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Results from: Notes Author: Just Read Mark Ordered by Verse |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | when will jesus christ return | Bible general Archive 2 | Just Read Mark | 107374 | ||
Preterist Return? Hi. It has always been clear to me that the NT writers EXPECTED Jesus to return very soon. I have just thought that they were mistaken (seeing through the glass darkly) but that we are to live with the same view as they did: that Christ will come very soon. To ALWAYS live as if Christ is coming soon. I have never heard of your interpretation before. You are saying that Christ already did return? This makes my mind reel with questions: 1) Why wouldn't the NT writers have mentioned something about that? The canon wasn't set til later anyway. 2) And why didn't anything change upon his return (for Revelation and Thessalonians would certainly cause us to expect radical change)? 3) And -- if what you say is true -- what do we have to look forward to? |
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2 | Thompson Chain Reference: useful? | Bible general Archive 2 | Just Read Mark | 107456 | ||
Thanks for the replies. I understand, of course, that it is a human resource, but at least it is constantly pointing me back into the scripture. I have found a few typos already, in the lists of verses. And there are verses that fascinate me that have no chain attached at all! It may encourage me to add my own links and chains, following the format. I notice there are many blank pages at the back of my edition: perfect! I love the idea of how it started. A minister's personal notation system! I love being taught by those older and wiser, and there is something so pleasing about knowing how this system started. EdB: your comments about how to break in the Book are well taken. You noticed, of course, that my favorite Bible is falling apart! It is so annotated, and carried about, that the hard-cover is broken. The binding, however, is still in good shape. I'll take your advice on breaking the new book in. Thanks. JRM |
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3 | how do you deal with unrequited feelings | Bible general Archive 2 | Just Read Mark | 107892 | ||
2 scriptures. Of course, I agree that we should leave specific council to people in face-to-face community. Here are two verses, however, that may be fruitful to look at -- adressing the general theme of singleness rather than Bnbriones' specific case. ... I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, do not stir up or awaken love until it is ready! (Song of Songs 8:4 ) This warning is a refrain through the Song, occuring 3 times. Also, see how Paul privileges celebate singleness in 1Corinthians chapter 7. Read the whole chapter. ... Our culture, which makes singles feel like they are missing out, is distorting God's view on the matter. Many people live under presure to find a partner -- when God has many other issues for us to put our longing into. Yours, JRM. |
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4 | trials and tribulations | Bible general Archive 2 | Just Read Mark | 110918 | ||
Apocrypha. Hi Kalos. I, too, have been digging though the Apocrypha a little. My interest was in reading Maccabees, having recently read Daniel. Also, it is interesting to flesh out some of the history before the time of Jesus. It does help to understand the gospels, I think. I am reading a book by N.T. Wright called "The New Testament and the People of God" --- it is really helping me to understand threads withing Judaism in the time before and after Christ. Peace, JRM. |
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5 | What is the Dark Ages | Bible general Archive 2 | Just Read Mark | 119460 | ||
Historical periods are often named after the fact, and can reflect the bias of the historians, rather than something true about the actual time period. The medieval period is often referred to as a Dark Age. Scholars of the Renaissance (which means rebirth - another value-laden term) looked down on the earlier period. Renaissance culture rediscovered the classical learning of the Greeks and Romans, as well as mathematics from Arab peoples -- and considered the intervening thousand years a write-off. The name of another period, the "Enlightenment," shows you another value-laden historical name. As Christians, we might evaluate these periods differently. The faith and community of the medieval period may look less dark to us, and the individualism and materialism of the enlightenment may look less dazzling. Hope this helps. Yours JRM P.S. "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light..." (Isaiah 9:2) |
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6 | what does cultic mean | Bible general Archive 2 | Just Read Mark | 119464 | ||
I think the term "cultic" has a much broader meaning. Certainly, EdB, Walter Martin's definition does relate to a very common use of the word "cult", but... "Cult" can also refer to "a system of religious rites or observanves." Thus, Leviticus describes the cultic practice of the Israelites. In this context, there is no sense of occultim etc... it just focuses attention on the practices of corporate worship. JRM. |
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7 | IM PREACHING ON SUNDAY.................. | Bible general Archive 2 | Just Read Mark | 119465 | ||
Protection Promises? I love the Psalm you quoted. But can we claim it as a promise? I've just been reading Job. Eliphaz comes to comfort Job with platitudes --- and there is truth in his words, but he says them without acknowledging Job's suffering.... Part of Eliphaz's speach sounds remarkably like the Psalm you mentioned: "In famine He shall redeem ou from death, And in war from the power of the sword. You shall be hidden from the scourge of the tongue.... " (Job 5:20). Job responds "How forceful are right words! But what does your arguing prove?" (Job 6:25) and longs for a true friend (6:14) |
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8 | How literal is the Bible? | Bible general Archive 2 | Just Read Mark | 135818 | ||
Hi Reighnskye. Thanks for letting me know. I didn't really understand the drug references... it was "all greek to me." Anyway, I'd probably just get roasted (in the most collegial way) for my post, so it's just as well. JRM |
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9 | Guidance Needed for Wedding Readings | Bible general Archive 1 | Just Read Mark | 82151 | ||
My wife and I chose a verse from the last chapter of the Song of Songs --- very romantic, very passionate.... I don't remember it exactly, but it's something like: Many waters cannot quench love, nor can floods wash it away. It blazes as a mighty flame..... We had other verses as well, but this is one I identify with and associate with that amazing day. Congrats on the marriage, and blessings. P. |
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10 | can a woman lead a church | Bible general Archive 1 | Just Read Mark | 82606 | ||
Women Lead Jesus had more than 12 followers. The gospels clearly talk about 72 being sent out to spread news of the kingdom and heal. Later, there seem to be even more followers. The sex of these followers is never mentioned. I realize one shouldn't argue from silence, but women do appear frequently in the accounts. How to interpret gender roles in the Bible? I think "women can never lead a men" leave us tied in knots. There are many examples of women leading, including that warrior/prophet from Judges. A clear example of a woman leading the nation. St. Paul says to "be all things to all people" --- this means that, to speak to the broader culture, certain aspects of that culture may be adopted --- permitting the gospel to be heard. I think, in New Testiment times, this limited the role of women. I think the freedom themes of the gospel (everything is permitted but not everything is beneficial...) point to a lot more freedom in roles for the sexes. We should be asking: what gifts does each person have? How best can they be imployed? If a woman is a gifted teacher, it is her task to teach for the Lord. If she is a gifted leader, she must lead for the Lord. |
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11 | can a woman lead a church | Bible general Archive 1 | Just Read Mark | 82705 | ||
Deborah Ruled. Hi D. Thanks for the response. Perhaps recruiting and giving a mission to a general doesn't make her a warrior? It is very clear that she was a judge. Check out her story in Judges 4-5. "At that time Deborah, a prophetess, wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel. She used to sit under the palm of Deborah.... and the Israelites came up to her for judgement." (Judges 4:4,5) At that chaotic time in Israel's history, "judges" were the leaders. There was no heroic figure like Moses, nor a king. The judges were annointed by God to bring justice and order to the society. And Deborah, a woman, is presented as an excellent judge. God calls women to be decisive and discerning. God calls women to lead --- to recruit generals, and to give them orders. Women can lead men. Thanks be to God for Bible-believing churches all over the world that have women in leadership. |
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12 | Am I Wrong?? | Bible general Archive 1 | Just Read Mark | 86863 | ||
About human brokeness. The Bible is clear about homosexuality being offensive to God. A sin. But Christians really need to think about how to respond in this situation. You mentioned that many homosexuals have experienced abuse in the past. I think this is true and, more generally, that mis-directed desires are a result of brokeness. When we disparage homosexuals, and treat it as a sin more depraved than any other, we are distorting the facts. We are all broken, and fall short of God's glory. (Romans 3:28) We need to pray for the lives of people caught in this mode of desire. If the church cannot live out the gospel in a way that offers them freedom, our message is solely one of condemnation. This is not the gospel. I believe that the church has been so repressive about homosexuality, that we have not learned what is behind it -- or how to disciple and heal. I want SO MUCH for the church to handle gays and lesbians in a way that is sensitive to their hearts, and their personal histories. As for the politics of gay activism -- there is not a conspiracy theory. I think talking about "legalizing sex with minors" is missing the point. Homosexuality and pedaphelia are not the same thing. Gay activists are smart, know how to lobby, and package their message attractively --- look at the difference between a Pride march (the disgusting liscence aside, look at the exuberant costumes, humour, playfulness) and the March for Jesus (sanctity aside, look at the cliches and heavy-handedness)... Say, for instance, that you have strong homosexual desires. If you can do nothing about them --- which is many people's experience -- should you live in shame, or just accept it? This is why gays would be offended at calling homosexuality a "disease" -- it has become something to celebrate and take pride in. If there is no hope of change, find strength in the way you are. While people may not be able to change themeselves, with God everything is possible. We need to learn how to minister in these people's lives. Our track record -- even with faithful Christians within our churches -- is very bad. We need to look at this problem with humility, and try to see how we can reach these suffering people. We need to learn how to love, not shun. We need to find God's heart for their brokeness, and seek after God's healing for them. Leanne Payne's books on this subject are the best that I know of. Her book, "The Broken Image," continues to be quite useful to a Christian friend of mine who struggles with homosexuality. Yours JRM. |
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13 | Cannot mix different cloths in O.T.? | OT general | Just Read Mark | 168043 | ||
Hi Trigger. Too bad about the lost questions. I have had things go missing, sometimes, too -- especially if I was going back and forth between screen to edit what I'd written. A "thread" is simply a chain of messages --- so, when you ask a new question, it starts a thread. When someone answers that question with a scriptural reference, the thread gets placed at that verse --- and all the responses follow after. So, to reply to my answer, you just click on my answer, and write a "follow-up on this note." I tried to find your post by clicking on your name (beside your other posts, in this thread...) That takes me to a screen where I can see what questions you've asked, or what answers you've given. I don't see your missing post in that list, so it must be lost. (By the way --- clicking on a name like that can be a good way to use the site. If there is someone you learn a lot from, you can find what other topics they are writing about.) Some people write their responses on their own word processor (like Word, Word Perfect, etc) and then -- after a spell check even -- past it into this website. That works well -- plus, if something weird happens, you still have it saved on your own computer. I look forward to your questions, if you're up to re-typing them. JRM |
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14 | What say you? | OT general | Just Read Mark | 168257 | ||
No Private Interpretation. Hi Kalos and Lionheart. You suggest I spend 90 percent fo my time looking for Old Testament doubts. That surprised me, as my main point was to read the entire Bible... so I looked at my posts. My questions have been half new testament, half old. I'm not looking for doubts or trouble, but posting questions from my prayerful and studious reading of the Word. I wasn't saying that the Bible isn't God's Word. I agree with every scripture Lionheart quoted. We will differ, it seems, in the tools used to interpret the scripture. For sure, the Bible is not for "individual interpretation" --- there are interpretations that violate the text, and God's intent for us. I won't say there is only one interpretation, because God has used the same texts in different ways, over the centuries, to his own Glory. My deepest desire is to live in accordance with God's will for my life, and to see other lives called into relationship with Him. Hopefully I'm communicating more clearly than I have been : ) Given our different interpretive tools, I would be interested in your response to the website in Triggers' question, that started this whole discussion... Like, maybe the "daughter-slavery" question that I used in my answer. While we don't have to justify God to human standards... it is our task to witness clearly to the character of God, to spread his Kingdom. The website shows how God is perceived, due to our actions and interpretations. JRM |
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15 | Music and the Presence of God | OT general | Just Read Mark | 168277 | ||
Hi Mark. A great response. Climb the soapbox any time. | ||||||
16 | Family Values Acts 18, where?? | NT general Archive 1 | Just Read Mark | 84747 | ||
Wow. What a moving description. I have been reading Acts lately (just read about Peter's vision of the animals) -- so as I get further in, I will pay more close attention to this couple. Thanks. |
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17 | Christmas-Is It Christian? | NT general Archive 1 | Just Read Mark | 106738 | ||
Most Christians believe that God continues to communicate with believers. We are to test our listening against the Scriptures. The celebration of Christmas is a fruitful way to honour the birth of our Savior. It draws people together as a group to honour God, as opposed to our individual devotional patterns which may lead us to consider the Incarnation at various points in time. Focusing on Christ corporately is so important. The date of December 25th is not in the Bible, but it is not arbitrary. It is just past the shortest day in the year. I am not saying it is a pagan festival --- I am saying that the date reiterates Isaiah's prophesy "The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light." As for the magi, we know that the Bible doesn't say how many there were. Perhaps a dozen started, and only 4 had the conviction to finish? It is speculation. But, on the other hand, look at the symbolism of the 3 -- from different continents (often portrayed as Europe, Asia, and Africa) thus symbolizing the whole world.... or 3 different ages (young, mature, elderly.) These are rich ideas, though not literally Biblical, they are consistent with the message of the Gospel. Don't many Christian authors imagine themselves into the Biblical drama to edifying results? Of course, we don't treat these cultural productions as authoritative. But prayerful production is an important way to serve our Lord. Every time I see a nativity scene, I celebrate. Especially on private lawns. People are making a public declaration of their faith. How much easier to put up a banal snowman or Santa! But no, some people put their faith on display to their neighbours. Let us be flamboyently celebratory this Christmas, stealing the attention from the capitalist frenzy. Let us find ways, united in faith, to celebrate the incarnation on the streets, not just in private devotion. Sing carols door to door that explicitly proclaim who Christ is. I plan to lean into it, for Christ is here and people need to know it. |
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18 | Christmas-Is It Christian? | NT general Archive 1 | Just Read Mark | 106889 | ||
Thanks, Taleb. Very cool. I have never heard that before, and the connection to the Temple is very rich indeed. |
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19 | Are we all descendants of Adam and Eve? | Genesis | Just Read Mark | 84880 | ||
I was not promoting a highly subjective approach that says "this is MY reading." You will notice my post began with "THE MEANING of Adam and Eve." At the same time, Radioman, I have found no objective platform from which to read the text. We study, and we pray that the Holy Spirit will guide us. It is hard work. As for the Elders, they do not always agree. Take a longer look at Biblical interpretation, and you will see that passages are sometimes taken one way, sometimes another. This is not spurious rebellion --- this is the faithful reading of committed Christians. Augustine, Aquinas, Luther, Calvin, Barth, Bonhoffer..... You mention "superficial interpretation." I guess I was trying to move the conversation away from questions of lineage (a superficial issue) to the deeper aspects of the text. Of course I am after Truth with a capital T. But it seems to be a messy business, even with the Word of Truth in our hands. Yours, JRM. |
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20 | Are we all descendants of Adam and Eve? | Genesis | Just Read Mark | 84885 | ||
Genres in the Bible. I think most students of the Bible agree that there are different genres and modes of communication in the Bible. To say that one section is myth, another is allegory, and another is history in no way reduces the authority of the Book. In fact, to flatten out these differences is to misinterpret them. Yes, this does become difficult (who said truth was easy?) Perhaps we don't know the genres, or the cues to how they shift. It is easy to say that the Psalms are poetry, Kings is history, etc. --- but it gets trickier because genres change within individual books. For example, Paul uses hymns in his writing -- which is beautiful, powerful, and provides us with a glimpse of the faith of the earliest Christians. I am not suggesting something beyond the "normal understanding of language." I'm sure we both shudder to see books that "reveal a secret code revealed in the Bible that predicted 9/11." But we do use language in complicated, subtle ways all the time --- why wouldn't the Bible? Look at the complicated theories people work out to explain the literal interpretations. I find the mythic reading less cluttered, and more straight forward --- more akin to "the normal understanding of language." But "straightforward" is not the criteria for Truth either. We need to read the text closely, study the history and the genres, and pray. And commit to live by what we learn. |
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