Results 161 - 180 of 294
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Author: Just Read Mark Ordered by Verse |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
161 | Interpretations of King Neb's dream? | Dan 2:37 | Just Read Mark | 82393 | ||
Prophecy of Empires. How much agreement is there, about what each of the stages represent? This kind of prophecy seems very hard to interpret. Are there other interpretations we should consider? |
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162 | Who wrote Daniel? | Dan 12:4 | Just Read Mark | 107369 | ||
Many scholar say that there is no evidence of people reading Daniel until the 2nd century BC. At that point, they say, the book rapidly gained acceptance as an inspired book. The book claims to be written around 536 BC, but seems to have been out of circulation for 400 years. Many scholars see this as evidence of a late date of authorship. The verse above, however, talks about the book being sealed up until "the time of the end." Could this be saying that Daniel wrote the book, but it was then hidden from view for 400 years, until it was needed by the faithful who were suffering under the Antiochian persecution, in the 2nd century BC? Please, I am seeking historical evidence about the book of Daniel. I know the book itself is very clear about its authorship (Ie. first person narrative in chapter 8) and that Jesus refers to Daniel. I know the forum is full of knowledgable folk, so I'm seeking help disecting the "historical critical" view of Daniel. Yours, JRM |
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163 | Who wrote Daniel? | Dan 12:4 | Just Read Mark | 107454 | ||
Thanks, Pastor Glen, for some resources to check out. This is an honest inquiry, and I would love to read some material that tackles the issues I have encountered. I believe in the authority of the Scriptures, but live in an environment where I need to be informed about these issues. |
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164 | Seems to change in stories? | Mal 3:6 | Just Read Mark | 176990 | ||
I agree, with confidence, that the Lord is "the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow." This is a refrain through scripture, in praise passages or teaching passages. Yes, in narrative passages, we sometimes get another impression. I think of Moses on the mountain, petitioning on behalf of the Israelites, and God yeilding to his request for mercy. Or Abraham having a similar conversation with God about Sodom. Now, was God playing games with these two, or did God's mind change? I can see a consistent principle of character running through both of these, which runs through the whole canon, of just wrath being overcome by compassion... so maybe there isn't a change on the grand scheme but somehow, on the small scheme, God's mind changed? God's heart is shown as very complex --- such as in Hosea 11, wanting to violently purge the people, but having such a tender love that the violence is impossible. Is this an anthropomorphic moment, reading a human father's complexity into the heart of God -- or is God's heart really torn in these ways? Immutably torn? |
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165 | Seems to change in stories? | Mal 3:6 | Just Read Mark | 177015 | ||
Hi Iktoose. Thanks for the response. I think we're agreeing here --- that God did change direction in response to Moses' plea. The character of God is constant. I think sometimes we answer questions quickly (like showing one text where it says God does not change) without delving into the question more deeply. If Rusty goes to his teacher with one verse, that will be much less convincing than if Rusty has thought about the passages that are more confusing. I've enjoyed the range of answers. Maybe I like the "childish" elements of how God tells his story --- I believe in living within the STORY of it, from Genesis to Apocalypse. So I try to hold that complexity in my head. Peace. JRM |
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166 | what scripture relates blessings to luck | Matt 5:3 | Just Read Mark | 176873 | ||
Luck is, I'm pretty sure, a pagan concept having more to do with "fate" than "grace". To go for "Lucky are the poor" would be absurd. "Blessed are the poor" sounds absurd to many, but it goes to a deeper truth. Luck is impersonal and capricious. Blessing is personal (ie given by the Living God) and generous. I hope this helps. (Though I'm not sure where it leaves your study....) |
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167 | What is mercy? | Matt 5:7 | Just Read Mark | 153175 | ||
The usual use of "mercy" generally involves a power relationship between the two parties. For example, the judge treats the criminal clemency. So this beatitude would relate to how we use authority, in the family, workplace, etc. A few things I have read about this beatitude, however, interpret "mercy" akin to "compassion": mercy is aiding someone who is SUFFERING. A biblical occurence of this would be the good samaratan having mercy on the wounded traveller. Help me out here. Is the broader definition part of mercy, or only the one that has a sense of authority to it? Many of the occurences of the word "mercy" in the gospel are ambiguous to this distinction, because people are crying out "Lord, have mercy." In these cases, both senses apply, for they are appealing to a higher authority ("Lord") to respond to their suffering (illnesses, possessions, etc.). JRM |
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168 | What is mercy? | Matt 5:7 | Just Read Mark | 153206 | ||
Grace and mercy. Here is a different way of distinguishing grace from mercy. "The two terms are frequently synonymous; but where there is a distinction between the two, it appears that grace is a loving response when love is undeserved, and mercy is a loving response prompted by the misery and helplessness of the one on whom the love is to be showered. Grace answers to the undeserving; mercy answers to the miserable." -----D. A. Carson, "The Sermon on the Mount" What do you think? |
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169 | What is mercy? | Matt 5:7 | Just Read Mark | 153207 | ||
I like the example of Saul and David. Saul was king, but in that instance David had the power. So David had mercy on Saul. Turning now to the Good Samaritan --- we don't usually think of Samaritans as having power to yield. But he had the resources to aid the wounded traveller, so perhaps that is power enough. Aid was his to either give or withhold, and he was merciful. Does that follow from your statement about power and mercy? |
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170 | What is mercy? | Matt 5:7 | Just Read Mark | 153210 | ||
From the context of Salvation, can you reframe "mercy" in the context of christian life. Blessed are the merciful --- this means Christians in areas of authority or power not metting out the punishments that people deserve? |
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171 | Merciful Sheep? | Matt 5:7 | Just Read Mark | 153246 | ||
Looking at the "sheep and goats" scene in Matthew 25:31-46. Are the human actions here examples of "mercy," or something else (like compassion)? Is this judgement scene an illustration of "Blessed are the merciful... ?" | ||||||
172 | Merciful Sheep? | Matt 5:7 | Just Read Mark | 153344 | ||
Hi Doc. I agree that God is showing mercy to the sheep. And it is beautiful how humble they are about the whole thing: "Lord, when did we...." Now, the actions that the "sheep" take toward those in need (the thirsty, hungry, etc) --- are those rightly called acts of "mercy"? Some say "yes" --- because the sheep are responding to suffering without expectation of a return for their efforts. Others say "no, it's not mercy" because the sheep are not in positions of power over the sufferers. I'm just trying to figure this out, in relation to Matt 5:7. Thoughts? |
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173 | Merciful Sheep? | Matt 5:7 | Just Read Mark | 153345 | ||
Hi Steve. Does that definition of "mercy" make sense in Luke 10:37? |
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174 | When is it time to say no? | Matt 13:55 | Just Read Mark | 111022 | ||
Never capitalize "him"? Hi compudex. Is it Ray, on this forum, that takes capitalization as his special interest? The diversity in the practice of translators probably means it is not clear in the manuscripts. As I understand it, capitalization (and even punctuation) is a more modern aspect of texts. Some translations don't capitalize pronouns for Jesus, even outside of direct dialogue. For example, Matthew 13:10 NRSV Then the disciples came and asked him, "Why do you speak to them in parables?" American Standard Version And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? So, in this muddle, where does the "corruption of the Word" lie? Are "Him" and "His" ever warrented, or are the caps an anachronism? Yours, JRM. |
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175 | When is it time to say no? | Matt 13:55 | Just Read Mark | 111034 | ||
Thanks, kalos. That is very helpful to me. Was I right that punctuation is also very hard to deal with from the Greek? I heard that the sentences run together, so determinng where each thought ends is a delicate matter. JRM. |
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176 | who did jesus send fishing for taxes | Matt 17:24 | Just Read Mark | 225019 | ||
The tax collectors approached Peter, and Jesus sent Peter to find payment in the mouth of a fish. Deacon, it's a pleasure to find and share answers like this. But you may find it a blessing to search for this kind of answer using the computer tools. Search for "fish" in the Gospels, for example, and you'd find this one quickly. |
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177 | What's Jesus example of borrowing money? | Matt 17:27 | Just Read Mark | 117055 | ||
Jesus doesn't seem to scramble around for money. People do seem to give him things. When I get into a tight spot financially (it is tax time after all), I follow Jesus' example and go fishing.... ---see the text from Matthew above : ) |
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178 | What's Jesus example of borrowing money? | Matt 17:27 | Just Read Mark | 117232 | ||
I was being a bit silly. But doesn't that bit of the Gospel make you smile? We need to keep some humour in our study of the Bible, cause Jesus is at times a joker too. There is no description of how Jesus dealt with money... We know that he ate at other peoples' homes (like Zacheus), and stayed in peoples homes (like Mary, Lazarus and Martha). We know they kept a purse for giving to the poor, and that the disciples were stressed about the finances of feeding the 5000. Jesus tells a number of stories about shrewd financial managers, encouraging us to be clever and resourceful. (Luke 16 elevates an unjust steward as an example... strange indeed.) The Bible is clear about usury being wrong, which puts our Banks into a difficult place. Jesus maintains this OT sense, suggesting that we loan money without expectation of repayment (not only no interest, but to give it away!) Yikes. Matthew 5:42 "Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away." Luke 6:35 "But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. This last ones casts the borrower as "unthankful and evil." Hmmm.... Sometimes resigning ourselves to poor treatment frees us to be generous despite circumstances -- and then to really appreciate any gratitude we receive. Now, I have a mortgage, and some other debts -- related mostly to my business. I feel OK about it, although it can be a burden. One guideline I have heard Christians use (not Biblical, but thought out), is that it is not OK to borrow for things that depreciate in value (general living expenses, or even a car)... you should live within your means. But if you borrow for something that will INCREASE in value (ie. a house, an education, a business expansion) that is OK. Do I stick to this? Not quite --- my business fluctuates, so at times I borrow to get through a hard cycle. But it is a useful measure, I think. Here is a text I keep in mind: My child, if you have given your pledge to your neighbor, if you have bound yourself to another, you are snared by the utterance of your lips, caught by the words of your mouth. So do this, my child, and save yourself, for you have come into your neighbor's power: go, hurry, and plead with your neighbor. Give your eyes no sleep and your eyelids no slumber; save yourself like a gazelle from the hunter, like a bird from the hand of the fowler. (Proverbs 6:1-5) Yours, JRM |
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179 | What's Jesus example of borrowing money? | Matt 17:27 | Just Read Mark | 117240 | ||
Lighten up. Yikes. How about the content of what I wrote? How about looking at the context? And isn't it clear that I've read the rest, if you look at my posts? One of my gripes about how Jesus is portrayed, is that he is always grim faced and sombre. There are moments of brilliant wit in the gospels, and I love how he can turn an opponent away with a few words. Maybe "joker" was overstated for the sake of making a point? Whatever. I think you are all more offended than my Lord is right now. How about the content of the post, rather than one word? JRM. |
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180 | What's Jesus example of borrowing money? | Matt 17:27 | Just Read Mark | 117241 | ||
O humourless one: The first definition is "one who jokes." While this is contrary to our earnest sense of Jesus, there is some truth to it. I overstated my case for rhetorical effect. My dictionary has the "obnoxious or incompetent" element as U.S. usage. Hmmm..... I don't really care to pursue this.... see my other reply (to Hank). I can really see how this forum can get distracted. JRM |
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