The Reforming of the Raven

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Chapters 10 and 11 Transformation
2008-09-01 18:46:00
In these chapters the author discusses the theme of transformation in scripture. He points out from the beginning that the Bible begins with a garden and ends with a perfected city. The author does not believe that man was to remain in Eden and leave Eden as it was, but was to transform Eden as we are to change the world now. The fall and redemption just changed the course of the transformation (if one is not to take the high Calvinistic view of the plans of God).Jordan points out that transformation has been the theme of scripture right from the beginning, and that the creation account describes how God did it. Man is to imitate God, as we saw in the last few chapters, since earth is to mirror heaven.1. Taking Dominion. God did this by command, Man imitates God by taking hold or taking control of a given thing in our own way.2. Restructuring: God did this on the first three days primarily, man imitates God by his work (moving, cooking, planting, building, etc)3. Distribut...
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Chapters 8 and 9
2008-09-01 01:48:00
While I was on hiatus from my internet connection, I was not on hiatus in relation to my reading and study. I did in fact finish "Through New Eyes." I'm glad that I read it again. I have had a rough time of it recently and reading through the material, and then the notes I had taken on the material was inspirational for me. So I will try, in the next few posts, to finish up my review of this book and move on the the most recent of material I have read.Chatper 8 - Birds and BeastsThere were analogies scripture drew from the animal kingdom because there were parallels in God's eyes. The dominion mandate was not in relation to the ground, or the plants, but over the animals. Animals were under the law in some aspects (they were liable for murder, had to obey the Sabbath, the first-born belonged to God) and without a parallel, they never would have been. Besides, without an assumed parallel between man and beast, Adam never would have assumed that he, like the ox, needed a mate...

Dancing in Church?
2006-12-02 15:58:03
I was online today, and I read in a Christian forum about a person who felt guilty for not worshipping with his hands lifted up, but too self conscious to do it. Most people told him not to worry about it, one person rather piously said that scripture commanded we dance and clap and stomp and etc. Eventually I'm sure the whole conversation will go down the drain, but before it does, it will come down to Charismatics on one side and Quiet people on the other. They will accuse each other of not caring what God thinks.Personally, I'm usually rather quiet, but would have sporadic boughts of being hyper if it were all left up to me. I'd be neither charismatic, nor liturgical. That's just my personal wiring. But...while I disagree with what the Charismatic poster was saying was necessary to worship God, I do see that she/he did have the right attitude of belief about it. That is...worship isn't about what WE want. It's about what GOD wants.God has laid out some commands abou...
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Biblical Imagry
2006-12-02 15:58:03
The Bible is stuffed full of imagry, but have you ever wondered if this new and wonderful book of Biblical interpretation is...well...neo orthodox or heterodoxical nonsense? I have to admit that I kind of like reading material which shows the secrets behind biblical numerology, the use of the sun in scripture or what exactly is meant by an obscure verse that my pastor choked on last time he came across it. I'm just wired that way. And because of this I can be led astray rather quickly. I need to keep some basic things in mind.1. The Bible never uses a symbol if a literal statement will do. If scripture recounts Moses combing his hair, well, that's pretty much what it means. It has nothing to do with foretelling the parting of the Red Sea or women wearing headcoverings. It means that a few moments later Moses probably looked better than he did when he started...2. Biblical Symbolism is not isolated. If the the symbolic meaning of the stars means one thing in Genesis, it a...

Dead Dudes and Spiritual History
2006-12-02 15:58:03
I have a great fondness for historic christian authors, especially the theological types such as Luther, Spurgeon and have great respect for many others such as Calvin, Van Til. (I find reading those sometimes tedious, therefore they are not really what I would consider favourites)My last blog stated that when thinking about Biblical symbolism, you should consider the works of those who have gone before. While not much has been put in the comments section I got a rash of letters pointing out to me that Luther hated Calvin and Calvin torched someone (or at least could have stopped it).It always distresses me to find such errors in character in those I admire, and it is even more upsetting to find out that there is an error in doctrine amongst those people. I don't know why it suprises me so. The Bible says we see through a glass darkly, my glass may be darker than a few of the greats of church history, but Augustine and company still have tinted glass.I could point at the obviou...
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Symbols
2006-12-02 15:58:03
Now, back to the matter at hand, symbols in scripture. [[lady raven cracks her knuckles]]Biblical numerology, as opposed to the secular and pagan kind, is pretty cool and fascinating when you get down to it. There is the number two and the number three. Things according to Deut 19:15 are supposed to be established by the testimony of two or three wittnesses. One mention of something, one testimony may be true enough, but it seems that the proof is to lie with more than one. God made three primary symbols to communicate with the world through. Man (his image), The Word (his words), and the sacraments. The Bible has two testaments, there were two trees in the garden and two people there....There are other symbols in scripture also. Like as I have mentioned...the sun...the moon... But there are many more. They can be divided into three categories (three again):Language: Language itself is a verbal symbol for ideas we have in our minds, but this is not really what I mean. I mean...
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When Symbols Change
2006-12-02 15:58:03
Symbols come from our worldview, and thus often change when the major worldview of a culture changes. This is because our symbols create and reinforce what we believe to be true. Its the age old question, does art affect or reflect the culture....and it does both actually.When symbolism changes, and the culture desires to recapture their lost glory or their lost values there is always a grass roots call to go "back to " whatever symbol they believe represents their cause. Look at the symbolism of flags. Southern Americans such as myself tend to protect the integrity of Confederate flags...because we see the importance of symbolism to a people.However, it can go too far. Most of the symbols in our culture we ourselves have created. If we allow it, they can become idols for us. History is gone. It is important, it is our heritage. But we can't go back (and the idea of really lacing my corset to make an 18 in wasp waist is not on my agenda this week - I wear one because I lik...
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Symbols - Heaven and Earth
2006-12-02 15:58:03
I'm rereading James B Jordan's "Through New Eyes." Partially because I keep getting lectured by premillenials about why the symbolism in Revelation isn't consistent with my interpretations and partially because of my affiliation with gothicism and my embrace of darkness as understood in that context. I want to make sure that when I approach the symbols under debate I'm not coming from a "gothic" or a "amill/postmill" construct but a Biblical one. If my worldviews are correct, they will at the very least not conflict with the Biblical view.After a long discussion about symbolism and how some of it is created by God and some of it is created by mankind and thus changable, Jordan jumps right into the first set of divinely created symbols. That of heaven and earth. The concept is that earth is supposed to be an image of heaven sort of like man is an image of God, therefore if we want to pray "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven" you have to understand what that means...
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Symbols - Creation, Light and Darkness
2006-12-02 15:58:03
This, IMO deserved a special discussion. It is important, and again, something I missed my first time while studying "Through New Eyes"Gen 1:2 describes part of the creation. You have darkness over the deep and the Spirit of God moving along the waters. In it's original existance, before time began, darkness was not sin, it was not evil. Dark ness was a stage, a state, an existance if you will, which was either ready or being made ready for the work of God to proceed. It's "raw material" or something that is about to be moved on by the Holy Spirit.Gen 1:3 describes the arrival of light. This was not daylight, as such, as the sun is not created for a few more verses. This is a divine light, created by the hovering Spirit (the Holy Spirit). This light appears later on in the Bible after the creation is finished and is refered to as the Shekinah Glory. Here you have the visible representation of light and glory, and light being brought to the darkness to create what is "good" before m...
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Symbols - Heavenly Lights
2006-12-02 15:58:03
Symbolism: Heaven ly Light s, OverviewText Gen 1:14-18The text itself sets forth the reasons for these lights and gives clues as to their purpose symbolically.They are to be for seasons?this is related to the OT festival calendar mostlyThey are to be for clocks for days and yearsThey are to rule the day and the nightAs lights they are all representative of glory (Matt 13:43; 1 Cor 15:41), and are often associated with the heavenly host around the throne of God. These are both angelic hosts (Judges 5:20, Job 38:7 and Is 14:13) and also human (Gen 15:5, 22:17; 26:4; Deut 1:10).Because they rule time they represent rulers, and by virtue of the connection to humans also, governments. Because they keep time they also represent the natural life of said government or rulers. Ergo the fall of sun moon and stars in Biblical literature represents the fall of a government.Thus when a believer sees reference to this is Revelation, this is not meaning a meteor shower.
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Recommended Reading
2006-12-02 15:58:03
This page has all my recommended reading items, complete with links and reviews. Some of them may have been on my regular blog, others have not.A Hunger for God: Desiring God Through Fasting and Prayer Piper always communicates that we are created to serve God and enjoy him forever. There are times when I thought that perhaps the idea had been taken too far, however I do try to keep the context in mind. This book is not a "scholarly" treatment on fasting which would have occured if someone like Kim Riddlsebarger written it, however it is practical and inspiring. The first chapters are about fasting and it's relationship to ministry. The middle of the book is the good stuff, and the final chapters relate fasting in relation to a few public concerns. Piper does not present fasting as a law to be followed, nor does he present it as something of no relevence for today. It doesn't get into the faulty theology which teaches you can control God by fasting either. Piper is by and l...
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Alone with God?
2006-12-02 15:58:03
I'm an unashamed member of a subculture, and as such I sometimes am "blessed" by the scorn of fellow believers. I am often only accepted after lengthy associations during which fellow believers watch me and determine both that I am not an athiest or satanist due to my links to gothicism...and that I actually do have a working knowledge of my beliefs.When I meet with fellow Christian goths, I notice that we all have similar experiences. It is so heartbreaking for some that they decide not to attend church at all. It's so much easier for them to seek a "me and Jesus got our own thing goin'" approach. Sometimes the process of finding a doctrinally sound church is bad enough, without the added tension of my rather strange method of dress and household decoration thrown in. But I do think that seeking and ultimately finding the "best" option available is what I am expected by God to do...as opposed to throwing up my hands in disgust and giving up completely."Church" as an institu...
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Symbols - Trees and Thorns
2006-12-02 15:58:03
Hey, I've made it all the way to chapter seven of Through New Eyes by James Jordan. It is fascinating, though at times my eyes cross. Even though this is the third time I've read it, I still am learning new things. It is truly blessing me beyond belief.Chapter seven is about trees and thorns. Tree s get a whole chapter cause they're all through the Bible.In Gen 2, we trees as provision, both of food and of esthetic beauty...and shade from the sun after the fall. Leaves of trees are for healing and the fruit is for food (Ez 47:12;Rev 22;2 and Psalm 1:3)Biblical symbolism also makes trees representative of the people of God. We see trees fed by spiritual waters and healing the nations of the world through the gospel (these are the saints) and in Ez 17:23 Israel is presented as a great tree which shades the birds of all nations.Jesus repeated this parable in Matt 13, but changed the tree to a mustard tree, signalling a change in covenant (cedar to mustard, new planting).Hosea...
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Short Break - On Being Offensive
2006-12-02 15:58:03
I'm taking a few days away from "Through New Eyes" as I need to digest some of the stuff I've read before I can do a decent commentary on it. In the mean time I was poking about the net and visited Albert Mohler's Blog. His latest offering was a discussion about the "culture of offendedness". How timely. It seems religious faith is offensive to more than a few people, and the way religious faiths are portrayed by the media offends a few more. Everyone is offended these days. Mohler was dealing mainly in the context of religion vs society, but I see it between just about everyone. And for some reason we believe that we are entitled to NOT be offended by whatever views or actions other people take.For instance...as a Christian I supposedly have a right NOT to be offended by my neighbours kid mentioning "the goddess" at school, and this kids family have the right NOT to be offended by my child's faith in Christ. I'm sorry people, this is unworkable on the highest level if ...
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Symbols - Stones, Rocks and Other Gems
2006-12-02 15:58:03
God calls himself a rock...what is meant by this? I'm sure you have a few accurate ideas, I know that I have always had a few ideas as to what this meant. This is proof of course that the original thought, the original world view has been preserved in this area as the symbols still mean what God intended.1. Strength - they are hard, and if large enough, near impossible to crack.2. A Fortified Hiding Place - God put Moses in the Cleft of a rock to protect him (Ex 33:22) from His glory.3. Judgement - (Luke 20:17-18) Falling on the stone is the image of salvation, but the stone falling on you is judgement. We have the stone crushing the nations in Daniel 2.4. Foundation - (Eph 2:20, Matt 7:24-25) He is the foundation of the house, the Chief Cornerstone (and we are all living stones, part of being in His image).5. Provision - Isaiah 32:2 shows man acting like God, providing for the land. The rock in the wilderness provided water for His people.6. God's Glory - Ez 28:13-14 ...
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Symbolism - The Stars
2006-12-02 15:58:03
The fall of the sun moon and stars is often associated with the second coming, however, it is more Biblically consistent to assume that this refers to the collapse of nations...usually one in particular.Star s symbolise rulers and their times. In Gen 15, Abraham is told to go out and "tell" the stars and if he could do so, thus should his seed be. The word is usually translated as count, but sometimes means evaluate.There is a sense that of course this verse means that Abraham would have alot of descendents. However it is also valid to say that their history would mark time (as this is what stars do). When God made the covenant with Abraham, he showed his assent by burying the sun (making it dark). IF the seed would be "like the stars of heaven and dust of the earth, it wil have to be a new heavens and a new earth" (Jordan, pg 59)Then we have Joseph who dreamed that the stars would bow to him. It has been suggested that this was the zodiac and not individual stars and that the z...
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Symbols - The Sun
2006-12-02 15:58:03
The Sun, who rules the daytime, is used to symbolise the Lord. This can be found in PS 84:11 or in IS 60:1-3. The latter speaks of the light of the Lord shining on his people and nations coming to the light of him.In Rev 1:16, Jesus face shone like the sun.When night is overcome by day, it is symbolic of the coming of the kingdom. The Old Covenant can be seen as the nighttime, the New as the daylight (Mal 4:1-2), the two adams can also be seen as night and day.The sun can also in biblical literature mean counterfeit gods, this is shown in the life of Pharoah who pretended to be an incarnation of the sun and thus the sun was put out for three days in Ex 10.
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A Quick Quiz
2006-07-04 03:28:00
Well, thank God I'm not a heretic... Some things need improvement though. Perhaps the questions were murky. You scored as Chalcedon compliant. You are Chalcedon compliant. Congratulations, you're not a heretic. You believe that Jesus is truly God and truly man and like us in every respect, apart from sin. Officially approved in 451.Chalcedon compliant75%Nestorianism58%Monophysitism5 0%Modalism17%Adoptionist17%Pelagianism17% Apollanarian8%Arianism0%Docetism0%Gnostic ism0%Monarchianism0%Albigensianism0%Socin ianism0%Donatism0%Are you a heretic?created with Quiz Farm.com
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Prayer for Porn
2006-07-03 18:31:00
I got involved in a debate about the XXXchurch and it's methods for evangelising the porn industry on another blog. As I have said before, it pained me to have to criticise the methods (though I do believe they need refining) due to the amount of damage that industry does. Not just to the starts, but to families, individuals, the church, the culture...etc. If large amounts of people involved in the industry actually repented and received Christ, I can imagine how much difference that would make to the state of this world!?!Due to personal weaknesses in my soul (wounds caused by an ex and the industry) I could not go face to face with a porn star without discomfort and I'm not sure how charitable I'd be to a producer or distributor. I admit that since Christ lives in me, I should not shy away from such encounters, if the situation were appropriate (like one on one evangelism).But I also know that our experiences do not exist in a vacuum. God put them in my life for a reason...
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The Heap Theory
2006-06-29 02:10:00
The XXXChurch passing out "The Message" Bible paraphrases at the Erotica Expo in California certainly has stirred up a hornets nest, and IMO some necessary discussion. Is there a right way to do evangelism? Is there a wrong way? Does the end justify the means? If something is slightly skewed but "works" do you think we should continue to use it?I've watched the tapes about the move by XXXChurch to bring the gospel to the members of the Porn industry. It is quite interesting and it brings up some uncomfortable concepts. I listened to Al Mohler's commentary. I see that he had some points worth considering. I also believe that Pastor Gross from XXXChurch also did.Here are a few of my thoughts.1. XXXChurch is a ministry whose time has come. My ex husband ruined our marriage with pornography. I've looked at it from a standpoint that I wish no woman had to. I can't imagine the damage that BEING a porn actress (or actor) does to the soul. There was no effective method of h...
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Creationistically Correct
2006-06-22 20:30:00
Here in Sc, we have about a month left before school starts. As it does every year, the creationism vs evolution controversy will haunt Christian parents as they make decisions about their children's schooling. The Christian community will once again be set against the rest of society over the content of their children's education. It's an inevitable part of the reason I believe that all parents must teach their children at home. ... No this is not a rant about homeschooling, per se, though I do believe it is the most biblically correct option available. This is an admonition to parents to provide their children with the truth - whether they do it in lieu of or in spite of formal education.It would be easy to say to teach your children one of these theories from a christian perspective and be done with it. However, the truth does not reside within either side of this debate. One is closer than the other, but neither are the biblical view of Genesis One. Creation science is...
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Rapture Fever Again
2006-06-19 17:58:00
I really love to watch the History Channel, Discovery Channel, Learning Channel and all those type venues at night when I'm relaxing. I'm not glued to them, I do crochet, write, draw or whatever, but I find them fascinating. The only problem is that they will get on a roll with a topic and beat it to a bloody pulp. About a month before the DaVinci code came out, we had DaVinci code and grail hunts.Last week it was "Armageddon" and the "Rapture " which ran and ran. I'm not exactly sure but I suspect the release of "The Omen" caused that. I'd forgotten though exactly how ingrained in some US Christian traditions the whole pretribulation rapture and who is the anti-christ discussion actually is. Then I went into a Christian Forum to post and chat with some fellow believers. I'm no longer really into debating theology (for now, it may change next week) so I don't go into the discussions with people about it. I was momentarily taken about though about exactly how much bandwi...
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Thoughts about Father's Day
2006-06-18 03:28:00
Like everyone else, my father was never perfect. He had a quick temper, and he tended to be very judgemental of those who were not like him. However, the biggest flaw he had was a moral lapse in judgement, falling into alcohol abuse. He eventually got his life back, but I spent many more years after that seeing things from behind an empty beer can.While he was under the influence his temper magnified and he could be cruel. In response I taught myself to withdraw. When he sobered up, I remained in my emotional closet with my eyes closed fearing he'd fall again. They say a girl marries her father. Me...instead I married a man who lived a life much like one of my father's drunken episodes...and I believe it's because I was stuck in the past and too scared to step away from it.It was not abnormal for me to do that, we tend to colour our perceptions of people from their faults. But it's not always the best or healthy thing to do. When life presents us with hardship, sometime...
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North Carolina Sacred Sunday
2006-06-18 02:33:00
Somewhere in my memory, I’m standing in front of Park Baptist Church in Roanoke Rapids, NC. I’m about Kindergarten age, dressed in a frilly dress, black patent shoes and my curly Sunday hairdo. I carry a small leather purse, which contains 15 cents…5 for Sunday School and 10 for church. The church is mostly brick and surrounded by berry-laden shrubbery. Inside the church I will find white walls, wooden pews and a large cross. I’m there alone, my parents drop me off but do not join me themselves.I don’t feel alone or out of place though. I’m as much at home here as I am at home. I don’t remember my Sunday School teacher’s face…but I do remember her hands and all they did. They carried the collection basket and warmly greeted us with a grownup handshake. She called it “the right hand of fellowship” and it made us feel important. Or at least it made me feel important. Then she either squeezed our shoulders (if we were shy) or hugged us.Her hands also did...
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Get Rid of This Blasphemous Song!!
2006-06-03 05:24:00
It is inevitable that eventually, on some patriotic holiday or another, such as the 4th of July or Memorial Day...the church will choose as it's hymn "The Battle Hymn of the Republic." And on that day, I stand up and walk out for the duration of the hymn.WHY? Well there are several reasons. One of them is that this "hymn" was written as a reconstructionist propaganda peice after the War of Northern Aggression in order to brainwash Southerners into believing they were being punished by God for their sins. I find this offensive in and of itself. Secondly, this "hymn" was not written with a religious agenda, it was a political statement and as such has no place in corporate worship. That sort of thing has no place in a church. If the state wanted to recite this or commission people to sing this over the airwaves or whatever, that is one thing...But to have the church take part in political activity such as this is not right. I'm not saying the corporate body of Christ cannot ...
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Davinci nonsense
2006-05-29 17:04:00
Honestly if I hear much more about the movie the DaVinci Code I'm going to hurl. Funny thing is, I'm a conspiracy theory nut, I love to get sucked into them. A few of them I believe...(CFR/Illuminati type stuff). Those I don't believe I like to pretend I do for a while just to see where it will take me. I have a very good imagination and general distrust for the way things appear to be.I also know that it takes alot to shake my faith. A severe personal Crisis a long time ago galvanised things for me in such a way that well I'd have to be given divine knowledge before I admitted that my faith was based on a false premise. I'm grateful for that. But at the same time I think that if it hadn't happened I still would not be shaken by DaVinci Code. If your faith is shaken by fictional ramblings then it isn't very strong or real at all.Who knows. I might read the book one day if I'm bored. I'm not going to go see the movie, I don't really want to feed into the mass media frenzy a...
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WHY is this called the Reforming of the Raven?
2006-05-28 19:33:00
Well for one it's a play on words. I am "the raven" spoke of here and I am always being reformed.By WHAT though might be a good question to ask. There are three meanings of the word "reforming" as applies to my blog. The first is an allusion to the fact that I am a reformed believer, in the sense that I belong to the reformed/calvinist system of theology. This blog therefore is a written history of my struggles or "aha" moments when it comes to understanding good doctrine and theology and applying it to my life.The second is a pop culture reference. You hear of people saying "I am a reformed smoker" which means I no longer smoke, I've changed for the better, I'm improving. This is an intellectual chronical of some of the improvements which have occured in my life. Some of these things were caused by casting away of sin, others were caused by a greater understanding of truth, but it's always change for the better.The third is a spiritual reference. I am being reformed, as...
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To Tattoo or No?
2006-05-26 20:32:00
There are a lot of cultural expressions that scriptures say very little if anything about. Decorative tattoos are one of them. There are two verses about tattoos, in Leviticus and Isaiah. They appear to be clear that one should never put a tattoo on the body. Except that we need to take the context of the verse into account.When Moses and Isaiah wrote their verses, the chosen people lived in a land where the people who worshipped pagan gods and spirits would tattoo themselves as a form of worship, as a form of clan identity or as ways of keeping away evil spirits. Scripture is always very clear about avoiding pagan worship. God said this because He didn't want anyone worshipping pagan gods or trusting in anything other than Himself for protection. And they were a nation set apart, they did not need to take on the clan signs of foreign nations.However, if you look at what is being placed on the body in modern tattoo, you will not see much of that at all. Very few people get ...
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