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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | unclean is a sin? or not? | Lev 5:2 | DocTrinsograce | 174726 | ||
Dear Brother Mark, The "teleological suspension of the ethical" is what my wife calls, very simply, the "teleo thingy." :-) It is an interesting discussion. I find it useful in day to day life only in relatively narrow situations. For example, if one must break the speed limit in order to get a sick person quickly to the hospital. Although I believe it is the primary reason that it is not sinful for a soldier to take a life in his pursuit of duty in a time of war. In Bible study, there are only very specific situations where it seems -- let me emphasize that word seems -- to come into play. Regardless, one has to take care in discussing it, since it can so easily be used by man's ever-rationalizing heart to justify unrighteous behavior. No discussion of Biblical ethics, though, is complete without mentioning it. I appreciate your introducing the question regarding the damsel of Mark 5. I find myself warming to it more with time! Your responses to my objections are certainly very valid. I particularly concur with you on the power of your final statement: "Jesus said 'she is not dead.'" When it is all said and done, "Let God be true, and every man a liar!" Also, I hope you know that when I cite things like the Mishnah, Talmud, or other Rabbinic sources, I do not see them as authoritative. It is simply a useful insight into Judaic views. Thus, it is hoped that we can better understand the people, culture, and times of the Bible -- a distinct advantage in sound exegesis. Finally, regarding the woman "with an issue of blood" (Matthew 9:20): Note that she touched Him "unawares," so to speak. (The temerity and audacity of this act by a daughter of Abraham is incredible! She risked much!) Except in the case of a Kohain, it is generally understood that becoming unclean unintentionally is not a sin. Given this fact plus your Talitha Theory, we have no clear instance where Jesus became tumei. However, I agree with you that it is arguably true that being unclean is not in and of itself a sin. Thank you for this interesting exchange. It has been valuable. In Him, Doc |
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2 | unclean is a sin? or not? | Lev 5:2 | MJH | 174792 | ||
Since I did start this thread, let me jump in here. Thanks to both of you for spending so much time on this. It has benefited me greatly. Doc, your statement about the use of the Mishnah et. al. is well stated. 1)"The order of the Laws" was a very common argument among the rabbis in the time of Jesus. You see it in the question to Jesus, "Which is the greatest commandment." They actually went deeper then the fist 3 or 4, but Jesus answer is in line with the Pharisees up until the Samaritan is called a neighbor. The question I like to ask people is, "If your donkey falls into a hole on the Sabbath, do you help it out?" Either way you break one of the commandments. "Life" is the controlling standard. You save the donkey; otherwise it dies, so breaking the Sabbath is justified. 2) The woman who touches the tassel on Jesus robe is showing an amazing act of Faith. She believes in Micah 4:2 that the Son of Righteousness will come with "healing in his corners." Num 15:38 says that all Israel must wear tassels on the corners of their robes. Corners equals Kanaph; Micah says the Messiah will have healing in his (wings, corners) equals Kanaph. The woman obviously understood this passage to mean that if she touched the tassel of the Messiah, she would be made well. So her act, becoming well, superseded the unclean law because to become well was to promote life. She took a great risk in following her faith...if she were wrong she could be exposed of sinning intentionally by touching so many people as well as a respected Rabbi. If she was correct, then her actions would be justified and she would be healed. Note: the word in the Greek text about the woman touching the tassel is the same Greek word used in the LXX to translated Kanaph. 3) It is still my understanding that to become unclean, while limiting your access to the Temple worship for a time did not mean you had “sinned.” But the Lev 5 text does use the word for sin when someone becomes unclean, even unintentionally. I have since had time to study this more and every commentary I found said the following: “The sin was that the person entered the Temple in an unclean state and/or did not do the purification necessary.” Therefore the sin was not being unclean, but in not following the law of purification. Also: In the Jewish Misnah (w) it is said, the word "hidden" is twice used, to show that he is guilty, for the ignorance of uncleanness, and for the ignorance of the sanctuary. (w) Misn. Shebuot, c. 2. sect. 5. I like this explanation much more since one does not have to look at the New Testament and then back track to the old to justify an understanding of scripture. Even though this may work, it doesn’t say “why” it works. Paul and the others didn’t change the meaning or understanding the Old Testament texts. They were working from an understanding of the texts based on their scripture at the time. Not to mention that the Text must mean what it says in the original transmission. MJH |
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