EKO, I have no problem with your interpretation of the parable at all. I would also agree that "the harsh God" trope is an element of popular doctrine in many traditions (I grew up Southern Baptist and at least imbibed legalism). Is it institutional doctrine? I am not convinced. I've been involved in joyous evangelical churches preaching the grace of God and others (actually just one) that tried to guilt the members at every turn--the pastor was projecting his own stuff onto us. I certainly don't have time for that situation, but relish the truly free church that focuses on having a loving relationship with Jesus. Most of all I realize that I need fellowship with other believers--that is the true church.
We are all sons and daughters of God in a human form. God is everything, everywhere, omniscient, omnipresent. It is all his creation. Our Creator is light, love, joy and well, everything. It’s a cosmic play, and "he" plays all the parts. We don't need mediators, buildings or lots of money and power. We just need to remember who we truly are and where we came from. Ignorance is the "sin." Thank you for your insight and for sharing your wisdom. May your book reach near and far ✨️
i I will read every word you put on a page - all brilliant and illuminating... my only "problem" is with the review you want to have - I just can't figure out how to post a review of you work on Amazon or anywhere else - if I could I'd love to help your sales with many positive reviews.
The “Hard Master” trope was held in place for thousands of years before the parable was told. I felt like this parable was chastising the Jewish sects about being so exclusionary and not introducing their Father God to others or Proselytizing, rather, keeping Him all for themselves instead of sharing his Love and Mercy.
I ordered the paperback on Amazon and left a review. Thank you for making it available in paperback. I'm collecting your books and I prefer hard copies. I Love you EKO.
I think (and I could be wrong) that people are trying to figure out to which “denomination” you belong, in order to understand your beliefs. I know that for my entire adult life each church I attended tried to tell me why their understanding was correct and why everyone else was wrong. Which is similar to what is happening in politics. “Let me know what side you are on so that I can tell you why you’re wrong”. Unfortunately, this ensures we miss the larger picture, or teaching, completely. It is very hard to break out of the mold that teaches “incorrect doctrine sends you to hell”. We are so afraid of going to hell that we do not allow ourselves the room to grow our hearts, to expand our faith. We’re so busy following rules or adhering perfectly to “doctrine” that we do not allow the Spirit to expand our understanding and deepen our faithfulness. Which, brings me full circle to what this parable is teaching. Eko is not hiding who he is, he’s showing us that we are getting stuck on the rigidness of rules and doctrine, instead of allowing Christ to permeate our hearts where true growth and faithfulness abides. Thank you, Eko. God has truly given you a most profound insight and gift. ❤️🙏
Trish, I couldn't agree with you more. Yet there is something about us that creates a deeper craving, a desire to know and be known. A pull, like the pull of gravity, constant, steady and never ending. When you combine spirituality with personality that's what happens. This spiritual gravity pulls kindred spirits together, to know each other, and it also pulls these kindred spirits toward the source to become at one with It. Like Jesus said "I and my Father are one".
I've been around the block more times than I can remember and have the gray hair and scars to prove it. If there's one thing I've learned about this life it's that some people will hurt you, destroy you and even try to kill you over belly button lint. Doesn't matter their reason, doesn't matter what you did or didn't do. At the end of the day, life on this planet in these particular times is dangerous, far more dangerous than most of us ever realize.
I go to bed every night thankful that I survived another day. Not in the longevity sense, not survived health wise or hunger wise, but just survived the rampant insanity, ignorance and hatred that surrounds me at every step. On this point alone I grant EKO the full benefit of the doubt about wanting to remain anonymous. I totally get it from that point of view. The grim reaper has knocked on my door at least half a dozen times that I can remember. I've learned how to keep the door shut. It's a wise thing for all of us to do, especially those with families to raise.
14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,
15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.
I was the 1st to review it! Woo-hoo!!!🥳
EKO, I have no problem with your interpretation of the parable at all. I would also agree that "the harsh God" trope is an element of popular doctrine in many traditions (I grew up Southern Baptist and at least imbibed legalism). Is it institutional doctrine? I am not convinced. I've been involved in joyous evangelical churches preaching the grace of God and others (actually just one) that tried to guilt the members at every turn--the pastor was projecting his own stuff onto us. I certainly don't have time for that situation, but relish the truly free church that focuses on having a loving relationship with Jesus. Most of all I realize that I need fellowship with other believers--that is the true church.
We are all sons and daughters of God in a human form. God is everything, everywhere, omniscient, omnipresent. It is all his creation. Our Creator is light, love, joy and well, everything. It’s a cosmic play, and "he" plays all the parts. We don't need mediators, buildings or lots of money and power. We just need to remember who we truly are and where we came from. Ignorance is the "sin." Thank you for your insight and for sharing your wisdom. May your book reach near and far ✨️
i I will read every word you put on a page - all brilliant and illuminating... my only "problem" is with the review you want to have - I just can't figure out how to post a review of you work on Amazon or anywhere else - if I could I'd love to help your sales with many positive reviews.
Thank you, Ken.
If you navigate to this link you can enter your review directly:
https://www.amazon.com/review/create-review/?ie=UTF8&channel=glance-detail&asin=B0G4LW9WP8
The artwork on this one - powerful!
I really like this post. To be honest, the story of the talents has ALWAYS confused me. But your way of explaining it makes sense.
Ordered. Reviewed. Thank you for working out the details for us.
Again, brilliance. I never understood the depth or even the meaning of this parable. This post makes it clear. Thank you!
The “Hard Master” trope was held in place for thousands of years before the parable was told. I felt like this parable was chastising the Jewish sects about being so exclusionary and not introducing their Father God to others or Proselytizing, rather, keeping Him all for themselves instead of sharing his Love and Mercy.
I ordered the paperback on Amazon and left a review. Thank you for making it available in paperback. I'm collecting your books and I prefer hard copies. I Love you EKO.
I like it. I think it would make an excellent study guide for a bible study class.
Here's a memorization tool for this one:
https://youtu.be/AsRNHCZ3hlI?si=KDOjop5wanw6PeFt
This one is hard for me. May i not be like thr rich, young ruler.
Thx for these parable studies. Not sure I agree but you have shifted the focus. What is your background? Are you even a person? AI? Angel?
Just a child (at heart), with an open mind, figuring it out as I go.
You will be far more free when you don't hide who you are...
message > messenger
I think (and I could be wrong) that people are trying to figure out to which “denomination” you belong, in order to understand your beliefs. I know that for my entire adult life each church I attended tried to tell me why their understanding was correct and why everyone else was wrong. Which is similar to what is happening in politics. “Let me know what side you are on so that I can tell you why you’re wrong”. Unfortunately, this ensures we miss the larger picture, or teaching, completely. It is very hard to break out of the mold that teaches “incorrect doctrine sends you to hell”. We are so afraid of going to hell that we do not allow ourselves the room to grow our hearts, to expand our faith. We’re so busy following rules or adhering perfectly to “doctrine” that we do not allow the Spirit to expand our understanding and deepen our faithfulness. Which, brings me full circle to what this parable is teaching. Eko is not hiding who he is, he’s showing us that we are getting stuck on the rigidness of rules and doctrine, instead of allowing Christ to permeate our hearts where true growth and faithfulness abides. Thank you, Eko. God has truly given you a most profound insight and gift. ❤️🙏
Trish, I couldn't agree with you more. Yet there is something about us that creates a deeper craving, a desire to know and be known. A pull, like the pull of gravity, constant, steady and never ending. When you combine spirituality with personality that's what happens. This spiritual gravity pulls kindred spirits together, to know each other, and it also pulls these kindred spirits toward the source to become at one with It. Like Jesus said "I and my Father are one".
I've been around the block more times than I can remember and have the gray hair and scars to prove it. If there's one thing I've learned about this life it's that some people will hurt you, destroy you and even try to kill you over belly button lint. Doesn't matter their reason, doesn't matter what you did or didn't do. At the end of the day, life on this planet in these particular times is dangerous, far more dangerous than most of us ever realize.
I go to bed every night thankful that I survived another day. Not in the longevity sense, not survived health wise or hunger wise, but just survived the rampant insanity, ignorance and hatred that surrounds me at every step. On this point alone I grant EKO the full benefit of the doubt about wanting to remain anonymous. I totally get it from that point of view. The grim reaper has knocked on my door at least half a dozen times that I can remember. I've learned how to keep the door shut. It's a wise thing for all of us to do, especially those with families to raise.
“Fear of man will prove to be a snare…”
Surely Charlie would agree. And yet his children now live without their father.
Hebrews 2
14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,
15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.
Is that true?