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Darkness to Light - Vol. XXII, No. 2
Darkness to Light
Christian Newsletter
Volume XXII, Number 2
2024
Presented by
Darkness to
Light Website
Director: Gary F. Zeolla
In This Issue
Joe Biden Tweets Distortions About Spring Holidays
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God’s Sex Plan: Volume Two: What the New Testament Teaches About Human Sexuality - Many issues are discussed in this book that are related to sex, including but not limited to: monogamy, marital sex, polygamy, incest, homo-sexuality, premarital sex (fornication), extramarital sex (adultery), celibacy, transsexualism, reproduction, infertility, contraception, abortion, sexual harassment and assault, masturbation, pornography, gender roles, and school and other mass shootings (yes, those are related to this topic).
Joe Biden Tweets Distortions About Spring Holidays
By Gary F. Zeolla
Joe Biden claims to be a Christian. Yet, he supports the killing of unborn babies, the sinful and destructive LGBTQ movement, the sexual mutilation of children, pagan holidays, and he cannot even get the meaning of Jewish and Christian holidays correct. I detail these unchristian positions by Biden in my series on Biden’s failing presidency.
In this article, I will look at the latter, his problematic comments about spring holidays. Despite being a Catholic, he seems woefully unknowledgeable about the import of Christian and Jewish holidays.
The following article is composed of excerpts from two of my series of five books on Biden’s failing presidency. In the books, the referenced Bible passages are quoted in full from the Analytical-Literal Translation of The Torah, of the Prophetic Books, and of the New Testament. But for the sake of space, they are just referenced here.
Format:
Original tweets by Biden are prefaced by the name line, “President Biden @POTUS.” Biden’s tweets always end with the date of the tweet (e.g., July 1, 2021). Tweets are copied as is, except to sometimes change the paragraphing for the sake of proper formatting of URLs or for space.
I always preface my comments with “To comment,” so the reader can distinguish between my comments and the tweet. My comments within tweets are offset by brackets. They usually indicate the length of a video or describe a tweeted picture, sometimes with commentary by me. Longer comments by me are prefaced by a subtitle reading: “Extended Comment” and the topic of the comment. They end with “Back to Biden.”
February 17, 2021
President Biden @POTUS
Today, I join Christians around the world in observing Ash Wednesday. As we enter the season of Lent, we know this moment of repentance, reflection, and renewal comes in the midst of a painful winter. Let us look with hope and anticipation toward Easter and brighter days ahead. Feb 17, 2021
To comment, Trump was vilified when he declared we could re-open the country by Easter 2020. The problem then was we should never have closed anything to begin with. The problem here is you are trying to tie Lent and Easter into the virus [Covid]. But they have nothing to do with it. Lent is about preparing for Jesus’ death on the cross for our sins and then His victory over death in His resurrection on Easter Sunday. That is spiritual, not physical.
March 26, 2021
President Biden @POTUS
As we recall the Passover story of overcoming adversity, finding hope, and becoming free, we find a renewed salience. This weekend, as Seders close with the familiar refrain, “Next year in Jerusalem,” we offer an additional prayer: Next year in person. Next year, together. [2:22 video] Mar 26, 2021
Extended Comment
Passover and Christ’s Sacrifice
Biden is ignoring all of the Biblical information about Passover and tries to turn it into some kind of self-improvement day and a reference to overcoming Covid. He also does not even mention God. That is a travesty. It is to miss the whole point of the ceremony.
Passover is about God sovereignly delivering the Israelites out of slavery. That deliverance occurred when the Angel of Death “passed over” the houses the Jews by faith marked with blood. It was a foreshadowing of God’s greater deliverance though the death of His Son. Now, God’s judgment will “pass over” those who are marked by the blood of Christ by trusting in Jesus Christ and His death on the cross for the forgiveness of their sins.
[Quoted in the book are Exodus 12:5-8,12-14; Matthew 26:26-28; Hebrews 11:28; 9:11-14].
Back to Biden.
April 4, 2021
President Biden @POTUS
From our family to yours, we wish you health, hope, joy, and peace. Happy Easter, everyone! [1:39 video of the Bidens wishing everyone a Happy Easter, while promoting faith and the vaccines] Apr 4, 2021
Extended Comment
The Real Reason for Easter
Joe and Jill Biden danced around it, but there was no specific mention of the Real Reason for Easter in this message. Easter is a celebration of the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. But Biden knows if he dares to mention Jesus, the left will go nuts. Thus, he gives this vanilla greeting, while ignoring what the day is all about.
[Quoted in the book is Matthew 28:1-10].
Back to Biden.
President Biden @POTUS
Although this year looks different, the rich history of Easter at the White House carries on. Tune in as I deliver remarks. [10:25 video] Apr 5, 2021
Extended Comment
The Real Reason for Easter Again
Almost ten and a half minutes, and you still don’t mention the Real Reason for Easter. You must really be afraid of upsetting the radical left, despite, as a Catholic, supposedly believing in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Instead of being shy about it, you should be proclaiming it.
[Quoted in the book are Habakkuk 2:4; Romans 1:16-17; 8:11; 10:8-10].
Back to Biden
April 6, 2021
President Biden @POTUS
Our Easter celebrations looked different this year, like they did for so many others across the country. But we look forward to next year when the White House will ring with the joy of the season — and God willing, there’ll be an Easter Egg Roll once again. [picture of Joe and Jill Biden on a White House balcony with the Easter Bunny, all wearing a mask, including the bunny!] Apr 5, 2021
Extended Comment
The Real Reason for Easter Once Again
You finally mention God in connection with Easter, but it is in regard to the silly Easter Egg Hunt, not in regard to God raising Jesus from the dead. You really do not get the reason for Easter, do you?
[Quoted in the book is Acts 2:22-24]. Back to Biden.
May 2, 2021
President Biden @POTUS
Jill and I extend warm wishes to all of our friends in the Orthodox Christian community observing Easter. May 2, 2020
To comment, the Orthodox have it right when it comes to the timing of Christmas and Easter. The former should be a winter holiday, and the latter a spring holiday. But with Christmas on December 25, it is often not snowy at all, at least here in the Pittsburgh, PA area. And late March/ early April is often not yet warm and sunny. But the Orthodox have Christmas on January 7 and Easter in mid-April/ early May, when it is more likely to be snowy and warm/ sunny, respectively.
March 2, 2022
Ash Wednesday
President Biden @POTUS
Today, I join Christians around the world in observing Ash Wednesday — and pray for those who have lost loved ones during the past year. Lent is a time to deepen our faith as we prepare for the joy of the Easter season. Mar 2, 2022
Extended Comment
Lenten Season
Though losing a loved one is a terrible event, that is not what the Lenten Season is about. Lent is a time for reflection and repentance, as we reflect upon our sins and our need for forgiveness before a holy and righteous God. That forgiveness can be found by faith in Christ and His death on the cross for our sins.
On Ash Wednesday — the beginning of Lent — Roman Catholic, Anglican and other churches hold services in which churchgoers are marked with a cross of ashes as a symbol of death and sorrow for sin (Fox News. Lent).
The ashes do not symbolize the deaths of our loved ones but our own deaths, as we all will inevitably die. That universality of death came into the world because of sin. But Christ died so that we can be forgiven of our sins and live forever with God.
[Quoted in the book is Romans 5:12-21]. Back to Biden.
April 15, 2022
Passover and Good Friday
President Biden @POTUS
Happy Passover to all who celebrate in America, Israel, and around the world. May God bless you all during this season of renewal, this festival of freedom. From our family to yours: Chag sameach. Apr 15, 2022
To comment, it is good Passover and Good Friday fall on the same day this year, as the former prefigures the latter. Jesus was celebrating Passover with His disciples when He instituted the Eucharist, a prefigurement of His death on the cross for our sins (Exodus 12:1-13; Matthew 26:17-28).
Extended Comment
Passover
The passages I reference in the preceding comment read as follows:
[Quoted in the book are Exodus 12:1-13; Matthew 26:17-19,26-28].
Back to Biden.
President Biden @POTUS
Jill and I join our fellow Christians in observing Good Friday. Today, we remember Jesus’s sacrifice on the cross, pray for all who suffer, and seek to love others as God has loved us. Apr 15, 2022
To comment, your articulation of the meaning of Good Friday is correct though incomplete. To expand, Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross was to pay the debt for our sins, so that we can be reconciled to God (Isaiah 53:4-9). And yes, Good Friday is about God’s love, but it is demonstrated in Christ’s death for our sins, so that we can be reconciled to God (Romans 5:6-11).
Extended Comment
Good Friday
The passages I reference in the preceding comment read as follows:
[Quoted in the book are Isaiah 53:1-9; Romans 5:6-11].
Back to Biden.
April 17, 2022
Easter Sunday
President Biden @POTUS
As we reflect today on Christ’s Resurrection, we are reminded that with faith, hope, and love — even death can be defeated. From our family to yours, we wish you hope, health, joy, and the peace of God, which passes all understanding. Happy Easter and may God bless and keep you. Apr 17, 2022
To comment, at least this year you mention Christ’s Resurrection, the reason for Easter. However, “death” is not defeated by just any faith. It is defeated by faith in Jesus Christ and His death on the cross for our sins. His resurrection then demonstrates God accepted Christ’s sacrifice for our sins (Romans 4:23-25).
Extended Comment
The Real Reason for Easter
Following is the message I sent out to family and friends on Easter.
The Real Reason for Easter
Happy Easter everyone!
“He is risen! He is risen indeed!” That is the real reason for Easter. Not Easter egg hunts nor Easter candy, as fun and tasty as those might be. It is a celebration of the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, a demonstration that God has accepted His sacrifice for our sins.
[Quoted in the book are Matthew 28:1-10; Acts 2:22-24; Romans 4:23-25].
Back to Biden.
April 18, 2022
President Biden @POTUS
Tune in as the First Lady and I deliver remarks at the 2022 White House Easter “EGGucation” Roll. [20:08 video] Apr 18, 2022
President Biden @POTUS
After the pandemic kept us apart last year, it was an honor to welcome folks to the People’s House for the 2022 White House Easter EGGucation Roll. [3 picture collage of the egg roll] Apr 18, 2022
To comment, at least this tradition is a bit better than the pardon the turkey nonsense at Thanksgiving. But both miss the real point of the respective holidays. Thanksgiving is for thanking the LORD for the blessings He has bestowed on us. Easter is a celebration of the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
That said, what is not seen in this video is Biden wandering off aimlessly and having to be redirected by the Easter Bunny. It’s bad enough when Biden needs to depend on Jill to tell him where to go, but the Easter Bunny? That is just so sad. It is a signal to our enemies of Biden’s weakness and to all of us of his cognitive difficulties. May God help us.
April 19, 2022
President Biden @POTUS
Thanks to everyone who joined us for this year’s White House Easter EGGucation Roll. It was a day full of joy, laughter, and learning. [0:53 video] Apr 19, 2022
To comment, and thanks to the Easter Bunny for keeping you from wandering off aimlessly.
April 24, 2022
Orthodox Easter
President Biden @POTUS
Jill and I send warm wishes to all our friends in the Orthodox Christian community who are observing Easter today. We rejoice with you over the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and the triumph of light over darkness. May the peace of Christ be with you today and always. Apr 24, 2022
To comment, it is good that you mention the Real Reason for Easter, that of Christ’s resurrection, on both Orthodox Easter and on “regular” Easter this year, after not mentioning it at all last year. Maybe you read my book rebuking you for missing the whole reason for Easter last year.
Conclusion
I was being facetious in saying Biden changed his spring holiday tweets and mentioned Jesus in his second year in office due to reading my book. I seriously doubt he ever did so. However, it is true many prominent Christians and political conservatives called him out on that point, and that is probably why he changed his tune in his second year in office. I will let the reader decide for yourself what having to be goaded into mentioning Jesus says about the genuineness of Biden’s Christian faith (see Matt 10:32-33).
But here, I omitted in this article the extended Scripture quotes found in the books, as including them would have doubled the length of this article, and I have had complaints about my newsletter articles being too long. But I would encourage the reader to look up those passages for yourself.
However, I want to close this article by quoting one Bible passage that was not referenced that nicely sums up the message of all of the mentioned spring holidays, and another that articulates what a person’s response should be to that message.
3For I handed down [or, delivered] to you* first what also I received, that Christ died on behalf of our sins according to the Scriptures 4and that He was buried and that He had been raised on the third day according to the Scriptures 5and that He appeared to Cephas [i.e., Peter], then to the twelve. 6Afterwards, He appeared to over five hundred brothers [and sisters] at once, of whom the greater part remain until now, but some also fell asleep [fig., have died]. 7Afterwards, He appeared to James, then to all the apostles (1Corinthains 15:3-7).
8But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” [Deut 30:14]—that is, the word of the faith which we are preaching, 9that if you confess with your mouth [the] Lord Jesus [or, [that] Jesus [is] Lord], and believe in your heart that God raised Him from [the] dead, you will be saved! [cp. 1Cor 12:3] 10For with the heart it is believed to righteousness, and with the mouth it is confessed to salvation (Romans 10:8-10).
References:
Scripture taken from:
Analytical-Literal Translation of the Old Testament: Volume I: The Torah. Copyright © 2012, 2023 by Gary F. Zeolla (www.Zeolla.org).
Analytical-Literal Translation of the Old Testament: Volume IV: The Prophetic Books. Copyright © 2014, 2023. by Gary F. Zeolla (www.Zeolla.org).
Analytical-Literal Translation of the New Testament: Third Edition. Copyright © 2023 by Gary F. Zeolla of Darkness to Light ministry (www.zeolla.org/christian). Previously copyrighted © 1999, 2001, 2005, 2007, 2012 by Gary F. Zeolla.
The links to Amazon are advertising links, for which I receive a commission in addition to my royalty if a product is purchased after following the link.
First Year:
Second Year:
Fox News. Lent: What is it and why do we observe it?
New Desktop Computer
I just got
a new desktop computer for my home office. I will probably spend the next week
or so setting everything up. I am not looking forward to it. But hopefully, I
will have a better working PC when I am done. My current PC is over five years
old and has been acting up quite a bit of late. Please keep me in your prayers
and that all goes as planned, though I am sure I will run into some hassles
along the way.
2/8/24
I already
finished setting up my new desktop PC. I plugged it in and connected all the
cables Thursday night. Then first thing Friday morning I started working on it.
I worked on it much of the day yesterday, then finished it up this morning. It
helped that once I signed into my various accounts, in many cases, things were
automatically set up for me. Of course, I had a few hassles along the way, but
it wasn’t too bad, thank God. Now I can get back to work.
2/11/24
It’s been
three weeks since I got my new desktop PC. Well, it is not quite a new PC. It is
a refurbished Dell from Amazon. But it
seems to be working just fine, despite being a refurbished product. It solved
the problems I was having of not being able to work with large MS Word files,
and it eliminated some other glitches my old PC was having. In addition, I got
it at a good price, much less than a brand-new PC. As such, I am happy with it.
2/29/24
Scripture Workbooks
The doctrinal and ethical teachings of the Bible as presented in these books encompass an overall way of viewing the world that differs greatly from the prevailing secular worldview. It is hoped these books will enable the reader to not only understand this Biblical worldview but also why it is true and thus to come to trust in it, and then to be prepared to defend this Biblical worldview before an unbelieving world (Luke 24:27,45; Acts 14:14-18; 17:22-31). The most recent and comprehensive is the first book listed.
Scripture Workbook, Third Edition: For Personal and Group Bible Study and Teaching the Bible
Scripture Workbook: For Personal Bible Study and Teaching the Bible: Second Edition
Scripture Workbook: For Personal Bible Study and Teaching the Bible: Edition 1.1
See also this series on Amazon.
New on My Christian Darkness to Light Website
Below are new articles on my Christian website that have been posted since the last issue of this newsletter was published.
January
2023 Christian Commentaries is a new page. It address the question,
“Do People Matter?”
1/6/24
New on My Fitness for One and All Website
Below are new articles on my fitness website that have been posted since the last issue of this newsletter was published.
Vol. XXII, No. 1 is the latest issue of the free FitTips for One and All newsletter.
My New Powerlifting/ Strength Training Workout Plan for 2024 is a new
article.
2/24/24
Workout Posts and Videos is a new page. It will record my social media posts
and accompanying videos for each training week.
1/13/24
January
2024 Fitness Commentaries is a new page. Interesting NYT article on salmon.
1/8/24
New on My Biblical and Constitutional Politics Website
Below are new articles on my politics website that have been posted since the last issue of this newsletter was published.
February 2024 Political Commentaries has new commentaries added to it.
Dementia Joe Has Gotta
Go.
2/11/24
February 2024 Political Commentaries is a new page.
The media’s talking point
until the election will be the economy is “healthy” or “booming” under Biden.
But things are not so rosy.
2/5/24
Multiple new commentaries have been added to
January 2024 Political Commentaries.
1/29/24
January 2024 Commentaries is a new page. Biden is trying to compare J6 to
the American Revolution. Truly absurd. And more on his hyperbolic speech.
1/4/24
New on My Covid Fearmongering and Lies Website
Below are new articles on my Covid website that have been posted since the last issue of this newsletter was published.
Churches are Essential Revisited is a new article. Church closures are
having a devastating effect on American society.
1/1/24
Also by Gary F. Zeolla:
Zeolla.org
is the personal website for Gary F. Zeolla.
Author of Christian and of fitness books, Web sites, and
newsletters,
and a top ranked and multi-record holding powerlifter.
Fitness
for One and All website and
FitTips
for One and All newsletter.
“Helping people to attain their health, fitness, and performance goals,
with an emphasis on powerlifting.”
Biblical and Constitutional Politics
“Political articles and commentary from a conservative Christian and politically
conservative perspective”
Covid Fearmongering and
Lies
“Coronavirus
Fearmongering on the Left, Covid-19 Lies on the Right”
A Layman's View of What the Authorities Got Correct and Incorrect about
SARS-CoV-2
All material in this newsletter is copyrighted © 2024 by Gary F. Zeolla or as indicated otherwise.
The links to Amazon are advertising links, for which I receive a commission in addition to my royalty if a product is purchased after following the link.
3/1/24