The The Antioch Declaration (TAD) struck me like a plow hitting a hard stone buried deep in the soil. There’s something heavy here—something that speaks to why people follow so blindly, like sheep trotting after the shepherd without knowing the path. So, I’m going to try to lay this out simply. My approach is straightforward: I’ll explain each part twice to two imaginary dummies, first for the younger, whose understanding is still growing, and then for the older, who may grasp subtler nuances. My translations aren’t endorsements, but rather attempts to build a bridge of understanding. I’ll pull pieces of the declaration, answer them, and then break them down. This process, like all meaningful conversations, will unfold slowly, over a few days, so that we can stand a little straighter and think a little deeper for ourselves. God help us find clarity. Lord knows, we’ll need His help to do that.
The church stood silent, its walls thick and sturdy, sheltering something no one dared to name. The greatest wrong in our time, tied up in its very soul, wasn’t confronted or even whispered about. Instead, it lay buried deep, safe and shielded by a fortress of endless affirmations and denials, each brick in that wall placed with care. I couldn’t help but wonder how long the silence could hold before the truth burst through.
Here we go.
Sections
I have reviewed all the sections of this declaration. You may click on the link to jump to that section.
| Declaration | Due | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Preamble, 1-2 | 11/27/24 | Completed |
| 3-7 | 11/29/24 | Completed |
| 8-10 | 11/30/24 | Completed |
| 11-14 | 12/04/24 | Completed |
| 15-17 | 12/06/24 | Completed |
| 18-19 | 12/12/24 | Completed |
| 20-21 | 12/14/24 | Completed |
| 22 | 12/17/24 | Completed |
| 23 | 12/19/24 | Completed |
| 24 | 12/23/24 | Completed |
| 25 | 12/25/24 | in progress |
☐ Agree ☒ Disagree ☐ Uncertain Comment:
If the authors of the declaration really mean this and it be true, then does it hold for the opposite? I’m curious as to why it does not read “WE DENY that any particular view of the, Axis leaders, their strategies, or tactics during World War II should be a test of Christian orthodoxy.” I wonder how far that would get with them. I imagine, not very far.
Jesus could not enjoy the bliss of heaven without a thought entering His mind, causing Him to sit down and write two letters back to His Bride. Both letters alert the Church to something we consistently neglect to this day.
Revelation 2:9 ‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
And
Revelation 3:9 ‘Behold, I will cause those of the synagogue of Satan, who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie — I will make them come and bow down at your feet, and make them know that I have loved you.
Based on those statements, what thought might have entered His mind to cause Him to say this? What concern did He have for His Bride that He thought she might fall for? Did He Himself have experience firsthand with this? Does this still go on to this day?
He was concerned about the Church believing their lies. He was concerned about the Church elevating these liars to positions of trust and authority over them not realizing how it would make it so things would not be well with them if they did so. The thought disturbed Him enough to write back to the Church for their welfare. We should listen.
Their story line, their narrative, ingrained into our nation’s soul, beginning before the war, may not be what we were lead to believe. The choice to opt out of this view is going away as more and more laws are being passed to silence anyone questioning Israel’s involvement in war crimes and genocide. All of this works according to their plan. The option to go through Galilee (figuratively speaking) should remain open, and it should not be labeled “antisemitism” if exercised.
John 7:17 After these things Jesus was walking in Galilee, for He was unwilling to walk in Judea because the Jews were seeking to kill Him.
Before I get to my translation, let me leave you with this reminder:
Luke 8:18 So take care how you listen; for whoever has, to him more shall be given; and whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has shall be taken away from him.
I wonder how much has been taken from us.
