Dumb Idols - Spiritual Thoughts of Daniel J. Clausen

     Sola Scriptura or "Scripture Alone," either as a doctrine or practice, never existed prior to the Protestant Reformation in the 1500s. In fact, throughout the initial 1500 years of church history, Sola Scriptura did not have any proponents, particularly because it was never seriously considered.  The formalized doctrine of Sola Scriptura, emphasizing the exclusive authority of the Bible for matters of faith and practice, emerged during the 16th-century Protestant Reformation. While early church fathers often emphasized the ultimate authority of Scripture, the specific formulation of Sola Scriptura as a doctrine took shape much later in history.     And necessarily so. The idea that those who directly interacted with the apostles, such as Clement of Rome, Ignatius of Antioch, and Polycarp of Smyrna, would discard their firsthand experiences from months or years of discipleship in favor of a few written letters seems implausible. These early disciples had the unique advant

 Note: Contains original research and perspectives. The writings of the early church contain a wealth of knowledge and rare information that is uncommonly known in the present. In one example of this, Eusebius of Caesarea, renowned for his "Ecclesiastical History," (written around 312), offers a captivating historical insight that unveils a lesser-known facet of the crucifixion narrative. In his writings, Eusebius emphasizes the intriguing shift in the Jewish Priesthood that occurred during the period of Roman rule in Judea. The Breaking of the Ancient Line of Priesthood While he is making note of how long Jesus' public ministry was, he counts it as less than four years, because there were four High Priests listed in the Gospels, and he cites Josephus Flavius for the succession of the High Priests. As an explanation for this, he mentions in passing, in Book 1, Chapter 10, of the Ecclesiastical History, "The rites indeed of the law, having been already abolished since

  As a matter of historical record, this decree from Nicolas Hastier is being recorded regarding the status of Luis Martinez and Rudy Stevens in the OSMTJ branch under the direction of Nicolas Haimovici Hastier and his Magisterial Council. A Magisterial Decree by Nicolas Hastier was released today, seemingly with an intended purpose of performing some clean up regarding the Luis Martinez situation. The Grand Marshall under Hastier, Rudy Stevens, has been using his own website osmtj-international dot net, promoting both status of Nicolas Hastier as Regent, and Luis Martinez as Grand Master at the same time, an organizational impossibility. Doing so presents the suggestion that Luis Martinez is somehow working together with Hastier, either in the present or as a valid continuation. In the past, Martinez has make explicit claims to this fact. Both of these are false. Furthermore, Stevens repeatedly signs himself as Grand Seneschal of the Order. The Grand Magisterial Council under Hastier

Election of Luis Martinez "Won" with only 2 Original OSMTJ Votes The election of Luis Martinez was initiated by the expelled Chancellor, without the authority of the Magistral Council, and only contained 3 votes of legitimate, original OSMTJ Grand Priories. After the expulsion of the former GC in Feb. 2022, he called for an election in the OSMTJ. Not only does an expelled member have no authority in the OSMTJ, but without the consent of the Grand Priors of the OSMTJ, or any members of the Magistral Council, and with GM Mangum having only served 2 of his 10-year term according to the Statutes, this election is utterly illegal. Furthermore, its actual voting is fraudulent. Bryant Jones, having no International backing, even losing his own USA Priory after his expulsion, recruited random people from Templar fan pages online and on Facebook and called them "Grand Priors" to be eligible to vote. The vast majority of these had zero knights in them. This method garnered hi

 The OSMTJ has a new International website! https://osmtj.global Not only does it have the most complete history of the Knights Templar continuation online, it the best source for news. announcements and happenings of the International Order. Furthermore, the former Templar Digital Research Library is now housed on the http:///osmtj.global site in the Templar Archives section. For those looking to join, they can just visit the Grand Priories and Commanderies section to join the country they live in. nnDnn.

Three Against One Christ was crucified due to three differing influences: The Imperial State of Rome The Religious Majority - Sanhedrin The Mob of Masses Each played a role. Each cried "crucify Him!" Each sought to see Him remain in the grave so that His influence and teaching might die with Him. Yet all their efforts failed, having had their verdict overturned by the great Judge of Heaven. However, the enemies of the Crucified One do not retreat very easily. Each of them still seeks to crucify the Living Lord in each of us - even this very day. What do I mean when I say this? Literal Truth and Spiritual Truths The Three Enemies all literally crucified Christ as a fact of history. There is no claim here that the understanding of these is spiritual or mystical only, as some deniers might have. However, as with most of Scripture, the events that God has set into motion as part of His plan have layers of manifold understanding. In these three enemies of Christ, we f

Originally posted in 2011. I have a confession. I want to be Great. I want to serve Jesus with all that I am. I want people to know that I serve God alone, whether it brings fame or ridicule. I am ambitious for advancement in the Kingdom. I have tried to study and build a base of knowledge and contacts, created a resumé of sorts for all kinds of Christian activities and experiences that someone may find valuable. Secretly wanting to be recognized for my contributions to the Kingdom. This is all a great snare and a stumbling block to me, and the Lord batted me over the head to get my attention. Now, having ambition and wanting to be great are natural to the human condition and there is nothing odd about it. The Bible itself speaks of it and God engenders our sense of destiny and greatness by unlocking everything needed within us to make our lives count for something, to give what the world cannot - ultimate Meaning. ... but for a long time, I have had things very backwards and dist