Results 241 - 260 of 294
|
||||||
Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Author: Just Read Mark Ordered by Verse |
||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
241 | why was Jacob Loved and Esau Hated | Rom 9:1 | Just Read Mark | 119466 | ||
Does this make it a little hard to sing "Jesus love me"? For, if Essau was taught that song, it would have been a falsehood. | ||||||
242 | women? | 1 Corinthians | Just Read Mark | 82708 | ||
Thanks. Hey there Justme. I have written a couple of responses on a thread "can women lead" (you may want to add to that conversation too...) Anyway, I just found your text here --- thanks for the insight. |
||||||
243 | Must a woman have long hair | 1 Corinthians | Just Read Mark | 85030 | ||
Chemotherapy. I don't really understand what is meant by "her hair is her glory" --- surely not sex appeal. I find the elaboration in your study Bible useful. This issue immediately makes me think of the women I have known (my wife included) who have lost all of their hair due to illness, and how devastating it can be. I would not want to burden them with a prescriptive view of this text. |
||||||
244 | a womans hair is her glory | 1 Cor 11:15 | Just Read Mark | 168773 | ||
1 Corinthians 11:15 A difficult (con)text... By the way, using an online concordance finds these kinds of "find the quote" questions very quickly. On this site, there is the "Get Bible Text" search tool. |
||||||
245 | Should we ask God for the gift of tongue | 1 Cor 12:11 | Just Read Mark | 111640 | ||
Amazing Gibberish. Obviously, this is a divisive issue. I am from a mainline denomination, not known for its use of spiritual gifts. I have some friends who are very open to these things, however, and have learned as much as possible. At one service recently --- an event with perhaps 600 worshipping --- one of these friends prayed in his "prayer language," in the context of praying through "Christmas" texts in Isaiah. Driving home, a woman mentioned to another aquaintance of mine, "you guys are always surprising me. How did J. learn to speak an indiginous language from Ethiopia?" So this woman heard the text from Isaiah in her traditional language, from her remote area of Ethiopia. This has been a powerful testimony in her life, and for others as well. To me, it was gibberish. To Jeff, it was an act of trusting God amid sounds he could not understand. To Satan, it was the power of God to minister to a particular person who needed to hear God's word in a fresh way. I am quite stunned by this, happening with people that I know. How do I make sense of this? I think the reasons that the gifts were needed then are the same reason the gifts are needed now. |
||||||
246 | Should we ask God for the gift of tongue | 1 Cor 12:11 | Just Read Mark | 111643 | ||
Amazing Gibberish. Obviously, this is a divisive issue. I am from a mainline denomination, not known for its use of spiritual gifts. I have some friends who are very open to these things, however, and have learned as much as possible. At one service recently --- an event with perhaps 600 worshipping --- one of these friends prayed in his "prayer language," in the context of praying through "Christmas" texts in Isaiah. Driving home, a woman mentioned to another aquaintance of mine, "you guys are always surprising me. How did J. learn to speak an indiginous language from Ethiopia?" So this woman heard the text from Isaiah in her traditional language, from her remote area of Ethiopia. This has been a powerful testimony in her life, and for others as well. To me, it was gibberish. To Jeff, it was an act of trusting God amid sounds he could not understand. To Satan, it was the power of God to minister to a particular person who needed to hear God's word in a fresh way. I am quite stunned by this, happening with people that I know. How do I make sense of this? I think the reasons that the gifts were needed then are the same reason the gifts are needed now. |
||||||
247 | Tongues, madness or sign for unbeliever | 1 Cor 14:22 | Just Read Mark | 150847 | ||
Please help me to understand this verse in context, especially the verses which follow directly after. How are tongues a benefit to unbelievers, when a few verses later it says that unbelievers see tongues as "madness"? |
||||||
248 | Tongues in different settings? | 1 Cor 14:22 | Just Read Mark | 151054 | ||
Thanks to everyone who has responded to my question! We tend to answer questions out of our general knowledge, rather than deal directly with the text. This particular text says "Tongues, then, are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers." Some of the responses have contradicted this (ie. tongues are for believers, or of no benefit whatsoever...) without explaining how the conclusions were arrived at. Earlier in the chapter, Paul talks about speaking mysteries in the spirit and thereby "building up themselves" (v.4). So it seems there is a place for private tongues, as an act of worship --- but that this sort of tongues should not be used in a group. In a group, we should be striving to "build up the church" (v 12). It appears tongues can function in this way if there is an interpreter (v. 5). Tongues is good, but prophecy is a more reliable way to build up the church. Do you think this is a reasonable sumation of the first half of the chapter? There is then a shift at verse 20, which leads to a statement that seems contradictory to what I just stated. Where the first part says tongues are for the believer's private use or (with an interpreter) among believers, the next verses say tongues are to benefit unbelievers, not believers. Help me out here. It seems contradictory, but I suspect I'm just not getting the whole sense of it. There are, perhaps different uses of tongues. Let's leave the events of Pentecost aside, since that seems an extraordinary blessing, beyond the normal experience of the churches. Instead, please help with this particular chapter. Yours JRM. |
||||||
249 | Tongues, madness or sign for unbeliever | 1 Cor 14:22 | Just Read Mark | 151055 | ||
Thanks for the in-depth answer. It is fascinating, and I appreciate how the OT quote is integrated into it ( ... although it is a strange passage for Paul to quote. It's relation to tongues is certainly metaphorical...). So, if I understand it right, Paul is saying that tongues are for unbelievers. If the tongues are improperly used, however, they will be discrediting to the church. If they are properly used, they will somehow reach unbelievers. I have two questions.... first, why would an unbeliever be impressed by unintelligable words? Second, if Paul's criticism is simply that they are using tongues badly, why doesn't he contrast "good tongues" to "confusing tongues" instead of contrasting tongues to prophecy? I hope I have made my questions clear.... it seems a bit muddled. JRM |
||||||
250 | Tongues in different settings? | 1 Cor 14:22 | Just Read Mark | 151097 | ||
Wow, Tim. I never would have read the words like that. It makes me want to learn greek. It results in a completely different meaning to the verse --- but certainly more harmonious with the larger context. So, if the verse is a rhetorical question, does that work with the OT quote that sets it up? |
||||||
251 | Where in the Bible or where is it a para | 2 Cor 10:12 | Just Read Mark | 109518 | ||
King of Tyre. As we struggle to read the Bible in an accurate way, so many questions are raised. We are told to read them in the sense they were written (which can involve some serious historical research) --- yet also to allow the Spirit to bring about new interpretations in the life of the believer. Anyway, the use of Ezekiel above is troubling. The context is a series of denunciations of foreign nations --- nations that surrounded Israel at the time of Ezekiel. I see a prophetic denunciation of a human king, who has risen to great power and then been corrupted by that wealth. The references to Eden, and the mountain, are metaphors describing his blessed state --- including this pagan ruler within the narrative of Israel. His iniquity, however, is leading to his downfall. The problem with "proof texting" is that it ignores the larger context of the passage. Of course, the beginning of that chapter sees the King of Tyre making god-claims for himself. So, while this may not describe Satan, it does basically tell the same story. We can all be like Satan, when we turn from God's grace and revel in our own ambition. Another interesting passage --- it talks about "Lucifer" but in the context of Babylon --- is Isaiah 14:12-21. Any thoughts about the historical / allegorical readings of these passages would be welcome. JRM. |
||||||
252 | Beware "Another" | 2 Cor 11:4 | Just Read Mark | 156389 | ||
We can also learn from Victor here. When the Pope points to Christ, we should celebrate this, for as LionHeart has said, all who follow Christ are the church. There are different ways to organize a church. Are there problems with Catholic hierarchy... Probably. Are there problems with community churches that spring up all over the place, and are accountable to no larger body... Probably. Every way we have of organizing ourselves will have problems, for we are fallen people. The new testament has many examples of hierarchy (Paul emphasizing his authority, and appointing leaders to keep congregations growing in the right direction. like Titus 1:5) and also many examples of diverse leaders under Christ (1 Corinthians 3:5) Doc, your initial post implies that the Pope was pointing to Another Christ,or Another Gospel. When so many Catholics are true believers, this is objectionable. Expecially since you didnt explain the grounds for your criticism. Furthermore, the Pope s comments about avoiding a consumer attitude to religion is certainly a worthy critique of much contemporary faith practice. It is better to hear the wisdom in the words, than to be dismissive. JRM (PS -- I am writing from a French computer, and the forum is not allowing me to use question marks or quotation marks or appostrophes... sorry for the weirdness that causes) |
||||||
253 | Beware "Another" | 2 Cor 11:4 | Just Read Mark | 156415 | ||
I dont understand why everyone is responding to Victors tone, and not his message. Hes new to the forum, so Id give him some leeway. Please, someone, deal with the issue he raised. Having read your post, Doc, I continue to find it troubling. Instead of expressing any explicit criticism, you just place a description of the Pope in the context of Another Christ and Another Gospel, and the Gospel of Satan. Fact is, the greatest number of Christians in the world are Catholic. And Catholics participate in this forum. So when the Pope points to Christ, we should celebrate it. The true church is not the entire catholic church, or any institution... but God uses that institution mightily. We would do well to heed the Popes criticism about consumer-faith, which is certainly relevant to the North American church. JRM |
||||||
254 | Beware "Another" | 2 Cor 11:4 | Just Read Mark | 156416 | ||
Hi Victor. I agree with the concern you raised about anti-catholocism. You will find some diversity in the forum (feel free to look though my posts and questions, for example). Why do I check out the forum from time to time, over several years now: because this group loves the Bible. I travel sometimes, and just want to chat about what Im reading with others that love the Bible. I wouldnt bail from the forum, though I would be more tactful... JRM |
||||||
255 | Beware "Another" | 2 Cor 11:4 | Just Read Mark | 156421 | ||
Thanks, Mark. I feel your response is very clear, and generous. |
||||||
256 | Test yourselves! Examine yourselves! | 2 Cor 13:5 | Just Read Mark | 84349 | ||
Discipleship, not Orthodoxy. Looking though the list of hypothetical statements, I wonder what the core issue is for the struggling believer. There certainly are some doubts there -- but they are raised at the experiencial level, not about beliefs directly. I think that responding with a list of theological "corrections" could miss the point. Religious people "don't like for anything to challange their beliefs, even if what they believe is ridiculous." -- Hey: I'm a Christian, and I often find the attitudes of Christians embarassing -- and perhaps not embodying the mind of Christ. Some of the questions are more about people than God. "Starting to believe that all of what we believe is just plain crazy." -- It can be fruitless to argue from theology, if the person is questioning that authority. Being part of a faith community, where the gospel is vital and lived, is more convincing. " . . . how can [God] expect us to understand or rejoice at things so foreign to us. Why involve us . . . The Christian life, seems to be marred by "living to die". .. -- Again, I think this needs to be responded to in the "engaged with living" example of Christians. If the community is stiffling and inward looking (as Christians can be), it will fuel this kind of cynicism. If, however, people are genuinely freed by the gospel -- free to love despite societal expectations -- then these questions may desolve. "I dont even know if I'm really saved anymore." -- Is this a theological question of "correct belief" --- or a question of practice? By practice I mean dry prayer life, lack of anwered prayer, alienation from community, withdrawal from servanthood, etc. Often our intellectual questions relate to things much deeper in our hearts. To pound away about orthodoxy, and to miss the real motivating issues, can actually lead to cynicism rather than faith. Sometimes people need discipleship, accountability, and a prayer partner who can stand the ambiguity and questions. "I have felt love for him [God] at various times, but mostly, I felt he hated me, so at times, I have hated him, because I was totally confused." ---See, this is more about emotion than theory. "I do not love God for his majesty. I dont know why or how to. I guess because I originally came to him because I needed help. I didn't get it . . . In all that time, I have seen very little of God. Sometimes, I'm not even sure that he exist. " --- Here, perhaps, is a root issue. The person is expressing disappointment in God -- in unanswered prayer. Combine a sense of God's powerlessness with a sense that Christian community is not functioning well... and there is a powerful ground for doubt. This person needs a true friend to work through this struggle, and the root resentments. When someone has a deep cry of their heart -- and God doesn't appear to be answering -- it is a time for the Christians around to support - indeed carry -- that person through their grief. Peace. (P.S. -- I don't understand why Radioman2's post seems to be listed at different points, under different titles -- so maybe I am missing part of the context here. I hope this post is helpful.) |
||||||
257 | Bear each others load, or our own? | Gal 6:5 | Just Read Mark | 147508 | ||
This verse instructs us to bear our own load. 2 verses earlier, Paul tells us to bear each others loads. What is he getting at? Please help me understand these verses in context. |
||||||
258 | Bear each others load, or our own? | Gal 6:5 | Just Read Mark | 147522 | ||
Thanks, Ed. That is very helpful. I have printed out the response, to follow the references better. I particularly like this notion of the "soldier's pack" as distinct fromt the oppressive burden. Both mutual service and individual responsibility are important. Also, the link to "come all who are heavy laden" is meaningful. JRM |
||||||
259 | Creative Misquotation | Eph 4:8 | Just Read Mark | 168113 | ||
This verse begins, "Therefore it says..." This is a cue, that Paul is about to quote scripture. The reference - as close as I can figure - is to Psalm 68:18. The Psalm has a conquering Messiah RECEIVING gifts from faithful and vanquished alike. Paul, however, has the Messiah GIVING gifts to his people. I was listening to Eugene Peterson preaching on this passage, and he called it a "creative misquotation" --- that Paul knew that his readers would know the original psalm, and that his change to the ending would have a powerful rhetorical effect. The surprise ending would show the radical understanding of God that Jesus brings us... setting the context for the discussion of gifts that follows. What do you think? |
||||||
260 | Creative Misquotation | Eph 4:8 | Just Read Mark | 168132 | ||
Thanks, Brad. The very last verse of the Psalm does mention God giving gifts: "he gives power and strength to his people." (Psalm 68:38) I'm not sure that's enough to define the "essence of the Psalm" as "that a military victor has the right to give gifts to those identified with him." The Psalm focuses more on the fate of the enemies, and the celebration of the Victor's people. Interesting, though, to think that Paul is pulling verse 38 into his reading of verse 18. That is helpful. Oh: I also like the comment on taking "captivity itself a captive" NRSV. This is so rich. Thanks be to God. JRM |
||||||
Result pages: << First < Prev [ 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 ] Next > Last [15] >> |