Re: It seems...
Submitted by ATN on 2002-09-5 14:09:17, Thursday
In reply to Re: It seems... submitted by JohnDoe420 on 2002-09-4 01:10:10, Wednesday
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Hi, Thank you for sharing your fascinating life story (that sounds sarcastic -- it's not meant that way). God save us all from Christians like you describe. I suppose I must be very abnormally blessed in this regard, as thinking back over the Christians I have known, very few fit into the mold you describe. the Law is dead, crucified in a criminal's death, and the whole of it is now fulfilled thus : love one's fellow being as one's self. The Old Testament law is dead... it was replaced with rather a more difficult one, whose centerpiece, usually conveniently ignored, is indeed love your neighbor as yourself. There are a good number of other impossible regulations, which would make the whole thing crazy if it weren't for the fact that the Holy Spirit works through us to accomplish them. True - but he also told a thief that he would see heaven, exalted a harlot for her ministrations, told the Church - and, more specifically, its priesthood - to go to hell, and told the world that their children were inherently superior to them - and woe to the one who looked down on them. Very true. Christ never had time for hypocritical leaders (not quite true -- He had time for them, all right. It's where all His most delicious sarcasm comes from), and accepted just anybody who would come to Him. ...and even amongst those who honor both, somehow serving two masters it does seem, are many who would deny that it was for freedom which Jesus set us free. Here I have to disagree on a few points... believing orthodox Christian theology (if I wanted to start another debate I'd say Protestant, as I have a whole other set of issues with the alternatives; although I have some issues with classical Reformed too) is in no way counter to following Christ's example and life. The problem is not with the theology but with the small number of people willing to conform their lives to it. As for freedom, I fear (based on this and on some of your earlier posts) that you have misunderstood Christian freedom... again, I could be reading too much in. As Paul says several times, it is freedom from, not to, sin. It is also not a mandate of a fully libertarian society (I have libertarian leanings myself, but would not go so far as you have gone, and I do not base my beliefs on Christ's sayings). I would be happy to discuss this if you are willing and interested. ...and this has caused me to query whether "taking God's name in vain" truly means saying "Oh, God" - or whether it is taking the mantle of Godly righteousness to work for His enemy. Personally, I don't think either one pleases Him at all. ...even with all this, in nations which often alledge do be Christian, where is the call for compassion unto even a pariah? Surely, so many Christians, we would have heard something by now? I have, many times. This is not to be confused with condoning or even allowing his behavior, but I have heard many who want to reach him with Christ's mercy and power. Hard for a rich man, harder still for one rich in the power of this world? Hard for the rich in anything, I think -- money, power, brains.... Blessed are the poor in spirit. Indeed, I can see the importance of this... but foremost in importance have I been given unto not confusing the voice of an age, or the voice of a church, with the voice of God. Well said. God bless, ATN |
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