1931

1947

JNT & PJT -- 1957

1957

1997

2/4/00 4/16/01 8/10/02 (See link above, for the full tablet)

Science, God, and "religion" A paragraph copied from Letter to my niece -- about God and science. See link, for the entire tablet, in Easy-Print format. Is there any knowledgeable human-being, anywhere, who can honestly accept and believe as follows: "All matter, including living creatures, is simply an interaction of lifeless atoms and molecules -- following the "dictates" of an unexplained 'Big Bang'"? Are there really those of the same "scientific persuasion" who might also say, "Nothing really exists..... not even life, or consciousness, or joy, or fun -- or love." Would those same "scientists" say, "There are only physical principles, and chemical reactions." ( Linda, gimme a break! ) (I have often smiled with PJT about what a good job the "Big Bang" did in molding her cute molecules and atoms -- and about what a "big bang" she gives me!) Surely no engineer, or "scientist", would say, "There cannot be a God, because I cannot see Him." Dear goodness, how many previously "invisible" facts ("truths") have "come to light", to be "seen" (especially within the past 50 years)....... "truths" that no self-proclaimed "scientist" would ever have dreamed of (or "believed" in) -- if he had depended upon actual "visualization", before he could become "convinced". Do you know of any "scientist" who would say that humans "created" electricity, or that an "engineer" decided the "direction" that electrons flow; or that a mechanical genius invented the "inborn" electrical characteristics (piezo-currents) of "silicone chips"; or that the human mind manufactured fossil fuels, and designed the mechanical forces that internal combustion engines utilize? Did the "Big Bang" invent "light amplification by the stimulation of the emission of radiation" (L.A.S.E.R.) -- or did humans not simply discover and utilize what Almighty God Himself caused and created for the benefit of us human-beings? Did the mind of man generate the gravitational forces that control the orbits of satellites? How ludicrous the questions become!

1/8/00 8/10/02 The Kingdom of God belongs to God. Admission to "God's Kingdom" is predicated upon God's determination -- and NOT upon God PLUS a "church" group -- nor upon God PLUS the "decision" of a human individual -- nor upon God PLUS an individual's "self-appraisal".

A paragraph from the chapter: The Kingdom of God (see link, for the full tablet in Easy-Print format) It is my understanding that the "opposite" side of this assertion is also true....... no human being, no group of humans, no earthly "church", no self-accredited church leader, no preacher, no priest, no rabbi, no board of deacons, no bishop, no pope, no "insider" group of men-selected-by-other-men...... NO human-beings have the right or the authority or the assignment, from God, to make decisions, determinations, or judgements, for God, concerning the "spiritual" status and acceptability of any other human-being...... AND no earthly humans have been designated to decide who will, or who will not, enter the Kingdom of God.

1/4/00 Excerpted from "Dr. Todd's Terrific Tablets"

Paragraph from Salvation is of the Lord (See link for the full tablet, in Easy-Print format) It is God alone, uninfluenced by any human's opinion, who decides about who will enter His Kingdom -- and who will thus receive "salvation". And it is God alone who determines when an individual, in his earthly journey, will be awakened to the truth of God -- and to the truth about God. God chooses His own. We humans do not choose God. Earthly human-beings do not cause God to come into existence when (or because) they "accept" God --- or because they agree to "allow" God to exert His power in their lives -- or because they "make a decision" to believe in Him, and trust Him. "From first to last, it is all God's doing." "Salvation is of the Lord."

10/21/99

A paragraph from Faith without Works Contrary to what is sometimes taught, God's people are not all formed in the same "mold". My understanding is that God intended each of His people to be an individual -- to be different from all others -- to "minister" in various ways........ for God's own reasons, and for His plans. It is simply incorrect for anyone to conclude that all humans are created to fit into a solitary "cookie-cutter" configuration -- of a certain size and shape and color and function and thought -- all to "satisfy" the doctrinal views of one-or-the-other of the countless earthly "religious" groups. Nowadays, it is easy to get the impression from some "churches" -- and from some "denominations" -- and from certain ministers........ that the "organized church" expects all church-goers to "be", and think, and serve, and donate, and "work", and "do" -- in only one humanly-pre-determined way. How silly!...... If that were true, ALL of us would be "preachers", priests, nuns, monks, or missionaries!

10/8/99 Closing paragraphs from Religianity and Churchianity So....... what do you say? Are you willing to abandon your own thoughts, and your personal spiritual decipherings -- and yield to the "pressure" and mandates of a specific doctrinal organization? Perhaps you are superstitiously afraid that your "internal" thoughts have led you to a set-of-beliefs which God considers to be unsatisfactory -- and that if you don't quickly "sign-up" with "this-church-or-that-church", you will be eternally "damned", and omitted forever from God's favor. If you feel that way -- GOOD LUCK -- and here's hoping that you select (and restrict yourself to) the sole doctrine and church that God "favors". (See link, Is there a God's Church?). My understanding is that God guides his accepted "children" into precisely the "beliefs" that God prefers -- and that a "child-of-God" begins to awaken at the exact time that God-the-Father has ordained. I am betting my life on this belief -- for now, and for the life-to-come.

9-12-99 A paragraph copied from GOD'S TRUTH (See link) Is the "truth" about God fixed, and finite, and immutable -- in the "spiritual" world....... just as the "laws" of physics seem to be rigidly fixed, in the mechanical universe? Yes........ "the truth" of God's essence, and His attributes, and His purposes -- and His interaction with His people -- are "fixed", by God; and cannot be re-shaped according to the whims of humans....... or "revised" according to doctrinal variations and "claims".

9-6-99 Closing paragraphs from Enemies of God I cannot find Biblical indication that a human individual can cause himself to become a Godsperson, or a "friend" of God -- by anything that individual "does", or says, or claims, or promises, or sacrifices, or gives, or joins, or "decides", or recites. Only God knows who is acceptable to God -- in His sight -- for His reasons. We humans, in or out of any "church", are not qualified to determine, or to identify, or to select, or to "approve"......... which ones of us have been accepted by God.

9-1-99 A paragraph from Children of God -- Brothers of Jesus I consider God's children to be like young "human" children, in a "PLAYROOM". In this simile, the human Father allows the children, in the playroom, to do whatever they like to do, under his careful observation -- so long as their games and toys and interactions with each other -- are compatible with what the Father wants (or requires). That is, the children are granted "FREE WILL", by their Father. Their "free will" continues, so long as the Father's children "respond" appropriately (see Responding to God) -- within the purview of the plans and purposes of the Father. The children may actually begin to "believe" that they have indeed been allowed "free will" -- that is, "freedom" to do and decide and "choose" whatever seems appropriate to their developing, juvenile, human-minds. But..... in reality, what the "children" soon learn, is that if, at any time, in the opinion of the Father (and regardless of the pleas and arguments of the "children") the children "misbehave", or involve themselves in activities and thoughts that do not please and satisfy the Father -- then the firm-but-loving-and-caring Father steps in, and makes himself "seen" and "heard" -- in order to instruct, or guard, or protect, or teach, or discipline His Children. And, so it is with our Heavenly Father -- and His "children".

Excerpted from The Faith OF Jesus (see link) 8-31-99 Also, it is critically significant (to me) to remember, and to emphasize, and to state-the-obvious -- that we who claim to be Christian "Godspeople" do not serve and worship two God's -- two "deities". There is only one God........ not a "God-God", plus a separate "Jesus-God". Therefore, it becomes apparent that the "beliefs" of Jesus ARE the "beliefs" of God...... the "Gospel" of God...... the "good news" from God -- taught by, and manifested through The Christ. (I hope you will go to the link to my "tablet": Jesus is God; God is Jesus -- and note the Biblical references, and their instruction.) Remember, too -- there is only one "gospel" -- not a gospel of Jesus, and another man-made "gospel" about Jesus -- and then a "Gospel of God". As for me -- since Jesus "preaches" and "proclaims" THE GOSPEL of God (link) -- I am satisfied that the "Gospel of God" is the one TRUE gospel. Yes...... there is only the "Gospel of God" -- the "good news" that was revealed to Jesus, and through Jesus -- by God -- and explained and exemplified by Jesus..... and then extrapolated by Paul, and others -- and portrayed to us as the "Faith OF Jesus".

8-30-99 A paragraph copied from God's Spiritual Nation (see link to the full tablet) No..... the obvious Biblical fact is that God is totally free to select (accept) His own people....... from any continent, and from any race, and from any "denominational church", and from any nationality, and from any genetic stock -- without consideration of any human's opinion -- and without the assistance and approval of any earthly "group". It seems almost absurd to have to state the obvious -- but if you will simply look at the claims of some churches about the singular "correctness" of their own doctrine, and about "the truth" of their specific beliefs ...... and their rejection of the beliefs of other churches -- you will readily see why it is so important to re-emphasize this essential point: God does not depend upon any human, or any group of humans, to help Him decide about His acceptance, or rejection, of any earthly creature. (See this link to SALVATION is of the LORD.)

8-10-99 A paragraph copied from GOD'S TRUTH (See link to the full tablet) Many of us, who profess to be God's people, have a real problem with the "doctrinal" thesis of those individuals (and groups) -- throughout the "religious" world -- who claim something like the following: If you do not agree with me, and if you do not accept what I believe, and what my doctrinal church has declared to be "the truth" -- then God will not accept you. In our "religion", we have decided that God agrees with us -- and with our interpretation of the Bible -- and that He has included our "members" in His Kingdom. We have deciphered the plan and purpose of God. We know precisely what God wants for us, and for you -- so we will decide whether or not you are qualified to be accepted by God. If you reject what we know to be "the truth" -- then you are condemning yourself to eternal damnation, and doom. Therefore, sign-up with us pronto, and abide by our laws, rules, regulations, recitations, and donations -- before it is too late -- and before you miss-out on your chance for "salvation".

3/19/99 This was sent to me today, via email

THINGS WE CAN LEARN FROM A DOG: Never pass up an opportunity to go for a joy ride. Allow the experience of fresh air & the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy. When loved ones come home, always run to greet them. When it is in your best interest, practice obedience. Let others know when they have invaded your territory. Take naps, and stretch before rising. Run, romp, and play daily. Eat with gusto and enthusiasm. Be loyal. Never pretend to be something you are not. If what your want lies buried, dig until you find it. When someone is having a bad day, be silent -- sit close by, and nuzzle them gently. Thrive on attention, and let people touch you. Avoid biting when a simple growl will do. On hot days, drink lots of water, and lie under a shady tree. When you are happy, dance around, and wag your entire body. No matter how often you are scolded, don't buy into the guilt thing -- and pout.

2/9/99

An oft-quoted remark by Thoreau: "If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears -- however measured -- or far away."

1/22/99 -- A paragraph copied from "Enemies of God" So, I must say here, once again, that when I have questions about the "rightness" or "wrongness" of some "theory" about God, I go to the Bible of God. I must also re-state, here, my belief that if what you and I are taught in the Bible, about God, is erroneous -- then we have no real and true "source-book" to study, or to research. We have no reliable way to get "the answers". If we cannot trust the Bible, we are left with only the inventions of our own imaginations -- or the fantasies of philosophers, or the musings of physicists, or the make-believe of psychologists, or the home-made beliefs of various sects and denominations. (My intuition tells me that Godspeople [God's People] "hear" and "see" the message of the Bible; and that they "believe" what they read..... even when they do not fully understand the implications of some Biblical statements -- or the reasons for certain inclusions that are found in the Bible.)

1/17/99 A paragraph about "The Bible" -- from a chapter entitled "The Sovereignty of God" (See link)

The Sovereignty of God For those who sense and understand the truth of the Holy Bible...... "The Book of God"...... there is no need to speak of the validity of the statements about God, and about the "sovereignty" of God -- as revealed in the Bible. As I see it, the Bible is not simply a compendium of ethical axioms, which one may "accept" or "reject" according to his or her humanly "wisdom". God's word -- the Bible -- is either from God, and hence "true", and valid, and correct..... or it is simply an interesting man-made book of history, with certain postulates about a supreme-being, and about human nature, and "ethics". My belief is that there is no "in-between". (What do you say? Would you say that you may accept or reject the Bible, or certain parts of it, according to your "opinion" about the truth of God? I say not.) My conclusion, after a lifelong search for a "Gold Standard" about God, and about the truth concerning God -- is that "The Bible", alone, reveals the "truth" -- God's truth -- about Himself, and about His ways, and His plans, and His purposes.

12/28/98 2/14/03 This is a paragraph copied from "Responding to God" - from the book "Dr. Todd's Terrific Tablets"

A paragraph from Responding to God (link) Don't you agree that each one of God's people does indeed awaken and "respond" to God at the exact moment, and in exactly the way, that the omniscient and omnipotent Creator dictates? If it is otherwise, then our worldly existence is truly in chaos -- and each of us, then, is left helplessly waiting for "Big Bang" to influence us -- or for frail sons-and-daughters-of-evolution to "show us the way"..... and we are left depending on rudderless mortal creatures to teach us, and to be our "role-models" (or, consider "soul-models") -- according to standards established by errant and ignorant and deceitful animal-minds.

10-14-98 Excerpted from "Dr. Todd's Terrific Tablets"

Paragraph from "Salvation is of the Lord" (linked) No...... it is God alone, uninfluenced by any human's opinion, who decides about who will enter His Kingdom -- and who will thus receive "salvation". And it is God alone who determines when an individual, in his earthly journey, will be awakened to the truth of God, and to the truth about God. God chooses His own. We humans do not choose God. Earthly human-beings do not cause God to come into existence when (or because) they "accept" God, or because they agree to allow God to exert His power in their lives, or because they "make a decision" to believe in Him -- and trust Him. "From first to last, it is all God's doing." "Salvation is of the Lord."

10-12-98   "The Judgment" Summary remarks from "The Judgment for God's People", a "tablet" from the internet book: "Dr. Todd's Terrific Tablets" Posted 10-12-98

"The Judgment" -- Summary remarks, taken from the full tablet: The Judgment for God's People My conclusion -- my current understanding -- based on what I have been led to believe -- is that "judgment" is unrelated to man-made (or church-made) creeds and deeds and appraisals and determinations, that we humans concoct -- either about ourselves, or about other human-beings. "Judgment" -- whether now, in this life; or later, at-or-after death -- is like "salvation", and forgiveness, and "grace" -- it is all God's doing. I "sense", based on the scriptures quoted above, that God's "judgment" -- God's evaluation -- has already occurred, for those whom God has CHOSEN -- for those whom God has included among His people. Godspeople do not need to wring their hands -- and worry throughout a lifetime -- about whether or not they have satisfied God -- and whether they have fulfilled a "list of requirements" for admission to the "Eternal Kingdom". "Judgment" is certainly not a specific denominational decision -- in which hierarchical, heavily-robed, fully-frocked figures arrogate to themselves the right and the power to decide -- for God -- just who has made-the-grade, and who has become acceptable in the eyes of God Almighty. Doesn't it become ludicrous to think that any human-beings -- in or out of the institutional church -- should assume unto themselves the right to "include" certain human-beings (and to exclude others) for acceptance into God's Kingdom of God -- for eternity..... based on humanly "religious" (doctrinal) criteria -- or based on restrictive and exclusionary interpretations of the will and plan of God! God made the Universe, and everything in it. God made every living creature. God's people do indeed satisfy God's on-going "judgment" of them -- or God changes and re-directs each one, day-by-day -- and "prunes" and re-molds them; alters their paths; teaches them and encourages them; disciplines them; punishes them -- all to make each of His people respond within the precise plan and purpose that God has formulated, all along -- so that "terminal" judgment, condemnation, and rejection-by-God -- need not be pondered. Our Sovereign God does not change His plans -- for that which He has created -- to suit the fickle whims of human-individuals -- or the vagaries of human-nature.

Posted here 9-29-98; Slight revision 6/7/01

Letter to my brother, January 1994 (slightly "extrapolated", 9/98; 6/7/01) (Alton B. Todd, of Roswell Georgia) CLICK HERE for Easy-Print format of this letter Hi, Al.......We received you fax-response (yesterday) concerning my composition about "trust". PJT and I read your musings, with interest. A few comments will follow, below. Remember, we never try to convince anyone that we are "correct" in our spiritual understandings. We do, however, enjoy sharing our decipherings, with interested individuals. Re: your thoughts expressed in your fax: 1. One big point: Godspeople ("God's people") are not "robots". They are "children of God", as portrayed repeatedly in the Bible. Earthly "children" are led, guided, protected, molded, pruned, disciplined -- by earthly "fathers" -- and God's "children" are "managed" similarly, by "God-the-Father". Phyllis and I analogize our human "free-will", in the sight of God, to the "freedom" that a young child has in the "playroom". That human child is "free" to do whatever he chooses, go where he wants, play with any toy -- so long as he doesn't violate his Mama's orders. If he breaks her rules, he is immediately re-directed, and possibly "disciplined". The mother watches the child, protects him, instructs him, etc., very much like God does with His "children" (the called, the chosen, the elect, the "righteous", the "saved", the accepted, etc.). Similarly, a kid at school -- a student. He or she is allowed to believe that he has "free-will" -- but does he? Or is he almost totally under the control of the teacher? Does not the teacher make all the significant decisions, and bring the student along -- according to her wisdom, and her plan-of-instruction? The same concerning "servants". Servants of human-masters are trained and instructed about how to do, and to "be". They are allowed "free-will", within the parameters allowed by the "Master". If the servant does not function properly, he is brought-into-line, by "The Master". So, you see, Godspeople are not "robots" -- they (we) are children, students, servants (and "sheep"; and "good trees" -- and other similar analogies). 2. Concerning your "question" about whether Godspeople can sit back, and do nothing -- except passively "trust" in God -- I would say that for Godspeople that scenario is totally impossible. I perceive that a Godsperson does indeed labor and sweat and agonize, and all the things you suggest -- in the precise way that he was created to function. In a Godsperson, all of the intended characteristics are innate ("given") attributes that occur by "plan" -- because of the way that each individual has been "designed" by God. To analogize again (paraphrasing Jesus's remarks about "good trees" and "bad trees"), a tree must bear what it was made to bear. (See link: Fruits and deeds; weeds and creeds.) A tree must "be" what is was created to be. An apple tree will bear what God considers to be "good fruit" -- apples, as specified by the Creator. It will never bear pears (even though God considers pears, likewise, to be "good fruit"). (Interestingly, "pear-trees" and "apple-trees" disagree with each other as to which "fruit" is most desirable to God -- and "fig-trees" consider only "figs" to be acceptable -- to God.) Nevertheless..... for this discussion, God considers a "pear" to be a good "fruit", borne by a "good tree" -- "designed" to bear pears. If any "good tree" does not bear what it was assigned to bear, it will be pruned, fertilized, re-planted, dug-up, moved, or otherwise altered -- by the "Chief Gardener" -- so that the intended "fruit" will be produced, in adequate amounts. 3. Many of God's individuals are born not with beautiful bodies, and great brains, and white skin -- but quite the opposite. Surely you have known many "simple", plain, ordinary people who have great spiritual understanding, and genuine faith (yes, "trust"). No one can possibly believe that all of God's people are beautiful, and materially successful, and healthy. We all should remember one of the great Biblical admonitions (1 Corinthians 15: 19): "If it for this world only that the Christ has given us hope, then we of all people are most to be pitied." That is to say -- this world (this"life") is not the entire purpose for our individual existences. (Later, I will send you another "writing" on my understanding of the Kingdom of God (see link) I do not know why there are inequities in this world. I do not know why wars are allowed to take place, and why tornadoes occur, and why cancers develop in some people. My "faith" tells me that there is purpose in everything that happens. That "purpose" may not be evident to us "humans". If I believe the Bible (and I do), then there are chosen individuals, and there are other individuals who are created as "vessels made for destruction". Yes, God has enemies (link); and God destroys His enemies; and God protects His people from their enemies (not only human "enemies" -- but also spiritual enemies -- including spiritual ignorance). 4. One last point, then I will let your brain rest, for now. PJT and I do not understand that we humans "put our trust in God". Everything that we have deciphered from the Bible says that the "putting of faith" is by God -- from God, into His people. Faith is a gift from God -- (see link). Faith cannot be manufactured, or pretended, or simply "tried". As John Calvin said, in "Institutes of Christian Religion": "If, at any time, we are troubled at the small number of those who believe, let us remember that no one can understand the mysteries of God, except those to whom it is given." Enough for now. See if you can make any sense of all this. From yo' brother, JNT

9-23-98 "Save your good advice for those who can use it." A physician friend of mine, in the USAF, in 1963, quoted this remark to me several times -- concerning the futility of trying to get some individuals to understand certain "medical" advice -- or other "pearls" of wisdom, and truth.

9-17-98 A paragraph from the "Tablet" -- Children of God (link)

A personal point: the "children of God" are not "robots", or God's "puppets" -- as I have heard certain church-goers frivolously state. No.... God's children are God's individual human-beings -- each under the constant watchful eye of God -- being guided and guarded and protected and molded and developed and instructed and disciplined and loved.... precisely like a loving and caring Mother and Father "raise", and guard, and teach, and train their own offspring.

8-21-98 John Calvin, in "The Institutes of Christian Religion", chapter 7, says: "Since God has chosen to reserve the treasure of true wisdom for His children, it is not surprising that there is so much ignorance and stupidity in the majority of men...... If, at any time, we are troubled at the small number of those who believe, let us remember that no one can understand the mysteries of God except those to whom it is given."

7-11-98   Copied from the chapter of this book: "The Sovereignty of God" (link) (from "Dr. Todd's Terrific Tablets")

"Spiritual Laws" compared with "Physical Laws" There is another point which I have stressed in other chapters of my book -- and here is that point: the truth from God, and the truth about God, and the truth about God's sovereignty...... these truths do not mysteriously become true, and do not spontaneously come into effect, simply because someone "decides" to believe them; or because an individual suddenly "claims" to believe these truths. In other words, "the truth".... about God (or about any other subject)..... does not magically become true, and real, and functional in one's existence, just because that someone has "made a decision" to accept that truth. And, contrariwise, the "truth" about God does not become untrue or ineffective, simply because an individual, within his or her humanly understanding, has concluded that God, and the power of God, are a "matter of opinion", and hence of dubious fact, or consequence. (I have previously analogized the "spiritual truth" about God, with the truth and the effect of the physical laws of the mechanical universe. The "Law of Gravity", for example, [let's call it, here, the "Truth of Gravity] does not wait upon an individual's acceptance, before gravity can become effective in that individual's life. That is, "gravity" does not become true and valid and effective just because you "choose" to believe it; and it does not wait to become effective until you have made up your mind to accept it! Neither does the "Truth of Gravity" go away, or become ineffective, simply because your humanly brain cannot understand it; or because you decide not to "accept" it; or because you change your opinion, and decide that it is not believable.) And so it is with "spiritual truth". The truth is true, whether or not you, or anyone else, believes and accepts the truth. An individual's profession of doubt or unbelief does not negate "the truth".

6-21-98 A well-known poem, with several "quotable quotes"

"The Way of the World" by Ella Wheeler Wilcox Laugh, and the world laughs with you, Weep, and you weep alone; For the brave old earth must borrow its mirth, But has trouble enough of its own. Sing, and the hills will answer, Sigh, it is lost on the air; The echoes rebound to a joyful sound -- And shrink from voicing care. Rejoice, and men will seek you -- Grieve, and they turn and go. They want full measure of your pleasure; But they do not want your woe. Be glad, and your friends are many, Be sad -- and you lose them all. There is none to decline your nectared wine, But alone you must drink life's gall. Feast, and your halls are crowded, Fast, and the world goes by. Forget and forgive -- it helps you to live; But no man can help you to die. There is room in the halls of pleasure For a long and lordly train; But one by one, we must all march on Through the narrow isle of pain.

"FORGETTING GOD" Posted 6-8-98 Copied from an article I saved, many years ago (in the 1950's).

FORGETTING GOD The following was copied from a clipping that I saved, when I was in medical school, in the 1950's. The author is shown simply as "Trench". "No man can be without his god. If he have not the true God to bless and sustain him, he will have some false god to delude him, and to betray him. The Psalmist knew this, and therefore he enjoined so closely our forgetting the name of our God...... and holding up our hands to some strange god. For every man has something in which he hopes, on which he leans, to which he retreats and retires, with which he fills up his thoughts in empty spaces of time -- when he is alone -- when he lies sleepless on his bed -- when he is not present with other thoughts...... to which he betakes himself in sorrow or trouble, as that from which he shall draw comfort and strength -- his fortress, his citadel, his defense -- and has not this "good" a right to be called his "god"? Man was made to lean on the Creator; but if not on Him, then he leans on the "creature", in one shape or another. The ivy cannot grow alone; it must twine round some support or other -- if not the goodly oak, then the ragged thorn -- round any dead stick whatever, rather than have no stay or support, at all. It is even so with the heart and affections of man -- if they do not twine round God, they must twine around some meaner thing."

Posted 5-12-98 Slightly revised 12/27/99; 6/25/00   "The Church" What is "THE CHURCH"? This is a "tablet" (a chapter) from: "Dr. Todd's Terrific Tablets" By John N. Todd

"The CHURCH" -- What do YOU mean when you say, "The CHURCH"? Click HERE for Quick-Print format of this entire "tablet" Author's definition..... I consider the "church", the true church, to be the "aggregation" of God's people -- the "company", or "body", or "army", of those individuals who have been accepted ("chosen", saved, claimed) by God, to be His own -- those whom God has found acceptable, in His sight, for His own reasons ......... regardless of where these individuals may live; and regardless of the doctrinal or denominational church to which they may "belong". I love "the church"; I always have, and I always will. "The church" has been important to me forever; and mysteriously fascinating. I have learned so much in "the church", and from the church, dating back to as far as I can remember. I was "raised" in the church, thanks to my parents. But.... what is "the church" I love; and the church you love -- the church you claim for your own? "The church". What does the word "church" refer to? What does it mean? The derivation of the word, according to the dictionary, is from root-words meaning "The Lord's house", or the "Master's house". How is the word "church" used in the Bible? (I cannot find reference to the word "church" in the Old Testament. Perhaps the comparable word in the Old Testament is "temple", or "sanctuary", or "tabernacle".) There are many references to "the church" in the New Testament, especially in the writings of Paul. Many times, the term "church of God" is used. Jesus used the word "church" several times. What about later writings -- even now in modern times -- in articles about God, and the Bible, and "religion", and "the church"? To what "church" is an author referring, when he uses the term "the church"? What "church" are you referring to, when you say "the church"? Do you mean your own local denominational church? Do you mean the church building, the "house of the Lord"? When the Baptists speak of "the church", are they referring to the same "church" that the "Catholics" claim? Does God have a "church", a select group of individuals whom He considers to comprise His earthly church? If so, do they belong to a certain denominational church? If they do, are all other denominational churches wrong, and left out of God's favor? Or, is it conceivable that every member of every denominational church is a "member" of the "church" of God's people (link) -- those individuals whom God Himself accepts as His own? (The answer to that question is "NO".) And, contrariwise, is it essential, in the eyes of God, that God's people necessarily "belong" to any earthly, humanly institutional "church", in order to gain -- and retain -- favor with Almighty God. That is, does simply "joining" some denominational church, or any institutional church, "automatically" confer upon an individual the right to consider himself to be included among "God's people"? Some of these questions become absurd ! (Repeating my "definition" of "the church"): I consider the "church", the true church, to be the "aggregation" of God's people -- the "company", or "body", or "army", of those individuals who have been accepted ("chosen", saved, claimed) by God, to be His own -- those whom God has found acceptable, in His sight, for His own reasons ...... regardless of where these individuals may live; and regardless of the doctrinal or denominational church to which they may "belong". I dare say that there are many of God's people -- chosen and loved by Almighty God himself -- who do not "belong" to any "earthly" church. I suspect that there are many of God's people who may not know, at a given time in their lives, or in a certain phase in their spiritual development, that they are already blessed and loved and accepted by God....... and that they are therefore, indeed, already "members" of God's own "church". (See link, Is there a "God's Church".) These are individuals who are being "prepared" by God, and who will be awakened to the truth of God, in a manner selected by God -- and at a moment chosen by God Himself. Ezekiel 37: 26 (NEB) I will greatly increase their numbers, and I will put my sanctuary forever in their midst. They shall live under the shelter of my dwelling; and I will become their God, and they shall become my people. The nations shall know that I the Lord am keeping Israel (God's people) sacred to myself, because my sanctuary is in the midst of them, forever. Same (KJV) I will make a covenant of peace with them. It shall be an everlasting covenant; and I will place them, and multiply them; and I will set my sanctuary in the midst of them, for evermore. 27 My tabernacle also shall be with them; yea, I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 28 And the heathen shall know I the LORD do sanctify Israel ("God's people"), when my sancutary shall be in the midst of them for evermore. Acts 7: 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?' Acts 17: 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. 2 Corinthians 6: 16 (NRSV) (Paul speaking): What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, "I will live in them, and walk among them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people." (Paul quoting Leviticus 26: 12.) Hebrews 9: 11 (NEB) But now Christ has come, High Priest of good things already in being. The tent of His priesthood is a greater and more perfect one, not made by men's hands; that is, not belonging to the created world. John 5: 41 (NRSV) (Jesus speaking) I do not accept glory from human beings. 44 How can you believe, when you accept glory from one another; and do not seek the glory that comes from the one who alone is God? Luke 16: 15 (NRSV) So Jesus said to them, "You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of others; but God knows your hearts; for what is prized by human beings is an abomination, in the sight of God.   My understanding -- my belief -- is that the choice of who is, or who will become, one of God's people, and a "member" of God's "church", is totally and unequivocally and irrevocably a decision made by God alone, for God's own reasons. That "decision" occurs at a time specified by God, and is not left up to the paltry understanding or "choice" of a human-being. No humanly or earthly denominational church need necessarily be involved (although a "church" may be a part of the instruction and preparation of an individual, for God). I believe that a person becomes aware of the truth of God, after being led and instructed in life, by God Himself. That individual awakens to his "calling" at a time and place designed beforehand by God, in order to fulfill the plans and purposes and pleasure of God. My understanding, based on what I "see" and "hear" in the Bible, is that the will and effort and choice and "decision" of an individual human are not a part of the process of being chosen (accepted) by God. One can hardly imagine the Sovereign and Almighty Creator of the universe, standing by, impotently and helplessly -- awaiting a human-individual's decision to "accept" God -- as if a human-being can cause himself to become one of God's own people -- and hence a "member" of the "church of God's people". Read the following scriptures, out loud: Romans 11: 5 So too, at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. And if by grace, then it is no longer by works. If it were, grace would no longer be grace. What then? What Israel sought so earnestly it did not obtain, but the elect did. The others were hardened, as it is written (Paul quoting Isa. 29:10): "God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes so that they could not see, and ears so that they could not hear, to this very day." Romans 9: 15 and 18 For He (God) says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion." It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort -- but on God's mercy...... 18 Therefore God has mercy on whom He wants to have mercy; and He hardens whom He wants to harden. The "church" (the "denomination") of God's people is neither Baptist, nor Jewish, nor Methodist, nor Catholic -- nor of any other exclusionary "doctrine". If one were to assume that God had a favorite denominational church, which "denomination" would it be? Would all of the other institutional churches be wrong, in the eyes of God -- and hence irretrievably omitted from God's favor? Would God automatically condemn, as lost "unbelievers", all those who were not "members" of a certain "church" -- a church which some denominational groups might claim to be God's "favorite church"? Which of today's numerous doctrinal churches is "right". What human-beings, including ministers and priests and rabbis, are qualified to decide which "doctrine" is "spiritually correct", in the opinion of Almighty God? Are all "Christian" churches partly correct in their "doctrines"? Are the beliefs of the Jewish "church" totally wrong, and are all Jews therefore condemned, in the sight of God? What about the "Sons of Ishmael"? Has any human been appointed by God to judge and condemn them? Is it enough that a "member" of a given denominational church simply claim to believe and accept the doctrine of that particular church, in order to be "saved", and so to become a "Christian" -- a member of the "church of God's people"? Would some "churches" say that it is enough for a member simply to satisfy himself, or the preacher, or the board of deacons, in order to become acceptable to God? Can an individual "write his own ticket", and declare himself acceptable to God -- and so become "saved"? Would some say that God becomes "satisfied" if a potential "member" simply recites a creed, or if that individual is "baptized"? Surely everyone would agree that it is God, alone, who must be satisfied with an individual, and with that individual's "beliefs", and "faith", and "trust" -- and that an individual's acceptance by Almighty God is unrelated to his being "accepted" or included by any human-being, or by any group of humans, or by a "church". Note the following three references, concerning "the church" set up by man: Matthew 15: 6 Jesus speaking: "So, for the sake of your tradition, you make void the word of God. 7 You hypocrites! Isaiah (Jesus quoting Isaiah 29: 13, quoted below) prophesied rightly about you when he said: 8 'This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; 9 in vain do they worship me, teaching human precepts as doctrines.'" (See Isaiah 29: 13, next.) Isaiah 29: 13 (NRSV) The Lord said: Because these people draw near with their mouths and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their worship of me is but a human commandment -- learned by rote. (NIV: same reference: Their worship of me is made up only of rules, taught by men.) 14 so I will again do amazing things with this people, shocking and amazing. The wisdom of their wise shall perish, and the discernment of the discerning shall be hidden. Hebrews 8: 1 (NIV) We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, 2 and who serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle set up by the Lord -- not by man.   Back to the start of "The Church"

Posted 6-10-98 6/24/00

"The Religious Right" An opinion-piece by Dr. John N. Todd (Published in Tuscaloosa News, June 1994) CLICK HERE to see this "tablet" in Easy-Print format You're in trouble, nowadays, if you consider yourself to be "religious". If you go to church, or read the Bible, or claim to be a Christian; or if you believe in God -- congratulations -- you're now a "member" of the "religious right". You're belittled by the talk-shows, and you're denigrated by the big-time newspaper writers. By implication, you are ignorant, docile, weak, and "Southern". You're a church-going fundamentalist, and a "fanatic". You're a bigot and a "homophobe"; and Jesse Helms is your political role-model. Furthermore, you've been duped by Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell into believing whatever they say; and you've been helplessly bamboozled into voting in exactly the way they dictate. If you're among the "religious right", you should be ashamed, because you haven't yet abandoned your antiquated "churchy" ideas, and because you haven't yet adopted the tenets of the "un-religious left". You must change, and get with the new dogma -- from the Council of Clinton. As Southerners, you and I must re-mold ourselves, so that we can become more like our enlightened leaders in Washington D.C. Just think, maybe you and I can evolve, and begin to think and act more like Donna Shalala, Joycelyn Elders. Robert Reich, Janet Reno -- and Hillary. Now suppose you want to resign your affiliation with the "religious right" -- here's what you've got to do: First, you must abandon your dilapidated system of values and virtues. You'll have to forsake all that silly superstitious stuff about God and prayer and the Bible. Surely, then, you will begin to realize that your real creator was Father Big-Bang, and that Mother Nature is responsible for all the miracles and mysteries of the Universe. When you accept Big-Bang as your creator, you will then awaken to recognize "the truth" -- that human life and love and "values" do not actually exist -- and that we humans are only chemical aggregations of atoms and electrons -- the result of unexplained, unplanned, random, evolutional chaos. Furthermore, if you no longer want to be categorized with the "religious right", you must surrender your prejudiced opinions about "diversity". You must alter your antique attitudes toward single-sex marriages, and "gay" families. You must embrace the idea of "gays" in the military. You must realize that pregnancy for unwed teenage mothers is now an acceptable "alternative" -- and that abortion-on-demand is an entitlement. Get with it! Devote your misguided attention to the "ozone layer", and to global warming -- and to concern about the population of the spotted owl, the snail darter, and the sturgeon. Now, here are my personal feelings: The degrading attacks on the "religious right" are actually attacks on "religion" (faith and trust in God). An attack on "religion" is really an attack on the very roots and foundation of the United States. And, most important -- to belittle religion is to belittle and ridicule God -- and that cannot possibly be effective. We humans, individually and collectively, should devoutly hope and pray that we are -- and will be -- included among the "religious right", in the opinion of God. Whether our human cohorts consider you and me to be right or wrong, conservative or liberal, does not really matter. It is better to be "spiritually right", than to be "politically correct". Better to be among the "religious right", than to be among the "un-religious wrong". Better to be included with the "religious right", than to be grouped with the "un-religious" -- whether "left" or "right". Don't all of us docile-and-dumb, Southern, church-going conservative "fanatics" hope that we are "religiously" right, with God! Remember this: religious truth does not change. Faith and honor and spiritual values will always be the same. And, God is the same -- yesterday, today, and forever! Back to top of page

WHAT IS YOUR OPINION? Is your "DOCTRINE" the ONE doctrine that God accepts? This article was posted here on 5-29-98 11/25/00 This is an essay by John and Phyllis Todd. This was written in response to two articles that appeared in the Tuscaloosa News. One of those articles made claims that the Roman Catholic Church is the sole church that God accepts -- the other article claimed that the "Church of Christ" is the one doctrinal "church" that God claims.

QUESTION: Is there a specific doctrinal church -- A "God's Church" -- that God accepts -- in preference to ALL others? Click HERE for Easy-Print format of this title (This is an essay by John and Phyllis Todd. This was written in response to two articles that appeared in the Tuscaloosa News.) We feel sorry for all of us church-going "Christians" who do not "belong" to the Catholic Church, or to the Church of Christ. Apparently, a recent writer to the Tuscalosa News believes that her church, the Roman Catholic Church, is the one "true" church; and another writer believes that the Church of Christ represents the sole aggregation of individuals whom God has accepted. Presumably, the implication of each of these two writers is that those who do not "belong" to their church -- that is, the church that each of these writers considers to be God's one "chosen" denominational church -- are irretrievably left out of God's favor; and hence are destined -- not to "salvation", and to the Kingdom of God -- but doomed to eternal exclusion from God. Gee, don't we Protestants wish that we had not listened to the spiritual mandates of our parents, or to the messages of God's Bible, or to what we were taught from the words and examples of God-Incarnate -- and don't we wish that we had ignored the pleas of our own doctrinal church.... so that we might have signed-up with the "right" church, and memorized their rules and regulations, and recited their "correct" creed, and knelt before their altars -- instead of going astray with they call our "erroneous" beliefs. Many of us Christian "Godspeople" consider God's "true church" to be the aggregation of God's people (linked) -- the "company" or "body" of those individuals who have been claimed ("chosen") by God to be His own.... those whom God has found acceptable, according to His own criteria -- wherever these "accepted" individuals are.... and to whatever denominational church they may "belong". But no, we "outsiders" are being told that we are misguided in our spiritual understanding, and in our choice of "churches". We are led to believe that our "righteousness", before God, is determined by our church affiliation. "They" seem to say that we humans are "justified" and "saved".... not by God alone.... but by God PLUS a specific institutional church. It's scary out here in this world, when you discover that, according to certain churchy human-beings -- you're condemned because you "joined" the wrong church. Fortunately, however, my Bible does give me a little hope, as follows: John 5: 41 (NRSV) (Jesus speaking) I do not accept glory from human-beings. 44 How can you believe -- when you accept glory from one another; and do not seek the glory that comes from the ONE who ALONE is God? Luke 16: 15 (NRSV) So Jesus said to them, "You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of others; but God knows your hearts.... for what is prized by human beings is an abomination -- in the sight of God. Romans 10: 3 (NIV) Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God; and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness (linked). Hopefully, God will understand our human frailties, and our "ignorance" -- and mercifully include us errant ones -- in His Kingdom.... regardless of which earthly church-of-humans we decide to "join".

9/15/99 1/6/00 8/10/02   "Doctrinal Rigidity" From the book: "The Doctor's Terrific Tablets"

Rigid DOCTRINISM" (Doctrinal Rigidity) Click HERE for EASY-PRINT format of this entire "tablet"   Acts 17: 24 (NRSV) 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....... 28 For "In Him (God) we live and move, and have our being"; as even some of your own poets have said, "For we too are His offspring." 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. Which one of the world's countless "religious" doctrines is correct, and "true"...... in the eyes of God? How do you and I know whether (or not) we are pleasing and satisfying God, in what we claim to believe. Are "the others" wrong -- those "others" who do not believe as we believe -- and are they therefore not satisfying God -- and are they hence omitted from the "benefits" that come with God's "favor". Which one of the numerous "religious" doctrines should you accept? Whom should you consult, for your "decision" -- your parents, your "church", your pastor or priest, your friends? Should you study the great religions, and the great preachers of old -- and thereby try to "design" a system that will help you to be spiritually comfortable -- and religiously correct? Or, should you just give up, and not seriously believe anything -- since you feel that you haven't been able to decipher the mind of God? Which way do you turn when humanly "wisdom" doesn't give you all the answers -- and when "pretend" belief, and superstitious "hope", do not satisfy you? How can you ever be certain that you have committed yourself to the "correct" doctrine -- and to God's accepted "church"? How do you know you have memorized and recited the correct creed? Suppose you have chosen wrong.... in the eyes of God? Does an "incorrect" earthly choice -- a "decision" that you thought you were making sincerely -- lead you to eternal damnation, and to separation from God? Will your "incorrect" choice mean that you will never enter into the favor of God, or that you will not ever be admitted into God's "Kingdom", because your humanly ignorance led you (or "allowed" you) to accept the "wrong church", and a "doctrine" that is unacceptable to God? I have been led to ask myself these questions, once again, recently, because of the "current events" of today (1/96); specifically, the hateful circumstances in what used to be "Yugoslavia" -- and more specifically, the chronic war in what is now (January 1996) called "Bosnia-Herzegovina" -- a war between Croatia, "Serbia", and the Bosnian Muslims. In that war-ravaged area, where U. S. troops are now stationed, attempting to stop the chronic fighting between ethnic and religious groups, much of the controversy has to do with differences in "religious" beliefs between three main rigidly "doctrinal" groups: the Roman-Catholic "Christians", the Orthodox-Catholic "Christians", and the Muslims. In addition, now, the largely-Protestant United States has interjected itself between those three European "religious" groups -- those "church-groups" that are willing to kill each other, because of a variation in their doctrinal beliefs. Furthermore, we must now also include the Jews, who have always hated the Muslims (the sons of Ishmael), and who are now called upon to help finance the war between these different, non-Jewish "doctrinal" groups. So now, in the Bosnian situation, we have at least five "religious" groups (Roman Catholics, Orthodox Catholics, Muslims, Protestants, and Jews)...... each claiming to worship the God of Abraham.... and each claiming to have the ultimate "truth" from God, and about God.....and each willing to kill members of the other "doctrinal" groups -- all in the name of what each group has dogmatically accepted to be the one-and-only genuine spiritual truth (which is, of course, each group's own perception of "truth" -- a set of beliefs that denies and excludes the spiritual understandings of all other doctrines). And in the United States..... try to count the number of "Protestant" divisions, each claiming a strangle-hold on ultimate theological reality -- and "truth". So..... what does God think about all this? Which "church" is "doctrinally" sound, in the opinion of God? Who else's opinion matters..... that is, whose opinion other than that of God Almighty.... really makes a difference? Do we humans have anything at all to do with the requirements that God has laid out for His people ("God's Doctrine")? Can we mortals mold or change God's expectations of His accepted individuals, according to our own worldly beliefs and understanding? Or is God immutable, and responsive only to his own counsel and wisdom? I don't have all the answers. Maybe you do! But -- it is my belief that the Almighty Creator of the Universe is bi