I added some edits to the above to show how to twist and bend it.
226 2024-02-29 23:29:57
Re: Savior of the Damned (the Connor series) by Dirk B. (1,478 replies, posted in Fantasy/Magic & Sci-Fi)
227 2024-02-29 23:12:43
Re: Savior of the Damned (the Connor series) by Dirk B. (1,478 replies, posted in Fantasy/Magic & Sci-Fi)
If someone is part of the Charismatic Renewal, Pentacostal Movement, and others, then they can have prophecies (rhema).
It's an interesting concept, but the target for book one is the Catholic Church, the members of which are my target audience for book one. The Unholy Trinity won't go after other denominations until book two onward. Also, the dual timelines explain the discrepancies between an inerrant Bible and the story's timeline. Also, if someone comes along doing miracles and spouts explanations that appear to contradict the Bible, then that individual is an obvious antichrist, predicted by Christ in the New Testament, which shouldn't be believed. I don't think the Catholic Church would ever approve his words if they contradict the Bible without extraordinary proof such as provided by events in Rome, the Vatican, and the Holy Land related to the conspiracy surrounding Connor.
Also, I can't think of a realistic explanation in the new timeline that would allow prophets to interpret Revelation such that Christ will return as a boy, at the center of the conspiracy that will kill either Christ or Satan.
1. There is a Catholic Charismatic Renewal going on. I belong to one of their groups even though I'm a protestant.
2. Correct. It would be tricky to blatantly contradict the Bible. Cardinals in strategic locations are needed to twist, distort, etc.
3. A weak example is when you had actual dragonflies attack Conner in Israel. I thought those REPRESENTED helicopters or something. I thought they would be big not bug like.
4. This is REALLY weak but Revelation 12 figurative talks about the birth of Jesus. You would have to construct it to point to Connor.
Revelation 12 And then a great wonder appeared in heaven: There was a woman who was clothed with the sun, and the moon was under her feet. She had a crown of twelve stars on her head (Spiritually speaking, Campagna was incredible). 2 She was pregnant and cried out with pain because she was about to give birth (Just like it happened to Campagna).
3 Then another wonder appeared in heaven: There was a giant red dragon there. The dragon had seven heads with a crown on each head. It also had ten horns. 4 Its tail swept a third of the stars out of the sky and threw them down to the earth (They were ready to wage war and kill Conner). It stood in front of the woman who was ready to give birth to the baby. It wanted to eat the woman’s baby as soon as it was born. (Satan wanted her to abort the baby! He was ready to kill it. But she said no!)
5 The woman gave birth to a son, who would rule all the nations with an iron rod (look at Connor's power! He should rule all nations). And her child was taken up to God and to his throne. 6 The woman ran away into the desert to a place that God had prepared for her (Campagna was in the police department for years separated from her son. It was like being in the desert for her). There she would be taken care of for 1260 days (this somehow has to be twisted but I'm not sure). (There are more verses but it complicates what I would like to see.)
There might be other verses in other chapters, but I can't think of them right now.
228 2024-02-29 20:42:05
Re: Savior of the Damned (the Connor series) by Dirk B. (1,478 replies, posted in Fantasy/Magic & Sci-Fi)
Timelines - This is complex, but I will try. I need to describe two Greek words - logos and rhema. Both logos and rhema are the Word of God, but the former is God's Word objectively recorded in the Bible, while the latter is the word of God spoken to us at a specific occasion (I copied this last sentence). If someone is part of the Charismatic Renewal, Pentacostal Movement, and others, then they can have prophecies (rhema). This can be God speaking through a person perhaps a prophet. This 'word from God' cannot contradict the logos or written word. Therefore, try having prophets show up or priests (bishops, cardinals, etc.) that give prophetic words that 'clarify' what the Bible says about a particular scripture. If Revelation can be figurative then these so-called prophets can tell people exactly what those figurative things mean. By the way, dreams, visions, and other things can also be claimed to be rhema words.
It will really help your cause if these 'prophets' show great spiritual power. You've done stuff like that with Conner already. If someone comes along and starts doing miracles, then I will almost guarantee that they will believe almost anything coming out of that person's mouth. You can craft great lies but have the crowds say - Did you see what he just did? Of course, this God speaking to us. And it makes more sense than the Bible does! And if the Catholic Church approves these prophets or prophetesses then so much the better.
This allows you to keep the original Biblical timeline but to distort it for those who see great power.
I hope this makes sense.
229 2024-02-26 15:42:16
Re: Savior of the Damned (the Connor series) by Dirk B. (1,478 replies, posted in Fantasy/Magic & Sci-Fi)
I've been thinking through the idea of alternate timelines some more to explain why the story's timeline doesn't match the Bible, which is of course from our real-world timeline. I think I need to find a better way to get our Bible into the story's timeline than to simply state that it "somehow" happened, perhaps because there is only one, inerrant God-inspired Bible across all timelines/realities, even though no other timeline except ours matches that Bible. It would be an interesting thing to discuss and try to explain that in the book, but I have no need or space for it.
Before I dig into the rest of your post, I must ask - Are you referring to a timeline defined by Revelations or the entire Bible or what? I ask because I understand that Revelations can be figurative. Does that include the timeline? In other words, is Revelations just a series of descriptions not set in a rigid order? Of course, the end stuff is obviously in order! Just a thought!
230 2024-02-23 16:47:42
Re: Savior of the Damned (the Connor series) by Dirk B. (1,478 replies, posted in Fantasy/Magic & Sci-Fi)
I also have to be careful not to give any hints about either Connor or De Rosa. Two of my story's four Christian readers to date guessed that Connor is/may be the Antichrist. There's a huge hurdle to jump when it comes to Christian readers since most serious Christians are highly sceptical right from the get go that Connor could be Christ returned as a boy because, to them, it can't happen. As a result, they may never even read the book.
You had me fooled! I assumed too much. Connor's lie bothered me, but I guess I let it ride perhaps hoping to change your mind.
I'll be tougher next time round!
:-)
231 2024-02-22 14:40:17
Re: Savior of the Damned (the Connor series) by Dirk B. (1,478 replies, posted in Fantasy/Magic & Sci-Fi)
From Wikipedia (article about Michael):
Michael is mentioned explicitly in Revelation 12:7-12, where he does battle with Satan and casts him out of heaven so that he no longer has access to God as accuser (his formal role in the Old Testament). The fall of Satan at the coming of Jesus marks the separation of the New Testament from Judaism.
I'm not a theologian but don't you mean his role in the OT and NT? I've heard Satan described as the accuser of the brethren.
232 2024-02-22 14:26:35
Re: Savior of the Damned (the Connor series) by Dirk B. (1,478 replies, posted in Fantasy/Magic & Sci-Fi)
Kdot, don't forget the Christian cross around De Rosa's neck. As he admitted to Romano at the end of book 1, Michael the Archangel slipped it around De Rosa's neck while he was distracted. It's essentially a chain around De Rosa that limits his powers, causes his excruciating stigmata when he kills clergy, and prevents Satan from leaving De Rosa's body. Thus, no whisking. I based my story's "chain" on the one used to chain up the dragon in Revelation.
I have to admit you approach on the chain is interesting. Rev 20:1-6 is quite different from what you're doing BUT I like how you borrow from it. Very creative.
233 2024-02-19 21:58:54
Re: Savior of the Damned (the Connor series) by Dirk B. (1,478 replies, posted in Fantasy/Magic & Sci-Fi)
In Matthew 4, Satan is able to whisk himself and clearly passengers wherever he needs to be. You'll need to do some legwork to understand why this Satan cannot
before Connor throws the dagger, he already knows, if he kills his father, then Connor is himself still destined for an eternity of suffering
Is this a catholic teaching?
Wouldn't it be premeditated murder? I have a feeling that that is hellish behavior.
234 2024-02-19 21:56:48
Re: The Archangel Syndrome (309 replies, posted in Fantasy/Magic & Sci-Fi)
I don't remember if this was mentioned... How about if the shield reduces the energy beams by some amount, say a 20% reduction? Or if you pick something like a 50% reduction then the ships really have to duke it out before damage can be done. That might reduce the magic level.
235 2024-02-12 23:58:46
Re: Savior of the Damned (the Connor series) by Dirk B. (1,478 replies, posted in Fantasy/Magic & Sci-Fi)
I'm trying to remember how much de Rosa did. Should he jump in a little more with a slip here and there that causes people to wonder? Maybe have him and Connor lock eyes at some point and Connor turns nastily away. De Rosa always goes with the flow. Maybe he should swim against the flow. Or at least go in a different direction than Campagna sometime.
I might be stating things that you've already done but I have a great excuse in that I was on brain fog meds for a while :-)
236 2024-02-12 16:37:55
Re: Savior of the Damned (the Connor series) by Dirk B. (1,478 replies, posted in Fantasy/Magic & Sci-Fi)
I'm sorry. I thought you were talking about being in Israel! Oops.
237 2024-02-12 16:22:56
Re: Savior of the Damned (the Connor series) by Dirk B. (1,478 replies, posted in Fantasy/Magic & Sci-Fi)
K and George, I'm wondering what you think of the hunt for the Antichrist. I personally think it reads like just a bunch of "episodes" that don't build on each other sufficiently. I think it's missing ever-increasing tension and "thrill" as the detectives get ever closer to identifying the AC. There is continuity between those chapters, but nothing particularly important ties them together.
That's going to be a bitch to fix.
Comment:
1. Really? Even with the Zombie Nuns and floating Conner? You manage to weave the history, geography, and story quite well. I remember commenting to you that it was not really a vacation of any sort! There was so much stuff going on. I'd have to reread it again but at this point I might respectfully disagree with you.
2. If you mean that the final revelation is about 100% and not a slow build, then you might be right. Conner lying was a flag that bothered me, but I told you about it and now I understand why you never anything with it. Perhaps a couple more things like that might be useful. Just some stuff that would cause increasing large question marks. Maybe he burns his fingers when it picks up the element when the monstrance is knocked over. The near 100% really caught me off guard. But which is better? And of course, Darth's statement "I am your father." caught the world off guard by 100%. It was great.
238 2024-02-12 16:07:13
Re: Savior of the Damned (the Connor series) by Dirk B. (1,478 replies, posted in Fantasy/Magic & Sci-Fi)
Absolutely. If I remember correctly, Muslims consider Jesus a prophet but nothing more. Although, technically, Connor could try to convince them their beliefs are simply incorrect, that woud be something he'd be unlikely to be able to sell to most Muslims. However, his performance at St. Peter's Basilica would certainly help. Or, if I wanted to go nuts, I could have many non-Christian holy places "collapse" without explanation around the world as acts of God. Ditto for any places non-Catholic Christians revere but Catholics do not. Those are much more convincing events than mere attempts at persuasion. And, after all, these aren't actual acts of God since any reader of book one will know he's the Antichrist.
Let me revisit something. Yes, Muslims believe Jesus is a prophet, and that He did miracles and healings which is interesting. And apparently, they believe that He can still heal today. Also, he will come back on the day of judgement with someone else. I wouldn't be surprised if you already knew all this but here it is again if you need.
239 2024-02-02 14:24:24
Re: The Archangel Syndrome (309 replies, posted in Fantasy/Magic & Sci-Fi)
I may, however, mention in the Galactipedia article on FTL travel that if a ship's atreidite-based reserves (batteries) are drained (e.g., in battle) and the ship is too far from a major source of neutrinos, then the vessel can become marooned in space, unable to power the boiler and recharge the atreidite. That adds a nice element of risk to space travel, although primarily for vessels forced to move away from a major neutrino source (e.g., a star). That could be military vessels engaged in combat, civilian ships fleeing pirates, etc. In those situations you better hope your atreidite-powered interstellar drones are fully charged to go for help. And since drones can't carry huge reactors, they can only make a limited number of jumps before they run out of power.
Interesting points. I like the added risk factor. Can the smaller vessels use "cables" to recharge the mother ship? Even if it's only a limited charge, it could be useful. Every car (spaceship) should have a set of cables. Can the larger ships recharge others?
240 2024-01-28 18:24:47
Re: The Archangel Syndrome (309 replies, posted in Fantasy/Magic & Sci-Fi)
I did not try to read the article. I just like some of the words it used (antineutrino sounds cool) and that it included collapsing.
241 2024-01-28 16:21:47
Re: The Archangel Syndrome (309 replies, posted in Fantasy/Magic & Sci-Fi)
I finally came up with a theoretically possible future power source to serve as the core of powertrons: neutrinos. Fusion will still be used for smaller power sources. The only down side of both neutrinos and fusion is that neither will come close to doing that implode-explode thing when the powertron is breached. Perhaps something about the way energy is "gathered" from neutrinos makes imp-exp explosions possible. Hard to imagine though since researchers are talking about neutrino-powered smartphones and electric cars in the coming decade(s). Apparently it's not a particularly dangerous tech.
Perhaps if I use neutrons (from an artificial baby neutron star in engineering) rather than neutrinos....
I found a paper entitled "Neutrino-antineutrino annihilation around a collapsar".
It has neutrinos, antineutrinos, annihilation, and a collapsing collapsar (star going through gravitational collapsing).
https://articles.adsabs.harvard.edu//fu … 9.000.html
And, apparently, within the cold fusion process you can get neutrinos and antineutrinos emitted. With enough arm waving can you use this to create a car collapse/explosion or a ship collapse/explosion?
I really like fusion because hydrogen is the most common element in the universe. It's a natural energy source.
George FLC
242 2024-01-25 15:01:28
Re: The Archangel Syndrome (309 replies, posted in Fantasy/Magic & Sci-Fi)
Very well written. The intersection part is very good. However, why would it bypass the shields and hit the hull? Are you saying that the shields don't intersect but the hull does?
Wouldn't they be toast with all the time they're taking to explain things? It must take a while to charge the weapons.
243 2024-01-20 14:39:21
Re: Group Cleanup - Mopping Up - See List of Surviving Groups Inside (38 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
Keep busy Dirk! Thanks.
George
244 2024-01-12 22:49:44
Re: The Archangel Syndrome (309 replies, posted in Fantasy/Magic & Sci-Fi)
I'm not sure I've ever heard of a side effect like that. Interesting and useful.
245 2024-01-12 17:52:23
Re: The Archangel Syndrome (309 replies, posted in Fantasy/Magic & Sci-Fi)
This is just evolution! Survival of the fittest. Be strong, grin, and survive. Canadians might take over some day. A chunk of the US is getting hit as well. I probably won't go to church on Sunday. Online services! Yeah!
246 2024-01-07 21:51:58
Re: The Archangel Syndrome (309 replies, posted in Fantasy/Magic & Sci-Fi)
How about something that disrupts the shield? Like a photon torpedo (Star Trek) which causes intense ripples in the shield? Then the energy blasts through the rippled/compromised area. Or a plasma comprised of radioactive something like Helium. It causes a fusion explosion that blows holes into the shield which is followed by other weapons.
247 2024-01-07 16:07:55
Re: The Archangel Syndrome (309 replies, posted in Fantasy/Magic & Sci-Fi)
Initial comments:
1. Dish? I imagine a big thing hanging off the ship. Also, does the dish always create the hole in front of the dish (ship)? It just seems clumsy or clunky. Remember the cloaking devise the Romulans used? Wasn't it internal to the ship? But you need some external geometry to have this discussion. I would make it sound more streamline.
2. "As you know" seems rather old fashioned or trying to spell it out too much.
3. You wrote: "Therefore, our shields were never designed to work there, leaving our ships’ fourth dimension unprotected.” I ASSUME you mean that the ships 4th dimension is sort of a portal (?). I'm trying to wrap my brain around my own personal 4th dimension.
4. I would spell out π. Pi or pi.
5. Great discussion on trying to explain what's going on. I'm confused though since apparently the blast can skip the shields and appear interior to the ship (?). Your average techno geek might enjoy this.
248 2024-01-05 14:50:20
Re: The Archangel Syndrome (309 replies, posted in Fantasy/Magic & Sci-Fi)
Basting is good since it's concise and you're basting in your own sweat.
249 2024-01-04 15:02:27
Re: The Archangel Syndrome (309 replies, posted in Fantasy/Magic & Sci-Fi)
Slight tweak. I've gone back to hyperspace as the name of my story's extra dimension(s). I'm going to be intentionally vague since I don't want to suggest that my extra dimension is in any way related to the 4th spacial dimension of string theory, where the math says the extra dimensions must all be the itsy bitsy curled up ones. If I call mine hyperspace, then it falls into that classic sci-fi category known as "made up crap". The beauty of space opera.
Interestingly, I came across an article where scientists were able to test indirectly for the existence of a fourth spacial dimension, and two different teams using different tests found evidence that suggests it actually exists. It's not conclusive proof, but a cool result nevertheless.
Good approach. Go for vagueness and don't worry about the details till maybe later. It doesn't add much to the story anyways, does it?
250 2024-01-03 17:22:30
Re: Group Cleanup - Mopping Up - See List of Surviving Groups Inside (38 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
Thanks Sol and Dirk.