Results 141 - 160 of 166
|
||||||
Results from: Notes Author: Just Read Mark Ordered by Date |
||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
141 | By the bible, is nuclear winter possible | Gen 8:22 | Just Read Mark | 84467 | ||
Disagreement: what to do? Hank: the reason I said "a broad swipe at science" was because, in a discussion about global warming, you jumped immediately to secular humanism and creation. That seems like a very wide paint-brush to me. Your other posts seem to imply that either I don't know what I'm talking about -- or that I am worshiping human contructions. Or were you writing to a hypothetical reader? Brad: thanks for a useful contribution. As for the fact there is a lot of discussion for and against global warming, that was why I made my statement about "taking a conservative approach --ie. conserving the environment." When we don't know for certain, it is better to be moderate. North American society, presently, is anything but moderate. While some scientists contest global warming, animal extinctions and deformations are hard to dispute. To wait until these concerns are plain for all to see seems irresponsible. |
||||||
142 | By the bible, is nuclear winter possible | Gen 8:22 | Just Read Mark | 84438 | ||
Environment, morality, and science I agree with all you have said. My life is in Christ --- but I am able to investigate all kinds of questions because it is God's world. I, like you, do not espouse naive notions of progress. So, since we agree on so many things.... why did you respond to the discussion of global warming by taking a broad swipe at science in general? You're not putting your head in the sand, and I am not saying the sky is falling -- so we should be able to move forward here. I just wish to reiterate that Christians need to look at our impact on the environment as a moral issue -- and science is part of understanding what that impact is. |
||||||
143 | By the bible, is nuclear winter possible | Gen 8:22 | Just Read Mark | 84422 | ||
Godly Science. OK -- I don't particularly want to open up the whole Old Earth / Young Earth / A Day is a Thousand Years line of inquiry. I just want to say that there are different fields of knowledge -- and not everything that is true is in the Bible. We can say that the Bible is true, and at the same time understand that observing nature is useful. In fact, the rise of Science in Renaissance Europe had to do with a sense of God creating an orderly, intelligable creation. "But ask the animals, and they will teach you; the birds of the air, and they will tell you; ask the plants of the earth, and they will teach you; and the fish of the sea will declare to you. Who among these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this?" --- Job 12:7-9 Some science is poor. Some theories are disproved (by theories built on still more data). But we use scientific knowledge every day -- and base decisions upon it -- and humans always have. (In Luke 12:55, Jesus uses weather forcasting as a teaching example.) So the question is: do we ignore warnings about global warming, because the Bible doesn't explicitly speak about it? Or do we weigh evidence, and -- since these things are contested -- take a conservative (ie. conserve the natural ecosystem) approach? As for the heat in Arkansas, imagine if the average temperature rose just a little? I live in Canada, and people often joke about how global warming would be welcome in January. But the arctic ice IS shrinking considerably every year -- and the polar bears don't like the change. All the oceans are linked -- how will the retreat of the ice (part of our global thermostat) affect animals in the other oceans? Please, as Christians we have to move beyond glib humour on this issue. I think God calls out for Godly, faithful scientists. And there are already many. |
||||||
144 | psalm 68:19 in kj compare nasv | Ps 68:19 | Just Read Mark | 84375 | ||
Different Meanings. I guess the real question is, what happened to the textual analysis in those years? The meanings are different. Here they are, for comparison: Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah. ---King James Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden, The God who is our salvation. Selah. ---- NASV In one, the burden is positive, and is being carried by us (like a bundle of blessings) ---- the other, the burden is carried by God, lifted off of our shoulders, because it is a negative burden. I don't know what lead to the change --- but the newer translations have more ancient texts to work with. Maybe someone with more knowledge of translation issues could help us out. |
||||||
145 | How has ART fed your faith? | Heb 11:1 | Just Read Mark | 84350 | ||
Thanks for the link. I enjoyed Tim Timmerman a lot. There is also an organization called "Christians in the Visual Arts" -- or CIVA. They are a fabulous network of artist. see www.civa.org If you go to this site -- a group of Canadian Christians -- you will see some of my work, among others. http://www.imago-arts.on.ca/gallery.htm I find these sites encourage me in the practice of art that is grounded in Christ. |
||||||
146 | 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.) |
||||||
147 | John21:1-14 , Luke 5:1-11 | John 21:1 | Just Read Mark | 84137 | ||
Art and Faith Dear Mommapbs, you asked about art and faith through history. I have started a thread dealing with this --- perhaps you'd like to chime in? See note #84119 |
||||||
148 | How has ART fed your faith? | Heb 11:1 | Just Read Mark | 84136 | ||
Hi Searcher. Perhaps that painting by Rembrandt would be a start. There is a book by Henry Nouwen called "The Return of the Prodigal Son" -- it is short, and very good, meditation on that painting. So often, Christians don't participate in shaping culture. But why? Bach continues to draw people to God... we need people doing these things today. I often give lectures about my art-making --- and it is interesting because it opens doors for people. Christians come to my talks, and have their eyes opened about art (and are encouraged in faith as well) and people that love painting come to my talks, and find a fresh, jargon-free entry into the gospel. Indeed, the history of western art is like a great cloud of witnesses, testifying across the centuries. They present their convictions of the unseen (Hebrews 11:1), in a way that draws viewers deeper into God's care. Peace. |
||||||
149 | John21:1-14 , Luke 5:1-11 | John 21:1 | Just Read Mark | 84064 | ||
"Peter, do you love me?" Hello Mommapbs -- thanks for your note. I have thought about the Christ's dialogue with Peter a fair bit. I still think that forgiveness is part of it. Of course, we are all forgiven when we turn to Jesus, as you say. But sometimes it is hard for us to accept it, to truely take on the freedom. God does some work - different for each of us - to draw us into wholeness. I guess the main reason I see it as forgiveness is the threefold repetition. It seems like an unsaid acknowledgement of Peter's threefold denial. Peter, I think, was crushed by his denial of Jesus. Now, the risen Jesus is saying "I know what you did, and I still want you to feed my sheep." While the gospels only show Peter receiving this treatment, I think it relates to all of us. Mommapbs -- as for your comments about "The Rock," I do agree. Peter was called the rock because he professed Christ as the Messiah --- and it is that proclaimation that is at the heart of the church. Still, Peter is a significant figure at the beginning of Acts, so it works both ways. |
||||||
150 | 2 wifes for a man, 2 husbands for a wife | Eph 5:31 | Just Read Mark | 83945 | ||
Adultery and polygamy. Hi there. It seems to me that sexual ethics were revealed and refined over time. The meaning of "adultery" as described in Exodus 20:14 seems to be about not violating marriage agreements -- ie. don't sleep with another person's spouse. It doesn't seem to say anything against being faithful to multiple wives. In nomadic or war-torn cultures --which the Israelites often were --- polygamy enables more children to be born despite a low population of men. Polygamy can be a way to ensure that women are cared for, knit into the fabric of society. Again, I am not condoning polygamy. I am just saying the Bible is complicated, and we shouldn't simplify. The New Testament is very clear on how we should proceed (one woman, one man). Peace. |
||||||
151 | who did luke write to | Luke | Just Read Mark | 83887 | ||
Theophilus. It may be that Theophilus was not an individual at all. The name literally means "Loves God" -- so perhaps it is a symbolic use of the name. Perhaps he addressed it to all who love God (you and me included.) | ||||||
152 | 2 wifes for a man, 2 husbands for a wife | Eph 5:31 | Just Read Mark | 83886 | ||
Polygamy. Yes: we want to affirm one husband with one wife. But the Bible is a gritty and complex book -- and marriage ethics are not so clear. Of course, Solomon's many (hundreds of) wives were part of his falling away. But was it because of the number of wives, or because they came from different religions --- so he compromised? David had multiple wives --- Nathan makes it clear that his indiscretion with a married woman was wrong, but there is no comment about wives in general. He was a man after God's own heart. What about Jacob? No examples of women having multiple husbands... sorry about the inequality. Am I arguing for polygamy: certainly not. The New Testament is very clear on the subject. But God works, and reveals himself, amid the diverse cultures of this world - including relationship practices. |
||||||
153 | God's intent for man | Deut 30:20 | Just Read Mark | 83773 | ||
Blessings and Curses. Hello Wrightmor. I love this text, and it's good to look at it again. It strikes me that this is the culmination of the Pentateuch -- the climax in a way. And, in the books that follow, we see Israel be blessed when they pursue God, and we see calamity - even exile - when they pursue false roads to a full life. I like your parent image. That ties in with Hosea 11 as well. Peace to you. |
||||||
154 | Prov 31 Does it apply to modern woman? | Prov 31:10 | Just Read Mark | 83707 | ||
A previous post sheds some light on this text as well. See post# 12319. I like it. It blocks out major traits from Prov. 31, and compares them to the life of Ruth. |
||||||
155 | Interpret Jude1:23 - hate sinners shirt | Jude 1:23 | Just Read Mark | 83703 | ||
False Teachers. Yes, Radioman2, the text is about people of faith who have turned away. But we are surrounded by people who fit this description, don't you think? People we need to reach out to. Of course, the corruptions of our era are a little different (I don't see too much licence happening during our love-feasts, for instance) but they are still present. So, it seems difficult to use such harsh language against people in our midst. Then again, let's not be sentimental. Loving, but not soft. |
||||||
156 | Interpret Jude1:23 - hate sinners shirt | Jude 1:23 | Just Read Mark | 83702 | ||
Counting Pronouns. By the way: I've never heard of counting pronouns as an interpretive tool. While it is playfully fun to thank the Trinity for multiples of 3... well.... it sounds like a risky line of inquiry. I smiled, and praised God as I read your note. Peace. |
||||||
157 | Interpret Jude1:23 - hate sinners shirt | Jude 1:23 | Just Read Mark | 83701 | ||
Thread of grace. ..Thanks, Ray. You have elaborated on the "thread of grace" that surrounds the critique of false of teaching. I, too, love verse 24. "To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy ...." So the whole book is a critique of those who have tasted God's grace and yet fall away. It is not condemning those who don't believe, but those who have believed and then corrupt their faith. But here is the assurance, that Christ will keep us and hold us safely. We need not despair and say, "Who then can be saved." |
||||||
158 | Interpret Jude1:23 - hate sinners shirt | Jude 1:23 | Just Read Mark | 83608 | ||
Judgement and mercy. ..... Thanks: it is good to see those other renderings of the text. At first, Jude struck me as very harsh indeed -- describing people as "autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, uprooted".... wow: what an image. The language is vivid and brutal. I now see the thread of grace more clearly, particularly the word "mercy" (NRSV) that occurs again and again -- even in the openning address of the book: "May mercy, peace, and love be yours in abundance." Beautiful, how this seemingly formal opening ties into the core themes of the book. So, Radioman2: may mercy, peace, and love be yours in abundance! |
||||||
159 | Interpret Jude1:23 - hate sinners shirt | Jude 1:23 | Just Read Mark | 83590 | ||
Hi Radioman. The Zechariah text is particularly good, as it includes - not only the shirt image - but also the bit about the "brand from the fire." That seems to confirm that the text was in Jude's mind. I guess the reason I raised the issue was that there seems to be contempt in the tone. To hate "even the garment" --- the garment polluted by the person --- seems to imply a contempt of the person. Eugene Peterson's paraphrase seems to take a "love the sinner, hate the sin" approach: "Go easy on those who hesitate in the faith. Go after those who take the wrong way. Be tender with sinners, but not soft on sin. The sin itself stinks to high heaven." Is that really what the text is saying, or is that softening the violence out of it somehow? How do we know when the "mercy mixed with fear" approach applies? |
||||||
160 | Can a woman speak in church? | 1 Tim 2:15 | Just Read Mark | 83542 | ||
Language and Community Language constantly changes, as we invent ways to express ourselves. We should not pine for a universal code -- for language needs to shift to meet the needs of our changing world. Dictionaries are a recent phenomenon -- several hundred years. Language is formed and interpreted in community. As new expressions are formed, they are shared by a community that understands their meaning. Sometimes these expressions become common usage. This points to the importance of reading scripture as a community --- for it was written long ago, and includes metaphors and forms not common in our era. Most of the epistles, for example, are addressed to churches: the letters were read aloud, shared communally, and interpreted together in light of the shared gospel. Reading the scriptures apart from the community of faith --- in an individualistic inquiry --- can lead to some bizarre conclusions. An interesting thing about this forum is that it brings together diverse members of the community of Christ: people from different backgrounds struggling together to interpret the text. (I realize this note is a late addition to this thread... but I've been thinking about these things a lot.) |
||||||
Result pages: << First < Prev [ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 ] Next > Last [9] >> |