creator. And the stabbing will have its consequence in the stabber's evaluation and will be reflected in his judgment during the last judgment, together with the rest of his life. According to the philosophical foundation's depiction of the scenario closest to eventual truth, it is clear why Jesus did not want to fully describe to his contemporaries the whole scenario of reality. Nevertheless, the essential message got through, as that was clear all along for everyone acting on their own personal responsibility to distill and interpret it for themselves, and did not get lost in the details.
     
        

    John 9:39

     Significant Alignment! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."39 Then Jesus declared, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind may see and those who see may become blind.” "...
    NRSV: ..."39 Jesus said, "I came into this world for judgment so that those who do not see may see, and those who do see may become blind.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • Our evaluation serves to separate those who align with love from those who align with selfishness, thereby eliminating the source of suffering from heaven
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    Contradicts John 8:15 – rightly. The CESAPH was undertaken to be a help and guide for people so many more would see and prevail in reaching their salvations (than if the CESAPH did not take place). Thus, the evaluation will be followed by the creator's judgement to separate those who saw and lived the eternal word of God from those who choose to remain blind. The setup of the evaluation includes the temptation to remain blind to the light and get lost in this materialistic world. The formalized message of Jesus can contradict those who thought they already figured out how to live life contrary to the eternal word of God (those who do see may become blind), and get people to realize the truth in the eternal word of God (those who do not see may see). This stands valid to this day, especially with the advance of scientific knowledge, promoting people to subscribe to a worldview without an objective purpose and a creator.
     
        

    John 10:9, 10, 11

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    Berean: ..."9 I am the gate. If anyone enters through Me, he will be saved. He will come in and go out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness. 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. "...
    NRSV: ..."9 I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. 11 "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • It is logical to expect appropriate consequences due for passing or failing the evaluation
  • Jesus’s ‘covenant’ of the eternal word of God, of salvation is the only covenant that has ever been and will ever be in effect from the creator for all of humanity, since the very beginning of time till the ending of our simulated reality, meaning that if one passes their evaluation on their alignment with love, one redeems their sinful condition and gains their salvation
  •  
    interpretation:
    A good summary of the goals of the CESAPH: for the formalized eternal word of God to serve as the guide – the only way to salvation. The thieves are those who do not align their lives with love and tempt us to follow their example. The CESAPH took place to help as many of us succeed as possible through receiving the gift of the good news – to find as many lost sheep as possible and help them toward their salvation. In Jesus, the creator laid down his life for us humans – the greatest show of love possible. “Having life and having it abundantly” refers to eternal salvation.
     
        

    John 10:21

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    Berean: ..."21 But others replied, “These are not the words of a man possessed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?” "...
    NRSV: ..."21 Others were saying, "These are not the words of one who has a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • leaning on miracles for authenticity
  • misconceived idea about casting out demons
  •  
    interpretation:
    Sadly, people do not consider the message of Jesus on its merit, but instead look for signs, prophecies fulfilled, and miracles performed. (Never mind what makes a prophet authentic in their eyes – let me guess, miracles? And how do people know that a genuine miracle was performed? By all witnessing it? Nah; perhaps by 'reading' that all witnessed it – or just accept the story of it at face value, because it comes from an authority figure to be feared..) Other spirits don't enter one body, even if one suffers from multiple personality disorder or other mental conditions. And a spirit is not unclean – it is either in aligned with love or its opposite (or sick in other ways). This passage likely arose from the lack of contemporary understanding of mental illness, and no doubt it would not have been included with the understanding of such conditions. Therefore, it is likely to have been included with the motivation to amaze potential converts and in general, lean on miracles for the authenticity and authority of the writings and Jesus. As a side note, in the simulation model of reality proposed by the philosophical foundation, it is quite possible that living with mental illness is part of one's 'sentence' of hardship (an assigned situation), for the sufferer and its surrounding. But even then, other unclean spirits taking over one's body remains a highly unlikely scenario with negligible likelihood (though not an impossibility).
     
        

    John 10:24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."24 So the Jews gathered around Him and demanded, “How long will You keep us in suspense? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.” 25 “I already told you,” Jesus replied, “but you did not believe. The works I do in My Father’s name testify on My behalf. 26 But because you are not My sheep, you refuse to believe. 27 My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father who has given them to Me is greater than all. No one can snatch them out of My Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.” "...
    NRSV: ..."24 … “… If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly." 25 Jesus answered, "I have told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name testify to me; 26 but you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep. 27 My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 What my Father has given me is greater than all else, and no one can snatch it out of the Father's hand. 30 The Father and I are one.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation
  • Jesus’s ‘covenant’ of the eternal word of God, of salvation is the only covenant that has ever been and will ever be in effect from the creator for all of humanity, since the very beginning of time till the ending of our simulated reality, meaning that if one passes their evaluation on their alignment with love, one redeems their sinful condition and gains their salvation
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  • The concept of the ‘trinity’ can only be interpreted as ‘three possible interface to the same single entity of the creator’
  •  
    interpretation:
    Confirmation that Jesus's message stands on its own without any fulfillment of prophecies and being the Messiah of the Jews. True followers of Jesus hear his voice and follow his guidance – and prophecies or being the Jewish Messiah is irrelevant. Important that Jesus does not directly answer this irrelevant question (whether he is the Messiah the Jews were waiting for) to those who do not recognize his message and its significance. Instead, he describes something entirely more significant and relevant. “The Father and I are one” also confirms that the trinity is just a metaphor – different approaches, interfaces – for the same entity. This also confirms the divinity of Jesus from his own mouth. People with a justified conviction (about love needing to guide one's life) are “his sheep”.
     
        

    John 10:37, 38

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."37 If I am not doing the works of My Father, then do not believe Me. 38 But if I am doing them, even though you do not believe Me, believe the works themselves, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in Me, and I am in the Father.” "...
    NRSV: ..."37 If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me. 38 But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • A justified person has the duty to spread the word of God to others in a non-intrusive way whenever the chance arises and by showing an example
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • As salvation is an individual achievement, finding the way and living life accordingly is a private matter that can not be policed or compelled by others
  • Jesus’s ‘covenant’ of the eternal word of God, of salvation is the only covenant that has ever been and will ever be in effect from the creator for all of humanity, since the very beginning of time till the ending of our simulated reality, meaning that if one passes their evaluation on their alignment with love, one redeems their sinful condition and gains their salvation
  • One ‘loves God’ by loving their fellow human beings, no matter how far removed they may be, which fulfills the single command of God
  • ‘Justification’ is ‘being convinced about love’s (vs. selfishness) need to guide life’ (= ‘being rightly enlightened’, = ‘holding Jesus’s message in conviction’, = ‘following/believing in Jesus’, = ‘gaining a justified conviction’, = ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, = ‘doing the works of God’, = ‘satisfying/keeping/adhering to the command of God’, = ‘accepting/living according to Jesus’s message’, = ‘fulfilling the eternal word of God, of salvation’)
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage invites people to think and interpret the story of Jesus for themselves, and rejects blindly following them without the individual's critical evaluation. The question is, how one can assess whether some works are of the Father or not. Surely, I can accept that Jesus has done the right things, in line with how I imagined my creator. But it is the logic and sense of his story and message that convinces me of its truth, not his good deeds or miracles performed: Jesus's story and message aligns best with what makes the most sense as far as reality and the meaning of my existence. It is true that one may accept Jesus as Lord based on believing in the miracles performed; but that is a shallow belief that falters, should those miracles get discounted somehow. This sort of shallow understanding may also exclude a deeper understanding of the message itself. This way, Zoroaster and perhaps others also had their deeds and teachings aligned with the eternal word of God throughout history. And indeed, following the guidance of people who are justified in their convictions can lead one to justification and salvation throughout history, independent of the good news. One can accept Jesus because he provided the proper guidance for life, and backed this message with his life. We can agree with this guidance on our own and hold it in our conviction. However, in addition, in Jesus the creator demonstrated his love for humanity in an inimitable way that can not be surpassed.
     
        

    John 11:25, 26

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies. 26 And everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” "...
    NRSV: ..."25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • It is logical to expect appropriate consequences due for passing or failing the evaluation
  • One’s ‘faith’/belief system has no direct value to the creator, and is only a potential tool in one’s quest to gain justification and reach salvation IF it helps its holder in these
  • The resurrection is not a cornerstone belief to be held about Jesus or the subject of faith one needs to believe in to gain salvation, but an emphasis on the inevitability of afterlife for everyone. From a simulated reality everyone exits to their originating context, and the creator can naturally make exceptions for his exit and reappearance
  •  
    interpretation:
    Jesus's message represents “resurrection and the life” (eternal life of everyone and salvation – eternal life in the presence of the creator). If one believes in his message, one will not go astray (or if they do, through weakness perhaps, they will regret it and redeem their failings). “Believing in me” refers to belief in the correctness and truth of Jesus’s message; such belief necessarily means that one needs to align their life accordingly (doing and deciding throughout the situations of life). Thus, this is not just a passive belief in some abstract concept or miracles. Failing to align one's life means that the belief was not sound or strong enough, or the person is too weak or stupid to carry through.  “Lives and believes in me” can only explained in these terms: having the conviction about the way to salvation, and living the life as a testimony to alignment with love.
     
        

    John 11:41, 42

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    Berean: ..."41 So they took away the stone. Then Jesus lifted His eyes upward and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. 42 I knew that You always hear Me, but I say this for the benefit of the people standing here, so they may believe that You sent Me.” "...
    NRSV: ..."41 So they took away the stone. And Jesus looked upward and said, "Father, I thank you for having heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I have said this for the sake of the crowd standing here, so that they may believe that you sent me.""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • leaning on miracles for authenticity
  •  
    interpretation:
    If Jesus performed some miracles for the theatrics so that crowds would believe, the creator could have performed a lot more elaborate miracles, using a lot more effective ways to convince large numbers of people of different backgrounds so they can all witness and testify to the same thing. As this was clearly not the intent of the creator, I consider this passage not authentic, meaning these are likely not words Jesus ever said (or even, not a deed ever performed). Even if the deed of raising Lazarus took place, it is highly unlikely and without much sense that Jesus would intentionally utter such words for the purpose of others around him hearing it. This might have been a thought in him, but to speak it out loud may lead some to ask even more questions, such as why not do the same for other, even larger crowds? Or, why would raising Lazarus be interpreted by anyone around there as an act of someone other than the creator? It would be generally (logically) expected that if someone raises a dead person through miracles, this act will not be contributed to any other source than the creator. Who else would have such power? Possession by the devil? Silly thought that should not have been addressed by Jesus. If the goal was to make people believe the claims about Jesus's entity, a lot more powerful miracles would have been performed, but were not. Thus, it is most likely that this monologue was added for its miracle-effect, to gain more converts, not to properly describe what some may have overheard at the event, and then properly passed on to the author to be captured in scripture decades later.
     
        

    John 12:8

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    Berean: ..."8 The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have Me.” "...
    NRSV: ..."8 You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally
  •  
    interpretation:
    No hope of establishing paradise on Earth for everyone – that is going to stay a utopia. But of course, this does not mean not to have this as a goal, and not to move towards this with one's efforts in life.
     
        

    John 12:24, 25

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    Berean: ..."24 Truly, truly, I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a seed; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 Whoever loves his life will lose it, but whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. "...
    NRSV: ..."24 Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 Those who love their lives lose it, and those who hate their lives in this world will keep it for eternal life."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • It is logical to expect appropriate consequences due for passing or failing the evaluation
  • The main goal of our life is to reach our salvation and build values that transcend this reality into eternal life, not to reach material or academic success or to fulfill other worldly desires or loyalties
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    Our life here is an investment (grain) that if we work on (pass the evaluation) will result in “much fruit” (our eternal salvation). Those who focus on the materialistic aspects of this life (grain that does not die and thus, bear no fruit) only lose out on the much fruit that is to come in salvation. The trap of materialism is there to tempt us to fail in reaching salvation – this is our evaluation.
     
        

    John 12:28, 29, 30

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."28 Father, glorify Your name!” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd standing there heard it and said that it had thundered. Others said that an angel had spoken to Him. 30 In response, Jesus said, “This voice was not for My benefit, but yours. "...
    NRSV: ..."28 Father, glorify your name." Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again." 29 The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, "An angel has spoken to him." 30 Jesus answered, "This voice has come for your sake, not for mine."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • leaning on miracles for authenticity
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • suspected post-fitting of the narrative (not possible for the author to know about, or likely did not happen as described)
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage makes zero sense from the philosophical foundation's perspective. How exactly one 'glorifies a name', especially his own? The text is written as if Jesus spoke to the Father out loud, and others overheard him. But some also heard the answer: perhaps a voice from Heaven (an angel?), or a thunder? Well, those should be quite distinguishable from each other.. And how could an angel glorify the name of the Father? The whole setting is just a very unlikely event to have happened as described. So how many glorifications are to be performed by the creator to glorify his own name? And who is the audience of these glorifications – humans? Who is the beneficiary of these glorifications? Does the Father need humans or an audience to be glorified? From Jesus's answer the voice was audible for the human audience's sake. So the Father wanted the audience to hear that he has glorified his own name, and will do it again? Sorry, but I do not see any sense or rationale in any of this. And the lack of sense and the questions this brings up make it most likely to me that this whole episode was simply made up by the author for effect. The creator can appear to be 'glorified' to humans if he is seen victorious in his efforts to get the failed angels (us humans) back to his presence. This was the very purpose behind the creation of our reality, and the very purpose behind his intervention in the CESAPH. Maybe these are the two events or acts of the creator that we humans can see as the 'creator's glorification' (but not the 'glorification of his name'...). This is one of the passages I literally can not do anything with, see no point in it – it is just a detail that to me brings unnecessary confusion into an otherwise crystal clear picture.
     
        

    John 12:31, 32

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."31 Now judgment is upon this world; now the prince of this world will be cast out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw everyone to Myself.” "...
    NRSV: ..."31 Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • appeasement/catering to potential Jewish converts
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "One needs to live life being always ready for its accounting - then, if events in the future come as a ’thief’, as one would have needed to do nothing differently"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Our evaluation serves to separate those who align with love from those who align with selfishness, thereby eliminating the source of suffering from heaven"
  •  
    interpretation:
    “Judgment upon this world” did not take place before or at the point of Jesus's death and resurrection; it will be once its participants die and face judgment (likely in a single shared moment in objective time). No ruler of this world (the prince the Jews referred to the ruler of the gentiles) was driven out by the CESAPH, nor was this the goal of it. After the CESAPH all people were NOT drawn to Jesus/the creator. Naturally a lot of them were drawn to the new faith Jesus formalized and were justified in their conviction, and likely, quite a number of them will reach their salvation during the last judgment. This statement is plain wrong in its generalization, in its timeline, and was a confusion in the head of the author that unfortunately made it to the scriptures in this form. It is a mixture of mixing up the Jewish Messianic prophecies with Jesus – in a very confusing and wrong way which can cause serious misunderstandings in those trying to interpret it for themselves. The judgment of the world has been upon us from the very beginning of our reality, as each human's life is an evaluation, where their alignment is judged on its fit to the creator's preference. As each day can be our last before we die, judgment is always upon us – and we were instructed by Jesus to live accordingly. The ruler of this world, or rather, of the gentiles – as the Jews meant it – makes no sense in this context. Rulers of the world or people do not matter. What matters is rulers of individuals, which is where their alignment lays between love and selfishness. No other ruler or relationship matters for the creator in our evaluation. Free will makes each individual the ruler of their destiny. Thus, to think of a person, a prince, an entity of an evil nature that rules people (gentiles mostly) is misguided and plain wrong. The belief system of the Jews clearly contaminated the mind of the author here, as surely, Jesus can not be seen to have said such thing. It is also wrong to think that 'all' people will be 'drawn to the creator' (reach salvation?) at judgment day – sadly, as the tail of the camel and the needle's eye tells us, perhaps only a few will be drawn and/or make it to salvation. One is well advised not to count on this and similar passages to 'eventually make it to heaven no matter what'...  
     
        

    John 12:34, 35, 36

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."34 The crowd replied, “We have heard from the Law that the Christ will remain forever. So how can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?” 35 Then Jesus told them, “For a little while longer, the Light will be among you. Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. 36 While you have the Light, believe in the Light, so that you may become sons of light.” After Jesus had spoken these things, He went away and was hidden from them. "...
    NRSV: ..."34 The crowd answered him, "We have heard from the law that the Messiah remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?" 35 Jesus said to them, "The light is with you for a little longer. Walk while you have the light, so that the darkness may not overtake you. If you walk in the darkness, you do not know where you are going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of light.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator
  • Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation
  • The reason for the creator to appear in the Jewish context was to contrast their beliefs of exclusivity and specialness in the eye of the creator with the eternal word of God, of salvation, universally applicable to all humans
  • ‘Justification’ is ‘being convinced about love’s (vs. selfishness) need to guide life’ (= ‘being rightly enlightened’, = ‘holding Jesus’s message in conviction’, = ‘following/believing in Jesus’, = ‘gaining a justified conviction’, = ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, = ‘doing the works of God’, = ‘satisfying/keeping/adhering to the command of God’, = ‘accepting/living according to Jesus’s message’, = ‘fulfilling the eternal word of God, of salvation’)
  •  
    interpretation:
    Basically, Jesus tells it to the Jews preoccupied with their religion and Messiah: forget about what your silly set of laws (that can only lead you to darkness) says about your Messiah; notice that the light comes from me, I am the light – and I will only be with you (physically) for a little while longer (thus, I am NOT your expected Messiah, but someone entirely more significant – please notice!). Walking the light means following Jesus's message; walking in darkness here represents the Jewish law and belief system (but in general, doing anything other that following Jesus's message). Becoming the children of light means attaining salvation by passing the evaluation of life, by living the justified conviction throughout life. The light is everyone's chance to rectify their sinful condition by aligning with the preferred value of the creator. This is available to everyone in their predispositions and throughout their lives in the willing help of grace in aligning their lives with love, and not getting lost in the darkness of selfishness. Some were granted the extra help in their life of knowing about the CESAPH, which can help their justification and in their struggle to implement this in their life. Believing in the light means justification, holding in conviction the eternal word of God, of salvation.
     
        

    John 12:37, 38, 39, 40, 41

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."37 Although Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still did not believe in Him. 38 This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet: “Lord, who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” 39 For this reason they were unable to believe. For again, Isaiah says: 40 “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, so that they cannot see with their eyes, and understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.” 41 Isaiah said these things because he saw Jesus’ glory and spoke about Him. "...
    NRSV: ..."37 Although he had performed so many signs in their presence, they did not believe in him. 38 This was to fulfill the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “Lord, who has believed our message, and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” 39 And so they could not believe, because Isaiah also said, 40 “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, so that they might not look with their eyes, and understand with their heart and turn — and I would heal them.” 41 Isaiah said this because he saw his glory and spoke about him."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Every human has a real chance at reaching their salvation, which is NOT predetermined or predestined. The creator is NOT omniscient with regard to humans’ free will, and their fate in the evaluation"
  •  
    interpretation:
    So, to summarize: “the creator 'made' people NOT believe in him (by blinding their eyes and hardening their hearts) SO THAT he fulfills what Isaiah said, which was a that the creator did this so that he can then heal them”. This is the same logic as “I made you sick so that I can cure you” or “I made you a sinner, so that I can forgive you”. What an utter nonsense!!! This basically feeds the notion that the creator created sinners so that he can forgive them, thus creating evil in the process. This would also make the 'main event and focus' NOT what Jesus has done, but the prophesying of Isaiah – as Jesus simply implements what the prophet foretold, having no independent agenda from the prophecies. So just because Isaiah prophesied about the creator making 'people not believe', the creator actually is making people not believe during Jesus – just to fulfill what Isaiah said in the past about people not believing because God has made them do so. Do people hear the lunacy in this argument??? What would be the point in all this from the perspective of the creator??? Nope. People did not believe because they are basically fallen angels and that is how they are – many, if not most of them. All people have the chance to believe or not in the message and claims of Jesus after seeing the sense (light) in them. But, many rather listen to their other predispositions (of selfishness). THIS made them blind and hardened, NOT the creator. Admitting that you have been wrong all along is a giant step of humility for one that few are prepared to face (because of the selfishness-derivative of pride). And people try to save face rather than face the consequences of needing to realign their life that has been so far guided by beliefs that are not in line with their new realizations. The creator does influence people from both ends of love and selfishness – but it is ultimately the free will of the individual that will be responsible for making the decisions which way one goes. And this is what the evaluation of humans is all about. If the creator blinded people’s eyes, then that is why they did not believe, and then it is not their fault. If this were the case, then someone failing to reach salvation would be entirely the result of the creator's decisions in the person, thus fate would be predestined. This is absolutely illogical and improbable, and a gross misconception about of creator and the meaning of our existence.
     
        

    John 12:44, 45

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."44 Then Jesus cried out, “Whoever believes in Me does not believe in Me alone, but in the One who sent Me. 45 And whoever sees Me sees the One who sent Me. "...
    NRSV: ..."44 Then Jesus cried aloud: "Whoever believes in me believes not in me but in him who sent me. 45 And whoever sees me sees him who sent me."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • The concept of the ‘trinity’ can only be interpreted as ‘three possible interface to the same single entity of the creator’
  •  
    interpretation:
    Believing in Jesus means believing in the creator, which means believing in his goal with creation and our existence in it. This necessarily defines the meaning and purpose of our life here. Merely believing in some kind of a deity, or that Jesus was the “Son” of this deity does little for the self if their message is not heeded. We can “see” (comprehend, understand) the creator through his interface, Jesus, and we can feel/relate to the creator through the (interface of) Holy Spirit (love). This confirms the understanding of trinity as a single entity with three different approaches (interfaces) to it.
     
        

    John 12:46

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."46 I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in Me should remain in darkness. "...
    NRSV: ..."46 I have come as light into the world, so that everyone who believes in me should not remain in the darkness."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  • The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans
  •  
    interpretation:
    Jesus as the creator in human form undertook the CESAPH to guide and help us toward our salvation. The task to accomplish this is on each individual, by passing the evaluation of life. From the context of this passage, this is a special message to the Jews who were looking for and expecting their invalid concept of a Messiah, not noticing that something entirely more significant is happening among them in Jesus.
     
        

    John 12:47, 48

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."47 As for anyone who hears My words and does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I have not come to judge the world, but to save the world. 48 There is a judge for the one who rejects Me and does not receive My words: The word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. "...
    NRSV: ..."47 I do not judge anyone who hears my words and does not keep them, for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. 48 The one who rejects me and does not receive my word has a judge; on the last day the word that I have spoken will serve as judge,"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Every human has a real chance at reaching their salvation, which is NOT predetermined or predestined. The creator is NOT omniscient with regard to humans’ free will, and their fate in the evaluation
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    The motivation for the CESAPH is not to hand down judgment; that will be done at the day of judgment, likely after all participants went through the simulation. The goal of the CESAPH was to demonstrate the creator's love and formalize guidance to salvation. People will be judged in the last judgment according to their implementation of Jesus's message of salvation (not according to believing in his deity or miraculous deeds). This evaluation criterion stands for every human who ever lived in the simulation, even those with no access to the CESAPH. In addition, having judgment on the last day is only logical if people had free will in their decisions – so there goes preselection, predestination, and omniscience. The “word serving as the judge” reinforces that following the word with the right conviction is what the creator is seeking in our evaluation, not mere belief in some dogmas or miracles. This means the thoughts and acts that are in line with the right conviction, throughout one's life.
     
        

    John 12:49

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    Berean: ..."49 I have not spoken on My own, but the Father who sent Me has commanded Me what to say and how to say it. "...
    NRSV: ..."49 for I have not spoken on my own, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment about what to say and what to speak."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • misconceived understanding of what the ‘trinity’ could be
  •  
    interpretation:
    Contradicts John 10:30 – along with several other places that imply Jesus as a different entity than the creator. Jesus, as the creator in human form, does his own will. It is also possible that while partaking in our reality as a fully-human, the creator voluntarily undertook some of the limitations that define being human – if not for this, his partaking as fully human would not have been genuine. We can also experience this kind of limitation setting in when we dream at night, and then reawaken into our 'reality': the limitations and level of awareness of these two worlds (realities) are different, yet we are the same 'self' in both of them. As 'being fully-human' can typically mean a good amount of doubt, insecurity, fear, helplessness, suffering and despair, it is also imaginable that Jesus also took on these experiences. This could explain his alleged interactions and conversations with 'the Father' (his greater-self in the larger context of reality), and could also explain the disciples' understanding and conception of the 'trinity'.
     
        

    John 12:50

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    Berean: ..."50 And I know that His command leads to eternal life. So I speak exactly what the Father has told Me to say.” "...
    NRSV: ..."50 And I know that his commandment is eternal life."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness"
  •  
    interpretation:
    'Eternal life' (conscious awareness to and from infinity) is an inherent property of consciousness that is assured for every conscious soul in one way or another. This can not be a 'commandment', as there is no choice in it for the commanded. 'Eternal life in the presence of the creator' (salvation) is also not a commandment, but the reward for keeping the 'commandment': the eternal word of God, of salvation – the need to align life with love vs. selfishness to earn salvation, the essential message of Jesus, and his main and single commandment to keep. This commandment clarified and formalized (not replaced or refined) what humans have always needed to do in their life to gain their salvation, defining the universal purpose of everyone's life. A 'conviction that is aligned with love' is the likely quality the creator seeks in the evaluation, not belief in something that is not evident. This quality qualifies the souls to return to the presence of the creator in heaven. The passage must be a misconception, misunderstanding, or something misspoken on the part of the author.
     
        

    John 13:12, 13, 14, 15

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."12 When Jesus had washed their feet and put on His outer garments, He reclined with them again and asked, “Do you know what I have done for you? 13 You call Me Teacher and Lord, and rightly so, because I am. 14 So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example so that you should do as I have done for you. "...
    NRSV: ..."12 After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord — and you are right, for that is what I am. 14 So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. 15 For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • One ‘loves God’ by loving their fellow human beings, no matter how far removed they may be, which fulfills the single command of God
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  • The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans
  •  
    interpretation:
    The example shown by the CESAPH tells humans to love and serve each other, shunning selfishness for consideration and love. The demonstration of divine love and subjecting himself to our potential suffering and limitations is the best motivator for us to justify our convictions and live life accordingly throughout the variably difficult situations we are assigned in life. Jesus was indeed a Teacher (the formalizer of the eternal word of God, of salvation) and Lord (the creator in human form).
     
        

    John 13:18

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    Berean: ..."18 I am not speaking about all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But this is to fulfill the Scripture: ‘The one who shares My bread has lifted up his heel against Me.’ "...
    NRSV: ..."18 I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But it is to fulfill the scripture, 'The one who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.'"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • appeasement/catering to potential Jewish converts
  • inappropriate/inadequate/misguided attempt to apply OT prophecy
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  •  
    interpretation:
    Disciples should know who Jesus is, not from recognizing the fulfillment of OT prophecies, but from understanding the claims, relevance and essence of Jesus's teachings. In this case, foretelling that someone will betray Jesus is not even miraculous – it is a likelihood that could be forecasted and estimated. Usually, betrayals are done by insiders, those who enjoy the confidence of the one being betrayed. Thus, the saying 'one who ate my bread (one who served me and I trusted) has lifted his heel against me (turned against me)' is pretty much always the case for all betrayals. So to pull 'fulfillment of the scriptures' on this one is substandard, to say the least. The quoted prophecy was written by King David in Psalm 41:9 about his counselor who betrayed him... To take this completely out of its OT context and claim that this was a prophecy that gives authenticity to the claims and message of Jesus is supreme misguidance. The low standard of this kind of attempted linkage to the OT (actively and desperately try to find any fragment of text that can somehow be made to apply to Jesus) works to destroy the credibility of all such OT-prophecy-fulfillment claims.
     
        

    John 13:19

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    Berean: ..."19 I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it comes to pass, you will believe that I am He. "...
    NRSV: ..."19 I tell you this now, before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe that I am he."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • appeasement/catering to potential Jewish converts
  • inappropriate/inadequate/misguided attempt to apply OT prophecy
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  • suspected post-fitting of the narrative (not possible for the author to know about, or likely did not happen as described)
  •  
    interpretation:
    Except that this was all written many decades after this already took place. But again, disciples should not trust the truth on Jesus because it was foretold by prophecies, but because of the sense and truth his message carries, and because his claim of himself being the creator partaking in our suffering in human form to demonstrate his love for humanity and to guide us to salvation makes supreme sense. Foretelling future events does not validate or even authenticate those events. The sense and relevance of any event or message should be carried within the event or message. Those seeking value in prophecies (events or persons foretold) are all misguided. There is no role for seeking the fulfillment of prophecies, as all prophecies are irrelevant distractions. Jesus's claims of his persona and message carried its own relevance inside the supreme sense it made, and did not need authentication or credibility by fulfilled prophecies from the OT. Nor were any of these prophecies the focus of the OT, or even in a context that fitted Jesus (and some, that the NT writers used as prophecies, were not even intended to be prophecies in the OT).
     
        

    John 13:34, 35

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."34 A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.” "...
    NRSV: ..."34 I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation
  • Jesus’s ‘covenant’ of the eternal word of God, of salvation is the only covenant that has ever been and will ever be in effect from the creator for all of humanity, since the very beginning of time till the ending of our simulated reality, meaning that if one passes their evaluation on their alignment with love, one redeems their sinful condition and gains their salvation
  • One ‘loves God’ by loving their fellow human beings, no matter how far removed they may be, which fulfills the single command of God
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    This summarizes the essence of Jesus's message and the role of the CESAPH in helping us implement this in our life to gain our salvation. This also guides what followers should be doing – not build out power structures and authority, but show examples to others by conducting life according to the spirit. Though this command was newly formalized by Jesus, this has always been the criterion on which humans were to be judged during the last judgment. Thus, the command is not new, but with its formalization by Jesus all other belief systems (having a different focus and emphasis) are declared invalid (farther from the eventual truth).
     
        

    John 14:1

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    Berean: ..."1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe in Me as well. "...
    NRSV: ..."1 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • misconceived understanding of what the ‘trinity’ could be
  •  
    interpretation:
    Contradicts John 10:30 – along with several other places that imply Jesus as a different entity than the creator. Of course, one can also take this passage as 'practical advice' to those who can not comprehend the concept of the trinity: indeed, no one should let their hearts be troubled, one should believe in a creator, and it helps if one 'believes in Jesus' (in whatever interpretation one may hold of this). However, this passage also allows some to claim that the concept of such trinitarian understanding of the creator violates the concept of a single God. 'Son of God' originates from a benign misconception of the trinity concept that facilitated the flawed comprehension of the CESAPH at the time of Jesus. Naturally, people at the time had no idea about what an 'interface' may be. The philosophical foundation argues for a creator that is a single entity, to which we have three possible interfaces/approaches. (This can be well illustrated with how one can approach the Mandelbrot Set: the mathematical equation that drives it, the beauty of a snapshot/calculated image it produces, and the infinity of its formulation that can be played out to us/grasped by us only to a degree. But all three approaches are about the same entity/essence.) Jesus, as the creator in human form, does his own will. It is also possible that while partaking in our reality as a fully-human, the creator voluntarily undertook some of the limitations that define being human – if not for this, his partaking as fully human would not have been genuine. We can also experience this kind of limitation setting in when we dream at night, and then reawaken into our 'reality': the limitations and level of awareness of these two worlds (realities) are different, yet we are the same 'self' in both of them. As 'being fully-human' can typically mean a good amount of doubt, insecurity, fear, helplessness, suffering and despair, it is also imaginable that Jesus also took on these experiences. This could explain his alleged interactions and conversations with 'the Father' (his greater-self in the larger context of reality), and could also explain the disciples' understanding and conception of the 'trinity'.
     
        

    John 14:3, 4

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and welcome you into My presence, so that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.” "...
    NRSV: ..."3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. 4 And you know the way to the place where I am going.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • It is logical to expect appropriate consequences due for passing or failing the evaluation
  • The human spirit is somehow part of the eternal consciousness
  •  
    interpretation:
    Again, a beautiful summary on the motivation behind our creation and us being here: if we follow the way prescribed by the message of Jesus, the place he is preparing for us in his presence is waiting for us. “Coming again and taking us to himself” will likely happen after the death of each one of us,  facing the last judgment on our life. The “way to the place where he is going” is through following his formalized message: aligning one's life with love vs selfishness. That is the way to gain salvation and redeem one's the sinful condition (of the precursor and of this life).
     
        

    John 14:6, 7

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. 7 If you had known Me, you would know My Father as well. From now on you do know Him and have seen Him.” "...
    NRSV: ..."6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • The concept of the ‘trinity’ can only be interpreted as ‘three possible interface to the same single entity of the creator’
  • The essence of the creator is love
  •  
    interpretation:
    Following and heeding Jesus's message is the only way to salvation, eternal life in the presence of the creator. Coming to the Father (gaining salvation) can only be accomplished by anyone by heeding the message Jesus formalized, that is the eternal word of God (one needs to align one's life with love vs selfishness). This is what (“through me”) means, NOT that only Christians belonging to a certain denomination can achieve salvation, or NOT that only those who believe in the exact interpretations of a certain denomination can do so. Knowing Jesus means knowing the creator, as Jesus is an interface/approach to the creator – the humanly-accessible interface. The CESAPH demonstrated the creator's love for humanity and wants us to be in the presence of him. “Knowing him” also means knowing how to accomplish this in our life, by following his message of salvation.
     
        

    John 14:10

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me? The words I say to you, I do not speak on My own. Instead, it is the Father dwelling in Me, performing His works. "...
    NRSV: ..."10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • The concept of the ‘trinity’ can only be interpreted as ‘three possible interface to the same single entity of the creator’
  •  
    interpretation:
    The creator was acting and speaking in Jesus after taking a human form in him. Jesus is our humanly accessible interface to the creator.
     
        

    John 14:12

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."12 Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever believes in Me will also do the works that I am doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. "...
    NRSV: ..."12 Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • One’s ‘faith’/belief system has no direct value to the creator, and is only a potential tool in one’s quest to gain justification and reach salvation IF it helps its holder in these
  •  
    interpretation:
    Jesus as the creator in human form did the 'greatest feat' for the salvation of the largest number of people (the demonstration of divine love for humanity and taking on the human condition to partake in our suffering). But as far as works (selfless acts of kindness and love toward each other) most of this kind of task is for us humans to perform to each other. Indeed, a belief in the rightness of the message of Jesus will motivate one to walk the road that leads to salvation, which is full of the works of a life in alignment with love vs. selfishness. Thus, this passage supports works being the essential products of a conviction aligned with love. Thus, a passive belief will not get anyone's salvation.
     
        

    John 14:13, 14

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."13 And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask Me for anything in My name, I will do it. "...
    NRSV: ..."13 I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • lacking understanding of reasons behind ‘good things can happen to bad people’, and all its variations
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Parallels John 14:13,14, 15:7,16:24 Matthew 7:7, 21:22 1 John 3:22, 5:14-15 Philippians 4:19, Mark 11:24 One may misunderstand “asking and receiving” to be a valid and realistic expectation for this life, however, clearly this is not the case, and neither is this the intention of the creator. The obvious case in this life (that can be tested by anyone) is: “praying/asking for something may or may NOT be granted, regardless of the subject or strength of one's faith”. This is NOT because of a lack of faith on our part, or NOT abiding in Jesus, but because of the nature of our evaluation (of the quality of our soul, the proven alignment of our conviction in our life of penance). Bad things happen to good people, and all other variations of it, regardless of the amount of prayers and faith. Our reality is a place of penance for the wrongs we committed before we joined this reality in our eternal past (as angels?), and as such, it is expected to include a proportional and fair share of suffering in our assigned situations, that fits our failings. Thus, even if we believe and constantly pray, we may still be made to endure what we are to endure as part of our penance. The understanding of the authors on this is most likely misguided, and this may lead to harmful beliefs: false hopes can lead to big disappointments and even the loss of faith when things don't turn out the way we expected them. The CESAPH did not take place to impress or awe people into submission, but to demonstrate the creator's love for us and our need to endure our penance, as we earn our salvation with our properly aligned conviction and life. Routine miracles (prayers automatically fulfilled upon the proper belief) would work against the integrity of the simulation, and would render it incapable in assessing the quality of human souls. Miracles or certainty about outcomes would make one's proven conviction less convincing and valuable and more prone to calculation compared to the achievements of those who did not experience these, but still believed and lived according to their justified conviction. Asking for and being granted whatever we wish for may be the case for those who pass the last judgment and earn their salvation, but the author likely meant this to happen during this life. The goal of the creator with the participation of humans in his creator can not logically be to 'glorify or worship' him. Why would the creator keep on creating more and more souls to worship him? At what point is it enough for him? What about the logical internally-pointing end of our reality (the 'cosmic' end of the world) – would additional soul-creation have to cease then? The whole argument is without sense.. The divine goal of granting eternal souls a chance to rectify a wrong they have committed in a different reality, and to evaluate their alignment with his basic preference of love is a much more likely goal, that makes entirely more sense. In this model, souls are not created at the time of their birth, but are lowered into our reality, once a place for them is identified (someone gets pregnant). Soul participation in our reality would continue as long as there are souls to partake in our reality in the 'queue'.
     
        

    John 14:22, 23, 24

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    Berean: ..."22 Judas (not Iscariot) asked Him, “Lord, why are You going to reveal Yourself to us and not to the world?” 23 Jesus replied, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word. My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. 24 Whoever does not love Me does not keep My words. The word that you hear is not My own, but it is from the Father who sent Me. "...
    NRSV: ..."22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, "Lord, how is it that you will reveal yourself to us, and not to the world?" 23 Jesus answered him, "Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. 24 Whoever does not love me does not keep my words;"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • One ‘loves God’ by loving their fellow human beings, no matter how far removed they may be, which fulfills the single command of God
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    Another crucial question that is not answered directly by Jesus, along with John 12:34, Luke 22:70. In these cases, we have to assume that Jesus wanted us to answer these questions for ourselves based on what we learn about and from him. The response to this question answers the whole purpose of our existence instead: the creator is seeking those who keep his command of love. Those who love their fellow humans keep Jesus's word and love Jesus/the creator: they are in alignment with his preferred value of love. The creator will bring those who are in alignment with his preference to his presence (“will come to them”). The CESAPH did not happen to awe everyone into compliance with divine might, but to help humans reach their salvation. It is a selection, a picking process, to select those souls that are ripe fruit for heaven, and discard those who did not bare fruit. And this can only be accomplished by having in conviction and living the eternal word of God. Jesus formalized this message and demonstrated his love to those who are granted access to this great help during their evaluation. Thus, it is not “we keep Jesus's word because we love him” but “loving Jesus means keeping his word (loving each other)”.
     
        

    John 14:26

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have told you. "...
    NRSV: ..."26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Grace is the ever-present willingness of the creator to help humans reach their salvation"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "In their predispositions, humans inherit both love (the essence of the creator’s spirit we share with him, indicating our significance) and selfishness (its opposite/opposing property, what some mistakenly attribute to a separate entity of the ‘evil/devil/satan’) to different degrees from their greater-self, from their originating context of reality"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "‘Justification’ is ‘being convinced about love’s (vs. selfishness) need to guide life’ (= ‘being rightly enlightened’, = ‘holding Jesus’s message in conviction’, = ‘following/believing in Jesus’, = ‘gaining a justified conviction’, = ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, = ‘doing the works of God’, = ‘satisfying/keeping/adhering to the command of God’, = ‘accepting/living according to Jesus’s message’, = ‘fulfilling the eternal word of God, of salvation’)"
  •  
    interpretation:
    There is a general misguidance and absurdity about who receives the Holy Spirit and when. Before the glorification (resurrection) of Jesus, the spirit had to be available to all humans the same way as after this. The CESAPH has no bearing on the availability of the spirit, the seeds of which are present in everyone's predisposition to love (to differing degrees), and is attainable to anyone who searches for the truth, through the ever-present willing help of divine grace. What DID become available with the CESAPH is its good news (that the creator so loved humanity that he was willing to appear among us in human form and subject himself to our will) and the formalized message of the eternal word of God, of salvation. Knowing about the good news is the greatest help one can receive in reaching justification and living life accordingly (aligned with love vs. selfishness), and thus, in attaining salvation. Keeping the good news in mind gives one the greatest possible boost in strength to carry through living a justified life. There is no justifiable logic for the event of the Pentecost – i.e. believers receiving/being filled with the Holy Spirit at a certain time in history. Being filled with the Holy Spirit – an essential element of salvation – must have been around and available to all of humanity since the very beginning, also available for those who did not know about the CESAPH. Otherwise, they would have been in a fatal disadvantage – something not imaginable from a fair and just creator. It IS imaginable that the creator gave 'extra help' only to a select few: knowing about the good news of the CESAPH is a boost in strength that was granted only to those who deserve it in their assigned situations. Knowing about the good news is NOT essential for one to reach salvation. However, 'being filled with the Holy Spirit' must be essential for salvation, and so, it can NOT be considered as an 'extra help' given only to a select few, which is not really necessary for salvation. If the creator denied a crucial element necessary for reaching salvation to a large part of the population (those who lived and died before the Pentecost or who do not get to hear about the CESAPH), then this would have eliminated all their chances at reaching their salvation, and thus, the point of their existence here – and this is very unlikely from a just and loving creator who put us here to reach our salvation. Thus, it is is unlikely, and makes little (or no) sense, that the event of the Pentecost affected all believers or all people in any way. If something did take place among the apostles and disciples 50 days after Easter, that must have been a personal experience for them (as in miracles) and it surely has no relevance for the rest of humanity. However, decades later, when they had the chance to influence the writing of the scriptures, their clear fallibility remained and were deposited in the writings. Thanks to the good news, most probably a lot more people gained their justified conviction (an act of acceptance up to one's free will) than if it did not take place. And thus, because of this intervention, many more may have lived to earn their salvation in the last judgment. But the Pentecost did not change anything drastic in the quality of human souls, their susceptibility to sin, or the degree of their wisdom in general. And this was also unlikely to have been the plan of the creator. Therefore, 'being filled with the Holy Spirit' must equal 'reaching a justified conviction’, which has been possible for all humans throughout history, independent of any events in history.
     
        

    John 14:28, 29

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    Berean: ..."28 You heard Me say, ‘I am going away, and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved Me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I. 29 And now I have told you before it happens, so that when it does happen, you will believe. "...
    NRSV: ..."28 You heard me say to you, 'I am going away, and I am coming to you.' If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I. 29 And now I have told you this before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • misconceived understanding of what the ‘trinity’ could be
  • suspected post-fitting of the narrative (not possible for the author to know about, or likely did not happen as described)
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Telling the disciples in advance that he will soon die (go to the Father) is not a very powerful prophecy – it could have been generally foretold by anyone examining his situation (knowing the reaction of the pharisees) and knowing what he undertook (facing authorities with his claims of divinity that constituted 'blasphemy' in their eyes). To write about the foretelling of this decades later takes away from its effect-power. No one can check whether this was actually said by Jesus before. Just as my 'self' inside the reality of this world IS 'greater' than my same self within my dreams (where I have limited awareness of my greater-self and the conditions that affect my dream reality), in this sense, Jesus could also say that the Father is greater than him, without having to be separate entities. The 'Father' is the 'greater-self' of Jesus, in a higher context of reality than ours. And to us humans, in this reality, Jesus is an 'interface' to the Father. They are the same entities in different contexts of reality that have different rules and limitations (as determined by the creator). All this is illustrated to all of us in the process of nightly dreaming. Jesus, as the creator in human form, does his own will. It is also possible that while partaking in our reality as a fully-human, the creator voluntarily undertook some of the limitations that define being human – if not for this, his partaking as fully human would not have been genuine. We can also experience this kind of limitation setting in when we dream at night, and then reawaken into our 'reality': the limitations and level of awareness of these two worlds (realities) are different, yet we are the same 'self' in both of them. As 'being fully-human' can typically mean a good amount of doubt, insecurity, fear, helplessness, suffering and despair, it is also imaginable that Jesus also took on these experiences. This could explain his alleged interactions and conversations with 'the Father' (his greater-self in the larger context of reality), and could also explain the disciples' understanding and conception of the 'trinity'.
     
        

    John 14:30, 31

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    Berean: ..."30 I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming, and he has no claim on Me. 31 But I do exactly what the Father has commanded Me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Get up! Let us go on from here. "...
    NRSV: ..."30 I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no power over me; 31 but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • misconceived understanding of what the ‘trinity’ could be
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies"
  •  
    interpretation:
    The ruler of the world (authorities, priests and the roman empire) DID have power over Jesus within this world, as he willingly subjected himself to the rules of the simulation and his chosen context of appearance, when he entered our reality in a fully human form. In this world, the harmful effects of others' free will is not going to be miraculously limited for anyone's sake or benefit, including the creator in the fully-human form of Jesus. These are the rules for this reality: there is no defense shield around us that protects us from the ill will of others. What the creator CAN still do, is to tune the specific outcome of others' ill will, namely, determine how the outcome will manifest itself. Will the stabbing kill the individual, or will his life be spared? Who will survive, and with what kinds of injuries during a car crash? Will the gun misfire for the killer when trying to kill? Who will be surviving a terrorist bombing and with what kinds of injuries? All these outcomes can be fine-tuned and one can hope for an intervention from the creator in otherwise default outcomes. Jesus did what the creator undertook in him, not what the Father 'commanded' him (as a separate person). And his sacrifice was not undertaken so that the “world knew that Jesus loved the Father”, but to demonstrate the creator's love for humanity – his willing undertaking and sharing in our typical earthly fate of penance, subjecting himself to our will. This act (the CESAPH) also showed us his desire that we all do everything in our power to succeed in reaching our salvation and rejoin him in heaven – not by 'believing' things about Jesus, but by living a life that proves our conviction's alignment with love vs. selfishness. Jesus, as the creator in human form, does his own will. It is also possible that while partaking in our reality as a fully-human, the creator voluntarily undertook some of the limitations that define being human – if not for this, his partaking as fully human would not have been genuine. We can also experience this kind of limitation setting in when we dream at night, and then reawaken into our 'reality': the limitations and level of awareness of these two worlds (realities) are different, yet we are the same 'self' in both of them. As 'being fully-human' can typically mean a good amount of doubt, insecurity, fear, helplessness, suffering and despair, it is also imaginable that Jesus also took on these experiences. This could explain his alleged interactions and conversations with 'the Father' (his greater-self in the larger context of reality), and could also explain the disciples' understanding and conception of the 'trinity'.
     
        

    John 15:1, 2

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    Berean: ..."1 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the keeper of the vineyard. 2 He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, and every branch that does bear fruit, He prunes to make it even more fruitful. "...
    NRSV: ..."1 "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. 2 He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • Our evaluation serves to separate those who align with love from those who align with selfishness, thereby eliminating the source of suffering from heaven
  • The evaluation result is likely progressive within pass or fail
  •  
    interpretation:
    Direct reference to being evaluated, and perhaps progressively rewarded or punished (as opposed to either hell or heaven). The goal of the evaluation is the separation of those whose souls are aligned with love from those who align with selfishness. Thus, what the creator is seeking in each human is a proven quality of soul, aligned with his preferred value of love.
     
        

    John 15:3, 4

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    Berean: ..."3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself unless it remains in the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me. "...
    NRSV: ..."3 You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • Jesus’s ‘covenant’ of the eternal word of God, of salvation is the only covenant that has ever been and will ever be in effect from the creator for all of humanity, since the very beginning of time till the ending of our simulated reality, meaning that if one passes their evaluation on their alignment with love, one redeems their sinful condition and gains their salvation
  • ‘Justification’ is ‘being convinced about love’s (vs. selfishness) need to guide life’ (= ‘being rightly enlightened’, = ‘holding Jesus’s message in conviction’, = ‘following/believing in Jesus’, = ‘gaining a justified conviction’, = ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, = ‘doing the works of God’, = ‘satisfying/keeping/adhering to the command of God’, = ‘accepting/living according to Jesus’s message’, = ‘fulfilling the eternal word of God, of salvation’)
  •  
    interpretation:
    The cleansing word of Jesus (or any other effect of grace) may cause justification in one. Bearing fruit is achieving salvation, that can only be reached by abiding (remaining throughout life) in the message of Jesus, the formalized eternal word of God, that is a conviction and life aligned with love. Abiding is an act, not belief. One needs to live life in according to the preferred value of the creator, not just believe that this is the right way. This means a lifetime's worth of actions and thoughts.
     
        

    John 15:5

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    Berean: ..."5 I am the vine and you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing. "...
    NRSV: ..."5 I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  •  
    interpretation:
    The part “because apart from me you can do nothing” could be the source for some sizable misinterpretations. It could imply to some that people who do not get to know Jesus and his message will have no chance at their salvation. An even more dangerous misinterpretation could be that one can only achieve salvation with the will of the creator, at his choosing, leading to predetermination (the creator chooses whom he will save).  
     
        

    John 15:5, 6

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."5 I am the vine and you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not remain in Me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers. Such branches are gathered up, thrown into the fire, and burned. "...
    NRSV: ..."5 I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. 6 Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • It is logical to expect appropriate consequences due for passing or failing the evaluation
  • Our evaluation serves to separate those who align with love from those who align with selfishness, thereby eliminating the source of suffering from heaven
  • The evaluation result is likely progressive within pass or fail
  •  
    interpretation:
    The passage correctly states that only those who walk the path of the eternal word of God with their lives (align their lives with love) can bear fruit (gain their salvation). Those who do not bear fruit, will be separated from the rest and discarded. Those who do not abide in Jesus's message (do not follow the path to salvation according to Jesus's message through aligning their conviction and life with love) will miss out on their salvation, after which they really can not do anything, as they can expect to be discarded and separated from the presence of the creator. Indeed, apart from the creator (the vine) we (the branches) can do nothing – we either bear fruit, or we don't (align with love, or align with its opposite, selfishness). Bearing fruit is also not binary, but progressive: people can likely also bear varying quality and amount of fruit. Hence, our reward or punishment may also be gradual, not binary. This interpretation allows those who were not granted to know about the good news to also conclude and follow the path of the eternal word of God (abiding in Jesus's message) building on their predispositions and the help of grace. This passage can also be easily misunderstood, addressed under issues.
     
        

    John 15:7

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."7 If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. "...
    NRSV: ..."7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • It is logical to expect appropriate consequences due for passing or failing the evaluation
  • Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally
  •  
    interpretation:
    This is an invitation to humans to walk the path of salvation according to Jesus's message. Actually, “and my words abide in you” is the only way one can abide in Jesus. Thus, those two should be equivalent statements. Asking for “whatever one wishes” can only apply in heaven (during eternal salvation), not (necessarily) in this life, as that is obviously not the case in this life. This is not so because of a lack of faith or abiding in Jesus, but by the nature of our evaluation, and having to bear the suffering meant for us in our assigned situations. Thus, the original statement must have been misspoken or misunderstood by the author.
     
    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • lacking understanding of reasons behind ‘good things can happen to bad people’, and all its variations
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Parallels John 14:13,14, 15:7,16:24 Matthew 7:7, 21:22 1 John 3:22, 5:14-15 Philippians 4:19, Mark 11:24 One may misunderstand “asking and receiving” to be a valid and realistic expectation for this life, however, clearly this is not the case, and neither is this the intention of the creator. The obvious case in this life (that can be tested by anyone) is: “praying/asking for something may or may NOT be granted, regardless of the subject or strength of one's faith”. This is NOT because of a lack of faith on our part, or NOT abiding in Jesus, but because of the nature of our evaluation (of the quality of our soul, the proven alignment of our conviction in our life of penance). Bad things happen to good people, and all other variations of it, regardless of the amount of prayers and faith. Our reality is a place of penance for the wrongs we committed before we joined this reality in our eternal past (as angels?), and as such, it is expected to include a proportional and fair share of suffering in our assigned situations, that fits our failings. Thus, even if we believe and constantly pray, we may still be made to endure what we are to endure as part of our penance. The understanding of the authors on this is most likely misguided, and this may lead to harmful beliefs: false hopes can lead to big disappointments and even the loss of faith when things don't turn out the way we expected them. The CESAPH did not take place to impress or awe people into submission, but to demonstrate the creator's love for us and our need to endure our penance, as we earn our salvation with our properly aligned conviction and life. Routine miracles (prayers automatically fulfilled upon the proper belief) would work against the integrity of the simulation, and would render it incapable in assessing the quality of human souls. Miracles or certainty about outcomes would make one's proven conviction less convincing and valuable and more prone to calculation compared to the achievements of those who did not experience these, but still believed and lived according to their justified conviction. Asking for and being granted whatever we wish for may be the case for those who pass the last judgment and earn their salvation, but the author likely meant this to happen during this life.
     
        

    John 15:8

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    Berean: ..."8 This is to My Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, proving yourselves to be My disciples. "...
    NRSV: ..."8 My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • In their predispositions, humans inherit both love (the essence of the creator’s spirit we share with him, indicating our significance) and selfishness (its opposite/opposing property, what some mistakenly attribute to a separate entity of the ‘evil/devil/satan’) to different degrees from their greater-self, from their originating context of reality
  •  
    interpretation:
    One who is justified becomes Jesus's disciple. One who manages to live life accordingly, bears fruit (gains salvation). One can only bear fruit by being justified (holding in conviction Jesus's message, that it either leads to salvation or it is the essential meaning of existence). The hope of the creator with our existence here on Earth is fulfilled if many of us reach our salvation, and this 'glorifies' the creator. Jesus's message is the eternal word of God, the way to salvation, the redemption of the sinful condition – this message is available to everyone through their predispositions and through the ever-present willingness of grace to help people to their salvation.
     
        

    John 15:9

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    Berean: ..."9 As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you. Remain in My love. "...
    NRSV: ..."9 As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • misconceived understanding of what the ‘trinity’ could be
  •  
    interpretation:
    Jesus, as the creator in human form, does his own will. It is also possible that while partaking in our reality as a fully-human, the creator voluntarily undertook some of the limitations that define being human – if not for this, his partaking as fully human would not have been genuine. We can also experience this kind of limitation setting in when we dream at night, and then reawaken into our 'reality': the limitations and level of awareness of these two worlds (realities) are different, yet we are the same 'self' in both of them. As 'being fully-human' can typically mean a good amount of doubt, insecurity, fear, helplessness, suffering and despair, it is also imaginable that Jesus also took on these experiences. This could explain his alleged interactions and conversations with 'the Father' (his greater-self in the larger context of reality), and could also explain the disciples' understanding and conception of the 'trinity'.
     
        

    John 15:9, 10, 11

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    Berean: ..."9 As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you. Remain in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and remain in His love. 11 I have told you these things so that My joy may be in you and your joy may be complete. "...
    NRSV: ..."9 As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. 11 I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • In their predispositions, humans inherit both love (the essence of the creator’s spirit we share with him, indicating our significance) and selfishness (its opposite/opposing property, what some mistakenly attribute to a separate entity of the ‘evil/devil/satan’) to different degrees from their greater-self, from their originating context of reality
  • It is logical to expect appropriate consequences due for passing or failing the evaluation
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  •  
    interpretation:
    Abiding in Jesus's love for us is abiding in his message, the eternal word of God – and this is humans' way to the redemption of their sinful condition and the regaining of their place in the presence of the creator (salvation). Jesus demonstrated his love for us, and thus abided in love, his own message, the eternal word of God. The creator's joy is people reaching their salvation, which is also the most people can achieve with their existence on Earth. The ultimate joy for a human is gaining salvation. This is when “one's joy is complete” (an incomprehensible love, beauty, fulfillment, pleasure and happiness). The creator takes joy in as many humans reaching salvation as possible.
     
        

    John 15:12, 13

     Significant Alignment! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. "...
    NRSV: ..."12 "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation
  • One ‘loves God’ by loving their fellow human beings, no matter how far removed they may be, which fulfills the single command of God
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage is the distilled essence of the eternal word of God, the essential message of Jesus. Living this is the only way anyone can gain their salvation. The creator demonstrated to humanity the greatest love by accepting death for our sake. However, this did NOT accomplish salvation for us, but simply amounted to an increased level of confidence about the existence of a loving creator. From this, a believer may an incredible strength that could help one carry through living the eternal word of God in the assigned situations of one's life. This way, surely a great many more of us will reach salvation because of his intervention than would otherwise.
     
        

    John 15:14, 15

     Significant Alignment! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."14 You are My friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not understand what his master is doing. But I have called you friends, because everything I have learned from My Father I have made known to you. "...
    NRSV: ..."14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • In their predispositions, humans inherit both love (the essence of the creator’s spirit we share with him, indicating our significance) and selfishness (its opposite/opposing property, what some mistakenly attribute to a separate entity of the ‘evil/devil/satan’) to different degrees from their greater-self, from their originating context of reality
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    The creator revealed all secrets of the meaning and purpose of our existence on Earth in his message (except for questions he did not answer, like what is the reason for the assignment of suffering to different people). Most importantly, he has shown what it will take for us to redeem our sinful condition and regain our place in his presence (this is gaining salvation). Fulfilling this on our part (doing what he commands us to do) makes us more than just servants to the creator; we become esteemed companions of his creations in eternity. Thus, what we are commanded to do, is actually to our own advantage to accomplish, not just for the creator. This passage also confirms that “everything” has been made to known to us in Jesus's message – thus, there are no other mysteries to uncover, discover, realize, that are essential and not contained in the very simple self-contained message of Jesus. After one gets this message into conviction, the rest of life should be about action – its implementation in every relevant decision one makes.
     
        

    John 15:16

     Significant Alignment! 
     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will remain—so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you. "...
    NRSV: ..."16 You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • It is logical to expect appropriate consequences due for passing or failing the evaluation
  •  
    interpretation:
    In speaking to all humans, not just the disciples, Jesus properly describes that all humans were picked to be granted another chance at reaching their salvation after the failings of their precursor. Those who were granted this chance are expected/invited to 'bear fruit' (realign their conviction with the preferred value of the creator, love, and thus, reach their salvation). The last part of this passage may result in some great misunderstandings though (addressed under the issues), but in this passage (unlike in some other ones) may be interpreted in a way that will be closer to the eventual unfolding reality: the Father will grant us whatever we ask him in heaven, and not necessarily in this life, once we bore fruit for him (managed to reach our salvation). This makes logical sense, as why would the creator grant anything we wish for in this reality of penance (one can think of some easy ways out of all misery then...). One can wonder whether an original expression from Jesus about the other-worldly reward for those who qualify got widely misunderstood by the disciples to mean that 'all we need to do is believe, and everything we ask for will be granted for us in this life'...
     
    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • lacking understanding of reasons behind ‘good things can happen to bad people’, and all its variations
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Parallels John 14:13,14, 15:7,16:24 Matthew 7:7, 21:22 1 John 3:22, 5:14-15 Philippians 4:19, Mark 11:24 One may misunderstand “asking and receiving” to be a valid and realistic expectation for this life, however, clearly this is not the case, and neither is this the intention of the creator. The obvious case in this life (that can be tested by anyone) is: “praying/asking for something may or may NOT be granted, regardless of the subject or strength of one's faith”. This is NOT because of a lack of faith on our part, or NOT abiding in Jesus, but because of the nature of our evaluation (of the quality of our soul, the proven alignment of our conviction in our life of penance). Bad things happen to good people, and all other variations of it, regardless of the amount of prayers and faith. Our reality is a place of penance for the wrongs we committed before we joined this reality in our eternal past (as angels?), and as such, it is expected to include a proportional and fair share of suffering in our assigned situations, that fits our failings. Thus, even if we believe and constantly pray, we may still be made to endure what we are to endure as part of our penance. The understanding of the authors on this is most likely misguided, and this may lead to harmful beliefs: false hopes can lead to big disappointments and even the loss of faith when things don't turn out the way we expected them. The CESAPH did not take place to impress or awe people into submission, but to demonstrate the creator's love for us and our need to endure our penance, as we earn our salvation with our properly aligned conviction and life. Routine miracles (prayers automatically fulfilled upon the proper belief) would work against the integrity of the simulation, and would render it incapable in assessing the quality of human souls. Miracles or certainty about outcomes would make one's proven conviction less convincing and valuable and more prone to calculation compared to the achievements of those who did not experience these, but still believed and lived according to their justified conviction. Asking for and being granted whatever we wish for may be the case for those who pass the last judgment and earn their salvation, but the author likely meant this to happen during this life.
     
        

    John 15:18, 19, 20

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    Berean: ..."18 If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first. 19 If you were of the world, it would love you as its own. Instead, the world hates you, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. 20 Remember the word that I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you as well; if they kept My word, they will keep yours as well. "...
    NRSV: ..."18 "If the world hates you, be aware that it hated me before it hated you. 19 If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own. Because you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world — therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you, 'Servants are not greater than their master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you;"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • A justified person has the duty to spread the word of God to others in a non-intrusive way whenever the chance arises and by showing an example
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • The main goal of our life is to reach our salvation and build values that transcend this reality into eternal life, not to reach material or academic success or to fulfill other worldly desires or loyalties
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage focuses on the resentment and hate followers of Jesus's message can expect to face given the typical temptations and materialism dominant in the world, to this day. A lot of people are getting lost in these values and temptations, and to them, the message of Jesus will be disturbing, as they have to face that what they have thought till then, may be wrong, and another path is the right one, that does not sync with their established way of life. In overall reality, human conscious beings should logically be subservient to the creator consciousness, who is able to assign them to different realities they themselves are unable to create. There is no sense to protest this relationship.
     
        

    John 15:22

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. Now, however, they have no excuse for their sin. "...
    NRSV: ..."22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • Jesus’s ‘covenant’ of the eternal word of God, of salvation is the only covenant that has ever been and will ever be in effect from the creator for all of humanity, since the very beginning of time till the ending of our simulated reality, meaning that if one passes their evaluation on their alignment with love, one redeems their sinful condition and gains their salvation
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    Materialism's (and other belief systems that do not subscribe to an afterlife) relativism on sin is as it is described in this passage; sin may not be considered sin if one does not consider it so, or if one can get away with it, and predispositions toward love can be overruled. The existence of a creator for our reality necessarily brings objectivity to the meaning of human life, right or wrong, and thus sin. Jesus's message makes what is right and what is wrong (sin) clear. One may mistakenly interpret this passage as saying “the condition of sin started in time from Jesus's proclamation and on”. In fact, before the formalization of the eternal word of God, of salvation, it was up to people to decide what is right and what is wrong (still is to this day due to our free will, but now we face the proclaimed word of God, which defines the objective right and wrong in a way that makes it the most likely scenario we face). If one sees divine declaration in Jesus's message, right and wrong (love vs selfishness) should be apparent. Those who do not have access to the divine declaration in Jesus's message are also expected to independently conclude it, and live their life accordingly – it is possible, but perhaps a lot harder. But then, that was their assignment. Or maybe, their case will be easier, as their condition of not being aware of the formalized message will be an alleviating factor in their judgment.
     
    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "In their predispositions, humans inherit both love (the essence of the creator’s spirit we share with him, indicating our significance) and selfishness (its opposite/opposing property, what some mistakenly attribute to a separate entity of the ‘evil/devil/satan’) to different degrees from their greater-self, from their originating context of reality"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness"
  •  
    interpretation:
    One may mistakenly interpret this passage as saying “the condition/definition of sin started in historical time from Jesus's proclamation of it and on”. As if “we only have sin since Jesus enlightened us about it, and before we were just in a state of ignorance”. Indeed, before the formalization of the eternal word of God, of salvation, it was up to people to decide what is right and what is wrong. It still is the case to this day due to our free will even regarding the acceptance of whichever religious teaching we subscribe to. It seems to be the most logical that whoever created our reality and assigned us to participate in it has the power to define our purpose in it, along with what is considered good vs bad. To this, Jesus in the CESAPH fits best, in the most logical way: the creator defined good as 'being aligned with love' and bad as 'being aligned with selfishness'. 'Sin' is also necessarily derived from this. However, since Jesus formalized the eternal word of God, of salvation, what ended up good vs bad, and hence sin, has always been defined for us (it just was not formalized as such before the CESAPH). As in our predispositions both of these poles are available to various degrees, good and bad, and sin are all defined within us. It is our task in this life's evaluation to align with the right pole. If one sees divine declaration in Jesus's message, right and wrong (love vs selfishness) should be apparent as eternal values humans need to comply with to earn their salvation – before or after the CESAPH, independent of their access to the good news and its formalized guidance. Not knowing about Jesus's formalized message may be a 'mitigating circumstance' during last judgment, but not an 'excuse'.
     
        

    John 15:26

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."26 When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father—He will testify about Me. "...
    NRSV: ..."26 "When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who comes from the Father, he will testify on my behalf."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • A justified person has the duty to spread the word of God to others in a non-intrusive way whenever the chance arises and by showing an example
  •  
    interpretation:
    The holy spirit has always been around (before, after, and independent of Jesus, as in our predispositions), so the identity of the 'Advocate' is in question. This is addressed under the issues. Perhaps this was an event that occurred to the early disciples of Jesus, that enlightened them on their mission, what to do with what just happened to them. But then, this is not the holy spirit (which is in each and every one of us) but an event that happened to the disciples. And then, it is not a “he”. The independently reasoned philosophical conclusions that fuel this interpretation of Jesus's message also testify on behalf of Jesus to the correctness of his message. And so did many before, who were rightly enlightened to the eternal word of God, of salvation.  
     
    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misguided idea about the Holy Spirit and how to receive it
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans"
  •  
    interpretation:
    The Holy Spirit must have always been around, so the identity of the 'Advocate' or the 'Spirit of truth' is questionable. Traditional interpretation holds that the Advocate is the pouring out/arrival of the 'Holy Spirit'. But the creator making the Holy Spirit universally available to humanity only at a certain point during history (after the CESAPH) makes little logical sense. Or, did the Holy Spirit become available to only those who received and accepted the message Jesus? Then what about the rest of the unlucky folks who do not get the exposure to the good news? If the Spirit became available somehow to everyone on Earth after this historical point in time, what about those who were born before? To these questions comes the fact that nothing noticeable or significant happened from this point in time (the Pentecost) with regards to the enlightenment or conduct of people in general. Times have been as confusing to the great majority of humans as before, and their behavior as sinful and selfish as before. What this passage most likely refers to is some kind of event that occurred only to the early disciples of Jesus, that enlightened them on their mission and on how to interpret/deal with 'what just happened to them'? Or was this their point in time to realize that Jesus represented a new religion, separate from the Jewish faith? This 'enlightenment' could have prompted them to write down their understanding many decades later. However, then this can not have been the 'Holy Spirit' (which is in each and every one of us), and it is not a “he”, but some kind of an enlightening experience (that was no doubt directed by the Holy Spirit, as the power behind divine grace). We also are forced to face that even this assumed 'enlightenment' did not necessarily result in their crystal clear view of the 'tenets of their beliefs', as in the scriptures written many decades later many contradictions and things that don't make much sense remained – and this could not have resulted from 'completely-enlightened' authors.. The availability of the good news is the one single factor that could be seen to have definitely increased the numbers of those who were successful at reaching their salvations, thus affecting the majority of humanity from that point on. (By the way, IF the philosophical foundation and its interpretation of Jesus's message ends up closest to the eventual unfolding reality, then it may also be in the 'Spirit of Truth' that 'testifies on behalf of Jesus'.)
     
        

    John 16:7, 8

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."7 But I tell you the truth, it is for your benefit that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. 8 And when He comes, He will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: "...
    NRSV: ..."7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will prove the world wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment:"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misguided idea about the Holy Spirit and how to receive it
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Grace is the ever-present willingness of the creator to help humans reach their salvation"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans"
  •  
    interpretation:
    If one commonly interprets the “Advocate” as being the Holy Spirit, then there are several issues with this passage. Why wouldn't the Holy Spirit not come or not already be ever-present as the spirit of the creator (that we also share with him, to a degree) IF Jesus does not 'go away'? If the spirit came after Jesus, what about the people who lived before or those who do not know about Jesus during their lives? Why would the arrival of the Advocate be contingent upon Jesus leaving the scene? Why would the Advocate need to 'prove' the world wrong about sin and righteousness – isn't this already obvious and transparent to the creator? And to whom would the Advocate need to prove the world wrong – to the world, or to the creator? What would be the effects of proving the world wrong about sin and righteousness – didn't Jesus do that already in the CESAPH and in his message? Anyone hearing the claims of Jesus and study his message should be as certain as possible about sin and righteousness. If the Advocate came and proved the world wrong about sin and righteousness, what were its effects on humanity from that point forward? Truth is, we can not really see any noticeable change in the conduct, alignment, and thinking of people from that point on to this day? Looking through the events of history, it seems that sin, righteousness, and judgment has been pretty much at the same levels as before this alleged (Pentecost) event all over the world (including the conduct of self-described 'Christians' who allegedly followed the message of Jesus). Even though the 'ruler of the world' (if interpreted as 'materialism, selfishness', or even as the traditional concept of Satan, an opposing entity to God) was allegedly 'condemned' by Jesus, the 'net effect' is just not noticeable, no traces of the cleansing event of the Pentecost remained. People have to struggle to gain their salvation, and as they are doing that, a lot of them fall prey to the temptations present in their assigned situations. What DID change with the availability of the good news of the CESAPH is that a lot more people could use this help to their benefit. This help was NOT available before the CESAPH, and has not been available to all people on Earth. But the good news can not be the same as the 'arrival of the gift of the Holy Spirit', even if it helped many more people gain their justified conviction and live their life accordingly (thereby increasing their chance to reach their salvation). The essence and spirit of the creator which humans share with the creator to different degrees (in their predisposition) can not arrive at a certain point in history, as that would not make sense. It is such an essential element to salvation, that its absence would render all people unable to achieve their salvation – which is an absurd proposition, as why would these people with no chance to reach salvation exist in this world?. And if they all DID have their chance, then the Holy Spirit must have been available to them, and hence the Pentecost could not have achieved anything for them directly.
     
        

    John 16:9, 10, 11

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    Berean: ..."9 in regard to sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will no longer see Me; 11 and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world has been condemned. "...
    NRSV: ..."9 about sin, because they do not believe in me; 10 about righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will see me no longer; 11 about judgment, because the ruler of this world has been condemned."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "One’s ‘faith’/belief system has no direct value to the creator, and is only a potential tool in one’s quest to gain justification and reach salvation IF it helps its holder in these"
  •  
    interpretation:
    'Not believing in Jesus' can not really be connected to sin – or at least, not the way most people would interpret it. Sin is a conduct or thought that violates the creator's preferred value, love – acts or thoughts that are in alignment with selfishness and its derivatives. This way, 'non-belief in Jesus being God and in his story' can not be considered as sinful. However, one COULD say that 'non-belief in Jesus's message' (a lack of conviction about love's need to guide life) and a life lived accordingly amounts to a life of sin. But I suspect the author most likely meant the first, illogical interpretation, not the later one. One can NOT arrive at the need for love to guide life and NOT believe in the message of Jesus: if someone concludes in their conviction that love needs to guide life (independent of the good news of the CESAPH), one ALSO concludes the message of Jesus, by definition (which is none other than alignment of one's conviction and life with love). With such conviction and a life lived accordingly, even if one does not believe in the afterlife, or a creator, one should be able to attain their salvation and wake up to their originating context of reality to realize the rest. Thus, everyone who arrives at the conclusion that love needs to guide life also 'believes in Jesus' – whether they heard about him and his story, or not. And while this is theoretically possible, in practice, this may be very very rare and hard to accomplish for anyone. However, anyone who will have reached their salvation while not having the good news available to them in their life MUST have attained their salvation this way. I can not connect the 'Advocate proving the world wrong about righteousness' in any way with 'Jesus going to the Father (back to heaven) and being no longer physically available in this world'. 'Condemning the ruler of this world' already follows from identifying what 'sin' is, so there is no need for this to be a separate point.
     
        

    John 16:13

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    Berean: ..."13 However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come. "...
    NRSV: ..."13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misguided idea about the Holy Spirit and how to receive it
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness"
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage also makes it sound like the Advocate can not be the Holy Spirit: the spirit must have been around and available to humans throughout history independent of the CESAPH and any purported event of the Pentecost. This 'guiding force' can not be or be dependent upon or arise thanks to an event that happened past Jesus's death. One who is justified in their conviction (about love's need to guide life) and who is living life according to this conviction can be said to be 'filled with the Holy Spirit'. The Holy Spirit will not guide humans into 'ALL the truth', as all the truth is not really for us to discover in this reality – only as much of the truth as we need for us to reach the purpose of our life, which is to attain our salvation. The spirit speaking “not on his own” is a hint that John did not mean this to be the Holy Spirit (essentially, the spirit of the creator), but a different kind of guide: how can the spirit of God speak what he hears? The spirit of God IS speaking when God speaks. It is also questionable what other revelation/truth we need beyond the message formalized by Jesus. “Declaring to us the things that are to come” - in this life, during history? This sounds funky. Humans do not need to 'know' what things are to come in their lives or during history – they need to be ready regardless of what may be coming and when. What is to come at some future point in history should not be anyone's concern regarding their salvation – the purpose of their life. One needs to concentrate on aligning their conviction with love and live their life accordingly in their assigned set of situations, NOT on outcomes in history.. What is to come should be clear from Jesus's message: we will be judged on our alignment with love vs selfishness, and either we earn rejoining the creator's presence, or we will end up away from it. The passage makes more sense if the Advocate is interpreted as a guide/helper who clarifies things, NOT the spirit of the creator, the Holy Spirit, which each human inherently shares with the creator, to different degree. IF the philosophical foundation's interpretation ends up closest to the eventual unfolding reality, then IT may also be considered to be 'a guide into all the truth' (to the extent it makes sense to elaborate on), speaking whatever the author got enlightened with (what 'he hears'), describing a scenario of reality deemed to be closest to ultimate truth, or the way things most likely are (but not specific events to come within our reality).
     
        

    John 16:20, 21, 22

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    Berean: ..."20 Truly, truly, I tell you, you will weep and wail while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. 21 A woman has pain in childbirth because her time has come; but when she brings forth her child, she forgets her anguish because of her joy that a child has been born into the world. 22 So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. "...
    NRSV: ..."20 Very truly, I tell you, you will weep and mourn, but the world will rejoice; you will have pain, but your pain will turn into joy. 21 When a woman is in labor, she has pain, because her hour has come. But when her child is born, she no longer remembers the anguish because of the joy of having brought a human being into the world. 22 So you have pain now; but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • It is logical to expect appropriate consequences due for passing or failing the evaluation
  • Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally
  • The main goal of our life is to reach our salvation and build values that transcend this reality into eternal life, not to reach material or academic success or to fulfill other worldly desires or loyalties
  •  
    interpretation:
    “weeping and mourning” is our suffering during our life of evaluation. Our “pain will turn into joy” once we reach our salvation after our judgment, and then the world (the higher context of reality at this time?) will rejoice in our success. In this life we will continue to suffer, as that is our penance for our previous wrong. Our pain will turn into such joy when (and if) we reach our salvation that we will not remember any of our suffering (just as when a woman gives birth). This passage can also be taken as putting the “second coming of Jesus” to after our deaths, not at a future moment in human history, when the “world ends” (which could just be an unnoticeable switching off of the simulation at any future time after all intended participants have completed their lives, that may happen without anything majestic to witness for the then-alive).
     
        

    John 16:22, 23, 24

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."22 So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. 23 In that day you will no longer ask Me anything. Truly, truly, I tell you, whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you. 24 Until now you have not asked for anything in My name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete. "...
    NRSV: ..."22 So you have pain now; but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. 23 On that day you will ask nothing of me. Very truly, I tell you, if you ask anything of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. 24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • lacking understanding of reasons behind ‘good things can happen to bad people’, and all its variations
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Parallels John 14:13,14, 15:7,16:24 Matthew 7:7, 21:22 1 John 3:22, 5:14-15 Philippians 4:19, Mark 11:24 One may misunderstand “asking and receiving” to be a valid and realistic expectation for this life, however, clearly this is not the case, and neither is this the intention of the creator. The obvious case in this life (that can be tested by anyone) is: “praying/asking for something may or may NOT be granted, regardless of the subject or strength of one's faith”. This is NOT because of a lack of faith on our part, or NOT abiding in Jesus, but because of the nature of our evaluation (of the quality of our soul, the proven alignment of our conviction in our life of penance). Bad things happen to good people, and all other variations of it, regardless of the amount of prayers and faith. Our reality is a place of penance for the wrongs we committed before we joined this reality in our eternal past (as angels?), and as such, it is expected to include a proportional and fair share of suffering in our assigned situations, that fits our failings. Thus, even if we believe and constantly pray, we may still be made to endure what we are to endure as part of our penance. The understanding of the authors on this is most likely misguided, and this may lead to harmful beliefs: false hopes can lead to big disappointments and even the loss of faith when things don't turn out the way we expected them. The CESAPH did not take place to impress or awe people into submission, but to demonstrate the creator's love for us and our need to endure our penance, as we earn our salvation with our properly aligned conviction and life. Routine miracles (prayers automatically fulfilled upon the proper belief) would work against the integrity of the simulation, and would render it incapable in assessing the quality of human souls. Miracles or certainty about outcomes would make one's proven conviction less convincing and valuable and more prone to calculation compared to the achievements of those who did not experience these, but still believed and lived according to their justified conviction. Asking for and being granted whatever we wish for may be the case for those who pass the last judgment and earn their salvation, but the author likely meant this to happen during this life.
     
        

    John 16:23, 24

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    Berean: ..."23 In that day you will no longer ask Me anything. Truly, truly, I tell you, whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you. 24 Until now you have not asked for anything in My name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete. "...
    NRSV: ..."23 On that day you will ask nothing of me. Very truly, I tell you, if you ask anything of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. 24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • It is logical to expect appropriate consequences due for passing or failing the evaluation
  • Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally
  • The evaluation result is likely progressive within pass or fail
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage can not logically refer to this life, as in this life there are no guarantees for favorable answers to our prayers (asking). However, the passage can be taken as 'when we will see him again' being the day of judgment when one may (or may not) reach salvation. Salvation, indeed will complete our joy, and from then on we can ask for anything. This does not mean that we should not pray as it is futile/does not have guaranteed results. One never knows the outcomes one is assigned to face, and asking for intervention for favorable outcomes outcomes (with regards to reaching salvation or alleviating suffering) continue to make sense even in this scenario. The creator CAN alter the planned set of circumstances were are to face, upon our request – and we would not even know that it was an intervention in the otherwise set circumstances.
     
        

    John 16:25, 26

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    Berean: ..."25 I have spoken these things to you in figures of speech. An hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you this way, but will tell you plainly about the Father. 26 In that day you will ask in My name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. "...
    NRSV: ..."25 "I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures, but will tell you plainly of the Father. 26 On that day you will ask in my name"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • The creator created our reality (best modeled as a consciousness-centric simulation) to facilitate the evaluation of its target audience: humans
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    This 'hour' must refer to a time when the identity of the creator and our relation to him will be a certainty for us, and as such, we will ask for things directly from him (“ask in my name”) knowing that he is the provider. This hour must also be past the last judgment, in which everyone is to participate in together, after their death. As till then, the lack of certainty is serving the evaluation of our true character on its alignment with love vs. selfishness. Thus, in our current reality, till we exit it, we should make a conscious effort to figure out the meaning and purpose of our existence, and wager on a scenario that will not be certain for us. Doing this, we will need to rely on our faith in our wager.
     
        

    John 16:25, 26, 27

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    Berean: ..."25 I have spoken these things to you in figures of speech. An hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you this way, but will tell you plainly about the Father. 26 In that day you will ask in My name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. 27 For the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me and have believed that I came from God. "...
    NRSV: ..."25 … The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures, but will tell you plainly of the Father. 26 On that day you will ask in my name. I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; 27 for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • misconceived understanding of what the ‘trinity’ could be
  •  
    interpretation:
    This 'hour' must refer to a time when the creator will be a certainty for us, and as such, we will ask for things directly from him (“ask in my name”) knowing that he is the provider. This hour must also be past the last judgment in which everyone is to participate in together, after their death. As till then, the lack of certainty is serving the evaluation of our true character on its alignment with love vs. selfishness. But what is the relevance of “asking in Jesus's name”? When I ask in someone's name, I refer to someone who CAN rightfully ask, borrowing his authority. However, if Jesus is but an interface for us to the single entity of the creator, we would be asking the creator, in his own name. Thus, asking the creator anything – being fully aware of who he is, what is his plan for us, how we relate to him, and how our request fits with his plan – IS 'asking in the name of Jesus'. The passage is confusing to say the least, and we can not be certain that the author properly captured what Jesus said about this several decades before either. But the understanding of the trinity at the time likely contributed to the formulation of this passage.
     
        

    John 16:29, 30

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."29 His disciples said, “See, now You are speaking plainly and without figures of speech. 30 Now we understand that You know all things and that You have no need for anyone to question You. Because of this, we believe that You came from God.” "...
    NRSV: ..."29 His disciples said, "Yes, now you are speaking plainly, not in any figure of speech! 30 Now we know that you know all things, and do not need to have anyone question you; by this we believe that you came from God.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation
  • Jesus’s ‘covenant’ of the eternal word of God, of salvation is the only covenant that has ever been and will ever be in effect from the creator for all of humanity, since the very beginning of time till the ending of our simulated reality, meaning that if one passes their evaluation on their alignment with love, one redeems their sinful condition and gains their salvation
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  •  
    interpretation:
    Quite an important point from the disciples: here they state that they know Jesus is from God because they now know that Jesus knows all things, not because of his miracles or the fulfillment of prophecies. Unfortunately (or intentionally) this plain talk was not passed on to posterity with the same understanding that these disciples then must have had. Justification should come from the conviction that one concluded the correct meaning of life, which is needing to align with love to attain salvation. Realizing that the CESAPH amounted to the greatest possible help for people in achieving their salvation should prompt them to accept Jesus's demonstration of love and guidance as divine testimony. This – not miracles and prophecies – should prompt them to accept Jesus, and more importantly, see the the sense and logic in his message.
     
        

    John 16:33

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    Berean: ..."33 I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take courage; I have overcome the world!” "...
    NRSV: ..."33 I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world!"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • appeasement/catering to potential Jewish converts
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Here, 'conquering the world' in the past tense can not be taken literally. It can not even be a reference to the imminent spread of Christianity in the coming millenia, as that spread was also largely misguided (power has corrupted the message of Jesus to a large degree). One could say that 'conquering the world' may refer to the tilt the CESAPH has made in helping more people succeed in their evaluation and reach salvation. That is the only conquering we can talk about in retrospect that the CESAPH has directly caused. But even then, the passage should say “I will conquer”, as those benefits will materialize in later ages. Another note is that the CESAPH was not an attempt to conquer, but to invite and persuade. Thus, the passage may be infested with a misguided Messianic outlook on the events relating to Jesus. Jews were looking forward to a conquering Messiah indeed – and that description does not fit Jesus, as that was not the divine intent with the CESAPH.
     
        

    John 17:2

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    Berean: ..."2 For You granted Him authority over all people, so that He may give eternal life to all those You have given Him. "...
    NRSV: ..."2 since you [Father] have given him [Son] authority over all people, to give eternal life to all whom you [Father] have given him."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • The concept of the ‘trinity’ can only be interpreted as ‘three possible interface to the same single entity of the creator’
  • The human spirit is somehow part of the eternal consciousness
  •  
    interpretation:
    Eternal life given here must refer to those who gain eternal life in the presence of the creator – ie, they succeeded in reaching their salvation. Everyone else will also have eternal life; just likely not in the presence of the creator, but apart from it (hell). The creator giving eternal life to all whom Jesus was given (never mind the understanding of the trinity) refers to all of humanity, since all of them received the chance to redeem their sinful condition in their life and rejoin the presence of the creator. Others may not have been given this chance – we do not know. But those who appear in this world do have this chance, thus, they were given to Jesus (the humanly reachable interface to the creator). It is almost like the creator has created himself a side project to save a set of lost souls by giving them a chance to reach their salvation by proving their worth. The authority to grant eternal life in the presence of the creator is in the hands of the creator (Jesus). And the criterion for reaching it is one for everyone.
     
        

    John 17:3

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."3 Now this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent. "...
    NRSV: ..."3 And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • It is logical to expect appropriate consequences due for passing or failing the evaluation
  •  
    interpretation:
    Eternal life of salvation (as opposed to damnation) comes with “knowing God”, being in the presence of the creator. This is what we will have there, in eternal salvation. The thread of conscious awareness of humans will run in a higher context of awareness, experiencing more of the creator consciousness. Some mistakenly interpret this passage as “try to know God, as that leads to eternal life” - which is wrong; everything we need to know (and CAN know in our context of reality) about the creator has been given to us in Jesus and his simple message of salvation. There are no further mysteries, secrets we can uncover of him by any technique, as we are not meant to do that.
     
        

    John 17:4, 5

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."4 I have glorified You on earth by accomplishing the work You gave Me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify Me in Your presence with the glory I had with You before the world existed. "...
    NRSV: ..."4 I glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do. 5 So now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had in your presence before the world existed."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  • The human spirit is somehow part of the eternal consciousness
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage refers to Jesus existing before the creation of our reality (the current simulation). According to the philosophical foundation that fuels this interpretation of Jesus's message, the eternal creator and his conscious eternal companions (angels) have co-existed in eternity based on the value of love, that was violated before this reality was created to rectify this violation. Jesus speaking to the Father originates in the author's understanding of the Trinity. The creator willingly took on a limited form of awareness in being fully human (as all humans do, compared to their originating context of reality, as illustrated for all humans in their typical process of nightly dreaming, and temporarily not being aware of their fuller context of reality). The work of Jesus (the creator in human form) was to maximize the numbers of those who reach their salvation by demonstrating divine love and formalizing the message of salvation to them. The author stating that Jesus was in the presence of the creator before the world existed may, in the end, unintentionally imply that our souls were in the presence of the creator before this world was created for us (we were in paradise/heaven in the presence of the creator, where we have screwed up something). Naturally, the author did not mean this, but since we are dealing with inspired writings that are not perfect or infallible, this sort of 'accidental and divinely guided misspeaking/misinterpretation' is also possible.
     
    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misconceived understanding of what the ‘trinity’ could be
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Jesus's speaking to the Father in this passage may have originated in the author's understanding of the Trinity. The concept of “glorification” is absurd from the philosophical foundation's perspective. The creator is in no need of being 'glorified'; instead he desires the company of beings who are aligned with love. THIS is 'glorification' for God.. The concept of 'glorification' must have come from the God-image of the OT, of a jealous and conquering God. Jesus, as the creator in human form, does his own will. It is also possible that while partaking in our reality as a fully-human, the creator voluntarily undertook some of the limitations that define being human – if not for this, his partaking as fully human would not have been genuine. We can also experience this kind of limitation setting in when we dream at night, and then reawaken into our 'reality': the limitations and level of awareness of these two worlds (realities) are different, yet we are the same 'self' in both of them. As 'being fully-human' can typically mean a good amount of doubt, insecurity, fear, helplessness, suffering and despair, it is also imaginable that Jesus also took on these experiences. This could explain his alleged interactions and conversations with 'the Father' (his greater-self in the larger context of reality), and could also explain the disciples' understanding and conception of the 'trinity'.
     
        

    John 17:9, 10, 11

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    Berean: ..."9 I ask on their behalf. I do not ask on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those You have given Me; for they are Yours. 10 All I have is Yours, and all You have is Mine; and in them I have been glorified. 11 I will no longer be in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to You. Holy Father, protect them by Your name, the name You gave Me, so that they may be one as We are one. "...
    NRSV: ..."9 I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours. 10 All mine are yours, and yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them. 11 And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • A justified person has the duty to spread the word of God to others in a non-intrusive way whenever the chance arises and by showing an example
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • ‘Justification’ is ‘being convinced about love’s (vs. selfishness) need to guide life’ (= ‘being rightly enlightened’, = ‘holding Jesus’s message in conviction’, = ‘following/believing in Jesus’, = ‘gaining a justified conviction’, = ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, = ‘doing the works of God’, = ‘satisfying/keeping/adhering to the command of God’, = ‘accepting/living according to Jesus’s message’, = ‘fulfilling the eternal word of God, of salvation’)
  •  
    interpretation:
    'those whom the father gave to Jesus' may refer to those humans who will have the chance to hear the good news of the CESAPH in their life – as they received a significant help in their struggle to reach their salvation. The creator will be 'glorified in them' (or rather, rejoice and be pleased in the fact that some of those for whom the sacrifice of the CESAPH was undertaken did reach their salvation thanks to this). “so that they may be one, as we are one” can refer to the promise of rejoining the presence of the creator in heaven bonded into 'one' by love (our salvation). Or, “being one” can also mean for them to share the same understanding about the purpose of life as outlined by Jesus and his message, which equals to having a justified conviction and living accordingly. “protecting them” may mean helping them accomplish their mission of spreading and documenting the good news. This passage can also be a source of confusion and misguidance (addressed among the issues).
     
    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • misconceived understanding of what the ‘trinity’ could be
  •  
    interpretation:
    Overall, this passage is difficult to interpret. There is 'something' to it, that even fits the philosophical foundation's conclusions, but overall, it is difficult to figure out what the author exactly meant to say (never mind what Jesus might have spoken on this topic originally, several decades before). Jesus, as the creator in human form, does his own will. It is also possible that while partaking in our reality as a fully-human, the creator voluntarily undertook some of the limitations that define being human – if not for this, his partaking as fully human would not have been genuine. We can also experience this kind of limitation setting in when we dream at night, and then reawaken into our 'reality': the limitations and level of awareness of these two worlds (realities) are different, yet we are the same 'self' in both of them. As 'being fully-human' can typically mean a good amount of doubt, insecurity, fear, helplessness, suffering and despair, it is also imaginable that Jesus also took on these experiences. This could explain his alleged interactions and conversations with 'the Father' (his greater-self in the larger context of reality), and could also explain the disciples' understanding and conception of the 'trinity'.
     
        

    John 17:12

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."12 While I was with them, I protected and preserved them by Your name, the name You gave Me. Not one of them has been lost, except the son of destruction, so that the Scripture would be fulfilled. "...
    NRSV: ..."12 While I was with them, I protected them in your name that you have given me. I guarded them, and not one of them was lost except the one destined to be lost, so that the scripture might be fulfilled."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • suspected post-fitting of the narrative (not possible for the author to know about, or likely did not happen as described)
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Every human has a real chance at reaching their salvation, which is NOT predetermined or predestined. The creator is NOT omniscient with regard to humans’ free will, and their fate in the evaluation"
  •  
    interpretation:
    The philosophical foundation's interpretation does not subscribe to the notion that the betrayal of Jesus by Judas was predestined (planned ahead by God that 'made' Judas act accordingly) to fulfill a prophecy. The outcome of the CESAPH could have been largely foreseen by the creator, given the context Jesus chose to enter and given his mission. Not a single human was sacrificed to have Jesus fulfill any prophecies – this means that Judas chose what he choose on his own accord, out of his own free will, and not even the creator could have foreseen his decision with certainty. The creator is NOT omniscient with regard to the free will of conscious beings – as otherwise this would contradict their free will, and the meaning of their existence (and that of the creator too) would be negated. This narrative may be a part of the disciples' understanding, including their belief in God's omniscience and the importance of prophecies – leftovers from their Jewish belief system they could not shed successfully. Naturally, they included their own understanding into the scriptures, a very human effort to capture what happened to them and trying their best to relay their understand on how the message of Jesus fit into the Jewish context and belief system (which it does NOT).
     
        

    John 17:15

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."15 I am not asking that You take them out of the world, but that You keep them from the evil one. "...
    NRSV: ..."15 I am not asking you [the Father] to take them [his disciples] out of the world, but I ask you to protect them from the evil one."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "‘Evil’, ‘Devil’, or ‘Satan’ is NOT a separate entity opposed to the creator, but the value of selfishness in us that is opposite to the preferred value of the creator, love"
  •  
    interpretation:
    The “evil one” is of course the opposite of the preference of the creator: selfishness, and the temptation present in the evaluation to influence and dominate us – NOT a separate entity opposing the creator and wanting us humans to fail in our evaluations. This is again a leftover understanding from the Jewish belief system. One can not be 'protected' from 'evil' (the opposite of love – selfishness), but perhaps be protected from the ill-effects of ill behavior of others. One needs to 'eliminate' evil influence within, not protect against it. Once one reaches a justified conviction and has the strength to live accordingly, one protects oneself from evil by being able to resist temptation and stay in alignment with love. Asking God to lessen the load of temptation is akin to asking God not to probe our alignment with love vs selfishness, as we fear we may stumble – not a very positive outlook on our own performance. Nonetheless, when we ask for this (as in the single prayer taught to us by Jesus), we are asking for our evaluation to be 'easier', less tricky. And while we may ask for this in prayer, we still need to be ready for any load of temptation (influence to align with evil – selfishness) we are assigned to go through while proving our alignment. Based on the belief system of the OT,  the authors and disciples of Jesus misguidedly believed the ‘Evil One’, ‘Devil’, or ’Satan’ to be a separate independent entity (a fallen leader of angels) opposed to the creator and having some special powers. However, the concept should simply be interpreted as ‘the influence and temptations to be selfish’, the opposite of the creator’s preference of love that is present in us conscious humans, and all of us are here to demonstrate that we can subdue and eliminate this value in us, and side with its opposite in our evaluation.
     
        

    John 17:20, 21

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    Berean: ..."20 I am not asking on behalf of them alone, but also on behalf of those who will believe in Me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I am in You. May they also be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. "...
    NRSV: ..."20 "I ask not only on behalf of these [the disciples], but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • A justified person has the duty to spread the word of God to others in a non-intrusive way whenever the chance arises and by showing an example
  • ‘Justification’ is ‘being convinced about love’s (vs. selfishness) need to guide life’ (= ‘being rightly enlightened’, = ‘holding Jesus’s message in conviction’, = ‘following/believing in Jesus’, = ‘gaining a justified conviction’, = ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, = ‘doing the works of God’, = ‘satisfying/keeping/adhering to the command of God’, = ‘accepting/living according to Jesus’s message’, = ‘fulfilling the eternal word of God, of salvation’)
  •  
    interpretation:
    Those who will believe in Jesus's message of salvation through the word of the disciples (and later through those who are justified) are the motivation for the intervention of the CESAPH. It is a powerful help to receive hints, assurances, testimony about facing a loving creator who wants us to succeed. “Being one” (as Jesus and the Father) can mean carrying the same understanding about the meaning of life as outlined by Jesus and his message. In this sense “being one” just means being justified with the right conviction, and living the way of salvation.
     
        

    John 17:21

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    Berean: ..."21 that all of them may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I am in You. May they also be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. "...
    NRSV: ..."21 ... As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • misconceived understanding of what the ‘trinity’ could be
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "One’s ‘faith’/belief system has no direct value to the creator, and is only a potential tool in one’s quest to gain justification and reach salvation IF it helps its holder in these"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Jesus, as the creator in human form, does his own will. It is also possible that while partaking in our reality as a fully-human, the creator voluntarily undertook some of the limitations that define being human – if not for this, his partaking as fully human would not have been genuine. We can also experience this kind of limitation setting in when we dream at night, and then reawaken into our 'reality': the limitations and level of awareness of these two worlds (realities) are different, yet we are the same 'self' in both of them. As 'being fully-human' can typically mean a good amount of doubt, insecurity, fear, helplessness, suffering and despair, it is also imaginable that Jesus also took on these experiences. This could explain his alleged interactions and conversations with 'the Father' (his greater-self in the larger context of reality), and could also explain the disciples' understanding and conception of the 'trinity'. Believing that Jesus IS the creator in human form is not essential to one reaching justification (being convinced that love needs to guide life), to living a life accordingly, thus to reaching salvation (perhaps even unintentionally). But living a justified life is surely much more difficult if one does not believe in a creator who also loves us. One may easily see no rational argument behind being unselfish and loving in life's many ordeals and trials. The passage may be overemphasizing the role and necessity of belief in 'Jesus is Lord and he died for our sins' and similar tenets. All beliefs have a single purpose to channel us to gain a justified conviction and live life accordingly. If they serve this outcome, then they are beneficial beliefs; if they work to steer us away from this outcome, then they are harmful beliefs. Belief in itself can not be the end goal, or even a positive virtue. Belief in the divinity of Jesus, and his demonstration of love for humanity, and his guidance to salvation IS a beneficial belief that helps people achieve a justified conviction and live life accordingly.
     
        

    John 17:22, 23

     Significant Alignment! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."22 I have given them the glory You gave Me, so that they may be one as We are one— 23 I in them and You in Me—that they may be perfectly united, so that the world may know that You sent Me and have loved them just as You have loved Me. "...
    NRSV: ..."22 The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • In their predispositions, humans inherit both love (the essence of the creator’s spirit we share with him, indicating our significance) and selfishness (its opposite/opposing property, what some mistakenly attribute to a separate entity of the ‘evil/devil/satan’) to different degrees from their greater-self, from their originating context of reality
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  • The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans
  •  
    interpretation:
    “Being one” (as Jesus and the Father) can mean carrying the same understanding about the meaning of life as outlined by Jesus and his message. In this sense “being one” just means being justified with the right conviction, and living the way of salvation. “being one” can also refer to the desire of the creator to help humans rejoin his presence (in heaven/paradise that was lost) – this way, all those beings in heaven who are aligned with love may “become one” in a sense. But then, “the world may know” makes no sense (as the world may never know that, only humans in the afterlife). This passage expresses the desire of the creator for the world (humans) to know that he loves them, know that Jesus's message of salvation originates from the creator, and know that it is the way for us to rejoin his presence. “the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me” is fulfilled by humans accepting that the CESAPH happened because in Jesus the creator wanted us to know that he loves us (as the Father loved the Son) and wants us to succeed in reaching our salvation, become one with him in heaven. Those who are justified in their conviction (about love needing to guide their life) are one with the creator and with each other.
     
    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • misconceived understanding of what the ‘trinity’ could be
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness"
  •  
    interpretation:
    It can not really be said that disciples and early followers of Jesus became as “one” in some sense, because of the early disagreements and different interpretations that started developing from this very early age (like Paul's disagreements with other disciples reflected in his letters). It is entirely possible that projecting the image of 'oneness' is a marketing ploy to present a unified image of the church as the owner of the correct set of tenets of the new religion. The 'world' will not 'know' that the creator in Jesus joined creation to demonstrate his love for humanity, but upon hearing the good news individuals may realize this for themselves, and this realization will help them in living a life according to a justified conviction to earn their salvation. The concept of “glorification” is absurd from the philosophical foundation's perspective. The creator is in no need of being 'glorified'; instead he desires the company of beings who are aligned with love. THIS is 'glorification' for God.. The concept of 'glorification' must have come from the God-image of the OT, of a jealous and conquering God. Jesus's speaking to the Father in this passage may have originated in the author's understanding of the Trinity. Jesus, as the creator in human form, does his own will. It is also possible that while partaking in our reality as a fully-human, the creator voluntarily undertook some of the limitations that define being human – if not for this, his partaking as fully human would not have been genuine. We can also experience this kind of limitation setting in when we dream at night, and then reawaken into our 'reality': the limitations and level of awareness of these two worlds (realities) are different, yet we are the same 'self' in both of them. As 'being fully-human' can typically mean a good amount of doubt, insecurity, fear, helplessness, suffering and despair, it is also imaginable that Jesus also took on these experiences. This could explain his alleged interactions and conversations with 'the Father' (his greater-self in the larger context of reality), and could also explain the disciples' understanding and conception of the 'trinity'.
     
        

    John 17:24

    top  

    Berean: ..."24 Father, I want those You have given Me to be with Me where I am, that they may see the glory You gave Me because You loved Me before the foundation of the world. "...
    NRSV: ..."24 Father, I desire that those also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory, which you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • suspected post-fitting of the narrative (not possible for the author to know about, or likely did not happen as described)
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  •  
    interpretation:
    An expedited process for those disciples' salvation who collaborated with Jesus in the CESAPH is highly unlikely. They had to continue their lives exercising their free will and proving their alignment with love in their lives the same way as the rest of the humanity. The help these disciples received in their situational assignments in reaching their salvation is grand, compared to others: they get to personally witness Jesus in the CESAPH and hear his message directly from him. But they still could fail in their lives and will have to face their judgment in the last judgment the same way as others will. No human's place is guaranteed in heaven before the evaluation of their life during the last judgment. Most likely, this passage is an expression of hopeful thinking on the part of the authors/disciples about a special status given to the disciples by God, and not something they overheard Jesus whispering.
     
        

    John 17:26

    top  

    Berean: ..."26 And I have made Your name known to them and will continue to make it known, so that the love You have for Me may be in them, and I in them.” "...
    NRSV: ..."26 I made your name known to them, and I will make it known, so that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • misconceived understanding of what the ‘trinity’ could be
  •  
    interpretation:
    Jesus's speaking to the Father in this passage may have originated in the author's understanding of the Trinity. Jesus, as the creator in human form, does his own will. It is also possible that while partaking in our reality as a fully-human, the creator voluntarily undertook some of the limitations that define being human – if not for this, his partaking as fully human would not have been genuine. We can also experience this kind of limitation setting in when we dream at night, and then reawaken into our 'reality': the limitations and level of awareness of these two worlds (realities) are different, yet we are the same 'self' in both of them. As 'being fully-human' can typically mean a good amount of doubt, insecurity, fear, helplessness, suffering and despair, it is also imaginable that Jesus also took on these experiences. This could explain his alleged interactions and conversations with 'the Father' (his greater-self in the larger context of reality), and could also explain the disciples' understanding and conception of the 'trinity'.
     
        

    John 18:9

    top  

    Berean: ..."9 This was to fulfill the word He had spoken: “I have not lost one of those You have given Me.” "...
    NRSV: ..."9 This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken, "I did not lose a single one of those whom you gave me.""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • appeasement/catering to potential Jewish converts
  • inappropriate/inadequate/misguided attempt to apply OT prophecy
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  • suspected post-fitting of the narrative (not possible for the author to know about, or likely did not happen as described)
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator"
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage is mainly a prophecy-fulfilling attempt on the part of the authors to appeal to a Jewish audience. The passage is also technically incorrect: Jesus DID lose Judas, as he failed him and committed suicide. Also, Peter and Paul who was later martyred for him was also 'lost'. (or what does 'losing' mean in this context?). As we start asking questions about this passage, it becomes clearer that this is unlikely to have originated in Jesus's sayings, but the disciples' attempts to find sections of the OT which they could somehow connect with Jesus's story (even at the expense of being out of context and/or focus with the OT passage). The disciples' focus on fulfilling OT prophecies is grossly misguided (even if it is understandable in light of their main goal of gaining Jewish converts this way).
     
        

    John 18:37

     Significant Alignment! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."37 “Then You are a king!” Pilate said. “You say that I am a king,” Jesus answered. “For this reason I was born and have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to My voice.” "...
    NRSV: ..."37 Pilate asked him, "So you are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Jesus’s ‘covenant’ of the eternal word of God, of salvation is the only covenant that has ever been and will ever be in effect from the creator for all of humanity, since the very beginning of time till the ending of our simulated reality, meaning that if one passes their evaluation on their alignment with love, one redeems their sinful condition and gains their salvation
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  • The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans
  •  
    interpretation:
    The creator in Jesus came into the world to testify to the truth, to formalize the eternal word of God as the only way to salvation, and to demonstrate the creator's love for us through partaking in the misery of the human condition and subjecting himself to our will. Everyone belonging to the truth means those who will hear the word of God and heed it in their lives. People can hear and heed Jesus's message even if they never know about the CESAPH in their lives through their predispositions, their own conclusions about the meaning of their existence, and through the help of divine grace. This way, they can also reach salvation. Jesus did not establish the truth, but testified to it, as the truth has always been with us in the eternal word of God, of salvation, as the purpose and meaning of life.
     
        

    John 19:24

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."24 So they said to one another, “Let us not tear it. Instead, let us cast lots to see who will get it.” This was to fulfill the Scripture: “They divided My garments among them, and cast lots for My clothing.” So that is what the soldiers did. "...
    NRSV: ..."24 So they said to one another, "Let us not tear it [Jesus's garment], but cast lots for it to see who will get it." This was to fulfill what the scripture says, "They divided my clothes among themselves, and for my clothing they cast lots.""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • appeasement/catering to potential Jewish converts
  • inappropriate/inadequate/misguided attempt to apply OT prophecy
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator"
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage shows the disciples' unhealthy and misguided focus on attempting to wrap the story of Jesus in the fulfillment of OT prophecies. Here they refer to a completely irrelevant detail for any prophecy: why would anyone prophesy about tearing one's garment??? Besides, it was probably a common practice at each execution that the belongings of the victim were distributed among the executioners. What kind of a prophecy is this? Ahh – so this is just a little narrative that they found within the OT that has nothing to do with prophesying, and they took this out of its context and made it fit to the story they were writing about Jesus to make the linkage to the OT stronger? Well, THAT makes more sense... This is wholly ludicrous on par with getting lost in the detail while missing the main point.. Connecting this 'prophecy' must have been a low-hanging-fruit for the author, as it was quite easy to make up a little insignificant narrative for Jesus's story that likely no one remembered or witnessed anyway. Rather, the disciples used claims of fulfillment to present Jesus as the messiah of the Jews, in order to convert them to their new religion.
     
        

    John 19:28

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."28 After this, knowing that everything had now been accomplished, and to fulfill the Scripture, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” "...
    NRSV: ..."28 After this, when Jesus knew that all was now finished, he said (in order to fulfill the scripture), "I am thirsty.""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • appeasement/catering to potential Jewish converts
  • inappropriate/inadequate/misguided attempt to apply OT prophecy
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator"
  •  
    interpretation:
    This is bordering being silly; why would the creator worry about fulfilling prophecy on this level – being thirsty? Really? It must have been quite the norm that people being executed this way become 'thirsty'... This passage shows the disciples' unhealthy and misguided focus on attempting to wrap the story of Jesus in the fulfillment of OT prophecies. Here they refer to a completely irrelevant detail for any prophecy: why would anyone prophesy about being thirsty during execution??? Ahh – so this is just a little narrative that they found within the OT that has nothing to do with prophesying, and they took this out of its context and made it fit to the story they were writing about Jesus to make the linkage to the OT stronger? Well, THAT makes more sense... This is wholly ludicrous on par with getting lost in the detail while missing the main point.. Connecting this 'prophecy' must have been a low-hanging-fruit for the author, as it was quite easy to make up a little insignificant narrative for Jesus's story that likely no one remembered or witnessed anyway. Rather, the disciples used claims of fulfillment to present Jesus as the messiah of the Jews, in order to convert them to their new religion.
     
        

    John 19:36, 37

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."36 Now these things happened so that the Scripture would be fulfilled: “Not one of His bones will be broken.” 37 And, as another Scripture says: “They will look on the One they have pierced.” "...
    NRSV: ..."36 These things occurred so that the scripture might be fulfilled, "None of his bones shall be broken." 37 And again another passage of scripture says, "They will look on the one whom they have pierced.""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • appeasement/catering to potential Jewish converts
  • inappropriate/inadequate/misguided attempt to apply OT prophecy
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator"
  •  
    interpretation:
    this is bordering being silly; why would the creator worry about fulfilling prophecy on this level... “no bones shall be broken” - really? Did they perform an autopsy on Jesus's body to conclude that bones remained intact? Being pierced is quite similar: it is quite imaginable that those who executed this way were also commonly humiliated this way by those who attended their executions and hated them. This passage shows the disciples' unhealthy and misguided focus on attempting to wrap the story of Jesus in the fulfillment of OT prophecies. Here they refer to a completely irrelevant detail for any prophecy: why would anyone prophesy about having no broken bones during execution or being pierced??? Ahh – so this is just a little narrative that they found within the OT that has nothing to do with prophesying, and they took this out of its context and made it fit to the story they were writing about Jesus to make the linkage to the OT stronger? Well, THAT makes more sense... This is wholly ludicrous on par with getting lost in the detail while missing the main point.. Connecting this 'prophecy' must have been a low-hanging-fruit for the author, as it was quite easy to make up a little insignificant narrative for Jesus's story that likely no one remembered or witnessed anyway. Rather, the disciples used claims of fulfillment to present Jesus as the messiah of the Jews, in order to convert them to their new religion.
     
        

    John 20:14, 15

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."14 When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there; but she did not recognize that it was Jesus. 15 “Woman, why are you weeping?” Jesus asked. “Whom are you seeking?” Thinking He was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried Him off, tell me where you have put Him, and I will get Him.” "...
    NRSV: ..."14 When she [Mary Magdalene] had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?" Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • suspected post-fitting of the narrative (not possible for the author to know about, or likely did not happen as described)
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The resurrection is not a cornerstone belief to be held about Jesus or the subject of faith one needs to believe in to gain salvation, but an emphasis on the inevitability of afterlife for everyone. From a simulated reality everyone exits to their originating context, and the creator can naturally make exceptions for his exit and reappearance"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Mary Magdalene – a close associate and confidante of Jesus - seeing Jesus and hearing him but not recognizing him immediately is just not something that seems likely at all, from someone who knew him that well. Her supposing that Jesus's body could have been carried away and laid elsewhere, and her natural intention to “take him away” presumably to 'lay him elsewhere' indicates that all this was a plausible scenario circulating among the disciples at the time, and may be the answer to what happened to Jesus's body, IF he was not resurrected. Using simulation as the model of reality proposed by the philosophical foundation, the resurrection is no longer a 'cornerstone belief' that 'guarantees the Christian faith'. It could have been a miracle story added for effect by the authors, or by the organizers who managed to make Jesus's body disappear. And of course, the resurrection could have also happened as described – miraculously. All these remain valid possibilities that have no effect on the essential message of Jesus, of the eternal word of God, of salvation – the main purpose of human existence in this reality. They also do not lessen the essence of what the CESAPH was to accomplish: to demonstrate divine love for humanity and express the creator's desire and invitation for all humans to reach salvation, by taking on a fully human form and sharing in our fate, limitations, and misery. Miracles are possible in the philosophical foundation's model of reality, but are not necessary parts of a belief system that has its foundation on the message of Jesus. Miracles should only have relevance to those to whom they happen.
     
        

    John 20:17

    top  

    Berean: ..."17 “Do not cling to Me,” Jesus said, “for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go and tell My brothers, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God.’” "...
    NRSV: ..."17 Jesus said to her, "Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, 'I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misconceived understanding of what the ‘trinity’ could be
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage makes little sense and is suspect of being made up to illustrate a point the author was trying to make. The content of the conversation between a resurrected Jesus and a lone Mary Magdalene would have had to make it to the author many decades later by people passing along the anecdote. 'Do not hold onto me because I will be gone and ascend soon' would make a little more sense perhaps (as 'don't count on me staying with you for long') – but even then, what would be the point in this warning? I guess 'ascending to the Father' here means being in a resurrected state waiting to be gone from our reality (the 'ascending'). Why should this be announced to the disciples, why not just appear to them (as he allegedly did afterwards anyway)? Why do they need to know about 'ascending' and not about 'being resurrected'? And if there are further appearances planned to the disciples, why worry about telling them about the eventual ascending? Should Mary tell the disciples not that Jesus has resurrected, but that he is ascending to the Father, yet, they do not even know that he has been resurrected? And why didn't the creator tell all he needs to tell the disciples before his crucifixion and ascend to heaven straight from the cross, for everyone to see? (Well, because Jesus did not come to awe humans into compliance; oh, and again, to fulfill prophecies...). But then, why make it visible only to a limited audience – so they end up writing about it to a wide audience? That does not make much sense either. Jesus's speaking to/about the Father in this passage may have originated in the author's understanding of the Trinity. Jesus, as the creator in human form, does his own will. It is also possible that while partaking in our reality as a fully-human, the creator voluntarily undertook some of the limitations that define being human – if not for this, his partaking as fully human would not have been genuine. We can also experience this kind of limitation setting in when we dream at night, and then reawaken into our 'reality': the limitations and level of awareness of these two worlds (realities) are different, yet we are the same 'self' in both of them. As 'being fully-human' can typically mean a good amount of doubt, insecurity, fear, helplessness, suffering and despair, it is also imaginable that Jesus also took on these experiences. This could explain his alleged interactions and conversations with 'the Father' (his greater-self in the larger context of reality), and could also explain the disciples' understanding and conception of the 'trinity'.
     
        

    John 20:22, 23

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."22 When He had said this, He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you withhold forgiveness from anyone, it is withheld.” "...
    NRSV: ..."22 When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • One ‘loves God’ by loving their fellow human beings, no matter how far removed they may be, which fulfills the single command of God
  • Our evaluation serves to separate those who align with love from those who align with selfishness, thereby eliminating the source of suffering from heaven
  •  
    interpretation:
    With its claim of power (over forgiveness, at least how this has been interpreted later), this passage was likely made up to support the disciples' assumption of this power (addressed under issues). However, another interpretation of this passage compatible with the philosophical foundation IS possible: Jesus could have addressed ALL people, urging them to 'receive the Holy Spirit' (which is nothing more than urging them to reach a justified conviction). The 'breathed on them' could have been an imagination of one of the disciples present, which he then misunderstood. It is then plausible and sensible that IF one is guided by love ('received the Holy Spirit'), then whatever they forgive their trespassers will also be forgiven by the creator; and whatever they can not forgive, will not be forgiven by the creator either (which will go against them in their evaluation).
     
    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • attempted building, claiming, or referencing authority that is misguided and improper
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misguided idea about the Holy Spirit and how to receive it
  •  
    interpretation:
    With the early disciples (and then the church leaders') claim of power over forgiveness (as this is how this has been interpreted later), this passage was likely made up to support the disciples' assumption of this power directly from God. After all, 'the creator himself would have given a select few disciples the power to forgive sins'... Perhaps based on an alleged anecdote coming from some disciples, the church leadership by the time of the writings of the scriptures may have been building their own authority and came up with this narrative to support their claim. And the justification for this 'authority' was already a part of their narrative by the time of the creation of the scriptures. The Holy Spirit is present in every one to different degrees, according to their predispositions and one's own efforts to grow its presence. Thus, it is not something that needs to be administered by Jesus 'physically'. Forgiveness can come from those who have been sinned against, but it also has to come from the creator, who sees everything and evaluates the quality of our souls – and it is illogical that the forgiveness of the creator would need a human intermediary. However, an interpretation of this passage compatible with the philosophical foundation IS possible (covered under alignment).
     
        

    John 20:29

     Significant Alignment! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."29 Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” "...
    NRSV: ..."29 Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  • The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage highlights the role of doubt in our life: it is a necessary element in the evaluation of our conviction and alignment of our character. From this should follow that nobody should be seeking miracles as proof or justification to believing. Conviction should be aligned with love as it should make sense to the soul, and as the most likely universal criterion on which all human lives can be gauged from a possible divine standpoint. Those who gain their justified conviction without knowledge of the good news are especially blessed, though the gaining of their conviction and living their life accordingly is more difficult in their situation.
     
        

    John 21:12

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."12 “Come, have breakfast,” Jesus said to them. None of the disciples dared to ask Him, “Who are You?” They knew it was the Lord. "...
    NRSV: ..."12 Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." Now none of the disciples dared to ask him, "Who are you?" because they knew it was the Lord."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • leaning on miracles for authenticity
  • suspected post-fitting of the narrative (not possible for the author to know about, or likely did not happen as described)
  •  
    interpretation:
    It is quite interesting that despite all the alleged prophesying that was supposedly mentioned by Jesus to the disciples before his death, they still are wondering with disbelief when they see the resurrected Jesus. Once they face the resurrected Jesus, it should have been obvious to them what is happening, as the NT is full of references to prophecies that are to be fulfilled in Jesus, that come from the period when Jesus was fulfilling his mission with the disciples. Thus, the expectations of his upcoming death and resurrection should have been clear to all those disciples who were close to him, as they must have heard these narratives directly from Jesus while with him – as how else could these narratives been captured in the scripture other than by recalling them. Did the disciples completely lack the understanding of what was going on and what was being said during Jesus's life to this degree? Or, were these stories simply made up to fill gaps or complete an understanding established later?. If the disciples were SO surprised and baffled with disbelief once they saw the resurrected Jesus, something just does not add up... It is most likely that all the prophecy-fulfilling narratives were NOT a part of Jesus's appearance in the CESAPH (Jesus was NOT concerned about them during his life, and thus, these were made up later to link his story with the OT during the several decades that followed his death, to create a more compelling story to the Jews), OR Jesus's resurrection and later appearances could have been made up to create the appearance of complying with previously-mentioned prophecy-fulfilling expectations. In the interpretation, all these possible scenarios (together with the original claim of resurrection) are irrelevant, as the focus and relevance of the CESAPH lies in message that makes sense, and the divine demonstration of love for humanity in the creator's willingness to partake in our suffering and limitations that showed us that it is worth for us to reach salvation despite the uncertainty and potential suffering we have to face in our life. To this, the miracle-claim of the resurrection does not add much weight or relevance.
     
        

    Revelation 1:1, 2

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."1 This is the revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants what must soon come to pass. He made it known by sending His angel to His servant John, 2 who testifies to everything he saw. This is the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. "...
    NRSV: ..."1 The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place; he made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, 2 who testified to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • contradicts other NT passages
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • leaning on miracles for authenticity
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Contradicts 1 Thessalonians 5:1, Mark 13:32, Matthew 24:42, Luke 12:37 on not knowing and not needing to worry about the event and when the last day will come or not but simply being ready at all times. It should not matter to anyone 'what must soon take place', as no matter what takes place, humans are to do the exact same thing: align with love and not selfishness, and live life accordingly. If the 'second coming' and the 'end of the world' did not come for more than 2000 years in anyone's life, then what would be the significance/role of preparing for, seeking, fostering the coming of, or yearning for such an event to occur at all in one's lifetime? It is like 'expecting and preparing for the big asteroid impact' that did not happen in the last 2000 years. It is pure distraction from the essential, which is how to live life in the present, not worrying about when it will end, but always being prepared to face it – not because of the asteroid impact, but because of what the purpose of life is regardless of it. The purpose of life is NOT to prepare for the asteroid impact, and NOT to prepare for the second coming of Jesus or the end of the world – it is to reach salvation in one's life, through one's assigned situations. And if an asteroid impact or the second coming of Jesus is included in one's assigned situations, then be it! The authority of the entire revelation stands on the premise that an angel was sent to John to let him know what the creator is telling. One should wonder why was this necessary from the point of view of the creator! Why did the creator want to relay these messages to John through an angel when he was around in person a few decades before? Or, why not in a vision as in the case of Paul? Or, was this vision simply a dream (or fantasying)  the author had, that spiced up the narrative to wrap it in a Christian context?
     
        

    Revelation 1:3

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear and obey what is written in it, because the time is near. "...
    NRSV: ..."3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of the prophecy, and blessed are those who hear and who keep what is written in it; for the time is near."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator"
  •  
    interpretation:
    This is a completely misguided idea about who is blessed and why. No one should be concerned with prophecies, and especially not trying to keep with or foster the fulfillment of what is written in prophecies. And people who keep their focus on prophecies such as those featured in this book are in no way more 'blessed' than those who reach a justified conviction and live their life accordingly (namely, they perform acts of love and kindness to others and live an unselfish life). In fact, those people who focus on such prophecies are likely LESS blessed than those who captured the essence of Jesus's message and simply try to live their life accordingly. Hearing, trying to be concerned with, yearning for the fulfillment of prophecies featured in this book adds nothing of value to a justified life, but distracts from it. Whether the times are near or not should not matter to anyone in how they conduct their lives. At any moment one can die, and one should be ready for that at all times by always being guided by love in their life. Jesus taught humans not to worry about the end of the world, but simply live life as to be ready at any moment (as the end of the world will come unexpected, as a thief). This section self-promotes the paying attention and hearing/heeding of this kind of prophecies, which is is completely besides the point of Jesus's message on what are we to do in this life, and why.
     
        

    Revelation 1:4

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    Berean: ..."4 John, To the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to you from Him who is and was and is to come, and from the seven Spirits before His throne, "...
    NRSV: ..."4 John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne,"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • content that is unhelpful, intentionally mystifying, irrelevant, or too detailed to be a part of ‘scriptures’ of guidance to salvation
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  •  
    interpretation:
    No one should claim to have seen or know about how many spirits are in front of the throne of God in Heaven, especially that they have not been there. Private revelations should stay private and not be used to make into doctrine that others are to believe. The idea of the 'seven spirits' that originates in Isaiah is likely included in the 'vision' as part of an overall misguided attempt to paint Jesus and his message as a natural continuity of the invalid belief system of the OT.
     
        

    Revelation 1:5

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and has released us from our sins by His blood, "...
    NRSV: ..."5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood,"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misconception about forgiveness, and the role of rituals
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans"
  •  
    interpretation:
    These attributes of Jesus do not make much sense. The creator has always been witnessing everything in reality (as all reality runs in his conscious mind), so Jesus did not have to witness anything extra. And how Jesus can be a 'faithful witness' is beyond me (even if someone attempts to make sense of it in some roundabout way). Being the 'firstborn of the dead' also does not make much sense. Does this refer to his resurrection? Everyone's soul is most likely eternal, so any kind of 'birth' or 'death' is just an entry or exit to and from a realm, a context of reality. Jesus was surely not the 'ruler of kings of the Earth', since most of those kings were highly misguided individuals who are likely ending up not reaching their salvation. Besides, the concept of royalty and any kind of human-created hierarchy must be irrelevant to the purpose of life, which is for each individual to reach their salvation in their given circumstances. So even though the 'ruler of kings' analogy tries to position Jesus above all earthly authority (which is correct), what the author should do instead is make it clear that earthly authorities do not matter, as the creator stands directly above each individual, without any hierarchy in between. And the biggest misconception of this passage is that 'Jesus freed us from our sins by his blood' which is a complete misunderstanding of the CESAPH. The most the CESAPH did for us in this regard was to help many more of humans to reach a justified conviction than otherwise. This way it is most likely that many more of them will have had the power to reach their salvation during their life (that can only be confirmed after the last judgment) than if they did not receive the help of the good news. This is the only correct understanding of 'Jesus saved us from our sins'. But the CESAPH did not directly save anyone – everyone's active cooperation is required for this throughout their life.
     
        

    Revelation 1:16

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    Berean: ..."16 He held in His right hand seven stars, and a sharp double-edged sword came from His mouth. His face was like the sun shining at its brightest. "...
    NRSV: ..."16 In his right hand he held seven stars, and from his mouth came a sharp, two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining with full force."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • content that is unhelpful, intentionally mystifying, irrelevant, or too detailed to be a part of ‘scriptures’ of guidance to salvation
  •  
    interpretation:
    Though these are perhaps contents of the author's imaginative dream, they are not a significant or relevant part of any belief. These details stay very far away from the simple message of Jesus and focus on a target audience of the mystically minded.
     
        

    Revelation 1:18

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    Berean: ..."18 the Living One. I was dead, and behold, now I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of Death and of Hades. "...
    NRSV: ..."18 and the living one. I was dead, and see, I am alive forever and ever; and I have the keys of Death and of Hades."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • content that is unhelpful, intentionally mystifying, irrelevant, or too detailed to be a part of ‘scriptures’ of guidance to salvation
  • reliance on OT and greek mythology
  •  
    interpretation:
    References to Hades of the greek mythology is misguided within Jesus's message. One would need to uncover what the world of Hades is all about from Greek mythology. We can presume that the 'keys of Death and of Hades' means 'solution to death – everlasting life'. This indicates a preoccupation with death's finality, that was already addressed powerfully by Paul (OF COURSE everyone will go onto an afterlife...). Believers should already be way beyond thinking about death's finality, as the whole message of Jesus builds on this premise.
     
        

    Revelation 2:1

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    Berean: ..."1 “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of Him who holds the seven stars in His right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. "...
    NRSV: ..."1 "To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • content that is unhelpful, intentionally mystifying, irrelevant, or too detailed to be a part of ‘scriptures’ of guidance to salvation
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  •  
    interpretation:
    The author exhibits an obsession with the number seven – likely to make things more interesting. Additionally, there is no basis for claiming that there is an 'angel of each church' – someone may have imagined it so, but this should not be a part of scriptures. Fantasy perhaps, or dreams that are irrelevant to the message of Jesus.
     
        

    Revelation 2:4, 5

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    Berean: ..."4 But I have this against you: You have abandoned your first love. 5 Therefore, keep in mind how far you have fallen. Repent and perform the deeds you did at first. But if you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. "...
    NRSV: ..."4 But I have this against you [the church of Ephesus], that you have abandoned the love you had at first. 5 Remember then from what you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage indicates the right focus: keeping an alignment with love and doing the deeds that follow from this – this is the essential message of salvation. All else is irrelevant (sadly, not according to the rest of Revelation).
     
        

    Revelation 2:6

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."6 But you have this to your credit: You hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. "...
    NRSV: ..."6 Yet this is to your credit: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • content that is unhelpful, intentionally mystifying, irrelevant, or too detailed to be a part of ‘scriptures’ of guidance to salvation
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "As salvation is an individual achievement, finding the way and living life accordingly is a private matter that can not be policed or compelled by others"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Offering meat and other sacrifices during religious ceremonies makes no sense in general, in any case for any deity. If Nicolaitans – who accepted food that was already offered to deities – did not believe in those deities the food was offered to, why should their act matter, and why is it good to 'hate' their custom? Are we to also 'hate' people who believe differently from us – as this is the direct consequence of hating the deeds of someone?   Perhaps the Nicolatians knew better already about the complete senselessness of offering meat to God than the disciples... It is misguided to 'hate' such practices but especially to hate those who commit it. The disciples were free to argue against such practices. They are welcome to try to convince them about anything and/or pray for anyone to gain a better insight into the truth, instead of hating habits and their holders. Again, one's mission in life is NOT to police their community, forcing everyone to comply to their belief, thereby making sure that everyone lives a life that complies to one's belief. The mission in life is to gain one's salvation, while HELPING others do the same too – in a non-intrusive way, keeping in mind that the only value of a conviction or a belief is if it arises voluntarily in one, without the pressure of compliance or loyalty.
     
        

    Revelation 2:7

     Significant Alignment! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who overcomes, I will grant the right to eat from the tree of life in the Paradise of God. "...
    NRSV: ..."7 Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. To everyone who conquers, I will give permission to eat from the tree of life that is in the paradise of God."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • Every human has a real chance at reaching their salvation, which is NOT predetermined or predestined. The creator is NOT omniscient with regard to humans’ free will, and their fate in the evaluation
  • It is logical to expect appropriate consequences due for passing or failing the evaluation
  • Our evaluation serves to separate those who align with love from those who align with selfishness, thereby eliminating the source of suffering from heaven
  • The eternal continuation of their awareness is inevitable and unavoidable for all human souls
  • The human spirit is somehow part of the eternal consciousness
  •  
    interpretation:
    Though coming from dubious sources (an angel appearing to John and telling what God is saying) this would be a confirmation that the paradise lost may have been the same metaphorical place as the Heaven that those gaining their salvation can enter. In this case paradise was never on this Earth but in Heaven. It is this paradise/heaven we return to if we redeem our sins and reach salvation. Those who will be victorious in reaching their salvation (“everyone who conquers”) will regain paradise, and have eternal existence there. The author even having this idea is already noteworthy. This idea is in sync with the idea of the Precursor, and our origination in an encompassing context of reality, from which we submerged into this simulation, and to which we may return to if we pass the evaluation. Eating from the tree of life is just a metaphor of gaining eternal life in salvation, in the presence of the creator.  
     
    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • attempted building, claiming, or referencing authority that is misguided and improper
  •  
    interpretation:
    Here, the author is speaking in the name of the the angel he alleges talked to him in his vision. He is claiming to relay a message that directly originates from the Holy Spirit – and this is risky, as with this, he claims to speak in the name of the creator (whereas, the likelihood points more towards these visions being the product of dreams, or simply the thoughts of its writer to illustrate a point. What is more, he is disclosing information that Jesus already made: those who will reach their salvation (those who 'conquer') will gain eternal life in the presence of the creator in Heaven ('eat from the tree of life in paradise'), while those who will fail can expect NOT to rejoin the creator's presence. So this message did not need to be repeated here, wrapped and mystified. By repeating this message in this format and packaging, the author prepares the authority of the rest of the book in the eye of the reader.
     
        

    Revelation 2:14, 20

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."14 But I have a few things against you, because some of you hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to place a stumbling block before the Israelites so they would eat food sacrificed to idols and commit sexual immorality. 20 But I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads My servants to be sexually immoral and to eat food sacrificed to idols. "...
    NRSV: ..."14 But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the people of Israel, so that they would eat food sacrificed to idols and practice fornication. ... 20 But I have this against you: you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet and is teaching and beguiling my servants to practice fornication and to eat food sacrificed to idols."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • content that is unhelpful, intentionally mystifying, irrelevant, or too detailed to be a part of ‘scriptures’ of guidance to salvation
  • contradicts other NT passages
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "As salvation is an individual achievement, finding the way and living life accordingly is a private matter that can not be policed or compelled by others"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness"
  •  
    interpretation:
    contradicts Matthew 15:11, 1 Corinthians 10:25 It was already stated that eating whatever food is not something the creator is concerned with. Eating food of any origin is not an issue for the creator. If one knows that idols are wrong, then one also should conclude that food offered to idols is also wrong. However, for others to eat this food is completely and utterly irrelevant – as they clearly disregard the silly practice of offering such food to idols, which is GOOD! Thus, believing in the silly ritual of offering food to idols or gods or God is harmless ignorance in itself that causes no inherent harm, unless this causes one to sin BECAUSE of these beliefs or practices (like gets violent with others or hates others BECAUSE of their disbelief in these things). To agree to fornication in order to receive food offered to idols (as the Nicolaitans allegedly did) may be an issue indeed, as that involves committing a sin. As far as 'tolerating' Jezebel, not sure what the author proposes to do instead? Stone her to death, or chase her away because her views and teachings are not compliant to that of the author? Why not simply ignore her and let people make up their own mind about what is right and what is wrong – as choices made voluntarily are the only value to the creator in their evaluation. One has to CHOOSE NOT to fornicate or sin in order for this to be a virtue in the eyes of the creator. If one is locked up to prevent them from committing sins, it is without value to the creator, as it prevents the evaluation to be carried out through temptations.
     
        

    Revelation 2:22, 23

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."22 Behold, I will cast her onto a bed of sickness, and those who commit adultery with her will suffer great tribulation unless they repent of her deeds. 23 Then I will strike her children dead, and all the churches will know that I am the One who searches minds and hearts, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds. "...
    NRSV: ..."22 Beware, I am throwing her on a bed, and those who commit adultery with her I am throwing into great distress, unless they repent of her doings; 23 and I will strike her children dead."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • contradicts other NT passages
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  •  
    interpretation:
    The creator telling John through an angel that he will kill the children of an adulterous woman is highly unlikely to have originated from the creator. This is the mentality of the OT though, and the author seems to have been under the influence of that creator-image. This image contradicts other NT passages about the essence and nature of the creator and his intention with creation and humans in it. Once a soul is born into this reality they have a chance at their salvation no matter how sinful their parents were. The sinful condition of anyone is NOT inherited by their children. What is inherited is the difficulty of a given set of situations that come with being born into a particular family. Souls are assigned to this starting condition by the creator in a way that is assumed to reflect what they deserved to receive in this life for their evaluation. The ease of a particular situation (relative comfort, security, wealth, health, talents) should not be confused with the trickiness of such situation that may make it extra difficult for its bearer to succeed in gaining a justified conviction and live their life accordingly. In other words, some seemingly 'lucky' situations may be a tricky curse for its bearer, as their situations may entice them to fail in their evaluation of their alignment on love vs. selfishness. Plus, according to the traditional interpretation of creation (where human souls are created new by the creator at the point of their conception or birth), it would make no sense for the creator to let children to be born, then strike them dead right away. Thus, these misguided thoughts – wrapped into an angelic vision for effect – were likely made up by the author. (From the  philosophical foundation's perspective, it would make even less sense to assign souls into a given situation, and then strike them dead right away because of a grudge against the mother...)  
     
        

    Revelation 2:23

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."23 Then I will strike her children dead, and all the churches will know that I am the One who searches minds and hearts, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds. "...
    NRSV: ..."23 … And all the churches will know that I am the one who searches minds and hearts, and I will give to each of you as your works deserve."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally
  • The evaluation result is likely progressive within pass or fail
  • The human spirit is somehow part of the eternal consciousness
  •  
    interpretation:
    To the creator, everyone's heart and mind is transparent, as our reality is simulated in the mind of the creator and our conscious souls are running in it like independent threads. We did receive our situational assignment fairly, according to the magnitude of wrong we have caused in our precursory existence (before being born into this reality), and we will receive our judgment fairly, according to what our 'works deserve' (to what degree our conviction was aligned with love, and how we acted and thought according to this conviction during our life). However, the traditional interpretation of this passage can be rather misleading (addressed under issues).
     
    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • lacking understanding of reasons behind ‘good things can happen to bad people’, and all its variations
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Parts of this statement can be interpreted correctly: we do hope to get fair reward and punishment AFTER and according to the judgment we receive in the last judgment. However, the author likely meant for this to take place already during this life, as a demonstration of divine power. But as anyone can easily face it in life, bad things can happen to good people, and all other variations of it. So any 'fair giving' (of reward or punishment according to one's deeds in life) can only surely apply to the 'next world'. Anything that looks like 'deserved fate' received in this life could just simply be a part of one's assigned situations. Thus, the appearance of fairness may simply be a coincidence. Even if the seemingly fairly received fate (of reward or punishment, reflecting the corresponding deeds of one's life) IS a result of divine intervention (the creator modifying the otherwise-default outcomes for one as a special case), one should NOT count on this to repeat in the future, or occur also in similar cases for others.
     
        

    Revelation 2:26, 27, 28

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."26 And to the one who overcomes and continues in My work until the end, I will give authority over the nations. 27 He will rule them with an iron scepter and shatter them like pottery —just as I have received authority from My Father. 28 And I will give him the morning star. "...
    NRSV: ..."26 To everyone who conquers and continues to do my works to the end, I will give authority over the nations; 27 to rule them with an iron rod, as when clay pots are shattered — 28 even as I also received authority from my Father. To the one who conquers I will also give the morning star."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • attempted building, claiming, or referencing authority that is misguided and improper
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator"
  •  
    interpretation:
    This confusing passage reflects a lot of the OT's creator-image as a conquering figure who establishes earthly goals of conquests, nation building, and historical outcomes foretold in prophecies. Why would the creator want to give authority to 'rule over the nations' with an iron rod to those who continue to do his work, if his creation best fits as a customized environment for the evaluation of failed souls spending their penance and getting their chance to prove their worth in the eye of the creator? Why would anyone who lives their life according to a justified conviction want to have authority to 'rule over the nations with an iron rod'? This would also contradict one's justified conviction: if one is aligned with love, the last thing one wants to do is to rule over others with an iron rod. This rhetoric is highly dangerous as it may lead some to conclude that authority over nations and ruling them by force might be any kind of positive goal to strive for, or even seek to fulfill such position on Earth and feel justified doing so. Again, coming from the grossly misguided OT reference from Psalms 2:9. The creator granting authority over nations – whether in this world or somehow in the next world to come – is extremely absurd, and entirely unlike the message of Jesus. The author is most likely making up this narrative (that he allegedly received during hallucinations from an angel speaking the words of the creator). How this writing made it to the collection of works to be part of the NT is beyond any logic and reason. The only 'conquering' the creator is interested in in his creation is passing the evaluation of life and reaching our salvation – that is conquering one's predisposition to be selfish with one's predisposition to be loving and forgiving. That is why we have been put into this reality, not for any conquering of nations.
     
        

    Revelation 3:3

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    Berean: ..."3 Remember, then, what you have received and heard. Keep it and repent. If you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know the hour when I will come upon you. "...
    NRSV: ..."3 Remember then what you received and heard; obey it, and repent. If you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come to you."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator
  • One needs to live life being always ready for its accounting - then, if events in the future come as a ’thief’, as one would have needed to do nothing differently
  •  
    interpretation:
    Rightly saying what is happening with our life: we are to hear the message of salvation (either through Jesus or arriving at it through different means) and keep it in our life. Doing so will amount to repentance of the sinful condition we came with into this existence. Again confirming that no one is to know about the final hours or end times, and this is not something to worry about for someone who is ready at all times anyhow. Obeying the word means acts that are in line with it (not just belief).
     
        

    Revelation 3:5

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."5 Like them, he who overcomes will be dressed in white. And I will never blot out his name from the Book of Life, but I will confess his name before My Father and His angels. "...
    NRSV: ..."5 If you conquer, you will be clothed like them in white robes, and I will not blot your name out of the book of life; I will confess your name before my Father and before his angels."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • Every human has a real chance at reaching their salvation, which is NOT predetermined or predestined. The creator is NOT omniscient with regard to humans’ free will, and their fate in the evaluation
  • It is logical to expect appropriate consequences due for passing or failing the evaluation
  • Our evaluation serves to separate those who align with love from those who align with selfishness, thereby eliminating the source of suffering from heaven
  • The creator created our reality (best modeled as a consciousness-centric simulation) to facilitate the evaluation of its target audience: humans
  • The eternal continuation of their awareness is inevitable and unavoidable for all human souls
  • The human spirit is somehow part of the eternal consciousness
  •  
    interpretation:
    Passage must be referring to the last judgment. “Conquering” means reaching salvation by passing the evaluation on alignment with love vs selfishness. “like them in white robes” can mean we will be like angels (as we were before we joined this existence). This image (humans returning to be angels) can increase the likelihood of the scenario where humans were also angels before committing their sin of the precursor and being cast out of heaven (or paradise – same thing – as unintentionally implied in Revelations 2:7). This would also confirm the simulation scenario, where participants enter a limited context of reality (this life) from an encompassing larger context (paradise/heaven).
     
    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misconceived understanding of what the ‘trinity’ could be
  •  
    interpretation:
    The basic premise of this passage is correct: 'if you pass your evaluation of your life, then you will inherit eternal life in the presence of the creator'. This is nothing more than 'reaching salvation'. However, the author unnecessarily decorates this message with 'book of life' and 'confessing one's name before the Father', which likely comes from his misguided interpretation of the trinity and his attempt to dig for some material to further connect the story to the OT. Why would Jesus (whose narrative the angel passes onto John, and who IS the creator in human form) have to confess any name to the 'Father'? The creator sees everything, as all of our thoughts are transparent to him. Conscious beings participating in simulated realities (either voluntarily or compulsorily) created by the creator are running as threads within the conscious mind of the creator. This is how the creator can be omnipresent. And even more intriguing, why would Jesus confess names of the saved ones before any angels? There may be plenty of imagination and fantasy on the part of the author here on this. Meanwhile, the basic truths stay valid in this passage as well. Jesus, as the creator in human form, does his own will. It is also possible that while partaking in our reality as a fully-human, the creator voluntarily undertook some of the limitations that define being human – if not for this, his partaking as fully human would not have been genuine. We can also experience this kind of limitation setting in when we dream at night, and then reawaken into our 'reality': the limitations and level of awareness of these two worlds (realities) are different, yet we are the same 'self' in both of them. As 'being fully-human' can typically mean a good amount of doubt, insecurity, fear, helplessness, suffering and despair, it is also imaginable that Jesus also took on these experiences. This could explain his alleged interactions and conversations with 'the Father' (his greater-self in the larger context of reality), and could also explain the disciples' understanding and conception of the 'trinity'.
     
        

    Revelation 3:7

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    Berean: ..."7 To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of the One who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What He opens no one can shut, and what He shuts no one can open. "...
    NRSV: ..."7 "And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens:"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  •  
    interpretation:
    Again, some attempted tying of Jesus to OT themes to depict him as its continuity, fulfillment and succession. However, the CESAPH needs no authority from David, and has nothing to do with specific locations on Earth (such as Jerusalem) – not even symbolically. The symbolism present in the OT about Jerusalem, the promised land and the Messiah they are waiting for are all wholly misguided beliefs that have nothing to do with the message of Jesus, of love, forgiveness, and returning to the presence of the creator in heaven. It is also entirely unwarranted to assume that churches have 'angels'. The only 'key' that can shut or open eternal life in the presence of the creator for us is our ability to reach our salvation by aligning our conviction with love vs. selfishness, and live our lives accordingly. Anything else (David, Jerusalem, the Temple, New Jerusalem, the Jewish Messiah, keys, prophecies, fulfillment, the devil) are all hogwash.
     
        

    Revelation 3:9

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    Berean: ..."9 Look at those who belong to the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews but are liars instead. I will make them come and bow down at your feet, and they will know that I love you. "...
    NRSV: ..."9 I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but are lying — I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • contradicts other NT passages
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "As salvation is an individual achievement, finding the way and living life accordingly is a private matter that can not be policed or compelled by others"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "‘Evil’, ‘Devil’, or ‘Satan’ is NOT a separate entity opposed to the creator, but the value of selfishness in us that is opposite to the preferred value of the creator, love"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Some disgruntled rant about Jews who refused to believe? Perhaps they will be severely punished? Not any differently than those who simply fail the evaluation of their life – as that is the single criterion that applies to everyone, Jew or otherwise. The statement is more likely to reflect a skewed personal point of view than words Jesus would ever speak. Early Christians very much hoped that 'proper/true' Jews would see Jesus as their Messiah, if only they read their own prophecies more carefully. However, most Jews were right NOT to see Jesus as their Messiah for a very good reason: the description of whom they were expecting for just did not match the claims, person and message of Jesus. And indeed, the CESAPH was magnitudes more significant than any concept of the Jewish Messiah, it had a completely different focus (individual salvation vs the fate of the Jewish nation), different purpose of life and a way to achieve it (alignment with love vs keeping hundreds of laws), and a different creator-image (loving, forgiving vs. vengeful, jealous, conquering). So what those who had the right mind should have realized was: in light of Jesus's claims and message their Jewish beliefs no longer made any sense, and it was much more likely that ultimate truth lay within the message and person of Jesus. Unfortunately, even the disciples and the authors of the NT were not entirely up to this giant leap in thinking (except for Marcion, who was kindly asked to leave). However, those Jews who did not see the truth in Jesus's message were not improper Jews or of Satan, but simply folks who stayed misguided out of ignorance, fear, loyalty, pressure, etc – a very common outcome for people of all kinds of beliefs who go with the flow and assume their community's beliefs rather than think for themselves to see how much sense this makes. So a 'good Jew' is NOT misguided because of not recognizing Jesus as their Messiah, but because of holding misguided beliefs to begin with and not willing to part with them even in light of facing a more likely scenario. 'making them come and bow down before your feet' also sounds vengeful – something that is unlike the spirit and message of Jesus, that again, comes from the OT's distorted and misguided creator-image. This contradicts other NT passages where forgiveness, love, selflessness are the values – not revenge, conquest, and forcing others to submission. It is not our task to police others in this world – everyone is going through their own evaluation, with their set of situations assumed to have been assigned to them fairly. Based on the belief system of the OT,  the authors and disciples of Jesus misguidedly believed the ‘Evil One’, ‘Devil’, or ’Satan’ to be a separate independent entity (a fallen leader of angels) opposed to the creator and having some special powers. However, the concept should simply be interpreted as ‘the influence and temptations to be selfish’, the opposite of the creator’s preference of love that is present in us conscious humans, and all of us are here to demonstrate that we can subdue and eliminate this value in us, and side with its opposite in our evaluation.
     
        

    Revelation 3:10

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."10 Because you have kept My command to persevere, I will also keep you from the hour of testing that is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. "...
    NRSV: ..."10 Because you have kept my word of patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • suspected post-fitting of the narrative (not possible for the author to know about, or likely did not happen as described)
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator"
  •  
    interpretation:
    The 'hour of trial that is coming' is already ongoing for each individual, in the situational assignments of their life. So the creator is not going to keep anyone from the evaluation of their quality of soul, since that is the very purpose everyone was put on this Earth. Therefore, the 'hour of trial' (according to how the author likely meant it, presumably coming towards the 'end times' on Earth) is NOT a particular event in the future for everyone to be waiting for or looking forward to on this Earth, but must refer to everyone's entire life of trial (that is potentially filled with hard times for many). If one lives according to the message and advice of Jesus, one need not be concerned with any 'end times'. Jesus himself allegedly stated that 'no one knows the hour when he is coming, like a thief', and all one can do is to live a life so as to be always ready to account for it in the eye of the creator. For Jesus to make an exception for a group of church members in Philadelphia (or any other select group of people) and make them exempt from some upcoming global event of hard times affecting the whole world is just plain unlikely. We also know by now that historically, no such miraculous sparing happened to any church, including the church of Philadelphia. Thus, this passage amounts to empty promises and groundless claims of visions that are likely coming from the author's fantasy (or from modifying or decorating the original vision). The passage could also be misunderstood into believing that somehow God will protect those who serve him from the misery of this world. This is the classic misunderstanding of “good things happen to good people”, whereas in our reality, the obvious case is “good things happen to bad people, and all other variations of it”.
     
        

    Revelation 3:11

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    Berean: ..."11 I am coming soon. Hold fast to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. "...
    NRSV: ..."11 I am coming soon; hold fast to what you have, so that no one may seize your crown."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • clear misguidance of author as the time remaining till the second coming was NOT near
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Relativity of experiencing time"
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage implies (and the author likely means) that the 'second coming' and judgment day will soon take place in history – which it obviously was not, for still a long time. However, more likely (that makes more sense), judgment day will take place after each person's death (and likely in a single moment of objective time, with every human time-shifted to this point, while still keeping everyone's subjective awareness continuous). This way, the second coming IS 'soon' for everyone, as everyone's lifetime can be interpreted as a short period, in which one has just the time to prove their spirit's alignment to the creator in their set of assigned situations. Interpreting the passage this way equals simply urging all humans not to stray from the road to salvation by changing their alignment from love to selfishness. 'holding fast to what you have so no one seize your crown' captures this understanding well.
     
        

    Revelation 3:12

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    Berean: ..."12 The one who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will never again leave it. Upon him I will write the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God (the new Jerusalem that comes down out of heaven from My God), and My new name. "...
    NRSV: ..."12 If you conquer, I will make you a pillar in the temple of my God; you will never go out of it. I will write on you the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem that comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • content that is unhelpful, intentionally mystifying, irrelevant, or too detailed to be a part of ‘scriptures’ of guidance to salvation
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  •  
    interpretation:
    If one 'conquers' (reaches salvation with their life), one can expect to rejoin the presence of the creator in heaven, into infinity ('you will never go out of it'). The symbolism using 'pillars' and 'temples' are references to the imagery of the OT. Writing the 'name/city of God on anyone' may refer to 'belonging to the creator in heaven', but this level of symbolism is overdoing it, with the clear motivation to connect the 'vision' to the fulfillment of prophecies and OT-imagery (as with the reference to 'new Jerusalem'). In general, it is quite futile to fantasize about conditions in heaven, as there is no way for us to know about this in advance, nor are we to know about these things by design. As for the most likely outcome, nothing will 'come down from heaven from God' into this world; rather, some of us may enter heaven after we exit this reality (die) and pass our evaluation. Better conditions and greater fulfillment can be expected by those who succeed in their evaluation whereas the opposite can logically be counted on by those who do not – this much imagery is logical, and should suffice for everyone..
     
        

    Revelation 4:5

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    Berean: ..."5 From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings, and peals of thunder. Before the throne burned seven torches of fire. These are the seven Spirits of God. "...
    NRSV: ..."5 Coming from the throne are flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and in front of the throne burn seven flaming torches, which are the seven spirits of God;"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • content that is unhelpful, intentionally mystifying, irrelevant, or too detailed to be a part of ‘scriptures’ of guidance to salvation
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  •  
    interpretation:
    The idea of the seven spirits originates in Isaiah. But why would the creator have “seven spirits”? Isn’t one spirit enough for the creator? Who came up with this idea, and based on what? Bringing this part of the OT into his 'vision', the author attempts to paint the message of Jesus as a natural continuity of the OT. As the OT is entirely misguided and invalid as a belief system based on any measure of sense, logic and likelihood, so is the attempt to connect it with Jesus. Understandably, it is likely that this approach earned some Jewish converts, as they could only be approached by a message that kept full respect of their belief system, customs, and law. The disciples worked hard to maintain this approach throughout their writings (and most likely, they also honestly saw the Jewish Messiah in Jesus). Though these are perhaps contents of the author’s imaginative dream, they hold no significance or relevance, and stay very far away from the message of Jesus. They target an audience susceptible to mysticism.
     
        

    Revelation 5:2, 3

    top  

    Berean: ..."2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” 3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or look inside it. "...
    NRSV: ..."2 and I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?" 3 And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • content that is unhelpful, intentionally mystifying, irrelevant, or too detailed to be a part of ‘scriptures’ of guidance to salvation
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  •  
    interpretation:
    The 'scroll' and the 'seals' should not matter for anyone – they do not have any part in fulfilling anyone's purpose of life, which is to attain salvation in their life through their proven alignment with love vs. salvation. This type of mysticism serves only to confuse and misguide those susceptible to mysticism. As for others, they should recognize this passage's irrelevance and lack of substance. Makes for great theatrics though.. Surely, the creator (Jesus) can break all seals and open all scrolls (as he created them), but the question remains: why would he need to or want to do so? This kind of talk is not very helpful, except to misguide an mystify. Early Christians very much hoped that 'proper/true' Jews would see Jesus as their Messiah, if only they read their own prophecies more carefully. However, most Jews were right NOT to see Jesus as their Messiah for a very good reason: the description of whom they were expecting for just did not match the claims, person and message of Jesus. And indeed, the CESAPH was magnitudes more significant than any concept of the Jewish Messiah, it had a completely different focus (individual salvation vs the fate of the Jewish nation), different purpose of life and a way to achieve it (alignment with love vs keeping hundreds of laws), and a different creator-image (loving, forgiving vs. vengeful, jealous, conquering). So what those who had the right mind should have realized was: in light of Jesus's claims and message their Jewish beliefs no longer made any sense, and it was much more likely that ultimate truth lay within the message and person of Jesus. Unfortunately, even the disciples and the authors of the NT were not entirely up to this giant leap in thinking (except for Marcion, who was kindly asked to leave).
     
        

    Revelation 5:5

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    Berean: ..."5 Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed to open the scroll and its seven seals.” "...
    NRSV: ..."5 Then one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep. See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • content that is unhelpful, intentionally mystifying, irrelevant, or too detailed to be a part of ‘scriptures’ of guidance to salvation
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  • misguided focus on Jews or improper differentiation between Jews and Gentiles
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The reason for the creator to appear in the Jewish context was to contrast their beliefs of exclusivity and specialness in the eye of the creator with the eternal word of God, of salvation, universally applicable to all humans"
  •  
    interpretation:
    And, of course, the 'Lion of Judah' can open the scroll – no surprise there, given the Jewish context and orientation of the writer. But why would one associate the creator (appearing in his creation as a participating human to demonstrate his love for humanity and invite them to reach their salvation) with 'the Lion of Judah' is beyond any reason. Jesus did not come to conquer but to invite, guide and demonstrate his love to us. Unless, of course, the aim here is to appeal to a mainly Jewish audience – who believe in their special status in the eye of the creator for whatever illogical reason (because their holy book written by Moses said so) – trying to win them over and convince them that the Messiah they have been waiting for was fulfilled in Jesus. The 'scroll' and the 'seals' should not matter for anyone – they do not have any part in fulfilling anyone's purpose of life, which is to attain salvation in their life through their proven alignment with love vs. salvation. This type of mysticism serves only to confuse and misguide those susceptible to mysticism. As for others, they should recognize this passage's irrelevance and lack of substance. Makes for great theatrics though.. Surely, the creator (Jesus) can break all seals and open all scrolls (as he created them), but the question remains: why would he need to or want to do so? This kind of talk is not very helpful, except to misguide an mystify.
     
        

    Revelation 5:6

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    Berean: ..."6 Then I saw a Lamb who appeared to have been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which represent the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth. "...
    NRSV: ..."6 Then I saw between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders a Lamb standing as if it had been slaughtered, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • content that is unhelpful, intentionally mystifying, irrelevant, or too detailed to be a part of ‘scriptures’ of guidance to salvation
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  •  
    interpretation:
    The idea of the seven spirits originates in Isaiah. But why would the creator send “seven spirits” into all the earth? Isn’t one spirit enough for the creator? Who came up with this idea, and based on what? Bringing this part of the OT into his 'vision', the author attempts to paint the message of Jesus as a natural continuity of the OT. As the OT is entirely misguided and invalid as a belief system based on any measure of sense, logic and likelihood, so is the attempt to connect it with Jesus. Understandably, it is likely that this approach earned some Jewish converts, as they could only be approached by a message that kept full respect of their belief system, customs, and law. The disciples worked hard to maintain this approach throughout their writings (and most likely, they also honestly saw the Jewish Messiah in Jesus). Though these are perhaps contents of the author’s imaginative dream, they hold no significance or relevance, and stay very far away from the message of Jesus. They target an audience susceptible to mysticism. This kind of talk is not very helpful, except to misguide an mystify.
     
        

    Revelation 5:9

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."9 And they sang a new song: “Worthy are You to take the scroll and open its seals, because You were slain, and by Your blood You purchased for God those from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. "...
    NRSV: ..."9 They sing a new song: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slaughtered and by your blood you ransomed for God saints from every tribe and language and people and nation;"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • misconceived understanding of what the ‘trinity’ could be
  • misconception about Jesus saving or justifying people rather than them achieving this through their own free will
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans"
  •  
    interpretation:
    The potential ramifications of the misconceived traditional interpretation of this passage are severe. It is influenced by the misconceived trinity-concept of the authors – the way the disciples viewed Jesus and the creator. The ideas that – with his suffering and death – Jesus performed an atonement for the sins of humanity (or to be more precise, the inherited 'sinful condition' of the wrongs committed by Adam and Eve) INSTEAD OF us (who inherited the condition and/or committed sins in our life too), and that with this he paid off a ransom (to either the Devil or to the Father) are logically absurd. If we hold the trinity as 'three possible interfaces' to the single entity of the creator, the whole logic of this narrative collapses. Additionally, the traditional Christian interpretation of the 'original sin' (developed around the 3rd century AD) is also misconceived: the reason why 'all humans are sinners' is NOT that they inherited this from any of their ancestors, NOR is it because they necessarily sinned during their life, BUT because their own greater-selves committed them in their originating context of reality. In this context, any 'atonement' performed in place of us by Jesus becomes absurd – it is each one of us that needs to rectify our sinful condition by reaching a justified conviction and living our life (our assigned situations) accordingly. This is simpler, makes much more sense, and seems a lot more likely. Even if one subscribes to the traditional trinity-interpretation of the Father and Son being 'somewhat' separate, the idea that the Devil is assumed as a separate entity, with powers that God needs to 'destroy' with the acts of Jesus, is without much sense. Why would the Son perform any self-sacrifice/favor to the Father to pay off a debt to the Devil instead of us who sinned or inherited those sins doing so? Why would the almighty creator enter into dealings with the separate, lesser-entity of the Devil, and end up owing anything to him (especially, our sovereign conscious souls, because of an inheritance from our far-ancestors)? And why would/could the Devil require such a ransom? And if the Son paid the ransom to the Father, what was the point in it – was there two separate entities involved (because this makes little if any sense being done within the same being). The idea that God needs to conquer the different entity (of the Devil) is also a lot less likely than 'evil' simply being the opposite value of the creator's preference/essence of love (selfishness). Selfishness, then, is a mere property in each one of us, to different degrees, that we are to conquer during our life by proving our realignment with love – a lot simpler, more likely than ransom, devil, conquering, debt, atonement, inherited sin from ancestors... It is entirely more likely that each one of us needs to complete a penance for wrongs we ourselves committed (in a higher context of reality we have no access to while in this life – as in dreams) and struggle to gain our salvation as a personal effort (rectify our sinful condition by realigning with love and return to the presence of the creator in heaven) of our life, and that is the very reason for our participation in this reality. The good news and guidance of the CESAPH CAN help those who were granted access to it in their situational assignments in reaching their justified conviction and having the strength to live life accordingly. In the CESAPH, the creator in Jesus fully shared the human condition with us, together with all its potential misery, suffering, and humiliation to demonstrate the creator's love for us and his desire for us to reach our salvation by aligning our life with love vs. selfishness. The sinful condition of all humans was NOT affected by the CESAPH. It had been and remains to this day up to each individual to reach their justified conviction and live their life accordingly. Undoubtedly for many, the good news helped in doing so. The intervention and good news of the CESAPH was a sacrifice/hardship the creator was willing to make for our benefit (NOT a sacrifice Jesus to offered to the Father), so that more of us would reach salvation (out of our own free will) than without. Most importantly, it was a demonstration of the creator's love for humanity – a gift that can be the greatest help from which people CAN (if they choose so) gain strength to reach their salvation with their life.
     
        

    Revelation 5:10

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    Berean: ..."10 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign upon the earth.” "...
    NRSV: ..."10 you have made them to be a kingdom and priests serving our God, and they will reign on earth.""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • attempted building, claiming, or referencing authority that is misguided and improper
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  •  
    interpretation:
    The idea of reigning on Earth just reinforces the misguided concepts of the Jewish belief system, which is invalid and false. Carrying this into the NT is a grave misguidance that is plain wrong and harmful. No 'reigning on Earth' will happen in the name of the creator which is depicted by Jesus's message. The creator depicted by Jesus is NOT into reigning on Earth; rather, he invites each individual to reach their salvation and rejoin him in heaven by aligning their conviction with love (vs. selfishness), and live their life accordingly. 'Jesus reigning on Earth for a 1000 years' is just an absurd concept. For a start, why would he rather desire that than us succeeding in being filled with love, so that we can join him in heaven? Using the simulation model of reality, any 'reign on Earth for X amount of years' is senseless. It is likely just a tell-tale that somehow (to tie the story of Jesus to the OT) made it into the NT – for obvious reasons... Jesus's 'kingdom is not of this Earth' – the author seems to have missed that crucial point. The passage also serves to legitimize the authority of the church and its priests, in a way that did not originate from Jesus.
     
        

    Revelation 5:12

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."12 In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing!” "...
    NRSV: ..."12 singing with full voice, "Worthy is the Lamb that was slaughtered to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • content that is unhelpful, intentionally mystifying, irrelevant, or too detailed to be a part of ‘scriptures’ of guidance to salvation
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  •  
    interpretation:
    Not sure if these 'rewards' (power, wealth, wisdom, might, glory, and blessing - traits that the creator surely already possesses) are what the creator was after in creating our reality and assigning us to it. Rather, based on the message of Jesus, the creator must be after us reaching a justified conviction, rejecting its opposite – selfishness. This is so we can (again?) become worthy companions and audiences of his creations in heaven. Some of these attributes (power, wealth, might, glory) are exactly what we are to shun in this world if we are aligned with love, so to project them onto heaven is misguided (if not outright missing the whole point of Jesus's message). I also find it hard to imagine how 'slaughtering the lamb' (the killing of Jesus) resulted in the lamb 'receiving power, wealth, wisdom, and might and honor and glory and blessing'. The sacrifices undertaken by the creator in the CESAPH will surely be rewarded by the joy, happiness and love the creator will experience once some of us reach our salvation, because of its help – if many of us do, I guess that can be said to be 'glorious' too. The imagery of the passage is influenced by the OT's imagery and creator-image of a power-seeking, jealous God who requires our worship and sacrificial offerings.
     
        

    Revelation 6:4

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."4 Then another horse went forth. It was bright red, and its rider was granted permission to take away peace from the earth and to make men slay one another. And he was given a great sword. "...
    NRSV: ..."4 And out came another horse, bright red; its rider was permitted to take peace from the earth, so that people would slaughter one another;"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • content that is unhelpful, intentionally mystifying, irrelevant, or too detailed to be a part of ‘scriptures’ of guidance to salvation
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Every human has a real chance at reaching their salvation, which is NOT predetermined or predestined. The creator is NOT omniscient with regard to humans’ free will, and their fate in the evaluation"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator"
  •  
    interpretation:
    No one is 'taking peace' from the Earth, but people themselves, by deciding selfishly, ignoring the interest and welfare of others. It is always up to the individual whether they participate in the slaughter of others (or any other selfishly motivated acts out of fear, loyalty or ignorance) or not, as they do have the choice, and nothing will excuse them. But even if we assume that acts of some players can be carried through that will effectively ignore the will of all people (somehow make people do something leaving them without any choice about it – as with “making them slaughter each other), why would the creator permit one to do so? It is quite possible though that a player can get into a position of power from which they can 'stir things to a degree' that affected people in general would be influenced to engage in activity that reflects their own ill nature. The effects of this influencing would be 'statistically predictable', however, the acts themselves would nonetheless be carried out by individuals, and there would ALWAYS be opportunity for them to resist and do the right thing, facing its consequences. But this is nothing more than the free reign of the selfishness's influence in our reality – the very thing we are supposed to resist when sticking to our justified conviction! The scales can go from 'a friend pressuring us to steel from a store', to 'participating in committing mass murder in the name of a cause' coming from some power figure (Hitler, Stalin, Genghis Khan, etc). By the way, though this passage intends to prophesy about a future point in history, what it describes is something that has always been going on in our reality. When a bunch of fallen angels (who failed the creator likely with their alignment toward selfishness in their previous existence) are locked together into this reality of penance, one can logically/statistically expect that slaughtering each other in all kinds of wars will be a likely outcome, because of their selfish motivations and disregard for the welfare of others. And indeed, this is exactly what has been going on throughout our history. Thus, this vision – illustrated with dramatic effect to instill fear – says nothing new in reality. It makes no sense to hear, know about, or bother with these attempted prophecies to be taking place towards the end times of Earth. If one lives their life according to a justified conviction (ready for its accounting at any time when it comes 'like a thief'), why would they care to know that a red horse's rider will be permitted to take peace from the earth so that people slaughter each other? Justified people would STILL do what they would otherwise: act in kindness, love and unselfishness toward one another. That is ALL one is required to do in life, as one will be measured on this very thing. The rest is just some pompous fanfare.
     
        

    Revelation 6:8

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    Berean: ..."8 Then I looked and saw a pale green horse. Its rider’s name was Death, and Hades followed close behind. And they were given authority over a fourth of the earth, to kill by sword, by famine, by plague, and by the beasts of the earth. "...
    NRSV: ..."8 I looked and there was a pale green horse! Its rider's name was Death, and Hades followed with him; they were given authority over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, famine, and pestilence, and by the wild animals of the earth."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • content that is unhelpful, intentionally mystifying, irrelevant, or too detailed to be a part of ‘scriptures’ of guidance to salvation
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • reliance on OT and greek mythology
  •  
    interpretation:
    Reference to greek mythology is misguided within Jesus's message. Not sure what the readers are supposed to do with such imagery – be afraid, awed, mesmerized, fearful? Clearly, this was the motivation of the author. The passage says nothing that has not been going on throughout history, to all the people: they have already been facing death (which is just their exit of this reality, back into their originating context of reality) and all the miseries listed here. Thus, it is not about a future point in history to fear and prepare for, but the very design of our reality, the configuration of our simulation to be a place of penance and trial to prove our worths to the creator.
     
        

    Revelation 6:10

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    Berean: ..."10 And they cried out in a loud voice, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You avenge our blood and judge those who dwell upon the earth?” "...
    NRSV: ..."10 they cried out with a loud voice, "Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long will it be before you judge and avenge our blood on the inhabitants of the earth?""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • content that is unhelpful, intentionally mystifying, irrelevant, or too detailed to be a part of ‘scriptures’ of guidance to salvation
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Salvation can not be put off till later in life, as such calculation can not lead to genuine repentance of sins or justification"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "There is always hope and is never too late for salvation"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Reflecting the misguided beliefs of the author, these visions seem to project the end times as something happening on this Earth in the future. The 'last judgment' and the 'end times' are going to happe to everyone shortly after their moment of death. At that time, everyone will be facing judgment in the evaluation of their life, likely in a single unified moment in universal time, rejoining with all beings who ever lived on Earth (with everyone time-shifting to this point as when dreaming, rather than having to wait around for the lives of all humans to be evaluated to take place during human history). (When using the simulation model of reality, the 'start of the simulation', and its 'internally-pointed age' can point to two different points in 'objective time' (the timeline of the creator's awareness). Thus, the simulation could have started only a few thousands of years ago – taking the fist conscious humans to be evaluated – while internal evidence within the simulation points to a scientific age of 13.8 billion years, including many billion years of evolutionary development.) A cataclysmic event that will accompany or cause the end of human history in this reality is also possible in Earth's future, but this is not something any follower of Jesus should be concerned with. People should simply live their life to be ready to die and face judgment for their life at any moment – the advice of Jesus. If one lives like this, the end-times of history will not be any different to them, then an accident that ends their life, misery that is assigned to them to go through, or temptation to resist. Thus, the concern and the attention for the individual should not be about the outcome of human history on this Earth, but their own life lived according to a justified conviction. The simulation can end in a big bang, with lots of fanfare and miraculous events for everyone who is alive at that time to witness, or can simply end seamlessly, with the last humans to be probed in the queue ending their lives, perhaps assisted by characters that are not to be evaluated in the simulation (like the non-playing-characters of video games). In any case, it is futile and counterproductive to focus on trying to live and witness an illustrious and magical end-time event, as one might neglect the main duty of one's life, which is to live a justified life.  
     
        

    Revelation 7:3, 4

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."3 “Do not harm the land or sea or trees until we have sealed the foreheads of the servants of our God.” 4 And I heard the number of those who were sealed, 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel: "...
    NRSV: ..."3 saying, "Do not damage the earth or the sea or the trees, until we have marked the servants of our God with a seal on their foreheads." 4 And I heard the number of those who were sealed, one hundred forty-four thousand, sealed out of every tribe of the people of Israel:"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • content that is unhelpful, intentionally mystifying, irrelevant, or too detailed to be a part of ‘scriptures’ of guidance to salvation
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misguided focus on Jews or improper differentiation between Jews and Gentiles
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Every human has a real chance at reaching their salvation, which is NOT predetermined or predestined. The creator is NOT omniscient with regard to humans’ free will, and their fate in the evaluation"
  •  
    interpretation:
    The author inappropriately wraps an Israel-focused message into his 'vision'. Such visionary fantasies or dreams should not have been made a part of the message of Jesus (the NT). This passage also misguidedly suggests predestination, with a fixed number of humans who will have succeeded in reaching their salvation. Very misguided and misconceived, denying the premise of free will of humans. The fact that they are only from the 'tribes of Israel' is another misguided, heinous suggestion.
     
        

    Revelation 7:10

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    Berean: ..."10 And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” "...
    NRSV: ..."10 They cried out in a loud voice, saying, "Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • content that is unhelpful, intentionally mystifying, irrelevant, or too detailed to be a part of ‘scriptures’ of guidance to salvation
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misconceived understanding of what the ‘trinity’ could be
  •  
    interpretation:
    A closer translation to the original goes like this: “ Salvation to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” Actually, salvation “belongs”/will be granted to those humans who earn/reach it according to the criterion used by the creator. Salvation “belonging” to God is absurd. God and/or Jesus does not need salvation – salvation is the return of lesser beings to the presence of the creator, after they qualified to do so in their evaluation. Separation of the Lamb (the Son Jesus) and God comes from the disciples misguided interpretation of the trinity. It would have been better for the author (and more beneficial to people) to keep these visions/message private.
     
        

    Revelation 11:19

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."19 Then the temple of God in heaven was opened, and the ark of His covenant appeared in His temple. And there were flashes of lightning, and rumblings, and peals of thunder, and an earthquake, and a great hailstorm. "...
    NRSV: ..."19 Then God's temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant was seen within his temple;"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • appeasement/catering to potential Jewish converts
  • content that is unhelpful, intentionally mystifying, irrelevant, or too detailed to be a part of ‘scriptures’ of guidance to salvation
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  •  
    interpretation:
    There is no logical need for any 'ark' or 'temple' for the creator, especially not in heaven. Again, a misguided effort that serves to draw Jewish converts to the new religion.
     
        

    Revelation 12:7, 8, 9

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."7 Then a war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. 8 But the dragon was not strong enough, and no longer was any place found in heaven for him and his angels. 9 And the great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him. "...
    NRSV: ..."7 And war broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels fought against the dragon. The dragon and his angels fought back, 8 but they were defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. 9 The great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world — he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • Our evaluation serves to separate those who align with love from those who align with selfishness, thereby eliminating the source of suffering from heaven
  • Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally
  • The creator created our reality (best modeled as a consciousness-centric simulation) to facilitate the evaluation of its target audience: humans
  •  
    interpretation:
    And this just describes the precursor of humanity, regardless whether this was the author's direct intention or not. Humanity (at that time angels taking the side of the serpent) participated in a war in heaven on the wrong side – this was the reason of them being cast out of heaven and down to Earth, each into a fitting assignment of penance and a chance to rectify their sinful condition (the war in heaven). Based on the belief system of the OT,  the authors and disciples of Jesus misguidedly believed the ‘Evil One’, ‘Devil’, or ’Satan’ to be a separate independent entity (a fallen leader of angels) opposed to the creator and having some special powers. However, the concept should simply be interpreted as ‘the influence and temptations to be selfish’, the opposite of the creator’s preference of love that is present in us conscious humans, and all of us are here to demonstrate that we can subdue and eliminate this value in us, and side with its opposite in our evaluation.
     
        

    Revelation 12:10, 11

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."10 And I heard a loud voice in heaven saying: “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of His Christ. For the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down— he who accuses them day and night before our God. 11 They have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony. And they did not love their lives so as to shy away from death. "...
    NRSV: ..."10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, proclaiming, "Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Messiah, for the accuser of our comrades has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. 11 But they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they did not cling to life even in the face of death."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    The “loud voice in heaven, proclaiming” sounds like an angel – and it is interesting that he calls us humans “our comrades”. This may again refer to us humans being/originating from fallen angels in heaven. After the failure of angels in heaven (those who ended up as humans in this life), their chance at salvation came from the grace of the creator, when he decided that on Earth they would get a chance to redeem themselves, in a situation that fit their failings. The failed souls had been thrown down to Earth in a queue to be distributed throughout the history of their simulated reality. In their human life they were bombarded by temptations to induce them to fail and align themselves with selfishness instead of love. When all humans completed their evaluation the judgment will take place. We will no longer be tempted by our situations; our evaluation will end. The author envisions an “accuser” character who is accusing us failed angels of all sorts of things to the creator. This character will be dismissed, as what will speak for itself will be our evaluation results (our lives). Those who have managed to reach salvation with their life did so by not cling to material life on this Earth but aligning themselves with the divine preference, love. They have done this by resisting the 'temptation of death' – materialistic, selfish thinking that may follow from the belief that death will be the end of existence, making any effort toward salvation through love illogical (“they did not cling to life even in the face of death”). We have “conquered the accuser” (proved him wrong) with the help of the creator's sacrifice in Jesus (“the blood of the Lamb”), and by the testimony of our life that managed to gain our salvation (“word of our testimony”). Of course, the author talks of those who will have managed to reach their salvation.
     
        

    Revelation 13:8

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."8 And all who dwell on the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written from the foundation of the world in the Book of Life belonging to the Lamb who was slain. "...
    NRSV: ..."8 and all the inhabitants of the earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb that was slaughtered."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Every human has a real chance at reaching their salvation, which is NOT predetermined or predestined. The creator is NOT omniscient with regard to humans’ free will, and their fate in the evaluation"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Belief about the 'book of life' – adopted from the OT – are grossly misguided, falsely hinting at predestination (God already knew before creation who will succeed in reaching salvation). Naturally, all humans were assigned to participate in this reality with a chance to earn their salvation IF they meet the universal criterion: a justified conviction carried throughout life. Each human will succeed or fail at this evaluation using their free will, the outcome of which is not known with certainty by the creator in advance. Thus, a book of life can not pre-exist creation and the conclusion of the last judgment. All who subscribe to the contrary will find out that they have been misguided, and will be responsible for the effects of this misguidance on others.
     
        

    Revelation 14:3, 4, 5

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."3 And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. And no one could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. 4 These are the ones who have not been defiled with women, for they are virgins. They follow the Lamb wherever He goes. They have been redeemed from among men as firstfruits to God and to the Lamb. 5 And no lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless. "...
    NRSV: ..."3 ... No one could learn that song except the one hundred forty-four thousand who have been redeemed from the earth. 4 It is these who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are virgins; these follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They have been redeemed from humankind as first fruits for God and the Lamb, 5 and in their mouth no lie was found; they are blameless."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • content that is unhelpful, intentionally mystifying, irrelevant, or too detailed to be a part of ‘scriptures’ of guidance to salvation
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage misguidedly suggests predestination, with a fixed number of humans who will have succeeded in reaching their salvation, denying the premise of free will of humans. The fact that they are only from the 'tribes of Israel' (see Revelation 7:4) is another misguided, heinous suggestion, illustrating the focus of the 'chosen people' only on themselves, indicating their regard to others. Hinting that those who will be saved are all virgins who have not been with women before is supreme silliness on the part of the author, depicting virginity as some sort of a virtue. Naturally, this misguidance had its effect on many, throughout history. 'Virginity' can not refer to some kind of spiritual condition, as then this could have been clearly and simply described so instead (like the 'righteous' or 'justified'). There is also the issue of the distinction of 'first fruits' as opposed to subsequent fruits – again, making virginity a virtue, as that is how one gets to belong to the elite group of the 'first-fruits'. It is best to regard this passage as confusion and misguidance on the part of the author.
     
        

    Revelation 14:6, 7

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    Berean: ..."6 Then I saw another angel flying overhead, with the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on the earth—to every nation and tribe and tongue and people. 7 And he said in a loud voice, “Fear God and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come. Worship the One who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and the springs of waters.” "...
    NRSV: ..."6 Then I saw another angel flying in midheaven, with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth — to every nation and tribe and language and people. 7 He said in a loud voice, "Fear God and give him glory, for the hour of his judgment has come; and worship him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation
  • It is logical to expect appropriate consequences due for passing or failing the evaluation
  • Jesus’s ‘covenant’ of the eternal word of God, of salvation is the only covenant that has ever been and will ever be in effect from the creator for all of humanity, since the very beginning of time till the ending of our simulated reality, meaning that if one passes their evaluation on their alignment with love, one redeems their sinful condition and gains their salvation
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    The concept of a God to be feared originates from the misconceived OT. The creator in Jesus wants/invites humans to love the creator by loving our fellow humans. This is the 'worship' required by the creator of humans, not some misguided rituals. The 'eternal gospel' rightly represents the eternal word of God that has always been in effect throughout history, available to everyone through their predispositions, intellect to reason, and – if granted – through the good news of the CESAPH and the formalized guidance of Jesus. This word will be our evaluation criterion during our judgment. We “fear God” by keeping his word, keeping to his preference in our lives – that is by loving one another. We “give him glory” by succeeding in reaching our salvation. Does not sound bad at all... But to be realistic, if we do not do that, we can expect to be separated from those who do, and from the creator – and this alternative outcome can not be viewed as fun or desirable in any way.
     
        

    Revelation 16:14

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."14 These are demonic spirits that perform signs and go out to all the kings of the earth, to assemble them for battle on the great day of God the Almighty. "...
    NRSV: ..."14 These are demonic spirits, performing signs, who go abroad to the kings of the whole world, to assemble them for battle on the great day of God the Almighty."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • content that is unhelpful, intentionally mystifying, irrelevant, or too detailed to be a part of ‘scriptures’ of guidance to salvation
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • misconceived prophesying attempt
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "One needs to live life being always ready for its accounting - then, if events in the future come as a ’thief’, as one would have needed to do nothing differently"
  •  
    interpretation:
    The battle that matters – for one's salvation – needs to be won in the individual's life, not on the battlefield. There is no 'great day' other than every single day given when one can prove their alignment on love vs. selfishness. It is misguided to think of, worry about, be distracted by or prepare for some prophesied holy battle on Earth during one's life. The battlefield will not be of weapons and armies, but on keeping one's justified alignment in the face of selfishness's temptations. Unfortunately, it is doubtful that the author meant his passage this way. By the time of the last judgment (after each human's death) all the battles have either been won or lost. The life of each human was Armageddon – the battle for salvation – not a physical place on Earth of an end-of-time battle. Death can come at any point in one's life; it is like a thief, and one needs to be ready with one's alignment of spirit and deeds that have reflected this. The passage instills the wrong focus in people, and thus, can be harmful. The individual's salvation is at stake in life, not preparation or awaiting of a grand war of Armageddon at the end of times. The ones reaching their salvation and rejoining the presence of the creator will win this war, and those who fail to align with the preferred value of the creator will lose this war. That is it. This attempt at prophesying is misconceived with the wrong focus, under the heavy influence of the OT's misguided messianic expectations.
     
        

    Revelation 16:15

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    Berean: ..."15 “Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who remains awake and clothed, so that he will not go naked and let his shame be exposed.” "...
    NRSV: ..."15 ("See, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake and is clothed, not going about naked and exposed to shame.")"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator
  • One needs to live life being always ready for its accounting - then, if events in the future come as a ’thief’, as one would have needed to do nothing differently
  •  
    interpretation:
    By the time of the last judgment (taking place after each human's death) all the battles mentioned with regards to the 'end times' will have either been won or lost. The life of each human can be looked at as the 'Armageddon' – the battle for salvation – so no one needs to expect (or cause) a physical “battle of the end times” happening at a certain location on Earth. Death can come at any point in one's life (even if one has a terminal condition); it is like a thief, and the one who is ready with one's deeds and alignment of conviction at that time, will win the “battle of Armageddon”.
     
        

    Revelation 17:1, 2, 5, 6

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    Berean: ..."1 Then one of the seven angels with the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits on many waters. 2 The kings of the earth were immoral with her, and those who dwell on the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her immorality.” 5 And on her forehead a mysterious name was written: BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. 6 I could see that the woman was drunk with the blood of the saints and witnesses for Jesus. And I was utterly amazed at the sight of her. "...
    NRSV: ..."1 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, "Come, I will show you the judgment of the great whore who is seated on many waters, 2 with whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and with the wine of whose fornication the inhabitants of the earth have become drunk." ... 5 and on her forehead was written a name, a mystery: "Babylon the great, mother of whores and of earth's abominations." 6 And I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of the saints and the blood of the witnesses to Jesus."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • content that is unhelpful, intentionally mystifying, irrelevant, or too detailed to be a part of ‘scriptures’ of guidance to salvation
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  •  
    interpretation:
    There is the obsession with the number seven again, but also with fornication. An overactive fantasy, explains 'visions' like this that can be explained or mean pretty much anything one wants to bring out from them. Except that none of this relates to the message of Jesus, and none of it has relevance to everyday life, what one is to do with his life, and how one can reach salvation – the main purpose of life. Even if I interpret 'fornication' as a 'materialistic, hedonistic and selfish life, the symbolism and its focus of the whole section remains misguided. It is not worth attempting to explain the symbolism or meaning of this and similar passages from Revelations, as the overall focus on the end-days is misguided to begin with. Surely, various interpretations of Revelations held by people throughout history were no doubt responsible for some of their misguidance, misdeeds and missed focus that were at the expense of living a life filled with love and consideration to others.
     
        

    Revelation 17:8

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."8 The beast that you saw—it was, and now is no more, but is about to come up out of the Abyss and go to its destruction. And those who dwell on the earth whose names were not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world will marvel when they see the beast that was, and is not, and yet will be. "...
    NRSV: ..."8 ... And the inhabitants of the earth, whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, will be amazed when they see the beast, because it was and is not and is to come."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • content that is unhelpful, intentionally mystifying, irrelevant, or too detailed to be a part of ‘scriptures’ of guidance to salvation
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Every human has a real chance at reaching their salvation, which is NOT predetermined or predestined. The creator is NOT omniscient with regard to humans’ free will, and their fate in the evaluation"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Belief about the 'book of life' – adopted from the OT – are grossly misguided, falsely hinting at predestination (God already knew before creation who will succeed in reaching salvation). Naturally, all humans were assigned to participate in this reality with a chance to earn their salvation IF they meet the universal criterion: a justified conviction carried throughout life. Each human will succeed or fail at this evaluation using their free will, the outcome of which is not known with certainty by the creator in advance. Thus, a book of life can not pre-exist creation and the conclusion of the last judgment. All who subscribe to the contrary will find out that they have been misguided, and will be responsible for the effects of this misguidance on others. An overactive fantasy, explains 'visions' like this that can be explained or mean pretty much anything one wants to bring out from them. Except that none of this relates to the message of Jesus, and none of it has relevance to everyday life, what one is to do with his life, and how one can reach salvation – the main purpose of life. It is not worth attempting to explain the symbolism or meaning of this and similar passages from Revelations, as the overall focus on the end-days is misguided to begin with. Surely, various interpretations of Revelations held by people throughout history were no doubt responsible for some of their misguidance, misdeeds and missed focus that were at the expense of living a life filled with love and consideration to others.
     
        

    Revelation 17:11

    top  

    Berean: ..."11 The beast that was, and now is not, is an eighth king, who belongs to the other seven and is going into destruction. "...
    NRSV: ..."11 As for the beast that was and is not, it is an eighth but it belongs to the seven, and it goes to destruction."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • content that is unhelpful, intentionally mystifying, irrelevant, or too detailed to be a part of ‘scriptures’ of guidance to salvation
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  •  
    interpretation:
    Whatever that means (probably trying to relate to some kind of prophecy), the author should not have written it down but kept it to himself not to confuse and mystify countless people throughout history who try to hammer some kind of meaning into it and try to see events in their life as 'matching' or 'relating' to these silly revelations. Those who try to follow Jesus's guidance and reach their salvation need not be concerned with, think about, and try to make sense of readings like this. Thus, in the 'best case', this passage is completely and utterly irrelevant to anyone's life. In worse cases, acts of people obsessed with revelations and prophecies can be harmful to themselves and others around them. Life is set up to be simple: live your life aligned with love, and you need not worry about any of this kind of silliness and fantasy.
     
        

    Revelation 17:14

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."14 They will make war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will triumph over them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and He will be accompanied by His called and chosen and faithful ones.” "...
    NRSV: ..."14 they will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • content that is unhelpful, intentionally mystifying, irrelevant, or too detailed to be a part of ‘scriptures’ of guidance to salvation
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • misconceived prophesying attempt
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "One needs to live life being always ready for its accounting - then, if events in the future come as a ’thief’, as one would have needed to do nothing differently"
  •  
    interpretation:
    If I had the chance, I would ask the author: what is the difference between the fate of a soldier in the battle of Armageddon fighting the Lamb, and the fate of a soldier who had a selfish life, and then died in a battle in the middle-ages? If in both of these cases they fail to reach their salvation and suffer the consequences of their life, then why would the event of the battle of Armageddon matter at all? Everyone who is internally trying to fight or resist walking on the way to salvation according to Jesus is 'making war on the Lamb' – they are fighting THEIR Armageddon right there in their life, and what is at stake is their salvation. And the Beast the Lamb is to conquer is nothing but the temptations of selfishness humans themselves need to resist and conquer in their life in order to achieve alignment with love. To see Armageddon as an actual, 'special' battle of armies having a 'special significance', taking place on Earth at some future time is silly. Why would we expect an army with weapons of any kind to settle this innate conflict in humans?  Whether individuals can conquer their selfishness with love is the ONLY conflict that matters to the creator, and the very reason for the creation of our reality. What chance of any kind of army have against the creator of our reality? The battle of Armageddon is taking place in each of our lives and each one of us is fighting it – and during the last judgment we will find out which side we were on. The 'chosen and faithful with him' can only refer to those who will have earned their salvation in their lives, ready to join the presence of the creator. If this interpretation holds true, then this idea did not need to be expressed in such a convoluted and misconceived way. So sadly, the author likely meant this battle to be an earthly battle to take place towards the end-days of our reality – and either he interpreted his vision wrongly, or relayed his misconceived understanding to us. Thus, it is better to disregard this passage, and not look for essence or relevance in it.
     
        

    Revelation 17:17

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."17 For God has put it into their hearts to carry out His purpose by uniting to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled. "...
    NRSV: ..."17 For God has put it into their [the ten horns and the beast] hearts to carry out his purpose by agreeing to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God will be fulfilled."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • content that is unhelpful, intentionally mystifying, irrelevant, or too detailed to be a part of ‘scriptures’ of guidance to salvation
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misconceived prophesying attempt
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "One needs to live life being always ready for its accounting - then, if events in the future come as a ’thief’, as one would have needed to do nothing differently"
  •  
    interpretation:
    What is the point and significance of having 'words to be fulfilled'? Why does God pre-announce what he is to do in the future, and then trying to fulfill it at all cost? To prove that their proclaimer was given visions of acts of God that are to take place in the future? Or that God ordains a predetermined future that can not be changed even by exercising the free will of humans? Prophecies, God's words that are to be fulfilled definitely sound like predestination, as the creator has planned it for all participants in which they will have no choice. It is absolutely pointless for the creator to have plans to pre-announce the future, and still evaluate us on our free will. It is also senseless for the creator to already know what exactly should and will take place at the end of our simulation, and know in advance that all players will have to comply to facilitate the fulfillment of this plan against their will (as they will have no choice in the matter at the time). It is senseless to write down visions of prophecies about the end of the world like this, as people will be then waiting for this and interpreting signs to indicate that the time is nearing. People go crazy with this stuff, and imagine themselves to be players of prophecies. Rather, people should simply concentrate on aligning their lives with love in their assigned situations – as that should cover all scenarios, including even the big battles and wars towards an imminent end of the world cataclysmic event. Prophecies are not being announced by the creator to human prophets about future events that will take place in our reality. In other words, all prophecies and prophets are false, as the premise goes against free will. Our existence is a penance for a past wrong we are trying to rectify in this reality, and in the meantime we have the chance to prove our soul's worth to rejoin the presence of the creator in heaven – and this model of reality just does not need prophecies and prophets! The very idea of God announcing his plans and then working to fulfill them is ludicrous – why not just implement those plans unannounced? What is the role of us knowing about these plans of God ahead of time – so we look out for those events? We hope to live to participate in them? Or we recognize or volunteer to be players in such plans? This sounds like a major distraction from the main purpose of human existence, which is to prove that our characters are aligned with the preferred value of the creator. Can we 'better prove' this with the help of prophecies? Nope. Is anything more important for an individual than proving to the creator that his character is aligned with love? Nope. Not even living to witness or participate in prophecies... And why the creator would agree to give any 'kingdom' to the beast, is also beyond any logic I can think of (oh, fulfillment – right... Then I reformulate the question: why was such thing prophesied?).
     
        

    Revelation 19:1, 2

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    Berean: ..."1 After this I heard a sound like the roar of a great multitude in heaven, shouting: “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God! 2 For His judgments are true and just. He has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality. He has avenged the blood of His servants that was poured out by her hand.” "...
    NRSV: ..."1 After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, "Hallelujah!Salvation and glory and power to our God, 2 for his judgments are true and just; he has judged the great whore who corrupted the earth with her fornication,"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • content that is unhelpful, intentionally mystifying, irrelevant, or too detailed to be a part of ‘scriptures’ of guidance to salvation
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator"
  •  
    interpretation:
    If this is taken as foretelling the end times and last judgment, then it is not the 'great whore' who will be judged, but each human's effort to redeem themselves with their lives. 'Satan' has already been 'judged' to be wrong by the creator by being the opposite of love, his preferred value of the creator. Perhaps there are other kinds of beings to be judged and punished by the creator (whore, Satan), but it can not be our concern, as we do not know about them. The only judgment we would need to worry about is our own, about our alignment with love vs. selfishness. I can also look at in each and every human receiving their assigned situations in life fairly as a result of a judgment that fit our failings, but this is in the past (plus, the passage talks about 'earth'). We are not to know the exact nature of our failings that got us into this reality of penance, but our past failings could have involved all kinds of other beings, like the whore or the beast. In this case, the passage (though unintentionally) may be about the circumstances that got us out of paradise and into this existence. We should find out once we exit our reality, back into our originating context – waking up may shed light on the reasons for the dream. Till then, it is futile to fantasize about it.
     
        

    Revelation 19:7, 8, 9

    top  

    Berean: ..."7 Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him the glory. For the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready. 8 She was given clothing of fine linen, bright and pure.” For the fine linen she wears is the righteous acts of the saints. 9 Then the angel told me to write, “Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.” "...
    NRSV: ..."7 Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory,for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready; 8 to her it has been granted to be clothed with fine linen, bright and pure" — for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. 9 And the angel said to me, "Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb." And he said to me, "These are true words of God.""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • content that is unhelpful, intentionally mystifying, irrelevant, or too detailed to be a part of ‘scriptures’ of guidance to salvation
  • misconceived understanding of what the ‘trinity’ could be
  •  
    interpretation:
    Not sure where to put this analogy – maybe nowhere... Why would one talk of 'marriage' with regard to the creator (OK, in the minds of the disciples, 'the Son'). I can see the logic in the church elevating its own status by looking at itself as being in a relationship of marriage with Jesus. Surely, there is a special relationship between those with a justified conviction and the creator, as by living a justified life they are fulfilling the goal of the creator with creation and our assignment to it. But if the church is the bride, then who are those blessed ones who are invited to the marriage supper – angels? Why are they blessed? I would think those who reach their salvation are the blessed ones we CAN talk about. Thus, I have to reject the marriage analogy featured here (part of a message from God, allegedly relayed to the author in a vision by an angel, because Jesus was busy at the time, or felt embarrassed about its content...). This kind of fantasy and analogy is not very helpful in furthering understanding of the message of Jesus.  
     
        

    Revelation 19:10

     Significant Alignment! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."10 So I fell at his feet to worship him. But he told me, “Do not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who rely on the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” "...
    NRSV: ..."10 ... Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  •  
    interpretation:
    Jesus testified to the hope that we are facing a loving creator who invites every human to reach salvation and that loving each other is the only way to achieve this. This is the eternal word of God, of salvation, and unfortunately all of the 'prophecies' missed this point, and failed to put the emphasis to such message – thus, they are irrelevant and serve no purpose. The only “prophecy” we can talk about is the foretelling that if someone will align their life with love and live their life accordingly, such person will gain their salvation. This was what Jesus's testimony was all about – the only foretelling and prophecy one needs in life.
     
        

    Revelation 19:11, 13

     Significant Alignment! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."11 Then I saw heaven standing open, and there before me was a white horse. And its rider is called Faithful and True. With righteousness He judges and wages war. 13 He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and His name is The Word of God. "...
    NRSV: ..."11 Then I saw heaven opened, and there was a white horse! Its rider is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. ... 13 He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is called The Word of God."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • Jesus’s ‘covenant’ of the eternal word of God, of salvation is the only covenant that has ever been and will ever be in effect from the creator for all of humanity, since the very beginning of time till the ending of our simulated reality, meaning that if one passes their evaluation on their alignment with love, one redeems their sinful condition and gains their salvation
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    Indeed, the eternal word of God, of salvation is about “truth”, “faithfulness” (to the preferred value of the creator in one's conviction and deeds), righteousness. This “Word of God” makes a war in humans' lives by calling them for alignment between the poles of love and selfishness, and will judge their life in the last judgment. The word describes the purpose of our existence in this reality – to serve as our penance and evaluate us on our alignment to see if we are worthy to rejoin the presence of the creator in heaven. Through the sacrifices and testimony of Jesus, the word has been “dipped in blood” by humanity. This word has been the covenant that has always been in effect in our reality, for all of humanity. No other covenant have ever existed or will ever exist between humanity and the creator, as its criterion forms the basis for the evaluation of all human souls. It is amazing how visions recorded by a human author thousands of years ago can unintentionally describe an independent understanding of reality concluded millennia later.
     
    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • content that is unhelpful, intentionally mystifying, irrelevant, or too detailed to be a part of ‘scriptures’ of guidance to salvation
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  •  
    interpretation:
    Interpreting this passage is possible according to the philosophical foundation's perspective (detailed under the alignment), however, surely the author did not mean it that way: he likely talked about a future event in human history that some humans may live to go through, or about a vision that shall take place in heaven. Indeed, the passage is easily understood to be about a future event, a vision or prophecy that is to come. This is misleading, as the what the vision describes already goes on in each person's life.
     
        

    Revelation 19:15

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."15 And from His mouth proceeds a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and He will rule them with an iron scepter. He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. "...
    NRSV: ..."15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron; he will tread the wine press of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • content that is unhelpful, intentionally mystifying, irrelevant, or too detailed to be a part of ‘scriptures’ of guidance to salvation
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  •  
    interpretation:
    This kind of depiction is likely influenced by OT imagery. 'Ruling with a rod of iron' is unlikely to be the goal of the creator, or even a tool he would use to reach a goal. It is much more likely that his motivation with creation and our penance and trial in it is to invite humans to cooperate and hold love in our conviction – his preferred value of the creator and the base of our relationship. Ruling over conscious beings vs having those conscious beings who voluntarily, naturally, by themselves also are guided by love – which one is more likely and which one makes more sense from a possible creator's perspective? I would think the value to the creator are conscious beings who also share his preferred value. For this, a separation may be necessary from those who rather align with selfishness. And heaven/hell are all about this upcoming separation, after our life has been judged on our proven alignment. Unfortunately, the author's visions are heavily influenced by his OT beliefs that are contrary to the creator-image projected by Jesus and his message.
     
        

    Revelation 19:19

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."19 Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies assembled to wage war against the One seated on the horse, and against His army. "...
    NRSV: ..."19 Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies gathered to make war against the rider on the horse and against his army."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • content that is unhelpful, intentionally mystifying, irrelevant, or too detailed to be a part of ‘scriptures’ of guidance to salvation
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • misconceived prophesying attempt
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "One needs to live life being always ready for its accounting - then, if events in the future come as a ’thief’, as one would have needed to do nothing differently"
  •  
    interpretation:
    The battle that matters – for one's salvation – needs to be won in the individual's life, not on the battlefield. There is no 'great day' other than every single day given when one can prove their alignment on love vs. selfishness. It is misguided to think of, worry about, be distracted by or prepare for some prophesied holy battle on Earth during one's life. The battlefield will not be of weapons and armies, but on keeping one's justified alignment in the face of selfishness's temptations. Unfortunately, it is doubtful that the author meant his passage this way. By the time of the last judgment (after each human's death) all the battles have either been won or lost. The life of each human was Armageddon – the battle for salvation – not a physical place on Earth of an end-of-time battle. Death can come at any point in one's life; it is like a thief, and one needs to be ready with one's alignment of spirit and deeds that have reflected this. The passage instills the wrong focus in people, and thus, can be harmful. The individual's salvation is at stake in life, not preparation or awaiting of a grand war of Armageddon at the end of times. The ones reaching their salvation and rejoining the presence of the creator will win this war, and those who fail to align with the preferred value of the creator will lose this war. That is it. This attempt at prophesying is misconceived with the wrong focus, under the heavy influence of the OT's misguided messianic expectations.
     
        

    Revelation 19:21

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    Berean: ..."21 And the rest were killed with the sword that proceeded from the mouth of the One seated on the horse. And all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh. "...
    NRSV: ..."21 And the rest were killed by the sword of the rider on the horse, the sword that came from his mouth; and all the birds were gorged with their flesh."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • content that is unhelpful, intentionally mystifying, irrelevant, or too detailed to be a part of ‘scriptures’ of guidance to salvation
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • misconceived prophesying attempt
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "One needs to live life being always ready for its accounting - then, if events in the future come as a ’thief’, as one would have needed to do nothing differently"
  •  
    interpretation:
    If I had the chance, I would ask the author: what is the difference between the fate of a soldier in the battle of Armageddon fighting the Lamb, and the fate of a soldier who had a selfish life, and then died in a battle in the middle-ages? If in both of these cases they fail to reach their salvation and suffer the consequences of their life, then why would the event of the battle of Armageddon matter at all? Everyone who is internally trying to fight or resist walking on the way to salvation according to Jesus is 'making war on the Lamb' – they are fighting THEIR Armageddon right there in their life, and what is at stake is their salvation. And the Beast the Lamb is to conquer is nothing but the temptations of selfishness humans themselves need to resist and conquer in their life in order to achieve alignment with love. To see Armageddon as an actual, 'special' battle of armies having a 'special significance', taking place on Earth at some future time is silly. Why would we expect an army with weapons of any kind to settle this innate conflict in humans?  Whether individuals can conquer their selfishness with love is the ONLY conflict that matters to the creator, and the very reason for the creation of our reality. What chance of any kind of army have against the creator of our reality? The battle of Armageddon is taking place in each of our lives and each one of us is fighting it – and during the last judgment we will find out which side we were on. The 'chosen and faithful with him' can only refer to those who will have earned their salvation in their lives, ready to join the presence of the creator. If this interpretation holds true, then this idea did not need to be expressed in such a convoluted and misconceived way. So sadly, the author likely meant this battle to be an earthly battle to take place towards the end-days of our reality – and either he interpreted his vision wrongly, or relayed his misconceived understanding to us. Thus, it is better to disregard this passage, and not look for essence or relevance in it.
     
        

    Revelation 20:2, 3

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."2 He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. 3 And he threw him into the Abyss, shut it, and sealed it over him, so that he could not deceive the nations until the thousand years were complete. After that, he must be released for a brief period of time. "...
    NRSV: ..."2 He [an angel] seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, 3 and threw him into the pit, and locked and sealed it over him, so that he would deceive the nations no more, until the thousand years were ended. After that he must be let out for a little while."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Our evaluation serves to separate those who align with love from those who align with selfishness, thereby eliminating the source of suffering from heaven
  • The human spirit is somehow part of the eternal consciousness
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    There are issues with this passage addressed there. Eerily, this narrative may fit the philosophical foundation's proposed scenario, of how conscious souls' awareness exist in eternity. The default context of reality of souls may be in 'heaven' in the presence of the creator. There, they are also expected to wield their free will – hence the continued possibility for corrupting their alignment on love vs. selfishness is also eternal. In this case, the reality we face (our penance and chance to prove ourselves worthy to return to the creator's presence in heaven) may be repeating – perhaps infinitely many times during eternity. Thus, the falling out of spirits in the presence of the creator, the penance and chance they get to redeem themselves may be repeated during infinity. OR, it is a one-time affair during infinity. (The internal necessity for our reality to end at a certain future time points to it NOT being an eternal place of penance, but a one-time stop for a distinct group of souls to go through. If this type of existence is possible for us infinitely many times, we can expect other simulated realities to cater for this need, and not the one we are participating in now.) There is no way for us to know any of this during our existence here, nor does it make any difference for us: regardless of these potential possibilities there is only one thing that makes sens for us to do in our reality: to prove our alignment with love vs. selfishness and get back to our default context of reality where love dominates. There are no other sensible options for us to contemplate, as even a thousand years of 'being bound in a pit' is unpleasant-enough for us not to view it as a viable alternative. It is also possible to see the Devil/Satan/Serpent as the influence of selfishness that is inherent in each one of us – NOT an independent entity that tries to influence us or rival God. There is no doubt the author meant anything like this though. On his part, this passage represents either a prophesying attempt of what to take place in the future for us, or is simply some made-up misguided and confused talk with no justification or logic. Yet, the case IS that even such unintentional hint can be left for posterity to ponder about and try to interpret. Based on the belief system of the OT,  the authors and disciples of Jesus misguidedly believed the ‘Evil One’, ‘Devil’, or ’Satan’ to be a separate independent entity (a fallen leader of angels) opposed to the creator and having some special powers. However, the concept should simply be interpreted as ‘the influence and temptations to be selfish’, the opposite of the creator’s preference of love that is present in us conscious humans, and all of us are here to demonstrate that we can subdue and eliminate this value in us, and side with its opposite in our evaluation.
     
    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • content that is unhelpful, intentionally mystifying, irrelevant, or too detailed to be a part of ‘scriptures’ of guidance to salvation
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misconceived prophesying attempt
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "‘Evil’, ‘Devil’, or ‘Satan’ is NOT a separate entity opposed to the creator, but the value of selfishness in us that is opposite to the preferred value of the creator, love"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Though it is possible that this narrative MAY fit an actual scenario of how conscious souls exist in eternity with their free will (covered under alignments), it is completely unlikely that the author actually meant to convey that message or prophesy. Rather, he meant this to describe and prophesy a future event to take place in the history of our reality. Which gives rise to many questions then. Why for a thousand years (or any fixed length of time)? What about after that? This makes little if any sense. Would he be allowed to deceive nations after this period, and why? Why must he be let out for a little while after that? This passage could have some unintentional meaning though (something not meant to be conveyed by the author) This idea of Jesus reigning for a thousand years with some of the dead who resurrected 'the first time' is absurd and without any logic. What would be the point of this 1000-year reign on this Earth? (let me guess: prophecy-fulfillment to validate the OT...) And who would Jesus reign over during this time? And why on Earth would the creator would want to reign over Earth – isn't he reigning already over his creation to begin with? What other reigning is possible – forcing people to do something against their will? And how exactly be a part of this first batch of resurrected? Instead, why WOULDN'T the creator, in heaven, just want to be with (as there is no need for 'reigning over') everyone who has gained their salvation with their life by proving that their convictions are aligned with love? It is so much more straightforward, simple, and logical, instead of the prophecy-fulfillment lunacy of trying to sell Jesus to the Jews.. Based on the belief system of the OT,  the authors and disciples of Jesus misguidedly believed the ‘Evil One’, ‘Devil’, or ’Satan’ to be a separate independent entity (a fallen leader of angels) opposed to the creator and having some special powers. However, the concept should simply be interpreted as ‘the influence and temptations to be selfish’, the opposite of the creator’s preference of love that is present in us conscious humans, and all of us are here to demonstrate that we can subdue and eliminate this value in us, and side with its opposite in our evaluation.
     
        

    Revelation 20:4, 5, 6, 7, 8

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."4 Then I saw the thrones, and those seated on them had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image, and had not received its mark on their foreheads or hands. And they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 5 The rest of the dead did not come back to life until the thousand years were complete. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection! The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and will reign with Him for a thousand years. 7 When the thousand years are complete, Satan will be released from his prison, 8 and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth—Gog and Magog—to assemble them for battle. Their number is like the sand of the seashore. "...
    NRSV: ..."4 ... They came to life and reigned with Jesus a thousand years. 5 (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. Over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Jesus, and they will reign with him a thousand years. 7 When the thousand years are ended, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will come out to deceive the nations at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, in order to gather them for battle; they are as numerous as the sands of the sea."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • content that is unhelpful, intentionally mystifying, irrelevant, or too detailed to be a part of ‘scriptures’ of guidance to salvation
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The creator created our reality (best modeled as a consciousness-centric simulation) to facilitate the evaluation of its target audience: humans"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "‘Evil’, ‘Devil’, or ‘Satan’ is NOT a separate entity opposed to the creator, but the value of selfishness in us that is opposite to the preferred value of the creator, love"
  •  
    interpretation:
    This convoluted idea of Jesus reigning for a thousand years with some of the dead who resurrected 'the first time' is absurd and without any logic. What would be the point of this 1000-year reign on this Earth? (let me guess: prophecy-fulfillment to validate the OT... Then what would be the point in the prophecy?) And who would Jesus reign over during this time? And why on Earth would the creator would want to 'reign over' Earth – isn't he reigning already over his creation to begin with? What other reigning is possible – forcing people to do something against their will? And how exactly be a part of this first batch of resurrected? Being priests of God and of Jesus also does not make sense, as the creator's satisfaction and joy comes from the loving spirit of humans, not their priestly service. (The whole concept of priests offering sacrifices to the creator in temples in the mane of their people is absurd and illogical to a creator depicted by Jesus.) Why did this become part of canonical scripture (of course, marketing ploy to Jewish believers)? This surely does not originate from the message of Jesus. The release of Satan after a thousand years makes no sense (give or take any prophecy about this). If people knew that Satan is about to be released, and he is the bad guy who will ultimately fail, why would they join him en masse? All this sounds like an unnecessarily drawn out story making no sense other than demonstrating the fulfillment of OT prophesies to potential Jewish converts – all from an alleged divine vision of the author nearly a hundred years after Jesus's death... Instead, why WOULDN'T the creator, in heaven, just want to be with (as there is no need for 'reigning over') everyone who has gained their salvation with their life by proving that their convictions are aligned with love? Each human will face judgment on their life after their death, and will receive the consequences of the their evaluation: a continued existence either in the presence of the creator or away from it. It is so much more straightforward, simple, and logical, instead of the prophecy-fulfillment lunacy of trying to sell Jesus to the Jews.. It is most likely that our current simulation only serves to be the reality of our evaluation, and not the setting for any subsequent reality beyond our judgment – that is what heaven and hell are for. Based on the belief system of the OT,  the authors and disciples of Jesus misguidedly believed the ‘Evil One’, ‘Devil’, or ’Satan’ to be a separate independent entity (a fallen leader of angels) opposed to the creator and having some special powers. However, the concept should simply be interpreted as ‘the influence and temptations to be selfish’, the opposite of the creator’s preference of love that is present in us conscious humans, and all of us are here to demonstrate that we can subdue and eliminate this value in us, and side with its opposite in our evaluation.
     
        

    Revelation 20:12, 13

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne. And there were open books, and one of them was the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their deeds, as recorded in the books. 13 The sea gave up its dead, and Death and Hades gave up their dead, and each one was judged according to his deeds. "...
    NRSV: ..."12 ... And the dead were judged according to their works, as recorded in the books. 13 And the sea gave up the dead that were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and all were judged according to what they had done."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    Another clear confirmation of understanding that to the creator, our soul and conviction are transparent and it is the use of our free will that is of interest to the creator, that is the subject of the evaluation. This is repeated in many other places throughout the NT.
     
        

    Revelation 20:14, 15

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."14 Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death—the lake of fire. 15 And if anyone was found whose name was not written in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. "...
    NRSV: ..."14 Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire; 15 and anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • content that is unhelpful, intentionally mystifying, irrelevant, or too detailed to be a part of ‘scriptures’ of guidance to salvation
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • reliance on OT and greek mythology
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Every human has a real chance at reaching their salvation, which is NOT predetermined or predestined. The creator is NOT omniscient with regard to humans’ free will, and their fate in the evaluation"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The human spirit is somehow part of the eternal consciousness"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Referring to Hades of hellenic origin has no place in the philosophy that supports Jesus's message. Being thrown into the lake of fire as a 'second death' surely implies the finality of death, the complete extinguishment of awareness and all its memories. This conflicts with the philosophical foundation's conclusion on the soul's eternal existence – the extinguishment of the conscious soul is an impossibility, as that would render all of what happened to one before meaningless. If consciousness and its memories can cease to exist, then one would ultimately have no consequences for one's actions (as with its cessation, all that has ever happened to the consciousness is gone). Other places in the NT also point to an eternal existence in either heaven or hell for all souls, based on the judgment received in their evaluation, contradicting death's finality as an extinguishment of awareness. Even though some may wish for the complete extinguishment of one's existence, sadly for them, this may not be a possibility that anyone should take as their solace after all. Belief about the 'book of life' – adopted from the OT – are grossly misguided, falsely hinting at predestination (God already knew before creation who will succeed in reaching salvation). Naturally, all humans were assigned to participate in this reality with a chance to earn their salvation IF they meet the universal criterion: a justified conviction carried throughout life. Each human will succeed or fail at this evaluation using their free will, the outcome of which is not known with certainty by the creator in advance. Thus, a book of life can not pre-exist creation and the conclusion of the last judgment. All who subscribe to the contrary will find out that they have been misguided, and will be responsible for the effects of this misguidance on others. The whole 1000-year reign, first and then second death, first resurrected, then the rest is just WAY complicated and convoluted of an idea – a desperate and sad attempt to tie Jesus and his message to the OT for marketing purposes.
     
        

    Revelation 21:1, 2

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    Berean: ..."1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. "...
    NRSV: ..."1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • The creator created our reality (best modeled as a consciousness-centric simulation) to facilitate the evaluation of its target audience: humans
  •  
    interpretation:
    Now this gets interesting; our first heaven and earth being passed away can hint at realty as a simulation – at least that is how this kind of narrative can be supported (if not to be dismissed as utter nonsense). However, this could simply attempt to describe what is there to come after our death and passing the evaluation. There will be some kind of ether for conscious humans to continue to exist in, likely in interaction with each other, that we can somehow relate to (Jerusalem as a city), having some similarities to our current reality. This is all plausible, but it does not say much in reality.
     
        

    Revelation 21:3, 4

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    Berean: ..."3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying: “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God. 4 ‘He will wipe away every tear from their eyes,’ and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away.” "...
    NRSV: ..."3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,"See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them; 4 he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • In their predispositions, humans inherit both love (the essence of the creator’s spirit we share with him, indicating our significance) and selfishness (its opposite/opposing property, what some mistakenly attribute to a separate entity of the ‘evil/devil/satan’) to different degrees from their greater-self, from their originating context of reality
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  • The creator created our reality (best modeled as a consciousness-centric simulation) to facilitate the evaluation of its target audience: humans
  • The human spirit is somehow part of the eternal consciousness
  •  
    interpretation:
    This highlights our position and relation to the creator – we seem to be the conscious companions and observers/participants of the creator's creations. The purpose of our current existence is to qualify to be in the presence of the creator again, where we belong – our higher context of reality. There needs to be no further suffering imposed by our assigned situations will cease (death will be no more) as our reality will no longer be a penance and evaluation. In addition, since those who aligned with love got separated from those who aligned with selfishness, we should not cause each other suffering either, through exercising our free will (that should logically stay with us into eternity). 'Mortals' must mean 'humans' in this context, or else, this makes no sense. Even though our spirit is eternal and uncreated (according to the philosophical foundation's reasoning), it belongs to the creator as the audience or observer of its created realities. Our sovereign conscious awareness is running within the mind of the creator, as an independent thread is running within the computer program.
     
        

    Revelation 21:5, 6

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    Berean: ..."5 And the One seated on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” Then He said, “Write this down, for these words are faithful and true.” 6 And He told me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give freely from the spring of the water of life. "...
    NRSV: ..."5 And the one who was seated on the throne said, "See, I am making all things new." Also he said, "Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true." 6 Then he said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • The creator created our reality (best modeled as a consciousness-centric simulation) to facilitate the evaluation of its target audience: humans
  • The human spirit is somehow part of the eternal consciousness
  •  
    interpretation:
    This can also be interpreted as unintentionally supporting the idea of simulated realities. Once we exit our reality, a newly created reality may be awaiting us (or the reality we originated from – a default or base reality, from which we keep entering limited temporary realities). The Alpha and Omega is properly describing the eternal creator.
     
        

    Revelation 21:7, 8

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    Berean: ..."7 The one who overcomes will inherit all things, and I will be his God, and he will be My son. 8 But to the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and sexually immoral and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the second death.” "...
    NRSV: ..."7 Those who conquer will inherit these things, and I will be their God and they will be my children. 8 But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the polluted, the murderers, the fornicators, the sorcerers, the idolaters, and all liars, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.""...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • In their predispositions, humans inherit both love (the essence of the creator’s spirit we share with him, indicating our significance) and selfishness (its opposite/opposing property, what some mistakenly attribute to a separate entity of the ‘evil/devil/satan’) to different degrees from their greater-self, from their originating context of reality
  • It is logical to expect appropriate consequences due for passing or failing the evaluation
  • Our evaluation serves to separate those who align with love from those who align with selfishness, thereby eliminating the source of suffering from heaven
  •  
    interpretation:
    This is simply the weight of taking part in the evaluation – there will be consequences for both success and failure. The imagery is influenced by the OT, however, it is logical to expect favorable and non-favorable outcome for any evaluation.
     
        

    Revelation 21:12

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."12 The city had a great and high wall with twelve gates inscribed with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel, and twelve angels at the gates. "...
    NRSV: ..."12 It [new Jerusalem coming down from heaven] has a great, high wall with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and on the gates are inscribed the names of the twelve tribes of the Israelites;"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • appeasement/catering to potential Jewish converts
  • content that is unhelpful, intentionally mystifying, irrelevant, or too detailed to be a part of ‘scriptures’ of guidance to salvation
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  • misguided focus on Jews or improper differentiation between Jews and Gentiles
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Of course, even in having visions of 'new Jerusalem' coming down from heaven the author can not rid himself of the influence of the invalid and misguided OT. The encompassing context of reality we return to after our death is most unlikely to contain anything specific to the Jewish religion and its earthly places. Why would a city originating in heaven have walls and gates? Against whom are they defending? Twelve angels, probably for the twelve tribes – right; the city originating in heaven is themed with Jewish beliefs, fulfilling their holy book. One can freely choose to count on that, at their own risk. As for people who lived in Papua New Guinea, all will be explained at that time about the significance of Jerusalem they missed in their life...
     
        

    Revelation 22:5

    top  

    Berean: ..."5 There will be no more night in the city, and they will have no need for the light of a lamp or of the sun. For the Lord God will shine on them, and they will reign forever and ever. "...
    NRSV: ..."5 And there will be no more night; they need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • The creator created our reality (best modeled as a consciousness-centric simulation) to facilitate the evaluation of its target audience: humans
  • The human spirit is somehow part of the eternal consciousness
  •  
    interpretation:
    A fairly good description of what the presence of the creator may be like, without knowing with certainty, of course. The next realm will be a different simulated reality to its conscious participants, created by the creator, with a likely different (more encompassing) scope of awareness and set of limitations.
     
        

    Revelation 22:6

    top  

    Berean: ..."6 Then the angel said to me, “These words are faithful and true. The Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent His angel to show His servants what must soon take place.” "...
    NRSV: ..."6 And he said to me, "These words are trustworthy and true, for the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must soon take place.""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • attempted building, claiming, or referencing authority that is misguided and improper
  • contradicts other NT passages
  • leaning on miracles for authenticity
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  •  
    interpretation:
    Contradicts 1 Thessalonians 5:1-2 – or at least not compatible with it.  One can not know in advance when the end times are coming as it will come like a thief, but nor should one care, beyond always being ready for it (the exact same way as being ready to die and face judgment about the life lived so far). Everyone will witness these things after they die – not in this world (or not necessarily), but in the afterlife. Should these or similar events come in this reality in one's lifetime, it should not alter how anyone lives, what anyone does, provided they are ready to face justice at all times. But this is the same as one's death – thus, one prepares for the end-times the same exact way one prepares for death: by always being ready, by living life aligned with love. End times should not matter to those who are prepared, and we should be prepared at all times – this is the valid message! And if one is not to know when exactly the end times will come, neither should one care whether those end times are nearing or not (they are nearing every single day by one day, by the way...). For this reason, it is highly suspicious that this message did NOT originate from Jesus (nor from a misbehaving and intentionally misguiding angel), as the message from Jesus is 'not to worry about the end times but be ready for it each day, as it will come like a thief'. The method of delivery of these alleged visions from God is also suspect: why didn't Jesus reveal these if they were to be a part of his message to humanity, as he did to Paul? I believe, because they are NOT a part of the message of salvation, but are the works of the fantasies of its author, even if they were borne out of good intentions.
     
        

    Revelation 22:7

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."7 “Behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of prophecy in this book.” "...
    NRSV: ..."7 "See, I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • attempted building, claiming, or referencing authority that is misguided and improper
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator"
  •  
    interpretation:
    So to summarize from the author: “I had some visions last night from God through an intermediary angel (Jesus was busy that day). In it I foretold some stuff that will happen soon. Those of you who will look and prepare for these happenings (get your swords guys, there will be some battles), and comply with them or take an active part in them on the recommended side will be blessed (as opposed to those who will ignore them or play a part on the wrong side)” - quite an audacious claim... Question is which book he refers to. As the NT is not compiled yet at the time of this writing and this does not refer to the gospels, it must be referring to itself (revelations). So in this sense, the synod that selected the writings to be canonized also 'added' to the book of revelation... Or did it mean to 'modify the very text of THIS book or try to append THIS book' – likely not. This is a misguided attempt to build authority, self-authenticating and self-authorizing! But, I guess the most effective way to move forward with one's message in those times. Claim some visions from God with miraculous events, and distribution is all set! If one is to keep the words of THESE prophecies (contained in revelations), what is one to do? Waiting for these times to come, receiving the events in awe, preparing to and eventually trying to play a part in it once they are happening? One should instead focus on always being ready to face the end of life, the end of one's opportunity to redeem the sinful condition by aligning with love vs. selfishness. And this is the alleged (and quite logical) advice from Jesus, not from a misguiding angel, in a vision to a guy almost a hundred years after Jesus's death... In reality, those who align their life with love and live their life accordingly in the assigned situations of their life, will be the ones 'blessed' – and they need not worry about prophecies.
     
        

    Revelation 22:10, 11

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."10 Then he told me, “Do not seal up the words of prophecy in this book, because the time is near. 11 Let the unrighteous continue to be unrighteous, and the vile continue to be vile; let the righteous continue to practice righteousness, and the holy continue to be holy.” "...
    NRSV: ..."10 And he said to me, "Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near. 11 Let the evildoer still do evil, and the filthy still be filthy, and the righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy.""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • clear misguidance of author as the time remaining till the second coming was NOT near
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "A justified person has the duty to spread the word of God to others in a non-intrusive way whenever the chance arises and by showing an example"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "One needs to live life being always ready for its accounting - then, if events in the future come as a ’thief’, as one would have needed to do nothing differently"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "There is always hope and is never too late for salvation"
  •  
    interpretation:
    This bleeds from several wounds. What is 'sealing a prophecy' mean and what does it accomplish? To keep it secret? Then what is the point of revealing it? Or stay tuned for further details or more prophecies? The second issue is the anticipation of the end times being 'near' – which turned out to be misguided, thus casting a bad light on the whole prophecy. Then, the attitude is entirely wrong and against the message of Jesus: one can never give up trying to make a difference for the better, even if end times are near. One who is justified in their conviction about the word of God needs to pass this onto others if one has those opportunities. Thus, one should NEVER let an evildoer still do evil, the filthy still be filthy! What a sick advice to give, that is invalid for any possible situation!? The author seems completely and openly misguided – there is no need to try to explain this away from any angle or interpretation.
     
        

    Revelation 22:16

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."16 “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the bright Morning Star.” "...
    NRSV: ..."16 "It is I, Jesus, who sent my angel to you with this testimony for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • attempted building, claiming, or referencing authority that is misguided and improper
  • inappropriate/inadequate/misguided attempt to apply OT prophecy
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  • suspected post-fitting of the narrative (not possible for the author to know about, or likely did not happen as described)
  •  
    interpretation:
    All of a sudden the vision from the angel switches to a direct message from Jesus (who was busy at the time to give the vision himself, and asked an angel to intermediate) – splendid! Why not have a single party pass messages to humanity consistently? Why is it sometime an angel, sometimes Jesus, sometimes some other prophet, sometimes the Virgin Mary? All these become suspect of being made up, being imagined. Invoking descent from the Jewish king of David surely 'validates this claim' – like David is needed to validate Jesus... (Besides, the alleged descendant of David was St Joseph, the 'step'-father of Jesus, thus the physical descent is false, as he was 'conceived immaculately'. Not that IF the biological father of Jesus was Joseph, the CESAPH would be any less valid: in that case, the soul assigned to Jesus could still have been of the creator...) Like in those times, Joseph was maintaining his descent from David on a papyrus scroll... The whole narrative is just weak and ridiculous, and there are much better explanations for what the CESAPH actually was. And Jesus associating himself with the 'bright morning star' – please...
     
        

    Revelation 22:18, 19

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."18 I testify to everyone who hears the words of prophecy in this book: If anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. 19 And if anyone takes away from the words of this book of prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and the holy city, which are described in this book. "...
    NRSV: ..."18 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this book; 19 if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away that person's share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • attempted building, claiming, or referencing authority that is misguided and improper
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Every human has a real chance at reaching their salvation, which is NOT predetermined or predestined. The creator is NOT omniscient with regard to humans’ free will, and their fate in the evaluation"
  •  
    interpretation:
    This is a pathetic attempt to cement the authority of this writing with threats and instilling fear, as 'making logical sense' is not its main strength. Question is which book he refers to. As the NT is not compiled yet at the time of this writing and this does not refer to the gospels, it must be referring to itself (revelations). So in this sense, the synod that selected the writings to be canonized also 'added' to the book of revelation... Or did it mean to 'modify the very text of THIS book or try to append THIS book' – likely not. This is a misguided attempt to build authority, self-authenticating and self-authorizing! But, I guess the most effective way to move forward with one's message in those times. Claim some visions from God with miraculous events, and distribution is all set! Besides, there is nothing to keep to these 'prophecies' – what one can and should do is contained in the message of Jesus, the eternal word of God, of salvation, the message Jesus came to formalize for humanity: align with love and not selfishness and live your life as a proof of that. Belief about the 'book of life' – adopted from the OT – are grossly misguided, falsely hinting at predestination (God already knew before creation who will succeed in reaching salvation). Naturally, all humans were assigned to participate in this reality with a chance to earn their salvation IF they meet the universal criterion: a justified conviction carried throughout life. Each human will succeed or fail at this evaluation using their free will, the outcome of which is not known with certainty by the creator in advance. Thus, a book of life can not pre-exist creation and the conclusion of the last judgment. All who subscribe to the contrary will find out that they have been misguided, and will be responsible for the effects of this misguidance on others. In this regard, Revelations – sad to say – is not very useful, except to mystify, confuse, and misguide its readers and urge them to look for, seek to live through these days to come, rather than do the hard work of what is necessary: conduct daily life aligned with love. Naturally, any prophet who claims divine origin for their prophecies, in their right mind, will add those word of warning/threat: 'add and take away nothing from this book, or else, you will be divinely struck and suffer the consequences'. It is akin to saying 'I am the last prophet, and none shall come after me'. It is a form of self-insurance. Well, I add nothing, and I take away nothing from it: I simply urge people to DISREGARD IT and look for enlightenment in some other chapters of the NT instead, if they do not want to get lost in details of irrelevant silliness while miss the main point of Jesus's message.. But on the more serious side, there ARE some passages in Revelations that do make sense – and those should be valued. (Now, is this 'taking away from it'? Nah..)
     
        

    Ephesians 1:4, 5

     Significant Alignment! 
     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."4 For He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in His presence. In love 5 He predestined us for adoption as His sons through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of His will, "...
    NRSV: ..."4 just as he chose us in Jesus before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. 5 He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will,"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • In their predispositions, humans inherit both love (the essence of the creator’s spirit we share with him, indicating our significance) and selfishness (its opposite/opposing property, what some mistakenly attribute to a separate entity of the ‘evil/devil/satan’) to different degrees from their greater-self, from their originating context of reality
  • Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage could be easily misunderstood (addressed under issues). The creator likely DID choose who he wanted to give another chance at redemption, and some may not have received the chance to prove their alignment in this reality – so in THIS sense he DID choose who will be given a CHANCE to be holy and blameless before him in love. But Jesus (the creator) did NOT choose anyone before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless. People may end up 'holy and blameless' IN their life, out of their own free will, by aligning themselves with love and living their life accordingly. But who they will become in their life could not have been known with certainty by the creator in advance, as that would conflict with their free will and the evaluation. All humans who have entered our reality are 'fallen angels', 'Adams and Eves' who lost their place in paradise and are now serving their penance in this reality. Out of the grace of the creator, they also have a chance in this life to be evaluated on their alignment to love vs. selfishness. If they pass this evaluation, they may rejoin the presence of the creator in heaven. Giving us a chance at redemption was through the creator's grace, however whether we succeed or not at reaching salvation will be up to our own will. Only those who succeed in reaching their salvation are 'destined for adoption as children'.
     
    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Every human has a real chance at reaching their salvation, which is NOT predetermined or predestined. The creator is NOT omniscient with regard to humans’ free will, and their fate in the evaluation"
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage may be misunderstood easily, however, interpreting this passage in alignment with the philosophical foundation's conclusions is possible (covered under alignment). Jesus (the creator) did NOT choose anyone before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless. People may end up 'holy and blameless' IN their life, out of their own free will, by aligning themselves with love and living their life accordingly. But who they will become in life could not have been known with certainty by the creator in advance, as that would conflict with their free will and the evaluation. Giving us a chance at redemption was through the creator's grace, however whether we succeed or not at reaching salvation will be up to our own will. Only those who succeed in reaching their salvation are 'destined for adoption as children'. The passage leans to an interpretation where one may believe 'they are destined to reach their salvation as children of God' and thus, will not fail, which is most likely false.
     
        

    Ephesians 1:7, 8

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace 8 that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. "...
    NRSV: ..."7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace 8 that he lavished on us."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Nope. Jesus did not redeem our sinful condition with his suffering and death (his 'blood'). This is one of the greatest misguidance in traditional Christian interpretation of the NT's message. As this absurd interpretation can be derived directly from the text of the NT in several places, this means that several decades after the death of Jesus, the writers of the NT (and probably the disciples at the time too) may have genuinely interpreted the effects of Jesus's death that way too. Thus, it is their misguidance and misinterpretation that made it to the text, not necessarily our misinterpretation of what they wrote. It is hard to know how their digestion of the events around Jesus developed in these decades, but if the process of later synods are any indication to the process, it is likely that some dominant voices channeled their own understandings into these interpretations – by then, independent of Jesus himself. It is also likely that some voices of reason were oppressed or ignored as heretic (as it happened later with the opinions of Marcion). And here comes the danger of considering the author's writings as infallible, without a critical evaluation to see whether the things they wrote made any sense, or a more sensible and likely explanation may be available for the events and message they outlined in their text. If one asks 'how would this be possible', one needs to only look at sections of the NT where it is evident that the disciples had a hard time understanding and interpreting what Jesus said. The good news and guidance of the CESAPH CAN help those who were granted access to it in their situational assignments in reaching their justified conviction and having the strength to live life accordingly. In the CESAPH, the creator in Jesus fully shared the human condition with us, together with all its potential misery, suffering, and humiliation to demonstrate the creator's love for us and his desire for us to reach our salvation by aligning our life with love vs. selfishness. The sinful condition of all humans was NOT affected by the CESAPH. It had been and remains to this day up to each individual to reach their justified conviction and live their life accordingly. Undoubtedly for many, the good news helped in doing so. The intervention and good news of the CESAPH was a sacrifice/hardship the creator was willing to make for our benefit (NOT a sacrifice Jesus to offered to the Father), so that more of us would reach salvation (out of our own free will) than without. Most importantly, it was a demonstration of the creator's love for humanity – a gift that can be the greatest help from which people CAN (if they choose so) gain strength to reach their salvation with their life.
     
        

    Ephesians 1:8, 9

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."8 that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. 9 And He has made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ "...
    NRSV: ..."8 ... With all wisdom and insight 9 he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Jesus,"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • content that is unhelpful, intentionally mystifying, irrelevant, or too detailed to be a part of ‘scriptures’ of guidance to salvation
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Jesus’s ‘covenant’ of the eternal word of God, of salvation is the only covenant that has ever been and will ever be in effect from the creator for all of humanity, since the very beginning of time till the ending of our simulated reality, meaning that if one passes their evaluation on their alignment with love, one redeems their sinful condition and gains their salvation"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness"
  •  
    interpretation:
    There is no 'mystery' to the eternal word of God, of salvation, that Jesus formalized with his message. It is a simple message of guidance on how to reach salvation. This message is available in Jesus's essential message, and – for those who are not familiar with the good news and its message, and to everyone – through their predispositions to love, and through the workings of divine grace (an ever-willing help of the creator to help people toward their salvation). Those who look for secrets, extra wisdom, special knowledge or understanding that are only available through secret or exclusive sources and teachings (and believe that ultimate truth can only be uncovered through these sources) are misguided.
     
        

    Ephesians 1:11

     Significant Alignment! 
     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."11 In Him we were also chosen as God’s own, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything by the counsel of His will, "...
    NRSV: ..."11 In Jesus we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will,"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • Every human has a real chance at reaching their salvation, which is NOT predetermined or predestined. The creator is NOT omniscient with regard to humans’ free will, and their fate in the evaluation
  • In their predispositions, humans inherit both love (the essence of the creator’s spirit we share with him, indicating our significance) and selfishness (its opposite/opposing property, what some mistakenly attribute to a separate entity of the ‘evil/devil/satan’) to different degrees from their greater-self, from their originating context of reality
  • Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  • The creator created our reality (best modeled as a consciousness-centric simulation) to facilitate the evaluation of its target audience: humans
  • The human spirit is somehow part of the eternal consciousness
  •  
    interpretation:
    A translation that is closer to the original: “11 In Him we were also chosen as God’s own, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything by the counsel of His will, ” This message is very easily misunderstood to hint at predestination (covered under the issues). Though the rest of the passage is conveyed in a very convoluted way, it CAN be interpreted in compliance with the philosophical foundation. All humans ARE 'chosen as God's own'. We are God's own to begin with in our eternal existence, as our consciousness is made to participate in the simulated realities created by the creator. Also, “in Him (Jesus) we were also chosen as God's own” can be interpreted as, “in the CESAPH the creator demonstrated his love for humanity” - which DOES mean 'we belong to Him as he choose to give us a chance at our redemption because of his love for us, because we belong to him'. All humans WERE likely 'chosen' to be given a chance in this reality at redeeming our sinful condition that originates from our precursory existence, as perhaps not all 'fallen angels' got this chance (they were NOT chosen but received an alternative fate, because of the nature of their failings perhaps). The accidental situations (assigned by the creator) each one of us needs to go through in their life while proving our alignment CAN be looked at being 'predestined' in this reality, as this IS “according to the plan of Him”. The “plan/purpose of Him” can refer to the planning of the assigned situations of each human they are to go through in their life (their miseries, trials and ordeals) in which they are to prove their alignment, which could result in each one of us receiving a 'fair' assignment of situations to go through in our life. The 'purpose' of the creator in creation and our assignment to it is for us to gain our salvation. The creator DOES 'work out everything by His will' in the implementation of our evaluation, in us receiving our assigned situations we are to go through – and the simulation, our shared consciousness-centric reality is set up to accommodate this. However this does NOT include working out how we will decide in these situations (predestination/predetermination) – which is up to our free will. It is unlikely that the author had any of this interpretation in mind – but perhaps through divine inspiration, the creator may have made sure that such interpretations are possible to conclude from some segments of the text.
     
    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Every human has a real chance at reaching their salvation, which is NOT predetermined or predestined. The creator is NOT omniscient with regard to humans’ free will, and their fate in the evaluation"
  •  
    interpretation:
    A translation that is closer to the original: “11 In Him we were also chosen as God’s own, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything by the counsel of His will, ” This message is very easily misunderstood to hint at predestination – a false concept of 'God already knows in advance about all humans whether they will reach salvation with their life or not'. The creator is NOT omniscient with regard to the free will of conscious beings; otherwise their free will is false and the meaning of their existence and life is void. Our fate is not predestined/predetermined; we received an invitation to cooperate and regain our place in the presence of the creator by proving our alignment on love vs selfishness in our life. It is up to our decisions how we align in our assigned situations in life. The rest of the passage is conveyed in a very convoluted way, but CAN be interpreted from the philosophical foundation's understanding (covered under alignments). The creator DOES 'work out everything by His will' in the implementation of our evaluation, in us receiving our assigned situations we are to go through. However this does NOT include working out how we will decide in these situations – which is up to our free will (like reaching our salvation).
     
        

    Ephesians 1:13

     Significant Alignment! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."13 And in Him, having heard and believed the word of truth—the gospel of your salvation—you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, "...
    NRSV: ..."13 In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit;"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Grace is the ever-present willingness of the creator to help humans reach their salvation
  • In their predispositions, humans inherit both love (the essence of the creator’s spirit we share with him, indicating our significance) and selfishness (its opposite/opposing property, what some mistakenly attribute to a separate entity of the ‘evil/devil/satan’) to different degrees from their greater-self, from their originating context of reality
  • Jesus’s ‘covenant’ of the eternal word of God, of salvation is the only covenant that has ever been and will ever be in effect from the creator for all of humanity, since the very beginning of time till the ending of our simulated reality, meaning that if one passes their evaluation on their alignment with love, one redeems their sinful condition and gains their salvation
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  • ‘Justification’ is ‘being convinced about love’s (vs. selfishness) need to guide life’ (= ‘being rightly enlightened’, = ‘holding Jesus’s message in conviction’, = ‘following/believing in Jesus’, = ‘gaining a justified conviction’, = ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, = ‘doing the works of God’, = ‘satisfying/keeping/adhering to the command of God’, = ‘accepting/living according to Jesus’s message’, = ‘fulfilling the eternal word of God, of salvation’)
  •  
    interpretation:
    A translation that is closer to the original: “13 And in Him, having heard and believed the word of truth—the gospel of your salvation—you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, ” Though a bit convoluted and not easy to see through, this passage can be interpreted in compliance with the philosophical foundation (which, no doubt was NOT exactly what the author had in mind). The eternal word of God, of salvation IS the “gospel of your salvation”. That is: 'reach a justified conviction that is aligned with love vs. selfishness and live your life accordingly, to receive salvation'. In Jesus's message we received the formalization of this 'gospel'. Reaching a justified conviction IS equal to “receiving the Holy Spirit” which is NOT connected to any event in history past the resurrection (but was always available to any human all over the world – just may have been harder to conclude in the absence of the good news and the formalized guide of Jesus). In fact, the promise of 'receiving the Holy Spirit' has been made to everyone informally: through the ever-willing help of grace, those who seek the truth will be helped to receive justification (the alignment of their conviction with love vs. selfishness). No need to connect this to any single miraculous event in history.  
     
        

    Ephesians 1:13, 14

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    Berean: ..."13 And in Him, having heard and believed the word of truth—the gospel of your salvation—you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the pledge of our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession, to the praise of His glory. "...
    NRSV: ..."13 In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; 14 this is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s own people, to the praise of his glory."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Grace is the ever-present willingness of the creator to help humans reach their salvation"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "‘Justification’ is ‘being convinced about love’s (vs. selfishness) need to guide life’ (= ‘being rightly enlightened’, = ‘holding Jesus’s message in conviction’, = ‘following/believing in Jesus’, = ‘gaining a justified conviction’, = ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, = ‘doing the works of God’, = ‘satisfying/keeping/adhering to the command of God’, = ‘accepting/living according to Jesus’s message’, = ‘fulfilling the eternal word of God, of salvation’)"
  •  
    interpretation:
    A translation that is closer to the original: “13 And in Him, having heard and believed the word of truth—the gospel of your salvation—you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the pledge of our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession, to the praise of His glory.” Though convoluted and not easy to see through, this passage can have an interpretation compatible with the philosophical foundation's understanding (featured under alignment). This passage can fuel the misunderstanding that 'belief alone will gain one's salvation' (whereas a justified conviction has to be proven throughout life's assigned situations to earn salvation). Redemption is earned by exercising one's free will according to a justified conviction in the assigned situations of one's life, and is not granted for mere believing in some tenets and claims. Another misunderstanding this passage may reinforce is the belief that the Holy Spirit was granted to disciples (and everyone else perhaps) at a certain time in history, in the event of the Pentecost (which is false, as we all carry the seeds of the Holy Spirit that binds us to the creator; we just need to grow this seed in our life to prove our worth to the creator and earn our salvation). In addition, the passage may lean one to believe that 'those who have been marked with the seal of the Holy Spirit will automatically gain their salvation at the end of their life', whereas a justified conviction still needs to be proven through the trials and ordeals of one's assigned situations in life. The eternal word of God, of salvation IS the “gospel of your salvation”. That is: 'reach a justified conviction that is aligned with love vs. selfishness and live your life accordingly, to receive salvation'. In Jesus's message we received the formalization of this 'gospel'.  
     
        

    Ephesians 1:14

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."14 who is the pledge of our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession, to the praise of His glory. "...
    NRSV: ..."14 this is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s own people, to the praise of his glory."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • It is logical to expect appropriate consequences due for passing or failing the evaluation
  •  
    interpretation:
    A translation that is closer to the original: “14 who [the Holy Spirit] is the pledge of our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession, to the praise of His glory.” The “pledge of our inheritance toward redemption” means the pledge of the creator that if we pass the evaluation of our life, we will earn our place in his presence in heaven (salvation). “God's own people” will be those who will have earned their salvation with their life.
     
        

    Ephesians 1:17, 18

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in your knowledge of Him. 18 I ask that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know the hope of His calling, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, "...
    NRSV: ..."17 I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, 18 so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints,"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • A justified person has the duty to spread the word of God to others in a non-intrusive way whenever the chance arises and by showing an example
  • As salvation is an individual achievement, finding the way and living life accordingly is a private matter that can not be policed or compelled by others
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    A good summary of what a follower of Jesus's message can wish for another fellow human. In other words, this is a very good prayer for others, in general. We can wish for others to receive the justified spirit of wisdom and revelation as we come to understand the CESAPH. This should hopefully lead one to an enlightened heart that is set on the wager (know what is the hope – not certainty – to which Jesus called us), and what we can look forward to in salvation: “riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints” (among those who managed to gain their salvation with their lives).
     
        

    Ephesians 1:19, 20, 21, 22, 23

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."19 and the surpassing greatness of His power to us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of His mighty strength, 20 which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God put everything under His feet and made Him head over everything for the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. "...
    NRSV: ..."19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. 20 God put this power to work in Jesus when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, … 22 And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • attempted building, claiming, or referencing authority that is misguided and improper
  • leaning on miracles for authenticity
  • suspected post-fitting of the narrative (not possible for the author to know about, or likely did not happen as described)
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness"
  •  
    interpretation:
    This this section focuses on 'God's power' (an image left over from the OT's creator-image) as evidenced by the resurrection and Jesus's other miracles. But let's be clear: the alleged miracles around Jesus (including the sparsely documented witnessing of the resurrection) were not grandiose (apparent to a wide audience distributed over large distances), nor were they widely witnessed by many. Surely their claims have been recorded in the NT writings, but one thing from those sources are clear: it could not have been the intention of the mighty creator to awe humans into submission or impress them on the creator's supernatural powers. And this (lack of) intention is also in line with our general, 'everyday' experience: the lack of any supernatural signs that would make it obvious for all that divine power is present. Thus, on one hand, it seems misconceived to see any role for the display of divine might in Jesus's mission in the CESAPH, whereas on the other hand the necessity for an ever-present reasonable doubt (the lack of certainty with regard to the divine and its power for everyone) becomes clearer: it is a necessary guarantor that people can choose their alignment on love vs. selfishness freely, in a non-calculated way. This, therefore, ensures the ability of our reality to serve as the platform for the evaluation of the quality of our soul, our true convictions, our alignment with love vs selfishness. Certainty and logically, the ever-present or frequent display of divine might would demolish this ability of our setup. Jesus's 'seating at the right of the Father' is likely not something witnessed by any human (as that would have meant that those witnesses would also have seen the Father himself) – there is just no account of 'seeing also the Father', nor would this make any sense). Thus, this can not be accepted as a testimony of any witness, and is suspect for being made up to illustrate and convey Jesus's 'authority and power and dominion'. Jesus being made “the head of the church” reveals the motivation here: to project the authority of Jesus for the Church (most likely, its leadership). The 'church' can be looked at as “those who are justified and follow the way to salvation (according to Jesus's guidance)”. The church does not have to be a formal hierarchical organization with official ordained leadership that carries certain authority or capability to administer rituals or deeds in the name of the creator, or a body that has monopoly on interpretation of the scriptures. Paul may have implied that an official church is called for or warranted from the message of Jesus, but I see this as a personal motivation (perhaps shared by some other disciples) and not a direct intention of Jesus. There is nothing an individual should or need that only such a formal church organization should provide/have. Commemorative and/or symbolic rituals (such as baptism or the eucharist) can be performed by any groups of believers among themselves, as needed.
     
        

    Ephesians 1:22, 23

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    Berean: ..."22 And God put everything under His feet and made Him head over everything for the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. "...
    NRSV: ..."22 And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
     
    interpretation:
    This passage is overly influenced by the OT's creator-image. The focus of the creator in Jesus is not domination, the display of divine might, making his subjects obey and worship him (as in the OT's imagery of the creator) but an invitation to rejoin his presence by realigning with his preferred value of love, during this chance of redemption we were granted after our failings.
     
        

    Ephesians 2:3

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."3 All of us also lived among them at one time, fulfilling the cravings of our flesh and indulging its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature children of wrath. "...
    NRSV: ..."3 All of us once lived among them in the passions of our flesh, following the desires of flesh and senses, and we were by nature children of wrath, like everyone else."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • incorrect or inappropriate generalization
  • suspected post-fitting of the narrative (not possible for the author to know about, or likely did not happen as described)
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Jesus’s ‘covenant’ of the eternal word of God, of salvation is the only covenant that has ever been and will ever be in effect from the creator for all of humanity, since the very beginning of time till the ending of our simulated reality, meaning that if one passes their evaluation on their alignment with love, one redeems their sinful condition and gains their salvation"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "‘Justification’ is ‘being convinced about love’s (vs. selfishness) need to guide life’ (= ‘being rightly enlightened’, = ‘holding Jesus’s message in conviction’, = ‘following/believing in Jesus’, = ‘gaining a justified conviction’, = ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, = ‘doing the works of God’, = ‘satisfying/keeping/adhering to the command of God’, = ‘accepting/living according to Jesus’s message’, = ‘fulfilling the eternal word of God, of salvation’)"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Not everyone, not really. And there was no way for the author to know how 'people lived before the time of Jesus in general'. Even before the CESAPH it is quite likely that there were good people around who saw it right that their life be guided by love towards their fellow human beings, even if they were from a different tribe, family, nation. If so, they were also 'filled with the Holy Spirit', and were living a justified life in alignment with love, out of their own convictions, wisdom, and free will. It can be probably stated that 'people's nature overall' remained the same before and after the CESAPH on Earth, in various nations. It is more likely that – to the creator – those people are also important, thus it is unimaginable that they would have the fate of being left out of salvation because of their assigned lack of access to the good news. If so, then those people must also be evaluated under the same single universal evaluation criterion as everyone, ever. This criterion can not be their 'belief in Jesus and his story and his resurrection' as they had no access to it. The criterion must then be the most obvious and main focus of Jesus's message: their alignment on love vs. selfishness. People can get on the right path – becoming justified in their conviction – with or without the help of the CESAPH and its formalized message. Those who receive this help, can consider it a great gift, and should use the strength it can give to reach their salvation with their life. Belief systems that move one toward a justified conviction help them gain their salvation. Belief can help, but is never the criterion for the evaluation – logically, it can not be, it would not make any sense for it to be.
     
        

    Ephesians 2:8, 9

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."8 For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. "...
    NRSV: ..."8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God — 9 not the result of works, so that no one may boast."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Grace is the ever-present willingness of the creator to help humans reach their salvation"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "One ‘loves God’ by loving their fellow human beings, no matter how far removed they may be, which fulfills the single command of God"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "One’s ‘faith’/belief system has no direct value to the creator, and is only a potential tool in one’s quest to gain justification and reach salvation IF it helps its holder in these"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness"
  •  
    interpretation:
    This is a common and severe misunderstanding of Jesus and his message of salvation. No one can claim that someone 'have been saved through faith', as for everyone, THAT will be decided in the last judgment where the creator will evaluate each soul's life on their alignment on love vs. selfishness. What one may reach during life and what one may assess based on someone's acts is whether their convictions are justified – are they guided by love. Justification CAN be an act help, a voice from grace (a moment of enlightenment, personal experience, arrangement of accidental circumstances), however, it is an invitation one still has to accept and then act accordingly – thus, it becomes a function of one's free will. The help may be a gift of grace, but the acceptance and implementation of it is one's own doing. And it is most logical that salvation is granted based on one's implementation of their justified conviction in the assigned situations of their life. Mere faith will not save anyone (despite what the authors of the NT are writing in several places, and what they also contradict in other places), unless it guides them to lead a life aligned with the preferred value of the creator – love. If so, one needs to have faith/believe in the MESSAGE of Jesus (not claims about Jesus or his story). And the message of Jesus is the eternal word of God, of salvation: align your conviction with love vs. selfishness and live your life accordingly to earn salvation, your return to the presence of the creator. Proving one's justified conviction IS one's own doing. Being saved is the achievement of every individual, NOT the creator. The creator provides salvation for those who earn it – not with the virtue of belief/faith in anything, but with a proven conviction that is aligned with love. And this calls for a lifetime's worth of actions, trials, ordeals. One who 'boasts' about their works can not be in a truly justified conviction, as love never guides one to boast about their deeds. Works are the testament to/proof of one's wager/conviction, thus, they are essential to salvation. The creator will not perform the work, the penance, and go through the sacrifices meant for anyone to go through – they have to do that themselves. Thus, Jesus did not save or take over the punishment of anyone on the cross – everyone still needs to work to redeem their sinful condition (inherited from their precursory existence, and NOT inherited from any ancestor), earn their salvation, or face the punishment for their failure. After all, this is what their life is all about, this is what they were put here for. Which trait the creator is more likely to seek in humans given our reality: that we believe something about him (I guess, only among those who got happen to get access to the belief system during their life, and never mind the rest), or that we prove we can align with the value he appreciates and is his essence – love? Which one makes more sense; which one is more likely?
     
        

    Ephesians 2:10

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    Berean: ..."10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life. "...
    NRSV: ..."10 For we are what he has made us, created in Jesus Christ for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • The creator created our reality (best modeled as a consciousness-centric simulation) to facilitate the evaluation of its target audience: humans
  • The eternal continuation of their awareness is inevitable and unavoidable for all human souls
  • The human spirit is somehow part of the eternal consciousness
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage rightly contradicts other NT passages which state that faith alone will get our salvation – well, not if 'we were created for good works'... This passage can also be misunderstood (covered under issues). Though our souls are not created but are likely eternal, we ARE made to participate in this reality “for good works” - namely, to prove our alignment with love vs selfishness by living our life accordingly (and not just to believe something). Our realities (our assigned situations in it) and our limitations (like the context of our conscious awareness that may change from reality to reality as when we dream), our assigned attributes (health, wealth, luck, talent, setting...) ARE determined by the creator though. This CAN be an interpretation of this part of the text, even though the author surely meant that our souls too are created anew). And everything in this reality WAS “prepared for us beforehand to be our way of life”.
     
    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Every human has a real chance at reaching their salvation, which is NOT predetermined or predestined. The creator is NOT omniscient with regard to humans’ free will, and their fate in the evaluation"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "In their predispositions, humans inherit both love (the essence of the creator’s spirit we share with him, indicating our significance) and selfishness (its opposite/opposing property, what some mistakenly attribute to a separate entity of the ‘evil/devil/satan’) to different degrees from their greater-self, from their originating context of reality"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The human spirit is somehow part of the eternal consciousness"
  •  
    interpretation:
    According to the philosophical foundation's conclusions, it is most likely that our souls are eternal in both directions, uncreated and indestructible (meaning they would HAVE to stay around in some form into infinity). Thus, our souls may co-exist together with the eternal creator as audiences and participants of his creations (or maybe even some kind of parts of the overall consciousness of the creator). This solves the problem of the 'extinguishing consciousness and all its memories would mean that nothing at all took place' paradox. Any reality can only exist if consciousness observes it or participates in it. At the same time, conscious observers need simulated realities to exist in – a mutually synoptic relationship that may exist between the creator and its companions in infinity. Therefore, we are NOT what the creator 'has made us', but sovereign free-willed conscious beings.  
     
        

    Ephesians 2:12, 13

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. "...
    NRSV: ..."12 remember that you were at that time without Jesus, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • appeasement/catering to potential Jewish converts
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  • misguided focus on Jews or improper differentiation between Jews and Gentiles
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Grace is the ever-present willingness of the creator to help humans reach their salvation"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "‘Justification’ is ‘being convinced about love’s (vs. selfishness) need to guide life’ (= ‘being rightly enlightened’, = ‘holding Jesus’s message in conviction’, = ‘following/believing in Jesus’, = ‘gaining a justified conviction’, = ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, = ‘doing the works of God’, = ‘satisfying/keeping/adhering to the command of God’, = ‘accepting/living according to Jesus’s message’, = ‘fulfilling the eternal word of God, of salvation’)"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Being a member of the 'commonwealth of Israel' (whatever that was) should be irrelevant to any gentile converts, and so would any of the invalid and irrelevant covenant promises to Jews made up by Moses. There was always a single covenant in effect for the whole of humanity throughout history that defined the meaning and purpose of each and every humans' life. This covenant has nothing to do with Israel, being chosen, or the law of Moses or Abraham. The eternal word of God, of salvation is this covenant, the only way to salvation, which is attainable by anyone by aligning one's conviction and life with love. No holy lands, temples, priests, commonwealth memberships, or other set of silly laws or customs are necessary. The purpose of life is simple; the criterion for salvation is simple – accomplishing it is the hard part. But that is why all of us are here. Gentiles, strangers to the covenants of promises did actually possess an advantage over Jews: they were in a much better position to recognize the relevance in Jesus's teachings while the irrelevant elements of the 'faith' were much more obvious to them. Too bad they did not write most of the NT scriptures or were overpowered by the misguided majority (like Marcion recognizing the incompatibility of the Old and New testament messages and creator-image). Another issue with this passage is that it is NOT the “blood of Christ” that “brought the gentiles near”, but their recognition of the truth in Jesus's message and in his sacrifice. They have been exposed to the eternal word of God BECAUSE Jesus formalized it before, and the message likely got to them because of the claims that were made about his resurrection and death – but these are indirect causations at best.
     
        

    Ephesians 2:15, 16

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."15 by abolishing in His flesh the law of commandments and decrees. He did this to create in Himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace 16 and reconciling both of them to God in one body through the cross, by which He extinguished their hostility. "...
    NRSV: ..."15 He has abolished the law with its commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new humanity in place of the two, thus making peace, 16 and might reconcile both groups to God in one body through the cross, thus putting to death that hostility through it."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation
  • In their predispositions, humans inherit both love (the essence of the creator’s spirit we share with him, indicating our significance) and selfishness (its opposite/opposing property, what some mistakenly attribute to a separate entity of the ‘evil/devil/satan’) to different degrees from their greater-self, from their originating context of reality
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  • The reason for the creator to appear in the Jewish context was to contrast their beliefs of exclusivity and specialness in the eye of the creator with the eternal word of God, of salvation, universally applicable to all humans
  •  
    interpretation:
    Contradicts Matthew 5:17 and several other verses from the NT about Jesus representing, leaving intact/fulfilling/keeping Jewish law in effect – rightly. Those can be counted as a misguided attempt to appease potential Jewish converts on the part of the authors, as they likely wanted to be safe with their laws, and thus, must not have fully trusted Jesus's message. With his universal message Jesus expressed that there is only one single mankind, without distinctions of nationality or descent, and there is one single evaluation criterion for all humans, which has nothing to do with any of the Jewish laws. All humans need to reconcile to this fact: there are no chosen-ness or specialness of any group or individual, except by virtue of one's own alignment to the evaluation criterion of life. The reason for the creator to appear in the Jewish context was to contrast their beliefs of exclusivity and specialness in the eye of the creator with the eternal word of God, of salvation, universally applicable to all humans.
     
        

    Ephesians 2:20

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone. "...
    NRSV: ..."20 built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Jesus Christ himself as the cornerstone."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • appeasement/catering to potential Jewish converts
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator"
  •  
    interpretation:
    The OT prophets are anything but a foundation for Jesus's message. In fact one can view Jesus's message to contrast the Jewish belief system rather than being its fulfillment. Having a special status in the eyes of a creator, focusing on a myriad of this-worldly laws as the key to what pleases the creator, their preoccupation with the historic figure of their Messiah who would accomplish earthly-glory especially for Israel, having a vengeful, conquering, genocidal and jealous creator-image CONTRASTS the simple, individual-specific, universally applicable message of the eternal word of God, of salvation and the loving and forgiving creator-image of Jesus. The alleged prophecies that the NT writers claim to foretell Jesus as the Jewish Messiah are just weak: they are taken out of context, but also, these alleged prophecies are scattered all over in the OT, and completely lack the focus of the OT. Now, if the creator is about to visit humanity to fulfill a specific people's religion, that religion's main scripture better be focusing on this upcoming event with every single one of its chapters. In reality, Jesus of the CESAPH was magnitudes more significant than any concept of a Jewish Messiah, and his arrival did not need the assistance or preparation of foretelling certain details of it to validate or authenticate it in front of a bunch of believers of an illogical, immoral, exclusionary religion. Jesus's demonstration of love and his message making complete and logical sense IS a foundation that stands on its own, without any need for external support or validation. To put it bluntly: forget about your Jewish Messiah and belief system; you have the CESAPH that actually makes sense! Early Christians very much hoped that 'proper/true' Jews would see Jesus as their Messiah, if only they read their own prophecies more carefully. However, most Jews were right NOT to see Jesus as their Messiah for a very good reason: the description of whom they were expecting for just did not match the claims, person and message of Jesus. And indeed, the CESAPH was magnitudes more significant than any concept of the Jewish Messiah, it had a completely different focus (individual salvation vs the fate of the Jewish nation), different purpose of life and a way to achieve it (alignment with love vs keeping hundreds of laws), and a different creator-image (loving, forgiving vs. vengeful, jealous, conquering). So what those who had the right mind should have realized was: in light of Jesus's claims and message their Jewish beliefs no longer made any sense, and it was much more likely that ultimate truth lay within the message and person of Jesus. Unfortunately, even the disciples and the authors of the NT were not entirely up to this giant leap in thinking (except for Marcion, who was kindly asked to leave).
     
        

    Ephesians 3:4, 5, 6

     Significant Alignment! 
     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. 6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are fellow heirs, fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus. "...
    NRSV: ..."4 a reading of which will enable you to perceive my understanding of the mystery of Christ. 5 In former generations this mystery was not made known to humankind, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: 6 that is, the Gentiles have become fellow heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Jesus Christ through the gospel."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • Jesus’s ‘covenant’ of the eternal word of God, of salvation is the only covenant that has ever been and will ever be in effect from the creator for all of humanity, since the very beginning of time till the ending of our simulated reality, meaning that if one passes their evaluation on their alignment with love, one redeems their sinful condition and gains their salvation
  • The reason for the creator to appear in the Jewish context was to contrast their beliefs of exclusivity and specialness in the eye of the creator with the eternal word of God, of salvation, universally applicable to all humans
  •  
    interpretation:
    A translation closer to the original goes like: “4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. 6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are fellow heirs, fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus” This passage can also be slightly misunderstood (addressed under the issues). Indeed, every human is – and has always been – a fellow heir to the promise of salvation, and exist in this reality under the only valid covenant that has ever existed for humanity: the eternal word of God, of salvation. The formalization of this message made this knowable by all of humanity, and also made the invalidity of the OT and other belief systems that do not foster reaching salvation the same way (through alignment with love) clear to everyone. Failing to fulfill the eternal word of God, of salvation in one's life (not living a justified life aligned with love) should result in a failure to reach salvation – the purpose of existence for all humans – regardless of what belief system one follows..
     
    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • misguided focus on Jews or improper differentiation between Jews and Gentiles
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The reason for the creator to appear in the Jewish context was to contrast their beliefs of exclusivity and specialness in the eye of the creator with the eternal word of God, of salvation, universally applicable to all humans"
  •  
    interpretation:
    A translation closer to the original goes like: “4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. 6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are fellow heirs, fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus” One may misunderstand this passage to presuppose that till the point of Jesus, Judaism of the OT held the valid promise from God and the Jews had been their heirs, while others were not (I guess they had no chance at salvation and just lead a hopeless existence all over the world till this point..). This is completely absurd and can not be supported by logic or reason from any possible perspective of a creator. Rather, Jews THOUGHT they had it figured out by believing in the writings of Moses and in their special status with the creator (even to this day), but sadly, their belief system excludes all possibility of making any sense from the creator's perspective. It was a nice story made up by their elders with the intention to benefit their group and perhaps to get them to conquer their own land – a foundation myth that justifies the existence of their nation and state. The creator chose their context for the CESAPH to take place, exactly to contrast their harmful and exclusionary belief system with one that is universally valid and applicable to and makes sense for everyone. Sadly, the NT writers corrupted this message by attempting to merge the CESAPH and its message with the concept of the Jewish Messiah and by depicting Jesus's life and message as fulfillments of OT prophecies. There is also no 'mystery' in the message of Jesus: everyone throughout history can have access to the eternal word of God through their predispositions and receiving guidance from divine grace. One can arrive to conclude that love needs to guide life independent of any scriptures.
     
        

    Ephesians 3:8, 9

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    Berean: ..."8 Though I am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to illuminate for everyone the stewardship of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. "...
    NRSV: ..."8 Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to bring to the Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Jesus, 9 and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things;"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Jesus’s ‘covenant’ of the eternal word of God, of salvation is the only covenant that has ever been and will ever be in effect from the creator for all of humanity, since the very beginning of time till the ending of our simulated reality, meaning that if one passes their evaluation on their alignment with love, one redeems their sinful condition and gains their salvation
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  •  
    interpretation:
    The “mystery hidden for ages” (the eternal word of God) was indirectly available till the formalization of it by Jesus. Those who lived without the formalized messaged had it harder to find the right path and find the strength to live their lives accordingly. However, this was their specific assignment for their sinful condition (from the precursor) that can be assumed fair. There are easier and harder situations from which salvation can be reached. And those who live in comfort and luxury likely have a more difficult situation to succeed from than others may.
     
        

    Ephesians 3:10

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."10 His purpose was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, "...
    NRSV: ..."10 so that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • As salvation is an individual achievement, finding the way and living life accordingly is a private matter that can not be policed or compelled by others
  •  
    interpretation:
    Here, “church” must refer to the unorganized followers of Jesus, those who are justified in their conviction about the path to salvation. Though their understanding and interpretation can vary (“the wisdom of God in its rich variety”), those who are rightly guided should agree on its essence: that love needs to guide one's life to attain salvation. All else is ultimately irrelevant detail.
     
    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • content that is unhelpful, intentionally mystifying, irrelevant, or too detailed to be a part of ‘scriptures’ of guidance to salvation
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage may mistakenly imply to some that the 'church' means an official, organized form of body, a formal church having its hierarchical leadership, and that THEY are the ones who are in possession of the wisdom of God which perhaps angels can also marvel at in heaven. The 'church' should ONLY mean 'the informal, non-hierarchical collection of those individuals who are leading a justified life' – those who try to follow the message of Jesus. The 'wisdom of God' should derive directly from the message of Jesus for everyone, not from 'an official church interpretation', perhaps assisted by some justified individuals who can help convince others in their realizations. There is also 'not much' to the wisdom of God as far how much of it we can have access to: to think that there are great secrets or mysteries out there to be uncovered to gain special knowledge is grossly misguided. Life is not a game of discovery, a hide and seek – life is a penance and a chance to prove one's alignment on some very fundamental and simple values: love and selfishness. I'm afraid, that is IT to the mystery of God we can uncover in our reality. Now, we may have plenty of mysteries about the workings of our reality, but those are not 'mysteries of God' but of our reality. The part about “heavenly places” is best not to worry about this – the implication that our existence and struggles have a relevance to angels in heaven, or that we can uncover some mysteries or wisdoms of God to them is beyond our life's mission (and probably just some silly talk from the author). The CESAPH is an act specific to humans, so given our limited context of awareness in this reality, pondering about what the CESAPH may mean to other conscious beings who are not in our reality is futile. The terms “rulers and authorities” may come from an OT understanding of reality. Salvation is an individual's affair between the individual and the creator, and is an achievement of the individual (for which the creator will grant salvation). The concepts of 'rulers' and 'authorities' are man-made, and come not from divine design or intention, but from man's free-willed).
     
        

    Ephesians 3:11, 12

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    Berean: ..."11 according to the eternal purpose that He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 In Him and through faith in Him we may enter God’s presence with boldness and confidence. "...
    NRSV: ..."11 This was in accordance with the eternal purpose that he has carried out in Jesus Christ our Lord, 12 in whom we have access to God in boldness and confidence through faith in him."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • In their predispositions, humans inherit both love (the essence of the creator’s spirit we share with him, indicating our significance) and selfishness (its opposite/opposing property, what some mistakenly attribute to a separate entity of the ‘evil/devil/satan’) to different degrees from their greater-self, from their originating context of reality
  • Jesus’s ‘covenant’ of the eternal word of God, of salvation is the only covenant that has ever been and will ever be in effect from the creator for all of humanity, since the very beginning of time till the ending of our simulated reality, meaning that if one passes their evaluation on their alignment with love, one redeems their sinful condition and gains their salvation
  • The concept of the ‘trinity’ can only be interpreted as ‘three possible interface to the same single entity of the creator’
  • The human spirit is somehow part of the eternal consciousness
  •  
    interpretation:
    This is an amazingly enlightening passage. The “eternal purpose” may mean eternal during eternity, or eternal within our existence, in this world (this simulation). The creator likely planned the intervention of the CESAPH (the “eternal purpose” he fostered in Jesus was to help more humans reach their salvation) in the very beginning at the creation of our reality. At the point of its implementation, the good news was still able to help a large part of humanity still to enter their life and achieve their salvation during history. Without the guidance and demonstration of the CESAPH a lot less people would have reached their salvation. We have “access to God” in Jesus in “boldness” (justification about the way to salvation) and “confidence” (trusting that we face a loving creator who wants us to reach our salvation), confirming Jesus as our main interface to the single entity of the creator. Salvation (rejoining the presence of the creator after redeeming our sinful condition) has to be accomplished in the face of uncertainty, and faith will be required for a justified conviction, amounting to a wager for our life.
     
        

    Ephesians 3:16, 17, 18, 19

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."16 I ask that out of the riches of His glory He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. Then you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 will have power, together with all the saints, to comprehend the length and width and height and depth 19 of the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. "...
    NRSV: ..."16 I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, 17 and that Jesus may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. 18 I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Jesus that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • As salvation is an individual achievement, finding the way and living life accordingly is a private matter that can not be policed or compelled by others
  • One’s ‘faith’/belief system has no direct value to the creator, and is only a potential tool in one’s quest to gain justification and reach salvation IF it helps its holder in these
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  • ‘Justification’ is ‘being convinced about love’s (vs. selfishness) need to guide life’ (= ‘being rightly enlightened’, = ‘holding Jesus’s message in conviction’, = ‘following/believing in Jesus’, = ‘gaining a justified conviction’, = ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, = ‘doing the works of God’, = ‘satisfying/keeping/adhering to the command of God’, = ‘accepting/living according to Jesus’s message’, = ‘fulfilling the eternal word of God, of salvation’)
  •  
    interpretation:
    This is an amazingly enlightening passage and prayer asking grace's help in one reaching salvation, in one living a successful life with regard to salvation. Justification is Jesus's spirit – love – being kept in one's conviction (“dwell in your hearts”). “being rooted and grounded in love” essentially means that one is aligned with love vs selfishness, and lives life accordingly – that together, signal a quality of soul sought by the creator in us. THIS IS THE ESSENCE of the entire CESAPH, Jesus, and his message to us!!! Strengthening in our inner being with power through his Spirit refers to justification and the ability to carry this through in one's life in actions and thoughts. “Comprehending what is the breadth, length, height, depth” is the ability and duty of one to identify the most likely scenario of reality one can wager their life on, that makes the most sense to one's conscience. It is one's duty to search for and find the truth in life, with critical thinking and responsibility. We can “knowing the love of Jesus” (accept it) from the story of the CESAPH. Faith in this divine love for us surpasses any 'knowledge' we can gather from our observable reality. The CESAPH is the closest thing to an assurance (short of certainty) that we face a loving creator who took part in our suffering and humanity in order to give us this testimony and strength that we can use in reaching our salvation. Divine love, the meaning of our existence, and our salvation “surpass knowledge”, as it can not be evidenced in our reality. For the love of Jesus to help us in gaining our salvation we need our faith in the rightness of Jesus's message. Only by having this faith/conviction of justification we can be filled with all the fullness of God when reaching our salvation (to some degree already in this life, but most completely in our next existence).
     
        

    Ephesians 4:1, 2, 3

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."1 As a prisoner in the Lord, then, I urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling you have received: 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 and with diligence to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. "...
    NRSV: ..."1 I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • A justified person has the duty to spread the word of God to others in a non-intrusive way whenever the chance arises and by showing an example
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • As salvation is an individual achievement, finding the way and living life accordingly is a private matter that can not be policed or compelled by others
  • In their predispositions, humans inherit both love (the essence of the creator’s spirit we share with him, indicating our significance) and selfishness (its opposite/opposing property, what some mistakenly attribute to a separate entity of the ‘evil/devil/satan’) to different degrees from their greater-self, from their originating context of reality
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    The most damaging passage against those who believe that their faith and divine grace alone will get them into Heaven, without them having to do anything. The plea is about how the justified should live their lives and pass on the good news. Beautifully said. THIS is what “Christianity” should be all about.
     
        

    Ephesians 4:7

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."7 Now to each one of us grace has been given according to the measure of the gift of Christ. "...
    NRSV: ..."7 But each of us was given grace according to the measure of Jesus's gift."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Grace is the ever-present willingness of the creator to help humans reach their salvation
  • Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally
  • The creator created our reality (best modeled as a consciousness-centric simulation) to facilitate the evaluation of its target audience: humans
  • The human spirit is somehow part of the eternal consciousness
  •  
    interpretation:
    The strength of our predispositions toward love and the amount of help we receive from grace so that we reach our salvation throughout our life are the integral parts of our assigned situations. The misery and suffering of our situations are part of our penance, but the difficulty or trickiness to succeed in gaining our salvation is also an assigned situation. And we are called to reach our salvation DESPITE the misery of our situations or the difficulty/trickiness of our circumstances. Most people are preoccupied with the misery of their situations, whereas the difficulty/trickiness to maintain alignment with love in a given situation is the most crucial factor with regard to the purpose of our existence – reaching salvation. And this is a  trap that is an integral part of our evaluation, that we are expected to prevail in. The measure of Jesus's gift indicates fairness and justice by matching the magnitude and nature of the past wrong for which we joined this reality. In other words, the situations' difficulty from which to succeed reaching salvation is likely to have been fairly assigned. The fact that we all do not have an equal starting situations in life is an indication that these assignments are somehow deserved and thus, are assigned fairly, or that they are randomly (and thereby unjustly) assigned by the creator. If I assume fairness and justice from the creator, our assigned situations have to be a direct consequence of our past wrongs (committed in our previous, originating context of existence, before joining this life). This is, of course, not another previous life on this Earth (as mathematically that would not work), but – just as when one enters and returns from dreams – a larger, encompassing context of reality.
     
        

    Ephesians 4:15, 16

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Christ Himself, who is the head. 16 From Him the whole body, fitted and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love through the work of each individual part. "...
    NRSV: ..."15 But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Jesus, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body's growth in building itself up in love."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • In their predispositions, humans inherit both love (the essence of the creator’s spirit we share with him, indicating our significance) and selfishness (its opposite/opposing property, what some mistakenly attribute to a separate entity of the ‘evil/devil/satan’) to different degrees from their greater-self, from their originating context of reality
  • The creator created our reality (best modeled as a consciousness-centric simulation) to facilitate the evaluation of its target audience: humans
  • The eternal continuation of their awareness is inevitable and unavoidable for all human souls
  • The human spirit is somehow part of the eternal consciousness
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    “growing up to the head who is Jesus” can also be interpreted as the relationship of conscious souls and the creator (instead of the organization of the church with Jesus as its head, even if the author obviously did not mean it so). According to the philosophical foundation's reasoning, the eternal sovereign human soul is somehow an independent thread running within realities created in the master consciousness of the creator. This explains our soul's complete transparency to the creator, and makes the evaluation of even our thoughts imaginable. The human soul (when aligned with the preferred value of the creator) is “a part, working properly, promoting the body's growth in building itself up in love”. If this is a default state, it is then imaginable that some of those parts (human souls) violated this relation at a point during eternity, and started malfunctioning. Our current existence can be a chance for those parts to rectify their wrongs or be discarded. Realigned parts (those who reached their salvation) can again work together in the presence of the creator (being a useful part in a whole).
     
        

    Ephesians 4:17

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. "...
    NRSV: ..."17 Now this I affirm and insist on in the Lord: you must no longer live as the Gentiles live, in the futility of their minds."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • incorrect or inappropriate generalization
  • misguided focus on Jews or improper differentiation between Jews and Gentiles
  •  
    interpretation:
    Even though one may understand the analogy and the reason for this passage (to warn against the ungodly ways of some of the gentiles known to the author), this may also imply that the gentiles, by the fact that they are gentiles, necessarily have a 'futility of their mind' as opposed to the Jews, who do not. Jesus's contrasting his universal message of salvation with the exclusionary Jewish belief system rebuffs this very point of the author. As a counterexample, there is Zoroaster – a definite gentile – who had some pretty darn good ideas and focus about the purpose of life, better than all the OT writers combined. The fact is, those who figure that they need to align with love in their live (whether with the help of Jesus or without) are those who do not have futility in their minds. Those who do not figure this (irrespective of whether they are Jews or Gentiles) are 'in futility in their minds' – as many Jews and Gentiles surely have been.
     
        

    Ephesians 4:22, 23, 24

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    Berean: ..."22 to put off your former way of life, your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be renewed in the spirit of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. "...
    NRSV: ..."22 You were taught to put away your former way of life, your old self, corrupt and deluded by its lusts, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to clothe yourselves with the new self, created according to the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • In their predispositions, humans inherit both love (the essence of the creator’s spirit we share with him, indicating our significance) and selfishness (its opposite/opposing property, what some mistakenly attribute to a separate entity of the ‘evil/devil/satan’) to different degrees from their greater-self, from their originating context of reality
  • The main goal of our life is to reach our salvation and build values that transcend this reality into eternal life, not to reach material or academic success or to fulfill other worldly desires or loyalties
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    The former life is the materialistic life that thinks death is the end of one's awareness, thus amassing joy and pleasure in this life is a logical goal. The renewed spirit is aware of its afterlife, is aligned with love, and thus, focuses on different values. This renewed spirit is to the likeness of God. Love (as opposed to selfishness and its derivatives) is the preferred value of the creator, and (re)aligning to this value is what humans are measured on in this evaluation. This passage hints at the motivation of the creator: his wish that we humans realign to his essential spirit. This is the criterion for us to return to heaven to his presence.
     
        

    Ephesians 4:25, 26, 28, 29

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    Berean: ..."25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one another. 26 “Be angry, yet do not sin.” Do not let the sun set upon your anger, 28 He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing good with his own hands, that he may have something to share with the one in need. 29 Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen. "...
    NRSV: ..."25 So then, putting away falsehood, let all of us speak the truth to our neighbors, for we are members of one another. 26 Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger ... 28 Thieves must give up stealing; rather let them labor and work honestly with their own hands, so as to have something to share with the needy. 29 Let no evil talk come out of your mouths"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Behavioral guidance
  • One ‘loves God’ by loving their fellow human beings, no matter how far removed they may be, which fulfills the single command of God
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    We are all “members of one another”, one big family, many independent threads, all running in the conscious mind of the creator. We properly function if we reconcile with each other, forgive our trespasses against each other, and conduct our existence in consideration to all others, in love. Behavioral guidance that follows from being aligned with love.
     
        

    Ephesians 4:30

    top  

    Berean: ..."30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. "...
    NRSV: ..."30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with which you were marked with a seal for the day of redemption."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • In their predispositions, humans inherit both love (the essence of the creator’s spirit we share with him, indicating our significance) and selfishness (its opposite/opposing property, what some mistakenly attribute to a separate entity of the ‘evil/devil/satan’) to different degrees from their greater-self, from their originating context of reality
  •  
    interpretation:
    All humans are 'marked with a seal of the Holy Spirit of God via our innate predispositions to love, and as such, all humans who have ever appeared in this reality are invited to redeem/rectify their sinful condition and reach salvation according to the eternal word of God, the guidance formalized by the CESAPH.
     
        

    Ephesians 4:31, 32

    top  

    Berean: ..."31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you. "...
    NRSV: ..."31 Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice, 32 and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Jesus has forgiven you."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Behavioral guidance
  • One needs to live life being always ready for its accounting - then, if events in the future come as a ’thief’, as one would have needed to do nothing differently
  • One ‘loves God’ by loving their fellow human beings, no matter how far removed they may be, which fulfills the single command of God
  •  
    interpretation:
    This all follows from alignment with love.
     
        

    Ephesians 5:4, 5

    top  

    Berean: ..."4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk, or crude joking, which are out of character, but rather thanksgiving. 5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure, or greedy person (that is, an idolater), has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. "...
    NRSV: ..."4 Entirely out of place is obscene, silly, and vulgar talk; but instead, let there be thanksgiving. 5 Be sure of this, that no fornicator or impure person, or one who is greedy (that is, an idolater), has any inheritance in the kingdom of Jesus and of God."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • incorrect or inappropriate generalization
  • personal perspectives and directives that are culturally dependent
  •  
    interpretation:
    Here, the author seems to express his own personal views and conclusions drawn from the teachings of Jesus – which is fine; it just should not be a part of an allegedly 'sacred and infallible collection of scriptures'. 'silly or even vulgar talk', impurity (though depending on what this means), masturbation to a certain healthy degree are certainly not things that would stand in the way of one's salvation, unless these acts derive from, or are fueled by an alignment toward selfishness. The focus on 'greed' is correct, as that points out the fundamental wrong of selfishness. However, in this passage, one may incorrectly associate 'greed' with being an 'idolater'. One can argue about terminology, but greed has nothing to do with idolatry, unless someone defines 'greed' as 'an idolization of money'. Being evaluated on one's alignment between love and selfishness is just a more useful guidance to follow than verses like this.  
     
        

    Ephesians 5:15, 16

    top  

    Berean: ..."15 Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. "...
    NRSV: ..."15 Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, 16 making the most of the time, because the days are evil."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • As salvation is an individual achievement, finding the way and living life accordingly is a private matter that can not be policed or compelled by others
  • One needs to live life being always ready for its accounting - then, if events in the future come as a ’thief’, as one would have needed to do nothing differently
  • Salvation can not be put off till later in life, as such calculation can not lead to genuine repentance of sins or justification
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  • ‘Justification’ is ‘being convinced about love’s (vs. selfishness) need to guide life’ (= ‘being rightly enlightened’, = ‘holding Jesus’s message in conviction’, = ‘following/believing in Jesus’, = ‘gaining a justified conviction’, = ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, = ‘doing the works of God’, = ‘satisfying/keeping/adhering to the command of God’, = ‘accepting/living according to Jesus’s message’, = ‘fulfilling the eternal word of God, of salvation’)
  •  
    interpretation:
    'Days are evil' means that as long as one still lives, the task of alignment and working for salvation is not over. One can never say 'I have done enough', as with a longer life, a longer probe is in effect. And the amount of temptation one is facing in life is part of one's assignment. The “wise” are the justified, who are “making the most of the time” (living accordingly), to prove their quality of soul.
     
        

    Ephesians 5:18

    top  

    Berean: ..."18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to reckless indiscretion. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. "...
    NRSV: ..."18 Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • personal perspectives and directives that are culturally dependent
  •  
    interpretation:
    There is a danger of some taking this literally, meaning that 'all alcoholics will go to hell' or that 'getting drunk on beer on the other hand must be OK' because of this passage. While this is prudent advice, it is OK to drink and get drunk every now and then as long as one learns their lesson, not make a destructive habit of it that inhibits living a justified life, and not harm others around them. The focus should be alignment with love and fighting selfishness and its derived behaviors, NOT drinking alcohol.
     
        

    Ephesians 5:22, 23

    top  

    Berean: ..."22 Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, His body, of which He is the Savior. "...
    NRSV: ..."22 Wives, be subject to your husbands as you are to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife just as Jesus is the head of the church, ..."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • personal perspectives and directives that are culturally dependent
  •  
    interpretation:
    The analogy of Jesus and the Church as husband to the wife is misguided and comes from the personal point of view of the author. Mutual respect, love, and responsibility for each other – they could be guidelines for the married. And if one is leading the family to a bad direction, the other should have the responsibility to warn the other and correct the path. It is understandable for the author to refer to Jesus as the head of the church, however the church can only be the individuals who are justified in their conviction about following the message of Jesus, the message of salvation – it is not a hierarchical or formal organization that one belongs to/is a member of or not.
     
        

    Ephesians 5:25, 26, 27

    top  

    Berean: ..."25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her 26 to sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to Himself as a glorious church, without stain or wrinkle or any such blemish, but holy and blameless. "...
    NRSV: ..."25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Jesus loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 in order to make her holy by cleansing her with the washing of water by the word, 27 so as to present the church to himself in splendor, without a spot or wrinkle or anything of the kind — yes, so that she may be holy and without blemish."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • In their predispositions, humans inherit both love (the essence of the creator’s spirit we share with him, indicating our significance) and selfishness (its opposite/opposing property, what some mistakenly attribute to a separate entity of the ‘evil/devil/satan’) to different degrees from their greater-self, from their originating context of reality
  •  
    interpretation:
    The “church” are all individuals who are justified in their conviction about following the message of Jesus, the message of salvation – it is not a hierarchical or formal organization that one belongs to. The creator did undertake having a human life of limitations, suffering and death for those who will have succeeded because of this testimonial. Those who will have reached their salvation can be thought of as spotless, without blemish, ready to rejoin the presence of the creator in heaven. This also hints about humans' significance in the eye of the creator.
     
        

    Ephesians 5:29, 30

     Significant Alignment! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."29 Indeed, no one ever hated his own body, but he nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church. 30 For we are members of His body. "...
    NRSV: ..."29 For no one ever hates his own body, but he nourishes and tenderly cares for it, just as Jesus does for the church, 30 because we are members of his body."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • In their predispositions, humans inherit both love (the essence of the creator’s spirit we share with him, indicating our significance) and selfishness (its opposite/opposing property, what some mistakenly attribute to a separate entity of the ‘evil/devil/satan’) to different degrees from their greater-self, from their originating context of reality
  • The creator created our reality (best modeled as a consciousness-centric simulation) to facilitate the evaluation of its target audience: humans
  • The human spirit is somehow part of the eternal consciousness
  •  
    interpretation:
    Humans who align their lives with love (whether with the help of the CESAPH or not) can be thought of as a whole – a body. This also underlines the thinking that conscious souls are independent threads running within the mind of the creator, currently in our temporary simulated reality of life on Earth. The way these independent threads are related into “one body” is through love. We are the participants and audiences of the realities the creator creates for us and lets us participate in.
     
        

    Ephesians 6:2, 3

    top  

    Berean: ..."2 “Honor your father and mother” (which is the first commandment with a promise), 3 “that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life on the earth.” "...
    NRSV: ..."2 "Honor your father and mother" — this is the first commandment with a promise: 3 "so that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  •  
    interpretation:
    Honoring one's parents will have no effect on living long on this Earth. And of course, honoring parents is only due when they are honorable (or at least not dishonorable).
     
        

    Ephesians 6:5, 6

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear and sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. 6 And do this not only to please them while they are watching, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. "...
    NRSV: ..."5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, in singleness of heart, as you obey Jesus; 6 not only while being watched, and in order to please them, but as slaves of Jesus, doing the will of God from the heart."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • condoning slavery
  • contradicts other NT passages
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • personal perspectives and directives that are culturally dependent
  •  
    interpretation:
    Contradicts Mark 10:44, Romans 7:6, 1 Corinthians 7:22-23, Philippians 2:6-8, Galatians 5:13-14 Galatians 5:1, 4:7, 3:28, 1 Timothy 1:10-11, 1 Peter 2:16, James 5:1-5, Colossians 3:10 by implicitly condoning the condition of slavery. The author is simply wrong on the possibility for any person to own slaves, their family, and make them obedient. Some forms of subservient relations CAN exist out of legal (repaying debt or fulfilling a contractual obligation) or moral reasons (voluntary or sanctioned rectifying trespasses to those harmed), but in those cases the relationship is NOT 'slavery', as ownership of another person or their offspring is not involved. Of course, people in subservient relations to their 'lenders' still need to relate to them (to the people they owe and serve) with love, and vice versa. This passage was likely included to maintain social order at the time of its writing, and has nothing to do with the wish of Jesus or his message (other than the main command covers all situations, including this one). If the 'master' is a respectable human, then treat him with respect. In ALL cases treat all humans – including masters – in alignment with love and consideration. Then, there are those masters who are not worthy of respect as they may not be worthy of any honor. And those should be treated 'appropriately'. No one needs to take consistent wickedness from an abuser as part of the abuser's pleasure and entertainment – and this does not even contradict the 'other cheek' principle. Masters who are believers (justified in their conviction) should have already freed their slaved and transferred all legitimate cases into contractual obligations (debt, rectifying sins). Addressing the condition of 'slavery' head on would have been perhaps more important for the author to address than these other detailed instructions he was so concerned about. But then, I guess he would have risked a quick execution from the slave-owning authorities. How about the practice of prisoners of war being converted into slave status? Well, perfect opportunity to preach the message of Jesus to the enablers and maintainers of such injustices! Social justice and sustainable development directly follow from Jesus's main command. More than 2000 years later church leaders still did not address those points by sticking them to the face of those who have been responsible for maintaining such injustices (namely, rulers and the rich who have been allied with the church throughout history).. And we did not even touch the camel's case with the eye of the needle. Sadly, parts like this were responsible in the upkeep of those unjust situations, as they could be referenced as examples and counter-examples, invoking 'divine blessing'. A valid message from the passage is: 'do good not only when others see you, but also when no one sees, because it comes from your heart' – which essentially means 'strive to reach a justified conviction so that love guides your life, and then you will do all the necessary things from your own will anyway'.
     
        

    Ephesians 6:7, 8

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."7 Serve with good will, as to the Lord and not to men, 8 because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free. "...
    NRSV: ..."7 Render service with enthusiasm, as to the Lord and not to men and women, 8 knowing that whatever good we do, we will receive the same again from the Lord, whether we are slaves or free."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally
  •  
    interpretation:
    Contradicts Galatians 4:30, Matthew 22:8, Luke 17:7, Acts 2:18, Colossians 3:22, 4:1, 1 Peter 2:18, Ephesians 6:5,7,8, 1 Timothy 6:1, Titus 2:9 – as those seemingly condone slavery. Here the condition is acknowledged as a 'typical condition of the times'. The author does not critique it, but holds the position that the creator does not factor such state into a decision about salvation. A condition of being in such unjust servitude can be an assigned condition one receives from the creator (through being born into such situation) to deal with and succeed from in reaching salvation. However, this is no different than being born into other terrible family situations, like abusive parents, etc. However, all these are human-caused conditions. In these cases, one needs to walk the path to salvation DESPITE being in this difficult situation, with the evaluation criterion staying the same for the slave and for the master: align acts and thoughts with love, not selfishness, as if one would do this for the Lord, not to the others.
     
    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • condoning slavery
  • contradicts other NT passages
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Contradicts Mark 10:44, Romans 7:6, 1 Corinthians 7:22-23, Philippians 2:6-8, Galatians 5:13-14 Galatians 5:1, 4:7, 3:28, 1 Timothy 1:10-11, 1 Peter 2:16, James 5:1-5, Colossians 3:10 by implicitly condoning the condition of slavery. The author is simply wrong on the possibility for any person to own slaves, their family, and make them obedient. Some forms of subservient relations CAN exist out of legal (repaying debt or fulfilling a contractual obligation) or moral reasons (voluntary or sanctioned rectifying trespasses to those harmed), but in those cases the relationship is NOT 'slavery', as ownership of another person or their offspring is not involved. Of course, people in subservient relations to their 'lenders' still need to relate to them (to the people they owe and serve) with love, and vice versa. This passage was likely included to maintain social order at the time of its writing, and has nothing to do with the wish of Jesus or his message (other than the main command covers all situations, including this one). If the 'master' is a respectable human, then treat him with respect. In ALL cases treat all humans – including masters – in alignment with love and consideration. Then, there are those masters who are not worthy of respect as they may not be worthy of any honor. And those should be treated 'appropriately'. No one needs to take consistent wickedness from an abuser as part of the abuser's pleasure and entertainment – and this does not even contradict the 'other cheek' principle. Masters who are believers (justified in their conviction) should have already freed their slaved and transferred all legitimate cases into contractual obligations (debt, rectifying sins). Addressing the condition of 'slavery' head on would have been perhaps more important for the author to address than these other detailed instructions he was so concerned about. But then, I guess he would have risked a quick execution from the slave-owning authorities. How about the practice of prisoners of war being converted into slave status? Well, perfect opportunity to preach the message of Jesus to the enablers and maintainers of such injustices! Social justice and sustainable development directly follow from Jesus's main command. More than 2000 years later church leaders still did not address those points by sticking them to the face of those who have been responsible for maintaining such injustices (namely, rulers and the rich who have been allied with the church throughout history).. And we did not even touch the camel's case with the eye of the needle. Sadly, parts like this were responsible in the upkeep of those unjust situations, as they could be referenced as examples and counter-examples, invoking 'divine blessing'. However, with certain interpretations, the passage does make sense. If one correctly follows Jesus's message, one WILL 'render service with enthusiasm' TO all other men and women, as Jesus taught us to love one another, and the way we love God is through loving our neighbors and fellow human beings. Also, by telling us to render service “knowing that whatever good we do, we will receive the same again from the Lord” he motivates us to behave out of calculation for a reward, and not out of our own heart, because we see it right that way. We can all hope that in salvation we will be rewarded, but true love is unselfish, and does not watch out for repayment, does not act out of calculation. Though having good intentions, this passage speaks against the true message of Jesus to a degree (as probably the author has misspoken or badly worded it).
     
        

    Ephesians 6:12

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. "...
    NRSV: ..."12 For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • content that is unhelpful, intentionally mystifying, irrelevant, or too detailed to be a part of ‘scriptures’ of guidance to salvation
  • contradicts other NT passages
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • personal perspectives and directives that are culturally dependent
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "‘Evil’, ‘Devil’, or ‘Satan’ is NOT a separate entity opposed to the creator, but the value of selfishness in us that is opposite to the preferred value of the creator, love"
  •  
    interpretation:
    contradicts Ephesians 6:7, Romans 13:1-7 and other passages where servitude to rulers is painted as a virtue. We either struggle against those of them that are wrong (the obvious case, but then the blanket generalizations of the contradicting quotes are wrongly included), or we work with them and serve them. contradicts Ephesians 3:10 where we are urged to show the authorities and rulers wisdom (though that one refers to rulers and authorities in 'heavenly places' – whoever those may be beside the creator...) contradicts 1 Peter 2:13, 1 Peter 5:5 that urges to accept all human authority and the elders. There are no “cosmic powers of this present darkness” or “spiritual forces of evil in heavenly places”for us to fight against – there is simply selfishness and its opposite, love, and all other derivatives and manifestations of these two poles. The imagination of the writer ran amok a bit in this passage – but this is not something that would prevent one to distill the essential message of the NT. Based on the belief system of the OT,  the authors and disciples of Jesus misguidedly believed the ‘Evil One’, ‘Devil’, or ’Satan’ to be a separate independent entity (a fallen leader of angels) opposed to the creator and having some special powers. However, the concept should simply be interpreted as ‘the influence and temptations to be selfish’, the opposite of the creator’s preference of love that is present in us conscious humans, and all of us are here to demonstrate that we can subdue and eliminate this value in us, and side with its opposite in our evaluation.
     
        

    Ephesians 6:17

    top  

    Berean: ..."17 And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. "...
    NRSV: ..."17 Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • In their predispositions, humans inherit both love (the essence of the creator’s spirit we share with him, indicating our significance) and selfishness (its opposite/opposing property, what some mistakenly attribute to a separate entity of the ‘evil/devil/satan’) to different degrees from their greater-self, from their originating context of reality
  • ‘Justification’ is ‘being convinced about love’s (vs. selfishness) need to guide life’ (= ‘being rightly enlightened’, = ‘holding Jesus’s message in conviction’, = ‘following/believing in Jesus’, = ‘gaining a justified conviction’, = ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, = ‘doing the works of God’, = ‘satisfying/keeping/adhering to the command of God’, = ‘accepting/living according to Jesus’s message’, = ‘fulfilling the eternal word of God, of salvation’)
  •  
    interpretation:
    The hope of salvation (the redeeming of the sinful condition and rejoining the presence of the creator in heaven) can be thought of as the “helmet” that shield's one's mind from temptation during the evaluation, and the spirit of love present in everyone (to various degrees) is the weapon one has in the fight to carry this spirit to domination in one's conviction and life. The word of God formalized by the CESAPH is the sword of the spirit that can help us the most in winning this battle. It is the testimony we can have to trust that we face a loving creator who wants us to succeed in reaching salvation in this life of potential misery.
     
        

    Jude 1:5

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."5 Although you are fully aware of this, I want to remind you that after Jesus had delivered His people out of the land of Egypt, He destroyed those who did not believe. "...
    NRSV: ..."5 Now I desire to remind you, though you are fully informed, that the Lord, who once for all saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • attempted building, claiming, or referencing authority that is misguided and improper
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  • suspected post-fitting of the narrative (not possible for the author to know about, or likely did not happen as described)
  •  
    interpretation:
    It is completely misguided to project the OT's creator-image to Jesus and try to illustrate points with this obviously false artificially combined image. Tools of instilling fear should remain with the OT, for whoever subscribes to that belief system. Jesus invites people to cooperate with his plan of salvation, which they earn by aligning their conviction with love and living their life accordingly (and no need to adhere to any set of dietary or customary restrictions). Even if we allow ourselves to be reminded of the power of the mighty creator and our relation to him (which obviously DOES exist with the creator), the creator most certainly did NOT destroy those who 'did not believe' (I guess in the words of Moses at the time, as the narrative refers to the flight from Egypt, and even the torah was not yet written). All signs point to the rest of the world continuing to do just fine while the Jews went onto their 'promised land' in the next 40 years (and unfortunately for the storytellers, there is absolutely no independent record of their flight from Egypt that corroborates their magical story).
     
        

    Jude 1:6

     Significant Alignment! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."6 And the angels who did not stay within their own domain but abandoned their proper dwelling—these He has kept in eternal chains under darkness, bound for judgment on that great day. "...
    NRSV: ..."6 And the angels who did not keep their own position, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains in deepest darkness for the judgment of the great day."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally
  • The human spirit is somehow part of the eternal consciousness
  •  
    interpretation:
    There is another reference to fallen angels, who – according to the philosophical foundation's interpretation – indicate (most likely unintentionally) the origins of humans' failings, their sinful nature and condition. Angels who “left their proper dwelling” and “did not keep their own position” committed a wrong, for which they were punished by the creator. The “eternal chains in deepest darkness” then is our existence here on Earth, with all its potential suffering and misery (at least to some of us, as deserved by our conditions) and we are waiting for the “judgment of the great day”. Or, they could refer to the fate of those who did not get the chance to prove themselves in this life as humans. But since the passage references the “judgment of the great day”, their “chains in the deepest darkness” may not be “eternal” after all. Thus, the reference to us, humans, is perhaps more fitting: in this reality each of us are facing the punishments that could fit our wrongdoing (sickness, misery, poverty, and other forms of human suffering) while we reach our judgment at the end of our life.
     
        

    Jude 1:7

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."7 In like manner, Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them, who indulged in sexual immorality and pursued strange flesh, are on display as an example of those who sustain the punishment of eternal fire. "...
    NRSV: ..."7 Likewise, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which, in the same manner as they, indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural lust, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • attempted building, claiming, or referencing authority that is misguided and improper
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  • suspected post-fitting of the narrative (not possible for the author to know about, or likely did not happen as described)
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Relativity of experiencing time"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness"
  •  
    interpretation:
    It is completely misguided to project the OT's creator-image to Jesus and try to illustrate points with this obviously false artificially combined image. Tools of instilling fear should remain with the OT, for whoever subscribes to that belief system. Jesus invites people to cooperate with his plan of salvation, which they earn by aligning their conviction with love and living their life accordingly (and no need to adhere to any set of dietary or customary restrictions). Even if we allow ourselves to be reminded of the power of the mighty creator and our relation to him (which obviously DOES exist with the creator), the creator most certainly did NOT destroy a whole set of cities just because some of their inhabitants practiced in immoral sexual practices. Certainly, there must have been those who suffered and died when whatever cataclysmic event ended Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding area, but to assume that all inhabitants were collectively punished for the wrongs of some, is just plain misguided, that does not fit as a description to the creator in Jesus. Surely, if such story took place, the lives of all who died in it will have been judged on their alignment with love vs selfishness, the same way as everyone else will. Natural disasters do occur, as we are not living in paradise, but in a place of penance. But to take a natural disaster and put it into a story to serve your religious point of view is a bit steep, even if those were the standards back then. Additionally, no human has knowledge of the fate or judgment of anyone who died. To claim that 'they are undergoing a punishment of eternal fire' is to claim one is familiar with the creator's decisions and sees into his realm. Also, they 'can not be serving as an example' as no one has witnessed their torture in hell or how many of them actually made it to heaven, because their life was aligned with love. Additionally, going to heaven and hell will only take place after everyone received their judgment in the last judgment – so during our life no one can say 'him or her IS in hell or heaven', as judgment did not yet take place. To use a natural disaster as 'an example of God's punishment for the unrighteous' is kind of low, assuming a lot. With this logic, Pompeii must also have been a very very immoral city (and Rome must have been a lot more moral, since they are still around). Following the logic of the author one could claim that God will surely punish (collectively, if required) the immoral and sinful conduct of cities IN THIS WORLD – which obviously is NOT the case, as what we have is 'good things happening to bad people' and ALL its other variations. Justice will come in the last judgment; till then, there is trickery, lack of certainty, suffering, hopelessness, insecurity, temptation, and the apparent rewarding of the immoral – welcome to our evaluation in our place of penance!
     
        

    Jude 1:8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16

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    Berean: ..."8 Yet in the same way these dreamers defile their bodies, reject authority, and slander glorious beings. 9 But even the archangel Michael, when he disputed with the devil over the body of Moses, did not presume to bring a slanderous charge against him, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” 10 These men, however, slander what they do not understand, and like irrational animals, they will be destroyed by the things they do instinctively. 11 Woe to them! They have traveled the path of Cain; they have rushed headlong into the error of Balaam; they have perished in Korah’s rebellion. 12 These men are hidden reefs in your love feasts, shamelessly feasting with you but shepherding only themselves. They are clouds without water, carried along by the wind; fruitless trees in autumn, twice dead after being uprooted. 13 They are wild waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame; wandering stars, for whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever. 14 Enoch, the seventh from Adam, also prophesied about them: “Behold, the Lord is coming with myriads of His holy ones 15 to execute judgment on everyone, and to convict all the ungodly of every ungodly act of wickedness and every harsh word spoken against Him by ungodly sinners.” 16 These men are discontented grumblers, following after their own lusts; their mouths spew arrogance; they flatter others for their own advantage. "...
    NRSV: ..."8 Yet in the same way these dreamers also defile the flesh, reject authority, and slander the glorious ones. 9 But when the archangel Michael contended with the devil and disputed about the body of Moses, he did not dare to bring a condemnation of slander against him, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” 10 But these people slander whatever they do not understand, and they are destroyed by those things that, like irrational animals, they know by instinct. 11 Woe to them! For they go the way of Cain, and abandon themselves to Balaam’s error for the sake of gain, and perish in Korah’s rebellion. 12 These are blemishes on your love-feasts, while they feast with you without fear, feeding themselves. They are waterless clouds carried along by the winds; autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, uprooted; 13 wild waves of the sea, casting up the foam of their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the deepest darkness has been reserved forever.14 It was also about these that Enoch, in the seventh generation from Adam, prophesied, saying, “See, the Lord is coming with ten thousands of his holy ones, 15 to execute judgment on all, and to convict everyone of all the deeds of ungodliness that they have committed in such an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things that ungodly sinners have spoken against him.” 16 These are grumblers and malcontents; they indulge their own lusts; they are bombastic in speech, flattering people to their own advantage."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • content that is unhelpful, intentionally mystifying, irrelevant, or too detailed to be a part of ‘scriptures’ of guidance to salvation
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "A justified person has the duty to spread the word of God to others in a non-intrusive way whenever the chance arises and by showing an example"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "As salvation is an individual achievement, finding the way and living life accordingly is a private matter that can not be policed or compelled by others"
  •  
    interpretation:
    The author got carried away a 'bit' in ranting about those who did not accept the true religion (and good luck figuring out the point of the whole text) – and it does not really help.. One need not worry about these cases, the unbelievers, the slanderers, the ones who violently fight you and argue with you. All the author needed to express instead of all this is: 'all will get their deserved judgment based on the way they live their life'. In this life, we need to face all sorts of challenges and temptations: facing or becoming selfishness, arguments that challenge one's beliefs, abuse and ridicule. And all we need to do is to try to express our belief the best we can, and show an example in loving each other so that others can recognize us as the followers of Jesus (as Jesus asked us to be). Beyond this, one should find solace in everyone receiving their fair judgment on how they used their free will in the last judgment. And this includes all the abusers and slanderers too.
     
        

    Jude 1:9

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."9 But even the archangel Michael, when he disputed with the devil over the body of Moses, did not presume to bring a slanderous charge against him, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” "...
    NRSV: ..."9 But when the archangel Michael contended with the devil and disputed about the body of Moses, he did not dare to bring a condemnation of slander against him, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • content that is unhelpful, intentionally mystifying, irrelevant, or too detailed to be a part of ‘scriptures’ of guidance to salvation
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  • suspected post-fitting of the narrative (not possible for the author to know about, or likely did not happen as described)
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "‘Evil’, ‘Devil’, or ‘Satan’ is NOT a separate entity opposed to the creator, but the value of selfishness in us that is opposite to the preferred value of the creator, love"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Silly talk about Moses's body, like the author knows anything specific as to that happened to it back then. Why would an archangel contend for the body of Moses? With the devil? And why would Moses's body matter in the NT? And what is the lesson of the story here? Focus please! Another attempt to capture the minds of people whose religion centers around the OT and find it impossible to accept that it is all invalid when facing the truth in Jesus. Reaching back into their holy book will make it more likely to get them to accept the new faith – as a continuation of their old faith. Based on the belief system of the OT,  the authors and disciples of Jesus misguidedly believed the ‘Evil One’, ‘Devil’, or ’Satan’ to be a separate independent entity (a fallen leader of angels) opposed to the creator and having some special powers. However, the concept should simply be interpreted as ‘the influence and temptations to be selfish’, the opposite of the creator’s preference of love that is present in us conscious humans, and all of us are here to demonstrate that we can subdue and eliminate this value in us, and side with its opposite in our evaluation.
     
        

    Jude 1:17, 18, 19

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."17 But you, beloved, remember what was foretold by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ 18 when they said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow after their own ungodly desires.” 19 These are the ones who cause divisions, who are worldly and devoid of the Spirit. "...
    NRSV: ..."17 But you, beloved, must remember the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; 18 for they said to you, "In the last time there will be scoffers, indulging their own ungodly lusts." 19 It is these worldly people, devoid of the Spirit, who are causing divisions."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • clear misguidance of author as the time remaining till the second coming was NOT near
  • inappropriate/inadequate/misguided attempt to apply OT prophecy
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "As salvation is an individual achievement, finding the way and living life accordingly is a private matter that can not be policed or compelled by others"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "One needs to live life being always ready for its accounting - then, if events in the future come as a ’thief’, as one would have needed to do nothing differently"
  •  
    interpretation:
    The author is talking about his present time almost as 'nearing the end times', which, in his argument explains these sorts of behaviors, because 'this has been foretold'. Well, not only in the 'last time' there would be 'scoffers, indulging their own ungodly lusts', but also, all along the way. This is how the world – a place of penance for a whole bunch of failed angels – looks like. There is no need to invoke a prophecy to foretell this... Some people, when confronted with the fact that their beliefs and behavior are completely incompatible with the eternal word of God, they find this very inconvenient and unpleasant to hear. So they respond with attacks, ridicule and dismissal. And these are also parts of the temptations believers need to be able to face, handle, and resist in their path toward salvation. Yes, these people are causing divisions, but not only them, also Christians who argue among themselves about interpretations and tenets. And divisions are FINE; they are part of our existence. Divisions may represent temptations we are to resist, or versions of truth we are to accept (if they describe a more likely and sensible scenario of the ultimate truth). One's main goal in life is NOT to conform and play along to establish 'unity of whatever on Earth', but to reach salvation by aligning one's life with love (and perhaps help others to do the same too, in their spare time).
     
        

    Jude 1:21, 22, 23

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    Berean: ..."21 keep yourselves in the love of God as you await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you eternal life. 22 And indeed, have mercy on those who doubt; 23 save others by snatching them from the fire; and to still others show mercy tempered with fear, hating even the clothing stained by the flesh. "...
    NRSV: ..."21 keep yourselves in the love of God; look forward to the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. 22 And have mercy on some who are wavering; 23 save others by snatching them out of the fire; and have mercy on still others with fear, hating even the tunic defiled by their bodies."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • A justified person has the duty to spread the word of God to others in a non-intrusive way whenever the chance arises and by showing an example
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • As salvation is an individual achievement, finding the way and living life accordingly is a private matter that can not be policed or compelled by others
  • One ‘loves God’ by loving their fellow human beings, no matter how far removed they may be, which fulfills the single command of God
  •  
    interpretation:
    “keep yourself in the love of God” means living life in alignment with love whatever the granted situations may be. This is not mere belief, but proving/backing the belief with action. Praying for those who are not on the right path is also included in loving and being considerate of others, as is to “snatch others out of the fire” by showing them the way to salvation, by example and gentle non-obtrusive convincing.
     
        

    2 Thessalonians 1:6, 7, 8

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    Berean: ..."6 After all, it is only right for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, 7 and to grant relief to you who are oppressed and to us as well. This will take place when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels 8 in blazing fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. "...
    NRSV: ..."6 For it is indeed just of God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, 7 and to give relief to the afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels 8 in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • It is logical to expect appropriate consequences due for passing or failing the evaluation
  • ‘Justification’ is ‘being convinced about love’s (vs. selfishness) need to guide life’ (= ‘being rightly enlightened’, = ‘holding Jesus’s message in conviction’, = ‘following/believing in Jesus’, = ‘gaining a justified conviction’, = ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, = ‘doing the works of God’, = ‘satisfying/keeping/adhering to the command of God’, = ‘accepting/living according to Jesus’s message’, = ‘fulfilling the eternal word of God, of salvation’)
  •  
    interpretation:
    The section properly states that just punishment and reward can be expected in the next life, and NOT necessarily in this one. 'Obeying the gospel' can only mean living life according to our justified conviction – as the main and only command from Jesus is this.
     
    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "One’s ‘faith’/belief system has no direct value to the creator, and is only a potential tool in one’s quest to gain justification and reach salvation IF it helps its holder in these"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness"
  •  
    interpretation:
    The essential message of this passage is basically correct - it is about our evaluation and its natural (logical) consequences. However the tone is threatening, and is an unwise formulation of words, heavily influenced by the OT. 'Knowing God' is not something one is responsible for, or something one can even attain in life. Certainly, we can strive to get to know our creator, and can reason to conclude its existence and his motivation with us. Or, we can simply subscribe to any belief system we may inherit or get acquainted with. However, accepting God's existence, and having an idea about his purpose and plans with us is still, only a step, a help in our journey that is the subject of the evaluation. Thus, it is not our faith in God, and believing in his story that counts. What matters to the creator is our implementation of his message in our life – a life lived in alignment with the preferred value of the creator, love. This proves our worthiness to rejoin him in heaven. What the creator needs in heaven are conscious beings whose convictions are guided by love, and not selfishness, as the basis of the relationship between those beings and the creator is love too. And this is also makes supreme sense. 'Knowing' with certainty is not granted to anyone in this existence. 'Faith' will be required in all cases for one to make a wager in their life on a scenario of reality they deem to be the most likely to be true. People acquire their faith consciously or unconsciously (as with materialists' belief that 'the entirety of reality is represented in their observable phenomenon, and there is nothing beyond it'). The faith that Jesus requires from us is justification: we need to accept and believe that love needs to guide life as opposed to selfishness. This faith – if one's life is lived accordingly – can earn one their salvation.
     
        

    2 Thessalonians 1:9, 10

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    Berean: ..."9 They will suffer the penalty of eternal destruction, separated from the presence of the Lord and the glory of His might, 10 on the day He comes to be glorified in His saints and regarded with wonder by all who have believed, including you who have believed our testimony. "...
    NRSV: ..."9 These will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, separated from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, 10 when he comes to be glorified by his saints and to be marveled at on that day among all who have believed,"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • It is logical to expect appropriate consequences due for passing or failing the evaluation
  • Our evaluation serves to separate those who align with love from those who align with selfishness, thereby eliminating the source of suffering from heaven
  •  
    interpretation:
    Being in the “presence of the Lord” or being “separated” from it is what our eternal existence is all about for us infinite conscious beings. The “glory of his might” can refer to the realities the creator can create for us, conscious companions and observers. The creator will be “glorified by his saints” (those humans who have reached their salvation), “on that day” (last judgment) “among all who have believed” (those humans who believed in the eternal word of God, of salvation, including those who did not even get the chance to hear it being formalized and testified to by Jesus).
     
        

    2 Thessalonians 2:3

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."3 Let no one deceive you in any way, for it will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness—the son of destruction—is revealed. "...
    NRSV: ..."3 Let no one deceive you in any way; for that day will not come unless the rebellion comes first and the lawless one is revealed, the one destined for destruction."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • inappropriate/inadequate/misguided attempt to apply OT prophecy
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Again, worrying about the end times, that no one should worry about. The instructions were clear: be ready each and every day for the accounting of it will come like a thief. Yet, people are obsessed with events to come, to live through, miracles to witness, even though there is NOTHING one should do differently because the end of the world (or one's death) is near. This is the ultimate missing the point while getting lost elsewhere... Additionally, expecting a rebellion before the end times makes some people 'organize' such a rebellion, or designate an ongoing rebellions as 'that one', to hasten the coming of the end times – this is wholly misguided and can be extremely harmful (think about all the cults that imagined they are living in their end times – well, most of them ended up living in THEIR end times). There is nothing destined in this world, except a queue of human souls to enter and get their chances at earning their salvation through assigned situations that fit their wrongs for which they are here to begin with. Of course, the author's ideas come from mixing the Jewish messianic expectations with Jesus.
     
        

    2 Thessalonians 2:8

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will slay with the breath of His mouth and annihilate by the majesty of His arrival. "...
    NRSV: ..."8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will destroy with the breath of his mouth, annihilating him by the manifestation of his coming."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • inappropriate/inadequate/misguided attempt to apply OT prophecy
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Again, worrying about the end times, that no one should worry about. The instructions were clear: be ready each and every day for the accounting of it will come like a thief. Yet, people are obsessed with events to come, to live through, miracles to witness, even though there is NOTHING one should do differently because the end of the world (or one's death) is near. This is the ultimate missing the point while getting lost elsewhere... Additionally, expecting the appearance of end-time characters before the end times makes some people 'be' such characters, or view all kinds of people as 'that one', to hasten the coming of the end times – this is wholly misguided and can be extremely harmful (think about all the cults that imagined they are living in their end times – well, most of them ended up living in THEIR end times). There is nothing destined in this world, except a queue of human souls to enter and get their chances at earning their salvation through assigned situations that fit their wrongs for which they are here to begin with. Of course, the author's ideas come from mixing the Jewish messianic expectations with Jesus.
     
        

    2 Thessalonians 2:9, 10

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."9 The coming of the lawless one will be accompanied by the working of Satan, with every kind of power, sign, and false wonder, 10 and with every wicked deception directed against those who are perishing, because they refused the love of the truth that would have saved them. "...
    NRSV: ..."9 The coming of the lawless one is apparent in the working of Satan, who uses all power, signs, lying wonders, 10 and every kind of wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Every human has a real chance at reaching their salvation, which is NOT predetermined or predestined. The creator is NOT omniscient with regard to humans’ free will, and their fate in the evaluation"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "‘Evil’, ‘Devil’, or ‘Satan’ is NOT a separate entity opposed to the creator, but the value of selfishness in us that is opposite to the preferred value of the creator, love"
  •  
    interpretation:
    The problem is, there already have been just way too many things accompanied by the 'workings of Satan'. Satan is not an independent entity, but the opposite of the preferred value of the creator. Thus, the 'workings of Satan' are the workings of temptations of selfishness. All temptations are set up by the creator in our evaluation, or are coming from other selfish people's will. Temptations are present in our reality by design of the creator, NOT a separate evil entity that has the power to intervene in our reality against the creator. Thus, all these 'wicked' things listed here actually come from God (or from our peers through their free will), as they are an essential part of our place of penance and evaluation of our character (on its alignment with love vs selfishness – that is assessed by our abilities to resist these temptations). The good thing is, there is nothing for us to do with regard to 'the coming of he lawless one' that is any different than what we are to do every day, anyway: to live a justified life. So once one lives in a way that the accounting of their life CAN come as a thief any day, one has nothing to do with regard to any of the narrative that is attached to the misguided concept of the end times. Those who 'refused to love the truth' can only be those who 'failed to gain a justified conviction'. They will be evaluated on the same criterion as everyone else, and they will likely be found in alignment NOT with love, but with selfishness. And they will be judged and face its consequences accordingly. Based on the belief system of the OT,  the authors and disciples of Jesus misguidedly believed the ‘Evil One’, ‘Devil’, or ’Satan’ to be a separate independent entity (a fallen leader of angels) opposed to the creator and having some special powers. However, the concept should simply be interpreted as ‘the influence and temptations to be selfish’, the opposite of the creator’s preference of love that is present in us conscious humans, and all of us are here to demonstrate that we can subdue and eliminate this value in us, and side with its opposite in our evaluation.
     
        

    2 Thessalonians 2:10, 11, 12

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    Berean: ..."10 and with every wicked deception directed against those who are perishing, because they refused the love of the truth that would have saved them. 11 For this reason God will send them a powerful delusion so that they believe the lie, 12 in order that judgment may come upon all who have disbelieved the truth and delighted in wickedness. "...
    NRSV: ..."10 ... they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion, leading them to believe what is false, 12 so that all who have not believed the truth but took pleasure in unrighteousness will be condemned."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Our evaluation serves to separate those who align with love from those who align with selfishness, thereby eliminating the source of suffering from heaven
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    In our 'physical', materialistic reality temptation and bad influences are present. They appeal to our selfish predispositions (such as the apparent survival of the fittest in the natural world, the abilities of the sciences to describe our reality, and the phenomenon of death that suggests an end to all conscious existence). In it, certainty is lacking, and necessarily so.  This reality of ours (our simulation) amounts to a “powerful delusion” that presents humans the option to err and align with selfishness. The creator's creation is out to tempt all of us to believe what is false and to fail our evaluation – this is our penance, but also an opportunity to rectify our sinful condition (originating from before this life). At the same time grace is helping us believe what is true. In the middle is human free will, making the decision that will be the subject of our evaluation for our salvation.
     
        

    2 Thessalonians 2:13

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."13 But we should always thank God for you, brothers who are loved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning to be saved by the sanctification of the Spirit and by faith in the truth. "...
    NRSV: ..."13 But we must always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the first fruits for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and through belief in the truth."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Jesus’s ‘covenant’ of the eternal word of God, of salvation is the only covenant that has ever been and will ever be in effect from the creator for all of humanity, since the very beginning of time till the ending of our simulated reality, meaning that if one passes their evaluation on their alignment with love, one redeems their sinful condition and gains their salvation"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans"
  •  
    interpretation:
    The disciples addressed here are indeed among the 'first fruits'; not of 'salvation', but receiving the help and benefits of the good news. They were the first ones in the spreading of the good news to humanity. The CESAPH had the goals to maximize the number of humans who reach salvation by helping them by assuring them in the strongest possible way (short of certainty) that they face a loving creator who wants them to succeed in reaching salvation and rejoining him in heaven, and that it is worth to look past any potential suffering one may have to endure in their existence (a penance for their past wrongs originating from their previous existence) to reach this goal. As for reaching salvation, the first ones in human history who will have reached their salvation after the last judgment will be the first ones who managed gain their justified conviction during history – they were the first ones to 'believe in the truth', which is the eternal word of God, of salvation, the message that was formalized by Jesus (but was available before through human predispositions and through the workings of grace). Being 'sanctified by the Holy Spirit' is 'believing that love needs to guide life', that is 'justification'. Salvation is earned by proving their justified conviction, by living their lives according to this conviction. And the first ones doing so in history likely lived long before the CESAPH, and long before the disciples of Jesus – hopefully... Otherwise we have to assume a cruel creator, who did not let any humans reach their salvation before he decided to intervene on our behalf and success.
     
        

    2 Thessalonians 2:14

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."14 To this He called you through our gospel, so that you may share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. "...
    NRSV: ..."14 For this purpose he called you through our proclamation of the good news, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  • The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage effectively states that the CESAPH was undertaken to proclaim the good news to select people (all who will have exposure to it in their lives) and not to 'save them' or do 'undertake any sort of punishment in place of them'. The CESAPH was a “calling”, a divine invitation for us to obtain salvation (“the glory of our Lord Jesus”). That is, the creator loved humanity so much as to take on a human form and subject himself to the same human conditions and suffering we may have to face in our struggle to gain our salvation. Using the strength of this testimony can boost one's conviction and give them strength to maintain or build their conviction and obtain their salvation in their lives.  
     
        

    2 Thessalonians 3:6

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    Berean: ..."6 Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from any brother who leads an undisciplined life that is not in keeping with the tradition you received from us. "...
    NRSV: ..."6 Now we command you, beloved, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from believers who are living in idleness and not according to the tradition that they received from us."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • A justified person has the duty to spread the word of God to others in a non-intrusive way whenever the chance arises and by showing an example
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • One ‘loves God’ by loving their fellow human beings, no matter how far removed they may be, which fulfills the single command of God
  •  
    interpretation:
    Followers of Jesus should never be inactive or idle. The tradition received from Jesus is one of love, giving, forgiveness, and showing example to others. It is not asceticism or passive study away from the rest of human suffering to ponder the secrets or special knowledge that is not there. Rather than keeping away from people who are not following this message of Jesus (which preaches helping others and showing them an example), followers should keep away from their 'ways' of inactivity and “idleness”.
     
        

    2 Thessalonians 3:6, 14

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    Berean: ..."6 Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from any brother who leads an undisciplined life that is not in keeping with the tradition you received from us. 14 Take note of anyone who does not obey the instructions we have given in this letter. Do not associate with him, so that he may be ashamed. "...
    NRSV: ..."6 Now we command you, beloved, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from believers who are living in idleness and not according to the tradition that they received from us. ... 14 Take note of those who do not obey what we say in this letter; have nothing to do with them, so that they may be ashamed."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "A justified person has the duty to spread the word of God to others in a non-intrusive way whenever the chance arises and by showing an example"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "One ‘loves God’ by loving their fellow human beings, no matter how far removed they may be, which fulfills the single command of God"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Keeping away from anyone – because they are not following the same path as we do, or not doing it according to our standard – is NOT following the message of Jesus, who advocates helping others and showing them an example, whenever we have the non-intrusive chance to do so. Naturally, justified people can not force others onto the right path, and especially, can not make them conclude anything against their own will. Even though a life of asceticism or inactivity is NOT compatible with the message of Jesus, but giving up on such people without any attempts to steer them from their wrong path is also not right. There is a fine balance of how much trying and effort one should engage in trying to convince others, and when to give up such efforts. The advice from Jesus is to lead by example.
     
        

    2 Thessalonians 3:10, 11, 12

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."10 For even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “If anyone is unwilling to work, he shall not eat.” 11 Yet we hear that some of you are leading undisciplined lives and accomplishing nothing but being busybodies. 12 We command and urge such people by our Lord Jesus Christ to begin working quietly to earn their own living. "...
    NRSV: ..."10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: Anyone unwilling to work should not eat. 11 For we hear that some of you are living in idleness, mere busybodies, not doing any work. 12 Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • A justified person has the duty to spread the word of God to others in a non-intrusive way whenever the chance arises and by showing an example
  • Behavioral guidance
  • One ‘loves God’ by loving their fellow human beings, no matter how far removed they may be, which fulfills the single command of God
  •  
    interpretation:
    Followers of Jesus should never be inactive or idle. The tradition received from Jesus is one of love, giving, forgiveness, and showing example to others. It is not asceticism or passive study away from the rest of human suffering to ponder the secrets or special knowledge that is not there. As life for all humans is a penance, one should not seek to get out of the duties of active participation in solving humanity's problems – ie. work for the common and personal good. This passage also provides guidance on balancing the need to give material possessions to the poor vs not letting people get away with NOT contributing themselves and just taking advantage of the situation of others providing for them. Getting by in this life is an effort we all need to share, and we have to do this in a way to consider the effects of what and how we do things on all others, no matter how far removed they may be from us. We are responsible for this planet, our home environment, so that it can serve all of humanity.
     
        

    1 Timothy 1:3, 4, 5

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."3 As I urged you on my departure to Macedonia, you should stay on at Ephesus to instruct certain men not to teach false doctrines 4 or devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculation rather than the stewardship of God’s work, which is by faith. 5 The goal of our instruction is the love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and a sincere faith. "...
    NRSV: ..."3 ... so that you may instruct certain people not to teach any different doctrine, 4 and not to occupy themselves with myths and endless genealogies that promote speculations rather than the divine training that is known by faith. 5 But the aim of such instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator
  • One’s ‘faith’/belief system has no direct value to the creator, and is only a potential tool in one’s quest to gain justification and reach salvation IF it helps its holder in these
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  • ‘Justification’ is ‘being convinced about love’s (vs. selfishness) need to guide life’ (= ‘being rightly enlightened’, = ‘holding Jesus’s message in conviction’, = ‘following/believing in Jesus’, = ‘gaining a justified conviction’, = ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, = ‘doing the works of God’, = ‘satisfying/keeping/adhering to the command of God’, = ‘accepting/living according to Jesus’s message’, = ‘fulfilling the eternal word of God, of salvation’)
  •  
    interpretation:
    Unfortunately plenty of myths and genealogies (like proving Jesus's descent from David, through Joseph, who allegedly was not even related to Jesus because of the 'immaculate conception concept'...) promoting speculations on prophecies (like in Revelations) and justifications for authority (through tying Jesus to OT prophecies) were left in the NT, but the author rightly sees where this leads to. They cause people to get lost in the detail, while missing the whole point (the “divine training that is known by faith” - the eternal word of God, of salvation). The divine training that should be the subject of faith is love coming from a pure heart and a good conscience (that is a justified conviction about the way to salvation).
     
        

    1 Timothy 1:9, 10, 11

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    Berean: ..."9 We realize that law is not enacted for the righteous, but for the lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinful, for the unholy and profane, for killers of father or mother, for murderers, 10 for the sexually immoral, for homosexuals, for slave traders and liars and perjurers, and for anyone else who is averse to sound teaching 11 that agrees with the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I have been entrusted. "...
    NRSV: ..."9 This means understanding that the law is laid down not for the innocent but for the lawless and disobedient, for the godless and sinful, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their father or mother, for murderers, 10 fornicators, sodomites, slave traders, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to the sound teaching 11 that conforms to the glorious gospel of the blessed God"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation
  • Jesus’s ‘covenant’ of the eternal word of God, of salvation is the only covenant that has ever been and will ever be in effect from the creator for all of humanity, since the very beginning of time till the ending of our simulated reality, meaning that if one passes their evaluation on their alignment with love, one redeems their sinful condition and gains their salvation
  •  
    interpretation:
    Contradicts Galatians 4:30, Matthew 22:8, Luke 17:7, Acts 2:18, Colossians 3:22, 4:1, 1 Peter 2:18, Ephesians 6:5,7,8, 1 Timothy 6:1, Titus 2:9 – as those seemingly condone slavery, whereas here slave trading is condemned as a behavior that does not confirm to the gospel (and the same logically goes for the ownership or inheritance of slaves or for not paying a fair price for others' labor or goods). The law is laid down for anything that is contrary to the sound teaching of the glorious gospel of the blessed God. And the aim of such instruction is to protect society for the ill effects of those who act out of selfishness and disregard to others. Thus, to one who has a pure loving heart and good conscience, the law is not doing anything. Thus, relevance is not in the law but in the intention that law tries to foster in those who can not (yet) see the main point: have a conviction and live a life aligned with love.
     
        

    1 Timothy 1:15

     Significant Alignment! 
     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."15 This is a trustworthy saying, worthy of full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the worst. "...
    NRSV: ..."15 The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  • The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans
  •  
    interpretation:
    There is ample opportunity to misunderstand this passage (covered under issues). However, Jesus CAN still be thought of as a 'savior' in the following way (and this is definitely NOT how the author means to say this): the motivation behind the divine intervention of the CESAPH WAS to maximize the number of human souls who reach their salvation BECAUSE of the help their exposure to the good news meant to them. In other words, surely, countless people will have been saved BECAUSE they got exposed to the good news, which lead them to a justified life. But reaching/earning one's salvation is accomplished by the individual in all cases, by following through on their justified conviction throughout the myriad of their assigned situations of their life. Thus, this is the individual's main achievement of their life, and not something that is accomplished for them by Jesus. All humans were assigned to participate in this reality BECAUSE they were sinners. The purpose of their life is to rectify their sinful condition (the 'original sin', committed NOT by their ancestors, but themselves, in their precursory existence). Humans achieve their salvation by reaching a conviction aligned with love (justification, the realization that the preferred value of the creator needs to guide one's life), and living their lives as a testimony of this. Whether one achieved their salvation or not, will be decided by the creator in the last judgment, after their death. Some were granted to live in our reality in circumstances where the good news of the CESAPH is already available to them (they will have access to it during their life), while some will not be granted this extra help/gift. Naturally, with the help of the good news, one has a better chance to achieve their salvation, than without this help. In general, it is harder for one to conclude that love needs to guide one's life, without an exposure to the creator's demonstration of love for us and his formalized message of the eternal word of God, of salvation – but NOT impossible! It is harder for one to accept that a loving creator wants humans to succeed in reaching salvation, to rejoin his presence in heaven without the good news of the CESAPH – perhaps a LOT harder. But in the end, everyone is here for the same exact reason: to be evaluated on the same universal evaluation criterion – on their alignment with love vs. selfishness. And in this, the good news is the greatest possible help (that is, without obvious supernatural signs apparent for everyone – which would disable the setup to assess the quality of our souls).
     
    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • misconception about Jesus saving or justifying people rather than them achieving this through their own free will
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  •  
    interpretation:
    A correct interpretation of this passage is possible (covered under alignments). However, one may mistakenly interpret this text as 'the suffering and death of Jesus actually and directly saved all (or part of) humanity by affecting their sinful status (took away the sins of the world)', which is not in alignment with the philosophical foundation's conclusions. Reaching/earning one's salvation is accomplished by the individual in all cases, by following through on their justified conviction throughout the myriad of their assigned situations of their life. Thus, this is the individual's main achievement of their life, and not something that is accomplished for them by Jesus. Humans achieve their salvation by reaching a conviction aligned with love (justification, the realization that the preferred value of the creator needs to guide one's life), and living their lives as a testimony of this. Whether one achieved their salvation or not, will be decided by the creator in the last judgment, after their death. Some were granted to live in our reality in circumstances where the good news of the CESAPH is already available to them (they will have access to it during their life), while some will not be granted this extra help/gift. Naturally, with the help of the good news, one has a better chance to achieve their salvation, than without this help. In general, it is harder for one to conclude that love needs to guide one's life, without an exposure to the creator's demonstration of love for us and his formalized message of the eternal word of God, of salvation – but NOT impossible! It is harder for one to accept that a loving creator wants humans to succeed in reaching salvation, to rejoin his presence in heaven without the good news of the CESAPH – perhaps a LOT harder. But in the end, everyone is here for the same exact reason: to be evaluated on the same universal evaluation criterion – on their alignment with love vs. selfishness. And in this, the good news is the greatest possible help (that is, without obvious supernatural signs apparent for everyone – which would disable the setup to assess the quality of our souls).
     
        

    1 Timothy 2:3, 4

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."3 This is good and pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. "...
    NRSV: ..."3 ... God our Savior, 4 who desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  •  
    interpretation:
    God “desires” all humans to be saved is evidenced by our presence in this reality, which is a place of penance and a chance to redeem and rectify our sinful condition originating from our faltering in our previous context of reality, likely as angels. Our salvation is then earned by ourselves, by “coming to the knowledge of the truth” (gaining conviction of the eternal word of God, of salvation), and proving our alignment with the preferred value of the creator by living life in alignment with love despite the ease or difficulty of our assigned situations. It is important that the saving is done by us, NOT by Jesus for us (without us having to do anything except believing in him...)
     
        

    1 Timothy 2:5, 6

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself as a ransom for all—the testimony that was given at just the right time. "...
    NRSV: ..."5 For there is one God; there is also one mediator between God and humankind, Jesus Christ, himself human, 6 who gave himself a ransom for all"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • misconceived understanding of what the ‘trinity’ could be
  • misconception about Jesus saving or justifying people rather than them achieving this through their own free will
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans"
  •  
    interpretation:
    The potential ramifications of the misconceived traditional interpretation of this passage are severe. It is influenced by the misconceived trinity-concept of the authors – the way the disciples viewed Jesus and the creator. The ideas that – with his suffering and death – Jesus performed an atonement for the sins of humanity (or to be more precise, the inherited 'sinful condition' of the wrongs committed by Adam and Eve) INSTEAD OF us (who inherited the condition and/or committed sins in our life too), and that with this he paid off a ransom (to either the Devil or to the Father) are logically absurd. If we hold the trinity as 'three possible interfaces' to the single entity of the creator, the whole logic of this narrative collapses. Additionally, the traditional Christian interpretation of the 'original sin' (developed around the 3rd century AD) is also misconceived: the reason why 'all humans are sinners' is NOT that they inherited this from any of their ancestors, NOR is it because they necessarily sinned during their life, BUT because their own greater-selves committed them in their originating context of reality. In this context, any 'atonement' performed in place of us by Jesus becomes absurd – it is each one of us that needs to rectify our sinful condition by reaching a justified conviction and living our life (our assigned situations) accordingly. This is simpler, makes much more sense, and seems a lot more likely. Even if one subscribes to the traditional trinity-interpretation of the Father and Son being 'somewhat' separate, the idea that the Devil is assumed as a separate entity, with powers that God needs to 'destroy' with the acts of Jesus, is without much sense. Why would the Son perform any self-sacrifice/favor to the Father to pay off a debt to the Devil instead of us who sinned or inherited those sins doing so? Why would the almighty creator enter into dealings with the separate, lesser-entity of the Devil, and end up owing anything to him (especially, our sovereign conscious souls, because of an inheritance from our far-ancestors)? And why would/could the Devil require such a ransom? And if the Son paid the ransom to the Father, what was the point in it – was there two separate entities involved (because this makes little if any sense being done within the same being). The idea that God needs to conquer the different entity (of the Devil) is also a lot less likely than 'evil' simply being the opposite value of the creator's preference/essence of love (selfishness). Selfishness, then, is a mere property in each one of us, to different degrees, that we are to conquer during our life by proving our realignment with love – a lot simpler, more likely than ransom, devil, conquering, debt, atonement, inherited sin from ancestors... It is entirely more likely that each one of us needs to complete a penance for wrongs we ourselves committed (in a higher context of reality we have no access to while in this life – as in dreams) and struggle to gain our salvation as a personal effort (rectify our sinful condition by realigning with love and return to the presence of the creator in heaven) of our life, and that is the very reason for our participation in this reality. The good news and guidance of the CESAPH CAN help those who were granted access to it in their situational assignments in reaching their justified conviction and having the strength to live life accordingly. In the CESAPH, the creator in Jesus fully shared the human condition with us, together with all its potential misery, suffering, and humiliation to demonstrate the creator's love for us and his desire for us to reach our salvation by aligning our life with love vs. selfishness. The sinful condition of all humans was NOT affected by the CESAPH. It had been and remains to this day up to each individual to reach their justified conviction and live their life accordingly. Undoubtedly for many, the good news helped in doing so. The intervention and good news of the CESAPH was a sacrifice/hardship the creator was willing to make for our benefit (NOT a sacrifice Jesus to offered to the Father), so that more of us would reach salvation (out of our own free will) than without. Most importantly, it was a demonstration of the creator's love for humanity – a gift that can be the greatest help from which people CAN (if they choose so) gain strength to reach their salvation with their life.
     
        

    1 Timothy 2:9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."9 Likewise, I want the women to adorn themselves with respectable apparel, with modesty, and with self-control, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, 10 but with good deeds, as is proper for women who profess to worship God. 11 A woman must learn in quietness and full submissiveness. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; she is to remain quiet. 13 For Adam was formed first, and then Eve. 14 And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman who was deceived and fell into transgression. 15 Women, however, will be saved through childbearing, if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control. "...
    NRSV: ..."9 also that the women should dress themselves modestly and decently in suitable clothing, not with their hair braided, or with gold, pearls, or expensive clothes, 10 but with good works, as is proper for women who profess reverence for God. 11 Let a woman learn in silence with full submission. 12 I permit no woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she is to keep silent. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve; 14 and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. 15 Yet she will be saved through childbearing,"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • personal perspectives and directives that are culturally dependent
  •  
    interpretation:
    To shun 'materialistic attitudes' in general IS correct, however the micromanagement of behavioral aspects to this level is unnecessary, misguided, under the heavy influence of OT and cultural customs that have nothing to do with the message of Jesus, and may be counterproductive. The forbiddance of teaching for women, the forbiddance of having authority over men, their need to learn in silence with full submission, the general keeping in silence, their formation from Adam, blaming them for deceiving Adam, and their salvation through childbearing are ALL ridiculous personal viewpoint of the author to be ignored. It is quite more likely that women's attractiveness is perhaps a temptation that men are to resist (when this is appropriate) and not the responsibility of women to hide. (It is also not the responsibility of winemakers that people get drunk and disorderly with their wine, but those who get to be disorderly.) So, to find excuses in a woman's look and behavior for men's misbehavior with them is utterly wrong and misguided. This way, all sins that come from temptation are excused, because of the existence of temptation – what a foolish idea, and an utter crap to believe in! We are all in an evaluation on our alignment on love vs. selfishness – hallo!? And resisting the urge to engage in sexual misconduct when this is not appropriate or not agreed by the other party is a huge part of such evaluation. One will not pass the evaluation by eliminating all sources of temptation, but by resisting all sources of inappropriate temptation to be and act in a selfish way! The author is in no doubt in shame for holding and publicizing such ludicrous guidance for posterity – except, the work and harm has already been done by the synod to accept such writing as 'holy'.
     
        

    1 Timothy 3:1, 2, 3, 6

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."1 This is a trustworthy saying: If anyone aspires to be an overseer, he desires a noble task. 2 An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not dependent on wine, not violent but gentle, peaceable, and free of the love of money. 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same condemnation as the devil. "...
    NRSV: ..."1 The saying is sure: whoever aspires to the office of bishop desires a noble task. 2 Now a bishop must be above reproach, married only once, temperate, sensible, respectable, hospitable, an apt teacher, 3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, and not a lover of money. ... 6 He must not be a recent convert ... not indulging in much wine, not greedy for money;"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • attempted building, claiming, or referencing authority that is misguided and improper
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  •  
    interpretation:
    Establishing a hierarchical structure, a formal body for the 'church' is fundamentally misguided (even if most of the decision makers of this likely acted in good faith). This act does not follow from any of the logic of Jesus's message. Early followers of Jesus decided to establish such structures, as they saw examples of it all around them. (The 'church' should be no more than the informal collection of those humans who attempt to follow the message of Jesus in their life) The establishment of a formal hierarchical church structure served to build out the power structure that then can control the interpretation of what the teaching of Jesus WAS, and thus, indirectly attempt to control individuals against their own convictions. A belief forced on someone against their own conviction is absolutely worthless in the eye of the creator. Holding belief without understanding why or having an internal justification for it (and loyalty or blind trust of 'authority' are NOT acceptable justifications here) is misguided. Leaders of the church should emerge naturally, not formally, from the community of believers who seek to understand the message. Their leadership may be based on their demonstrated understanding, and their 'position' is voluntary to those who accept their leadership. This should NOT be a democratic process, meaning, people should NOT appoint 'official' leaders by a majority vote. Rather, leaders may emerge naturally, as more and more people voluntarily pay attention to their advice and follow their example. The relation should also stay voluntary, till one sees differently, meaning that if those who are led get to see things differently, they are obliged NOT to follow their leader, but their own conscience instead – and they have a responsibility to do so! Besides, almost all the traits listed here (apart from being married once and not being a recent convert) are NOT desired JUST for the leaders in general, but for all who try to follow the message of Jesus. Specifying them for leaders only implies that other followers may lack them, and that THAT is OK (which, it is NOT).
     
        

    1 Timothy 3:14, 15

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."14 Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these things 15 in case I am delayed, so that you will know how each one must conduct himself in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. "...
    NRSV: ..."14 I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these instructions to you so that, 15 if I am delayed, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and bulwark of the truth."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • attempted building, claiming, or referencing authority that is misguided and improper
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "As salvation is an individual achievement, finding the way and living life accordingly is a private matter that can not be policed or compelled by others"
  •  
    interpretation:
    How one 'ought to behave' DOES follow from the single commandment of Jesus, and in its ramifications for all aspects of human interactions, motivations and behavior. Anyone with minimal comprehension and mental capacity should have the ability to distill these ramifications for themselves, without the detailed advice and listing coming from leaders or representatives 'of the faith'. No official body or church is meant to detail, check or enforce such low-level compliance or behavior. The underlying conviction of people that drives all their actions is fully transparent to the creator. When one has a justified conviction but missteps occasionally and rectifies it, his conviction is valuable to the creator, whereas if one does not have a justified conviction but acts like it out of fear or calculation, is NOT valuable to the creator (though may be beneficial to the surrounding). However, since the creator is looking for a proven alignment in conviction, calculated or forced behavior does not qualify as such. You can not force someone into their salvation against their own conviction and will, nor should you attempt to.
     
        

    1 Timothy 3:16

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    Berean: ..."16 By common confession, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was proclaimed among the nations, was believed in throughout the world, was taken up in glory. "...
    NRSV: ..."16 Without any doubt, the mystery of our religion is great: He was revealed in flesh, vindicated in spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among Gentiles, believed in throughout the world, taken up in glory."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  • The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans
  •  
    interpretation:
    The creator WAS revealed to us in flesh among us, his loving spirit is vindicated by his demonstration and testimony of love for us, was likely seen by angels too, proclaimed to all of humanity and not just to the Jews. A good summary of the belief, and not even that mysterious. As for the glory, some hope for it and believe that this comes from the miracle of the resurrection; but it makes entirely more sense (and looks more likely to be closer to the eventual unfolding reality) that Jesus's glory will come to all those who will end up reaching their salvations because of his intervention in the CESAPH. This makes supreme philosophical sense, accomplishing exactly what it meant to, without hindering the setup's ability to evaluate us based on our alignment with love. So even if the number of those who will have reached their salvation will be few, that number would be a lot fewer without the CESAPH.
     
        

    1 Timothy 4:1

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."1 Now the Spirit expressly states that in later times some will abandon the faith to follow deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons, "...
    NRSV: ..."1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will renounce the faith by paying attention to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons,"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "As salvation is an individual achievement, finding the way and living life accordingly is a private matter that can not be policed or compelled by others"
  •  
    interpretation:
    No, the Holy Spirit did NOT say this expressly – the author is making this up. However, it is expected logically (so can be foreseen) that given the predominancy of our selfishness, weakness and misguidance in the world, a lot of people WILL renounce or lose their faith given what life is throwing at them (temptations of influences), and they start to follow other belief systems/world views. But no one said the path to salvation would be an easy ride for everyone, nor is it expected that everyone will succeed at completing it. Renouncing the faith is a private matter for the individual, as one tries to find/guess/accept the system of beliefs closest to the eventual unfolding reality. In this process, some may fall for materialism or other (perhaps more convenient or appealing) belief systems. Life is a wager, and everyone makes it consciously or unconsciously. No one has access to certainty, as necessary doubt is an essential part of our evaluation. Thus, one should stick to their wager until and as long as one believes it still represents the most likely scenario of the ultimate unfolding reality (to end up closest to the 'ultimate truth'). It makes logical sense that one 'will do well' with their life in this reality if they act according to the expectations of the creator who created this reality, and assigned us to it. Consequently, one does badly if they go against the creator's intent with creation and our assignments to it. From this, it follows that we are wise to try to find out the creator's intention behind our assignment to this reality. And it is just extremely unlikely that the creator would intend to assign a continuous flow of humans into this reality to see 'which story they fall for', and reward the ones who fall for the 'single right story'. For a start, then, the 'single right story' must be the one which has been around for the longest time, almost from the very beginning of humanity (as otherwise, the setup would be unfair to a bunch of people who were made to complete their lives absent of this 'single right story', leaving all of them without a chance of succeeding with their life). This would be naturally unfair from a just and loving creator. Thus, what the creator must be looking for in our existence has to be something that has always been reachable by humans, and is applicable to all human situations and setting (independent of culture, belief system, personal situation, and one's position within society). It turns out that such 'single right story' HAS always been around for humanity: that is the eternal word of God, of salvation (the message Jesus came to formalize) which could have been universally applicable to all people, in all situations: 'prove your alignment on the basic and opposing values of love vs. selfishness in/despite of your assigned situations'. This is the only criterion that makes universal and objective sense for our evaluation given our setup in this reality. And if the creator's intention is to evaluate us on our alignment with love vs. selfishness, then Jesus's message nailed this. Thus, we do not need to worry about 'deceitful spirits and teachings' of different belief systems, just need to focus on this very basic and universal criterion for everyone, and see which belief system describes it the best, in a way that can also be conveyed to others. All belief systems should have the role to depict a scenario and illustrate to their adherents how our existence can fit with the purpose and intentions of the creator. All belief systems can not be correct simultaneously in their every detail, and it is up to the individual to decide which one makes the most sense to them, which one seems to be most likely true, and then they have the duty to wager on such belief system, and live their life accordingly. Loyalty to family, culture, or society should not overrule their convinced about where truth may lie, as their salvation is at stake, and different belief systems emphasize or pinpoint different value systems and focus in life depending on how they see what the creator wants humans to do in this life.
     
        

    1 Timothy 4:4

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    Berean: ..."4 For every creation of God is good, and nothing that is received with thanksgiving should be rejected, "...
    NRSV: ..."4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, provided it is received with thanksgiving;"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation
  •  
    interpretation:
    Addresses all silly notions that some created things in life are to be avoided or shunned to please the creator, because of 'religious reasons'.
     
        

    1 Timothy 4:10

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."10 To this end we labor and strive, because we have set our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of everyone, and especially of those who believe. "...
    NRSV: ..."10 For to this end we toil and struggle, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Grace is the ever-present willingness of the creator to help humans reach their salvation
  • One’s ‘faith’/belief system has no direct value to the creator, and is only a potential tool in one’s quest to gain justification and reach salvation IF it helps its holder in these
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  • ‘Justification’ is ‘being convinced about love’s (vs. selfishness) need to guide life’ (= ‘being rightly enlightened’, = ‘holding Jesus’s message in conviction’, = ‘following/believing in Jesus’, = ‘gaining a justified conviction’, = ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, = ‘doing the works of God’, = ‘satisfying/keeping/adhering to the command of God’, = ‘accepting/living according to Jesus’s message’, = ‘fulfilling the eternal word of God, of salvation’)
  •  
    interpretation:
    Only a conviction and life lived in alignment with love can result in one's salvation – thus one saves oneself. Salvation is granted by the creator for the achievement of the individual. In this, we can rely on the ever-willing help of grace, and on the strength gained by our confidence that we face a loving creator who shared in our suffering as a human and wants us to succeed reaching our salvation nonetheless. Thus, we do have our hope set on our loving creator who wants us to redeem our sinful condition, and who gave all humans a chance to do so in this life. Holding in conviction that the purpose of life is for us to align with love (having faith/justification - “those who believe”) is a necessary first step to salvation. Next, comes the hard part of living life accordingly, throughout all its assigned situations. This conviction does not need to come from or be inspired by the CESAPH. The  help of the good news of the CESAPH is the greatest imaginable help for one to live a life that qualifies for salvation. If that does not help, what would? (and if one here says 'miracles' or 'signs', one is hopelessly lost as to what is expected from us..)
     
    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misconception about Jesus saving or justifying people rather than them achieving this through their own free will
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage can be interpreted by some (and likely the majority) that belief in 'Jesus is Lord' and his miracles, including the resurrection, saves one. Believing that Jesus IS the creator in human form is not essential to one reaching justification (being convinced that love needs to guide life), to living a life accordingly, thus to reaching salvation (perhaps even unintentionally). But living a justified life is surely much more difficult if one does not believe in a creator who also loves us. One may easily see no rational argument behind being unselfish and loving in life's many ordeals and trials. The passage may be overemphasizing the role and necessity of belief in 'Jesus is Lord and he died for our sins' and similar tenets. All beliefs have a single purpose to channel us to gain a justified conviction and live life accordingly. If they serve this outcome, then they are beneficial beliefs; if they work to steer us away from this outcome, then they are harmful beliefs. Belief in itself can not be the end goal, or even a positive virtue. Belief in the divinity of Jesus, and his demonstration of love for humanity, and his guidance to salvation IS a beneficial belief that helps people achieve a justified conviction and live life accordingly. Another misunderstanding that can follow from this is that God will save all people – which is false; the creator gave everyone a chance at salvation by allowing them to enter this reality, designed to evaluate their souls. Certainly God will grant salvation to all who reach/earn this with their life – but these will not be ALL people in existence throughout history (and probably far from it). God IS the savior of all people who earned their salvation – true; but the author likely meant that all people will be saved, which is incorrect. The term 'especially of those who belief' is strange: that means that there may also be those who do not believe, and they are saved too, just 'not saved to the same degree'? So there are the 'good people' in heaven, and there are the 'even better people'? (Gradualness in the consequences of our evaluation DOES make sense though!) I suspect a bad choice of composition on the author's part though. Among those who will end up earning their salvation (and therefore God will end up granting them their salvation) ALL will be those who believed in the eternal word of God (in love's need to guide life) and managed to prove this in their life, as that is the main criterion for salvation. Some of them did not believe in Jesus (perhaps because they never heard of him during their life) – so would this be the group of 'not especially saved'? Then, others will be the 'especially saved', because they believed in Jesus? Well the whole logic is bleeding here I believe. It's best to stay believing that 'all those who align their life with love vs selfishness will earn their salvation'. And some of them believed in Jesus, as they got this extra help in their assigned situations, and used it to their benefit.
     
        

    1 Timothy 4:14

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    Berean: ..."14 Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given you through the prophecy spoken over you at the laying on of the hands of the elders. "...
    NRSV: ..."14 Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you through prophecy with the laying on of hands by the council of elders."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • attempted building, claiming, or referencing authority that is misguided and improper
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  •  
    interpretation:
    Prophecies did not divinely authorize or authenticate methods of ordaining priests – they were simply borrowed and inherited from the world of the OT, or made up as a form of ritual. These are all attempts to assume that an official church hierarchy is divinely ordained, and comes from the will of God; at most, these rituals (the laying of the hands to ordain priests and bishops) are commemorations, celebrations, symbolic gestures, the cheering of important events among the believers, and they CAN instill a sense of purpose and magnitude in the receiver, to take their mission with the utmost of importance. But mostly, they serve to establish an official church and build its authority, as they already were familiar with from their former Jewish religion. And they thought it was a good, useful idea to transplant into their new religion too (especially, that Jesus was a 'fulfillment' of that old religion...). The belief that this was the intent of Jesus is misguided.
     
        

    1 Timothy 5:4

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    Berean: ..."4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to show godliness to their own family and repay their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God. "...
    NRSV: ..."4 If a widow has children or grandchildren, they should first learn their religious duty to their own family and make some repayment to their parents;"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • personal perspectives and directives that are culturally dependent
  •  
    interpretation:
    There is no 'religious duty' owed to 'family'. An individual is compelled to do their religious dutiy because they hold a justified conviction, and that makes them act accordingly, guided by love. This is again part of instructions that are micromanaging peoples' lives, which is misguided. For the smooth workings of society, there are societal and civil laws and regulations. The only religious duty is to let love guide one's life.
     
        

    1 Timothy 5:8

     Significant Alignment! 
     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."8 If anyone does not provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. "...
    NRSV: ..."8 And whoever does not provide for relatives, and especially for family members, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • One ‘loves God’ by loving their fellow human beings, no matter how far removed they may be, which fulfills the single command of God
  • One’s ‘faith’/belief system has no direct value to the creator, and is only a potential tool in one’s quest to gain justification and reach salvation IF it helps its holder in these
  • ‘Justification’ is ‘being convinced about love’s (vs. selfishness) need to guide life’ (= ‘being rightly enlightened’, = ‘holding Jesus’s message in conviction’, = ‘following/believing in Jesus’, = ‘gaining a justified conviction’, = ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, = ‘doing the works of God’, = ‘satisfying/keeping/adhering to the command of God’, = ‘accepting/living according to Jesus’s message’, = ‘fulfilling the eternal word of God, of salvation’)
  •  
    interpretation:
    Contradicts Hebrews 4:3/ 10:39, John 3:15,16,18,36/ 6:47, Ephesians 2:8, 1 John 4:15/ 5:4-5, Galatians 3:26, Romans 1:16,17/ 3:22,25/ 9:32/ 10:17, 2 Timothy 3:15, 1 Peter 1:9 – this passage rightly contradicts the listed passages that imply 'salvation only through belief'. The idea that all one needs to do is believe and accept Jesus as Lord is false – and this passage rightly points out an example where this is not the case. Though it fails in the specifics (covered under issues), the spirit of this statement is spot-on correct: it is NOT about what people believe, but how that belief makes them live their life. An unbeliever (lacking belief about Jesus's person or his message) CAN be a better person, closer to achieving salvation, if they are aligned with love, than a 'believer' who is not aligned with love in his conviction, or does not act so in life.
     
    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  •  
    interpretation:
    This message – though overall it carries a valid message – fails in the specifics. The idea that all one needs to do is believe and accept Jesus as Lord is false, and this passage rightly points out an example where this is not the case. But the statement wrongly and harmfully only includes a narrowed case for its illustration, whereas it should be clearer and more general. Doing God's work should not be illustrated with helping family and relatives, but include all the work that come from the natural consequences of a justified conviction. One may misunderstand and foolishly rely on this passage to mean that 'if one took care of their family and relatives, one satisfied God's command and has done enough for salvation' – which is completely false. Providing for relatives follows from holding a justified conviction, and does not need to be an explicit command to comply with or explicitly mentioned. But of course, providing for the needy, and being loving and considerate to all our human brothers and sisters also follows from the command; so to focus on family only is a form of misguidance. As with the samaritan, the challenge is not to be good to those that can be good to us in return (family, friends, community members), but to everyone regardless of their proximity and relation to us. This is the big step in Jesus's message is to be loving and good to 'strangers' too. And this means considering those who are far detached from our everyday life in our responsible and considerate decisions.
     
        

    1 Timothy 5:9, 10

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    Berean: ..."9 A widow should be enrolled if she is at least sixty years old, the wife of one man, 10 and well known for good deeds such as bringing up children, entertaining strangers, washing the feet of the saints, imparting relief to the afflicted, and devoting herself to every good work. "...
    NRSV: ..."9 Let a widow be put on the list if she is not less than sixty years old and has been married only once; 10 she must be well attested for her good works, as one who has brought up children, shown hospitality, washed the saints' feet, helped the afflicted, and devoted herself to doing good in every way."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • personal perspectives and directives that are culturally dependent
  •  
    interpretation:
    These are arbitrary rules that the author came up with or had in his mind based on his cultural background at the time, that do not belong to the message of Jesus. (Making a habit of washing other people's feet may discourage them to engage in such good hygienic practices themselves – let the saints wash their own feet! Or are they too far removed from us for that kind of activity?) And too bad for the widow who has been married already twice – no need to worry about her..
     
        

    1 Timothy 5:11, 12, 13, 14, 15

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    Berean: ..."11 But refuse to enroll younger widows. For when their passions draw them away from Christ, they will want to marry, 12 and thus will incur judgment because they are setting aside their first faith. 13 At the same time they will also learn to be idle, going from house to house and being not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies, discussing things they should not mention. 14 So I advise the younger widows to marry, have children, and manage their households, denying the adversary occasion for slander. 15 For some have already turned aside to follow Satan. "...
    NRSV: ..."11 But refuse to put younger widows on the list; for when their sensual desires alienate them from Jesus, they want to marry, 12 and so they incur condemnation for having violated their first pledge. 13 Besides that, they learn to be idle, gadding about from house to house; and they are not merely idle, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not say. 14 So I would have younger widows marry, bear children, and manage their households, so as to give the adversary no occasion to revile us. 15 For some have already turned away to follow Satan."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • incorrect or inappropriate generalization
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  • personal perspectives and directives that are culturally dependent
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "As salvation is an individual achievement, finding the way and living life accordingly is a private matter that can not be policed or compelled by others"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "‘Evil’, ‘Devil’, or ‘Satan’ is NOT a separate entity opposed to the creator, but the value of selfishness in us that is opposite to the preferred value of the creator, love"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Why would sensual desires alienate one from Jesus? This is insane! God granted us sensuality not for refusing it or turning away from it, but to engage in it in a responsible manner, as long as we do not violate the main commandment of love, respect and consideration for the others. And this covers all possible 'issues' regarding sexual activity and its ramifications, without going too much into the specifics (which people can do for themselves). If sensual desire is not violating alignment with love and is not originating from or fostering selfishness, based on what one could say that it is 'wrong'? Problems arise with irresponsible and selfish behavior – as with every case of sin. Perhaps let those 'younger widows' make up their own minds as to how to live their lives instead of making up all kinds of rules for them? (ah; I see, so in those days they did not have social opportunities – well, then do not include those advices into 'infallible holy scriptures') Or establish some civil rules that will make sure the welfare of families and society is addressed in the community? One can also adhere to God's main commandment while advising on this very detailed level, but the output of this should not make it to scripture. The level of these rules are not the of Jesus's message, but the answer to all of them follows from the main commandment of love. 'Turning away' from the path and 'following Satan' (selfishness) is going to be a general issue for everyone in their evaluation, and not just for 'younger widows' – and this is everyone's own responsibility to address. The distinction between assisting certain kinds of widows vs anyone else in need is ludicrous and likely originates from the Jewish way of “first and foremost help your own kind” that is wholly misguided, as it is completely against the spirit of Jesus's message. Based on the belief system of the OT,  the authors and disciples of Jesus misguidedly believed the ‘Evil One’, ‘Devil’, or ’Satan’ to be a separate independent entity (a fallen leader of angels) opposed to the creator and having some special powers. However, the concept should simply be interpreted as ‘the influence and temptations to be selfish’, the opposite of the creator’s preference of love that is present in us conscious humans, and all of us are here to demonstrate that we can subdue and eliminate this value in us, and side with its opposite in our evaluation.
     
        

    1 Timothy 5:19

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    Berean: ..."19 Do not entertain an accusation against an elder, except on the testimony of two or three witnesses. "...
    NRSV: ..."19 Never accept any accusation against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • attempted building, claiming, or referencing authority that is misguided and improper
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  • personal perspectives and directives that are culturally dependent
  •  
    interpretation:
    A book of detailed law, trials and evidence belongs to civil authorities whose role is to make sure the peaceful functioning of society, not in religious tenets and scriptures. The author is under the heavy influence of the world of the OT.
     
        

    1 Timothy 5:20, 21

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."20 But those who persist in sin should be rebuked in front of everyone, so that the others will stand in fear of sin. 21 I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels to maintain these principles without bias, and to do nothing out of partiality. "...
    NRSV: ..."20 As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest also may stand in fear. 21 In the presence of God and of Jesus Christ and of the elect angels, I warn you to keep these instructions without prejudice, doing nothing on the basis of partiality."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • attempted building, claiming, or referencing authority that is misguided and improper
  • contradicts other NT passages
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "As salvation is an individual achievement, finding the way and living life accordingly is a private matter that can not be policed or compelled by others"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Public rebuking and instilling fear is a misguided way of forcing compliance of the law that should not be part of religious teachings – it belongs to civil or criminal law, not religion. Religion is an individual's burden and responsibility, not of a community or church. Invoking the name of Jesus (not to mention the 'elect angels' whoever those may be), the author attempts to borrow authority to press his personal perspectives onto the followers of Jesus. Jesus's message does not call for this level of granularity in specifying compliance with religious teaching, and does not call for these types of methods to deal with them. The individual believer is not indebted or under the authority of any community, and the informal community of believers has no power over individuals. Its role is to support and advise at max, at the invitation and voluntary acceptance of individual believers. Jesus's message emphasizes the single main command of alignment with love as guidance for life, and not a set of instructions, rules or laws. All people will be accountable for their deeds in the last judgment, and the only value to the creator is voluntary, un-coerced conviction.
     
        

    1 Timothy 5:23

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    Berean: ..."23 Stop drinking only water and use a little wine instead, because of your stomach and your frequent ailments. "...
    NRSV: ..."23 No longer drink only water, but take a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • personal perspectives and directives that are culturally dependent
  •  
    interpretation:
    Micromanaging rules for the daily conduct of life was surely not part of Jesus's message. Good advice, by the way!
     
        

    1 Timothy 6:1

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."1 All who are under the yoke of slavery should regard their masters as fully worthy of honor, so that God’s name and our teaching will not be discredited. "...
    NRSV: ..."1 Let all who are under the yoke of slavery regard their masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be blasphemed."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • condoning slavery
  • contradicts other NT passages
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • incorrect or inappropriate generalization
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  •  
    interpretation:
    Contradicts Mark 10:44, Romans 7:6, 1 Corinthians 7:22-23, Philippians 2:6-8, Galatians 5:13-14 Galatians 5:1, 4:7, 3:28, 1 Timothy 1:10-11, 1 Peter 2:16, James 5:1-5, Colossians 3:10 by implicitly condoning the condition of slavery. The author is simply wrong on the possibility for any person to own slaves, their family, and make them obedient. Some forms of subservient relations CAN exist out of legal (repaying debt or fulfilling a contractual obligation) or moral reasons (voluntary or sanctioned rectifying trespasses to those harmed), but in those cases the relationship is NOT 'slavery', as ownership of another person or their offspring is not involved. Of course, people in subservient relations to their 'lenders' still need to relate to them (to the people they owe and serve) with love, and vice versa. This passage was likely included to maintain social order at the time of its writing, and has nothing to do with the wish of Jesus or his message (other than the main command covers all situations, including this one). The name of God and his teaching will not be blasphemed by not regarding one's master with honor – this is ludicrous. If the master is a respectable human, then treat him with respect. In ALL cases treat all humans – including masters – in alignment with love and consideration. Then, there are those masters who are not worthy of respect as they may not be worthy of any honor. And treating them 'appropriately' will NOT 'blaspheme the name of God or his teaching' (what a silly idea to associate these..). No one needs to take consistent wickedness from an abuser as part of the abuser's pleasure and entertainment – and this does not even contradict the 'other cheek' principle. Masters who are believers (justified in their conviction) should have already freed their slaved and transferred all legitimate cases into contractual obligations (debt, rectifying sins). Addressing the condition of 'slavery' head on would have been perhaps more important for the author to address than these other detailed instructions he was so concerned about. But then, I guess he would have risked a quick execution from the slave-owning authorities. How about the practice of prisoners of war being converted into slave status? Well, perfect opportunity to preach the message of Jesus to the enablers and maintainers of such injustices! Social justice and sustainable development directly follow from Jesus's main command. More than 2000 years later church leaders still did not address those points by sticking them to the face of those who have been responsible for maintaining such injustices (namely, rulers and the rich who have been allied with the church throughout history).. And we did not even touch the camel's case with the eye of the needle. Sadly, parts like this were responsible in the upkeep of those unjust situations, as they could be referenced as examples and counter-examples, invoking 'divine blessing'.
     
        

    1 Timothy 6:2

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."2 Those who have believing masters should not show disrespect because they are brothers, but should serve them all the more, since those receiving their good service are beloved believers. Teach and encourage these principles. "...
    NRSV: ..."2 Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful to them on the ground that they are members of the church; rather they must serve them all the more, since those who benefit by their service are believers and beloved."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • contradicts other NT passages
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "One ‘loves God’ by loving their fellow human beings, no matter how far removed they may be, which fulfills the single command of God"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Love and respect should go toward ALL our fellow human beings, regardless of their status, their membership in any organization (including formal bodies of churches), and whether they are believers or not in anything – the author seems to have missed that part from Jesus.. Limiting one's good works to benefit only a narrow circle of people (usually family, kin, church, community, culture) is just another form of selfishness, working for one's own eventual benefit. This type of calculating care and love does not follow from the message of Jesus – it follows from the 'I scratch your back, you scratch mine' principle. What a misguided passage...
     
        

    1 Timothy 6:3, 4

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."3 If anyone teaches another doctrine and disagrees with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and with godly teaching, 4 he is conceited and understands nothing. Instead, he has an unhealthy interest in controversies and semantics, out of which come envy, strife, abusive talk, evil suspicions, "...
    NRSV: ..."3 Whoever teaches otherwise and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that is in accordance with godliness, 4 is conceited, understanding nothing, and has a morbid craving for controversy and for disputes about words."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • attempted building, claiming, or referencing authority that is misguided and improper
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "As salvation is an individual achievement, finding the way and living life accordingly is a private matter that can not be policed or compelled by others"
  •  
    interpretation:
    What an audacious claim of self-righteousness from the author.. I believe the author just illustrated how to 'teach otherwise and not agree with the sound words of Jesus' in this and his previous passages, yet he claims full correct understanding of Jesus's words and teachings for himself, and positions himself as a figure that can instruct others and instill fear in them for their 'lack of understanding' and 'being conceited'. The style is similar to the mentality of 'I received the previous message that contains the full truth directly from God, and if you do not believe any of it, or if you are not complying with it, then the almighty creator will strike down upon thee without delay! And by the way, there won't be any more messages from God, so this is IT folks, now get on with it!'. The author would not recognize 'godliness' if it came straight to him on the street asking for some change.. A more proper blanket statement could have been “everyone who acts in alignment with love fulfills god's word and those who act in alignment with selfishness act against it”. However, the purpose of this passage was to build and support the official church's authority over regulating and judging the behavior and conduct of followers – and from this angle, the assumption of righteousness, and the threats for non-compliance are fitting.
     
        

    1 Timothy 6:9, 10

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."9 Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows. "...
    NRSV: ..."9 But those who want to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and in their eagerness to be rich some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  • ‘Evil’, ‘Devil’, or ‘Satan’ is NOT a separate entity opposed to the creator, but the value of selfishness in us that is opposite to the preferred value of the creator, love
  •  
    interpretation:
    Focusing in life on materialistic desires, wealth, comfort, money (and the preoccupation to secure this for the self) almost always comes with aligning with selfishness and not love. “Wandering away from the faith” is walking away from alignment with love, and not “disbelief in Jesus's teachings or his story”. The derived acts of selfishness include greed, a materialistic way of living putting the comfort of one's closest circle at the expense of all else, the temptation of wealth. Based on the belief system of the OT,  the authors and disciples of Jesus misguidedly believed the ‘Evil One’, ‘Devil’, or ’Satan’ to be a separate independent entity (a fallen leader of angels) opposed to the creator and having some special powers. However, the concept should simply be interpreted as ‘the influence and temptations to be selfish’, the opposite of the creator’s preference of love that is present in us conscious humans, and all of us are here to demonstrate that we can subdue and eliminate this value in us, and side with its opposite in our evaluation.
     
        

    1 Timothy 6:12

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made the good confession before many witnesses. "...
    NRSV: ..."12 Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life, to which you were called and for which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • The human spirit is somehow part of the eternal consciousness
  • The main goal of our life is to reach our salvation and build values that transcend this reality into eternal life, not to reach material or academic success or to fulfill other worldly desires or loyalties
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    “taking hold of the eternal life” is the invitation to live a justified life in conviction of the eternal word of God, of salvation as the meaning and purpose of human existence.
     
    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • attempted building, claiming, or referencing authority that is misguided and improper
  • misconception about forgiveness, and the role of rituals
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  •  
    interpretation:
    The first part of the passage is completely right; the second part hints that the practice of public confessions (or confessions to church leaders) is necessary in gaining forgiveness and redemption of sins committed in this world from God. This is misguided. One should ask forgiveness from and confess directly to those they trespassed against (and from the creator if the previous is not possible), not from church leaders or representatives. The attempted rectification for the wrongs committed in this world is also due in such case, as a part of redeeming those sins. If this is not possible, one may ask forgiveness only from God. Uttering some prayers or simply regretting them will not fully rectify those sins. After one did this, one can hope that the sins they committed have been forgiven, and will not stand against them during the last judgment. The church or its members should have no role in administering confessions or giving the impression that they have the power from God of forgiving those sins, apart form advising each other how to rectify sins if one confessed such sins in public or in confidence with another member. The sinful condition, for which people appeared in this reality, need to be redeemed by living a life according to a conviction that is aligned with love – and the forgiveness gained for this is salvation itself. In trying to reach salvation, belief in the good news of the CESAPH can help to a great degree – but still, the proving has to be done by the individual, as no one (not Jesus, not the Holy Spirit, not the Saints, etc.) will do this for them. In fact, this is their main task in life.
     
        

    1 Timothy 6:15, 16

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    Berean: ..."15 which the blessed and only Sovereign One—the King of kings and Lord of lords—will bring about in His own time. 16 He alone is immortal and dwells in unapproachable light. No one has ever seen Him, nor can anyone see Him. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen. "...
    NRSV: ..."15 ... he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords. 16 It is he alone who has immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • contradicts other NT passages
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "In their predispositions, humans inherit both love (the essence of the creator’s spirit we share with him, indicating our significance) and selfishness (its opposite/opposing property, what some mistakenly attribute to a separate entity of the ‘evil/devil/satan’) to different degrees from their greater-self, from their originating context of reality"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Relativity of experiencing time"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The eternal continuation of their awareness is inevitable and unavoidable for all human souls"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The human spirit is somehow part of the eternal consciousness"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Contradicts 1 Corinthians 15:12-19 – all the dead will be raised, will go on into either eternal damnation or eternal salvation, as souls are immortal and can not extinguish. Contradicts Ephesians 1:20 – that passage claims a vision of Jesus taking his place at the right hand of the Father's throne (assuming the Father was sitting on it, or else how would they know it is HIS throne) contradicts this one which says 'no one has ever seen or can see' the Father. Though the creator is most likely the owner/master of objective time in infinity and he is the one who creates all realities (shareable simulations for conscious participants), human consciousnesses (the human soul) are also most likely uncreated, indestructible, un-extinguishable sovereign eternal entities from their own perspectives. An eternal human soul's memory (a record of what happened to him) can not be lost forever. It can be hidden, and the soul can enter states where it only has limited access to it, perhaps temporarily. This is already well illustrated to all humans in their everyday experience of dreaming: while in their dreams, they do not have access to all their knowledge, and they accept their dream reality as their natural state at the time, not complaining or looking for answers where their greater 'reality' disappeared. And once they wake from it, they can find explanations on why they may have had the dream they did in their encompassing context of reality. In both of these realms ('reality' and 'dream') the person is the same self; yet their access to their 'whole' memory is different. Thus, consciousness is most likely, by its very nature, immortal and uncreated (and to a degree perhaps is somehow 'a part of'/'belongs to' the creator's creating consciousness). Humans do not experience objective time the same way as the creator does (who must be the master and account keeper of 'objective time'), but their awareness is continuous and eternal from their own perspectives. This means that, while an individual will experience a continuous experience of their awareness, they may only experience a small slice from what may be going on in 'objective time'. This is also well illustrated to humans with their common experience of dreaming: while a dream may only last for five minutes to the dreamer, to their observers, they have been sleeping for eight hours. Yet, both the sleeper and its observer experience their own 'subjective' continuous awareness. This most probable scenario helps to reasonably and logically explain most phenomenon in our existence while also considering the possible perspective of the creator.
     
        

    1 Timothy 6:17

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    Berean: ..."17 Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides all things for us to enjoy. "...
    NRSV: ..."17 As for those who in the present age are rich, command them not to be haughty, or to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but rather on God who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • incorrect or inappropriate generalization
  • lacking understanding of reasons behind ‘good things can happen to bad people’, and all its variations
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The main goal of our life is to reach our salvation and build values that transcend this reality into eternal life, not to reach material or academic success or to fulfill other worldly desires or loyalties"
  •  
    interpretation:
    When taking out of context and not reading it together with the next passage, certain interpretations of this passage may be misguided. Though 'God providing us everything for our enjoyment' may be the case for those who will have earned their salvation to join the presence of the creator in Heaven, in this life, the creator certainly does NOT provide all of us with “everything for our enjoyment”. Not in general, not for everyone, and not necessarily in this life. We have the “bad things happen to good people” and all its variations in this life. They represent situational assignments for all individuals to go through as part of their evaluation and penance, and the effects of others' free will, which is not eliminated by God according to the logic of his creation. The amount of enjoyment or suffering one goes through in their life depends on these factors, and prayer may not necessarily influence this, even if exceptions may be granted at the discretion of the creator. The creator is not here to solve our problems, eliminate our suffering, and make our stay on this Earth problem-free and enjoyable. This may have been the reality what we lost, when we failed the creator, and got cast out into this place of penance. Our failings must have taken place in our previous existence, in a different domain/context of reality. This must be the 'original sin' that makes all of us 'sinners to begin with', that we have committed ourselves, and not an imagined inheritance of such condition from any of our ancestors. We do not remember our wrongs because our greater-self's awareness got limited in this reality – just as a dreamer is not aware of his fuller context of reality while in the dream. With all the beauty we can experience in our current reality, life CAN be beautiful (for those of us who are granted the ability to enjoy it). Thus, already in this world, the creator grants us plenty of potential enjoyment, that people can access to various degrees, depending on their (justly) assigned situations. In the continuation of this passage the interpretation of providing enjoyment is explained properly (covered under alignments).
     
        

    1 Timothy 6:18, 19

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."18 Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, and to be generous and ready to share, 19 treasuring up for themselves a firm foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life. "...
    NRSV: ..."18 They are to do good, to be rich in good works, generous, and ready to share, 19 thus storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of the life that really is life."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • Behavioral guidance
  • One needs to live life being always ready for its accounting - then, if events in the future come as a ’thief’, as one would have needed to do nothing differently
  • One ‘loves God’ by loving their fellow human beings, no matter how far removed they may be, which fulfills the single command of God
  • The main goal of our life is to reach our salvation and build values that transcend this reality into eternal life, not to reach material or academic success or to fulfill other worldly desires or loyalties
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  • There is always hope and is never too late for salvation
  •  
    interpretation:
    Sums up how one walks the path of salvation. The focus is a spirit that is in alignment with the preferred value of the creator, to be ready to rejoin the presence of the creator upon reaching salvation. This is a stark summary to those who believe that compliance to a silly this-worldly set of laws, or belief in a certain set of tenets pleases the creator somehow. The “good foundation for the future” that lets one “take a hold of the life that really is life” can not come from mere belief in some tenets, but a quality of soul that is aligned with the preferred value of the creator – love – and backed by a life that is lived accordingly.
     
        

    Titus 1:5, 6, 7

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."5 The reason I left you in Crete was that you would set in order what was unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you. 6 An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, having children who are believers and who are not open to accusation of indiscretion or insubordination. 7 As God’s steward, an overseer must be above reproach—not self-absorbed, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not greedy for money. "...
    NRSV: ..."5 I left you behind in Crete for this reason, so that you should put in order what remained to be done, and should appoint elders in every town, as I directed you: 6 someone who is blameless, married only once, whose children are believers, not accused of debauchery and not rebellious. 7 For a bishop, as God's steward, must be blameless; he must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or addicted to wine or violent or greedy for gain;"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • attempted building, claiming, or referencing authority that is misguided and improper
  • incorrect or inappropriate generalization
  •  
    interpretation:
    Though pinpointing those with a good understanding of Jesus's message IS useful for local followers of Jesus, establishing a formal, top-down, official hierarchy for the church is fundamentally misguided. It served to build out the power structure that then misled countless individuals on what the essence of Jesus's teaching was, and had the power to dismiss and excommunicate voices of reason that should have been considered and adopted. The intent to establish such formal authoritative structure was NOT included in the message of Jesus, but was made up by his followers (even if in likely good faith) based on what they have experienced around them in their original religions. The guidance for selecting a leader is not wrong on its own, and the listed qualities may make for a good leader in general. But selecting a leader should be a dynamic, voluntary process and relationship without any mandate to rule or overrule, and without any imposing its results on others. So, if most people in the community rely on an elder for their wisdom and view them as a leader, this has no obligatory effect on other members who do NOT view him as a leader or one with a wisdom. Thus, this should not be a democratic process that will have binding effects on all 'other' members (who may have voted differently), but should continue to be a voluntary relationship between people and their voluntarily esteemed and chosen sources of wisdom whom they accept as their teachers, 'leaders' – perhaps only temporarily, until their teachers' teachings become obviously faulty. Such teachers' and leaders' role can be to advise, lead discussions, perform commemorative rituals for people who view them with such esteem, where people can voluntarily participate. Additionally, most of these traits listed in the passage are 'desirable' not only for the leaders, but for all who try to follow the message of Jesus. Specifying them for leaders means that others may continue to lack them, and that that's 'OK'.
     
        

    Titus 1:9

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."9 He must hold firmly to the faithful word as it was taught, so that he can encourage others by sound teaching and refute those who contradict it. "...
    NRSV: ..."9 He must have a firm grasp of the word that is trustworthy in accordance with the teaching, so that he may be able both to preach with sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict it."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • attempted building, claiming, or referencing authority that is misguided and improper
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "As salvation is an individual achievement, finding the way and living life accordingly is a private matter that can not be policed or compelled by others"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Policing and guarding the doctrine established and approved by church elders is an understandable motivation, however it is more dangerous and misguided than beneficial. Everyone has the responsibility to arrive at and conclude their own interpretation of the truth (including the essence of Jesus's message) and act accordingly. Following others' interpretations without conviction and understanding is of no value to the creator, and is unlikely to lead to their salvation. Thus, an official body that polices understanding of Jesus's followers is NOT needed, and is NOT beneficial to their salvation. Discussion groups of followers freely discussing ideas and interpretations, where no party or official has the power to overrule and declare views as 'heretic' can be useful. All ideas and interpretations should be on the table, and people should go with an understanding they themselves deem most likely to be true, and making the most sense. Thus, belief should not be mandated and policed from the top, but arise from the bottom (given all the discussion and textual sources of accounts regarding Jesus and his teachings) – and no human has the power to interfere with this process. Resulting in some chaos? Perhaps – but then, likely more people would be motivated to develop their own understanding and not just automatically and blindly accept the views of their authority figures without critical thinking. And let's not forget, there is also societal law that has the responsibility to govern the rules of living in a society. Religion is an affair between individuals and the creator.
     
        

    Titus 1:10, 11

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."10 For many are rebellious and full of empty talk and deception, especially those of the circumcision, 11 who must be silenced. For the sake of dishonorable gain, they undermine entire households and teach things they should not. "...
    NRSV: ..."10 There are also many rebellious people, idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision; 11 they must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for sordid gain what it is not right to teach."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • attempted building, claiming, or referencing authority that is misguided and improper
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "A justified person has the duty to spread the word of God to others in a non-intrusive way whenever the chance arises and by showing an example"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "As salvation is an individual achievement, finding the way and living life accordingly is a private matter that can not be policed or compelled by others"
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage gives a firm foundation to misguidance such as the Inquisition. This is an entirely wrong attitude toward those who disagree with doctrine some like to consider 'official'. No one can or should be silenced, and everyone should be heard out, especially if they seek the truth in good faith. (Naturally, those who rowdily and disrespectfully voice their opinions with the motivation to disrupt or make trouble need to be dealt with, but this passage is not about these people.) People should reason and discuss and try to convince each other, as this is the proper way of building up one's scenario of reality they can then wager their lives on. 'Families' need to be able to handle disruptions and upsettings that come from different opinions, as they are but a collection of individuals, and they can only make sure their children received guidance approved by the family to a certain degree. After a while, children will grow up and find their own path anyway, and mere loyalty to family should not hold back their search for the truth. Naturally, bad and false teachings will fall out of favor as people evaluate ideas and using their own mind, realize what seems to be the most likely version of truth to them – and one can only hope this will be in line with the message of Jesus.
     
        

    Titus 2:1

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."1 But as for you, speak the things that are consistent with sound doctrine. "...
    NRSV: ..."1 But as for you, teach what is consistent with sound doctrine."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • attempted building, claiming, or referencing authority that is misguided and improper
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "A justified person has the duty to spread the word of God to others in a non-intrusive way whenever the chance arises and by showing an example"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "As salvation is an individual achievement, finding the way and living life accordingly is a private matter that can not be policed or compelled by others"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Though this passage may just be an innocent sentence that can be basically correct, it also seemingly assumes that there is an official set of approved doctrine out there that properly represent the interpretations on Jesus and his message. In reality, the job of designating 'what makes sense and what could most likely be truth' is the responsibility of each individual, and can not be blindly delegated to figures of authority that are assumed to be better able to do so. Yes, everyone is required to do their own searching and thinking about the purpose of their life and to blindly accept belief without critical questioning and gaining their own conviction about it is a fault! A person who is justified in conviction will conclude the doctrine that makes sense to him. In their human interactions there will be contradictions proved/disproved and some will make sense of arguments that then will adjust their belief system to more sensible versions of the ultimate truth they consider more likely. This is a healthy process of intellectual exchange of ideas that should not be suppressed – after all, only voluntarily held convictions are of any value to the creator. And it is also not 'rocket science' to make sense of – the eternal word of God, of salvation is kind of 'dirt simple' to discover and conclude (though typically very hard to implement in life). It is also clearly visible from the distilled truth of the NT – if one gets over the obvious distractions and mistaken influences. This passage shows the aggressive plans and intentions of early church elders to attempt to build and monopolize interpretation and exercise an authority they made up for themselves, that is not apparent in any of the teachings of Jesus.
     
        

    Titus 2:9, 10

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."9 Slaves are to submit to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, 10 not stealing from them, but showing all good faith, so that in every respect they will adorn the teaching about God our Savior. "...
    NRSV: ..."9 Tell slaves to be submissive to their masters and to give satisfaction in every respect; they are not to talk back, 10 not to pilfer, but to show complete and perfect fidelity,"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • attempted building, claiming, or referencing authority that is misguided and improper
  • condoning slavery
  • contradicts other NT passages
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  •  
    interpretation:
    Contradicts Mark 10:44, Romans 7:6, 1 Corinthians 7:22-23, Philippians 2:6-8, Galatians 5:13-14 Galatians 5:1, 4:7, 3:28, 1 Timothy 1:10-11, 1 Peter 2:16, James 5:1-5, Colossians 3:10 by implicitly condoning the condition of slavery. The author is simply wrong on the possibility for any person to own slaves, their family, and make them obedient. Some forms of subservient relations CAN exist out of legal (repaying debt or fulfilling a contractual obligation) or moral reasons (voluntary or sanctioned rectifying trespasses to those harmed), but in those cases the relationship is NOT 'slavery', as ownership of another person or their offspring is not involved. Of course, people in subservient relations to their 'lenders' still need to relate to them (to the people they owe and serve) with love, and vice versa. This passage was likely included to maintain social order at the time of its writing, and has nothing to do with the wish of Jesus or his message (other than the main command covers all situations, including this one). If the 'master' is a respectable human, then treat him with respect. In ALL cases treat all humans – including masters – in alignment with love and consideration. Then, there are those masters who are not worthy of respect as they may not be worthy of any honor. And those should be treated 'appropriately'. No one needs to take consistent wickedness from an abuser as part of the abuser's pleasure and entertainment – and this does not even contradict the 'other cheek' principle. Masters who are believers (justified in their conviction) should have already freed their slaved and transferred all legitimate cases into contractual obligations (debt, rectifying sins). Addressing the condition of 'slavery' head on would have been perhaps more important for the author to address than these other detailed instructions he was so concerned about. But then, I guess he would have risked a quick execution from the slave-owning authorities. How about the practice of prisoners of war being converted into slave status? Well, perfect opportunity to preach the message of Jesus to the enablers and maintainers of such injustices! Social justice and sustainable development directly follow from Jesus's main command. More than 2000 years later church leaders still did not address those points by sticking them to the face of those who have been responsible for maintaining such injustices (namely, rulers and the rich who have been allied with the church throughout history).. And we did not even touch the camel's case with the eye of the needle. Sadly, parts like this were responsible in the upkeep of those unjust situations, as they could be referenced as examples and counter-examples, invoking 'divine blessing'.
     
        

    Titus 2:11, 12, 13

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to everyone. 12 It instructs us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live sensible, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 as we await the blessed hope and glorious appearance of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. "...
    NRSV: ..."11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, 12 training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • misconception about Jesus saving or justifying people rather than them achieving this through their own free will
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  •  
    interpretation:
    The grace of the creator did not just appear at a certain point in history; it has been ever-present and its willing help was always available to all humans who searched the truth in good faith. Grace did NOT 'bring salvation to all' – all humans were given the chance and were invited to reach salvation in their life, in which grace could help them. Of course, worldly passions were not created with the explicit purpose of us renouncing them. They are a gift to enjoy responsibly, as well as temptations to turn to selfish ways. It is up to us how we engage in them. As long as enjoying the gifts of pleasure is not giving way to selfishness and not endangering one's alignment to genuine love, sin is committed (we do not violate our alignment with love vs. selfishness). One who 'lives for' or is completely focused on the hoarding/amassing of pleasures, obviously can not be on the path to salvation, as this behavior is contrary to the logic of living a life aligned with love, and instead, it is a derivation of selfishness.
     
        

    Titus 2:14

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    Berean: ..."14 He gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds. "...
    NRSV: ..."14 He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • Our evaluation serves to separate those who align with love from those who align with selfishness, thereby eliminating the source of suffering from heaven
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  •  
    interpretation:
    The creator “gave himself for us” in Jesus, so all humans (as many humans as possible, and a great many more than otherwise) succeed in redeeming themselves and reach their salvation. This way, those who end up redeeming themselves (by aligning their lives with love vs selfishness) because of the effect of the good news on their life, can be said to have been “redeemed by Jesus”. The rest will either not manage to redeem themselves (by failing to align with love in their lives), or redeem themselves and reach their salvation without the help of the good news (as they did not have access to it in their assigned situations). It is important that one's free will achieves redemption – through compliance/cooperation with the creator's desire – not the creator. “Purify himself a people” refers to the imminent separation of those who aligned with love, from those who aligned with selfishness. Naturally, the consequence of the evaluation for those two groups will be different.
     
        

    Titus 3:1

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."1 Remind the believers to submit to rulers and authorities, to be obedient and ready for every good work, "...
    NRSV: ..."1 Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • attempted building, claiming, or referencing authority that is misguided and improper
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "As salvation is an individual achievement, finding the way and living life accordingly is a private matter that can not be policed or compelled by others"
  •  
    interpretation:
    This is very much a false teaching; one should be obedient to one's life wager (justification) and to the law, established to maintain social cohesion and order. Obedience to church leaders or unelected rulers makes no sense in this regard and has no basis in the teachings of Jesus. Authorities should be obeyed and respected as long as they serve those they represent. Religion should have no authorities besides the creator – the creator is directly available to humans in their thoughts and prayers, and individuals have the responsibility to conclude the scenario they hold true, and wager their life on it. No ritual, no sacrifice is 'needed from us' by the creator other than us aligning our conviction with love and living our life accordingly. Not to mention, there is also the case about corrupt and selfish leaders who should NOT be obeyed, but replaced, ignored, or sanctioned for their ill conduct. One can clearly see the motivation for the early church to include writings such as this in the collection they consider 'holy and infallible'. Clearly, this does not apply to 'respect and be obedient to civil authorities who work on maintaining social order and justice – and be a good subject to them, and don't mind paying your taxes to address common issues of the community that benefit everyone' – which makes complete sense.
     
        

    Titus 3:1, 2

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    Berean: ..."1 Remind the believers to submit to rulers and authorities, to be obedient and ready for every good work, 2 to malign no one, and to be peaceable and gentle, showing full consideration to everyone. "...
    NRSV: ..."1 ... to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show every courtesy to everyone."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Behavioral guidance
  • One ‘loves God’ by loving their fellow human beings, no matter how far removed they may be, which fulfills the single command of God
  •  
    interpretation:
    All of these are good advices for daily life that directly follow from one's alignment with love.
     
        

    Titus 3:4

    top  

    Berean: ..."4 But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, "...
    NRSV: ..."4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared,"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    This describes the motivation for the CESAPH. Through his appearance and testimony in Jesus, the creator demonstrated his “goodness and loving kindness” – at least, this is the closest we could possibly imagine to get to an assurance, short of giving us an outright certainty. Certainty would ruin the setup's ability to evaluate our soul's alignment on love. If we know (we can trust) that our loving parent is asking us to do something difficult, it will be a lot easier for us to do that instead of just dismissing it or doing it but not taking it seriously.
     
        

    Titus 3:5

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    Berean: ..."5 He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. "...
    NRSV: ..."5 he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage is also addressed under issues for its misunderstandings, however a correct interpretation can be 'forced out of it' too. If 'works' means complying with the law (as in the OT), then clearly, that does not lead to salvation. Indeed, we need to be 'renewed by the Holy Spirit' (= filled with the Holy Spirit = reach a justified conviction) and live the rest of our life accordingly to earn our salvation upon the last judgment (= the eternal word of God, of salvation).
     
    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • misconception about Jesus saving or justifying people rather than them achieving this through their own free will
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage is largely misconceived and is easy to misrepresent – however, parts of it can also be interpreted correctly (under alignments). It implies that the act of Jesus has saved us (or some of us) already in the past, when it was carried out. The CESAPH did not 'save anyone', but gave significant potential strength to some to be able to save themselves. The power of a realistic and demonstrated hope in Jesus that we face a loving creator who wants us to succeed at salvation is the most significant help one can get in life to fulfill the purpose of their life – to reach salvation. This help, then, will undoubtedly be responsible for countless humans achieving their salvation through their own free will, as will likely be apparent after the last judgment. Mercy was already shown to all humans by giving them a chance to appear in this reality, to serve their penance for their past wrongs and prove themselves to rejoin the presence of the creator in heaven, rectifying their sinful condition. The Holy Spirit is not 'saving' anyone; it is one's free will aligning with love (the Holy Spirit) that saves one.
     
        

    Titus 3:6, 7

     Significant Alignment! 
     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."6 This is the Spirit He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by His grace, we would become heirs with the hope of eternal life. "...
    NRSV: ..."6 This Spirit he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • In their predispositions, humans inherit both love (the essence of the creator’s spirit we share with him, indicating our significance) and selfishness (its opposite/opposing property, what some mistakenly attribute to a separate entity of the ‘evil/devil/satan’) to different degrees from their greater-self, from their originating context of reality
  • The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  • ‘Justification’ is ‘being convinced about love’s (vs. selfishness) need to guide life’ (= ‘being rightly enlightened’, = ‘holding Jesus’s message in conviction’, = ‘following/believing in Jesus’, = ‘gaining a justified conviction’, = ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, = ‘doing the works of God’, = ‘satisfying/keeping/adhering to the command of God’, = ‘accepting/living according to Jesus’s message’, = ‘fulfilling the eternal word of God, of salvation’)
  •  
    interpretation:
    Though it includes misunderstandings (covered under issues) the passage can also be interpreted correctly. The CESAPH definitely increased a lot of peoples' alignment with love ('the Spirit has been poured on us richly'), as that was the intervention's very purpose, and its essential message (the formalized eternal word of God, of salvation through alignment with love vs. selfishness). Once one is justified (accepted love's need to guide life into their conviction out of their free will), they become 'heir to the hope of eternal life' in the presence of the creator – meaning, if they continue to live their life in this spirit (and that is a big IF) they should reach their inheritance, their salvation. Being 'heirs with the hope of eternal life' (in the presence of the creator, as opposed to eternal life away from it) beautifully illustrates that no one will reach their salvation during their life, that we will earn after succeeding in our evaluation of life during the last judgment, and salvation (and even eternal life) is a 'hope' that lacks certainty – hence our faith in our wager. And since this is our 'hope' (and not an established fact), salvation could not have been brought to us/arranged for us/earned instead of us by Jesus, not even through his suffering and death (nor was this his intention).
     
    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • misconception about Jesus saving or justifying people rather than them achieving this through their own free will
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The human spirit is somehow part of the eternal consciousness"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "‘Justification’ is ‘being convinced about love’s (vs. selfishness) need to guide life’ (= ‘being rightly enlightened’, = ‘holding Jesus’s message in conviction’, = ‘following/believing in Jesus’, = ‘gaining a justified conviction’, = ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, = ‘doing the works of God’, = ‘satisfying/keeping/adhering to the command of God’, = ‘accepting/living according to Jesus’s message’, = ‘fulfilling the eternal word of God, of salvation’)"
  •  
    interpretation:
    The passage can be interpreted correctly, however it carries the danger of misinterpretation. The Holy Spirit was not “poured out on us richly” by God as part of the CESAPH, but 'was richly built up in us during and after the event of the CESAP because many people accepted its help and influence thanks to seeing truth in Jesus and his message'. The difference: the spirit has always been around and in people's predispositions to love to varying degrees, and they could always choose to build it up in themselves. So the CESAPH (or the Pentecost) was NOT THE event that made the Holy Spirit 'available' to our world (that was previously unattainable), but the event positively affected many of us as people let the Spirit dominate within us because of its effects. Thus, it is not God's act in us, but our willing cooperation with God's plan for us. And though the CESAPH was undertaken with the motivation to help as many people as possible reach their salvation (from those who were granted exposure to it), it did not achieve this task FOR them! That remains a task for everyone to accomplish in their life, with their life – by reaching a justified conviction and living accordingly. Thus, no one can claim that 'Jesus saved us', because he did not. Also, salvation will not happen 'through faith in Jesus', but 'faith in Jesus's message can help one reach a justified conviction, and if they manage to live their life accordingly, they should reach their salvation upon the last judgment' – quite some differences in understanding. Justification is our willing conclusion in conviction that 'love needs to guide our life'. The eternal word of God, of salvation formalized by Jesus in his message states this as a criterion to reach salvation. Naturally, holding a conviction but not acting accordingly invalidates such conviction. Thus, it is not grace that justifies, but one's cooperation with grace's invitation and guidance, one's willing acceptance. Eternal life is 'a given' for all conscious souls philosophically (our reality is just not possible in any other way), however whether we spend it in the presence of the creator or away from it, is at stake in our life's evaluation.
     
        

    Titus 3:8

     Significant Alignment! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."8 This saying is trustworthy. And I want you to emphasize these things, so that those who have believed God will take care to devote themselves to good deeds. These things are excellent and profitable for the people. "...
    NRSV: ..."8 The saying is sure. I desire that you insist on these things, so that those who have come to believe in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works; these things are excellent and profitable to everyone."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    Believers who devote themselves to do good works are proving/backing up/testifying to the alignment of their conviction with love. This way, their conviction and life together signals the quality of their soul – which is what the creator is after in our evaluation.
     
        

    Titus 3:9

     Significant Alignment! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."9 But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, arguments, and quarrels about the law, because these things are pointless and worthless. "...
    NRSV: ..."9 But avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Behavioral guidance
  • Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator
  • Given Jesus’s universal message, the OT’s belief system and law has never been a valid covenant with the creator, and it never represented the way to salvation
  •  
    interpretation:
    Excellent passage about getting lost in details (stupid conversations), genealogies (descent from whoever), the irrelevance of the law (other than the single commandment of love), as they do not matter. One needs to concentrate on the main point of Jesus's message and not get lost in, or argue about, details if that means missing the main point, the essence.
     
        

    Titus 3:10

    top  

    Berean: ..."10 Reject a divisive man after a first and second admonition, "...
    NRSV: ..."10 After a first and second admonition, have nothing more to do with anyone who causes divisions,"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • A justified person has the duty to spread the word of God to others in a non-intrusive way whenever the chance arises and by showing an example
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • As salvation is an individual achievement, finding the way and living life accordingly is a private matter that can not be policed or compelled by others
  • Behavioral guidance
  •  
    interpretation:
    This is a good guidance on how far one is to go in trying to convince others of one's point of view or being on the wrong path. A justified person (or anyone subscribing to a system of belief) has a moral duty to try to convince others of their truth with arguments, and mostly, by showing an example. However, this attempt should be limited, and while respecting the others' freedom to differ. After all, only convictions held freely are valuable in helping the individual living life accordingly.
     
        

    1 John 1:1, 2, 3

    top  

    Berean: ..."1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our own eyes, which we have gazed upon and touched with our own hands—this is the Word of life. 2 And this is the life that was revealed; we have seen it and testified to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us. 3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And this fellowship of ours is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ. "...
    NRSV: ..."1 We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life — 2 this life was revealed, and we have seen it and testify to it, and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us — 3 we declare to you what we have seen and heard so that you also may have fellowship with us;"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • A justified person has the duty to spread the word of God to others in a non-intrusive way whenever the chance arises and by showing an example
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  •  
    interpretation:
    This sums up how one can treat the NT – a set of testimonials from those who witnessed, heard, had fellowship with others who did so, and were convinced of what happened to them and their fellow witnesses back in history. The CESAPH counted on this sort of dispersion/propagation of the word of God formalized by Jesus, so that all those who are meant to hear about the good news are exposed to this story. The “word of life” was there “from the beginning”, making this the eternal word of life, and making Jesus's message not a new invention that came to humanity at that point in human history. What Jesus did was to formalize it, and testify to it with his love – this is the good news! And the motivation of the writers (“have fellowship with us”) are in line with “helping all others get their salvation too” (as opposed to salvation as a contest where only a few can win). The essential declaration of the disciples is “eternal life that was with the Father” (existence in the presence of the creator in heaven, or salvation).
     
        

    1 John 1:5, 6, 7

    top  

    Berean: ..."5 And this is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you: God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we say we have fellowship with Him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. "...
    NRSV: ..."5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness, we lie and do not do what is true; 7 but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • ‘Justification’ is ‘being convinced about love’s (vs. selfishness) need to guide life’ (= ‘being rightly enlightened’, = ‘holding Jesus’s message in conviction’, = ‘following/believing in Jesus’, = ‘gaining a justified conviction’, = ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, = ‘doing the works of God’, = ‘satisfying/keeping/adhering to the command of God’, = ‘accepting/living according to Jesus’s message’, = ‘fulfilling the eternal word of God, of salvation’)
  •  
    interpretation:
    “light” represents the way forward, shows the way. “no darkness at all” is a promise about the rightness of the light, of the way proclaimed. This passage clearly distinguishes between having the right conviction (justification) and walking its path, or NOT doing so. Justification is only of any use if one gets the strength from it to walk the path it represents in life to salvation. Thus, this is about hypocrisy.
     
        

    1 John 1:7

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. "...
    NRSV: ..."7 but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • misconception about Jesus saving or justifying people rather than them achieving this through their own free will
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans"
  •  
    interpretation:
    The blood of Jesus did not cleanse anyone of any sins. At best, because of the effects of God's demonstration of his love for us (his willing suffering and death at our hands), many gained their justified conviction (became member of the 'church', the fellowship of God) and continued to live their lives accordingly, staying on the path of salvation throughout their life's assigned situations. Those without access to help of the good news in their life have to gain salvation without it – that is likely much more difficult and tricky.
     
        

    1 John 1:8, 10

     Significant Alignment! 
     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar, and His word is not in us. "...
    NRSV: ..."8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. ... 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally
  •  
    interpretation:
    Though the author most certainly meant the sinful condition that originates in this life or the “original sin” (as interpreted as “inherited from Adam and Eve, our ancestors”), the passage is right in another way: all humans are sinners by the fact that this was the reason they were made to appear in our world. As this reality is a place of penance and a chance to redeem their sinful condition brought about in a previous reality, the very fact of any human's presence here is an indication of his sinful condition (committed by them in their precursory existence). Any other theory about inheriting this sinful condition from ancestors makes no sense, and can not explain the different degrees of suffering and luck humans receive as their assignment in this life (without having to conclude that with the seemingly random assignment of suffering, the creator must be unfair and/or cruel).
     
    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Though this very passage does not state this, the author most certainly meant the sinful condition to be originating from our deeds committed during our lives in this reality. However, 'everyone being in a sinful condition to begin with' only makes sense if we brought this condition into this world already at our birth. The authors and interpreters of the NT solved this by reaching back to the OT and accepting its premise that every human inherited this sinful condition from our first ancestor, Adam, who lived X thousand years ago on this world. However this makes zero logical sense from the creator's possible perspectives, and overall. A condition that damns us in a crucial way being inherited through descent from some other person because of his failings with God is absurd, akin to collective punishment of the innocents. It is entirely more likely that the stories of Adam and Eve and the fallen angels are NOT about our ancestors, but our very selves in our previous, precursory existence. Thus, we committed the sins for which we are branded as 'sinners', likely by failing the bond of love with the creator (or each other). This conclusion also explains the various degrees of suffering and luck people are assigned in their life 'seemingly randomly' (and if so necessarily unjustly). To assume the random distribution of some immense suffering people are assigned in their situations that are not up to them would mean that we face an unjust and cruel creator. This randomness – and its ramification in God's unfairness and cruelty – is eliminated if our situation received in this life is actually a 'fair condition of penance to fit the exact magnitude and nature of our failings in our precursory existence'. In other words, everyone could have received their assigned situations (their health, wealth, luck, talent) fairly, proportional to what they deserved to be their penance in this world. The creator can logically stay 'loving, caring, and fair' in our eyes. A small baby boy naturally did not have to commit any sins in this life, nor did he have to inherit any sinful condition from someone else to be still considered in a sinful condition at birth – and that is ok and natural, as that is why he was assigned to appear (or chose to participate) in this reality of penance to begin with. Thus, he is to rectify his sinful condition by aligning their conviction with love and living life accordingly, thereby proving his worth to rejoin the presence of the creator in heaven in a redeemed state – and all of us should be happy that he got the chance to do this with his life.
     
        

    1 John 1:9

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    Berean: ..."9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. "...
    NRSV: ..."9 If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Confession of sins (preferably directly to those we trespassed against, and if this is not possible, to God, and NOT to official members of a formal church organization) is a brave and essential step toward forgiveness, however, without an effort to rectify the wrong caused, it is without merit. There are no shortcuts to redemption of sins and reaching salvation, and one who fails to rectify the wrongs caused is in danger of staying without redemption of the sin due to 'unrighteousness' and a lack of sincerity. Forgiveness following from an attempt to rectify the wrongs can cleanse one's spirit, but it may not cleanse one from all unrighteousness, as one may commit further sins due to walking the wrong path out of weakness or foolishness, which is known to happen to people even with a justified conviction. Forgiveness and the redemption of the sinful condition we carried in us from our greater self are rectified by living a justified life – which also earns us our salvation.
     
        

    1 John 2:1, 2

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate before the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2 He Himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. "...
    NRSV: ..."1 ... But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; 2 and he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • misconceived understanding of what the ‘trinity’ could be
  • misconception about Jesus saving or justifying people rather than them achieving this through their own free will
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans"
  •  
    interpretation:
    We do not need an advocate with the Father, as the creator himself is forgiving and wants all of us to succeed in reaching our salvation. The potential ramifications of the misconceived traditional interpretation of this passage are severe. It is influenced by the misconceived trinity-concept of the authors – the way the disciples viewed Jesus and the creator. The ideas that – with his suffering and death – Jesus performed an atonement for the sins of humanity (or to be more precise, the inherited 'sinful condition' of the wrongs committed by Adam and Eve) INSTEAD OF us (who inherited the condition and/or committed sins in our life too), and that with this he paid off a ransom (to either the Devil or to the Father) are logically absurd. If we hold the trinity as 'three possible interfaces' to the single entity of the creator, the whole logic of this narrative collapses. Additionally, the traditional Christian interpretation of the 'original sin' (developed around the 3rd century AD) is also misconceived: the reason why 'all humans are sinners' is NOT that they inherited this from any of their ancestors, NOR is it because they necessarily sinned during their life, BUT because their own greater-selves committed them in their originating context of reality. In this context, any 'atonement' performed in place of us by Jesus becomes absurd – it is each one of us that needs to rectify our sinful condition by reaching a justified conviction and living our life (our assigned situations) accordingly. This is simpler, makes much more sense, and seems a lot more likely. Even if one subscribes to the traditional trinity-interpretation of the Father and Son being 'somewhat' separate, the idea that the Devil is assumed as a separate entity, with powers that God needs to 'destroy' with the acts of Jesus, is without much sense. Why would the Son perform any self-sacrifice/favor to the Father to pay off a debt to the Devil instead of us who sinned or inherited those sins doing so? Why would the almighty creator enter into dealings with the separate, lesser-entity of the Devil, and end up owing anything to him (especially, our sovereign conscious souls, because of an inheritance from our far-ancestors)? And why would/could the Devil require such a ransom? And if the Son paid the ransom to the Father, what was the point in it – was there two separate entities involved (because this makes little if any sense being done within the same being). The idea that God needs to conquer the different entity (of the Devil) is also a lot less likely than 'evil' simply being the opposite value of the creator's preference/essence of love (selfishness). Selfishness, then, is a mere property in each one of us, to different degrees, that we are to conquer during our life by proving our realignment with love – a lot simpler, more likely than ransom, devil, conquering, debt, atonement, inherited sin from ancestors... It is entirely more likely that each one of us needs to complete a penance for wrongs we ourselves committed (in a higher context of reality we have no access to while in this life – as in dreams) and struggle to gain our salvation as a personal effort (rectify our sinful condition by realigning with love and return to the presence of the creator in heaven) of our life, and that is the very reason for our participation in this reality. The good news and guidance of the CESAPH CAN help those who were granted access to it in their situational assignments in reaching their justified conviction and having the strength to live life accordingly. In the CESAPH, the creator in Jesus fully shared the human condition with us, together with all its potential misery, suffering, and humiliation to demonstrate the creator's love for us and his desire for us to reach our salvation by aligning our life with love vs. selfishness. The sinful condition of all humans was NOT affected by the CESAPH. It had been and remains to this day up to each individual to reach their justified conviction and live their life accordingly. Undoubtedly for many, the good news helped in doing so. The intervention and good news of the CESAPH was a sacrifice/hardship the creator was willing to make for our benefit (NOT a sacrifice Jesus to offered to the Father), so that more of us would reach salvation (out of our own free will) than without. Most importantly, it was a demonstration of the creator's love for humanity – a gift that can be the greatest help from which people CAN (if they choose so) gain strength to reach their salvation with their life.
     
        

    1 John 2:4, 5, 6

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    Berean: ..."4 If anyone says, “I know Him,” but does not keep His commandments, he is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But if anyone keeps His word, the love of God has been truly perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him: 6 Whoever claims to abide in Him must walk as Jesus walked. "...
    NRSV: ..."4 Whoever says, "I have come to know him," but does not obey his commandments, is a liar, and in such a person the truth does not exist; 5 but whoever obeys his word, truly in this person the love of God has reached perfection. By this we may be sure that we are in him: 6 whoever says, "I abide in him," ought to walk just as he walked."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  •  
    interpretation:
    Being familiar with the message of Jesus and knowing (being convinced) that his message is the right path to salvation, yet not realizing it in one's life is a lie to one's self. Knowing what is right but not doing it is either weakness or foolishness. This is a paramount quote to those who believe that attaining some kind of mental state (like better knowing God) or believing a certain set of tenets is the goal to attain in life. Far from it: attaining the right mental state (justification) is just a first step in walking its path in life. Obeying the command of Jesus implies an active life accordingly throughout all assigned situations.
     
        

    1 John 2:7

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."7 Beloved, I am not writing to you a new commandment, but an old one, which you have had from the beginning. This commandment is the message you have heard. "...
    NRSV: ..."7 Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you have had from the beginning; the old commandment is the word that you have heard."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Jesus’s ‘covenant’ of the eternal word of God, of salvation is the only covenant that has ever been and will ever be in effect from the creator for all of humanity, since the very beginning of time till the ending of our simulated reality, meaning that if one passes their evaluation on their alignment with love, one redeems their sinful condition and gains their salvation
  •  
    interpretation:
    So much about the relevance of Jewish law... The commandment from the beginning is what Jesus formalized with his demonstration and testimony – the eternal word of God, of salvation. And now we can all read about it thanks to the disciples who – according to their best abilities and likely in good faith – wrote about it, so it can be revealed to the rest of humanity (those who were granted the chance to being exposed to it). Jesus's formalized message that is the only way to salvation, which was backed by his demonstration of love and partaking in our human suffering and limitations is: align your conviction and life to love vs selfishness as the meaning and purpose of your existence to attain your salvation. Apart from the good news, one may hear the commandment of the eternal word of God, of salvation not through the laws of Moses, but through others who are justified, listening to one's predispositions to love, and through the willing help of divine grace to help everyone toward salvation.
     
        

    1 John 2:8

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    Berean: ..."8 Then again, I am also writing to you a new commandment, which is true in Him and also in you. For the darkness is fading and the true light is already shining. "...
    NRSV: ..."8 Yet I am writing you a new commandment that is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  • The eternal continuation of their awareness is inevitable and unavoidable for all human souls
  • The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    What is new in Jesus's commandment is the formalization of the eternal word of God, making it official, and backed by the demonstration of love of the CESAPH. The darkness of having no formal clue about whether there is an afterlife, whether there is any meaning to existence, or possibly facing a malicious or abandoning creator has largely passed with the CESAPH (though reasonable doubt remained about all these, as an essential part of our evaluation of the soul). The CESAPH is the light that can lead one out of the darkness (though one can also find the way in the darkness, but that is a much more difficult path to walk in our evaluation).
     
        

    1 John 2:9, 10, 11

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."9 If anyone claims to be in the light but hates his brother, he is still in the darkness. 10 Whoever loves his brother remains in the light, and there is no cause of stumbling in him. 11 But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness. He does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes. "...
    NRSV: ..."9 Whoever says, "I am in the light," while hating a brother or sister, is still in the darkness. 10 Whoever loves a brother or sister lives in the light, and in such a person there is no cause for stumbling. 11 But whoever hates another believer is in the darkness, walks in the darkness, and does not know the way to go, because the darkness has brought on blindness."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • One ‘loves God’ by loving their fellow human beings, no matter how far removed they may be, which fulfills the single command of God
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    Whoever lives a life aligned with selfishness is in darkness, no matter what they profess to believe or stand for. Whoever lives a life aligned with love is in the light, on the good path to salvation – and one need not worry about how they conduct themselves according to any law. Hate comes from selfishness: envy, jealousy, looking down on others and despising them are all a sign of a lack of consideration for others and putting one's own interest and perspectives as paramount. “Hating a believer” equals hating their belief – violently disagreeing with love's guiding force in life. If one is consciously against love, there is little hope for his salvation as such person is blind to the most likely correct scenario of reality.
     
        

    1 John 2:15, 16, 17

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    Berean: ..."15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world is passing away, along with its desires; but whoever does the will of God remains forever. "...
    NRSV: ..."15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. The love of the Father is not in those who love the world; 16 for all that is in the world — the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eyes, the pride in riches — comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 And the world and its desire are passing away, but those who do the will of God live forever."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • The creator created our reality (best modeled as a consciousness-centric simulation) to facilitate the evaluation of its target audience: humans
  • The eternal continuation of their awareness is inevitable and unavoidable for all human souls
  • The main goal of our life is to reach our salvation and build values that transcend this reality into eternal life, not to reach material or academic success or to fulfill other worldly desires or loyalties
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    The simulation of our reality (our world) is set up for the evaluation of our alignment between love and selfishness. As such, temptation of materialistic thinking and all conclusions that are based on the assumptions of the finality of death are present to test our free will while we navigate through our assigned situations. The ones who realize the eternal word of God, of salvation in their convictions and manage to live their lives accordingly can hope to gain their salvations (the rectification of their sinful condition and the regaining of their place in the presence of the creator). Those doing the will of God will live forever in the presence of the creator, while those not, will exist forever under different (likely less desirable) conditions – as there is no option of final extinguishment for the conscious soul.
     
        

    1 John 2:17

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."17 The world is passing away, along with its desires; but whoever does the will of God remains forever. "...
    NRSV: ..."17 And the world and its desire are passing away, but those who do the will of God live forever."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "It is logical to expect appropriate consequences due for passing or failing the evaluation"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The eternal continuation of their awareness is inevitable and unavoidable for all human souls"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The human spirit is somehow part of the eternal consciousness"
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage can be misinterpreted as implying 'those who do NOT do the will of God will NOT live forever but extinguish into complete and final non-existence'. This 'opportunity' may incline some to think that once they 'really had enough' they will have this option of final extinguishment to leave the scene forever (pretty much without consequences, even if they suffered plenty beforehand). It is also sort of fashionable in some – mostly materialist – circles to view the idea of the fatal ending of conscious awareness as a favorable and definitely preferred option to lingering around into infinity. However, the absolute and fatal extinguishment of conscious awareness may be absurd in itself, and not a possibility for anyone. So there may be no option to quit conscious awareness after all (likely not even if the creator would want to destroy or un-create such souls into non-existence). The reasons may lay with the necessity of preservation of memory (in some form), and the effects on meaning and consequences: if a consciousness can cease to exist, then all that ever happened to them can become un-happened, void, and that conscious soul would have an 'ultimate-no-consequences' state, where nothing it ever did 'would have happened' and thus by definition, the possibility of reaching it would also make its existence completely pointless and meaningless. This is exactly the 'materialist proposition' which is utterly unlikely because of its failure to account for existence and origin for the very-entity making all the observation, based on which its conclusions were drawn. As a thought experiment, supposing the possibility of extinguishment of consciousness, one can envision a few million years from now, humanity may still be the only consciousness in the Universe, and may be close to its end – perhaps a single space station is the only place where the last humans are holding out, trying to reach another planet to live. However, let's assume the last spaceship gets hit by an asteroid, and the very few human beings ever are trying to cringe to their life till all of them die. At that point in time, the whole Universe would cease to exist too – as it only ever existed in the conscious awareness and memories of its conscious participants. So with consciousness's extinguishment, all of human history would be void, along with everything: there are just no observers to recall, view the records of what is happening or what took place before. Cessation of consciousness would be the cessation of all that ever happened, and I deem this an absurdity. Everything only exist in the shared experience and memories of conscious beings, and I deem it the most likely that their memories and awareness goes on – through various other contexts of realities perhaps – forever. Otherwise meaning is completely void in existence – and I consider this an absurdity. A more likely model of reality is a consciousness-centric simulation model. In it, (just as in simulated games and dreams) consciousness enters a given context of reality from the outside, and its awareness never ends end, just transforms in and out into different contexts of realities, where its memory and awareness are limited to different degree, all the while the self remains the same self. Thus, the question becomes, 'under what condition would a soul spend eternity (or a very significant part of it)', as there is likely no option of final extinguishment for anyone's awareness.
     
        

    1 John 2:18

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    Berean: ..."18 Children, it is the last hour; and just as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have appeared. This is how we know it is the last hour. "...
    NRSV: ..."18 Children, it is the last hour! As you have heard that Antichrist is coming, so now many Antichrists have come. From this we know that it is the last hour."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator
  • One needs to live life being always ready for its accounting - then, if events in the future come as a ’thief’, as one would have needed to do nothing differently
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    One needs to be ready at any time for the end of life and its accounting in front of the creator. In this sense one need not worry about when the end times occurs (whether it is one's death or witnessing the end of the simulation). However, one can consider the urging about the end times being near as beneficial, as people get into the state of being constantly ready. Once they are constantly ready, they need not worry about the end times. The antiJesuss are around all the time; they are humans who are misguided about the meaning of life and the path to salvation trying to influence us to their ways. Thus, these kind of “last hour-s” are always around us during our life to condition us to be ready. It is always the present when one needs to make decisions, so what matters is that those decisions are right as if the next hour would be the last hour of the end times (that may never come for any of us on this Earth).
     
        

    1 John 2:22

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."22 Who is the liar, if it is not the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, who denies the Father and the Son. "...
    NRSV: ..."22 Who is the liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the Antichrist, the one who denies the Father and the Son."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • attempted building, claiming, or referencing authority that is misguided and improper
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "As salvation is an individual achievement, finding the way and living life accordingly is a private matter that can not be policed or compelled by others"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Jesus’s ‘covenant’ of the eternal word of God, of salvation is the only covenant that has ever been and will ever be in effect from the creator for all of humanity, since the very beginning of time till the ending of our simulated reality, meaning that if one passes their evaluation on their alignment with love, one redeems their sinful condition and gains their salvation"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Great fuel for some crazy people down the line organizing the inquisition and other atrocities for sake of the 'true belief'. One who denies that Jesus is the Messiah the Jews prophesied about is NOT a liar, but one who does not believe this, or is not convinced of this. Denying the Father and the Son does not make one the Antichrist, as there would be all kinds of Antichrists running around all the time, throughout history. If one lives a justified life aligned with love but does not know about Jesus at all, one can be more closer to their salvation than one who believes that Jesus is the Messiah and adheres to the Father/Son trinity concept, but does not live a life aligned with love. So so much for this passage... This passage amounts to attempting to establish doctrine and enforcing belief in it among adherents of the faith through fear and threats.
     
        

    1 John 2:23, 24, 25

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."23 Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father, but whoever confesses the Son has the Father as well. 24 As for you, let what you have heard from the beginning remain in you. If it does, you will also remain in the Son and in the Father. 25 And this is the promise that He Himself made to us: eternal life. "...
    NRSV: ..."23 No one who denies the Son has the Father; everyone who confesses the Son has the Father also. 24 Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you will abide in the Son and in the Father. 25 And this is what he has promised us, eternal life."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • Jesus’s ‘covenant’ of the eternal word of God, of salvation is the only covenant that has ever been and will ever be in effect from the creator for all of humanity, since the very beginning of time till the ending of our simulated reality, meaning that if one passes their evaluation on their alignment with love, one redeems their sinful condition and gains their salvation
  • The concept of the ‘trinity’ can only be interpreted as ‘three possible interface to the same single entity of the creator’
  •  
    interpretation:
    The first message of this passage is that no one should worry about making any distinctions between the Son and the Father, and instead, keep thinking about the one creator. One who denies the essential message of the CESAPH does not view the creator (and reality) according to the scenario of reality most likely to be closest to the eventual unfolding reality (according to the philosophical foundation). The CESAPH in Jesus represents/fits the most likely scenario of reality that makes the most sense among the alternatives. Those who see a sense in the message of Jesus get the essence of the creator, even if their detailed beliefs will not end up the closest to the eventual unfolding reality. But the main thing is not believing in something that ends up the closest to the eventual unfolding reality, but that they reach their salvation. “What you heard from the beginning” can only be a reference to the eternal word of God, available to all humans in this reality through their predispositions, sense, and the help of grace from the very beginning of time. If one abides in it (holds it in conviction and lives it) one pleases/satisfies the creator and fulfills the conditions necessary for rejoining his presence in heaven (salvation).
     
        

    1 John 3:1

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."1 Behold what manner of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God. And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him. "...
    NRSV: ..."1 See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • In their predispositions, humans inherit both love (the essence of the creator’s spirit we share with him, indicating our significance) and selfishness (its opposite/opposing property, what some mistakenly attribute to a separate entity of the ‘evil/devil/satan’) to different degrees from their greater-self, from their originating context of reality
  • The human spirit is somehow part of the eternal consciousness
  •  
    interpretation:
    The analogy of humans as children of God is a powerful indicator of how and why we are significant and important to the creator. In this world, the closest analogy that comes to the relationship of eternal human souls and the eternal creator is that of a loving parent and child. In the end, an analogy that may even be closer to the eventual unfolding reality may be that our consciousness is somehow a small but autonomous part of the master consciousness of the creator. Thus, we may be “of” the creator just as a child is “of” his parents, but yet we are autonomous, with our own free will – just like a child is.
     
        

    1 John 3:2, 3

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    Berean: ..."2 Beloved, we are now children of God, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when Christ appears, we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as Christ is pure. "...
    NRSV: ..."2 Beloved, we are God's children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is. 3 And all who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • In their predispositions, humans inherit both love (the essence of the creator’s spirit we share with him, indicating our significance) and selfishness (its opposite/opposing property, what some mistakenly attribute to a separate entity of the ‘evil/devil/satan’) to different degrees from their greater-self, from their originating context of reality
  • The creator created our reality (best modeled as a consciousness-centric simulation) to facilitate the evaluation of its target audience: humans
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    The context of reality we will (re)enter is not knowable to us in this reality, just as in our dreams we are unaware of our originating context of reality to a large degree. However, we can conclude our significance and likeness to the creator through the stories of the past we encounter about the good news, our predispositions, and our ability to reason about the most likely and plausible scenario of reality we may be facing. Purifying one's self means getting in alignment with the preferred value of the creator, love, in hope of regaining our place in his presence. Only those who are pure (aligned with his preferred value of love) can be in his presence. Hence our evaluation in this reality. We purify and realign our spirit as we have hope in the eternal word of God leading us to salvation.
     
        

    1 John 3:4, 5

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."4 Everyone who practices sin practices lawlessness as well. Indeed, sin is lawlessness. 5 But you know that Christ appeared to take away sins, and in Him there is no sin. "...
    NRSV: ..."4 Everyone who commits sin is guilty of lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. 5 You know that he was revealed to take away sins, and in him there is no sin."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • misconception about Jesus saving or justifying people rather than them achieving this through their own free will
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Sin is a violation of alignment to love, not lawlessness. The single command of the creator (of love) is the only 'religious' “law”. The CESAPH happened so that many more people would gain strength from it and achieve reaching their salvation, than if it did not take place. One may be mislead to believe that Jesus did all the hard work for us by 'taking away our sins', and all we have to do is believe in him (his resurrection and the other tenets of Christianity) and all is set for one's salvation. Hate to disappoint people, but it ain't gonna happen that way, so don't count on this! This is as big of a trap than believing in materialism and death's finality. For the inconvenience of many, reaching salvation will involve a lifetime's worth of trials and ordeals and potential suffering that one is supposed to go through while staying in alignment with love vs. selfishness. Some people may have missed this crucial part, that I would kindly bring to their attention, in order not to have them flabbergasted during the last judgment as to 'why the hell didn't I get to heaven; I DID believe that Jesus is Lord, that he died on the cross for my sins, and that he rose on the third day?! So what happened, what did I miss??'.
     
        

    1 John 3:7

     Significant Alignment! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."7 Little children, let no one deceive you: The one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as Christ is righteous. "...
    NRSV: ..."7 Little children, let no one deceive you. Everyone who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • Jesus’s ‘covenant’ of the eternal word of God, of salvation is the only covenant that has ever been and will ever be in effect from the creator for all of humanity, since the very beginning of time till the ending of our simulated reality, meaning that if one passes their evaluation on their alignment with love, one redeems their sinful condition and gains their salvation
  • The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans
  •  
    interpretation:
    Righteous means on the path of salvation, having the right conviction of justification. Thus, belief is not a necessary factor in this! However, belief in the CESAPH and its message may greatly help one in getting onto this path and staying on it. One can be rightly hopeful about facing a loving creator who put us into this reality to give us a chance to reach our salvations. And what a loving creator is interested in are those people who share in this quality – and this makes perfect sense. This passage gives hope that those who were not granted the chance to be exposed to the good news can also reach their salvation by walking the path of the eternal word of God. Everyone in human history got the chance to reach their salvation. Everyone's path is deservedly difficult, according to the wrong of their precursory existence. This wrong is what we are here to rectify in this life.
     
        

    1 John 3:8

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."8 The one who practices sin is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the very start. This is why the Son of God was revealed, to destroy the works of the devil. "...
    NRSV: ..."8 Everyone who commits sin is a child of the devil; for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The Son of God was revealed for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • misconception about Jesus saving or justifying people rather than them achieving this through their own free will
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • misguided understanding of sin, the origin of sinful condition/the ‘original sin’ inherited from the OT
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "‘Evil’, ‘Devil’, or ‘Satan’ is NOT a separate entity opposed to the creator, but the value of selfishness in us that is opposite to the preferred value of the creator, love"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Great passage to use for blaming people for their sinning and calling them names... The devil is not an acting sovereign independent entity but the opposite of the preferred value of the creator – selfishness. So the only devil that has been sinning is us! Those who commit a sin (an motivated by selfishness of some form) and feel OK about it are under the influence of the opposite of the creator's preferred value – love. The CESAPH DID take place 'to destroy the works of the devil' – that is the works of selfishness among us that dominate many of our lives. But destroying the works of the devil is a task for us, humans: we have to align with love and live our life accordingly, as THAT destroys the works of the devil, selfishness! The CESAPH's message formalized for us what to do, and its demonstration of love gave us strength that can help us destroy selfishness's influence in us, by loving each other and deciding in consideration of each other – but we have to DO this in our life to prove that we did not just accept a theory, but the theory drives our life!  (As what would our life be for if God already took care the essence of it?) And as we can experience in our life, the CESAPH did NOT destroy the works of the devil, as obviously many of us keep failing at resisting influences to act in a selfish way. Temptations to be selfish are allowed to manifest themselves in our reality and apart from our selfishly-oriented brothers and sisters, they originate and are organized for us by the creator himself, as part of the setup that evaluates our alignment on love vs. selfishness. Thus, our task is to simply resist them by acting in alignment with love instead. Based on the belief system of the OT,  the authors and disciples of Jesus misguidedly believed the ‘Evil One’, ‘Devil’, or ’Satan’ to be a separate independent entity (a fallen leader of angels) opposed to the creator and having some special powers. However, the concept should simply be interpreted as ‘the influence and temptations to be selfish’, the opposite of the creator’s preference of love that is present in us conscious humans, and all of us are here to demonstrate that we can subdue and eliminate this value in us, and side with its opposite in our evaluation.
     
        

    1 John 3:9

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    Berean: ..."9 Anyone born of God refuses to practice sin, because God’s seed abides in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God. "...
    NRSV: ..."9 Those who have been born of God do not sin, because God's seed abides in them; they cannot sin, because they have been born of God."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • content that is unhelpful, intentionally mystifying, irrelevant, or too detailed to be a part of ‘scriptures’ of guidance to salvation
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  •  
    interpretation:
    Going with a translation closer to the original: “Anyone born of God refuses to practice sin, because God’s seed abides in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God.” And just who those beings might be? Does this mean we are not the children of God after all? Do these beings also have free will? Some well-behaved angels perhaps? The story goes as even some of those supposedly-well behaving angels caused some mayhem in heaven, and thus, were tossed out – oh, that would be us humans... But true, there may be some beings, angels, who never failed so far – but infinity is a long long time... Or was this passage included with the intention of being able to refer to it and tell sinners: 'oh, you must NOT have been born of God, as you are obviously a sinner, whereas look at XYZ – they clearly have been born of God, as they do not sin. You must be born of mere humans, sinners then, or perhaps Satan?'. The whole logic of this passage is faulty: then, only those are without sin, who are born of God, the rest are born of humans or Satan – but that is pretty much all of us, as we all sin – so then, who are we talking about? Why would the creator include some beings in our reality who are 'born of him', not humans or Satan. Why would he do that – to have a reference point for us of sinless beings? But wasn't the only such person Jesus? But then why use plural? I thought we ALL had God's seed in us – that is the Holy Spirit we share with the creator, each of us to various degrees. And that is why we are all God's children. But we CAN and DO sin unfortunately, as we are human. I guess it is best to leave this confusing passage and just settle on 'act aligned with love and not selfishness, and if you failed, rectify your sins to gain forgiveness' – that seems simple and doable (but hard..). Those who hold a justified conviction out of their own free will should find it unnatural or absurd to sin (unless weakness, foolishness, or a change of conviction takes a hold in them, in which case they are no longer 'justified').
     
        

    1 John 3:10

     Significant Alignment! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."10 By this the children of God are distinguished from the children of the devil: Anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is anyone who does not love his brother. "...
    NRSV: ..."10 The children of God and the children of the devil are revealed in this way: all who do not do what is right are not from God, nor are those who do not love their brothers and sisters."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • One ‘loves God’ by loving their fellow human beings, no matter how far removed they may be, which fulfills the single command of God
  • Our evaluation serves to separate those who align with love from those who align with selfishness, thereby eliminating the source of suffering from heaven
  • ‘Evil’, ‘Devil’, or ‘Satan’ is NOT a separate entity opposed to the creator, but the value of selfishness in us that is opposite to the preferred value of the creator, love
  •  
    interpretation:
    Indeed, the children of God (those who will have succeeded in reaching their salvation through aligning their lives with love) are revealed at the last judgment, separated from those who failed to do do that in the evaluation of their lives. Those who walk the right path in life are also recognized by their example doing so – loving and respecting their fellow humans no matter how removed they may be from them. This passage makes a strong point against those who believe that their faith will get them to salvation, or that their salvation will be a free gift for “believing in Jesus”. Rather, they need to live a life that is aligned with love to prove/substantiate their conviction about love. Based on the belief system of the OT,  the authors and disciples of Jesus misguidedly believed the ‘Evil One’, ‘Devil’, or ’Satan’ to be a separate independent entity (a fallen leader of angels) opposed to the creator and having some special powers. However, the concept should simply be interpreted as ‘the influence and temptations to be selfish’, the opposite of the creator’s preference of love that is present in us conscious humans, and all of us are here to demonstrate that we can subdue and eliminate this value in us, and side with its opposite in our evaluation.
     
        

    1 John 3:11

     Significant Alignment! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."11 This is the message you have heard from the beginning: We should love one another. "...
    NRSV: ..."11 For this is the message you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Jesus’s ‘covenant’ of the eternal word of God, of salvation is the only covenant that has ever been and will ever be in effect from the creator for all of humanity, since the very beginning of time till the ending of our simulated reality, meaning that if one passes their evaluation on their alignment with love, one redeems their sinful condition and gains their salvation
  • One ‘loves God’ by loving their fellow human beings, no matter how far removed they may be, which fulfills the single command of God
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  • ‘Justification’ is ‘being convinced about love’s (vs. selfishness) need to guide life’ (= ‘being rightly enlightened’, = ‘holding Jesus’s message in conviction’, = ‘following/believing in Jesus’, = ‘gaining a justified conviction’, = ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, = ‘doing the works of God’, = ‘satisfying/keeping/adhering to the command of God’, = ‘accepting/living according to Jesus’s message’, = ‘fulfilling the eternal word of God, of salvation’)
  •  
    interpretation:
    The the eternal word of God available to all from the very beginning of humanity (the start of the simulation) is about the path to salvation is  through one's alignment with love for others. This word is available to all through their predispositions, and through the willing help of grace. The CESAPH formalized this message into the NT, but belief in the NT is not a necessary element of salvation – living life according to its message is. Loving one another is also the essence of Jesus's message – and should be the essence concluded by everyone who reads and interprets the New Testament writings for themselves.
     
        

    1 John 3:13

    top  

    Berean: ..."13 So do not be surprised, brothers, if the world hates you. "...
    NRSV: ..."13 Do not be astonished, brothers and sisters, that the world hates you."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    Rejection and humiliation from peers is part of the evaluation and taking the pain is part of our penance. Our justified conviction should be strong enough to get past these obstacles and temptations, and prevail in living life according to its guidance. The difficulty of one's situation can include stiff resentment to the eternal word of God (family, peer or cultural setting), or a strong influence to shun it. But then, THAT is the assigned situation of the individual to deal with and succeed from. Jesus's apostles likely got it easier to live their lives according to the right conviction than those being born into a materialist or other misguided belief systems where the pressure of conforming and loyalty and the strength of conditioning will be a great influence.
     
        

    1 John 3:14, 15

     Significant Alignment! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. The one who does not love remains in death. 15 Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that eternal life does not reside in a murderer. "...
    NRSV: ..."14 We know that we have passed from death to life because we love one another. Whoever does not love abides in death. 15 All who hate a brother or sister are murderers, and you know that murderers do not have eternal life abiding in them."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    We go from being a fallen angel and an outcast from paradise to life in the presence of the creator because we have proven in this life that we align with love in our conviction and live life accordingly. Whoever does not align with love is discarded from the presence of the creator forever (or perhaps for a severely long enough time that makes it not worth to entertain it as a viable option). Hate is definitely not a condition of love, but a derivative of letting selfishness take over one's conviction. A person aligned in conviction with love can not hate another. Love is not a passive feeling; it is an act of selflessness with regards to others.
     
        

    1 John 3:16, 17

     Significant Alignment! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."16 By this we know what love is: Jesus laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. 17 If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him? "...
    NRSV: ..."16 We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us — and we ought to lay down our lives for one another. 17 How does God's love abide in anyone who has the world's goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help?"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • One ‘loves God’ by loving their fellow human beings, no matter how far removed they may be, which fulfills the single command of God
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  •  
    interpretation:
    This is an extremely powerful reminder of how hard it can be to comply with the single simple command of Jesus and live life accordingly. We need to be ready to make sacrifices such as the demonstration of love of the CESAPH. However, giving our life for others does not need to involve our deaths – it can mean that we dedicate our focus to helping and bettering the life of others in an unselfish way. The role of the creator appearing among us in a fully human form is to show that despite our limitations and the potential suffering we may have to endure, walking the path of salvation is still worth it, as that is the meaning of our existence here. Echoing John 12:25 - “Those who love their lives lose it”. In sensible terms, this means that it is not worth to sacrifice salvation for any of this life's materialistic or other selfish ideals of this world.
     
        

    1 John 3:18, 19

     Significant Alignment! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."18 Little children, let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth. 19 And by this we will know that we belong to the truth, and will assure our hearts in His presence: "...
    NRSV: ..."18 Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. 19 And by this we will know that we are from the truth and will reassure our hearts before him"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • One ‘loves God’ by loving their fellow human beings, no matter how far removed they may be, which fulfills the single command of God
  •  
    interpretation:
    As Jesus has asked his followers, be recognized from your acts as an example to others.
     
        

    1 John 3:21

    top  

    Berean: ..."21 Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God, "...
    NRSV: ..."21 Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have boldness before God;"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  •  
    interpretation:
    If we act according to our justified conviction (aligned with love) and in clear conscience, we can be bold in our belief that we are pleasing the creator and are on the path to our salvation. Thus, everyone in their heart should know whether they are on the good path to salvation or not. This also means that we will not find out from our families or religious leaders whether we can be bold before God, but we are to feel it inside our hearts.
     
        

    1 John 3:21, 22

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."21 Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God, 22 and we will receive from Him whatever we ask, because we keep His commandments and do what is pleasing in His sight. "...
    NRSV: ..."21 Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have boldness before God; 22 and we receive from him whatever we ask, because we obey his commandments and do what pleases him."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • lacking understanding of reasons behind ‘good things can happen to bad people’, and all its variations
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Parallels John 14:13,14, 15:7,16:24 Matthew 7:7, 21:22 1 John 3:22, 5:14-15 Philippians 4:19, Mark 11:24 One may misunderstand “asking and receiving” to be a valid and realistic expectation for this life, however, clearly this is not the case, and neither is this the intention of the creator. The obvious case in this life (that can be tested by anyone) is: “praying/asking for something may or may NOT be granted, regardless of the subject or strength of one's faith”. This is NOT because of a lack of faith on our part, or NOT abiding in Jesus, but because of the nature of our evaluation (of the quality of our soul, the proven alignment of our conviction in our life of penance). Bad things happen to good people, and all other variations of it, regardless of the amount of prayers and faith. Our reality is a place of penance for the wrongs we committed before we joined this reality in our eternal past (as angels?), and as such, it is expected to include a proportional and fair share of suffering in our assigned situations, that fits our failings. Thus, even if we believe and constantly pray, we may still be made to endure what we are to endure as part of our penance. The understanding of the authors on this is most likely misguided, and this may lead to harmful beliefs: false hopes can lead to big disappointments and even the loss of faith when things don't turn out the way we expected them. The CESAPH did not take place to impress or awe people into submission, but to demonstrate the creator's love for us and our need to endure our penance, as we earn our salvation with our properly aligned conviction and life. Routine miracles (prayers automatically fulfilled upon the proper belief) would work against the integrity of the simulation, and would render it incapable in assessing the quality of human souls. Miracles or certainty about outcomes would make one's proven conviction less convincing and valuable and more prone to calculation compared to the achievements of those who did not experience these, but still believed and lived according to their justified conviction. Asking for and being granted whatever we wish for may be the case in heaven for those who pass the last judgment and earn their salvation, but the author likely meant this to happen during this life.
     
        

    1 John 3:23

     Significant Alignment! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."23 And this is His commandment: that we should believe in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and we should love one another just as He commanded us. "...
    NRSV: ..."23 And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • One ‘loves God’ by loving their fellow human beings, no matter how far removed they may be, which fulfills the single command of God
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    The passage can also be misunderstood (addressed under issues). Aside from the trinity-confusion (that is dominant in all the NT writings), the passage is spot on about what the expectation of the creator is from us: we are to love one another as opposed to be selfish toward each other.
     
    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Jesus’s ‘covenant’ of the eternal word of God, of salvation is the only covenant that has ever been and will ever be in effect from the creator for all of humanity, since the very beginning of time till the ending of our simulated reality, meaning that if one passes their evaluation on their alignment with love, one redeems their sinful condition and gains their salvation"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "One’s ‘faith’/belief system has no direct value to the creator, and is only a potential tool in one’s quest to gain justification and reach salvation IF it helps its holder in these"
  •  
    interpretation:
    “Believing in the name of his Son Jesus” is not part of the single commandment found elsewhere, nor can it logically be as that would result in absurd scenarios. Only those who were granted access to the good news in their assigned situations could comply with this commandment – and thus reach their salvation, while others would be damned without a chance, by divine design? Unlikely... It is most likely that what counts for salvation is compliance with the message of Jesus, that is one's conviction aligned with the preferred value of love, and a life that was lived accordingly. In this case, belief in Jesus's message HELPS one achieve this goal, that is IF they accepted Jesus's message as the truth. It is also unlikely that one would categorically reject Jesus's message, yet live a life aligned with love. It IS possible however, that one may reject some teachings and claims about Jesus taught by the church (that may or may not follow from certain interpretations of the scriptures), or even reject the whole 'standard narrative' as unlikely to come from God, but still, one lives life guided by love – God only knows, but it is likely that even such person could earn their salvation, as their case may be similar to those who did not get the chance to know about the good news in their assigned situations. By the way, what is “believing in the name of his Son” mean anyway? One can attribute or explain into this all sorts of interpretations that may or may not be right.. I rather think this is the author simply urging the readers to 'believe the claims and stories about Jesus in the scriptures' (mainly in those written by the same author). Which is fine and in good spirit, however, one can determine for oneself what this needs to mean. In this case, this does not logically add to the main command of love.
     
        

    1 John 4:1

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world. "...
    NRSV: ..."1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God; for many false prophets have gone out into the world."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • As salvation is an individual achievement, finding the way and living life accordingly is a private matter that can not be policed or compelled by others
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage promotes critical thinking for the individual to see whether an influence is aligned with the eternal word of God or not. The decision is the individual's and can not be coerced or delegated to someone else. (too bad the next sentences in the passage is misguided and brings an illogical criterion to help people navigate through this – the belief that Jesus has come in the flesh...)
     
        

    1 John 4:2, 3

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."2 By this you will know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and which is already in the world at this time. "...
    NRSV: ..."2 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming; and now it is already in the world."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • content that is unhelpful, intentionally mystifying, irrelevant, or too detailed to be a part of ‘scriptures’ of guidance to salvation
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misconception about Jesus saving or justifying people rather than them achieving this through their own free will
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Jesus’s ‘covenant’ of the eternal word of God, of salvation is the only covenant that has ever been and will ever be in effect from the creator for all of humanity, since the very beginning of time till the ending of our simulated reality, meaning that if one passes their evaluation on their alignment with love, one redeems their sinful condition and gains their salvation"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "One’s ‘faith’/belief system has no direct value to the creator, and is only a potential tool in one’s quest to gain justification and reach salvation IF it helps its holder in these"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Parallels 2 John 1:7 This sets a very dangerous precedent, calling for the branding of someone or something the 'Antichrist' because of lacking 'proper' belief in the CESAPH. Although believing that 'Jesus was the creator in human form' DOES makes sense and is plausible to believe in general (even though this very quote of belief goes against many mainstream Christian doctrines that are influenced by their misconceived trinity doctrine), belief about Jesus is NOT a valid criterion to decide whether an influence coming from a person 'is from God' or not. Each person's influence on us reflects their world view, their belief system, their understanding of reality. If that influence does not change our conclusions because we deem that false after our careful and critical evaluation within us, then we can deem the influence out of line with our convictions. A belief system is 'good' (beneficial to its user) if they foster in their holder the eternal word of God, of salvation. A 'good' belief systems helps its holder in their quest to reach their salvation – the main goal of our existence here. Thus, all 'good' belief systems are from/appreciated by God, as they foster their adherers' alignment with the spirit of the creator, love. From all the 'good' belief systems, some are 'better' in their ability to convince others. This ability comes from making internal sense, and thus, seeming more likely be true to potential converts. The philosophical foundation deems Jesus's message and the scenario of reality it describes distilled from the available NT sources as the belief system most likely to be closest to the 'eventual unfolding truth' (the way things will turn out in the end). Naturally, others may disagree with this or envision different scenarios unfolding, and these other varying belief systems can still lead them to reach their salvation AS LONG AS it helps them to reach a justified conviction and live their life accordingly. This is, because belief is only a tool we have that helps or prevents us from reaching a justified conviction – which is the goal of our existence, and what gets us our salvation. There have always been temptations and forces in this world that are trying to distance us from love and move us toward selfishness – and all humans are evaluated on where they will end up with their life between these two fundamentally opposing forces. Nothing new entered our world regarding this with the CESAPH. But the gift of its good news can give strength to humans to succeed in reaching their salvation. The misconceived criterion in this passage would mean that anyone who did not gain exposure to the news of the CESAPH could not reach salvation – which is absurd. Worrying about the Antichrist is unnecessary and misguided – one should instead worry about living a life guided by love (then, even if such figure knocks on their door tomorrow, they will know exactly what to do). If the passage would refer to confessing “the message of Jesus” instead of “that Jesus came in the flesh”, the passage could be correct – but the author likely also meant it the wrong way.
     
        

    1 John 4:6

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."6 We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. That is how we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of deception. "...
    NRSV: ..."6 We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us, and whoever is not from God does not listen to us. From this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • incorrect or inappropriate generalization
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "As salvation is an individual achievement, finding the way and living life accordingly is a private matter that can not be policed or compelled by others"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Whoever 'knows God' does not need to listen to them (or anyone else) anymore, as they already 'know God', got the message, and should already be on their path to implement it in their life. They got the theory, now it is implementation time. And whoever is 'not from God' (disagrees with the path represented by the author, I guess) naturally does not listen to them, as they are not convinced of the message. I do understand the spirit of the text from the author's perspective, however the text itself IS faulty, and it lets some to conclude harmful interpretations of it. There are plenty of people who are not ready or not willing to accept the message – either because the story does not make sense to them, because they stay loyal to their inherited or already-established belief system, OR they fundamentally disagree with the essential message of Jesus. Those who fundamentally disagree with the need for love to guide their life are directly against the eternal word of God, of salvation, and there is not much hope for them reaching their salvation, unless somehow they change their conviction on this. But this is exactly what our evaluation is all about. Stating that 'whoever does not listen to us is in error' does not do much, except trying to force a belief onto others without gaining their conviction. Everyone who feels strongly convinced about their world view can state the same thing, and the only way to put an end to this argument and see who was right is to wait for life to end and find out. To accuse others of having the 'wrong spirit', being 'in error' and paint them as 'the Antichrist' is counterproductive, as even those who would have listened to us because they saw the truth our message, will think twice to accept a belief system propagated by people who threaten others or call them names if they are not convinced of our truth. On the other hand, the creator does not gain anything from people who do not have their understanding in their convictions straightened (thus, do not hold a firm conviction), but they go with some flow anyway out of fear, loyalty or habit. Rather, everyone should be making a wager according to their best, honest conscience on the scenario of reality they deem to make the most sense, to be most likely. This should have also stayed true to the authors of the scriptures: they could have outlined their experiences, beliefs, and arguments for all to evaluate and hopefully accept into their conviction, BECAUSE what they write represents the most likely truth that makes the most sense to them (and not threaten, fear-monger, or call people names). And the passage could have said: 'I am outlining my convictions for everyone to consider, as I strongly believe they make the most sense, and represent a scenario that most likely will end up as the closest to the ultimate unfolding reality'. And everyone can see if they agree with this in themselves (gain a similar conviction of it). Then, the evaluation of the belief system represented and its adaption to one's life will be a challenge to all who read it. All those who gained their justified conviction can and should do (and this included the evangelists and apostles) is relay their understanding to others and demonstrate what they preached with their life as an example to others – as Jesus asked us to do. The rest will be up to those others we try to convince, and their life will be evaluated the same way as ours.
     
        

    1 John 4:7, 8, 9

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    Berean: ..."7 Beloved, let us love one another, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 This is how God’s love was revealed among us: God sent His one and only Son into the world, so that we might live through Him. "...
    NRSV: ..."7 Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 God's love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • In their predispositions, humans inherit both love (the essence of the creator’s spirit we share with him, indicating our significance) and selfishness (its opposite/opposing property, what some mistakenly attribute to a separate entity of the ‘evil/devil/satan’) to different degrees from their greater-self, from their originating context of reality
  • One ‘loves God’ by loving their fellow human beings, no matter how far removed they may be, which fulfills the single command of God
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  • The essence of the creator is love
  •  
    interpretation:
    Points out the proper purpose of the CESAPH and summarizes the essence of the NT. The creator undertook the CESAPH so that more humans succeed in reaching their salvation (“live through him”). The creator, by taking on a human form and sharing in our fate, misery and limitations, showed us that he loves humanity and wants us to reach our salvation, to rejoin his presence in heaven.
     
        

    1 John 4:10, 14

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."10 And love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent His Son to be the Savior of the world. "...
    NRSV: ..."10 In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. … 14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father has sent his Son as the Savior of the world."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • misconceived understanding of what the ‘trinity’ could be
  • misconception about Jesus saving or justifying people rather than them achieving this through their own free will
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans"
  •  
    interpretation:
    The potential ramifications of the misconceived traditional interpretation of this passage are severe. It is influenced by the misconceived trinity-concept of the authors – the way the disciples viewed Jesus and the creator. The ideas that – with his suffering and death – Jesus performed an atonement for the sins of humanity (or to be more precise, the inherited 'sinful condition' of the wrongs committed by Adam and Eve) INSTEAD OF us (who inherited the condition and/or committed sins in our life too), and that with this he paid off a ransom (to either the Devil or to the Father) are logically absurd. If we hold the trinity as 'three possible interfaces' to the single entity of the creator, the whole logic of this narrative collapses. Additionally, the traditional Christian interpretation of the 'original sin' (developed around the 3rd century AD) is also misconceived: the reason why 'all humans are sinners' is NOT that they inherited this from any of their ancestors, NOR is it because they necessarily sinned during their life, BUT because their own greater-selves committed them in their originating context of reality. In this context, any 'atonement' performed in place of us by Jesus becomes absurd – it is each one of us that needs to rectify our sinful condition by reaching a justified conviction and living our life (our assigned situations) accordingly. This is simpler, makes much more sense, and seems a lot more likely. Even if one subscribes to the traditional trinity-interpretation of the Father and Son being 'somewhat' separate, the idea that the Devil is assumed as a separate entity, with powers that God needs to 'destroy' with the acts of Jesus, is without much sense. Why would the Son perform any self-sacrifice/favor to the Father to pay off a debt to the Devil instead of us who sinned or inherited those sins doing so? Why would the almighty creator enter into dealings with the separate, lesser-entity of the Devil, and end up owing anything to him (especially, our sovereign conscious souls, because of an inheritance from our far-ancestors)? And why would/could the Devil require such a ransom? And if the Son paid the ransom to the Father, what was the point in it – was there two separate entities involved (because this makes little if any sense being done within the same being). The idea that God needs to conquer the different entity (of the Devil) is also a lot less likely than 'evil' simply being the opposite value of the creator's preference/essence of love (selfishness). Selfishness, then, is a mere property in each one of us, to different degrees, that we are to conquer during our life by proving our realignment with love – a lot simpler, more likely than ransom, devil, conquering, debt, atonement, inherited sin from ancestors... It is entirely more likely that each one of us needs to complete a penance for wrongs we ourselves committed (in a higher context of reality we have no access to while in this life – as in dreams) and struggle to gain our salvation as a personal effort (rectify our sinful condition by realigning with love and return to the presence of the creator in heaven) of our life, and that is the very reason for our participation in this reality. The good news and guidance of the CESAPH CAN help those who were granted access to it in their situational assignments in reaching their justified conviction and having the strength to live life accordingly. In the CESAPH, the creator in Jesus fully shared the human condition with us, together with all its potential misery, suffering, and humiliation to demonstrate the creator's love for us and his desire for us to reach our salvation by aligning our life with love vs. selfishness. The sinful condition of all humans was NOT affected by the CESAPH. It had been and remains to this day up to each individual to reach their justified conviction and live their life accordingly. Undoubtedly for many, the good news helped in doing so. The intervention and good news of the CESAPH was a sacrifice/hardship the creator was willing to make for our benefit (NOT a sacrifice Jesus to offered to the Father), so that more of us would reach salvation (out of our own free will) than without. Most importantly, it was a demonstration of the creator's love for humanity – a gift that can be the greatest help from which people CAN (if they choose so) gain strength to reach their salvation with their life.
     
        

    1 John 4:11, 12, 13

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    Berean: ..."11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God remains in us, and His love is perfected in us. 13 By this we know that we remain in Him, and He in us: He has given us of His Spirit. "...
    NRSV: ..."11 Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us. 13 By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • In their predispositions, humans inherit both love (the essence of the creator’s spirit we share with him, indicating our significance) and selfishness (its opposite/opposing property, what some mistakenly attribute to a separate entity of the ‘evil/devil/satan’) to different degrees from their greater-self, from their originating context of reality
  • One ‘loves God’ by loving their fellow human beings, no matter how far removed they may be, which fulfills the single command of God
  • The human spirit is somehow part of the eternal consciousness
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    The demonstration of love of the CESAPH indeed shows humans by example what to do. The message of Jesus instructs us to love the creator by loving each other. This way, we build up his preferred value of love in us, that we failed on before this existence (that is the reason we appeared in this reality). The creator has “given us of his Spirit”  actually means we share in his spirit to a degree through our innate predispositions (or even, our souls are a small but sovereign part of the master consciousness). “abiding in him and he in us” means we align with his preferred value, love.
     
        

    1 John 4:15

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."15 If anyone confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. "...
    NRSV: ..."15 God abides in those who confess that Jesus is the Son of God, and they abide in God."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Jesus’s ‘covenant’ of the eternal word of God, of salvation is the only covenant that has ever been and will ever be in effect from the creator for all of humanity, since the very beginning of time till the ending of our simulated reality, meaning that if one passes their evaluation on their alignment with love, one redeems their sinful condition and gains their salvation"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "One’s ‘faith’/belief system has no direct value to the creator, and is only a potential tool in one’s quest to gain justification and reach salvation IF it helps its holder in these"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "‘Justification’ is ‘being convinced about love’s (vs. selfishness) need to guide life’ (= ‘being rightly enlightened’, = ‘holding Jesus’s message in conviction’, = ‘following/believing in Jesus’, = ‘gaining a justified conviction’, = ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, = ‘doing the works of God’, = ‘satisfying/keeping/adhering to the command of God’, = ‘accepting/living according to Jesus’s message’, = ‘fulfilling the eternal word of God, of salvation’)"
  •  
    interpretation:
    God abides in those who are justified in their conviction and live their life accordingly. Although believing that 'Jesus was the creator in human form' DOES makes sense and is plausible to believe in general (even though this very quote of belief goes against many mainstream Christian doctrines that are influenced by their misconceived trinity doctrine), belief about Jesus is NOT a valid criterion to decide whether an influence coming from a person 'is from God' or not. Each person's influence on us reflects their world view, their belief system, their understanding of reality. If that influence does not change our conclusions because we deem that false after our careful and critical evaluation within us, then we can deem the influence out of line with our convictions. A belief system is 'good' (beneficial to its user) if they foster in their holder the eternal word of God, of salvation. A 'good' belief systems helps its holder in their quest to reach their salvation – the main goal of our existence here. Thus, all 'good' belief systems are from/appreciated by God, as they foster their adherers' alignment with the spirit of the creator, love. From all the 'good' belief systems, some are 'better' in their ability to convince others. This ability comes from making internal sense, and thus, seeming more likely be true to potential converts. The philosophical foundation deems Jesus's message and the scenario of reality it describes distilled from the available NT sources as the belief system most likely to be closest to the 'eventual unfolding truth' (the way things will turn out in the end). Naturally, others may disagree with this or envision different scenarios unfolding, and these other varying belief systems can still lead them to reach their salvation AS LONG AS it helps them to reach a justified conviction and live their life accordingly. This is, because belief is only a tool we have that helps or prevents us from reaching a justified conviction – which is the goal of our existence, and what gets us our salvation. There have always been temptations and forces in this world that are trying to distance us from love and move us toward selfishness – and all humans are evaluated on where they will end up with their life between these two fundamentally opposing forces. Nothing new entered our world regarding this with the CESAPH. But the gift of its good news can give strength to humans to succeed in reaching their salvation. The misconceived criterion in this passage would mean that anyone who did not gain exposure to the news of the CESAPH could not reach salvation – which is absurd. If the passage would refer to confessing “the message of Jesus” instead of “confess that Jesus is the Son of God”, the passage could be correct – but the author likely also meant it the wrong way.
     
        

    1 John 4:16

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    Berean: ..."16 And we have come to know and believe the love that God has for us. God is love; whoever abides in love abides in God, and God in him. "...
    NRSV: ..."16 So we have known and believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • In their predispositions, humans inherit both love (the essence of the creator’s spirit we share with him, indicating our significance) and selfishness (its opposite/opposing property, what some mistakenly attribute to a separate entity of the ‘evil/devil/satan’) to different degrees from their greater-self, from their originating context of reality
  • The human spirit is somehow part of the eternal consciousness
  •  
    interpretation:
    “Knowing and believing the love that God has for us” should be what we believe after being exposed to the good news of the CESAPH. After all, this was the main purpose of the creator's undertaking in Jesus. THIS is what can give the most strength to anyone trying to succeed in this evaluation, without compromising the setup's ability to evaluate us on our alignment with love. Us abiding in love is what the creator is after in us – this is why we got a chance to rectify our wrongs and reach our salvation.
     
        

    1 John 4:18, 19, 20, 21

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment. The one who fears has not been perfected in love. 19 We love because He first loved us. 20 If anyone says, “I love God,” but hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. 21 And we have this commandment from Him: Whoever loves God must love his brother as well. "...
    NRSV: ..."18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love. 19 We love because he first loved us. 20 Those who say, "I love God," and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. 21 The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • One ‘loves God’ by loving their fellow human beings, no matter how far removed they may be, which fulfills the single command of God
  • One’s ‘faith’/belief system has no direct value to the creator, and is only a potential tool in one’s quest to gain justification and reach salvation IF it helps its holder in these
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  • ‘Justification’ is ‘being convinced about love’s (vs. selfishness) need to guide life’ (= ‘being rightly enlightened’, = ‘holding Jesus’s message in conviction’, = ‘following/believing in Jesus’, = ‘gaining a justified conviction’, = ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, = ‘doing the works of God’, = ‘satisfying/keeping/adhering to the command of God’, = ‘accepting/living according to Jesus’s message’, = ‘fulfilling the eternal word of God, of salvation’)
  •  
    interpretation:
    Having to love each other if we “love God” addresses love as a calculated move. Only those who can truly love their neighbors can really love God. The innate uncertainty about the creator and the stakes of our evaluation  in our reality enables us to be able to “truly love, out of conviction” and not out of calculation. The creator first loved us by giving us a chance to redeem our sinful condition in this life. Thus, we are in this life out of the love of the creator for us. Thus, we “love God” in our reality by loving our fellow human beings no matter how far removed they are from us.
     
        

    1 John 5:1, 2

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    Berean: ..."1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father also loves those born of Him. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God: when we love God and keep His commandments. "...
    NRSV: ..."1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the parent loves the child. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • incorrect or inappropriate generalization
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "One ‘loves God’ by loving their fellow human beings, no matter how far removed they may be, which fulfills the single command of God"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "One’s ‘faith’/belief system has no direct value to the creator, and is only a potential tool in one’s quest to gain justification and reach salvation IF it helps its holder in these"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Generalization that does not hold true: not everyone who believes that Jesus is the Messiah has been born of God (meaning of course, that 'they are justified in their conviction'). There is some circular reasoning in the argument here. 'we know that we love the children of God' (our fellow human beings) by 'obeying God's commandments' – which is: to love each other.. The argument that, 'as we are all children of God we must love each other as siblings' holds true. However, instead of this circular reasoning, it should have been pointed out by the author that 'one loves the Father/Jesus/God BY loving their fellow human beings, no matter how removed they may be from them' – our Samaritans.
     
        

    1 John 5:3

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    Berean: ..."3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome, "...
    NRSV: ..."3 For the love of God is this, that we obey his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome,"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • One ‘loves God’ by loving their fellow human beings, no matter how far removed they may be, which fulfills the single command of God
  • Our evaluation serves to separate those who align with love from those who align with selfishness, thereby eliminating the source of suffering from heaven
  • The most likely evaluation criterion for our evaluation that is universally applicable and makes logical sense in all cases and human situations is our alignment on love (the preferred value of the creator) vs. its opposite, selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    The commandment of God is to love one another (align one's conviction and life with love). The command of God must be directly related to our evaluation's success criterion, the criterion for salvation. Indeed, it is the same exact thing. Loving others can be difficult but not burdensome, and if unconditional love and respect for each other – if held in conviction by every human – would make it a paradise, taking out selfish and ignorant behavior from our world. With the separation of those who reach salvation from those who do not, this is exactly what is expected to happen.
     
        

    1 John 5:4, 5

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    Berean: ..."4 because everyone born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world: our faith. 5 Who then overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. "...
    NRSV: ..."4 for whatever is born of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world, our faith. 5 Who is it that conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misconceived understanding of what the ‘trinity’ could be
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Jesus’s ‘covenant’ of the eternal word of God, of salvation is the only covenant that has ever been and will ever be in effect from the creator for all of humanity, since the very beginning of time till the ending of our simulated reality, meaning that if one passes their evaluation on their alignment with love, one redeems their sinful condition and gains their salvation"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "One’s ‘faith’/belief system has no direct value to the creator, and is only a potential tool in one’s quest to gain justification and reach salvation IF it helps its holder in these"
  •  
    interpretation:
    One can be said to be 'conquering the world' and 'born of God' if one lives life according to a justified conviction (with love's guidance, as opposed to selfishness). 'conquering the world' can only mean 'doing the right thing for one's salvation' – unfortunately I see some getting different ideas from this passage..   The purpose of our simulation is to facilitate our evaluation; the 'conquering' has to happen in our conviction, attitude and behavior. But this conquest is not the result of believing that Jesus is the Son of God or that he is divine or that he resurrected, but from one realizing that love needs to guide life – either from the main command and message of Jesus, or from other sources. Thus, 'our faith' IS the one that may 'conquer the world', that is IF its subject is the message of Jesus, the eternal word of God, of salvation, love's need to guide life.
     
        

    1 John 5:7, 8, 9

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."7 For there are three that testify: 8 the Spirit, the water, and the blood—and these three are in agreement. 9 Even if we accept human testimony, the testimony of God is greater. For this is the testimony that God has given about His Son. "...
    NRSV: ..."7 There are three that testify: 8 the Spirit and the water and the blood, and these three agree. 9 If we receive human testimony, the testimony of God is greater; for this is the testimony of God that he has testified to his Son."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • content that is unhelpful, intentionally mystifying, irrelevant, or too detailed to be a part of ‘scriptures’ of guidance to salvation
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misconceived understanding of what the ‘trinity’ could be
  •  
    interpretation:
    Surely, the CESAPH was a testimony of God's love for humanity, and his desire for us to reach our salvation. And there can be no testimony that is any more valuable than this one. But even if one tries to explain or interpret this passage in a similar way, in the end, the passage is confusing and does not make much sense, likely due to the confused understanding of the author of the trinity concept. For why would the creator need to testify anything to himself in a human form? Or, if one goes with the Father-Son concept, why would the father need to testify to his Son?
     
        

    1 John 5:10

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    Berean: ..."10 Whoever believes in the Son of God has this testimony within him; whoever does not believe God has made Him out to be a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given about His Son. "...
    NRSV: ..."10 Those who believe in the Son of God have the testimony in their hearts. Those who do not believe in God have made him a liar by not believing in the testimony that God has given concerning his Son."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • One’s ‘faith’/belief system has no direct value to the creator, and is only a potential tool in one’s quest to gain justification and reach salvation IF it helps its holder in these
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  • The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage defines what “believing in Jesus” should mean: have Jesus's testimony of love in heart. The CESAPH's significance is the creator's testimony of love for us, his desire for us to reach our salvation, and his formalized guidance on how to do that. Those who do not believe in a creator (or an afterlife) may hold that the CESAPH was a myth, a “lie”, or something entirely different from the above essence; they do not accept/believe that a creator would carry out such testimony, or they simply doubt the miracle-claims of the Bible. Instead, they expect supernatural signs of power and might, in order to believe. With this, they fail to understand the nature of our evaluation and what the CESAPH was meant to accomplish for them. The essential message of Jesus represents the scenario of reality closest to the eventual unfolding reality based on the sense it makes (aligning with the philosophical foundation) and because of the CESAPH's conceptual brilliance (the creator partaking in our suffering to testify his love for us, to help more of us toward our salvations without disabling our reality's ability to evaluate the quality of our souls).
     
        

    1 John 5:11, 12

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."11 And this is that testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. "...
    NRSV: ..."11 And this is the testimony: God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • Jesus’s ‘covenant’ of the eternal word of God, of salvation is the only covenant that has ever been and will ever be in effect from the creator for all of humanity, since the very beginning of time till the ending of our simulated reality, meaning that if one passes their evaluation on their alignment with love, one redeems their sinful condition and gains their salvation
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  • The eternal continuation of their awareness is inevitable and unavoidable for all human souls
  • The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans
  •  
    interpretation:
    Eternal life is reachable by following the message of Jesus, the eternal word of God, of salvation. Whoever aligns his life with this message reaches salvation and has eternal life in the presence of the creator. Those who fail at this will have a different kind of existence into eternity. “Having the Son of God” means following the message of Jesus (aligning one's conviction and life with love). Following Jesus's message means an active life of exercising free will in the right way.
     
        

    1 John 5:14

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    Berean: ..."14 And this is the confidence that we have before Him: If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. "...
    NRSV: ..."14 And this is the boldness we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally
  •  
    interpretation:
    Except that we will not know what is according to God's will and what is not. “Hearing us” also does not necessarily mean “satisfies our requests”. This is a tricky statement that can apply to all requests from God. The amount of suffering we must go through life is granted by our situational assignments that fits the wrong of our precursory existence. It is not possible to pray for the elimination of our burden/suffering in this sense, but exceptions to what “would happen to us otherwise” are possible on an individual basis. In other words, the creator CAN intervene in what would be our assignment otherwise, should we not request his help. However, this does not guarantee positive results, even if one lives an otherwise pristine life in harmony with the eternal word of God! And one should not get disappointed. It is easy to imagine the absurdity of its alternative: everyone diligently praying and praying so their guaranteed elimination of their pain and suffering... God's will is that we reach our salvation; thus, our requests should be focused on the goal of reaching salvation and the help in that – and grace will surely help us, if we are genuine in our requests.
     
        

    1 John 5:14, 15

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."14 And this is the confidence that we have before Him: If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we already possess what we have asked of Him. "...
    NRSV: ..."14 And this is the boldness we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have obtained the requests made of him."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • lacking understanding of reasons behind ‘good things can happen to bad people’, and all its variations
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Parallels John 14:13,14, 15:7,16:24 Matthew 7:7, 21:22 1 John 3:22, 5:14-15 Philippians 4:19, Mark 11:24 One may misunderstand “asking and receiving” to be a valid and realistic expectation for this life, however, clearly this is not the case, and neither is this the intention of the creator. The obvious case in this life (that can be tested by anyone) is: “praying/asking for something may or may NOT be granted, regardless of the subject or strength of one's faith”. This is NOT because of a lack of faith on our part, or NOT abiding in Jesus, but because of the nature of our evaluation (of the quality of our soul, the proven alignment of our conviction in our life of penance). Bad things happen to good people, and all other variations of it, regardless of the amount of prayers and faith. Our reality is a place of penance for the wrongs we committed before we joined this reality in our eternal past (as angels?), and as such, it is expected to include a proportional and fair share of suffering in our assigned situations, that fits our failings. Thus, even if we believe and constantly pray, we may still be made to endure what we are to endure as part of our penance. The understanding of the authors on this is most likely misguided, and this may lead to harmful beliefs: false hopes can lead to big disappointments and even the loss of faith when things don't turn out the way we expected them. The CESAPH did not take place to impress or awe people into submission, but to demonstrate the creator's love for us and our need to endure our penance, as we earn our salvation with our properly aligned conviction and life. Routine miracles (prayers automatically fulfilled upon the proper belief) would work against the integrity of the simulation, and would render it incapable in assessing the quality of human souls. Miracles or certainty about outcomes would make one's proven conviction less convincing and valuable and more prone to calculation compared to the achievements of those who did not experience these, but still believed and lived according to their justified conviction. Asking for and being granted whatever we wish for may be the case for those who pass the last judgment and earn their salvation, but the author likely meant this to happen during this life. This is a tricky statement that can apply to and be true for all situations. Except we will not know what is according to his will and what is not. The amount of suffering we must go through life is granted by our situational assignments that fits the wrong of our precursory existence. It is not possible to pray our fate away in this sense, but exceptions to what would happen to us otherwise may be possible on an individual basis. In other words, the creator CAN intervene in what would otherwise be our assignment, should we ask him in prayer. However, prayer in good faith does not guaranteed a favorable outcome for us, even if we live an otherwise pristine life in harmony with the eternal word of God. However, the advice of the passage stays valid: pray to the creator for favorable outcomes in matters that serve his will (the justification and salvation of humans and the lessening of our misery). And the inclusion of 'according to his will' can reflect all criticism and rebuttal of this passage, but the author claiming 'that the wish was not granted, as it was probably was NOT according to the will of the creator' – which then can be applied to every single case of non-answered prayers (along with, the person 'not believing strong enough').
     
        

    1 John 5:16

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."16 If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he should ask God, who will give life to those who commit this kind of sin. There is a sin that leads to death; I am not saying he should ask regarding that sin. "...
    NRSV: ..."16 If you see your brother or sister committing what is not a mortal sin, you will ask, and God will give life to such a one — to those whose sin is not mortal."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "A justified person has the duty to spread the word of God to others in a non-intrusive way whenever the chance arises and by showing an example"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "As salvation is an individual achievement, finding the way and living life accordingly is a private matter that can not be policed or compelled by others"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Humans can ask for intervention and forgiveness on behalf of others from the creator, but that logically has to be accompanied by a genuine regret on the part of the perpetrator, and their will to rectify those sins to be valid and result in the redemption of those sins. Just because people pray for the forgiveness of sins of someone else, one can not count on those sins being forgiven automatically and get those sins off of their list to be evaluated during the last judgment. According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’) and we can not achieve salvation for others. What we CAN do is give them all the help and advice they need to do the right thing in their own life, and can pray for grace's guidance in their life. The rest is up to them. A justified person has the responsibility to steer others toward the same conviction non-intrusively, whenever they have the chance to do so. But it is brave of the author to claim the forgiveness of God in this situation, as this is not justified by any logic or even message coming from Jesus. One could just keep on sinning and others will take care of the consequences of those sins in front of God – not that simple, and does not make any sense, I am afraid.
     
        

    1 John 5:18

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."18 We know that anyone born of God does not keep on sinning; the One who was born of God protects him, and the evil one cannot touch him. "...
    NRSV: ..."18 We know that those who are born of God do not sin, but the one who was born of God protects them, and the evil one does not touch them."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • incorrect or inappropriate generalization
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "‘Evil’, ‘Devil’, or ‘Satan’ is NOT a separate entity opposed to the creator, but the value of selfishness in us that is opposite to the preferred value of the creator, love"
  •  
    interpretation:
    One who is justified in their conviction (they accepted the need for love to guide their life) can be said to 'be born of God'. While they are in this state, it is unnatural to them to sin (as their conviction is against it), but not impossible. Their conviction can still change, or they can be weak or foolish and fail their own conviction. Thus, justification is not a guarantee that one will necessarily lead a sinless life. But this is exactly why one is tried through a set of assigned ordeals and trials during their life, their assigned situations, throughout which they are supposed to keep their conduct according to their conviction. 'The evil one does not touch them' would mean that they would no longer face any temptations in their life – which would be illogical, as everyone lives until their evaluation must continue. Thus, the 'evil one' (the temptations presented to one in life through accidental assignments by the creator, or by others' free will) will continue to try to influence and sway one off of their road to salvation, and one is expected to conquer these influences and temptations – THAT is their evaluation, why they were assigned to participate in this reality. The CESAPH certainly gives strength to believers in their quest to reach their salvation with their life. But this does not mean that Jesus will 'protect them' against sinning, thus they can not sin. The creator did not intervene in our reality with the CESAPH to protect us or eliminate the source of temptation from our life – on the contrary; the CESAPH acknowledged the fact that there IS suffering in life that everyone may face, and reaching salvation will not be an easy ride for anyone, BUT despite all of this, it is worth for everyone to do everything humanly possible to succeed at it, as the stakes are high. 'Being born of God' may also lead some to misinterpret this as some sort of predestination: those who are born of God are the chosen ones who will be protected and saved – his is completely misguided. Based on the belief system of the OT,  the authors and disciples of Jesus misguidedly believed the ‘Evil One’, ‘Devil’, or ’Satan’ to be a separate independent entity (a fallen leader of angels) opposed to the creator and having some special powers. However, the concept should simply be interpreted as ‘the influence and temptations to be selfish’, the opposite of the creator’s preference of love that is present in us conscious humans, and all of us are here to demonstrate that we can subdue and eliminate this value in us, and side with its opposite in our evaluation.
     
        

    1 John 5:19

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    Berean: ..."19 We know that we are of God, and that the whole world is under the power of the evil one. "...
    NRSV: ..."19 We know that we are God's children, and that the whole world lies under the power of the evil one."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Our evaluation serves to separate those who align with love from those who align with selfishness, thereby eliminating the source of suffering from heaven
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    If we omit the interpretation of the “evil one” as an entity that competes with the creator, and interpret it as “the opposite of the preferred value of the creator” (love vs selfishness), then this passage is correct. All humans are “children” of God, eternal beings who are here to be judged on their alignment, thus the “evil one” (temptations of selfishness) has power over our existence – ie. in the “whole world”, influences are there to try to sway us to fail on our alignment to love, toward selfishness. That's what an evaluation is like. Based on the belief system of the OT,  the authors and disciples of Jesus misguidedly believed the ‘Evil One’, ‘Devil’, or ’Satan’ to be a separate independent entity (a fallen leader of angels) opposed to the creator and having some special powers. However, the concept should simply be interpreted as ‘the influence and temptations to be selfish’, the opposite of the creator’s preference of love that is present in us conscious humans, and all of us are here to demonstrate that we can subdue and eliminate this value in us, and side with its opposite in our evaluation.
     
        

    1 John 5:20

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    Berean: ..."20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true—in His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. "...
    NRSV: ..."20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Jesus’s ‘covenant’ of the eternal word of God, of salvation is the only covenant that has ever been and will ever be in effect from the creator for all of humanity, since the very beginning of time till the ending of our simulated reality, meaning that if one passes their evaluation on their alignment with love, one redeems their sinful condition and gains their salvation
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  • The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans
  •  
    interpretation:
    Indeed, the creator in Jesus formalized the eternal word of God with an understanding and “assurance” that the creator loves us and wants us to succeed in this evaluation to reach our salvation. The claim is that the scenario of reality described by Jesus matches the eventual unfolding reality. By distilling the message from the stories humans have inherited from the authors of the NT, humans have access to this formalized message. Knowing of this is not enough, however, since the message of eternal life is an invitation for a conviction, an alignment, and a life of actions.
     
        

    2 John 1:5, 6

     Significant Alignment! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."5 And now I urge you, dear lady—not as a new commandment to you, but one we have had from the beginning—that we love one another. 6 And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the very commandment you have heard from the beginning, that you must walk in love. "...
    NRSV: ..."5 But now, dear lady, I ask you, not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but one we have had from the beginning, let us love one another. 6 And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment just as you have heard it from the beginning – you must walk in it."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • Jesus’s ‘covenant’ of the eternal word of God, of salvation is the only covenant that has ever been and will ever be in effect from the creator for all of humanity, since the very beginning of time till the ending of our simulated reality, meaning that if one passes their evaluation on their alignment with love, one redeems their sinful condition and gains their salvation
  • One ‘loves God’ by loving their fellow human beings, no matter how far removed they may be, which fulfills the single command of God
  •  
    interpretation:
    Emphasis on the single commandment of “love thy neighbor”, and the need to actively implement this in one's conviction and life. This is a journey of actions, till the end, till death. Indeed, Jesus's message is not something “he came up with at one point in history”, like with other founders of religions. The message Jesus came to formalize and testify to with his love has always been in effect for all of humanity, as this is about the meaning and purpose of their lives. This also makes all religions and belief systems that are not leading to the same conviction of justification, as worthless and invalid. “walk according to his commandments” means action, “living the love” of the commandment, not mere belief in whatever set of tenets.
     
        

    2 John 1:7

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world, refusing to confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist. "...
    NRSV: ..."7 Many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh; any such person is the deceiver and the Antichrist!"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • content that is unhelpful, intentionally mystifying, irrelevant, or too detailed to be a part of ‘scriptures’ of guidance to salvation
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misconception about Jesus saving or justifying people rather than them achieving this through their own free will
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Jesus’s ‘covenant’ of the eternal word of God, of salvation is the only covenant that has ever been and will ever be in effect from the creator for all of humanity, since the very beginning of time till the ending of our simulated reality, meaning that if one passes their evaluation on their alignment with love, one redeems their sinful condition and gains their salvation"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "One’s ‘faith’/belief system has no direct value to the creator, and is only a potential tool in one’s quest to gain justification and reach salvation IF it helps its holder in these"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Parallels 1 John 4:2 This sets a very dangerous precedent, calling for the branding of someone or something the 'Antichrist' because of lacking 'proper' belief in the CESAPH. Although believing that 'Jesus was the creator in human form' DOES makes sense and is plausible to believe in general (even though this very quote of belief goes against many mainstream Christian doctrines that are influenced by their misconceived trinity doctrine), belief about Jesus is NOT a valid criterion to decide whether an influence coming from a person 'is from God' or not. Each person's influence on us reflects their world view, their belief system, their understanding of reality. If that influence does not change our conclusions because we deem that false after our careful and critical evaluation within us, then we can deem the influence out of line with our convictions. A belief system is 'good' (beneficial to its user) if they foster in their holder the eternal word of God, of salvation. A 'good' belief systems helps its holder in their quest to reach their salvation – the main goal of our existence here. Thus, all 'good' belief systems are from/appreciated by God, as they foster their adherers' alignment with the spirit of the creator, love. From all the 'good' belief systems, some are 'better' in their ability to convince others. This ability comes from making internal sense, and thus, seeming more likely be true to potential converts. The philosophical foundation deems Jesus's message and the scenario of reality it describes distilled from the available NT sources as the belief system most likely to be closest to the 'eventual unfolding truth' (the way things will turn out in the end). Naturally, others may disagree with this or envision different scenarios unfolding, and these other varying belief systems can still lead them to reach their salvation AS LONG AS it helps them to reach a justified conviction and live their life accordingly. This is, because belief is only a tool we have that helps or prevents us from reaching a justified conviction – which is the goal of our existence, and what gets us our salvation. There have always been temptations and forces in this world that are trying to distance us from love and move us toward selfishness – and all humans are evaluated on where they will end up with their life between these two fundamentally opposing forces. Nothing new entered our world regarding this with the CESAPH. But the gift of its good news can give strength to humans to succeed in reaching their salvation. The misconceived criterion in this passage would mean that anyone who did not gain exposure to the news of the CESAPH could not reach salvation – which is absurd. Worrying about the Antichrist is unnecessary and misguided – one should instead worry about living a life guided by love (then, even if such figure knocks on their door tomorrow, they will know exactly what to do). If the passage would refer to confessing “the message of Jesus” instead of “that Jesus came in the flesh”, the passage could be correct – but the author likely also meant it the wrong way.
     
        

    2 John 1:9

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    Berean: ..."9 Anyone who runs ahead without remaining in the teaching of Christ does not have God. Whoever remains in His teaching has both the Father and the Son. "...
    NRSV: ..."9 Everyone who does not abide in the teaching of Jesus, but goes beyond it, does not have God; whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son"...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  •  
    interpretation:
    Anyone who lives life without staying in alignment with Jesus's command does not walk the path of salvation (“does not have God”). In essence, this emphasizes According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’), as abiding in love is a series of corresponding acts, not just a passive belief. Belief about the right path to salvation (a justified conviction) helps one to live such life, but is not enough in itself for salvation. The quality of soul the creator must be after requires one to prove one's conviction (about love needing to guide life) by walking the path accordingly, throughout life's assigned situations.
     
    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • misconceived understanding of what the ‘trinity’ could be
  •  
    interpretation:
    The Father and the Son are the same entity, so this passage also features the confusion about the trinity – but also refutes it, as “both the Father and Son” implies they are the same essence.
     
        

    2 John 1:10, 11

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."10 If anyone comes to you but does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your home or even greet him. 11 Whoever greets such a person shares in his evil deeds. "...
    NRSV: ..."10 Do not receive into the house or welcome anyone who comes to you and does not bring this teaching; 11 for to welcome is to participate in the evil deeds of such a person."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • contradicts other NT passages
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "A justified person has the duty to spread the word of God to others in a non-intrusive way whenever the chance arises and by showing an example"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same"
  •  
    interpretation:
    This is utter misguidance on the part of the author, that contradicts the example shown by Jesus to those who are not on the right path: to them, followers of Jesus need to demonstrate by example (being recognized that they are the followers of Christ by their love for each other), and by relaying their understanding in a non-intrusive way, if they have the opportunity. Not associating or welcoming others is very much the Jewish way of maintaining their separateness, while believing in their special status in the eye of the creator – a misguided way and belief specifically contradicted by the creator, by choosing their context for the formalization of the eternal word of God, of salvation by Jesus. To welcome others, to be open to them, hear them out, listen to their views and outlook, being friendly to anyone, and especially those who do not agree with us or are different from us is a virtue – this way, they see this quality and will be much more open to a discussion and acceptance of the truth, if that comes out of discussions. Openness is the first step in recognition and then being convinced about the belief system that may make the most sense and is most likely to be the closest to the eventual unfolding reality. The barriers to go through are loyalties and fear – and the advice of the author here would actually reinforce those, rather than demolish them. This passage encourages excommunication, self-selection,  segregation, exclusivity, and thus, selfishness.
     
        

    2 Peter 1:3

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."3 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. "...
    NRSV: ..."3 His divine power has given us everything needed for life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • The CESAPH was a divine intervention that demonstrated the creator’s love (not power) for us and formalized the eternal word of God of salvation as our guide. It stands on its own and speaks for itself without any need of authentication, validation or foretelling by prophecies
  • The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans
  •  
    interpretation:
    Indeed, through knowledge of the good news and message of Jesus, the creator's divine power DID give us everything needed for ('how to live') life and ('how to achieve') godliness (justification). This is a much greater help than having only our predispositions to love to rely on and having the willing help of grace we can turn to – that have been always available to all humans in their quest to find the purpose of life. Those who have access to the good news have an active (confrontative) help of God, whereas those without can only rely on the passive help of their predispositions and grace. Grace CAN sometime also be an active help or intervention in one's life (at the creator's discretion), however most of the time one needs to turn/ask for help (perhaps from 'higher powers') to receive it.
     
        

    2 Peter 1:4

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    Berean: ..."4 Through these He has given us His precious and magnificent promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, now that you have escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. "...
    NRSV: ..."4 Thus he has given us, through these things, his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may escape from the corruption that is in the world because of lust, and may become participants of the divine nature."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • It is logical to expect appropriate consequences due for passing or failing the evaluation
  • The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    The promise of an everlasting life in the presence of the creator in heaven (if we succeed in reaching our salvation) is a part of the formalized message of the eternal word of God, of salvation (as outlined in the NT, together with the less attractive outcome for those who do not manage to reach their salvations). These promises should drive us to “escape from corruption” (escape the temptation of selfishness), see the sense in the message, weigh the consequences of our wager, and ultimately to reach salvation.
     
        

    2 Peter 1:5, 6, 7

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    Berean: ..."5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. "...
    NRSV: ..."5 For this very reason, you must make every effort to support your faith with goodness, and goodness with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with endurance, and endurance with godliness, 7 and godliness with mutual affection, and mutual affection with love."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • Behavioral guidance
  •  
    interpretation:
    Behavioral advice that makes sense and follows from being aligned with love. Emphasis on doing and not just believing.
     
        

    2 Peter 1:9

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    Berean: ..."9 But whoever lacks these traits is nearsighted to the point of blindness, having forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins. "...
    NRSV: ..."9 For anyone who lacks these things is nearsighted and blind, and is forgetful of the cleansing of past sins."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  •  
    interpretation:
    One “cleanses of past sins” by rectifying them. One rectifies sins committed during this life by trying to make them right (active rectification) with those one trespassed against, or with the creator, if this is not possible. One rectifies sins of their previous existence by going through the assigned situations of life while keeping in alignment with love, thereby hopefully reaching salvation.
     
        

    2 Peter 1:10, 11

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."10 Therefore, brothers, strive to make your calling and election sure. For if you practice these things you will never stumble, 11 and you will receive a lavish reception into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. "...
    NRSV: ..."10 Therefore, brothers and sisters, be all the more eager to confirm your call and election, for if you do this, you will never stumble. 11 For in this way, entry into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be richly provided for you."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • misconception about Jesus saving or justifying people rather than them achieving this through their own free will
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  •  
    interpretation:
    This is a call for public pledging of allegiance to Jesus's way to salvation. It is not true, and an exaggeration to say, that one who performs such act will 'never stumble' again. One may be 'richly provided entry into the eternal kingdom' upon completing a life that will be deemed to be aligned with love at the last judgment, but NOT upon (and more importantly, not necessarily) such this-worldly display of pledges or confirmations of calls and elections. Though 'eagerness to confirm their call and election' is a positive display that is in alignment with one's justified conviction (and therefore the 'likelihood' is present for one to reach their salvation with their life eventually), one can never know what life will throw at them, and how one will fare facing various challenges life still has for them in store. Thus, this passage amounts to a false guarantee that may be misunderstood by some – and this is misleading. An open declaration of the path one chooses to wager on and follow CAN involve soul-lifting positive effects (boosting and reinforcing morale), however this does not equal 'reaching or being granted salvation'. The author should be in no position to promise such things to anyone.
     
        

    2 Peter 1:20, 21

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture comes from one’s own interpretation. 21 For no such prophecy was ever brought forth by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. "...
    NRSV: ..."20 First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, 21 because no prophecy ever came by human will, but men and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • attempted building, claiming, or referencing authority that is misguided and improper
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Messages, visions, texts claimed by their propagators to be prophecies from God ARE up for the receiver to evaluate, accept and believe, as there is no other way for people to deal with their outside world. Interpretation is the way humans deal with their outside world, including the communication with other humans. Anyone can come up with claims, say that 'they are from God', write them down, and expect people to comply with them IF people can not be expected to apply their critical thinking to any such source. This is wrong and false advice from the author, and amounts to an attempted building of authority for the church, and for their leaders to decide and interpret what the message 'should be', or what its interpretations must be. This is where things started to get a bit out of hand, and this is why things went way out of hand many times during history, since the CESAPH. I'd argue, that if God wanted such clarity to prevail about his message among humans for generations to come and forever, he would have provided us a miraculous source that does not go through human writers and interpreters, and content that spells out divine expectations precisely leaving no room for individual interpretations. Needless to say, 'divine revelations' did not happen that way. Even Moses's claim of a divine origin for his stone tablets of the ten commandments are – of course – highly suspect of being all the work of Moses. If God wanted an unquestionable, unequivocal divine origin for those tablets to be apparent to all people (including even people far removed from the location of Mt Sinai) there would have ben a myriad of ways for him to make this very clear. For example, the material for those tablets could have been miraculous (mahogany wood not at all available on the continent, or some other non-apparent material) and not stone that was widely available on the top of the mountain. Or its arrival from the heavens could have been visible so that distant (or at least nearby) cultures could have also recorded such an event for posterity so generations later people could still marvel at the miracle and treat its content as an obvious source of divine instructions. The sad truth about prophecies is that divine might (miracles of the supernatural) did not unequivocally back them in a way to be convincing enough to later generations as such. Thus, the only way for readers of later generations to assess their validity remains to distill their message and weigh it against making sense and 'appearing' more likely to end up closer to the eventual unfolding reality. Miracles that eclipsed their immediate location where they allegedly took place and were witnessed by the vast majority of humanity (or at least, in a much wider location than would be expected for a fake claim to take place) are just lacking – thus, they have no convincing role in assessing the validity and applicability of alleged prophetic messages from the creator. Besides, the message of Jesus is so concise and all-encompassing, that it leaves no logical need for previous or subsequent prophecies validating, authenticating, or adding to it. So it may just be that the creator does NOT want to communicate to us through miracles, and even the divine intervention of the CESAPH did not involve them (as none of its miracles were logically needed to validate its concept and message). Our reasonable doubt and uncertainty does have a very important role: it facilitates the evaluation of our soul's alignment on love vs. selfishness. Miracles would disrupt or disable this evaluation.
     
        

    2 Peter 2:1, 2

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."1 Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. 2 Many will follow in their depravity, and because of them the way of truth will be defamed. "...
    NRSV: ..."1 But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive opinions. They will even deny the Master who bought them — bringing swift destruction on themselves. 2 Even so, many will follow their licentious ways, and because of these teachers the way of truth will be maligned."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • attempted building, claiming, or referencing authority that is misguided and improper
  • lacking understanding of reasons behind ‘good things can happen to bad people’, and all its variations
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "A justified person has the duty to spread the word of God to others in a non-intrusive way whenever the chance arises and by showing an example"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "As salvation is an individual achievement, finding the way and living life accordingly is a private matter that can not be policed or compelled by others"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness"
  •  
    interpretation:
    False prophets and teachers (those who propose ideas contrary to one's justified conviction) are to be expected in this evaluation, especially given human's free will, selfishness, and their need to search for the truth. In addition, our very environment is an evaluation of our alignment between love, and the necessary influence to the contrary – selfishness. It is also apparent in our reality that 'false prophets and teachers who deny the Master and his message' will NOT bring “swift destruction on themselves”, and perhaps not even a long overdue one: the creator lets them to function and even prosper. In our reality 'bad things can happen to good people' and all other variations of it – to our dismay. However, everyone's deeds will be judged as part of THEIR evaluation – and that is our only consolation with regard to the injustice of our situation in this world. The “way of truth” will never be maligned, but will always be hard to realize and accept into conviction, and even more difficult to live life accordingly. Many will fail at each step of realizing it, accepting it into conviction (justification), and living life accordingly (reaching salvation). But hey – no one said life is supposed to be easy... One should always worry about one's own conviction and wager, and finding the strength to stick to it, as it is our walk on the way of the truth that is maligned, not the way itself, which is crystal clear, simple, and accessible to everyone through various means. The passage is a scare tactic used by official religious authorities to sway the heard and protect officially sanctioned interpretations, retarding attempts of individuals to interpret the truth for themselves.
     
        

    2 Peter 2:4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."4 For if God did not spare the angels when they sinned, but cast them deep into hell, placing them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment; 5 if He did not spare the ancient world when He brought the flood on its ungodly people, but preserved Noah, a preacher of righteousness, among the eight; 6 if He condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to destruction, reducing them to ashes as an example of what is coming on the ungodly; 7 and if He rescued Lot, a righteous man distressed by the depraved conduct of the lawless 8 (for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)— 9 if all this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment. "...
    NRSV: ..."4 For if God did not spare the angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to chains of deepest darkness to be kept until the judgment; 5 and if he did not spare the ancient world, even though he saved Noah, a herald of righteousness, with seven others, when he brought a flood on a world of the ungodly; 6 and if by turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to ashes he condemned them to extinction and made them an example of what is coming to the ungodly; 7 and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man greatly distressed by the licentiousness of the lawless 8 (for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by their lawless deeds that he saw and heard), 9 then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trial, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment"...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • lacking understanding of reasons behind ‘good things can happen to bad people’, and all its variations
  • leaning on miracles for authenticity
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness"
  •  
    interpretation:
    A bunch of references to OT stories, all of them misguided. God DID spare (at least some of) the angels when they sinned – they are us, humans, having our chance to redeem ourselves. The Noah story is an OT myth that does not hold up to scrutiny or sense. It probably originated way before the writing of the OT from tales that survived about when the Black Sea was flooded. The event obviously did not affect all of humanity, and is just part of a whole chain of natural disasters that affect people on the level of 'bad things happen to good people' and all its variations. The expectation that God is going to do justice in this world shows the lack of understanding that our place is a penance to be served, and an evaluation of our alignment with love vs. selfishness. The Sodom and Gomorrah stories are an example of collective punishment (IF we rely on the narrative of the OT). But rather, it was simply one of those natural disasters, and those involved in it all had this as their assigned situations – NOT because they ALL committed sins in this world, but because that was to be the end of their evaluations (as in Pompeii, Krakatoa, the great flooding of the Black Sea, etc). This is also part of the 'bad things happen to good people and all its variations' rule of our simulated reality. One only need to think its opposite to see why this can be no other way: imagine a world where natural disasters would only (miraculously) affect bad people, and good people would be spared all the time.. And to this story, one can also think of the 'miraculous' survivors of such incidents and disasters – their fate were to include an exception to an otherwise default fate, as perhaps an intervention by the creator. The Lord certainly 'knows how to rescue the godly and punish the unrighteous', but mostly chooses not to do this in this world, for they have their assigned situations to go through as part of their penance to rectify their past wrong (perhaps as angels), and everyone has their assigned evaluation and penance to complete during their life. Thus, before the day of judgment takes place no one should lead people to believe in automatic rewards and punishments for good and bad behavior in this world, or claim knowledge of divine reasoning behind events that happen to many, or to a single individual.
     
        

    2 Peter 2:10

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    Berean: ..."10 Such punishment is specially reserved for those who indulge the corrupt desires of the flesh and despise authority. Bold and self-willed, they are unafraid to slander glorious beings. "...
    NRSV: ..."10 — especially those who indulge their flesh in depraved lust, and who despise authority."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • attempted building, claiming, or referencing authority that is misguided and improper
  • incorrect or inappropriate generalization
  • personal perspectives and directives that are culturally dependent
  •  
    interpretation:
    This sounds like a motivational speech on compliance to, and acceptance of church authority and doctrine, where the official body of the church and its leaders have an assumed ability to sanction good and bad behavior and teaching for their members/adherents. This is a dangerous precedence, as salvation is an individual affair that can not be forced, compelled or policed by others. Individuals will give an account of their alignment and deeds during the last judgment; the role of the disciples (and any justified person) is to serve as an example to their peers on how love and consideration regarding their fellow humans guides THEIR life, and to help them in understanding in a non-intrusive way, should such opportunity arise. There may be nothing wrong with a person who despises authority, but deep inside they are guided by love.
     
        

    2 Peter 2:12, 13

     Significant Issue! 

    top  

    Berean: ..."12 These men are like irrational animals, creatures of instinct, born to be captured and destroyed. They blaspheme in matters they do not understand, and like such creatures, they too will be destroyed. 13 The harm they will suffer is the wages of their wickedness. They consider it a pleasure to carouse in broad daylight. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their deception as they feast with you. "...
    NRSV: ..."12 These people [bold and willful slanderers], however, are like irrational animals, mere creatures of instinct, born to be caught and killed. They slander what they do not understand, and when those creatures are destroyed, they also will be destroyed, 13 suffering the penalty for doing wrong."...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • lacking understanding of reasons behind ‘good things can happen to bad people’, and all its variations
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "It is logical to expect appropriate consequences due for passing or failing the evaluation"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Suffering during our life is either a penance deserved for the past wrong we committed before we joined this reality that warranted our presence in this reality, or is due to the free will of others. Thus, our ’accidental’ situations of wealth, health, luck, talent, etc. can be assumed to have been assigned to everyone fairly and proportionally"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Demonizing misbelief, doubt, and walking on different paths, whereas they are all part of the evaluation wielding their free will and attempting to find their way to the meaning of their existence. One should get over the slander experienced, as Jesus went through ridicule, slander, abuse and human ill will himself. Such behavior is one of the causes of the 'bad things happen to good people and all its other variations' rule for our reality, coming from the free will of other participants who are also here to be evaluated for THEIR alignment. But for the receiver of their abuse, these ill effects will be suffering, trial and temptation that they are expected to handle and resist in a way that keeps their alignment with love. THAT is what the evaluation is all about, what the 'other cheek' proverb is all about – Jesus did not tell us not to worry and not to slap back because whoever slaps us will very soon get their just punishment in this life. The passage erroneously hints at God administering justice in this world for right and wrong behavior. For doing right or wrong, everyone is expected to receive their judgment upon their death, during the last judgment, likely in the next realm and not already (and necessarily) here in this world.
     
        

    2 Peter 2:21

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    Berean: ..."21 It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness than to have known it and then to turn away from the holy commandment passed on to them. "...
    NRSV: ..."21 For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than, after knowing it, to turn back from the holy commandment that was passed on to them."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • It is logical to expect appropriate consequences due for passing or failing the evaluation
  • The evaluation result is likely progressive within pass or fail
  • ‘Justification’ is ‘being convinced about love’s (vs. selfishness) need to guide life’ (= ‘being rightly enlightened’, = ‘holding Jesus’s message in conviction’, = ‘following/believing in Jesus’, = ‘gaining a justified conviction’, = ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, = ‘doing the works of God’, = ‘satisfying/keeping/adhering to the command of God’, = ‘accepting/living according to Jesus’s message’, = ‘fulfilling the eternal word of God, of salvation’)
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage shows that the burden of knowing about and receiving the gift of good news of the CESAPH is heavy. At that point, one no longer has the excuse about not knowing or not being clear about the way (which may be granted to those who did not get exposure to it). Thus, once being justified and having gained conviction of the path to salvation, if one consciously turns away from this road, they can expect heavy consequences. Failing the justified conviction out of weakness is perhaps better than failing out of losing conviction or acquiring a different conviction that does not lead to salvation. For example, if this new conviction is encouraging selfishness and the amassing of power (to build an earthly legacy). Those whose conviction is not aligned with love but with selfishness do not belong to the presence of the creator, thus, they can expect to spend their eternal conscious awareness elsewhere.
     
        

    2 Peter 3:3, 4

     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."3 Most importantly, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 4 “Where is the promise of His coming?” they will ask. “Ever since our fathers fell asleep, everything continues as it has from the beginning of creation.” "...
    NRSV: ..."3 First of all you must understand this, that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and indulging their own lusts 4 and saying, "Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since our ancestors died, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation!""...


    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • clear misguidance of author as the time remaining till the second coming was NOT near
  • incorrect or inappropriate generalization
  • lacking understanding of reasons behind ‘good things can happen to bad people’, and all its variations
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness"
  •  
    interpretation:
    Scoffers are likely all around all the time for everyone – that is something humans just have to deal with, not only in the last days. Temptations has to be present all the time for the evaluation of human souls, and a bunch of failed angels being locked into the same reality trying to redeem their sinful condition WITHOUT certainty about their situations and the setup WILL most likely result in all kinds of mayhem for those participating – this is all logical, makes sense, and would be illogical in any other way. And these scoffers are right in this: our reality has been pretty much the same from the very beginning, with regard to our situations, the way people are in general. Even the good news of the CESAPH helped only a few, and not all. Perhaps some were touched by the story, and even saw the sense in it – but in their life, they failed to follow the path. One should get over the abuse and temptation coming from these scoffers, as Jesus went through ridicule, slander, abuse and human ill will himself. Such behavior is one of the causes of the 'bad things happen to good people and all its other variations' rule for our reality, coming from the free will of other participants who are also here to be evaluated for THEIR alignment. But for the receiver of their abuse, these ill effects will be suffering, trial and temptation that they are expected to handle and resist in a way that keeps their alignment with love. THAT is what the evaluation is all about, what the 'other cheek' proverb is all about – Jesus did not tell us not to worry and not to slap back because whoever slaps us will very soon get their just punishment in this life. Unfortunately the author likely hints (and probably believed so) that the end days are near, and we need to watch out – which WAS incorrect in a way that we are still around in the 21st century; however it WAS correct in a way that for an individual, the preparedness for end days should be such as if it would be coming tomorrow (as a thief). If one is ready to account for their life any day, one need not worry about any 'end days'..
     
        

    2 Peter 3:5, 6, 7

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    Berean: ..."5 But they deliberately overlook the fact that long ago by God’s word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water, 6 through which the world of that time perished in the flood. 7 And by that same word, the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. "...
    NRSV: ..."5 They deliberately ignore this fact, that by the word of God heavens existed long ago and an earth was formed out of water and by means of water, 6 through which the world of that time was deluged with water and perished. 7 But by the same word the present heavens and earth have been reserved for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the godless."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • The creator created our reality (best modeled as a consciousness-centric simulation) to facilitate the evaluation of its target audience: humans
  • The trap of simulation and materialism enables the evaluation of the quality of human souls by maintaining an essential reasonable doubt with the lack of certainty in beliefs that makes it possible for one to make genuine un-calculated decisions with regards to love and selfishness
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage can easily be misinterpreted (addressed under the issues). Fragments of the text can point to a correct interpretation though. By the eternal word of God, heavens (our default context of reality) has always existed. The 'word' has always been the 'norm' in this reality: conscious participants had to love each other to stay there in the presence of the creator (this is the real 'paradise' and 'heaven' scriptures inadvertently refer to). Earth was formed as a separate simulated reality to be the place of penance for failed conscious beings, and also to give them a chance to prove their worth to the creator, that can earn their way back to their default context of reality (paradise/heaven). References to 'water' and the 'deluge' are best ignored. And indeed, by the same word (that specifies the condition under which conscious beings can remain in the presence of the creator in heaven) our world was created, which will be our place of penance until the last judgment of its participants. After the last judgment, our reality will not have any more 'function', thus, its simulation can be discontinued ('unplugged').
     
    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • content that is unhelpful, intentionally mystifying, irrelevant, or too detailed to be a part of ‘scriptures’ of guidance to salvation
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • misguidance of positioning Jesus and his message as the fulfillment and continuation of the OT
  • suspected post-fitting of the narrative (not possible for the author to know about, or likely did not happen as described)
  •  
    interpretation:
    According to the philosophical foundation's model of reality, our reality is a shared consciousness-centric simulation – and as such, it did not need to exist (run) before it began to take on its first human participants (contrary to what the author hints in this passage). It is everyone's guess what the references of water and fire are about, however, it is likely that the author refers to the 'deluge' of the flood of Noah – an event of a natural disaster with only a local significance to humanity around the Black Sea, and understanding and imagery taken from the OT belief system. It is not easy to figure out what point the author was trying to make here with the rest of this un-scientific attempt at reasoning. Though fragments of it can be connected to a proper understanding of reality, it is cumbersome to do so, and the whole picture does not come together properly. Thus it serves more to confuse and mislead than to add value or make a valid usable argument.
     
        

    2 Peter 3:8

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."8 Beloved, do not let this one thing escape your notice: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. "...
    NRSV: ..."8 But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Relativity of experiencing time
  • The creator created our reality (best modeled as a consciousness-centric simulation) to facilitate the evaluation of its target audience: humans
  • The eternal continuation of their awareness is inevitable and unavoidable for all human souls
  • The human spirit is somehow part of the eternal consciousness
  •  
    interpretation:
    The creator consciousness is the master of objective time and allows lesser-souls (humans, angels) to experience different simulated realities where our experience of reality and time may not match with that of others, or of the objective time, even though our experience of our awareness remains a continual flow. This is similar to how time remains continuous for the individual, even if periods of unconsciousness of the individual (sleep, dreams, coma) are experienced by others observing the individual.
     
        

    2 Peter 3:9, 10

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."9 The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance. 10 But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and its works will be laid bare. "...
    NRSV: ..."9 The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and everything that is done on it will be disclosed."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • Every human has a real chance at reaching their salvation, which is NOT predetermined or predestined. The creator is NOT omniscient with regard to humans’ free will, and their fate in the evaluation
  • Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator
  • One needs to live life being always ready for its accounting - then, if events in the future come as a ’thief’, as one would have needed to do nothing differently
  • The creator created our reality (best modeled as a consciousness-centric simulation) to facilitate the evaluation of its target audience: humans
  • The good news of the CESAPH is a gift of help and a possible source of strength granted to those the creator deemed deserving of it in their situational assignments, but the suffering and death of Jesus did NOT change the sinful status of any humans
  •  
    interpretation:
    Slowness refers to the lack of arrival of end times in the life of the disciples. The “end times” does not necessarily mark a certain date in human history, but simply the end of one's own life. Till then, one is to go through all assigned situations one is tasked with. To do this in alignment with love completes the repentance for the sins for which we are in this world, and the evaluation of one's quality of soul. As for any possible end times to be witnessed on this Earth, one should not worry about it, but just be ready for it every day, making sure to always live a life aligned with love. In everyone's death, the “heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and everything that is done on it will be disclosed” - namely, everyone will experience this shortly after their deaths, when exiting the simulation, and facing judgment for one's life. Upon death, one could be skipped forward in objective time to the end of the simulation, when the last participants to enter will have completed their lives. The very next moment the simulation can be 'unplugged'. Its records of what happened, however, should remain in the memory of the creator and the memory of its participants, ready for the last judgment to occur – the real 'end times' of the evaluation, facing its results.
     
        

    2 Peter 3:11, 12, 13

     Significant Alignment! 
     Significant Issue! 

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    Berean: ..."11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to conduct yourselves in holiness and godliness 12 as you anticipate and hasten the coming of the day of God, when the heavens will be destroyed by fire and the elements will melt in the heat. 13 But in keeping with God’s promise, we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. "...
    NRSV: ..."11 Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, what sort of persons ought you to be in leading lives of holiness and godliness, 12 waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set ablaze and dissolved, and the elements will melt with fire? 13 But, in accordance with his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator
  • It is logical to expect appropriate consequences due for passing or failing the evaluation
  • One needs to live life being always ready for its accounting - then, if events in the future come as a ’thief’, as one would have needed to do nothing differently
  • The creator created our reality (best modeled as a consciousness-centric simulation) to facilitate the evaluation of its target audience: humans
  • The human spirit is somehow part of the eternal consciousness
  • The main goal of our life is to reach our salvation and build values that transcend this reality into eternal life, not to reach material or academic success or to fulfill other worldly desires or loyalties
  •  
    interpretation:
    Since all 'material' things of this life will disappear with the end of the simulation (for an individual, upon death), what kind of life does it make sense to lead? It does not make sense to live a life and hold values that are specific for the world that is about to be dissolved (unplugged), but values that can transcend to other contexts of reality – like love, appreciation of beauty. Actively waiting for or hastening the arrival of the end times to happen in one's own lifetime is futile and misguided. However, living life as to expect the continuation of one's awareness in a different context of reality after death (new heavens and a new earth) is wise. This kind of life should focus our conviction and efforts in this life toward building up values that can transcend to different realities. There is a possibility for misguidance from certain interpretations of this passage. One should not sit around and wait for the “end times”, ignoring or shunning what to do in this life. One is getting ready for the continuation of one's existence in the afterlife by having the right focus and making the right decisions during the assigned situations of this life. One can make the “most of this life” (material well-being, advancement, self-actualization, happiness, etc) AS LONG AS it is done in alignment with love, and not at the expense of others. That can include all the happiness, joy, and beauty we were granted to experience during our existence, as long as we stay aligned with the eternal word of God, of salvation.
     
    Categories of issues from a NORMeOLi philosophical standpoint:
  • easily misunderstood or misrepresented
  • invalid/weak logic or contradiction that makes little or no sense
  • misguided or misconceived statement, idea or belief
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same"
  • Incompatible with the conclusion "Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator"
  •  
    interpretation:
    The active waiting for and hastening the coming of the end times to happen in our reality (simulation) is futile and misguided. However, living life as to expect its continuation in a new reality after death (new heavens and a new earth) is wise, and this expectation can focus our efforts in this life to stay on the path of salvation. (This life is but a temporary evaluation that is a qualification for the more significant eternal existence to come afterward). There is a possibility for huge misguidance from certain interpretations of this passage. One should not sit around, expect, focus on, and/or wait for these end times to take place while ignoring this life an losing focus on living it according to a justified conviction. Preparedness for anything to come in our future (whether in this life or the next) is simple: reach the right (justified) conviction and life life accordingly in the maze of one's assigned situations in life. Then, accounting of one's life can come at any moment (like a 'thief'). One can also strive to 'make the most of this life' AS LONG AS it is done in alignment with love, as long as it does not lean toward or accommodate selfishness. Thus, the message of Jesus does not condemn one onto a life of self-denial, austerity and abstinence from all forms of joy granted in life. Life can include all the happiness, joy, and beauty we were granted to experience during our existence, as long as we stay aligned with the divine principle of love.
     
        

    2 Peter 3:14, 15

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."14 Therefore, beloved, as you anticipate these things, make every effort to be found at peace—spotless and blameless in His sight. 15 Consider also that our Lord’s patience brings salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom God gave him. "...
    NRSV: ..."14 Therefore, beloved, while you are waiting for these things, strive to be found by him at peace, without spot or blemish; 15 and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • Foretelling and fulfilling prophecies, the outcomes of human history, worrying about ‘the end times’, considering descent from ancestors, specific locations on Earth having special relevance to the creator are all logically pointless and irrelevant from any possible perspective of the creator
  • It is logical to expect appropriate consequences due for passing or failing the evaluation
  • One needs to live life being always ready for its accounting - then, if events in the future come as a ’thief’, as one would have needed to do nothing differently
  • The main goal of our life is to reach our salvation and build values that transcend this reality into eternal life, not to reach material or academic success or to fulfill other worldly desires or loyalties
  •  
    interpretation:
    This passage gently reinforces the letting go of the idea and expectation of any end times during our lifetime here in this existence. Simply be ready at any moment, by living a life aligned with love (“at peace, without spot or blemish”). The passage was to calm the nerves of disciples who expected the second coming of Jesus during their lifetimes, and likely grew impatient towards the end of their lives (therefore, not fully understanding the message of Jesus)
     
        

    2 Peter 3:17, 18

     Significant Alignment! 

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    Berean: ..."17 Therefore, beloved, since you already know these things, be on your guard so that you will not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure standing. 18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. "...
    NRSV: ..."17 You therefore, beloved, since you are forewarned, beware that you are not carried away with the error of the lawless and lose your own stability. 18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."...


    Categories of alignments with NORMeOLi philosophical reasoning:
  • A justified person has the duty to spread the word of God to others in a non-intrusive way whenever the chance arises and by showing an example
  • According to the eternal word of God, of salvation, in the Last Judgment the creator will grant ‘salvation’ (= ‘the redemption of one’s sinful condition’, = ‘eternal life in the presence of the creator in heaven’) to those individuals who will have earned it by ‘reaching justification AND living their life accordingly’ (= ‘having the right conviction and doing good works accordingly’, = ‘proving their worth to rejoin the creator’s presence in heaven’, = ‘demonstrating the quality of their soul’)
  • All human souls are assigned to participate in this life of penance to rectify their sinful condition (committed by themselves in their precursory existence), and try to reach their salvation (regaining their place in the presence of the creator in heaven) while helping others do the same
  • As salvation is an individual achievement, finding the way and living life accordingly is a private matter that can not be policed or compelled by others
  • ‘Justification’ is ‘being convinced about love’s (vs. selfishness) need to guide life’ (= ‘being rightly enlightened’, = ‘holding Jesus’s message in conviction’, = ‘following/believing in Jesus’, = ‘gaining a justified conviction’, = ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, = ‘doing the works of God’, = ‘satisfying/keeping/adhering to the command of God’, = ‘accepting/living according to Jesus’s message’, = ‘fulfilling the eternal word of God, of salvation’)
  •  
    interpretation:
    A final prayer and good wish from the last scripture included as part of the NT. A justified person should be strong enough in his confidence about what is the right path to walk, confidently evaluating the effect of any new influence or idea on this path (always staying open and critical so one can “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord”, always striving to be closer to the eventual unfolding truth). The ultimate decision about any new influence on the individual's conviction and decisions is up to the individual's conscience, and is the very subject of his individual evaluation on their quality of soul. No other party should enforce or police this beyond a kind attempt to express a different point of view and by showing an example. Thus, our life is a journey of learning, experiencing, reasoning, gaining and growing in conviction, and living it with strength.