Is The Word "Begotten" Important?

John 3:16
KJV
 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

NIV
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

ESV
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

NRSV
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.

Is Jesus merely the son of God or is he the begotten son of God?

In the first place, if Jesus is the only son of God, then the Bible has many contradictions. If Jesus is the only son of God, then John 1:12 cannot be true. If Jesus is the only son of God, then Luke 3:38 cannot be true. If Jesus is the only son of God, then Romans 8:14 cannot be true. If Jesus is the only son of God, then no one else can be a son of God. There are passages of Scripture that clearly say God has other sons or teach how one may become a son of God. So, can Jesus be the only son of God? Or, is he the only begotten son of God? There is a difference and it is a significant difference.

I didn't realize the significance of the word, begotten, until I watched a Muslim teacher explain his belief about who Jesus is (link below). He was asked to explain how followers of allah can be called sons of god in his religion but Jesus cannot be called the Son of God. He made several good points while explaining his beliefs and he even used the Bible to make his points.
He pointed out that followers of God are referred to as sons of God in the Bible, and in that sense, he believes it can be said of Jesus that he is the son of God. But, to say that Jesus is the only begotten son of God is heresy, in his belief system. Of course, the opposite is true, it is heresy to say that Jesus is not the begotten son of God.

Now do you see why the word, begotten, is so important?

Islam has no problem with the new translations of John 3:16.

The muslim teacher points out that Adam is called the son of God in the Bible, but that does not make Adam God.

Luke 3:38 KJV 
Which was the son of Enos, which was the son of Seth, which was the son of Adam, which was the son of God.

The teacher also brings up the passage in Romans 8 which states that those who are led by the Spirit are sons of God.

Romans 8:14 KJV
For as many as are led of the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 

The muslim teacher then points out that the newer translations of the Bible do not call Jesus the begotten son of God and that most "Christian" scholars agree that the word "begotten" is a fabrication.

You see, by eliminating the word "begotten" from John 3:16 these translators have made Jesus a pious person. He is no longer God in human flesh.
There are many passages of scripture that speak of people being sons of God.

John 1:12
But as many as receive him, gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

If you are interested in listening to the video clip I referenced you can do so by clicking HERE. I thought it was very interesting. Good Muslims live very "holy" lives. They live separate from the world. They abstain from alcohol, they dress modestly, they pray five times a day, they observe times of fasting, they try to keep the law as given by Moses. In other words, they go about establishing their own righteousness and refusing the righteousness of God found in Christ Jesus.

Romans 10:3 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.

God only has one BEGOTTEN Son and his name is Jesus. He is fully God and fully man. He is the only saviour for mankind.

  Acts 4:10-12

Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.

11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.

12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Snow And Muffins

We have finally had an accumulating snow!
I sound excited, but I am actually not a big fan of winter.
I do think snow is pretty and can be quite fun to play in.
My motto is, "If it is going to be cold, it might as well snow!" :)
As the snow was falling it did look quite picturesque. Unfortunately, I did not get bundled up to go outside and take any pictures for you. Sorry. :(
I did take some pictures of the muffins I made on that snowy day, though.

I used a recipe for pumpkin chip muffins. I   really like this recipe. It is a recipe my mother used to make when I was a child.
I did make a couple changes to the original recipe. I used butternut squash instead of pumpkin, and melted butter instead of canola oil. They were delicious!

Ingredients

• 4 large eggs
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 can (15 ounces) solid-pack pumpkin
• 1-1/2 cups canola oil
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips

Directions

1. In a large bowl, beat the eggs, sugar, pumpkin and oil until smooth. Combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon and salt; gradually add to pumpkin mixture and mix well. Fold in chocolate chips. Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups three-fourths full.
2. Bake at 400° for 15-18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack. Yield: about 2 dozen.

What Is Different Is Not The Same: 022

Mark 1:2

KJV 

 As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.

NIV 

 as it is written in Isaiah the prophet: "I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way"

ESV 

As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, " Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way,

NRSV 

As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, "See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way;

Oh no! There is a contradiction in the Bible!!

Actually, no, there is only a contradiction in the new perversions.

It is not written in Isaiah, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
 Search for it. You won't find it. It is a lie to say that it is written in Isaiah when no such thing is written in Isaiah.
That quote is found in Malachi not Isaiah.(Mal.3:1)

Cranberry-Apple, Soaked, Steelcut Oatmeal

This is my favorite breakfast, at the moment.

I prepare all the ingredients the night before, and soak the oatmeal overnight.

In the morning it cooks quickly and I serve it with cream. Delicious!

I bet you could make this recipe with regular old fashioned oats. You would have to adjust the oat to water ratio. Steel cut oats require more water than old fashioned oats.

I usually don't measure all of my add-in ingredients, but this will give you an idea of what amounts I use.

Cranberry Apple Oatmeal

2 large, servings or 4 small servings:

2/3 cup quick cooking steel cut oats

2 TBS. butter

2-3 TBS. honey

2-3 tsp. molasses

1 Apple, diced

3/4 cup (a couple handfuls) fresh cranberries

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

a few dashes of ground nutmeg

a couple dashes of ground allspice

a couple dashes of ground cloves

2 cups of water

Cream (optional)

Mix all of the ingredients (except for the cream) together in a sauce pan.

Cover, and leave to soak, unrefrigerated, overnight.

In the morning, bring to a simmer, cook for 5 minutes. 

Remove from heat, cover and rest 5 minutes.

Serve with cream.

Enjoy!

What Is Different Is Not The Same: 021

Matthew 27:35

KJV

35 And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.

NIV
35 When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

ESV
35 And when they had crucified him, they divided his garments among them by casting lots.

NRSV
35 And when they had crucified him, they divided his clothes among themselves by casting lots;


They have lost the fulfilment of Old Testament prophecy.