Cute homilies, FOD???
Submitted by Ray on July 12 1999 at 08:00:15
In reply to arise, O sleeper, and Christ will shine! Submitted by F.O.D. on July 10 1999 at 17:53:46
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FOD, What you call cute homilies, I call the "meat" of the Gospels! You wrote: I want to catch you on what you said down below about not being sure the resurrection ever happened. What I wrote was: Here's one "Christian", with an M.Div. for whom whether Jesus did miracles or rose from the dead is beside the point. I think it's a big jump from "whether Jesus rose from the dead is beside the point" to "not being sure the resurrection ever happened." I didn't mean to say that I'm not sure that the resurrection ever happened, but that I really don't care to argue that point. It has relatively little value as a basis of my life, faith and beliefs! What is most important to me is the life and teachings of Jesus and the early church. I doubt that you'll ever catch me saying that "Jesus died for my sins." That doesn't say that Jesus' death is unimportant to me -- just that what most Christians hold as the basis of their faith and life is unimportant to me. You also wrote: What sort of life do we have if the dead are not raised? Same life we have now! And you continued: If it is only for this life that we hope in Christ, our faith is pathetic. Though it may sound harsh, what I believe is that if it is only for "life" after death that you hope in Christ, your life probably is pathetic! ('Course, it's still probably better than mine just now!) Christianity is not about "life"????? Christianity is about "life"! In him was life, and the life was the light of men. John 1:4 - RSV You search the scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness to me; yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life. John 5:39f - RSV The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they [the sheep] may have life, and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. John 10:10f - RSV Jesus said to him [Thomas], "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me." John 14:6 - RSV All that said, FOD, I still probably haven't answered your questions, have I? Ray |