Dumb Idols - Spiritual Thoughts of Daniel J. Clausen

    The Shroud of Turin, an enigmatic and venerated relic in Christian history, has fascinated believers and skeptics alike. Known for its mysterious image of a crucified man believed by many to be Jesus Christ, the Shroud has been the subject of extensive research and is one of the most studied objects in the history of the world. The STURP Project, the only sanctioned study of the Shroud concluded, "We can conclude for now that the Shroud image is that of a real human form of a scourged, crucified man. It is not the product of an artist."       While it gained widespread public attention in the 14th century, numerous references and depictions suggest that it existed long before this period. Here, I will delve into the documented mentions and illustrations of the Shroud prior to its public reveal, tracing its journey through various historical contexts and geographies, clearly antedating the carbon-14 dating. Special thanks to Joe Marino, who collect...

       During the early centuries of Christianity, Arabia became a refuge for various Christian heretical groups and sects as they were rejected by the mainstream church. (Slade, D. M. (2014). Arabia Haeresium Ferax (Arabia Bearer of Heresies): Schismatic Christianity’s Potential Influence on Muhammad and the Qur’an. American Theological Inquiry, 7(1), 43-53.) This was partly due to the region's geographic and cultural position as a crossroads between the Byzantine Empire to the north and the Sassanian Empire to the east, as well as its proximity to trade routes that facilitated the movement of ideas and people. A quick reference of some Christian heresies present in the area: Docetism : A Christian heresy that asserts Jesus Christ only appeared to have a human body and suffer, but in reality, he was purely divine and his physical form was an illusion. Monarchianism : A theological belief emphasizing the oneness of God, rejecting the doctrine of the Trinity. Ebionit...

     The Christ of Docetism From the earliest decades of Christianity, the Church as consistently espoused both the divinity and humanity of Christ in full measure. The New Testament openly and consistently asserts that Jesus is God in the flesh. (John 1:1, John 1:14, John 10:30, John 20:28, Phil. 2:6-11, Col. 1:15-20, Heb. 1:3, Titus 2:13, 1 John 5:20, Rev. 1:8, etc)     Christianity's assertion of Jesus' full divinity and full humanity was established early on, rooted in the teachings of Jesus himself and the apostolic witness. Despite this foundational belief, the early church faced doctrinal challenges that sought to redefine or undermine these core tenets. Many of the earliest heresies were Christological, stemming from the overemphasis of either the divine or human dimension of Jesus.     However, when and how these heresies arose can a offer significant glimpse into how Christ was initially unde...

"But there is a God in heaven that reveals secrets, and makes known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days." -  Daniel 2:28     There may be a temptation to despair by some when noticing the incessant campaign to corrupt truth and sound doctrine, hearing the voices and influences of demonic spirits that surround on every side. Do not fear, friend, for the God of heaven shall not be thwarted; His designs are uninfluenced, and none can stay His hand.     Nebuchadnezzar was a pagan.  Consider: it is not only devils that seek to influence our traditions and guide the vision of mankind. There is evidence of another strain of prophecy given, even within the heart of classical paganism itself, as a marker and a testimony of God's great love and concern for all mankind. The Holy Spirit, in times past, has even usurped the voice of Oracles and false prophets, to bring truth where there was none, and light where there was only darkness.  ...

     A lesser known messianic prophecy in the book of Genesis, known as the "Shiloh Prophecy" sheds significant light on the timing of the messianic age. The prophecy reads, "The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh comes; and to Him shall be the obedience of the people."        This prophecy connects the coming of Shiloh, identified as a person, to a time when the scepter, a symbol of rule, passed out of the control of Judah. This verse is part of Jacob's blessings and prophecies for his sons before his death. Each of Jacob's sons receives a specific blessing or prophecy, and in the case of Judah, Jacob foretells the continuity of royal authority within the tribe until the arrival of Shiloh, a figure long interpreted as the Messiah. Passing the Scepter     This begs the question, did the scepter ever pass from Judah?  The traditional interpretation is that the scepter departed...

     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 di...