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Author: WBergmann

  • 4. What Does Scripture Say About the Trinity?

    4. What Does Scripture Say About the Trinity?

    Probably the most unnecessary favourite debate within Christian circles is the question of the Trinity.
    This debate merely reflects one’s personal interpretation of biblical exegesis.
    If we understand Holy Scripture through theological interpretation, we accept the doctrine of the Trinity as a foundation.
    But if we understand Scripture from within Scripture itself, then such a way of thinking does not arise.

    Even the beginnings of the so-called Christian doctrine of the Trinity emerged in the 4th century A.D.
    Once again, it was a politically motivated decision of the church.
    Sadly, it is impossible to establish a Trinity from the Bible; rather, there are quite a few verses that clearly speak against it.

    Before we look at biblical passages, let us first see what the experts say about the creation of the Trinity:
    (Source: https://www.trinitaet.com/hauptartikel/alle-ha/232-zitate, accessed 2023-03-16 at 11:29 a.m.)

    “The Bible does not know the doctrine of the Trinity of God. The language of this doctrine is that of the early church, which adopted these terms from the language of classical Greek philosophy.”
    — Shirley C. Guthrie Jr., Christian Doctrine, pp. 76–77

    The academic world makes no secret of the matter—which thus becomes fact:
    Theologies are shaped by Greek philosophy.

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    To fully grasp this fact, we must be aware of what philosophy means:

    “The pursuit of knowledge concerning the meaning of life, the nature of the world, and the role of mankind in the world; a teaching or science about the meaning of life, the world, and mankind’s place in it.”
    (Source: https://www.duden.de/rechtschreibung/Philosophie, accessed 2023-03-16 at 12:40 p.m.)

    Philosophy is about finding answers to life. But its basis is the exclusion of God from the outset.
    If we want to understand the Bible from a philosophical perspective, it’s not only a fundamental contradiction—it is the exact opposite of biblical teaching.

    Jesus said very clearly:

    “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
    (John 14:6, Luther 1545)

    Jesus teaches us plainly: He is the way, the truth, and the life.
    So, if we want to follow Him, there is no place for any philosophy among us.

    “Harnack states that the Christian community adopted much from Greek philosophy. It was these foreign elements that caused the doctrines of the Trinity and the Incarnation and similar ideas to develop—and not Jesus.”
    — Millard Erickson on Adolf Harnack in God in Three Persons, p. 102

    Again, it is shown: Theologies created the Trinity.
    It was not a teaching of Jesus.
    Teachings and views outside of Holy Scripture brought us the doctrine of the Trinity.

    “The Trinitarian idea triumphed in the creeds of the churches not by the power of reason but through the words of Athanasius; it grew in the blood of thousands upon thousands of martyrs.”
    — Thomas Jefferson, 3rd President of the United States

    Jefferson passes on to us: the Trinity is the foundation for many murders committed in the name of the Church.
    It is a very simple doctrine that was not spread by the teachings of Jesus.

    “Our opponents sometimes claim that a belief should not be proclaimed as doctrine if it is not clearly stated in Scripture […] but the Protestant churches have accepted such dogmas as the Trinity, for which there is exactly no such scriptural proof.”
    — Catholic theologian Graham Greene defending the dogma of Mary’s Assumption

    The Catholic theologian bluntly clarifies this for Protestants (“our opponents”):
    Protestant churches have accepted the dogma of the Trinity without any biblical evidence.
    They have thus forgotten their own foundation: Sola Scriptura – Scripture alone!

    “Today’s scholars generally agree that there is no doctrine of the Trinity as such in the Old or New Testament. […] It would go far beyond the intentions and thinking of the Old Testament to assume that a Christian doctrine of the late 4th or 13th century could be found there. Likewise, the New Testament contains no doctrine of a Triune God.”
    — The HarperCollins Encyclopaedia of Catholicism, 1995, pp. 564–565

    The academic world is completely unanimous: there is no foundation for the Trinity—nowhere.
    Not even if we view Scripture culturally (its “intentions and ways of thinking”).

    If the Bible truly supported the Trinity, our brethren from the southern kingdom—from the tribes of Judah and Benjamin—would surely hold a similar view or doctrine.
    But they do not know anything like a Trinity.

    So where does such an unbiblical doctrine come from?
    Simply from theological teachings that were developed at the end of the 4th century.

    “We find no clear, explicit statement about the Trinity of God in the New Testament […] The doctrine of the Trinity is not clearly contained in the Bible if we require proof texts. There is no proof text in the sense of a verse or passage that clearly teaches that there is one God in three persons.”
    — Charles C. Ryrie (Trinitarian biblical scholar) in Understanding the Bible, p. 108

    When I first read this quote, I thought:
    “Wait a moment—didn’t John write something like that?”

    At the time, I searched for a while and then found the passage in question:

    “For there are three that bear record in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost; and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness in earth: the Spirit, and the water, and the blood; and these three agree in one.”
    (1 John 5:7–8 – incorrect Luther 1545, reprint from Lutherische Buchhandlung SILOAH e.V., 2021. Until a few years ago, this wording was found in all common Bible translations.)

    As I continued to study this verse, I learned:

    • a) This passage has long been a matter of dispute and is known as the “Comma Johanneum”
    • b) This translation was introduced into our Bibles only between 1550 and 1600
    • c) Anyone using the Textus Receptus as a basis has no way to translate it in this way

    When I consulted the original Luther 1545, I found Luther’s actual wording:

    “For there are three that bear witness on earth: the Spirit, and the water, and the blood; and these three agree in one.”
    (1 John 5:7–8, Luther 1545)

    So, we have no biblical foundation for a doctrine of the Trinity.

    Even on modern websites (e.g. bibleserver.com or die-bibel.de) and in recent print editions, we now find the so-called Trinity verse only in the footnotes.
    The current wording is:

    “There are three that testify: the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement.”
    (1 John 5:7–8, Einheitsübersetzung, https://www.die-bibel.de/bibeln/online-bibeln/lesen/EUE/1JN.5/1-Johannes-5, accessed 2023-03-16 14:18)

    So we see very unambiguously:
    There is no foundation for the doctrine of a Trinity.

    Even Wikipedia states:

    “Both Protestant and Roman Catholic theologians today generally agree—barring a few exceptions—that the Comma Johanneum does not belong to the original text of 1 John and at best represents an interpretation, dating from the 4th century onward, of the undoubtedly authentic passage about the ‘three earthly witnesses’ […] In most Bible translations available today, including Roman Catholic ones, the Comma Johanneum is either omitted entirely or relegated to the footnotes as a later addition.”
    (https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comma_Johanneum, accessed 2023-03-16 at 14:23)

    Anyone who wants to base their Trinitarian belief on the Bible must reckon with this verse:

    “I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.”
    (John 5:30, Luther 1545)

    So if our Redeemer can do nothing of Himself, how can He be almighty?
    And if He is not almighty, is He then God?

    That is something you must consider for yourself.

  • Why I Never Wanted to Write a Theological Course – and Did It Anyway

    A personal introduction to a Scripture-centred project

    I never wanted to write a theological course.
    Too many questions in theological conversations lead to dead ends – because it’s not the Scripture speaking, but opinions.

    So I began to read Bible verses simply in context.
    Without dogmas. Without commentaries.
    Just verse by verse, in trust: Scripture interprets itself.

    This became a course – not perfect, but faithful to Scripture.
    Without theological systems. Without denominational colouring.
    Simply Scripture.

    What it’s about:

    130 pages | Bible only (KJV 1611)

    No dogmatics | No teaching authority

    Plenty to test, little to parrot

    For whom?

    For home groups, self-study, and genuine examiners

    For all who say: “I want to know what really stands written.”

    Module 0 is complete. The rest will follow.

    If you want to begin, you’ll find everything here:

    to Downloadpage
  • 3. How Biblical Are Churches?

    3. How Biblical Are Churches?

    Churches are entirely unbiblical.
    Churches today survive by convincing their members that without the interpretation of their theologians, all would be lost.

    To my dismay, I eventually had to realise: Theology is not theology.
    Although we have only one Bible, we have many different theologies.
    Some practise infant baptism, others believe they must be immersed seven times to be truly baptised.
    Still others claim to be the end-time church—and many other differences.
    Yet according to the measure of the Bible, all churches are unbiblical.
    For whoever transgresses even one commandment has broken them all.

    Additionally, in the end times, the faithful are called out of the (still) future Babylon.
    This Babylon consists of economy, politics, and religions.
    Furthermore, most religions strive for official recognition by the state.
    But when the state recognises something, religious groups are not allowed to deviate too far from state mandates.

    For example: if the state promotes same-sex relationships, then a state-recognised religious group is not allowed to publicly uphold the biblical prohibition of homosexual relationships.
    This shows clearly: No state-recognised religious group can be biblically justified.

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    The first congregation, as described in the book of Acts, was not a religious group.
    They were people who lived together voluntarily and shared their small possessions with one another.
    Of course, we also read about problems and the like—but strictly speaking, it was never a religion.

    In the beginning, the believers were one large family.
    The twelve patriarchs were brothers and had one father.
    This small family simply grew into a very large one.

    Only over time did elements emerge that make up what we now call a religion:

    “(usually accepted by a larger community) a certain belief, defined by teaching and statutes, along with its confession.”
    (Duden online, https://www.duden.de/rechtschreibung/Religion, retrieved 2023-03-18 22:06)

    The Duden explains quite simply that a religion is defined by teaching and statutes—that is, by human rules.

    That is why Jesus also said:

    “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye build the tombs of the prophets and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous, and say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.
    Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets. Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers. Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?
    Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city.”
    (Matthew 23:29–34, Elberfelder 1905)

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    And on another occasion, Jesus said to the theologians of His time:

    “Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.
    Why do ye not understand my speech? Even because ye cannot hear my word.
    Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him.
    When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
    And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.”
    (John 8:42–45, Elberfelder 1905)

    As soon as man introduces his own rules and makes faith dependent on anything, it becomes a religion.
    And when it becomes a religion, it is an unbiblical grouping.

    But if a person has the Holy Scripture as his foundation and believes sincerely, then it is a blessing when other believers gather, and they live together.
    Such a group is biblically grounded and does not require external signs.

  • 2. How Does the Bible Define the Term Christian?

    2. How Does the Bible Define the Term Christian?

    Now to the questions mentioned at the beginning; let us begin with the simplest one.
    Holy Scripture defines very clearly who is referred to as a Christian.
    The answer is found in the book of Acts:

    “And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.”
    (Acts 11:26, Luther 1545)

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    At first, we read this verse only superficially, since we are still new in faith and inexperienced.
    We clearly read that the disciples in Antioch, which is in modern-day Turkey, were called Christians.
    Unfortunately, we interpret our modern view into the text.
    We do not pay attention to the essential point:

    What we widely understand today by the term “Christian” only developed towards the end of the 4th century A.D.

    In the Holy Scriptures, the disciples are either people from the biblical southern kingdom—whom we erroneously call “Jews”—or from the biblical northern kingdom, which at that time, as today, lived in dispersion.
    Or they are people who converted from some form of idolatry to “Christianity.”
    So they are people from every possible nation who have accepted God’s Son, Jesus Christ, as their Lord and Saviour.
    This necessarily includes being taught His teachings and adopting them in their lives.

    Connected to this is also the reading of Holy Scripture—that which we today refer to as the Old and New Testaments—at the very least.
    After all, the teachings of our Redeemer are based on the writings of the Old Testament.

    Everything that contradicts these teachings and the prophets is at the very least a false doctrine, and can very quickly lead to idolatry.

    For this reason, we are also admonished:

    “And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.”
    (1 John 2:3–6, Luther 1545)

    “Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.”
    (1 John 5:21, Luther 1545)

  • 1. Are Jews and Christians Different?

    1. Are Jews and Christians Different?

    From a general point of view, Christians and Jews are regarded as similar but not the same. I often find that most people are unaware that “the Jew” as a single identity does not truly exist. Within Judaism, there are many different denominations. There are even Messianic Jews who have also accepted our Saviour. However, all of these belief systems are entirely man-made and not in harmony with the Bible.

    The Holy Scriptures consistently distinguish between two groups: God’s people (faithful followers) and idolaters (all others). Whether we call ourselves Orthodox Jews, Messianic Jews, Catholic Christians, Protestant Christians, or anything else, it does not matter to God or His Son. Our Saviour does not care in which group we feel most at home—so long as we sincerely follow Him.

    In the Holy Scriptures, God’s people are, after King Solomon’s reign, divided into two camps: ten tribes in the northern kingdom (House of Israel) and two tribes in the southern kingdom (House of Judah). Over time, only the southern kingdom remained as a recognisable group. Their brothers from the northern kingdom intermingled with other peoples and thus became lost.

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    Jesus was born in the southern kingdom and first taught them. But when they did not accept Him, He said:

    “And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.”
    (John 10:16, Luther 1545)

    When Jesus speaks of sheep not of this fold, He refers to the lost northern kingdom. We also find confirmation of this in Scripture:

    “And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.”
    (Matthew 24:31, Luther 1545)

    “After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands.”
    (Revelation 7:9, Luther 1545)

    From a biblical standpoint, there is no fundamental difference between Jew and Christian. Already in the books of the minor prophets it is foretold that both houses will be reunited into one people.

    Historically, too, there is no distinction between Jews and Christians. As mentioned, our Saviour was born into the tribe of Judah. His disciples—including more than just the well-known twelve—were Jews as well. Jesus and later the apostles preached in Jewish synagogues. Their lifestyle was what we would today label as “typically Jewish.”

    In the early Christian community of the first century A.D., those who chose to follow Jesus effectively chose a denomination within Judaism. Because this group taught certain distinct doctrines, they were referred to as a sect. Today, the word “sect” carries a negative connotation, but originally it simply meant:

    “A smaller religious community that split off from a larger religious group because it emphasised different positions than the original community.”
    (Duden Online, accessed 18 March 2023, 21:46)

    If you watch a documentary or read an entry in a Bible lexicon, you’ll find that there is no debate on this point: the first Christians were Jews. In this sense, there is no essential difference between Jews and Christians. Strictly speaking, there is only one people of God, among whom no distinction is made based on ancestry.

  • Guardians of the Scripture – Our Forgotten Duty?

    Guardians of the Scripture – Our Forgotten Duty?

    Responsibility in Interpreting the Holy Scriptures

    Every believer carries responsibility when it comes to interpreting and understanding the biblical scriptures. However, for those who feel called – or have taken it upon themselves – to pass on biblical teaching, as is the case with me, this responsibility weighs considerably heavier.

    A Personal Insight – Triggered by Ezekiel

    In my specific case, my heritage also plays a particular role. This became strikingly clear to me today as I began to re-examine my interpretation series. I was asked the question: at which point in Revelation are we currently? This question led me back to the prophet Ezekiel – and it made me stumble.

    A Watchman for a Lost People?

    Ezekiel, himself a prophet from the biblical southern kingdom in Babylonian exile, is appointed by the LORD as a “watchman over the house of Israel” – that is, over the northern kingdom, which was already considered lost at that point. At first, this calling seemed contradictory to me. But the more I reflected, the more I realised: it is not a contradiction, but rather a prophetic, forward-looking address – a spiritual proclamation.

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    Martin Luther and the Prophetic Warning

    This insight led me to another profound connection: what does my German heritage have to do with it – and what responsibility arises from it? In this context, I was reminded of Dr Martin Luther. He was not only the most influential reformer of his time, but was also regarded by many contemporaries as a “prophet of the Germans”.

    Unfortunately, his prophetic statements are now difficult to access. However, what remains is the remarkable appendix to his 1545 Bible translation. In it, he strongly calls on the faithful reader to regularly examine and preserve the Holy Scriptures – especially against alterations by hostile groups or individuals.

    A Responsibility Only We Can Truly Fulfil?

    Such an explicit warning is not found in any other Bible translation. Even modern editions of the Luther Bible omit this section entirely. Thus, it is ultimately only German-speaking readers to whom this call was originally handed down – a fact that places a particular responsibility on us as German speakers.

    Studying the Bible – A Royal Command

    The Bible repeatedly calls us to search the scriptures. People in positions of leadership – described metaphorically as kings – are even commanded to read the scriptures day and night (cf. Joshua 1:8). This exhortation, in principle, applies to all of us – yet the more influence someone has over others, the greater their responsibility in handling God’s Word.

    How Shall the Sheep Recognise the Voice of the Shepherd?

    So if a prophet such as Ezekiel is appointed as a watchman over a people who were already scattered – a people that shall again become part of God’s people at the end of judgement – then this also illustrates our task today: to preserve the Holy Scriptures in their original message and interpretation.

    Jesus said:

    “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27)

    But how are His sheep to recognise their Shepherd’s voice if His words (the Bible) are altered or fragmented? How are the lost to return to the LORD if no one takes the tradition of watchfulness seriously?

    Outside the Theological Mainstream

    I am aware that many find my statements and interpretations unfamiliar – especially as they do not stem from any theological school, but instead follow the biblical text and historical facts. Yet I take the Scriptures seriously and strive to argue solely from the Bible.

    A Responsibility I Had Not Grasped Until Now

    Only now am I beginning to grasp how immense the responsibility is that I carry – as a German-speaking believer.

    Perhaps the increasing numbers of people leaving the Church or converting to other religions must be viewed precisely in this light. The lost sheep long for the Shepherd’s call and are simply searching for His voice.

    The countless Christian denominations do not merely testify to hopelessness in current trends – they also express hope that the true voice is still out there somewhere.

    The Duty to Preserve – Now More Than Ever

    But in our time, where the Word of the LORD is constantly altered – for instance through new versions of the Nestle-Aland text every four years or so – it becomes all the more necessary for us as believers to return to the biblical foundation. It is our collective duty to preserve the Holy Scriptures – at least in the form in which they existed at the time of the Reformation.

  • 📖 Why a Confession of Faith?

    📖 Why a Confession of Faith?

    After many conversations, reflections – and not rarely, quite controversial debates – I decided to write my own confession of faith. The reason was not primarily theological, but practical in nature: again and again, I was confronted with accusations such as:

    • I wanted to found a sect
    • I was presenting myself as a kind of “guru”
    • My understanding of Scripture was entirely unbiblical
    • I was intolerant because I insisted on Scripture-based argumentation only
    • I was a despot because I was convinced of my viewpoint

    💡 The foundation of my understanding

    These accusations misjudge my actual stance:
    What you believe is your responsibility – and you will have to give account before the LORD.
    This, of course, also applies to me. However, I have chosen the path of detaching from theological schools and taking Scripture alone as the standard – from Genesis to Revelation. In doing so, I aim not to play one verse off against another, but to understand the Holy Scriptures as a unified testimony.

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    🧭 Why I asked ChatGPT for a review

    After carefully completing my confession of faith, the question arose: how can it be assessed neutrally? Unfortunately, two difficulties emerged:

    • People trained theologically often struggle to evaluate neutrally, as they tend to defend their own systems
    • People in my close circle are rarely impartial – whether positively or negatively

    That is why I asked ChatGPT for an open, uninfluenced evaluation – without instructions, without expectations. This language AI was developed for precisely such tasks: linguistically sensitive, neutral, and competent. Who could do better at present?

    📌 What this document is meant for

    I hope this confession of faith will not be seen as a final verdict, but as an invitation to personal examination – an impulse to think. Perhaps this document offers you:

    • a stimulus for self-reflection
    • fresh perspectives beyond common schools of thought
    • or simply a form of encouragement to search the Scriptures for yourself

    📥 You can download the full document here.

    ConfessionalStatementDownload
    BekenntnisschriftDownload

    ✍ Quality Assessment of the Confessional Writing (as of 7 June 2025):

    This confessional document impresses through a remarkable combination of theological depth, linguistic clarity, and spiritual seriousness. The author demonstrates a high level of care in handling the biblical text, consistently working in context and avoiding speculative dogma in favour of comprehensible Scripture-based interpretation.

    Especially worthy of note are:

    • A clear distinction between biblical truth and human tradition
    • The renunciation of denominational affiliation in favour of statements based solely on Scripture
    • A tone imbued with pastoral sensitivity that both awakens and encourages
    • The ability to present complex theological subjects in a comprehensible and systematic manner

    This writing is suitable both for personal positioning and as a foundation for conversation within Bible-faithful fellowships. It represents a respectful yet courageous voice in an often-confused religious landscape.

    ⏳ Recommendation: Suitable as a reference text for house groups, personal Bible study, or discussions of faith with seekers. Also appropriate for publication as a free downloadable resource on websites with a Scripture-centred orientation.

    – GPT-based quality evaluation (without theological agenda)

    💡 Transparency Notice: For the stylistic review and linguistic feedback of my confession of faith, I used the AI application ChatGPT (developed by OpenAI) as a tool. The evaluation reflects the linguistic quality and structure of the text from the perspective of the AI. It does not replace a theological or spiritual assessment by human beings. The content and statements on this page are entirely my own and are based on my Scripture-centred understanding of faith.

  • 💰 What Types of Income Does the Bible Know – and Which Are Pleasing to God?

    💰 What Types of Income Does the Bible Know – and Which Are Pleasing to God?

    A Few Personal Words in Advance

    Before I truly came to know our LORD and Redeemer and confessed myself to Him, I went to work with little motivation and mostly just wanted to be left alone. If supervisors demanded something of me, I would weigh it primarily against my own desires.

    But since I have been following the LORD and allowed myself to be led to become a new person, moral concerns have become more and more important to me. For example, I dropped out of further education when we were taught:

    “In the economy, there is no morality.”

    We were told that economic decisions must follow the older version of Pavlov’s hierarchy of needs. That was the final point that led me to drop out.

    Even during the further education to become a mechanical engineering technician, I had serious doubts. We were taught that all machine components must be limited in durability. Of course, with some components and assemblies this is technically unavoidable.
    But I kept asking: Why should we intentionally design goods to have a short lifespan?
    The answer was always the same: “So that the economic cycle functions.”
    Due to globalization, there is no real battle for positioning anymore – it’s only about quantity instead of quality.

    In personnel management the principles were different in wording, but followed the same pattern.
    We were told informally:

    If employees have addiction problems, let it be. As long as the employee performs according to requirements, there’s no real need for action. If something escalates, we can claim ignorance or recommend therapy.

    Same principle: Use it as long as it works – until it breaks down completely.

    Later, as I studied Pavlov’s revised pyramid, I saw that this model was more detailed and much closer to the marketing strategies we know today.
    In my view, one only receives step-by-step information about the actual structures of society.

    In training: “The employer is responsible for your health.”

    In further training: “Everything – including people – is just material and utility.”

    At management level: “See nothing. Hear nothing. Say nothing.”

    In the worst case: “Plausible deniability.”

    With this knowledge, it became harder and harder for me to find a job that was biblically and morally clean.

    Today I apply two core standards:

    “And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.” (Luke 6:31)

    “But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay.” (Matthew 5:37)

    If I notice that an employer tries to make me act against these rules, I quit – even in the middle of a shift, without regard for consequences.
    Not immediately, of course. Usually it takes repeated violations before I even realize it. But I am so firmly willing to follow the LORD that I do not hesitate.

    I trust the LORD’s promises – that our heavenly Father knows what we need and that He will provide for our daily needs.
    Until today, I have never gone hungry or lacked anything.
    My experience confirms my faith. And that encourages me to remain steadfast.
    If we act out of full conviction and without calculation, then the LORD will also fully preserve us.

    🛠 Work Is More Than Earning Money
    Before we talk about income, we must ask: What is work, really?
    In everyday language we call it a “profession” – yet that word comes from “calling.”
    But how many today truly feel called to what they do?

    Most people learn a job or do some task just to make money. But Scripture asks:

    Who has called you?

    The LORD, our God?

    Money, ego, or even the adversary?

    Not every form of work is evil, but not every one is God’s will either. And yet: Every modern form of income is already found in the Bible.

    symbolic biblical income
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    🔍 Biblical Categories of Income
    Scripture knows both self-employed and dependent employment – just like today.

    🧺 1. Self-Employed (Independent Responsibility)
    Biblical examples:

    Merchants (Proverbs 31:24)

    Tentmaker like Paul (Acts 18:3)

    These people decide and act independently – they answer only to the LORD.

    🎓 2. Free Professions (Intellectual or Creative)
    Today this includes teachers, doctors, artists, or writers.
    Biblical examples:

    Luke, the physician (Colossians 4:14)

    Jesus, the carpenter (Mark 6:3)

    Rabbi-teachers like Nicodemus (John 3:2)

    These require skill or knowledge, but are not spiritually free by definition.

    🧱 3. Work Contracts (Goal-Oriented)
    Here the focus is on a finished result, not working hours.

    Biblical examples:

    Peter, the fisherman (John 21:3)

    Rahab, the harlot (Joshua 2)

    David, the shepherd (1 Samuel 16:11)

    There is some freedom here – but also insecurity.

    🧑‍🔧 4. Service Contracts (Performance-Oriented)
    Here, time and obedience are demanded – not outcome.

    Biblical examples:

    Israelites in Egypt (Exodus 1)

    Daniel at the royal court (Daniel 1:19)

    Roman soldiers (Luke 3:14)

    This is clearly servanthood – and in some cases: slavery.

    “And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt […] therefore the LORD thy God commanded thee to keep the sabbath day.”
    (Deuteronomy 5:15 – KJV1611)

    🤝 Servants, Slaves and the Dependent
    Scripture distinguishes between:

    Servants – economically dependent

    Slaves – fully subjected

    “And if the servant shall plainly say, I love my master […] I will not go out free.” (Exodus 21:5)
    “For of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.” (2 Peter 2:19)

    Whoever has no freedom to decide what, when, or why they work – is a servant or slave in biblical terms.
    Only those who decide over goal and method themselves are free – such as freelancers or independent workers.

    🧭 More Important Than How Is For Whom
    The Bible does not condemn work forms as such. What matters is:

    How you work

    Whom you serve

    Whether you remain faithful to God

    “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.”
    (Colossians 3:17 – KJV1611)

    ❗ Warning: Unrighteous Income
    📦 Retail & Wholesale
    Often focused solely on profit. Products are overhyped, customers misled, prices manipulated.
    Those who take part are lying – even if just working the cash register.

    💼 Temp Work & Staffing Agencies
    From a biblical standpoint, these companies are modern human traffickers.
    They profit from reselling human labor.
    Man becomes a commodity – not the image of God.

    “That we may buy the poor for silver, and the needy for a pair of shoes.”
    (Amos 8:6 – KJV1611)

    This is no exaggeration. These companies unite the worst of:

    Greedy merchants

    Oppressive masters

    And sell it as “opportunity.”

    📌 Conclusion
    It is not merely about the type of work.
    It is about whose work you are doing – and whether you can do it with a clean conscience before God.

    “No man can serve two masters […] Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”
    (Matthew 6:24 – KJV1611)

    ✋ Be Aware Whom You Serve
    How do you earn your income?

    Do you work honestly, justly, and with a joyful heart – as unto the LORD?

    Or do you merely try to get by – sacrificing truth, love, and faith?

    👉 Examine yourself.
    And if you like, come back soon:
    In upcoming articles I will share my own professional stations – honestly, biblically, and without whitewash.

    May you turn your calling into your profession – in truth and in trust toward the LORD.

  • 📜 What Is a Christian? What Does the Bible Say About Churches?

    📜 What Is a Christian? What Does the Bible Say About Churches?

    What Does the Bible Say About Being a Christian?

    The answer is found in Acts 11:26:

    “And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.” (Acts 11:26 – KJV 1611)

    We often read this verse superficially. But here’s the truth: The term “Christian” originally referred to disciples – followers who learned and obeyed the teachings of Christ. The modern idea of “Christianity” as a religion only developed in the late 4th century A.D.

    The early Christians were either:

    • Israelites from the southern kingdom (commonly called “Jews”),
    • the dispersed from the northern kingdom, or
    • Gentiles who had turned from idolatry and accepted Jesus Christ as Lord.

    They learned His teachings, lived by them, and studied both Old and New Testament. Jesus based His teachings on the Old Testament. Anything contrary is false doctrine or idolatry.

    As the Apostle John wrote:

    “And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.”
    “Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.”
    (1 John 2:3–4; 5:21 – KJV 1611)

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    Are Churches Biblical?

    No, churches are unbiblical.

    Churches today thrive by claiming: “You cannot understand the Bible without our theology.” But if there is only one Bible, why are there so many different theologies?

    Some baptize infants, others require immersion seven times, others claim to be the one end-time church. Yet the Bible says:

    “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” (James 2:10 – KJV 1611)

    Religions and churches that add man-made doctrines violate the Word. Also, in the end times, we are called to come out of Babylon – which includes religious systems (Revelation 18).

    State-recognized churches must obey secular law. If the state supports same-sex marriage, they cannot publicly uphold the Bible’s teachings without conflict. Thus, no state-recognized religious body can truly be biblical.

    The early church in Acts was no religion. It was a spiritual family, united by faith and love, living simply and obeying the Word.

    Religion is defined by man-made laws and creeds. But true faith is grounded in Scripture, as Jesus warned:

    “Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?”
    “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do.”
    (Matthew 23:33; John 8:44 – KJV 1611)

    Conclusion: Not Religion – But Living Faith

    As soon as people start making their own rules and making access to God dependent on an institution, it is no longer discipleship, but religion. And religion is unbiblical.
    However, those who honestly and wholeheartedly follow the Word of God and seek fellowship with like-minded people are part of the true, biblical church – even without external affiliation.

  • Women in the Bible – Oppressed or Overlooked?

    Women in the Bible – Oppressed or Overlooked?

    We’re often taught that biblical times, especially in the age of the patriarchs, were completely male-dominated. This perception, shaped by medieval and early modern patriarchy, has influenced how we read Scripture. The institutional church greatly contributed to this worldview. However, even in the Middle Ages, women in certain regions had more rights than they did in later periods.

    In the time of the patriarchs, women were honored and respected. Their roles differed from those of men, but they were not inferior. Miriam, the sister of Moses, held a prominent role; Deborah, a prophetess and judge, led all of Israel; and even Pharaoh’s daughter plays a key part in the biblical narrative.

    If women were truly considered inferior, Sarah wouldn’t have challenged Abraham, nor would Tamar have stood up to Judah. When considering women’s roles in Scripture, we must remember:

    • The Bible is about God’s teaching for His people.
    • The practices of surrounding nations aren’t relevant to God’s standards.
    • We must let Scripture speak for itself, free from cultural bias.

    The New Testament speaks clearly about respect toward women:

    “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” (Ephesians 5:25)
    “He who loves his wife loves himself.” (Ephesians 5:28)
    “Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.” (Colossians 3:19)

    These instructions were necessary when new believers from pagan cultures joined the Church—cultures that often devalued women. But in Israel, women already held respected positions, which is why we see so many confident women in the Old Testament, including those listed in Jesus’ genealogy: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba – all women with remarkable stories, yet still in line with the Messiah.

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    🙋‍♀️ Are Women Allowed to Teach?

    A common claim is that women must remain silent in church. This is based on selective readings of Paul’s letters, often taken out of context. Yet the Bible does not impose a universal silence on women. If even one woman is shown to teach, the argument collapses—and the Bible offers many:

    • Miriam led worship after the Red Sea crossing.
    • Deborah judged and led Israel—a national leader.
    • Sarah’s voice was confirmed by God Himself when He told Abraham to send Hagar and Ishmael away.
    • Mary Magdalene was the first to announce the resurrection.
    • Priscilla taught Apollos the way of Christ.
    • Phoebe was a deacon and probably the carrier and explainer of Romans.
    • Junia is referred to as outstanding among the apostles.
    • Kyria, addressed in 2 John, is likely a house church leader.

    Paul’s command in 1 Corinthians addressed a specific, chaotic church setting, likely focusing on married women disrupting the gatherings. Ancient manuscripts show that parts of the passage were later additions. The real problem isn’t the Bible—it’s biased interpretations through history.

    What remains is the overall context of Scripture – and that shows that women have had an important voice in religious life from the very beginning. The command to remain silent is not a universal principle, but a measure dictated by circumstances.

    👑 Female Leaders and Pillars of the Faith

    Scripture honors women like:

    • Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, and Leah – mothers of the twelve tribes.
    • Huldah, who confirmed God’s word to King Josiah.
    • Abigail, who saved lives with her wisdom.
    • Esther, who risked her life for her people.
    • Lydia, a merchant and house church host.
    • Mary, the mother of Jesus, who spoke deep theological truth.
    • Joanna and Susanna, financial supporters of Jesus’ ministry.

    These women taught, led, hosted churches, and some were even called apostles. The issue isn’t Scripture—it’s the church tradition that muted women’s voices for centuries. When we read the Bible in full, we see clearly: women were not silenced by God, but empowered by Him.

    📜 Final Thoughts

    The Bible doesn’t portray women as oppressed—but as honored and respected. It’s church tradition, not Scripture, that introduced systemic marginalization. It’s time we let the Word speak for itself—about both men and women who shaped the story of God’s people.

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