| Subject: Keep lookin' |
Author:
Biff
|
[
Next Thread |
Previous Thread |
Next Message |
Previous Message
]
Date Posted: 08/ 1/02 2:19pm
In reply to:
Tim
's message, "Most challenging scriptures?" on 07/ 8/02 11:29pm
>In your experience, which scriptures are most
>bothersome to Christians?
I realize you're looking for input from those who like to challenge Christianity, but perhaps, as a Christian, I can lend you a unique perspective.
The verses you listed can present problems, at least on the surface. But a more thorough look casts light on them.
>
>For example:
>Exodus 21:20-21(beating slaves is okay)
Of course. As long as they don't die. One of my slaves scared me once. After I gave him a particularly good whippin', he laid there in a coma for four days! I thought I was in for it that time.
Forgive my sarcasm. I've seen the slavery card played before, and it just doesn't hold much weight with me. It's a strictly cultural reference, almost equivalent to saying: "Everybody in the Bible wore sandals, so wearing shoes must be a sin." True the Bible does not prohibit slavery, but I contend that slavery was held in a much different context in that culture than in ours. Slaves were more like indentured servants. But the Bible does lay down strict guidelines to prevent the mistreatment of slaves.
Let me put this to you: forcing prison inmates to work in labour camps is a form of slavery. Is it wrong?
>II Thessalonians 2:11(God lied!)
1) When I study the Bible, I come to the conclusion that God's commands may not define his actions, but rather the actions he desires his people to pursue. For example, he commands us not to kill, yet there are many occasions in the Bible when he takes the lives of people, or demands that their lives be taken. That is his right. As the creator of life, it is his decision to make. I see no reason why the same principle could not be applied to lying.
2) In this particular case, it is clear why God allows a delusion to come upon certain people (I could state that this is not the same as lying, but it's likely to turn into a semantical argument that would take us around in circles). Back up to verse 8: "And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth..." and to verse 10: "and with all the deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish...." So God is pulling a Solomon here, if you will, ordering with tongue in cheek that the child be split to separate the wicked from the righteous.
>Mathew 13:31-32 (this one, as with many, depends on
>the translation. BTW
>the Orchid seed is much smaller than the Mustard seed)
Interesting, but what's your point? I don't have the resources here to confirm or deny your statement, but even if it is true, there's many possible explanations. Perhaps his audience had never seen an orchid seed, and thus the mustard seed was the smallest in their frame of reference. Perhaps Jesus was actually holding several seeds in his hand at the time for the purpose of illustration, and the mustard seed was the smallest of those. Whatever the explanation, it does not change the point he was making.
>Leviticus 11:6 (Rabbits do not chew their cud as this
>scripture says, but
>they do chew their feces...)
Well, all the more reason they should be declared unclean!
>All of Leviticus 11
Redeemed by Acts 10:9-16.
>Also, WHAT KINDS of biblical errors are most effective
>in your dialogues with Christians?
Speaking as a Christian, I've never encountered a Biblical error that was particularly effective in making me question my faith. Perhaps what's come the closest is the story of Cain and Abel (Genesis 4). I read and reread that story and I find no good reason why God would not accept Cain's offering.
>
>One more question, what is your favorite scripture/s?
Interestingly enough, I can't say that I have one. In fact, it doesn't really make sense to me to pick a favorite scripture. It's like saying, "What's your favorite sentence in Huckleberry Finn?" Too many people look at the Bible as a collection of verses and chapters. But those divisions were added relatively recently for reference purposes. The Bible was meant to be read as we would read any other book.
[
Next Thread |
Previous Thread |
Next Message |
Previous Message
]
| |
Feedback: 