Dumb Idols - Spiritual Thoughts of Daniel J. Clausen

 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...

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...

The Shroud of Turin is an enigma to many. Some dismiss it as a medieval forgery, others worship it as a holy relic. Perhaps it should be regarded as neither, but rather as physical evidence of Christianity's central claim: the resurrection of Jesus. If it is someday proven false, it bears no weight on the history of Christ. However, if it is proven authentic, it stands as both a call and an indictment on humanity. It would be proof of the Resurrection. Rather than be very technical, I will simply lay out some old known facts, along  with some very recent research. Lastly, I will close with some compelling circumstantial evidence. Previously Known Facts The Shroud bears an historically accurate image of a crucified man, complete with distortions from wrapping a three-dimensional person. It is no painting or piece of art. One can see his fingernails, as well as his teeth behind his lips.  The wounds are consistent not only with crucifixion, but one particularly famo...

1 Peter 4:17-18   "For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?" John 14:15 "If you love me, keep my commandments." There are a lot of writings and blogs that pick on the church as a whole, some of it well-meaning, some of it is downright negative and inflammatory. However, they are not written without a cause. The American church is struggling. I say struggling, because, though numbers seem to be gained and lost with little net-change, the caliber of the believer's moral character is waning. So I hesitate to add to the chorus of critique, but we all must understand that such criticisms as this, for any well-meaning Christian, is out of concern, alarm, and even desperation. First, we must understand that the church is a body, a collection, comprise...

I have compiled a document containing dozens of articles from many periodicals, including the New York Times, and Scientific American, citing of discovery of giant skeletons. Look at that document  HERE. Here is a video I made with those articles as well: This is the Introduction from that document, but look at the news articles yourself, even if just the headlines! Evidence of a Race of Giants in Pre-History - From sources such as the New York Times and Scientific American. Genesis 6:4 “There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of  God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same  became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.” For those who are Biblically-minded, that which the Bible states is true in all circumstances, even if modern  science has yet to affirm it independently. There are many sound reasons for this: • First, our very real spiritual experience of ...

This year, I celebrate my 10th anniversary as a Christian. As happy as I am about that, I have noticed a certain unfortunate side-effect: The circle of people in my life now no longer know who I once was. For the record, I am happy they didn't know the old me, but then again, the drama of the sanctifying power of Christ is lost. They can't see the before and after, only the after.The people in my life now simply assume I have always been basically a moral, very religious person. When I tell people otherwise, they think it is a bad joke. I used to be unrecognizably different. I am one of those people who had a very dramatic conversion, not only in the sense of joy and zeal, but from the mess I was delivered from.  I regularly explored mind-scapes derived from the highs of psychedelic drugs. I considered myself a "psychonaut", an astronaut of the mind. I actively hated and persecuted Christians. I studied the occult traditions from diverse religions and mys...

[Note: This post is in no way meant to be anti-marriage, but pro-celibacy. Neither is addressing this topic a reflection or thought of regret upon my own blessed marriage.] This issue may seem trivial to many, but I am committed to following the doctrine of the Lord - the whole counsel of it. Many are undisturbed by the differences of the apostolic church and our present day manifestation. Addressing this issue is simply to show another area where we err to our own detriment. Virginity in the modern secular world has become a badge of shame. One is made to feel unwanted, undesirable, and unattractive, or else called a "prude" or "stuck up". In the modern Christian world, virginity is merely the purgatorial state that one must endure before finding the "one" in marriage. God forbid, if they make it to 30 unmarried, there must be something wrong with them. Most Christian young people believe they are just waiting until the person God has for them shows ...

Saint Paulinas of Nola (354 – 431) was a distinguished lawyer who held several public offices in the Roman Empire. After the death of their son, Paulinas and his wife Therasia gave away all of their property and riches and dedicated their lives to the poor. Paulinus was chosen bishop of Nola by popular demand. Among his close friends was St Augustine of Hippo. Paulinus’ writings include a letter to Crispinianus, a soldier in the Roman military. Paulinus exhorts Crispianus, a Christian, to leave the military and devote his life to God. His letter is below. Letter 25, to Crispinianus 1. Though I am unknown to you personally, I already know you in spirit. Victor, my dearest son in the Lord, ensured that I knew you, though distance separates us, by telling me of your scrupulous life. So I have begun to love you as a future comrade in Christ, for Victor recounted to me how he was an associate and attendant of your mess in that worldly military service in which you are still occ...

To the parents of ignorant children, Parents, your children have souls which God expects you to nourish with at least as much care as their physical needs. Who will teach them if not you? No one is surprised to hear that a ship put out to sea without a compass has sunk or run aground. Why should we be surprised to see children wander far from God, when they have received no spiritual direction? We see a pattern set for us by the saints of old. David, busy king that he was, thought it his solemn responsibility to instruct his son in the way of the Lord: 'Know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind.' (1 Chron. 28:9). And what need I tell you of Timothy's mother and grandmother, who taught him the Scriptures from the time he was a child? I believe a man calls in question his own Christianity if he does not bother to acquaint his child with God and the way the leads to Him. I will even go so far as to say I've never k...