Protestantism

» HeadZenCards - Stoning

In response to Stoning posted by BrianTubbs:

Then why was not one jot or title of the old law to change, according to Jesus, until ALL was fulfilled?

Keep showing us your judgments, Brian. It lets us know who you are. It lets us know how large the beam is in your eye. (See Matt. 7)

-- posted by HeadZenCards

» Brian Tubbs - Stoning

In response to Stoning posted by HeadZenCards:

Then why was not one jot or title of the old law to change, according to Jesus, until ALL was fulfilled?

First, you need to make a distinction between the actual Law of Moses - and the rabbinical traditions and interpretations that had grown up around the Mosaic Law in the years between Moses and Jesus. Jesus respected the actual Mosaic Law, but (as Pink keeps emphasizing in many threads) not so much how the Jewish leaders had themselves modified, manipulated, and USED the law to serve themselves and exploit the Jewish people.

Second, while I'm aware that in the translation from Aramaic to modern (or in the KJV sense, Elizabethan) English makes it look like a contradiction......the truth is that Jesus was presenting Himself as the atonement for sins. This DOES represent a change in ASPECT and FOCUS for the Mosaic Law. If you choose to see this as Jesus contradicting Himself, so be it.

Third, not even Jesus applied the national or cultural aspects or contexts of the Jewish OT law to the Gentiles. The OT Hebrew law was always for the Hebrew nation - not for Gentiles.

Keep showing us your judgments, Brian. It lets us know who you are. It lets us know how large the beam is in your eye. (See Matt. 7)

This is an example of what I'm talking about, Oliver. The 'judgment' I was referring to is my decision - my personal judgment - as to how to use my time, what conversations to take part in, who to respond to, etc. I was NOT speaking of any moral judgment of another person. But you've twisted my words (yet AGAIN). I'm done debating with you, Oliver. If you wish to continue posting here as a means of encouraging thought and constructive discussion, great. I'd love it. But if all you're going to do is continue to harass, provoke, take shots, etc., then I have nothing else to say to you.

» HeadZenCards - Resurrection's Value

In response to Stoning posted by BrianTubbs:

Let's discuss the VALUE of Jesus' so-called resurrection. Once he flew into the clouds, did this mean that all of humanity was saved?

No. Jesus, in the fiction that is the Bible, said:

Matt. 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that DOETH THE WILL OF MY FATHER which is in heaven.

7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I NEVER KNEW YOU: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

And what is an example of the LORD GOD's will? Where do we find out what that will may encompass?

1 Samuel 15:1 - Samuel also said unto Saul, The LORD sent me to anoint thee to be king over his people, over Israel: now therefore hearken thou unto the voice of the words of the LORD.

15:2 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I remember that which Amalek did to Israel, how he laid wait for him in the way, when he came up from Egypt.

15:3 Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, INFANT AND SUCKLING, ox and sheep, camel and ass.

So you must DOETH THE WILL OF THE FATHER to get any benefit out of Jesus' resurrection.

At one time in the past, that evil will included killing infants and sucklings.

Do not find comfort in diverting attention away from this by counting the number of "witnesses" or speculating about Jesus' superpowers.

The message of the resurrection is that you have to find comfort in being ready to do HIS FATHER'S WILL, which, in the past, included utterly destroying infants and sucklings.

And there is no comfort there.

-- posted by HeadZenCards

» Migisi - Bondage & Coercion

In response to Bondage & Coercion posted by BrianTubbs:
Migisi, at least we agree it's a tough call.
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Confused, Brian. You addressed me in your response to Pinky's post. Did you mean to?
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Are you attempting to answer my questions in my post #239?: "How does slavery equal freedom? Doesn't 'servanthood' limit/remove one's free will?"
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-- posted by Migisi

» Brian Tubbs - Oops

In response to Bondage & Coercion posted by Migisi:

Yes, I am confused. It tends to happen every now and then. My wife would say 'often.' Sorry.

» Brian Tubbs - Servanthood

In response to Bondage & Coercion posted by Migisi:

Migisi, in answer to your question...there is a dichotomy here. Paul writes that we are naturally in bondage to our sins and our lusts. I agree with Paul. This, btw, is the message behind the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy - with the Ring representing lust for power and the desire for gain. At any rate, the point is that sin will enslave people.

The New Testament's answer to this is to accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and make him LORD of our lives. By making Jesus LORD, you then make Him your Master.

Jesus himself makes the point that no one can serve two masters. Either you will serve God or you will serve your own personal gain. One or the other.

I guess it comes down to the saying: "Nature abhors a vacuum."

» EvilChihuahua - Servanthood

In response to Servanthood posted by BrianTubbs:

Of all the posts I've read here in the last few weeks, yours has made the most sense.

I've spent the last few years trying to find the answer to the question of Salvation, and, after a terrific youth service last Friday, I do believe now I have found that answer. What you said was basically the same message.

Either you will serve God or you will serve your own personal gain.

A very true statement.

-- posted by EvilChihuahua

» HeadZenCards - Bondage & Coercion

In response to Bondage & Coercion posted by Migisi:

Great question, Migisi.

There are "Gods" in the minds of people all over the world telling them to do wonderful things a great deal of the time.

This is because people's minds are the most wonderful things on this planet.

Yes, that was my mind's humble opinion. Not so humble, really. Actually, it's an impatient monster sometimes. But I see it for what it was, let that part of it go, and I am now the one who goes on, slightly more clarified.

There are "Gods" in people's minds that mean to murder their enemies' infants and sucklings. They pop up in the "holy" books of good people from time to time.

How do good people react to them? They ignore either the words that were written or what those words say about their "God".

For instance, Paper Turtle chooses to ignore 1 Sam. 15, not believing that those words represent a real request from her "God".

Brian honestly believes that their was a reason for his "God" to inspire infanticide and that the "God" in his mind is omni-potent and can, therefore, do whatever it wants.

However, he does not think that people should follow that voice in their mind should it come to them today because he is a civilized human being.

Meanwhile, from this morning's meditation, the trees, the dew, the mountains and the Pacific Ocean have a message for humans willing to give "God" a "pass" on the murder of infants.

The Earth spoke this morning. It reminded me that there are "Gods" in the minds of good people all over the world telling them to perform horrific crimes all the time.

If you are a slave to your "God" in your own mind, your karma will attract people who mean to do you harm.

The other's "God", the "God" that you do not believe in, will demand that they utterly destroy you.

To those who disagree, do continue telling us how comfortable those chains are and how they protect you from people with other "Gods", other chains.

Round and round it will go until only free people who have let "Gods" disappear are left, for the sake of their own mind, for the sake of the Earth's mind.

-- posted by HeadZenCards

» Migisi - Bondage & Coercion

In response to Bondage & Coercion posted by HeadZenCards:

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One of your best posts, IMHO, Ollie. Thanks for this morning's meditation.
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To those who disagree, do continue telling us how comfortable those chains are and how they protect you from people with other "Gods", other chains.
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...And from their own God...
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Luke 12:47 - "That servant who knows his master's will and does not get ready or does not do what his master wants will be beaten with many blows. 48But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows."
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Either way, all the Master's slaves will be beaten. When under the lash, does the number of blows really matter?

-- posted by Migisi

» Brian Tubbs - Delight

I think you all are confusing (perhaps deliberately) servanthood to God and Christ with cruelty. Well, strike "think." You ARE doing that.

This contrasts with the message of the psalmist: "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart."

(Not desires of the mind, flesh, lust, etc. But desires of the heart -- love, security, fulfillment, significance, etc.)