Comments on: Is it a sin?

By: M+

M+ — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 19:59:39 +0000

First off, thank you both, Jeff and Wink, for the wonderful compliment.

Second, I can’t help myself with this one. But anytime I think about Niethzsche’s remark that “God is dead” I’m reminded of an old Benny Hill sketch. A brick wall with graffiti all over it and a bit that says “God is dead- Fred” and below it another bit that says “Fred is dead – God”. It always makes me smile.

And finally, I discuss/debate the infallibility of the scriptures with other believers all the time. Not because I’m trying to change anyone’s mind, but because relying completely on the wording leads to a sense of legalism. (“the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” – 2 Corinthians 3:6) Also because I have questions that aren’t answered in the texts as they’re translated. I want to see if anyone else has the same questions, or the answers to them. So far, not many do.
Ultimately, I believe that the Bible is not infallible in it’s translation – in it’s wording – but in it’s underlying message – the Spirit of the word. I believe that it is the Spirit of Truth (which is the Holy Spirit) that is “embodied” within it’s pages. And that’s why the Bible is still reliable as God’s word.
Many believers think I’m a false teacher for believing this. But the only opinion that matters to me is God’s. And since the Holy Spirit hasn’t convicted me of this, I must be OK.

By: Jeff A

Jeff A — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 15:43:54 +0000

I had actually read misquoting Jesus once. The problem there is that even that author had his own agenda. Most authors leave out things that may get in the way of their beliefs. Do I think there are textual and factual mistakes in the bibles of today, yes. Do I think that the Bilbe has it mostly right even when that is considered, yes again. I highly recommend the book Can We Trust the Gospels by Mark Roberts http://www.markdroberts.com/htmfiles/books1.htm He has some good insight into this as well.

By: dan

dan — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 21:16:36 +0000

It’s a very challenging question, I agree – first, determining the “real” message, and then, how best to disseminate it. I believe that scripture, apocrypha, and canonical writings are all rife with politicizations of previously purely ethical directives. It makes the river of scripture frustratingly muddy at times. One exciting analysis of this process is in this book: http://www.powells.com/review/2007_07_14. I have to say, when I’m told to “read the bible,” I always ask myself, “greek or aramaic?”

By: Jeff A

Jeff A — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 13:15:25 +0000

Yes, Michael is very gifted in that area. We have a couple in our church who are similarly gifted, it’s fun to watch them work with the youth.

By: Jeff A

Jeff A — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 01:42:53 +0000

Nietzsche, that’s the name I was trying to remember. He was the one who claimed Gods dead, guess he was wrong!

By: M+

M+ — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 20:15:41 +0000

Ya know, the even more interesting part of the story of Balaam and his donkey is the fact that Balaam was a sorcerer who used divination to obtain his knowledge. And God still spoke to and used him. Perhaps because of the relevance of his “skills” to the princes of Moab and Midian.
Either way, it is time for the church to stop forcing people to submit to their rules and traditions of religion. It’s time we act out the gospel of Christ in the way He did – with love and compassion towards all.

Couldn’t agree with you more on the atheistic pipe-dream. John Lennon made a similar prediction once. So did Neitzsche, Lenin and countless others. And even for all the power that the roman empire could muster to annihilate the first century church, it not only survived but flourished. It wasn’t until the church began to see prosperity that it began to falter.

By: Jeff A

Jeff A — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 18:59:28 +0000

Hey, thanks for stopping by. I think the atheistic view that Christianity will go away is a bit of a pipe dream. They have been trying for over 2000 years and still haven’t made us go away.
There are places and times even for the hell fire and brimstone preaching. It greatly depends on the audience and the message.

By: Matt Oxley

Matt Oxley — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 18:11:37 +0000

I find it refreshing when Christians attempt to find relevant ways to discuss their beliefs…as opposed to the old fashioned brow beating and hell-fire and brimstone tactics that seem to be the the only trick that the Christians that I hear complaining about “relevance” seem to have.

Will relevance save Christianity from it’s coming demise? no…but it might slow it down.