Using Blockchain Technology to Explain the Bible

Technology is a great tool but I'll also be the first to tell you that technology has made the already wide gap between knowledge and understanding even wider. I can rely on my GPS to get me somewhere without ever paying attention to how I got there in order to find my way back. Speaking to something like "alexa" can give you the answer to a math problem without you ever needing to grab a pen and paper to break it down. The list goes on but we all know that there is no going back from technology. Our best option is to use it as a tool for good. Now that we have that taken care of, let's talk bible and tech. Definitely not hi-tech, so relax. I'm not going to go all tech on this piece especially knowing that not everyone is tech savvy. My goal is and has always been to keep things as simple as possible.

Science drives the need for technology because it creates demand for more instruments to address scientific questions. And in reverse, technology drives science by creating new tools, which generates demand for better research. This is why you often hear people say "Science and Technology" in the same breath because they compliment each other, just like peanut butter and jelly in a sandwich. Much has been said about how you can use Science to explain or support the Bible truth but the later part (Technology) is just as important. This piece will focused on how Technology can be used to explain or support the Bible truth- I'll try to make it a loaded but very short piece.

Shared Ledger also known as Distributed Ledger Technology(DLT) has been around for ages but rarely used to reach its potential. Depending on your point of view, it is now revolutionizing or disrupting the financial industry in the form of blockchain and with things like Bitcoin (BTC), Stellar Lumens (XLM), Ethereum (ETH) and other token based projects.

WHAT IS A BLOCKCHAIN?

Most of you have heard of the word "Crypto-currency" and "Blockchain" being used a lot in the last few years. Blockchain uses a kind of math that is often called cryptography. This is a simple way of saying several computers in different location agree that something is correct. When multiple independent witnesses give a similar account on one event, it becomes very easy to believe or accept it as true. This is exactly what "blockchain" is and no need to go deeper. Don't let the tech words throw you off. The only difference here is that, the multiple "witnesses" are different computers in different locations agreeing together. This is better than one computer or one witness in one location that can be manipulated.

SAMPLE SCENARIO

I know almost every consumer report contain errors but I'll use it as an example just to help bring this picture to life. Think about the three leading credit agencies (Experian, Equifax, Transunion) in the USA for example. Someone said her name is "Mary Jacobs" and needs a mortgage loan. To verify a consumer's information, the lender may pull data from all 3 agencies and see if the data is in agreement with her claim. Now imagine all three agencies show her name as "Mary Jacobs" with the 's' attached. It becomes easy for you to conclude that her Last or Surname is spelled with the "s" just like she said (Jacobs).

Now imagine if there were fifty major credit or consumer agencies instead of three and 49 or all 50 of them spelled her name as "Mary Jacobs" with the 's' attached over a few decades. I'm sure this will erase all doubt as to if the 's' should be there or not. This is one major reason why people are going crazy and becoming a block chain believer. A blockchain is regarded as the most accurate, simply based on the consistency of the similarities in the information being delivered by these different blocks on the chain. The books of the bible works the same way when cross-referenced and the icing on the cake is the divine inspiration behind it. The Bible has sixty-six books (39/27) comprising of the old and new testaments respectively. The books are of different witness accounts, over a long period of time, linked together in support of each other. We understand bible content through the context and we confirm the context through cross-referencing different book, chapter, and/or verse.

• All the Blocks in a blockchain works exactly the same with each block linked together to form a chain in agreement. This is the definition of cross-referencing the scriptures. Your belief on the importance of baptism should skyrocket with all the corroborating verses being crossed referenced like the chart attached.

Now, pretend that the cited scriptures about baptism are all individual BLOCKS in a BLOCKCHAIN. Cross-reference these scriptures with similarities on how to become saved from sin. If I want to become a child of God and I see one verse about baptism as being essential to becoming a child of God, I may not think much of it or think of it as important (even though I should). What happens when 15-20 verses are independently saying the same thing? Now, tell me that baptism is NOT important to salvation. My response to you will be - "YOUR HEART IS HARDENED" - (Hebrews 3:7-10; Jeremiah 18:12; 2 Timothy 4:3-4) and you truly need prayers. It's one thing not to know the truth but it's something else to finally see the truth and deny it. If you have your bible, then it's time to diligently seek Him.

Lastly, blockchain is in chronological order to validate the truth about the road traveled and origin of a transaction. So each time a block is "complete," it gives way for the next block on the chain while staying connected. If you understand how this works, you should have no trouble understanding the overall picture of the bible dispensation and how we got here (the Christian age or Era). Different eras, yet connected. The Bible is in a chronological order starting from creation in Genesis through the ages (Patriarch, Mosaic, Christian) and unto the promise of glorification in Revelation. Every completed era gave way for the next while staying independent yet connected. The Patriarchs had their time - the flood destroyed the earth (Genesis 6:6-9). The Mosaic generation blew their chance - Jesus took the heat (Romans 8:3). The Christian generation is now and God is done with excuses (Acts 17:30).

Please, don't email or call me about the thief on the cross because John 17:1-2 proves that Jesus had the authority to give eternal life to anyone including the thief on the cross. He is Jesus Christ, His blood is retroactive - should we even question His authority for doing anything? I hope not. And the Christian age did not start until the day of Pentecost in Acts chapter two, so the thief did not live to see the day that baptism into Christ became a requirement.

THESE ARE ALL THE SCRIPTURES LISTED ON THE CHART

Acts 8:5-12 - "...when they believed...they were baptized..."

1 Peter 3:21 - "...baptism that now saves you..."

Acts 2:38- 41 - "...repent and be baptized...those who accepted his message were baptized..."

John 3:5 - "...no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water..."

Acts 8:36-38 - "...what can stand in my way of being baptized...and Philip baptized him..."

Mark 16:16 - "...whoever believes and is baptized will be saved..."

Acts 9:18-19 - "...he got up and was baptized..."

Galatians 3:27 - "...you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ..."

Acts 10:47  - "...no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water...he ordered that they be baptized..."

Romans 6:3-4 - "...baptized into Christ...were therefore buried with Him through baptism..."

Acts 16:15 - "...she and the members of her household were baptized..."

Colossian 2:12 - "...buried with Him in baptism..."

Acts 16:33 - "...he and all his household were baptized..."

Acts 19:5-6 - "...on hearing this, they were baptized..."

Matthew 28:18-20 - "...make disciples of all nation, baptizing them..."

Acts 22:16 - "...be baptized and wash your sins away..."

For the sake of transparency, I think I need a disclaimer on this one. 

Disclaimer: I have shared interest in "blockchain technology" but my shared interest is in the technological space of Blockchain development for everyday use, and not on any particular project that may or may not have been mentioned in this piece. Any reference that may be used is for clarity and examples only and NOT a recommendation for any products or services.